1995-06-03
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 85
Week Ending 6-3-95
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to Ringleron for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest.
Ringleron 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 this fine day, the 28th of May...I, NWA Kregar, decided to see if the
rumours of a haunted ship being docked at Port Llast was true. I sent word
out that I was looking for a group of brave adventurers..and six heeded my
call. Grekyree, Mh0ram, CWarren804, Alix Dundi and Ldy Isis I joined me in
Neverwinter...and after quick introductions, we set off for Port Llast. We
made our way thru the Warehouse district...in Windycliffs we made fast time
after following a Kraken Spy through a secret door. Reaching Port Llast..we
set out for the sea port..and the so-called haunted ship. We approached the
ship with an air of dread...after talking to a guard posted there..we boarded
the rotting hulk. We explored the ship..top to bottom...fighting off what we
assumed use to be the crew. Ghouls..zombies..skeletons assailed us. We
thought that was all..untill we found the lone surviving member of the
crew..slowly turning to stone. We were too late to save that poor soul..so we
set out to avenge him. We didn't have to look far...for when we entered a
closed off part of the hold..a magic force carried us to hall..where 3
hooded medusae lay in wait for us! Tyr was on our side this day..as they fell
to our spells and weapons..not one of us succumbing to their deadly gaze.
After we defeated them...we founb a strange object..a brass button...laying
on the floor. Odd design decorated it..so we decided to head back to
Neverwinter..and show Lord Nasher what we had found. The trip back to
Neverwinter was easier traveled..knowing we faced a horror and defeated it.
My thanks to Grekyree, Mh0ram, CWarren804, Alix Dundi and Ldy Isisi I for
making the journey very enjoyable..and for eradicating an evil force from the
realms! Well Done!
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Here are the winners...
Grissom's Tomb.Booth!
KNAKO
FENDAR
KYRKIKREE
OSAMUM
N1GHTREALM
IZ ILVEN
Each player on each team wins 5 pearls ;)
NW Thorn
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Congrats to Megadimus for being the first to find the location from the clue
"Amphail South. Road Closed." : )
Megadimus wins 4 Pearls and 1 FREE hour. : )
NW Baldor
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May 31st, the night was drawing near and Lord Nasher summoned me to his
chambers where he told me of great evil that was lurking in the Caverns under
Nightsedge. I was taken aback. Surely the evil forces wouldn't dare to come
so close to Neverwinter let alone one of it's nearby neighbors.
Charged with ridding the evil, I went to the square where the news of
the quest was announced. Many fine and hearty adventurers came to the call,
more so than I could watch over myself. I picked 7 of the finest faces that
looked worthy of this quest and rallied them in the gardens to await orders
before departure. At that point I selected Tanganika to follow us as my
Lieutenant and watch over any party member that my get lost or left behind so
that they may catch up to rejoin us. This was to be no small mission.
Finally all the preparations and orders having been set forth, Aria Eve,
Brian Maca, V Cheryl, Mr Time888, Wiz X, Ldy Isis, and QueenD1212 set off
with Tanganika following our trail. We traveled swiftly through the Wharves
without incident and made our way to the Rankled Boar Inn to resupply before
making our way to Nightsedge proper. Unfortunately along the way, QueenD1212
was lost to a call from another realm and wasn't heard from for the remainder
of the evening.
After a brief stop, we made our way past the well where we heard calls
of help coming from a nearby adventurer. Not being ones to resist a distress
call we quickly descended on the Pyro Snake and Giant Lizards that plagued
this adventurer, LJackson1. Afterwards, hearing of our quest, he petitioned
to join our group where he was heartily welcomed and we struck out again.
Then making our way into the Nightsedge region, things grew steadily
darker, monsters came from every corner to thwart our process. But all were
repulsed by the bravery and surprising unity and skill of the party. They
all fought valiantly and skillfully, except for the occasional calls from
help from a certain LJackson1. Finally before nightfall we made Nightsedge
proper where we again replenished and restocked our stores only to strike out
once again.
Just outside the walls of Nightsedge, V Cheryl caught a scent of acid
close by. Diverting shortly to investigate we stumbled across a den of 2
Black Dragons and 2 White Gorgimera's. Again the groups amazing teamwork and
organization proved to be the death of the creatures. And so far not a single
loss to the party. Things were looking outstanding, but more danger waited
ahead.
Shortly after, Aria Eve and LJackson1 were called to their homes to care
for important matters there. Still we were undaunted by the loss of these to
brave members.
We fought our way to the caverns where once inside it was uncannily
quiet. It seemed not a soul was around. We tracked and fought our way to the
very heart of the cavern and the completion of our quest where our brave
adventurers bloodily and quite decisively dispatched our foe. Unfortunately
we did lose V Cheryl to the gaze of a Medusa but after taking her body back
to the temple we were able to have her fully restored.
So for now, the caverns are safe once more. But how long will this
unrelenting evil sit back before it invades once again. One can only
wonder...
***My many thanks to all those who joined in the quest and to all who aided
along the way... You are all brave and honorable and worthy adventurers of
note..
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Our Party met in the Great Hall of Neverwinter -and our party full and ready
for battle, we set ou upon the path towards the Ghost Ship Gallant Prince,
stopped to buy some mirrors.
As we passed thru the town of Windycliff's our party encountered theives, and
lizard men which our mages soon dispatched. Casting sleep upon them,
Mastrmadge, Iron Fox and Laramus bravely fought.
A stopping at the inn for a short rest and a cold one, we continued upon our
way. Soon, a wolf pack assaulted us, but Nesser M's bow soon dispatched the
ones put to sleep by Gman 71. and Ldverminrd.
We soon lost Laramus to the dreaded punt monster, and also Lrdverminrd. Iron
Fox called forth his battle cry one last time, and then left us on our own.
We continued onto the twisted paths of Port Llast, fights hordes of Giant
Rats and Wild Boars. Meeting upon our way, D Eudeman and a master magician
Niteravens.
With Niteravens, hot fireballs we quickly came to village of Port Llast. Our
party steeled ourselves, and GMAN 71, Neeser M, D Eudeman, and Niteravens and
myself set our feet upon the sinister Gallant Prince. At once we found a
horde of stirges, which GMam 71 promptly dispatched..
Searching the crews quarters, we came across some Carrion Crawlers who
paralyzed some of us, but our party defended each other and won the fight.
Suddenly some spiders came at us, as we teleported ..and soon D Eudeman and
GMan71 were poisoned.
Unafraid, Niteravens, Neeser M and myself..set forth upon the search, tupon
the Ship of Evil. Battling some undead - Giant skeletons we found the
captain, slowly turning into stone. We then found ourselves teleported into a
fight with sinister Medusea. After several battles, Niteravens was poisoned
by the wicked women.
Yet, Neeser M and myself set forth once again, and still the Medusae came.
Neeser was poisoned by them also, though I found him later and neutrailzed
it.
Neeser and I enjoyed the ale at the Inn, and he went to train another
level;)..As we disbanded..we said we would head this way again, and dispatch
the evil upon the Gallant and make it safe for all in the realms.
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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!
Trivia! Tuesday June 6th in the Great Hall at 10:00 PM ET!
New Player Tour:
June 5th Monday 11:00 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
June 6th, Tueday 9:00 PM ET - Join NW Sparkle 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 9th, Friday 8:00 PM ET - Join NW Lenox 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 10th Saturdayt 1:00 PM ET Join NWA Vorpal for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;
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Brothers
(Submitted by DarkWolfMM)
To begin my tale I must tell you of my history. I was born in Nightsedge,I
and my five brothers. As I was the youngest I was left out of most family
activities. By the time I was 15 all my brothers had been adventurering for
a year or more. All except me and the second youngest son went into the
woods with my father.
Was a great swordsman my father. He had matured in his older years to
one of the best Paladin/Mages Nightsedge had known. My brothers followed
their own paths, some clerics, some Paladins, but none were evil. Or so we
believed. The eldest son, Mercanter, had always been different. One day in
midsummer when my father took my older brothers out into the woods we found
out how he was different.
For once I had not been satisfied to wait at home. I escaped my mother
and ventured down the woods road. The area was dark from the overhanging
trees. The woods were not unfamiliar to me, for years I had secretly gone
into them with my brother. He was a cleric and attempted to show me some of
the animals in the woods. Wolves inparticular. We shared a great fondness
for them.
My 14th summer my brother managed to tame a wounded wolf. We released
him and we ocasionally would meet him. I have been in the midst of his
entire pack with my brother, sharing in their friendship. Many times they
have saved me from griffins and ice hounds.
This day however the wolves wound not be out. None of my family shared
the love me and my brother had for wolves. They would be in hiding from my
other brothers and my father. I neared the area in which they usually found
prey.
A popping sound rung in my ear. To my right a tree shattered and fell.
Up ahead another tree was cut. Just below it a shape jumped free of its'
fall. I crawled closer through the underbrush.
The valley ahead was a veritable battleground. I could make out 9 men.
I recognized 3 of my brothers, and my father. The rest were dressed in
mage's clothes and were casting spells. The form that was dodging the trees
ran out into the field. It was the familiar gait of my brother, second
oldest, SaberMN. A fighter without magic.
