Voyage of the Moonstone

by Joe Dever

  49

  Your Arrow punctures the leader's breastplate and brings him tumbling to his knees. Desperately his fingers scrabble to wrench the shaft free, but it has penetrated too deeply and he is soon overwhelmed by the pain of the mortal wound he has sustained. With one final gasp he keels over and falls face-down upon the deck.

  Turn to 63.

  50

  Dromodon strides into the arena with his arms flung wide to receive the frenzied adulation of the crowd. He is a magnificent lion of a man, with broad shoulders and a mighty chest that ripples with bronzed muscle. His grim face is stern and majestic beneath a mane of wild black hair, and he moves with the confidence and grace of a huge, predatory animal. At first he appears to be the very embodiment of gladiatorial perfection, and you regret that you should have to fight this heroic warrior to the death. But your regrets soon evaporate when you look into his eyes, for you see revealed there his true nature. Beneath the façade of his heroic exterior lurks a soul filled with evil. Your senses tell you that he is a secret worshipper of Naar. The Dark God has given him many rewards — his strength and his status — and in return Dromodon has consigned hundreds of noble souls to an eternity of slavery in the thrall of Naar. Now you see him for what he really is — a ruthless murderer, a heartless killing machine — and all empathy with him as a fellow warrior is lost. This will be a fight to the death and you must fight to win!

  Illustration III—You see Dromodon for what he really is — a ruthless murderer, a heartless killing machine.

  Dromodon: COMBAT SKILL 44 ENDURANCE 39

  This enemy is immune to all forms of psychic attack.

  If you win the combat, turn to 268.

  51

  You call upon all of your speed and agility in a desperate attempt to throw yourself out of the path of this terrifying meteor. A superhuman effort will be required if you are to accomplish this desperate action successfully.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you possess Grand Huntmastery add 3 to the number you have picked. You may add an additional 1 to the number you have picked for every 1 ENDURANCE point you are prepared to deduct from your current total.

  If your total score is now 1 or lower, turn to 342.

  If it is 2–7, turn to 15.

  If it is 8 or higher, turn to 203.

  52

  For an hour you ride without daring to stop in case the slaver has dispatched his henchmen to pursue you. The hills keep the interior of this country hidden from view until you reach a broad-based canyon bisected by a meandering stream. The threat of pursuit has now passed and so you halt here to slake your thirst before continuing your long ride south.

  Beyond the canyon, the road crosses a rolling coastal plain which lies at the eastern edge of the Dry Main — Vassagonia's vast desert. The undulations of its windswept sands give this great sun-bleached emptiness the appearance of a vast yellow sea that seems to stretch away into infinity. You feel a disturbing unease as you stare across this wilderness for there is nothing to break the view, and nothing that could offer you a place to hide should the need arise.

  As dusk approaches you are pleased to see that the road bears to the east and passes within sight of the ocean. The heat of the day has now surrendered to a biting night wind that makes your horse and your companions shiver. Mindful of their need for shelter, you leave the road and scout the rugged coastline in search of a cave in which to spend the night. Your tracking skills lead you to a dry cave that is ideal and you camp here and build a fire from driftwood. Over a meal of roasted crabmeat the conversation turns to Oriah and your fears for her safety. Later this night, as you sit the first watch, you offer a prayer to the Goddess Ishir to protect her and keep her safe. You have a strong feeling that the young woman is still alive and that one day, sometime in the future, your paths are destined to cross once more.

  After a few hours, Sligh wakes from his slumber to take his turn keeping watch at the mouth of the cave. Gladly you hand over the duty to him and settle down for some much needed sleep (you may restore 3 ENDURANCE points).

  To continue, turn to 142.

  53

  You watch aghast as the Itikars swoop past the balloon and rake their talons across its canopy. The sudden loss of gas from the canopy shakes the basket and you are knocked off your feet. Yranai falls on top of you and, for a few nerve-racking seconds, you lie entangled at the bottom of the basket as the balloon rapidly loses altitude. When you pull yourself up and peer over the rim, you see the trees of the lower mountain slopes rising towards you at a dizzying speed. Yranai looks up to see shreds of cloth trailing from the punctured canopy above and the sight proves too much for him: he faints. Hurriedly you haul his frail body over your shoulder. Then you place one foot on the rim of the basket and get ready to make a desperate leap away from this doomed balloon as the tops of the mountain pines rise into view.

  If you possess Kai-alchemy, turn to 107.

  If you do not possess this Discipline, turn to 115.

  54

  You invite the magician to enter your room and, after checking that the corridor is empty, you close the door. You can sense his excitement as you place the item(s) that you would like him to purchase on a small table which stands beside the mattress.

  If the item you wish to sell is the Iron Skull, turn to 201.

  If it is the Siyen Crown, turn to 134.

  If it is the Kutyan Emerald, turn to 298.

  55

  Your Kai Sixth Sense informs you that the whirlpool is being created by a powerful entity, a creature that is hiding somewhere in the undergrowth which blankets the overhanging cliff. From its high vantage point it is pouring its evil energy down into the channel below, causing the vortex which now threatens to drag The Pride of Sommerlund to a deep, watery grave.

