RomanQuest Read Free

occasion,” the simultaneous translator growls in your ear as it picks up his words. “This is the Roman Games and you’ve just been made a gladiator!”
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    This definitely wasn’t in your contract with the Sibyl, but what can you do about that now? As well as the clown with the +3 spear, you are now facing a goon with a +5 sword and a lout with a +8 trident. Each of them has 30 Life Points and a strong desire to make a name for himself by killing you. Should this desire be satisfied, your bleeding body will be dragged from the arena and dumped unceremoniously at 13 . In the unlikely event that you survive, take your pick of sword, spear or trident and stride victorious to 40 .
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13
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    Well, sic biscuitus disintegratus , as the Ancient Romans used to say, which translates as that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Your cookie’s crumbled with a vengeance since you’re now dead as an undertaker’s fish paste sandwich.
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    But unless you want to hang around this section for the rest of your death, it’s time for you to roll up a whole new mess of Life Points (not forgetting any Special Life Points you’ve earned) then gird your loins, place you nose to the grindstone, put your best foot forward and try, try, try again from Section 1 .
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    I’ll be rooting for you.
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14
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    Throw one die.
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    Score 1 or 2 and go to 22 .
    Score 3 or 4 and go to 58 .
    Score 5 or 6 and go to 48 .
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15
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    You’d never mistake this building for anything other than what it is. One looks tells all. This is the boss’s place, Mr Big’s pad, or in Rome, the Imperial Palace. It was definitely built to impress. Look at those sweeping columns. Look at those imposing archways. Look at the doors designed for giants, as if only giants lived there.
    Look at the guards. There are so many soldiers you’d swear they were expecting an invasion by the Helvetii. One of them is walking over to you now.
    â€œWhere do you think you’re going?” he asks sourly.
    â€œI was wondering if the Emperor’s at home,” you tell him.
    â€œAnother one asking about our Emperor,” he called over his shoulder.
    â€œAnother one for the Mamertine Prison,” another soldier calls back.
    â€œNo, wait, just a minute. I -”
    But now the guard has been joined by his colleague and they’re walking towards you menacingly.
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    You can get into trouble in this place just by sightseeing. But are you just going to stand there and let them take you away without a fight? If you fancy your chances against these bruisers, turn to 44 . If you’d prefer just to run like hades, try 102 .
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16
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    There are a couple of dozy-looking guards on this gate but they seem to be there just for ornament since they aren’t stopping anybody or checking papers. With a huge feeling of relief you skip through the gate and onto the road out of town.
    You’ve escaped! You’re out of Pompeii before the fateful eruption! Now all you have to do is get far enough away to make sure you’re safe when the volcano actually blows.
    â€œExcuse me,” you call to a passer by, “but where will this road take me?”
    â€œTo Herculaneum!” she calls back cheerfully.
    â€œThank -” You stop abruptly. This road is going to Herculaneum? But Herculaneum was one of the other cities, like Stabiae and Pompeii, that were buried when Vesuvius erupted. This is out of the frying pan into the fire. Literally. You’re going to have to find another way out - fast!
    As you turn, there is a terrifying roar as the peak of Vesuvius splits open behind you and a black pine-shaped cloud erupts from the volcano showering massive red-hot cinders and great globules of