1995-06-17
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 87
Week Ending 6-17-95
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to Simarin for winning last week's News of the Realm contest.
Simarin has earned choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes)
WTG!
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Congrats to the following folks who did very well in the WWAI for June 15.;)
CHRISLEIF - 1st place; winner of 25 pearls and 4 free hours online.
DAM1ON - 2nd place; winner of 20 pearls and 3 free hours online.
LLEWDOC - 3rd place; winner of 15 pearls and 2 free hours online.
Also... STORMMASTR won the random drawing at the end of the contest to win 5
pearls. ;)
Thanx to all who participated. I had a ball and got a few chuckles from a
few of the folks in there tonight. ;>
Mystek
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Charm Person Booth 6/15
AZURE MONK won tonights event by resisting 8 charms total..
Hes won 4 pearls and 1 free hour of on-line time!;D
NW Hobbes;>
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Location Hunt winner UDL NEXUS who found the finest harnest on the Sword
Coast
Congrats!
NW Kel
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NWA Archer's Crossergate Tour.
Lord Nasher had called a meeting of the guard and I attended knowing that our
leader must have something important on his mind to call us away from our
normal duties. We sat in his chamber, expressionless. He entered and looked
at each and every one of us very carefully. His look was somber, yet you
could see clearly that Lord Nasher had a purpose in mind on this clear night.
He began to speak to us and we leaned forward with intense looks on our
faces. He told us of an uprising in a neighboring town know as Crossergate.
Apparantly Kraken Clerics had taken up in a secret stronghold and were
plotting to make a move on the neighboring town of Vilnask. Lord Nasher
concluded his briefing with the statement - "We are here to serve and protect
these areas, who among us dares to lead a band of adventurers into this
stronghold to defeat these Kraken Clerics and learn of their plans to attack
Vilnask?" I immediately rose to my feed, grabbed the hilt of my sword and
stated - "I will m'lord. I swear to complete this mission for the safety of
our land!" Lord Nasher strode over to me, looked me dead in the eye and said
- "Make it so." I set out in the afternoon sun and stopped off in the
Gardens of Neverwinter to prepare for my Quest. Low and behold, I was
approached by DeathKght, Sir Rhone, KevinB1100, Sillohette, and JCouch2938.
They asked why I looked so grave. I told them of my mission and grabbed my
gear, heading for the gates leading out of the garden. As I exited
Neverwinter I saw that I was not alone. Those fine adventurers had decided
to follow me on my quest. With a quick glance backwards I said - "Come along
now - We shall overcome." They evened their stride with mine and we pressed
on through Southwall and into Vilnask. Vilnask had already felt the Kraken
presence. We were met by Banshees howling in the wind as well as Krakens
lurking in the trees. We passes though this area with extreme caution. All
battled with one purpose in mind - completing the task at hand. We entered
Crossergate and paused. There was a chill in the wind and we felt evil
lurking in the shadows - waiting to strike. I led the way with Sir Rhone
close behind. Sillohette brought up the rear and warned of any attacks from
behind. Unfortunately we were ambushed from the sides by some Mad Wolves and
Ice Hounds. They struck fiercly and we reeled for a moment. I stepped back
and hurled a fireball at the attacks and caught them off guard. DeathKnght
and KevinB charged and disposed of the remaining foes. Continuing we went to
the Crossergate inn and prepared to do battle. Unfortunatley Sillohette was
abducted and could not be found anywhere in the area. Saddened by this loss
we paused outside the inn wondering whether or not to press on. Out of no
where Lady Aries approaches howling. She was running from a band of Mad
Wolves and Ice Hounds. She stopped when she came to us, panting for breath.
We looked at the oncoming evil and stood stalwart. We defeated these foes
like the last band we faced and bid lady Aries a safe journey as we again set
out to fufill our quest. JCouch saw as we walked a slight discoloration in
one of the alleyways. We went to examine this oddity and found that the
discoloration was in fact a poorly hidden entrance of some kind. We entered
and found ourselves in a dimly lit passage way. We pressed on following the
stench of evil that seemed to overcome these passage ways. We came to a
doorway and saw some markings on the wall. I raised my torch and looked
closely. The markings were those of Krakens! We had found the secret base
of the Evil Doers. We headed through passageway after passageway before
coming across a Centaur battling some gnolls. We immediately jumped to the
side of the Centaur and faught off his attackers. He was very greatful for
our help and told us the layout of the Kraken base. Unfortunately we then
lost a few adventurers as we were leaving our new friend the Centaur. We
were ambushed by Yeti and Hippogriff. After the ensuing battle I was left
with Sir Rhone and JCouch by my side. We headed out, wondering where all of
our companions had gone to. It wasn't hard to find the chamber where the
Kraken Clerics dwelled. The centaur gave us excellent directions and we
followed them right to a door where we could hear their chatter but they
could not hear our footsteps. I motioned for my group to prepare for battle.
As soon as everyone gave me the nod I ran through the door, wand in hand. I
cast a mighty hold and froze the cleric in his place. Sir Rhone stepped
forward and took a mighty swing at the ice hound also inside the chamber. It
fell lifeless to the ground. We proceeded to dispose of the rest of the
Krakens in the room with ease. Looking around the room I noticed a set of
maps on the wall encircling a desk. i walked to the desk and looked through
the papers I saw. I came across a set of Scrawled Notes that outlined the
plot against Vilnask. I passes them out to my fellow adventurers and we
exited the room through an eastern door. We wound up along the main path to
Crossergate, close to where we had entered the region. We all agreed to
split up and return the information we had found to Lord Nasher. He was
greatful to see us return and rewarded us one by one as we approached the
Palace Gates. The mission was a success and the land kept safe!
Well Done Adventurers!
-NWA Archer
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Congratulations to Arrassa for overcoming Sagx in overtime and winning the
first of this month's GOH ONLY minibooths! Only Sagx and Arrassa survived
the first of my volleys of Hold Monster spells. They both held out for a
long time, but eventually Sagx got grabbed by my potent magic, and Arrassa
won the day! WTG Arrassa, and thanks to everyone who who participated.
NW Kishpa
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Congratulations to Dark Tealz for winning the location hunt. He correctly
esped me from the correct location where one could buy Yartar workhorses. ;)
NW Mystek
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The call came in from Port Llast- an undergroud complex had been discovered,
filled with terrible darkness. Nasher sent forth one of his guard, NW
Kishpa, to find a brave party and destroy this foul place. The call to arms
was answered with enthusiasm. To Kishpa's side rushed:
John Blake
Xuam X
Silanti
Wiz X
Mr Rift
RFarah
SirPanther
With this troupe of aspiring heroes the party marched off to Port Llast,
meeting only minor resistance along the way. Once there, after a quick
consultation, the entrance to the dungeon was laid open to the heroes. The
party entered the fray. Crazed mages, Trolls, Bullettes, and even the feared
Dracolich (among others) tried to bar the parties path. They inflicted a few
fell wounds, but the party would be not stopped. With powerful magics, and
trusty steel the party hewed it's way to victory. The darkness had been
overcome, for a time. The party then retired to a nearby in to celebrate
it's victory. ;>
My thanks to the great players who shared my tour of Port Llast with me. I
hope they all had as much fun as I.
