Chronicles of Arborell, Copyright Wayne Densley 2005 All Rights Reserved





This Play by Email title is an interactive fantasy adventure, and serves as both story and introduction. As a story it is the tale of a young warrior's first test of courage. As an introduction it brings to the reader the culture and histories of the Jotun, and more specifically the character of Tansen'Delving; youngest son of Agror'Delving, Prime Consul of the Jotun of the West. Who he is, and the destiny that he must fulfil plays an important role in the Chronicles of Arborell gamebook series. It seems fitting that the story of his journey from committed enemy of the Four Nations to their only ally should be told. This gamebook adaption is the beginning of that story.

In this adventure you are the main character, the success or failure of your quest determined entirely by the choices you make. The destiny of Tansen'Delving is completely in your hands. To get the most out of this PBEM please read carefully the rules and directions given below. Shards of Moonlight is a solitaire adventure with its own rule system, set in a world with its own unique histories and cultures. If you wish to learn more about the world of Arborell then all the information you will need can be found at www.arborell.com. Information specific to this adventure can be found in the four appendices provided at the end of this Players Guide. It is important that all players wishing to participate in this PBEM read the following.

This Play By Email game is an adventure divided into many parts, a work of interactive fiction that allows you to make choices as to how you might wish to proceed within the story. You will combat those that stand in your way, collect artifacts and other items that may prove of use, and ultimately win through to your quest's end.

Shards of Moonlight is both a game and an interactive story, where the endurance and skills of your character are every bit as important as the choices you make. It is important to note that even though this adventure has been designed to be delivered by email, it still requires that you roll dice where necessary, and maintain a paper character sheet to record your character's progress. To enjoy Shards of Moonlight you will need the following items:

  • two six-sided dice,
  • a pencil or pen,
  • a printout of the character sheet,
  • access to email.
To prepare properly for your quest you must first determine the rules of the game, how to create your character, how to combat your foes, and how to account for items found or decisions made. Once you are familiar with the rules and have created a character, you may then begin with the introductory section that sets the scene for the adventure to come. Each section of the story you receive by email will give you options that you may take, combats to complete or questions that you must answer. How you must use these emails is explained in the email processing section of this guide. It will be how well you play the game that will determine your ultimate success.


Character creation

Shards of Moonlight requires that you spend a small amount of time considering the attributes of the character you will be playing in the story. In this gamebook you are Tansen'Delving, most favoured son of Agror'Delving, Chieftain and Prime Consul of the Jotun of the West. If you are unfamiliar with the world of Arborell, and the brutal nature of the Horde, then there is much information that can be found at the Chronicles of Arborell website and within the numerous books that makes up the chronicles themselves. Such information is not necessary to enjoy this adventure however.

The introduction to this Players Guide entitled "The Plains of Tor'eth" gives everything that will be needed to begin. I have included four appendices that provide additional information on the Jotun. One is a short history of the Horde, the other an oration by one of the greatest leaders of the Jotun of the West. The third recounts the history of the emurion'ka and its relationship to the Silvan Tree. The fourth appendix is a short telling of an old Jotun folktale. It has been included within these appendices due to a reference made to it in one of the sections of the adventure. These texts give a hint to the origins of the Jotun, and the motivations for their aggression against the men of the south. It will suffice to say that in this adventure you play the part of a Jotun, a three metre tall giant of the wastelands of Arborell, and that you are far more than you seem. All the rest can be uncovered as you progress through the story.

You will find within this Players Guide a character sheet. It can be printed out simply by pressing the print button on your web browser whilst you are at the character sheet page. This sheet provides you with space to determine your character attributes, keep notes on what you find on your quest, and record the combats you will be forced to complete if you are to be successful. Most important in your preparation for your quest is the consideration of your character attributes.


Character attributes

At the top of the sheet you will find a list of five character attributes; strength, agility, endurance, luck and intuition. Your character has fifty character points that you must distribute between these five attributes. You will notice that each attribute has a set of numbers given in brackets next to them. This is the minimum and maximum limits that can be ascribed to each. For example, the strength attribute allows for a minimum number of character points of 5 and a maximum of 12. How strong you want your character to be will be determined by the number of points you give him within this attribute. All fifty points must be used, but they must be spread within the limits given for each. Distribute these points carefully. It is not only strength and endurance that will see you through this quest.


Combat value

Your character's combat value is one of his most important attributes. This value is determined by combining the strength and agility attributes you have given your character and then recording it on your character sheet. Although a high combat value is useful in the course of this adventure there will be times when you must rely on something other than brute strength to see you through. How combat value is used in the adventure is described later in this introduction.


