1996-06-09
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 137
Week Ending 6-9-96
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to Spedlestor for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for his story entitled "Sped's Tale - Part Two -- The Compass Gold".
Spedlestor 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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Ice Storm Booth Winner -- 6/2
Calling across the lands for the Magic Users to ply their trade against me,
using the Ice Storm, I had 15 folks cast 2 spells each at me and the top
score won 4 pearls and a free hour of online time...
The winner:
Harlequ1n with a whopping 41 hp's
Now, if you don't mind...I am going to take a nice HOT shower to try to warm
these old bones. ::chuckle:: ::shiver::
-NW Triel
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Tour 6/1/96, 10pm ET
Gathering strong companions, Ember led the party southward toward the
troubled town of Crossergate. Rumors spoke of a renewal of activity in the
desecrated Temple of Bane and the guardswoman was determined to discover the
truth of the stories. Though travel at night was dangerous through the thief
ridden streets of Southwall and the wolf infested paths of Vilnask, the
adventurers made their way to the Inn safely.
After grabbing a quick ale and some hearty stew, they pressed onward through
Crossergate. They were ambushed time and time again, by fierce packs of
feral hounds cold-breathing wolves! Staggering and injured they made their
way into the Inn at Crossergate and began to listen to the local gossip. A
hidden passageway and twisting chambers were reported by older folk who
recalled the Temple at the height of its depravity. With a resolute nod,
Ember gathered her patrol together.
They made their way deep within the labyrinth, finally winning through to the
Temple itself. It seemed abandoned at first glance, but a powerful magic
prevented their entry into the cloisters themselves. Searching for another
path, they finally were able to force their way into the evil shrine. Holy
water and prayers to Tyr and Helm, and a few discreet mutterings in drow,
sanctified the place once more.
With satisfaction the travellers made their way out of the Temple grounds and
were attacked by a Banite priest! As Ember and the evil cleric dueled, the
minions of Bane fell before the might of the patrol. In the Banite's robes,
a scrawled note was discovered. Hurrying back to Neverwinter, the party
presented their findings to Lord Nasher and were rewarded for their bravery!
Thanks to Lord Dude, Bbertya, Psyhcoward, Red Pearl, D Gertis, DJFerrara,
Humme, AAAWill, SK Rustic, ERS Jimi and Ldydrkhawk for their assistance!
NW Ember
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June Trivia
June 4, 1996
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*** First Place - Llewdoc 27 points! ***
** Second Place - Dirk Dirty 25 points! **
* Third Place - Opslin 19 points! *
Random Drawing Winner - Kkrom
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The winners will have the time credited to their account and pearls credited
to their screen name.
* First Place - 4 FREE hours and 25 Pearls
* Second Place - 3 FREE hours and 20 Pearls
* Third Place - 2 FREE hours and 15 Pearls
* Random Drawing - 5 Pearls
Congrats and thanks from NW Baldor and NW Strahd : )
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Random Slay Booth, 6/5
The Winds of Death were weak this eve at the Slay Living Booth held at
Midnight, 15,14 Wharves. Only one fell this nite ;)
The following all survived the Death cast and were awarded two pearls each:
Somarkemp
Black Dye
Lyssixi
Sol Lazer
Drk Legacy
Omm Rm
WOL Azlan
Deemonia
Augststorm
Drizzt Udn
Exodus10
TCS Elrond
With this many winners the players had a Great time ;)
NWA Elwind
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Poison Booth Winners -- 6/6
Winners:
Drk Legacy
KEF Lance
Cordedarmz
Wntrchill
BD Piper
Chedynn
Mech Canon
ABK Shaman
Shadosin
-- NWA Leto
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Fumble Booth Winners -- 6/8
Domino completed his first Mini Booth this afternoon!! He was in a foul mood
and was roaming the Wharves area freezing people with his icy stare (Fumble
Booth held at 7,1 Wharves). Those that he did not effect were:
Drk Legacy
ITB Teddi
TCS Cyrw1n
Darkk Sint
Lyssixi
Mech Elegy
MWalker486
For their steely nerves they receive 2 pearls each.
Overall a great experience!!
-- NWA Domino
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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 11th Tuesday 10:00 PM EST - with NWA Domino.
June 13th Thursday 3:00 PM EST - with NW Tempus.
June 15th Saturday 4:30 PM EST - with NWA Simba.
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 Spedlestor for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for the story "Sped's Tale - Compass Gold Part Two".
Spedlestor has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of
Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D
Mage Killer
(submitted by: Ceribus)
A figure in dark leathers stood before an ornate chest. Inside were his
most prized possessions, the tools of his trade. He quietly slipped the key
into the lock, and turned. He felt the mechanism turn, and he jumped to the
side just as a dart tipped with the poison of a Wyvern's tail flew out of the
lock.
Satisfied that the chest hadn't been tampered with, the slim figure picked
up his tools, and readied them.
First he pulled out a small bag with several different rings in it. He
took out a red, and a blue ring, and placed them on his middle fingers. He
was now immune to fire and ice based attacks. Next he slipped out a white
ring, and a dark green one. Placing these on his ring fingers he sighed in
contentment. Now he was immune to poison and lightning attacks as well.
Next he put on a ring with a full Globe of Invulnerability cast on it. On
the same finger in his opposite hand he placed a ring that protected him from
attacks of the mind. As an after-thought he took out two more rings, one of
water-breathing, the other was a ring of vampiric regeneration. He placed
these rings on his "pinkie" fingers.
He reached into the chest and pulled out a bundle wrapped in silk. He
gently unwrapped it, uncovering bracers that protected him from thrown
weapons, and any weapons non-magical.
He then unwrapped a helm that prevented others from casting any type of
tracing spell on him, and he put this on. Next he took out some boots of
speed, and a shield that either absorbed or reflected spells cast at the
wielder, all the person holding the shield had to do was will it to be so.
The next item he took out wasn't wrapped in anything, but it seemed to be
somewhat alive with a power all its own. The shadowy figure shook it out,
revealing a jet black cloak. He swirled it on, and activated its powers. The
cloak suddenly sprouted giant bat wings, and flapped under the will of the
figure in black. With another thought the wings receded back into the wings
of the bat cloak.
He then took out various daggers and throwing weapons, many of which had
spells cast on them. From the bottom of the chest he brought out a scabbard.
It appeared to belong to a normal long sword, but this weapon was not normal.
It was a sword of sharpness, and it had taken the life from more than one
mage before. With deep reverence he strapped it on his waist.
There remained only four things in the chest, each in a separate corner.
They were specially bound rocks, taken from certain places around the realms.
They were shielded in metal, because nothing magical was even remotely safe
in the presence of these rocks. Two of them were dead magic rocks. Any
enchantments in a certain area were rendered inactive, and no spells could be
cast. It was perhaps the single most destructive thing in his arsenal,
because it could wipe out anybody's magical defenses, even his own. The
remaining two rocks were wild magic rocks. Any spell cast in a wild magic
area ran a high risk of becoming warped, and twisted. These were a basic last
defense, and a souvenir from the Time of Troubles. He strapped one of each
rock onto each hip.
Picking up his shield, the figure stood. It was time for the hunt. . .and
there was a mage that needed killin'. . .
* * *
Elora hummed a cheerful tune as she walked through the woods. Several
squirrels skittered about overhead, playing chase with each other. A pair of
birds looked up from building their nest to chirp testily at the light
hearted squirrels.
The cleric just shook her head, and idly ran her fingers through her long,
sun-golden hair. She was taller than most men, standing at nearly 6 feet
tall. She was dressed in pure white robes, trimmed in blue. She had a fair
complexion, and her eyes shone like aquamarines.
Glancing down at the path in front of her, Elora opened her spell-book.
She had recently taken up the study of magic, and her tutor wanted her to
study as much as she could. She got distracted again as a deer came bounding
through the clearing to take a drink at the small pool that passed nearby.
Elora flounced onto a tree stump, and placed her spell book on the forest
floor. It was too fine a day to be studying a musty old book. That's why she
had left the temple in the first place, so that she could be outside among
nature.
She reached in her pocket for some grain, and held it out for the deer to
smell. The deer looked up, and cautiously sniffed the air. After decided that
a late afternoon snack couldn't hurt, the deer came up and nuzzled Elora's
hand, eating that grain that she had there.
Looking fondly at the animal, Elora started to idly stroke the deer's
magnificent fur. "What a fine animal you are," she murmured.
Suddenly the deer looked up, frightened. Without advertising his intent,
the deer took off through the forest.
Puzzled, Elora looked after it. "Now why would you do that, little deer?"
she wondered aloud.
"Maybe it's because she saw me sneak up behind you." a cold, quiet voice
said from behind her.
Startled, Elora spun around. "Who are you?"
Ignoring her completely, the man clad all in black looked at the open
spellbook on the forest floor. "So, you're a mage are you?" he asked with
casual calm.
The girl picked up her book and hugged it to her chest, something about
this man seemed, wrong. "What's your name?" she asked again, quietly readying
a spell.
The man in black looked at her, and noted the that she was trying a spell.
Narrowing his eyes, he replied, "I'm called the Mage Killer, and I will be
your death."
At his words the girl released her spell, that of a clerical spell
flamestrike. A great pillar of flame immediately pierced the heavens, and
struck the man, enshrouding him in flames. Shivering uncontrollably, that was
the only time she had used a spell to harm, Elora backed up.
Suddenly there was a hiss, and the pillar of flame died down. "Haven't you
got something a tad bit stronger than that? I'd hate to have this over with
so quickly." The man in the black said, as he started a slow advance.
The girl, trembling, turned around and started to run. The man in black
frowned, "That's not very sporting of you." he said with a frown. Using the
extra speed afforded him by the boots of speed, he got in front of the girl.
When she saw that he was in front of her, Elora screamed, eyes wide with
fright. She fell to the ground, back peddling furiously. She turned, trying
to get away. The Mage Killer strode up behind her, and grasped her shoulder.
Spinning her around, he drew his sword. "And so ends another meddler of a
spellcaster that seeks to toy with the very forces that give us life." With
that he drove his blade through the spellbook, which she still clutched to
her breast, and into the soft chest beneath it.
His blade slid in easily, brutally ending the life of the young woman that
just wanted to be left alone with nature. As she died, the forest, which had
been silent up until now, shuddered to life as squirrels and birds alike ran
away in horror.
The Mage Killer watched as the light left the eyes of his most recent
victim. This one wasn't even a challenge. He contemptuously pulled his blade
free, and cleaned the blood off of it on the robes of the dead girl. He
glared down at the girl, and watched the slow spread of blood in grim
satisfaction.
He snapped his head up, Someone was coming this way! He hurriedly looked
around for a place to hide. He scrambled up a tree as a male elf walked into
the clearing, looking down at the dead girl in horror. The elf said a short
prayer to Mystra over the body, and the figure in the tree tensed. If this
was a spellcaster he would have to die, but nothing he had done so far led
the cloaked figure to believe that the elf was a mage.
