Nods, Robert. I managed to convince the Chief Inspector as well, while still getting the best ending. A prequel would be excellent, maybe you could incorporate Typhoon Mary into the story somehow.
john Fri Feb 10 17:21:50 2012
I just finished curse of Drumer. That was quite an excellent read. It was really nice to see another long tail on the site, and the whole feel of the book was very wel done. I had read something about a prequel here, and personally, I feel that you could get something out of the whole tail of the house catching fire (perhaps using Terry's sister as the main character). Any thoughts?
Robert Douglas Fri Feb 10 20:59:48 2012
@ Jordan and John,
I'm intrigued as to who Typhoon Mary is...I'll do a bit of 'net researching into that later on!
The matter of a prequel is at the discussion stage - but a serious one, nonetheless. In fact, the other day I sent an email off to Brunel University, asking for (Professor) Steve Jackson to give his insight on Drumer's family tree, etc. Since Kelnor (Earl of Drumer) is his creation, I really wanted his permission for a go-ahead and any good ideas to contribute.
I'm probably being a bit hopeful for a response - he's a very busy man, and besides: I don't think he wants to return to Fighting Fantasy. After 'Creature of Havoc', he wrote 'The Trolltooth Wars' novel, then a departure from FF altogether to do F.I.S.T (telephone adventures), before going on to computerised games (Lionhead). He's proud of FF, his gamebooks have earned valuable merits, even some good memories to boot...but still the past. He strikes me as a man who moves on, looks ahead to the future. Still, it's worth a try.
John, your idea of using Nel (Terry's sister) is interesting - yet
SPOILER
as confirmed in entry #400 of COD, she had indeed perished. It's possible her restless spirit desires justice upon other demonic 'hot-spots' in the world, circumstances similar to that of 'Night of the Necromancer'. In this case, it would be a sequel which would depart from House of Hell's setting. Terry could return as a redoubtable, corporeal ally to his sister.
END SPOILER
SPOILER
The Order of Saint Erik could also have a hand in things...
END SPOILER
We'll have to wait and see. If Steve Jackson doesn't respond, then we'll have to discuss it further, take it from there...
Jordan Sat Feb 11 23:14:24 2012
As you've probably discovered, I made a typo in regards to Mary. It's Typhoid Mary, not Typhoon, as I'd originally put. In short, she lived during the 1800's, and was responsible for infecting at least 53 people with typhoid fever while working as a cook, and three of those people died. I'm sure you could make her story more creepier than it already is. After all, what if she had in fact infected a lot more than 53 people, and what if it wasn't typhoid at all, but the symptoms of Droomer's curse? She could perhaps be a cohort of Droomer, infecting people with the curse in preparation for all kinds of shivery cult horrors. In any case, I'm looking forward to whatever you decide. You're a great writer, thanks so much for allowing Andy to put your story online. Talk to you soon!
Robert Douglas Sun Feb 12 16:03:11 2012
@ Jordan
It's okay, I realized what you meant when I looked it up (although there is something called 'Typhoon Mary'!)
Your idea has merit - and we could use it in some way. But I want to keep these events very localized. Whatever happens, whether the hero survives or not, whether he saves a plague-afflicted town or not...it mustn't affect the events of 'House of Horror' (Gaetano's prequel) and 'House of Hell'. If it goes on to spread across the country, then the world, it will instigate an alternate timeline. Future events as we know it won't come to pass. However, Drumer's ancestors - or at least the Black Night Brotherhood - will have a hand in it, and perhaps the centuries old Order of Saint Erik. That would be the link. Whatever the case, it will be matter of personal survival for the hero. He's simply caught up in a localized pestilence that's doomed to fail whatever his fate.
However, I'm not against sequels/prequels in alternate history. On a message board (going back years ago) someone mentioned their idea for a gamebook plot: that the quest against Razaak had failed, and a form of resistance gathers around the wizard Yaztromo. That person's name escapes me - but a possible title for this gamebook could be 'Reign of Razaak', or 'Emperor Razaak I'!
