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Grymray's Apothecary and Potion House, |
You sigh at the irony of the last line. It certainly wasn't safe for you or Patricia! You feel your heart clenched with fear for her safety.
If you've read the note on the windowsill, go to 52.
If not, go to 35.
[22]
You edge out into the cold air and lay a foot on the icy roofing. The morning
sun is risen more fully than when you awoke, and the falling snow glitters.
The city's rooftops stretch to the horizon, laid out like a robber's street-map,
gleaming with ice and full of twisting columns of chimney-smoke. You sniff
the air - even the bitter cold can't stifle the strange blend of smells
that lives eternally above Megalos.
To the north and west, the city slopes upward slightly, and to the southeast you see the docks and the sea, with a dozen or more ships loading cargoes for morning sail. Even in winter, the docks of the Emperor do not lie fallow.
Unfortunately, this grand scene provides little in the way of advice. The snow on the roof shows no signs of disturbance that you could reasonably attribute to kidnappers.
You could circle the roof of the hostelry once to see if any other windows have been disturbed (53) or you could go back in and head downstairs to the tavern to ask around, at 90.
[23]
You are crushed instantly by tons of ancient masonry falling from the ceiling
above. Fortunately, you aren't even granted an instant to reflect on your
failure to help your partner.
The guilt would have been fatal, at any rate . . .
The End.
[24]
Rin's Docks is a small warehouse and a single dock structure extending
into the harbor, its roof sagging from a dangerously thick crust of snow.
Aside from this one notable flaw in maintenance, it seems well-kept, clean,
and busy. It hardly seems like a hangout for a ring of thieves . . .
The gambler, you recall, was old. Perhaps he was in error?
The master of the dock (Dockmaster Armenius Rin, if the painted sign on the warehouse is to be trusted), stands smiling broadly in the cold morning air, ordering several crates to be taken into the hold of a very small and very old vessel. You have nothing to lose by approaching him and asking a question or two. You step up to the stout gentleman and explain whom you are searching for.
``Yes, small one,'' he says, chewing energetically on a large horn pipe. ``Those men were trying a game of treachery on me, threatening to chase away business,'' he grins, ``but I ran them off when I began to bring the Watch about!'' He smiles triumphantly. You were right - he is an honest businessman.
You ask the man if he knows where they can be found, and he grinds his pipe in thought. ``I am unsure, these days - I don't follow them much since they've left my place alone . . .'' then he brightens. ``But I do remember that they use to deal with that foul alchemist on Short Alley - Grymrays. And I know that they've been known to drink occasionally at the Iron Keel on Quayside Street - the owner is scum, himself. He might let them sharpen their blades there, in private.'' He shrugs. ``But that's all I know.''
You thank the man, and wander back into the crowds. You already knew about Grymray's - but the thought of the tavern worries you. If it's really serving as a meeting-house, then you won't likely be able to get in (or out) with any degree of safety.
On the other hand, that might be where they're keeping Patricia . . .
If you opt to follow up on the alchemist lead, go to 25. If you head for the Iron Keel, go to 39.
[25]
You head in the direction of Short alley, a winding, filthy road connecting
on the east end of Quayside Street. You are worried about Patricia - and
now you're worried about the ring, too. In your experience, sorcery of
that kind always brings trouble. You recall the words of an old friend:
great power is a poor servant and a cruel master . . .
Short Alley is not really an alley. It is wide enough for horses double-file, a buckling cobbled street. The old wooden houses of the poor burghers who live here lean out over the street and cast gray shadows on the dirty snowdrifts. Icicles drip slowly as you pass, and the crowd is sparse.
You nervously slip by two city watchmen patrolling on horseback. While your intentions are nothing but honorable, you know that you might end up breaking a law or two before the day is out. The watchmen don't give you a second look, and you arrive at your destination.
It's a two-story wooden building, half broken-down and of little interest from looks alone. The faded sign swinging over the door proclaims:
|
Grymray's Apothecary and Potion House |
In stiff writing beneath a painted picture of a smoking vial, clearly intended for the illiterate masses. The sign is topped with an inch-thick layer of snow, and creaks in the cold breeze. The door is ornate and has a glass window, tinted deep green. A small placard says ``enter.'' Go to 58.
[26]
That bird is annoying! You pull your blade and wave it at the gull; it
stands and arches its wings slightly, then settles down again. It cocks
its head to one side and continues to watch you.
This time you swat at it with the flat of your blade, and it falls, screaming loudly, and then takes to flight. You watch as it circles upward, keening, into the swirling snow. Satisfied but puzzled, you enter the tavern. Go to 59.
[27]
You stride once again into the cold alleyways, but your trip is a short
one. Just as you are passing through a short-cut alley behind the Cup and
Talon, four men, dressed in Grey Robes and wielding daggers, drop from
the rooftops in front of you.
The leader smiles at you. ``There it is,'' he says. ``Kill it.''
Fortunately, you are in a narrow alley, so only two of them can fight you at once. As soon as one goes down, the next takes his place. Fight them in order. [If you prefer Advanced Combat, the alleyway is seven feet wide].
|
#1 Grey-Suit: |
ST 9; DX 11; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 10/4 (dagger), damage 1d-3 impaling. |
|
#2 Grey-Suit: |
ST 11; DX 10; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 9/3 (dagger), damage 1d-2 impaling. |
|
#3 Grey-Suit: |
ST 9; DX 15; IQ 11; HT 10, Move/Dodge 6, No Armor, Toughness DR 1, Skill/Parry 16/7 (dagger), damage 1d-3 impaling. |
|
#4 Grey-Suit: |
ST 11; DX 11; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 10/4 (dagger), damage 1d-2 impaling. |
If your HT goes below 1, go to 85. If you put three of them down (either dead or unconscious), go immediately to 17.
[28]
You climb into the large tunnel and begin to run down it. It is long, straight
and dark, and your coin's light seems unable to penetrate the gloom. You
are certain, however, that the footsteps came from this direction.
You pause to listen, and they are still there - now walking, not running. You think for a moment of calling out, but decide that this would be a foolish action at best. You creep ahead, certain that the sound is nearby.
As you grow closer, it seems that there are more than one set of footsteps, and some are scraping along in a rather unpleasant manner. You try to look beyond your circle of dim light, but you can see nothing. The flow of air tells you that there is another chamber just a few feet in front of you, and you can no longer hear the footsteps. In fact, you hear breathing . . .
If you enter the room and shine the light on whatever
it is, go to 63.
If you decide just to go on back and take the other route,
scramble fearfully to 43.
[29]
You pick the left tunnel. Bringing your cloak about you for warmth, you
begin your trip, hoping nearly to the point of prayer that there aren't
any traps along the way. You've just never gotten around to learning much
about traps. That was always Tricia's department. . .
You check the map again, and it seems to be getting less accurate by the minute. According to this, you are near one of the major marked sites along the route, but nothing is out of the ordinary. Floor, walls, and ceiling are all packed earth and stone.
You take another step forward, and a loud CLICK! snaps its way testily around the tunnel walls.
You hear Xim's tiny voice in your pocket ``Ah, me. Pressure plate trap. I hate those, don't you?''
You hear a terrible grinding noise from all around you; you have yet to move your foot from the shifting flagstone.
If you keep your foot on the plate, go to 44.
If you leap forward, go to 64.
If you leap backward, go to 79.
[30]
You pick the right-hand tunnel. Bringing your cloak about you for warmth,
you begin your trip, hoping nearly to the point of prayer that there aren't
any traps along the way. You've just never gotten around to learning about
traps. That was always Tricia's department. . .
[31]
The walls of the old tunnel glow softly, and you would estimate that the
masonry here is less than two years old. You wonder where you are in relation
to the Imperial Palace?
You also wonder where a ring of thieves would get the funding for this kind of secret construction! Wizards and Djinn aside, they seem to be just a bunch of murderous thugs, so far . . .
In your pocket, the magic ring is nearly trembling in anticipation. You aren't sure to what extent to be comforted by the presence of Xim, and to what extent to be concerned . . .
The tunnel is straight, and goes for another 30 or 40 feet before coming to a large door. The door is constructed of oak, and looks extremely heavy. A small grate is in the door, perhaps 5 feet from the ground, and beyond it you see the back of a guard, leaning against it. Noise comes from the inside. You can't help but notice the color of the guard's raiment: gray.
The backstab seems obvious, but what if other guards await on the opposite side? This could mean trouble. You sneak close to the door and put an ear to it.
Make a (Stealth) roll. If you succeed, go to 46. If you fail, go to 66.
[32]
This, you think, is the time to see if that alchemist was worthy of your
trust and gold. You pull out the vial of green syrup, pinch your nose,
and down it!
The syrup tastes of strong anise, and feels warm and vital. It's like a living thing coursing through your body. This is great stuff! If you have been injured, you are healed completely. You also gain 2 points of natural DR, High Pain Threshold, and six points of additional Passive Defense from heightened perceptions! This lasts for the remainder of this adventure.
