1997-01-26
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 170
Week Ending 1-26-97
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to JJervis126 for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for his poem entitled "Deck of Cards".
JJervis126 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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Rigors Booth Results - 1/18
It was time once again for Icky to see how bad he could inflict damage on
volunteers. One by one, they came as I tortured them. Shocking Grasp,
Fireball, ice Storm, nothing could stop them.
Finally, one man proved victorious. RM 2719, showed his might at resisting my
attacks and only took 47 total points of total damage. He walked away with a
hearty 4 pearl prize.
GG Tanan, also won 2 pearls for taking the most damage and walking away from
it. He fielded 79 points of damage without ever breaking a sweat.
Congratz guys!!!
Icarus
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Lightning Bolt Booth Results - 1/21
Stepping out of the barracks, NWA Priest nearly tripped over a figure lying
outside the threshold. NWA Priest knelt next to the figure, turned it over,
and looked upon the face of an injured, old man. Priest started to check the
man's injuries when his eyes fluttered open.
"I'm too far gone for help," said the old man. "but carry out the dying
wish of an old brewmaster." A hand, grasping a small parchment, lifted
slightly. "Take this...," the old man said pushing the parchment in to NWA
Priest's hand. "It's my last recipe...make it for the people of Neverwinter."
The brewmaster's eyes closed as he breathed his last. NWA Priest looked
at the parchment and found a recipe for the brewmaster's white lightning.
Although not one for adding to peoples vices, it was the dying man's wish.
Stopping over by the Tavern, NWA Priest asked NWT Mystri and NWT Spryte
to make him a batch of the white lightning. Always willing to check out a new
brew they quickly agreed.
When the first batch was complete, NWA Priest called together 15
volunteers to try the new drink. In a short time after the messenger was sent
out the following volunteers arrived: Zicklo, Burnin Sun, ABK Eagle, SOL
Latido, Benson444, UDL Charon, Din Magwth, NOR Vulcan, KEF Vinius, Zen Ulric,
Xarst, JOF Jair, Endorian, SOM Snake, and Lev1ath0n.
It was obvious after getting started that most knew the tavern well.
Tolerances were high with only a few showing their abstinence to the spirits.
Burnin Sun barely blinked while throwing down the drinks, while Zen Ulric had
to find a close place to sleep.
Thanks to all that came out for the testing. Congratulations to Burnin
Sun for showing the least amount of reaction and Zen Ulric for providing some
entertainment. ;>
Burnin Sun wins 4 pearls and Zen Ulric wins 2 pearls!! :D
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New Player Tour 1/19
I met the brave adventurers Raglov, Melvosh, TT Slayer, Quillain, Grey042, De
Flores and Larsongary in the wharehouse district. From there, we made our way
North, into Windycliffs. Not much happened until we took the shortcut to Port
LLast. There, my brave companions and I defeated a host of foul critters
including LizardMen, Spiders, Rock Creatures and of course, OwlBears.
Finally, after several battles, we were able to make it to Port LLast.
While In Port LLast, we were able to refill our food supply with a
helping of pork. We fought several packs of Boars and Rats until we made it
to the inn. From there we headed west, looking to smash undead. On the way, I
pointed out the highlights of LLast like the Training Hall, the Armory and
the local wildlife, the NOR's:). We met several nice NOR's while touring and
they even offered their services as guides:)
Finally after smashing pack after pack of Rats and Boars, We teleported back
to near the gates of LLast, and made our way back to Neverwinter. During the
tour, I had the pleasure to travel with 7 of the nicest people I have met.
Good luck folks and thank you for a great time
NWA Amra
Lion of Neverwinter
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Charm Person Booth Winner - 1/22
A charm person booth was held in Floodblest. Attending were KEF Fair, EB
Cerebus, Zicklo, OMM Draco, Din Magwth, AC Marduke, Lrd Fade, Lord Hob, Aelin
& Xardoz.
Wound up with OMM Draco, EB Cerbus & Zicklo all saving first 3 cast's. In
second round EB Cerebus & Zicklo again saved all 3 cast's, Xardoz was charmed
on first cast. In third round, hold person was used and Zicklo survived by
lasting 2 cast's to EB Cerebus's 1.
Zicklo has won 5 pearls for lasting the longest.
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NWT Spryte Tour
Spryte finished packing up supplies in the Travelling Tavern, akin to a Bag
of Holding. This portable bar could serve 16, and was magically connected to
the supplies back at Sisters' Tavern. WIth this, her grimoire, and her sword
in hand, she figured she was set to explore a little. She'd not had enough
time to look around since arriveing in Neverwinter, and it was time for a
little break.
There was Southwall. Spryte had heard rumors of a band of thieves there,
waylaying young travellers, and she had a mind to clean out that den. Smiling
to herself, she began running through the Sword Forms: Young Maiden Dancing
to Winter Harvest to Moon thru the Trees. Faster and faster she went, using
muscles that recently had been accustomed to carrying trays of drinks and
preparing tasty and attractive foods. A final twirl, and she sheathed her
sword and was ready. It was Thursday eve.
Spryte began to journey towards the Great Gates, so that she could find some
adventurers interested in joining her journey. There were many paths to the
outskirts of Neverwinter, and she knew many side ways. Today though was
unusual..for no matter which path she sought, she found it blocked. Huge
trees fallen from tangled forests blocked her way. Snarling beasts in packs
drove her back, and though she felled many, still she could not gain the
trail. Tribes of Fire Giants with Flaming Flails swinging guarded other means
of access. There was no way in.
Finally, the Younger Sister remembered a rarely used tunnel and slipped into
the city. She was amazed... slick as a whistle, she went through the gates
and tried to reach the center of town, then headed out to Floodblest Plain.
As she rested for a mere moment to review her Grimoire, though, she felt the
evil grip of the Punt Beast and was drawn back out to the remote fastness,
away from the City. Again she circled, trying every means..but was never able
to gain the city again that night.
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My apologies to those who might have been waiting to Tour with me.. another
time we SHALL venture together.
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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 28th Tuesday 10:00 PM EST - with NW Simba.
January 31st Friday 6:00 PM EST - with NW Vorpal.
February 1st Saturday 1:00 PM EST - with NW Oghma.
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 air of the forest filled the Tavern this week, as Rangers came in droves
to celebrate with the Sisters. Monday night the forest wanderers came to tell
why they had chosen to be Rangers. Thorn Hawk won the award for his tale and
postings illustrating his choice and the different aspects of a Ranger.
Wednesday an Archery contest took up a space in the Tavern extending into the
Beer Garden. Although WyrmSilver won the special Golden Dragon Award for best
shot by a Pseudo-dragon, BHTabbas' shot into the 5-ring won the prize of the
evening.
The Tavern was crowded on Friday night, with many folks celebrating the
end of of a busy week. JJervis126 stood out in the crowd as a caring and
concerned Ranger, serving the folk of the Tavern. For his efforts, he has
been awarded Guild of Heroes Access.
This week is the week of the Mage! Monday provides the opportunity Mages
have been waiting for. What Mage does not dream of creating that special
spell that will make him or her famous? Come to the Sisters' Tavern and tell
about your new spell, how it was discovered, what the componants are, what
the spell does and what it is called. Post about it to the Tavern Board, and
win the Pearl prize.
On Wednesday, the Sisters' suspend (for the purposes of the contest ONLY) the
ban on casting within the Tavern. Mystri will allow the Mage to test the
power of their strongest cast by rolling 1d99 ~ the highest roll of the night
will be the winner.
Friday completes the Week of the Mage. This is the night that Sorcerers,
Sorceresses, Mages, and Magic Users of the Realms gather in the Sisters'
Tavern to share their stories and discuss the finer points of their craft.
The best Mage RP of the evening will win the prize.
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Join the Sisters, NWTs Mystri and Spryte for fun and great Role Play, at the
Sisters' Tavern in the Great Hall, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, 11pm
- 1am.
~The Roving Reporter
Induction - Part 1
(submitted by: Aluric)
From within the quiet meditation of the matins prayer he was drawn.
The mental relief of this discipline was not sought by all of the guild but
it served those who would walk the walk. As he stood, and moved to his
position before the podium, the first fanfares could be heard in the
distance. With guidon and standard bearer in position the trio moved out
into the gate way to greet their most honored guests and dignitaries.
Closer now another fanfare of brass instruments could be heard.The Crowd was
even more animated now, humming in a noisy anticipation of what was to come.
After all who doesn't love the display of a parade. Now as the procession
came nearer the bass drums could be heard, marking the slow processional
cadence, another fanfare was heard loud enough for the clarity of each note
to ring true in every ear. Leading the vigil watch of the knights of KEF,
the white garbed figure delivered the required orders; "Attention!";
"Guidons POST!".
Precisely in time to the approaching drums cadence, Knights of KEF
moved out from inside the garden in two single file columns. Passing to the
outside, and around the remainder of the company of knights now standing in
the gateway to the gardens. The last knights had cleared the front of the
gateway as the fanfare played out its musical heralding one more time. In
that instant the Knight leading the left column gave an order for "Company
Mass to Center!". On unison, in the next step, each knight turned inward
towards their counter parts, lances coming fascinatingly close to skewering
their opposite. Just as the citizens of NeverWinter drew in their breath,
waiting for the coming collision of steel armor, the obliquing maneuver was
deftly completed with an outfacing maneuver. In the distance the procession
could now be made out at the end of the long street. The divided group of
knights continued towards the coming procession. With each alternate set of
drum beats the rear most pair would perform another out facing maneuver and
move to the edge of the wayside, coming to a position of parade rest facing
each other. When completed, the street looked as if it where a mirror.
Twenty knights in full armor, reflected on the oppsite side, lining the way
for 500 feet. The fanfares where almost painfully loud to those people
gathered nearmost the gate where Aluric waited. The herald's becrying the
way for the lord and master of the city.
"Make Way!, Make Way!, All give heed! Make way for Lord Nasher!"
How anyone could hear them above the din of the trumpets blare and booming of
the drums was only more outdone by its sheer spectacle. Magnificent colors
flourished about the preformers which proceeded the military guard provided
by the royal staff of Lord Nasher's own forces. The procession had
advanced to the point where the first of the group was but feet from the
phalanx of KEF knights lining the way. Within the gateway, above the
mounting volume, the order was heard; "Present Arms!".
Deftly, the cases where removed from the upraised lances, and
their previously unnoticed banners, made to unfurl with a snap which was lost
in the din. But not the visual display. As the foot, of the leader of the
oncoming procession landed before the lance of the first Knight of KEF, the
banners came into full view of the spectators. It was a skilled maneuver,
one normally applied in horsed combat. Properly preformed it was supposed
to deflect an opponents shield and permit a clear strike to the armor behind
it. But in these circumstances it provided another impressive display. The
procession moved on towards the gardens gate, as its Nobility drew aside the
KEF knights, they came to attention and moved so as to flank Lord Nasher and
his entourage. Massed outside the garden, pages in KEF livery came to assist,
and permit his lordship to dismount. Clearing the way for those who followed.
Lord Nasher and his party where escorted into the garden and seated on the
highest level of the dais, surrounded by royal guards. With visual commands
Aluric withdrew, with the half of KEF's compliment not bearing the standard
of Lord Nasher, returning to the gate once more. The Guild of KEF en- mass
were just arriving. Again their pages came forth to clear the way in a
dignified fashion.
Riding high in the saddle Starbeard and the Lady Fair Star
dismounted side by side. Moving together towards the gate, followed by Lord
Haldor and Lady Elayn, then Lord Elgiem with Lord ThornWood, followed by
Lady Ambrlyn and Lord Meane. They came to a stop before the Knight in white
at the front of the guard. Dropping to his knee, Aluric presented his
sword, unsheathed, to his leige lord and master. "With this sword I deliver
unto you the Vigil Guard. If thee are not pleased with this service, yours
is but to say the word. As ever I am your man, sworn for life! Yours to
command! What be thine will Magister?" The Guild Master, received the
sword, taking it up by the pommel. "Arise goodly scribe, resume once more
your post as Captain of this guard. I think I speak for all when I say, let
us continue, and see this matter to its conclusion." With that he returned
Aluric's sword. After a salute, Aluric made an about face, and commanded;
"Guidon !, Standard !, POST!".
With these two beside him, Aluric's guard commenced their
escort. The High Council of the Knights of the Eternal Flame were shown to
their places atop the dais, within the garden. The throng of people followed
in behind. Filling the garden well beyond capacity, but somehow not
disturbing the flowering displays. With the council seated upon the level
below Lord Nasher and his Company, the remainder of the guild where seated
before the dais, Knights and Knight Errants. As was the custom past, the
Squires and pages where in attendance, but bearing the responsibilities for
meeting the needs of those come to witness the bi annual occasion. All
where accommodated, and the scribe of KEF approached the podium, calling for
order. "Lords, and Ladies if I may have you attention. I give you, Lord
Nasher, protector, and benefactor of the citizenry of NeverWinter" With a
turn all stood and bowed before Lord Nasher. The gathering giving cheers of
"huzza!", "huzza!", "huzza!". Once quiet was restored, Lord Nasher waved
his assent, and his personal herald proclaimed this proceeding now in order;
"Lord Nasher directs that the Knights of the Eternal Flame continue and
install its new officers!" All returned to their previous positions and
postures. The present scribe of KEF then called for order, and presented
the guilds current master; "Knights of the Eternal Flame!; I give you our
master, "STARBEARD!"! The knights jumped to their feet;
"Starbeard!Starbeard! Starbeard!Starbeard! Starbeard!"
The long absent Guild Master, quite taken by this show of
affection and support waited a bit to let the membership come to a moderate
form of self control, then signed for the scribe to continue. At which the
scribe merely stood with out stretched hands. Once more the members resumed
their static posture. Aluric nodded towards his master, and Starbeard
continued, "Fellow knights, as you know I have decided to return to the rank
and file. I thank thee one and all for your continued support, but my Time
as your master draws to a close, and I would not have been able to come to
you all in this fashion, if not for the valiant work of my gracious and
lovely counter part. Lady Fair Star, please rise; 3 cheers for the Lady
Fair! Vivat! Vivat! Vivat!!".
As the knights stood in carrying the cheer, mailed fist struck
armored chest plates, in unison; carrying onward the tempo of the accolade
given for such service. Aluric was busy beaming with affectionate pride for
the lady such that there came a noticeable pause. Before he was able to make
his next pronouncement. He had permitted himself to become lost in the
contemplation of the end of his service to his "domi". But the silence was
enough to bring him round, thou perhaps with a bit less composure. From the
podium to the side of the elevated altar, he delivered the next command;
"Present Arms!".
The ceremonial guard posted before the altar drew their swords
in salute, followed closely by Lord Nasher's own Guards. Crossing to before
the altar, Aluric genuflected and crossed himself, then received the guilds
scepter from the high priest. Together Peader and Aluric assended towards the
seated Starbeard. Peader, standing behind Starbeard placed the coronet upon
Starbeard's head saying; "As high priest of KEF and servant of his
lordship, do I give you your crown Lord Starbeard. With this reminder; no man
may be leader without someone to lead. Nor may a man be lead with having
given that right to his leader. All glory is fleeting. But true service is
the food of every knights heart. Lead well and may your heart be made all
that much stronger." With that the coronet was set atop Starbeard's head.
Aluric presented the scepter to Starbeard's hands saying; "Magister, receive
this token from those who would be lead by one such as you. May the creator
have mercy on us all. What is your will Magister? Adsume domine!" As one
the council did pay hommage, Fellow knights, pray, please continue.
Starbeard remained seated while Peader and Aluric cleared the tier of the
dais upon which he had bee seated in the chair of the council. Then rising
He called forth the Lady Fair Star; "Join me in this next task, Lady Fair
Star; and bear witness to my performance of the will of our order. Fair Star
walked up stage to a point beside Starbeard's right, and commanded; "Lady
Ambrlyn, front and center!" From the right wing of seats stepped an armored
knight. At the same moment from the left side, 3 knights, the "Swords of
KEF" stood. Executing a right face, the trio descended from their level of
the dais to the ground below. In their determined march, the quad met in
front of the altar. Crossing before the dais they came to stand before the
lone knight. In response the lone knight surrendered the sword and scabbard
to the center member of the "sword" trio. The receipt of this sword signaled
the the other 2 knights to cross and from the sides assist in the removal of
the lone knights upper armor. Respectfully, the equipment of war was lain
aside. The knight was left covered only in the padded gambison, which
carried the Coat of arms of this knigh; and matching breaches under grieves
of mirrored steel. The group then turned and marched towards the waiting
pair atop the dais. Warlord Haldor took up his position behind Fair Star and
Starbeard, leaving Sir Meane and Sir ThornWood flanking the Lady Ambrlyn.
Once settled, the 3 knights knelled before the Guild Master. Like his
predecessors before him, Starbeard began what was to be his last act as
Master of the guild; "Lady Ambrlyn, you have been summoned before Lord Nasher
and your guild, at the request of its members. What would you have of of
your guild master?!"
From bended knee came the clear and obviously
female voice which responded; "Magister, I live but to serve! The Knights of
the Eternal Flame have chosen me to lead them through this next cycle of
seasons. As such I would have all that you claim as yours, that I may
perform those duties. From this moment forward I would be the guilds
Magister, serving Lord Nasher , the people of NeverWinter, and the knights
of this guild. As of now what is their loss is mine, what is my gain is
theirs. I will act only for the good of those whom I serve. Until such time
as another is chosen in my stead. I here avow before this gathering, to set
aside personal gain and need at the sufferance of those I serve. This I do
swear in the light of the which doth burn forever!" Starbeard and Fair
Star, together stooped down to physically raise Lady Ambrlyn to her feet.
"Arise Mistress Ambrlyn, receive into your hands the scepter of authority
over all the knights of KEF". So saying that, Lady Fair Star did present her
with the short staff. The scepter's jewels sparkled in the suns light, the
warmth of the dark wood felt good, even through the dense fabric worn by
Ambrlyn. Starbeard then removed his cornet placing it above Lady Ambrlyn's
head for all to see. "Mistress Ambrlyn, receive from my hand the crown which
doth give you the right to rule our guild in place of Lord Nasher and use
them to do your bidding. Until you pass it to another, his will shall be
yours, and your will shall be law among this guild. May the weight of this
responsibility rest heavy upon your soul as the weight of the crown weighs
heavy on youre brow." That said, Starbeard set the crown upon her uplifted
hair, so that the winding coils of braids set inside the narrow metal band,
and provided highlights to the gems with which it was encrusted.
Starbeard stepped back a pace, and drooped to his knee, and
Haldor placed the sheathed sword into his hands. "Mi Domina, receive as
well your sword, may you wield its edge in justice. As you wield it so may
you wield me, your faithful servant. For as Long as you hold your office
you are my liege. Your friends are my friends, your enemies are mine as well.
You may call upon me in need of arms or council. I avow to serve you and
this guild as I would my self. Ambrlyn placed the scepter of office into
the waiting hands of Lady Elayn, whom had come to stand beside Haldor. Then
reached into Starbeard's outstretched hands for her sword. Unrolling its
white belt of knighthood, she began to place it about her waist. As she did
this Fair Star came to one knee beside Starbeard, and began to do the knot
of the baldric. Belting the sword to Ambrlyn's waist; "Permit me to assist
you Mistress Ambrlyn; now and for so long as you hold your office. Use me
as you would your own hands. I vow to serve your office and this guild as I
have to this day; placing the good of these above my own. Ambrlyn drew
forth the shining steel tongue of death. Its edge caught the light from the
sun as she held it above her head; flashing like the light of a hundred
tongues of flame in the eyes of the knights gathered in front of the dais.
