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15 <title>The Hunger of Sejanoz</title>
16 <creator class="author" sort-name="Dever, Joe">Joe Dever</creator>
17 <creator class="illustrator" sort-name="Williams, Brian">Brian Williams</creator>
18 <creator class="short">Joe Dever and Brian Williams</creator>
19 <creator class="medium">
20 <line>Joe Dever</line>
21 <line>Illustrated by Brian Williams</line>
23 <creator class="long">
24 &inclusion.joe.dever.bio.lw;
25 &inclusion.brian.williams.bio.lw;
27 <publisher>Project Aon</publisher>
28 <date class="publication"><year>2010</year><month>11</month><day>8</day></date>
29 <description class="blurb">
30 <p>A visit to the fabulous court of Xo-lin is disrupted when news of an invasion arrives at the venerable emperor<ch.apos/>s palace in Pensei. The evil Autarch Sejanoz of Bhanar has launched a sudden and devastating attack upon Xo-lin<ch.apos/>s ancient realm. With the tyrant<ch.apos/>s armies swarming across his borders, the aged Xo-lin is forced to flee his Imperial Palace and seek sanctuary in the distant city of Tazhan.</p>
31 <p>In <strong><cite>The Hunger of Sejanoz</cite></strong>, your mission is to escort the aged emperor and his entourage safely across the Great Lissan Plain to Tazhan. Will you succeed in your perilous task<ch.ellips/>or will you and your charges fall victim to the merciless forces of the Autarch?</p>
33 <description class="publication">
34 <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>
36 <rights class="copyrights">
37 <line>Text copyright <ch.copy/> 1998 Joe Dever.</line>
38 <line>Illustrations copyright <ch.copy/> 1998 Brian Williams.</line>
40 <rights class="license-notification">
42 <line>Text copyright <ch.copy/> 1998 Joe Dever.</line>
43 <line>Illustrations copyright <ch.copy/> 1998 Brian Williams.</line>
44 <line>Distribution of this Internet Edition is restricted under the terms of the <a idref="license">Project Aon License</a>.</line>
56 <title>Title Page</title>
57 <link class="next" idref="dedicate" />
62 <section class="frontmatter" id="dedicate">
64 <title>Dedication</title>
65 <link class="prev" idref="title" />
66 <link class="next" idref="acknwldg" />
70 <p class="dedication">To Brian Ash</p>
74 <section class="frontmatter" id="acknwldg">
76 <title>Acknowledgements</title>
77 <link class="prev" idref="dedicate" />
78 <link class="next" idref="tssf" />
83 &inclusion.joe.dever.endowment;
85 <section class="frontmatter" id="credits">
86 <meta><title>Credits</title></meta>
90 <dt>Transcription</dt>
91 <dd>Bj<ch.ouml/>rn Floderus</dd>
92 <dt>Illustration Transcription</dt>
93 <dd>Jonathan Blake</dd>
96 <line>Jonathan Blake</line>
97 <line>Simon Osborne</line>
99 <dt>Action Charts</dt>
101 <line>JC Alvarez</line>
102 <line>Jonathan Blake</line>
104 <dt>Proofreading</dt>
106 <line>Simon Osborne (Frontmatter and Sections 1<ch.endash/>300)</line>
110 <line>Jan Charv<ch.aacute/>t</line>
111 <line>Ingo Kl<ch.ouml/>cker</line>
112 <line>Benjamin Krefetz</line>
113 <line>LeRoy McSwain</line>
114 <line>Sean Donald</line>
115 <line>Simon Osborne</line>
116 <line>Timothy Pederick</line>
118 <dt>Coordination</dt>
119 <dd>Jonathan Blake</dd>
120 <dt>Special Thanks</dt>
121 <dd>James Durrant, Paul Haskell</dd>
129 <section class="frontmatter" id="tssf">
131 <title>The Story So Far<ch.ellips/></title>
132 <link class="prev" idref="acknwldg" />
133 <link class="next" idref="gamerulz" />
137 <footnote id="tssf-1-foot" idref="tssf-1">
138 <p><cite>Lone Wolf</cite> 18: <cite><bookref series="lw" book="18dotd">Dawn of the Dragons</bookref></cite></p>
143 <p>It is early summer in the year MS<ch.nbsp/>5085 and you are a Grand Master of the New Order of the Kai, the warrior <ch.eacute/>lite of Sommerlund.</p>
145 <p>Thirty-five years ago, the First Order of the Kai was massacred by the Darklords of Helgedad, a host of powerful creatures sent by the evil God Naar to destroy the world of Magnamund. Lone Wolf, the supreme leader of your illustrious fighting order, was the only survivor of their attack upon the Kai. As a young initiate he stood amidst the burning wreckage of the old Kai Monastery and vowed to avenge the slaughter of his comrades. Twenty years later he kept his pledge when alone he infiltrated the foul domain of the Darklords and destroyed their infernal city of Helgedad, the base of their evil power.</p>
147 <p>With the destruction of Helgedad, chaos befell the Darkland armies who had, until then, been poised to conquer all Magnamund. Quickly their disorder escalated into a mutinous civil war, allowing the Freeland Alliance armies of Magnamund time in which to recover and launch a successful counter-offensive. Against all odds, a swift and total victory was secured over the feuding armies of evil.</p>
149 <p>Following the demise of the Darklords, peace reigned in your homeland of Sommerlund. Under the direction of Lone Wolf, the ruined Monastery of the Kai was rebuilt and restored to its former glory and a New Order was established. You are one of this new generation of Kai recruits. You were born in Sommerlund in the year MS<ch.nbsp/>5063, during the time of the war against the Darklords. When you were seven years old you were sent by your father to the Kai Monastery. There, under the tutelage of Lone Wolf, you developed your martial skills and honed the special Kai abilities which lay dormant within you. Your skills were nurtured and sharpened to perfection by years of study and rigorous training. Your exceptional talents helped you to master all of the Kai and Magnakai Disciplines, and you rose swiftly through the ranks of the New Order to become one of only five who now hold the high rank of Kai Grand Master. It is an achievement that has brought great honour upon you and your family.</p>
151 <p>In the year MS<ch.nbsp/>5077, your skill and courage were put to the test when an attack was launched upon the Kai Monastery during Lone Wolf<ch.apos/>s absence. By means of a Shadow Gate (an astral corridor between the physical world of Sommerlund and the many ethereal domains which lie beyond it), Naar sent forth a host of dragon-creatures to besiege the monastery and lay waste to all Sommerlund. He had chosen his time well, yet his evil plan was thwarted by the tenacious defence that you and your fellow warriors maintained until the siege was raised by Lone Wolf and the King<ch.apos/>s Army of Sommerlund.<footref id="tssf-1" idref="tssf-1-foot"/></p>
153 <p>During the seven years since the defeat of his minions, Naar has sought vengeance upon the Kai. He commands many agents of evil upon Magnamund, and they wait quietly in the shadows for the chance to serve their fell master.</p>
155 <p>Less than a month ago, Lord Rimoah of Dessi came to the Kai Monastery aboard the flying ship <cite>Cloud-dancer</cite>. This wise counsellor is one of the Elder Magi, an ancient race of goodly magicians who have remained steadfastly loyal to the Kai for many centuries. His visit was unexpected and you sensed at once that something was wrong. Lone Wolf summoned you to his chamber where, with mounting dread, you listened to Lord Rimoah<ch.apos/>s account of events in Southern Magnamund which threatened to destroy the fragile peace of that distant continent.</p>
157 <p>The Elder Magi had received word that Autarch Sejanoz, the evil ruler of Bhanar, had secretly dispatched a squad of his personal guards into the Doomlands of Naaros. At first, the Elders could not fathom a reason why the Autarch had done this. The Doomlands are one of the most inhospitable regions in all of Magnamund, a barren wasteland of ash and cinder that was the domain of Agarash the Damned. At its centre his mighty fortress-city of Naaros once stood. Yet, following his defeat by the Elder Magi, all that remains of it now is a titanic chasm of molten lava and heat-fused rock. Loyal rangers were dispatched to the Doomlands to spy on the Autarch<ch.apos/>s men and attempt to discover their true purpose. After many weeks spent tracking their prey, they observed them excavating an unmarked burial mound near to the ruins of Naaros. Within this mound the Autarch<ch.apos/>s men discovered the Claw of Naar.</p>
159 <p>The Claw of Naar is an ancient wand of power crafted by the evil God himself. It was used by Agarash the Damned during his conquest of Magnamund. Legend held that it had been lost forever in the molten ruin of Naaros, but now it had resurfaced, and its return boded ill for the peaceable New Kingdoms bordering the Autocracy of Bhanar.</p>
161 <p>The rangers reported that the Autarch<ch.apos/>s squad were returning to Bhanar with the Claw in their possession. Their chosen route would take them through the Southern Dammerdon Mountains, and so the rangers went ahead to hide themselves in a gorge called Sunderer Pass, where they awaited their arrival. Their plan was to ambush the squad in the narrow confines of the pass and steal the Claw. However, the ranger leader was wisely anxious that the power of the Claw might overwhelm his small group, and so he requested that help be sent urgently. Rimoah responded in turn by seeking the aid of the Kai.</p>
163 <p><quote>I have come to ask for the help of the Kai,</quote> said Rimoah. <quote>We of the Elder Magi have the power and the means to destroy the Claw of Naar, but only when we have that accursed object in our possession. To secure the Claw will require skills and courage that only the Kai possess. And, so, I come here seeking your aid, Supreme Master.</quote></p>
165 <p><quote>It will not be an easy task,</quote> replied Lone Wolf, <quote>but we have the advantage of both speed and surprise. Sunderer Pass is no more than a day<ch.apos/>s journey away by skyship.</quote></p>
167 <p><quote>Aye,</quote> replied Rimoah, <quote>but we must depart this afternoon if we are to be certain of reaching the pass before the arrival of the Autarch<ch.apos/>s squad.</quote></p>
169 <p>Lone Wolf had been tempted to accept the challenge himself, yet he was committed to urgent duties at the King<ch.apos/>s court and so he requested that you journey to Bhanar in his stead and help Lord Rimoah to secure the Claw of Naar. You accepted the mission without hesitation and, within the hour, you found yourself standing beside Rimoah at the deck-rail of the sleek flying ship <cite>Cloud-dancer</cite>, watching the Kai Monastery shrink away into the distance as the craft soared into a clear blue sky.</p>
171 <p>By late afternoon of the following day, you reached Sunderer Pass and made contact with the rangers. Their leader informed you that a trap had been set to ensnare the enemy and their foul relic as they came through the pass. However, this ambush went badly wrong, and in the ensuing chaos you were separated from Lord Rimoah when <cite>Cloud-dancer</cite> was attacked by a horde of winged horrors that swarmed from out of the Doomlands. In the ensuing battle Lord Rimoah was forced to flee.</p>
173 <p>Despite this serious setback to your mission, you resolved to press on and attempt to deny Autarch Sejanoz the Claw of Naar. Aided by the rangers, you pursued the Autarch<ch.apos/>s men and captured the Claw. Yet this success proved to be only temporary, for the Claw was soon snatched back and hurriedly conveyed to the Bhanarian city of Yua Tzhan. In a daring raid upon the military barracks of that formidable city, you and your brave comrades succeeded in stealing it back once more. A daring flight to the friendly land of Chai ensued where, in the border town of Zuda, you were confronted by the Autarch himself. A desperate fight took place here, during which your ranger companions were slain by the evil tyrant. Yet their sacrifice was not in vain, for you were able to maintain possession of the Claw and effect a successful escape to Fort Jhung, a nearby Chai stronghold, where you were unexpectedly reunited with Lord Rimoah. You delivered to him the Claw of Naar and he vowed that the accused artefact would be destroyed by the Elder Magi to prevent it from ever falling into the hands of Autarch Sejanoz.</p>
175 <p>Soon after your reunion with Rimoah, you journeyed together to the Chaian capital of Pensei aboard <cite>Cloud-dancer</cite> where you were greeted and f<ch.ecirc/>ted by the court of Khea-khan Xo-lin, Chai<ch.apos/>s venerable ruler. However, it was during these festivities that calamitous news arrived at the Khea-khan<ch.apos/>s palace: Autarch Sejanoz had begun a massive invasion of Chai.</p>
177 <p>The tyrant<ch.apos/>s armies were swarming across the borders, sweeping all resistance before them. In the west the strongholds of Fort Jhung and Fort Xian had fallen. In the south, a vast seaborne invasion force had established a beachhead near to the port of Valus and swiftly overrun the ill-defended city of Dwala. Messengers were arriving at the palace with grim regularity to report the latest defeat. From these reports it quickly became clear that the Autarch<ch.apos/>s main objective was the capture of Pensei itself.</p>
179 <p>Fearing that the Claw of Naar could yet fall into the Autarch<ch.apos/>s hands, Lord Rimoah resolved to journey at once to Dessi aboard <cite>Cloud-dancer</cite>. Fearing for the safety of their aged Khea-khan, the courtiers of Pensei pleaded with their beloved ruler to flee to the safety of distant Dessi with Rimoah. But the Khea-khan steadfastly refused their requests, fearing that he would be thought a coward if he were to abandon his land and his subjects in this hour of approaching darkness.</p>
181 <p>Despite the pleas of his advisors and his family, the obstinate Xo-lin vowed to remain in Pensei. He put his faith in the skill and tenacity of his famous Imperial Guardsmen, believing that these warriors would halt the advancing Bhanarian armies. But when news arrived of their defeat and decimation in a battle at the town of Vabou, little more than a hundred miles south of Pensei, suddenly a terrible realization struck the aged ruler. There were now too few Chai warriors left to prevent the enemy legions from seizing the capital and enslaving its citizens. With heavy heart, the Khea-khan reluctantly agreed to leave Pensei. Yet, resolutely, he refused to go with Lord Rimoah. Instead, he ordered his courtiers to prepare a caravan of horse-drawn carriages for the speedy evacuation of himself, his family, and selected members of his court entourage. They would journey east, following the trade route to the Lissanian city of Tazhan. Here the Khea-khan could be sure of finding sanctuary in this New Kingdom stronghold. Upon his arrival he would rally the armies of his loyal allies and then return with them, across the vastness of the Great Lissan Plain, to free his land and its people from the Autarch<ch.apos/>s ruthless occupation.</p>
183 <p>Fearing for the safety of the Khea-khan, and the disastrous consequences that will befall the New Kingdoms if he should be captured by the enemy, Lord Rimoah urged you to accompany Xo-lin<ch.apos/>s entourage. Your experience and your Kai skills could be crucial to their survival during the seventeen days that it will take for them to reach the city of Tazhan. Once the Claw of Naar is safely in Dessi, Rimoah promised to return and journey directly to Tazhan by skyship. There he will inform its ruling council of the Bhanarian invasion, and try to elicit their martial support in readiness for Xo-lin<ch.apos/>s arrival.</p>
185 <p>You agreed to Rimoah<ch.apos/>s request to escort the aged ruler, and as the court of the Khea-khan began hasty preparation for the evacuation of the palace, you bade farewell to Lord Rimoah.</p>
187 <p><quote>Until we meet again in Tazhan, Grand Master,</quote> he said, solemnly, <quote>I shall pray to Ishir to watch over you on the road that you must travel. It is vital that Xo-lin arrives in Tazhan alive. He is the only one who can rally the New Kingdoms to rise up and repel the Bhanarians. Without him, I fear, the New Kingdoms will fall to the inexorable might of Sejanoz.</quote></p>
191 <section class="frontmatter" id="gamerulz">
193 <title>The Game Rules</title>
194 <link class="prev" idref="tssf" />
195 <link class="next" idref="kainame" />
199 <footnote id="gamerulz-1-foot" idref="gamerulz-1">
200 <p>If you have completed any previous <cite>Lone Wolf New Order</cite> adventures, remember to choose an additional Grand Master Discipline and add +1 to your basic <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> and +2 to your basic <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> for each adventure you successfully completed (cf. <a idref="discplnz">Grand Master Disciplines</a>).</p>
205 <p>You keep a record of your adventure on the <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
206 <p>During the years you have spent in training at the Kai Monastery, you have devoted yourself to further developing your fighting prowess (<typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>) and physical stamina (<typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ>). Before you begin this <cite>New Order</cite> adventure you need to measure how effective your training has been. To do this take a pencil and, with your eyes closed, point the blunt end of it onto the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you pick a 0 it counts as zero.</p>
207 <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 7 in the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> you would write in a <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> of 32). 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 desirable.</p>
208 <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 8 on the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> you would have 38 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points).</p>
209 <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 or below, 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 cannot rise above the number you have when you start an adventure.</p>
210 <p>If you have successfully completed previous adventures in the <cite>Lone Wolf New Order</cite> series (Books 21<ch.endash/>27), you can carry your current scores of <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> and <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points over to this adventure.<footref id="gamerulz-1" idref="gamerulz-1-foot"/> You may also carry over any Special Items, Kai Weapon, normal Weapons, and Backpack Items you had in your possession at the end of your last adventure, and these should be entered on your new <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
211 <p><strong>Playing Tip:</strong> You may use a 10-sided die instead of the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> if you find it more convenient.</p>
213 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="kainame">
215 <title>Your Kai Name</title>
216 <link class="prev" idref="gamerulz" />
217 <link class="next" idref="discplnz" />
221 <p>It has long been the tradition of your <ch.eacute/>lite warrior caste to bestow a new name upon each young novice when they complete their first year<ch.apos/>s training at the Kai Monastery. Kai names are chosen by senior Kai Masters with the aim of reflecting the individual strengths and qualities of each novice.</p>
222 <p>You may create your own Kai name for yourself, or you can generate a Kai name at random using the name tables below. To generate a Kai name, pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> and consult Table A. The name which corresponds to the number you have picked is the first part, or prefix, of your Kai name. Now pick a second number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> and consult Table B. The name which corresponds to the number you have picked is the second part, or suffix, of your Kai name. Put the prefix and the suffix together and you have your own personal Kai name.</p>
227 <th colspan="2" scope="colgroup">Table A</th>
228 <th colspan="1" scope="colgroup"></th>
229 <th colspan="2" scope="colgroup">Table B</th>
232 <th colspan="2" scope="colgroup">(Kai name prefix)</th>
233 <th colspan="1" scope="colgroup"></th>
234 <th colspan="2" scope="colgroup">(Kai name suffix)</th>
310 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="discplnz">
312 <title>New Order Kai Grand Master Disciplines</title>
313 <link class="prev" idref="kainame" />
314 <link class="next" idref="equipmnt" />
318 <footnote id="discplnz-1-foot" idref="discplnz-1">
319 <p>Given the rules for the previous <cite>Lone Wolf</cite> books, it seems odd that a Grand Master is only allowed to choose to be proficient in one of the few Weapons listed in the <a idref="equipmnt">Equipment section</a>. In view of the unprecedented nature of this rule, you might decide that it is acceptable to be proficient in any of the ten Weapons that the Kai typically train to use.</p>
321 <illustration class="inline">
323 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
325 <instance class="html" src="weapons.png" width="386" height="310" mime-type="image/png"/>
326 <instance class="html-compatible" src="weapons.gif" width="386" height="310" mime-type="image/gif"/>
327 <instance class="pdf" src="weapons.pdf" width="386" height="310" />
332 <footnote id="discplnz-2-foot" idref="discplnz-2">
333 <p>The rules in the Collector<ch.apos/>s Editions state that the bonus for Grand Weaponmastery with Bow is 5. Certain sections direct the reader to use different bonuses when using a Bow, ranging from 3 to 5, if you have Grand Weaponmastery with Bow. This may be the author adjusting the Grand Weaponmastery bonus on a case-by-case basis (and therefore this bonus should be used instead of the standard bonus) or an error (and therefore all of these bonuses should be 5). It is up to you to decide, but it seems most reasonable to follow the first alternative, to replace the Grand Weaponmastery bonus with whatever bonus is mentioned in that section.</p>
336 <footnote id="discplnz-3-foot" idref="discplnz-3">
337 <p>Details about the Kai Weapon appear in the next section of the game rules.</p>
342 <section class="frontmatter" id="mksumary">
344 <title>Kai and Magnakai Disciplines</title>
348 <p>During your distinguished rise to the ranks of the New Order of Kai Grand Masters, you have become proficient in all of the basic Kai and Magnakai Disciplines. These Disciplines provide you with a formidable arsenal of natural abilities which will serve you well. A brief summary of your skills is given below:</p>
350 <dl class="paragraphed">
351 <dt>Weaponmastery</dt>
352 <dd><p>You are proficient with all close combat and missile weapons. You are a master of unarmed combat and suffer no <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> loss when fighting bare-handed.</p></dd>
353 <dt>Animal Control</dt>
354 <dd><p>You are able to communicate with most animals and have limited control over hostile creatures. You can use woodland animals as guides and you are able to block a non-sentient creature<ch.apos/>s sense of taste and smell.</p></dd>
357 <p>You are able to restore <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points lost as a direct result of combat. You may restore 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point for every numbered section of the book you pass through in which you are not involved in further combat. The maximum number of <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points that can be restored in this way is limited to 10 per adventure.</p>
358 <p>You also possess the ability to heal the wounds of others, and you can neutralize the harmful effects of most poisons, venoms, and toxins.</p>
360 <dt>Invisibility</dt>
361 <dd><p>You can hide effectively in most environments, mask any sounds made during movement, and you can cause minor alterations of your own physical appearance. Also you are able to mask your own body heat and scent.</p></dd>
363 <dd><p>You are an expert hunter of food in the wild. You possess great physical agility and a keen sense of vision (day and night). Your senses of hearing and smell are especially acute.</p></dd>
364 <dt>Pathsmanship</dt>
365 <dd><p>You are able to understand most languages, magical symbols, and hieroglyphics. You are expert at reading footprints and tracks. You have an intuitive knowledge of the compass points and can detect the threat of an enemy ambush up to a distance of 500 yards. You possess an ability to cross terrain without leaving tracks. You can converse with sentient creatures and mask yourself from psychic spells of detection.</p></dd>
367 <dd><p>You are able to attack enemies using the powers of your mind. Also you can set up disruptive vibrations in inanimate objects and cause confusion in the minds of unsophisticated enemies.</p></dd>
369 <dd><p>You possess strong mental defences against hypnosis, supernatural illusions, charms, hostile telepathy, and evil spirits. You are able to divert and re-channel some hostile psychic energy to your own ends.</p></dd>
371 <dd><p>You can move small items by projection of your mind power. You can withstand extremes of temperature and are able to extinguish fire by force of your will alone. You have a limited immunity to flames, toxic gases, and corrosive liquids.</p></dd>
373 <dd><p>Your famous Kai Sixth Sense can warn you of imminent danger. You can detect invisible or hidden enemies, and you are able to communicate telepathically. You can recognize magic-using and/or magical creatures, detect psychic residues, and you have a limited ability to leave your corporeal body (<quote>spirit-walk</quote>) for short periods.</p></dd>
378 <section class="frontmatter" id="nodispln">
380 <title>New Order Kai Grand Master Disciplines</title>
384 <p>After years of martial training and study at the Kai Monastery, and by the rigorous practice of the teachings of your illustrious mentor<ch.emdash/>Kai Supreme Master Lone Wolf<ch.emdash/>you have achieved the noble rank of Kai Grand Master Senior.</p>
386 <p>Following in the footsteps of Lone Wolf himself, you have vowed that one day you will become totally proficient in all 16 of the New Order Kai Grand Master Disciplines. By doing so successfully you will share with Lone Wolf the responsibility, the honour, and the future glory of leading the New Order Kai as a Supreme Master.</p>
388 <p>If this is the first <cite>New Order</cite> adventure you have undertaken, then your present rank is that of Kai Grand Master Senior. This means that you have mastered <em>four</em> of the New Order Grand Master Disciplines listed below. It is for you to decide which four Disciplines these are. As all of the New Order Grand Master Disciplines may be of use to you at some point during your mission, pick these four skills with care. The correct use of a New Order Grand Master Discipline at the right time could save your life. When you have chosen your four Disciplines, enter them in the Grand Master Disciplines section of your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
390 <section class="frontmatter" id="wpnmstry">
391 <meta><title>Grand Weaponmastery</title></meta>
394 <illustration class="inline">
396 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
398 <instance class="html" src="wpnmast.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
399 <instance class="html-compatible" src="wpnmast.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
400 <instance class="pdf" src="wpnmast.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
403 <p>This Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to become supremely efficient in the use of all weapons. When you enter combat armed with one of your Grand Master weapons, you may add 5 points to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. The rank of Kai Grand Master Senior, with which you begin the <cite>New Order</cite> series, means that you are skilled in the use of <em>one</em> of the weapons listed in the <a idref="equipmnt">Equipment section</a>.<footref id="discplnz-1" idref="discplnz-1-foot"/> For every adventure that you complete successfully in the <cite>New Order</cite> series while possessing the Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery, you will gain proficiency with one additional weapon.</p>
404 <p>If you have the Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery with Bow, you may add 5 points to any number you pick from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>, when using the Bow.<footref id="discplnz-2" idref="discplnz-2-foot"/></p>
408 <section class="frontmatter" id="anmlmstr">
409 <meta><title>Animal Mastery</title></meta>
412 <illustration class="inline">
414 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
416 <instance class="html" src="anmlmast.png" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/png"/>
417 <instance class="html-compatible" src="anmlmast.gif" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/gif"/>
418 <instance class="pdf" src="anmlmast.pdf" width="386" height="53" />
421 <p>New Order 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>
425 <section class="frontmatter" id="deliver">
426 <meta><title>Deliverance <em>(Advanced Curing)</em></title></meta>
429 <illustration class="inline">
431 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
433 <instance class="html" src="delvrance.png" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/png"/>
434 <instance class="html-compatible" src="delvrance.gif" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/gif"/>
435 <instance class="pdf" src="delvrance.pdf" width="386" height="53" />
438 <p>New Order Grand Masters are able to use their healing power to repair serious battle-wounds. If, while 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 emergency ability can only be used once every 20 days.</p>
442 <section class="frontmatter" id="assimila">
443 <meta><title>Assimilance <em>(Advanced Invisibility)</em></title></meta>
446 <illustration class="inline">
448 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
450 <instance class="html" src="assmlnce.png" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/png"/>
451 <instance class="html-compatible" src="assmlnce.gif" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/gif"/>
452 <instance class="pdf" src="assmlnce.pdf" width="386" height="53" />
