&inclusion.brian.williams.bio.lw;
</creator>
<publisher>Project Aon</publisher>
- <date class="publication"><year>2012</year><month>10</month><day>28</day></date>
+ <date class="publication"><year>2018</year><month>2</month><day>15</day></date>
<description class="blurb">
<p>Frustrated by your defeat of his minions, the Dark God Naar plots a bitter revenge. From the depths of his lair upon the Plane of Darkness he creates and sends forth an evil champion who is the very image of yourself.</p>
<p>In <strong><cite>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane</cite></strong>, you must hunt down and destroy your evil alter-ego before it lays waste to your proud reputation and your homeland of Sommerlund. Will you find and defeat this evil mirror-image in time? Or will you fall foul of the Dark God<ch.apos/>s plans and be destroyed by your likeness?</p>
</data>
</section>
- <!-- Frontmatter -->
<section class="frontmatter" id="tssf">
<meta>
<title>The Story So Far<ch.ellips/></title>
<footnote id="discplnz-1-foot" idref="discplnz-1">
<p>Weaponmastery bonuses are replaced by Grand Weaponmastery bonuses, not added cumulatively (cf. <a href="http://www.projectaon.org/en/ReadersHandbook/NewsletterExcerpts#lwcn28">Lone Wolf Club Newsletter 28</a>).</p>
<p>If you have completed previous adventures, already possess the Magnakai Discipline of Weaponmastery with Bow, and have reached the rank of <bookref book="12tmod" section="imprvdsc">Mentora</bookref>, it seems that you should already be able to add 5 to numbers picked from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> (i.e. the basic Weaponmastery with Bow bonus of 3 added to the Mentora bonus of 2 for all missile weapons). Likely, the author intended the Weaponmastery bonus at the Mentora rank to be a <quote>hidden loyalty bonus</quote> (cf. <a href="http://www.projectaon.org/en/ReadersHandbook/NewsletterExcerpts#lwcn28">Lone Wolf Club Newsletter 28</a>). In view of this, the <ch.plus/>2 Mentora bonus is therefore <em>not</em> cumulative with Grand Weaponmastery with Bow.</p>
- <p>Certain sections direct the reader to use different bonuses when using a Bow, ranging from 3 to 5, if you have Grand Weaponmastery with Bow. This may be the author adjusting the Grand Weaponmastery bonus on a case-by-case basis (and therefore this bonus should be used instead of the standard bonus) or an error (and therefore all of these bonuses should be 5). It is up to you to decide, but it seems most reasonable to follow the first alternative, to replace the Grand Weaponmastery bonus with whatever bonus is mentioned in that section.</p>
</footnote>
</footnotes>
</data>
</section>
- <p>If you successfully complete the mission as set in Book 19 of the <cite>Lone Wolf Grand Master</cite> series, you may add a further Grand Master Discipline of your choice to your Action Chart in Book 20. For every Grand Master Discipline you possess, in excess of the original four Disciplines you begin with, you may add 1 point to your basic <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> score and 2 points to your basic <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points score. These bonus points, together with your extra Grand Master Discipline(s), your original four Grand Master Disciplines, and any Special Items that you have found and been able to keep during your adventures, may then be carried over and used in the next <cite>Lone Wolf Grand Master</cite> adventure, which is called: <bookref series="lw" book="20tcon"><cite>The Curse of Naar</cite></bookref>.</p>
+ <p>If you successfully complete the mission as set in Book 19 of the <cite>Lone Wolf Grand Master</cite> series, you may add a further Grand Master Discipline of your choice to your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> in Book 20. For every Grand Master Discipline you possess, in excess of the original four Disciplines you begin with, you may add 1 point to your basic <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> score and 2 points to your basic <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points score. These bonus points, together with your extra Grand Master Discipline(s), your original four Grand Master Disciplines, and any Special Items that you have found and been able to keep during your adventures, may then be carried over and used in the next <cite>Lone Wolf Grand Master</cite> adventure, which is called: <bookref series="lw" book="20tcon"><cite>The Curse of Naar</cite></bookref>.</p>
</data>
</section>
<data>
<p>Your killing blow decapitates the head of this mechanical beast, sending it bouncing across the chamber. Fountains of fiery sparks shoot from its severed neck and its torso cracks and crumples in on itself. Within seconds, the body is transformed into a glowing mound of steel slag.</p>
<p>Warily you approach the creature<ch.apos/>s head and prod it with the tip of your weapon. When you are sure that it is safe, you examine it more closely and discover a curious disc of iron wedged in a crease in the back of its skull. Guided by instinct, you take this disc and insert it into the wall. Moments later, the door opens with a hiss of escaping air.</p>
- <p>If you wish to retrieve the Iron Disc before you pass through the door, record it on your Action Chart as a Special Item which you carry in the pocket of your tunic.</p>
+ <p>If you wish to retrieve the Iron Disc before you pass through the door, record it on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> as a Special Item which you carry in the pocket of your tunic.</p>
<choice idref="sect83">To continue, <link-text>turn to 83</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<meta><title>7</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>Guided by a circle of blazing beacons, Javano the pilot lands the skyship expertly in the middle of a paved training park located within the castle<ch.apos/>s expansive grounds. In Tyso a curfew is in force, and the only figures lawfully abroad this night are Baron Medar<ch.apos/>s guardsmen whose numbers have been doubled by a regiment of Border Rangers recently arrived from Holmgard. Banedon suggests that you stay on board until he has informed Baron Medar of the true situation.</p>
+ <p>Guided by a circle of blazing beacons, Javano the pilot lands the skyship expertly in the middle of a paved training park located within the castle<ch.apos/>s expansive grounds. In Tyso a curfew is in force, and the only figures lawfully abroad this night are Baron Medar<ch.apos/>s guardsmen, whose numbers have been doubled by a regiment of Border Rangers recently arrived from Holmgard. Banedon suggests that you stay on board until he has informed Baron Medar of the true situation.</p>
<p><quote>The guards of Tyso are under orders to kill you on sight,</quote> he says, as he gets ready to disembark. <quote>It would not be wise to show yourself, Grand Master, until I have explained all to the Baron.</quote></p>
<p>You remain in his quarters while Banedon seeks an audience with Baron Medar. Shortly he returns with the Baron who, upon entering the cabin, greets you warmly like a father welcoming home a favourite son.</p>
- <p><quote>You will always be welcome here, Lone Wolf,</quote> he says clasping your hand in friendship. <quote>I knew in my heart that you were innocent of these crimes which have so shocked our people. You may rely on me to help you find this impostor who has sought to harm us and bring dishonour upon your good name.</quote></p>
+ <p><quote>You will always be welcome here, Lone Wolf,</quote> he says, clasping your hand in friendship. <quote>I knew in my heart that you were innocent of these crimes which have so shocked our people. You may rely on me to help you find this impostor who has sought to harm us and bring dishonour upon your good name.</quote></p>
<p>You thank the Baron for his support and his pledge of loyalty, and you tell him how pleased you are to be in Tyso after the months you have spent abroad.</p>
