8) Scorpion Swamp Solution

[champskees]

Selator Quest

This is the optimal path to complete Selator’s quest (good wizard). Whilst you do not need to visit the ranger or the Master of Gardens, I like doing so as you get a risk free +1 Skill and a free spell gem. It also adds to the story and provides the player with clues on how to find the Antherica plant. Once you defeat the Sword Trees you will complete your quest - there are no other points where you can perish. Minimum stats can complete this adventure with a decent success rate.

Fenmarge

- Politely explain you are determined.
- Agree with him.
- Interrupt him (+2 Initial Luck). Note that this is only a boost to your Initial Luck, not your current Luck score.
- Choose spells: Fire x 2, Ice, Friendship, Bless, Luck.
- Cast a Luck spell (restore 2 Luck).

Clearing 1

- Jump over the soft part.
- You automatically pass the 2D6 Stamina roll.
- Go west.

Clearing 4

- Cast a Friendship spell.
- Follow him in.
- Learn secret wolf word.
- Go north.

Clearing 34

- Cast an Ice spell.
- Go north.

Clearing 18

- Try a magic spell.
- Cast a Fire spell (2 Damage to enemy)
- Fight Sk 9 St 10 Sword Trees. Use luck if luck > 6.
- Take Sword Tree Seeds.
- Go north.

Clearing 29

- Cast Bless spell.
- Take Luck & Friendship spell gems.
- Go west.

Clearing 23

- Lose 1 Skill.
- Try to run past the flowers.
- Lose 1 Skill.
- Go north.

Clearing 14

- Ask to meet its mistress.
- Selator.
- Restore Stamina to Initial Score.

Clearing 16

- Go west.
- Leave the clearing while it eats the Dwarf.
- Go north.

Crossroads

- Go north.
- Selator.
- Restore 1 Skill.
- You have not found the Antherica bush.
- Go east.

Clearing 27

- Selator.
- You have not found the Antherica bush.
- Take Spell Gem (Good).
- Add note: Antherica Bush is directly east of here. Go west then circle counterclockwise.
- Parted in friendship.
- Go south.

Clearing 19

- Go east.

Clearing 7

- Try to reason with him.
- You do not have a red cloak.
- Go north.

Clearing 11

- You do not have a Wolf Amulet.
- You know a secret word taught to you by the Master of Wolves (woof).
- Pick the berry and save it.
- You are serving Selator, and can identify it as being an Antherica Berry.

Clearing 7

- You did not kill the giant.
- Go west.

Crossroads

- Go south.

Clearing 32

- You have been here before.
- Go east.

Clearing 16

- You did not fight the eagle.
- Leave.
- Go south.

Clearing 35

- Cross the bridge.
- Go south.

Clearing 13

- Test Luck.
    - If successful:
        - Leap over them to safety.
        - You automatically pass the 2D6 Stamina roll.
    - If fail:
        - D6 Damage.
- Go east.

Clearing 3

- Go east.

Clearing 21

- Drink from the pool (restore 3 Stamina).

Clearing 3

- Go south.

Clearing 26

- You do not have the Golden Magnet Charm (-1 Skill).
- Run for your life.
- Go west.

Clearing 24

- Attack it with your sword.
- Escape (2 Damage).
- Go south.

Clearing 17

- Cast a Fire spell (3 Damage).
- Go south.

Clearing 12

- Rest on a stone (+1 Stamina).
- You don’t want to know.
- Go west.

Clearing 1

- Jump over the soft part.
- 2D6 Stamina Test. Fail = -1 Skill.
- Go south.

Fenmarge

- Report your success.
- To Selator.
- Give him the Berry.
- Feel well and happy.

[champskees]

This is the path suggested to complete Poomchukker’s quest (neutral merchant). A skill of 8 or higher is recommended. Once you defeat the sword trees you will succeed in your quest.

Fenmarge

- Politely explain you are determined.
- Agree with him.
- Hear him out.
- Seek out Poomchukker.
- Tell him about the Brass Ring.
- Refuse to sell it.
- Choose spells: Fire, Ice x 2, Stamina x 2.

Clearing 1

- Just jump over the soft part.
- You automatically pass the 2D6 Stamina Test.
- Go west.

Clearing 4

- Obey & leave.
- Go north.

Clearing 34

- Cast an Ice spell.
- Go north.

Clearing 18

- Fight them with your sword.
- Fight Sk 9 St 12 Sword Trees. Use luck while luck > 6.
- Take Sword Tree Seeds.
- If stamina < 7:
        - Cast a Stamina spell.
- Go north.
- Fight it.
- Fight Sk 11 St 4 Unicorn for two rounds.
- If you defeat the Unicorn in two rounds:
        - Take Unicorn Horn.
- If you do not defeat the Unicorn in two rounds:
        - Escape (2 Damage).
- Go east.

Clearing 5

- Cast a Stamina spell.
- Examine the clearing to see what you can find.
- Take Golden Magnet pendant.
- Go west.

Clearing 29

- Go west.

Clearing 23

- Lose 1 Skill.
- Try to run past the flowers.
- Lose 1 Skill.
- Go north.

Clearing 14

- Ask to meet its mistress.
- Poomchukker.

Clearing 16

- Go west.

