1995-05-06
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 82
Week Ending 5-06-95
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to DarkwolfMM for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest.
DarkwolfMM has earned choice of 4 Pearls or 2 Free Hours of On-line time to
be credited to their account. WTG!
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On Sunday, the 30th of April ...the call went out for new adventurers to join
NWA Kregar on a journey to Vilnask. Many showed at the Neverwinter
Gardens...and after careful concideration, six were chosen. Hawk169157,
HHelgen, Madmax 1RW, Moonflames and YesIam61 joined NWA Kregar on a dangerous
journey. Rumour had it that Willo Clovyr has disappeared..and it was time to
lay these rumores ot rest..or find the truth. The journey to WIllo's home was
harsh...battles fought and won with minor injuries. Mrs. Clovyr was frantic
with worry when we talked to her...and we set out. Little did we know what
trials the gods had in store for us. Through secret passages...set upon by
carefully planned ambushes...one by one our group was thinned. Clues were
found..hidden paths followed....and at the last test..Dracoliches. I feared
for the sole survivor of this group, YesIam61...when a familair voice cried
out to us from the darkness of the path. NW Aziza walked towards
us...greetings were hastily made..and we battled the Dracos to victory.
Alas..she could not stay..and YesIam61 and NWA Kregar went on..to find a
Mage. Evil in his intent...he bragged about haveing Willo as a captive. We
advnced on him..and he waved his hands..and conjured a Fire Elemantal and
Skeletons up from the earth to battle us. The creatures and the mage were
defeated..and as a reward Willo gave an ornate dagger to YesIam61. Thanks to
all who participated!
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Winner of Location Hunt 5/1
"The Longsaddle Stables seemed to avoid me, because neither I, nor anyone
else, could find them. However, Shinde found them and gave me directions to
get there :)
Congratulations to Shinde for locating them! Shinde will recieve 4 pearls and
1 free hour.
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Thanks go to the following people for joining me on my Tour of the North
Areas of Neverwinter :>
We fought many beast this evening and won many of a battles:D
-TazMD1
-Celaborn
-Saah
-V Jessie
-Sir Trynet
-Blackroot
-NW Lenox
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With comb and brush in hand, I went to Southwall to see could resist my
dashing personality.
The participants were: Phintarn, SOL Cinder, Hick666, LordTerekJ, Shtsun,
Gribokb, Nonant, V Saven, Zandrakkas, and Raithe. Incredibly Phintarn (Level
1 drow fighter/magic user/thief) went toe to toe with Raithe for 10 rounds.
The two resisted my personality so well that I had to switch to holds.
Unfortunately, Raithe forfeited. Gotta fix that hair again... ;>
NWA Vorpal
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NWA Archer's Crossergate Tour.
We began the night mired down in a sea of travellers. Many fine adventurers
seemed interested in the journey, but GBrightWel, Kazgaroth, Belorn, NOR
Rpwade, and SilentHunt all were the only ones up to the task. We headed out
through Vilnask and were just approaching town when we encountered large
tree's that seemed intent on sqeezing the life out of us. We managed to put
the howling Wolves accompianing them to sleep, then we focused our swords on
the trees who had come to life before us. Needless to say we triumphed! We
headed through Vilnask with ease despite the spying of a few Krakens and
their pet Banshee. After clearing the region we entered Crossergate. We
headed onwards, fighting off Ice Hounds and more Howling Wolves. More than
once we had our backs against the wall. Belorn used his bow like a master
Archer and managed to skillfully pick off a few of the Wolves before they
could harm any of our fellow adventurers. We headed to the inn and I
whispered the plan to all. We then set out. After I was able to enter
through a secret door we headed to locate the Centaur we had been sent to
find. After what seemed like a dozen battles we happened upon a corridor.
As we rounded the bend we were met by the Centaur, he was in grave danger! We
faught by his side and a mighty fireball from Kazgaroth freed him from his
captors. We had saved him and listened to his tale. He advised us of a safe
route out of the dungeon and we set out again determined to see the light of
day once again. We headed onwards and eventually came to a battle that was
tougher than any we had faced all night...everyone pitched in and we came out
on top. For our efforts we discovered a scrawled note!
I hope everyone had fun! I know I did! Thanks for participating!
-NWA Archer.
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NEVERWINTER CALENDAR
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Be on the look out for those Mini Booths that seem to pop up out of nowhere!
Can you be at the right place at the right time when the NW calls for a
location?
Keep your eyes and ears open for these events! Watch for the banners!
New Player Tour
May 7th, Sunday 2:00 PM ET - Join NW Triel for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
New Player Tour:
May 8th, Monday 4:00 PM ET - Join NWA Storm for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
New Player Tour:
May 10th Wednesday 12:00 (Midnight)- Join NWA Ember for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
New Player Tour:
May 11th Thursday 9:00 PM ET Join NWA Kyrae for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;
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Fey in Exile Stories
Submitted by Fey 0ne
Chapter Four: "Another Flask Story"
Rohanbear continued to study me as he sipped from my flask and listened
to me tell my story. He was not human, but he was trying to be. He copied
my gestures carefully, though his own natural movements were far more
graceful. He interrupted my narration with his odd observations. I was as
fascinated with him as he was with me. I was convinced he wasn't really
hearing a word I said. His attention seemed continually diverted, his
movements alternately restless and still. Yet when I told him how I had been
driven to take my own life, he suddenly reached for my hand.