Return to your original passage. [Use your browser's Back button]
[33]
You step towards the door, just as a large block of stone crashes beside
you. Tricia kicks the door in and you leap into the anteroom, sword at
the ready. Nothing. The dead guard is still dead, and the next room stands
open. All the guards in it are dead, too!
It doesn't look good for the gray suits.
The corridor back into the sewers has collapsed. Patricia motions to the room full of dead guards. The stair is still clear! You both run for it, and come up into a wide chamber. You can see a wooden floor above you, cracked and splintered, but still holding. You can also feel the heat of a fire and smell smoke. The room you are in had several exits a few minutes ago, but only the stone stairway up exists now.
Between you and the stairway stands four gray-suits and a man in white and green robes. The bodies of two other guards are sprawled messily on the floor in pools of their own blood. The robed man shouts ``It is they! The ring-stealers! Kill them and we will have our revenge!!!''
[34]
You reach out, fighting the fierce pain that shoots through your arm. Your
fingers nimbly grasp the edge of the paper before it can sail away over
the city. You unfold it and read:
| The ring is ours. We'll be back tomorrow to take it. If you cooperate, the woman might live. -W. Grey. Guild Master. |
Guild Master? Megalos has never had a real ``thieves' guild'' that you know of. A few bands here and there, of course, but the Imperial guard is tough on attempts to really organize. That's why you've been operating elsewhere when you bother to actually steal for a living.
You read the note a few more times. You aren't about to just sit around and trust these guys!
[35]
This is too much. Patricia gone, place sacked, foul alchemy still playing
havoc with your head. But why? And who would dare?
Then you remember the ring.
You prop yourself against the bed and loose your left shoe. The ring falls to the floor, and you retrieve it. Its strange gleam is still apparent, but offers no clues to its nature.
Obviously, they wrecked the room searching for it, and when they didn't find it, they decided to kidnap one thief and scare the other - you - into giving it up for ransom. You wonder for a moment why they chose to steal your partner instead of you, and then regret the thought. A bunch of cutthroat bastards would certainly prefer the company of a drugged Patricia to a drugged Lucas.
Okay, so they want the ring. How do they expect you to deliver it? If they're an organized band, there has to be some way to contact them . . .
Not that you plan on offering a straight-up trade, of course! While you'd gladly swap the ring for Patricia's safety, it would be suicide to trust this scum farther than you could spit them.
You pause for a second - how are they so organized and still operating? No one has ever succeeded in forming a Megalos thieves' guild, and anyone trying is doomed. These men are clearly either very smart or very stupid.
You hope for the latter, and resolve to find them and get Patricia on your own. You only hope that she's still alive when you get there.
[36]
You hear nothing for seconds, which stretch on like decades, and you suddenly
feel much, much colder. You grip the wall tightly and don't make a sound
- until your foot slips slightly, and your head taps (ever so gently) against
the black shutters of the window.
The shutters fly open, smacking you firmly in the face (take 1d-5 crushing damage to the head) and sending you stumbling backward - towards the alley beneath the icy ledge!
The great bearded face before you wobbles slightly in your distorted, stunned vision. It doesn't seem at all happy.
It does, however, seem to be getting more distant as you tip backward with the breeze.
Make a DX check (you may substitute Acrobatics if it is better). If you fail, go to 102. If you succeed, go to 113. If the smack in the face knocked you unconscious, you automatically fail.
[37]
There is nothing like one of your own to converse with in a city of strangers,
and this fellow looks like a gentleman adventurer, as well! You will have
everything in common, then. You approach.
And wish that you hadn't.
``Lucas!'' the Halfling says, pocketing his gold and turning to you with a wide, toothy grin. ``Lucas, my old chum! My comrade! My lifelong friend! How are you?''
He lets his smile fall a notch. ``Why are you here, lifelong friend?''
You manage a stiff grin. It's been a long-time dream of yours to punch this fellow very hard in the mouth. You smile sourly at the all-too-familiar features of Josef Kettlebroth, a competitor from Caithness. You believed that you had lost him at your and Patricia's last venture near Quartadec.
``Josef, are you really following me, or do we just think alike?'' You don't bother masking your sarcasm.
Josef is unperturbed. ``I could ask the same of you, friend Lucas! I remember just a season ago, in the lands west of . . . Quartadec, wasn't it? When Patricia and yourself tried to take what was my own legitimate find in the caves at mount Jume . . ?''
You haven't the time to argue, and it is impossible that he would have anything useful to tell you. You attempt to disentangle yourself, but Josef won't quit. ``And where is Patricia . . . your lovely-if-gigantic partner?''
Angry now, you turn slowly and say ``Just fine. Thanks.'' and disappear into the crowd as Josef lets out an offended ``Humph.''
[38]
You explain, without revealing too much of the details, that they have
wronged you and that you seek to undo the wrong - peacefully, if possible.
Myra thinks about and nods. ``I would very much like to see you succeed, then. Go to the Iron Keel on Quayside Street - near the docks - and ask the barkeep to see William. The password at the lamp-door is risus. This will get you into their secret meeting-place.''
You beam with joy. The very den of the thieves!
``And,'' Myra says, tensely, ``be prepared for anything.''
You nod, patting the blade at your side, and thank her.
[39]
Quayside Street, you know, starts halfway across this part of the city,
and you quickly abandon the crowded docks for the quick and private passage
of the alleyways and back-streets of Megalos. You half-run, skidding occasionally
on patches of ice and leaping over stray cats and frozen laundry (stopping
occasionally to feed the former some of your rations).
And then you notice that you're being followed.
You nearly hit yourself for stupidity. Naturally, the gray suits would have left men to watch the tavern; they wouldn't trust you anymore than you trust them. Especially if they believe that you intend to keep the ring and abandon your partner . . . you reflect for a moment that, on matters of honor, people tend to assume their own example in others.
The pursuers are definitely gray-suits, and you zigzag and dodge through the alleys in an attempt to lose them, but they're persistent, and won't be lost that easily.
If you confront your pursuers directly, go to 57.
If you just keep heading for the Iron Keel, go to 96.
[40]
The dark, thin man rises out of his seat, and his eyes grow larger and
sharper in the cold gloom. ``Little man,'' he says, ``I am not responsible
for the uses to which my art is put, any more than a sword-maker is responsible
for a life taken with his sword.''
``No, no!'' you say ``It isn't that at all. I just want to know about the gentlemen to whom you sold this, that I might meet with them.'' You think quickly. ``I am. . . alike in profession.''
The large eyes seem to dim as the thin, withered face presses near your own. ``You are seeking allegiance, then?''
``Um. Yes, that's right.''
The alchemist licks his dry lips and draws them into a tight smile. ``They are regular customers of mine. I like doing business with them.''
You wince at the thought of anything this creature might like, and stand, waiting. He watches you for a second, his face still pulled taut in a mockery of a smile.
``They ask me constantly if I know of any new recruits for them, and I am always willing to help my customers. Of course, I must be certain of your sincerity . . .'' The smile slacks slightly, and it looks is if the face might never recover.
Make a Fast-Talk or Acting roll (on default if necessary), applying any appropriate reaction bonuses. If you succeed, go to 86. If you fail, go to 75.
[41]
As you approach the large man, you notice that his ``tattoos'' are actually
stains . . . You take a deep breath, instantly regret it, and take a seat
at the bar, smiling a frozen, slightly ill smile.
``What?'' he says, rubbing a glass clean with what looks like some sort of footgear.
You explain what you are looking for.
``Oh! Har, Har!'' the huge face smiles. ``Yeah. Go inna back room, and knock on da panel witta lamp on it. The door will open, and you just go inside.'' He leans closer, and his breath nearly knocks you backward as he whispers ``Da password is dreams.''
You toss a coin on the bartop and thank him. Go to 13.
[42]
You had better try the open window while there is still a chance to catch
him in the next room! You approach it. It is large and there is a flapping
curtain rising out of it. You peer inside. Soft light and sounds assail
your senses, and you stare in shock as you see a woman and two men, gently
caressing a -
Oops. You've stumbled onto a brothel. Red-faced, you go back to try another route. Go to 88.
[43]
You follow the small tunnel for nearly another hour before finally emerging
into a larger one.
You've found an active sewer line; you are standing on a walkway at the edge of a flow of dark water. You scan the area for anything important, and find it . . .
A corpse, a gray-cloaked, human body, lies less than 10 feet away. Its arm is dangling over the edge of the walkway, dragging in the murky stream, and the head is twisted at a painful angle from its shoulders.
You edge closer. Without question, it's one of the gray-suited thieves which you've been in contest with all day! But you didn't kill him. Who did?
You draw your blade and poke the body till it rolls over. A piece of dirty parchment, rolled and crushed, falls out of the cloak, and you knock it away from the corpse and pick it up.
It is a map of the local sewer networks, both new and old. You have no way of knowing how complete it is, but you find yourself able to trace your own recent paths! You pocket the map; make a note of it on your equipment list.