Thinking, Mage Killer moved off through the trees to find a suitable area.
There was always one way to find out if someone's a mage. . .
* * *
Ceribus wandered through some woods that he happened to find. He didn't
know the name of these woods, but that hardly mattered. All that mattered was
that he was in a setting that made his elven soul well up in thanks.
He was dressed in plain, homespun robes, the only ornament he had was a
small symbol. It had eight stars in a circle, with a red mist flowing
downward from the center. The symbol of Mystra, goddess of magic. He wasn't a
cleric, he just belonged to the Servants of Mystery, and they liked for their
officers to wear Mystra's symbol.
He walked on, enjoying the peace and quiet. He passed a certain type of
tree, and he paused. Taking out his knife, Cer cut into the bark a short way,
and drained off some of the sap. Cer removed a powdered mint flavored leaf
from one of his many pouches, and mixed this with the tree sap. When it was
sufficiently mixed, Cer stuck it in his mouth and started chewing.
Blowing a bubble with the concoction, Ceribus walked on through the woods.
Suddenly a deer burst through the woods in front of Cer, with the whites
of his eyes showing, clearly scared out of his mind. Concerned, Ceribus tried
to calm the animal down. However, the animal had other thoughts in his head.
Breaking free of Cer's grasp, the deer bounded on through the forest.
It wasn't long after that, that Cer heard a scream resound throughout the
forest. Instantly wary, he tried to determine where the sound came from. He
figured, quite correctly, that whatever made the deer frightened probably
caused the scream as well. So he headed off in the direction that the deer
came from.
It didn't take him long to reach the clearing, and the sight he saw made
him gag. He saw a girl laying on her back, with a single sword mark through
her breast, and the book she had been holding. There was a semi-congealed
pool of blood that was spread out from the wound.
Walking fully into the clearing, Cer gently closed her eyes, and spoke a
short prayer to Mystra. As he was raising up, he heard the sound of something
moving through the trees. It sounded too heavy to be a forest animal, so Cer
made note of which direction that noise was traveling. Casting a spell of
illusion on the dead girl, so that hopefully nothing would mess with her, Cer
sprinted off in search of whatever made that noise.
He had chased the sound until he came into a really dense region of the
forest. He didn't have much hope of following the sound now, the trees grew
too close together to do much following.
Just as he was about to turn around, Cer noticed a man standing in the
shadows of a tree. He had almost overlooked the man because he was wearing
all black, but Cer could see him now.
"Hail!" Cer called out. "Do you know anything about the dead girl back in
that clearing?" Cer asked.
"Can't say I have mate," replied the dark-cloaked figure. "I was just
waiting here for someone to help me, will you help me?"
Somewhat confused, Cer agreed "Aye, what did you have in mind?"
"Just follow me." the man replied mysteriously.
He lead the way to another clearing, this one with a cave nestled in one
corner. Off to one side of the cave was a drop off, and it ended several
hundred feet below, on many sharp edged boulders.
"What exactly are we here for?" Cer asked with some trepidation.
"There's a dragon in that cave that has been terrorizing caravans. I've
been sent to destroy it, but my mage has died. I thought you were a mage, and
could help me." The man in black said smoothly.
Cer glanced around nervously, he didn't like the idea of fighting a dragon
in this terrain, but he didn't really have a choice, the human would probably
die without the help of a mage. "Alright, you're correct, I am a mage." the
human's eyes lit up. Cer continued, "When the dragon comes out I'll cast a
lightning bolt at it, by the way, what color dragon is it?"
"It's a red."
"Okay, after the lightning bolt connects the first time I want you to
start throwing daggers at me."
The man in black let his jaw drop. This idiot mage just ASKED him to kill
him! The Mage Killer nodded, and Ceribus went into motion.
Casting a fireball spell, Cer aimed it into the cave's entrance. The
fireball flew in, and billowed out in a magnificent explosion of fire. The
cave shook, and several small boulders dislodged themselves.
The dragon brought its head out of the cave. Its head alone was two times
as tall as Cer was. The monster's teeth were as long as swords and looked to
be as sharp as diamonds. It gazed malevolently out at the fool that had dared
awaken it. It pulled the rest of its serpentine body out of the cave
entrance, and slowly unfolded his enormous wings.
Cer finished casting his lightning bolt spell, and aimed it so that it
would rebound off the cave wall behind the dragon, and hit the dragon twice.
The bolt flashed blue from Cer's hand, and struck the massive beast in the
chest, then the rebound hit him in the back.
Ceribus looked towards the human, and signaled him to start throwing. Mage
Killer did so happily. Each blade he threw went true . . .and Cer caught each
one and put it up into the air, flipping and catching until all of Mage
Killer's knives were in the air. Mage Killer looked on in stupefaction. That
mage had caught every blade and was juggling them!
Ceribus had no time to look at his companion, he shifted slightly, and
added in a few blades of his own, these were enchanted blades. When the
dragon started to inhale, Cer casually flung each blade as strong as he
could. The blades came down in the juggling pattern, and were then thrown
straight toward the dragon. A steady line of blades was leading away from
Ceribus, and when the last blade left his grasp, he collapsed, breathless.
The dragon, who had closed his eyes in preparation of toasting these
intruders, felt the first burning stab, he wasn't worried. When he felt
twenty more follow in quick succession, then he thought something was wrong
and swallowed the fire he was getting ready to breath. The last blade struck
home, and the dragon collapsed on its stomach, driving the blades even
deeper.
Mage Killer just looked at Cer. Shaking out of his amazement, Mage Killer
set his mouth, drew his sword, and grimly started to advance. He was going to
regret killing this particular mage, but not for very long.
Cer looked up, and saw the human stalking toward him with a drawn blade.
"Its alright, I believe that he won't be troubling anything for a while." Cer
said, slightly out of breath.
Mage Killer paused. "I don't care about the dragon. My name is Mage
Killer," he said with a bow. "And I will be your death."
"Now that's not a very polite thing to do, now is it?" Cer asked.
His killer stopped, momentarily confused. This wasn't how things were
supposed to go. "Aren't you going to scream, run, beg for mercy, or cast
spells at me?" he asked.
"Why should I?" Cer asked in return. "I just want to know why you want to
kill me."
Mage Killer paused. This wasn't a normally asked question. Still, it
wouldn't hurt to tell this one before he died. "My parent's were once mighty
spell caster's. One day their magic got out of control and destroyed them.
All because of magic! I was just old enough to understand what had happened.
Their pursuit of magic killed them, magic killed them. That's why I kill
mage's, because no one should mess with the stuff that gives us life."
Cer thought to himself that that sounded kinda hypocritical, but he didn't
say anything. He almost had his breath back, now if this guy would just keep
talking..."I'm sorry for your loss," Ceribus said. "By the way, my name's
Ceribus."
Mage Killer looked uncertain. This wasn't supposed to happen. His victims
weren't supposed to feel sympathetic, they were supposed to feel fear. "You
do know that I'm going to kill you, right?"
Cer nodded, "Most likely." he agreed.
Scowling, Mage Killer started moving towards Cer. He stood above Cer, who
was still on the ground, with sword upraised. Trembling, he lowered the sword
slightly. "Cast a spell."
"Can't do it," Cer replied. "Mystra forbids the irresponsible use of
magic."
Mage Killer growled, "The Goddess of magic? She's the one responsible for
my parents death! I'll kill her too in time!!"
Cer didn't even think, he just cast a stream of magic missiles at the Mage
Killer. Killer swung his shield around and absorbed the hits. "I tried to get
you to see that some of us use magic with dignity, not casting spells to
enslave or harm other folk, but you just wouldn't listen." Cer said as he
slowly stood.
"You told me lies, magic spells should always be kept away from mortal
use."
Cer cast another stream of magic missiles at him. Like the others, these
were absorbed into the shield.
"For lying to me I'm going to kill you slow, mage," he sneered, making an
insult of the word. Pointing his shield at Cer, Mage Killer released the
stored spells. Many bright pulses of magic raced toward Cer, and burst apart
before they hit him, stopped by a minor globe of invulnerability.
Mage Killer snarled, and rushed toward Cer. Ceribus called his magic
quarterstaff to his hand, and prepared himself. Mage Killer came in high,
swinging for Cer's head, Cer blocked, then swiped for his opponent's legs.
He backed up, then attacked with a shield slam as a frontal assault, and
came in low with his sword, angling it up towards Cer's ribs.
Ceribus cast a dimension door and ended up at the edge of the cliff edge.
Mage Killer was enraged, it had been a long time since someone put up this
much of a fight! Lunging with his sword, Mage Killer made a mistake. Ceribus
moved out of the way slightly, and pushed Killer's back. Mage Killer went
over the edge.
Fearing contingency spells, Cer ran to the edge of the forest. He heard
an insane cackling coming from behind. Wondering what was going on, Cer
turned around. What he saw surprised him more than a little.
Mage Killer seemed to have grown huge bat wings and was hovering over the
chasm, laughing insanely. He had lost his sword and shield in the fall, but
he thought he could still beat this opponent.
Then something unexpected happened, the dragon recovered. It snapped its
massive head up, and glared right at something flying in the air. The dragon
couldn't see very clearly because of the tears of pain, and to its blurred
vision the flying bat-winged thing looked somewhat like a baby dragon come to
take advantage of a wounded relative.
With a bellow of rage, the wounded red dragon rose, slowly, up to its
feet. Mage Killer looked at it in horror. The first time in many long years
he had felt this emotion. The dragon flapped its mighty wings, and reached
out a taloned arm to snatch the would-be plunderer. Mage Killer tried to fly
away, but the dragon's massive tail shot out, grazing him, and tearing his
cloak. As the cloak's enchantment fell away, the dragon's taloned hand
reached him, and in the space of but a breath the man feared by mages
everywhere was no more.
Ceribus turned and ran into the forest, glad to be rid of the Mage
Killer. By luck or chance he happened upon that first clearing. He dispelled
his illusion, and gently buried the body. This clearing would never be the
peaceful haven it once was, but at least the soul of the girl would be at
peace. He must remember to have a cleric from her church stop by to say last
rites for her.
Ceribus sat and prayed silently that her spirit knew peace. As he was
finishing he heard a noise off to one side. Standing and brushing himself
off, Cer waited. Out of the brush came a face he knew well, the paladin
Kmalj, resplendent in his full plate mail, polished as usual.
"There you are lad!" Kmalj rumbled. "I've been looking around for you,
what have you been doing?"
Cer thought back, smiling he replied "Not much, just playing with a
dragon, nothing important." With that he walked off into the forest. After
shaking his head at Cer's statement, Kmalj joined him.
