Let's play Grey Star, your average teen wizard

[galantor]

So, I am Grey Star, the Wizard trained by the Shianti since they found me on the beach of this crummy island. However, today, I get my chance to escape that old Acarya’s grip. I am summoned to the newly-rebuilt temple of Amida, probably to endure yet another suspension. To my surprise, I am sent on a quest « to recover the Moonstone and use its power to destroy the Wytch-king », Acarya said.

Its a ticket to freedom and adventure. I am in. Also, usually, I am grounded whenever I destroy things, and now, I am tasked to destroy that Wytch-king. I remember Acarya’s face when I commanded an Earth elemental to shake the foundation of the last temple of Amida to create a fun dancefloor… That old one nearly got a stroke.

So, of course I accept the quest. Plus, if Shasarak rules the evil empire of Shadaki, and I off him, I suppose I get to rule the evil empire of Shadaki ever after. That’s nice. Let’s get on the boat.

My stats are above average : CS 19, EP 23, WP 29. OK, I am a little weak but you never get to exercice much on the Isle of Lorn, staying in a library all day. I am determined, though, and being a teenager I have had ample training wielding my staff.

I barely remember the daft one’s advice. I am to seek the lost tribe of Lara so they can locate a Shadow Gate leading to Daziarn, where I can get an ICBM to nuke Shasarak. Or something. Attention wasn’t really my strong skill. I master five of the lesser magick. Hey, one can’t really achieve O-level in all subjects at once, don’t blame me. They decided to give me this quest before the September session, after all. Wisemen, really. I however master the arts of Sorcery (useful to grab a can of Coke without leaving my chair… did I tell you there is really no opportunity to exercise on Lorn ?), Enchantment (I worked hard on this one… before being told that, no, there are no human girls on the Isle of Lorn and if I had listened to history lessons I wouldn’t ask this question), Elementalism (when it snows, school session is suspended in Lorn… For some reason, the tropical island was often struck by unexpected blast of cold air, I blame climate change), Alchemy (or Weedmaking, as I call it) and Evocation.

Before boarding and bidding farewell, I have made my pack, with 4 meals, a map, my weedmaking tools, and since it is the most important task the Shianti undertook in centuries, one they can’t afford to fail and of strategic consequences, they decided to outfit me with the best equipment available on the Isle of Lorn. However, due to a conflict in the Shianti senate, the Procurement Department was on governmental shutdown and I could only take one of three items : a dagger, a talisman or a crummy standard laumspur potion. I mean, I know that I’ll brew 10 EP potions at some point in the far future, a lowly human alchemist called Rendalim can brew 6 EP potion, but no, the Shianti only give me a potion I could prepare with a clump of Laumspur weed. Seesh. I choose the +1 dagger, even if I don’t know how to use it, just to spite them. At least it looks costly with all those jewels.

Off we go. Section 1, I decide to use Elementalism to hasten my trip. I am no mariner, and I don’t like to spend time doing chore. CS 19, EP 23, WP 28. I consider landing by nightfall, but if it was the goal, I wouldn’t have ordered the Gale Wraith to carry me faster and nearly lost the whole content of a Meal belching overboard… I am landing this ship NOW.

In the port, the crowd is rightly amazed of my arrival. People are already recognizing me as their rightful Lord and Ruler. That’s nice, I expected conquering the Shadakine Empire to be more complicated. Due to the commotion on the street, two law enforcement officers arrive to enquire about it and maintain the peace. Since the crowd asks for a display of power, I decide to shoot my staff at them, killing the patrol (CS 19, EP 23, WP 25). An insight – despite my total lack of Prophetic power, I never trusted the Shianti Trelawney – tells me I will end this adventure without any WP, so let’s be liberal with it and show the street rabble the true power of my magicks. Also, I fight the remaining guard. He’s lacking pupils, after all, and as such he reminds me of the Shianti professor of Phys. Ed. They all lacked pupils on this island. After a cathartic fight, at CR +6, I spend 3 WP, the same amount used to kill the first one outright, and roll a 4. That’s insta-death for the Shadakine, and a slight wound for me. Ouch. It HURTS. (CS 19, EP 21, WP 22).

Since the whole port of Suhn is now in upheaval due to the revolution starting on the dock, the military is getting involved. While I applaud my subjects for recognizing their rightful king at once, they must remember that disobeying the Law won’t be an option under a Shianti-trained ruler. I let them deal with the war chariots, in order to teach them a lesson in obedience. The few survivor will certainly help disseminate the legend of my coming. In the narrow street I go.

Everything looks the same here. Lacking Prophetic power, I decide to turn in the left alleyway. The odour become even more unbearable. Rats are everywhere. I am certainly on the right track to find the crummy tribe of Lara. From what I understand, they are apemen, they must not smell of roses. Let’s go ahead.

A local ambushes me, I decide to hand over my money pouch. It’s not like I have money anyway. He does seem nonplussed and want to kill me. Despite, you know, the fight being at CR +9. Since he’s alone in a dark alleyway, I’ll fight to the death. That’s a 9. Well, my legend will tell that I would have spared him and told him the errors of his ways and he became of priest of Grey Star afterwards. Right now, he has been disintegrated by my trusty Staff, without even expending more that 1 WP. (CS 19, EP 21, WP 21).

I loot the body, in true adventurer fashion, and I find my empty pouch and 10 nobles. I find legitimate to keep the money. After all, I was given NO allowance or pocket money on Lorn. And those crummy Shianti said it was because they don’t have a monetary system nor a market to allocate goods in the most optimal way to satisfy both demande and supply. Frankly, have there ever been a lousier explanation to refuse giving a teenager pocket money ? I’ll sue them under Shadakine law after I wrestle power from Shasarak. I am now 10 nobles richer, the richest I ever was. I also keep the Dagger. Let’s get drunk, now that I have money.

I enter the Inn of the Laughing Moon. On my way to the counter, I spot Aragorn skulking in the corner of the inn. I have read too many books in that Lorn Library, I must go and bother him. Too bad, the man in the shadow is much less interesting. He’s a religious nutjob. He hands me a vial of Pink Liquid (no thanks, I only drink purchased drinks opened before me in seedy bars) and his medallion.

The Shadaking guards interrupt, preventing me for spending my hard-earned Jade to get, at last, some booze. It would be shameful to be carded in this inn. I leave the tavern with discretion, and on the street I see the stall of Madam Tarlas. Nice, I really wanted to meet a Madam. Did I mention there was no human girl on Lorn ? I have more Hormone points than Willpower points. Let's look at the illustration on the game section 183.

