1996-08-18
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 147
Week Ending 8-18-96
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to Ldy Graye for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for her story entitled "A Rose for Earl".
Ldy Graye 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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Congratulations to the teams of:
Sagx & Karamiran
Abzzsta1n & Kadi0n
Who each were able to assist Lord Nasher today by discovering the fate of the
courier hired by Lord Nasher to send a critical message to his agents in
Amphail. Check the STORMBRINGERS! folder for the "Windrider's" tale and
perhaps theirs!
For their quick wits and assistance, they each win 15 pearls and 2 free
hours!
Also.. congratulations to Devin Tir and to Dirk Dirty who each win 5 pearls
for their excellent roleplaying during the quest!
Well done all ;D
Regards,
NW Events
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August GOH Booth #1 Results!
"August GoH booth #1 featured some shocking events. Participants were asked
to take lightning bolt damage, and the two who took the highest and lowest
damage would be deemed the winners.
Congratulations to Modalex and Gherkin II, who were the winners. Especially
to Gherkin, who took 81 points of damage from the two casts and still lived!"
-- NW Strahd
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Lightning Bolt Booth Winner!
Jnar4u wins the booth taking the least amount of damage. He only received 33
hps of damage and therefore wins 5 pearls for his effort. Congratulations!
-- NWA Shaggy
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New Players Tour - 8/11
Neverwinter was all in a frenzy. Nasher's guards were to be seen gathering
more info about the rumored threat surrounding Neverwinter, and the leading
citizens could be seen mustering their own units. However, there was still
the normal business to take care of, and a missing person needed to be found.
With the guard spread so thinly, NWA Simba needed to form a unit of
volunteers to go find a missing person in Vilnask. Answering the call were 7
stout young adventurers, Zonestar, Skurland, Rive27, Rwilkie, CW Saber,
Wulfff359 and Bleedalot. Simba surveyed the crew, and at first was concerned
about their youth, but, as the group was attacked by a pack of wild wolves on
the road to Vilnask,he watched the group dispatch the hungry animals quite
handily.
The group proceeded to the residance of Willo Clovyr, and the good Mrs.
Clovyr told them of her missing husband. As the group searched for clues, CW
Sable found a hidden entrance in Willo's workshop! The group decended down
the tunnel, and we're meet by a variety of foul creatures. Snakes, Rats and
Boars all tried to attack the group, but all failed. Zonestar, Skurland and
Rive27 disappeared from the group, taken by foul magic no doubt placed by the
evil god named Punt the Unruly.
Much to Simba's delight, his lovely fiance, SimbasNa1a arrived to help fill
the gap left by the missing adventurers. Soon, the group found themselves
attacked by a large group of varied creatures, the largest of which were a
pack of mamoths! Simba got torn from the group at that desperate moment, but
Nala, CW Sabre and Wulfff359 persevered and defeated the foul creatures,
finding Willo being guarded by them. Willo was so glad, he awarded each a
magical dagger of striking.
-- NWA Simba
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Minor Gauntlet Booth Results - 8/14
Screenname Results
Cannibus57 wins 2 pearls
V Targ wins 2 pearls
Trippye poisoned
Tyo Ark wins 2 pearls
Qataclysm wins 2 pearls
Horm II charmed
Tyst charmed
TP Tec wins 2 pearls
Mech Alita held
Hakar2 charmed
Beltar poisoned
Goodgater charmed
G0nesha poisoned
KTO Edge charmed
Even went smoothly and quickly, so no complaints about the wait ;)
NWA Elwind
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Slay Living Booth Winners - 8/16
Winners of 2 pearls
Veridienne SK Majystc
Feuilde S0L Shugar
St0rmbrngr Mech Spade
Ice E Mist JP Anakin
-- NWA Shaggy
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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:
August 19th Monday 10:00 PM EDT - with NW Amaya.
August 20th Tuesday 9:00 PM EDT - with NW Shaman.
August 23rd Friday 7:00 PM EDT - with NWA Rex.
Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner
telling where to meet! ;D
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Chaos from Above
(submitted by: SOL Bard)
<Chaos from above in a form that I love>
From high above the reverie
I tried to avoid discovery
Whilst poised on a blind which stretched out on a limb
My chance of discovery was more than quite slim
How did I get here, this perch in a tree?
If I tell you my friend you may not believe me
For I had several weeks to construct this tree loft
And I'm having some fun for the bed is quite soft
While below is a army whose presence is foul
And they bode good much pain as they lurk and they prowl
But I knew they were coming, hench my spot far above
So I feel I should tell you in the way that I love...
I'd received an odd message, from a man who was mellow
Whose etheral form was now decked out in yellow
He said, "I too sang, and was one of the best,
But now only appear at milords own behest"
"There's an army of shadows descending my friend
And these scum have decided to slay to the end
My fellows and friends of the guild OGS
So please stop and delay them as I return to my rest"
He pointed out where they would come gather and plan
And I silently wondered, just who is this odd man?
He then rose towards the sky, and I got quite a thrill
For mayhaps this is the spirit of the late Mr. Bill
It was then I decided to invest in some time
To build a high nest and remain quite sublime
I was glad I did do this for the army did show
But their meetings were shared and now I'm in the know
The BDA camped out directly below
And as more of them came, oh the stench it did grow
KAAOS arrived, and the din then arose
As they looked at their allies down each haughtily held nose
Who else do we await, they did shout at the camp!
But then the ITB came, and my heart felt a cold clamp
What motive did bind these pond scum in a bond?
And preclude their old feuds so they all get along?
The motive could be nothing less than the end
Of the OGS guild that their joint talents could lend
A decisive quick death to this once renown guild
By hunting and slaying until each member's killed
So I wrote and I noted their plans of attack
While they drank I did listen to their irreverant yack
But before I would leave with the knowledge I'd gained
Could I add to the chaos, where relationships are strained?
As morning did dawn, I snuck down from the tree
And I looked all around with a joy and a glee
For few people knew I had been through the guild
Where your targets a mark, and how people were shilled
Now,what fun and what mischief could I spread all around?
With this army of flakes that was spread on the ground?
Daggers and weapons were pulled from their sheathes
And traces of comrades footsteps were left on the leaves
The coins and the trinkets from the snoozing BDA
Were now in new sacks as I passed ITB's way
A KAAOS'ians dagger that was dripping with green ooze
I did carefully place in one of Kh0lari's big shoes
A Grimmoire or two that I found while I ranged
Were then set in the fire (than should make someone deranged)
Proud of my work, I climbed back in my tree
And I buried my face laughing in my joy and my glee
I can hardly await for the morning to break
To gauge all the chaos when they finally awake
This might raise quite a laugh through the realms of this land
And this smile you enjoy, is via SOL Bard's hand!!
SOL Bard
Warrior Poet
(submitted by: Wgbt)
Yet another Top Ten list brought to you from Wagebolt, of the Winterguard!
This week's, straight from the home office in Triboar Under it's:
TOP TEN SURE SIGNS OF A NEWB IN NW:
10)He Thinks globes protect him from "Hold Monster"
9)He Goes to vaults and begins stealing Daggers of Striking from other
newbies
8)He Has a mouth big enough to stick a watermelon in
7)He Thinks "Drow" is past-tense for "Draw"
6)He Shaves his head thinking it will make feebs slide off
5)He Is refererd to as the Lord of Caps-Lock.
4)He Uses stinking clouds as deoderant
3)He Escaped from the NeverWinter Asylum... twice
2)He Blames times he dies in PVP on the fact that he's lactose intolerant.
1)He Jumps people in Southwall
::Throws blue index card out the window::
(WorldWide Plate)
"Put on yer plate!"
The Bear
(submitted by: Thorn Hawk)
It was a brisk, sunny day. The wind was blowing in a calm, rhythmic pace, and
all seemed well. Yet, something felt oddly out of place; as if the calm of
the day was trying to warn of something more. It was at this point, when the
day seemed perhaps too serene, that a growing sound of thunder began to come
from the east. Thorn Hawk stopped to listen to the sound thinking it didn't
quite sound like thunder, but like an explosion of some type. He quickened
his pace toward the bunkhouse when he noted a large mass of smoke rising
through the trees.