<p><quote>Then come, my lord, let<ch.apos/>s adjourn to my hall where you may enjoy the hospitality of my court,</quote> he says, and turns to leave the cabin. As he reaches the door he says: <quote>Oh, and by the way, there are some men waiting there who, I<ch.apos/>m sure, will be most pleased to meet with you.</quote></p>
<choice idref="sect238"><link-text>Turn to 238</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>21</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>Cautiously you approach the slain warriors. You are eager to examine their strange armour and you are particularly curious about the light-emitting spears they wielded; weapons such as these could prove useful in your fight against Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. However, on examining these steely shafts you discover that they are now useless. The source of their power was contained in the canisters strapped to the warriors<ch.apos/> backs, a power that is now depleted.</p>
+ <p>Cautiously you approach the slain warriors. You are eager to examine their strange armour, and you are particularly curious about the light-emitting spears they wielded; weapons such as these could prove useful in your fight against Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. However, on examining these steely shafts you discover that they are now useless. The source of their power was contained in the canisters strapped to the warriors<ch.apos/> backs, a power that is now depleted.</p>
<illustration class="inline">
<meta>
<meta><title>30</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>Nausea wells up from the pit of your stomach as the lower chamber of the tower is suddenly transformed into a whirling spiral of violent colours and noise. You feel yourself falling forwards into this vortex and, for a few fleeting seconds, you glimpse your adversary. He is brandishing his sword and laughing like a madman, his face twisted with maniacal glee as he rides this terrifying whirlwind. Then he is lost to the chaos of the maelstrom and he vanishes from your sight.</p>
+ <p>Nausea wells up from the pit of your stomach as the lower chamber of the tower is suddenly transformed into a whirling spiral of violent colours and noise. You feel yourself falling forwards into this vortex and, for a few fleeting seconds, you glimpse your adversary. He is brandishing his sword and laughing like a madman, his face twisted with maniacal glee as he rides this terrifying whirlwind. Then he is lost to the chaos of the maelstrom, and he vanishes from your sight.</p>
<p>For what seems like an eternity you spin and fall through a rainbow of colour and sound. Only gradually do you become aware that this nightmare journey is coming to an end when the noise abates and the swirling colours begin to fade. Then, with a jolt, you find yourself standing ankle-deep in stagnant green water, struggling to keep your balance. You draw your weapon and scan your surroundings, fearful of sudden attack, but you soon realize that you are alone.</p>
- <p>You appear to be under the ground, standing in a crude sewer-like tunnel which has been excavated by primitive means. The roots of trees protrude from its beaten earth ceiling and there is a stale and unpleasant smell of rotting vegetation. You use your psychic skills to probe for Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane but you cannot detect his presence, and so you sheathe your weapon and relax your guard. The encounter with the manifestation of Naar has left a fear gnawing at your heart, the fear that the Dark God could at any moment he chooses lay claim to your soul. But your Kai courage swiftly overcomes the anxiety and you draw comfort from your faith in the Gods Kai and Ishir. You offer up a prayer to them to watch over you during the coming trial of strength, and vow that you will never lose hope, no matter what dangers you may yet face. As if in answer to your prayer you feel a surge of energy flow through your body, revitalizing your mind and senses (restore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points which you may have lost during your adventure so far).</p>
+ <p>You appear to be under the ground, standing in a crude sewer-like tunnel which has been excavated by primitive means. The roots of trees protrude from its beaten earth ceiling, and there is a stale and unpleasant smell of rotting vegetation. You use your psychic skills to probe for Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, but you cannot detect his presence, and so you sheathe your weapon and relax your guard. The encounter with the manifestation of Naar has left a fear gnawing at your heart, the fear that the Dark God could at any moment he chooses lay claim to your soul. But your Kai courage swiftly overcomes the anxiety, and you draw comfort from your faith in the Gods Kai and Ishir. You offer up a prayer to them to watch over you during the coming trial of strength, and vow that you will never lose hope, no matter what dangers you may yet face. As if in answer to your prayer you feel a surge of energy flow through your body, revitalizing your mind and senses (restore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points which you may have lost during your adventure so far).</p>
<p>Alert and confident, you peer along the gloomy tunnel in both directions and try to determine the best course to follow. Neither way looks especially appealing.</p>
<choice idref="sect128">If you choose to explore the tunnel ahead, <link-text>turn to 128</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect262">If you decide to follow the tunnel behind, <link-text>turn to 262</link-text>.</choice>
<data>
- <p>With mixed feelings of fear and fascination you force open your eyes and gaze upon your alien surroundings. At first it seems as if you have fallen into a humid, green-walled cell, illuminated by a solitary lantern at the apex of a fluted chimney-like ceiling. Then slowly your mind makes sense of sights and smells and the realization of where you are makes you shiver with dread.</p>
- <p>You have landed inside the corolla tube of some gigantic flower. Huge stamens rise up to the light from the sticky bowl-shaped floor on which you lie, and nearby there is a large, chute-like tunnel which drops away into the plant<ch.apos/>s hollow stem. For a moment you close your eyes and let your psychic senses explore this strange environment. Your greatest fear is that you have been drawn through the Shadow Gate to the Plane of Darkness, the supernatural realm of Dark God Naar, yet you can detect no abnormally high concentrations of Evil. Also, you are unable to sense the presence of your adversary<ch.emdash/>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. Your hopes begin to rise when suddenly you realize that you are still somewhere within the material universe of Aon. You are able to determine that this alien place is not your home world, yet you are certain that it is a planet that lies within the same galaxy as Magnamund.</p>
+ <p>With mixed feelings of fear and fascination you force open your eyes and gaze upon your alien surroundings. At first it seems as if you have fallen into a humid, green-walled cell, illuminated by a solitary lantern at the apex of a fluted chimney-like ceiling. Then slowly your mind makes sense of sights and smells, and the realization of where you are makes you shiver with dread.</p>
+ <p>You have landed inside the corolla tube of some gigantic flower. Huge stamens rise up to the light from the sticky bowl-shaped floor on which you lie, and nearby there is a large, chute-like tunnel which drops away into the plant<ch.apos/>s hollow stem. For a moment you close your eyes and let your psychic senses explore this strange environment. Your greatest fear is that you have been drawn through the Shadow Gate to the Plane of Darkness, the supernatural realm of the Dark God Naar, yet you can detect no abnormally high concentrations of Evil. Also, you are unable to sense the presence of your adversary<ch.emdash/>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. Your hopes begin to rise when suddenly you realize that you are still somewhere within the material universe of Aon. You are able to determine that this alien place is not your home world, yet you are certain that it is a planet that lies within the same galaxy as Magnamund.</p>
