70) Secrets of Salamonis Solution

[pip]

This book is very open-ended, so it's hard to come up with the ultimate best solution. Here is my attempt at it, I'm looking forward to see other members offer alternative paths.

- Make a dash for the entrance
- -1 Stamina
- Can you tell me more about the great centres of learning?
- You learn about the Forest of Spiders
- Is it true the streets are paved with gold? OR Where can someone new to the city find work?
- Take the City Map
- You have a City Map
- Make your way to the Slime and Swine Guttery
- You are looking for work
- Roll D6. 1-3 = -1 Stamina, 4-5 = -2 Stamina, 6 = -2 Stamina and -1 Skill (choose to stick it out if you rolled 4-6)
- +5 Salacoins, +2 Amonour
- You don't have the Beggar's Mark
- Return to the Docks
- Get out of the guards' way
- No, I'm going to look for some work here at the Boondocks
- Try begging
- Go for passers-by
- Stand your ground
- Push the beggar back
- Fight Beggar Sk 4 St 4 with a -1 Attack Strength Penalty
- +3 Salacoins, +2 Amonour
- Go along with Rodriguez
- Pick up the coin
- Give it to Rodriguez
- Rodriguez reveals the secret to his card trick (subtract 25)
- Try the trick yourself
- 118 - 25 = 93, so turn to 93
- +10 Salacoins, +2 Amonour
- Choose not to sleep in a bed
- -1 Stamina
- Give 10 Salacoins / 1 Gold
- Take short sword, +10 Gold, +1 Luck, +1 Amonour
- Ask the guildmaster for his advice
- You've already met someone who could help train you
- You've heard about the Forest of Spiders
- You want Ruznik to teach you Spelling
- -4 Gold, +2 Stamina
- The word is FIRE, turn to 206
- +1 Luck, +2 Amonour, learn the Spelling skill
- You don't have a Holy Symbol
- Take Holy Symbol, +1 Luck, +1 Amonour
- Visit the Temple of Logaan
- See where the passageway leads
- Roll D6 for a random fortune reading (the result doesn't matter)
- Learn the Lucky skill, learn the Second Chance Rolls ability
- You have a Holy Symbol
- It is now Stormsday. For every 2 Amonour points you have (10), increase your other attributes by 1 point. Add 5 points to your Skill, giving you a Skill of 11, or 10 if you lost a Skill point earlier.
- Pay the Royal Tax Collector
- -2 Gold

- Choose the Pest Control quest
- Head to the Bazaar
- Buy length of rope and empty bottle (those could also be bought later, but I choose to get them out of the way now), and spend your remaining money on provisions
- If you're in need of a Luck point: reply 'No' and say you're here to see Picky the Dwarf, +1 Luck ; otherwise you can just say 'Yes' and enter the mine
- Go left
- Go right
- Go right
- Fight 6 Grannits Sk 4 for all, St 3-4-3-2-4-3, three at a time
- Take 6 Grannits' tails and leave the mine
- You killed things
- +6 Gold, +2 Amonour, it is now Moonsday
- Today is not Fireday
- If you need to refresh your Stamina, save your gold as you will get the opportunity to buy cheaper provisions shortly
- Today is another day of the week
- Head straight to the Guild

- Choose the Collect Cauldronweed quest
- Head to the Bazaar and buy provisions (healing with provisions is much cheaper than at the Guild)
- Head north-east
- Fight Swampsnake Sk 6 St 6
- Take Swampsnake Skin
- Pick the plant with no flowers and ragged
- Take Ragged Leaves
- Fight Toadman Sk 9 St 8
- Go right
- You picked the Ragged Leaves
- Try to haggle
- You don't have the Charisma skill, but you are Lucky
- +5 Gold, +1 Amonour
- It is now Fireday
- Today is Fireday
- You have neither word written down
- Spend gold if you need to refresh your stamina, but keep in mind you will get a free +4 Stamina boost shortly
- Today is another day of the week
- Head straight to the Guild

- Choose the Accompany Garreau quest
- You don't have the Strongarm Armband
- +6 Gold, stick to the regular caravan route
- Take a diversion by yourself to investigate the oasis
- +4 Stamina, +1 Amonour, +2 provisions
- You are Lucky
- Fight Gretch Sk 9 St 10, inflicts 3 damage
- Continue your journey
- Agree to the delivery
- +8 Gold
- +10 Gold. It is now Earthday. You have a parcel to deliver
- Complete the delivery
- Take Medusa Grass, +2 Amonour
- Sell the Swampsnake Skin
- +3 Gold
- Today is not Fireday
- Spend gold if you need to refresh your stamina
- Today is another day of the week
- Head straight to the Guild

