Continuing on with solo playthrough of Advanced Fighting Fantasy 2e, Following on from the Starting Scenes.
Advanced fighting fantasy 2e solo - intro | start | partway | finish
Disclosure - I'm a DriveThru RPG affiliate
Thoughts on Advanced Fighting Fantasy 2e
aff2e thoughts | solo tools | scenes | char, extras, threads
Continuing on from last time's notes. Combat was swift and brutal in this adventure. When Fireborn is prepared she's quite capable.
Nothing much to add this time! It's a good sign when the system doesn't need much explanation or thinking about.
Solo Tools - Knave 2e Tables and Fiction Book as Inspiration
aff2e thoughts | solo tools | scenes | char, extras, threads
This time I started used random tables from Knave 2e. These are solid, with lots of useful tables with excellent results.
Then for the second part I used a fiction book. When I needed prompts I flicked through the book and chose two words at random. Or the nearest interesting one. I was using the horror gamebook Nightscape.
If you want to do the same, choose a book that suits the style of game you are using, choosing pages (and sections) at random for inspiration. For Sci-fi maybe it's Dune, for grim fantasy something by Joe Abercrombie or for naval fantasy the Liveship Traders by Robin Hobb.
Adventures of Fireborn
aff2e thoughts | solo tools | scenes | char, extras, threads
Continuing from Starting Scenes of Fireborn. And the ending Threads and Extras.
Scene 8 - Watching the Cultists
"Strange times make for strange allies. I'll use my magic to find Lydia, and rescuing her should lead me nearer to Crystal. Being my companion seems to lead many into trouble. "
(Scene as expected, Fireborn on 16/20 magic points); Warned by their scouts, Fireborn and her allies watch the cultists, waiting for opportunity. Lydia is probably in a pit guarded by cultists, near the ruins of a tower. Carried on a palanquin by four cultists, a small winged imp arrives, bearing the symbol of a fountain. A leader of cultists.
Fireborn and allies rotate a watch, playing cards to pass the time. During conversation with Zara, find the Sun Shrine has enemies known as the Axefall Guard, six elite warriors who serve a demonic axe. They could be ones who capture Crystal.
(Event - a Thread is Closed: C, find out more about Hollows). Zara has a book, "The Hollows of Havoc, a History", written by a priest of Glatanka. Fireborn free to peruse it when she has time.
The imp and palanquin bearers depart, leaving a few cultists to guard pit alongside a large hound with fiery eyes, a hellhound. Imp overhead telling saying something about "The Prepared will be ready for the Fountain". Fireborn and allies get ready to attack.
Threads and Extras: Removed thread C) Find out more about Hollows of Havoc and thread J) Find out great evil Glatanka temple set to destroy. Added Extras of M) Imp of the Fountain, Slaang, carried on palanquin, leads cultists; N) Axefall Guard, knights who serve demonic axe and hope to take over the Hollows.
Scene 9 - Killing the Cultists
"It appears Crystal's fate might be connected to another magical axe. Speaking of axes, time to combine magic and metal to free a friend."
(Scene change - Extras involved - people of Engelric's keep; Fireborn: 16 of 20 magic points). The two scouts with Fireborn and Zara introduce themselves as Clovis and Alma, originally from Engelric's Keep. Have been away and hope to visit home again soon. Zara Sunscar will play no part in the coming fight, but will heal allied companions.
Fireborn sneaks up through the trees, prepares her battle magic, then opens up with fear, sending one cultist fleeing and another follows.
(Event - Thread Progress, E - find out who breeds lizards). As Fireborn attacks, a huge lizard emerges from the ruins, and bounds after the scouts. Fireborn battles two remaining cultists and hellhound, who are confused by her mirror images. She slays them after a brief battle with only a small wound. And finds Clovis and Alma have taken care of the lizard.
Free Lydia from pit, as well as another. A smuggler called Baxton. Find a few things, including a name on the lizard collar. Then head back tp Sun Shrine.