Saber was trying to get to my father. One of the mages glanced back and
saw him coming. But I recognized him, it was Mercanter. He drew his hand up
and swinging it in a circle above his head summoned a spell. He brought his
hand level to Saber's sprinting form with a snap of the wrist. Sparks came
forth and a bolt of lighting streaked out. In a breath it had made contact
with Saber.
He was tossed like a rag doll into the air, and slamed into a tree. I
didn't believe what I had seen. Saber was dead, I was sure. I looked up to
see the others cast spells at my father and brothers. They returned the
volley. One of the forms attacking my brothers slumped slightly as a missile
from my father hit him dead center in the chest.
Mercanter swung his arm and a green gas appeared around my other
brothers. Two fell, gasping and chokeing. The attackers then surrounded my
father in a large circle. Mercanter first, then the rest, shot lightning
bolts at him. The center of the circle was ablaze. Dust clouds rose twenty
feet as the lighting stired up the earth. As the smoke cleared the image of
my father, RapterMM stood tall, unwavered.
A shill battle cry came from my right. I glimsed my mother as she
speed past me toward one of the attackers. Before the attackers could
respond she'd thrown her lightning bolt. The nearest one was hit in the
upper torso, his back blew open as the lightning went threw. His fell to his
knees, then the ground.
My mother was by no means defenseless. SofiaDI55 she was. My father
said she had repeatedly beaten him in combat in their courting days. But she
had come in unprepared. I knew she had no minor shield around like my
father. That was why he had survived the lightning onslaught.
Four remaining mages cast their spells. My mother shook from the first
threer, and bent to her knees upon the forth. Mercanter was left. He looked
for a second, then with haste sent at fireball at my mother. Her small body
absorbed the flame, and was incinerated. My father screamed in rage. He
waved his hand and another magic missile blew a mage off his feet.
His eyes were red, glaring. Even from my view I could see the anger.
Then they changed, softened. I suddenly realized they were looking right at
me. Mercanter turned. He scanned the treeline. He pointed off to my right
and said, "There, get him." He was bluffing. I stayed still.
The mages took a quick look and then looked back at my father. He was
kneeling with his head lowered. Suddenly a streak of red came between two of
the mages. It exploded and a blast spread outward and knocked them to the
ground, blackened. Mercanter turned to see Wedge, third eldest and his
greatest rival, standing above my other bothers bodies.
The gas had cleared and he had survived. One of the blackened mages
stood up again. He then cast a hold spell which stunned my father, the
second shot didn't affect Wedge. Mercanter summoned a spell. Wedge shook
slighty, drops of blood sprayed out of him making a sickening sound. He
dropped to his knees.
Mercanter, satisfied, turned to my father. I could be silent no
longer. The long sword I carried with me was at my side. I drew it.
"Brother?" I said, in a low questioning voice.
He turned to me as I cam out of the woods, "Come to die as well little
one?" he mocked. "Was going to kill you after we torched the house and
raided the town, but now you've saved me the trouble." He looked at the two
mages left standing. "Besides, I don't think we'll be raiding the town,just
yet." He was not amused. Neither was I.
"You'd better pray you kill me." I stepped forward steadily, "or I
will hunt you down, brother."
He looked puzzled, "You sound like you hold something against me. I
haven't even killed you yet." He grinned his grin. The grin he had as he
aimed for a bird. The same grin as when he skinned a dear. He could never
have hurt me more than what he'd done that day. My heart was pressed for a
will to beat on. My hands wished to use the sword to end my misery.
He unseathed a dagger. Silver. He turned to my father, and threw it.
It sunk in between the left side of his neck and the collarbone, in effect,
the heart.
I was already swinging. I struck his shoulder and a glimer of red shot
out. I force smashed my chest and knocked my breath out. He stood above me,
holding his shoulder. The two mages joining him. The blackened mage
suddenly was thrown back by a ray of light. He spun around once in
mid-flight, scattering blood and scrolls.
As I looked to see who had intervined, I heard a second crackle and a
body limp and hot to touch landed on top of me. I struggled out from under
the body to see Mercanter fire a magic missile down the road. And on the
recieving end was my last brother, Chris. The young man who had introduced
me to wolves, and taught me some fighting skills now had a missile aimed at
him.
The missile flew straight and true but as it reached Chris it
disappeared. Mercanter's face darkened. From behind him came a shout. Wedge
who must have fried that last mage was up on his feet. Mercanter thrust out
his arm and a small fireball came forth. The blast blocked Wedge from our
view. When the smoke clear he was no where to be seen.
I swung my sword upward into Mercanter. The same red flare struck me,
this time with greater force, smashing me to the ground, barely consious. But
he had felt it aswell, for he faultered, winced in pain. The next moment a
blast of lightning struck his minnor globe and shattered it. The lightning
bolt shattered aswell, a part of it tearing into Mercanter's leg. He went to
one knee.
I was in no condition to move. Mercanter had run out of spells and he
knew it. But the anger on his face turned to a near grin. He stood with
great dificulty and spread his arms wide. A sphere of light encircled him,
and he disappeared.
Chris was next to me, scanning the area. A hideous laugh came from the
other edge of the field. Chris took aim and threw a spell. A fireball
struck as Mercanter retreated into the woods. The explosion spread out, and
the woods began to burn. Soon it was a great fire blocking our escape.
But rains came, hard and steady. The fire soon died out. Chris went
about assembling what was left of our family. Saber and father was still
alive, but barely, and teetering on death. Wedge was no where to be found,
and Jacob and Sepp, my other two brothers were no more. Of my mother, we
found her dagger of striking, a gift from an old friend in Vilnask. Other
than that she was gone. Father was almost dead.
Father was dead the next day. Saber we discovered was ralyzed in his
legs. He took his own life a few days later. Chris and I buried them all in
separate graves in the woods, hidden from all. As we returned from the burial
we found our house on fire, along with a small part of the town.
Orc raiders had attacked, lead by a mage we found out. They had come
in town just as the guard had changed. The mage silenced the guards and
before the alarm went up 30 were dead. Lord Nasher's soldiers arrived to
help the local militia, along with several mages and paladins. Once the
battle had turned the mage had disappeared back into the woods.
Chris and I spent the next few years in the woods, living with our
wolf pack, hunting by night, honing our skills. As I came of age to begin a
career as a paladin we left the Woods, took upon us new names, and parted.
We are now the DarkWolves CM and MM. I was prompted to write for yesterday I
recieved word. Chris has found Wedge. His is now Sir Wedge and together are
were to find Mercanter.
I have recalled our story to a date, however, there is more to be
made.
The Story of the Bracelet
Chapter 20: Dreams of Power
(Submitted by Vallus)
For the past two weeks, Princess Jasmine of Agrabah had been having
strange dreams. The first night, several giant emerald warriors had attacked
her but were stopped by a pair of equally giant ruby warriors. Each night
thereafter, the emerald warriors became larger and it took longer for the
ruby warriors to defeat their emerald adversaries. Then, a week after the
dreams began, the emerald warriors defeated the ruby warriors and came after
her, Jasmine waking up just before their swords descended onto her head. For
the next several nights, the emerald warriors reached her in less and less
time. Then, the night before the giant attacked the city, Jasmine's dream
took a strange turn. After the ruby warriors were defeated, Jasmine suddenly
changed into a giant sapphire warrior and destroyed her emerald attackers.
When she woke up the next morning, Jasmine went down to the hovel of her
boyfriend, Aladdin, to consult with Genie who, having existed for a few
thousand years, was wise in many things, although a bit of a joker sometimes.
Throughout the two weeks that she had been having the dreams, Jasmine had not
noticed that while she slept, the sapphire on her headband which she
constantly wore, had glowed with a blue light. When she got to Aladdin's
hovel, she found him awake and looking out the open wall at the palace.
"Hello Aladdin." she said "Jasmine!" Aladdin said as he spun around "What's
wrong? I usually come to see you." "Nothing's wrong, I've just been having
strange dreams and I think Genie might be able to help me." "Okay, I'll get
him." said Aladdin as he got an innocent looking brass lamp from a cushion
and rubbed it.
A cloud of smoke emitted from the lamp and in a moment, floating
horizontal wearing a nightcap was a blue man who, instead of legs, had a wisp
of smoke below the waist, he was snoring. "Genie, it's time to wake up." said
Aladdin as he shook the floating man. Genie woke up saying "Morning Al! Oh,
Jasmine, what are you doing here this early? Is this official business" he
suddenly was wearing a resplendent uniform "or just a social call?" and he
was wearing a flowered shirt and sunglasses.
"Actually Genie," began Jasmine "I came to see you. You see, I've been
having these strange dreams.." and Jasmine told Genie about her dreams of the
past two weeks as Aladdin, Abu the monkey, and Iago the parrot listened.
"Well Jasmine," said Genie, who was now in a suit, had scruffy white hair,
and spectacles and spoke in an Austrian accent "judging from the content of
your dreams, I would say that they are a message that the city is threatened
by an evil force and only you can stop it. It appears that some magic will be
involved as evidenced by the change." Suddenly, a green fireball flew
overhead and struck another section of the city. "C'mon! We've got to get to
the city gates!" exclaimed Aladdin. Jasmine, Aladdin, and Abu got on
Aladdin's flying carpet and they flew towards the city gates as Genie, back
in his "normal" form, and Iago flew with them. They arrived just in time to
see the emerald studded giant fire another green fireball into the city.
