1996-05-05
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 132
Week Ending 5-5-96
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to FrankSense for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for his latest installment of "Darkstar" intitled "The Coming Storm".
FrankSense has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of
Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D
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Location Hunt Winner!! -- 4/30 11pm ET
Tonight's location hunt winner of 4 pearls and an hour of online time is..
Sylverion
Who found me at 2,12 in Crossergate with the clue of 'As you look down at the
bodies of the dead displacer beasts.'
Hobbsie
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Tour 5/3/96
Pulling my cloak tighter about my shoulders, I stirred the fire and placed
another log in the fireplace. The hall could get cold at night, surrounded
as it was by all that thick heavy stonework. The flames flickered and leapt
to reach for the new fuel I had provided, crackling and snapping in hunger.
I've always enjoyed watching the antics of the fire, the changes of color and
shape. Blurring my eyes slightly, I smiled as the colors all flowed across
the darkened hall.
I jumped at the light touch on my shoulder. "Ember"?
Turning to see who had crept up on me as I drowsed in front of the fire, I
was startled to see the Captain. Standing quickly and running a hand over my
uniform to smooth the wrinkles I smiled, "Evening Snowie, is all well"?
A worried expression met my smile, and a slight shake of her head. "No,
Ember... I've had troubling reports of traveller's attacked on the road in
Crossergate." As I started to reply... She raised her hand and continued..
"Not unusual I know, yet there are signs, distinctive ones that the Banite's
have restored their temple in that area."
"Ah, I'll gather a patrol and head out at once", I replied with enthusiasm.
Snowie nodded, "be sure to travel well armed... these Banites are dangerous."
Lighting a torch in the fire, I nodded to the Captain "Of course, I will make
certain that the patrol is well armed and equipped as well. We'll find these
Banites and put a stop to their attacks."
Striding into the darkened streets of Neverwinter I considered where I might
find a hardy crew to join me on a patrol. I wandered closer to the docks,
knowing this was a good place to recruit sturdy fighters. Soon, a large
crowd had gathered... though when they heard where I intended to travel, most
slipped away into the darkness. Remaining though were OMM Manlac, ABK
Tyveris, Lokcaramon, and Craziebear, skilled ranger/trackers and young
OmeyBohn a cleric.
We travelled swiftly losing some of our party to other duties, tasks and
interests, but picking up some more as well. Detaching himself from the
shadows in Vilnask, Menosis offered his formidible services. A bit nervous
about a well known assassin travelling with the party, I considered his offer
and then decided to risk it. I could detect no evil nor evil intentions
either. A bit later, Kytis Gor asked to join us also. His oozed with evil,
though I felt certain that he might be a spy, I welcomed him to the party to
better watch him.
Once we had discovered the secret passage and begun to press our way into the
maze we came upon a very young drow girl. Ilyssin took an instant dislike to
Kytis, who spent alot of time getting his shins kicked or his backside
pinched by the capricious and evil little girl. Her company did lighten the
mood a bit though as her precocious words caused many a face to smile.
Looking over the group that remained as we moved to face a Banite cleric, I
began to wonder if I hadn't made an error allowing these evils to join us.
Yet, they all did as they had agreed and seemed more at odds with each other
than with me. Defeating the minions of the evil god, we discovered a note.
Knowing that Snowie and Lord Nasher needed the information contained within,
we hastened to Neverewinter once more.
Thanks to all who joined the Tour!
NW Ember
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NEVERWINTER CALENDAR
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Keep an eye peeled for those Mini-Booths because they will appear when you
least expect in different areas of the Realms!
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!
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New Player Tours:
Join the following staff members for a tour of the Realm:
May 6th Monday 11:00 PM EST - with NWA Taltos.
May 9th Thursday 9:00 PM EST - with NW Icarus.
May 11th Saturday 4:00 PM EST - with NWA Lethe.
Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner
telling where to meet! ;D
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Acquisition - Part II
Homecoming
(submitted by: Llucyana)
She entered the chamber and looked around. Yeti furs covered much of
the floor, a carved stone pillar cut the room in half. Studying the
familiarly chisel stone she admired for the hundredth time the beast rendered
there, the craftsman's greatest work, no doubt. And his last. Glancing
over her head and to the left where the said artisan's hands forever held the
scones lighting the vast chamber, she smiled in remembrance. His greatest
assets had been saved, just as they'd promised before beheading him.
Stepping further into the room and softly pushing the door closed behind
her, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The room itself emanated evil.
As she knew the antechamber by heart, she also knew it's resident. Walking
slowly around the immense stony monolith, her skin tingled. He was here.
Reaching inside her cloak she tugged the Dwarven satchel from it's hiding
place and set it on a nearby table. Reaching inside she grasped the large
barrel with both hands and wrenched it forth. Once clear of the satchel the
barrel's weight took effect, and she struggled to set it down unscathed.
Dwarven ale. The perfect touch.
Securing two Kobald-skull tankards and a large dagger, she quickly
tapped the barrel setting the tankards under the rich amber stream gushing
from the puncture. Settling the barrel back to rights, she plucked the
still warm skin from her cloak. Placing the neck between her lips she
wrenched the cork loose and pored a generous portion of the thick blood in
each tankard, watching as the it smoked and fizzled. Satisfied, she
unfastened the clasps to her cloak and shook it from her body, running her
fingers through her hair languidly. Removing her silver encrusted bracers
and gauntlets she tossed them down with her cloak and slid a finely cured Kef
skin robe over her head.
Tankards in hand, her skin tingling where the robe grazed her body, she
walked to the other side of the chamber where he sat, catching her breath as
he came into view The dais on which he sat was archaic. Slightly raised,
the head-less petrified Troll of old, was barely recognizable as such
anymore. Where bones protruded and skin pulled tight, smooth and supple
wolf furs covered. Chiseled dragon's head arm rests lay beneath his capable
hand, fiery serpents angled dormently at his feet. She paused in front of
him where he sat studying her silently, his chin resting lazily in one hand.
