Revenge of the Red Dragon

Now, on to our game.

(I actually would have chosen the Dragon if it came down to it anyway!) I will move to Castle Arcania, just for old time's sake (even though I haven't played that book yet).

Some ground rules I'd like to clarify:
1) I always tell you where I am.
2) Though we resolve our own battles, we should at least tell each other what we fought (although we don't have to mention treasure we gain).
3) I will let you know if/when I will summon the faerie dragon back to me.
4) I won't read on until you tell me it is my turn again.

I'm sure there's other stuff, but that's what I could think of so far.

Looking forward to our game!
Andy

Well, I finally got ready to start playing... I think I'm going to save all of the e-mails of this game so that I can put up a log on my web site when we're done... assuming that you don't mind, of course. :)

Anyway, on with the game...

Probably goes without saying, but we should probably use d20s to generate numbers in combat. :) Also, I think it would be helpful to keep a list of what's in the play area; certain actions require that I write notes and put them on the table, so to speak, and if we have a status line then we won't lose track of what's out there.

That being said...

Play area: Empty.

I've made my first move; your turn. :)

- Demian

I will start serializing the messages for ease of tracking. If you want to use a different method, that's fine. Just let me know.

My rather brief visit at Castle Arcania included fighting a group of Skeleton Warriors, which I defeated. I will move to the Purple Plain on my next turn.

Play area: Empty.

Andy

Nothing eventful has happened, but another turn has passed...

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

I fought a Copper Dragon (who had the audacity to move into my territory) in the Purple Plain. Next turn I will move to the Druid's Grove.

Play area: Empty.

Andy

Yet another turn has passed without me having anything interesting to tell you... It appears there's action on the horizon, however! Your move for now, though...

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

Looks like I'm having all the fun! I battled a Druid at the Druid's Grove. Now I will move to the Lich's Way.

Play area: Empty.

Andy

At last, some action! I just defeated a group of Qullan. Your turn.

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

Demian,

Before I continue, I need resolution on a question. I may have been conducting the turns improperly. Is your turn over when you announce you are moving into a new area, or when you need to turn to a new page within that same area? I thought one turn involved any decisions (incl. fighting) you had to make within one area.

Example: (Feel free to look at the Flametongue book if you need to) # 29 - I enter the Purple Plain. It asks if I want to attack the copper dragon or continue to chase after the Knight.
# 84 - I choose to attack the Dragon, and conduct the combat in this section.
# 80 - after defeating the Dragon, I search his lair by going to this section. After that, I choose the next area to go to.

Should this sequence have been one turn (the way I played it, since it all takes place in the Purple Plain), or 3 turns???

The rules aren't entirely clear, but they do say if you decide to fight an enemy you resolve the combat during that movement turn. It says after that you decide where to go next, but you do not read further until your next turn. I assumed that "where to go" meant to a new area, and didn't include if you wanted to search for treasure or something.

If I am wrong, I am probably a few turns ahead of you!

I won't take turn 5 until I hear back from you, as I ran into the same situation in the Lich's Way.

Andy

Before I continue, I need resolution on a question. I may have been conducting the turns improperly. Is your turn over when you announce you are moving into a new area, or when you need to turn to a new page within that same area? I thought one turn involved any decisions (incl. fighting) you had to make within one area.

Hmm... Tough question; I've been playing this the opposite way from you... Simply resolving one page and then ending my turn. That seemed the correct way to do things, since it's sometimes a bit ambiguous as to whether I'm going to a new area or not; that suggested to me that every page turn, regardless of what's going on, ends the turn.

Anyway, you're right about the rules being unclear; they're a bit of a mess, actually... I still don't quite understand the purpose of allies in combat, since it seems like only one person can attack at a time, and the player character is generally a better fighter than the allies... but that's another matter entirely. :)

Regarding the basic turn-taking, I suggest that we do the one page turn equals one game turn, simply because it's an unambiguous choice, whereas "moving to another area" can sometimes be a rather fuzzy decision. If you agree to that, let me know how far ahead you are and I'll catch up with you. :)

- Demian

Demian,

I was afraid we were doing things differently. That would explain why I fought so many things already! I do agree with you that the least ambiguous method is to go page-by-page, and that's what we should do.

