1997-01-19
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 169
Week Ending 1-19-97
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FRONT PAGE
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Once again it was another close decision on who's tale would win the News of
the Realm's contest this week. There were three very good submissions this
past week and it was a very tough choice on which to choose. However, I did
have to select one and this week it will go to...
Congratulations to WyrmSilver for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for his story entitled "There's No Place Like Clone".
WyrmSilver 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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Pearl Plan Transaction Form!!
Greets all!
I'm happy to announce that a new Pearl Plan Transaction Form has been linked
into our main Neverwinter Nights screen (Keyword: AD&D). This form was
specifically designed to deal with the most frequently requested
transactions. It automatically generates a mail message and sends it
directly to NW Oyster and NW Events. It is our hope that the use of this
form will assist you in providing all of the necessary information for each
type of transaction, thereby expediting the entire process and allowing us to
respond more quickly to your requests.
Please note that the use of this form REQUIRES that you be logged onto the
system and using the screen name whose account you wish to be effected by the
transaction request. Be sure to confirm which screen name you're signed on
with before using the form! Please do NOT use this form if you have no ideas
what pearls are and how they might relate to Neverwinter Nights or you do not
have a pearl account. You can find information about the Pearl Plan at
Keyword: AD&D in the Neverwinter Nights Events area.
Full details and instructions for the form are located in the Neverwinter
Nights Events area in the article "Pearl Plan Transaction Form Instructions".
(Keyword:AD&D >> Neverwinter Nights Events >> Pearl Plan Transaction Form
Instructions)
Thanks to the folks that suggested that this kind of a form would be helpful!
;D Happily we were able to get it setup though not QUITE in time to coincide
with the Pearl Database e-mails. Ah well... still, it's there now! It's
pretty basic, without the bells and whistles, but.. it works and we have
great hopes that it will help us toward our goal of improving the pearl plan.
Regards,
NW Events
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SNOWBALL WAR!!
The evening air was crisp and cold as the guardsmen clustered in the
Barrack's common hall around the roaring fire. Passing around a flask of aged
whiskey, Lord Nasher's finest laughed and talked, as they recalled this
night's events.
Lord Nasher had arranged that a huge amount of snow be brought from the
mountains directly to Neverwinter for the enjoyment of the citizens of the
city. As expected, it quickly began to melt in the warmer climate.The elite
guard from the palace found themselves helping to move the snow and in the
midst of their labors they began hurling snowballs at one another. A massive
snowball fight erupted amidst much merriment and laughter.
The guard then challenged the people of Neverwinter to withstand their
marksmanship and Lord Nasher himself awarded those who were good sports and
managed not to get too coated in snow. After all, the guard was going
stir-crazy in the barracks and this was great therapy! All told a total over
230 tried their luck and about 130 brave souls withstood the snow barrage
from the guards. A grand time was had by all. (4 Pearls to those that
survived 2 Ice Storms with 33 or less points of total damage)
Thanks to all who participated and ran booths, congratulations to those who
won!
NW Events
Winners
~~~~~~
abk eagle
abk stang
abzzsta1n
acidreign
akh zzeus
bd rastan
benson444
beorn sunn
bluice gem
br raven
brightgem
charla ann
creigur2
cybersrgnt
dank4lyfe
dayenn
demas69
devilisha
devin tir
devon ark
dex gaidin
div devlin
divinedeat
dquar1
eb cerebus
ebon asha
efrick15
eriana
evan park
g0thiss
g0thmenes
gg tanan
gpago
grey asha
guthwolf
heligtight
hg eltan
hibernak
invalid699
itb arcane
jackwar
katishya
kattera
kenscoch
khellandro
klukso
knowlan
l0k tanis
lok pyre
loktalmorr
lord bill
lord sins
lord vytor
lotr draco
lrd leinad
mastrcastr
mech 8ball
mondue
mortis rex
mr garak
n0r dmitri
n0rphoenix
naroch1
nor cnedra
nor li0n
nor tarus
norvaljean
ogs nagate
olathvios
omm aragon
omm breeze
omm m00n
osir1s
ovnomancer
paladane
phantymldy
pluto moon
primedevil
qphoenix01
raiko date
rg laura
rhulone
seabee1323
selennay
senso sojo
sharkn1
sir dulain
sk torm
sod lowkey
sol varion
sor cypren
ssb fek
ssc mojo
ssc stagg
sun feroz
tcs eldros
tcs katron
thorn w0od
thundaril
tpa locnar
tridous
turalyan
twf conqur
tyo ark
udl charon
udl kryptt
ulfmithgil
v khayman
warderick
wgw 6wig
wgw avnger
wgw spite
wgw warder
wickedcrow
witcholo
woh ion
ww tesser
xo2 zeus
zandrakkas
zelghinnia
zicklo
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Inferno Booth Results - 1/12
News of red dragons and wyverns terrorizing travelers in the Westbridge area
gave cause for Lord Nasher to find the heartiest adventurer that could travel
there and vanquish the devestating monsters. As a reward the Lord Mayor
promised four pearls to the one who could best withstand the effects of fire.
NW Exeter swiftly tacked up a sign calling for fifteen sturdy warriors. As a
test, the guard cast Burning Hands, Fireball, and Flame Strike on each
adventurer brave enough to risk their very lives in an attempt to simulate
the deadly breath of the red dragons.
First XuX1ang stepped up, then Quik Magic, V Urikai, N0R Rell, WARRTrakus, NK
Squirl, RG Laura, SAI Gaiden, Absolutsbp, GG Tanan, WARR Hamer, JagDrag,
Kustak Rah, Marc Magus, and Naergoth all bravely stepped onto the field.
When all was said and done, NK Squirl withstood the damage of the fiery
spells better than all others and was awarded the shiny pearls from Lord
Nasher. JagDrag suffered devestating wounds, but survived, and the Lord
Mayor awarded him Two pearls for his gallantry.
* * * * *
Congratulations to NK Squirl on winning four (4) pearls and taking only 34 HP
damage!!, and to JagDrag for taking a whopping 72 HP and winning two (2)
pearls. And thanks to everyone what participated!!!
NW Exeter
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Snowball War Results - 1/14/97
Hauling snow thru the realms was a tough, and boring, job. My finger were
icy and my toes.... well, I couldn't even feel them anymore. Dumping the
final load in a remote corner of Nightsedge, I watched it tumble down,
forming into several nicey sized snowballs. A wicked thought occurred to me,
and I bent to grab up a handful of snow, packing into a nice sized ball.
Spotting Kishpa nearby, I tossed the snowball. Unfortunately for me, Kishpa
caught it deftly and hurled it back. Ack! A full face shot! ;> "Wait"
Kishpa said as I scooped up more snow. "Lemme send some citizens to 'help'
you. I grinned and continued to prepare a vast arsenal as the word spread
through the elite guard. Stationed through-out the realms, we called upon
the citizens to join in our wintery fun.
Nor Tarus, Onestar2, Kto Guy, SSC Green, Kleco, EB Cerebus, TWF Conqur, Lok
Pirvan, Zifnab006, Longjon111, Lok Pyre, Seb Alxndr, Acidreign, Qphoenix01,
Brightgem, Cheldrya, and Lrd Leinad were sent to me and braved the
onslaughter of snowballs I chucked at them. At times my aim was near-deadly,
other times I barely grazed my victum...er, volunteer. O;> Nor Tarus, EB
Cerebus, TWF Conqur, Lok Pyre, Acidreign, Qphoenix01, Brightgem, and Lrd
Leinad managed to dodge quite well and I awarded them with 4 pearls each for
their efforts. :)
Thanks to all who helped us have a great bit of winter-time fun. :D
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Few Survive Terror Booth! - 1/16
Chuckling in fiendish glee, NW Raven gathered up her spells and sent out a
call to the bravest in the realms to see if they could survive her deadly
Talons of Terror. Two pearls were to be rewarded to those who managed to
neither flee in fear (from a fear), freeze in panic (from a fumble), or just
plain faint from fright (from a slay living).
Of the fifteen who attempted NW Raven's Terror Booth, only four managed to
scrape by. Congratulations to those the victors who were award 2 pearls
each!
Winners: MDG Ramuh, TPA Vorlir, ABK Hooded and GG Tanan.
NW Raven
<resting her talons for the next deadly challenge>
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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:
January 19th Sunday 4:30 PM EST - with NWA Amra.
January 23rd Thursday 10:00 PM EST - with NWT Spryte.
January 25th Saturday 3:00 PM EST - with NWT Mystri.
Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner
telling where to meet! ;D
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The atmosphere of the Tavern was slightly muted early in the week, as Clerics
of all types gathered to offer Prayers to their Deities and see who was the
most favored of all. ABK Razia was most blessed of the evening, being
rewarded with 2 pearls for her account.
It took two days for all to travel for the rest of the events; clerics came
to offer praise to their Gods and Goddesses, and to tell the patrons of the
Tavern what brought them to follow those Deities. Not all was clerical in the
Tavern, of course..there were the usual interspersed songs, poems, tales and
dances.
The coming week promises to be an interesting one, as those forest rovers,
the Rangers, bring their tales, talents and followers to the Sisters'. Monday
night opens with the opportunity for the Rangers to tell why they have
followed their chosen calling. What makes a Ranger different from other
warriors of the Realms? The one who best explains the difference and the
choice wins the reward.
Wednesday night provides opportunity for skill at arms to be displayed, as
the beer garden is opened and an Archery Range set up. Register with the
contest with Mystri, and the one with the best aim (highest roll) will be
declared Archer of the Sisters' and win the prize.
Friday night finishes with a general gathering of Rangers...announce your
chosen calling to Mystri as you enter..the best Ranger Role Play of the
evening wins GOH access.
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Join Mystri and Spryte at the Sisters' Tavern, MWF evenings 11pm - 1am, EST
for fun, frolic, and good Role Play!
~The Roving ReporterTraveling
(submitted by: MODALEX)
The shadow moved. He thought to himself again how stupid he had been for
storming out of the tavern in anger. It was her job after all, to serve the
patrons, and a little flirting always made the patrons tip more freely. Now
he was alone in the night and he was sure that the shadows themselves
followed him.
He quickened his pace, thoughts of her smile mocking him. After all, it was
for her that he had broken into the room and stole the strange looking gems.
She was the one that had told him of the rumors. A strange traveler had paid
for a room early that morning...had paid for a full month with one gem! Like
they had planned, he had waited in the common room until she signaled him
that the stranger had left his room. He shivered now, thinking of the strange
things he had seen in that room. At least he had the bag of gems to comfort
him.
Later he had returned downstairs, thinking the best thing to do was just
mix with the crowd. He had a bad feeling about that stranger, so he drank
heavily trying to ease his fears. His lover had seemed pleased with his work,
so why had she not paid more attention to him. Or maybe she had, he had never
been able to hold his drink well. Maybe the alcohol had made him see things
different from what they were. He decided then to turn around and return to
the tavern. He would apologize and ask for her hand in marriage.
It wasn't until he felt the pain in his arm that he realized he was face to
face with the dark stranger. His mind raced, it was as if the shadows around
him had suddenly taken form. Why couldn't he grab his dagger. It must have
been the burning in his wrist, that was the last thought he had as the
strangers mace connected with his skull.
The common room was full but he didn't have to worry about being bothered.
Not many people found it pleasurable keeping company with a dark elf. The
food had been good enough and the serving girl had even flirted with him...a
dark elf! For that she deserved a little something extra in her tip. He laid
the gem bag on the table and picked up his traveling gear. He returned her
smile as they passed, she was heading to clear his table.
He smiled when he heard the scream, picturing her face as she opened the
bag. The wind ruffled his glowing blue hair as he made his way down the
street. The dark elf chucked a bit, after all.....the man had wanted her to
have his hand in marriage.
~Modalex
Bregan D'aertheLone Knight
(submitted by: BlackRoseT)
I turn my head and see a face
At every point, in every place
I try to find myself a space
Where I don't see a single face.
Alone is where I want to be
With no one else around but me
Not a single face I want to see
I wish to be alone, not lonely.
Lonely is an easy thing
A chorus full of those who sing
Loneliness strange people bring
Like a different bird, in flock, on wing.
Guilds may rise and guilds may fall
But I don't want a guild at all
I want a place my own to call
It's not enough, my mind's high wall.
Do not look to pity me
Others please, just set me free
I want to fight alone you see
I want to be alone, not lonely.
-BlackRoseT
Darkness to Infinity
(submitted by: KelliByrom)
Darkness. Darkness so thick it's almost tangible. And fear. Fear my
constant companion. At times, lost in this hole, I think maybe it's the fear
that keeps me alive. I'd almost rather be dead. Almost.
Stone. But stone no longer entirely natural. These walls have felt the
brush of a dark magic. Smooth as glass, and cold as ice. Cold has been
another motivator. I guess throug fear. If I stop moving to long, the cold
will kill me. Rest hasn't been an option.
Silence. I hear my feet fall, my ragged beating, and the ring of my heart
in my chest. My ears long to hear a noise that doesn't find it's origin
within me. I talk to myself a lot. I think it helps to keep me sane.
They told me not to come. They said it would be like this. They said it
was more than darkness, but an absence of light. I proved that with my
torch. Not only would did it produce no light, but provided no warmth as
well. They said the cave had no bounds, that to travel it was to tempt
infinity. I'm beginning to believe that as well. But I couldn't let him
win.
The man took my daughter. "The man," huh, I don't even know what to call
him. I don't even know that it's a he. But in my heart I believe that such
cruelty escapes a woman. My wife tried to stop him. When I returned home,
the house reeked of her death. He had left her intestines in her mouth. He
had stayed to watch her die. He had enjoyed it. He had enjoyed her as well.
I will enjoy his death when I catch him. He will not die quickly or
peacefully.
He had left me a trail, obvious to a child. He had wanted me to follow.
He left little signs so I would know he still had my daughter. A piece of
clothing, a lock of hair. He had left one of her fingers at the entrance to
this hole.
The town has always somehow known this place was evil. But really we had
no reason. Just some gut instinct, a reek of evil, available only to the eye
of the mind. Now we know. The entrance will be sealed if I do not return
within ten days of when I entered, however long ago that was. Time has lost
all meaning for me. The endless monotity of smooth walls and endless
darkness has begun to tempt my sanity.
If ever I return from this pit... If. I don't know that I want to
return. If I cannot find my daughter, what reason have I to return. My wife
and my daughter were my life. I had long ago given up the dreams of youthful
adventure, and had settled into a day-to-day life that had proven every bit
as wonderful. But my life was my family. If they perish, so does this life.
I will have no choice but to find another.
But the present. The present... I have nothing but darkness and cold air
in my lungs. And fear. Not of my mortality, that means very little to me
anymore, but for the life that I had.
To be continued, if there's any interest...The Village
(submitted by: HCVenkelos)
Venkelos saluted Prince Otthawk, smartly turned, and strode from the
room. He nearly ran down the stairs due to the elation that filled his chest.
His own command! It was a gift that he would never in his wildest imaginings
receive. But, here he was, receiving it. He strode to the courtyard, where
the Holy Crusaders stayed at their interim during the war. He walked around
the encampment, think which men he would choose. He mustn't choose too many,
so as to show that he has no confidence in the Cavaliers abilities. He also
mustn't choose too few, so as not to show he was fool-hardy. Settling on
choosing six Cavaliers, he strode into a group of six.
"You men, gather travel supplies. We are to ride out to scout and meet
Lord Kreed and the other Royal Guardsmen. We ride out at dawn," Venkelos says
with as much authority in his voice as possible.
Venkelos watches the men begin to pack the items they would be taking
with them. Swords and axes gleamed by the cold moon light. A shield was seen
here and there, emblazoned with the symbol of the Holy Crusaders. Venkelos
turned back to his bunk, needing all the rest that the elven reverie would
allow him.
The next day dawned bright and clear. The sun still radiated from
Stellar's last sacrifice. Seven riders rode from the gates of the rebuilding
Holy Cross Castle, all with thoughts following them like a cloud. No pomp, no
cheering crowds filled the winds. Seven men, doing their duty to their queen
and gods. None of them with any inkling of what lay in store for them on
their appointed rounds.
The men rode for two days, with no sign of Lord Kreed and the others. One
of the men, Edric by name, was sent ahead to scout the area, to see if any
signs of the Royal Guards passage could be found. Every hour Edric reported
back, and still no sign. "Sir, begging your pardon," says a one-eyed Cavalier
known as Chaynal, "but shouldn't we move on to the farming village now?"
