You are Lone Wolf&emdash;Kai Grand Master of Sommerlund. The spirit of Vashna, greatest of all the Darklords, is imprisoned deep within the fathomless reaches of the Maakengorge. For centuries, servants of darkness have tried to summon him to do their bidding but always they have failed&ellips; until now!
In The Legacy of Vashna, you must locate and defeat the Darklord's minions before they can complete the resurrection of their master&emdash;the most powerful Lord of Evil your world has ever known. Will you succeed in your quest? Or will you and your fragile world perish in the wrath of Vashna?
@@ -118,6 +134,8 @@ Initial revisionYou are Grand Master Lone Wolf, last of the Kai Lords of Sommerlund and sole survivor of a massacre that wiped out the First Order of your élite warrior caste.
-It is the year MS 5077 and twenty-seven years have passed since your brave kinsmen perished at the hands of the Darklords of Helgedad. These champions of evil, who were sent forth by Naar, the King of the Darkness, to destroy the fertile world of Magnamund, have themselves since been destroyed. You vowed to avenge the murder of the Kai and you kept your pledge, for it was you who brought about their downfall when alone you infiltrated their foul domain&emdash;the Darklands&emdash;and caused the destruction of their leader, Archlord Gnaag, and the seat of his power that was the infernal city of Helgedad.
+It is the year MS 5077 and twenty-seven years have passed since your brave kinsmen perished at the hands of the Darklords of Helgedad. These champions of evil, who were sent forth by Naar, the King of the Darkness, to destroy the fertile world of Magnamund have themselves since been destroyed. You vowed to avenge the murder of the Kai and you kept your pledge, for it was you who brought about their downfall when alone you infiltrated their foul domain&emdash;the Darklands&emdash;and caused the destruction of their leader, Archlord Gnaag, and the seat of his power that was the infernal city of Helgedad.
In the wake of their destruction, chaos befell the Darkland armies who, until then, had been poised to conquer all of Magnamund. Some factions which comprised this huge army, most notably the barbaric Drakkarim, began to fight with the others for control. This disorder quickly escalated into an all-out civil war, which allowed the Freeland armies of Magnamund time in which to recover and launch a counter-offensive. Skilfully their commanders exploited the chaos and secured a swift and total victory over an enemy far superior in numbers.
For seven years now peace has reigned in Sommerlund. Under your direction, the once-ruined monastery of the Kai has been thoroughly rebuilt and restored to its former glory, and the task of teaching a Second Order of Kai warriors the skills and proud traditions of your ancestors is also well under way. The new generation of Kai recruits, all of whom were born during the era of war against the Darklords, possess latent Kai skills and show exceptional promise. These skills will be nurtured and honed to perfection during their time at the Monastery so that they may teach and inspire future generations, thereby ensuring the continued security of your homeland in future years.
Your attainment of the rank of Kai Grand Master brought with it great rewards. Some, such as the restoration of the Kai and the undying gratitude of your fellow Sommlending, could have been anticipated. Yet there have also been rewards which you could not possibly have foreseen. The discovery that within you lay the potential to develop Kai Disciplines beyond those of the Magnakai, which, until now, were thought to be the ultimate that a Kai Master could aspire to, was truly a revelation. Your discovery has inspired you to set out upon a new and previously unknown path in search of the wisdom and power that no Kai Lord before you has ever possessed. In the name of your creator, the God Kai, and for the greater glory of Sommerlund and the Goddess Ishir, you have vowed to reach the very pinnacle of Kai perfection&emdash;to attain all of the Grand Master Disciplines and become the first Kai Supreme Master.
With diligence and determination you set about the restoration of the Kai Monastery and organized the training of the Second Order recruits. Your efforts were soon rewarded and, within the space of two short years, the first raw recruits had graduated to become a cadre of gifted Kai Masters who, in turn, were able to commence the teaching of their skills to subsequent intakes of Kai novices. Readily the Kai Masters rose to their newfound responsibilities, leaving you free to devote more of your time to the pursuit and perfection of the Grand Master Disciplines. During this period you also received expert tutelage in the ways of magic from two of your most trusted friends and advisors: Guildmaster Banedon, leader of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star, and Lord Rimoah, speaker for the High Council of the Elder Magi.
In the deepest subterranean level of the Monastery, a hundred feet below the Tower of the Sun, you ordered the excavation and construction of a special vault. In this magnificent chamber wrought of granite and gold, you placed the seven Lorestones of Nyxator, the gems of Kai power which you had recovered during your quest for the Magnakai. It was here, bathed in the golden light of those radiant gems, that you spent countless hours in pursuit of perfection. Sometimes alone, sometimes in the company of your two able advisors&emdash;Banedon and Rimoah&emdash;you worked hard to develop your innate Grand Master Disciplines, and grasp the fundamental secrets of Left-handed and Old Kingdom magic. During this time you noticed many remarkable changes taking place within your body: you became physically and mentally stronger, your five primary senses sharpened beyond all that you had experienced before, and, perhaps most remarkably, your body began to age at a much slower rate. Now, for every five years that elapse you age but one year.
-At this time many changes were occurring beyond the borders of Sommerlund. In the regions to the north-east of Magador and the Maakengorge, the Elder Magi of Dessi and the Herbwardens of Bautar were working together in an effort to restore the dusty volcanic wasteland to its former fertile state. It was the first tentative step towards the reclamation of all the Darklands. However, their progress was painfully slow, and both parties were resigned to the fact that their efforts to undo the damage caused by the Darklords would take centuries to complete.
