1995-09-10

Recovered original text · preserved verbatim

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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 98
Week Ending 9-10-95
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to Morngrym for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest.

Morngrym has earned choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes)
WTG!

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"Congratulations to Sir Dorvan for winning the GoH magic missile booth!
Dorvan thwapped me for 70 points of damage in the magic missile booth, and
shall recieve 5 pearls :) A well done to Dorvan and all who participated!

-Strahd

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The winner of Sunday's location hunt was Cagius who was the second to find
the Rusty Anchors of the Gallant Prince (NW Archer being the first :)

- Kel
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8/29 Online location hunt winner was..tchikovsky and is the winner of 4
pearls and an hour of online time

He found me by a 'Shimmering Carpet of Diamonds'

NW Hobbes
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The heat was sweltering this particular summer evening in Neverwinter and
Cyane was stuck monitoring the Warehouse District. The heat seemed to be
stifling among the buildings, quiet and eerie.  Seeking respite she sent out
word, "I seek adventurers who carry Ice!! Bring yourself and the ice to the
Warehouse District, please!!"  Sure enough many brave souls showed up with
the only ice to be found in Neverwinter on such a warm night--that of the
spell ice storm!  One by one, they brought the ice to Cyane and finally there
was one who lowered the dreadful temperature so much that Cyane was finally
able to go about her duties again as requested by Lord Nasher.  

Congratulations to ITB Virus on winning the Ice Storm Mini-Booth!!!  ITB
Virus wins 1 hour of online time and 4 pearls!!!  

Thanks again to all who helped me out, it is difficult to fan oneself with a
flail! :D

--NWT Cyane
  Your Friendly Neverwinter Tavernkeep

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The night seemed to be a disaster!!  It started out fine, Kylanna and Kalirax
had their drinks and were in the hot tub but.... then....

CRASH BANG  Rikus Shan was seen rolling toward them and the <gasp> hot tub!
The water began seeping out at a rapid rate, but finally Rikus, being a
stalwart dwarf, utilized his tools and knowledge, fixing the tub.

The rest of the evening, Kylanna and Kalirax were seen in a darkened corner
whispering, the only thing over heard was, Kalirax saying, " Your thoughts
are mine and my heart is yours."  Soon after they left.

Cyane gives her congratulations to Rikus Shan for winning access to the Guild
of Heroes in this week's Tavern contest!!

The Tavern is open every Wed and Fri night from 11pm-1am EDT.

NWT Cyane
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Nasher called upon me to investigate the rumors of a Temple of Bane in
Crossergate, so within minutes of the summoning, I requested the aid of
stalwart adventurers.

Stepping forward were Orle fane, justin2398, Belorn, Sithilis, Quixote264,
Eine x, and Blizzed, fortunately, the majority of this party could wield
swords and spells: we would need it. We were quickly put to the test whilst
moving through Vilnask, as Kraken spies, wolves, and Banshee's seemed to try
and stop us at every turn, but to no avail, as fireballs, arrows, and
powerful weapons easily cut through our foes.

Entering Crossergate, a new foe appeared, that being the ice hounds. These
new foes still proved little difficulty for our large group as we quickly
headed to the Crossergate Inn. It was here that Sithilis bid us farewell to
explore elsewhere, as we gathered up the clues to the location of the Banite
temple.

Entering a secret passageway that was pointed out to us in our clues, we
headed along several passageways , again facing banshees, but also yetis!
Yetis guarding a passageway, we had to be on the right track. These Yeti's
seemed to startle us again and again, causing some of us to flee...but the
fireballs we had came in handy against these cold foes, and we continued
onward.

After moving through what seemed a Maze of tunnels, We encountered several
Displacer beasts. These creatures so disoriented me, that I accidentally
fireballed two of the party members, as Eine X and Quixote264 were flamed
quite well! Fortunately, they were not critically wounded, and we moved on.

Finally our journey led to a strange building, and we made quick haste to the
noises from a room ahead. Barging in, Orle Fane, Justin2398, Belorn,
Quixote264, EineX, and Blizzed made quick work of the Banite priest and his
Luskan allies! Fire, energy, steel, and arrow tip flew into the startled
enemy. Discovering important information from the dead priest's body that
Nasher would be interested in, we decided to head back to NeverWinter. 

The Tour was a success! Congratulations to all who participated : )
NW Strahd
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Brady752, Valderon, HJ Tiger, Kaicarole, Panthara and Stephenix all answered
the call and ventured forth with me to Luskan on a dangerous mission.

We fought the brave fight and eliminated all opposition except that the
dreaded punt monster got Brady and Stephenix was called away from duty. 

The beholders were all that stood between us and our final goal and we
accomplished it.  However, it was not without cost.  Valderon was
disintegrated before our eyes and Tiger was slain, also.  ;/

We avenged them and brought glory back to Lord Nasher and safety to the
denizens of the Realms.  ;D

NW Mystek
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Location Hunt: 9/6, 12:30pm

Saberflame was the first to esp me from the Wharves 0,3 and wins 4 pearls and
one hour free time.
NW Sparkle
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The Location Hunt for 9/7 was won by:  deadorlive 

He was the first to esp NW Mystek at the location first.  The clue was "Get
your plate mail altered here".

Congrats to Deadorlive who will receive 4 pearls and one free hour of online
time.  ;D

Mystek
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Booth   : Ice Storm
Winner : Deadorlive
Prize    : 4 pearls & 1 free hour


Thanks to FF Meane, SirHuma, Metron, Evil CIown, Shurg, Quiet Deth, Flaeme,
Cpa Sun, DeadOrLive, SeabrinaD, Acamas, Gmanfandan, Nodar, Shumard & Lrd
Azmyth for attending 

NW Dain
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Mini Booth Type: Charm 
Player Winner: th ph0enix
Prize Won: 4 Pearls and 1 hour

TP PH0ENIX victorious in 3rd and final round when he withstood the best that
NWA Vic could throw at him.  Hotshield was the runner up surviving until the
last cast.  Rumor has it that NWA Vic isn't very Charming when 6 players were
still standing after round 2.

NWA Vic
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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:
September 12th Tuesday  6:00 PM ET - Join NW Archer for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D

New Player Tour
September 14th Thursday 11:30 PM ET - Join NW Triel for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D

New Player Tour:
September 17th Sunday 12:00 PM ET - Join NWA Apollo 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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APOLLO'S ARROWS
(Submitted by HbSilver)

One afternoon, as I traveled through Vilnask, I stopped at the shop of Willo
Clovyr to see if he had any interesting new weapons.  I was met at the door
by his wife.  She was very distraught and tearful, telling me Willo had
disappeared again!  Between sobs, she managed to relate how she had heard his
cry from the back room of the shop, ran to look and Willo was gone!   

"He just, just disappeared!"  Willo's wife sobbed.  "He was finishing an
important consignment of the finest arrows for NWA Apollo.   He told me last
night that they were the truest and sharpest he as ever crafted.  I looked
and the arrows are gone, too, and Apollo was coming to pick them up this
very day!"

I quickly went into the back room of the shop and looked around.  The far
wall looked a little different and when I pushed at it, it opened to reveal
a secret passage.  I remembered Willo telling me he had a way to sneak out to
the tavern sometimes, when business was slow, but he wouldn't have done that
now, not when he was expecting NWA Apollo.

I cautiously moved ahead into the passage, knowing I must look for Willo.   I
began to encounter all manner of monstrous creatures in the twists and  turns
of the passage, but they fell quickly to my sword.  

I heard a shout behind me and, lo, Apollo appeared in the fray, dispatching
monsters right and left with his fine long bow!  (He and the adventurers
accompanying him must have arrived at Willo's shop right behind me.)  I
pushed ahead and came upon another group of adventurers battling the feared
dracoliches.  I leant my sword to this battle and at the conclusion, picked
up various interesting items scattered amongst the bones of the dracs.  The
dracoliches soon reappeared and Apollo came up to join in.  I smiled to see
with what relish he used his fine long bow to render the huge dracs back to
piles of bones!   He seemed to quite enjoy the respite from his usual
administrative duties.  As we battled, he said that he must find the arrows
Willo had made, as well as Willo.  And I realized the danger if these fine
arrows were ever employed by the forces of evil instead of becoming missiles
of truth from the bow of Apollo.

When the dracoliches had all fallen, Apollo and his group continued on.  I
came out later and examined the various things I had picked up from amongst
the drac bones.  There was a particularly fine quiver of +3 arrows.  These
must be Apollo's arrows!  There were 10, but is this all of them?  I must
find Apollo quickly and ask him how many Willo made!  We must find them all!

HbSilver

Assention
First Contact
(Submitted by Sylverion)

The Bregan D'Aerth's reputation and influence was slowly creeping to the
farthest reaches of the Realms.  Their catch phrase was becoming "if you need
something done, no matter how dastardly, call on the BDA."  It was under
these auspices that Sylverion was once again contacted for his most devious
of skills.  The drow had seen and done many things in his 300+ years of
existence but nothing quite compared to killing rivvil in their own confines,
the surface world.  This was not because of the long standing hatred by the
drow of everything to do with the surface, but instead it was the adrenaline
it created for the thrill craving drow.  Knowing that he had overcome the
worst obstacle known to his race, the sun, and not only mastered the inbred
fear but conquered it, created a rush beyond any he had know before.  Surely
this would subside, but his pure enjoyment of killing and torture never
would.

No one except the BDA members themselves knew where the headquarters was
located, somewhere near Neverwinter was the only thing anyone not of the
"inner circle" knew.  Agents, however, operated at will all over the realms,
and it was through these agents that the BDA was contacted for missions.  The
contact for this mission happened in Neverwinter itself, strange since the
assignment was to occur fairly close to the city.  Perhaps the customer was
tempting fate, ignorant of the ways of assassination or setting a trap, it
was not clear but it did not matter.  The BDA worked in the utmost confidence
and secrecy.  No violation of this would be tolerated or last very long.  The
eyes and ears of the BDA had ways of finding out client and victim's
confidential matters, whether they wanted them to or not.

Zarge was sitting in Mataga's Inn enjoying a round of Axepeak ale when the
first contact was made.  The inn was crowded and noisy, making it a good
meeting place for clandestine encounters.  A man from the crowd approached
Zarge's table and asked, "Kind sir may I join you for a round?"  

"Certainly and well met!," came the warm reply from Zarge. 'I must remember
to be nice to people here, that is the way of this place', thought Zarge to
himself as he studied the man.  The man had totally nondescript features,
medium height, weight and build.  Zarge prided himself on studying
individuals and making judgment calls on them immediately.  This individual
disturbed him though, he could not read this man at all.  It was like some
veil hid his mien and demeanor from the rest of the world.  

In a hushed tone the man began, "I am Supmet and I am here for urgent
business."  The veil was still not raised on this man and it was beginning to
bother Zarge immensely.  His masters would be 'displeased' if he let on too
much information to this man called Supmet.  And a displeased drow meant
death and a horrible one at that for the BDA agent. 

"Ahh, what business could be more urgent than enjoying a fine ale my new
friend?"

"Do not trifle with me fool", came the whispered threat, "I know you are an
agent of the Bregan D'Aerth.  I am here on urgent business which will be well
paid for.  I must meet with a member of the 'inner circle'.  The mission I
have is most dangerous and can only be accomplished by a professional."

Donning a confused looking disposition Zarge began, "Kind sir I know not of
this Brogran Droth that you spee...."

"Mrimm dosst velve ulu dosst ogglin rath ulu xun velkyn elghinn", spit the
one called Supmet.

The confused look instantly melted from Zarge's face and became one of calm
knowing. This one had just spoken one of the secret code phrases and must be
brought to the attention of his masters.  Rising from his chair Zarge
whispered into the man's ear, "You will meet at the Neverwinter docks at
12:00 midnight sharp, tomorrow night."  Leaving the inn a tinge of cold
foreboding raced through Zarge as he began to wonder what the one called
Sylverion was going to think about this.


Reporting In

Zarge reluctantly made his way to the secret meeting place to report to
Sylverion.  This was one part of the job that Zarge hated, actually meeting
with the drow.  They paid very well but were so sadistic that he feared for
his life just talking to them.   He often wondered if they were this way to
each other also.  This line of thought was quickly cut off though, they had
ways of reading your thoughts.  Drow were not the only dangerous creatures
near this meeting place,  the Neverwinter woods was not exactly a playground
for children.   Zarge had taken all of the required precautions however and
made it to the meeting place as scheduled.  He met with Sylverion regularly
at this spot to pass on any useful information and receive any new
assignments.  Standing in the woods outside of this building made him
nervous.  He was told never to go into the building because of the Beholders
there.  Never one to tempt fate too much, he followed this advice whole
heartedly.  'Where was Syl at?', he thought to himself.

"Here I am Zarge," came a whisper from behind him.  Spinning to look at the
drow, he was still amazed at many things with this one.  His uncanny ability
to slip into the meeting place undetected unnerved Zarge but the most
sinister was the drow's attitude.  Murder and killing was common place for
drow but Sylverion seemed to enjoy it too much.  Zarge often wondered if Syl
actually fed off of the fear and dying screams of his victims like a wraith,
for Syl did indeed enjoy torturing his victims more than the actual kill.  If
the victim didn't whimper and beg for mercy or wail in pain he was truly
disappointed.  

"There has been contact made in Neverwinter," began Zarge.  The sooner he got
this out the faster he could get back to Neverwinter and away from these
woods and this drow. "A very strange man by the name of Supmet contacted me
in the inn, Master.  He knew one of the code phrases." 

"Did you take the time to find out any information on this person," Sylverion
asked, a cold impassionate look on his face.

A cold chill went down Zarge's spine as he thought 'Will this be my last
encounter with this drow.'  "Uhhh, no Master, I was so surprised by him
knowing the phrase that I thought it more important to tell
you.......ahhrggg."

The speed at which the kick was landed to Zarge's midsection was
unbelievable.  Zarge's only comfort was that it was his master's boot and not
his fabled longsword.