Threads and Extras: Removed thread K) rescue Lydia. Added Extras - O) Baxton, chiselled face smuggler from Engelric's Fort, betrayed by the cultists
Scene 10 - Planning at the Temple
"Lydia is understandably quiet, but Baxton seems talkative. These cultists worship some kind of Fountain, but no-one seems knows much more about them. There are several factions in the Hollows, and I hope Crystal has survived them somehow."
(Scene as expected; Fireborn: 9 of 20 magic points). Back at the Sun Shrine everyone rests. Lydia scared by experience.
(Event - Thread made Harder; B) fate of Crystal) Speak to Baxton, who supplied ogres and others in Hollows, but betrayed by cultists. Heard that Crystal and other of her companions were sold to goblins, but doesn't know which group or much more about them. Talking to Baxton alone, Fireborn learns about ghosts who fear the temple of Glatanka. He supplied them with stones, via an ancient road from town of Owlsby. Last time he was ambushed by the cultists on way in.
Talks to Zara, finds out one group of goblins, the Bloodhair Clan, serves one of the Axefall Guard. They are best lead for fate of Crystal. Other goblins serve Chaos.
(Event - Thread Closed, I) Find out who Adelbart connected to in Hollows). A Glatanka faithful confirms that Adelbart is part of Fountain cultists, from item he had when they captured him. Fireborn agrees to help Zara in attack on the Bloodhair clan. But first she plans to escort Baxton to the ogres, after promising to help him too. After resting she and Baxton read to go alongside a scout.
Threads and Extras: Removed thread I) Adelbart connection. Updated Threads B) Fate of Crystal; Added Threads: L) Discover fate of Lydia's Brother, M) find out what ghosts trying to build with stone. N) Help Baxton smuggle wagon, if it makes sense. Added Extras - P) Ghosts, building something, serve deity, foes of cultists; Q) Goblins, lead by Axefall Knight, Bloodhair Clan; R) Goblins, enemies of Axefall.
Scene 11 - Baxton and the Ogres
"A chaos demon, priests of Glatanka, ogres at the mine, warriors called the Axefall Guard, cultists who worship a fountain, goblins allied and goblins enemies of the Axefall Guard and ghosts of an unknown god trying to build something. It's a whole mess in the Hollows..."
(Scene as expected and an event - An Important Find. Fireborn is at full). With Baxton and the scout Alma, approach ogres mine. Nearby, they discover tracks and a canyon with burnt offerings to various demons. Fireborn spots same symbol that slew Sir Shannon. Also find ogre footprints here. Note down location to explore another time.
At the mines, an ogre sentry fetches their leader. Turnblade the Dreamer dresses in well-made ogre-sized clothes in a fashion popular a few years ago in nearby cities.
(Event - Extras Positive - Adelbart). Receives them in a lounge, where well-dressed humans attend them, but chained to another ogre. After talking of events at Shrine of the Sun, Baxton asks for help with stone or another wagon. However, Turnblade is a friend of Adelbart (Extras G) and will only help Baxton when Adelbart brought to the ogre leader.
Outside the mine, Fireborn offers a depressed Baxton a place alongside her in adventures and he agrees.
(Event - A Boon Occurs). An ogre calls them back to the mines. There Turnblade gifts Fireborn with an ornate elven longbow, that belonged to Crystal. Got it from Bloodhair goblins, but knows no more. Fireborn thanks him and promises to visit again. They try to follow tracks leading from the canyon they had found, but have no luck
(Event - Positive for Extras; D - Cobb). As they return to trail, encounter Cobb with mules, wood and an ogre guard. Explains they have wooden furniture and luxury objects for Turnblade, who pays well. Chat and move on.
Threads and Extras: Added Threads: P) Find out who makes demon offerings in ogre canyon. Added Extras: S) Turnblade the Dreamer, ogre leader, descendent of Gwyr the Golden. Dresses in human clothes, friend of Adelbart. Fireborn gained Second Sight as a skill.
Expected next scene - Fireborn and companions try to free goblin slaves
Characters and Adventure Notes
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Fireborn Ridlaire
Elf female. Unpredictable, independent, guardian of the dead, grew up with a fear of trees.