+At this time many changes were occurring beyond the borders of Sommerlund. In the regions to the northeast of Magador and the Maakengorge, the Elder Magi of Dessi and the Herbwardens of Bautar were working together in an effort to restore the dusty volcanic wasteland to its former fertile state. It was the first tentative step towards the reclamation of all the Darklands. However, their progress was painfully slow, and both parties were resigned to the fact that their efforts to undo the damage caused by the Darklords would take centuries to complete.
Following the destruction of the Darklords of Helgedad, the Giaks, the most numerous of all Gnaag's troops, fled into the Darklands and sought refuge in the gigantic city-fortresses of Nadgazad, Aarnak, Gournen, Akagazad and Kaag. Within each of these hellish strongholds, fierce fighting broke out as remnants of the Xaghash (lesser Darklords) and the Nadziranim (evil practitioners of Right-handed magic who once aided individual Darklord masters) fought for control. It is widely believed that by the time the Elder Magi and the Herbwardens reach the walls of these strongholds they will encounter no resistance; the occupants will have long since brought about their own extinction.
Elsewhere, throughout Northern Magnamund, peace reigns victorious and the peoples of the Free Kingdoms rejoice in the knowledge that the age of the Darklords has finally come to an end. Readily men have exchanged their swords for hoes and their shields for ploughs, and now the only marching they do is along the ruts of their freshly furrowed fields. Few are the watchful eyes that scan the distant horizon in fear of what may appear, although there are still those who maintain their vigilance, for the agents of Naar come in many guises and there are those in Magnamund who wait quietly in the shadows for the chance to do his evil bidding.
Already your newfound skills have been tested against Naar's agents and you have, on each such occasion, acquitted yourself admirably. But your continuing victories against his minions have enraged the Dark God, and rarely has his lust for vengeance been greater than it is at present. Recently, Lord Rimoah has counselled you to be extra vigilant, for he fears that Naar is getting ready to strike at Sommerlund anew. The Elder Magi have received warnings from President Kadharian of Magador that something strange is taking place in the north of his country, in the mountainous territory which borders upon the Maakengorge. Freak storms and unseasonal weather have swept this remote region, and the night skies over Lake Vorndarol have, for several weeks now, been illuminated by eerie, inexplicable lights.
@@ -370,7 +388,7 @@ Initial revision -Before you set off on your long journey to Magador, you take with you a map of the the Maakengorge and surrounding territories and a pouch of gold. To find out how much gold is in the pouch, pick a number from the Random Number Table and add 20 to the number you have picked. The total equals the number of Gold Crowns inside the pouch, and you should now enter this number in the Gold Crowns
section of your Action Chart.
Before you set off on your long journey to Magador, you take with you a map of the Maakengorge and surrounding territories and a pouch of gold. To find out how much gold is in the pouch, pick a number from the Random Number Table and add 20 to the number you have picked. The total equals the number of Gold Crowns inside the pouch, and you should now enter this number in the Gold Crowns
section of your Action Chart.
If you have successfully completed any of the previous Lone Wolf adventures (Books 1&endash;15), you may add this sum to the total sum of Crowns you already possess. Fifty Crowns is the maximum you can carry, but additional Crowns can be left in safekeeping at your monastery.
You can take four items from the list below, again adding to these, if necessary, any you may already possess from previous adventures (remember, you are still limited to two Weapons, but you may now carry a maximum of ten Backpack Items).
If you are a Grand Master who has reached the rank of Sun Knight (6 Disciplines), you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:
Sun Knights with this Discipline are able to wield two-handed weapons (i.e. Broadsword, Quarterstaff, Spear) with full effect, using only one hand.
Sun Knights with this Discipline are able to wield two-handed weapons (i.e. Broadsword, Quarterstaff, and Spear) with full effect, using only one hand.
Sun Knights who possess this skill are able to repair serious wounds sustained by creatures other than themselves. By the laying of hands upon the affected creature's body, a Sun Knight can cause an open wound (or other serious injury) to mend itself. The speed at which this healing takes place increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.
If you have already spent all of your money, you have a choice: you may either give her an item of comparable or greater value, or you may simply disregard this cost.
+You enter the open doorway, and the hubbub of laughter and conversation dies momentarily as all eyes turn to stare in your direction. They consider you for a few moments, then the chatter and noise begin anew and the eyes return to other matters. After descending a flight of steps to the sunken floor of the taproom, you make your way through the noisy crowd to the beer-soaked counter. A husky serving wench thuds a pewter tankard down on the bar before you and fills it with frothing ale.
-First one's on the 'ouse,
she says, with a snarl, the rest y' pays for, understand?
You nod your reply and, as you sip the watery brew, you take stock of the inn's villainous clientele. They are not a pretty crowd. The Crooked Sage is a tavern with an ill reputation, even in the brawling turmoil of Helgor's north quarter. The city guard never patrol here; a weekly donation to the guard captain guarantees that they are always somewhere else. Order, and what passes for law, is kept by Chegga, the owner of the inn, and his two brutish sons&emdash;Zhola and Gorgan.
You finish your ale and the serving wench returns to refill your tankard.
-That'll be one Gold Crown,
she says, thrusting out a calloused palm. You place the crown on the bar and, as she goes to pick it up, you take hold of her wrist to prevent her from moving away.