<p>You cling to this small crumb of comfort and resolve to find a way of returning to Magnamund as quickly as you can. You open your eyes and stare around the walls of your plant-prison, searching for a means of escape. There appear to be only two ways out: by climbing a stamen towards the light high above, or by sliding down the nearby chute which plunges deep into the plant<ch.apos/>s stem.</p>
<choice idref="sect264">If you wish to climb a stamen, <link-text>turn to 264</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect103">If you choose to slide down the hollow stem, <link-text>turn to 103</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>51</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>You relax the tension in your body and allow yourself to enter a trance state, the preliminary stage required before you spirit-walk. You feel yourself leave your corporeal body and, in spirit form, you move through the curtain of vines and out into the jungle heat. Immediately beyond the cave mouth there is a small clearing which slopes away to the jungle perimeter. You scan the border of dense foliage and you are shocked when you detect your adversary, Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, hiding among the bushes less than fifty yards away. He is armed with a bow which he has trained upon the entrance to the tunnel.</p>
+ <p>You relax the tension in your body and allow yourself to enter a trance state, the preliminary stage required before you spirit-walk. You feel yourself leave your corporeal body and, in spirit form, you move through the curtain of vines and out into the jungle heat. Immediately beyond the cave mouth there is a small clearing which slopes away to the jungle perimeter. You scan the border of dense foliage, and you are shocked when you detect your adversary, Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, hiding among the bushes less than fifty yards away. He is armed with a bow which he has trained upon the entrance to the tunnel.</p>
<p>You retreat into the cave mouth and re-enter your body. On awakening from your trance, you move forward and peer through the hanging vines to locate your enemy<ch.apos/>s hiding place. So advanced is his camouflage skill that it takes you several minutes to find him. Once you are sure you have him, you allow yourself a smile; you are looking forward to turning the tables on this arrogant impostor.</p>
<choice idref="sect196">If you have a Bow and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 196</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect43">If you possess Grand Nexus and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Crown (and wish to use your mastery), <link-text>turn to 43</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>62</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>The moment you negate your spell of <spell>Levitation</spell> spell and set foot upon firm ground, you feel a warm breeze. You sense that it comes from a stairwell at the far end of this new hall and, when you investigate it, you rediscover Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.apos/>s footprints on the stone steps. You cast your hands over them and detect that this is not a false trail: your enemy passed this way sometime within the last hour.</p>
+ <p>The moment you negate your <spell>Levitation</spell> spell and set foot upon firm ground, you feel a warm breeze. You sense that it comes from a stairwell at the far end of this new hall and, when you investigate it, you rediscover Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.apos/>s footprints on the stone steps. You cast your hands over them and detect that this is not a false trail: your enemy passed this way sometime within the last hour.</p>
<p>Slowly you ascend the stairs and arrive at the arched entrance to a large, vaulted stone chamber. Gathered around a fountain set into its north wall are a group of six grey-skinned humanoids. They are busy drinking a clear, oily fluid that pours from the fountain<ch.apos/>s spout into a semicircular trough. All are barefoot and clad in rags, and they are each armed with a spear and a bow. The only exit from this chamber appears to be an archway set high in the north wall. There is a balcony in front of it that can only be reached by two flights of stairs which rise up on either side of the fountain.</p>
<p>Quietly you observe the creatures slaking their thirsts, and you try to formulate a way in which you can get past them and reach the balconied exit in the north wall.</p>
<choice idref="sect138">If you possess a Bow and the Discipline of Magi-magic and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, <link-text>turn to 138</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>66</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>You ask Steel Hand to give you his rope and he obeys dutifully. Then you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Levitation</spell> and almost immediately you feel gravity losing its grip on your body. Gently you rise to the ceiling of the vault where, using the exposed stone buttresses, you are able to pull yourself along until you are directly above the centre of the fissure. Here you fix one end of the rope to an exposed stone beam and cast the other end to your companions waiting below. One by one they swing across the void and, when all have crossed safely, you untie the rope and pull yourself to the far side before intoning the words that cancel the effects of the spell.</p>
- <p>It is clear from their wide-eyed expressions that they are all impressed with your mastery of Brotherhood magic, especially Steel Hand. You gather up his rope and as you give it back to him you say: <quote>Don<ch.apos/>t worry. One day I<ch.apos/>ll instruct you in the ways of magic so that you, too, can walk a ceiling!</quote></p>
+ <p>You ask Steel Hand to give you his rope, and he obeys dutifully. Then you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Levitation</spell>, and almost immediately you feel gravity losing its grip on your body. Gently you rise to the ceiling of the vault where, using the exposed stone buttresses, you are able to pull yourself along until you are directly above the centre of the fissure. Here you fix one end of the rope to an exposed stone beam and cast the other end to your companions waiting below. One by one they swing across the void and, when all have crossed safely, you untie the rope and pull yourself to the far side before intoning the words that cancel the effects of the spell.</p>
+ <p>It is clear from their wide-eyed expressions that they are all impressed with your mastery of Brotherhood magic, especially Steel Hand. You gather up his rope, and as you give it back to him you say: <quote>Don<ch.apos/>t worry. One day I<ch.apos/>ll instruct you in the ways of magic so that you, too, can walk a ceiling!</quote></p>
<p>The young Kai Master smiles as he stuffs his rope into his bulging backpack.</p>
<p><quote>And now, my lords, we must press on. We<ch.apos/>ve a trail to find,</quote> you say, and you motion your companions to follow as you get ready to leave this chamber.</p>
<choice idref="sect160"><link-text>Turn to 160</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>71</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>Once outside, you focus your tracking skills and attempt to pick up your enemy<ch.apos/>s trail. You have a feeling that he may have doubled back on his tracks and so you retrace your steps to the street where you first appeared in this alien city. As you are nearing this place, you suddenly hear the ringing metallic <onomatopoeia>clang</onomatopoeia> of an iron girder falling from a height. The noise echoes from an alleyway off to your right and immediately you go to investigate.</p>
