### 268

The bird streaks towards you at such a speed that instinctively you know that your first blow must count. There will be no time for a second before its dagger-sharp beak rakes your face.

Sea-scavenger: COMBAT SKILL 22 ENDURANCE 10

The creature is immune to Mindblast (but not Psi-surge). If the number of ENDURANCE points you lose in the first round of combat is greater than the number lost by your enemy, then the creature’s attack has caused lasting injury to your eyesight, and any subsequent ENDURANCE points that you may lose during the combat are permanent (they reduce your basic ENDURANCE score and cannot be restored through the use of healing, potions, etc.).9

If you win the combat, turn to 14.

#### Footnotes

[9] It is possible that your permanent ENDURANCE score might fall to zero or below due to the Sea-scavenger’s attack, but you may be wearing a piece of armour that gives you an ENDURANCE point bonus. This would leave you with a permanent ENDURANCE score of 0 with a current ENDURANCE score still above zero. If your basic ENDURANCE score is reduced to zero or below, you are dead and your adventure is over.