1996-06-02
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 136
Week Ending 6-2-96
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FRONT PAGE
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This week's winner was very tough to select as there were some very good
stories/poems written. As always, I try to be fair and impartial in picking,
so here's this week's winner....
Congratulations to Sister Jen for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for his story entitled "Neverwinter Nights Tale".
Sister Jen 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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Lightning Bolt Booth Winner!!
The winner of Mystek's LB booth was Akumu taking only 26 hps of damage from
two casts. Akumu wins 5 pearls for his effort.
Congratulations!!
Mystek ;)
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Cause Serious Wounds Booth Winner!!
Player Winner: Alnosha < took only 13 hp of damage>
Prize Won: 5 Pearls
-- NWA Rex
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May GoH Booth #2 Winner!!
"NW Strahd asked the members of the Guild of Heroes to help him create a new
spell, by combining magic missile and lightning bolt. The person who helped
Strahd create a devastating combination of the two would win 6 pearls.
Congratulations to Milopi, who took an incredible 70 points of damage from
the two casts, helping Strahd create an effective combination! In honor of
Milopi, the new combination was named after him:
Spell name: Milopi's Impact Dizziness. Range of damage:35-70.
Once again, congratulations, Milopi! :)"
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Lathander's Dawning Mini-Festival Results for 5/25/96!
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The crowd waited silent and still as the darkness which embraced the city
slowly faded away, as the sky became grey and then tinged with reddish light.
With the first rays of the dawn, as the light washed over the buildings and
grass of the Neverwinter Square, the dew glistened, lending the scene a
magical quality. The music of the birds had come just before the faintest
hint of light had reached the eyes of the observers waiting patiently for the
return of the Sun from his daily rest.
As the ever brightening light crept across the city's walls and over the
buildings themselves, the Dawn Priests of Lathander began their prayers to
the Morninglord. Those already about their business noticed immediately the
Banners which proclaimed this day a Mini Festival in honor of Lathander! In
the sudden hush of excitement they set aside their tasks and hurried to read
the announcements which explained the morning's festivities.
With the details, came a low murmur of discussion as the word was spread that
Lord Nasher had declared that this morning be set aside for merriment and
tests of skill and might in preparation for the great Summer Festival and 5th
Anniversary of Neverwinter! His guardsmen were positioned in four different
locations for this first hour of the day to invite any and all who wished to
try their skills in a test of magical might. The rush was on, as folks threw
aside their cares and raced to participate in this celebration of Lathander's
glory.
Miniature sunbursts in the form of Fireballs lightened the sky as each sought
to produce the hottest flame. Those that managed to excel were granted pearls
as prizes! (Combined damage from two fireballs cast on staff 60 points or
greater, they won 5 pearls! Combined damage between 45 & 59 points, they won
2 pearls!)
When the excitement was done, over 110 people had participated and tried
their skill in the Morninglord's honor! Thanks to all the participants and
congratulations to those who won!
NW Events
Winners of 5 pearls
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Azagorn
DHarley310
Emerld Ldy
Gunnermkll
KEF Rather
Kilanthor
Ldy Tali
ITL Twit
Mech M0urg
Men0sis
N0r Chaos
Poe IV
Sir Rellik
SK Majystc
TAC Nomed
TCS Cyrwin
Thorn W0od
Valpor
Vilanne
Vinius
WGW Crabb
Winners of 2 Pearls
===============
Abzzcesse
Aurela
Brmags
Centrvo
Cheff Remo
Cheff Reno
Chrom1um
Dragoneldr
Drenyn
ITB Arcane
ITB Mace
Jesphulin3
Leostar863
Mad Drunk
Mech Baker
Mech Moses
Mech Starr
MF Magic
Opslin
Rathgar
Sir Dagron
Sol Nidon
Starliyt
Strike92
Tyron Moz
WGW Bear
Wings XV
Wolvy777
Z0nker
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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:
June 3rd Monday 9:00 PM EST - with NWA Shaman.
June 4th Tuesday 7:00 PM EST - with NW Amaya.
June 6th Thursday 10:00 PM EST - with NW Lenox.
Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner
telling where to meet! ;D
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Congratulations to Sister Jen for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for the story "Neverwinter Nights Tale".
Sister Jen has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of
Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D
The Coppery Haired Beauty - Part 2
(submitted by: V Itaina)
The next day her first teacher arrived to begin her training in battle
tactics. She learned quickly and soon advance up a notch. Her training was
coming along nicely so Itaina thought she could also begin her magical
training now. So the next day she began to train in the evenings with the
Mage known as Myst. Myst began her with simple magicks at first like detect
magic and heal. Myst realized that her mind was quick to grasp the concept of
magick so she began training her in the still harder magicks. But her pupil
had a thirst for power and knowledge that was unsurpassed. She wanted even
more. Itaina watched her love closely those first few months knowing it was
too soon to make her one of the kindred.
A year passed and she had learned much since she first came to be with
Itaina. That was the year she turned 20 and Itaina had finally allowed her to
roam the city and explore. One night she returned to find Itaina in her study
as usual. Itaina was suprised to see her there and asked what she wanted.
She told Itaina of another like her that she had met in Daglow's. Of a man
with such a beautiful voice and way with words. He had told her things about
Itaina that she did not wish to believe but yet the doubt crept in
nonetheless.
Itaina was furious as she knew this man. He was Random the Elder of the
Toreador. One of the art type of kindred. Itaina's lover was of this clan
also. Xymox who she had not seen in years now. But first to deal with this.
Itaina informed her to remain within the house this eve and that she would
return later and speak to her about it all.
Itaina traveled quickly through the town finally coming upon Daglow's. She
entered to see Random sitting at a table in the far back speaking with his
new Justicar. She made her way to his table and sat showing no respect at
all. Random grinned at her in amusement and motioned for Fear to leave us be.
In a voice barely contained with rage I informed him that she was mine. If I
so much as caught a stray glance from him or another of his art loving freaks
I would personally kill them, and it would not be a pleasant death either.
He looked at me smiling and in a chilling voice told me that if he wished to
take her he would as she intrigued him mightily. Itaina looked at him and in
a voice most deadly informed him he would die trying. She belonged to Itaina
and no one else. She would be embraced as Gangrel as her spirit was that of a
Gangrel, and not a wimpy Toreador art loving too good for nothing twit.
Random but chuckled and said simply... we will see Itaina we will see. Itaina
stormed out of Daglow's not trusting the crafty and sneaky Toreador Elder as
far as she could throw him. Finally she reached her home and called for
Shelia to bring wine to the study.
Itaina found her waiting in the study for her return. Itaina motioned for her
to sit on the sofa. There Shelia placed the wine on the table beside the sofa
and left them be. Itaina began to speak softly explaining why things had been
done the way they were in regards to her training. Telling her of the various
clans and her own clan. Of how she knew when first she laid eyes upon the
coppery haired beauty that she was of the same mind and spirit as she. Itaina
told her of her plans for embracing her at a later time. Yet now time had run
out. The choice was now hers. All Itaina could say was that she loved this
coppery haired beauty who had came into her life. The decision was now up to
her to either be Gangrel as Itaina was or to be Toreador.NOTR - Adventure
Tale
(submitted by: SirBaldolf)
Packing his warhorse's pack for yet another extended search for his wife,
Bardolf sighed a deep sigh of resignation and stopped for a moment. It had
been months since Belle had departed on some quest, without so much as a note
or a word to him before her departure. He had exhausted all magical means of
scything at his disposal, and had of late turned to long range patrols up and
down the coastal cities. Stopping at all the Inns and rumormongers he could
find, but still no closer to finding her or just finding someone who had seen
her. Strapping his Longsword into his riding scabbard, he climbed aboard his
white charger, Beau. The large stallion wickered a bit as Bardolf settled
into the saddle, and with a slight squeeze of his knees, the horse and rider
rode out the KEF main gates and into the city of NeverWinter. With a grim
determination that comes from knowing a deed is doomed to failure, but must
be done, the Knight of the Eternal Flame continued his search for his wife,
the lovely Belle Tane.
