<p>Quang and the Watchers leave their locations and race to their horses. Rapidly, you mount your horse and spur him towards the open doors. You are halfway across the barn when a Chagarashi appears in the open doorway and throws its arms wide. It spreads its sinewy fingers and its razor-sharp talons glint in the dull light. It is attempting to block your escape.</p>
<p>You are almost upon it when your horse rears up in alarm. The Chagarashi seizes this opportunity and leaps forward to attack.</p>
<combat><enemy>Chagarashi Scout</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">40</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>You struggle to control your frightened horse throughout this combat. Its wild and erratic movement makes it hard for you to strike this enemy with precision. Deduct 4 points from your Combat Skill for the duration of this fight.</p>
+ <p>You struggle to control your frightened horse throughout this combat. Its wild and erratic movement makes it hard for you to strike this enemy with precision. Deduct 4 points from your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this fight.</p>
<choice idref="sect224">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 224</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>Suddenly you realise that you are not being subjected to an audio attack. The noise that fills your head is the effect of a powerful psychic assault on your senses. You call upon your advanced Discipline to erect a Mindfort to shut out the unbearable noise, and your swift response saves you from sustaining any permanent impairment to your mental faculties.</p>
<p>Howling with frustration that its psychic attack has helped and not harmed you, the ghoulish figure leaps towards you brandishing his black staff. In the blink of an eye, the staff transforms into a hissing serpent. It is disturbingly similar to the snake that emerged from the mouth of undead Anseng. You reach to your weapon and pull back as the serpent<ch.apos/>s venomous fangs strike out for your throat.</p>
<combat><enemy>Xaol the Necromancer <em>(reconstructed undead, with Serpent Rod)</em></enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">50</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">50</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>Xaol is a powerful undead adversary. If your chosen weapon provides you with a bonus when used in a fight against an undead foe, be sure to calculate and add the bonus to your Combat Skill before this battle begins.</p>
+ <p>Xaol is a powerful undead adversary. If your chosen weapon provides you with a bonus when used in a fight against an undead foe, be sure to calculate and add the bonus to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> before this battle begins.</p>
<p>If you possess the Kai Weapon <quote>Spawnsmite</quote> or <quote>Valiance</quote> you may add the bonus that you gain from its unique properties during this combat.</p>
<choice idref="sect160">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 160</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
<p>Despite the rumbling thunder, howling winds, and heavy rain beating on the shingle roof of the hut, you soon drift off into a deep and dreamless sleep. Four hours later you are awoken by Anseng<ch.apos/>s strong hand shaking your shoulder.</p>
<p><quote>Wake up, my Lord. It<ch.apos/>s time to go.</quote></p>
<p>The noise of the night storm has disappeared. The only sound you can hear outside is a dawn chorus of chittering bird song. You rise from your mattress and gather your weapons and equipment. When you are ready, Anseng takes you to a stable at the rear of the hut where two horses are saddled ready to ride. He prepared them while you were sleeping. Leaving the stable, you and set off along the muddy highway at a brisk pace. The rain and thunder have ceased but the slowly brightening sky is heavy with thick grey cloud.</p>
- <p>As you ride along, you stare out across the lush green paddy fields bordering the road. On your way you pass by several isolated huts and houses. Their owners, all rice growers, are repairing roofs and walls that been damaged by the storm and they pay you scant regards as you ride past their humble abodes. Anseng says that you must reach the village of Zang before nightfall. You have a long day<ch.apos/>s ride ahead and there will be no time to stop and rest along the way. Unless you have a Meal in your Backpack, you lose 3 Endurance points. The need to stay in the saddle all day prevents you from foraging for food in the adjacent rice fields.</p>
+ <p>As you ride along, you stare out across the lush green paddy fields bordering the road. On your way you pass by several isolated huts and houses. Their owners, all rice growers, are repairing roofs and walls that been damaged by the storm and they pay you scant regards as you ride past their humble abodes. Anseng says that you must reach the village of Zang before nightfall. You have a long day<ch.apos/>s ride ahead and there will be no time to stop and rest along the way. Unless you have a Meal in your Backpack, you lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points. The need to stay in the saddle all day prevents you from foraging for food in the adjacent rice fields.</p>
<p>During your long journey, you converse with Anseng and find out more about your trusty guide. He hails from the city of Dwala, approximately 200 miles due east of your present location. He is one of a group of covert agents established by the Elder Magi for the purpose of gathering intelligence about vengeful Bhanarians, obsessed with avenging the Massacre of Yua Tzhan, who are operating in and around Pensei. They have also been tasked with finding out why Agarashi have recently been sighted far from their lairs in the Hyunsei Foothills, the Voxai Swamp and the Huzang Forest. The last time they found the courage to do so was seventeen years ago, when they joined the army of Autarch Sejanoz for the invasion of Chai. Anseng tells you that his group of agents are headquartered at the Tower of Ishir in Dwala. Here they meet regularly with Lord Rimoah<ch.apos/>s envoy and pass on all the information they have gathered about the enemy. Anseng is a proud member of this secret group of agents who call themselves <quote>The Watchers</quote>. While you are riding together, you notice an unusual polearm that is strapped to Anseng<ch.apos/>s saddle.</p>