- Choose the Black Unicorn quest
- Your Amonour is >= 16
- Face the challenge alone
- Set off on your quest
- You are alone
- You are alone
- Use Spelling
- The word is CALM, turn to 130
- Release the Unicorn
- Don't go with the forest guardians, take Golden Oak Leaf, take Alicorn, it is now Windsday
- Today is not Fireday
- Spend gold if you need to refresh your stamina
- Today is Windsday

- Enter the cave
- Make a note of your current stats (they will be restored after the dream)
- Go west 
- You are Lucky
- Open the door
- Creep into the room, you are Lucky
- +1 Gold, +2 Luck
- Continue northwards
- Walk on up the passageway
- Go west
- Investigate
- Attack them both
- Fight Orc Chieftain Sk 7 St 6, Servant Sk 5 St 3, one at a time
- Smash the lock with your sword
- -D6 Stamina
- +25 Gold
- Go north
- Walk on
- Walk further up
- Continue up the corridor
- Go either east or west
- Restore your previous stats, +2 Luck
- Stop at the Bazaar
- You don't have a Token or a Dog Bite 
- You don't have the word Wanted
- Pay Pinchpenny
- -3 Gold, take Token
- Buy Dragon Carnyx for -10 Gold (mandatory), then, with your remaining gold, buy Silver Chainmail (-18 Gold) and/or Elven Blade (-15 Gold); buy both if possible, but make sure you have at least 1 Gold left. If you can spend more, buy Wooden Shield (-6 Gold).
- Buy Beeswax (-1 Gold) and spend the remaining gold on provisions

- Choose the Cardinal Zyn quest
- Your Amonour is >= 16
- Use Spelling
- The word is CHAOS, turn to 111
- +1 Luck
- Leave him be and continue my journey
- Go on my way
- Fight Cardinal Zyn Sk 10 St 8
- You have an empty bottle
- Take Last Breath
- +30 Gold, +2 Amonour, it is now Seaday
- Today is not Fireday
- Spend gold if you need to refresh your stamina
- Today is Seaday

- The Shivering Man is hiding in the SILVER MINE (126); you can alternately use Spelling to spell SILVER MINE (435)
- You have a Dragon Carnyx
- You have Beeswax
- You can ignore the penalty when fighting shriekers
- Fight Shrieker Swarm Sk 8 St 8
- Take Shrieker Blood
- You have the Golden Oak Leaf
- You have Medusa Grass
- You have Alicorn
- You have the Last Breath
- You have Shrieker Blood
- You have Beeswax
- Use an item
- Use your rope
- Test Skill. Success = proceed. Failure = Test Skill again. Success = proceed. Failure = -6 Stamina and proceed.
- Fight Shrieker Queen Sk 11 St 14
- You win. Take a great shield engraved with the letters 'FF'.


I chose to save the Zyn quest for last as, if you didn't buy the stat-boosting equipment by then, you are only marginally stronger than him, making it a risky encounter. This means the 30 gold reward for the quest is largely wasted but, with the rest of my solution, you should have enough gold to buy all you want beforehand.

[CharlesX]

You're right that this is open-ended, and bravo for even trying to write a solution. The odds with the beggar are only barely in your favour, and the Guttery work is risky, but they are probably worth it for the fights against the Gretch and Shrieker Queen later. The Screaming Sky quest seems to be a wild goose chase with no actual solution. While its cool to learn the combat abilities in particular, its clearly best to go with Lucky and Second Chance. It might be cool to RPG Secrets Of Salamonis with Nanoc's abilities and Shadow Of The Giants with the Demon Sword.

   Also going with the Forest Guardian's is clearly intended as one of those alternate victories we discuss all the time here.

[sunil]

Apologies if I missed it, but how would you know where the Shivering Man is without doing the Screaming Sky mission? (Assuming you can't "SPELL")

[paperexplorer]

You can find the shivering man in the silver mines when you do the pest control mission

[pip]

Indeed, the solution assumes you can use Spelling, but otherwise you can find him in the mines by doing the Pest Control quest. You can't confront him there, so there's nothing to be gained from meeting him at that point, apart from figuring out his location, so I didn't include it in the solution (+ the solution includes getting the Spelling ability anyway). The Screaming Sky quest is not worth doing, statswise.

[misomiso]

Im not sure ( i don't have my book to hand), but isn't there a way to do the investigation quest, and then TRANSFER over to the mine quest? That way you can do two quests in one.

Could have got it wrong though.

[pip]

IIRC if you transfer to the mine quest, it means you give up on the other quest.

On another note, I've quickly programmed something to calculate the odds for my solution and got a 72.2% success rate. "Quickly programmed" implies I took some shortcuts for things that probably don't matter very much, so the result could be refined, but can likely give a good enough idea of your odds with that solution.

[sunil]

Sept 29, 2022 19:42:06 GMT misomiso said:

Im not sure ( i don't have my book to hand), but isn't there a way to do the investigation quest, and then TRANSFER over to the mine quest? That way you can do two quests in one.

Could have got it wrong though.

