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19 Revision 1.3 2006/12/07 01:41:54 jonathan.blake
22 Revision 1.2 2006/07/31 15:12:39 cvsuser
23 basic markup; line-break hyphenations fixed in tssf
25 Revision 1.1 2004/11/09 06:47:16 jonathan.blake
26 Initial Freepository revision
28 Revision 1.2 2006/07/31 jffdougan
29 basic markup; line-break hyphenations fixed in tssf
32 //// RCS Revision Log ////
34 Revision 1.1 2002/10/21 19:27:04 jblake
37 //////////////////////////
39 Suggestions for Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, sections 141-210:
41 150: Capitalize the p in psi-screen (2nd paragraph, 1st sentence).
42 171: Maybe add <ch.apos/>or have not reached this level of Kai mastery<ch.apos/> to the second choice, just to make it a little clearer what to do if the player has Kai-alchemy but isn<ch.apos/>t a Sun Knight or higher.
43 177: Contains a non-numbered illustration that MUST be included as part of a puzzle.
44 178: Change <ch.apos/>flys<ch.apos/> to <ch.apos/>flies<ch.apos/> (1st paragraph, 2nd sentence).
45 218: Change <ch.apos/>lost 3 ENDURANCE points<ch.apos/> to <ch.apos/>lose 3 ENDURANCE points<ch.apos/> (2nd sentence, 1st paragraph)
46 226: Capitalize <ch.apos/>curing<ch.apos/> and <ch.apos/>animal control<ch.apos/> (1st sentence, 1st paragraph)
47 252: Contains a small illustration that must be included because it is an essential part of a puzzle.Suggestions for Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, sections 281-350
49 347: Change <ch.apos/>divination<ch.apos/> in the first sentence to <ch.apos/>Divination<ch.apos/>, as it is referring to the Magnakai Discipline.
54 <title>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane</title>
55 <creator class="short">Joe Dever and Brian Williams</creator>
56 <creator class="medium">Joe Dever<br />Illustrated by Brian Williams</creator>
57 <creator class="long">
58 &inclusion.joe.dever.bio.lw;
59 &inclusion.brian.williams.bio.lw;
61 <publisher>Project Aon</publisher>
62 <date class="publication"><year>2006</year><month>6</month><day>8</day></date>
63 <description class="blurb">
66 <description class="publication">
67 <p>Internet Edition published by <a href="http://www.projectaon.org/">Project Aon</a>. This edition is intended to reflect the complete text of the original version. Where we have made minor corrections, they will be noted in the <a idref="errata">Errata</a>.</p>
69 <rights class="copyrights">Text copyright <ch.copy/> [Insert year] Joe Dever.<br />Illustrations copyright <ch.copy/> [Insert year] Brian Williams.</rights>
70 <rights class="license-notification">
71 <p>Text copyright <ch.copy/> Joe Dever.<br />Illustrations copyright <ch.copy/> Brian Williams.<br />Distribution of this Internet Edition is restricted under the terms of the <a idref="license">Project Aon License</a>.</p>
82 <title>Title Page</title>
83 <link class="next" idref="dedicate" />
90 <section class="frontmatter" id="dedicate">
92 <title>Dedication</title>
93 <link class="prev" idref="title" />
94 <link class="next" idref="acknwldg" />
98 <p class="dedication">[Insert Dedication]</p>
102 <section class="frontmatter" id="acknwldg">
104 <title>Acknowledgements</title>
105 <link class="prev" idref="dedicate" />
106 <link class="next" idref="tssf" />
111 <p><quote>I would be especially pleased if my granting of the rights to distribute my books in this way was seen as my <quote>millennium gift</quote> to all those devoted readers who have kept the Kai flag flying high, through all the good times, and the not-so-good. It would make me very proud indeed if this enterprise laid the foundations of a lasting legacy, securing the longevity of Lone Wolf by making my creation freely and readily accessible to current and future online generations. For them, for us, for Sommerlund and the Kai.<ch.ellips/></quote> <strong>Joe Dever</strong></p>
112 <p>Project Aon would first like to thank Joe Dever for making this generous offering of the books that we have all loved from the beginning. We would also like to acknowledge the following members of Project Aon for their diligent work:</p>
114 <section class="frontmatter" id="credits">
115 <meta><title>Credits</title></meta>
119 <dt>Transcription</dt>
121 <dt>Illustration Transcription</dt>
124 <dd>Jonathan Blake<br/>Jeff Dougan</dd>
125 <dt><a idref="action">Action Chart</a>s</dt>
126 <dd>JC Alvarez<br />Jonathan Blake</dd>
127 <dt>Proofreading</dt>
131 <dt>Coordination</dt>
132 <dd>Jonathan Blake</dd>
141 <section class="frontmatter" id="tssf">
143 <title>The Story So Far<ch.ellips/></title>
144 <link class="prev" idref="acknwldg" />
145 <link class="next" idref="gamerulz" />
149 <p>You are Grand Master Lone Wolf, the sole survivor of a massacre that wiped out the First Order of the Kai<ch.emdash/>the warrior elite of Sommerlund.</p>
151 <p>It is the year MS 5080, thirty years since your brave kinsmen perished at the hands of the Darklords of Helgedad. These champions of evil, who were sent forth by Naar<ch.emdash/>the King of the darkness<ch.emdash/>to destroy the fertile world of Magnamund, have them-selves 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 and the base of his power that was the infernal city of Helgedad.</p>
153 <p>In the wake of their destruction, chaos befell the Darkland armies who had been poised to conquer all of Magnamund. This disorder escalated into a mutinous civil war, which allowed the freestate armies of Magnamund time in which to recover and launch a counter-offensive. Against the odds, a swift and total victory was secured over the feuding Darklands armies.</p>
155 <p>For ten unbroken years peace has reigned in Sommerlund. Under your direction, the once-ruined monastery of the Kai has been rebuilt and restored to its former glory, and the task of teaching a New Order of Kai warriors the skills and proud traditions of your ancestors is also well established. The new generation of Kai recruits, all of whom were born during the era of war against the Darklords, possess strong 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>
157 <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 were thought to be the ultimate that a Kai Master could aspire to) was truly a revelation. Your discovery, has inspired you to search for 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>
159 <p>With diligence and determination you set about the restoration of the Kai monastery and the training of the New 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 readily to their new-found 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.</p>
161 <p>In the deepest subterranean level of the monastery, one 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<ch.emdash/>gems of Kai power which you had recovered during your quest for Kai knowledge. In this vault, bathed in the golden light of those radiant gems, you spent countless hours in pursuit of perfection. Sometimes alone, sometimes in the company of your two able advisors<ch.emdash/>Banedon and Rimoah<ch.emdash/>you worked hard to develop your innate Grand Master disciplines, and grasp the fundamental secrets of Brotherhood 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.</p>
163 <p>In the years since your victory over the Darklords, peace has reigned victorious and the peoples of the Free Kingdoms have rejoiced in the knowledge that the evil which once threatened to destroy them has been banished from the face of Magnamund. Men have readily 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 some who maintain their vigilance, for the agents of the Dark God 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>
165 <p>Already your new-found skills have been tested against Naar<ch.apos/>s agents and you have, on each occasion, acquitted yourself admirably. Yet your continuing victories have enraged the Dark God and inflamed his lust for vengeance. Three years earlier, you and your new Kai kinsmen achieved a glorious victory over a host of deadly Lavas. These dragon-like horrors were sent by Naar to destroy the Kai Monastery and lay waste to Sommerlund, and yet, despite their supernatural strength, they were defeated in battle by the sheer courage and skill of the New Order Kai who fought magnificently under your leadership.</p>
167 <p>After the ignominious defeat of his minions, Naar retreated to the Plane of Darkness to plot and scheme anew. Victory at the monastery had won for you a respite in the Dark God<ch.apos/>s war against Sommerlund and the Kai. The following three years were peaceful for your homeland, yet elsewhere on Magnamund the agents of Naar continued their insidious work. On several occasions your special skills were sought by envoys from foreign realms whose leaders were desperate to rid themselves of Naar<ch.apos/>s minions. Courageously you undertook many of these dangerous missions and,by succeeding where no other mortal could, you brought fresh glories upon yourself and your fellow Kai.</p>
169 <p>In the summer of MS 5080, during a return voyage by sea from a successful quest to distant Dessi, an act of sabotage very nearly wrecked the sailing ship that was transporting you home. Only fair weather and skilful repairs by the Sommlending crew saved the ship from being lost in the Gulf of Durenor. When the damaged craft limped into its home port of Anskaven, more than two weeks late, the reception you received was far from welcoming. The normally cheerful seafaring folk of this busy port were in a strangely sullen mood. Clearly they all recognized you, yet none cheered as you disembarked on Anskaven quay. The crowd were quietly hostile. Before you could determine their reasons, the uneasy silence was shattered by a troop of heavily-armoured cavalrymen who came galloping along the quayside, their gleaming swords drawn. The crowd scattered as the horsemen drew up in a circle around you. Their leader, a nervous young lieutenant whose coat bore the black eagle and three hearts motif of Avan Caldar, Baron of Anskaven, curtly ordered you to lay down your weapons. Not wishing to provoke these city troopers, you obeyed the command and allowed them to escort you to Baron Caldar<ch.apos/>s castle where you felt sure their inglorious mistake would be swiftly punished.</p>
171 <p>Baron Caldar formally received you in the Great Hall of his castle. You had met previously on many state occasions at King Ulnar<ch.apos/>s court in Holmgard and had always held each other in high esteem. Yet Caldar, flanked by more than a dozen armed bodyguards, could barely bring himself to conceal his contempt. He spoke to you as if you were a hated criminal. You asked why you were being treated in such a manner, but your pleas fell on deaf ears. Without further explanation, he ordered that you be taken immediately to the dungeons and placed in irons.</p>
173 <p>Later that evening, using your mental Kai Disciplines to help loosen the tight-lipped resolve of a dungeon guard, you learned the reasons for your apparent fall from grace.</p>
175 <p><quote>You first arrived in Anskaven by ship eighteen days ago, as expected,</quote> said the gaoler, in response to your psychic commands. <quote>Baron Caldar met you personally at the quayside and gave you a horse and six of his best troopers to escort you to Toran. During your ride to that city, they say you murdered his men and burnt their bodies. On arriving at Toran, you tried to assassinate Banedon<ch.emdash/>the Guildmaster of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star. He survived, yet much of the Guildmaster<ch.apos/>s Hall was destroyed by your doing. To cover your escape from the city, you poisoned the wells causing hundreds of deaths. At first it was said that a Helghast had adopted your likeness to gain entry to the Guildhall, but Guildmaster Banedon refuted these claims. He is convinced that you are possessed by the spirit of Naar. The Guildmaster dispatched the Toran militia to spread this message across Sommerlund. A few days later at the forest village of Durnfallow, near Tyso, the Fryearl of Durnfallow was murdered and his manor house was torched to the ground. The villagers say they saw you riding away from the blazing ruins, howling like a crazed wolf. The people are terrified by the thought that Naar has corrupted you<ch.emdash/>their greatest hero<ch.emdash/>and turned you against your own. They are scared and they are demanding swift justice. King Ulnar has bowed to their will; he has sent all of his Border Rangers to Tyso with orders to find and kill you on sight.</quote></p>
177 <p>The news of your alleged crimes comes as a bitter blow. You are sure that it is all the handiwork of an agent of Naar, and you resolve to find and vanquish this impostor at the first opportunity. However, as you cast your eyes around the damp walls of the castle dungeon, you can only pray to Ishir and Kai that the Baron and his guards will believe your story and allow you a chance to reclaim your honour.</p>
181 <section class="frontmatter" id="gamerulz">
183 <title>The Game Rules</title>
184 <link class="prev" idref="tssf" />
185 <link class="next" idref="discplnz" />
189 <p>You keep a record of your adventure on the <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
190 <p>For more than six years, ever since the demise of the Darklords of Helgedad, you have devoted yourself to developing further your fighting prowess<ch.emdash/><typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ><ch.emdash/>and physical stamina<ch.emdash/><typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ>. Before you begin your first Grand Master adventure you need to measure how effective your training has been. To do this take a pencil and, with your eyes closed, point with the blunt end of it on to the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you pick a 0 it counts as zero.</p>
191 <p>The first number that you pick from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> in this way represents your <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ>. Add 25 to the number you picked and write the total in the <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ> section of your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> (i.e., if your pencil fell on the number 6 in the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> you would write in a <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ> of 31). When you fight, your <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ> will be pitted against that of your enemy. A high score in this section is therefore very desirable.</p>
192 <p>The second number that you pick from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> represents your powers of <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ>. Add 30 to this number and write the total in the <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> section of your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> (i.e., if your pencil fell on the number 7 on the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> you would have 37 <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points).</p>
193 <p>If you are wounded in combat you will lose <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points. If at any time your <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points fall to zero, you are dead and the adventure is over. Lost <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points can be regained during the course of the adventure, but your number of <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points can never rise above the number you have when you start an adventure.</p>
194 <p>If you have successfully completed any of the previous adventures in the Lone Wolf series (Books 1<ch.endash/>18), you can carry your current scores of <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ> and <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points over to Book 17. These scores may include Weaponmastery, Curing, and Psi-surge bonuses obtained upon completion of Lone Wolf Kai (Books 1<ch.endash/>5) or Magnakai (Books 6<ch.endash/>12) adventures.<footref id="gamerulz-1" idref="gamerulz-1-foot"/> Only if you have completed these previous adventures will you benefit from the appropriate bonuses in the course of the Grand Master series. You may also carry over any Weapons and Backpack Items you had in your possession at the end of your last adventure, and these should be entered on your new Grand Master <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> (you are still limited to two Weapons, but you may now carry up to ten Backpack Items).</p>
195 <p>However, only the following Special Items may be carried over from the Lone Wolf Kai (Books 1<ch.endash/>5) and Magnakai (Books 6<ch.endash/>12) series to the Lone Wolf Grand Master series (Books 13<ch.endash/>onwards):<footref id="gamerulz-2" idref="gamerulz-2-foot"/></p>
197 <li>Crystal Star Pendant</li>
200 <li>Silver Bracers</li>
201 <li>Jewelled Mace</li>
202 <li>Silver Bow of Duadon</li>
203 <li>Korlinium Scabbard</li>
204 <li>Kagonite Chainmail</li>
207 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="discplnz">
209 <title>Grand Master Disciplines</title>
210 <link class="prev" idref="gamerulz" />
211 <link class="next" idref="equipmnt" />
215 <footnote id="discplnz-1-foot" idref="discplnz-1">
216 <p>The rules of the books in the Magnakai series (6<ch.endash/>12) and the fact that the <quote>rank of Kai Grand Defender<ch.ellips/> means you are skilled in two<ch.ellips/> weapons</quote> imply that for each book that you complete of the Grand Master series (13<ch.endash/>20), you will gain mastery of an additional Kai weapon. For example, if you complete <cite>The Plague Lords of Ruel</cite> and have the Grand Master Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery at the beginning of the next book, you can choose an additional Weapon from the list to have Mastery of.</p>
221 <section class="frontmatter" id="mksumary">
223 <title>Kai and Magnakai Disciplines</title>
227 <p>During your distinguished rise to the rank of Kai Grand Master you have become proficient in all of the basic Kai and Magnakai Disciplines. These Disciplines have provided you with a formidable arsenal of natural abilities which have served you well in the fight against the agents and champions of Naar, King of the Darkness. A brief summary of your skills is given below.</p>
230 <dt>Weaponmastery</dt>
231 <dd>Proficiency with all close combat and missile weapons. Master of unarmed combat; no <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ> loss when fighting bare-handed.</dd>
232 <dt>Animal Control</dt>
233 <dd>Communication with most animals; limited control over hostile creatures. Can use woodland animals as guides and can block a non-sentient creature<ch.apos/>s sense of taste and smell.</dd>
235 <dd>Steady restoration of lost <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points (to self and others) as a result of combat wounds. Neutralization of poisons, venoms and toxins. Repair of serious battle wounds.</dd>
236 <dt>Invisibility</dt>
237 <dd>Mask body heat and scent; hide effectively; mask sounds during movement; minor alterations of physical appearance.</dd>
239 <dd>Effective hunting of food in the wild; increased agility; intensified vision, hearing, smell, and night vision.</dd>
240 <dt>Pathsmanship</dt>
241 <dd>Read languages, decipher symbols, read footprints and tracks. Intuitive knowledge of compass points; detection of enemy ambush up to 500 yards; ability to cross terrain without leaving tracks; converse with sentient creatures; mask self from psychic spells of detection.</dd>
243 <dd>Attack enemies using the powers of the mind; set up disruptive vibrations in objects; confuse enemies.</dd>
245 <dd>Defence against hypnosis, supernatural illusions, charms, hostile telepathy, and evil spirits. Ability to divert and re-channel hostile psychic energy.</dd>
247 <dd>Move small items by projection of mind power; withstand extremes of temperature; extinguish fire by force of will; limited immunity to flames, toxic gases, corrosive liquids.</dd>
249 <dd>Sense imminent danger; detect invisible or hidden enemy; telepathic communication; recognize magic-using and/or magical creatures; detect psychic residues; limited ability to leave body and spirit-walk.</dd>
254 <p>Now, through the pursuit of your new skills and the further development of your innate Kai abilities, you have set out upon a path of discovery that no other Kai Grand Master has ever attempted with success. Your determination to become the first Kai Supreme Master, by acquiring total proficiency in all twelve of the Grand Master Disciplines, is an awe-inspiring challenge. You will be venturing into the unknown, pushing back the boundaries of human limitation in the pursuit of greatness and the cause of Good. May the blessings of the <!--ERRTAG-RE-27110-->Gods Kai and Ishir<!--/ERRTAG-RE-27110--> go with you as you begin your brave and noble quest.</p>
255 <p>In the years following the demise of the Darklords you have reached the rank of Kai Grand Defender, which means that you have mastered <em>four</em> of the Grand Master Disciplines listed below. It is up to you to choose which four Disciplines these are. As all of the Grand Master Disciplines will be of use to you at some point during your adventure, pick your four skills with care. The correct use of a Grand Master Discipline at the right time could save your life.</p>
