- Nyctasia
Headed back to the world of witch Nyctasia r'n Edonaris brenn Rhostshyl and mercenary Corson brenn Torisk. No longer on the run, our brave heroines are headed their separate ways for now. Corson heads back to her lover Stefian and his tavern/inn in Chiastelm while Nyctasia remains with her cousins a bit longer. Corson, of course, can't stand sitting around, she is too much of an adventurer, so she takes odd-jobs here and there. One of which gets Steifann's other occasional lover, Destiver, captured and arrested as a smuggler. While Steifann stews and Destiver waits for her likely execution, Corson decides to get out of town of a bit.
Back on the Endonaris Estates, Nyctasia is also getting restless. She translates books all day and comes down to interact with her cousins in the evening. Eventually, she is dealing with a runaway slave and is drawn back into the civil war in Rhostshyl that she was trying to stop in Book 1.
Eventually, our heroes are reunited. Nyctasisa takes on her rightful place as ruler of the City of Rhostshyl with Corson first as her body guard and then elevated to Lady Coirsonde.
More so than the previous books this one felt like two people writing a book separated by distance. The story didn't pick up until the end, and only when our two leading ladies were back together again. The bickering was gone and they have settled into a pretty solid friendship despite their differing stations.
I felt though there were some missed opportunities in this book. There is a part where Nyc is off with a pack of traveling actors and acrobats that might have been fun. Though we did get a lot of Corson's exploits. We do get to meet Nyc's younger sister and mother in this, so more of the Edonaris clan.
This adventure really felt like a "Name Level" adventure in the old D&D sense. Corson is made a Lady with all the rights and responsibilities. Nyc stops running around and takes up her family's rulership of the city.
I am quite excited about starting the next, and sadly, the last book. No one will confuse these book with great literature, but they are a really fun and fast read.
The book is out of print and there are no digital or audio versions I have found. They pop up every so often at Half-Price books.
Books Read so far: 19
Level: Crone
Witches in this book: Nyctasia is very much a witch, but keeps her powers away from prying eyes.
Are they Good Witches or Bad Witches: Nyc is much better in this book.
Best RPG to Emulate it: For this book, there is a strong "Adventurer" vibe here not to mention all the things associated with hitting "name level" of old D&D. So something D&D Basic/Expert, Adventurer Conqueror King, or Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea would be great.
Use in WotWQ: Likely, but since I am using them as characters in the Blue Rose game I am currently playing their involvement might only be as a cameo.
Nyctasia and Corson for Basic/Expert D&D
Basic and Expert era D&D has so much going for it really. It is simple, it is easy to pick-up AND you can really pack a lot of fun in 14 levels. I see why ACKS and AS&SH end around the same levels; ACKS, in particular, takes the B/X idea and really expands it to encompass a lot of play-types.
Here they are for B/X era D&D at "name level".
Nyctasia r'n Edonaris brenn Rhostshyl
Strength: 9
Dexterity: 9
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 16
Wisdom: 15
Charisma: 18
Hit Points: 28
Alignment: Neutral
AC: 8 (leather armor, dex -1)
Occult Powers
Familiar: Greymantle (large hound)
7th level: Family Enemy
Spells
Cantrips: Chill, Daze, Detect Curse, Ghost Sound, Object Reading, Open, Spark
First: Bewitch I, Cause Fear, Glamour, Mend Light Wounds, Sleep
Second: Agony, Calm Emotions, Rite of Remote Seeing
Third: Circle of Respite, Ghost Ward, Speak with Dead
Fourth: Divine Power, Intangible Cloak of Shadows
Fifth: Death Curse, Sending
Corson brenn Torisk, aka The Lady Corisonde Desthene li'Rhostshyl brenn Torisk
Strength: 17
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 15
Intelligence: 13
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 16
Hit Points: 65
Alignment: Neutral
AC: 7 (leather)
Equipment: Sword, armor, coins. Enchanted comb (will cast Bewitch 1/day).
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