Sorry, that's what I meant in my previous message, I went to the mines after trying the Galleykeep route and the caves route.

[misomiso]

I don't have my book to have - what do the Elven Blade, Silver CHain Mail, and Wooden shield do? Ie what bonuses if any? ty

[scouserob]

Oct 18, 2022 21:35:03 GMT misomiso said:

I don't have my book to have - what do the Elven Blade, Silver CHain Mail, and Wooden shield do? Ie what bonuses if any? ty

Hi Misomiso

Elven Blade [15 Gold]: +1 Attack Strength when used in combat.
Wooden Shield [6 Gold]: If hit then roll 1D6.  Rolling 4-6 reduces damage to 1.  Whilst carrying.
Silver Chainmail [18 Gold]: +1 to Initial Skill and current Skill whist wearing.

[arekkusu]

[Source] pip said:

I'm looking forward to see other members offer alternative paths.

I have written my solution, which optimizes for having a memorable adventure, not maximum survivability.

[lt]

Sept 21, 2022 11:56:33 GMT CharlesX said:

You're right that this is open-ended, and bravo for even trying to write a solution. The odds with the beggar are only barely in your favour, and the Guttery work is risky, but they are probably worth it for the fights against the Gretch and Shrieker Queen later. The Screaming Sky quest seems to be a wild goose chase with no actual solution. While its cool to learn the combat abilities in particular, its clearly best to go with Lucky and Second Chance. It might be cool to RPG Secrets Of Salamonis with Nanoc's abilities and Shadow Of The Giants with the Demon Sword.

   Also going with the Forest Guardian's is clearly intended as one of those alternate victories we discuss all the time here.

I think it confirms the shriekers do come from the mines or that direction, and if you did the mines quest earlier, you might have known where the shivering man is.

I used KING SALAMON'S MINES which adds to 176, I don't have spelling, I got Lucky (very useful) and Disarm traps (a waste of one of your skills, if you ask me), and completed the game on 4th try.

[CharlesX]

Oct 26, 2022 17:18:43 GMT lt said:

Sept 21, 2022 11:56:33 GMT CharlesX said:

You're right that this is open-ended, and bravo for even trying to write a solution. The odds with the beggar are only barely in your favour, and the Guttery work is risky, but they are probably worth it for the fights against the Gretch and Shrieker Queen later. The Screaming Sky quest seems to be a wild goose chase with no actual solution. While its cool to learn the combat abilities in particular, its clearly best to go with Lucky and Second Chance. It might be cool to RPG Secrets Of Salamonis with Nanoc's abilities and Shadow Of The Giants with the Demon Sword.

   Also going with the Forest Guardian's is clearly intended as one of those alternate victories we discuss all the time here.

I think it confirms the shriekers do come from the mines or that direction, and if you did the mines quest earlier, you might have known where the shivering man is.

I used KING SALAMON'S MINES which adds to 176, I don't have spelling, I got Lucky (very useful) and Disarm traps (a waste of one of your skills, if you ask me), and completed the game on 4th try.

Yes, Disarm Traps and World Lore aren't worth while, Nanoc's skills and Charisma are moderately useful, and Spelling and Lucky are the best skills.

[soulreaver]

Did you know that you can, by following the letter of the law (if perhaps not the spirit) get 12 Skill when starting out?

It's true!

I'll copy pip's format and provide an alternative starting route that bends space and time to our will.

The rule exploits that result in nonsensical (but in one instance, useful) outcomes are in bold italics.

- Make a dash for the entrance
- -1 Stamina
- Can you tell me more about the great centres of learning?
- You learn about the Forest of Spiders
- Is it true the streets are paved with gold? OR Where can someone new to the city find work?
- Take the City Map
- You have a City Map

- Explore the docks

- Report the loss of your backpack to the guards

- -1 Stamina, take the Trinket

- Say you will stay at the Boondocks

- You don't want to beg

- You have a Trinket

- Talk to the dog

- Agree to the scam

- Tell them about your backpack

- -1 Luck, +2 Amonour

- Go along Grand Parade

- Make your way to the Slime and Swine Guttery

- You are looking for work
- Roll D6. 1-3 = -1 Stamina, 4-5 = -2 Stamina, 6 = -2 Stamina and -1 Skill (choose to stick it out if you rolled 4-6)
- +5 Salacoins, +2 Amonour
- You don't have the Beggar's Mark
- Return to the Docks (there is no explicit instruction telling us we can't do this - it doesn't actually help us but we'll do it anyway!)

- Avoid the guards

- Say you will stay at the Boondocks

- You don't want to beg

- You have a Trinket (because we still have it from earlier!)

- Talk to the dog (again)
- Agree to the scam (again)
- Tell them about your backpack (again)
- -1 Luck, +2 Amonour
- Go along Grand Parade

- Ask the stallholder if he's hiring

- Go along with Rodriguez...

and from there we can continue as per pip's walkthrough.  Except when we get to:

- It is now Stormsday. For every 2 Amonour points you have, increase your other attributes by 1 point...

well, we have 12 Amonour, so we can now increase our Skill to 12, rather than 11.

