The Kingdoms of Terror
Page 14
If you wish to search the body, turn to 139.
If you wish to mount your horse and pursue the kidnappers, turn to 39.
304
The youth snatches your gold, flicks the square of blue card at you and slams shut the outhouse door. It is stamped with today's date and will allow you access to the town of Amory on this day only. You pocket the Cess (mark it as a Special Item on your Action Chart) and leave.
Turn to 146.
305
Once through the arch, you run headlong across a rock-strewn courtyard towards a breach in the castle wall. Here you notice a stone staircase leading down to an iron gate. A quick glance over your shoulder tells you that the Yawshath is still in hot pursuit and is closing the gap. It is in a frenzy of hatred and anger.
If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Divination, turn to 122.
If you wish to climb through the breach in the castle wall, turn to 217.
If you wish to run down the stairs to the iron gate, turn to 169.
306
Desperately, you fight against the current and claw your way towards the bank. Breathless, freezing, and soaking wet, you stagger from the water and collapse on the rocks. Unless you have the Magnakai Discipline of Nexus, you lose 1 ENDURANCE point due to extreme cold.
As your senses return, you find that you have emerged from the river close to where the Quarl joins the River Storn. You see a small cave in the base of the city wall less than twenty feet from where you lie, a rusty criss-cross of iron covering its mouth. Judging by the foul smell of the water pouring from its depths, you suspect it to be a sewer outfall. Suddenly, a flicker of hope returns as you realize that this outfall could lead right into the heart of Tekaro.
Turn to 249.
307
A wagon draws up beside an empty fountain. Its tailgate flaps down to reveal a cargo of freshly baked bread and a rush of hungry soldiers flood round like bees to honey, desperate to buy some of the mouth-watering fare. You have not eaten today, and the delicious smell wakens your sleeping appetite. The loaves are 2 Gold Crowns each, and each loaf counts as one Meal. You may purchase as many loaves as you wish. Unless you eat a Meal now you must lose 3 ENDURANCE points. Make the necessary adjustments to your Action Chart.
Turn to 279.
308
Your Magnakai skill tells you the meaning of a symbol carved into the stone above the south gatehouse: it is a winged spur, the emblem of the army of Lyris. This gate must be the entrance to a guardhouse, for the highway that leads to the north gate shows signs of more frequent use where its deeply rutted surface has borne the brunt of merchant traffic to and from Casiorn. The tracks that mark the road here are only those of iron-shod horses. As the border guards of Lyris have a poor reputation for hospitality, it would be wise to avoid them if possible.
If you wish to approach the north gate, turn to 137.
If you decide to approach the south gate, turn to 225.
309
‘Whoa! 'Tis not your lucky night, stranger. The dice command me to hold my tongue.’
He and his swarthy companions turn their backs on you and laugh as they continue their game. You shrug your shoulders and press on along the crowded street.
Turn to 307.
310
The crypt floor is crawling with the severed remains of the monster, which still writhe blindly forward with maniacal intent. Spider-like, a severed hand climbs your leg and embeds its talons in your flesh. (You lose 2 ENDURANCE points.) As you fight to free yourself from its vice-like grip, the torn pieces of the Dakomyd's body gather themselves together for another attack.
If you wish to leap forward and strike the creature before it has completely formed, turn to 323.
If you wish to unlock the tomb and retrieve the Lorestone, turn to 293.
311
Blind with hate and rage, the Yawshath dives straight at you. Your blow is well timed and deadly accurate — it opens a deep gash in the creature's torso, killing it instantly. However, the strength of your blow is not enough to turn aside the creature's body; it smashes into your chest, carrying you over the edge of the precipice to your doom.
Your quest and your life end here.
312
You find the tavern-keeper breaking up a fight between two drunken soldiers. His solution to their argument is short and sweet: grabbing the two men by their necks, he slams their heads together with such force that the crack echoes above the deafening clamour of the hall.
‘Brass Street?’ he replies, his face lined in thought, ‘yes, I know it well. Here, I'll show you.’ The big man produces a greasy piece of paper from his pocket on which he scrawls the directions to Brass Street. You see that it is located on the far side of the city, close to the west wall. You accept the paper and the tavern-keeper accepts your thanks before returning to the crowd to sort out another scuffle in his own inimitable way.
Turn to 17.
313
You gasp with shock as the bolt sinks deeply into your shoulder (lose 8 ENDURANCE points) and fight to stay in the saddle as the force of impact throws you to one side.
If you are still alive after this grievous wounding, turn to 234.
314
You crouch in readiness to avoid the dagger whistling towards your chest. Your eye follows the glinting blade, anticipating its path with perfect accuracy. The pirate gasps with amazement as you run straight towards the dagger, twisting aside at precisely the right second for the blade to pass beneath your raised arm. Unnerved by the shock, he is unprepared for your attack and before he can recover himself, he is tumbling backwards over the side of the boat into the cold, deep waters of the Storn.