That'll be one Gold Crown,
she says, thrusting out a calloused palm. You place the crown on the bar and, as she goes to pick it up, you take hold of her wrist to prevent her from moving away.
Where's Smudd? Is he here tonight?
you ask.
Over there,
she growls, pointing to a shadowy alcove at the rear of the taproom, now let go o' me or I'll call Chegga.
Calmly you release her, take up your ale, and walk slowly towards the place where Smudd is seated. He is in the company of a giggling bar-girl and does not notice that you are standing beside him until you thump your tankard down on his table. The sound startles him and immediately he reaches for his sword.
@@ -1067,7 +1091,7 @@ Initial revisionYou stand perfectly still and concentrate on attaining the trance state needed in order to effect your transition from consciousness to suspended animation. You feel as if you are drifting off to sleep, although you have entered a state in which you appear, to any outside observer, to be dead.
-High above you, the unseen creature probes the fog for evidence of life force. Unable to detect any, it trails away to another part of this hellish plane in search of prey with which to feed its young. You hear the winged beast departing and you bring yourself out of the death-trance, awaking with a start.
+High above you, the unseen creature probes the fog for evidence of life-force. Unable to detect any, it trails away to another part of this hellish plane in search of prey with which to feed its young. You hear the winged beast departing and you bring yourself out of the death-trance, awaking with a start.
You have destroyed the power of the vortexi horde. They shrink and fade, and their faint, wispy remains are whipped up and dispersed by the winds of the raging storm. For a few moments there is a break in the roiling clouds and a few rays of sunlight burst through to bathe you in a warm, yellow glow. This warmth greatly invigorates your body and your mind: restore your
You have destroyed the power of the Vortexi horde. They shrink and fade, and their faint, wispy remains are whipped up and dispersed by the winds of the raging storm. For a few moments there is a break in the roiling clouds and a few rays of sunlight burst through to bathe you in a warm, yellow glow. This warmth greatly invigorates your body and your mind: restore your
For countless minutes you hurtle into a whirling abyss of darkness and howling gales, torn by freezing winds that cut to the marrow despite your Magnakai protections. Then, as if waking from a dream, the sensation of falling abruptly ceases and you find yourself standing on a plateau of black volcanic rock, cratered and split by rivers of blazing lava. You take a tentative step forwards and feel the ground sag beneath your feet. The thin crust of cooled lava wrinkles and tears, and a jet of flickering yellow flame shoots upwards to engulf your legs.
-Your Nexus skills are sufficiently developed to protect you from the flames and hellish temperature, but you are amazed that your boots and clothing have not ignited. Then you sense that your entirety is being protected by a field of energy radiating from the Platinum Amulet given you by Gwynian the Sage. Silently you thank him for his gift, for you suspect now that even your Kai skills would be hard pressed to keep you safe in this alien domain.
+Your Nexus skills are sufficiently developed to protect you from the flames and hellish temperature, but you are amazed that your boots and clothing have not ignited. Then you sense that your entirety is being protected by a field of energy radiating from the Platinum Amulet given you by Gwynian the Sage. Silently you thank him for his gift, for you suspect now that even your Kai skills would be hard-pressed to keep you safe in this alien domain.
The fat drunkard can hardly believe his luck when you reach to your belt pouch and count out ten Gold Crowns into his grubby hand.
-May the gods bless y' boots, sir!
he cackles, as he stuffs the gleaming crowns into his pocket. If it's the Crooked Sage you be a'wantin' to visit, you be needin' Tavern Lane, o'er there,
he says, enthusiastically pointing to the street which leads off to the east.
May the Gods bless y' boots, sir!
he cackles, as he stuffs the gleaming crowns into his pocket. If it's the Crooked Sage you be a'wantin' to visit, you be needin' Tavern Lane, o'er there,
he says, enthusiastically pointing to the street which leads off to the east.
With the drunkard's gleeful laughter echoing in your ears, you spur Bracer to a canter and enter this foul-smelling street. Clamped against the walls of the surrounding buildings are oil-soaked torches which serve to illuminate the signs of wine shops and taverns. They are crudely painted with emblems&emdash;a bloodied battle-axe, a winged horse, a watery sun rising from a broken skull. There is not one which resembles a crooked sage and you are beginning to suspect you have been duped, when suddenly you hear the sound of drunken revelry coming from a two-storey building at the end of the street. Its oaken doors hang open and the vivid orange glare of its roaring hearth spills invitingly into the dank night gloom. Although it has no painted emblem, you sense at once that you have come to the Crooked Sage Inn.
You leave the furrier's shop and remount your horse to continue your search for the Crooked Sage Inn. You have ridden less than twenty metres when a sudden gust of wind thins out the cloying fog, revealing the dark entrance to an alleyway off to your right.
+You leave the furriers' shop and remount your horse to continue your search for the Crooked Sage Inn. You have ridden less than twenty metres when a sudden gust of wind thins out the cloying fog, revealing the dark entrance to an alleyway off to your right.
Do you mind if I keep this?
you ask, motioning to the amulet.
I've no objection,
replies Kadharian. I hope it helps you to discover what is truly going on in the north.
Carefully you rewrap the talisman and slip it into the pocket of your tunic (record this Black Talisman as a Special Item on your Action Chart&emdash;you need not discard another item in its favour if you already possess the maximum allowed). Then, after a meal and a soothingly hot bath, you bid farewell to the President and take your leave of the palace by way of the stables.