"You will not make that mistake again, right Zarge?  Information is how we
prosper in this world, and I will not tolerate mistakes by you!"

Under a grunt of pain Zarge begins, "No Master, I will not..."

"Shut up Wael! The meeting is at 12 at the docks correct?"

"Yes Master," a puzzled look spread across Zarge's face. 'How does he know
this information already?'  Zarge thought to himself.

With a slight giggle Sylverion replied, "Zarge my incompetent dobluth, I know
EVERYTHING!"


The Meeting

Light from the full moons did not dispel the ominous feeling at the docks
this eve.  The fog kept visibility low and combined with the shadows, created
an eerie scene.  Even the most hardy of Neverwinter residents steered clear
of the docks at night.  Sylverion still did not understand what kept the
Neverwinter river so warm all year round, but one of the beneficial side
effects was the fog it produced.  Anytime the wind was right the fog would
blow in and cover the dock area in a thick blanket.  As such it was one of
those nights.  Standing in the shadows of one of the many warehouses, along
with the fog made the drow next to invisible. " I should be completely
invisible", he raged to himself.  The drow was still fuming over the loss of
his piwafwi.  The sun completely destroyed his cloak and most of his other
drow equipment when he first came to the surface.  It would take a long time
to replace his gear with the surface equivalents, but he was slowing
accomplishing this.

The man slowly walking down the dock fit the description told to him by
Valorian. Sylverion grinned at remembering Zarge's surprised expression at
knowing the meeting information beforehand.  What was that rivvil
expression?' he thought.  'Don't put all of your chickens in a basket.'
Sylverion shrugged to himself, he still did not understand that expression
even though he now, at least, knew what a chicken was.  Something indeed was
strange about this man, Zarge and Valorian were not being paranoid.  He must
find out more information about this individual.

"Vendui' Sylverion," came the greeting from the man.

"Vendui' Supmet, do not trifle with me as you did with my agent or your
entrails will grease the docks for days to come."  The open threat did not
seem to phase the man as Sylverion had intended, and was beginning to
irritate the drow.  Even more irritating was the fact that his amulet of ESP
was not working on this man.

"I have no intention of trifling with you assassin," said the man calmly. "I
have a mission that is of utmost import that only one of your skills could
even hope to accomplish."

Openly sneering at the man Sylverion continued, "What makes you believe that
I would even entertain your delusions, wael? I do not work for pittance and
you don't look like a rich rivvil."

"My masters have more than enough loot to satisfy the most greedy dwarf,"
countered the man, "plus we both know how much you love a challenge any way
Syl, and this mission is a challenge."  An outstretched hand appeared from
Supmet with a scroll. Upon passing it to Sylverion, the drow quickly glanced
over the writing. Digesting the information contained in the scroll,
Sylverion thought to himself,  'This indeed would be a dangerous mission.'

Though narrowed suspicious eyes the drow continued, "You presume a lot
rivvil, but still you have said nothing that is of interest to me."  This
whole meeting had gone on much too long for the drow, being about in
Neverwinter was not safe for him.  Reaching down for the pommel of his sword,
he intoned a simple mental command for the sword to perform a little magic.
"Yes Master," came the simple message back from Z'ress Velve Del Elghinn. The
sword was his greatest possession, plunder taken from the vaults of his
fallen house.  His last days in Veldralias had presented an opportunity for
the first son to escape the onslaught by the other houses not only with his
life but this trinket as well.

To Supmet it looked like a simple nervous gesture, the hand on sword just in
case of trouble, but to Sylverion it was much more.  The figure in front of
him waver slightly under the onslaught of the swords magic.  True Sight was
what the surface dwellers called it, Khaless Nau Uss by the drow.  Whatever
the term the results were profound for the drow. 'Hmmm,' he thought to
himself, sudden concern for his safety had all of his attention now.  Should
he indicate that he knew who this individual was?  'No,' he thought, unless
this is a trap, it could be very useful knowledge down the road.  It was not
often that one of Nasher's own royal guard was connected with an
assassination plot.  'And the name, Supmet, what an imbecile,' Sylverion
thought to himself with a touch of mirth, 'his word games are as imaginative
as an orc.'

"No need to get jumpy my friend," Supmet said in a mockingly reassuring way.
"The payment for this deed will indeed be great and something that you need."

"I'm listening," was all that the drow would say.

"I have two items, one shall be up front payment and the other payment for
the completed job.  The first is a Cloak of Elvenkind, the second is a spell
book from the library of Khelban Blackstaff himself!"

The drow's impassionate outward expression was certainly not what Supmet was
expecting.  But if he could see the internal avarice that was growing within
Sylverion he would have know he had struck the mark.  Sylverion liked new
spells as much as any mage, but the cloak was what really intrigued him at
the moment.  Invisibility is one of the greatest advantages for one in his
profession and was not to be taken lightly.  He would do this mission and if
it was a trap, he would have a cloak and the souls of these individuals as
well.

Bloody Coronation

The journey to Helm's Hold had been, for the most part, uneventful for
Sylverion.  Invisibility garnered from the cloak had seen to a fast trip with
few hostile encounters.  The overland journey had taken 2 days, giving
Sylverion ample time to look over the mission notes and secret maps during
rest. This information included Keep and town layouts as well as target
descriptions.  The combination of his own arrogance and this information gave
the drow confidence that the mission would be a success.  Not an easy mission
by any stretch of the imagination, but achievable.  A simple assassination
was one thing, but all of the royal blood except the youngest boy was pushing
things a bit far.  The motives behind a job such as this were easy to read,
someone wanted a puppet on the throne.  Whatever the reasoning, it mattered
not to the evil drow, killing was killing, plus he was being well paid for
it.  

Upon arrival in the town, Sylverion again donned the mask of disguise he so
often used.  Drow were not common enough in this area for him to risk
traveling in his true form, so the use of the mask to conceal his identity
was a given.  The form of a typical male rivvil trader would do for now.
During the completion of the mission he would again assume his true form, he
wanted his victims to see him with their dying breaths.  He made sure of this
with almost everyone he killed. 'Wouldn't want anyone to forget me in the
afterlife,' he often mused to himself. 

The next 14 days in town were spent casing it.  The drow would leave nothing
to chance and planned for all the contingencies he could think of.  Posing as
a bloodstone gem merchant from far away Damara provided him with ample cover
to find out much information about the town and the Keep specifically.  A few
drinks here, some casual conversation there, afforded him the opportunity to
find out the towns routine and if any festivals or other special events were
going on.  None were planned which pleased the drow, no sense in having
anything break the monotony of the Keep activities.  Observation of the Keep
revealed guard patrol patterns and general day to day activities, all of
which factored into his decision to what time to strike.  

On the evening of the 15th day in town, the drow took off his mask of
disguise, donned his black garb and prepared the spells and items he would
bring with him.  People were well off of the street by then and just
beginning to fall asleep in their beds.  Slipping out of the inn in which he
was staying took him to the walls of the Keep itself.  Sylverion was glad
this lord was not a rich one, his keep was built of local stones not the more
expensive imported granite.  This local stone work was not as smooth or well
placed as granite would have been, and would afford the drow an easy entrance
to the Keep over the walls.  Glancing upwards the drow had timed events well,
the nearly moonless night made visibility almost nil except for the torches
on the tops of the walls.  Routine was both a good and bad thing at castles.
The monotonous routine of the Keep patrols made them careless and
inattentive.  Sylverion would use this to his advantage for his mischief this
eve. Climbing the wall near one of the corner towers was easy for the nimble
drow, the guard had just passed through the open tower door and was checking
things inside.  Upon reaching the top of the wall and climbing upon the
parapet the drow opened a lead line sack at his belt.  This produced pebbles
and dead silence which would be used extensively this eve. Glancing into the
tower the drow could see that the guard was writing something in a ledger.
With a slight flick Sylverion tossed one of the pebbles behind the guard,
drew his dagger and advanced. A little too late the guard began to wonder why
the torch beside him ceased to crackle.  A swift kick to the back of the legs
brought the guard to his knees.  Leaving no time for further reaction,
Sylverion raised the dagger high and plunged the point down to where the
skull joins the spine.  Instant death was laid upon the guard from a blow
stronger than any drow should be able to make.  Looking down at his hands,
Sylverion marveled at the strength that the gauntlets afforded him.  The
carelessness of these guards also amazed Sylverion, this one wore no helmet
or chain coif to protect himself.  "No matter he would be dead anyway,"
prophesied Sylverion to himself.  Sliding the guards body out of sight into a
corner, the drow reminded himself he needed to hurry.  Picking up the
permanently silenced pebble, placing it back within the pouch and closing the
pouch afforded sound back to the drow.  The next guard would be by in 45
minutes, the drow wanted to be nearly finished with the mission by then.  

Sliding down the backside of the wall into the actual compound of the keep,
the drow mentally went over the next step in his plan. Looking around this
part of the compound, the drow made sure no alarm was raised or guards had
come.  Feeling confident that no one was aware of his presence, at least no
one alive,  Sylverion continued onward, towards the Keep's living quarters.  

Moving towards the main building of the Keep, Sylverion glanced up at the
window he knew would be open.  Someone inside the Keep was very indirectly
helping him.  It must be the person who setup the whole job. After giving a
glance about to make sure no one was watching him the drow slowly and quietly
began to climb the outside of the Keeps living quarters.  Peering into the
window the silent drow could make out what appeared to be an unused guest
room.  Quickly the drow opened the window and slid into the room.  After
closing the window Sylverion made his way across the room to the door into
the rest of the building.  Mentally picturing the map of the building,
Sylverion  recalled that the lords wifes chambers were closest to this room
and would therefore be the first of the royal victims this eve.

Sylverion slowly opened the door from the guest room and peered down the
hallway leading away from the room.  The room was on the end of the hall and
afforded an unobstructed view of the hallway.  Sensing no one in the hallway
the drow crept out into the hall and slinked towards to the next door, the
living suite of Shandril the Lord's wife.  Opening the belt pouch again threw
the drow into complete silence.  Reaching for the door the drow's adrenaline
was starting to flow fast, realizing that the first royal kill was seconds
away.  With a quick twist of the knob the door was opened, allowing the drow
to race inside.  The silent entrance of the drow into her bedchamber allowed
Shandril no time to scream.  Racing across the room to divan at which she was
sitting the drow drew back a fist and punched the surprised woman in the face
as she turned.  The silence that accompanied the drow snuffed out the screams
that Shandril was just trying to form.  Spit blood and teeth were immune to
the silence however, as they flowed freely from her mouth. The look of abject
terror on her face became one of pain when the drow kicked the woman's legs
out from under her.  Sylverion dove atop the woman pinning her to the floor
under him.  Reaching into his belt pack the grinning drow retrieved a small
vial that contained a green seaweed like substance.  A look of confusion
mixed with terror appeared on Shandril's face, she had no clue as to what was
going to happen to her.  Unstopping the vial the drow held the vial over
Shandril and offered it to her in a mock toast, then emptied the contents
upon her bloodied face.  The pain accompanying the green slime was unbearable
for Shandril.  Flesh upon her face was quickly being consumed by the slime as
it ate into her skin, bone and eventually brain.  Her frantic thrusts almost
threw the drow aside but he managed to hold her down and watch her agony.
Sylverion truly loved this type of torture, he did believe it a shame that
know one would hear her screams.  

After the woman's final death throw, Sylverion rose to get on with the rest
of the nights festivities.  With her death the rivvil woman no longer held
any interest to the drow at all.  Moving towards the door the drow recalled
who was next on the hit list, the only daughter of Lord Dryton, Philisha.
Slipping into the hallway again, the drow noticed the flag pennants jutting
from the walls bearing the Lord's royal insignia.  Reaching up, the drow
removed one from the wall.  It beared a striking resemblance to a smallish
spear. This may come in handy, smirked the drow to himself.  

Reaching the next doorway in the hall, Sylverion again reached for the knob
to open the door.  Noticing no light under the door, the drow correctly
assumed that the young woman was asleep.  Testing the knob he realized that
this door too, was not locked. "What waels", he thought to himself. "They
believe themselves secure here within their own walls, eh?" With that thought
an evil grin spread across Sylverions face. They wont live through that
mistake.  Opening the door, Sylverion silently moved into the room.  His drow
ultra vision came in handy in these situations, no light was necessary.  Upon
seeing the young woman sleeping in her bed the drow bound across the room and
jumped atop her.  The silent screams of terror flowed from Philisha's mouth
but would never be heard by the living.  Having pinned the woman beneath him,
Sylverion caressed her smooth face. Had I but more time my love, came the
evil thoughts of the drow.  A quick flash brought the royal pennant in the
depraved drow's hand up and down through Philisha's chest and heart,
instantly killing her. A most noble way to die, the drow quipped to himself.


Rising from the carcass of the once lovely woman, Sylverion exited through
the door and back into the hallway.  Slinking down the wall he came to the
youngest son's door next.  Ahh little one, the gods smile upon you this
night, he mused to himself as he passed the door.  

Bruenhard, the drow thought to himself as he came to the next door in the
hallway. The drow had heard rumors about this one in town.  Supposedly this
young man was very good with the sword.  The drow truly wanted to test those
rumors, he was very arrogant when it came to his own sword prowess. Sadly the
drow believed that this would not happen, since Bruenhard needed to die
quickly.  Still draped in silence the drow reached for the doorknob.  Opening
the door and moving inside, the drow's senses told him that something was
wrong. Iblith, no one is here, Sylverion fumed to himself, Where could he be?

Moving out of the room, Sylverion decided to keep going and find Bruenhard
later.  At the end of the hallway was both Lord Dryton's bedchambers and the
spiral staircase down to the first floor.  Silently moving to Dryton's door,
Sylverion quickly opened the door and rushed into the room.  To his continued
dismay the bedchamber was also empty. Hmm lets try downstairs, thought the
simmering drow.