Venkelos considered this, and personally applauded the man for thinking
about that which the new leader forgot about. "Yes, we will wait for Edric
and ride to the village. Perhaps we can make it there by nightfall."
The men greatly heartened at this news, seeing that they might be able
to sleep under a roof instead of the stars tonight. But, a gnawing fear began
to invade Venkelos mind. What could be keeping Lord Kreed?
It was dusk when the dusty party of seven arrived at the village. All
were pensive, for they had seen the village for about an hour now, but no
signs of life escaped the heavy air. The chimneys, which should be spewing
smoke, lay dormant. No sounds of barking dogs echoed up the fields towards
them. Edric was sent ahead to scout, but no sign of him for the hour after he
was sent.
"Chaynal, you and Hansyn, ride around to come from the opposite end of
the village. Dosuk, you and Gerts ride from the east. Welsin and I will ride
from here. I want everyone to keep their eyes peeled and not blink once. Move
at a walk to the center of the village. We will meet there and discuss what
we have seen. Count to one hundred before you begin moving. Now, go. May your
Gods guide your hands."
The men obeyed at once, relieved that they were going to solve this
mystery. Edric was a light-hearted man, a pleasure to be around. The
villagers were innocents in the war, but, Venkelos knew from first hand
experience what happens to innocents in war times.
Welsin counted to one hundred, slowly. When he reached that fateful
number, Venkelos moved them forward at a walk. Moving his sight to
infravision, to inspect the heat, he looked as far as he could with his
heightened sight. Nothing. No trace of fires, no trace of hot metal. It was
as if the area was protected against such sight. The fear that was gnawing
earlier, began to seize his brain, forcing him to rapidly go through what he
knew. No signs of life. No return of Edric. He had just sent every man to
their deaths, including his self.
"Welsin, Full gallop, its a trap!" shouted Venkelos, taking his trident
from his lance holder. He could see movements now. Switching his sight to
normal vision, he saw what had gotten Edric. They were creatures twisted by
their own evils. And, there was a lot of them. Seeing the bloodlust in the
eyes of his horse, he gave the beast its head, trusting on luck to propel him
from this situation. Leveling trident, it slammed home in the chest of the
first creature. Lifting it from the ground, he saw another leap upon the back
of his horse, shortsword raised for a killing blow. Venkelos ducked futilely
as he tried to keep his Trident in hand with a dead body dragging it down.
Then, a point erupted from the creature's chest, with a battered
pennons flapping wildly behind it. Welsin had lanced the thing and was
continuing forward, past Venkelos. He lanced another before the weight of the
bodies dragged it from his hand. Drawing his broad sword, Welsin begin to
wade through the bodies toward the center of town.
Venkelos managed to remove the body from his trident, and bring his horse
under control. Leaping from the horses back, he realized that it would be
easier to take the fight to ground. Casting a magic missile spell, he blasted
the nearest creature to nothingness. He didn't count for the one running
behind him, though. It tackled Venkelos with a vengeance, a strange gleam to
its eye. Venkelos gripped both hands, trying to keep its weapons at bay.
Kicking in the one spot most humanoids feared to be hurt, he watched as the
creature slowly smiled. "Well, it was worth a try," grunts Venkelos, as he
dashes his head into the nose of his assailant.
Dazed, the creature vainly scrubbed the blood from it face, its nose
smashed against it. Venkelos managed to turn its own knife against it.
Shoving the knife into the creature's stomach, a geyser of blood erupted from
its mouth, spraying Venkelos in the process. Rolling from underneath the
dying creature, Venkelos grabbed his fallen trident, and waded toward the
center of the village.
Arriving there after a few more encounters like the last, he saw that his
blood was also drawn. A long gash stretched from his left shoulder to left
hand, more blood than should be coming, welling from beneath his armor. He
saw a bloodied Welsin, holding the reins of Venkelos' horse, and Chaynal,
sitting his horse, Holding a battered Hansyn upright in his saddle. No sign
of Edric, Dosuk or Gerts. And more importantly, no sign of the villagers.
Venkelos mounted his horse, painfully. "Lets ride as fast as we can, to
report to Prince Otthawk. Any one have any spells to cast?" Venkelos looked
at the men. It appeared they all used their last strengths on the horses and
Hansyn. Venkelos casts the last cantrip in his memory, the same one he cast
when going to the Holy Cross castle. Only this time, he erred on purpose, in
the same sport as before. With a sickening gut-wrenching feeling, They saw
the landscape whirl about them, and found that when the ride stopped, the
were in front of the Holy Cross castle.
The four survivors of that fateful patrol rode in slowly, exhausted from
the strain of an unexpected battle. Venkelos waved off all care, although his
now twice injured shoulder screamed in agony. He marched to The chambers of
the War Council and said to the guards standing outside, "Announce to Prince
Otthawk that Lord Venkelos of the Royal Guard has arrived to report on the
assigned patrol." Venkelos saw the guard move into the chamber.
Feeling into his cloak, Venkelos found the forgotten rose. Pulling it
out, he felt an extreme need to sit down. Staring into the rose, Venkelos was
struck by an overpowering wave of guilt. This time, he could not help the
innocent. An entire village was gone, and he could do nothing to help. Three
men who trusted his instructions now lay dead somewhere, because of his
commands. Venkelos fell asleep, the dead haunting his reverie. He was still
holding the rose in hands stained in blood and tears.Journey to the White
Tower:
Kin Returns
(submitted by: Kin Gaidin)
Journey to the White Tower: Kin Returns.
This being a brief account of how Kin al'Shinowa returned to the realms of
Neverwinter and found his home amoung the Aes Sedai.
Kin awoke just before dawn, as was his norm. He quickly rose and washed,
making his way downstairs and into the kitchen. The cooks, used to his
behavior and schedule, had a small bowl of chilled strawberries and two
pieces of buttered bread already on the table. After breaking his fast, Kin
slipped out the door and into the early morning chill. He took a moment to
get used to the half light and enjoy the beginning of the sunrise.
The storm which had raged its fury through the realms for days on end had
finally passed in the night, and the morning sky promised a beautiful day. He
let his mind drift across the realms as he walked to the stables, seeking
anyone to whom he was acquainted. It took him a moment to locate him, but he
couldn't help but smile as he sensed Sky Gaidin. "Greetings, my friend," Kin
said in his mind, "and a good morrow to thee. I trust thou art well."
"Hail Kin," was the reply. Kin could feel the smile in Sky's words as he
continued. "I am well... and thee?"
"I am well, thanks." They continued to speak of various matters until, after
several minutes, Kin bid Sky farewell. "I'm afraid we both have other
duties," Kin told him sadly, "May Peace favor your Sword, Sky Gaidin."
Saluting each other in mind, each continued with what they were about.
By the time their conversation was over, Kin had prepared Shirak for the
journey and was well on his way to Triboar. He had learned through his
sources in Neverwinter City that it was there he could find the password
which he would need to gain access to the ship in the Harbor, and he was of
the mind to find out what it was. It took him most of the morning to travel
through the hills, for he was extra careful to leave no trail and making sure
Shirak received ample rest periods. The stallion was in excellent condition,
but Kin wanted him to be fresh in case the need to travel quickly presented
itself.
Eventually, rolling hills gave way to the forests of Triboar and Kin entered
the city proper. Once there, he reported to the Shrine of Tyr, spending a
short time praying for strength and then continuing on his way. It occurred
to him that it might be a good idea to leave Shirak here in the city, so he
went straight away to the Triboar Stables and paid the young man there for
the use of a stall. He would be able to move more quietly, he thought to
himself, if he continued afoot.
Kin turned north when he reached the main road and began the journey towards
Longsaddle. He knew the area well, for he spent much time in the areas
surrounding Triboar. He knew it well enough, in fact, that he was able to
find the area of which his sources spoke quite easily and approach it unseen.
There, he came upon an encamped Cloud Giant Shaman and several of its pet
basilisks. Taking a moment to chant an incantation of protection, Kin
identified himself and demanded the Shaman to flee or be vanquished. Not
understanding common, or not caring what the human in front of it had to say,
the Shaman loosed his basilisks and began casting one spell after another,
all of which bounced harmlessly off Kin's Globe of Protection.
Kin sighed, for he truly disliked killing ignorant creatures, but a
charging enemy was just that... an enemy. He drew his sword nonchalantly and
awaited the oncoming tide. The first to reach him were the basilisks, whose
very visages were so horrible that it could turn a man to stone. Tyr was
with him, however, and Kin was able to vanquish each of the basilisks in turn
without succumbing to their evil. Seeing his pets killed before him was a
shock to the Shaman and caused him to hesitate, but only for a moment.
Letting out a bellow which made the very ground tremble beneath Kin's feat,
the Giant charged.
Kin held himself ready to meet the attack, flowing into the form 'Parting the
Silk' and bringing the Shaman down with a large crash. He had intentionally
pulled the power of his blow, hoping to allow the giant some chance at life.
"Yield, Shaman," Kin said, "For I have no desire to destroy thee. Go on
your..."
Kin stopped suddenly, a dangerous chill filling the air, and felt his
protection from harmful magic dissipate; he turned hurriedly to identify the
source of the spell. He was just in time to see another Shaman in the midst
of casting, and this one wasn't alone. He was flanked by another Shaman,
the one who was responsible for the Dispel Incantation, and an additional
guard of three Cloud Giant Warriors.
Realizing that without his protection he would be somewhat vulnerable to the
Shamans' magics, Kin tried take advantage of their close grouping and began
casting a spell of his own. He disliked to cast in battle, preferring the
blade, but the advantage clearly lay with the giants. It mattered not,
however, for before he was able to complete the incantation, he lost his
voice. One Shaman to Dispel his Globe and another to Silence him... surely,
a dangerous and potent combination.
Refusing to allow the Giants the further advantage of initiative, Kin said a
silent prayer to Tyr and charged, choosing the form 'Boar Rushes down the
Mountain.' He reached the first of the giants before the others could react
and felled him without a return strike. From there, Kin flowed form one form
to another, lost in the dance. He allowed years of instinct and training to
take over, and before long he had killed the two remaining Shaman and all but
the last of the Guards.
Locked in melee with the last Guard, Kin countered the Giants final attack
with 'River Undercuts the Bank'. He could feel his strike land true and,
without looking, knew the Giant to be dead. Tired from his exertions, Kin
remained resting on one knee for several moments, saying yet another silent
Prayer to Tyr... this time thanking Him for His Grace and Blessings in the
battle.
Finally he stood, no longer short of breath and anxious to search the camp
for an entrance to the Underground of Triboar. However, as he began to walk
back toward the camp, his muscles locked and he found that he no longer had
control of his body. He stood there, frozen and defenseless, as the Shaman
he had spared earlier walked out from behind the cover of trees and straight
towards Kin. Huge club in hand, the cloud giant continued its inexorable
approach...
As the Giant continued forward there was a cold fire burning in his eyes,
making Kin realize he could expect no mercy from this one. Seeing death
approach, he did the only thing he could, praying to his Lord one final time;
not for deliverance, but in Farewell. The silence spell having died with its
conjurer, Kin was able to form the words through still lips.
"My Lord Tyr," Kin mumbled quickly, "It has ever been a pleasure to serve
Thee. All Honor to Thee." The giant, reaching Kin, cruelly raised his club
high above his head for the killing blow. Kin had never been afraid of
Death, knowing that it took all men in its own time. He was therefore
looking the Giant squarely in the eyes when the blow landed... he felt no
pain before the darkness.
Darkness...
Darkness...
Darkness...
Light...
The first thing of which Kin became aware was Light. Blessed, warm, and
calling to his mind. It sang to him. It was beyond him to open his eyes
and 'embrace' the light, but it was still there.
Then there was sound. Someone was talking, and vaguely he thought that he
might be the topic of conversation, but for some reason he was too slow to
comprehend. His mind couldn't grasp the words, nor their meanings, before
they were replaced by others. They were muffled as well, which didn't help
in Kin's translation.
After a time (which could have been days or hours, or even more), Kin began
to understand more and more of the words which floated around his
consciousness. "...asleep for several days, I assume. He should remain here
until I give him permission to leave, and then he should seek out the Tower.
He has already delayed long enough." It was a man's voice, deep in tone and
rich in texture. Kin thought he might have recognized it, but it was more
than he could do to put a face to it.
"Where is this place? Am I not dead?" The questions hung in the air as the
other voice(s?) around him ceased. There was silence for several moments
before another voice answered. This one was warm and rich, almost vibrant,
but it was not familiar.
"I am surprised to see thee awake after the blow thou didst receive in the
woods. Rest well, friend... thou art in the Shrine of our Lord Tyr. We
heard thy final prayer to Him, and was able to divine thine location through
our prayers." As the man spoke, Kin tried to sit up a little and open his
eyes; he failed.
"Who is that with you, sir," Kin asked weakly. He still couldn't open his
eyes.
"I see no one else, Kin. If thou didst hear voices, then mayhaps twas only
my own. I took the time that I sat with thee here to write a small entry in
my journal, and I fear at times I speak aloud of what I write. I use it to
better my service to my Lord, for I lead the services here in the Shrine. I
am Arrin by name, Arrin Lightbringer."
Kin tried to speak again, to tell the Priest that he had heard two voices
within in the room, but Arrin continued before Kin could do so. "Rest, my
brother. For that is what thou dost needs most to become whole." Arrin
lowered his voice, mumbling a short chant half under his breath. As he
completed the verse a second time, Kin was asleep...
Sweat glistened off of Kin's bare shoulders in the late afternoon light.
He had awoken for the first time here in the Shrine early the previous
morning, and he already felt 200 percent better. That wasn't really
difficult, he thought dryly, considering his condition when he arrived.
He was in the small garden behind the Shrine of Tyr in Triboar, and he
had been going through his forms for quite some time. He was aware of
everything around him, at one with the blade and his surroundings. As he
completed the final turn of 'Wind through a Mountain Pass', a leaf fell from
the mighty oak above him. He caught the leaf on the flat of his blade
without having to move. The leaves had begun to change, had done so for
several weeks in fact, and the golden leaf was a wonderful contrast to the
silvery steel of the blade.
"Well worked, Kin. I see thou art much more hale than when last I saw thee."
Kin turned to the voice, recognizing it as the same one he had heard the
morning before in the room with Arrin. The man before him still seemed very
familiar, but putting a face to the voice didn't help in Kin's recollection
of him. The man, wearing a suit of burnished silver plate that almost seemed
to glow, stood with the bearing of a king.
"Aye, m'lord. I am much better indeed, thank you." Kin spoke hesitantly,
still trying to place this man. He sheathed his blade smoothly and picked up
his shirt. He used it to dry off his face, blinking the sweat out of his
eyes. "What is it I might do for thee, m'lord? Or didst thou come solely
to view my recovery?"
"I came to view thy recovery, Kin." The man had a small smile on his face
while he spoke, and he began to stroll around the glade in which Kin stood.
He looked from tree to tree, as if seeing the beauty of the changing leaves
for the first time. "It was I who healed thee, and I thought to see how thou
didst fare. You have remarkable recuperative abilities, I'm pleased to say.
I had thought you would be in bed for a while longer, yet."
"Well I thank thee for thy prayers, sir, but it was m'Lord Tyr who did heal
me. All glory to him, of course." Kin didn't normally correct others,
seeing it as over-proud to do so, but in this instance the man should have
known better. It was through the power of Tyr that all prayers by his
followers were answered, not the power of the person who prayed.
"Of course, Kin," the man replied blandly, "That is of course what I meant."
The man continued to move from tree to tree, and his reply seemed more
perfunctory then heart-felt. "I did wish to speak to thee of other matters,
however. I understand that you still delay your journey to the Tower. Why
is that?" The man turned to face Kin, looking him square in the eyes, and
Kin found it all he could do not to look away. The gaze was, to say the
least, disconcerting.
"Aye, m'lord. I have delayed doing so until I was once more confident of my
ability to serve." Kin tried to break eye-contact, making as though to move
only to replace his shirt, but was unable to do so. The man's gaze continued
to hold him... did it truly continue to intensify as greatly as it seemed?