I'm pretty sure it's not intended this way though.

I've added those errors (and some others) to the book's Titannica entry.

[scouserob]

I think you may be able to get  a maximum of 15 Amonour without getting double Amonour by looping.
1 Amonour for Meeting Benboy (1)
2 Amonour for Working at the Sime and Swine Guttery (3)
2 Amonour from the Dog Scam (5)
2 Amonour for Card Trick in the Half-Darned Sock (7)
1 Amonour for joining the Adventurers’ Guild (8)
3 Amonour from the Caravan Escort Training (11)
1 Amonour when getting the Holy Symbol between training sets (12)
1-3 Amonour from Grifting Training (13-15)

(If you do Benboy and then the Slime and Swine then you have to have a tiny loop with the Stallholder conversation.)

---

More sensibly, you can get 12-14 Amonour if you don't choose the rather difficult Caravan Escort training.
1 Amonour for Meeting Benboy (1)
2 Amonour for Working at the Sime and Swine Guttery (3)
2 Amonour from the Dog Scam (5)
2 Amonour for Card Trick in the Half-Darned Sock (7)
1 Amonour for joining the Adventurers’ Guild (8)
2 Amonour for Spelling Training (10)
1 Amonour when getting the Holy Symbol between training sets (11)
1-3 Amonour from Grifting Training (12-14)

(If you do Benboy and then the Slime and Swine then you have to have a tiny loop with the Stallholder conversation.)

---

With looping on the Dog and Slime and Swine you can get a maximum of 17 Amonour:
2 * 2 Amonour for Working at the Sime and Swine Guttery (4)
2 * 2 Amonour from the Dog Scam (8)
-1 Amonour for getting the Beggar’s Mark (7) [Required to visit the Slime and Swine Guttery twice]
2 Amonour for Card Trick in the Half-Darned Sock (9)
1 Amonour for joining the Adventurers’ Guild (10)
3 Amonour from the Caravan Escort Training (13)
1 Amonour when getting the Holy Symbol between training sets (14)
1-3 Amonour from Grifting Training (15-17)

---

The question is: Would missing out on the Lucky Special Skill be worth the extra Skill point?
Though there is a way to get both...

---

With looping on the Dog and Slime and Swine you can still get 13 Amonour and both Lucky and Spelling:
2 * 2 Amonour for Working at the Sime and Swine Guttery (4)
2 * 2 Amonour from the Dog Scam (8)
-1 Amonour for getting the Beggar’s Mark (7) [Required to visit the Slime and Swine Guttery twice]
2 Amonour for Card Trick in the Half-Darned Sock (9)
1 Amonour for joining the Adventurers’ Guild (10)
2 Amonour from the Spelling Training (11)
1 Amonour when getting the Holy Symbol between training sets (13)

[scouserob]

Secrets of Salamonis – Between 95.3% and 96.1% Success Rate

I haven't fully coded up the Warlock of Firetop Mountain section but I get the following bounds:
95.3% success rate running Firetop Mountain with all Stamina and Provisions lost in there being permanent.
96.1% success rate when missing out the whole Firetop Mountain section and just waking up with 26 extra Gold.
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

The first objective of my strategy, driving the decisions in Parts 1 and 2, below, is to obtain at least 12 Amonour to convert into giving you an Initial Skill of 12.
You may only manage to get 11 Skill, if you both roll a 6 at the Slime and Swine Guttery and get less than 3 Amonour from Grifting training.
Your Initial stats after Amonour conversion will be:
Skill 12 Stamina 13 Luck 6 (5/18 Chance)
Skill 12 Stamina 12 Luck 6 (11/18 Chance)
Skill 11 Stamina 12 Luck 6 (1/9 Chance)

The second part of my strategy is to obtain enough Gold to buy everything from the Bruise Brothers except the Iron Mace.
This will (8/9ths of the time) let you face the final 3 fights with 13 Skill (+1 Attack Strength) and taking only 1.5 points of damage, on average.
Also, the bow will automatically reduce their Stamina by 2 prior to these three fights.

The most difficult fight is the Gretch. You will have a Skill advantage of 3, but it deals 3 points of damage.
The Shrieker Queen is easier.  You will also have an Attack Strength advantage of 3, but it only deals 1.5 points of damage to you, on average.

As an alternative route, avoiding the Gretch fight, I calculated the probability of success when missing the Caravan Quest and getting less items from the Bruise Brothers at about 88%.

The tiny advantage gained by missing out the Rock Grub outweighs the tiny effect of the extra two Provisions you could have bought with the extra Gold Piece.