Smiling slowly the Goddess moved up the step and stood between his
knees, handing him his drink. She sipped her drink staring at him intently,
then slid gracefully into his lap and waiting arms. Dragging one nail across
his jaw and leaning forward as he pulled her closer.
"Welcome back Wraithstar," she whispered deeply, "I have a present for
you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A Den of Thieves, A Nasher Guard
(submitted by: PanzerMagi)
"To Southwall! Make haste! Make haste!" Was the cry throughout the
realms. Realizing the urgency of the crisis, I fled from the battle I'd been
engaged in in the hills, and rushed to Southwall.
Arriving in Southwall, I realized my voyage had not been in vain. The
din of battle asailed me, and I found that I could travel nary a step without
tripping over a charred gnoll corpse.
By the looks of it, a great number of the experienced adventurers in the
realms had heard the same cry. They hacked and cast their way through the
evil hordes, rushing towards the spot so many of us knew to be a favorite
thief hangout.
"These thieves shall feel our wrath!" I muttered, sending two orcs to
their doom with a lightning bolt. "Southwall must be free of their
infestation, once and for all!"
I arrived in the nondescript corner the thieves favored, only to find a
group of adventurers already there. They departed, muttering about someone
named "Beh----" something, and I frowned to myself... I'd been certain I was
in the right spot.
Not to be discouraged, I decided to search the spot myself. It didn't
take long for the thieves to try to ambush me.
"Lookie here, laddies! A lone stranger tryin' to join our game o'
poker!" One of them announced, trying in vain to backstab me. His
companions joined him in laughing, giving me the time I needed to vaporize
them in magical flames.
It was almost too easy -- I began to wonder if it was a trap.
Searching their bodies, I found a scrap of paper with a password on it.
It was the very same name I'd heard someone mutter a moment earlier.
Commiting it to memory, I made haste for the location that I'd seen thieves
entering and departing from on numerous occasions in the past.
It took some time, searching that building, but I soon found their secret
door. I opened it, and found myself in front of a barred door. A voice
asked me, "What's the password?"
I considered replying, "Die you thieving scum!", but I was worried that
they may have some other hidden mechanism to cause me harm, and did not wish
to be thwarted in my attempt to reach the heart of their lair.
I replied in a manner which allowed the door to sweep open in front of
me.
I started on my way again, only to find that I was not alone in the
room. There were a number of seasoned adventurers, and one of Nasher's own
guards, NW Hobbes.
"What's this?" I said to myself. "The advance party, preparing to
sally forth against the thieves?"
"Panzer, you're in the queue." I heard. It gave me pause, and I began
to wonder if perhaps we were forming up in a very specific order before we
tried to vanquish the thieves.
However, I soon realized that my assumption was flawed. In reality,
Hobbes was practicing some form of attonement, and needed each of us to
attack him with three (the magic number) magic missiles so that he could be
absolved. His method of attonement was quite specific, and in my prayer book
I found the passage he was basing it upon --
"And, yea, ye shall call upon adventurers to attack you, and they shall
cast their missiles of magic upon your person, three being the number of
casts, and fifteen being the number of those that shall cast upon thee. And
lo, as they shall each attack you in turn, and as ye shall watch them, and
record the pain their attacks shall cause you, so shall you be made whole.
And so saith I, so that all may hear me, and know that my words are true.
And upon they that cause ye the most suffering, in humble thankfullness for
the attonement they have given thee, ye shall heap upon them gifts beyond
measure. Or, four pearls and one hour of online time, to be both more
specific, and quite out of character."
Aside from the strange reference to "online time", and "out of
character", the words rang true for me. Attonement was a noble pursuit, and
I quickly studied my grimoire so that I could deliver unto Hobbes the spells
he requested.
Before I knew it, I heard the words, "Panzer, you're next."
I came to stand next to NW Hobbes, and watched as several beasts came to
molest us. I ignored them, however, knowing that a higher calling had to be
served, first.
I threw my magic missiles, one after the other, wincing as they struck
the elite Guard each time. He didn't even flinch, accepting his damage with
only these words, "Twenty. Twenty. Twenty."
We slew the beasts, my part in his quest complete, and I departed for the
lair of the thieves. I knew I had nay caused him as much pain as others had,
and was wracked with guilt at the fact that I wished I'd caused him more...
Such nay seemed a noble emotion for one such as myself.
After such strange happenings, the thieves seemed tame in comparison.
They put up a good fight, but were soon eradicated in their entirety. I've
heard that a new gang has since moved in, but such is the way of their ilk.
Methinks I shall never forget the strange ritual of purification I
witnessed that day, although I nae wish to atone in such a manner,
myself.Adventures in Crossergate
(submitted by: SOMNeranek)
After making to level 5 cl on Friday with the help of my guild mates, I
decided to try my hand again on Saturday night. After posting a few missives
on our bulletin board in the Tower, I set out. I activated a new type of
"seeking" magic and placed a charm representing each of the members of SOM in
a holding bag. Reciting the simple spell, I now have the ability to tell
which friends are nearby. A "buddy" list you might say. It didn't take long
for me to find out that it did indeed work as I suddenly detected the arrival
of SOM Snake! I esp'd him and we ventured into Neverwinter together.
Taking a quick look at the embarassing lack of magic I now posess, Snake
offered to help me earn some experience by taking me under his wing. "Follow
me," he said, "I have news of a stronghold of evil that has sprung up in
crossergate. You'll learn a few things along the way, a probably quite a bit
at our destination."