"May I be saved from that doom!" he murmured and for a while was
completely still.
When he moved again it was to take my flask and tip it over his upturned
face to shake the draught into his mouth.
"This liquid affects me quite agreeably," was his comment. He moved
closer to me and began his own tale. "I am. . . . That is the most that I
can say about myself now. There is no word for what I am in your language.
You creatures sometimes call us `shapeshifters.' But that is just an ability
some of us have and develop. I have never shifted to this form before. It
is most strange."
For the first time since I'd met this odd creature, I felt that he was
really speaking directly to me. How much of what he'd shown me so far had
been a pose? How much caution? How much merely the aftereffects of
shapeshifting? Then I remembered what it was we were drinking: Cerdith's
Finest, home brewed Pathfinder Frenzy. I was getting drunk with a
shapeshifter.
"So tell me, Rohanbear," I asked him as he passed me the flask, "what is
your real shape?"
"Only those of my kind can see my true shape, my dear," he answered with
that same, odd smile. "I think I was fairly successful with this shape,
though, for a first try." He sat up a bit and gestured at the fire which
immediately dimmed. "Is it hot tonight or did I shift improperly?" he
mumbled. He pushed back his mantle and a mass of fire red hair hair cascaded
over his head and shoulders. He immediately registered my reaction in those
huge, dark eyes of his and said, "Red," and pointing unnecessarily to his
hair.
"Very," I nodded and took another generous swig from the flask.
"Do you know why I chose red?" he asked, smoothing the deep red velvet
folds of his robe. At my shrug, he blinked. "Truly?" he insisted, "You
don't know?"
I thought about that for a bit.
"Red is my favorite color," I said at last. I was beginning to
understand.
"Yes," he sighed, apparently satisfied. But I was not.
"Why did you give me my life?" I asked him in a voice that would brook
no evasion.
The question hung between us; a stillness fell. . . . At last he
spoke.
"I heard the horses cry and so I ran to the scene. I found you. The
driver was clearly dead. What was left of you was a mystery to me. You were
neither alive nor dead." Rohanbear paused after he spoke these words.
"Neither alive nor dead," he repeated, "just as the seer had foretold.
There was a chance that you were the One. There was a way to revive you if
you were. I took the risk."
He waited for me to speak. An emotion I could not name ran through me.
`If I were the One,' I thought and sat motionless, silent, not wanting to ask
the questions that his words had prompted.
"I had to stretch into your plane of existence to reach you. And when I
reached for you and touched you, I knew you. I had to know all of you to
bring all of you to life, do you see? I know red is your favorite color. I
know you, Fey. I know you better than you know yourself."
Then he moved to my side and gently took my face in those two gloved
hands and stared into my cool, grey eyes. And as I looked into those
fathomless black eyes, something sounded deep within in me. I stared
steadily back at him. "Why did you give me my life?" I repeated.
Just before he kissed me, I heard him say, "It was my destiny to give
you your life, just as it is your destiny to give me mine."
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The Story of the Bracelet
Chapter 16: Close Call
(Submitted by Vallus)
An Umber Hulk burst in carrying a cask full of smokepowder with a
lighted fuse attached. "I'll blast it!" said Crystal as she raised her arm
and her bracelet began to glow "NO! DON'T!!" yelled Leoster as he knocked her
arm towards the wall and a crimson beam disintegrated a side wall, giving a
nice view of what was outside the ship.
The Umber Hulk gave a sound that might be described as a laugh as it
cradled the cask in one arm to keep the other free to defend itself. "Why did
you do that?" asked Crystal "I could've blasted it easy." "Yeah," replied
Leoster "but then that smokepowder would've blasted US. Smokepowder is
probably THE most explosive substance in all of creation with the exception
of Phlogiston which fortunately cannot exist within a Crystal Sphere.
Uh oh, we're almost out of time." And indeed they were almost out of
time as the fuse on the cask of smokepowder burned low. "Get that cask behind
that door! Fast! it's our only chance for survival!" The Giff marines sprang
into action and quickly slaughtered the lone Umber Hulk with their finely
honed swords and skills. Then they quickly tossed the cask out the door to
the rest of the ship and slammed it shut. This was just in time as mere
moments after the door was shut, the smokepowder exploded. The entire
ship rocked from the explosion and when it was over, one of the Giff marines
opened the door and found that he was looking at the Deathspider from the
outside. The explosion had blasted away a large portion of the forward
section of the Deathspider. The entire "neck" of the ship was gone and there
were scorch marks on the forward section of the shell that was the rear
section of the ship.
"If the explosion was that big" wondered one of the Giff marines "how
come we didn't get blasted as well?" Then they noticed that the door, which
was not damaged at all, glowed faintly crimson. All eyes turned to Crystal "I
put a protective spell on the door using my bracelet, it just..popped into my
head." "Well done Crystal" said Leoster "looks like you just saved our lives.
Now, can you get us a bridge to what's left of that Deathspider?"
"No problem." said Crystal as she created a ruby bridge from what used
to be the bridge of the Deathspider to the opening in what remained of the
Neogi ship left by the explosion. Leoster and Crystal led the way as their
Giff marines went across the magically created bridge to the now egg-like
Deathspider.
And egg-like may be a fitting description for, within the domed cargo
area and shielded behind a Cloaking Helm stolen from the Elvish Imperial
Navy, sat a Neogi Mindspider with the Master Gem within it's own cargo area,
the ship's Captain-Owner wanting to keep it close at hand. By the way, in
case you're wondering where the Deathspider's helm is, there is none, it gets
it's power from the Mindspider which is just the way the Captain-Owner likes
it.
