A large inhale followed by a flaming, vaporous exhale. You flood the chamber with fumes and smoke but she remains there, unharmed. For the first time you see her smile. It is a cruel smile.\n\n"Stupid lizard. No one deals with dragons who isn't fireproof."\n\nShe claps her far-flung hands together, and the ceiling comes down upon you. Injured and pinned, you are trapped for now. The sorceress retreives her payment and her footsteps echo into the distance.\n\nTo spurn a gift so easily...well.

<<if $inv.indexOf("coin") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("gold") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("platinum") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("electrum") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("orcanium") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>> <<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("opal") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("skull") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("broadsword") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("bonedagger") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("wolfsteel") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("scroll") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("tome") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>>\n<<if $inv.indexOf("tablet") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>><<endif>>

(function(){version.extensions.replaceMacrosCombined={major:1,minor:1,revision:7};var nullobj={handler:function(){}};function showVer(n,notrans){if(!n){return;}n.innerHTML="";\nnew Wikifier(n,n.tweecode);n.setAttribute("data-enabled","true");n.style.display="inline";n.classList.remove("revision-span-out");if(!notrans){n.classList.add("revision-span-in");\nif(n.timeout){clearTimeout(n.timeout);}n.timeout=setTimeout(function(){n.classList.remove("revision-span-in");n=null;},20);}}function hideVer(n,notrans){if(!n){return;\n}n.setAttribute("data-enabled","false");n.classList.remove("revision-span-in");if(n.timeout){clearTimeout(n.timeout);}if(!notrans){n.classList.add("revision-span-out");\nn.timeout=setTimeout(function(){if(n.getAttribute("data-enabled")=="false"){n.classList.remove("revision-span-out");n.style.display="none";n.innerHTML="";}n=null;\n},1000);}else{n.style.display="none";n.innerHTML="";n=null;}}function tagcontents(b,starttags,desttags,endtags,k){var l=0,c="",tg,a,i;function tagfound(i,e,endtag){for(var j=0;\nj<e.length;j++){if(a.indexOf("<<"+e[j]+(endtag?">>":""),i)==i){return e[j];}}}a=b.source.slice(k);for(i=0;i<a.length;i++){if(tg=tagfound(i,starttags)){l++;}else{if((tg=tagfound(i,desttags,true))&&l==0){b.nextMatch=k+i+tg.length+4;\nreturn[c,tg];}else{if(tg=tagfound(i,endtags,true)){l--;if(l<0){return null;}}}}c+=a.charAt(i);}return null;}var begintags=[];var endtags=[];function revisionSpanHandler(g,e,f,b){var k=b.source.indexOf(">>",b.matchStart)+2,vsns=[],vtype=e,flen=f.length,becomes,c,cn,m,h,vsn;\nfunction mkspan(vtype){h=insertElement(m,"span",null,"revision-span "+vtype);h.setAttribute("data-enabled",false);h.style.display="none";h.tweecode="";return