1) An Assassin in Orlandes - Solution

[champskees]

The first title in the series, and I must say I have mixed feelings about the book. The interface/eBook design is quite accessible & easy to use. The art is okay – at least they have some in there, and the story is interesting enough to keep me reading, there are a couple of good twists in there too. In terms of their gameplay ‘system’, I would have to say the combat system is pretty good, but I hate the Fitness attribute. Seriously, it is just too easy to die from a failed Fitness roll, maybe less harsh consequences for failing these rolls would improve the book. After reading this adventure, I can say that I will probably be collecting these from here on out.

Below is my proposed solution to the book. Design-wise, the title has some flaws, but it is executed quite well & it has been updated quite a bit – an advantage of software over traditional print media. It is fairly short, fairly linear, and in order to get the optimal equipment, you need to have a Fitness score of 10+ (not necessary, but strongly recommended).

Recommended Fitness: 10+

- Leave.
- Rush in to attack.
- You are not drunk.
- Fight Off 1 Def 1 Vit 12 Thug (wounded).
- Search the body of the young nobleman.
- Take Stiletto Dagger.
- Take 7 Pestados.
- You wish to take the ring.
- Place the ring in your pocket & continue searching their pockets.
- Take Fedor Signet Ring.
- Go left.
- Try some of the doors to see if they are unlocked.
- Search the workshop.
- Take Hand Axe (3 Offense).
- Take Bull’s Eye Lantern.
- You would rather leave.
- You did not encounter anyone with some ominous news earlier tonight.
- Evade him.
- You have encountered someone called ‘Fedor’ and pursue this line of research (+5 Vitality, -3 Pestados).
- Stop and question some of these about the Fedor family.
- Take Black Silk Armband.
- Try to approach the guards & ask to enter.
- You are wearing a Black Armband.
- Make up a story of how you knew young Ronas.
- Wait to see what happens.
- Start with the desk.
- Add note: Meet Eltane in the Graveyard after dusk.
- Leave.
- You have somewhere you need to be this evening.
- Take some time to peruse these items.
- Take Healing Potion (+10 Vitality when used, -6 Pestados).
- Continue looking around the market.
- Take Short Sword (4 Offense, -7 Pestados).
- Leave the market.
- You would rather keep a low profile.
- Enter through the smaller hedge gate (+4 Vitality).
- Sneak.
- Spend a few minutes clearing the undergrowth away from around the grave.
- Take Ivory Brooch.
- Approach him cautiously.
- Continue waiting & watching.
- Add note: Eltane is heading to Castillo Eltane near Lago Rojo in two days.
- Launch an attack on the man.
- Fight Off 1 Def 4 Vit 19 Unarmed Axeman.
- Take Hand Axe (3 Offense).
- Take Chain Shirt (4 Defence).
- Take 3 Pestados.
- Take Candle.
- Follow the right passageway.
- Continue along the passageway.
- You possess a Bull’s Eye Lantern.
- Check his remains.
- Take 4 Pestados.
- Add note: Three must follow two.
- Choose two pestados.
- Choose three pestados (+9 Vitality).
- Examine the coffin on the right.
- Take Silver Dagger (2 Offense).
- Examine the coffin on the left.
- Take 5 Pestados.
- Continue on down the passageway opposite.
- Fight Off 3 Def 2 Vit 9 Skeletal Rat & Off 3 Def 2 Vit 7 Skeletal Rat together.
- Stop & pray at the altar for the dead in the vault (+6 Vitality).
- Attempt to cross immediately, in the hopes of catching you quarry.
- USE BOOKMARK HERE.
- Test Fitness. Fail = Death.
- You have dealt with the axeman.
- You know where your quarry is heading.
- Investigate the monastery.
- Investigate the stone-built bell-tower.
- Investigate the door to the upper storey.
- Test Fitness. Success = 2 Damage. Fail = 10 Damage.
- You still live (+4 Vitality).
- You are carrying an Ivory Brooch.
- Take Charm of Protection.
- Take Map of Lago Rojo.
- Leave the monastery.
- Opt for the one travelling northwest.
- Fight Off 3 Def 2 Vit 24 Wild Dog.
        o -2 Fitness for duration of combat.
- Attempt to swim across the river upstream of the wreckage (+6 Vitality).
- Fight Off 2 Def 2 Vit 27 River Python.
        o -2 Fitness for duration of combat.
- You are not wearing a Ring of Sustenance.
- Collect some of the purple fruits.
- You are wearing a Charm of Protection.
- You possess a map but wish to approach the encampment of the horse nomads anyway.
- Ask to see a holy man.
- You possess a Silver Dagger.
- Take Ehrlich (4 Offense).
- Seek out the Herdmaster.
- Add note: Stick to the valleys to avoid the albino jackal.
- Leave (+5 Vitality).
- Follow the track downwards into the valley.
- Stop to investigate.
- Fight Off 4 Def 4 Vit 13 Spitting Beetle.
- Investigate the saloon.
- Take Hemp Ale (+10 Vitality when used).
- Investigate the large house.
- Investigate the mine.
- You are using a weapon called Ehrlich.
- Fight Off 2 Def 2 Vit 22 Goblyn Trickmaster.
- Take 8 Pestados.
- Take Acid Vial.
- You do not have the Orlandrian plague.
- Continue towards the front gatehouse.
- Test Fitness. Fail = 4 Damage.
- Fight Off 4 Def 3 Vit 32 Hunchback.
- Take Short Sword (4 Offense).
- Creep around the side of the courtyard.
- You would rather get to the main doors of the keep as quickly as you can around the walls.
- Climb the stairs of the landing.
- Use Healing Items to restore Vitality before you get thrown into jail.
- USE BOOKMARK HERE.
- Test Fitness.
        o If successful:
                o Investigate the main keep by means of the left passageway.
                o Examine the books.
                o Add note: Wizard’s name is Cabrera.
        o If fail:
                o Take 10 Damage.
                o Enter the Apothecary.
                o Take Healing Infusion (+10 Vitality when used).
                o Throw down your weapons & surrender.
- Lose all items.
- You have a Vial of Acid.
- Take Short Sword (4 Offense).
- Wake him at sword point and question him.
- Follow the directions to the armoury.
- Pull the door open gently & try to sneak into the armoury to recover your possessions.
- Test Fitness. Success = Take Long Sword (6 Offense).
- Fight Off 2 Def 2 Vit 40 Malbrou (fatigued).
- Take Long Sword if you do not already have it (6 Offense).
- Take Plate Mail (6 Defence, requires 10+ Fitness).
- Take all items back.
- Try to discover where Eltane is hiding.
- If you do not know the wizard’s name:
        o Fight Off 6 Def 5 Vit 65 Captain of the Guard.
        o Accept Wizard’s request (-15 Pestados).
- You are not wearing the Eltane Signet Ring.
- USE BOOKMARK HERE.
- Test Fitness. Fail = Death.
- You are carrying a special silver dagger called Ehrlich.
- Fight Off 6 Def 4 Vit 54 Kari.
- Ultimate Ending!