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I AM
I am a wizardly man that dreams of magic
I wonder if I could ever cast a spell
I hear the magical words spoken
I see a magical light flicker from my fingertips
I want the ability of magic
I am a wizardly man that dreams of magic
I pretend that I am a high mage with immense power
I feel magical power pulse through me
I touch a red hot sphere contained with unending fire
I worry that this power may eventually take control of me
I cry for never experiancing magic firsthand
I am wizardly man that dreams of magic
I understand magic has never existed
I say it will come
I dream of the power
I try to understand
I hope magic will someday come into the world
I am a wizardly man who dreams of magic
RICRAC001
Shadow Alliance
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The Early Road
(Submitted by: Elrohir)
Leaning against a tree in the square one evening, as I whiled away the
hours listening to the gossip and jests of a group of adventurers talking to
one of Lord Nasher's Guard, a battered looking individual approached the
group. As he neared, I recognized the signs of another of my profession,
though one that was a fledgling. Moving within the circle of torchlight, he
spoke:
"These creatures evade my every blow!" He staggered a little, then
continued. "Where may I find healing?"
One of the crowd turned, spoke gruffly, "Get thee to an Inn."
I moved around the group to where he stood, none too steadily.
"Well met, I am Elrohir. Would you be offended at an offer of assistance?"
" I am Nemmy," he replied, "And I would be grateful."
We proceeded to the Inn near the Southwall Gate and partook of their
hospitality until Nemmy was well. Remembering what it was like when I first
walked the path of a Ranger, I offered to accompany Nemmy on an outing to
Southwall.
We passed the guards at the gate and turned down the avenue to the West.
As we passed, the Neverwinter tax collector popped his head out from his door
and grabbed Nemmy's arm.
"The beasts are back again! They are in the counting house!"
His eyes alight, Nemmy readied himself and was off, leaving me to run
after or be left behind. We found the door to the first counting room locked
against intrusion, which was quickly remedied by a well placed boot near the
latch. As the door flew open in a shower of wood fragments, the rooms
occupant, a tall bugbear armed with a spear, dropped his new won riches and
turned to fight. Nemmy was first through the door, and scored a glancing
blow with his sword to draw first blood as I stood back to watch his sword
play. The bugbear was quick, and countered with a blow to Nemmy's head with
the butt of its spear. I moved in as my companion narrowly missed meeting
his deity from a spear thrust. The 'bear had overextended, and my sword took
him just below the breastbone. We quickly gathered the spoils, as I advised
Nemmy to only take the gold and platinum.
"An easy target you make, if you try to carry a hoard upon your back."
He said that he was feeling a little shaky, owing to the great knot upon the
side of his head from the clubbing he took, so we decided to turn back to the
city proper. As we passed the door of the tax collector, we were set upon by
a group of four orcs. My friend quickly considered his condition and decided
that discretion was the better part of valor. I quickly agreed that he
should flee, while I attempted to hold the foul creatures back. A bitter
hatred I carry for orcs and their kin, and I was not minded to leave any of
these alive. As I felled the first who came at me, barely avoiding strikes
from two of the others, a third passed by and took up pursuit of Nemmy.
The orcs did their best to keep me between them, and my luck had turned
for the worst. Try as I might, I was unable to get through their guard and
was beginning to tire. At that moment, the third beast turned back from his
pursuit and made his way towards me. Suddenly, I heard Nemmy's voice.
"I've got him!" he cried, running back towards me and gaining swiftly on
the orc. Their concentration broken, I was able to split the helm of one of
my attackers, and a lucky thrust dropped the second. The remaining orc
wheeled on Nemmy, but I was a second quicker.
It appeared that this group had fared well in their robberies, so we had
no lack of coinage. The remainder of our journey was a quiet one, and we
rested well. I suggested to my companion that the purchase of a bow and some
arrows might save him some injury in the long run, so we made a quick stop at
the armory. We then headed to the market area, where we tried our new
weaponry on some giant frogs. Nemmy was pleased to be the victor with nary a
scratch. We turned from there to a dark, deserted warehouse where we were
surprised by the work of some foul cleric. Two skeletons and a zombie
materialized from the darkness ahead of us, the clinking of the skeletons
bones sending a chill down our spines. I moved around behind them as Nemmy
hewed mightily at the fleshless dead. I must guess that the undead are
despised by his god, so swift and accurate was his swordhand. He destroyed
two of the skeletons, while I dispatched the third. I also took the arm of
the zombie, but it was Nemmy's stroke that removed the foul head from the
things body. I looked up as it slid to the floor. There was a light in the
eyes of my companion that spoke louder than any words. Here was one who
doubted himself no longer.
"Well done," I said. He smiled.
"There is a thing I must do, alone." he replied. "Will you come with me to
the tavern for a parting cup?"
I accepted and we made our way back.
"Perchance I will see you again," I said as we left the tavern and made
our way to the square, "But if not, fare you well."
"And you." he replied as he moved off into the darkened streets and I
settled back against the tree in the square, listening once again to the
endless voices of Neverwinter.
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Afternoon Break (Part 1)
submitted by Alex Rogue, WMG
Papers lay scattered across Alex's desk, along with an uncorked ink
bottle, pen, and a candle which had long burned out. The desk itself was
simple but well worked, solid oak planks just over a span long with two rows
of pigeon holes along the back and drawers below - four on the left side,
three on the right.