256 <p>When you have chosen your four Disciplines, enter them in the Grand Master Disciplines section of your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
258 <section class="frontmatter" id="wpnmstry">
259 <meta><title>Grand Weaponmastery</title></meta>
261 <p>This Discipline enables a Grand Master to become supremely efficient in the use of all weapons. When you enter combat with one of your Grand Master weapons, you add 5 points to your <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ>. The rank of Kai Grand Defender, with which you begin the Grand Master series, means you are skilled in <em>two</em> of the weapons listed below.<footref id="discplnz-1" idref="discplnz-1-foot"/></p>
262 <illustration class="inline">
264 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
266 <instance class="html" src="weapons.gif" width="386" height="310" />
267 <instance class="pdf" src="weapons.pdf" width="386" height="310" />
268 <instance class="text" src="none" width="none" height="none" >
269 <ul class="unbulleted">
276 <li>Quarterstaff</li>
286 <section class="frontmatter" id="anmlmstr">
287 <meta><title>Animal Mastery</title></meta>
289 <p>Grand Masters have considerable control over hostile, non-sentient creatures. Also, they have the ability to converse with birds and fishes, and use them as guides.</p>
293 <section class="frontmatter" id="deliver">
294 <meta><title>Deliverance (Advanced Curing)</title></meta>
296 <p>Grand Masters are able to use their healing power to repair serious battle wounds. If, whilst in combat, their <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> is reduced to 8 points or less, they can draw upon their mastery to restore 20 <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points. This ability can only be used once every 20 days.</p>
300 <section class="frontmatter" id="assimila">
301 <meta><title>Assimilance (Advanced Invisibility)</title></meta>
303 <p>Grand Masters are able to effect striking changes to their physical appearance, and maintain these changes over a period of a few days. They have also mastered advanced camouflage techniques that make them virtually undetectable in an open landscape.</p>
307 <section class="frontmatter" id="hntmstry">
308 <meta><title>Grand Huntmastery</title></meta>
310 <p>Grand Masters are able to see in total darkness, and have greatly heightened senses of touch and taste.</p>
314 <section class="frontmatter" id="pthmnshp">
315 <meta><title>Grand Pathsmanship</title></meta>
317 <p>Grand Masters are able to resist entrapment by hostile plants, and have a super-awareness of ambush, or the threat of ambush, in woods and dense forests.</p>
321 <section class="frontmatter" id="kaisurge">
322 <meta><title>Kai-surge</title></meta>
324 <p>When using their psychic ability to attack an enemy, Grand Masters may add 8 points to their <typ class="attribute>COMBAT SKILL</typ>. For every round in which Kai-surge is used, Grand Masters need only deduct 1 <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> point. When using the weaker psychic attack<ch.emdash/>Mindblast<ch.emdash/>they may add 4 points without loss of <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> points. (Kai-surge, Psi-surge, and Mindblast cannot be used simultaneously.)</p>
325 <p>Grand Masters cannot use Kai-surge if their <typ class="attribute>ENDURANCE</typ> score falls to 6 points or below.</p>
329 <section class="frontmatter" id="kaiscrn">
330 <meta><title>Kai-screen</title></meta>
332 <p>In psychic combat, Grand Masters are able to construct mind fortresses capable of protecting themselves and others. The strength and capacity of these fortresses increases as a Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
336 <section class="frontmatter" id="nexus">
337 <meta><title>Grand Nexus</title></meta>
339 <p>Grand Masters are able to withstand contact with harmful elements, such as flames and acids, for upwards of an hour in duration. This ability increases as a Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
343 <section class="frontmatter" id="gnosis">
344 <meta><title>Telegnosis (Advanced Divination)</title></meta>
346 <p>This Discipline enables a Grand Master to spirit-walk for far greater lengths of time, and with far fewer ill effects. Duration, and the protection of his inanimate body, increases as a Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
350 <section class="frontmatter" id="magi">
351 <meta><title><!--ERRTAG-RE-33045-->Magi-magic<!--/ERRTAG-RE-33045--></title></meta>
353 <p>Under the tutelage of Lord Rimoah, you have been able to master the rudimentary skills of battle magic, as taught to the Vakeros<ch.emdash/>the native warriors of Dessi. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Old Kingdom magic increase.</p>
357 <section class="frontmatter" id="alchemy">
358 <meta><title>Kai-alchemy</title></meta>
360 <p>Under the tutelage of Guildmaster Banedon, you have mastered the elementary spells of Left-handed magic, as practised by the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Left-handed magic increase, enabling you to craft new Kai weapons and <!--ERRTAG-RE-34720-->artefacts<!--/ERRTAG-RE-34720-->.</p>
364 <p>If you successfully complete the mission as set in Book 19 of the Lone Wolf Grand Master series, you may add a further Grand Master Discipline of your choice to your Action Chart in Book 20. For every Grand Master Discipline you possess, in excess of the original four Disciplines you begin with, you may add 1 point to your basic COMBAT SKILL score and 2 points to your basic ENDURANCE points score. These bonus points, together with your extra Grand Master Discipline(s), your original four Grand Master Disciplines, and any Special Items that you have found and been able to keep during your adventures, may then be carried over and used in the next Grand Master adventure, which is called: <bookref book="20tcon"><cite>The Curse of Naar</cite>.</bookref></p>
368 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="equipmnt">
370 <title>Equipment</title>
371 <link class="prev" idref="discplnz"/>
372 <link class="next" idref="cmbtrulz"/>
376 <p>Before you set off on your long journey home to Sommerlund you took with you a <a idref="map">map of Northern Magnamund</a> (see the inside front cover of this book) and a pouch of gold. To find out how much gold is in the pouch, pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> 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 <quote>Gold Crowns</quote> section of your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
377 <p>If you have successfully completed any of the previous Lone Wolf adventures (Books 1<ch.endash/>18), 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 safe-keeping at your monastery.</p>
378 <p>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).</p>
379 <ul class="paragraphed">
380 <li><p>Broadsword (Weapons)</p></li>
381 <li><p>Bow (Weapons)</p></li>
382 <li><p>Quiver (Special Items) This contains six arrows; record them on your <a idref="action">Weapons List</a>.</p>
383 <illustration class="inline">
385 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
387 <instance class="html" src="quiver.gif" width="386" height="127"/>
388 <instance class="pdf" src="quiver.pdf" width="386" height="127"/>
391 <li><p>Dagger (Weapons)</p>
392 <illustration class="inline">
394 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
396 <instance class="html" src="dagger.gif" width="386" height="157"/>
397 <instance class="pdf" src="dagger.pdf" width="386" height="103"/>
400 <li><p>Sword (Weapons)</p></li>
401 <li><p>2 MEALS Each Meal takes up one space in your Backpack.</p>
402 <illustration class="inline">
404 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
406 <instance class="html" src="food.gif" width="386" height="152"/>
407 <instance class="pdf" src="food.pdf" width="386" height="91"/>
410 <li><p>ROPE (Backpack tern)</p></li>
411 <li><p>POTION OF LAUMSPUR (Backpack Item) This potion restores 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points to your total when swallowed after combat. There is enough for only one dose.</p></li>
412 <li><p>AXE (Weapons)</p>
413 <illustration class="inline">
415 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
417 <instance class="html" src="potion.gif" width="386" height="167"/>
418 <instance class="pdf" src="potion.pdf" width="386" height="127"/>
423 <p>List the four items that you choose on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>, under the appropriate headings, and make a note of any effect that may have on your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points or <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>.</p>
425 <section class="frontmatter" id="howuse">
427 <title>How to Use Your Equipment</title>
431 <dl class="paragraphed">
433 <dd><p>The maximum number of weapons that you can carry is two. Weapons aid you in combat. If you have the Grand Master Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery and a correct weapon, it adds 5 points to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. If you find a weapon during your adventure, you may pick it up and use it.</p></dd>
434 <dt>Bows and Arrows</dt>
436 <p>During your adventure there will be opportunities to use a Bow and Arrow. If you equip yourself with this weapon, and you possess at least one Arrow, you may use it when the text of a particular section allows you to do so. The Bow is a useful weapon, for it enables you to hit an enemy at a distance. However, a Bow cannot be used in hand-to-hand combat, therefore it is strongly recommended that you also equip yourself with a close combat weapon, such as a sword or axe.</p>
437 <p>In order to use a Bow you must possess a <!--ERRTAG-RA-39864-->Quiver<!--/ERRTAG-RA-39864--> and at least one Arrow. Each time the Bow is used, erase an Arrow from your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>. A Bow cannot, of course, be used if you exhaust your supply of Arrows, but the opportunity may arise during your adventure for you to replenish your stock of Arrows.</p>
438 <p>If you have the Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery with a Bow, you may add 3 to any number that you pick from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>, when using the Bow.</p>
440 <dt>Backpack Items</dt>
442 <p>These must be stored in your Backpack. Because space is limited, you may keep a maximum of ten articles, including Meals, in your Backpack at any one time. You may only carry one Backpack at a time. During your travels you will discover various useful items which you may decide to keep. You may exchange or discard them at any point when you are not involved in combat.</p>
443 <p>Any item that may be of use, and which can be picked up on your adventure and entered on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> is given either initial capitals <!--ERRTAG-RE-40946-->(e.g. Gold Dagger<!--/ERRTAG-RE-40946-->, Magic Pendant), or is clearly labelled as a Backpack Item. Unless you are told that it is a Special Item, carry it in your Backpack.</p>
445 <dt>Special Items</dt>
447 <p>Special Items are not carried in the Backpack. When you discover a Special Item, you will be told how or where to carry it. The maximum number of Special Items that can be carried on any adventure is twelve.</p>
450 <dd><p>Food is carried in your Backpack. Each Meal counts as one item. You will need to eat regularly during your adventure. If you do not have any food when you are instructed to eat a Meal, you will lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points. If you have chosen the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery as one of your skills, you will not need to tick off a Meal when instructed to eat.</p></dd>
451 <dt>Potion of Laumspur</dt>
452 <dd><p>This is a healing potion that can restore 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points to your total when swallowed after combat. There is enough for one dose only. If you discover any other potion during the adventure, you will be informed of its effect. All potions are Backpack Items.</p></dd>
460 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="cmbtrulz">
462 <title>Rules for Combat</title>
463 <link class="prev" idref="equipmnt" />
464 <link class="next" idref="levels" />
468 <p>There will be occasions during your adventure when you have to fight an enemy. The enemy<ch.apos/>s <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> and <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points are given in the text. Lone Wolf<ch.apos/>s aim in the combat is to kill the enemy by reducing his <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points to zero while losing as few <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points as possible himself.</p>
469 <p>At the start of a combat, enter Lone Wolf<ch.apos/>s and the enemy<ch.apos/>s <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points in the appropriate boxes on the Combat Record section of your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>. The sequence for combat is as follows:</p>
470 <ol class="paragraphed">
471 <li><p>Add any extra points gained through your Grand Master Disciplines and Special Items to your current <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> total.</p></li>
473 <p>Subtract the <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> of your enemy from this total. The result is your Combat Ratio. Enter it on the <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
475 <p>Lone Wolf (<typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> 27) is attacked by a pack of Doomwolves (<typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> 30). He is taken by surprise and is not given the opportunity of evading their attack. Lone Wolf has the Grand Master Discipline of Kai-surge to which the Doomwolves are not immune, so Lone Wolf adds 8 points to his <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>, giving him a total <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> of 35.</p>
476 <p>He subtracts the Doomwolf pack<ch.apos/>s <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> from his own, giving a Combat Ratio of +5. (35<ch.minus/>30 = +5). +5 is noted on the <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> as the Combat Ratio.</p>
478 <li><p><a id="stage3">When you have your Combat Ratio</a>, pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p></li>
480 <p>Turn to the <a idref="crtable">Combat Results Table</a>. Along the top of the chart are shown the Combat Ratio numbers. Find the number that is the same as your Combat Ratio and cross-reference it with the random number that you have picked (the random numbers appear on the side of the chart). You now have the number of <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points lost by both Lone Wolf and his enemy in this round of combat. (E represents points lost by the enemy; LW represents points lost by Lone Wolf.)</p>
482 <p>The Combat Ratio between Lone Wolf and the Doomwolf Pack has been established as +5. If the number picked from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> is a 2, then the result of the first round of combat is:</p>
484 <li>Lone Wolf loses 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points (plus an additional 1 point for using Kai-surge).</li>
485 <li>Doomwolf Pack loses 7 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</li>
488 <li><p>On the <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>, mark the changes in <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points to the participants in the combat.</p></li>
489 <li><p>Unless otherwise instructed, or unless you have an option to evade, the next round of combat now starts.</p></li>
490 <li><p>Repeat the sequence from <a idref="stage3">Stage 3.</a></p></li>
493 <p>This process of combat continues until <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points of either the enemy or Lone Wolf are reduced to zero, at which point the one with the zero score is declared dead. If Lone Wolf is dead, the adventure is over. If the enemy is dead, Lone Wolf proceeds but with his <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points reduced.</p>
494 <p>A <a idref="crsumary">summary of Combat Rules</a> appears in the back of this book.</p>
496 <section class="frontmatter" id="evasion">
497 <meta><title>Evasion of Combat</title></meta>
500 <p>During your adventure you may be given the chance to evade combat. If you have already engaged in a round of combat and decide to evade, calculate the combat for that round in the usual manner. All points lost by the enemy as a result of that round are ignored, and you make your escape. Only Lone Wolf may lose <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points during that round (but then that is the risk of running away!). You may evade only if the text of the particular section allows you to do so.</p>
506 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="levels">
508 <title>Levels of Kai Grand Mastership</title>
509 <link class="prev" idref="cmbtrulz" />
510 <link class="next" idref="imprvdsc" />
514 <p>The following table is a guide to the rank and titles you can achieve at each stage of your journey along the road of Kai Grand Mastership. As you successfully complete each adventure in the Lone Wolf Grand Master series, you will gain an additional Grand Master Discipline and progress towards the pinnacle of Kai perfection<ch.emdash/>to become a Kai Supreme Master.</p>
517 <li>Kai Grand Master Senior</li>
518 <li>Kai Grand Master Superior</li>
519 <li>Kai Grand Sentinel</li>
520 <li>Kai Grand Defender<ch.emdash/><em>You begin the Lone Wolf Grand Master adventures at this level of Mastery</em></li>
521 <li>Kai Grand Guardian</li>
528 <li>Kai Supreme Master</li>
534 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="imprvdsc">
536 <title>Improved Grand Master Disciplines</title>
537 <link class="prev" idref="levels" />
538 <link class="next" idref="kaiwisdm" />
542 <footnote id="imprvdsc-1-foot" idref="imprvdsc-1">
543 <p>The <spell>Strength</spell> spell is, in practice, also used in armed combat contrary to what is indicated here.</p>
548 <p>As you rise through the higher levels of Kai Grand Mastery, you will find that your Disciplines will steadily improve. For example, if you possess the Discipline of Grand Nexus when you reach the Grand Master rank of Grand Thane, you will be able to pass freely through Shadow Gates and explore the nether realms of Aon and the Daziarn Plane.</p>
550 <section class="frontmatter" id="guardian">
551 <meta><title>Kai Grand Guardian</title></meta>
553 <p>If you are a Grand Master who has reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian (5 Disciplines), you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
554 <dl class="paragraphed">
555 <dt>Animal Mastery</dt>
556 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians with this Discipline are able to summon a limited number of forest animals to their location. The creatures so summoned will become loyal and willing allies, willing to do the Kai Grand Guardian<ch.apos/>s bidding. This ability can only be used in an outdoor setting.</p></dd>
558 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians who possess this skill are able to create a cloud of fog-like vapour within 15 yards of their location. This fog will obscure both normal and infravision. The duration of the fog increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
559 <dt>Grand Huntmastery</dt>
560 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians with this skill enjoy increased mobility when travelling across all types of terrain, whether on foot or on horseback. This improved ability is very useful when used to outdistance a pursuing enemy.</p></dd>
562 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to attack up to three enemies in psychic combat simultaneously.</p></dd>
564 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians who possess this Discipline are able to exercise a defensive psychic skill known as Mindblend. This cloaking ability enables them to both protect and hide their minds from being detected by a hostile psychic probe.</p></dd>
567 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian are able to use the following battle-spells of the Elder Magi:</p>
569 <li><spell>Splinter</spell><ch.emdash/>This causes breakable items such as bottles, jugs, mirrors, windows, etc., to shatter to pieces. The range of this spell increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</li>
570 <li><spell>Flameshaft</spell><ch.emdash/>This causes the tip of any Arrow or Arrow-like missile, to burn fiercely with a magical flame which cannot readily be extinguished by normal means.</li>
577 <section class="frontmatter" id="sunkght">
578 <meta><title>Sun Knight</title></meta>
581 <p>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:</p>
582 <dl class="paragraphed">
583 <dt>Grand Weaponmastery</dt>
584 <dd><p>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.</p></dd>
586 <dd><p>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<ch.apos/>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.</p></dd>
587 <dt>Grand Pathsmanship</dt>
588 <dd><p>Kai Sun Knights with this skill are able to repel at will all normal-sized insects within a radius of three yards. The range and numbers of insects so affected increases considerably as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