My Provision strategy is simply to get yourself up to maximum Stamina before each fight, especially the Gretch.
Obviously, ensure you have at least 7 Stamina when opening the booby trapped chest in Firetop Mountain.  That Gold inside it is important!

The only time that you should use Luck in battle is for last chance saving rolls.

I've put the percentage chance of survival after each fight below. 
This is assuming maximum Stamina at the start of the fight and only takes that one fight into account.
The probability calculated for the whole adventure takes every chance of a statistic and provision change into account.

---

Part 1: Retrieving Your Backpack
Make a dash for the entrance.
Lose 1 Stamina.
'Can you tell me more about the great centres of learning?'
Learned about the Forest of Spiders.
'Where can someone new to the city find work?'
Get City Map.
You have a City Map.
Explore the Docks.
Report the loss of your backpack to the guards.
Lose 1 Stamina.
Get Trinket.
'Yes, I'm heading to the Adventurers' Guild.'
Met Benboy.
Gain 1 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 1)
Keep heading along the Grand Parade.
Make your way to the Slime and Swine Guttery.
Tell Snouter that you are indeed here looking for work.
If 1D6 ∈ {1, 2, 3}:
    Lose 1 Stamina.
Else if 1D6 ∈ {4, 5}:
    Lose 2 Stamina.
    Stick it out, in the hope of receiving a fair day's pay for a day's work.
Else if 1D6 = 6:
    Lose 2 Stamina.
    Lose 1 Skill.
    Lose 1 Initial Skill.
    Stick it out, in the hope of receiving a fair day's pay for a day's work.
Gain 5 Salacoins. (Current Gold = 0.5)
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 3)
(Ignore the worker recruitment, we won't be returning to the Slime and Swine Guttery.)
You do not have the Beggar's Mark.
Make your way to the Adventurers' Guild.
You have a Trinket.
Engage the dog in conversation.
Go along with the dog's money making scam.
Tell them about your lost backpack.
Lose 1 Luck.
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 5)
Keep heading along the Grand Parade.
Ask the stallholder if he's hiring at present.
Go along with Rodriguez and try your hand at grifting.
Visited the Half-Darned Sock.
Pick it up.
Keep it for yourself.
Get Scratched Salacoin.
Follow Rodriguez.
Try the trick yourself in exchange for some money.
They picked the cards 9 and 3.
Gain 10 Salacoins. (Current Gold = 1.5)
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 7)
You don't want to sleep in a bed for the night.
Lose 1 Stamina.
You have at least 1 Gold Piece, or the equivalent.
Pay 1 Gold Piece. (Current Gold = 0.5)
Get Backpack.
Get Short Sword.
Get Spare Clothes.
Gain 12 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 12.5)
Gain Longbeard's Legends of the Windward Plains.
Gain 1 Luck.
Gain 1 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 8)
Pay 2 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 10.5)
Gain Adventurers' Permit.

Part 2: Training
Ask the Guildmaster for his advice regarding where to train.
You've already met someone who can help train you.
Learned about the Forest of Spiders.
Testing Grounds Training Unlocked.
Spelling Training Unlocked.
Met Benboy.
Caravan Escort Training Unlocked.
Visited the Half-Darned Sock.
Grifting Training Unlocked.
None of the above mean anything to you. (Well we've chosen all the other options.)
Do Spelling Training.
Pay 4 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 6.5)
Gain 2 Stamina.
FIRE (Total = 206)
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 10)
Gain 1 Luck.
Gained Spelling Special Skill.
You do not have a Holy Symbol.
Gain 1 Luck.
Gain 1 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 11)
Get Holy Symbol.
Do Grifting Training.
Pay 3 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 3.5)
Gain 1D6+6 Salacoins. (Current Gold = 4.2-4.7)
Gain 1D6 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 5.2-10.7)
Gain Floor((1D6)/2) Amonour. (Current Amonour = 12-14)
Gained Charisma Special Skill.
You are in possession of a Holy Symbol.
Current Day = Stormsday.
Gain 6 Initial Skill.
Restore Skill to Initial Value.
If Amonour = 14:
    Gain 1 Initial Stamina.
    Restore Stamina to Initial Value.
Deduct 2 Gold Pieces and pay the Royal Tax Collector.
Pay 2 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 3.2-8.7)

Part 3: The Cauldronweed Quest
Collect Cauldronweed for the Witches of Dree.
Take the Guildmaster's advice and visit the Bazaar before setting off.
Pay 3-8.5 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 0-0.4)
Get 6-17 Provisions.
You do not have a Swampsnake Skin.
Head north-east.
Swampsnake SK6 ST6 (100.0% Survival)
Get Swampsnake Skin.
Pick several bunches of a plant with no flowers and ragged, dark green leaves.
Get Ragged Leaves.
Toadman SK9 ST8 (99.8% Survival)
The right branch.
Ragged Leaves.
Try to haggle with her, in the hope of raising the price.
You have the Charisma Special Skill.
Lose Ragged Leaves.
Gain 5 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 5-5.4)
Learn items required to break the Shivering Curse.
Gain 1 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 13-15)
Add 8 Days (Current Day = Moonsday).
Today is not Fireday.
Sleep rough on the street free of charge.
Lose 1 Stamina.
It is not Windsday or Seaday.
You want to head straight for the Guild.