- <p>At the end of the alley you discover a derelict warehouse. Fire has ravaged its interior and much of the roof has caved in, but amongst the debris you can see that it once stored metal cylinders and coils of wire. You stop at the entrance and listen. Your caution is rewarded when you hear footsteps at the rear of the building. You draw your weapon and enter, using the debris for cover as you inch your way towards the back of the ruined warehouse. You are moving between cover when suddenly you see the outline of a human form silhouetted against a broken window. Instantly you know that it is not Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane: this figure is clad in grey, close-fitting armour and is holding a metallic spear. The realization makes you hesitate, and in that split second of indecision, the armoured figure sees you and raises its spear. A blinding flame ignites at its tip and a beam of white-hot light comes speeding towards your chest.</p>
+ <p>Once outside, you focus your tracking skills and attempt to pick up your enemy<ch.apos/>s trail. You have a feeling that he may have doubled back on his tracks, and so you retrace your steps to the street where you first appeared in this alien city. As you are nearing this place, you suddenly hear the ringing metallic <onomatopoeia>clang</onomatopoeia> of an iron girder falling from a height. The noise echoes from an alleyway off to your right, and immediately you go to investigate.</p>
+ <p>At the end of the alley you discover a derelict warehouse. Fire has ravaged its interior, and much of the roof has caved in, but amongst the debris you can see that it once stored metal cylinders and coils of wire. You stop at the entrance and listen. Your caution is rewarded when you hear footsteps at the rear of the building. You draw your weapon and enter, using the debris for cover as you inch your way towards the back of the ruined warehouse. You are moving between cover when suddenly you see the outline of a human form silhouetted against a broken window. Instantly you know that it is not Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane: this figure is clad in grey, close-fitting armour and is holding a metallic spear. The realization makes you hesitate, and in that split second of indecision, the armoured figure sees you and raises its spear. A blinding flame ignites at its tip, and a beam of white-hot light comes speeding towards your chest.</p>
<p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, add 3 to the number you have picked.</p>
<choice idref="sect312">If your total is now 5 or less, <link-text>turn to 312</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect6">If it is 6 or higher, <link-text>turn to 6</link-text>.</choice>
<data>
<p>You motion to your companions to follow, and then you take your first step into the dark tomb. Suddenly there is a blinding flash of white light followed almost instantly by the deafening crackle of exploding electrical energies. Pain consumes your body as you are lifted into the air and thrown backwards by the blast. You have triggered a hidden power-glyph, a magical booby trap, and you have been caught by its explosive energy.</p>
<p>Pick a number from the Random Number (0=10). Now add 5 to the number you picked. The resulting total equals the number <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points you lose.</p>
- <choice idref="sect13">Make the necessary adjustments to your Action Chart before <link-text>turning to 13</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect13">Make the necessary adjustments to your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> before <link-text>turning to 13</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<meta><title>80</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>The grating rumble of heavy stone on stone heralds the sudden appearance of the impostor. Like some secret door to a nightmare realm, the entire far wall of this vault is slowly sliding open. Violent tremors shake the floor and orange tongues of flaming gas shoot from the ever-widening gap. Silhouetted in the centre of this fiery portal is a warrior clad in a parody of the robes of a Kai Grand Master. His stature and his facial features bear an uncanny resemblance to your own, yet the two of you are not entirely identical. The eyes of this impostor betray his true nature for they are black and cold; they are like two tiny windows through which you can see the evil lurking deep within his heart.</p>
- <p>The portal crackles and roars like a blazing furnace yet it radiates no heat. You sense powerful magic at work here and you shout a command to your young Kai comrades to prepare themselves for combat. They react as one, their years of training suppressing their fears, and swiftly they draw arms and form up in a protective circle around you. The impostor unsheathes his black-bladed sword and gives vent to a chilling laugh that momentarily drowns the roar of the flames. His cruel laughter fills your head and suddenly the stone walls of the vault seem to writhe and buckle inwards. Your psychic Kai defences resist this illusion and the distortion ceases, yet as it does so you realize that something important has changed. You command your companions to retreat towards the chute but they do not respond. They are completely rigid, frozen immobile like four stone statues.</p>
- <p><quote>Ha ha ha<ch.ellips/></quote> cackles the impostor, <quote>so we meet at last, Lone Wolf.</quote> He advances a little nearer and you feel an icy chill wash over you. The body of this bogus Kai Lord radiates coldness.</p>
+ <p>The grating rumble of heavy stone on stone heralds the sudden appearance of the impostor. Like some secret door to a nightmare realm, the entire far wall of this vault is slowly sliding open. Violent tremors shake the floor and orange tongues of flaming gas shoot from the ever-widening gap. Silhouetted in the centre of this fiery portal is a warrior clad in a parody of the robes of a Kai Grand Master. His stature and his facial features bear an uncanny resemblance to your own, yet the two of you are not entirely identical. The eyes of this impostor betray his true nature, for they are black and cold; they are like two tiny windows through which you can see the evil lurking deep within his heart.</p>
+ <p>The portal crackles and roars like a blazing furnace, yet it radiates no heat. You sense powerful magic at work here, and you shout a command to your young Kai comrades to prepare themselves for combat. They react as one, their years of training suppressing their fears, and swiftly they draw arms and form up in a protective circle around you. The impostor unsheathes his black-bladed sword and gives vent to a chilling laugh that momentarily drowns the roar of the flames. His cruel laughter fills your head, and suddenly the stone walls of the vault seem to writhe and buckle inwards. Your psychic Kai defences resist this illusion, and the distortion ceases, yet as it does so you realize that something important has changed. You command your companions to retreat towards the chute, but they do not respond. They are completely rigid, frozen immobile like four stone statues.</p>
+ <p><quote>Ha ha ha<ch.ellips/></quote> cackles the impostor, <quote>so we meet at last, Lone Wolf.</quote> He advances a little nearer, and you feel an icy chill wash over you. The body of this bogus Kai Lord radiates coldness.</p>
<p><quote>How I have enjoyed myself in your guise,</quote> he sneers. <quote>Let me introduce myself<ch.ellips/>I am Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. An apt name, don<ch.apos/>t you think?</quote></p>
<p><quote>What is your purpose?</quote> you growl in reply, your hand poised to draw a weapon in case he should attempt to launch a sudden attack.</p>
- <p><quote>Why, I<ch.apos/>ve come to kill you, of course,</quote> he retorts, his voice full of contempt. <quote>There should be but one Grand Master and only I am worthy of such distinction.</quote> The impostor narrows his coal-black eyes and curls back his lip in disdain.</p>
+ <p><quote>Why, I<ch.apos/>ve come to kill you, of course,</quote> he retorts, his voice full of contempt. <quote>There should be but one Grand Master, and only I am worthy of such distinction.</quote> The impostor narrows his coal-black eyes and curls back his lip in disdain.</p>
