You and Speviroth travel through the wasteland, following the directions given to you by your spies. Upon reaching the cave, you both enter and make your way through its labyrinthine tunnels. Your search takes several hours, but after searching the rear of the cave, you finally spot it. You quickly rush forward and grab it, rubbing your hands across its smooth surface.

“Wait,” says Speviroth. “Something’s wrong. From this proximity, I should be sensing an overwhelming power coming from the artifact. However, I cannot sense anything. I believe you’ve been deceived.”

You stare down at the Talisman in disbelief, unable to allow yourself to believe Speviroth’s words. When you look back up, you notice Captain Awesome approaching from the cave’s entrance.

“A most astute observation,” he shouts. “Yes, I tricked you into coming to this cave so that I could kill you and rid this land and its people from your evil once and for all. I’m afraid that your reign of terror has come to an end.”

As he finishes speaking, he pulls a pistol and aims it at your head. However, he never does pull the trigger, as his attention is suddenly diverted toward the cave floor. Skeletal hands have emerged from the ground and are clawing at Captain Awesome’s boots. Soon, three skeletal warriors have emerged, and you silently thank Speviroth for his summonings. Realizing he cannot defeat all five of you, Captain Awesome runs away, leaving you holding the worthless trinket in your hands.

After returning to your fortress, you realize that your situation hasn’t improved any. Chalt’et’na’s Talisman still remains undiscovered. Captain Awesome is still trying to kill you “in the name of justice.” And you are still ruler of a dust bowl. Overall, today has been a complete failure, and you can see only one way to end it.

• Do you stay up all night sulking?
• Do you make love to your Queen?