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<p>You 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 <ch.eacute/>lite warrior caste.</p>
- <p>It is the year MS 5076 and twenty-six 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<ch.emdash/>the Darklands<ch.emdash/>and caused the destruction of their leader, Archlord Gnaag, and the seat of his power that was the infernal city of Helgedad.</p>
+ <p>It is the year MS<ch.nbsp/>5076 and twenty-six 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<ch.emdash/>the Darklands<ch.emdash/>and caused the destruction of their leader, Archlord Gnaag, and the seat of his power that was the infernal city of Helgedad.</p>
<p>In the wake of their destruction, chaos befell the Darkland armies who, until then, had been poised to conquer all of Northern Magnamund. Some factions which were part of 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.</p>
<p>For six 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 all 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.</p>
<p>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<ch.emdash/>to attain all of the Grand Master Disciplines and become the first Kai Supreme Master.</p>
<p>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 upon Magnamund who wait quietly in the shadows for the chance to do his evil bidding.</p>
<p>Only a year ago the evil Cener Druids of Ruel attempted to enact Naar<ch.apos/>s revenge. Secretly, in the laboratories of their foul stronghold of Mogaruith, they had laboured to create a virulent plague virus capable of killing every living creature upon Magnamund, save their own kind. Word of their terrible plan reached Lord Rimoah who immediately urged the rulers of the Freelands to raise armies and invade Ruel. Hurriedly they complied, but the invasion ended in disaster. Seven thousand fighting men entered Ruel intent on storming the fortress of Mogaruith and razing it to the ground. Seven thousand marched into the dark realm; only seventy emerged alive. The Ceners were within days of perfecting their ultimate weapon when you took up the challenge and ventured alone into Mogaruith.</p>
<p>Despite overwhelming odds you thwarted their evil plan by destroying the virus and the means by which it was created.</p>
- <p>After emerging from Ruel triumphant, your quest fulfilled, you returned home to Sommerlund and the Kai Monastery where you resumed your duties as Grand Master. Three months later, on the day that saw the first fall of winter snow, you were visited by Lord Rimoah. Once again he found himself the reluctant bearer of ill news. Your friend Guildmaster Banedon, whilst helping with the reclamation of wastelands close to the Maakengorge, had been abducted by a war-band of Giaks under the command of Nadziranim sorcerers. A rescue was attempted, but ruthlessly the Nadziranim obliterated those who tried to follow their escape into the Darklands. It was feared that the Nadziranim would try to extract from Banedon the secrets of Left-handed magic, so that they might marry it to their own foul sorcery. Such an outcome would have given them extraordinary power, power enough to revive the Darklands. A previous attempt to unite the two paths of magic had resulted in catastrophe for Sommerlund. In the year MS 5050, Vonotar the Traitor, a magician from the same guild as Banedon, had betrayed his homeland in exchange for the promise of Nadziranim power. It was his act of treachery which brought about the invasion of Sommerlund and the destruction of the First Order of the Kai.</p>
+ <p>After emerging from Ruel triumphant, your quest fulfilled, you returned home to Sommerlund and the Kai Monastery where you resumed your duties as Grand Master. Three months later, on the day that saw the first fall of winter snow, you were visited by Lord Rimoah. Once again he found himself the reluctant bearer of ill news. Your friend Guildmaster Banedon, whilst helping with the reclamation of wastelands close to the Maakengorge, had been abducted by a war-band of Giaks under the command of Nadziranim sorcerers. A rescue was attempted, but ruthlessly the Nadziranim obliterated those who tried to follow their escape into the Darklands. It was feared that the Nadziranim would try to extract from Banedon the secrets of Left-handed magic, so that they might marry it to their own foul sorcery. Such an outcome would have given them extraordinary power, power enough to revive the Darklands. A previous attempt to unite the two paths of magic had resulted in catastrophe for Sommerlund. In the year MS<ch.nbsp/>5050, Vonotar the Traitor, a magician from the same guild as Banedon, had betrayed his homeland in exchange for the promise of Nadziranim power. It was his act of treachery which brought about the invasion of Sommerlund and the destruction of the First Order of the Kai.</p>