"It has been over a year since you left the Realms, you must have expected to
have some of what you knew disappear with time. But you travel often, and
find that you remember or learn more everyday." The man's face seemed to
disappear, and only the eyes remained; piercing, overwhelming, paralyzing.
His deep voice seemed to grow louder with every word, not from anger, but in
raw power. "The Tower rises again, this time more powerful than ever before.
I would have you take part in it. The Dark threatens Neverwinter, more so
every day. Evil abounds, no place safe from its debauchery of the Realms or
its mockery of the Light. I will not except this any longer; you will assist
the Tower in any way possible to cease the tide."
Instantly it was over. There was only the man before him, standing slightly
taller than Kin, looking down with strangely compassionate eyes. "I
understand thy loss, Kin. I know the pain thou didst feel leaving
Neverwinter and returning to find all had changed... thine Aes Sedai gone,
all of thine friends missing. I am not unsympathetic to thy feelings, for
believe it or not I do understand what the loss of a Bond means to thee, but
the time for mourning has passed."
The man must have seen something that answered his demands in Kin's eyes, or
maybe he simply expected Kin to do as he had been told, but he turned
gracefully and moved towards the path from which he had come without a spoken
reply.
He stopped as he reached the edge of the glade, turning to once more speak to
Kin. "I suggest you heed my words, Kin al'Shinowa, and soon. Do not let the
Wheel pass thee by." With his final words, the man seemed to phase out,
shimmering slightly. As he phased, there seemed to be a wrap of cloth across
his eyes. Kin wasn't sure how he had missed it before, but there it was.
Recognizing him at last, Kin kneeled as the man disappeared in a dim flash.
His last words seemed to ride the wind, echoing as though to reinforce them
to greater importance.
"...heed my words... Do not let the Wheel pass thee by."
Kin had remained at the Shrine for several more days, regaining his strength
and praying to his Lord for the direction he was to take. It took little,
really, to decide what he must do. Evil truly did threaten to overwhelm the
Realms, and the Tower seemed to be one of the only forces capable and willing
to stand the tide. Besides, his Lord Tyr's words continued to burn in his
mind, and his words were Law... "...you will assist the Tower in any way
possible... Do not let the Wheel pass thee by!". He had served an earlier
Tower before, and it was time for him to do so again.
Kin approached the Tower's main gate at a steady trot, not slowing down for
the guards to address him. He still carried himself as a Warder, some things
are not lost with time, and the guards allowed him to pass. It was strange
entering the Grounds as an outsider, unknown to most of those here, but Kin
didn't allow it to show. He was dressed in his best coat, midnight blue
trimmed in silver, worn over his white silk shirt. He dismounted and flipped
the reigns to the stableman in one smooth motion, continuing towards the door
without pause.
When he entered the Tower, he was faced by three women, each behind a desk,
and several others seated or standing around the room as though awaiting
instructions. He approached the nearest desk and introduced himself with a
bow to the woman seated behind it. "I am Kin al'Shinowa, Aes Sedai. I seek
to join the ranks among the Gaidin of the Tower.. pray tell, to whom must I
speak to do this?"
The Aes Sedai looked him up and down for several moments, as if to weigh his
ability. There was no way to tell her decision when she finally spoke. "Of
course, m'Lord. You will await audience, and someone will see to you
shortly." She motioned to a young girl sitting beside the wall to her left,
saying, "Sara, might you show this young man the way?" It was asked as
though there was no reason to answer, and maybe there wasn't. The girl
jumped up quickly, and hurried to Kin.
After performing a somewhat wobbly curtsey, she managed to speak softly. "If
m'Lord would follow me, then... I would show thee to somewhere he might
wait." She turned towards an inner door almost before she finished speaking,
and Kin smiled as he followed her. He wondered if she would even notice
whether he followed her or not.
He followed her down a series of several hallways, each of which were
decorated with beautiful tapestries and other hangings, as well as many
pieces of art displayed on tables. One tapestry in particular, entitled "The
Bond", caught his attention. It depicted an Aes Sedai leaning unconscious
against a tree on a hill, surrounded by no less then twenty Trollocs and
three Myrddraal. Also in the picture, and what caught Kin's attention, was
that between the Aes Sedai and the Trollocs stood a single Warder. He had
drawn his blade and assumed the beginning stance of "Apple Blossoms on the
Wind", awaiting the Trollocs with neither fear nor hesitation... it was
wonderful, one tapestry capturing the very essence of a Gaidin. Honor,
Pride, Wealth... none of these things had meaning to a true Warder, there was
only 'the Bond'.
Starting off once more behind the Novice, Kin felt at peace... they would
accept him, he knew. Here was his home.Deep Caverns
(submitted by: Punta Feto)
There is darkness.
Darkness as deep and as black as the heart
of the being whose red eyes glow with an unholy light.
Slowly, more eyes appear as if paying homage to their superior.
Haunting you with their bloody, lusting gaze.
Suddenly, daylight.
A ball of fire streaks and explodes.
Screams of outrage come from the dead dying.
Then, darkness.
Screams echo through the cavern like none ever heard.
Silence fills your ears.
You are alone.
BOOM!!!!!!
A creature looms before you.
Death incarnate, its eyes glow again.
A dragon made of bone!
Its bite tears your body.
Its claws tear at your heart.
Its fire burns your soul.
Your body finds its strength.
Your heart finds its steel.
Your soul finds its power.
Cool in your hand, your sword strikes.
A howl, a crunch then silence.
Is this the end or the beginning?
Legends of Tyminia: The Kohlinar
(submitted by: Owl Hunter)
"Tell us another," said Mershu rubbing her arms briskly and warming herself
by the fireside.
"Yes," chorused the dinner guests sipping piping hot caffinas, "another."
Owl Hunter thought for a moment. He looked out the frosted window into the
chill winter night. Then he smiled and without warning cast a simple spell
which extinguished all the lights save from the hearth and causing shadows to
writhe about the perimeter of the room. "Alright then," he said. "Here is a
tale for a cold Winter's night. One that ought make you grateful for the
warmth of a fire. Mershu shivered in anticipation, sidling closer to the
glowing embers.
"In the days before the fall of Tyminia, to the Northern Hordes, good King
Lemnos ruled his kingdom in wisdom and prosperity aided by his vizier
Al-Ishma-Kel, who served his king well until his final unintentioned
betrayal..." Owl Hunter frowned.
One hard winter King Lemnos and his contingent made a trip to the Kingdom of
Magurish. Old King Lemnos frequently visited his neighbors in those golden
times and especially loved to visit Margurish where it was forever warm,
though some rumored that it was beset by demonic forces. On his return from
that successful excursion, the King was caught in a sudden furious storm. He
and Al-Ishma-Kel and an elfin guard were separated from the rest of the troop
and were forced to find shelter in that barren mountainous region.
They searched for a place to weather the storm but without success and as the
fury of the blizzard mounted they grew desperate. Finally exhausted and
stiff with cold, they came across an enormous arched rock cleft neatly in the
center, sitting in the side of a cliff. It could only have been a door.
Along its topmost rim were engraved runes of power. And carved writing
decorated the rock facing in elfin letters and dwarfish glyphs, as well as
other writing in many tongues.
"We will freeze to death here, unless we get in there," said King Lemnos.
Al-Ishma-Kel studied the runes and furrowed his brow. "I do not like the
meaning of this," he said. These runes are runes of protection and where
fashioned by Archmage, or I am no judge..."
"I cannot make out all of this ancient writing," said the elfin guard, "but
these here words portend danger. Indeed it is a warning of some sort".
"As is this," said Lemnos reading the ancient Magurish script, etched in
stone.
"The same message in several tongues, M'lord. It seems as if someone does
not want us to enter," said Al-Ishma-Kel.
"We have no choice, my friend," said King Lemnos, "Either we escape the storm
or we perish. Besides," he laughed weakly, "this door probably leads to no
more than some ancient tomb for a long dead Magurish King. But no matter
what is inside, it could not kill us with anymore certainty than this
blizzard.
"Aye, sire," said Al-Ishma-Kel, "I agree, but I do not like it".
The wizard raised his staff and chanted an opening spell and lo, the doors
shrugged open enough for them to walk through without trouble and a gust of
warm stale air greeted them.
"Strange," said Al-Ishma-Kel as they squeezed inside, "that was too easy.
T'was only a simple spell of passage which I cast. Nothing more than a
ground-working spell, really."
King Lemnos laughed. "You underestimate your powers, wizard," he said
entering the cave.
"No," muttered the vizer, "It was as if the doors themselves were ready to
open in spite of the holding runes...or as though something were helping me".
When, the elfin guard had gathered some dry wood from inside the cave and had
begun a fire at the mouth of the cave using his flint and steel, they settled
down to weather out the storm. They broke out what little rations they had
and had a small meal, and Al-Ishma-Kel's musings were quickly forgotten, even
by the vizier himself.
Al-Ishma-Kel, having an aversion to cold grumbled and muttered to himself
about the inconvenience of the storm, but after looking about, found a
perfect spot to settle down in the back of the cave. He lay down his bed
roll and pulled his blanket up to his chin, being careful to lay his flowing
beard over it. But try as he might he could not get comfortable. Finally
with a growl of disgust he stood up and snatched up his bed roll.
"What is it lord?" asked the guard, now aware of the commotion behind him.
"Damnedable rocks is what it is!" groused the vizier. "Aiming to cripple my
poor spine!" he said rubbing his back.
He did not want to give up the warm location and intent on rooting out the
cause of his misery, bent down and scrabbled about in the dirt until he came
upon the troublesome stones. The rocks were small pointy affairs but the
largest one was as round and as large as a melon.
"Eh, what's this? Bring me light," he muttered.
The guard watched as Al-Ishma-Kel cleaned off the exposed part of the dirt
encrusted globe. He peered at the object and then at the smaller stones that
lay around it.
"What is it?" asked the King.
"Don't know," said the vizier, picking up one of the smaller stones. But
these pebbles are bones...fingers to be more precise."
He rubbed hard at the dirty globe with his sleeve and slowly it revealed
itself in the torchlight to be a ball of the deepest blue, glowing dully with
an inner dark light. It was beautiful to behold.
"Kohlinar!" said Al-Ishma-Kel in wonder. He stared a moment as if entranced
then suddenly bolted upright. "Quick, get out! Everyone out!" he shouted.
We must get out NOW!"
It was good advice but offered too late. The thing glowed brighter and coils
of blue light emanated from the it looping out and bathing the men in its
eerie glow. Al-Ishma-Kel grabbed his King by the sleeve and yanked him out
into the cold followed by his guard but even as the exited the cave they felt
as if their bones were shifting, cracking, moving, and experienced a terrible
deep tearing pain as if those self same bones were being wrenched from their
bodies.
Outside King Lemnos turned not comprehending but Al-Ishma-Kel pulled him
along into the teeth of the blizzard. "Move my lord," he shouted. "If you
value your life!" The four staggered forward and not until they were in the
relative shelter of the trees did they pause, the old vizier wheezing from
his exertion and the cold air.
King Lemnos peered back towards the cave and against the glow of the fire he
saw three hulking, monstrous, misshapen, black shapes, to large to get out,
peering through the doorway.
"Good Lord," said Lemnos. "What by all that's holy are those things?"
"They are...," whispered Al-Ishma-Kel, "the darkest parts of...US!. The
embodiments of all our pain, lust, and rage." They watched as the three
creatures shuffled about sniffing the air and looking about.
We must close the doors he said and began chanting the words of closure. The
doors shuddered but did not move. Sweat beaded on Al-Ishma-Kel's forehead in
spite of the bitter cold. His voice thundered forth and the doors began to
slowly turn inward.
The beasts sensing the doors closing, shoved themselves up against them. The
swish of a bowstring shook Al-Ishma-Kel from his labor. "NO!" said
Al-Ishma-Kel, again too late. The arrow cut through the air, a miraculous
shot, which only the skill and eyesight of an elfish bowman could have pull
off. It pierced one of the beasts in the shoulder. The monster staggered
back into the recesses of the cave.
At the same instant Lemnos shouted, "Arrrgh," clasping his own shoulder.
Al-Ishma-Kel grabbed the guard's bow arm. "We are joined to these things.
You cannot kill them without killing us.
"Then they cannot kill us without killing themselves either, said King Lemnos
still nursing his shoulder.
"Aye, M'lord, but there is a difference," said Al-Ishma-Kel. "They do not
care...Now, do not disturb me now if you value your lives."
"Faster, wizard," said Lemnos, "else they will get out". And indeed the
creatures appeared to be forcing the doors back. A strained Al-Ishma-Kel
gasped that he need a little more time. But they all knew there was no time.
Suddenly the elfin guard rushed forward and slipped through the doors. The
monsters charged in unison but could not get the swift bowman.
"Get out NOW," shouted the wizard after a few tense moments. And the elf
lept out of the cave, clearing the doors...almost. The doors moved shut,
closing with a firm rasping heave and the crisp air was pierced by the sound
of the elf, writhing on the ground, the lower half of his body crushed
between solid rock. In a moment he was dead.
Lemnos removed his royal birthstone ring and placed it on the elf's finger
and removed a green elfin gemstone, embossed with a Mallorn tree. He placed
the ring on his own finger as a rememberance of the brave guard and they
buried their comrade by digging into snow and piling stones on the body. It
was the best they could do. The King and the vizier trudged on through the
cold, lips blue, fingers and toes at first painfully cold and then numbed
beyond pain. Lemnos was shivering uncontrollably. We are going to die, he
thought, when suddenly another cave.
They stumbled in nearly falling over each other. Al-Ishma-Kel drug in some
damp logs and with a touch from his staff ignited the wood into a life saving
fire. The two stared into the fire extending their hands and feet towards
the flames as Al-Ishma-Kel spoke.
"The Grand Wizard Al-Alignar created the Kohlinar," said Al-Ishma-Kel. He
poured all of his prodigious power into the thing, crystallizing the Kohlinar
from a cauldron of the most mystic and holy of elements."
"But what is it?" asked Lemnos.
"It is, or was, the ultimate weapon against evil," he said laughing
mirthlessly. "Think of it as a cosmic well. A well in which Al-Alignar
drained all the evil of his kingdom. It was his crowning achievement, a
monument to his skill and power. And during his time and for a thousand
years after, the Magurish Emperors whom he had served lived in incomparable
peace and harmony. BUT HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN..." said Al-Ishma-Kel, his voice
ringing out loud and angry.
"He should have known, that evil like good is boundless and flowing. The
Magurish ancients knew better. They worshiped the Fire Goddess Kalia, who
continually creates and destroys both good and evil in her dance of life.
The Kohlinar simply became...filled up. And like a backed up cistern it
collected the powers of evil, concentrated it, and spewed the malignant
forces out into the world."
"A thousand years of prosperity was followed by a reign of unbridled terror
and brutality. The poor Magurish were defenseless. They had forgotten the
ways of war and were peaceful gentle souls who could not imagine that the
source of their bounty had become the well spring of their doom. The kingdom
of the Magurish for a time nearly vanished from the earth and all that was
left of it was the war scarred barren land that had at one time hosted
gleaming spires that rose to the heavens."
"We cannot allow this...this...thing to exist," said Lemnos. We must destroy
it."
This time Al-Ishma-Kel laughed out loud, a terrifying laugh.
"And release a thousand years and more of evil, here and now? Who would
thank you for that my king?! No we cannot undo this thing without paying an
unthinkable price. We can only try to contain it as did the ones who
entombed it. In the morning I will return to reinforce the runes and our
guards will block the passage with a landslide of rocks.
"And they did," said Owl Hunter, ending his tale.
"Hah," sniffed Mershu in disgust.
Owl Hunter smiled, the firelight flickering over his face, his white even
teeth showing. "You did not like it, m'lady?" asked Owl Hunter.
"T'was an ending with weak knees if you take my meaning, m'lord," said
Mershu.
"Weak knees indeed," barked Owl Hunter, laughing. "Then know you this, my
lady, that Old King Lemnos was the sire of King Lemnos of Tyminia, my sire
and that Magurish is the Tyminian "Never the season of Snow," Never Winter if
you will.
Mershu laughed again. "Still I say weak kneed, my..."
She stopped her eyes resting on a green elfin gemstone ring, embossed with a
Mallorn tree.
Mershu looked from Owl Hunter's face, outside. The mountains of NeverWinter
looked cold and foreboding. She shivered and huddled closer to the fire.