+Carefully you rewrap the talisman and slip it into the pocket of your tunic (record this Black Amulet as a Special Item on your Action Chart&emdash;you need not discard another item in its favour if you already possess the maximum allowed). Then, after a meal and a soothingly hot bath, you bid farewell to the President and take your leave of the palace by way of the stables.
You draw on your psychic defences to keep you hidden from this creature. You cannot see it in the dense fog but you can hear it swooping down, and you are nearly flattened by the draught of its mighty wings as it roars past close overhead.
-As first it seems to be going away into the distance, but then you sense it turn about and come gliding back for a second pass. Suddenly you realize that your psychic defences are not hiding you from this creature at all; it is locking on to your life force, not your mind.
+As first it seems to be going away into the distance, but then you sense it turn about and come gliding back for a second pass. Suddenly you realize that your psychic defences are not hiding you from this creature at all; it is locking on to your life-force, not your mind.
You wield the Deathstaff with strength and confidence. The whirling cyclone ruins the vortexi attack and bleeds them of their psychic powers, rendering them harmless.
+You wield the Deathstaff with strength and confidence. The whirling cyclone ruins the Vortexi attack and bleeds them of their psychic powers, rendering them harmless.
However, by using the Deathstaff to accomplish this, you have left yourself vulnerable to its insidious power: lose 3
You unsheathe your weapon and brace yourself to receive their maniacal attack.
-The moment you step through the archway you feel an electrifying jolt run through your body, and snake-like tendrils of blue-white energy arc from the rim of the arch to the hilt of the Sommerswerd. A gasp of astonishment arises from the acolytes, audible even above the howling wind.
-We have an intruder in our midst!
screams Cadak, levelling his wizard's staff at you accusingly. You fight the paralysing effect of the current and tug the Sun-sword free of its scabbard. For a moment the current weakens as it is absorbed and neutralized by the Sommerswerd's divine energy, but then the tip of Cadak's staff ignites with a crimson flame and the current intensifies anew, numbing your limbs with its insidious effect.
We have an intruder in our midst!
screams Cadak, levelling his wizard's staff at you accusingly. You fight the paralysing effect of the current and tug the sun-sword free of its scabbard. For a moment the current weakens as it is absorbed and neutralized by the Sommerswerd's divine energy, but then the tip of Cadak's staff ignites with a crimson flame and the current intensifies anew, numbing your limbs with its insidious effect.
Ha! I know you, intruder,
yells Cadak maniacally. You are Lone Wolf, the doomed hero of a doomed realm. You are a fool to come here, Kai Lord. Your powers are no match for those of Naar, the King of the Darkness.
With this he turns to the acolytes and throws up his hands triumphantly.
This night we shall celebrate a double victory, my brethren. The resurrection of Lord Vashna and the destruction of Grand Master Lone Wolf!
You unsheathe the Sun-sword and strike out at the approaching bolt in a desperate attempt to deflect it away. It strikes the edge of the blade and you are blinded by an eruption of searing white light. The Sommerswerd has negated the force of the bolt, rendering it harmless, but the shock of the impact sends you reeling backwards. As you fall you knock your head on a charred timber: lose 2
You unsheathe the sun-sword and strike out at the approaching bolt in a desperate attempt to deflect it away. It strikes the edge of the blade and you are blinded by an eruption of searing white light. The Sommerswerd has negated the force of the bolt, rendering it harmless, but the shock of the impact sends you reeling backwards. As you fall you knock your head on a charred timber: lose 2
The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. You have only one chance to guess at the correct answer. If you guess incorrectly, turn immediately to 216.
+The correct method for finding the solution of this riddle has eluded readers ever since The Legacy of Vashna was published (as befits a riddle posed by an immortal demoness). If you can find the correct solution, please contact the Project Aon volunteers. The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. You have only one chance to guess at the correct answer. If you guess incorrectly, turn immediately to 216.
You stagger to your feet and shake your head to clear your blurred vision. The first thing you see when your sight returns to normal is the attacking longboat as it collides with the Vakovarian ship. With a deafening screech of twisting metal and shearing timbers, it shudders along the length of the starboard side, sending the brigands who are aboard cartwheeling helplessly across the deck. Grappling lines are cast and boarding planks lowered, and before the Vakovarians can recover, a screaming horde of red-robed acolytes are amongst them, slaying all without quarter.
-On the quayside the Vakovarians are gripped by panic. Many flee to the ruins, but there is a core of battle-hardened ex-mercenaries who band together and attempt a counter-attack. Bloody fighting rages along the quayside as the acolytes try to recapture the three who are tied to the stone obelisk. The prisoners are eventually saved by a trio of Acolyte Elders, each of whom is armed with a glowing wand that discharges an incinerating blast of energy against any brigand foolish enough to stand in their way. The Elders retreat to the long boat with the freed prisoners, but the fighting has started to spread beyond the quay. There is a sudden noise to your left, and when you turn to face it, you see two Acolytes of Vashna racing along the street towards you with bloodied swords held ready to strike you down.
+On the quayside the Vakovarians are gripped by panic. Many flee to the ruins, but there is a core of battle-hardened ex-mercenaries who band together and attempt a counterattack. Bloody fighting rages along the quayside as the acolytes try to recapture the three who are tied to the stone obelisk. The prisoners are eventually saved by a trio of Acolyte Elders, each of whom is armed with a glowing wand that discharges an incinerating blast of energy against any brigand foolish enough to stand in their way. The Elders retreat to the long boat with the freed prisoners, but the fighting has started to spread beyond the quay. There is a sudden noise to your left, and when you turn to face it, you see two Acolytes of Vashna racing along the street towards you with bloodied swords held ready to strike you down.