h;}if(this.shorthand&&flen){while(f.length>0){vsns.push([f.shift(),(this.flavour=="insert"?"gains":"becomes")]);\n}}else{if(this.flavour=="insert"||(this.flavour=="continue"&&this.trigger=="time")){vsns.push(["","becomes"]);}}if(this.flavour=="continue"&&flen){b.nextMatch=k+b.source.slice(k).length;\nvsns.push([b.source.slice(k),vtype]);}else{becomes=["becomes","gains"];c=tagcontents(b,begintags,becomes.concat(endtags),endtags,k);if(c&&endtags.indexOf(c[1])==-1){while(c){vsns.push(c);\nc=tagcontents(b,begintags,becomes,endtags,b.nextMatch);}c=tagcontents(b,begintags,["end"+e],endtags,b.nextMatch);}if(!c){throwError(g,"can't find matching end"+e);\nreturn;}vsns.push(c);if(this.flavour=="continue"){k=b.nextMatch;b.nextMatch=k+b.source.slice(k).length;vsns.push([b.source.slice(k),""]);}}if(this.flavour=="remove"){vsns.push(["","becomes"]);\n}cn=0;m=insertElement(g,"span",null,e);m.setAttribute("data-flavour",this.flavour);h=mkspan("initial");vsn=vsns.shift();h.tweecode=vsn[0];showVer(h,true);while(vsns.length>0){if(vsn){vtype=vsn[1];\n}vsn=vsns.shift();h=mkspan(vtype);h.tweecode=vsn[0];}if(typeof this.setup=="function"){this.setup(m,g,f);}}function quantity(m){return(m.children.length-1)+(m.getAttribute("data-flavour")=="remove");\n}function revisionSetup(m,g,f){m.className+=" "+f[0].replace(" ","_");}function keySetup(m,g,f){var key=f[0];m.setEventListener("keydown",function l(e){var done=!revise("revise",m);\nif(done){m.removeEventListener("keydown",l);}});}function timeSetup(m,g,f){function cssTimeUnit(s){if(typeof s=="string"){if(s.slice(-2).toLowerCase()=="ms"){return Number(s.slice(0,-2))||0;\n}else{if(s.slice(-1).toLowerCase()=="s"){return Number(s.slice(0,-1))*1000||0;}}}throwError(g,s+" isn't a CSS time unit");return 0;}var tm=cssTimeUnit(f[0]);var s=state.history[0].passage.title;\nsetTimeout(function timefn(){if(state.history[0].passage.title==s){var done=!revise("revise",m);if(!done){setTimeout(timefn,tm);}}},tm);}function hoverSetup(m){var fn,noMouseEnter=(document.head.onmouseenter!==null),m1=m.children[0],m2=m.children[1],gains=m2.className.indexOf("gains")>-1;\nif(!m1||!m2){return;}m1.onmouseenter=function(e){var efp=document.elementFromPoint(e.clientX,e.clientY);while(efp&&efp!==this){efp=efp.parentNode;}if(!efp){return;\n}if(this.getAttribute("data-enabled")!="false"){revise("revise",this.parentNode);}};m2.onmouseleave=function(e){var efp=document.elementFromPoint(e.clientX,e.clientY);\nwhile(efp&&efp!==this){efp=efp.parentNode;}if(efp){return;}if(this.getAttribute("data-enabled")!="false"){revise("revert",this.parentNode);}};if(gains){m1.onmouseleave=m2.onmouseleave;\n}if(noMouseEnter){fn=function(n){return function(e){if(!event.relatedTarget||(event.relatedTarget!=this&&!(this.compareDocumentPosition(event.relatedTarget)&Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_CONTAINED_BY))){this[n]();\n}};};m1.onmouseover=fn("onmouseenter");m2.onmouseout=fn("onmouseleave");if(gains){m1.onmouseout=m2.onmouseout;}}m=null;}function mouseSetup(m){var evt=(document.head.onmouseenter===null?"onmouseenter":"onmouseover");\nm[evt]=function(){var done=!revise("revise",this);if(done){this[evt]=null;}};m=null;}function linkSetup(m,g,f){var l=Wikifier.createInternalLink(),p=m.parentNode;\nl.className="internalLink replaceLink";p.insertBefore(l,m);l.insertBefore(m,null);l.onclick=function(){var p,done=false;if(m&&m.parentNode==this){done=!revise("revise",m);\nscrollWindowTo(m);}if(done){this.parentNode.insertBefore(m,this);this.parentNode.removeChild(this);}};l=null;}function