Let's Play Lone Wolf: Book 29 and beyond!

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moosecow333: Mar 15, 2007; Super-Duper Supermen!

I still love how it�s totally possible to lose the legendary Sommersword and never get it back.

# ? Jul 14, 2022 05:26

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# ? Apr 26, 2024 01:31

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

exmachina posted:

Didn't you take the blue pills in the last section?

I wasn't sure if I should delete them. It is written like you swallow the lot, but that seems crazy and also the text doesn't instruct you to erase them so I decided to leave them there. They probably won't come up again anyway (but I haven't read ahead yet so I don't know).

# ? Jul 14, 2022 05:29

nelson: Apr 12, 2009; College Slice

That was pretty terrible. Flip a coin. Heads you die. Tails you also die.

# ? Jul 14, 2022 07:43

achtungnight: Oct 5, 2014; I get my fun here. Enjoy!

exmachina posted:

Didn't you take the blue pills in the last section?

No, I took the red pill.

Why, oh why, didn�t I take the blue pill?

# ? Jul 14, 2022 11:15

Ofecks: May 4, 2009; A portly feline wizard waddles forth, muttering something about conjured food.

quote:

Zapped out of Aon to the plane of Darkness by the most mystic and powerful arts of Darkness, Naar once again had the blade at his disposal. Originally the sword of a champion of Darkness, the Dark Lord Kraagenskull....

D A R K N E S S

moosecow333 posted:

I still love how it�s totally possible to lose the legendary Sommersword and never get it back.

Per the game rules, you can even just discard it wherever, whenever you want. That's what I did for one of the Seventh Sense cheevos: just "plunk" dropped it into the Holmgard Harbour after smiting Zargana with it. But yeah, there are a bunch of different ways to lose it. Any time you're instructed to discard a weapon, if you don't have any normal weapons, you have to delete a weapon-like special item, and if the only one of those you have is The 'Swerd, welp. The Tekaro sewers' Dakomyd spawning room in book 6 comes to mind. I stumbled upon such a section in book 16 where all your weapons, including special items, are confiscated. That was a reset.

# ? Jul 14, 2022 16:59

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

The DarkLord�s Return posted:

The Story So Far
Centuries of peace have passed on Magnamund--centuries of peace watched and warded carefully by the ever vigilant Kai Lords of Sommerlund--centuries of their dominance over the continent since the Darklords were destroyed--centuries in which the Dark God Naar could reflect on the defeat and destruction of almost all his servants--centuries in which he brooded on a way to strike back--centuries spent in contemplation of a new evil, a more massive evil, a more powerful evil than anything he has yet conceived--a new weapon to bring the final downfall of the forces of Good. You are that weapon.

Gradually over the years the Darklands, ancient home of the Darklords, have slowly been restored from dead wasteland to vibrant life. All the ancient strongholds of the Darklords have been overgrown except for one: Helgedad. Here, despite the best efforts of the herbwardens to heal the land, the barren wastes have stayed the same.

Helgedad--the heart of evil--in this city the Nadziranim and Lesser Darklords grouped together as an alliance of power and avoided the infighting and power struggles found elsewhere in the Darklands. Using their combined powers they have been able to retain their hold on this great city and the surrounding lands ever since the fall of the Darklords.

Using this council of Nadziranim, Naar has fashioned a way to resurrect the glory of the Darklords. Using many forced Drakkarim volunteers the Nadziranim slowly changed the way their bodies worked, their minds thought, and how their souls reacted. They made improvements making the Drakkar race faster, stronger, smarter, and more evil. Thus were born the skills of the Drakkar. Still, even with all these improvements, they still had failed to achieve their ultimate goal. Then they made you.

As all the NeoDrakkarim are, you were improved by the Nadziranim as a babe. Unlike the rest, the Nadziranim succeeded. Inside your soul a streak of pure darkness resides. A part of the soul of Naar makes up your creation. You are directly connected to the mind of Naar, and by this are able to achieve things no man or being has been able to accomplish before. Now, for the first time, a man is able to become immortal. Through your discoveries you will blaze the path for other Drakkarim to follow, enabling the goal of Naar of not just one, not just twenty, but an army of Darklords readied and prepared to conquer the whole of Magnamund.

