The Sommerswerd

[Sarra]

I was always unclear on how the Sommerswerd was supposed to be used. When I first started playing the series I assumed that you could only use it when the text in the adventure allowed it. After all once you have the Sommerswerd (+8 CS) why would you even bother using any other weapon?

After playing for a while I started to develope my own rules that went along with Lone Wolf. For instance I assumed (this was before it was clarified in the Magnakia series) that the Broadsword, Spear, and Quarterstaff were considered two-handed weapons. My rules stated that if you had two single-handed weapons you could use them both in combat at the same time and recieve a +2 C.S. bonus.

So I ended up deciding that I could use the Sommerswerd whenever I felt like it in any combat in the game (unless the text said you couldn't). I also included other bonuses. For example if you were fighting with a Dagger or two Daggers every three combat rounds you recieve a bonus combat round in which you don't recieve damage.

So I concluded the Sommerswerd problem by allowing different combat bonuses for not using the Sommerswerd. Another rule I had was that the first time you use the Sommerswerd in each book you do double damage the first round. So that way you are persuaded to save it for a hard fight.

Did anyone else sort of develope their own branching rules while playing Lone Wolf?

[Relenoir]

Did anyone else sort of develope their own branching rules while playing Lone Wolf?

I didn't so much develop my own rules in that way as misinterpret them. Until I was corrected a few years ago, I used to do the whole CS bonus for the Weaponskill/Weaponsmastery/Grand Weaponsmastery Disciplines incorrectly. I think it was either in an interview I read at the Desert Lynx Oasis or the Kai Monastery website that Joe Dever said that the bonuses for each of these Disciplines progressively supercede one another; they aren't added all together. It makes a BIG difference when you fight the really tough opponents, especially by the time you get to the GM series. I like the way you did your additional attacks, it reminds me of the old AD&D bonus attack rules. Very insightful...

[Ofecks]

Cool, those are some neat ideas, Ronan. I myself prefer to stick to the rules of the text, making a few logical interpretations here and there. Most of the time I conform with the footnotes in the Project Aon versions, such as not being able to use a Shield and Spear at the same time.

I also make a modification with regards to the Healing and Curing disciplines. I only use it to restore physical damage I sustain during my adventures. Cuts, bruises, burns, poisons/toxins, etc. received in combat or otherwise.

EP loss from fatigue, psychic attacks, shock or discomfort are not restorable with Healing/Curing. This includes stuff like the penalty for not eating, using Psi/Kai-Surge, uneasy sleep, and staying underwater for too long, sustained in combat or otherwise.

Thanks to the statskeeper, keeping track of the latter is easier than ever - I just reduce the modifier by however many it calls for. In combat, I make a note of any NRD (Not Restorable by Discipline) EP I lose and apply it to the modifer afterwards.

Any restoration method other than a discipline can restore NRD EP (tasty food, a sound sleep, Laumspur, etc.). The in-combat Curing/Deliverance "Cure Serious Wounds" equivalent is the only time a discipline will restore EP regardless of how it was lost.

[Sarra]

Joe Dever left alot of the rules open-ended. After frustration at filling in the gaps I finally just sat down and made my own rulebook.

[jimy]

i always assumed that i would 'always' use it in combat, unless told not to ie darklands and then i'd have to remmeber to -8CS

however i still picked weaponmastery ect.

i remember when i had to fight zakhan kimah, and i had my sommerswerd taken from me. i was REAL lucky that i was skilled in weaponmastery with a sword, because i happened to find one. +3 CS for me thanks

[Sarra]

Yeah the thing that irked me though was that if you can use the Sommerswerd whenever you wish then what is the point of carrying any other weapons on you (with the exception of a bow)? That always irked me...

[The Tagazin Poodle]

Well, on occasion it helps to have a dagger for picking locks....

[Sarra]

Yes but the benefits of having a certain weapon (excluding Special Items weapons) are rare.

