The Cauldron of Fear (8 page)

‘The Elder Magi sent word of your coming, Lone Wolf,’ says Gwynian. ‘They knew of my appointment to the city judiciary when I came to live here two years ago. My home, the Halls of Learning in Varetta, was destroyed by a fire set by agents of the Darklords. Like yourself, I am a sole survivor, the last of my order. The Elders asked me to afford you what protection I could and to help you in your quest for the Lorestone of Tahou.’

He leads you to a table, the surface of which is engraved with a huge map of the city. With a rod of glass he points to the location of the Tahou Cauldron: it is in the Square of the Dragons in the West District of the city. ‘The Cauldron is a funnel-shaped hollow with a circular shaft at its base. The shaft descends to the ruins of the ancient city of Zaaryx, 500 feet below Tahou. Legend tells us that the Lorestone was thrown into the Cauldron to prevent the Black Zakhan of Vassagonia from capturing it during the Great Khordaim War. The shaft was closed off and has remained sealed for the last 360 years.’

You ask Gwynian if he can order the release of your companion. ‘It has already been done,’ he replies. ‘I released Banedon into the custody of his former mentor, Chiban the Magician, three hours ago. He is with him now at his house on Leech Street. He is quite safe, but you must not delay your quest any further by going there yourself. At dawn the enemy will be at the gates of the city, and the battle for Tahou will have begun. There is only one man that can help now, for there is only one person that can grant you access to the shaft of the Cauldron that descends to Zaaryx. That man is President Toltuda of Anari. Come, I will arrange an audience with him immediately.’

Turn to 105
.

You detect that these creatures have the ability to communicate telepathically, although it is one of their less developed skills. Their leader appears to be a female; she is taller and lighter in colour than the rest. You take the risk of calling to her telepathically, and she responds by turning to face you. When her companions see what has attracted her attention, they shriek with fear and scurry down the stairs, carrying with them the egg, which they cradle protectively in their webbed hands. But she remains and speaks to you with her mind.
You are unlike the other man-things that have ventured into our domain. What is it that you seek? Care you not what happens to those of your kind who trespass here?
The reptilian points to the far end of the hall, where a group of ghouls are huddled in the shadows. Your skin creeps as you realize they were once men like you.

‘I seek the Lorestone,’ you reply, boldly. ‘I am the Kai Lord Lone Wolf and I quest for the wisdom of Nyxator that I may vanquish the spawn of his enemies and save my people from destruction.’

Her harsh gaze softens as your proud words fill her mind. You sense a sadness within her, but she replies with words of joy.
Your quest will be fulfilled, as it was by your sire many centuries ago. We have waited long for your coming,
Skarn
, and we will fulfil our duty to Him who gave us life.

Without an outward sign she beckons you to follow her, and you comply without hesitation.

Turn to 200
.

There is only one group of standing stones that offers enough cover for you, Banedon, and your mounts, and they are situated very close to the highway along which the cavalry must pass.

You wait tensely as the thunder of their hooves grows steadily louder. Then, suddenly, your horse rears up, startled by a snake, which has slithered around its foreleg.

If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Animal Control,
turn to 167
.

If you do not possess this skill,
turn to 290
.

The evil blade crackles and spits as you draw it from your belt. A flicker of fear in the Zakhan's eye tells you that he recognizes the weapon you wield and knows that it has the power to penetrate his energy shield.

If you wish to throw the dagger at him,
turn to 239
.

If you wish to engage him in hand-to-hand combat,
turn to 10
.

The eating house is crowded with soldiers. They sit at benches drawn up to long oak tables or sprawl around a log fire that crackles in a broad stone grate. Your entrance causes them to pause in their noisy conversations as they look you up and down. However, their curiosity is soon satisfied and they return to their feasting and boasting.

‘This way, gentlemen,’ beckons the owner, and leads you through the crowd to a table in the corner of the high-ceilinged room. Banedon hands him a clutch of silver Lune and the jolly red-cheeked man waddles away to fetch you food and ale. The soldiers are dressed in a variety of uniforms, many of which you recognize to be the tunics of mercenary regiments from the Stornlands. Two of these soldiers of fortune share your table. They talk in hushed tones and cast nervous glances at another group of men sitting near the fire.