"I do here with accept and serve the Knights of the Eternal Flame, so say I
Lady Ambrlyn, Knight of the Eternal Flame, wife of Starbeard and mother of
Daphines, Blazen, and Orion. I shall rule over this guild as a knight, Love
it as my spouse, and guide it as my own offspring." With a toss and twist,
the adept fingers of this fighter and mage came to hold the bladed weapon
from its quillions. Then offered the pommel to the kneeling pair. As one the
two rose with their hands upon the offered pommel. coming to their feet,
Kisses where exchanged to seal the oaths exchanged. "Return to your lives as
Knights of the Eternal Flame, may the flames light, provide illumination for
all your endeavors, so that all you touch may prosper. Remember always, that
you have the eternal gratitude of the Knights of KEF . The cheer that arose
from the knights drowned out the gentle click of the previously half staffed
banner of the Lady Ambrlyn, as it came to the block, beside the others
already there. Four knights broke away from the group in the front, and
marched towards the dais, to provide an escort of honor. Aluric had moved to
join them at first, but noting the particular blazon to two of the chest
plates, he came to a stop after only a single step. Standing beside the
dais, he performed a facing maneuver so as to turn him towards the group of
knights advancing on the dais, hoping none had taken note of the "Faux pa".
It was uncharacteristic of him to permit personal feelings, to interfere with
his duties. In his mind while he was first sworn to serve the guild, that in
and of itself was truth. Yet Starbeard was his liege lord regardless, and he
had been Fair Star's sworn man as well. He had now been serving as her scribe
for more than a year. Any person outside the council would have said the
position was as the guilds scribe, but it was her choice that had made him
that. It was her strength and confidence in the right of her choice, that
made the difference. That was what had helped a knight lost in his own
imperfections, come to the fore and rise above even his own standard.
Possibly even one suitable for the true service of others. Aluric went
willingly. All this time he reporting directly to her. In his heart she had
become "Domi!" regardless of whom now held what ever office. Seeing Sir Huma
and Lord Puma, here, now, after all this, brought feelings long thought dead
within him, to the fore. The knights resolve and discipline held him fast
where he was. There was no right or wrong of it in truth, but he felt as if
he might be doing or thinking something improper if he where to have
continued on in an attempt to be a part of the escort. Again he had
neglected a small and insignificant detail, to most anyway.
To Aluric it was a error of near fatal proportions, such that it
brought a flush of color to his cheeks and caused him to miss the visual cue
from Lord Elgiem. The breath of a delay in the proceedings seemed to go
unnoticed, as Aluric became aware of Elgiem's insistant hand gesturing.
Elgiem's own body blocked it from the view of the Knights, and by way of
where the now changing council where seated, it seemed to be blocked from
the view of Lord Nasher's entourage as well. Clearing his dry throat with
something of a cough Aluric intoned; "The Guild Mistress Ambrlyn, now
recognizes the Lady Elayn. As Ambrlyn sought the seat of the guild
master, Elgiem had come up behind Lady Elayn. Standing beside Haldor, it was
into her hands Ambrlyn had passed the Scepter of her office, as she sought
her seat for the first time in all the regalia. In future Ambrlyn would be
sure to come to her seat without all the extra padding, but its encumbrance
now only served to make her conscious of a certain lack of grace. Between
the coronet, scepter, sword, and spurs. It was all one could do to maintain
a lady like demeanor. Elgiem held the scepter now and closed the distance to
his new guild master, once she was "comfortably" seated, her Captain of the
guard and Master at arms advanced to remove her gold tipped silver spurs, and
the grieves from her lower legs. With the last remnants of her knightly
armor removed, she did feel a bit more comfortable on her new chair. Meane
and ThornWood withdrew as Lady Elayn came before Ambrlyn. "Lady Elayn, you
have served with honor as Knight of the Rose, What would you have of your
guild and its master?" "Mistress Ambrlyn, I seek only to serve. As a knight
of the Eternal Flame I shall do your bidding, as every knight would seek to
do. Your word is law. I am a knight of the guild, I seek to serve, Lord
Nasher, the people, and the guild." Ambrlyn reclaimed the scepter of office
from Elgiem, and holding it in one hand she used her free one to lift up Lady
Elayn, and pronounced her acceptance of oath from the Former Knight of the
Rose. "Please good knight, your service has been welcome and shall be
missed upon this council. Go in grace and thanks for the same. Rejoin our
order in these coming days. Together we will serve Lord Nasher and his
people. As you once more serve this order so to shall this council serve you.
Where one prospers so do we all." Ambrlyn rose from the chair, and the 2
exchanged the required kiss to seal this promise of fealty.
That done, Ambrlyn took her seat again, and the call went out for the
Warlord. Haldor snapped to attention, made an about face and handed off his
helm and gauntlets to his officers waiting behind him. Promptly marching out
before his new guild master. "Lady Ambrlyn, I do bid thee welcome to you in
your new seat upon the high council." Ambrlyn shifted in her chair, coming
more upright; "What would you have of your Guild Mistress, and our office,
my good Warlord?" Drawing forth the great sword of his own office, Haldor
knelt before the Lady Ambrlyn placing the point of his steel upon the shod
toe of his own boot lest it touch the floor beneath. "Mistress I present to
you my service as your warlord. So I would remain as it is the will of our
guild. All that I may call mine is for you and for this guild without
reservation." The dynamic duo came up behind their Warlord and went to one
knee behind him."Those in the service for this office as well do I include,
lest they withdraw from this service, upon your consent." Haldor handed
Ambrlyn the pommel of his great sword, holding it out to her by its
quillioned hand guard hilt. As she drew it up, the red ruby in its hilt came
aglow with the light of the sun before it. Her small hands went red in the
tinted lights wash, as she held the sword above Haldor's bowed head. "We
accept your sword as we accept your service, unconditionally and without
reservation. We return this blade to it rightful bearer in kind, service for
service, duty for duty. As I do speak for this guild, we shall support you as
you have and will support your guild. Through the conduct of your office, as
our members have so directed. Take up youre sword and return once more to
youre elected duties." Haldor rose, and kissed the pommel of the great
weapon before taking it back from her. Using the token he carried upon his
belt he wiped the blade clean of any dust that might have so inconsideratly
settled upon is surface, and returned it to its place at his side.Haldor then
turned and moved to stand at Ambrlyn's left side and looked upon ThornWood
and Meane; "Fellow knights, what would you ask of the Warlord." ThornWood
spoke first; "We would ask of you what we would ask of our Guild Master, to
continue in our service, to your office, our guild and its new Magister."
Nodding his assent, Meane continued on for the pair; "We where called into
this office by you; Warlord Haldor. So too shall we remain if it is thine
pleasure, with the forbearance of our Lady Ambrlyn. For our good and the
good of our guild."
Haldor turned to the seated Lady Ambrlyn, "May I present your Captain of
The Guard and your Master at Arms. Speaking to Haldor, but directing here
vision's cast to the kneeling pair; "Mi Lord Haldor, we find your
appointments much to our pleasure." Arise good Knights and resume your
service to our guilds chosen warlord, that he may continue to the benefit of
this guild. Your enemies are ours, your friends are ours. Continue if you
would be so kind. Increase our standings among those warriors of the realms
who would defend that which is good. Once more sally forth into the country
side as necessary to lay low those forces of evil that stand against the
will of Lord Nasher. Defend the Keep as you have till now. The guild places
their homes and the lives of those they care for most, into your hands once
more. For the good of all whom would serve the guild of KEF!" Haldor
continued in Ambrlyn's established vocal cadence; "So says the Lady Ambrlyn,
so say the Knights of the Eternal Flame!" In suit so followed the members of
the guild with one loud voice; "AVE!"
Again the fighting team rose, bowed to Lady Ambrlyn, and moved
towards Haldor. Standing before their chosen leader in battle, they returned
his equipage. Then resumed their posts at his side. Ambrlyn had motioned
for the scribe to call forward the next in order of precedent, but found
nothing happened. Looking towards Aluric, he appeared lost in some thought,
that was until she and everyone else gathered there noticed him clutching at
his chest, standing stark still. Lyric and Mishikal whom had been waiting
in anticipation of being called soon where the first to reach him. But drew
no response save something about his wards. "Aluric what have you done this
time?" where the first words that came from the ladies mouth. But Aluric
shook his head, whispering something about it not being him, but the sewers.
Lyric and Mishikal looked around seeking the eyes of their betrothed.
Silently mouthing the question "The Sewers?"
A small moment or two passed, ThornWood watching from his position on
the dias as, with the others gathered there. What could she mean "The
Sewers?" People where returning to their seats as the Knights of KEF on the
dais looked among themselves, discussing what possibly could be the matter
and what had the sewers to do with it. Save a small group trying to aid or
move the one in white still clutching at his chest. The 3 "Swords" of KEF
where at a loss. As far as they knew; Aluric had not been into the sewers
since before his knighting. He hated them. Everyone knew that. Especially
these three. Few where more intimately acquainted with the dark dregs that
made up the hiding places for much of the evil inflicting this great city.
They where looking toward the inquisitive eyes of Lord Nasher and his group,
when that "light" came on inside their heads. In fact about the same time
Ambrlyn realized Aluric was not clutching his chest but holding the bag in
which he kept thoes "jewel cubes". The whole process from start to now had
been but moments, seconds, a minute at most. But the three sprang for the
uppermost level of the dais. Clearing away His lordship, his party, and
hustling them off. Not satisfied at this turn of events, Lord Nasher's
Captain of the Guard continued the group out towards the waiting carriages.
So fast in fact Ambrlyn had little time but to call warning to them even as
they where already in motion. It was simple concern, but apparently well
founded for a second more and the Rear of the dais (where the royal party
had been seated) collapsed into the ground below. Just as suddenly it all
stopped.
Aluric came back from where ever he had been as if nothing had
happened. What ever danger had been present seemed to have passed. Most of
the gathering hard hardly noticed what the commotion was about. Until the
loud crash, preceded by the royal court being uprooted and rushed towards
the gate. Now all seemed to be nothing more than bad scaffolding. The
knights returned to their seats. At the Guild Mistress's request the royal
party warily returned, given appointment on the rearranged fourth tier. Thou
not before a surly "Captain" was satisfied this part of the structure was
safe enough. The ceremony resumed once more. From under her breath, Ambrlyn
quipped to Haldor, ThornWood, and Meane. "Milords must attend to these
vermin and this infestation, at some point. Mayhaps tis time we resumed
regular patrols not just of the local streets but do a bit of sewer sweeping
below too?" Elgiem was coming to the front as Haldor replied in kind; "As
you will your worship." Meane shot a retort as well; "Just great, really
cheeky boss! Do I ever get to see the light of day, as if there weren't
enough for us to do. ThornWood merely found his ladies eyes, and looked at
that all to familiar face now furrowed in a frown. Thinking to himself, "I
bet I know what she is thinking ..Just great, another delay!"
Meanwhile, the palace guards Captain, now stood beside Aluric. Looking
around warily, expecting some dastardly deed to pop out from under some
previously non inspected rock undetected. Aluric simply smiled, and
quietly replied to his unspoken question; "Rats; lord Captain, very LARGE
rats. But you can relax now." The man at arms merely found some other rocks
to look under, not trusting these "Knights". Elgiem had come to his knee
before the Lady Ambrlyn. "What do you seek Lord Elgiem?" "Mi Lady I seek
that which this guild has chosen me for, I would serve Lord Nasher, this
guild and you thru this new avenue. I set aside my duties as our guild
applications master. My oath of service has expired with the Lady Elayn's
departure form service upon this council. I would answer the higher calling.
Performing those tasks that once where those of my appointment. In return
Loyalty to the duty of recruiting new blood for our order of Knighthood,
seeing them trained in the ways of old. So they serve this guild and our
noble purpose."Induction - Part 2
(submitted by: Aluric)
Ambrlyn rose once more. Passed a quick glance at her feet, lest there be a
reoccurrence of the previous disturbance. And put forth the scepter of her
office; "Lord Elgiem, as the guilds master, I do herewith accept your most
gracious offer. Please serve this guild as nobly as you have in the past
with your new elected position. Join with me upon the high council as our
Knight of the Rose, set the shining example of Knightly honor. With each
new member comes new and fresh life into the ever burning light of the
flame. With each new knight comes an increase in our debt to you for that
service." Elgiem took hold of the scepter in Ambrlyn's hand, and they
sealed the oath with the "Volo" as had all those before him. Stepping to
her right hand, The call was sent for Lady Lyric and Lord Kedryn. Lyric and
Kedryn advance from opposite side of the gathered knights. Advancing
together, their assent of the dais was equally uniform. This caused Lyric to
reach Elgiem ahead of Kedryn. Bowing before the new council members present,
she drooped to one knee, while Kedryn stood back apace. "What is it you
seek?" Elgiem addressed the knee bent knight. "I Lyric, would seek to
serve your office and this council, taking charge of the management and care
of this guilds most important asset." Elgiem, turned to Ambrlyn; "Mistress,
as your Knight of the Rose have I sought out this knight, in service to the
office of Squire Master, and in so doing service to our guild. As I stand
for myself so to I stand for Lady Lyric!" Ambrlyn handed the scepter to
Elgiem; "In our need you have done so my Lord Elgiem. You have asked for
this knights fealty, speaking with our voice. Rise Lady Lyric, take up your
duties, for the good of the guild I have chosen you. By your actions do we
rise and fall. For the good of the guild, we are bound, your decisions are
mine in all things concerning the distribution of our pages and squires."
Lyric , with her hand upon the scepter, did then exchange the volo with Lady
Ambrlyn.
Moving beside Elgiem, Lyric had made a clearing before the guild
mistress, which had already been filled by the kneeling knight before her;
Quietly between them selves did Ambrlin address Lord Kedryn; "Isn't that
just like a true knight, letting the lady go first. Maybe I shall reward you
by placing you on my 'list' as well." Eliciting another chuckle among them
all. Smiling, Elgiem spoke once more so that all could hear; "Lord Kedryn,
what is is you would ask of your Guild Mistress?" "I Kedryn, would ask to
serve this guild and this council as its Applications Master, for the common
good. "I have asked for your service to my office. You Lord Kedryn have
given assent to perform this duty for the benefit of our guild. As of today
for good or ill we are one in this." Turning to Ambrlyn once more Elgiem
continued "Mi lady, I give you my man, and my office with it." Ambrlyn came
to her feet yet again; "Lord Kedryn, we are grateful for this answer to our
request. From this day hence, Whom soever you chose to bind outside the
gates of this guild, will be so denied for all their days by this guild. Like
wise, Any person for whom you bear witness to accepting our laws and
standard, shall be admitted to our home without question. In these matters
your have our voice. May the yield of your office bear fruit, and nourish
this growing family of knighthood." With his hand upon the scepter which
Elgiem's held, Lord Kedryn and Lady Ambrlyn completed the oath of fealty in
volo.
Aluric approached the growing council.coming to stand before the 3
elected members of the new council. "Lord Aluric what do ask of your Guild
Mistress?" With that familiar query, Aluric drew forth the gold chain
beneath his cassock. The clasp was undone so that the gold ring it held
drooped into his hand. "Like those before me I would of you 3 things ask."
With the gold chain replaced, Aluric used his free hand to draw up Lady
Ambrlyn's right as he drew even closer. "I have served the council and the
Lady Fair more specifically. With her departure from service on this
council, I am free of my oath of service to her. I now return to you the
signet ring of your office." Aluric slid the ring upon her finger, and went
to his knees. "I now ask to be freed of my oath to this council as well,
Mistress!" Aluric kissed the ring upon her hand. Then taking the hand into
both of his, he pressed it to his forehead; "No longer may I serve as your
scribe." Abrlyn withdrew her hand in a bit of shock, as the faces of those
about her went agape as well. "Not serve? Aluric? You? What could you
mean." Not moving from his spot, "Lady with this earlier incident, it has
become apparent I have once more failed in my charge. This lack of attention
to detail shows me to be unworthy of my station. I would not impose on you
so." The lady visibly relaxed and very quietly retorted; "REALLY Aluric,
Must you be so melodramatic? Not even Nasher's own realized the sewers went
by this way, now desist, and lets get this over with, My feet and several
other body parts are weary from all this. Ambrlyn rose to her feet once
more; "Rise Lord Aluric, I do release you of your oath as scribe, knowing the
guild has called you to the higher post. In so doing I grant you the right
to your second request. Assume your duties as the Assistant Guild Master."
Aluric had come to his feet once more, finding the Lady Mishikal beside her
friend Lyric. "As of this day Aluric you are my right hand, and in my
absence have my full support. Making your word law in such things. Together
we will guide our guild through the coming months, till such time as this
guild should chose others for the task." Aluric stepped in the space vacated
by his friend Elgiem. "Then ' Mi Domini' with my third request I ask that
you appoint this knight as the scribe for our guild" Mish had already gone to
her knee before the Lady. "What would you ask, Lady Mishikal?" "Mistress I
ask but to serve. For what greater honor be there for a knight of the flame
but service." Ambrlyn replied, "Well said, well said in deed.
Aluric you have chosen your replacement well. Together we all have sworn
into this guilds service, all for one and one for all." Removing the signet
ring Ambrlyn placed it on to Mishikal's hand."I accept your oath of service
Mishikal, and give into your care the ring of my office. While prefoming your
duties you may sign my name by direction as necessary, and apply this seal in
my stead!" Rise now and assume your position." Jointly, Ambrlyn and Aluric
assisted Mishikal to her feet. Aluric then escorted her to the place that had
been made for her Between the others. Ambrlyn then addressed the now very
restless knights. "Before you now stands those elected and chosen to serve
as your leaders for good or ill. May the flames light guide one and all in
their walk upon the path of life. Sworn by their own words and deeds, and
witnessed by all. So say I Lady Ambrlyn, Guild Mistress for the Knights of
the Eternal Flame!" "SO SAY US ALL!" came the reply and the Knights of KEF
came to their feet and gave Cheer!
(conclusion)
The dignitaries where escorted to there waiting carriages with all
due propriety. Rulers rarely have time for the frivolities which followed.
For the group now massed in the gardens, the sun was high and the noon meal
was somewhat over due. It was time to enjoy the finer things in life.
Ambrlyn turned to her AGM; "Aluric really! I'll deal with you in a bit, but
I will be made more comfortable before a minute more passed." Ambrlyn went
and slipped into the pavilion set up behind where the hole into the sewers
had opened. Crews of service personnel had already begun cleaning up that
mess. Banging and other such noises could be heard, and workmen had begun
to cordon off that part of the garden. Aluric turned to Mishikal; "Well
scribe, would you please see to this group of festive fellows before we
become something of a rabble. Why don't you see if you can get the kitchen
staff to start serving, I see the pages already have the tables set out for
the noon meal and many of the guests outside are more than ready to come pay
their respects, and enjoy the meal. Of course Mishikal asked why it was
always the woman's job to do this sort of thing, which drew a resounding bit
of laughter from the men on the dais. Meane remarking something about how
maybe Aluric really did know a woman s place in things. That drew a gafau
from ThornWood who already, somehow had a tankard in his hand. Both facts did
not go unnoticed by his Lady.
Ambrlyn had by then returned, in more casual attire, and a big
fluffy pillow from inside the pavilion for the seat of her chair. "Did I
miss something important?" Noting the glances at her and her newly modified
seat. "Well no one said I couldn't be comfortable did they.?" Starbeard had
come beside her, "No my love, no one said you could not make your self at
home." Kissing her warmly, "It will just take a bit of getting used to,
having our roles reversed." Trust me my husband, you will get used to it.
