>TM 4 >LS 2 >PS ON >PL60 >SM6 >CP ON >FO OFF >------L-----------------------!---------------------------R ä225ä You hurry with Lord Rimoah through the corridors of Š the Tower of Truth towards the sound of the tolling Š bell, until at last you arrive at a chamber located Š below its vaulted presidium. Gathered here are the Š members of the High Council. They stand in a circle Š around the cloaked body of Lord Casis which lies upon Š a bed of shimmering crystals. A cocoon of light Š encases his frail form, its pale luminescence Š shedding an uncanny glow upon the faces of the Š surrounding elders. Rimoah joins them, and as you Š observe this eerie scene, you recall Lone Wolf's Š teachings at the Kai Monastery. The Elder Magi are all that remain of the race of Š beings from whom all goodly magic stems. They were Š sent to Magnamund almost ten thousand years ago by Š the Gods Kai and Ishir to defeat Agarash the Damned, Š Naar's first champion, and they triumphed in their Š task. Yet, in a later age their numbers were Š decimated by a plague and the few thousands who Š survived this tragedy sought refuge here in Dessi. Š The Elder Magi have always aided Sommerlund and have Š been loyal and invaluable allies to the Kai. But now Š their ancient power is waning, and the few thousands Š who survived the Great Plague now number less than Š one hundred. Suddenly the bell ceases to toll and you watch in awe Š as the fragile remains of Lord Casis gradually fade Š from sight. He has ended his time here upon Magnamund Š and has passed over into the Plane of Light, the Š ethereal domain of the Gods Kai and Ishir. Silently Š the remaining elders file out of the chamber. As Lord Š Rimoah passes, he beckons you to follow him. "You are the first Kai who has ever witnessed the Š ascension of an Elder," he says, as he takes you back Š to your room. "Alas, our power ebbs with each passing Š year for this is the twilight of our existence here Š on Magnamund. Yet, we embrace our fate, for even as Š we weaken and fade so the power of the New Order Kai Š grows stronger. This is the dawning of your Age, Š Grand Master. You and your brothers shall carry Š forward the fight against Naar, and you shall be Š victorious." Turn to â310â >pl66 â310â Upon reaching your room, Lord Rimoah bids you Š goodnight and reminds you that he shall call for you Š an hour before dawn. You retire to bed but remain Š awake for more than an hour as you contemplate the Š quest that lies ahead. You are apprehensive of the Š dangers you may encounter, but you are also greatly Š inspired by what you have witnessed this night and by Š Rimoah's prophetic words of wisdom. No sooner have you fallen asleep it seems, than you Š are awoken by Rimoah's knock on the door. You gather Š your weapons and belongings and walk with him through Š a procession of torchlit corridors that lead to the Š entrance to the Tower. As you approach the main Š doors, Rimoah points to a chamber closeby. "That is the Tower Armoury, Grand Master," he says, Š "You are welcome to inspect it and take whatever you Š wish before you embark upon your voyage." If you wish to accept Rimoah's offer, you may enter Š the armoury and examine its contents by turning to Š â152â If you choose to decline his offer, turn to â49â