NW Kishpa
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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:
June 21st Wednesday 8:37 PM ET - Join NWA Palin 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 22nd Thursday 11:30 PM ET - Join NW Strahd 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 25th Sunday 12:00 PM ET - Join NW Thorn for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
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Skilled Hands
The fair city of Neverwinter
Renowned for much, brimming with heros
Or that is how the story goes
But there are others still...unsung
Quietly working
The "City of Skilled Hands"
Craftsmen, doing what they do best
Seldomly pausing for a rest
Its amazing, many don't notice them
Quietly working
Making water clocks and colorful lamps
Precision time, of so many hues
Members of the guild, paying their dues
Constantly striving for beauty
Quietly working
The smooth marble floor you walk on
The fountain you just drank from
Every gate and city wall
Made by strong, tough hands...
Quietly working
The deeds of heros cannot be denied
They are incredible, it is true
But there is more to life, more to do
As these people improve Neverwinter each day
Quietly working.
By Morngrym Verigost
Knight-Commander
Bard of KORT!
Tales of Whiiplash, Fighter and Mage of the Realms...
Part 3 - Confrontation
(Submitted by Whiiplash)
Whiiplash awoke to the stale stench of a dungeon, the same dungeon in
which he had found himself in only a night ago. His wrists ached from the
chains that held him securely to the wall, and he shifted into a more upright
position to ease the strain.
The dungeon was small, a square room of stone with only a single exit.
Whiiplash could tell from the sounds echoing in from the small tunnel-exit
that there were more, similar rooms. Shadows stretched and twisted as the
single, lone torch on the far wall lit the small room in an eerie dimness.
Rats and other creatures scurried through unknown holes and cracks in the
seemingly solid stone walls, and a small lizard of some type sat nearby,
slowly eating away Whiiplash's meager plate of food.
The sounds of movement came to Whiiplash's ears as someone approached
the room in which he was impisoned. The groaning from the other dungeon rooms
nearby increased tenfold, and Whiiplash got the same, cold knot in his
stomach.
Killian rode north along the same cobblestone road that would take him
all of the way to Neverwinter. Night was fast aproaching, the sky already
having taken a deep purple hue. Creatures skittered out of his way as his
fine steed thundered past, and Killian almost believed they would make it to
Neverwinter before night was fully upon them.
Suddenly a dark form tore out from the forest, eyes red with fire.
Killian halted his horse and drew out his sword, calling out battle cries to
scare the beast away. Before Kilian could dismount, the form lunged, leaping
on all four feet to crash into the surprised warhorse. Killian hacked at it,
but could not risk a direct hit lest he strike down his own horse. The horse
reared, kicking out with its forelegs. Killian toppled, stunned, and landed
with a thump in the brush. Nearby, the dark form easily tore the horse apart
and began its short search to find the fallen paladin.
Whiiplash glared at the tall man standing before him. The man was
cloaked in sweeping black cape, and held a dark staff, aglow in a strange
black light, which he waved menacingly as he spoke.
"The time is near.... The moons align. When they do, my undead army
shall be born. Perhaps Neverwinter will be first. Nasher is a fool. Then
Waterdeep....Luskan.....Mirabar. They shall all fall before my might. But,
first, I need you. Or, more specifically, your brain. I must admit, you are
cunning Whiiplash. Imagine..... An army of undead warriors with the fighting
abilities, even magic, of a fighter as fine as you." The tall man laughed,
and it echoed down the corridors and hallways of the dungeon.
"What if, perhaps, I disagree?"
"Whiiplash, you fool, do you really think you can defy me even in
death?"
The paladin awoke in a room of the very same dungeon, in fact just down
the hall. His head throbbed, and he had been stripped of his weapons and
armor. He slowly began to chant the words to heal the gash across his
forehead.
Whiiplash struggled to break the chains holding him down on the stone
table. Skeletons, zombies, and other undead stood silently around the room,
leaking fluids and smelling horrid. The tall necromancer stood nearby,
sharpening the magical dagger he had prepared for this ritual.
"Fear not, Whiiplash....you wont feel a thing." His laugh echoed as far
through the dungeons as the paladin's cell.
The paladin struggled with the chains, muscles straining to break the
heavy links. He heard whispering in the corridor that linked this room to the
next.
"Are you just going to let him die...?" A gruff, grating voice
whispered.
"Of course not.....valuable to us as backup.....hostage......fool, cant
you see? Victory is......will survive" a harsh voice explained.
The voices faded as the two moved away. Killian could sense the evil
surrounding the whole dungeon. He could smell it like a thick stench. Calling
upon his gods, Tempus and Varlon, he let out a cry of defiance and ripped the
chains from the walls.
The cry echoed through every hall of the dungeon, and sent the undead
into action. The filed out from unseen areas, their stench driving the rats
into hiding. They shuffled along, toward the owner of the cry.
The paladin cried out again, wrapping the chans about his arms like
armor. Undead shuffled into the room, their stench almost visible. Killian
punched out with a chain covered fist, connecting solidly with a skeleton's
chest. It's rib cage shattered and fell apart, leaving a pile of bones.
Slowly, Killian knocked down the forces of the necromancer, crushing undead
after undead. More shuffled in, and more were destroyed. Blood oozed into
Killian's eyes, and fists were covered in rotten flesh and fresh blood.
Killian worked his way down the hallways, searching for some exit.
Fortunately, the undead didnt try to stop him.
Whiiplash screamed curses at the tall necromancer, calling out to every
god to destroy him. The necromancer merely laughed and continued to go about
preparing for the fateful time. Whiiplash pulled and yanked at the chains
holding him down, even calling upon the arcane forces, but the enchanted
chains would not break.
Suddenly Killian burst in, covered in goo and rotten flesh. Fresh blood
seeped out from several serious wounds, and he staggered and stumbled.
Skeletons moved in behind him, reaching out with bony arms.
"Fools, you cannot stop me! Whiiplash, your efforts are useless. Were
this process not fatal, I would use my own brain!" The necromancer lifted his
staff and chanted strange words, grinning the whole time. Suddenly the staff
discharged with a loud crack, sending a dark stream of lightning hurtling
into the paladin. Killian merely clenched his teeth and plowed on, seemingly
unaffected by the dark powers.
Suddenly Killian picked up a wooden chair and sent it spinning through
the air toward the tall necromancer, who threw his staff up to stop it. At
that second Whiiplash called upon his innermost powers, called out so fully
to his gods, that the chains snapped and exploded, melted and oozed from the
table, leaving Whiiplash stunned yet free. Beyond him, Killian struggled with
the tall necromancer, who sent dark forces pouring into the huge paladin.