-Ceribus the Wonder Monkey,
3-Headed Suicidal Protector of Idiots,
and Current SOM Jester.Diamond's
Beard
(submitted by: D1amond 2)
[This tale happened right after the great change in Neverwinter, better known
as version 2.2.]
**********
A cloaked figured grumbled her way through NW, vehemently complaining each
time she made a wrong turn. "Dadbern flighty humans! I goes travelin fer a
couple o'months an they up an change everythin! An I'll be a duergar afore I
goes an asks one o'Nasher's lackeys fer directions."
After fumbling about the realms and kicking a few walls, D1AMOND finally made
her way to the jewelry shop she runs with her sister Emmrald. She slams open
the shop door, breaking the bell on the door in the process, and glares
around the shop. Seeing Emmrald sitting at her workbench, D1 says with a
smirk, "At least you has the sense to not up an change everythin. Ya could'a
least sent word tha' NW went on a decoratin binge."
Not even looking up from her work, Em says irritatedly, "Like've had time to
leave this shop. You up an leave me ta do all this werk meself and I'm
supposed ta keep up with all tha changes tha 'umans....bin....up....ta....."
She had forgotten what she is saying as she turned and got her first look at
D1AMOND.
"Whut!......yer beard!.....Whut happened to it?" Emmrald asks in pure shock.
Blushing, D1 lowers her head in shame and mumbles quietly, "Sumone took it,"
and starts up the stairs to her room.
Not quite believing her ears, Em asks incredulously, "Excuze me? Did you say
sumone took yer beard?"
Ashamed at her weakness and irritated at having to say it again, D1 swings
around and yells, "AYE! AN UPPITY WAGGLY FINGERED ELF THOUGHT IT WOULD BE
FUNNY TO CASTS A SPELL ON ME AND MAKES ME BEARD DISAPPEAR!!!!!" Realizing
she was shouting at her innocent sister, D1 lowers her voice and continues.
"It nae be growing back either as far as I cin tell, cuz it's bin gone a
for'night and nae even a whisker has grown back. Ya thinks ye cin live wit
me and continya to werks wit me in me shame."
Looking at D1 frankly, Em asks, "Did ye gets revenge?"
"Aye," D1 answers, throws a pouch onto Em's workbench and walks upstairs and
to unpack.
D1 gets to her room and throws her pack on her bed when she hears a 'yelp' of
surprise from downstairs. Then Em calls up to her proudly, "Ya gots all ten
of them. Ther's one elf tha' nae be wagglin it's fingers anymore."
********
The first days back at the shop were hectic for D1AMOND as she helped Emmrald
get caught up on the backlog of work the shop had collected in D1's absence.
Then there were the books to go over, since the sisters always checked each
others ciphering. Not to mention, the new ale recipe D1 brought back with
her that she wanted to try and, of course, guild gossip to catch up on.
After a long day and well into the night of constant work, D1 stretched back
from her work and rubbed her stiff neck. With a big yawn, she scratched her
chin as she decided where to cut next on the large gem before her. Feeling
her bare chin she mumbled under her breath, "Damned thievin treehugger."
With a growl of exasperation, Emmy, who is working next to D1, turns and says
"Ya know, I've bin patient wit ya, thinkin maybe you wer too ashamed ta talk
about whut 'appened ta ye. I 'ave listened ta yer continyas mumbles,
grumbles an cursin fer three days now. If'n ye nae tells me whut 'appened
rite now, tha nex' time ye mumbles 'bout that elf, I'm gonna start lobin'
gems at ye!"
With eyebrows raised and arms crossed, D1 looks over at her sister with an
'I'd like to see you try,' big sister expression on her face. "Before ye
goes throwin around our livelyhood, all ye 'ad ta do was ask." D1 turn's
around and starts to work again, mumbling about not leaving Em alone with the
shop again because she gets to uppity.
Emmrald waits for her sister to begin her tale, but after 30 seconds or so,
Em realizes that it wasn't going to happen. With her hands before her, Em
grits her teeth and pretends to choke her sometime infuriating sister. She
takes a deep breath to calm herself and asks sweetly, with an edge of
sarcasam, "D1AMOND, big sister o'mine, will you PUUUULLLLEEAAASSEE tell me
whut 'appened, afore I die of curiousity."
"Well fer sure lil' sister, it's about time ye asks."................
**********
D1AMOND sat back in her chair, took a sip of ale and began telling her tale.
"About 2 weeks inta me trip, I came acrost a dangerous land whut was infested
wit monsters too strong fer me ta kills alone. So's I met up wit some
adventurers an we decides ta travels tagether. In's tha party, includin me,
wer a well traveled 'uman couple and a pair o' elven brothers.
Rite off I could see's tha' me an the yunger elven brother wer nae gonna be
frens. He wer a theivin' airgant fingerwaggler, whut found grate pleasure at
others misfortune.
Tha older o' tha brothers, in reverse, was kind and honorable, an' we became
fast frens. About a week inta ar jerneys, he confided in me an tol' me tha'
his lil' brother had bin banished from ther elven 'omeland and tha' he 'ad
chosen ta come along wit 'is brother cuz he wer tha only family he 'ad. I
tol' tha older brother out rite tha' I thot he 'ad made a hairbrained
decision, but after thinkin 'bout it I realized tha' I woulda done tha same
thing, given 'is perdicament." With a smile D1 stopped and winked at Emmrald
who was listening intently.
"I could go inta some detail here 'bout the yung lads crimes an' how they
finally led ta 'is banishment, but serfice it ta say tha' tha banishment
taught tha lad nae a lesson one. In fact, his brother told me, it had only
served ta makes him more bitter an' cruel.
Ta make a long story a bits shorter, tha yung lad an' I butt 'eads more'n
once. Tha main grief of which, wer his hankerin fer me special dagger whut
father 'ad made fer me. He thought it wer a game ta steals it frum me an'
get me angered."
Looking over to her sister, D1, with sad expression on her face stated. "You
knos me rules about stealin. Tha first time I caught tha lad with me dagger,
whilst he wer on tha ground bleedin I explained me punishment policy. One
warnin then a finger fer each time he stilt frum me. Sadly, tha lad only
laughed at me an' nae took me serious.
Tha older brother could see tha' I wer serious, an begged me ta have mercy on
tha lad. I explained to me fren tha' law be law an' tha' his brother was
gonna 'ave ta meet wit some kind of judgement other than a sissy banishment
in order ta learns a lesson. Against me better judgement tho, I told me fren
tha' I would just keep count an continya ta warns tha yung lad not ta steal
frum me.
Well, a lass cin only takes so much. Each mornin I would wake up an' me
dagger would be missin. I'd go over ta tha lad, snatch his pack, get me
dagger and then I'd get down inta his face and tells him, 'that's one' er
two, three until I gots ta ten. Tha lad would only jeer at me an' make rude
coments about bein surprised I could count.
Tha final mornin of me count, not only wer me dagger missin, but tha lad had
cast a spell on me in me sleep whut made me beard disappear. Enuff wer enuff
an' tha yung lads older brother did nae stands in me way whilst I rendered me
punishment. Tha yung lad, of course, threatened me life an vowed his
vengeance. Watch yer back, blah blah blah, next time I takes you head not
just yer beard, blah blah blah, and assorted nonsense. I could tell tha' he
still nae learnt anythin, so's I tooks tha' fingers wit me an' told him to
come get them when he be ready."
Throwing her hands into the air to show the end of her story, D1 says, "No
great battles or savin' of tha world as we kno it, but I guess you best watch
out if a fingerless elf shows up at tha shop."
D1amond Glanderlin
Axepeak Elder
Gor Kuld
Veteran Battlerager
Warden O' The Gem Cutters
Master Drill SargeantEncounter at the Inn
(submitted by: Felena)
It was well past nightfall when they came upon a small inn and she entered,
the hood of her cloak pulled over her head until she had fully surveyed those
in the common room. Reaching out with her senses, she did a sweep of the
room, and feeling no immediate danger seated herself at a table near the
doorway. The innkeep approached her warily, as the hood still hid her face,
and took her order for a bowl of Owlbear stew and bread, a mug of chilly mead
and a bowl of warm cream for Cali. Though she was a knight, and fully
capable of defending herself against an attack, she felt it prudent to avoid
attention being drawn to herself. A woman, traveling alone invited all sorts
of unwanted situations, and she was in no mood to parry the advances of male
travelers already well into their cups. She payed the innkeep generously
when he returned with her meal, made arrangements for Silvermyst's care, and
obtained lodgings for the night. The stew was well seasoned, and plentiful,
and she became full before she had finished half of it. She offered several
pieces of the meat to Cali, who sat on the bench next to her, belly full of
the warm cream she had purchased for him.
Having eaten her fill, she pushed the bowl across the table and took up her
mug, drinking deeply of the honey flavored liquid. It was chilled to
perfection, and though it was an exceptional offering, it still paled in
comparison to her sister Allsfaire's brew. She sat quietly, Cali curled at
her side, cloak still over her head, and watched the crackling fire. It was
then that she heard the door to the common room open, a gust of wind
slamming the door against the wall. In the opening, stood a giant of a man,
perhaps 250 stones heavy. He had to bend to enter the generously cut
doorway, and all eyes turned to him as he stepped into the room. He looked
at the offending door, which closed itself at his will, and swept the hood
off of his head. She could feel him reaching out with his senses, and in
response secured her mental barriers in place so that he might not breach her
mind. The barriers had become quite strong, and he would not be able to pass
them without causing her considerable pain. The traveler's gaze rested upon
her, she could sense it even though she had not met his gaze. After a bit,
she lifted her head and met his curious glance, her hood falling from around
her face. An evil smile curled his lips, though she did not turn from it.
Cali, sensing her unrest, rose from his nap to sit beside her, attentive to
the scene unfolding.
"So, what have we here," he said, moving toward her table. Felena sighed
deeply, knowing trouble was inevitable. "A lass, unescorted in these parts?
My, my!" His evil chuckle echoed through the room, and the others there just
watched, as if they feared him worse than death. "You speak to a knight of
the Round Table, sir, not just a traveling lass'. I will thank thee to
trouble me not with thy foolish advances, for I am in no mood just now to
deal with them." He lifted an eyebrow in response and said, "Quite small for
a Knight are ye not? Ye do not look so threatening to me, young lass."
Those seated in the common room responded with muted chuckles. "Might I
remind thee sir, that it does not take imposing size to be an expert spell
caster? Again, I warn thee, do not trouble me. I wish to finish my meal in
peace." He threw his head back and laughed, long and hard, Felena looking
upon him unimpressed. She sat quietly, judging her location, and surveying
the room. Again, the man spoke, "Come now, lass, surely ye wish a spot of
company this night." He grinned at those seated around him, as if enlisting
their support. "Company is the furthest thing from my mind, sir," she
responded. " I wish merely to be left in peace."
