(display: "Initialize")
###The Hall of the
##Sorcerer King
<div id="cover">
<img src="images/Fireball.png" alt="Fireball" height="32" width="32"> \
<img src="images/IceBolt.png" alt="Ice Bolt" height="32" width="32"> \
<img src="images/Illuminate.png" alt="Illuminate" height="32" width="32"> \
<img src="images/Levitation.png" alt="Levitation" height="32" width="32"> \
<img src="images/Polyglot.png" alt="Polyglot" height="32" width="32"> \
</div>
A curse has struck the wizards of Althea. You and your fellow wizards can no longer regenerate magical power over time - the mana that used to flow freely through the air has disappeared. Now, when a wizard casts a spell, that mana is used up for good.
The Althean Wizard Council has been searching desperately for an answer. Finally the tides of mana were mapped back to a mysterious cave deep in the Thorvon mountains.
You've been preserving your mana for an opportunity just like this: the chance to find the source of the curse and reverse it, [[whatever it takes->Thorvon Mountains]].As soon as you step into the cave, you're aware that something violent has happened here. The floor of the cave is a jagged mess of boulders and cracks.
You pick your way through the cave, careful to avoid twisting your ankle in a crack in the floor or running into the jagged pieces of stone. The cave stretches on, and you soon leave the sunlight behind and find yourself struggling to see what lies ahead.
(set: $spell = "None")\
You could [[continue into the dark->Shattered Cave Result]] or (link: "cast a spell.")[cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")]<div id="spells"> \
<span> \
<img src="images/Fireball.png" alt="Fireball" height="32" width="32"> \
(link-goto: "Fireball: " + (text: $spell_list's "Fireball") +
" mana",
"Fireball")
</span> \
<span> \
<img src="images/IceBolt.png" alt="Ice Bolt" height="32" width="32"> \
(link-goto: "Ice Bolt: " + (text: $spell_list's "Ice Bolt") +
" mana",
"Ice Bolt")
</span> \
<span> \
<img src="images/Illuminate.png" alt="Illuminate" height="32" width="32"> \
(link-goto: "Illuminate: " + (text: $spell_list's "Illuminate") +
" mana",
"Illuminate")
</span> \
<span> \
<img src="images/Levitation.png" alt="Levitation" height="32" width="32"> \
(link-goto: "Levitation: " + (text: $spell_list's "Levitation") +
" mana",
"Levitation")
</span> \
<span> \
<img src="images/Polyglot.png" alt="Polyglot" height="32" width="32"> \
(link-goto: "Polyglot: " + (text: $spell_list's "Polyglot") +
" mana",
"Polyglot")
</span> \
</div>{
(set: $max_mana to 40)
(set: $max_health to 40)
(set: $mana to $max_mana)
(set: $health to $max_health)
(display: "Calculate Mana")
(display: "Calculate Health")
(set: $spell_list to (dm:
"Illuminate", 5,
"Fireball", 15,
"Levitation", 10,
"Ice Bolt", 10,
"Polyglot", 5
))
(set: $amulet to false)
(set: $first_spell to false)
(set: $library to false)
(set: $history to (a:))
(set: $cast_spells to (dm: ))
(set: $load to false)
}(display: "Cast spell")(display: "Cast spell")(if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
Your wizard staff starts to glow with a golden light that drives the shadows from your path. You proceed confidently, stepping around obstacles.
At the back of the large cave, you find a place where rubble has been cleared enough to open a [[passageway->Lit Passageway]] leading deeper into the mountain. \
\
](else-if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
With a quick jab of your wizard staff, you send a massive fireball flying into the cave. For a moment, all of the rocks in your path are visible in the burst of light. You notice a tunnel leading deeper into the mountain at the far side of the cave.
Then the fireball crashes into the wall. Stones cascade down and you worry for a moment about the whole cave collapsing, but soon the noises stop and you're left in the dark once again.
Doing your best to remember what you saw in the burst of light, you feel your way slowly towards the tunnel you saw. But despite your best efforts, you slip on a loose stone and bang yourself against the rocks.
(set: $damage to 5)(display: "Damage")(if: $health > 0)[
Finally you find the [[tunnel->Lit Passageway]] you had seen. \
\
]\
](else:)[\
(if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You murmur an incantation and find yourself floating freely in the air. Cautiously, you ascend towards the ceiling and then move deeper into the cave, passing over most of the obstacles.
Still, it's pitch black, and despite your slow flying you hit your elbow painfully against a stalactite.
