<meta><title>173</title></meta>
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- <p>The Hall of the Brumalmarc is a vast chamber constructed of crystal blocks rising to a central plateau. On this stands the Brumalmarc throne, as old as Ikaya itself. There, Vonotar sits, surrounded by the tomes and eldritch trappings of a necromancer. He is wrapped in study and does not see you enter the hall. He remains oblivious to your presence until Loi-Kymar sneezes.</p>
+ <p>The Hall of the Brumalmarc is a vast chamber constructed of crystal blocks rising to a central plateau. On this stands the Brumalmarc throne, as old as Ikaya itself. There, Vonotar sits, surrounded by the tomes and eldritch trappings of a necromancer. He is rapt in study and does not see you enter the hall. He remains oblivious to your presence until Loi-Kymar sneezes.</p>
<p><quote>Who dares disturb me?</quote> he hisses, rising from the Brumalmarc throne, his eyes searching for an intruder. Upon seeing you, he emits a horrified gasp and fumbles for his black staff. He has the look of a criminal who has been discovered in the act of some dreadful crime. Quickly you raise your weapon and begin to climb the crystal pyramid. You know that you have little time to reach him if you are to overpower and capture him alive.</p>
<p>You reach the edge of the plateau in time to see a wide circle of blocks descending around the throne. Between you and Vonotar, a deep moat is forming. Then from the depths of the moat you hear a ghastly, inhuman gibbering. You brace yourself for combat but are totally unprepared for the horror that now faces you. From out of the dark slithers a huge, ghoulish, green monster. Its deformed head is a mass of tentacles and suckers that ooze a putrid black slime. At the centre of this writhing mass a hideous yellow eye pulsates. Vonotar has control over this monster and he is directing it towards you.</p>
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<p>(<a idref="sect168">168</a>)<!--ERRTAG-RE-200920-ITEM--> Replaced <quote>on to</quote> with <quote>onto</quote>.<!--/ERRTAG-RE-200920-ITEM--></p>
<p>(<a idref="sect170">170</a>)<!--ERRTAG-RE-201948-ITEM--> Replaced <quote>My thanks Kai Lord</quote> with <quote>My thanks, Kai Lord</quote>.<!--/ERRTAG-RE-201948-ITEM--></p>
<p>(<a idref="sect171">171</a>) Replaced <quote>discipline</quote> with <quote>Discipline</quote>.</p>
+ <p>(<a idref="sect172">172</a>) Replaced <quote>wrapped</quote> with <quote>rapt</quote>.</p>
<p>(<a idref="sect173">173</a>) Added a period to the end of the illustration<ch.apos/>s caption.</p>
<p>(<a idref="sect180">180</a>) Switched the order of the choices.</p>
<p>(<a idref="sect182">182</a>) Replaced <quote>ice-wall</quote> with <quote>ice wall</quote>.</p>
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<p>A search of the baskets crowding the little boat uncovers a beautifully hand-tooled leather case. You flick open the brass catch and discover that the case contains a Jakan<ch.emdash/>a hunting bow used by the coastal fishermen of Vassagonia.<footref id="sect56-1" idref="sect56-1-foot" /> You are elated by your find but disappointed to discover that the case contains only one arrow.</p>
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<creator>Gary Chalk</creator>
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<p>Across the harbour square, close to Maouk<ch.apos/>s carriage, you notice a small, white-walled shop where a row of green glass flagons line a balcony on the first floor. You draw the bowstring to your lips and take careful aim; it is a difficult shot, and you have only one chance.</p>
<p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess the Kai Discipline of Weaponskill (any weapon), add 2 to the number you have picked.</p>
<choice idref="sect7">If your total is now 0<ch.endash/>3, <link-text>turn to 7</link-text>.</choice>
<meta><title>96</title></meta>
<data>
- <p>The water is clotted with a revolting variety of green and black muck and scum. It reaches up to your waist, and, as you force your way through the glutinous mire, the surface film breaks, releasing a vile gas. You have to cover your nose and mouth with your Kai cloak, for the stench is appalling. The sudden splash warns that Maouk<ch.apos/>s men are not far behind.</p>
+ <p>The water is clotted with a revolting variety of green and black muck and scum. It reaches up to your waist, and, as you force your way through the glutinous mire, the surface film breaks, releasing a vile gas. You have to cover your nose and mouth with your Kai cloak, for the stench is appalling. A sudden splash warns that Maouk<ch.apos/>s men are not far behind.</p>
<p>Your foot catches in something buried in the silt of the tunnel floor, and for one brief second, you are seized by total panic. You struggle to kick free but are held fast. Blindly, you stab your weapon beneath the filthy water until your foot is finally freed. As you withdraw your weapon, you half-expect to find some hideous sewer creature impaled upon it. Instead, you discover a human rib cage. You shudder and flick the bones back into the stinking mire.</p>
<p>The channel soon divides: the new tunnel heads west and the other continues southwards. The splashing has grown steadily louder<ch.emdash/>Maouk<ch.apos/>s men are gaining on you.</p>
<choice idref="sect135">If you wish to head west, <link-text>turn to 135</link-text>.</choice>
<data>
<p>You part the bead curtain that hangs across the doorway and enter the cool interior. The light is poor and the room gloomy, for the windows are obscured by sheaves of herbs and plants. You are studying a curious row of coloured bottles when a woman appears. She has piercing green eyes and her red hair is raised, bound with rings of jadin. Softly, she speaks to you.</p>
