The Citadel of Chaos: 1, 261, 81, 251: Blagging a... a... what is that?

And we have an openin!

     Remember the first image of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain? How it set a tone of dread and intimidation, so as to fill the player's mind with the appropriate atmosphere? Well, scrap that! Here's a dog and a gorilla with their heads swapped!

     I can't deny it's a striking image, and sets certain expectations to what the Chaotics are, but it's a rather abrupt shove into the freezing deep end.

     Yeah, no, you don't get to do that. You can't try to set a slow scene of symbolic darkening when the page before it is an image of a gorilla and a dog with their bodies swapped!

     Wow, that's a bad use of pronouns. I know "The Citadel" was brought up one sentence ago, but the first sentence here confused me, because it reads as though the rest is the fearful specter.

     I push the hairs on my neck back down. Little traitors.

     I am already feeling the book and I agree on who Dirk is far more than its predecessor and I agreed on Henrietta

Yeah, I'm sure the Citadel of unspeakable evil has spare beds for vagabonds.

     Oh, wow, I get options for an actual plan? Nice. This is already shaping up to be a better start. Dog and age head swapping not withstanding.

Right, because the lanterns are the first thing I'd notice for the given scene.

     Hm... okay. I think that the carpenter story won't be as sure to put a fire under their rumps as being an herbalist here to cure a friend of theirs. Guards got to look after each other, right?

Yeah, I know. They're right there!

     So, the illustration that sets the scene is finally mentioned, right near the bottom of the page. I feel as though this shocking moment has been undercut.

     Yeah, the guards will... will... the Underworlds am I seeing?

     "Oy!" the dog bodied ape says. "What're you here for?"

     "Uuuuuuuuuuuuhhh...." I manage to get the sound out only with effort. The ape face glowers up angrily at me. I pick my jaw up off the ground and manage to jump back to my planned lie, "I'm a herbalist, good... sir?"

Choice: Herbalist: 261

Oh my Teotl, I love this!

     I look cooly down at the Ape-Dog. Flabbergasting it might be, but it does not scare me. "Kylltrog," I say, thinking of the most evil name I can. Well, aside perhaps for Balthus Dire's own.

     Eeeh! This is so exciting! Trying to out blag an ape-dog monster is already way more engaging than anything from the previous book.

Choice: Kylltrog: 81

What, no description of the gatekeeper?

     I stare cooly down at the guard and his harsh remarks. "I dare say Kylltrog's use is not for you or I to decide." The Ape-Dog looks reflexively back towards the Citadel. I try and judge to where within he stares, as it may well be the path to my target, but I can make no certain guess.

     "Aye," the Ape-Dog says solemnly. His compatriot, the Dog-Ape barks happily. The Ape-Dog summons a foul looking creature with the body of a bull, but with human hands growing from where horns should be, and a lizard's tail behind it. I tip my hat politely, and shuffle inside.

Choice: Success!: 251