Ok, I hope she is just handling the selling business and not the actual job. Let’s see what she has to offer...

Strong disappointment. She’s an alchemist, in fact. Not to lose face, I buy Alether, Laumspur and 2 tarama seeds for 10 nobles. I regret not being able to trade my mortar and pestle for her last tarama. As I leave the stall, the Shadakine have left the inn. I am followed by an informant (apparently, someone has noticed my arrival in the town…) and three LEOs are asking me to halt. Since I have no reason to disobey at this point and noone trying to incite me into killing people that will end up guarding my good city of Suhn, I follow him to the local prison.

They take my backpack and my Staff. I try the « Ho… you would not part an old man from his walking stick » routine but since I am 16 years old, it doesn’t work. Surprisingly, they leave my special items, including a medallion probably linked to an anti-Shasarak sect and my jewelled dagger. Security is lax, they are shirking duty. I make a mental note they won’t be good guards in my new regime and to terminate them at the nearest opportunity.
I am taken to the citadel for interrogation. I meet the second girl of my life, an old crone called Mother Magri. She’s even worse to look at than Madam Tarlas. I am starting to become desperate.

She’s trying to use a magical device called a « Kazim stone » to read my mind. She could have asked questions, I’d have told her that I am on a quest to destroy her employers but that I was ready to discuss job opportunities for her in the new regime.

My WP being above 15, she sense that I am powerful. I choose to resist with sheer willpower, if only to show her how magick is done. My WP+CS total is 40 at this point, so I easily snuff the light out of the Kazim stone. Say goodbye to your amusing tool, Wytch, I say with a smirk. (CS 19, EP 17, WP 17). I am sent in a jail, because she isn’t amused.

Worse, it isn’t even an individual cell. I protest ! I am deserving a more dignified cell, not to be sent with the common rabble. I must endure the conversation of a merchant in my jail. I don’t care to listen to his droning conversation. I must escape or my ears will fall off. I should have listened more because now, I seem to remember he was talking about the Lost Tribe of Lara. Too bad. I consider tearing my own ears but I am no Lone Wolf, I can’t guarantee they’ll grow again through some Grand Disipline of Uber-Curing.

Suddenly, a girl brings us some food. A GIRL. THIS IS THE FIRST ONE. And she’s cute to boot. The cutest I have seen. Which doesn’t amount to a lot, to be honest. But she looks nicer than Magri.

I bring some Laumspur to the old man – glad that they let me my Alchemy pouch with a vial of it instead of keeping for healing the guards. He’s after all, a priest of the Shianti. This is the closest to the religion of me I am intend on creating, so he deserves some encouragement.

I get 10 WP for a dream sent by the Shianti from Lorn. I tell them of my achievements so far and tell them to leave my dream because I was trying to dream of marrying the Shadakine gaolergirl. I don’t know why they seemed so dismayed (CS 19, EP 17, WP 27).

The priest died during the night, just before telling some insightful information he got from his dream. That was soooo predictable I don’t even care. On the other hand, he’ll soon start to rot so I mention it to goalergirl. Since she’s receptive to my pickup line « the priest is dead », I chat her up and I boast about defeating Magri. She challenges me to beat the Darkling Room. Challenge accepted ! Also, I broke the Kazim Stone, I could very well break their room. They’ll remember my visit in the Hall of Correction !

Tanith is apparently a Wytch apprentice. She gives me a bowl of rice improved with some herbs. Of course, this goddess-made-girl can’t be wrong, because she has boobies. I eat (CS 19, EP 20, WP 28).

I should probably work on a plan, but I prefer to go to sleep and try to resume my Shianti-interrupted dream. (CS 19, EP 21, WP 29).

Since the dead priest had something to say before dying, let’s interrogate him. Évocation will ensure my escape. I agree to pay his price for information, which is to release the dead. Coool. I always dreamt of raising an undead army at my beck and call. It is, I am reminded, against Shianti law. But they abandonned jurisdiction when they fled to Lorn, so here, I am pretty sure I am not breaking any law by letting the dead roam. It’s so cool to do that, that I don’t even listen to the advice he gave me about the path to follow, besides understanding he’ll solve my problem with the door. (CS 19, EP 21, WP 27). I loot the priest body when leaving, taking his medallion. I also loot the gaoler just outside my cell, because no corpse should be left unlooted. I free the other prisonners, so they can leave their cell and get into the corridor where my undead army are killing everyone. I mean, they are probably common law prisonners and I noticed that prisonners cost a lot a being fed bowls of rice several times a day. I must be cognizant of the financial state of my evil Shadakine Empire.

I quickly reach a myriad of corridors, all looking alike. I guess I should have listened to the ramblings of my priest, but he probably didn't mention the way to the Darkling Room. I decide to take the narrow passageway at the end of the corridor I am in. I end up in a pungent cavern, yes, that’s the Darkling room. Tanith, you’ll see that I am as strong as I am handsome, by beating Magri’s second tool. It’s a mental fight… the guy I was in the cell with, who followed me, lay unconscious already besides me. I don’t really remember his name but apparently he decided to travel with me.

It’s a mental fight, so I am asked to add my WP and endurance points to use as my CS. That’s CS 48. Lone Wolf, take that. In book 1 I can reach an unarmed CS you’ll have DECADES of training to reach. Also, you’d probably die in the darking room. Oh, maybe you could add 1 with your Psi-screen, if you have that discipline. Well, enough daydreaming, there is a darklling spirit currently gnawing at my soul right now. With a +20 combat ratio, I must say I barely noticed him. Even without the ability to spend WP to multiply damage, I feel confident in the outcome of the fight. Too much. I roll a 1 before rolling an 8 and insta-killing the Darkling Room. I won’t tell Tanith about that first round, though. CS 19, EP 19, WP 27).

I quickly leave, taking the trader with me for reasons I really can’t fathom right now. It was probably against littering laws to leave him in the dead darkling room. I quickly am reunited with Tanith, who can’t resist my natural Bond-esque handsomeness. She has brought my gear. There is absolutely no reason not to trust her. I notice she also got her hands on the Kazim Stone, smart girl. I’ll marry her someday.

As we leave, I can’t resist displaying more of my power by making my undead army destroy the Hall of Correction. Unfortunately, Mother Magri was working from home this day, so she escaped the destruction, as I will learn later. Tanith is suitably impressed. I waste another WP to one-up Gandalf and make the Bruinen crossing looks lame in comparison to my watery fist, for no other reason to secure the approval of Tanith (CS 19, EP 18, WP 26).