Turn to 254.
315
A blistering pain erupts in your head as the leader's curse reaches your ears. You are being attacked by a powerful Mindforce, which robs you of 4 ENDURANCE points.
The procession is obviously delighted by your suffering — your cries seem to be music to their ears. They press forward, unsheathing hidden daggers from their robes as they try to encircle you. Mustering your reserves of strength, you turn your horse round and gallop away, desperate to put distance between yourself and the source of your agony.
Turn to 332.
316
You are about to draw a chair out from under the table and sit down when you suddenly freeze: the sharp point of a dagger is being pressed against your spine.
‘Your purse or your life,’ whispers the swarthy-faced mercenary who has appeared at your side. ‘Make your mind up quickly or my friend may become rather careless with his knife.’
If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Huntmastery, turn to 114.
If you have no Gold Crowns, or if you decide to refuse these men their demand and fight them, turn to 282.
If you wish to hand over all your Gold Crowns without offering any resistance, turn to 161.
317
You race out of the hut to see your travelling companion struggling with six armoured horsemen. They have him surrounded, and his attempts at resistance are futile. A blow from a mace knocks him unconscious, and he limply falls across the neck of his horse. A moment later, all but one of the riders gallop across the bridge with their captive in tow. The remaining horseman, a warrior swathed from head to toe in black and gold armour, raises a crossbow and takes aim as you run towards your horse.
Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Divination or Huntmastery, subtract 5 from the number you have picked.
If your total is now 6 or less, turn to 85.
If your total is now 7 or higher, turn to 153.
318
The channel gradually begins to curve to the east, and you notice that it is becoming lighter. You see that a greenish-glow emanates from a vault in the distance, where a curtain of thin, web-like strands hang from the ceiling. If you are to continue in this direction, you will have to pass through the curtain.
If you have the Magnakai Disciplin
e of Animal Control, turn to 32.
If you wish to pass through the curtain of strands, turn to 349.
If you wish to draw them aside with your weapon before passing through, turn to 4.
319
‘You seek the Lorestone, do you not?’ he says, in a hushed tone. ‘I cannot tell you where it is, but I know a man who can. Let me ride with you to Varetta, and in return I shall take you to this man.’
Your basic Kai instincts tell you that this man speaks the truth. You nod your agreement and arrange to meet in the tavern courtyard at dawn.
Turn to 5.
320
As you approach the great doors of the temple, you hear the strident voice of a man preaching to a congregation. His words are echoed at intervals by a chorus of voices.
If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Pathsmanship or Divination, turn to 195.
If you wish to enter the temple, turn to 226.
If you wish to enter the observatory, turn to 127.
321
You shudder as the Sommerswerd drinks raw power from the leader's golden rod. His fury turns to fear as you whirl it around your head and hurl the bolt of energy back at his face. There is a tremendous roar as the man disintegrates, consumed in a ball of white flame. However, as you move forwards, you see that each hooded man has a golden rod. They raise them in unison, pooling their collective power to try to destroy your sword.
If you wish to continue your attack, turn to 257.
If you wish to turn and flee, turn to 182.
322
‘My humble apologies, sergeant,’ you say, hoping to avoid confrontation and the possibility of a fight. ‘After so many years away from home, I am impatient to see my family.’
The sergeant lowers his spear but continues to eye you suspiciously. Using your Magnakai Discipline of Invisibility, you have imitated the thin nasal sound of the Quarlen dialect to perfection, but the sergeant is still wary. However, he gradually relaxes his guard, and the sneer is replaced by a smile on his battle-scarred face.
‘We have a special toll for the likes of you who forget their native manners — 10 Gold Crowns,’ he says, a gloved hand held out in expectation.
If you wish to pay the sergeant 10 Gold Crowns, turn to 332.
If you choose not to pay and decide to evade the sergeant while his guard is down by jumping the wagons, turn to 72.
323
The Dakomyd shudders and reels back as your weapon makes impact, sinking deep into flesh that clings like jelly and reeks of a charnel smell that closes your throat. A drop of its watery blood splashes on your arm, eating through your tunic and searing your flesh. Your weapon disintegrates, corroded by the blood. Before you can pull away, a razor-sharp talon snares your cloak and draws you to your doom.
Your life and your quest end here in the crypt of Tekaro Cathedral.
324
Tearing aside the curtain, you rush into a high-vaulted chamber that reeks of preservatives and dead bodies. From hooks in the ceiling hang the carcasses of exotic animals, and on the many work tables lie dissected heads, destined for trophy plaques. You cast your eyes around the workshop, but the man has vanished.
Illustration XIX—The chamber reeks with the pungent smell of preservatives and dead bodies.
