Addictive. Frustrated trying to get 1000 (only could get 800) and relieved to finally get it. Will try for BWE next though the 1/6 chance is tough! Thank you Ulysses!
Djinni Tue Jun 24 15:00:20 2014
I recall another guest describe the writing as atmospheric and that is an important part of the enjoyment here. Reminds me of the Blood Sword series!
kane Wed Jul 30 22:49:36 2014
awesome that is boss xd
Moris Wed Aug 20 16:56:43 2014
Okay, so, you are a profesional freelancer who guards people for money and you start the game with a... dagger. And in the begining it is said that thanks you earn enough money from your last campain, but obviously they are not enough buying you good weapon. And armor. Author, how old are you? You will guard people only with dagger. This is so naive....
Stuart Lloyd Wed Aug 20 19:40:59 2014
I prefer the dagger as it does not have an attack strength penalty. It gives me a better chance against the skill 12 orc.
Z Mon Aug 25 18:00:38 2014
Class
kitkat! Sun Jan 18 09:29:22 2015
after everything i just died from a flipping guard going into the dungeons! watt
darkatx Fri Feb 6 21:47:35 2015
This is one helluva wild ride! This is definitely worth the read...something more serious in tone from this author - definitely will be reading his lighter material. Got a fan in me! Well done! :)
Tammy Sat Feb 7 03:28:04 2015
I really enjoyed this adventure too :)
Ulysses Sat Feb 7 04:15:00 2015
Thanks darkatx and Tammy.
ffproject Mon Feb 9 18:09:18 2015
The Diamond Key - Additional Challenges
Previously I introduced the 'additional challenge' mechanism to Sharkbait's Revenge and Isle Of The Cyclops. Now I've done the same for The Diamond Key. The challenges are mainly the ones suggested by Ulysses here and here but I've added a couple more. Despite what I said back then, it is now possible to get three fireswords.
You initiate the challenges by reaching the best ending in the usual way. Then, following the CONGRATULATIONS message you are presented with an ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES link. Click on this and you go back to the start of the game, but you now have a checklist of challenges to work your way through. It doesn't matter if you die on any subsequent attempt, you can keep going round and round until you are successful.
Did multiple runs to get all challenges done, and found an oddity:
In the list of remaining challenges at end of game, the Unicorn challenge was noted as Done, while it hadn't been (and was not marked as Done in the list of challenges on the right).
Fixed. And congratulations on completing all the challenges.
meschlum Fri Apr 3 21:12:19 2015
Completed The Diamond Key challenges, posted a comment, and nothing turned up!
(copy and paste answer from January)
When a message is posted, certain automatic checks are made on its content. The point of this is to stop spam, which has at various times in the past been a problem. The checks are not perfect unfortunately, and sometimes a perfectly good message (like yours just now) is flagged as suspicious. In such cases the message is hidden until I get round to looking at it.
Ulysses Sat Apr 4 01:17:59 2015
Well done, meschlum! Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for reading.
Montefeltro Mon Sep 28 21:39:07 2015
Firstly, what an excellent idea for a site. I have only just come across it, and it makes a lot of sense. All the mechanics seem to work smoothly, and I'd happily trade the ability to use luck in battles for a programme that keeps automatic track of all my stats and possessions.
And as for this story, I was highly impressed. Most importantly the prose reads nicely without straining for effect, and the writer has an eye for little humanising details of character which elevates it above simple dungeon-crawling. The plot is involving and features some difficult tactical choices, plus there are some deftly-sketched settings (I particularly liked the orc copycat-state going through the motions of tax collection and other 'civilised' activities whilst still remaining half-savage). The tweaked rule mechanics seem to work well, though on the broader 'gaming' side I'd say the difficulty level of it might be a bit too hard; on my first attempt I died two pages in, in a hopeless fight against two armoured warriors joint-attacking me whilst toting about 40 stamina points between them. I haven't played through multiple times though, so am not in a position to judge the overall game balance.
All in all, well done.
David Dilks Sun Oct 18 21:50:30 2015
This is an excellent adventure! It took me a while to finish it but I got there. The whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
Rafael Wed Nov 18 14:24:32 2015
This game is very interesting. best regards
Mikeee Mon Jan 25 00:17:05 2016
Feeling pretty good about attaining nearly all the additional challenges, but cannot find any way to get the white goddess one. I feel I've tried everything, but obviously not!
SPOILER
I assume I need to use the arcane scroll on something, but cannot find anything to summon her with.
END SPOILER
Also, is it even possible to defeat the first pair of 'Rocky Hills' soldiers at the start of the story?
Mikeee Mon Jan 25 12:09:37 2016
Right, made some progress with the White Goddess challenge....
SPOILER
I've got the figurine and the arcane scroll, but no option to summon her.
END SPOILER
Hmmm....
Brilliant adventure, by the way. Best I've played.
Mikeee Mon Jan 25 13:54:03 2016
Yay! Finished it.
Thanks for a great story, and the additional challanges really did challenge!
I appreciate the the time and effort that goes into a work like this, so thanks again, and good luck with future projects.