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| The Black Knight wants YOU! |
And McCaig lands the opening! What's not to love here? Big imposing person in spooky armor getting all up in my face with an accusing finger, a sprawling hive of villainy and scum behind them, with a dark cave entrance, a gargoyle somewhere in the distance, and one bloke making a daring rope swing across the rooftops! Those little details behind are the city of adventure I'll soon be getting to, once the first obstacle is passed.
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| Moments before the fatal self injury. |
I don't think I covered the Goldhawk books when I gave an overview of Fighting Fantasy. Maybe I will have to do that at some stage, but they're pretty far from the mainline.
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| Marvel at our rich fantasy world! |
Maybe at least give me a montage of strange animals or fantasy features. I'd bet Titan has two moons or something. Oh, by the by, some people may have picked up on the fact I keep referring to 'Titan'. I don't think at this point in the books they'd established any real continuity, let alone a setting name, but 'Titan' will eventually be the name of the world most of the Fighting Fantasy books take place on. You know, when we're not in space or going all mad Max.
Was it really too much to ask to sail into Port Blacksand? I know it makes little actual distance, but something about disembarking from a boat seems far more fitting than trudging through the transition sentences on foot.
I know Hilda's less 'great hero of the people' and more 'sellsword with an adventure addiction', but it always bugs me when we pass starving people in cages, or torture victims, and so on, when there's no option to even try and help. I know that when there is an option to help, it's a trap 80% of the time, but it's hard to play a hero if you're just nonchalantly walking past abject human suffering.
If I am famous enough to be recognized in Silverton, I am famous enough to be recognized on sight here. Especially since I may well have tangled with some of the citizenry before they escaped their rightful punishment. Best then to dispatch this guard before I am recognized.
Let's trust to the 11 skill and get to the fighting fast! Part of me is expecting to get thoroughly Yaztromo-ed here, but we'll see.
Choice: Attack: 49
And away we go!
Luck goes down to 7, but Lucky is as Lucky does.
I smile at the guard as his hand fumbles for the rope, which remains safely another pace beyond him. His eyes are too transfixed on me to realize his mistake. He does recognize me.
Choice: Lucky: 10
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| "Really annoyed"? That's the emotion before a fight to the death? |
Ooh... a time limit. Well, without using Luck, the best I can do is take him out in 4 rounds, if I hit every time. Let's see if I can!
His irritation is his first mistake. He moves with the weight of annoyance towards me, and is therefore unable to properly turn when I roll to the side and avoid his charge. I come back up from behind and bring my broadsword's hilt down hard on his helm. It rings like a kitchen pot. Pity, I was hoping for a nice gong noise.
Round 2
I keep pounding on the helm. The guard tries to turn, but in his distraction the pike catches on the wall of the gate. Another sound blow brings him down to his knees.
Round 3
I shift the angle of my blow slightly, driving into the base of his neck instead of the top of his head. The force sends him sprawling forward onto the ground. I'm not even breathing hard yet.
Round 4
Guard: 1
Hilda: 15-2=13
Okay, I'll admit to arrogance. I'm here being overconfident and showy, and as a result he gets the back of his pike back up and hits me hard in the stomach with the butt. I take a few short steps back to get out of range again.
Round 5
Guard: 1-1=-1
Hilda: 13
Back my few paces I find my opportunity as he tries to stand again. I rush forward stepping onto his back, I swing out with my other foot and catch his helmet by its spiky horn, tearing it off. He falls to the ground, and I stay on him, one foot on his back, the other landing on the ground, and then swing my sword down to slice his head cleanly off.
Choice: Under 6 Rounds: 212
Typical. I manage to disperse a heavily armored foe with a nice reach weapon, and I can't grab any of it. Can't even attempt a disguise gambit.
I grab the helmet up from the ground, before running on. It may not be much defense, dented as it now is, but it can hide my oh so famous face.
Choice: Dash In: 74
Skill: 11
Stamina: 13/15
Luck: 7/8
Gold: 30
Provisions: 10/10
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