The Knight wiped the blood and sweat from his brow as he rode thru the
streets of NightsEdge. 'Damn those Orc Hordes', he said. Bardolf had found he
had to battle his way thru two or three score Orcs in the outlying area of
NightsEdge proper. And the Ogres that led the Orcs were too stupid to parlay,
forcing him to slay them. His shoulders and arms ached from the many battles
he had fought on horseback,slaying the orcs and ogres. Spying a partially
collapsed building ahead, he checked the map in his hand, and nodded. 'Ahh,
the Inn should be in there'. Dismounting, he drew his longsword and warily
made his way into the ruined building. Peering into the darkness, he quietly
made his entrance. Finding the Innkeeper cowering in a corner, he threw a
handful of coins at the man, and grabbed a flagon of ale, a haunch of cooked
beef, and walked back outside the Inn, to his horse. He noticed a cloud of
dust in the distance, and it was coming in his direction. Quaffing the ale
and finishing the roast, he remounted Beau and waited to see what was
approaching.
As the cloud got closer, it became clear it was a single mounted rider.
Bardolf peered into the distance, trying to make out a standard or flag of
some kind, if the rider carried one. As the rider approached closer, Bardolf
got a clear view of HER and the sigil on her shield and breastplate. His
heart nearly stopped when he realized who was approaching. 'Belle!!', he
cried out, and leapt from Beau onto the ground, nearly turning an ankle,
dressed as he was in fieldplate. 'Mi'Love!!', she replied as she pulled off
her war helm, letting her long hair cascade down her platemail. Their faces
both plastered with silly smiles, she almost knocked him over leaping off her
mount and into his arms. Tossing his helm aside, he pulled her to him, and
kissed her passionately.
He was reborn. Belle had returned :>
Sir Bardolf deBocage
Knight Avenger of KEF
Loving Husband of Belle TaneThe Lady of the Woods
(submitted by: Lake Mist)
The sky above the woods, now full of rain clouds, seemed to swirl
slowly. My body shook and ached, and I thought it would be better to be
dead. If I could have reached my dagger, I might have finished it.
Looking around, I saw a young woman, or what appeared to be a young
woman, staring up at the sky and chanting in a flat, detached voice, "Rain,
rain, rain. Wash away and soothe the pain."
Beside me, I saw my long sword and elfin chain. I didn't remember
taking it off after the battle. The battle. What had happened? I didn't
remember getting hit. Something had come up from behind. Had slithered
through the underbrush. Yes! A punt beast had attacked just as an evil
dagger had slashed toward me.
The second battle. I remembered, I had finished the first battle, and
another had started. But what else had happened. There must have been
poison on the dagger's blade. I felt terrible.
Looking at the woman again, I noticed that she wore an emerald green
robe, trimmed with gold piping. There was a fire blazing nearby in the
clearing. The woman's long auburn hair was loose around her face and hung
down past he shoulders. She was lovely and I thought that I should know her.
Skin raw and muscles brittle, I could do no more than close my eyes and
fall back to sleep. When I awoke again, the woman had moved closer to the
fire and was watching me. "Feeling better?" she asked. I shook my head "No"
with great effort.
"Well, you will soon. Your wounds are clean now. You just need time
now." She sounded confident, but I wasn't sure. Poisoned wounds started at
the point of penetration, and if they didn't kill you immediately, they often
festered slowly, draining all life from you, draining your health,
until....until what?
How do you actually die? I didn't know. Maybe my body would just grow
tired and not go on.
Suddenly, a drop of rain hit me on the temple. My muscles tightened for
the deluge I knew was going to hit. But the rain began slowly with big drops
that splashed into the fire and turned to steam. They began to land on my
face, cold at first, but soothing somehow, as if they were not only cleansing
my body, but my soul as well. I raised my hands and smeared the rain over my
face. The rain tasted wonderful. I was starting to feel refreshed.
As I looked down at the wound on my left arm, I noticed that all that
was left was a black scar. This rain was somehow washing the poison from
body. I looked over at the woman once again. This time she had a stern look
about her.
She pointed her hand at me and said "The most serious of crimes has
happened to these woods. Tolls to travel freely have been demanded by those
who have no right. An evil is at hand, and the future is not clear. I fear
for the forest and the creatures that dwell there in."
"Before you make a stand, seek the counsel of your leaders and brothers,
and follow the path that best serves all free people. Remember that you are
a Pathfinder."
With that, she rose and moved to the far side of the fire. "Remember
this, you cannot fight alone. Seek counsel."
By the time I had gotten to my feet, she was no where to be seen. Just
vanished, as if swallowed by the forest. I laid back down near the fire, and
was almost instantly asleep.
When I awoke the next morning, the skies were clear, and I felt as if I
had never been injured. I fixed a quick meal and ate. Then, remembering
what the woman had said about Calinor, I donned my armor and strapped my long
sword to my back. I would travel through Nightsedge to reach the Rankled
Boar. My step was unusually brisk this bright spring morning, and as I
walked, I passed some wild lilac and immediately thought of Primrose. Maybe
she would be near Floodblest.COR Post of the Month
(submitted by: LightsEdge)
Subj: Hope'n I survive :P
Date: 96-05-25 21:17:50 EDT
From: Sir Redrum
(This is gonna look terrible probably .. depends on which screen font your
using)
____________________________
________| |_______
\ | The tale of Redrum's | /
\ | wild night ..... | /
/ |____________________________| \
/__________) (_________\
T'was a long day for Redrum, having worked all day in the COR orchards,
knowing well he must toil hard if they're to produce enough food for this
years winter. As he lays in bed that night, he knows he'll sleep very well
after such a day of hard work. Slowly drifting off into sleep ..... The
dreams start .....
"Redrum ... REDRUMMMMMMM ... Your harvest is doomed this year! COR shall
starve, wither and dieeeeeeee. There's nothing you can do to stop us,
doommmmm is upon theeeeeee"
Redrum calls out, "Show yourselves, I know thee to be evil, and I shall
challenge thee, show yourselves!"
"Redrum ... REDRUMMMM ... Hehee!!!! Heheee!! You call upon us to show
ourselves, and now your fate is sealed, gaze upon us and your lifeforce shall
be smuffed in an instant from untold terror!"
Redrum again yells out, SHOW YOURSELVES, YOU EVIL SCUM!! And slowly they
appeared, one by one the evil passes thru his mind, in a march of terror
unknown by any before ....
. -- .
( )
( (/oo\) ) WW
( \''/ ) /__\
( \/ ) | oo | _WWWWW_
( ) (o)(o) (|_()_|) / o o \
( ) w" "w \__/ (| __O__ |)
( ) W -====-W /|\/|\ \ \___/ /
( ) "w w" |||||||| /---------\
' -- ' w"""""""""w |||||||| |=========|
|| || W W |||||||| |=========|
SLAYVE! RELLIK! MAD DRUNK! HEDDY!