Clearing 32

- Leave the clearing while it eats the Dwarf.
- Go north.

Crossroads

- Go west.

Clearing 15

- Ignore it and go south.

Clearing 28

- Cast an Ice spell.
- Go west.

Clearing 10

- Step out and confidently greet them.
- Agree to this plan.
- Fight Sk 9 St 10 Brigand Leader until either you or enemy is hit once.
        - If hit by enemy: Give him your Fire Gem.
- Go north.

Willowbend

- Add note: You have made it to Willowbend.
- Go to the Bent Spear.
- Restore 2 Stamina.
- If you possess either a Golden Magnet or a Unicorn Horn (or both):
        - Visit the wizard.
        - Trade the Golden Magnet for a Fire Gem (trade the unicorn horn for a stamina spell gem if you wish).
- If you do not possess either of the above items:
        - Leave Willowbend by heading south.

Clearing 10

- You parted from them in friendship.
- Go east.

Clearing 28

- You killed the slime.
- Go north.

Clearing 15

- Ignore it and go east.

Crossroads

- Go south.

Clearing 32

- Go east.

Clearing 16

- You did not fight the eagle.
- Leave.
- Go south.

Clearing 35

- Cross the bridge.
- Go south.

Clearing 13

- Test Luck.
    - If successful:
        - Leap over them to safety.
        - 2D6 Test Stamina. Fail = 3 Damage.
    - If fail:
        - D6 Damage.
- Go east.

Clearing 3

- Go east.

Clearing 21

- Drink from the pool.
- Restore 3 Stamina.

Clearing 3

- Go south.

Clearing 26

- You do not have the Golden Magnet Charm (-1 Skill).
- Run for your life.
- Go west.

Clearing 24

- Attack it with your sword.
- Escape from Crab Grass (2 Damage).
- Go south.

Clearing 17

- Cast a Fire spell (3 Damage).
- Go south.

Clearing 12

- Rest on a stone (+1 Stamina).
- You don’t want to know.
- Go west.

Clearing 1

- Jump over the soft part.
- 2D6 Stamina Test. Fail = -1 Skill.
- Go south.

Fenmarge

- Report your success.
- Poomchukker.
- You reached Willowbend.
- Receive a large emerald & half of Poomchukker’s future earnings!

[champskees]

This is the path suggested to complete Grimslades’ quest (evil wizard). It is most definitely the hardest quest to complete out of the three and as such requires a higher skill score (9+ recommended, but 8 Skill characters do have a fair chance). 

Fenmarge

- Politely explain you are determined.
- Agree with him.
- Visit Grimslade.
- Go to the door.
- Tell him you fear nothing.
- Stand and fight.
- Fight Sk 7 St 6 Goblin Statue.
        - If you were not injured: Take Magic Sword (+1 Skill, recover all Luck points).
        - If <6 Damage taken: Recover all Stamina and Luck points.
        - If 6+ damage taken: Tell him it was his idea to have the fight in the first place and kill him! (You can attempt another quest after this but you cannot complete the Grimslade path at this point).
- Choose spells: Wither, 2x Stamina, 2x Curse, Skill.

Clearing 1

- Jump over the soft part.
- Go east.

Clearing 12

- Leave immediately.
- Go north.

Clearing 17

- Cast a Curse spell on him (D6 Damage).
- Fight Sk 8 St 9 Cursed Master of Spiders. Use luck once/twice here.
- Take Spider Amulet.
- If stamina < 3: Cast a Stamina spell.
- Go north.

Clearing 24

- Attack with sword.
- Escape (2 Damage).
- Go west.

Clearing 5

- Leave as quickly as possible.
- Go west.

Clearing 29

- Run away.
- Go back east.

Clearing 5

- Go west again.

Clearing 29

- Go west.

Clearing 23

- Lose 1 Skill.
- Run through flowers (Lose 1 Skill).
- Go north.

Clearing 14

- Ask to meet its mistress.
- Grimslade.
- Ask for the amulet.
- Take Bird Amulet.

Clearing 23

- You left them alive...run! (Lose 1 Skill).
- Cast Skill spell.
- Go east.

Clearing 29

- Go south.

Clearing 18

- Cast Wither spell.
- Take Sword Tree Seeds.
- If stamina < 7: Cast a Stamina spell.
- Go south.

Clearing 34

- Wade across carefully (Roll 2D6, Lowest D6 Damage).
- If stamina < 7: Cast a Stamina spell.
- Go south.

Clearing 4

- Cast a Curse spell on him (D6 Damage).
- If you have a Stamina spell left: Cast Stamina spell.
- Fight Sk 7 St 5 Wolf.
- Fight Sk 6 St 6 Wolf.
- Fight Sk 9 St 8 Cursed Master of Wolves. Use luck if > 6.
- Take Wolf Amulet.
- Go east.

Clearing 1

- Jump over soft part.
- 2D6 Stamina Test. Fail = -1 Skill.
- Go south.

Fenmarge

- Report success.
- To Grimslade.
- Three amulets.
- Demand payment.
- Receive 1,500 Gold Pieces.

[123]

Your solutions to the FF books are great. I would love it if you could write a solution for Scorpion Swamp where you get all 5 amulets (and preferably kill Grimslade at the end).

