┘OU ARE ON A STEEP MOUNTAIN PATH THAT WINDS THROUGH JAGGED ROCKS AND BOULDERS. ╞AR BELOW YOU CAN JUST MAKE OUT THE OUTLINE OF THE VILLAGE YOU LEFT EIGHT DAYS
AGO IN SEARCH OF THE ╠OST ├ITY OF THE ANCIENTS. ╘HIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME FOR YOU. ╤UITE THE CONTRARY! ┘OUR FIRST THREE EXPEDITIONS WERE EACH LAVISHLY
FUNDED BY VARIOUS MUSEUMS IN THE HOPE OF DISPLAYING THE ART AND TREASURES OF THIS LONG FORGOTTEN RACE. ╘HOSE FIRST EXPEDITIONS IN THIS MOUNTAIN RANGE DIDN'T
YIELD A SOLITARY ARTIFACT TO SUBSTANTIATE YOUR BELIEFS. ╞INALLY THE MUSEUMS WITHDREW THEIR SUPPORT. ╙TILL CONVINCED THAT THE ╠OST ├ITY DID EXIST IN THIS
AREA YOU PERSONALLY FINANCED A FEW SMALLER EXPEDITIONS TO ISOLATE ITS LOCATION. ╞AILURE UPON FAILURE HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL ON YOUR LIFE SAVINGS UNTIL JUST
ENOUGH REMAINED TO PAY FOR THIS LAST TRIP INTO THESE DESOLATE MOUNTAINS. ╬OW YOU DISCOVER THAT SOMETIME LAST NIGHT YOUR 'LOYAL' GUIDE AND CREW SLIPPED
AWAY INTO THE DARK TAKING WITH THEM ALL OF YOUR PROVISIONS EXCEPT FOR AN OLD LAMP THAT WAS APPARENTLY DROPPED IN THEIR HASTE.
╘O GO BACK NOW WOULD BE USELESS. ┘OU COULDN'T SURVIVE THE TRIP DOWN WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER. ┬ETTER TO CLIMB THE RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCE UP AND TAKE
YOUR CHANCES. ┬ESIDES... ╫HAT DID YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO?
┘OU ARE ON A STEEP MOUNTAIN PATH THAT WINDS THROUGH JAGGED ROCKS AND BOULDERS. ╠OOKING BACK YOU SEE JUST A FEW OF THE NATURAL OBSTACLES THIS MOUNTAIN HAS TO
OFFER. ╫ITH THE PROPER EQUIPMENT YOU COULD PROBABLY MAKE IT DOWN (BY YOURSELF) IN ABOUT A WEEK. ╘HERE'S ALSO JUST A SHORT WALK UP TO THE TOP.
┘OU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SMALL FOREST. ═UCH OF THE SUNLIGHT IS BLOCKED BY THE LEAVES AND BRANCHES OF THE MANY TREES HERE. ┴ COOL BREEZE WAFTS GENTLY
THROUGH THE BOUGHS AND YOU HEAR AN OCCASIONAL LOW MOANING SOUND COMING FROM THIS GENERAL AREA. ╔N FRONT OF YOU STANDS A TOWERING CONIFER WITH A TRUNK
NEARLY 20 FEET IN CIRCUMFERENCE. ╘HE FOREST PATH LEAVES TO THE SOUTH.
┘OU ARE STANDING IN A RATHER LARGE AREA DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE HUGE CONIFER. ╔TS MASSIVE ROOT SYSTEM HAS FORMED AN ALMOST IMPENETRABLE BARRIER AROUND ITS
BASE. ╔T IS COOL AND SLIGHTLY MUSTY SMELLING IN HERE. ╘HE ONLY WAY OUT IS UP THE DIRT RAMP TO THE WEST.
╘HIS APPEARS TO BE A SMALL POOL OF LIGHT BLUE WATER FED BY A LAZY MOUNTAIN STREAM. ┴S YOU NEAR THE EDGE FOR CLOSER INSPECTION YOUR GAZE IS LOST IN ITS
DEPTHS. ╧DD... ┴S CLEAR AS THE WATER FROM THE STREAM SEEMS TO BE YOU CAN'T SEE THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL. ╘HE PATH LEAVES TO THE SOUTH.
╘HIS IS A CLEARING AMIDST THE ROUGH GRANITE ROCKS AND THE TALL TREES. ╘HE VIEW FROM HERE IS SPECTACULAR! ┴CROSS THE VALLEY YOU SEE THE VARIOUS SHADES AND
HUES THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED ALTERNATELY BY SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW. ┴ SMALL STREAM MEANDERS LAZILY THROUGH THE CLEARING FROM EAST TO WEST. ╘HE MOUNTAIN PATH
GOING DOWN LEADS TO THE VILLAGE FAR BELOW. ╘O THE EAST LOOKS LIKE THE MOUTH OF A NATURAL SPRING. ╧THER PATHS LEAD NORTH AND SOUTH.
╚ERE A BUBBLING SPRING FEEDS A LAZY MOUNTAIN STREAM THAT MEANDERS THROUGH THE RUGGED MOUNTAIN TERRAIN. ╘HE CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER SPARKLES IN THE SUNLIGHT.
╥IGHT NEXT TO THE SPRING IS A LARGE FLAT ROCK THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CARVED OR SHAPED IN AN UNUSUAL MANNER. ╘HE PATH LEADS WEST.
╘HE ENTRYWAY FLOOR SUDDENLY TILTS CAUSING YOU TO PRACTICALLY GALLOP INTO THIS DARKENED ROOM. ╫ITH A ROUGH GRINDING NOISE THE FLOOR WEDGES ITSELF TO A STOP.