If you wish to talk to these soldiers,
turn to 292
.

If you decide to say nothing while you wait for your food,
turn to 102
.

In spite of your fatigue, your reactions are lightning fast. You regain your grip in an instant and raise your foot to steady yourself against the jagged outcrop. Then, as soon as the ladder ceases to twist like an angry snake, you continue your descent.

Turn to 173
.

You are in combat with a deadly predator of the Anarian plain. Owing to the speed of its attack, you cannot avoid fighting.

Illustration V
—You are in combat with a deadly predator of the Anarian Plain, the Anarian Sky-snake.

Anarian Sky-snake:
COMBAT SKILL
 23   
ENDURANCE
 28

This creature is immune to Mindblast and Psi-surge. Double all
ENDURANCE
point losses you sustain due to its venomous fangs and claws. Unless you possess the Magnakai Discipline of Huntmastery, reduce your
COMBAT SKILL
by 2 points for the duration of the combat.

If you win and the fight lasts four rounds or less,
turn to 247
.

If the fight enters a fifth round, do not continue with the combat but
turn immediately to 151
.

Lay down your weapon, mortal, for I have power enough at my command to blast you to sightless atoms!
The reptilian raises her webbed hand and from the darkness of a dozen arches protrude tubes of glowing crystal, each one charged with a pulse of destructive energy that is aimed at you.
Tell me what draws you here, lest my patience fail!
she demands.

Reluctantly you sheathe your weapon and obey her command.

Turn to 256
.

You focus on the guard and launch a pulse of psychic energy at his brain. He has no defence against such an attack and his entire body immediately begins to shake violently. Four seconds later he lapses into unconsciousness.

Turn to 165
.

You draw a hand weapon just in time to parry the sergeant's attack. His blade glances away and he curses your speed as you duck his sweeping backstroke. With a growl, he pulls his horse away and orders six of his men to cut you down.

Anarian Rangers:
COMBAT SKILL
 32   
ENDURANCE
 38

If you have the Magnakai Discipline of Animal Control, add 2 to your
COMBAT SKILL
for the duration of the combat.

If you win the combat,
turn to 176
.

You stare unblinkingly into his cruel, dark eyes. Suddenly he lunges forward, a curved dagger gleaming in his hand. Its razor-sharp blade speeds towards your throat, but you counter his attack in an instant with a savage swipe that shears his arm off at the elbow. Arm and dagger fall to the table and the soldier falls screaming to the floor. His comrade kicks back his bench and steps away as he fumbles for his sword. With a drunken yell he whirls the heavy blade around his head and leaps forward to attack.

Drunken Mercenary:
COMBAT SKILL
 15   
ENDURANCE
 26

If you wish to evade combat,
turn to 328
.

If you stay and win the combat,
turn to 170
.

At last the grisly creature surrenders to death and collapses at your feet. You sheathe your weapon and kneel over its torn body, drawn by the sight of a ring on a finger of its right hand. It gleams incredibly, as though only minutes old, and the deep yellow stone that is set in the silvery metal glows with an eldritch light.

If you wish to keep this Psychic Ring, mark it on your
Action Chart
as a Special Item that you keep in your pocket.

Turn to 11
.

A serving girl ushers you into an adjoining room, where smoke from an open charcoal fire spirals up to the roof, filling the air with its pungent aroma. You seat yourselves at a round oak table and the girl brings two plates loaded with broiled ghorka steak and roasted parsnips. Two tankards of ale serve to wash down the feast which Banedon, in a generous mood, pays for with twelve silver Lune.

Having satisfied your hunger and revived your strength (you may restore any
ENDURANCE
points lost on your adventure so far), you bid Banedon goodnight and retire to your room.

Turn to 156
.

You land heavily among the rocks and debris, gashing open both knees and your chin before rolling to a halt at the base of the tower wall (lose 4
ENDURANCE
points).

If you have survived the jump, you enter the tower;
turn to 131
.