text: > Go downwards
  GUNWAR says, "That steep PIT'S no good for me peg-leg, friend, but I'll wait here for ye."
  
  Sa-ho! By Huron's subcutaneous heat organ, this is a party! Here in this GRAVEL PIT, a collection of rowdies and jackanapes have made an outlaw camp, with drink and music and fighting galore! The center of attention seems to be a GLADIATOR'S RING.
  
  Your barbarian senses detect something ... different ... in the GRAVEL PIT. A heightened tension.
  
  You see a nearby CHALLENGE POST, and a PARTY OF ROGUES stands by, engaged in revels and high jinks.
  
  All eyes are on you as you arrive, and one lowly ROGUE lifts a hand, meekly, to point at the CHALLENGE POST.
  
  > Regard POST
  The CHALLENGE POST is a wooden pole hung with dyed banners, each representing a GLADIATOR willing to meet challengers. Beginning with the lowest, the banners are BLUE, GREEN, GOLD, RED and BLACK. The presence of the BLACK BANNER has clearly caused a stir in the GRAVEL PIT, and many of the ROGUES are looking upon you with something resembling reverence.
  
  A nearby ROGUE espies your curiosity, and sayeth "It was YE, barbarian! The MASTER GLADIATOR has returned to us, because of your skill! He has returned! It is a great day!"
  
  > seize black BANNER
  As you pluck the BLACK BANNER from the CHALLENGE POST, the assembled rowdies cheer as they've never cheered before! You are ushered into the gladiator's ring, where you stand face-to-face with the imposing MASTER GLADIATOR!
  
  You take a moment to REGARD your opponent ... The MASTER GLADIATOR was once human, but now he is plainly both a MUTANT and a CYABORG, with several portions of his body replaced by ROBODROID parts, glittering with the lights of SCIENCE! His right ARM is entirely metal, and his left arm has skin of a color different from the rest of him, suggesting that he is a LIMB TRADER. His weapons are twin GRAVITY WHIPS. He smiles an easy, confident smile as he REGARDS you in return.
  
  "Let us begin" he says.
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You lunge deep, and strike! You scored 18 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks! You have suffered 29 hits of
  damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You attack with all your might! You scored 15 points of
  damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR misses! He chuckles. "You are quick, barbarian, to avoid the sting of my GRAVITY WHIPS!"
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's palpitating palpus, your TWO-HANDED SWORD lands home!
  You scored 15 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks with both GRAVITY WHIPS at once, crossing their paths and creating a deadly SONIC BOOM! You have suffered 34 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You leap, and strike! You scored 16 points of damage!
  
  With an agile leap high into the air, the MASTER GLADIATOR strikes from on high! You have suffered 32 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Taste barbarian rage, MASTER GLADIATOR! You scored 19 points of damage!
  
  face! You have suffered 30 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You hit hard, snarling with rage! You scored 15 points of
  damage!
  
  One GRAVITY WHIP pulls you momentarily from your feet, while the second scars your flesh! You have suffered 36 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Curses! A miss!
  
  With a snarl of enthusiasm, the MASTER GLADIATOR employs the LAWS OF SCIENCE in his attack! You have suffered 33 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  A skillful attack if you do say so yourself! You scored 23 points
  of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks! You have suffered 36 hits of
  damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's embryonic egg-flap, a blow to be remembered! You scored
  15 points of damage!
  
  With an agile leap high into the air, the MASTER GLADIATOR strikes from on high! You have suffered 31 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Sa-ho! A mighty attack! You scored 15 points of damage!
  
  One GRAVITY WHIP pulls you momentarily from your feet, while the second scars your flesh! You have suffered 32 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Sa-ho! You give the MASTER GLADIATOR a sampling of your TWO-HANDED SWORD, but good! You scored 22 points of damage!
  
  With a snarl of enthusiasm, the MASTER GLADIATOR employs the LAWS OF SCIENCE in his attack! You have suffered 28 hits of damage!
  
  You stumble, and fall to the ground. The MASTER GLADIATOR has beaten you.
  