455 <p>New Order Grand Masters are able to effect striking changes to their physical appearance, and maintain these changes over a period of 1 to 3 days. They have also mastered advanced camouflage techniques which make them virtually undetectable in an open landscape.</p>
459 <section class="frontmatter" id="hntmstry">
460 <meta><title>Grand Huntmastery</title></meta>
463 <illustration class="inline">
465 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
467 <instance class="html" src="huntmstr.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
468 <instance class="html-compatible" src="huntmstr.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
469 <instance class="pdf" src="huntmstr.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
472 <p>New Order Grand Masters are able to see in total darkness and they possess great natural speed and agility. They also have a superb sense of touch and taste. 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>
476 <section class="frontmatter" id="pthmnshp">
477 <meta><title>Grand Pathsmanship</title></meta>
480 <illustration class="inline">
482 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
484 <instance class="html" src="pathsmn.png" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/png"/>
485 <instance class="html-compatible" src="pathsmn.gif" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/gif"/>
486 <instance class="pdf" src="pathsmn.pdf" width="386" height="53" />
489 <p>New Order Grand Masters are able to resist entrapment by hostile plants. Also they have a super-awareness of ambush, or the threat of ambush, in woods and dense forests.</p>
493 <section class="frontmatter" id="kaisurge">
494 <meta><title>Kai-surge</title></meta>
497 <illustration class="inline">
499 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
501 <instance class="html" src="ksurge.png" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/png"/>
502 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ksurge.gif" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/gif"/>
503 <instance class="pdf" src="ksurge.pdf" width="386" height="53" />
506 <p>When using their psychic ability to attack an enemy, New Order Grand Masters may add 8 points to their <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. For every round in which Kai-surge is used, they need only deduct 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point. Grand Masters have the option of using a weaker form of psychic attack called Mindblast. When using this lesser attack, they may add 4 points to their <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> without loss of <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points (Kai-surge and Mindblast cannot be used simultaneously). New Order Grand Masters cannot use Kai-surge if their <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score falls to 6 points or below.</p>
510 <section class="frontmatter" id="kaiscrn">
511 <meta><title>Kai-screen</title></meta>
514 <illustration class="inline">
516 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
518 <instance class="html" src="kscreen.png" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/png"/>
519 <instance class="html-compatible" src="kscreen.gif" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/gif"/>
520 <instance class="pdf" src="kscreen.pdf" width="386" height="53" />
523 <p>During psychic combat, New Order Grand Masters are able to construct mind-fortresses capable of protecting themselves and others. The strength and capacity of these fortresses increase as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
527 <section class="frontmatter" id="nexus">
528 <meta><title>Grand Nexus</title></meta>
531 <illustration class="inline">
533 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
535 <instance class="html" src="nexus.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
536 <instance class="html-compatible" src="nexus.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
537 <instance class="pdf" src="nexus.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
540 <p>New Order 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 New Order Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
544 <section class="frontmatter" id="gnosis">
545 <meta><title>Telegnosis <em>(Advanced Divination)</em></title></meta>
548 <illustration class="inline">
550 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
552 <instance class="html" src="telegnss.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
553 <instance class="html-compatible" src="telegnss.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
554 <instance class="pdf" src="telegnss.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
557 <p>This Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to spirit-walk for far greater lengths of time, and with far fewer ill effects. Duration of the spirit-walk and the protection afforded to his inanimate body increase as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
561 <section class="frontmatter" id="magi">
562 <meta><title>Magi-magic <em>(Old Kingdom Magic)</em></title></meta>
565 <illustration class="inline">
567 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
569 <instance class="html" src="magimagc.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
570 <instance class="html-compatible" src="magimagc.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
571 <instance class="pdf" src="magimagc.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
574 <p>Under the tutelage of Lone Wolf, you have been able to master the rudimentary skills of Old Kingdom battle-magic. These arcane skills include the use of basic Old Kingdom Spells, such as <spell>Shield</spell>, <spell>Power Word</spell>, and <spell>Invisible Fist</spell>. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Old Kingdom magic increase.</p>
578 <section class="frontmatter" id="alchemy">
579 <meta><title>Kai-alchemy <em>(Brotherhood Magic)</em></title></meta>
582 <illustration class="inline">
584 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
586 <instance class="html" src="alchemy.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
587 <instance class="html-compatible" src="alchemy.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
588 <instance class="pdf" src="alchemy.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
591 <p>Under the tutelage of Lone Wolf and Guildmaster Banedon (the leader of Sommerlund<ch.apos/>s Guild of Magicians), you have mastered the elementary spells of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star. These spells include <spell>Lightning Hand</spell>, <spell>Levitation</spell>, and <spell>Mind Charm</spell>. As you advance in rank, so will your knowledge and mastery of Brotherhood magic increase.</p>
595 <section class="frontmatter" id="astrolgy">
596 <meta><title>Astrology</title></meta>
599 <illustration class="inline">
601 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
603 <instance class="html" src="astrolgy.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
604 <instance class="html-compatible" src="astrolgy.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
605 <instance class="pdf" src="astrolgy.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
608 <p>The celestial bodies which occupy the skies above Magnamund have long been known to affect the lives of its inhabitants. Mastery of this Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to predict and shape the future by studying the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the myriad planets and stars. The number and accuracy of these predictions increase as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
612 <section class="frontmatter" id="herbmst">
613 <meta><title>Herbmastery</title></meta>
616 <illustration class="inline">
618 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
620 <instance class="html" src="herblism.png" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/png"/>
621 <instance class="html-compatible" src="herblism.gif" width="386" height="53" mime-type="image/gif"/>
622 <instance class="pdf" src="herblism.pdf" width="386" height="53" />
625 <p>Mastery of this New Order Discipline enables a Grand Master to identify readily any substance derived from living or growing organic material. He is aware of any secret uses to which an organic material may be put, and he is skilled in effecting the release of a substance<ch.apos/>s medicinal and/or magical properties.</p>
629 <section class="frontmatter" id="element">
630 <meta><title>Elementalism</title></meta>
633 <illustration class="inline">
635 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
637 <instance class="html" src="elmntlsm.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
638 <instance class="html-compatible" src="elmntlsm.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
639 <instance class="pdf" src="elmntlsm.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
642 <p>This Discipline enables a New Order Grand Master to manipulate the four basic elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. By drawing upon individual elements that are available, or combinations thereof, he is able to detach, affix, increase, concentrate, intensify, remove, or accelerate this matter to fulfil a specific purpose, e.g. create a wall, hurl a rock, spray sand, remove air, intensify fire. The versatility of this Discipline increases as a New Order Grand Master advances in rank.</p>
646 <section class="frontmatter" id="bardsman">
647 <meta><title>Bardsmanship</title></meta>
650 <illustration class="inline">
652 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
654 <instance class="html" src="bard.png" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/png"/>
655 <instance class="html-compatible" src="bard.gif" width="386" height="54" mime-type="image/gif"/>
656 <instance class="pdf" src="bard.pdf" width="386" height="54" />
659 <p>Through mastery of this Discipline a Kai Grand Master of the New Order becomes a multi-talented performer, proficient in the use of any musical instrument. He is able to sing or chant, recite or compose tales of legend, mimic speech or dialect, and stimulate a wide range of emotions among sentient creatures. The effect and power of his bardic abilities will steadily increase as he advances through the Grand Master ranks.</p>
663 <p>If you successfully complete the mission as set in Book 28 of the <cite>Lone Wolf New Order</cite> series, you may add a further Grand Master Discipline of your choice to your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> in the next. 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 <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> score and 2 points to your basic <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points score. These bonus points, together with your extra Grand Master Discipline(s), your original four Grand Master Disciplines, your Kai Weapon,<footref id="discplnz-3" idref="discplnz-3-foot"/> and any other Special Items and Backpack Items that you have found and been able to keep during your adventures, may then be carried over and used in the next <cite>New Order</cite> adventure, which is called:</p>
665 <p><!--<bookref series="lw" book="29tsoc">--><cite>The Storms of Chai</cite><!--</bookref>--></p>
671 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="equipmnt">
673 <title>Equipment</title>
674 <link class="prev" idref="discplnz"/>
675 <link class="next" idref="cmbtrulz"/>
679 <footnote id="equipmnt-4-foot" idref="equipmnt-4">
680 <p>During the adventure, the story will assume that you possess a Bow when you may not. If it is important to you to avoid this story continuity problem, you should ensure that you obtain a Bow.</p>
683 <footnote id="equipmnt-1-foot" idref="equipmnt-1">
684 <p>If you have completed any of the previous <cite>Lone Wolf New Order</cite> adventures (Books 21+), you already possess a Kai Weapon.</p>
687 <footnote id="equipmnt-2-foot" idref="equipmnt-2">
688 <p>These bonuses are <em>not</em> cumulative.</p>
691 <footnote id="equipmnt-3-foot" idref="equipmnt-3">
692 <p><quote>Valiance</quote> is also effective against magical creatures.</p>
697 <p>Before you leave the Kai Monastery to accompany the Khea-khan of Chai, you equip yourself with a <a idref="map">map of the Great Lissan Plain and its surrounding territories</a> 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>
698 <p>If you have successfully completed previous <cite>New Order</cite> adventures (Books 21<ch.endash/>27), you may add this sum to the number of Crowns you already possess. Fifty is the maximum number of Gold Crowns you can carry in your pouch at any time. You may also select five items from the list below, only two of which may be Weapons.<footref id="equipmnt-4" idref="equipmnt-4-foot"/></p>
699 <ul class="paragraphed">
700 <li><p>Broadsword (Weapons)</p>
701 <illustration class="inline">
703 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
705 <instance class="html" src="bsword.png" width="386" height="69" mime-type="image/png"/>
706 <instance class="html-compatible" src="bsword.gif" width="386" height="69" mime-type="image/gif"/>
707 <instance class="pdf" src="bsword.pdf" width="386" height="69"/>
710 <li><p>Sword (Weapons)</p>
711 <illustration class="inline">
713 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
715 <instance class="html" src="sword.png" width="386" height="69" mime-type="image/png"/>
716 <instance class="html-compatible" src="sword.gif" width="386" height="69" mime-type="image/gif"/>
717 <instance class="pdf" src="sword.pdf" width="386" height="69"/>
720 <li><p>Quiver (Special Items) This contains six Arrows; record them on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
721 <illustration class="inline">
723 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
725 <instance class="html" src="quiver.png" width="386" height="127" mime-type="image/png"/>
726 <instance class="html-compatible" src="quiver.gif" width="386" height="127" mime-type="image/gif"/>
727 <instance class="pdf" src="quiver.pdf" width="386" height="127"/>
730 <li><p>Flute (Backpack Item)</p>
731 <illustration class="inline">
733 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
735 <instance class="html" src="flute.png" width="386" height="68" mime-type="image/png"/>
736 <instance class="html-compatible" src="flute.gif" width="386" height="68" mime-type="image/gif"/>
737 <instance class="pdf" src="flute.pdf" width="386" height="68"/>
740 <li><p>Dagger (Weapons)</p>
741 <illustration class="inline">
743 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
745 <instance class="html" src="dagger.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
746 <instance class="html-compatible" src="dagger.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
747 <instance class="pdf" src="dagger.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
750 <li><p>Axe (Weapons)</p>
751 <illustration class="inline">
753 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
755 <instance class="html" src="axe.png" width="386" height="112" mime-type="image/png"/>
756 <instance class="html-compatible" src="axe.gif" width="386" height="112" mime-type="image/gif"/>
757 <instance class="pdf" src="axe.pdf" width="386" height="112"/>
760 <li><p>Bow (Weapons)</p>
761 <illustration class="inline">
763 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
765 <instance class="html" src="bow.png" width="386" height="64" mime-type="image/png"/>
766 <instance class="html-compatible" src="bow.gif" width="386" height="64" mime-type="image/gif"/>
767 <instance class="pdf" src="bow.pdf" width="386" height="64"/>
770 <li><p>2 Meals (Meals) Each Meal takes up one space in your Backpack.</p>
771 <illustration class="inline">
773 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
775 <instance class="html" src="food.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
776 <instance class="html-compatible" src="food.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
777 <instance class="pdf" src="food.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
780 <li><p>Rope (Backpack Item)</p>
781 <illustration class="inline">
783 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
785 <instance class="html" src="rope.png" width="386" height="109" mime-type="image/png"/>
786 <instance class="html-compatible" src="rope.gif" width="386" height="109" mime-type="image/gif"/>
787 <instance class="pdf" src="rope.pdf" width="386" height="109"/>
790 <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>
791 <illustration class="inline">
793 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
795 <instance class="html" src="potion.png" width="386" height="167" mime-type="image/png"/>
796 <instance class="html-compatible" src="potion.gif" width="386" height="167" mime-type="image/gif"/>
797 <instance class="pdf" src="potion.pdf" width="386" height="167"/>
802 <p>List the five items that you have chosen on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>, under the appropriate headings, and make a note of any effect that they may have on your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points and/or <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>.</p>
804 <section class="frontmatter" id="kaiweapn">
806 <title>Kai Weapons</title>
810 <p>Upon reaching the ultimate rank of Kai Supreme Master, Lone Wolf received as a reward from the God Kai many new skills and abilities. One of these skills was Kai Weaponcraft. Using his newfound mastery, Lone Wolf forged ten weapons of magical power in the armoury furnaces of the Kai Monastery. These magical weapons are reserved for the <ch.eacute/>lite of the New Order Kai who attain the rank of Grand Master.</p>
812 <p>In recognition of your rank and achievement, you may choose your own Kai Weapon from the table below or, if you prefer, you can generate one at random. To generate a Kai Weapon, pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> and consult the first column. The magical Axe, Sword, or Broadsword which corresponds to the number you have picked will be your own personal Kai Weapon. Record this magical weapon and its unique properties in the Kai Weapon section of the <a idref="action">Special Items List</a>.<footref id="equipmnt-1" idref="equipmnt-1-foot"/></p>
814 <p><strong>Example</strong></p>
815 <p>Say you choose the number 1 from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>, your Kai Weapon will be the Axe <quote>Alema</quote>.</p>
817 <p>When using this Kai Weapon in normal combat you may add +5 points to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. Each Kai Weapon has a unique property. When you use your Kai Weapon in combat against the type of enemy that matches its unique property, or use it at the optimum time or location, then you may add the higher bonus to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>.<footref id="equipmnt-2" idref="equipmnt-2-foot"/></p>
819 <p><strong>Example</strong></p>
820 <p>If you were to use <quote>Alema</quote> in combat against an undead enemy, you could add the higher bonus of +7 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. If you were to fight a living enemy using this weapon then the bonus to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> would remain at +5.</p>
824 <th colspan="6" scope="colgroup">Kai Weapon Table</th>
830 <th><typ class="attribute">CS</typ></th>
831 <th>Unique Properties</th>
832 <th><typ class="attribute">CS</typ></th>
837 <td><quote>Spawnsmite</quote></td>
839 <td>versus reptilian enemies</td>
845 <td><quote>Alema</quote></td>
847 <td>versus undead enemies</td>
853 <td><quote>Magnara</quote></td>
855 <td>versus rock or stone</td>
861 <td><quote>Sunstrike</quote></td>
863 <td>when used in daylight</td>
869 <td><quote>Kaistar</quote></td>
871 <td>when used at night</td>
877 <td><quote>Valiance</quote></td>
879 <td>when used versus magicians<footref id="equipmnt-3" idref="equipmnt-3-foot"/></td>
885 <td><quote>Ulnarias</quote></td>
887 <td>when used underwater</td>
893 <td><quote>Raumas</quote></td>
895 <td>versus winged enemies</td>
901 <td><quote>Illuminatus</quote></td>
903 <td>when used underground</td>
909 <td><quote>Firefall</quote></td>
911 <td>versus fire-emitting enemies</td>
915 <td colspan="3">RN = Random Number</td>
916 <td colspan="3"><typ class="attribute">CS</typ> = <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ></td>
922 <section class="frontmatter" id="howuse">
924 <title>Equipment<ch.emdash/>How to use it</title>
928 <dl class="paragraphed">
930 <dd><p>The maximum number of Weapons that you can carry is <em>two</em>. 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. You may only use one Weapon at a time in combat.</p></dd>
931 <dt>Bows and Arrows</dt>
933 <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 best to equip yourself also with a close combat Weapon, such as a Sword or an Axe.</p>
934 <p>In order to use a Bow you must possess a Quiver 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>
936 <dt>Backpack Items</dt>
938 <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>
939 <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 (e.g. Silver Mirror, Gold Key), or is clearly identified as a Backpack Item. Unless you are told that it is a Special Item, carry it in your Backpack.</p>
941 <dt>Special Items</dt>
943 <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 12.</p>
946 <dd><p>Your Kai Weapon is a Special Item and it can be carried and used in addition to two normal Weapons. If you possess the Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery for a weapon type which is the same as your unique Kai Weapon, you may add the Grand Weaponmastery bonus of +5 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. This is in addition to the bonus gained when you use your Kai Weapon in combat.</p></dd>
948 <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. However, if you have chosen Grand Huntmastery as one of your four Disciplines, then you will not need to tick off a Meal when instructed to eat.</p></dd>
949 <dt>Potion of Laumspur</dt>
950 <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>
953 <p>The currency of Chai is the Ren, though Gold Crowns are readily accepted. These coins are always carried in the Belt Pouch. It will hold a maximum of fifty Crowns (or 500 Ren).</p>
961 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="cmbtrulz">
963 <title>Rules for Combat</title>
964 <link class="prev" idref="equipmnt" />
965 <link class="next" idref="levels" />
969 <p>There will be occasions during your adventure when you will 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. Your 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 yourself.</p>
970 <p>At the start of a combat, enter your own 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>.</p>
971 <p>The sequence for combat is as follows:</p>
972 <ol class="paragraphed">
973 <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>
975 <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>
977 <p>You, Grand Master (<typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> 32), are attacked in a forest by a pack of Wild Dogs (<typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> 31). You are taken by surprise and are not given the opportunity of evading their attack. You possess the Grand Master Discipline of Kai-surge to which the Wild Dogs are not immune, so you add 8 points to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. You also possess the Kai Weapon <quote>Ulnarias</quote>, so you add an additional 5 points to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ>. This gives you a total <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> of 45.</p>
978 <p>You now subtract the Wild Dogs<ch.apos/> <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> from your own, giving a Combat Ratio of +14 (45<ch.minus/>31=+14). +14 is noted on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> as the Combat Ratio.</p>
980 <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>
982 <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 yourself and your enemy in this round of combat. (E represents points lost by the enemy; GM represents points lost by yourself<ch.emdash/>Grand Master.)</p>
984 <p>The Combat Ratio between you and the Wild Dogs has been established as +14. If the number picked from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> is 1, then the result of the first round of combat is:</p>
986 <li>You (GM) lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points (plus an additional 1 point for using Kai-surge. This loss is in addition to the loss suffered as a result of combat).</li>
987 <li>Wild Dogs lose 9 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</li>
990 <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>
991 <li><p>Unless otherwise instructed, or unless you have an option to evade, the next round of combat now starts.</p></li>
992 <li><p>Repeat the sequence from <a idref="stage3">Stage 3</a>.</p></li>
995 <p>This process of combat continues until the <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points of either your enemy or yourself are reduced to zero or below, at which point that combatant is declared dead. If you are declared dead, the adventure is over. If the enemy is dead, you can proceed but with your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points possibly reduced.</p>
996 <p>A <a idref="crsumary">summary of Combat Rules</a> appears in the back of this book.</p>
998 <section class="frontmatter" id="evasion">
999 <meta><title>Evasion of Combat</title></meta>
1002 <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 <strong>you</strong> may lose <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points during that round (such is the risk of turning tail and running away during combat!). You may only evade if the text of the particular section allows you to do so.</p>
1008 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="levels">
1010 <title>Levels of New Order Kai Grand Mastership</title>
1011 <link class="prev" idref="cmbtrulz" />
1012 <link class="next" idref="imprvdsc" />
1016 <footnote id="levels-1-foot" idref="levels-1">
1017 <p>It is unclear why a New Order Grand Master becomes a Supreme Master by mastering only 15 of the 16 Grand Master Disciplines. It is also unclear why New Order Grand Masters must master four extra Disciplines in order to receive the same improvements to their Disciplines as Lone Wolf did with fewer.</p>
1023 <p>The following table is a guide to the ranks 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 <cite>New Order</cite> 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>
1026 <li>Kai Grand Master Senior<ch.emdash/><em>You begin the <cite>New Order</cite> adventures at this level of Kai Grand Mastery</em><footref id="levels-1" idref="levels-1-foot"/></li>
1027 <li>Kai Grand Master Superior</li>
1028 <li>Kai Grand Sentinel</li>
1029 <li>Kai Grand Defender</li>
1030 <li>Kai Grand Guardian</li>
1034 <li>Grand Thane</li>
1035 <li>Grand Crown</li>
1037 <li>Kai Supreme Master</li>
1043 <section class="frontmatter-separate" id="imprvdsc">
1045 <title>Improved Grand Master Disciplines</title>
1046 <link class="prev" idref="levels" />
1047 <link class="next" idref="kaiwisdm" />
1051 <p>As you rise through the higher levels of Grand Mastery you will find that your Disciplines will steadily improve.</p>
1053 <section class="frontmatter" id="superior">
1054 <meta><title>Kai Grand Master Superior</title></meta>
1056 <p>If you are a New Order Kai who has attained the rank of Kai Grand Master Superior, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
1057 <dl class="paragraphed">
1058 <dt>Animal Mastery</dt>
1059 <dd><p>Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this Discipline are able to deter predatory animals in the wild by exuding a scent which is repellent to them. In order for this improved Discipline to work effectively, a Kai Grand Master Superior must be aware of the species of predatory animal he/she wishes to deter. The scent can only be detected by the targeted animal.</p></dd>
1060 <dt>Assimilance</dt>
1061 <dd><p>Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this skill are able to create a noise and project it up to 15 yards away from their location. The noise is akin to the rumbling sound of thunder and it can be used to distract or divert an enemy<ch.apos/>s attention. This improved Discipline requires a degree of preparation and therefore it cannot be used during combat.</p></dd>
1063 <dd><p>Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this Discipline are skilled in the use of all mechanical devices designed to measure and/or observe the cosmology of Magnamund. Such devices include sextants, astrolabes, and orreries.</p></dd>
1064 <dt>Herbmastery</dt>
1065 <dd><p>Kai Grand Master Superiors who have this Discipline are able to purify water, thereby making contaminated or briny water suitable for consumption. Roughly two pints of water per day can be purified using this skill alone. This daily total steadily increases as a Grand Master advances in rank.</p></dd>
1066 <dt>Elementalism</dt>
1067 <dd><p>Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this skill are able to condense pure water out of the surrounding air. This water can be made to fall as a fine spray or as a sudden deluge. It can also be made to fill any suitable container or receptacle. Using this skill, Grand Master Superiors can create the equivalent of one large bucketful of fresh water.</p></dd>
1068 <dt>Bardsmanship</dt>
1069 <dd><p>Kai Grand Master Superiors who possess this Discipline are able to utilize their musical skills to pacify an excited or hostile animal.</p></dd>
1074 <section class="frontmatter" id="sentinel">
1075 <meta><title>Kai Grand Sentinel</title></meta>
1078 <p>If you are a New Order Kai who has attained the rank of Kai Grand Sentinel, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
1079 <dl class="paragraphed">
1080 <dt>Grand Weaponmastery</dt>
1081 <dd><p>Kai Grand Sentinels who possess this Discipline are, when physically parted from their Kai Weapon, able to detect its location. This power of detection will pass through solid objects, with the notable exception of lead. Accuracy and range of detection steadily increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1082 <dt>Grand Pathsmanship</dt>