590 <dd><p>Sun Knights who possess Mastery of this Discipline are able to feign death. By placing themselves into a state of suspended animation, outwardly they are able to achieve all semblance of being truly dead. However, whilst in this state the only sense that a Sun Knight retains is the ability to hear.</p></dd>
592 <dd><p>Sun Knights who possess this Discipline are able to communicate telepathically over great distances. Initially the range of this ability is approximately 100 miles, but this distance increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
595 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Knight are able to use the following <!--ERRTAG-RE-53768-->Brotherhood Spells<!--/ERRTAG-RE-53768-->:</p>
597 <li><spell>Halt Missile</spell><ch.emdash/>This causes any projected or hurled missile (i.e. arrows, axes, crossbow bolts, etc.) which may pose an immediate threat to the life of a Sun Knight, to cease its flight and remain stationary in mid-air. The effect of the spell lasts for 2<ch.endash/>3 seconds, allowing the Sun Knight sufficient time to move away from its line of flight. Initially only one missile can be affected by this spell, but the number increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</li>
598 <li><spell>Strength</spell><ch.emdash/>By casting this spell, a Sun Knight is able to greatly increase his or her physical strength for a short duration. It can be used to lift or move heavy objects, or to effect a temporary increase in <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> and <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> scores whilst fighting an enemy in unarmed combat.<footref id="imprvdsc-1" idref="imprvdsc-1-foot"/></li>
605 <section class="frontmatter" id="sunlord">
606 <meta><title>Sun Lord</title></meta>
609 <p>If you are a Grand Master who has reached the rank of Sun Lord (7 Disciplines), you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
610 <dl class="paragraphed">
611 <dt>Grand Weaponmastery</dt>
612 <dd><p>Sun Lords with this Discipline are able to cause the metal edge of any non-magical weapon to ignite and burn fiercely. When a weapon thus affected is used in combat, it inflicts an additional 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point loss upon an enemy in every successful round of combat. This ability cannot be used with a wholly wooden weapon such as a quarterstaff.</p></dd>
614 <dd><p>Sun Lords who possess this skill are able to cause the outline of their bodies to become blurred and indistinct. By so doing, they can greatly increase their chances of avoiding magical and/or non-magical missiles directed at them.</p></dd>
615 <dt>Grand Huntmastery</dt>
616 <dd><p>Kai Sun Lords with this skill are able to see, with acute accuracy, light in the infrared spectrum, <!--ERRTAG-RE-58448-->i.e. they<!--/ERRTAG-RE-58448--> can see complex patterns generated by heat in near or total darkness. They can also see light in the ultraviolet spectrum.</p></dd>
618 <dd><p>Sun Lords who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to launch a Kai-blast<ch.emdash/>a pulse of intense psychic energy which is capable of affecting both psychically active and inactive enemies. This form of psychic attack is very effective, more so than a usual Kai-surge, Psi-surge or Mindblast. It can cause an enemy to lose between 2 and 18 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points in one attack. [A Kai Sun Lord using Kai-blast determines the damage inflicted on an enemy by picking two numbers from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. These numbers should be added together (a <quote>0</quote> = 1) and the resultant total equals the damage inflicted.] However, use of a Kai-blast will reduce a Sun Lord<ch.apos/>s <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points total by 4. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other form of psychic attack.</p></dd>
620 <dd><p>Sun Lords who possess this Discipline are able to alter their body weight in order to walk successfully upon different kinds of surface, e.g. water, mud, lava and quicksand. Time duration and degree of surface difficulty increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
621 <dt><!--ERRTAG-RE-57185-->Magi-magic<!--/ERRTAG-RE-57185--></dt>
623 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Lord are able to use the following battle-spells of the Elder Magi:</p>
625 <li><spell>Penetrate</spell><ch.emdash/>This increases the penetrative energy of any Arrow or Arrow-like missile, launched by a Sun Lord.</li>
626 <li><spell>Energy Grasp</spell><ch.emdash/>This spell enables a Sun Lord to discharge a powerful electrical force into anything he or she touches. It is similar in effect to the <!--ERRTAG-RE-58099-->Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell><!--/ERRTAG-RE-58099-->, but differs in that it is easier to control and channel the resulting energy. It also requires the actual touching of an object or an enemy to effect the spell.</li>
633 <section class="frontmatter" id="sunthane">
634 <meta><title>Sun Thane</title></meta>
637 <p>If you are a Grand Master who has reached the rank of Sun Thane (8 Disciplines), you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
638 <dl class="paragraphed">
639 <dt>Animal Mastery</dt>
640 <dd><p>Sun Thanes with this Discipline are able to command an animal to fall asleep at will. Some hostile animals may be able to resist this command, but most will be affected by it in some way. The duration of effect and the number of animals which can be affected at one time will increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
642 <dd><p>Sun Thanes who possess this skill are able to conduct a Kai Exorcism. This ritual will banish any evil supernatural force that has taken possession of any goodly creature or object.</p></dd>
643 <dt>Grand Huntmastery</dt>
644 <dd><p>Kai Sun Thanes with this skill are able to protect themselves from the effects of being struck by natural electrical discharges, <!--ERRTAG-RE-59140-->i.e. lightning<!--/ERRTAG-RE-59140-->.</p></dd>
645 <dt>Grand Pathsmanship</dt>
646 <dd><p>Sun Thanes who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to alter the temperature of water by touch. By using this skill they are able to transform water into ice and vice versa. The volume of water affected, and the duration of effect, both increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
648 <dd><p>Sun Thanes who possess this Discipline are able to erect a special psychic defence called <spell>Mindfort</spell>. A <spell>Mindfort</spell> defence greatly reduces the effects of any psychic shock that would normally paralyse or weaken a lesser mortal.</p></dd>
651 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Thane are able to use the following <!--ERRTAG-RE-60406-->Brotherhood Spells<!--/ERRTAG-RE-60406-->:</p>
653 <li><spell>Slow Fall</spell><ch.emdash/>By casting this spell, Kai Sun Thanes are able to slow their rate of free-falling to three feet per second, thereby avoiding damage upon landing while the spell is in effect. The duration of the spell is limited at first, but it steadily increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</li>
654 <li><spell>Breathe Water</spell><ch.emdash/>Using this spell, a Kai Sun Thane is able to breathe underwater for ten minutes. The duration of effect increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</li>
659 <section class="frontmatter" id="grandthane">
660 <meta><title>Grand Thane</title></meta>
661 <p>If you are a Kai Grand Master who has reached the rank of Grand Thane (9 Disciplines), you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
662 <dl class="paragraphed">
664 <dd><p>Grand Thanes with this Discipline are able to call upon the God Kai for divine assistance should a situation warrant it. Kai cannot intervene to save a Grand Thane from physical danger, but he can give signs which may help a Grand Thane chose the best course of action. A Grand Thane can call upon the God Kai for assistance no more than once every month. The frequency of divine audiences will increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
666 <dd><p>Grand Thanes who possess this skill are able to protect themselves from detection by creatures using infravision (the ability to see the heat radiating from a person or thing), or ultra-vision (the ability to detect objects or movement in the ultra-violet spectrum of light).</p></dd>
667 <dt>Grand Kai-surge</dt>
668 <dd><p>Grand Thanes with this skill are able to focus their mind-power upon inanimate breakable objects, eg, bottles, windows, all ceramics, urns, jugs etc, and cause them to explode violently. Any person or creature in close proximity to such an explosion risks injury from flying shrapnel.</p></dd>
670 <dd><p>Grand Thanes who possess mastery of this Discipline can pass freely through the Shadow Gates. These phenomena are special portals which enable one to access other dimensions and planes of existence outside of Magnamund. Kai Grand Thanes are able to detect the location of Shadow Gates and pass through them without suffering any physical ill effects. The range of their detection increases as a Kai Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
672 <dd><p>Grand Thanes who possess this Discipline are able to detect the exact location of precious gems, and valuable metals such as gold, platinum and silver. These minerals and metals may occur naturally in the ground or they could be part of a hidden treasure hoard. The range of this ability is limited at first, but increases steadily as a Kai Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
675 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Grand Thane are able to use the following Old Kingdom battle-spells:</p>
677 <li><spell>Power Glyph</spell><ch.emdash/>By inscribing this ancient glyph (a secret magical symbol) upon a door, an archway, or even upon the lid of a closed box, a Kai Grand Thane is able to protect items or portals from being opened. Any creature attempting to open a portal protected in such a way will release the power of the glyph and suffer its deadly effects.</li>
678 <li><spell>Hold Enemy</spell><ch.emdash/>Using this spell, a Kai Grand Thane is able to immobilize a single hostile creature anywhere within twenty feet of themselves. The duration of the spell is dependent upon the size and strength of the targetted creature. The range and duration of effect of this spell increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</li>
685 <section class="frontmatter" id="grandcrown">
686 <meta><title>Grand Crown</title></meta>
688 <p>If you are a Grand Master who has reached the rank of Grand Crown, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines: </p>
689 <dl class="paragraphed">
690 <dt>Grand Weaponmastery</dt>
691 <dd><p>Kai Grand Crowns with this discipline are consummate masters of unarmed combat. When fighting bare-handed ie, without any weapons, they may add 3 points to their COMBAT SKILL.</p></dd>
692 <dt>Animal Mastery</dt>
693 <dd><p>Grand Crowns with this ability are able to plant in the mind of any animal the image of their most-feared predator or adversary. Under the influence of this illusion the animal will believe, with all of its senses, that it is being confronted by such a creature instead of a Kai Grand Crown.</p></dd>
694 <dt>Grand Pathsmanship</dt>
695 <dd><p>Grand Crowns with this skill are able to create a clear passageway through dense undergrowth, forest, or jungle. Once having passed through this passageway, the plant material will revert to its normal state. This skill can also be employed by a Kai Grand Crown against magical foliage, or to counter any plant material ranged against him by an enemy.</p></dd>
697 <dd><p>Grand Crowns who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to mask the goodly aura which radiates naturally from their minds and bodies. Additionally, Grand Crowns can deliberately alter these auras to give a false impression of themselves to creatures who are sensitive to such psychic auras.</p></dd>
699 <dd><p>Grand Crowns who possess this Discipline are able to speak a Kai Power Word<ch.emdash/>a holy utterance which will cause physical and psychic damage to any single creature within a radius of thirty feet. The degree of damage so caused, and the resultant drain upon a Grand Crown<ch.apos/>s reserves of ENDURANCE, are dependent upon individual circumstances. The power and range of this skill increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
701 <dd><p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Grand Crown are able to use the following Brotherhood spells:</p>
703 <li>Teleport<ch.emdash/>By casting this spell, Kai Grand Crowns can transport themselves physically to any place which they can see with their own eyes. The spell will carry the caster, his equipment and clothing to his chosen sighted destination. It cannot be used on any other living creature and it will not transport any other living creature along with the caster. Use of this spell will cost the caster between 1 and 5 ENDURANCE points every time it is used. This cost reduces as a Kai Grand Master increases in rank.</li>
704 <li>See Illusion<ch.emdash/>Using this spell, a Kai Grand Crown is able to detect an illusion and know immediately its true identity or purpose.</li>
710 <p>The nature of any additional improvements and how they affect your Grand Master Disciplines will be noted in the <ch.apos/>Improved Grand Master Disciplines<ch.apos/> section of future Lone Wolf books.</p>
716 <section class="frontmatter" id="kaiwisdm">
718 <title>Grand Master<ch.apos/>s Wisdom</title>
719 <link class="prev" idref="imprvdsc" />
720 <link class="next" idref="sect1" />
724 <p>You are about to face an adversary who possesses skills and abilities commensurate with your own. Even though you have returned to Sommerlund, the land of your birth, you should remain wary and on guard at all times. Your enemy is cunning and ruthless; you can expect no quarter from him whatsoever.</p>
725 <p>Some of the things you will encounter during your adventure will be of use to you in this and future Lone Wolf books, while others may be red herrings of no real value at all. If you discover items, be selective in what you choose to keep.</p>
726 <p>Pick your four Grand Master Disciplines with care for a wise choice will enable any player to complete the quest, no matter how weak their initial COMBAT SKILL and ENDURANCE scores may be. Successful completion of previous Lone Wolf adventures, although an advantage, is not essential for the completion of this Grand Master adventure.</p>
727 <p>May the light of Kai and Ishir be your guide as you strive to defeat the agents of Naar.</p>
728 <p>For Sommerlund and the Kai!</p>
734 <section class="numbered" id="numbered">
735 <meta><title>Numbered Sections</title></meta>
739 <section class="numbered" id="sect1">
740 <meta><title>1</title></meta>
743 <p>The jangle of keys and the metallic squeal of a rusty iron drawbolt makes your pulse quicken. Moments later, the heavy dungeon door creaks open and two imperious figures step with caution into the dingy cell. They are protected by a dome of radiant magical energy, yet you can see enough of their features through this shimmering force-field to recognize them to be Baron Calder and Guildmaster Banedon.</p>
744 <p><quote>Well met, old friend!</quote> you call out, but Banedon does not return your greeting. His countenance is one of fearful suspicion. Clearly he and the Baron suspect you are the evil impostor who has wrought havoc across Sommerlund.</p>
745 <p><quote>Come now, Banedon. Truly, it is I<ch.emdash/>Lone Wolf. Won<ch.apos/>t you release me from these shackles?</quote></p>
746 <p>Banedon takes hold of a crystal pendant that hangs from a chain around his neck and a wave of strong psychic energy washes over you. The sensation is. deeply unpleasant, but you resist the urge to use repel it. Instead, you allow this mental probe to access the recesses of your mind and gradually Banedon<ch.apos/>s grim expression is replaced by a smile. He nods approvingly and, in an instant, the magical barrier which protects the two men blinks out of existence.</p>
747 <choice idref="sect302">If you possess a Platinum Amulet, turn to 195. If you do not possess this Special Item, <link-text>turn to 302</link-text>.</choice>
751 <section class="numbered" id="sect2">
752 <meta><title>2</title></meta>
755 <p>You hit the stinking water and dive beneath the surface. But moments later you are struck forcefully in the side by the tip of the creature<ch.apos/>s tail, lifted into the air, and dashed against the rough earth wall of the cavern: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
756 <p>Coughing and gasping for breath, you find your feet and claw the muck from your eyes just in time to see the serpent<ch.apos/>s tail swishing back towards your chest. Instinctively you throw yourself against the wall and the deadly barbed tail misses you by inches. As it sweeps past, you draw your weapon in readiness to strike out at it the moment it come within range.</p>
757 <combat><enemy>Ukara (chained)</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">44</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">45</enemy-attribute></combat>
758 <p>This serpent is immune to all forms of psychic attack, except Kai-surge.</p>
759 <choice idref="sect348">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 348</link-text>.</choice>
763 <section class="numbered" id="sect3">
764 <meta><title>3</title></meta>
767 <p>You draw your divine blade from its scabbard and a halo of golden light irradiates the throne hall. Naar bellows with a terrible rage. He is mortally aghast that such a holy weapon should be unsheathed in his inner sanctum, and in his rage he summons yet a further horde of Crypt Spawn to attack and overwhelm you.</p>
768 <combat><enemy>Crypt Spawn hordes</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">55</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
769 <choice idref="sect350">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 350</link-text>.</choice>
773 <section class="numbered" id="sect4">
774 <meta><title>4</title></meta>
777 <p>Using your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus, you concentrate upon a small area of the plant wall and will the fibres to loosen and tear. The wall is remarkably resilient, and you expend a great deal of energy before the tough fibres weaken and bend to your will: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
778 <p>Eventually you are able to create a large enough hole in the stem through which you can make your escape.</p>
779 <choice idref="sect230">To continue, <link-text>turn to 230</link-text>.</choice>
783 <section class="numbered" id="sect5">
784 <meta><title>5</title></meta>
787 <p>Your killing blow decapitates the head of this mechanical beast, sending it bouncing across the chamber. Fountains of fiery sparks shoot from its severed neck and its torso cracks and crumples in on itself. Within seconds, the body is transformed into a glowing mound of steel slag.</p>
788 <p>Warily you approach the creature<ch.apos/>s head and prod it with the tip of your weapon. When you are sure that it is safe, you examine it more closely and discover a curious disc of iron wedged in a crease in the back of its skull. Guided by instinct, you take this disc and insert it into the wall. Moments later, the door opens with a hiss of escaping air.</p>
789 <p>If you wish to retrieve the Iron Disc before you pass through the door, record it on your Action Chart as a Special Item which you carry in the pocket of your tunic.</p>
790 <choice idref="sect83">To continue, <link-text>turn to 83</link-text>.</choice>
794 <section class="numbered" id="sect6">
795 <meta><title>6</title></meta>
798 <p>You throw yourself to the ground and the beam of blazing white light passes within inches of your head, close enough to scorch the hood of your cloak. The moment you hit the warehouse floor you roll over and over and scramble for the nearest cover<ch.emdash/>a heavy iron chest, banded and riveted with steel. The warrior follows your swift movement and looses a second beam from his spear which slams into the iron chest with stunning force. You gasp with horror as you see the side of the chest bulging towards your face. Its thick rivets tremble and its age-blackened skin smoulders with a sullen heat. Instinct takes over, making you roll away from the iron chest and seek cover elsewhere. As you move, the beam of light tears through the rear of the iron box and destroys the ground where, only moments before, your face had been.</p>
799 <p>You call upon all of your camouflage skills to mask your body as you hurriedly seek a way to escape from this warrior and his sorcerous weapon. You reach the base of a large steel tank and scramble up a ladder fixed to its side. The top of the tank is stacked high with coiled ropes and you force yourself in amongst them. A few moments later you watch the warrior approach the smouldering remains of the iron chest. He is close enough now for you to see that his weapon is attached by length of steel cable to a canister strapped to his back.</p>
800 <choice idref="sect209">If you possess a Bow and the Discipline of Magi magic, and have attained the Kai rank of Sun Lord, <link-text>turn to 209</link-text>.</choice>