<choice idref="sect248">If you wish to ask Anseng about this weapon, <link-text>turn to 248</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect148">If you choose not to say anything about it, <link-text>turn to 148</link-text>.</choice>
<p>The Chagarashi lead the attack on the North wall. They leap up and sink their talons deep into the logs and cling on tightly as the Skarada use them like scaling ladders. They clamber up their backs to reach the top of the parapet wall.</p>
<p>You unsheathe your Kai Weapon and join the militiamen crouching along the parapet walkway. The instant the clawed hands and head of the first Skarad appear above the parapet, you spring to your feet and strike.</p>
<combat><enemy>Skarad</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">42</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>You may add +3 to your Combat Skill in the first round of this combat. The Skarad is unable to retaliate in the first round as it has not cleared the wall, therefore you should ignore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss you sustain in the initial round.</p>
+ <p>You may add +3 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> in the first round of this combat. The Skarad is unable to retaliate in the first round as it has not cleared the wall, therefore you should ignore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss you sustain in the initial round.</p>
<choice idref="sect68">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 68</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>Suddenly you realise that you are not being subjected to an audio attack. The noise that fills your head is the effect of a powerful psychic assault upon your senses. Hurriedly, you call upon your Magnakai Discipline of Psi-screen to protect your mind from this powerful psychic assault, and you are able to create a mental wall to repel it. However, it takes you crucial seconds to erect this defensive wall and you suffer a painful psychic shock before it is completed: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
<p>Sensing your distress and eager to exploit it, the ghoulish figure leaps towards you brandishing his black staff. In the blink of an eye, the staff transforms into a hissing serpent. It is disturbingly similar to the snake which emerged from the mouth of undead Anseng! You reach to your weapon and pull back as the serpent<ch.apos/>s venomous fangs strike out for your throat.</p>
<combat><enemy>Xaol the Necromancer <em>(reconstructed undead, with Serpent Rod)</em></enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">50</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">50</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>This enemy is a powerful undead adversary. If your chosen weapon provides you with a bonus when used in a fight against an undead foe, be sure to calculate and add the bonus to your Combat Skill before this battle begins. If you possess the Kai Weapon <quote>Spawnsmite</quote> or <quote>Valiance</quote> you may add the bonus that you gain from its unique properties during this combat.</p>
+ <p>This enemy is a powerful undead adversary. If your chosen weapon provides you with a bonus when used in a fight against an undead foe, be sure to calculate and add the bonus to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> before this battle begins. If you possess the Kai Weapon <quote>Spawnsmite</quote> or <quote>Valiance</quote> you may add the bonus that you gain from its unique properties during this combat.</p>
<choice idref="sect160">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 160</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>Quang and the Watchers leave their locations and race to their horses. Rapidly, you mount your horse and spur him towards the open doors. You are halfway across the barn when two Chagarashi appear in the open doorway and throw their arms wide. They spread their sinewy fingers and their razor-sharp talons glint in the dull light. They are attempting to block your escape.</p>
<p>You are almost upon them when your horse rears up in alarm. The Chagarashi seize this opportunity and leap forward to attack.</p>
<combat><enemy>2 Chagarashi Scouts</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">45</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">45</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>You struggle to control your frightened horse throughout this combat. Its wild and erratic movement makes it hard for you to strike these enemies with precision. Deduct 4 points from your Combat Skill for the duration of this fight.</p>
+ <p>You struggle to control your frightened horse throughout this combat. Its wild and erratic movement makes it hard for you to strike these enemies with precision. Deduct 4 points from your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this fight.</p>
<choice idref="sect224">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 224</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>Quang and the Watchers rush to their horses. Rapidly, you mount your horse and spur him towards the open doors. You are halfway across the barn when two Chagarashi appear in the open doorway and throw their arms wide. They spread their sinewy fingers and their razor-sharp talons glint in the dull light. They are attempting to block your escape.</p>
<p>You are almost upon them when your horse rears up in fright. The Chagarashi seize this opportunity and leap forward to attack.</p>
<combat><enemy>2 Chagarashi Scouts</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">45</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">45</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>You struggle to control your terrified horse throughout this combat. Its wild and erratic movement makes it hard for you to strike these enemies with precision. Deduct 4 points from your Combat Skill for the duration of this fight.</p>
+ <p>You struggle to control your terrified horse throughout this combat. Its wild and erratic movement makes it hard for you to strike these enemies with precision. Deduct 4 points from your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this fight.</p>
<choice idref="sect224">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 224</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>The Chagarashi lead the attack on the West wall. They leap up and sink their talons deep into the logs and cling on tightly as the Skarada use them like scaling ladders. They clamber up their backs to reach the top of the parapet wall.</p>