  The world goes black for a moment, as The MASTER GLADIATOR lays you low with the painful slice of his GRAVITY WHIPS!
  
  You are drawn from the darkness by the cheering crowd, showering The MASTER GLADIATOR with ale and praise. As your eyes refocus, you see his smiling half-ROBODROID face above you, his hand extended to help you to your feet.
  
  "You fought well, sir. Take some time to heal for now, but please return to try again. I will leave the BLACK BANNER flying for you."
  
  Sa-ho! By Huron's wayward weathercock, this is a party! Here in this GRAVEL PIT, a collection of rowdies and jackanapes have made an outlaw camp, with drink and music and fighting galore! The center of attention seems to be a GLADIATOR'S RING.
  
  Your barbarian senses detect something ... different ... in the GRAVEL PIT. A heightened tension.
  
  You see a nearby CHALLENGE POST, and a PARTY OF ROGUES stands by, engaged in revels and high jinks.
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You lash out with the rage of your barbarian ancestors! You scored
  21 points of damage!
  
  face! You have suffered 37 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's cancroid constitution! A mighty blow! You scored 22
  points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks with both GRAVITY WHIPS at once, crossing their paths and creating a deadly SONIC BOOM! You have suffered 31 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Your foe is astonished by your speed as you strike hard! You
  scored 19 points of damage!
  
  With an agile leap high into the air, the MASTER GLADIATOR strikes from on high! You have suffered 35 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Taste barbarian rage, MASTER GLADIATOR! You scored 18 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR misses! He chuckles. "You are quick, barbarian, to avoid the sting of my GRAVITY WHIPS!"
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You lunge deep, and strike! You scored 18 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks with both GRAVITY WHIPS at once, crossing their paths and creating a deadly SONIC BOOM! You have suffered 36 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Sa-ho! A mighty attack! You scored 16 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks! You have suffered 31 hits of
  damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's unavoidable odor, you strike hard and true! You scored
  20 points of damage!
  
  face! You have suffered 34 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You leap, and strike! You scored 16 points of damage!
  
  One GRAVITY WHIP pulls you momentarily from your feet, while the second scars your flesh! You have suffered 32 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You hit hard, snarling with rage! You scored 23 points of
  damage!
  
  With a snarl of enthusiasm, the MASTER GLADIATOR employs the LAWS OF SCIENCE in his attack! You have suffered 33 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You attack with all your might! You scored 14 points of
  damage!
  
  With an agile leap high into the air, the MASTER GLADIATOR strikes from on high! You have suffered 34 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's heterologous heat blister! A mighty blow! You scored 16 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks with both GRAVITY WHIPS at once, crossing their paths and creating a deadly SONIC BOOM! You have suffered 30 hits of damage!
  
  You stumble, and fall to the ground. The MASTER GLADIATOR has beaten you.
  
  The world goes black for a moment, as The MASTER GLADIATOR lays you low with the painful slice of his GRAVITY WHIPS!
  
  You are drawn from the darkness by the cheering crowd, showering The MASTER GLADIATOR with ale and praise. As your eyes refocus, you see his smiling half-ROBODROID face above you, his hand extended to help you to your feet.
  
  "You fought well, sir. Take some time to heal for now, but please return to try again. I will leave the BLACK BANNER flying for you."
  
  Sa-ho! By Huron's panoptic pudenda, this is a party! Here in this GRAVEL PIT, a collection of rowdies and jackanapes have made an outlaw camp, with drink and music and fighting galore! The center of attention seems to be a GLADIATOR'S RING.
  
  Your barbarian senses detect something ... different ... in the GRAVEL PIT. A heightened tension.
  
  You see a nearby CHALLENGE POST, and a PARTY OF ROGUES stands by, engaged in revels and high jinks.
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Your foe is astonished by your speed as you strike hard! You
  scored 22 points of damage!
  
  One GRAVITY WHIP pulls you momentarily from your feet, while the second scars your flesh! You have suffered 33 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's laudable lechery, a blow to be remembered! You scored
  19 points of damage!
  
