Wolf's Bane

by Joe Dever

55

  Cursing your predicament, you steel yourself to confront the chained serpent. Unsheathing your weapon, you take your first tentative steps towards the hissing creature and soon discover that its iron collar and chain will prevent it from reaching you so long as you keep close to the cavern wall. Mindful of this, you skirt around the writhing serpent and inch your way carefully towards the tunnel. However, you have progressed only a few yards when you feel the floor sloping away. The water is getting deeper.

  If you possess Magi-magic and have attained the rank of Grand Thane or higher, turn to 234.

  If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline or have yet to attain this level of Kai Mastery, turn to 25.

  56

  Your adversary sniggers when he hears your cry of pain. Yet, despite the burning agony of your wound, you wrench the evil shaft from your chest and force yourself to stand. Defiantly, you level your weapon at the darkened stairwell. But Wolf's Bane is no longer crouching near the steps; he is fast ascending them. Calling upon your innate healing skills, you staunch the flow of blood that is soaking the front of your tunic and stumble towards the staircase in pursuit of your hated foe.

  Turn to 29.

  57

  You place your lips to the plant wall and utter the power-word of the Elder Magi: Gloar!

  The explosive power of this magical word is greatly accentuated within the confines of the stem. It tears a large ragged hole in the plant wall through which, with little difficulty, you are able to make your escape.

  Turn to 230.

  58

  Hurriedly you recite the words of the Brotherhood Spell Counterspell and, to your relief and amazement, the fire-bolt sputters and dissolves within an arm's reach of your face.

  Turn to 37.

  59

  Guided by your advanced Kai instincts, you avoid the rain of debris without too much difficulty and reach the entrance to the skull-rock unscathed. Without any hesitation you enter the misty portal in pursuit of your enemy. Barely seconds later, there is a tremendous explosion and the entire temple ceiling collapses.

  Turn to 174.

  60

  The moment you twist the dial to the correct number, the panel slides open and a rush of air surges into the cell.8 Greedily you fill your lungs as you stagger out into the corridor and make your way back along this steel-lined passage towards the stairs. Quietly cursing your ill luck, you descend the steps to the foyer and leave the building.

  Turn to 71.

  [8] This is the correct answer to the combination lock in Section 252.

  61

  Using your advanced mastery, you are able to project the image of the creature's most feared adversary into its mind's eye. The huge serpent reacts violently; it twists and wrenches at its iron collar in a desperate attempt to break free from its bonds. Its great body, which is studded with tiny barbed horns, thrashes the water into a stinking foam as it writhes back and forth in front of the exit tunnel. Your psychic projection has this creature terrified, but its state of near-panic will now make it difficult for you to reach the tunnel and escape from this cavern.

  If you possess Kai-alchemy, turn to 293.

  If you do not possess this skill, turn to 326.

  62

  The moment you negate your spell of Levitation spell and set foot upon firm ground, you feel a warm breeze. You sense that it comes from a stairwell at the far end of this new hall and, when you investigate it, you rediscover Wolf's Bane's footprints on the stone steps. You cast your hands over them and detect that this is not a false trail: your enemy passed this way sometime within the last hour.

  Slowly you ascend the stairs and arrive at the arched entrance to a large, vaulted stone chamber. Gathered around a fountain set into its north wall are a group of six grey-skinned humanoids. They are busy drinking a clear, oily fluid that pours from the fountain's spout into a semicircular trough. All are barefoot and clad in rags, and they are each armed with a spear and a bow. The only exit from this chamber appears to be an archway set high in the north wall. There is a balcony in front of it that can only be reached by two flights of stairs which rise up on either side of the fountain.

  Quietly you observe the creatures slaking their thirsts, and you try to formulate a way in which you can get past them and reach the balconied exit in the north wall.

  If you possess a Bow and the Discipline of Magi-magic and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Guardian, turn to 138.

  If you possess Kai-alchemy and have attained the rank of Grand Crown (and wish to use it), turn to 26.

  If you do not possess these skills or a Bow, or if you have yet to attain the required levels of Kai Mastery, turn to 121.

  63

  You release your grip of your enemy and roll away from him. Moments later, the beam from his comrade's weapon hits his side and erupts through the back of his armour. The force of the impact lifts him bodily from the floor and hurls him into a pile of rusty cylinders, bringing them crashing down to bury him. Shocked and angry at having accidentally killed his confederate, the newly-arrived warrior rushes forward. He is determined to find and finish you once and for all, but his anger and his armour put him at a disadvantage. He fails to see where you have gone and, under cover of the smoke and debris, you manage to circle around behind him without being seen.

  If you possess Kai-alchemy, turn to 39.

  If you do not possess this Grand Master Discipline, turn to 349.

  64

  The moment you complete the code, you feel a shuddering vibration run through the great iron portal.9 Slowly it grinds open to reveal an antechamber that is lit by a dozen flaming torches set around its glassy walls. The wind has now become so fierce that it is tearing the fabric of your cloak and tunic. Rather than remain outside in the storm a moment longer, you hurry through the open portal and seek shelter within.