Part 4: The Caravan Escort Quest
Accompany Garreau's Grand Caravan to Shazâar.
You do not have a Strongarm Armband.
Gain 6 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 11-11.4)
Take a shortcut through the foothills of the Craggan Heights.
Stay with the Caravan.
You have the Spelling Special Skill and you want to use it now.
SHIELD (Total = 267)
Gain 1 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 14-16)
You do not have the Brawling Special Skill.
Fight Goblin Wolf Riders at the same time with a 1 point deduction from your Attack Strength.
Kill First Goblin Wolf Rider first. (99.8% Survival)
First Goblin Wolf Rider SK7 ST6
Second Goblin Wolf Rider SK6 ST7
Gain 5 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 16-16.4)
Gain 8 Salacoins. (Current Gold = 16.8-17.2)
Test Your Luck.
If you are Unlucky:
    Lose 3 Stamina.
Gretch SK9 ST10 (Does 3 Damage) (97.0% Survival)
You want to search the Gretch's hiding place. (Optional as the Brass Ring is useless, but I'm feeling all discount Bobby George.)
Get Brass Ring.
You agree.
Get Parcel.
Gain 8 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 24.8-25.2)
Gain 10 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 34.8-35.2)
Add 15 Days (Current Day = Fireday).
You have a parcel to deliver.
Complete the delivery.
Lose Parcel.
Get Medusa Grass.
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 16-18)
You have a Swampsnake Skin and want to sell it to the Hamakei.
Lose Swampsnake Skin.
Gain 3 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 37.8-38.2)
Today is Fireday.
The guards ignore you.
Sleep rough on the street free of charge.
Lose 1 Stamina.
It is not Windsday or Seaday.
You want to head straight for the Guild.

Part 5: The Screaming Sky Quest (Optional)
(This quest has some nice lore and a couple of Amonour Points. If you want to skip it choose: Pest Control at King Salamon's Mine, and skip to Part 6.)
Solve the Mystery of the Screaming Sky.
Question the survivor of the last attack.
Gain 10 Clue Points. (Current Clue Points = 10)
Inspect the scene of the attack.
Gain 24 Clue Points. (Current Clue Points = 34)
Examine the dead specimen.
Gain 50 Clue Points. (Current Clue Points = 84)
Continue your investigation elsewhere.
Total Clue Points = 84
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 18-20)
Set off south, towards the silver mines.

Part 6: Pest Control Quest
Reply 'No'.
'Who is the Shivering Man?'.
Some of the miners say they've seen the Shivering Man down in the mine.
You will rid the silver mine of its pests and enter the mine.
Take the right branch.
You do not have some Shazâarian Ale.
You have the Charisma Special Skill.
Dwarf miners tell you that the Shivering Man is hiding out somewhere in the lower levels of the mine.
See where the left-hand tunnel takes you.
Head right.
Follow the right-hand branch.
Fight Grannits three at a time. (100.0% Survival)
First Grannit SK4 ST3
Second Grannit SK4 ST4
Third Grannit SK4 ST3
Fourth Grannit SK4 ST2
Fifth Grannit SK4 ST4
Sixth Grannit SK4 ST3
Get 6 Grannit Tails.
Keep following the tunnel through the chamber and on into the darkness.
See the Shivering Man in the silver mine with your own eyes.
Double back and follow the tunnels that brought you here and exit the mine.
You killed something while you were underground and brought back its head or tail as proof.
Gain 6 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 43.8-44.2)
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 20-22)
Add 1 Day (Current Day = Earthday).
Today is not Fireday.
Sleep rough on the street free of charge.
Lose 1 Stamina.
It is not Windsday or Seaday.
You want to head straight for the Guild.

Part 7: The Black Unicorn Quest
Obtain the Horn of the Black Unicorn.
Your AMONOUR score is 16 points or higher.
You would prefer to go face the challenge alone.
You feel you are already well prepared enough and just want to set off on your latest quest.
You are travelling alone.
You are travelling alone.
Cast a spell.
CALM (Total = 130)
Do as the Half-Elf requests and release the Unicorn from your control.
It is time you left the Forest of Yore and returned to Salamonis.
Get Golden Oak Leaf.
Get Alicorn.
Add 8 Days (Current Day = Windsday).
Today is not Fireday.
Sleep rough on the street free of charge.
Lose 1 Stamina.
It is Windsday.