visitedSetup(m,g,f){var i,done,shv=state.history[0].variables,os="once seen",d=(m.firstChild&&(this.flavour=="insert"?m.firstChild.nextSibling:m.firstChild).tweecode);\nshv[os]=shv[os]||{};if(d&&!shv[os].hasOwnProperty(d)){shv[os][d]=1;}else{for(i=shv[os][d];i>0&&!done;i--){done=!revise("revise",m,true);}if(shv[os].hasOwnProperty(d)){shv[os][d]+=1;\n}}}[{name:"insert",flavour:"insert",trigger:"link",setup:linkSetup},{name:"timedinsert",flavour:"insert",trigger:"time",setup:timeSetup},{name:"insertion",flavour:"insert",trigger:"revisemacro",setup:revisionSetup},{name:"later",flavour:"insert",trigger:"visited",setup:visitedSetup},{name:"keyinsert",flavour:"insert",trigger:"key",setup:keySetup},{name:"replace",flavour:"replace",trigger:"link",setup:linkSetup},{name:"timedreplace",flavour:"replace",trigger:"time",setup:timeSetup},{name:"mousereplace",flavour:"replace",trigger:"mouse",setup:mouseSetup},{name:"hoverreplace",flavour:"replace",trigger:"hover",setup:hoverSetup},{name:"revision",flavour:"replace",trigger:"revisemacro",setup:revisionSetup},{name:"keyreplace",flavour:"replace",trigger:"key",setup:keySetup},{name:"timedremove",flavour:"remove",trigger:"time",setup:timeSetup},{name:"mouseremove",flavour:"remove",trigger:"mouse",setup:mouseSetup},{name:"hoverremove",flavour:"remove",trigger:"hover",setup:hoverSetup},{name:"removal",flavour:"remove",trigger:"revisemacro",setup:revisionSetup},{name:"once",flavour:"remove",trigger:"visited",setup:visitedSetup},{name:"keyremove",flavour:"remove",trigger:"key",setup:keySetup},{name:"continue",flavour:"continue",trigger:"link",setup:linkSetup},{name:"timedcontinue",flavour:"continue",trigger:"time",setup:timeSetup},{name:"mousecontinue",flavour:"continue",trigger:"mouse",setup:mouseSetup},{name:"keycontinue",flavour:"continue",trigger:"key",setup:keySetup},{name:"cycle",flavour:"cycle",trigger:"revisemacro",setup:revisionSetup},{name:"mousecycle",flavour:"cycle",trigger:"mouse",setup:mouseSetup},{name:"timedcycle",flavour:"cycle",trigger:"time",setup:timeSetup},{name:"keycycle",flavour:"replace",trigger:"key",setup:keySetup}].forEach(function(e){e.handler=revisionSpanHandler;\ne.shorthand=(["link","mouse","hover"].indexOf(e.trigger)>-1);macros[e.name]=e;macros["end"+e.name]=nullobj;begintags.push(e.name);endtags.push("end"+e.name);});function insideDepartingSpan(elem){var r=elem.parentNode;\nwhile(!r.classList.contains("passage")){if(r.classList.contains("revision-span-out")){return true;}r=r.parentNode;}}function reviseAll(rt,rname){var rall=document.querySelectorAll(".passage [data-flavour]."+rname),ret=false;\nfor(var i=0;i<rall.length;i++){if(!insideDepartingSpan(rall[i])){ret=revise(rt,rall[i])||ret;}}return ret;}function revise(rt,r,notrans){var ind2,curr,next,ind=-1,rev=(rt=="revert"),rnd=(rt.indexOf("random")>-1),fl=r.getAttribute("data-flavour"),rc=r.childNodes,cyc=(fl=="cycle"),rcl=rc.length-1;\nfunction doToGainerSpans(n,fn){for(var k=n-1;k>=0;k--){if(rc[k+1].classList.contains("gains")){fn(rc[k],notrans);}else{break;}}}for(var k=0;k<=rcl;k++){if(rc[k].getAttribute("data-enabled")=="true"){ind=k;\n}}if(rev){ind-=1;}curr=(ind>=0?rc[ind]:(cyc?rc[rcl]:null));ind2=ind;if(rnd){ind2=(ind+(Math.floor(Math.random()*rcl)))%rcl;}next=((ind2<rcl)?rc[ind2+1]:(cyc?rc[0]:null));\nvar docurr=(rev?showVer:hideVer);var donext=(rev?hideVer:showVer);var currfn=function(){if(!