At several hours past highsun, the small room was filled with light
streaming through its single window and reflected off the white walls. Next
to the desk, a door led to the hall of the Ivory Tower's east wing - actually
a tower unto itself standing two stories shorter than the main tower's seven.
Against the adjoining wall stood a cedar wardrobe and shelves lined with
books, papers, and a variety of odd objects. Beneath the window on the
outside wall was a small table with a water pitcher, candle, and a shelf with
more books. Beside the window and table, a simple bed with a full straw
mattress filled the corner and most of the length of the fourth wall.
Alex leaned back in a sturdy, wooden chair between the foot of the bed and
the desk. He was just finishing a description of special events recently held
in Neverwinter, and when Alex lowered the papers, he found himself squinting
at the bright light filling the window. He stood and, still gripping the
papers, reached the window in three easy strides. The wooden floorboards
creaked as Alex shifted his weight to lean over the water pitcher and rest
his hands on the window sill.
His eyes started where the treetops met the sky. The sun, fiercely yellow,
hung a good two hours above the canopy. Forest came almost to the tower
walls. Inside those walls, from his third floor window, Alex saw the gardens
and pools which filled the area from near the center of the main tower to
where the wall met the east wing just out of sight to his left. A rosebush
and vine covered alley ran from the south entrance of the main tower between
the walled garden below him and the walled and warded practice yard which ran
between the main tower and the west wing.
The west wing was five floors and identical on the exterior to the tower
in which he stood. Beautiful white, with no sign of wear despite its age, the
ivory tower appeared to have grown in this very spot. But the stone had, Alex
assumed, been brought from mountains far away and worked so seamlessly that
one might think it had been carved from a small mountain.
Alex could barely catch hints of the faint silver streaks, and rose and
blue spots, which ran through the stone. They were almost imperceptible
unless you tried to find them or were lucky enough to catch a reflection of
the sunlight. Even then, they vanished almost as soon as you recognized them;
so, many people never noticed them at all. He had never seen stone like it
anywhere else.
A breeze brought the scent of new growth, and his eyes turned back to the
woods. "Fresh air and a walk would be good now," Alex thought. Moving back
across the room, Alex dropped the papers on his desk as he opened the door.
He took one step into the hallway and stopped, feeling the soft rug beneath
his right foot.
Looking down, Alex shook his head and mumbled, "boots." He closed the door
behind him as he turned to survey his room. His boots, simple black with an
etching of ivy down the sides, were sprawled on the floor behind the chair -
right where he had taken them off after eveningfeast the night before. As he
sat on the end of his bed to put them on, Alex remembered he hadn't slept,
but he didn't feel tired. Standing again, he worked the boots on a little
better and began to tuck in his shirt, which was hanging half out. Noticing
an ink stain on the sleeve, though, he pulled it over his head instead and
got a clean one from the wardrobe. With a groan, Alex exhaled deeply, "Now,
I'm ready," then splashed water on his face and walked into the hall.
A deep red rug, with purple and gold geometric patterns, ran in a circle
between the spiral staircase and the wall. The colors had dulled, Alex was
sure, and countless steps had worn a slightly smooth path through its middle
and in front of each of the five doors opening into the hall. Still, the rug
remained a beautiful piece of work. Lanterns of purified oil gave off plenty
of light but very little smoke.
As he stepped down the first stair, Alex halted at the faint sound of a
harp and flute. Listening to the sweet music, he smiled. "Mel0dy did it!" He
exclaimed, "She's brilliant!"
"Did what?" Sigfreed asked, as he rounded the stairs from above.
Alex grinned up at his fellow mage and explained, "The music! Hear that
lovely harp and flute playing? Mel0dy found several spells in the library
that she thought could be used to create music. She was so excited yesterday
talking about a surprise for her father. I didn't know what she meant, but
she could barely hide her glee. This must be it. Somehow she's managed to
enchant the stairs. Amazing."
"Quite. I've never heard of its like before," Sigfreed agreed. He paused
to listen, mouth opening into a smile. "I was in such a rush, I hadn't
realized. Incredible. Such a pretty tune. Do ye recognize it?"
"Nay. I wonder if she created it too." "I'll have to tell Ebonshard
about this! I'm off to meet him at Strider's. Want to join us?"
"Thank ye, but I've quieter things in mind."
"Enjoy then," Sigfreed said and dashed on down the stairs.
Alex moved on too, though at a slower pace. His hand lingered along the
vine-carved railing as he followed it down and around to the first floor.
The ceiling of the Ivory Tower's first level stood over six spans above
the intricate tile work which covered the floors. In the East Wing, a sun -
symbolizing a new day, new beginnings, life, hope - radiated amid a
background of blue and white. The Scales of Tyr, balanced and resting on a
war hammer, representing justice, were detailed in the center of the great
golden globe. The sight was particularly impressive when, as now, the vast
round hall was mostly empty.
Alex rested his arms against the railing of the spiral staircase, looking
down on the beautiful design from almost directly above the scales. The faint
sounds of harp and flute were barely audible. Apparently, Mel0dy had only
included the stairs from the second floor up in her spell.