You will get used to it. In fact where is Your escort by the way?" As
Starbeard groaned in this minor, imposed discomfort, the receiving line had
begun to form. Aluric, had waited to take his place at the head of the
line, but wanted to defer to the Lady Fair Star. However she was still
engaged in conversation with either Puma or Huma, the crowd kept him from
getting a clear view. Elgiem and Haldor where ushering him into place any
way. So he gave up and moved into place. He could not help but wonder if
she even still carried the bag? Maybe he should have let her make her choice
that night in the garden. But he had been drawn up in the recent turns of
events, never getting the chance to really ask her about it. Though in
truth he knew he would never have imposed such. Now that they had
returned, he wondered if he even stood a chance. But it would have to wait
a bit more still. Elgiem was nudging him on to the deck where Starbeard and
Ambrlyn had retired to, comfortably sipping at some beverage, while Mishikal
prepared to start keeping track of whom and what was presented to the new
Magister. Mishikal gave a small mod of her head, Aluric could not help notice
how somehow more and more of the knights that served in this order where
turning into pretty, graceful women. He could remember a time when it was a
rarity, but it seemed gone where the days of the "good ole boys club". He
found himself standing before Ambrlyn, daydreaming about the beauty that
stood beside him daily, and how he could have missed it all.
"Aetheluric Lundonie! would you mind please!" Aluric came out of it
with a start at the use of his proper name, so rarely was it heard. "Really
what is with you? Why don't you just go and tell her to make a choice and
get on with it. Your not much use to me or the guild if this is how yore
going to be. Come friend lets be on with it." Aluric, gave a bow and started
to apologize, but Ambrlyn cut him off with a wave of her hand. "We can
discuss all that latter, and we will. But good fellow your holding up
everyone!" "Yea! moon Face, can we get on with this the ale is going flat
while we stand around watching you fall all over yourself." Aluric knew that
voice well, and they would pay. But he remained composed. Reaching , under
his tunic, Aluric passed the leather thong and pouch over his head. "These
Mi Lady Ambrlyn are my gift to you." Ambrlyn immediately recognized the bag
and started to protest. Now it was Aluric who cut her off with a wave of the
hand. "You can relax. These are meant to be yours. Mine lie about this
clearing in there wards. The conditions would not repeat for some time, so I
took the liberty of tuning them to mine. As long as you have them in your
possession, we will be aware of any challenge to the other through the wards
they create. In a way it was a lucky thing, I would not have know what was
below us, where it not for that tie, though I could do little about it.
Still they are for you. My gift to this guild is not yet decided. So you can
relax and enjoy the day." Aluric knelt and kissed the ladies hand. Ambrlyn
in turn kissed him on the forehead. More moans from the line following him
did expedite the maneuver. Aluric took up his seat beside Ambrlyn. The
remaining council members did like wise, and the line progressed much faster
now. Some giving personal gifts, others giving gifts into the vaults of the
guild. All where accepted in grace and thanks. So the day progressed into
the evening, food and beverage shared. Till at the request of the gardens
caretakers, the party was moved to the keep proper. Of course some found
their leisure in other places, in other ways. But that too, is another
story. Its enough to record here that a good time was had by
all.Dragonsitting
(submitted by: HC Fazz)
"I am Auriclandrethenes Hai Draco, and I require a favor from you." So
spoke the immense Gold Dragon that towered over Kirian, who gazed at the
great beast in a mixture of fear and awe. "I have urgent business, Draconian
business, that requires my presence elsewhere. My problem is that I need
someone to look after my child while I am gone." Kirian stared into the
great Gold's eyes, each fully five hands across. Vast power and wisdom were
reflected from therein; gazing into the orbs was like staring down the halls
of infinity. He tried to speak, but no words would come out. "My lair is
but a short distance away, and I require your services for but a few short
hours. Surely you are up to the task.....?" she asked, and later Kirian
would swear that she wore a very Dragonish grin as she asked the last.
"Uh.....I, uh......er.....ahhhh.....I.....what makes you think I can care for
baby dragon?" The floodgates in Kirian's mouth at long last opened and the
words came out in a torrent. "You don't even know me; for all you know I
could be a Dragonhunter or a thief or some other type of miscreant. Great
Tyr, here you come swooping down out of the sky and scaring me half to death
and now you want me to baby-sit, me who's never been married let alone have
kids!! What makes you think I know the first thing about taking care of
Dragons, or that I even want to......" As he paused to take a breath
Auriclandrethenes broke in with a surprisingly gentle voice. "I know you,
Kirian" at the mention of his name Kirian's eyes widened. "I have seen you
at work in the forest, caring for it and for its children as well. You are
what the Humans call a Ranger, am I correct? You see, I am aware of
everything that goes on for miles around my lair, and I have been watching
you for a long time. I know you through your works, and now through my
magic. You are better suited for this than you know. Come, we have need of
haste...and you will be well rewarded...."
Moments later Auriclandrethenes was aloft; a petrified Kirian perched
upon one great claw and hanging on for dear life. The wind tore past his
ears with a roar and teary eyes squinted down at the Neverwinter Woods
quickly receding below him. Seen from so high, the familiar place that had
been his home for so many years looked strange. Treetops formed a vast
emerald carpet, every rolling hill and valley apparent as the verdant sward
rose and fell. He had never before realized that that his beloved forest was
as beautiful from above as it was from below. From above.....the
precariousness of his position struck him anew, and he clung tighter to the
great leg, as large as an ancient tree. After covering in minutes a distance
that would have taken him days on foot, the great Gold Dragon angled and dove
for a cave high atop a mountainous peak. Great wings tucked tight to her
body, Auriclandrethenes plunged into the opening. Rough walls flew past;
stalactites and stalagmites were like giant evil teeth that threatened to
impale them. But she knew her lair well; easily avoiding every obstacle with
a flick of her tail or a twitch of a wing. Pressed now tightly against her
belly, Kirian marveled at the scales; warm to his touch, both hard and soft
at the same time, that beautiful lustrous color of a freshly minted Gold
Crown. Suddenly, with a giant whoosh!!! The wings snapped open and the legs
came down to reach for the stone below. So sudden was the deceleration that
Kirian's hands were torn from their grasp; he flew through the air to land on
a hard but shifting surface, accompanied by a cacophony of clinking. At last
he came to a rest and opened his eyes......
.....To find himself sprawled across an immense pile of Gold Crowns!!!
Never had he seen so much gold before!! Thousands and thousands of them!!
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he slowly became aware of the size of
the cavern. Gigantic was just about right, with piles of Gold Crowns strewn
about as if by a madman. No, not a madman...there was some sort of order
here, some pattern that he could almost see but still eluded him. There!!
That pile over there...the shape of it....it was somehow familiar. What was
it? "I apologize for the roughness of your arrival" spoke Auriclandrethenes,
"I forgot that you were unaccustomed to traveling this way. I see that you
recognize the Dragonspine Mountains..." That was it!! That's what the pile
reminded him of!! It was a near perfect image of the Dragonspine Mountain
range, made out of Gold!! "I have arranged my hoard to duplicate the lands
around here, to better teach my son of the area. Speaking of which...."
Raising herself high on her hind legs, Auriclandrethenes voice bellowed out
across the cavern. "Auder !!!! Come here. There is someone here to see
you!!" From somewhere among the piles of gold came the sound of clinking and
movement. Moments later, a baby dragon come scurrying into view.
" Kirian, may I present Audermasthirenes Hai Draco, my son. Auder, this
is my friend Kirian. He will be spending the afternoon with you." Kirian
had never seen a baby dragon before, and he surprised at how....cute.... it
was. About twelve feet long in body, Auder's serpentine tail stretched
behind him for another ten feet. His color was more on the yellow side, but
Kirian could see areas that were beginning to take on the same luster as his
mother. The head bore a striking resemblance to his mother, but somehow
conveyed a sense of innocence and naivete'. "Hi, my name is Auder. Will you
be my friend?" Kirian slowly nodded, unsure of what to do. "O.K., and I'll
be your friend" spoke Auder "Did you bring me a present?" Looking towards
the mother, he was rewarded with another Dragonish grin. Reaching into his
belt pouch, he rummaged around until he found a jewel. Pulling forth his
hand, he offered Auder the ruby that in now contained. "Why did it have to
be this one?" he thought with a mental groan. "8,000 Crowns...." Auder came
forward and sniffed at the ruby. "It's very nice, but so small!! Don't you
have a bigger one?" In a stern voice, Auriclandrethenes said "Auder, where
are your manners?? Thank the nice human." Auder dipped his head a little as
if in apology "Thank you, sir" His moved his head closer to Kirian's hand.
Kirian watched nervously as the head drew closer. Although just a baby,
Auder's fangs were still four inches long!! Gently the snout closed on the
ruby, never touching Kirian's hand. Breathing a sigh of relief, he nearly
laughed aloud when Auder's ruby-muffled voice said "I'll put away with my
other toys." At that he began to shuffle of to towards the rear of the cave.
"Kirian, I really must be going" spoke Auriclandrethenes as she started
to climb her way out of the cave. Noticing Kirian's stare at her undignified
exit, she said with a shrug of dragon shoulders "It's much easier getting in
than getting out. It makes it easier to catch thieves." Resuming her
climb, her voice came back to Kirian's ears: "Oh, by the way, some guests may
stop by. If they do, please entertain them until I return." With that she
was gone.
Kirian stood there, not knowing what to do next. "Why did I ever get up
today?" he muttered under his breath. "So you could play with me!!" came
Auder's voice from somewhere back in the cave. "Tyr, but do they have good
hearing" thought Kirian. Walking towards Auder's voice, He had to skirt
several large piles of coins and countless smaller piles of gems, with all
sorts of books, weapons, scrolls, sculptures and Tyr knew what else mixed
in. Had he been possessed with any sort of greed, he would surely have
dropped dead at the sight of so many riches. Walking up to Auder, he asked
"So, what do you do all day?" Auder paused for a moment, as if deep in
thought. "Well, usually I sleep a lot, but I just had a six day nap, so I'm
not really that tired. I know, we'll play hide and seek!! It's no fun
playing with mom, she always finds me. Close your eyes, count to a hundred,
then see if you can find me. Kirian sighed. It was going to be a very long
day indeed.
Closing his eyes, he began to count out loud "One, two, three......" He
could hear sounds of movement, but the echoes made it hard to determine where
they were coming from. "...Ninety-nine, one hundred" Looking about, he
could see no sign of Auder. Checking for any signs of tracks, he realized
that it would be impossible to find any in the shifting masses of gold. He
began to walk around the cavern, circling every pile of treasure, checking
every nook and cranny in the cavern walls. Nothing. He started on his second
circuit. As he crossed a small area devoid of any piles, the coins beneath
his feet suddenly roiled and Auder's head popped up in front of him. "BOO!
I scared you , didn't I? I win, I win. Let's play again!!" Kirian rolled
his eyes and dropped his hand from the hilt of his long sword. Taking a deep
breath, he closed his eyes and began to count once more. As the numbers came
from his mouth, his thoughts raced ahead. Upon reaching one-hundred, he
quietly sat down. "Let's see how long it takes him to figure this out" he
thought to himself with a silent chuckle. Every now and then he picked up a
Gold Crown and threw it across the cave, to simulate his moving about. Games
were always better when you played by your own rules. After a half hour or
so, Auder came wandering over to the seat Kirian had wiggled into the coins.
"Aw, you're no fun. You cheat." He laid down on the floor and began to pout
as only a baby dragon could. Seeing the sad look on the draconian face,
Kirian's face reddened in remorse. "Aw, look, I'm sorry. Um, do you want to
hear a story?" Auder's perked up. "Yes, yes tell me a story" Kirian
wracked his brain. What kind of a story do you tell a baby dragon? "Um,
have you ever heard of Neverwinter? Well, this is the story of how some
friends of mine, at the behest of Lord Nasher, ventured into the sewers
beneath Neverwinter..." On the story went, of the slimy, smelly sewers, the
evil Clerics, the fights with Fire Giants and Remorhaz, and the final
confrontation with three Beholders. As Kirian finished his tale, Auder said
"it sounds like the stuff mom does." To which Kirian began to reply "Well,
yes, your mother is a creature of good, and..." his words were interrupted by
noises coming from the entrance to the cavern.
Standing and wheeling about, Kirian saw two Cloud Giants entering the
cave. Drawing his long sword, he started sprinting towards them, feet
skittering on the slippery coins beneath, only to draw up short as Auder
yelled "Grok!! Grok!! Grok is here! It's my friend Grok!! Hi Grok, who's
your friend? What did you bring me?" Grok looked at Kirian and the drawn
long sword, and a snarl crossed his face, some 20 feet above the cavern
floor. Quickly sheathing his weapon, Kirian explained who he was and how he
was here at the request of Auriclandrethenes. Upon hearing that name, Grok
visibly relaxed. "Well met, Kirian of the forest. I am Grok of the Giants
and this is my brother Darmog. We, too, are friends of Auriclandrethenes and
Audermasthirenes. We often come here to seek her wise counsel on matters
Giantish, and to guard her lair in times of her absence. I see she is not
here. Called away on Dragon matters, aye?" Reaching into the huge sack
slung across his back, he pulled forth a smaller sack, one merely the size of
a stuffed backpack. "Here, Auder, this is for you." Auder pranced forward,
taking the clinking sack and scampering to the back of the cave. "Coins and
gems, from a pack of gnolls" explained Grok. "Whenever you come to visit, be
sure to bring a gift for Auder." From the back of the cave came Auder's voice
once more "Yes, bring me lots of presents!" "Well behaved for a dragonling,
that one is" remarked Darmog. "Yes, her mother is raising her well" replied
Grok "Speaking of which, when will Auriclandrethenes return?" Kirian
replied that it surely would be before nightfall. "Then we have some time to
play with Auder!" he exclaimed. Kirian shuddered. Cloud Giants and Gold
Dragons playing together? Thinking it perhaps time to leave, Grok seemed to
read his mind and said "Auriclandrethenes will be very disappointed if you
are not here when she returns." Kirian got the hint and wisely decided to
stay. In reflection, he had accepted the responsibility, and as such was
honor-bound to remain.
Going to a far corner of the cave, Grok returned moments later with a
boulder not much smaller than his own immense head. "A game of catch to pass
the time," he spoke, "though a dangerous game for a human to play!" As
Darmog moved across the cave, Auder came scampering up. "I want to play! I
want to play!" Grok grinned, and threw the boulder well over Auder's head.
Across the great cavern flew the boulder, to be deftly caught by Darmog.
Moments behind was Auder, who quickly reversed course as the rock sailed back
towards Grok. From personal experience Kirian knew how well Giants hurled
boulders, but he had never imagined that they were equally adept at catching
them as well. For some minutes the game continued; the boulder flying back
and forth and Auder tirelessly following it. The carefully crafted landscape
of Gold Crowns was beginning to look a little ragged; thankfully much of the
damage had occurred to the Trackless Sea. As for the Moonshea Isles, well,
they were still there, but a little flatter than they had been. "I want to
throw it to!" came from Auder. Then, before Kirian's amazed eyes, Auder
began to change. Wings and tail drew back into a body that grew taller and
taller; every passing second coming more and more to resemble a Cloud Giant!
The transformation complete, he strode towards Grok, who, with a strange
smile, handle the boulder over to the giant Auder. "Grip it so" he said,
positioning Auder's fingers on the boulder. Look where you want it go,
imagine its path through the air. Bring your arm back like this, then
forward. Practice will teach you when to release it." Auder took a deep
breath. "Now I can be just like a Giant." With that he threw the boulder.
Through the air it flew!! Darmog, standing ready to catch, watched
helplessly as the boulder flew wide. Striking the cavern wall in a shower of
sparks, the errant missile struck the small pile of gems representing
Neverwinter, scattering it far and wide. Bouncing of that, it continued
onward to land smack in the center of Waterdeep, also destroying that city.
"I hope this is not a prophecy..." Kirian thought to himself as he watched
Auder. "OOPS!" said the Dragonling/Giant moving towards the boulder "I need
some more practice." "Maybe it's time to try something else..." began Kirian
as Auder picked up the boulder and threw it again.
This throw was much better than the first. While not exactly on target,
it was near enough to Darmog that he could catch it. He would have, if he
didn't trip over a mountain range, flattening it out entirely, as surely as
the eons would. In his clinking crash landing, all of the Dalelands and Myth
Drannor were erased. "This is not a good day for Faerun" said Kirian, a
smile threatening to break out on his face. Going over to the boulder,
Kirian sat on top of it. "Time to stop; we've already made a big enough
mess. Auriclandrethenes will not be pleased." The three giants looked
around at the ruins of the Realms. "Human, I think you have more wisdom than
your race is given credit for" said Grog. In vain he kicked at the coins,
trying to restore some semblance of order. When Kirian looked back up, Auder
was once again a baby Dragon. "I hope mom doesn't get to mad..."
WHOOSH-CRACK!!! A thunderous sound split the air and a blast of wind
nearly knocked Kirian from his feet. Catching his balance, he looked up to
see that Auriclandrethenes had returned. Silently she stood, eyes surveying
the wreckage of her lair. "I see someone's been having fun today" she at
last spoke. Grok and Darmog stood there, heads hung in shame. Auder ran
over to his mother. "I'm sorry mom, but we were having so much fun." At his
mother's gaze, he too looked to the floor. Kirian stepped forward, and
meeting the gaze of the magnificent Gold Dragon, said "Auriclandrethenes, the
fault is wholly mine. It was because of my shortcomings that this was
allowed to happen. Any punishment should be directed at me."
Auriclandrethenes stared at Kirian for what seemed to be hours. "Worry not,
good Kirian. 'Tis an easy thing to repair. My child is safe; that is what is
of true importance. You have also seen to the needs of my guests. You are
indeed the human of honor that I thought you to be. Now your service is
over; you have my thanks; and, as a reward, you may choose any one item from
my hoard." Kirian looked around at the vast piles of treasure. "This tale
to someday tell my own children is reward enough" he said with a
smile.....Lorse Luck - Still a Phenomenon
(submitted by: WG Wage)
Wage had to describe his cousin, but it was so hard. Lorse was such a
perculiar character. But they deserved to know as much as possible. They'd
be dealing with Lorse for a while... What was the best way to describe
Lorse? How about... that story. Wage could remember Lorse describing his
story of how he got the Pointed Wisdom Stone a few months back. That's how
Wage'd describe Lorse to his fellow Winterguard members! The story!
"Okay, I've decided the best way to tell you about Lorse is to tell you one
of his more remarkable storys of chance, fate, and blatant stupid luck."
So Wage told Lorse's story to everyone:
---------------
One day, Lorse was in Berun looking for a good place to buy high-quality
turnips. The first thing about Lorse, he loves turnips, don't ask why,
nobody really knows. Anyway, he's in Berun and so far his quest for good
turnips has been unsuccessful, being that Berun is quite a vacant place.
So Lorse tries one door to this old shack. This turned out to be a mistake
becuase there just happened to be thrity trolls in there, all of them quite
hungry for fresh meat. Now, he can handle a few trolls, but thirty was a bit
overwhelming for him, so he decided to run like there entire troop of CLAMs
were on his tail.
The trolls, being after all, quite hungry, gave poor Lorse quite a chase.
Now, if you've ever seen Lorse, you know that he's a short chubby guy, so you
might wonder how he managed to out run a troop of thirty trolls. The answer
is: I have no idea. If you've ever seen him run from anything you'd be
surprised, he's a fast little cleric.
Anyway, eventually Lorse comes to a really big pit. I mean a REALLY big pit!
I mean big enough to have the area of about five-thousand umber hulks. I
mean so big it make the size of Nasher's Palace look like a lego-structure.
I mean so big it make the ego of an ITB look like it's humble (If that's
possible). Let's just say it's freaking huge.
So Lorse is at a difficult situation here. He has a choice. Fight the
thirthy, savage, hungry, reeking trolls. Or put his faith into diving into
the pit. He probably would have gotten to make that choice if fate hadn't
made it for him.