1083 <dd><p>Kai Grand Sentinels who possess this skill are able to predict the weather accurately for the forthcoming 3 hours. The range of this ability is an area 10 square miles around the Kai Grand Sentinel. Duration and range steadily increase as a Kai Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1085 <dd><p>Kai Grand Sentinels who possess this Discipline are able to detect psychic residues left on an object by its owner. The more valuable the object is to its owner, the stronger will be the lingering psychic attachment. The majority of everyday or shared objects do not retain such residues.</p></dd>
1086 <dt>Herbmastery</dt>
1087 <dd><p>Through their knowledge and use of common plants, Kai Grand Sentinels who have this Discipline are able to make contaminated or rotten food fit for human consumption.</p></dd>
1088 <dt>Elementalism</dt>
1089 <dd><p>Kai Grand Sentinels who possess this skill are able to charge particles of air electrically around any man-sized or smaller object. The particles will automatically discharge and cause damage should the affected object be touched or opened. Kai Grand Sentinels are able to handle a charged object without discharging it.</p></dd>
1090 <dt>Bardsmanship</dt>
1091 <dd><p>Kai Grand Sentinels who possess this Discipline are able to use their singing or playing to counter a hostile sonic attack. The effective use and range of this sonic defence steadily increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1096 <section class="frontmatter" id="defender">
1097 <meta><title>Kai Grand Defender</title></meta>
1100 <p>If you are a New Order Kai who has attained the rank of Kai Grand Defender, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
1101 <dl class="paragraphed">
1102 <dt>Deliverance</dt>
1103 <dd><p>Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline have the ability to repair the effects of natural decay in materials such as wood, stone, cloth, metal, etc. By touching the decaying object, a Kai Grand Defender is able to reverse damage caused by rot, rust, or mould.</p></dd>
1105 <dd><p>By use of this Discipline, a Kai Grand Defender is able to locate a known or familiar material object. Initially the range of this ability is limited to a 15-foot radius, however this distance steadily increases as a Kai Grand Master advances in rank.</p></dd>
1107 <dd><p>Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline are skilled in the use of all common astrological devices used to predict future events. Such devices include cards, dice, and crystal spheres.</p></dd>
1108 <dt>Herbmastery</dt>
1109 <dd><p>Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline are able to neutralize any poisonous toxins that may be present in organic materials such as plants, berries, and fruits. Through the use of this skill, the transformation of toxins can sometimes result in an increase in <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> and/or <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> when the previously poisonous matter is swallowed.</p></dd>
1110 <dt>Elementalism</dt>
1111 <dd><p>By using this Discipline, Kai Grand Defenders are able to summon up a dense, misty vapour to obscure themselves from both normal vision and infravision (night sight). This mist will occur within 5 feet of the Kai Grand Defender and will last for three to five minutes. Range and duration increase as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1112 <dt>Bardsmanship</dt>
1113 <dd><p>Kai Grand Defenders who possess this Discipline are able to use their musical skills to pacify (and/or implant a suggestion into the mind of) an intelligent creature within audible range. This improved Discipline is similar in effect to the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Mind Charm</spell> (Kai-alchemy).</p></dd>
1118 <section class="frontmatter" id="guardian">
1119 <meta><title>Kai Grand Guardian</title></meta>
1122 <p>If you are a New Order Kai who has attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
1123 <dl class="paragraphed">
1124 <dt>Assimilance</dt>
1125 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians who possess this skill are able to summon a cloud of fog-like vapour within 15 yards of their location. This fog will obscure both normal vision and infravision. The duration of the fog increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1126 <dt>Herbmastery</dt>
1127 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians who possess this Discipline are able to use their advanced knowledge of Herbmastery to produce explosive compounds from simple organic materials.</p></dd>
1128 <dt>Elementalism</dt>
1129 <dd><p>Through the use of this Discipline, Kai Grand Guardians are able to protect themselves from the effects of storm-force winds by creating a sphere of calm air around their bodies. Initially this protective bubble lasts for one minute, but duration steadily increases as a Grand Master ascends in Kai rank.</p></dd>
1130 <dt>Grand Huntmastery</dt>
1131 <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 can be very useful when used to outdistance a pursuing enemy.</p></dd>
1133 <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>
1135 <dd><p>Kai Grand Guardians who possess this Discipline are able to exercise a defensive psychic skill known as <spell>Mindblend</spell>. This cloaking ability enables a Kai Grand Guardian to protect their mind and also prevent it from being detected by a hostile psychic probe.</p></dd>
1138 <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>
1140 <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>
1141 <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>
1148 <section class="frontmatter" id="sunknight">
1149 <meta><title>Sun Knight</title></meta>
1152 <p>If you are a New Order Kai who has attained the rank of Sun Knight, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
1153 <dl class="paragraphed">
1154 <dt>Grand Weaponmastery</dt>
1155 <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>
1156 <dt>Grand Pathsmanship</dt>
1157 <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 number of insects so affected increase considerably as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1158 <dt>Deliverance</dt>
1159 <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 process takes place increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1161 <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>
1162 <dt>Grand Nexus</dt>
1163 <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>
1165 <dd><p>Sun Knights who have this Discipline are skilled in the art of chiromancy<ch.emdash/>the ability to tell fortunes from the skin creases and patterns found on the palms of hands.</p></dd>
1166 <dt>Bardsmanship</dt>
1167 <dd><p>Sun Knights who possess mastery of this Discipline are able to use their musical skills to launch sonic attacks against any individual within audible range. The effect of a sonic attack is dependent upon the target creature<ch.apos/>s sensitivity to sound (i.e. a deaf creature would be unaffected by such an attack).</p></dd>
1168 <dt>Kai-alchemy</dt>
1170 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Knight are able to use the following Brotherhood Spells:</p>
1172 <li><spell>Halt Missile</spell><ch.emdash/>This causes any projected or hurled missile (e.g. arrows, axes, crossbow bolts) 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 time in which to move away from the missile<ch.apos/>s 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>
1173 <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.</li>
1180 <section class="frontmatter" id="sunlord">
1181 <meta><title>Sun Lord</title></meta>
1184 <p>If you are a New Order Kai who has attained the rank of Sun Lord, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
1185 <dl class="paragraphed">
1186 <dt>Grand Weaponmastery</dt>
1187 <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>
1188 <dt>Herbmastery</dt>
1189 <dd><p>Sun Lords who possess this Discipline are able to cause living plants, e.g. grasses, bushes, flowers, weeds, rushes, to entwine themselves around the limbs of hostile creatures, thereby hampering their free movement. Sun Lords are able to target only one creature in this way. An additional creature can be affected for every level a Grand Master rises above the rank of Sun Lord.</p></dd>
1190 <dt>Assimilance</dt>
1191 <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>
1192 <dt>Grand Huntmastery</dt>
1193 <dd><p>Kai Sun Lords with this skill are able to see, with acute accuracy, light in the infrared spectrum, i.e. they can see the complex patterns generated by heat in near or total darkness. They can also see light in the ultraviolet spectrum.</p></dd>
1195 <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>
1197 <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<ch.emdash/>and degree of surface difficulty<ch.emdash/>increases as a Grand Master rises in rank.</p></dd>
1200 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Lord are able to use the following battle-spells of the Elder Magi:</p>
1202 <li><spell>Penetrate</spell><ch.emdash/>This increases the penetrative energy of any Arrow, or Arrow-like missile, launched by a Sun Lord.</li>
1203 <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 Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell>. It differs in that it is easier to control and channel the resulting energy. It also requires the actual touching of an object or enemy to effect the spell.</li>
1206 <dt>Bardsmanship</dt>
1207 <dd><p>Kai Sun Lords with this skill are able to direct their musical abilities to disrupt the structure of inanimate breakable objects, e.g. glass, ceramics, urns, flasks, causing them to explode violently. Any person or creature in close proximity to the destroyed object risks injury from flying fragments.</p></dd>
1212 <section class="frontmatter" id="sunthane">
1213 <meta><title>Sun Thane</title></meta>
1216 <p>If you are a New Order Kai who has attained the rank of Sun Thane, you will now benefit from improvements to the following Grand Master Disciplines:</p>
1217 <dl class="paragraphed">
1219 <dd><p>Sun Thanes who possess this Discipline are expert in the art of hypnotism. By the use of a hypnotic stare, they are able to cause susceptible creatures (up to three individuals at any one time) willingly to carry out their orders. The number of creatures so affected<ch.emdash/>and the duration of the effect<ch.emdash/>increases steadily as a Sun Thane advances in Kai rank.</p></dd>
1220 <dt>Animal Mastery</dt>
1221 <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; however 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>
1222 <dt>Grand Huntmastery</dt>
1223 <dd><p>Kai Sun Thanes with this skill are able to protect themselves from the effects of being struck by natural electrical discharges, i.e. lightning.</p></dd>
1224 <dt>Deliverance</dt>
1225 <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>
1226 <dt>Elementalism</dt>
1227 <dd><p>Sun Thanes who possess this Discipline are able to accelerate greatly the oxidation (rusting) of ferrous metals simply by touch alone. The longer the metallic item is touched by a Sun Thane, the more damaging will be the effect.</p></dd>
1228 <dt>Grand Pathsmanship</dt>
1229 <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>
1231 <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>
1232 <dt>Kai-alchemy</dt>
1234 <p>Grand Masters who have reached the rank of Sun Thane are able to use the following Brotherhood Spells:</p>
1236 <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>
1237 <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>
1244 <p>The nature of additional improvements and how they affect your existing Grand Disciplines will be noted in the Improved Grand Master Disciplines section of future <cite>Lone Wolf New Order</cite> books.</p>
1251 <section class="frontmatter" id="kaiwisdm">
1253 <title>New Order Wisdom</title>
1254 <link class="prev" idref="imprvdsc" />
1255 <link class="next" idref="sect1" />
1259 <p>Grand Master, you are about to embark upon a difficult and dangerous mission. The aged Khea-khan of Chai is one of Sommerlund<ch.apos/>s oldest and most venerable allies. He is physically frail, yet he is revered almost like a god by his loyal subjects. Only he can rally the New Kingdoms to rise up and defy the mighty armies of Autarch Sejanoz. He must be escorted swiftly and safely to Tazhan, for if he is captured or slain by the enemy then all hopes for peace in Southern Magnamund will be dashed.</p>
1261 <p>During your mission you may encounter many strong and wily adversaries. Your journey across the Great Lissan Plain will be fraught with danger at every turn, so remain on your guard at all times.</p>
1263 <p>Some of the material items that you find will be of use to you, but others may be red herrings of no real value at all. If you discover items during your mission, be selective in what you choose to keep. Pick your initial four Grand Master Disciplines with care for a wise choice will enable anyone to complete the quest, no matter how weak their initial <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> and <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> scores may be. Completion of previous <cite>Lone Wolf</cite> adventures (Books 1<ch.endash/>27) may be advantageous, but it is not essential for the successful completion of this <cite>New Order</cite> adventure.</p>
1265 <p>May the Gods Kai and Ishir guide and protect you during your vital mission.</p>
1267 <p>For Sommerlund and the Kai!</p>
1271 <section class="numbered" id="numbered">
1272 <meta><title>Numbered Sections</title></meta>
1276 <section class="numbered" id="sect1">
1277 <meta><title>1</title></meta>
1280 <p>An electric hum fills the throne room of the Khea-khan<ch.apos/>s palace as the chosen courtiers and guards make swift preparation for the evacuation to Tazhan. In the midst of all this frantic activity, the aged ruler of Chai sits upon his ebony throne and confers with his trusted advisor, Kau-Doshin, the head of the Imperial Palace household. The lines etched deeply upon their faces convey the gravity of the hushed words that pass between them.</p>
1281 <p>In a far corner of the chamber you see Princess Mitzu consoling her tearful son, the five-year-old Prince Kamada. He is the Khea-khan<ch.apos/>s great-great-grandson, and he is next in line to rule Chai upon the death of venerable Xo-lin. Having comforted him and dried his tears, Princess Mitzu places the young boy into the charge of his matronly tutor, Shavane. Then Mitzu leaves the throne room, passing by Guard Captain Chan who is entering through its grand arched doorway. Dutifully, he clicks his heels and salutes as the Princess glides past him with regal grace.</p>
1282 <p>Chan scans the throne room and narrows his sharp almond eyes when he catches sight of you. The Guard Captain will be responsible for the personal safety of the Imperial Family during the overland journey to Tazhan, and as he strides across the throne room towards you, it is easy to see why this <ch.eacute/>lite warrior has been entrusted with such an unenviable task.</p>
1283 <p><quote>Hail, Grand Master,</quote> he booms in greeting. <quote>It pleases me greatly that you have chosen to accompany us to Tazhan. I welcome your valued assistance.</quote></p>
1284 <p>You return Chan<ch.apos/>s formal compliment and then ask him when the Imperial Caravan will be leaving.</p>
1285 <p><quote>Within the hour, my lord,</quote> he replies. He pauses to wipe away a trickle of sweat from the brow of his wide oval head, and then he says in a quieter tone: <quote>I see you possess a fine Kai blade.</quote> His eyes glitter as he looks upon the Kai Weapon that is sheathed at your side. <quote>As you can see, I am myself unarmed. Before we depart I must visit the Imperial Palace Armoury and equip myself. Would you care to accompany me? I trust you<ch.apos/>ll be impressed by the quality of Chai weaponry, and you<ch.apos/>ll be very welcome to take any item you find desirable.</quote></p>
1286 <choice idref="sect237">If you wish to accompany Captain Chan on a visit to the Imperial Palace Armoury, <link-text>turn to 237</link-text>.</choice>
1287 <choice idref="sect187">If you choose to decline his offer, <link-text>turn to 187</link-text>.</choice>
1291 <section class="numbered" id="sect2">
1292 <meta><title>2</title></meta>
1295 <p>Captain Chan orders that lighted torches be dropped into the bore holes. His troopers comply, and soon you feel the tremors of explosions that occur when these burning brands ignite other Nahba Worms hidden deep in their underground burrows.</p>
1296 <p>Chan details every trooper to stand watch for the remainder of this night in case any worms have escaped the destruction. Fortunately for them it is a short watch; the sun breaks the eastern horizon within the hour, and soon afterwards the caravan is ready to leave this treacherous valley.</p>
1297 <choice idref="sect130"><link-text>Turn to 130</link-text>.</choice>
1301 <section class="numbered" id="sect3">
1302 <meta><title>3</title></meta>
1305 <p>Six swarthy-faced tomb robbers emerge from the crypt, carrying sacks filled to bursting with stolen burial ornaments and treasures. As they clumsily load their ill-gotten gains onto their wagon, you take cover behind a fan-shaped tombstone. Suddenly the soft ground shifts beneath your feet and you feel yourself sinking. You grab the tombstone to steady yourself but, as you do so, you let slip a stifled cry of alarm. To your dismay, the robbers hear your cry and come rushing back to the graveyard to investigate.</p>
1307 <illustration class="float">
1309 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
1310 <description>The gang of robbers emerges from the dark crypt.</description>
1312 <instance class="html" src="ill1.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
1313 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill1.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
1314 <instance class="pdf" src="ill1.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
1317 <choice idref="sect225"><link-text>Turn to 225</link-text>.</choice>
1321 <section class="numbered" id="sect4">
1322 <meta><title>4</title></meta>
1325 <p>After the blazing heat of the plains, the dark coolness of the catacombs comes as a blessed relief to the aged Khea-khan and his family. Kau-Doshin oversees the transfer of Xo-lin and his entourage from the caravan to their underground abode, and Kasarian helps make his imperial guests as comfortable as possible. When all of the family and the entourage are safely underground, Chan posts guards at the great stone portal.</p>
1326 <choice idref="sect154"><link-text>Turn to 154</link-text>.</choice>
1330 <section class="numbered" id="sect5">
1331 <meta><title>5</title></meta>
1334 <p><quote>I shall endeavour to, your majesty,</quote> you reply, uneasily. You ask Mitzu for some details about the Prince, such as the place, the date, and the time of his birth. Then you look out across the balcony to the night sky and see that the stars are partially obscured by low clouds, driven on by a stiff easterly breeze. Conditions are far from ideal, but there are sufficient breaks in these scudding clouds for you to be able to discern the position of the constellations. Using your astrological knowledge of the heavens, and the information supplied by Mitzu, you discover to your dismay that the stars hold a disturbing prediction for her young son<ch.apos/>s future.</p>
1335 <choice idref="sect101"><link-text>Turn to 101</link-text>.</choice>
1339 <section class="numbered" id="sect6">
1340 <meta><title>6</title></meta>
1343 <footnote id="sect6-1-foot" idref="sect6-1">
1344 <p>If you do not possess a Bow, it seems unlikely that you will be able to make effective use of the Arrow of Atonement against the Autarch. You may decide that you have had a chance after acquiring the Arrow of Atonement to also find a Bow (mark the Bow on your Action Chart, discarding another Weapon if necessary), that you are still able to use the Arrow of Atonement without a Bow, or that not having a Bow leads to a failure to accomplish your mission. Use your best judgement.</p>
1350 <p>You catch up with the Autarch in a chamber heaped with rubble and earth. He is ascending the mound towards a hole in the ceiling that was made by the shells from his steam-cannon. You quickly draw the Arrow of Atonement to your Bow<footref id="sect6-1" idref="sect6-1-foot"/> and command the tyrant to free the young Prince. The sound of your voice makes him spin around and curse you vilely through the visor of his tiger helm. Prince Kamada wriggles like a snake and suddenly he escapes from the Autarch<ch.apos/>s grasp. Before the evil Sejanoz can snatch him back, you release your Arrow of Atonement and send it whistling towards his foul heart.</p>
1351 <choice idref="sect113"><link-text>Turn to 113</link-text>.</choice>
1355 <section class="numbered" id="sect7">
1356 <meta><title>7</title></meta>
1359 <p>You thank Vannar and promise that you will use the weapon wisely. He smiles benignly, and then he offers to show you a swift way to reach the surface of Zanaza. You accept his offer and follow him into the adjoining chamber where he opens a concealed panel in the wall. Beyond, you see a narrow flight of steps which ascend to an oval door.</p>
1360 <p><quote>That door leads to the streets,</quote> he says. You ask him if he wishes to leave with you, but he shakes his head firmly in reply.</p>
1361 <p><quote>Now that you have put paid to the robbers, my home is my own once more. I shall stay here.</quote> You bid farewell to Vannar, and then you climb the steps and leave through the oval door.</p>
1362 <p>On your return to the caravan encampment, you discover that everyone is asleep except the sentries. Before you settle down to rest, unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1363 <choice idref="sect247">To continue, <link-text>turn to 247</link-text>.</choice>
1367 <section class="numbered" id="sect8">
1368 <meta><title>8</title></meta>
1371 <p>Splashes of the creature<ch.apos/>s caustic blood and saliva draw wisps of smoke from the sleeves of your tunic. Quickly you run to a geyser pool and wash this vile fluid away before it eats through to your skin. As you are cleaning your clothes, you notice to your dismay that the caustic fluid has eaten a hole in your Belt Pouch and you have lost half of your coins.</p>
1372 <p>You must reduce your current total of coins by half. Remember to make the necessary adjustment in the Belt Pouch section of your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> before continuing.</p>
1373 <choice idref="sect2"><link-text>Turn to 2</link-text>.</choice>
1377 <section class="numbered" id="sect9">
1378 <meta><title>9</title></meta>
1381 <p>The fight comes to an abrupt end when you deal the last living creature a mighty blow to the base of its deformed head. As it falls lifelessly to the ground, Sergeant Yeng rushes to check that his men have also survived intact. Cautiously you inspect the bodies of the slain beasts and quickly determine that all three are of Agarashi descent. They have probably come down from the Hyunsei foothills in a desperate search for prey, for the corpses are emaciated by hunger. Sergeant Yeng confirms your suspicions. He tells you that long ago, during the Age of Eternal Night, this land was stalked by Agarashi<ch.emdash/>the hellish creations of Agarash the Damned. When Agarash was destroyed by the Elder Magi, his creations were scattered across the wilderness and plains of Chai. The descendants of these beasts are still alive today, hiding in hills, burrows, and caves. They do not usually attack travellers unless driven by disease or famine.</p>
1382 <p>Using your tracking skills, you quickly determine that there are no other creatures like these in this vicinity. Only then do you and the troopers remount your horses and continue along the highway towards the Javai Forest. A few miles short of the forest you discover a freshwater spring which is forded by the highway. It is an ideal site for a night camp, and so you send one of Yeng<ch.apos/>s men back to the caravan to tell them that you shall await their arrival here.</p>
1383 <p>During your wait for the caravan, unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1384 <choice idref="sect45">To continue, <link-text>turn to 45</link-text>.</choice>
1388 <section class="numbered" id="sect10">
1389 <meta><title>10</title></meta>
1392 <p>You wrench the spike of ice from your leg and force yourself back onto your feet. Chan is close behind you, and both of the angry ice-creatures are now perilously close behind him. As you stagger and stumble headlong through the dense undergrowth, bolts of ice whistle through the branches with spectacular effect.</p>
1393 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1394 <choice idref="sect228">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 228</link-text>.</choice>
1395 <choice idref="sect43">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 43</link-text>.</choice>
1399 <section class="numbered" id="sect11">
1400 <meta><title>11</title></meta>
1403 <p>Once you have rounded up your horses, you return to the caravan and report what has happened to the Khea-khan<ch.apos/>s advisor, Kau-Doshin. The wise old counsellor tells Chan that the column must continue east along the highway without further delay. Going by the descriptions of the creatures that you encountered in the copse, he determines that they were Krakalla, a powerful breed of Agarashi he thought resided only in the Dammerdon Mountains, north of Bhanar. <quote>I fear they may be part of the Autarch<ch.apos/>s army,</quote> he says. <quote>If my suspicions prove correct, then we are in far graver danger than I dared imagine.</quote></p>
1404 <p>Galvanized by his encounter with the fearsome Krakalla, Chan wastes no time in getting the caravan rolling once more. Later, an overnight camp is pitched on the highway itself, near a sleepy hamlet called Sansei, and the following day you make swift progress on the sun-baked highway.</p>
1405 <p>Shortly before noon of the third day of your journey to Rakholi, the caravan column crests the rim of a wide valley that lies 50 miles from the banks of the Tkukoma. Spread out before you now is the Vale of Nahba, a spectacularly strange region of the Chai Plain that is punctuated with hundreds of bore holes and geysers. Great columns of steam and scalding water are hurled skywards, driven by the pressure of gases escaping from deep below the surface. Some of the fissures descend for miles, passing close to the planet<ch.apos/>s molten core.</p>
1406 <p>The highway traverses this alien landscape and, as darkness approaches, you find yourself at a place near the eastern rim of the vale. A night camp is established here among the bubbling pools and hollows, and an evening meal of poached eggs and steamed fish is prepared. After supper, you settle down and try to get some sleep, despite the constant distraction of the eerie noises that echo across this strange valley.</p>
1407 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1408 <choice idref="sect288">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 288</link-text>.</choice>
1409 <choice idref="sect30">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 30</link-text>.</choice>
1413 <section class="numbered" id="sect12">
1414 <meta><title>12</title></meta>
1417 <p>As the fog that fills the room begins to dissipate, you stoop to retrieve your Kai Weapon from the hand of a dead tomb robber. You carefully wipe its blade clean before sheathing it in your scabbard. (You may now restore the details of your Kai Weapon to your <a idref="action">list of Special Items</a>.)</p>
1418 <p>A brief search of this room reveals a large amount of stolen graveyard booty, but there is nothing here of any practical value to you. To one side of the room<ch.apos/>s brick fireplace you discover a bolted door, and you sense that someone is being held captive in the room beyond. Cautiously you draw back the bolt and tug on the door handle. As it creaks open, you are assailed by a revolting smell that even your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus cannot counter. Burying your mouth and nose in the sleeve of your tunic, you take your first tentative step into the gloomy chamber beyond.</p>
1419 <choice idref="sect240"><link-text>Turn to 240</link-text>.</choice>
1423 <section class="numbered" id="sect13">
1424 <meta><title>13</title></meta>
1427 <p>Yeng unsheathes his army dagger and presses its razor-sharp blade to the prisoner<ch.apos/>s throat. <quote>Talk now, you dog<ch.emdash/>or you<ch.apos/>ll never talk again,</quote> he growls. The prisoner grits his teeth and refuses to answer.</p>
1428 <p><quote>Here, let me try, Sergeant,</quote> you say, as you ease the dagger from Yeng<ch.apos/>s hand. <quote>I can see our friend is not afraid of death.</quote> You speak the words slowly, and hold the blade so that the light of the campfire is reflected directly into the prisoner<ch.apos/>s eyes. <quote>But there are many things that are worse than death.</quote></p>
1429 <p>You raise your left forearm and slowly you draw the sharp blade across the back of your wrist. Blood trickles from the open wound, and those nearby gasp with fearful amazement.</p>
1430 <p><quote>Just think on this, my friend. If I<ch.apos/>m prepared to do this to myself, what will I be prepared to do to you, eh?</quote></p>
1431 <p>Suddenly the man<ch.apos/>s nerve breaks. Cold sweat beads on his forehead and falteringly he beings to talk.</p>
1432 <choice idref="sect210"><link-text>Turn to 210</link-text>.</choice>
1436 <section class="numbered" id="sect14">
1437 <meta><title>14</title></meta>
1440 <p>You are convinced that an innocent man is being accused of a crime he did not commit. To help find the true culprit, you concentrate upon your Kai Sixth Sense and then you look in turn at each person who is gathered here. Slowly your eyes are drawn to Shavane, and your stomach churns when you feel waves of evil radiating from an amulet that she wears on a chain around her neck. You cannot see the amulet for it is covered by her silk jerkin.</p>
