Castle Death

by Joe Dever

  You are halfway up a winding staircase, when there is an enormous groan, followed by a cracking of iron. The creatures around you shriek in terror, but their voices are lost as the entire stairway collapses and falls, crumbling and roaring, into a hollow, lava-filled chasm five hundred feet below.

  Tragically, your life and your quest end here in the ruins of Kazan-Oud.

  301

  The snake reveals its fangs. Like great curved broadswords glistening with venom, they shine coldly in the light that pours down through the grating high above. You grip your weapon, bracing your back against the wet stone wall and waiting for the right moment to strike. As the monstrous head sways awkwardly from side to side, you catch sight of a small tunnel cut out of the far wall, which was previously hidden from view by the snake and its nest. Your spirits are raised by the possibility of escaping from this nightmare, but first you must fight this hideous creature.12

  Unless you have the Magnakai Discipline of Curing, double all ENDURANCE points you lose during this combat due to the venomous bite of the monster.

  Giant Hactaraton: COMBAT SKILL 22 ENDURANCE 60

  After four rounds of combat you can attempt to evade the creature by crawling into the tunnel; turn to 91.

  If you win the combat, turn to 21.

  [12] If you still have any Arrows in your Quiver, they have fallen out in your fall, and you must erase them from your Action Chart. (cf. Section 7).

  302

  As you draw level with the plinth, the fingers on the hand begin to move. They rise and fall, drumming a slow and clumsy rhythm on the granite surface. The dull thudding causes your head to ache, and the pain increases with every tap of the swollen black fingers.

  If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Psi-screen, turn to 179.

  If you do not possess this skill, turn to 53.

  303

  The partly submerged pathway takes you to the fissure. Here, the rustle and slither of unseen things echoes from the inky darkness. Suddenly, the shadow of something round and black breaks through the surface of the lake and a hideous gurgling cry splits the night. It flies straight towards you and you quickly take cover inside the narrow fissure.

  Turn to 16.

  304

  The footsteps halt but a piercing crack, like that of a whip, breaks the silence. You cry out in pained surprise as an angry red weal opens from your temple to your chin (lose 3 ENDURANCE points). You sense his presence, but you cannot see the enemy who dealt you this wound.

  If you wish to try to defend yourself against your invisible attacker, turn to 257.

  If you choose to run back along the corridor, turn to 64.

  If you decide to risk jumping into the pit, turn to 275.

  305

  The designs are woven from pure gold and silver, studded with gems and semi-precious stones. You marvel at the craftsmanship and beauty of these tapestries — they must be worth many thousands of crowns. One gem in particular catches your eye — a large Diamond. Unable to resist the temptation, you prise it from the cloth and drop it into your pocket (mark this as a Special Item on your Action Chart), before leaving the hall by the door.

  Turn to 256.

  306

  Using your Discipline, you focus your attention on the strange triangular plaque fixed to the bars and, gradually, its purpose becomes clear. By finding the total number of triangles contained in the design and turning the pointer to the same number on the dial before pulling the lever, you will ensure that the portcullis opens safely.

  Turn back to 11 and study the design.

  When you think you have the answer, turn to the entry that bears the same number.13

  [13] The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct.

  307

  You sense that the ceiling of mist hides a powerful energy field. Touching such a force barrier, especially when immersed in water, could prove fatal.

  If you decide to touch the mist in spite of the danger, turn to 60.

  If you decide to dive down and examine the statue, turn to 168.

  308

  A few feet along the tunnel, you notice an irregular square in the floor ahead — the tell-tale sign of a trap. It poses no problem to a warrior of your prowess, and you clear it with one bound. Further on, you reach a spiral staircase that leads down to a rough-walled cavern. At the bottom of the staircase two tunnels lead away, one to the north and one to the west.

  If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Nexus, turn to 99.

  If you wish to enter the north tunnel, turn to 59.

  If you wish to enter the west tunnel, turn to 323.

  309

  The descent is slow and arduous. Much of the staircase has been carried away by falling stonework from the battlements, and you have to contend with a rain of molten ash and pumice that is erupting from the core of the keep. You take shelter where you can, but you dare not linger too long in any one place for fear of being caught in a fissure or a rock slide.

  By the time you reach the beach, your cloak and hood are smouldering and the soles of your boots have nearly melted. Many of the creatures of Kazan-Oud have escaped before you and they crowd the beach, clawing and biting each other in a frenzy of terror. The lake is choked with their dead, and the black sand is barely visible beneath the carpet of carcasses. You fend off the crazed beasts as best you can, but to stay on the beach would be suicidal.

  If you choose to climb up the rocks and dive into the lake, turn to 254.

  If you decide to fight your way down to the old stone jetty, turn to 122.

