1995-05-27
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 85
Week Ending 5-27-95
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to YKSS for winning last week's News of the Realm contest.
YKSS 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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Booth type: Magic missle booth
Booth location: 13,5 Warehouses
Booth time: Sat, May 20th, 8 PM ET
Booth winner (5 pearls): Boshiro
Congratulations to Boshiro for winning the second of this month's GOH only
minibooths. Boshiro edged out Kid Storm by a point, and went on to victory
by only taking 38 pts of damage from 2 magic missle spells. Thanks to all
the GOH members who participated, and a hearty WTG to Boshiro!
NW Kishpa
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Congrats to Ra1the for being the first to find the location from the clue
"Arak and Sons." : )
Ra1the wins 4 Pearls and 1 FREE hour. : )
NW Baldor
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Location Hunt winner - 5/26
Winner is Tieglin.
4 pearls and 1 free hour online.
Mystek
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FireBall Booth 5/27/95
Booth Winner : Tunkir
Congratulations to Tunkir for Casting two fireballs for a total of 66 Points!
He won 4 pearls and 1 hour of free online time for warming NWA Blythe up;)
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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:
May28th Sunday 1:00 PM ET - Join NWA Kregar 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 31st, Wednesday 8:00 PM ET - Join NWA Hobbes for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
New Player Tour:
June 1st, Thursday 8:00 PM ET - Join NW Aziza for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
New Player Tour:
June 3rd Saturday 3:00 PM ET Join NWA Blythe for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;
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The Great Purge Part Three Pg 1
(Submitted by Simarin)
I awoke at the cock's crow and climbed out of bed, ready to start what was
sure to be a long day. I quickly bathed and dressed before sitting down to
polish my armor and check my supplies. Soon I was fully suited and striding
out the door and down the stairs into the common room for a hearty breakfast.
Halfway through my bacon Ardrim arrived, but it wasn't until we were both
nearly through with our meal that LTT staggered down the stairs. He appeared
to be fighting a mild headache (Ardrim and I had warned him about the Frenzy,
but does he ever listen?) and appeared less then fresh, but he seemed just as
ready as we to begin our quest. Almost as ready, anyway. By the time he
had received his meal both Ardrim and I were completely finished with ours.
"Just what kind of ogre-brained idea is that?!" exploded LTT. "Without
a good breakfast I won't be able to go on! I'll be too weak to fight and'll
end with a sword in me belly, and you'll be less one bloody cleric!" I
winked at Ardrim. "Do you think that the thieves will just sit on their
thumbs until you're finished eating? They might very well decide to storm
Lord Nasher's castle within the next half hour! Then they'de have control of
the largest city on the Sword Coast north of Waterdeep. Innocents would die
in troves, and all because we had to wait for you to eat breakfast!" Ardrim
was shaking wit silent laughter by now, and LTT was racking his brain for a
good reason for us to stay here so he could have his breakfast, which was
growing colder every second we argued. Then he smiled. "What good will it
do if we charge in there screaming with our weapons in our hands and not one
single idea in our heads? It won't do any good at all. We need to stay here
and form our strategy." He smiled triumphantly. "So be it, let us plan," I
replied, beaten.
Soon the mood turned serious, however, as we sat and disscused our plans.
We now knew that the thieves' hideout lay in the western section of
Southwall, but it was undoubtedly extremely well-hidden. "We can't hope to
stumble upon it by chance, and if we spend the time needed to search for it,
then the thieves shall know us to be the ones who destroyed their brethen
yesterday. If they don't attack us in scores, then I have no doubt they'll
lay some nasty traps for us, should we come anywhere near discovering their
lair." Ardrim spoke sense, and truth. We all sat pondering his words for
long moments before LTT suddenly spoke up. "Then the hunters become the
hunted, the trackers become the tracked, and the watchers become the watched.
We'll hide all throughout the western portion of Southwall until one of us
sees them, and then we'll let them lead us directly to their lair." "Agreed,"
I said. "But what should happen if they see us go into hiding? They'll not
make a move to give away their position, and the whole day shall go to waste,
unless we can find some way to be sure there are none about when we take up
our posts." Suddenly Ardrim's lavender eyes lit up. "I think I have an
idea..."