Then, The Phoenix flew down and blasted the giant with it's eyebeams. The
giant was not slowed in the least
Menacing Stranger
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Submitted by VelvetR0se
VelvetRose stared listlessly out of her chamber window. The stars twinkled
merrily in the midnight sky, mocking her distress. Sighing, she turned from
the view, cloaking the stars with heavy drapes.
Her room was dimly lit by a small, ivory candle cuddled within two gold hands
entwined. Pacing the floor, her white lace nightgown whispered softly
trailing as she moved. Something was wrong. Somewhere a disturbance grew..a
menacing presence.. but where? What was it? She must find out.
Quickly dressing, she scribbled a note to her father..
Dear Father,
Something is wrong. I can feel it. Its presence grows ever more malignant
as the night progresses. I must seek it out. Confront it. Destroy it.
Least it undermine our purpose and bring all to naught. I shall return when
my task is done.
Your loving daughter,
Rose
Slipping the note under Zagig's chamber door, she went to the stables.
"SilverFire" she whispered, "even you cannot go with me." She stroked his
soft muzzle for a moment, then vanished into the night.
She walked swiftly, her feet unfaltering upon the trail. The shimmer of
silvery moonlight reflecting eerily upon her white gown whenever she chanced
to pass thru a clearing. Halting suddenly, her eyes sought something..
something in the deep shadows nearby.
The darkness baffled her sight. Mumbling an incantation, a flicker of blue
flame appeared and hovered just above her fingers. Stepping closer to the
dense shadow, the flame growing more bright, she sees nothing. Someone was
here... someone.. or.. something. It seemed akin to the menace that lurked,
and yet... Sighing, she returned to the forest path.
The streets of Triboar were dark and silent. The shops all closed for the
night. She paused outside the inn, noting a coal black stallion standing
untethered near the hitching post. Entering the inn, she was suprised to see
the bar deserted.
The fire burned low, its dim light casting eerie shadows upon the mellow
brick walls. Sensing a presence similar to the one in the shadows back in the
woods, she scanned the room. The inn's sole occupant stood uneasily in the
shadows at one end of the bar. Clad entirely in black, hooded, he waited.
An aura of terror surrounded him. She smiled to herself, a handy thing if
one liked solitude. She walked toward him, pausing a few feet away and
perching upon a bar stool. She caught a glimpse of the whitefaced innkeeper,
cowering in the kitchens.
The hooded stranger turned to her then, and she asked. "It was you, was it
not, that lurked under the tree?"
"Yess" he spoke the single word in a thin voice, cold as the bitter winds of
Luskan.
"Have you also been chosen? Do you feel it? The lurking menace? The
unknown.. thing.. that threatens all?"
The cloaked one pauses a long moment... then speaks "Nae, I have already
chosen a path, Lady VelvetR0se....and now, M'lord calls out for you to join
forces with ussss!"
The dark ones eyes blaze red and then he is gone. She sat for a long while,
staring into the ruby depths of her wine, pondering the words of the
stranger. A deep sense of forboding filled her as she slowly became aware
that the menace she had sensed had now become very personal.
Rising from the stool, she shivered as she recalled the cruel voice of the
dark one. The Dark Lord? Who was he.. what did he want with her? Drawing
her cloak tighter about her as tho to ward off some unseen danger she headed
back for Berun.
VelvetR0se
Apocolypse 2nd
Hate finding all the cleric scrolls with your paladin our ranger and not
being able to tell what they hold? Maybe you even droped a cause crit and
never knew it. Here is a tip on how to ID a cleric scroll, even if you are a
only a mage. Cast "Read maigic" 1st level mage spell. Then go to "Camp" then
"Magic" then "Scribe" This will pull up a list of the spells on your scrolls.
You then just need to count the number of spells per scroll you have in
order, and check them against the spells you can scribe. By counting down
each one and seperating the scribe list, you can tell exactly what each
Cleric scroll holds.
Fendar Blackthorn
KEF GM
Scattered Thoughts
(Submitted by Metal Mann)
Thoughts are scattered like leafs in the wind,
we turn them into dreams that we can shape and bend.
These dreams are the fuel our hopes and desires,
they give us a reason to live and set hopes afire.
Our lifes are run on these dreams that we make,
but aren't these dreams really just fake.
This makes life meaningless and we must amend,
and we go back to the leaves in the wind.
Tales of Whiiplash, Fighter and Mage of the Realms...
Part 1 - ASSASSINS
Whiiplash stepped into the tavern, pausing so that his eyes might adjust
to the dim interior. Thick smoke hung in the air, and a bard's merry songs
seeped in from another room nearby, another tavern maybe. Struggling to see
through the thick haze, Whiiplash spotted the bar and lumbered over.
Slipping into a seat, he greeted the bartender and reached into his bag
of holding for a gold piece. He tossed it onto the counter, where it spun and
made an awful racket until the bartender silenced it with his palm. "An
ale..." Whiiplash mumbled.
"Certainly, " the bartender said, pausing in his work of polishing the
counter to fetch the drink.
Whiiplash glanced around the nearly deserted tavern, noting the curious
occupants. One man, in a drunken stupor, sat muttering to himself and
drinking from a huge bottle. Several elves sat near the rear of the room,
laughing and joking amongst themselves. A battle worn man sat polishing a
dagger, glowing fiercely and jeweled at the hilt. He's eyes glanced up for
just a moment, and then returned to the dagger. Whiiplash frowned and glanced
at the last occupant, a human paladin seating near the door, in full battle
armor and hefting a huge broadsword bearing the emblem of the Plains Knights
of the Southwest. Curious, Whiiplash sipped his glass of ale, leaving it on
the counter, and moved across the room to sit next to him. He would have made
it there had a giant crack not opened wide before him.
Whiiplash cried out, startled, and fell back. It saved his life. A
dagger, a glowing streak, flashed by to thud into the wall. Instinctively
Whiiplash dove forward, across the still-widening crack, and narrowly missed
two silver daggers that followed the first. The paladin was yelling
something, but Whiiplash couldn't hear him. He leapt to his feet and dove for
the doorway, hoping to escape the steady barrage of flying daggers.
Out in the street a crowd had gathered, hearing the sounds of battle.
Whiiplash could hear the paladin inside, shouting battle cries and yelling
out to Tempus, the god of battle. Whiiplash went into a tumbling roll and
stopped himself, regaining his footing. A mage was chanting something nearby,
probably another crack, but Whiiplash didn't have time to fight his magic.
Six warriors, clad in black plate mail, had battle axes and crossbows ready.
Whiiplash, calling upon his arcane knowledge, drew deep within himself and
called upon the words for a bolt of lightning. Chanting softly, his hands
bean to glow. With a loud thunder clap, lighting shot forth from his hand,
twisting in a jagged line to strike down four of the six warriors, their
blackened corpses smoldering. The other two backed up, one throwing a small
dagger. The dagger never even came close.
Whiiplash drew his longsword and turned his attention to the mage. Blue
aura surrounded the dark wizard, and Whiiplash could tell he was encased in a
globe of invulnerability. Fearing another crack, or worse, Whiiplash raced
toward the chanting mage, longsword leveled. The mage stepped aside, thinking
Whiiplash in blind rage, but Whiiplash slowed and threw his weight into a
two-handed downward chop. It rebounded off the globe, but the mage's spell
was interrupted. Whiiplash struck again, but again he was repelled. Secretly,
he was preparing another spell. Suddenly the mage cried out in terror as his
globe was dispelled, Whiiplash having finished casting. With a victorious
cry, Whiiplash brought his sword in for the killing blow...
Inside, the paladin kicked aside the slashed corpse of the
dagger-wielding assassin, pausing to retrieve the glowing dagger from the
scorched wall where it had hit. He knew this dagger well, a common favorite
among the mages of the North. Outside he easily disposed of the remaining two
warriors, and found Whiiplash still hacking the bloody corpse.
"Why?" Whiiplash asked bluntly, pausing when he realized the mage was
dead.
"Assassins. Hired out, considering that there are three different guilds
here...." The paladin paused, in thought. "But I have no idea why anyone
would want you killed. You would know better than I would, actually..." The
paladin replied. He easily leaned on his broadsword, which was soaked in
blood from his recent victims.
Whiiplash hefted the mage's quarterstaff, appearing nonmagical. He
tossed it aside. "Why would anyone want me killed? My sword? My armor?
Something I have done?....."
"It seems personal to me... Well, I'd best be on my way..." The paladin
said, sheathing his sword in a scabbard across his back and turning to walk
up the north street.
"Thanks for your help..." Whiiplash said.
"Thank the Plains Knights... we are here to protect!" The paladin called
back.
The paladin, Killian Marlock, retrieved his white stallion from the
stables and mounted. He shifted so he could remove the parchment he had taken
from the assassin from his cloak, and quickly read over it.
"Kill him. Leave no mess. Take his possessions as you like, but cut off his
head and keep it chilled. I want it fresh. You will be paid on midnight
tomorrow at the Dark Dragon Inn. And, dispose of that fool Nasher. He has
been a aggravation long enough..."
