The Dungeons of Torgar

by Joe Dever

  If you wish to join their game of dice, turn to 218.

  If you choose instead to return to the Prince's tent, turn to 29.

  91

  White-hot pain explodes through your chest and neck as three black-shafted Drakkarim arrows sink deep into your body. You scream in agony as you fall to the ground, but the pain quickly gives way to a terrifying numbness that robs you of all resistance to death.

  Your life and your quest end here.

  92

  The partisan leader listens patiently as you recount the many events that led you to seek his help. He sits staring into the fire, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames as he digests every word you say and considers their consequences carefully. At length, having heard your earnest appeal for him to guide you, he raises his eyes from the fire and holds you with their piercing gaze.

  ‘You speak with courage and wisdom, Kai Lord. It is rare to find these virtues present so strongly in one so young. The help you beg me to provide could cost my life, yet you offer no reward, save the thanks of some distant land and the slender promise of a better age. However, I feel compelled to help you, for in my heart I know you are the one who can deliver us from the perpetual shadow of the Darklords.’

  He rises and bids you follow him as he walks to the archway. ‘Come, we must prepare for our journey. The road you wish to travel is perilous and long. We had best set off at the earliest, lest caution and common sense change my mind.’

  Turn to 85.

  93

  Your psychic defences alert you to deadly danger. The swirling shapes that you see are the ghosts of Cener Druids who were slain on the isle many centuries ago.

  They have been drawn from their forgotten graves by the presence of their master, Tagazin, and now they come to enact the Demonlord's revenge by feasting on your life-force.

  The creatures take to the air and emit a ghastly howl as they draw closer. They sense your strong psychic defences and know instinctively that to steal your life-force will not be an easy task.

  If you possess the Sommerswerd, turn to 133.

  If you do not possess this Special Item, turn to 256.

  94

  The ground to the west of Cetza is flat and featureless and offers very little cover to conceal your approach. Slowly you work your way through the knee-high grasses to within twenty yards of a stone bridge, where the roadway crosses a foul-smelling ditch and enters the town. Your every movement is stiff with caution now, for the bridge is barricaded and you can see the spiky black helmets of the enemy defenders glinting in the moonlight. Snake-like you wriggle forwards, slide down into the ditch and take shelter beneath the stone bridge. With one cheek pressed against the wet stone you strain your ears to hear what the enemy are saying. You recognize their harsh, ugly language — it is Giak — but it is being spoken by human voices. The only humans to speak it so fluently are the Death Knights, the élite of the Drakkarim.

  Suddenly there is a loud splash that sends your pulse racing: a spear has fallen close to where you are hiding and its shaft stands upright in the muddy water. A growling curse is followed by the sound of heavy boots descending the bank as an angry Death Knight comes to retrieve the weapon he dropped.

  If you have completed the Lore-circle of Solaris, turn to 13.

  If you do not possess mastery of this Lore-circle, pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you possess the Magnakai Discipline of Invisibility, add 2 to the number you have picked.

  If your total is now 0–6, turn to 107.

  If it is 7 or more, turn to 338.

  95

  You smite the chain a mighty blow but you miss the rivet and the link does not break. Incensed by the boldness of your attack, and aware now of the threat it would have posed had it succeeded, the Demonlord leaps upon you and sinks his fangs deep into your chest. Pain explodes in your body but the agony is soon obliterated by the numbing chill of death.

  Your life and your quest end here.

  96

  The Baron is shouting at the Krorn to form a line and get ready to advance. The only vulnerable part of his body that you can see as he strides back and forth before his troops is his unarmoured head.

  Coolly you draw an Arrow to your lips and aim at the nape of his neck.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table and add to it any missile bonuses you may have.

  If your total is now 0–7, turn to 9.

  If your total is now 8 or more, turn to 272.

  97

  For an hour you sit staring at the river, mourning the loss of your brave companion. Your heart is heavy with the grief of his passing but you do not permit sorrow to become despair. You turn your eyes towards Torgar and defiantly you vow to avenge his death by retrieving the stolen Lorestones from the dungeons of that dread citadel.

  Your journey along the bank of the River Torg is a long and tiring ordeal. For eight days you trudge through the black mud, cut off from all view of the lands to the north and south by an unbroken wall of stunted trees. The only inhabitants of this forsaken territory are the buzzing insects which hang seemingly motionless in the humid air. They are a constant source of irritation but at least their bite proves harmless.

  On the morning of the ninth day, the muddy river bank gives way to firmer ground and the trees become less dense. Ahead you can see a barren expanse of yellow sulphurous soil that marks the beginning of the Nadulritzaga foothills. You can also see a road of broken stones disappearing into the distance.

  Turn to 140.

  98

  A sudden tumble of loose shale from the rim of the gorge alerts you to potential danger. You focus your eagle eyes on the rugged grey rocks above and catch sight of a pair of eyes staring down at you through a gap between two large boulders. Your stomach tightens. You feel trapped, and are about to spur your horse towards the mouth of the gorge and escape, when a voice calls down from above: ‘Hail, Pathfinder! What news have you from Luomi?’