  With a snarl of enthusiasm, the MASTER GLADIATOR employs the LAWS OF SCIENCE in his attack! You have suffered 29 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Sa-ho! You give the MASTER GLADIATOR a sampling of your TWO-HANDED SWORD, but good! You scored 22 points of damage!
  
  face! You have suffered 33 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You attack! You scored 23 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks! You have suffered 29 hits of
  damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You lash out with the rage of your barbarian ancestors! You scored
  21 points of damage!
  
  With an agile leap high into the air, the MASTER GLADIATOR strikes from on high! You have suffered 35 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's Pandean passions, your TWO-HANDED SWORD lands home! You scored 18 points of damage!
  
  One GRAVITY WHIP pulls you momentarily from your feet, while the second scars your flesh! You have suffered 29 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's twice-plaited nostril braids, a fine hit! You scored 18 points of damage!
  
  With a snarl of enthusiasm, the MASTER GLADIATOR employs the LAWS OF SCIENCE in his attack! You have suffered 31 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  A skillful attack if you do say so yourself! You scored 14 points
  of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR misses! He chuckles. "You are quick, barbarian, to avoid the sting of my GRAVITY WHIPS!"
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You lunge deep, and strike! You scored 16 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks with both GRAVITY WHIPS at once, crossing their paths and creating a deadly SONIC BOOM! You have suffered 32 hits of damage!
  
  > Prowess
  You wield the TWO-HANDED SWORD. Adjusting for your abilities and progress, you do from 13 to 23 points of damage with each successful blow. Your odds of striking true are 91% (burdened somewhat by your load). Your armor is the SUIT OF IMPERVIUM PLATE-MAIL ARMOR, which increases your Hit Points by 245%. You are versed in the useful lore of SULDUKU BREATHING. Your current Hit Points are 59 (out of 310).
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You hit hard, snarling with rage! You scored 22 points of
  damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks! You have suffered 37 hits of
  damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You attack with all your might! You scored 20 points of
  damage!
  
  face! You have suffered 29 hits of damage!
  
  You stumble, and fall to the ground. The MASTER GLADIATOR has beaten you.
  
  The world goes black for a moment, as The MASTER GLADIATOR lays you low with the painful slice of his GRAVITY WHIPS!
  
  You are drawn from the darkness by the cheering crowd, showering The MASTER GLADIATOR with ale and praise. As your eyes refocus, you see his smiling half-ROBODROID face above you, his hand extended to help you to your feet.
  
  "You fought well, sir. Take some time to heal for now, but please return to try again. I will leave the BLACK BANNER flying for you."
  
  Sa-ho! By Huron's organoleptic lapels, this is a party! Here in this GRAVEL PIT, a collection of rowdies and jackanapes have made an outlaw camp, with drink and music and fighting galore! The center of attention seems to be a GLADIATOR'S RING.
  
  Your barbarian senses detect something ... different ... in the GRAVEL PIT. A heightened tension.
  
  You see a nearby CHALLENGE POST, and a PARTY OF ROGUES stands by, engaged in revels and high jinks.
  
  > drop BURLAP
  Discarded.
  
  > Prowess
  You wield the TWO-HANDED SWORD. Adjusting for your abilities and progress, you do from 13 to 23 points of damage with each successful blow. Your odds of striking true are 94% (burdened somewhat by your load). Your armor is the SUIT OF IMPERVIUM PLATE-MAIL ARMOR, which increases your Hit Points by 245%. You are versed in the useful lore of SULDUKU BREATHING. Your current Hit Points are 154 (out of 310).
  
  > Prowess
  You wield the TWO-HANDED SWORD. Adjusting for your abilities and progress, you do from 13 to 23 points of damage with each successful blow. Your odds of striking true are 94% (burdened somewhat by your load). Your armor is the SUIT OF IMPERVIUM PLATE-MAIL ARMOR, which increases your Hit Points by 245%. You are versed in the useful lore of SULDUKU BREATHING. Your current Hit Points are 205 (out of 310).
  
