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Fascinated by the sound, but wary of what you may find beyond the door, you draw the bolt carefully and push open the door just a few inches. What was once a gentle humming becomes a loud buzzing drone as a swarm of angry hornets comes pouring out of the darkened store room.

Illustration XII—The gentle humming becomes a loud buzzing drone as a swarm of angry hornets comes pouring out of the darkened store room.

Quickly you snatch up a piece of wood lying on the floor and use it to bat away the swirling cloud of yellow-banded insects, as desperately you retreat towards the front door.

Hornet swarm: CLOSE COMBAT SKILL 17 ENDURANCE 10

If you survive this encounter, turn to 11.