Redrum again yells out in his sleep "You foul evil, I've seem you and still I
live! Your evil powers aren't as strong as you thought! Your evil plan will
never bring harm to COR!!!"
With that, the foul ghosts scatter off into the darkness of the dreamworld,
knowing well they'll have to summon one of their major gods of darkness, and
this time they'll teach this goodie Redrum a real lesson ........
Dark swirling clouds start forming in the dream, storms of raging wind and
rain blow. Redrum peers into the eye of the storm, seeing a lone greater
demon approaching ....
Redrum screams as every cell in his body is shocked by fear stronger than any
lighting bolt .... "Aaaaaaaiieeee, its MAL!!!"
___ _____
.'/,-Y" "~-.
l.Y ^.
/\ _\_
i ___/" "\
| /" "\ o !
l ] o !__./
\ _ _ \.___./ "~\
X \/ \ ___./
( \ ___. _..--~~" ~`-.
` Z,-- / \
\__. ( / ______) Doh!!!!
\ l /-----~~" /
Y \ /
| "x______.^
| \
j Y
Heart Museum
(submitted by: Lady Warr)
Lady hurries excitedly into the manor house calling loudly for her family.
"ELDER!" "KRYPT!" "WHIP!" She calls. "Its finished! Come and see!"
Hearing no answering calls she hurries through the rooms. "VITAL!" "STINE!"
"RAKUN!" Still no answering call and she begins to realize there may be no
one home. "SHADE?" "Malek?" "Cooky?" "Anyone?" Sighing, Lady walks
dejectedly back to the front hall muttering to herself. "No one's ever here
when I have exciting news." She checks the family message board and then
taking paper and pen in hand, writes the following message.
"Come to the top of the hill behind the house that you might see the
beautiful museum I had created to display all the hearts we have won. It is
finally completed. Notice the beautiful black marble used in the
construction with bands of white and pink marbling through it. It resembles
a greek temple with classic doric columns.... six on each side. Enter
through the golden doors on the west, and view the exciting displays of
hearts. You will observe the ceiling is high and the 9' wide, glass fronted
display cases line the walls floor to ceiling. The shelves, 24" deep,
spaced 18" apart, are edged with tiny blue lights that bathe the hearts in a
soft glow. The atmosphere inside the plate glass cases is carefully
controlled by a system of delicate sensors and complicated climatic equipment
to maintain just the right balance and stimulation to keep the hearts
preserved and beating. Two ladders attached to rails in the floor and
ceiling can be rolled around the room so that the higher shelves may be
reached and those hearts enjoyed also.
"Each of you will find a case with a plaque containing your name engraved in
gold attached to the front of the case and in which you may put the hearts of
your choice that you have won. The rest I will be happy to display for you.
The center of the room is filled with two dozen 6' tall, free standing cases
where the hearts may be observed from all sides. Note I have set aside
shelves to be used by favorite allies such as PrimeDev1l and BloodGoul and
those from S.A.T.A.N. There are also shelves for the hearts of the TFW's and
others with whom we are waging war. Please let me know if there are other
allies or foes I should set aside shelves for.
"Prime display spots in the center cases have been reserved for the hearts of
our most honored foes. Those less deserving of the honor will be placed
elsewhere. The name of the owner of each heart on display appears in golden
calligraphy on small black cards beside the hearts.
"I anxiously await your first viewing, new hearts for our collection, and
your comments.
Lady
Collector of Hearts
First Lady of WARR
Curator of the WARR Heart Museum"
Finished writing, Lady pins the note to the board and turns to leave. She
notices a small box by the door with a note on it. Upon reading the note she
finds it to be from Cooky, leaving her the hearts of Blackpoint and Sun Tzou.
Lady chuckles to herself as she picks up the box and hurries out the door and
on up the hill to the heart museum thinking that perhaps she should put the
heart of that little annoyance in a very ignominious spot in the back, on the
bottom shelf in the corner.A New Beginning - Part 2
(submitted by: Swordshere)
As Sword weakly approached his homestead, he noticed a small knot of armed
men clustered around the burned out hulk of the main house. Dressed in muted
brown and green, they moved with a steady purpose and grim determination.
"Killers!" Swordshere screamed. "You won't get away with it!!!!" He ran
towards the band of men, unsure of what he would do once he got there,
knowing only that he had to do something. The leader of the band grabbed
Sword around the wait and neatly pinned him to the ground effortlessly.
"Whooaa, now boy..we're not killers..Who are you?" he asked. "Is this your
home?"
Sword nodded dumbly. "It was," he managed weakly.
The leader of the men whistled sharply and the small band of fighters
gathered around. He smiled softly as he helped Swordshere to his feet. "My
name is Vslanter, and I'm the commander of these men. We're Rangers of The
Protectorate, and we've come from Neverwinter trailing a band of thieves
who've been running free too long."
"I'm..C-C-Cail Swordshere, " the young man stammered. "My father's
dead...the thieves..is my mother..?"
Vslanter gave a questioning look to one of his troops. The hard-faced Ranger
shook his head quickly. "I'm sorry, son..she's gone. Tell me about your
father...what happened?"
Sword sobbed out his story. Three of the Rangers left swiftly, heading
towards the recent battlefield. "We'll take you as far as Fireshear,"
Vslanter began. "Then we've got unfinished business to attend to." Sword
looked at what was left of his home. "Can I go with you? " he asked in a
small voice. "There's nothing for me here anymore."
Vslanter raised an eyebrow. "We've got no room for boys in this outfit.." he
began harshly, "I can't take every orphan who loses his parents.." Looking
down at the young man, the Ranger's tone softened. "We move fast, we fight
often...its not much of a life." Glancing at Vslanter, Sword uttered, "At
least it is a life."
Vslanter thought for a moment and then nodded slowly. "Get yourself
together..we leave in five minutes." The other Rangers approached Swordshere
and introduced themselves. Names like Junthor, Casualty, Wranglir, TP
Silver, and TP DethWsh sounded out. Finally, one Ranger, seemingly more
nervous than the others came forward. "I'm Mad Kzin," he began, "and I just
joined up myself. Maybe you and I can become partners." He extended his
hand. Smiling for the first time in what seemed like forever, Sword accepted
the handshake.
Looking around the deserted farm, Swordshere squared his shoulders and fell
into line behind his new comrades. Without looking back, he left his old
life and started down the path that fate had decreed for
him....................
As Sword reclined at the table in the TP common room, he smiled at the
thoughts of those first few memorable months in TP Rangers..learning
tracking, woods-lore, and weapons took up most of his time. He found out
quickly that a Ranger's life was vast periods of solitude punctuated by
moments of complete terror when evil humans or monsters were encountered.
But he had also learned about honor, duty, and the willingness to give his
life for the cause of good which every Ranger possessed.
The door to the common room flew open and a band of rowdy Rangers rushed in.
As usual, they headed straight for the ale tap to the exclusion of everything
else. Sword grinned as he cleared his throat. Vslanter turned around and
held up his hands in a questioning gesture. Sword lifted up the amulet and
displayed it for everyone to see. As the cheers of the Rangers rang out
through The Protectorate Keep, Sword looked around and decided that home had
never looked so good.....