You tether your horse's reins to a peg beside the door and step into the welcoming warmth of the furrier's shop. Immediately you are assailed by the greasy stench of the furs which fill this emporium. They hang in rows from ornate brass hooks driven into the wooden walls and ceiling rafters, sorted by size and type. Three young men, all strikingly similar in looks, are busy trimming wolf pelts at a work bench. Behind the counter stands a grey-haired old woman with a straight back and clear, milky-white skin. She smiles and asks if you wish to buy or sell furs.
+You tether your horse's reins to a peg beside the door and step into the welcoming warmth of the furriers' shop. Immediately you are assailed by the greasy stench of the furs which fill this emporium. They hang in rows from ornate brass hooks driven into the wooden walls and ceiling rafters, sorted by size and type. Three young men, all strikingly similar in looks, are busy trimming wolf pelts at a work bench. Behind the counter stands a grey-haired old woman with a straight back and clear, milky-white skin. She smiles and asks if you wish to buy or sell furs.
Neither, madam,
you reply, politely, I'm trying to find my way to an inn called the Crooked Sage.
Oh, you are, are you?
she mumbles, disappointedly, her welcoming smile fading as she abandons hopes of striking up a deal with you. Then her smile returns and she says, Well, sir, I'll be glad to tell you&ellips; but only if you buy something first. If you won't buy any of my furs, then I'll sell you the information you want for five Gold Crowns. What do you say?
Since this attack is described as a Kai-blast
, you should deduct 4
The originally published edition of this book instructed you to add 5 points to your
You open the depths of your mind and summon forth a glowing ball of Kai energy which you project at the leading phantom. This fiery ball of psychic power rips into the creature's ghostly form and causes it to shriek with agony. Your Kai-blast has wounded this entity, but it has not stopped its attack. It gathers itself and swoops down upon you, like a hungry vulture descending on a corpse.
+You open the depths of your mind and summon forth a glowing ball of Kai energy which you project at the leading phantom. This fiery ball of psychic power rips into the creature's ghostly form and causes it to shriek with agony. Your Kai-blast has wounded this entity, but it has not stopped its attack. It gathers itself and swoops down upon you, like a hungry vulture descending on a corpse.
For every level of Kai rank you have attained above that of Kai Grand Guardian, you may add 2 to your
For every level of Kai rank you have attained above that of Kai Grand Guardian, you may add 2 to your
There is no indication whether or not the extra meals that you gather as you ride should also have a curative effect. If you decide that they do, record each on your Action Chart as Meal +3
.
The yellow blossoms are surprisingly nutritious: restore 3
The yellow blossoms are surprisingly nutritious: restore 3
Before you stretches a gigantic cavern. Its walls of ancient obsidian rise to a high-arched roof where hangs a circle of stalactites&emdash;twelve huge luminescent spears of lime-green stone. Bathed in their pulsating glow is a many-tiered crystal dais, identical to the one on which Arch Druid Cadak stood before the great shimmering archway at the edge of the Maakengorge. To the right of this dais you see a dark tunnel. The entrance appears like a black semi-circular shadow upon the cavern wall.
+Before you stretches a gigantic cavern. Its walls of ancient obsidian rise to a high-arched roof where hangs a circle of stalactites&emdash;twelve huge luminescent spears of lime-green stone. Bathed in their pulsating glow is a many-tiered crystal dais, identical to the one on which Arch Druid Cadak stood before the great shimmering archway at the edge of the Maakengorge. To the right of this dais you see a dark tunnel. The entrance appears like a black semicircular shadow upon the cavern wall.
Standing upon the uppermost tier of the dais is a creature which both mesmerizes and repulses you. It has the semblance of a human female, yet she stands more than seven metres tall. She is strikingly beautiful but you sense at once that she is also wholly evil. Her skin has a deathly, corpse-like pallor and she is clad in a flowing black costume which trails thin wisps of smoke. Cloaked figures scurry around the lower tiers of the dais, carrying out their mistress's commands and attending to her every whim. If they fail or displease her she crushes them like lowly insects in her elegant, deadly hands.
You watch in silent fascination as this demonic creature makes preparations, as if for a long journey. Then, in a flash of a sudden realization, you know her purpose. She is getting ready to enter the tunnel, a tunnel which will transport her to the archway at the edge of the Maakengorge. She is the deliverer of Vashna of whom Cadak spoke, the one who will raise the spirit of Lord Vashna from the chasm of doom!
If you have already spent all of your money, you have a choice: you may either give him an item of comparable or greater value, or you may simply disregard this cost.
+You ride slowly through the clammy fog which carpets the cobblestones of this ill-smelling lane. Clamped against the walls of the surrounding buildings are oil-soaked torches which serve to illuminate the signs of wine shops and taverns. They are crudely painted with emblems&emdash;a bloodied battle-axe, a winged horse, a watery sun rising from a broken skull. There is not one that resembles a crooked sage and you are beginning to lose heart when suddenly you hear the sound of drunken revelry coming from a two-storey building at the end of the street. Its oaken doors hang open and the vivid orange glare of its roaring hearth spills invitingly into the dank night gloom. Although it has no painted emblem, you sense at once that you have at last found the Crooked Sage Inn.