Even more sinister was the fact that these new Darklords would have most of the strengths and none of the weaknesses of the old Darklords. There would be no vying for power, but total and complete order based on rank. They could easily exist outside the Darklands, coming from a race that could breathe both the atmosphere of the Darklands and that of the rest of Magnamund. Indeed, if Naar's plan was brought to fruition, it was doubtful that even the Kai could stop him.
It is little surprise that the Kai uncovered this plot. Aware of the grave danger, they have launched a crusade with one objective: to destroy you. Swiftly they came, led by their leader the Supreme Kai Master, Rune Fire, and surrounded the fell city of Helgedad. Rune Fire, wielding the great weapon, the Sommerswerd, presses hard on the defenses of the city.

After waking one night as the guards barely defeat a Kai assassin right outside the doors of your chambers, you realize your danger as do your Nadziranim mentors. They realize they must get you out of the city and also must find some way to break the siege. After hours of deliberation they arrive at their answer.
In all of Magnamund there is only one weapon with enough power to break the siege and turn back the Kai. It lies in the heartland of the Kai, near their very monastery fortress. Kept in a heavily guarded armoury, an evil weapon is kept from polluting their holy abode. It is Helshezag, sword of Darklord Kraagenskull. Discovered by the Kai two centuries ago on an expedition to the plane of Darkness, they brought it back for study, and to prevent evil from utilizing such a diabolical weapon. In it are great powers which only you, with your connection with Naar, are able to unleash.

But for one as inexperienced as you to be able to enter into the heartland of the Kai, you will need a power to protect you. This can be found in a Doomstone. Unlike most mortal men who would succumb to such an evil artefact, your link with Naar makes you immune. This stone was lost years ago in a great battle between Darklord Haakon and the Founder of the New Order of Kai, Lone Wolf. Located deep in the tombs of the Majhan, it has awaited centuries for you to retrieve it.

First, before these quests may even take place you had to find a way to escape the city. To accomplish this you and an elite guard of Drakkarim Shock troopers embarked on Kraan to fly above the encircling armies. To your surprise, the Kai were expecting such an attempt and were waiting. Ambushing you in a trap, you were forced to land in the Middle of the vast army.

Utilizing your skills and abilities you managed to evade capture and escape the clutches of their charismatic leader Rune Fire. Finding your way to the overgrown ruins of Aarnak you were reunited with your guide only to find a new adventure awaited.

The Ruins of Aarnak were inhabited by a creature known simply as the Ghoulag, a monster created by the Nadziranim long ago. The Ghoulag was known to sell information and aid to anyone with enough to pay the price. For you, the price of passage to Vassagonia, and knowledge of the location of your goal lay in a test the Ghoulag had devised. This test would allow the Ghoulag to find out more about you and the special skills and abilities you possessed. Basically, it was trading information for information.

You passed his test, but only with a little difficulty, as in order to test your abilities thoroughly the Ghoulag had developed a deathtrap meant to destroy all but the most cunning and powerful. Released from the bonds of this nefarious test, you finally boarded the Ship 'The Bleeding Merchant' only to find a long and dangerous journey ahead.

The Kai were aware of your quest and made an attempt to destroy you and your quest before you could pass by their homeland. Led by their great Supreme Master, Rune Fire, they nearly suceeded, but the luck of Naar was with you. You had survived yet another attempt on your life, yet you were far from being safe, for Naar had decided to test you and evaluate your worth. Captain Mosk became a creature of the undead, almost indestructible, seeking to do battle with you before you could find the Stone of Haakon, a battle which he failed to win, for even he cannot face the ire of a nascent Darklord.