  > Inventory
  You bear the following (both on your person and stashed in your trusty THESKIAN DUFFEL BAG): a SUIT OF IMPERVIUM PLATE-MAIL ARMOR (being worn), some SPICES, a DELICATELY-OILED CLOTH, a SLAB OF SNOW-SERPENT MEAT, a TWO-HANDED SWORD (held at the ready), an EAR OF CORN and a FLASHLIGHT.
  
  > Prowess
  You wield the TWO-HANDED SWORD. Adjusting for your abilities and progress, you do from 13 to 23 points of damage with each successful blow. Your odds of striking true are 95%. Your armor is the SUIT OF IMPERVIUM PLATE-MAIL ARMOR, which increases your Hit Points by 245%. You are versed in the useful lore of SULDUKU BREATHING. You are uninjured, with your full complement of 310 Hit Points. A mighty Warrior, indeed!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  A skillful attack if you do say so yourself! You scored 20 points
  of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR misses! He chuckles. "You are quick, barbarian, to avoid the sting of my GRAVITY WHIPS!"
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Sa-ho! You give the MASTER GLADIATOR a sampling of your TWO-HANDED SWORD, but good! You scored 19 points of damage!
  
  With an agile leap high into the air, the MASTER GLADIATOR strikes from on high! You have suffered 29 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You lash out with the rage of your barbarian ancestors! You scored
  14 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks with both GRAVITY WHIPS at once, crossing their paths and creating a deadly SONIC BOOM! You have suffered 35 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Taste barbarian rage, MASTER GLADIATOR! You scored 14 points of damage!
  
  One GRAVITY WHIP pulls you momentarily from your feet, while the second scars your flesh! You have suffered 28 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Your foe is astonished by your speed as you strike hard! You
  scored 14 points of damage!
  
  face! You have suffered 35 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You leap, and strike! You scored 20 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks! You have suffered 32 hits of
  damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  Sa-ho! A mighty attack! You scored 17 points of damage!
  
  With a snarl of enthusiasm, the MASTER GLADIATOR employs the LAWS OF SCIENCE in his attack! You have suffered 32 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  You attack! You scored 17 points of damage!
  
  With an agile leap high into the air, the MASTER GLADIATOR strikes from on high! You have suffered 30 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's pitiless propensities, you strike hard and true! You
  scored 21 points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR misses! He chuckles. "You are quick, barbarian, to avoid the sting of my GRAVITY WHIPS!"
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's parsimonious pansophism, a fine hit! You scored 17
  points of damage!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR attacks with both GRAVITY WHIPS at once, crossing their paths and creating a deadly SONIC BOOM! You have suffered 32 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's center nostril, a blow to be remembered! You scored 20 points of damage!
  
  One GRAVITY WHIP pulls you momentarily from your feet, while the second scars your flesh! You have suffered 32 hits of damage!
  
  > eat the meat
  A pox upon thine foolish keyboard! Refer to your game manual for assistance.
  
  > use the meat
  Holding your breath to stave off the rich odor, you cram the putrefied SLAB OF SNOW-SERPENT MEAT down your throat, and then bite hard on your tongue to fight the urge to vomit. Sure enough, only moments later, the PRISMATIC MAGIC of the meat's ichor permeates your muscles, healing you!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR misses! He chuckles. "You are quick, barbarian, to avoid the sting of my GRAVITY WHIPS!"
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's nubile seamstresses! A mighty blow! You scored 20
  points of damage!
  
  With a snarl of enthusiasm, the MASTER GLADIATOR employs the LAWS OF SCIENCE in his attack! You have suffered 34 hits of damage!
  
  > Assail GLADIATOR
  By Huron's vesicating varlets, your TWO-HANDED SWORD lands home!
  You scored 17 points of damage, leaving the MASTER GLADIATOR at your mercy!
  
  The MASTER GLADIATOR is defeated!
  
  With your final blow, The MASTER GLADIATOR flies backward, sliding across the gravel, the lights on his body dimmed in defeat!
  