I provide meals for my team. We decide to spend the night… I have no blanket nor fire but I am pretty sure there is a way to keep warmth by cuddling together. Yes, you, go mount guard on the other side of the wood (CS 19, EP 19, WP 27) meanwhile. I decide to go with Tanith’s plan to meet Jnana the Wise. To do this, I must fail to turn my head on the side after drinking the pink vial of Calacena extract. Unfortunately, the vial wasn’t eco-friendly and I must discard it instead of keeping an empty vial in my pouch. Drat.

We continue in the Chansi Hills (CS 19, EP 23, WP 29) while I gather Laumspur on the way. Meeting the Crebain from Dunland Najin, I decide to follow them at my wife-to-be’s suggestion while ignoring the peddlar. I really should ask him his name at the first opportunity.

We meet a nice guy called Jnana. He gives me a Silver Charm, 5 meals, a Broadsword, 2 vials of Laumspur and a Coil of Rope. I am reminded that my backpack can only hold 8 items, so I choose the charm, 4 meals, the potions and the broadsword. It is of no use to me, but I kinda like carrying weapons with me. In return, since I believe in fair trade and exchange, I offer him the Gaoler’s key. I hope that as an hermit, he will find adequate value in a set of key opening destroyed doors in the collapsed Hall of correction from a city several day’s away.

Noticing I am an Alchemist, he decides to give another round of gifts ! I pour the ointment of Jabari on me and plunder his stock of Tarama seeds.

We resume our trip. I don’t know which way, because I was more interested in locating his stash of tarama than listening to him, but I am pretty sure the guy I met in the cell took notes. Since nothing happens, I can restore my EP (too bad I was at top level, this book is really easy), and more importantly my WP by one-half (CS 19, EP 23, WP 44). I chose to round up, because there is no reason not to. Also, I have no compunction against using the Tarama seed to multiply damage by up to 9,000. But I won’t, because Tarama seeds are to awesome to use. I am pretty sure the old story about the valley of Taktalot being destroyed by fire in an instand was just the result of a wizard blast combined with a single tarama seed…

Anyway… we meet some Shadakine attacking Durenese soldiers. Frankly, they are far from home. I see no reason to interfere with the local law enforcement…but I notice a heavily laden wagon of marchandise. I expect a good reward from those soldiers. Also, it’s telegraphed they are good guys, because Durenese are allied with Sommerlund, and I’ve read too many Kai stories to ignore them. So, contrary to common sense, I decide to join the fray. I use Enchantment to make them fight each other while I cackle evilly. Tanith is suitably impressed. I decide to push my advantage with her by charging manly into the fray, going directly to the Shadakine officer. Who apparently dies from a stroke when seeing my awesomeness. (CS 19, EP 23, WP 41).

Since I am still unharmed, I store a vial of Rendalim’s Elixir, I dutifully loot his tarama storage, for a total of NINE, and I don’t think I’ll have use of Calacena. Since I am a firm believer in exchange of gift, I give him back a medallion of the Shianti priest, telling Randalim to show this to any Shadakine guard in Suhn, along with the password "Remember the Hall of Correction!" to ensure safe passage for his travelling party.

We make our way to the Azan River eating two meals. I should have eaten more at Rendalim’s yesterday. Apparently one night, Tanith was playing with her Kazim Stone and got in touch with Magri. She should have left the stone at home. Using some mind control over her former apprentice, Magri located her to find me. I could decide to raise a sorcery shield, but I have ample healing potions and last time we met Magri’s tools, she was walloped uttlerly. So, I may want to deal with the Kleasa mano-a-mano. However, as I amply read gamebooks in the Lorn Library, I have the uncanny insight that this is the worse fight in the whole series. So, I’ll blatantly sheet and use out of character caution to erect a shield of Sorcery. (CS 19, EP 23, WP 42)

It would be a perfect occasion to spend a Tarama speed to level the place Hiroshima-style, but I feel the seeds are too valuable to waste (also, I intend on planting them in my Imperial Herboristery in Shadaki to have an endless supply of those in the future). The CR is -6, which is bad. I should really drink alether, but it’s too awesome to use (also, I keep it if I must off Lone Wolf sometime in the future, we never know, the series is named after him, as « world of lone wolf », not me, and that’s enough to worry me). Also, I will lose 1 EP each round and 1 WP each round. So be it. I roll my d10 (diceroller is such a smart website)… 8, 7, 1, 6. The Klaesa is half-dead, but after 4 rounds, I have lost 4 EP to the unrelenting mental attacks, and 2, 3, 6 and 4 EP during the fight. OUCH. That’s a total of 19 EP. I am left with (CS 19, EP 4, WP 34). I wisely decide to seep a shot of Rendalim’s and my two vials of Laumspur and to munch on my clump of Laumspur (+6+2x4+3) to reach EP 21 again. DRAT. My legend won’t say I withstood the asssault of the Kleasa unharmed. I will mention a slight feeling of exhaustion. Take that Lone Wolf (who hasn’t met the Soul Eater yet, but hey).
The Klaesa suddenly increase in size and power (CS 19, EP 16, WP 29) when Tanith decide to sacrifice herself for me. THAT’S NOT WHAT I ASKED FOR, GIRL !!! Why didn’t you throw the barter-guy in the flame ? I don’t even know his name !!
Well, it’s done, and sadly I resume my journey, barely noticing the presence of the annoying cook (last time I checked, he was taking care of the meals) with me. I am so sad I forget to loot Tanith’s backpack, which is probably full of gifts from Jnana and Randalim (CS 19, EP 16, WP 28).

We spend the next night in a shack, where we wait quietly for a storm to pass by us (CS 19, EP 18, WP 29) while eating a Meal.

Noticing Jaku plants, we leave the border of the Azan river to head toward the Dragon’s Teeth. I decide to turn left toward the Shenwu Falls. Unfortunately, I am ambushed by Quokus. I try to go stealthily past them, but I have no Camouflage discipline (I guess the Shianti had planned to teach me that after the success of my quest ?) so I am attacked by a diving Quoku. During the fight, I notice the presence of that travelling merchant fighting at my side. I have met him already, but I can’t be arsed to remember who he is. He is no Tanith and that’s all that matters. I must substract 2 from my CS because he’s apparently not very good at fighting and his helps amount to nothing. That’s still a +5 CR fight against the Quoku. I choose to spend three WP to make it quick… and I roll a… 2. (CS 19, EP 15, WP 26). Even after losing 21 EP, the Quoku still stands. This time, I elect to spend 2 WP, I roll a 4, ending his life but taking another wound (CS 19, EP EP 12, WP 23). That last WP was wasted as he would have died anyway, but I wanted to ensure a 9+ result.

