Hey you had more funny moments. I was just away from the computer most of the weekend so I caught up all at once and that's all my brain was left with.
You need to be careful, Jim is actually starting to respect and like some people.
Jim likes glory. Jim is starting to realize that glory only comes if people like him, and there are now two full cities of people that hate magic, so he needs to give them some other reason to like him. Token respect seems to work well enough for some of the Simbani so that they actually trust him, which is good enough for now that they won't start the war without him.
Now that Jim no longer really needs to be careful to avoid being outmatched in a fight with the magic arsenal he has, he needed other reasons to be careful. Penchant for glory should work fine for now.
The next set should push things forward a bit so that things actually start happening. I had forgotten how the first half of the game was mostly self-motivated exploring, which involved either doing a LOT of back and forth travel to Tarna/Simbani village, or doing a lot of front-loaded collecting out in the jungle/savanna, and then returning to Tarna once to complete every secondary quest. I chose the second option, because Jim hates Tarna too.
Between boredom-induced murder and...boredom-induced fight avoidance, it looks like the only spells actually getting use to this point are Flame Dart, Force Bolt and Calm. Maybe if I find that Leopardman village I'll have excuses to use other spells. Now, where was I?
To-Do (for now):
- Find magical wood for staff
-- Bring Orchid to Heart of the World to exchange for magical wood
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
- Find Leopardmen and learn their magics
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
- Find Demon-Wizard and measure up
Speaking of begging to use magic, it's well past time to get that magical wood. To the jungle!
Yep, definitely need a fucking teleport spell. Oh well, time to boost that fucking stamina, I guess.
One glowing moon orchid for you...
You gently place the glowing blue orchid on the platform.
...one piece of magical wood for me!
You pluck the magical piece of wood from the tree.
+5 Get Magical Wood (126)
Now...
To-Do (for now): - Find magical wood for staff
-- Bring Orchid to Heart of the World to exchange for magical wood - Bring magical wood to Kreesha to make staff
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
- Find Leopardmen and learn their magics
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
- Find Demon-Wizard and measure up
As long as I'm here, I may as well try searching one more time for that elusive as fuck Leopardman village.
...in the morning. This map takes fucking forever to traverse.
One more excuse to practice Flame Dart.
Did you hear something?
Good, another reason to practice Flame Dart. You picked the wrong camp to crash, buddy. Daddy needs new leather boots.
Ok, one more day of exploring this jungle for Leopardmen before I just fuck the lot of them and get a staff. Haven't explored to the east yet, so...
+8 Explore Eastern Jungle (134)
Is that a village over there across the waterfall?
It's hard to tell at this scale, but that might be one of the famous lost cities you've heard about!
What lost cities have I heard about? There's a mysterious leopardman city, and...?
Well, it's at least worth checking out. To the east!
Huh. What's this now?
You see a monkey trap.
Leopardmen-made, maybe? HEY, LEOPARDMEN! I AM YOUR FRIEND! THE SIMBANI ARE COMPLETE PSYCHOS AND ARE TRYING TO START A WAR WITH YOU!
Well, shit, nobody around. However, this is not a magic free zone, so let's go to town. First, I'll Detect traps...
You detect no magic in this area.
And now, this calls for a magical Opening spell.
+8 Free Monkey From Trap (142)
Points! Oh, nonkey, too bad you don't comprehend what's going on here, because you just missed quite a show.
Oh, hey, monkey, you came back. You're not going to get clingy to me now, are you? Because I know how wizards are supposed to have familiars and all, but...well...
Manu see big fruit on ground. Manu get big fruit on ground. Trap get Manu. Manu very sad. Manu not happy. Manu be plenty dead real soon. Man-friend come. Man-friend break trap. Manu free! Manu very happy. Manu like man-friend.
I guess I shouldn't be that surprised since the last animal I freed from a trap spoke to me, but...still...you wouldn't happen to live in a Leopardman village, would you?
Uhh...of course I like monkeys. In a totally platonic, subservient familiar way, that is. I mean...yeah. I should be going now. Bye Manu! I have an opening for a familiar if you ever get bored, though!
Ok, got to be a way to get around that waterfall...narrator?
This magnificent waterfall, thousands of feet high, thunders down the cliffs as the river makes its way to the sea.
Looks like I'll have to do this myself. May have to burn the whole place down, though, and the Leopardmen wouldn't like that.
Manu? Leopardmen? Anyone?
You must be one of those...apemen I've heard so much about. Look, I'm mostly apeman too, with a dollop of cosmic power. I'm Jim Darkmagic. Your name is?