  The crowd erupts in cheers, and you accept their ale and accolades. Extending the hand of fellowship to your foe, you help The MASTER GLADIATOR to his feet, and he accepts gratefully. "A true pleasure, my esteemed foe. It is rare that I am treated to a genuine workout, let alone such a beating."
  
  The crowd cheers again, and you nod in silent assent. The MASTER GLADIATOR nods, too, and wanders away to repair and heal. The crowd returns to their revels.
  
  Sa-ho! By Huron's subcutaneous heat organ, this is a party! Here in this GRAVEL PIT, a collection of rowdies and jackanapes have made an outlaw camp, with drink and music and fighting galore! The center of attention seems to be a GLADIATOR'S RING.
  
  Your barbarian senses detect something ... different ... in the GRAVEL PIT. A heightened tension.
  
  You see a nearby CHALLENGE POST, and a PARTY OF ROGUES stands by, engaged in revels and high jinks.
  
  You can also see a FLASHLIGHT, an EAR OF CORN, a SUIT OF KLENGON MAIL, a SUIT OF CHAINMAIL ARMOR and a SUIT OF BURLAP ARMOR here.
  
  > Pillage
  FLASHLIGHT: Seized.
  EAR OF CORN: Seized.
  SUIT OF KLENGON MAIL: Seized.
  SUIT OF CHAINMAIL ARMOR: Seized.
  SUIT OF BURLAP ARMOR: Seized.
  
  > Up
  This vast pit stands in the shadow of the snow-capped mountains to the east. It was here that the great stones were quarried to build the CASTLE of the SLAVER KING, and the walls of the nearby harbor town. The site is long-abandoned, or so it's told ... But you hear a riotous and happy din DOWN in the GRAVEL PIT.
  
  GUNWAR the PEG-LEG DWARF stands close at hand, whistling a jaunty sailors' tune.
  
  You are briefly surprised by the looming figure of the MASTER GLADIATOR, but it is plain that he arrives in the spirit of friendship.
  
  "Ho there, barbarian," he says, his voice confident and enhanced with internal sub-woofers. "I just wanted to congratulate you privately. In truth, you are the real MASTER GLADIATOR now, but I know that your destiny is something far greater than to be the leader in a forgotten GRAVEL PIT."
  
  He shakes your hand, his CYABORG grip cutting off your circulation for a moment, and he smiles."I am proud to know you, barbarian, and I hope that we can become friends. To that end, I have a secret to offer you, something I have learned in my time here."
  
  He looks left and right, then adjusts his volume control to whisper. "One of our lesser gladiators is third cousin to the ROYAL PSI-WITCH," he confides. "And he told me the secret to winning her approval ... You must prove that you are the PROPHESIED BARBARIAN, the great and crude slaughterer predicted long ago in the lore of the PSI-WITCHES of this realm. The legend says that the PROPHESIED BARBARIAN will carry a gift of valuable UNGUENT, a potent balm infused with the PSI-PSPICE, also called AMALGAM." He sighs, a deep and quadrophonic sigh.
  "I know not where to seek the PSI-PSPICE BALM, but I do believe that you are the one foretold, and so: seek it you must."
  
  You consider this, and nod. Satisfied that you understand, the MASTER GLADIATOR returns the gesture, and starts back toward the GRAVEL PIT OF ROGUES.
  
  This vast pit stands in the shadow of the snow-capped mountains to the east. It was here that the great stones were quarried to build the CASTLE of the SLAVER KING, and the walls of the nearby harbor town. The site is long-abandoned, or so it's told ... But you hear a riotous and happy din DOWN in the GRAVEL PIT.
  
  GUNWAR is nearby, scratching a phantom itch on his peg-leg.
  
  ... As the MASTER GLADIATOR departs back to the GRAVEL PIT OF ROGUES, he salutes you and says "We are fortunate to have you here in this realm, barbarian. Return soon, to fight me again!"
  
  You wonder, for a moment, if the SLAVER KING could ever be defeated by a mortal barbarian such as you.
  
