potion which increases skill and ferocity in combat. You hazard a guess that many of the acolytes were made to take this narcotic before the assault on the quay, to stir them into battle-frenzy.
You have been kneeling among the praying acolytes for barely a minute when suddenly the war-horn blares a long, discordant tone. All eyes turn to the east where the shoreline can now be seen on the horizon. The longboat is speeding towards the wooden jetty where a large group of red-robed figures are awaiting its return. The prayer-dirge ceases and everyone gets to their feet in readiness to disembark as soon as the boat docks at the jetty.
Turn to 150 .
125
You are awoken in the middle of the night by a tremendous clap of thunder which shakes the ground and startles Bracer. At first you think that a new day must already have dawned, for the cave is awash with bright light. But when you prise open your sleep-clogged eyes and look out over the surrounding landscape, you see that the light has a far more sinister origin.
The sky is alive with hordes of glowing, wraith-like phantoms. They swoop down from the roiling storm clouds and skim the treetops, howling and screeching like insane banshees. A trio of these ghastly apparitions pass within a few yards of the cave mouth and suddenly your head is gripped by a crushing pain. You use your Magnakai skills to erect a Psi-screen to protect your mind from this psychic attack, but your reflexes are sleep-dulled and you lose 3 ENDURANCE points before your defence is intact.
Turn to 326 .
126
Drawing on your mastery of psychic defence, you are able to construct a shield around your mind which absorbs the Elder's probe. He learns nothing from his attempt to read your psyche and, rather than admit to failure, he dismisses you as an empty-headed cretin.
With a growl of disdain, he orders you to rejoin the end of the procession and pushes you out of his way as he strides back to rally those acolytes who are fleeing down the path.
Turn to 250 .
127
Using the Brotherhood Spell Levitation you are able to rise in the air and glide over this soft section of the cavern floor until you reach firmer ground. With ease, you are then able to slip past the end of the line of automatons and race towards the dais.
During your flight across the sagging floor, the Demoness was putting on an armoured breastplate of varnished black steel and was otherwise distracted. But she saw you get around the flank of her automatons and now she is aware of your plan.
It is clear by the anger on her face that she has no intention of allowing you anywhere near the dais or the Deathstaff.
Turn to 57 .
128
You urge Bracer up a treacherously slick path that leads to the entrance. Without once faltering on the difficult ascent, he carries you to the top of the path where two rusty wagon rails disappear into the mine shaft's shadowy maw. You approach, and the instant you are out of the rain, your keen Sixth Sense alerts you to the fact that you are not the only ones seeking shelter here. The scent of greasy fur and the glint of two grey-green eyes in the gloom tell you that you have stumbled upon the lair of a mountain wolf.
Illustration VII —The scent of greasy fur and the glint of two grey-green eyes in the gloom …
The wolf growls menacingly and Bracer backs away in fright. Quickly you prepare to use your Magnakai skill of Animal Control to calm this beast before its hunger or its fear make it attack.
If you possess Animal Mastery and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian or higher, turn to 89 .
If you do not possess this skill or have yet to reach this rank, turn instead to 151 .
129
Your Mind Charm proves stronger than his will to resist it. With a sigh, he bows his head and becomes completely subservient. Mentally you command him to go and attend to the wounded at the bow of the boat and he obeys at once without question. Those seated around you have now become uncomfortably curious. To avoid their
You have been kneeling among the praying acolytes for barely a minute when suddenly the war-horn blares a long, discordant tone. All eyes turn to the east where the shoreline can now be seen on the horizon. The longboat is speeding towards the wooden jetty where a large group of red-robed figures are awaiting its return. The prayer-dirge ceases and everyone gets to their feet in readiness to disembark as soon as the boat docks at the jetty.
Turn to 150 .
125
You are awoken in the middle of the night by a tremendous clap of thunder which shakes the ground and startles Bracer. At first you think that a new day must already have dawned, for the cave is awash with bright light. But when you prise open your sleep-clogged eyes and look out over the surrounding landscape, you see that the light has a far more sinister origin.
The sky is alive with hordes of glowing, wraith-like phantoms. They swoop down from the roiling storm clouds and skim the treetops, howling and screeching like insane banshees. A trio of these ghastly apparitions pass within a few yards of the cave mouth and suddenly your head is gripped by a crushing pain. You use your Magnakai skills to erect a Psi-screen to protect your mind from this psychic attack, but your reflexes are sleep-dulled and you lose 3 ENDURANCE points before your defence is intact.
Turn to 326 .
126
Drawing on your mastery of psychic defence, you are able to construct a shield around your mind which absorbs the Elder's probe. He learns nothing from his attempt to read your psyche and, rather than admit to failure, he dismisses you as an empty-headed cretin.
With a growl of disdain, he orders you to rejoin the end of the procession and pushes you out of his way as he strides back to rally those acolytes who are fleeing down the path.
Turn to 250 .
127
Using the Brotherhood Spell Levitation you are able to rise in the air and glide over this soft section of the cavern floor until you reach firmer ground. With ease, you are then able to slip past the end of the line of automatons and race towards the dais.
During your flight across the sagging floor, the Demoness was putting on an armoured breastplate of varnished black steel and was otherwise distracted. But she saw you get around the flank of her automatons and now she is aware of your plan.
It is clear by the anger on her face that she has no intention of allowing you anywhere near the dais or the Deathstaff.
Turn to 57 .
128
You urge Bracer up a treacherously slick path that leads to the entrance. Without once faltering on the difficult ascent, he carries you to the top of the path where two rusty wagon rails disappear into the mine shaft's shadowy maw. You approach, and the instant you are out of the rain, your keen Sixth Sense alerts you to the fact that you are not the only ones seeking shelter here. The scent of greasy fur and the glint of two grey-green eyes in the gloom tell you that you have stumbled upon the lair of a mountain wolf.
Illustration VII —The scent of greasy fur and the glint of two grey-green eyes in the gloom …
The wolf growls menacingly and Bracer backs away in fright. Quickly you prepare to use your Magnakai skill of Animal Control to calm this beast before its hunger or its fear make it attack.
If you possess Animal Mastery and have reached the rank of Kai Grand Guardian or higher, turn to 89 .
If you do not possess this skill or have yet to reach this rank, turn instead to 151 .
129
Your Mind Charm proves stronger than his will to resist it. With a sigh, he bows his head and becomes completely subservient. Mentally you command him to go and attend to the wounded at the bow of the boat and he obeys at once without question. Those seated around you have now become uncomfortably curious. To avoid their
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