Killian took it like a rock, clenching his teeth and fighting on.
Whiiplash slipped off the table and turned the undead pouring into the
room. They fell apart, the magic animating them countered. Killian slowly
forced the necromancer to the floor, and Whiiplash stepped over the nearly
defeated necromancer. With a cold fury in his eyes, he drove his boot into
the stunned necromancer's face.
"I am not defeated!" The necromancer spat defiantly. Killian grinned and
stabbed him, twisting it and laughing as the necromancer screamed.
Together Whiiplash and Killian left the dungeon, and continued on their
ways.
The sun slowly crested the mountains, sending its golden rays of light
down upon the world. Whiiplash smiled as a new day dawned, smiled that he had
destroyed evil. The world was safe.....for now.
SIMM
Chapter 5a
(Submitted by YKSS)
While Opoto and Berr were shouting at each other, Sana poked Dert.
Immediately he looked for a way to sneak accross the courtyard in full
daylight to the enterence to the castle proer (his motto was "if there be a
will, there be a way"). He didn't like this business with the magi. He
didn't like anything he didn't understand or couldn't fight against. He
wished this was over with, but he had to get to those doors...those doors
that were all the way accross that open ground with that powerful mage
looking on...he wished he was already on the other side of those doors...
And he was. He was suddenly very dizzy and fell to the floor. His right
hand was burning for a moment. He sat up. He was in a deserted hall.
Fireless torches on the walls gave off light. There were many passages
branching off from this room. He immediately knew what had happened. When
the charm maker broke, it turned him into a living wand of Teleport. His
evil eyes shined. What he could do when he got back to civilization! He
could steal from the treasure room of the Captains of Luskan!
Down one cooridor came the sound of many feet running. He quickly ran down
another. This one appeared to be deserted for a long time. Some of the
fireless torches had grown dim or stopped glowing all together. He stopped
for a moment to think. He tried to teleport himself to where the rest of the
key was. He hand burned again, he became dizzy, and blacked out. When he
came to, he was where he started. It looked like that wouldn't work. He
didn't think he would find anything in that cooridor, so he went back to the
enterence hall. There were some things there in armor and carrying maces.
They sort of looked like six-legged lizardmen with an ape's face. There were
only three of them, and they were facing the doors, waiting to rush out. It
was easy for him to enter another cooridor. He followed this one a short way
until he came to a branch. Some steps led up, and the cooridor, which was
really more like a tunnel, went down. He continued down.
A little father there were some rooms on the side. They were empty, so he
continued. After a while the lighting stopped, so he took out a small torch
from his pocket, lit it and continued. Only a few feet away the tunnel ended
in a pit. Dert couldn't see what was at the bottom, but it smelled really
bad. He returned the way he came and went up the stairs.
Right away he hit paydirt. At the top he came to a great hall. It was over
a hundred yards in each direction. Many creatures that defy description were
there some eating and drinking, others lounging about, fighting, polishing &
sharpening weapons. On the walls hung skeletons in chains. From looking at
them, he could tell that the things had no love for each other. Suddenly
there was silence. Dert's attention was drawn to the far wall. There was a
balcony with steps leading up to it and a door in the wall behind it. On the
balcony stood Opoto.
"I HAVE ASSIGNMENTS FOR YOU !!!!" he shouted. "THE CAPTAINS HAVE THEIR
ORDERS. YESTERDAY SOME OF MY SUBJECTS THOUGHT THEY COULD GET OUT OF THEIR
ASSIGNMENTS BY KILLING THEIR CAPTAIN. THEY ARE NOW IN THE DUNGEONS HAVING
THEIR INSIDES SLOWLY BEING PULLED OUT OF A NEW HOLE THEY NOW HAVE. IF ANYONE
TRIES SOMETHING LIKE THAT TODAY, I WILL LOCK YOU UP IN A BOX, POUR SOME SALT
IN, AND THROW IN SOME OF THESE," he held up a box. "MY LATEST CREATION.
THEY ARE SMALL WORMS WITH SHARP TEETH. THEY BURROW INTO YOUR BODY AND EAT
YOU FROM THE INSIDE. YOU WILL BE ALIVE FOR A FEW DAYS. THINK ABOUT IT!!
ALSO ANYONE CAUGHT USING MY POTIONS ON IN YOUR OWN PETTY LITTLE FIGHTS
INSTEAD OF ON MY ENEMIES WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE!!" from somewhere in the
room came the sound of a sneeze. The mage made a motion with his fingers a
line dropped down from the ceiling and grabbed a thing. The thing was
brought up to the ceiling. The line began to glow red hot. The thing
screamed. In a few moments it was burned to a crisp. Parts fell to the
floor. "NOW GET BACK TO WORK!!" The mage went through the door. Dert could
briefly see some stairs going up on the other side.
(Continued on next page)
SIMM
Chapter 5b
(Submitted by YKSS)
Dert was not very happy. He heard one of the things murmur "The master sure
be in a foul mood." But he remembered the poison he had gotten, and he
remembered the riches he would have thanks to his new power once he was back
to civilization. He made his way accross the room. The things were arranged
in groups, with each group having it's own floor space and table. Some
groups were less barabaric than others and were holding meetings to discuss
the new orders. Others were being clubbed and shouted at by their overlords.
Most of the groups were arranged according to thing type. Most of them had
half-finished projects on their tables, waiting to be finished. Some were
making armor, some swords or other weapons, some bigger things. Dert noticed
many of them were working with different kinds of trap components. He snuck
under one of the tables of a more civilized group. He could hear them
planning the laying of traps around the castle according to Opoto's wishes.
He didn't find it interesting, so he continued on. At another one of the
more civilized tables, he overheard plans of attack for when the magi would
return. The hall was dark and since most of the things were either stupid,
blind, didn't care, or just didn't notice him, so he easily made his way
accross the room. He kept to the more civilzed tables, not even bothering to
sneak after a while. He did not learned anything of singular importance.
He arrived at foot of the stairs to the balcony. He simply went up and
through the door. Apparently Opoto was counting on the fear of the things,
because there were no gaurds, and the door wasn't locked.
The stairs spiraled upwards. It led directly into a room, without any door.
This was Opoto's bed chamber and workshop. The room was large, and there
were many weapons scattered about on various tables, most of them
identifiable. As Dert watched, Opoto went moved about the tables working on
them, or just paced about. He muttered to himself a lot. After a few
minutes, he went to work at one of the tables and continued for a many hours,
well into the night. It was on the far side of the room, and Dert couldn't
see what he was doing. At last he finished, and moved to another table.
This time he wrote on a parchment, but only for a few minutes. Then he sat
in a chair and cast a Sleep spell on himself.
