following:
Axe
Short Sword
Dagger
2 Gold Crowns
Remember to mark any items you wish to keep on your Action Chart before making your escape down the stairs.
Turn to 55 .
243
As you reach the centre of the bridge, the leading rats are flowing up the slope of the arch. You turn and confront them, drawing a weapon in preparation for a fight to the death, if necessary. As they swarm nearer, you lash out, cleaving them from the narrow apex to fall, splashing, into the torrent of water below.
With your third blow, a shudder runs through the stone, causing you to stagger and fall. You land on the opposite bank, winded but otherwise unharmed. A loud crack fills the night and the whole centre section of the bridge collapses into the gully with a tremendous splash. Safe now from the ravenous rats, you can afford to continue along the beach at a less punishing pace.
Turn to 23 .
244
Your mastery of this Lore-circle enables you to understand the creatures' strange language, and from the shadows of the entrance you listen intently to their conversation.
‘Repairs in the central shaft are nearly finished. In three suns' time we will be able to continue,’ comments a reedy voice.
‘We cannot wait that long,’ interrupts another, its voice deeper and angrier in tone. ‘Lord Zahda ordered the tunnelling to begin again without delay. We must obey his command.’
‘But the risks are too great,’ retorts the first voice. ‘We lost a hundred slaves in the flood — next time we may lose more than just slaves.’
A noise in the corridor alerts you to approaching danger: a patrol of armoured guards is heading in your direction.
If you wish to try to sneak through the chamber and attempt to reach the opposite corridor unseen, turn to 343 .
If you wish to hide in the shadows of the doorway, turn to 181 .
245
The hound bounds forward and leaps at your chest, slamming you to the ground with its monstrous weight. Its fangs flash before your eyes, and a burning saliva stings your face. With all the strength you can muster you fight desperately for survival.
The creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge).
Hound of Death: COMBAT SKILL 22 ENDURANCE 40
If you win the combat, turn to 259 .
246
Your command works: the pain quickly subsides. However, the creature's rubbery tendril is still drawing closer to your vulnerable throat. Snatching up your weapon from the hot, black sand, you lash out and sever the tip, but instead of blood, or what would pass for blood in the body of this ghastly creature, a flame sparks into life like a sputtering fuse. The brain ceases to move, hovering motionless above the sand, as the spitting flame burns fiercely along the thin tube of flesh.
Turn to 170 .
249
Snickering with evil delight, the creatures stalk closer and closer. Talons spring from the fingers of their leathery, webbed hands, and their eyes blaze with wild red fire as they prepare to pounce.
Illustration XIV —Snickering with evil delight, the Dhax stalk closer and closer.
Dhax: COMBAT SKILL 27 ENDURANCE 35
You may evade after three rounds of combat by running into the archway opposite; turn to 241 .
If you win the combat, turn to 141 .
254
You dive straight and true, avoiding the bodies that float on the surface, and enter the water at a perfect angle. Unfortunately, the water is scalding hot — fissures of molten lava have erupted through the brittle crust of the shallows. You scream all the way to the surface, but the shock paralyses your limbs and you sink like a stone shortly afterwards.
Tragically, your life and your mission end here.
256
A dark corridor greets you beyond the door. You enter and feel your way along the wall, guided only by a tiny light in the distance. The sudden screech of metal sends a chill down your spine, and to your horror, you see a wall of black iron falling in front of the door.
Turn to 37 .
257
Another crack cuts the air, and you flinch as the invisible whip
Axe
Short Sword
Dagger
2 Gold Crowns
Remember to mark any items you wish to keep on your Action Chart before making your escape down the stairs.
Turn to 55 .
243
As you reach the centre of the bridge, the leading rats are flowing up the slope of the arch. You turn and confront them, drawing a weapon in preparation for a fight to the death, if necessary. As they swarm nearer, you lash out, cleaving them from the narrow apex to fall, splashing, into the torrent of water below.
With your third blow, a shudder runs through the stone, causing you to stagger and fall. You land on the opposite bank, winded but otherwise unharmed. A loud crack fills the night and the whole centre section of the bridge collapses into the gully with a tremendous splash. Safe now from the ravenous rats, you can afford to continue along the beach at a less punishing pace.
Turn to 23 .
244
Your mastery of this Lore-circle enables you to understand the creatures' strange language, and from the shadows of the entrance you listen intently to their conversation.
‘Repairs in the central shaft are nearly finished. In three suns' time we will be able to continue,’ comments a reedy voice.
‘We cannot wait that long,’ interrupts another, its voice deeper and angrier in tone. ‘Lord Zahda ordered the tunnelling to begin again without delay. We must obey his command.’
‘But the risks are too great,’ retorts the first voice. ‘We lost a hundred slaves in the flood — next time we may lose more than just slaves.’
A noise in the corridor alerts you to approaching danger: a patrol of armoured guards is heading in your direction.
If you wish to try to sneak through the chamber and attempt to reach the opposite corridor unseen, turn to 343 .
If you wish to hide in the shadows of the doorway, turn to 181 .
245
The hound bounds forward and leaps at your chest, slamming you to the ground with its monstrous weight. Its fangs flash before your eyes, and a burning saliva stings your face. With all the strength you can muster you fight desperately for survival.
The creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge).
Hound of Death: COMBAT SKILL 22 ENDURANCE 40
If you win the combat, turn to 259 .
246
Your command works: the pain quickly subsides. However, the creature's rubbery tendril is still drawing closer to your vulnerable throat. Snatching up your weapon from the hot, black sand, you lash out and sever the tip, but instead of blood, or what would pass for blood in the body of this ghastly creature, a flame sparks into life like a sputtering fuse. The brain ceases to move, hovering motionless above the sand, as the spitting flame burns fiercely along the thin tube of flesh.
Turn to 170 .
249
Snickering with evil delight, the creatures stalk closer and closer. Talons spring from the fingers of their leathery, webbed hands, and their eyes blaze with wild red fire as they prepare to pounce.
Illustration XIV —Snickering with evil delight, the Dhax stalk closer and closer.
Dhax: COMBAT SKILL 27 ENDURANCE 35
You may evade after three rounds of combat by running into the archway opposite; turn to 241 .
If you win the combat, turn to 141 .
254
You dive straight and true, avoiding the bodies that float on the surface, and enter the water at a perfect angle. Unfortunately, the water is scalding hot — fissures of molten lava have erupted through the brittle crust of the shallows. You scream all the way to the surface, but the shock paralyses your limbs and you sink like a stone shortly afterwards.
Tragically, your life and your mission end here.
256
A dark corridor greets you beyond the door. You enter and feel your way along the wall, guided only by a tiny light in the distance. The sudden screech of metal sends a chill down your spine, and to your horror, you see a wall of black iron falling in front of the door.
Turn to 37 .
257
Another crack cuts the air, and you flinch as the invisible whip
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