Before another hour had passed I was trudging through the north-western
portion of Southwall carrying a food cart behind me, and casting nervous
glances about that were not entirely faked. The poor farmer's clothes on my
back had cost little, and the cost of the cart and all the food inside hadn't
been anything unreasonable. At two different points in western Southwall,
LTT and Ardrim appeared likewise. The plan was simple: with nothing left in
Southwall but adventurers, guards, and extremely large and rare parties of
farmers, a lone farmer would bring a thieves as surely as honey brought
flies. If there were any to see that lone farmer, that is. If no one
attacked, then no one was around, meaning it was safe to take up our
positions.
I meandered around a bit more just to be sure no one was about before
suddenly taking a running leap towards the wall of a nearby building. My
hands grasped a window sill, and I hauled myself up. I reached upwards
again, and this time my hands siezed the edge of the top of the building. I
climbed up quickly, and as soon as I was up I flattened myself before running
my gaze along the street below. I breathed a sigh of relief. No one had
seen. I quickly found a depression which I could lie in and be able to see
anyone on the street without them being able to see me. Then I watched and
waited as the sun climbed the sky. I saw very little during this time, only
a few parties of adventurers and patrols of Royal Guards. Twice I was sure I
saw shadows that seemed to move, and I watched the thieves closely both
times, but they merely passed on to another street.
* * * * * * *
* *
Lacam sat in the shadows, watching my barely visible form from the
safety of the shadows. He was a senior guild member, and so had been
immeadiatly suspicious of a single farmer treading where only a score of his
brethen would do likewise. So the thief waited, and was there to see my
climb to the roof. This spectacle of mine proved his suspisions, and led him
to wait and watch to see what I would do next. Despite the fact that he was
a major crimp in our plans, he provided us with help that far outweighed any
problems he might have caused. For he was a senior guild member, and so his
absence from the guild was noticed. Large groups of thieves were sent forth
by the guild to search for him, and the fact did not go unoticed by Ardrim,
who was in a perfect position to watch their comings and goings and to take
note of the building they came from.
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*
Ardrim had been watching the building constantly since he had first
discovered it was at least connected to the thieves' hideout. His drow
eyesight found penetrating the darkness no problem at all, and within an hour
he had figured out the routine by which the thieves were sent out. Then he
made his move.
His inborn agility and stealth allowed him to drop silently from the
building he had been watching from and to make his way over to the building.
The next pack of scum would be coming in in about two minutes, and he had to
move quickly. The building was directly west of the Farmer's Well, and
inside was a door to the north and south in addition to the one the dark elf
had entered. Once inside, Ard quickly discovered the darkest corner and crept
into it. He didn't have to wait long, for it was only minute later that half
a dozen thieves slipped in through a secret passage in the wall to the north.
They quickly searched the room for intruders and of course completely missed
the well-hidden elf. Satisfied that they were alone, they entered the door
to the south and were followed by Ardrim.
Inside here they turned to the west side of the room and the leader made
his way to the wall. A second later a trap door opened up and the thieves
all climbed in. To Ardrim's great delight, the last one dropped a dagger on
the way down, and searched a bit before finding it and hurrying to catch up
with the group. In his haste, he had left the trap door open. The dark elf
quickly descended into the lower room, and stood in shadows, waiting to see
what the thieves would do next.
The leader approached what appeared to be an opening in the wall without
a door, but it needed no door, since Ardrim's inborn magical abilities told
him the door was protected by a powerful spell. The leader approached a foggy
spot in the air, and inscribed something on it. The barrier lifted, the band
entered, and the barrier returned, with the foggy part now clear. But Ardrim
had had enough time to see what it was and was all ready hurrying out of the
building.
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(Cont. on next page)
The Great Purge Part Three Pg 2
(Submitted by Simarin)
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*
I sat under the blistering sun, the street still calm, with no life
stirring. Or so I thought. A moment later I heard a loud cracking sound,
and a moment later Ardrim emerged from the shadows. "Sim, you were supposed
to be watching for thieves, not letting one watch you," said the elf as he
displayed the body of a dead thief, his head cracked open and oozing blood.
Then I heard a click, and I leapt off the building as crossbow bolt grazed my
arm. I came down in a forward roll, taking away much of the force of the
impact before leaping to my feet and drawing my blade.