Dert went into the room. It too was lighted bv the mysterious fireless
torches. Dert's objective was obvious, it was on a pedastal in the center of
the room. He looked at it. It looked like a wooden stick that was broken in
half, and afterwards turned into clay. Dert was suspicious of so valuble an
item sitting on a pedastal with no apparent protection. He looked around the
room some more. By the far wall were the tables Opoto used when making his
creatures. Dert carefully took a worm-thing and brought it to the pedastal.
From a safe distance he threw it. The worm was vaporized when it passed over
the pedastal, but Dert was able to see the boundries of magical field.
"Hmm...it will be a tight fit," he thought. He looked over at Opoto. He was
fast asleep. He briefly toyed with the idea of joining him, but he decided
things were complicated enough already, and he say the way Opoto treated his
subjects.
He went close to the pedastal and teleported himself onto it. Being a
halfling held many advantages for a theif, and this was one of them. He was
not dizzy or nauseous at all when he teleported. He grabbed the stick (with
a cloth this time) and put it in one of his concealed pockets. He then
considered his situation. He couldn't teleport himself to the others,
because he knew from previous experience that he had to know the specific
place. {see above}
He decided to teleport himself to the tunnel he went to when he came in.
When he came to, he was lying on the ground of the tunnel. He suspected the
father he teleported the worse the nausea and dizziness. He made his was to
the doors without encountering anyone or anything. He teleported himself to
the other side (he enjoyed the sensation when the distance was short) and
walked accross the courtyard.
"I must make sure to find out how many times I can teleport when I get back
to civilization," he thought to himself. His eyes shone for a moment as he
thought of the riches he would have when he got to civilzation, and then
pushed it out of his mind. First he would get the magi to give him the
antidote (he thought it strange that they would use an antidote instead of a
spell, but who could tell with magi?) and then he would have to find the way
back (that didn't appeal to him).
He teleported himself to the top of the wall, then to the ground on the other
side.
MISTY
(Submitted by Sir Gaidin)
For the fifth day straight Tyrell Frost watched the sun rise over the eastern
treeline of the Neverwinter woods. As the early morning light washed over
the ranger's body, lines of worry were plainly etched in his rugged face.
"You've been gone too long Misty, where are you?" Frost spoke the words to
the soft forest breeze vainly hoping for a reply. As the day began to warm,
Frost still wondered how he had let Misty talk him into letting her go into
Floodbest alone. Her words still echoed in his memory, "Now listen here
Tyrell Frost! If I want to go alone to Floodbest, then surely I will! I'll
not have have ya pamperin me like some babe in the woods!" For emphisis she
had fingered the jeweled hilt of her favorite long sword. Frost had finally
conceded to her playful threats of bodily harm. Gently placing her hand on
Frost's face she had told him, "Look, I'll be back before you ya know it, I
have something special to pick up at Sinda's and I want it to be a suprise"
Frost had once again begun to object but Misty had continued, " Don't be such
a worry-wart, I'm a big girl now. I've been walking these woods just as long
as you have". Frost had known she was right and had eventually helped her
pack. He had seen her off the next day at dawn. As they made their
farewells, Frost had told her, "Now you watch out for those trolls in..."
Misty had given him a look that gave even the experienced ranger cause for
concern. Standing on her tip toes, Misty had then playfully pecked him on
the cheek and whispered "Take care of yourself Frosty, I'll be home soon".
With those words she had turned and set off towards the west at a brisk pace.
As she disapeared into the thick woods, Frost had spoken under his breath, "I
love you Misty, please come home to me soon...." The distant call of a
silverhawk woke Frost from his reverie and without a word he began readying
his pack, weapons, and armor.
A forced march and two days later, Tyrell Frost strode into the small
farming village of Floodbest at dusk. Several farmers greeted Frost as he
walked by the simple homes that made up the hamlet. Frost normally would have
stopped and talked of news of the realms with the goodly folk, but this day
he passed by them with merely a wave of his hand. As Frost approached the
center of the vilage, he once again saw the familiar sign of Sinda'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
Frosty! What brings you 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 wicked looking
hammer in her right hand. "Ah, ye have come fer another head beaten have
ye?" Usually Frost would have playfully trade insults with the kindly dwarf
for several minutes but the concern in his eyes brought the dwarf up short.
In a serious tone Sindar asked, "What be the matter Frost?" Frost quickly
relied, "It's Misty, she's over a week late getting back and I'm starting to
get worried." Scratching the stubble on her chin Sindar said, "Hmm, well,
she was in here a few days ago pickin up a package she had sent up from
Neverwinter. When she left she had said something about talking to the lord
mayor about renting the town hall or something." Frost hardly let Sindar
finish her sentence before heading out the door in search of the lord mayor.
Frost finally located the lord mayor eating his dinner at the Rankled Boar
Inn. The mayor responded quickly to Frost's determined questions, " I'm sorry
Frost, I don't know what to tell you. Misty never came by to see me." Frost
began to get a cold knot of fear in his belly and asked, "Are you sure? she
was supposed to have been to see you a week ago." The lord mayor knitted his
brows in thought and replied, "Well, about a week ago I was out at the north
plantaion investigating rumors of evil happenings, perhaps someone told I was
there and got lost on the way?" Frost almost screamed, "Misty? lost?!, are
outta your mind man?!" Frost saw the mayor cringe at his outburst and quickly
added, "I'm sorry for yelling, I just want to find her safe and sound, the
north plantation you said?" The mayor nodded his head and added, "Frost, be
carefull out there at night, something terribly evil is lurking about."
Frost never even considered the good mayor's words as he rushed out the inn's
doors.
By the time Frost made it to the trail heading north out of town, a full
moon had risen and gently bathed the landscape in soft white light. Frost
slowly followed the trails winding path checking for sign or some clues.
About a mile north of the village, Frost found what appeared to be the faint
signs of a struggle on the side of the trail. Upon closer inspection, Frost's
worst fears were confirmed. Frost growled under his breath, "BugBears".
Following the vile monsters tracks was not difficult and soon Frost found
himself sneaking up on a large cave set into the side of a grassy hill. Two
of the foul beast's were lounging in the front of the cave appearently
standing a watch. Without warning, a female voice screamed from within the
cave. It was a scream of sheer agony, and it was Misty's. Frost moved like
lightning, The Bugbears were happily distracted by the torrent of screams and
never even knew their pitiful lives were at an end. Violet fairie fire
outlined the beast's as Frost leaped between them. Two slashes with his
glowing long sword and the bugbears lay dieing on the ground. Stepping past
the slain guards, Frost entered the dimily lit cave. As his eyes adjusted to
the 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 casually held in it's huge right hand slowly crushing the
life out of her. The Cloud Giant noted the rangers entrance and smiled
wickedly. Frost sreamed in frustration and rage, "Let her go! Take me
instead!" The Cloud Giant looked down at Frost and bellowed a cruel laugh.