Owl Hunter
For the Order of the Golden Staff
Deck of Cards
(submitted by: JJervis126)
A King, A Queen, and a Jack of Greed
In a society made of Gold
Seemingly always take more than they Need
More than their hands can Hold.
A King, A Queen and a Jask of Spades
In a third world made of Dirt
Watch slowly as their future Fades-
The tenth generation Hurt.
A King, A Queen, and a Jack of Clubs
Filled with compassion and good Wishing
Check the 52 deck of Cards
The Ace of hearts is Missing.
Without the Ace, no love is Left
Kindness and generosity Lack
Together only they can make a Change
A King, A Queen, And a Jack...
Winter Blues
(submitted by: JJervis126)
Now that winter winds are wailing
Of Despair,
Now that hosts of fridgid fingers
Fill the air,
As you harken, As you shiver,
as you sigh,
Are you dreaming dear beloved
Of July?
Now that ghostly snow is drifting
On the Wold,
Now that fireplaces are struggling
With the cold,
As you shovel, As you listen
To the sleet,
Are you dreaming of last summer,
And the heat?
I'm Looking...
(submitted by: JJervis126)
I'm looking for a place in life
Who can help me find it?
A place to call my own
and build a wall around it,
to shut out cold an dwind
to find peace and warmth within.
Someone to help my burdens bear,
someone to love, someone to care,
Someone to share my dreams.
This is all I need,
if only I could find it.
Yesterday is for remembering,
but Today is when I'm living...
It's on tomorrow that I base my hope.
My Love
(submitted by: JJervis126)
A shelter from the rain
A fire that warms what's cold
A salve that soothes all pain
The teddybear that you love to hold
The smile that makes you tingle all over
The good luck you feel with that fourleaf clover
The anticipation of your first kiss
Or the laughter that follows, when you miss
Your smile in the early morn
When the day is being born
These things are dear unto me
Things that brought my soul to be
Till fate took us apart so far
now all I can do is wish on a star
Untitled to NWT Spryte
(submitted by: JJervis126)
As I sit here and fantasize
About your merry, dancing eyes,
Your sensual, sexy grace,
And that smiling upturned face.
My heart begins to swell.
You, I could never begin to tell,
How much I love thee still,
And always, forever, will.
JJ
John
BoPer
-----------=========[%]D
Temple Cleaning
(submitted by: Ldy Xymox)
Wandering through the temple I came to notice that several people and other
creatures though to enter and destroy all of Myrkul's creatures. Since I had
been assigned the task of cleaning the temple I thought of what better way to
clean it then to help those poor travelers find Myrkul.
I would sit in the corner behind the door and pray to Myrkul for his blessing
then I would prepare. Many would come searching for a letter in Myrkul's
temple but I knew my job and went about it post haste. I chased them and
silenced the critters so they would not suspect I was near. They actually
fought when I told them that Myrkul would welcome them unto him in death.
They blasphemed his name and said he was not a true god. I just smiled
knowing that many thought that until they were face to face with Myrkul. I
knew how much Myrkul liked jello as well so I was sure to make quite a few
varieties for him to sample. This seemed to make them even more unmanageable
than before and they would become rude. I would not let this bother me for I
knew this is what my god wanted. I was after all just doing his will.
I had to take a short trip for the High Priestess. She had expressed desire
in having a Emerald Broach for Myrkulmas. So being a faithful little squire I
hurried forth so that I might bring one to her. Upon entering the temples
less savory area I came upon a few descerators to Myrkul's temple. They
were....Warrior Lords. I silently passed by them and hurried on my way
knowing if they got to the broach before I they would ransom it or mayhaps
even worse.
I faught many battles in Myrkul's name that eve knowing that I must reach the
Broach first. Finally I came to the spot the Broach was supposed to be. I
prayed to Myrkul for his blessing and was ready to face the challange ahead.
I entered the woods and began to search. Quickly I was found out and the
Dracolich came for me. I had to kill the poor beast. Yet I knew he would soon
be with Myrkul and then he would be most happy. Searching through the rubble
I found the Broach the High Priestess spoke of and hurried forth to bring it
to her.
When I arrived back in the temple propper I found she had gone out for the
evening. So I hurried forth to Lord Nasher and asked him to enchant this
lovely broach for my Mistress the High Priestess Darcphaze. He said..." who ?
" I gasped in outrage at this insult to my mistress. I vowed then and there I
would send him to Myrkul for this insult. He but laughed at me and KEPT the
broach for his own! He had the audacity to think a silly scroll would be an
even trade for such a lovely piece. Then to top it off he had his so called
guards show me out! That was the last time I would ever see him in this state
as I had vowed then and there I personally would send his black soul to
Myrkul.
Ldy Xymox
Squire to the High Priestess Darcphaze
Temple cleanerThe Birth of Quests
(submitted by: KTOVOYAGER)
From the depths of hell the demon creature arose. Quickly, yet silently, the
dark shadow made his way through the lands torching all that stood in its
path. For miles you could see the Flames, burning villages, childern, and all
who stood in its way. The word of this mass distruction made its way to the
safe haven of Never Winter. A pleed for help, asking Neverwinter to send its
brave fighters to destroy the Fire Elemental.
By this time the beast had divided and was scattered through out the realms.
If the creature is to be driven back to the Depths of hell From which it came
it will take sevral brave fighters with great strength and powerfull magic,
for not only will they encounter the Fire Elemental but will surely engage
battle with the other sevral evil beast which lurk the lands.
As the Hunters destroy Fire elemental after Fire Elemental sevral hunters
will too lose their lifes. Sevral weeks past and it seems as though They can
not keep up with the reproduction of the beasts, and then it is heard that
there is a single species in control of the Fire Elemental. Rumor had it that
the ruler could be the most feared Efreeti. Sevral of them had been spotted
in the lands to the east. With this in mind sevral of the hunters began to
adventure the areas to the East.
While traveling through Triboar the Inn Keeper informed them that sevral were
known to live under the city, but no one ever came back alive. The Inn Keeper
also told them that the lands to the south and north the Efreeti have also
been seen. It is thought that they all Lived under Tirboar. With this
information, The hunters quickly Made there way to the under city. With no
maps of the area they hunters wondered around lost, now realizing why no one
returned alive. It was when all hope was given up, and the Men were quite
battered that the stumbled on the most feared Creature in the realms. The
Mighty Beholder.
During the fight they could do nothing but watch as one of their companions
was turned to stone. They now realized that their Mirriored Shields were of
little protection against the Powerfull creature. Sevral Spells were cast
with no affect as well. The Men were desprate and tired. With only one Last
chance the Men drew their weapons and in one last effort began to swing and
hack runing back and forth at the Beholder, and to this day this fighting
style is known as the Beholder Dance. Needless to say the men destoryed the
two beholders and Obtained a Letter with a Squid Emblim on it.
While reading the Squid letter, the Hunters found that it is the Beholders
that Control all creatures including the Fire Elemental and Efreeti, and that
there are Many Beholders scattered through out the Country side. With the
Letter in hand the Men quickly made their way back to Lord Nasher to tell him
of the news.
Upon their return to Never Winter the men made their way to the Palace. As
they explained their adventures to Lord Nasher, he called for a scribe to
keep a detailed record of the tail. After hearing this Lord Nasher Offered
rewards for slaying the Beholders, and let it be Known to all that upon
killing the beholders all will recieve a reward for their valliant efforts.
After sevral more Hunters returned it was learned that all the Beholders had
a particular item which the held sacred. This item was to be given to Lord
Nasher as proof af the efforts and in return each hunter would be rewarded
generously.
The Quests were born...
KTOVoyager
Journey Knight Quest MasterDeath or Survival
(submitted by: SSC GOD1VA)
For three days now I have sat before this bowl of polished ebony filled
with water. For three days I have watched IT draw ever closer to these parts
of the Realms, leaving in its wake suffering and destruction. But now I grow
terrified, for IT comes for me. I had thought myself rid of IT, that I had at
last found a hiding place, but alas that is not to be. I know now that there
is no sense in running again. I must either defeat IT or be taken by IT, this
time there will be no other result. The pact I so foolishly made when I was
but starting to feel my growing power has come back on me ten fold. I feel
the mortality of my life heavily, bearing gloom and despair as a herald to
IT's comming. I worry for these my new found friends, I want not my doom to
be visited upon them, but neither can I run. All I have time for is to
prepare for the upcomming battle. I will be ready!
A servant approaches the East Tower of the castle, Elvira had earlier
sent all from the tower saying that they could return in but two hours,
begging their indulgence. As he approaches he sees a huge chest anf just
beyond that a shimmering that surrounds the tower. Upon the chest is a letter
with the seal of Elvira in blach somehow shimmering wax. As he approaches
closer to the tower his hair stands up upon his head and a demonic face
appears in the shimmering field saying "Approach no closer upon pain of
Death. None may approach until the time of reconning!" With this he flees
back the way he came running straight to the seneschal.
The servant tells Smurf of what he has encountered and also of his fears.
"This must be dealt with and Now." replies Smurf as he heads for the East
Tower. As the seneschal approaches the East Tower he passes by the chest
which opens as he passes it. Pausing at this turn of events Smurf looks into
the chest and stares in awe, for in the chest is 300,000 pp, 2 dozen fist
sized Diamonds, and a 1,000 of each Emeralds, Rubys, Sapphires, Amethyst,
Topaz, Bloodstone, Pearls, and Opals all of execellent quality. A kings
ransome with a note atop the pile addressed to any High Council Member.
Please do not attempt to enter the tower, the ward I have placed there is
powerful enough to kill even the most seasoned veteran and I would not have
any innocent deaths among you my new found friends. This will all be over
soon for IT draws nearer every hour, covering days worth of travel in hours.
In this chest find what I hope will cover any damages caused by my battle
with IT, for I can run no longer. Please forgive me for bringing this evil
upon you it was not my intent.
SSC ELV1RA
Mistress of the Dark
Seeing this, being wary, and knowing nothing is going to change soon
Smurf decides to take this to the High Council before doing anything other
than ordering the tower off limits for the time being.
Elvira is busy at work within the tower casting spell after spell till
exhaustion overtakes her and she passes out. Upon revival she eats and begins
again, casting every spell she has ever learned to defend herself. Wards only
half remembered by this days great wizards, wards gained thru her bargain
with IT and that foul creature's mother, a witch of great power, does she
cast. She knows the battle to come may be her last in this existance. Elvira
dares not lose this, for if she does it will not be death that takes her! No
it will be far worse, if she loses she will become IT's wife and lose her
immortal soul and her very humanity. A fate she would not wish upon her worst
enemy.
Even as Elvira feverishly continues her preparations IT draws ever nearer
and closes the distance between them ever faster. She casts spells upon every
object in and of the tower. Spells that will be triggered as Elvira fights IT
precast that she will have more spells than any would imagine possible. All
that she has learned is put into this battle for her existance. Simply put it
is do or die time!
On the third day after sealing herself in the tower the barrier she has
placed around it becomes solid, like a second wall or skin around it. Then a
lone figure is seen approaching from the east, IT has arrived! The handsome
man, clothed in shimmering multicolored robes, stops within arrow shot of the
tower and calls for Elvira. "Come forth dearest." "It is time we were wed and
our bargin completed." Stretching back in the direction from whence IT came
the land lies in tortured, twisted mockery of its former beauty. Everything
perverted and corrupted, a negative of the picture of beauty that the land
once was. Elvira's voice carries on the wind, "I will not marry thee foul
creature of evil. Thou hast made thy trip in vain. All thee will find here is
your death. Go, leave me in peace." "Now you know that I cannot do that.", It
replys, "Thou must come with me as was fore ordained. I WILL take thee with
me either willingly or after subjugating thee!" "NEVER will I go with thee.",
she screams, as she lets loose a bolt of lightning so black as to absorb the
light as it streaks toward IT. With a swirl of arcane gestures IT catches the
bolt and absorbs its power laughing. "Is that the best thee has learned?", IT
asks scornfully.
"I see thee art determined to resist me fair Lady, but for naught art thy
struggles. Surrender now and I will raise thee above all others in my Kingdom
for I value ye.", IT calmly asks with icey voice. "Resist me futher and I
will still raise thee above all others but, thee will be stripped of all that
is fair in ye, thou wilt become my wife in all manners. Ha ha ha ha..." , IT
laughs with a coldness that chills to the bone. At this Elvira's rage blinds
her and she begins her attack in utter disregard for anything but ITs
destruction.
Elvira's hands fly through the intricate gestures of her spells as she
casts three in rapid succession. They hit IT one after another but do no
apparent damage, though the ground around him heaves as each impacts. "No
little love those will not help you.", IT sneers. "You must do better than
that.", It laughs as he casts his first spell.
The land grows dark as clouds appear from nowhere and lightning plays over
the tower bouncing from Elvira's ward. The bolts coalesce into a bright ball
of energy which then streaks toward IT, striking with a thunderclap that
shakes the ground for a mile around and throwing him to the ground robes
smoking. Immediately Elvira casts again and a ball of black fire flys
unalterably at IT striking before he can return to his feet. His robes burst
into flame and briefly his image wavers showing a demonic presence before IT
recovers and casts again towards the tower. "So you do have teeth little one,
they will avail you not. You will fall to me. Elvira you only make more pain
for yourself.", It says as he casts. The walls of the tower up where Elvira
stands implode to encase her in stone. A glow begins showing through the
cracks in the stone encasing Elvira which grows rapidly till, with a burst
like a red sun being born, the rocks fly in all directions, the top of the
tower disintergrating. With the burst a horrifing scream of pure hatred
bursts from IT as his image again wavers showing his demonic side.
"You will pay for your insolence wench.", IT screams as he struggles to
regain control of himself. "Enough games, I weary of this. Bow to me now
before I rip the humanity from you and make you my plaything.", IT says his
voice dripping blood honey.
"Never!", is Elvira's only word as she begins another spell. Her robe is in
tatters barely covering her but she does not notice. All focus is on IT and
the spell she casts, a spell she has never dared cast before. As she utters
the last incantation IT looks up, recognizing the spell he wards himself with
inhuman speed, the spell strikes! From IT himself explodes a ball of pure
white flame which covers a radius of four hundred feet from him, that then
swirls upward and begins to expand in all directions as it raises. A wall of
force precedes the ball of flame blowing the entire east side of the castle
inward with a force never seen before. The East Tower disappears entirely
though Elvira floats half conscious where she once stood. Through all this
mass destruction stands the object of Elvira's wrath, though not as was first
seen, for now IT stands in his true form before the castle.
A creature from the depths of hell he stands exposed before the castle. It
raises two of his four arms and casts again screaching through his mandibles
a spell that brings Elvira into his grasp. "See my love, he croaks, you are
mine.", is heard as a dark portal opens and IT carries Elvira through to the
Gods know where.
As Recollected by,
SSC GOD1VA
Greycloak Knight
Lady of the WoodsI Am
(submitted by: SUB SKIN)
I am the shadow on your wall,
the one who pushes you, when you fall,
I am the voice inside your head,
the evil creature under you very bed,
I am the hate you feel inside,
the adrenaline rush, as your soul collides,
I am the one you try to fight,
the eerie sound, the bump in the night,
I am the cause, that makes you doubt,
causing your mind to race about,
I am the shiver, that of a swaying ghost
the parasite feeding, as you are my host,
I am the sad ending to your life, nothing more than an unwritten story,
for I am the demon, the demon unholy.
~Subskin
~DEMON Scribe
~S.A.T.A.N
Alone He Stood
(submitted by: Bertil fox)
The fire had long burnt away, only a few crimson coals remained glowing
like disebowled eyes floating on a black velvet cloak. What kept the many
creatures, things very few had seen or even dared to think might be, away no
one knows. But cringe they did, as if burnt by the gods holy light. Ahhh, he
stirs, waking in the darkness of pre-dawn, looking like the undead rising
from a shallow grave. See the mist swrilling around his feet, as if caressing
a lover before they part both knowing thet will never see each other again.
Watch as he streaches, readying his armor and trident, picking up his shield
and dawning his helmet. Still the evil retreats from him, this holy knight
with the gods smiling down upon him as a mother might her only child. Where
does this courages man march? What evil could be so vile to make a man this
determined, to give every waking thought solely of its banishment? Onward he
marches never stopping for rest, always knowing that evil is near but never
foolish enough to try to stop him.