Surprised that he had not made her shrink in fear, he moved menacingly toward
her, Cali responding by folding back his ears, hissing a warning at the man.
Felena reached out, calming Cali with her touch, all the while keeping visual
contact with her oppressor. "Do not step any closer sir. I do not wish
trouble this night." "Trouble? That is indeed what ye shall have, Lady
Knight. I am not used to having my wishes thwarted by a mere woman!!" As he
spoke, he reached out, grabbing her by the arm and pulled her easily from her
seat on the bench. As soon as her feet touched the floor once again,
Felena's hands began glowing red, and she locked them onto the arms of her
attacker. She allowed the full force of the spell to flow through her, down
her arms centering into her hands, burning her hand prints into his flesh to
his utter astonishment. His eyes glossed over with pain, and he released
her, crumbling to his knees. Felena immediately cast her spells of
preparation for what she was sure would be a continuation of this encounter.
To her surprise, the man did not rise from his knees. She stood at the
ready, nonetheless, waiting and watching warily. "M'lady, I beg mercy," he
said to her, not raising his eyes from the floor. "I am but a rogue fighter
with no spell casting abilities to speak of save a few tricks like closing
doors. I would not stand a chance against thee in battle. I stand defeated
before all these assembled here, and pledge to thee my fealty if thee wouldst
but grant me my life." Felena looked upon him there, in his shame, and spoke
calmly and evenly to him, though there was no doubt in the minds of those
present that she meant what she did say. "Raise thy eyes from the floor and
meet my gaze, sir!" The man did so, and she continued, sweeping the room
with her gaze as she spoke. My name is Lady Felena MacRorie, Knight of the
Round Table. Our order is sworn to uphold peace and protect the innocent in
Tyr's name. I take that vow seriously," she said directly to the man before
her. "I shall pass through here regularly, as this town is on my route from
Camelot to my home in Winterbrook. Should I ever find that thou has returned
to thy menacing ways of intimidation, I shall personally see that ye suffer
thy just punishment." She met his eyes, then and asked. "Do I make myself
perfectly clear?" "Aye, m'lady, ye do indeed!" he exclaimed, cowering in
fear of possible retribution. "In addition to what I have said to thee thus
far, I assign thee to protect this inn from interlopers, such as thyself,
under the supervision of yon innkeep. I shall have regular communication
with him as to the performance of said duties. Do not fail to keep thy vow!"
Her gaze rested upon him, eyes meeting his with full determination. He held
the gaze briefly, then again looked to the floor. "I shall do as thou hast
instructed, M'lady MacRorie. Ye shall have no reason pursue further
punishment. For my word is my bond."
"Rise then from the floor, that I might see to thy wounds," Felena said to
him, motioning to the bench at her table. The man looked at her in surprise,
having not expected further mercy from the Knight, though he rose and took a
seat on the bench. Felena reached into her pouch, pulling forth a jar of the
healing salve made in her home of Winterbrook. She paused for a moment, as
the healing properties of the salve left virtually no scars behind,
considering whether to leave the marks of her hands upon his arms as a
reminder would be deserved. She pushed the thought from her mind though,
feeling as though he had been punished enough for one night. Setting the jar
upon the table, she settled into a healing trance, kneeling before him and
placing her hands onto the wounds they had made. She could feel the flesh
repairing itself under her touch, and worked until the raw scars were all
that could be seen. She then spread a generous portion of the salve upon the
wounds, placing a little of the salve into a clean cloth and presenting it to
him with instructions to apply it again for the next several nights.
He thanked her again for her generosity, as she placed the jar into her pack,
drained her mug of mead, now room temperature to her disappointment. She
nodded acknowledgment to him as she gathered her belongings and scooped Cali
up from his place on the bench, turning toward the stairway leading to her
room. "M'lady MacRorie?" His voice was quiet and humble. She turned back
to him, meeting his gaze and waited for him to continue. "Might I offer my
services in seeing to thy horse, and then standing guard at thy door this
night that ye may rest comfortably?" She smiled at him in response, nodded
her thanks and continued to her room. True to his word, she found him
standing guard at her door when she opened it the next morning as she went
down the stairs to the common room to break her fast. Her morning meal
consisted of fruit of the vine, bread and warm gruel, which she ate quickly
so that she might continue on her journey with no further ado. Having
gathered all her belongings, she preceded into the adjoining stables to
retrieve Silvermyst, who to her surprise had been prepared for their
departure, and stood at the ready. She saw his shadow near the stall, and
turned to him, thanking him for caring for Silvermyst. As she pulled herself
into the saddle, the man bowed to her, assuring her she would hear of no
further trouble from him. She smiled in response, saying she would expect
that to be the case, as she rode out of the stables to resume her journey to
Winterbrook.The Tale of Logarth - Book One
(submitted by: Logarth)
** Herein lies the first book in the life story of the renegade drow
known as Logarth Z'Saarr, a capable fighter and mage and admittedly
one of the best thieves in all the realms. Watch both yourself and
your valuables when he is around for he is sly, cunning and ruthless.
He serves no master, only himself, but is unquestioningly loyal to
those he calls brother.....
Menzoberranzen.... Only one word, but it conveys many things to many races:
cruelty, deceit, death, fear, evil.... But to many drow, it means home, just
as it did for me at one time. I was born the third son of the house Z'Saarr,
a minor noble house of Menzoberranzen. Normally, this is a position to be
coveted and respected but not so within house Z'Saarr. I grew up learning to
fear and even loathe my two older brothers and sister Vergha, a high
priestess of Lloth. My brothers would torment me and mercilessly beat me
just for sport. I was helpless to defend myself against them because I was
so much younger than they. I vividly recall the torture I endured at the end
of my sisters snake headed whip, and it is something that makes me cringe
still today. I vowed one day to exact my revenge upon them all.
I soon learned house Z'Saarr tends to be one of the most treacherous and
cruel in all the Underdark, especially within it's own family. I manifested
my innate magical abilities at a very early age and demonstrated a remarkable
capacity for other forms of magic as well so the Matron Mother decided I
would pursue them further. My magical studies were overseen by my brother
Kendrazz, who was a high ranking member of Sorcere, the mage school at the
famed academy Tier Breche, and through his tutelage I progressed quickly.
The weapons training all drow undergo came easy to me and I developed deadly
skill for the long sword, dagger and trident. I soon found myself able to
best all my instructors save one, my eldest brother and weapons master of
House Z'Saarr, Xarglesh.
Due to my varied skills the Matron Mother became interested in me and started
keeping tabs on my activities. Soon after, she secretly summoned me to her
chambers where she told me that she had been watching my progress and was
pleased to see that I was becoming such a capable fighter and mage. She also
said she wanted me to develop skills in other areas in order to round out my
talents and make me a more versatile tool. She rejoiced that I would become
her most powerful weapon against the other houses. "One day soon you will be
approached by a stranger who will tell you he was sent by me. Listen to and
obey this stranger as you would me for he will be responsible for your other
training. Do not disobey or anger him for he is far more dangerous than you
would care to find out.", she warned. I waited expectantly for this
mysterious stranger to reveal himself to me but he never showed himself.
After a couple weeks I had all but pushed thoughts of the stranger to the
back of my mind.
One day as I was traveling through a rather deserted section of
Menzoberranzen, a figure suddenly melted out of the shadows right next to me
and rasped my name. Startled by the sudden appearance of this person
shrouded in shadows and darkness, I instinctively went for my dagger only to
find an empty sheath. Intent on protecting myself with magic I reached for
my bag of spell components discovering the severed ends of the tie that used
to hold the bag on my belt. The figure chuckled. "Looking for these are
you?", he asked while displaying my dagger in one hand and my bag in his
other. I could only gape in disbelief as I saw what he held, thinking I must
have dropped them a ways back. That failed to explain the severed tie
though, and I realized he must have taken them from me without my knowing his
presence or actions. "I see by your puzzled expression you have yet to
figure out who I am. Your Matron Mother has sent me for you. It seems I am
to be your newest mentor." Sudden realization hit me like a boulder. This
was the stranger I had been waiting for. He continued, "My real name is not
important, but I am known throughout this city as Veldrins." Veldrins!!
Before me stood the most notorious thief (and reportedly assassin) in all of
the Underdark, and I was to become his apprentice. Now I realized why the
Matron Mother kept referring to me as her "tool" and her "most powerful
weapon". Tossing my dagger and bag to me he said "Return here when the fires
of Narbondel grow dim. Tonight we begin your training."
That night, I returned as instructed and began learning the art of being a
thief. I continued meeting with Veldrins whenever he instructed, never
meeting at the same place or at the same time of day twice in a row.
"Secrecy and stealth are our greatest assets" was a favored saying of his.
He seemed to know my every move for our meetings never conflicted with my
other activities which allowed me to keep up with my magical studies and
practice with my weapons whenever possible. I grew more skillful and deadly
with each passing day performing various tasks under his tutelage. Not only
did I learn the typical thief skills such as picking pockets, scaling walls,
breaking into secure buildings and using shadows to hide myself, I also
learned to present myself as a "respectable" member of society and I
developed three identities to pick and choose from depending upon the
circumstances.
When I approached the age of adulthood, the Matron Mother demanded an
especially challenging blooding of me (the drow ritual that signifies when a
drow child enters into adulthood) in order to test my skills and see if my
training was progressing satisfactorily. I was given a most fearsome task,
to singularly track down and slay a hook horror that had been ravaging the
outer edges of the city. I armed myself with a finely crafted but
non-magical longsword and enchanted dagger, gathered my spellbook and
components and set off in search of my prey. A full week I spent alone in
the wilds of the Underdark, ceaselessly stalking my prey and calling upon all
of my training to avoid and overcome the varied dangers of the Underdark.
Finally, my perseverance paid off and I found the lair of the hook horror.