Hostile intentions are evident. You prepare for battle.
Maybe you're a challenging fight, at least?
That's a "no", then.
Well, fuck it, I've wasted enough time for now. Maybe a staff will help me. And maybe I can get Kreesha to teach me a teleport spell so I don't have to worry about shit like "impassable terrain". Back to Tarna...likely a fucking week to the West...
Another camp, let's hope there isn't some dumbass lizardman with a hero complex wandering about.
A full night's sleep! Now on to...
Wait, you look a little bit like a...
Wait! I've been looking everywhere for you! Huge fan! I'm a wizard too! Look, I can cast Reversal, and...
Shit! No, wait, that was totally an accident! Let's not do anything we regret, here...
Hostile intent is evident. You prepare for battle.
Fuck! No, don't make me do this...
So...no witnesses?
You don't count, narrator...and damned straight!
Now to quickly leave the jungle...
Sleep at the Pool...keep going...no proof it was me...
Never thought I'd be so relieved to see Tarna again. Seriously.
And of course it took another fucking day to walk the rest of the way. Oh well, free room at the inn tonight, staff tomorrow.
Staff time!
No time to talk, must make staff.
Damn straight. Let's do this.
Now is the time for you to create your magical staff. Stand beside the pentagram, and we shall begin.
And for those folks following at home, the pentagram is a symbol of magic. One thing I managed to pick up from Heroes correspondence school. That and Zap, so you decide which was more valuable.
Trigger turns my staff into a nuke? That seems like important information. And the last time I use Trigger.
Let us begin the ritual of the magical staff. Please place your magical wood in the middle of the pentagram.
I need a reverse Fetch spell called Put. Oh well, I'll just use my hands and legs like a simpleton, then.
Hear me, O Powers, and draw near. I call upon the pentacle.
From Thought to Wisdom.
From Wisdom to Strength.
From Strength to Love.
From Love to Will.
From Will to Wisdom.
Hey, that sounds like five connecting points of...ohhh.
Now, O Wizard, ye shall bind thy powers into the wood. Cast your spells upon the staff.
Hey, I've been begging for reasons to cast these for weeks now.
By the Powers which bind all Magic - Bind the Power within this Staff--Bind this Staff to its Master.
By the Power of Grayskull Jim Darkmagic..!
+10 Create Wizard's Staff (152)
The Wizard has spoken. The Staff has been made. The Spell is complete.
I HAVE THE POWER!
Congratulations, Wizard. You now have your own magic staff. Its power is great, and you must use it wisely.
What to do, who to kill, who to impress...the possibilities are endless!
Wait, where did everybody go?
"Us"? Who are you back there wi...
Oh my God, do I need a Blindness spell now. With a side of memory bleach.
I have spoken with Rajah while you have been gone. He refuses to believe in any talk of Demons, and is impatient for vengeance against the Leopardmen, despite all I could say.
I have worked much magic while you were away, and still I have no real evidence that there are Demons here. Still, there is something to the far east which draws away my powers.
I couldn't find the Leopardmen village. And if anyone asks, I never even saw a Leopardman.
I'll just listen here while I try to burn my eyes out with Flame Dart...
It could be that a Gate Orb is absorbing my magic. A Gate Orb opens a gate between worlds, which would allow Demons to cross into our world. I do not dare use much magic to detect this orb, for it will only absorb my magic and allow more Demons to cross into this world.
Are the Leopardmen using this Gate Orb to summin the demons from their village? I'll go there now, anywhere but here...
Actually, now that you mention that, I did see something like that across an impassable waterfall. So that wasn't the Leopardman village...
Whenever I leave my house, I feel as if I am being watched.
I, too, have the feeling that something is watching me when I leave this place.
Well, trust me, nobody is watching you in this place now. My eyes are closed.
My house is protected magically. If there is something watching and listening to us, we should be able to speak openly only here. Be careful, Prince, for things may be watching you as well.
That's not what I meant, but...if I'm being watched at all times, I really hope it's not the Leopardmen doing the watching...
The spear is somehow the key to this Simbani war. If the spear were returned to the Simbani, then perhaps the Laibon will speak of peace.
I don't see you doing much to find it.
I am asking you to find the Spear, my friend. If the Leopardmen do have it, it will be very difficult to regain, but I know that you can do it.
I've spent days looking for this damned village. I've scoured the jungle.
That would've been handy information a fucking week ago!
My injured hind leg pains me greatly. It is difficult to walk upon it now.
And here come the excuses...
Rakeesh, I believe the Demon Wizard who injured your leg may still have some link to you through it, and is causing you this pain. If the Demon Wizard is linked to you still, he may be watching your actions.