1441 <choice idref="sect256">If you wish to snatch the amulet from her neck, <link-text>turn to 256</link-text>.</choice>
1442 <choice idref="sect117">If you wish to demand that she reveal it, <link-text>turn to 117</link-text>.</choice>
1446 <section class="numbered" id="sect15">
1447 <meta><title>15</title></meta>
1450 <p>Your Kai skills reveal to you that the centre of this bough is riddled with dry rot. If you were to use this wood to prop up the axle, there is a very real danger that it will collapse under the weight of the carriage. Using your improved Kai Discipline, you are able to reverse the effects of the rot that has eaten into the core of this bough and restore its strength. Once you are satisfied that the process is complete, you help the troopers to place the bough into position.</p>
1451 <choice idref="sect252"><link-text>Turn to 252</link-text>.</choice>
1455 <section class="numbered" id="sect16">
1456 <meta><title>16</title></meta>
1459 <p>Determinedly you follow the robbers<ch.apos/> trail deep into the heart of the ruined city. It leads you to the cellar of a derelict tavern where a hole in the wall gives access to an ancient tunnel. At the end of this tunnel you come to a T-junction where two smaller passageways head off to the left and right. Fresh tracks can be seen in the dusty ground leading away in both directions.</p>
1460 <choice idref="sect144">If you possess Grand Weaponmastery and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Sentinel, <link-text>turn to 144</link-text>.</choice>
1461 <choice idref="sect107">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 107</link-text>.</choice>
1465 <section class="numbered" id="sect17">
1466 <meta><title>17</title></meta>
1469 <p>Your shaft sinks deeply into the creature<ch.apos/>s ghastly hide, yet it does not prevent the loathsome worm from spitting its caustic saliva at you once more.</p>
1470 <p>The corrosive saliva splashes your left arm and, within seconds, this vile fluid eats through the cloth of your tunic and sears your flesh: lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1471 <p>Aided by your Magnakai Disciplines of Nexus and Curing, you hold back the pain and recover in time to launch another attack upon this burrowing horror.</p>
1472 <combat><enemy>Nahba Worm</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">45</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
1473 <choice idref="sect8">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 8</link-text>.</choice>
1477 <section class="numbered" id="sect18">
1478 <meta><title>18</title></meta>
1481 <p>As the carriage draws level with your horse, you leap from the saddle and scramble onto the roof. You are drawing your Kai Weapon from its sheath when one of the two remaining monsters lashes out at you with its razor-sharp talons. You shield your face with your free arm, but its cruel claws slash your unarmoured limb: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points. You must now fight them.</p>
1483 <illustration class="float">
1485 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
1486 <description>The evil creature lunges towards you with its teeth bared.</description>
1488 <instance class="html" src="ill2.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
1489 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill2.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
1490 <instance class="pdf" src="ill2.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
1493 <combat><enemy>Chagarashi</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">42</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">38</enemy-attribute></combat>
1494 <p>Ignore any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> loss you may inflict upon your enemy in the first two rounds of combat, due to the effectiveness of its initial attack.</p>
1495 <choice idref="sect280">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 280</link-text>.</choice>
1499 <section class="numbered" id="sect19">
1500 <meta><title>19</title></meta>
1503 <p>Chan drags you to your feet and helps you to press on through the tangle of foliage. Soon the densely-packed trees confound your hulking pursuers and you are able to outdistance them. When you sense that it is safe to halt, you throw yourself down upon the cool earth and fight to catch your breath. Chan throws himself down close by, and you can tell that he is shocked and saddened by the ferocity of the encounter and the loss of his favourite stallion. But he proves himself to be resilient and, within the space of a few short minutes, he is back on his feet and ready to go.</p>
1504 <p><quote>Come, my lord,</quote> he says, resolutely. <quote>We must press on. Let us flee this accursed place.</quote></p>
1505 <choice idref="sect121"><link-text>Turn to 121</link-text>.</choice>
1509 <section class="numbered" id="sect20">
1510 <meta><title>20</title></meta>
1513 <p>Kumal smiles and bids you good evening. After an hour, the dancing and music stop when the Khea-khan retires to his tent to sleep. Bazan posts his personal bodyguards at the entrance to ensure his imperial guest<ch.apos/>s safety, and both you and Chan are invited to inspect them. Once you are satisfied that Xo-lin is in good hands, you retire to your own tent to rest.</p>
1515 <illustration class="inline">
1517 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
1519 <instance class="html" src="small3.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
1520 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small3.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
1521 <instance class="pdf" src="small3.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
1524 <p>Shortly before dawn, you are awoken by one of Bazan<ch.apos/>s servant girls. She prepares for you a hot bath with scented oils, and while you are bathing she brings you a platter of cold meats and exotic fruits. When the time comes you feel a little sad to have to leave Rakholi, but you know that you must continue the journey to Tazhan without delay.</p>
1525 <p>Bazan and all of his servants turn out to bid the caravan farewell. As parting gifts, he presents the Khea-khan with a pair of magnificent horses, both prime Lissanian stallions. He also pledges to do everything in his power to delay the enemy until the caravan reaches Tazhan, and he vows to join with the New Kingdom armies upon the Khea-khan<ch.apos/>s return to Chai. Kau-Doshin conveys to him Xo-lin<ch.apos/>s thanks, and then you set off on the three-day journey to the ruined city of Zanaza.</p>
1526 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1527 <choice idref="sect217">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>3, <link-text>turn to 217</link-text>.</choice>
1528 <choice idref="sect64">If it is 4<ch.endash/>6, <link-text>turn to 64</link-text>.</choice>
1529 <choice idref="sect163">If it is 7<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 163</link-text>.</choice>
1533 <section class="numbered" id="sect21">
1534 <meta><title>21</title></meta>
1537 <p>The force of the explosion sends you tumbling backwards from the battlements to land heavily on the ground below: lose 5 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1538 <choice idref="sect281">If you have survived this injury, <link-text>turn to 281</link-text>.</choice>
1542 <section class="numbered" id="sect22">
1543 <meta><title>22</title></meta>
1546 <p>Hurriedly, you recite the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Halt Missile</spell>, and sweep your hand before your face with a circular motion. Kronar<ch.apos/>s arrow strikes the invisible shield created by your spell, and shatters harmlessly into a hundred pieces. Chan flattens himself to the neck of his horse to avoid the other arrow, and its barbed tip grazes his shoulder.</p>
1547 <choice idref="sect112"><link-text>Turn to 112</link-text>.</choice>
1551 <section class="numbered" id="sect23">
1552 <meta><title>23</title></meta>
1555 <p>Gradually the pain in your lungs becomes unbearable and you exhale the last of your breath. As they fill with water, you slip into a state of unconsciousness from which you will never be revived.</p>
1556 <deadend>Sadly, your life and your quest end here.</deadend>
1560 <section class="numbered" id="sect24">
1561 <meta><title>24</title></meta>
1564 <p>As the dust clears, you peer over the battlements and magnify your vision. You see that the enemy has a steam-cannon, and you shout a warning to Captain Kasarian who is standing near the main gate. He orders his men to retreat from the battlements to minimize the risk of casualties. The garrison troops obey his command and take up new positions at arrow slits along the base wall. There they await the enemy<ch.apos/>s advance; they do not have to wait very long.</p>
1565 <choice idref="sect133">If you wish to stay on the battlements, <link-text>turn to 133</link-text>.</choice>
1566 <choice idref="sect59">If you decide to descend the steps to the main gate, <link-text>turn to 59</link-text>.</choice>
1570 <section class="numbered" id="sect25">
1571 <meta><title>25</title></meta>
1574 <p>As the bandit falls dead at your feet, Sergeant Yeng and his comrade come crashing through the foliage and leap into the hide. Yeng is amazed that you have put paid to the bandits so quickly, and when he turns them over with the toe of his boot, he quickly identifies them as members of the gang led by Captain Kronar<ch.emdash/>the renegade Chai army officer. Yeng raises his sword to finish off the unconscious bandit but you stay his hand.</p>
1575 <p><quote>We<ch.apos/>ll take this one back with us,</quote> you say. <quote>He may be of more use to us alive than dead.</quote></p>
1576 <p>Your return to the encampment with a prisoner causes quite a stir. Captain Chan is anxious to question the man, and he orders Yeng to throw a pail of cold spring water over him, but this fails to revive the unconscious bandit. Then you approach the man and use your Kai healing skills in an attempt to restore him to consciousness. A small circle of curious courtiers gather to watch, and they gasp with amazement when he suddenly awakes with a start. With fear-filled eyes, the man returns the stares of his captors and begins to beg for mercy.</p>
1577 <p>Sergeant Yeng slaps his face with the back of his calloused hand and demands that he identify himself. Immediately, the bandit clamps his jaw shut and refuses to utter another sound. You use your psychic skills to probe his mind and discover that he is unusually strong-willed and resilient. You sense that he would be unlikely to break under physical torture.</p>
1578 <choice idref="sect80">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 80</link-text>.</choice>
1579 <choice idref="sect231">If you possess Kai-surge and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 231</link-text>.</choice>
1580 <choice idref="sect13">If you possess neither of these skills, or if you decide not to use them, <link-text>turn to 13</link-text>.</choice>
1584 <section class="numbered" id="sect26">
1585 <meta><title>26</title></meta>
1588 <p>Your Arrow strikes one of the worm<ch.apos/>s vital organs and then the creature swiftly retreats into its bore hole, shrieking hideously.</p>
1589 <choice idref="sect2">To continue, <link-text>turn to 2</link-text>.</choice>
1593 <section class="numbered" id="sect27">
1594 <meta><title>27</title></meta>
1597 <p>You detect the faint outline of dusty footprints leading across the chamber to the opposite door. You are eager to follow them, but your Kai Sixth Sense is making you feel uncertain that it is safe to do so.</p>
1598 <choice idref="sect168">If you choose to ignore your Sixth Sense and cross the chamber to the door opposite, <link-text>turn to 168</link-text>.</choice>
1599 <choice idref="sect290">If you decide to heed your Sixth Sense, you can turn back and explore the other passageway by <link-text>turning to 290</link-text>.</choice>
1603 <section class="numbered" id="sect28">
1604 <meta><title>28</title></meta>
1607 <p>You call upon your Magnakai Discipline of Psi-screen to repel this sudden psychic attack, and slowly the pain retreats from your skull: lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1608 <choice idref="sect147">To continue, <link-text>turn to 147</link-text>.</choice>
1612 <section class="numbered" id="sect29">
1613 <meta><title>29</title></meta>
1616 <p>The tip of a barbed arrow rips open the padded upper sleeve of your tunic and scrapes a furrow of flesh from your shoulder. The sudden pain makes you cry out, but you quickly recover your composure and use your Kai healing skills to staunch the flow of blood: lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point.</p>
1617 <choice idref="sect40">To continue, <link-text>turn to 40</link-text>.</choice>
1621 <section class="numbered" id="sect30">
1622 <meta><title>30</title></meta>
1625 <p>You are awoken in the middle of the night by the noise of a powerful hissing explosion. You reach for your Kai Weapon and leap to your feet, but as your vision adjusts to the darkness, you feel scalding hot water pouring down upon you from the heavens. Suddenly you realize that you are caught in the falling deluge from an exploding geyser, and you are in very real danger of being boiled alive where you stand.</p>
1626 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Nexus, add 3 to the number you have picked.</p>
1627 <choice idref="sect180">If your total score is now 4 or lower, <link-text>turn to 180</link-text>.</choice>
1628 <choice idref="sect98">If it is 5 or higher, <link-text>turn to 98</link-text>.</choice>
1632 <section class="numbered" id="sect31">
1633 <meta><title>31</title></meta>
1636 <p>You draw upon your mastery to raise the air temperature around the creatures. As it warms, they are engulfed by a cloud of fog-like vapour that you hope will obscure their vision. One of the creatures stumbles and falls, but the other bursts through the cloud and it launches a fearsome attack.</p>
1637 <choice idref="sect164"><link-text>Turn to 164</link-text>.</choice>
1641 <section class="numbered" id="sect32">
1642 <meta><title>32</title></meta>
1645 <p>You note teeth marks around the head and shoulders of the toy soldier, and when you hold it to your nose you detect a bitter odour that you recognize immediately. It is the aroma of graveweed<ch.emdash/>a deadly poison.</p>
1646 <p>With one swift blow you strike the head of the toy against the carriage door and snap it off, releasing a stream of black powder from its hollow body. <quote>This is the cause of your son<ch.apos/>s sickness,</quote> you say. <quote>It is powered graveweed.</quote></p>
1647 <choice idref="sect47"><link-text>Turn to 47</link-text>.</choice>
1651 <section class="numbered" id="sect33">
1652 <meta><title>33</title></meta>
1655 <p>You speak the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell>, and extend your right fist towards the warrior. A tingle runs down your arm and a burst of blue-white light illuminates the crypt when a bolt of energy jumps from your hand to explode in the middle of the Guard Captain<ch.apos/>s chest, killing him instantly.</p>
1656 <choice idref="sect137"><link-text>Turn to 137</link-text>.</choice>
1660 <section class="numbered" id="sect34">
1661 <meta><title>34</title></meta>
1664 <p>Chan accepts your refusal in good spirit and he offers the Xi-die to you as a present, a token of his respect for your reputation and your innate Kai skills.</p>
1665 <p>If you wish to accept Chan<ch.apos/>s gift, record the Xi-die on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> as a Special Item that you keep in the pocket of your tunic. You need not discard another Special Item if you already hold the maximum number permissible.</p>
1666 <choice idref="sect204">To continue, <link-text>turn to 204</link-text>.</choice>
1670 <section class="numbered" id="sect35">
1671 <meta><title>35</title></meta>
1674 <p>Your swift reflexes save you from the onrushing missile and you are able to scramble through the foliage and effect a hasty escape. Chan is close behind you, and both of the angry ice-creatures are perilously close behind him. As you stagger and stumble headlong through the dense undergrowth, bolts of ice whistle through the branches with spectacular effect.</p>
1675 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1676 <choice idref="sect228">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 228</link-text>.</choice>
1677 <choice idref="sect43">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 43</link-text>.</choice>
1681 <section class="numbered" id="sect36">
1682 <meta><title>36</title></meta>
1685 <p>Chan approves of your wish to investigate the <foreign xml:lang="x-chaian">yansi</foreign> and asks only that you do not spend too much time there. You agree to this proviso before riding to the entrance of the burial cairn. At once you detect that this <foreign xml:lang="x-chaian">yansi</foreign> has suffered an unwelcome visit from tomb robbers at some time in the past, for its solid stone portal has been shattered by repeated hammer blows. You dismount and descend a flight of narrow steps that lead down into a cool, dark chamber. At first sight this solitary chamber appears to have been stripped of its contents, but when you use your Kai tracking skills, you detect something that the tomb robbers failed to find: a concealed trapdoor. Closer examination of this hidden portal in the floor reveals that it is protected by a magical spell.</p>
1686 <choice idref="sect233">If you possess Kai-alchemy and have reached the rank of Sun Knight, <link-text>turn to 233</link-text>.</choice>
1687 <choice idref="sect185">If you possess Kai-alchemy and have attained any rank up to that of Kai Grand Guardian, <link-text>turn to 185</link-text>.</choice>
1688 <choice idref="sect76">If you do not possess Kai-alchemy, or if you choose not to use it, <link-text>turn instead to 76</link-text>.</choice>
1692 <section class="numbered" id="sect37">
1693 <meta><title>37</title></meta>
1696 <p>You retreat from the gate with the other troops and take up a position behind a barricade in the central square, set before the inner keep. You hear the boom of the steam-cannon, but there is no explosion at the main gate or anywhere else inside the fort. Your Kai Sixth Sense tingles with the presentiment that something is very wrong, and this feeling prompts you to hurry back to the main gate as fast as you can.</p>
1697 <choice idref="sect278"><link-text>Turn to 278</link-text>.</choice>
1701 <section class="numbered" id="sect38">
1702 <meta><title>38</title></meta>
1705 <p>As you progress along the corridor, you hear the sound of voices getting steadily louder. You recognize them to be the voices of the tomb robbers who stole your Kai Weapon. They are gloating over your blade, and you hear one man say that it must be worth more than all the treasures of the graveyard put together. At the end of the corridor you see an arched wooden door, banded with strips of black iron. You peer carefully through its keyhole and see the robbers in the room beyond, silhouetted against the flames of a log fire. With grim determination you resolve to attack them and recapture your stolen blade.</p>
1706 <choice idref="sect254">If you possess Kai-surge and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, <link-text>turn to 254</link-text>.</choice>
1707 <choice idref="sect136">If you possess Assimilance and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, <link-text>turn to 136</link-text>.</choice>
1708 <choice idref="sect71">If you possess neither of these skills, have not attained the required rank, or if you should choose not to use them, <link-text>turn to 71</link-text>.</choice>
1712 <section class="numbered" id="sect39">
1713 <meta><title>39</title></meta>
1716 <p>You draw your weapon and fight your way relentlessly towards the top of the flag-tower.</p>
1717 <combat><enemy>Bhanarian Signalman</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">30</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">32</enemy-attribute></combat>
1718 <p>You must reduce your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> by 4 for the duration of this fight, because of the disadvantage you experience while fighting your way up a ladder against a determined spearman.</p>
1719 <choice idref="sect195">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 195</link-text>.</choice>
1723 <section class="numbered" id="sect40">
1724 <meta><title>40</title></meta>
1727 <p>Once you are a safe distance from the wooded rise, you glance back over your shoulder to check that Kronar and his bandit gang are not in pursuit of the caravan. Your senses detect that the road behind is clear and you tell Chan of this. He is greatly relieved that the Imperial Caravan has been spared Kronar<ch.apos/>s attack. The bandit leader has a notorious reputation for murdering anyone who witnesses his acts of highway robbery.</p>
1728 <p>After the drama of the confrontation with Captain Kronar, you are thankful that the rest of the day passes uneventfully. It is early evening when the caravan arrives at Javai, a fortified Chai trading town positioned on the rim of a fertile plateau. Chan negotiates with the guards at the town<ch.apos/>s west gate and the caravan is allowed to enter. You pass along a bustling street, bordered by wooden two-storey dwellings, which leads to the walled chateau of Javai<ch.apos/>s mayoress, Madame Omaki. Here the caravan draws to a halt in the middle of a flagstoned courtyard, ringed by plum trees. A plump woman with gleaming coiffured hair emerges from the chateau and greets Captain Chan. You can tell by their jovial exchange that they are old friends. Chan swears her to secrecy about the presence of the Khea-khan, and she dutifully instructs her servants to secure all the entrances and exits to her estate.</p>
1730 <illustration class="float">
1732 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
1733 <description>Javai<ch.apos/>s mayoress greets Captain Chan in the flagstoned courtyard.</description>
1735 <instance class="html" src="ill3.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
1736 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill3.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
1737 <instance class="pdf" src="ill3.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
1740 <p>Chan posts his troopers to guard these portals, and as soon as it is dark, Xo-lin and his entourage are ushered inside Omaki<ch.apos/>s chateau. She attends efficiently to the allocation of rooms and the provision of refreshments for her royal guests. You are allocated a small room above the stables, and you retire there as soon as you are able. It comes as a pleasant surprise to discover that this room contains a comfortable bed and a bath. After bathing, a hot meal and a bottle of rice wine is delivered by one of the mayoress<ch.apos/>s servants. You are about to enjoy this meal when there is a knock at the door. It is Captain Chan, and he has some worrying news to convey.</p>
1741 <choice idref="sect259">To continue, <link-text>turn to 259</link-text>.</choice>
1745 <section class="numbered" id="sect41">
1746 <meta><title>41</title></meta>
1749 <p>You shape your mouth in readiness to utter the Old Kingdom power-word <spell>Gloar!</spell> and project its energies at the door. The force of the impact throws open the portal amidst a cloud of loose earth and billowing dust. The coughs and cries of the entourage can be heard echoing throughout the distant corridors of this labyrinth. Fearing that it may already be too late to save the Khea-khan and his family from the clutches of Autarch Sejanoz, you and Sergeant Yeng rush along an arched corridor in search of them until you come to a junction.</p>
1750 <choice idref="sect246">If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, <link-text>turn to 246</link-text>.</choice>
1751 <choice idref="sect167">If you do not, <link-text>turn to 167</link-text>.</choice>
1755 <section class="numbered" id="sect42">
1756 <meta><title>42</title></meta>
1759 <p>You detect the faint outline of dusty footprints leading across the chamber to the opposite door. You are eager to follow them, but your Kai Sixth Sense is making you feel uncertain that it is safe to do so.</p>
1760 <p>You are fearful of setting off a floor trap, and so you draw upon your advanced mastery of Telegnosis to reduce your body weight to little more than a hundred grams. Then you set off across the chamber, taking care to tread only where there are footprints. You are within a few feet of the door when suddenly the entire floor falls away like a huge hinged trapdoor. You dive forwards and make a grab for the door handle. As you grasp its iron ring, you look down to see a yawning shaft filled with water at its base. Suddenly you hear the sound of giant stone cogs and the rattle of heavy chains. You glance upwards to see that the ceiling is beginning to descend. As it moves closer, you can tell that it is not stained with soot after all. It is dried blood, the blood of countless men who have unwittingly fallen victim to this devilish trap.</p>
1762 <illustration class="inline">
1764 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
1766 <instance class="html" src="small2.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
1767 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small2.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
1768 <instance class="pdf" src="small2.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
1771 <p>You twist the iron handle and, to your relief, the door swings open. Desperately you haul yourself through and slam the door shut, barely seconds before the descending ceiling closes off this portal completely.</p>
1772 <choice idref="sect209">To continue, <link-text>turn to 209</link-text>.</choice>
1776 <section class="numbered" id="sect43">
1777 <meta><title>43</title></meta>
1780 <p>Soon the densely-packed trees confound your hulking pursuers and you are able to outdistance them. When you sense that it is safe to halt, you throw yourself down upon the cool earth and fight to catch your breath. Chan throws himself down close by, and you can tell that he is shocked and saddened by the ferocity of the encounter and the loss of his favourite stallion. But he proves himself to be resilient, and within the space of a few short minutes, he is back on his feet and ready to go.</p>
1781 <p><quote>Come, my lord,</quote> he says, resolutely. <quote>We must press on. Let us flee this accursed place.</quote></p>
1782 <choice idref="sect121"><link-text>Turn to 121</link-text>.</choice>
1786 <section class="numbered" id="sect44">
1787 <meta><title>44</title></meta>
1790 <p>Beyond the spray from the erupting geyser, you see movement at the edge of the encampment. One of the troopers standing picket duty there is struggling with a large worm-like creature that has emerged from one of the bore holes. His desperate cries begin to alert the other guards, and you catch sight of their shadowy forms slowly crossing the treacherous ground. Despite the stinging pain of your scalded skin, you also respond to his cries. You are skirting around the rim of one large fissure when another worm-like monstrosity suddenly appears. It rears up from this hole and spits at you. Your stomach churns when your senses detect that its saliva is a highly corrosive alkaline.</p>
1791 <choice idref="sect156">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 156</link-text>.</choice>
1792 <choice idref="sect142">If you possess Magi-magic and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 142</link-text>.</choice>
1793 <choice idref="sect73">If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 73</link-text>.</choice>
1794 <choice idref="sect262">If you do not possess these skills, nor a Bow, or if you choose not to use any of them, <link-text>turn instead to 262</link-text>.</choice>
1798 <section class="numbered" id="sect45">
1799 <meta><title>45</title></meta>
1802 <p>The caravan arrives at the ford shortly before dusk. You greet Captain Chan and inform him of the fight that took place here earlier. He is relieved to see that you and his scouts survived the deadly encounter intact.</p>
1803 <p>Chan orders that the carriages of the caravan be positioned so that they form the points of a large triangle, with the horse teams parked at their centre. You approve of his order, for it will make a good defensive formation, one that will be easy to maintain if the encampment is attacked during the night.</p>
1804 <p>You tie your horse to the rear of Princess Mitzu<ch.apos/>s carriage, and then you walk over to the spring and bathe your face and drink your fill of its crystal-clear waters. You are about to return to the encampment when Captain Chan and Sergeant Yeng approach you on horseback. Chan tells you that his scouts have reported sighting movement in the nearby woodland. He wishes to investigate it, but night is closing in and soon it will be dark. Aware that you possess the ability to see in the dark, he requests that you lead Sergeant Yeng and his party on this scouting mission.</p>
1805 <choice idref="sect157">If you wish to agree to Captain Chan<ch.apos/>s request, <link-text>turn to 157</link-text>.</choice>
1806 <choice idref="sect264">If you refuse to lead the scouts, <link-text>turn to 264</link-text>.</choice>
1810 <section class="numbered" id="sect46">
1811 <meta><title>46</title></meta>
1814 <p>Your mastery of the Kai Herbcrafts enables you to recognize this vile gas. It is Vozga, and it makes you cough and retch violently (lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point).</p>
1815 <p>As your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus begins to neutralize the toxins that have entered your lungs, you order Princess Mitzu to help her father to safety. You fear that the Vozga will swiftly be fatal to the aged Khea-khan if he should inhale its poisonous vapours. The brave Princess obeys your command. As she helps her father to reach the far end of the burial crypt, you run through the poisonous cloud and set off in determined pursuit of the tyrant and his young hostage.</p>