<illustration class="float">
<meta>
<meta><title>103</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>You lower yourself carefully into the hollow stem and soon discover that it drops away very steeply. It is a vertical tube for most of its length, yet you are able to slow your rate of descent by grabbing hold of tiny tendrils which protrude from the lining of the stem wall. As you get nearer to its base, the stem wall becomes semi-transparent and slick with moisture. You press your face to this warm surface and you are able to discern other stems. They look like the trunks of trees in a dense green forest. Then you look down to see that the stem of this plant is descending into darkness. The darkness begins at the point where the stem passes below ground level. You decide to stop at this point for you have no desire to explore the roots of this strange flower.</p>
+ <p>You lower yourself carefully into the hollow stem and soon discover that it drops away very steeply. It is a vertical tube for most of its length, yet you are able to slow your rate of descent by grabbing hold of tiny tendrils which protrude from the lining of the stem wall. As you get nearer to its base, the stem wall becomes semi-transparent and slick with moisture. You press your face to this warm surface, and you are able to discern other stems. They look like the trunks of trees in a dense green forest. Then you look down to see that the stem of this plant is descending into darkness. The darkness begins at the point where the stem passes below ground level. You decide to stop at this point, for you have no desire to explore the roots of this strange flower.</p>
<p>Carefully you examine the fabric of the semi-transparent stem. If you can force your way through this tough plant wall, you will be able to escape from your prison-like tube.</p>
<choice idref="sect332">If you possess a bladed Weapon or a bladed Special Item, <link-text>turn to 332</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect279">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 279</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>120</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>At the end of the passage you discover another tunnel that leads off to the left. The walls and ceiling of this adjacent passageway are dripping wet, indicating that it passes directly under the stream. You stride along its narrow confines, your shoulders grazing the muddy walls as you advance up a flight of steps which lead to an archway supported by thick wooden beams. Beyond the arch lies a large subterranean chamber that is daubed and decorated with runes and evil insignia. It is a primitive temple and it radiates an aura of Evil so vile and malicious that the thought of entering makes your skin crawl.</p>
+ <p>At the end of the passage you discover another tunnel that leads off to the left. The walls and ceiling of this adjacent passageway are dripping wet, indicating that it passes directly under the stream. You stride along its narrow confines, your shoulders grazing the muddy walls as you advance up a flight of steps which lead to an archway supported by thick wooden beams. Beyond the arch lies a large subterranean chamber that is daubed and decorated with runes and evil insignia. It is a primitive temple, and it radiates an aura of Evil so vile and malicious that the thought of entering makes your skin crawl.</p>
<p>On the far side of this unholy place, you see a stone altar standing before a huge boulder that has been crudely chiselled to resemble a grinning human skull. An eerie green glow pulsates from the eye sockets of this great skull-rock, and a mist swirls from its open jaw. Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane stands before the altar, an arrogant sneer spreading slowly across his face.</p>
<illustration class="inline">
<p><quote>I<ch.apos/>d expected better sport from you, Lone Wolf,</quote> he chides. <quote>You disappoint me<ch.ellips/>but no matter. Such easy triumph proves the worthiness of my master<ch.apos/>s cause. I bid you farewell, Lone Wolf. A final farewell.</quote></p>
<p>And with these chilling words ringing in your ears, your enemy stretches out both of his hands and takes hold of two iron staves that protrude from the ground on either side of the skull-rock<ch.apos/>s jaw. He jerks them out of their settings and casts them into the centre of the temple. Then, with a patronising salute, he turns and enters the open jaw, swiftly disappearing into the swirling mist.</p>
- <p>The dull boom of an explosion somewhere in the rock above the ceiling makes your heart miss a beat. Moments later, the walls begin to shake and the floor shudders violently beneath your feet, throwing you off balance. Rock and earth cascade from the roof and fissures tear open the ground. With fear running ice cold in your veins, you begin a desperate race to reach the mouth of the skull-rock before the entire roof collapses and you are buried alive in this doomed temple.</p>
+ <p>The dull boom of an explosion somewhere in the rock above the ceiling makes your heart miss a beat. Moments later, the walls begin to shake and the floor shudders violently beneath your feet, throwing you off balance. Rock and earth cascade from the roof, and fissures tear open the ground. With fear running ice cold in your veins, you begin a desperate race to reach the mouth of the skull-rock before the entire roof collapses and you are buried alive in this doomed temple.</p>
<p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Huntmastery, add 2 to the number you have picked. For every level of Kai rank you have so far attained above the rank of Sun Knight, add 1.</p>
<choice idref="sect222">If your total score is now 3 or less, <link-text>turn to 222</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect321">If it is 4<ch.endash/>6, <link-text>turn to 321</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>135</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>The gigantic insect detects movement where it is expecting none and immediately it senses a threat to its safety. Swiftly it retracts its proboscis and rises several feet, taking its vulnerable belly beyond the reach of your sword arm. It hovers motionlessly for a few seconds, its glinting fly-like eyes watching you intently; then it emits a high-pitched shriek and at once you know that it is getting ready to attack.</p>
+ <p>The gigantic insect detects movement where it is expecting none, and immediately it senses a threat to its safety. Swiftly it retracts its proboscis and rises several feet, taking its vulnerable belly beyond the reach of your sword arm. It hovers motionlessly for a few seconds, its glinting fly-like eyes watching you intently; then it emits a high-pitched shriek, and at once you know that it is getting ready to attack.</p>
<choice idref="sect178">If you possess Animal Mastery and wish to use it in an attempt to repel this creature<ch.apos/>s imminent attack, <link-text>turn to 178</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect311">If you do not possess this Discipline, or if you choose not to use it, <link-text>turn to 311</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
<data>
<p>The moment you pass into the mouth of the skull-rock you are engulfed by a dense fog that is icy cold and impenetrable to your sight and senses. You strain your Kai skills to aid your pursuit of Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, but all to no avail; this ivory-white fog hides everything, swamping and distorting all sense of time and direction.</p>
- <p>You keep moving, forcing yourself onwards even though the surface beneath your feet has become viscous and uncertain. After what seems like an eternity spent wandering through this cloudy limbo, you gradually feel the ground hardening and sense that the impenetrable fog is beginning to dissipate. Patches of grey appear in the creamy whiteness. Then the fog dissolves completely and you find yourself standing in the middle of a rubble-strewn street, surrounded by the bleak and derelict dwellings of a decaying, alien city.</p>