All the more reason to track down this Demon Wizard. I've learned a lot in this blind exercise.
To-Do (for now): - Bring magical wood to Kreesha to make staff
- Find Leopardmen and learn their magics and get one (peacefully) to lead me to their village
- Find Demon-Wizard and measure up since he may be behind this whole thing
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
And now I must go hookah, so that I may forget the images that transpired here.
Gah!
Points tally (starting from 121):
+5 Get Magic Wood
+8 Explore Eastern Jungle
+8 Save Manu From Trap
+10 Create Staff
Total: 152 points out of 500
And...that would be the event that triggers the remainder of game events for the wizard. From here on out, things happen pretty fast.
I know Josh has a lot going on so I wouldn't expect him back for a bit. Maybe touch base with Syph, and see what his thoughts are? I tend to think that it's better that someone keep it alive, as I've seen too many of these things fall by the wayside; momentum is key. But there are arguments to be made for both sides. It was a lot of fun seeing you guys go through QFG1&2 roughly on par with each other because it keyed the differences in writing and playing. The only thing I'd hate to see is a pause that lasts more than a few weeks, because there are new games and enthusiasm to play fades, in my experience writing these.
I'll keep going. I'm busy trying to get a random encounter to trigger...SO MUCH ANNOYANCE.
EDIT: And this is why a screenshot LP works so well for this game. I can do everything annoying behind the scenes and make it as if everything moves along swiftly.
On the plus side, I had tons of time to train magic abilities. Mostly combat-related abilities because holy crap is training up Trigger/Detect magic a pain in the ass.
and I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you redo all those tree climbing images. I liked the ones with the cursor... was giggling through the whole ascent!
Werewolf Bar Mitzvah. Spooky scary!
Boys becoming men. Men becoming wolves.
While I was putting together the next set, I was thinking...we're now basically half way through the series of games, and audience participation has been pretty minimal.
So, here's a chance for audience participation: Name Jim's new travelling companion/best friend/look at my avatar if you don't know what I mean.
The only thing I want to try to keep in mind is not to spoil anything going forward. I was trying to think of a decent name, but all I came up with so far is Thelma.
Magic User 38 - Prophecy the Third, Now With More Drugs
Well, I'll be having nightmares about that. At least I scored a new best friend and magic spell, though!
Summon StaffShaft: 5
Now, what can I do to forget about what I just saw?
To-Do:
- Give Honey Bird Feather to Salim for Healing Pills
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
-- Give ingredients to Salim
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
Between pills, potions and hookahs, I may yet be able to blank my memory...
She's real, and she's spectacular. Also, she's still a tree, mostly. All you, buddy.
How absolutely extraordinary! Now I know just what my dreams mean. Thanks.
The good news just keeps on coming, here, bud, because I have a truckload of shit to deliver to you. Let's start with this feather...
+3 Give the Honeybird Feather to Salim (155)
I prefer mana pills, but hey, I'll be a healing factory too. Now, as for that Dispel Potion, I have some venomous vine fruit...
+3 Give Venomous Vine Fruit to Salim (158)
Gee, you got this stuff. Hope you didn't get hurt.
...and fuck you too. Thanks for the warning that the plants moved.
Next, from the Pool of Peace...
Huh...Erana...that makes a lot of sense, actually. Anyway, here's a skin of water from there.
+3 Give Peace Water to Salim (161)
Great. This peace water will really mellow the potion.
And finally, the Gift of the Heart. Which I also needed peace water to get, so it's like doubling up on the shit.
+3 Give Gift of the Heart to Salim (164)
Wow, the aura on this thing is out of sight! Awesome, man. I can make up some truly strong potions with this stuff.
As long as several of those are Dispel Potions, I don't care.
Wait a second...buy? After all that shit and fucking dying several times over, you want me to buy them when you make them?
To-Do: - Give Honey Bird Feather to Salim for Healing Pills
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
-- Give ingredients to Salim - Wait for Salim to make Dispel Potions (and kill Salim for buy them?)
Live long and prosper.
Feeling the aneurysm coming on again...must leave...
May as well wander the bazaar for a bit to see if anything interesting happened while I was away. Anything to distract me from these last two social encounters...
Wait a second...aren't you...?
I'm not sure I should even acknowledge you. I'm already being watched like a hawk from the mage prejudice.
Listen, I'm begging ya. Ya gotta meet up in this bazaar tonight. I need ya ta help me.
If I say yes, do you promise to stop creeping me out?