<p>Banedon<ch.apos/>s survival depended upon a swift rescue from Kaag. Mindful of all that was at stake, courageously you volunteered to enter the city-fortress alone in an attempt to save your friend.</p>
<p>Despite fierce odds you gained entry to Kaag, located Banedon, and then snatched him from the foul denizens of that city by way of a daring aerial escape from the upper levels of their great citadel. Banedon was severely weakened by his ordeal at the hands of the Nadziranim and, had it not been for your timely intervention, he would certainly have perished in that grim city-fortress.</p>
<p>The rescue of Guildmaster Banedon and his safe return to Sommerlund was cause for much celebration, especially in the streets and guildhalls of his native city of Toran. For several days you allowed yourself to be f<ch.ecirc/>ted by the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star before returning to your monastery where, with a feeling of quiet satisfaction, you gladly resumed your duties as Kai Grand Master.</p>
<p><quote>With respect, my lord, surely this one weapon, however evil it may be, is no match when pitted against all the armoured might of Lencia?</quote> you replied diplomatically, as yet unconvinced by the envoy<ch.apos/>s plea.</p>
<p><quote>Perhaps so, Grand Master,</quote> he replied, <quote>were the nature of the threat merely the weapon alone. Sadly this is not the only issue here. Until now, the Nadziranim sorcerers who control the strongholds of Kagorst and Akagazad have refused to aid Magnaarn in his war against us. Many times he has begged them for help, for within those fortress walls are thousands of Giaks and other breeds who sought sanctuary there after the defeat of the Darklords. They still possess their weapons and they would make a formidable enemy if ever they were mustered against us. Magnaarn<ch.apos/>s possession of the Doomstone of Darke will most certainly influence the Nadziranim. Its power is such that Magnaarn could simply force them to obey his every command. Their refusal would result in their immediate destruction.</quote></p>
<p>Politely you dismissed the envoy whilst you considered your response to his plea. In the solitude of your chamber you pondered the problem, weighing the plight of Lencia against your duties and responsibilities there at the Kai Monastery. At length, after careful deliberation, you reached your decision.</p>
- <p><quote>Well my Lord?</quote> enquired the envoy, nervously, upon re-entering your chamber. <quote>Will you help us thwart Magnaarn?</quote></p>
+ <p><quote>Well my lord?</quote> enquired the envoy, nervously, upon re-entering your chamber. <quote>Will you help us thwart Magnaarn?</quote></p>
<p><quote>Once, not so very long ago, your King and his army aided me during my quest for the Magnakai,</quote> you replied. <quote>Perhaps now the time has come for me to repay my debt of gratitude. Yes, I shall help you. I shall return with you to Lencia and champion your cause. I vow that I shall do all in my power to thwart Magnaarn<ch.apos/>s quest.</quote></p>
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<p>(<a idref="title">Blurb</a>) Replaced <quote><cite>THE DARKE CRUSADE</cite></quote> with <quote><strong><cite>The Darke Crusade</cite></strong></quote>.</p>