┘OU DECIDE TO LET YOUR EYES ADJUST TO THE DARKNESS. ┘OUR EARS ADJUST FIRST... ╙WEAT SLOWLY BEADS ON YOUR FOREHEAD AS YOUR EYES CONFIRM WHAT YOUR EARS HAVE
ALREADY TOLD YOU. ┘OU HAVE LANDED IN A DEN OF DEADLY ASPS AND VIPERS! ┘OU LOOK WILDLY ABOUT FOR SOME MEANS OF ESCAPE BUT FIND NOTHING BUT SLITHERING
REPTILES INCHING SLOWLY TOWARD YOU. ─AMN! ╫HERE IN THE WORLD IS ╔NDIANA ╩ONES WHEN YOU NEED HIM?
╘HIS IS THE RUINS OF A ONCE PROUD PAGAN TEMPLE. ╘HE MASSIVE STONE DOORS ARE PARTIALLY COLLAPSED AND PROVIDE NO VISIBLE MEANS OF ENTRY. ╔F ONLY YOU COULD
HAVE DISCOVERED THIS WHILE THE MUSEUMS WERE FOOTING THE BILL! ╧N THE SOUTH WALLIS A CARVING IN BAS RELIEF. ╘O THE WEST IS A DARK ENTRYWAY WHILE NORTHWEST IS
A BODY OF LIGHT BLUE WATER. ╧THER PATHS LEAD NORTH AND EAST.
╘HIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SUNLIT MEADOW. ╟RASSES SWAY GENTLY IN THE COOL BREEZE AND BIRDS CHIRP A PLEASANT TUNE. ╙QUIRRELS AND CHIPMUNKS CAVORT IN THE TREES.
┴LL IN ALL A VERY PEACEFUL PLACE TO RELAX AND ENJOY NATURE. ╘HE PATHWAY LEADS TO THE WEST.
┘OU ARE ON A RICKETY PLATFORM SUSPENDED HIGH IN THE AIR. ┴N UNCTUOUS AND FOUL VAPOR IS SEEPING FROM NUMEROUS VENT-LIKE OPENINGS IN THE ROCK WALLS. ┘OU ARE
FINDING IT VERY UNPLEASANT TO REMAIN HERE. ╘HE ONLY EXIT IS A RICKETY WOODEN STAIRCASE LEADING DOWN.
┘OU ARE IN A NARROW ROOM PAVED WITH STONE TILES. ┴GAINST THE SOUTH WALL IS A STATUE PARTIALLY SURROUNDED BY MARBLE PILLARS. ├LASPED IN ITS HANDS IS THE
STONE LIKENESS OF A HUGE SNAKE. '╦ASCKA THE ┼VIL ╧NE' YOU RECALL FROM YOUR RESEARCH INTO THIS MYSTERIOUS RACE. ╘HE EXIT LEADS NORTH.
┘OU ARE ABOUT 20 FEET IN THE AIR PRECARIOUSLY STANDING ATOP A TOWERING MARBLE PILLAR. ┬ELOW YOU AND AGAINST THE SOUTH WALL IS A STATUE HOLDING A LARGE
SNAKE. ╘HE PILLARS TO YOUR LEFT AND RIGHT ARE TOO FAR APART TO WALK OR JUMP TO BUT THE STATUES CROWN IS WITHIN ARMS REACH.
╘HIS ROOM IS SHAPED LIKE AN IMMENSE CYLINDER. ╘HE ROCK WALLS STRETCH UP INTO AN INKY DARKNESS. ┴ RICKETY WOODEN STAIRCASE WINDS ITSELF UPWARD AND AROUND
THE ROOM UNTIL IT TOO DISAPPEARS IN THE GLOOM. ┴ LARGE STONE DOORWAY IS TO THE EAST WHILE A NARROW ARCH OPENS TO THE SOUTH.
┘OU ARE STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF A LARGE HALL WITH STRANGE MARKINGS AND FIGURESDRAWN ON EACH WALL. ╘HE FLOOR HAS BEEN INLAID WITH MANY TINY PIECES OF TILE
TO FORM A HUGE MURAL. ╘HERE IS A RECTANGULAR CRACK IN THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE EAST WALL. ╘O THE WEST IS A LARGE DOORWAY WHILE A NARROW ARCH LEADS SOUTH.
┘OU TIPTOE CAREFULLY DOWN CREAKING WOODEN STAIRS INTO A DARK PIT. ╘HE AIR IS DAMP AND MUSTY DOWN HERE AND THE CLOSENESS OF THE WALLS AND LOW CEILING MAKE
YOU FEEL SOMEWHAT CLAUSTROPHOBIC. ┴S YOU LOOK AROUND THE ROOM YOU HEAR A FAINT GRINDING NOISE FROM ABOVE. ┬EFORE YOU CAN REACT THE HEAVY STONE LID SLAMS
SHUT WITH A SICKENING NOTE OF FINALITY! ╞URTHER SEARCHING REVEALS AN EXIT TO THE EAST THROUGH A MUDDY HOLE.
┘OU ARE STANDING KNEE DEEP IN A ROOM WITH WHITE SAND AS ITS FLOOR. ╘HE TEXTURE AND COLOR OF THE SAND IS SIMILAR TO FINE DUST. ╘HE ROUGH HEWN WALLS AROUND
YOU PROVIDE NO FOOTHOLD FOR CLIMBIMG. ┴BOVE YOU TO THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROOM IS A DARK OPENING.
┴S YOU WALK DOWN THIS HALLWAY YOU HAVE THE FEELING THAT YOU ARE BEING WATCHED. ├ARVED INTO THE STONE WALLS ARE SILENT STONE FACES THAT SEEM TO FOLLOW YOUR
EVERY MOVEMENT. ┴N ALMOST AUDIBLE SOUND REACHES YOUR EARS BUT FADES QUICKLY AWAY. ╬ARROW ARCHES LEAVE TO THE NORTH AND NORTHWEST WHILE A SMALL PILLAR
FLANKS A DARK OPENING TO THE WEST. A NARROW PASSAGEWAY CONTINUES EASTWARD.