Approaching the bunkhouse, Thorn Hawk saw Thralos with his little bear
sitting on the steps leading toward Calinor's alehouse as smoke and steam
poured out the broken windows.
"Bro, am I glad to see you," yelled Thralos, relief in his voice, rising to
his feet.
"What hast happened here, Brother?"
"She is going to kill me."
"She?" "Brother, ye have more troubles than a woman when Cal gets back and
sees his still," remarked Thorn Hawk, wirily, glancing in the alehouse and
seeing a pile of twisted metal.
"Oh Gods," wailed Thralos, "you're right bro. He's going to kill me, too."
"Too?"
"Who else is going to kill you, brother?"
"Primrose."
"Why would Primrose want to kill you?" asked Thorn Hawk, puzzled.
"Well bro, you see it started when I found the little guy eating some of
Rose's flowers."
"Which ones?"
"Her roses," sighed Thralos shaking his head.
"And when I chased him, he ran into the garden she has been working all
spring on. It was then I noticed that her roses were not all he had been
eating."
"He tore up her garden, too?" wonder in Thorn Hawk's voice as he gazed down
at the little bear cub sitting quietly by Thralos.
"Yes."
"Then he headed toward the alehouse."
"I called for him to stop, but he wouldn't listen and through the open door
he dashed. When I got there, the still was tipping over and he was headed
out the back door."
"And?"
"There isn't much to tell after that. I ran back out before the whole thing
went up and while I was putting out the fire, bear came back and sat on the
steps to watch me."
"You do know brother that was some of Cal's special frenzy for the summer
festival?"
O.O
0
"What am I going to do?"
"Well brother, ye can start by helping me clean this up and then ye can head
for Neverwinter and try and find a dwarf."
"Ye do know a dwarf, don't ye?"
Thinking, "yep."
"Fine then, tell him ye are in need of a still. Once ye have done that, head
for the gardens and find some flowers to replace the ones the little guy
ate."
"But, what about the garden and the frenzy?"
"Brother, those things are lost, but ye can calm them down by giving Cal and
Rose gifts, like a new still and some new rose bushes," answered Thorn Hawk,
smiling.
As Thralos headed off toward Neverwinter, Thorn Hawk sat on the steps of the
bunkhouse with the cub thinking about why the Gods ever decided to give
rangers followers . . .
Thorn Hawk,
Brotherhood of PathfindersThe Mallorn Tree - Part 3
~ A New Dawn ~
(submitted by: Thorn Hawk)
Draping the golden surcoat over his shoulders, Thorn Hawk pulled his hair
back into a ponytail holding it in place with a silver clasp. Adjusting his
surcoat, he finished getting dressed by buckling on his sword, Destiny.
Leaving the deeper woods for the dryad grove, he thought about the coming
dawn.
He had awaked with a start some hours before dawn. There had been no clear
reason only a vague feeling that immersed his spirit. It had been one week
since he had completed the shrine and the ranger knew without a doubt today
was the day it was consecrated. He gathered his belonging, those few things
he knew he would need, and left the Mallorn tree behind.
Pausing at the brook that fed the falls in the grove, the ranger noticed his
reflection in the slowly moving water. He had followed the lady of the
forest devoutly, but never dressing as one of her clerics until this day.
The silvery chain mail felt odd to the ranger who spent his days wearing
lighter leather. Last, was the golden surcoat with its russet trim that
draped over the rangers frame. A white unicorn head stood proudly over his
heart a symbol of his goddess. Today, more than any other, he was a ranger
of Mielikki, the lady of the forest.
Thorn Hawk emerged from the trees into the grove to find the shrine crowded
with people. It seemed others were called to this place. He smiled when he
saw Tarma and some of the other dryads gathered around the statue in the
center of the shrine. Another figure stood next to Tarma, Luthyen. Thorn
Hawk's heart caught in his throat when her eyes met his. Her smile was
brighter than the sun and brought more warmth with it and he thought she was
the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld. The elfstone she wore around
her brow gave off a sudden burst of light as Thorn Hawk moved to stand by her
side.