+4 Agree to meet Harami (168)
I said if. Ugh, fine, I have time to kill while I wait for Salim to gouge me on dispel potions anyway.
Good. Tonight here in the bazaar. I'll find ya. Just don't forget.
I'll add it to the to-do list, even.
To-Do: - Meet Harami at night in bazaar
There, happy? Now, I think it's Judgment Day!
Hey, it's a party. Did you know I was coming?
You hear a deep voice echoing in your head.
Releaser of Darkness has returned.
I think I can get behind that nickname...but what does it mean?
Uhh, yeah, got it right here. I think that one's a little heavy handed and premature, though. Haven't even started the war yet!
+10 Bring Gem of the Guardian to Sekhmet (178)
The Opener of the World Gates does have the gem. Then he shall be judged.
When I'm done, I may need to hire you as Title Consultant.
My which is doing what, now?
Drink now, soul that shall be weighed. May you balance the Feather of Truth.
This tastes a little...funk...y...
This is better than the hookah!
Choose that which you were.
Last I checked, I was a powerful wizard. And the symbol for magic is...a pentagram!
You are aiding an old Wizard to cast a ritual which will bind the rushing waters of a river and prevent the flooding of the village below. Suddenly, the old mage clutches his heart, and cannot speak. What do you do?
I mean, what good is a spell if it doesn't finish? And if the people of this village are to praise and glorify, why shouldn't it be me?
Choose that which you are.
Well, I am pretty infinite. At least my magical ability is.
You stand within a hall of mirrors, each mirror reflecting the image of the others. As your image is reflected in the mirrors, you see that each reflection of yourself is a little different. Suddenly, the images speak in your own voice. Touch me and become me. What do you do?
If the images aren't exactly me, they're already inferior. I'll walk away knowing I'm the most powerful being in the room as is. All else is merely vanity and illusion.
Choose that which you will be.
Well, since I am a wizard, I guess I will be most interested in a candle out of the other options. I can still burn it, right?
Darkness surrounds three burning candles. Engraved in the stone floor are the words, You must choose one. The yellow candle burns the brightest, the green candle burns the steadiest, and the brown candle burns dim, but long. Which do you choose?
*looks up at hair* Uhh, I'll go with yellow.
Thy soul has been weighed.
Thou hast chosen thine own path, and by that path, ye shall be judged.
+5 Choose Symbol of Self (Pentagram for Wizard) at least once (183)
The first is that which was.
Yeah, that sounds like me.
The second is that which is.
That's pretty uncanny, actually.
The third is that which will be.
Huh. Wow, that's amazing, really.
You are one with yourself, and shall be what you have been. Your skills are in harmony with your nature.
+10 Be judged worthy to hear the Prophecy (193)
Thou hast unleashed the Darkness. And the Darkness now encircles thee.
How, by killing Ad Avis? I unleashed that much power?
Ye must walk a narrow path to bring back the light.
Well, I'm fucked.
Thy feet already walk upon this path.
Two thou hast known before. Three thou shalt free.
One thou hast brought low, then helped to rise again.
One shall stand thy rival and thy friend.
I feel like I should be writing this down. Mentally, I mean.
Can't these things ever be a little less cryptic?
That doesn't sound encouraging.
For thou must walk alone to free them all. Seek thee now the highest tower to find the Door to Darkness.
Looks like it's ultimately all up to me again.
And here we are again with the negativity.
Then must thou close the Demon's Gate. Go forth now, bringer of the light.
Well that was weird. And a lot of info!
To-Do: - ANOTHER PROPHECY:
-- Make sure I have 5 friends, one I brought low and one rival.
-- Find the least of guides to the Lost City
-- Find the Door to Darkness at the highest tower
-- Close the Demon Gate
I hope Rakeesh and Uhura count, since those are the only two around here that I've known before. Guess that means I have to try to be nice to people for a while.
Guess I'll just kill time until the evening meetup then.
Ok, lizardmen, apemen, leopardmen, dinosaur men, ant men, snake men, and any other fucking men, come get some! Shaft and I want to show you something.
Later that evening...
If it makes you feel better, I respect that you basically told the council to shove it.
You don't know how good it is to hear someone say that to me.
So, what's going on with you, then?
Well, I do have a whole store of meat here. I guess you can have some free of charge. This time.
Thanks, pal. I heard you was trying to stop this war. Well, I'm not much for politics, but go for it. Stop this war and then the caravans will come back again.
I don't know about stopping the war, but I'll make sure I end all this pointless bickering. I'll stop by tomorrow. I need all the friends I can get for now.
Hey look, take care, huh? I mean, like, you're the only pal I got. I don't want to lose you.