Outside of the bedchamber and at the top of the spiral staircase the drow
peered down.  At the bottom of the stairs was an entryway from the outside
and a couple of doorways, one of which lead to the main hall.  In front of
this door was stationed a guard who was apparently listening through the
partially opened main hall door.  Pulling a throwing dagger out of his boot
and looking at it the drow smiled to himself. This would confuse most rivvil.
He was referring to the claw like tongs on the pommel of the blade.  Their
use was soon evident however when the drow retrieved one of the silence
stones and clipped it in. Flicking the now balanced blade in his hand the
grinning drow slipped down a few of the stairs, just enough to get a good
shot at the lone guard. 

The spinning dagger raced its way to the clueless guard's exposed head.  The
silenced thunk was heard by no one as the 5 inch blade penetrated his ear and
brain, instantly killing him.  Sylverion smiled at the jester like action, as
the guard's body slowly tilted to the side and fell noiselessly to the stone
floor.

Racing down the steps the drow expectantly peered through the door to see
what was going on.  Much to his relief he saw Lord Dryton, Brunehard, someone
who must be the court cleric and two soldiers who must be captains of the
guard.  Quickly sizing up the situation the drow decided upon a plan of
action.  Reaching into his pack to retrieve his handcrossbow and paralysis
tipped darts the drow thought to himself, I'm going to need some luck and
trickery to get through this one.  Having cocked the bow and placed the dart,
the drow contemplated his next action. Okay time to move! he thought to
himself.

A drow bursting through the entrance to the main hall was the last thing that
these experienced warriors were expecting.  So shocked were they that they
could not react fast enough when the drow aimed the already raised crossbow
at Lord Dryton.  As if in slow motion the warriors watched the tiny bolt sail
across the room and pierce the arm of their beloved Lord.  

Having shot the crossbow Sylverion dropped it and turned to flee the room.  
"Oloth Faer Quarthen!" the drow intoned, no longer silent since he closed his
pouch, and a magical globe of darkness appeared to mask his apparent retreat.
Diving into the darkness the drow tightly wrapped his cloak around him to
provide invisibility and whispered the incantation to a levitation spell.
Rising to the rafters of the tall room the drow pulled himself along the
rafters to get away from the door.

"Foul Dark Elf!!," screamed the priest, "After him, I will cure the Lords
wounds. It will take more than that to kill him, stupid drow!"

"Lord!!" wailed Bruenhard as he strode to help his wounded father.

"Bruenhard, bar the door when the guards leave," commanded the priest.

The dark globe was quickly dispelled by the priest to allow the guards to
advance safely.  Moving quickly out the door the guards noticed their fallen
comrade.  The silence that had engulfed the guard had been dispelled however
by the priest's spell.  Running out into the hallway the guards screamed out
to sound the general alarm for the keep, awakening all of the sleeping
soldiers as well.  Baring the door from the inside, Bruenhard milled around
the door and pulled out his longsword, wonder what he should do next.

"Hang on Dryton it is merely poison," reassured the priest, "I will have you
cured soon."

Reaching for the holy symbol of Tyr on a lavish gold chain around his neck,
the priest did not notice Sylverion moving through the rafters to position
himself above.  Canceling out the levitation spells the drow began to fall
straight for the priest.  Landing with both feet squarely in his back the
drow knocked the priest to the castle floor with a loud thud.  Having stunned
the priest, Sylverion quickly reached down and grabbed the holy symbol from
behind and gave a forceful pull.  Collapsing the priest's windpipe with his
own holy symbol somehow seemed appropriate to the drow.
"Choking on your own hot air are we priest?" laughed Sylverion as he yanked
the priest over on his back.  The drow wanted to make sure the priest was
incapacitated before he moved on.  To his delight the priest was indeed
suffocating.

"Arrrggrrrr!!!" came a scream from behind and Sylverion spun to see who was
approaching,

"Ahhh, Bruenhard, are you ready to die my young wael?  The rest of your
pathetic family has fallen with the least bit of resistance."  Glancing back
at the entrance to the room the drow could not repress a smile when he
noticed that Bruenhard had failed to unbar the doorway.

The confusion and despair welled up in Bruenhard's expression as he made the
simple plea, "Why?"

"Why!" choked out the evil drow in a fit of laughter. "Baahhaa you are indeed
as stupid as you look boy.  Your family dies because I wish it, no more no
less.  I enjoy snuffing out the insignificant lives of rivvil such as
yourself, for no other reason that the pleasure of it.  Ahh enough talk, time
for you to die," sneered the drow at the young man.

Z'ress Velve Del Elghinn slid effortlessly from Sylverion's back sheath to
menace Bruenhard.  The longsword was a magnificent piece of art and deadly in
a skilled swordsman's hand.  A faint greenish glow pulsed from deep within
the sword giving an eerie ambiance to the already horror filled room.
Sylverion advanced on the young Nobel who readied his longsword as well.  The
opening thrusts, parries and general swordplay were dazzling.  Both men were
well trained in swordplay and could handle themselves well in any normal
fight.  This was no normal fight however but Bruenhard did not yet know this.
He had never fought drow before and could not conceive of the trickery that
they always employed,  trickery that would ensure them victory at any cost.  

(Continued)

Assention
First Contact
(Submitted by Sylverion)


The sword battle raged on between the two for several minutes when swords
locked high above each others heads.  Sylverion made a contorted body
movement that caused a sinister effect, a blade had suddenly appeared jutting
out from his waist belt.  Moving in close to Bruenhard and giving a quick
body spin the drow suddenly leapt back from the melee and grinned wickedly at
Bruenhard.  The pained and astonished look on the Nobel's faced turned to one
of pure horror as he looked down and saw what the belt blade had done to him.
With a loud clang Bruenhard's longsword fell from his grasp as he desperately
reached to his gut to try to hold in his bowels.  His world was swaying in
front of him as he fell to his knees, his life-force slowly drifting to other
realms.

Bending down and looking the dying Nobel in the eyes Sylverion mocked him,
"Heh no guts no glory eh Bruney? Well I guess no glory for you wael since
your guts have so inconsiderately left you."  Sylverion had performed
evicerations many times before and still enjoyed the effect it had on his
victims.  This was a most painful and humiliating way to die since it took so
long and there was nothing you could do about it.

Suddenly startled by a crying voice behind him, Sylverion spun around and
smiled as he saw Kelven, Dryton's youngest son, draped across his father's
still paralyzed body. Leaping across the room and grabbing the young boy by
the collar, the drow picked up the boy and slammed him into the nearest
chair.  Dazed and confused the boy gave no resistance as he was tied into the
chair and spun to face his father.  Giving a momentary look towards the main
entrance the drow heard axes pounding on the heavy oaken doors.

"Guess I had better hurry," he said aloud while grabbing Dryton by the collar
and dragging him in front of his terrified son.  The drow held the Lord in a
position of being on his knees so his eyes were looking directly into his
son's.

"Well, well now Kelven this is the day you have dreamed about all of your
young life isn't it?"  the drow began.  

"Whaaaa.....What do you mean?" cried out the little boy a little too fast.

Had he touched on something the boy had dreamed about.  Probably something
innocent, but which could easily be perverted to his needs.  A little mind
torture for the young boy was just what he needed, Sylverion thought to
himself.

"You know Kel, your father leaving so you can rule in his stead?  Aww Kel you
can be truthful with us this is what you wanted, come now don't be such a
coward in front of your father we all know you want him to die.  I'm just
doing as you wish."

Sobs and incoherent speech flooded from Kelven as he looked into his father's
eyes. "Papa I didn't want this to happen....." as his voice trailed off to be
replaced with more sobs, Lord Dryton could only look on and wish he could
tell his son it was not his fault and the drow was only playing mind games
with him.  But that he could not do because of the paralysis poison still in
his system.  He could only look into his boys eyes and see the despair there,
and the utter destruction of the young boy's world.  Dryton could only wonder
if his only remaining son would live and what type of tortured existence that
would be.

"Kel!" the depraved drow yelled to get the boys attention.  A slim dagger
appeared in the drow's hand and moved menacingly up to the Lord's neck. "You
know this is what you wanted."

"Noooo!!!!!" screamed the child as he strained uselessly against his bonds
praying to the gods that this would end,  that he could save his father.

Sliding the dagger across Dryton's throat produced a gush of blood and the
loss of consciousness of Kelven.  Dropping Dryton's fast chilling body to the
ground, the smiling drow took a quick look around the room and chuckled to
the incoherent young Kelven, "your Assention to the throne is now complete."
Raising his pulsing longsword in a mock ceremony,  "I coronate and dub thee
Sir Orphan!"


Epilog

Using a tucked away teleportation scroll allowed Sylverion a quick escape
from the confines of the Keep.  What would become of the young Kelven?  The
drow really did not care the least, he had completed his mission successfully
and had an immense amount of fun also. What more could he ask for?  Not much
since he now also had his cloak and would soon have another spell book.  What
would the curious drow do about "Supmet"? Nothing for now, that would be
taken care of in the future.  For now the drow was content to bask in the
successful mission and relish the deaths he had caused.






Preparing for the nights activities had been completed around 10:30

find out festivals anything special going on guard patterns

enter around 11
2 sons captain of guard cleric lord wiz leaves for something
moonless night
guards routine
snuck around peripheral earlier
careless
enter through sewers ;<
climb rope over wall
scale wall
pebbles with silence
lead lined bag
kill guard
carless guard no helmet or chain coif to protect neck
gauntlets of ogre power
from above dagger to base of skull/spine
drag into tower
tie rope around neck
?slip peble into pocket
?lower over wall 
?let sink in the moat
have 30 min before notice
slide down back wall
pebble into guard dog kennel
memorized house plans
climb wall into unused room
slink down hall
slip into bedroom
slide pebble under bed
kill wife
jar of stuff
suffocate with resine from monster
move down hall
grab banner with coat of arms of castle
sip into bedroom
slide pebble under bed
kill daughter
impale with banner
watch her die slowly
investigate lords/oldest sons bedroom
travel to throne room
spiral stair case from upper living quarters
door open crack
guard snooping on meeting
kill guard at door
silence pebble in hilt of dagger
dagger in eye
look into room
see individuals
quickly decide on action
run into throne room
remark about carlessness leavin door wide open/wont do it again
paralysis dart to lord
run towards door
globe of darkness
levitate to rafters invis
sound general alarm
captain/guards move out
oldest son closes and locks door
priest begins remove para/poison spell
drop silence pebble
drop on back of priest knocking to floor stunning him
kill/choke priest with own holy symbol
kick pebble to the door
wizard lock throne room door
arrogance with sword from son
gut a oldest son
falls to knees holds stomach
laugh in his face as he dies
slap youngest son unconsious
shove holy symbol in mouth of priest
torture lord
brasier rod to the mouth
stench of burning tounge
youngest son comes to rescue
tie him to pillar
kill lord
cut lords throat in front of child
court wizard is in shadows
smash stained glass relief of crest of the castle lord
escape through smashed window

Assention
child get lords title
court wizard looks on pleased
arrive back in NW
avoid trap
slip note to tempus telling him he knows who he is
get spell book

A Star shall guide him
(Submitted by LafeL)

     It was a typical winter's eve in Neverwinter.  Lafel sat at a corner
table in Strider's oblivious to the joy and laughter that surrounded him.
Staring into the mug that sat before him, he drank to forget the pain lodged
in his heart. A stranger entered the bar wearing a heavy fur coat.  The
figure walked over to Lafel's table and in a sweet voice asked,"May I sit
here?"  

"Whatever"came Lafel's reply.  

"Thank you"the figure said as she undid her hood.  "My name is Star Aura and
who might you be?"

Lifting his head to see a female elf with raven-black hair. 

"I didn't say"came the answer.  

Drinks and food were brought to the table and Star stated,"I came here from
Waterdeep." But no conversation came from Lafel.  Finally, seeing all her
efforts were in vain, she sat quietly and drank and ate. After a couple of
more drinks, Lafel stood up from the table, took one step and fell to the
ground.  "I told him he would drink himself to the grave"the bartender said
with a slight chuckle,"He's been in here all day drinking...toss the bum
outta here!"

"Wait!" Star quickly said,"If I pay for a room, may he use it and sleep
there?"

"Heh, what you do in a room after you pay for it is none of my concern"the
barkeep replied with a chuckle.  

So Star took Lafel to the room and left him there to sleep it off.  She left
no notes of who it was that had paid for the room, and asked the innkeeper
not to tell him if he asked.  The next day Lafel awoke with a splitting
headache.  A few days passed and Lafel was wandering around when he came
across some bandits accosting a traveler.  Having no desire to help anyone,
he turned and started to move away.  But something started gnawing inside him
and he felt compelled to help this defenseless traveler.  Charging into the
fray, Lafel dispatched two of the bandits.  He then turned to see who he was
saving.  It was a tall female elf.  He finished off the rest of the bandits
and turned to the traveler.  

"Aren't you a little out of your league?"Lafel said with a smirk.  

"Don't you recognize me?"the elf countered,"We met in Strider's a couple of
days ago.  You passed out and I paid for a room so that you could sleep in
safety."  

"No I don't," Lafel said, "But I guess this makes us even."  

He started to move away when Star asked, "Will you give me lessons so that I
may learn to defend myself?"

Lafel didn't want to, but the gnawing inside only grew until he grudingly
replied,"I will help you till that time comes and only till then.  Meet me at
the Wharves tomorrow and we will begin."

Lafel came to the Wharves the next day to see Star Aura waiting for him.
"Good Sir, if I'm to train with you, should I not know your name?" she asked.

"Lafel, and that's all you need to know"he replied.  

As the days passed Lafel showed Star how to wield a sword, block with a
shield, the different monsters in the realms and how to defend against them.
At the end of each day's lesson, Star always left with a smile on her face; a
smile that was never returned nor acknowledged.  The days became weeks and
the two explored the realms; with the exception of a town called Vilnask.
Near the completion of her training, she asked Lafel if they could go and
explore that very same town.  

"No!  I will never go to that accursed town again!" he replied in a sharp
tone.  