Once again you turn to examine the body. If you have visited the alchemist, go to 78. If not, go to 18.
[44]
You're not moving. Uh-uh. Nope. You are going to stay right here and as
long as your foot stays down you'll be safe, so as far as you're concerned
you can stay put forever.
Or, at least until you get tired.
Or until they kill Patricia . . .
Or until the ring-spirit decides to control you . . .
Minutes pass. The grinding noise has long since stopped.
It's time to get off the flagstone; you can't just live here.
If you leap forward, go to 64.
If you leap backward, go to 79.
If you step onto the next flagstone, go to 23.
[45]
The rats, in a frenzy of starvation, tear you to shreds. Already weakened
by the day's harrowing events, you didn't stand a chance against three
opponents. Your death is not swift, and the rats begin to feed before you
lose consciousness. Your last thoughts are of your own failure - and of
the one you have failed.
The End.
[46]
You inch closer to the door, and the guard doesn't move. Good. You lay
an ear carefully against the wood and listen to what is beyond.
Make a (Hearing+2) roll. If you fail, go to 91. If you succeed, go to 110.
[47]
You can barely contain your excitement. You are freezing, exhausted, and
you haven't eaten all day, but you feel better than you have in years!
Tricia's alive!
But . . . How to get to her without her making noise? You know her pretty well, and she's just the sort to start shouting derisive comments to any guard who opens the door, even if the ``guard'' is you! Or maybe not; if she hasn't yet been able to escape on her own, she's surely expecting you to show up any minute. She's smart (smarter than you, as she often points out), so you can probably count on this.
If you try to whisper to her, go to 130. If you prefer to just open the door and hope she's silent, go to 134.
[48]
This, you think, is the time to see if that alchemist was worthy of your
trust and gold. You pull out the vial of green syrup, pinch your nose,
and down it!
The green syrup feels like a lump of molten lead in your gut. You are suddenly sick and weak. Take 2d damage. If you survive, you will be at a penalty of 3 to all rolls (even damage rolls!) for the rest of the adventure!
If you are dead, The End. If you aren't, it's only a matter of time; return to your original passage. [Use the Back button on your browser
[49]
Patricia grips her weapon with confidence, but you have a better idea what
might be going on, and you're a little shaky. As if to confirm your fears,
the screams of several men rip through the air, freezing your blood. A
roar follows them and the wind grows hotter and more swift. The ring in
your hand is shining like a hellish beacon, and the form of Xim is growing
to the size of a man!
The Red Djinni. No question.
``LUCAS!!!'' the voice of Xim thunders through the room, ``WEAR THE RING! TOGETHER WE ARE INVINCIBLE!!!''
You are frozen with fear. You haven't the slightest idea what do to, or whether you can move, or anything. Light seems to be filtering through the cracks in the ceiling, and Patricia is yelling something, but you can't hear her.
``LUCAS! WEAR THE RING!!!''
The shadowy, purple form of Xim is now pulsing with black, his eyes a deep crimson. He towers six feet above you, crackling with power, but with pleading eyes. Make your choice.
If you wear the ring, go to 81. If you choose to let Xim fight his own battles, go to 92.
[50]
All of the guards lie dead on the stone floor, as smoke rolls downward
from the wooden building above. Time to go! You look for the wizard, but
he has already fled.
You run upstairs. Your eyes are watering and you find it difficult to breathe, but you can see what happened to the wizard. What is left of him is scattered around the room - a room that you now see is a pottery shop. There are scattered tables and fallen shelves, filled with broken earthenware and pottery and glass. Dead bodies cover the floor, and above them stands two mighty figures.
Xim, somehow risen from the rubble below, is facing off with a large creature who looks like a demon. Its skin is bright orange and pulled tight over huge muscles, and it wields a flaming sword, thrusting skillfully at the dodging, laughing Xim.
If you stay and watch the fight, go to 119.
If you take this opportunity to leave, go to 112.
[51]
You dive for the paper, but it sails just beyond your reach, out over the
city! Your head throbs with pain as you hang out over the alleyway, your
stomach resting on the sill. You curse your lack of speed as you watch
the note flip playfully away amid the falling snow.
If you want to follow it and try to catch it, go to 9. If you let the paper go, go to 68.
[52]
You prop yourself against the bed and loose your left shoe. The ring falls
to the floor, and you retrieve it. Its strange gleam is still apparent,
but offers no clues to its nature.
Obviously, they wrecked the room searching for it, and when they didn't find it, they decided to kidnap one thief and scare the other into giving it up for ransom. You wonder for a moment why they chose to steal your partner instead of you, and then regret the thought. A bunch of cutthroat bastards would certainly prefer the company of a drugged Patricia to a drugged Lucas.
You'd have no trouble giving up some absurd trinket - no matter how valuable - for Patricia's safety. But you're not so stupid as to trust this scum. You look back over the note; if a thieves' guild of some sort really has been formed, they have to have some way to be contacted. You can use that to pin them.
[53]
You begin to slink around the rooftop of the Cup and Talon. You wish Patricia
were with you - she's the climber, not you. The windows of the other rooms
are unremarkable; some are shuttered, some are paned with oiled parchment
(a practice more common in Araterre, you think to yourself), but none are
open to the cold morning air, or show any signs of mischief.
Make a Hearing roll.
If you succeed, go to 70.
If you fail, go to 83.
[54]
You begin a long, detailed and absolutely truthful explanation of your
actions. You go into detail about your long relationship with Patricia.
You describe your concerns; you tell him that it would kill you if she
came to harm. You ramble endlessly about the virtues of faithful alliance,
the value of friendship, and the nature of Honor.
You recite a brief history of the concept of honorable partnership as it pertains to the various human religions that you are familiar with, in the hopes that your captor might be a pious man.
You even (sobbing heavily) explain that, despite your early vocation, you never really actually steal that much and that you're far too young to go to an early, wasteful end in a Megalos alley.
And you apologize profusely.
The large man frowns.
He sets you gently on the icy roof.
He closes the shutters, yawning loudly.
Apparently you bored him. Go to 83.
[55]
After politely waiting for his current customer to depart, you approach
the table of the gambling sailor, and hop into the chair across from him.
An old man, he works nimbly with his coins and clears them away at your approach. He smiles a toothless grin. ``Mornin', friend. What's your game? Haycross? Draughts? Taroc? Black Rum?'' He shuffles a pack of painted cards, and beside him is a bowl of dice and other gaming implements.
Do you engage him in a game and then ``ease in'' the subject of the gray-suited men? If so, go to 73. If you prefer to just bring up the subject (perhaps with a bribe, if it seems necessary) then go to 84.
[56]
You brace yourself for the cold winter air, walking towards the tavern
door. But you are stopped in your tracks by voice from beneath you!
``Halfling . . .''
You whirl around, hand on the hilt of your sword. No one is there, and a few of the tavern's patrons give you a disgusted look. The voice, which was very loud, seems to have gone completely unnoticed!
The back of your neck tingles with fear. Madness? Delusion? Sorcery? Whenever put to the test, you are inclined to blame the latter first. But who would cast such a spell just to annoy you?
``Lucas. . .''
The voice has returned. Looking downwards, you see that the ring in your pocket is shining with a sickly, purple radiance, so bright that it's shining through the cloth of your pocket!
Quickly covering the light with your hand, you open the door and step onto the street. Slipping briefly on the ice, you hurry into a nearby alley to examine the problem in private. Safe in the shadows, you remove the ring from your pocket and hold it before you.
The ring still glows, and standing on its metal surface is a tiny, winged creature formed of the ugly purple light. It has both hands on its hips, and is staring at you white, impatient eyes.
``What are you?'' you demand, in a whisper.
``I am Xim, the spirit which dwells within this ring,'' the creature says, bowing. ``I am the most powerful of the ring-spirits and the protector of any who possesses the ring. I am the sworn foe of the Red Djinn.'' It finishes with another bow and a flourish of its tiny arm.
You stare at the tiny creature in wonderment. This, no doubt, was why the gray suits were so keen on getting the ring back. This is something powerful!
Xim's eyes flare green for an instant. ``Put me on your finger.''
You know better than to deal so hastily with unknown sorceries. You shake your head. ``It wouldn't be very smart to try to sneak around with a glowing ring on my finger,'' you point out.
The ring stops glowing. Xim grins.
``No,'' you say. ``I can't trust you.''
``Then I,'' says the spirit, icily, ``cannot protect you.''
``I've done fine so far.''
``I know of your goals,'' Xim says, smiling peacefully. ``I know about Patricia . . . I know about your feelings for her.''
You count softly to three. ``Patricia and I are partners, and the very best of friends. That, I can assure you, is all.''
Xim nods knowingly. ``I can change that, Lucas. You know you want me to.''
You shove the ring into your pocket, disgusted, and the light blinks out. What a foul, manipulative little creature!
You have a partner to rescue. Go to 115.