You found the stone, or what you had thought was the Doomstone, only to discover a useless item, a mere rock cracked and powerless, but, despite this setback, you were determined to continue, even if it meant your death, for you would rather die than admit defeat. Surprisingly, the Kai have left Sommerlund and the surrounding lands virtually undefended. They seem to believe all threats are now contained in Helgedad, where their armies lie in siege. You entered their lands in a large cloak, hiding your features from all but a few inquisitive Border Rangers. Sommerlund now has a few less of those guardians.

With much more ease than you expected, you found the secret area where the Sword of Dark Lord Kraagenskull was hidden, a small sanctuary which you detected was ironically an area at one time sacred to Naar. Bloody rituals by Cener druids were at one time practiced in the clearing where the Sword Helshezag was kept. Perhaps the Kai built the small holding refuge to protect against it from ever happening again. When you garner your power at last, you vowed they will fail in this mockery of your Lord.

Entering the holding area you faced many dangers, and met an old friend, Lakaast, who was kept captive by the kai. Freeing this Xagash, he led you past a lethal trap laid by a Kai Grandmaster, a Grandmaster that laid in wait to slay you. In a titantic battle, you retrieved the sword, and utilized its powers to return to Helgedad. Healed by the Nadziranim and your own natural abilities, you see a mounting task ahead of you.

The enemy is just about to breach the walls of the city, whilst on the other side, the southern gates are about to fall as well. Lakaast, also likewise restored to health, believes that your aid would enable the armies of Helgedad to repel these attacks, whilst Goragik is for a quicker strike. In the middle of the city, rebuilt and reconstructed, lies the Tower of Gnaag. Held by the only Nadziranim not loyal to your cause, these isolationistic Nadziranim may or may not join your cause when they behold the weapon you now bear, as well as the approval of Naar. The tower is the tallest in the city, and will give you a full view of your enemies before you blast them to kingdom come with the dark powers inherent in your blade. It will also give you the ability to focus the power of the sword in the area where it is most needed to bring a swift and hasty victory over your enemies.

Which Drakkar Discipline do we want next?

Mindshield: Many creatures use their mind to launch mental assaults, this skill protects your mind from such attacks.
or
Mindblast: This gives you the power to attack enemies using the Force of your mind. When you use this skill in combat you may add 2 to your Combat Skill. Some creatures are immune to this power.

# ? Jul 15, 2022 03:11

achtungnight: Oct 5, 2014; I get my fun here. Enjoy!

Mindshield would have been useful in many previous books.

# ? Jul 15, 2022 03:46

moosecow333: Mar 15, 2007; Super-Duper Supermen!

achtungnight posted:

Mindshield would have been useful in many previous books.

My vote goes for this, there�s no way we�re not gonna get mind blasted this book.

# ? Jul 15, 2022 04:00

exmachina: Mar 12, 2006; Look Closer

Mindshield.

We don't really need more CS

# ? Jul 15, 2022 07:45

Wafflecopper: Nov 27, 2004; I am a mouth, and I must scream

exmachina posted:

Mindshield.

We don't really need more CS

In a full-length LW book I might disagree, but in these shorter ones there isn't room for as many fights and 2 CS isn't going to save us that much EP. Meanwhile, this series seems to have a lot of opponents nuking us for multiple EP out of combat which Mindshield would probably prevent or at least reduce, in addition to its in-combat applications.

Wafflecopper fucked around with this message at 09:27 on Jul 15, 2022

# ? Jul 15, 2022 08:14

nelson: Apr 12, 2009; College Slice

exmachina posted:

Mindshield.

We don't really need more CS

# ? Jul 15, 2022 09:22

Ofecks: May 4, 2009; A portly feline wizard waddles forth, muttering something about conjured food.

achtungnight posted:

Mindshield would have been useful in many previous books.