(set: $damage to 5)(display: "Damage")\
\
](else-if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
You feel the chill in the air as a bolt of cold shoots from your wizard staff into the darkness. Cautiously, you move forward, hoping the ice has given you a smooth surface to cross.
Instead, navigating the jagged and uneven terrain is even harder now that it's slick with ice. Even moving at the slowest shuffle, you lose your balance several times and fall hard on the frozen rocks.
(set: $damage to 15)(display: "Damage")\
\
](else-if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
You can feel the spell take effect and know you can now speak and understand any language.
But here, in the darkness, with distant dripping water the only sound, it doesn't accomplish much. You do sing a song in dwarven to yourself as you continue on.
You move cautiously forward into the dark, but despite your best efforts, you take some spills, banging yourself against the jagged rocks.
(set: $damage to 10)(display: "Damage")\
\
](else:)[\
You move cautiously forward into the dark, but despite your best efforts, you take some spills, banging yourself against the jagged rocks.
(set: $damage to 10)(display: "Damage")\
\
]\
(if: $health > 0)[
When you finally make it to the far side of the cave, it takes quite a bit of searching to find an opening: a [[tunnel->Lit Passageway]] that leads deeper into the mountain.]]You find yourself in a rough cavern crammed with furniture and stores. Half a dozen goblins are sitting at tables, eating and chattering in the goblin tongue.
As soon as you open the door, the goblins scramble to their feet, drawing weapons. They're about a third your height and scrawny, but their bared teeth and brandished weapons make them plenty threatening.
(set: $spell = "None")\
If you don't want to [[fight them->Goblin Camp Result]], you'll have to (link: "cast a spell.")[ cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")]{
(set: _location to (history:)'s last)
(set: $spell to name of (passage:))
(set: _cost to $spell of $spell_list)
(set: $mana to $mana - _cost)
(display: "Calculate Mana")
(set: _new_cost to _cost + 5)
(set: $spell_list's $spell to _new_cost)
}(if: $mana < 0)[ (set: $mana to 0) \
//You try to cast $spell, but you don't have enough mana.//
You feel a cold emptiness at the core of you, where your mana should be. You've run out of power. You have no choice but to try to push forward as best you can without magic.
(set: $spell to "None") \
](else:)[//You cast $spell, using _cost mana.//
(if: $first_spell is false)[
The feeling of casting a spell is surprisingly draining. You realize that casting this spell will be more difficult in the future.
(set: $first_spell to true)
\
]//Now $spell will require _new_cost mana to cast again.//
(if: $mana is 0)[You feel a cold emptiness at the core of you, where your mana should be. You've run out of power. You realize this is the last spell you'll cast.
]]\
(set: _location of $cast_spells to $spell) \
(display: _location + " Result")(display: "Cast spell")(display: "Cast spell")(display: "Cast spell")(if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
The spell gives you the ability to speak and understand any language. Quickly, you call out, "I'm not here to hurt you," in the goblin tongue.
The goblins pause, staring at you with suspicion. "I have business deeper in the cave," you tell them. "Let me pass, and no harm will come to you."
The goblins exchange glances with each other, unsure what to do.
"It's an intruder," one hisses.
"But it's a sorcerer, look!"
"I am." You plant your staff on the ground. "Well, I'm a wizard, actually. But I can cast just as many dangerous spells."
They scuttle nervously from your path. "Go, then!"
You pass through the door at the other side of the room and close it behind you.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
Light flashes from your staff and the goblins flinch back. Pressing your advantage, you rush through them towards the other side of the room.
They yell as you pass and lunge for you, but you avoid them. As you dart through the door, though, a stone from a slingshot catches you in the back of the head.
(set: $damage to 10)(display: "Damage")(if: $health > 0)[
Ducking further missiles, you slam the door closed and grab a nearby chair to brace it.
\
]](else-if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
You shoot a fireball directly at the goblins. They're caught in the explosion of flame and perish rather unpleasantly.
Avoiding their charred remains, you continue through the door at the far side of the room.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You lift off the ground and soar over the goblins, who stare up at you in confusion.
As you reach the far side of the room, you notice a few readying slingshots, but before they can fire, you dive through the door and then slam it closed behind you, grabbing a nearby chair to brace it.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
A bolt of cold shoots from your staff into the room. Ice encases the goblins, freezing them in place.
You rush through them to the door on other side of the room and slam it closed behind you, grabbing a nearby chair to brace it.
\
](else:)[\
You charge forward, swinging your staff like a weapon. The goblins run at you, bristling with daggers and clubs and various other weapons.
They may be small, but there's a lot of them. You take quite a beating.
