<date class="publication"><year>2008</year><month>4</month><day>29</day></date>
<description class="blurb">
<p>For centuries the Shom<ch.apos/>zaa has lain incarcerated and forgotten in a granite prison located deep below the mountains of Bor. Now this terrifying beast has accidentally been set free, and its hunger for vengeance knows no bounds. With a horde of vile minions at its command, swiftly the Shom<ch.apos/>zaa enacts its sinister plan to destroy King Ryvin and the wondrous realm of the Drodarin dwarves.</p>
- <p>In The Fall of Blood Mountain, you must journey to the fabulous subterranean kingdom of the dwarves and attempt to save your ancient allies from the wrath of the Shom<ch.apos/>zaa. Will you succeed in your mission or will you succumb to the terrible powers of this ancient champion of Evil?</p>
+ <p>In <strong><cite>The Fall of Blood Mountain</cite></strong>, you must journey to the fabulous subterranean kingdom of the dwarves and attempt to save your ancient allies from the wrath of the Shom<ch.apos/>zaa. Will you succeed in your mission or will you succumb to the terrible powers of this ancient champion of Evil?</p>
</description>
<description class="publication">
<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>
<meta><title>11</title></meta>
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- <p>For more than a mile you ride the torrid waters of this underground river. Its swift current takes you through a series of low, dark caverns, and steeply sloping chutes, until you reach a place where it flows into a deeper, colder channel. Where the two rivers meet, the waters boil and seethe as they collide with a line of jagged, razor-edged rocks. Frantically you battle against the current as you are swept inexorably nearer to this treacherous reef.</p>
+ <p>For more than a mile you ride the torrid waters of this underground river. Its swift current takes you through a series of low, dark caverns, and steeply-sloping chutes, until you reach a place where it flows into a deeper, colder channel. Where the two rivers meet, the waters boil and seethe as they collide with a line of jagged, razor-edged rocks. Frantically you battle against the current as you are swept inexorably nearer to this treacherous reef.</p>
<illustration class="inline">
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<p>You enter the tunnel and follow the newly-laid wagon track to a junction where a smaller passage leads off to the right. The entrance to this smaller tunnel is blocked by a criss-cross of timbers. An Iron sign is fixed to one of the planks, but its Drodarin runescript has been eaten away by acid. When you look closer, you determine that the sign as defaced by Shom<ch.apos/>zaa himself. Traces of the acid are identical to the corrosive fluid that ate through Prince Leomin<ch.apos/>s armour.</p>
- <choice idref="sect138">If you possess Deliverance, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Defender, or higher, <link-text>turn to 138</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect138">If you possess Deliverance, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Defender or higher, <link-text>turn to 138</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect308">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 308</link-text>.</choice>
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</section>
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<p>You offer up a prayer to Ishir before you get ready to attempt to forge a way through this white-hot wall of fire. With fear running cold in your veins, you close your eyes, lower your head, and then sprint towards the roaring fire like a charging bull. You hit the flaming wall and you are consumed by its terrible, searing heat. But you do not falter or lose your footing, and within a few seconds, you emerge from it to crash headlong into a sea of soft, cool barley.</p>
<p>Miraculously, you have suffered only minor burns to the exposed parts of your body (lose 3 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points), but when you prise open your eyes and take stock of your clothes and equipment, you quickly discover that every item you are wearing is on fire.</p>
- <choice idref="sect326">If you possess Elementalism, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Master Superior, or higher, <link-text>turn to 326</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect326">If you possess Elementalism, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Master Superior or higher, <link-text>turn to 326</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect235">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 235</link-text>.</choice>
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</section>
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<p>The lancers shriek maniacally as they come galloping across the flattened crops, their spears and lances lowered in readiness to run you through.</p>
- <choice idref="sect276">If you possess Elementalism, have attained the rank of Kai Grand Defender, or higher, and you now wish to use this ability, <link-text>turn to 276</link-text>.</choice>
- <choice idref="sect155">If you possess Assimilance, have attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, or higher, and you now wish to use this ability, <link-text>turn to 155</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect276">If you possess Elementalism, have attained the rank of Kai Grand Defender or higher, and you now wish to use this ability, <link-text>turn to 276</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect155">If you possess Assimilance, have attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian or higher, and you now wish to use this ability, <link-text>turn to 155</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect128">If you possess neither of these skills, or if you have yet to attain the required level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn instead to 128</link-text>.</choice>