╘HIS IS A LONG AND NARROW PASSAGEWAY WITH A LOW CEILING. ╔TS WALLS HAVE BEEN DECORATED WITH MANY INTRICATELY CARVED DESIGNS. ┴ SLIPPERY RAMP ENTERS THE
ROOM FROM THE SOUTHWEST WHILE THE PASSAGEWAY CONTINUES EAST AND WEST.
┘OU ARE IN A DANK AND FORBIDDING CRYPT. ═OSS AND LICHEN COVER LARGE AREAS ON ALL FOUR WALLS. ┴ CRUMBLED SARCOPHAGUS WITH A FEW DECOMPOSED BONES SHOWING
IS AT YOUR FEET. ┴ SLIMY HOLE TOO SMALL TO CRAWL THROUGH LEADS DOWN. ╘HE EXIT OUT OF THE CRYPT IS A SHORT CLIMB UP.
╘HIS IS A LARGE CLEFT IN THE NATIVE GRANITE ROCK THAT IS BARREN EXCEPT FOR DUST AND RUBBLE. ╘O THE SOUTH IS A STEEP CLIFF DOWN THAT IS MARKED BY SMALL CRACKS
AND ROCKY PROTUBERANCES. ╘O THE EAST IS A ROUGH STONE DOORWAY.
┘OU ARE IN A RATHER LARGE BUT WELL HIDDEN ALCOVE. ╔N THE CENTER OF THE NORTH WALL IS A CIRCLE WITH A CANDLE SCONCE ON EITHER SIDE OF IT. ╒NDERNEATH EACH
SCONCE IS AN INSCRIPTION THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DELIBERATELY SABOTAGED BY SOMEONE IN THE PAST. ┴ NARROW CRAWLWAY LEADS TO THE EAST.
┘OU ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF A DEEP CLEFT IN THE NATIVE GRANITE ROCK. ╧N EACH WALL IS A SMALL STONE LEDGE ABOUT SHOULDER HEIGHT. ┴BOVE EACH LEDGE IS A SMALL
DEPRESSION THAT SEEMS ANGLED SLIGHTLY. ╘HE ONLY WAY OUT IS UP A CLIMBABLE STONE CLIFF.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS IS A STRANGE BOXY LOOKING ROOM. ┴ LARGE ARCHWAY TO THE NORTH IS FLANKED BY TWO ORNATELY CARVED STATUES. ╘HROUGH THE ARCHWAY IS AN INKY BLACKNESS
THAT YOUR LIGHT CAN'T SEEM TO ILLUMINATE. ┴NOTHER DOORWAY LEADS SOUTH.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS.
╘HIS CHAMBER IS DOMINATED BY THE HUGE STONE ALTER ALONG THE WEST WALL. ╔T IS RICHLY CARVED FROM A PIECE OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE NATIVE GRANITE BUT HAS THE
SMOOTHNESS OF POLISHED MARBLE. ╔NLAID INTO THE TOP IS AN OVAL PIECE OF BLACK SHINEY STONE SURROUNDED BY A NUMBER OF TINY DIAMOND-LIKE GEMS. ╘O THE NORTH
IS A PLAIN DOORWAY WHILE A NARROW WALKWAY LEADS SOUTH. ╘O THE EAST YOU CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF RUNNING WATER.
┬EFORE YOU STANDS A BEAUTIFUL ALABASTER FOUNTAIN THAT PULSES WETLY WITH COOL CLEAR WATER. ╘HE TINKLING SOUND OF THE WATER SPLASHING FROM TIER TO TIER
ON DOWN TO THE FOUNTAIN BASE BRINGS A FEELING OF PEACE TO YOUR MIND. ╘O THE WEST IS SOME KIND OF LARGE ALTER.
┘OU HAVE STUMBLED UPON AN ANCIENT AND MUSTY GRAVEYARD. ╥OUGH CUT GRANITE HEAD- STONES ABOUND HERE AND THE GROUNDS ARE BLEAK AND DESOLATE. ╘HERE IS AN OPEN
GRAVE HERE THAT SHOWS SIGNS OF RECENT DIGGING. ╘O THE SOUTH IS A DARKENED CORRIDOR WHILE A WANDERING PATH LEADS OFF TO THE NORTHWEST.
┘OU ARE STANDING NEAR THE CENTER OF A CIRCLE OF EIGHT PEDESTALS. ┴TOP EACH PEDESTAL ARE IDOLS THAT THE ANCIENTS HELD SACRED IN THEIR WORSHIP. ─IRECTLY
IN FRONT OF YOU IS A LARGER PEDESTAL MADE OF BLACK SHINEY STONE. ╘O THE WEST IS A NARROW PASSAGE WHILE OTHER DOORWAYS LEAD NORTH AND SOUTH.
╘HIS IS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF ROOMS WHOSE PASSAGEWAYS LEAD IN MANY DIRECTIONS.╥OCK AND DUST LITTER THE HARD GRANITE FLOORS. ╔N ONE CORNER LIES A LARGE PILE
OF RUBBLE AND DEBRIS. ╘HERE IS AN IRON RING FASTENED TO THE CENTER OF THE SOUTH WALL.
╘HIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY DESOLATE AND BARREN AREA. ╘HE NORTH WALL IS A ROUGH BLACKENED STONE SURFACE. ╘HE ONLY WAY OUT IS TO THE SOUTHWEST.
┘OU HAVE ENTERED A ROOM THAT IS SPINNING WILDLY ON ITS AXIS! ┘OU MANAGE TO CRAWL TO THE CENTER OF THE ROOM IN AN EFFORT TO REGAIN YOUR FOOTING. ╘HERE ARE
SEVERAL EXITS FROM HERE BUT DIRECTIONS ARE VERY CONFUSING. ╘HE CONSTANT DRONE OF WIND AND MOTION MAKE IT HARD TO THINK.
