abysses.
Gradually the image fades and, as you return to consciousness, you discover that you are lying face down upon the ground. Your limbs shake uncontrollably and your forehead and chest are bathed in a cold sweat. You have tapped into the powerful residue of psychic force that pervades this site and the experience has left you in a state of psychic shock: lose 6 ENDURANCE points.
To continue, turn to 93 .
112
Hanging on to the underside of the descending drawbridge by your fingertips, you are slowly lowered into the icy cold waters of the lake. The bridge stops with a jolt, leaving you dangling waist-deep in the water and feeling all-too-vulnerably like a piece of Dholdaarg bait.
You hear the rasp of clawed feet scurrying across the bridge and a voice, unmistakably Cenerese, echoes from the opposite side of the cave. Despite the pain in your fingers and forearms, you remain absolutely motionless as the rat-like Vazhag cross the bridge and descend to the muddy shore. One or two remain on the bridge directly above you, and you can see them through the cracks in the timbers. They are squeaking and pointing at the oily green pools of blood that stain the surface of the lake.
Drawn by their comrades' squeaking, you see two Vazhag leap from the platform and pad down towards the water's edge.
If you possess Assimilance, turn to 195 .
If you do not possess this Grand Mastery, turn to 130 .
113
The Vazhag lancer tumbles lifelessly to the ground startling its horse which turns and bolts towards the forest. Instantly you act to prevent its escape by using your Magnakai ability of Animal Control. Your powers soothe the creature and coax it to return.
Quickly you mount the steed and head off along the trail which leads to the River Storn. You are less than five miles from the bridge where you hope to finally make good your escape to the Freeland of Slovia. By keeping to the forest's edge you avoid the traffic of Vazhag troops moving back and forth along the trail and, by the time you reach the banks of the mighty Storn, your spirits are high. Unfortunately, when you do catch your first sight of the bridge, your hopes of making a crossing here are soon dashed.
Turn to 182 .
114
The hound crashes to the ground, mortally wounded. But before you can even catch your breath, its master comes charging at you with his sword raised to hack you down.
You sidestep his first blow, gaining the few precious seconds you need in which to compose yourself for this second wave of combat.
Defender: COMBAT SKILL 30 ENDURANCE 30
If you win this fight, turn to 5 .
116
As you approach the sphere, its sparkling crystal core is darkened by a mist. Rapidly this smoky discolouration expands until it transcends the confines of the sphere and begins to take the shape of a swirling funnel which comes closer with every passing second. The moment that the edges of this sinister cone engulf your vision, you sense a dramatic change take place, as if you have suddenly crossed over the boundary which separates consciousness from dreams.
A sensation of falling assails your senses and, with panic in your heart, you try desperately to extricate yourself from this terrifying cone of darkness.
Pick a number from the Random Number Table .
Now, consult the following list and modify your number where appropriate:
If you possess Kai-screen add 3.
If you possess Grand Nexus add 1.
If your current ENDURANCE score is 20 or higher add 1.
If your current ENDURANCE score is 19 or lower subtract 1.
If your total score is now 4 or less, turn to 46 .
If it is 5–7, turn to 269 .
If it is 8 or higher, turn to 143 .
117
With the shrieks of the horde and the rasping growl of the Giganite echoing in your ears, you spring to your feet and run headlong into the mouth of the leafy tunnel. Your stamina and fleetness of foot keep you ahead of the ghouls until, two miles later, you sense that the danger has passed and it is safe enough for a few minutes'
Gradually the image fades and, as you return to consciousness, you discover that you are lying face down upon the ground. Your limbs shake uncontrollably and your forehead and chest are bathed in a cold sweat. You have tapped into the powerful residue of psychic force that pervades this site and the experience has left you in a state of psychic shock: lose 6 ENDURANCE points.
To continue, turn to 93 .
112
Hanging on to the underside of the descending drawbridge by your fingertips, you are slowly lowered into the icy cold waters of the lake. The bridge stops with a jolt, leaving you dangling waist-deep in the water and feeling all-too-vulnerably like a piece of Dholdaarg bait.
You hear the rasp of clawed feet scurrying across the bridge and a voice, unmistakably Cenerese, echoes from the opposite side of the cave. Despite the pain in your fingers and forearms, you remain absolutely motionless as the rat-like Vazhag cross the bridge and descend to the muddy shore. One or two remain on the bridge directly above you, and you can see them through the cracks in the timbers. They are squeaking and pointing at the oily green pools of blood that stain the surface of the lake.
Drawn by their comrades' squeaking, you see two Vazhag leap from the platform and pad down towards the water's edge.
If you possess Assimilance, turn to 195 .
If you do not possess this Grand Mastery, turn to 130 .
113
The Vazhag lancer tumbles lifelessly to the ground startling its horse which turns and bolts towards the forest. Instantly you act to prevent its escape by using your Magnakai ability of Animal Control. Your powers soothe the creature and coax it to return.
Quickly you mount the steed and head off along the trail which leads to the River Storn. You are less than five miles from the bridge where you hope to finally make good your escape to the Freeland of Slovia. By keeping to the forest's edge you avoid the traffic of Vazhag troops moving back and forth along the trail and, by the time you reach the banks of the mighty Storn, your spirits are high. Unfortunately, when you do catch your first sight of the bridge, your hopes of making a crossing here are soon dashed.
Turn to 182 .
114
The hound crashes to the ground, mortally wounded. But before you can even catch your breath, its master comes charging at you with his sword raised to hack you down.
You sidestep his first blow, gaining the few precious seconds you need in which to compose yourself for this second wave of combat.
Defender: COMBAT SKILL 30 ENDURANCE 30
If you win this fight, turn to 5 .
116
As you approach the sphere, its sparkling crystal core is darkened by a mist. Rapidly this smoky discolouration expands until it transcends the confines of the sphere and begins to take the shape of a swirling funnel which comes closer with every passing second. The moment that the edges of this sinister cone engulf your vision, you sense a dramatic change take place, as if you have suddenly crossed over the boundary which separates consciousness from dreams.
A sensation of falling assails your senses and, with panic in your heart, you try desperately to extricate yourself from this terrifying cone of darkness.
Pick a number from the Random Number Table .
Now, consult the following list and modify your number where appropriate:
If you possess Kai-screen add 3.
If you possess Grand Nexus add 1.
If your current ENDURANCE score is 20 or higher add 1.
If your current ENDURANCE score is 19 or lower subtract 1.
If your total score is now 4 or less, turn to 46 .
If it is 5–7, turn to 269 .
If it is 8 or higher, turn to 143 .
117
With the shrieks of the horde and the rasping growl of the Giganite echoing in your ears, you spring to your feet and run headlong into the mouth of the leafy tunnel. Your stamina and fleetness of foot keep you ahead of the ghouls until, two miles later, you sense that the danger has passed and it is safe enough for a few minutes'
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