:: Forest grotto

The path twists and turns, but in the end can't escape being funneled into a depression, or perhaps the ground rises around it. Either way, it ends up among rocks, and from there the only way forward is through a grotto.

It's chilly inside. A trickle of water snakes down a groove in the cave floor. Once your eyes adjust, faint light almost becomes visible at the other end.

* [[Light a torch]]
* [[Brave the darkness -> Grotto in darkness]]

:: Light a torch

They say the light of a torch brings out things better left unseen. That beneath the earth dwell creatures that hate light and desire nothing more than to extinguish it all. Better, they say, to risk injury than losing your very soul.

<<include "Diamond motif">>
@@text-align:center;
  <<if $player.inventory.torches > 0>>\
    [[Do it anyway -> Grotto in light]] / [[Go without -> Grotto in darkness]]
  <<else>>\
    [[You don't have a torch anyway -> Grotto in darkness]]
  <</if>>\
@@

:: Grotto in light

You strike a light. Soon, your torch is sending shadows to dance on the walls. They send back reflections. The yellowish flicker brings alive countless crystals of all shapes and sizes growing out of the rock. They're still, unlike the water trickling down the middle. It makes for slippery footing, but in the torchlight it's easy enough to advance without issue.<<set $player.inventory.torches -= 1>>

<<if random(1, 3) == 1>>\
You go on then, and so does the tunnel. After a while, an air current picks up. Your torch flickers. Shadows deepen, and begin to gather on their own.

@@text-align:center;
  [[There's no turning back now -> Shadow beast]]
@@
<<else>>\
So you go on through the tunnel of stars, each step sending echoes to argue with the gargle of water. It's longer than you thought, and not so straight, but sooner or later emerges into sunlight again.<<set $player.unused_exp += 9>>

@@text-align:center;
  [[Get your bearings -> Respite]]
@@
<</if>>\

:: Grotto in darkness

Soon, natural light dwindles to nothing. You slip on wet rock. Echoes swirl around you. Flailing hands run into sharp edges along the walls. The far end now seems far indeed.<<set $difficulty = 9>>

There must be some way through; you can't turn back now.

* [[Darkness is your friend]] (it hides mischief, you know) 
* [[Night is a time of magic]] (that is, if you have any)
* [[Valor guides your step]] (but do you have the strength?)

:: Darkness is your friend

No good deed remains unpunished. All too often you must hide from prying eyes to do the right thing. But usually you at least have the moon to show the way.

(Roll 2d6 + Mischief against a difficulty score of $difficulty.)

@@text-align:center;
 [[Embrace the darkness]] / [[Think again -> Grotto in darkness]]
@@

:: Embrace the darkness [nobr]

<<set _modifier = $player.mischief + $player.buffs.mischief>>
<<set _roll = median_roll(2, 6, _modifier)>>

<<if _roll >= $difficulty>>

You close your eyes and listen to the echoes, feeling the air currents on your face, treading lightly on the uneven rocks underfoot. You slip once or twice at first, but soon find your stride, and barely notice when sunlight starts filtering in again from the far end.

  <<set $player.unused_exp += $difficulty>>

  <p>(You roll _roll, getting through in one piece.)</p>
  
  @@text-align:center;
    <p>[[Get your bearings -> Search the area]]</p>
  @@
  
<<else>>

You close your eyes and try to hear the echoes, arms outstretched to help keep your balance on the slippery cave floor. Sharp edges meet your fingertips. You step in the water, hit your toes and scrape your shins. 

  <<set _damage = adjust_damage($difficulty - _roll, $player.armor)>>
  <<set $player.wounds += _damage>>
  <<set $player.unused_exp += _damage>>

  <p>(You roll _roll, taking _damage wounds; your armor helps.)</p>

  <<if $player.wounds >= $player.health>>
    <p>As time goes on and on, daylight begins to seem a distant dream.</p>
  
    @@text-align:center;
      <p>[[You are badly hurt]]</p>
    @@
  <<else>>
    <p>At long last, sunrays pierce the dark again. Even that hurts.</p>
  
    @@text-align:center;
      <p>[[You catch your breath and move on -> Search the area]]</p>
    @@
  <<endif>>

<</if>>

:: Night is a time of magic

People hate and fear magic even as they benefit from it. Some of your best work had to be done by moonlight. But here in the depths there's not even as much.

<<set $difficulty = 8>>(Roll 2d6 + Magic against a difficulty score of $difficulty.)

Besides, what kind of magic spell could help you out of this place?

<<include "Choose spell">>\

<<if $spell_count > 0>>\
@@text-align:center;
 [[Cast spell -> Bewitch grotto!]] / [[Think again -> Grotto in darkness]]
@@
<<else>>\
Unfortunately, you draw a blank.