Robert Douglas Fri Feb 17 18:23:05 2012
Hello, it's all gone very quiet...
john Fri Feb 17 20:21:58 2012
Hi Robert, I just read your message, and figured I'd clarify what I meant. I'm not familiar with House of Hell, and don't remember House of Horror well, so correct me if this already was spoken for, but taking COD as a stand-alone story, the first thing I thought of was that Nell had been the one responsible for the house burning down. That's what I meant by her being the main character, success would end in the house being burnt down.
Robert Douglas Sat Feb 18 02:06:00 2012
@ John
SPOILER
Nel was one of the prisoners held in House of Hell's cellars. She didn't start the fire - the player was the actual cause of it during the final battle! If you haven't played House of Hell, I don't want to spoil it for you (or anyone else) even further. However, in COD, her brother Terry hoped (in vain) she survived somehow - in truth, he hasn't come to terms with the loss of his sister. Entry 400 confirms that, sadly, she didn't survive.
END SPOILER
I didn't want COD as a stand-alone; it's a sequel that's linked to the events of House of Hell. Some of its characters return in COD, others don't. It wouldn't make sense,
SPOILER
if Nel had actually survived...then where is she? Why is she still missing, after all these months? COD's storyline could have taken one of several directions: having the player cast as Nel was one possibility (admittedly, one which I didn't think of before writing). During writing, I did toy with the idea of having Nel survive, play a part in COD's events, having her reunited with Terry, and so on. But: she'd have to be pretty resourceful to escape the cell, tough enough to defeat the guards, avoid the flames with dextrous ease...something that HOH didn't describe in her character at all. The fire caused House of Hell's floors to collapse into the cellars; her survival a short-lived one at best: suffocation by fire or buried alive under tons of rubble. A very sad but realistic decision I had to make concerning her fate. Still, I felt most sympathetic towards Terry!
END SPOILER
the weird writer. Wed Mar 14 00:49:28 2012
I need some help with The Curse Of Drumer. does anyone know how to dolve that clock puzzel?
Robert Douglas Fri Mar 16 13:11:26 2012
@ The Weird Writer,
Hi, the
SPOILER
'Dark One' is identifiied by its number '666'. Just select '6' each time.
END SPOILER
C-Star Sat Jul 7 16:29:20 2012
Oh and almost forgot Curse of Drumer. Loved the atmosphere and the story in it. The word 'bonnie' that they kept saying confused me for a while though. Was that real 80's slang?
Robert Douglas Mon Jul 16 12:47:43 2012
Hi All!
I'd just like to say, again, thanks for the positive comments concerning 'The Curse of Drumer'. It's a big uplift for authors who have given much of their time and effort towards a project shared with fans alike.
However, for certain reasons, I'll no longer be contributing to the Fighting Fantasy Website. But I'm more than happy to send future projects to FF Project - not to mention Windhammer of this, and next year.
In the meantime, if you have any comments or suggestions regarding any of my adventures, I'd gladly receive them. Flaws to my gameplay or style I'd approach with a constructive attitude - I actually quite enjoy learning from mistakes!
Robert Douglas Sun Jul 29 20:46:38 2012
@ C-Star,
No, bonnie is a Scottish term for 'great' or, 'fantastic' ie: 'We had a bonnie time at Mrs Miggins!' - at least I hope it is, or I'm embarrassed to have got it wrong! If that's so: my apologies to all Scots folk. Not sure if many Scottish people actually said it in the 80's. But in TCOD Jimmy grew up as more of a traditionalist.
Southern Irish equivalent would be 'grand', ie: 'I've sold all of my produce!' 'Ah, that's grand, so it is!' I can't help but think of Patrick Harper from the Sharpe series!
Anyway, glad you enjoyed TCOD :)
C-Star Sun Jul 29 23:35:14 2012
Yeah Irish people actually say 'grand' or 'sound' or 'class' as terms for good. I should know cause I am Irish! We have a lot of weird slang like that. We're usually drunk when we come up with these words...
I truly enjoyed Curse of Drumer. You made the book into a real thriller.