- <p>(<a idref="tssf">The Story So Far<ch.ellips/></a>) Replaced <quote>elite</quote> with <quote><ch.eacute/>lite</quote>. Replaced <quote>feted</quote> with <quote>f<ch.ecirc/>ted</quote>. Replaced both occurrences of <quote>Left-Handed</quote> with <quote>Left-handed</quote>. Replaced <quote>Right-Handed</quote> with <quote>Right-handed</quote>. Replaced <quote>freestate</quote> with <quote>Freeland</quote>. Replaced both occurrences of <quote>doomstone</quote> with <quote>Doomstone</quote>. Replaced <quote>Kai lord</quote> with <quote>Kai Lord</quote>. Replaced <quote>monastery of the Kai</quote> with <quote>Monastery of the Kai</quote>. Replaced each occurrence of <quote>Kai monastery</quote> with <quote>Kai Monastery</quote>. Replaced <quote>new-found</quote> with <quote>newfound</quote>. Added a paragraph break after <quote>their own extinction</quote> in line with this section in other Grand Master books. Replaced <quote>north-east</quote> with <quote>northeast</quote>. Replaced <quote>Old Kingdom Magic</quote> with <quote>Old Kingdom magic</quote>. Replaced <quote>Akagazad and</quote> with <quote>Akagazad, and</quote>. Replaced <quote>Banedon, then</quote> with <quote>Banedon, and then</quote>. Replaced <quote>Kai monastery</quote> with <quote>Kai Monastery</quote>. Replaced each occurrence of <quote>Magic</quote> with <quote>magic</quote>. Replaced <quote>comprised</quote> with <quote>were part of</quote>. Replaced <quote>he replied, <ch.lsquot/>Were the</quote> with <quote>he replied, <ch.lsquot/>were the</quote>.</p>
+ <p>(<a idref="tssf">The Story So Far<ch.ellips/></a>) Replaced <quote>elite</quote> with <quote><ch.eacute/>lite</quote>. Replaced <quote>feted</quote> with <quote>f<ch.ecirc/>ted</quote>. Replaced both occurrences of <quote>Left-Handed</quote> with <quote>Left-handed</quote>. Replaced <quote>Right-Handed</quote> with <quote>Right-handed</quote>. Replaced <quote>freestate</quote> with <quote>Freeland</quote>. Replaced both occurrences of <quote>doomstone</quote> with <quote>Doomstone</quote>. Replaced <quote>Kai lord</quote> with <quote>Kai Lord</quote>. Replaced <quote>monastery of the Kai</quote> with <quote>Monastery of the Kai</quote>. Replaced each occurrence of <quote>Kai monastery</quote> with <quote>Kai Monastery</quote>. Replaced <quote>new-found</quote> with <quote>newfound</quote>. Added a paragraph break after <quote>their own extinction</quote> in line with this section in other Grand Master books. Replaced <quote>north-east</quote> with <quote>northeast</quote>. Replaced <quote>Old Kingdom Magic</quote> with <quote>Old Kingdom magic</quote>. Replaced <quote>Akagazad and</quote> with <quote>Akagazad, and</quote>. Replaced <quote>Banedon, then</quote> with <quote>Banedon, and then</quote>. Replaced <quote>Kai monastery</quote> with <quote>Kai Monastery</quote>. Replaced each occurrence of <quote>Magic</quote> with <quote>magic</quote>. Replaced <quote>comprised</quote> with <quote>were part of</quote>. Replaced <quote>he replied, <ch.lsquot/>Were the</quote> with <quote>he replied, <ch.lsquot/>were the</quote>. Replaced <quote>my Lord</quote> with <quote>my lord</quote>.</p>
<p>(<a idref="gamerulz">The Game Rules</a>) Removed <quote> 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</quote>. Removed <quote> on the last page of this book</quote>. Replaced both occurrences of <quote>(ie</quote> with <quote>(i.e.</quote>. Replaced <quote>fall to zero</quote> with <quote>fall to zero or below</quote>. Replaced each occurrence of <quote>Lone Wolf</quote> with <quote><cite>Lone Wolf</cite></quote> when referring to the series. Replaced <quote>Chart (you</quote> with <quote>Chart. (You</quote>. Replaced <quote>Items).</quote> with <quote>Items.)</quote>. Replaced <quote>on to</quote> with <quote>onto</quote>. Replaced each occurrence of <quote>Lone Wolf Kai</quote> with <quote><cite>Lone Wolf Kai</cite></quote>. Replaced each occurrence of <quote>Magnakai</quote> with <quote><cite>Magnakai</cite></quote>. Replaced <quote>Grand Master series</quote> with <quote><cite>Lone Wolf Grand Master</cite> series</quote>. Replaced <quote>Lone Wolf Grand Master series</quote> with <quote><cite>Lone Wolf Grand Master</cite> series</quote>. Added <quote>Silver Bracers</quote> and <quote>Korlinium Scabbard</quote> to the list of items permitted to be brought over from the <cite>Lone Wolf Kai</cite> and <cite>Lone Wolf Magnakai</cite> books in harmony with the Mongoose Publishing edition.</p>
Project Aon Git Repositories / project-aon.git / blobdiff