The EndSped's Tale
Part Two -- The Compass Gold
(submitted by: Spedlestor)
Dramatis Personae
Belyl Draconir - Mandrake, Renown Assassin
Celebelen - Elven Rogue
Ce'lellin - Trade Inspector
Concord - Proprietor of the Mad Mallard Tavern
Ladimer - Wandering Bard
Timandricus - Royal Advisor
Not a single thought of objection entered my mind as the young woman led
me through a winding path of concealed passages in some type of rough- hewn
underground labyrinth. As curiosity led me to the Festival of the Embraced
Flame in Revalia, I hadn't any expectations of what I might have experienced,
but I was entirely unprepared for the events I witnessed, which left me
unresponsive and completely in the care of this mysterious young woman. She
strode ahead at a quick pace, undaunted by the extremely dim light offered by
the sparse placement of torches along the walls. In complete darkness I
could have picked my way through these winding tunnels with the aid of my
elven senses, yet she moved as though it were habit to traverse here, and
didn't seem to rely on her senses so much as her memory.
She stopped for a moment and gave my wrist a quick squeeze before
stepping north through what I had thought was a solid wall. On the other
side of the illusory wall was an immense ovular chamber, furnished with two
small tables near the center, several wooden chairs, and two low-cut
bookshelves on the eastern wall. Sitting comfortably at one of the tables
were two men who looked up in our direction as we entered. One was an older,
smallish human who had a ruddy complexion and was balding. He was fairly
well kept and maintained a nicely trimmed beard, which was peppered with gray
and white. He leaned back with a quizzical look on his face while one hand
rested upon his beer-belly and the other was still in the process of tapping
a smoking pipe against the table. The other man was a young half-elf wearing
fine silk clothes, mostly embroidered with shades of green and burnt sienna.
His hair was long and of a rich brown hue, neatly braided to a length falling
over his left shoulder and culminating in a brass retainer. Upon seeing us,
he swept his left foot around the chair and pushed a lute into a resting spot
underneath the table. He viewed the two of us amiably with a smile, but his
left eyebrow remained raised.
"I will explain this when the others have arrived," spoke the young
woman.
"If'n all things went as well as 'spected, they should be 'long soon,
Ce'lellin. You and yer friend kin join us 'ere at the table," the older man
said with a pleasant tone as he motioned us over.
Although I continued to keep up a facade of unresponsiveness, the veil
of shock had lifted as my senses began to assimilate the surroundings. The
woman, Ce'lellin, ushered me to a seat at the side of the older man before
seating herself between him and the half-elf. The older man prompted the
half-elf while packing his pipe, "And so the gnome said..."
The half-elf, reanimated with an eager smile and several hand
gesticulations, responded quickly, "Ahhh...and so the gnome looked at the
redoubtful dwarf and said, 'Ya canna get in 'les ya know'm,' and the dwarf
replies, 'I know'm.' The gnome laughs and says, 'What's that ya say?' and
the dwarf unblinkingly repeats, 'I know'm.' The gnome says, 'No yer not, but
ya wanna be,' as he walks off laughing."
The older man chuckles lightly and shakes his head before responding,
"Ya lost several hours of sleep thinkin' that 'un up din' ya, Lad?"
The half-elf shrugged it off without ever losing his wry smile, "That
was just one of the several jokes I told at the Sadrellan Carnival where they
hold the annual mechanical trap demonstrations. Accordingly there, most of
my jokes had a gnome-favorable bend to them. Concord, It is no matter what
you think of my tales, songs, and jokes, since you never tip me."
A flash of light drew our attention to the southeast bend of the room,
where a small sphere of unnatural darkness was suspended in mid-air. From
the sphere crackled lengths of blue-tinted lightning, which seemed to shorten
in their arcs as the sphere began to increase in dimesion, yet as it
increased in heighth it contracted in width. The lightning ceased as the
sphere had finished its transformation into a circular plane of darkness
standing roughly seven feet high with no discernible width. I glanced around
the table to notice the others showed no expression of wonderment to this
occurence, and the half-elf began clapping his hands together, as though he
were applauding. A hiss was emitted from the plane of darkness, as a tall,
gaunt man adorned in black robes trimmed with crimson stepped from the
darkness into this chamber. My mind reeled as I recognized this man as the
royal advisor to Aris Draconir.
The half-elf continued clapping while enthusiastically commenting, "That
was terrific Tim...just when I think you can not out-do yourself, you proceed
to magically enter here as you always do."
"As though a sarcastic remark from you, Ladimer, were anything out of
the ordinary," chimed in Ce'lellin with a grin.
Timandricus stepped toward the table as the dark plane behind him
collapsed in upon itself. His advance halted suddenly and as he pointed at
me, he hissed, "What is the meaning of this?"
Concord responded quickly, "In due time, Ce'lellin will explain," and
made a motion with his hand with quick finger movements. I assumed this was
some sort of signal, but was entirely at a loss for its meaning.
Without blinking, Timandricus glared at Ce'lellin, "You can not break
the Compass protocol. Our identities have now been compromised."
"Silence. I will explain when all our present," she responded firmly
while Concord tended to packing his pipe.
Timandricus drew in a deep breath, but before he could continue, Concord
interrupted, "Please Timandricus...in due time...now...do go on wit' the
business at 'and."
"Two hours 'til I must report to Aris," Timandricus responded as his
eyes narrowed and lips tightened.
"Set yerself down at ease brother. We still await Belyl. In the
meanwhile, please give us news," prompted Concord.
Timandricus paced around the table to stand beside Ladimer, and began to
speak while his eyes intensely studied my face, "After Belyl made his escape,
followed hard upon by Drawis, I used a few minor incantations to prevent the
other mercenaries from likewise fleeing. All were slain but two, who will be
put to death within the next few days. The Compass need make no payments to
dead men for services rendered."
Concord added, "As the original contract ta assassinate Aris Draconir
was not fulfilled, the Compass is not bound ta make any payment. The
mercenaries were certain dat the Compass would succeed in their endeavor ta
assassinate Aris dat they never thought ta ask for part of their payment
upfront, and sadly for them, it was never the intent of the Compass ta
assassinate Aris."
I was certain this explanation was for my benefit, but there was still
so much that escaped my understanding. It seemed the events I had witnessed
were nothing more than a staged play to these people, or perhaps, it would be
more accurate to describe those events as a performance staged by these
people. Whatever appearances they put forward, could be but like one layer
of skin on an onion. Never before had I felt myself so simple.
Timandricus continued, "Aris commanded that I take a portion of the
guard and scour the surrounding area in search for Mandrake, while the
remaining portion of guards were to escort him back to his keep. I sent
those guards down paths that would keep them distant from where we had laid
the trap for Drawis. They all have orders to meet with me in roughly two
hours before I report to Aris. The time it will..."
From the south, through the illusory wall, entered the one known as
Mandrake, the one who had lead the assassination attempt. There were small
traces of dried blood splattered across his face and leather armor, and as he
strode in, his gaze never broke from my own. He squinted, peering hard, and
brushed aside the lengths of his hair that clung to the sweaty skin of his
hardened face. As he reached the table, he lifted his boot to rest it upon a
chair, and then leaned forward with his left arm at rest upon his bent knee
and placed his right arm crossed, at rest, upon his other arm.
"When do I get ta kill him?" He held my gaze, his expression
unchanging, while I mistakenly waited for him to reveal his jest with a
smile.
Concord tapped his hand lightly against the table, and when the assassin
glanced over at him, he made the same hand signal as before. Concord
proceeded, "An' whut of the status of our friend Drawis? Oh...and Belyl,
please elaborate for our young guest 'ere."
