by Joe Dever
The explosion of violent energy is followed by an abrupt and total silence. After a few moments, you detect a faint humming sound emanating from the pillars and your Kai Sixth Sense warns you that the force field is recharging.
Turn to 89.
182
Your Kai Weapon tumbles through the air and strikes the Urgaroh squarely between its ghastly eyes. The force of the impact sends the creature somersaulting backwards to land in a twisted, untidy heap. You rush across the platform and tug your weapon from the Urgaroh's skull. As the blade comes free, the body of the fell creature spontaneously ignites and burns fiercely, giving off a choking black smoke.
Above the noise of the wind that rushes through the shattered glass dome, you hear angry cries and the stomp of booted feet. The Drakkarim have regrouped and are storming the stairs once more, their numbers swelled by a score of Giaks and Hammerland bandits. Driven by instinct, you sheathe your Kai Weapon and pick up the Urgaroh's crystal rod which lies near your feet; then you turn and rush to the head of the stairs. You can feel the evil power that is held within the rod's slender shaft, but you are unsure how you may unleash it upon the enemy who are now racing up the stairs.
If you possess Telegnosis, turn to 298.
If you do not possess this Discipline, turn to 42.
183
Suddenly the dial disengages from the lock and spins loosely on its spindle. Then your throat tightens with fearful anticipation when your Kai Sixth Sense warns you of impending danger. You hear a brittle noise in the hall behind, and when you glance nervously over your shoulder, you see that the dusty skeletons are coming stiffly to life. Their bony eye sockets glow with a baleful blue light as they close in and stab at you with their rusty weapons.
Illustration XII—The dusty skeletons come stiffly to life, their eye sockets glowing with a baleful blue light.
Xaol's Skeleton Guards: COMBAT SKILL 45 ENDURANCE 35
This enemy is immune to all psychic attacks. If you possess the Kai Weapon ‘Alema’ you may add the bonus gained from its unique properties during this combat.
If you win the combat, turn to 266.
184
Your killing blow punctures the warhound's heart and the beast howls pitifully before collapsing in an untidy heap at the bottom of the stone steps. As you leap over its twitching body, you hear the sound of footfalls coming from the balcony above. Moments later, two Drakkarim warriors appear. They are armed with spears and have been alerted by the yelps and growls of the Akataz. When they see their pet lying dead on the ground, they bellow with rage and come charging down the stairs towards you.
Helkona Drakkarim: COMBAT SKILL 32 ENDURANCE 35
If you win this combat, turn to 66.
185
You are engulfed by a sheet of white-hot psychic fire that burns the fabric of your mind. Your Kai-screen crumples under the onslaught, yet it protects you from the potentially fatal effects of psychic shock.
Zorkaan's sudden and massive psychic attack has damaged a part of your mind that controls your Kai abilities, and you must forfeit the use of one of your Grand Master Disciplines for the rest of this mission. (If you complete the mission successfully, you may restore your forfeited Discipline and use it again in a future Lone Wolf New Order adventure.)
To continue, turn to 22.
186
You use your advanced fieldcraft skills to prevent yourself from sinking any deeper into the treacherous yellow dust. This action enables you to follow the base of the gully as it cuts a winding course through the dust-blasted hills. You are within a few hundred yards of reaching the gully's end when you are lashed once more by the gritty wind. As you tug the hood of your cloak down to protect your eyes, you suddenly hear a loud screeching caw echoing in the dark stormy skies.
If you wish to attempt to scour the sky for the source of this chilling cry, turn to 215.
If you decide to take cover among the boulders that litter the slopes of the gully, turn to 335.
187
The force of the blast hurls the body of the dead necromancer against the far wall of the chamber. It hits the unyielding stone with a sickening thud, and slumps to the floor in a broken heap. Yet despite the terrible damage caused by the explosion, the possessed body of Xaol does not lie still for long. It drags itself upright, and you see an unholy fire blazing in its eyes as it begins to move across the hall towards you at a frightening speed. You pray to the Goddess Ishir for her protection as this mutilated zombie leaps upon you and attempts to fix its corpse-cold hands around your throat.
Xaol Zombie (possessed by Zorkaan): COMBAT SKILL 52 ENDURANCE 40
This possessed creature is immune to psychic attack. If your Kai Weapon is ‘Alema’ or ‘Valiance’, you may add the appropriate bonus gained through their unique properties. You may reduce the total damage inflicted upon you by 5 ENDURANCE points due to the protection you gain from wearing the Platinum Amulet. However, unless you possess the Discipline of Kai-screen, you must reduce your COMBAT SKILL by 3 for the duration of this combat.
Conduct this combat in the normal way for three rounds only. If you survive these initial rounds, you may continue by turning to 260.
188
Your Magnakai Discipline of Nexus offers you some protection of the terrific temperature at the rim of the fissure, but it does not shield your clothing and equipment which are beginning to smoulder.
If you possess Elementalism and wish to use it, turn to 47.
If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, turn to 127.