(set: $damage to 20)(display: "Damage")(if: $health > 0)[
Finally you knock them all aside with your staff and make it through the door on the other side of the room.
\
]]
(if: $health > 0)[You find yourself in a [[wide hallway->Goblin Tunnel]].]After you follow the tunnel for a while, it opens into a large cavern with a massive underground river flowing through it. The water is black and churning. Stone ruins on either side make you think there was once a bridge, but it's gone now and there's no way to cross.
(set: $spell = "None")\
You could try to [[swim across->River in the Deep Result]], or (link: "cast a spell.")[ cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")]The shrine is nothing more than an altar in the bend of the road. In the corner is a statue of a dwarven woman brandishing a shield, and on the altar are some dusty artifacts.
The shrine feels peaceful, but you know you shouldn't dally here for long.
(set: $spell = "None")\
You wonder if you should just [[continue on your way->Antechamber]], or try (link: "casting a spell.")[ casting a spell:
(display: "Spells")]You expect a grand hall behind the doors, but instead you find a ruined cavern. Maybe there was a partial cave-in here. Rubble litters the floor and there are fewer starstones providing light, leaving eerie shadows at the edges of the cavern.
Suddenly a large shadow moves in the corner. You realize with horror it's a giant ogre, a hunched, muscular creature with green skin and long yellow tusks. Its eyes are pure white, but it seems to have no trouble spotting you where you stand in the middle of the cavern.
With a roar, it charges towards you, massive club at the ready.
(set: $spell = "None")\
You can try to [[get past it->Ogre's Lair Result]] or (link: "cast a spell.")[ cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")]\
(set: "Ancient Hall" of $cast_spells to "Straight")Heading into the passageway, you're immediately drawn to a tall set of doors. Inside you find a library. Tall bookcases line the walls, and in front of you is a desk with papers still spread across it. You suspect some magical charm has helped preserve this place, which explains the arcanometer reaction.
Dust covers everything, and all the books are written in a language you don't understand, but you still take comfort being a library - much more your usual haunt than monster-filled caves.
(set: $spell = "None")\
You could [[continue on your way->Wide Hallway]] or (link: "cast a spell.")[ cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")]\
(set: "Ancient Hall" of $cast_spells to "Side")(if: $spell is "Illuminate" or "Fireball" or "Polyglot" or "None")[(if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
The light cast from your staff illuminates the churning water. There's a flicker of white as some underground fish darts away from the light. You peer into the water, but even with the light, you can't see the bottom.
](else-if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
You hear a sizzle of steam as the fireball flies across the river, but as soon as it dissipates the river flows on, undisturbed.
](else-if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
You gain the ability to speak or read any language. "Hello?" you call out, just in case.
You hear a murmur from nearby. "Hello." Glancing at the river, you see a long white fish swimming near the surface.
"Uh, hi," you say. "Tell me... Have you seen anything interesting at the bottom of the river?"
"I have no eyes myself," answers the fish in a slow burble. "But if I did, all I'd see is rocks and water and bones."
"Ah. Well, do you have any ideas of how I could get across? There's no bridge."
The eyeless fish makes a gulping noise like a laugh in reverse. "Swim across, of course."
"Of course. Thank you."
]\
Oh well, nothing for it. You dive into the river and make for the other side. The water is very cold and the current is very strong, and as hard as you swim for the other side, you quickly lose ground.
(display: "River in the Deep Failure")
\](else-if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You float off the ground and soar easily across the river. On the far side, you see a [[stone archway->Ancient Hall]] glowing with blue starstone. \
\
](else-if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
As a bolt of cold shoots from your staff, the river solidifies into ice. You're left with an ice path where the ruined bridge once was.
You dart across the ice, hearing it crack under your feet. When you make it to the far side, you find yourself in front of a [[stone archway->Ancient Hall]] glowing with blue starstone.](if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
Thanks to your spell, you can read the runes engraved on the wall beside the statue. It seems this is a shrine to Alhedra, goddess of protection. "Those who carry her symbol will be protected against evil," the inscription tells you.
You notice an amulet on the altar which is carved with Alhedra's symbol, a round shield. You pick up the amulet and hang it around your neck, hoping it might come in handy later.(set: $amulet to true)
](else-if: $spell is "Fireball" or "Ice Bolt")[\
As soon as the magical energy leaves your staff, you notice something strange: the (if: $spell is "Fireball")[fireball](else:)[bolt of cold] is stopped before it can do any damage to the shrine. And then, unexpectedly, it's reflected back and hits you!
(set: $damage to 20)(display: "Damage")
(if: $health > 0)[
You stumble backwards at first, raising your staff against further attacks. But when none come, you carefully approach the altar.
