#AREA { 1 65} Yaegar The Plains of Blood~ #MOBILES #9550 fiend~ a swamp fiend~ A Swamp Fiend swoops down and attacks! ~ These foul creatures have vowed to lay waste to the city of Khellis, and are extremely close to doing so. Resembling twisted, vile Elves with huge leathery wings, they are seemingly innumerable in number and insatiable in appetite. ~ 32|64|128 8192 -1000 S 30 0 0 0d0+0 0d0+0 0 0 0 0 0 #0 #ROOMS #9550 The Plains of Blood~ You are walking across the plains of blood, a blasted, desolate area so named for the incredible amounts of blood that poured from the bodies of slain men and orcs during the Goblin Wars many centuries ago. And although the hordes were driven back, this area remained tainted with the scourge of evil, and little that is non wholly diabolical has since flourished here. ~ 0 4 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9551 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9590 S #9551 The Plains of Blood~ You are walking across the plains of blood, a blasted, desolate area so named for the incredible amounts of blood that poured from the bodies of slain men and orcs during the Goblin Wars many centuries ago. And although the hordes were driven back, this area remained tainted with the scourge of evil, and little that is non wholly diabolical has since flourished here. To the east lies a junction. ~ 0 0 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9552 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9550 S #9552 A Junction~ You have reached a point where a clearly-marked road cuts across the vague trail you were following, running to the north and south. There is a battered signpost at the point where the three roads meet. ~ 0 0 2 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9553 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9554 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9551 E signpost~ The signpost reads- "NORTH : The lands of the DEAD. SOUTH : The lands of the DEAD. WEST : The lands of the LIVING. Not exactly cheery, is it? ~ S #9553 A Second Junction~ At this point a narrow path runs eastward away from the main road, heading into a wood filled with grey, rotting trees and clinging, sickly-looking vines. ~ 0 0 2 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9580 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9565 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9552 S #9554 A Second Junction~ At this point a narrow path runs eastward away from the main road, heading toward some rocky terrain surrounded by a range of bald hills. A narrow path to the south heads toward a crumbling stone wall. ~ 0 0 2 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9552 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9556 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9555 S #9555 A Narrow Path~ As you draw closer to the stone wall, you notice an iron gate set into it, badly corroded and defaced. Peering through the gate, you can see what appears to be a graveyard of some sort. ~ 0 0 2 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9554 D2 ~ ~ 1 0 3600 S #9556 A Path Through the Hills~ Going is rough here as you are constantly forced to skirt rocks, boulders and bits of jagged stone that jut out of the ground at potentially lethal angles. The "path" you are currently taking is simply the one of least difficulty, avoiding all the major obstructions and clambering over the minor ones. More than one you slip and skin your hands and knees, and you pray that you don't have much farther to go. ~ 0 0 16 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9557 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9554 S #9557 A Path Through the Hills~ Going is rough here as you are constantly forced to skirt rocks, boulders and bits of jagged stone that jut out of the ground at potentially lethal angles. The "path" you are currently taking is simply the one of least difficulty, avoiding all the major obstructions and clambering over the minor ones. More than one you slip and skin your hands and knees, and you pray that you don't have much farther to go. You are relieved to notice a crossroads to the east of here. ~ 0 0 16 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9556 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9558 S #9558 A Crossroads~ You have come to a crossroads, where you may proceed north directly into the hills, south or west into the rocky terrain surrounding, or east toward a rather dismal-looking swamp. ~ 0 0 4 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9559 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9561 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9560 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9557 S #9559 Approaching the Hills~ As you approach the nearby hills, you quickly deduce that they will be quite impassable to one with limited mountaineering skills such as yourself. However, as you turn back, you notice a narrow path leading between two of the larger hills... ~ 0 0 4 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 4000 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9558 S #9560 Rubble~ This path winds its way through a treacherous field of jagged rock and splintered wood. To the south there is a horrendous stench, while to the north is a relatively clear crossroads. ~ 0 0 16 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9558 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 2800 S #9561 A Dismal Swamp~ You have entered a smelly, fetid swamp full of mosquitoes, muck, vines