I agreed and was gratefull for the company. I was no fool. I have been to
Crossergate before my great change and I knew that I couldn't venture there
alone with only the limited clerical magic that I now posessed. Snake made
an incantation and I momentarily panicked as my flesh began to boil away. A
thought came unbidden to my mind and I was reminded that this was just the
manifestation of a powerfull spell of invisibility. In the blink of an eye,
I had disappeared.
Snake explained that we could avoid some of nature's creatures on the way to
Crossergate. Setting out from Neverwinter, I soon learned how handy that
spell came in.
A few passing patrols of wolves strayed close to us and while they couldn't
see us, they could smell us and knew that something was close. However, we
were able to slip quietly away from several large groups. Reaching
Crossergate, we rested briefly at the Inn and ate our afternoon meal. Eager
to press on, we packed up our belongings and Snake lead on to the east.
After a short distance, he turned south and entered a short hallway. Snake
turned and flashed a smile at me the heightened my anticipation of the battle
to come.
Pushing through a door, we were attacked by a fire elemental and a veritable
army of goblins. Snake charged in first, firing as he went. (an explanation
is needed here. When I say firing, I mean firing. No sooner was he in than
Lightning from his fingertips and arced straight at the Fire Elemental.) His
attack staggered the creature and the bolt passed on. The roar of pain from
the Elemental as the bolt rebounded off of the wall behind it causing it to
reverse course back through it nearly brought the roof down. Snake looked
nonplussed as the bolt continued back straight at him. He had no cause for
alarm as the bolt fizzled out a few feet away from him.
Before I could even react the Goblins were upon him. They surrounded him 2
deep on all sides, jabbering in their tongue and prodding at him with their
swords. I entered the room preparing to bash my way to them but Snake yelled
" Stay back, I have something special planned for this bunch!" I retorted "
It looks like your dance card is full anyway" and hung back.
And I was glad that I did hang back, for the fire that swept up and around
SOM Snake with a peal of thunder laid low all of the goblins while leaving
Snake standing unharmed wearing a large grin. "In Mystara's name," I
thought, "how I want to be able to do that again!".
"Ready?" questioned my brother SOM. "Just a second," came my reply," I seems
to have gotten very warm and humid in here just now and I could use a drink."
Dropping my pack from off of my back, I rummaged through it until finding my
flask of water. Snake waved off my offer of a drink, so I undid the leather
thong binding the flask and took a quick drink. The cool water revived me
and after replacing the flask in my pack, I wiped my brow down with a cloth
that I had dampened. Picking up to my pack, I motioned to the still grinning
Snake to lead on.
After travelling a short distance, we walked right up to a group of trolls
and margoyles. I went in first and swung my mace at the nearest margoyle.
While I hit the margoyle, I caust it no discomfort. Realizing the folly of
attacking a margoyle with an unenchanted weapon, I grapped at my Holy Symbol
of Mystara and prayed for a spell of cause wounds. My hand glowed blue as my
prayer was answered with power. I dodged under the thrust of the margoyle's
clawed arm and tagged him with my hand. As I did, the spell completed and
shattered the margoyle into a pile of rubble. Turning to Snake in
excitement, I noticed a look of concentration on his face and realized what
he was up too. If goblins didn't like fire, imagine how trolls feel about
it! A searing ball of flame flew from Snake's outstretched hands and
exploded when it hit the lead troll. All of our foes were reduced to ash,
and this was especially significant in light of the fact we were battling
trolls. Fire would prevent this band from ever regenerating. Forging on, we
passed down a long hallway and heard the sounds of battle ahead. Quicking
our pace into a run, we broke through a door right into a fight!
A band of six were battling valiantly against 2 dracoliches, a handfull of
ghouls, and a wooly mammoth. No sooner did we arrive, than a spell-caster in
the party cast a fireball that shattered the dracholiches. A fighter in the
group engaged and slew the mammoth, to be followed up by their cleric turning
the ghouls to ash. They had won! As they bound their wounds and searched
for treasure, we were ambushed by another group. With the aid of we of SOM,
this battle was a quick one. While the more powerful members of our band
engaged the dracholiches in spellfire, another younger adventurer and I kept
the ghouls from disrupting their concentration. We knew that even a minor
disruption to their spellcasting could bring destruction down on all of us.
In short order, the work was finished and I basked in the healthy glow of
victory.
I motioned to Snake that I felt it was time to return to Neverwinter to work
with the Trainer. After binding the few wounds that our party had sustained,
we began the return journey to Neverwinter. I became separated from Snake as
he was seized by a dreaded Punt monster. Knowing of his skill, I knew he
would return and find me so I continued my journey to NeverWinter. I first
visited the local arms merchant to sell some gems to pay for my training and
then headed over to the South Training Hall. After a few tests from the
master, he granted me a level and accepted my payment with a wave of thanks.
Flexing my arm, I felt new strength in my sinews and I decided it was time
for a rest at the inn. As I meditated, Mystara granted me access to a new
level of spells and I offered my thanks with a song of appreciation. Soon
SOM Snake returned and I knew that the adventure would continue!
SOM Neranek
Lord of MysteryNyveristen Chronicles
Part One: The Arrival
(submitted by: Nyveristen)
The young paladin stepped off of the ship. He had been out to sea for many
months, now, and had not seen his home town of Neverwinter since setting sail
from its Wharves District several months before. He was glad to be home. As
he entered the main square of the city, he headed first for the Castle. The
Royal Palace, where Lord Nasher dwelt, was built into the main city square
itself. Set upon a large hill, in the middle of the town, it overlooked the
citizenry below. Standing now before the gates of this mighty castle, the
young paladin thought himself very small in comparison. Looking around,
trying to find the guard on duty, he noticed a nearby temple.