[57]
It's better to take the cutthroats on in your own time than to wait for
them to toss a knife into your back. And if that would happen; they'd have
the ring, and no reason to let Patricia live.
To avoid possible interference from the city patrols, you change course into an empty and narrow alley, two turns away from the nearest major street. Then you draw your shortsword and wait.
They oblige you quickly, slipping down from the shadows with gleaming knives. They look like they really enjoy their work.
You are in a fight to the death. You have no opportunity to escape. Since you are in a narrow alley, you have the advantage of forcing them to go one-on-one with you [If you prefer Advanced Combat for dodge/retreat options and so forth, the alleyway should be 4 feet wide].
|
#1 Grey-Suit: |
ST 9; DX 11; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 12/5 (dagger), damage 1d-3 impaling. |
|
#2 Grey-Suit: |
ST 11; DX 10; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 11/4 (dagger), damage 1d-2 impaling. |
Fight them in order. If your HT goes below 1, go to 85. If you defeat them, go to 74.
[58]
You push open the wooden door, and a tiny bell announces your arrival as
your eyes adjust to the gloom.
The shop is oppressively atmospheric. Shelves are loaded down with dusty bottles, jars, and boxes filled with powders or scales or worse, along with hundreds of tiny labeled vials made of metal, baked clay, and glass. Weak shafts of light pierce the dusty air and paint the floor from narrow windows near the ceiling. And it's nearly as cold here as it was in the streets . . .
At the far end of this macabre display of sorcerous canned goods, a pair of owl-like eyes stare into yours and burn. They are framed by the face of an ancient, withered man sitting quietly behind a lamp.
``Sir,'' he says, ``how may I help you, sir?'' He does not move when he speaks, only his lips articulate. He reminds you of some wicked predator, frozen until the prey is within reach.
``I,'' you begin, pausing to recollect your voice, ``I am looking for the alchemist who made this.'' You walk to his desk and lay the empty vial in front of the lamp. A thin hand is extended and snatches the tiny object as if to save it from the light. His large eyes are momentarily diverted as they rake over the bottle, then they return to you.
``I made it,'' he says. ``Was its performance unsatisfactory?''
Your instinct is to grin with sarcasm, but you find that you can't manage it. ``It worked well,'' you say, ``but it was used against me.''
[59]
You pull the heavy latch and release the muted noise and smell of the Iron
Keel. A wall of heat washes over you, and you loosen your coat for comfort.
The place is horrid. Cheap food and drink is spilled carelessly on the tables, the floor, and many of the patrons. The walls are splintered, nicked, and burned in many places, apparently by a long series of fights or possibly minor wars. The customers represent the very worst of humanity: drunk and bellowing, they are genuinely offensive, and the equally drunken and toothless barmaid seems to be in a daze as she is pinched and fondled by the foul clientele.
The tavernkeep stands alone behind the bar - a great, brawny fellow scarred and tattooed beyond racial distinction. You approach the bar and present him with your problem.
If you know who to ask for, then go immediately to 15. If you just ask the barkeep if you can meet the gray-cloaked men, then go to 41.
[60]
You never really had a chance. Two men, one with a magic sword. The battle
is swift and bloody. The ring is theirs, and Patricia is doomed.
The End.
[61]
The knife flashes across your throat before you have a chance to react.
Your hopes of ever saving Patricia are gone. You are no longer among the
living.
The End.
[62]
The east alley is heavily iced, and you have trouble running along it without
grabbing for walls on occasion. It twists off to the north and then hits
a dead end, with nothing but some trash on the ground and a few boarded-up
windows. You search for secret openings at the windows and clues among
the trash, but find none. Cursing, you go back to try another route. Go
to 88.
[63]
You take a deep breath, and calm yourself. You step into the chamber ahead,
being careful not to fall. You bring your coin in front of you and shine
your light on . . .
A dog. And a dog in distress, to boot. Its rear legs have been affixed with twine to a pair of small boards!
Obviously, this is some child's idea of fun - bind the poor dog's legs and drop it into the sewers. If you could grab that little brat, you'd - not important. You have more important business to attend to. You approach the dog slowly, speaking in as soothing a tone as you can manage. The dog, trembling in the cold air, lets you untie it from the boards. It licks you happily and then runs off into the tunnels before you can stop it to see if it is hurt. Shrugging, you head off into another tunnel.
[64]
Clenching your light-coin and map tightly, you kneel, close your eyes,
and leap!
The ceiling above the plate comes down in a solid block of stone, heavy enough to crush a house! And more of the ceiling is following it! Make a check against DX or Acrobatics, whichever is better. If you succeed, go to 100. If you fail, go to 23.
[65]
It seems that you are definitely in one of the older parts of the sewer
line. The walkways and flow-bed are both cracked and worn smooth by the
passage of tons of sewage and (at least) a hundred years. The darkness
here is complete.
The city, you know, is nearly 800 years old, and you had always wondered what the old tunnels were like. You've been to Megalos many times in the past, but have never had a reason to explore beneath the city.
Not that you would have, anyway. The dangers of the sewers, while probably overstated, are well-known among the rogues of the Empire.
``Think of the devil,'' you remark, ``and in he walks.'' You curse yourself for dwelling on the rumors of the tunnel's hazards, because you can see movement, up ahead.
You place your light-coin in your teeth and draw your sword, moving to investigate. It's another corpse, this one not as fresh as the one killed by the vampire. It's human, at least what remains of it. Feasting on these remains are three enormous rats, as large as dogs! They turn to face you, their snouts moving in a strange circular motion, their whiskers twitching. These creatures know live meat when they sense it, and they move to attack.
You are in a fight to the death with three giant rats. They are much faster than you; you have no chance of escaping. Fight all three of them at once, each gets a chance to attack every round. There is darkness penalty of -4; this doesn't apply to the rats (or you, if your version of Lucas has Night Vision).
|
Big, Creepy Rats (3): |
ST 9; DX 13; IQ 4; HT 17/8, Move/Dodge 7/6, PD 1; DR 1, damage 1d-2 cutting. |
After a rat is reduced to 1 or fewer hit points, make an IQ+6 roll for it each turn. On a successful roll, it will flee to lick its wounds; remove it from the fight. This is in addition to its consciousness check.
If you are reduced to zero HT or worse, go to 45.
If you win, go to 80.
[66]
You inch closer to the door, being careful that none of your gear moves
too much, but you drag a careless foot on a flagstone, releasing the tiniest
of scraping noises. It echoes like thunder in your ears, and you freeze.
The guard spins around, and you hear the sound of a blade being drawn. he yells a warning, and the door flies open. A few seconds later, another door opens in the masonry just behind you! More gray suits come running, and you are overtaken in no time. You have failed your partner.
The End.
[67]
Patricia is expert with a shortsword, and you turn to see the last of her
foes sliding peacefully from her blade. You like to lie to your friends
and claim that you taught her how to fight; it gets her really mad. . .
[68]
The room is a wreck. Debris is scattered everywhere: clothing, belts, pouches,
and all of your ``professional'' gear. The place has been ransacked! Now
you're really worried.
[69]
One last look around the room - time to go. You gather up your important
gear and leave the rest [Note: this is the equipment listed with the character
description].
You are surprised to discover that the thieves left all of your belongings - and Patricia's! You grab her shortsword and belt it on, too [add this to your list] - she'll probably need it before this is over.
Now . . . how to pursue them? It certainly looks like they came in through the window, but that isn't necessarily true. You could go out and scout for a trail (go to 22) or you could head down into the tavern and ask around for leads (go to 90).
[70]
Slinking stealthily past a window, you hear voices from the inside: Two
men, from the sound of it - and a woman!!! If you listen
in, go to 10. If not, go to 83.
[71]
It is common knowledge among adventurers that those with knowledge in taverns
sit alone, usually with cowls over their heads and deep, mysterious voices.
It's as certain as rain falling downwards!
And this one is wearing gray robes . . . You decide to exercise a little extra caution; you've encountered more dangerous coincidences before.
You go first to the bar and order a mug of small beer, cursing the tavernkeep for reciting a Halfling slur at the request. You pay the offending man, and - armed with beverage and mild desperation - you wedge through the crowd and plop down at the table with the tall, robed fellow.
Who, as it turns out, isn't a fellow at all. It is a woman, and she's very obviously blind.
You blink in surprise. Her cowl, naturally, hid her features, as did the glare from the open windows. She turns her face to you, sensing your presence. ``Hello?''
You rethink your options. The only information you have about the thieves is their description - what would a blind woman know? If you wish to apologize and excuse yourself, go to 95. If you take this option, this did not count as a ``visit.'' You may still speak to both the Halfling and the Sailor, if you have not already.
If you wish to speak to her, anyway, go to 103.
[72]
This is the paragraph that you can't reach. It's sort of a tradition with
solo adventures, and I couldn't resist the temptation.
I've often wondered whether the original Unreachable Paragraph was intended as a joke, or whether it was written to fill an editorial blunder (this one was deliberate).
