the morass and masks its dangers.
Now your senses tingle: there is evil all around. At once you reach for your weapon and, as your hand closes upon it, you feel something snake-like coiling around your left foot.
If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, turn to 19 .
If you do not possess this Discipline, turn to 273 .
156
‘What blasphemy is this!’ gasps the druid, horrified by your answer. ‘Know you not that it is forbidden for a brother to possess anything! The pursuit of possessions is a hammer that shatters loyalty to our cause. You will atone for this … oh yes. You will atone to me!’
And with these crazed words the druid unsheathes a dagger and raises it above his head. A wave of psychic energy washes over your mind and, for an instant, you see his cold eyes widen with shock as he discovers who you really are. He screams a curse and the blade of his dagger is transformed at once into a yellow spike of glowing luminescence. Swiftly you reach for your own weapon as the crazed druid forces you back, stabbing and slicing the air before him with his sorcerous blade.
High Priest: COMBAT SKILL 47 ENDURANCE 30
This enemy is immune to Mindblast and Psi-surge (but not Kai-surge).
If you win the combat, turn to 340 .
157
You release the creaking bowstring and send your Arrow burrowing deep into the Vazhag's chest. The rat-thing utters a strangled cry of pain and surprise as, wide-eyed, it crashes down face first into the midst of its hoard of shoddy treasure.
Immediately, with an angry roar, the dog-creature springs forward with its taloned paws outstretched. You retreat, discarding your Bow in favour of a hand weapon with which to fight this ravenous beast.
Pit Agarashi: COMBAT SKILL 34 ENDURANCE 38
This creature is immune to Mindblast and Psi-surge; only Kai-surge can harm it psychically.
If you win the combat, turn to 297 .
158
A narrow corridor connects the chamber to another, where there stands an imposing door made of sheeted copper, inlaid with a filigree of gold and silver. It is the only exit from this otherwise drab chamber.
A closer inspection of the door reveals that it is surrounded by an airtight seal. Furthermore, there is no keyhole, bolt, or handle. However, your keen eyesight is drawn to a pattern in the door's centre panel which, thanks to past experience, you recognize to be a sophisticated combination lock.
The gold inlays form three rows of three numbers within a grid of silver lines:
Below these numbers, in ancient Cenerese script, is carved the message:
‘Declare ye the true number to pass this way’
Study the grid of numbers. When you think you know the answer to the riddle, turn to the entry that bears the same number as your answer. 7
If you cannot solve this puzzle, turn to 132 .
[7] The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct.
160
You decide that to travel openly along the track would be too risky. Rather than chance falling foul of a Vazhag patrol, you set off through the forest, using the trees for cover, but all the while keeping the trail in sight as you trek northeastwards toward the Cenerese stronghold.
Your decision is soon justified. Within a few minutes you are forced to hide when a rickety wagon, laden with casks and escorted by a dozen Vazhag, appears on the trail ahead. Unaware of your presence, the detachment passes within yards of your position before continuing on its way southwards.
It is an hour past noon when the trees thin out and you catch your first glimpse of Mogaruith. Crouching at the forest's edge, you stare awestricken by the sight of its slime-green walls and towers. This vast Cenerese fortress, rising out of the land like the thrusting fist of some vile volcanic demon, bristles with formidable defences. Turrets and bastions punctuate its sheer stone walls, and its base is ringed by a moat of bubbling water. A single drawbridge spans this moat, providing sole
Now your senses tingle: there is evil all around. At once you reach for your weapon and, as your hand closes upon it, you feel something snake-like coiling around your left foot.
If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, turn to 19 .
If you do not possess this Discipline, turn to 273 .
156
‘What blasphemy is this!’ gasps the druid, horrified by your answer. ‘Know you not that it is forbidden for a brother to possess anything! The pursuit of possessions is a hammer that shatters loyalty to our cause. You will atone for this … oh yes. You will atone to me!’
And with these crazed words the druid unsheathes a dagger and raises it above his head. A wave of psychic energy washes over your mind and, for an instant, you see his cold eyes widen with shock as he discovers who you really are. He screams a curse and the blade of his dagger is transformed at once into a yellow spike of glowing luminescence. Swiftly you reach for your own weapon as the crazed druid forces you back, stabbing and slicing the air before him with his sorcerous blade.
High Priest: COMBAT SKILL 47 ENDURANCE 30
This enemy is immune to Mindblast and Psi-surge (but not Kai-surge).
If you win the combat, turn to 340 .
157
You release the creaking bowstring and send your Arrow burrowing deep into the Vazhag's chest. The rat-thing utters a strangled cry of pain and surprise as, wide-eyed, it crashes down face first into the midst of its hoard of shoddy treasure.
Immediately, with an angry roar, the dog-creature springs forward with its taloned paws outstretched. You retreat, discarding your Bow in favour of a hand weapon with which to fight this ravenous beast.
Pit Agarashi: COMBAT SKILL 34 ENDURANCE 38
This creature is immune to Mindblast and Psi-surge; only Kai-surge can harm it psychically.
If you win the combat, turn to 297 .
158
A narrow corridor connects the chamber to another, where there stands an imposing door made of sheeted copper, inlaid with a filigree of gold and silver. It is the only exit from this otherwise drab chamber.
A closer inspection of the door reveals that it is surrounded by an airtight seal. Furthermore, there is no keyhole, bolt, or handle. However, your keen eyesight is drawn to a pattern in the door's centre panel which, thanks to past experience, you recognize to be a sophisticated combination lock.
The gold inlays form three rows of three numbers within a grid of silver lines:
Below these numbers, in ancient Cenerese script, is carved the message:
‘Declare ye the true number to pass this way’
Study the grid of numbers. When you think you know the answer to the riddle, turn to the entry that bears the same number as your answer. 7
If you cannot solve this puzzle, turn to 132 .
[7] The section corresponding to the correct answer will have a footnote confirming that it is indeed correct.
160
You decide that to travel openly along the track would be too risky. Rather than chance falling foul of a Vazhag patrol, you set off through the forest, using the trees for cover, but all the while keeping the trail in sight as you trek northeastwards toward the Cenerese stronghold.
Your decision is soon justified. Within a few minutes you are forced to hide when a rickety wagon, laden with casks and escorted by a dozen Vazhag, appears on the trail ahead. Unaware of your presence, the detachment passes within yards of your position before continuing on its way southwards.
It is an hour past noon when the trees thin out and you catch your first glimpse of Mogaruith. Crouching at the forest's edge, you stare awestricken by the sight of its slime-green walls and towers. This vast Cenerese fortress, rising out of the land like the thrusting fist of some vile volcanic demon, bristles with formidable defences. Turrets and bastions punctuate its sheer stone walls, and its base is ringed by a moat of bubbling water. A single drawbridge spans this moat, providing sole
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