New Hardcore

[hemulen]

I was going to post about the new artifacts that I found, but I see UrQuan already put out the relevant information.

Anyhow, no idea what Stone of Suukon does, but Star of Kirlundin apparently allows you to skip through most of book 2, so fighting the Harbor Thugs might be an option then. I honestly have no idea what happened, as I habitually clicked through the ship sections without reading the text, and suddenly found myself with Rhygar.

I also found a "vorpal sword", with a chance of instantly killing an enemy, regardless of combat resolution. I guess its one possible random? effect from those "glimmering sword" etc. weapon types. It happened twice during 3 or 4 combats, and it saved me from the reaper when a Drakkar attacked me on the ship, with me having 3 EP left.

I haven't played that much hardcore, so I'm yet to beat book 3. And I always seem to die in some stupid way there (last time I drowned, and before that I ate rotten food, or forgot to pick up the blue stone triangle).

[Ofecks]

Going to start a new HC run to unlock the last Kai/MK award hints. I saw this thread earlier and thought it was some kind of bonus HC+ mode, but apparently you replaced the old HC with it? I don't know if I like that... the old HC was hard enough. Maybe you can re-implement the old HC and use this new one as Brutal/Relentless/Mythic/Brink-of-Death/etc. mode? 'Cause right now it's going from completely-managable BtB to way-the-[fudge]-out-of-control mode, with nothing in between.

e: found Spirit Shroud, a cloth body armor. It's a white flowing robe typically worn by people in a certain climate. The person who parted with it couldn't see the harm in gifting a Kai Lord. It seems to reduce damage taken by 1 per round, which is insanely [fudgeing] good.

I'm liking this mode, but really, it needs to be separate to the old HC.

e2: Jeweled Mace obliterated Dhorgaan with its new effect. Not sure if it works on everyone or just him.

e3: A Great Spellbook was found among its bretheren. I'm not entirely sure, but I think it drastically reduced the EP of the Dakomyd. I only had to hit it once to get it to 25 or below. Also, this +4CS Glimmering Quarterstaff I found just chilling up against a wall in book 5 has been carrying me.

[ghanesh]

Enjoying this - Just past survived book 6 after a few attempts! Like the different bonuses for weapons. Enjoying the way things have changed from the original books, the silver helmet in Book 3 was certainly a surprise.

[ghanesh]

Book 7 has me stuck after the Zakhan's riddle!

[ghanesh]

Seems to be no way through book 7 after the riddle. In the original series, the red and green portals lead to death, so you had to break through through the wall. But in this version this leads to death as well. Tried it with the 3 disciplines, and the skeleton key, but still land in the same place.

[Ofecks]

You can avoid that spot in the original by killing the Oudagorg and climbing its corpse out of the maze. Did you try that?

[ghanesh]

Don't think the hardcore version gives that option, as you can't solve the riddle

[Ofecks]

Hm, the original has the exact same options whether you solve the riddle (7:34) or not (7:172). Where does it put you after surviving the statue trap?

[ghanesh]

You get a choice between entering the red or green corridors or breaking through the wall. The red and green corridors end the adventure, as in the 1st book, but in the original, breaking through the wall provides an escape, but here, this leads to death as well.

[Ofecks]

Damn, so it skips the Oudagorg? That is indeed a dead end in this case. Maybe there's an item somewhere in the book you need to find before you get to that point. Try getting the silver whistle and see if that works.

Just out of curiosity, what YLAYQEH section does it give you when you break the wall?

[ghanesh]

It takes you to section 228:

The stone blocks crumble on the third blow, and you waste no time climbing through the hole and into the rough-hewn tunnel below. The canopy of mist no longer obscures the ceiling and the tunnel is dark and damp; you feel sure you have escaped from the maze.

But then the floor falls away beneath your feet. You let out a cry of frustration, which is cut short when you land in the brown foul-smelling morass several feet below. You have barely time gathering your bearings when a shower of bricks and stonework descent upon you. You are struck in the head, and then drift off into a sleep which you will never awaken, for you are doomed to drown in the sludge.

Tragically your life and quest end here.

[Ofecks]

A new custom death! That's cool. I wish UrQuan would come back so we could discuss their software with them.

Any progress on finding the solution to CD in this mode?