"Good morning dearheart."
"And to you, milord."
"I had not thought that so many would be here . . . "
"Aye love, they have been coming since before dawn like you just moving out
of the trees to stand in the grove and bear witness to a new dawn."
"I am glad for it fills my heart with joy to see so many here," replied Thorn
Hawk smiling, "Good day to you milady dryad."
"Good morning Thorn," replied Tarma, "I had thought to find you here sooner
than this."
"I was in the woods thinking and getting dressed."
"I can see that milord," replied Luthyen grinning.
"Well I . . ."
Just then a clear note from a horn rang though the grove. All eyes turned to
find the source of the blast. It echoed from every corner of the grove and
its source remained hidden. Many dryads hidden within their trees began
stepping forth as small tressym kittens flew around them. Fireforged stepped
up to take Tarma's hand as the morning sun broke above the trees to bathe the
shrine in its glow. Catching a glint of metal out of the corner of his eye,
Thorn Hawk stood transfixed as dozens of golden clad figures moved out of the
trees. They stood just inside the grove like guardians while from within
their ranks, pipes could be heard playing.
"My brethren have come," replied Thorn Hawk to the unspoken question in
everyone's eyes.
Smiling, Tarma, dryad queen and priestess, started to sing. Her song of
renewal and rebirth was taken up by those near her, but soon all in the glade
were singing while Barthonis, ranger and bard, played his pipes. As the song
died into silence, a thought, a phrase briefly touched the minds of all those
within the glade.
"Thank you my children."
Thorn Hawk,
Brotherhood of PathfindersWives of King Henry VIII
(submitted by: Z Harkas Z)
You all know about big King Henry VIII
But do you know how his wives met their fate?
Listen my good friends and you all shall hear,
What happened to the six he once held so dear.
The first, Katherine of Argon, he finally divorced,
Anne Boyeln, the second, was beheaded of course.
Number three, Jane Seymore, during childbirth she died,
He soon divored Anne of Cleves, but she hardly cried.
The he beheaded Catherine Howard 'cuz she was a tart,
But he was survived by Katie Parr, who had a strong heart.
So the sequence is in easy rhyme,
Divorced, beheaded, died;
Divorced, beheaded, survived,
Yes, indeed he gave them all a very bad time.
Three Katies, two Annes, and a Jane,
To Henry, they were all a Royal Pain.
Written by:
O. K. Hallam
Virginia Beach VA
The Name Game - Part 1
(submitted by: SOL Bard)
As a Bard, it is prudent that I travel far places
And I often do meet some unusual faces
All decked out in colors both grim and diverse
But the names that they choose go from better to worse
So I thought that just maybe I would write up some labels
That would appropriately fit in the different guild stables
Well I worked and I slaved on the names of the guilds
In the hopes that in laughter quite a few might be killed
The Temple of Sloth is an appropriate name
For a guild where the members are lazy and lame
One of these spiders uses the name of Delracnurd
When he falls, by his name you should know what's occurred
Lady Midflight is another who's sad
Is it true in a battle that she'll run or she'll CAD?
Now many do flee from the name ZackNFright
But 'tis from his BO, and I believe they are right
Mavralsin is a lady that the innkeepers dodge
For at the end of the bar she will too often lodge
Ariel-uh-huh is a master of terror
And it's not just her breath, but the shape of her hair
Nearo has delusions of being a king
But he'd do better to first lose his chartreuse pinky ring
Mighty and fearless is our friend Jasra Bark
And by picking on newbies does leave quite a bold mark
Another fierce spider has the name Shadolimb
Are there thought patterns there, nah the chances are slim
Is the ThLightSide a name that we should also fear?
Or is it simply a label that should be on a beer?
With a stride that is proud comes the fellow Kaeynehex
He's a real fireplug, and where the dog may water next
There are so many others, but just where do I stop?