Belyl swept his perched leg back, bringing the chair out from underneath
the table. As he sat down, he kicked up his feet to prop them to rest upon
the table, and then leaned back with his arms folded across his chest.
He then commenced his report, "After I killed his eldest in battle,
Drawis was naturally incensed. It was that moment ta begin a strategic
retreat, while the remainin' mercenaries held off all the guards...save the
one we desired ta have followin' me of course. Although his dress armor
slowed him, I made certain that Drawis could follow me through the back
alleys of the Grey Lantern district, ta the designated location. Upon
arrival there I spun ta face him, taunting openly ta draw his attention away
from the swift rear approach of Munro and Gaph, who fell him with ease as I
engaged him in combat. We have confined him as ya desired Concord, and at
any time Pohmdoh and I can begin torturin' him ta extract the info
Timandricus needs."
Concord began, "Well, if'n I could 'ave it another way, I would not need
for ya ta kill him once ya have the information needed. However, we canna
'ave ol' Drawis livin' ta report to Aris what we extracted from him, and
Timandricus has a tractable candidate in good position ta replace the captain
of the guard. It is entirely in the best interest of the Compass that Drawis
be slain once yer certain ya have the information Timandricus requires. Got
dat, Belyl?"
Belyl replied with a wicked grin and a nod of his head. I couldn't help
but wonder what morals governed these people. I began to seriously be
concerned for my safety at this point, but an escape seemed futile as I could
not match Belyl's battle prowess, could not withstand the magic of
Timandricus, could not find my way back through the winding tunnels before
Ce'lellin or any of the others caught up with me. My mind wandered back to
the moment Ce'lellin and I first met, and I tried to determine what actions I
had taken that preserved me then. Although my response to her was quick and
clever, it seemed that her interest in me had more to do with my identity
than anything else I could pinpoint, and yet I could not reason what could be
so special about myself.
Concord turned his attention to Ce'lellin, "Now then, lass...business at
hand has been addressed...ya have proceeded out of our established codes by
bringin' this young one here...what business could he have with the Compass?"
Ce'lellin leaned forward and spoke quickly, "It was chance that I
happened upon this young one, and although I have ne'er before met him, it
took but a moment to measure his worth to the Compass. Look carefully at the
color of his eyes, and recognize him as Celebelen En'galenehtar."
Ladimer took advantage of Ce'lellin's pause, "Aye lass, his eyes are
silver, and although eyes of that color are not particularly common among
elves, they are nae unheard of as to be decidedly uncommon."
Ce'lellin responded quickly, "Quite so Lad, but his garb is distinctive
of the Celceir Clan, from which Greenpike hailed. And as you and I well
know, there are but two elves currently native-born in Mercia that have
silver eyes, and the other is not only much older, but female rather. Beyond
that, I met Greenpike and his wife a few times at the Keep of Lidaeus, the
Warder of Greengrove, when I was young and beginning my training as a
pathfinder. The resemblance of features is certain to me."
Belyl interjected, "Bah...elves all look alike...and I usually can't
even tell the men apart from the women."
"Such is it with dwarves. I have met females of various clans that
carry themselves with a burly attitude and have worn beards. It's most
disconcerting," added Timandricus.
"Yes, yes...well...we won't mention the various short-comings of
humans," Concord spoke as he affectionately rubbed his beer-belly. "Let's
keep wit' the business at 'and shall we?"
Tense feelings of dread had held me silent, but at this point, my mouth
began to work to my own wonderment, "I am Celebelen En'galenehtar, of the
Clan Celceir." I then turned to address Ce'lellin, "Though I must admit I do
not know what business I might have with the Compass. I must admit that I do
not know what the Compass is."
Concord responded first, "Ahhh...well...the Compass Gold began as a
thieves' guild nearly three 'undred years ago. The initial idea behind its
creation was ta have a council of leaders who represented the various
philosophies of its members. Ya see...what motivates one thief can be quite
different from the motivations of others...and although motivations can be
similar, their means ta acquirin' their ends may be dissimilar. The Compass
wanted ta reduce competition by being capable of accomodatin' all views, so a
bond of brotherhood among thieves was developed ta allow acceptance of
members with varying outlooks, although at times it does operate in distinct
factions. The council, or Inner Circle as we usually call ourselves, is akin
ta a compass, with me currently at the center, mediatin' the differin'
perspectives of the others. Ya would find Ce'lellin at the northern
position, as she represents and desires the noblest aims the Compass can
attain. Directly opposite at the southern position, ya would find Belyl, who
embodies the most cut-throat aspects of any thief or assassin, and whose ends
always justify the means. Ta the west ya would find Timandricus, who thinks
little on the inherent good or evil in any act, and is more concerned with
knowledge of the laws that bind us, so that they may be bypassed or worked
around. Ta the east, ya would find the wandering bard, Ladimer, who does
whatever is necessary ta get the job done or ta survive, and although aware
of the governing laws of many lands, proceeds ta ignore them whenever
convenient. We each provide invaluable services ta the Compass, and always
work for its best interests, and the profits we garner are more than enough
ta keep us bound ta that. There have been many changes in the leadership of
the Compass throughout the years, and it has grown inta sumthin' far beyond a
thieves' guild. It has become a force ta be reckoned with as a political and
business oriented machine."
"He loves giving that speech...but has only rare opportunities to make
use of it," Ladimer chuckled.
Ce'lellin added, "Celebelen can offer the Compass a few things. Being
of Greenpike's lineage, he would certainly prove to make an excellent
addition to the Compass. Although the current members of the Inner Circle
here have many years ahead of them..."
"Barring no deaths by unnatural causes," interjected Ladimer.
"Yes," Ce'lellin continued, "barring that, it would be a wise manuever
to set up an individual to carry on our traditions to future generations.
Celebelen will outlive us all, including Ladimer. As for immediate concerns
of the Compass, he may give us the inside edge on ousting the clever Black
Rook."
"The Black Rook? How would I be able to do that?"
Concord answered my question after a hearty laugh, "Why Celebelen, the
Black Rook is one of the few who have so far been sucessful in evading the
Compass Gold in terms of competition. Although he sometimes operates within
the walls of Revalia, he maintains most of his business transactions in the
surrounding forests. It has indeed been difficult keeping track of his
movements, and although we know exactly where he keeps himself, we can not
touch him there for a number of reasons. We need ta catch him where he is
most vulnerable...where he is out of his own element. Only Ce'lellin could
hope ta hunt him down in the woods, as most of the thieves and mercenaries at
the disposal of the Compass would be completely at a loss out there. The
Black Rook is none other than yer own uncle, Rusvisul."
As I sat astonished, Concord addressed the others, "Belyl, ya may clean
yerself up and tend ta Drawis...not necessarily in dat order. Timandricus,
ya may attend to yer duties and report back ta Aris. When that is settled,
contact me. Ce'lellin and Ladimer, please head out ta the Mad Mallard and
wait for me there...an' make sure ya pay the barkeep this time...I do 'ave a
business ta tend ta there. I will discuss things further with young
Celebelen here."
As the others began to leave, I had regained my senses and turned to
Concord, "Well...what do I get out of all this?"
(to be continued...)A Wedding Without Any KAAOS
(submitted by: MrBill888)
The wedding of Varen and Gloranna could be marred
By one KAAOS wretch whose mind is quite scarred
By the one time too many he hit himself on the head
As he tried to kill fleas with a pipe made of lead
So why does this half wit attempt this wedding to crash?