[johnbrawn1972]

Grimslade 7/14/7. My idea is to go for two amulets 16.10.21
-Politely explain that you are determined
-If you agree with him
-If you want to hear him out
-Risk aiding the forces of evil if the profit is right, and visit the sinister Grimslade
-If you go on up to the door
-Smile and say that you fear nothing
-If you choose to fight the Statue
-Goblin Statue sk7 st6(use 1 luck for extra damage)(if stamina=10 and luck=6 use 1 luck to reduce damage)    5L    9 stamina
-0 damage=sword +1 skill, restore luck. <6 stamina=restore all initial. >5 stamina=Remind him that he was the one who wanted to stage a battle in his parlour in the first place Grimslade sk9 st10    7L    14 stamina
-Stamina +7. Fear. Wither x3. Curse
-If you would rather just jump over the soft part
- 2d6 <=stamina=ok >stamina=-1 skill. East
-Leave the clearing immediately
-North
-Cast a magic spell
-Curse
- -1d6 stamina. Giant Spider sk8 st9(use 1 luck for extra damage)(if luck=6 and stamina=2 use 1 luck to reduce damage)    5L    1 stamina
-Spider Amulet
-If you go north
-If you want to use magic
-Wither
-West
-If you decide to leave as quickly as possible
-West
-Cast a spell
-Fear
-West
- -1 skill. Try to run past the flowers    6S
- -1 skill    5S
-If you want to go north
-Ask to meet its mistress
-Grimslade
-Ask if she will give you the Amulet
-If you left them alive, you know that you need to run quickly to get past them without being consumed by terror
- -1 skill    4S
-If you want to go east
-South
-If you want to try a magic spell
-Wither
-Seeds
-South
-Use the Wither spell
-If you go south
-Obey and leave
-If you go east
-If you would rather just jump over the soft part(cast Stamina Spell)    8 stamina
- 2d6 <=stamina=ok >stamina=-1 skill. South    3S
-If you are ready to return and report the outcome of your quest
-Grimslade
-One or two Amulets
-If you remind him that he had promised you more

[flanimal]

Hello,

I have recently scanned an old map of Scorpion Swamp, that others might like to use while navigating around the book. The map depicts my visualisation of the swamp, which I visualised as a forest.

I found the book so much more enjoyable once I had mapped it.

Here's a URL for the map. Viewing the map is of course a SPOILER if you wish to map Scorpion Swamp yourself.

drive.google.com/file/d/0B_XOE09zTPxOZ2lJWVg4OTRwYUk/view

Eventually, this map should be available from the Fan Maps section of fightingfantasy.com/

[sym]

there's a great scorpion swamp map here -

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fighting_fantasy_scorpion_swamp_map.jpg

and a whole collection of other ff aps here too -

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Crjfluoxkp

[johnbrawn1972]

I have given my solutions a slight brush up but I am not so pedantic as to repost when these serve well.

Further amendment. I have done a different route for Selator to take advantage of the initial luck bonus that always seemed superfluous. Now you have a chance to finish off the sword trees with 3 hits.

Poomchukker also updated.

[champskees]

Can't seem to find your original query but no, I think your Scorpion Swamp solutions are much better, particularly with Poomchukker. As you say, although on face value fighting the sword trees seems inevitable, when fighting them in the beginning there is a random damage element/s that cannot be ignored.

[Darramous]

Hi, I've found a page where you can access some really great fighting fantasy maps. Have a look here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Crjfluoxkp

[deadshadowrunner]

Aug 24, 2016 11:17:04 GMT Darramous said:

Hi, I've found a page where you can access some really great fighting fantasy maps. Have a look here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Crjfluoxkp

They're pretty interesting, especially because the design of each map changes of one to the next.

Did you make those maps? Don't worry, there's no shame in making shameless plugs (tautology intended)

[thealmightymudworm]

Sept 5, 2016 11:16:21 GMT deadshadowrunner said:

Aug 24, 2016 11:17:04 GMT Darramous said:

Hi, I've found a page where you can access some really great fighting fantasy maps. Have a look here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Crjfluoxkp

They're pretty interesting, especially because the design of each map changes of one to the next.

Did you make those maps? Don't worry, there's no shame in making shameless plugs (tautology intended)

Given that this is the second time in this thread an unregistered user has plugged that fairly obscure link without posting anything else, and one of them has posted it here too, I think a certain degree of eyebrow-waggling is justified .

But I agree, plugging stuff is OK so long as it's not crap.

[andyzero]

My favorite bit in Scorpion Swamp is how if you tell Grimslade about your magic ring and then just stand there like an idiot, he summons a demon that is stronger than the Demon Lords in later games.

fightingfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Grimslade%27s_Demon

Skill: 16, Stamina: 12.

Also, if you visit Grimslade early and kill him (preferably without him summoning the Hax Demon), you get his +2 magic sword; and you can still go visit either the Good or Neutral paths. Honestly, if you're going the path of Loot or Good; this makes sense story-wise.

[JMISBEST]

Jul 16, 2017 0:19:03 GMT andyzero said:

My favorite bit in Scorpion Swamp is how if you tell Grimslade about your magic ring and then just stand there like an idiot, he summons a demon that is stronger than the Demon Lords in later games.

fightingfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Grimslade%27s_Demon

Skill: 16, Stamina: 12.