The paladin frowned, coughed, and tossed the parchment aside. Kicking
his horse, he rode north.
To be continued...
To Starkadh Shipwise
I walked the empty beach
A ghost come to haunt
The stars my eyes beseach
Each wave a rushing taunt
It was the dark and lonely sea
That took my love away
A rolling flood of mystery
Which led him off to stray
So I wait upon the sand
My arms stretched open wide
Where ocean meets the land
My passions like the tide
The moon on waves casts shadows
To hide him from my sight
I stroll the foamy shallows
Lost within the night
My heart breaks upon the shore
As I long for just one glimpse
But he is gone forevermore
My wayward pirate prince
-Syren Coal
The Quests of Sharna Tyr
"The Gallant Prince"
Sharna Tyr awoke at first light to the sound of a deep, throaty growl.
Tossing aside her protective cloak that doubled as a sleeping blanket, she
reached for her two-handed sword and leaped to her feet to survey the
surrounding woods. As her dark brown eyes, flecked with traces of gold,
searched the dense forest in all directions, a twig snapped and the growl
returned. Farther away this time, it was followed by the dying squeal of
some smaller prey.
She stood motionless for what seemed an eternity, her sword at the ready,
until she felt secure that the unknown creature's appetite had been satisfied
and that the danger was past. Although it was well into spring along the
Sword Coast region of Faerun, a late blast of frigid air blustered in from
the north, perhaps from as far away as the frozen shores of Icewind Dale, a
place so cold that people have been known to freeze solid as they walk.* The
icy fingers of the north wind caressed her face and wrapped its frigid arms
around the exposed portions of her firm and lean semi-clad body. When no
other sound was forthcoming, she sheathed her weapon and set about getting
dressed before preparing to break camp.
Shivering, Sharna reached for her brilliant emerald green tunic, slipped it
over her head, and stepped into a pair of supple leather leggings and knee-
high boots. Attaching the resplendent sword to a belt at her waist, she once
again withdrew the blade from its scabbard and held it up at arms length in
front of her. The finely forged weapon had been instrumental in accelerating
the completion of her training, and had extricated her on more than one
occasion from the many perilous encounters she faced in the realms.
As the morning sun reflected off the blade of steel, turning it to gold, her
thoughts turned to Cedric Taramon and she smiled. "Thank you, brother . . ."
she said aloud. ". . . for your most precious gift. I pray to Helm that it
will continue to serve me well as I venture forth on my quests."
The process of breaking camp completed, Sharna Tyr took a final look around.
The young ranger/mage had completely restored the camp sight so that any
wayfarers - except perhaps another skilled ranger traveling the road from
Windy Cliffs to Port Llast - who came upon this spot would never know that
she had spent the night there. As a Pathfinder and Guardian of The Forest,
Sharna's vows stressed the preservation of the woods, and that of all nature,
from desecration by both man and beast. Satisfied that she had done well,
Sharna reached down for her cloak, fastened it securely about her shoulders
and retrieved her quiver of arrows and fine long bow. She then reached into
her tunic and withdrew the dispatch she had received from Nyvyn that outlined
the basic requirements of her quest.
"To become a Knight of Triel, " he had written in large, bold flowing script
so there would be no chance of misunderstanding the edict, ". . . you must
locate and obtain five items: a singular brass button, a boulder, a magical
cloak or ring, an incandescent jewel, and the highly prized Amulet of
Health." It was signed "Nyvyn, Knight of Triel." That was all. There was
no indication of where the items could be found, or any clues as to where to
begin her search. Still, with little to go on but her own strong will and
determination to succeed, she set off on her journey.
* * * * *
On the previous evening, Sharna had stopped at a local tavern in Windy Cliffs
for a meal and hot bath to wash off the dust of days on the road. During
dinner, a group of sailors in service to the Lord's Alliance, entered the inn
and sat at an adjacent table. No sooner had they settled when they began
boasting aloud, perhaps to impress the beautiful, auburn haired ranger at the
next table, of their recent battles and victories over marauding Luskan
pirates. Whether it was the seemingly endless procession of rounds of ale
paid for by Sharna Tyr, or just a sailor's natural attraction to a beautiful
woman - like a moth to a flame - I am not certain, but before long they had
asked her to join them at their table and were relating tales of high
adventure, lost treasures, and of a haunted ship - the Gallant Prince - in
Port Llast.
"Surely M'lady, you're not thinking of going to the Gallant Prince by
yerself," asked Marek, a young, handsome red haired sailor with penetrating
steel bue eyes? "Aye," echoed his shipmates, "No disrespect intended, but
while ye may stand a good chance of finding the item ye seek aboard the
Prince, the likelihood of yer gitten' off that accursed galleon alive to tell
the tale is slim." Sharna avoided answering the last question directly, and
thanked them for the information and their expressions of concern. She then
ordered a final round of ale before rising from the table to take her leave.
"Must ye go, M'lady?" Marek asked sadly while reeling to his feet, remorse
clearly written across the infatuated sailor's sea-weathered face at the
prospect of her departure. "Aye, " Sharna replied smiling, then bowed and
headed for the door. Before leaving she turned to the portly innkeeper and
tossed him a small leather pouch of coins. "See that they have a decent
place to sleep it off when they pass out, and a hot meal in the morning."
she said politely, yet firmly. Before the owner could respond, she walked
out into the night and continued north on the road to Port Llast and the
Gallant Prince. At a corner table in the shadows of the inn's great hearth,
a hooded figure in a deep, blood red cloak finished her drink, quickly paid
her tab, and departed the inn a safe distance behind Sharna Tyr.
(To be continued)
Verdina, OGS Guild Scribe
* So sayeth Volothamp Geddarm, Master Traveler and author of "Volo's Guide
to the North." This writer acknowledges and thanks Master Volothamp
(aka Ed of the Greenwood) for much of the information regarding Port
Llast used in this story
SMIM
CHAPTER 3
(Submitted by: YKSS )
The mage looked down on the city of Neverwinter from his perch in the sky.
He was not pleased. All his work of late seemed to be in vain. Not that he
didn't enjoy the trouble he had caused, but the main object of his work was
to scare people from traveling about, and this did not seem to be happening.
He looked down on the city and the areas surrounding it and wondered where
his quarry was, but there was so much traffic on the roads that picking out
his quarry, which was undoubtedly disguised, was impossible. That was the
purpose of his attacks on the city; to thin out the traffic to make spotting
his quarry easier. He looked down at his assembled statues on the ground
below him, waiting to be teleported into the city, and was displeased. He
had put a lot of work into them, but they seemed to be having no effect
whatsoever. This was to be his last shipment of the day. As soon as this
load was teleported, he would go under disguise along the roads, looking for
his quarry. He looked upon the land, picking his targets. Perhaps the area
over there, where those people were travelling westward. If he could
eliminate a whole party of people now, it would make his work a little easier
later.
He got ready to cast his spell. Just then he saw a bright flash come from
somewhere below. "That not be of my doing" he thought. He quickly cast a
spell of invisibity on himself and teleported himself near the sight of the
flash.
There was widespread confusion where he appeared. Gaurds were cordoning off
an area, obviously the site of the flash. A family, obviously the blast when
it occured, was reciving help from a paladin nearby. The mage slipped past
the gaurds and into the area of the blast. There was a scorch mark on the
ground where the blast occured. The mage cast a spell of Eagle Eye on
himself and looked around very carefully. He started outside the scorch mark
and spiralled his way in. At last his efforts paid off. There was a faint
shimmer in the air less than a handbreath above the ground, less than the
size of a fly. "An intersection with an elemental plane has occured in this
street?" he thought. "What could have caused this?"
Just then the mage heard a commotion behind him. An important looking person
had arrived with some gaurds and was steping into the cordoned off area. He
began to look around the scorch mark. The mage quickly grabbed a nearby rock
and shoved it into the shimmer, then teleported himself back to his temporary
base of operations near floodblest.
The mage examined the rock for two hours. Then a smile crept onto his face.
"Well well well", he thought. "It appears that they have finally made a
mistake. They will soon be mine, and I will have the other half of that
key!" He hurredly made his preperations.
Smim, the theif, the two old men, and Ater were suddenly encased in a yellow
globe approx. 15 feet in diameter. The moment the globe formed, all gravity
dissappeared. Smim had to manuver his sword back into his scabbard carefully
to avoid hurting anyone. He was suddenly feeling quite sick, as were Ater
and the thief. The two old men didn't seem to be effected. One of them
demanded in a loud voice for them to identify themselves. Smim didn't like
the gleam in his eyes, and knew that it wasn't healthy to have a powerful
mage mad at you for too long. He quickly identified himself and explained
what had happened. The other man then turned to the thief. "What be your
name?" he bellowed.
The thief was obviously frightened. He stammered out "D...d...d...dert,
sir".
"Didn't you know better than to steal from a powerful magic user?" the old
man bellowed. "I could turn you into stone if I should be so inclined! But
I won't for now. First I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. And there
will be plenty opportunities for that in the near future, I fear."
"W...w...What do you mean, r...redeem myself?" The halfling was turning
pale.