# ? Jul 15, 2022 16:35

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

Action Chart

Combat Skill:

Endurance Points:

Description:

Drakkar Disciplines

Spying
Regeneration (restore 1-10 Endurance after each combat - but not more than were lost in that combat)
Weaponskill (+2 CS with Swords)
Hunting (no need to eat Meals except in deserts and wastelands)
Riding
Immunity
Basic Instinct
Tracking
Mindshield

Dark Lord Abilities

BattleSkill (+10 CS)
Strength (+20 EP)
Immunity to Weapons
Immunity to Spells
Sense
Immunity to Temperature

Weapons:

Cutlass (Sword)
Broadsword

Backpack:

Torch
Meal
Vial of Blue Pills
Meal
Meal
Potion of Alethar (+2 CS)
Coil of Rope
Potion of Laumspur (+4 EP)
Potent Potion of Laumspur (+8 EP)

Belt Pouch (money):

45 Kika
5 Gold Crowns

Special Items:

Drakkar Armor (+6 EP)
Shield (+2 CS)
Death Mask (+1 CS)
Crystal Star Pendant
Grey Key (x2)
Palladium Gauntlet (+1 CS; +2 EP)
Haakon�s Stone (+1 CS when using Helshezag)
Bronin Mace (+1 CS)
Chainmail Waistcoat (+4 EP - cannot be used with Drakkar Armour)
Large Backpack (10 items)
Psychic Belt (+2 CS when using Mindblast)
Helshezag (+8 CS - +10 in Helgedad)
Ulnarius (+5 CS - +8 underwater; -2 EP/round)
Kagonite Bracers (+1 CS; +1 EP)
Badge of Rank

Deaths:

Obliterated by trigger-happy Nadziranim.

Tiggum fucked around with this message at 03:45 on Jul 22, 2022

# ? Jul 16, 2022 04:18

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

The DarkLord's Return posted:

Goragik taps her claws against each other in an irritated fashion. She glares across the room at Lakaast, obviously not pleased at his insistance. �Even a small minded squirm like you should know that a massive strike from the tower top will aid us much more than the minor battles that happen below.� She snarls angrily.

�It will do us no good if we are destroyed before our young master suceeds in his quest, for all we know the Nadziranim in the tower will destroy him before he ever reaches the top.� Lakaast counters.

�What?� Goragik points a claw at Lakaast. �Do you think they can destroy him as he teleports to the top. He�ll blast the enemy and teleport out before they ever know he�s there.�

�They always know who�s in their tower.� Lakaast growls grimly. �It takes a little time to do his task, a time at which they will be actively trying to destroy him. What you ask is for him to commit to a suicide mission, something even a feeble strategist like me knows better than to do. I ask you, Nadziranim, where does your loyalty lie?�

�You know where mine lies, my fate is tied with his, I think the better question is who owns yours?� Goragik spits out.

�Better to push the enemy back for now, and then take the tower by force later when we can spare the resources than to try such a fool hardy plan as yours.� Lakaast suggests.

�And from my point of view, all you are trying to do is delay our young prot�g� from successfully finding his destiny and destroying our enemies.� Goragik twirls around, obviously frustrated at the ongoing argument. They both turn to you, for it is you who will make the final decision.

Shall we head for the tower as Goragik suggests, or join the battle in progress as Lakaast prefers?

# ? Jul 16, 2022 04:20

achtungnight: Oct 5, 2014; I get my fun here. Enjoy!

What would a great military strategist do? Probably make sure the rear of our forces aren�t potentially compromised by traitors, strike a large majority of the enemy, signal the army you are coming into your destiny, get a good view of the whole battle, and kill four birds with one stone.

The tower.

# ? Jul 16, 2022 05:43

RudeCat: Aug 7, 2012; The rudest cat for the rudest jobs

Tower!

# ? Jul 16, 2022 05:57

exmachina: Mar 12, 2006; Look Closer

achtungnight posted:

What would a great military strategist do? Probably make sure the rear of our forces aren’t potentially compromised by traitors, strike a large majority of the enemy, signal the army you are coming into your destiny, get a good view of the whole battle, and kill four birds with one stone.

The tower.

# ? Jul 16, 2022 07:30

Black Robe: Sep 12, 2017; Generic Magic User

achtungnight posted:

What would a great military strategist do? Probably make sure the rear of our forces aren�t potentially compromised by traitors, strike a large majority of the enemy, signal the army you are coming into your destiny, get a good view of the whole battle, and kill four birds with one stone.