With hardly any effort, The Cloud Giant threw Misty's limp form across the
room with tremendous force. Misty hit the farthest wall with a sickening
thud. At that moment, Frost knew hatred. Hatred that could fell
kingdoms...hatred that could fell a Cloud Giant. The Giant didnt give Frost
long to think and it rushed to attack. Frost was death in motion,
sidestepping the rushing giant, he slashed his burning long sword across the
back of the giants left leg. The snap of the giant's ham string was audible
and it sent the giant crashing to the floor bellowing in pain. Before the
giant could recover from the brutal attack, Frost leaped over the giant's leg
screaming in rage. The brilliant blade of Frost's long sword once again
flashed and the tendon in the giants left ankle was neatly split. This time
the giants bellow was not of of pain, but one of fear. With the giant down
and unable to stand, Frost rushed to Misty's side. As he knelt beside her
crumpled form he knew it was too late, Misty was gone. A sparkle of gold
caught Frost's tear filled eyes. A chain was sticking out from one of
Misty's clenched fists. Gently opening her hand, Frost found that the chain
was actually a gold necklace. Hung from the center of the necklace was an
oakleaf fashioned of the finest gold and platinum. In the dim light of the
cave, Frost could just make out the engraved inscription of the back.
"To Frosty on our Wedding day"
-Love Eternally...Misty
Looking up from the pendant, Frost's eyes narrowed at the still writhing form
of the Cloud Giant.......
It was later said that the dieing screams of the Cloud Giant blew out every
paned glass window for five miles
The Dance
By
Thranduil Graywolf
It was cold. Far colder than it had been in recent decades. The elf
leaned over the fire, warming his hands. He reached into a pouch and removed
a crystal decanter. Holding the decanter up to the fire, the elf smiled as
the light sparkled through the liquid. Nothing like Elverquisst to warm one
up on a cold winter night. Taking a sip of the liquid eased the tensions on
the elf's face. This was an unusual camp for the wilderness north of Luskan.
A single elf, dressed in varying shades of gray clothing was huddled near a
campfire in the lee of a large hill. The elf's travel stained clothes told of
a long journey, his long sword glittering in the firelight, sat nearby. The
blade was edged with runes of the elder elven tongue, marking it as
enchanted. Beneath his tunic rested a soundless shirt of chain mail, crafted
of the finest mithril and undetectable by all but the most perceptive.
Fastened on a chain at his waist was a small, ornately bound book. This
traveling grimoire held the most commonly needed spells for the road.
Strangest of all were the three stones that circled in the air around his
head, ioun stones of great magical properties. The shield leaning next to him
bore the silhouette of a running wolf. The same sigil was emblazoned onto his
tunic. His long, golden hair was pulled away from his face by a circlet of
leather with a black stone set above his forehead. The golden hair and violet
eyes marked him as a High elf, very rare indeed. Seldom do the High elves
travel in the north of Faerun, and almost never can one be found alone. A
lone High elf, with this mixture of exotic equipment, would have to be a
competent warrior/mage. Few of any race felt safe in the wilds around Luskan.
Pulling his cloak tighter against the chill wind, Thranduil Graywolf sat
back to await dawn. It would be a long wait, but he knew it would be better
not to fight these beasts until dawn. Showing the innate patience of the
elves, he waited. The spell book remained closed, he had studied it long
before arriving at the entrance to the caves. Besides, most magic would fail
in the presence of these creatures. The spells were mainly to deal with the
minions of the eye tyrants, known as beholders among humans. There were
traces of giant beings going into the caves. Most likely hill giants, but
something about the tracks had seemed odd. Graywolf could not say why, but he
felt as if something were eluding him about the tracks. But all misgivings
aside, the beholders were creatures that needed to be removed, and Graywolf
had volunteered to remove them. Finally, as dawn began to show itself, the
elf shook off the cold and began to gather his weapons. This was the right
time to strike.The evil beings in the cave would be settling in for the day.
Graywolf unsheathed his sword, murmured a few arcane words, and vanished from
sight. Silently, he entered the caves, using his elven vision to search for
signs of guards. Deep in the passage, he found a group of men around a
campfire. The men wore the black uniforms of Zentish soldiers. This was a
slight surprise. Graywolf had not expected to find Zhentarim out here. Best
to deal with them now, than have them try to block his escape later. Only one
was awake, pacing outside the circle of light from the fire. To another
human, he would have been hard to spot, but to the elf he stood out like a
sore thumb against the cold stone background. Sneaking up behind him,
Graywolf quickly covered the man's mouth and thrust his sword into his back.
The guard's muffled scream went unnoticed and the now visible elf lowered him
to the floor.Graywolf gestured at the sleeping guards and spoke the words to
a powerful spell. A bluish mist seeped up from the ground and engulfed the
men. They all began to cough and most woke up. Much to their horror, they
found they could not scream, could not move. Then they began to fall, dying
as the poison entered their lungs. After the gas had settled, the elf again
faded from sight and moved on.
After an hour of travel down the passage, the elf stopped. Something
seemed strange about this section of the passage. Carefully, he studied the
walls around him. Finally Graywolf smiled and pushed in a large section of
the wall. The secret door slid open, revealing a passage lined with torches.
This passage was well made, with smooth walls carved from the black stone,
not like the rough cave he had been in. Taking care to move quietly, Graywolf
set off down the corridor. Suddenly, as he rounded a corner, Graywolf
spotted a group of ogres. The tracks outside had been made by these large
creatures, not hill giants. The error was important, for ogres usually had
spellcasters travelling with them, unlike hill giants. Spellcasters could
detect the hidden elf. Graywolf paused and studied the group. Yes, no doubt
about it, several of them appeared to be shamans. There was no way around
them, he had to attack. But he must be careful, all spell users are
dangerous. He positioned himself in the shelter of the corner and began
casting a spell. The ogres, most of them snoozing, barely noticed that
something was amiss. Finally, as the elf completed the spell, he became
visible again. The ogres let out a shout of warning, but it was too late.
Flames leapt from the elf's hand and sped to the center of the group. The
explosion engulfed the ogres, killing most outright. A couple of the shaman
survived the initial blast and began to cast their own spells Quickly,
Graywolf put up a magical shell to protect himself. The spells of the shamen
bounced away, useless. With elven grace, Graywolf ran between the two ogres,
swinging his long sword in a wide arc. Both of the ogres collapsed, an
astonished look on their faces.