Perhaps it's because he ain't fit to be trash?
If wits were worth money, then this guys not in the black
But if bad manners were gold, there'd be nothing he'd lack
You think he could find something better to do
Than to disrupt the wedding of this marriage bound two
So I guess we should ready a treat for this knave
Who says he's from KAAOS, but is he an ITB Slayve?
Guards will be posted, in the rear I do think
'cause from a frontal assault I am sure he will shrink
We'll assemble a force to help deal with this threat
Of stature and prowess that can handle this vet
Perhaps we'll use half-wits, but that's probably a loss
They're already employed by the guild of KAAOS
We can call on the ARKS to charge cash at the gate
But then we might suffer the same costly fate
No, rather than call on someone or another
I guess I'll have to go call on his OOC mother
She'll put him to bed with no 'puter or dinner
As we bid fond farewell to one less event crashing sinner
(:>) Mr.Bill888 (<:)
OGS Warrior Poet
(submitted by: Zindio)
TriBoar Through
The
L o s t H i l l s
Aye me friends, gather around me campfire and Ill tell you about me last
three days. From Neverwinter to the Lost Hills.>>>
It all started when a message from me good friend and ally, Xvandor,
tells me he is betwixt space and the stars, trapped in a helix penal of his
own doing.<That be another story>... It seems as though I must hurry me Cadet
training for The Protectorate Guild in order to bring me friend back into the
Realms.
Now mind ye, meself hast no magic to use since I be a half elf I be maxed
at 7th level. No mind, this ranger be not afraid, so out I go from Loard
Nasher's castle, into Southwall down to Vilnast. I fight me way to
Crossergate and just before the gate I be beset upon by six Kraken spies and
one of Skel's playmates, a banshee.
Me magic Trident makes shortwork of the spies but, the troubled soul of the
Banshee makes a few dents on me body. Finishing her off I make way across
into Crossergate and travel only a few Kilometers when wolves surround me and
try to make Elf soup.
Quilana steps in and helps kill the frost wolves close to me britches, I
finish the rest and stand bleeding. Quilana sez" A little out of yer league
eh?" Eyebrow uplifted. "Aye, maybe, but I have to get to TriBoar for me quest
and this is all I have." Me hands dissapear and meself feels better. Quilana
has invised me and healed meself.. Thanking him he sez," Flee all fights."
Taking him at his word, I flee from wild boars twice and go through the
gate to the Lost Hills.
Now I try to push east and cannot, the way is chocked with people. I turn
south a bit and there be I in front of six scorpians and two of Skel's little
playmates. Down to the last Banshee another comes in and helps me. I think
thats over and try to heal. No, again I be in the middle of scorpians. This
time the fourth one stings me to the gate..
Now I try to heal but keep getting interrupted, so I take a step backward
and fall into a nest of wild hogs in Crossergate.
I wake up at Vilnast gate. Back down to the Inn at Crossergate I try to go
but wolves track me every step. A voice yells ou"Need Help?" "Aye", I sez,
"Quickly!" Nor Dunk of The Protectorate steps in,"Stay back" he sez. He is
joined by Mob giant, now if the situation wern't so serious, I would be
laughing, Mob is looking for the fight, I be up top of the fight and Nor be
causing all kinds of damage.
The fight ends when Mob finds the last wolf and slays it. Nor invises
meself, and again I head for the Lost Hills.
This time I be careful, step by step, and bang, there be wolves and people
all over the place.
Now mind ye I've never PVP before, so I tries to kill a wolf that be
attacking a citizen, clean miss so I try again. The citizen wacks me with a
spell and down I go. So much for helping citizens in this area eh?
I find a place to fix meself and was doing good untill scorpians and a
purple worm be sticking me. The scorpians be dying and I feel confident
until the worm poisens meself.
I wake up disorientated and find meself in the Temple of Tyr, cured,poorer,
but wiser. Aye me friends, Zindio will have to train as a multi profession in
order to accomplish what me have to do.
Next trip to the Lost Hills will leave the gates strung with souls besides
meself.. <Must be another way to Tri Boar>
Zindio, TP Cadet.The Beginnings of a Hero - Part 3
(submitted by: TrueShield)
Once in a realm far far away from the mainlands of Faerun, there was a group
of islands. They were unknown to all except for the few peoples lived there.
This is the story of one Darrian Trueshield, and his quest to find his place
in the world and the long forgotten Isles of Windermere.
Last time we left Darrian, and his friends, they had escaped the mad man
Kanusy and, his army. Unfortunately, only Valik and Griffin survived a
battle with the dracoliche they think killed Darrian. They found a new
companion, Sarwin, a paladin. They were heading to a fisherman's village to
get supplies, and horses.
They do not know that Darrian is still alive in a halfling village that was
one day's travel from them after he was saved by a halfling fisherman.
They also don't know is Kanusy is headed for the fishermen's village that
Valik, Griffin, and Sarwin are traveling to. There, they will have a battle
that they will never forget.
Chapter Twelve
Sarwin had become a useful ally to Valik, and Griffin. Not only was he a
source of insperation to them, but he was extremely knowledgable about the
region. They were just rising over the hill when they saw the village was
surrounded by the village's rag-tag warriors.
"Appearantly they expected us." Griffin noted out loud.
"Maybe they think we are part of Kanusy's army. That's what I would think if
I was them." Valik said.
"Let's go down, and see if we can explain who we are. They are probably
starved for information." Sarwin said.
"Well we should be careful. These people are scared, and people kill what
they don't understand," Griffin warned, "They may not look deadly, but fifty
scared rag-tag warriors are enough for one paladin, one cleric, and one
mage."
They decended the hill toward the small village. As they approched, one
figure who they guessed was the mayor emerged from the bulk of the group. He
was a stocky man, with a grey beard, and looked like he hadn't slept in two
hundred years.
The warriors were restless, but he waved them back as Valik, Griffin, and
Sarwin made it to the bottom of the hill.
"What is your business? State it, and if we can, we will help. If we can't,
you will leave." the mayor said.
Valik, Griffin, and Sarwin looked at each other. They discussed who should
talk, and chose Sarwin. They did so because the charisma of the paladins was
more than legendary, but a true life miracle.
"We are survivors of a caravan that the army attacked a few days ago. We are
fleeing the army. We need some horses, and supplies." Sarwin declared in the
legendary paladin inspirational speech voice.
"You may be suvivors, but what do you have to offer us in exchange for
supplies, and horses?" the mayor asked.
"We have money, and more important, information." Sarwin answered.
The mayor turned back into the crowd to discuss the situation with his
advisors. They debated back and forth for many long minutes. Finally, the
mayor appeared from the group once again.
"You may stay for one night, get supplies, and horses. In exchange, you will
tell us all you know about the army."
* * * * * * *
* * *
Hunin had waited for at least half an hour before the human regained
conciousness. He was extremely disoriented. He rambled on about his friends
for at least ten minutes before he calmed down. Finally, he cast a spell to
calm the human before he woke the entire village.
"Easy, easy my friend. You have had a traumatic experience. Calm down."
Hunin pleaded trying to hold the giant human down.
Finally, the human layed down, and breathed peacfully. The human closed his
eyes for a moment, and then opened them.