  Turn to 227.

  [9] This is the correct answer to the portal lock in Section 251.

  65

  It takes you more than half an hour to cut a clear path through these magical strands, and the effort leaves you aching with fatigue.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If the number you have picked is 0–4, reduce your ENDURANCE score by 2 points. If the number you have picked is 5–9, reduce your ENDURANCE score by 4 points.

  To continue, turn to 316.

  66

  You ask Steel Hand to give you his rope and he obeys dutifully. Then you utter the words of the Brotherhood Spell Levitation and almost immediately you feel gravity losing its grip on your body. Gently you rise to the ceiling of the vault where, using the exposed stone buttresses, you are able to pull yourself along until you are directly above the centre of the fissure. Here you fix one end of the rope to an exposed stone beam and cast the other end to your companions waiting below. One by one they swing across the void and, when all have crossed safely, you untie the rope and pull yourself to the far side before intoning the words that cancel the effects of the spell.

  It is clear from their wide-eyed expressions that they are all impressed with your mastery of Brotherhood magic, especially Steel Hand. You gather up his rope and as you give it back to him you say: ‘Don't worry. One day I'll instruct you in the ways of magic so that you, too, can walk a ceiling!’

  The young Kai Master smiles as he stuffs his rope into his bulging backpack.

  ‘And now, my lords, we must press on. We've a trail to find,’ you say, and you motion your companions to follow as you get ready to leave this chamber.

  Turn to 160.

  67

  You feel your throat tightening and your lungs collapsing as the air is sucked out of the chamber. The whirling flames of the fire have rapidly transformed into a raging vortex which is dragging into its core every loose item in the banquet hall. You and Alyss hang on to the banister rail affixed to the gallery stairs, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain your grip. Chairs, tapestries, tables, and other furniture batter you as they tumble past
to be sucked into the vortex (lose 4 ENDURANCE points). Then the rail collapses and the two of you are drawn into the raging heart of this fearsome whirlpool.

  Turn to 170.

  68

  So advanced is your adversary's camouflage skill that it takes you several minutes to locate him, despite the fact that he is less than fifty yards away. He is partially hidden behind a tree, and he is armed with a bow which is trained upon the entrance to the tunnel. Once you are sure you have found him, you allow yourself a smile; you are looking forward to turning the tables on this arrogant impostor.

  If you have a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 196.

  If you possess Grand Nexus and have attained the rank of Kai Grand Crown (and wish to use your mastery), turn to 43.

  If you do not have a Bow or the Discipline of Grand Nexus, or if you have yet to attain this higher level of Kai Mastery, or if you do not wish to use any of them, turn to 114.

  69

  The strands of this magical net are thick, sticky, and tough. Clearing a way through them quickly becomes a trial of strength and stamina.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you possess a bladed weapon, add 3 to the number you have picked.

  If your total score is now 4 or less, turn to 65.

  If it is 5 or more, turn to 228.

  70

  You are within a few feet of the exit tunnel when a heavy sheet of iron falls from the ceiling and seals off your chosen route of escape. You spin around and glimpse the creatures in the pot who attempted to shoot you full of arrows. They are small, blue-skinned reptilians, with cruel crocodilian faces and curiously human hands. They are armed with finely crafted bows of gleaming white bone which you detect are capable of discharging six poisoned arrows every second. The reptilians are close to reloading these bows — you must act quickly if you are to avoid becoming the target of another deadly volley.

  If you possess Kai-alchemy and wish to use it, turn to 277.

  If you possess Magi-magic and wish to use it, turn to 219.

  If you possess a Bow and wish to use it, turn to 136.

  If you possess neither of these Disciplines, nor a Bow, or choose to use none of them, turn to 82.

  71

  Once outside, you focus your tracking skills and attempt to pick up your enemy's trail. You have a feeling that he may have doubled back on his tracks and so you retrace your steps to the street where you first appeared in this alien city. As you are nearing this place, you suddenly hear the ringing metallic clang of an iron girder falling from a height. The noise echoes from an alleyway off to your right and immediately you go to investigate.

  At the end of the alley you discover a derelict warehouse. Fire has ravaged its interior and much of the roof has caved in, but amongst the debris you can see that it once stored metal cylinders and coils of wire. You stop at the entrance and listen. Your caution is rewarded when you hear footsteps at the rear of the building. You draw your weapon and enter, using the debris for cover as you inch your way towards the back of the ruined warehouse. You are moving between cover when suddenly you see the outline of a human form silhouetted against a broken window. Instantly you know that it is not Wolf's Bane: this figure is clad in grey, close-fitting armour and is holding a metallic spear. The realization makes you hesitate, and in that split second of indecision, the armoured figure sees you and raises its spear. A blinding flame ignites at its tip and a beam of white-hot light comes speeding towards your chest.

  Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you possess Grand Pathsmanship, add 3 to the number you have picked.

  If your total is now 5 or less, turn to 312.

  If it is 6 or higher, turn to 6.