A disappointed look came over Star's face, "If you do this one thing"she
started to say,"When we are done there, I will take my leave of you."  

Again the gnawing tormented him until he agreed.  As they traveled the woods
outside of Vilnask, Star noticed that Lafel had very quiet and very somber.
Reaching the inn, they sat down for a meal before reitring to their
respective rooms.  Star noticed a glass case, and seeing that Lafel was not
in a talkitive mood, went over to look at it.  She saw trophys and writings
of heros and heroines.  Her brown eyes lit up when she came across Lafel's
name.  His name was on more than one item and always with the same person.
She went back to the table and sat down.  

"Would you tell me the stories that are behind those trophys that bear your
name?" Star asked.  

An angered look shown upon Lafel's face.  "Will you never stop with this
constent questioning?  I said I would help train you, nothing more.  Have I
not done that?  My past is mine, not for some interrogating female like you!"


Lafel stood and left the room; but not before a tear formed in Star's eye.
During that evening, she was awakened by noise coming from the room next to
hers.  Knowing that it was occupied by Lafel, Star got up to see what was
going on.  She opened her door to see him leaving the inn and decided to
shadow him.  Thru Willo Clover's home and into the corridors, she deftly
followed his footsteps.  Peering around a corner, she saw Lafel bent
over;laying a rose on the ground.  As he stood up, Lafel noticed that he was
being watched.

"YOU!"he shouted, "Now you resort to spying on me.  Best you run,before I
forget I'm a gentlemen and strike you where you stand!"

Star quickly turned and ranaway.  Feeling both angry at Star and at himself
Lafel Felt he needed to get away and sought the solitude of the woods.
Sitting against a tree trying to sleep; he was awakened by some noise.  Still
half-asleep, his mouth fell agape when he realized what or who was in front
of him.  

"What are you doing here?"Lafel asked.  

A whispered response came, "My love,I cannot bear to see you throw your life
away.  If you truly loved me as I did you; move along and get on with your
life.  Would you not ask the same of me?"

A bolt of lightning cut across the sky;and what was in front of Lafel was
there no more.  Lafel quickly gathered up his belongings and headed back to
the Vilnask inn to write.  Star awoke the next morning to find a letter under
her door. The letter said, "meet me outside the inn,I have something to say
to you".   Star quickly dressed and gathering up her belongings headed
outside the inn.  She saw Lafel waiting for her with a solemn look on his
face.  

"I'm sorry for..."Star began to say, but Lafel raised his hand to stop her. 

"No, it is I who needs to apologize.  I have not shown you the respect or
courtesy that you deserve and have earned.  If you wish,I can have someone
else complete your training."  

"That will not be necessary," Star replied with a smile; a smile this time
Lafel returned.  

He led her to the very spot where they last left each other.

"Why are we here?"She asked.

"Please sit down and listen, this is something I need to do," Lafel started
to say, "The tales you read at the inn are true.  I was once full of joy and
laughter.  I was in love and that love was returned tenfold to me.  With her
by my side, there was no pain nor sorrow in my life.  That is until one day
here at this spot.  My love and I were walking thru this corridor when we
were attacked by two dracolichs. While I was engaged with one of these
horrible fiends, the other prepared to attack my open back.  Seeing this, she
threw herself in front of the dracolich and took the killing blow meant for
me.  Enraged with anger, I slew the dracolichs; only to see her body lying on
the floor.  When I reached her, all that was left was her cold lifeless form.
As she died,so did my will to live.  Why her, the blow was meant for me.  I
would have gladly died so that she may live.  There was nothing left in my
life, so hence I shut out the rest of the realms.  Never again would I take
the chance of helping another just to see that person fall.  My vows to her
and to my guild, The Protectorate, forsaken ;my only comfort came in the
shape of a mug.  When I saw you being attacked, at first I wasn't going to
help you.  But something kept gnawing at me.  Was it my duty to my guild, or
the guilt I had that had being unable to save my love.  But I felt compelled
to save you.  That same gnawing also told me to help train you.  So now you
know my story; tis not an excuse but an explanation."

Tears came from Star's eyes,"I am deeply sorry for your loss,"she said,"But
honored that you were able to share it with me. You mention this guild of
yours, The Protectorate, could you tell me more of it?"  

"The Protectorate is a guild made of all races dedicated to help others,"
Lafel said, "Whether it's training someone, giving guided tours of the
different areas, or going out on quests; these are but a few of the things a
member does.  But the thing that attracted me the most when I was looking for
a guild was the men and women of The Protectorate.  Friends such as they are
rare.  They stand by you and will sacrifice personal goals to help others.  A
greater group of adventurers you will not find."

"Sounds interesting," Star stated, "Perhaps I will look into them."  

Lafel completed Star's training with a renewed vigor and by the time he
finished; he looked upon her as something other than a burden, Star Aura was
becoming a friend.  As they parted ways, both left each other the wiser.
Determined to change his outlook on life, Lafel started to explore the realms
more.  Lafel went off to spend some time with old friends he had neglected.
In Triboar he met up with BoltThrwr, his mentor.  After receiving, as usual,
good advice and some beholder bashing; Lafel knew it was time to return to
The Protectorate.  Reaching his room in the mages tower, he saw a note
affixed to the door.  It said that the Lady Jecele wanted to see him.
Running into Talgar, Lafel asked where he might find her.  Lafel entered
Jecele's room and sat down.

"Lafel," Jecele said in her pleasant voice, "I would like you to help finish
with the training of an initiate."

"Yes,M'Lady"he answered with a smile.

"Good,then meet the initiate in the gardens tomorrow"Jecele replied.

Entering the garden and upon seeing the initiate; Lafel burst out with
laughter.

"Will I ever be rid of thee?"he said with a chuckle.

"Heh"replied a familiar sweet voice."I thought you might get a laugh out of
this.  I asked Jecele if you could complete my training in becoming a member
of The Protectorate."

Lafel completed Star's training by helping her master the ways of arcane
magic and by teaching her the legend and lore of The Protectorate.  On the
day of Star's graduation, she went up and knocked on Lafel's door.  He opened
it and invited her in.  She saw books, potions and weapons as she entered.As
she scanned the room;something caught her eye.  An ornate sword was hanging
on the wall.

"Is that yours?" she asked.

"No,it is the last thing of her's that I have." Lafel replied in a somber
tone.

The guild hall was full and Tyst was presiding over the ceremony.Star saw
Lafel there,with a smile directed at her.  She noticed that he was wearing
two swords; and one was the sword that was hanging in his room.  The ceremony
was completed and the celebration began.  Star walked over to Lafel and took
him aside.

"Why are you wearing that sword?"she inquired.

"Come with me and you will know," he said.

They left the castle and approached a nearby river.

"I can think of no one else that I would want to be here when I do this
Star," Lafel began to say,"It is because of you,that I am able to do this."

Lafel took the sword of his fallen love,said a silent prayer and threw it
into the river; thus releasing his last tie to her.

Lafel smiled at Star, "I should get you back, this is your night to shine."

And with that, the two headed back to the ceremony...hand in hand.

submitted by
Lafel
TP Mage

A Dwarven Tale
(Submitted by Rikus Shan)