[The Editor (Alex B)]

Yup, death by failed fitness roll is why I've not yet beaten this adventure!

[outspaced]

Pffff. Wusses!

[yvoire]

I also find the fighting mechanics to be quite badly designed, frankly... too random for my taste and way too much depending on the equipment you and the adversary have. A fight can easily end disastrously even if you win in case you're facing well equipped adversaries: there is simply no way that you'll leave the fight with just a few scratches. If I fight an enemy who rolls 5 dice in attack, for example, i am one step from being a goner if he even just hits me once.
The fitness in combat is also rather useless. And besides, if I am going to spend it as a resource, why do I also have to roll it to add such a meager bonus? It makes kinda little sense to me...

The story of this first volume was ok, but the gameplay was kinda frustrating.
I didn't feel much encouraged to restart, because the only times I died was due to complete random combat, not because I was missing a vital object or clue. The latter method, which is what makes books like Bloodbones awesome, does make me want to go back and find the missing piece. Being unable to continue just because fights are too random is not very encouraging...
I'm having better hopes with Catacombs of the Undercity. That title is very promising.

[offm]

could anyone explain if the rules are similar to fighting fantasy?

[kieran]

They're pretty different. Combat depends on the quality of your weapons and armour - there is no Skill or Luck equivalent. You also have a Fitness score which gets tested every now and again - you can also choose to use it in combat to increase your chances of landing or blocking a blow. Combat is turn-based rather than simultaneous with you alternating between attacking and defending.

[offm]

Thank You Kieran

[outspaced]

So, An Assassin in Orlandes was published in actual printed form on 1 May 2016 and can be bought from Amazon, and other stockists. Please buy a copy!

And for those that do buy, could you help me out with an odd request, please? I'm looking for pictures of cats and my book. No particular reason, it just makes me laugh. For examples of what I have so far, visit my website outspaced.fightingfantasy.net/ and click on either of the images for Assassin or Curse of the Assassin, then scroll down to "An Assassin in Pawlandes". Other pets may also be considered.

[offm]

it was you who wrote Assassin in Orlandes, and there i was thinking it was Neil Rennison who start it all , i already bought 1 copy and have the android and Steam version , i am a regular fan , i haven´t bought Curse of the Assassin tough

[deadshadowrunner]

Jul 19, 2016 10:00:24 GMT outspaced said:

So, An Assassin in Orlandes was published in actual printed form on 1 May 2016 and can be bought from Amazon, and other stockists. Please buy a copy!

And for those that do buy, could you help me out with an odd request, please? I'm looking for pictures of cats and my book. No particular reason, it just makes me laugh. For examples of what I have so far, visit my website outspaced.fightingfantasy.net/ and click on either of the images for Assassin or Curse of the Assassin, then scroll down to "An Assassin in Pawlandes". Other pets may also be considered.

Lol. Thinking of buying a copy but I don't have a cat or indeed any other kind of pet, although the neighbourhood I'm in has plenty of stray ones.

[outspaced]

Yeah, 'twas me what writted it. I think Neil was originally pencilled in to write/release Siege of the Necromancer first, but I think I pipped him to the post in getting mine completed sooner than expected, so Tin Man went with Assassin as the flagship release instead. And the rest is history.

I don't have any pets either, deadshadowrunner. Too much mess and fur. And getting a stray to model would probably cost a lot of tuna.