SPOILER
That part near the beginning where you are trapped in the torture chamber with acolytes busting in the door was a particular highlight.
END SPOILER
The numerous descriptions of escapes from various demons and creatures add serious excitement to the story. The various interesting characters and their interactions with each other also breathed life into the book.
SPOILER
The two guys slaging each other off while trying to escape the graveyard was a little bit weird though imo.
END SPOILER
I also liked the main character's criminal background as it's different to the usual generic hero character you're handed that doesn't say anything or have a personality at all.
I think you've mentioned this before already, but I noticed that there isn't really many branching pathways in this book. This isn't a complaint though; it stops the book suffering from "Wrong Way You Die" syndrome that gamebooks tend to suffer from (I'm looking at you, House of Horror). The narrative did a great job of storytelling this path too.
Robert Douglas Mon Jul 30 13:10:15 2012
@ C-Star,
Thanks for the comments. I wanted to make TCOD slightly different to House of Hell's claustrophobic atmosphere, yet
SPOILER
it was important for some of the characters to return for reasons of continuity.
END SPOILER
It's true I concentrated more on exciting encounters, in-depth characters, and a more detailed, colourful storyline as opposed to a myriad of paths. Items were also kept to a minimum compared to most other gamebooks (unlike my own Snakeland Scorpion and Prison of Pestilence). Like yourself, I've never been a fan of the 'knife-edge' route, where wandering off you die.
SPOILER
TCOD is a little more forgiving, where the player must roll dice again, or some form of penalty is exacted rather than instant death!
END SPOILER
However, neither is it too easy
SPOILER
the player has a choice of two weapons to locate (and it's impossible to find both of them in the same playthrough). Lacking either one results in automatic failure.
END SPOILER
However,
SPOILER
not sure if I made a mistake over the Lycanthropy disease: being a victim of this actually helps in certain situations; players could actually miss out if they're 'lucky' to not being infected! Still, there's an ultimate price to pay - unless they can find the cure...
END SPOILER
As to the
SPOILER
banter between Terry and Richard during the rescue and escape, it was my intention to create a sense of urgency and panic, sprinkled with a little humour, maintaining those human qualities amidst all the horrific goings-on.
END SPOILER
Thanks for the comments and please keep them coming! :) By the way, day after tomorrow, I'm sending my Windhammer entry to Chronicles of Arborell.
Exciting times!!
C-Star Wed Aug 1 19:48:00 2012
And did you say there were two magical weapons? I only knew about Hreinleika. And I never knew about the disease either! Guess a second playthrough is in order at some point.
Robert Douglas Thu Aug 2 10:09:27 2012
@ C-Star,
SPOILER
Yes, Hreinleika is perhaps more obvious than the other. I struggled coming up with a plausible excuse for all these divine weapons turning up in modern-day Britain. Let's just say the second one is hidden.
END SPOILER
If you want a clue,
SPOILER
it can be found somewhere on the route opposed to visiting Maddesby's place. It also has somewhat different origins to the more 'Christian' Hreinleika. In other words: you don't have to find Maddesby's Notes within the Church (and, if found, the player still has a choice whether to use them or not).
END SPOILER
Good luck in finding the mysterious weapon! :)
I've also received a mail from Wayne Densley - Chronicles of Arborell webmeister. He confirmed that my gamebook entry meets Windhammer Competition requirements. However, I believe all entries will be posted for viewing around 17th September (when the Voting phase begins). Or, they could be posted as they come in. Not quite sure how it works.
Haoie Wed Aug 15 05:16:11 2012
Anyone know the clock code for Curse of Drumer? I just can't figure it out! Puzzles, not my forte.
Robert Douglas Wed Aug 15 23:09:00 2012
Hi Haoie,
SPOILER
You have to select 6, then 6 again, then 6 for the third time. On this version, there's actually a section of text which confuses the issue - unless you're playing the version to be found on Fighting Fantasy Website, in which case it's halved to result '333'. In this case, however, you type in three 6s.
END SPOILER
It's meant to be the symbollic number of the Fallen One, or...the Devil!