1816 <choice idref="sect6"><link-text>Turn to 6</link-text>.</choice>
1820 <section class="numbered" id="sect47">
1821 <meta><title>47</title></meta>
1824 <p>The Princess gasps aloud upon hearing you mention the name of the deadly poison. You ask her if Kamada is in the habit of chewing his playthings.</p>
1825 <p><quote>Sometimes,</quote> she replies. <quote>But he<ch.apos/>s only had that toy for a day. He was given it as a present when we were in Rakholi.</quote></p>
1826 <p><quote>And who gave him this toy?</quote> you ask.</p>
1827 <p><quote>I did,</quote> says a voice from behind you.</p>
1828 <choice idref="sect196"><link-text>Turn to 196</link-text>.</choice>
1832 <section class="numbered" id="sect48">
1833 <meta><title>48</title></meta>
1836 <p>The branch strikes your legs as you are diving through the air, and you suffer serious lacerations to the backs of both thighs: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1837 <choice idref="sect19">If you have survived this wounding, <link-text>turn to 19</link-text>.</choice>
1841 <section class="numbered" id="sect49">
1842 <meta><title>49</title></meta>
1845 <p>You leave the <foreign xml:lang="x-chaian">yansi</foreign> and return at the gallop to the caravan. The repair of the damaged wheel has nearly been completed, and within the hour the column is moving eastwards once again. An overnight camp is pitched on the highway itself, near a sleepy hamlet called Sansei, and the following day you make good progress on the sun-baked trade road to Rakholi.</p>
1846 <p>Shortly before noon of the third day of your journey to the tented city, the caravan column crests the rim of a wide valley that lies 50 miles from the banks of the Tkukoma. Spread out before you now is the Vale of Nahba, a spectacularly strange region of the Chai Plain that is punctuated with hundreds of bore holes and geysers. Great columns of steam and scalding water are hurled skywards, driven by the pressure of gases escaping from deep below the surface. Some fissures descend for miles and pass close to the planet<ch.apos/>s molten core.</p>
1847 <p>The highway traverses this alien landscape and, as darkness approaches, you find yourself at a place near the eastern rim of the vale. A night camp is established here among the bubbling pools and hollows, and an evening meal of poached eggs and steamed fish is prepared. After supper, you settle down and try to get some sleep, despite the constant distraction of the noises that echo eerily across this strange valley.</p>
1848 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
1849 <choice idref="sect288">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 288</link-text>.</choice>
1850 <choice idref="sect30">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 30</link-text>.</choice>
1854 <section class="numbered" id="sect50">
1855 <meta><title>50</title></meta>
1858 <p>You are in combat with an Imperial Guard Captain, an <ch.eacute/>lite warrior of Autarch Sejanoz<ch.apos/>s personal bodyguard.</p>
1859 <combat><enemy>Imperial Guard Captain</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">46</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">42</enemy-attribute></combat>
1860 <choice idref="sect173">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 173</link-text>.</choice>
1864 <section class="numbered" id="sect51">
1865 <meta><title>51</title></meta>
1868 <p>The bandit tells you that his name is Xango. He also reveals that he is the brother of the renegade bandit Captain Kronar. He has been observing the caravan encampment while his brother, and the rest of his gang, have been preparing an ambush on the forest road, five miles distant. Kronar plans to attack the caravan when it passes this place tomorrow morning.</p>
1869 <p><quote>Treacherous dog!</quote> spits Yeng. <quote>Death would be too good for you!</quote></p>
1870 <p><quote>Hold, sergeant!</quote> commands Captain Chan. <quote>We may have use for this outlaw yet. Let<ch.apos/>s hope his brother values his worthless hide more than you do. Chain him up to a carriage wheel until morning.</quote></p>
1871 <choice idref="sect129">To continue, <link-text>turn to 129</link-text>.</choice>
1875 <section class="numbered" id="sect52">
1876 <meta><title>52</title></meta>
1879 <p>You form your mouth in readiness to utter the Old Kingdom power-word <spell>Gloar!</spell> and you project its concussive energy at the chest of the signalman. It strikes him squarely and lifts him off his feet. For a few moments he disappears from your sight, hidden by the floor of the platform; then you see him tumbling limply to the ground on the far side of the flag-tower.</p>
1880 <choice idref="sect195">To continue, <link-text>turn to 195</link-text>.</choice>
1884 <section class="numbered" id="sect53">
1885 <meta><title>53</title></meta>
1888 <p>Kumal is disappointed that you refuse to trade with him, and he walks off in a huff. Fearing you may have insulted the brother of your host, you decide to leave the tent and give Kumal time to cool down. Once outside, you check the caravan to make sure that everything is correct. The carriages and the horses are in good condition, and so you wander out of the encampment to explore this quarter of Rakholi.</p>
1890 <illustration class="inline">
1892 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
1894 <instance class="html" src="small3.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
1895 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small3.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
1896 <instance class="pdf" src="small3.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
1899 <p>Opposite the entrance to Bazan<ch.apos/>s encampment, you see a card game taking place between rival families of Lissanian horse traders. When one of the players drops out, you are invited to take his place.</p>
1900 <choice idref="sect234">If you wish to accept the invitation, <link-text>turn to 234</link-text>.</choice>
1901 <choice idref="sect124">If you choose to decline the invitation, <link-text>turn to 124</link-text>.</choice>
1905 <section class="numbered" id="sect54">
1906 <meta><title>54</title></meta>
1909 <p>You hurry along the tunnel and reach a closed door at its far end. Without slowing your pace, you barge this portal open and find yourself confronted by five Bhanarian soldiers who have entered the chamber beyond by way of a hole in the roof. The black-suited warriors roar with rage and attack you and Sergeant Yeng with their razor-tipped polearms.</p>
1911 <illustration class="float">
1913 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
1914 <description>You are confronted by five Bhanarian soldiers armed with razor-tipped polearms.</description>
1916 <instance class="html" src="ill4.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
1917 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill4.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
1918 <instance class="pdf" src="ill4.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
1921 <combat><enemy>Bhanarian Assault Troops</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">47</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">42</enemy-attribute></combat>
1922 <choice idref="sect125">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 125</link-text>.</choice>
1926 <section class="numbered" id="sect55">
1927 <meta><title>55</title></meta>
1930 <p>You let out a yelp of pain when you are struck by one of the onrushing missiles. It pierces your boot and lodges in the back of your left calf muscle. The sudden agonizing pain makes your ears ring and your vision blur: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1931 <p>Quickly you draw upon your Kai healing skills to deaden the pain and staunch the gushing flow of blood. You grit your teeth and reach down to snap the arrow in two. Then you tug the barbed head free from your aching leg and cast it to the ground.</p>
1932 <choice idref="sect112">To continue, <link-text>turn to 112</link-text>.</choice>
1936 <section class="numbered" id="sect56">
1937 <meta><title>56</title></meta>
1940 <p>By the use of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Breathe Water</spell> you are able to stay alive until the ceiling begins to rise and you are released from this watery tomb.</p>
1941 <choice idref="sect287">To continue, <link-text>turn to 287</link-text>.</choice>
1945 <section class="numbered" id="sect57">
1946 <meta><title>57</title></meta>
1949 <p>You hear the whistle of a large projectile, and then a deafening explosion tears a hole in the battlements less than 10 yards away to your left. Splinters of stone pepper your legs, and a pear-sized chunk of shrapnel grazes your shoulder: lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
1950 <choice idref="sect24">To continue, <link-text>turn to 24</link-text>.</choice>
1954 <section class="numbered" id="sect58">
1955 <meta><title>58</title></meta>
1958 <p>The dusty streets of Pensei are filled with the din of coarse shouting, the smells of sweat and spices, and the anxious murmurings of a populace living in fear of the Bhanarian invaders. Your heart goes out to the citizens of this proud city and you pray to Ishir to help them keep the enemy at bay. Upon arriving at the great north gate of Pensei, the column passes beneath its crenellated arch and out onto the plains road beyond. As the gate crashes shut behind you, you notice a stone marker by the wayside. It indicates the distance to the next town: Javai<ch.emdash/>100 miles.</p>
1959 <p>Captain Chan calculates that it may take nearly three days to reach Javai. Fearful that the vanguard of the Autarch<ch.apos/>s army may find the caravan on the open road and threaten its precious cargo, he orders his troopers to take up positions around the column in order to shield it. You are impressed by the speed and efficiency with which they carry out his orders, and you feel greatly reassured that you are in the company of highly-trained warriors. They will be useful allies if the need should ever arise to repel an enemy attack.</p>
1960 <p>Once you are beyond the outskirts of Pensei, the villages pass by with less frequency the further you travel north along this broad trade road. At dusk, you stop to set up a night camp on a hill which overlooks a small hamlet called Xiostai. Captain Chan posts pickets to patrol the camp perimeter, and details some of the remaining men to guard the Khea-khan<ch.apos/>s carriage. You are invited to share a meal of rice and fish with Chan and some of the carriage drivers, and you accept their hospitality gladly. While you are eating you listen to their jovial conversations and learn something about the Chai people that you never knew before. The majority of them have a keen interest in astrology.</p>
1961 <choice idref="sect289">If you possess Astrology, <link-text>turn to 289</link-text>.</choice>
1962 <choice idref="sect166">If you do not possess mastery of this Discipline, <link-text>turn to 166</link-text>.</choice>
1966 <section class="numbered" id="sect59">
1967 <meta><title>59</title></meta>
1970 <p>Chan joins you at the main gate. Missiles are hitting the battlements with increasing frequency and accuracy; it would be suicidal to stay there a moment longer.</p>
1971 <p>You are peering through an arrow slit in the main gate, when you suddenly see something that makes your blood run cold.</p>
1972 <choice idref="sect140"><link-text>Turn to 140</link-text>.</choice>
1976 <section class="numbered" id="sect60">
1977 <meta><title>60</title></meta>
1980 <p>Once inside the gate, you can see an open crypt door directly ahead. You are approaching it when suddenly you hear the sound of distant voices and instinctively you dive for cover among the gravestones. Peering out from behind one of these great grey headstones, you see six saddled horses standing at the rear of the crypt.</p>
1981 <choice idref="sect274">If you wish to approach the open crypt door, <link-text>turn to 274</link-text>.</choice>
1982 <choice idref="sect183">If you choose to stay where you are and observe the crypt, <link-text>turn to 183</link-text>.</choice>
1986 <section class="numbered" id="sect61">
1987 <meta><title>61</title></meta>
1990 <p>In mid-flight, the icy missile splits in two and each half strikes a horse squarely in the chest. Simultaneously they rear up in agony, and both you and Chan are sent tumbling backwards to crash down upon the frost-hardened earth.</p>
1991 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> (0 = 10). If your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score is 25 or higher, add 2 to the number you have picked. If your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score is 15 or lower, deduct 2.</p>
1992 <choice idref="sect271">If your total score is now 3 or lower, <link-text>turn to 271</link-text>.</choice>
1993 <choice idref="sect131">If it is 4<ch.endash/>8, <link-text>turn to 131</link-text>.</choice>
1994 <choice idref="sect291">If it is 9 or higher, <link-text>turn to 291</link-text>.</choice>
1998 <section class="numbered" id="sect62">
1999 <meta><title>62</title></meta>
2002 <p><quote>Of course, your majesty,</quote> you reply, sympathetically. Then you ask if she would kindly show you the palm of her right hand. She complies with your request and places her hand palm up on the marbled tabletop.</p>
2003 <p>Using your skills of palmistry, you inspect the configuration of the creases of her delicate palm. Paying careful attention to those parts of her hand which refer to her offspring, you swallow hard when you see that the lines reveal a disturbing prediction for her young son.</p>
2004 <choice idref="sect101"><link-text>Turn to 101</link-text>.</choice>
2008 <section class="numbered" id="sect63">
2009 <meta><title>63</title></meta>
2012 <p>You draw upon your mastery of Elementalism to cause the flap of the tent to ignite. Soon an entire panel is ablaze, filling the tent with clouds of dense grey smoke. When the Bhanarian commander and his four bodyguards come staggering out of the tent, gasping for breath, you lead the attack with your stirring battle-cry: <quote>For Sommerlund the Kai!</quote></p>
2013 <combat><enemy>Bhanarian Cavalry Command</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">48</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">50</enemy-attribute></combat>
2014 <p>You may add 3 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this combat, for you have three Chai troopers fighting by your side.</p>
2015 <choice idref="sect150">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 150</link-text>.</choice>
2019 <section class="numbered" id="sect64">
2020 <meta><title>64</title></meta>
2023 <p>During the afternoon of the first day out of Rakholi, a heat wave sweeps across the trade road from the north. For three hours the caravan is slowed to a walking pace as everyone, man and beast, is brought near to exhaustion by the heat (lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points).</p>
2024 <p>By dusk the stifling heat has eased and a night camp is pitched on the open plain. While you are rigging a simple shelter for yourself, with rope and a canvas sheet, you hear something that causes you concern. It is the distraught sound of a woman crying. You detect that it is coming from Princess Mitzu<ch.apos/>s carriage and you hurry there to investigate what is wrong.</p>
2025 <choice idref="sect78"><link-text>Turn to 78</link-text>.</choice>
2029 <section class="numbered" id="sect65">
2030 <meta><title>65</title></meta>
2033 <p>You unshoulder your Bow and retrieve the Arrow of Atonement from your Backpack. With a prayer to Goddess Ishir on your lips, you take aim at the Autarch<ch.apos/>s retreating back and let fly your magical missile.</p>
2034 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Weaponmastery with Bow, remember to add 3 to the number you have picked.</p>
2035 <choice idref="sect79">If your total score is now 4 or lower, <link-text>turn to 79</link-text>.</choice>
2036 <choice idref="sect238">If it is 5<ch.endash/>8, <link-text>turn to 238</link-text>.</choice>
2037 <choice idref="sect273">If it is 9 or higher, <link-text>turn to 273</link-text>.</choice>
2041 <section class="numbered" id="sect66">
2042 <meta><title>66</title></meta>
2045 <p>Late in the afternoon, Sergeant Yeng and his scouts return to report that no bandits have been sighted on the highway ahead. The sergeant and his men also report that they have found a good campsite for the night, at a place where the highway fords a spring. You continue your ride and arrive at the ford shortly before dusk.</p>
2046 <p>Chan orders that the carriages of the caravan be positioned so that they form the points of a large triangle, with the horse teams parked at their centre. You approve of his order, for it will make a good defensive formation, one that will be easy to maintain if the encampment is attacked during the night.</p>
2047 <p>You tie your horse to the rear of Princess Mitzu<ch.apos/>s carriage, and then you walk over to the spring and bathe your face and drink your fill of its crystal-clear waters. You are about to return to the encampment when Captain Chan and Sergeant Yeng approach you on horseback. Chan tells you that his scouts have reported sighting movement in the nearby woodland. He wishes to investigate it, but night is closing in and soon it will be dark. Aware that you possess the ability to see in the dark, he requests that you lead Sergeant Yeng and his party on this scouting mission.</p>
2048 <choice idref="sect157">If you wish to agree to Captain Chan<ch.apos/>s request, <link-text>turn to 157</link-text>.</choice>
2049 <choice idref="sect264">If you refuse to lead the scouts, <link-text>turn to 264</link-text>.</choice>
2053 <section class="numbered" id="sect67">
2054 <meta><title>67</title></meta>
2057 <p>You inform Chan that you believe the man is telling the truth. The captain frowns. He is now faced with a difficult dilemma. He considers Yankin to be one of his most loyal troopers and would like to believe his account, yet the evidence against him is compelling. Then Shavane steps forward and demands loudly that justice be done.</p>
2058 <p><quote>This man tried to kill our Prince,</quote> she cries, <quote>and he must be made to pay for his treachery.</quote></p>
2059 <p>Her emotional outburst elicits some support from a small crowd of courtiers who have gathered to watch.</p>
2060 <choice idref="sect220">If you possess Kai-alchemy, <link-text>turn to 220</link-text>.</choice>
2061 <choice idref="sect14">If you do not possess this skill, <link-text>turn to 14</link-text>.</choice>
2065 <section class="numbered" id="sect68">
2066 <meta><title>68</title></meta>
2069 <p>Chan refuses to dismount and, no matter how hard you try, you cannot persuade him to abandon his favourite stallion. Reluctantly you agree to his plan to attempt a breakthrough and an escape westwards along the forest highway.</p>
2070 <choice idref="sect211"><link-text>Turn to 211</link-text>.</choice>
2074 <section class="numbered" id="sect69">
2075 <meta><title>69</title></meta>
2078 <p>As you strike your final crushing blow, the portal suddenly unleashes an explosion of hissing sparks. Quickly you turn your face away and save yourself from being caught by its searing flash.</p>
2079 <p>Your destruction of the trapdoor has triggered a booby trap that was placed here by a sorcerer, hundreds of years ago, to protect the portal. Although you are momentarily blinded by the explosion, your swift reflexes and your innate healing skills spare you any permanent damage.</p>
2080 <choice idref="sect265">To continue, <link-text>turn to 265</link-text>.</choice>
2084 <section class="numbered" id="sect70">
2085 <meta><title>70</title></meta>
2088 <p>A third bolt of energy rips into the nearby wall, showering you with shards of rock. One splinter penetrates your boot leather and lodges in your left foot: lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point.</p>
2089 <choice idref="sect100">To continue, <link-text>turn to 100</link-text>.</choice>
2093 <section class="numbered" id="sect71">
2094 <meta><title>71</title></meta>
2097 <p>You steel yourself for the attack, and then you kick open the door and launch yourself screaming into the chamber beyond. Your sudden appearance catches the robbers completely by surprise, but to your dismay, you soon discover that one of your adversaries is armed with your Kai Weapon which he delights in using against you.</p>
2098 <combat><enemy>Tomb Robbers <em>(with Kai Weapon)</em></enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">52</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">48</enemy-attribute></combat>
2099 <choice idref="sect128">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 128</link-text>.</choice>
2103 <section class="numbered" id="sect72">
2104 <meta><title>72</title></meta>
2107 <p>You recite the words of the Old Kingdom Spell <spell>Invisible Fist</spell> and point your hand at the attacking creature. A ball of concussive energy is released which glances the beast<ch.apos/>s skull and stuns it. The trooper is able to recover his senses and defend himself as the determined creature stumbles drunkenly towards him, slashing the air wildly with its sharp talons.</p>
2108 <p>Hurriedly you dismount and unsheathe your Kai Weapon. You turn only just in time to counter an attack from the other two creatures that come leaping towards you and Sergeant Yeng.</p>
2109 <combat><enemy>Chagarashi</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">44</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
2110 <p>You may add 1 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this combat as Sergeant Yeng is fighting the same enemy.</p>
2111 <choice idref="sect295">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 295</link-text>.</choice>
2115 <section class="numbered" id="sect73">
2116 <meta><title>73</title></meta>
2119 <p>Quickly you draw an Arrow to your Bow and let it fly towards the worm<ch.apos/>s purulent belly.</p>
2120 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Weaponmastery with Bow, remember to add 3 to the number you have picked.</p>
2121 <choice idref="sect17">If your total score is now 6 or lower, <link-text>turn to 17</link-text>.</choice>
2122 <choice idref="sect26">If it is 7 or higher, <link-text>turn to 26</link-text>.</choice>
2126 <section class="numbered" id="sect74">
2127 <meta><title>74</title></meta>
2130 <p><quote>Arrest her!</quote> commands Captain Chan. Immediately, two of his troopers move forward and seize the woman by her arms. She curses them vilely, and then she vents her spleen on Chai and the imperial house of Xo-lin. Chan orders Trooper Yankin to be released at once, and he apologizes to the man for ever having doubted his loyalty.</p>
2131 <p><quote>What will become of her now?</quote> asks Princess Mitzu, as Shavane is led away, kicking and screaming. <quote>She shall be banished to the plains,</quote> replies Chan. <quote>We will leave her behind tomorrow, without food or water. She can go seek succour from the enemy.</quote></p>
2132 <choice idref="sect199">To continue, <link-text>turn to 199</link-text>.</choice>
2136 <section class="numbered" id="sect75">
2137 <meta><title>75</title></meta>
2140 <p>You dive and roll through the foliage to avoid the icy missile, but a segment of it breaks free in mid-flight and it skewers the calf of your left leg: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
2141 <choice idref="sect10">If you have survived this painful wounding, <link-text>turn to 10</link-text>.</choice>
2145 <section class="numbered" id="sect76">
2146 <meta><title>76</title></meta>
2149 <p>You carefully insert the blade of your Kai Weapon beneath the lip of the trapdoor and push down on it with all your might. You sense that the portal has been sealed with magic and that it will take great effort for you to negate this protection.</p>
2150 <combat><enemy>Yansi Trapdoor <em>(magically sealed)</em></enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">50</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">25</enemy-attribute></combat>
2151 <p>Conduct the following combat in the usual way. Any <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> losses you sustain represent the fatigue you suffer while trying to open this magically sealed portal.</p>
2152 <choice idref="sect118">You may cease your attempt to open the trapdoor at any time by <link-text>turning to 118</link-text>.</choice>
2153 <choice idref="sect69">If you win the combat, i.e. if you reduce the trapdoor<ch.apos/>s <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points to zero, <link-text>turn to 69</link-text>.</choice>
2157 <section class="numbered" id="sect77">
2158 <meta><title>77</title></meta>
2161 <p>You use the Old Kingdom Spell <spell>Flameshaft</spell> to ignite the tip of an Arrow which you send arcing into the enemy command post. As the fire spreads, it fills the tent with clouds of dense grey smoke. Before very long the Bhanarian commander and his four bodyguards come staggering out into the open, gasping for breath, and at this moment you draw your Kai Weapon and lead the attack with your stirring battle-cry: <quote>For Sommerlund and the Kai!</quote></p>
2162 <combat><enemy>Bhanarian Cavalry Command</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">48</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">50</enemy-attribute></combat>
2163 <p>You may add 3 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this combat, for you have three Chai troopers fighting by your side.</p>
2164 <choice idref="sect266">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 266</link-text>.</choice>
2168 <section class="numbered" id="sect78">
2169 <meta><title>78</title></meta>
2172 <p>You tug open the door of the Princess<ch.apos/>s carriage and see a tearful Mitzu cradling the young Prince Kamada in her arms. The boy is pale and limp, and beads of cold sweat glisten on his forehead.</p>
2173 <p><quote>Oh! Ishir! What has happened to my poor, poor boy!</quote> wails his distraught mother.</p>
2175 <illustration class="float">
2177 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2178 <description>In the Princess<ch.apos/>s carriage you see a tearful Mitzu cradling the sickly Prince Kamada in her arms.</description>
2180 <instance class="html" src="ill5.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
2181 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill5.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2182 <instance class="pdf" src="ill5.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
2185 <p>You place a hand upon his forehead and open one of his eyes, revealing a dilated pupil. You suspect that he has swallowed poison and quickly you look around the interior of the carriage. On the boy<ch.apos/>s cot, tucked beside his pillow, you notice a wooden toy soldier. You retrieve this toy and examine it closely.</p>
2186 <choice idref="sect32">If you possess Herbmastery, <link-text>turn to 32</link-text>.</choice>
2187 <choice idref="sect176">If you do not, <link-text>turn to 176</link-text>.</choice>
2191 <section class="numbered" id="sect79">
2192 <meta><title>79</title></meta>
2195 <p>The Arrow of Atonement narrowly misses the Autarch by no more than a hand<ch.apos/>s breadth. It lodges in the wall of the tunnel, and the fleeing tyrant is unaware of how close he came to death.</p>
2196 <p>You rush forward and wrench the Arrow of Atonement from the mouldering stone, and then you pursue the Autarch and his innocent young hostage.</p>
2197 <choice idref="sect6"><link-text>Turn to 6</link-text>.</choice>
2201 <section class="numbered" id="sect80">
2202 <meta><title>80</title></meta>
2205 <p>You intone the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Mind Charm</spell> and command the prisoner to answer Sergeant Yeng<ch.apos/>s questions. His eyelids flutter and half-close as your psychic suggestion begins to take effect, and then falteringly he begins to talk.</p>
2206 <choice idref="sect51"><link-text>Turn to 51</link-text>.</choice>
2210 <section class="numbered" id="sect81">
2211 <meta><title>81</title></meta>
2214 <p>Chan calls for volunteers to join you on the raid, and Sergeant Yeng and three others, including Trooper Yankin, step forward. Chan commends them for their courage and he wishes the five of you good luck.</p>
2215 <p>You decide to approach the Bhanarian command post on foot, under cover of the grassland. You reach the base of the hill undetected, and wait here several minutes to observe the post and its tower at the nest of the hill. To your relief, you discover that there are only six enemy soldiers occupying the hill<ch.emdash/>an officer, four bodyguards, and one signalman. You consider your plan of action carefully, and decide that you must attack the command tent and flag-tower at the same time if your plan is to have any chance of success.</p>
2217 <illustration class="inline">
2219 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2221 <instance class="html" src="small9.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
2222 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small9.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2223 <instance class="pdf" src="small9.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
2226 <choice idref="sect103">If you wish to lead the attack on the enemy command tent, <link-text>turn to 103</link-text>.</choice>
2227 <choice idref="sect160">If you decide to lead the attack on the flag-tower, <link-text>turn to 160</link-text>.</choice>
2231 <section class="numbered" id="sect82">
2232 <meta><title>82</title></meta>
2235 <p>Suddenly you glimpse Chan<ch.apos/>s troopers rushing towards the creatures from behind. Bravely they strike out at them with their heavy cavalry sabres, and the surprise of their attack buys you and the captain a few precious seconds in which to free your weapons and defend yourselves.</p>
2237 <illustration class="float">
2239 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2240 <description>Chan<ch.apos/>s troopers make a brave assault on the attacking Krakalla.</description>
2242 <instance class="html" src="ill6.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