If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Divination or Huntmastery, turn to 208.
If you do not possess either of these skills, turn to 37.
325
You do not have to look very far for the horse's owner — at this very moment he is striding towards you. Suddenly, he recognizes you and salutes you with a friendly wave.
If you won the archery contest, turn to 45.
If you did not win the archery contest, turn to 132.
326
As you destroy the last of the fleshless skeletons, you see that the struggle has spread beyond the walls of the churchyard. From the depths of an open crypt, a shambling mass of zombies are hurling themselves at the riders, tearing the terrified warriors from their saddles. Roark's summonation has gone horribly out of control; no living creature is safe from the terror he has unleashed.
The lordling turns and gallops away in blind panic, leaving his followers to their grisly deaths. As he disappears, the swirling funnel of darkness slowly fades, and the undead stagger and fall, crumbling into dust, which is carried away on the evening breeze.
You rush to the aid of the old magician, who lies, mortally wounded, pinned beneath the body of his dead horse. As you cradle his head in your hands, his eyes flicker and open and he forces a whisper from his blood-flecked lips:
‘Brass … Street … ’
If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Curing, turn to 216.
If you do not possess this skill, turn to 46.
327
You soon come to a junction where two doors face each other across the corridor. The sound of the preacher is drifting through the keyhole of the door to your right, which suggests that access to the temple lies that way. The left door has no keyhole, but you sense that it is not locked.
If you wish to listen at the right door, turn to 195.
If you wish to enter the left door, turn to 127.
328
Taking a seat that offers a good view of the hall, you catch the eye of a serving girl and order a plate of roast beef. She returns with a platter stacked high with steaming meat and sets it down before you.
‘2 Gold Crowns, if you please, sir,’ she says, presenting an open hand that is bloodied by the food. You pay the girl (remember to deduct the Gold Crowns from your Action Chart) and settle down to your feast.
Turn to 219.
329
A hail of arrows engulfs you, and an agonizing explosion of pain fills your head, chest, and legs. You are mortally wounded, and although you fight for your life, the struggle is soon over as you are trampled into the Tekaro Bridge by the captain's men.
Your quest and your life end here.
330
As you reach the junction with the highway, you see the riders emerging in single file behind a derelict cottage. They draw themselves into a circle in the middle of the village, and although they are out of earshot, you can tell by their movements and frantic gestures that they are having a heated argument. Suddenly, the circle breaks and they ride towards you with Cyrilus, still unconscious, in tow behind the last rider. You urge your horse off along the track and take cover among the dense trees.
If you have a Bow and want to ambush them as they ride past your hiding place, turn to 20.
If you wish to attack the last rider and try to recapture Cyrilus, turn to 203.
If you decide to let them pass and then follow them, turn to 227.
331
You ride all night without sleep, with only the moon to light your way and the howling wind as your companion. As the first light of dawn creeps over the horizon, you see a small village less than a mile ahead. A dog barks gruffly at you as you ride into the refuse-strewn streets, and you are forced to drive it away with the toe of your boot as it snaps persistently at your horse's hind legs.
On the far side of the village, where the highway enters a line of scattered hills, a fortified manor house stands guard. A large sign, faded by wind and rain, proclaims a curious message:
AMORY CESS — 3 GOLD CROWNS
If you wish to stop and enquire at the manor house about the meaning of the sign, turn to 27.
If you decide to ignore the sign and continue on your way to Amory, turn to 146.
332
You enter a wide street where black iron lanterns swing above the doors of shops and houses, their oily black smoke staining the walls and adding a pall of gloom to the darkening sky. The street descends towards the River Quarl, where flatboats lie moored at the rich merchant wharves. Quarlen stands at the most northerly point on the river that can be navigated by boat and barge, and it is here that the river meets the caravan routes to Casiorn and the Lastlands, so ensuring the future of the town.
> At the approach to a wide stone bridge, you see an impressive-looking hostelry, with stables and outhouses. A painted shield hangs above the courtyard gate proudly displaying its name:
THE BARREL BRIDGE TAVERN
The moment you enter the courtyard, a stableboy appears from nowhere and bids you welcome. He takes charge of your horse and shows you the door to the tavern hall. It is crowded, despite the early hour, and a roaring fire blazes in its great stone hearth. The smell of roasting beef makes your mouth water, reminding you that you have not eaten today.
If you do not have any Gold Crowns, turn to 91.
Otherwise, if you possess the Magnakai Discipline of Pathsmanship or Divination, turn to 346.
If you wish to take a seat and order some food, turn to 172.
If you wish to approach the bar and ask about a room for the night, turn to 232.
333
You are about to place a Gold Crown in the woman's hand when a man appears as if from nowhere. He slaps her grubby palm with a studded gauntlet and bellows: ‘Begone, y'thievin' hag!’