The Citadel of Chaos: 251, 179, 125, 209, 362, 58: Temple Mixer

Nothing says "Bold Fantasy Hero" quite like 'Tiptoe'.

     Okay. Still a sparse description, but I have a better idea of where I am than most places in Firetop Mountain. The choices here also convey a lot more personality and options.

     I'm past the front gate. I'm supposed to be here. Just walk confidentlly and everything will be fine.

Choice: Stride: 179

What, no option to stand my ground or back off?

     "Who speaks?" I call to the empty air. "I'll gladly listen to your qualm, if you but state it."

     The air is silent.

     "Fine," and I start running.

Choice: Dash: 125

Serpentine! Serpentine!

Test of Luck: 9

Luck: 8-1=7

      I leap into action. Bolting across the yard. The first arrow flies to my left. I duck under the second, and leap to safety... just as the third arrow strikes my shoulder.

      With a grunt, I grasp my shoulder and curse whatever gods gave me my luck.

Stamina: 14-5=9

Choice: Struck: 209

     I stagger against the wall of the strange temple. I put my hand against the wall and limp my way forward to the door. Maybe a moment in shelter will let me at least stop the bleeding.

Choice: Investigate: 362

Oh, a door to Hell. Neat.

     Another wonderfully atmospheric image. Dancing devils, mysterious chalices, candles along the walls. I love the way the imps are look like they're dancing and cavorting, not just hanging around.

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     Gremlin-like? So...

This. 

    I'm not really sure why Jackson picked the description 'Gremlin-like'. Gremlins are neither a traditional fairytale or demonology creature, nor particularly big in pop culture at the time of the book. The film Gremlins wouldn't be out for a few years. I'm guessing there were gremlins in D&D or something, but surely even then I would have have thought imps were better known as a shorthand for small winged monsters.

     Addendum: I have done a bit of research and can find no reference to gremlins in any D&D book published before The Citadel of Chaos. I really have no idea why the Steve Jackson (no, not that one) thought it would be a useful shortcut description at the time of writing.

     It's a very odd choice.

     The creatures seem harmless enough. I step into the room and ask them if they have seen Kylltrog.

Choice: Enter: 58

     The creatures flee away, and I am left in silence. I suppose it is better than their company. I do not break the haft of the arrow, but instead cut it with my sword, so as to reduce the splintering. I do not try to remove the arrow. It is likely barbed. Let it sit and block the blood itself.

     Still in pain, I take a look at the three liquids. The gremlins drank from the milky cup. Who knows what foul substance they subsist on. Red liquid might well be blood. And the clear? Water? Alcohol? 

     I reach out to the red liquid cup and pick it up. I sniff it carefully. I lift the clear liquid with my other hand, and proceed to dump both of them into the milky liquid. Then I cover the chalice with one of the other two, and shake vigorously. I leave the mixture behind and head back out.

Leave: 156