I’ve talked a bit in this series about encounter design. The Pit of Moander works well for it’s lack of encounter design. Or, rather, a designed lack of encounters – specifically random encounters.
Continue reading “GBP – Azure Bonds #9: Pit of Moander”
After completing Yulash and reaching the entrance to the Pit of Moander (see next blog post), I got to thinking about how to deal with this game’s money problem – in terms of the whole encumbered by cash issue. Aside from not giving cash encumbrance values, that is. And I thought of this based on Yulash, the Pit, and where we’re going to be going to next – Zhentil Keep.
Continue reading “GBP – Azure Bonds #8: Yulash”
No, I haven’t forgotten this project.
Continue reading “GBP – Azure Bonds #7: Road to Yulash”
When we last left off, through a fit of impulsiveness, I had advanced the party into a cut-scene trigger that routed us to the top of the Wizard’s tower.
Continue reading “GBP – Curse of the Azure Bonds #6: The Wizard’s Tower”
The Cave of the Dracolich is, thus far, the our first really big “exam” dungeon. Lots of random encounters with Drow, who may have some good equipment, but which all disintegrates outside of the dungeon – and I do mean lots of random encounters.
Continue reading “GBP – Curse of the Azure Bonds #5: The Cave of the Dracolich”
Last time we reached the town of Hap, our first step towards getting free of another of our magical bonds – but rested on the outskirts. Now, it is time to head into the city.
Continue reading “GBP – Curse of the Azure Bonds #4: Liberation of Hap”
On leaving Tilverton, Curse of the Azure Bonds finally opens up – sort of. We now have a larger world to travel through, but we’re still somewhat limited by what quest flags are available to trigger.
Continue reading “GBP – Curse of the Azure Bonds #3: Road to Hap”
When we last left Curse of the Azure Bonds we were set on something of an introductory railroad, as we were given a little time to get some gear in town, before being thrust into a series of combats, followed by a flight to the Thieves Guild after our party discovered that a variety of dark conspiracies had tattooed us with some marks that let them control us.
Continue reading “GBP – Curse of the Azure Bonds #2: Sewers and Fire Knives Lair”
This week I’m giving my thoughts on the first of the Gold Box games, Pool of Radiance, after the conclusion of the first part of my Let’s Play, which I didn’t capture gameplay footage of this time, so this review is going to be strictly a talking-head review.
Continue reading “Pool of Radiance: Video Game Review”
So, because I played a lot of Pool of Radiance back in the day, I will admit that I kind of rushed through that game to a degree. Mainly, that was because this was a project where what I really wanted to do was get into uncharted territory, and at long last, I’ve done so, with Curse of the Azure Bonds.
Continue reading “GBP – Curse of the Azure Bonds #1: Tilverton City & Thieves Guild”
We now, at last, come to the largest and final area of the game – Valjevo Castle, the home of Tyranthraxus.
Continue reading “GBP: Pool of Radiance Part 12 – Valjevo Castle”
The Koval Mansion isn’t the last City Hex we have to go – Stojenow Gate and Valjevo Castle still remain. However, it is the last city hex we have a quest for – and indeed there are no official quests for those areas, so theoretically we can just push through right now. But, first, let’s get this last city hex.
Continue reading “GBP: Pool of Radiance Part 11 – Kovel Mansion”
These two city hexes are effectively linked, in the sense that one cannot be cleared without the other, and both are light on fixed encounters, so I’m covering them here in one combined post.
Continue reading “GBP: Pool of Radiance Part 10 – Wealthy Area and the Temple of Bane”
The Valhaigen Graveyard is probably one of the more frustrating parts of the game thus far, and definitely, one that I probably could not have beaten had I not been using the Gold Box Companion software. It’s also one where I’m probably going to misspell the name of the area repeatedly as I make my way through the article.
Continue reading “GBP: Pool of Radiance Part 9 – Valhaigen Graveyard”
With the Belt of Giant Strength, at last we can bash through the doors of Mendor’s Library and get this quest completed!
Continue reading “Gold Box Playthrough: Pool of Radiance Part 8 – Mendor’s Library”
This time I’m getting into something slightly different. I ordered a copy of the tabletop RPG adaptation of Pool of Radiance, titled Ruins of Adventure, and while I’m getting through the next chunk of the game, I figure this is a good time to talk about that.
Continue reading “Gold Box Playthrough: Pool of Radiance Part 7 – Ruins of Adventure”
I’m still not particularly able to pick the locks (or force the door) to Mendor’s Library, so when it comes to the main body of the city, this means we’re moving on to the Cadorna Textile House quest.
Continue reading “Gold Box Playthrough: Pool of Radiance Part 6 – Cadorna Textile House”
After clearing Podol Plaza, I tried to get into Mendor’s Library again, only to not be able to get in due to failing my open lock and break down door checks. So, to grind up further, I decided to go take care of clearing Podol Plaza, and dealing with some of the remaining fixed encounters there and in Kuto’s Well, to grind some additional XP. While I’m doing this, I thought I’d talk a little bit about how I’m playing this game.
Continue reading “GBP: Pool of Radiance – Part 5 (How I’m Playing This)”
After taking care of the bandits in Kuto’s Well, you’ve got a few options ahead of you. In order to reach the Cadorna’s Textile House, you have to go through either Mendor’s Library or Podol Plaza. You also get your first quest specific party member here – a quest to liberate the Temple of Il-Mater, which has been defiled into being a Temple of Bane on the other side of the river. This gets you a sixth party member, the cleric who is carrying out this quest – and he’ll stick with you until you complete the quest. Which means he’ll stay with you for any other quests you do between then and now – so that quest can wait.
Continue reading “GBP: Pool of Radiance – Part 4 (Podol Plaza)”
Once Sokal Keep has been cleared, now you’ve gotten the attention of the government of New Phlan – as the room behind the counselor opens up, and Junior Counselor Cadorna asks to meet with you. Cadorna is one of the few NPCs in the game with a truly unique character portrait – one that wasn’t created with the portrait system that you would have used … Continue reading GBP: Pool of Radiance – Part 3 (Kuto’s Well)
After you’ve cleared the Slums – in terms of quest goals, you have a few new options. On the one hand, you can continue inland to Kuto’s Well. On the other, you can now travel out to Sokol Keep out in the bay around the city. With this comes a bunch of new quest goals as well. One quest goal tasks the party with spying … Continue reading GBP: Pool of Radiance – Part 2 (Sokol Keep)
Recently, in addition to the games that I’ve been playing for my usual Let’s Plays, I’ve also been playing the original Pool of Radiance as part of a planned playthrough of the Forgotten Realms Gold Box games. Since I can’t really engage with something without getting analytical, I figured I might as well give my thoughts on it as I go through the games. Further, … Continue reading GBP: Pool of Radiance – Part 1 (Arrival and The Slums)