I considered for a while making this paragraph 23 as an Illuminati joke, but I had an ``ancient masonry'' reference for that one.
[73]
You think for a moment and then declare ``Black Rum it is!'' You were a
fair hand at the Caithness card-game in your youth, and you might lose
less money by gambling with him than you would with a bribe . . .
The old man shuffles skillfully and begins a humorous patter, dealing as he does so. You engage in a few hands (winning one, losing two) before bringing up the object of your search.
The old sailor reacts with a gambler's indifferent expression. ``Aye, young sir. I know of a few that meet your description. They hang around at Rin's docks, and are good at avoiding the eye of the Emperor's lawmen.'' He sighs. ``I'm no one to be the hero and report their activities.''
The gentleman seems sincere, and you remember what he has told you (you might want to jot it down in your notes). You close your game and thank him.
[74]
You've fought much tougher thugs in your day - and the restrictive alley
was your winning advantage. If you want, you may take their Daggers (they
had nothing else of real value, and had one blade each). Your anger subsides
as you head off through the side-streets for the Iron Keel, knowing now,
at least, that you will not be molested on the way. Go
to 105.
[75]
You think quickly. It would be best if you acted a little more sinister
yourself. You square your shoulders and hiss a bit as you speak. ``Would
you call me a liar, alchemist?'' you demand, evil glinting in your eye.
The alchemist giggles.
``Erf . . .'' you say.
``I see,'' says the man, grinning a leathery grin. ``You were kidding. Such wit.'' He turns and adjusts the lamp. Brighter light issues from it, taking away much of the atmosphere of the musty place, and - with it - your chances of getting any further information.
``Are you here to purchase something, then? I have some fine healing draughts, not too expensive, and a protective elixir I have designed myself.''
Crestfallen as you are, it might still be a good idea to buy a few potions. You look into your pouch, and then at the alchemist's prices. You only have enough for one.
If you buy the Healing Potion, go to 12.
If you buy the ``Protective Elixir,'' go to 97.
If you decide you don't trust the alchemist enough to buy
either, go to 14.
[76]
You are blinded by the sudden lack of light. You feel yourself being drawn
and held tight by a large man, and a knife is placed at your throat. A
harsh voice hisses at you, ``Password!''
You search your memory. If you say ``Dreams,'' go to 87. If you say ``Socium,'' go to 98. If the password is ``Risus,'' go to 61.
[77]
You run north, slipping once on the slick cobbles. The wooden barrier is
short and smooth, and you see an open street beyond it - if he climbed
the wall, he's lost in the crowd by now . . .
Then you notice that, under the trash you are standing in is a source of warm air - and steam is rising upwards. A trapdoor!
It takes some work to brush away the trash; the cold wind seems insistent on keeping it piled against the wall. The latch to the trapdoor is open, and it looks like your quarry made it into the sewers! You pry open the door and look in.
An iron ladder, rusted and old, leads down to a narrow tunnel, which looks dry. The sound of receding footsteps can be heard, and you quickly descend to follow.
[78]
You look at the face and recognize it! This is the very same man you were
chasing after when you entered the sewers! And that was less than an hour
ago! Who could have done this?
[79]
You take a deep breath, make sure that all of your gear is fastened tightly,
and leap backward! The ceiling above the plate comes down in a huge block
of crumbling stone. It crashes to the ground, and you dive for the ground
as splinters of stone zip angrily over your head.
As the dust clears, you see that the corridor is now completely blocked. You have no choice but to take the other direction now, and hope that the same thing doesn't happen.
[80]
Fortunately, the rats are weak from starvation. The winter's pickings are
small, and only under such circumstances would they stray so far from the
normal sewers - or attack you! Your blade finds its mark again and again,
until all of the beasts lie dead on the stone floor. You make a mental
note to see a wizard or a doctor after this affair is over, in case these
beasts carried some foul diseases.
You approach the corpse on which they were feeding. From the look and smell of it, it is nearly a week old. Its hands and feet are bound with cord, and whoever it was (you can't even guess at gender) was placed here either dead or doomed. You hope that the poor human didn't suffer long if the latter is true . . .
There is nothing of value here. Go to 19.
[81]
You place the ring on your finger, and the room goes black. You are suddenly
thrust into some sort of hideous limbo, swimming in palpable darkness as
you feel your control over your own reality slip through your hands like
smoke. You try to look around, and you see Tricia staring at you with concern.
You wonder what you look like, now. She seems distant and silent, as if
seen through several veils. She points her blade to the door, and motions
for you to follow. Looks urgent.
Trouble is, you don't feel inclined to follow. You feel you have other places to go, things to do. You walk away. You walk away into a long, dark tunnel. You leave behind your own life. Xim can have that, and he does. He has you, and everything you ever were.
If anything interesting happens, you won't be aware of it.
The End.
[82]
You steady yourself for the jump, but this isn't the sort of thing you're
used to - you're an explorer, not a second-story man! Climbing was always
Patricia's strong suit, never yours. And the alley below looks hard. A
stray cat, shivering and dusted with snow, looks up at you with interest,
and sniffs the air.
Make a ST, DX, or Jumping skill roll (whichever is better). If you fail, go to 101. If you succeed, go to 93.
[83]
You continue along the icy ledge for a complete circuit of the building,
and discover nothing further of interest. You are cold and not at all safe,
so you deem it best that you return to your room and head down to the tavern
before someone summons the watch.
[84]
You politely refuse the old man's offer to gamble, and tell him what you
are after. He smiles.
``I'm sorry, friend,'' he says. ``I just came into port from Sho'joor, and I've no knowledge of Megalan thieves' rings! I am sorry,'' he shrugs.
He seems nice enough, but you have obviously wasted your time talking to him. Go to 95.
[85]
Perhaps you could have taken one, on a better day, but this was too much.
The fight is not a long one, and you are soon slipping into eternal darkness.
Your last thoughts are of Patricia, who will soon suffer a similar fate.
The End.
[86]
You look the man in the eye, and the place seems to grow darker. You focus
your thoughts on Patricia, and you find within yourself the intensity to
impress the old man. Even you are surprised by the tone of your voice.
``I mean what I say.''
The alchemist stiffens, his eyes seeming to dim. ``Of course you do, sir.'' He lowers the light in the lamp some, and his face is bathed in deep orange as he leans forward. ``Go to the alley behind the pottery shop on Cooper's Row. The door is there. Rap twice with your sword, and they will let you enter.''
You thank the man in a whisper, and then look about. As long as you are here, you might as well buy something. ``What inexpensive potions do you have for sale?'' you ask.
``I have some fine healing draughts, not too expensive, and a protective elixir I have designed myself.'' You look into your pouch, and then at the alchemist's prices. You only have enough for one.
If you buy the Healing Potion, go to 106.
If you buy the ``Protective Elixir,'' go to 117.
If you have second thoughts, and decide not to buy anything,
go to 14.
The man's arm tenses. Go to 61.
[88]
You have already lost time on error, but there is still a chance that he
might have left some sort of a trail. You may try any of these that you
have not tried already:
The window to the west? Go to 42.
The dead-end to the north? Go to 77.
The eastern alley, curving out of sight? Go to 62.
[89]
You duck into the relative safety of a small alcove, and open up the map
you found on the vampire's victim. It is dirty and smudged in many places,
but surprisingly serviceable, considering its apparent age. Several additions
have been made to it over the years, and each new cartographer has added
his own signature to the list at the edge of the parchment.
If you read the note on the windowsill in the beginning of the adventure, or if you confronted the gray-cloaked leader at the Iron Keel, go to 99. If not, go to 108.
[90]
Shouldering your gear confidently, you head down the stairs into the noisy
crowd of the Cup and Talon. The place has been well cleaned since the revelry
of the previous night, and the customers are noisily engaging in some serious
breakfast.
The crowd consists mostly of sailors or craftsmen; most other folk are either still asleep or already working. You peer upwards at the many bleary faces, and wonder if any of them could offer you assistance in finding the men in the gray suits . . . You dodge nimbly to avoid being tossed underfoot by the apparently oblivious humans. You need to find somebody that might know something about a new thieves' guild.
Searching intently through the taller forms around you, you find the three people that might be of some use: An old sailor running a ``a game of fortune'' in a center table, a fellow Halfling sitting on a barstool counting money, and a tall man in gray robes, sitting alone by the windows.
If you wish to talk to the sailor, go to 55. If you wish to approach the Halfling, go to 37. If you prefer to speak with the gray-robed gentleman, go to 71.
[91]
You strain but cannot hear a thing. You have no idea if there is anybody
else beyond the door. You have no real choice but to take out the guard
and hope that he is alone.
[92]
You lift the ring to your finger. You stop.
In the back of your mind you find that you still don't trust Xim. He has his Djinni to fight, but you're here for Patricia. You try to toss the ring aside . . .
And find that you cannot! Slowly, against your will, you are putting on the ring. . .