Three thieves rushed me and two rushed Ardrim, another holding back to
reload his crossbow. "Maybe you should watch your own back, ye lazy drow!" I
called as my blades clashed with those of the thieves. My friend, however,
was too busy to answer. It didn't take me long to take out two thieves, but
the third proved to be of tougher stuff than the other two, and quicker as
well. He held two daggers and deflected a thrust of mine and while my sword
arm was still being thrown outward by the force, he leapt in with one dagger
aimed at my head, the other at my stomach. My shield slammed into his gut,
knocking the wind out of him, and my sword quickly finished him.
I suppose it was lucky for me that he lasted as long as he did, for a
crossbow bolt intended for me flew straight into the death thief's skull. I
quickly threw myself down and glanced up to assess the current situation.
Ardrim was lying slumped against the wall with a quarrel in his chest, and
the crossbowman was currently reloading. Suddenly a blast of magic sent him
flying through the air to land at my feet, quite dead. LTT walked up, a
grin on his face. "Got tired of waiting. Where's Ardrim?" I gestured
towards the drow's prone form, and LTT grew serious when he saw how badly our
comrade was injured. "We must get him back to Neverwinter quickly Sim, for I
don't possess the power to heal a wound as bad as this."
Back in Neverwinter we took Ard to the Red Mage Inn and found a cleric
to tend him. For a price, of course. "We can't stop now, LTT. They know
we're on to them, and we have to move quickly." I paced Ardrim's room while
LTT sat on the bend, checking on the drow. "Aye, but he must know something,
for he wouldn't have left his post if he didn't. What good is it if we go
back without the knowledge he has? It'll waste even more time." Suddenly
Ardrim's eyes fluttered open, and he began to speak in a weak, soft voice.
"Mansion.... across from..... the Well..... south door, then west wall....
look for trap door, password," he gasped as a spasm of pain hit him.
"passwerd," he continued even more weakly. "Beholder beckerds..." he fell
unconscious. LTT and I both agreed that we must leave now, for time might
run out at anytime. Determinedly, we marched forth from the Inn and back
into Southwall to storm the thieves' lair and make Southwall safe once more.
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A Grand Adventure... Part 1
(Submitted by Ringleron)
I woke up sweating at an inn at Luskan. I ran my hand down my
chest and felt relieved that I didn't find a wound there. The nightmare felt
so real. I dreamt that I was in the dracoliches lair at Vilnask. I remember
running into position while taking out a bit of fur and a crystal rod. I
finished casting a spell and a bolt of lightning escaped my fingertips. The
bolt curved around a cloud giant and hit the nearest dracolich sending bits
of its bony ribcage in all directions. The bolt continued and hit the other
dracolich behind it doing the same result. I can't help but grin when the
lightning bolt slammed against the wall and rebounded back the way it came.
The dracolich bellowed in agony as the bolt hit it again. Just then, my luck
ran out. The bellowing creature breathed fire killing the dracolich in front
of it and disintegrating the cloud giant in front of me. I tried to ignore
the cries of the dying creatures and fumbled for a few desperately needed
spell components, sulfur and a tiny ball of bat guano. I was beginning the
spell when I gazed upon the dracolich's empty eye sockets. I began to feel
the gaze's paralyzing effects. I tried to fight it off, but, it was too
overwhelming. It was the dracolich's turn to grin. It took a step closer
and raked me with its claw. Its icy claw sliced through me like a hot knife
cutting butter. The pain. I managed to ask Tyr for aid before I blacked
out. The next thing I saw was the gentle face of one of Tyr's clerics. That
was a long time ago.
I shook my head and reached for my robe. In the folds of my robe,
I pulled out a timepiece and found out that I over slept. I quickly made the
bed, grabbed my spellbook and replenished the spells that I used last night.
As I was leaving the inn, the innkeeper handed me a message. It was from
Khaymara. The letter said, "Got tired waiting for you. See you at
Windycliffs." Casting a small cantrip, the message burst into flames and
disappeared. I rushed out of the inn, bound for Windycliffs.
The trip through Luskan was uneventful. Before reaching the inn at
Port Llast, I ran into a group of umber hulks and griffins. Well rested,
those creatures didn't stand a chance. I stopped by the inn at Port Llast,
memorized some spells and continued my trip to Windycliffs. I was a few
leagues away from the boundaries of Windycliffs, when I started to feel
hungry. Just then, a group of wild boars and a hoard of rats came rushing at
me. "Ah... Bacon and pork chops." I pigged out. ;) After a quick lunch, I
resumed my journey to Windycliffs.