     Tha morn wuz hazy an warm and oddly enough me wuz awakes.  Usually me be
sleepin' til tha early aft'noon.  Fur some reason me wuz wake at dis unusual
time.  Me gots up an went ta takes dip in tha lake near tha mountain, 'fore
me trys ta gets an early start on me daily "Giant Stompin' ".  Me grabbed me
axe an nearly furgots me robes til me wuz lookin' fur me belt ta puts me axe
in ( Me nae needs all dem lasses folwin' mes ta tha lakes makin' all kinds a
noisey an scarin' off tha Giants furs later ).  Me wents back inta me cave an
founds me robes an me belt an puts dem on, me axe now has a place at me side
where it belong.  As mes walks 'long me decides it be a good thin' me brings
me axe 'long so mes can cuts through tha heavy haze if'n it gets any worse.
Walkin' by da hills is a'ways goods entertainments....watchin' tha 'umans
fights each udder an fur nae apparrent reasons.  Silly peoples dey be me
thinks.  A'ways fightin' ur lookin' fur un.  Me oft'n stands 'ere an looks
at'em but taday me wants a bright an early starts on dem giants.  Dey will
nae kens wot hits dem .... never think mes attacks'um dis earlies.  Pro'lly
catches'um wit dere uglies show'n( Rikus shudders at the thought ), wou' be
almust as bad as see'n a Drow da same way, but tha giants bes betters
lookin's...(hehe).  Finally me comes across tha lake me been lookin'
fur...nae kin 'round eidder.  Gots tha lakes all ta meself (at least I
thought I did).
     Afta swims fur a whiles me b'gins ta notices ripples in tha waters tha
me nae makes.  Me looks ta tha shore ta gets a bear'n on me axe just'n case
me needs it.  But b'fore mes can looks back ta tha ripples mes feels a hard
nudge bys a solid a object an looks ta sees wot wuz.  Me looked down an past
me ta sees only a large set uv ripples movin' a'wys frum me towards tha
shore.  Me b'gins ta follows dem, hopin' ta gets me axe, an a large reptilian
head pops outa tha water.  Strange lookin' creature me thinks... almust looks
like a green sock creature me uncle used ta makes on his hand...but nae as
smelly.  Den me sees wot had nudged me as tha creature rose further outa tha
waters.  His shell comes out an has a rough lookin' hard surface.  An me
notices sumthin' tha wuz kinda stranges 'bout tha shell....dere wuz a white
object kinda clingin' ta tha creatue.  Me b'gins ta stares at it, hopin it be
a softs spot ur sumthin' 'long those lines, an den me begins ta recognizes
it.  Feelin' da fishes swimin' REAL close ta mes me realizes dat tha creature
took me shorts wit him when he nudged by me.  While me seems preoccupied
turnin me face different shades uv red, tha creature draws in closer.  Mouth
wide ready ta swaller me if'n me nae gets me mind back ta get'n me naeked
tail outa dere.  Me b'gins ta thinks uv hows me can gets outa dis
perdicament.  Quick, quick, me thinks as tha creature draws closer...wishin'
fur a sec me had un uv me Uncle's socks ta dabs in tha waters 'round me.
Surely tha wou' wards off any creature, but alas me nae had un.  Me saw a low
hangin' tree ta tha side an b'gin ta swims tawards it.  Dat creature sure can
swims me thought an nae sooner den me grabs un uv tha trees low branches den
tha creature snaps at me an if'n me had any shorts me wou' nae have'm now an
if'n he wou' nae have gottn'um dey wou have been soiled fur sure.   Tha
creature did manage ta smack me wit da tops uv his head and send me snappin'
ups and downs, like a bow strin' afta a elfie shots an arrow.  Me wuz glad
dere wuz nae las 'round ta sees me snappin' likes me wuz cuz me face wou'
have been red as a good beer.  
     Me b'gan ta climbs down tha tree, which wuz growin' right next ta tha
lake and taa close ta tha waters fur me ta furgets 'bout tha creature which
seemed ta be comin' rights fur me, judgin' by tha large ripples in tha waters
comin at me.  Breakin' inta a dead run me gots ta me axe an put sum dry small
clothes on, just incase sum las come by an sees me.  Tha creature b'gan ta
crawl outa tha waters an me wuz surpised ta sees him outa tha waters.  He wuz
nearly as big as a Sturm Giant an me wuz hopin' he was nae as strong.  Me
held me axe in stance an b'gins ta poise meself fur tha comin' battle.  Me
puts on me best battle face an hopes it may sends off dem crazy fumes tha
only animals seems ta be ables ta sense, me heards dem called phermons by sum
gangly 'uman pathfinder once.  Says dey can sense whether yur scared ur not
sos try ta convince yurself yur nae an ya may catches dem off guard.
Anyways, tha creature seem'd ta stops just a few strides shy uv me an looks
like he had had a good breakfast an wuz 'bout ta belch all over me....can nae
imagine wot that wou' smells like....bad nuf when un da kin belches, me nae
can imagines wot kinda damaged dis creature wou' does.  Me dove and rolled
under tha creature just as he b'gan ta relieve his stomach on me.  Well'n me
nae ken it but tha creatures parently musta eats a red dragon ur suthin furs
breakfast cause he belched a great flame dat toasted me pack and gear.  Tha
creature stoods dere fur a second , me guessin', tryin' ta figures out wedder
it had fried me ur nae.  While'n I stared at me stuff, which now wuz lookin'
likes me mudders toast in tha mornin', me realized tha me's had a me favorite
mug in me pack frum last nites feast.  Me eyes b'gan ta widen an me hands,
clutchin' me axe, b'gan ta shake rigorusly at tha thought uv tha creatures
attack on me mug.  Maybe dere wuz still sum ale left in it frum last nite me
thought, and meback b'gan ta quiver frum tha anger as me brought me axehead
down ta tha ground an b'gan ta looks fur a soft spot under the creatures
belly.  Me wuz hopin' ta finds tha creatures privy, but parently dis wuz a
las uv a creature so me wuz outa luck.  Thoughts raced thru me head tryin' ta
thinks uv sumthin' ta does ta hurts dis creature an mes cou' only thinks ta
yells sumthin' 'bout how tha  creatures wuz as wide as tha lost hills, tha
usually made me mudder upset when me fadder said an dat an usualy gives him
enough times ta gets a heads start on me mudder.  An it seems ta worked taa.
Tha creature looked it head under itself ta sees me an me tooks a dive at her
chin, axehandle betweens me two hands.  Me hits tha creature hard 'nuf ta
send its head snappin' back an makes a loud crack an b'gins  lose its footin'
fur a breif sec.  Now if'n dere is un thin' tha Axepeaks taught me wuz tha
when ya had a creatures at a disadvantage ya had ta keeps exploitin' it.  Sos
me watches tha creature b'ginin' ta lose its balance an me went inta ackshen.
Me ran just past tha creatures mouth on tha side where she was leanin', an
kept runnin' tawrds tha creature hind side.  She tried ta bites me as me wuz
hopin' but she wuz taa eager ta gets me an wit begin' already leanin ta that
side she b'gan ta tip herself over.  Me quickly made 'round tha udder side
and gots 'bout 20 feets frum tha creature.  Me den starts a dead run at tha
creatures belly wit me axe over me head.  Tha creature looked like she wuz
'bout ta roll back tawrds me an me had ta adjust 'mmediatley.  Me increased
me speed an jumped, as ta jump over tha creature, an on me way up sunk me axe
inta the under-edge uv tha creatures shell and hung on wit all me strength ta
tha axe handle as me body flew over tha creatures side.  Me hopes did comes
true, when me weight an momentum tipped the creature back tha udder way an
she b'gan ta falls over onta her backs.  Me axe, though, stuck taa well inta
tha creature and me felt likes me wuz on a teeder totter an a giant wuz on
the udder end slammin it down ta tha ground as soon as me wuz at tha lowest
point uv tha lift.  Tha creature wuz thrashin side ta side tryin ta tip
itself back over an me axe wuz nae 'bouts ta lets go...but me wuz.  
     Me went flyin' over tha creature as me hands fell loose uv tha axe.  Me
thought me musta looked like a boulder bein' hurlded bya Hill Giant tryin ta
trow it over a moutain.  Me cou even sees me cave frum dis height.  Thoughts
ran thru me mind ta wave, an then me thought tha day wuz gettin' cooler an me
looked down at me body as me wuz tumblin thru the air.  Yet again it seems
tha creatures has managed ta inadvertant'y tear me clothes off on me axe as
me wuz bein' thrown an me was stark naeked soarin' thru tha air.  Surely a
las cou sees me now, and me face again turned as red as good beer.  Me landed
in tha tops uv a tall tree an felt like me cou' sing an elfie song wit it
high soundin' pitches well, afta hittin tha tree.  Me sat dere furs a little
while hopin ' me wou' be able ta join in a good dwarven drinkin' song withina
week, an den b'gins ta climbs down tha tree hopin' tha creature had nar
managed ta slip back inta tha waters and take me axe wit it.  Me had already
lost me mug an me was nae 'bout ta lose me axe.
     When me gots back ta tha creature she had 'pparently turned herself over
but did nae seems ta be movin', just layin' thar.  Me approached slowly ta
looks a sees at tha creature an gives it a kick ta sees if it be playin'
dead.  'Bout all me managed ta does wuz makes me toes swolen frum kickin' tha
shell instead uv tha creatures leg.  But alas tha creature nae moved...lookin
closer me notice me axe handle stickin' outa the side uv tha creature but nae
steel showin'.  Tha creature had turned itself backs over but me axe had
gotten driven furdder inta tha creatures belly an hit sumthin' vital, me
guesses.  Tha worst was over me thoughts until me realized me hads nae
clothes an wou' have ta piece together sum small clothes frum wot wuz left
'bout tha creature an sneak back through tha camp an inta me cave fur some
new clothes.   Me pieced tagether sum clothes an headed backs ta me cave ta
gets me gaunts an maybes a potion ta helps lifts tha creature an gets me axe
back.  Still bein' early 'nuf dat no one be awakes me snuck passed tha kin
still layin' 'round outside me cave an gots me stuff.  After gatherin' me
junk me went backs ta the edge uv me cave ta peers out an sees if'n anyone
had woken ups yet.  Me looked 'cross the way left and right an tha only
stirrin me saw wuz tha occasional twist ur turn uv a kin still sleepin', at
least me hoped.  Sos me b'gins ta tiptoe through tha kin an got back out ta
tha place where da creature met her end.  Did nae think dere wou' be much
problem wit' anyone tryin' ta steals me axe wit' it embedded in tha creatures
belly so me wuz nae troubled ta leaves it dere.  Me strapped on me gaunts and
trys ta lifts tha creature up.  Me gave a great grunt and tha creature
started ta lifts up.  With incredible strain me manged ta gets me arms inta a
locked position wit' da creature highs enough dat me could grab me axe...them
me realized.  Wot mes gonna grab tha axe wit'?  Me tried ta let one hand go
an grab tha axe, an tha ended up bein' un mistake mes wou' never makes again.
Tha creature came crashin' down right on me feet.  A flury of curse words
erupted frum me mouth dat cou' only be compared ta tha time me fadder let
lose when he dropped a stabalizer pillar on his foot.  Me mudder fur sure
wou' have had me washin' me hide an den hangin' it on the line ta dry.  When
me stopped runnin' me mouth an looked at me feets dey were nae so bad...at
least once me let tha air out uv'em.  So me grabbed me pack dat me brought
backs frum tha cave and drinks a funny smellin' poshen marked "Air
Valve",,,ur at least shou' have been.  After me drinks it me feets went back
down ta normal size but me boots wou has ta goes.  Me stretched dem kinda
good.  Anyways me reached back inta me pack ta pulls out anudder poshen which
had a picture uv a phone booth on it...wait...wuz a phone booth.  Well anyway
me drinks it an instantly felt a surge of power rush through me rereshed
muscles.  Me hurried up ta me now recovered feets and lifted tha creature up
wit' quites a bit more ease.  Me looked 'round ta sees if'n any las wuz
watchin' cause me wuz nae embarrassed now...just tha opposite.  Kenin' dat me
strength wou nae last long me removed one hand frum holdin' tha creature up
an had nae problem wit' just tha one hand.  Me grabbed tha axe handle an
started ta wiggle me axe free until it finally gave way an a flow uv nasty
came outa tha beast an gots all over me body as it splashed off tha axe
blade.  Ack....lookin' tawrds tha water me decided dat me wou' nae gets back
inta dat waters b'fore it wuz run through by da clan.  Just then me heard a
voice come frum behinds me and tha creature b'gan ta falls again, but since
me wuz spinnin' 'round ta sees wot had comes up frum behinds me it only
created a strong gust uv wind tha pushed itself tawards tha approachin'
....kin?  Aye...t'wuz a las.  She asked me if'n me wuz gonna gets back inta
tha waters sos she cou' watch it all over one more time.  Me face grew red
wit anger and den 'memberin' everythin' dat happend me feelin's went frum
anger ta embarrassment but me face color nae changed.  An just when me
thoughts tha color wou' leave me face tha wind frum tha creature fallen
'parrently pushed tha smell uv tha inerds which wuz now all over me ta the
las an she stopped frum approachin' an got a smile on her face(right after an
instant uv disgust).  She said maybe me ought ta go back in tha water now
instead uv waitin' furs later, an this time she wou' nae watch an go back fur
some clean clothers fur me.  Dis time me wuz just a little angry an me b'gan
ta approach tha las....an mischievious grin came across me face an tha las
started ta back away.  Me stopped an pretended me wuz gonna starts ta takes
me shirt off but dat me wuz havin problems wit' it.  She took a deep breath
an cames ta helps.  (Me plan has worked...hehe).  As she gots closer me
grabbed her an lifted her overs me head...still affected by tha super dwarf
strength poshen.  She started hollarin' sumthin' 'bout makin' mes regrets its
fur da rest uv me life if'n mes did this, an me response wuz simple....who ya
gonna tell las dat will nae ask wot ya wuz doin' out here just
watchin'....huh?  Me heards her say sumthin', dat me cou' nae spell ta puts
in me story sos ya gonna has ta use yur 'maginashen, right b'fore me tossed
her inta tha middle uv tha lake.  Me stayed dere fur a sec gatherin' me stuff
an makin' sure she wuz okie and when me sees her head pop back up an she
started screamin' at me me only said fur her ta looks out....me sees sumthin'
makin' ripples on tha udder side uv tha lake, den me b'gan ta walks back ta
me cave.  Me nae looks back but me can assure ya dat she nae thoughts it wuz
funny wot me said but she alsa nae took any chances as all me cou' hears
beside a threat every five seconds wuz her arms splashin' and feets kickin'
tryin' ta gets out uv tha waters.   Me b'gins me walk back ta me cave ta gets
me gear ready fur da Giants later taday....

                            End uv Part 1       
The Fade's
(Submitted by Tchikovsky
)
and then there was i .
alone in the dark caverns '
my commrads all dead.
those creatures chasing me,
their unearthly vices filling my head.
"where will you run?"
"where will you hide?"
"your death is iminant,"
"you will lose this time."
gritting my teeth i run down a side coridor.
finding old bones and dead men galore.
i unsheathed my blade with not making a sound
and grabbed up an old borken spear,
put my back to the wall against the cold,cold ground.
i emptied my mind so nothing to fear.
they ran right by , at first i thought freedom
but then i realized they would turn back 
but a silouet at the tunnels edge told me i'd never see home.
four they were and fiericsome beasts.
and told to come get some to say the least.
i readied my spear and my cold steel
haved the projectile and same the first drop
i asked him "hey how'd that feel?"
then two more came down at me with incredible speed 
offing ones head and paying no heed,
i dodged the other and got it in the back,
but the last one was biggest and warrie to attack.
i told him to come and get what it's friends had got,
it only looked at me and grinned alot.
it pulled out a weapon to my dismay,
a sword long enough to keep a dragon at bay.
i said my peace to the makers and my kin
and hoped these good deeds would atone for my sins.
a leap through the air and a terrible growl
it fell upon me and we in the pile.
it's teeth were like daggers
and claws just as bad
now you could see why all the trouble we had .
jona , and corrie , flashed through my head.
this was the one who killed them in bed.
a rage like fire for vengance i felt 
and pulled a magic weapon out of my belt 
i stuck it right down that fades nasty throat
he choughed and he gagged and just about choked
it could geet it out my nasty little bomb
and i ran for the exit and the way to get home.
but the magic was quik to work 
and i was blown against the wall and crumpled to the dirt
i was wounded and knew that i would nolonger fight 
but atleast now i have paid for that horrible knight
i had left my place at gaurd on the wall
and today i have taken my last fall
so now i wait to die 
a hero i will now be
with my last victory at my side.


                            Lines of Fate - Part 4
                       (Submitted by Morngrym)

     Kerik noticed the young lady's surprise when he introduced himself, but
had no idea of the reason behind it.  After a long moment of silence, Erin
finally spoke again.  "I think we may have met before...", she started
slowly.  Another silent moment passed.  "Well, in a sense anyway.", she
continued.  "Did you come across an injured person out on the tundra a couple
weeks ago, and return them to Neverwinter City?", she finally blurted out.
The suspense was just too much.

     It struck Kerik at that moment, like a physical blow...he knew he had
recognized the face from somewhere.  This was indeed the young lady he had
found out on the frozen tundra, on the brink of death.  He tried not to
become involved in things that weren't his business, but he certainly
couldn't leave her behind.  So, he returned her to the city, to a local
temple, and didn't stick around for a 'Thank-you'.  He had neither the time,
or desire for such things.

"Thank-you", Erin softly spoke to him, seeing the expression on his face,
knowing he was the one who had helped her.  Kerik accepted the thanks
sheepishly, and felt good.  Maybe he should have waited around for these
words before, he thought.  It wasn't so bad after all.  "You are welcome
m'lady", he finally replied, with a short bow.  "It was nothing...", he
continued, trying to downplay the rescue.  "It seems I owe ye a thanks as
well...you surely saved my hide back there, so I would say we are even",
Kerik finished as they both paused again.

     They both smiled as their eyes met.  "Well, it looks like we have more
pressing matters right now", Erin offered, looking at Kerik.  "Ye seem to
have made a few...umm, friends here", she smiled broadly, referring to the
incident with the thieves.  "Aye", Kerik returned..."I didn't expect them to
be waiting for me..." he continued.  He proceded to fill Erin in on the
recent events and how he came to be in the woods.  She listened intently and
he finally finished the tale.

      "Well then..." Erin replied..."Do we turn back, or attempt to recover
the item?", she asked.  "We?", Kerik responded, surprised.  Erin's smile
answered his questioning eyes.  "In that case, my fair lady, I would say that
things are indeed looking up", he said, with a grin.  "So we go after it?",
Erin questioned..."Aye".

     They spent the next day recovering from the short skirmish with the
thieves and developing a strategy for the assault.  After the first encounter
with the stealthy thieves Kerik knew there was no way they could simple sneak
into the camp and take the item.  There would indeed be a battle.  They just
had to make sure it was on their terms this time around.  They felt that the
element of surprise was theirs also.  Would the thieves consider them
foolhardy enough to return so soon after what had happened?  Hopefully not.
They had little magic to assist them.  Erin possessed one arrow that would
explode into a cloud of darkness upon striking its target, but that was all.
They prayed that this, along with Kerik's enchanted sword and their grim
determination would be enough to see them through.  Only time would tell.

     Early the next morning they set out for the thieves camp.  They went on
the assumption that the thieves were more of the night types, than morning
people, so the earlier the better for the attack.  About an hour later they
reached their destination.  Several of the men were still sleeping.  A few
were about, and two watchmen could be seen.  In all the small band totaled
about eight men.  Not a lot, but against only two warriors it was a
formidable force indeed.  Kerik moved around the opposite side of the camp
from Erin as they prepared for the assault...



(Concluded next week in "Lines of Fate - Part 5"!   ).

This one is for all ye undead types out there...not necessarily something a
flamboyant Bard can relate to, but I know some of ye can.      <g>




            Between Life and Death
          (Submitted by Morngrym)

     Escaping the icy, dark tomb of earth
     Slow, heavy movement...pulling upwards
     Creaking, popping, never meant to move again
     Struggling, with inhuman strength...born!
     Air again, but no breath - Hunger
     Aching hunger...can't resist.

     Crawling on bony hands and knees
     Rising to stand tall again
     Only half of what went in...enough.
     Sight with hollow sockets
     Sound within an empty skull...thick.
     Dull, so many old sensations dead.