2243 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill6.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2244 <instance class="pdf" src="ill6.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
2247 <combat><enemy>Krakalla</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">50</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">48</enemy-attribute></combat>
2248 <p>You may add 1 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this combat, for you are being supported by one of Chan<ch.apos/>s troopers who is attacking this creature from behind.</p>
2249 <choice idref="sect241">If you win the fight, <link-text>turn to 241</link-text>.</choice>
2253 <section class="numbered" id="sect83">
2254 <meta><title>83</title></meta>
2257 <p>The vile gas makes you cough and retch (lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point). As your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus begins to neutralize the toxins that have entered your lungs, you order Princess Mitzu to help her father to safety. You fear that the gas will swiftly be fatal to the aged Khea-khan if he should inhale its poisonous vapours. The brave Princess obeys your command. As she helps her father to reach the far end of the burial crypt, you run through the poison cloud and set off in determined pursuit of the tyrant and his young hostage.</p>
2258 <choice idref="sect6"><link-text>Turn to 6</link-text>.</choice>
2262 <section class="numbered" id="sect84">
2263 <meta><title>84</title></meta>
2266 <p>The day gets off to a fine start with not a cloud to sully the cobalt-blue sky. The journey passes peaceably and you are able to make up the time lost due to yesterday<ch.apos/>s bad weather. The following day is cooler and Chan is confident that the caravan can reach the ruins of Zanaza before nightfall. Shortly before noon, you espy the site of an ancient graveyard located just a few hundred yards north of the highway. A wagon is parked outside its dilapidated gate, and when you magnify your vision, you are shocked to see the faded tiger<ch.apos/>s-head emblem of Bhanar emblazoned upon its sun-bleached timbers. You tell Chan of this and he supposes that it belongs either to a Bhanarian trader, or to the Autarch Sejanoz<ch.apos/>s army. You volunteer to investigate this mysterious wagon, and Chan agrees to halt the caravan and wait on the highway for you to return.</p>
2268 <illustration class="inline">
2270 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2272 <instance class="html" src="small7.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
2273 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small7.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2274 <instance class="pdf" src="small7.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
2277 <p>After observing the walled graveyard for several minutes, you determine that there are only two ways by which you can enter.</p>
2278 <choice idref="sect202">If you wish to enter through the main gate, <link-text>turn to 202</link-text>.</choice>
2279 <choice idref="sect251">If you choose to enter through a gap in its perimeter wall, <link-text>turn to 251</link-text>.</choice>
2283 <section class="numbered" id="sect85">
2284 <meta><title>85</title></meta>
2287 <p>You are familiar with the dice and their arcane origins. During your Astrology studies at the Kai Monastery, you made use of a pair very similar in design to these. You are still examining them when a sallow-skinned guard sergeant suddenly leans forward and tugs at your sleeve. Smiling at his impatience, you hand him the Xi-die and hurriedly he breathes on them before casting them to the ground.</p>
2288 <p>His throw is not a good one. The faces and angle of the dice reveal that the sergeant will not survive the journey to Tazhan. Deciding it best to keep the truth from him, you inform him in grandiose tones that he can look forward to enjoying many fine sons and future prosperity. The greasy-faced trooper beams with joy when he tells you that he already has six sons, two of whom are also Imperial Chai Guardsmen.</p>
2289 <p>He and his companions are very impressed by the apparent accuracy of your reading, and you sense that your standing among them has greatly improved.</p>
2290 <choice idref="sect153">To continue, <link-text>turn to 153</link-text>.</choice>
2294 <section class="numbered" id="sect86">
2295 <meta><title>86</title></meta>
2298 <p>The Bhanarians are attempting to blast their way into the catacombs. Fear runs ice cold in your veins, for this is where the Imperial Family has taken refuge. Hurriedly you abandon the main gate and run towards the inner keep. As you cross before the barricades, you shout a warning to Chan and he quickly orders Sergeant Yeng to go with you. Upon reaching the stone portal, the seconds seem to tick by like hours as you and the sergeant struggle to wrench open the ancient stone door.</p>
2299 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
2300 <choice idref="sect253">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 253</link-text>.</choice>
2301 <choice idref="sect96">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 96</link-text>.</choice>
2305 <section class="numbered" id="sect87">
2306 <meta><title>87</title></meta>
2309 <p>A cursory search among the beakers and flasks uncovers the following potions with which you are familiar:</p>
2311 <li>Laumspur (enough for 2 potions. Restores 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points when swallowed after combat)</li>
2312 <li>Gallowbrush (enough for 1 potion. Induces sleep when swallowed)</li>
2313 <li>Ashexa Concentrate (enough for 1 potion. A healing fungus. Will restore 6 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points)</li>
2315 <choice idref="sect38">To leave this workshop and continue your exploration, <link-text>turn to 38</link-text>.</choice>
2319 <section class="numbered" id="sect88">
2320 <meta><title>88</title></meta>
2323 <p>To the east of Javai, the trade road passes through many small settlements where Chai farmers toil contentedly in the heat of the midsummer sun. By noon, these tiny hamlets have all but given way to a vast sea of grassland which extends all the way to the banks of the River Tkukoma, over a hundred miles distant.</p>
2324 <p>It is late in the afternoon when you catch sight of a flock of plains ravens circling above a small copse of trees, south of the highway. Captain Chan becomes suspicious of these ugly black scavengers, and he orders the column to slow to a halt. He has decided to investigate the copse, and he invites you to join him.</p>
2325 <choice idref="sect270">If you wish to accept his invitation to scout the distant copse of trees, <link-text>turn to 270</link-text>.</choice>
2326 <choice idref="sect145">If you choose to decline his invitation and remain with the caravan, <link-text>turn to 145</link-text>.</choice>
2330 <section class="numbered" id="sect89">
2331 <meta><title>89</title></meta>
2334 <p>Kasarian is grateful for the assistance you can provide. The Bhanarian attack was unexpected and casualties were high. More than half of Kasarian<ch.apos/>s garrison have either been killed or wounded.</p>
2335 <p>Once you have finished attending to the Lissanian wounded, you assist the garrison commander with repairs to the fort<ch.apos/>s breached wall. It is nearly nightfall by the time you finish your labours and are able to rest.</p>
2336 <p>Unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
2337 <choice idref="sect149">To continue, <link-text>turn to 149</link-text>.</choice>
2341 <section class="numbered" id="sect90">
2342 <meta><title>90</title></meta>
2345 <p><quote>I shall summon Kau-Doshin,</quote> interjects Shavane. <quote>He<ch.apos/>ll know what to do.</quote></p>
2346 <p>Quickly the nurse leaves the carriage and you administer your Kai healing skills to the Prince until the court counsellor arrives and takes charge. He thanks you for making the boy comfortable and then he asks you to leave so that he may have room to prepare a potion to counter the poison. As you descend the steps of the carriage, you hear the door slam shut behind you.</p>
2347 <choice idref="sect239">If you wish to return to your night shelter, <link-text>turn to 239</link-text>.</choice>
2348 <choice idref="sect111">If you wish to search for the toy soldier that Shavane threw away, <link-text>turn to 111</link-text>.</choice>
2352 <section class="numbered" id="sect91">
2353 <meta><title>91</title></meta>
2356 <p>You shout a warning to Chan, and then you throw yourself to one side to avoid being impaled by the falling bough.</p>
2357 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Grand Huntmastery, add 3 to the number you have picked.</p>
2358 <choice idref="sect48">If your total score is now 4 or lower, <link-text>turn to 48</link-text>.</choice>
2359 <choice idref="sect258">If it is 5 or higher, <link-text>turn to 258</link-text>.</choice>
2363 <section class="numbered" id="sect92">
2364 <meta><title>92</title></meta>
2367 <p><quote>Captain Chan, let the prisoner go<ch.ellips/></quote> you whisper, <quote>and be ready to signal to the caravan.</quote></p>
2368 <p>Reluctantly, Chan obeys your command. He unwinds the trailing rope from his saddle and Xango digs his heels into his horse<ch.apos/>s flanks, making the animal lurch away at the gallop. As soon as his brother is out of the field of fire, Kronar utters a coarse laugh. Then, simultaneously, he and his companion let loose their straining bowstrings.</p>
2369 <choice idref="sect22">If you possess Kai-alchemy and have attained the rank of Sun Knight, <link-text>turn to 22</link-text>.</choice>
2370 <choice idref="sect215">If you possess Magi-magic and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 215</link-text>.</choice>
2371 <choice idref="sect170">If you do not possess either of these skills, or if you have yet to attain the required level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn instead to 170</link-text>.</choice>
2375 <section class="numbered" id="sect93">
2376 <meta><title>93</title></meta>
2379 <p>The arrow strikes you in the centre of your forehead and an explosion of white light engulfs your vision. For a few fleeting moments you feel yourself tumbling backwards into a deep, dark abyss. Then all sensation vanishes and you cease to be.</p>
2380 <deadend>Tragically, your life and your mission end here in the catacombs of Fort Vlau.</deadend>
2384 <section class="numbered" id="sect94">
2385 <meta><title>94</title></meta>
2388 <p>You follow this passageway until you arrive at a chamber that was once an alchemist<ch.apos/>s workshop. The walls and floor are covered with symbols and glyphs which indicate the many elements, gases, and metals of the universe. Benches and worktables line the walls and some show signs of recent use. On the far side of this chamber you can see a darkened archway and the beginnings of a corridor leading off towards the north.</p>
2389 <choice idref="sect87">If you wish to search this workshop, <link-text>turn to 87</link-text>.</choice>
2390 <choice idref="sect38">If you choose to explore the distant archway, <link-text>turn to 38</link-text>.</choice>
2394 <section class="numbered" id="sect95">
2395 <meta><title>95</title></meta>
2398 <p>You oversee the placing of the bough and, by the use of a rope and pulley, you are able to raise the damaged wheel several inches off the ground and remove it from the axle. You are crouching beneath the rear of the carriage when suddenly there is a terrific <onomatopoeia>Crack</onomatopoeia>! The bough has split in two, revealing a rot-infested core. To your horror, you find yourself pinned beneath the axle when the carriage tips over.</p>
2399 <p>Frantically Chan<ch.apos/>s men attempt to right the heavy vehicle and release you before the axle crushes your rib cage.</p>
2400 <choice idref="sect165">If you possess Kai-alchemy and have reached the rank of Sun Knight or higher, <link-text>turn to 165</link-text>.</choice>
2401 <choice idref="sect275">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 275</link-text>.</choice>
2405 <section class="numbered" id="sect96">
2406 <meta><title>96</title></meta>
2409 <p>The door creaks open and a great cloud of dust billows out of the catacombs. The coughs and cries of the entourage can be heard echoing throughout the distant corridors of this labyrinth. Fearing that it may already be too late to save the Khea-khan and his family from the clutches of Sejanoz, you and Sergeant Yeng rush along an arched corridor in search of them until you come to a junction.</p>
2410 <choice idref="sect246">If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, <link-text>turn to 246</link-text>.</choice>
2411 <choice idref="sect167">If you do not, <link-text>turn to 167</link-text>.</choice>
2415 <section class="numbered" id="sect97">
2416 <meta><title>97</title></meta>
2419 <p>The fight ends abruptly when you deal your enemy a mighty blow to the base of its deformed neck. As it crumples lifelessly to the ground, you join with Sergeant Yeng and rush to aid the trooper who is caught in the strands of your sticky net. One well-aimed blow puts paid to the creature that is ensnared in the net with him, and then you quickly recite the words to counter the spell and the thankful trooper is soon released.</p>
2420 <p>Cautiously you inspect the bodies of the slain enemy and determine that they are of Agarashi descent. They have probably come down from the Hyunsei foothills in a desperate search for prey, for all three corpses show signs of starvation. Sergeant Yeng confirms your suspicions. He tells you that long ago, during the Age of Eternal Night, this land was stalked by the Agarashi<ch.emdash/>the hellish creations of Agarash the Damned. When Agarash was destroyed by the Elder Magi, his creations were scattered across the wilderness and plains of Chai. The descendants of those beasts are still alive today, hiding in hills, burrows, and caves. They rarely attack travellers on the trade road, unless driven by disease or extreme hunger.</p>
2421 <p>Using your tracking skills, you quickly determine that there are no other creatures like these in this vicinity. Only then do you and the troopers remount your horses and continue along the highway towards the Javai Forest. A few miles short of the forest you discover a freshwater spring which is forded by the highway. It is an ideal site for a night camp, and so you send one of Yeng<ch.apos/>s men back to the caravan to tell them that you shall await their arrival here.</p>
2422 <p>During your wait for the caravan, unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
2423 <choice idref="sect45">To continue, <link-text>turn to 45</link-text>.</choice>
2427 <section class="numbered" id="sect98">
2428 <meta><title>98</title></meta>
2431 <p>You sprint away from the exploding geyser and reach an area of dry ground. The scalding water that showered you has blistered your skin, but you are able to numb the stinging pain by the use of your innate Kai healing skills: lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
2432 <p>You are recovering from your stinging injuries when you are suddenly distracted by the sound of a fearful scream.</p>
2433 <choice idref="sect44"><link-text>Turn to 44</link-text>.</choice>
2437 <section class="numbered" id="sect99">
2438 <meta><title>99</title></meta>
2441 <p>Before you can devise a plan of action, one of the ice-fiends turns its head towards you and holds you with its terrifying eyes. In the next instant, it belches forth a cone of ice that hurtles towards you like a huge crossbow bolt.</p>
2442 <choice idref="sect61"><link-text>Turn to 61</link-text>.</choice>
2446 <section class="numbered" id="sect100">
2447 <meta><title>100</title></meta>
2450 <p>You chance a glance around the pillar and your stomach churns when you see the awe-inspiring figure of Autarch Sejanoz standing at the far end of this ancient crypt chamber.</p>
2451 <p>Encased from neck to toe in black armour, inlaid with lavish gold filigree, he stands a sword<ch.apos/>s length taller than you. His great tiger helm conceals his face, and swirling around him are the folds of a voluminous scarlet cloak. Only his hands are visible and they seem incongruous when compared to the grand scale and design of his armour. They are like twisted claws, the skin wrinkled and fragile like ancient parchment. Hanging over them are four long, curved, needle-like claws of steel which sprout from the back of the golden bracers that encase his wrists.</p>
2452 <p>Cowering in a corner of the crypt are the Imperial Family, their eyes wide with naked terror. One of the Autarch<ch.apos/>s Imperial Guard Captains stands over them with a glowing stave held firmly in his gauntleted hands. The tip of the stave trails wisps of blue-grey smoke, indicating that it is this weapon, and its wielder, who were responsible for the death of Sergeant Yeng.</p>
2453 <p>The Autarch calls for you to surrender. <quote>Resistance is futile, mortal. My troops are everywhere.</quote> You are about to give voice to a defiant reply when a sudden pain lances through your head.</p>
2455 <illustration class="float">
2457 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2458 <description>The Autarch demands your surrender.</description>
2460 <instance class="html" src="ill7.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
2461 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill7.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2462 <instance class="pdf" src="ill7.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
2465 <choice idref="sect294">If you possess Kai-screen, <link-text>turn to 294</link-text>.</choice>
2466 <choice idref="sect28">If you do not possess this skill, <link-text>turn to 28</link-text>.</choice>
2470 <section class="numbered" id="sect101">
2471 <meta><title>101</title></meta>
2474 <p>You determine that Prince Kamada is in danger. Your interpretation of the signs indicates that he will be betrayed by someone close to the Imperial Family. You are unable to determine who this traitor will be, but you inform the Princess and advise her that she should be on her guard at all times.</p>
2475 <p>Your reading disturbs Mitzu and she is unable to hold back her tears. She apologizes for her display of emotion, something that is frowned upon in imperial Chai society, and politely she asks you to leave.</p>
2476 <choice idref="sect298"><link-text>Turn to 298</link-text>.</choice>
2480 <section class="numbered" id="sect102">
2481 <meta><title>102</title></meta>
2484 <p>The Sabito Root enables you to breathe underwater and stay alive until the ceiling begins to rise. (Remember to erase the Sabito Root from your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.)</p>
2485 <choice idref="sect287">To continue, <link-text>turn to 287</link-text>.</choice>
2489 <section class="numbered" id="sect103">
2490 <meta><title>103</title></meta>
2493 <p>Sergeant Yeng volunteers to attack the flag-tower alone, while you and the others deal with the command tent. Having resolved your aims, you break cover and make a swift ascent of the hill. You are 20 yards from the tent when you signal to the troopers to halt. You want to be sure that the officer and his bodyguards are inside the tent before you press home the attack.</p>
2494 <choice idref="sect63">If you possess Elementalism and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 63</link-text>.</choice>
2495 <choice idref="sect179">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 179</link-text>.</choice>
2496 <choice idref="sect77">If you possess Magi-magic, a Bow and at least one Arrow, have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, and wish to use this Discipline, <link-text>turn to 77</link-text>.</choice>
2497 <choice idref="sect143">If you possess none of these skills, if you have yet to attain the required level of Kai Mastery, or if you choose not to use any of them, <link-text>turn to 143</link-text>.</choice>
2501 <section class="numbered" id="sect104">
2502 <meta><title>104</title></meta>
2505 <p>You have heard of Xi-die but you are not familiar with their use. As you are examining them, a sallow-skinned guard sergeant leans forward and tugs at your sleeve. Smiling at his impatience, you pass him the dice and hurriedly he breathes on them before casting them to the ground.</p>
2506 <p>When he and his companions look to you to interpret his throw, you can only shrug your shoulders and apologize for not being able to read them. The greasy-faced trooper frowns with disappointment as he snatches up the dice and returns them to Captain Chan. The sergeant mutters something under his breath, and you sense that his respect for you has been badly shaken.</p>
2507 <choice idref="sect153">To continue, <link-text>turn to 153</link-text>.</choice>
2511 <section class="numbered" id="sect105">
2512 <meta><title>105</title></meta>
2515 <p>Upon the death of the last Brumalghast, you feel the temperature in this part of the forest begin to rise. The death of these creatures has broken the spell, and nature has already started to reclaim this cursed timberland. Using your healing skills, you revive Chan and then hurry westwards along the highway on foot, towards the caravan. Upon emerging from the forest, you are sighted by Sergeant Yeng. He is leading a party of scouts that have been scouring the tree-line in search of you.</p>
2516 <p>It is nearly dark by the time you return to the caravan, and Kau-Doshin is gravely concerned to hear of your deadly encounter in the forest. He orders that night camp be made on the highway and, on Chan<ch.apos/>s advice, he agrees that the caravan will have to travel across country tomorrow to avoid the perilous timberland.</p>
2517 <p>Next day, the journey proves to be much harder than Kau-Doshin could have imagined. The caravan is forced to slow its speed for fear of breaking an axle as it crosses the uneven grasslands. You and Captain Chan now ride the horses that were given to Xo-lin by the nomad chief, Bazan. They are fine thoroughbreds, fleet of foot and highly disciplined.</p>
2518 <p>During the afternoon, you come upon a narrow stream and Chan orders the caravan to halt so that the horses may be fed and watered. You are sharing a loaf of bread with one of the troopers when suddenly you hear a shrill scream of fright. It comes from Princess Mitzu<ch.apos/>s carriage and you sense that the young Prince is in danger.</p>
2519 <choice idref="sect127">If you wish to investigate the scream, <link-text>turn to 127</link-text>.</choice>
2520 <choice idref="sect296">If you choose to ignore the scream, <link-text>turn to 296</link-text>.</choice>
2524 <section class="numbered" id="sect106">
2525 <meta><title>106</title></meta>
2528 <p>Suddenly you catch sight of Chan<ch.apos/>s troopers rushing towards the creatures from behind. Bravely they strike out at them with their heavy cavalry sabres, and the surprise of their attack buys you and the captain a few precious seconds in which to free your weapons. Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, your Kai Weapon slips from your grasp and tumbles into the undergrowth.</p>
2529 <combat><enemy>Krakalla</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">50</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">48</enemy-attribute></combat>
2530 <p>You are unable to retrieve your Kai Weapon until the combat is over, but you may add 1 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of the fight for you are being supported by one of Chan<ch.apos/>s troopers. He is attacking this creature from behind.</p>
2531 <choice idref="sect241">If you win the fight, <link-text>turn to 241</link-text>.</choice>
2535 <section class="numbered" id="sect107">
2536 <meta><title>107</title></meta>
2539 <p>You draw upon your Magnakai Pathsmanship skills and inspect the tracks closely, but after several minutes of examining these footprints you are still not sure in which direction you should go. Your Kai Sixth Sense tells you that your Kai Weapon is somewhere near, but you cannot pinpoint its exact location.</p>
2540 <choice idref="sect94">If you wish to explore the passageway to the left, <link-text>turn to 94</link-text>.</choice>
2541 <choice idref="sect155">If you decide to explore the passageway to the right, <link-text>turn to 155</link-text>.</choice>
2545 <section class="numbered" id="sect108">
2546 <meta><title>108</title></meta>
2549 <p>Sergeant Yeng draws his sword and rushes across the burial chamber towards the distant door. You gently rest Kau-Doshin<ch.apos/>s head upon the stone floor and then clamber to your feet to join him. As Yeng pulls open the creaking wooden portal, a blast of electrical energy hits him in the chest and sends him cartwheeling backwards into the middle of the burial chamber. You rush to his side, but it is already too late to help him; he was killed instantaneously by the blast.</p>
2550 <choice idref="sect250"><link-text>Turn to 250</link-text>.</choice>
2554 <section class="numbered" id="sect109">
2555 <meta><title>109</title></meta>
2558 <p>You watch the scouts and their sergeant gallop off along the highway until Chan orders the caravan to continue on its way towards the village. As you pass through this settlement, excited village children begin running alongside the carriage horses. They feed them vegetables and handfuls of straw, and in return the kindly drivers toss them freshly-minted Ren<ch.emdash/>the currency of Chai.</p>
2559 <p>By mid-afternoon the caravan enters a sparsely wooded area. In some places the branches of the surrounding trees form canopies over the highway which provide a welcome respite from the blazing sun. While passing through one of these leafy tunnels, your Kai Sixth Sense alerts you to a hidden danger. You warn Chan and he heeds your advice; fearing an ambush by Kronar<ch.apos/>s gang, he sends out an order to his men to be extra vigilant. Nervously, you scan the surrounding trees for a visible sign of danger, yet your keen eyes detect nothing unusual. Then suddenly a cry rings out. You glance over your shoulder and, to your horror, you see three monstrous creatures grappling with the driver of Princess Mitzu<ch.apos/>s carriage. They have dropped out of the canopy of branches as her wagon passed beneath their secret hiding place.</p>
2560 <p>Simultaneously, you and Captain Chan turn your horses about and gallop headlong towards the stricken driver. The man is fighting bravely, but his ghoulish attackers have injured him badly and his strength is fading fast. You must act swiftly if you are to save his life and spare Princess Mitzu from these three monstrous ambushers.</p>
2561 <choice idref="sect141">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 141</link-text>.</choice>
2562 <choice idref="sect132">If you possess Magi-magic and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 132</link-text>.</choice>
2563 <choice idref="sect219">If you possess Kai-surge and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 219</link-text>.</choice>
2564 <choice idref="sect18">If you possess none of these skills, or if you choose not to use any of them, <link-text>turn instead to 18</link-text>.</choice>
2568 <section class="numbered" id="sect110">
2569 <meta><title>110</title></meta>
2572 <p>Fort Vlau is under attack. A large force of Bhanarian cavalry has breached its outer wall and fierce fighting rages around its inner keep. You magnify your vision and quickly realize that the attacking force is being directed from a small hill to the south of the fort. Perched atop this hill you can see a command post, comprising an officer<ch.apos/>s tent and a wooden flag-tower. By means of flags waved by a signalman, the Bhanarian officer is directing his troops to attack the weakest sections of the beleaguered stronghold.</p>
2574 <illustration class="inline">
2576 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2578 <instance class="html" src="small9.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
2579 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small9.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2580 <instance class="pdf" src="small9.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
2583 <p>Chan orders the caravan off the highway and into the tall plains grass. You consult with the captain and sense that he is anxious about this unforeseen situation. The caravan is especially vulnerable stranded out here on the plain, and there seems to be little chance of finding sanctuary in the fort at present. Chan appears despondent, but you tell him not to give up hope for you have a plan<ch.emdash/>an especially bold and daring plan.</p>
2584 <choice idref="sect236"><link-text>Turn to 236</link-text>.</choice>
2588 <section class="numbered" id="sect111">
2589 <meta><title>111</title></meta>
2592 <p>You search the grassland around the rear of the carriage but you are unable to find the toy soldier anywhere. Your Kai Sixth Sense tells you that someone has already found the discarded toy before you. Cursing this misfortune, you abandon the search and return to your night shelter.</p>
2593 <choice idref="sect239"><link-text>Turn to 239</link-text>.</choice>
2597 <section class="numbered" id="sect112">
2598 <meta><title>112</title></meta>
2601 <p>You see Xango fall from his horse as it gallops across rough ground at the approach to the wooded rise. Kronar and his companion immediately rush to his aid and, while they are distracted, Chan signals to the caravan to move forward.</p>
2602 <p>The drivers whip their teams and the carriages come trundling along the highway at a speedy pace. You wait patiently until they have passed your position, and then you turn your horses about and follow on behind. By the time Kronar has made sure that his brother is alive and well, the caravan has passed safely out of range of his intended ambush.</p>
2603 <choice idref="sect40"><link-text>Turn to 40</link-text>.</choice>
2607 <section class="numbered" id="sect113">
2608 <meta><title>113</title></meta>