And Jim's posse increases! Time to head back to the inn to see if I can find even more people to like me! This kindness business pays off fast!
The survivor, huh? I have a bunch of questions for how things went down there. Send him in.
Do not be alarmed by Khatib's appearance, for he has been through much suffering.
Yikes, not much of a survivor, then.
We haven't met. I'm Jim Darkmagic, Hero of Spielburg, Prince of Shapeir and alleged Doom of Tarna. Nice to meet you, mister...
I am...I am..I do not remember...I am...it is gone.
Never mind about that, then. Can you tell me anything about the peace mission?
+7 Ask Khatib about peace mission (200)
Try to remember. Did the Leopardmen attack you?
Claws slashing me, hurting me. I can't get away. I'm going to die. Glowing eyes trying to, trying to eat my soul away. No. I don't want to die. I don't want to lose my soul. Please. Save me. Please.
Look, you're safe here now. Who saved you?
The claws? What claws, what do you see?
Did everyone else die in the attack?
Do the Leopardmen have anything to do with the demons and the attack?
So it was them with the glowing red eyes?
The survivor seems lost in his own nightmares.
Do not question him further. Khatib needs to rest now. He will be better soon.
Yeah, I think we can all use rest. Tomorrow, Dispel Potions and saving Harami.
And you're going to make me pay for them? C'mon, man, I hooked you up with the tree of your dreams!
+6 Get Dispel Potions from Salim (206)
Three potions this time. At least I have some room for error.
Have a splendiferous day.
I'm going to burn this place down Be cool, man. Now to kill time...
This is my BOOMSTICK!
Back to Harami...
You know, of everyone here, Rakeesh is actually pretty reasonable. He'd probably help out if you went to him. He's a paladin like that.
+8 Tell Harami about Rakeesh (214)
You mean this Rakeesh lion would go out of his way to help a thief? Doesn't sound like any lawman I ever heard of. But, I'll keep him in mind if I get really desperate.
I've got to get out of this city soon, so look him up if you need help.
Hey look, take care, huh? I mean, like, you're the only pal I got. I don't want to lose you.
Wait, what?
That's my cue to leave now, then. One quick stop at a friend's place...
Yeah, I figure the same. I've got to get going, before things get worse.
Think I'll just sleep in a place I can defend myself. Later...and thanks.
Points tally (starting from 152):
+3 Give Feather to Salim
+3 Give Fruit to Salim
+3 Give Gift of Heart to Salim
+3 Give Peace Water to Salim
+4 Agree to meet Harami at night
+10 Bring Gem to Sekhmet
+5 Choose Pentagram
+10 Be Judged Worthy
+7 Ask Survivor about Peace Mission
+6 Get Dispel Potions
+8 Tell Harami about Rakeesh
Total: 214 points out of 500
To-Do:
- PROPHECY OF DOOM:
-- Make sure I have 5 friends, one I brought low and one rival
-- Find the least of guides to the Lost City
-- Find the Door to Darkness at the highest tower
-- Close the Demon Gate
- Find Leopardman guide to their village to learn their magics
- Watch out for glowy-eyed demons (possible Leopardman?)
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
- Find Demon-Wizard likely behind the whole thing
- One day, in the future, track down the Dark Master
If Harami doesn't get himself killed, I'd bet that counts as the one I brought low. That makes at least 3 friends, if Rakeesh can get himself off Kreesha's ass for a few minutes to chip in for this quest.
Now, I'd better head back to the Simbani village to make sure they didn't do anything else stupid.
Yep, travel still blows. Better put Shaft away before the Simbani go ape-shit.
A prisoner? I really hope this doesn't mean what I think it means...
The prisoner is being held in the cage behind the hut of the Laibon. Our warriors are most proud that they have caught a Leopardman.
I'm sure that won't start a war or anything. Idiots.
The Leopardman be sneaky, and very hard to capture. The Simbani Warriors have been most smart to catch the prisoner.
And most stupid to detain the prisoner in a cage made of sticks. Any self-respecting mage is probably already gone.
The Leopardman is being kept in a special cage. The cage will not let any magic work, and the Leopardman cannot escape.
A magic proof cage? That's not good. I'd better go check out the situation before anyone gets assassinated. Besides, it was on my to-do list to find a Leopardman that didn't attack me. I might be able to use this to my advantage in finding the Leopardman village.
Et tu, Yesufu? And we had made such progress.
Look at the magic of the Leopardmen! It turns them into animals. That is the way of magic. The prisoner tried many spells to get out of the cage, but the cage stops the magic. It is good.