No sooner had I entered the beasts lair, my acute elven senses warned me of
approach from behind. Reflexively, I dropped down and rolled forward drawing
my sword, narrowly avoiding having my head separated from my shoulders by the
beasts razor sharp claws. Regaining my feet I spun to meet my foe, just able
to dodge the beasts mad rush. For what seemed like hours (but was in
actuality mere minutes) all was a flurry of activity: slash, cut, parry,
dodge. I began to tire against the beasts unnatural strength and started
taking a multitude of minor slashes from its claws and a particularly nasty
wound to the shoulder. It was bleeding from a couple of cuts but seemed to
be largely unaffected due to its plate-like armored hide. I started to fear
that alone I was no match for the beast. ***SNAP*** I watched in dismay as
my longsword broke to the hilt on the armored exoskeleton of the horror and
with a mighty blow from its' claw I tumbled across the room. Lying on the
floor, dazed and confused, I watched the creature approach. Relying solely
on instinct I thrust forth my hand and white darts of magical light sped
unerringly toward the beast rocking it back a few yards. Realization forced
its way into my pain clouded mind and I searched my spells to keep on the
offensive. Knowing that a fireball in the close quarters of the chamber
would also spell my death, I cast the next most powerful spell I had at my
disposal. ****CRACK**** The lightning bolt flew from my fingers, dancing
through the air, lighting the chamber with an unearthly glow, striking the
horror square in the chest and passing out its back continuing toward the
rock wall. The beast bellowed in pain and for the first time fear. Luck was
on my side after all as the lightning bolt struck the wall and ricocheted
toward the ceiling where it struck a grouping of stalactites which dislodged
and rained down upon the horror causing little damage but distracting its'
attention. Calling upon my innate magical powers I conjured a globe of
darkness around the beasts head then immediately cast a spell of spider
climbing. Up the wall and across the ceiling I scurried, dropping down to
the ground when I was above and slightly behind the monster, drawing my
enchanted dagger while in the air. Upon landing I took my blade in a
two-handed grip, raised it above my head and threw myself at the beasts back
for all I was worth. The blade plunged deep and true, into the soft flesh
between two of the armored plates. The beast screamed in rage and I plunged
my blade in yet again, this time feeling satisfaction as the life slipped
from the beast. It convulsed and quivered on my blade, then died. I passed
out moments later from fatigue and loss of blood.
I awakened sometime later very much bruised and battered, but alive. After
tending my wounds the best I could I explored the beasts lair. Searching the
remains of the beasts previous victims I came across a trident and a few
pieces of jewelry including a ring. Upon further examination of my loot, the
trident proved to be made out of a single piece of adamantite and have been
enchanted with the most powerful of magic. The ring also proved to be
enchanted, but its exact nature escaped me. Gathering up my gear and the
head of the hook horror, I proceeded back to Menzoberranzen. The trip home
proved to be uneventful and I was able to present myself to the Matron Mother
in her audience chamber that very same night. I recounted my tale to all in
the chamber and offered up my trophy as proof. The Matron Mother accepted my
trophy and declared my blooding successfully completed at which time she
declared a grand feast be held in my honor and presented me with a magic
longsword. Once again summoning me to her private chambers secretly the next
day, the Matron Mother praised me on my accomplishment saying that I had
proved to be more resourceful and powerful than she ever imagined. She
bestowed two additional gifts upon me, a ring of protection and bracers of
protection saying they would serve me better in certain situations than
bulkier armor would. She then detailed for me how I would serve her in
various roles as thief, spy and ultimately assassin, taking on tasks that I
must never reveal to anyone. I was informed that failure or discovery even
once would result in the worst punishment available... being turned into a
drider! Such is the wrath of the Matron Mother. So I served her in these
secret missions, and I served her well, although I didn't always agree with
or like what was my duty to her. Never once did I hesitate or question her
orders or judgment no matter what dangerous or vile act I had to perform in
her name.
My brothers, unknowing of my clandestine operations, started resenting my
seemingly carefree life with no obligations. After all, I had not been
required to serve in the House Guard as a company officer or to join Sorcere
and vie for a ruling seat like other wizards. Their resentment quickly
turned to hatred and they started plotting my death. House Z'Saarr was
planning a raid upon the surface world, one that would hopefully gain our
house the favor of Lloth. I was surprised to find that my sister Vergha
would be accompanying the raiders. Even more surprised was I when the Matron
Mother told me I would also accompany the raiders to ensure nothing happened
to Vergha. I gathered the necessities and outfitted myself with the tools of
my trade: I slipped my lockpicks into my vest, bundled together my spellbook
and components, strapped my longsword on my hip, tucked my dagger into its
boot sheath and took up my trident in hand, securing its harness across my
back. Now I was ready to go. The raiding party left within the hour under
the leadership of Xarglesh who traveled in the company of Vergha and
Kendrazz. I traveled in the rear of the party, being unobtrusive and keeping
pretty much to myself, not desiring the company of my siblings. After three
weeks of constant travel, we arrived at one of the hidden exits to the
surface world. We made camp, resting and preparing for the better part of a
day, needing nightfall before we could strike.
Finally night came and we prepared to leave. Creeping forth, we encircled
the village of the surface elves. While waiting for the others to get into
position I began to study our victims. I noticed a figure wrapped in a
hooded cloak skulking around the shadows outside a tavern. I had to suppress
a chuckle as I saw the cutpurse ply his trade outside the busy tavern in this
sleepy little village, carefully picking his marks and secretly relieving
them of their valuables. Finally, all were in position and the attack was
launched. Rank upon rank of drow soldiers flooded from the surrounding
forest into the unsuspecting village. I could only stand there, transfixed
as I watched the horror unfold before me. Surely in my day I had been
responsible for a number of deaths but always it was delivered quickly and as
painlessly as possible. The torture and butchery I witnessed sickened me.
The drow soldiers were actually enjoying and reveling in the slaughter of
these defenseless elves. At the forefront of the slaughter I saw Vergha and
Xarglesh. They stood upon the steps of the tavern covered in blood, hacking
away at the dead and dying while laughing maniacally. Spurred into action by
the sight of a figure fleeing into the trees behind the tavern, I dashed
across the battlefield and stealthily pursued knowing we could not afford to
let anyone summon help.
My prey was good, but not nearly as good as I and I soon caught up with him.
Without breaking stride I drew my dagger from my boot and launched it at the
fleeing figure. My aim was true and the heavy hilt of the weapon struck him
square in the back of the head instantly felling him to the forest floor. As
I rolled him over prepared to deliver the deathblow I was taken aback. This
was the cutpurse I was watching just minutes ago. Surprise and confusion
filled me when I noticed that his skin was rather dusky, much darker than any
of the surface elves but lighter than my own, his chin and cheeks had a
sparse cover of whiskers, and the hair spilling from the hood of his cloak
covering his pointed ears was pure white. Stunned by the revelation that
this mysterious cutpurse had drow blood, I stood and prepared to leave. I
felt there was no need to kill him, for he would be unconscious and therefore
unable to get help for many hours.
"Brother....." the word was dripping with venom. I turned to see Xarglesh
standing across the clearing, his massive broadsword drawn and menace in his
eyes. Kendrazz was at his side a feral smile upon his lips. "So you decided
to join us after all.", said Xarglesh. "Good thing this surface dweller
didn't manage to slay you. Now we get that satisfaction." Instantly I
lashed out and cast a mighty fireball in their direction hoping to end this
confrontation quickly. To my dismay, I heard Kendrazz cackle in glee as they
walked toward me through the magical fires unscathed. "You think your puny
magic is a match for mine?", he asked. Suddenly, I found myself unable to
move or even breathe, rising up off the ground a good four feet or so
noticing my mysterious ring sent a tingle through my hand. It felt as if I
were caught in the clutches of a storm giant and he was squeezing the life
out of me. I knew then and there I was about to die. "Not too quickly now"
I heard Xarglesh say. "I want to see him suffer before we kill him." The
pain was excruciating, my lungs felt as if they were going to burst so badly
did I need oxygen. Everything was fading to black and I realized I was going
to suffocate. As quickly as I found myself caught in the magical embrace, I
found myself gasping for air and falling to the ground. The force that had
been holding me disappeared! I weakly looked up in time to see Kendrazz give
a mighty jerk and make a gurgling sound as the point of a blade emerged from
his throat just underneath his chin. The still body of my brother slipped to
the ground revealing the shadowy figure of my rescuer. Xarglesh spun in a
blur of movement as he raised his mighty broadsword and swung at the shadowy
figure. I could only lay there and recover my breath watching as he struck
my unknown savior in the right side, the blade biting deep and true. He
kicked the body free of his sword and turned to face me. "Little brother,
you have been a thorn in my side for too long. You, the favored of our
Matron Mother, believe us to be beneath you and also feel you have no need to
fulfill your duty to House Z'Saarr. For this I will kill you where you
stand. You know you cannot hope to defeat me. Prepare to die." Having said
that, he was upon me. I dove to the side avoiding his mighty blade and
recovered my dropped trident. I came to my feet, crouched in a fighting
stance, trident held before me. We circled each other warily, testing each
other with feints and lunges, knowing each others strengths and weaknesses,
looking for the elusive opening that would give us an edge.
STOP!!!! Boomed a voice we both knew all to well. We turned to see our
sister, a high priestess of Lloth enter the clearing. "What is the meaning
of this fight between kin?" she asked. As I tried relating what happened, my
dear brother was proclaiming me a liar insisting that I was the one who
jumped him. SILENCE.. both of us magically lost the ability to speak. She
glanced around, taking in the scene of our battle. "Dear Lloth", she
murmured upon seeing Kendrazz's lifeless form "I will get to the bottom of
this." She bent down and examined his corpse, removing the blade from his
throat. After taking a careful look around her she bade Xarglesh come to
her. I smiled, thinking she surmised the truth and was about to punish
Xarglesh. She turned to face me and walked forward, stopping only a few
yards from me, death in her eyes. "Logarth, do you recognize this blade?" I
gasped and ice filled my veins as I saw that the dagger she took from
Kendrazz's throat was none other than my own favored blade. Xarglesh was
grinning evilly from ear to ear. "I find your dagger buried deep in our
other brothers throat, yet you expect me to believe you are the innocent
here. I now know you to be not only responsible for our brother's death, but
also, more importantly, of putting this raiding party in jeopardy and
incurring the wrath of Lloth upon our house. As a high priestess of the
Spider Queen I pronounce you to be sacrificed to her.... immediately." She
raised her hands and started praying to Lloth to take me in appeasement of
her wrath. A great sheet of flame burst forth from her hands to engulf me.
For a second I felt the intense heat of her clerical magic, then the
mysterious ring on my hand gave a great vibration and turned the awesome
power of her spell back upon her as it crumbled to dust. She screamed to
Lloth as the flames engulfed her form and Xarglesh could only stand there
slack jawed and watch. Seizing the advantage I hefted my trident and hurled
it with all my force toward my brother. It struck him right in the chest,
the enchanted points of the weapon easily cleaving through his fine chain
armor and pinning him to the tree behind him. Drawing my longsword I moved
to Vergha and severed her head, ending her pitiful cries.
After ensuring there were no other threats in the area I gathered up my
belongings. I bent down next to the still form of my rescuer, curious to see
who had saved my life. It was none other that the mysterious halfdrow, and
amazingly enough he was still alive, but barely. I recovered an undamaged
potion of extra-healing from my sisters corpse and returned to the halfdrow.
His heartbeat was faint and his breathing was ragged and shallow. I feared I
was too late. Opening his lips I dribbled most of the potion down his
throat. The little left I administered directly to the hideous gash in his
right side. The wound started to close a little and the bleeding all but
stopped. Also his heartbeat felt stronger and he was breathing more regular.