  You inform Raker of what you have detected and he orders the marines to fire a volley from their deck guns, aimed at the foliage on top of the cliff.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table.

  If the number you have chosen is 0 or 1, turn to 16.

  If it is 2–9, turn to 294.

  56

  The man rapidly disappears into the crowd, and when you check your Backpack you discover that your suspicions were well founded. The flap is unbuckled and there is one item missing (erase the first item which you have noted on your Backpack Items list).

  To continue, turn to 96.

  57

  You wait until the last moment before you leap over the falling statue. It shears the surface from the steps on which, just seconds ago, you were standing, but your reactions prove too slow for you to avoid being struck a glancing blow to the neck and shoulder: lose 5 ENDURANCE points.

  As you fall to the steps, you see the statue finally reach the bottom of the stairwell where it smashes into several large segments which block the narrow doorway and fill the base of the stairwell with thick dust. Gritting your teeth against the pain of your injuries, you stagger to your feet and hurry as fast as you can up the stairs in pursuit of your prey — the scourge of Hikas.

  Turn to 177.

  58

  The owner sympathizes with you. He does not want to lose your custom and so he tries to strike a deal. He says that he would be willing to accept two of your Backpack Items instead of the remaining six Gold Crowns.

  If you agree to his deal, erase any two Backpack Items from your Action Chart (excluding Meals) and turn to 333.

  If you do not agree to his deal, turn to 224.

  59

  Your Arrow hits the warrior but it is deflected by the steel nose-guard that is fixed to the front of his helmet. You are about to reload your Bow and fire again when suddenly there is a tremendous crash. The Pride of Sommerlund lurches violently and you are thrown backwards across the deck.

  Turn to 274.

  60

  Bravely you meet her attack and counter it by launching yourself headlong into a desperate fight to the finish.

  Deathstalker (mate): C
OMBAT SKILL 42 ENDURANCE 40

  This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Kai-surge).

  If you win the combat, turn to 76.

  61

  ‘Welcome, Master Journeyman,’ says the smiling trader, ‘I'm most pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Kolastemi Ayusidihara but people know me better as Kol. I see by the cloak clasp you are wearing that you are a Kai journeyman of Sommerlund, yes?’

  You nod to affirm this and the excited little man proceeds to tell you about himself and his business. You hear that he is a merchant who was born in Casiorn but who now lives in the city of Kuchek. When he was a young man he traded silk for wheat in Holmgard where he first encountered the Kai. Once, when his caravan was attacked by a Giak war party on the Ruanon Pike, it was the timely intervention of a Kai journeyman that saved his life and his cargo. Since that day he has revered your warrior order. Barely pausing for breath, he tells you proudly that he has a ship moored in the harbour which is filled with timber that he intends to trade for spices in Bisutan. He plans to set sail tomorrow at noon. When at last he pauses to take a sip of ale from his tankard, you inform him that you and your three companions are travelling overland to Elzian.

  ‘By horse? Such a tiring way to travel and such a difficult road too,’ he says. ‘I would gladly offer you passage aboard my ship but, alas, I carry such a heavy cargo that I could only accommodate one extra passenger. You would be most welcome to sail with me to Bisutan, but sadly I am unable to offer such a favour to your friends.’

  You thank Kol for his offer but decline it, preferring to stay with the marines. You are tired now, and so you rise from your seat and bid the friendly trader goodnight and a safe voyage. As you turn to go to your room he calls out: ‘If you should change your mind, remember I sail at noon. My ship is moored at the end of the east quay. She's called Desert Jewel.’

  Turn to 106.

  62

  You enter this musty emporium and cast your experienced eye across its shelves and glass-fronted cabinets. A toothless old crone is standing behind a toa wood counter and she bids you welcome. As you walk around the shop she watches you like a hawk.

  Most of her wares appear to be second-hand items of little value or practical use. Of all the thousands of things that are crammed into this shop, only the following catch your eye:

  Rope — 3 Gold Crowns

  Blanket — 2 Gold Crowns

  Hourglass — 3 Gold Crowns

  Tinderbox — 2 Gold Crowns

  Spyglass — 2 Gold Crowns

  If you wish to purchase one or more of the above Backpack Items, remember to adjust your Action Chart accordingly.

  To leave the shop, turn to 17.

  63

  For a few moments the raiders stand transfixed with shock, as if they are unable to comprehend that their leader is truly dead. Then the reality of their loss crashes in upon them and they become overwhelmed by their worst fears. Without their leader, they panic and hurriedly cut the grappling lines which hold the two vessels together. When the last rope is severed there is a great rending of iron and timber as the ram of the pirate ship wrenches itself free from The Pride of Sommerlund's port side. Then a cheer resounds from the mouths of those Sommlending who have survived the battle when they see the enemy ship turn about and flee for the safety of the isles off Cape Kabar.

  To continue, turn to 281.

  64

  ‘He's right,’ says the rogue, and sheepishly he backs away from your table.

  ‘He can't be the creature,’ whispers one of the other men. ‘It wouldn't know the answer.’