Endurance points

Endurance points are the measure of how healthy your character remains as you progress through this adventure. When you have determined how many character points you wish to ascribe to this attribute record it on your character sheet. During the course of your quest your endurance points level can never exceed this initial value. They will however, fall as you are injured in combat or fall victim to the traps and other dangers that will confront you. If your endurance level falls to zero then you have died, and it will be on another attempt that you must look to finishing your quest.


Notes

Whereas there are many interactive adventures that provide separate spaces on their character sheets to record such information as artifacts found, treasure uncovered etc, Shards of Moonlight requires only that anything interesting found or identified on your quest be written into the notes section. You will find that you will visit specific places and converse with important entities, find some items on your travels and record information for further reference. All this can be done in the notes section of your character sheet.


Jotun to English translations

There has been included on the character sheet a small section of translations of important Jotun words you will encounter on your quest. This is purely for your information only and should help as you begin to uncover the true nature of why you have been sent beyond the Alerion Gates.


Combat Resolution.

Depending on the choices you make in this adventure there will be times when you will need to defend yourself. Combat is resolved in the following manner:

  • Record the combat value and endurance points of your opponent in one of the boxes provided on the character sheet.
  • Roll two dice and add your combat value to what you have thrown. This is your combat strength for the round.
  • Throw two dice and add it to your opponent's combat value. This is your adversary's combat strength for the round.
  • Compare both combat strengths. The higher combat strength wins the round and an amount of endurance points must be taken from the loser's total endurance points. If the winner of the round has a combat strength four or more points higher than his opponent then he has struck a heavy blow and four endurance points must be taken. If the winner of the round wins by three points or less then he has struck a minor blow and only one endurance point need be deducted.
  • Combat continues until either yourself or your opponent's endurance points fall to zero. At that time the combat is finished and one of you will be dead.
It is an important point to note that the Jotun of the West adhere to a strict honour code. When a combat is commenced they will not cease fighting until their opponent is dead or flees the field of battle. They do not run from any attack, and as has been proven in many battles against the Four Nations of Men, they do not leave any wounded behind. Entire crues of Jotun warriors have fallen in defence of their wounded; and as is also the case with their greatest nemesis amongst Men, the Dwarvendim, they do not retreat from a position when a standard is planted by its bearer upon a field of battle. This code is enforced rigidly. No Jotun deviates under pain of death, and as far as can be ascertained none ever have.


Testing your character's attributes

There will be times during your quest that one of your character's attributes may be tested. Whether it be your strength, agility, intuition or just pure luck you will be required to roll dice against them to determine if you have succeeded or failed. It is a straightforward test. If you are required to test against your strength for example, you will be required to roll two dice and then compare the number rolled against your strength attribute. If the number you rolled is the same or less than your strength points then you have passed the test and can proceed according to the options given for being successful. If you roll higher than your strength attribute then you have failed the test and another path in the story will open for you. All attributes except endurance can be tested. Apart from your strength attribute, all other attributes are tested with a single die.

Note: In this rule system attributes are not reduced each time they are tested. Apart from endurance, which will vary according to the combats you complete, all attributes remain at their initial starting values for the duration of the adventure.


Nahla Cakes

In the world of Arborell the Nahla tree is of great importance to both man and hordim. It is said that the fruit of the Nahla is so powerful as a recuperative medicine that even the smallest amount can increase health and vitality. For centuries travellers of the realms and wastelands of the world have used Nahla fruit to sustain them on arduous journeys. For the Men of the Four Nations, Nahla Bread is the preferred method of preserving the power of the fruit for long journeys. For the Hordim it is Nahla Cakes.

On your journey you have in your possession three Nahla Cakes. Each may be eaten at any time on your quest and each will restore up to one dice roll of endurance points. When you decide you need to bolster your health, roll one dice and add that number to your endurance points. The only restrictions in their use is that they cannot be eaten during combat, and no matter what number you roll, your total endurance points can never exceed their initial value.


Starting your adventure

When you have completed your character sheet, and are satisfied with the distribution of your character points you are ready to begin. Shards of Moonlight begins in the warmth of high summer upon the Plains of Tor'eth. You need only click here to begin.


Contents | The Plains of Tor'eth | Character Status Sheet | Appendices




This ebook, associated books and other documents are the intellectual property of the author, Wayne F Densley, and all rights are reserved by him. Shards of Moonlight has been designed for viewing at 1024 x 768 resolution. Any questions regarding the Chronicles of Arborell can be answered by emailing the author at densleyw@shoal.net.au
Chronicles of Arborell, Copyright Wayne Densley 2005 All Rights Reserved

Shards of Moonlight is a part of the Chronicles of Arborell interactive adventure series. Additional information can be found at the Chronicles homepage.