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</section>
<meta><title>103</title></meta>
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- <p>For more than a mile you ride the torrid waters of this underground river. Its swift current takes you through a series of low, dark caverns, and steeply sloping chutes. During one of many rapid descents, your backpack is torn and you lose one item. (Erase from your Backpack one item of your own choice.)</p>
+ <p>For more than a mile you ride the torrid waters of this underground river. Its swift current takes you through a series of low, dark caverns, and steeply-sloping chutes. During one of many rapid descents, your backpack is torn and you lose one item. (Erase from your Backpack one item of your own choice.)</p>
<p>Soon you reach a place where the river flows into a deeper, colder channel. Where the two rivers meet, the water boils and seethes as it collides with a line of jagged, razor-edged rocks. Frantically you battle against the converging currents as you are swept inexorably nearer to this treacherous reef.</p>
<illustration class="inline">
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<p>You enter the cavern and make your way along a line of parked ore wagons, using them as cover as you stealthily approach the stone channel. The pitiful sounds of torture can be heard above the noise of the furnace, and the victim<ch.apos/>s cries make your blood boil with anger. Your instinct is to attack his cruel tormentors and save him from the flames, but to do so would endanger the success of your vital mission, and so, reluctantly, you press on.</p>
<p>You reach the stone channel at the point where it crosses the wagon track, and you hide behind one of its supporting pillars. From here you can see that the exit from the cavern is open and unguarded. However, if you are to reach the mouth of this tunnel and escape from the cavern, you must first cross 20 yards of open ground in full view of a dozen Shom<ch.apos/>zaa minions.</p>
- <choice idref="sect115">If you possess Assimilance, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, or higher, <link-text>turn to 115</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect115">If you possess Assimilance, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian or higher, <link-text>turn to 115</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect309">If you possess Assimilance, but have yet to attain this level of Kai rank, <link-text>turn to 309</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect347">If you do not possess Assimilance, <link-text>turn to 347</link-text>.</choice>
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<p>You draw upon your Grand Mastery of Nexus to protect your body as you get ready to attempt to forge a way through this white-hot wall of fire. With fear running cold in your veins, you close your eyes, lower your head, and then sprint towards the roaring fire like a charging bull. You hit the flaming wall and you are consumed by its terrible, searing heat. But you do not falter or lose your footing, and within a few seconds, you emerge from it and crash headlong into a sea of soft, cool barley.</p>
<p>Physically, you have survived your ordeal unscathed, but when you prise open your eyes and take stock of your equipment, you quickly discover that your tunic and backpack are on fire.</p>
- <choice idref="sect326">If you possess Elementalism, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Master Superior, or higher, <link-text>turn to 326</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect326">If you possess Elementalism, and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Master Superior or higher, <link-text>turn to 326</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect235">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 235</link-text>.</choice>
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</section>
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<p>You level your right arm at the stack of powder kegs and whisper the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell>. A bolt of blue flame arcs from your outstretched hand and speeds towards the platform, yet the skeletal creature reacts swiftly to your deadly threat. It raises its clawed hand and launches a counter spell to check your crackling bolt.</p>
- <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. For every Kai rank that you have attained, above the rank of Kai Grand Sentinel, add 1 to the number you have picked.</p>
+ <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. For every Kai rank that you have attained above the rank of Kai Grand Sentinel, add 1 to the number you have picked.</p>
<choice idref="sect348">If your total score is now 7 or lower, <link-text>turn to 348</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect39">If it is 8 or higher, <link-text>turn to 39</link-text>.</choice>
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<data>
<p>Your mastery of herb lore enables you to identify the fungus growing here. It is Ashexa. This rare variety of toadstool is deadly poisonous, unless it is consumed with an equal quantity of Laumspur.</p>
<p>If you wish to pick some of this Ashexa, there is enough growing here for 2 potions. When swallowed with Laumspur, each dose of Ashexa will restore 5 <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points (in addition to the <typ class="attribute">ENDURANCE</typ> points restored by the Laumspur).</p>