Quickly, Graywolf looked around. That had made far too much noise. He
slipped into the shadows, catching his breath. Soon, he sensed something
down the corridor. A faint, oppressive presence. The elf realized that the
noise had drawn the beasts out of their lair. Quickly he began to prepare
himself to face them. He cast powerful enchantments on himself. He started
to grow, until he was larger than the ogres he had just faced. His body
blurred, until there appeared to be four giant elves standing there. Then, a
bluish flame burst up from his feet and engulfed his body. By now, he could
see the beholders floating down the hallway. There were two of them, their
eyestalks swinging around searching for the cause of the disturbance. He was
lucky, he had spotted them first. Overcoming the natural impulse to run away
from these gruesome beasts, he ran out into the light. As the beholders
turned their full attention on him and howled their anger, he began the
dance. Graywolf's feet moved quickly. He threw his sword up in the air, spun
around to catch it, twirled close to the beholders, then spun away. Fear
gripped the elf's heart. This was terribly dangerous. If just one of the
beasts was not ensnared by the dance, then this could be his last moment on
Toril. As he watched, the beholder's eyes took on a distant look. One of
them snapped at an image of the offending elf and the image ceased to exist.
But, to Graywolf's delight, neither beholder was using the power of their
eyes. All their eyes watched the elven dance, entranced. Then, sure that he
held their attention, Graywolf began swinging at the beholders as his dance
spun near them. With each slice of the magical sword, a beholder would yowl
with pain. They began biting at the elves dancing in front of them. Another
image disappeared. Then one of the bites scored true, and Graywolf grimaced
in pain. Struggling to maintain his concentration and continue the dance he
ignored the pain. Finally, with a well placed slash across the main eye, one
of the beasts dropped to the floor dying. Turning his full attention against
the only remaining beast, Graywolf completed the dance with a flurry of
spins and strikes that made him seem like a blur. The last beholder sank to
the ground, dead.
Dropping to the ground in exhaustion, Graywolf let himself rest while
scanning the corridor for more enemies. Nothing else attacked him, so he
quickly bandaged his wounds and set off down the corridor to find their
lair. As he went, the enchantments wore off. He shrank down to normal size,
the remaining image vanished and the flames were extinguished. He found the
lair and murmured a thanks to Corellon Larethian that he had killed the only
two beasts in these caverns. There were bones of many humanoid beings laying
around the chamber that the beholders had called home. After shifting
through the rubble, he found one skeleton that had a shiny ring on its
finger. The bright metal stood out like a sore thumb. Graywolf passed his
hand over the ring and it began to glow with a faint blue light. The elf
smiled, a magical ring was a good find. He pocketed the ring, wary of
putting it on until he could figure out its powers. Quickly, he left the
obnoxious smelling lair and returned to his old campsite. Weary, he
collapsed in the snow, casting a cantrip to relight the fire. He rested
there for the rest of the day. Silently, he thanked the sages who had told
him that normal spells would not affect the beholders. The ancient elven
sword dance that he had learned in Cormanthor was the only way to prevent
the beasts from using the powers of their eyes.
Finally, as darkness settled in, Graywolf gathered his belongings.
Throwing snow over the fire, he pulled his hood up over his head and set out
to return to Neverwinter. He had much to think about on the journey. Why had
Zhentish been so close to Luskan, in the presence of beholders and ogres? He
would have to inform Lord Nasher of his discovery. If Zhents and the pirates
of Luskan were working together, those might not be the only beholders in
the area. Grimly, he smiled. At least I have a weapon to fight the beasts.
The dance helped to even out the odds a little when confronting such
powerful evil creatures. Whistling an elven song about the beauty of the
woods under a starlight sky, Graywolf walked south towards Neverwinter. The
elf was so light of foot that he left no marks in the snow, nothing to show
his passing.
A Selfish Poem For Selfish Thieves
(Submitted by HairGod942)
With on slice of my sword, I wish to reward
myself ,myself, myself
myself
With one carefull stitch , i will aspire to inrich
myself, myself myself
myself
and with this atempt, on selfish greed
HIS turn and strike i could not read
so with this last reveal, I only kill
myself, myself, myself
myself.
Excerpts from the beginnings of Paladinhood
(Submitted by Galdrak)
There once was a time when true darkness covered the land. All was cold
and dim to sight of man and elves. The evil god Koret had cast a pall over
the lands. No good could be summoned to this plane. The name of no god of
good could be invoked. The varied peoples of the land lived hopeless lives.
The downtrodden population of the world cried out in terror again and again
for some force of good to ease their suffering, to halt the pain of living.
For a great many centuries there was no answer. There could be no answer.
The land was filled with death and hate. The air was filled with sulfer and
ashes. Still, the people cried out for a savior, but none came. Again and
agian did they cry. But it all came to naught. The gods no longer cred for
them. The gods no longer paid attention to their meager, tormented lives.
Yet through it all, one young boy believed that he could make a
difference. He believed that he could free his land of the Evil god's
Loathsome reign of tyrrany. He never gave up hope that some day the gods
would listen to him. All too soon, this boy grew to be a man. And this man
decided to do the impossible. He set out to slay a god.
This young man kept himself pure in heart and mind, body and spirit.
Never would he let someone else go hungry if he had food. Long and hard this
virtuous one sought the righteous gods. On his many quests, his small,
seemingly meaningless acts of kindness spread the light of hope across a
storm-weary world.
Yet the gods were not totally ignoring this place of pure, unadulterated
evil. They had a master plan with which to defeat evil. Evil not just here,
but where ever evil could be found. This could not be accomplished by some
great feat of sorcerous power. For even though it could stop evil in its
tracks here in this place, it would not workl a second time.
The gods took interest in this growing man. Strange new powers they
granted him to combat the evil on that plane and many others. A whole new
caste of warriors were brought into existence. Those who could fight evil in
all its forms. Those we know as Paladins.
This first Paladin had a sword. Not just an ordinary metal sword. But
a sword of wondrouus beauty and holy power. This blade still exists, ye just
need to find it.
Maybe, just maybe, ye might be good enough to find the gods special
favor as did this young boy.
The Quests of Sharna Tyr
"The Gallant Prince"
Chapter 3
* * * * *
Disturbed by the appearance of the mysterious woman, Sharna returned to the
main corridor and continued along the passageway until she arrived at a
previously unseen door with an engraved brass plaque that read "Captains's
Quarters." Opening the door, she stepped inside a large, dimly lit room and
froze when she heard the sound of gutteral voices. Across the room stood
four large and hairy, seven foot tall bugbears, distant relatives of goblins,
ramsacking a pair of open chests. Although she could not make out what they
were saying, it was clear that they were agruing over some new found loot.
Sliding into the shadows to remain unseen, a large grotesque troll appeared
sweeping the bugbears off to one side as it lifted the chests and dumped the
contents on to the floor. "Mine, " it said holding the bugbears at bay as it
scavenged through the treasure. When the bugbears resisted the troll lifted
one of them and tossed it aside. The bugbear tumbed across the floor and
came to a stop at Sharna's feet.
As the creature sat dazed looking up at Sharna through its greenish white
eyes with blood red pupils. Suddenly, it recognized the danger it faced and
reached for its spear, attempting to rise to its feet. Before it could cry
out, Sharna plunged her sword deep into its chest, rupturing its heart. The
bugbear sat wide eyed in shock and bearing its mouth full of long sharp fangs
as it looked down at the sword and knew that it was dying. When Sharna
withdrew the blade, it fell backwards and crashed to the floor.