At your approach, a sallow-faced stable boy limps from a wooden hut which is leaning precariously against the side of the tavern wall. For one Gold Crown (erase this from your Action Chart), he takes charge of your horse and shows you to the taproom door.
+At your approach, a sallow-faced stable boy limps from a wooden hut which is leaning precariously against the side of the tavern wall. For one Gold Crown (erase this from your Action Chart), he takes charge of your horse and shows you to the taproom door.
You leave the cave at first light and continue your lonely trek towards Lake Vorndarol. Before dawn, an icy wind swept down from the north and spread a thick blanket of frost on the trail, freezing the mud beneath. To your surprise, the going is easier and swifter than expected and, by noon, you find you have covered more than thirty kilometres.
-During your ride you have watched the land slowly changing. The trail is now steeper and granite outcroppings have begun to appear, tinged with moss and interspersed with pine trees and grey-green underbrush. You are approaching an area littered with huge granite boulders when suddenly your Magnakai pathsmanship skills alert you to danger; you sense there is an ambush ahead.
+During your ride you have watched the land slowly changing. The trail is now steeper and granite outcroppings have begun to appear, tinged with moss and interspersed with pine trees and grey-green underbrush. You are approaching an area littered with huge granite boulders when suddenly your Magnakai Pathsmanship skills alert you to danger; you sense there is an ambush ahead.
Pick a number from the Random Number Table.
We have taken our unique opportunity to correct errors and to enforce a standard of English usage. We list our changes here. If you see anything that needs correction, please contact the Project Aon Staff.
+We have taken our unique opportunity to correct errors and to enforce a standard of English usage. We list our changes here. If you see anything that needs correction, please contact the Project Aon Staff.
(The Story So Far) Replaced elite
with élite
, no Kai lord
with no Kai Lord
, strongholds fierce
with strongholds, fierce
, Right-Handed Magic
with Right-handed magic
, both occurrences of new-found
with newfound
, Dark God and
with Dark God, and
, vigilant for
with vigilant, for
, free-state
with Freeland
, body, and those
with body, along with those
, and quickly and
with quickly, and
.
(The Story So Far) Replaced elite
with élite
, no Kai lord
with no Kai Lord
, strongholds fierce
with strongholds, fierce
, Right-Handed Magic
with Right-handed magic
, both occurrences of new-found
with newfound
, Dark God and
with Dark God, and
, vigilant for
with vigilant, for
, free-state
with Freeland
, body, and those
with body, along with those
, north-east
with northeast
, and quickly and
with quickly, and
.
(The Game Rules) Removed that you will find in the front of this book. For ease of use, and for further adventuring, it is recommended that you photocopy these pages
and on the last page of this book
. Changed
to
according to Lone Wolf Club Newsletter 24. Replaced Magi-Magic
with Magi-magic
and opposite and overleaf
with below
.
(Grand Master Disciplines) Replaced smell and
with smell, and
and both occurrences of (ie,
with (i.e.
.
(Equipment) Replaced Magador you
with Magador, you
, eg Gold
with e.g. Gold
, map of the area
with map of the the Maakengorge and surrounding territories
, safe-keeping
with safekeeping
, all occurrences of arrow
with Arrow
, all occurrences of bow
with Bow
, and adds 3 points
with adds 5 points
. Removed (see the inside front cover of this book)
. Added a section about Gold Crowns which reads The currency of Magador is the Gold Crown. These are always carried in the Belt Pouch. It will hold a maximum of fifty Crowns.
(25) Replaced over and, as
with over, and as
, them you
with them, you
, can and so you
with can. You
, chase but
with chase, but
, and and they give
with and give
.
(29) Replaced strike an
with strike, an
, this time,
with this time!
, alive.
with alive!
, Bow and arrow
with Bow and Arrow
.
(30) Replaced Sun Lord or higher,
with Sun Lord,
.
(31) Replaced prey on which
with prey with which
.
(31) Replaced life force
with life-force
and prey on which
with prey with which
.
(33) Replaced huntmastery
with Huntmastery
and swarthy-face
with swarthy-faced
.
(34) Replaced Kraagenskul
with Kraagenskûl
.
(36) Replaced Vortex
with Vortexi
, vortexi
with Vortexi
, and add 5 to your
with restore 5 points to your
.
(40) Removed the quotation marks around Lightning Hand
.
(44) Replaced dim blue
with dim, blue
, streches
with stretches
, and light and in its dim glow you
with light, and in its dim glow, you
.
(45) Removed the superfluous semicolon in region; has
&emdash;the original print has a suspicious looking smudge that makes no sense in this context. Replaced says, as
with says as
.
(46) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
.
(48) Replaced arrow
with Arrow
, bow
with Bow
, and Black corvayl
with Black Corvayl
.
(50) Replaced them they
with them, they
.
(51) Replaced discipline
with Discipline
.
(56) Replaced eagle eyes
with eagle-eyes
.
(57) Replaced Brotherhood spell
with Brotherhood Spell
. Removed the quotation marks around Net
. Replaced shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(59) Replaced bandits and
with bandits, and
.
(60) Replaced ascend but
with ascend, but
.
(60) Replaced hard pressed
with hard-pressed
and ascend but
with ascend, but
.
(61) Replaced pathsmanship
with Pathsmanship
and peak but
with peak, but
.
(62) Replaced gods
with Gods
.
