[AD&D Gamebook] The Sorcerer's Crown (Kingdom of Sorcery, book 2 of 3)

[Jfdlsjfd]

Another interesting session, though I don't see what the magical effect of the spell was used for. They were looking for contraband. Which is logical since there is an established history of smuggling of goods. But we don't have contraband. And why wouldn't they want to enjoy a bardic show without us using magic to convince them?

Anyway, I was surprised that we're described as Native. Why are the archcleric's guard not native themselves and where do they come from? If anything, we're half Delmer, so how could be we native Kandian (while suppoedly Dalris isn't, unless comely trumps native).

 

[Joshua Randall]

They were looking for contraband. [...] But we don't have contraband.

We are the contraband. No one is supposed to leave Seagate Island... unless you're fishing, I guess?....
It's vague. (And I'm not being coy.)

And why wouldn't they want to enjoy a bardic show without us using magic to convince them?

In theory there is a military blockade of... waves hands vaguely... all of Seagate Island? just the waters around Saven "for its protection"?

The implication seems to be that a "war galley" should not stop for a bardic concert, and then should DEFINITELY not personally row the bard and her boyfriend (and their invisible pseudodragon) to shore in Saven.

I was surprised that we're described as Native.

Me too! Which is why I quoted that exact phrase from the book. Give yourself a gold star for noticing it.

Why are the archcleric's guard not native themselves and where do they come from?

A good question. I legitimately do not remember if we ever get more insight into the complex native vs. non-native politics of (Ti)Kandia.

 

[Joshua Randall]

100

Dalris leads us through Saven [we DEFINITELY want to stay behind her, wink wink nudge nudge] "using shadowy alleys and shortcuts only a professional thief would know." Several times a shadow detaches itself from the surrounding shadows, only to fade back, shadow-like, into the shadows when Dalris speaks a few shadowy words in a shadowy dialect we don’t know. [Language Matters!]

In response to our question, Dalris advises us not to take these shadowy shortcuts unless we know Thieves’ Cant. Duly noted!

Eventually Dalris points into the shadowy darkness ahead and tells us we have reached the back of the Saven cathedral. We see a high stone wall surrounding a full block of the city. Beyond stands the steeple of "the most ancient church devoted to the archcleric’s sect."

Unimpressed by the architecture, we ask if there is a tavern around here at which we can rest and find out "if" Arno is here.

(67) Dalris suggests we pretend to be "pilgrims from the Kandian highlands" and go in the front door.
(127) Although we could instead gather some info before we go inside.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Commentary:

We see a high stone wall surrounding a full block of the city. Beyond stands the steeple of "the most ancient church devoted to the archcleric’s sect."

Is there a reason Morris Simon doesn't simply write that it is the church of Blessed Dyan? That epithet and name have already been established earlier in the book.

Dalris suggests we pretend to be "pilgrims from the Kandian highlands" and go in the front door.

A feeling of déjà vu comes over us and we sense that BLUNDERING IN THE FRONT DOOR is a terrible idea. Besides, this is D&D. If there is a tavern, we are duty bound to gather information there.

Also, note the subtle world-building here. The Kandians who live in and around the Wealwood follow druidic nature-y ways, but the Kandians who live in the highlands worship Blessed Dyan and come to Saven to visit the cathedral. (And the… not-Kandians?… who live on Seagate Island have ancestor worship.)

 

[Joshua Randall]

127

The Moonstar Tavern is just across the cobblestone street from the front entrance of Saven’s cathedral. It’s the most popular inn for all the Tikandia pilgrims who come to worship at the ancient structure.

We get a table near the window where we can keep an eye on the cathedral.

[Woah woah woah. This is FAR too sensible for OUR Carr Delling with his WIS 3.]

Dalris orders ale and cheese, wishing to avoid whatever dubious meats the cook has dumped into the communal pot.