  310

  You tie a loop in one end of the rope and scan the opposite side for a secure target. A spur of stone near the centre of the shattered staircase looks promising, and you aim for that. On your second attempt the rope finds its mark and tightens around the stone. You waste no time crossing the gap, and within minutes, you are safely across and climbing the few remaining stairs to the breached fortress wall.

  Turn to 27.

  311

  You are quick to regain your balance and press on regardless of your stinging wounds (lose 2 ENDURANCE points). Once more the whip cracks, but you are now out of range of its cruel bite.

  Turn to 6.

  312

  There is a faint click, and the panel slides open to reveal a set of steps leading down to a sturdy wooden door, reinforced with bands of studded iron.

  If you wish to investigate further, turn to 37.

  If you choose not to enter, turn to 102.

  313

  The lack of oxygen is making you light-headed (lose 3 ENDURANCE points), but you try to ignore the pain and continue.

  If your ENDURANCE points total is 10 or more, turn to 4.

  If it is 9 or less, turn to 263.

  314

  Blinking away the tears, you concentrate all of your Discipline and skill on finding a target in the billowing smoke. A shadow to your left betrays a creature that is crawling along the walkway on its belly. You lower your Bow and fire. An instant later, a howl of rage and pain confirms a hit. The scream quickly fades, as the creature rolls over and falls to its doom.

  Suddenly a shape hurtles out of the smoke, clawing and biting savagely at your face and arms. You drop your Bow and unsheathe a weapon just in time to receive its attack.

  Dhax: COMBAT SKILL 20 ENDURANCE 28

  You may evade combat at any time by running into the archway opposite; turn to 277.

  If you win the combat, turn to 141.

  315

  The entire corridor shakes with the violence of a series of eruptions that tears rock and iron with ease. All around you Zahda's loathsome minions run in utter panic, their voices rising to a cacophony of terror as frantically they seek to escape from Kazan-Oud.

  Illustration XVIII—The entire corridor shakes with the violence of a series of eruptions that tears rock and iron with ease.

  Jets of flaming gas erupt from splits in the floor as you
sprint, crawl, climb, and jump over the obstacles hurled in your path by the dying fortress. Creatures from the maze now stalk these levels, adding to the carnage and panic as they consume the unfortunates who cross their path.

  You cover a mile of broken passage before you find an undamaged staircase. It winds upwards into the dust-choked darkness, and, as you pound its rubble-strewn steps, your feet are licked by flames. Below, the screams are drowned by the deafening roar of fire and explosion; above, there is nothing but darkness.

  You are nearing the point of collapse when suddenly you emerge from the blackness into the glare of daylight. You stagger and fall, momentarily blinded. As your eyes gradually become accustomed to the light, you cast your gaze over the broken battlements of the castle keep and see the glimmering waters of Lake Khor far below.

  The walls of the fortress are crumbling rapidly, and the ground is alive with constant vibration. You run headlong through the ruined main gate as bolts of lightning are drawn from the sky by the dying power of Kazan-Oud. At the top of a ruined staircase, you stare down at the shore far below.

  If you wish to descend the steps to the old jetty, turn to 122.

  If you choose to make your way to the beach, turn to 309.

  If you decide to dive from the cliff into the water far below, turn to 254.

  316

  You are in combat with four armoured Beastmen. They attack simultaneously, and you must fight them as one enemy.

  Zahda Beastmen: COMBAT SKILL 30 ENDURANCE 39

  If you win the combat in three rounds or less, turn to 248.

  If combat lasts longer than three rounds, turn to 160.

  317

  Filling your hand with the hilt of the sun-sword, you unsheathe its golden blade and sever the tendril with one stroke. But instead of blood, or what would pass for blood in the body of this ghastly creature, a flame bursts into life like a sputtering fuse. The brain ceases to move, hovering motionless above the sand, as the spitting flame burns fiercely along its thin tube of sundered flesh.

  Turn to 170.

  318

  The cloying smell of damp and decay grows steadily stronger, and you are forced to cover your nose with your cloak to block out the sickly stench. The tunnel twists to the right, and you notice a small iron door set into the wall ahead and a narrow staircase descending into the gloom.

  If you wish to investigate the door, turn to 262.

  If you decide to descend the stairs, turn to 11.

  319

  Taking up a position to one side of the tunnel, you press yourself flat against the wall and wait for the best moment to strike. Four warriors, dark and grim, march into the hall in single file. At first sight you mistake them for Drakkarim, for their black armour and skull-like helmets are identical to those worn by the evil human warriors who serve the Darklords of Helgedad. As you launch your attack, you see their features and realize that they cannot possibly be human. Great sloping shoulders support their unnaturally long arms; yellow-clawed hairy hands grip axes and spears of rough-wrought iron; and behind them swing long, tufted tails, like those of lions.

