The Kingdoms of Terror by Joe Dever Page A

search of a captain, eh?’
    If you wish to talk to this man, turn to 181 .
    If you wish to ignore him and ride off, turn to 279 .

155
    You release the Arrow, but it narrowly misses its target and clatters harmlessly against the chapel wall. The creature is now upon you, and there is no time to draw another weapon.
    Yawshath: COMBAT SKILL  22    ENDURANCE  38
    You must fight the first round of combat with your bare hands (deduct 4 points from your COMBAT SKILL for this round only). At the start of the second round, you may draw a weapon (if you have one), and fight the creature normally. If you survive 4 rounds of combat, you can evade the Yawshath by escaping through the archway by which you entered the chapel.
    If you survive 4 rounds of combat and wish to evade, turn to 305 .
    If you win the combat, turn to 112 .

156
    Only brute force will break the seal of encrusted filth and open the door.
    Sewer Door: COMBAT SKILL  13    ENDURANCE ( RESISTANCE points) 35
    To break open the door, you should follow the normal combat rules. Any ENDURANCE points that you lose during this ‘combat’ represent the fatigue you suffer as you hack and batter the door.
    If you wish to cease ‘combat’ at any time and continue along the sewer, turn to 339 .
    If you reduce the door's RESISTANCE ( ENDURANCE ) to 0, turn to 200 .

158
    The passage leads to a vaulted cellar, as cold and as silent as a tomb. Gwynian talks with his brothers who then hurry off towards a distant portal. As they disappear into the dark, he returns to your side, his face sombre but composed.
    ‘The Lorestone of Varetta is hidden in the crypt of the cathedral of Tekaro. This key will unlock the tomb in which it lies.’ He produces a Small Silver Key from his sleeve and gives it to you.
    ‘My brothers will provide a swift horse for your journey. When the observatory clock strikes midnight, enter the portal and follow the passage to the end. It passes beneath the city wall, and your horse will be waiting where the passage comes to the surface. You are welcome to take any items you require from this cellar that may be of use to you on your quest. May the gods protect you, Lone Wolf.’ You nod your thanks and watch as Gwynian disappears into the portal.
    The cellar is well stocked with provisions and you find the following items that could be of use on your journey to Tekaro:
Quarterstaff
Enough food for 3 Meals
Mace
Brass Whistle (Special Item)
Rope
Short Sword
    Together with the Small Silver Key that Gwynian gave you (mark this as a Special Item that you keep in your pocket), you collect together all the items you wish to keep and settle down for the long wait till midnight.
    Turn to 175 .

159
    ‘You insult us, stranger,’ hisses the scar-faced man as he springs to his feet. Suddenly, the noisy hall becomes as silent as the grave: all eyes are on you. Some merchants to your left hurriedly move away as the two other warriors kick over their table and draw their swords.
    ‘Strike!’ they shout and attack. You must fight all three as one enemy. You cannot evade combat or make use of a Bow.
    Varettian Mercenaries: COMBAT SKILL  26    ENDURANCE  35
    If you win the combat, turn to 48 .

161
    As you drop your Belt Pouch into the palm of the robber, you feel an agonizing pain tear through your side.
    ‘Did you think we would let you live to identify us?’ sneers the robber, but his voice fades as you collapse to the floor. The robbers melt away into the crowd, and by the time your murder has been discovered, they are safely hiding in another part of the vast city.
    Your life and your quest end here.

164
    Your Magnakai skill makes you particularly alert to the deadly missile screaming towards your chest — suddenly everything seems to be happening in slow motion. You pull away from the bolt just in time, and the quarrel merely grazes your shoulder. (You lose 2 ENDURANCE points.) You see your attacker hurl the crossbow to the ground. From within the