801 <choice idref="sect156">If you do not possess a Bow or this skill, or if you have yet to attain the rank of Sun Lord, <link-text>turn to 156</link-text>.</choice>
807 <section class="numbered" id="sect7">
808 <meta><title>7</title></meta>
811 <p>Guided by a circle of blazing beacons, Javano the pilot lands the skyship expertly in the middle of a paved training park located within the castle<ch.apos/>s expansive grounds. In Tyso a curfew is in force, and the only figures lawfully abroad this night are Baron Medar<ch.apos/>s guardsmen whose numbers have been doubled by a regiment of Border Rangers recently arrived from Holmgard. Banedon suggests that you stay on board until he has informed Baron Medar of the true situation.</p>
812 <p><quote>The guards of Tyso are under orders to kill you on sight,</quote> he says, as he gets ready to disembark. <quote>It would not be wise to show yourself, Grand Master, until I have explained all to the Baron.</quote></p>
813 <p>You remain in his quarters while Banedon seeks an audience with Baron Medar. Shortly he returns with the Baron who, upon entering the cabin, greets you warmly like a father welcoming home a favourite son.</p>
814 <p><quote>You will always be welcome here, Lone Wolf,</quote> he says clasping your hand in friendship. <quote>I knew in my heart that you were innocent of these crimes which have so shocked our people. You may rely on me to help you find this impostor who has sought to harm us and bring dishonour upon your good name.</quote></p>
815 <p>You thank the Baron for his support and his pledge of loyalty, and you tell him how pleased you are to be in Tyso after the months you have spent abroad.</p>
816 <p><quote>Then come, my lord, let<ch.apos/>s adjourn to my hall where you may enjoy the hospitality of my court,</quote> he says, and turns to leave the cabin. As he reaches the door he says: <quote>Oh, and by the way, there are some men waiting there who, I<ch.apos/>m sure, will be most pleased to meet with you.</quote></p>
817 <choice idref="sect238"><link-text>Turn to 238</link-text>.</choice>
821 <section class="numbered" id="sect8">
822 <meta><title>8</title></meta>
825 <p>The arrow hits your forehead, yet fortunately at an angle. It carves a gash across the top of your head and removes a deep furrow of skin and hair as it glances off your skull bone: lose 6 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
826 <p>Biting back the pain, you clasp both hands to your scalp and muster your healing skills to staunch the heavy flow of blood. As you stagger to your feet, you look to the jungle and pinpoint the place where the arrow emerged. When you magnify your vision you see the face of your enemy<ch.emdash/>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.emdash/>partially hidden by a tree. He is laughing, his teeth showing white against the deep green of the jungle. He mouths a curse and then he springs to his feet and disappears into the undergrowth.</p>
827 <p>Determined that you are not going to allow him to escape so easily, you break into a run and give chase.</p>
828 <choice idref="sect90"><link-text>Turn to 90</link-text>.</choice>
832 <section class="numbered" id="sect9">
833 <meta><title>9</title></meta>
836 <p>Your killing blow punctures the beast<ch.apos/>s single lung and heart, sending it swiftly to the bottom of the flooded cellar. You sheathe your weapon and strike out for the surface where, upon clambering onto the steps, you pause for a few moments to regain your composure. As you recover, you note that one of your Backpack Items is missing, lost during your underwater combat with the Ekmakon. (Erase from your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> the item which you have recorded at the top of your list of Backpack Items.)</p>
837 <p>Eager to continue your pursuit, you climb the steps and emerge through a trapdoor into the rubble-heaped city ruins. There is no sign of Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, but when you hurry to where you saw him last, you discover a flight of steps leading down into a wide underground passage. His tracks can be seen clearly imbedded in the muddy floor of this tunnel.</p>
838 <p>The tunnel passes under a street and then surfaces in front of a grand two-storey building, once a busy warehouse that stored braided coils of fine copper cable. You avoid the main entrance in case your adversary is lying in ambush there, and enter instead by way of a flight of iron steps that lead to a second floor window. The moment you set foot inside the building you sense that Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane is here. Warily you explore, your nerves stretched to breaking point as your eyes seek out detail in the darkness. You are approaching the west wing of this building when you suddenly catch sight of your opponent through a hole in the floor. He is sitting on his haunches behind a mound of wooden crates, busily eating a green-skinned fruit, and he is unaware that you are watching him.</p>
839 <choice idref="sect81">If you possess Magi-magic, and have attained the rank of Grand Thane (and wish to use your skill), <link-text>turn to 81</link-text>.</choice>
840 <choice idref="sect106">If you possess a Bow, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 106</link-text>.</choice>
841 <choice idref="sect319">If you possess Kai-alchemy, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 319</link-text>.</choice>
842 <choice idref="sect20">If you possess none of these skills, or have yet to reach the required level of Kai rank, or simply choose not to use them, <link-text>turn instead to 20</link-text>.</choice>
847 <section class="numbered" id="sect10">
848 <meta><title>10</title></meta>
851 <p>The door opens with a hiss. You rush forward and immediately sidestep to place a solid wall between you and the steel monster. Then the door slides shut and, a few moments later, you feel a shudder run through the wall as the creature slams head-first into the portal and shatters its skull.</p>
852 <choice idref="sect83">To continue, <link-text>turn to 83</link-text>.</choice>
856 <section class="numbered" id="sect11">
857 <meta><title>11</title></meta>
860 <p>One of the arrows grazes your left shoulder and gouges a furrow of skin from the back of your left thigh. You stifle a cry, but the intense pain that grips your injured limbs warns you at once that the tip of the arrow was tainted with poison.</p>
861 <p>Your innate healing skills counter the poison before it can do its deadly work, but your body<ch.apos/>s defences draw heavily on your reserves of strength and the curing process leaves you feeling weak and light-headed: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
862 <choice idref="sect309">To continue, <link-text>turn to 309</link-text>.</choice>
866 <section class="numbered" id="sect12">
867 <meta><title>12</title></meta>
870 <p>Luckily, the acid-spitter was the only one of its kind to be found lurking in this hall, and you are able to reach the door without being spat upon by one of its many brothers. The door itself is unlocked and, without further delay, you pull it open and hurry through into the hall which lies beyond.</p>
871 <p>You are hungry and, unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
872 <choice idref="sect220">To continue, <link-text>turn to 220</link-text>.</choice>
876 <section class="numbered" id="sect13">
877 <meta><title>13</title></meta>
880 <p>You hit the ground with a numbing jolt and almost lose consciousness. As you lie there, dazed and gasping for breath, you hear the anxious voices of your companions swirling around in your mind. You cannot move but you are able to draw on your Magnakai curing skills to staunch your bleeding wounds. Gradually you feel your strength returning. The young Kai gather around and lift you carefully to your feet. As your vision clears, you see that the doorway to the tomb is now devoid of rubble. You sense that the destructive force of the power-glyph has been discharged, but only temporarily. It is recharging, and you have but a few seconds in which to enter the tomb before the deadly device is fully active once more.</p>
881 <p><quote>Quickly, my lords,</quote> you gasp, as you break free of their grasp and stagger towards the entrance, <quote>follow me!</quote></p>
882 <p>They hesitate, fearing you are about to trigger yet another explosion. <quote>Hurry!</quote> you cry, <quote>the trap is spent but its power is fast returning. We must enter now!</quote></p>
883 <choice idref="sect131"><link-text>Turn to 131</link-text>.</choice>
887 <section class="numbered" id="sect14">
888 <meta><title>14</title></meta>
891 <p>You utter the words of the Brotherhood spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell> and point your right hand at the onrushing beast. A tingle runs down your arm and a bolt of power bursts from your fingertip. It arcs towards the creature<ch.apos/>s head and there is a splash of hissing sparks as it rips a strip of steel from the creature<ch.apos/>s skull. But the wound is not fatal. The beast shudders under the impact yet it hardly slows its pace, and now there is no time left to launch a second bolt. You only have two seconds remaining in which to unsheathe a hand weapon, as this great metallic horror comes leaping at you through the darkness.</p>
892 <combat><enemy>Mech-wulf</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">40</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">36</enemy-attribute></combat>
893 <p>This creature is immune to all psychic attacks.</p>
894 <choice idref="sect5">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 5</link-text>.</choice>
898 <section class="numbered" id="sect15">
899 <meta><title>15</title></meta>
902 <p>The arrow clips the top of your right shoulder and rips away a strip of skin: lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points. Wincing at the sharp pain, you clasp your left hand to the wound and use your healing skills to staunch the flow of blood. Then you get to your feet and look to the jungle to pinpoint the place where the arrow emerged. When you magnify your vision you see the face of your enemy<ch.emdash/>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.emdash/>partially hidden by a tree. He is laughing, his teeth showing white against the deep green of the jungle. He mouths a curse before springing to his feet and running off into the undergrowth.</p>
903 <p>Determined that you are not going to allow him to escape so easily, you rush forward and give chase.</p>
904 <choice idref="sect90"><link-text>Turn to 90</link-text>.</choice>
908 <section class="numbered" id="sect16">
909 <meta><title>16</title></meta>
912 <p>You trawl the depths of your psychic defences to construct a fortress wall to protect yourself from this agonizing mental assault. The process drains your reserves of strength (lose 5 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points), but the effort is not in vain. You feel your vitality returning as you force the pain from your mind.</p>
913 <p>This psychic assault has been one of the worst you have ever experienced. You have survived, but your Kai senses tell you that your ordeal has not ended. You force open your eyes and look with dread at the terrible threat that confronts you.</p>
914 <choice idref="sect300"><link-text>Turn to 300</link-text>.</choice>
918 <section class="numbered" id="sect17">
919 <meta><title>17</title></meta>
922 <p>You raise your weapon and lash out at the creature<ch.apos/>s ugly maw. You wound the beast but it only serves to make him more angry. With a jerk of his head, he spits a gout of venom which splashes the front of your tunic and rapidly melts through the cloth to attack your skin.</p>
923 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> (0=10). If you possess the Discipline of Grand Nexus, deduct 2 from the number you have chosen. The resultant score is equal to the number of <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points you lose due to the harmful effects of this creature<ch.apos/>s highly corrosive saliva.</p>
924 <p>Before the beast can spit at you again, you strike a blow which crushes its windpipe and sends it sinking fast to the bottom of the flooded cellar. Free now to continue your pursuit, you climb the steps to emerge amongst the ruins of the city. There is no sign of Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, but when you hurry to where you saw him last, you discover a flight of steps leading down into a wide underground passage. His tracks can be seen clearly imbedded in the muddy floor of this tunnel.</p>
925 <p>The tunnel passes under a broad avenue and then surfaces in front of a grand two-storey building. This was once a busy warehouse that stored braided coils of fine copper cable. You avoid the main entrance in case your adversary is lying in ambush there, and enter instead by way of a flight of iron steps that lead to a second floor window. The moment you set foot inside the building you sense that Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane is here. Warily you explore, your nerves stretched to breaking point as your eyes seek out detail in the darkness. You are approaching the west wing of this building when you suddenly catch sight of your opponent through a hole in the floor. He is sitting on his haunches behind a mound of wooden crates, busily eating a green-skinned fruit, and he is unaware that you are watching him.</p>
926 <choice idref="sect81">If you possess Magi-magic, and have attained the rank of Grand Thane (and wish to use your skill), <link-text>turn to 81</link-text>.</choice>
927 <choice idref="sect106">If you possess a Bow, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 106</link-text>.</choice>
928 <choice idref="sect319">If you possess Kai-alchemy, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 319</link-text>.</choice>
929 <choice idref="sect20">If you possess none of these skills, or have yet to reach the required level of Kai rank, or simply choose not to use them, <link-text>turn instead to 20</link-text>.</choice>
933 <section class="numbered" id="sect18">
934 <meta><title>18</title></meta>
937 <p>To the left of the tunnel arch you discover two squares of opaque crimson gemstone separated by a small slot. The squares are similar in size and design to those you encountered at the entrance to the temple of Avaros. These, too, comprise a locking mechanism that controls this portal. By tapping upon each square a correct number of times you will cause the lock to disengage and the portal to rise.</p>
938 <p>You place your fingers lightly upon the squares and feel the tell-tale vibrations that are the key to deciphering the secret code. After only seconds you are able to determine that the first code is equal to the number of islands south of the Kirlundin island of Hemd.</p>
939 <p>The second code is equal to the number of villages that lie on the highway between the cities of Toran and Anskaven.</p>
940 <p>In order to discover the exact numbers that will open the portal, consult the map at the front of this book.</p>
941 <p>When you think you know the two-digit solution, turn to the entry that is the same number as your answer.</p>
942 <choice idref="sect242">If you cannot decipher the codes, <link-text>turn instead to 242</link-text>.</choice>
946 <section class="numbered" id="sect19">
947 <meta><title>19</title></meta>
950 <p>Suddenly the Bangrol shrieks in agony as a steel-tipped arrow skewers its skull. The force of the impact sends it cartwheeling through the air to crash limply against the chamber wall. You glance to your left and see a grinning Blazer calmly shouldering his bow.</p>
951 <p><quote>Well done, Blazer,</quote> you say, as you sheathe your weapon. <quote>Your bowmanship<ch.apos/>s as keen as ever. Those many hours you<ch.apos/>ve spent in the Monastery butts were not in vain, eh!</quote> The young Kai Master smiles his gratitude for your welcome words of praise.</p>
952 <p><quote>Now, my lords, we must press on. We<ch.apos/>ve a trail to find,</quote> you say, and motion your companions to follow as you leave this chamber by a tunnel in its south wall.</p>
953 <choice idref="sect298"><link-text>Turn to 298</link-text>.</choice>
957 <section class="numbered" id="sect20">
958 <meta><title>20</title></meta>
961 <p>You call upon your Magnakai Discipline of Psi-surge and focus a pulse of psychic energy at the head of your mortal enemy. The moment you launch your mental attack, you see him physically shudder. Then his body stiffens and his half-eaten fruit drops from his grasp. You have hit your target, but you sense resistance; your adversary has powerful psychic defences with which he can counter your attack.</p>
962 <p>You feel a sudden wave of pain wash through you as he repels your mental assault and turns it back on you: lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point. To your dismay, you watch as Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane leaps to his feet and makes a hasty escape, seemingly uninjured by your mental assault.</p>
963 <choice idref="sect224"><link-text>Turn to 224</link-text>.</choice>
967 <section class="numbered" id="sect21">
968 <meta><title>21</title></meta>
971 <p>Cautiously you approach the slain warriors. You are eager to examine their strange armour and you are particularly curious about the light-emitting spears they wielded; weapons such as these could prove useful in your fight against Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. However, on examining these steely shafts you discover that they are now useless. The source of their power was contained in the canisters strapped to the warriors<ch.apos/> backs, a power that is now depleted.</p>
972 <p>When you pose open a helmet and breastplate, you discover a thin, pale-skinned humanoid within. His bone structure and muscularity is surprisingly weak for a warrior, prompting you to suspect that he must have relied heavily on his power-fed armour for strength and protection. This sallow-faced soldier has a lean and brutal appearance, a look which resembles that of an emaciated Drakkarim.</p>
973 <p>After having satisfied yourself that there is nothing worth salvaging from the bodies of these two slain enemies, you make a cursory check of your own equipment. You are hungry, and unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points. Having satisfied your curiosity and your appetite, you hurry out of this derelict warehouse by a rear door and continue your hunt for Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.apos/>s trail.</p>
974 <choice idref="sect31"><link-text>Turn to 31</link-text>.</choice>
978 <section class="numbered" id="sect22">
979 <meta><title>22</title></meta>
982 <p>The creature<ch.apos/>s sharp proboscis misses you by inches. Before it can strike again, you prise yourself out of the cluster and retreat back along the stamen until you are out of harm<ch.apos/>s way. Blindly the giant insect stabs and slashes, splintering stamen tips and drenching you with showers of sticky pollen. Fortunately, the span of its gigantic wings and the narrowness of the plant<ch.apos/>s corolla conspire to prevent it from reaching deeper into the plant, and you are able to escape without injury.</p>
983 <p>You retreat all the way down to the bowl of the corolla, from where you began your ascent. Looking around you see that the hollow stem is now the only remaining chance you have of getting out of this plant alive.</p>
984 <choice idref="sect103"><link-text>Turn to 103</link-text>.</choice>
988 <section class="numbered" id="sect23">
989 <meta><title>23</title></meta>
992 <p>The instant you tap in the second code the portal begins to rise. You wait until it has risen a few feet and you are sure that no enemy awaits you on the other side, then you duck under the heavy iron plate and hurry into the tunnel beyond. As you run, you hear the portal slamming shut behind you with a dull reverberating boom.</p>
993 <choice idref="sect115"><link-text>Turn to 115</link-text>.</choice>
998 <section class="numbered" id="sect24">
999 <meta><title>24</title></meta>
1002 <p>Your Kai camouflage skills keep you hidden from the unwanted attentions of these thirsty creatures, and you reach the stairs without being detected. Once you are here, you ascend to the balcony and hurry through the arch.</p>
1003 <choice idref="sect50">To continue, <link-text>turn to 50</link-text>.</choice>
1007 <section class="numbered" id="sect25">
1008 <meta><title>25</title></meta>
1011 <p>Suddenly the tip of the creature<ch.apos/>s tail erupts from beneath the water and comes swishing towards your face. Instinctively you dive to avoid being hit and ripped open by the scores of razor-sharp barbs that encircle its tail.</p>
1012 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1013 <choice idref="sect2">If the number you have picked is 7 or less, <link-text>turn to 2</link-text>.</choice>
1014 <choice idref="sect169">If it is 8 or more, <link-text>turn to 169</link-text>.</choice>
1018 <section class="numbered" id="sect26">
1019 <meta><title>26</title></meta>
1022 <p>You summon your Kai skills to mask your body prior to uttering the words of the advanced Brotherhood spell <spell>Teleport>/spell>. You focus on the distant balcony and feel yourself leave the ground and surge towards it. As you come close to passing over the fountain, you pray that your camouflage skills will keep you hidden from the eyes of the creatures gathered there.</p>