2611 <p>The Autarch shrieks with agony as the Arrow of Atonement skewers his heart. As he collapses to his knees, you rush forwards to drag the frightened young boy away from Sejanoz<ch.apos/>s rapidly decomposing body. For centuries his unnatural powers have preserved his cadaverous frame and held time at bay, but within the matter of a few seconds, time wreaks its vengeance upon the demonic Autarch. His flesh and bones disintegrate to a fine dust that seeps through the rubble and earth and disappears without trace.</p>
2612 <choice idref="sect286"><link-text>Turn to 286</link-text>.</choice>
2616 <section class="numbered" id="sect114">
2617 <meta><title>114</title></meta>
2620 <p>The trees seem unnaturally quiet and chill as you follow the pebble-strewn highway into the heart of this unnamed forest. Steadily the temperature drops as you ride deeper into the pines, until frost dusts the branches and frozen puddles appear on the road ahead. You sense that evil magic is at work here and you tell Chan that it would be wise to go no further. He heeds your advice and you rein your horses to a halt. But as you are turning them about, you are shocked to see that something is now blocking the road behind you.</p>
2621 <choice idref="sect235"><link-text>Turn to 235</link-text>.</choice>
2625 <section class="numbered" id="sect115">
2626 <meta><title>115</title></meta>
2629 <p>You utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Net</spell> and point your hand at the attacking creature. You dare not launch any destructive magic at the beast for fear of injuring the trooper, and you can only pray that this spell will be effective.</p>
2630 <p>A gout of sticky fibres gushes from your hand and engulfs the beast and its prey, instantly halting its ferocious attack. Hurriedly you dismount and unsheathe your Kai Weapon in time to counter an attack from the other two horrors.</p>
2631 <combat><enemy>Chagarashi</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">44</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
2632 <p>You may add 1 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this combat as Sergeant Yeng is fighting the same enemy.</p>
2633 <choice idref="sect97">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 97</link-text>.</choice>
2637 <section class="numbered" id="sect116">
2638 <meta><title>116</title></meta>
2641 <p>You thread your way through a maze of narrow tunnels until you reach a low-ceilinged burial chamber. Here you see Kau-Doshin lying crumpled on the floor. Blood is trickling from between his lips and you sense that he is close to death. Carefully you cradle his head and he gasps with the pain of his many wounds. Barely able to speak, he points to an arched doorway at the far end of the hall and says: <quote>Please<ch.ellips/>save<ch.ellips/>them!</quote></p>
2642 <choice idref="sect108"><link-text>Turn to 108</link-text>.</choice>
2646 <section class="numbered" id="sect117">
2647 <meta><title>117</title></meta>
2650 <p>Shavane adamantly refuses to show the amulet. She accuses you of being in league with Trooper Yankin and says that you are a foreign agent of the enemy. Her accusations find no favour with Captain Chan and he swiftly steps forward and tugs the chain from around her neck. Shavane shrieks in protest, and desperately attempts to snatch it back from the captain. But he skilfully holds her at bay with his left hand as he raises her amulet aloft in his right. The crowd gasps with astonishment when they see that Shavane<ch.apos/>s amulet bears the tiger<ch.apos/>s-head emblem of Autarch Sejanoz.</p>
2651 <choice idref="sect74"><link-text>Turn to 74</link-text>.</choice>
2655 <section class="numbered" id="sect118">
2656 <meta><title>118</title></meta>
2659 <p>You abandon your attempt to open the sealed portal and return to the caravan. The repair of the damaged wheel has nearly been completed, and within the hour the caravan column is moving eastwards once more. An overnight camp is pitched on the highway itself, near a sleepy hamlet called Sansei, and the following day you make good progress along the sun-baked trade road to Rakholi.</p>
2660 <p>Shortly before noon of the third day of your journey to the tented city, the caravan column crests the rim of a wide valley that lies 50 miles from the banks of the Tkukoma. Spread out before you now is the Vale of Nahba, a spectacularly strange region of the Chai Plain that is punctuated with hundreds of bore holes and geysers. Great columns of steam and scalding water are hurled skywards, driven by the pressure of gases escaping from deep below the surface. Some of the fissures descend for miles, passing close to the planet<ch.apos/>s molten core.</p>
2661 <p>The highway traverses this alien landscape, and as darkness approaches, you find yourself at a place near the eastern rim of the vale. A night camp is established here among the bubbling pools and hollows, and an evening meal of poached eggs and steamed fish is prepared. After supper, you settle down and try to get some sleep, despite the constant distraction of the eerie noises that echo across this strange valley.</p>
2662 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
2663 <choice idref="sect288">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 288</link-text>.</choice>
2664 <choice idref="sect30">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 30</link-text>.</choice>
2668 <section class="numbered" id="sect119">
2669 <meta><title>119</title></meta>
2672 <p>You call to Sergeant Yeng to fetch some blasting powder from the fort<ch.apos/>s armoury. He carries out your order and returns swiftly with a keg of gunpowder. You pour a handful into the crack beneath the portal and set a fuse. Then you light it and retreat to a safe distance. There is a dull boom and the door creaks open amidst a cloud of dust and blue-tinged smoke. The coughs and cries of the entourage can be heard echoing throughout the distant corridors of this labyrinth. Fearing that it may already be too late to save the Khea-khan and his family from the clutches of Autarch Sejanoz, you and Sergeant Yeng rush along an arched corridor in search of them until you come to a junction.</p>
2673 <choice idref="sect246">If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, <link-text>turn to 246</link-text>.</choice>
2674 <choice idref="sect167">If you do not, <link-text>turn to 167</link-text>.</choice>
2678 <section class="numbered" id="sect120">
2679 <meta><title>120</title></meta>
2682 <p><quote>I shall summon Kau-Doshin,</quote> interjects Shavane. <quote>He<ch.apos/>ll know what to do.</quote></p>
2683 <p>Quickly the nurse leaves the carriage. While she is gone you retrieve the potion from your Backpack and administer a little to the boy, diluted with some water. The Prince is beginning to revive when the court counsellor arrives and takes charge. He thanks you for making the boy comfortable and then he asks you to leave so that he may have room to prepare <quote>a proper potion</quote> to counter the poison. As you descend the steps of the carriage, you hear the door slam shut behind you.</p>
2684 <p>(Remember to erase the Potion of Klorva from your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.)</p>
2685 <choice idref="sect239">If you wish to return to your night shelter, <link-text>turn to 239</link-text>.</choice>
2686 <choice idref="sect111">If you wish to search for the toy soldier that Shavane threw away, <link-text>turn to 111</link-text>.</choice>
2690 <section class="numbered" id="sect121">
2691 <meta><title>121</title></meta>
2694 <p>Upon emerging from the forest, you are sighted by Sergeant Yeng. He is leading a party of scouts that are scouring the tree-line in search of you. It is nearly dark by the time you return to the caravan, and Kau-Doshin is gravely concerned to hear of your deadly encounter in the forest. He orders that night camp be made on the highway and, on Chan<ch.apos/>s advice, he agrees that the caravan will have to travel across country tomorrow to avoid the perilous timberland.</p>
2695 <p>Next day, the journey proves to be much harder than Kau-Doshin could have imagined. The caravan is forced to slow its speed for fear of breaking an axle as it crosses the uneven grasslands. You and Captain Chan now ride the horses that were given to Xo-lin by the nomad chief, Bazan. They are fine thoroughbreds, fleet of foot and highly disciplined.</p>
2696 <p>During the afternoon, you come upon a narrow stream and Chan orders the caravan to halt so that the horses may be fed and watered. You are sharing a loaf of bread with one of the troopers when suddenly you hear a shrill scream of fright. It comes from Princess Mitzu<ch.apos/>s carriage and you sense that the young Prince is in danger.</p>
2697 <choice idref="sect127">If you wish to investigate the scream, <link-text>turn to 127</link-text>.</choice>
2698 <choice idref="sect296">If you choose to ignore the scream, <link-text>turn to 296</link-text>.</choice>
2702 <section class="numbered" id="sect122">
2703 <meta><title>122</title></meta>
2706 <p>Together you and Chan make your way outside to the palace courtyard where the Imperial Caravan waits in readiness for the long journey east. It consists of three large carriages, each drawn by a team of eight horses, plus an escort of twenty Imperial Cavalry troopers clad in plain crimson tunics. The golden ornamentation that once embellished these carriages has been stripped away, and their fine lacquered sides have been painted a dun brown to camouflage their true origins. Chan approves of their ordinary appearance for it will be far less likely to attract unwanted attention on the long road ahead.</p>
2708 <illustration class="inline">
2710 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2712 <instance class="html" src="small4.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
2713 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small4.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2714 <instance class="pdf" src="small4.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
2717 <p>With a deft flick of his Kirusami, Chan motions to a stable guard to bring him his horse<ch.emdash/>a proud stable stallion. The young man complies, and he also brings an additional mount, a dappled chestnut mare. He hands the reins of this horse to you.</p>
2718 <p><quote>We<ch.apos/>ll ride together, my lord,</quote> says Chan, as he settles himself into his saddle. You mount your horse, and then together you watch in silence as the aged Khea-khan and his family arrive in the courtyard. Devoted attendants usher them into the middle carriage, and as soon as the doors are closed, Chan gives the signal for the column to move off. Slowly the carriages trundle through the gates of the palace and out into the city beyond, preceded by the Imperial Cavalry troopers. You and Chan follow behind the third carriage, and as you are passing through the gates, the last sound you hear is the collective sobbing of the Khea-khan<ch.apos/>s loyal servants, those he has had to leave behind.</p>
2720 <illustration class="float">
2722 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2723 <description>The Imperial Caravan leaves the palace courtyard.</description>
2725 <instance class="html" src="ill8.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
2726 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill8.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2727 <instance class="pdf" src="ill8.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
2730 <choice idref="sect58">To continue, <link-text>turn to 58</link-text>.</choice>
2734 <section class="numbered" id="sect123">
2735 <meta><title>123</title></meta>
2738 <p>You return Prince Kamada to his mother and help carry the Khea-khan from out of these perilous catacombs. You are met by Captain Chan at the portal entrance, and he is greatly relieved to see that the Imperial Family are still alive. But when you tell him that Sejanoz is dead he can hardly believe his ears. <quote>Ishir be praised! At last, after 3,000 years, our continent is free of that accursed tyrant!</quote></p>
2739 <choice idref="sect300"><link-text>Turn to 300</link-text>.</choice>
2743 <section class="numbered" id="sect124">
2744 <meta><title>124</title></meta>
2747 <p>For nearly an hour you wander the tented streets of Rakholi, enjoying the sights and smells of this strange nomad-city. During your exploration, you are able to buy food at a cost of 1 Gold Crown (= 10 Ren) per Meal, Arrows at 1 Gold Crown for two (= 5 Ren each), and Rice Wine at 1 Gold Crown per bottle.</p>
2748 <p>If you choose to purchase any of the above, remember to make the appropriate adjustments to your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a>.</p>
2749 <choice idref="sect268">To continue, <link-text>turn to 268</link-text>.</choice>
2753 <section class="numbered" id="sect125">
2754 <meta><title>125</title></meta>
2757 <p>You leap over the bodies of the slain Bhanarians, and leave this chamber through a hole in the far wall. You thread your way through a maze of narrow tunnels beyond, until you reach a low-ceilinged burial chamber. Here you see Kau-Doshin lying crumpled on the floor. Blood is trickling from between his lips and you sense that he is close to death. You carefully cradle his head and he gasps with the pain of his many wounds. Barely able to speak, he points to an arched doorway at the far end of the hall and says: <quote><ch.lellips/>save<ch.ellips/>them!</quote></p>
2758 <choice idref="sect108"><link-text>Turn to 108</link-text>.</choice>
2762 <section class="numbered" id="sect126">
2763 <meta><title>126</title></meta>
2766 <p><quote>Of course, your majesty,</quote> you reply, sympathetically. Then you retrieve the Xi-die from your pocket and pass them to the anxious Princess. She is familiar with their use, and she breathes on them for several moments before casting them onto the marble tabletop.</p>
2768 <illustration class="inline">
2770 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2772 <instance class="html" src="small8.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
2773 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small8.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2774 <instance class="pdf" src="small8.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
2777 <p>Carefully you examine the resulting position and facings of the dice, and you swallow hard when you see that they reveal a disturbing prediction.</p>
2778 <choice idref="sect101"><link-text>Turn to 101</link-text>.</choice>
2782 <section class="numbered" id="sect127">
2783 <meta><title>127</title></meta>
2786 <p>You hurry to the carriage and discover Princess Mitzu consoling her young son who is shivering with fright. Chan is nearby, holding a dead serpent by the tail. You swallow hard when you see that it is a scarlet viper, a notoriously poisonous snake. One of Chan<ch.apos/>s troopers is being restrained by two of his comrades, and he is pleading his innocence.</p>
2787 <p><quote>What is going on?</quote> you ask.</p>
2788 <p>Chan explains that the Prince disturbed the viper which was asleep under the covers of his cot.</p>
2789 <p><quote>He is lucky to be alive,</quote> says Mitzu, hugging him close. <quote>His cries alerted Captain Chan and me, and when we arrived, we found Trooper Yankin inside the carriage. I suspect he is an enemy agent, one of the Autarch<ch.apos/>s spies.</quote></p>
2790 <p><quote>I<ch.apos/>m not, I swear it!</quote> retorts the accused man. <quote>I was nearby when I heard the Prince scream. I rushed into the carriage to save him. I thought he was being attacked.</quote></p>
2791 <p>You stare directly into the accused man<ch.apos/>s eyes and your Kai Sixth Sense tells you that he may be speaking the truth.</p>
2792 <choice idref="sect152">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 152</link-text>.</choice>
2793 <choice idref="sect230">If you possess Kai-surge and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 230</link-text>.</choice>
2794 <choice idref="sect244">If you possess neither of these skills, or if you choose not to use them, <link-text>turn to 244</link-text>.</choice>
2798 <section class="numbered" id="sect128">
2799 <meta><title>128</title></meta>
2802 <p>You retrieve your Kai Weapon from the hand of a dead tomb robber, and wipe its blade clean before sheathing it in your scabbard. (You may now restore the details of your Kai Weapon to your <a idref="action">list of Special Items</a>.)</p>
2803 <p>A brief search of this room reveals a large amount of stolen graveyard booty, but there is nothing here of any practical value to you. To one side of the room<ch.apos/>s brick fireplace you discover a bolted door, and you sense that someone is being held captive in the room beyond. Cautiously you draw back the bolt and tug on the door handle. As it creaks open, you are assailed by a revolting smell that even your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus cannot counter. Burying your mouth and nose in the sleeve of your tunic, you take your first tentative step into the gloomy chamber beyond.</p>
2804 <choice idref="sect240"><link-text>Turn to 240</link-text>.</choice>
2808 <section class="numbered" id="sect129">
2809 <meta><title>129</title></meta>
2812 <p>As the prisoner is led away, you ask Captain Chan what he intends to do with the man.</p>
2813 <p><quote>He<ch.apos/>s our hostage now, our guarantee of a trouble-free journey past the forest tomorrow. I<ch.apos/>d wager Captain Kronar will stay his hand when he sees that we have his little brother prisoner.</quote></p>
2814 <p>You sleep well and rise shortly before dawn to help prepare the horses for the road ahead. A mount is assigned to the prisoner, and he rides with you and Captain Chan at the head of the caravan column. The highway skirts the perimeter of the Javai Forest, and within an hour of leaving the ford, you catch sight of something in the distance that makes your senses tingle. To your right you see a wooded rise that runs parallel to the highway. You question the prisoner and he confirms that this is where his brother Kronar has prepared the ambush.</p>
2815 <p>Chan orders the caravan drivers to halt and await his further signal, and then together the three of you ride ahead. Xango<ch.apos/>s hands are tied behind his back and a noose is slipped over his head. This is attached to a trailing rope which is fastened to the horn of the captain<ch.apos/>s saddle. If Xango should attempt to escape, he will either strangle himself or break his neck when the rope is pulled taut.</p>
2816 <p>Suddenly you see two riders appear on the crest of the rise. They dismount and then disappear among the folds of the woodland. Minutes later they reappear atop a hillock, now no more than 30 yards distant. Instantly Chan recognizes that one of them, a tall man dressed in a padded tunic of scarlet and black silk, is Captain Kronar. You watch with growing trepidation as Kronar unslings a bow from his shoulder, draws an arrow, and takes aim in your direction. Moments later his companion copies his leader<ch.apos/>s actions.</p>
2818 <illustration class="float">
2820 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2821 <description>Three riders approach on sturdy black ponies.</description>
2823 <instance class="html" src="ill9.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
2824 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill9.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2825 <instance class="pdf" src="ill9.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
2828 <p><quote>Let my brother go free, Chan!</quote> commands Kronar. <quote>Free him now, or you and your comrade are dead men.</quote> A cold shiver runs the length of your spine when your Kai Sixth Sense tells you that this is no idle threat. Kronar is an expert archer.</p>
2829 <choice idref="sect92">If you wish to urge Chan to comply with Kronar<ch.apos/>s command, <link-text>turn to 92</link-text>.</choice>
2830 <choice idref="sect277">If you choose to insist that he ignore Kronar<ch.apos/>s command, <link-text>turn to 277</link-text>.</choice>
2834 <section class="numbered" id="sect130">
2835 <meta><title>130</title></meta>
2838 <p>The mood among the troopers and entourage is subdued after the harrowing events that befell you in the Vale of Nahba. It is not until you reach the River Tkukoma, and see the famous Vulkin Bridge that spans this mighty waterway, that their spirits begin to rise. Chan informs you that the bridge was named after an ancient Khea-khan of Chai, one of Xo-lin<ch.apos/>s illustrious ancestors. The caravan halts on the bridge and the Khea-khan makes a rare appearance. Briefly, he leaves the confines of his carriage to pay tribute at a shrine dedicated to his famous ancestor.</p>
2839 <p>Beyond the bridge lies the realm of Lissan. You enter this friendly territory and late in the afternoon you see riders approaching on the highway ahead. They are mounted on sturdy black ponies and they bear the scarlet wolf<ch.apos/>s head flag of Bazan<ch.emdash/>a famous Lissanian nomad chief. Their leader greets you warmly and he warns Captain Chan that Bhanarian scouts have been sighted in this region. He and his men volunteer to escort the caravan to Rakholi, and Captain Chan gratefully accepts their offer.</p>
2840 <choice idref="sect229">To continue, <link-text>turn to 229</link-text>.</choice>
2844 <section class="numbered" id="sect131">
2845 <meta><title>131</title></meta>
2848 <p>The fall leaves you with a deeply gashed scalp and a badly bruised shoulder: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
2849 <choice idref="sect200">To continue, <link-text>turn to 200</link-text>.</choice>
2853 <section class="numbered" id="sect132">
2854 <meta><title>132</title></meta>
2857 <p>You raise your left arm and clench your fist, taking aim with it like a lance as you gallop towards the Princess<ch.apos/>s carriage. Then you speak the words of the Old Kingdom Spell <spell>Invisible Fist</spell>, and a concussive burst of energy leaps from your hand to strike one of the beasts in the stomach. The power of its impact doubles the creature over and sends it tumbling headlong onto the highway. Moments later, its body is crushed by the pounding hooves of the following horses.</p>
2858 <choice idref="sect243"><link-text>Turn to 243</link-text>.</choice>
2862 <section class="numbered" id="sect133">
2863 <meta><title>133</title></meta>
2866 <p>As Chan descends the steps towards the main gate, he urges you to follow him. He says that the enemy<ch.apos/>s missiles are hitting the battlements with such frequency now that it would be suicidal to stay there a moment longer.</p>
2867 <p><quote>But I can observe the enemy better from here,</quote> you reply, bravely. <quote>Go, Captain, I will join you later.</quote> Chan leaps down the final few steps and rushes towards the gate. As you turn back to look along the enemy lines, there is a loud explosion and you are blinded by a vivid flash of yellow flame.</p>
2868 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
2869 <choice idref="sect226">If the number you have picked is 3 or lower, <link-text>turn to 226</link-text>.</choice>
2870 <choice idref="sect21">If it is 4<ch.endash/>6, <link-text>turn to 21</link-text>.</choice>
2871 <choice idref="sect218">If it is 7<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 218</link-text>.</choice>
2875 <section class="numbered" id="sect134">
2876 <meta><title>134</title></meta>
2879 <p>Unnerved by your discovery of the dead hunter, you press on in silence. The temperature drops steadily as you ride deeper into the pines, until frost dusts the branches and frozen puddles appear on the track ahead. Soon the track ends abruptly and you are forced to make a wide detour to the south. After traversing two miles of difficult terrain, you happen upon the highway that bisects this nameless forest. Reluctantly you follow the highway eastwards for one mile until your Kai senses detect that evil magic is at work in this frigid timberland. When you tell Chan that it would be wise to go no further, he is only too willing to heed your advice and you rein your horses to a halt. But as you are turning them about, you are shocked to see that something is now blocking the highway behind you.</p>
2880 <choice idref="sect235"><link-text>Turn to 235</link-text>.</choice>
2884 <section class="numbered" id="sect135">
2885 <meta><title>135</title></meta>
2888 <p>You are about to warn Sergeant Yeng of what you can sense, when the threat of danger becomes a stark reality. Suddenly a guttural cry shatters the stillness, making you twist in your saddle to face your hidden enemies. But to your horror you discover that these enemies are not bandits at all<ch.emdash/>they are something different, something wholly inhuman.</p>
2889 <p>From out of the tall grasses come loping three long-limbed monstrosities with scaly green hides and dripping fangs. The leader of the trio leaps through the air like a pouncing cheetah, making your horse rear up in sheer terror. You tug your Kai Weapon from its scabbard and struggle to strike your first blow as your horse shies away from this hungry attacker.</p>
2890 <combat><enemy>Chagarashi Leader</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">42</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">38</enemy-attribute></combat>
2891 <choice idref="sect9">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 9</link-text>.</choice>
2895 <section class="numbered" id="sect136">
2896 <meta><title>136</title></meta>
2899 <p>You draw upon your Discipline to create a fog that billows up in the midst of the robbers. As soon as you hear their screams of panic, you kick open the door and attack them. You catch them completely by surprise, but to your dismay you soon discover that one of your adversaries is armed with your Kai Weapon which he uses against you.</p>
2900 <combat><enemy>Tomb Robbers <em>(with Kai Weapon)</em></enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">48</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">48</enemy-attribute></combat>
2901 <choice idref="sect12">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 12</link-text>.</choice>
2905 <section class="numbered" id="sect137">
2906 <meta><title>137</title></meta>
2909 <p>You roll away from the dead Bhanarian officer and spring to your feet, eager to confront Autarch Sejanoz. To your horror, you see that he is holding young Prince Kamada. Bravely, Princess Mitzu attempts to wrest her son from the tyrant<ch.apos/>s grasp, but she is sent crashing to the floor with one swipe of his cadaverous hand.</p>
2910 <p>With a cruel laugh Autarch Sejanoz bids you farewell and turns to make his escape along an adjoining tunnel, the young Kamada held captive under his arm.</p>
2911 <p><quote>Save him!</quote> pleads Mitzu. <quote>Please save my son!</quote></p>
2912 <choice idref="sect208">If you wish to chase after the Autarch, <link-text>turn to 208</link-text>.</choice>
2913 <choice idref="sect65">If you wish to attempt to stop him with your Bow, <link-text>turn to 65</link-text>.</choice>
2917 <section class="numbered" id="sect138">
2918 <meta><title>138</title></meta>
2921 <p>You carefully insert the blade of your Kai Weapon beneath the lip of the trapdoor and push down on it with all your might. At first the portal refuses to budge. You persist, and then you feel a slight movement. Unfortunately, this movement triggers a booby trap that was placed here by a sorcerer, hundreds of years ago, to keep this portal secure. You are momentarily blinded by an explosion of hissing sparks, and you suffer flash burns to your face and hands: lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
2922 <p>(If you possess Deliverance, you may reduce the damage you have suffered to 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point.)</p>
2923 <choice idref="sect265">To continue, <link-text>turn to 265</link-text>.</choice>
2927 <section class="numbered" id="sect139">
2928 <meta><title>139</title></meta>
2931 <p>You stagger to your feet in time to see the other tomb robbers escaping on horseback. They are heading east towards the distant ruins of Zanaza, and they have abandoned their wagon and their confederate in their hurry to escape. You look around for your Kai Weapon and suddenly the shock of realization hits you<ch.emdash/>the tomb robbers have stolen it! Cursing them at the top of your voice, you vow that you will hunt them down and get it back.</p>
2932 <p>(You must now erase your Kai Weapon from your <a idref="action">list of Special Items</a>.)</p>
2933 <choice idref="sect260">To continue, <link-text>turn to 260</link-text>.</choice>
2937 <section class="numbered" id="sect140">
2938 <meta><title>140</title></meta>
2941 <p>Among the serried ranks of enemy spearmen you catch sight of a scarlet flag emblazoned with a gold tiger<ch.apos/>s head. This is Sejanoz<ch.apos/>s personal flag and it signifies that the Autarch is on the battlefield in person. You are stunned by the sight of this pennant, and you fear that the tyrant is aware that the Imperial Family of Chai is hiding here.</p>
2942 <p>The advancing Bhanarian soldiers halt 300 yards from the wall of Fort Vlau, just beyond the range of Kasarian<ch.apos/>s archers. Their steam-cannon is brought up by teams of oxen to within 50 yards, and is shielded all the while from arrow fire by an armoured wagon. Kasarian fears that the enemy are getting ready to bombard the main gate and he orders everyone clear.</p>
2944 <illustration class="inline">
2946 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
2948 <instance class="html" src="small11.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
2949 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small11.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
2950 <instance class="pdf" src="small11.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
2953 <choice idref="sect37">If you wish to obey Kasarian<ch.apos/>s command, <link-text>turn to 37</link-text>.</choice>
2954 <choice idref="sect184">If you choose to ignore his command, <link-text>turn to 184</link-text>.</choice>
2958 <section class="numbered" id="sect141">
2959 <meta><title>141</title></meta>
2962 <p>You raise your right arm and utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell> as you gallop towards the Princess<ch.apos/>s carriage. An arc of blue flame leaps from your fingers and strikes a beast in the back, spinning it around and sending it tumbling headlong onto the highway where it is crushed by the pounding hooves of the following team.</p>