If you possess neither of these skills, or if you choose not to use them, turn to 235.
189
You step away from this door and cast your eye over the other two portals.
If you wish to examine the centre door, turn to 218.
If you choose to investigate the right door, turn to 166.
190
You draw together the mental shapes of the Old Kingdom Spell Power Word and rise up from behind the tree trunk to project it at the spider: Gloar!
The concussive force of this ancient spell-word slams into the creature's skull and cracks it, making the beast let out a hideous shriek of agony. Your magical attack has injured the arachnid, but not deterred it. Fuelled by anger and pain, this fearsome abomination comes scuttling towards your hiding place with a frightening turn of speed. With a gasp of disbelief, you unsheathe your Kai Weapon and brace yourself to repel its swift and vengeful attack.
Skryza (wounded): COMBAT SKILL 44 ENDURANCE 40
If you possess the Kai Weapon ‘Kaistar’ you may add the appropriate bonus gained from its unique properties.
You may evade this fight after four rounds by turning to 21.
If you win the combat, turn to 340.
191
You draw upon your Magnakai Discipline of Psi-screen to erect a defensive wall around the core of your mind; then you brace yourself in readiness to meet the anticipated attack. Despite your preparations, you are deeply shocked by the power and sheer ferocity of Zorkaan when he unleashes his psychic assault. You reel under the bombardment of his incorporeal powers as they batter your mental defences (lose 3 ENDURANCE points), but you refuse to submit to his will and you survive this terrifying assault. As the attacks wither and fade, you sense Zorkaan explode with anger and frustration at having been thwarted by your formidable resolve.
To continue, turn to 243.
192
Forewarned by your sharp Kai senses, you leave the panel and retreat from the alcove. You are passing by the iron door when suddenly you catch the sound of voices coming from somewhere on the other side. Suspicion and curiosity draw you closer and cautiously you place your eye to the door's peephole.
Turn to 223.
193
Instinctively you hurl the crystal rod at the advancing enemy troops who are rushing across the landing below. The moment it strikes the floor, it explodes with devastating effect. The Drakkarim assault-troopers who are leading the attack are eng
ulfed by a searing ball of yellow and orange flame. Then an entire section of the landing and stairs is destroyed by a huge eruption of power that rocks the very foundations of the tower. You dive to cover Lone Wolf with your body, and your selfless action keeps him safe as fragments of masonry smash into the dome and broken glass rains down upon the observatory platform. When finally the dust and debris clear, you struggle to your feet and survey the surrounding scene of destruction.
Turn to 307.
194
Your brave gamble pays off, for you are able to scurry through the breached wall as your cloak and Backpack ignite. On reaching the end of the fissure, you immediately drop to the dusty ground and roll over several times in order to smother the flames that threaten to engulf you. Your speedy action saves you from injury, and your clothes and equipment are also spared.
You are elated that you have successfully traversed the breach in the perimeter wall, but when the scorching dust clears for a few moments, your heart sinks like a stone. Another wall looms before you. This second barrier has only recently been constructed to shield the stronghold's inner buildings from the fiery heat of the fissure. Its rough-hewn blocks offer many handholds to assist a climb, but the sooty stone and mortar are very dry and they crumble under the slightest pressure. Your first attempt to scale the wall comes to an abrupt end when a toehold collapses and you are sent tumbling backwards to the ground: lose 1 ENDURANCE point.
If you possess Kai-alchemy, turn to 221.
If you do not, turn to 144.
195
You are startled by the loud, discordant clang of a cracked iron bell, which is located out of sight in an alcove in the wall above the door. As its harsh note fades, the door is pulled open and you find yourself confronted by two ugly Drakkarim warriors armed with heavy-bladed marine cutlasses. Shock registers in their bloodshot eyes when first they see you, but their astonishment quickly gives way to a blind rage. With murderous growls, the two fighters raise their cutlasses and launch a determined attack.
Helkona Drakkarim: COMBAT SKILL 30 ENDURANCE 35
If you win this combat, turn to 339.
196
You are engulfed by a sudden explosion of golden light. Zorkaan emits a deafening shriek as the supernatural fabric of his being is ripped asunder by the Sommerswerd — Lone Wolf's divine blade. As the creature is engulfed in a blaze of golden fire, the Sommerswerd falls to the floor near your feet. You look down at the blade in stunned disbelief; then you raise your eyes and look to Lone Wolf who is slumped within the confines of his hovering prison-sphere. Slowly the enormity of what has happened begins to permeate through the turmoil that is raging in your mind. In a desperate bid to save you, Lone Wolf has used the last of his strength to hurl his magical blade through the wall of his sorcerous prison. This courageous act has destroyed Zorkaan and spared you your life.
Illustration XIII—Zorkaan is ripped asunder by the power of the Sommerswerd.
Turn to 153.
197
You crouch down to take a closer look at the object and immediately you see that it is a silver crown. Although most of it is buried by dust, the section that protrudes seems unnaturally clean, as if the dust simply refuses to adhere to its gleaming surface.