(63) Replaced shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(64) Replaced huntmastery
with Huntmastery
, desolate but
with desolate, but
, and streets and
with streets, and
.
(67) Replaced gulley
with gully
.
(74) Replaced strong and
with strong, and
.
(75) Replaced arm lock
with armlock
and acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(76) Replaced camouflage
with Camouflage
and acolyte Elders
with Acolyte Elders
.
(77) Replaced furrier's shop
with furriers' shop
.
(80) Replaced huntmastery
with Huntmastery
and desolate but
with desolate, but
.
(82) Replaced deck and
with deck, and
.
(83) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
and both occurrences of Guardian,
with Guardian or higher,
.
(84) Replaced pathsmanship
with Pathsmanship
.
(84) Replaced Black Talisman
with Black Amulet
and pathsmanship
with Pathsmanship
.
(86) Replaced spell
with Spell
and removed the quotation marks from Sense Evil
.
(87) Replaced scavengers
with Scavengers
.
(88) Replaced arrow
with Arrow
.
(99) Replaced all occurences of jackals
with Jackals
, Knight, or
with Knight or
, and rounds, by
with rounds by
.
(100) Replaced t'is
with &thinspace;'tis
and At first I, too, made
with At first, I too made
.
(102) Replaced investigate and your
with investigate. Your
and acolyte of Vashna
with Acolyte of Vashna
.
(103) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
and add 5 to your
with restore 5 points to your
.
(103) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
and add 5 to your
with restore 5 points to your
.
(104) Replaced gulley
with gully
.
(105) Replaced Citystate
with City-state
and destoyed
with destroyed
.
(106) Replaced life force
with life-force
.
(107) Removed the quotation marks from Invisible Fist
.
(108) Replaced hesitation he
with hesitation, he
.
(109) Replaced bow and draw an arrow
with Bow and draw an Arrow
and bow and the arrow
with Bow and the Arrow
.
(110) Replaced shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(111) Removed , or higher
from Sun Lord, or higher
since Sun Lord is the highest available rank in this book.
(111) Removed , or higher
from Sun Lord, or higher
since Sun Lord is the highest available rank in this book.
(112) Replaced shore and
with shore, and
and both occurrences of jackals
with Jackals
.
(113) Replaced off-balance
with off balance
, them you
with them, you
, can and
with can, and
, heels, pausing
with heels pausing
, and chase but
with chase, but
.
(118) Replaced sun-sword
with Sun-sword
.
(134) Replaced acolyte Elder
with Elder
.
(136) Replaced invisibility
with Invisibility
and arrow
with Arrow
. Removed the quotation marks around Mind Charm
.
(137) Replaced camouflage
with Camouflage
and unconscious and
with unconscious, and
.
(138) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
.
(139) Replaced arrow
with Arrow
.
(149) Replaced shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(142) Replaced add 5 to your
with restore 5 points to your
.
(140) Replaced battle frenzy
with battle-frenzy
.
(141) Replaced shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(142) Replaced add 5 to your
with restore 5 points to your
.
(143) Replaced we celebrate
with We celebrate
and acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(144) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
and swoop
with swoops
.
(149) Replaced command and
with command, and
.
(162) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
.
(163) Replaced acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(164) Replaced both occurrences shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(166) Replaced Kai lord
with Kai Lord
and in our midst,
with in our midst!
, sun-sword
with Sun-sword
, and Cadak, maniacally, 'You
with Cadak maniacally. 'You
.
(166) Replaced Kai lord
with Kai Lord
and in our midst,
with in our midst!
, and Cadak, maniacally, &lsquot;You
with Cadak maniacally. &lsquot;You
.
(167) Replaced arrows
with Arrows
, invisibility
with Invisibility
, and arrow
with Arrow
. Removed the quotation marks around Mind Charm
.
(174) Replaced furrier's shop
with furriers' shop
.
(175) Replaced acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(176) Replaced sun-sword
with Sun-sword
.
(180) Replaced bow
with Bow
, both occurrences of scavengers
with Scavengers
, paces for
with paces, for
and attack; they
with attack: they
.
(183) Replaced bow
with Bow
and both occurrences of arrow
with Arrow
.
(184) Replaced whom you almost collided with
with with whom you almost collided
.
(185) Replaced screwjaws
with screwjaw
and drunkard when
with drunkard, when
.
(185) Replaced screwjaws
with screwjaw
and drunkard, when
with drunkard when
.
(186) Replaced tunic, and
with tunic and
.
(197) Replaced on to
with onto
.
(198) Replaced bow and draw an arrow
with Bow and draw an Arrow
and jaw
with jaws
.
(200) Replaced acolyte Elders
with Acolyte Elders
, face it you see, two
with face it, you see two
and acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(200) Replaced counter-attack
with counterattack
, acolyte Elders
with Acolyte Elders
, face it you see, two
with face it, you see two
and acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(204) Replaced acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(205) Removed , or higher
from Sun Lord, or higher
since Sun Lord is the highest available rank in this book.
(207) Replaced Huntmastery you
with Huntmastery, you
.
(213) Replaced Kai lord
with Kai Lord
.
(217) Replaced healing
with Healing
.
(222) Replaced to the gallop
with to a gallop
and both occurences of jackals
with Jackals
.
(223) Replaced both occurrences of gulley
with gulley
.
(223) Replaced both occurrences of gulley
with gully
.