I started hearing sounds of approaching search parties, no doubt looking for
their missing officer. I made a decision right then and there. I knew I
could never return to Menzoberranzen. The slaying of my brothers could be
excused and forgiven as justified, but I had also slain a high priestess of
Lloth. There would be no mercy for me. I would be given to the priestesses
to be transformed into a drider, to serve out the rest of my days as a
half-man half-spider beast. I would be an example to all of what happens to
those who go against Lloth's wishes. Knowing this, I scooped up the halfdrow
and glided off into the woods in search of shelter, now destined to be a
creature of the surface world...
** Such ends the first book of Logarth's tale **Zindio Waits
(submitted by: Zindio)
Zindio's fire burned to glowing embers, shining in the night like an Ogre's
eye.
The wind is sharp with the coldness of death, Zindio stares at the remains
of his fire deep in thought.
"Cawww, Cawww." Startled Zindio reaches for his weapon.
A Hugh black crow lands inches from his feet.
Zindio thinks,"Dinner"
The hugh bird darts forward in a fighting stance, Zindio readies his
trident to take the offending creature to his gate.
The bird raises its wings and does a dance of old Elfin magic, then
promptly steals a brownie from Zindio's stash given him by Luthyen.
"Enough, vile creature, those be mine!" Zindio yells.
The crow stops, looks at Zindio, and does the routine again. It looks at
Zindio with wide intelligent eyes and for a third time goes into the routine.
Zindio stops his killing motion, mouth drops open, smiles and puts the
Trident away.
A messenger from Star he muses.
Star Aura has given Zindio the go ahead to re train to Fighter/Magic
User/Thief.
Zindio sits down, gets a brownie from his everlasting tin and gives the
bird a bite.
Now turning to the stars Zindio says,"Scorp me lad, watch yer back, Zindio
knows the rules this time and me handbook don't say anything about illegal
tools." "Heh, Heh, yer name be on the gate."
Zindio leaves the grounds and heads for the training room.
====>Morning finds Zindio tired but exuberant, whistling and old Elfin tune.
" Me training is over'" he muses, " Low score on me dexterity but,
acceptable." The battles as a Ranger had scarred his hands, and left broken
bones in both legs so his score was only a 16 on dexterity but acceptable for
his new profession< Fighter/Magic User/Thief>
The red faced Half-Elf picked up his purple beret and headed for his
vault. Inside the vault Zindio withdrew his +3 Trident,Cloak, and the other
things he had deposited before training.
"Now", he thought,"I be ready to fight." Zindio headed for the wharves,
confident that his fighting skills were in order, and now, He had magic!
The first encounter was a Kobold, stepping out of the shadows to rob him,
THWACK, the trident came down on a bald head, to the gate sailed the would be
robber.
"Hades!" he said, "I forgot about me magic." Walking along furthe two Orcs
ran out at him. Zindio promptly cast a sleep spell, forgot to target and
went to sleep. Embarrased, Zindio woke up at the gate, bruised but alive. "
More to this magic thing than I thought." he mused.
After memorizing his spell, Zindio headed for southwall. Several fights
later the TP Cadet was back in shape. To Vilnast he headed, straight through
to the inn, fighting his way there he was feeling good again. In Vilnast he
joined a new adventurer, Ljdragn, LJ followed Zindio into Willo's house and
out the secret door, down the path south and west. The first fight was fine,
Rats and wolves, a bit further north, a Cloud Giant and Anahegs ambushed
them, if it werent for the help of several other fighters both of them would
have been gated.
Zindio camped for the night planning his next expedition for the next day.
Early the next day Zindio headed back to Neverwinter, across the plaza and
to the wharves. He joined a new adventurer by the name of MntDewer, together
they traveled to Floodbest.
Many fights later Zindio and Mtndewer camped and talked. Zindio convinced
his new friend to make an application to The Protectorate Guild for Cadet
status.
The next evening Zindio made his way, alone, to Nightsedge. At the bend
going south into Nightsedge twice Zindio was attacked by Owlbears, Twice he
was gated. Contemplating his next action at the walkway between Floodbest
and The Wharves, a voice shouted" Hail Cadet!" Looking up Zindio saw
BoltThrwer, an Elf soldier from The Protectorate. "Hail Sire," he said. "May
the trees be above ye." BoltThrwer stood and talked awhile to the Cadet when
Ldy Tarma crossed the path, "Hail MiLady." Boltthrwr said, " And where ye be
going tonight?" "Why hellow my dear," she said, "Just waiting for
Fireforged, Hail Cadet." she said. Zindio looked up and saw a lovely lady
dressed in a robe and holding a stick. Zindio bowed, saluted and said "Hail
MiLady."
"Where ye be headed my dear." she said. "To Nightsedge'" Zindio replied.
"But the owlbears are to much for me at this time." "I'll be glad to
accompany you my dear," she said, "Fire can find me."
The cadet bade farewell to Boltthrwr and followed Ldy Tarma.
Into Nightsedge they they went, fight after fight they emerged victorious,
Zindio killing three and Ldy Tarma killing the rest<Five to Ten> their path
was filled with the acid stench of burning flesh from her powerful fire
bolts. Ldy Tarma stopped on the path, Zindio figited restlesly, shifting his
weight from foot to foot. Finally she turned, smiled, and said, " Excuse me
my dear, I was Esp ing." " Ok with me." said Zindio, "Lets go." A few
kilometers down the bushy path alongside a stream they were attacked by six
Owlbears and a huge insect. " Stay back my dear," she said" These things are
too much for you." Zindio, eager to please rushed to behind Ldy Tarma as an
Owlbear attacked from behind. Zindio's Trident bounced off a thick skull,
irritating the huge adversary. " Oh, Oh!" he exclaimed. Ldy Tarma turned
around and killed the offender, "Stay back, go above the fight." she said.
Zindio zipped up to the left and turned around. Into the fray stepped a
neatly dressed gentelman, "Hellow my dear," he said. " I've got a present for
you." He then swatted an owlbear, killing it on the spot. " Why thank you."
she said, throwing a lightning bolt killing the insect. " How sweet of you"
Meantime Zindio, frustrated because he was told to stay out of the battle was
runing back and forth, up and down, and around the upper pasture. "Stay
still, stop bouncing around, little one. Stop that ye bouncy Cadet." Said
Fireforged. " I've got an itch on me back." said Zindio. "Use the tree my
dear." said Ldy Tarma, killing the last of the beasts.
The two then ignored Zindio, hugged, kissed and wispered into each
other's ears. Fireforged gave her something wrapped and tied with a ribbon.
They turned to Zindio and said "Let's go you impatient cadet." and off to
the north they moved. Entering the outskirts of what looked like a deserted
town the group was attacked by hugh lizards.
Zindio rushed in and killed the first one, turned and saw the other couple
kissing. A bolt of lightning from Fireforged killed two more lizards, fire
shot out of Ldy Tarma's hands and another died. Down to one, Zindio tried to
kill the last one but was blocked by the two lovers, hugging and whispering
in each other's ears. " How do ye get any fighting done?" Zindio said,
exasperated by their antics.
Fireforged, turned and smiled, strode down to the last lizard, and promtly
killed it. The party then headed for the inn. Zindio, tired and bruised,
paid the five gold pieces and found a room in the rundown inn. "Goodnight
cadet." said Fireforged. "Don't go out by yourself dear." said Ldy Tarma.
Zindio sat down crosslegged, smiled back, saluted and thanked the two for
their help.
The training hall was down the street, Zindio had made up his mind to leave
in the morning, train to level two, and then head eastward toward Tri Boar.Of
a Pact with the Devil
(submitted by: Luthyen)
Luthyen unstrung her bow and slid it through the loops on her Backpack of
Carrying. She loosened Star Seeker in the scabard, and adjusted the pack on
her back. It was a long walk back to NW, and she wanted to be prepared, for
the Woods could be unkind to the unwary. As she began to walk, she felt the
peculiar fuzziness of thought that accompanied a projected message, and heard
a voice inside her head.
"Hello, " it said in pleasant tones.
"Um..do I know thee?" Luthyen thought back.
"No..but I have to kill you," came the somewhat regretful reply.
Luthyen stopped walking and shook her head. She squeezed her eyes tight
shut and rubbed them with the heels of her hands, then opened them again.
Sunlight streamed through the pines along the lake shore, and birds were
singing, and somewhere a voice was saying in her head that she was to die.
"Why?" she asked.
"I sold my soul to the devil, " came the thought. "I am Tarnavus, a cleric,
and I gave in to temptation and surrendered to evil. Now I must pay up. You
see, " he continued," I made a pact with PrimeDevil. In exchange for...
certain favors..I sold him my soul. The price was what he would later ask of
me. And what he asked, " again the voice became mournful, "was that I kill
you."
"But why would he want you to kill me?" she responded, puzzled.
"Because he likes you."
Luthyen laughed out loud, startling a doe crossing the clearing in front of
her. "Tis a strange way he has of showing it, " she replied to Tarnavus. "I
shall not be easy prey for ye,..... or for him, " she warned. "I have no
intention of dying."
"I know..but I am a cleric..."
"Maxxed, I suppose?"
"Oh yes..." came that thought, with still the tinge of sadness coloring it.
"I dont want to do it..but the contract was signed in blood..it is quite
binding."
"Um..I suppose ye know that my family in the Protectorate will nae take
kindly to this? Ye may be in an uncomfortable position quite soon....."
"Yes, I know...." came the voice, and now sounded mournful for itself more
than for her.
"Well, why did ye warn me? Did ye expect me to run?" Luthyen shook her
head. TP did not run..
"Because I don't want to hurt you....and I wanted your family to defend
you...." the voice was growing fainter now. "Farewell........" it said and
faded out.
Luthyen resumed her walk, then quickened to a trot, and soon was running
swiftly and silently through the woods in the direction of Nightsedge.
"Hmmmm," she thought. "I am a little out of practice since Gambit is gone and
I have not been sparring....I'll send a message to Phantra.. I believe it's
time for a little refresher course in paladin battle tactics vs. clerics.."
Luthyen
Lady of Castle Stalker
The ProtectorateThe Arrival of KAAOS
(submitted by: Mad Drunk)
Searching through the possessions of a long dead adventurer, the thief finds
the diary of ITB Scorp. The first portion is written in a almost illegible
hand, as though the person was completely consumed by fear. The last portion
was inked in blood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I awake to a scream. Peering out of the ditch that was my bed, I see
countless citizens of Neverwinter running for their very lives. From what, I
know not.
The acidic rain pounds hard into the ground, sizzling with each drop,
and leaving a hazy green mist throughout the city. The sun shines through
the ominous clouds with a deep red fury, burning through the eyes of the
unfortunate who look at it. I can come to only one conclusion, hell has come
to Neverwinter.
Neverwinter guards fight valiantly to maintain order in the center of
the city. Spells of protection are cast, yet their defenses slowly weaken.
