This is one way to play the book that gets you most of the story and clues, avoids completely unnecessary fights and bad situations, gets useful power-ups and all essential items. You can find certain key items without gaining clues first but this makes the adventure less satisfying.
SOLUTION
1 - Board the Barracuda.
66>117>184 - Enter the inn.
143 - Speak to the barman.
235 - Ask about magic ring.
50 - Say it's for a dangerous mission.
313 - CLUE. Leave.
89>373>131>14 - Talk and persist with the bearded men and ask about magic rings.
228 - Jump in the horse trough.
281 - Run after the town crier.
369 - Luck test. The penalty for failing is -2 stamina but you still get the same choices either way.
61/38 - You would like a bun.
120 - Take bun (+2 stamina).
157 - You want a ring of fire.
379 - GAIN RING OF FIRE. Ask about Arrika Root.
94 - CLUE. Leave.
393>253 - Toss a coin in the pool and make it a gold one (-1GP).
4 - GAIN SILVER SERPENT CHARM (+1 Luck). Go to library.
241>360 - Enter library and read book on demons.
185 - CLUE. Head east.
290 - Look at the market stalls.
351 - Buy BRASS COMPASS, MAGNIFYING GLASS, FLASK OF OIL, OVAL MIRROR & SILVER DAGGER (-5GP). Leave.
325 - LUCK test.
- Lucky>16>263.
- Unlucky>381. Run off>238>263.
263 - Go for a boat ride (-1GP).
366 - Ask about Arrika Root.
221 - CLUE. Ask about woodland.
155 - Row to the south bank.
45 - Knock.
6 - Ask about the horn.
137 - Go inside.
273 - CLUE. Record the hermit's name. Trade.
361>148 - Swap MAGNIFYING GLASS, FLASK OF OIL & OVAL MIRROR for POTION OF HEALTH (+4 Stamina), CHAINMAIL VEST (+1 Attack Strength) and THROWING DART (inflict -3 Stamina damage once). You did not acquire the witch's rug.
200 - (+1 Stamina).
387 - (-1 Stamina). Fight TREEMAN twice. Win.
18 - Reach into the hollow.
375 - Reach further into the hollow.
71 - Gain GLASS MARBLE, BRONZE KEY 44, SILVER RING, 1GP & BRASS NUMBER 9. Put ring on finger.
337 - +1 Skill and +1 Luck.
229 - Keep going.
334 - +2 Stamina (twice). Turn down the offer.
307>203 - Walk towards the call.
362 - Attack snake.
130 - CLUES.
232 - Go to ruins.
125 - Fight LICH. Win.
346 - Gain JEWEL ENCRUSTED BELT WITH HUGE RUBY.
162>394 - Climb and ring the bell.
83 - Pay gold and pull.
165 - Tell her your mission.
326 - A friend told you to call.
118 - Larch.
227 - (+4 Stamina). Gain POTION OF INVISIBILITY (blue potion), RED POTION (poison) and RING OF GOOD FORTUNE (+2 Luck).
190 - Talk to fishermen.
110 - Ask about the island.
243 - Sail to the island (-2GP).
384 - Head inland.
279 - Open the pouch.
13 - (+10GP). Keep going inland.
210 - Skill test. Fail lose 4 Stamina.
57/3 - Fight HILL GIANT. Win.
181 - Gain DENTED SILVER CHALICE, SMALL SILVER TIN & 5GP. Try on the gauntlet.
340 - Gain GORGON'S GLOVE (+1 Attack Strength). Eat any provisions you have to take stamina to full value.
86 - You found gold.
62 - Sail to mouth of River Trask (-3GP).
308 - Cling on.
136 - (+1 Luck).
204 - (-2 Stamina & lose all Provisions). Call to see if anyone is in the hut.
166 - You are on a mission to slay demons.
121 - Buy Arrika Root and Mallow Bark tea (-2GP).
32 - (+2 Stamina).
49 - Walk across the bridge.
368 - Fight GIANT LIZARD. Win.
223 - Attack the GOBLIN (sorry😞).
355 - Fight GOBLIN. Win.
287 - Gain WARHAMMER. Enter mine.
37>254 - Luck test.
- Lucky>55.
- Unlucky>335 (-2 Stamina).
134 - (-1 Stamina). You possess a BRASS COMPASS.
26>367 - Hurry to the entrance.
213 - Walk through the archway.
75 - You drank Mallow Bark tea.
138 - You have a bronze key.
44>269 - Turn right.
320 - Take the GOLDEN SKULL and escape.
289 - Fight HIGH PRIEST. Win.
176 - Head south.
21 - Call out.
282 - CLUE. Go to Lake of Sorrows.
397 - Hide.
69 - Speak to them.
173 - You can pay.
262 - Remove JEWEL ENCRUSTED BELT WITH HUGE RUBY.
119 - Gain DRAGONBLADE. Luck test:
- Lucky>237 (-2 Stamina)>293.
- Unlucky>28 (-1 Skill, -1 Stamina). Another luck test:
- Lucky>84>293.
- Unlucky>128 - DEAD💀.
293 - Walk on.
266 - Ignore him.
291>92 - Fight ROCK GRUB. Win.
352 - (+1 Stamina).
277 - Fight them with your sword.
98 - Fight PLAGUE SPIDER.
- If win without losing an attack round>145.
- If win and lose an attack round>365.
- you are chewing Arrika Root>230.
Two possibilities
230 - Fight two PLAGUE SPIDERS. Win > 392.
Or
145 - Fight two PLAGUE SPIDERS.
- If win without losing an attack round>392.
- If win and lose an attack round>160.
- You are chewing Arrika Root>256>392.
392>65 - Use the RING OF FIRE.
258 - Three, two, one, fire.
298 - (+2 Luck).
191 - You possess a GOLDEN SKULL CHARM.
48 - You have a POTION OF INVISIBILITY.
242 - Drink the blue liquid.
220 - Fight VALMORKA. Win.
374 - You possess a WARHAMMER.
305 - You have a brass number.
9 - Turn to 400!
Read my review of Tomb of the Golden Skull HERE
