***Homard understood that there was no reason to suicide against insurmountable odds when the head had been taken.
***But, if there was a greater than 50% chance that the head could be retrieved, even if it cost him his life, he'd take a shot.
***This is one of those times.


991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
Rowane has arrived.
The Guardian of Balance says 'Welcome, Keeper of the Balance.'
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You yell 'Help!  I am being attacked by Rowane!'
You dodge Rowane's smash.
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
You dodge the Guardian of Balance's blast.
Rowane roars and reddens with fury as he presses his attack!
You parry Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
You cannot find the Cabal Power within you.
Your crushing force MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
Your crushing force DISMEMBERS the Guardian of Balance!
You cannot find the Cabal Power within you.
Your crushing force EVISCERATES the Guardian of Balance!
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
Rowane roars and reddens with fury as he presses his attack!
You dodge Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
Your crushing force misses the Guardian of Balance.
Your pierce MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
Your pierce DISMEMBERS the Guardian of Balance!
Your crushing force MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
You cannot find the Cabal Power within you.
Your crushing force EVISCERATES the Guardian of Balance!
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
Rowane utters the words, 'qafsacandusar gayhunsouio'.
Your skin begins to soften, then returns to normal.
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
whirl
You whirl a notched axe with a wicked blade impressively, but fail to hit the Guardian of Balance.
Your whirling axe misses the Guardian of Balance.
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
Rowane roars and reddens with fury as he presses his attack!
You dodge Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
Your crushing force EVISCERATES the Guardian of Balance!
Your pierce MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
Your pierce MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
The Guardian of Balance dodges your crushing force.
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
Rowane utters the words, 'qafsacandusar gayhunsouio'.
Your skin loses its magical firmness.
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
Rowane roars and reddens with fury as he presses his attack!
You barely manage to avoid Rowane's smash.
You dodge Rowane's smash.
Your crushing force MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
Your pierce DISMEMBERS the Guardian of Balance!
Your crushing force DISMEMBERS the Guardian of Balance!
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
Rowane utters the words, 'oculoqarquyl'.
You feel your bones lose density and become more brittle.
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

991(100%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
The Guardian of Balance's kick maims you!
You dodge Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
Your crushing force MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
Your pierce MASSACRES the Guardian of Balance!
Your crushing force DISMEMBERS the Guardian of Balance!
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

957(96%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
Rowane utters the words, 'qafsacandusar gayhunsouio'.
Your flesh grows painfully tender and soft.
The Guardian of Balance is convulsing on the ground.

957(96%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You parry the Guardian of Balance's blast.
Rowane roars and reddens with fury as he presses his attack!
Rowane's smash === OBLITERATES === you!
You parry Rowane's smash.
Rowane's smash *** DEVASTATES *** you!
Your crushing force DISMEMBERS the Guardian of Balance!
Your pierce MANGLES the Guardian of Balance!
The Guardian of Balance is DEAD!!
You receive 0 experience points (27% bonus).
As the Guardian of Balance falls, the bloody head of a magician returns to the Battle Cabal!
You receive 500 experience for a successful counter-raid.
You feel a shudder in your Cabal Power!
The Guardian of Balance's severed head plops on the ground.
The gods give you 11 copper coins for your sacrifice of the corpse of the Guardian of Balance.

607(61%) 506(92%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
call resis
You feel tough!

607(61%) 456(83%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
You dodge Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
Rowane deflects your crushing force with his defensive spin.
Your pierce injures Rowane.
Rowane parries your pierce.
Rowane has a few scratches.

607(61%) 456(83%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
call spell

Rowane utters the words, 'eugfjsh baiz'.
Your bones twist violently within you, wracking you with pain!
Rowane's disruption MASSACRES you!
Your hatred of magic surrounds you.
Rowane has a few scratches.

531(53%) 406(74%) 386(44%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 16:00 civilized 
Lightning flashes in the sky.
You are thirsty.
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 417(76%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
Rowane roars and reddens with fury as he presses his attack!
You dodge Rowane's smash.
You dodge Rowane's smash.
Rowane parries your crushing force.
You deliver a blow of deadly force!
Your pierce EVISCERATES Rowane!
Rowane stops your crushing force with a solid blow.
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 417(76%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
call resis