Part 8: Firetop Mountain
(I'm assuming that you manage to get the Gold without dying and waking up.)
Enter the cave.
Record Current Skill score, Stamina score, Luck score, Provisions and Item List.
Turn West.
Test your Luck.
If you are Unlucky:
    Orc SK6 ST5 (100.0% Survival)
Open the door.
Creep into the room and try to take the box without waking the creature.
If you are Unlucky:
    Orc SK6 ST4 (100.0% Survival)
Gain 1 Gold Piece. (Current Gold = 44.8-45.2)
Gain 2 Luck.
Continue Northwards.
Walk on up the passageway.
Turn to the west.
Investigate.
Spring at the Chieftain in the hope that his servant will aid you.
Continue the fight.
Fight the Orc Chieftain and Servant one at a time.
Orc Chieftain SK7 ST6 (100.0% Survival)
Servant SK5 ST3 (100.0% Survival)
Try to smash the lock with your sword.
Lose 1D6 Stamina.
Gain 25 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 69.8-70.2)
(The rest of your actions in Firetop Mountain are irrelevant. Do as you wish until you wake up. I'm having fun...
If you want to get out quickly then just keep heading north and go either way after the portcullis.)
Continue Eastwards.
Go through the door.
Be bold and prepare to attack them.
Fight the Orcs one at a time.
First Orc SK6 ST4 (100.0% Survival)
Second Orc SK5 ST3 (100.0% Survival)
Third Orc SK6 ST4 (100.0% Survival)
Fourth Orc SK5 ST2 (100.0% Survival)
Fifth Orc SK4 ST4 (100.0% Survival)
Gain 1 Skill.
Gain 5 Stamina.
Open the case.
Get Bow, Arrow and Case. Lose Bow, Arrow and Case when you wake up.
Gain 1 Luck.
Open the door.
Test your Skill.
If you pass the Skill test:
    Shout at him to try and calm him down.
    Gain 1 Luck.
Else If you fail the Skill test:
    Lose 1 Stamina.
Walk further up the passageway.
Try opening the door.
Draw your sword and try to fight the creatures.
First Goblin SK5 ST5 (100.0% Survival)
Second Goblin SK5 ST6 (100.0% Survival)
Get Cheese. Lose Cheese when you wake up.
Turn east.
Return Current Skill score, Stamina score, Luck score, Provisions and Item List to state recorded when entering Firetop Mountain.
Keep the Gold Pieces you found in Firetop Mountain.
Gain 2 Luck.

Part 9: The Famous Bruise Brothers of Salamonis
Stop at the Bazaar on your way.
You do not have a Token or Dog Bite.
You do not have the word 'Wanted' written down on your Adventure Sheet.
Pay Pinchpenny.
Pay 3 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 66.8-67.2)
Get Token.
Pay 15 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 51.8-52.2)
Get Elven Blade. [+1 Attack Strength when used in combat.]
Pay 18 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 33.8-34.2)
Get Silver Chainmail. [+1 Initial Skill, +1 Skill when wearing.] (Initial/Current Skill = 12-13)
Pay 12 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 21.8-22.2)
Get Bow and Quiver with 12 Arrows. [Before a battle, if you have an arrow left then cause 2 damage if you pass a Skill test. You lose the arrow.]
Pay 6 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 15.8-16.2)
Get Wooden Shield. [When hit roll 1D6. If you roll 4-6 then reduce the damage taken by 1 point.]
Pay 10 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 5.8-6.2)
Get Dragon Carnyx.
Pay 1 Gold Piece. (Current Gold = 4.8-5.2)
Get Beeswax.
Pay 5 Salacoins. (Current Gold = 4.3-4.7)
Get Empty Bottle.
Pay 4-4.5 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 0-0.4)
Get 8-9 Provisions.
You do not have a Swampsnake Skin.

Part 10: The Cardinal Zyn Quest
Bring Cardinal Zyn to Justice!
Your AMONOUR score is 16 points or higher.
You have the Spelling Special Skill, try casting a spell to find out where the cult is hiding.
CHAOS (Total = 111)
Gain 1 Luck.
'Put a merciful end to his misery - he is destined for a higher place.'
'Search him.'
'Just take the money.'
Use Bow and Arrow to reduce Cardinal Zyn's Stamina by 2 from 11 to 9. (Cannot fail Skill test.)
Lose Arrow. (Current Arrows = 11)
Use Wooden Shield and Elven Blade in battle.
Stop the fight when Cardinal Zyn's Stamina is reduced to 3 or fewer.
Cardinal Zyn SK10 ST9 (100.0% Survival)
You have an Empty Bottle and want to try to capture his last breath within it.
Lose Empty Bottle.
Get Last Breath.
Gain 2 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 22-24)
Get 30 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 30-30.4)
Add 1 Day (Current Day = Seaday).
Today is not Fireday.
Rent a room for the night at the Adventurers' Guild.
Pay 2 Gold Pieces. (Current Gold = 28-28.4)
Gain 4 Stamina.
It is Seaday.