Also, if you visit Grimslade early and kill him (preferably without him summoning the Hax Demon), you get his +2 magic sword; and you can still go visit either the Good or Neutral paths. Honestly, if you're going the path of Loot or Good; this makes sense story-wise

I always assumed that the summoned Deamon was some kind of High Deamon Lord that the regular Deamon Lords answer to, kind of like Siege of Sardath where you impersonate a powerful Drow Noble of The Warrior-Lord Social Position but find out that you still have to take orders from High Drow Nobility, that Grimsdale did a favour for, that The Deamon promised to aide Grimsdale once and only once and is unique among Deamons in that he keeps his word when possible and that it was possible

[johnbrawn1972]

Jul 16, 2017 0:19:03 GMT andyzero said:

My favorite bit in Scorpion Swamp is how if you tell Grimslade about your magic ring and then just stand there like an idiot, he summons a demon that is stronger than the Demon Lords in later games.

fightingfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Grimslade%27s_Demon

Skill: 16, Stamina: 12.

Also, if you visit Grimslade early and kill him (preferably without him summoning the Hax Demon), you get his +2 magic sword; and you can still go visit either the Good or Neutral paths. Honestly, if you're going the path of Loot or Good; this makes sense story-wise.

Rather annoyingly the magic sword is not an addition to attack strength unlike the helmet in City Of Thieves. If it was a bonus to attack strength it would radically alter the beginning of the solutions and make 7/14/7 possible.

[johnbrawn1972]

Grimslade is 7/14/7. One amulet. 16.10.21
-Politely explain that you are determined
-If you agree with him
-If you want to hear him out
-Risk aiding the forces of evil if the profit is right, and visit the sinister Grimslade
-If you go on up to the door
-Smile and say that you fear nothing
-If you choose to fight the statue
-Goblin Statue sk7 st6(use 1 luck for extra damage)(if luck=6 and stamina=10 use 1 luck to reduce damage)    5L    9 stamina
-0 damage=sword +1 skill, restore luck. <6 stamina=restore all initial. >5 stamina=Remind him that he was the one who wanted to stage a battle in his parlour in the first place Grimslade sk9 st10    7L    14 stamina
-Stamina +7. Fire. Fear. Wither x3
-If you would rather just jump over the soft part
- 2d6 <=stamina=ok >stamina=-1 skill. West
-Obey and leave
-If you go north
-Use the Wither spell
-If you go north
-If you want to try a magic spell
-Wither
-Seeds
-North
-Cast a spell
-Fear
-West
- -1 skill. Try to run past the flowers    6S
- -1 skill    5S
-If you want to go north
-Ask to meet its mistress
-Grimslade
-Ask if she will give you the Amulet
-If you left them alive, you know that you need to run quickly to get past them without being consumed by terror
- -1 skill    4S
-If you want to go east
-East
-If you decide to leave as quickly as possible
-East
-If you want to use magic
-Wither
-South
-Cast a magic spell
-Fire
- -3 stamina    11 stamina
-If you go south
-Leave the clearing immediately
-West
-If you would rather just jump over the soft part(cast Stamina Spell)    14 stamina
- 2d6 <=stamina=ok >stamina=-1 skill. South
-If you are ready to return and report the outcome of your quest
-Grimslade
-One or two Amulets
-If you remind him that he had promised you more

[sylas]

I find it odd that all these solutions assume that a Skill 7 hero has a good chance of defeating a Skill 9 opponent. Only in theory but very rarely in practice.

[tyrion]

Feb 11, 2021 22:50:08 GMT sylas said:

I find it odd that all these solutions assume that a Skill 7 hero has a good chance of defeating a Skill 9 opponent. Only in theory but very rarely in practice.

I thought I'd have a look at the odds. This is for the selator quest.

A skill 7 hero wins 1 out of every 4 attack rounds against skill 9 trees.

Without the use of luck, that means 20 attack rounds to kill the enraged plant life. In that time, our hapless hero will lose 14 attack rounds (2 rounds are draws), i.e. dead.

Successfully using luck twice reduces this to 12 attack rounds. Our lucky hero loses 8 attack rounds (with one drawn), so as long as he has a stamina of 17 to start off with, he will survive. With no further stamina loss until he can restore all his stamina later, he will be fine.

[sylas]

Feb 12, 2021 9:04:55 GMT tyrion said:

Feb 11, 2021 22:50:08 GMT sylas said:

I find it odd that all these solutions assume that a Skill 7 hero has a good chance of defeating a Skill 9 opponent. Only in theory but very rarely in practice.

I thought I'd have a look at the odds. This is for the selator quest.

A skill 7 hero wins 1 out of every 4 attack rounds against skill 9 trees.

Without the use of luck, that means 20 attack rounds to kill the enraged plant life. In that time, our hapless hero will lose 14 attack rounds (2 rounds are draws), i.e. dead.

Successfully using luck twice reduces this to 12 attack rounds. Our lucky hero loses 8 attack rounds (with one drawn), so as long as he has a stamina of 17 to start off with, he will survive. With no further stamina loss until he can restore all his stamina later, he will be fine.

So it's gone from a good chance to practically impossible.

[kieran]

Feb 14, 2021 14:33:34 GMT sylas said:

So it's gone from a good chance to practically impossible.