From where Alex stood, the stairwell began to unwind so that the landing
was at the tower's north side, rather than continuing in a tight spiral down
the tower's center. Stretching as he turned, the paladin mage took the
remaining steps two at a time, then began crossing the room with long
strides. The sound of his boots were amplified by all the hard surfaces. A
row of curtains running a quarter length of the wall to his left hid the
tables, chairs, and extra lamp stands that filled the cavernous hall during
feasts and celebrations. The ten tables set up near the wall ahead and to his
right would easily satisfy the needs of the few people in the tower today,
though.
"Jaron," he called as his young friend entered through the southern door
which opened into the gardens. Alex met Jaron soon after arriving in
Neverwinter. The boy worked at Daglow's Inn, where Alex stayed before moving
into the Ivory Tower. Jaron's favorite past time was collecting and trading
oddities he bought or did odd jobs to acquire. On a recent trip through the
city, Alex hinted that he might be able to arrange for Jaron to spend some
time in the home of the White Mages, and the lad immediately began planning
for the move. Seeing Jaron's grin and bouncy step, Alex was happier than ever
that Flumis had agreed so readily to let him help care for the grounds. "Well
met! When did ye arrive?"
"Only just. I followed the directions ye gave me and got to the oak grove
a bit early. So, I climbed the tallest for a better look around. I thought
Calis was going to leave me there when I showered him with acorns while
scrambling back down, but he ended up laughing about it later." Jaron's
cheeks reddened at the memory of Flumis' assistant trying to dodge all those
tiny missiles. "He sent me to find a woman named Relena and get a room to put
my things in." Alex and Jaron reached each other near an edge of the sun
mosaic and shook hands.
"I've not seen her, but she might be in the kitchen checking on
preparations for eveningfeast." Alex nodded toward the hall which led to the
kitchens at the rear of the main tower. "Or at least, someone in there may
know where she is." Placing a hand on Jaron's shoulder, Alex continued, "Come
along. I want to get some bread and cheese before I head out."
The two walked down the hall, Jaron wide-eyed trying to absorb every new
sight at once. Though surely the hallway, poorly lit and purely utilitarian,
was not much to see. Alex was far more interested in the aroma of baking
bread which filled the air. As they came around a gentle turn, the kitchen
door was open ahead, revealing an elderly, and well fed, flour faced couple
laughing while furiously chopping carrots.
"Ha! You didn't have a chance you old badger," Mariam said, poking her
knife toward the half inch of carrot just below Edgar's blade. Her husband
looked at her knife and defiantly made the final two slices with his own,
grinning all the while. Then he began scooping all the pieces into a bowl.
"Why if you hadn't jabbed me with that elbow of yours, you'd be the one to
gut the fish tomorrow." Edgar tried to sound mad, but he wasn't very good at
it - especially with Mariam. They'd been married forty years and known each
other fifteen years longer, since they were both in the cradle on neighboring
farms near Longsaddle.
"That was no jab," came Mariam's retort. "I was just making sure I had
enough elbow room to work properly." The couple had gathered all the carrot
pieces, and Edgar was turning with the bowl in hand.
"Alex, good to see you lad," he said noticing the new arrivals, "and who's
this young fellow with you?"
"Edgar, Mariam, this is Jaron, a friend of mine from Neverwinter. He's
come to help Flumis in the gardens this season." Alex continued the
introductions. "Jaron, these are the Conlins, who run the finest kitchen of
any guild hall north of Waterdeep."
Mariam reached out and hugged Jaron so hard he almost dropped his pack.
"Well met, son! It'll be good to have another mouth to feed." She let the boy
go and turned to hug Alex - Mariam hugged everyone that came into her
kitchen, Alex thought - while Edgar shook Jaron's hand. "Aye! It's good to
meet you lad," he said, "but don't listen to Alex. This is the finest kitchen
of any guild hall! Why I'd put Mariam's spice cakes up against anything in
Waterdeep, and my roast, too, for that matter." Edgar grinned proudly and
winked at Alex.
"In light of such modesty," Alex said, grinning back at Edgar, "I concede
to the unequaled master of roasts." Alex finished with an elaborate bow,
which pushed the giggles right out of Mariam. Jaron looked uncertain for an
instant, but when Edgar joined Mariam, all four were soon laughing.
"Ah, dear friends, have ye seen Relena?" Alex asked when the laughter
settled. "Jaron needs a room."
"I think she's in her office making preparations for the arrival of more
ambassadors," Mariam offered. Then she explained how to find Relena's office
and finished by encouraging Jaron to be on his way. "I expect Flumis will
have plenty of work for you. There may only be a couple hours of light left,
but that's enough time for him to get you oriented, and he'll begin his day
early tomorrow, I expect." Jaron thanked her, bid them all farewell and moved
toward the hallway to the main tower.
"I'll find ye soon and, if Flumis hasn't worn ye ragged, show
ye around," Alex said as his friend was leaving. "Meanwhile, take care."
"I shall, and ye do the same. Thank ye," Jaron replied.
"Well, I'm off for a walk in the woods," Alex said to Mariam.
Edgar was carrying the bowl of carrots toward the kettle hanging above the
cook fire. "Could I get a bit of cheese and perhaps a loaf of that wonderful
smelling bread?"
"Of course," Mariam responded and turned to cut a hunk of cheese from the
wheel on the table in the center of the kitchen. Edgar had the carrots
stirred into the stew and added, "Give the lad a few slices of turkey, too,
Mariam. I'm betting he hasn't eaten more than a scrap all day." Then he
tossed her a net bag and began wrapping a small loaf of bread in cloth.