``No!!!'' The voice is Patricia's, but it echoes the scream in your mind. You see a flash of steel as Patricia brings her blade down and strikes your hand with the pommel. The ring flies downward, and bounces on the rubble. You are free again, and you feel a fog lifting from your brain.
The wind above, however, shows no signs of abating. You are still in big trouble.
``What was that?'' yells Patricia, over the howl and din about you.
``It was a very powerful spirit,'' you yell back. ``His name is Xim. he helped me get here.''
She shakes her head, and smiles. She raises her blade and touches it to yours. Her lips form the words ``Partners,'' and a smile, but you can't hear her voice over the noise.
You nod and return the gesture. ``Partners.''
[93]
You hold your breath, crouch, and leap - reflecting only for an instant
that Halflings, on the whole, are not good jumpers. The icy wood beneath
you blends in a whirl with the gray alleyway, the falling snow, and the
pale light of morning. You slam against your goal like a sack of salt,
and grip it for dear life. Your fingers tighten and grasp at the icy tiles.
A moment passes, and the world stops spinning. You lift your head to find that the paper still rests on the chimney. You reach out and grab it. You read:
| The ring is ours. We'll be back tomorrow to take it. If you cooperate, the woman might live. -W. Grey. Guild Master. |
Guild Master? Megalos has never had a real ``thieves' guild'' that you know of. A few bands here and there, of course, but the Imperial guard is tough on attempts to really organize. That's why you've been operating elsewhere when you bother to actually steal for a living.
You read the note a few more times. You aren't about to just sit around and trust these guys! You make your way back across (much more slowly this time!) and reenter your room, shivering.
[94]
You hear nothing for seconds which stretch on like decades, and you suddenly
feel much, much colder. You grip the wall tightly and don't make a sound
- and the conversation resumes.
``Forget it,'' says the booming voice. Come on down to the docks. ``Penelope, you too.''
``Okay,'' says Penelope. And your heart sinks. It wasn't Patricia. You ease back from the window and continue onward.
[95]
You wander through the tavern some more, and look about. If you have already
visited with two people, then you have taken a great deal of time, and
should continue your search. Go to 56.
If, however, you have only visited one, you can spare the time for a second, if you wish. If you wish to speak with the sailor, go to 55. If you wish to approach the Halfling, go to 37. If you prefer to speak with the gray-robed gentleman, go to 71.
[96]
You decide to ignore them. It is unlikely that they'd attempt anything
in broad daylight, and you are headed for their headquarters, besides!
You turn into another small alley and head right for Quayside Street.
That's when they attack.
You are caught by surprise at first; one falls from the low rooftop above you and nicks your side [Take 2 points of impaling damage, ignoring armor but applying Toughness, if you have it]. You whirl about to see that you are facing three men! They wear gray cloaks (with no armor - thank God for minuscule favors), and are armed with gleaming knives. The odds don't look very good.
If you run for it, go to 116.
If you fight, go to 124.
[97]
You pay for the ``Protective Elixir,'' curious and hopeful of a bargain.
It isn't that you like the alchemist or who he deals with, but he seems
to be a skilled craftsman, and you wonder what he might come up with. You
examine the contents of the vial through the glass, and see only a green
syrup.
``It contains but a single dose,'' says the alchemist.
When you decide to drink this potion, turn immediately to number 48, but mark your place as you will be required to return to your passage. No cheating!
[98]
The man's arm tenses as you say the word, and then relaxes. You hear another
voice, beyond him. ``Let him in.''
You are led beyond another curtain into a dimly lit room, and your eyes adjust, as the ``doorman'' returns to his post. A trap-door in the floor leads downward and (by the smell of things) to the sewers. Behind a huge desk made of yellow wood a small man sits and smiles. A placard in front of him (hand scrawled) says ``William Grey.'' ``So,'' he says, ``I see that you've found us on your own.'' ``What delightful irony.''
You aren't sure what he is implying, but you don't like his tone. Regardless, you have business to attend to . . .
If you leap to the attack, hoping to get the element of surprise, go
to 16.
If you play a lie, claiming to wish to join the gray-cloaks, go
to 107.
[99]
You recognize the name at the bottom of the list of new cartographers -
W. Grey.
[100]
You hit the floor painfully as a spray of rock and earth flies over your
head!
You wait, frightened out of your wits, with the thunder of crashing stone still echoing in your mind. You lie still for a while, catching your breath. After the echoes fade, you rise, brush yourself off, and assess the damage.
You can be certain that the gray-suits, or indeed anyone within living memory, did not place a trap of such destructive power in these ancient halls. You've heard rumors of large tunnel-networks beneath the city, but you have no idea why the early Megalan Emperors would care to build them. You would reflect further on this issue, but you have a partner to rescue!
[101]
You leap, hurling yourself out over the alleyway, but you land poorly.
Your shoulder hits ice, and you scramble madly to hold your position!
You fail.
You plummet like a rock, and the nasty crack!! that you hear is your left leg, twisted painfully against the cobblestones beneath you. You fade into darkness, as the rough sandpaper-tongue of a cat touches your face. You may well survive, but you will be too late to help Patricia.
The End.
[102]
The face, to your great relief, sinks rapidly out of vision, and whatever
it yells at this point is mercifully garbled. In fact, the face is replaced
by a rather pleasant, and equally merciful, cloudy morning sky.
With all of this mercy being spread around, none seems to have been left for the cobbles on the alley below. They split your skull neatly, and your death is - mercifully - a quick one.
The End.
[103]
``Hello,'' you say, smiling, and she smiles as well. You introduce each
other. She is Myra, a potter who operates a shop down the street from here.
She sits by the window because she can feel the light. You decide that
you have nothing to lose by telling her who you are looking for, and, surprisingly,
she has an answer!
``The men you speak of are, in fact, organizing a ring to eventually make a guild for the city. Why do you wish to contact them?''
Hmm. There is more to this woman than meets the eye! You could lie to her and say that you are interested in joining the ring as an operative (go to 11) or you could tell her the truth (at 38).
[104]
You grab the ledge, swinging hard into the building, nearly knocking the
wind from your chest as you do so! Your grip nearly gives out, and your
vision is blurred again.
You've arrived next to one of the large shuttered stairway windows leading into the tavern proper. You ease your way gently in, and close the shutters behind you. Fortunately, it doesn't sound as if the large man is going to pursue you. You head toward the tavern; it's much safer in there!
[105]
You head off in the direction of the Iron Keel. The gray-suits are playing
serious hardball, now - they wanted to kill you to get the ring back! They're
not just honest thieves, they're murderers.
Well, they can have the foul trinket. You just want your partner. Stomping angrily through the alleyways, you pull the offending piece of ensorcelled jewelry from your pocket.
``Lucas,'' says Xim, rising from the ring and tapping a petulant foot on the gilt skin of its home, ``be reasonable. I do not want to be returned to the hands of those men.''
That's a laugh. ``You're just as evil as they,'' you say, getting ready to thrust the ring back into your pocket.
``No, Lucas,'' Xim says. ``I am sorry for my earlier words,'' the spirit says, its tiny hands palms-forward in an apologetic gesture, ``but I sought to control you in order to return to the thieves and wipe out the Red Djinn.'' Its voice booms with less strength than before.
[106]
The alchemist snatches up your gold like a greedy child, and proceeds to
draw a small object from within his desk. ``A special potion, for my friends,''
he smiles. The ``healing potion'' is a tiny glass vial full of blue liquid
with tiny white lumps in it. You feel sick at the thought of drinking it,
but place it carefully in your pocket.
This potion, if imbibed at a time when you are not in combat, will heal 2d+8 hit points. It has one dose.
[107]
You go into a routine of roguish foulness, attempting to make your way
into his trust, but William cuts the act short.
``First of all, Halfling, you are very stupid for coming here. I do not keep my prisoners at this tavern.'' He smiles, and your heart ices over.
``Secondly,'' he says, drawing a shimmering green sword, ``I must thank you for making my job easier. I can simply kill you and take the ring, which the gull tells me it could sense on you.'' You step to the side of the room as the doorman enters the room, also carrying a drawn sword. He looks happy as he eagerly fingers the pommel.
The gull? It must have been some sort of familiar; you should have at least given yourself the satisfaction of cutting it's damned head off . . . You draw your weapon and prepare to defend yourself.
[108]
Your eyes devour every inch of the map. Without question, this is the one
being used by the gray suits.
You are pleased with yourself for acquiring it, even if the circumstances weren't entirely your doing. You note several lines marked near the emptying grates at dockside, and one important-looking mark right near the middle, but you have no idea what it means. It looks like some sort of magical glyph.
You stare at it. You turn the paper sideways and then upside-down, but it doesn't seem to be pictographic. It's entirely abstract, and you aren't that good with strange alphabets.
Before you can reflect further, however, a sickly purple light leaps from the floor, and you jump, hitting your head on the low ceiling of the alcove! You slump back, relieved. It's the ring, glowing again! You draw it from your pocket, and the tiny spirit, Xim, stands wide-eyed on the ring.