The temple, nearly as grand as the Palace, was the Temple of Oghma, god of
Knowledge. The paladin, who was called Niveristen, had once had a friend who
was studying to be a magic-user to visit that temple frequently. On the
other side of the lane, he witnessed the grandoise Temple of Helm. Then,
turning his attention back to what he was supposed to be doing, he headed for
the most nearby equipment shop. Turning into Cragdyk's Arms and Armor, he
sighed softly as he thought about the last few months.
He had boarded the ship bound for the south with both his parents, and his
young sister. The trip was intended to help them establish themselves as
worthy seafarers, and then as merchants, but, something went terribly wrong.
Along the way, Nyveristen's father had begun his training as a paladin.
Nyveristen could still remember the words his father spoke to him that
fateful day: "Son," he had said, "I begin your teaching this day, so that
when you are old enough, you will know the truth of justice, and the
knowledge of the light." At the time, Nyveristen had no real idea what lay
before him. He trained, as his father told him to, until it began to grow
cold, and the sky began to darken.
Nyveristen went below decks, to take a short nap before eveningfeast. When
he arrived in the room that he shared with the rest of his small family, his
sister was just going out. She was a very young child, having just turned
fourteen, but, already she had their father's spirit for fighting. She could
use a shortsword almost as well as Nyveristen, who had practiced every day
since he was her age. She was short, and so was not very strong, but she was
agile. Her flowing blonde hair shimmered in the dark cabin, as she smiled at
Nyveristen, and turned to leave. Despite his weariness, Nyveristen couldn't
help but laugh at the easy grin that always found itself to her beautiful
face. It seemed that, no matter what life sent their way, she could always
smile about it, and everything would be fine.
This day, however, none of them had known that everything would not be fine.
That evening, as Nyveristen slept, a pirate ship from Luskan had attacked.
They had kidnapped his mother and sister, and killed his father, all while
Nyveristen had lain below decks, sleeping peacefully. Nyveristen had entered
into a shock for many weeks, and the sailors thought he may die. Eventually,
however, he began to eat, and drink regularly again, and, as they arrived in
Waterdeep, it seemed the worst of his tragedies had passed. He vowed
vengeance upon Luskan, and, in Waterdeep, set about finding someone to
complete his noble paladin's training.
Upon hearing the news that Neverwinter was in dire need of help, Nyveristen
had packed up what little he had, and headed straight home. All he had was
the clothes on his back, his badly damaged short sword, and a few peices of
platinum. That, and the way of the truth. He sighed again, as he thought
about the rumors he had heard. He had heard that vampires, and dark elves
walked the streets of Neverwinter unmolested. He had heard that the city
guard was so dangerously overworked, that some had begun to defect. He had
heard of wars, and rumors of wars. He knew his home was in trouble. As he
looked around Cragdyk's, he knew he was not wealthy enough to afford most of
the fine weapons, and armor he saw there. He could, however, buy himself the
basics of a suit of Banded Mail, a large Shield, and a Long Sword of moderate
quality. He smiled, thinking about his time under the master paladin,
Davinport. Soon, he would make his old master, and his father, proud. He
hoped...Lifegiver Quest - Part 2
The Orb of Life
(submitted by: Lake Mist)
One Ranger awoke early the next morning...had a light breakfast of four
eggs...a side of fried boar strips...some deliciously baked potato logs...a
half gallon of milk...well, somewhat light...
The Orb of Life...he wondered if I could do it alone...he had heard there was
a Beholder guarding it...would need a fine long bow...maybe...
South from the Inn...he headed for Red Larch...it was said that the orb was
hidden there...Black Dragons...acid spitting dragons...with Fire Giant
Mages...blocking the path to the Red Larch gate...
Burned...ripped...bleeding...half crawling...half standing...half dazed...he
used the trees to block them...they had to attack one on one...Mielikki
smiled on him...on to the gate...
He followed the path generally south...at one point, he thought he heard a
horse...moving fast...then around a bend in the path...he lunged to one
side...not quick enough...picking himself up...dusted off...
Continued on...avoided a few Orcs...and then some Banshee...he found the gate
to the city proper...no guards?... maybe they didn't think they needed
them...
An elderly man approached..."Welcome to Red Larch"..."I am Ogloth
Tarnlar"...he hoped the Ranger was here to help solve the Lifegiver
mystery...he noticed the Ranger's poor condition and directed me to the
Inn...
As he approached the Swinging Sword Inn...he noticed the Long Road Weaponry
Shop...remembered that he would need a fine long bow and some good arrows...
Rested and wounds tended too...he purchased that fine long bow and
arrows...the shop keeper hinted that he might find what he was looking for
straight out the door...he paid him and moved off...
Having never been to Red Larch before...he strolled around town...harness
shop...an advanced training school...the well...and a secret door just where
he had been told...
Through the door...around the path...a path to the right...ranger senses
alive...he could smell it...dragon stench...prepping for the worse, he moved
down the path...
Black Dragons and Red Dragons...what a combination...two quick fire
balls...the Black Dragons fell...Red Dragons weakened...he easily slew them
with the cold steel of his Long Sword...
He looked closely at the trees and bushes to the north...a secret
passage...followed the path around...dizzy...he awoke...shaking his
head...looking around...he moved off down the path...
The Ranger followed the path around...a path to the south...he followed
this...till he slipped by some Bulette and Carrion Crawler...he continued
south and west...
He almost slipped into a pit...Snakes and Scorpions...the goddess must truly
be watching him this day...moving north and west...what was that in the
hedge?...a secret passage?...
He moved through and traveled north...when he go no further...he turned west
and followed to the path's end...the ground gave way...some sort of
shaft...he climbed out and noticed the shaft was closing after him...
