these skills, turn to 315 .
167
Drawing on your mastery of Invisibility, you use your skills to evade the searching eyes of these strange anthropoid creatures. They pass within a few feet of you but fail to detect your presence. Only when you are sure that the coast is clear do you leave your hiding place and hurry away from the monolith and its protectors.
Turn to 153 .
169
With your forefinger you draw the symbols in the doughy material and push against the mighty door, expecting it to rumble open. The portal remains firm and your inscription begins to fade until there is no trace of it at all. The rush of fearful premonition steals your breath away seconds before a massive charge of crackling power leaps from above the door and stabs you viciously in the chest: lose 10 ENDURANCE points.
If you survive this serious wounding, turn back to 25 and study the remaining symbols very carefully before you attempt to open the door again.
171
Your Arrow misses its mark by an inch and dents the plate that protects the bridge of the warrior's nose. The metal buckles and cuts his face, momentarily stunning him, but it does not prevent him from scooping the Lorestones into a small velvet sack, which hangs from his sword belt. Quickly you shoulder your Bow in favour of a hand weapon and rush forward to prevent his escape.
Turn to 97 .
172
The cards you have chosen have three colourful symbols embossed on their leather-like surface. The first shows a black bird, the second a tree, and the third shows two swords crossed over a blazing fire. The old Ookor traces a crooked finger around the cards and mutters continually under her breath. T'uk T'ron leans forward and tries to translate her mumblings.
‘She say that you have an enemy in the skies. He come to nest in trees and fight with you. He not win fight but you not win fight either. You must beware this enemy for he will not rest until you die.’
Turn to 96 .
174
The unexpected speed and intensity of the Beholder's psychic intrusion leaves you fumbling for defence. You draw on your psychic reserves and manage to erect a thought-wall to protect your nervous system, but it is too late to prevent the Beholder from scanning your mind: lose 1 ENDURANCE point.
Then, with a blink of his eyes, he ceases his psychic probing and a smile spreads slowly across his withered grey face.
Turn to 23 .
175
The ghosts dissolve into the mists and a strange serenity soothes your tortured mind. New forms are taking shape now. They fill the scope of your vision with memories of events that occurred long ago. You see the smiling faces of your mother and father; the village of Dage, where you lived before you entered the Kai Monastery; your sister Kari calling you in for supper at the close of a warm summer's day; and the sad memory of your brother Jen, who gave his life to save yours when, on your sixth birthday, you slipped and fell into the River Tor.
With amazement you watch as the patchwork parade of recollections continues to unfold, and slowly a realization of their meaning crystallizes in your mind. These people and events have all played their part, be it great or small, in the shaping of your destiny.
Turn to 100 .
178
The greasy grey body is naked save for a loincloth of filthy animal hide, soaked with the black blood that gushed from its wound. In a taloned hand it grips the blowpipe, rudely fashioned from a Meledorian's thighbone. Odel curses this dead spawn of chaos and rises to his feet, clearly disturbed by what he has seen. He suggests that you head for Tolakos straight away.
Turn to 185 .
180
The sickly scent of the herbs makes you suspicious of their properties. Rather than risk eating any of the buds, you decide to leave and continue along the path towards the brow of the hill.
Turn to 115 .
181
You focus your concentration on the radiant power of the Lorestones and your eyes are drawn inexorably towards the ceiling. Nothing stirs in these shadowy reaches, yet you