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Nye's Song |
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Robert Douglas Mon Jan 6 16:10:38 2014 |
@ Andre, Thanks for the helpful link. And I only hope other people aren't easily hurt by harsh reviews. I will say however that my frustration was also caused by feedback from certain readers: one fellow decided I had offended the Romany people in some way (oh, and HOW exactly? Autumn and her people knew of a holy melody to defy the undead thus a good chance of saving humanity...). I still scratch my head in puzzlement at that one. On the other hand, if I leave out characters from other cultures, I'd be branded arrogantly patriotic with little time for alternative traditions and customs. Just can't win with some people. In 'Below Zero Point' I try to include as many diverse backgrounds as I can fit in. Mainly because it makes the character more interesting, plus reminding readers that Earth Federation is comprised of different nations yet combined towards a common goal. The politics works a little bit like the separate states of a federalized USA (state lines, jurisdiction, local autonomy, etc, although there's still a kind of global Interpol for the most dangerous of criminals while the military arms are drawn from all nations). One other reader decided to go on about my misuse of the word 'indifferent'. "Fine," I reply, raising my hands to the mistake, "but what about the rest of the adventure? The story, the characters, the gameplay?" Narrow-minded hammer concentrates on a lone nail, I sigh. The only problem is that, in their defence, writers and artists are forced into a rant thus making themselves look guilty. It's a hopeless task putting the world to rights. |
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john Thu Jan 9 15:06:25 2014 
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quite a bit of fun, if a little confusing at the start. |
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Mike R. Sat Jun 14 05:58:14 2014
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Another awesome adventure I just did my first run through and met my end fairly quick, but I'm digging the theme! |
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Mike R. Sat Jun 14 06:47:50 2014 
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Finished it on the fourth run through, this one was enjoyable, but too short for my taste. |
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Robert Douglas Sat Jun 14 10:07:39 2014 |
@ Mike R, Glad you enjoyed it, Mike. I must apologize for the short length of Nye's Song - it was originally designed for the Windhammer Competition - but despite this actually I could have written a bit more. I was a bit over-neurotic about violating the guideline restrictions when it came to max word-count. On the other hand, I can always write a much lengthier sequel set in the world of the Blight. The adventure did become a bit linear during their escape from the manor house, not to mention too many test rolls, and less player choice in direction. In the meantime, I've got another story lined up for the Windhammer 2014. I enjoy taking part in what is a big and important gamebook event. Sadly, however, I'm not allowed to use FF rules; any future Windhammer entrants featured on FF Project would likely have an author-devised system (unless it's an older entry or altered version). I've put my main project (Sean Calibre Book 2) on hold while I've been studying a TA course. |
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Sunni Fri Jul 11 09:14:33 2014 |
Got stuck on 103. After killing 12 (!) zombies, the entry just says "You survive the onslaught. The dreadnought is now repaired and operational." without any other options |
| Fixed. |
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Robert Douglas Fri Jul 11 16:58:33 2014 |
@ Sunni, Bit of a mystery that. Perhaps Andy can look into it sometime? |
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Paia Thu Jul 31 21:43:13 2014
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Well, I had a really confused game. So I was just pressing tandom highlited words. And at the end I died and I was just prssing Fight fight. And I died and It was sad :( ;( |
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Robert Douglas Sun Aug 10 21:17:40 2014 |
@ Paia, Sorry you had a bad experience with Nye's Song. |
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ann marie Thu Sep 4 10:42:23 2014
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this is ok |
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Richard Evans Thu Dec 4 00:56:50 2014
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Great fun; I was at bit lost about what was actually happening at first, but I soon got the gist. |
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Mowen Thu Dec 4 11:49:19 2014
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How do I get the Endurance to actually win the battle with the Kali-Cloaks? I've done it 6 times now and it's been the same result. |
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You're unlikely to beat the Kali-Cloaks unless
SPOILER
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Stinger Mon Dec 29 23:07:19 2014
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This was my first try at this action packed story, I really enjoied it! After the ten zombie battles and surviving, I figured, "yay! We're home free!" ... NOT! :) I just got unlucky at the end, and made the wrong decition. At least I went out in a blaze of... glory? Thanks for the entertainment. |
| Thanks for the comments, glad you enjoyed it. |
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Nobleman Sat May 16 12:34:48 2015
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Keeping it brief, this is one amazing gamebook, packed with thrills and clever twists all the way through. |
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Robert Douglas Wed May 20 13:52:09 2015 |
@ Nobleman, Thanks, glad you survived. I have to admit that during writing I should have limited die rolls and given the player more choice. Also, I'm not sure why I did 90 instead of 100 refs. But still some people enjoyed it - which is all good. Perhaps one day I'll expand on the Blight universe, but for now I'm busy with my Windhammer 2015 entry and Sean Calibre Book 2. |
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Rafał Thu Mar 9 13:36:49 2017
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This is super gamebook but what song is? In this game is bard? i can't go next but death haha thanks for this book. |
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Robert Douglas Mon Mar 13 17:31:18 2017 |
Autumn Moon is a 'blues maiden', she performs a variety of songs - including the divine melody - on her fiddle. Upon successful conclusion SPOILER: she dedicates her latest work to Captain William Nye, hence the title. |
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bluejuice915 Wed Mar 15 19:39:56 2017
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This book is stupid. Yes, the plot starts out good, and it has good choices, but one things makes it awful, the skill tests. Yours are ok depending on how high you start out, but they are repeated far too frequently. The tests during the Kali-Cloak fight, and the fight itself, are absolutely absurd. The gunner's skill is 10, tested against 3 dice, giving success odds of 1/2. Each of the 5 KCs have skill of 8, tested against 2 dice, giving success odds of about .72. This is ridiculous. Given you lose if they score 12 hits against you, I have estimated your success odds to be less than 1/4. I'd like to see someone calculate them accurately since I lost at least 7 times. This had a lot of potential, but threw it away. I will not grade this like I do the other books. |