╘HIS IS A ROOM WITH A HIGH DOMED CEILING. ╨AINTED ONTO ITS CURVED SURFACE IS A SCENE OF A NIGHT SKY WITH THE MOON SURROUNDED BY THOUSANDS OF STARS. ┴ WIDE
CORRIDOR LEADS WEST WHILE OTHER HALLWAYS LEAD NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST.
┘OU ARE STANDING IN A ROOM COVERED BY A FINE MIST. ╔T IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OR BREATHE IN HERE AND YOU CATCH YOURSELF STARTING TO YAWN. ╟ROWING FATIGUE IS
CAUSING YOUR EYES TO DROOP. ╘HERE ARE CORRIDORS TO THE NORTH AND WEST WHILE SMALLER PASSAGEWAYS ARE TO THE SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST.
┴T THE CENTER OF THIS ROOM IS AN ENORMOUS DISK SHAPED TO RESEMBLE THE SUN. ╔N THE CENTER OF THE DISK IS A POST THAT SUPPORTS THREE LARGE POINTERS. ╘HE POST
SHAFT ENTERS A LARGE METAL CYLINDER THAT DISAPPEARS INTO THE GRANITE FLOOR. ┴ HALLWAY LEADS NORTHWEST FROM HERE.
╘HIS IS AN UNPLEASANT ROOM AT FIRST SIGHT. ┴ LARGE WHITE STONE BLOCK OCCUPIES A CENTRAL POSITION AND SHOWS MANY SIGNS OF STAINS AND SCRATCHMARKS. ┴S YOU
APPROACH THE STONE AN ANCIENT OIL LAMP SUDDENLY FLICKERS AND COMES TO LIFE. ┘OU WATCH IN FASCINATION AS ANOTHER LAMP IS LIT AND THEN ANOTHER UNTIL YOU ARE
ENCIRCLED BY A RING OF DANCING FLAMES. ┴ QUICK EXAMINATION CONFIRMS WHAT YOU SUSPECTED. ╘HIS IS THE AREA WHERE THE ANCIENTS PREPARED THEIR DEAD FOR BURIAL.
╘HIS IS A SMALL ROOM WITH A HIGH CEILING. ┴LONG THE SOUTH WALL IS A LONG TABLE COVERED WITH A RICHLY EMBROIDERED CLOTH. ┼VENLY SPACED APART ON THE TABLE
ARE THREE COLORFUL FLASKS THAT APPEAR TO CONTAIN LIQUIDS. ┴N UNFAMILIAR GROUP OF SYMBOLS HAS BEEN CARVED INTO THE WALL ABOVE THE TABLE. ┘OU LOOK CASUALLY
AROUND THE ROOM THEN NOTICE THAT THE DOORWAY YOU JUST ENTERED HAS QUIETLY BUT CERTAINLY DISAPPEARED.
╘HIS IS A SMALL CLOSET-LIKE CHAMBER. ┬EFORE YOU ARE THREE LEVERS EACH MADE OF PRECIOUS STONES. ┼ACH LEVER CAN BE MOVED INDIVIDUALLY TO A MIDDLE POSITION
AN UP POSITION OR A DOWN POSITION. ┴ ROOM WITH A LARGE SUN DISK IS DIRECTLY TO THE NORTH.
╘HIS IS APPARENTLY SOME TYPE OF MEETING AREA. ┴ LARGE DAIS WITH A STONE LECTERNOCCUPIES THE NORTH PART OF THIS ROOM. ╙EVERAL ROWS OF MARBLE BENCHES FORM A
SEMI-CIRCLE AROUND IT. ├ARVED INTO THE CEILING IS A FIGURE OF A SUN DISK. ┴ DOORWAY LEADS SOUTH FROM HERE.
╘HINGS ARE KIND OF DISORDERED IN HERE... ┘OU LOOK AROUND THE ROOM AS IF IN A DRUNKEN STUPOR. ╙UDDENLY YOU FEEL A POWERFUL GRIP ON YOUR SHOULDERS RAISING
YOU OFF THE GROUND! ┘OU FIGHT THE FEELING OF VERTIGO AS YOU ARE WHISKED AWAY FROM WHERE YOU WERE. ╘HE GRIP LOOSENS ABRUPTLY AND YOU FALL TO THE GROUND.
╘HIS IS THE NORTHERNMOST PART OF A LONG NORTH/SOUTH HALLWAY. ├ARVED INTO THE WALLS ARE A NUMBER OF SYMBOLS. ╘HROUGH THE ARCHWAY TO THE NORTH IS AN INKY
BLACKNESS THAT YOUR LIGHT CAN'T SEEM TO ILLUMINATE. ╘O THE EAST AND WEST ARE TINY CRAWL-THROUGHS WHILE THE HALLWAY CONTINUES SOUTH.
╘HINGS ARE KIND OF DISORDERED IN HERE... ┘OU LOOK AROUND THE ROOM AS IF IN A DRUNKEN STUPOR. ╙UDDENLY YOU FEEL A POWERFUL GRIP ON YOUR SHOULDERS RAISING
YOU OFF THE GROUND! ┘OU FIGHT THE FEELING OF VERTIGO AS YOU ARE WHISKED AWAY FROM WHERE YOU WERE. ╘HE GRIP LOOSENS ABRUPTLY AND YOU FALL TO THE GROUND.
╘HIS IS A MONUMENT TO MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN. ┴ NUMBER OF VICIOUS LOOKING INSTRUMENTS LAY SCATTERED ABOUT. ╔N THE CENTER OF THE ROOM IS A PARTICULARLY
NASTY LOOKING GRANITE SLAB WITH NUMEROUS STAIN MARKS ON IT. ┴ DARK CORRIDOR LEADS SOUTH FROM HERE.