Mariam quickly had the cheese and turkey wrapped and tucked into the bag. She
droped in an apple, put the loaf Edgar gave her on top, and handed it over to
Alex. "There you go," she smiled.
Alex took the bag and thanked the Conlins, then he headed toward the back
door of the main tower. As he was leaving the kitchen, he overheard Edgar
speaking to Mariam. "The stew is best left alone for a while. Would you like
to join me for a stroll through the garden?"
...to be continued...
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Hellgate Keep
Chapter 11
With the ending of one battle another is about to begin. The remaining forces
of Gargauth march through the hills coming at last to the sealed gates of
Citadel Adbar. The protection spells are cancelled finally showing the army
to all. Gargauth stands at the head of 11,000 creatures of evil. He strides
forward and slams his fist against the steel doors. Hinges crack and the
doors sag. A second blow lands shattering the steel. The entrance tunnel is
completely filled with rubble. Orcs rush forth with pick and shovel to remove
the stone. Hill giants follow to move the largest rocks. The rest of the army
makes camp. A clear, pure bugle call blows behind them. The army of guilds
and Silverymoon spread out across the rocky hills taking the high ground.
Inside the mountain, the Duergar attack when the first fist falls on the
door. The Dwarves of Citadel Adbarim wait within the tunnels and chambers for
them. The warnings of JJ and WJP had alerted them to the danger from below.
It was decided to collapse the entrance and fight the more hated enemy first.
Now WJP and JJ await with Lord Anval for the main battle to commence. The
squads in the outlying area give way collapsing more passages. Duergar scream
a blood lust as they follow the retreating Dwarves. Minutes after the attack
begins the fleeing squads start making their way to the main chamber. They
join the bulk of Citadel Adbarrim's army. The army is in battle formation
before Denek's trek, the tunnel leading into the rest of the city. Grey
dwarves appear in the tunnels. Soon they have formed battle formation on the
other side of the chamber. The tunnels behind them collapse. At the same time
a mighty rumble comes from deep within Denek's Trek. The two armies are
sealed into the chamber. Lord Anval shouts, "Ta na evel levs!" Dwarves on
both sides surge forward. JJ and WJP stand in the back ranks launching spells
into the Duergar. When the scrolls are blank and their memories empty they
charge forward with the rest. JJ uses Lord Feanor's short sword and a
borrowed shield. The two handed sword of WJP keeps the enemy a respectful
three feet away. Any Duergar entering WJP's reach is slain before he can
attack. Hours drag by as the opposing forces push back and forth. Openings
begin to appear in the Duergar lines. The cracks widen with each passing
minute. The grey dwarves split into two forces then three, four. They are
overrun one at a time till only a few remain. A large circle shapes around
the remaining ten duergar. The forces of Adbarrim stop fighting and form a
ring fifty feet across. Lord Anval steps forward and issues a challenge. "I
sae yur clan chief levs yet. Sen em forwer, so I ma slay em mesef. If'n ha
wens ya mae go frae" A lone duergar steps forward swinging his axe overhand.
It bounces off Anval's shield, his hammer blocks a second attack. They
circle, exchanging blows. Lord Anval fakes a high blow and comes in low
smashing the duergars hip. As the grey dwarf losses his balance a second
hammer blow smashes his skull. Each council member comes forward one at a
time issuing such a challenge. None of the duergar leave the room.
JJ grabs WJP by the shirt, "Listen to that, theres a fight outside. The
guilds must have arrived." He looks at the sealed tunnels. "And we're stuck
down here!" Lord Anval overhears the conversation. "Nae lad, many o' sacrt
tunnel leads fro heer. In bu o' shor time we ba joining em up top."
The previous evening out on the plains a few miles from the Ice Mountains.
Apoth stands before the assembled guild leaders. "From what Nystramo has said
there is a single road leading into the Citadel Adbar. The terrain on either
side is rock covered boulder strewn hills. I'm sure everyone has heard the
first rule of battle." Volant shouts in a joking manner. "Ya mean kill the
mages before anyone else." Apoth smiles, "Thats the one, even though I don't
find it so funny. Anyway, these concealed tunnels, can they hold all your
clan Nystramo."
"Aye, they ba made fer such o' thing." Nystramo starts to see the plan.
In the depth of night Clan Axepeak moves towards the mountains. Double timing
through the hills they reach Adbarrim well ahead of Gargauth. The army
follows at first light a mere hour behind the evil. They crest the final hill
to find Gargauth's forces well into the chore of making camp. A single bugle
call sends them to their positions that were determined the night before.
KORT and KEF line the hill to the left. The army of Silverymoon mass on the
road, rows of pikemen form a wall of blades. The White Mages take positions
to the right. They stare down on the mob of evil below. With startling speed
the forces of Gargauth form their battle lines. The guilds view Gargauth for
the first time. He walks to the front of his army. Horns and shards stick
from his face and back. Dagger like claws extend from each finger. When he
speaks razor sharp fangs gleam in the sun. "You foolish weaklings, leave now
and I may let you live. If I still see you when I turn around my army will
destroy you all." He walks to the back of his army. For a long minute he
faces Adbarrim. When he turns back the gleaming banners of good meet his
eyes. A roar of fury shakes the ground, his army surges forward. The guilds
stand watching the evil rush towards them. With agonizing slowness the area
between them shrinks. At one hundred yards a barrage of fireballs flies into
evils ranks. The White Mages prepare another volley as the approaching armies
officers move them to the right. The precision with which the evil army turns
is terrifying. In moments they reach the bottom of the slope. The guild
forces retreat from the summit. Seeing the mages retreat the leading orcs
ignore their officers and charge over the top. A mere 10 yards down the other
side OGS, COR and the White Mages unleash a fire storm into the leading
ranks. Nearly 1500 are turned to ash, the three guilds charge forward
reclaiming the summit from the orcs. Evil retreats to a safe distance as
spells from all sides tear into their ranks.