We “sip on some light wine” because we are “following our father’s rules for keeping [our] senses sharp while spellcasting.” We do however order two bowls of greasy stew [!]. We sneak them down to the floor one by one for Rufyl to eat. He slurps them up and telepathically advises us to order another bowl and tip the serving woman well because they haven’t been busy for a long time.

We order yet more stew and tell Dalris what Rufyl thinks. Dalris points out there are only “a dozen or so regulars. Something’s wrong, Carr, and it has something to do with the cathedral.”

Outside we can see “scores” of people entering the cathedral, but “it’s too dark to see if they are actually worshippers.” We comment that the archcleric is packing in the faithful.

Dalris leans over the window and tries to wipe a clean spot before we are interrupted by a strong masculine voice.

“Filth is all around you in Saven,” he says.

[We] twist around to face a tall, muscular man in his late twenties. His hair is meticulously barbered, as is his clipped military moustache. He's wearing a fine horseman's cloak of split-suede leather secured at the throat by a silver chain. You see the dull glint of mail beneath the cloak and notice the silver spurs of a cavalier on his polished boots. Everything about the man reminds of a professional soldier of the highest social standing.

He asks if he can join us as we appear to have “more than a passing interest in the nightly procession of the faithful.”

Rufyl mentally warns us that the man is a paladin who is wondering if we are an enemy. A glance at Dalris tells us that she also received Rufyl’s telepathic warning.

(149) to invite the stranger to sit with us, or
(44) if we don’t want to talk to him.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Commentary:

The Moonstar Tavern is just across the cobblestone street from the front entrance of Saven’s cathedral.

I absolutely love that the den of sin is directly across the street from the house of God. (And yes, I know that happens in real life, too.)

We “sip on some light wine” because we are “following our father’s rules for keeping [our] senses sharp while spellcasting.”

Our father died shortly after we were born, so we definitely didn’t learn that rule from him firsthand. Our mother forbade us to learn magic, so we probably didn’t learn that rule from her. Does this mean we learned Landor’s rules for non-inebriated spellcasting from Landor’s spellbooks? If so -- What kind of weirdo writes that kind of thing down in his spellbooks?!

We do however order two bowls of greasy stew.
[…]
We order yet more stew….

There is nothing in this scene about money changing hands so I am going to proclaim that all three bowls are FREE STEW!

Outside we can see “scores” of people entering the cathedral, but “it’s too dark to see if they are actually worshippers.”

Who the heck else would be going into the cathedral at night in so many numbers? A bunch of priests there to elect the next pope?!

Rufyl mentally warns us that the man is a paladin who is wondering if we are an enemy.

Thank you, Rufyl. That is extremely helpful information that you volunteered without being asked.

No, I’m not being sarcastic!

[We] twist around to face a tall, muscular man in his late twenties. His hair is meticulously barbered, as is his clipped military moustache.

Whomever this guy is, he has perfect hair AND a moustache. We immediately experience such profound jealousy it is like a physical blow.

 

[Jfdlsjfd]

Commentary:

The Moonstar Tavern is just across the cobblestone street from the front entrance of Saven’s cathedral.

I absolutely love that the den of sin is directly across the street from the house of God. (And yes, I know that happens in real life, too.)

This is the church of Bob Dylan. They have a history with alcohol.

We “sip on some light wine”

Because Dalris' choice of a lager was too strong for our wimpy, scrawny Carr? When I was a teenager, it was the girls who drank sweet wine and us boys tried to impress them by ordering stronger things like beer, to look more adult and mature.

because we are “following our father’s rules for keeping [our] senses sharp while spellcasting.”

Our father died shortly after we were born, so we definitely didn’t learn that rule from him firsthand. Our mother forbade us to learn magic, so we probably didn’t learn that rule from her. Does this mean we learned Landor’s rules for non-inebriated spellcasting from Landor’s spellbooks? If so -- What kind of weirdo writes that kind of thing down in his spellbooks?!

The kind that is teaching the likes of Thayne who need to be reminded constantly not to play with magically warded items while under influence?

The annotation in the margin of the book maybe was written especially for that one.