There's a small amulet sitting on the altar. Your arcanometer confirms it's magical. This must be an amulet of shielding, which will reflect incoming magical attacks.
You pick up the amulet and hang it around your neck, hoping it will come in handy later.(set: $amulet to true)
\
](else:)[
(display: "Small Shrine Failure")]
\
](else-if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
Your staff casts a golden light over the shrine, making it seem warm and inviting. The statue of a dwarven woman seems to glow with strength and purpose.
You notice that the walls beside the statue are inscribed with a series of runes. Part of you hopes you'll receive whatever blessing is written there, even if you can't actually read it.
](else-if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You give yourself the ability to float off the ground, but there's not much room in this small nook to fly anywhere, so you come back down to earth.
]\
(if: $health > 0)[Stepping away from the shrine, you [[continue on your way->Antechamber]].](if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
Your staff flares with light and the ogre howls in pain, covering its eyes. You try to run past it.
Half-blinded, it takes a wild swing at you and you manage to duck out of the way - only to stumble and fall on the rocks.
(set: $damage to 15)(display: "Damage")
(if: $health > 0)[
You pick yourself up before the ogre can strike again and run [[out of the cavern->Narrow Hallway]].\
\
](else:)[
(display: "Ogre's Lair Failure")]
\
](else-if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
The fireball burns the ogre to a crisp. Heart in your throat, you skirt around it and hurry [[out of the cavern->Narrow Hallway]].
\
](else-if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You soar out of the ogre's reach. It tries to take a swing at you with its club, but you dart aside and fly as quickly as you can [[out of the cavern->Narrow Hallway]].
\
](else:)[(if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
Ice forms around the ogre and it halts for a moment, but then, with a roar, it shatters the ice and charges towards you again.
](else-if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
"Wait!" you yell in the ogre tongue. "I mean you no harm. We can work together!"
"SMASH!" roars the ogre in response, hefting its club.
So that wasn't very effective.
]\
(if: $spell is "None")[The ogre](else:)[It] brings its massive club down towards you, but you dodge to the side, scrambling over a pile of rocks.
Before you can put enough distance between you, the ogre follows through with a swipe that slams into your side. You're knocked into the air and land hard on the ground, stunned.
(set: $damage to 25)(display: "Damage")
(if: $health > 0)[
The ogre turns toward you, roaring. You struggle to your feet. You ache all over but you have no choice but to run [[out of the cavern->Narrow Hallway]] before the ogre can strike again.\
\
](else:)[
(display: "Ogre's Lair Failure")]](if: $spell is "Illuminate" or "Polyglot")[(if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
The room fills with golden light. You look around slowly, noting the faded books and the way dust motes swirl in the air.
Something glimmers on the desk in the center of the room. You see a small vial sitting on the desk. The contents shimmer in the light in a familiar way: this is a healing potion.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
You bestow the ability to read any language on yourself and then approach the desk at the center of the room, curious to see what you can learn about this place.
You pick up a few papers that turn out to be correspondence. You gather that the leader of this place was a sorcerer king who commanded great respect from his people, judging by the deferential language.
The content of the letters is less confidence-inspiring, though: they speak of an unnamed enemy with the power to move the earth. A grave threat to an underground kingdom.
You see mention of a weapon, something that would drain the enemy's power. But you can't tell if the weapon was ever built or what ultimately happened. Clearly, //something// happened: some kind of magic happened in the entranceway to the cave system, and the halls were abandoned.(set: $library to true)
You can't find a clear answer, and you force yourself to set aside your curiosity for the moment. You have your own crisis to face.
You scan over the desk one last time and notice a small vial of golden liquid beside the inkwell. It's labeled "Potion of Healing".
\
]
You know that age has no effect on magical potions, so you don't hesitate to unstopper the vial and drink it down. A familiar warmth spreads through your limbs.
//You gain 20 health.//{
(set: $health to $health + 20)
(if: $health > 40)[(set: $max_health to $health)]
(display: "Calculate Health")
}
Feeling rejuvenated, you leave the library and [[continue on your way->Wide Hallway]].](else:)[(if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
The fireball explodes into the bookshelves and instantly the ancient paper catches flame with a roar. You feel the blast of heat like a physical blow.
(set: $damage to 5)(display: "Damage")
(if: $health > 0)[
Hastily you back out of the room and [[hurry down the hall->Wide Hallway]].\
](else:)[(display: "Sorcerer's Library Failure")]\
\
](else:)[(if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You float among the bookcases, looking for anything interesting, but all you find is dusty books.