The path wound it's way west...he met a weary traveler along this
path...shared some owlbear jerky and frenzy with him...said he was certain
the secret to the lifegiver was along this path...west and north?...
The Ranger continued to travel west...encountered some Rock Lizards and a
Golem...learned that a Golem hits hard...continued west and north...when he
could go no further north and west...
Ranger senses alive again...different...the air smelled different here...he
could smell Mammoth...pushing through the bushes and trees to the
north...another path appeared...he spied their tracks...following them...
The path ended abruptly...that same strange sense...but stronger...ah...two
secret passages...the one he followed was to the north...following this path
around and to the south...a grated door...
Beyond the door...eerie sounds...and a cold damp chill...he opened the
door...the first step took him head long down some stairs...he didn't fall
far..far enough tho...he noticed that I could climb back up...not yet...
Looking around...a door...through it, he noticed two more doors...looking at
the tracks on the stone floor...he decided to take the one on the right...the
walls looked crude...as if quickly built...
The sound of foot steps echoed in the distance...he moved...Driders and a
Mage...cloud kill held them at bay...two fireballs finished most of them
off...steel to Mage...he continued...
Two passages...he took the second passage...stopped in the corner...seeing a
tell tale crack in the wall...he pushed through...an extra step and much
needed rest and heal...
To the wall...a passage winds...stop before you come to the end...he
prepped...haste...mirror image...shield...invisibility...he moved forward...
Cloud Giant Shaman...Evil Clerics....and a lone Beholder...he cast dimension
door...cast cloud kill to block some pursuit...moved up to a table...readied
the fine long bow and arrows...three quick shots...
A Cloud Giant Shaman attcked...picking up his long sword...the shaman fell
quickly...three more shots from the bow...the Beholder was weakening...two
more shamans attacked...long sword readied...they fell also...
He was bleeding from several wounds by now...the clerics were
advancing...three more shots from the bow...the Beholder fell...as the
clerics advanced...he cast fireball...all that remained fell...
Wounded...tired...he rummaged through the treasure trove...found it...the
orb...he moved back down the passage...as left the passage...he noticed a
door to the right...taking this...he saw yet another door...
As he followed this passage...four doors on the right...he entered the second
door...made camp and rested...wounds tended too...he moved back to the
passage...
Noticing scuff marks outside the last door...he
entered...nothing...except...the scuff marks seemed to go under the
wall...pushing...the wall moaned...he pushed again and the wall opened...
He continued...as neared a door...the staff began to glow...a spark flew from
it's tip...the door seams loosened...he went in...in the south-west
corner...the orb started to glow...power...time had no meaning...
He shook himself and gathered his gear which had somehow fallen from his
grip...a man standing to the west...he jumped when the ranger approached
him...he explained his quest...the man was who he sought...
Alinster Crostrum...he put the orb and staff together...Lifegiver...one of
the nine jewels of Neverwinter...the Ranger was entrusted to take it to Lord
Nasher...the world spun again...West Bridge...a quick meal...
Then Neverwinter...he was rewarded with the Amulet of Health...Lace's
Birthing
(submitted by: NORMrsZima)
The morning was going to be one of playful delight for Baron Zima and
his Lady-Knight Lace. They eagerly awaited the coming birth of their babes
(one that the clerics of Neverwinter's temples had predicted to be coming
soon...) and were ready to spend the day just wandering the Realms in search
of others in need. A quick message from one of Zima's young squires sent him
off to the guild hall...he had to post Tanith's NOR jacket so he left his
wife with the agreement that they would meet up again in the Red Mage Inn.
For her part, Caliy looked forward to a slow stroll to Neverwinter from the
Dracoliches of Crossergate.
After one parting kiss, Lace approached the fight ahead and assisted
the warriors in their destruction of the most recent wave of Dracs. Seeing a
young fighter just passed the main battle, she stopped and did as her oaths
bid her to...she asked the young man if he needed any assistance. While her
back was turned waiting for an answer, an unnecessary spell was cast and
those awaiting the Xer Dracs were hasted and the monsters called from their
caves. Before Lace could act, the haste spell aged her and the babes in her
womb! Labor began with a sudden crush against her nerves...and she fell to
the floor in a scream of pain. The visiting Duke Rhone was there to witness
the incident and immediately rushed to her to see what, if anything, he could
do to help his guild-sister. "Go to Neverwinter...warn the clerics what has
happened...please?" Lace cried tears as she tried to stand and begin to get
herself to the Temple.
Her progress was slow because she had to stop as the babes tried to find
the release that should have come naturally in days...not now! Caliy stopped
at the Inn to gather strength and to call for help. She finally got Silvie,
a recent mother herself who understood the gravity of the situation she
endured. "Please find my husband...at the Hall...tell him...got hasted
before leaving Dracs...please?" Silvie rushed to help her friend and began a
rush to help get her to a cleric who might be able to help after finding
Zima. The Baron's rush to be with his Lady was enough to ensure that both he
and Silvie met up with her trying to get out of Crossergate...the ice puppies
seemed to be attracted to her cries of pain and Zima recalled talking to his
friend's Raishtal and Wolfgard...he cast hold on his wife in the hopes that
it might slow the process of the birth. Unfortunately, the damage had been
done and creatures from all around began to converge on the trio. After a
couple confrontations, Silvie offered to pull atleast one of the fights to
her so that Zima could get his wife to Vilnask.
At the gates to Vil, the pair found Rhone. He had returned to find Lace
after getting to NW and telling the clerics what happened. His offer to help
ensured that Zima could concentrate on his wife rather than the road ahead.
Their pace quickened and they finally reached the temple off of Neverwinter
square.
