Blood Sword

[paltogue]

I see over on the Fabled Lands blog that the Blood Sword gamebooks are to be re-released. As I've never owned these or read them (I have a dodgy PDF of one from the Underdogs website, but it's impossible to play that), this is especially interesting.

I'm not 100% what the 'Legend' canon is - is it the Blood Sword gamebooks, the Chronicles of the Magi novels, and the Dragon Warriors RPGs and supplements?

[hynreck]

Looking forward to own them for the first time too!

[vastarien]

I bought the Bloodsword reissues and have just got round to playing them. I'm currently most of the way through the second book and I'm impressed. The writing seems to be a cut above what you get in many gamebooks. The sense of atmosphere, lore and storyline is definitely there - I can see why this series is highly thought of.

Something I find interesting is the approach or path through the books. Not necessarily a bad thing, but so far there seem to be no sudden deaths or dead-ends at all, from what I can tell at least. This is quite notable after playing a few Livingstone and Jackson books recently, where a wrong turn or choice or lack of item can be fatal, and you have to learn the true path/s through repeated playthroughs. Bloodsword, and indeed some other books I've read by Dave Morris are different in that your choices still get you through the book, but may hinder or help how challenging the journey is, who you fight etc.

The pro's of this is that it can give the impression of being more open ended, instead of narrow path. Rather than repeated playthroughs to learn the correct path, you play again to take different successful route through and experience a different narrative. The con's are that that approach can perhaps feel too easy.. I quite like a sense of threat in the game world. Worlds that are menacing because you really could be killed off by a false move. Bloodsword still has threat, but its more from combat than decision making. Of course, choices you make can greatly affect the difficulty of the opponents you fight.

Ultimately though, both approaches can work and be successful. Which approach do I prefer? I'm going to be greedy and say both.. in the same gambook. Multiple paths through AND threat of death for me!

In any case, Bloodsword is extremely enjoyable so far.

[vastarien]

Completed book 2. I thought it was excellent and had some vivid and imaginative scenarios. It certainly feels huge and like there are lots of choices and different ways through - I'm not sure if this is actually true or just an impression. Oh by the way I was wrong, there is at last one insta death paragraph. Plus the end of this book will be very hard unless you've collected certain items.

[sylas]

Really like this series. I have the original first 3 books and bought the release of book 4. Fantastic storytelling but felt it was let down by extremely tough combats. If played as a group and you miss an item or two, it could spell the end for you later which means it will be hard to keep the same group to go through it all again. It's a clever concept though. I enjoyed it the most single player controlling 2 team members. I especially love how every encounter is intimately thought out and memorable. And Russ Nicholson's art is topnotch as an extra bonus.

[kieran]

Do the re-issues have the same combat system or has it been made less of a pain in the proverbial?

[vagsancho]

Gamebooks like way of the tiger,bloodsword and others are like sons that have born from the Fighting Fantasy tree and had the dream to cut the mother's link and become independent? Am i right? Only asking - i have never played them and in this moment i do not intend to.

[a moderator]

There were gamebooks before Fighting Fantasy, you know? Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone were not the originators of the concept.

[vagsancho]

Aug 1, 2015 15:14:15 GMT vagsancho said:

way of the tiger,bloodsword and others are like sons that have born from the Fighting Fantasy tree and had the dream to cut the mother's link and become independent? Am i right? 

Instead, only with a little more of negotiation (the author's name also in the front cape) i would certainly prefer the continuation of those little trees in the mother tree.. but that´s just my opinion.. one way ore another - mother and childs - all is dust and sand now.

[hynreck]

Did you even bother to read greenspine's answer? Or do you just like the sound of your own voice?
I've already come to my own conclusions on this matter, so I'm fine if you don't answer me...

[champskees]

Am currently reading these, and they are awesome! Newfound respect for Dave Morris (and I already loved the guy)...

I have the first four (of the original series) and my mate has 1,3 and 5 (also of the originals), currently having a blast.

Although they are fun to read solo, they just seem perfect for multiplayer runs with a DM. I've seen this happen in other forums, and I was wondering if any regulars would be interested in playing some sessions of the old Blood Sword on this forum?

Party of four (wizard/rogue/fighter & sage) and i'll run it as DM. You don't need the books to play; i'll post the gist of each para and give your party the choices, would prefer someone with blood sword experience to play the wizard though. You are responsible for keeping track of your stats and items. Each party member makes a decision, majority wins. For combat, you roll for your character and i'll detail what happens. Instead of using battle maps, i'll describe the battlefield initially and throughout combat so you know where everyone is.

And obviously, to keep it fun, you cannot tell the other players what will happen if you have already played the books!

First four to reply to this message are in, I guess. To play you will need to be available to check the adventure at least once every 24 hours. No response in 24hrs = you get played by someone else (either the rest of the party or a reserve player if they are interested. failing that, me). Giving notice in advance will be ok (but you will have your turns played out until you get back). Once the party is defeated, others who were not chosen initially will have first choice in the next game.

What do you think?

[kieran]

Count me in. I own the first four, but have only played the first one (and never beaten that) so it should mostly be new to me. Must admit I find the battle system a bit cumbersome but I imagine it will work better with more players.

[sylas]

I wanna join! I have the least experience with the Wizard though. I've played the first 4 ages ago but i remember them being very good. Player system works for me .

[a moderator]

I'm up for it.

[champskees]

It looks like there are three adventurers already!