"You obviously don't know what you stole," said the old man, "or you wouldn't
have stole it. It was a charm maker, for making wands or enchanted jewlery.
That particular one was for making Teleport charms. There was enough magic
in there to make a few thousand wands of a spell each. We could end up years
travel from where we were! That's if we weren't redirected..."
"My companion has forgotten his manners again," the second old man. "Allow
me to indroduce ourselves. My name is Sana, and this is Berr. We are magiai
from Old Eeum."
"I never heard of Old Eeum," said Smim, still feeling sick.
"Hardly surprising," Sana said. "Long ago the people of the city were
experimental magic users. We were among the few who dared to author new
spells. Then there came a sickness. We now know that it was probably
brought on by Opoto, but I'm getting ahead of myself. You see when the
sickness struck, me and Berr were not present. Appearently the sickness
wasn't contagious, because we didn't catch it. But soon it appeared all of
the citizens of Old Eeum were sick except us. In the early stages of the
sickness, the victim lost his voice, so magic couldn't be used. Opoto was a
strong man, and even sick could make a journey, so he suggested to the city
council that the city be put in suspended animation while he went to the city
of Beckard, only a few days travel. His suggestion was accepted, but we were
appointed to go with him. You see at the time, he didn't know about us.
Well, right after the city was sealed up Opoto turned on us. To make a long
story short, he got careless and we escaped with half the key. However he
still has the other half, and for many years we have been fighting each other
for control of the key. If he gets it, he will use the magic secrets stored
in the city to build an empire. We have traveled a long way since then,
sometimes he chasing us and sometimes us chasing him. However, it seems to
be coming to a final confrontation now."
"And why might that be?" asked Ater, trying to keep his stomach in line.
"Because of this soon-to-be-toad," said Berr. "There is a special elemental
plane that is used when a person is teleported. Since all that magic was
applied to us without direction, Opoto will be able to redirect us anywhere
of his choosing, once he figures out how. That will take him a few days at
the most, plus time to prepare for our reception. We could be stuck in here
for weeks on the outside!"
"O...o...on the outside?" Dert stammered.
"You see, time moves differenly in here," said Berr.
"It will be only a few seconds before we are brought down to the proper
plane, but it could be as long as a month outside," chimed in Sana.
"And that's where you redeem yourself," growled Berr. "Opoto built himself a
stronghold before he brought the sickness. "He undoubtly will direct us
there. He has the other half of the magical key somewhere inside. When we
come down, we will fight Opoto while you steal the key. And in case you were
thinking of running, I ought to mention that we place poison on all our
belongings in case they are stolen. You will live a few days on the outside
unless I tell you the antidote."
"P...poison?" squeaked the halfling.
"Over the years we have picked up lots of knowledge from all over," said
Sana. "You would be surprised."
Just then the globe turned color...and dissappeared.
Destruction of Rylock
(Submitted by Mercante)
The slow moving line of shaddows crept along the trial behind me. The
darkness of the Neverwinter Woods hid all from sight. To my left, a carcus
of a large griffen lay rotting. It's head lay a meter or so off. So it's to
be paladins is it? Or maybe fighters. Rangers, not likely.
Wha ever it was, no cleric had dismembered this creature. Well we would
find out. We pushed on through the undergrowth. My six cleric/mages
followed faithfully. I had told them I knew the route. I had memorized a
map, although I'd never used it.
A voice from behind wispered, "Whats up ahead?"
I replied, "Evil enough for all, now shuttup you fool!" I didn't know
who it was. In fact I didn't know any of these mages. I found them killing
some villagers in Longsaddle, and decided to use them.
A year had passed since my rebellion against my father and my turn to
evil. The mages I had used to kill four of my brothers and my parents were
like these ones, expendible. The six of them had dispatched two villagers in
the street, my father would have called it unnoble. But then he was dead.
It was a strange feeling to have killed your parents. No regret, they
were old and past their time, but perhaps a sense of fulfillment. Like
attaining part of your destiny. My destiny is to create as much suffering to
all. Thats what I was doing here. And it would begin soon.
The followers of Lord Nasher never venturered here. Orcs and giants
abounded in the thousands. An impenatrable wall, sealing all out. But I'd
found a way around that wall, bribery. The Orcs wanted nothing more than to
destroy Longsaddle. This would come some day, but not this one. Today I
headed the other way, to the unknown village of Rylock.
A special potion I attained upon killing a mage on the Gallant Prince
allowed me to speak to the Orcs. They told of this Rylock. A city of
hunters, who killed and ate most animals and birds. Feirce fighters lead by
a fighter with the blood of a cleric. The Orcs had waged a war upon them for
some years. Each attack was beaten back, the Orcs dead served to feed the
citizens of Rylock. I didn't think Orcs were etible, but apparently a strong
root was used to flavor the meat.
Twice the citizens had attempted an escape from their entrapment in the
small clearing in the woods. Both times the Orcs were pushed back untill
some fire giants turned up to help. The Orcs said there was about 35
fighting men and 10 women who had a taste for battle as well. After them
about 20 who would fight if called upon. They used no money system, they
simply killed something and shared in eating it. While a single blacksmith
in the town fashioned new weapons with the Orc's spears.
What did the Orcs want almost as bad as the destruction of Longsaddle?
The death of Rylock.
I climbed over a gigantic fallen tree, and remember the map given to
me. A fallen tree would be close to the meeting sight, if I remembered
correctly. I waited a moment for my followers to conquer the tree, then I
proceded on. I took three steps and smelled Orcs. All around they appeared.
If they didn't smell so bad they'd be good ambushers.
A tall orc dressed in a red sash began grunting to me. I pretended to
pay attention as he went on with his introduction. At the end I merly said
in orc, "Where?"
The ugly monster parted his teeth in a sickly grin. Then raised his
clawed hand and pointed with his spear. I gestured for him to lead the way,
and he went forward. I turned to my mages. "Okay this is the plan, kill,"
they seemed rather lost in the recent events. "Listen, we're going to come
to this town, we thrash it, loot it and leave. Okay?"
They nodded. And we started off in pursuit of the Orcs. After about
ten minuetes of walking our escorts stopped. Ahead a ways up two humaniod
looking shapes were standing. The Orcs let us pass. Quickly I removed my
black cape, and instructed the others to do the same. I issued some orders
to the Orcs, then we moved up to the Rylockans.
The two forms were massive. Muscular and had at least 6 inches over
the normal ranger. One mage believed them young giants. They were armed
with daggers, spears, swords, and each held a bow with a quiver. The metal
was all the same dull bronze, that which the Orcs made their spears out of.
For armor they wore leather, jet black.
As they caught sight of us their bows were drawn. Just behind them I
could see the clearing and a chimeny of two. We approached. "Hello
friends!" I greeted them warmly.
"Hail stranger," was all they said, eyes intent upon where my hands
were.
"Could you tell us where we are, we seem to be lost I'm afraid," I
said in the most humble tone I could manage. "We came out of Longsaddle and
were chased here by some Orcs."
"Longsaddle?" Suddenly their eyes met mine. They seemed exicted,
glancing back toward the village. "You say Orcs attacked you, where are
they?"
"Just behind us there, see them?" I was working on some sort of
plan, one that would hit them most off guard.
"I see them, there! Here they come!" Upon my instructions the Orcs
were charging.
"Don't worry about it," I said. "Watch this." I turned to the Orcs
and summoned an ice storm. The spell struck at the lead chargerl, which was
the large Orc, and let out its' built of force. The orcs where blown
backwards to the ground. None moved.
"By the Gods," said one of the guards, "a mage. Are you all mages?"
"No," I cut in before my companions could speak. "Just me, these are my
followers."
"Come quickly, we must show you to the people." Now they were
excited. One ran ahead and sounded a bell. As the second guard brought us
near town the people came out to meet us. I began counting. I counted 55
persons, counting the two guards. I decided to play along for awhile.
By days end I had meet all the citizens of Rylock, including their
leader, who seemed compatent enough. The 10 pervious missing were out
hunting Orcs. They'd managed to kill 17 in one hour. And managed to bore us
with the story for 4 hours. But at last night came and they left us to our
new house.
We memorized all the spells we would need. I sent the smallest of our
party off to summon the Orcs, although I was sceptical as to their response
after I had slain a good dozen of them. The rest of us moved to the NE corner
of the village.
During the day I had been observant as to where each villager lived.
Here most of the regular fighters lived. Thats where we started. We went to
the first house. I summoned a posion gas cloud. Inside the people coughed
and choked for a moment, then were silent. The spell was repeated by the
others for three more houses. That's when I got bored.
A explosion echoed through the night as my fireball detinated inside a
house, blowing all four walls out. Now the alarm was raised. Two more
fireballs were set off when five figures appear out of a house with arrows
nocked. I cast a hold spell stuning four of them. The last drew his bow and
leveled it at my chest. I cast the first spell that came to me.
A cone of cold spread out and encompassed all five, freezing them
solid. Then with a deafening thunderclap they shattered.
A battlecry came from my right as female with a rather gastly looking
sword came at me. I pointed and hear internal organ were crushed flat by a
slay living. By now half the town was on fire, the mages and me were forced
to flee to the unburned half.