+ <p>You keep moving, forcing yourself onwards even though the surface beneath your feet has become viscous and uncertain. After what seems like an eternity spent wandering through this cloudy limbo, you gradually feel the ground hardening and sense that the impenetrable fog is beginning to dissipate. Patches of grey appear in the creamy whiteness. Then the fog dissolves completely, and you find yourself standing in the middle of a rubble-strewn street, surrounded by the bleak and derelict dwellings of a decaying, alien city.</p>
<illustration class="inline">
<meta>
<instance class="pdf" src="small9.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
</illustration>
- <p>It is the dead of night and a fine drizzle falls from a storm-laden sky, dampening this dreary landscape. Everywhere you look you see the hollow shells of buildings. They are heaped with mounds of broken stone, twisted rusty iron, and shattered glass. There are no trees, no blades of grass, no animals here. Everything is cold, grey, and dead.</p>
+ <p>It is the dead of night, and a fine drizzle falls from a storm-laden sky, dampening this dreary landscape. Everywhere you look you see the hollow shells of buildings. They are heaped with mounds of broken stone, twisted rusty iron, and shattered glass. There are no trees, no blades of grass, no animals here. Everything is cold, grey, and dead.</p>
<p>Suddenly you sense a blur of movement beside a mountain of rubble which blocks the end of the street. You focus upon it, magnifying your vision to penetrate the damp gloom, and you are rewarded with a fleeting glimpse of Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. He is running away. You hurry after him and, as you crest the mound, you see him entering the shattered entrance to a three-storey dwelling close by.</p>
<choice idref="sect324"><link-text>Turn to 324</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
<data>
<p>Hurriedly you retreat back along the stamen until you are out of harm<ch.apos/>s way. Blindly the angry Solyx stabs with its proboscis, splintering stamen tips and drenching you with showers of sticky pollen. Fortunately, the span of its gigantic wings and the narrowness of the plant<ch.apos/>s corolla conspire to prevent it from reaching deeper into the plant, and you are able to escape without sustaining further injury.</p>
- <p>When you reach the bowl of the corolla once more, you lower yourself into the hollow stem and soon discover that it drops away very steeply. It is a vertical tube for most of its length, yet you are able to slow your rate of descent by grabbing hold of tiny tendrils which protrude from the lining of the stem wall. As you get nearer to its base, the stem wall becomes semi-transparent and slick with moisture. You press your face to this warm surface and you are able to discern other stems beyond. They look like the trunks of trees in a dense green forest. Then you look down to see that the stem of this plant is descending into darkness. The darkness begins at the point where the stem passes below ground level. You decide to stop at this point for you have no desire to explore the roots of this huge flower.</p>
+ <p>When you reach the bowl of the corolla once more, you lower yourself into the hollow stem and soon discover that it drops away very steeply. It is a vertical tube for most of its length, yet you are able to slow your rate of descent by grabbing hold of tiny tendrils which protrude from the lining of the stem wall. As you get nearer to its base, the stem wall becomes semi-transparent and slick with moisture. You press your face to this warm surface, and you are able to discern other stems beyond. They look like the trunks of trees in a dense green forest. Then you look down to see that the stem of this plant is descending into darkness. The darkness begins at the point where the stem passes below ground level. You decide to stop at this point, for you have no desire to explore the roots of this huge flower.</p>
<p>Carefully you examine the fabric of the semi-transparent stem. If you can force your way through this tough plant wall, you will be able to escape from your prison-like tube.</p>
<choice idref="sect332">If you possess a bladed Weapon or a bladed Special Item, <link-text>turn to 332</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect279">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 279</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>150</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>Beyond the arch lies a steep ramp that descends to the floor of a circular chamber, the lowest level of the tower which soars into the stormy sky above. Runes of alien design run around the seamless glassy walls and the air is heavy with the sweet smell of decay. A large circular plinth stands in the centre of the chamber, its mirror-smooth surface a little under three feet from the floor. You take a step towards it and suddenly it is surrounded by a wall of fierce blue flames which shoot upwards from tiny vents in the floor around its base. As these flames gradually subside, you see four Kai Masters cowering upon the plinth. They are the four young Kai you thought had been left safely behind in the Old Necropolis of Tyso. They look petrified with fear, and when they see you they throw up their blistered, soot-blackened hands and plead for you to release them from their fiery prison.</p>
+ <p>Beyond the arch lies a steep ramp that descends to the floor of a circular chamber, the lowest level of the tower which soars into the stormy sky above. Runes of alien design run around the seamless glassy walls, and the air is heavy with the sweet smell of decay. A large circular plinth stands in the centre of the chamber, its mirror-smooth surface a little under three feet from the floor. You take a step towards it, and suddenly it is surrounded by a wall of fierce blue flames which shoot upwards from tiny vents in the floor around its base. As these flames gradually subside, you see four Kai Masters cowering upon the plinth. They are the four young Kai you thought had been left safely behind in the Old Necropolis of Tyso. They look petrified with fear, and when they see you they throw up their blistered, soot-blackened hands and plead for you to release them from their fiery prison.</p>
<p>Drawing upon your Magnakai Discipline of Psi-screen, you detect that the image of the four Kai Masters is nothing but a cruel illusion. Then, in the very next instant, the ramp on which you are standing suddenly drops away from under your feet. You throw yourself to one side and crash down upon the floor of the chamber, rolling over as you strike the hard surface to lessen the shock of impact. As you stagger to your feet, you see the image of the four Kai being consumed by fire. It is a frightful sight, and as they scream their last, a wave of hostile psychic energy crashes into your mind.</p>
<choice idref="sect122">If you possess Kai-screen, <link-text>turn to 122</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect45">If you do not possess this Discipline, <link-text>turn to 45</link-text>.</choice>
<data>
<p>With bated breath you watch as the warrior kicks the smouldering remains of the iron chest. He scans the warehouse, the visor of his helmet pulsing a dull crimson glow as he tries to locate where you are hiding. Unable to find you, he cradles his weapon and begins a systematic search of the building.</p>
- <p>As he passes beneath the storage tank you seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack. You leap onto his back and bring him crashing to the ground. However, you soon discover that he is an exceptionally strong opponent and your advantage of surprise is quickly lost. He draws his power from the armour he wears and you are hard-pressed to maintain your hold on his neck as he wrestles to break free. Then another warrior appears at the rear of the building. He, too, is armed with a magical spear. He aims this weapon at you and a flash of light erupts from its tip.</p>