I reached the inn at Windycliffs. The Inn wasn't too crowded so I
found Khaymara with little trouble. She was standing by the bar. I greeted
her and she gave me her usual greeting. She bowed and tipped her new hat,
but she tipped her hat a bit too strongly and her hat fell to the floor. I
picked up the hat and gave it to her. She told me she was trying a new drink
that they were serving and offered it to me. I respectfully declined knowing
I can't hold my liquor that good. Khaymara told me that she was waiting for
Dragonklaw. She asked me if I want to join them for a quick adventure. I
smiled and said yes. I could never say no to a lovely lady.
I was telling Khaymara about my trip to Windycliffs, when
Dragonklaw and Red Erik arrived. Greetings were exchanged. A quick
discussion about where to go was held. Dragonklaw suggested the dracoliches
at the Gem Factory, but, I said that that area is always crowded. He nodded
and suggested the dracoliches at Port Llast. However, I added that the
dracoliches there are hard to find. So, I suggested the beholders at Luskan.
The group agreed to it. Silently, I breathe a sigh of relief which I masked
with a grin.
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The Story of the Bracelet
Chapter 19: Agrabah Bound
(Submitted by Vallus)
The mighty ship known as The Phoenix traveled through the Wildspace
within the Crystal Sphere known as Realmspace. The ship was created by the
usage of two artifacts: The Bracelet of Power and The Disc of Guardianship.
The Phoenix, although powerful, has a finite energy supply which regenerates
slowly over time. Normal flying puts little or no drain on this supply but
usage of it's special powers such as Fiery Phoenix and the Eyebeams can cause
a drain on the energy supply. None of this has mattered for a thousand years,
but it will soon."
It was Leoster and Crystal's first full day of flying aboard The
Phoenix, they had been sitting in the ruby helm chairs for several hours when
a clanging bell sounded from the bowels of the ship. "What could that be?"
wondered Crystal, the light from the clear crystal at the front of the bridge
glistening on her moonstone studded mask which she wore to hide a scar which
she received fighting acid-spitting Ankhegs. A halfling wearing an apron
entered the bridge "What is this?" she asked "Do you guys eat or not? I've
got eveningfeast ready to serve and the soldiers are getting hungry waiting
for you two!" "And you are?" asked Leoster "Call me Cookie" replied the
halfling "everybody does. I'm head cook around here. What, you think just
because this ship is magic those aboard don't need food? C'mon! The first
meal with new head honchos on board requires said head honchos to eat first."
"Well," said Crystal when the halfling had finished talking "I am pretty
hungry.." "Then let's go! The troops are getting restless!" Leoster went down
to the galley where eveningfeast was served. The Giff marines had a type of
soup called yaneesh which was a yellow broth with grass in it. Several Giff
told Cookie that the yaneesh was the best they'd ever had. Leoster and
Crystal had a roast which was comparable to that of the finest inn in
Waterdeep.
The next two months passed quickly for Crystal and Leoster as they
discovered the wonders of their magical ship. Leoster spent quite a bit of
time in a magical laboratory that Elminster would have been proud to work in.
Crystal spent time in the onboard training room getting herself back into top
fighting form drilling with the Giff marines. All too soon however, they
finished their trip through the Phlogiston outside of the Crystal Spheres and
reached Desertspace and it's main planet, Desertia.
As they approached the planet, The Phoenix gave them a briefing. "I have
detected a concentration of emerald energy near the city of Agrabah. It is
ruled by a Sultan who has a daughter named Jasmine. Jasmine is engaged to the
street-rat turned hero known as Aladdin. He is aided in his adventures by a
genie, an intelligent flying carpet, and his best friend who is a monkey
known as Abu. On his adventures, Aladdin is sometimes accompanied by Jasmine,
who is quite adventurous in her own right."
As The Phoenix flew down towards Agrabah, Leoster and Crystal saw a
green light. "Is that?" "Yes." A giant studded with emeralds was walking
towards the walls of Agrabah and began firing green energy blasts at the
city.
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SMIM
CHAPTER 2
(Submitted by YKSS)
A few days had passed since Smim and the senior gaurd had encountered the
exploding croc. Since then the mysterious mage had made his presence felt.
