<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<section name="689">
<p>
Looking down, you see a cloud of blood-red silt kicked up from the bottom of the pool, and a writhing shape within it. A dragon-shaped head and snake-like body shoot up from the water like a fountain.
</p>
<p>
<set var="armpenalty" value="-armour"/>
The creature, a water drake, opens its mouth and a high pressure jet of water stuns you.
<difficulty ability="scouting" level="10" var="pre">
<adjust value="armpenalty"/>
</difficulty> (remember to subtract any armour you are wearing from the roll).
<failure var="pre">
If you fail, you pass out and are drowned by the monster - <goto section="7"/>.
</failure>
If you succeed, you must fight the water drake in its own environment.
</p>
<fight name="Water Drake" combat="9" defence="12" stamina="40" modifiers="noarmour"/>
<p>
Your own Defence score is COMBAT plus Rank only - armour will not help you against the attempts of the drake to pull you under.
</p>
<p>
<fightround pre="f">
Each round, you must
<difficulty ability="scouting" level="9" var="round">
<adjust value="armpenalty"/>
</difficulty> (subtract armour) to stay afloat.
<failure var="round">
If you fail at any time, one of the creature's slippery coils has
<goto section="7">dragged you under</goto>
for the last time.
</failure>
</fightround>
</p>
<p>
If you lose, <goto section="7" dead="t"/>. If you succeed, <tick codeword="Ember"/> and <goto section="436"/>.
</p>
</section>