╘HIS IS A SMALL ANTECHAMBER THAT HAS A FEW STONE BENCHES AND A NUMBER OF PEGS STICKING OUT FROM EACH WALL. ╙TONE ARCHWAYS LEAD NORTH AND SOUTH WHILE A
MASSIVE IRON GATE IS TO THE EAST.
╘HIS IS A LARGE BUT PLAIN ROOM. ╔TS WALLS ARE MADE FROM HUGE BLOCKS OF NATIVE ROCK AND STONE. ╘O THE WEST IS A MASSIVE ARCHWAY COMPLETE WITH A HEAVY LOOKING
IRON GRATING. ╘O THE NORTH IS A DARK CRAWLWAY WHILE A DOORWAY LEADS EAST.
╘HIS IS PART OF A LONG HALLWAY THAT STRETCHES OUT OF SIGHT. ┴ NUMBER OF STRANGESYMBOLS HAVE BEEN CARVED INTO THE WALLS. ╘O THE EAST AND WEST ARE DOORWAYS
WHILE THE HALLWAY CONTINUES NORTH AND SOUTH.
╘HIS IS A PLAIN ROOM EXCEPT FOR A LARGE WOODEN WHEEL ON THE SOUTH WALL. ┴ COIL OF THICK ROPE IS WOUND AROUND THE WHEEL HUB AND LEADS UP INTO A ROUND HOLE IN
THE CEILING. ┬EHIND THE WHEEL IS A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF YOUR THUMB. ─OORWAYSLEAD EAST AND WEST WHILE A DARK CRAWLWAY IS TO THE NORTH.
╘HIS IS A ROOM WITH DEEP SHADOWS. ═ANY STRAW PALLETS LAY AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE ROOM ALONG WITH AS MANY LARGE IRON RINGS ATTACHED TO THE WALLS.
╔T DOESN'T TAKE A MENTAL GENIUS TO REALIZE THAT THIS WAS ONCE THE QUARTERS OF SLAVES. ─OORWAYS LEAD WEST AND NORTH.
╘HIS IS A ROYAL ENTRYWAY COMPLETE WITH HIGHLY POLISHED MARBLE FLOORS AND FINE STATUARY. ┴ DOOR LEADS NORTH WHILE A LARGE ARCHWAY CONTINUES TO THE EAST.
┘OU HAVE ENTERED A MAGNIFICENT ROOM! ╟RACEFUL STATUES POISE ATOP MANY MINATURE PEDESTALS OF ONYX AND CRYSTAL. ╙YMBOLS CARVED INTO THE HIGHLY POLISHED WALLS
AND CEILING HAVE BEEN INLAID WITH FINE GOLD. ╥ICH TAPESTRIES DEPICTING SCENES FROM THE PAST HANG IN SILENT ELEGANCE. ╞ACING YOU FROM THE EAST WALL IS A
MASSIVE GOLDEN THRONE ENCRUSTED WITH MANY FINE JEWELS AND PRECIOUS STONES. ╘O THE WEST IS A LARGE ARCHWAY.
╘HIS IS PART OF A LONG NORTH/SOUTH HALLWAY. ├ARVED INTO THE WALLS ARE A NUMBER OF STRANGE SYMBOLS. ┴ WELL WORN PASSAGEWAY DISAPPEARS TO THE EAST WHILE THE
HALLWAY CONTINUES NORTH AND SOUTH.
┘OU ARE STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A WEAPONS STORAGE ROOM. ╬OW ALL THAT IS LEFT ARE THE OUTLINES OF SWORDS AND KNIVES HANGING
EMPTY HOOKS. ╘HE PASSAGEWAY CONTINUES EAST APTTACHERE S O
╘HIS IS A LARGE ROOM WITH PALLETS ARRANGED INTO MANY NEAT ROWS. ╒PON THE EAST WALL IS A CARVING THAT YOU RECOGNIZE AS '╦AEVA' THE LAST KING OF THE ╠OST ├ITY!
╘O THE WEST IS A DARK PASSAGEWAY.
╘HIS IS THE SOUTHERNMOST PORTION OF A LONG NORTH/SOUTH HALLWAY. ╬UMEROUS STRANGE SYMBOLS HAVE BEEN CARVED INTO THE WALLS. ┴ PASSAGEWAY LEADS TO THE
SOUTHEAST. ╔N THE SOUTHWEST CORNER IS A STEEP RAMP THAT DROPS OUT OF SIGHT. ╧NCE DOWN YOU PROBABLY COULDN'T GET BACK UP. ╘HE HALLWAY CONTINUES NORTH.
┘OU SLIDE OFF THE RAMP AND STUMBLE TO YOUR KNEES. ╥ISING QUICKLY YOU SURVEY YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND FIND THAT YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY CONFUSING
PLACE. ┘OU ARE IN A ROOM WITH A NUMBER OF EXITS BUT YOU SEEM TO HAVE LOST YOUR SENSE OF DIRECTION. ╘HERE SEEM TO BE A NUMBER OF PALLETS IN RANDOM
AREAS THROUGHOUT THE ROOM AND YOU ARE FEELING SUDDENLY VERY TIRED.
┘OU SINK TO YOUR KNEES AND FALL ONTO ONE OF THE MANY SOFT PALLETS. ┴FTER YOUR EYES CLOSE FOR JUST A SECOND YOU ARE UP ON YOUR FEET AGAIN. ┘OU CAN CLEARLY
SEE NOW THAT THE ONLY EXIT IS TO THE SOUTH.
┘OU ARE STANDING BEHIND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A GROUP OF WARRIORS WEARING FEATHER HEADDRESSES. ═ANY HAND-HELD TORCHES CAST FLICKERING SHADOWS ABOUT THE ROOM.