You see, the first troll, probably the leader, stepped up to him real close.
Lorse, being on the verge of loosing his bladder control out of fear, panics,
and trips over that troll's foot. The impact of Lorse's short, but heavy,
body loosened the end of the pit and before you could say,"Gravity is a
wuss." a small hunk of land, Lorse and the head troll all toppled down into
the pit.
Well, this put Lorse in quite a fix. You'd feel distressed too were you
falling into a pit with a troll that's shreiking it's head off. Anyway,
Lorse, gets an idea as he sees this glowing pointy rock on the chunk of land
he's falling with. So he grabs the rock, and he jabs it into the troll and
slices a hole in it's belly. After that he tears eathir side of the troll's
stomach apart, snapping the rib-cage. Then he grabs the trolls feet, and
holds the legs in one hand, then he takes both arms in the other hand, and
leaps!
Instant, troll-parachute.
Now, this wasn't the most enjoyable way of parachuting, but it worked. It
was quite ugly, since many of the troll's organs fell out of the stomach area
and bopped Lorse on the head as he slowly floated down. But just the same,
eventually he made it safely, entirely unscathed, to the bottom of the pit.
But now he had to find a way back up...
All the walls were far too steep for Lorse to climb, and he wasn't anything
like the wall-scaling type anyway. So he had to find another way. He spent
about an hour or so ponderng this dilemma. Then he happened to notice two
large stalagmites that he was lucky enough not to fall on. Holding the
magical pointy glowing stone in his hand, another idea came to mind.
His mentor, who had since passed away and the only other Cleric of Tymora
Lorse had ever come upon aside from himself, had tought him in one of the
sessions involving monster anatomy, that a troll's hide was extremely similar
to rubber.
So, he took one end of the dead troll, and tied it to one stalalgmite, then
stretched the other end to the other stalagmite and tied it to that one. It
took him a while to tie both ends tightly, but he got it done eventually.
Now that he had finished the knots and he dug a small slope beside the
stretched out troll, he laid his back onto the troll, pushed himself
backwards digging his heels into the ground as far as he could. And when
he'd reached the furthest point possible. He let go!
BOING!
Through the air Lorse soared! Unfortunately there was one thing he'd
forgotten about until it was too late. The other trolls. All twenty-nine of
them were up there waiting.
However, as luck should have it. Lorse's aim was off in the first place and
he flew over all the trolls heads and landed through the roof of a hut, and
onto a table that collapsed as soon as he crashed onto it. But at least it'd
broken his fall.
Now, Lorse could hear the trolls rushing to the scene of his crash. So he
had to think fast. He looked to see if he could barracade the door, the
table was broken but there was what appeared to be a sturdy chair in the
room. So Lorse grabbed the chair and placed it against the door.
CRASH!
A troll burst through the door, sending the chair flying across the room and
shoving Lorse into the wall, with the door hiding him from sight.
The troll grunted, glanced around, nobody in sight. It called back to the
other trolls, left and they continued their search elsewhere.
I know what you may be thinking. "I thought trolls had a keen sense of
smell. How come it didn't pick up his scent?" Nobody knows the answer.
Maybe this particular troll happened to have a stuffy nose at the time, but
in anycase the trolls had eventually left and Lorse managed to get the hell
out of that place. But not before he took out his notepad and scribed:
"No good turnips in Berun."
---------------
So that's the luck of my cousin Lorse, he has to be the luckiest guy I've
ever known, but then again he's a cleric to Tymora, and you don't see much of
those. But should you come upon Lorse at any time, any where, be cautious,
becuase you never can tell what will happen with a kook like him nearby.
-----Wageras Boltrane,
Winterguard AGMThe Price of Dreams
(submitted by: Owl Hunter)
The storm was picking up. Owl Hunter urged his chestnut mare, Tela through
the driving snow and bitter wind, but she needed no urging. She well knew
the way through Fogwood...to home. Strange Owl Hunter thought as he came
upon the clearing where his cottage stood. No lights. And at 5:00 PM on a
winter's night? Alissya should be....
Owl quickly dismounted and entered as Tela ambled towards the stable. The
house was a shambles, the large oaken dinner table overturned, chairs
splintered. Owl drew his sword and listened, forcing his mind to focus in
spite of the blood throbbing through his veins. NOTHING!
He moved outside and looked, again straining his senses. The barest traces
of hoofprints clear even in the falling snow. He quickly returned inside and
gathered a few provisions, pausing a few moments to broadcast a plea for help
hoping that someone might receive the message. Outside the moon shone enough
to illuminate the tracks and Owl Hunter moved off as fast as he was able but
even in the blackest night he could have followed these for they glowed with
an eerie blue light.
It was bad, the weather was severe, but worse yet, the tracks headed for the
deepest part of Fogwood. With mounting dread, he pushed on into the teeth of
the wind. After the greater part of an hour, he came to a clearing, still
smoldering, with the charred carcass of a black dragon lying dead in its
center. It's wings burned bare of flesh so only the bones, like masts raised
up above the beast. The creature's stink fouled the cold night air. Owl
Hunter dismounted to examine the scene. The fireball melted most of the snow
and this time footprints could clearly be seen. There were only two
people...one of them Alissya.
Owl pulled himself into the saddle and turned to go just as a cowled figure
appeared from out of the shadows. Owl Hunter started but he would recognize
that horse and rider anywhere - Sarilien, riding through the blizzard!
"You received my esp," said Owl feeling bolstered by his friend's presence.
"Aye, " laughed Sari, "but a miserable night to be calling my friend..." he
replied. "Well what do we have here?" he asked.
"Someone has taken Alissya," replied Owl Hunter quickly recounting the story,
unable to keep the worry from his voice.
"Never fear, we will find her and she will be safe, you will see, " said
Sarilien gently. He turned his head. "And there she is!" he laughed,
galloping past Hunter.
Owl looked his heart pounding. There he saw not Alissya but a hideous Dream
Weaver, its tentacles reaching out towards horse and rider. Owl Hunter
quickly cast flaming green missiles that crackled past Sarilien and pounded
into the fibrous stalk of the plant thing, killing it before it could emperil
his friend.
Sarilien reared his horse about, a look of fear and rage on his face. "Have
you gone insane?" he screamed, the wind carrying his voice to Hunter.
Owl raised his arms gesturing that he meant no harm. "Be calm, my friend,"
he said, explaining quickly that the denizens of Fogwood were unique to the
realms - The Dream Weaver plant makes its victim believe it is whatever is
their hearts desire. "This magical forest is like no other," said Owl.
"Things are not what they seem, my friend. It is not for nothing that Krator
hid me here after the fall of King Lemnos. Few who know of Fogwood venture
here willingly. Even I who live in these woods find comfort only in the
fringes of the wood."
Suddenly from out of the shadows appeared a gaunt woman...and behind her,
entranced, Alissya. "Xyarrhea," mouthed Owl Hunter in disgust.
"Xyrhina, err, Xylina," said the hag witch of Kaaos, making no attempt to
wear her guise of beauty but letting her external self reflect the corruption
of her soul. "I have your woman she said simply."
"And what do you want of us, Xyrrhea?!" demanded Owl Hunter.
"Xyarrhea...I mean, Xyalina...Xylina, you fool!" She paused regaining her
composure. "Only you can get me through this accursed forest. And you will
do it if you wish me to remove my spell from your woman," she hissed.
"Xylina..."
"Xyrhina, you foo... Shut up and listen!" she screamed above the howling
wind. "A fortnight ago, a horde of ITB scum attacked a troop of Nasher's
guards and stole the The Kohlinar, a stone of unmatched evil power. When
they were pursued by a division of Nasher's cleric-mages, the bafoons tried
to escape through these woods.
"Several were killed by Nasher's men. Of the nine who escaped and entered
the wood, only one survived...just barely. I found him and under my tender
ministrations," she laughed, "he died...but not before telling me that the
leader of his group was carrying the eye when he was killed by a fire
breathing hydra. The coward fled without even trying to recover the stone.
But still while enjoying a bath in a cauldron of boiling water, he was
pleased to tell me of its location. His memory was actually quite good," she
smiled. "And you will escort me there!"
"The heart of these woods are friends to no one. There is nothing for you
but death there!" replied Owl Hunter. You have never seen such creatures as
inhabit this place, hag. And you cannot hide for these enchanted creatures
see right through spells of invisibility. I know you believe yourself
powerful, and no doubt you are, but your powers...and mine, will likely not
be enough."
"Liar! You call yourself the Protector of Fogwood. It is well known to all
who that you travel these woods with impunity. You WILL lead me! And
remember well, that you cannot remove my enchantment from this woman. And if
I die whilst she is under my spell...SHE ALSO DIES!!!"
Owl Hunter shook his head but he knew that he could not dissuade the witch.
He turned to Sarilien. "We must part company my friend, for I would not have
you go where I must." Sarilien's grim face broke into a smile. "What? And
have you tell everyone at the Tap that I slunk off into the night? No my
friend, Polar, Mershu, Tanan, how could I face them, or myself, if I were to
leave. Besides it is well known in the guild that you cannot find your way
without me."
Owl grinned. "A kind reply, as I would expect, but een the Lady Alissya
would not have you go in there," he motioned with his chin.
Sarilien, growled, "And if it is as you say? Then how do you expect to rescue
her without me??? Enough of this nonsense! I am coming!!!"
Owl nodded. "So be it," he warned, "but the creatures..."
"Yes, yes," said Sarilien, impatiently, "...are unlike any I have ever
encountered in even the farthest reaches of NeverWinter. So you have told
me, my friend. Then, I hope you will do as good a job teaching me as I have
of teaching you".
Thus the four entered the dark heart of the wood, the trees growing ever
closer together, the under growth becoming rife with thorns and nettles. The
cold air caused Owl Hunter's chest to ache. His only consolation was that in
her enchanted state Alissya seemed impervious to the weather.
A seemingly endless array of nightmarish creatures beset them - Dragon
Harpies, resistant to spells, Bandersnatches, Jub Jub Birds, Crusher Beasts,
stronger than any ten storm giants, Giant Phase Spiders with acid venom.
But Xylina was a powerful and skillful witch and more than once Owl Hunter
was glad for her power and skill. Once a magic-user cyclops feebed Xylina
and grazed her with his magical club. To his horror Owl Hunter saw Alissya
groan with pain. Xylina lay dazed and stupid, mumbling about her horrible
childhood, poor complexion, and a silver box. Owl Hunter reflected on the
irony of his casting his healing spells on her. To his relief, when the
witch recovered so did Alyssia.
"We are near," Xylina said at last, looking at a Z-shaped crevasse in a high
rock wall. Xylina shrieked with laughter. You two have done your job well.
I no longer have need of you. The stone will get me home!!! In a flash of
acrid smoke and blaze of light Owl Hunter and Sarilien found that they could
no longer move."
"But I will honor my bargain," she laughed. "I will release the woman. Pity
she is not trained in the ways of combat or magic, is it not?" she smiled
hideously. Her scraggly teeth showing behind her chapped lips. Alissya
rushed to his side, shivering with cold now that the spell was removed.
Owl Hunter gazed beyond the witch. There near the wall he saw his own warm
hearth and Alissya beckoning to him, her dark smiling eyes inviting....
Thinking quickly he spoke: "That silver casket will do you no good," he
shouted.
"What??? How did you know of the casket??? You bastard! You have found it!
Tell me where it is or I swear she..."
"Don't hurt her," said Owl Hunter. It is behind you, witch."
Xylina turned and beheld that which she most desired. A large silver casket
containing a thousand years of NeverWinter's evil. She did not even notice
as the Dream Weaver took her into its deadly embrace.
As she writhed in the plants grasp, the her power waned and the hold
dispelled. Owl wrapped Alissya in his warm cloak and the three made their
difficult journey back to the safely of the Hunter's home, without looking
back. There was nowhere in the realm safer for the Kohlinar than the deeps
of Fogwood. The journey home was mostly uneventful, safer momentarily, since
with Xylina's help, they had cleared that portion of the woods of creatures.
Fini.
Owl Hunter
Order of the Golden Staff
Master of the Games
Protector of Fogwood
Based on "Killer Planet" by R.H. Holmes.The Contest
(submitted by: ABK Truth)
The Beholder's 10 eyes looked down upon his beaten body. Truth swung wildly
but to no avail. The beholders cold, insulting oral cavity froze in imitation
of a mock human grin. It made the young ABK's blood curdle. He swung again,
but with no better luck then the time before.
How had he gotten into this mess? He thought back to the talk he had had with
Lord Nasher over a few dozen mugs of ale. The old fool had spoke of a
glorious quest, and triumphant return holding a sword of great power. All the
young man had found was certain death at the hands of one of the most
despicable and feared creatures in the realms of Neverwinter, not far from
the Capital city of Waterdeep.
He would not die this way! He thought to himself. He would live long enough
to spit in Nasher's face! But first he would have to find a way out of here.
The beholder and he had begun the fight facing each other. Sword in hand,
Truth had dealt devastating after devastating blow to the beholder. It was
then the archmage had stepped out of the shadows and frozen him is his tracks
before Truth could do the same unto it. He had dropped his sword. Alas
though, the cowardly mage ran as soon as the young soldier was incapacitated.
The Beholder sat there and devoured what was left of one of it's previous
victim. Truth decided, for the sake of his stomach he would not wonder about
the green puss coming out of the socket where the old man's eye had once
been. Or the fact the corpse lacked any skin what so ever.
The Beholder finished its appetizer and decided that it was time for the main
course if his meal. A claw swung out and Truth watched as his paralyzed body
was shredded. As the darkness closer in, Truth noticed an almost
imperceptible glow from the finger where the ring Nasher had given him was
placed. The ring shattered and his vision returned. Perhaps he would not kill
the old timer after all.
He leapt to his feet. The beholder caught off guard was smashed against the
wall of the small hut by the force of the man's bare hands. But it did little
damage to it. Without a weapon it would take a lot more than that to dispatch
this monster. "Fireball!" The magic coursed through Truth's body and into the
Beholder. It did no damage. He thought back to the Old man's warning. "Magic
is of no use against them, beware."
The Beholder regained composure and sent a death gaze toword Truth. He barrel
rolled and was able to aviod the glance by less than an inch. It attacked.
The knight fell to the ground. The many eyed beast made a jump into the air
for what would be a bone crushing body slam. Truth barrel rolled again, But
not before sending the dagger from his belt deep into the monster's
underbelly. It was impaled by the weight of his own body. It was over at
last. He thought, grinning maddened grin. Looking back up the trail, Truth
noticed SOMETHING he had shut out before; 20 beholders. No rephrase that,
twenty ANGRY beholders.
It would be a long night........
Respectfully Submitted,
ABK TRUTHTawny's Adventure
(submitted by: AKH ATHENA)
Tawny Katz awoke from her slumber just as night was falling upon the realms.
This was her favorite time of day, as this was when the monsters created the
most havoc upon the small towns that comprised NeverWinter. She got out of
bed and splashed some cold water upon her face before starting her evening
repast. She sat at her small planken table and feasted upon some lizard meat
which was freshly killed and a mug of ale, occasionally she would feed a
piece to one of her many cats that wound their way around her legs as she sat
eating and planning her evening. After a time, she arose from her seat and
cleaned up the small mess she had made. When done with that she checked her
grimoire to make certain that all her spells were handy, grabbed her trident
and cloak and made her way out the door. She had heard that there was a lair
of Dracs and Skeletons in Windycliffs so she headed North out of Neverwinter
and made her way through the Warehouse District. In the distance she could
hear the sounds of battle, but she had a mission tonight and did not want to
be distracted by Kobalds, she would leave them to fight with others who were
not so skilled in battle so they could learn and eventually they too would be
able to slay Dracs.
On her way she ran into many battle weary adventurers who told her about
their conquests. Her blood thrilled at the many stories she was told about,
and she was able to share a few of her own. Eventually she came upon the
local inn and she stepped inside. She went to the bar to order an ale and
overheard others talking about how ferocious the Dracs she was heading
towards were. She wondered if she was strong enough to fight all of them
alone. She checked her grimoire one more time, she knew she was getting close
and didn't want to get caught out there alone if her spells were not ready.
She finished off her ale, tossed the bartender 2 platinum pieces and made her
way out of the inn.
She headed North again, slowly making her way through the trail leading up to
the Drac's lair where she had been told they could be found. Just as she
thought she would never find it, she stumbled upon some other adventurers who
were making camp waiting for the Dracs to pass through...A few were there
that Tawny recognized and was glad for their company, for she knew with their
help they would all be victorious this evening.
A few minutes later a mighty roar cut through the night and all around the
campfire knew the battle was about to begin. Tawny leaped to the challenge,
she pulled out her grimoire and cast an awesome Fireball, down went the harpy
with some good damage to 3 of the Dracs, the fourth deciding to flee South
behind the wall. Akh Zzeus stepped in and proceeded to toss another Fireball
their way, another Drac fled South. Jared Syn then tossed a lightning bolt in
their direction as one was hiding behind the other......another adventurer
that Tawny did not recognize cast a Magic Missile upon the head Drac, it had
just enough power to kill the first drac dead.
The party did not have time to celebrate as the Dracs were heading towards
them, SteveH99 was instantly paralyzed by the Dracs gaze, and the party was
actually relieved, it had been rumored that he was a thief, and nobody wanted
to turn their backs on him, now they could concentrate on the mission at
hand. DanKyser cast another Fireball at the Drac and he went down in a ball
of flames. It was wondrous to behold. Akh Athena then spied the other two
Dracs hiding behind each other and went after them, as she cast a Lightning
bolt at them, one Drac was able to breath fire at her, but the damage was
not too severe as she had protected herself from it. Tawny followed Athena
and cast her last Fireball, alas, one Drac was able to dodge it and the other
only took a small amount of damage, Akh ZZeus came to the rescue with another
Fireball, which took down another Drac, which left one, they were close to
victory but it was not over yet, the Skeletons were beginning to move in and
Jared Syn was able to destroy them all with a single spell.
At this point another fighter came rushing in and with a primal scream
slashed at the Drac three times!!! Needless to say the Drac could not
withstand the battering he was recieving and he too died! When all were dead
we looked at the last person to come into the battle and realized who it was.
There before us stood the God of Onions himself, Akh 0ni0n!! We were amazed,
it was rumored he had quit adventuring for the quietness of his garden.
When asked why he was here he replied "I heard of your bravery and felt that
I could not sit idly by and let others protect the Realms just so I can tend
to my patch, I had to help."
Next thing we know, Jared Syn is yelling for us to come quickly, thinking
more Evil had snuck up on us whilst we talked, we came running. Turns out he
had found the Dracs secret stash of treasure!! There were Jewels and Gems,
magic weapons and shields, and some very potent rings and potions. We split
up the treasure and decided to go back to the inn to rest and heal, and of
course have a couple mugs of ale by the fire and retell the story of the
awesome victory we had just had to anyone who might listen.Eldin's Loss
(submitted by: ABK Eldin)
Jarod Shadowborne opened the stained glass window facing the courtyard. Cold,
crisp air poured into the room, giving him second thoughts about leaving the
warmth of his chambers. "Perhaps I'll just stay in," he mused. He looked down
towards the gray cobblestones of the courtyard where the Crimson Guard was
training new recruits. Skilled veterans wielded swords made of wicker as they
poked, prodded, and whipped the new members into fighting shape.
"Get your lazy bones down here!" Reality, Captain of the Crimson Guard yelled
playfully. "You know, you're getting more like your father everyday." The
tantalizingly beautiful woman stood, arms akimbo, tapping her foot."
"Yes ma'am," Jarod replied, pretending to be afraid of her. The young man
dragged his training sword from underneath his bed, and donned his padded
armor. Looking into a small mirror, he brushed his long, red hair behind his
ears. Slow and reluctant, he made his way to the courtyard, where Reality
still stood, foot still tapping.