More exploding monsters and beasts had been encountered near Neverwinter, and
some monsters had appeared with magical weapons and armor. Lord Nasher asked
all the adventurers he could find to help solve the problem, but no one could
find the mysterious mage. An elven adventurer by the name of Meldumnum made
an important discovery; most of the exploding monsters and beasts were not
monsters or beasts at all, but animated statues. Once people knew this, it
became easy to tell the statues from the real thing as the statues moved
predictably and were not very itelligent. People soon found out how to
easily defeat the statues, but a statue and a monster together was a
different matter. Luckily Lord Nasher managed to have one captured and
brought to the dungeons for examination. It was discovered that the statues
had very poor eyesight. If one found oneself in combat with a statue and a
monster, all one had to do was manuver the monster between oneself and the
statue, and the dumb statue would fight the monster. However some regular
monsters would explode as well, and there was the problem of the enchanted
weapons & armor. Lord Nasher was deeply worried about these events, but the
citizens of the relams simply learned how to deal with this new situation and
life went on. Even after the mage began teleporting dragon statues into
Neverwinter (not that anyone had much to fear from the dragon statues. The
mage that was teleporting them in was obviously doing so blind, as some were
teleported into buildings that were so small that the statue couldn't move
and was easily disposed of. Even if one was teleported into the open, it was
so dumb that it would set itself on fire or fly into the ground) After the
news came that a cure had been found for the new stupidity spell there seemed
to be even less cause for worry.
This day found Smim patrolling alone in Soutwall, not too far from the gate
that led to Neverwinter Square. He had a watchful eye out to spot any
indication that a teleport spell would deposit something. He had seen a few
of them (by now they were not uncommon) and he hoped that he would be able
to intercept the new monster or statue before it had a chance to get it's
bearings after teleportring and destroy it. He was standing gaurd late in
his shift, thinking of the ale he would be soon be having at a local tarven
when his eye caught a group of three walking down the street, talking quietly
among themselves. The reason that the group caught his attention was that
one of them was Ater, the gadget maker and trader. Ater always meant well
with his inventions, but there always seemed to be accidents whenever his
devices were used that couldn't be explained, like his hairbrush that would
make your hair curly if you used it. People who used it sometimes, for no
reason that could be found, would have their hair change color at any time of
day, even if it had been hours since the brush had been used. Lord Nasher
had told all his gaurds to report Ater's presence in the vicinitry so that
the fire brigade could be warned. The other two were very old humans, well
over 200, a sure sign of a powerful magic user.
Something told Smim that this warranted looking into, so he followed the
group, keeping an inconspicuous distance. He soon noticed that he wasn't
alone. A halfling thief was also shadowing the group, his greedy evil eyes
on the packs that the old men carried on their backs. Suddenly there was a
shimmer in the air directly in front of the group and a lizardman appeared.
The thief saw his chance. He quickly darted up to one of the men, slit a
hole in his pack with a dagger, and removed an item. Smim in one motion
placed his boot on the halfling's hand, pinning it to the ground and reached
over the old man to stab the lizardman in the throat, which killed it
instantly. At that moment, however, the thief twisted his hand under Smim's
boot in an effort to get it free.
A great blast shook Neverwinter. People stopped what they were doing to
listen as the sound rolled over the city. After it passed the city was as
still as a graveyard. If one had been on a certain street in Southwall that
afternoon, one would have seen a most amazing sight: four men and a halfling
standing on the street one moment, the next surrounded by an exteremly bright
ball of light. Then the ball of light dissappeared, leaving the street
empty.
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Fey in Exile Stories
Submitted by Fey 0ne
"A Life for Life"
When Rohanbear entered it was as a man once more, the man that had
fallen asleep beside me the night before. He did not look at me but went
directly to the empty chair. He stood with one hand resting lightly on it
and turned to a man seated across the room from me and bowed deeply. I had
not noticed the man before. I realized he was the only person in that cave
who did not look young and attractive. He was old and more than old. His
skin clung to his face like a shroud, pinching his nose and sinking his
cheeks. Eyes of the palest blue stared out under a mass of stark white hair.
His thin lips were pressed hard together but he opened them now to speak.
"Well, Rohan," he said, each word spoken slowly, as if the effort pained
him. "What is her answer?" Rohan looked uncomfortable.
"Master," he began, "she does not yet know the question."