Since there are other Quoku around, and I have no healing left, I decide to run, firing my staff haphazardly (CS 19, EP 12, WP 21), notice that the merchant is about to become Quoku-food so I shout a warning, considering that I don’t know him that well and it’s not worth risking fighting at his side. I make the Leap of Death trying to cross a ravine. As my WP is high and I have Jnana’s Talisman of Luck, I roll 7+2+1 = 10 ! My Olympic level of jumping gets me across at the cost of 2 EP (CS 19, EP 10, WP 21). My strained ankle won’t be mentionned in my legend, I say while limping toward the Wall of Azakawa.

Remembering the merchant, I glance back. He’s afraid of jumping. I offer him to throw his backpack to me first, so no riches will be lost in case he doesn’t make it, quoting the famous Shianti proverb « Material riches are a burden that increase your load, and we are here to show you the way to get rid of them ». He thankfully accept my offer. I turn back to continue my way, and I hear in the distance the sound of a eating Quoku. « Failure befall on those who hesitate », I add, quoting Shianti wisdom twice in row.

I drink the merchant’s Laumspur and top off my Meals (CS 19, EP 12, WP 21). I decide to go toward the cliff, since I am trying to get on top the gorge. My head is fuzzy. I lose another EP while walking toward a crack in the cliff. I am sleepy. This isn’t suspicious at all. I enter the tunnel and light my way with my Staff (CS 19, EP 10, WP 19). I take a meal and sleep in the comfort of a cave. (CS 19, EP 14, WP 22). I ate the merchant’s meal. He had a strange taste in food, but I thank his soul for his gift. Too bad I never had the opportunity to ask his name. Perhaps I should use Évocation to summon his soul to know it ?
Well, I must keep my WP, so I decide against it.

I resume moving, take the next left path, burn a Mantiz soldier to death with 2 WP (I have nothing against them, but I dislike insects, so I squash them whenever I can). I wonder what it was doing inside the cave. I resume going upward since I am trying to CLIMB toward the top of the gorge. I go east, taking the first path as I often do, and I am led to fight another Mantiz (CS 19, EP 12, WP 20) that gnaws at my ankle. Bad, bad ankle.

At last I am seeling the light of the Sun. Blessed be Kai, the god of the Sun (I am pretty sure I’ve read about him in the Shianti library). Behind me, there is an entrance to a cave from which the Mantiz might emerge. I preemtively fire at them (CS 19, EP 12, WP 18). They don’t like it and since there are now HUNDREDS of Mantiz warriors after me, I decide to bravely make a run. A fearsome Cave Mantiz springs before me, he’d be an easy target but, inspired by my uncanny knowledge of the traps in this book, I know better than to spend 5 WP make sure I win quickly. I evade, taking, with a diceroll of 2, 3 EP. (CS 19, EP 9, WP 18). I reach the Kundi border and I must clear my way by spending my last WP into a nuclear-like devastation of the Mantiz army. It would be one of the best moment to elect to consume a Tarama seed and save 18 WP, but no, I feel it would be cheating (and also, it would probably break the character creation in the next book).

Ending score : CS 19, EP 12, WP 0). I’ll have to continue my quest in the next book, dealing with those strange Apemen of Lara. I am pretty sure Acarya mentionned them at some point, am I supposed to ask them something ?

HERE ENDS THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE LEGEND OF GREY STAR, CHAMPION OF LIGHT, HERO OF SOUTHERN MAGNAMUND, FUTURE RULER OF THE SHADAKINE EMPIRE.

Innocent casualties :
1. Two Shadakine LEOs on the docks.
2. A throng of Suhnese supporter of my short-lived dock-side revolution.
3. A thief I could have frightened with my Staff.
4. The whole population of the Hall of Corrections, from prisonners to kitchen staff, incluing the garrison except Magri.
5. The LEOs that died drowned pursuing me for my petty crimes in Suhn.

6. 20 Shadakine Border Force members who stopped the Durenese convoy in good faith.

7. Madim Rendalim and six guards, if they followed my advice. [There is a reason LW never meet him in Durenor...]

(Well, I have a naggling feeling I forgot someone on this list, traveling with me, but I can't really pinpoint anyone.

Intelligent people I've talked to and yet survived:

1. The Shadakine informant in the marketplace.

2. The priest in the Laughing Moon Inn.

3. Madam Tarlas.

4. Jnana the Wise (I considered pissing him off by using the Najin as target practice, but the loot opportunity is too good and it would make Tanith frown. I want her to smile all the time, like when I unleashed that undead army.

All in all, that's not a great result.

Backpack : 4 meals, Pestle and Mortar, Dagger, Broadsword
Money : 0 noble.
Special Items : jewelled dagger +1, Dagger, Medallion, 9 tarama seeds, Silver Charm.
Herb pouch : 5 vials, 1 vial salpeter, 1 vial sulphur, 1 vial alether.
Weapons : Dagger, Wizard Staff

[galantor]

Despite thinking it was intended to start that adventure with 0 WP, and benefits from the bonus 10 and additional Lesser Magick, I decide to follow Project Aon’s advice to keep my stats and just re-rolling and adding 30. I get an average 5, leading to the following starting stats : CS 19, EP 23, WP 35.. I choose Psychomancy as an additional power, since reading user’s manual is a chore and getting insight directly from objects sounds a good deal.

I pass the riddle with ease, then slip into deep slumber for three days. After that, I am assigned a senile Kundi as a guide. Apparently, the tribe of Lara is akin to Fremen : they send their old tribemember to die in the wilderness not to be a burden on the rest of their community. It is obvious they took my arrival as an opportunity : I am here to nuke Shasarak and wrestle the evil Shadakine Empire from his illegitimate hands, they had their homeland burnt to death by a tarama-powered Staff blast and they… don’t even give me items to help me in my quest ? It’s even worse than the Shianti !

So, on the road again. Thanks to Alchemy, I can collect some Azawood leaves. I am… sad, because I had a nice collection of empty vial. I discard one of them to get a single leaf. At Urik’s prompt, we take Ooslo Airways to fly toward our destination, and sure, soon we’re overflying the Gurlu Swamp. By being tied to a robe to the giant bird. I told you this man was senile !

As soon as I was concluding that we’d die in this unglorified way, a Shadakine hunting party shows up and tries to help us escaping the clutch of the Ooslo. They must have thought that we were captured by the bird to feed its chickens in the nest… I take this opportunity to untie the rope, hoping that the Kundi wouldn’t see me. I sprain my ankle again (CS 19, EP 21, WP 35) landing on an ooze patch. Unfortunately, the Kundi has seen me and followed suit.