(225) Replaced shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(226) Replaced mitts
with Mitts
, all occurrences of cloaks
with Cloaks
, corvayl
with Corvayl
, both occurrences of pelts
in the sale list with Pelts
, White wolf
with White Wolf
, and hides
with Hides
.
(226) Replaced furrier's shop
with furriers' shop
, mitts
with Mitts
, all occurrences of cloaks
with Cloaks
, corvayl
with Corvayl
, both occurrences of pelts
in the sale list with Pelts
, White wolf
with White Wolf
, and hides
with Hides
.
(227) Replaced arrow
with Arrow
and man, clad in furs clutching
with man clad in furs and clutching
.
(228) Replaced Kai lord
with Kai Lord
.
(229) Replaced both occurrences of Kai blast
with Kai-blast
. Replaced add 5 to your
with restore 5 points to your
.
(229) Replaced both occurrences of Kai blast
with Kai-blast
. Replaced add 5 to your
with restore 5 points to your
.
(230) Replaced horseshoe circle
with horseshoe shape
.
(232) Replaced cloud of crypt spawn
with cloud of Crypt Spawn
and Crypt spawn
with Crypt Spawn
.
(234) Replaced After a short while he says.
with After a short while he says,
and moved that phrase into the beginning of the fourth paragraph rather than at the end of the third. Replaced three occurences of amulet
with Amulet
. Replaced acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
(275) Replaced acolyte Elder
with Acolyte Elder
.
(276) Replaced Knight, or
with Knight or
.
(277) Replaced humble-but-honest
with humble but honest
and acolytes of Vashna
with Acolytes of Vashna
.
(283) Removed , or higher
from Sun Lord, or higher
since Sun Lord is the highest available rank in this book.
(283) Removed , or higher
from Sun Lord, or higher
since Sun Lord is the highest available rank in this book.
(284) Replaced vortexi
with Vortexi
.
(286) Replaced chasm of doom
with Chasm of Doom
and shadow gate
with Shadow Gate
.
(287) Replaced gold crowns
with Gold Crowns
.
(288) Replaced Elder-magi
with Elder Magi
.
(290) Replaced belt pouch
with Belt Pouch
.
(293) Replaced backpack
with Backpack
.
(294) Replaced spell
with Spell
and removed the quotation marks from Mind Charm
.
(296) Replaced ever-nearer
with ever nearer
.
(297) Replaced tracking
with Tracking
and Guardian, or
with Guardian or
.
(336) Replaced corvayl
with Corvayl
.
(337) Replaced pathsmanship
with Pathsmanship
.
(338) Replaced sixth sense
with Sixth Sense
.
(340) Replaced T'as
with &thinspace;'T'&thinspace;
and black corvayl
with Black Corvayl
.
(340) Replaced T'as been
with &thinspace;'T'as been
and black corvayl
with Black Corvayl
.
(341) Replaced north-easterly
with northeasterly
and north-east
with northeast
.
(342) Replaced gulley
with gully
, indentify
with identifies
, and acolyte of Vashna
with Acolyte of Vashna
.
(343) Replaced sixth sense
with Sixth Sense
.
(1) Note this Scroll as a Special Item that doesn't take up any space on your Action Chart.
(6) This is the correct answer to the crystal dais grid in Section 164.
(10) This is the correct answer to Shamath's riddle in Section 189.
+(21) If you have already spent all of your money, you have a choice: you may either give her an item of comparable or greater value, or you may simply disregard this cost.
(36) The originally published edition of this book instructed you to add 5 points to your
(54) There are strong indications that Arch Druid Cadak should be immune to both Mind Blast and Psi-surge but not Kai-surge. The Cener High Priest fought in The Plague Lords of Ruel Sections 156 and 212 is immune to these lesser psychic Disciplines, and Section 267 of this book describes Arch Druid Cadak's inner mind as well-shielded
.
(103) The originally published edition of this book instructed you to add 5 points to your
(143) It is most likely that these Discipline bonuses are not intended to be cumulative.
(150) It is most likely that these Discipline bonuses are not intended to be cumulative.
(164) The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. You have only one chance to guess at the correct answer. If you guess incorrectly, turn immediately to 235.
-(189) The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. You have only one chance to guess at the correct answer. If you guess incorrectly, turn immediately to 216.
+(189) The correct method for finding the solution of this riddle has eluded readers ever since The Legacy of Vashna was published (as befits a riddle posed by an immortal demoness). If you can find the correct solution, please contact the Project Aon volunteers. The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. You have only one chance to guess at the correct answer. If you guess incorrectly, turn immediately to 216.
+(229) Since this attack is described as a Kai-blast
, you should deduct 4
(229) The originally published edition of this book instructed you to add 5 points to your
(235) The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct. You have only one chance to guess at the correct answer. If you guess incorrectly, turn immediately to 141.
(267) There are strong indications that Arch Druid Cadak should be immune to both Mind Blast and Psi-surge but not Kai-surge. The Cener High Priest fought in The Plague Lords of Ruel Sections 156 and 212 is immune to these lesser psychic Disciplines, and this Section describes Arch Druid Cadak's inner mind as well-shielded
.
(293) There is no indication whether or not the extra meals that you gather as you ride should also have a curative effect. If you decide that they do, record each on your Action Chart as Meal +3
.
(332) If you have already spent all of your money, you have a choice: you may either give her an item of comparable or greater value, or you may simply disregard this cost.
@@ -5440,8 +5489,8 @@ Initial revision