     Musty decay everywhere...cold.
     No comfort, no life, no grave
     Dusty stench, no stomach to sicken
     One foot in front of the other
     Awkward movement, no heart for it
     Cloaked in the embrace of night    

     Smell it?  Life...crimson life...
     The hunger again, dominating
     Must find it, have it!  Jealousy.
     Snarl, ferocious...no other purpose.
     Silent moans and tears of dust
     Caught in between...
     ...longing for release...



By Morngrym Verigost
     Knight-Commander
     Bard of KORT!
                                              Good News from Home
                                                          subtitled
                                                 "Once Upun a Time"
                                               (Submitted by Kephara)

It had been many days since I had heard from my grandmother, Kara, so it was
with great delight that I saw the scroll bearing her seal upon the table in
my room in the Ivory Tower. Setting aside weapons and cloak, I took the
scroll in hand and settled in comfortably to read news of home. Pausing, I
wondered at the size of the scroll. Ah, Mystra, please, no bad news! Biting
my lower lip slightly in concern, I broke the seal and began to read.

"Hello Kephara!    Word has reached me of all that has been transpiring in
Neverwinter and I thought it best to write now. I know you have discovered
the truth, or at least part of it, regarding your parentage. There is still
much for you to learn and it shall come with time. Always remember to seek
honor for it is your heritage and your destiny. It brings me great happiness,
my grandchild, to know you are growing and learning; standing on your own two
feet, even with dealings with evil ones in whom you see honor. Tis the
thought of this very thing which I wish to share with you and hence, the
extra pages of the scroll.

   Is this tale true? Ah, I cannot tell you that, young one. For it is the
moral of the story that you must learn rather than if it actually took place
or contains some truths about some you might have known or might know now.
Read it and learn and remember honor; your father taught you to search out
the land, that the land will guide you. This is true, my child, and the land
will always direct you to honor. Read and learn."
______________

       The young paladin looked around the vast entry hall of the Keep one
last time. Twas
here he had spent all his years and called home. Adventures aplenty had
schooled
him in all that was needed for his current quest. A quest which would take
him from
this realm into another. He ran the fingers of one hand through his white
hair as his
black eyes darkened momentarily, thinking of what lay ahead. He had already
bidden
his family and friends farewell; now was the time to say goodbye to this Land
he
knew and loved so well. How he knew each stone of this Keep! How well he
loved
it and the surrounding countryside. Giving himself a shake, he picked up his
gear and
walked quickly out of the massive doors, heading for his horse. He planned on
traveling
lightly, gathering what needs he must have as he went. Time to hurry now
while the
portal remained open and he and S'val could pass through safely. The portal
opened
only in times of need and his lot had been cast. He had been trained for this
day since
birth and prayed to his gods that he would succeed, to return to his home
once again
when all had been settled.

       Mounting S'val, he took one last look at the giant Keep, then moved
his knee slightly as he held the reins loosely. S'val reared, throwing back
his head in a gesture of farewell and quickly moved down the path that led to
the portal. The mighty steed knew the path as well as any in the realm for
knowledge of it was not limited to humans. He had sensed his master's
feelings of departure and adventure and knew the time had come. Hooves
sparking as they rode quickly to the Place of Transference, S'val paused only
at the mouth of the portal waiting for his master's touch upon the reins.
Feeling none, both steed and man passed through the Place, their only
awareness being that of time standing still. Those who had been standing near
watched their passage, sending prayers and cheers with them. Then silence
descended as the portal closed. All knew the portal would open again if the
paladin succeeded, allowing him to return again to his home. Or, it would
open again of its' own accord if the gods deemed that it was necessary to
heal the Land of another realm.

       Passage through the portal had been painless. Kursan and S'val
instantly appeared on the other side of the Place in a wooded area high atop
a mountain. Kursan dismounted and searched as far as eyes could see for that
which would direct him to where the Land was in pain. He saw many kingdoms,
places of peace, places of dispute. Still, his eyes and mind searched. "Ah",
he cried out to S'val, "I see our journey's end and it appears but two days
ride from here!" The horse's one hoof stomped the ground, showing his desire
to proceed, that much quicker to return to their own realm. "Coming, restless
one", Kursan laughed. Jumping astride S'val, they sped due north, into a
pleasant and peaceful kingdom. Here was the home of the King of all this
realm. All others followed him, some willingly, some not so willingly but
there was stability due to his ruling. Reaching the palace of the King, the
welcome was friendly. S'val taken to the stables for a well deserved rest and
food; Kursan escorted to a simple but comfortable room to freshen up and rest
before his audience with the King. On his way to his lodgings, Kursan had
been quite taken with all the wondrous and beautiful articles that he passed.
Gorgeous tapestries, huge murals, elegant furniture - all spoke of a realm
where things of value and beauty were treasured. Most unique of all was the
palace itself, made of the purest crystal. Soaring 5 stories high with towers
and battlements unlike any Kursan had ever seen before, he gazed from the 2nd
floor casement of his room with wonder, realizing that the height he was at
would have been equal to the 4th floor of his father's Keep.

       Upon meeting the Chamberlain, Kursan heard the stories of how the
crystal palace came to be and  how it was loved and treasured by all in the
realm, not just by those who resided within its' walls. Twenty villages in
twenty remote valleys spent the year round weaving the tapestries and the
throw rugs which beautified and warmed the place. The seventh generation of
the seventh generation of one village did nothing but clean the shimmering
crystal palace and so it had been for all the preceding generations. When the
current King had married, he and his wife started collecting all the
beautiful treasures which filled the place, some of which Kursan had seen.
The Chamberlain laughed and told Kursan his timing was good as the next day a
special festival was planned and he would get to see the Queen's love
expressed in a gift for the King. Kursan must have had a puzzled look on his
face due to the laughter and the Chamberlain explained that the Queen was
well known for her weakness in doing all that she could to make the King
happy. "If she finds something he likes, more of the same will come in the
future," chuckled the Chamberlain. "So it has been these past 37 years!" Left
to his own devices in his room, Kursan pondered all that he had seen and
heard thus far.

       The next day's dawn came as beautiful and clear as the crystal of the
palace. Kursan arose, hearing the bustling sounds of the start of the
festival. Quickly dressing, he headed down to a bountiful mornfeast. Already
most of the palace was empty and all at the festival. Not wanting to miss
this opportunity, Kursan headed out the huge doors and walked across the
fields towards the site. The stables being along the route, he stopped in to
see S'val. Sensing the steed's restlessness, he led him up to the hill where
he had been sitting the day before. "Run for a bit, mighty one, but not too
far. I shall return here and we'll decide what to do next." Leaving S'val
running through the sweet grass, he ventured into the area of the festival.
Twas like nothing he had ever seen before! Immense tents covered vast fields;
musicians everywhere; tables laden with food; vendors plying wares from all
the realms of this land; people dressed in finery which also reflected their
homelands. He wandered about for a time enjoying all that was before his
eyes. Spotting the royal pavilion, he made his way there and was warmly
welcomed by the Chamberlain. "Ah, just in time!" the Chamberlain cried, "the
King and Queen wish you to join us for noonfeast." "I am honored" replied
Kursan, hoping this opportunity would give him some clue as to the problem in
this seemingly delightful land. He had stated his mission clearly to the
royal family and the Chamberlain and they accepted him without question. This
let him at somewhat of a loss as it showed, for all appearances, that they
had nothing to hide.

       As they were dining, Kursan listened to all the chatter going on about
him. Tales of valor and victory were heard the most but words of a less
savory nature softly whispered reached his ears also. Distracted then by the
Chamberlain rising to speak, he forgot the whispers for the moment. "M'lords,
m'ladies!", cried the opulently dressed man, "your attention for the Queen!".
All rose to their feet as the Queen stood and made a slight sign to waiting
peasants. "My lord, my husband, tis not your birth day nor our anniversary
but I do wish to mark this festival by hoping you'll accept this small token
of my feelings for you!". The King rose to stand beside her as the peasants
led huge work horses pulling a heavily laden cart. Upon the cart was a
massive thing covered with many colored pieces of cloth. "Hmmm..now what can
this be?", chuckled the King. The crowd roared, the Queen blushed and smiled.
Pulling one of the cloths caused them all to slip down and a magnificent,
massive throne was revealed. Kursan marveled at the craftsmanship and years
of labor that must have gone into the making of such a thing. "Tis the 38th
one she's given him", whispered the Chamberlain, "and he keeps them all!".
"But where....", Kursan started to speak but the man cut him off.."in the
palace, of course, in all the upper stories. Tis why it is built the way it
is." Kursan shook his head and laughed. He watched as everyone fussed over
the newest addition, singing of its' beauties, then heard the whispers again.
Deciding he needed to walk off some of the bounty he shared, he headed back
to the hilltop where he'd left S'val.

       Twas quiet and peaceful there and Kursan had just made himself
comfortable, stretched out on the grass, a blade between his teeth to chew
while he pondered the skies, when the ground started to tremble. S'val reared
and was at his side in an instant as Kursan sat up quickly. He looked all
'round but couldn't see the cause of the growing tremors. Quickly glancing
towards the festival site, he could tell they weren't being felt there.  He
stood and placed an arm over S'val's neck to keep him calm as the land
beneath their feet shook harder. A monstrous crash to his right made Kursan
fall to his one knee instinctively while grasping S'val's reins. Turning,  he
looked and was stunned by what he saw! The magnificent crystal palace had
completely collapsed and shattered. The very air reverberated from the
destruction. Silence had completely fallen across the area including the site
of the festival. No one moved. As Kursan stood to see what could have caused
such a calamity, no signs of dragons or angry gods or anything could be
sighted. Then, across the verdant fields, he again heard the whispers. As the
sounds came to him and he looked upon the huge pile of debris, he realized
that he had heard the same whispers in his own land. "Of course!", he shouted
to S'val, "come, the portal will be open again now!". Quickly penning a
scroll, he jumped on the horse's back and headed down the hill. "We must
leave a message for those here before taking the same message home, my wild
one", said Kursan as he placed the scroll into the hands of one of the King's
pages who had come running to the site. "See that the Chamberlain receives
that!", he cried. Pulling on S'val's reins lightly, they spun about as one
and headed back towards the portal. Yes! The Place of Transference is there
and I may carry this message back to my own people too, thought Kursan. As
they passed through the Place of Transference, Kursan wondered what the
Chamberlain would make of the scroll:


                     "People who live in glass houses shouldn't stow thrones"

STORY
(Submitted by POETIC0999)
      It was three days ago I entered NeverWinter as a new character. Though
I was here before under other names I had never has such a great night.

   I had gotten help to go toward Berun but when i was close i was left and I
found myself in danger, so I cried to the first person I saw for help and he
came to my assistance.He was a Wolf of Luna named RG Stryder and he was with
another Wolf Sonnymau, though on the way toward berun we were PVPed and were
killed. We went back to NeverWinter where I asked him if he was in a guild
and if so which one, to this he answered "WOL" and I asked him how to join,
and at that point he made me a WOL pup.    After he made me a pup I re-rolled
so i would be able to duel to MU. Then he,and his guild brother Sonnymau
brought me to Long Saddle to maxx me and we worked on that for a while but I
only reached level 6 when most of us had to log. We reconvined the next night
where I was helped by Rg, Sonny, and 2 others Wol Zaltar and Thor SG (I hope
I got this right) the assistant guild master, and I reached level 9.

  I met Rg again the following day. We worked at it and got me maxxed. After
that I returned to NW to my vault and traded a bit and at that point I ran
into sir Dannyx, the guild master himself. He helped me get a +2 mirror
shield and introduced me to another Wolf who went with me to the Dracs.   We
sepparated at the Dracs and I stayed and fought a bit. Then I returned to
NeverWinter encamped and bid farewell to the Land Of Nasher. That was the
best experience I ever had in Nasher's Land.


      The Bard In NeverWinter
            By: POETIC0999

Wlking through the land of Nasher,
Looking left and right,
The bard never knowing,
What he will next fight,
Though the bard does not fear,
Evil is full of might,
He never knows if this will be,
His last NeverWinter night,
But when he does cast,
Evil does not last,
For his luck is strong,
and his acts are good,
Because he acts as a paladin should.

Shadows Part I
(Submitted by Simarin)

            "It's gettin' late, boy.  Time te set up camp."  The stout figure
commented as he surveyed the sky, where brilliant hues of red and orange were
grudgingly but steadily retreating below the treeline in the face of the
advancing blues and violets of night.  A sheltered clearing was found, and
the son obediently began to unpack supplies as his father dug a small fire
pit before setting out into the darkening and suddenly mysterious forest
around them in search of firewood.
                Soon the dwarf had collected enough deadwood to last them the
night and began making a brisk march back to camp.  The ranger watched him
go, making no sound as he slipped from tree to tree.  
        Dradner soon returned to the campsite, shouting for his son and
cursing when he saw the boy had failed to prepare food and was no- where to
be seen.  He continued this for a while, but began to grow worried when the
dwarf still failed to show himself.  "By Moradin, boy, ye'de better hide!
When I find ye, I'll...."   Hearing a rustle behind him the dwarf whirled
about, relaxing when he saw only a ranger.  "Hail, friend dwarf.  As did
undoubtedly all those within a mile of here, I heard your shouts and I came
to see if I could help," said the ranger with a smile.  Drad was too worried
about his son to refuse the help of one who undoubtedly knew the area well.
He quickly explained things to ranger and together they left in search of the
lost dwarf.  
           And so it that after only a short time the two came to a small
clearing and saw the young dwarf lying on the ground, covered in blood.  "Me
son!" cried Dradner in anguish, dropping to the side of his boy.  He was so
overwhelmed with grief that he never saw the dagger as it came spinning
toward his back, never realized he was in danger until his soul was already
soaring away.   
      *                   *                   *                   *

                     The pain hit him before he even knew he was awake.
Simarin groaned and tried to open his eyes, but even that hurt. Finally he
managed to part his stubborn eyelids and look at the forest around him. Dead
leaves crackled beneath him as he tried to pull himself to his feet and
failed.  An old squirrel paused from it's usual activities long enough to
regard him with obvious disapproval before moving on.  Sim fell back to the
ground with a groan and tried to recall the events that had led up to his
current predicament, but soon found he couldn't remember anything about last
night. There wasn't even the usual blur and vague images, as there always
were during even the worst hangovers.  It was as if there had been placed in
his otherwise perfect memory a large, gaping hole.  
                 It wasn't until later that day that he stepped into the BOP
bunkhouse, still so preocupied with thought, or lack of it, that he barely
noticed the hails of his Bros.  He sat down at a table, still trying to
remember what had happened last night.  "You need something to drink Bro?"
asked a concerned Ender Bay, noticing his fellow ranger's expression.  Sim
answered without thinking.  "Milk," he said simply.  Immediately conversation
around him ceased as the occupants of the room all stopped talking and turned
to stare.  The usual noise in the room vanished, replaced by whispers.
"Ummm.... I'll see what I can do Sim," said Ender, not knowing what else to
say. To the best of his knowledge, the bunkhouse, headquarters of a guild
who's members where famed throughout the region for their drinking prowess,
had never carried the drink and probably never would. Were there any cows
nearby?    
              Luckily the silence had jolted the distracted ranger back into
reality. "No, that's OK Ender, thanks anyway," Simarin said quickly.  Talk
slowly started up again as people returned to their conversations.  But Sim
was still very troubled.  Mentally he went through the events of previous day
hour by hour, but always he came to that gap. He frowned.  Something was
wrong.

