THE ODYSSEY OF THE TWELFTH TALISMAN
SUMMARY
Diana is running from some big horse-like creatures, but she’s been taunting them. Just further down over the river, Eric is busy putting the finished touches to a trap over the water, and he mentions that Dungeonmaster told them to find the “bone of Shasa” or rather “Stone of Astra”.
Diana vaults over the river, but the beasts land in it, and they are stuck. Everyone but Diana and Eric are speechless! They never thought it would work. Eric asks for a lure from Presto, but that just makes the horses angrier. They manage to struggle out of the river and charge at the kids.
Meanwhile nearby, a young boy is alone and hungry, searching for food. In the remains of a caravan, he finds a glowing red stone with a star on it, and tries to barter it for food from some gypsies.
But a shadowy figure is now following him, and magics some bread into his hands the gypsies think he’s stolen it with evil magic. He’s threatened, and the talisman activates, sending out arcs of red lightning, frightening the people away. The boy runs. The figure in the shadows comes forward, telling the people to destroy the boy before he destroys them!
The kids have been running for a long time, and it’s now dark. They know they’ll have to fight, even though they are exhausted. As the horses attack, the boy runs in, and the Talisman saves them.
The kids thank the boy (even Eric, in his own Eric-y way), and the boy introduces himself as Lorne. Hank asks him to join them, and they go off to find a campsite for the night. But the man is still following.
In the morning, Eric and Lorne aren’t awake for more than a few seconds before they start with the clever comments and put-downs. They still have to find that Stone of Astra, though they don’t know what it looks like and are still secretly being watched.
Dungeonmaster eventually appears is pleased they’ve already found the stone, much to everyone’s surprise. Dungeonmaster tells the kids that the stone will have to be destroyed, and “then and only then will one among you find home”.
Dungeonmaster also tells Lorne that he should destroy the Talisman. But Eric in particular stands up to Dungeonmaster, saying they need the magic!
As soon as Dungeonmaster vanishes, the man who is watching them summons up his magic power and attacks them with flying rocks! Though Lorne steps up to protect them, but the weapon shatters the rocks making things worse. He can’t control it. It hits nearby trees, almost squashing Uni. Eventually, the man’s power fails, and the rock-attack stops.
The kids realise Dungeonmaster was right and the weapon is a liability. Lorne can still go with them, but without the weapon. But Lorne is hurt and angry and wants to keep the Stone of Astra. He and Eric fall out over it, and Lorne storms off.
This is exactly what the man wanted!
Later, Eric is still sulking, but the others persuade him to go and look for Lorne, to make sure he’s alright.
Lorne is off on his own, but Eric finds him, while admitting that he’s now lost the Young Ones! They climb up the cliff to see if they can see the others, but Lorne spots the Gyspy camp he found earlier. Ignoring Lorne when he tries to explain, Eric marches off to ask for directions.
Back at their camp, the others are worried, and go look for Eric and Lorne.
But Eric has discovered that Lorne was right and the gypsies aren’t friendly! There is a bolt of smoke from above, and the strange man finally reveal himself. He fires blue light at the Gypsies, and demands the talisman from Lorne.
Eric finally figures out what Dungeonmaster was talking about; that Lorne has the Stone of Astra, and tells Lorne not to give it away. But he quickly changes his mind as his prison starts to shrink!
The Young Ones appear, and try to help, but they are captured too. Lorne gives in and throws the Stone away.
Dungeonmaster catches the Talisman, and offers it to the man, who is called Korlock. But he warns Korlock that evil will hound him to the end of your life, and says that it is best to destroy it.
Venger suddenly appears, claiming the Talisman for his own. Korlock takes the Talisman from Dungeonmaster, and uses it against Venger. It’s all over very quickly; Venger is banished once again. Korlock sinks down to his knees, this was the first victory of his sad life, and he thrown the Talisman at Dungeonmaster’s feet.
After the fight, the Gypsies adopt Lorne, and he says goodbye to the Young Ones.
Dungeonmaster and Korlock walk out into the hills, and Dungeonmaster congratulates him on his wise choice.
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INTERESTING INFORMATION
Scatter Count -
Presto’s Hat produces –
Goodies – Lorne, Korlock (eventually)
Baddies –
Walk-ons – the Gypsies
Monsters –
Groovy Objects – The Stone of Astra
Named Places –
Starwars References –
Other References –
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Sheila is combing unis hair!
“This’ll never work!” Sheila
Eric calls it the “Bone of Shata” instead of the “Stone of Astra”. It’s almost like he’s doing it deliberately!
Both Eric and Diana go “ta da!”
Hank is in shock! Sheila apologises for doubting him.
Eric is very smug – and gets a hug and his hair ruffled by Diana, and a hug from Sheila.
Sheila definitely winks at Diana – sharing a joke – I just think they’re winding him up!
Eric asks for a lure from presto – and apple.
“Hey, haussy, haussy, haussy!” Eric.
they are mad at him
Bobby wants to fight, but is dragged away by Hank and Sheila.
It looks like Lorne is at the remains of a caravan.
Lorne has “borrowed” Eric’s cape and shield for the night, to sleep under.
Eric and Lorne had 6 hours of put downs the night before.
“You’d think they were identical twins” Sheila.
They still have to find that Stone of Astra but they don’t know what it looks like!
Eric and Lorne are at the back, and hungry. They see a Jackalope and decide to catch it for lunch.
“Wat are you doing with our lunch?” Eric to Dungeonmaster. He gets a really black look from dm about THAT!
Three times Eric fails to remember Stone of Astra – three time Presto tells him!
“Soon the Stone of Astra will have to be destroyed, and its chain of terror broken. Then and only then will one among you find home” Dungeonmaster. And both Presto and Eric look at Lorne at that point.
“With Lorne’s weapon we’re invincible!” Eric.
“Lorne’s the best thing to come along since… we got stuck in this stupid realm!” Eric
“Powers of the twelve evil talismans, aid me now!” Korlock.
Tress almost falls on uni!
“He wouldn’t admit it in a million years, but I think Eric’s going after the first real friend he’s found in a long, long, time.” Sheila. Bobby doesn’t understand!
Why is Eric the one being dragged around by the Gypsies, not Lorne?
They think they are wizards pretending to be boys!
The strange man is called Korlock.
Korlock has searched “searched a lifetime” for the Stone of Astra.
“Take it, or break it’s timeless chain of terror and destroy it!” Dungeonmaster.
Why did Venger appear just then, anyway?
The Talisman seems to respond to danger.
Korlock banishes Venger very quickly. That was the first victory of his life!
Dungeonmaster stares off into the distance, meaningfully.
Lorne is adopted by the Gypsies.
The end section is just weird – Korlock is covered in blue light, he’s very surprised, but Dungeonmaster isn’t!
“You have made a wise choice, Korlock,” Dungeonmaster.
“I’m not sure I understand, Dungeonmaster!” Korlock (and everyone else)
“All things are possible, for those who’s hearts are free of evil” Dungeonmaster.
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ALTERNATIVES
What exactly was Eric’s plan?
Eric calls it the “Bone of Shata” instead of the “Stone of Astra” – deliberately?
Why was the Stone of Astra just lying around?
What happened to its previous owner?
What are the 12 evil talismans?
How can Korlock use their powers?
Why did Venger appear just at the right time?
Why does Korlock end up covered in blue fire?
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FANWORKS
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