The Warlock of Firetop Mountain: 205, 254, 279, 380: The Angriest Moggy

Nothing spooky here.

     I maintain that Nicholson does a good job setting bleak and somewhat grim moods. I do have to wonder who dragged coffins all the way down here, got them situated, and then just left them strewn about like socks on a college dorm floor.

Let's not mention the creepy stains spreading from the altar's center or anything.

     Thinking of the poor wretches and how relieved they looked upon death, I take a moment to check that the residents of these coffins are truly at rest.

Choice: Examine the Room: 254

... the Hell is dripping down here?

     I whirl round. The firm leather round the hilt of Marcus's sword is already in my hand. I didn't even think about drawing it. I remember flailing at the spider web when this all started. My motions are so different.

     Where is that dripping coming from?

And nothing dripping...

     As the coffin groans open, I shift into a fighting stance, ready for the worst. My heart hammers with the creaking open. Thoughts of old legends of vampires and beasts run through my head.

He then spends a minute hacking up cobwebs and dust.

     My blood runs cold as this eerie monster rises up and turns from the peace of death to the abject wicked malice of the undead. And then he hisses, and I am so reminded of my old moggy Cadfael that I burst into laughter.

     This reaction displeases him. He shows his foul teeth and beckons me.

     Why do vampires always hiss? It's such an odd choice. They could just as easily bark, howl or, if you wanted them to be actually threatening, maybe growl. But, no, they hiss. Like snakes or pantomime villains.

     It will never not be funny.

Hmm... yes, let's just walk up to him.

     Hm... this looks like a job for Jesus!

     I reach into my bag to grab my crucifix to ward off the horrible beastie.

Choice: Reach Into the bag: 279

Wait, it's a VAMPIRE? How was I supposed to know!

     Lacking the means to destroy the creature, I fend it off with the Crucifix. It keeps hissing, like I'd splashed water on Cadfael's face.

     "I'm going to leave now," I say, "You just stay there and go back to sleep, or I'll come back with a garden stake. Understand?"

Choice: Jesus Defend Me: 380

     You know, I was really hoping when I picked up the Crucifix it would lead to a cool vampire killing scene. No such luck.

     The door shut firmly behind me, I return the crucifix to my bag. "The dead should just stay dead," I mutter to myself as I head on.

Choice: Crossroads: 37

Henrietta Chalk

Skill: 7/7

Stamina: 14/19

Luck: 8/11

1 Fortune Potion (2 Measures)

7 Meals of Provisions

"99" Key

13 Gold Pieces

Silk Glove

1 Potion Invisibility (1 Dose)

1 Sweet Smelling Cheese

Silver Crucifix (4 GP)