The day ends in a standoff.
Volant stands at a small fire talking with friends. "Cut em down a little
today. Wish we could have gotten more of them. They still outnumber us three
or four to one."
"They'll be ready for us tomorrow." Steve sips his ale. "Nystramo's the only
surprise we have left. Hope he'll be enough." Lighstedge looks out over the
assembled members of COR. "Up till now luck and surprise have been our
constant companions. When they leave we're gonna lose some brothers and
sisters."
"The guild coffers are overflowing." With determination Volant contiues. "I
will spend us into debt and travel to every city in the realms till each
slain is returned to our guild." Silvir walks into the firelight. "I've asked
every person I could find, no one has seen Jakwar."
"He'll turn up, damn sorry time for him to go looking for a tavern."
Lightsedge's joke only draws the slightest of chuckles. Volant excuses
himself and walks to other camp fires.
Jakwar
COR HERALD AND EXPLORER
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THE HANDS OF TIME
Sponsored by
The Night Masks
SUNDAY MAY 14TH, 8 PM EST
Be in the City of Neverwinter
** Story Line **
An evil mage seeks his revenge on the fair city of Never Winter for
banishing him 10 years ago. Employing the forces of a master thief and the
Night Masks, Magnus Blk has stolen the crucial main gear of the great water
clock of NeverWinter. Using the powers of the gear, the warlock has cast a
great curse on all the first born sons of NeverWinter, causing them to remain
in a state of suspended animation.
Cyan Bane tried desperately to make a new gear, employing the
forgemasters of longsaddle and his arcane arts, Cyan was able to create an
exact duplicate. Just when he thought no lives need be risked going after
Magnus Blk, Kid Storm a murderous Pirate burst into his lab, setting it
aflame and stealing the gear. Nearly killing Cyan in the process. All was
lost.
Then a stroke of good luck blessed Neverwinter. Laelin Blk the thief that
worked for magnus, and the one that stole the gear to the great clock was
captured and brought in by a brave group of adventurers. He remains
imprisoned in a secret location, but Nasher's agents hope to get some
information about the missing gear out of Laelin very soon.
Either way, adveturers are needed to go out after Magnus and Kid Storm.
One of the gears must be retrieved, if not both!
Can you brave adventurers help Nasher's sage, Cyan Bane, regain the
gear, slay the wizard or Kid Storm. All the while the Night Mask warparties
are tracking your every move? Only the hands of time shall tell....
The "Hands of Time", quest will take adventurers all throughout the
know regions around Never Winter, exculding the sewers and the isles. The
parties will be tested both mentally and physically. There will be many
clues, riddles and mysteries that will need solving. Roving bands of hungry
Night Masks will be seeking questors in pvp areas, so make sure you have a
pvper or two in your party. Above all, have fun.....
** Quest Rules **
The following Quest rules must be followed at all times. Failure to do so
will result in the disqualification of the team. The "Hands of Time" Quest
will be May 14th at 8 pm est. It should take about 3 hours to solve and will
go no longer then 12 am est. Prizes will go to the members of the top 3
finishing teams, and every hour a random prize shall be given to quest
participates. Prizes will be listed on the Events board prior to the Quest.
Quest Key Word Definitions
==========================
Quest Team: Is a group of players who agree to work together with a common
goal of winning the Quest. Quest teams are made up of 4 members (1 Team
Leader, 1 Alternate Team Leader, and 2 additional team members).
Quest Coordinator: Is a person who assists in the operation of the Quest.
Each Quest team is assigned a Quest Coordinator, who usually will be the
Quest team's contact for receiving clues during the Quest. During the Hands
of Time Quest, "Cyan bane" or "Laelin Blk" will be your coordinator. You will
know who your cordinator is when he esps you in NW shortly after 8 pm est.
Traffic Coordinator: The NW assigned to help the Quest run smoothly.
NPC: Is a person who is assisting in the operation of the Quest. They are
stationed in an area or specific location which a Quest team will need to
locate. During the Quest, teams will receive clues which will help them
determine where they should seek the NPC.
Quest Rules
===================
1) The quest will run for a maximum of 4 hours. It will take about 3 hours to
complete the "Hands of Time" Quest
2) Each Quest team shall contain 4 members, as follows: 1 Team Leader, 1
Alternate Team Leader, and 2 additional members. If at any time a Team
Leader should "punt", the Alternate Team Leader shall temporary take over as
Know that tonight, May 1st, I proposed in NW square with many witnesses to
the fair and lovely Ldy Elexis for her hand in marriage.
My offer was accepted, and we set a date two weeks hence, May 15th, and a
time of 9 PM EST for the wedding. We plan on having it somewhere in
NeverWinter, but the Gardens might be too constrictive for the numbers of
guests who we expect to attend, so the location will be announced shortly.
We would like to invite all residents of NeverWinter to attend the short
ceremony, presided over by DucDeRohan, leader of my guild (Grey Knights of
the Balance) and Phantra, leader of my lovely bride's guild (TheSeekers).