Soon we'd reached to safe area on went to were two roads crossed. The
mage nearest me suddenly sprouted a arrow out of his throat. I ducked and
rolled as the others scrambled for cover. 7 archers where in wait for us.
The man with an arrow in his throat now had four more in him. One missed,
and a second mage carried an arrow in his leg. I raised a cloudkill around
them, 6 dropped, one jumped free. A magic missile blew the last through the
house he stood in front of.
I decided to count our losses and leave. Motioning them to follow me I
ran down through the village's main road. We soon were free of the small
town and turned to watch the fire burn. It took about 2 hours but in the end
it was cinders. Dawn approached and I was anxious to clean up any survivors.
As the first rays of sun shone throughout the clearing I searched the
treeline for our allies/targets the Orcs. None were to be seen. As morning
continued I spotted the remained of the Rylock populace. They were in a
circle of debris they must have piled up. From my view there was 15 to 20 of
them.
A mages cry caught my attention. I turned to see a dumbstruck mage,
looking upon what was left of the mage I had sent out the night before,
staked up on a pole.
Quickly we inivsibled ourselfs. A few minuetes later the Orc armies
came out of the woods and decended upon the suvivors. I took seven assualts
to overwhelm the Rylockans. In the midst of the fight I saw their leader,
chopping and swinging his sword.Surrounded, a spear pierced his armor, and he
faultered. Then five more spears finished him. The Orcs finally victored
and paraded around the towns ashes.
"Great, just great!" Exclaimed on of the mages.
"What's your problem?" I asked.
"Problem? We lost two of our friends and we don't have a silver piece
to show for it!"
"Touching. You should've kept to killing villagers."
"And just how do we get outa here?"
"The way we came moron," I marched away into the woods.
"Wait!" They followed shortly and said no more. We winded our way
through the woods to the overturned tree. Then on back through the
undergrowth. Up ahead we spotted fire giants.
Invisible we were, so without fear we made out way to Longsaddle. The
fire giants all around us for most of the way. Finally as we were coming to
the last fire giants, I turned and cast a dispel magic. Instantly we
appeared in the midst of the giants. Shocked, then enraged they came at us.
I cast my last spell, and a dimensional door opened. I steped in and a
appeared 30 feet closer to Longsaddle. Behind me the giants were upon the
spelless mages. My work here was done
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
(Submitted by Alex Rogue)
The first - and maybe only - edition of the WMG map to the Sword Coast is
available now! This beautiful, multi-color map identifies the locations of
all the above ground cities and towns in Neverwinter Nights, along with major
roadways and significant landmarks.
And... for a limited time... they're almost FREE!! Aye! Just slip a note
under Alex Rogue's door (or try to sneak one passed ol' nurse Craket), and
yer very own map of the Savage Frontier will be delivered within a few days!
(Just remember, yer note must be posted on one of the White Mage Guild
message boards and must be in RP form.)
Hurry!! Get yours now - while supplies last!!
---------------------
note: This map is part of the soon-to-be-released WMG Guide to Neverwinter!
Look for it soon in magical scroll stores near ye!!
Her Long Awaited Return...
(Submitted by: TarlCalbot)
A stiff cool breeze off the Trackless Sea seemed to penetrate right thru the
Ranger's +3 Banded, as he hurried down the streets of Neverwinter. The air
was thick with moisture, and the smells of the sea. Renn paid it little
heed, as he was in a hurry this eve. Finally, after what had seemed an
"eternity" of waiting, his Lady Morra was due to return! His brutal days of
training in Longsaddle, the endless nights alone in Harper Hall were soon to
end. Renn tipped his helm in greeting to yet another passerby, as he
continued his swift pace down the crowded streets. Rounding the corner, he
ducked quickly into an empty room of the common house. Looking arround, the
deep-woods Ranger was pleased to see no one sleeping on the worn and tattered
cots that covered almost every inch of floor space in the dimly lit room.
Several rats were fighting over a discarded cookie in the northwestern
corner, Renn kicked them aside with his well worn boot, and sat down to await
his Lady Morra.
Faint traces of strong ale mixed with the musky odor of the common room,
which had the "all to familar" smell of sweaty leather. So be it, Renn
mused, as he removed his helm, uncovering his shaggy locks of thick red hair.
The northern door to the room opened, letting in more of the dank evening
air, Renn grumbled "This room is taken", just as he looked up to see his
lovely Lady Morra, standing in the still opened door way. "Yes, melove, it
is" she smiles, as the entire room seemed to light up with her presence.
They both rushed into each others arms, Renn scooping his lady off the floor
with his eager embrace.
"Hi Ho", they heard as the well traveled Dragonwalk came thru the still
unclosed door. Renn allowed the Lady Morra's feet to again reach the ground
before breaking the long awaited passionate embrace. Renn and Dragonwalk
gave each other the traditional "Warriors Salute" by striking their left
shoulder with their sword hands. The three had much to talk over, as this was
indeed, to be a nite of reunions. Soon the travelers were joined by many
from the Sun Clan. Crimm, Luch, Sht, and even the silly Cleric My Qyl, soon
joined the excited group. All were eagerly renewing their companionship,
relating recent travels, as the conversations were almost at a fever pitch.
All had missed the Lady Morra, who's absence had been sorely felt by many, in
both the Sun and Harper Hall's.
The Lady Morra wispered to Renn a tale of Great sadness, a close friend and
Lady adventurer had died this day :( A feeling of dispair siezed both Renn
and the Lady Morra as she related the details of the tragedy. Mistaking
their sorrow as discomfort with their presence, the fellow Sun's and the
silly Cleric, soon departed, leaving Renn and the Lady Morra alone, and in
silence. Words alone could not express their grief. So few were spoken.
Renn held his lady close, as she continued to weep for what seemed to be
hours. They fell asleep in each others arms, as the bustle of Neverwinter
ebbed with the oncoming night.
Humbly,
HG Renn
A Tale of Training
(Submitted by: HG Shadow)
As he approached the familiar sight of Harper Hall, the adventurer slowed his
pace, smiled, and then stopped. From the dim light radiating from the window
he could tell that the others were either out on missions or sleeping. He
smiled again. If the other Harpers were still awake, at best he would take
some ribbing over his current condition. At worst, he would spend the night
drinking and celebrating, when he should be resting.
Yes, he was brusied, bloody and certain that two fingers on his shield
hand were broken, but now, Shadow was home.
All that stood between him and his waiting pillow was an empty hall, 22
stairs , and his door.
Standing in his doorway one hall, and 22 stairs later, Shadow remembered
what else was waiting for him in his room.
"Welcome home, Master" spoke the voice, dripping with sarcasm. Shadow
frowned slightly and turned to face the source. In the corner of the room,
fidgeting on his perch, was a large black raven. The bird was half again as
large as a normal raven, and had hard, yellow eyes that were locked on the
Harper.
"Hello, Sinn." the Harper began. He dropped his pack and his weapons in
a noisy heap, and lay down heavily on his bed. "How have you been?"
"How have I been!?" screeched the raven. "You've been gone four days,
and that's all you have to say?"
"I've been training..." the harper began.
"By the the looks of you, I should certainly hope so! But four days
trapped alone in this room, I thought I might go mad! Forget the fact that I
haven't eaten a decent meal since you left!"
Absent mindedly, Shadow fished around in his pocket and came up with a
sorry looking piece of dried beef. He didnt even offer it to his longtime
friend.
"Sorry, Sinn. Next time I'll make sure to leave the window open," Shadow
mumbled as the fatigue of many battles finally caught up to him.
" Please do." huffed Sinn. Then the raven spread his wings and glided
to the food of Shadow's bed. He thought he might continue his scolding, but
it was then that the raven got his first good look at his companion.
Shadow was a mess. His left arm, from the shoulder to the fingertip
was caked with dried blood. A couple of the fingers bent at odd angles and
something was imbedded in the left shoulder-piece of his mail. Was that a
tooth? Sinn also noted that his right arm from wrist to sholder was bare!
"Say..," began the raven, "Old man, did you realize that there is a piece
missing from your armor?"
"Yes, Old Bird, I am fully aware that a piece of my armor is missing. Not
something that one can easily overlook," the tired adventurer growled from
the bed. "And I hope the cursed Drac chokes on it too!"
" I see...perhaps tomorrow you should seek medical attention" suggested
Sinn.
"Aye, but now I sleep," said Shadow, "shoud you choose to hold your
tongue."And as he drifted off, visions of Beholders, Dracolichs, and Giants
filled his dreams. Fists clenched and unclenched as he slept.
Sinn flew back to his perch and took one last look at his lifelong
companion.
"I certainly hope your Mage training won't prove so dangerous." he
sighed. "I'd hate for you to get killed when there is still so much left
undone." Tucking his head under his wing, Sinn fell fast asleep
Ethron's rebirth
Submitted by OGS Bannor)
To Save Ethron...
Ethron thought he had planted the seeds of the destruction of the Order of
the Golden Staff. Using himself as bait, he had let it be known that he could
be found in the Woods this nite. Meanwhile he had arranged for the NightMasks
to take up positions in the Woods and hunt down the OGS that would surely
come after him.
The OGS scouts zipped in and quickly determined Ethron to be in the NW region
of the Woods. This proved to be misdirection, for after a quick and skillful
search, the scouts determined Ethron was not accessible from that direction.
