W7-SeaofSorrows

Wizardry VII - Sea of Sorrows

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1.	->to Beginning
2.	->to Greater Wilds
3.	Ahead lies a dense white fog, and through it can be heard the sounds of the sea crashing against the shore. Or possibly just a rocky reef.
4.	The ship glances off a shallow reef, heaving everyone to the deck! (all members damaged)
5.	->to Dragon Mountains
6.	->to Lesser Wilds
7.	->to Link(3)
8.	->to New City
9.	On the inner wall of the stone pillars, hewn in the rock, you gaze upon the intricate carving of a most unusual creature. It looks a little like a woman. And a little like a cat. With a tad of lizard thrown in. Surrounded by feathery plumage resembling that of a peacock. The carving is very elaborate, and every detail of the creature seems so life-like that it is almost as if the creature itself had become trapped within the stone. ->use [MAJESTIK WAND] You wave the mystical wand before the magnificent stone carving. It is without disappointment that you watch as the wand begins to crackle and fume, a torch of golden sparks, glossing the image whittled in the rock. Slowly, the features in the stone take on color, and portions of the carving begin to writhe and wriggle. Soon, the limbs of the beast begin extracting themselves from the wall. Whether the strange creature had become trapped within the rock, or whether the magical wand brought life to the stone, or whether all of this is merely a fantastic illusion of some kind, matters little, as the beast now fully realized emerges from the wall. You've had long to consider my puzzle. But before I may let you herein. You must answer me this, your reply. When I ask of you, 'What is the question?' What do you reply? ->answer What is a man Close enough! Indeed, What is a man, what is a man, what is a man! A most perplexing riddle, I would say. That is, if I were a man, which I am not. But then, how very odd for you! I suppose it's a most annoying poser. Annoying if you think about it, that is. Which is to say that if you don't, then I suppose it doesn't much matter. But since I have a fondness for such riddles. Perhaps I could find another for you. Ah! I believe I have the perfect one. How about. 'What am I?' And with that strange utterance the unusual creature leaps into the air above your head. You watch as the extraordinary beast sails away into the sky, soon become a tiny dot, until at last disappearing. The remaining wall before you starts to crumble.
10.	A rather ghoulish stench bellows up from the pit below, and a disturbing chill seems to waft through the air.
11.	Surprisingly, you pass through the stone wall as if it were not there. Embedded into the wall is a circular golden emblem, a ring of wavy spines around a core of grasping prongs. ->use [JEWEL OF THE SUN] You insert the glistening jewel into the prongs at the center of the golden emblem. But nothing happens. (teleporter at point '12' activated)
12.	Passing through the illusionary wall, you feel a slight tingle throughout your body. As the tingling subsides, you notice a lingering disorientation. (teleported to point '13' [Nowhere])
13.	->teleported to here from point '12' ->after party get [LOCKET OF THE TOMB], step in and back to point '11'
14.	Stepping from the stone cubicle, you realize that it is some kind of gateway, but leading to where you know not. Ahead stands a familiar statue, stern and somber in the quiet of the mysterious courtyard.
15.	Standing at the statue, it appears more at ease than before. The stone looks fresh, as if it were carved only yesterday, although a thick layer of rust around its base suggests it has been here a long time. Gazing up into the face of the majestic figure, you detect a faint smile and its eyes seem to almost twinkle. ->search Scraping off the thick rust, you unearth a metal plate at the foot of the statue engraved as followings: The Prophet. While cleaning the plate you discover that the second 'P' in the engraving pivots at the top. Beneath it you find a glowing sapphire locket, apparently placed here a long time ago. ->get [LOCKET OF THE TOMB] Removing the locket from its ancient cache, you jump with surprise as a voice speaks from the statue's mouth. Welcome my lost children. The day is come! I do not know how many centuries have passed since last I breathed these airs and walked these lands. But in death does time lose all meaning. And so it is but a moment ago that I lay down to final rest. There is much I wish to tell you, the story of all stories. Of life and death, and of the time between. But soon enough shall my voice fade again, its energy depleted, its task at end. In your hands you hold the locket, a part of the final key. Carry it well, for it is a guardian of my secret. Within its crystal cells have I imprinted the code of my palm. So that by my hand alone shall the key unlock the Astral Tomb. But though I be dead a thousand millenia, this cast does yet live on. For upon all my descendants and theirs, for the remainder of all time, shall my code exist upon their hands, the secret bequeathed through the blood of my children. I do not know your name, whether you be man or woman or child. But if your blood be mine, then the secret shall be thine. When you stand alone within the Astral Tomb, grasp the locket within your palms. And behold the miracle! O, would that I could see the wonders of my works! My blessings be upon you, distant child of my loins. Upon your brow do I heave the weight of a universe! Then the statue becomes silent and still, the twinkle fading from its eyes.