295

You catch sight of something huge and grey, moving just below the surface of the foaming water. For a moment it disappears; then, with a mighty splash, a great scaly head emerges with two cold reptilian eyes that flare like yellow flames. It soars up from the icy depths of the lake, perched atop a neck as stout and as long as a toa tree.

Illustration XVIII—A great scaly head emerges with two cold reptilian eyes that flare like pits of yellow flame.

One-handedly you struggle to unsheathe your weapon as the feral-eyed beast hovers above you, its open mouth set with jagged, jet-black fangs. Hungrily it watches you and a rumble issues from its gullet as it steadies itself to strike.

Dholdaarg: COMBAT SKILL 43 ENDURANCE 56

Owing to your precarious position you must reduce your COMBAT SKILL by 5 points for the duration of this fight. If the weapon you are using is a Broadsword, a Spear, or a Quarterstaff, reduce your COMBAT SKILL by a further 3 points. This creature is immune to Mindblast (but not to Psi-surge or Kai-surge).

You may evade combat after 6 rounds by turning to 63.

If you win the combat, turn to 219.