"Shall we begin, your highness?" Reality asked mockingly.
"Yes, lowly peasant," he jested in return. Reality's sword sliced through the
air as it struck him in the side. Despite the padding he wore, it still hurt.
He barely ducked beneath the next swing, bringing his sword up awkwardly to
defend himself.
"Is this the best you can do?" Reality taunted. She poked him in the ribs and
placed her foot behind him as he stumbled backwards.
The young man winced as he fell squarely on his bottom. Feigning defeat, he
swung his sword at Reality's legs. The Captain joined him on the
cobblestones.
"Nice. You're getting better." Reality stood and offered the young man her
hand.
Jarod took it and pulled himself up. "If I'm getting better, why do I still
end up with a sore behind every time we spar?" Jarod rubbed his hands
together, staving off the cold.
"Don't worry about it. You'll be as good as your father some day. Except,
you'll be more handsome." Reality smiled playfully.
"Excuse me," a voice growled. Reality spun around to see a tall, black-haired
man smiling at her.
"Er...I mean....just as handsome as you, Eldin," Reality corrected.
"That's what I thought you said." Eldin put his hand on his son's shoulder.
"Has she been picking on you Jarod?"
Jarod played the little boy. "Yes daddy, she hurt me on purpose."
Reality laughed. "It wasn't that long ago that I gave your father similar
spankings. Don't even think that!" She stammered when she saw Eldin's eyebrow
raise. "I've had enough of you two for one day. If you need me, I will be
taking a bath." The young woman strolled into the front door of the keep,
pretending to ignore father and son. As soon as she cleared the door, she
burst into laughter.....
"What a woman!" Jarod exclaimed, when Reality had finally disappeared.
Eldin messed up his son's hair. "Don't you be getting any ideas about her.
What are you sixteen? She's a little beyond your reach."
Jarod smirked at his father. "But she's within your reach?
Eldin laughed. "I don't think so. She's much more.....tough, than I. I'm
keeping my eye out for a less....spectacular woman."
Jarod straightened his white shirt and black cloak. "Well, while you're
looking, I'll be inside, warm and fed.
Eldin realized his stomach was growling as well. He had missed breakfast due
to a meeting on the security of the keep. Captain Feyr had suggested putting
more fortifications on the western side of the castle. Rumor had it that the
goblin tribes were on the move, searching for food to eat during the rest of
the winter. Food. "I think I'll join you, since I won't be joining you for
dinner. I have a meeting to go to in Neverwinter. Protector business."
"Really?" Jarod looked dismayed. "I was hoping you would help me with that
cantrip I was working on. I keep losing control of the energies."
Eldin put his arm around Jarod's shoulder and began walking toward the keep.
"Don't worry, I'm sure there will be time enough for that when I get back. I
would stay, but Dailorn informed me that the meeting was urgent."
"Very well father another time."
"Of course. If we have nothing, we have time."
Somewhere, deep beneath Neverwinter, another meeting was taking place. A
vault located in the sewers was lit dimly with four sputtering torches. For
the time being, the inhuman stench of rot and human excrement was held at
bay. No rats scurried across the dry, dusty floor of the chamber.
Three heavily garbed men gathered around a small table, a single candle
flickering on the wooden surface. The men were dressed in dark gray, masks of
black silk covering their faces. No jewels or rings adorned them. They needed
no outward signs of wealth to show their power. The swords at their sides
said it all.
"Noctimus is dead," Golish stated plainly. Short and thin, he seemed to be
the weakest of the three.
"Yes," Donothan, a tall slender man with violet eyes, replied. "The Lord
demands something be done about it."
"The members of Bloodkeep slayed him, did they not?" Keldril, a dark man with
piercing brown eyes, asked.
"Yes," Donothan said. "But it was one member in particular that had a direct
hand in his death.
"Eldin," the other two men replied in unison.
Golish stood. "It is time to show Neverwinter what happens to those that
interfere with our plans. We should destroy Bloodkeep.
"No," Keldril said forcefully. "We don't want to precipitate a war with an
army. It is too soon. We should make the one who is responsible for this pay.
We shall punish Eldin."
The other two men nodded their heads in agreement. Keldril was clearly the
one in control of this trio. Neither cared what was done, as long as someone
paid for their loss.
Keldril stood, drawing his long, steel blade from his scabbard. "I will take
care of this matter personally. This man of Bloodkeep won't know what has
happened to his life, once I am finished."
The other two men nodded again. Together, the three dark figures exited the
chamber, leaving the candle and torches to burn themselves out...
Eldin stood outside the Red Mage Inn, rubbing his arms to keep warm. The
night was rather cold, and he was eager to begin the journey to Bloodkeep. He
watched as the stableboy secured the saddle and harness on his horse. The
creature whinnied and stamped. Apparently it was as cold as Eldin was.
The meeting wasn't as urgent as Eldin had expected. Dailorn, Captain of the
Protectors, had received information on Kraken spies. Since the security of
the keep was at issue, specific orders were given to keep an eye out for
increased Kraken activity.
Eldin handed the boy a silver piece, and mounted his steed. The lad gave many
thanks, before disappearing into the warm comfort of the inn. The knight
couldn't really blame him. Spurring his mount, he rode towards Southwall, and
Bloodkeep beyond.
He followed a straight dirt road until he reached the crossroads near
Vilansk. It was here that he had to turn west towards Bloodkeep. The full
moon shone clearly down upon the crossroads, illuminating the wilderness in
its pale light. The night was calm and eerily silent. No animals scurried
about, no birds took flight. It was too cold.
Eldin turned his mount towards his destination, when he spied two figures
standing on the road. Whoever they were, they looked suspicious to him. They
were garbed heavily in gray and wore black masks over their faces. The pair
stood, facing him. He couldn't see their eyes, but he felt their gaze from
behind the masks.
"Let me pass," Eldin called out, hoping they would step aside.
The two men, if that's what they were, made no move. Finally, one of them
spoke. "We will not allow you to pass this road. Turn back."
"I will not turn back," Eldin replied. "You block the path to my home. I will
not be responsible for my actions if you choose not to yield to my request."
"We will be the ones that hold you responsible for your actions," one of the
men said ominously.
Eldin grabbed the reins and spurred his mount into action. Galloping towards
the men, he drew his sword, hoping the men would choose to leave the road
after all. They didn't.
One of the men pulled something from his belt. With a word, the ground opened
up beneath Eldin's horse. The creature attempted to stop, and slid along the
dirt road. Rearing on its hind legs, the horse threw Eldin from his saddle.
The creature ran off into the night.
Eldin landed hard, rolling across the ground. He picked up his sword and
approached the two men. The men stood unmoving as he advanced towards them.
"You will pay dearly for that."
"You already have paid, Eldin," a man said darkly. "Those that knew Noctimus
send their regards. Run home, murderer, run home." With a gesture the two men
vanished.
Eldin puzzled over the thought that the two men knew his name. Then the
meaning of their warning sprung full blown into his mind: Jarod.
"Jarod! Jarod!" Eldin screamed, as he ran down the road towards
Bloodkeep......
Jarod stood in the courtyard of Bloodkeep, swinging his training sword at a
stuffed figure. "I'll get better at this," he said, repeating Reality. "What
good are these, if they don't swing back." With a final swing, he knocked the
head of the dummy, sending it rolling across the courtyard. He followed the
head's progress, until it was stepped on by a black boot.
Jarod brought up his wicker sword in a defensive position. He looked across
the courtyard to see a masked man garbed in gray.
The man bent over and picked up the head stuffed with hay. "Our youth is
getting so violent," he said almost concerned. "Good."
"Who are you?" Jarod asked nervously.
"I am here because of your father," the man stated.
"My father. He should be returning soon." Jarod continued to hold his sword
in front of himself.
"No," the man said, tossing the head up in the air and catching it, "your
father has been delayed by an unforeseen situation. I suppose you'll have to
deal with me."
Jarod considered calling for help. But what would he look like? A frightened
little boy, always looking to the grown-ups for help. He decided to stay and
face this man. "I'm fully capable of helping you. What do you need?"
"Your death," the man said flatly, staring at Jarod rigidly. Slowly, almost
for effect, he pulled his blade from his scabbard and advanced towards the
young man.
Jarod took a step back, making small circles with his sword. The man rushed
forward, swinging viciously. Jarod's wicker sword was knocked from his hands.
He stepped backwards again, and found a leg there. He fell hard, much like he
did earlier in the day. Except that, had been under much friendlier
circumstances.
The man stood over Jarod, his sword pressed over the lad's heart. Distant
yelling could be heard. Sweat glistened on Jarod's brow. Call for help, you
fool! his mind screamed. No, he had to be brave, like his father. Like all
those that made Bloodkeep their home.
Eldin burst into the courtyard, breathing heavily. Within seconds he had
absorbed the situation. The man's gaze turned to him. He thought he could
sense a smile in that gaze. The man brought his sword down.......
"Nooooo!" Eldin screamed. His very soul cried out in terror, pain, and fear.
His body became numb to the world around him. His muscles tensed, his
breathing stopped. For that split second, he had lost his life.
Rage consumed him. With a speed that surprised the man, Eldin was upon him.
Before he could pull his sword free of Jarod's chest, his head was rolling
across the courtyard, like the dummy's had done moments before.
Eldin kneeled by his son, and took him into his arms. His son's blood flowed
over his hands. He held Jarod's head, and rocked him back and forth like a
small child. Deep, wracking sobs shook his frame. "No!" he cried out into the
sky. "Why?" He screamed at the moon, the symbol of his goddess. "Why now? Why
my son?"
People ran out into the courtyard, Reality in the lead. She covered her mouth
with her hands, stifling a cry, when she saw Eldin holding his son.
Eldin looked at the members of Bloodkeep. Anger, pain, and grief registered
in his wet eyes. Eyes that seemed, to all that looked, to glow fiercely in
the light of the moon.
The next day, Eldin buried his son next to his wife. He placed the broken
wicker sword of his son on the fresh grave. No tears fell from his eyes. He
was finished with grief. All that was left was a hole, an emptiness in his
heart. He couldn't feel, he couldn't think. It was a numbness that spread
from his body to his spirit.
Reality approached Eldin silently and slowly. She saw him kneeling before the
grave of his son. "Eldin," she whispered. Seeing no response, she called
again. "Eldin" The knight seemed to be oblivious to her.
Reality kneeled next to him and put her arm around him. "We all need to
grieve, Eldin. He was a brave boy. I know you are proud of him. That's all he
wanted. Your approval. You gave it to him. You made him happy."
Eldin still didn't reply. I single tear rolled down his cheek, falling on the
grave.
Reality tried to soothe his pain. "The loss of a child is the worst loss of
all. But, he'd want you to move on. He'd want you to be happy. You gave him
all he wanted. A home, friends, and love. Love most importantly."
Eldin turned to her, his eyes wet with tears. "Those that did this must pay.
for this. He was just a boy. Why? Why didn't they kill me? I was the target
of their wrath. He was just a boy....." He sank his head into Reality's
shoulder as he began to cry again.
She stroked his long, black hair as he wept. "You have killed the man who did
this. That is all the payback you need. Don't let this consume you Eldin. If
you do, revenge will be all you live for. You must find happiness. Only death
and evil result from vengeance unchecked." Reality looked down at the grave.
"Your son is with the gods and his mother. He is happy. You must believe
this. Happiness must go on after our loved ones are gone." Reality removed a
long wicker sword from her belt, and placed it over Jarod's.
The two friends rose, and walked slowly back to Bloodkeep.The 'Rarry'
(submitted by: ThorValson)
"We need harder quests" I thought, while sitting in Striders Inn one eve.
"Wonder if Lord Nasher has anything new to offer? Guess I could go visit him
and see" Grabbing up my cloak I rushed out and headed for the Palace.
Entering the gates of the Palace I proceeded to the entrance where Lord
Nasher usually entertained me upon my return from the quests he had sent me
on.
"Yes? What is it? You bring me no quest items so what do ye want here?"
Lord Nasher inquired upon my knocking at his door.
"Sire, I have done every quest you have sent me on, in fact, many times
over. Is there nothing new?"
Pulling me into the chamber he beckoned me to follow him. Never having been
beyond this door I looked around in wonder at the many items adorning the
shelves which lined the walls in row upon row. Ushering me into a small room
with nothing but a table and a few chairs, Lord Nasher looked out and then
closed the door behind us.
"I have received some news that has shaken me greatly. This news has just
been delivered and it is a wonder that ye should pick this time to come to
me. What I am about to impart to thee must not go beyond these walls."
Leaning forward the better to hear M'Lord I felt a shiver run up my spine.
I had never seen Lord Nasher in this light and his fear made me quell in my
boots.
"Five people have died bringing the news to me and it is thus....The evil
mages Mythkar and Phlan have somehow created a monster so terrible that, if
released, may destroy all the Realms. Imbued with the evil powers of the most
terrible of past Evil Mages it will soon be brought to life and released. I
have only one Potion that may help you in the Quest I will assign to thee.
This potion has the power to paralyze for months even a creature as deadly as
a Dracolich. However, such is the power of this new Beast that it will only
render it semi-concious for a fortnight. The name of this Beast is 'Rarry'
and the only way to destroy it is to heave it from the highest mountain in
Neverwinter. You must go to Luskan Outpost, retrieve this 'Rarry', use the
potion and get to the mountain in the Woods and throw it from there. If ye
fail we are all doomed. One other thing I can offer as aide to thee....I have
asked the NWs to speed thy path and for this mission alone to lend to thee
whatever items ye may request. See NW Snowie for outfitting then return to
me while I ready the Potion."
Shaking somewhat I proceeded to the rooms of NW Snowie and knocked upon her
door. Another room I had never been allowed entrance to was opened to me for
a short time. NW Snowie handed me a bundle. smiled, and said. "Lord Nasher
has informed me of thy quest and I have taken it upon myself to equip thee as
I see fit. Since speed is of the essence I have lent thee Boots of Speed. The
Girdle of Cloud Giant strength to help thee move the Beast. An Cloak of Elven
Kind to enable thee to sneak quietly past, and the BraceAC2, +3 Ring and +3
Mirror Shield to protect you on your travels...These are only lent to thee
and if thou shoudst fail and die they will automatically be returned to me.
The Frost Brand Sword will give thee ability to do great damage and I offer
this also. Fare thee well and our prayers be with you." I was then ushered
out and sent back to Lord Nasher.
Pausing just a moment to admire myself in the mirrors adorning the passage
to Lord Nashers rooms I couldn't help but feel myself to be the strongest
Paladin or any other class in Neverwinter. Can you blame me?? I think not. ;)
The guards of the Palace led me this time to an alcove wherein Lord Nasher
waited. Handing me the Potion I held it then put it in my Bag of Holding for
safe keeping. Just that few seconds embued me with a sense of the great power
of this potion.
Waving the guards out of earshot Lord Nasher lent close to my ear and
whispered "Spies have already found out that there is a person that will be
sent on this mission. They do not know who but just that there is someone.
Trust no one. Guard thyself well at all times. The 'Rarry' must be destroyed
or all is lost!! May Tyr be with you."
Setting out posthaste I made my way to Luskan with no troubles. Well, almost
no trouble. There was the small matter of a fight at the gates to Windycliffs
but NW Aziza beheaded all those involved and I was soon cleared of that
roadblock.
Entering Luskan Outpost I thought myself to be headed for the lair of the
Evil Mage Mythkar himself, but as I passed a door that I had never before
been able to enter it suddenly glowed and swung open. Holding my sword before
me I crept into the room. A large...something...was looming in the corner of
one of the largest rooms I had ever seen.
A throbbing red orb three times larger than my shield was hanging in the air
far above me. Suddenly it disappeared and then reappeared. It was an EYE and
it had blinked!!!!!!! It had life already!!! Digging frantically into my bag
I cursed myself that I had it packed so deep. How was I to know that I would
need to have it at hand so soon? The B.O.S. allowed me to run around to the
side of the 'Rarry' and throw the contents of the Potion at its great bulk.
Blinded by the power unleashed I stumbled back into the opposite corner where
I would surely have been crushed but for the protection of the items received
from NW Snowie. Vision slowly returned and I saw the 'Rarry' motionless now.
"Now what do I do?" I muttered. "Just how am I supposed to move a creature
so large as this?? It's impossible!!!"
"It can be done, with help from us." came a voice somewhere off to the right
of me. Whirling, I stammered, my throat near constricted with fear. "Who's
there?? Speak!! Identify yourselves or die!!!"
"'Tis NW 's Ulfius and Exeter and we can help you levitate that bulk so it
may be moved." Thus they waggled their fingers and chanted and the 'Rarry'
slowly lifted into the air a bit. "It can be towed in this fashion though the
fit may be tight through many passages ye will encounter. A spell of passage
is also cast so even though it appears it can't get through, it can." With
that the air shimmered and they too winked out of sight.
Figuring the time spent so far I realized that three days had passed
already and I had had but just a few moments of sleep. I must rest for just a
short time and then hurry on my mission. Towing the 'Rarry" behind me I
headed out of the room (it passed thru the door easily much to my
astonishment) and headed toward Port LLast where I hoped to catch a few hours
of rest.
Having done so I headed further South before I could turn East and head for
the woods. NW Aziza had to behead some more gate partyers at FloodBlest and
then I was thru and headed around the town in NightsEdge. Four more days had
passed, half the time alloted to me, and then I was in the NW Woods. Lack of
sleep had taken its deathly toll upon me and where I had once traveled with
ease I soon found myself hopelessly turned around. No idea where I was at, I
a seasoned traveler looking at a forest where every tree looked the same and
the next one. The 'Rarry', up to this time had given no indications of
movement but it seemed that now and then the mass of it shifted slightly.
Had Lord Nasher misjudged the power of the Potion?? Had he overestimated it's
power or underestimated the power of the 'Rarry'?? Did I still have a week
left?? Could I ever find my way again?? Slumped to the ground, holding my
head in my hands, I felt the presence of someone near..several someones......
Suddenly..out of the trees I was beset by members of the ITB's and KAAOS
clans. Leaving the 'Rarry" where it was for the moment I sped to the edge of
the area. Silently they snuck up to where I had been and not seeing me they
gathered together. Just as they did, the 'Rarry" (which I had thought I had
seen move before) gave a mighty lurch. Witnessing the 'Rarry' for the first
time they fled in all directions clearing the area in seconds. Moving back I
kept a close eye on the Beast fearing myself that it was soon to awake to
full movement. But it was quiescent again for the time being.
Four more days I wandered in the woods. First this way then that way and
back where I started. Just as I knew all was lost I felt another
presence..one I was very familiar with..but never expected to feel in this
place at this time. As if she knew I knew she was with me her soft sweet
voice bade me calm myself.
"Aye, my love, tis me....LDYMarybel. I felt thee in pain and confusion and
have cast for thee for hours now..rest a moment...here place thy head in my
lap" Doing so I felt the tender ministrations that she gave as she rubbed my
temples. "Calm, calm fret thee not. Peace be upon thee m'lord..rest ...rest
and recover..I give of myself to thee."
A glow permeated the air around us and I felt strength and clearheadedness
come upon me. As it did so and I began to sense a weakness in LDYMarybel.
M"Luv?? Are thee ailing??" I managed to whisper.
"Nay m'lord, tis just a spell I learned from my mother that enables me to
pass some of myself to another. 'Tis what thee needed most of all and I was
only too happy to be able to do so. A little rest and there is no harm done
for me. I would give all if it would help thee dear one. I would also gladly
accompany thee to wherever ye must go but this is all I can do for now".
Parting with great regrets I gathered up the 'Rarry' and headed for the
mountain, sure of where I was and where I was going once again. I now had but
three days left!!!!