  If you choose to answer the voice, turn to 223.

  If you decide to make a hasty escape from the gorge, turn to 134.

  99

  The shouts of the defenders and the metallic twang of the vanguard's crossbows echo across the causeway as you sprint headlong towards the door. A rain of boulders begins to fall, smashing around you with terrific force, but you manage to dodge these and reach your goal unscathed. Quickly you tear the satchel from your shoulder, prime the crystal explosive, and sprint back, counting the seconds with every step. Suddenly a terrific jolt throws you forward and a dull throbbing pain spreads across your back. A falling rock has clipped your shoulder blade and knocked you to the ground: lose 4 ENDURANCE points.

  Desperation suppresses the pain and you scramble over the rampart with only one second to spare.

  Turn to 301.

  100

  Cautiously you approach the edge of the pit and look down into its midnight depths. No light penetrates the blackness and no sounds can be heard in this seemingly bottomless abyss.

  Above you the Lorestones hang suspended in a ball of green flame, beyond reach from the ground but within a hand's breadth of the gantries which criss-cross above the pit.

  If you wish to climb a gantry and attempt to retrieve the Lorestones from above, turn to 249.

  If you wish to examine the crystal rods, turn to 160.

  If you wish to search for a way of retrieving the Lorestones from below, turn to 201.

  101

  The third day of your voyage is accompanied by a cold west wind that blows across the desolate swamp and chills you to the bone. Clumps of twisted grey foliage line the channel along which you row, releasing nauseating clouds of gas as your bow-wave laps at their rotting roots. At length, you pass by these poisoned shrubs and reach a wider waterway where the current flows against you.

  ‘We must be getting near the Torg estuary,’ says Jarel, now having to labour at the oars in order to make headway. He continues for a few minutes more, and then, just as you are about to take
your turn at rowing, the mouth of the River Torg looms into view.

  Turn to 209.

  102

  Your Magnakai sense tells you that the trail that climbs out of the valley is heading north. The town of Pirsi lies approximately thirty miles in that direction.

  If you wish to take this trail and head north to Pirsi, turn to 313.

  If you choose to follow the track upstream towards the west, turn to 18.

  103

  Having made sure that your pack and other equipment are securely fastened, you take a long run-up and leap feet-first across the gap.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Huntmastery add 3 to the number you have picked.

  If your total in now 0–6, turn to 154.

  If it is 7 or more, turn to 215.

  104

  You recognize the pale, badly scarred features of Roark, lord of the Salonese town of Amory. He has aged much since your last meeting: his jet-black hair is now streaked with grey and he walks with a stoop, as if burdened by a heavy pack. But his eyes are still as cold and as cruel as they were when he attempted to kill you four years ago.

  Turn to 263.

  105

  ‘I come from King Sarnac,’ says the officer, his voice full of urgency. ‘I must find your Prince and request that he commit his reserves at once in support of our knights assaulting the bridge. Our spearmen are already engaged in a desperate attack at the orchard and the rest of our retainers have been used to support our cavalry advance on the right flank. We have but less than 100 men left to save our noblemen, who are being slaughtered at the bridge.’

  You tell the officer where the Prince and his Palace Guard are fighting, of their victory, and of the desperate situation they now face. ‘I understand,’ says the officer, sadly. ‘I cannot expect the Prince to allow his reserves to be used when he needs them so urgently himself.’

  If you wish to return and take command of the Prince's reserves, turn to 49.

  If you wish to help the Lencian officer gather reinforcements to support the knights at the bridge, turn to 148.

  106

  You are dazzled by a brilliant flash as the two globes explode, scattering fragments that hiss like a host of fiery snakes into the Palmyrion ranks. The men-at-arms scream with pain and terror as the fragments burn everything they touch. You escape the worst of the blast, but the sleeve of your tunic is splashed with fragments and is now on fire.

  If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Nexus and have reached the Kai rank of Principalin or higher,4 turn to 2.

  If you do not possess this skill, or if you have yet to reach this level of Magnakai training, turn to 253.

  [4] It is unclear whether a Kazan-Oud Platinum Amulet should protect you in this situation in lieu of the Discipline of Nexus.

  107

  With a splash, the Death Knight warrior appears, his massive frame filling the archway. He curses his clumsiness and snatches up his spear, but his curses turn to shouts of alarm when he sees you hiding beneath the bridge.

  If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Psi-surge and wish to use it, turn to 139.

  If you wish to attack this élite Drakkarim soldier, turn to 180.

  If you wish to escape from beneath the bridge and run for the safety of the allies' camp, turn to 316.

  108

  You ride along an overgrown cart track that descends to the ford. As you draw level with the first log hut, your horse rears up and whinnies as if sensing danger, and you are forced to tighten your grip of the reins for fear of being thrown. As you regain control of your mount there is a sudden shout and a hail of arrows comes whistling towards you.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Huntmastery and Animal Control, add 3 to the number you have picked.

