Equipment

Before you leave Holmgard on the first stage of your journey to Elzian, you take with you a map of your sea route and a pouch of gold. To find out how much gold is in the pouch, pick a number from the Random Number Table and add 20 to the number you have picked. The total equals the number of Gold Crowns inside the pouch, and you should now enter this number in the 'Gold Crowns' section of your Action Chart.

If you have successfully completed previous New Order adventures (Books 21+), you may add this sum to the total sum of Crowns you already possess. Fifty is the maximum number of Gold Crowns you can carry in your pouch at any time.

You may select five items from the list below, only two of which may be weapons.

(see the Topical Guide for details about a particular item)

List the five items you have chosen on your Action Chart, under the appropriate headings, and make a note of any effect that they may have to your ENDURANCE points and/or COMBAT SKILL.

Kai Weapon

Upon reaching the ultimate rank of Kai Supreme Master, Lone Wolf received as a reward from the God Kai many new skills and abilities. One of these skills was Kai Weaponcraft. Using his new-found mastery, Lone Wolf forged ten weapons of magical power in the armoury furnaces of the monastery. These magical weapons are reserved for the élite of the New Order who attain the rank of Grand Master.

In recognition of your rank and achievement, you may choose your own Kai Weapon from the table below or, if you prefer, you can generate one at random. To generate a Kai Weapon, pick a number from the Random Number Table and consult the first column. The magical axe, sword, or broadsword which corresponds to the number you have picked will be your own personal Kai Weapon. Record this magical weapon and its unique properties in the Kai Weapon section of the Special Items List on your Action Chart.

Note that you do not re-pick your Kai Weapon at the start of each book of the New Order series; you retain the same Kai Weapon throughout all twelve books.

Example
If you choose the number 8 from the Random Number Table, your Kai Weapon will be the broadsword Illuminatus.

When using this Kai Weapon in normal combat you may add 5 points to your COMBAT SKILL. Each Kai Weapon has a unique property. When you use your Kai Weapon in combat against the type of enemy that matches its unique property, or use it at the best time or location, then you may add the higher bonus to your COMBAT SKILL.

These bonuses are not cumulative.

Example
If you were to use Illuminatus in combat against an enemy in an underground cavern, cave or tunnel, you could add the higher bonus of 7 to your COMBAT SKILL. If you were to fight this enemy in any other location, the bonus to your COMBAT SKILL would remain at 5.

Kai Weapon Table

Random Number	Weapon Type	Name	COMBAT SKILL	Unique Properties
0	Axe	Spawnsmite	+5	vs. reptilian enemies +6
1	Axe	Alema	+5	vs. undead enemies +7
2	Axe	Magnara	+5	vs. rock or stone +8
3	Sword	Sunstrike	+5	when used in daylight +6
4	Sword	Kaistar	+5	when used at night +7
5	Sword	Valiance	+5	vs. magicians +8
6	Sword	Ulnarias	+5	when used underwater +9
7	Broadsword	Raumas	+5	vs. winged enemies +6
8	Broadsword	Illuminatus	+5	when used underground +7
9	Broadsword	Firefall	+5	vs. fire-emitting enemies +8

'Valiance' is also effective against magical creatures.

Equipment - How to use it

Weapons

The maximum number of Weapons that you can carry is two. Weapons aid you in combat. If you have the Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery and a correct Weapon, it adds 5 points to your COMBAT SKILL. If you find a Weapon during your adventure, you may pick it up and use it.

The new Collector's Editions of the gamebooks clarify that ‘You may only use one Weapon at a time in combat.’

Bows and Arrows

During your adventure there will be opportunities to use a Bow and Arrow. If you equip yourself with this Weapon, and you possess at least one Arrow, you may use it when the text of a particular section allows you to do so. The Bow is a useful Weapon, for it enables you to hit an enemy at a distance, However, a Bow cannot be used in hand-to-hand combat, therefore it is best to equip yourself also with a close combat Weapon, such as a Sword or an Axe.

In order to use a Bow you must possess a Quiver and at least one Arrow. Each time the Bow is used, erase an arrow from your Action Chart. A Bow cannot, of course, be used if you exhaust your supply of Arrows, but the opportunity may arise during your mission for you to replenish your stock of Arrows.

Backpack Items

These must be stored in your Backpack. Because space is limited, you may keep a maximum of ten articles, including Meals, in your Backpack at any one time. You may only carry one Backpack at a time. During your travels you will discover various useful items which you may decide to keep. You may exchange or discard them at any point when you are not involved in combat.

Any item that may be of use, and can be picked up on your adventure and entered on your Action Chart, is given either initial capitals (e.g. Silver Mirror, Gold Key), or is clearly identified as a Backpack Item. Unless you are told that it is a Special Item, carry it in your Backpack.

Special Items

Special Items are not carried in the Backpack. When you discover a Special Item, you will be told how or where to carry it. The maximum number of Special Items that can be carried on any adventure is twelve.

Kai Weapon

Your Kai Weapon is a Special Item and it can be carried and used in addition to two normal Weapons. If you possess the Discipline of Grand Weaponmastery for a weapon type which is the same as your unique Kai Weapon, you may add the Grand Weaponmastery bonus of 5 to your COMBAT SKILL. This is in addition to the bonus gained when you use your Kai Weapon in combat.

Food

Food is carried in your Backpack. Each Meal counts as one item. You will need to eat regularly during your adventure. If you do not have any food when you are instructed to eat a Meal, you will lose 3 ENDURANCE points. However, if you have chosen Grand Huntmastery as one of your five Disciplines then you will not need to tick off a Meal when instructed to eat.

Potion of Laumspur

This is a healing potion that can restore 4 ENDURANCE points to your total when swallowed after combat. It cannot be used to increase ENDURANCE points immediately prior to a combat. There is enough for one dose only. If you discover any other potion during the adventure, you will be informed of its effect. All potions are Backpack Items.

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