SKILL 6, STAMINA 10, LUCK 8, MAGIC 6. Magic Points - 20
Skills - Axes 2 (8), Bows 2 (8), Dodge 1 (7), Forest Lore 1 (9†), Knowledge Special Skills (all) 0 (8†), Languages (Common Speech) 2 (10†), Languages (Elven) 4 (12†), Lockpicking 1 (7), Magic (Minor) - 3 (9), Magic - Wizardry 2 (8), Magic Lore 1 (7), Second Sight 1 (7), Sneaking 1 (7), Underground Lore 1 (9†)
Talents - Dark Seeing, Learned† (+2 to knowledge special skills)
Minor Spells - Attraction, Dry, Extinguish, Glimmer, Hold, Instil, Noise, Pied Piper, Ripen
Wizardry Spells - Fear (1), Find (4), Gills (4), Ironhand (1), Lock(1), Mirror Selves (2), Sleep (2), Ward (1)
Equipment - Spellbook, battle axe (3/3/3/3/4/4/5), ornate elven longbow (2/3/3/3/3/4/5), backpack, provisions worth 1 meals, potion of Magic, 8 gp, lantern and oil, (longsword and large shield, kept on Nicodemus)
Companion - Nicodemus the Riding Lizard (colourful, camouflage, can defend self, Skill 6, Stamina 7)
Threads
- B) Discover who Crystal sold to in Hollows and if alive
- E) Find out who keeps lizard pets/mounts in Engelric's Keep and why
- G) Find where spider-goblin went
- L) Discover fate of Lydia's brother
- M) Find out what ghosts trying to build with stone
- N) Help Baxton smuggle wagon if it makes sense
- O) Help Zara attack on Bloodhair goblins, by trying to free slaves/captives
- P) Find out who makes demon offerings in ogre canyon.
Extras
Those with [F] are a faction of the Hollows of Havoc
- A) Emberfall, elf plant-mage, cousin of Fireborn, tall, strange pets, house in Port Blacksand, one arm is vines.
- B) People of Engelric Keep.
- C) Crystal. Seeks fame above all else. Elf warrior, adventurous, distant cousin of Emberfall, lead adventurers
- D) Cobb. Wielder of Axe of Shipbuilding, owns lumber company, former mercenary, large, good-natured. Carpentry for Turnblade the Dreamer
- F) Spider-goblin. Mage, ally/servant of Shannon and demon of chaos
- G) Adelbart. Armed, desperate, priest of Donall (Logaan the Trickster) at Engelric's Keep, from Port Blacksand. Cultist of the Fountain, Was ally of Sir Shannon. Prisoner of Shrine of the Sun,
- H) Lydia the Sharp. Knife thrower, traveling entertainer, searching for brother who was lost with Crystal.
- I) Ogres of gold mine [F]. Led by Turnblade the Dreamer, descendant of Gwyar the Golden.
- J) Zara Sunscour. Noble, priest of Glatanka, rich, gold, petite
- K) Followers of Glatanka [F]. At Shrine of the Sun. Foes of Axefall Guard, Include scouts Clovis + Alma from Engelric's Fort.
- L) Cultists of the Hollows [F]. Fountain worshippers.
- M) Imp of the Fountain. Slaang, chameleon, carried on a palanquin, leads cultists.
- N) Axefall Guard [F]. Six knights who serve an demonic axe and hope to take over Hollows
- O) Baxton. Smuggler, chiselled face, from Engelric's Fort, betrayed by cultists, agreed to help Fireborn for money.
- P) Ghosts [F]. Building something, serve deity, foes of L) Cultists
- Q) Bloodhair Clan [F]. Goblins lead by an Axefall Knight.
- R) Goblins [F]. Enemies of Axefall Guard
- S) Turnblade the Dreamer. Ogre leader, descendent of Gwyar the Golden, dressed in human clothes, friend of Adelbart.
Finishing Up
Should complete writeup tomorrow! I'm liking the revised format for the scenes. No idea the challenges that face Fireborn next!