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<creator>Gary Chalk</creator>
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<p><quote>Welcome, Northlander. I sense you are a warrior<ch.emdash/>or am I mistaken?</quote> As you hesitate to answer, she shrugs her shoulders and searches through a pile of parchments stacked on top of a wine casket. She blows away the dust before handing you a yellowed sheet. It is a list of merchandise, written in Sommlending:</p>
<ul>
<li>Potion of Alether (increases <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> by 2 for the duration of 1 combat)<ch.emdash/>4 Gold Crowns</li>
<line>dagger and lunges for your heart.</line>
</description>
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<combat><enemy>Bargee (master thief):</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">36</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">25</enemy-attribute></combat>
<line><ch.lsquot/>Is she not magnificent?<ch.rsquot/></line>
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<p><quote>Yes, indeed she is,</quote> you reply, as you dismount from Wildwind who, to your greater astonishment, displays not the slightest sign of fatigue after your incredible ride from Varetta. <quote>Pray tell me, High-Mayor, what is the craft<ch.apos/>s name?</quote></p>
<line>a wild animal and they rush forward.</line>
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<combat><enemy>Duadon guardsmen:</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">42</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">42</enemy-attribute></combat>
<line>a crackling blue flame ignites at its tip.</line>
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<p><quote>Draw steel!</quote> commands Nathor, and his men respond by unsheathing their swords in readiness for combat. You focus your psychic powers at the figure and sense that it is not human: it possesses an aura of evil that marks it as a dark disciple, a magician versed in the forbidden black arts of the Nadziranim.</p>
<line>their leader stalks you like a cat.</line>
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<p>High above, swooping in and out of the clouds, are scores of cackling Lavas. You sense also another presence, a wispy dark shadow that exudes malevolence. You shudder when you realize that you are in the presence of a manifestation of Naar himself. He has come to witness your doom, to enjoy the sport of your final, futile battle, before he unleashes his dragons upon Sommerlund. The Lavas<ch.apos/> attacks were but a preliminary phase of his master plan to destroy Sommerlund and the Kai.</p>
<line>destroy the Shadow Gate,<ch.rsquot/> Gwynian tells you.</line>
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<p>You look down at the glowing crystal with fearful respect. Gwynian notes your concern and smiles.</p>
<meta>
<creator>Brian Williams</creator>
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<p>You learn that the Elector has already elicited, on your behalf, the help of High-Mayor Cordas of Casiorn. Cordas is reputedly the richest man in all of Magnamund. Manatine tells you that Cordas has ordered the construction of a sky-vessel to transport you swiftly to Sommerlund.</p>
<line>out and offers you her delicate hand.</line>
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<p><quote>Oh, and this is my personal guard<ch.emdash/>Dorst.</quote></p>
<line>then attack with chilling ferocity.</line>
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<p>Hounds of Vikkak <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> 50 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> 50</p>
<line>Holona are littered with the ruins of war.</line>
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<p>Inside the city walls the situation is tense. Every available dwelling is packed to overflowing with wounded soldiers, and the civilian populace, displaced from their homes by the army<ch.apos/>s needs, wander the streets and alleyways in a state of shocked confusion, greatly adding to the chaos.</p>
<line>time with a dagger in his hand.</line>
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<p>Prince Lutha (with Ring of Power) <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> 54 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> 39</p>
<line>beggar-monks who have taken a vow of poverty.<ch.rsquot/></line>
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<choice idref="sect319">If you wish to take Nathor<ch.apos/>s advice and ignore the Shoni pilgrims, <link-text>turn to 319</link-text>.</choice>
<meta>
<creator>Brian Williams</creator>
</meta>
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<p>During your long day<ch.apos/>s ride through the forest, unless you possess Grand Huntmastery, you must eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
<meta>
<creator>Brian Williams</creator>
</meta>
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<p>And with these words you bid Gwynian farewell and leave the Halls of Learning. You depart from Varetta through its great east gate and, once outside the city, you spur Wildwind to the gallop. You are astounded by his speed and untiring stamina: Gwynian was right<ch.emdash/>he is the fastest horse you have ever ridden. In little more than an hour you have covered sixty miles. It is only when you find yourself approaching a stone bridge, commanded by a huge gated archway, that you are forced to rein him to a halt. Above the archway you notice the words <quote>Denka Gate</quote> engraved into the stone. Below them, written in chalk, is the message: Toll<ch.emdash/>4 Gold Crowns.</p>
Project Aon Git Repositories / project-aon.git / commitdiff