There in the distance is a castle. A darkness hangs over it like storm
clouds redy to burst with all the fury of every soul trapped in hades
combined. This is were the evil lives, this is were it must stop. Out of the
dusk comes a figure, as dark as he is bright, as evil as he is good, as hated
as he is loved. All time stopes as they look at one and other, even the gods
hold there breath. Then this twin of evil spins around and from the darkness
a sword apears, as he spins the sword drinks all light from what little
penatrates the unhallowed ground. Tis dizzying to see the speed at wich he
spins, only the clang of steel upon steel lets us know the battle rages on.
the knight of goodness flips his trident up driving the lower end into the
dark kights knee, then reveses his swing and brings the forks to rest against
the others head.
"Stop this madness before it's too late" the golden knight wispers.
"Ha! You of all people should know I can never stop, it was too late for me
to turn back the night I killed your mother".
Back they step once again to stare, then the tarnished Knight hears what he
thought he would never hear, "Then I do indeed pity you".
Enraged, the evil knight charges with sword drawn high in the air, only to
impale himself upon the mighty trident triple treat. The knight of good
stares at the man dying at the end of his weapon and sadly with tears in his
eyes he says," Rest ye well and may what love remained in your body wash the
evil from your veins. Say hello to mother for me, my brother.
Bertil Fox
Page of KEFThe Release of a Sister
(submitted by: ABK Eldin)
The crescent moon darkened from pale yellow to a rust red as it dipped
further into the western sky. A mild, cool breeze blew the bare branches of
the trees, tight creaking sounds escaping into the night. A screech filled
the night as a large owl gripped a field mouse mercilessly in its claws.
Eldin stood upon a black tower, his red cloak swaying softly in the wind. The
tower had once belonged to an original member of the Order, a woman long
forgotten. This cracked, broken edifice was the only proof left testifying to
the fact that she had once lived. Her powerful magic still clung to the
brickwork of the tower, clinging to every pebble of rock, every grain of
dust. The faint aura radiated out, touching those with the sense to listen. A
steady, pulsating sound.
The magic mingled with Eldin's blood pulled him to this place every great
once in a while, calling to him as if a long lost friend. He kneeled on the
flagstones of the tower roof, tracing the burnt runes of a warding circle
imprinted there. Old magics were once performed here. Old magics long
forgotten.
As Eldin traced the black, charred lines of the warding circle, a stiff wind
blew his cloak over his face. Irritated at the interruption to his thoughts,
he hastily brushed the cloak aside. He froze.
The archaic symbols and runes of the circle had begun to glow. A faint bluish
radiance spread from the circle illuminating the top of the tower. Silver
dust sparkled inches above the circle. Eldin, drew his sword, suspecting some
trick of magic.
A deep, aged voice chanted the spidery language of magic. Eldin looked across
the circle to see an ancient woman performing a magical ritual. The woman was
dressed in flowing robes of black, with a red sash tied around her waist. Her
iron-gray hair was bound tightly against her head with a rich, golden clasp.
A silver amulet imprinted with a familiar symbol hung around her neck: it was
the symbol of Bloodkeep.
Strangely, Eldin felt as if he could see through the woman if he tried. There
was a translucence about her form. Looking behind her, he spied a dark figure
crawling over the edge of the tower. It was a man dressed entirely in black,
brandishing a long, wicked dagger. The young knight tried to call out, but
the warning stuck in his throat.
All he could do was watch as the old woman's chanting increased in volume.
The dark figure crept towards her, and evil smirk spreading across his tanned
face. The magess, heedless of her danger, completed the spell. At that
instant, the man plunged his dagger into the soft flesh of her back.
The woman cried out in terror as she fell forward to her knees. Blood, dark
and crimson, spilled onto the flagstones, over the lines of the warding
circle. She grasped at spell components, but they fell from her nerveless
hands. She was dying.
The man smiled gleefully, and prepared for another strike. The dagger flew
from his hand as a powerful whirlwind of force knocked him to the ground.
Above the warding circle, a small hole opened up in the fabric of reality.
Shimmering, blinding light flashed forth from the gate. Brilliant colors
spread out over the wilderness in uncontrollable waves.
Eldin grasped his cape and drew it over his eyes before the light blinded
him. Gathering courage, he looked out once again.
The gate remained open, wild bits of magical energy flowing out of it. The
magess, near death, raised her hand and pointed to the gate. A red bolt of
magic raced towards the gate, blocking out the flaring light. Soon the gate
collapsed upon itself and closed. As the last vestiges of the portal
vanished, a small orb of light fell out of it, rolling to a stop, inches from
the dying form of the old woman.
The man, gathering his wits and dagger, approached the sorceress, fear
dancing in his eyes. Determined to end her life, he brought the dagger down
into her heart. The woman cried out as blood flooded across her robes. With
her last breath, she placed her hand on the orb. With a flash of light, she
was gone.
The man removed a belt from his bag of black velvet. Reaching down and
grasping the orb, the man gasped. He dropped it quickly into the bag. In an
instant, the light was gone.
Eldin was blind from the exposure to light. As his eyes adjusted to the
darkness around him, he realized the man was gone, with the orb.......
Eldin shook himself from the chill creeping over his heart. He had just
witnessed the death of a sister in his order. He sheathed his sword and
looked at the warding circle. It was dark and gray, no evidence of the spell
cast left upon its surface.
"Eldin," a newly familiar voice beckoned.
The knight glanced up to see the woman standing in front of him, looked at
him with deep brown eyes. There was pain in that look. The deep lines of age
gathered around her agony filled face.
"You must help me."
"Anything sister. I am yours to command." Eldin felt deep pity for the woman.
"I don't command, only beg. I was Indica, the High Alchemist of Bloodkeep in
days long past. My work here was fruitful for the members of the order, but
was prematurely finished with my death."
Eldin mourned deeply for the loss. "The loss of one member is a great loss to
all of us." He recalled a quote Storm had once made.
The woman gasped with pain. Her translucent form was breaking apart. "It is
with great effort that I maintain my presence on this plane. I was
interrupted in a spell I cast to summon energies from the Tower of Ice, a
citadel were beings of all worlds practiced my trade. The spell went awry,
and I tapped into the energy of the Plane of Radiance." Indica coughed. "When
I touched that orb, my soul became trapped in that plane. Please, I beg of
you, free me. Recover the orb and release me from my prison. The man that
killed me was called Noctimus, Lord of the Night. He was my archnemesis when
I lived. Now, he feeds off my torment. You must destroy the orb to free me."
The form of Indica shook and crumbled. Misty vapor flowed over the ground
where she stood. Her voice still persisted in Eldin's mind. "Please, I beg of
you..."
Eldin drew his sword from his scabbard and pulled the blade across his
forearm. As his crimson blood flowed onto the warding circle, he spoke: "I
swear to free you Indica, even if it means the end of my life. Upon the walls
of this keep, I swear. Let this cut always remind me of my quest." The cut
shimmered and healed. A silver scar remained. Selune had blessed his quest.
Gathering his cloak around himself, he made his way to the chambers of Storm.
Storm sat looking at the orange and red fire dance in the hearth. Sipping
wine slowly, he let the thoughts of a hard day's work melt from his mind. He
frowned deeply when he heard a knock at the door. "If this is Blood with
another roster verification.." he cursed light heartedly.
He opened the door to see Eldin standing there, cold and more than just a
little shaken. "Eldin, what's wrong? Has something happened?" The Lord of the
Keep asked with genuine concern.
"May I come in m'lord?" Eldin glanced down the hall behind him nervously.
"Please do," Storm gestured to the chair closest to the fire.
Eldin sank into it thankfully, letting the warmth of the fire wash over him.
Storm poured a glass of red wine from Waterdeep and gave it to his newest
knight. He took his seat, and waited for his brother to speak.
"What do you know of Indica, may I ask?" Eldin asked, mindful of his lord's
generosity in speaking with him so late.
"Indica. She was a member long before I arrived here. I was but a squire when
she mysteriously disappeared. There were many rumors surrounding her
disappearance. Some said she was murdered by a demon she summoned from the
Nine Hells. Others maintain she was destroyed in a magical spell. Personally,
I think she left the Keep for her own purposes. All accounts agree that there
was a spell of immense power cast the night that she left. Left me quaking in
my sheets, that's for sure." Storm looked up and noticed that Eldin was
looking into the fire intently. "Why do you ask me about her?"
Eldin shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I had come across her name in the
chronicles I located in the vaults. I was just curious why accounts of her
ended suddenly and unexpectedly. There was no information on her death or
departure from the keep." Eldin stood up suddenly. "I'm sorry m'lord for
keeping you up with such minor matters of history and books."
Storm gazed at Eldin. He looked tired. "No, no trouble at all. I want you to
get some rest tonight. You look exhausted."
"I'm sorry m'lord, I have pressing business in Neverwinter. I think I'll just
spend the night in an inn there."
Storm put his arm around Eldin's should as he led him to the door. "Very
well. Please inform me when you return."
"Yes sir. Good night." Eldin walked down the hall, disappearing in the night.
Storm walked over to his desk and picked up a silver amulet. Placing his
finger over the amulet, he spoke a quick word of magic. Within minutes, there
was another knock on the door. "Come in," he commanded.
A tall figure dressed in gray entered the room. He nodded grimly to Storm and
took his place in front of the oaken desk.
"Valeran, Eldin has come to me asking about Indica. Do you remember her?"
Valeran nodded. "Yes, I do. She was the alchemist, was she not?"
"Yes. There's something seriously wrong here. I need you to follow Eldin. He
leaves for Neverwinter tonight. Can you do this favor for me old friend?"
Valeran bowed. "For you Storm, anything. Especially if it is for the good of
the keep." With his gray cloak swirling, Valeran left Storm's chambers.
Storm sat down in his chair, and stared into the fire again, sipping the
wine. "Yes, for the good of the keep......"
Eldin sat in the Red Mage Inn, drinking his ale thoughtfully. It was late at
night, yet that failed to keep customers from crowding into the popular
establishment. A young barmaid of astonishing beauty darted from table to
table trying to satisfy the multitudes of adventurers that had settled down
for a drink that evening, as well as staving off their advances.
Eldin drank slowly as he observed the meeting between a priest of Azuth and a
member of the Holy Crusaders. The blue robed cleric talked to the young man
animatedly about the doings in Longsaddle. Rumors of a secret temple
abounded, and many were eager to discover the veracity of these.
A tall man dressed in a red tunic and black breeches entered the inn and paid
the old, short innkeeper the entrance fee of one platinum piece. Making his
way to Eldin's table, he seated himself wordlessly. He withdrew a rolled
piece of parchment from his belt and threw it on the table in front of Eldin.
"Here's all the information I could gather on such short notice. I trust it
will be to your liking."
"Little information is better than no information, Truth." Eldin replied,
opening the parchment quickly.
Truth looked around the inn and flagged down the barmaid. After ordering a
drink, he looked to Eldin. "What's so important about this man that you seek?
Seems to me, he's bad news."
Eldin put down the paper. "He is. But, this Noctimus has committed a wrong
against Bloodkeep in the past. It must be righted."
Truth arched his blonde eyebrow. "A wrong you say? That sounds interesting
enough. What is it? Murder? Intrigue? Perhaps a betrayal? Bloodkeep has had
it share of all of these. Why this person particular?"
Eldin ignored Truth's light-hearted attitude and read the paper over again.
"Says here that Noctimus is a merchant closely allied with Luskan. He pays
homage to those that worship Mask? Where did you find this out?"
Truth took a long pull from his newly served ale. "Around," he replied
innocently. "Neverwinter is a hotbed of gossip, rumor, and intrigue if one
has the ear for it."
"Apparently your ears are bigger than mine," Eldin said smiling.
"Lay off it pal," Truth said, mocking defensiveness. The self conscious man
put his hands over his big ears.
"According to this," Eldin began, gesturing to the paper, "he's due in
Nightsedge tomorrow. For what reason?"
"Well, Reality was there a week ago. It seems the merchants there are all
steamed up about a shipment of swords that arrived there. Noctimus is going
there to "fix" the situation."
"A tyrant ,eh? Figures." Eldin folded up the parchment and tucked it under
his belt. "Just for curiosity's sake, how old is this merchant?"
"Oh," Truth said, flagging down the barmaid again, "I'd say he's pretty
young. Young and rich. Probably the snot nosed kid of a Cormyrean noble."
Eldin's visage darkened. "Yes," he said calmly, "you're most likely right."
Gathering his cloak, he threw a few gold pieces on the table and stood. "That
should cover the expenses. Thanks for the help bro."
Truth quit drinking his second glass of ale. "Where are you going at this
hour?"
"Nightsedge. I have to take care of this matter as quickly as possible. If I
leave now, I should arrive there in mid-morning."
"You should at least stay the night, you look dead." Truth looked at Eldin
with concern.
"If I don't come back in a fortnight, you may assume that." Truth's mouth
dropped as Eldin left the inn, summoning the stableboy for his mount.
Dark storm clouds covered the morning sun as Eldin galloped into Nightsedge,
weary and sore. When he reached the inn, he practically fell off his horse.
He quickly entered the inn, promising the paranoid innkeeper that no fiends
had followed him there. He reached his room and sank into the bed. Noctimus
had not arrived to Nightsedge just yet.
When he awoke, the golden orange light of the setting sun spilled through the
window into his eyes. "Curse you Eldin," he chided himself. The afternoon had
grown late. He would be lucky if Noctimus was still here. He opened his
leather pack and dragged out his spell components. Flipping through his
spellbook, he made sure he had the words to a few useful spells memorized.
Satisfied, he began the descent down the long staircase to the common room on
the ground floor of the inn.
When he reached the bottom of the staircase, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Seven heavily armed men dressed in black and purple sat around two tables
that had been pushed together. Sitting at the head of the table sat the man
in his vision: Noctimus.
Noctimus was a tall, muscular man with dark hair and dark eyes. He was
dressed in rich clothing of blue and black. Gold necklaces and rings adorned
his person. He exuded an air of nobility, power, and control. He gazed at his
men with shrewd confidence and mastery. This was not a man to be dealt with
lightly.
Eldin stepped back, clinging to the wall. He thought of several spells that
would quickly dispatch the seven guards. Unfortunately, there was a
possibility that innocent customers of the inn could be hurt. He searched his
mind in earnest, trying to think of just the right spell. Suddenly, a thin
ray of piercing light shone into his eyes.
He looked up just in time to see Noctimus pull his cloak over a small belt
pouch. Eldin hadn't seen it before. So, that's where he's keeping it, he
thought. Grasping a small piece of iron, Eldin spoke the words of a spell.
Suddenly, all conversation in the common room ceased. Arms ceased moving in
mid air and mouths hung open in stunted speech. Eldin walked over to Noctimus
quickly, hoping to get the orb before the spell wore off. He pulled aside
Noctimus's black cloak, careful not to touch the man. Smoothly, he slipped
the pouch from the belt.
A cold, powerful hand locked on Eldin's arm with a grip of iron. Dark eyes
met Eldin's with anger. Eldin, tore away his hand with great effort, and fell
to the floor.
"You had best tell me what you think you were trying to do, lest you die in
torment." The man stood up, hovering over Eldin menacingly. He pulled a
dagger from its sheath. Eldin recognized that dagger.
"I am Eldin, Knight of the Protectors of Bloodkeep, Holder of the Golden
Quill, Wearer of the Silver Scar of Selune. You are Noctimus, murderer of
Indica. You possess something that is rightfully the property of Bloodkeep."
Eldin snaked his hand towards his components.
"Stop right there, Eldin." Noctimus glowered. "Hand the pouch over, and I
will grant you a painless death. Make me fight you, and you will rue the
decision."
"As you wish," Eldin replied, offering the pouch to Noctimus.
As the dark man reached for the pouch, Eldin swung it fully into his face.
Noctimus reeled and fell onto the table dazed. He picked up an ale mug,
holding it before Eldin. As the young knight looked at the mug, the merchants
hand slowly grew into a claw. His dark eyes melted into pits of gleaming
yellow.
Fear gripped Eldin: Dragon Fear. Quickly, he stood and cast a spell. Within
seconds, he was standing on the top of the Tower of Bloodkeep, orb in hand.
He felt himself very lucky for having kept a teleport spell in memory. Now he
could free Indica, though it meant Noctimus would hunt him down and kill him.