(next&&next.classList.contains("gains"))||rnd){docurr(curr,notrans);doToGainerSpans(ind,docurr,notrans);\n}};var nextfn=function(){donext(next,notrans);if(rnd){doToGainerSpans(ind2+1,donext,notrans);}};if(!rev){currfn();nextfn();}else{nextfn();currfn();}return(cyc?true:(rev?(ind>0):(ind2<rcl-1)));\n}macros.revert=macros.revise=macros.randomise=macros.randomize={handler:function(a,b,c){var l,rev,rname;function disableLink(l){l.style.display="none";}function enableLink(l){l.style.display="inline";\n}function updateLink(l){if(l.className.indexOf("random")>-1){enableLink(l);return;}var rall=document.querySelectorAll(".passage [data-flavour]."+rname),cannext,canprev,i,ind,r,fl;\nfor(i=0;i<rall.length;i++){r=rall[i],fl=r.getAttribute("data-flavour");if(insideDepartingSpan(r)){continue;}if(fl=="cycle"){cannext=canprev=true;}else{if(r.firstChild.getAttribute("data-enabled")==!1+""){canprev=true;\n}if(r.lastChild.getAttribute("data-enabled")==!1+""){cannext=true;}}}var can=(l.classList.contains("revert")?canprev:cannext);(can?enableLink:disableLink)(l);}function toggleText(w){w.classList.toggle(rl+"Enabled");\nw.classList.toggle(rl+"Disabled");w.style.display=((w.style.display=="none")?"inline":"none");}var rl="reviseLink";if(c.length<2){throwError(a,b+" macro needs 2 parameters");\nreturn;}rname=c.shift().replace(" ","_");l=Wikifier.createInternalLink(a,null);l.className="internalLink "+rl+" "+rl+"_"+rname+" "+b;var v="";var end=false;var out=false;\nif(c.length>1&&c[0][0]=="$"){v=c[0].slice(1);c.shift();}switch(c[c.length-1]){case"end":end=true;c.pop();break;case"out":out=true;c.pop();break;}var h=state.history[0].variables;\nfor(var i=0;i<c.length;i++){var on=(i==Math.max(c.indexOf(h[v]),0));var d=insertElement(null,"span",null,rl+((on)?"En":"Dis")+"abled");if(on){h[v]=c[i];l.setAttribute("data-cycle",i);\n}else{d.style.display="none";}insertText(d,c[i]);l.appendChild(d);}l.onclick=function(){reviseAll(b,rname);var t=this.childNodes,u=this.getAttribute("data-cycle")-0,m=t.length,n,lall,i;\nif((end||out)&&u>=m-(end?2:1)){if(end){n=this.removeChild(t[u+1]||t[u]);n.className=rl+"End";n.style.display="inline";this.parentNode.replaceChild(n,this);}else{this.parentNode.removeChild(this);\nreturn;}}else{toggleText(t[u]);u=(u+1)%m;if(v){h[v]=c[u];}toggleText(t[u]);this.setAttribute("data-cycle",u);}lall=document.getElementsByClassName(rl+"_"+rname);\nfor(i=0;i<lall.length;i++){updateLink(lall[i]);}};disableLink(l);setTimeout((function(l){return function(){updateLink(l);};}(l)),1);l=null;}};macros.mouserevise=macros.hoverrevise={handler:function(a,b,c,d){var endtags=["end"+b],evt=(window.onmouseenter===null?"onmouseenter":"onmouseover"),t=tagcontents(d,[b],endtags,endtags,d.source.indexOf(">>",d.matchStart)+2);\nif(t){var rname=c[0].replace(" ","_"),h=insertElement(a,"span",null,"hoverrevise hoverrevise_"+rname),f=function(){var done=!reviseAll("revise",rname);if(b!="hoverrevise"&&done){this[evt]=null;\n}};new Wikifier(h,t[0]);if(b=="hoverrevise"){h.onmouseover=f;h.onmouseout=function(){reviseAll("revert",rname);};}else{h[evt]=f;}h=null;}}};macros.instantrevise={handler:function(a,b,c,d){reviseAll("revise",c[0].replace(" ","_"));\n}};macros.endmouserevise=nullobj;macros.endhoverrevise=nullobj;}());

