The Gaming Den

You walk through the Forest for several hours, trying to follow a straight line to where you saw the creatures land. It is difficult to find your way in the dark without getting caught in a Giant Spider web, but you are used to the Forest and so make unfaltering progress. Some time in the middle of the night, when you estimate that you must be getting near, you hear a sound: two voices, talking in a language you have never heard before. You creep up close and hide behind a stand of young trees. In the darkness it is difficult to be sure but they seem to be the same sort of creature as the imposter who tried to kill you in Grummund. Beside them is a small mound, in which is set a huge, stone door, covered with lichen. They are trying to open it, but are not having much success. Will you try a surprise attack on them with bow or sword or wait to see what will happen?

After a few moments they abandon whatever it was that they were doing and step back. Once of them holds up a small phial; when the other nods, he throws it at the door. There is a loud explosion and a cloud of smoke and you duck down to shield yourself from the blast. When you look up again, the smoke has cleared and you can that the door is completely untouched. The two black creatures, however, have been blown to pieces! You walk across to the mound and examine the door. It is just as it was when you saw it from a distance - cold, heavy stone covered with lichen - except now you can see something engraved on its surface. "Here within lie the remains of Khornus Whych, Seer and Visionary. Whosoever desecrates this tomb shall be haunted by my spirit and destroyed." This is quite a threat. Nevertheless, there must be something vital in this tomb, or your secret enemy wouldn't be so desperate for it. You decide that it is up to you to break into the tomb and get this thing before they do. If you think you might know the password and wish to try it, turn to 2. Otherwise, will you search for an opening mechanism or, if you have one, break down the door with your sword?

You search the doorway very thoroughly, examining the edges, feeling for hinges and secret locks. Roll two dice. If the total is less than or equal to your SKILL, turn to 303. If the total is greater tan your SKILL, turn to 364.

You examine the door very carefully, feeling across its surface and round its edges. After a while, you wok out that it should slide to the left. When you try to move the door sideways, however, it won't budge. You search around again but are unable to find any way of opening it. Will you:

Strike it with your sword (if you have one)?
Try saying a password?
Give up?

Test your Luck. If you are Lucky, turn to 225. If you are Unlucky, turn to 248.

Seemingly from nowhere, a name leaps into your mind: "Krystal Erlho" The gods must really be with you, for this is the name of the secret love of Khoru Wych...This is not the actual password, however, since there isn't one; it is but a key to a key. A voice emanates from the door - the seer speaking from ages past: "Krystal, my love, I prayed that one day you might come and join me. Now we shall be together for eternity. Give the Sign of Summoning, and enter." The voice is then silent. Will you:

Search for an opening mechanism?
Smash the door with your sword (if you have one)?
Give up?

The door reverberates with a dull thud but does not give; the stone is not even chipped. Will you:

Search for an opening mechanism?
Try saying a password?
Hit the door again?
Give up?