A group of Shadakin passes by us. Since I am in a quicksand, I elect to stand still, because everyone knows that in quicksand, you don’t struggle : it’s the easiest way to drown. It’s just sand, not your Indiana Jones quicksand trap. I don’t need Kai Pathmanship to know that, there are enough books on survivalism in libraries !

After moving around in the bog, and being followed someetimes by the Shadakine hounds that I chose to ignore (why would I fight those Shadakine who tried to help me out of my predicament ?), and a sound I also choose to ignore (we’re on a quest, we must hurry !) we just make a stop to eat. Priorities !
Urik goes and gather food (CS 19, EP 22, WP 35) while I protest pointing at my ankle to do nothing and rest. He asks me to choose between a dangerous route and a safe route. Guess which one I took ? Heading to the safety of the Northwest, we keep walking and foraging tubers. I also spot enough herbs to create a Karmo potion. This awesome flower will double my EP and WP for the duration of a single fight. That will certainly be useful in case Lone Wolf, the series namesake, tries to kill me at some point in the future. I need a way to enhance my CS, but with 44 EP and 70 WP, I am pretty sure I’ll be able to withstand him. Unless I am insta-killed (20%) or deal no damage (20%), I can easily spend 30 WP per round. Even at best stats, LW never gets more than 44 EP, so that would have 50% of killing him outright. Since I assume he’ll hold the Sommerswerd, I won’t waste my time casting spells at him beforehand : there is a strong chance it would be blocked. I decide to keep it forever, alongside my trusty Alether potion, in case the worse happens. I fear notably, for some reason, that Lone Wolf would have to pry my Moonstone from my cold, dead hands at some point. Anyways, let’s get back to the quest. My deep thoughts have protected me from the incessant chatter of the Kundi, at least.

I easily avoid a swarm of Blood Nymphs thanks to a Yabari ointment. I must say that I am covered in Yabari ointment since I met Jnana – I am not aware of any circumstances in which the ointment ceases to take effect. I’ll probably smell of Yabari til the end of my days. From the corner of my eyes I can see the Kundi taking advantage of the Yabari : it must be his smell that attracted the Blood Nymphs in the first place.

Going forward, we meet a group of Shadakine slavers doing their business. It is certainly legal to own, buy and sell slaves in Karnali, so I guess I won’t interfere with legitimate business. On the other hand, my keen eyes have noticed that the slavemaster is using a red gem to command his slave, gigantic warrior with bulging muscles. I must make sure Tanith never sees this guy… and it against Shianti law to let magical item unlooted. I guess. I was never listening in history lessons.

I decide to use Sorcery, since I have Sorcery. I snuff the light out of the gem and command him to kill the slavemaster, hoping to kill two birds with the same stone. Unfortunately, the slavemaster doesn’t oppose any meaningful resistance and I blast the chain to free the slaves (CS 19, EP 21, WP 34).

After the fight, I am introduced to the Free League, led by Sado. I suppose they were the ones attacking the same slave caravan as me. I was so focussed on my shiny Mind Gem that I barely paid attention. They are revolting because history is unjust and they lost a war so they must now pay taxes to Shasarak. Life is though.

I am only interested when asked to help dealing with Karnali. As far as I know, all Shadakine cities are build around the same facilites : a Hall of Correction, with a Shadakine militia, and a Wytch holding a Kazim Stone. It tells me that the Shadakine Empire is very well organized and that I should endeavour to keep this level of order and organization when I come to rule it after defeating Shasarak. On the other hand, what I have done to Suhn, I can do to Karnali.
Destroying Shasarak’s servant will certainly help in the long run. So I accept to delay my quest (to be honest, I had forgotten about that whole New Moon, or was it Full Moon ?, business… and the Kundi didn’t remind me about it. I blame the Kundi.

I accept to lead my Free League troops to the fight. They are in no shape to besiege a walled city, so I decide to use Elementalism and unleash the power of Arson on the city. Releasing an undead army in Suhn was spectacular and I need to do even better this time. I know I could have used Alchemy (I spotted the Mustow seends everywhere… but honestly, choking your enemy with a bad odour isn’t fun enough, compared to… litterally blowing up the fortress with a wave of my hand, with the reminder of the Shadakine garrison fleeing the fiery death only to fall victim of my army of rebels. That’s 3 WP, but 3 WP well spent. (CS 19, EP 22, WP 31).

The fortress gone, I must concentrate my attention on the local Hall of Correction. The local Mother, called Niya, is using her Kazim Stone to rally the remainder of the troops. Last time, I broke a Kazim stone, this time I have my own toy to play with. Let’s one-up Mother Niya. I take the red gem out of my pocket and use Psychomancy on it to know how to power it up. It’s a WP well spent since I can now use the gem to mind control enemies. I am pretty sure that it would bypass Kai-Screen or Psi-Screen, since it can help me bypass a Kazim Stone easily. 2 WP later, I am seeing the room where Niya stands, besides Warward Kiro, the commander of the garnison. I must target the weaker of those two minds. Warward Kiro being certainly a master strategist, calm, collected and a practiced master of at least 17 martial arts, and Niya being a cackling granny, the answer is… Well, no, I was just kidding. Warward Kiro is sweating profusely, weakened by the fear of the wrath of Shasarak should he lose this battle.

Too bad. « Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate lead to suffering », says Shianti law. Or was it in another book from the Amida library ? I concentrate my powers on the general, ordering him to behead the Wytch. He’ll probably be stoned to death if the Free League conquer Karnali, but he’ll be put to death in a more painful ways for killing Mother Niya by order of Shasarak. This will lead him to much suffering, so somehow Shianti wisdom is solid ! Deprived of their supernatural boost, the remaining Shadakine defenders are soon killed to last.

I am informed that the path to the Shadow Gate passes through the city of Gyanima, the city of the Dead. I remember that I am on a timed quest and decide to leave after getting some sleep (CS 19, EP 23, WP 32). This time, my newfound ally offer me a part of the loot. Honestly, I can’t imagine they didn’t get anything more by looting Karnali than 5 meals (my backpack is full !) another backpack I can’t carry, so why should I find this useful… This isn’t Kazan-Oud, you can’t lose your backpack in this series ! Nonetheless I discard my old backpack in the forest to take the new one. I keep the sheath with the shortsword since I am collecting weapons. I am offered a mouldy, low power Laumspur potion that

I would like to leave to them because it’s sooo beneath me, and a coil of rope. Frankly ? That’s all they could find in the whole Karnali that could help me in my question That's even more insulting, so I keep the Laumspur, it will make a fine vial when I will have drunk the content.