  Confused and angered by their actions, and by what they are saying, you rise from your seat and demand an explanation. The innkeeper hurries over with a tankard of ale in his hand. He and the men apologize for the frosty reception you have received since you entered the tavern, and the innkeeper offers you the ale, free of charge, as if to make amends for their behaviour.

  ‘I don't want your ale,’ you snap. ‘What I want is an explanation. What's really going on here?’

  The innkeeper looks at you and there is fear behind his eyes. ‘Very well,’ he says, ‘I'll tell you. It's only right that you should know.’

  Turn to 74.

  65

  You pitch camp among some sand dunes overlooking the village and its picturesque bay. Oswin attends to the horses while you help Sligh and Ernan to build a fire from driftwood. While you are foraging for wood, you stumble upon some strange pink-leaved plants growing along the edge of the beach.

  If you possess Herbmastery, turn to 317.

  If you do not possess this Discipline, turn to 228.

  66

  The door bangs open against the wall and a loud screech echoes from your room. This painfully sharp noise makes you raise your weapon defensively but, as you prepare to strike a blow, you suddenly see a startled cat come hurtling through the doorway. You smile to yourself and sheathe your weapon as you watch the terrified cat scurry along the corridor amidst a cloud of dust and loose fur.

  The room itself is shabby but clean. You take off your cloak and equipment, wash from a cracked porcelain bowl, and then sit down on the threadbare mattress which serves as a bed. Now your thoughts return to your mission, and while you are pondering what may yet lie in store for you on the road to Elzian, you open the satchel containing the Moonstone and bathe in the warm glow which radiates from this wondrous artefact.

  Suddenly there is a knock on your door. The sound gives you a start and quickly you buckle the satchel and stow it under the mattress.

  If you possess Telegnosis and wish to use it, turn to 229.

  If you possess Grand Huntmastery and wish to use it, turn to 339.

  If you possess neither of these skills, or if you choose not to use them, turn to 25.

  67

  By the skill of her crew and helmsman, The Pride of Sommerlund enters the Bukimi Channel and picks up a prevailing wind which propels her swiftly away from the pirate raiders. Soon the enemy ships have disappeared beyond the distant horizon. When Raker is sure that they have abandoned the chase, he praises his First Mate and crew and promises that tonight they can look forward to a double rum ration as reward for their skilful seamanship.

  As the ship navigates the narrow strait dividing these two Lakuri islands, you pass close by the fire-blackened ruins of a beach settlement which nestles in a bay overshadowed by cliffs. It is Kita Cove, formerly the secret base from where Captain Khadro launched his pirate fleet. Staring at the charred remnants of his settlement, you try to imagine what it must have looked like before the encampment was consumed by the tremendous fireball that was to seal its doom.

  A mile beyond Kita Cove, the strait becomes narrower at a place where it passes between two overhanging cliffs. Paoll is sure that he can navigate safely through this channel, but his confidence is shaken when the lookout suddenly screams a warning: ‘Whirlpool ahead!’

  When you catch sight of the swirling, foaming water, you sense immediately that this is not a natural phenomenon: this watery vortex is the result of evil sorcery.

  If you possess Elementalism, turn to 226.

  If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline, turn to 55.

  68

  You ride the benign thermal currents that swirl between these lower mountain peaks and enjoy a spectacular aerial view of the Great Masourn Range. Within the hour you emerge from the peaks and drift towards columns of rock that rise up from the lower slopes of the timbered mountainside. Circling above one of these columns are six large, black winged birds. You magnify your vision and your pulse quickens when instantly you recognize them to be Itikars — giant Vassagonian eagles.

  The leader of this predatory group has golden markings on his wing tips that glint in the sun, giving them a metallic appearance, and when he sees the balloon approaching he veers away from the column. The others follow his lead and all six come flying towards you in a wedge-shaped formation.

  They fly past overhead and
stare down at the balloon with their cold black eyes. Then the leader turns about and you sense that he intends to attack you on his next pass. His companions form up behind him in a line and he leads them in a steep dive.

  Illustration IV—The leader of the Itikars turns and you see that he is about to attack with his razor-sharp claws.

  As he comes to within a hundred feet, he spreads his razor-sharp talons and fixes his cruel eyes on the balloon's vulnerable canopy.

  If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, turn to 141.

  If you possess Animal Mastery and wish to use it, turn to 168.

  If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 326.

  If you possess neither of these skills, nor a Bow, or if you choose not to use any of them, turn to 53.

  69

  The old woman sits herself at your table and takes hold of your right hand. For a few minutes she mumbles and murmurs incoherently as she traces every line on your palm with her crooked index finger.

  ‘Great strength, long life, and good fortune will be yours, kind sir,’ she says, grinning inanely. ‘Ah, but what is this? Is this love I see? I … I cannot be sure.’ And with this she holds open her left palm inviting you to give her another Gold Crown. You look to the owner of the inn and he frowns and shakes his head. The old crone is clearly a charlatan and she will tell you anything she thinks you want to hear so long as you continue to pay her. You snatch your hand away and tell her to leave. Muttering darkly, she picks up her basket and scuttles out of the inn, slamming the door behind her with a resounding crash.