Eldin pulled the orb from its pouch. Brilliant lights of magnificent color
flew in all directions. As Eldin prepared to smash the orb in the middle of
the warding circle, a reptilian screech filled the air. The sun sank below
the horizon as a large, black dragon approached the tower with lightning
speed.
Eldin held the orb above his head, ready to dash it on the flagstone, when it
was torn from his hands. An arrow landed on the ground as the orb rolled
away. Eldin squinted to see four figures on the back of the dragon. It was
Noctimus's guard.
The first pass of the dragon resulted with the men dropping onto the roof of
the tower. Eldin quickly formed a protective globe around himself, seconds
before the arrows reached him. He heard an alarm in the distance.
The hatch to the roof burst open as Feyr, Eldin's captain emerged on the
roof, resplendent in full armor. Dailorn, the other captain of the Protectors
emerged behind him, several knights accompanying him. The Protectors of
Bloodkeep engaged the four guards.
The dragon banked, and turned back towards the tower. Noctimus spread his
wings wide, as he descended. Eldin heard a sharp intake of breath. "Get
down!" he cried in warning. The Protectors hit the flagstones as acid flew
over the tower. There was muffled grunt, as Feyr grabbed his shoulder. The
cloth was singed away.
The dragon wheeled in the sky again as it raced towards Eldin. He suddenly
felt his protective shield fall. The dragon had used its magic against him.
As the dragon passed again, it struck Eldin with its claw. Eldin slammed into
the ground, his breath knocked from him.
Gasping for breath, Eldin stood, grasping the components for a spell. The
spell sprang forth when the dragon nearly completed his third pass. Arrows of
flame penetrated the vulnerable membrane of the dragon's wing. The dragon
faltered, and crashed into the roof of the tower.
More members of the Army of Bloodkeep poured onto the roof, assaulting the
injured dragon. The gray flagstones were wet with the red blood of men and
the black blood of a dragon. Storm and Blood, second in command of Bloodkeep,
climbed onto the flailing dragon, plunging their swords deep in its hide. The
creature shrieked in pain and rage.
Eldin glanced along the roof, and saw the orb lying against a parapet of the
tower. Running over to it, he picked it up and threw it. The orb shattered as
it struck the center of the warding circle. Dazzling rays of light flashed
out into the night sky. The knight looked to see that the dragon was dead.
Rejoicing in the triumph, Eldin gasped as a sharp pain exploded in his chest.
He looked down to see the feathered end of an arrow protruding from the right
side of his chest. He attempted to call out, but blood spattered from his
mouth. He grasped the edge of the wall and slumped forward.
"Eldin! No!" A female voice called out. Eldin slumped over the edge of the
wall. Two hands grabbed him, and pulled him away from death. He saw the face
of Autumn, his sister in arms, before all went black.
"I'm going to die." Eldin spoke flatly. The guard's arrow had found its mark.
"No, you're not," Jewel, Captain of the Honor Guard, said, trying to smile.
"We've summoned a cleric."
Eldin's chuckle turned into a groan of pain. "It's too late for that. I knew
this was my last quest when I began it."
"You had better not die," Truth spoke tauntingly. "You didn't throw enough
gold down to pay that bill. I need you here to pay that debt."
"Yes, well, you can rummage through my belongings later." Eldin smiled
weakly.
Storm entered the room solemnly. He squeezed Jewel's shoulder as he sat next
to the bed. "Eldin, I have an order for you."
"I am yours to command m'lord."
"I order you not to die." Storm smiled at Eldin. "Valeran told me of your
quest. It has honored the keep."
"Thank you m'lord. Unfortunately, I must disobey you this one time." Slowly,
Eldin closed his eyes.
In his mind, he saw an old woman. She stood next to the bed smiling at Eldin.
"Thank you Eldin, I can rest now. And so shall you, at a different time. The
cleric is here. You will live. Be proud of what you have done."
Eldin opened his eyes and saw the white robed cleric. Soon his pain eased,
and he slipped off into a very well earned sleep.A Story
(submitted by: Baxaxa)
Baxaxa Baxa, and Sevrlyph are out upon the woods, the moon shining ever so
brightly, illuminating the trees, as the sway back and forth by the soft
blowing wind. It has been eons since they've last traveled together, and
their hate flows ever so strong, stronger then ever before. Re-united once
more, brothers, bond by their disdain for all things loving and peaceful.
Their only joy in this wretched existence is to cause pain among families, to
spread despair among the hearts of the pure, to inflict their diseases among
the healthy, and their most beloved, vile thing they hold above all else, is
their callous methods of torture.
As the two brothers walk upon the forest, they come upon a stream, where a
little girl kneels beside it, clutching upon red roses, throwing them one by
one, into the sparkling water, as the moon reflects itself mystically upon
the cool, flowing water. One by one, the flowers float down the stream, as
the girl ever so carefully places the last of the flowers into the stream,
all most not wanting to let go of it.
Baxaxa Baxa starts heading towards the girl, as a snarl curls to his lips,
his BMH glimmering upon the moon lit sky. Sevrlyph sees his brother
advancing towards the little girl and grips his shoulder harshly, digging his
talons deep into his rotted flesh.
With a hushed whisper, Sevrlyph says.. "Be still my brother, I want to know
why this child is alone upon this stream, unattended."
Baxaxa Baxa peers at his brother, looking a bit bewildered, but obeys him.
For Baxaxa Baxa was never the brains, he was the brute, and always did what
his brother had told him, for his mind was much more developed then his. So,
Baxaxa Baxa stopped in his tracks, still looking at his brother for a
response, to why he has held him stead fast.
Sevrlyph closes his darkened eyes, delving deep into his sub-consciousness.
Sevrlyph grips tighter upon Baxaxa Baxa, making him feel the emotions of the
child, for Sevrlyph has linked himself to the child's thoughts, something
Sevrlyph did keenly well. As the emotions of the child poured into Baxaxa
Baxa, his once beating heart, once a heart filled with love, but now withered
and blackened, felt a feeling he has thought he had never thought to feel
again.. A feeling of sadness.. For the child's thoughts were of her
mother, how she saw her mother upon this very stream, a knife in her hand, as
she thrusted it deep into her stomach. As the mother fell upon her knees,
the child had saw what her mother had done, and rushed to her, her eyes
filled with such tears, tears of such sweet sorrow. As the child rushed to
her mothers aid, her body quivering with such fear and dread, she wrapped her
arms around her dying mother, screaming out.
"Why! Oh, mommy, why!"
Her heart now deep in her throat, as tears of sorrow cascade down her
cheeks, falling helplessly upon the cold ground. She could feel the soft
tender flesh of her mothers slowly lose its essence of heat. As the child's
mother breathed her last breath, she uttered two barley audible words...
"I'm... sorry.."
With those words spoken, the mother fell head first into the stream, the
child holding onto her with dear life, but, the child was to weak, and the
body of her mother fell into the stream, to be rushed away forever..
Baxaxa Baxa contorts as his body flexes into a rage, his eyes become black
and malignant, as the overpower feeling of hate coarses through him.
Sevrlyph spins Baxaxa Baxa around to face him with a jolt of his hand. With
a roar, Sevrlyph yells.
"What is this I sense brother!! A feeling of pity?! No brother of mine shall
have this weak, and mortal feeling!!!"
With that, Sevrlyph sends his free hand clawing Baxaxa Baxa's faces, as he
sends his brother pummeling to the ground. As the child, lost in
overwhelming emotions, turns to see where the beastial roar came from. All
feelings of sadness left, and fear becoming ever so resident in the child,
she begins hesitantly looking into the wood.
Sevrlyph peers deep into his brother, sending his sinister gaze past Baxaxa
Baxa's lifeless soul, as his face becomes twisted with rage and hate. The
hate swells in Sevrlyph's face, bringing about a radiance of pure evil, an
evil almost tangible. Baxaxa Baxa turns to Sevrlyph, the pain so profound in
Baxaxa Baxa's blackened eyes, he stands up to face his angered brother, his
grip upon his BMH so tight, that his gorged fingers drill into the palm of
his hand, sending a black, oozing bile to the ground. Baxaxa Baxa speaks in
a low, raspy voice.
"Hehe.. Brother.. It has been so long since I've tasted the freshness of
blood upon my thorned tongue, I do not know what became of me.. Hehe.. But..
I shall wipe this emotion away from me forever, expelling it into the bowels
of hell, along with the child... Hehe.."
Sevrlyph gives a stern look upon Baxaxa Baxa, and roars out.
'Go now!! Go and rip away that weak feeling, I shall have it not in my
brother!! GO!!"
With all this commotion, the child stuck in a state of vertigo, as the fear
has paralyzed her small frail body, lets out a small whimper, as she sees a
darkened figure emerge out of the wood, coming at her with great haste,
looking as if he holds a long hooked object. The child's eyes dance over
Baxaxa Baxa's almost shapeless body, as if the moon is playing some cruel
trick upon her ever so innocent eyes. She could only close the lids of her
eyes, as if she was having some horrid nightmare. But as her eyes opened
once more, she found her self high above the air, gripping the barbed hook,
as it pierces her throat. Her mouth flies open to scream, but her only sound
is that of blood, as it peppers Baxaxa Baxa's face. Baxaxa Baxa raises one
of his clawed fingers, and places it upon the base of her throat, sending it
severing down to here viscera, causing her flesh to open up, and her tiny
insides to come soaring down, into the embrace of the blood stained ground.
The tiny as of the child close, as her body stops convulsing, as the last
drop of life, falls helplessly to the ground. With her life fading away,
like a withered flower, both brothers hear an echo through their uncaring
minds....
All I wanted was to say good-bye....
All that could come from Sevrlyph was a smile, as Baxaxa Baxa rips the
small carcass off his BMH, sending it to the ground. Baxaxa Baxa looks down
upon the body of the child, the face of her, is that of anguish. The
blackened eyes of Baxaxa Baxa flicker upon the moonlight, wondering...
Wondering....
Sevrlyph makes his way to Baxaxa Baxa, putting his arm around his brother.
'No remorse brother. There is no room."
Baxaxa Baxa looks to his brother, and lets out a malicious laugh.
'Har har!! Hehe.. It has all died with this child.. Hehe.. Let this child
breed maggots, as she shall become devoured, and birth new hate with our
carrion friends.. Hehe.."
With that, the two brothers prod back into the wood, plotting for something
wicked.. Something big... Something... Dreadful..
Baxaxa Baxa.
The unspeakable lord of filth and disgust.
Hehe..Hanali's Gift?
(submitted by: V Memoria)
The events of the night were strange...and the air held an electric
quality. It was as if the night itself were waiting for some event to occur.
Memoria had spent a pleasant evening in the company of friends...dancing and
playing with the one others thought of as GreySavant and StarWarrior, as well
as the pseudodragons, Fimir and Wyrmsilver. When she left the Tavern to take
care of steadying herself, Wyrm had been enlarged and was eating from an
giant bag of brownies. Memories of dancing with the tiny dragon and playing
while they sang made the Toreador minstrel smile...because of those events,
she promised herself that she would find the time to take pleasure in things
around her rather than thinking about that which was beyond her control.
Even the latter conversation with Tal and Pandora would not lower her
spirits tonight, she vowed. Something was troubling Randym and Chyanna's
newest Childe, but Dora preferred to keep the reasons for her feelings held
tightly within. Direct questions eased Mem's worries though about the young
kindred's feelings toward ElvinHawke. She insisted, almost vehemently that
she was not interested in the elf. Something odd whispered in the back of
Memoria's mind in response to all that was said, but she resolved not to
dwell on it. If Pandora did not trust her enough to share the real reason
she was troubled, then the situation was 'beyond her control'. "Happy
thoughts," she reminded herself, "think only about happy things."
Almost as if he heard her thoughts, Memoria's apprentice, Auberon,
entered the Great Hall. His presence always seemed to lighten the weight
that pressed in on her soul...and the sidhe's gallant manners tended to make
her blush. This eve was no exception...his bow and kiss pressed gently to
the back of her hand drew her attention straight to his stunning features.
She could feel the blood rising of its own accord to color her cheeks.
Eyes of deepest blue drew her in as he said, "It has been far too long
since I have had the pleasure of your presence, fairest Memoria." To avoid
the social faux pax of staring, Mem quickly lowered her eyes and felt the
blush deepen further in response as she replied, "You have way too much
charm, Auberon, but I forgive you...please, sit?" She indicated a seat
across from her and with the grace of a hunting cat, he granted her request;
he was silent for a moment as a sense of adoration filled his expressive
eyes. The silence was a comfortable one...the Toreador basked in the simple
joy of his smile and the Sidhe returned her gaze, deepening it until he
finally spoke.
"I have a present for you, fair one," His voice was a rich baritone,
drawing her out of the fascination with the color of his eyes; she recalled
his missive mentioned a 'gift' of some sort as well as a desire to see her
again. Auberon began to pull out a package wrapped in soft silks of royal
blue and then a second, smaller one, covered with bright violet paper. "I
know that they are late in the giving, but 'tis my opinion that thought is
far more important than punctuality." As he apologized, he slid the items
across the table.
With the lightest of touches, Memoria laid her hand on the violet paper
and curiousity played across her features. Tentatively, she asked permission
to open them and his enthusiastic nodding urged her to do so. Her silver
eyes reflected the colors of the wrapping as she studied it for a minute.
"The violet reminds me of your ribbons...bright and lively..." Mem's whisper
trailed off as she opened the package and found a necklace inside. It was
made of fine gold and the pendant held a small amethyst stone that glowed
with an inner light. Shyness overcame her for a moment, the gift was
stunning. She gasped and whispered some protest of not being worthy of such
a gift only to hear Auberon tell her that its beauty did not compare to hers.
As she delicately caressed the purple stone, he explained that the
enchantment on it was a minor one, allowing her to speak to any living
creature. Mem felt her spirit soar as thoughts of singing to the wolves
again would now be something she could do without feeling as if she were
deaf...she would understand them.
In the background, Tal began to play an impromtu melody on his harp...a
creation that spoke of some sadness, but combined with his talent, held
beauty nonetheless. The patrons still in the tavern nodded appreciatively.
Wanting to wear the necklace, the minstrel looked down at her red gown
and sighed. It would hardly give the stone an appropriate backdrop. Humming
a small phrase, the material of her gown shifted to that of one in her
closet. The satin turned to fine elven lace of pale lilac and bared her
neckline with a sweetheart cut; her pale flesh seemed to accent the delicate
nature of the fabric and the softness of its dyes. Looking up to her
apprentice, she flashed him a delighted smile and asked that he help her with
the clasp of his gift.
Long fingers, perfect for a musician, brushed her long silver tresses to
the side as he leaned close. Memoria had to fight down an involuntary shiver
at his touch as he slowly clasped the chain closed. Still behind her, his
words were like waves of warmth passing through the minstrel as he
complimented her appearance again.
"Are you trying to see how often you can raise the color to my cheeks
again?" she asked him...recalling the day in Windycliff's Inn where he and
Antonius relentlessly spoke of things that caused her to blush
uncontrollably.
"Nay, Memoria, simply stating a fact I cannot seem to get off my mind"
His smile could charm even the very stones at that moment as she eased her
head back to see whether he was teasing her again. It never occurred to her
that leaning her neck back like that lowered the neckline of her gown in an
alluring manner. Nor did it occur to her that her retort, "Is there anything
else...on your mind tonight?" might make him even mildly uncomfortable. His
steadying breath and closed eyes then, reflected a sense of impatience to her
then as he directed her to open the gift still waiting on the table.
Tal's music continued in the background as Memoria carefully removed the
folded blue silk from the treasure hidden within. The mysterious gift, once
exposed to the light, proved to be a lute made of rosewood. Along its body
were engraved roses and vines, entwining in an infinite circle. As the
Toreador gasped in a mingling of surprise and awe, she tasted the scents of
the wood, flowers and vines in the air...as if the materials that made up the
instrument and its appearance were still growing before her.
"Oh, sweet Hanali...its...how did you know?" Memoria's eyes were
filling with tears as she looked back at Auberon. The strings were perfectly
tuned as her fingers drew across the strings. Purest delight was evident in
her features...and all he did for a moment was give her a faint smile and
mention that it was his business to 'know'. The elven lass looked back to
her new lute and tried to keep her excitement in check. Finally, he leaned
close, his lips next to her ear and whispered, "You like it?"