Soldier after soldier falls to the unrelenting acidic rain and the anger of
the transformed sun. They are no match against the obvious perversion of
evil that has claimed Neverwinter as its home. I knew then, I was truely
doomed.
A large gateway forms in the center of the square, ripping and
destroying all in its path, and the first demon steps through the gate. It
looks nothing like any demon I've ever seen, but pure evil radiates around it
like a beacon of night, scaring me more than any demon ever could. I want to
fall to my knees and beg for my life, for my very soul.
More forms emerge from the gateway, and the first unholy one is joined
by its evil brethren. Time and space distorts for a brief instant, as the
last minion of pure evil arrives, and the gateway shimmers out of existence.
Those that survived the acid rain and blazing sun, scream in pure terror.
The guards of Neverwinter move to protect the weak, forming a pathetic line
of defense in a vain attempt to protect the citizens and the place they call
home. I lay still in the ditch, wanting to run, but unable to take my eyes
from the unholy yet glorious spectical.
The leader, (I assume he was the leader since he arrived first), steps
towards the guards, squashing a dead child's skull under the heel of his
boot. The guards cower in fear and the evil one begins to speak in a loud
and thunderous voice, "Bow down mortals, for KAAOS has arrived. We are your
gods, and you are our slaves."
A woman sobs loudly, holding her horrible scarred child to her chest.
Malhavok notes the woman and signals to the god standing next to him. A form
of jet black steps forth, pure evil extends from his fingertips, and the
woman is silenced forever. I continue to watch in awe from the ditch,
completely captivated by the scene unfolding before me.
The leader of the gods, nods his head towards the legion of KAAOS. A
single shrill scream turns my attention to the right. By the time I turn my
attention back to the gods, the fight has begun. What I saw next, is
impossible for any sane person to describe. The gods moved with deadly
efficiency, literally ripping each victim limb from limb. Images of blood,
gore, violence and death painted through my mind. I wanted to vomit, but
most of all, I wanted to die. They must have felt my plea, for one of the
evil ones appeared before me, 9" serrated dagger raised, and the battle faded
into utter and complete blackness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Emerld, the Cad
and Ego
(submitted by: Ego Prime)
The Goodie Emerld sat alone in her room....
born with goodness and a silver spoon.
She was courted by many and shunned most away....
til a cloaked figure entered her life that memerable day.
Never had she beheld such a magnificient sight....
as the mage of darkness was illuminated in light.
With his ebony skin and eyes of scarlet hue....
he held her attention as she gazed at the view.
And just as fast as the GOD appeared....
he vanished like that and raised her fears.
Now time did pass and she thought herself saved....
from the evil he was but remembered his gaze.
Then one night while alone she travelled the realms....
and encountered a Cad who did give her hell.
She called for help but her cries went for naught....
no staff came to aid her so she came up with this thought.
"I must find someone, someone who....
is more evil and powerful than any I knew".
And that is when she opened her heart....
and called upon Ego to help on her part.
Now yes I did help, a few words were exchanged....
between the Cad and Ego and everything changed.
To this day he has never been seen....
the only remains is his severed spleen.
But the story doesn't end, it has barely begun....
for to ask evil for help is to nurture it's son.
And now that she has, her soul is on loan....
to Ego and KAAOS and Hell Hole his home!
<<from the KAAOS boards>>
Calgar and the Thief
(submitted by: Lrd Calgar)
"WHERE IS HE !?" Lord Calgar screamed. "I WANT THE THIEF BROUGHT TO ME!" and
out of the corner of his eye he saw a shadow bend into an ally. "STOP
MISERABLE LITTLE WORM" Running as fast as he can to catch up to the faceless
shadow he turns the corner, a dead end, with no one in site. As Calgar
pondered the possible escape routes his mood started to shift. "It's gonna
be a long day."
"Hail Lord Calgar:)" a voice rings out.
"Vendu' my lady, Sara" he replies.
"I trust things are well with you my lady?"
"They are," she says with confidence, "But you don't seem to be in a good
mood"
"Aye my lady, I was just robbed." Calgar say's with a sad look in his eye's.
"What did they get?"
"Me Amulet of Health was taken"
"A terrible crime sir, I am Sorry." she say's as she looks towards the
ground. With an uplifting voice she exclaims "WELL WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
LET'S GO AFTER HIM!"
A gleam appears in Calgars eyes "YES"... "LET US TRACK HIM TO THE ENDS OF THE
REALM, AND MAKE HIM SORRY FOR HIS TRECHARY."
With this the two comrades set off in search of a thief. Stoping at the local
inn, they gave the discription of the thief and asked if any-one has seen
him. To there disapointment no-one would respond. Not even the inn keeper had
anything to say. Then a voice spoke up, "Hail Calgar, I think I saw a man
fiting the discription"
"Where?" Calgar responded.
"Headed towards the Wharves, it looked like"
"Many thanks good sir, I am in you debt" Calagar said with a bow.
The man interjected "Lord Calgar, if I may join you I am an excellent
tracker."
"What do you think Sara?"
"Why not?" She replies with a smile "The more the better"
"Come then, join us Ganeth Kar."
And they left the inn, the three of them on a mission to serve justice. Kar
proved to be quite a good tracker indeed. Avoiding wolves that could smell
our sent a mile away, and the large Viltrask's that usually accompanied the
wolves. With the good graces of Tyr they made it to the Vilnask inn. A dark
and lonesome place it was, they were the only costumers on this evening. It
was getting late so the group decided to rest and get some food. An hour had
past and the sun had set when Calgar said "It is dark outside, Ganeth Kar
your skill's will be truly tested now"
"Night or day, the prey always leaves a trail that I can follow." Kar said.
"Well then let's go catch a thief." Sara said with exuberation.
Not more than 100 yard's from the bar they could a small crowd gathered neer
an ally, Sara went to investigate. As she aprouched the scene the croud
started to fan out. Then one of them shouted "Get them!". " Thieves!" Sara
shouted as sparks started to gather around her fingers, and a bolt of
lightning arced awy from her outstreched arms towrds the leader of this band
of cut-throats. "I am on my way!" Calgar shouted as he prepared to fire a
devistating fire ball at the main group of the thieves. An arrow whistles
past Sara's head with precision aim, Ganeth Kar drops the front thief in one
shot, "It's all in the wrist" he exclaims. Then the sound of the tell tale
fire ball cause the very ground to shake as the remainig thieves are
insinerated by the explosion going of in front of them, "They wont be
bothering us any-more."
"Lord Calgar! Over hear" Kar exclaims.
"What is it Ganeth?"
"A clue to our thief, I think"
Ganeth Kar had found a piece map. A stamp in the corner, "It look's like a
purple squid, the sign of the thieves guild. Perhaps our thief has just given
away his hiding place. Come on! It's not far from here. Now we will show the
thieves of Neverwinter that they can't just steal from anyone!"
The adventurer's set out, following the map as it lead them throught the
woods. Bends in the road made it difficult to defend if there were an ambush.
But Ganeth would not be hindered. Around a corner the map got cut off, with
the path continuing on ahead of them.
"Well," said Kar "I have a fealing there is simething nearby that the map is
not showing us."
"Every-one look for a possible secret entrance" Sara proclaims.
"That thief must be near, I can smell him."
The group searched for about 20 minutes with no luck. So they gathered to
make camp and discuss what was next. Luck was with them though this night. As
Sara leaned back against a tree she disappeared right through it! "Sara
were'd you go! Calgar screams out. Then from no-were Sara appears right were
she was before. The shimmering ilumination of the illusion had given away
it's secret. "This must be the secret the map would not show" Kar say's with
joy. "well then let us be prepared, for who knows what may be lurking in the
shadows through that illusion."
They got there gear together and prepared to walk through the illusion. The
vibrent colors and swirling lights made them feel sick to there stomich when
they passed through it, but no permanent damage. There they saw a cave, a
great place for a thief to go to hide his ill gotten goods. As our group
entered the cave they were awed by it's size and well lit corridors. The only
person adept in shadow stealth was Kar, so he immediately disappeared into
the shadows. Sara and Calgar decided to move slowly following behind the
faint glimps's of Ganeths movements.
Then Ganeth stop short, as if frozen from fear. Sara and Calgar hurredly got
up to Kar to find out what was wrong. There they saw what Kar stoped for. The
thief they were looking for was sitting quitly at a desk looking over his
newest prize, Calgars amulet.
"HOLD THIEF AND RETURN MY AMULET, OR I WILL SPLIT YOUR SKULL WITH THINE
SWORD!"
The thief looks up at Calgar with great surprise "Fool you should not have
ventured this far into the cave." With that the thief gave out a hidious
laugh. Meanwhile Ganeth was recovered from his terror enough to yell "DRACS!"
The mear mention of these foul beasts sent normall men running in fear, but
Calgar would not be moved so easly.
"THIEF! IF I WERE YOU I WOULD CALL OF YOUR PETS BEFORE I DISTROY THEM!"
"CALGAR LETS GET OUTA HERE!" Sara screams.
Just as the scream leaves Saras lips the ground begins to shake from the
explosion of a fire ball that exploded in the middle of the group of
Dracolichs "DIRECT HIT!" Calgar yells.
An arrow wizzes past Calgars head and hit's one of the Dracs square in the
chest killing it instantly. "O.K. THIEF YOU WANT A FIGHT ? YOU GOT ONE!"
Sara cries as a lightning bolt shoots from her hands striking the thief
straight on.
"Is that the best you can do?" the thief says as he returns the lightning
bolt at Sara. The bolt of lightning strikes Sara hard then bounces of the
wall and strikes her again, sending her into shock.
"CONSINTRATE ON THE DRACS!" Yells Ganeth as he fires another volley of
arrows, which bounce harmleslly of the wall. The eyes of the Dracs begin to
light up as they aproach the group. The unconsious Sara is the first to
recieve their charge and the first Drac doesn't hesitate a moment to use his
power of teleportation and send Sara back to Neverwinter.
The second of the remaining three Dracs begins to approach Ganeth Kar. Kar
narely avoids the horrific affects of the Dracs fire breath, as he dives
behind a rock. The last Drac who seems to be waiting in the back ground
starts to speak. "VIALA UM MORTE FINA!" With the final syllable uttered a
flury of sounds envelope the cave. Movement everywhere, were there was no
movement before. Then they saw it, the bones of the dead begining to move,
and form together. The skeletons fully formed started to rise, carrying their
ancient swords and shields, they ready themselves to attack.
The fear of these hidious creatures being able to controll the dead was
enough to send Ganeth running for his life.Which left him an easy target for
the Drac next to him to swoop down and bite Kar in half.
"GANETH!" Calgar yells out.