1023 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Assimilance, add 4 to the number you have picked.</p>
1024 <choice idref="sect179">If your total score is 5 or lower, <link-text>turn to 179</link-text>.</choice>
1025 <choice idref="sect245">If it is 6 or higher, <link-text>turn to 245</link-text>.</choice>
1029 <section class="numbered" id="sect27">
1030 <meta><title>27</title></meta>
1033 <p>You approach the hut and crouch down beside its mud wall, close to its open door. Your senses detect no glyphs or other traps here, and there are no residues of magical energy that might betray the presence of illusions or shielding spells. However, your Kai senses do pick up a strong aura of evil lingering at the rear of the hut, close to the water<ch.apos/>s edge.</p>
1034 <p>You move around to the rear of this hovel and discover that the bank is deeply undercut where the soft earth has been eroded by the fast-flowing stream. Standing in a line in the shadow of the undercut are a dozen wooden cages, each containing a fleshless skeleton. A shiver runs down your spine as your Magnakai Discipline of Divination detects the lingering agonies of these luckless victims. They suffered cruelly at the hands of the natives of this settlement before death finally ended their torment. The shock of your discovery is unnerving: lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point.</p>
1035 <p>You leave the stream and return to the front of the hut. Inside the open doorway you discover several fruits stacked in mounds on a mat of woven rushes. Somewhat to your surprise, your senses tell you that they are nutritious and safe to eat. (There are sufficient fruits here for 3 Meals.)</p>
1036 <p>Wary of further delay, you approach the trench at the centre of the hut. Your tracking skills locate your enemy<ch.apos/>s tracks leading down the flight of steps, and quickly you follow them into an underground tunnel. You have gone only a few yards along this narrow passageway when suddenly you hear the terrifying roar of a large cat. With an abruptness that takes your breath away, a huge tiger-like beast comes bounding from out of the darkness ahead. So sudden and unexpected is this creature<ch.apos/>s attack, that you only just have enough time to unsheathe a hand weapon as it hurls itself upon you.</p>
1037 <combat><enemy>Rahjaz</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">48</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">41</enemy-attribute></combat>
1038 <p>This creature is immune to all forms of psychic attack, except Kai-surge and Kai-blast.</p>
1039 <choice idref="sect249">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 249</link-text>.</choice>
1043 <section class="numbered" id="sect28">
1044 <meta><title>28</title></meta>
1047 <p>You unsheathe the Sword of the Sun and a shimmering halo of light engulfs the blade. This golden glow washes over the rubble-strewn steps and illuminates something that, until now, had gone unnoticed.</p>
1048 <p>Lying across the open doorway to the tomb is a slab of granite. Cautiously you move nearer to inspect a strange mark on its surface which is glinting in the light from your sword. You discover that it is an intricate design which has been scratched upon its surface. Someone has gone to the trouble of smearing it with dirt and a magical spell of shielding has been placed upon it to disguise its true purpose, yet you immediately realize what it is and you recoil from the slab, hurriedly retreating a dozen paces. It is a glyph of power: a magical booby trap that has been expertly camouflaged to keep it secret. If anyone or anything were to step upon or pass over this glyph, the energy contained within it would be released in one devastating instant.</p>
1049 <p>You sheathe your sword and warn the others of what you have found, telling them to retreat with you to a safe distance. From the cover of a gravestone, several yards from the tomb, you instruct Star Lynx to pick up a rock and hurl it through the open doorway. He responds by selecting an apple-sized chunk of granite which he lobs with accuracy into the tomb.</p>
1050 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1051 <choice idref="sect211">If the number you have chosen is 1<ch.endash/>3, <link-text>turn to 211</link-text>.</choice>
1052 <choice idref="sect53">If it is 4<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 53</link-text>.</choice>
1056 <section class="numbered" id="sect29">
1057 <meta><title>29</title></meta>
1060 <p>You climb more than two hundred steps before the staircase arrives at a short tunnel which opens into a damp, cavernous hall. This huge chamber is partitioned into pens which house several giant dragonflies, similar to those you encountered when first you arrived on Avaros. High above, great oblong sections of the steel roof are open to the elements and the bases of passing storm clouds are lit up by the glow from the hall<ch.apos/>s phosphorescent lighting. You scan the rainswept pens for sight of your adversary, and find him climbing upon the saddled back of a great crimson dragonfly. He urges the creature into the air and it obeys with stunning swiftness. You watch as Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane steers his winged mount once around the roof of the hail, and then, to your horror, you see him bring the creature to hover directly over your head. He shouts at you, but his words are lost in the buzz of the dragonfly<ch.apos/>s massive wings. Then he leans from the saddle and casts down a metallic box before urging his mount skywards. The box lands close by, bouncing once before coming to rest near your feet. Your heart pounds when you sense that it is a powerful time bomb. A panel on the side of this device contains several illuminated numerals that are blinking intermittently. You can see by the numbers remaining that you have only 30 seconds before the bomb detonates.</p>
1061 <choice idref="sect177">If you wish to attempt to diffuse this time bomb, <link-text>turn to 177</link-text>.</choice>
1062 <choice idref="sect190">If you decide instead to mount one of the giant dragonflies and attempt to escape from this hall before the bomb explodes, <link-text>turn to 190</link-text>.</choice>
1066 <section class="numbered" id="sect30">
1067 <meta><title>30</title></meta>
1070 <p>Nausea wells up from the pit of your stomach as the lower chamber of the tower is suddenly transformed into a whirling spiral of violent colours and noise. You feel yourself falling forwards into this vortex and, for a few fleeting seconds, you glimpse your adversary. He is brandishing his sword and laughing like a madman, his face twisted with maniacal glee as he rides this terrifying whirlwind. Then he is lost to the chaos of the maelstrom and he vanishes from your sight.</p>
1071 <p>For what seems like an eternity you spin and fall through a rainbow of colour and sound. Only gradually do you become aware that this nightmare journey is coming to an end when the noise abates and the swirling colours begin to fade. Then, with a jolt, you find yourself standing ankle-deep in stagnant green water, struggling to keep your balance. You draw your weapon and scan your surroundings, fearful of sudden attack, but you soon realize that you are alone.</p>
1072 <p>You appear to be under the ground, standing in a crude sewer-like tunnel which has been excavated by primitive means. The roots of trees protrude from its beaten earth ceiling and there is a stale and unpleasant smell of rotting vegetation. You use your psychic skills to probe for Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane but you cannot detect his presence, and so you sheathe your weapon and relax your guard. The encounter with the manifestation of Naar has left a fear gnawing at your heart, the fear that the Dark God could at any moment he chooses lay claim to your soul. But your Kai courage swiftly overcomes the anxiety and you draw comfort from your faith in the Gods Kai and Ishir. You offer up a prayer to them to watch over you during the coming trial of strength, and vow that you will never lose hope, no matter what the dangers you may have yet to face. As if in answer to your prayer you feel a surge of energy flow through your body, revitalizing your mind and senses (restore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points which you may have lost during your adventure so far).</p>
1073 <p>Alert and confident, you peer along the gloomy tunnel in both directions and try to determine the best course to follow. Neither way looks especially appealing.</p>
1074 <choice idref="sect128">If you choose to explore the tunnel ahead, <link-text>turn to 128</link-text>.</choice>
1075 <choice idref="sect262">If you decide to follow the tunnel behind, <link-text>turn to 262</link-text>.</choice>
1080 <section class="numbered" id="sect31">
1081 <meta><title>31</title></meta>
1084 <p>The rear of the warehouse opens onto a wasteland of shattered rubble which is bisected by a dead stream of salty, acidic water. You trudge across this bleak and forbidding landscape, past sharp spires of crimson and jet that erupt through the dereliction to scratch the cloudy sky. Rust-red water encircles their bases, lending them a wholly sinister aspect. To your eyes it seems as if this blighted city has been impaled upon these cruel, towering spikes.</p>
1085 <p>Beyond the spires you discover a paved street almost clear of debris. You find several sets of footprints here, and your hopes are raised when you determine that one set belong to Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. You follow them to a gutted building, several storeys high, which is adorned with strangely angular gargoyles. The inside of this crumbling edifice is completely empty and your adversary<ch.apos/>s trail passes through it to a rear exit. As you emerge on the far side, you catch your first breathtaking glimpse of this grim city<ch.apos/>s tallest structure.</p>
1086 <choice idref="sect250"><link-text>Turn to 250</link-text>.</choice>
1091 <section class="numbered" id="sect32">
1092 <meta><title>32</title></meta>
1095 <p>The giant serpent tries desperately to resist your mental command to retreat, but it cannot overcome your powers of persuasion. Slowly it retreats towards the cavern wall until it is halted by the chain to which it is shackled. Cautiously you advance, keeping a wary eye on its trembling form as you skirt around the opposite wall. Within seconds you are able to reach the safety of the exit tunnel and make your escape unscathed.</p>
1096 <choice idref="sect115"><link-text>Turn to 115</link-text>.</choice>
1100 <section class="numbered" id="sect33">
1101 <meta><title>33</title></meta>
1104 <p>The water is refreshingly cold to your touch, but it has a metallic taste that makes you retch: lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point.</p>
1105 <choice idref="sect336"><link-text>Turn to 336</link-text>.</choice>
1109 <section class="numbered" id="sect34">
1110 <meta><title>34</title></meta>
1113 <p>Kekataag the Avenger is attired in battle armour that, glimmers like slime-dulled gold. Beneath his helmet there is a hollow skull-face from which emerges a sickly stench that permeates even the foul air of this hall. The skulls and bones of humans bedeck his armoured hide and in his mighty hands he carries a great two-handed axe, its blade stained black with the blood of his countless victims.</p>
1115 <p>This fearsome warrior holds you with his glowing eyes and you feel waves of powerful psychic energy buffet your mind. You muster your Magnakai defences to repel this attack, but you sustain psychic shock before your defences knit together properly: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points. This sudden and unprovoked attack leaves you in no doubt that Kekataag is deeply jealous of your supposed defeat of Lone Wolf.</p>
1116 <choice idref="sect255"><link-text>Turn to 255</link-text>.</choice>
1120 <section class="numbered" id="sect35">
1121 <meta><title>35</title></meta>
1124 <p>Steel Hand and the other Kai clear away the rubble to reveal a trapdoor set into the floor. You command Star Lynx to tie one end of his rope to its bronze ring and then together, from a safe distance, you pull open this stone hatch. No traps are sprung as the heavy slab of stone creaks open, and when you move closer, you see a circular chute and a ladder descending to a deeper level of the catacombs. You peer down into the darkness and you detect fresh tracks on the ladder<ch.apos/>s iron rungs. You are back on the impostor<ch.apos/>s trail.</p>
1125 <p>Cautiously you lead the descent into the chute, using your powers of infravision to scan for signs of movement in the damp darkness below. After several minutes you reach the bottom of the ladder where you discover a large, vaulted chamber. Around its walls are positioned urns and grey stone caskets, each embellished with traces of gold. There is an unexpected air of opulence about this vault which prompts you to guess that it is a secret burial tomb.</p>
1126 <choice idref="sect182">If you have ever visited the Graveyard of the Ancients in a previous Lone Wolf adventure, <link-text>turn to 182</link-text>.</choice>
1127 <choice idref="sect206">If you have never visited this place, <link-text>turn to 206</link-text>.</choice>
1131 <section class="numbered" id="sect36">
1132 <meta><title>36</title></meta>
1135 <p>Your target is beyond the effective range of your power word. The energy of your attack dissipates before it reaches Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, and all that he feels is a cool and pleasant breeze. The use of this Discipline at such extreme range drains your strength unnecessarily: lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1136 <p>You watch your adversary and see him getting to his feet he is moving deeper into the jungle. Fearing that he is getting away, you dash from the cavemouth and chase after him. But you have covered fewer than a dozen yards when suddenly an arrow comes whistling out of the undergrowth. It speeds directly towards your face with terrifying accuracy.</p>
1137 <choice idref="sect152">If you possess Kai-alchemy, and have attained the rank of Sun Knight or higher, <link-text>turn to 152</link-text>.</choice>
1138 <choice idref="sect270">If you possess Kai-alchemy but have yet to reach this level of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 270</link-text>.</choice>
1139 <choice idref="sect232">If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline, <link-text>turn to 232</link-text>.</choice>
1143 <section class="numbered" id="sect37">
1144 <meta><title>37</title></meta>
1147 <p>As your enemy<ch.apos/>s platform passes through the next level of the tower, he leaps off and disappears from view. A few moments later, when your platform reaches this level, Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane is nowhere to be seen. You step into the circular chamber and cast your eyes around its bare metallic surfaces. There is only one exit from here: a narrow tunnel in the north wall.</p>
1148 <p>Quickly you enter this tunnel and discover footprints in the dust which blankets the floor. You follow the tracks, but they soon fade and then disappear completely. You stop to examine the floor and your tracking skills tell you that your adversary is deliberately masking his trail. Determined not to give up the pursuit, you break into a run and hurry along this tunnel to where it makes a sharp turn to the left. What you see filling the corridor ahead brings you skidding to a halt.</p>
1149 <p>The way is blocked by a criss-crossed tangle of thick, gluey strands, which are anchored to the floor, walls and ceiling. You sense that Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane has cast this magical net to ensnare and delay you while he makes good his escape.</p>
1150 <choice idref="sect118">If you possess the Sommerswerd, <link-text>turn to 118</link-text>.</choice>
1151 <choice idref="sect233">If you possess Kai-alchemy, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 233</link-text>.</choice>
1152 <choice idref="sect187">If you possess Grand Weaponmastery, have attained the Kai rank of Sun Lord, and possess a bladed weapon (ie sword, axe, dagger etc), <link-text>turn to 187</link-text>.</choice>
1153 <choice idref="sect69">If you possess none of these skills, rank, weapons or Special Item, <link-text>turn to 69</link-text>.</choice>
1157 <section class="numbered" id="sect38">
1158 <meta><title>38</title></meta>
1161 <p>Your blow has ripped a hole in the creature<ch.apos/>s silvery wing. The wound is not fatal, but the damage is enough to render the hungry creature incapable of ascending any higher. It emits a loud buzz of frustration which fades as it slowly spirals away towards a cluster of smaller dragonflies hovering near the centre of the gorge.</p>
1162 <p>Several minutes elapse before your tireless mount reaches the apex of the cavern and soars into the light-filled vent. Upon entering this vast aperture you are buffeted by crosswinds which sweep you and your air-steed precariously close to its rocky lip. The shock of the unexpectedly violent wind causes your mount to circle around the lip and attempt to dive back into the cavern. Blind with fear, it no longer responds to your commands, forcing you to take drastic action to avoid being carried back into the gorge. As you swoop past a rocky outcrop, you leap from the creature<ch.apos/>s back and abandon yourself to the crosswinds. Only your Kai mastery and your lightning-swift reactions save you from being crushed to death as you are blown towards the jagged, volcanic rock.</p>
1163 <p>Miraculously, you survive the impact and are able to haul yourself out of the vent and climb safely onto a surface that you assume is the roof of the cavern. Seeking shelter from the raging crosswinds, you squeeze yourself into a hollow in the porous rock from where you are able to take stock of your new surroundings. The sight makes you gasp, for it is a view that truly rivals the fertile wonders of the cavern below.</p>
1164 <choice idref="sect239"><link-text>Turn to 239</link-text>.</choice>
1168 <section class="numbered" id="sect39">
1169 <meta><title>39</title></meta>
1172 <p>You utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand<spell> and loose a power beam of your own at the back of the running warrior. It tears open the canister that is strapped between his shoulder blades and, with a sudden eruption of blue-white light, he is hurled upon the cylinders that cover his slain comrade. For a few seconds a spidery net of pulsating light enshrouds the two lifeless warriors, then it crackles and disappears, leaving behind an acrid stench of scorched metal and roasted meat.</p>
1173 <choice idref="sect21"><link-text>Turn to 21</link-text>.</choice>
1177 <section class="numbered" id="sect40">
1178 <meta><title>40</title></meta>
1181 <p>You step away from the body of your enemy and allow yourself a smile of grim satisfaction that you have, at last, rid Aon of this evil intruder.</p>
1182 <p><quote>Hurry, Lone Wolf,</quote> says Alyss, impatiently, <quote>Naar is vengeful. He will soon be wanting to know how his champion is faring. If he finds him slain, we will both feel his wrath.</quote></p>
1183 <p><quote>Then we must escape from here,</quote> you reply, <quote>but how? Do you know of a way?</quote></p>
1184 <p><quote>Mmm<ch.ellips/>maybe,</quote> she replies, narrowing her green eyes. <quote>Yes<ch.ellips/>I<ch.apos/>ve got a plan.</quote></p>
1185 <choice idref="sect280">If you possess the Discipline of Kai-screen, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Crown, <link-text>turn to 280</link-text>.</choice>
1186 <choice idref="sect98">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 98</link-text>.</choice>
1191 <section class="numbered" id="sect41">
1192 <meta><title>41</title></meta>
1195 <p>Black Hawk unsheathes his sword and rests this gleaming band of Sommlending steel across his forearm, awaiting your signal to proceed. You cast your eyes over the surface of the wall one last time, to satisfy yourself that you can detect no lurking traps, and when you are fully confident that it is safe you nod your head affirmatively. Because you are so sure that there is no threat, what occurs in the next instant is doubly shocking.</p>
1196 <p>Black Hawk puts the tip of his sword to the hairline crack in the wall and presses forward with all of his weight. But, unexpectedly, he meets with no resistance. His blade disappears into the wall and the young Kai Master stumbles forwards and vanishes through the seemingly solid granite. For a second or two there is a deathly silence. Then an explosion of white light obliterates your vision and you feel a searing wave of heat buffet your face and body.</p>
1197 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1198 <choice idref="sect223">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 223</link-text>.</choice>
1199 <choice idref="sect99">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 99</link-text>.</choice>
1203 <section class="numbered" id="sect42">
1204 <meta><title>42</title></meta>