](else-if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
Ice shoots from your staff and encases a large section of books.
You approach and give the ice a tap with your staff. It shatters to the ground, leaving the books unharmed and not even damp. You must have been right about there being magical protections here.
But according to your arcanometer, they aren't powerful enough to be related to the mana curse, so it seems your quest is not yet over.
]\
You leave the library and [[continue on your way->Wide Hallway]].]]//You take $damage points of damage.// {
(set: $health to (max: $health - $damage, 0))
(display: "Calculate Health")
}(unless: (passage:)'s name is "Start")[
---
<div id="status"> <small> \
Health: $health / $max_health <span id="health_bar">[$health_bar]</span>
Mana: $mana / $max_mana <span id="mana_bar">[$mana_bar]</span>{
</small> </div>
---
(display: "Breadcrumbs")
}]You're struggling just to keep your head above water, but as the cold permeates your whole body, soon you can't even do that.
Your last sight is of a white fish swimming curiously around you, and then your lungs fill with water and you drown.
(display: "Death")You have only a moment to appreciate how cruel it is to die to your own magic before you succumb to the reflected spell.
(display: "Death")You struggle to get up, but you can't get your body to move. You feel the ground shake as the ogre charges closer, and you shut your eyes tight as its club comes down on your head.
(display: "Death")You die!(set: _name to name of (passage:)) \
(unless: _name is "Start")[{
(if: (passage:)'s tags contains "location")[
(set: $title to _name)
(set: $history to $history + (a: _name))
(set: _name of $cast_spells to " ")
(save-game: _name)
]
}
####$title
---
]This tunnel must not have been affected by whatever happened out in the cave. The floor is flat and worn smooth over time, and you can move with more speed(unless: (history:)'s last is "Illuminate")[, even in the dark].
Soon you notice light ahead and realize there are glowing blue stones set into the walls - starstone, a technology of the ancient dwarven kingdoms. (if: (history:)'s last is "Illuminate")[You let your light spell go out.]
At the end of the tunnel you find a wooden door, too sloppily made to be dwarven.
With no other path forward, you grip your staff tightly and [[push open the door->Goblin Camp]].This part of the cave system has obviously been taken over by goblins. The hallway you're in is littered with dirty possessions. You wonder how many goblins are lurking in the other rooms off the hallway.
Happily, your arcanometer points you away from the goblin settlement, and you continue [[downwards into the mountain->River in the Deep]].In this room you can clearly identify the ancient dwarven style. The hall is wide, with an arched ceiling and thick pillars studded with gently glowing starstone.
Passages and caverns branch off from the hall. You hesitate for a second, consulting your arcanometer. It indicates the greatest mana reading from a large doorway that leads [[deeper into the mountain->Ogre's Lair]], but you also notice a smaller reaction to a smaller [[side passageway->Sorcerer's Library]].You put as much distance as you can between you and the ogre's cavern. Eventually your heartbeat slows and you focus on where you are. The hallway is narrow and winding, but when you stop to take a reading with your arcanometer, it looks like you're going the right direction to reach the source of the mana disturbance.
As you round a bend, you notice [[a small shrine->Small Shrine]] tucked into a corner.You step into a huge room filled with ancient tables and benches. As soon as you venture inside, you hear a loud rustling. Looking up, you see a huge swarm of bats swooping towards you.
The bats are large, with white eyes and claw-tipped wings. You recognize them as deep bats, a monstrous species that survives by draining the blood of anything that ventures into their underground lairs.
(set: $spell = "None")\
You glance desperately at the doors at the far side of the room. You could try to [[make a run for it->Banquet Room Result]] or (link: "cast a spell.")[ cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")](if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
As soon as your staff lights up, the bats swerve away, shrieking. Holding the staff aloft, you hurry to the [[doors->Antechamber]] on the far side of the room.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
The fireball burns all the bats to a crisp and their bodies plummet to the ground. You hurry to the [[doors->Antechamber]] on the far side of the room.
\
](else:)[(if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You take to the air and try to out-maneuver the bats, but they're quicker than you. You find yourself inside the swarm, feeling their claws and fangs scraping at you, drawing blood from any unprotected skin they find.\
\
](else:)[(if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
The bolt of cold catches a few bats, who plummet to the ground, but that still leaves dozens coming after you.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
Suddenly you can understand the bats' squeaks - a chilling chorus of calls for your blood.
"I'm a friend!" you call out in their tongue... but they ignore you.
\
]\
You run for the doors, ducking your head as the swarm of bats descend on you. You feel their claws and fangs scraping at you, drawing blood from any unprotected skin they find.