  If your total is now 0–1, turn to 91.

  If it is 2–6, turn to 283.

  If it is 7 or more, turn to 153.

  109

  At point-blank range your Arrow strikes the Drakkarim leader's armour with lethal force; it punches through the thick metal plate which protects his chest and skewers his heart. As he crashes to the ground, the other warriors draw their swords and rush forward to avenge his death.

  Élite Death Knights: COMBAT SKILL 38 ENDURANCE 45

  If you win the combat, turn to 162.

  110

  King Sarnac and a host of mounted knights block the road that leads to Blackshroud. They sit astride their warhorses, their armour dented and stained with the blood of the Baron's cavalry, all of whom they have slain in battle or put to flight. The Baron thunders towards them at breakneck speed, but the King and his knights remain grimly immobile, like a wall of tarnished steel. Slowly they lower their lances as the Baron speeds nearer and nearer. With a last defiant cry of anger, the Baron and his horse smash headlong into the line. There is a sickening screech of buckling metal and rearing horses, and then the Baron reappears, hoisted into the air, impaled on the tip of King Sarnac's lance.

  Turn to 300.

  111

  The captain smiles. Then he looks over your shoulder and nods to the owner. You hear a thin squeak followed by a rush of air as the crossbow bolt hurtles towards your back. Your Kai senses scream a warning and you respond by flattening yourself to the table. A look of abject terror barely has time to register on the captain's face before the speeding missile embeds itself between his startled eyes.

  ‘Get him!’ screams the owner, and three stocky drinkers rush forward with short swords held ready to strike. The first attacker loses his sword and the hand that holds it. As he reels back, screaming, the others exchange a fearful glance and halt in their tracks.

  If you wish to advance and attack them, turn to 274.

  If you decide to try to escape from the log tavern, turn to 68.

  112

  You focus your Magnakai skill on the lumbering reptile and command it to retreat. It halts and raises its horned head, its hungry eyes regarding you with suspicion. Then, with a snort of disdain, it turns and crawls back into the tall grass.

  Turn to 144.

  113

  ‘Meet your doom, Eruan scum!’ he sneers, as he strides across the square, his fearsome axe raised to strike. You lift the Sommerswerd and level it at his head; the blade shimmers gold as the sunlight catches upon its tip and charges it with power. A flicker of doubt passes across the Baron's eyes, but he shrugs aside his fear and continues to advance. With a roar like a howling gale the blade of his axe is transformed into a mass of scarlet flame that reeks of sulphurous decay.

  Illustration VI—‘Meet your doom, Eruan scum!’ he sneers, his fearsome axe raised to strike.

  Baron Shinzar (with Ogg-kor-kaggaz): COMBAT SKILL 40 ENDURANCE 50

  Intoxicated by the power of the weapon he wields, the Baron is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge).

  You may evade combat after three rounds; turn to 229.

  If you win the combat, turn to 300.

  114

  You see a dank dungeon cell and a prisoner sitting cross-legged on the cold stone floor. His dark skin is covered with tiny scars and his plaited flaxen hair is matted with grime and dried blood. Wearily he raises his head and his sharp cat-like eyes glint in the torchlight. At once you recognize his distinctive features: he is a Vakeros, a native warrior-magician of Dessi.

  You step back to examine the lock and notice that the key to this cell is hanging on a hook beside the door.

  If you wish to open the cell and release the prisoner, turn to 269.

  If you decide to ignore him and continue, turn to 189.

  115

  Prince Graygor's voice rings out above the din of battle as he orders the Palace Guard to charge the pikemen. The ground shakes beneath the pounding of the horses' hooves as they gather speed, their pennons streaming from their levelled lances. The Drakkarim huddle shoulder to shoulder and nervously dig the butts of their pikes into the hillside to steady their sha
ky hands. The knights reach the hill. They thunder up the slope. A blaze of lightning hurtles from the top of the temple but it is mistimed: it crackles harmlessly over their heads and explodes behind them, hurling nothing but scorched earth into the sky. The Prince screams his battle-cry and the knights slam into the Drakkarim with a deafening roar. Men and metal howl in agony as the heavy horses break like a wave against the wall of pikes. You see a rider lifted out of his saddle on the point of a pike, and a ramp of black metal suddenly appears where a score of Drakkarim have been trampled into the ground. The Prince and a dozen of his bravest knights break through and gallop on towards the temple, but the Drakkarim quickly close ranks and seal the gap. The remaining Palace Guard are forced to a halt and engage the pikemen in fierce hand-to-hand combat.

  You reach the hill and leap over the steel-clad bodies that litter the slope. As you near the mêlée you see two Drakkarim rushing towards you from the side, their axes raised to hack you down. ‘For Sommerlund!’ you cry, and turn to face their attack.