If you wish to pick up this crown and examine it, turn to 23.
If you decide not to touch the crown, you can leave this hall by turning to 135.
198
As you load your Bow, you listen to the Drakkar's approaching footsteps. If you can fell this assault trooper with one shot, it may be enough to dissuade his comrades from pressing home their charge. You draw back your bowstring to the full; then you rise up from behind the parapet and let fly your shaft at the Drakkar's chest. The warrior sees your missile arc towards him and hurriedly he tries to block it with his shield.
Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you possess Grand Weaponmastery with a Bow, remember to add 3 to the number you have picked.
If your total score is now 4 or lower, turn to 276.
If it is 5–7, turn to 158.
If it is 8 or higher, turn to 317.
199
The few direflies that have survived your deadly blows quickly disperse. As they disappear above the trees, you wipe and sheathe your Kai Weapon before continuing your trek northwards.
Soon you come to a section of the forest where the trees are blanketed with webs that are woven together to form a dense, impenetrable barrier. Creamy-white gossamer strands are wound tightly around the trunks, and loose threads dangle from their twisted branches to flutter in the breeze. Trapped amidst this web are scores of giant direflies. They hang suspended like chrysalises, cocooned in acres of silken thread.
Cold sweat trickles down your face as you contemplate what could have constructed such a large and intricate web. Then your heart skips a beat when suddenly you detect movement within it.
If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, turn to 286.
If you do not, turn to 34.
200
You follow a short semicircular tunnel that leads to a wide gallery encircling the upper section of a colossal hall. Peering over the parapet of the gallery, you look down on the red granite floor of the hall 50 feet below. Here you see Drakkarim and Giaks standing in idle groups around the lip of a deep lava-filled pit that looks as if it could descend all the way to the molten core of Magnamund. Motes of rust-coloured dust cling to every surface and the scorching air reeks of molten metal and sulphur.
An unbroken line of fiery bronze statues encircle the gallery, depicting former loyal servants of Darklord Chlanzor. You are casting your eye along their line when suddenly you see two of Xaol's henchmen. They emerge from a passageway located next to a spiral staircase on the far side of the gallery. Quickly you take cover behind the nearest statue and watch as those two men, accompanied by a wolfhound, come walking around the gallery towards your hiding place.
If you possess some Dargorse Buds, turn to 230.
If you do not possess this Backpack Item, turn to 41.
201
Your net splashes against the Drakkar's shield, but it only partially blocks the broad staircase. Most of its sticky fibres adhere to the parapet rail or are deflected down into the well of the shaft. The few strands that do fix themselves to the Drakkar's body are swiftly sundered by a few blows from his serrated sword. Your spell has delayed his advance for a few moments, but that is all. Having cut his way clear, the Drakkar continues to advance determinedly towards the observatory platform.
If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 161.
If you do not, turn to 303.
202
Your knowledge of Herbmastery enables you to identify these buds. They are Dargorse, the poisonous fruits of a prickly wilderness briar. You avoid touching them with your bare hands for not only are they deadly poisonous, their juice is also a powerful irritant.
If you wish to keep some of these buds, you can cover your hands with your cloak and gather enough for one dose (record these Dargorse Buds on your Action Chart as a Backpack Item).
To continue, turn to 120.
203
You examine the iron lockplate and determine that its mortise can be picked, although your Kai Sixth Sense tells you that it will not be an easy task.
If you wish to attempt to pick this lock, turn to 108.
If you do not, turn to 267.
204
You crash down heavily among the detritus and cadavers that litter the floor of the necromancer's hall, and a sharp pain shoots through your left forearm. You have fallen upon the skeletal remains of a human body, and its splintered shin bone has skewered your arm: lose 3 ENDURANCE points.
Gritting your teeth in anticipation of the increased pain, you take hold of the bone fragment and wrench it from your arm with one swift tug.
To continue, turn to 325.
205
You call upon your mastery of Brotherhood magic to enact the spell Mind Charm. Through the use of its
persuasive powers, you cause one of the Drakkarim to believe that his comrade is cheating. Argument and accusation quickly escalate into a brawl that leaves both warriors sprawled unconscious on the floor.
Before the Drakkarim regain consciousness, you hurry across the hall and ascend the steps. Upon reaching a landing on a level above, you hear the Drakkarim resume their fight in the hall below.
To continue, turn to 6.
206
As you recover your senses, you look up to see Zorkaan looming above you, his swirling black form swelling in volume and menace as it prepares to deal you one final, devastating blow. Valiantly you struggle to resist, but you are fearful that you no longer possess the strength needed to counter this powerful foe. An evil laugh echoes in your mind as slowly the wispy mass of black vapour spirals down towards your face. Desperately you lash out at your mocking adversary, but you lose your balance and collapse to your knees. With a prayer to Ishir on your lips, you watch with growing horror as a glowing spike of radiant energy appears at the core of Zorkaan's form. It hangs directly above you, like a sorcerous lance poised deliver a killing blow.