<p>You unsheathe your Kai Weapon and join the militiamen crouching along the parapet walkway. The instant the clawed hands and head of the first Skarad appear above the parapet, you spring to your feet and strike.</p>
<combat><enemy>Skarad</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">41</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">42</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>You may add +3 to your Combat Skill in the first round of this combat. The Skarad is unable to retaliate in the first round as it has not cleared the wall, therefore you should ignore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss you sustain in the initial round.</p>
+ <p>You may add +3 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> in the first round of this combat. The Skarad is unable to retaliate in the first round as it has not cleared the wall, therefore you should ignore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss you sustain in the initial round.</p>
<choice idref="sect68">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 68</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>Suddenly you realise that you are not being subjected to an audio attack. The noise that fills your head is the effect of a powerful psychic assault on your senses. You call upon your advanced Discipline to absorb and transform the hostile psychic energy into a positive physical effect: restore 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ>.</p>
<p>Howling with frustration that its psychic attack has not harmed you, the ghoulish figure leaps forwards brandishing his black staff. In the blink of an eye, the staff transforms into a hissing serpent. It is disturbingly similar to the snake that emerged from the mouth of undead Anseng. You reach to your weapon and pull back as the serpent<ch.apos/>s venomous fangs strike out for your throat.</p>
<combat><enemy>Xaol the Necromancer <em>(reconstructed undead, with Serpent Rod)</em></enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">50</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">50</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>Xaol is a powerful undead adversary. If your chosen weapon provides you with a bonus when used in a fight against an undead foe, be sure to calculate and add the bonus to your Combat Skill before this battle begins. If you possess the Kai Weapon <quote>Spawnsmite</quote> or <quote>Valiance</quote> you may add the bonus that you gain from its unique properties during this combat.</p>
+ <p>Xaol is a powerful undead adversary. If your chosen weapon provides you with a bonus when used in a fight against an undead foe, be sure to calculate and add the bonus to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> before this battle begins. If you possess the Kai Weapon <quote>Spawnsmite</quote> or <quote>Valiance</quote> you may add the bonus that you gain from its unique properties during this combat.</p>
<choice idref="sect160">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 160</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>The remaining Chagarashi lead the attack on the North wall. They leap up and sink their talons deep into the logs and cling on tightly as the Skarada use them like scaling ladders, clambering up their backs to reach the top of the wall.</p>
<p>You unsheathe your Kai Weapon and join the militiamen crouching along the parapet walkway. The instant the clawed hands and head of the first Skarad appear above the parapet, you spring to your feet and strike.</p>
<combat><enemy>Skarad</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">42</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
- <p>You may add +3 to your Combat Skill in the first round of this combat. The Skarad is unable to retaliate in the first round as it has not cleared the wall, therefore you should ignore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss you sustain in the initial round.</p>
+ <p>You may add +3 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> in the first round of this combat. The Skarad is unable to retaliate in the first round as it has not cleared the wall, therefore you should ignore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss you sustain in the initial round.</p>
<choice idref="sect68">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 68</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>It is mid-afternoon when you come to a small spire of stone at side of the highway, close to a wooded copse. Its metallic tip gleams dully in the poor light. Anseng says you should stop here for a short while to allow the horses to rest. You may now eat a Meal from your Backpack, or you can use your basic Kai Hunting Discipline to forage enough food for one Meal in the rice fields hereabouts. You are getting ready to remount and continue when a lightning storm breaks directly overhead. A crackling bolt of lightning strikes the tip of the stone spire, followed almost immediately by a deafening crash of thunder. The muddy ground shudders, but it is not the storm that is causing the sodden earth to tremble. From out of the copse comes a stampeding herd of Wild Guanza! These large bipedal lizards are wide-eyed with terror as they come racing towards you. Anseng screams a warning but the crazed Guanza pack are upon you before you can turn your horses about and evade them.</p>
<combat><enemy>Wild Guanza Herd</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">42</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">38</enemy-attribute></combat>
<p>These creatures are pack hunters. They are in a frenzy of fear induced by the deafening thunder and close lightning strikes. They are also very hungry and the scent of your horses is enough to override their primeval panic.</p>
- <p>If you possess the Kai Grand Master Discipline of Animal Mastery, add 2 to your Combat Skill for the duration of this fight.</p>
+ <p>If you possess the Kai Grand Master Discipline of Animal Mastery, add 2 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this fight.</p>
<choice idref="sect201">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 201</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
Project Aon Git Repositories / project-aon.git / blobdiff