1207 <p>You hear the great portal closing behind the hover-wagon. It makes surprisingly little noise for such a huge expanse of iron, barely a serpent-like hiss as it seals out the stormy city wind. You stay hidden until the wagon comes to a halt and then you venture a glance over the side of its cargo bay to assess the situation.</p>
1208 <p>Before your eyes there stretches a cavernous plaza, crafted entirely of steel, glass, silver and iron. Towering girders arc over your head, buttressed upon each other to support the many upper levels of this stupendous edifice. The plaza is vast and alien in design, and it is virtually deserted. You count no more than six armoured warriors, some so far distant that you have to magnify your vision to be sure that they are what they seem.</p>
1209 <p>The arrival of the wagon attracts no attention. The driverless craft has docked of its own accord at a steel jetty that encircles an iron support pillar. The coast is clear and so you waste no time in attempting to locate your adversary<ch.apos/>s trail. As expected, you find traces of his tracks close to the portal. They lead you to an archway which opens into a steel-lined chamber that has two exits: one to the left, the other to the right. Here the tracks become indistinct; you are unable to determine which way Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane went from here.</p>
1210 <choice idref="sect243">If you wish to explore the left exit, <link-text>turn to 243</link-text>.</choice>
1211 <choice idref="sect254">If you choose to explore the right exit, <link-text>turn to 254</link-text>.</choice>
1215 <section class="numbered" id="sect43">
1216 <meta><title>43</title></meta>
1219 <p>You take several deep breaths as you prepare to utter the Kai power word. Focusing on your enemy<ch.apos/>s hiding place, you expel the word<ch.emdash/>Kai!<ch.emdash/>and you see the undergrowth shimmer as the force of your exhalation ploughs through the jungle like an invisible fist.</p>
1220 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If your current <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points score is more than 20, add 1 to the number you have picked.</p>
1221 <choice idref="sect36">If your total score is now 8 or less, <link-text>turn to 36</link-text>.</choice>
1222 <choice idref="sect327">If it is 9 or more, <link-text>turn to 327</link-text>.</choice>
1226 <section class="numbered" id="sect44">
1227 <meta><title>44</title></meta>
1230 <p>Your arrow flies straight and true and hits the creature<ch.apos/>s glowing eye, yet it does not penetrate deep enough to cause a fatal wound. The eye dims but the beast does not slow its pace, and there is now no time for a second shot. You only just have time to unsheathe a hand weapon to defend yourself as the metallic horror comes leaping at you through the darkness.</p>
1231 <combat><enemy>Mech-wulf</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">44</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
1232 <p>This creature is immune to all psychic attacks.</p>
1233 <choice idref="sect5">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 5</link-text>.</choice>
1237 <section class="numbered" id="sect45">
1238 <meta><title>45</title></meta>
1241 <p>The swift and unexpected ferocity of this psychic assault makes you fall to your knees and clasp your head in both hands. Pain is flooding your mind and causing your body to convulse with psychic shock. Dimly, through a red haze, you sense that the Platinum Amulet you are wearing around your neck affords you some defence against this attack. Sadly, it is insufficient to save you from sustaining damage to the fabric of your mind.</p>
1242 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> (0=10). Now add 5 to the number you have chosen. The resultant total equals the number of <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points you have lost due to this psychic attack.</p>
1243 <choice idref="sect203">If you survive this mental assault, you may continue by <link-text>turning to 203</link-text>.</choice>
1247 <section class="numbered" id="sect46">
1248 <meta><title>46</title></meta>
1251 <p>You open the cage door and command the creature to jump onto your outstretched arm. You are hoping to be able to use it as a guide to help you find Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, but the primate does not co-operate as expected. It is deeply confused. It thinks that you are Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane and adamantly it refuses to leave its cage.</p>
1252 <p>You detect that it has suffered cruelly at the hands of the impostor, and this sudden realization serves to strengthen your determination to find and defeat him. You take one last look at the pitiful creature before closing the cage door, and continuing your exploration of the tower by way of the circular stairs.</p>
1253 <choice idref="sect287"><link-text>Turn to 287</link-text>.</choice>
1257 <section class="numbered" id="sect47">
1258 <meta><title>47</title></meta>
1261 <p>As you emerge from the tunnel, the oppressive jungle heat hits you like a sledgehammer. Your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus automatically regulates your body temperature, making the heat bearable, yet even so it comes as a shock that any living creature can exist in this hellish environment.</p>
1262 <p>Unfortunately, the shock of the jungle heat is only the first of two nasty surprises that await you. The second is a barbed arrow that whistles from out of the dense foliage and comes speeding towards your forehead!</p>
1263 <choice idref="sect152">If you possess Kai-alchemy, and have attained the rank of Sun Knight or higher, <link-text>turn to 152</link-text>.</choice>
1264 <choice idref="sect270">If you possess Kai-alchemy but have yet to reach this level of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 270</link-text>.</choice>
1265 <choice idref="sect232">If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline, <link-text>turn to 232</link-text>.</choice>
1269 <section class="numbered" id="sect48">
1270 <meta><title>48</title></meta>
1273 <p>The instant you set foot into the hall, your worst fears are realized. The floor is not solid and quickly you sink up to your waist in a dry, foul-smelling quicksand. You spread your arms and legs to slow your rate of descent, but your action does little to help your situation. It seems the more you move the quicker you sink. In desperation, you attempt to swim through this dry morass.</p>
1274 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Huntmastery, add 1 to the number you have picked. If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, add 2. If your current <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score is 12 or less, deduct 1.</p>
1275 <choice idref="sect158">If your total score is now 3 or lower, <link-text>turn to 158</link-text>.</choice>
1276 <choice idref="sect257">If it is 4 or higher, <link-text>turn to 257</link-text>.</choice>
1280 <section class="numbered" id="sect49">
1281 <meta><title>49</title></meta>
1284 <p>With mixed feelings of fear and fascination you force open your eyes and gaze upon your alien surroundings. At first it seems as if you have fallen into a humid, green-walled cell, illuminated by a solitary lantern at the apex of a fluted chimney-like ceiling. Then slowly your mind makes sense of sights and smells and the realization of where you are makes you shiver with dread.</p>
1285 <p>You have landed inside the corolla tube of some gigantic flower. Huge stamens rise up to the light from the sticky bowl-shaped floor on which you lie, and nearby there is a large, chute-like tunnel which drops away into the plant<ch.apos/>s hollow stem. For a moment you close your eyes and let your psychic senses explore this strange environment. Your greatest fear is that you have been drawn through the Shadow Gate to the Plane of Darkness, the supernatural realm of Dark God Naar, yet you can detect no abnormally high concentrations of evil. Also, you are unable to sense the presence of your adversary<ch.emdash/>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. Your hopes begin to rise when suddenly you realize that you are still somewhere within the material universe of Aon. You are able to determine that this alien place is not your home world, yet you are certain that it is a planet that lies within the same galaxy as Magnamund.</p>
1286 <p>You cling to this small crumb of comfort and resolve to find a way of returning to Magnamund as quickly as you can. You open your eyes and stare around the walls of your plant-prison, searching for a means of escape. There appear to be only two ways out: by climbing a stamen towards the light high above, or by sliding down the nearby chute which plunges deep into the plant<ch.apos/>s stem.</p>
1287 <choice idref="sect264">If you wish to climb a stamen, <link-text>turn to 264</link-text>.</choice>
1288 <choice idref="sect103">If you choose to slide down the hollow stem, <link-text>turn to 103</link-text>.</choice>
1292 <section class="numbered" id="sect50">
1293 <meta><title>50</title></meta>
1296 <p>You have covered twenty yards of a passageway that extends from the balcony when you hear a grating noise. It is a concealed portal, and it is sliding shut to seal off the hall through which you have just passed.</p>
1297 <p>Ahead lies a chamber which is bedecked with a score of lavish tapestries, each depicting the landscapes of remote and wondrous planets within the universe of Aon. Your adversary<ch.apos/>s tracks pass through this opulent chamber and end at a pair of stout wooden doors, inlaid with exquisite gold marquetry. You place your ear to one of the doors and concentrate. The only sound you can hear is the crackle of a log fire, but your Kai senses detect the presence of your adversary in the room beyond. You peer through a keyhole and glimpse part of a gallery with a railed parapet. The wooden rails are lit from below by the warming yellow flicker of a fire.</p>
1298 <p>You reach out to open the doors and confront your enemy, but a strong sense of unease stays your hand. It feels as if a swarm of butterflies are fighting to escape from your churning stomach. You have a chilling premonition that a confrontation with Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane in the room beyond could prove fatal for both of you. This fear prompts you to pray to the Gods Kai and Ishir to sustain and protect you in the coming fight.</p>
1299 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1300 <choice idref="sect104">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 104</link-text>.</choice>
1301 <choice idref="sect216">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 216</link-text>.</choice>
1305 <section class="numbered" id="sect51">
1306 <meta><title>51</title></meta>
1309 <p>You relax the tension in your body and allow yourself to enter a trance state, the preliminary stage required before you spirit-walk. You feel yourself leave your corporeal body and, in spirit form, you move through the curtain of vines and out into the jungle heat. Immediately beyond the cave mouth there is a small clearing which slopes away to the jungle perimeter. You scan the border of dense foliage and you are shocked when you detect your adversary, Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, hiding among the bushes less than fifty yards away. He is armed with a bow which he has trained upon the entrance to the tunnel.</p>
1310 <p>You retreat into the cave mouth and re-enter your body. On awakening from your trance, you move forward and peer through the hanging vines to locate your enemy<ch.apos/>s hiding place. So advanced is his camouflage skill that it takes you several minutes to find him. Once you are sure you have him, you allow yourself a smile; you are looking forward to turning the tables on this arrogant impostor.</p>
1311 <choice idref="sect196">If you have a Bow and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 196</link-text>.</choice>
1312 <choice idref="sect43">If you possess Grand Nexus, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Crown (and wish to use your mastery), <link-text>turn to 43</link-text>.</choice>
1313 <choice idref="sect114">If you do not have a Bow, the Discipline of Grand Nexus, or if you have yet to attain this higher level of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 114</link-text>.</choice>
1317 <section class="numbered" id="sect52">
1318 <meta><title>52</title></meta>
1321 <p>You haul yourself out of the putrid, salty water, and narrowly avoid the clutches of the cellar beast. The creature opens its fanged jaw and issues a gurgling roar of frustration as it gets ready to climb onto the steps and pursue you.</p>
1322 <choice idref="sect172">If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, and have attained the rank of Sun Thane, <link-text>turn to 172</link-text>.</choice>
1323 <choice idref="sect17">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 17</link-text>.</choice>
1327 <section class="numbered" id="sect53">
1328 <meta><title>53</title></meta>
1331 <p>Star Lynx dives for cover behind the gravestone, but you stay on your feet to watch the trajectory of the rock as it disappears into the open tomb. The moment it passes over the glyph there is a blinding flash of white light, followed almost instantly by the deafening crackle of exploding electrical energies. You are hit by the concussive force of the explosion which knocks you flat on your back<ch.emdash/>lose 2 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1332 <p>As you lie on the hard damp ground, gasping for breath, you can hear splinters of stone ricocheting off the surrounding gravestones and smell the stench of scorched earth and ozone in the air. Then, abruptly, the noise and light abates and the burial ground is shrouded once more in gloomy silence. You pull yourself to your feet to see that the doorway is now clear of rubble, save for the slab upon which the glyph is inscribed. The destructive power of the glyph has been discharged, but only temporarily. Your senses warn you that it is recharging; you have but a few seconds in which to enter the tomb before the magical device is active once more.</p>
1333 <p><quote>Quickly, my lords,</quote> you shout, as you hurry towards the entrance, <quote>Follow me!</quote></p>
1334 <choice idref="sect131"><link-text>Turn to 131</link-text>.</choice>
1338 <section class="numbered" id="sect54">
1339 <meta><title>54</title></meta>
1342 <p>One of the arrows whistles past dangerously close to your legs, while the other passes wide and shatters harmlessly against the ceiling. Before the creatures can reload and fire again, you reach the balcony and speak the words which negate the effects of the <spell>Teleport</spell> spell. The moment your feet touch the ground, you hurry into the archway beyond.</p>
1343 <p>Use of the Teleport spell costs you 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points. Be sure to make the necessary adjustment to your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
1344 <choice idref="sect50">To continue, <link-text>turn to 50</link-text>.</choice>
1348 <section class="numbered" id="sect55">
1349 <meta><title>55</title></meta>
1352 <p>Cursing your predicament, you steel yourself to confront the chained serpent. Unsheathing your weapon, you take your first tentative steps towards the hissing creature and soon discover that its iron collar and chain will prevent it from reaching you so long as you keep close to the cavern wall. Mindful of this, you skirt around the writhing serpent and inch your way carefully towards the tunnel. However, you have progressed only a few yards when you feel the floor sloping away. The water is getting deeper.</p>
1353 <choice idref="sect234">If you possess Magi-magic, <link-text>turn to 234</link-text>.</choice>
1354 <choice idref="sect25">If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline, <link-text>turn to 25</link-text>.</choice>
1358 <section class="numbered" id="sect56">
1359 <meta><title>56</title></meta>
1362 <p>Your adversary sniggers when he hears your cry of pain. Yet, despite the burning agony of your wound, you wrench the evil shaft from your chest and force yourself to stand. Defiantly, you level your weapon at the darkened stairwell. But Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane is no longer crouching near the steps; he is fast ascending them. Calling upon your innate healing skills, you staunch the flow of blood that is soaking the front of your tunic and stumble towards the staircase in pursuit of your hated foe.</p>
1363 <choice idref="sect29"><link-text>Turn to 29</link-text>.</choice>
1367 <section class="numbered" id="sect57">
1368 <meta><title>57</title></meta>
1371 <p>You place your lips to the plant wall and utter the power word of the Elder Magi: <spell>Gloar</spell>!</p>
1372 <p>The explosive power of this magical word is greatly accentuated within the confines of the stem. It tears a large ragged hole in the plant wall through which, with little difficulty, you are able to make your escape.</p>
1373 <choice idref="sect230"><link-text>Turn to 230</link-text>.</choice>
1377 <section class="numbered" id="sect58">
1378 <meta><title>58</title></meta>
1381 <p>Hurriedly you recite the words of the Brotherhood spell <spell>Counterspell</spell> and, to your relief and amazement, the fire-bolt splutters and dissolves within an arm<ch.apos/>s reach of your face.</p>
1382 <choice idref="sect37"><link-text>Turn to 37</link-text>.</choice>
1386 <section class="numbered" id="sect59">
1387 <meta><title>59</title></meta>
1390 <p>Guided by your advanced Kai instincts, you avoid the rain of debris without too much difficulty and reach the entrance to the skull-rock unscathed. Without any hesitation you enter the misty portal in pursuit of your enemy. Barely seconds later, there is a tremendous explosion and the entire temple ceiling collapses.</p>
1391 <choice idref="sect174"><link-text>Turn to 174</link-text>.</choice>
1395 <section class="numbered" id="sect60">
1396 <meta><title>60</title></meta>
1399 <p>The moment you twist the dial to the correct number, the panel slides open and a rush of air surges into the cell. Greedily you fill your lungs as you stagger out into the corridor and make your way back along this steel-lined passage towards the stairs. Quietly cursing your ill luck, you descend the steps to the foyer and leave the building.</p>
1400 <choice idref="sect71"><link-text>Turn to 71</link-text>.</choice>
1404 <section class="numbered" id="sect61">
1405 <meta><title>61</title></meta>
1408 <p>Using your advanced mastery, you are able to project the image of the creature<ch.apos/>s most-feared adversary into its mind<ch.apos/>s eye. The huge serpent reacts violently; it twists and wrenches at its iron collar in a desperate attempt to break free from its bonds. Its great body, which is studded with tiny barbed horns, thrashes the water into a stinking foam as it writhes back and forth in front of the exit tunnel. Your psychic projection has this creature terrified, but its state of near-panic will now make it difficult for you to reach the tunnel and escape from this cavern.</p>
1409 <choice idref="sect293">If you possess Kai alchemy, <link-text>turn to 293</link-text>.</choice>
1410 <choice idref="sect326">If you do not possess this skill, <link-text>turn to 326</link-text>.</choice>
1414 <section class="numbered" id="sect62">
1415 <meta><title>62</title></meta>
1418 <p>The moment you negate your spell of <!-- <spell>Levitation (?)</spell> -->levitation and set foot upon firm ground, you feel a warm breeze. You sense that it comes from a stairwell at the far end of this new hail and, when you investigate it, you rediscover Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.apos/>s footprints on the stone steps. You cast your hands over them and detect that this is not a false trail: your enemy passed this way sometime within the last hour.</p>
1419 <p>Slowly you ascend the stairs and arrive at the arched entrance to a large, vaulted stone chamber. Gathered around a fountain set into its north wall are a group of six grey-skinned humanoids. They are busy drinking a clear, oily fluid that pours from the fountain<ch.apos/>s spout into a semi-circular trough. All are barefoot and clad in rags, and they are each armed with a spear and a bow. The only exit from this chamber appears to be an archway set high in the north wall. There is a balcony in front of it that can only be reached by two flights of stairs which rise up on either side of the fountain.</p>
1420 <p>Quietly you observe the creatures slaking their thirsts, and you try to formulate a way in which you can get past them and reach the balconied exit in the north wall.</p>
1421 <choice idref="sect138">If you possess a Bow, and the Discipline of Magi-Magic, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, <link-text>turn to 138</link-text>.</choice>
1422 <choice idref="sect26">If you possess Kai-alchemy and have attained the rank of Grand Crown (and wish to use it), <link-text>turn to 26</link-text>.</choice>
1423 <choice idref="sect121">If you do not possess these skills, or a Bow, or if you have yet to attain the required levels of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 121</link-text>.</choice>
1427 <section class="numbered" id="sect63">
1428 <meta><title>63</title></meta>
