Tags:
adventure,
Rome,
Fantasy,
History,
Magic,
Romans,
Ancient,
gods,
empire,
rpg,
gamebook,
choose your own adventure book,
CYOA,
branching paths,
role playing game,
pompeii,
emperor
importantly she has a secret ability which enables her to turn your mind inside out if she happens to throw a double six during combat, with the unpleasant result of instant death (yours). If you survive this early and entirely unexpected encounter, stagger off to 100 . If not, boogie on down to 13 .
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Please select an option from the previous page.
81
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âWrong!â exclaims Caligula delightedly. He looks thoughtfully into the middle distance. âFirst Iâll have you skinned, then strangled, hanged, beheaded, baked, ground up then sprinkled on the sacred flame of Jupiterâs Temple, I think.â
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After which painful experience, you can make your way to 13 .
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Please select an option from the previous page.
82
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You step over the prostrate body of the guard and enter the shuttered villa. For a moment you stand blinded, then your eyes become accustomed to the gloom.
Youâre in an armoury!
This is fantastic. There are racks upon racks of arms and armour, all of it of the very finest quality.
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After only a few minutes searching, you find -9 armour that fits you like a glove and a +9 sword to go with it. You also find a Roman short bow which allows you to get in an automatic first strike whatever the dice say by sneakily shooting an opponent at a distance . Unfortunately arrows for this bow (which strike at +5) are in short supply. Roll one die to discover how many you can find. Now stagger off under the weight of all this booty to 150 and select another destination from your map fast - your new armour wonât protect you if Vesuvius erupts.
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Please select an option from the previous page.
84
Â
âWrong!â exclaims Caligula delightedly. He grins wickedly. âOnly kidding. Now, your next question in the Quiz of Death is in the sporting category: Does a retiarius carry a net or a sword?â
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Youâve a 50% chance of getting it right just by guessing. If you think this type of gladiator carries a net, turn to 97 . If you think itâs a sword, turn to 71
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Please select an option from the previous page.
85
Â
Another temple, by the looks of things. You stick your head cautiously through the door and note the enormous statue of a handsome young man wearing a laurel wreath and a pious expression. A notice beside the door reads:
Temple of Apollo
twinned with
Stonehenge
Britannium
âExcuse me,â you murmur to a passing priest, hearing it come out as Mihi ignosce, thanks to the Mercury phone in your ear, âbut I donât suppose the Sibyl is here by any chance?â
âJust missed her,â says the priest. âSheâs gone back to the temple of Fortuna Augusta.â
âWhereâs that exactly?â you ask.
âSorry,â he says, hurrying away, âno time to give you directions - Iâve a sacrifice to make.â
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Looks like your only option is to get back to your map at 150 and select another destination.
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Please select an option from the previous page.
86
Â
âWrong!â exclaims Caligula delightedly. He looks thoughtfully into the middle distance. âForced to eat yourself alive from the toes up, I think.â
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After which painful experience, you can make your way to 13 .
Â
Please select an option from the previous page.
87
Â
Another amphitheatre and doubtless another few hundred poor souls waiting inside to hack each other to bits for the entertainment of the masses, just like a Tarantino movie really.
The name above the arch is CIRCVS FLAMINIVS. A notice outside reads:
On Today
The Palatine Games
Savage Gladiators!
Savage Beasts!
Special Guest Appearance
by Oasis
Emperor Gaius Caesar Germanicus
(affectionately known as Baby Boots)
will attend.
Baby Boots must be a variation on Little Boot. Caligula might even be inside at this very minute. You make your way to the entrance where a badly shaven lout demands: âTicket