]
(set: $damage to 10)(display: "Damage")
(if: $health > 0)[
Eventually you make it through the doors and, panicked, knock the bats that still cling to you away with your staff.
Finally they're all dealt with and you continue down the [[hallway->Antechamber]] you find yourself in.\
](else:)[
(display: "Banquet Room Failure")]]You're too weak to put up much of a fight at this point. You collapse to the ground as dozens of fangs pierce your skin, eager to drain you of blood.
(display: "Death")Continuing onwards, you find yourself in a wide thoroughfare which must have busy in ancient times. Now, your footsteps echo in the cavernous hallway as you follow the readings of your arcanometer to a [[large wooden door->Banquet Room]].You navigate carefully through the hallways of the ancient fortress, too busy concentrating on the arcanometer to admire the striking architecture around you.
Finally you come to two huge iron-banded doors, clearly built with strength and grandeur in mind. Whatever lies beyond must have been important back when these halls were populated.
One way to find out what lies beyond, you suppose. Bracing yourself, you push open [[the large doors->Throne Room]].The doors open onto a massive throne room: a high-ceiling hall with a large throne carved of black marble dominating the far side of the room.
Your attention is instantly caught by a brilliant white orb that's floating just above the throne. It's like a small sun, pulsing with energy and rotating slowly in place. Beautiful, but something about it makes your skin crawl.
A sudden movement draws your attention. You realize with a start there's a man sitting at the edge of the throne dais. He stands up, smiling. He's wearing red wizards' robes like yours, but he has no staff, and on his head is a heavy golden crown.
"I thought I detected someone running around in my kingdom."
You stare at him. "Your kingdom?"
"I am the sorcerer king of this realm, soon to be ruler of the whole world," he tells you conversationally.
$library[He doesn't look dwarven, like the sorcerer king you had read about, you think. ]Your gaze keeps getting drawn to the shining orb. "You're draining all the mana from the world?"
"Figured that out, did you?" He steps up onto the dais. "Although I'm actually storing it."
"Why?"
The sorcerer hops up onto the black throne. Standing on the seat, he turns back to you. The orb is right above his head, almost like a halo.(set: $enemy_health to 2)
He's smiling, and suddenly instinct tightens your grip on your staff. But it's too late to do anything before the sorcerer [[attacks->First Attack]].Your life is hanging in the balance. You're weak, (if: $mana>0)[almost ]out of mana, up against a foe with more power than any one person should have.
But you've made it this far. You're the one who can stop him.
You grit your teeth and (if: $mana is 0)[make a desperate attempt to ](link: "cast a spell.")[cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")](if: $spell is "Fireball" or "Ice Bolt")[\
(if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
You shoot a ball of flame at the sorcerer. It roars through the air and explodes, and he falls to the dais, his robe burning.
You scramble to your feet, eager to deal another blow while he's separated from the orb. But then you see all the fire magically extinguish itself.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
You shoot a bolt of ice at the sorcerer. It hits him in the chest, knocking him against the throne. He tumbles to the dais, half covered in ice.
You scramble to your feet, eager to deal another blow while he's separated from the orb. But then you see the ice magically melt away.
\
] (set: $enemy_health to it - 1)
Your heart sinks. Before you can do anything else, the sorcerer turns to you and shoots another bolt of white light at you.
](else-if: $spell is "Illuminate")[\
Your staff glows, but it seems like nothing compared to the brilliant shine of the mana orb.
The sorcerer doesn't even seem to notice. He hops down from the throne and walks closer to you, hand extended. Before you can cast something new, he sends another bolt of white light at you.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Levitation")[\
You soar into the air. The sorcerer grins and launches himself in the air as well, hand extended. He shoots another bolt of white light at you.
You duck to the side, trying to avoid his attack, but you're not fast enough. The magic hits you.
\
](else-if: $spell is "Polyglot")[\
$library[Acting on a hunch, you cast a spell to enable you to speak Old Dwarven. "Wait!" you call. "I understand what you're trying to do."
For a moment the sorcerer stops, cocking his head. "Do you, now? I'm impressed."
You search for what to say next. If that mana orb was created by the ancient sorcerer king, and this man thinks he's carrying on that legacy, what could you say to dissuade him?
But you don't have much time to think, because the sorcerer just smiles. "Then you know why I can't have you getting in the way."
And he fires another bolt of white light at you.
\
](else:)[\
In a panic, you try to think of something say that might dissuade this man from killing you. But your spell hasn't given you any new ideas, only many languages to be speechless in.