The Quest for the Amulet, Part 5
(Submitted by OSIR1S)

As Taarla followed Osiris ever farther into the boundary of the Netherworld,
she began to get the feeling that she was being watched.  She turned and
looked behind her, but she could see nothing in the swirling mists.  It did
not ease her worries that she saw nothing... she knew anything could be
waiting for them in the neverending haze that surrounded them.  When she
turned back towards Osiris, terror shot through her heart because he was no
longer there in front of her.  Somehow she had let go of his hand for the
briefest of moments and in that split second she had lost him.  She stood
where she was, hoping she had not gotten very far away from him, and waited.
As the minutes slowly ticked by and he did not appear, she knew she was going
to have to go on alone.  Time was running out, she knew.  Not knowing which
direction to go, Taarla kept walking, hoping she would find the altar which
held the amulet she so desperately sought.

As Taarla walked, she noticed that the swirling mists were changing and that
they appeared to be taking shape.  She began to feel very cold and shivered
beneath her cloak.  The shapes flitting in and out of her vision were spirits
and as Taarla drew closer, she could see their faces... faces full of such
pain and misery, she felt pity for their lost souls.  One of the spectres
noticed her and drifted across her path and remained floating directly in
front of her.  She looked into its almost translucent face and recognition
awakened her senses.  "Magicstarx!" she cried, her lips forming the words
soundlessly, and as she watched the ghost of her friend, he seemed to smile
at her and beckoned to her to follow him.  He spoke not a word to her, either
aloud or telepathically, and as Taarla fell into step behind him, she
wondered why Magicstarx was in this place.  Something dreadful had happened
to him, she knew, and her heart cried tears of pain for his very soul.

Almost without her realizing it, the mists dissipated and Taarla and the
ghost of Magicstarx came to a shrine.  The structure was made of some stone
Taarla had never seen before.  It was shiny, black, and as smooth as polished
volcanic glass.  Magicstarx continued to the doorway that was located in the
center of the shrine and stopped, motioning Taarla forward and then her mind
filled with the last words she would ever hear him say.... "The Amulet of
Light lies within.... go now and take it from its resting place..... once in
your possession, you will have the power to stop Anubiss.... the power to
save yourself and Osiris from annhiliation....."  Taarla knew she would never
see her friend again, nor hear his kind voice and her eyes filled with tears.
"Thank you, dearest friend."  "Go, Taarla....." his voice echoed to her and
hesitating no longer, she walked through the doorway into the shrine and
heard a soft whisper, "You're welcome, my friend."

Taarla began following a long corridor, much longer than she would have
expected from outward appearances.  Her boots clicked on the hard floors and
she was startled somewhat by the noise.  There were no torches or lights of
any kind, but she was able to see clearly where she was going.  Soon, the
corridor ended and she walked into a small alcove and she took a deep, almost
reverent breath as she stepped up to the altar which held the Amulet of
Light.

The Amulet rested on a dais crafted out of the purest silver, the top covered
with fine particles of sparkling black powder.  Reaching out her hand, she
lifted the Amulet from its resting place and took a long, hard look at the
treasure she had come so far to acquire.  The Amulet was suspended from a
linked chain of purest gold.  The Amulet itself was in the shape of a silver
dragon, its eyes sapphires, and its wings adorned with diamonds.  Examining
it closer, Taarla noticed the wings and jaws bore tiny hinges and she
wondered at this.  Could this indeed be the Amulet of Light she had come so
far to reach?  It seemed to be some fantastical sort of toy Lord Nasher's
children would play with.  Surely, she thought, Magicstarx would not betray
her.  Sighing heavily, she took the chain and placed it around her
neck......and screamed.....

White, hot pain lanced through her chest as the dragon rested against her
skin and gasping for air, she fell to the cold floor, embracing its cool
surface.  A deafening voice boomed within her mind, and she felt her skull
would shatter, "Only those worthy of the power may take the Amulet of Light!
Prepare to prove thyself for if you are not deemed worthy, you will perish
and your soul will roam for all eternity in the boundaries of the
Netherworld!"  Taarla's head reverberated from the voice echoing through her
mind and she trembled in fear.  She felt movement on her chest where the
Amulet rested and gasped as tiny, razor sharp teeth pierced her skin and her
entire body burned as her bloodstream was flooded with a substance injected
by the dragon.  Taarla cried out in agony as the voice spoke again, "Survive
the nightmare of the dragon's venom and the Amulet will be rightfully
yours.... fail and death will release you."  Taarla rolled onto her back, her
hands clawing at the unyielding floor, her breath coming in gasps.  Her last
thoughts were of Osiris before she slipped into the oblivion of a nightmare
she knew she could not escape and her lips parted in a silent scream.

***** To be Continued*****
Shadows Part 2
(Submitted by Simarin)

             Simarin stared up through a gap in the green sky of leaves high
above him, up into the still higher sky of endless blue, dotted occasionaly
with puffy white clouds, the kind that teased the mind, the kind that you
could sit and look at for hours.  The bright noonday sun overhead made the
approaching autumn seem distant, even as subtle chills of appraoching autumn
began creeping into the air.  It was one of the last days of the passing
summer as it gave way to the twilight of the year.  Simarin sighed as he tore
his eyes from the heavens and brought hem back down to earth. 
                      He stood in the area of the forest he last remembered
being in before waking up nearly a mile away. He had already spoken at length
with all the animals he had found in both areas, and all of them told him the
same story: they had been going about their bus- iness when suddenly they
felt an overwhelming urge to flee the area.              None hesitated for
even a second, and soon every sentient creature in the affected area had
crawled, flew, or ran as fast as it's limbs could carry it.  Animals didn't
think of time in the same way as humans did, but Sim was able to figure they
had all been in flight for nearly twenty minutes before they stopped.  There
they all stood together for one bewildering moment before instinct took over
and once again they all began moving, this time back the way they'de come.
The incident was exactly the same in both areas, save the one to happen in
the area where he last remembered walking had happened in the late afternoon,
at the same time the gap in his memory appeared, while group flight from the
area he woke up in happened not so long before the time he regained
consciousness.                 He didn't doubt for an instant that the two
odd incidents were linked to the gap in his memory.  It was all just so damn
confusing... He sighed, something he seemed to be doing quite often lately.
Squaring his shoulders he turned and walked off.  If animals couldn't help
him, maybe people could.  
       While not a particularly long hike, the march to Neverwinter took no
small amount of time, and it wasn't until mid-afternoon that he finally
pushed open the door the Strider's Tavern.  The smell of dirt, sweat, and ale
filled his nostrils as he payed Strider a platinum piece for entery.  He
walked through the room, darting eyes taking in everything around him before
finally resting on a pair of Royal Guards. He asked to join them before
pulling up a stool and calling for a barmaid to bring over three mugs of ale.
The two off-duty men gladly accepted the drinks and the trio was soon engaged
in conversation.  Simarin was in no mood to beat around the bush and got
straight to the point, asking the guards about events in the surrounding
area.
           The two were honorable men and would never have answered the
question of any suspicious characters.  But Sim was obviously a ranger and
also a member of the Brotherhood of Pathfinders, a respectable guild.  They
answered all his questions honestly and openly, and the mental picture that
began forming in Sim's mind was not a pretty one.  
           In addition to the coming guild wars, there were a number of small
matters, but one stood out to Sim.  Travelers were being killed, and while
this was nothing new in the Savage North, there weren't only farmers and
merchants being killed.  Experienced adventurers were being found dead,
nearly all of them with expressions of surprise or shock frozen forever on
their faces.  Worse, there was apparently only one killer behind it all; no
groups or guilds, one person had been taking seasoned warriors by surprise,
slaying them before they could even draw steel.  
                I thanked the guards and left the tavern, more troubled then
ever.  I was so lost in thought while wandering the city that I was taken by
surprise when I tripped over something and fell forward, flat onto my face.
Before I knew it, there was a knife against my throat.

--"Quest of the Heart"
--    by HR Braxton


"Prove myself!  What do you mean prove myself?"

The angry outburst startled a flock of small birds into flight within the
previously quiet dale.  Up until a few moments ago the crisp, morning air had
been disturbed only by the singing of the birds.  Now, the sound of dozens of
wings beating the wind filled the dale as the shout's echo faded amongst the
wooded hills.

A well kempt cabin sat by a stream in the dale.  Thin tendrals of smoke rose
up from it's stone chimney like an invitation to warmth and comfort.  Inside,
however, a poignant tension shattered any sense of comfort the warm hearth
fire might have provided.

Next to that hearth fire sat an elderly man with a stern, unyeilding
expression set upon his wrinkled face.  Aged, brown eyes followed the pacing
of an angry young man who's voice had just disturbed the peace of the dale.
The young man's brown cloak nearly brushed the floor as his hard soled boots
thumped out a rhythm on the wooden floor.

His pacing brought him to a hand carved table with it's two plates of
breakfast still steaming in the morning's chill.  Frustrated rage made him
yearn to lash out at anything within reach.  Slender hands encased in leather
gauntlets clenched the edge of the table, struggling not to hurl it and the
old man's meal against the wall.  Instead he spun abruptly to face the object
of his fury once again.

The young man's handsome face was twisted by rage and his blue eyes held an
intensity almost as if he wished he could kill with a look.  His fair skin
complimented the thick, nearly white hair that hung to the man's shoulders
like a thick cascade of silk.  A large headed mace banged against his muscled
thigh with the momentum of his spin.

"You want me to prove myself?  To you no less!"  The old man sat passively as
the young-spell caster strode toward him across the cabin.  Even contorted by
such strong emotion it was easy to make out the elfish cast to his features.
The elfin blood coursing through him was deluted by two generations of
humans, but it flowed with strength through his veins.

Forcing himself to lower his voice, the young man spoke again.  "You wouldn't
be doing this to us if my great-grandmother was human.  Oh no," he continued
in an impassioned tone, "you would be dancing with joy if a pure bred human
were asking for your daughter's hand!"

As he paused to regain control the young man's sharp ears picked up the faint
sound of muffled sobbing coming from beyond the curtained doorway leading to
the back of the cabin.  That sound calmed him to a degree replacing much of
his anger with a cold determination.

"Only a prejudiced old fool would keep apart two people who love each other
such as we do.  I have no choice though, do I?" he asked the father of his
love.  "Alright then, I'll prove myself worthy of your daughter's hand.  I'll
bury this damned cabin with such treasures that would make a dragon envious.
Bards shall write songs of my heroic deeds and noble quests.  I will weild
magics not even dreamed of in that senile head of yours."

The young man with elfin blood stoops before the old man.  His smooth, fair
face only inches from the elder's tanned, wrinkled face, he speaks in barely
a whisper.  "I swear to you that I will do these things.  When next I return
you will have your precious proof of my worth.  I will claim my love's hand
in marriage."

Not trusting his self control further he then stands and strides to the door.
Standing in the open door for a moment he listens again to the tears of his
lady.  "Aye old man, the next time Braxton Silvermane leaves this dale it
will be with a bride."

After the stout wooden door closes the old man listens as hard soled boots
thump across the porch.  He rests his head in calloused hands and sighs
deeply.  "Elfin bastard'll probably do it too."  He shakes his head as he too
listens to his daughter's sobs.  "I tolt her to stay with her own kind.
Youngens jes don't listen no more."