Greenspine
Kieran
Sylas

The actual adventure will be posted in the general section. At the moment it is located here:

fightingfantazine.proboards.com/thread/441/blood-sword-campaign-battlepits-kraarth?page=1&scrollTo=5645

I will wait to see if anyone else is interested before I start, but in the meantime you may select your character and get familiar with the rules. Bear in mind that there can only be one type of each character in the party i.e. there cannot be two warriors, for example. Otherwise it would be called the tale of the four sages.

Also, it seems that as you are all located in the UK (am I right in that assumption?) and I am living in Sydney, the difference in timezones should make it easy to keep up with the plot. While you sleep, I will be punching in the next section. While I sleep, you will put in your orders/queries. Because of this, your party should have some time to discuss options before I even look at your choices.

And again, do not share your metaknowledge with the other players (though you may make your character choices as you wish).

[paltogue]

Sept 25, 2015 4:05:52 GMT champskees said:

It looks like there are three adventurers already!

Greenspine
Kieran
Sylas

The actual adventure will be posted in the general section. At the moment it is located here:

fightingfantazine.proboards.com/thread/441/blood-sword-campaign-battlepits-kraarth?page=1&scrollTo=5645

I will wait to see if anyone else is interested before I start, but in the meantime you may select your character and get familiar with the rules. Bear in mind that there can only be one type of each character in the party i.e. there cannot be two warriors, for example. Otherwise it would be called the tale of the four sages.

Also, it seems that as you are all located in the UK (am I right in that assumption?) and I am living in Sydney, the difference in timezones should make it easy to keep up with the plot. While you sleep, I will be punching in the next section. While I sleep, you will put in your orders/queries. Because of this, your party should have some time to discuss options before I even look at your choices.

And again, do not share your metaknowledge with the other players (though you may make your character choices as you wish).

I'd love to join in (I have the 4 new editions) but don't have time right now. But if you're playing on the forum I'll certainly be following with interest.

[champskees]

Eh, for now it looks like there are three players, so I think i'll control the enchanter for now.

I think I will make the enchanter an open character - that is, ANYONE who wants to make the decisions for the enchanter can do so (apart from those already in the game). I'll keep track of the enchanter's stats. If the three characters are ready to move on and nobody has said what the enchanter is doing, then i'll make the choices for the enchanter. Whenever I play the enchanter, it won't count towards majority vote for party decisions in game (i.e. I basically handle spell selection and battle strategy, and choose what passive spells to cast etc). Anyone other than the other players can read the spoiler messages for enchanter.

So Paltogue (or anyone else interested in participating in a more casual sense), there is an opportunity to get involved in the adventure this way. Of course, anyone who comes in later that is keen to control the enchanter full time will have the reins handed to them...

[Lockard]

Hi i'm currently playing the first book and i'm not sure about one thing, how do you move? Do you move one square per round, or you just go whereever you want in the "room" with the first go if the path is clear? I didnt see explanation of that anywhere, the book is translated so they may have missed that...

[deadshadowrunner]

Hello Lockard,

I have no idea. I am sorry for adding nothing consturctive to this thread.

[a moderator]

It's not 100% clear, but given that the fight in section 507 specifically states that the slow-moving gargoyles can only advance one square per round, the implication is that your character(s) can move more than one square a round.

[Lockard]

Yeah, I guess if this is said like that, then normally enemies and players move however further they want...
Which would mean if you have only one character, you would be surrounded from all sides (if there are at least 4 enemies) and attacked 4 times at a time on second turn...
Kind of strange...

[champskees]

Yeah, not necessarily though. On your turn you may be able to manoeuvre into a space where only one or two enemies could attack, depending on the map.

[sylas]

i just finished reading Bloodsword 4: Doomwalk. fantastic read! this series really does have the most well thought out encounters and even though combat is still tough, it feels more rewarding if you survive. one thing to note is the ending, which i will not spoil here. i will say that i found it most heartbreaking, and to feel that kind of emotion in reading an adventure gamebook is certainly a rarity for me at least. well done indeed on crafting this expertly told tale. can't wait for book 5 to be released (if it ever will).

[vastariner]

Doomwalk is always worth a repeat read just to spot the allusions to underworlds. A printing error in my copy though spoils the surprise - the two maps are transposed so the insight into the underworld as a reward is lost.

[dragonwarrior8]

Anyone know why Book 5 was never re-released? Seems more than a bit strange to have a 5 book series then only re-issue 4 of them.

I see the first four are credited to Oliver Johnson and Dave Morris with the 5th being Oliver Johnson, Dave Morris and Jamie Thomson. Did Mr Thomson not want it released for some reason? 

[terrysalt]

I read a group playthrough of these on a forum ages ago and thought the series sounded awesome. I saw they were rereleased so I ordered them off Amazon and they arrived today. Has anyone tried to play them solo? Is it worth playing as a single character or would I be better off trying to control all 4 at once?

[a moderator]

I always played as a team of 4. If you wanted to try it as a lone hero, your choice of character type is liable to have a significant impact on your odds of survival.

[terrysalt]

Dec 29, 2021 17:58:51 GMT a moderator said:

I always played as a team of 4. If you wanted to try it as a lone hero, your choice of character type is liable to have a significant impact on your odds of survival.

Ah, good to know. I'll do a team of 4 for my first attempt then. Thanks.

[terrysalt]

What's the consensus on spell casting? Does the roll get easier each round or does it cap at -2? I feel like the first option makes more sense but it's possible to read it both ways.

[tyrion]

Dec 29, 2021 20:18:35 GMT terrysalt said:

What's the consensus on spell casting? Does the roll get easier each round or does it cap at -2? I feel like the first option makes more sense but it's possible to read it both ways.

I think it caps at -2, as the rules stop there (there isn't a clause that says 'and so on' for example).