A murmur went round the room of soft protest. Rohan ignored the
mumblings and spoke directly to the old man he had called "Master." There
was anger in his eyes.
"I have found her," he said flatly. "I have recalled her to life. I
have brought her here. I have done all that I can do. I cannot ask this of
her."
Still he did not look at me, though I felt many eyes upon me then. The
woman Fin sighed.
"Then she knows nothing?" she asked. Taking the silence for her answer,
she turned to me. "Why did you come here, young woman?" she demanded. I
opened my mouth to stammer out some ill formed reply but closed it again as I
caught sight of Rohanbear's expression, so grave and sad. Fin went on,
impatiently, "There is no time to waste! Your own homeland is in great
danger. Only Rohan can save them, can save all of us. You must say yes!"
She rose and walked around the circle slowly.
"It is my gift to see the future," she went on, more calmly. "Three
nights ago I had a dream. In that dream I was transported to the lost hills
of your land. Below me I saw one whom I had not seen for many ages. He had
assumed the shape of one of you creatures. He still had that power. The
Betrayer, we call him now, for he has long been banished from our dimension.
But in this dream I saw him and I saw that he had proclaimed himself a god, a
power among powers, strong enough to control all the deities of your realms.
These were the lies he would whisper to any that would listen and to those
who would not, his powers seemed to prove his words. For the Betrayer had
learned one of our most carefully guarded secrets. He had found a Master
Spell."
She was interrupted by the startled reactions of those to whom these
words were new.
Talon spoke up angrily. "The Betrayer uses this spell to prove his
supremacy. The undead face the worst threat of their existence! They must
be warned. They must be aided."
"But why the undead especially?" I found the courage to ask.
The old man answered me. "The spell, young woman, is the Master Turn
Undead. There is no salvation from it; once cast, the undead are utterly
destroyed."
Fin took up her tale once more. "My dream became a vision for such is
my gift. A Being came to me and spoke to me:
"Seek she that neither lives nor dies.
By her life recalled shall ye know her.
The blood of the bear shall be upon her hand.
In death shall he prevail."
Fin turned towards the assembly and said loudly, "Are there any here that
doubt the truth of this prophecy?"
The old man stirred. "No one doubts you, Fin. Sit down now." He
turned slowly towards me and leaned forward in his chair. His tone was
grave. "Lady Fey, I must ask you. Will you bear the blood of the bear upon
your hand?"
Understanding at last found me and in shock and horror I said, "I owe
Rohanbear my life and you want me to kill him? How can you ask this of me?"
I protested, looking around the room for one friendly face, one measure of
support, but there was none. "This is madness, surely." In disbelief I
stood, then moved to Rohanbear's side and gazed up at him until he at last
lifted his eyes to meet mine.
"And do you ask this of me also?"
"Yes," he said, his voice betraying no emotion, his eyes never leaving
mine.
Talon rose and gently guided me back to my chair. "He made his choice
when he recalled you to life, my dear," he said quietly. "Do not fail him
now."
I sat down, numb and bewildered. My answer, when it came was faint, but
every ear was straining for it and every ear heard my reply.
"There is no more time to lose," I heard Fin say, "bring her the sword."
* * *
Afterwards, everyone was very kind.
Talon pried the sword from my clenched fingers and pressed a cup of
strong wine to my lips. Fin bundled me up and led me to a corner of the cave
where a cot had been prepared for me. Two women came and took my bloody
clothes and bathed me and put me to bed. Even the old man looked in on me,
his wrinkled face wet with tears. I tried to tell them I would be fine, that
I just needed some rest and could they please stop that woman from screaming?
The agony of that endless screaming. . . . If she would just stop
screaming, I could rest, I could sleep. I just needed some sleep.
It was long into the night before I realized the screams were my own.
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Jazzy's Useful Items Emporium
Submitted by: Jazzm1n)
Jazzmin stood back and admired her handiwork. The stucco storefront, iced
soft peach, boasted a lovingly handcarved sign which read; Jazzy's Useful
Items Emporium. The crystal windows, like enchanted portals to another
world, previewed the tastefully arranged display.
Entering the small shop, she noted the perfect placement of the wrought iron
weapons racks. To her left, an array of unfurled scrolls adorned a wooden
table. The door creaked behind her and she turned to find her first
customer.