If you look at Champskees' stats above for Selator's quest, the only way a Skill 7 character will stand a better than 50% chance is if they have a very high Stamina, a very high Luck or decent scores for both (note you will also increase your Initial Luck by 2 right at the start which greatly helps). That would seem to tally with Tyrion's findings. You should also be able to avoid any damage before the trees then get a full heal shortly afterwards. So definitely much better odds than practical impossibility.

If playing Poomchukker's quest though, you'll need max Stamina and Luck to stand a good chance. For Grimslade, you just use Wither to beat them.

[scouserob]

Greedy Grimslade – The 5 Amulets Path (Preamble)

Feedback:
Please nitpick and argue for alternate 5 Amulet paths and I’ll alter it and credit the alteration if I’m convinced your path is better.

The Magic Sword:
The Magic Sword gives a +1 Skill modifier “whenever you use it”.
The total skill reduction for battles on my suggested path would be 6 rather than 7 if you can defeat the Goblin Statue without damage and get that Magic Sword.
(If you allow the Magic Sword to give you +1 Skill in battle after you have lost a Skill point or 4)

In this case you can get away with buying 1 Skill Gem and get 2 Stamina Gems (or perhaps a Luck Gem) in Willowbend.

Assumptions:
This is a hard path for hardy adventurers so I’m assuming your Skill is at least 10.

The most difficult fight is the Master of Gardens, he is SK7 ST10 but you will have lost 4 Skill at this point so your Skill will now be between 6 and 9, depending on your Initial Skill and whether you have (and allow the bonus from) the Magic Sword, or the Ranger's Helmet.

Willowbend:
You are going to have to travel to Willowbend to stock up on Spell Gems.
You have 2 initial Gem spots free for Neutral Gems (see below) and you’ll probably be needing 2 Skill Gems and as many additional Stamina Gems as you can get away with.
Make that 2 Skill Gems and a Luck Gem with as many additional Stamina Gems as you can.

Using Luck in Battles:
The most important luck test is the one at the Master of Frogs as failing this test means you cannot get the Frog Amulet.
After entering the swamp, you should not use luck in battle before the Master of Frogs.
Then you should save your luck for the Master of Gardens battle, the toughest fight.
OK, I'm a fool, use your luck against both the Unicorn and the Master of Gardens.  (For example: +5.4% for SK10 ST19 L12)
Then save your luck for the Master of Wolves battle, the toughest remaining fight.

The Crab Grass and the Slime:
I think if you have Skill 9 then the Slime and Crab Grass will inflict, on average, less than 4 points of damage. Kill them. (You’d have to pass them at least twice.)

The Ranger:
If you have a Fighting Skill of 12 then the difference between killing over escaping twice is about -0.4ST.
However the +1 Skill Helmet will recover your lost Swamp Orc Skill point and the Magic Sword will give you an extra boost (+1.5ST) in battle against the Master of Gardens so you should kill him.
Similarly for a Fighting Skill of 11 (-2ST, +2.4ST).
For a Fighting Skill of 10 or less (-5.6ST, +3.5ST) you should escape twice.

The Unicorn:
The Unicorn Horn should be obtained. (OK this may not be true if you have less than 19 Stamina and less than 10 fighting Skill.)
It comes in useful to give to the Brigands if need be.
Getting the Unicorn Horn also gives you a chance to find a Luck Gem and a Friendship Gem.

The Luck Gem is handy to use straight before the Master of Gardens to use in your toughest fight.

The Friendship Gem can be used to befriend the Brigands meaning you will not need to get the Gold Chain, avoiding losing one luck point and possibly 2 stamina points.

[Edit: The decision to fight the Unicorn or not is a little complicated, see below.  Basically the higher your luck the more you should be inclined to fight the Unicorn.]

The Pool Beast:
Each Stamina Gem is worth between 7 and 12 Stamina points.
I think if you have Skill 10 then Pool Beast will inflict 3.6 points of damage on average.
The Jewel is worth getting for Willowbend.

Initial Gems:
Illusion: Required to get Frog Amulet
Wither: Instant Kill Sword Trees (SK9 ST12)
Curse: Reduce Master of Spiders from SK9 ST6 DA 3 to SK8 ST9 DA 2.
Curse: Reduce Master of Wolves from SK11 ST10 to SK9 ST8.
Stamina (x2)

[scouserob]

Greedy Grimslade – The 5 Amulets Path
Because those amulets are worth 500 gold pieces each, so you better believe I want all five of them!

I couldn't find a five amulet solution so I thought I'd give it a try In the style of Champskees. 

It has been pointed out that the Magic Sword on/off +1 Skill Bonus, working only in battles, may not be an entirely legitimate way to play.
If you are playing with no Skill Bonus allowed from the Magic Sword then just assume you don't have it for the decision points of the solution below.