As the other two Dracs begin to move closer. Calgar utters his final words of
redemption at the thief "YOU CAN NOT HIDE FROM ME, I HAVE YOUR SENT AND WILL
TRACK YOU DOWN AGAIN!" With this Calgar casts his last resort spell. "I WILL
RETURN THIEF!"
In a cloud of smoke Calgar disappears, to another dimension.Rebirth in Mirth
(submitted by: SOL Bard)
Greetings friends... As you read this prose, I exhort you that this actually
did happen...
After waking early, I tried my best
From the computer rolls, some good scores to wrest
But after spending my time, at least an hour or two
I was more than dismayed by the numbers it did spew..
When I did find a profile which fit into the guild
The system locked up..by the gods I'd been shilled
So I take this brief moment, to just come say hello
As I resist many an urge, to turn my PC into jello
I will roll again later, to see what the fates have in mind
And I'll pray the next chance will be kinder this time
For if the system locks up when I next take my chances
It wil be one more heartbreak in my AOL romances
SOL Bard
Heart, but not spirit broken over the Puntmonster (:<) It was all 18's cept
the charisma..
Born in Blood
(submitted by: BSA Beast)
(Originally posted by ThundrChld)
The old women of the village had foreseen this night. All but one of the
omens pointed to painful death. A single flower growing on cursed ground
hinted of life. The villagers were barricaded in their homes hoping that the
wards around the doors and windows were strong enough to keep evil at bay.
This was the night of the challenge. A night when the very fabric of
existence would be stretched to the breaking point. From all points of the
compass they came. Some gliding, some shambling, others seeming no more
substantial than the mist that hid their forms. GOC, UDL, ERS, MECH and any
guild worthy of the Azuth's Challenge prepared for battle. A single black
crow flew the night air. It was whispered that this was the legendary Ebony,
eyes of the ITB. Magi of the highest order would strive for supremacy on this
night. Most would win only death.
Triboar inn was where they gathered to view the competition and receive final
instructions. Taunts and threats filled the air. The judges of the Shadow
Alliance strove to contain forces that if unleashed would mean the
destruction of the town. Only in the arena could such power be released.
Threats of a truly odious nature were made against Judge ArielZwei. She was
with child. The guild of KAAOS, always looking for innocents to torment,
pursued her like wolves following a trail of blood. Only her formidable
powers allowed her to rise above terror and perform her duties as judge of
the challenge.
Sixty magi jostled for position on the assigned killing ground. The night air
was alive with the energy of protective spells. As one they started the
combat. Eight separate vortexes of power erupted. Had a mere mortal been
present, he would have dropped to his knees in agony. Judges sat on these
vortexes monitoring the surge and ebb of power, savoring the deaths of the
least powerful. Judge ArielZwei never dreamed that these forces could
penetrate her defenses and affect her unborn child. She attributed her nausea
and pain to the nearness of evil. After round one, more than half of the Magi
were dead.
Ariel barely made it back to the inn. Other judges of the SA had to help her
into a chair. Unable to catch her breath, she requested medicinal aid in the
form of a flask of ThundrChld's private stock. Pain, nausea and terror
retreated to a manageable level. Round two was about to begin.
Once again Ariel camped at the site of conflict, determined to perform her
duty as judge. With her protective spells weakened, the full force of the
combatants now penetrated her womb. As the last mage fell, so too did Ariel.
Dazed, sweating, and in pain, she was carried to the inn to sit out the final
rounds of the challenge. Brothers and sisters tried to comfort her and
relieve the pain. It seemed that only the never-empty flask of ThundrChld
could restore her. Despite protests from all there, she insisted on being
present for the final fight between Mad Drunk of KAAOS and ITB Master.
With only these two most powerful magi fighting, the full force of their
power would not be diluted by lesser magic. Scarlet ribbons of death clashed
with black clouds of destruction. Surges of pent up energy were released in a
violent storm legendary proportions. Ariel screamed only once at the power
spent in sending ITB Master to his death. Carried back to the inn, she
pleaded for another pull on the flask which would allow her release from
pain. Alas it was not to be given. ThundrChld bearing the treasure of the
victor, was running lackey-like to NW behind Mad Drunk. Screams of agony
brought her guild to her side. The child had chosen. It would not be denied
any longer. A wail of anguish was accompanied by a release of accumulated
force. Birth on a night of so much death. The boy child was handed to the
nearly unconscious mother. A strange glow seemed to come from his already
open eyes as if he were a being of many origins. Softly Ariel addressed her
newborn child, "You are Sagen of the Shadow Alliance"Ner's Hair-Raising Tale
(submitted by: SOMNeranek)
It was hard to distinguish the size of the room for the it was shrouded in
near complete darkness. Neranek knew, however, that the room was occupied by
the tiny murmurings coming from within. A warm hand met his in the darkness
and a soft voice whispered "Come with me, it is nearly time"
The voice had been female, but Neranek could discern little else from it.
Swallowing down his unease at being led through the darkness, Neranek allowed
the hand to pull him along.
"Sit here" the voice softly bade him.
Neranek felt the gentle hands push him down onto what felt like a cement
bench. "We will begin soon"
Waiting for what seemed like hours, Neranek tried to force his breathing to
be steady and to remain calm. He didn't want to be here and his every
instinct was telling him to flee.
His heart skipped a beat just then as beams of light stabbed down from the
ceiling. They were highly focused and cast off no light to brighten the
room. They served only to illuminate their targets. The tops of the heads of
the twenty or so people sitting in a semi-circle of cement benches around
Neranek.
Neranek was taken aback. In his wildest imaginings, he had never conceived
that what was revealed before him was possible. The lights focus revealed
that each of the people sitting in the room was balding! Most were totally
bald, while some had stray locks of hair here and there. Neranek started
sweating. This couldn't be happening!
The bald figure directly across from Neranek spoke then in a rich baritone.
"Welcome brothers to this week's meeting of the Secret Society of Hairless
Anonymous, NeverWinter Division. We are gathered here because we are needed.
We have observed you carefully for some time, Neranek. We have come to the
conclusion that it is time for you to receive our assistance in facing what
troubles you."
Sweat began to form on Neranek's brow. He felt weak and naustious. Finding
some courage, Neranek spoke in an odd musical, birdlike voice "What would you
have of me? I have nothing to offer to this order!"
The baritone replied "Enough Neranek, you are among fellows here! You have
no need to hide from yourself here. REMOVE THY HAIRPIECE!"
Neranek wanted to deny the accusation that he was wearing a hairpiece, but
found he couldn't speak. Even worse, he felt his arms reaching up to his
head, no longer acting according to his wishes. Neranek licked his parched
lips to moisten them as his hands pulled the hairpiece off of his head.
The baritone voice continued "Now Neranek, tell us your tale. What is it
that has driven you to this desperate act? I suspect that we will find your
response familiar to our own experiences so take heart."
Again, Neranek moistened his lips. Neranek cleared his throat nervously and
began. "It wasn't supposed to be. It was a simple accident caused by gentle
horseplay!" Emotion welled up in Neranek, choking off his words.
"Peace gentle one," came a soothing voice from his right, "we have all been
through this before. We understand your nervousness. Please continue."
"Umm, what happened was during a guild meeting, I was taking turns both
tormenting and being tormented by one of my guildmates. You know how it is.
Shooting of minor spells at one another while the Guild Master isn't looking.
That kind of thing. Mostly harmless stuff. Shaking hands with a burning
hands spell or a shocking grasp enacted."
This provoked a chuckle from one of the heads across from Neranek. "Burning
hands...got to remember that one."
"Well, this meeting, we kinda got out of hand. After bouncing a rubberband
off of my friends head, he filled a paperbag with a type of paste and thrust
it over my head." Neranek forced back a sob, as the power of the memory
overtook him. "He didn't mean any harm by it, he just thought it would keep
me from speaking. I panicked and jerked the bag off, and all of my hair came
out with it! I didn't know what to do. I was sitting in the back of a guild
meeting with my hair in a paperbag."
A hand pushed a class of cool liquid into Neranek's hand. Taking a sip, he
found the water refreshing and it calmed him.
"I panicked. Not wanting to draw attention to myself and implicate my friend
in our mutual crime of inattention, I looked for a solution. My eyes fell
upon an unopened CHIA pet that had been given to the guild as a gag gift. I
quietly teleported the box to my side, and opening it, I spread the CHIA
seeds on my now bald head. I tried to be nonchalant about it but several
close by brothers began to take notice. I picked up a watering can from the
windowsill where it had been left after apparently watering a windowbox of
flowers. Tipping it up, I watered my head and felt the seeds begin to grow."
"I pretended not to notice that nearly everyone's eyes were upon me as the
guild continued in it's business. I received a telepathic message from one
of my friends, that they would assist me in hiding my mistake. Two of my
guild brothers switched seats placing my new accomplice into the seat next to
me. He then worked fertilizer into my new CHIA hair and cast a bless spell
to aid in it's growth. I didn't think to ask him until later where he had
gotten the fertilizer from. A minor mistake, although, he continues to laugh
about it to this day."
Stopping momentarily, Neranek took another sip of water and collected his
thoughts. He felt an odd sense of relief settling over him as he shared his
tale. "I thought it would look natural. I never dreamed that everyone would
realize what it was. After I realized my error, I knew that I had to do
something about the green hair sticking up off of my head. So I compounded
the problem. I colored it. Brown. Yes, I said brown."
The baritone voice interupted "Oh, you poor fellow. I can guess what came
next. Everyone thought that you had lost your green thumb and that your CHIA
had dried up and died. Brown is after all the color of dead grass."
Neranek nodded in the direction of his insightful host. "Aye, that is indeed
what happened. After that, I mowed the CHIA all off and bought this silly
rug in NeverWinter Square. I guess I hoped that everyone would forget in
time and think that my own hair had grown back, but you have shown me how
transparent that hope was."
Finishing his tale with relief, Neranek was surprised at how he felt about
his hair loss now. It no longer seemed to matter to him. He was moved by
the gentle applause from the room around him.
"Neranek, we want you to go from this place now," came another voice from the
crowd, "go and never have cause to return here again. Accept yourself for
who and what you are and know that that will always be enough. Never be
afraid of what you are."
At his feet, the hairpiece was struck by a magic missile and was reduced to
ash. Once again, the room was plunged into darkness as the lights went out.
"This session is ended" were the final words from that baritone that Neranek
heard, as a he was led out of the room.(submitted by: Drizzt Udn)
Well, I came up with a sort of helpful hint for some low level players who
can't find a guide...(happens to me a lot).
When you're low level and can't find a friend to help you get to a place fer
some XP, I got a good method to get to a Drac spot. Head out towards the
Windy Cliff Dracs and any fight you come to, pick exit, alter, quit. You'll
come back to the same square with no fight. :)
This only works real good for Windycliff Dracs because there are no triggered
fights on the path. :)
Drizzt Do'Urden<><><><><>
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