╙UDDENLY A HARSH VOICE BREAKS THE UNEASY SILENCE. '╫ARRIORS! ╘HE CITY HAS BEEN SURROUNDED BY INVADERS AND ITS WALLS BREACHED!' ┘OU SHAKE YOUR HEAD IN
DISBELIEF AS YOU REALIZE THAT THIS IS THE LAST ╦ING OF THE ╠OST ├ITY! ╚E GOES ON... '┴LL OF YOU KNOW YOUR DUTY. ╘HIS FIGHT IS TO THE DEATH!' ╘HE KING
TURNS TO A FIGURE IN A BLACK ROBE AND HANDS OVER A LONG IRON ROD. '╚IDE THIS INSIDE THE TWISTING PASSAGES WHERE NO MAN SHALL FIND IT. ╔F WE DO NOT RETURN
THEN YOU MUST USE ALL OF YOUR MAGIC POWERS TO DEFEND THE CITY'S TREASURES.' ╘HE DARK FIGURE TAKES THE IRON ROD AND BOWS SLOWLY AWAY FROM THE GROUP. ╘HE
KING THEN RAISES HIS SWORD HIGH ABOVE HIS HEAD. ╫ITH A BLOODCURDLING YELL HE CHARGES THROUGH HIS RANKS OF WARRIORS TO LEAD THE FIGHT. ┼CHOING THAT YELL
THE WARRIORS TURN TO FOLLOW...
┘OU ARE STANDING ON A HIGH VISTA OVERLOOKING THE CITY. ╘HE SOUNDS OF BATTLE RAGE BELOW AND THERE ARE COLUMNS OF SMOKE BILLOWING FROM SEVERAL BUILDINGS.
═ANY INVADERS ARE SWARMING INTO THE CITY AND YOU CAN NOW TELL THAT ALL IS LOST. ╞ROM OUT OF NOWHERE A FIGURE IN A BLACK ROBE APPEARS BESIDE YOU!
╠OOKING DOWN UPON THE CITY THE FIGURE SLOWLY STRETCHES ITS ARMS APART AND MUMBLES IN A LOW VOICE. ╘HERE IS A PAUSE IN THE AIR... ╘HE SOUNDS OF BATTLE
FADE TO SILENCE AND THE FIRE AND SMOKE ARE BLOWN AWAY WITH THE WIND. ┴FTER A LONG MOMENT THE DARK FIGURE DROPS ITS ARMS TO ITS SIDES. ╠IKE SOMEONE IN A
TRANCE THE FIGURE STUMBLES UNCERTAINLY TOWARD A PYRAMID EAST OF HERE.
YOU FOLLOW THE DARK FIGURE FROM A DISTANCE... AT IT APPROACHES THE PYRAMID A LARGE STONE BLOCK SLIDES OUT TO REVEAL A DIMLY LIT CHAMBER WITHIN. THE
FIGURE PASSES THROUGH THE ENTRANCE AS YOU WALK QUIETLY BEHIND. ┴S SOON AS YOU STEP INTO THE MAIN CHAMBER THE LARGE STONE BLOCK SLIDES BACK SEALING THE
ENTRYWAY. ┘OU CAREFULLY CHECK OUT THE AREA LEST YOU UNNECESSARILY DISTURB THIS STRANGE BEING BUT FIND NO WAY OUT OF THE PYRAMID. ╘O THE NORTH IS A
DOORWAY THAT ENTERS INTO BLACKNESS. THE DARK FIGURE PLACES SOME OBJECTS ON A LOW TABLE THEN LAYS DOWN ON A SOFT PALLET. WITHIN MINUTES ALL IS QUIET.
┘OU HAVE ENTERED A SMALL CHAMBER DEVOID OF EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR A SOLITARY PALLET IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOOR. ┘OU TURN AND FACE THE DARK FIGURE WHO
NOW BLOCKS THE ONLY EXIT. ╫ITH CALM DELIBERATION IT WAVES ITS ARM AND YOU FEEL CAUGHT IN AN ICY GRIP. '┘OU ARE NOT HERE AS AN INVADER...' THE THOUGHT
SEEMS TO ENTER YOUR MIND. '╔F YOU WERE THEN ╔ WOULD DESTROY YOU. ╔T SEEMS ALSO THAT YOU ARE HERE BY CHANCE RATHER THAN BY DESIGN.' ┴N ALMOST HUMAN
SIGH COMES FROM THIS STRANGE CREATURE. '┘OU MUST BE SENT BACK TO WHERE YOU BELONG!' ╫ITH ANOTHER WAVE OF ITS ARM YOU FIND YOURSELF CAUGHT IN A DAZE.
┴ TINGLING SENSATION GROWS UNTIL YOU CANNOT REMAIN STANDING... ┘OU FALL ONTO THE SOFT PALLET.
┘OU ARE STANDING IN A ROOM WITH A NUMBER OF PALLETS ARRANGED IN A SEEMINGLY RANDOM FASHION. ╘HE SOUTH WALL SHOWS SIGNS OF HAVING BEEN SEALED OFF SOME
TIME IN THE DISTANT PAST. ╘HE ONLY WAY OUT IS TO THE NORTHWEST.
┘OU HAVE TO BEND DOWN A BIT TO GET THROUGH THE SMALL OPENING. ┴FTER TRAVELING WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN ETERNITY YOU ENTER INTO A HUGE ROOM WITH A DOMED CEILING.
┼VERYWHERE YOU LOOK THERE ARE STATUES AND OBJECTS MADE OF PRICELESS JEWELS AND STONES. ┬UT THE MOST IMPRESSIVE SIGHT IS THE ╟╧╠─! ╙TACKS UPON STACKS OF THE
GOLDEN METAL APPEAR TO BE HEAPED IN RANDOM PILES THROUGHOUT THE TREASURE ROOM. ╥ICH TAPESTRIES DRAPE THE SURROUNDING WALLS CREATING A FEELING OF ACTUALLY
BEING A PART OF THIS ANCIENT RACE. ┬LINKING YOUR EYES WITH EACH NEW DISCOVERY THE ONLY WORD YOU CAN SAY IS '╫╧╫!'
