:: Shadow beast As you watch, shadows lengthen and deepen, gathering together into a mass of darkness. It peels off the walls to loom over you with a waver, and hisses. <>\ <>\ <>\ <> @@text-align:center; [[You must fight the shadows -> Shadow beast battle]] @@ :: Shadow beast battle A mass of solidified shadow looms over you, hissing without a mouth, seeming to stare balefully though it has no eyes either. Snake-like limbs rake the walls with sharp claws, searchingly. It's there, yet not there; solid, yet ghostly. (this $enemy.score-point creature is armed with +$enemy.weapon.damage $enemy.weapon.name) * [[Attack -> Attack shadow]] (roll 2d6 + Muscle) * [[Bewitch -> Bewitch shadow]] (roll 2d6 + Magic) * [[Flee -> Flee shadow]] (roll 2d6 + Mischief) :: Attack shadow [nobr] <> <> < $enemy.score>> You stare down the creature, not letting your guard down for a moment. One of its many limbs lashes at you; with a swift swipe, you split the shadows apart. <> <>

(You roll _roll, dealing _damage wounds.)

<> <= $enemy.score>>

The creature's frayed limbs unravel, and it melts into darkness.

<> @@text-align:center;

[[You stumble through to the other side -> Search the area]]

@@ <>

The creature thrashes and recoils from you, hissing angrily.

@@text-align:center;

[[It still has plenty of limbs -> Shadow beast battle]]

@@ <> <> You stare down the creature, not letting your guard down. One of its many limbs lashes at you; your weapon slices right through, but not before it draws blood.

(You roll _roll, dealing $player.weapon.damage wounds and taking $enemy.weapon.damage of your own.)

<> <> <= $player.health>> @@text-align:center; [[You are badly hurt]] @@ <= $enemy.score>>

The creature's frayed limbs unravel, and it melts into darkness.

<> @@text-align:center;

[[You stumble through to the other side -> Search the area]]

@@ <>

The creature thrashes and recoils from you, hissing angrily.

@@text-align:center;

[[It still has plenty of limbs -> Shadow beast battle]]

@@ <> <> You swipe at the elusive enemy repeatedly. It deftly dodges every single time. Then one of its many limbs lashes at you, painfully drawing blood. <> <>

(You roll _roll, taking _damage wounds.)

<> @@text-align:center; <= $player.health>>

[[You are badly hurt]]

<>

[[You take a few steps back -> Shadow beast battle]]

<> @@ <> :: Bewitch shadow [nobr]

With the shifting shadow barring the way, you frantically wonder what sort of magic might be able to stop such a thing.

<> < 0>> @@text-align:center;

[[Cast spell -> Bewitch shadow!]] / [[Think again -> Shadow beast battle]]

@@ <>

Unfortunately, you draw a blank.

<> @@text-align:center;

[[Try something else -> Shadow beast battle]]

@@ <
> :: Bewitch shadow! [nobr] <> <> <>

(you roll $roll against a target of $enemy.score)

<> <><> <><> <><> <><> <><> <> :: Sunburst shadow [nobr] Dazzling light bursts into the tunnel as your spell takes hold. Even with your eyes shielded, it's still painful. The creature screams, suddenly translucent. < $enemy.score>> <>

By the time your magic plays out, nothing stands in your way anymore.

@@text-align:center;

[[You stumble through to the other side -> Search the area]]

@@ <>

Its shadow deepens again as the glare fades, but not as before.

<>

(You deal <<= $player.magic + $player.buffs.magic + 1>> wounds.)

<>

In fact it soon scatters into the air, and is gone.

<> @@text-align:center;

[[You stumble through to the other side -> Search the area]]

@@ <> <> @@text-align:center;

[[But it can still fight -> Shadow beast battle]]

@@ <
> <>

Yet it appears unhurt as the glare fades... and then its claws find you.

<> <>

(You take _damage wounds.)

<> @@text-align:center; <= $player.health>>

[[You are badly hurt]]

<>

[[You take a few steps back -> Shadow beast battle]]

<> @@ <
> :: Cold-snap shadow As your spell takes hold, the air suddenly becomes frigid. Snowflakes form around you; the trickle of water underfoot freezes solid. And the beast seems unfazed! <> @@text-align:center; [[So much for that -> Shadow beast battle]] @@ :: Smoke-screen shadow Sparks and flame burst from your fingertips, producing a thick plume of smoke that spreads in front of you as if driven by wind. It doesn't seem to matter. <> @@text-align:center; [[So much for that -> Shadow beast battle]] @@ :: Undergrowth shadow Strong vines sprout from the ground, pushing rocks aside as they grow preternaturally fast. They twist around, grasping and grabbing at the long limbs of the beast. But the shadows melt, then reform, making it futile. @@text-align:center; [[So much for that -> Shadow beast battle]] @@ :: Windstorm shadow [nobr] At first nothing seems to happen, then a strong wind picks up, and soon grows into a howling gale. The beast screams, clinging desperately to rocks as it frays around the edges. < $enemy.score>> <> <>

It soon scatters into the air, and is gone.

<> @@text-align:center;

[[You stumble through to the other side -> Search the area]]

@@ <>

It puts itself together after the storm, looking diminished.

@@text-align:center;

[[But it can still fight -> Shadow beast battle]]

@@ <
> <>

It soon reforms and comes at you again, looking no worse for the wear.

<> @@text-align:center;

[[It's a draw... this time -> Shadow beast battle]]

@@ <>

Yet it appears unhurt as it reforms... and then its claws find you.

<> <>

(You take _damage wounds.)

<> @@text-align:center; <= $player.health>>

[[You are badly hurt]]

<>

[[You take a few steps back -> Shadow beast battle]]

<> @@ <
> :: Flee shadow [nobr] There's nowhere to run in the twisting tunnel... or is there? You stumble backwards, hiding behind boulders, until you reach a dark niche between two stone pillars. The creature doesn't pursue. It's busy snuffing out the light you left behind. <> <> <= $enemy.score>>

(You roll _roll, getting away in one piece.)

@@text-align:center;

[[It's dark and quiet again -> Grotto in darkness]]

@@ <> <> <> <>

(You roll _roll, taking _damage wounds; your armor helps.)

Only then do you notice you're bleeding from those shadowy claws.

<= $player.health>> @@text-align:center;

[[You are badly hurt]]

@@ <> @@text-align:center;

[[It's dark and quiet again -> Grotto in darkness]]

@@ <> <
>