1431 <p>You release your grip of your enemy and roll away from him. Moments later, the beam from his comrade<ch.apos/>s weapon hits his side and erupts through the back of his armour. The force of the impact lifts him bodily from the floor and hurls him into a pile of rusty cylinders, bringing them crashing down to bury him. Shocked and angry at having accidentally killed his confederate, the newly-arrived warrior rushes forward. He is determined to find and finish you once and for all, but his anger and his armour put him at a disadvantage. He fails to see where you have gone and, under cover of the smoke and debris, you manage to circle around behind him without being seen.</p>
1432 <choice idref="sect39">If you possess Kai-alchemy, <link-text>turn to 39</link-text>.</choice>
1433 <choice idref="sect349">If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline, <link-text>turn to 349</link-text>.</choice>
1437 <section class="numbered" id="sect64">
1438 <meta><title>64</title></meta>
1441 <p>The moment you complete the code, you feel a shuddering vibration run through the great iron portal. Slowly it grinds open to reveal an antechamber that is lit by a dozen flaming torches set around its glassy walls. The wind has now become so fierce that it is tearing the fabric of your cloak and tunic. Rather than remain outside in the storm a moment longer, you hurry through the open portal and seek shelter within.</p>
1442 <choice idref="sect227"><link-text>Turn to 227</link-text>.</choice>
1446 <section class="numbered" id="sect65">
1447 <meta><title>65</title></meta>
1450 <p>It takes you more than half an hour to cut a clear path through these magical strands, and the effort leaves you aching with fatigue.</p>
1451 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, reduce your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score by 2 points. If the number you have picked is 5<ch.endash/>9, reduce your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score by 4 points.</p>
1452 <choice idref="sect316">To continue, <link-text>turn to 316</link-text>.</choice>
1456 <section class="numbered" id="sect66">
1457 <meta><title>66</title></meta>
1460 <p>You ask Steel Hand to give you his rope and he obeys dutifully. Then you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Levitation</spell> and almost immediately you feel gravity losing its grip on your body. Gently you rise to the ceiling of the vault where, using the exposed stone buttresses, you are able to pull yourself along until you are directly above the centre of the fissure. Here you fix one end of the rope to an exposed stone beam and cast the other end to your companions wailing below. One by one they swing across the void and, when all have crossed safely, you untie the rope and pull yourself to the far side before intoning the words that cancel the effects of the spell.</p>
1461 <p>It is clear from their wide-eyed expressions that they are all impressed with your mastery of Brotherhood magic, especially Steel Hand. You gather up his rope and as you give it back to him you say: <quote>Don<ch.apos/>t worry. One day I<ch.apos/>ll instruct you in the ways of magic so that you, too, can walk a ceiling!</quote></p>
1462 <p>The young Kai Master smiles as he stuffs his rope into his bulging backpack.</p>
1463 <p><quote>And now, my lords, we must press on. We<ch.apos/>ve a trail to find,</quote> you say, and you motion your companions to follow as you get ready to leave this chamber.</p>
1464 <choice idref="sect160"><link-text>Turn to 160</link-text>.</choice>
1468 <section class="numbered" id="sect67">
1469 <meta><title>67</title></meta>
1472 <p>You feel your throat tightening and your lungs collapsing as the air is sucked out of the chamber. The whirling flames of the fire have rapidly transformed into a raging vortex which is dragging into its core every loose item in the banquet hall. You and Alyss hang on to the banister rail affixed to the gallery stairs, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain your grip. Chairs, tapestries, tables and other furniture batter you as they tumble past to be sucked into the vortex (lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points). Then the rail collapses and the two of you are drawn into the raging heart of this fearsome whirlpool.</p>
1473 <choice idref="sect170"><link-text>Turn to 170</link-text>.</choice>
1477 <section class="numbered" id="sect68">
1478 <meta><title>68</title></meta>
1481 <p>So advanced is your adversary<ch.apos/>s camouflage skill that it takes you several minutes to locate him, despite the fact that he is less than fifty yards away. He is partially hidden behind a tree, and he is armed with a bow which is trained upon the entrance to the tunnel. Once you are sure you have found him, you allow yourself a smile; you are looking forward to turning the tables on this arrogant impostor.</p>
1482 <choice idref="sect196">If you have a Bow and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 196</link-text>.</choice>
1483 <choice idref="sect43">If you possess Grand Nexus, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Crown (and wish to use your mastery), <link-text>turn to 43</link-text>.</choice>
1484 <choice idref="sect114">If you do not have a Bow, the Discipline of Grand Nexus, or if you have yet to attain this higher level of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 114</link-text>.</choice>
1488 <section class="numbered" id="sect69">
1489 <meta><title>69</title></meta>
1492 <p>The strands of this magical net are thick, sticky and tough. Clearing a way through them quickly becomes a trial of strength and stamina.</p>
1493 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess a bladed weapon, add 3 to the number you have picked.</p>
1494 <choice idref="sect65">If your total score is now 4 or less, <link-text>turn to 65</link-text>.</choice>
1495 <choice idref="sect228">If it is 5 or more, <link-text>turn to 228</link-text>.</choice>
1499 <section class="numbered" id="sect70">
1500 <meta><title>70</title></meta>
1503 <p>You are within a few feet of the exit tunnel when a heavy sheet of iron falls from the ceiling and seals off your chosen route of escape. You spin around and glimpse the creatures in the pot who attempted to shoot you full of arrows. They are small, blue-skinned reptilians, with cruel crocodilian faces and curiously human hands. They are armed with finely crafted bows of gleaming white bone which you detect are capable of discharging six poisoned arrows every second. The reptilians are close to reloading these bows<ch.emdash/>you must act quickly if you are to avoid becoming the target of another deadly volley.</p>
1504 <choice idref="sect277">If you possess Kai-alchemy, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 277</link-text>.</choice>
1505 <choice idref="sect219">If you possess Magi-magic, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 219</link-text>.</choice>
1506 <choice idref="sect136">If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 136</link-text>.</choice>
1507 <choice idref="sect82">If you possess neither of these Disciplines, or a Bow, or choose to use none of them, <link-text>turn to 82</link-text>.</choice>
1511 <section class="numbered" id="sect71">
1512 <meta><title>71</title></meta>
1515 <p>Once outside, you focus your tracking skills and attempt to pick up your enemy<ch.apos/>s trail. You have a feeling that he may have doubled-back on his tracks and so you retrace your steps to the street where you first appeared in this alien city. As you are nearing this place, you suddenly hear the ringing metallic clang of an iron girder falling from a height. The noise echoes from an alleyway off to your right and immediately you go to investigate.</p>
1516 <p>At the end of the alley you discover a derelict warehouse. Fire has ravaged its interior and much of the roof has caved in, but amongst the debris you can see that it once stored metal cylinders and coils of wire. You stop at the entrance and listen. Your caution is rewarded when you hear footsteps at the rear of the building. You draw your weapon and enter, using the debris for cover as you inch your way towards the back of the ruined warehouse. You are moving between cover when suddenly you see the outline of a human form silhouetted against a broken window. Instantly you know that it is not Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane: this figure is clad in grey, close-fitting armour and is holding a metallic spear. The realization makes you hesitate, and in that split second of indecision, the armoured figure sees you and raises its spear. A blinding flame ignites at its tip and a beam of white-hot light comes speeding towards your chest.</p>
1517 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, add 3 to the number you have picked.</p>
1518 <choice idref="sect312">If your total is now 5 or less, <link-text>turn to 312</link-text>.</choice>
1519 <choice idref="sect6">If it is 6 or higher, <link-text>turn to 6</link-text>.</choice>
1523 <section class="numbered" id="sect72">
1524 <meta><title>72</title></meta>
1527 <p>You motion to your companions to follow, then you take your first step into the dark tomb. Suddenly there is a blinding flash of white light followed almost instantly by the deafening crackle of exploding electrical energies. Pain consumes your body as you are lifted into the air and thrown backwards by the blast. You have triggered a hidden power-glyph, a magical booby trap, you have been caught by its explosive energy.</p>
1528 <p>Pick a number from the Random Number (0=10). Now add 5 to the number you picked. The resulting total equals the number <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points you lose.</p>
1529 <choice idref="sect13">Make the necessary adjustments to your Action Chart before <link-text>turning to 13</link-text>.</choice>
1534 <section class="numbered" id="sect73">
1535 <meta><title>73</title></meta>
1538 <p>Your advanced Kai mastery reveals to you that a hoard of precious platinum is stored in a chamber at the end of the left corridor.</p>
1539 <choice idref="sect95">If you wish to explore the left corridor, <link-text>turn to 95</link-text>.</choice>
1540 <choice idref="sect137">If you choose instead to explore the right corridor, <link-text>turn to 137</link-text>.</choice>
1544 <section class="numbered" id="sect74">
1545 <meta><title>74</title></meta>
1548 <p>The creature that is diving towards you suddenly freezes in mid-air. The morbid fear of death that had gripped your heart quickly evaporates, but you are left with a feeling of deep unease as your senses detect that something extraordinary is taking place around you. The hall has become filled with a deadly silence and everything, including the tongues of flame trailing from the creature<ch.apos/>s sword, and the blazing fire in the grate, is utterly frozen. It is as if time itself is standing still.</p>
1549 <p>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane is a frozen statue, his face fixed in the malevolent sneer he was wearing in gleeful anticipation that you were about to meet your doom. You are beginning to think that perhaps you have been killed and that this is life after death, when suddenly you glimpse a blurred movement out of the corner of your eye.</p>
1550 <p>From the shadows cast by the gallery there steps a young teenage girl. She is dressed in a leather jerkin and threadbare trousers which are cut short at the knees. She is barefoot and appears to be armed only with a mischievous grin.</p>
1551 <p><quote>Who<ch.ellips/> who are you? Why are you here?</quote> you stammer, dumbly. Casually she walks towards you and reaches up to touch a finger to the frozen fiery sword clutched in the taloned hands of Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.apos/>s winged minion. There is a gentle Pop! and the creature disappears.</p>
1552 <p><quote>I<ch.apos/>m Alyss, and I do hate cheats,</quote> she says, as she wanders over to where Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane is standing immobile. Cheekily she pokes out her tongue at him and then she spins on her heel to face you.</p>
1553 <p><quote>Now, perhaps you can finish what you came here to do, Lone Wolf,</quote> she says, and claps her hands three times. A sudden rush of noise assails your ears and your senses reel as the reality of time comes flooding back into the hall.</p>
1554 <choice idref="sect296"><link-text>Turn to 296</link-text>.</choice>
1558 <section class="numbered" id="sect75">
1559 <meta><title>75</title></meta>
1562 <p>With a loud and angry buzzing noise, the predatory dragonfly circles you twice and then dives down like a speeding hawk to make its initial attack.</p>
1563 <combat><enemy>Golasyx</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">49</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">45</enemy-attribute></combat>
1564 <p>This creature is attempting to stab you with the tip of its spear-like proboscis as it swoops past, therefore you need only fight this combat for one round.</p>
1565 <choice idref="sect163">If you inflict an equal or greater <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss upon the enemy in this single round of combat, <link-text>turn to 163</link-text>.</choice>
1566 <choice idref="sect221">If you sustain a greater <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss than your enemy, <link-text>turn to 221</link-text>.</choice>
1570 <section class="numbered" id="sect76">
1571 <meta><title>76</title></meta>
1574 <p>Using your advanced mastery, you cause the dragonfly<ch.apos/>s wounds to close up and heal. Consciousness and strength return to its battered body and the creature is able to pull out of its dive before it is too late. It swoops deep into the cavernous moat of the tower to gather speed for its ascent into the clouds. As you soar past the top of the tower, you see that the dragonfly pens have been completely destroyed by the explosion. Fire rages through the uppermost levels of the tower, and is spreading quickly to those below.</p>
1575 <choice idref="sect310"><link-text>Turn to 310</link-text>.</choice>
1579 <section class="numbered" id="sect77">
1580 <meta><title>77</title></meta>
1583 <p>You use your tracking skills to find your enemy<ch.apos/>s trail, but following it becomes increasingly difficult. You sense that he has used magic to assist his escape for the foliage hereabouts is entangled far tighter than in neighbouring areas of this jungle. Your progress is slowed, but eventually you reach a copse of toa trees where you hear the sound of running water away to your left. Your adversary<ch.apos/>s tracks turn in this direction and you follow them all the way to the banks of a fast flowing watercourse.</p>
1584 <p>Less than fifty yards downstream there is a primitive settlement of huts that form an untidy line along the edge of the stream. The tracks appear to lead to this settlement but you can see no sign of Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. The place looks deserted.</p>
1585 <choice idref="sect215">If you wish to stay in the jungle and observe the settlement, <link-text>turn to 215</link-text>.</choice>
1586 <choice idref="sect297">If you choose to continue your pursuit, you can approach the settlement under cover of the jungle, by <link-text>turning to 297</link-text>.</choice>
1590 <section class="numbered" id="sect78">
1591 <meta><title>78</title></meta>
1594 <p>You motion your companions to follow as you leave this chamber by a tunnel in its south wall. This new passage gradually descends by slope and stair through deeper levels of the catacombs. You detect no trace of the impostor and, when eventually the tunnel comes to a dead end, you curse your ill luck and turn reluctantly to retrace your steps. It is then that you sense a faint but lingering aura of evil close to the tunnel floor.</p>
1595 <p>Closer inspection reveals a trapdoor set into the flagstones. You pull this heavy hatch open and discover a circular chute and a ladder descending into darkness. Your heart misses a beat when you notice fresh tracks on the ladder<ch.apos/>s iron rungs: at last you have found the impostor<ch.apos/>s trail.</p>
1596 <p>Cautiously you lead the descent into the chute, using your powers of infravision to scan for signs of movement in the damp darkness below. After several minutes you reach the bottom of the ladder where you discover a large vaulted chamber. Around its walls are positioned urns and grey stone caskets, each embellished with traces of gold. There is an unexpected air of opulence about this vault which prompts you to guess that it is a secret burial tomb.</p>
1597 <choice idref="sect182">If you have ever visited the Graveyard of the Ancients in a previous Lone Wolf adventure, <link-text>turn to 182</link-text>.</choice>
1598 <choice idref="sect206">If you have never visited this place, <link-text>turn to 206</link-text>.</choice>
1602 <section class="numbered" id="sect79">
1603 <meta><title>79</title></meta>
1606 <p>You make your way towards the avenue and take cover in a darkened alleyway, an ideal place from which to observe the passing traffic. Thirty minutes elapse before a hover-wagon glides into view at the city end of the avenue. It is bound for the tower, but you note that its cargo compartment is completely sealed and so you decide to let it pass and wait for a more suitable target. Fortunately, you do not have to wait too long. Within the space of a few minutes another appears. This one, like the first, has no driver, but its cargo bay is open to the elements. As you wait for it to get closer, you judge its speed and prepare yourself to leap aboard as it passes. It is less heavily laden than the first wagon and is moving much quicker; leaping aboard this speeding wagon is not going to be easy.</p>
1607 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess the Discipline of Grand Pathsmanship, add 3 to the number you have picked. If your current <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points score is 12 or less, deduct 2 from the number you have picked.</p>
1608 <choice idref="sect301">If your total is now 2 or less, <link-text>turn to 301</link-text>.</choice>
1609 <choice idref="sect185">If it is 3 or higher, <link-text>turn to 185</link-text>.</choice>
1613 <section class="numbered" id="sect80">
1614 <meta><title>80</title></meta>
1617 <p>The grating rumble of heavy stone on stone heralds the sudden appearance of the impostor. Like some secret door to a nightmare realm, the entire far wall of this vault is slowly sliding open. Violent tremors shake the floor and orange tongues of flaming gas shoot from the ever-widening gap. Silhouetted in the centre of this fiery portal is a warrior clad in a parody of the robes of a Kai Grand Master. His stature and his facial features bear an uncanny resemblance to your own, yet the two of you are not entirely identical. The eyes of this impostor betray his true nature for they are black and cold; they are like two tiny windows through which you can see the evil lurking deep within his heart.</p>
1618 <p>The portal crackles and roars like a blazing furnace yet it radiates no heat. You sense powerful magic at work here and you shout a command to your young Kai comrades to prepare themselves for combat. They react as one, their years of training suppressing their fears, and swiftly they draw arms and form up in a protective circle around you. The impostor unsheathes his black-bladed sword and gives vent to a chilling laugh that momentarily drowns the roar of the flames. His cruel laughter fills your head and suddenly the stone walls of the vault seem to writhe and buckle inwards. Your psychic Kai defences resist this illusion and the distortion ceases, yet as it does so you realize that something important has changed. You command your companions to retreat towards the chute but they do not respond. They are completely rigid, frozen immobile like four stone statues.</p>
1619 <p><quote>Ha ha ha<ch.ellips/></quote> cackles the impostor, <quote>so we meet at last, Lone Wolf.</quote> He advances a little nearer and you feel an icy chill wash over you. The body of this bogus Kai lord radiates coldness.</p>
1620 <p><quote>How I have enjoyed myself in your guise,</quote> he sneers. <quote>Let me introduce myself<ch.ellips/>I am Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. An apt name don<ch.apos/>t you think?</quote></p>
1621 <p><quote>What is your purpose?</quote> you growl in reply, your hand poised to draw a weapon in case he should attempt to launch a sudden attack.</p>
1622 <p><quote>Why, I<ch.apos/>ve come to kill you, of course,</quote> he retorts, his voice full of contempt. <quote>There should be but one Grand Master and only I am worthy of such distinction.</quote> The impostor narrows his coal-black eyes and curls back his lip in disdain.</p>
1623 <p><quote>And I intend to prove my worthiness, Lone Wolf,</quote> he adds, with quiet menace.</p>
1624 <p><quote>How so?</quote></p>
1625 <p><quote>By a duel,</quote> he replies. <quote>I challenge you to a duel. A fight to the finish. A fight between just you and I, Lone Wolf.</quote></p>
1626 <p><quote>And if I refuse your challenge?</quote> you retort, defiantly.</p>