Part 11: The Shivering Man
Location: Silver Mine (Total = 126 = 19+9+12+22+5+18 + 13+9+14+5)
You have a Dragon Carnyx.
Lose Dragon Carnyx.
Gain 1 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 23-25)
You have some Beeswax.
No Attack Strength penalty in fight against Shrieker Swarm.
Use Bow and Arrow to reduce Shrieker Swarm's Stamina by 2 from 8 to 6. (Cannot fail Skill test.)
Lose Arrow. (Current Arrows = 10)
Use Wooden Shield and Elven Blade in battle.
Shrieker Swarm SK8 ST6 (100.0% Survival)
Get Shrieker Blood.
You are wearing a Golden Oak Leaf.
You have some Medusa Grass.
You have some Alicorn.
You have the Last Breath recorded on your Adventure Sheet.
You have Shrieker Blood.
Lose Medusa Grass.
Lose Alicorn.
Lose Last Breath.
Lose Shrieker Blood.
You have some Beeswax.
No Attack Strength penalty in fight against Shrieker Queen. There isn't one anyway. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Meet the monster's challenge with cold steel.
Test your Skill (Guaranteed Success).
Use Bow and Arrow to reduce Shrieker Queen's Stamina by 2 from 14 to 12. (Cannot fail Skill test.)
Lose Arrow. (Current Arrows = 9)
Use Wooden Shield and Elven Blade in battle.
Shrieker Queen SK11 ST12 (99.9% Survival)
Gain 4 Amonour. (Current Amonour = 27-29)
Get Open Offer of a Place Among the Knights of Salamonis.
Get Fine sword (Uber-Blade?).
Get Great Shield Engraved with the Letters 'FF'.
Get Title: Fourga's Favoured.
Get Title: The Pride of Salamonis.
Get Title: The Bearer of the Uber-Blade.
Get Title: The Defender of the City.

[scouserob]

For those who like their solutions visual, here is a run through of Secrets of Salamonis on my iOS App.



(Re-recorded for better quality.)

[alziel]

Scouserob - your solution is excellent. Seems to be the definitive solution to me. Thank you!

PS: Who noticed that the Guildmaster at the Adventurer's Guild has a name which is an anagram of 'Steve Jackson'?  
PPS: Just noticed that the sage who gets the special delivery at the end of the Caravan escort quest also has an anagram for a name! 
PPS: Anyone spot any others?
PPPS: Nothing more to add. I just never used a 'PPPS' before, and wanted to try it. 

[scouserob]

Dec 22, 2023 14:35:51 GMT alziel said:

PS: Who noticed that the Guildmaster at the Adventurer's Guild has a name which is an anagram of 'Steve Jackson'?  
PPS: Just noticed that the sage who gets the special delivery at the end of the Caravan escort quest also has an anagram for a name! 
PPS: Anyone spot any others?

Thanks alziel, I had a great deal of fun playing and trying to find a near optimal path through Secrets of Salamonis. 😃

As for the anagrams, there are these additional two that were mentioned in the main (non-solution) book thread, which I'm pretty sure I would not have clocked myself:
The anagram of the (rather excellent) illustrator is found on the Obtain the Horn of the Black Unicorn quest.

Oct 25, 2022 5:21:57 GMT arekkusu said:

Finally, these easter eggs may be too obvious but I did not see these anagrams mentioned yet:

SPOILER: Click to show

Jeskan Stovec -> Steve Jackson
Noreth Janagen -> Johnathan Green
Zenib Attito -> Tazio Bettin

Nov 4, 2022 0:33:05 GMT soulreaver said:

Final Note

"Nanoc" is "Conan" backwards.

It took a while for this to click with me and nobody seems to have mentioned it, but I don't know if that's because it's so blatantly obvious that nobody felt the need to and I'm just slow, or if it's something most people, just like me, may not have noticed right away.

There's definitely some inspiration from Conan in this story, with the hero switching from job to job and making their fortune and way in the world....

[alziel]

Dec 23, 2023 10:03:07 GMT scouserob said:

Dec 22, 2023 14:35:51 GMT alziel said:

Oct 25, 2022 5:21:57 GMT arekkusu said:

SPOILER: Click to show

Jeskan Stovec -> Steve Jackson
Noreth Janagen -> Johnathan Green
Zenib Attito -> Tazio Bettin

Nov 4, 2022 0:33:05 GMT soulreaver said:

Final Note

"Nanoc" is "Conan" backwards.

It took a while for this to click with me and nobody seems to have mentioned it, but I don't know if that's because it's so blatantly obvious that nobody felt the need to and I'm just slow, or if it's something most people, just like me, may not have noticed right away.

There's definitely some inspiration from Conan in this story, with the hero switching from job to job and making their fortune and way in the world....

Hah! I spotted the 'Nanoc' one, but the third name anagram mentioned under your 'spoilers' slipped me by! Kudos to those who found it!