[Ofecks]

I've always carried a dagger with me if I'm also armed with the Sommerswerd, ever since I first read the Kai series like, 10 years ago.

It's useless 99% of the time now (thanks to the Extended Combat Results Table), but I figure every skilled warrior should carry a second melee weapon.

And yes, in some instances it can pick locks. I can think of a certain event in book 8 where having one can actually save you an otherwise nasty EP loss.

[kindaichi]

I often confused with the use of Sommerswerd. Is it takes up a weapon space? In that case I'm only allowed to carry one more weapon only? What about Dagger of Vashna and Jewelled Mace that I found? Does that mean I couldn't carry all of them but to choose either one?

When I use Sommerswerd, I often treat it as a normal sword if it is not used against undead. But if the enemy is undead, I will add the Sommerswerd's bonus (+8/10CS & *2 damage) in my combat. Is this the right way?

The book didn't mention properly in the use of Sommerswerd. It only mentions to treat it as Special Item and Special Item doesn't take up Backpack or Weapon space, does it?




For Sommerlund...

[outspaced]

This was one of Dever's more confusing rules ;D

The Sommerswerd, Jewelled Mace, Silver Bow of Duadon and Dagger of Vashna are all Weaponlike Special Items. So they technically don't count as Weapons. In a Club Newsletter, someone mentioned that in #6 The Kingdoms of Terror, a monster destroyed their weapon. They asked whether this applied because their weapon was the Sommerswerd. Dever replied that technically speaking, the Sommerswerd is a Special Item, not a Weapon. The Sommerswerd is destroyed only if you are carrying no other Weapon. So for the purposes of not losing a magic weapon, it's always a good idea to be carrying a standard Dagger or Sword.

Also, the +8/+10CS applies all the time as is my understanding. The *2 damage is only ever vs. undead, however.

[kindaichi]

I understand your meaning. But do you feel illogic to carry so many weaponlike Special Items, normal weapons and backpack at once? Lone Wolf carries them alone and travels through forests, dungeons, hills, caves, etc - climbing, running, jumping...

I think he is not Kai Grand Master. He is the Ultimate Super Saiya Kai Grand Master. ;D

[Omega M]

Once I saw that the New Order books allowed you to restore only 10 points per adventure through "Healing," I adopted that rule for all of the previous Lone Wolf books to make them more challenging. I always thought it was unrealistic too easy to, say, look at all four of the potions in the Backpack in The Caverns of Kalte and restore all of your life in almost no "story time." With this rule I make optional the restoration of 1 Endurance point when passing through an appropriate section, so you can save your healing powers for when they're necessary.

As for what Endurance point losses Healing (or Deliverance) can restore, I allow it to restore any points lost in an official combat and any points lost from random cuts and blows. Fire, cold, acid, etc. do cause physical damage, but that damage seems "deeper" and harder to cure than ordinary wounds.

[outspaced]

kindaichi said:

I think he is not Kai Grand Master. He is the Ultimate Super Saiya Kai Grand Master. ;D

Nah, he can't fly!

Personally, I take the rules this way: Shortsword or Dagger = Weapon #1. Sommerswerd = Weapon #2. Dagger of Vashna = tucked in boot (Special Item). Bow of Duadon (if I get it) = carried on back (Special Item).

Considering weaponlike Special Items are magic weapons, they are lighter than usual. So Lone Wolf is probably carrying around less weight than your average marine or SAS soldier does today. Nor does he wear full plate armour, which weighs an absolute tonne![/i] but most fantasy heroes seem to wear it. Lone Wolf is actually carrying around far less weight than a standard D&D fighter, so it's not as unrealistic as it might at first appear. But yes, still a little unrealistic.

Of course, the Encumbrance rules for Freeway Warrior are even more realistic . . .

[Sarra]

You also have to deal with the Jewelled Mace, Bronin Warhammer, and Helshezag.