Finally, standing at the base of the great mountain, I looked up and started
climbing. Was the going getting tougher?? The 'Rarry' seemed much harder to
move that it had been. Oh Tyr help me the levitation spell was wearing off!!.
Moving up two steps I fell back one. What should have been a climb of but a
single day now seemed like years. The 'Rarry' was moving more and more
frequently and at times the miasma of its foul being enundated my flesh. I
felt those baleful eyes more that once though just mere slits they were. "Tyr
give me strength" I gasped out. Struggle on and on. I must reach the summit
was my only thought now. Not far now but can I make it???
A voice from the ether "Only minutes remaining .... Ye must push it over the
precipice anon or all is lost!!!" Lord Nasher's urging ringing in myne ears I
reached the top. Manuvering the 'Rarry' to the edge it caught on the spur of
rock sticking up at this point and I could push it no further. Collapsing to
the ground I wept with tears of rage and frustration. Just a fraction to go
and I can push no more. I have failed ...
NO! I cannot fail now, after all this struggle. I refuse! I will not fail!!.
Gathering my final dregs of will and strength I pulled out the Frost Brand
Sword..This long blade can act as a lever!!!!! With the 'Rarry' showing more
signs of life and those baleful eyes widening more each second I placed the
tip under the now thrashing Beast and a stone near the midpoint. Heaving with
all my might I slowly bore down on the pommel of this famous sword. Slowly I
could feel the 'Rarry' being lifted over the spur of rock..more force and
more force I expended in my efforts. Suddenly the resistance was gone and the
fearful threat to all of NW toppled over the edge and I "heard" with every
fibre of my being the hate it threw out just before it hit the bottom and
dashed outby but its vile essence.
Near dead with exhaustion I made my way back to NW and Lord Nasher.
Stopping by the offices of NW Snowie I, with great reluctance, handed back
those items I so sorely desired. She took them with great solemnity and gave
me a look that somehow I can't describe but that filled me with a feeling of
her appreciation..
Standing, barely able to, in front of Lord Nasher with his gaze upon me I
bowed as deeply as I could..."Tis done Sire. The threat is gone. No more will
I ask for quests other than those ye have already decided for us.
FornowI..slurring my words. sorry Sire...For now I am going to find
LDYMarybelandsleepfor...sorry sire...and sleep for a week. I used the
Potionbutthebottle...sorry Sire...but the bottle disintegrated. I would like
to claim my reward for this quest if I may???
"Aye, thy reward. Nothing would be too much for such a deed though the
knowing of it can only be known by but a few I regret. Name your reward."
"PearlsSireIwouldlikepearls...sorry Sire..I would like Pearls."
'PEARLS!!! I cannot GIVE PEARLS!! Name something else.."
"NaySirePearlsornothing...sorry Sire...Pearls or
nothing...afterallSire...sorry Sire..after all Sire.... tisalongway....sorry
Sire .... tis a long way to Tipa'Rarry'Brother Lost
(submitted by: Tieglin)
It was well past midday when the knight reached the TP Keep. He had left his
steed grazing happily in the eastern pastures, and was not worried that the
asperii could take care of itself.
The bailey was surprisingly empty, and the two well-weathered guards simply
nodded to Tieglin when he stepped past them into the silent entrance hall.
Puzzled, he strolled towards the main hall, but paused as he passed the
chapel. A sad, solemn hymn floated through the cracks in the door, and
spilled into the hallway when the door was pulled open.
Inside, the chapel was draped in blackcloth, the candlewicks trimmed to cast
a dim but cheerless glow on the room. The clerics, moving about in some
solemn ritual, gave voice to the mournful mood, while the late afternoon
light slanting through the windows brought no warmth to the scene. Near the
altar was a painting, draped in black ribbon...in the portrait, dressed in
the plate-and-mail of a Protectorate knight, was the ever-smiling,
ever-gallant Havok.
Tieglin fumbled into a bench and sat down, hard. He thought back to the
days, years gone now, when he and Havok had shared the same road, fighting
and laughing, always trading jibes and cracking jokes. The dust from
Longsaddle, Triboar, and the Hills had caked their boots more than a few
times. He'd been happy when Havok had joined the Protectorate family, but
then they traveled together less and less. First one, and then the other,
had traveled to distant lands, out of touch. Recently they'd both been
around more, but usually only to pass in the hallways, each intent on some
errand, often parting with "See ya later!"
Now he was gone, to spend his days in Tyr's sacred halls with the rest of the
fallen faithful. Tieg smiled for a moment, thinking of the trouble Havok
would likely cause, but the movement just caused the tears in his eyes to
roll into his beard.
After many minutes of thoughtful reverie, he stood quietly and left the
chapel. There was still much to do, and his brother would likely chide him
from beyond if he moped too severely. He could almost hear Havok's voice
telling him to loosen up....
********
By the light of the new moon, Tieglin hung a shield on the handle of the
Paladin Lord's crypt. As the chill of the Deepwinter wind picked up, he read
the message inscribed on it once more...
"Down but not out, lost but not forgotten.A Blast from the Past
(submitted by: MrBill888)
Last eve I was invited to join a group in the arena
I thought, tis grand to do this though I could have been keener
My team mate was Storm, looking grand decked out in gold
But the way that I fought found us both soon quite cold
For the first match we fought was both short and renown
For the saves that we failed and how we both hit the ground
The second matched pitted us both once again
Against Daynson and Tanan, we thought we would win
But as ill luck would have it, and a thieves sorry backstab
I found myself once again dead on a slab
The morale my friends is I'm rusty you see
And it might be sometime afore I claim victory
So I'll fight back as best I can with words that will sear
Not just your body but each one that can hear
I'll taunt and I'll write til they all drop from rhymes
As I smile ear to ear and remember old times...
Mr. Bill888
Macabre Stalker
(submitted by: RayDogg 79)
I cursed under my breath as a rung of the ladder I slithered up broke away.
"Wonderful..."
Thwip...An arrow hissed by my ear as I struggled up into the corbel of
the crumbling fortress. How I happened upon this ruin in the middle of
nowhere I'll never know. I scrambled into the safety of the corbel, threw
down the trapdoor and bolted it....my pursuers were not the type to chase me
further....They would wait like the calculating predators they were. I knew
that from just the short time I had been acquainted with them. Twas not my
intention to be their prey much longer however.
I scrunched my tiny gnomish body down in a corner of the dark loft and
thought. How in the world had this happened... I had been hired by a vizier
of Nasher to find the cause of a pestilence running rampant in the land of
Floodblest. There was more than a slight possibility dark magery had
something to do with it. Naturally, I had agreed.
It had been a fog choked night, as I departed the wharves outside the
city and entered the area which I was to perform my task. Somewhere along
the line, I deviated onto a road less traveled. I didn't realize it until
the next morn, however. A chill went up my spine as I thought what a fatal
mistake that may have been. But before I could retrace my path back to the
main road to Floodblest, three humans cloaked in deep blue vestments and
bearing ebony staffs melted from the trees in front of me.
"State your business in our realm, gnomething.", said the larger of the
three.
I disregarded the insult and spoke in my calmest tongue.... "I travel to
the village of Floodblest in service of my lord, Nasher."
The speaker spit upon the ground in distaste. I noticed the ground
where his spittle came to rest sizzle and a patch of lush grass wither and
die. "Those who cow tow to that imbecile are not welcome in these woods,
gnomething. I suggest you leave...now."
"Stranger....I don't believe it wise to speak so of his lordship...You
may regret such ideas." I gently fingered the hilt of my scimitar and sized
up the humans. The two behind the larger were obviously acolytes or
apprentices of somesort. For humans, they were young. The first stared at me
in anxiety, fearing an encounter. I could smell the fear on him. The other,
like a child, fidgeted and toyed with his flowing garments. The third
however....my gut twisted in fear for a brief moment. Even for a human the
cloaked being was large, and he had that black fire in his eye that chilled a
good creature's heart through and through with its evil. I feared his two
associated not...he however, had death in his heart.
'Twas his next words which froze me though. "A minion of his grace,
Ultrecht, Wizard Prince does not shrink away from Nasher obedient gnomes."
Fire raged through my veins... Ultrecht? Impossible...The man who I was
hired to kill so long ago...The man who I left my home of Brassdoor in order
to dispatch of. The man who had attempted to assassinate Nasher years ago.
The man who I had sought after every year since he escaped my vindictive
clutches. "Ultrecht!"
The sky burst open and day turned to night as I spoke his name. Then
all was normal again. I started as a pack of displacer beasts burst through
the fringe of the wood and halted, in actuality, at the heels of the humans.
They looked close enough to touch though. I leapt backwards. What were
these monstrosities doing here! Suddenly, the most hulking of the six
legged monsters was entwined with a vine of purple energy. Then, in his
place stood the crooked, bent old man, who I had spent my days in search of.
His grackel like voice screeched in my brain...."We meet again, small
one." It was then that the pack set upon me, including the three men who I
had first encountered as their forms melted into the cat like mold of the
beasts and their garments warbled and wavered into the creatures' coats.
"Fetch, my children. A snack for he who slays the freakish thing before ye."
The muscles in my legs had exploded before the second word left the
wizards purple lips, and I flashed by greenery at a speed uncanny for so
short legged a creature as I. I was no fool. Alone in the Floodblest
wilderness with transmogrifying mages out for blood was not a way to improve
one's health. Either I needed to find help or I needed to find safety. What
I would have done for a hasted body. I took a great risk and delved deeper
into the woods, hoping to lose my hunters. To no avail. I could still hear
their thrashing the foliage of what was soon to be my death bed.
It was after fatigue had started to consume my mind and body that I broke
into the clearing with the tower-like fortress in its center. It's upper
half had toppled to the ground my scurrying feet danced over, and the ruin's
stone was charred a black so rich that it could only have been caused by a
fire of extreme proportions. But it was the closest thing to a sanctuary I
had. I could go no further. I had to make my stand here......
That was what I remembered as I shook my head vigorously, wishing for
some dwarven brandy to clear my head.
"GotoFloodblestandfindthecauseofapestilence. WhatwasIthinkin'?
MyluckdesedaysIshould'avetakenavacation."
It was then that i saw the machicolations in the floor of the chamber.
I smiled briefly and threw myself over one, peering below me. Seven or so
men in the blue garments stood below me and half a dozen true displacer beast
paced around their feet like some domesticated pets. This was a game to the
wizards. Whoever cunningly slayed me without just breaking through the
trapdoor and disintergrating me would get my soul as prize. I would not have
that. Despite the look of ultimacy my fate bore, I intended to get out of
this fix alive. I unslung my crossbow from around my shoulder and loaded a
quarrel in its place. Carefully aiming the weapon through the slot in the
floor, I let loose my projectile and, though I saw nothing, I knew I had hit
my mark as a muffled thud sounded from below. I glanced through the hole and
saw one of the younger mages I had first encountered, a quarrel in his
throat, gargling unintelligibly as life quickly faded from him. "No help fer
you ya divil." I smirked and loaded another quarrel.
But before I could aim at a soul, everything below vanished. I had heard
a gruff voice speaking something. I shuddered as I came to the realization
that all below were invisible. They had bested me. I was doomed.
Nearly lying on the stone floor, my head sunk in despair. I heard a
rustle, like beads on a flat surface and stared down at my chest. A flash of
inspiration burst forth and I clumsily unclasped the necklace I wore. I
carefully pulled one of the near transclucent, pale blue pearls off of the
piece of jewelry and held it in my hand. A wintry, yet zephyr breeze filled
the room and slowly opening my fist above the machiolation, the pearl off the
necklace of icestorm gravitated to the floor below. Before it hit, though,
it burst into hundreds of miniscule shards and a flash blinded me. All I
heard for a full minute was blood curdling screams and haunting shrieks of
displacer beasts as icy daggers sank into their flesh at a magically provoked
speed. Blood faded into existence on the ground, and slowly the owners of
the red ichor did likewise as the caster of the invisibility spell perished.
I rolled onto my back and breathed a sigh of relief. My sigh soon turned
to an exasperated gag as a lambent azure light began to pulsate from the
corner of the room. A portal tore into the fathomless blackness of the unlit
tower and two of the humans and a beast leapt into the room, forcing me to
climb on to my exhausted feet.
My curved blade flashed into my hand and I pounced upon the displacer
beast, unintelligently forgeting the trick the beast does on one's eyes. I
stumbled head first into the stone and did not regain my stance before the
beast had raked one of its clawed paws across my chest. I felt a blade
lacerate my thigh and I blindly kicked out. I vaulted out from between my
two nemeses and, this time thinking, spun and brought my blade down upon the
spine of the giant feline monster, felling it. In the same movement I
fluidly sidestepped and, my human attacker passing me by as he charged, I
grabbed his wrist, threw him against the wall and plunged my blade into his
back. He slumped to the ground, life ebbing from him at a unequivocally
expedient rate. Then I turned to see the brute before me, his ebony staff
burning with a white flame.
"Now you die, gnomething."
We simultaneously mumbled a series of words, near jabberwocky and
boulderdash to me. I thought back carefully but with haste of how my dear
apparitional friend Lord Ghost the mage had taught me to manipulate the magic
tongue which I had previously never understood and spoke the age old words I
had scrawled off a parchment scroll and fervently labored to remember. The
brute's white streak of lightning emanated from his staff before my spell
crackled in the atmosphere, but the fireball I created swallowed the electric
bolt and crashed into the frail human body towering in the opposite corner of
the room. He was dead.
I had never cast so powerful a spell, the fire seared my hands and
flashed in my face and the force of it threw me into the wall. All I saw
through my spotted vision was an fiery human outline vanish. And all I
thought before my consciousness faded was what I had to do next. Another had
to die.
Black.......
To Be Continued.The Solution
(submitted by: MrBill888)
Please keep in mind this is only a jest.
So this disclamer is in the front of this mess.
***
The realms we knew are now far gone
For a tide,yea a wave, has come in a throng
They breed much like locust, and swarm widely like rats
And will likely drive the old timers (who aren't vampires) bats
From every web nook, crack and from every net crevy
The toll they exact is a quite hellish levy
And what is it that I do share now with thee
It is nothing less than the attack of the newbie
Without reading a word, nor downloading a file
They join at the realms gates in an unholy pile
Please help me they squeek as they whine and some cry
And as the old evil guilds stand grinning and watch many die
For once I agree with the realms darker boys
As the newbies body thuds I find new kinds of joys
For they trigger their fights at every town's entrance door
And by the time they are done I'm asleep on the floor
Can it be that only one thing can now stem this foul trend
Well I think I do know so if of your ear you would lend
That I could share this solution to the problem we face
And how to help straighten out this once orderly place
The newbies must first stay put in the NW square
And death to these gerbils if they wander from there
Without an escort they must suffer much pain
For if this keeps up too long we will all go insane
If they are not in a guild
Then their blood must be spilled
If they dont' know their way
Download maps this same day
This poem could go on but it's late now my friends
So I will close this for now, and I will make my amends
Since going away I fear my pen could have been used
To give more than one newbie the Mr.Bill blues...
Mr.Bill888
Poet Jester of the Realms
Journal of an Unforgotten Mother - Part 1
(submitted by: Al33na)
With the silence of a shadow passing through another, Aleena, Streeka Sarol
of Bregan D'aerth -a band of rogue drow assassins and spies-, silently and
effortlessly trodded down the twisting paths of Neverwinter woods. Her long
bleached white hair concealed within the hood of her piwafwi leaving only the
red of her bright orbs exposed.This gave the only hint that a living being,
not mearly a gentle breeze, was passing by. She was heading home to the
hidden underdark caverns of the Bregan. With her she carried a dark purple
bag holding the contents of a journal, not just a journal but that of her
long dead mother Alaunra. Her mother was a powerful drowess, she too was just
a rogue but not by force by choice. Most rogues were forced into that life
because of the families they served fell to that of another more powerful
family. In the mysterious and deadly underworld power,presitege, and pleasing
the accursed spider queen Lloth meant more than youre own blood within your
family. For that reason and that reason alone was why Alaunra chose the path
she had took throughout her life .. the life of a rogue Drow.
Aleena aproached the entrance to the caverns and slowly and carefully looked
around to make sure no one had followed.. not many would be foolish enough
to do so.. but to not be certain would be even more foolish. She descended
into the underdark,a place she hopes, as her mother did would not be her home
forever. Aleena pulled her flail which was weilded by her mother and now
herself, out slowly and carefully. She walked till she reached the entrance
to her home and spotted Modalex a strong and odd looking drow, who favored
carrying a boa constrictor his pet,around his neck. His hair, unlike the
usual bleached white was that of blue, not many new if he color'd it that way
or was born like that..and none where brave enough to ask. He greeted her at
the entrance and she locked the flail back to her side as she descended
further to reach her quarters within. Modalex looked back at her curious as
to what prize she had captured that was causing her bag to bulk like it was,
but asked nothing and contiuned with his watch.
Aleena came to her quarters and sat upon her bed staring at the bag which
held the contents of most of her mothers life. She then decided to read from
the pages once again and reached over to get the bag. Pulling back at the
ties she revealed what was within, and pulled out the journal. Turning back
the pages she came to a section not yet read, and began to read........
=========================
Journal of Alaunra
=========================
....Its been several days now for my party and I who have been searching for
the surface realms entrance..and the exit to the accursed underdark. An exit
from the underdark, this has a very nice ring to it. I've always felt the
underdark was nothing more than a prison, keeping us from what is rightfully
ours, the surface world. Once we had lived there but our ancestors where
driven here.. perhaps led here by the pittiful goddess Lloth. Now our people
do nothing more than kill each other off trying to please the spider queen
who teases us with the idea that the surface realms will one day be ours. Its
funny how she says this, then turns around and speaks of the supposed horrors
of the surface. Here me Lloth!! I serve you no more.. and as my blood flows
freely within me nor will any of my family. Even in my death I will let none
who know me serve you especially my family!
I've seen the surface .. and always it was at night when what is called
a moon shone brightly over the realms.. even in its darkness it outweighed in
beauty over the underdark, which isnt saying much but it is all I have to
compare to. What is it , or why is it that Lloth will not help us find a
place upon the surface when it can be done? I'm going to find out and the
answer I'm sure will be known.
Two more days have past and it seems we are close for the air is
thickining and a breeze can be felt. We have been fortunate for we have
encountered no dangers in our journey, of course who would dare oppose 500
drow? I was surprized to have found so many to follow me out of the
underdark, most are caught in the web that Lloth has spun around my people.
The false hopes, the lies, the deception of becomming powerful these things
she has fooled my people with. I look behind me now and see how powerful you
acctually become when you unite and watch each others backs instead of
stabbing it. Our blades will fall on any who oppose us, and try to drive us
back into the underdark.
We have travelled further and one of our scouts came back with an
unfamilar look on his face.. a smile, that is something not usually seen on a
drow. The message he brought i believe even placed an accursed grin upon mine
as well. He has found the cave entrance which leads out to the surface world.
I was comming up to the entrance and stood several feet away. I noticed
the bright light shining through it.. the brightness hurt my eyes even at the
distance I was from the cave entrance. I pulled my cloak over my head to
shade my eyes, as I looked out of the entrance I was takin in awe... The
beauty of the surface overwhelmed me.
I've read many books about the surface realms, about its lands,climates,
people, and creatures. I've even fought in surface raids killing wood
elves,and some humans. Theres nothing that could have explained this, looking
over the wooded area and seeing the bright sun across the horizon, the hills
that looked more like shadows in the distance with clouds covering the tips
of the mountain tops. I even heard the flow of a nearby spring, I glanced at
the water which was blue and clear it calmed me and gave me a feeling of
expectation. I waved to the rest of my band to continue on warning to pull
their cloaks over there heads, until we could get used to the light. They all
emptied out of the cave entrance and looked around with the same awe as I had
when first I seen the land laid before me. I raised a pointing finger to all
the land we seen and told them.. this..all of this would be ours one day. I
remember looking upon there faces this day.. they all ... all had smiles and
grins upon there faces, it was a day I would alway remember.
