// TOWN TEXT DATA
//    Town 16: Garzahd's Fortress


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20 = "This short passage is blocked by a fiery barrier. There is a stone circle etched with runes set into the floor on either side. When you get close, the barrier begins to pulse and spit out licks of flame.";
21 = "You believe that your Blessed Athame can cut the runes on the floor, draining their magical powers. However, the effects would be very unpredictable and potentially dangerous.";
22 = "";
23 = "You reach out and run the blade firmly over the symbol. As you watch, the magic of the ward leaks out of the scratch. It makes the area very warm but not enough to harm you.";
24 = "The barrier slowly fades away. It is safe to pass.";
25 = "";
26 = "With a deep, booming, ominous sound, the entrance gate slams shut. You hear the sound of mocking laughter, echoing through the halls.";
27 = "You are trapped in the fortress with Garzahd.";
28 = "";
29 = "The tome is incredibly old and extremely disturbing. Each page is a sheet of demonskin, describing some sort of horrible ritual for the summoning and binding of infernals.";
30 = "There are even instructions for mingling one's human essence with infernal essence, thus gaining incredible magical strength and resistance to damage.";
31 = "You move away from the book. There's no telling what could be unleashed from trifling with a tome of its power.";
32 = "";
33 = "The box is full of scrolls. You inspect them with increasing excitement. There are accounts of Empire troop strength, position, movements, supply routes, and other valuable intelligence.";
34 = "You are sure that someone at the Castle would pay handsomely for this information.";
35 = "";
36 = "This tome is quite slender. It is held shut with a red wax seal, but the Blessed Athame cuts it. The book contains some sort of spell or ritual. You can't understand the writing, though, so it doesn't do you any good.";
37 = "";
38 = "This tome is quite slender. It describes some sort of spell or ritual. Unfortunately, a red wax seal holds it shut. You try to cut the seal, but your weapons don't affect it at all.";
39 = "";
40 = "This tome is quite slender. It is held shut with a red wax seal, but the Blessed Athame cuts it. The book contains a simple ritual, which temporarily sends all demons in the area back to the dark realms from which they came.";
41 = "You read the ritual. You hear a squealing sound, coming from nearby. Then silence. The emergency spell fades from the pages.";
42 = "";
43 = "The mage who lives in this chamber doesn't want anyone messing with his or her stuff. The moment you touch the book, a trap discharges. When the smoke clears, the book refuses to open.";
44 = "Exhausted, covered in blood and ichor, you finally reach the inner sanctum of the fortress. This is the throne room of Garzahd. It is the chamber from which the war on your people is planned.";
45 = "At first, you don't see anyone here. You are horrified by the possibility that, after all your efforts, your foes may simply have fled. Then you hear laughter. Mocking laughter, and lots of it. ";
46 = "Slowly, bizarre and powerful creatures become visible. They are sitting in the chairs, staring at you with contempt. Sitting at the head of all of them is Garzahd, the stunted, twisted archmage who has slaughtered so many of your people.";
47 = "His eyes are wild with anticipation. He is overjoyed to be able to battle you at last. His skin has a reddish, reptilian hue and his eyes glow red. It's as if he has merged himself with a demon, somehow, gaining immense power in the process.";
48 = "You stare at each other for a long moment, sizing each other up. Then Garzahd makes a short chopping motion with his hand, and battle is joined.";
49 = "";
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52 = "As Garzahd's anguished, dying scream echoes through the halls, you hear his few remaining servants teleporting away. Soon, you are alone in this chamber, trapped, with nothing around you but blood.";
53 = "But then there is a chiming noise! You look around, and see the translucent form of Rentar-Ihrno in the northeast corner of the hall. Behind her, an opening has appeared in the wall. Perhaps escape is possible.";
54 = "Her projection slowly fades. As she goes, she says, _This is a good measure of our vengeance. We thank you for this help. In return, I give you your escape, and thus, your lives._ And she is gone.";
55 = "";
56 = "You enter Garzahd's Fortress. The archmage is nowhere to be seen. Instead, you find a huge chamber guarded by infernals. Garzahd, wisely, has decided to force you to fight your way through his defenders.";
57 = "The infernals are, like most of their kind, lazy. They aren't compelled to fight you until you get close, so they don't bother to hunt you down.";
58 = "You move closer to your final battle. One desperate duel on your enemy's home ground, with the future of Avernum in the balance.";
59 = "";
60 = "The moment you step near this barrier, it emits a searing blast of energy. You manage to jump back before you are too severely burned.";
61 = "These powerful barriers are beyond your experience. You lack whatever spell or equipment would enable you to cut through them. Garzahd has defeated you before your exploration even began.";
62 = "";
63 = "Your blow slides off the infernal, leaving it not even scratched. You realize that it is covered by an invisible magical shield, floating just above its skin. It points and laughs at you.";
64 = "The magic of Garzahd is truly remarkable. If you can't find something that can cut through the shield, you won't be able to fight it.";
65 = "";
66 = "The infernal is covered with an invisible shield, a powerful magical ward strong enough to turn aside all blows.";
67 = "But then Demonslayer strikes it. The archaic artifact effortlessly cuts through the barrier, cutting into the demon inside it. The dark beast howls in anger and fear.";
68 = "";
69 = "Garzahd's Inquisitor points a finger at his target. _Worm, you have been found wanting. I claim your spirit, in the name of the Empire!_ A horrible, icy feeling fills your chest.";
70 = "A wisp of bluish light floats out of you and across to the inquisitor. He grabs it and touches a jewel hanging from his necklace. The glow flows into the stone. _I claim your spirit. Now I will watch you die._";
71 = "";
72 = "The inquisitor falls to the floor, slain. All of the stolen spirits stored inside his necklace float out. They drift through the walls, beginning a futile journey for their former hosts.";
73 = "Garzahd's defenders fall one by one. Surely, you are getting closer to your final foe.";
74 = "";
75 = "Garzahd doesn't even bother to evade your blow. It strikes him. Then it reflects off harmlessly. The warped mage smirks.";
76 = "_I am protected, fool. I have made many sacrifices, and now I reap the rewards. You cannot break the shield around me._";
77 = "";
78 = "Garzahd doesn't even bother to evade your blade. Demonslayer strikes him. He expected the blow to be turned aside harmlessly. Instead, it very slightly penetrates his shield. A thin line of blood wells out on his forehead.";
79 = "_What?_ he snarls. _How? How can you break my shield? What power does that worn old blade have?_ Yet, he doesn't appear concerned. _Never mind. If I must slay you honestly, I will._";
80 = "Garzahd's barrier is powerful. It will take multiple blows to chop it down.";
81 = "";
82 = "You start to succumb to despair. Without a way to break down Garzahd's magical barrier, you have little chance of defeating him. You are trapped here. Your death is inevitable."; 
83 = "But then there is a chiming noise! You look around, and see the translucent form of Rentar-Ihrno in the northeast corner of the hall. Behind her, an opening has appeared in the wall. Perhaps escape is possible.";
84 = "Her projection slowly fades. As she goes, she says, _It is costing me greatly to protect you from your incompetence. I save you now. Do not count on it happening again._ And she is gone.";
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