For already I know, they'll want my head on the block
As you may well guess I must close this short rhyme
However please have no fear, I'll continue some time
And I hope that not only have I provided a laugh
Getting Ready for the Dance
(submitted by: Luthyen)
Luthyen slowly dressed in her gown of forest green. Tonight was the dance
contest in the Tavern. Although she loved to dance, she rarely did so in
public. Her dancing was always more expression of private emotion than for
public display. Thorn had asked her to go, though, and said how he loved to
see her dance.
Binding the Elfstone about her brow, she paused to look at her
reflection. The Stone sparkled on her high forehead, binding the dark waves
of her hair back from her face. Her deep brown eyes were large in her face,
and sparkled in their own right. Her generous mouth made a half smile as she
gently traced the edge of the white lilly which floated in a crystal bowel
beneath the mirror. It was true that Thorn did inspire her to dance..A dance
that spoke of the sun first breaking on a spring morn, when just to breathe
in the air made one as dizzy as a draught of Frenzy. A dance of the quiet
whisper of a stream over stones, cool in the summer heat. A dance of the
regret of Autumn, as things pass to begin the long Winters' sleep of change.
A dance of hot fires burning to warm cold nights, when the snow swirled
outside. A dance of beginnings, as all the world came alive again in the
Spring...A dance of the love she bore for the Ranger.
Smiling, swaying slightly as she sang under her breath, Luthyen slipped
the overbodice on and left for the Tavern.Fireside Chat with Talia
(submitted by: SOM Talia)
You push the heavy oak door open and enter a brightly lit room. Candles cast
their illumination across a spacious sitting room. The floor is carpeted, a
rarity indeed in these parts. A fireplace lines the far wall with two
high-back chairs sitting facing it. A coffee table sits between the chairs
with a silver service set upon it.
You breath in a light scent of mint. You spy a lady sitting in the one of
the chairs. Her hair is scarlett and shoulder length. Sensing you entry,
she turns in the chair to face you. Seeing her purple eyes gazing at you
softly, and the light smile upon her lips, you begin to relax. The Lady
Talia Autumnals is all you have heard.
Smoothing a fold in her spledid azure dress, Talia beckons you forward.
"Please, do be seated." she says in a light, musical voice.
You glide forward throught the rich carpet and settle down into the
comfortably upholstered chair. Talia leans forward and picks up the silver
teapot. After pouring a cup of the steaming liquid, she hands the cup to
you. You take the cup and inhale it's aroma. Ahh, the source of the mint,
you surmise.
Talia settles back into her chair, folding her legs up into the chair beneath
her. She sips from her cup briefly and then sets it aside on the table.
"You have come to hear of Sybil. Correct?"
You nod in agreement.
"Let me begin with a little of her background. I have come to know her
rather intimately," she says with a wry smile, "and little of her life
escapes me. Sybil was born into a low ranking house within the hierarchy of
Menzoberranzan, Hyp'Tel. She was the first born child of their Matron,
Qagless. In a vain hope to increase her house's power, Qagless sent Sybil
off to Arach-Tinilith in very early in her life."
Talia pauses and takes a sip from her tea. "At their school of priestesses,
Sybil was treated as one lower than low. Drow society is one of violence and
treachery. There were no helping hands for her. Instead of sucumbing to
despair, Sybil thrived there. In that quality, she and I are much the same.
Hate filled her heart and she threw her entire being towards servicing her
spider goddess, Lloth. Where as, here on the surface, I was able to work
towards different ends."
"As her lust for power grew, she gained in ability. She seemed adept at all
things magical, however, she neglected her physical studies. She has only
taken up arms once or twice. Sybil did not live in a vacuum, however. Her
ambitions were noticed my other members of the clergy from more powerful
houses. They bargained with Lloth and won a boon. They were sent a rather
exotic looking vampire thrall of Lloth's choosing. The vampire seduced the
young drow and gave her his gift of nigh-eternal life. Lloth had agreed to
the request for many reasons I am certain. No doubt did the conspiritors
endebt themselves to her, but they also gave a powerful chaotic tool to Lloth
in the form of a vampire-priestess. Know this, above all else, Lloth thrives
on chaos."