The sorcerer hops down from the throne and walks closer to you, hand extended. Before you can cast something new, he sends another bolt of white light at you.\
\
]
\
](else:)[\
You force yourself to your feet, unwilling to give up, even if you're out of mana and the sorcerer has all the mana in the world available to him.
You start running towards him, teeth gritted... but all he has to do is raise a hand and send another bolt of white light at you.
\
]
It hurts just as much as the first time. You collapse back to the ground.
(set: $damage to 20)(display: "Damage")
(if: $health > 0)[
But you're not defeated just yet. Desperately, you push yourself to your feet, gripping your staff tightly. You can try [[once more->Final Attack]] to attack.
\
](else:)[
(display: "Throne Room Failure")](if: $spell is "Fireball" or "Ice Bolt")[\
(if: $spell is "Fireball")[\
You channel the last scraps of your mana into a massive fireball. You can feel the room heat up as it shoots across the distance between you and the sorcerer.
](else-if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[\
You channel the last scraps of your mana into an ice bolt, firing a deadly straight beam of cold right at the sorcerer.
]
(if: $enemy_health is 1)[\
He raises a hand as if to dispell the magic. But he was already hurt by $amulet[the amulet's reflection](else:)[your previous attack], and his movement is too slow.
(if: $spell is "Fireball")[
The fireball blasts into him in a huge explosion. For a moment you can't see anything but fire, and then the spell wanes and you see the sorcerer's body, charred and still.
](else-if: $spell is "Ice Bolt")[
The ice bolt hits him in the chest, and immediately spreads up his neck and down his torso. Before he can react, his entire torso and head are encased in ice. He stumbles to his knees, eyes wide behind the sheet of ice, and then, a heartbeat later, collapses.
]
It's over.
You don't let yourself relax yet. You can still sense the unnatural presence of the shining [[mana orb->The Orb]].
](else:)[
He grins at you mockingly and raises a hand. Your spell is deflected and crashes into a column on the far side of the room. "Is that all you've got?"
(if: $mana is 0)[It is, you realize miserably.](else:)[You wonder if it is. Can you scrape together enough mana for one more attack?]
"Well, don't worry about it too much," interjects the sorcerer. You look over at him with dread. You can see a magical charge building in his palms.
You try to lunge behind one of the pillars, but you don't have time. The sorcerer sends a brilliant white bolt of magic and it burns through you like fire.
(display: "Throne Room Failure")
]\
](else:)[(if: $spell is "None")[\
Looking at the sorcerer, you see a magical charge building in his palms. You duck behind one of the pillars, your heart pounding.
The sorcerer laughs. "You'd just give up if you knew what was good for you."
You hate the thought, but you don't have any other options. The sorcerer shatters the pillar with a bolt of magic and you're knocked to the ground.
Before you can get up, he sends more magic directly at your heart.
](else:)[\
You attempt something creative, but part of you knows it won't work. You have to kill the sorcerer before he kills you.
And now you've lost your chance to kill him, so it looks like it will end up being the other way.
A bolt of white magic hits you and sends pain through your body. You realize this is the end.
]\
(set: $damage to 20)(display: "Damage")
(display: "Throne Room Failure")]It's too much. Pain floods through your veins and your vision starts to go black.
You don't have the strength to fight any more. You can't even manage to look up. If you did, you're sure you'd see the sorcerer smiling at you.
(display: "Death")Cautiously, you approach the glowing orb. It seems small for something for important, but you can definitely feel the power of it in the air, making your hair stand on end.
If you were back with the Wizards' Council, you could figure out what to do next. But you're on your own and exhausted.
You lift your staff, wondering if a blow would [[break the orb->Success]] and release the mana. Then you hesitate. There's another part of you that's curious to see what will happen if you reach out and (link-reveal: "touch the orb")[.
But you think back to the sorcerer channeling mana from the orb by touching it. The crazed look in his eyes.
You don't want to become the next sorcerer king of these ruined halls, driven mad by power and guilt. You're not going to touch it].Reaching up, the sorcerer touches the orb with one hand and with the other shoots a brilliant white bolt of power at you.
You have no time to react. \
(if: $amulet is true)[ \
All you can do is brace yourself for the blow - but then you realize that the magic hasn't hit you. You feel warmth against your chest. The amulet!
The amulet reflects the sorcerer's spell back against him. It strikes him hard and he's thrown against the throne and tumbles to the dais.(set: $enemy_health to it - 1)
The amulet shatters and falls to the floor in pieces. You step over it, drawing closer to the sorcerer. He's starting to get to his feet and you have to press your advantage. You [[raise your staff to attack->Final Attack]].