2963 <choice idref="sect243"><link-text>Turn to 243</link-text>.</choice>
2967 <section class="numbered" id="sect142">
2968 <meta><title>142</title></meta>
2971 <p>You utter the words of the Old Kingdom Spell <spell>Shield</spell> and hurriedly make a circle in the air before you with the palm of your right hand. Your speedy action saves you from being hit directly by the worm<ch.apos/>s deadly saliva, but you are caught by several fine droplets that burn your face and clothing: lose 2 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
2972 <p>Shocked by your unexpected resistance to its deadly attack, the worm quickly retreats back into its bore hole and disappears from view.</p>
2973 <choice idref="sect2">To continue, <link-text>turn to 2</link-text>.</choice>
2977 <section class="numbered" id="sect143">
2978 <meta><title>143</title></meta>
2981 <p>You draw your Kai Weapon and lead the attack with your stirring battle-cry upon your lips: <quote>For Sommerlund and the Kai!</quote></p>
2982 <combat><enemy>Bhanarian Cavalry Command</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">50</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">50</enemy-attribute></combat>
2983 <p>You may add 3 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this combat, for you have three Imperial Chai Guardsmen fighting by your side.</p>
2984 <choice idref="sect266">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 266</link-text>.</choice>
2988 <section class="numbered" id="sect144">
2989 <meta><title>144</title></meta>
2992 <p>You use your improved weapon skill to detect the location of your missing blade. After several minutes of meditation you determine that it lies somewhere at the end of the passageway to your left.</p>
2993 <choice idref="sect94"><link-text>Turn to 94</link-text>.</choice>
2997 <section class="numbered" id="sect145">
2998 <meta><title>145</title></meta>
3001 <p>Chan details two other troopers to accompany him, and then he places you in charge of the caravan<ch.apos/>s escort while he is away scouting the copse. As you are watching the captain and his men riding off towards the distant pines, you are joined by Sergeant Yeng. He informs you that it is very unusual for plains ravens to gather in such numbers. You magnify your vision to take a closer look at these circling birds, and your Kai Sixth Sense tingles with presentiment as you focus upon them. What you are feeling seems to confirm that there is something behind what the sergeant has said.</p>
3002 <p>The captain and his men have been gone for little more than fifteen minutes when you suddenly catch sight of one of his men galloping back across the plain towards the caravan. He is waving wildly and you sense at once that something is seriously amiss.</p>
3003 <choice idref="sect292"><link-text>Turn to 292</link-text>.</choice>
3007 <section class="numbered" id="sect146">
3008 <meta><title>146</title></meta>
3011 <p>You caution Chan, warning him that these creatures are no ordinary Agarashi. You fear they will slay your horses if you should attempt to charge them. You insist that your best chance for survival is to abandon your mounts and escape into the trees on foot, while you still can.</p>
3012 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. If you possess Kai-surge, add 1 to the number you have picked.</p>
3013 <choice idref="sect68">If your total score is now 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 68</link-text>.</choice>
3014 <choice idref="sect181">If it is 5 or higher, <link-text>turn to 181</link-text>.</choice>
3018 <section class="numbered" id="sect147">
3019 <meta><title>147</title></meta>
3022 <p>You have survived the Autarch<ch.apos/>s psychic attack, yet it has served its purpose. Distracted by the pain that coursed through your head, you fail to see his Imperial Guard Captain rushing at you from the side until it is too late to counter his determined attack. With a fearful yell, this warrior lunges at you and attempts to drive the tip of his sorcerous stave deep into your chest.</p>
3024 <illustration class="inline">
3026 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
3028 <instance class="html" src="small1.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
3029 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small1.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
3030 <instance class="pdf" src="small1.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
3033 <choice idref="sect33">If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 33</link-text>.</choice>
3034 <choice idref="sect212">If you possess Magi-magic and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 212</link-text>.</choice>
3035 <choice idref="sect188">If you possess Kai-surge and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 188</link-text>.</choice>
3036 <choice idref="sect242">If you possess Elementalism and have reached the rank of Kai Master Superior or higher, <link-text>turn to 242</link-text>.</choice>
3037 <choice idref="sect223">If you possess none of these skills, if you have yet to attain the required level of Kai Mastery, or if you choose not to use any of them, <link-text>turn to 223</link-text>.</choice>
3041 <section class="numbered" id="sect148">
3042 <meta><title>148</title></meta>
3045 <p>Silently you approach the bandits and circle around behind their position without being detected. You are drawing your Kai Weapon when a crow, sitting upon a branch directly above you, suddenly takes to the air. The sound of its cawing and the flapping of its wings startle the bandits, and they glimpse you as they turn around. Quickly you raise your weapon and leap into their hide. You land the first blow, striking one bandit a glancing hit upon his leather-capped head. It gashes his scalp and sends him crashing unconscious to the soft earth. His comrade snatches up his axe and retaliates by taking a clumsy swipe at your head. You dodge this blow easily, and then you press home your attack.</p>
3047 <illustration class="float">
3049 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
3050 <description>A Javain bandit swipes at you with his double-edged axe.</description>
3052 <instance class="html" src="ill10.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
3053 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill10.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
3054 <instance class="pdf" src="ill10.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
3057 <combat><enemy>Javain Bandit</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">28</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">28</enemy-attribute></combat>
3058 <choice idref="sect25">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 25</link-text>.</choice>
3062 <section class="numbered" id="sect149">
3063 <meta><title>149</title></meta>
3066 <p>A shock awaits you when you wake at dawn. An urgent bugle call summons the garrison to arms. You grab your equipment and hurry up the steps to the battlements and stare out across the southern plain. In the distance you see a large enemy force of cavalry and infantry, manoeuvring in readiness for an assault upon the fort. You are joined by Captain Chan. He casts his seasoned eyes across the grim spectacle and issues an order to Sergeant Yeng to make sure that the Khea-khan and his entourage are below ground. Once they are all safely in the catacombs, Yeng is to secure the portal and report back. Chan summons all of his troopers to the battlements to reinforce Kasarian<ch.apos/>s depleted garrison. <quote>We will be hard-pressed to repel this attack,</quote> he confides.</p>
3067 <p>Then you hear a distant boom, and when you look to the enemy lines, you see a puff of white smoke near their centre.</p>
3068 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
3069 <choice idref="sect206">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 206</link-text>.</choice>
3070 <choice idref="sect57">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 57</link-text>.</choice>
3074 <section class="numbered" id="sect150">
3075 <meta><title>150</title></meta>
3078 <p>You step away from the bodies of the Bhanarians and look to the flag-tower. There you see Sergeant Yeng at the parapet. He gives you a thumbs-up signal to confirm that you have now taken control of the enemy command post. You hurry to the tower and meet Yeng at the foot of its wooden ladder.</p>
3079 <p><quote>Go and round up some horses, Sergeant,</quote> you say and he acknowledges your order with a salute.</p>
3080 <p>Quickly you ascend to the top of the platform and peer over the parapet to see Sergeant Yeng and the others gathering up enemy horses so that you can make a speedy escape. You pick up the signalman<ch.apos/>s flags and issue an urgent order to the attacking troops to withdraw immediately. As soon as you see that the enemy have obeyed your command signal, you look out across the plain towards the west. A smile spreads slowly across your face when you see Captain Chan is leading the caravan at speed towards Fort Vlau. Hurriedly you descend the flag-tower and join Yeng and his troopers. You leap into the saddle of a Bhanarian steed and dig in your heels, sending the mount lurching forwards. With the warm summer wind blowing in your faces, you and your brave comrades gallop across the plain to rendezvous with the caravan at Fort Vlau.</p>
3081 <choice idref="sect284">To continue, <link-text>turn to 284</link-text>.</choice>
3085 <section class="numbered" id="sect151">
3086 <meta><title>151</title></meta>
3089 <p>Despite the setback, the repair of the damaged wheel is duly completed and within the hour the caravan column is moving eastwards once more. An overnight camp is pitched on the highway itself, near a sleepy hamlet called Sansei, and the following day you make good progress along the sun-baked highway.</p>
3090 <p>Shortly before noon of the third day of your journey to Rakholi, the column crests the rim of a wide valley basin that lies 50 miles from the banks of the Tkukoma. Spread out before you now is the Vale of Nahba, a spectacularly strange region of the Chai Plain that is punctuated with hundreds of bore holes and geysers. Great columns of steam and scalding water soar skywards, driven by the pressure of gases escaping from deep below the surface. Some of the fissures descend for miles, passing close to the planet<ch.apos/>s molten core.</p>
3091 <p>The highway traverses this alien landscape and, as darkness approaches, you find yourself at a place near the eastern rim of the vale. A night camp is established here among the bubbling pools and hollows, and an evening meal of poached eggs and steamed fish is prepared. After supper, you settle down and try to get some sleep, despite the constant distraction of the noises that echo eerily across this strange valley.</p>
3092 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>.</p>
3093 <choice idref="sect288">If the number you have picked is 0<ch.endash/>4, <link-text>turn to 288</link-text>.</choice>
3094 <choice idref="sect30">If it is 5<ch.endash/>9, <link-text>turn to 30</link-text>.</choice>
3098 <section class="numbered" id="sect152">
3099 <meta><title>152</title></meta>
3102 <p>Using the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Mind Charm</spell>, you question Trooper Yankin repeatedly about the incident. Under the influence of your spell he says exactly what he has already told Chan and the others. Your suspicions are soon confirmed<ch.emdash/>this man is speaking the truth. He did not put the viper in Prince Kamada<ch.apos/>s cot.</p>
3103 <choice idref="sect67"><link-text>Turn to 67</link-text>.</choice>
3107 <section class="numbered" id="sect153">
3108 <meta><title>153</title></meta>
3111 <p>Chan reminds his men that they are standing the second watch, and then he orders them to go and get some sleep. As they disperse, he offers the Xi-die to you as a present.</p>
3112 <p>If you wish to accept Chan<ch.apos/>s gift, record the Xi-die on your <a idref="action">Action Chart</a> as a Special Item that you keep in the pocket of your tunic. You need not discard another Special Item if you already hold the maximum number permissible.</p>
3113 <choice idref="sect204">To continue, <link-text>turn to 204</link-text>.</choice>
3117 <section class="numbered" id="sect154">
3118 <meta><title>154</title></meta>
3121 <p>You offer to tend to his wounded men and Kasarian is grateful for any assistance you can provide. The Bhanarian attack was unexpected and casualties were high. More than half of the garrison have either been killed or wounded.</p>
3122 <p>Once you have finished attending to the Lissanian wounded, you assist the garrison commander with repairs to the fort<ch.apos/>s breached wall. It is nearly nightfall by the time you finish your labours and are able to rest.</p>
3123 <p>Unless you possess the Discipline of Grand Huntmastery, you must now eat a Meal or lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
3124 <choice idref="sect149">To continue, <link-text>turn to 149</link-text>.</choice>
3128 <section class="numbered" id="sect155">
3129 <meta><title>155</title></meta>
3132 <p>You follow the passageway to a circular chamber with badly scraped walls and a smooth wooden floor. A wooden door is set flush into the opposite wall. Your Kai Sixth Sense warns you that something is wrong here, but the chamber is empty and you cannot see any obvious dangers. High above, you glimpse the ceiling. It is stained a dull, sooty black.</p>
3133 <choice idref="sect42">If you possess Telegnosis and have reached the rank of Sun Lord, <link-text>turn to 42</link-text>.</choice>
3134 <choice idref="sect27">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 27</link-text>.</choice>
3138 <section class="numbered" id="sect156">
3139 <meta><title>156</title></meta>
3142 <p>You shout out the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell>, and direct the resulting bolt of electrical energy at the body of this vile worm. Your blue-white bolt rips through its corpse-like flesh, killing it instantly. But as its body disintegrates, you are caught by the spray of its corrosive blood: lose 4 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
3143 <choice idref="sect2">To continue, <link-text>turn to 2</link-text>.</choice>
3147 <section class="numbered" id="sect157">
3148 <meta><title>157</title></meta>
3151 <p>Having agreed to lead the scouting party, you decide to take Yeng and one other man only. Under cover of darkness, you leave the encampment and approach the woodland. Using your Kai tracking skills, you are able to lead the two Chai guardsmen through the tall grasses without giving away your presence to any enemy that may be lurking nearby.</p>
3152 <p>You are within several yards of the tree-line when you detect the sound of hushed whispers. Then you catch the glint of moonlight on the lens of a telescope, and your senses reveal that two bandits are crouched in a nearby hide, observing the caravan encampment.</p>
3153 <p>You whisper to Yeng and the other man to wait where they are. <quote>Be ready to support me,</quote> you say, barely breathing the words. <quote>I<ch.apos/>m going to circle around them and attack from behind.</quote></p>
3154 <p>Yeng gives you a thumbs-up signal and wishes you good luck as you crawl away through the dense foliage.</p>
3155 <choice idref="sect148"><link-text>Turn to 148</link-text>.</choice>
3159 <section class="numbered" id="sect158">
3160 <meta><title>158</title></meta>
3163 <p>A third bolt of energy rips into the nearby wall, showering you with shards of rock. One splinter gashes your neck: lose 1 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> point.</p>
3164 <choice idref="sect100">To continue, <link-text>turn to 100</link-text>.</choice>
3168 <section class="numbered" id="sect159">
3169 <meta><title>159</title></meta>
3172 <p>You draw upon your advanced mastery of Astrology and cause Bazan to fall into a hypnotic trance. While under the influence of your powers, you ask him if trade is his only intention. Dumbly he replies that it is, and you sense that he speaks the truth. Convinced of his sincerity, you nod to Chan and then bring Bazan out of his trance.</p>
3173 <choice idref="sect283"><link-text>Turn to 283</link-text>.</choice>
3177 <section class="numbered" id="sect160">
3178 <meta><title>160</title></meta>
3181 <p>Sergeant Yeng volunteers to attack the command tent with the other troopers, while you deal with the flag-tower. Having resolved your battle objectives, you break cover and make a swift ascent of the hill. You are 20 yards from the base of the flag-tower when you see the Bhanarian signalman pacing back and forth. You can see his head clearly above the parapet of the tower, but most of his body is hidden by its stout wooden planks.</p>
3182 <choice idref="sect261">If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 261</link-text>.</choice>
3183 <choice idref="sect249">If you do not, <link-text>turn to 249</link-text>.</choice>
3187 <section class="numbered" id="sect161">
3188 <meta><title>161</title></meta>
3191 <p><quote>It is true what she has heard of the New Order,</quote> you reply, <quote>but, alas, I do not yet possess mastery of the astrological skills. Please convey my apologies to her majesty, for I must decline her request.</quote></p>
3192 <p><quote>I shall,</quote> replies Chan. <quote>Sleep well, my lord, and remember that we shall depart here no later than one hour after daybreak.</quote></p>
3193 <choice idref="sect227">To continue, <link-text>turn to 227</link-text>.</choice>
3197 <section class="numbered" id="sect162">
3198 <meta><title>162</title></meta>
3201 <p>You dive aside and the Arrow of Atonement slams into the floor barely inches from your face. Swallowing your fear, you grasp the shaft of the magic missile and wrench it from the stone. Then you spring to your feet and pursue the Autarch and his innocent young hostage.</p>
3202 <choice idref="sect6"><link-text>Turn to 6</link-text>.</choice>
3206 <section class="numbered" id="sect163">
3207 <meta><title>163</title></meta>
3210 <p>During the afternoon of the first day out from Rakholi, a fierce dust storm sweeps across the trade road from the east. For three hours the caravan is slowed to a walking pace as you battle headlong into the blinding gale. The horse teams and the riders are brought near to exhaustion by the stinging grit-laden winds (lose 2 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points).</p>
3211 <p>By dusk the storms have eased and a night camp is pitched on the open plain. While you are rigging a simple shelter for yourself, with rope and a canvas sheet, you hear something that causes you concern. It is the distraught sound of a woman crying. You detect that it is coming from Princess Mitzu<ch.apos/>s carriage and you hurry there to investigate what is wrong.</p>
3212 <choice idref="sect78"><link-text>Turn to 78</link-text>.</choice>
3216 <section class="numbered" id="sect164">
3217 <meta><title>164</title></meta>
3220 <p>The ice-fiend holds you with its terrifying eyes and, in the next instant, it belches forth a cone of ice that hurtles towards you like a huge crossbow bolt. In mid-flight, the missile splits in two and strikes both of the horses squarely in their chests. Simultaneously they rear up in agony, and both you and Chan are sent tumbling backwards to crash down upon the frost-hardened earth.</p>
3221 <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a> (0 = 10). If your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score is 25 or higher, add 2 to the number you have picked. If your <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> score is 15 or lower, deduct 2.</p>
3222 <choice idref="sect271">If your total score is now 3 or lower, <link-text>turn to 271</link-text>.</choice>
3223 <choice idref="sect131">If it is 4<ch.endash/>8, <link-text>turn to 131</link-text>.</choice>
3224 <choice idref="sect291">If it is 9 or higher, <link-text>turn to 291</link-text>.</choice>
3228 <section class="numbered" id="sect165">
3229 <meta><title>165</title></meta>
3232 <p>You cannot speak and so you mentally intone the words of the advanced Brotherhood Spell <spell>Strength</spell>. As soon as the spell-words are completed, you feel a rush of new vitality coursing through your body. Boosted by this newfound strength, you are able to support the crushing weight of the carriage just long enough for Chan<ch.apos/>s men to come to your aid. Eight of them lift the rear of the carriage and you are pulled free within seconds of it tipping over (lose 2 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points).</p>
3233 <choice idref="sect151">To continue, <link-text>turn to 151</link-text>.</choice>
3237 <section class="numbered" id="sect166">
3238 <meta><title>166</title></meta>
3241 <p>When the meal is over, Chan produces a pair of ornate ivory dice from the pocket of his tunic. <quote>These are Xi-die,</quote> he says, and tosses them to you. They feel weighty and their intricate gold designs invite a closer inspection. When you return them to the Captain, he passes them over to one of his men who cups them in his hands and breathes on them. Then, with a quick flick of his wrist, he casts them onto the ground and Chan leans forward to study the result. Cheerfully he informs the man that his future is secure; he and his wife will be blessed with a son and they can look forward to a long and happy life together. You sense at once that Chan<ch.apos/>s reading is false: he is simply using the Xi-die as a means of raising the man<ch.apos/>s morale.</p>
3243 <illustration class="inline">
3245 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
3247 <instance class="html" src="small8.png" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/png"/>
3248 <instance class="html-compatible" src="small8.gif" width="386" height="150" mime-type="image/gif"/>
3249 <instance class="pdf" src="small8.pdf" width="386" height="150"/>
3252 <p>Once all of Chan<ch.apos/>s men have taken their turn to throw the dice and have each received a favourable reading, the captain offers them to you.</p>
3253 <p><quote>Would you like to discover what your future has in store, my lord?</quote> he asks. <quote>All will be revealed with one throw of these dice.</quote></p>
3254 <choice idref="sect190">If you wish to cast the Xi-die, <link-text>turn to 190</link-text>.</choice>
3255 <choice idref="sect34">If you choose to politely decline the captain<ch.apos/>s offer, <link-text>turn to 34</link-text>.</choice>
3259 <section class="numbered" id="sect167">
3260 <meta><title>167</title></meta>
3263 <p>You sense that the Imperial Family are in very grave danger, but you cannot detect where they are. The noise of the steam-cannon has now ceased, but in its stead you hear the footfalls of iron-shod boots. This sound is ominous for it tells you that the Bhanarians are now storming the catacombs.</p>
3264 <choice idref="sect116">If you wish to take the left-hand tunnel, <link-text>turn to 116</link-text>.</choice>
3265 <choice idref="sect54">If you decide to take the right-hand tunnel, <link-text>turn to 54</link-text>.</choice>
3269 <section class="numbered" id="sect168">
3270 <meta><title>168</title></meta>
3273 <p>Boldly you set off across the chamber, taking care to tread only where there are footprints. You are within a few feet of the opposite door when suddenly the entire floor falls away like a huge hinged trapdoor. You plummet headlong into a yawning shaft and plunge into a pool of freezing water. As you break the surface, you hear the sound of giant stone cogs and the rattle of heavy chains. The ceiling is beginning to descend. It moves down the shaft like a giant plunger and your heart skips a beat when you see that it is not stained with soot after all. It is dried blood, the blood of countless men who have unwittingly fallen victim to this devilish trap.</p>
3275 <illustration class="float">
3277 <creator>Brian Williams</creator>
3278 <description>The ceiling trap, stained with the blood of countless victims, descends towards you.</description>
3280 <instance class="html" src="ill11.png" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/png"/>
3281 <instance class="html-compatible" src="ill11.gif" width="386" height="649" mime-type="image/gif"/>
3282 <instance class="pdf" src="ill11.pdf" width="386" height="649" />
3285 <p>The ceiling continues its downward travel until you are pushed below the surface. Then it halts abruptly, trapping you underwater among a tangle of mouldering bones. For ten long minutes you survive by the use of your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus, but then the dull pain in your lungs begins to intensify until they feel as if they are going to explode.</p>
3286 <choice idref="sect56">If you possess Kai-alchemy and have reached the rank of Sun Thane, <link-text>turn to 56</link-text>.</choice>
3287 <choice idref="sect221">If you possess Grand Nexus and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 221</link-text>.</choice>
3288 <choice idref="sect102">If you possess some Sabito Root, <link-text>turn to 102</link-text>.</choice>
3289 <choice idref="sect23">If you have neither of these skills, nor the Backpack Item, or have yet to attain the required level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 23</link-text>.</choice>
3293 <section class="numbered" id="sect169">
3294 <meta><title>169</title></meta>
3297 <p>You dive and roll through the foliage to avoid the icy missile, but a segment of it breaks free in mid-flight and it penetrates your left forearm: lose 2 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points.</p>
3298 <choice idref="sect216">To continue, <link-text>turn to 216</link-text>.</choice>
3302 <section class="numbered" id="sect170">
3303 <meta><title>170</title></meta>
3306 <p>You flatten yourself against your horse<ch.apos/>s neck to avoid the onrushing missile.</p>
3307 <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 you possess Assimilance, add 1.</p>
3308 <choice idref="sect55">If your total score is now 6 or lower, <link-text>turn to 55</link-text>.</choice>
3309 <choice idref="sect285">If it is 7 or higher, <link-text>turn to 285</link-text>.</choice>
3313 <section class="numbered" id="sect171">
3314 <meta><title>171</title></meta>
3317 <p>Kasarian escorts you into the fort<ch.apos/>s inner keep. At its centre there is a staircase which leads down to a massive stone door.</p>
3318 <p><quote>Beyond this portal lies a maze of catacombs. They spread for miles in all directions. This fort was built upon this ancient burial site. This is the securest place I know for the Khea-khan to stay until you are able to continue your journey to Tazhan.</quote></p>
3319 <choice idref="sect4">If you wish to help escort the Imperial Family from the caravan to the catacombs, <link-text>turn to 4</link-text>.</choice>
3320 <choice idref="sect89">If you choose instead to offer aid to the wounded garrison soldiers, <link-text>turn to 89</link-text>.</choice>
3324 <section class="numbered" id="sect172">
3325 <meta><title>172</title></meta>
3328 <p>You draw your Kai Weapon and, as you raise it in readiness to strike the first blow, a heavy silver orb comes hurtling through the crypt door and cracks your forearm. Numbed by the unexpected force of its impact, you drop your weapon and cradle your aching limb to your chest. Seconds later, a group of swarthy-faced tomb robbers come running up the crypt steps and barge you aside. You grapple with one of them and wrest a dagger from his hand, but in the blink of an eye he draws another from his boot and attempts to stab you through the heart.</p>
3329 <combat><enemy>Tomb Robber</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">30</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">35</enemy-attribute></combat>
3330 <choice idref="sect139">If you win this combat, <link-text>turn to 139</link-text>.</choice>
3334 <section class="numbered" id="sect173">
3335 <meta><title>173</title></meta>
3338 <p>As the Bhanarian officer crumples at your feet, you kick him aside and spin around to confront Autarch Sejanoz. To your horror, you see that he is holding young Prince Kamada. Bravely, Princess Mitzu attempts to wrest her son from the tyrant<ch.apos/>s grasp, but she is sent crashing to the floor with one swipe of his cadaverous hand.</p>
3339 <p>With a cruel laugh Autarch Sejanoz bids you farewell and turns to make his escape along an adjoining tunnel, the young Kamada held captive under his arm.</p>
3340 <p><quote>Save him!</quote> pleads Mitzu. <quote>Please save my son!</quote></p>
3341 <choice idref="sect208">If you wish to chase after the Autarch, <link-text>turn to 208</link-text>.</choice>
3342 <choice idref="sect65">If you wish to attempt to stop him with your Bow, <link-text>turn to 65</link-text>.</choice>
3346 <section class="numbered" id="sect174">
3347 <meta><title>174</title></meta>
3350 <p>You swiftly draw an Arrow to your Bow and let it fly towards the attacking creature. The shaft penetrates the beast<ch.apos/>s rib cage, slowing it but not deterring it from pressing home its ferocious assault. However, the trooper is now able to recover his senses and defend himself as this determined creature pursues its attack.</p>
3351 <p>Hurriedly you dismount and unsheathe your Kai Weapon. You turn only just in time to counter a strike by the other two creatures that are leaping towards you and Sergeant Yeng.</p>
3352 <combat><enemy>Chagarashi</enemy><enemy-attribute class="combatskill">44</enemy-attribute><enemy-attribute class="endurance">40</enemy-attribute></combat>
3353 <p>You may add 1 to your <typ class="attribute">COMBAT SKILL</typ> for the duration of this combat as Sergeant Yeng is fighting the same enemy.</p>
3354 <choice idref="sect295">If you win the combat, <link-text>turn to 295</link-text>.</choice>
3358 <section class="numbered" id="sect175">
3359 <meta><title>175</title></meta>
3362 <p>You shape your mouth in readiness to utter the Old Kingdom power-word <spell>Gloar!</spell> and project its concussive energy
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