That's no good. So, how did you manage to capture this one?
The Warriors found the Leopardman when the light first filled the sky. He be trying to spy upon our village. The Simbani be too smart for him and he be caught.
This whole village needs to train their Jumping (to conclusions) skills a lot less. So now what's your plan?
How about it, Spotty? You have anything to say about the Spear of Death?
I'm sure you're fluent in Leopard, right, Yesufu? No? Am I the only person remaining that still has the use of logic? Maybe Uhura is still on my side.
Yeah, no kidding. Anybody been able to get any information out of the Leopardman?
Well, at least that'll stall the idiocy for a bit.
It be hard to attack an enemy when you don't know where to attack. Not knowing where to find the Leopardman village will not stop the Warriors for long. Soon the Warriors will be searching the jungle for the secret. I think many be dying soon.
Even you don't have much confidence in the Simbani.
There are many dangers in the jungle. The Simbani be not knowing what the dangers look like and so get caught. So, too, the Leopardmen be bad enemy. Their claws be very sharp, and they use magic.
How can I reason with them, though, if I can't even speak their damned language?
Take away his magic, you say? I just got an idea of how to "de-spell" the Leopard. I have to do this fast, before the morons do something even more stupid.
Good, Yesufu is gone now. Hey, random guard, you don't mind if I toss this Dispel Potion on the prisoner, right?
Perfect. I hope this one is more Elsa and less Zubaz.
+15 Use Dispel Potion on Leopard...Person? (229)
So...how you doin?
Look, I just want to talk to you. I'm the closest thing to a friend you've got in the entire savanna, babe.
Damn it, I need to find someone else that uses magic to talk to about this, because everyone else lacks perspective. Which leaves only Kreesha, and two more fucking days of travel. Hey, Simbani! Don't kill, enslave, assault or otherwise ruin her until I get back!
Shaft, I think we may have found our in with the Leopardmen. Just need to get her talking to me civilly.
To-Do: - Find Leopardman guide to their village to learn their magics - Get Leopard woman to like me and talk to me and lead me to her village
Good night, Shaft.
...
Ok, I have got to find some more friends.
Please don't be screwing Rakeesh again, please don't be screwing Rakeesh again, please don't be...
Us? Again? You guys must have the stamina of a couple of lions...oh.
Welcome again, my friend.
Hello, Prince.
So, good news and bad news.
Good news, somebody found a Leopardman!
Bad news, it was the Simbani, and they're being stupid about it.
Good news, I used a Dispel Potion and it turned into a beautiful woman!
Bad news, she won't talk to me because I'm, well, me.
+2 Tell Kreesha about the Dispelled Leopard Woman (231)
If I know the Simbani, they will try to sell her as a wife.
Why does this not surprise me? So, what options do I have to get her out of a magic-proof cage without completely pissing off the Simbani and having them kill me with spears?
Somehow I don't think buying her as a wife will do much to gain her trust. But what do I know? I'm still single, which apparently means I haven't sunk far enough to buy a wife. But at least it solves one problem. Off to save a woman from a tribe of savages by buying her, I guess. Thanks?
May you find your path, my friend.
May you be safe.
Everyone knows what the savanna looks like now, right? So, let's just cut the narrative and...
*Later the next night*
You just cut right to the chase here, eh?
At least he's the most least reasonable of all the Simbani. This should go well.
For good fucking reason, since you captured her and stuck her in a cage! I'm not really interested in actually marrying her, though.
Simbani woman make good wife. She give you many strong sons. I have a daughter I sell you for five cows and a calf, if you be wanting a wife.
No, I don't really want to marry anyone right now! I can't deal with that kind of baggage at this point in my life. I'm very career-oriented.
She be very strong, can do much work. Bring me cattle and she be one fine wife for you. Not stab knife in your back like Leopard Lady.
Ugh, forget it. Maybe Uhura still maintains sanity, since she's apparently the only female allowed to speak around here.
Yeah, I used a Dispel Potion. That makes 2 of 3 beautiful women.
You took away the Leopard Lady's magic and probably saved her life.
Finally, someone gets it!
The Leopard Lady be young and good-looking, so men not be so quick to want her dead.
On the flip side, I'm not so sure she doesn't want me dead, since I took her magic away. Any way I can remedy that?
+2 Ask Uhura about marriage (233)
I don't think she's going to be fully on board with that idea. I need to find a way to get her to actually trust me.
Woo her? You mean actually go all-in serious on this woman?
No woman likes to be bought like a cow or be wed to a man against her wishes. If you give her nice things, maybe she like you. Maybe she not kill you first before running away.