[109]
Those skeletons are dead, and that door is an obstacle to be overcome.
Foolish notions otherwise are simply a side-effect of fatigue and hunger,
and your stomach growls angrily to confirm this.
You swat away the skeletons with your sword and the strange mold falls away with them. No problem. You touch the door - and sunlight surrounds you!
You are standing on the banks of a grassy hill, with huge, towering clouds filled with battling gryphons above you. Around you is a party of dwarves.
Worse still - they don't look happy to see you.
The End (and a strange one).
[110]
You listen and can hear only the distant tapping of the guard's foot. It
sounds as though he's in a stone chamber, and alone. You have no doubt
that there are others nearby, however, that he could summon with a yell.
You're going to have to risk a backstab, and hope to take him out cleanly.
[111]
If Patricia is fighting with a dagger, go to 129.
If she is fighting with a sword, go to 67.
[112]
You tear your watering eyes away from the battle and run out through a
fallen, burning wall. You run into a gathering group of observers, and
wade through their groping hands and questions. You just need to get away
from here!
From behind you, you hear a triumphant yell. It is Xim. But, the yell quickly fades to a faint echo, and is no more. You fear the worst for the spirit in the ring. A ball of flame erupts from the building, and the crowd screams, pressing back as the fireball rises into the swirling snow.
[113]
The face, to your relief, begins to slip downward out of view, to be replaced
by a more friendly view of the sky. The relief you feel quickly turns to
horror, however, as it occurs to you that you are falling backwards! You
instinctively place a foot back, which slides on the ice and sends you
spinning towards Certain Pain on the cobbles below.
But the delay is just long enough for a rough hand to grab your shirt and yank you forcefully into the air. The wobbling, bearded face returns to your still-stunned vision, and stares at you with quiet malice. You can't help but wonder if the man finds your face as terrifying as you find his. You experiment briefly with a snarl, but it has no apparent effect.
``You,'' says the face, in a tone that balances impressively between unbridled rage and calm, efficient murder, ``were spying on me!!!''
You have, really, only three options. Explain the real truth to him (54), make up a story (120) or fight him (2).
[114]
You make a good go at it, but the icy plane of roofing slips from your
fingers as your momentum takes you over the edge. The cobbles are, it should
be noted, not as hard as you thought they might be, but they are not so
soft that you survive.
The End.
[115]
You reflect on this revelation. The gray-suited thieves are apparently
dealing with some form of black magic . . . A chill runs down your spine,
unrelated to the cold air or shadows of the alleyway. The ring is a servant
of some kind, but what of the ``Red Djinn'' that it mentioned? You pull
the trinket again from your pocket, but the glow is faded, and no tiny
spirit manifests itself. You return it to its place, and examine your options.
Your primary lead is ``Grymray'' - the alchemist who made the knockout gas. However, if you received any information about goings-on at the docks or quayside, that provides a second option.
If you follow up the alchemist lead, go to 25. If you have information leading you to the docks, and prefer that path, then go to 3.
[116]
While your small legs do not match the strides of the three humans, you
are smart enough to lose them quickly by ducking under a series of moving
carts (sending some horses running wild, alas) and then heading northward.
This leads you to think that it might not be wise to go right into their
den!
If they were holding Patricia there, why would they chase you away from a possible trade for the magic ring? It makes no sense, but it probably means that Patricia is being held elsewhere. If worse comes to worse, you will return to Quayside Street, but a quick glance around you reveals that your flight from the gray-suits has taken you very close to Short Alley. As long as you're in the neighborhood, you might as well investigate the alchemist.
[117]
You pay for the ``Protective Elixir,'' curious and hopeful of a bargain.
It isn't that you like the alchemist or who he deals with, but he seems
to be a skilled craftsman, and you wonder what he might come up with. You
examine the contents of the vial through the glass, and see only a green
syrup.
``It contains but a single dose,'' says the alchemist.
When you decide to drink this potion, turn immediately to number 32, but mark your place as you will be required to return to your passage. No cheating!
[118]
You down both men quickly and in admirable form. Clutching your own wounds,
you search the bodies. You get some coinage, William's magical shortsword,
and the key to the trapdoor [note these on your character sheet].
The murmur of voices and the sound of standing gray-suits beyond the curtain turns your eyes to the trapdoor. A sharp knock comes to the lamp panel, and you quickly unlock the sewer-latch before they realize that the doorman is gone.
The stench of the sewers rises up to meet you, and you drop down to the ladder and close the hatch behind you. You drop quietly to the passage below (carefully avoiding the water's edge), and run like mad, dodging down the confusing passages until you're sure that you've lost them.
[119]
You and Patricia stand transfixed before the awesome contest that occurs
before you. But from a physical standpoint, you have little to observe.
While the figures make all the motions of sword-wielding warriors, you
can see that the true battle is being fought between the wills of the two
magical creatures. A bright field of energy crackles and spits in the air
between them, and it moves and shifts in color as the fight rages on.
It seems for a while that Xim has an advantage, but he cannot hold it. The Red Djinni wears him down bit by bit, and then his attacks begin finding their home. You watch in fear as the shadowy form of Xim is pierced again and again, and begins to fade in the growing firelight. The fire! You had almost forgotten it, but Tricia is tugging your arm to get out of here. The place is burning to the ground!
[120]
You dig deep into your repertoire of False Fronts, and can't find anything
useful to explain the presence of a Halfling, armed and equipped, outside
a hostelry window at dawn. No roofers would be here in this weather, this
early, and it is extremely unlikely that you lost your way . . .
You stammer, he glares. A lie is doomed. You will have to either fight (go to 2) or tell him the real story (at 54).
``Tell me about it,'' you say, propping to rest against a nearby wall, ``but make it quick; I have a partner to rescue.''
``I was originally the property of a powerful Megalan sorcerer'' it begins, and winks ``one very close to our Imperial Majesty, Diophrates XII. I was stolen because my kind are the foes of the Red Djinn, terrible, deadly spirits - quite powerful.
``Indeed,'' Xim admits, ``we are by no means pure ourselves, but we exist to keep the Djinn in check. That is the truth.''
``How does a ring of thieves come into this?''
``The thieves have a sorcerer in their employ, who has summoned up a Red Djinni to serve them. It has considerable power; they are using it to control the minds of important men,'' Xim whispers, emphasizing the word ``important.''
The little spirit narrows his white eyes. ``They are losing control of it. They killed my master and took me on the advice of their sorcerer, in order to have a metaphorical dagger to keep at the throat of their Red Djinni.''
You think about this. You've heard of stranger things, and it makes sense, in a twisted sort of way. But you aren't about to wear a ring that has admitted that it wanted to control you!
Xim watches you thinking, and speaks. ``I understand, Lucas,'' he says, hanging his head. ``I regret my former haste, but you are a person of considerable resources. I think you can get us to our goal on your own.'' A thought strikes Xim, who brightens visibly. ``We will work together, but independently of each other's control! As . . . partners, I suppose!''
``I've got one,'' you say, bitterly.
``If you need help, you may summon me,'' Xim says, ignoring you with a casual wave of a tiny hand. You pocket the ring in silence, and continue.
If you have just left Grymray's Apothecary Shop, go
to 27.
If not, go to 4.
[122]
You consider for an instant pointing out that it was, in fact, they who
robbed you, but decide to just let them go on being petty if they want
to.
They are moving to attack, at the wizard's command. This, you think, must be the idiot who summoned up the Djinni in the first place!
|
#1 Grey-Suit: |
ST 11; DX 10; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 9/3 (dagger), damage 1d-2 impaling. |
|
#2 Grey-Suit: |
ST 9; DX 15; IQ 11; HT 10, Move/Dodge 6, No Armor, Toughness DR 1, Skill/Parry 16/7 (dagger), damage 1d-3 impaling. |
You are in a fight with 4 guards. Two will attack you, and two will attack Patricia. After you have killed both of yours, go immediately to 111. If you are killed or fall unconscious, go to 7. There is room for both guards to engage you simultaneously.
[123]
Curses upon yourself! You feel like a total idiot!
The guard spins around, and you hear the sound of a blade drawn. he yells a warning, and the door flies open. A few seconds later, another door opens in the masonry just behind you! More gray suits come running, and you are overtaken in no time. You have failed your partner.
The End.
[124]
You draw your sword to fight. The odds are definitely against you, but
nothing is going to stand in your way. If you try to run, the humans would
catch you and kill you, anyway. And if that should happen, they'll have
the ring, and no reason to let Patricia live.