| There is a way to tip the battle in your favour. If you make the right choices early on you have a better than even chance of success. |
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Migo Fri Apr 28 10:29:19 2017
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Not bad, quite luck-driven and short, however. Is the story based on some RPG setting or another fantasy world? I can't place it if it is, but it's certainly interesting. |
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Robert Douglas Sat Apr 29 18:49:58 2017 |
It's based on a short story I'd posted to Alternate Gateway Worlds turn of the millennium. The Blight universe is my own creation. |
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JS Tue May 2 08:03:18 2017
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nice touch! |
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RogueOne Thu Oct 19 20:56:33 2017
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Done! |
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Robert Douglas Thu Oct 19 21:39:46 2017 |
...And done! As Homer Simpson often says. Well done! Says I. Bloody burnt!...said the baking lady to King Alfred. |
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Robert Douglas Thu May 17 15:29:46 2018 |
@ Francisco, Thanks! It was probably not my best effort but it was fun to write, and I reckon the concept was sound. I hoping there will be more to come from the Blight universe... |
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paul Wed Mar 20 16:49:42 2019
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whoops, should have fought hand-to-hand :( |
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Robert Douglas Thu Mar 21 15:28:22 2019 |
You're probably referring to
SPOILER
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Duncan D Tue Oct 22 23:39:05 2019
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I have to say I love the premise of this one, it's really creative the world it builds and the atmosphere created is great but what's the deal with the ending? You do everything right then when you get into the tank you just click test this and test that and die! I've gotten to the tank with maximum stamina without losing a single man and I just keep dying and I have absolutely no control over it! I don't know what the Endurance gunners skill is, I don't know how many hits the Endurance can take and no decision or action I take influences the end. That (major) gripe aside it's really interesting to have men as well as skill and stamina and this is a very well though out and executed RPG. |
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Duncan D Wed Oct 23 00:23:19 2019 |
I have to say I love the premise and atmosphere of this story. One of its great strengths is its original storyline and I particularly like having a platoon of men (I had no problem figuring out the numbers of men) under my command, although it means a perfectionist like me has to run through the whole story repeatedly so I didn't lose a single man. Having said that I think Robster and bluejuice195 have some fair points in that it was thoroughly enjoyable until you get to the bit where you just click test skill for some gunners (although you don't know their skill) and then test skill for some Kali spectre's (although you don't know how many hits the Endurance can take) until you die and while Mowen's comments are helpful in completing the adventure they make no sense at the time you come to that portion of the gamebook. That annoyance aside I hugely enjoyed this adventure and hope to see more of the same again, ideally involving Captan Nye and his crew. |
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Steve Sun Nov 24 17:50:00 2019
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I had to cheat a bit to save the Endurance but it was a fun playing and had a unique atmosphere to the storyline. Thanks for the module. |
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Steve Sun Nov 24 18:00:50 2019
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Ah tricky :) I made it this time without cheating (but I did read a spoiler!) |
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John Thu Feb 13 22:35:26 2020 |
Came back to this after a while, and really enjoyed another playthrough: I picked up a lot more of the background this time. The link to Kali's Count earlier in this thread was a real hidden gem; that, plus a few of the other posts, lends a lot of depth to the setting, and I for one am definitely hoping for another work in this universe. |
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AC Mon Mar 21 16:41:55 2022
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Well written and absorbing |
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AC Mon Mar 21 16:50:30 2022
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Play 2: Excellent. Ever thought of writing for 2000 AD? |
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Robert Douglas Mon Mar 21 21:32:36 2022 |
Hi AC, not really my scene. I did once try with a short story to Interzone, but no luck. However, I have had a local story published in a local newspaper, and another broadcast on the local radio. Oddly, I find it easier writing gamebooks rather than straightforward stories - and they're more fun to do! The story kind of falls into place, some parts I plan prior to starting, but much of what I write slots into place, much like a jigsaw puzzle. However, I do enjoy reading the occasional short story and I've got quite a few favourite authors on the shelf, such as Bernard Cornwell, Peter F Hamilton, and John Wyndham. Saying that, my own writing has been on temporary hold over the past few years due to a Bookwormathon (not sure if that's an actual word, but if not then I'd like it to be) that has, thus far, encompassed thirty two books over the past five years! Although someday I might return to the alternate history steampunk horror setting, personally I don't think Nye's Song is my best effort, but thanks for the kind comments though :) |
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Rappe Sat Oct 29 20:02:15 2022 |
Whats the point of a skill test if you still die after you suceede? |
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YARD Sun Aug 20 10:38:49 2023 |
Heh, it's funny that this story by Robert Douglas has practically the same number of comments as another, slightly newer one, Any Port in a Storm. I have already commented on its page that I prefer this story a lot more, and the reasons why. I suppose I'll add just a couple more thoughts: 1) In multiple comments, the author says that the way to make The Sequence easier is to go through the church first. The thing is, not only are there still considerable odds of failing even then, but doesn't that also
SPOILER
2) I'm not sure if the title image was picked by the author or FFProject, but it's rather misleading, since it shows a Mark tank, yet from the description, the Dreadnought is actually a wheeled APC? Well, more like a wheeled IFV which somehow fits three turrets with 40mm guns yet can still only shoot down one ghost at a time (this in spite of 40mm being a relatively small caliber best known for being used in the legendary anti-air Bofors autocannons all the way back during WW2!) but I think you get my point. Either way, this is actually one of those stories on FFP where I would like to see more set in its world. |
| I found the image. It's more effort than you realise to track down images without any details contradicted in some way by the text, so you shouldn't be too surprised. |
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