=============================================================
::When she had read the last part of the page... her Jabbuk -Leader,
Abzzstain-came into the room and startled her::
"I'm sorry Al, I didnt mean to intrude but pressing matters are at hand we
are to raid this night" The Jabbuk spoke "Tis ok Jabbuk, I was just reading
my mothers journal"
"Soon Aleena .. the surface will be ours.." Abzzstain said with a grin, and
clinching a fist into the air.
"Tis what my mother said... long ago Jabbuk.... long ago" Aleena said with a
sigh.
"Have faith sis.. it is happening, many have already fallen to our blades and
we are now wandering the surface at will now. We have come a long way." Her
Jabbuk said proudly.
"It is true.. " she spoke softly with returning faith. ::She then pulls out a
flail one passed down to her from her mother, places the journal upon the bed
and heads out with her fellow abbilen to fight once again for the right to be
upon the surface.
::As she exits her quarters she turns to look at the journal laying on her
bed. She pictured in her mind the 500 smiles and one from her mother and
promises to herself that she would continue the fight to find a place upon
the surface::: Battle of Triboar
(submitted by: Spelsong)
The sun rose bloody on that dark day,
who would win no-one could say.
The energy would crackle over the arena tonight,
the warriors of magic will be such a sight.
People from near and far will come,
to see who will lose and who will have won.
Prayers are may to the god's who will hear,
over the sound of the thundering crowd and thier cheers.
The battle is begun and the spells begin to fly
the fall of a warrior causes a collective sigh.
They rise and they fall with the change of the wind,
to the great beyond they hope to send.
Their enemy souls with the crowd full of cheer,
now don't you wish that you were here.
Ramuh's Boney Situation
(submitted by: Lok sengir)
Ramuh wakes from a fine rest "Wow must have had a bad night." Where
am I, he thinks, quietly to himself, hmmmm. "Come on Ramuh think what did
you do last night? I must of had some bad ale or something and wound up in a
temple. But that's weird I don't see any priests".
"Ramuh you know where you are this is Elana you've been sleeping here
every night since you took that fall."
"Fall?" Ramuh thinks to himself-- what fall could she possibly be
talking about. "Who are you anyway and do I know you?" Elana-Elana-Elana, oh
yes, she's the one that saved me from the funny looking skelton guys.
"Yes, I, Elana saved you from the dreaded Dracholiches that hang
around my town. They seem to have chosen me as a leader. All I do is draw
near and they collapse like they're dead. You came to my town to save me and
the other citizins from them. When you get better I hope you will try again.
They have been devouring at least one of our farms a week that includes
farmer and all. The population of five hundred has slowly dwindled and now is
only one hundred and twenty."
"Elana, I will save your town. I will need the finest crafted plate
mail, flail, cloak, and shield. I want you to get the best forge, blacksmith,
and tailors in the town together to craft this stuff. You do that while I
rest."
"Has it been two weeks already? Wow, that went quick. Hi Elana. Do you
have my equipment?"
"Yes I do." Hands over the finest plate mail, cloak, flail, and shield
the village has ever seen. "Put that on and I will show you to the
dracoliches."
A few hours later Ramuh sees about four of these dracolich things.
"Awwww this ought to be easy."
Three days later Elana finds Ramuh's head laying under the blankets.
Lok Sengir
Xo Special ops.
Anasolan Empire
High Wizard
White RobesThe Blind Date
(submitted by: OOR Babble)
After reading the postings, Bab set out toward West Bridge. She read that
there were Storm Giants, Fire Giant Mages and Cloud Giant Mages all assembled
in a certain area that were hoarding stones that could increase one's wisdom
or intelligence. Even though she herself did not require any help in those
areas for she was from the best bloodline, she knew of some others that may
be in need of these - especially her human friends.
She arrived in West Bridge, which is just south of Triboar, without incident.
Before venturing to West Bridge, she did stop in at the Triboar Inn, for a
quick relaxing meal. While she was there, she ran into BlueFlame - an
amazing person, whom she had the honor to fight alongside in Long Saddle, who
could shoot these remarkable blue flames from his finger tips - guess that's
where he got his name from. They sat and had a meal together and talked of
each others' travels. He was on his way to Longsaddle to pick up a jewel
that she had told him about, then onto Neverwinter to see Lord Nasher to
give him an update of events that were happening in this region.
After the meal, BlueFlame departed north for Long Saddle and Bab went south
to West Bridge. First, she looked over her spells, even though she thought
her best trait was her flail arm that had gotten stronger over these past
weeks, BlueFlame had advised her that the best way to defeat these giants was
by holding them first, if at all possible, with a Magic user's spell then
going up to them and deal the final blow. She accepted his advice and went
through her spell book to make sure she had all the necessary spells readied
before entering this tough fight.
She arrived at the site where the giants hung out during the daytime, for at
night, they changed locations. Upon arriving there, she came across two
others, ABK Nova and ABK Brutus. She overheard them discussing some contest
between their guild and another, a challenge that was not accepted by the
other guild. Triboar was noted for their arena for the fighters that wanted
to test their abilities against others. It was where guilds went to pit the
best against one another. The winner won.. well, she was not quite sure what
the winner won... status she was sure.. possibility of pearls from Lord
Nasher. The concept of people fighting people just did not make sense to
her. Why would people do this when there was so much evil out there to
defeat. She shrugged at this and figured one day she would develop a liking
for such but for now she told herself that she, with her tongue, could talk
her way out of most fights with any intelligent creature. That was another
reason she wanted to try to acquire some stones, to help those less fortunate
than her to obtain her degree of intelligence and wisdom.
She sat outside the giants' fight and looked through spell listing, casting
what she thought would be the most beneficial to her. She cast detect
magic, mirror image, haste, fire shield and off she went to battle.
Depending on who you talk with at the inns, each have their own favorite
spells they cast but for her these were her favorites. The giants proved to
be a good match for her, she had defeated them by herself alone on several
occasions, so she knew it could be done but why fight them by yourself when
there were others there. She spoke with the ABK's and asked if they would
like help defeating these giants. They said that she could join in on the
fun, which she did gladly.
With the three of them dealing blow after blow and casting spells upon the
giants, before long the landscape was littered with these huge massing hulks.
After the fight and searching the bodies of these great creatures, they in
fact found incandescent blue ioun stones along with some magical weapons and
gems. ABK Nova was an aspiring young cleric and any cleric scrolls that Bab
found she gave to him. Bab, achieving her goal of obtaining a stone, said
her good-byes and set off for Berun to acquire the cube from the beholders to
give to Lord Nasher.
She made a stop in Triboar one more time before continuing north in Berun.
She went to the jewelers there to exchange most of her coins for gems and
jewels, they were less cumbersome and did not slow her down, then to the
armory to sell off any magical weapons that she did not want to tote around.
After she visited all the shops that she wanted to go, she went to the inn
one last time to rest up before her journey. She admitted to herself that
she had two left feet, for beholders in the past always, almost always, got
the best of her. So with a private room, she practiced and practiced her
footing. She stood in front of the mirror and danced this way and that, in
and out. Feeling comfortable with her stance and with her movement, she
gathered her belongings and set out for Berun.
She made Berun and searched the hedges along the south wall, finally finding
the entrance to a room that held Zhentil Fighters and a White Dragon, she
fought them back effortlessly and made her way through a door. She stopped
short of the second door across the room for she heard noises from the other
side. She thought it'd be best to rest and heal any wounds here before
proceeding but she found that was a wrong decision to make, for as soon as
she tried to heal any wounds, she was attacked from out of nowhere by an
onslaught of trolls. Fireballs made for a quick fight with these beasts and
she did not receive any more injuries from them. She found since she could
rest and study her spells, heal some before the trolls came back, that she
would rest first -- attempt to heal -- fight the fight and repeat this
process until she was totally healed. This strategy seem to work for her.
Once she was fully rested and had her spells all re-memorized, she set
forward to the door that invited only death to those that enter. She stood
outside the door for what seemed an eternity, for she was not too thrilled
about dancing these creatures. She had woke in a temple from being stoned by
them one too many times or at a gate from the disintegration ray that they
emit.
She was gathering up her strength to enter when she heard a noise behind her
that made her jump. It was NOR Durbin. Bab was very relieved to see a
friendly face for this area was another place where one could get jumped by
others. They stood outside the door gathering the spells needed to defeat
these creatures. They looked at each other, wished each other luck and
entered the room. To her displeasure, it was not just beholders but cloud
giants as well as more Zhentil fighters. Bab made her way to the left
doorway allowing for the fighters to get a free swing at her, luckily, they
missed. She turned once, got to the doorway and opened up with her fireball
hoping to thin out the fighters and cloud giants before facing her real
challenge of the beholders. This seemed to work, although the cloud giants
were a little more healthy and resilient than the fighters. She made her way
north through the doorway and lured the cloud giants out into the hallway.
NOR Durbin entered at this point and came up into the hallway as well, there
they made their stand against the cloud giants and the remaining zhentil
fighters.
Once they were out of the way, NOR Durbin and Babble leaned against the
wall - recovery their breath, hearing the slow movement and shuffling of the
beholders in the next room.
"Well, are you ready, M'lady?", he asked reassuringly, adding, "only two
left."
Bab smiled at him and said, "Yeah, only two left.. It's the two left that I
have fear."
He told her that Kattena had taught him to dance and he was rather good, this
made Bab feel better for she knew Katt and if Katt had taught him, then he
must be good. This gave her more strength and she straightened up, took a
deep breath, let it out slowly, looked to NOR Durbin and raised her flail.
He raised his sword and they crossed weapons, giving a battle cry before
entering the room that held her deepest fear.
Watching NOR Durbin dance these creatures was like watching a ballet. He
moved in and around these creatures with such ease and grace. The beholders
tried as they might to make contact with him but each time they just fell
short of their mark. If only Katt could see this, she would have been proud
of her student. Babble stepped into the rhythm of the dance as well and
totally surprised herself with her footwork. Her practice in front of the
mirror in Triboar had paid off, she was dancing them like a pro. She and NOR
Durbin ended the dance by facing one one another, winded, slightly hurt but
alive. They gave each other a hug of support and congratulations. They
gathered the treasure and the cube, readied it and said their good-byes.
Babble was resting after this ordeal and she heard a voice in her head, her
friend, Bannwyn. He was wanting to know what she was doing and she relayed
her day thus far. He grinned and asked, "How do ya feel about blind dates
darlin?" "A what?", she asked puzzled, "Never thought much on it, why?" He
went on to explain, "Well, I got this friend.....lol.." Babble interjected ,
"and I just popped into your head."
"No, he just lookin' to meet interesting folk.... and you fall into the
interesting category....", Bannwyn replied with a laugh in his voice. "So,
what ya say? You might like him", he teased.
Babble thought it over a few minutes and since she was heading back toward
Neverwinter anyway to see Lord Nasher, she thought it would not hurt to meet
this 'blind date'. Besides she had always liked Bannwyn, he was a card, so
anyone that he wanted her to meet must be alright. Babble told him that
she agreed to meet his friend but to be forewarned that she thought another
was finding favor and attempting to court her. The other was OOR Jackel,
although she had not seen him in a couple of days. Bannwyn shrugged and said
, "So what's wrong with a lil' competition??" and added laughing, "You can
tell him yerself. His name is OMM Wlfgar and I'll have him contact you."
Babble shook her head and wondered what she had gotten herself into. Was
Bannwyn playing a particular joke on her? He is known to do that. She
thought "Well, too late now, she already said yes - so what will be, will
be."
OMM Wlfgar entered her head with a warm greeting and the introduction had
taken place. He was in Luskan fighting the beholders up there but said, "Can
be at your disposal in a heart beat, M'lady." Babble and Wlfgar decided to
meet at Striders in Neverwinter.
All the time Babble and Wlfgar were trying to set up a meeting place, Bannwyn
kept entering her head and asking, "How's it going? Has he contacted you
yet?" Babble started getting really suspicious now and told Bannwyn, "Yes,
contact has been made and we are going to meet at Striders. Is there
something I should know about any of this?" He said with a mischievous tone,
"Well, let me know how things go.... it's not like I sold ya to him." With
this, Babble laughed and wondered to herself.. nay, he would not do that...
well.. then again,, yes he would... she would find out soon enough.
OMM Wlfgar arrived in Neverwinter before she did and had a table waiting at
Striders. When she entered, their eyes met and a million questions passed
through them in that brief moment of eye contact. She made her way to the
table, he offered and assisted in her chair. He had taken the liberty and
ordered for them already and the barmaid was just delivering the drinks when
he was seating her. "So, where do we begin?" she asked.
He took her hand and kissed it and with a bow said, "I am OMM Wlfgar, Sgt. of
the Gold Lance and it is my honor and pleasure to make your acquaintance. I
have heard many good things about you from our mutual friend, Bannwyn."
"Aye, Bannwyn is the center point of all this, is he not?", Babbled returned.
"So how long have you known Bannwyn?", she asked and the tale began.
Hours passed and the whole story was laid out to her. It was fascinating and
revealing, she learned of things about her friend, Bannwyn, she had not known
but would keep a secret. After many glasses of ale and many questions being
answered, OMM Wlfgar said, "I hate to depart but I have other commitments I
must attend to. May I call upon you again in the future to continue this
conversation?" "It would be my pleasure, M'lord", she answered. Babble had
lost track of time and looked up for the first time and realized that the
vampires had started to swarm like bees around the inn of Striders. This
gave her an unsettling feeling and she wanted to leave as well. This place
at night did run chills up her back and she made the comment, "It's time for
me to leaves as well, it is time to turn this inn over to the creatures of
the night."
They emerged into the darkness; but the lanterns near the docks kept the path
illuminated enough for those without the keen sight of an elf to not lose
their footing. OMM Wlfgar and Babble said their good nights and went their
separate ways.
Babble slid into the darkness with ease and became part of the shadows, she
tried to contact Bannwyn and tell him of the wonderful evening she had with
Wlfgar but he did not answer back.
She would have to wait and tell him later...
The End..... A Battle Royale
(submitted by: Vyllano)
As the first warmth of the sun crested the walls of Port Llast, I
completed my morning devotions and said a brief prayer for victory or
honorable death in battle. The talk in the great room last evening centered
upon the plague that had befallen the Gallant Prince, that noble ship that
rests silently in the harbor to the west. Between the ribbings of
adventurers at my abstinence from ale and other secular diversions (the
paladin's course, though worthy, is often difficult), rumors flew of the
dangers awaiting any that ventured onto the derelict vessel. A troll is said
to guard the ship's hold, and greater perils await any that successfully
negotiate this stern test. A great many of the assembled warriors carried
polished silver mirrors, hoping to protect themselves somehow from the danger
that waited inside the ship; sadly I had not the foresight to purchase such
an item, and decided now to rely as I always have on divine protection.
I met four hardy and erstwhile adventurers last evening, novices as am
I, and we together decided to attempt the retrieval of certain items from the
ship. Zalmahgir, Xadannus, Y Lee Atty, and Krycek97, each like myself drawn
here by the promise of serving Lord Nasher by successfully negotiating the
ship's interior, all agreed to band together and make an attempt. We set out
in the morning, the falsely comforting and gossamer armor of sunlight giving
us courage as we faced our task. This natural benediction faded quickly when
we entered the vessel, replaced by the dim lights and close scent of wood
that is characteristic of such ships. We soon encountered the troll of whom
we had been warned the prior evening, and what few of our group held polished
mirrors found no protection from the beast. We managed to dispatch the
thing, but perhaps from our lack of experience or the troll's legendary
ability to regenerate we found ourselves fighting the brute no less than five
times before we passed successfully into the ship's hold. We were
transported then, and found ourselves in uncomfortably close quarters with a
group of hideously ugly beings; their craggy skin and serpentine hair showed
them to be medusas, those astonishing creatures that I had previously assumed
existed only in tales told to frighten young children. A mighty battle
ensued, and the wisdom of carrying a mirror became apparent when two of my
mirror-less comrades were felled by the gaze of these malevolent creatures.
Two more fell as the battle progressed, though they fought valiantly and were
able to dispatch all but one of the medusas. I found myself in single
combat, grievously wounded, and without the support of my comrades I confess
that I feared for my life. I felt a quickening as the remaining monster
turned her gaze on me, and though she twice attempted to turn me to stone I
was twice protected by an unseen hand. I fought on, inspired by the
sacrifices made by my comrades, and was finally able to destroy the witch.
I located the item we had sought, and managed to return to Neverwinter
to present it to Lord Nasher, who was most gracious in the rewards and kind
words he bestowed upon me. Though the material rewards of our labor were
gratifying, I found greater value in the friendships we had made, initiated
by blind chance at an inn, then forged and hardened in the dire throes of
battle. Though my purse remains empty, my heart is full with the camaraderie
we found in the belly of the Prince.Sojourn
The Hunter Once More
(submitted by: MECH Argon)
...Once inside the complex I was immediately drawn to the incandescent light
of the office I was even now being drawn towards. The MECH's leading me to my
final destination as a human were grinning their strange metallic grin in
anticipation. I knew for what I was chosen for, yet eventhough the process is
painful..I was not afraid. I was about to become bestowed with the greatest
honour that can be given to a mere human...Purification. It is my final hope
that I am content to serve in the Empire' s dark fire for all eternity. Upon
my purification (if I survive), I am to meet a MECH by the name of Argon, who
will be aiding me on my quest for dominance of the MECH body and soul. Even
now as I think of him, my skin crawls..It is said that those who do not act
according to the Empires ideals, and thoughts get sent to Argon..and are
never seen again. I am fervent in my thoughts of pleasing this imposing
figure...
Excerpt: Diary of Jorrak Cyris- Model 15-AF
Purification not survived
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
After reviewing the files regarding the latest of failures, Argon sat upright
and glanced out the nearest window. The sky was a pure azure, quite pleasing
to look at in fact, yet the day would hold in store much. The reports of
fleshlings throwing stones at the complex were amusing at first, and
dismissed by most of the MECH Command staff. Glancing at the failures strew
about the room in various poses of death, Argon stood and walked to his
personal chamber within his office. In the past, many were those who lacked
the conviction and the drive necessary to achieve purification. The bodies
hung about the room were meant to be reminders to cadets in training of the
price of failure. Few were those who opposed the might of the Empire, even
less were those that remained cognizant after such thoughts. A decision was
made, and it would be one that would in time smile warmly upon the MECH
Empire..Donning his riot gear, and activating his Major, and Minor defense
systems, Argon grinned in anticipation. It was indeed time for the
executioners axe to fall once more upon the sea of humanity. The note was
placed on Argon's desk, where only one other being would be able to find it
in time.
My Emperor,
The time has come for me to end this useless bantering and name calling
from lesser beings. I have dealt with this impudence long enough, and it does
not set well with me. I go now to purify personally, those that seek our
destruction through adolecent means. In this manner they will observe
closely what it is to engage one of their gods. By the time you read this I
shall be gone, and battling for our honour. I cannot sit idle behind my desk
and observe this from afar any longer. My Emperor, my friend...I shalll have
my revenge. In service to the Empire we are expected to shine above all other
beings, so says Gond. We cannot do more, we must never do less.
In eternal service to the Empire,
-Argon-
Approaching the main bay doors, Argon placed his hand to the mechanism and
the door opens immediately...and he stepped out. Assaulted instantly by fresh
air, and smells of nearby foliage, Argon turned to regard the MECH Complex...
"I will do you proud".