This towering pile of chests are filled with currency of all kinds, the traditional substance of any dragon's <font color=gold>Hoard</font>. A rather particular previous owner had spent time categorising the coins by metal, size, originating culture and more. A full chest of any bullion would be more than enough to pay for services in the traditional sense. It wouldn't be too painful a sacrifice, reasonably easy to aquire again...you hope.\n\n<<replace "Chest of gold.">>A chest of purest gold bars, a ransom from the Old Empire.<<set $inv.push ("gold")>><<set $chosenItem = true>><<endreplace>>\n\n<<replace "Chest of platinum.">>A chest of triangular shaped platinum coins.<<set $inv.push ("platinum")>><<set $chosenItem = true>><<endreplace>>\n\n<<replace "Chest of electrum.">>A chest of small but surprisingly heavy electrum pennypounds.<<set $inv.push ("electrum")>><<set $chosenItem = true>><<endreplace>>\n\n<<replace "Chest of orcanium.">>Hefty orcanium ingots, stolen from the last great orcish blacksmith.<<set $inv.push ("orcanium")>><<set $chosenItem = true>><<endreplace>>\n<<set $searchHoard = true>>\nReturn to the [[centre|hoardentrance]].

It had been four days, but she did return. You shouldn't have ever doubted it.\nAnd now, your request completed, you owe a boon.\nYou can't go back on it, the fire in her eyes won't let you. The last to upset one of the Daughters died in this cavern.\n\n"I slew the wizardling, I burned his corpse. Here, his eyestones." \nTwo sharp tinkles on the cave floor. \n"Now, my reward."\n\n<font color = red>Yes, you did me a great favour. Your reward...</font>\n\nHer stare intensifies.\n\n<<insert "<font color = red>Perhaps a wish?</font>">>\n[["Hah! My fate is my own, serpent-tongue."|demand]]<<endinsert>>\n\n<<insert "<font color = red>A fortune? Very reliable, I knew the names of all the children born in the village last spring-</font>">>\n[["I make my own fortunes."|demand]]<<endinsert>>\n\n<<insert "<font color = red>A curse?</font>">>\n[["Pah! As if I couldn't make my own. No self respecting Daughter would be without a dozen on her person."|demand]]<<endinsert>>

