When last we met, we had crafted the Ring of Return, a magical artifact that can bring an entire party back to the dungeon’s exit, but can also, in some certain cases, can bring a spirit back from the dead. The wizard, Mentor, told us:
The time has come to call upon the aid of the Fire King. Go to Forgrin’s tomb and use the Ring of Return to summon his spirit. Loretome has shown me you must speak the following incantation when you find the King’s resting place:
O mighty Fire King, we are bound to your will. Recast us with the brightest flame under your sigil.
Clear enough. The dwarf Bashy B carried the Ring of Return; the rest of us merely needed to clear her way. The party also included our Barbarian, a tanky Rogue, and my Elf, LEGO Lass 2, daughter of LEGO Lass who tragically was killed in a previous adventure.
Death, in HeroQuest, is permanent. According to the Sacred Laws of Video Games, that makes HeroQuest a ROGUELIKE.
The adventure started us from outside the board, as usual these days. We proceeded inward cautiously, navigating traps, Abominations, Orcs and Goblins. Abominations were the wandering monster du jour but the dice were usually on our side. Rooms with bookcases allowed us to select one of two treasures. After we defeated one particularly nasty room, I found a suit of magical armor and a pile of gold. I kept the gold and donated the armor to the Barbarian. (Even with the gold, I am still not flush enough to buy chainmail for myself, but then again, I usually stand away from the fight; crossbows and spells like distance).
In the center room, an apparition stood before an altar with statues of a gargoyle and four dwarven knights against the walls. It claimed to be the spirit of the Fire King and demanded the Ring of Return, but Bashy B was skeptical and refused to hand it over. The apparition solidified — it was a Witch Hand. Bashy was proven right, but was also in danger as all the “statues” came alive. The Witch Hand speared the Dwarf and Barbarian with a lightning bolt. While distracted, she was taken by surprise by the Rogue and the rest of us made short work of the skeletons and gargoyle.
Just beyond the room, we found another room with skeleton statues and an empty throne. Bashy used the Ring of Return, spoke the words, and summoned the Fire King back from the dead. He thanked us for our efforts, and promised to come when called.
Three more adventures until we have freed the land once more from the cloud of darkness.