You are in a fight to the death. You have no opportunity to escape. Since you are in a wide alley, two of the thugs can attack at once. As soon as one goes down, the third takes his place. [If you prefer Advanced Combat for dodge/retreat options and so forth, the alleyway should be 7 feet wide].
|
#1 Grey-Suit: |
ST 9; DX 11; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 10/4 (dagger), damage 1d-3 impaling. |
|
#2 Grey-Suit: |
ST 11; DX 10; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 9/3 (dagger), damage 1d-2 impaling. |
|
#3 Grey-Suit: |
ST 9; DX 15; IQ 11; HT 10, Move/Dodge 6, No Armor, Skill/Parry 16/7 (dagger), damage 1d-3 impaling. |
Fight them in order. If you are killed or your HT is reduced to 0 or less, go to 85. If you defeat them and remain conscious, go to 74.
[125]
You are in a fight to the death with two men; William Grey and his bodyguard.
You do not have any chance to escape (you could go for the trapdoor, but
a quick glance reveals that it has a lock on it).
|
William Grey: |
ST 12; DX 13; IQ 13; HT 11, Move/Dodge 6, No Armor, Skill/Parry 14/7 (sword), damage 1d impaling or 2d cut (includes a +1 Puissance enchantment). Make an IQ roll for William each round. ON a failed roll, he will thrust. Otherwise, he will swing. |
|
Door-Man: |
ST 11; DX 10; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 9/3 (dagger), damage 1d-2 impaling. |
If you prefer Advanced Combat, lay out the office as a 12'x8' room with a large desk at one end. If you defeat both Grey and his bodyguard without going below 1 HT, go to 118. If you are killed, or your HT is at zero or lower, go to 60.
[126]
``The Red Djinni!'' it shouts with a shrill squeak. It dances happily,
shimmering with a pulsing violet glow. ``That will be where they have taken
the woman Patricia, and where I must go!''
``The Glyph?''
``Yes!'' Xim says, and leaps from the ring in ecstasy. His tiny dance is cut short, however, as he is yanked sharply back to the surface of the ring by some unseen force. You don't like the look in its small eyes. You still aren't sure that you can trust this creature.
Xim stares at you, as if it can read your thoughts. ``Lucas,'' it says, ``had I truly wished to control you, I could have by now. I am not entirely powerless over you.''
You aren't in the mood to be bluffed. ``You said I had to wear you.''
``I said you had to wear me to be protected,'' Xim says, and its eyes dim and redden.
You think about this. ``Alright, partner-the-second,'' you say suspiciously, ``which is the best route toward the Djinni-place? There are many markings along the route. They could indicate guardians, traps, or anything. Caches of money or weapons, even.''
This task, obviously, you can trust him with. He clearly wants to get to the Djinni, and he has everything to gain by helping you reach that destination safely.
Xim, nodding in a businesslike fashion, peers over the edge of the parchment. After a second or two, he begins to look genuinely dismayed. After a time, however, he points to a single, narrow passage that leads in a roundabout way to the Djinn glyph. ``This one,'' he says, ``has the fewest markings! It must be the safest!''
``That's the best you can do?''
Xim shrugs. ``Would you have decided any differently? Neither of us can read the coded symbols that the cartographers used.''
You nod and sigh. The spirit has a point.
[127]
You leave the chamber and pull out your coin again. You examine the map
and find that you are very near your goal, and there seems to be a corridor
at the last symbol along the way.
You shake your head in confusion. You checked that area as you passed it, and you found nothing. But this time, you think, you have a bit more incentive to look closely . . .
The walls are rough here, and you believe that these walls could conceal a secret door fairly well. What you didn't expect is for the door to reveal itself to you, sliding open silently on age-old hinges hidden in - or perhaps made from the rock walls.
Creepy!
Beyond the door is a narrower, smoother tunnel and the sound of flowing water. Your mind wanders back to the empty eye-sockets in the dwarvish skulls.
If you go through the door, go to 6.
If you return to the glowing room and force the iron door, go
to 109.
[128]
You raise your blade to strike, and plunge it into the back of the guard.
Make a skill roll with your weapon, at +4 for attacking an ``inanimate
object.'' If you fail, go to 123. If you succeed,
go to 133.
[129]
You've taken yours out, but Patricia still has two on her! You decide that
such odds are hardly fair, and throw a poke of the blade in the direction
of one of her assailants! Sure enough, he decides to face off with you
instead, since (to your dismay) his associate is doing well enough with
Patricia. . .
|
Grey-Suit: |
ST 11; DX 10; IQ 10; HT 10, Move/Dodge 5, No Armor, Skill/Parry 12/5 (dagger), damage 1d-2 impaling. |
If you win, you'll find that Tricia has already killed the other one; go to 50. If you lose, go to 7.
You wait for an instant, and the feet stop tapping. Tricia's shadow moves a bit.
``Psssst!''
After a second or two, she kneels to the floor, and lays down, parallel to you. You can see her staring, puzzled, at the door, but she can probably only see a shadow where you are. She whispers ``Lucas?''
``Sshh!''
She nods, indicating that her hands are chained. That makes sense. You have no doubt that she tried to escape at least once! She's pretty mean when she's upset, too.
[131]
The tunnel opens into a large chamber, covered in thick, almost shaggy
mold. Ugh. You cover your coin briefly, and confirm that the strange glow
in the room is provided by the strange growth. You pocket the coin, and
draw your sword, instead.
The room is full of skeletons. They aren't human - they are closer to your own height. They could be goblins, you decide, or perhaps Dwarves. To your morbid romantic imagination, they are slave-workers of some past emperor, the builders of this tunnel, perhaps, who died here together singing the songs of their dwarfish kings while dying beneath the palaces of humanity.
You've always had a taste for that sort of irony. Patricia finds it slightly sick. You sigh, thinking about it.
The problem is not the skeletons or the mold, however. The problem is that the skeletons and the mold cover the only doorway, a large iron door, black with rust, opposite the room. Two skeletons are slumped against it, and the strange phosphorescence makes your vision blur. You get a distinct feeling of dread at the thought of moving the skeletons. You know, somehow, that they don't want to be moved.
If you go back along the corridor to search for another exit, go to 127. If you move the skeletons aside and try to free the iron door, go to 109.
[132]
Carefully following the lines on the map, you come to the passage with
the fewest markings. It is an abandoned line, dry and cold. The artistic
efforts of hundreds of rogues and vagrants of years past cover the walls,
with warnings of hideous fates or notes about where the best pickings are,
depending on who the messages were intended for.
None of them are of any use to those living in this century . . .
After nearly an hour of listening to your own footsteps echo, you come to a branch in the passage. You look at the map, and see that this fork is indicated - but there is a smudge in the same general region. You groan. Both of the routes that you can make out have an equal number of markings on the map, so you'd best just pick one and follow it. By your estimate, it's getting toward the late half of the afternoon.
If you choose the left tunnel, go to 29. If you choose the right one, go to 30.
[133]
The guard gurgles slightly and says something a lot like ``Glurft'' before
slumping quietly to the floor. You clean your blade, and replace it carefully
in its scabbard. As silently as possible, you open the door and enter the
chamber.
The guard has nothing of value save a dagger; you may take it if you wish. He wears a pretty silly expression, and you catch yourself hoping that, when your number is up, you go out with a little more dignity. Succumbing to a brief flash of sympathy, you lift his jaw a bit; he still looks stupid, but he now at least looks serious. Much better.
The chamber you are in is smallish, stone and cold - and dark, save for a torch mounted on the wall. There are two exits, but you can distinctly hear the voices of more guards through the one to your left. You opt for the other one. Peering under the door, you can see more flagstones, black iron bars, and feet, tapping listlessly. A voice is humming. You listen to it. You know it! That's Tricia!
[134]
You stand and press gently on the door, and you poke your head through
the door. Patricia smiles a weary smile, holding up her chained hands.
You slip into the room and close the door behind you; find the keys, and free her of her bonds.
``Lucas, I knew you'd be here sooner or later!'' she says, hugging you so hard you have to free yourself to breathe.
``Yeah,'' you say. ``It's good to see you. I had one heck of a time getting here,'' you begin, and pull the ring from your pocket. ``You see, this is Xim. . .'' But before you can catch up on the events of the day, a noise like the sound of a mountain being cracked in two shakes the tunnels. You hear distant screams and feel a hot wind on your face. If you have more than one sword, you hand one to Patricia. If not, make a note of this (she'll have to use a dagger). You both stand in readiness as the stone ceiling begins to crack. . .
[135]
With the pottery shop collapsing in flames behind you, you slump into Patricia's
arms, and the two of you stop in a nearby alley to catch your breath.
``Lucas,'' she smiles, ``we'd better get going; we can use the crowd for cover.'' She brushes your curls from your eyes, and you nod, exhausted. After a time, you manage to stand, stiffly, and begin walking towards the western gate of the city.
``It's a shame, though . . .'' you say, ``about the ring. Or maybe it isn't. I don't know . . . Xim had an awful lot of power. He might have made a useful ally.''
Patricia tightens her sword-belt and looks at you for a long time, an expression of obvious concern darkening her features. ``I think, Lucas . . .'' she says at last, ``that we do just fine without a third partner.'' She smiles ``I think we do just fine.''
You smile, too. You couldn't agree more.