The cleric assessed the Knight's condition as Ashtar rushed in...he had
heard her cries as she came out of the holding spell. Despite his queasy
stomach, the threats he and the others levied against the priest if he failed
in his task, went straight to Lace's heart. She whispered thanks to her
goddess, Sune for the love of these, her friends. Then the pains of
contractions became overwhelming again.
Raised voices in the main chambers of the Temple became as whispers to
Lace as allof her efforts went to the birth of her babies. She heard things
grow quiet and the cleric, whom she found out was named, Alanon, returned and
began to tell her how she could help him and the triplets in what was
happening. The pains were growing steadily closer and her time quickly came
on the collection of accolytes that came to help the priest.
Just as the cleric warned Lace that the worst was about to begin, Zima
returned and took her hand to lend his strength to her.
The first birthing passed quickly, with no complications. Alanon
offered a sterile knife to the Baron with the question, "Sir, do you wish to
cut the cord?" With a gentle hand, the cleric taught Zima what to do and
then handed to him his first-born son...wrapped in his Lady's soft cloak. He
stood before Rhone and Ashtar with wonder in his eyes as he held out his
little son for them to see the child. Madmax joined the group gathering as
the process began again and the second child's birthing began. The question
again arose as to Zima's cutting the cord of the next boy, but he turned
instead to his best friend and asked Max to do this for him (in the mother's
opinion, it was part honor and part unwillingness to give up the hold on his
first child just yet..hehe). Max stepped forward and received the same
instruction...and found himself holding the second of the twin boys. Sounds
of happy cheering filled the back room until Ashtar noticed the cleric
whisper clipped commands to two accolytes...something looked to be wrong.
Questions rose at once from each of the men as their concerns grew for
their friends and the babe still to be born. Alanon tried to reassure them
but his eyes still spoke volumes about the troubles to come.
"The last of the three has not had the time to turn...this could be a
problem...but do not fear, I have seen this before and we are prepared."
As the next contraction began, Lace cried out and tried to curl up
because of the pain.
Max slowly took the boy that Zima held from his arms and directed his
friend to Caliyndra's side. The cleric's words directed the Baron to try to
calm his wife and try to keep her still. Zima held her hand to his heart and
began to whisper his love in her ear to try to distract her from the agonies
torturing her body. Worry and tension filled the room as whispered prayers
from the Outriders in the temple mingled with those of the accolytes. And as
the little girl's body finally touched the open air, the need for those
prayers became even more evident...
Gently, Alanon unwrapped the umilical cord from are the neck of the
babe. Her tiny lungs were not working and the cleric began to breathe life
into her to try and save the last of Zima and Lace's children. Whispers to
wish the child their strength filled Lace's ears as she finally succomed to
the pain and passed out. Amazingly, she still observed the events as though
she floated above herself and those in the room.
Alanon pressed his lips over the tiny purpled face of her
daughter...Zima bent his head in prayer with the hopes that those same gods
who heard him when he prayed for children on his wedding night would not turn
a deaf ear to him now. Ashtar had his eyes rivetted to his friend and fellow
Knight...willing strength through her to the child they had joked about so
often. Rhone's head was bent in prayers while Max whispered encouragement to
the littlest of the babes to please hold on and breathe. The perspective
seemed so strange to Caliyndra...why were they so worried? She could see the
baby's life force returning to her just as she heard her father's voice over
her shoulder..."My little gem, it is not time...I want to hold you again but
you have children now and must not leave them...you grew up without your
mother...do not do this to them too..." Anson Rotola's voice echoed in her
soul as the world wrenched sideways and she felt herself falling.
After about five minutes of the group celebrating the triplets' birth,
Ashtar noticed that the accolytes and cleric had finally roused Lace. His
silver tongued compliments brought a smile to her face. Zima brought their
daughter to Lace as Max and Rhone (who had been holding one of the boys after
the danger to his sister passed) laid the boys at her side. The babes were
beautiful and her heart filled with love for them and for her friends who
came to support Zima through the ordeal.
The collected crowd broke up slowly...and Ashtar ensured a parting shot
by exacting a promise from Caliy that she get some rest. Zima promptly
placed her under a form of "house arrest" and told her that it was now her
duty to relax and be a mommy for the rest of the day...for the rest of her
days...
The whispered endearments filled the air long after that...for the loves
of their lives...their children, each other, and the friends of the
guild...without these the pair became sure their lives would be empty and
hollow. Their blessings counted, Zima set his little girl down on Lace's
other side and took his wife in his arms...finally allowing his tears of joy
to fall.
NOR Lace
*NOR!KE-NWNThe Wedding - Part 1
(submitted by: Mad Drunk)
Lightning strikes.
Mad Drunk walks into a dimly lit tavern as the thunder crashes in the
background. Pulling the damp hood of his cloak from his face, he slowly
looks through the crowd of people in the common room of the inn, searching
for the person who set this late meeting. His evil dark eyes drift over the
crowd of people, finally settling on his brother and his friend, Kal Mirage.
Mad pushes his way through the masses in the tavern, taking a seat at at
Kal's table.
"Greets Kal", MD says with a grin. "Why have you called me here on
this fine eve?", he says, still grinning.
"I would like you to attend my wedding, good friend", Kal replies with
an enthusiastic smile.
The drunken god is no longer smiling. "Your weddin!! Are you daft!!
Who in the name of KAAOS do you plan to marry?"
Kal starts to speak, but Mad's question is answered for him, as
Lev1ath0n sits down at the table. The Drunk can't help but stare at the
couple. He knew that Lev1 played on Kal's emotions, but had no clue how deep
she had pulled him under her spell.
"EEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!, its that drunk guy!!!", Lev1ath0n whispers to Kal
loud enough for the whole tavern to hear. She obviously still hates the
Drunk.
Kal grasps Lev1's hand between his to comfort her. "Don't worry my
dear, he is only here to bear witness to our union."