- <choice idref="sect77">If you have reached the rank of Kai Grand Defender, or higher, <link-text>turn to 77</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect77">If you have reached the rank of Kai Grand Defender or higher, <link-text>turn to 77</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect221">If you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 221</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<data>
<p>You feel sure that the cannon is the key to your escape from this hall. However, in order to discharge the field gun at the portcullis, you will have to set a naked flame or glowing taper to its touch-hole.</p>
- <choice idref="sect337">If you possess a Bow, <em>and</em> Magi-magic, <em>and</em> have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, or higher, <link-text>turn to 337</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect337">If you possess a Bow, <em>and</em> Magi-magic, <em>and</em> have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian or higher, <link-text>turn to 337</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect105">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Grand Mastery, <link-text>turn to 105</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<p>An assault on the throne chamber is about to take place. You watch with grim fascination as the Agarashi rise up from positions they have dug around the perimeter of the cavern, and wait for their commander to shriek the order to attack. A wailing cry echoes around the cavern as the horde rushes headlong towards the barricade. They come to within a few paces of the wall before the leading ranks are obliterated by a cannon<ch.apos/>s shell and a deafening volley of Bor pistols. There is a brief clash of swords and spears, followed by an ominous silence. From out of the smoke and carnage, the few who have survived the attack come crawling back to their trenches to lick their wounds and await the next assault.</p>
<p>Soon you hear the approach of enemy reinforcements, their ill-fitting armour rattling as they come running along the tunnel. You are forced to move away from the column for fear of being seen when they arrive but, as you scurry to the cover of an empty powder barrel, you are spotted by a group of Shom<ch.apos/>zaa minions in a trench near the cavern wall. They cry out to their comrades, alerting them of your presence as they fumble to load their captured crossbows.</p>
<choice idref="sect84">If you possess a Phosphor Bomb, and wish to use it, <link-text>turn to 84</link-text>.</choice>
- <choice idref="sect216">If you possess Assimilance, have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, or higher, and wish to use your Discipline, <link-text>turn to 216</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect216">If you possess Assimilance, have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian or higher, and wish to use your Discipline, <link-text>turn to 216</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect28">If you do not possess either this item, or this skill, or have yet to attain the required level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn instead to 28</link-text>.</choice>
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</section>
<data>
<p>With a sweep of its skeletal arm, the Shom<ch.apos/>zaa Agarashi commander signals its minions to halt. Instantly they obey the order and a deathly quiet descends upon the tunnel. Your skin prickles with fear when you sense that the creature is scanning the bodies of the battle-slain, using its psychic powers to probe for signs of life.</p>
- <choice idref="sect5">If you possess Kai-screen, and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, or higher, <link-text>turn to 5</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect5">If you possess Kai-screen, and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian or higher, <link-text>turn to 5</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect179">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 179</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
<data>
<p>You level your right arm at the stack of powder kegs and whisper the words of the Brotherhood Spell <spell>Lightning Hand</spell>. A bolt of blue flame arcs from your outstretched hand and speeds towards the platform, yet the skeletal creature reacts swiftly to your deadly threat. It raises its clawed hand and launches a counter spell to check your crackling bolt.</p>
- <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. For every Kai rank that you have attained, above the rank of Kai Grand Sentinel, add 1 to the number you have picked.</p>
+ <p>Pick a number from the <a idref="random">Random Number Table</a>. For every Kai rank that you have attained above the rank of Kai Grand Sentinel, add 1 to the number you have picked.</p>
<choice idref="sect196">If your total score is now 8 or lower, <link-text>turn to 196</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect142">If it is 9 or higher, <link-text>turn to 142</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
<data>
<p>You slow to a halt and take cover in the shadows, close to the exit from the tunnel. Carefully you watch the movements of the Shom<ch.apos/>zaa Agarashi guards as you consider the most efficient way you can cause a diversion.</p>
- <choice idref="sect66">If you possess Assimilance, and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Master Superior, or higher, <link-text>turn to 66</link-text>.</choice>
+ <choice idref="sect66">If you possess Assimilance, and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Master Superior or higher, <link-text>turn to 66</link-text>.</choice>
<choice idref="sect163">If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, <link-text>turn to 163</link-text>.</choice>
</data>
</section>
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