  72

  You motion to your companions to follow, and then you take your first step into the dark tomb. Suddenly there is a blinding flash of white light followed almost instantly by the deafening crackle of exploding electrical energies. Pain consumes your body as you are lifted into the air and thrown backwards by the blast. You have triggered a hidden power-glyph, a magical booby trap, and you have been caught by its explosive energy.

  Pick a number from the Random Number (0=10). Now add 5 to the number you picked. The resulting total equals the number ENDURANCE points you lose.

  Make the necessary adjustments to your Action Chart before turning to 13.

  73

  Your advanced Kai Mastery reveals to you that a hoard of precious platinum is stored in a chamber at the end of the left corridor.

  If you wish to explore the left corridor, turn to 95.

  If you choose instead to explore the right corridor, turn to 137.

  74

  The creature that is diving towards you suddenly freezes in mid-air. The morbid fear of death that had gripped your heart quickly evaporates, but you are left with a feeling of deep unease as your senses detect that something extraordinary is taking place around you. The hall has become filled with a deadly silence and everything, including the tongues of flame trailing from the creature's sword, and the blazing fire in the grate, is utterly frozen. It is as if time itself is standing still.

  Wolf's Bane is a frozen statue, his face fixed in the malevolent sneer he was wearing in gleeful anticipation that you were about to meet your doom. You are beginning to think that perhaps you have been killed and that this is life after death, when suddenly you glimpse a blurred movement out of the corner of your eye.

  From the shadows cast by the gallery there steps a young teenage girl. She is dressed in a leather jerkin and threadbare trousers which are cut short at the knees. She is barefoot and appears to be armed only with a mischievous grin.

  ‘Who … who are you? Why are you here?’ you stammer, dumbly. Casually she walks towards you and reaches up to touch a finger to the frozen fiery sword clutched in the taloned hands of Wolf's Bane's winged minion. There is a gentle Pop! and the creature disappears.

  Illustration IV—Armed with only a mischievous grin, Alyss sees off Wolf's Bane's winged minion.

  ‘I'm Alyss, and I do hate cheats,’ she says, as she wanders over to where Wolf's Bane is standing immobile. Cheekily she pokes out her tongue at him and then she spins on her heel to face you.

  ‘Now, perhaps you can finish what you came here to do, Lone Wolf,’ she says, and claps her hands three times. A sudden rush of noise assails your ears and your senses reel as the reality of time comes flooding back into the hall.

  Turn to 296.

  75

  With a loud and angry buzzing noise, the predatory dragonfly circles you twice and then dives down like a speeding hawk to make its initial attack.

  Golasyx: COMBAT SKILL 49 ENDURANCE 45

  This creature is attempting to stab you with the tip of its spear-like proboscis as it swoops past; therefore you need only fight this combat for one round.

  If you inflict an equal or greater ENDURANCE loss upon the enemy in this single round of combat, turn to 163.

  If you sustain a greater ENDURANCE loss than your enemy, turn to 221.

  76

  Using your advanced mastery, you cause the dragonfly's wounds to close up and heal. Consciousness and strength return to its battered body and the creature is able to pull out of its dive before it is too late. It swoops deep into the cavernous moat of the tower to gather speed for its ascent into the clouds. As you soar past the top of the tower, you see that the dragonfly pens have been completely destroyed by the explosion. Fire rages through the uppermost levels of the tower, and is spreading quickly to those below.

  Turn to 310.

  77

  You use your tracking skills to find your enemy's trail, but following it becomes increasingly difficult. You sense that he has used magic to assist his escape for the foliage hereabouts is entangled far tighter than in neighbouring areas of this jungle. Your progress is slowed, but eventually you reach a copse of toa trees where you hear the sound of running water away to your left. Your adversary's tracks turn in this direction and you follow them all t
he way to the banks of a fast-flowing watercourse.

  Less than fifty yards downstream there is a primitive settlement of huts that form an untidy line along the edge of the stream. The tracks appear to lead to this settlement but you can see no sign of Wolf's Bane. The place looks deserted.

  If you wish to stay in the jungle and observe the settlement, turn to 215.

  If you choose to continue your pursuit, you can approach the settlement under cover of the jungle, by turning to 297.

  78

  You motion your companions to follow as you leave this chamber by a tunnel in its south wall. This new passage gradually descends by slope and stair through deeper levels of the catacombs. You detect no trace of the impostor and, when eventually the tunnel comes to a dead end, you curse your ill luck and turn reluctantly to retrace your steps. It is then that you sense a faint but lingering aura of Evil close to the tunnel floor.

  Closer inspection reveals a trapdoor set into the flagstones. You pull this heavy hatch open and discover a circular chute and a ladder descending into darkness. Your heart misses a beat when you notice fresh tracks on the ladder's iron rungs: at last you have found the impostor's trail.

  Cautiously you lead the descent into the chute, using your powers of infravision to scan for signs of movement in the damp darkness below. After several minutes you reach the bottom of the ladder where you discover a large vaulted chamber. Around its walls are positioned urns and grey stone caskets, each embellished with traces of gold. There is an unexpected air of opulence about this vault which prompts you to guess that it is a secret burial tomb.