Lev1 looks again at the drunk and sneers in disgust. She begins to
speak some harsh words to MD as another person approaches the table.
Mad is the first to recognize the new arrival and jumps to his feet
almost shouting. "Drk Anjel!!", he says in a firm voice. He takes a seat,
realizing that he was holding a bottle ready to strike the newcomer.
"Greetings all", the Anjel says as she takes a seat at the table.
She laughs at the Drunk as she sits, and he contemplates whiping the grin off
her face with his flail.
Looks are exchanged between Levi, Mad, and Drk Anjel. MD can feel
the tension rising around him. Levi clenchs her mace at her waist, her
fingers turning white. Anjel looks ready to strike everyone dead, and MD
balls his fists on the table.
Feeling the tension rising in the room, Kal stands.
"Easy everyone, be at ease", he says while he looks from evil to
evil at the table. "I know that each of you have reason to hate one another,
but at this time of night, I could do no better." He turns to Lev1 and says,
"We need someone to attend our wedding my dear, and these two fool... um
friends, were the only ones to oblidge."
Lev1ath0n starts to speak, about the same time Drunk starts to
protest, about the same time Drk Anjel starts to yell. Kal realizes that
this is goin nowhere. He finally figures a way to appease all parties
involved. He calls the barmaid, and the ale begins to flow.
Temporarily sated, the Drunk sips on his ale and listens to what
Kal has to say about his marriage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several hours and 20 ales a piece later, the odd group makes its
way to the electrum 'n 25 wedding chapel. MD sits in a daze as Kal, who
seemed to be the least drunk, conversed with the priest. Suddenly the room
begins to spin, and the lights begin to dim.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun breaks the crest of the storm clouds.
Thwappp!! Something smashes into the Drunk waking him from his
slumber.
Mad Drunk sits up, disorientated and confused. He feels mud
seeping through his fine clothes and realizes that he is in a ditch. Judging
by the dense copse of trees around him, he figures that he passed out in the
woods.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he starts to stand. MD begins
searching for his bag of holding, and his possesions, when he realizes that
he has something on his hand. "Its only my +2 ring", he thinks to himself as
he stands half dazed, half hungover. Something about his ring pulls at his
curiousity though. "I wear it on my other finger", he thinks raising his
other hand in front of his face. Panicking he checks the ring on his left
hand's ring finger again. Inscribed on the wedding band is, "DA", followed
by the mark of the anjel.Darkstar
The Coming Storm - Part VI
(submitted by: FrankSense)
I asked Pip, since we were headed south, why we didn't use the main
highway going south from Neverwinter. That would have been quicker travel.
Pip said this was the explicit trail his father told him to follow, no other.
Of course this way was the way he had come and he didn't know any other way.
The trail still kept the woods on the left but now a small tuft of woods set
apart from the main forest appeared to our right. The trees looked like they
surrounded an old tumbled down tower of some kind. The trail didn't go
around the tuft but led into the scrub growth between the woods and the tuft.
We could immediately feel a change when we left the last field. We were
intruding into the woods. We both quit talking and became more wary.
"Did you encounter anything on the way to Neverwinter?" I asked.
"No, nothing," came his reply, "although the trip seemed to go much
faster."
My instincts told me something was ahead and I could tell Pip was
anxious too. We could feel something was there but continued on. Moving
forward we both fealt something and glanced at each other to see if we both
sensed it. There. There it was again, a definite thump, in our feet.
Footsteps! We could feel footsteps coming from something large, heavy. It
was getting closer, larger thumps! This was a particularly nast chunk of
scrub brush. Very gloomy; and the path was overgrown. I looked at the way
the brambles were all twisted and gnarled, branches like old wizened hands
reaching out at you. There was silence. No more sounds of any birds
singing. We kept moving towards a fork in the trail. There was a choice to
make, two paths to use, both looking equally unpleasant. There were brambles
both ways and the thumping was coming from close behind us now.
"Left," said Pip as he forged ahead that way taking the lead. "To the
left!" I protected our rear as the path got narrower and more and more
overgrown. The odd bramble bushes were tearing at our clothing. Eventually
we were having to push our way throught the undergrowth. We were caught up
in the thorns! Huge thorns; the long sharp spikes capturing us. The ground
was shaking. Someone was walkning towards us. Something BIG! He walked
funny too, rolling a bit side to side as if he was having a little difficulty
keeping his balnce. He must weigh a ton causing the ground to shake as he
approaches. And he's a weird color too: all sort of slate gray.
My sword sang and arced through the clinging braches holding us. I
freed Pip first. "Run ahead and get away! I'll catch up," I yelled. I was
still caught in the thorns and my strokes just couldn't completely free me.
Pip had not run. In amazement he yelled, "How do you fight a stone
monster? It has a stone sword!"
"Stay out of its way and run!" I said as convincingly as I could as I
finally freed my right arm. The thing was coming straight at me. It
actually seemed to be a living statue of an armed soldier. It lumbered
towards me and raised its stone sword for the one and only blow necessary to
crush my life from me. As the stoney arm slowly started its downward thrust
my left hand found a severed piece of the bramble bush and flicked it towards
the giant. I bolted from my position and followed Pip down the path. I
heard a snap as the stone legs of the statue broke the thrown branch like a
dried twig and then felt a different sounding thud as the sword hit the
ground where I had been. The statue picked up the sword from the gaping hole
in the ground and leaned forward to charge me again. I scurried after Pip as
best I could. I could see him ahead of me and saw that the path took a
couple of quick turns.