-------------------------------------------------
He saw that he was in a large stone building. He saw small, little torches
along the walls, and many small statues. Then he saw a small little man
standoing in front of him. The little man looked like a child, but he was in
perfect shape. Instantly he knew. It was a halfling.
The tiny halfling walked up to him.
"Hello my friend. Calm down, you are very safe here. We don't hate humans
here," the cleric said softly as he rearranged his robes, "We found you in
the river. That armor saved your life in more than one way."
"I'm alive? Goodness, for a second I though I took the wrong stairway to
heaven." the man said in relief.
"What's your name?" the halfling asked.
"Darrian, and yours?" Darrian replied, and asked.
"Hunin," Hunin answered, "Tell me what happened later alright. You need to
rest now."
Darrian closed his eyes. When Hunin was sure that he was asleep, he walked
into the temple vaults. He searched the extensive liberary. He finally
found the tome he was looking for after five minutes.
It was a huge, heavy book with gold letters graven into the cover, and golden
lace for the book mark. It was so ancient that the pages were made of
papyus, the oldest known material used for paper. The book was so old that
nothing kept it from degrading to dust was a magic spell of preservation.
He open the great tome, and searched for the page he was looking for. In
page was part of the prediction of the ancient halfling seers. It was about
the legend of the Trueshield. The legend said:
One day, one will come to this village born an orphan. He will come on the
wake of an evil shadow born on an immortal wind. He shall come with the
armor that has served the shield before in the times of the past, and shall
into the future. He shall rises to the land of the mind to save the mad, and
the innocent. Here he shall be given the bow of iron, and find his true
name. Then after this army of the evil shadow is defeated by its own
treachery, he shall search the Sea of Swords to find his destiny, and pass it
on to the next Trueshield.
Hunin put the book on the shelf, and though to himself. then he knew as the
thought came to his mind in a terrifing shock. The Trueshield has come to
the world again.
Chapter Thirteen
Valik was rummaging through some packs, and Griffin was hawking with some
merchents when Sarwin ran into the room as pale as a ghost.
"Get to your horses!" he screamed as he snatched his packup, and lept onto
his horse.
"What?" Valik asked as he lept on to his horse, and Griffin cast an
invisbilty spell on everyone in the room.
"No time." Sarwin yelled, and galloped out of the stable and the others
followed close behind.
Soon Valik, and Griffin knew why the alarm was sounded. To the north, ice
hounds were running down a slope, and earth elementals were coming from the
west. Then, before they could notice what was to the south, a huge fireball
flew into the town hall, and blew it into splinters. The shockwave knocked
everyone to their feet.
"We have to get into the Yinred Pass before they cut us off!" Griffin
screamed.
The elementals were almost on the village, and the ice hounds were already
dogging their way into the village freezing the rag-tag village warriors.
To the south the village was being bombed by mages, and archers.
"Griffin, can you teleport us out of here?" Valik asked as an arrow flew by
his head.
"Yes, but I need time to cast the spell, and we don't have time." Griffin
answered.
"Let me buy you some time." Sarwin said.
He dashed off to the town square. He pulled out a battle axe, and took out
the town water tower with one stroke. The water spilled over the earth
elementals, and ice hounds.
"Now!" Sarwin screamed.
Griffin was one step ahead of him, and had already prepared a cone of cold
spell. It whipped forth with a chilly blast of wind. The water around the
hounds, and elementals froze solid. They waited tensely to see if the ice
would break. It held.
'Hurry Griffin!" Valik urged.
"Just a moment." Griffin managed before beginning the teleport spell.
Sarwin, and Valik ran forward to hold off the charging mercanaries. Sarwin
pulled out his long sword, and Valik drew his battlehammer.
Valik cast a curse spell on the mercenaries just as they reached Sarwin.
Sarwin quickly took three men down with four strokes only to meet more
resistance. Sarwin didn't win so easily this time. He took two men down by
the time more men arrived. Now he was hard pressed.
Valik knew Sarwin couldn't hold out much longer. He charged forward
whispering a prayer to Torm, and leveled a man with his hammer. He then
pulled out five bottles of torch oil. By now, Sarwin was holding off at
least fifteen men. He threw the bottles into the crowd, and the bottles
exploded into flame. Sarwin took advantage of the distraction, and raced
into the confused mass of flaming soldiers. Battle axe in one hand, and long
sword in the other, he ravaged their numbers. Sometimes he was taking two
heads with one stroke.
Soon, two soldiers were left. Sarwin circled them, looking for an opening.
Valik again took the initiative. He cast a slay living spell on one man, and
he fell on the other. Sarwin saw the oppurtunity, and ran the encumbered
soldier through.
Valik was gasping for breath, and Sarwin wondered why more soldiers weren't
coming. Sarwin saw it first. The elementals were breaking their ice. He
saw one crack, then another, then another. Finally, he heard a deafining
boom, as the elementals burst out of the icy prisons.
Valik, and Sarwin stepped forward to fight a battle they knew they wouldn't
win. Sarwin was singing a song that paladins sang when they were going to
die, and Valik joined in. Sarwin swung his battle axe at one elemental's
head, and the axe shattered. It's fist was coming down to smash his head
into a bloody pulp. He closed his eyes, and felt a soft breeze blowing
around him.
* * * * * * *
* * *
Hunin had called a town meeting, and the hall was milling with excitment, and
nervous gossip. He was waitin for everyone to arrive when a gaurd appeared,
and told him that everyone was there. He ordered him to lock the doors, and
keep everyone calm.
He had never expected the Trueshield to come in his lifetime. He had thought
that he would come during a wiser elder's time, but that wasn't to be. He
knew it was an honor to tell the Trueshield his identity, but he knew it did
not come without dark consequences. Halfling had prided themselves on their
records of history, and they had recorded other Trueshields. They always
appeared on the tide of a great evil, and no matter what happened, a great
number of people died dispite their efforts.
But that didn't matter. He had to given Darrian the bow of iron, and teach
him how to use his gift dreams to him.
Now it was time for the speech he had to give to the other halflings. He
went up to the platform the give his speech. He could see the tension on
their faces, and he knew some would leave in order to avoid the danger that
he followed.
By the end of the speech, three halflings had left the town. Halflings were
very superstious about their seers' predictions, and took them to the letter
in meaning. He could not blam them and he was not at fault, but he felt some
responsablity nonetheless.
* * * * * * *
* * *
Darrian woke up in a strange room. It was not the temple where he woke up,
but in a dark prison. He could barely see two feet in front of himself.
When he looked at himself, he saw a ragged, aged halfling. He knew he must
be in another's dream, but who?
Began to observe his surroundings. The walls were solid stone, and were
covered in cobwebs. He could see thick layers of dust on the floor. Not
even his own steps could desturb the dust it was so thick.
The prison was a large rectangle with eight cells, and no exit. He could not
see the back of the cells, but in one he knew something was there. He walked
forward, and looked harder for the thing. He could not see it, but he could
hear it breathing softly.
"Hello?" he said in a soft wisper.
"Yes?" came back in a raspish voice that sounded like rusted gates grinding
shut.
"Who are you?" Darrian asked.
"I am Tenh. I don't get many visitors down here." The Tenh said as he
approched the cell's bars.
Darrian nearly retched at the sight of the horribly beformed humaniod
appeared. The thing was indiscribable as its form shifted with a terrible
slurping sound. The only thing that told him it was an sentiant creature was
its eyes. They were filled with a great sarrow.