My last battle against the Crystal Cave Walls in the Lich's Way was page (and therefore turn) 11 for me, so I'm a good bit ahead of you. I don't know whether that will impact the game. I wouldn't think it would have too much of an effect. But we could just start over again if you want, or I'll just wait for you to catch up.

As far as allies... when my brother and I played we got into the same discussion. I looked at all the books, and in a couple of them I found a line that says you and all your allies attack first. So we assumed that you roll for your main character and any allies first, and then for the monster you're fighting. This gives you an obvious advantage, but if you didn't allow allies to attack every turn then, like you said, they wouldn't have much purpose. On the other hand, if you and all your allies attack first, then there's a good chance you can defeat your opponent before he even gets a chance to strike back.

How about this - participants on each side alternate attacks until each participant has attacked once, which concludes one round of combat. For example, you and your allies (an Elf and a Dwarf) are attacking a Dragon. You attack first. Then the Dragon attacks. Then the Elf and Dwarf each attack. (If the Dragon had an ally, he would attack after the Elf and before the Dwarf.) That completes one round. Then you start the process over again, with you attacking, then the Dragon, etc. What do you think?

I am sorry for the confusion. I guess we just need to get the bugs worked out. The next books we play (and I hope we will play again) should go much easier.

Andy

I'm glad you agree on the one-section-at-a-time thing, and I definitely agree with your suggestion regarding turn-taking in combat... So I think we've worked out all the eccentricities of the rules... now back to the game...

I'm now caught up, having also played through eleven sections. Along the way to catch up with you, I battled Wights, a Warlord and his Horse, and a Hordling. It is now your turn.

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

Yes, I think we're back on track again. (There are definitely some abiguities in the rules. But with a little common sense and discussion, those are easily overcome. I still like the overall format and gameplay, though.)

I am still wandering through the Lich's Way. (I never did like those undead types; they just don't taste as good as you living folk.)

Your turn.

Play area: Empty.

Andy

I've just survived a clash with a Naga and her Stone Warriors. Your move.

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

Doesn't sound like that battle was much fun...

I'm still wandering around the Lich's Way. Your turn.

Play area: Empty.

Andy

Well, another relatively uneventful turn has gone by... Your move once more. :)

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

Now it's getting interesting!

You are magically compelled to answer the following questions:
1) what area you are in
2) name all your allies and reveal how many hit points each has
3) describe one magic item in your possession.

I am still in the Lich's Way (will this never end??).

Play area: Empty.

One rules question - If I need to give up a magic item (to gain a benefit in this case), do Healing Potions count? Technically a potion would be a magic item, but it seems kind of lame to give up a mere potion. Perhaps it should be something a little more powerful.

And by the way, it's your turn.

You are magically compelled to answer the following questions:

Fiendish lizard!

1) what area you are in

I'm in the Dwarven Hills at the moment...

2) name all your allies and reveal how many hit points each has

Those would be Euras (6 hp), Scorch (7 hp), Phantast (10 hp) and Gridelin, whose hit points are unknown. Euras is a Djinn, Scorch is an Efreet, Phantast is a Nightmare, and Gridelin is a Fairy Dragon.

3) describe one magic item in your possession.

My Ebony Blade, Nightslasher, does nine points of damage outdoors and twelve points of damage indoors. Don't ask me why, but I can't complain.

One rules question - If I need to give up a magic item (to gain a benefit in this case), do Healing Potions count? Technically a potion would be a magic item, but it seems kind of lame to give up a mere potion. Perhaps it should be something a little more powerful.

I think giving up a healing potion is fair; those can be precious at times!

With all that out of the way, I took another uneventful turn. Your move once more!