](else:)[ \
The magic hits you in the chest and instantly sents burning pain through your body. You fall to the ground, gasping.
(set: $damage to 20)(display: "Damage")
(if: $health > 0)[
"I'd tell you to take a message back to the Council," the sorcerer says, "but I'm just not sure you're going to make it back."
You drag in a breath, trying to recenter yourself. You're not sure you can take another hit like that.
"What is that thing?" you call out.
"Some have called it a weapon. I'd say it's more of a tool - it helps take power from those who don't deserve it and give it to those who -"
Before he can finish, you steel yourself, roll over, and (link: "cast a spell.")[ cast a spell:
(display: "Spells")]
\
](else:)[
(display: "Throne Room Failure")]]After weeks of travel, you find the cave that the Council's instruments indicated might be involved in the mana curse.
Looking up, you can tell that the massive stone arch that forms the entrance to the cave had once been intricately carved, before time and rain wore away the details. The style is dwarven, even though the dwarven archmage had confirmed that no dwarven map has a record of a settlement here.
You check your arcanometer. You must be in the right place: the instrument is reacting to mana coming from [[inside the cave->Shattered Cave]].
####The End
//You can use the sidebar to go back or (link-goto: "restart from the beginning","Start").// {
(set: $health to 0)(set: $mana to 0)\
(display: "Calculate Health")(display: "Calculate Mana")\
}<div id="breadcrumbs"> \
(for: each _location, ...$history)[ \
<span> \
(set: _spell to _location of $cast_spells) \
(if: _spell is "Fireball")[ \
<img src="images/Fireball.png" alt="Fireball" > \
](else-if: _spell is "Ice Bolt")[ \
<img src="images/IceBolt.png" alt="Ice Bolt" > \
](else-if: _spell is "Illuminate")[ \
<img src="images/Illuminate.png" alt="Illuminate" > \
](else-if: _spell is "Levitation")[ \
<img src="images/Levitation.png" alt="Levitation" > \
](else-if: _spell is "Polyglot")[ \
<img src="images/Polyglot.png" alt="Polyglot" > \
](else-if: _spell is "Straight")[ \
<img src="images/Straight.png" alt="Straight" > \
](else-if: _spell is "Side")[ \
<img src="images/Side.png" alt="Turn" > \
](else:)[ \
<img src="images/Circle.png" > \
] (link-goto: _location, "Load " + (text: _location)) </span>
] </div> \
(set: $load to true) \
<script>
var breadcrumbs = document.getElementById("breadcrumbs");
document.getElementsByTagName("tw-sidebar")[0].appendChild(breadcrumbs);
</script>(set: _location to "Shattered Cave")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Thorvon Mountains")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Lit Passageway")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Goblin Camp")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Goblin Tunnel")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "River in the Deep")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Ancient Hall")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Small Shrine")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Narrow Hallway")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Ogre's Lair")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Antechamber")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Banquet Room")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Wide Hallway")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Sorcerer's Library")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)](set: _location to "Throne Room")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)]{
(set: _max_health = $max_health / 5)
(set: _health = $health / 5)
(set: $health_bar to "")
(if: _health is 0)[(set: $health_bar to it + "<span class=\"empty_bar\">")]
(for: each _i, ...(range: 1, _max_health))[
(set: $health_bar to it + "■■■■■")
(if: _i is _health)[
(set: $health_bar to it + "<span class=\"empty_bar\">")
]
](set: $health_bar to it + "<\span>")
}{
(set: _max_mana = $max_mana / 5)
(set: _mana = $mana / 5)
(set: $mana_bar to "")
(if: _mana is 0)[(set: $mana_bar to it + "<span class=\"empty_bar\">")]
(for: each _i, ...(range: 1, _max_mana))[
(set: $mana_bar to it + "■■■■■")
(if: _i is _mana)[
(set: $mana_bar to it + "<span class=\"empty_bar\">")
]
](set: $mana_bar to it + "<\span>")
}(set: _location to "Final Attack")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)]Here you are, a university-educated wizard, hefting your staff like a club in the vague hope that smashing an incredibly powerful artifact will turn out for the best. But now that you're finally here, you have to try.
You swing. The orb shatters in a blaze of light so intense you have to cover your eyes.
But you don't need to see to feel the effect: a sweeping warmth flows into your body, replenishing all of magical strength. Mana.
It was a long road, but your quest is complete.
(set: $mana to $max_mana)(display: "Calculate Mana")
####The End
(set: _location to "The Orb")
(if: $Saves contains _location)[(load-game: _location)]
(else:)[(undo:)]