and water. The smell is awful. Are you sure you want to continue? ~ 0 1 15 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9562 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9558 S #9562 A Dismal Swamp~ You are trudging wearily through a fetid swamp full of mosquitoes, muck, vines and water. The smell is awful. Are you sure you want to continue? ~ 0 1 15 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9563 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9561 S #9563 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. ~ 0 1 26 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9564 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9562 S #9564 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. ~ 0 1 26 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9576 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9563 S #9565 A Wood~ You have entered the sickly-looking forest you spied earlier, and it looks even worse up close, if that is at all possible. Long, clinging vines slowly strangle the life out of spindly half-dead saplings, and a strange blue moss slowly eats away its protruding roots. Far away a creature screams in agony, then falls silent. ~ 0 0 3 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9566 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9553 S #9566 Further into the Wood~ As you proceed further into this place, the little light that was coming from the feeble sun above is dimmed to near-nothingness by a thick canopy of dead branches and leaves that has formed overhead. Sap drips from this canopy onto you, burning your skin where it hits, and you hurry on. ~ 0 0 3 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9567 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9565 S #9567 A T-Junction~ The path you are following meets another here, offering you three choices of direction. At this point the forest is utterly silent, so there is no way to tell which way is the better... ~ 0 0 3 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9568 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9572 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9566 S #9568 A Northern Path~ The Forest actually seems to be even darker and more evil here, if that is at all possible. Horrid screams of agony occasionally rent the still of the forest, followed by a horrid stillness that can only mean death... ~ 0 0 3 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9569 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9567 S #9569 A Northern Path~ The Forest actually seems to be even darker and more evil here, if that is at all possible. Horrid screams of agony occasionally rent the still of the forest, followed by a horrid stillness that can only mean death... ~ 0 0 3 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9571 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9568 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9570 S #9570 The Forest Thickens~ At this point the forest is almost impenetrably thick. Something curious looms up ahead. ~ 0 0 15 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9569 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 6130 S #9571 A Northern Path~ The Forest actually seems to be even darker and more evil here, if that is at all possible. Horrid screams of agony occasionally rent the still of the forest, followed by a horrid stillness that can only mean death... There is a circle of trees to the east. ~ 0 0 3 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 6152 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9569 S #9572 Exiting the Forest~ You have reached the far end of the small dark forest you were traveling through. Ahead looms a rocky mountain range, with several smaller cousins in the middle distance. ~ 0 0 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9573 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9567 S #9573 The Rocky Plains~ You are striding across some rocky, windswept plains, past a sharp ridge that connects with a distant mountain range. To the north a narrow path runs toward a large cave... ~ 0 0 4 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9574 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9575 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9572 S #9574 Approaching the Cave~ You are near enough to see now that this cave is large by any standards. However it appears to have a couple of non-standard features. If you are curious you can step closer... ~ 0 0 4 D0 ~ ~ 0 0 6142 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9573 S #9575 The Foothills~ You have reached the foothills of this mountain range. Strange black rocky formations loom around a bend to the south. A narrow path twists downward toward a valley running north toward the remote highlands. ~ 0 0 5 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9585 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9573 D5 ~ ~ 0 -1 30338 S #9576 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. ~ 0 1 26 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9577 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9564 S #9577 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. A section of swamp to the south looks particularly treacherous. ~ 0 1 26 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9579 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9578 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9576 S #9578 Strange...