We do however order two bowls of greasy stew.
[…]
We order yet more stew….

There is nothing in this scene about money changing hands so I am going to proclaim that all three bowls are FREE STEW!

So, we're ordering cheese for us while the 4 feet-tall Rufyl eats 3 bowls of greasy stew? No surprise he's becoming larger and larger.

Outside we can see “scores” of people entering the cathedral, but “it’s too dark to see if they are actually worshippers.”

Who the heck else would be going into the cathedral at night in so many numbers? A bunch of priests there to elect the next pope?!

There is also the strange remark about the inn being very very empty. Abnormally so. Well, they are being BLOCKADED. Where do they expect visitor to come from?

Rufyl mentally warns us that the man is a paladin who is wondering if we are an enemy.

And therefore, he announces himself by going to seat next to the girl and her native boyfriend, despite being in an half-empty common room.

[We] twist around to face a tall, muscular man in his late twenties. His hair is meticulously barbered, as is his clipped military moustache.

Whomever this guy is, he has perfect hair AND a moustache. We immediately experience such profound jealousy it is like a physical blow.

Go away, we're trying to get laid here!

 

[Joshua Randall]

Because Dalris' choice of a lager was too strong for our wimpy, scrawny Carr? When I was a teenager, it was the girls who drank sweet wine and us boys tried to impress them by ordering stronger things like beer, to look more adult and mature.

I would bet that is intentionally the vibe, here. Carr has been established as effete and bookish, while Dalris is tough and world-wise.

So, we're ordering cheese for us while the 4 feet-tall Rufyl eats 3 bowls of greasy stew? No surprise he's becoming larger and larger.

I LOL'd so hard at this!

There is also the strange remark about the inn being very very empty. Abnormally so. Well, they are being BLOCKADED. Where do they expect visitor to come from?

The interior of Tikandia, the highlands, where the Kandian pilgrims normally come from? Maybe?
Although as we're eventually to find out, there is another, non-blockade reason not as many people come here any more....

Go away, we're trying to get laid here!

Damn right! Curse this older 20-something with his perfect hair and his nice moustache and his fancy spurs. Next thing you know he'll start flirting with Dalris.

 

[Joshua Randall]

We know that Arno has corrupted the paladins, but this still seems like a great opportunity to gather some information firsthand. Plus, anyone with a description that elaborate must be an important NPC.

149

We urge the “handsome young cavalier” to sit and share our greasy FREE STEW with us. [But, given this section never mentions anyone eating, we must assume that Rufyl ate it already.]

The cavalier glowers darkly at Dalris, studying her native buckskins and the distinctive black braid hanging to her waist. Most men find her supple curves and hazel eyes irresistible, but this one doesn’t seem to notice her wild beauty. In fact, he pays more attention to the enchanted bardian flute stuck in her belt.

He asks if it’s a Kandian instrument and does Dalris “compose, or merely play?”

“Both,” Dalris replies, blushing under her “deeply tanned cheeks,” because it is quite embarrassing when a man you just met asks you about your instrument.

Rufyl warns us both telepathically that the man knows about Dalris’s magical flute as well as our Deeppockets cloak.

The cavalier notes that though our dress is traditional, “[our] speech is not. Could it be that [we’re] more than a simple Kandian minstrel?” The corner of his clipped moustache is curled in the slightest of smiles, and his dark eyes sparkle in pleasure at this confrontation.

(205) if we brought the Sceptre of Bhukod with us;
(89) if not.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Commentary:

Most men find her supple curves and hazel eyes irresistible…

I know I do!

Also, “supple curves”? Yowza!

… this one doesn’t seem to notice her wild beauty. In fact, he pays more attention to the enchanted bardian flute stuck in her belt.

”Wild beauty” is officially Dalris’s catchphrase.

But the so far unnamed paladin is more interested in her flute. Well, it was 1986 and things were different, but we should retain an open mind about who’s attracted to whom and who has what kind of magical equipment.