Barbarians migrated here from the Uncharted Void, claiming Ikaya for themselves. Their leaders, the ‘Brumalmarc’ as they are called, have ruled over Kalte from the safe shelter of this fortress ever since.
You have covered nearly five miles when Irian suddenly points to the west. ‘There … over there. I'm sure I saw something.’
You halt and strain your eyes to try to identify something unusual in the monotonous landscape of ice and snow.
‘Look over there!’ shouts Fenor, pointing towards a ridge less than a mile away. Two fur-clad warriors are standing on top of a large slab of ice. They are staring at you.
‘Ice Barbarians!’ whispers Irian, his voice shaking with fear. ‘If they beat us to Ikaya, we're as good as dead.’
You are still ten miles from the ice fortress and less than two hours of daylight remain.
If you wish to ignore the Ice Barbarians and press on to Ikaya, turn to 327 .
If you wish to attack them and try to prevent them warning others, turn to 307 .
226
You frantically pull at your trapped foot and free it just as the sledge topples over into the crevasse. Fenor rushes to your side and pulls you away from the crumbling edge of this void. You both safely jump the widening gap and join the others.
You have lost your dogs, your sledge, and most of your food, but you are alive. In spite of the loss and the additional hardships that will result, your guides agree to continue the mission.
In the distance you can see a narrow passage at the edge of the ice shelf where it joins the Hrod Basin. By nightfall, you have reached the shelter of this narrow pass and decide to set up camp. A quick check of your remaining food soon reveals the need to cut rations by half in order to reach Ikaya. Lose 1 ENDURANCE point due to the meagre evening meal.
Turn to 325 .
228
You draw on all your powers of concentration to levitate the bowl of fuming herbs, and send it hovering along the corridor. You bring it to rest in the shadow of the pilaster and watch its effects with great curiosity; for in less than a minute, the Ice Barbarian guards have collapsed to the floor.
‘Now's our chance,’ whispers Loi-Kymar, and he ushers you out of the kitchen. You approach the Hall of the Brumalmarc undetected and discover that one of the magnificent jewelled doors is unlocked. Drawing your weapon, you gently push the door ajar and enter Vonotar's chamber.
Turn to 173 .
230
The Helghast smoulders and decays at your feet, a vile green gas seeping from beneath its robes. As you stare at the remains, you realize that this creature must have been sent here to kill Vonotar by the Darklords who crave Vonotar's death for his failure at the Battle of Holmgulf. The evil wizard must have discovered the Helghast and imprisoned it within a pentagram until he could devise some way of killing it for good.
You gingerly touch your wounded throat and thank the gods that you wield the Sommerswerd — its power has once again saved your life. You turn and quickly descend the stairs, leaving behind the Helghast's foul remains.
Turn to 166 .
235
After a short walk, you arrive at a massive ice hall full of crystal stalagmites and stalactites. The floor is covered with animal tracks and bones, yet the vast hall seems empty and still. You notice that the northern wall is a completely smooth surface of granite blocks stretching upwards to the icy ceiling, over one hundred feet above. You suddenly realize that you are staring at the foundation stones of Ikaya — you have reached the ice fortress.
Illustration XIII —You arrive at a massive ice hall full of crystal stalagmites and stalactites.
Partially obscured by a large mound of crystals, you can just make out a ramp leading up to a massive stone door in the fortress wall. Your discovery brings renewed hope. If you can gain entry to Ikaya and quickly capture Vonotar, there is still time to reach your ship, the
Cardonal
, before the pack-ice starts to freeze.
If you wish to
You have covered nearly five miles when Irian suddenly points to the west. ‘There … over there. I'm sure I saw something.’
You halt and strain your eyes to try to identify something unusual in the monotonous landscape of ice and snow.
‘Look over there!’ shouts Fenor, pointing towards a ridge less than a mile away. Two fur-clad warriors are standing on top of a large slab of ice. They are staring at you.
‘Ice Barbarians!’ whispers Irian, his voice shaking with fear. ‘If they beat us to Ikaya, we're as good as dead.’
You are still ten miles from the ice fortress and less than two hours of daylight remain.
If you wish to ignore the Ice Barbarians and press on to Ikaya, turn to 327 .
If you wish to attack them and try to prevent them warning others, turn to 307 .
226
You frantically pull at your trapped foot and free it just as the sledge topples over into the crevasse. Fenor rushes to your side and pulls you away from the crumbling edge of this void. You both safely jump the widening gap and join the others.
You have lost your dogs, your sledge, and most of your food, but you are alive. In spite of the loss and the additional hardships that will result, your guides agree to continue the mission.
In the distance you can see a narrow passage at the edge of the ice shelf where it joins the Hrod Basin. By nightfall, you have reached the shelter of this narrow pass and decide to set up camp. A quick check of your remaining food soon reveals the need to cut rations by half in order to reach Ikaya. Lose 1 ENDURANCE point due to the meagre evening meal.
Turn to 325 .
228
You draw on all your powers of concentration to levitate the bowl of fuming herbs, and send it hovering along the corridor. You bring it to rest in the shadow of the pilaster and watch its effects with great curiosity; for in less than a minute, the Ice Barbarian guards have collapsed to the floor.
‘Now's our chance,’ whispers Loi-Kymar, and he ushers you out of the kitchen. You approach the Hall of the Brumalmarc undetected and discover that one of the magnificent jewelled doors is unlocked. Drawing your weapon, you gently push the door ajar and enter Vonotar's chamber.
Turn to 173 .
230
The Helghast smoulders and decays at your feet, a vile green gas seeping from beneath its robes. As you stare at the remains, you realize that this creature must have been sent here to kill Vonotar by the Darklords who crave Vonotar's death for his failure at the Battle of Holmgulf. The evil wizard must have discovered the Helghast and imprisoned it within a pentagram until he could devise some way of killing it for good.
You gingerly touch your wounded throat and thank the gods that you wield the Sommerswerd — its power has once again saved your life. You turn and quickly descend the stairs, leaving behind the Helghast's foul remains.
Turn to 166 .
235
After a short walk, you arrive at a massive ice hall full of crystal stalagmites and stalactites. The floor is covered with animal tracks and bones, yet the vast hall seems empty and still. You notice that the northern wall is a completely smooth surface of granite blocks stretching upwards to the icy ceiling, over one hundred feet above. You suddenly realize that you are staring at the foundation stones of Ikaya — you have reached the ice fortress.
Illustration XIII —You arrive at a massive ice hall full of crystal stalagmites and stalactites.
Partially obscured by a large mound of crystals, you can just make out a ramp leading up to a massive stone door in the fortress wall. Your discovery brings renewed hope. If you can gain entry to Ikaya and quickly capture Vonotar, there is still time to reach your ship, the
Cardonal
, before the pack-ice starts to freeze.
If you wish to
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