They also could find no NightMasks. All scouts were immediately sent through
the gate to CE Woods and beyond to re-enter the NW Woods from the NE Woods.
By this time Ethron was a bit worried. Having nothing better to do in his
hiding place, he scried for his hunters and watched them enter the NW region.
But soon they disappeared again. Then Ethron scried for his protectors, the
NightMasks. To his astonishment, he could find none in all the Woods! What
treachery was this? Curse those NightMasks! Now wait, had he told them
sunrise or sunset? "What an unreliable lot...!" We can only imagine Ethron's
dread as the OGS scouts closed in ... encountering no resistance.
Cedric T was the first to come into the NW Woods from the NE side. Ethron
made a decision at that time and decided mobility might serve him best. He
picked up his robe and rushed away from this place which suddenly had too few
methods of egress for his comfort. Ethron, looking back over his shoulder,
did not see Cedric as he came meandering around a tree and CRASH, ran
headlong into Cedric sending both to the the forest floor. This unnatural
noise alerted surrounding fauna and a battle started to unfold. It was a
close fight, until suddenly Ethron threw off a foul beast and, power
crackling from his... err... club, unleashed a death spell on Cedric,
stopping his heart! As the valiant Cedric crumpled, Leximer appeared from the
forest. "Your evil has gone too far foul Ethron. Now it ends, shadow of my
brother." And with that Leximer shouted a word of command and Ethron froze in
mid cast. The beasts fell on Ethron instantly, attempting to devour this now
helpless prey. What had been Ethron wavered and became the blackest cloud in
their midst. The beasts suddenly gagged and fell to the ground, dead. The
cloud slowly thinned and then dissipated, taking the last of Ethron's evil
with it. Leximer sadly turned and gathered up the arriving scouts, "It is
over my friends. Though it gives me no pleasure to see Ethron die...". They
walked back to the command post and gave their report with mixed emotions.
There was little discussion around the campfires as each considered the fate
of their once beloved brother Ethron...
Across the realm, in a far off temple of Tyr, the real Ethron suddenly
stopped thrashing against the beleagured priests trying to hold him down. To
the priests' astonishment, the dreadful agony they had seen in their charge's
eyes for weeks was suddenly gone! "My friends, what's happened? Can it be? Is
this nightmare truly over? Am I reborn?!"
Thus ends Ethron's curse, thanks to the love of his brothers and sisters...
Black Sun Arisen
An autobiography
by Ubik III
I was very young when my parents had died, I don't have any memory of
them, only that they had left me on the doorstep of a church right before my
mother's death. I grew up in the church, learning the ways of it's god,
Xanous. I came to love those in the church, especially one old man who I cam
to call my father, who calls me Ubik the third, because he was Ubik the
second. I rarely left, besides to collect food from the surrounding forest.
Because we were in the middle of the forest, we had little, if any,
communication to the nearest town, Syran.
There were many people in the church, only a few of them that were my
age. Through these children, I learned about a legendary treasure that was
in a vault beneath the church. Every once in a while we would try to find a
way to get below the basement, where the treasure was supposed to be, but of
course, we never found any.
One day, I was out in the forest picking berries and the like for our
breakfast. I couldn't find enough, so I found myself wandering for hours.
Suddenly I noticed a smell of smoke in the air. I turned and saw a huge
cloud of smoke coming from the direction of the church. I dropped all of the
food that I had found and ran to the church.
When I was almost there, I saw about five men running away from the
church, all of them dressed in black. I paid very little attention to them
because I was afraid for my father, an I continued running. When I actually
reached the church, I saw it almost completely ablaze. I hurried inside
hoping to find my father alive. After a little searching, I found him in his
room, lying on his bed, clenching his chest. I saw a dagger in his chest,
and blood was streaming from the wound. Luckily, the fire hadn't yet spread
too far.
"Don't worry about me," he said when he saw me enter. "Save yourself."
"No!" I cried, "I will not leave you here to die."
"You can't save me now, and if you try to take me, you only put your own
life in danger." he paused for a second while I pulled the dagger out of his
chest. He cried in pain and coughed up a lot of blood. "Now," he continued,
after he had cleared the blood from his mouth and throat, "pull out the brick
in the lower left corner of the wall. It is all that is left of the
treasure."
"Then there was a treasure?"
"Yes, but they didn't get all of it. You must find the men using what
is left. When you find them, kill them, and use the money to start a new
church, bigger than this one." He stood there for a moment, crying. "Go
now!" he yelled. "Before the fire spreads to us."
He was dying, and there was no way I would be able to save him, so I
left his side, and searched for the loose brick in the wall. It took all of
my strength, but I pulled it out. Within, there was a large chest that I
also pulled out. I opened the chest, and there was great treasure within, a
note lying on top. There was also a shield, gauntlets, bracers, and hundreds
of jewels.
I unrolled the note, and read aloud,"You are reading this at the time of
my death. If it was a murder, which is most likely, than you must avenge my
death. The items that are accompanying this note should help you on your
journey. Farewell, and let the gods be with you."
"But," I said as I turned and stood," you don't have to die..." But it
was too late. I saw his dead body laying on the bed.
Tears started to stream from my eyes, but I noticed the fire right
outside of the door, so I grabbed the chest and headed to the window. I
looked out. We were about three stories above the ground, but there was no
other way out. I dropped the chest and heard it hit the ground. I turned to
look at my father one last time, and began to climb out the window. I hung
for a moment and dropped. Surprisingly, I barely felt it as I hit the
ground, my mind clouded with the thoughts of my dead father, or...fathers,
and mother. With that thought, more tears flowed out of my eyes until I
could barely see where I was running.
I continued running until I ran out of energy and fell to the ground.
There I slept, without any dreams. I woke up the next morning completely
lost. I sat on a log, and opened the chest again. I pulled out the items
one by one. I also found a bag, which I assumed was to carry the jewels, so
I began to fill it, only it never filled. I kept putting jewels in it, and
it never got full, or even heavier. Hundreds of jewels in it, it still
weighed the same as it had started. This surprised me, but I didn't really
care. I took the note, folded it up, and place it in the never-filling bag.
I also put on the gauntlet and I could feel my strength growing. Now there
was no wonder why the men would do such horrible thing to get the treasure.
I put on the bracers, grabbed the shield, and left. I realized that the
men would have gone to Syran, it being the nearest town, and one with a port.
I found which way was north, and headed north-east, the direction of Syran.
It took me a short time to there, because there was no weight of the
jewels. I was nearing dark when I arrived at the town. I figured that it
would be the best time to check local taverns and inns for rumors about the
men, so I headed for the nearest tavern. I didn't find anything there, but
at the second one, I found someone who had seen the men. He said he had
heard them talking about taking the next boat to Neverwinter. I had heard of
the legendary land that was filled with evil. There were always boats going
there because there were always adventurers seeking fame and fortune.
They would already have been gone, so I stayed at an inn until the next
boat left the next morning. The weather was nice until a few days later,
about half way to Neverwinter. Storms raged and it seemed like we weren't
going to make it, but the captain told me all would be fine and I should just
go to sleep.
He was wrong of course. I was awakened in the middle of the night by
screams of the other passengers, and I found that the boat was flooding.
Suddenly something hit the boat, and it smashed into many pieces.
I don't know what happened to the other passengers, but I passed out
while hanging onto a piece of driftwood. When I awoke, I found myself in an
unfamiliar place. I looked around, and found myself on an island.
After a bit of searching, I made camp and went to sleep. I was awakened
by a couple of people who were adventuring on the island. I wasn't sure
whether to trust them or not, but they told me that I was on the Isle of
Trisk, near Neverwinter. Hearing this, I was overjoyed and my trust in them
strengthened.
Although I never learned their names, they took me to Neverwinter and
showed me around. I have vowed to fight the evil roaming Neverwinter and its
surrounding area's while I search for signs of the men who killed my father.
Misty
(Submitted by FR0ST)
For the fifth straight day Tyrell Frost watched the sun rise over over the
eastern treeline of the Neverwinter woods. As the early morning light washed
over the Ranger's body, lines of worry could easily be seen eteched in his
rugged face. "Where are you Misty?" Frost spoke the words to the soft
forest breeze vainly hoping for a reply. This day, like the five before it,
he received none. Frost still wondered how he had let Misty talk him into
letting her make the trek into Floodbest alone. He could still here her
voice echoing is his thoughts, "Now you listen here Tyrell Frost!, if I want
to go into Floodbest alone, then go i will! I'll not have ya pamperin me
like some babe in the woods!" For emphisis she had slowly fingered the
jeweled hilt of her favorite broad sword. Seeing the concern in her lovers
face Misty had softened her tone and said, "I'll be back in a few days
beloved, I have something special to pick up at Sindar's and I want it to be
a suprise." Seeing Frost's doubtful look her voice had begun to raise once
again, "Now dont you be giving me that look! I have been roaming these woods
just as long as you and can take care of myself well enough thank you!" In
his heart Frost knew she was probably right, but he had a dire feeling about
this trip. In the end he had helped her pack and seen her off the next
morning. As they said their farewells, Frost began, "Now Misty, you watch out
for those trolls over in...." The look Misty had given him gave even the
vetran ranger cause for alarm. With a smile, Misty had walked up to Frost,
stood on her tip toes, and given him an affectionate peck on the cheek. "Take
care of yourself Frost, I'll be back soon" With that, Misty had set off at a
brisk pace towards the west. As she faded into the dense forest, Frost had
whispered, "I love you Misty..Please come home". The distant cry of a falcon
woke Frost from his reverie. Making his descision, Frost began readying his
pack, weapons, and armor for the road.