You swallow your mouthful of tea and nod solemnly. Slowly, you trace a
warding sigil in the air.
"Sybil served Lloth in this capacity for centuries. She was given to
prowling the surface world during the night, sowing havok wherever she could.
It was but a short time ago our paths crossed here in NeverWinter."
The Lady Paladin pauses. Studying her face, you think you can spot a hint of
regret in her eyes.
"One night, not long ago, I arrived at the Inn in WindyCliffs. I had
promised my old friend Versuccio that I would sing and dance that night for
his patrons. Entering the Inn, all seemed to be at rights with itself. The
Inn was packed as usual with an assortment of travellers, shopkeepers and
sell-swords. However, Versuccio was not at his usual post behind the bar.
"I was informed by a passing waitress that he was in the storeroom. Since
Versuccio and I are old friends, I thought nothing of wandering back there to
greet him. Outside of the door, my fighters instinct ticked off in my head.
Something was out of place here."
"I concentrated for a moment and was nearly overwhelmed by the power of the
evil that I detected. Slamming the door to the stockroom open with my
shoulder, I charged in to see Versuccio throughly entranced by the Vampiress'
gaze. I brandished my Holy Symbol against her to no effect. She was of a
level far above my abiltity to turn."
"We fought, then, over the life of that innkeeper. Sybil relied heavily on
magic to attempt to bring me down. After she hit me with an opening magical
attack, I cast Minor Globe of Invulnerabilty on myself and charged her with
my enchanted blade."
"I hit nothing but open air. While I was protected from her magical
assaults, she was able to dematerialize at will. I was easily able to defend
against the minor physical attacks she attempted, but we were in a standoff.
In frustration, Sybil called upon her goddess, and was answered. While she
stood there, she returned to a solid form, to receive the blessing of Lloth.
Seeing an opportunity, I took it. As my blade bit into her neck, the
capricious Lloth took her priestess' prayer of besting me and twisted it to
suit her chaotic fancy."
Talia breathes a deep sigh and sips from her cup.
"To Lloth, there is no great love between her and her servants. So what she
did next cost her nothing, and amused her greatly. As the life began to slip
from Sybil, she honored her request for aid in besting me in a chaotic way.
Using my blade as a conduit between Sybil and I, Lloth transferred Sybil's
essence into my body."
"A long, drawn out struggle for control ensued between us. Eventually, I
came out on top but she lurks here," Talia indicates her forehead with a
graceful hand, "always scheming, trying to find a way to either possess me or
escape to another host."
"From time to time, she has gained momentary control over me. Fortunately,
only when I am taken off guard, or extremely weary. She is a scourge and a
pox on my soul and I would be rid of her if I was able."
Finishing, Talia smiles warmly at you. "Have no fear, my friend, she is shut
away quite strongly at the moment. Here, have another cup of tea and let us
spend some time listening now to stories of your adventures."
It is many hours later before you bid the Lady good-eve and journey on your
way.
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Gimme a Scoop! Enter the weekly News of the Realm contest by submitting text
for publishing. If your Announcement, Article, Helpful Hint, NW Abby
Question, Poem, Fiction, or Tidbit wins, you'll have won your choice of 4
Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes)! Submit all text to
screenname: NW NEWS.
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MONTHLY CONTEST!!
Win Pearls for your Guild!
Participate in the monthly News of the Realms "Newsworthy" contest. Each
month, 4 pearls will be awarded to the account of the Guild with the most
"newsworthy" articles for that month! We're looking for works of art,
articles of fine literature, helpful hints of extraordinary brilliance,
poetic works which stir the soul, etc. The key word here is "newsworthy"...
only articles with substance will be counted in the contest!
To participate you need to:
- Indicate with your submission the name of your SANCTIONED guild. Only
Sanctioned Guilds are presently eligible to receive pearls for a Guild pearl
account.
- Write something!