@@text-align:center;
 [[Try something else -> Grotto in darkness]]
@@
<</if>>\

:: Bewitch grotto! [nobr]

<<set _modifier = $player.magic + $player.buffs.magic>>
<<set _effort = $player.spellbook[$chosen_spell].level>>
<<set $roll = median_roll(2, 6, _modifier - _effort)>>

<p>(you roll $roll against a target of $difficulty)</p>

<<switch $chosen_spell>>
<<case "Sunburst">><<include "Sunburst grotto">>
<<case "Cold snap">><<include "Cold-snap grotto">>
<<case "Smoke screen">><<include "Smoke-screen grotto">>
<<case "Undergrowth">><<include "Undergrowth grotto">>
<<case "Windstorm">><<include "Windstorm grotto">>
<</switch>>

:: Sunburst grotto [nobr]

Dazzling light bursts into the tunnel as your spell takes hold, chasing away all shadows. Even with your eyes shielded, it's still painful. Moments later it fades, but not entirely: countless crystals of all shapes and sizes growing out of the rock still glow faintly.

<<if $roll >= $difficulty>>

  <p>You move on through the tunnel of stars, then into sunlight again.</p>

  <<set $player.unused_exp += $difficulty>>

  @@text-align:center;
    <p>[[Get your bearings -> Search the area]]</p>
  @@

<<else>>

  <p>But soon shadows return, thicker than ever. Alive and furious.</p>

  @@text-align:center;
    [[There's no turning back now -> Shadow beast]]
  @@

<</if>>

:: Cold-snap grotto

As your spell takes hold, the air suddenly becomes frigid. Snowflakes touch your face; the trickle of water underfoot freezes solid. And none of that helps you make any progress.

@@text-align:center;
 <p>[[Try something else -> Grotto in darkness]]</p>
@@

:: Smoke-screen grotto

Sparks and flame burst from your fingertips, filling the cave with thick smoke. You cough a lot until air currents scatter it; too bad you can't see where it went, in this darkness.

@@text-align:center;
 [[Try something else -> Grotto in darkness]]
@@

:: Undergrowth grotto

You hear rock crackling all around you. Soon vines and leaves brush against your legs. You can touch them without leaning down. Too bad they can't help you cross the cave.

@@text-align:center;
 <p>[[Try something else -> Grotto in darkness]]</p>
@@

:: Windstorm grotto [nobr]

At first nothing seems to happen, then a strong wind picks up, and soon grows into a steady stream, replacing the cave's natural currents. You go ahead, following the flow of air.

<<if $roll >= $difficulty>>

  <p>Before you know it sunlight pours in at the far end of the cave.</p>

  <<set $player.unused_exp += $difficulty>>

  @@text-align:center;
    <p>[[Get your bearings -> Search the area]]</p>
  @@

<<else>>

  <p>You still slip and stumble, and the walls are covered in sharp edges.</p>

  <<set _damage = adjust_damage($difficulty - $roll, $player.armor)>>
  <<set $player.wounds += _damage>>
  <<set $player.unused_exp += _damage>>

  <p>(You take _damage wounds; your armor helps.)</p>

  <<if $player.wounds >= $player.health>>
    <p>As time goes on and on, daylight begins to seem a distant dream.</p>
  
    @@text-align:center;
      <p>[[You are badly hurt]]</p>
    @@
  <<else>>
    <p>At long last, sunrays pierce the dark again. Even that hurts.</p>
  
    @@text-align:center;
      <p>[[You catch your breath and move on -> Search the area]]</p>
    @@
  <<endif>>

<</if>>

:: Valor guides your step

You've had to cross rougher terrain, and on moonless nights at that. A hole in the ground doesn't scare you. What's a few scrapes and bruises after all.

<<set $difficulty = 10>>(Roll 2d6 + Muscle against a difficulty score of $difficulty.)

@@text-align:center;
 [[Brave the darkness]] / [[Think again -> Grotto in darkness]]
@@

:: Brave the darkness [nobr]

<<set _modifier = $player.muscle + $player.buffs.muscle>>
<<set _roll = median_roll(2, 6, _modifier)>>

<<if _roll >= $difficulty>>

Head between the shoulders, weapon held in front of you with arms outstretched, you put a foot in front of the other. Fortune favors the brave, it seems, and before you know it sunlight pours in at the far end of the cave.

  <<set $player.unused_exp += $difficulty>>

  <p>(You roll _roll, getting through in one piece.)</p>

  @@text-align:center;
    <p>[[You catch your breath and move on -> Search the area]]</p>
  @@

<<else>>

Head between the shoulders, weapon held in front of you with arms outstretched, you put a foot in front of the other. Sharp rocks meet your every step. You slip and stumble and hit your knees. You bump into every turn of the tunnel. 

  <<set _damage = adjust_damage($difficulty - _roll, $player.armor)>>
  <<set $player.wounds += _damage>>
  <<set $player.unused_exp += _damage>>

  <p>(You roll _roll, taking _damage wounds; your armor helps.)</p>

  <<if $player.wounds >= $player.health>>
    <p>As time goes on and on, daylight begins to seem a distant dream.</p>
  
    @@text-align:center;
      <p>[[You are badly hurt]]</p>
    @@
  <<else>>
    <p>At long last, sunrays pierce the dark again. Even that hurts.</p>
  
    @@text-align:center;
      <p>[[You catch your breath and move on -> Search the area]]</p>
    @@
  <<endif>>

<</if>>