A handsome stranger gazed around the room, a smile upon his face. "Welcome
to Jazzy's Useful Items Emporium sir. Would you like a tour?"
The man nodded and she directed his attention to the silver sheen of the
weapons. "Ah.. here we have a collection of the finest weapons in the land.
Is not this Guisarme-Voulge the loveliest you have ever seen? What about
this marvelous Spetum.. or perhaps I could interest you in this wonderful
Fauchard-Fork?"
Her customer did not appear thrilled at the selection, so she turned to the
most inspiring one of all, "This infamous Bo-Stick?"
Turning to the scrolls, the man said "Well... er.. perhaps a scroll?" Smiling
radiantly, she plucked one from the shelf. "Ah.. how about this.. a triple
Read Magic scroll! Or.. " taking another, "a cleric dispell evil scroll.
Why sir this is the most useful scroll of all! You can fake a dispell magic
on yourself with it! Oh and look at this lovely one! A Spiritual
Hammer/Snake Charm scroll!"
The man began to laugh, "Where do you get all these.. useful.. things?" "Why
sir.. they are donated by fine and brave adventurers who know their true
value!"
"Indeed? What might that be?"
"Why nothing of course!"
Jazzm1n
Champion Gatherer of Fauchard-Forks
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Punt Monster
(Submitted by DarkWolfMM)
In the forgotten realms many dangers are found. Some magical while
others great in strength. Some are overcome easily alone, some require a
group, almost all are conquerable however. Exception in the realm is not
rare in most things. One of these exceptions is a monster I have never
beated. Once upon me it is unstopable, never sparing.
Triboar, near the arena. The air was crisp and clean. The mornings
sunshine was complemented by the kiss of a birds song. One could imagine a
world in peace without dispute or suffering on a day like this. The battles
of morning had either been postponed in appreciation of such a day, or more
likely were about to start.
I would be ready when the fighting started. Thats where I was headed
anyway. The Triboar Arena, to test my skills against my fellow adventurers.
For in my seeming long life I had mastered every beast I could think of.
These oponants where by far more challenging.
Already men where coming out of the inn. Some going through Berrun's
Hill, and some going to Westgate. A particulally ugly mage was heading to
the Lost Hills, Malhav.... something or other. I proceeded down the road to
the arena door. Inside I could hear the muffled sounds of battle. I opened
it wide.
Ahh, my good friend Sh0rn0 was in combat with, V Savan. Yes that was
who it was. Fairly interesting, although I was sure Sh0rn0 would win. V
Savan was pelted by a cause critical wounds spell from Sh0rn0. His mage robe
became darkened with blood. He retained his footing however, and sent a
lightning bolt at Sh0rn0. Unaffected Sh0rn0 cast another spell.
This time the cause serious wounds spell of Sh0rn0 knocked V Savan to
the ground. With a curse his movement stopped. Sh0rn0 smiled. Behind me I
heard footsteps. Down the road, Mordain and her followers were coming.
Sh0rn0 seemed unworried, but I was. Ghalador steped out of a door near me
looking a bit worn. Sh0rn0 waved to him and he entered the arena.
I decided 2 to 1 odds were a truly bad way for this day to start. With
a giving a good luck I left my two friends where they were and retreated down
the street.
At the street's end I turned to see the 6 evils enter the arena. Letting
out a sigh I returned on my route out of Triboar. Nowhere to go really.
Maybe a dragon or something to pass the time with. The ground shook.
I stoped upon feeling the tremor. The earth had ceased movement but now
it came on again. This time stonger. I did all I could to stay standing.
Beneath me the ground cracked open. A emense ray of yellow light reached
upward. A wind came up and the tremors grew in strength.
I was partially blinded by the light shooting up from below me. Beside
me a group of trees was torn away by a huricane force wind. I was on the
ground when I saw it. A creature no smaller that a fire giant stood before
me. Grayish, almost two dimensional. The monster looked like a streak upon
a window, smeared. But in this shape I could see eyes. Mirrors. Reflecting
my own horified image.
The ground exploded and I was cast upward. The strange yellow light
turned red, then velvet, and finally darkblue. I was held in the air by this
strange light. I seamed mounted on top of it. But I was sinking.
Below me the monster was waving its' arms in jerking erratic motions.
A circle of white formed in his hands. The brightness overwhelmed. The
entire area was bleached by it. I heard a abrupt surge and something
inpacted against my chest. I felt myself disintergrating into the blue
light.