1627 <p><quote>Then your four frail acolytes will die.</quote> The impostor sweeps his sword in a wide arc, as if to emphasize his threat, and the fiery wall at his back begins to change. The plumes of flame twist and spin with increasing speed until the wall is transformed into a swirling vortex. Fear tightens its icy fingers around your throat as you witness the creation of a Shadow Gate<ch.emdash/>a portal to another plane of existence. At once you know his threat is real. If he were to direct the power of the vortex towards your paralysed companions, they would be helpless to resist. They would be sucked into the Shadow Gate and destroyed.</p>
1628 <p><quote>Very well,</quote> you say, <quote>I accept your challenge.</quote></p>
1629 <p>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane gives a triumphant smile and whirls his black sword around his head. Then he dashes the blade to the floor and, in a terrifying instant, a mighty gust of wind tears the two of you off your feet and sends you both hurling into the fiery heart of the dread Shadow Gate.</p>
1630 <choice idref="sect200"><link-text>Turn to 200</link-text>.</choice>
1634 <section class="numbered" id="sect81">
1635 <meta><title>81</title></meta>
1638 <p>You focus on Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane as you intone the words of the Old Kingdom spell <spell>Hold Enemy</spell>. You see him shudder, and the half-eaten fruit drops from his grasp. But suddenly you sense resistance: your adversary is casting a counterspell. There is an abrupt release of energy as the effects of your spell are negated and broken: lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point.</p>
1639 <p>To your dismay, you watch Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane leap to his feet and make a hasty escape.</p>
1640 <choice idref="sect224"><link-text>Turn to 224</link-text>.</choice>
1644 <section class="numbered" id="sect82">
1645 <meta><title>82</title></meta>
1648 <p>The reptilians complete the reloading of their bows, and together they lean over the lip of the pot to take aim at your unprotected body. Simultaneously they let fire, sending a stream of arrows whistling towards your chest, and you are forced to dive headlong into the grey slime to avoid being peppered with poison-tipped shafts. One of the bone arrows clips your calf and you feel an agonising pain shoot up the back of your thigh as its poison enters your blood: lose 2 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1649 <p>Your innate healing skills quickly neutralize the venom and seal the wound. Dripping with slime, you scramble to your feet and hear your thwarted enemies cursing you vilely as they fumble with their bows.</p>
1650 <choice idref="sect288">If you possess a Naptha Bomb, <link-text>turn to 288</link-text>.</choice>
1651 <choice idref="sect320">If you do not possess this item, <link-text>turn to 320</link-text>.</choice>
1656 <section class="numbered" id="sect83">
1657 <meta><title>83</title></meta>
1660 <p>The steel walls of the room you have entered are sheened with ice. Several tall glass canisters stand in a circle at the centre of this frigid chamber, connected to one another with pipes and coils of copper cable. Their liquid contents bubble and seethe and appear to be boiling despite the freezing air temperature. You walk around them, mesmerized by the strange beauty of the roiling multi-coloured fluids. Then you sense imminent danger somewhere to your right and instantly you spin around to face it, your hand reaching reflexively to the weapon at your belt.</p>
1661 <p>You see a dark stairwell and a shadowy shape which is crouched near to the bottom steps. It is Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane. He is clutching a bow and he has an arrow drawn ready to fire. The instant you see him releases his bowstring and the tip of the arrow bursts into flames as it comes speeding towards your chest.</p>
1662 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Huntmastery, add 2 to the number you have picked. If your current ENDURANCE score is 10 or less, deduct 2.</p>
1663 <choice idref="sect155">If your total is now 3 or lower, <link-text>turn to 155</link-text>.</choice>
1664 <choice idref="sect102">If it is 4<ch.endash/>7, <link-text>turn to 102</link-text>.</choice>
1665 <choice idref="sect248">If it is 8 or higher, <link-text>turn to 248</link-text>.</choice>
1669 <section class="numbered" id="sect84">
1670 <meta><title>84</title></meta>
1673 <p>You increase the rate of your ascent and swiftly accelerate beyond the reach of the predatory dragonfly. Unable to catch you, it emits a loud buzz of frustration which slowly fades as it spirals away. You glance down to see it satisfying its appetite in an attack upon a number of smaller dragonflies. From this great height they appear to be no larger than a cluster of colourful dots hovering above the centre of the great gorge.</p>
1674 <p>After several minutes you reach the apex of the cavern and soar into the light-filled vent. Upon entering this vast aperture you are buffeted by crosswinds which sweep you precariously towards its rocky lip, yet your Kai mastery and your lightning-swift reactions save you from being crushed to death as you are blown onto its jagged, volcanic edge.</p>
1675 <p>You survive the impact and are able to haul yourself out of the vent and climb safely onto a surface that you assume to be the roof of the cavern. Seeking shelter from the raging crosswinds, you squeeze yourself into a hollow in the porous rock from where you are able to take stock of your new surroundings. The sight makes you gasp, for it is a view that truly rivals the fertile wonders of the cavern below.</p>
1676 <choice idref="sect239"><link-text>Turn to 239</link-text>.</choice>
1680 <section class="numbered" id="sect85">
1681 <meta><title>85</title></meta>
1684 <p><quote>Surely the great master of all the Kai is not a coward?</quote> sneers Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane, taunting you for your refusal to accept his challenge. <quote>Are you not brave enough to prove your worth?</quote></p>
1685 <p><quote>I have no fear of you, impostor,</quote> you retort. <quote>I simply do not trust you to fight with honour.</quote></p>
1686 <p><quote>If you should win the duel, Lone Wolf, you will be returned to Tyso<ch.emdash/>of that you have my word. And the word of my master.</quote></p>
1687 <p><quote>Both equally worthless,</quote> you reply, coolly.</p>
1688 <p>For a few moments you stare into your adversary<ch.apos/>s murderous eyes and sense that every word of his pledge is a lie. Yet you know that your options are limited. If you do not fight this duel, he will be sure to summon his minions to capture and kill you. There is nothing to gain by refusing his challenge and so, with reluctance, you accept.</p>
1689 <choice idref="sect304"><link-text>Turn to 304</link-text>.</choice>
1693 <section class="numbered" id="sect86">
1694 <meta><title>86</title></meta>
1697 <p>The arrow soars over your shoulder and lodges itself in the tangle of vines that hang down in front of the cave mouth. You spring to your feet and swiftly your sharp eyes pinpoint the place where the arrow emerged from the jungle perimeter. When you magnify your vision you see the face of your enemy<ch.emdash/>Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane<ch.emdash/>partially hidden by a tree. He is cursing you, his teeth showing white against the deep green of the jungle. Then he sees that you have spotted him and he turns and runs, quickly disappearing into the dense undergrowth.</p>
1698 <p>Determined that you are not going to allow him to escape so easily, you rush forward and give chase.</p>
1699 <choice idref="sect90"><link-text>Turn to 90</link-text>.</choice>
1703 <section class="numbered" id="sect87">
1704 <meta><title>87</title></meta>
1707 <p>Swiftly you place an arrow to your bow and take aim at the beast<ch.apos/>s left eye. It senses a threat to its sight, and instantly a layer of interlocking metal plates emerges from beneath its protruding forehead to protect its vision. You offer up a prayer to the God Kai to guide your aim, for the moving target you are attempting to hit is now no wider than the edge of a coin.</p>
1708 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Weaponmastery with Bow, add 5 to the number you have picked.</p>
1709 <choice idref="sect322">If your total score is now 4 or less, <link-text>turn to 322</link-text>.</choice>
1710 <choice idref="sect44">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 44</link-text>.</choice>
1711 <choice idref="sect299">If it is 10 or higher, <link-text>turn to 299</link-text>.</choice>
1715 <section class="numbered" id="sect88">
1716 <meta><title>88</title></meta>
1719 <p>Caldar removes his hand from his sword and heaves a sigh of relief. <quote>Thank Ishir you<ch.apos/>ve returned to us, Grand Master. Perhaps now the evil that has befallen Sommerlund will be avenged.</quote></p>
1720 <p>The Baron summons his gaoler who unlocks the shackles that encase your wrists. Then, as the three of you hurriedly ascend from the castle dungeons to the Great Hall, Caldar and Banedon confirm the account of events that you extracted earlier from the gaoler. In addition to these facts you also learn that several days ago an angry mob, composed in the main of soldiers and citizens from Holmgard, marched upon the Kai Monastery. Firestone, the most senior of the New Order Kai, pleaded with the mob for calm. Fortunately they heeded his call and allowed him to send four Kai Masters to Tyso<ch.emdash/>the city where the impostor was last sighted. Firestone has ordered these four Kai to track down and slay the impostor as quickly as possible.</p>
1721 <p>You are in no doubt that this impostor is a formidable enemy, one who could easily prove more than a match for the four young Kai. Anxious for their safety, you request that you be allowed to ride to Tyso to join with them. Banedon is in agreement, but he suggests a swifter and surer way that you may reach Tyso. Moored to the tower of Baron Caldar<ch.apos/>s castle is Cloud Dancer<ch.emdash/>the Guildmaster<ch.apos/>s skyship<ch.emdash/>which he places at your disposal. Gratefully you accept his generous offer.</p>
1722 <p>You are keen to leave for Tyso without further delay, but before you depart, Baron Caldar offers you the chance to equip yourself with weapons and stores from his well-stocked armoury.</p>
1723 <choice idref="sect149">If you wish to accept the Baron<ch.apos/>s offer, <link-text>turn to 149</link-text>.</choice>
1724 <choice idref="sect260">If you decide to decline his offer, <link-text>turn to 260</link-text>.</choice>
1728 <section class="numbered" id="sect89">
1729 <meta><title>89</title></meta>
1732 <p>Despite your valiant efforts, you are unable to revive your mount and it dies of its wounds before reaching the ground. Unfortunately, you become entangled in its trailing wings and are unable to save yourself before the giant dragonfly smashes into the rim of the moat surrounding the tower. Death is mercifully swift.</p>
1733 <p>Sadly, your life and your duel end here.</p>
1737 <section class="numbered" id="sect90">
1738 <meta><title>90</title></meta>
1741 <p>You force your way through the dense tangle of plants and grasses and soon reach the place where Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane lay in wait for you. The foliage around this hiding place has been carefully arranged, which suggests to you that he must have spent some considerable time setting his ambush. Yet there is also evidence of a hasty retreat. Lying on the ground behind a tree you discover 2 Arrows and a Dagger (if you wish to take one or more of these, remember to make the appropriate adjustments to your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>).</p>
1742 <p>Determined to stay on his trail while it is still fresh, you leave this hide and press deeper into the jungle in pursuit of your enemy. However, you have penetrated less than twenty yards into the undergrowth when his trail becomes indistinct.</p>
1743 <choice idref="sect246">If you possess the Discipline of Grand Pathsmanship, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Crown, <link-text>turn to 246</link-text>.</choice>
1744 <choice idref="sect77">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai mastery, <link-text>turn to 77</link-text>.</choice>
1748 <section class="numbered" id="sect91">
1749 <meta><title>91</title></meta>
1752 <p>Luckily, this acid-spitter has emptied its sac of corrosive venom and you are able to make good your escape from the hall without being spat upon as you leave. You reach the door and discover it is unlocked. Without hesitation, you pull it open and hurry through into the hall beyond.</p>
1753 <choice idref="sect220"><link-text>Turn to 220</link-text>.</choice>
1757 <section class="numbered" id="sect92">
1758 <meta><title>92</title></meta>
1761 <p>The broken buttress and the rope plummet into the fissure and are lost when they hit an underground river far below. Steel Hand swings one-handedly from the ceiling yet he manages to maintain his grip, despite being showered with loose rocks and dust. You command him to return and he obeys readily.</p>
1762 <p>As soon as Steel Hand is back on solid ground, you praise his skill and his brave effort. Only ill luck thwarted him. He offers to try again but you say that it is your turn<ch.emdash/>he has already proved his courage. Blazer offers you his rope and you accept it, then you walk along the edge of the fissure until you reach the wall. You find it easy to ascend the rough surface and work your way across to a point directly above the fissure. From here you fix the rope to a secure beam and cast the other end to your companions waiting below. One by one you watch them swing across the void and, when all have crossed safely, you untie the rope and make your way over to the far side to join them.</p>
1763 <p><quote>Come, my lords,</quote> you say, as you jump effortlessly down from the wall, <quote>we must press on. We<ch.apos/>ve a trail to find.</quote></p>
1764 <choice idref="sect160"><link-text>Turn to 160</link-text>.</choice>
1768 <section class="numbered" id="sect93">
1769 <meta><title>93</title></meta>
1772 <p>You try to evade the crackling light that speeds towards you from the muzzle of the warrior<ch.apos/>s spear, but the wounds and fatigue you have sustained conspire to dull your reactions. You are hit in the side by this white-hot beam and hurled high into the air. Suddenly an explosion of white light obliterates your senses and, in a horrifying instant, the light that is your life is snuffed out.</p>
1773 <p>Tragically, your life and your duel with Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane ends here.</p>
1777 <section class="numbered" id="sect94">
1778 <meta><title>94</title></meta>
1781 <p>Using your Grand Mastery skills, you conjure a fog from the surface of the slime which rapidly fills the lower level of the vault. You hear the angry, rasping voices of the creatures echoing inside the pot as they curse the fog which is obscuring their view of the vault floor. Under cover of the vapour, you enter the vault and wade silently through the slime towards the far exit. You have just passed beneath the pot when suddenly a volley of bone arrows comes whistling down from above.</p>
1782 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Huntmastery, add 2 to the number you have picked.</p>
1783 <choice idref="sect11">If your total score is now 6 or less, <link-text>turn to 11</link-text>.</choice>
1784 <choice idref="sect266">If it is 7 or higher, <link-text>turn to 266</link-text>.</choice>
1788 <section class="numbered" id="sect95">
1789 <meta><title>95</title></meta>
1792 <p>This passage ends at a door crafted from sheeted silver inset with circles of iron. It has no handle and there appears to be no lock. You try pushing against it but to no avail: it refuses to open. Then you notice a small slit cut into the frame of the door and, when you run your fingers across it, you detect the tell-tale vibrations of an electrical lock.</p>
1793 <choice idref="sect159">If you possess an Iron Disc, <link-text>turn to 159</link-text>.</choice>
1794 <choice idref="sect143">If you do not possess this Special Item, <link-text>turn to 143</link-text>.</choice>
1798 <section class="numbered" id="sect96">
1799 <meta><title>96</title></meta>
1802 <p>You muster your psychic defences and construct a wall around your mind to protect yourself from this agonizing mental assault. Your strategy is effective although the effort it requires depletes your reserves of strength (lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points).</p>
1803 <p>This psychic assault has been one of the worst you have ever experienced. You have survived, but your Kai senses tell you that your ordeal has not ended; it has only just begun. You force open your eyes and look with dread at the terrible threat confronting you now.</p>
1804 <choice idref="sect300"><link-text>Turn to 300</link-text>.</choice>
1808 <section class="numbered" id="sect97">
1809 <meta><title>97</title></meta>
1812 <p>One of the arrows grazes your tight forearm and gouges a furrow of skin from the top of your right thigh. You stifle a cry, but the intense pain that grips your injured limbs warns you at once that the tip of the arrow was tainted with poison.</p>
1813 <p>Your innate healing skills counter the poison before it can do its deadly work, but your body<ch.apos/>s defences draw heavily on your reserves of strength and the curing process leaves you feeling weak and light-headed: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1814 <choice idref="sect70">To continue, <link-text>turn to 70</link-text>.</choice>
1818 <section class="numbered" id="sect98">
1819 <meta><title>98</title></meta>
1822 <p><quote>Come, Grand Master. You<ch.apos/>re going home,</quote> she says, and she takes you by the hand and leads you to the middle of the banquet hall, to a place directly opposite the great fireplace. <ch.apos/>But first we must make preparations for the journey.<ch.apos/></p>
1823 <p>Alyss then proceeds to remove an amulet from around the throat of your slain adversary. She presses it into your palm and tells you to put it on immediately. (Record this Special Item on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> as a Wolf<ch.apos/>s Bane Amulet, which you wear on a chain around your neck. You must discard another Special Item in its favour if you already possess the maximum permissible.)</p>
1824 <p>Having done as she requests, she then touches her finger to the two amulets that you now wear, and she smiles.</p>
1825 <p><quote>Good, good,</quote> she enthuses, <quote>these baubles will take care of you.</quote></p>
1826 <p>She then takes a piece of limestone from her pocket and proceeds to draw a pentagram on the floor of the hail. She has half-completed the complicated design when suddenly she becomes agitated.</p>
1827 <p><quote>Must hurry,</quote> she mumbles, <quote>must, must hurry.</quote></p>
1828 <p>Suddenly the fire in the hearth flares brightly. The flames begin to grow and whirl and slowly change colour.</p>
1829 <p><quote>It<ch.apos/>s no good!</quote> cries Aylss, tearful with frustration. Angrily she casts her chunk of crumbling limestone at the roaring flames and then leaps to her feet and comes rushing to your side. <quote>It<ch.apos/>s too late!</quote> she screams, her voice now barely audible above the unnatural crackling of the fire, <quote>Naar is summoning his champion!.</quote></p>
1830 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1831 <choice idref="sect273">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 273</link-text>.</choice>
1832 <choice idref="sect67">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 67</link-text>.</choice>
1836 <section class="numbered" id="sect99">
1837 <meta><title>99</title></meta>
1840 <p>The shockwave from the blast sends you tumbling backwards into the chamber. Moments later something heavy falls across your legs, pinning you to the ground. You reach down to pull yourself free and discover that the object that is lying across your legs is Black Hawk. Dazed and trembling, you roll his limp body over and then hurriedly check to see if he is still breathing. Thankfully you discover that he is alive, although he has sustained serious injuries. His hand and sword arm are badly burnt and he is in a state of deep shock.</p>
1841 <p>Using your Magnakai curing skills, you are able to stabilize his condition and bring him out of shock (in doing so you expend 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points). As you help him to his feet you look around and see that the others have been knocked fiat by the blast. They too are now struggling to pull themselves to their feet. Fortunately their physical injuries are minor; their innate Kai skills appear to have spared them from serious injury. However, you sense that your inability to detect that the wall was an explosive illusion has taken its toll on their confidence.</p>
1842 <p><quote>Our prey is far more cunning than I feared,</quote> you say, reproachfully, <quote>but we are Kai and we shall rise to the challenge. Our enemy possesses strong magic and he is capable of masking it well. Yet he chooses to use it to wound and weaken our party, not to kill us. Why this should be I do not know. But from now on we cannot entirely trust our senses to protect us. We must proceed with the utmost caution.</quote></p>
1843 <p>Beyond where the illusory no
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