Hearing the commotion, the other creatures quickly turned and spotted Sharna.
The monsters ceased their arguing among themselves and rushed to attack the
interloper. Sharna swiftly dropped to the floor and rolled to her left as a
volley of spears was unleashed by the bugbears, striking the door and wall
behind her. Rising to her feet she impaled the nearest bugbear on her sword,
then pivoted to decapitate a second just as the troll struck from behind.
The force of the blow knocked Sharna backwards and she crashed against the
wall, dazed but uninjured. She quickly began casting and hurled a ball of
fire that exploded in front of the troll, critically wounding it and killing
the remaining bugbear. The crippled troll trudged forward, its long spindly
green arms reaching out to grasp Sharna as she cast again, this time a magic
missle spell that hit the troll in its chest, killing it instantly.
The battle over, Sharna sifted through the monster's treasure only to find a
few rust covered weapons and a handful of coinage. As she rested and viewed
the carnage that resulted from the battle, she shook her head in resignation.
"These pitiful creatures," she sighed, "their lives gone over a few worthless
trinkets and coins." She then conducted a search of the rest of the
quarters, but the brass button still eluded her.
In both the northeast and southeast corner of the cabin was a closed door.
Deciding on the latter, Sharna entered a long, but narrow room and came upon
a sailor lying in the corner of the room. As she drew nearer, she could see
that the man's face was pale, as if every drop of blood had been drained
from his body. Kneeling beside the fallen sailor, the reason for his
discoloration became horridly clear. Not only was his skin white as chalk,
it was hardened and slowly turning to stone!
Sharna rolled the body over and gasped in recognition of the face that looked
back at her. "Marek!" she cried, "What in the name of Helm are you doing
here?" Marek looked up at her, his eyes wide in terror as he feined a weak
smile and began to speak. "M'lady . . . I . . . I thought I could help."
he stammered. "But I have failed you. They . . . they are slowly turning
me to stone . . . forcing me to help them and promising to reverse the
condition . . . They . . ." Sharna cradled Marek in her arms as tears began
to flow from the young man's steel blue eyes as he accepted that his life was
over.
"Who!" demanded Sharna? "Who, or what is doing this to you?" In a last
dying effort, the young seaman turned his head toward Sharna and began to
speak again in a strangled voice. "The pirates . . . Luskan . . . aided by .
. . med . . . medusa . . ." Then he was dead, the horrible metamorphosis
complete. The young sailor's skin was no longer made of flesh and blood, but
turned completely into stone. Sharna gently lowered the fragile body and
rested it on the floor in front of her. Despite her care, it crumbled to
dust as it touched the floor while from within the darkness ahead, a soft
hissing sound emanated, followed by harsh, evil cackling.
With her back turned to the sound of the approaching creatures, Sharna
reached inside her tunic and withdrew a small mirror. If Marek was correct
about it being a medusa then she would take no chances and avoid looking at
it directly. Holding it above her right shoulder, he worst fears were
realized as she observed not one, but three grotesque female creatures
emerging from the shadows. As they slowly approached, the coiling masses of
snakes that covered their heads in place of hair, slithered and hissed.
Overcoming her initial sense of revulsion and fear, Sharna began to intone
silently and an aura of magic permeated the air around her. Spinning
abruptly in the direction of the advancing horror, she held the mirror out
in front of her and avoided looking directly into their repulsive and deadly
masques of death. As Sharna turned, the nearest medusa cast a petrifying
gaze at her, only to have it reflected by the mirror. The medusa shrieked a
high-pitched lament that faded and strangled in its throat as the reflected
gaze turned it to stone.
Sharna then raised her outstretched hand and unleashed a fireball that
exploded between the two remaining monsters, killing both of them instantly.
"That was for you, dear Marek." Sharna said as the smoke cleared revealing
the charred corpses of the dead medusa. But that was not all that was
revealed. For scattered across the floor, perhaps by the force of the blast,
was a bounty of brass buttons. Sharna leaned over and picked up a button
that, upon close examination, was embossed with the ensign of the Luskan
fleet. "Luskan?" Sharna queried aloud to herself.
"Yes . . . Luskan" the voice of the watcher answered from behind. Turning
swiftly and raising her sword, Sharna faced the cloaked figure standing in
the doorway. "Who are you?" she demanded in a voice that indicated she had
enough of playing cat and mouse games. Stepping forward the cloaked figure
removed the hood that shrouded its head to reveal a young woman with long,
golden blonde hair that cascaded around a porcelain skinned face set with
deep jade green eyes.
"Greetings my sister, forgive me for all the mystery. My name is Verdina,
Scribe of the Order of the Golden Staff." Sharna relaxed at the mention of
OGS but did not immediately sheath her sword until she was certain that the
young woman was telling her the truth. "Port Llast," Verdina continued, "is
currently allied with Neverwinter. But the scheming pirate captains in
Luskan are always trying to gain a foothold here and obtain the use of the
harbor as a southern anchorage for their warships. The button you have
retrieved is evidence of their plotting and will be of great interest to the
Lord's Alliance in Neverwinter."
"I see," Sharna replied sheathing her sword. "Verdina. Yes, I have heard
the name. Did Nyvyn send you to follow me?" The young scribe giggled and
responded, "No, of course not! I am here on my own accord." Raising an
inquisitive eyebrow, Sharna asked, "Why?" Verdina thought for a moment
before answering. "Well, as I have said, I am the guild scribe of OGS. But
as of late, since becoming the wife of Ridgelake, my duties as a scribe and
wife of the Head of Admissions for our guild have left little time for
personal adventures. Then I heard about your quest and decided to follow
you."
"But why didn't you just come forward at the beginning?" Sharna asked. "Why
did you choose to follow me instead of traveling by my side?" Verdina
smiled. "Because it was your quest, not mine. I wanted this to be your
story, and your victory."
"Umm . . ." Verdina continued, "Sometimes, err . . . many times . . . Hell,
what I'm trying to say is that I've been writing about myself for so long
that I often get so wrapped up in me, that I forget what the tale is really
all about."
Sharna Tyr threw back her head and laughed. "Well met then, Sister Verdina!"
In the dim light of the small room the two guild sisters embraced. "Let's
get off of this accursed ship." Verdina said taking Sharna by the arm and
leading her topside. "I know this great little tavern that serves the finest
Elvin wine in all the realms."
Returning to the pier, Sharna was greeted by a congregation of local
citizens. The fishermen she had passed earlier led the crowd in a cheer as
they followed the two women to the inn. "Sharna! Sharna! Sharna!"
As the pier emptied and quiet returned, the only sound to be heard was the
cry of sea birds and that of the waves lapping against the rotting hull of
the battered ship. At the foot of the pier stood a solitary figure. "Hmm .