As Tal's music seemed to drift and call to the listener, Mem caressed
the carvings, as if to assure herself that they really were there. After the
assurances reached her mind, she turned in her seat to face him. "I love
it..." she whispered, finding his face quite close to hers. His smile grew
slightly as he stared into her eyes. The hand that had been on the lute,
then went to tenderly brush against his cheek and lips. "It's like a dream,"
she continued. His own hand came up and stilled her hand over his lips and
kissed her fingertips.
At that moment, her soul began to sing a song that she had never truly
given voice to since it was learned as a child. It was an ancient melody
full of Power and emotion. Her mind and heart were clear and she could not
contain the feeling...tears began spilling from her eyes...tears of joy.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered that Tal's music
faltered for a moment and then changed. Auberon was telling her something,
but she could not hear it. Her voice trembled as she continued, "How is it
that you are so perfect? How...can you see so much of what is inside of me?"
Auberon's smile softened and his shoulders hopped with a small shrug.
"Love brings out the best in people, I suppose."
All of the reflexive fears threatened to cause her to withdraw as she
lowered her eyes. Shyness became a cloak she wrapped around herself as she
questioned the use of the word 'love'. Again, Tal's music faltered in the
background...but Mem's old fears were rising and she needed her wits about
her to keep them from overwhelming her and embarrasing herself in public.
Some force seemed to be aiding her in this resolve...for never before had she
won out over that part of her nature.
Her apprentice bit his lip, displaying the same nervous habit she had as
he as he lifted Memoria's chin, bringing her gaze back to his. "Aye, love is
what I said."
"You are too kind...too..." tilting her head to the side, her eyes took
on an almost trancelike quality. She felt his touch as he caressed her cheek
and felt something within her stir; giving herself over to the sensation, she
relaxed and closed her eyes. Mem's whisper was faint, "You are...a dream."
"Perhaps, Memoria, but better you live your life with wonderous dreams
than unending pain." Auberon's breath was a shadow following his hand across
her cheek as he spoke.
"...What happens when I wake? Will you be gone?" Memoria could not
hold back a silent prayer to Hanali Celanil...pleading with Her to bless her
just this once. Asking for some sign that she could let go of the pain and
be happy.
"I will be with you always. Nothing...not even the realm of Dreams,
will keep me away." His words felt like a harmony to the strengthening song
in her soul. It cried out to her and it called with promises of unending joy
if she would only surrender to it. Her fears were dimishing...as she pleaded
that if it were a dream, not to let it end. His lips pressed gently against
the cool flesh of her forehead as he kissed her...and the world spun
off-angle for a minute. Hanali's answer came to her...and all of the
confusion that had plagued the minstrel over the past month lifted.
The harp playing in the background began to evoke a sensual undercurrent
in the Tavern as Auberon's words were whispered into the kindred's hair, "I
promise fairest one...I promise."
The desire to telling him of the feelings coursing through her soul was
strong. So strong, they were that the first two words (his name, and the
declaration "I") slipped out before she could stop them. The Sidhe seemed to
pick up on the fears that still tried to retain their hold on her as he
looked at her.
"I do not deserve to be this happy..." her whisper, so soft that he had
to strain the hear the woman sitting before him, "I'm afraid...of it ending."
At that moment, her fears turned to something unknown to her...she was not
confused, but she did feel torn for some reason. Not until later would she
realize that that was the exact moment that her friend, ElvinHawke, entered
the Hall.
Unaware of her distraction and eager to sooth her fears, Auberon
promised her that he would do everything within his power to make sure that
it would not end. His tender caresses brought her attention back to him just
as he whispered, "I promise..." again. Then he wrapped his arms around her
and pulled her into a warm and tender embrace.
It took but a breath from her apprentice before Memoria realized that
the music being played seemed to echo some deep feeling within her. She
shook it off as some sort of coincedence and relaxed slightly. Thanking
Auberon for the lovely gifts, she did not notice that Hawke was standing in
shock near the fireplace. He watched as the tall changeling kissed the top
of Mem's head and whispered a reply into her hair.
Hawke's voice, greeting Tal and Pandora, alerted the minstrel to the
presence of her friend. Glancing in his direction, Memoria felt a stab of
pain as she sees him sitting at Dora's table...without even a greeting to
her. He was waving to Snicker and listening to something being whispered
into his ear by Pandora. The earlier conversation with the younger kindred
echoed through the back of Memoria's mind...and again she questioned Dora's
honesty to her queries about Hawke. It was a stab of pain that she shoved
down quickly...Memoria reminded herself that she was with Auberon this night,
and if Hawke was not in the mood to say anything to her, it was his choice.
Looking back to her apprentice, Mem addressed the design of the lute.
"How did you know...this lute...its the one from my dreams?" And it had
been...it was the lute that she held and played in her dreams. Each time her
dreams addressed her spellsinging talents, that very lute would be resting in
her hands, surrounding her with the smells of an elven rose garden. He
shrugged and frowned slightly, "Perhaps..It is because of a dream of my own
that I commisioned this lute for you. But, I know not if this is the lute
that is in your dreams."
Tal's music turned cold, and aloof as the pair went on discussing the
lute and the odd correlation with her dreams. After he admitted to Grybbn
being the crafter of the gift, Auberon was surprised as Memoria went on to
describe her earlier run in with the Nocker. She promised that the secret of
the gift was kept safe even though his questions now made more sense.
Beyond her apprentice's back, Memoria could see Pandora excuse herself
from her table and approach the flames. Her companions seemed confused at
her departure. Something seemed familiar with the way she stood at the
hearth...and how she held her hands to the flames to warm them. The minstrel
continued to recount the arrangements made with Grybbn concerning the
construction of a harpsichord in her chambers as Dora's hands neared the
flames.
As he did so many times for her, ElvinHawke lept to his feet to save
the artist's hands from the flames. But, instead of it being Memoria that he
held and tried to comfort...it was Pandora. Unlike the minstrel though, Dora
did not stay in his arms...she ran for her cloak and dashed into the night.
Seeing the scene before her, Mem could only sigh and study Hawke, wondering
at his desires, but unable to bring herself to ask him about his heart.
In confusion, Hawke turned to the only one he could think of that might
be able to explain Dora's odd behavior. He looked so much like he had the
night she met him that Memoria could not hold back tears again. Her mood
reversed itself and she felt herself falling into a pit of despair. Snicker
sat in his chair and watched as Hawke approached the minstrel and lifts her
lowering head to ask what was wrong...what happened...
His touch burned through her...and the song that sang through her
changed slightly. Her heart longed to reach out and tell Hawke that it was
not him that caused the pain...
Tal's music became so chaotic that he halted it so fast, the harp's
strings reverberating in the silence.
Unable to find her voice, Mem shook her head to reply to the questions
as she looked between the two men. She could not feel a single pull toward
one of them now. With Hawke's touch, her heart and soul seemed to call to
both of them. Somewhere in the back of her mind, the tale of her ancestor's
'Triangle' replayed itself. Her heart ached with fear that these two strong
men would not understand the final answer that had dawned on her...this was
Hanali's answer...
Could they understand? Could they accept? Could they return the
feelings swelling up inside her? The questions kept coming, but without
answers. Finally, when the extremes of the night bore down on her, Memoria
looked up to Tal with pleading eyes and whispered, "....help me..."
The priest known to many as GreySavant, her new friend, Tal, stood and
shattered his harp under his fists against the hearth! Confused, Memoria
heard him urge her to leave before 'it' became too much. Unable to
resist...she knew that this might be the only time...two words slipped from
her, barely above a whisper...and she stepped forward. Tenderly she kissed
Auberon and ElvinHawke...placing all of the emotion that rolled around inside
her into the brief contacts. After a moment, she grabbed her new lute and
ran into the night...
...leaving two elves standing confused, in her wake...and Tal to explain
the turmoil in her heart...
Looking for a quiet place in the busy city to clear her head, Memoria
decided to visit the Gardens. There, she could think of how best to
explain...how best to settle the turmoil that was her heart.
Thinking about them, she found that each had very different qualities
that attracted her.
ElvinHawke was as straightforward a man as she was likely to meet. His
words were honest and to the point and his heart seemed always to be looking
for happiness somewhere. He reminded her of the sunrise...something simply
beautiful...and now so unattainable. Memoria whispered a silent prayer that
she could bring to his face even one smile.
Auberon was a gallant elf in his own right. His skill with music was
such that it called out to her soul...she wanted to share every song she knew
with him and see what he might do to make them his own. She felt herself
almost hunger for the dpet of passion he put into his music...into his
laughter. Stopping herself, she swore an oath to the roses around her that
the hunger would never be allowed to grow so strong that she would risk
harming him or his nature.
As she thought about them, she realized that her feelings were blending,
not dividing. The minstrel realized that she might find a solution if she
looked at the whole thing as a ballad and not as a dilemma.
Distracting her from her spiralling emotions, Saerio decided to dance
with the fair Toreador. His arrival was a welcome moment of
'non-thought'...and she released the confusion for a moment as she whirled in
his arms. Finally, she was giggling with a free spirit...because of his
advice. "Follow your heart," he said, "no matter what anyone else thinks.
If you don't, you'll resent all who kept your happiness from you."
Tal approached the dancing pair from the gates of the Garden with a
look of compassion on his face. Obviously, he wanted to ease the feelings he
last saw reflected in Memoria's eyes. But, at the moment, her smile was
glowing and her laughter was musical.
They talked for awhile...Saerio acting the innocent to most warnings of
behaving, and then changing over to the more well-known impish smile and
quick witted Gypsy. GreySavant knew better than to let the man get the
better of him and the group became relaxed and friendly.
Auberon found them there. Memoria surrounded my clouds of flowers and
plants...her eyes light with laughter. The smile never left her face...but
the world seemed to close around her. She could not hear or see anything
else beyond the Unseelie Sidhe. Her soul welled up inside her and with his
smile, Auberon claimed it. Mem knew there would be no happiness without his
presence in her nights.
She was only distracted for a moment as ElvinHawke's thoughts reached
out to touch hers. He wanted to speak to her as soon as night fell in one
passing of the sun over Neverwinter. Her response was to invite him to her
chambers so that she might...explain. His thoughts felt confused, but were a
balm for her heart as she felt it warming her. At that, she was sure that
she had to find some way to help them understand if they could not...and she
would start with the one before her.
Stepping away from the winding vines and rose bushes, Memoria
approached Auberon. She reached out with one hand, tentatively...and before
she knew it, they were alone.
Talanithus departed quickly, once Memoria found the courage to approach
Auberon in the rose garden. He whispered something about thinking that
LongSaddle 'might be far enough away'...and the kindred felt a final brush of
a hug as he left.
Shyly, Mem asked her apprentice if she did something to offend Tal?
With her chin cradled in the palm of his hand, Aub would not allow her head
or eyes to drop, thus separating her gaze from his. Having spent enough days
hunting for his dinner in the woods, the elf knew that if the frightened
rabbit before him broke the spell his eyes were weaving, the lady before him
might run away again and never stop hiding. Auberon proceeded to calm her
fears with the warm and honest charm that always accompanied his smile.
The minstrel had trouble holding back the giggles when Tal's thoughts
touched her mind. His mental voice sounded a bit shaken as he said that he
had never felt more attracted to a man before. When Memoria relayed the
message to Auberon, she could not help as she followed it up with, "I find
myself with a similair problem. But no matter how hard I try, I find that I
am unable to run away. I...don't want to." Auberon could only sigh at the
dreamed for declaration; tension that held his shoulders taut, relaxed.
After a few more nervous attempts to ease the shyness growing in both
of them, Aub's hands went to the ribbons that bound his braid. Before he
could do more than touch them, Memoria decided to indulge in another hidden
desire. She took ahold of the braid and its ribbons. His hair felt like
silk in her palm as she teasingly dragged the end against his collar bone, to
the tender flesh of his neck and traced a line up to the tip of his ear. Mem
could not help but notice that her hand was trembling.
Biting her lip, she smiled and whispered, "I have wanted to do that
since the first night I watched you braid your hair. The tavern was noisy
and full, but I could not see past your fingers weaving..." Her voice
softened further as her shy nature took over again, "I have been haunted by
the imagery of you dancing and your braids flying and following you. It was
as if your braid was the brush and the ribbons, paints. I know it sounds
silly...but I could not help seeing it--"
"From your lips, fairest, there is nothing that sounds silly." His
gaze held such feeling that she felt herself relaxing further.
"When you dance...that image...that painting comes alive. All I can
think of when I see it is...that I want to become part of that picture." A
longing came to her voice as Memoria sighed and continued, "...to feel what
the air feels...to sense the magic inherent in the imagery...to be...the
canvas." Releasing her hold on the braid, her fingers dragged down to rest
over his heart.
Sensations flooded her senses as Auberon caressed Memoria's cheek.
She could not stop her eyes from drifting closed. When her eyes opened
again, she found that he had leaned closer to her, his lips, tantalizingly
near.
Her fears rose as Mem sighed and he straightened again. "I've said
too much..." she whispered, "I..." He was shaking his head and she looked
up, meeting his gaze with her own pleading eyes. When he finally spoke, his
voice was as soft as hers had been.
"I am sure of it, Memoria...I love you."
This time, as he lowered his head to hers, she revelled in the feel of
his lips gently pressed against her own. She was surprised as her sigh
turned to soft moans as he pulled her closer still.
A faint violet glow seemed to surround them and soft music began to
play. Memoria had to wonder if that music was coming from Auberon's magic,
or for deep within her soul. If her eyes were open, she would have seen the
braid that so fascinated her earlier untwine itself. Once freed, the ribbons
rose into the air, swirling and dancing to the distant, exotic melody. As
her fingers trailed across the soft fabric that made up the back of his
tunic, she realized that the music was his...but its sound...had been heard
before.
His presence, his music, his very being called to her
soul...becoming...
Memoria opened her eyes and whispered, "My Soul...that is what you
are...." Beyond any dream, she thought, this man felt like the balance to
her soul. The naming fit him...it felt right to her.
Taking advantage of the kiss' end, Auberon tilted her head back
further. His lips brushed downward, to kiss her neck. His nod was slight,
but enough for her to feel. Shivers spread through her as the newest
sensations burned through nerves unfamiliar with the intensity of all she
felt. The Unseelie's magic continued to wrap around the pair for a moment as
his ribbons' dance lifted them into the air...suspending their bodies as they
spun a cacoon of light around Kith and Kindred.
Later, after Auberon's kind words and gentle caresses calmed the
innocent elven Toreador in his arms, they lay calm in each other's embrace.
"I think now that I know what it is like to have you near me," his
baritone whisper directed into her silver locks, "to hold you in my arms and
to be held in yours...never again will I be able to live without it." When
Memoria lifted her head to look into his eyes, she found unshed tears of joy.
Her soul echoed the wish...afraid that her happiness, and his, would end too
soon.
She asked him of the risk of her more banal nature...something they had
only spoken of once. Mem did not want to endanger his changeling nature
because of his time in her company. His grin touched those tears as he
stilled those fears too. "Because of who you are? Love, you sustain that
side of me that is made of Dreams; you do not kill it. Glamour is borne of
love and creativity, both of which, you have in excess
"And besides...you are worth the risk of that, and more."
Memoria trembled as her body and mind continued its attempt to still
the passions that grew within her. Slowly, a smile tugged at the sides of
her mouth as she eased Aub's hair away from his noble brow. Again, her
thoughts seemed to slip from her lips before she could stop them, "What other
magic hides within you...waiting to be found?"
Auberon's deep blue eyes darkened with his own desires and that
charming smile carried her through the most intruiging spell Memoria had ever
experienced...
~V Memoria
Clan O' the Rose
Childe of Randym
Eternal MinstrelA Knight's Love - Part 2
(submitted by: Naglox)
He watched her from the window in his room. This had marked the fifth
day he watched her. Everyday she would walk into town and gone about her
daily chores. This was the day he would first confront her. He was so
nervous he could not sleep that night. Pacing back and forth, doubting the
way he would introduce himself. Thoughts of rejection ran through his mind.
How could one so innocent as her be interested in a man like him. A man that
had known death like the back of his hand.
Beads of sweat ran down his face as he rethought his intentions. Maybe he
should just pack his things and ride out. Life as a knight wasn't all that
bad, he was respected by most and all his journey's were for good reasons.