The Eternity Blade part 6
(Submitted by Lian Storm)

     The voyage was sported by fair winds ad sunny skies. Divon had emerged
from under his dark cloud and made fast friends with several of the Selkie's
crew members. With Elbereth to comfort and inspire him, the moon elf's heart
had shoved off much of it's heavy load. 
     Though I had made friends as well, and attracted the attention of
several elven men, I preferred the quiet solace of my quarters. I felt truly
close to some of the elves on the voyage and hated lying to them. Half elves
like myself weren't welcome in Evermeet, or even aboard the Selkie, but
Elbereth's illusion was flawless. To the Selkie's crew I was Erevia Faenya, a
beautiful Tel'Quessir, with her magic sword. My accent had all but
disappeared from talking with Elbereth, and I made a conscious effort to be
the graceful lady they saw me as, something I was wholly unused to. 
     I spent many hours in Eternity's azure palace with Elbereth. He had
ceased to see me as his daughter, and we had become close friends. We shared
stories, songs, and an occasional secret. And he confided in me his one hope
of escape from Eternity.
     Saraphina.
     They had been lovers before Elbereth left the Elven Court and met Mia's
human mother. She had been a cleric of Corellon Larethian, with great
potential. Saraphina had been young then. She would be about eight hundred
years old now. Even though I might live another two centuries, I couldn't
conceive a life so long. 
     The sun was rising at our backs when we could first make out the harbor.
The mourning's first shining rays glinting off spiraling towers. Not one elf
aboard did not stop to admire it's beauty, or wipe an awed tear from the
corner of their eye. I sat alone on the bow sprit, transfixed by the sight of
Evermeet, the home of my mothers people. But somewhere, in the back of my
mind, behind the joy, behind the anticipation, lingered the tiny nagging
disappointment. Lianne Storm could never have come here without hiding behind
Elbereth's magic. 
     But Erevia Faenya was here and she had found paradise. I strolled
through exquisite gardens, filled with peacocks, exotic plants and animals
that I, a ranger, had never even heard of. Divon gladly showed me around the
city as Elbereth's voice happily told me stories of great elven heroes.
Statues and murals seemed to flash by as we walked toward a tall golden tower
crowned with a crescent moon. The temple of Corellon Larethian, the protector
of all elves. 
     Divon's eyes were wet as we walked up the resplendent building's stairs.
I held my breath as if even the slightest whisper could shatter the temple's
perfect image. A smiling gold elf greeted us warmly and asked us in. We
walked, as if in a dream, down a long hall with countless windows opening
over gardens where elves talked happily. Everything flowed smoothly and
lazily. Why shouldn't it? Its inhabitants lived for a millennium.
     A pale skinned woman waited for us at the end of the hall. She leaned on
a slender wooden staff, though she still seemed too young to need its aid.
Her hair was a rich silver, not from age, but from her moon elf heritage.
Tiny lines had formed around her mouth and eyes, but no other signs of age
were visible.
     "Saraphina?" I asked, secretly hoping I would look that good at eight
hundred. She nodded, smiling serenely. 
     I stood for a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally I held Eternity out
to her, hoping she would recognize it. She did; the lines around her eyes
deepened, and for a moment she seemed sad. Taking the sword with both hands
she fell into a trance, reuniting her soul with that of her old lover. 
     We waited in silence, until the tranquil quiet was shattered by our
screams, as a blast of blue fire engulfed us.

The Captain's Daughter
Arrival -- Part 1
(Submitted by Kyla Taerl)

The voyage from  Luskan to Neverwinter was quiet... a bit too quiet for the
dark eyed young woman who leaned against the starboard railing gazing at the
buildings rising on the horizon.  The winds had been fair and at the back of
the small Luskan frigate as she made her away along the Sword Coast bound for
the City of Skilled Hands.

"Skilled hands, indeed," Kyla scowled already missing the northern port she
called home for the first 18 years of her life.  "Skilled at pottery makin'
perhaps, but can any of them wield a proper sword?" she said to the bird that
landed beside her, cooing softly.  "BRAAAK!" the hawk screeched before
leaping on her shoulder as the young pirate's daughter placed a hunting mask
over it's regal head.

Kyla Tearl, the daughter of the infamous High Captain Tearl of Luskan had
traveled incognito aboard the Luskan vessel, for had the crew known of her
real identity they'd have turned her over to her father without hesitation.
No longer able to stand by and tolerate her father's tyrannical rule as one
of the five ruling families of Luskan, Kyla had confronted him and was tossed
out of her home in the dead of night.  In retribution, she had torched the
several of the captain's ships, leaving the docks in flame and earning a
price on her head.

"I hear tell that there be seafarin' folk here in Neverwinter," she whispered
to Rumrunner, as lines were tossed ashore and the ship rubbed against the
weathered docks behind an opulent palace.  "We'll be headin' for a tavern
called Strider's and begin our inquiries there my friend."  The hawk
responded with another loud screech as the young woman rushed down the
gangway and was quickly swallowed up in the teeming crowd of dockworkers and
adventurers.

The air at Strider's was smoke filled and stifling as Kyla finished her third
pint of meade.  None of the tavern's occupants looked promising and she was
about to leave when a young man barged his way through the door and swaggered
up to the bar.  After a hushed conversation with the proprietor, he looked
over at Kyla and grinned a smile that was missing a few teeth.  Tossing a
small pouch of coins on the bar, he helped himself to two pints of meade and
sauntered towards Kyla's table.

"Ahoy Lass," he said taking a seat without being invited, "I hear tell ya be
lookin' for sea farin' folk?"

"Aye," Kyla replied placing her hand beneath the table and  firmly grasping
the hilt of her scimitar. "And who would you be?"

"A friend," he replied, "at ye service milady." rising to bow and  knocking a
waitress off balance as she rushed by carrying a hot tray of food. With a
loud crash, the tray and its contents splattered over a seedy looking group
of dwarven fighters seated at the next table.  Uttering curses, they drew
their weapons and a melee ensued.

Kyla's blade was unsheathed in the blink of an eye and she quickly stood back
to back with the young buccaneer as the dwarves attacked in a drunken stupor.
The nearest dwarf quickly fell as the pirate's flail landed on the attacker's
helm, splitting it two and knocking the man unconscious.  The next did not
escape so easily as Kyla's blade entered just below his rib cage, rupturing
his heart.  Gasping wide eyed, the dwarf swore before falling backwards, dead
before he hit the floor.  Seeing they were outclassed, the remaining dwarves
turned and fled.

"I suggest we do the same Lass," the young man suggested, "afore Nasher's
guards arrive."  Nodding approval, the swashbucklers headed for the door.
"By the way,"  the pirate panted as they sped down a nearby alley, "the names
Storm . . . Kid Storm.
Welcome to Neverwinter lass."

"Indeed." Kyla smiled, and Rumrunner uttered a final screech as the mates
disappeared into the night.

                 The Servants of Mystery
                        Welcome Thee!
                   (Submitted by Dimgar)

     Mystra is the goddesse of magic, a most powerful deity in the Realm.
Known also as the Lady of Mysteries, she taught the first spellcaster and
enabled many of the races to useth magic. Any powerful spellcaster is saide
to be "touched by the Goddess." 

          The Servants of Mystery (SOM) followeth the teachings of Mystra.
We useth our magic to protect, guide and enlighten the goode characters of
Neverwinter, to discourageth the use of magic for evil or destructive
purposes, and to rebalance the wilde and magic-dead areas of the Realm.  

          When thou joinest the Servants of Mystery, thou art one with us,
and we with thee.  We will help thee acquire weapons, spells and armour, and
will provide training, money and fellowship.  As a member of our Guild, thou
art not alone!  All guild members will aide thee in battle, and support thee
in all other endeavors in the Realm.

          All individuals of good alignment art welcome.  Characters of
neutral alignment will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Evils need not
apply!  We accepteth all classes, but prefer that each member have
spell-casting ability.  Each member is free to decide whether he/she wilst
participate in Player-versus-player combat (PvP), but the Guild encourageth
PvP for purposes of combatting evil.  

ROLE-PLAYING
     Whatever thy race or alignment (even those of you of evil!), the
Servants of Mystery encourage thee to play thy role, for it is most important
to the quality of the Realm.  Archaic language is appreciated!  When
addressing others, useth "thee," "thou," "thy," "thine" and "ye"--and forget
not to use titles!  Addeth thou "eth" and "st" to appropriate verbs.  Feare
not to add the occasional "e" to the end of a word!  Flowery phrases--and
well-wrought curses--art encouraged.   

NEWCOMERS
          All newcomers who art of goode alignment art welcome at the
Servants of Mystery.  Join us!  We will train and strengthen thee; then fight
by your side against evil!  To apply for apprenticeship, e-mail any of our
Guild officers:
          Dimgar (our Guild Master)
          Hardheart (our Lord Advisor/Assistant Guild Master)
          LdyElowyn (Mistress of Apprentices)
          LadyLorien (our Scribe) 

OATH OF APPRENTICESHIP
          If thou art accepted for apprenticeship, thou must take an oath at
a Guild meeting, surrounded by burning candles, to do the following:  

     -Upholde the ideals of Mystra, to battle evil and fight for the goode.
     -Make thy surname "Apprentice of Mysteries."
     -Adorn thy icon clothing in light blue, with dark blue trimmings--holy
colors of Mystra!
     -Aide any Servant of Mystery who art in distress, or who asks thy help. 
     -Recruit newcomers by providing them with information, spare weapons and
armour, and telling them of Mystra and how to contact the Guild.
     -Attend the Guild meetings, and abide by the Guild rules.
     -Play thy role at all times when in the Realm.
     -Write at least one role-playing post (however short) each monthe.


May The Power Of Mystra Watch Over You!

(Written by FatherMatt of the Servants of Mystery)

Dimgar
GM  
Guild Wars
(Submitted by ITB Skorp)

The eight representatives sat in the meeting hall, silently waiting. The air
was thick with the aura of evil. A small rodent peeked it's head out of a
hole in the corner of the room, wrinkled it's nose and quickly scurried away,
feeling a kind of fear that it had never felt before.

  The double doors to the hall opened and in walked a figure dressed in black
and red robes, the insignia of House ITB upon his chest. The representatives
wathced the man they knew to be ITB Skorp as he took a position at the head
of the table.

Skorp eyed the eight, They had all come. From the Undead Lords, from the
Temple of Lloth. The Night Mask assasins had sent Metr0n. The Pirates had a
representative there, as did The Guild of Chaos. Kaaos had sent Skorp's old
nemisis, The dread lord Rellikk.

Joining the evil representatives were two leaders of neutral guilds, The
Shadow Allaince and The Grey Nights of the Balance.

 Skorp began to speak to the eight, "Thank you all for coming. I am glad that
you have decided to honor my request for a temporary truce, so that we can
plan for the future, plan for the final conquest of Evil over the forces of
Nasher!

I have watched the Pirates raids on the outskirts of Neverwinter recently.
The goodies could not stop them until they had reached the very gates of
Neverwinter itself. At the last minute, Nasher's minions united and were able
to turn them back, but it was very close!

NOW IS THE TIME!!!! Our forces united will easily take Neverwinter and all
its land and fortune! They cannot stop our combined might! Let us put aside
our petty differances for now, until The dainty defenders of rightousness are
crushed!"

The representatives nodded in agreement, for the first time in history. They
all knew that the alliance would crumble and begin to fight amongst itself as
soon as there were no more defenders of Neverwinter, but each felt that their
guild would come out on top in the end.

"Let us begin the planning!" Skorp continued "I have heard from my sources
that the goodies have seen their own weakness and are ,as we speak, scurrying
about, uniting themselves, in a vain attempt to hold us off.Let us begin the
attack planning now!"

With those words, The ITB exterminatress, ITB Myst, entered the room,
carrying charts and maps, pausing to scowl at old enemies, then carefully
opening the maps onto the table.

"As we looks at my latest maps, we can see where individual guilds of good
have dug in and are preparing for our attacks" Skorp said while indicating
areas on the map.

"Here are the Soldiers of Light, with The Protectorate and the Crusaders of
The Realms at their flanks. And to the north stands The Knights of the
Eternal Flame, flanked by the White Mages Guild and the Order of the Golden
Staff."

"The south is currently defended by the Brotherhood Of Pathfinders and The
Gray Company. They are expecting reinforcements from either the Knights of
The Round Table, or the Fighting First, any day now!"

The nine began to argue about which guild should attack and where. It seemed
hopeless that a strategy would be agreed upon!

"Let's leave it to a game of bones!" spoke the Pirate known as TwoTwo Joe. At
first the powerful evil representatives looked at him as if it was the
stupidest thing they had ever heard, but then, nodding in agreement, they
cleared the maps from the tables and began to roll........
Tip
(Submitted by SIR KESPIN)

    As a new player in nw (refered to as "newbies" by veterins) you can have
a tough time gathering items and money to further your adventures in the
realms. A solution to this problem is to join a guild. When joining guilds
you not only get the opertunaty to meet new friends, but to also get xp and
items! This is because most experienced nw players are in guilds, and the
experienced players are the ones with items to give, maxed charicters to
adventure with, and the knowledge to get levels *_fast_*. So if your moving
slowly up the xp tables, go find yourself a guild ta move ya on up! :)

PS. Sanctioned guild info can be found in the "About the guilds of
Neverwinter" section on the main menu.

Good Luck!  [:o)

Helpful Hint
(Submitted by Valadio)

Well...my helpful hint is this:  Don't you hate when the owlbear hugs you?
Or a giant Kampfult (tree thing) crushes you...it happens to the best of
us...even me (with an AC -10).  Well...I have the solution for you.  On your
next turn, when you can't move, select AUTO from the DONE-ALTER-AUTO menu,
and presto, you can move again.  Of course, you can't control who you attack,
but hey:  You're doing damage.

Yours in the light,
Valadio
Faithful squire of the O.C.C.
"Living in the Shadows"
(Submitted by Sr Caladan)

Many of you have travelled through the realms in groups, often wondering why
you encounter so many more creatures on the trails.  I too have wondered at
this, often thinking it would be much easier to travel alone.  There is an
obvious drawback to travelling alone though; the loss of mutual battlefield
support from friends should you need it.

There is a way to overcome both problems at the same time and with just a
little practice you too can take advantage of "shadowing."  Shadowing is a
technique that allows you to travel in groups, yet not stay together.
Confusing you say?  Yes, at first, but here is how you do it.  (This example
uses just 2 people.  Any number of people can shadow, but each person added
increases the difficulty.)

PersonA and personB both begin in the same "hex" or "square."  PersonA moves
one step north without personB.  PersonB can only see that personA is north
of them and not in combat (if personA were in combat, their name would appear
in yellow).  Facing north, personB waits until personA disappears from their
screen then steps north.  PersonA will now reappear on personB's screen.
Continue to do this until you reach your destination.

As you can see, neither person occupies the other person's area while
travelling yet can still "see" the other person.  PersonA moves, then personB
and so on.  In this way, you travel by yourself yet in a group at the same
time.  The key is to never occupy the other person's hex or square.  This
allows you to aid your companion if necessary, but decreases the number of
creatures randomly encountered on the trail.

Hope this is of some use to all of you.  See you in the realm of "the
shadow."

Caladan
Squire of KORT
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