// Removes an element from an array.\n// String value: the value to search and remove.\n// return: an array with the removed element; false otherwise.\nArray.prototype.remove = function(value) {\nvar idx = this.indexOf(value);\nif (idx != -1) {\nreturn this.splice(idx, 1); // The second parameter is the number of elements to remove.\n}\nreturn false;\n}

They are the most powerful sorceresses in the land, and to fight one would be bring the whole coven upon you, and they are worse by far than wizardlings and wizard kings. Turn tail and retreat to the depths of your lair, and take comfort that her anger will fade and she will not take more than she should.\n\nNext time you'll just eat the damn wizard yourself.

<<if $inv.indexOf("coin") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("gold") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("platinum") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("electrum") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("orcanium") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("opal") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("skull") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("broadsword") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("bonedagger") gte 0>><<set $value += 1>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("wolfsteel") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("scroll") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("tome") gte 0>><<set $value += 3>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $inv.indexOf("tablet") gte 0>><<set $value += 2>><<elseif>><<endif>><<if $value == 3>>\nShe seems surprised, maybe. You wonder how many dragons she has exorted in her past. She's done the Daughters proud, at least.\n<<elseif $value == 2>>A curt nod. \n\n"Thanks, dragon. I hope you do not get much further trouble from the wizards."\n<<elseif $value == 1>>"Is that all? Do you know how many souls I banished? How cruelly my mind was torched? How far he ran? How he screamed as I pulled the magic from his eyes?? You think the Mother will be happy about this? We have tolerated your kind long enough!"\n\nHer arms flung wide, the ground trembles beneath you. Treasures go clattering from their precarious perches. \n\n[[Eat her.|eather]]\n[[Burn her.|flameher]]\n[[Run!|run]]\n<<endif>>\n

This sword tingles in your grasp, the wards still active. You shudder as you remember how it felt as it carved your flesh, shearing through your scales like butter.<<set $inv.push ("broadsword")>><<set $chosenItem = true>>

One swift lunge and you swallow her whole before she can finish her incantation. The trembling earth quiets. \n\n<font color=gold>The Hoard</font> remains untouched and whole, for now. \n\nYou probably should start preparing to leave.

Clamped shut with at least four padlocks, this tome contains all the known and unknown lineages of the Mothers and Daughters of Sorcery and Magic.<<set $inv.push ("tome")>><<set $chosenItem = true>>

She draws a circle of fire, then sits in the centre. \n\n"Return when you are ready, then. I know it is difficult to choose."\n\nPicking up the eyestones, you turn and enter the passage behind you. It twists and weaves, you slip on through, you meander and wriggle and out the other side you emerge. Shimmering coins form golden dunes. Trunks overflowing with trinkets are heaped by the walls. It is your inner sanctum, a palace of treasures, memories, and curios. Some items have been here for centuries, before even your predecessor's predecessor. Each object by itself is a fantastical souvenier, but together, the whole becomes something different. It becomes the [[<font color = gold>Hoard.</font>|hoardentrance]]

Hoarder

You'll have to make a decision. Begrudgingly you look over your collected items.\n\n<<if $inv.indexOf("coin") gte 0>> [[A coin from the woodswives.|givereward][$value += 1]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("gold") gte 0>>[[A chest of gold bars.|givereward][$value += 1]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("platinum") gte 0>>[[A chest of platinum coins.|givereward][$value += 1]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("electrum") gte 0>>[[A chest of electrum pennypounds.|givereward][$value += 2]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("orcanium") gte 0>>[[A chest of orcanium ingots.|givereward][$value += 2]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("opal") gte 0>>[[A black opal with orange and green fire.|givereward][$value += 3]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("skull") gte 0>>[[An emerald-eyed brass skull.|givereward][$value += 3]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("broadsword") gte 0>>[[A warded broadsword.|givereward][$value += 1]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("bonedagger") gte 0>>[[A whalebone dagger.|givereward][$value += 1]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("wolfsteel") gte 0>>[[A wolfsteel morningstar.|givereward][$value = 3]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("scroll") gte 0>>[[A scroll of the warlock prince's location.|givereward][$value += 2]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("tome") gte 0>>[[A tome of lineages.|givereward][$value += 3]]<<elseif>><<endif>> <<if $inv.indexOf("tablet") gte 0>>[[A stone tablet of wards.|givereward][$value += 2]]<<elseif>><<endif>>

For a second you can't see past the flames. You almost allow yourself to hope she has left in impatience as you agonised over your decision. But the circle extinguishes, and she stands before you, arms folded.\n\n"Well?" <<set $size = $inv.length>><<if $size is 1>>\n\n<font color = red>Your payment. A fair price for the wizardling's death.</font>\n\n"I shall decide. The <font color=gold>Hoard</font> is not always generous. "\n\nYou hand her the [[chosen reward|giveonereward]].\n<<else>>\n<font color = red>Here, a selection, I could not choose.</font>\n\nHer brow furrows with frustration.\n\n"You know that I am not permitted to simply take as I will from the <font color=gold>Hoard</font>. I would become your prey by right, and payment for my service would be forfeit. No, serpent, you will play by the rules, as I have. One death, one reward. I seek fair compensation from the <font color=gold>Hoard</font>."\n\nYou will have to [[make a choice|pickitem]].\n<<endif>>\n