A forced march and two days later, Frost entered the small farming village
of Floobest at dusk. Several of the local farmers greeted Frost as he strode
by the small homes that made up the hamlet. Normally, Frost would have
stopped to speak of news and happenings within realms with the goodly folk,
but now he passed the confused farmers by with merely a wave of his hand. As
Frost approached the center of the village, he once again saw the familiar
sign of Sindar's Trading Post hanging from the doorway of a small wooden
building. As Frost entered the old trading post he was greeted by a gruff
female voice, "Ho there Frost! What brings ya outta yer precious woods this
fine evening?" Finding the source of the voice behind the low counter of the
shop, Frost replied with a forced smile, "Greetings Sindar. How's your beard
growing?" A stocky female dwarf walked around the edge of the counter
holding a nasty looking hammer in her right hand, "Ah ye have come fer
another head bashing then have ye?" Usually, Frost would have traded
friendly insults with the kind dwarf for several minutes but the concerned
look in the ranger's eyes brought the dwarf up short. "What be the matter
Frost?" Sindar asked in a now serious tone. Frost quickly replied, "It's
Misty, she days over due and i'm startin to get worried." Scratching the
course stubble on her chin, Sindar said, " Well, Misty was in here a week ago
picking up some package she had sent up from Neverwinter. She did mention
going to see the Lord Mayor about renting the town hall or somesuch but
that's the last i saw of her." Thanking her for the information, Frost went
in search of the town's Lord Mayor. Frost finally located the mayor in the
Rankled Boar Inn taking in a large dinner. The mayor was quick to repond to
Frost's questions, "I'm sorry Frost, But Misty never came by to see me."
Frost began to feel a cold knot in his belly and asked, "Are you sure? She
was supposed to have been to see you last week." The mayor knitted his brows
in thought and replied, "Hmm, well, a week ago I was out at the north
plantation checking into rumors of evil happenings, never found anything
though. Perhaps one of the town folk told her were I was and she came looking
for me and got lost." Frost almost screamed, "Misty? Get lost? have you lost
your wits man?" Frost saw the mayor cringe at his outburst and quickly
added, "Im sorry, I fear something terrible has happened to her. The north
plantation you said?" The mayor nodded in reply and said, "Frost, be careful
out there at night, something evil is lurking the hills outside of town."
Frost never even stopped to consider the good mayor's words as he headed out
the door of the inn.
By the time frost reached the trail leading north out of town, a full moon
had risen and bathed the landscape in a soft white light. Frost followed the
winding trail slowly check for sign or some clue to Misty's whereabouts.
About a mile north of town, Frost found what appeared to be signs of a
struggle. Upon closer inspection, Frost's worst fears were confirmed. Frost
growled under his breath, "Bug Bears." Frost had no difficulty tracking the
foul monsters and soon he found himself sneaking up on a large cave entrance
set into the side of a grassy hill. With the help of the moon light Frost
could see two large bugbears appearently standing a watch at the cave mouth.
Without warning, a scream of sheer agony split the night. The tortured voice
was a female voice, it was a females voice and it was Misty's. Frost moved
like lightning. The bugbears were happily distracted by the anguished
screams and didint even know their pitiful lives had come to an end. Violet
fairie fire bathed the two monsters in cold flames. Frost leaped in between
the creatures with his glowing long sword held high. Two slashes of the
brilliant sword sent both bugbears to ground. Frost ran past the slain
guards and entered the cave. As his vision adjusted to the dim light,
Frost's heart almost stopped. Standing in the middle of the large cave was
the ranger's most hated and feared enemy. The eighteen foot Cloud Giant had
Misty held in one huge hand slowly squeezing the life from her. Frost
screamed in terror and rage, "Put here down evil spawn and take me instead!"
The Cloud Giant had watched the ranger enter and now looked down at him with
a wicked smile. With almost no effort, the massive creature hurled Misty
across the room. Misty struck the hewn cave wall with a sickening thud and
lay still. Frost just stared at the giant, the rangers eyes showed pure
hatred and his body trembled in rage. The Cloud Giant didnt give Frost long
to consider what had just happened and rushed to attack. Frost and his
glowing blue long sword were death in motion. Sidestepping the rushing giant,
Frost slashed the brilliant blade across the back of the giants right leg.
The snap of the giant's hamstring was audible and the giant went bellowing to
the floor in pain. Frost didnt give the evil creature a chance to recover
from the cruel blow and leapt over the wounded leg sword held high. Frost
brought the sword down in a blinding flash with a scream of rage. The
enchanted blade easily cleaved through the giants skin and neatly severed the
tendon at the base of the giants left ankle. This time the bellow from the
giant was not one of pain, but one of fear. Seeing the giant subdued, Frost
rushed to Misty's crumpled form. As soon as he saw her twisted neck, he knew
it was too late, Misty was gone. As Frost tenderly cradled her head in his
arms, he saw a glint of gold through his tear filled eyes. A gold chain was
dangling out of Misty's clenched left fist. Gently he opened her hand and
found it was not a chain but a necklace. Hanging from the center of the
necklace was the image of an oakleaf wrought in the finest gold and platinum.
In the dim light of the cave, Frost could just make out the engraved
inscription on the back.
"To Frosty on our Wedding Day"
-Love Eternally...Misty
Looking up from the pendant, Frost's eyes narrowed on the still writhing form
of the Cloud Giant across the room.............
It was later said that the dieing screams of the Cloud Giant blew out the
paned glass windows of every house within five miles.
A Grand Adventure... Part 2
(Submitted by Ringleron )
Dragonklaw led the group with Khaymara and Red Erik in the middle
and I took the rear. On the way to the inn at Port Llast, we encountered
some wild boars, but, they were just it... a bore. ;) Dragonklaw dropped a
fireball that nearly burned every creature to the ground. We got to the inn,
rested for a few moments and re-memorized some spent spells. Before heading
out, Dragonklaw and I casted a few preparatory spells that might aid the
party in case we get into combat.
As we were strolling down the path to Luskan, a couple of umber
hulks and a handful of griffins jumped us. How unfortunate for the
creatures. Dragonklaw and I unleashed our magical fury. Balls of fire and
bolts of lightning swarmed towards our enemies. In a span of a few seconds,
half of our enemies became smoldering corpses and the rest were badly
damaged. Khaymara and Red Erik had little trouble finishing them off. We
picked through the remains of our enemies and continued our way for it was
not safe to rest on the path. We were discussing some combat tactics for our
upcoming battle with the beholders when we heard a cry for help.
Quickly, we ran up the hill and saw somebody surrounded by two
umber hulks and a pack of wolves. I could only hope that we can come to his
aid in time for he was bleeding quite heavily. The four creatures
surrounding him became my intended targets. I ran closer while taking out
four small metal rods from one of my pockets. I prayed to Mystra to give me
the power to paralyze all four creatures for it was the bleeding man's chance
to get out of this alive. I casted the spell and targeted each one. Praise
Mystra! The Lady of Magic answered my prayers for all four creatures stopped
where they stand. Khaymara didn't waste any time. She quickly attacked one
of the helpless umber hulks, killing it. Dragonklaw and Red Erik charged at
the other wolves. The wounded man slammed his weapon on the other umber
hulk, killing it. I heard him grunt with satisfaction. I was preparing my
next spell, when a wolf jumped over the remains of the umber hulk and clawed
at the wounded man. The wolf howled with glee as its claw sliced open the
man's throat. I lost my concentration on the spell as the lifeless body fell
on the ground with a dull thud. Angrily, I pulled out my two-handed sword
and charged at the wolf. The remaining wolves met a quick death.
I put my sword away and turned to where the man's body lay. Images
of my nightmare flashed before my eyes. The wicked grin of the dracolich.
The sharp cold claws. My torn bloody robe. I snapped out of my trance when
Dragonklaw inquired if we were all ready to move on. I watched the body as
it slowly faded away, then turned to catch up with the others.
The party walked in silence for a mile or so, then Dragonklaw told
the group that we should get to the inn soon for he was running low on
spells. Everyone had time to nod their replies when another group of umber
hulks ambushed us. Dragonklaw unleashed his last few offensive spells, while
I tried to paralyze the other monsters. We won the battle but not without
taking a few wounds ourselves. I used my daily ability to heal, one of the
few benefits I have for being a Paladin, and healed Red Erik for he got hurt
the most. We got to the outskirts of Luskan when Dragonklaw voiced his
concerns. He said he has no more offensive spells. I tried to diminish his
concerns by letting him know that I have a couple more fireballs left.
Suddenly, we got ambushed again. I threw one of my fireballs at the monsters
and we finished them off with our weapons. Quickly, before more monsters
jump us, we rushed off to the inn at Luskan.
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