  > check your inventory
  You bear the following (both on your person and stashed in your trusty THESKIAN DUFFEL BAG): a SUIT OF BURLAP ARMOR (currently un-used), a SUIT OF CHAINMAIL ARMOR (currently un-used), a SUIT OF KLENGON MAIL (currently un-used), an EAR OF CORN, a FLASHLIGHT, a SUIT OF IMPERVIUM PLATE-MAIL ARMOR (being worn), some SPICES, a DELICATELY-OILED CLOTH and a TWO-HANDED SWORD (held at the ready).
  
  > Go south
  The pine trees have the first dustings of winter, here, and you espy much more snow to the east, in the FROSTED UPLANDS. The runoff feeds a briskly-flowing stream, which flows west toward the CASTLE. Marshier country lay to the south.
  
  A bit upstream from you, a GRIZZLY BEAR is fishing for food, but not having much luck. The BEAR doesn't seem hostile.
  
  GUNWAR stays loyally at your side.
  
  > Assail bear
  You loose your anger at the GRIZZLY BEAR, driving it further up the stream. Once it runs past your reach, it looketh back at you, perhaps sadly, then returns to pawing the water in hopes of food.
  
  > go east
  Layers of frost and snow glitter on crags of ancient rock, and there are deep snowbanks to the north, approaching a BRIDGE made of pure ice, spanning a MIGHTY CREVASSE. Also seemingly made of ice is a beautiful CRYSTAL SPIRE, towering in the fading light, which you may ENTER.
  
  GUNWAR the PEG-LEG DWARF accompanies you.
  
  > go north
  The snow on this mountain slope is all but undisturbed, and it glows a rich orange in the light of the setting sun. You can see that sun, far to the west, sinking into the sea. Its rays touch also on an ornate structure: You may (if you dare) ENTER a black TEMPLE to the Viraxian Demon-Gods.
  
  GUNWAR follows along, puffing on his pipe.
  
  > enter
  Your nostrils flare at the lingering smoke from incense, and at the strong scent of holy oils. The TEMPLE is ancient, cold and dark, with but dim shafts of smoky light from high windows. In the center of the room is an ALTAR, on which a SACRIFICE is being prepared.
  
  You can see the ACOLYTE OF TRAGA and GINA THE VIRGIN SACRIFICE here.
  
  > Parley with ACOLYTE
  "Ah, barbarian!" the ACOLYTE smiles warmly, "It's always good to see you. Thank you again for the GLADIUS SWORD; it has already come in handy!"
  
  GUNWAR follows along.
  
  > Parley with GINA
  GINA smiles a sly smile. "We have heard, Barbarian, of your great quest ... and perhaps," she says, her voice lowered to a sultry whisper "when the time comes, we here at the TEMPLE may aid you in it." She wriggles pleasantly, and you see that the ACOLYTE OF TRAGA is grinning slightly, and nodding to himself.
  
  > Go outside
  The snow on this mountain slope is all but undisturbed, and it glows a rich orange in the light of the setting sun. You can see that sun, far to the west, sinking into the sea. Its rays touch also on an ornate structure: You may (if you dare) ENTER a black TEMPLE to the Viraxian Demon-Gods.
  
  GUNWAR limps along at your side.
  
  > go to the south
  Layers of frost and snow glitter on crags of ancient rock, and there are deep snowbanks to the north, approaching a BRIDGE made of pure ice, spanning a MIGHTY CREVASSE. Also seemingly made of ice is a beautiful CRYSTAL SPIRE, towering in the fading light, which you may ENTER.
  
  GUNWAR the PEG-LEG DWARF follows you.
  
  > go inside
  Inside the ice-like spire, it is strangely warm, and the air is charged with crackling energies, but magic or someting else? Know ye not. OUTSIDE, the FROSTED UPLANDS are only a fractured blur. From here, you can make your way UP to the EERIE PINNACLE, where strange lights play.
  
  GUNWAR follows along.
  
  > Up
  You stand in the uppermost chamber of the strange crystalline tower. The air here is thick with energy and flooded with light from no particular source. There is a blinding whiteness, as if you're in a vast field of snow ... but the air is hot, not cold.
  
  GUNWAR trails along.