fight a skulking brigand or an Acolyte of Vashna, but you find neither. You are confronted instead by something wholly unexpected.
Turn to 47 .
103
You draw on your Kai Mastery to conjure up a dense fog to surround you, in the hope that it will hamper the attacking horde. However, the Vortexi are psychic creatures who actively seek out their prey by the strength of their mind waves. Your Discipline disrupts this homing process to some extent, but there are still many among the phantom horde who sense accurately where you are. When they attack, you are forced to defend yourself vigorously.
Vortexi: COMBAT SKILL 44 ENDURANCE 30
For every level of Kai rank you have attained above that of Kai Grand Guardian, you may add 2 to your COMBAT SKILL for the duration of this fight. If you possess the Sommerswerd, restore 5 points to your ENDURANCE score.
If you win the combat, turn to 46 .
104
You dig your heels into Bracer's flanks and gallop along the track, steering him away from the rocky ledge and the onrushing wall of water which threatens to drown you both. Helped by your Kai Mastery, you make him leave the track and ascend a difficult slope that leads to higher ground. He obeys your command and, with barely seconds to spare, you avoid being caught by the flood as it careers along the gully.
The remaining few hours before sunrise are spent on a tiny island of rock, waiting for the flood waters to subside. It is a long and uncomfortable wait: lose 2 ENDURANCE points.
Turn to 12 .
105
The journey to Helgor takes you south to the City-state of Casiorn, and then west to the Lyrisian capital of Varetta — a road you once travelled several years ago during your Magnakai quest. In the main, your ride is peaceably uneventful. By choice you keep to yourself and avoid staying too long in any one place. It is not until you reach Vakovar that the uncertain politics of this region give cause for concern. This squalid, lawless city is home to some of the Stornlands' most notorious criminals and robber-barons. It is common knowledge that travellers who value their wealth and health wisely avoid Vakovar whenever possible. Forewarned by these rumours you choose not to dwell here, but ride swiftly through the city and press on to Helgor. Yet while you are within the city walls of Vakovar no less than a dozen separate attempts are made to relieve you of your money pouch and horse. There are no witnesses to these attacks, which is just as well, for when you ride out of Vakovar you leave a score of dead robbers littering the cobblestones.
It is early evening when you eventually crest a hill and catch your first disappointing glimpse of Helgor. It is a damp and unwholesome-looking city, ringed by a rampart of mouldering rubble, the remains of a curtain wall which was destroyed during the war against the Darklords. Through the many gaps in this rampart you can see the thick fog that swirls through Helgor's brick streets and crooked, filthy alleys. At first sight it seems that the Magadorian capital is little more than a beggar-city, a vast hotchpotch of slums and hovels, but as you ride nearer you notice several grand towers piercing the rolling grey mist.
The main approach to Helgor is patrolled by presidential guards, heavily armed with crossbows and spears, who are checking everyone attempting to enter by road. They are dressed in flamboyant tunics of green, scarlet, and black calf hide, which seem too lavish for the garrison of such a squalid city. When asked your business, you show them the scroll given to you by Rimoah. They are impressed by the invitation and insist that an armed escort be provided to take you directly to the President's palace. After your experience at Vakovar you welcome their offer.
Despite the overwhelming squalor of Helgor's dingy tenements and streets, you were expecting the President's palace to be the exception. To your disappointment, it turns out to be little more than a fortified chateau
Turn to 47 .
103
You draw on your Kai Mastery to conjure up a dense fog to surround you, in the hope that it will hamper the attacking horde. However, the Vortexi are psychic creatures who actively seek out their prey by the strength of their mind waves. Your Discipline disrupts this homing process to some extent, but there are still many among the phantom horde who sense accurately where you are. When they attack, you are forced to defend yourself vigorously.
Vortexi: COMBAT SKILL 44 ENDURANCE 30
For every level of Kai rank you have attained above that of Kai Grand Guardian, you may add 2 to your COMBAT SKILL for the duration of this fight. If you possess the Sommerswerd, restore 5 points to your ENDURANCE score.
If you win the combat, turn to 46 .
104
You dig your heels into Bracer's flanks and gallop along the track, steering him away from the rocky ledge and the onrushing wall of water which threatens to drown you both. Helped by your Kai Mastery, you make him leave the track and ascend a difficult slope that leads to higher ground. He obeys your command and, with barely seconds to spare, you avoid being caught by the flood as it careers along the gully.
The remaining few hours before sunrise are spent on a tiny island of rock, waiting for the flood waters to subside. It is a long and uncomfortable wait: lose 2 ENDURANCE points.
Turn to 12 .
105
The journey to Helgor takes you south to the City-state of Casiorn, and then west to the Lyrisian capital of Varetta — a road you once travelled several years ago during your Magnakai quest. In the main, your ride is peaceably uneventful. By choice you keep to yourself and avoid staying too long in any one place. It is not until you reach Vakovar that the uncertain politics of this region give cause for concern. This squalid, lawless city is home to some of the Stornlands' most notorious criminals and robber-barons. It is common knowledge that travellers who value their wealth and health wisely avoid Vakovar whenever possible. Forewarned by these rumours you choose not to dwell here, but ride swiftly through the city and press on to Helgor. Yet while you are within the city walls of Vakovar no less than a dozen separate attempts are made to relieve you of your money pouch and horse. There are no witnesses to these attacks, which is just as well, for when you ride out of Vakovar you leave a score of dead robbers littering the cobblestones.
It is early evening when you eventually crest a hill and catch your first disappointing glimpse of Helgor. It is a damp and unwholesome-looking city, ringed by a rampart of mouldering rubble, the remains of a curtain wall which was destroyed during the war against the Darklords. Through the many gaps in this rampart you can see the thick fog that swirls through Helgor's brick streets and crooked, filthy alleys. At first sight it seems that the Magadorian capital is little more than a beggar-city, a vast hotchpotch of slums and hovels, but as you ride nearer you notice several grand towers piercing the rolling grey mist.
The main approach to Helgor is patrolled by presidential guards, heavily armed with crossbows and spears, who are checking everyone attempting to enter by road. They are dressed in flamboyant tunics of green, scarlet, and black calf hide, which seem too lavish for the garrison of such a squalid city. When asked your business, you show them the scroll given to you by Rimoah. They are impressed by the invitation and insist that an armed escort be provided to take you directly to the President's palace. After your experience at Vakovar you welcome their offer.
Despite the overwhelming squalor of Helgor's dingy tenements and streets, you were expecting the President's palace to be the exception. To your disappointment, it turns out to be little more than a fortified chateau
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