chest. The force of impact knocks you clean off your feet — but you do not feel yourself hitting the floor. Instead, you experience a sensation of falling, as if you are twirling and tumbling endlessly backwards into the heart of a white-hot sun.
The pressure around your throat and chest is becoming intolerable. You fight against it, struggling desperately to control the mounting pain. Suddenly the agony melts away as your body succumbs to unconsciousness.
Turn to 171 .
104
You hit the snow and roll beneath the ice-shelf barely seconds before the leading edge of the avalanche comes roaring down. Tons of rock and ice engulf your shelter, but miraculously it does not collapse under the incredible weight.
When at last the terrible roaring ceases, you count yourself fortunate to still be alive. Buried beneath countless tons of snow, you begin the slow and laborious process of digging yourself out of this icy tomb.
Turn to 179 .
107
You are making a cursory search of this derelict chamber when suddenly you hear something that makes you reach for your weapon: it is the grating rumble of stone on stone.
From out of a secret panel in the wall to your right come six skeletal warriors, each one brandishing a rust-pitted sword. The leading two move to block the staircase, preventing you from making a speedy escape. The remaining four stalk forwards with evil intent, their eye sockets aglow with sorcerous green fire.
Turn to 23 .
108
You see that the Deathstaff is no longer vibrating with power. You sense that Ixiataaga has expended all of its unholy energy in one massive burst, in the hope of destroying you quickly and utterly. It will be several minutes before the Deathstaff recoups its dark powers — you must act swiftly if you are to turn this to your advantage. You raise the Power Spike and shout: ‘For Sommerlund and the Kai!’
Then, with a single mighty leap, you traverse the fiery moat and land on the plinth within an arm's length of the Deathlord's foul form. Your brave and bold action takes Ixiataaga aback, but he quickly recovers and, with unnerving speed, he spins around to counter your attack.
Turn to 77 .
109
As the last skeleton warrior falls to your lightning-swift blows, you drag yourself out of the freezing water, across the bony bodies of those you have valiantly defeated, and stumble up the steps to the top of quay. You are met by Captain Lanza and his men, all of whom are clearly amazed that you are still alive.
‘We have this enemy beaten,’ yells Lanza. ‘We've slain more than half their number and the rest have their backs to the sea. Will you help us finish the job, Grand Master?’
‘Gladly,’ you reply. ‘For Kai and Ishir, we'll send them all to meet their unholy maker!’
Turn to 340 .
110
You tug the Sommerswerd from its scabbard and a vibrant golden light erupts along the full length of its divinely-crafted blade. For the first time you see clearly the mysterious creature illuminated by the glow of your sword: the sight is chilling to behold. Its mouth is a mass of twisted fangs and from its huge, bear-like body there writhes a score of slimy tentacles, each tipped with a venomous claw. Its reptilian head is domed and from its centre there protrudes a twisted horn, longer than a broadsword.
As the goodly light of the Sommerswerd washes over its ghastly face, it ceases to advance and gives vent to a loud gibbering howl of fear. You seize the advantage and strike out at its throat with the tip of the sun-sword.
Ixian Mhagani: COMBAT SKILL 38 ENDURANCE 60
Ignore any ENDURANCE point losses you may sustain during the first two rounds of combat. Also, remember to apply all the appropriate bonuses whilst using the Sommerswerd against this undead enemy.
You may evade the combat at any time after the third round by turning to 56 .
If you win the fight, turn to 16 .
111
You will yourself to rise once more and slowly you return to the edge of the shaft, but your
The pressure around your throat and chest is becoming intolerable. You fight against it, struggling desperately to control the mounting pain. Suddenly the agony melts away as your body succumbs to unconsciousness.
Turn to 171 .
104
You hit the snow and roll beneath the ice-shelf barely seconds before the leading edge of the avalanche comes roaring down. Tons of rock and ice engulf your shelter, but miraculously it does not collapse under the incredible weight.
When at last the terrible roaring ceases, you count yourself fortunate to still be alive. Buried beneath countless tons of snow, you begin the slow and laborious process of digging yourself out of this icy tomb.
Turn to 179 .
107
You are making a cursory search of this derelict chamber when suddenly you hear something that makes you reach for your weapon: it is the grating rumble of stone on stone.
From out of a secret panel in the wall to your right come six skeletal warriors, each one brandishing a rust-pitted sword. The leading two move to block the staircase, preventing you from making a speedy escape. The remaining four stalk forwards with evil intent, their eye sockets aglow with sorcerous green fire.
Turn to 23 .
108
You see that the Deathstaff is no longer vibrating with power. You sense that Ixiataaga has expended all of its unholy energy in one massive burst, in the hope of destroying you quickly and utterly. It will be several minutes before the Deathstaff recoups its dark powers — you must act swiftly if you are to turn this to your advantage. You raise the Power Spike and shout: ‘For Sommerlund and the Kai!’
Then, with a single mighty leap, you traverse the fiery moat and land on the plinth within an arm's length of the Deathlord's foul form. Your brave and bold action takes Ixiataaga aback, but he quickly recovers and, with unnerving speed, he spins around to counter your attack.
Turn to 77 .
109
As the last skeleton warrior falls to your lightning-swift blows, you drag yourself out of the freezing water, across the bony bodies of those you have valiantly defeated, and stumble up the steps to the top of quay. You are met by Captain Lanza and his men, all of whom are clearly amazed that you are still alive.
‘We have this enemy beaten,’ yells Lanza. ‘We've slain more than half their number and the rest have their backs to the sea. Will you help us finish the job, Grand Master?’
‘Gladly,’ you reply. ‘For Kai and Ishir, we'll send them all to meet their unholy maker!’
Turn to 340 .
110
You tug the Sommerswerd from its scabbard and a vibrant golden light erupts along the full length of its divinely-crafted blade. For the first time you see clearly the mysterious creature illuminated by the glow of your sword: the sight is chilling to behold. Its mouth is a mass of twisted fangs and from its huge, bear-like body there writhes a score of slimy tentacles, each tipped with a venomous claw. Its reptilian head is domed and from its centre there protrudes a twisted horn, longer than a broadsword.
As the goodly light of the Sommerswerd washes over its ghastly face, it ceases to advance and gives vent to a loud gibbering howl of fear. You seize the advantage and strike out at its throat with the tip of the sun-sword.
Ixian Mhagani: COMBAT SKILL 38 ENDURANCE 60
Ignore any ENDURANCE point losses you may sustain during the first two rounds of combat. Also, remember to apply all the appropriate bonuses whilst using the Sommerswerd against this undead enemy.
You may evade the combat at any time after the third round by turning to 56 .
If you win the fight, turn to 16 .
111
You will yourself to rise once more and slowly you return to the edge of the shaft, but your
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