I leave in disgust on the next day. Rebels are overrated. Once I am in power, I’ll outlaw the rebellion. We walk alongside the Belzar river while I take note for my imperial decree against the rebellion. On the road, we’re joined by Samu, a king who lost his kingdom to Shasarak. I guess he’ll be able to talk to the Kundi. With some luck, they’ll neutralize each other and I can keep daydreaming about Tanith.

At some point, they mention that we are followed. I couldn’t care less and decide we’ll make a camp for the night, after walking til the end of the day. During the night, the deposed king catches a thief. I decide we won’t kill him since, well, he hasn’t stolen anything. I accuse him of ambushing me in Karnali, though, and he confesses. He’s obviously totally moronic. He’ll make a perfect match from my king who lost his kingdom and Senile Apeman. We’re the opposite of the X-men.

Since my backpack is full and I don’t bother to ask the other if they have taken food with them, I decide that we’ll march on instead of starting to hunt. After some time, we’re followed by a Deathgaunt. We’re closing to the city of the Dead ! Using my necromantic power, I shield myself from the evil specter and we resume walking (CS 19, EP 23, WP 29). At night, I cast some azawood leaf to repel mosquito and specters.

I try to deam of Tanith, but I dream of Shasarak (CS 19, EP 21, WP 28) instead. I should eat less in the evening, it’s not good for my health. We march on, followed by Deathgaunts. Since they are getting closed, I order a forced march, and since sleeping costed me EP and WP, I prefer to keep going by night. Predicably, I lose 2 EP, but it’s better than dreaming of Shasarak, apparently. (CS 19, EP 19, WP 28).

We soon arrive in sight of Gyanima. There is an old bridge to cross, so obviously I go forward. Why should I worry about a bridge, suddenly, now, only because the book suggests that I can swim across the river instead – lol.

And behold, I cross the bridge with no incident.

Soon, we arrive at the gate of the city. There, we meet a guard asking for a password, despite, the gate being opened and destroyed for decades. I remember that this is a city of fool, those who have lost their mind. Maybe there is one of them who’s wielding a useless staff while pretending to seek the Moonstone ? Anyway I decide to keep going. We’re in reach of the Moonstone, and I won’t delay anymore.

Ignoring the man, he starts shrieking so I decide to silence him. That’s a +9 fight. I roll – hey it’s the first time that I roll in this book – a 4, a 1 and a 5. Ouch. I lost a total of 7 EP fighting this simpleton (CS 19, EP 12, WP 25). Next time, I’ll blast any opposition to smithereen by investing WP. Those fool will feel my fiery wrath.

I decide to seek shelter from an hostile crowd by running upstairs. They are probably too moronic to understand the concept of stairs and will just try to beat at the walls of the house, like zombies would. Unfortunately, the stairs crumble, and the floor with them. My ankle suffers again ! (CS 19, EP 11, WP 25). I am trapped at the bottom of a rumbled, collapsed house. I choose not to light my staff, because it would show my position to any search party. I eat a Meal in the rumble (yes, I have well-regulated eating habits) and wait for the night.

Suddenly the former king joins us and opens the door of the collapsed building. From the outside. I am informed by my party member that he fell in water when the briding on the Belzen river collapsed under his weight. How could I know, since I walked before him ? Anyway, we decide it’s time to leave. Back to the street of Gyanima I guess, for the bloody rematch.

I arrive at a building where they live, a once-stately building I must say. Time to blast away the ghastly court that lives there. Leaving a trail of blood and destruction, we go forward. At some point, a Mad guard ambushes me. Investing 5 WP, on this -1 fight – wow, he’s mad but ruthlessly effective ! – I roll a 4 and, phew, he looses 25 EP and is vaporized outright (CS 19, EP 8, WP 20). I could use some Laumspur there, so I drink my last, Freedom-League made Laumspur potention for a paltry +2 EP. They really shouldn’t pluck Laumspur flower and let the professionnals do it. (CS 19, EP 10, WP 20).

A second wave of courtier assemble, ready to be dissipated into a bloody haze by my trusty Staff. Investing 5 WP again, I roll a 8 on this +1 fight, enough to kill them twice in a single blow. I envision the whole building they were in being turned to rubbles as I suffer no injury in this one-sided fight.

Following Samu’s advice, I decide to exit the throneroom the courtier were in (or, at least, what little remain of this place after my display of power). Since my Endurance is 10 or more – exactly 10 I must say – I cross the archway without difficulty. I elect to turn right in the corridor, before being informed that Hugi is missing. After a quick conference with my team to try to remember who he was, conference during which I am informed that Samu is covered in gashing wounds from the earlier fights, and to which I answer that I never promised to provide healthcare coverage, saying that we Shianti do not understand the concept of monetary value, so we’re lightyears away from inventing insurance.

Anyway, I backtrack to the throneroom, hoping that I ddin’t mistakenly disintegrate him because he was quite difficult to distinguish from the mad courtier in the first place. Thank Ishir, we find that Hugi. He had find a passageway behind the throne !

We quickly arrive at a corridor carved in the bedrock of the Mountain of Morn. That’s good, because that’s where I am going. The way is barred by a wall of fire, nothing a water elemental couldn’t take care of. For some reason, I am not asked to spend WP for this use of magick, but I won’t complain.

Behind the throne was Shasarak former study. I shockingly realize that Shasarak is a Shianti. Well, it shocks me less and less the more I read this book they hey. I use Psychomancy to understand that the door is unlocked by the Black Rod of Shasarak, and I pass through the door. Why wouldn’t I ? (CS 19, EP 10, WP 14).

I take the path east to leave the study, plunder a backpack containing one golden tooth and 10 nobles (that’s a long time I hadn’t seen or had any money). I guess I picked correctly since we’re soon in the Desolation Plain. A Scre Wyrm (or was it a Scry Weerm ?) attacks us. I choose to ignore it as it coils around Samu. Since I am leaving this world in a few minutes, I don’t really know why I should care about Samu. He was half-dead anyway. I jump into one of the pits, since the Kundi is adamant that the gate is below our feet. I should have thrown him first…

I land… yes, on my ankle again (CS 19, EP 9, WP 13). I stumble toward the Gate. It is guarded by the Kleasa. I decide to strike at him with my staff. Yes, I know, but frankly, who would have the idea to throw the black rod at him without any foreknowledge ? Since the Kleasa is using her as a shield, after trying a little Mind Gem domination (CS 19, EP9, WP 11), I run out of option and decide to throw the black rod at the evil monster – seriously, was there a hint of this anywhere ?