It reminded him of how he felt when he saw all his family, and friends died
at the ambush. The memory of the tragety reduced him to tears as he nealt
down, and felt the first real blow of his loss. He remembered how he had
felt, and how good he felt when Valik, and Griffin had comforted him by
sharing his pain.
He looked into the thing's eyes again. He felt the urge to put it out of its
misory... to share its pain. Magically, he reached out to Tenh, and held his
hands.
He said, "Let me take your pain."
Darrian felt a swarm of emotions overwhlem him. Some was sarrow, shame,
fear, his memories, and some of Tenh's memories. But most of all, he felt a
great peace within himself, by giving Tenh some peace from his madness.
Slowly, his mind left that of Tenh's, and returned to sleep.
_____________________________________________________________________
Next part, you will have the outcome of Kanusy's attack and Darrian's dream
next week.Starlit Night
(submitted by: Thorn Hawk)
The ranger silently moved through the woods his shadow the only indication of
his passing. His destination, a small grove just ahead. As he entered the
clearing, a statue of a wisp of a girl stood within the sunlight looking down
at a doe laying by her feet. In the shade of a nearby tree, stood a small
shrine. The ranger moved near the statue his mind thinking of the summons
that sent him here. In the small shrine, kneeling on a mat, he undid his
sword and set it off to the side. He sat there most of the day his thoughts
elsewhere.
Two days had passed since his visit to the shrine of Mielikki and he
neared his goal. An evil presence had entered the woods somewhere north of
the river. Crossing the river, he headed north along its banks when he
noticed a pair of tracks. Bending down, a smile crept across his face. He
recognized the tracks as his own and those made by Luthyen. As he skirted
the scene of a battle the two had fought, memories flooded his mind of her
beauty, her grace, and her brownies.
Night had fallen, but still the ranger pressed on. It was a dark night
when Selune hid her beautiful face and only the stars were left. Stopping
along the bank, the figure felt the tracks and noticed their closeness. This
was where they had hesitated and his thoughts drifted back to that night.
~~~~~
He had paused to gaze across the dark waters of the river when he felt
her move toward him. "Tis a beautiful night, milord"
"Aye that it is," he replied feeling the warmth of her body.
"I am glad thee shared the beauty of this place with me," Luthyen said
watching the stars dance across the slowly moving water. Glancing down to
look at her face, he was struck by how fortunate he was to be here, yet the
past still haunted him. Returning his gaze with a smile, she failed to
notice the tear falling down his cheek or the faraway look in his eyes.
~~~~~
Kalean, sitting watching Thorn Hawk sharpen his dagger, could not
suppress a smile, "I think your dagger is quite sharp enough."
"I'm sorry m'lady, old habit of mine."
"I wonder if you'll ever make a good mage"
"Hmmm . . . I doubt it for I love fighting too much."
"Then why do you train? You have never told me."
"Well m'lady, while walking down a forest trail, I came upon an old man
kneeling over a doe. By the marks on her side, she had been attacked by a
troll. I watched as the old man laid his hands on her wounds. A glow
surrounded his hands briefly and when he removed them, the wounds were gone.
Up until that time m'lady, I had never had much use for magic nor those who
worked it. Seeing the doe run off into the woods, I vowed I would learn this
art. I wanted to heal, but the old man said I could never learn the arts of
healing for it was not in my spirit so I traveled the realms looking for
someone to teach me. Finally, I found someone, Delynn, a priest and mage.
He taught me the basic teachings of a mage and sent me to thee to learn more.
I may never heal, but hopefully my magic can do some good."
Smiling, "I am glad he did," as she leaned over to kiss Thorn Hawk. "I
am going down to the stream and taking a bath. Do you think you can have
dinner cooked before I return?"
"Aye love, I think I can," replied Thorn Hawk.
Watching his love walk toward the brook, a sudden chill ran down Thorn
Hawk's spine. "Be careful, m'lady." Turning and smiling, Kalean continued.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Thorn Hawk began building a fire.
Once the fire was going, he moved down to the stream to find Kalean brushing
her hair. "M'lady, I thought to check on thee."
With an impish smile, "you're a bit late Thorn to join me," replied
Kalean.
"Twas not why I came love."
"Then why did you?" she asked setting down her brush.
Sitting beside her, "we have traveled together for sometime now m'lady
and I know not why ye love me for I have nothing to give thee but my kind
heart and boundless devotion." Reaching to take his hand, "that is all I
could ever want, my love."
"Then m'lady," swallowing the lump in his throat, "it would please me
greatly if ye would consent to have me as thy husband."
"Oh, Thorn, I," with bright eyes Kalean hugged Thorn Hawk causing them
both to roll backwards into the steam, "yes," she cried.
As they stood in the brook crying and laughing, another chill again ran
down Thorn Hawk's spine. "What's wrong, my love?" asked Kalean noting the
look on his face. "I don't know," when it struck him, "tis the trees, love.
They're dying." Pulling themselves from the water, they watched the tree
before them wither and die. "Run," screamed Kalean. As they approached
their camp, Thorn Hawk caught a glimpse of their enemy and fear exploded in
his heart. Arriving in the clearing, a dozen men all armed with swords moved
to surround them and following them, a creature of myth and unspeakable evil.
While its chitin-covered body floated above the forest floor, its many eyes
inspected the clearing for more than the two its main eye looked upon.
Knowing they couldn't run further, both figures began working magic. Their
hands, moving in a silken dance, called down destruction to all around. Fire
exploded in the clearing. Through the smoke moved one figure, the beholder.
"Now you shall know your doom," it screamed and a thin green ray cleaved the
air to strike Kalean in the chest.
"Nooooooo," wailed Thorn Hawk as he saw Kalean disappear. His heart
screaming for vengeance, Thorn Hawk dove to avoid the next few rays from the
beholder. Coming up next to a fallen form, he took its sword and casted a
spell before the creature could turn its central eye upon him. "Where are
you, human? You can't hide from me," it bellowed when a sharp pain pierced
its back. The beholder turned in time to receive yet two more wounds,
eyestalks fell to the ground. "You will pay," as the rest of its eyes
focused on Thorn Hawk. Hit with multiple rays, he sank to his knees feeling
pain explode in his chest and his arms stiffen. With his strength fleeing,
he plunged his sword into the beholders main eye. "For Kalean," he whispered
as darkness closed around him.
He knelt next to an accumulation of ash, tears running down his face.
All that remained of his love was a pile of gray ash. Timed seemed to pass,
yet he still knelt there. His thoughts turned inward to the times they had
shared and the dreams they never could reach. He slowly pulled himself free
from his grief. Looking around, he picked up the sword he used to kill the
beholder and left the scene behind.
As a new dawn broke over the hills to the East, a lone figure ran
northward, a hatred of beholders burning in his heart and with it a terrible
fear of loving someone again.
Thorn Hawk
BOP(submitted by: Edain Eles)
*****Attention All Thieves of Never Winter*****
The Spirit Lurkers will be hosting a Backstab Tournament running from June 1
thru June 21. There will be three (3) rounds one each week with prizes to be
awarded for the best performance each week. In addition there will be prizes
for the best combined score for all three weeks. Other prizes available.
For more info refer to the "Back Stab Tournment" folder in the Events Section
We are also attempting to get a Bonus Back Stab Booth for the Summer
Festival. Keep an eye on the Back Stab Folder for more info.
Edain Elessendil
~Spirit Lurkers Master of Games<><><><><>
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