I was gone. As if a dream my next memory was myself coming together
and smashing through the floorboards at the inn. My nerves were fried. I
took days to regain my state of mind.
I kept this to myself untill one night when a pitcher of Sweatbriar
Mead had loosened my tounge to my friends. I discovered the experience
universal. The one creature no one had bested, the punt monster. Stories
where told of the, "mages of aol," which were said to be of help in the
detouring of this menace.
The realms shall be truly conquered when this nussance is removed.
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Memorial Daze
(Submitted by: GRAYvemark)
The atmosphere in the inn was somber which suited me fine. Recent events had
caused a blissful melancholy in which I now wallowed. The inn was sparse of
customers but I was not in any real mood for company. The inn, Chars, aptly
named for its fire gutted decor, was operated by the owners, Sym, a lanky
vampire, and Dye Ann, a disheveled zombie wench. Sym thought he was the gods'
gift to the female persuasion, be it 2- or multi-legged. He also lusted after
his business partner, whom I had no idea what he saw in her or rather though
her (especially with that gaping hole in her abdomen!). But that point was
mute. The DelRubio Banshee Triplets wailed their rendition of 'Whip It!' in
the far corner as the rickety door banged open. A deformed, obese humanoid
waddled in and plopped onto a bar stool which creaked ominously beneath his
weight.
"AbNorm!" the few patrons present shouted at the newcomer who waved and
gulped the green slimy liquid Sym offered him.
AbNorm was a regular as most of the beings here were. Chars was an
out-of-the-way place in Berun's Hill of which few rarely knew. It was mainly
a place for the outcasts normally shunned by the populace of the realms. I
frequented it often when I needed to think.
"Another?" Sym asked nodding to my empty tankard.
"Hmm?" I said blinking. "Oh, sure. Thanks."
Sym tapped the spigot protruding from the KEF's jugular who dangled by his
feet from the rafters. I needed something strong so I had declined the SOL
and TP brands.
"Something wrong, Grayve?" a seductive voice said huskily. The medusa slid an
arm around my shoulders trying to get me to gaze into her stony eyes. I was
no fool.
"Leave him be, 'Ho," Dye Ann said as she continued to dry the stein in her
decaying hands. Pouting, 'Ho moved away.
"You okay, Dread Lord?" Sym asked.
"Yap, Sym. Just reminiscing." I sighed and sipped the warm red liquid. "You
know, I remember when I first started out in the realms and knowing hordes of
friends. I never hear from them or see them again. I wonder what has happened
to them?"
"Maybe the new gods of OOC and TOS have claimed their lives," AbNorm spoke
up. A hush settled over the small crowd at his words.
"Bite your tongue," Sym hissed. He did and spat it out. AbNorm was none too
bright.
"Don't listen to him," Dye Ann said.
"No maybe he's right," I said. "Perhaps these new gods are to be feared as
Myrkul and Bane are." I shook my head in disbelief of the notion.
"I recall VRDeath and Death4U2. And the beautiful Evil Vixen and Darcy Doe. I
remember old guild mates like Knyt Maalr and Stilborn. I can hear Jadog's
insightful advice. I can see Goth Punkr clearly showing me a new maneuver
with my staff. I have fought along side of Bone Lich. Now where are they?"
Sym and Dye Ann looked at each other and sighed. They, too, remember the
names of friends claimed by who knows what gods. The DelRubios sang 'Why Do
Good Girls Like Bad Boys?' in the background.
"You know, we need a special day of remembrance for those lost, unsung souls.
Like a Memorial Day," I said, my crimson eyes glowing brighter.
"Good idea, Grayve. From this time forth, we at Chars shall claim this day as
Memorial Day!" Sym said with a decisive nod.
"Here, here!" the crowd chimed in.
Sym's eyes suddenly glazed. Then he blinked. "Okay, everyone, listen up. Is
there a Kyam in here? First name is Owattador? Owattador Kyam? You have an
ESP! Owattador Kyam!? Otwatta....Doh!" Sym slapped his forehead. "Homer! Tell
Bart and Lisa to stay off my brain wavelength!"
I smiled and then lifted my tankard in silent salute. Here's to all my old
friends who have disappeared from the realms for whatever reasons. May you
find what you seek wherever you may be...
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