I am at last reunited with Tanith, so I decide to cross the Shadow Gate. I am very fearful of this because whenever LW crosses a Shadow Gate, he suffers from atrocious pain and loss of up to 10 EP… but I am not inconvenienced in the least. I guess Shianti training beats Kai-Screen any day…


HERE ENDS THE SECOND CHAPTER OF THE LEGEND OF GREY STAR, CHAMPION OF LIGHT, HERO OF SOUTHERN MAGNAMUND.


This was a surprisingly peaceful segment of the adventure. Despite the second razing of Gyanima and the peacekeeping in Karnali (which implied a bloody fight in their street and a blaze taking over half the city starting in the garrison), most of the Free Guild warriors survived. The only noticeable casualty are, I guess, the old Kundi (last seen at the bottom of a Scree Wyrm pit), Samu (last seen with gashing wounds and strangled by a Scree Wyrm) and Hugi (last seen standing somewhere on the Desolation Plain, a highly toxic environment, and not seen jumping into the pit like I did. If I cared about their fate, I’d hope they will be fine, marry together and have many children. But frankly, I am with Tanith now, and that’s all that counts. Also, I am at least on the correct plane of existence to recover the Shianti uber-nuke they spoke of two books ago.



Backpack : 3 meals, Pestle and Mortar, Dagger, Broadsword
Money : 10 noble.
Special Items : jewelled dagger +1, Dagger, Medallion, 9 tarama seeds,  Silver Charm. Mind Gem. Sheath with Shortsword, Golden Tooth.
Herb pouch : 3 vials, 1 vial salpeter, 1 vial sulphur, 1 vial alether, 1 vial of Karmo.
Weapons : Dagger, Wizard Staff

[galantor]

I am standing on the doorstep of Daziarn, rolling my stats. Honestly, I am torn on this. CS 19, EP9, WP 11 doesn’t sound a _great_ way to start the book, compared to a new character. I still am convinced there is logic to keep your stats. The book tells us to re-roll everything. Project Aon suggests to keep CS and EP, but re-roll WP. On the other hand, a CS 19 is probably too great to keep, and maybe itw as intended to re-roll the stat at the beginning of every book, so it tended to average out over the four books ? I decide to follow the book and reroll. 1, 5, and 6, says diceroller. CS 11, EP 25, WP 36 will be the starting stats for this book. Being thrown into Daziarn made Grey Star much stronger and more resolute, but inept at using his staff, somehow.

Onward to the misty fields of Daziarn. Holding hands with Tanith, I cross some creepy tunnel with terrifying faces looking at us ominously, a vision that could turn a man insane… but not me, because apparently my WP shot up from 9 to 36 during this ordeal. I won’t mention my sudden lack of combative spirit.

We see a hunched man gliding across the plain and a building. Let’s go to the building. Too often, speaking with people lead to their death, and my newfound pacifist spirit doesn’t want to cause this wandering guy’s death by asking for direction.

Going toward the Crystal Tower, I decide to investigate the strange holes in the ground. I take note of Tanith’s observation that they must be gateways between plane. Being such a smart girl (and good looking) I’ll dutifully take her opinion for truth.

I try to put my hand into the hole, just in case my WP goes up again ? Unfortunately the only result is that I can’t feel my hand. Strange experience. It lends credential to the opinion that those are gates between worlds as well. Let’s continue toward civilization.

The crystal towers appears to lack any distinctive feature at ground level. Except a plaque that tells us in no uncertain terms to move counterclockwise around the tower to see the Vanishing door. Doing as instructed, we reach the door. 5 keys are attached to it. Using Psychomancy (CS 11, EP 25, WP 35) I decide to learn more about those keys. I reach out for the Dragon key, and suddenly, the huge shadow cast by a dragon overtake us. I can see it in the « sunless sky » -- so I wonder what exactly is causing this huge shadow, in fact. While I am concentrating on this interesting optical conundrum, Tanith proposes to deal with the Dragon. Go, girl ! I’ve always followed anything you said, anyway. She utters a spell and command the dragon to stay still.

Wait-a-minute !. ALL the dragon except Nyxator were killed by Naar false dragons in time before the Moonstone. Nyxator was himself killed long ago by Agarash. My girl is able to command dragons without a strain Just by uttering a chant and maybe spending 1 or 2 WP ? History tells us those are false dragons, like Vaxagore (CS 56, EP 52). I think I was wise not to do anything to anger Tanith.

I decide to speak with the dragon. He asks me « Little Wizard,’ he says in a deep, rumbling voice, ‘thy friend hath mastered a dragon. What more couldst thou seek to achieve? » Before I can answer « well, marry her, and also wrestle the evil Shadakine empire from Shasarak’s grasp after mastering the power of the Moonstone » he informs me that itw as a rhetorical question. Oops. He suggests that I read the plaque above the door, then départs. The book asks me if I want to keep the Dragon-summoning key. WOW it’s not a one-use item Of course I’ll keep my infinite-dragon-making key.

The riddle above the door obviously tells me to use the Serpent key. I choose to keep all the remaining keys after the Serpent one disappear and to entrust them to Tanith. She’ll be more efficient controlling the summoned creatures in the future. I am pretty sure, when the inevitable showdown with Lone Wolf happens, that weakening him with a fight with Vaxagore will be useful. Especially if I protect Vaxagore with a Sorcery Shield against arrows. I really don’t know where that idea comes form, but I strangely feel that my pet dragon should really beware of arrows. I also get the sad feeling that the book won’t let me unleash my dragon again at enemies… Sad, so sad.

We enter the Crystal Tower, and since the answer to everything has so far be written on it albeit in a cryptic way, I choose to read what’s written at my feet. I am supposed to walk only on odd-numbered flagstones. We cross the checkerboard without too much hassle. I enter a mirrored room, keep forward, see statues representing lifelike adventurers, think basilisk in a classical D&D fashion, keep going forward, see a « lizard », backtrack to the mirror room yawning. So predictable.

My performance was apprently displayed on Academician TV, since the inhabitants of this tower are gathering to applaud me ! Since they are often bothered by peddlar, they have devised a set of mortal traps to prevent them from reaching their door. That’s smart. We chat a lot and my new friends ask me to get them a Threnogem from the Singing City.

Everything was going fine when they started to insist to keep Tanith hostage. Given her newfond ability to summon dragon I wouldn’t call her threat to crush the Academicians like toad if they don’t behave an « angry bluff »…

I am offered a choice of equipment, including a backpack they can see I already have – why is everyone insisting that I take their crummy backpacks… I decide to discard a Meal to take a Spear. My weapon fetish.