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VAULT TIPS
(Submitted by: TruStrik)
Lately, there seems to be a multitude of problems with the vault system in
Neverwinter Nights. To try to explain how to avoid some of the problems
associated with the vaults (i.e., corrupted vaults), you should first know
how the vaults work. I will then list a few tips that help to avoid vault
losses.
First of all, whenever you enter your vault, the following happens:
1. Your PC accesses a file on your hard drive. This file contains the
associated
screen name, for example, NW_SNOWI.E_V.
2. From these files, the computer extracts some verification data, such as
the last time
the character accessed the vault file.
3. The AOL system maintains its own copy of the verification data. If the
information from the file on your PC does not match the information recorded
on the AOL system, a corrupted vault occurs.
4. When you exit the vault, the Date/Time information is stored on the AOL
system, and on your PC.
This corruption can occur in many ways. Listed below are some of the more
common reasons for vault corruption, as well as steps to take to avoid them:
Problem: Ghosting - Sometimes, people punt, but in an odd way. Your software
does not realize that you have punted. You can walk around NW, but you
cannot do the following things: Hear anyone else's text, receive EPS's, or
enter a new area. You also cannot send ESP's, although it will seem as if
you did. When you enter your vault in this condition, and this condition
can be hard to diagnose, your character files on your hard drive will
reflect this new vault access. The AOL system however, does not
receive this information, because you are not actually on the system.
Solution: Send yourself an ESP. If you do not receive it, DO NOT ENTER YOUR
VAULT!!! The system cannot send you an ESP if you are in this ghost state.
Problem: Hacking - Tampering with the NWN vault or character files can change
the
Date/Time information of the file, which will not match the system files.
Solution: Don't hack. Enough said ;)
Problem: Using 2 different versions of NWN software - Since the software
records the vault information on your hard drive in the NWN directory, if
you use 2 versions of the software, such as 2.20 and 2.22, only one of these
directories contains the valid vault files. Also, the way the different
versions access the vault files must be a little different, because even the
correct vault file can cause a corruption if a different version is used.
Solution: Only access the vault using one version of the software. If you
need to get in the vault while using the other version, just quit to system
and load the other version. I recommend using version 2.22 for this, as it
provides more vault entrances ;)
Problem: Punting - If you punt while in your vault, the vault files may be
corrupted. This is because when your PC removes you from NWN, it closes the
vault file, but
cannot update the AOL system with the new vault "Date/Time" information. In
other
words, in step 4 above, your PC was updated, but the AOL system was not.
Solution: While punting cannot be solved, there are steps you can take to
recover your vault. The easiest way is to copy your vault file to another
directory after EVERY time you successfully access your vault. If you punt
while in your vault, do the following
things after reentering NWN:
1. Try to enter your vault. If you can access your vault normally, you are
O.K.
2. If you get a message about a corrupted vault, the software will ask you if
you wish to create a new vault. Answer NO!!!!
3. Quit to system and copy the old vault file (the one in another directory)
over the one in your NWN directory.
4. Reenter NWN, and the Date/Time on your vault file should now match the one
on the AOL system.
Problem: Using 2 different computer to play NWN - If you use two different
computers to play NWN, such as one at work (for shame...what are you playing
NWN at work for? ;>), and one at home, this can cause a problem. This is
because if you access your vault from home, the vault file is saved on the
home computer. Then, if you try to access the vault from work, the vault
file Date/Time information will not match.
Solution: Either only access your vault from one computer, or transfer the
vault file to floppy disk and copy it to the other computer. Copying the
file is not recommended, as it can get confusing -
Is this vault file the most recent or it this one?
If you only access the vault from one location, things are much simpler.
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Guild Fair!!
Yes, after a short vacation, the Guild Fair returns, stronger than ever! This
one, being held again in the Wharves, will last from 8:00 pm EST to 9:30 pm
EST. The following guilds will be in attendandce and their coordinates in
the; Wharves:
the Fighting First (6,8)
the Pirates of NeverWinter (9,14)
the Shadow Alliance (4,4)
Phaedrus's Men:Zen and the Art of Battle-Axe Maitinance (12, 15)
The White Tower (2,2)
the Dundeain (5,15)
the Blades of Umoufia (3,4)
the Anarchist's Guild (2,8)
the WinterGuard (5,6)
the Curasders of Light (0,0)
Wolves of Luna (2,6)
For those of you who are not familiar with the Guild Fair, it is a gathering
of guild representatives who's job is to talk to players about the NW guild
system, and to talk especally on their own guild. This is the perfect time to
get info on a guild you were thinking about joining, or just to look around
at what the offerings are! In addition to talking with you, some of the
guilds will be running other events within their areas, such as prize booths
and new player tours! This event should be of great interest to all new and
non-guild players, and still offers an oppourtunity to broaden the horizons
of other players as well. I hope to see you out there!!!
Lt. Tempest Birchbough, Half-kender of the FF, Clerk of the FF, FF ambasador
to PON, Former Guild Fair coordinator (formerly Tempest56)
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Gimme a Scoop! Enter the weekly News of the Realm contest by submitting text
for publishing. If your Announcement, Article, Helpful Hint, NW Abby
Question, Poem, Fiction, or Tidbit wins, you'll have won your choice of 4
Pearls or 2 Free Hours of Online time to be credited to your account! Submit
all text to screenname: NW NEWS.
Sanctioned Guilds who send the most "news worthy" articles in each month will
earn 3 Pearls to be credited to their Guild Account!
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