. ." the young warrior said as he read the ominous warning sign posted on
the pier, then ascended the gang plank to the main decks of the Gallant P
rince. "I wonder what treasures are to be found aboard this old relic?"
T H E E N D
* 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.
A Grand Adventure... Part 4
(Submitted by Ringleron )
We searched the remains of our enemies and collected coins and
items that were worth taking. We found a ladder and descended into the
caverns underneath Luskan. We found a place to rest and re-memorized the
battle spells we just used. The camp fire was extinguished and our
belongings were gathered. A few spells were cast and we continued our hunt
for the beholders.
We were walking down a tunnel when a group of ogres and ogre
shamans revealed themselves. Knowing that the shamans cast paralyzing
spells, I pulled out a crystal bead, casted a spell and placed the bead on my
left shoulder. While the spell was in effect, the shaman's paralyzing spells
would not affect me. While I stayed defensive, Dragonklaw went for the
offensive. Pulling no punches, he casted two fireballs. One after another,
centered on the shamans. The ogre shamans didn't stand a chance. Seeing
that the spell casting enemies were annihilated, Khaymara charged the nearest
ogre and thrashed it. The few ogres that remain began to run for their
lives. I rushed one but, overshot it, giving the ogre a chance to thrust its
spear. The spear tore through my side. Ignoring the pain, I swung my sword
at it, twice. I tore him a new one. The rest of the ogres managed to
escape. Just then, the crystal bead on my left shoulder shattered, with it,
my protection spell.
I mended my wound while the others searched the bodies of the
ogres. I did a mental inventory of the spells I have left and found out that
I still have most of them. I could almost feel the beholders nearby. We
picked up our gear and continued the hunt. Dragonklaw opened a door, when I
was about to asked him to wait. I was a bit too late, so I pulled out the
familiar sulfur and tiny ball of bat guano and threw a fireball at the
owlbears. The fiery blast killed most of them, only leaving a couple of
owlbears and a cloud giant. I pulled out three metal rods to cast a
paralyzing spell when the cloud giant stepped closer and smashed me with its
weapon. The blow made me loose the spell I was casting and I nearly lost my
consciousness. The two owlbears came at me as well. I was able to avoid
one, but, the other managed to grab a hold of me. The creature's powerful
arms wrapped around me and began to squeeze the air out of my lungs.
Dragonklaw and Khaymara rushed to my rescue. Dragonklaw attacked the cloud
giant with two quick swings of his enchanted sword. The cloud giant was
still toppling when Dragonklaw attacked one of the owlbears. The enchanted
blade disappeared into the monster's stomach. Khaymara attacked the owlbear
the was crushing me. With one mighty overhand chop, the owlbear's back was
split open. The arms that were wrapped around me suddenly went limp and I
managed to pull myself away. I gave my friends my gratitude, when my knees
buckled as strength left my legs. Khaymara and Dragonklaw helped me up and
carried me to the southwest corner of the chamber.
At the rate I'm going, I began to wonder if I could make it to the
beholders' lair. Diligently, my friends stood guard as I rested and healed
myself. Soon, strength flowed through my body. We resumed our discussion
about our strategy against the beholders as we gathered our items. We
entered the secret door and silently made our way to the only wooden door in
the room. Behind that door, we would encounter the beholders we sought for.
A tip for new player's.........
(Submitted by Keglord)
So you think the +2 dagger you found in Longsaddle under is trash compared to
the +1 Battle Axe that has been by your side ever since you've entered the
realm? Or are you thinking of ditching the +3 Hammer you retrived after
defeating a nasty group of Dracolich's over your trusted +2 long sword? Well
think again!!
There are certain creature's in the realm that can only be effected by cetain
magic item's, depending on the + of that item. (i.e. certian creature's are
only effected by +2 or better). So the next time you find a magic weapon,
don't just look at the damage the weapon does, take the + of the item into
consideration before selling it to the arm's dealer. You might wanna keep it
around in case you run into one of these nasties.......
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These creature's are only effected by certain magic weapons............
Banshee.............. +1 or better, silver*
Dracolich.............. +1 or better, silver*
Margoyle.............. +1 or better
Mummy................ +1 or better, silver*
Salamander.......... +1 or better
Earth Elemental.... +2 or better
Fire Elemental...... +2 or better
Stone Gollum....... +2 or better
Iron Gollum.......... +3 or better
*As a general rule, undead can be hit by silver......
Best Advice to "Newbies."
(Submitted by Jason CZ)
I feel for those just starting out without a weapon to speak of. You see all
those adventurer's with the +3 weapons and you have a short sword. Well
here's a hint I wish someone would have given me.
Go south of Neverwinter. Yes south into that other area where the bridge is
broken down. Down in that area you will find a Minotaur with a +1 Battle
Axe.
This weapon will support you well until you are able to find your own
suitable replacements.
Good Luck.
Jason Cz
PVP Tournament-Starting July 2nd
(Submitted by Peirgeiron)
Here are the basic rules and dates:
This tournament will an unlimited number of PvPers in the tournament. Though
an even number of contestants would be preferable.
PVP TOURNAMENT RULES
The PvP tournament will NOT be a single/double elimination tournament so
every person can PvP a set number of matches. Each match will be best 2 out
of 3 rounds. Each person will PvP in around 6 or 7 matches depending on how
many people enter.
Each person will be assigned a number before the whole tournament, and I will
assign who fights who by pairing off numbers. The first two matches will be
random, and I will record the results of who won and who lost, and how many
rounds it took. After that I will pair opponents off according to record.
For example a 2-0 will never fight a 0-2, but would rather fight a 2-0. This
continues until all the rounds have been finished.
After all the matches have been fought I will post the top 8 or 16 or
32...basically an expotential number of 2. These will be the people who have
made it to the elimination rounds...which will be a single elimination, best
2 out of 3 fights, and the number of fights will increase as we get closer to
finals. The number one person will fight the 32nd, and the 2nd place will
fight the 31st and so on.
Double OctaFinals
32 PvPers-16 fights
OctaFinals
16 PvPers-8 fights
QuarterFinals
8 PvPers-4 fights
SemiFinals
4 PvPers-2 fights
Finals
2 PvPers-1 fight
Contact Peirgeiron through E-Mail if you are interested...and I'll probably
follow through better than I did on the ladder, since this is a one shot deal
;)
The tournament will start July 2nd when I will post the first two rounds.
Everyone will have four days to arrange their fights and actually complete
them. Players should e-mail me the results and I will post additional rounds
after everyone has e-mailed me. After the first two rounds, you will have
three days to complete the last three rounds. If you don't fight your fight
then it is concidered an automatic lose for both people, and you will recieve
a 1-2 towards your record.
Round 1 & 2-July 2nd
Round 3-July 6th
Round 4-July 9th
Round 5-July 12th
Elimination Rounds-July 15th
These dates are subject to change assuming everyone completes their fights.
Peir.
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