I climb aboard the Ethetron. Following the lead of the Gironome, I decide to fly slower, reach a black hole and enter one them, since they are gateways between worlds and probably to this Singing City. After uttering a Shianti prayer (CS 11, EP 25, WP 36 again…) I am emboldened and see no reason to flow. Rolling a 4 on diceroller, I am able to land the Ethetron cleanly.

A party of Elessin is heading my way. As I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the rambling of the Academicians, I don’t really remember what they said about me, only that I must bring back a Threnogem. They offer to guide me to the Singing City, so I thankfully follow them. They lead me to their supreme commander, to whom I explain my quest freely. I wonder why Mother Magri didn’t bother to ask questions before interrogating me… Anyway, he explains the legend of their people (that doesn’t concern me in the least, give me your Threnogem or die…) and asks me to take the Statue with the gem in her mouth. Why not ?

I get back to the Crystal Tower, only to discover that the Academicians have given custody of Tanith to someone looking like me. Hey… I guess she is a Backpack item after all. I should have explained the Dragon plan in more details. Anyway, I leave the researchers to their own device, and for some reason their tower is destroyed in the background as I leave their plane of existence. One, I should have paid attention to the Elessi legends. Second, I had actually talked to the Academicians before, so I can see that my Doom Causing Technique works well in Daziarn as well. The Elessi leader was wise to use telepathy to communicate with me, saved by a technicality.

Led by the Gyronome 2.0, I enter a realm made of pure chaos. If I hadn’t been trained in Enchantment, I would have become mad, but instead I quickly dispell the illusions with a yawn of disinterest. The Chaosmaster, a nice chap playing with his illusions, informs me that I am currently in the Realm of Paradox and that he can help me find Tanith if I accept to pay his fees. Well, I was afraid I’d have to kill this guy, but he’s very nice. Behold the power of civilized behaviour. I’ll erect a statue to the Chaos Master in my future capital city of Shadaki if he can really help me find Tanith. Hey, I might invite him to our wedding…

True to his words, not only does he summon Tanith (and someone that is really looking like me, only less handsome) but he also explains to me the path leading to the Moonstone. In return, I must carry the guy with me. He is, I am told, also named Grey Star. There can be only one, though, and while I have promised to take Grey Star with me, I have never promised to keep him with me. At the earliest opportunity, as soon as we hit some turbulences, I blast him with my Staff, and Tanith pushes overboard. Teamwork at its best.

Going through the Moaning Mountain, I enter the Vale of Peace. People in this realm have a strange way of naming places. It is, however, an apt name since we can easily find yummy berries to feast upon. I could add 2 to my EP, but to my surprise… I haven’t actually been in a dangerous situation since I crossed the Shadow Gate. Daziarn is like Japan, the safest place in the multiverse. (CS 11, EP 25, WP 36). I also notice a bush of Senera. Chewing one of buds can give me a WP, but

I an also mix potions giving 5 WP. I decide to empty my vial of sulphur and salpeter, I have three already empty vials, that’s 5. I guess I could empty by alether and my Karmo potion, but I’d feel naked without the safety of being able to add 2 to my CS and double my EP and WP for a single fight. So, I only brew 5 potions out of the buds, and I gulp them in a row. (CS 11, EP 25, WP 61). Tanith also identify a clump of Laumspur, that I keep for later, discarding one of my empty vials.

After all this herb gathering, We spend the night « without incident » with Tanith (CS 11, EP 25, WP 62). We continue following the road and notice a village ablaze. I decide to help the villagers, despite their welcome that I find much less warm than the cinders of their former homes, by calling on a Water Elemental (CS 11, EP 25, WP 61). The other Grey Star arrives, insults me, and leave. He had probably talked to the villagers, so they had to die and he release the elemental power of fire upon them. He’s very similar to me, actually. I spend the night in the village, invited by the local Elders (also, they must know I can reverse my spell, so they had better accept my as their benevolent overlord). I rest well (CS 11, EP 25, WP 64). On the next day, they lead Tanith and I toward the next Shadow Gate. I am asked to add my CS and WP, that’s… 75. So, yes, it’s more than 15. Actually, it’s five times 15. I keep control of my flying ship, The Shooting Star – I see no reason to keep its original name, and also I can’t be bothered to remember what it was called anyway. We are currently being attacked by… Eyestalks with mouths ? Am I in the Realm of Ebriety ?

Anyway I decide to maneuver past those monstrous things. I do the CS and WP routine again, this time the difficulty is 16. I am not really sure I even noticed the eyestalks as I set course toward the Shianti Moonstone Repository. On the way, we’re attacked by flying Chaos-birds. I intend to strike them with the power of fire, Taklakot-style, but the rules of this plane as a little unstable and I apparently summon a storm instead. On the plus side, it disperses the flock of agressive swans.

On the minus side, a buffet of wind sends my ship crashing on the Shianti secret base.

My WP is, of course, vastly above 9. so I have no problem landing and I enter the resting place of the Moonstone. I explore the corridor, and I see Tanith and the other Grey Star (I thought he was dead but I must confess that I am not really paying attention to my travelling companions besides Tanith). I prepare to fight the Jakhksa – I thought his name was Grey Star – as he jumps toward me, but Tanith asks me to stop. I obey immediately, throwing my staff on the floor. The other Grey Star unleash a Staff Blast toward me, but it is absorbed by the Moonstone’s power. Wow. It is protecting me of hostile magic… Useful item ! I take it into my custody, along with the rest of the building.

HERE ENDS THE THIRD CHAPTER OF THE LEGEND OF GREY STAR, CHAMPION OF LIGHT, HERO OF SOUTHERN MAGNAMUND, DUKE OF THE VALE OF PEACE, OWNER OF THE TRIANON.

I end the adventure unharmed, I don’t think I fought during this book and my ankle didn't suffer much. I don’t think I ever lost an EP (CS 11, EP 25, WP 64). I think there is only one instance, max, where I rolled a die. Business as usual, everyone who talked to me (Jahksha, Academicians) without resorting to telepathy died, except Tanith and Chaosmaster. Admittedly, it’s linked to the fact that I don’t think I spoke to a lot of people in the whole book.

Backpack : 2 meals, Pestle and Mortar, Dagger, Broadsword, Spear.
Money : 10 noble.
Special Items : jewelled dagger +1, Dagger, Medallion, 9 tarama seeds, Silver Charm. Mind Gem. Sheath with Shortsword, Golden Tooth. Eagle key, Wolf Key, Spider Key, Dragon Key (all in Tanith’s pockets). A Moonstone.
Herb pouch : 4 vials, clump of salpter, 1 vial alether, 1 vial of Karmo.
Weapons : Dagger, Wizard Staff