Fenmarge (Visit 1)
Explain you are determined.
Agree with him.
Hear him out.
Risk aiding the forces of evil and visit the sinister Grimslade.
Go on up to the door.
Smile and say you fear nothing.
Fight the Statue.
Goblin Statue SK7 ST6 {Use Luck whilst it is ≥ 7.}
If you were not wounded in the fight:
    Get Magic Sword.
    Gain 1 Skill whenever you use the Magic Sword. {Only in battle when your Skill is below its initial value.}
    Restore Luck to Initial Level.
Else If you were wounded, but lost 5 or less stamina:
    Restore Skill to Initial Value.
    Restore Stamina to Initial Value.
    Restore Luck to Initial Value.
Else If you lost more than 5 stamina:
    You have failed the 5 Amulet Quest.
Get Illusion Gem.
Get Wither Gem.
Get 2 Curse Gems.
Get 2 Stamina Gems.
{Stamina Gem Strategy 1: Use if Stamina ≤ ⌊Initial ST/2⌋-3.}
{Luck Strategy: Don’t use Luck in battle unless specified.}

Clearing 1 (Visit 1)
Just jump over the soft part. {Automatically pass Stamina Test.}
Travel East.

Clearing 12 (Visit 1)
Leave the Clearing Immediately.
Travel East.

Clearing 25
Attack with your sword.
Pool Beast SK8 ST10
Get Violet Jewel.

Clearing 12 (Visit 2)
You did not see what lived in the log.
Travel North.

Clearing 17
Cast a magic spell.
Cast Curse.
Lose Curse Gem.
Lose 1D6 of Stamina.
Giant Spider SK8 ST9
Get Spider Amulet.
Travel North.

Clearing 24 (Visit 1)
Attack it with your sword.
Crab Grass SK6 ST16
Travel East.

Clearing 26 (Visit 1)
You do not have a Golden Magnet charm.
Lose 1 Skill.
Attack with your sword.
1st Swamp Orc SK6 ST7
2nd Swamp Orc SK7 ST7
3rd Swamp Orc SK6 ST5 {Fight all 3 Together.}
Get A Few Gold Pieces and a Map.
Travel South.

Clearing 8
Greet him in return.
You are in the service of Grimslade.
Make up a story.
If you are Lucky:
    Use an Illusion and attempt to steal the amulet.
    Cast Illusion.
    Lose Illusion Gem.
    Get Frog Amulet.
Else If you are Unlucky:
    1st Giant Frog SK5 ST6
    2nd Giant Frog SK6 ST5 {Fight Together}
    You now continue on the 4 Amulet Quest. (Damn!)

Clearing 26 (Visit 2)
You slew them.
Travel West.

Clearing 24 (Visit 2)
You have been here before.
You killed it.
Travel West.

Clearing 5 (Visit 1)
Examine the clearing to see what you can find.
Get Magnet Charm.
Travel West.

Clearing 29 (Visit 1)
If you are on the 5 Amulet Quest and have (Initial Skill = 10 and (Initial Luck > 9 or (Initial Luck = 9 and Initial Stamina >18)) or (Initial Skill = 11 and Initial Luck > 9) or (Initial Skill = 12 and Initial Luck =12):
    Fight it.
    Unicorn SK11 ST4 {Use Luck whilst it is ≥ 7.}
    Get Unicorn Horn.
    Search the clearing.
    If you are Lucky:
        Get Friendship Gem.
        Get Luck Gem.
Else:
    Run Away.
Travel East.

Clearing 5 (Visit 2)
You have been here before.
Travel East.

Clearing 24 (Visit 3)
You have been here before.
You killed it.
Travel East.

Clearing 26 (Visit 3)
You have been here before.
You slew them.
Travel North.

Clearing 3 (Visit 1)
Travel East.

Clearing 21
Drink from the pool.
Gain 3 Stamina.
{Stamina Gem Strategy 2: Use if Stamina ≤ ⌊Initial ST/2⌋-2.}

Clearing 3 (Visit 2)
Travel West.

Clearing 13 (Visit 1)
If you are Lucky:
    Leap over them to safety.
    If 2D6 > Your Stamina:
        Lose 3 Stamina.
Else If you are Unlucky:
    Lose 1D6 Stamina.
Travel North.

Clearing 35 (Visit 1)
Go on to the bridge.
Travel North.

Clearing 16 (Visit 1)
You have neither of these.
Back away cautiously.
Travel South.

Clearing 35 (Visit 2)
Go on to the bridge.
Travel North.

Clearing 16 (Visit 2)
You have been here before.
You did not fight the Eagle.
If have a Friendship Gem:
    You would rather leave.
Else If you do not have a Friendship Gem:
    You would like to climb up and examine it.
    If you are Unlucky:
        Lose 2 Stamina.
    Get Gold Chain.
Travel West.

Clearing 32 (Visit 1)
Leave the clearing whilst the monster feasts on the Dwarf.
Travel North.

Crossing of Paths (Visit 1)
Travel West.

Clearing 15 (Visit 1)
Ignore it and go South.

Clearing 28 (Visit 1)
Attack it with your sword.
Slime SK5 ST17
Travel West.

Clearing 10 (Visit 1)
If you have a Friendship Gem:
    Cast a spell from your hiding place.
    Cast Friendship.
    Lose Friendship Gem.
Else If you do not have a Friendship Gem:
    Step out confidently and greet them.
    Agree to his plan.
    Brigand Leader SK9 ST10 {Until you win or lose an attack round.}
    If the Brigand Leader hit you first:
        If you have a Unicorn Horn:
            Lose Unicorn Horn.
        Else if you have an Illusion Gem:
            Lose Illusion Gem.
        Else:
            Lose Magnet Charm
Travel North.