The tower.

# ? Jul 16, 2022 08:22

Wafflecopper: Nov 27, 2004; I am a mouth, and I must scream

Strategy is for nerds, the Dark One is no nerd. Join the battle like a true jock

# ? Jul 16, 2022 08:31

nelson: Apr 12, 2009; College Slice

Wafflecopper posted:

Strategy is for nerds, the Dark One is no nerd. Join the battle like a true jock

# ? Jul 16, 2022 09:33

Ofecks: May 4, 2009; A portly feline wizard waddles forth, muttering something about conjured food.

Let's run the deathtrap dungeon (the tower)

# ? Jul 16, 2022 15:15

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

Ofecks posted:

Let's run the deathtrap dungeon (the tower)

The DarkLord's Return posted:

On your way to the tower, you are joined by Goragik. She appears as mysteriously as she always does, strangly out of thin air, seeming to come from nowhere to meet you. She fumes, angry at Lakaast�s stubborness. �I cannot seem to make the fool Xagash see common sense.� She complains, �It is as if he expects you to die the instant you set foot in the tower.�

�Tell me about the Nadziranim in the tower itself.� You query, seeing if you can draw any additional information from her then she has already let on.

�They stand outside the council.� She begins. �Never joining or consulting with the other Nadziranim on any of their matters, and as such have been banished from Helgedad proper to spend their time in the Tower. Occasionally they appear, but always under the approval of one of the Xagash Generals of the city, and never without such a guide present. They hold to themselves, as if guarding an ancient secret, one which only they are privelaged to bear. An uneasy peace has existed between the two sects of Nadziranim ever since construction of the tower, and many rumor it was at their behest it was built in the first place. If they could be joined to our cause, Helgedad would be at last completely united against its foes for the first time in a millenia. As it is, they alone seem to stand against total unification, a small sect of sorcerers who seem to enjoy their independence and solitude.�

She stops suddenly, her irate tone coming to a halt, for you have arrived at the black tower. With a deep breath you ready yourself to enter.

As soon as you set a foot in the Tower, you feel as if you have been struck by a hundred bolts of fire. Not even Goragik can protect you, for even she is undergoing the same torment. In seconds the both of you have been destroyed by the same means, as the Nadziranim of the tower blaze all their spells of destruction upon you. Unknowingly, they have destroyed the last hope of Helgedad, and to their later regret, that of themselves as well. Your life and mission come to a tragic end here.

Death count: 1

# ? Jul 17, 2022 03:14

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

We'll join the battle instead.

The DarkLord's Return posted:

�Wise choice, young champion.� Lakaast congratulates as Goragik fumes. �Before you begin, perhaps you should equip yourself for the journey.� He brings you to a storeroom where you may choose from the following items.

Potion of Laumspur Restore 4 Endurance points

Kagonite Bracers +1 Combat Skill +1 Endurance (special Item)

Sword

Warhammer

Shortsword

Dagger
Once you have made your choice of equipment you should choose which area of battle occuring around Helgedad you wish to venture too.

We'll grab the Laumspur and the Bracers, and then we can either head to the south gate or to a breach in the north wall.

# ? Jul 17, 2022 03:18

RudeCat: Aug 7, 2012; The rudest cat for the rudest jobs

Oh come the gently caress on.

Seal the breach to the North!

# ? Jul 17, 2022 03:59

exmachina: Mar 12, 2006; Look Closer

I feel like "Don't go to the tower the inhabitants are more paranoid and loaded for bear than your average prepper" is information they could have just put into the first paragraph.

South Gate

# ? Jul 17, 2022 04:06

nelson: Apr 12, 2009; College Slice

quote:

�I cannot seem to make the fool Xagash see common sense.� She complains, �It is as if he expects you to die the instant you set foot in the tower.�

Heh

RudeCat posted:

Seal the breach to the North!

# ? Jul 17, 2022 06:26

Wafflecopper: Nov 27, 2004; I am a mouth, and I must scream

exmachina posted:

South Gate

# ? Jul 17, 2022 06:33

achtungnight: Oct 5, 2014; I get my fun here. Enjoy!