Well, that'd be progress, at least, as my relationships go. I'll sleep on it, and figure out how to handle this shit in the morning.
Kwa heri, and good night.
Look, Spotty or whatever your name is, I know you're pissed at me for decloaking you and leaving you bare there for everyone to ogle. It saved your life, though, and I'll figure out the rest in the morning. Don't die on me, now.
I really need to get out of this magic-hating pile of sticks. Oh well, tomorrow is a big day, since apparently I'm getting married the old-fashioned way. And by old-fashioned way, I mean purchasing my bride from her slave owner.
To-Do: - Buy a Leopard-y wife
Points tally (starting from 214):
+15 Use Dispel Potion on Leopard Shapeshifter
+2 Tell Kreesha about Dispelled Leopard Shapeshifter
+2 Ask Uhura about Simbani marriage
Total: 233 points out of 500
Posts
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
You need to be careful, Jim is actually starting to respect and like some people.
Now that Jim no longer really needs to be careful to avoid being outmatched in a fight with the magic arsenal he has, he needed other reasons to be careful. Penchant for glory should work fine for now.
The next set should push things forward a bit so that things actually start happening. I had forgotten how the first half of the game was mostly self-motivated exploring, which involved either doing a LOT of back and forth travel to Tarna/Simbani village, or doing a lot of front-loaded collecting out in the jungle/savanna, and then returning to Tarna once to complete every secondary quest. I chose the second option, because Jim hates Tarna too.
Working on the next set now, which involves a lot of travel.
Magic User 37 - Mastering the Wood
To-Do (for now):
- Find magical wood for staff
-- Bring Orchid to Heart of the World to exchange for magical wood
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
- Find Leopardmen and learn their magics
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
- Find Demon-Wizard and measure up
You gently place the glowing blue orchid on the platform.
You pluck the magical piece of wood from the tree.
+5 Get Magical Wood (126)
To-Do (for now):
- Find magical wood for staff
-- Bring Orchid to Heart of the World to exchange for magical wood
- Bring magical wood to Kreesha to make staff
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
- Find Leopardmen and learn their magics
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
- Find Demon-Wizard and measure up
+8 Explore Eastern Jungle (134)
It's hard to tell at this scale, but that might be one of the famous lost cities you've heard about!
Well, it's at least worth checking out. To the east!
You see a monkey trap.
Well, shit, nobody around. However, this is not a magic free zone, so let's go to town. First, I'll Detect traps...
You detect no magic in this area.
+8 Free Monkey From Trap (142)
This magnificent waterfall, thousands of feet high, thunders down the cliffs as the river makes its way to the sea.
Hostile intentions are evident. You prepare for battle.
Hostile intent is evident. You prepare for battle.
Now to quickly leave the jungle...
From Thought to Wisdom.
From Wisdom to Strength.
From Strength to Love.
From Love to Will.
From Will to Wisdom.
+10 Create Wizard's Staff (152)
Wait, where did everybody go?
To-Do (for now):
- Bring magical wood to Kreesha to make staff
- Find Leopardmen and learn their magics and get one (peacefully) to lead me to their village
- Find Demon-Wizard and measure up since he may be behind this whole thing
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
Points tally (starting from 121):
+5 Get Magic Wood
+8 Explore Eastern Jungle
+8 Save Manu From Trap
+10 Create Staff
Total: 152 points out of 500
And...that would be the event that triggers the remainder of game events for the wizard. From here on out, things happen pretty fast.
Edit: Also, exactly what Massena said.
EDIT: And this is why a screenshot LP works so well for this game. I can do everything annoying behind the scenes and make it as if everything moves along swiftly.
BAD ASS. Man, now I wish I still had the game so I could play as a magic user.
It makes your spells all free while it's out.
EDIT: Except Trigger. Which has a steep cost.
and I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you redo all those tree climbing images. I liked the ones with the cursor... was giggling through the whole ascent!
Boys becoming men. Men becoming wolves.
So, here's a chance for audience participation: Name Jim's new travelling companion/best friend/look at my avatar if you don't know what I mean.
The only thing I want to try to keep in mind is not to spoil anything going forward. I was trying to think of a decent name, but all I came up with so far is Thelma.
I like names that don't fit the setting. It's why Jim is such an awesome name both here and in Gabe and Tychos D&D game.
So I vote for Steve.
Alternatively, Morningwood.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Switch: SW-3515-0057-3813 FF XIV: Q'vehn Tia
I'm changing my vote. This is perfect.
Shaft!
What's the wood that always show up when you need some love?
Shaft!