Fwipplethunt has arrived.
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 417(76%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized You are as resistant as you will get.
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 367(67%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
Fwipplethunt lashes at your feet with an alligator-skin whip!
Fwipplethunt's lash misses you.
You yell 'Help! Fwipplethunt is lashing me!'
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 367(67%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
Rowane roars and reddens with fury as he presses his attack!
You dodge Rowane's smash.
You parry Rowane's smash.
Rowane deflects your crushing force with his defensive spin.
You deliver a blow of deadly force!
Rowane parries your pierce.
Rowane parries your crushing force.
You parry Fwipplethunt's stinging lash.
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 367(67%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
flee

An earth elemental has arrived.
You yell 'Help! I'm being attacked by an earth elemental!'
You parry an earth elemental's crush.
You dodge an earth elemental's crush.
A terrible angel has arrived.
You yell 'Help! I'm being attacked by a terrible angel!'
You dodge a terrible angel's wrath.
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 367(67%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized PANIC! You couldn't escape!
Rowane has a few scratches.

545(54%) 367(67%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
Rowane utters the words, 'eugfjsh baiz'.
Your bones twist violently within you, wracking you with pain!
Your brittle bones snap, causing you to hemorrhage!
You can no longer find the strength to wield a burrow-warden's mithril pickaxe.
Rowane's disruption *** DEVASTATES *** you!
Rowane has a few scratches.

379(38%) 367(67%) 442(50%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
An earth elemental's crush *** DEVASTATES *** you!
You sure are BLEEDING!
An earth elemental brings down its foot with a tremendous stomp!
An earth elemental makes the earth tremble and shiver.
An earth elemental's earthquake MANGLES you!
You sure are BLEEDING!
You parry a terrible angel's wrath.
You parry a terrible angel's wrath.
A terrible angel's wrath MASSACRES you!
You sure are BLEEDING!
Within a Sand and Rock Garden
  This sand and rock garden has been carefully raked, combed and organized
to make this place as calming and neutral as possible.  Visually, it is
quite aesthetic and appealing.  Several large pieces of platinum designed
to look like irregular chunks of rock have been placed at intervals
throughout the garden, some stacked to thin pillars, others simply placed
within the design of the sands.  The sands themselves seem to be made
of finely ground glass and platinum.  Several small green bushes and 
bonsai trees have been carefully pruned and cared for, adding to the
calming, neutral affect of the area.  Above you, the glass ceiling actually
opens, the windows folding back to allow fresh air and unmarred sunlight
in.  The entire area is very quiet and peaceful.
 
[Exits: north east south west]
     Several chunks of uncut gemstones lie scattered in an aesthetic pattern.
     A green shrub with tiny petals sinks its roots into the sand.
     A chunk of platinum shaped like a large rock is stacked here.
     A platinum rake with a wide toothed comb lies here in the sand.
You flee from combat!

63(6%) 367(67%) 433(49%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
flee
You aren't fighting anyone.

63(6%) 367(67%) 433(49%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
d
Alas, you cannot go that way.

63(6%) 367(67%) 433(49%) 24350tnl (-26.49%) 17:00 civilized 
s
The Base of the Nexus Island
  The beautiful glass and platinum structure of the Nexus headquarters rises 
up before you, gleaming in the sunlight.  It seems to be a low-roofed building
made completely of glass with platinum supports, stays and accents.  The 
island it rests on seems to be completely made of a finely ground sand made
up of ground glass and platinum.  The roof of the haven to the north reaches
and apex at the center, and you can see rainbows of prismatic light reflected
from its glass slopes.  The structure seems placed to contain the roiling 
forces of magic beneath.  Below you the pillar of the Veil writhes 
and changes, ebbs and flows with the tides of power.  Beneath your feet 
the sand shows recent foot prints.  An invisible barrier holds the island
together, keeping it floating high in the air above the Sea of Despair.  
The grains of sand sparkle in the light and the scent of an exotic desert
flower reaches your nose.  Small rocks are scattered throughout the sand 
of different colors reminiscent of uncut gemstones.  The air around you 
feels electrified, currents of magic attempting to close in on you from 
the pillar below.  Something about the nature of this island, however, 
seems to contain the raw elements below, keeping them balanced and in check.
 
[Exits: north down]
     The severed head of the Guardian of Balance is lying here.
A fearsome angel stands here defiantly in a circle of light.
An animated mass of stone and soil towers here.
(Translucent) (WANTED) Fwipplethunt the svirfnebli is here.
Rowane the svirfnebli is here.
A terrible angel yells 'Homard! Now you die!'
A terrible angel's wrath MASSACRES you!
You are mortally wounded, and will die soon, if not aided.
A terrible angel's wrath MANGLES you!
You have been KILLED!!