Then he thought, who decided what reasons were good and what reasons
were bad. And in his thinking he realized why he must stay and meet this
woman. He wanted to be with someone that would share thier life with him.
Someone to comfort him in times of need. All he had known to this point was
orders, some man telling him what was right and what he was supposed to do.
And with those thoughts he found the courage to leave his room and go down
and wait for the woman that he admired so.
He exited the lodging house he had been staying in and sat on the front
porch. She always passed by here on her way home. His palms were sweaty and
he could hardly think straight. Then he spotted her walking out of the
general store and was heading his way. She passed him and he stood up and
began to follow her. She turned the corner and he quickly sped up to catch
her. As he turn the corner his eyes met with hers. It was if she knew he
was coming. Beautiful blue eyes stared into his, a sudden feeling of comfort
came over him. Blonde hair that came down past her shoulders shined like
gold. With a innocent playful grin she turned and walked to her wagon, and
the knight noticed a man there. It seemed to be her father considering the
look he was giving the knight, but this would not stop him. He decided to
ride out the next day and ask for permission to court the young lady.
He had found his place in life, all his dreams seemed possible now. A
home, children; thats what he desired, a family. To be able to raise kids
with the woman he loved. To watch his children take thier first steps, speak
there first words, and to hold them when they were frightened. Life was not
about a sword and a shield, but of love and caring. To be held in someone's
arms and know noone will hurt you night. He had found his home.*~*Chasing
the Wind*~*
(submitted by: Tizer)
How elusive you are, blowing through the trees.
Bouncing to and fro among the boughs, your eye gleaming.
You watch me from the canopies above, yet I never see you.
I turn my head behind and you come close.
The sensation of your cool breath upon my neck lingers.
When I look ahead you are gone.
Again my head turns to search for you.
I hear your soothing voice in my ear.
Alas when I search you are not to be found.
The leaves cease to rustle and the branches cease to sway.
There will be other evenings, dear Breeze.
The Shadow
(submitted by: Luthyen)
Luthyen set out from Neverwinter with a heavy heart. Thorn Hawk had still not
returned from the North, and she longed to see him. Still, duty called...Tyst
had dreamed of a Shadow on the Woods, and it must be investigated, and
vanquished. Her Elfstone pulsed with the steady green spark that was Thorn
Hawk, and she knew he was well..it had been growing brighter, and she felt
his presence approaching. She had left him a letter explaining her absence,
and knew he would follow, if his duties to Meilikki allowed. Accompanying
Tyst, her champion TP Havok, and DantBH1, she took the trail to the Woods.
She had picked up some ranger skills in tracking from her husband, and was
examining spoor on the trail just past when she was suddenly struck from
behind. Rolling to the side, she rose in a defensive crouch to find Tyst
wedged between two boulders with a tree in his lap. The spot where she had
been was coverind by the massive trunk; Tyst had knocked her from its path,
and in the process become trapped. How had it fallen so silently? By the
grace of the Lady, the Highlord was unhurt;but try as they might, Luthyen and
the others of the TP party could not shift the tree.
"You must go on," the Highlord urged them. "Others will follow, and I am not
without my defenses," he smiled grimly, twirling his mace. "Leave my pack
within reach, and go on. The Shadow grows, I can feel it...it must be
stopped. "
Eerie laughter and a bone-chilling wind swept the clearing as he spoke.
Luthyen shuddered. She wore the Elfstone around her neck now, close to her
heart, and could feel it warmly pulse, as if to oppose the evil Presence felt
whenever one spoke of the Shadow.
Looking over their shoulders, the three left Tyst and proceeded north. After
about an hour's journey, they approached a windswept hill with the twisted
forms of stunted trees dark against the skyline. As they crested the hill,
the laughter began again and a grey mist oozed up from the ground.
"Milady! 'Ware the shadow!" shouted Havok as he sprang before Luthyen, a
fireball forming on his fingertips. As the others watched in horror, the
laughing shadow touched Havok's fireball and turned it black, enveloping him
and entering him. His body writhed as the Paladin Lord struggled with the
evil Presence. He fell to the ground and rolled away..then rose and faced his
sister and brother. An evil sneer marred his handsome features, and his eyes
were a dull pulsing grey.
"The Shadow will guide you now, foolish ones, you shall all become part of
the downfall that awaits all in this world," he sneered. "Follw if you
dare...for the Shadow will consume you first!" The Shadowed Havok then
turned and headed North, deeper into the forest.
Dant and Luthyen looked at each other, then wordlessly turned and followed
their possessed brother. Luthyen grasped the Elfstone tightly, and thought of
Thorn Hawk. "Come to me, Melamin, for I am in great need, " she thought. The
warmth of the stone helped to dim the chill of the Shadow...they followed
Havok into the North.
Finally they came to a clearing. The Shadow-Havok turned and an evil laugh
came from his lips.
"Here is my place!" he laughed. "The Shadow shall conquer all. The Shadow
will sacrifice the Lady to the beasts and come to full strength!" he
proclaimed.
Dant had had enough. The sight of Havok used in such a way was more than the
Cleric Lord could stand, and the threat to Luthyen drove him beyond
endurance.He intended to exorcise the demon from his brother. Holding his
clerical symbol before him, he chanted a prayer and finished with a powerful
cry, "Dispell, Evil!" as he laid his hands upon Havok.
A small spark flew from Dant, as the creature who had been Havok trembled.
His features contorted and for a moment the Havok they knew looked out from
his eyes. Then the mist rose from his form and enveloped Dant, who stiffened
and fell back. The Cleric Lord straightened and turned towards the lone
remaining TP, and a horrified Luthyen saw that his eyes too now pulsed with
the dark grey. "Now the Shadow will taste your soul, Lady!"
Luthyen stood tall and straight, and called upon the Star Lady to aid her,
and the Lady of the Woods to protect her. The two possessed Lords approached
her, and her heart was torn with love of her brothers and the knowledge that
the familiar forms were now directed by a force of pure evil. The mist formed
and struck at her face, but a soft green glow enveloped her, pulsing with the
power of the Elfstone, and repulsed the strike. The Shadowed ones cried out
in rage.
"This one is very pure," hissed the form of Havok. "The Shadow will enjoy
her...come, cast upon us, woman..strike at us, coward, defend yourself and
your brothers. Do you not wish to see them freed?" Twisted laughter came from
the mouths of her brothers, as the Shadow withdrew a moment to let her view
the stricken features of her brothers, their souls imprisoned. "The Shadow
will feed upon them slowly..as it will feed upon you. Slowly, tenderly..the
Shadow will eat your soul!" Again it struck at her, to be turned away by the
Shield of the Elfstone. "Strike at us!" it howled.
"I SHALL NOT," she spoke calmly. She spoke from her anguished heart to Dant
and Havok. "My Lord..My Champion..I cannot..if I cast as you have, a single
spell, I too shall become possessed. Any least spell cast in this
clearing...And my sword StarSeeker would destroy your human forms, but not
vanquish the Shadow.."
In a blur, the Shadowed Lords seized Luthyen and bound her to a tree. "Then
you will be the Shadow's captive till the time of sacrifice is here," they
gloated.
Havok turned down the path, "I shall patrol the road. No army can penetrate
the Shadow's home, but solo travelers may find a hole in our defenses. IF
any do, I shall bring them here to be tested. Perhaps the Shadow can take
more into our possession.." The Shadowed Havok and Dantbh1 began to laugh,
as Luthyen watched the horror of the Shadow that had posseser her brothers.
She closed her eyes and felt the Elfstone, and sent her thoughts far abroad.
"Melamin, beloved....come to me. Brothers, sisters, come to our aid..." she
called. Then she settled down wait, holding her head up defiantly. "Help will
come...help will come." she thought.
~Luthyen
The Protectorate
Thorn Hawk's Wife(submitted by: Kymil Nimn)
The Booth went well even if it did start a bit late because of problems
getting everyone online ;/ Three folks worked the booth, Atomcraft, Het and
myself. Fal Khan won the Necklace and Het will submit the paper work for its
transfer. SOL Latido, Falkhan, Hwuri, and Gruften won Amulets. Here is the
entire list of players that participated:
sol latido 13 + 12 = 25 saved (Amulet)
naergoth 5 Dead
fal khan 8 + 14 = 22 saved (Amulet and Necklace)
knit stlkr dead
udl charon feebed
hwuri 11 + 13 = 24 saved (Amulet)
mdg ramuh dead
gruften 11 + 17 = 28 saved (Amulet)
ssb vexed 12 + 10 = 22 feebed
jacob dawn dead
sol zappa 15 dead
warderick 14 + 17 = 31 feebed
gg aegwyn 8 + 13 = 21 feebed
modalex 14 + 2 = 22 feebed
wgw sprite dead
These booths seem to be well excepted by the players... both new and old
alike ;) We will likely schedule more of these booth after we have rounded
up more prizes, would Events be willing to provide the Necklace for any
future Gauntlet of Chaos?
Kymil Nimn
Guild Master
Guild of Chaos
(submitted by: LOF LrdJor)
Top Ten Signs The Guy You're Adventuring With Is A Newb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Always expects you to come get him when he gates.
9. Keeps askin NW Lenox, "NW, got any extra stuff?"
7. Tries to rest at the gate after one of Simba's infamous banners fly by,
just to see what all the fuss is about.
6. Frequently tries to convince you to trade your Ring of Protection +2 for
his Short Sword.
5. "Hey!! Why is the game calling me stupid???"
4. "Hey!! Why is the game calling me clumsy???"
3. "Why can't I kill the Kobold????"
2. Responds to ESP without ESP'ing.
1. His name begins with the NOR prefix.
No offense to NOR, they are a great guild, just something I noticed about
them lately ;)
(submitted by: Loraque)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Announcing
Sylvan Procurements
Orlumber Shoppe
Newly Opened and Freshly Stocked
Only the Finest Artifacts and Supplies
Loraque
Proprietor
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Loraque
Fence
Pirates of Neverwinter
(submitted by: Tsha Wren)
In response to the articles in the announcments section;
Remember you were newbies once too.
(submitted by: Doli2164)
Remember the first time you entered Neverwinter? You should silently at the
square with Lord Nashers keep in front of you. Names of other players zoom
by you as figure out what is it you need to do.
At first, you find yourself hacking and slashing away at kobolds and goblins
when you see powerful players with an AC of -10 and said to yourself, I would
like some magic items, too. : )
So, you ask for some freebies and get a +1 weapon and maybe a +1 shield and
some scrolls. You wander off fighting with experienced players and they say
new terms like AI? NH? NT and AFK, etc. You ask and they tell you. After
many precious hours playing NWN, you finally have the strong player and
knowledge that you always wanted.
These days, many new adventurers are coming to Neverwinter seeking glory,
fame and fortune, just like you when you just heard of this game. These
'newbies' are all over Neverwinter and some are pestering the more
experienced.
Last week, someone wrote the top ten newbie phrases, which does put down some
of the newbies. Though most are true and most accurate, insults, whether
intensional or accidental, keep these new adventurers from Neverwinter. This
game for everyone's enjoyment and talking trash about newbies will keep them
from entering the game and enjoying it.
Remember, you were a newbie once, too. Sure... some of these guys are a
little annoying at first, but we, the more experienced must help them aquire
the knowledge of Neverwinter. Just feebing, gating, and picking on newbies
won't do anything.
There is also a folder that is dedicated for insulting newbies. ;\ Why do you
people even lower yourself to that? Just give them a chance. Help them.
Cause then, maybe one day they get maxxed and death matches you, killed you,
then laughs in your face, not so cool. So, remember, you *were* a newbie,
they're *are* a newbie, help them and be a nice guy for once in your life.
(submitted by: V Myst)
Please join the Camarilla for a Life Stealing Booth. The booth will be
announced on the evening of the 22nd. Look for the announcement and come join
us all.
The booth is simple in reality. The first 15 people to the location will be
qued. Then as your name is called you will have 3 dispels cast upon you.
The fight will begin then and a happy little blood sucking Vampire will feed
off of you stealing your lifeforce by casting a CAUSE CRITICAL WOUNDS, CAUSE
SERIOUS WOUNDS & A CAUSE LIGHT WOUNDS.
The person who survives taking the least amount of damage and is still alive
and kicking shall be given access in the Guild of Heroes.
So I hope you will all join us for this event.
V Myst
Elder Brujah
Camarilla AGM
Camarilla Events Staff
(submitted by: Bloodglade)
This week's article is sure to help newbies all throughout the realm. The
other day I had the misfortune of trying to pass through Windycliffs. As
usual, the trail was littered with newbie roadblocks. Figuring that it was
quicker to help than to wait, I entered the question: "NH?" To which the
newbie responded: "Who's NH?"
Now remember, we were all newbies once, so let's not berate the poor little
guy just because he doesn't know the short-hand of NWN. O.K. newbies, pay
attention to the following:
NH = Need help
NT = No thanks
YES = Yes
NO = No (Many newbies have problems with this one)
AFK = Away from keyboard
BRB = Be right back
AFK BRB = Away from keyboard be right back (Amazing how this works, isn't
it?)
LOL = Laughing out loud
ROFL = Rolling on floor laughing
ROFLMAO = Rolling on floor laughing my a** off
NO = No (Many newbies have problems with this one)
BTW = By the way
NM = Never mind
FB = Fireball
OUCH = You hit me with your FB you darn newbie
LB = Lightning bolt
HEHEHE = Laughter directed at you because you didn't realize LB's bounce off
walls
FEEB = Oh, you're gonna learn what this means... believe me!
OOPS, SORRY = You are about to die in an "accidental" FB blast
CG = Cloud giant. The best experience battle for a newbie to "accidentally"
get "sucked into". Also, the most likely one to see "OOPS, SORRY" as you
fry.
NO = No (Many newbies have problems with this one)
R? = Are you ready?
H? = Hooked?
UHOIWTYTTS = Un-hook or I will take you to the sewers
DM = Death match (A part of the game where winning isn't as important as good
sportsmanship, so don't forget to give the other guy a chance)
GOOMBOIWFYGNB = Get out of my battle or I will feeb your goofy newbie butt
Well there are some of the basic ones for you. Don't be afraid to print this
out and keep it handy.
No, no, no. No need to thank me. Helping newbies is thanks enough.
(submitted by: WG Jay)
Yes, this is *yet* another post about the Hordes That Are Newbies(tm).
However, this one's not going to moan about how clueless they are. This one's
going to moan how clueless all we older players are acting.
I'm not a newbie myself - I've got more than three years under my belt, I've
organized some decent-sized multi-guild events, and I've been GM of a damned
good crew of people in the past. But I admit that I've got a soft spot in my
heart for them. I haven't forgotten what it was like, and so I begrudge them
their mistakes. However, I've experinced the problems, along with everyone
else, that have been plaguing NWN since December. The big problem seems to be
not the newbies, but how everyone has been reacting to the newbies.
Over in the 'Tales of Neverwinter Nights' folder, one new player, one of
the best out there in my opinion, created a folder a few days ago titled
'Newbies 101'. He had the noble goal to trying to help the hordes of Newbie
learn how to survive in the game, and how to not be the sterotyped 'Clueless
Newb' that's impossible to stand. Yet, already, it and he have been critizied
by older players (some of which have been in the game little longer than he).
I'm ashamed to see such idiotic practices.
I hear players complain about how clueless the newbies are, and yet refuse
to try and *teach* any of them. Yelling about how painful the thorn in their
paw is, but not even trying to take it out. And when another comes and tries
to help, the noble person is ridiculed and has their words drowned out in a
sea of garbage.
Even the 'Looking For A Guild' folder is full of garbage. Much of this
trash is perpitrated by the 'evil' guilds - MECH, ITB and others. But no one
guild or the guildless are innocent of this shameful behavior, including
myself.
There will be a few who will utter that they are simply playing in charater
when they do these things. News Flash! If you - the player - wants to keep
our game from disappearing under a tidal wave of clueless newbies, you need
to get off your butt and either help the newbies learn, or shut up so the
rest of us can actually get something done.
Jaywing Birchbough
(submitted by: ABK Truth)
Need a good spot to max your character quickly? Fight Cloud Giants at night
at location 10,10 Floodbest. If you are at bottommost level, with someone of
much greater xp, you can get 3000 xp per fight. Check it out!
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!
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