I darted around the turns right behind Pip. I knew we were faster than
the statue. I fealt the earth shake at the same time I happened to glance
over my shoulder and saw a massive stone man hit the ground on his side. It
undid him! He smashed into several pieces, raising a small mound of earth
and bushes by doing so. It did not move any more. Pip and I kept going
anyway in order to distance ourselves in case it somehow glued itself back
together or something. We both agreed that it must have tripped or lost
balance where we took those turns in the path. That was fortunate since the
last of the scrub brush ended there. We were back into the fields again,
leaving the tufts of trees behind.
"Did you go through that area when you were going to Neverwinter?" I
asked as I began catching my breath.
"Yes, I must have," answered a somewhat confused Pip. "But I don't
recall having any trouble with brambles or anything like that. I never fealt
like something was after me either!"
We looked around the open area. We were still paralleling the Woods, as
before. The farm trails lead us between fields as before. We both started
walking southward again without mentioning anything else. My mind began
giving me those questions again. Just where exactly were we headed and why
couldn't we be using a better pathway. Another day's walk at the present
pace would put us at the southwestern corner of the Woods. We would be
getting close to the hilly plains area where it would become much wilder.
Something ominous began to gnaw at me. Something was telling me this trip
was going to get rough, very rough.
"How far do we have to go before we reach Shimmervale? That is where we
are going isn't it?" I inquired of my travelling companion. He looked back
at me with a "why are you questioning me" expression. "Or don't you know?" I
concluded!
"It did not seem to take so long when I first came through here. It
should be about another day's walk south and then towards the southeast a
bit." He paused and then added, "I am not lost. We're on track." He seemed
to have said that to himself more than to me, to reassure himself that he was
doing all right. I sensed the lad was losing confidence, or was worried
about something else. It was time for me to talk to Lune. I might need his
help.
***************
The remainder of the day was without incident and our pace had quickened
a bit. The grassy paths were easier to negotiate. I suggested we take a
long late afternoon break and do some travelling into the night. Fields were
giving way to open pasturelands and even open grass lands. The level land
began to rise slightly with several hours walk between crests or ridges. It
was like the land had waves and every now and then you came over a crest to
reveal even more plain beyond, a sea of windblown grassy waves interrupted by
an occasional tree or building. The Woods seemed less threatening now, but
we were only about a mile away. We approached a landmark in the distance I
knew from several visits in years gone by.
< To be continued . . . >Diary of an Adventurer
(submitted by: Zindio)
Diary of Zindio Soja:
01Mars96
Today my good friend Xvandor suggested I leave the world of Weinimer and
travel to Neverwinter to fight in the service of Lord Nasher and his new
friends. I trold him I will contemplate the matter.
30Mars96
The matter of joining my good friend Xvandor is pressing on my mind. This
world is full of salamanders,rats and cowerdly Kobolds that I kill with zest,
but, no purpose. Xvandor has promised a purpose for death of evil things,
and, of course- he is my friend.
1Avril96
I've made up my mind, I will travel to Neverwinter and join Xvandor in his
endeavors to wipe out evil and bring lawful order to his world. Ive said
goodbye to my friends in Weinimer, packed my swords, and the few spells I
know and am ready for my long journey.
17Avril96
At last,I stand in front of Lord Nashers palace in the town of Neverwinter.
Of course the trip has left me broke and weponless. Some kind wizard here
has given me 450 gold pieces and a short sword. I will camp here and wait
for Xvandor.
20Avril96
At last Xvandor and I have met again, a great cleric in the Guild of The
Protectorate. A plus three dagger he has given me and a short tour of the
warves. Three gems richer now from his generosity and an idea of what strife
in this land exhists. Kolbolds, and lizards and orcs. But the danger he
faces, and yea, his friends are the evil Undead Lords. At last I have a real
purpose. First I must regain my spell casting ability, the three week trip
to this world has wiped all memory of these spells inherent in a Ranger Elf
from my mind. Weapons that kill I also must aquire.
21Avril96
This morning I went out into the country by myself. An adventurer by the
name of Wol Azlan gave me plus 3 leather armor, a plus 3 spear and asked
naught but my plus 3 dagger. Alas I had to advise him it was a gift, I
pledged to help him or give him a plus 3 dagger when I found one. Gracious
as he was he told me it was ok, he understood. Xvandor and I went into the
area of the southwall this evening. I lost him in a fight near vilnast, but
told him I would heal and find him again.
22Avril
Some of my fighting memory has returned, today Ive killed 6 Kraken spies,7
Orcs, 3 Crocks, Kolbolds,Goblins and a couple smelly birds. Alas My Dagger
was lost in a fight with Kraken spies. I must tell Xvandor and try to
replace it.
3Mayo96
Much has happened since my last notation. The biggest thing though worthy of
notation is that a Paladin by the name of Lrd Nedder has given me some magic
scrolls with a total of 11 spells, a plus 3 hand ax, a plus 3 Bo stick, a
plus 1 chain mail, and din't ask for anything. I pleged my sword in any
fight that he was in danger. Many nice people here in this world. I will
turn all over to Xvandor when next we meet.(submitted by: Kh0lari)
For those avid seekers of magical items here is a tip on how to reset some of
the best fights in the realms.
This hint works for fights that change based on whether it is day or night.
Examples of these fights are the Dracs in LS under, Triboar Under, and in the
NorthEast Woods as well as the Beholder fight in the NorthEast Woods.
To "bash" these fights requires two people with different game time clocks.
The fights can be reset for 1 game hour each time the game goes from day to
night or night to day. That means that when your game clock reads 18:00 or
6:00 your companion has to have one that reads 17:10 or 5:10. After you kill
the fight, each of you hits the wall and the fight will retrigger.
The best fight to do this at is the Drac fight in the Password entrance
(10,1) to Triboar Under because it is a very fast Drac fight so you can get 8
or 9 resets in.
Kh0lari<><><><><>
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