From maces to glaives and everything in between, racks upon racks of weapons cover the cavern walls. There's ancient bronze, magic silver and modern steel. Carved hilts and flashy lanyards and jewelled scabbards. Some of these weapons belonged to plucky heroes trying their luck to best the monster. Others were gifts or bribes to save their lives.\n\n<<replace "Runecarved broadsword.">><<display Broadsword>><<endreplace>>\n\n<<replace "Carved bone dagger.">><<display BoneDagger>><<endreplace>>\n\n<<replace "Wolfsteel morningstar.">><<display WolfSteel>><<endreplace>>\n<<set $searchHoard = true>>\nReturn to the [[centre|hoardentrance]].\n\n\n

Her fists tighten. As does your throat, you do not need a confrontation.\n\n"No. I already know what I want. I want something from the <font color=gold>Hoard</font>." \n\nSupressing a flinch, you blink. \n\n[[<font color = red>The <font color=gold>Hoard.</font></font>|payment]]

Her jaw sets futher. \n"Yes. I stopped the wizardling from summoning trouble, trouble you wouldn't be able to handle. I am owed payment, as is tradition. And I want something from the <font color=gold>Hoard</font>."\n\n<font color = red>You can take as much gold as you-</font>\n\nA flare in her fists. \n"No. From the <font color=gold>Hoard</font>. Don't argue. You'll only make this harder on yourself. I am owed. You will pay."\n\n[[<font color = red>Fine, fine. You will get payment. I will return.</font>|payment2]]\n[[<font color = red>I will choose appropriately, as is custom.</font>|payment2]]\n[[<font color = red>The <font color=gold>Hoard</font> will provide. Please wait here.</font>|payment2]]

/* Your story will use the CSS in this passage to style the page.\nGive this passage more tags, and it will only affect passages with those tags.\nExample selectors: */\n\nbody {\n\t/* This affects the entire page */\n\t\n\t\n}\n.passage {\n\t/* This only affects passages */\n\t\n\t\n}\n.passage a {\n\t/* This affects passage links */\ntext-decoration: underline;\ncolor: white;\nfont-weight: normal;\n\t\n}\n.passage a:hover {\n\t/* This affects links while the cursor is over them */\n\t\n\t\n}

The triptych overhangs the entrance way to the Hoard's library. Not just material objects, there are also centuries of knowledge arcane and mundane within your lair. Long-lived as dragons are, it's impossible to remember every spell or king or country that existed for less than a century. Sorceresses crave power, perhaps something from here would suffice.\n\n<<replace "A ribbon-bound scroll.">><<display Scroll>><<endreplace>> \n\n<<replace "A dusty tome.">><<display Tome>><<endreplace>> \n\n<<replace "A stone tablet.">><<display Tablet>><<endreplace>> \n\n<<set $searchHoard = true>>\nReturn to the [[centre|hoardentrance]].\n

The entire dagger is exquisitely carved out of bone. Spirals and whorls dance across every surface. You're not quite sure what type of bone it is, you usually crush what you can't swallow whole. To your attuned senses it stinks of whale, a faint reminder of the coastal merchant who stumbled into your lair. He tasted salty.<<set $inv.push ("bonedagger")>><<set $chosenItem = true>>

In your talons it is almost toylike. Under the brass lies the skull of a slaver lord, forever encased in what remains of his own pathetic <font color=gold>hoard</font>. The emeralds reflect facets of draconic majesty back at you, tinged envy-green.\n\nOne accidental liberation later and you took home this grisly memento as a prize. <<replace "A prize you no longer want?">> A Daughter could do great things with a curse focus this grotesque.<<set $inv.push ("skull")>><<set $chosenItem = true>><<endreplace>>\n<<set $searchHoard = true>>\nReturn to the [[centre|hoardentrance]].\n\n\n