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

I know, I'm a bad lizard. I come from a broken home, so what do you expect? (When I was only 50, my mother ate my father, and I had to live with my grand-dragons way up north...)

Anyway, now that I know everything about you except your mother's maiden name, I guess we can continue.

I continue my apparently endless wanderings in the Lich's Way. Your move.

Play area: Empty.

Rules Question (hereafter abbreviated "RQ") 2 - (I'll serialize these now as well.) If I gain an ally (via spell, magic item, etc.) do I need to reveal that? I know we're not supposed to reveal treasure gained, but I don't know if an ally would fit into that category.

As for the Healing potion question, I agree with your assessment.

Andy

Rules Question (hereafter abbreviated "RQ") 2 - (I'll serialize these now as well.) If I gain an ally (via spell, magic item, etc.) do I need to reveal that? I know we're not supposed to reveal treasure gained, but I don't know if an ally would fit into that category.

I don't think there's any need for you to mention allies gained, unless of course you've gained an ally by stealing one of mine. :)

In any case, my latest turn is finished... Once again, nothing too notable took place.

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

I have finally exited the Lich's Way and am now in Deadman's Valley. Nothing else to report. Your turn.

Play area: Empty.

Andy

I just vanquished a wizard who managed to resist my darkness power (which allows me to convert an enemy to an ally). It's now your turn.

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

Too bad about that Wizard resisting your power (NOT!).

I just defeated a group of Skeletons in Deadman's Alley and, perhaps foolishly, decided to remain here for another turn and explore.

I'll let you know my ideas for our inevitable combat after I've had a chance to think through them a bit.

Andy

I just defeated a Blue Snake. Your turn... (and happy weekend!) :)

Play area: Empty.

- Demian

I just defeated a rather nasty Skeletal Priest in Deadman's Valley. I am now headed to the Wizard's Tower.

Play area: Empty.

Andy

By the way, I think I have my suggestion for our combat worked out. I'll email it to you tomorrow. Basically, it will consist of a table in a Word document. At the beginning of every round, we'll each write in what each of our characters will do. We'll take turns fighting each round (i.e., I'll fight one round, rolling for both your and my characters; then you'll fight the next round; etc.). This may take time, but as it is likely to be the final conflict, it will probably be worth it. Of course, after you see the final document, it should be a little clearer. And this is just my first suggestion; I won't be offended if you don't like it or want to try something else.

My latest turn has passed rather uneventfully (though it smells kinda funky). Your move once more. :)

Play area: Empty.

BTW, your final combat suggestion sounds good, though I'll be better able to comment when I see your Word document. :)

- Demian

Looks like this turn will be interesting. I just moved to the Wizard's Tower, and we have to play a game. You can turn to 116 to look at the rules. I have an idea on how we can play, and will send you a spreadsheet or something later on today.

Andy

Here's the rules I came up with for the Shields and Eggs game (p. 116). Let me know what you think. We have to agree before we can proceed.

I just got your suggestions, and they all sound good... As per your instructions for Shields & Eggs, I've created a Knight file and am now ready for your first move.

- Demian

I have my Dragon File.

Attached is the Game File with my chosen Shields. I added a couple lines to keep track of how many unmarked Shields and Eggs we have found, as appropriate.

			1
	4
2
			3

I also kept the rules on the document, rather than deleting them. I had to refer to them a couple times.

Let me know how I fared!

Andy

Let me know how I fared!

You didn't do too well... Your first move was successful, but you hit an X on your second move. Thus, you lose five hit points and gain nothing, though your next unmarked square will earn you a potion.

My selections are attached.

4		2	Unmark
				3
X	1

Now I don't feel so bad; you (or, at least, the wizard you're playing; I don't want to offend your sneaky little "big bad" Black Knight) struck out on the first one.

Here's my next "move." I updated the game file, and I think it's pretty clear.

3				2
			Unmark
		1
X	X
			3

By the way, we can pick new eggs/shields each turn. My intention was we wouldn't have to continue with any left over from the last turn (unless you think we should).