There was a flaw in my tactics!

South gate

# ? Jul 17, 2022 06:41

Black Robe: Sep 12, 2017; Generic Magic User

RudeCat posted:

Oh come the gently caress on.

Seal the breach to the North!

a blind instakill coin flip as literally the first choice of the story is certainly a decision

# ? Jul 17, 2022 08:42

Ofecks: May 4, 2009; A portly feline wizard waddles forth, muttering something about conjured food.

Well that was a somewhat interesting YLAYQEH, at least. I like when this series describes an aftermath, such as an "I done hosed up" from the antagonists, as seen here. See also: Vonitar and his Doomstone, illegal dwarf miner and his Bor Musket.

Let's help the front door (south gate).

# ? Jul 17, 2022 16:13

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

nelson posted:

North

The DarkLord's Return posted:

Cries and shouts of alarm erupt from the city ahead of you. The Northern sector of Helgedad is alive with troops scurrying to and fro in anxious alarm, for in the middle of the wall a breach has occurred, a gaping hole blasted through the ciity�s defenses by the arcane powers of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star.

Although it appears the enemy is withdrawing from this blasted opening nothing could be further from the truth. As the enemy infantry has met with stiff resistance from the Elite troops of Helgedad, a large contingent of calvary is readying to ride over the defenders in stead. In response to this tactic, the Xagash in charge of this area is readying his own cavalry led by a Drakkarim Captain. It is much smaller than the enemy forces by almost three to one and will in all probability fail to hold against the enemy charge.

Should we join the cavalry or stand back and wait to see what happens?

# ? Jul 18, 2022 04:08

Wafflecopper: Nov 27, 2004; I am a mouth, and I must scream

Tiggum posted:

join the cavalry

Maybe we'll get a chance to blast them with the helswerd

# ? Jul 18, 2022 04:13

moosecow333: Mar 15, 2007; Super-Duper Supermen!

Lets charge on in!

# ? Jul 18, 2022 04:14

nelson: Apr 12, 2009; College Slice

Charge! (Join the cavalry)

# ? Jul 18, 2022 04:36

achtungnight: Oct 5, 2014; I get my fun here. Enjoy!

Calvary charge!

# ? Jul 18, 2022 08:38

Ofecks: May 4, 2009; A portly feline wizard waddles forth, muttering something about conjured food.

Since we are clearly a ranged glass cannon, let's hang out for a bit.

# ? Jul 18, 2022 15:58

RudeCat: Aug 7, 2012; The rudest cat for the rudest jobs

achtungnight posted:

Calvary charge!

# ? Jul 18, 2022 16:32

Tiggum: Oct 24, 2007; Your life and your quest end here.

achtungnight posted:

Calvary charge!

The DarkLord's Return posted:

Walking up to a one of the Drakkarim Junior Officers, you order the warrior to give him his horse, instead he stares up at you malevolently. In the Drakkarim, war is honor, and avoiding combat is considered cowardice, yet you need a mount if you are to join in the cavalry. For him, though, it is a matter of honor, honor you have sullied, and instead of allowing you to join in the charge, as would be sensible considering your experience and rank, he instead whips out his weapon, threatening to fight you if you so much as dare to try to prevent him from going. You could ask another, but as he is the most junior of all those included in this regiment, it would be of little use, you would only get the same response from any other.

Should we fight him for his horse, or let him keep it?

# ? Jul 19, 2022 04:24

Wafflecopper: Nov 27, 2004; I am a mouth, and I must scream

What kind of darklord would we be if we let this insolence stand? Fight him

# ? Jul 19, 2022 06:28

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# ? Apr 26, 2024 01:31

RudeCat: Aug 7, 2012; The rudest cat for the rudest jobs

Wafflecopper posted:

What kind of darklord would we be if we let this insolence stand? Fight him

# ? Jul 19, 2022 07:36

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Video Games > Let's Play! > Let's Play Lone Wolf: Book 29 and beyond!

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