Willowbend
Go to the Bent Spear.
Gain 2 Stamina.
{Stamina Gem Strategy 3: Use if Stamina ≤ ⌊Initial ST/2⌋.}
Visit the Wizard.
Lose Purple Jewel.
Get 1 Skill Gem.
Lose either of the Unicorn Horn or Gold Chain.
If you have an Initial Skill of 12 or the Magic Sword and an Initial Skill of 11:
    If you have a Luck Gem or your Initial Luck = 7 or your (Initial Luck = 8 and (Initial Stamina < 19 or Initial Stamina = 20))
        Get Stamina Gem.
    Else:
        Get Luck Gem.
Else If your Initial Skill < 11 or your Initial Skill is 11 and you do not have the Magic Sword:
    Get Skill Gem.
If you have a Magnet Charm:
    Lose Golden Magnet Charm.
    If you have a Luck Gem:
        Get Stamina Gem.
    Else:
        Get Luck Gem.

Clearing 10 (Visit 2)
You parted from them in Friendship.
Travel East.

Clearing 28 (Visit 2)
You killed it.
Travel North.

Clearing 15 (Visit 2)
Ignore it and go East.

Crossing of Paths (Visit 2)
Travel North.

Clearing 19 (Visit 1)
Your patron is Grimslade.
If you are Unlucky:
    If you have an Initial Skill of 12 or the Magic Sword and an Initial Skill of 11:
        Ranger SK10 ST10
        Get Helmet.
        Gain 1 Skill.
    If your Initial Skill < 11 or your Initial Skill is 11 and you do not have the Magic Sword:
        Escape immediately from the Ranger.
        Lose 2 Stamina.
Travel East.

Clearing 27
You are serving Grimslade.
{If you have a Luck Gem use it.}
Attack him with your sword.
Lose 3 Skill.
Master of Gardens SK7 ST10 {Use Luck whilst it is ≥ 7.}
Lose 3 Luck.
Get Flower Amulet.

Clearing 19 (Visit 2)
If you were Lucky on visit 1 to this Clearing:
    You parted from him in Friendship.
Else If you were Unlucky on visit 1 to this clearing and fled:
    You fought him and fled.
    Escape immediately from the Ranger.     
    Lose 2 Stamina.
Else If you were Unlucky on visit 1 and slew the Ranger:
    You slew him.
Travel South.

Crossing of Paths (Visit 3)
Travel South.

Clearing 32 (Visit 2)
You have been here before.
Travel East.

Clearing 16 (Visit 3)
You did not fight the Eagle.
You would rather leave.
Travel South.

Clearing 35 (Visit 3)
Go on to the bridge.
Travel South.

Clearing 13 (Visit 2)
You have been here before.
Leap over them to safety.
If 2D6 > Your Stamina:
    Lose 3 Stamina.
Travel East.

Clearing 3 (Visit 3)
Travel South.

Clearing 26 (Visit 4)
You have been here before.
You slew them.
Travel West.

Clearing 24 (Visit 4)
You have been here before.
You killed it.
Travel West.

Clearing 5 (Visit 3)
You have been here before.
Travel West.

Clearing 29 (Visit 2)
You have been here before.
Travel West.

Clearing 23 (Visit 1)
Lose 1 Skill.
Try to run past the flowers.
Lose 1 Skill.
Travel North.

Clearing 14
Ask to meet its mistress.
Your patron is Grimslade.
Ask if she will give you the Amulet.
Get Replica Bird Amulet.

Clearing 23 (Visit 2)
You left them alive.
Lose 1 Skill.
{Use all of your Skill Gems.}
Travel East.

Clearing 29 (Visit 3)
Travel South.

Clearing 18
Try a magic spell.
Cast Wither.
Lose Wither Gem.
Get Sword Tree Seeds.
Travel South.

Clearing 34
Wade across, very carefully.
Roll 2D6 and lose Stamina equal to the smallest die value.
Travel South.

Clearing 4
Cast a spell.
Cast Curse.
Lose Curse Gem.
Lose 1D6 of Stamina.
1st Wolf SK7 ST5
2nd Wolf SK6 ST5
Master of Wolves SK9 ST8 {Use Luck whilst it is ≥ 7.}
Travel East.

Clearing 1 (Visit 2)
Just jump over the soft part.
If 2D6 > Stamina:
    Lose 1 Skill.
Travel South.

Fenmarge (Visit 2)
You are ready to return and report the outcome of your quest.
You undertook your quest for Grimslade.
You have three or more amulets.
You want your money right now.
If you only have 4 Amulets:
    Lose 4 Amulets.
    Get 2000 Gold Pieces.
    You completed the 4 Amulets Path.
Else If you have 5 Amulets:
    Lose 5 Amulets.
    Get 2500 Gold Pieces.
    You completed the Greedy Grimslade 5 Amulets Path.

Here are the probabilities of success with no magic sword skill bonus allowed:
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

Probability Edits:
Fail if lose >5 Stamina against Goblin Statue.
Added Leeches. (Forgot them!)
Giant Spider corrected to SK8 ST9 from SK9 ST6.
Use luck in battle against the Unicorn.
Was double penalising the luck test for searching the Unicorn Clearing for Gems.
Skill and Luck combinations added for Unicorn fight choice.
Buy a Luck Gem in Willowbend instead of a Stamina Gem.
Corrected simultaneous opponent rules: Roll one attack strength per opponent.