Andy

Now I don't feel so bad; you (or, at least, the wizard you're playing; I don't want to offend your sneaky little "big bad" Black Knight) struck out on the first one.

Well, looks like you did the same thing on your second attempt... so take a bit more damage. My next try is attached... a risky gambit, perhaps. :)

Here's my next "move". I updated the game file, and I think it's pretty clear.

Yeah, I like the way you did that... I've followed suit. :)

			Unmark
		X
X	X		1
2		3		4

By the way, we can pick new eggs/shields each turn. My intention was we wouldn't have to continue with any left over from the last turn (unless you think we should).

Yeah, that's perfectly fair... :)

- Demian

OUCH!! That hurt! I can't take much more of this. But at least there's only one more marked shield.

You got 3 unmarked eggs before you hit the marked one. Here's the updated file and my next selections.

1
			Unmark
		X		2
X	X	4	Unmark	3
Unmark		Unmark		X

Andy

Well, you got two unmarked squares before hitting my final X.. So you win a healing potion but lose five hit points. My next move is attached... Since you've hit all of my X's, if you survive my latest assault, there's no need for you to mail me the file back; you can't possibly miss from here on out. :)

Unmark
3		1	Unmark
		X		Unmark
		2		4
X	X		Unmark	X
Unmark		Unmark		X

- Demian

An excellent choice - your first move was one of my marked eggs! Phew!!! Now this game is finally over (as you said, my next choices will automatically be unmarked). So I collect (and quickly consume) the 3 healing potions, and finally end my turn.

I will now move to the Thieves Caves. Your move.

Play area: Empty.

Here is the final game file. I know you don't need it, but it may be good if you're archiving all of the stuff from our game.

Unmark		1		2
		X	Unmark
3		X		Unmark
	4
X	X		Unmark	X
Unmark		Unmark		X

Andy

Well, I've really done it this time! Stuck my sword in the wrong lake, and now you've been teleported into combat with me! You're now at the Enchanted Lake, and you can't retreat due to the magical nature of your appearance. If I am to understand the rules correctly, you always get initiative over me, and under the circumstances I imagine we're both about equally surprised at the turn of events... So I guess your best bet is to send over your instructions for the first attack!

Curses! I haven't had time to finish my plans, silly Knight. But so be it... I look forward to your downfall!!!

I'll need a day or two to finish up the 2-player rules. I'll send them to you for your review after I've done the first draft. Of course, once we get them done, we'll be able to use them in all the other books.

Andy

Well, here goes nothing. Let me know what you think!

Andy

Okay, my moves are attached... Let's see how this works itself out... :)

NOTE: I will summon Gridelin as the battle begins. Since I have waited until I confronted you to summon him, Gridelin gets 2 free attacks before anyone else. I guess he’ll be casting spells, as the rules don’t say anything about him attacking or causing damage.

- Demian

It was a bloody first round, and here are the results.

NOTE: I will summon Gridelin as the battle begins. Since I have waited until I confronted you to summon him, Gridelin gets 2 free attacks before anyone else. I guess he’ll be casting spells, as the rules don’t say anything about him attacking or causing damage

NOTE: Gridelin’s spells hit automatically.

* = because of Gridelin’s Faerie Fire spell

Wind Being HP: 10

I looked up a couple things in the Black Knight's book, namely the effect of a couple spells you cast. Please feel free to do the same. As there are a lot of special rules and circumstances, we can either include them in the game file (and add time to the process) or just refer to the other book as needed. I recommend the latter. If either of us use an object we found along the way (eg. the Iron Statue), we can provide info on that object as required.

Your move!

Andy

Well, that was quick! I just got splattered all about the landscape. :) First, your fire breath lead to a special (*) which somehow caused you to do 22 points of damage to my group. Almost immediately thereafter, Sistoo scored a critical hit, doing another 18 points of damage! That was that. :) You've won! Congratulations! The final battle file is attached, in case you're curious to see what happened exactly...

- Demian