<<set $inv = [] >>\n<<set $searchHoard = false>>\n<<set $chosenItem = false>>\n<<set $firstTime = true>>\n<<set $value = 0>>\n

Opals have always been your favourite, ever since you heard that their shimmering rainbow colour was known as fire.\n\nThey were also a favourite for one of your predecessors. They stuck to her belly after she slept on them. Too great a temptation, she was slain by hero who had heard she was scaled in jewels.\n\nThe fire in this black opal flicks between orange and green. <<replace "Will it's rarity will please the sorceress?">>You hope this payment is reasonable, gemstones for gemstones afterall.<<set $inv.push ("opal")>><<set $chosenItem = true>><<endreplace>>\n<<set $searchHoard = true>>\nReturn to the [[centre|hoardentrance]].\n\n\n\n

There is just so much here. The sorceress deserves her payment, true, but it will hurt you. Your strength is bound to the richness of the <font color=gold>Hoard</font>. \n\n<<if $firstTime is true>>One hallway is filled entirely with <font color=silver>silver coins</font> stamped with the image of an antlered skull - tribute from the western <<insert "woodswives.">> You slew a rival who was torching their forest. <<endinsert>> <<replace "Take one of the <font color=silver>coins</font>?">> You pluck a coin from the pile.<<set $inv.push ("coin")>><<set $chosenItem = true>><<endreplace>><<endif>>\nThere are racks of bejewelled [[weapons|weaponracks]] on the left hand wall.\n\nTo your right is a precariously balanced pyramid of iron bound [[chests|chests]].\n\nBefore you is a diamond encrusted triptych, it's relief a series of historical scenes carved in [[ebony|panel]].\n\nAt your feet lies a [[skull|skull]] encased in molten brass, eyesockets filled with <font color=green>emeralds</font>.\n\nYour tail snakes through a pool of assorted gemstones. A rare [[black opal|opal]] rolls away from the pile.\n\n<<if $searchHoard is true>>You've looked around the <font color=gold>Hoard</font>. <<if $chosenItem is false>>Surely you've chosen something suitable by now?<<elseif>>You hope your choice appeases the Daughter. Will you [[return?|return]].<<endif>><<endif>>\n\n<<set $firstTime = false>>\n\n\n\n\n

This neatly bound scroll contains the last known location of an infamous warlock prince.<<set $inv.push ("scroll")>><<set $chosenItem = true>>

<<if $value == 3>>She seems surprised, maybe. You wonder how many dragons she has exorted in her past. She's done the Daughters proud, at least.\n<<elseif $value == 2>>A curt nod. \n\n"Thanks, dragon. I hope you do not get much further trouble from the wizards."\n<<elseif $value == 1>>"Is that all? Do you know how many souls I banished? How cruelly my mind was torched? How far he ran? How he screamed as I pulled the magic from his eyes?? You think the Mother will be happy about this? We have tolerated your kind long enough!"\n\nHer arms flung wide, the ground trembles beneath you. Treasures go clattering from their precarious perches. \n\n[[Eat her.|eather]]\n[[Burn her.|flameher]]\n[[Run!|run]]\n<<endif>>

Becklespinax

The werefolk of the High North were not typical allies for a dragon, but they controlled the largest mines this side of the ocean. Forged by the wolves in the cold light of the full moon, only wolfsteel can hope to harm wolfmen. This morningstar is the last such piece left, your flames melted the rest.<<set $inv.push ("wolfsteel")>><<set $chosenItem = true>>

This hefty granite slab is inscribed with seven types of wards to protect from almost any ailment.<<set $inv.push ("tablet")>><<set $chosenItem = true>>