YOU ARE IN A COMPLETELY EMPTY AND BARREN ROOM BUT YOUR INSTINCTS TELL YOU THAT SOMETHING WAS HERE QUITE RECENTLY. THE EXIT EAST LEADS TO SOME ANCIENT RUINS
WHILE A STRANGE LOOKING PORTAL IS IN THE SOUTH WALL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SYMBOLS ON THE WEST WALL.
YOU SUDDENLY GASP FOR AIR AS YOUR FEET AND ARMS FLAIL ABOUT IN VAIN FOR SOME- THING TO GRAB ONTO. EERIE PATTERNS OF LIGHT SWIRL AROUND AS IF YOU WERE THE
CENTER OF A HUGE VORTEX. A DEEP DRONING NOISE SWELLS UNTIL YOUR WHOLE BODY STARTS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. JUST WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE ANY
MORE THE NOISE AND LIGHTS FADE AND YOU FEEL A SOLID SURFACE UNDERFOOT.
YOU ARE JUST NORTH OF A GIANT ARENA. FROM HERE YOU CAN SEE THE ╦ING OF THE LOST CITY IN BATTLE WITH A NUMBER OF INVADERS. THE CITY'S INHABITANTS LOOK
ON HELPLESSLY AS INVADER GUARDS LAUGH CRUELLY. EXITS ARE EAST AND WEST WHILE THE ARENA FLOOR LIES SOUTH FROM HERE.
YOU ARE JUST WEST OF A GIANT ARENA. FROM HERE YOU CAN SEE THE ╦ING OF THE LOST CITY IN BATTLE WITH A NUMBER OF INVADERS. THE CITY'S INHABITANTS LOOK
ON HELPLESSLY AS INVADER GUARDS LAUGH CRUELLY. EXITS ARE NORTH AND SOUTH WHILE THE ARENA FLOOR LIES EAST FROM HERE.
YOU ARE JUST SOUTH OF A GIANT ARENA. FROM HERE YOU CAN SEE THE ╦ING OF THE LOST CITY IN BATTLE WITH A NUMBER OF INVADERS. THE CITY'S INHABITANTS LOOK
ON HELPLESSLY AS INVADER GUARDS LAUGH CRUELLY. EXITS ARE EAST AND WEST WHILE THE ARENA FLOOR LIES NORTH FROM HERE.
YOU ARE JUST EAST OF A GIANT ARENA. FROM HERE YOU CAN SEE THE ╦ING OF THE LOST CITY IN BATTLE WITH A NUMBER OF INVADERS. THE CITY'S INHABITANTS LOOK
ON HELPLESSLY AS INVADER GUARDS LAUGH CRUELLY. EXITS ARE NORTH AND SOUTH WHILE THE ARENA FLOOR LIES WEST FROM HERE.
YOU ENTER THE ARENA BUT PAUSE AT ITS PERIMETER. AT THIS VERY MOMENT THE ╦ING IS STRUCK BY FOUR MACHETES FROM ALL DIRECTIONS! WITHDRAWING THEIR BLADES THE
INVADERS GIVE A BRUTAL AND BLOODTHIRSTY CRY OF TRIUMPH THAT ECHOS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THE ╦ING STRUGGLES TO REMAIN STANDING BUT IN THE END FALLS HEAVILY
TO THE GROUND. WITH A FINAL EFFORT HE RAISES HIS HEAD TOWARD YOU. HIS EYES PLEAD FOR HELP AS HIS HAND CLUTCHES FEEBLY TO HIS MACHETE. WITH A SIGH HIS
HEAD FALLS FACE DOWN IN THE DIRT. THE INVADERS NOW TURN MENACINGLY TOWARD THEIR FRIGHTENED CAPTIVES...
THERE IS AN EERIE CALMNESS ABOUT THIS STARKLY PLAIN ROOM. ODD... THE SMALL AMOUNT OF DUST AND DEBRIS SEEMS TO BE SWEPT TOWARDS THE CORNERS LEAVING
THE CENTER REMARKABLY CLEAN. EXITS LEAVE TO THE NORTH AND EAST WHILE A MISTY PASSAGEWAY LEADS SOUTH.
THIS ROOM IS NOTEWORTHY FOR ITS CRYSTAL CLARITY. THE AIR ITSELF SEEMS ALMOST ALIVE AND VIBRANT. LYING IN ONE CORNER IS A SKELETON WHOSE BONES HAVE DECAYED
ALMOST TO DUST. HOLLOW SOCKETS GAZE UP IN SILENCE. AN ADVENTURER THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT... THERE ARE CORRIDORS TO THE NORTH AND WEST WHILE A SMALL PASSAGEWAY
LEADS SOUTHEAST. A STEEP RAMP ENTERS THE ROOM FROM THE SOUTHWEST.
SUDDENLY YOUR ATTENTION IS DRAWN AWAY FROM THE TREASURES. BEFORE YOU STANDS A DARK FIGURE CLOTHED IN A BLACK ROBE. A VOICE THAT YOU FEEL RATHER THAN HEAR
SAYS... 'YOU ARE TRUELY BRAVE AND RESOURCEFUL. YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE TASKS THAT WOULD HAVE DETERED OR EVEN KILLED A LESS ABLED PERSON. BUT NOW IS THE
TIME FOR YOUR MOST IMPORTANT DECISION.' TURNING TO SURVEY THE ROOM THE FIGURE PAUSES. WITH A WAVE OF ITS HAND AN ARCHWAY APPEARS IN THE EAST WALL. BEYOND
THE ARCHWAY IS A CRYSTAL CLEAR POOL OF WATER BATHED IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. ANOTHERWAVE AND A DUPLICATE ARCHWAY APPEARS IN THE SOUTH WALL. THROUGH THIS ONE
HOWEVER NOT A FLICKER OF LIGHT DISPELLS THE INKY DARKNESS. 'THROUGH ONE OF THESE ARCHWAYS YOU MUST PASS.' COMES THE THOUGHT. 'CHOOSE CAREFULLY...'