[scouserob]

I've been working on an exact Big Matrix probability calculator for Fighting Fantasy solutions and I thought I'd test it first on Scorpion Swamp's Selator Solution.

This is the exact same path as champskees but with the following strategy for using Luck in Battle:
If your Luck is greater than 6 and the Enemy’s Stamina is greater than 2 then use after every won attack round.
Always use Luck if you lose an attack round when you are on 2 Stamina.

Just these two adjustments make a pretty huge difference.
The winning probability for Skill 7 Stamina 14 Luck 7 increases by 13.3% from 24.6% to 37.9%.

Here are the full set of adjusted probabilities for champskees ’ path for the Selator Quest:
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

[terrysalt]

Sept 27, 2022 20:12:25 GMT scouserob said:

If Luck<6 then use after every won attack round.

I assume you meant luck greater than 6, not less than?

[scouserob]

Sept 27, 2022 20:27:43 GMT terrysalt said:

Sept 27, 2022 20:12:25 GMT scouserob said:

If Luck<6 then use after every won attack round.

I assume you meant luck greater than 6, not less than?

Corrected. 
Thank you.

[scouserob]

For completeness here are the probabilities for success in the Poomchukker Quest using champskees ' path.
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

Same strategy as above for using Luck in Battle:
If your Luck is greater than 6 and the Enemy’s Stamina is greater than 2 then use after every won attack round.
Always use Luck if you lose an attack round when you are on 2 Stamina.

Edit: 
JohnBrawn's solution is even better than this, especially for low Skill adventurers
The probabilities for his solution can be seen below.
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

[scouserob]

Greedy Grimslade - Unicorn Fight Decision

The part of my Greedy Grimslade Path that I was most unsure of was whether you should battle the Unicorn for its horn.
(If you got the chance to use the illusion gem on the Master of Frogs.)

My thinking was that this would offset the chance of having one less item to trade for a Stamina Gem if you had to give one to the Brigand Leader.

It seems that the probability of losing a Stamina Gem here does not outweigh the potential Stamina loss to the Unicorn in battle.
However it does seem that the chance of finding a Luck Gem after killing the unicorn does offset the Stamina loss for those adventurers with high Luck.
In any case Luck is obviously more of a factor than Stamina here.

Why does a Luck 8 adventurer get more benefit more than one with Luck 7?
My best guess is that with Luck 7 they are more likely to have failed the Luck test at the Master of Frogs, have the Illusion Gem, and be bypassing the Unicorn fight anyway.

So for Skill of 10 fight the Unicorn if you have a Luck > 9 or both a Luck of 9 and Stamina >18.
For a Skill of 11 fight the Unicorn if you have a Luck > 9.
For a Skill of 12 fight the Unicorn if you have a Luck of 12.

I'm now wondering what the difference would be for getting a Luck Gem (if you don't already have one), in place of a Stamina Gem in the shop in Willowbend.
I think that will be the next test...

Here is the difference in win probability for the strategy of not fighting the Unicorn:
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

[scouserob]

Greedy Grimslade - Buy a Luck Gem or a Stamina Gem

This is a surprise to me!
I really underestimated the advantage of using Luck in Battles.

It is better to buy a Luck Gem in almost every case, except when you have Skill 12 with a low Luck.

This is the probability difference for getting a Luck Gem in Willowbend in place of a Stamina Gem:
(With the Unicorn Fight decision coded in.)
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

[johnbrawn1972]

Sept 28, 2022 8:26:40 GMT scouserob said:

For completeness here are the probabilities for success in the Poomchukker Quest using champskees ' path.
(Assuming my calculations are correct.)

Same strategy as above for using Luck in Battle:
If your Luck is greater than 6 and the Enemy’s Stamina is greater than 2 then use after every won attack round.
Always use Luck if you lose an attack round when you are on 2 Stamina.

I think my Poomchukker solution is slightly better so can you try and see if my solution creates better outcomes?

[scouserob]

Oct 7, 2022 16:10:24 GMT johnbrawn1972 said:

I think my Poomchukker solution is slightly better so can you try and see if my solution creates better outcomes?

Glady, it will be interesting. 😀

I added the following, probably implied, rules to your solution.

If you kill the Unicorn in 2 rounds then don't climb the Eagle's Nest. (You no longer need the Gold Chain.  Protects against potential loss of 2 Stamina.)

If you kill the Unicorn in 2 rounds then use the Stamina Gem before the Brigand's if it will put you 2 points or less below your Initial Stamina.

If you kill the Unicorn in 2 rounds and find the Friendship Gem then cast Friendship on the Brigand Leader. (Gains an extra Stamina Gem and protects against potential loss of 2 Stamina in the duel.)

I salute you sir.
Not just slightly better but significantly better for most low Skill adventurers.
[Assuming my calculations are correct.]

Cool solution. 

Hope there aren't too many bugs remaining.
[Probability Edit: Escaping from Unicorn took 2 stamina from the Unicorn rather than you. 🤦🏻‍♂️]