~ This section of swamp is more marshy, and looks like it was at one stage inhabited. Ruined buildings crop up occasionally from the muck, as does the occasional corpse. A horrid stench and the sound of high-pitched screaming followed by silence comes from the south... ~ 0 1|4 15 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9577 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 8301 S #9579 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. ~ 0 1|4 26 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9592 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9577 S #9580 A Northern Path~ You are following a broad, fairly regular path toward what looks like a settlement to the north. The occasional ruined house can be seen, as well as once-fertile fields gone barren. ~ 0 0 2 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9581 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9553 S #9581 A Northern Path~ You are following a broad, fairly regular path towar what looks like a settlement to the north. The occasional ruined house can be seen, as well as once-fertile fields gone barren. ~ 0 0 2 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9582 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9580 S #9582 A Northern Path~ You are following a broad, fairly regular path towar what looks like a settlement to the north. The occasional ruined house can be seen, as well as once-fertile fields gone barren. One house to the west looks fairly well-preserved. The outskirts of a ruined town loom up ahead. ~ 0 0 2 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9584 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9581 D3 ~ ~ 1 0 9583 S #9583 The Farmhouse~ This farmhouse has been abandoned for some time. Scavengers have long since taken anything of value, and the elements have taken care of what little remained. However, there is a trapdoor in the floor that you may want to investigate... ~ 0 8 0 D1 ~ ~ 1 0 9582 D5 ~ ~ 1 0 3801 S #9584 The Outskirts of a Ghost Town~ A chill wind whips eerily across your face as you gaze upon a deserted halmet, which has actually survived intact the ravages that took the places nearby. It even appears to have been left untouched by looters. Wonder why? ~ 0 4 0 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 8100 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9582 S #9585 The Black Rocks~ You are intrigued by this glassy black rocklike substance that seems to be omnipresent everywhere here. And while the going here is tough, it is not impossible, so you may continue further in your explorations should you so wish. ~ 0 0 5 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9575 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 2900 S #9587 The Path Across the Plains~ You are heading across bleak, featureless plains. A huge city looms to the west while to the east lies a particularly desolate area. The gates of the city are directly west of here. ~ 0 0 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9588 D3 Approaching Anon~ ~ 0 -1 9591 S #9588 The Path Across the Plains~ You are heading across bleak, featureless plains. A huge city looms to the west while to the east lies a particularly desolate area. ~ 0 0 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9589 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9587 S #9589 The Path Across the Plains~ You are heading across bleak, featureless plains. A huge city looms to the west while to the east lies a particularly desolate area. ~ 0 0 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9590 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9588 S #9590 The Path Across the Plains~ You are heading across bleak, featureless plains. A huge city looms to the west while to the east lies a particularly desolate area. The desolate Blood Plains begin to the east of here. ~ 0 0 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9550 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9589 S #9591 Approaching the City~ You are standing outside the towering battlements of a massive fortified citadel. The gates, massive affairs fashioned of some gleaming silvery metal, loom to the west. Guards march back and forth, resplendent in their black and gold livery and shining mithril armor. To the east looms a vast desolate area and, beyond that, a wood and a mountain range. ~ 0 0 2 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9587 D3 Outside the Victory Parade East Gates~ ~ 0 -1 31019 S #9592 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. ~ 0 0 3|12 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9579 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9593 S #9593 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. ~ 0 0 3|12 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 9594 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9592 S #9594 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. ~ 0 0 3|12 D1 ~ ~ 0 -1 9595 D2 ~ ~ 0 -1 9593 S #9595 The Dismal Swamp~ For what seems like an eternity you slog through the thick muck, wrenching your boots free with a mighty effort, a horrible sucking sound accompanying each step as your feet briefly clear the mud. Mosquitoes the size of blowflies assault you relentlessly, and you know that when (if) you emerge your skin will be in agony for weeks. To the north there appears to be some sort of settlement... ~ 0 0 3|12 D0 ~ ~ 0 -1 28398 D3 ~ ~ 0 -1 9594 S #0 #RESETS D 1 9555 2 1 CLOSES DOOR TO GRAVEYARD D 1 9582 3 1 CLOSES DOOR TO FARMOUSE WITH *RATS* D 1 9583 5 1 CLOSES DOOR TO RATS * M 1 9550 6 9592 LOADS FIENDS S #SPECIALS M 9550 spec_poison S #$