THE DARK FIGURE SIGHS 'SO BE IT!' WITH A SUDDEN OUTWARD THRUST OF BOTH ARMS THE FIGURE DISSOLVES INTO A SMOKEY HAZE THAT LINGERS ONLY BRIEFLY. BLINKING
YOUR EYES YOU FIND YOURSELF BY THE BOTTOMLESS POOL SURROUNDED BY THE STACKS OF GOLD AND TREASURES FROM THE LOST CITY! YOU PICK UP A SOLID GOLD PLATE FOR
INSPECTION AND FIND THAT IT ALONE IS WORTH A KING'S RANDSOM. FROM OUT OF NOWHERE A VOICE IN YOUR MIND WHISPERS... '╔ HAD HOPED...'
'YOU HAVE CHOSEN A PATH THAT FEW WOULD CARE TO WALK.' THE THOUGHT COMES. THE DARK FIGURE PAUSES FOR A MOMENT. 'MANY YEARS AGO ╔ SAW THE ENTIRE POPULATION
OF THIS CITY ON THE BRINK OF ANNIHILATION. UNABLE TO SAVE THEM FROM CERTAIN SLAUGHTER ╔ USED MY POWERS TO FORM A BARRIER IN TIME. YOU ALONE HAVE THE
MEANS TO CROSS THAT BARRIER AND SAVE THEM.' THE FIGURE ADVANCES TOWARD YOU UNTIL YOU CAN FEEL THE POWER EMANATING FROM UNDER THE DARK HOOD.
'YOU HAVE WITH YOU THE OBJECT THAT MUST BE HELD. THE WORD YOU NEED FOR THE TRANSFERENCE IS ╘┴╚╤╔╙╘┴╠.' WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST MOVE THE DARK FIGURE
VANISHES. YOU FIND THAT YOU ARE SUDDENLY VERY DIZZY... PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE...
YOU TRY TO ATTACK THE INVADERS AGAIN BUT FIND THAT YOU HAVE JUST ENOUGH STRENGTH TO MERELY REMAIN STANDING. THE MACHETE FALLS TO THE GROUND WITH A
SOFT THUD. 'I TRIED...' YOU SAY. 'GUESS THIS IS IT.' BUT BEFORE THE INVADERS CAN REGAIN CONTROL THEY FIND THEMSELVES THE VICTIMS OF THEIR OWN CAPTIVES!
RALLIED BY WATCHING THE COURAGE OF THEIR ╦ING IN BATTLE THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY FALL ON THE HATED ENEMY WITH RENEWED STRENGTH! SHOUTING AND FIGHTING THE
PEOPLE DRIVE THE INVADERS OUT OF THE ARENA AND INTO THE CITY STREETS. THE SOUNDS OF BATTLE FADE IN THE DISTANCE. YOU LOOK AROUND THE ARENA AND SEE A
CRYSTAL CLEAR POOL OF WATER CLOSE BY. 'THE DREAM...' YOU THINK. 'COULD IT BE?'
YOU TAKE A COUPLE OF FALTERING STEPS TOWARD THE POOL BUT YOUR STRENGTH FADES AND YOU SINK TO YOUR KNEES. FROM FAR AWAY YOU HEAR VOICES RAISED IN TRIUMPH
AND CELEBRATION! SMILING IN SPITE OF THE PAIN YOU REALIZE THAT ╘╚╔╙ IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALL THESE YEARS. THE TRIUMPH OF THESE PEOPLE
FIGHTING TO SURVIVE AGAINST ALL ODDS! YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES BUT OPEN THEM AS YOU SENSE A PRESENCE. FROM OUT OF NOWHERE A FIGURE IN A DARK ROBE APPEARS BESIDE
YOU. WITHOUT A WORD THE FIGURE LIFTS YOU TO YOUR FEET AND LEADS YOU TO THE SPARKLING POOL. AS YOU LAY DOWN IN THE COOL WATERS YOUR EYES CLOSE AGAIN.
FROM DEEP WITHIN YOU HEAR A VOICE SAYING... 'YOU HAVE DONE WELL. 'SLEEP... SLEEP...' ALL GOES DARK.....
THE TREASURE OF THE ╠OST ├ITY GLEAMS IN THE SUNLIGHT AND YOU NOTICE A NUMBER OF PACK MULES GRAZING NEARBY. AS YOU INSPECT THE MANY DIFFERENT PIECES OF GOLD
AND PRECIOUS STONES THE DARK FIGURE AGAIN APPEARS BESIDE YOU. 'THANKS TO YOUR NOBLE SPIRIT THE PEOPLE HAVE LIVED ON! FEARING FUTURE REPRISALS THEY MOVED
FURTHER INTO THESE REMOTE MOUNTAINS LEAVING THIS CITY TO FALL TO RUIN.' GESTURING WITH BOTH ARMS THE FIGURE SAYS... 'THE TREASURE IS YOURS AS WELL AS
THE PACK ANIMALS. BUT WHEN YOU TIRE OF THE LIFE THAT WEALTH CAN BRING THEN RETURN HERE AND SEEK YOUR PEOPLE. WE WILL BE AT THE END OF THE PATH OF LIGHT
AND BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS OF THUNDER!' YOU CAN ALMOST SENSE A SMILE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS THE DARK FIGURE FADES AWAY.