+ <p>As he passes beneath the storage tank you seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack. You leap onto his back and bring him crashing to the ground. However, you soon discover that he is an exceptionally strong opponent and your advantage of surprise is quickly lost. He draws his power from the armour he wears, and you are hard-pressed to maintain your hold on his neck as he wrestles to break free. Then another warrior appears at the rear of the building. He, too, is armed with a magical spear. He aims this weapon at you and a flash of light erupts from its tip.</p>
<p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If your current <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points score is 12 or less, deduct 2 from the number you have picked.</p>
<choice idref="sect93">If your total is now 0 or less, <link-text>turn to 93</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect63">If it is 1 or more, <link-text>turn to 63</link-text>.</choice>
<section class="numbered" id="sect162">
<meta><title>162</title></meta>
+ <footnotes>
+ <footnote id="sect162-1-foot" idref="sect162-1">
+ <p>If you possess the Sommerswerd, <bookref series="lw" book="18dotd" section="sect98">Section 98</bookref> of <bookref series="lw" book="18dotd"><cite>Dawn of the Dragons</cite></bookref> suggests that you may be able to add 4 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> when using it in the Plane of Darkness (in addition to all other combat bonuses for this Special Item).</p>
+ </footnote>
+ </footnotes>
+
<data>
- <p>You race towards the swirling mouth of the Shadow Gate, but Naar is determined to launch one last desperate attempt to prevent you from escaping. You are within ten paces of the gate when two of the rubbery-limbed horrors emerge from the smoky walls and hurl themselves upon you.</p>
+ <p>You race towards the swirling mouth of the Shadow Gate, but Naar is determined to launch one last desperate attempt to prevent you from escaping. You are within ten paces of the gate when two of the rubbery-limbed horrors emerge from the smoky walls and hurl themselves upon you.<footref id="sect162-1" idref="sect162-1-foot"/></p>
<illustration class="float">
<meta>
<creator>Brian Williams</creator>
- <description>Before you can reach the gate, two of the rubbery- limbed horrors hurl themselves upon you.</description>
+ <description>Before you can reach the gate, two of the rubbery-limbed horrors hurl themselves upon you.</description>
</meta>
<instance class="html" src="ill9.png" width="386" height="636" mime-type="image/png"/>
<instance class="html-compatible" src="ill9.gif" width="386" height="636" mime-type="image/gif"/>
<meta><title>168</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>Carefully you lower yourself through the hole and drop silently to the floor of the cellar beneath. You remain crouched where you land, not daring to move a muscle until you have scoured the darkness for any potential threat to your life. You detect an area of warmth radiating from behind a stack of rotting timbers and slowly you inch towards it, your weapon drawn in readiness to strike.</p>
+ <p>Carefully you lower yourself through the hole and drop silently to the floor of the cellar beneath. You remain crouched where you land, not daring to move a muscle until you have scoured the darkness for any potential threat to your life. You detect an area of warmth radiating from behind a stack of rotting timbers, and slowly you inch towards it, your weapon drawn in readiness to strike.</p>
<p>You have moved to within a few yards of the timber pile and feel confident that you have tracked down your enemy.</p>
<p><quote>Come out, Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane!</quote> you shout. <quote>Don<ch.apos/>t hide from me like some cowardly dog!</quote></p>
- <p>You sense movement and draw back your weapon in anticipation of your enemy<ch.apos/>s imminent attack. Then a loud, inhuman, blood-curdling howl issues from behind the pile of timber and in a terrifying moment your confidence is shattered. The enemy confronting you is not Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane.</p>
+ <p>You sense movement and draw back your weapon in anticipation of your enemy<ch.apos/>s imminent attack. Then a loud, inhuman, blood-curdling howl issues from behind the pile of timber, and in a terrifying moment your confidence is shattered. The enemy confronting you is not Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane.</p>
<p>You glimpse the shadowy blur of a huge, black shape rising up from behind the timbers. Fangs gleam momentarily in the gloom as it opens its cavernous maw, and then, in the blink of an eye, it leaps over the pile and falls upon you.</p>
<combat><enemy>Kataka</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">42</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
<p>This creature is immune to all forms of psychic attack, except Kai-surge and Kai-blast.</p>
<data>
<p>The moment you enter the mouth of the skull-rock you are engulfed by a dense fog that is icy cold and impenetrable to your sight and senses. The thunderous noise of the temple<ch.apos/>s destruction ends abruptly, as if a great door has suddenly been closed upon it. You strain your Kai skills to aid your pursuit of Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane but to no avail; the ivory-white fog hides everything, swamping and distorting your sense of time and direction.</p>
- <p>You keep moving, forcing yourself onwards, even though the surface beneath your feet has become viscous and uncertain. After what seems like an eternity spent wandering through this cloudy limbo, you gradually feel the ground hardening and sense that the impenetrable fog is beginning to dissipate. Patches of grey appear in the creamy whiteness. Then the fog dissolves completely and you find yourself standing in the middle of a rubble-strewn street, surrounded by the bleak and derelict remains of a decaying, alien city.</p>
- <p>It is the dead of night and a fine drizzle falls from a storm-laden sky, dampening this dreary landscape. Everywhere you look you see the hollow shells of buildings. They are heaped with mounds of broken stone, twisted rusty iron, and shattered glass. There are no trees, no blades of grass, no animals here. Everything is cold, grey, and dead.</p>
- <p>You examine the paved surface of the street and detect your enemy<ch.apos/>s footprints. They are fresh and they lead you to a small courtyard flanked by two buildings: a large municipal hall and a smaller two-storey dwelling. Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.apos/>s tracks end in the middle of the wet courtyard and you sense that they have been deliberately erased. Despite your advanced hunting skills, you are unable to determine into which building your enemy has escaped.</p>
+ <p>You keep moving, forcing yourself onwards, even though the surface beneath your feet has become viscous and uncertain. After what seems like an eternity spent wandering through this cloudy limbo, you gradually feel the ground hardening and sense that the impenetrable fog is beginning to dissipate. Patches of grey appear in the creamy whiteness. Then the fog dissolves completely, and you find yourself standing in the middle of a rubble-strewn street, surrounded by the bleak and derelict remains of a decaying, alien city.</p>
+ <p>It is the dead of night, and a fine drizzle falls from a storm-laden sky, dampening this dreary landscape. Everywhere you look you see the hollow shells of buildings. They are heaped with mounds of broken stone, twisted rusty iron, and shattered glass. There are no trees, no blades of grass, no animals here. Everything is cold, grey, and dead.</p>
+ <p>You examine the paved surface of the street and detect your enemy<ch.apos/>s footprints. They are fresh, and they lead you to a small courtyard flanked by two buildings: a large municipal hall and a smaller two-storey dwelling. Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.apos/>s tracks end in the middle of the wet courtyard, and you sense that they have been deliberately erased. Despite your advanced hunting skills, you are unable to determine into which building your enemy has escaped.</p>