That's right.
Alternately Boom Stick is always acceptable.
http://www.anyclip.com/movies/army-of-darkness/boom-stick/
Boys becoming men. Men becoming wolves.
To-Do:
- Give Honey Bird Feather to Salim for Healing Pills
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
-- Give ingredients to Salim
- Get Judged by Sekhmet in Tarna
+3 Give the Honeybird Feather to Salim (155)
+3 Give Venomous Vine Fruit to Salim (158)
Next, from the Pool of Peace...
+3 Give Peace Water to Salim (161)
+3 Give Gift of the Heart to Salim (164)
To-Do:
- Give Honey Bird Feather to Salim for Healing Pills
- Make yet another Dispel Potion
-- Give ingredients to Salim
- Wait for Salim to make Dispel Potions (and kill Salim for buy them?)
+4 Agree to meet Harami (168)
To-Do:
- Meet Harami at night in bazaar
You hear a deep voice echoing in your head.
Releaser of Darkness has returned.
+10 Bring Gem of the Guardian to Sekhmet (178)
The Opener of the World Gates does have the gem. Then he shall be judged.
Choose that which you were.
You are aiding an old Wizard to cast a ritual which will bind the rushing waters of a river and prevent the flooding of the village below. Suddenly, the old mage clutches his heart, and cannot speak. What do you do?
Choose that which you are.
You stand within a hall of mirrors, each mirror reflecting the image of the others. As your image is reflected in the mirrors, you see that each reflection of yourself is a little different. Suddenly, the images speak in your own voice. Touch me and become me. What do you do?
Choose that which you will be.
Darkness surrounds three burning candles. Engraved in the stone floor are the words, You must choose one. The yellow candle burns the brightest, the green candle burns the steadiest, and the brown candle burns dim, but long. Which do you choose?
Thy soul has been weighed.
+5 Choose Symbol of Self (Pentagram for Wizard) at least once (183)
+10 Be judged worthy to hear the Prophecy (193)
Two thou hast known before. Three thou shalt free.
One thou hast brought low, then helped to rise again.
One shall stand thy rival and thy friend.
To-Do:
- ANOTHER PROPHECY:
-- Make sure I have 5 friends, one I brought low and one rival.
-- Find the least of guides to the Lost City
-- Find the Door to Darkness at the highest tower
-- Close the Demon Gate
Guess I'll just kill time until the evening meetup then.
Later that evening...
+7 Ask Khatib about peace mission (200)
The survivor seems lost in his own nightmares.
+6 Get Dispel Potions from Salim (206)
+8 Tell Harami about Rakeesh (214)
Points tally (starting from 152):
+3 Give Feather to Salim
+3 Give Fruit to Salim
+3 Give Gift of Heart to Salim
+3 Give Peace Water to Salim
+4 Agree to meet Harami at night
+10 Bring Gem to Sekhmet
+5 Choose Pentagram
+10 Be Judged Worthy
+7 Ask Survivor about Peace Mission
+6 Get Dispel Potions
+8 Tell Harami about Rakeesh
Total: 214 points out of 500
Great reference.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Magic User 39 - They Prefer the Term Leopard Shape Changer
To-Do:
- PROPHECY OF DOOM:
-- Make sure I have 5 friends, one I brought low and one rival
-- Find the least of guides to the Lost City
-- Find the Door to Darkness at the highest tower
-- Close the Demon Gate
- Find Leopardman guide to their village to learn their magics
- Watch out for glowy-eyed demons (possible Leopardman?)
- Find (and return?) the Simbani Spear of Death
- Find Demon-Wizard likely behind the whole thing
- One day, in the future, track down the Dark Master
Now, I'd better head back to the Simbani village to make sure they didn't do anything else stupid.
+15 Use Dispel Potion on Leopard...Person? (229)
To-Do:
- Find Leopardman guide to their village to learn their magics
- Get Leopard woman to like me and talk to me and lead me to her village
Good news, somebody found a Leopardman!
Bad news, it was the Simbani, and they're being stupid about it.
Good news, I used a Dispel Potion and it turned into a beautiful woman!
Bad news, she won't talk to me because I'm, well, me.
+2 Tell Kreesha about the Dispelled Leopard Woman (231)
*Later the next night*
+2 Ask Uhura about marriage (233)
To-Do:
- Buy a Leopard-y wife
Points tally (starting from 214):
+15 Use Dispel Potion on Leopard Shapeshifter
+2 Tell Kreesha about Dispelled Leopard Shapeshifter
+2 Ask Uhura about Simbani marriage
Total: 233 points out of 500