  Your first blow shears through the backplate of the last warrior in the line, causing him to howl like a demon and collapse in a crumpled heap at your feet. The others spin to face you, their reactions battle-swift, their weapons raised to counter your threat. The leader throws open his visor to reveal a boar-like snout and tusks. He bellows a fearsome growl and stabs at you with his spear. The others echo his cry and close around you. You cannot evade combat and must fight all three as one enemy.

  Zahda Beastmen: COMBAT SKILL 28 ENDURANCE 35

  If you win the combat, turn to 56.

  320

  You race back towards the corner but a slab of smooth stone is rumbling into view, sealing off the only exit. You are forced to stop and face the fiery attacker.

  Turn to 126.

  321

  Nothing seems to happen. The buttons remain depressed and the concealed door remains closed. You are about to step away from the sarcophagus when there is a faint click and the panel slides open. You chance a cautious glance inside and see a set of steps leading down to a stout wooden door, its gnarled timber studded and reinforced with bands of iron.

  If you wish to enter the sarcophagus, turn to 37.

  If you choose not to enter, turn to 102.

  322

  You walk along the passage for several minutes until it turns sharply to the left. Cautiously you peer around the corner, your basic Kai instincts alerting you to a potential threat. Peering down, you see a beam of light shining from one side of the corridor to the other. The passage ahead looks no different to those in the rest of the maze, but you feel sure that it contains a deadly trap.

  If you wish to step over the beam of light and continue along the passage, turn to 88.

  If you choose to walk through the beam, turn to 240.

  323

  You thread your way through a network of empty passages and chambers. Twice you are forced to hide when groups of black-armoured warriors appear unexpectedly. At first you think that they are Drakkarim, evil humans who serve the Darklords of Helgedad, but their unnaturally long arms and the tails that swing behind them soon dispel that fear, replacing it with a far greater one.

  At the bottom of a narrow winding stairway, you arrive at a small but opulently furnished chamber, its walls hung with beautiful tapestries, undamaged by the damp that pervades the upper levels of the fortress. It looks as if you have reached a dead end, and you are about to turn back when you notice a small door tucked away in one corner of the room.

  If you wish to open the door, turn to 256.

  If you decide to take a closer look at the tapestries, turn to 305.

  324

  The heat is unbearable (lose 4 ENDURANCE points). In order to keep your boots from catching fire, and in the hope of reaching a cooler section of the tube, you force yourself to run deeper into the oven-like tunnel.

  Turn to 24.

  325

  You strike the seething water with a mighty splash and sink like a stone. The sharp tang of the lake fills your mouth, and its icy cold embrace numbs your muscles. Your first impulse on hitting the water is to lash out with your arms and swim, but you are hampered by a mass of plant life that coils around your flailing limbs. Desperate for air, you hack blindly at the weeds that now threaten to drag you to a watery grave.

  Fight the combat as normal. However, due to your lack of air, you must automatically deduct 2 ENDURANCE points for every round that you fight.

  Black Lakeweed: COMBAT SKILL 10 ENDURANCE 50

  If you survive the struggle, turn to 158.

  326

  You make it through the gap with less than an inch to spare. With your stomach churning, you drag yourself to your feet and retrace your steps along the murky tunnel. The familiar red glow of the tunnel you passed earlier appears once more in the gloom ahead.

  If you now choose to explore this tunnel, turn to 144.

  If you decide to go back to the rough-walled cavern and take the west tunnel instead, turn to 323.

  327

  Gulping a lungful of air, you dive below the water and focus your Magnakai Discipline on the lock, willing it to open. It is a severe test of your skill, made all the more difficult by the lack of air.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you have reached the rank of Primate, add 2 to the number you have picked.

  If your total is 4 or less, turn to 184.

  If it is 5 or more, turn to 4.

  328

  The slinking creatures fill the narrow walkway, offering themselves as easy targets to your Bow. Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Weaponmastery with Bow, add 3 to the number you have picked. If you have completed the Lore-circle of Fire, add 1.

  If your total score is now 0–4, turn to 232.

  If it is 5 or more, turn to 67.

  329

  You ponder the
problem for several minutes, using your natural Kai instincts to the full as you try to discover which of the numbers on the dial will open the portcullis. The image of four numbers — three, nine, thirteen, and thirty-three — fill your mind, but try as you might, you cannot determine which of them is correct.

  If you wish to turn the pointer to number three before pulling the lever, turn to 3.

  If you wish to turn the pointer to number nine, turn to 9.

  If you wish to turn the pointer to number thirteen, turn to 13.

  If you wish to turn the pointer to number thirty-three, turn to 33.

  330

  Your Pathsmanship skill reveals that the passage to your left leads to a complex of prison cells; the passage to your right leads to a guard room and torture chamber.

  If you decide to take the left passage, turn to 20.

  If you choose the right passage, turn to 92.

  331

  Your death is mercifully swift. As the mouth of the monster closes around your upper body, you are paralysed by corrosive saliva and so spared the agony of being eaten alive.