<choice idref="sect148">If you wish to enter the municipal hall, <link-text>turn to 148</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect267">If you wish to investigate the two-storey dwelling, <link-text>turn to 267</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
<meta><title>200</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>Fiery winds sear your face and body as you, and your adversary, tumble headlong towards the whirling white heart of the vortex. Motes of fire stream past on all sides and a roaring wind howls like a demon in your ears. You pass through a cloud of sparkling vapour which wraps threads of silver light around your limbs and torso. As you emerge from the cloud, this shimmering cocoon grows tighter and tighter until the pain becomes almost unbearable.</p>
+ <p>Fiery winds sear your face and body as you, and your adversary, tumble headlong towards the whirling white heart of the vortex. Motes of fire stream past on all sides, and a roaring wind howls like a demon in your ears. You pass through a cloud of sparkling vapour which wraps threads of silver light around your limbs and torso. As you emerge from the cloud, this shimmering cocoon grows tighter and tighter until the pain becomes almost unbearable.</p>
<choice idref="sect229">If you possess Grand Nexus and have attained the rank of Grand Thane, <link-text>turn to 229</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect281">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 281</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
<data>
<p>You unshoulder your Bow and draw an Arrow from your Quiver. As you fix the notch of the Arrow to the bowstring, you cast the Old Kingdom Battle-spell <spell>Flameshaft</spell> upon its tip, keeping the last word of the spell upon your lips until you are ready to fire.</p>
<p>Patiently you watch the warrior kicking at the smouldering remains of the iron chest. The moment he turns away, you utter the completing word of the spell and let loose your Arrow at his back. The tip of the Arrow ignites in flight, the magical flame illuminating the gloom as it arcs towards your unwary target with deadly precision. The fiery point penetrates deep into the metal canister strapped to the warrior<ch.apos/>s back and, in a terrifying instant, he and his sorcerous weapon are engulfed by a crackling mass of electrical energy. He screams and staggers across the floor, his limbs and torso trailing blue-white snakes of light which earth themselves to the surrounding metal debris. Then, finally, the energy that is contained within the canister is expended. Released from his torment, he loses his balance and falls heavily to the floor.</p>
- <p>You shoulder your Bow and move to descend from the top of the storage tank, but you freeze when you see a second warrior running to where the first has fallen. As he passes beneath the tank, you leap onto his back and bring him crashing to the ground. To your shocked surprise you discover that he is an exceptionally strong opponent. He draws power from the armour he wears and he uses it to break your grip. In desperation you utter the words of the Old Kingdom Spell <spell>Energy Grasp</spell> and use it to discharge a powerful pulse of energy into the fabric of his armour. The effect is devastating. His armour disintegrates, crushing him to death as it crumples and compresses his body.</p>
+ <p>You shoulder your Bow and move to descend from the top of the storage tank, but you freeze when you see a second warrior running to where the first has fallen. As he passes beneath the tank, you leap onto his back and bring him crashing to the ground. To your shocked surprise you discover that he is an exceptionally strong opponent. He draws power from the armour he wears, and he uses it to break your grip. In desperation you utter the words of the Old Kingdom Spell <spell>Energy Grasp</spell> and use it to discharge a powerful pulse of energy into the fabric of his armour. The effect is devastating. His armour disintegrates, crushing him to death as it crumples and compresses his body.</p>
<choice idref="sect21"><link-text>Turn to 21</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<data>
<p>The iron portal grinds to a close behind your back, shutting out the storm so completely that the roar of the wind instantly disappears. The abrupt silence and lower air pressure within this entry chamber make your ears pop painfully. You lower the hood of your cloak and carefully wipe the sand from your eyes before taking your first tentative steps across the antechamber<ch.apos/>s polished glass floor.</p>
- <p>You pass through a triangular arch and down a ramp that leads to an echoing hallway. The floor and walls of this broad hall are fashioned from a black, glassy mineral that is veined with fluorescent greens and sickly purples. You sense strong pulses of psychic power radiating from an open arch at the far side of the hall and your skin prickles with a presentiment of danger. You unsheathe your weapon and move towards the arch with the utmost caution; you are expecting the unexpected.</p>
+ <p>You pass through a triangular arch and down a ramp that leads to an echoing hallway. The floor and walls of this broad hall are fashioned from a black, glassy mineral that is veined with fluorescent greens and sickly purples. You sense strong pulses of psychic power radiating from an open arch at the far side of the hall, and your skin prickles with a presentiment of danger. You unsheathe your weapon and move towards the arch with the utmost caution; you are expecting the unexpected.</p>
<choice idref="sect150"><link-text>Turn to 150</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<meta><title>230</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>You leap from the rent in the plant wall and land safely on a mound of soft black earth. As you struggle to your feet, you notice that this rich soil forms a narrow clearing between the base of the plant and the stems of many others, all of a similar species. Their colossal stalks soar into a dimly amber sky where gigantic flowering heads bend and sway in a humid breeze. Staring at this awe-inspiring canopy, hundreds of feet above, makes you feel incredibly small and vulnerable<ch.emdash/>like a tiny insect. This feeling is made worse when suddenly a huge, horse-sized beetle comes careering through the plant stems. Instinct and quick thinking save your skin. Instantly you freeze and the shiny black monstrosity ignores you and continues its chaotic rampage through this forest of gigantic plants.</p>
+ <p>You leap from the rent in the plant wall and land safely on a mound of soft black earth. As you struggle to your feet, you notice that this rich soil forms a narrow clearing between the base of the plant and the stems of many others, all of a similar species. Their colossal stalks soar into a dimly amber sky where gigantic flowering heads bend and sway in a humid breeze. Staring at this awe-inspiring canopy, hundreds of feet above, makes you feel incredibly small and vulnerable<ch.emdash/>like a tiny insect. This feeling is made worse when suddenly a huge, horse-sized beetle comes careering through the plant stems. Instinct and quick thinking save your skin. Instantly you freeze, and the shiny black monstrosity ignores you and continues its chaotic rampage through this forest of gigantic plants.</p>
<illustration class="inline">
<meta>
<instance class="pdf" src="small2.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
</illustration>
- <p>It is several moments before your pulse slows and your senses detect a distant source of energy, somewhere away to the north. You cannot discern its nature or purpose but you feel compelled to investigate. Guided by your tracking skills, you trek through this extraordinary forest for nearly an
Project Aon Git Repositories / project-aon.git / blobdiff