=-Spectrum Analysis reports all systems optimal-=
=-Grid location E-SE, Ambient Temperature 80 degrees Farenheight-=
=-Commencing mission=-Jeredin and the Eye Tyrants
(or Jeredin Goes Sailing)
(submitted by: AC Jeredin)
Jeredin walked into the Inn at Red Larch parched and in a foul
mood. It seemed that every time he came this way, the creatures in the woods
knew he was coming. Ever since he had quested with Halix for the Lifegiver,
his luck had turned sour when travelling this way.
"Cyg h juln ooo?", said the barkeep.
"Huh? What?", Jeredin couldn't understand the halflings jibberish.
"Cyg h juln ooo?", the halfling repeated.
"Speak up. Between dragon roars, my own fireballs, and that nasty pop
that accompanies any teleport, I can't hear you", replied Jeredin.
"Can I help you?!!!",the halfling screamed.
"Ah yes, the largest ale you have, and some roast mutton." He was going
to just sit down, enjoy some ale and meat, and just relax for a bit. Maybe
the halflings excellent food and spirits would help shake off his foul mood.
Just when he thought his mood was improving, three gnomes sat at the
table next to his and began a high-pitched, heated discussion.
"Fat Nose, you're a maggot eatin liar!", said the first.
"No I ain't!", cried the one named Fat Nose,"You're just too stupid to
know the truth. I was there. I helped build it."
"There ain't no secret passage into them fortresses", said the third,
"them Isle fortresses are locked up tight. You're a mangy, no good liar Fat
Nose!"
With that the third flicked mutton into the face of Fat Nose with a
spoon. Soon, all three were rolling on the floor biting and kicking each
other, covered in ale and mutton. Jeredin stood up, grabbed two of them by
the scruffs of their necks, and lightly popped their two heads together.
They quickly, and obediently, passed into unconsciousness. He picked up the
third and brought him up to his face. Seeing the gnomes enormous nose, he
figured he now held Fat Nose in his hands.
"Please don't hurt me good Paladin! It was just an argument. No harm
done", the gnome quickly said in a pleading tone. It was then a map fell from
the pocket of the gnome onto the floor.
"And what would that be, Fat Nose?", Jeredin queried the gnome.
"Tis a map of the isles good sir. Take it but just don't hurt me..."
Jeredin lowered the gnome to his feet and told him," Here's a jewel,
take it and help your two companions, I won't hurt you. The map I could use.
I've heard the Beholders rule in those fortresses."
"Ah yes, nasty, evil Eyes. Iron giants guard them.."
"Golems eh? We'll see about that."
Jeredin sat back down and began thinking. He had a ticket to the Isles
in his vault back in Neverwinter. Aye, and many magical arrows and a fine
long bow purchased many moons before. And now, he had the map. He smiled,
his mood definitely improving. Battling the Eye Tyrants always cheered him
up. He stood and placed a gleaming ruby on the table by way of a token of
appreciation for the fine food and ale the halflings had served him. He
laughed as he saw Fat Nose trying to drag his companions into a room,
dragging their two heads into the door jam with quite a thump. They'll have
nasty headaches soon he thought to himself. Grinning broadly, he stepped
through the inns doorway into the bright sun.
Jeredin walked into Strider's Tavern in Neverwinter. His mood was once again
sour. He had just recently waded through many a battle and was forced to wait
even longer for some inexperienced fools that had started a battle right
outside the gate between Southwall and the woods before Vilnask. If not for
an official from Neverwinter, the battle may have raged on even longer. It
was unfortunate that the beheadings promised by these officials were not
actually carried out. After all, the law is the law he thought.
Jeredin looked around and noticed that the tavern was not deserted as he
first thought. Sitting in a far corner, one candle barely lighting his
features, was JusticODth, the leader of his guild and senior War-Wizard of
Arabel, the town Jeredin hailed from in Cormyr. Buying two ales, Jeredin
walked over to his respected and revered leader. Scattered over the entire
table were scrolls and parchments of all kinds. Justin looked up from his
papers, acknowledged Jeredins presence with a grunt, and accepted the
proferred ale.
"So, Justin, how fare thee this evening?", Jeredin asked.
"Paperwork..(mumble)..damn paperwork...", was Justin's answer."I can't
believe how much paperwork has piled up in recent weeks. New members, new
titles, new headaches."
"Aye, the brotherhood prospers Justic. Be happy, the paperwork means we
grow my leader."
"Tis true", Justin barely cracked a smile,"but it keeps me from my
duties in the Realms, Jeredin. I long for adventure again."
"That is unfortunate Justin, for I have obtained a map to the Isle
Fortresses and I travel soon by boat to rid the Isles of the Beholders
presence there.."
Justins' head snapped up to look in Jeredins face, "I wish I could
travel with thee. The Beholders are one of the worst scourges in these parts.
Ridding the Realms of their presence is a most difficult and dangerous
partaking. I wish thee good fortune in your endeavor Jeredin."
Jeredin smiled, "Aye, I'll need a little luck Justin. But, it should be
entertaining at least."
Justin smiled back, "That it will be Jeredin."
"Well, I must be off Justin, good luck with your paperwork."
"And thee with your quest my friend", replied Justin. "Farewell Jeredin"
"Farewell to thee Justin."
Jeredin walked from Striders Tavern to his vault nearby. He noted that
it was nearly empty. The only things there were a small chest, a bow, and a
quiver stuffed with many arrows. But these were all he needed for his quest.
He placed the quiver of magic arrows on his belt and hung the Fine Long Bow
over his shoulder, feeling a little awkward as these were not equipment he
was accustomed to carrying. He bent down and opened the small chest, finding
there the ticket he had gained in the caverns and tunnels beneath Triboar. He
stood up again and turned slowly as he looked at the walls of his vault. He
could see the shapes of shields, weapons, and other items in the dust
covering the walls. His vault was once filled with powerful items and
talismans until a disaster had robbed him of his belongings. He noted sadly
that if that had not happened, his guild mates would have benefited greatly
from his store of weapons and equipment. The gods were indeed fickle he
thought to himself. Tightening his belt and adjusting the uncomfortable
quiver on his hip, he strode from the vault and then secured the doors behind
him with the huge lock provided by the Neverwinter guards.
Feeling both anxious and melancholy, Jeredin made his way through the
streets of Neverwinter, his destination....the Neverwinter docks.
Jeredin handed the purser of the ship the bag containing the one
thousand platinum pieces as was agreed with the captain as the fee for the
voyage to the Isles. Strange that they did not accept gemstones or jewelry in
lieu of the cumbersome coins he thought. But, considering the strange and
flamboyant clothes worn by the sailors, Jeredin thought anything was possible
with this crew. Jeredin went to his cabin and stowed his things, then laid
down to await their departure.
When he awoke, he decided to go above and see the waters and the sky.
Jeredin always felt closer to Sif when near water. It was one of the things
that had drawn him to Neverwinter in the first place. It was near a small
river as a boy that he had seen the vision of Valkyries carrying his much
older, mortally wounded body to Valhalla. The vision had not scared him as it
would have others his age. That night, in his dreams, Sif came to him and
spoke of his future, and his duty. She told him that although he was a boy,
the future would make him a man very soon. Less than a year later, his mother
died giving birth to his stillborn sister. His father and only brother both
died in campaigns against the Drow one month after that. At the age of
fourteen, he travelled to Arabel in Cormyr and found the Temple of Sif.
There, although still so young, he proved to be both an intelligent student
and a skilled warrior. Jeredin became both a Holy Warrior and a Mage, skilled
in the arts of War and Sorcery.
Jeredin's revery was interrupted by sailors in the rigging above,
yelling to each other over the crash of the waves against the bow. He looked
over and past the bow and saw that they were approaching the Isles. He went
below to gather his belongings and prepare for arrival. He ate a meager meal
and then knelt on the wooden planks that were the floor of his cabin. He said
many a prayer in thanks for Sif's guidance in the past, and prayed for wise
counsel in the future.
Soon enough, they arrived at the Isle docks. He gathered his things and
went above to disembark from the ship. When he got on deck, he noted that it
was a beautiful night, the moon glinted off the waters of the bay like
lightning from Thor's Hammer. He strode down the gangplank to the pier and
was greeted there by the captain of the ship.
"Remember good Sir, we are here only at night. The pirates make sailing
by the light of the sun very dangerous", the captain said.
"Aye", said Jeredin, "I remember."
Jeredin saw an inn close by and walked slowly to it, still marvelling at
the moon's light on the waters of the bay. He went inside , ordered ale and
food, and sat at a nearby table, noting that the inn was deserted. Ahh, he
thought, not even chance companions on this quest. He was alone. But he was
used to that. Alone he had completed every quest that Nasher had given to him
to complete. After a few mugs of ale and some excellent food, he went to his
room and slept long and sound, knowing that each nights sleep could be his
last.
When he awoke in the morning he bade farewell to the innkeeper and
walked outside into the musty smell of the morning docks. The sun was bright
and the sky was clear. He gazed northward and spotted the Fortress on the
Island there. He stood proud as he stared at that stone fortress, knowing
that with Sif's help and the experience of uncounted battles and sorcerous
conflicts, he would gain victory there this day. Jeredin saw an old crippled
woman by the pier, sickly and smelling of fish and brine. He handed her a
small pouch containing ten bright green emeralds.
"Here good mother, you will find rest, food, and a clean bath at yonder
inn", he told her gently.
"Thank you good Sir!", she cried and quickly headed towards the inn.
Jeredin smiled and set out towards the other side of the isle where he
could obtain passage to the northern Isle. As he walked briskly away, the old
woman stopped and stepped into the shadows, still watching as the Paladin
walked on. She changed into a beautiful, armored woman wearing a long
straight sword at her side.
"Yes, Jeredin", Sif said quietly to herself", I have chosen well."
Using his map, Jeredin found the secret passageway into the fortress on
the northern Isle. He had faced many creatures on the path to the entrance.
He had fought them bravely, but very mechanically. His thoughts lay on the
Eye Tyrants inside the fortress, not the minions outside. The creatures would
challenge a lesser man, but Jeredin was not such a man. He descended into the
fortress not with dread but with a deep sense of pride in Sif and his
brothers of Cormyr. The Adventurers of Cormyr were his friends, allies, and
brothers. He would give his life for them and they would do the same for him.
He always felt proud to be a member of such an honored brotherhood every time
he was about to face great peril. The motto of his guild ran through his mind
as he descended the last few feet of the sloping secret passageway into the
fortress.
"The Gods do not grant to us all,
The shining mantle of the hero.
Do what ye can,
And it will be enough."
No wiser, truer words had Jeredin ever heard spoken. The words gave
Jeredin heart when he felt terror, pride when he helped the helpless, and
humility when he erred. He reached the landing and stood on weathered
flagstones, a passageway led off into the dimly lit distance. Jeredin checked
his equipment for readiness. All was well. He took the first step into the
passage and noted that the sounds of his boots were muffled as if the sound
were afraid to be heard in this evil place.
He met many of the Beholders minions on his way through the passages.
They all fell quickly to his bow and morning star, many also to his sorcery.
They were no match for Jeredin in his determination to find and destroy the
evil Eye Tyrants he knew to command them. So quick were his attacks that no
warning could be given, no alarm sounded. Still, all was well.
Jeredin had gone deep into the fortress when suddenly he knew his
destiny was at hand. He smelled them. The stench of Beholders was strong at
the door that stood in front of him. The door was massive, the height of
three men at least. He knew this was the place, the place where his
worthiness would be tested by great evil. He strung the fine long bow and
readied his arrows. He tucked his morning star into his belt, hoping that it
would not be needed this time. He ran over in his mind the deadly spells
which were at his disposal. He was ready....
Jeredin burst into the room, his strength and speed enhanced by sorcery.
He had surprised them, the first move was his. Great Sif, he thought, there
are five of them. Five deadly beholders swiveled almost in unison to look at
what had disturbed their evil plotting. Jeredin saw that there were two iron
golems standing in front of the Tyrants. Just off to the left were two
spiders. Judging by the crackles he heard as they spun to face him, and the
sparks that flew from their legs as they moved, these must be electric
spiders. In this moment, Jeredin thought strangely that the golems and
spiders were an odd pair considering the golems were slowed when electricity
passed through them. Perhaps the spiders were used by the Beholders to help
control the golems.
The thought passed as Jeredin spoke words of magic he knew very well.
He was in a large chamber adjacent to the one the Eye Tyrants had been
plotting in. He felt safe from getting caught in his own spells. A large ball
of fire began forming between his outstretched hands. It glowed very brightly
and, with a small gesture, flew quickly into the corner of the chamber where
the spiders and golems stood barring his way to the Beholders. The ball of
fire touched the nearest spider and erupted into a huge ball of flame,
engulfing and incinerating the two hapless spiders, but leaving the golems
completely unharmed. He knew that using fire on them would only heal them,
but wanted to eliminate the spiders as quickly as possible.
The creatures were still so stunned by his presence that Jeredin was
able to speak the words of another spell as the golems advanced on him. He
pointed at the closest golem and a bolt of powerful lightning lept from his
finger and headed straight for it. The golems were impervious to being hurt
by the lightning but they would be slowed greatly by its effects, giving
Jeredin time to ready his bow and nock an arrow.
The Beholders began filing out of the antechamber that they had been in,
moving slowly due to their bulk and the two golems blocking their way.
Quickly, Jeredin began firing arrows at the two golems as they ponderously
advanced upon him. He killed the first but the second reached him. Jeredin
was forced to grab his morning star and deal with it hastily, as the
Beholders were advancing very close now. He suffered a strong blow to his
shoulder from the powerful fist of the golem, but still managed to end its
life . The beholders were almost upon him, he could see the hatred in every
eye on the end of the stalks crowning the nearest Beholders orblike body.
Just as the nearest Tyrant was about to attack him with its evil powers,
Jeredin spoke the hurried words of another spell. The Eye Tyrant blinked in
surprise as Jeredin vanished. The beholders began spinning in all directions
trying to find him and finally spotted him behind them. It was too late for
them to attack him as he ran through the antechamber, knocking over the table
in the center of the room, scattering the Beholders maps across the stone
floor. Jeredin reached the end of the antechamber and discovered a passage
leading around the corner. He thought to himself that this was a perfect
place to isolate the Tyrants and force them to come at him one by one.
Sure enough, the Beholders bulk forced them to come around the corner
one at a time. Jeredin began firing arrows as fast as he could, backing
slowly down the passage as the Tyrants closed in on him. First one, then
another Eye Tyrant fell from the magical arrows which Jeredin fired with
great speed and deadly accuracy. But Jeredin knew that he would not be able
to kill them all this way. As he slayed a third Beholder with an arrow that
ripped through its huge central eye, the fourth Tyrant closed in on him and
Jeredin was forced to drop his bow and ready his morning star.
It was then that Jeredin knew fear, for the Tyrants used their evil
powers on him at that moment. He felt great pain as rays from their eyes
struck his body. He doubled up in pain from their magical assault but did not
die. He knew that he could have been reduced to ashes by the rays, or even
worse, been turned to stone and been placed outside the fortress as a warning
to others considering what he was doing. Another ray struck him and a
powerful fear began welling up inside him but, with a great effort, he
crushed the fear and straightened his body to glare into the nearest Tyrants
great central eye.
He moved in very close to the nearest Tyrant and danced in and out of
reach of its powerful jaws. In and out he danced, knowing that the Beholder
could not use its powers on him at this close of a distance. The Tyrant did
manage to bite him a few times as Jeredin moved around its great bulk.
Jeredin then raised his morning star and dealt the Beholder a mortal blow,
caving in the entire right side of its body. The Tyrant crashed to the
flagstones and splashed Jeredin with a horrible green ichor that must have
been its blood.
The fifth and final Beholder, larger than the others and obviously the
most powerful, aimed its eyes at Jeredin and let loose with all the power it
could muster. Jeredin gasped as terrible pain, worse than before, wracked his
entire body. But, again, he survived the onslaught and stood proud before the
evil monstrosity. He jumped in close and dealt the creature many deadly
blows. Jeredin saw that the evil thing was very near death, but , then
again, so was Jeredin. The Beholder glided quickly forward and smashed its
great bulk into him and Jeredin fell to the ground, his morning star slipping
from blood and ichor-soaked fingers and landing near him. The Beholder roared
its triumph as Jeredin was seemingly helpless beneath it. It descended
downwards to crush Jeredin, but at the last moment, Jeredin rolled to the
side and the Beholder missed crushing him by a mere hands breadth.
Jeredin grabbed the morning star and stood, grabbing the shield from his
back and holding it before him to ward off any more rays the Tyrant might try
to harm him with. The Beholder spun to attack him again, but was momentarily
bewildered by what it saw. There before it was a bright purple Dragon. The
embossed dragon on Jeredin's shield glowed very brightly and the Eye Tyrant
blinked just for an instant. But the instant sealed its fate. Jeredin quickly
leapt to the right side of the evil creature, spun , and crashed the three
spiked balls of his morning star into the huge eye in the center of the
Beholders body. It crashed to the floor and Jeredin fell at its side, too
exhausted and hurt to stand any longer.
He did not know why the Beholder had hesitated in that instant, and
probably never would. But, far away, in the place known as Valhalla, Sif
stared into a magic pool at the exhausted and battered form of her servant
Jeredin.......and smiled.
THE END.....for nowA Hearty Stew
(submitted by: Thorn Hawk)
The smell of baking bread and hearty stew wafted from the tavern as Thorn
Hawk walked in to survey the common room. It was less crowded than the last
time he had been here with the regulars sitting around talking. The air was
hazy and smelled of wood smoke as he moved to the bar and sat.
"Hail Thorny, ye just missed Dagr and Lake," called JJ moving to join his
guildmate at the bar.
"Can I get you anything Thorn?" asked Spryte from behind the bar.
"I'm sorry I missed them bro, I've traveled a long road to get here and I'm
tired and a bit hungry," replied Thorn turning to address Spryte. "A frenzy
would be nice milady and some of that wonderful smelling stew."
"No firebrandy?" Spryte replied.
"Nay, just the frenzy."
Spryte left to move among the tables clearing them of empty mugs while Thorn
took a long drink to clear the dust from his throat. The many conversations
from the tavern seemed to ease the tired ranger. It had been long since
hearing the voices of people engaged in idle talk and just the sound soothed
the ranger.
"How have ye been bro?" asked Thorn Hawk turning to JJ.
"Good, very busy but good."
"Yourself?"
"Ladies and gentlemen tonight we honor those rovers of the realms, rangers.
Come and listen while they tell us why they chose to be rangers and what
makes them unique," called Spryte from the bar.
Laughing, "did ye hear that bro? She wants to know why we walk the road we
do."
"Aye Thorny, I did and I told her my tale. Now it's your turn."
"That would be easy to do JJ. My tale is a short one," replied Thorn Hawk
settling down to eat as Spryte put a steaming bowl of stew along with a small
loaf of bread in front of the ranger.
"Well bro," started Thorn Hawk while he began eating his stew. "I can never
truly say I chose to be a ranger. It is what I am in spirit and the path of
my life has led me here. For the longest time, I thought of myself as a
fighter, warrior, and sometimes mercenary. I left my family and clan in what
you might call a self-imposed exile and wandered west. I learned more as I
traveled and met people willing to teach me. Fighting for things I believed
in, I did what I thought was right, but not until I met an elven priest did I
ever hear the words 'ranger' applied to me. He told me I was a ranger and I
felt the world around me as the elves do."
Taking a bite of stew and washing it down with a drink of frenzy, Thorn Hawk
continued. "I am like the swan bro. I always flew with ducks and thought of
myself as one, but in truth I was always a swan with its spirit and beauty."
"I don't believe that it is so much a choice as a belief in what's right and
wrong in the world and the deep inborn desire to set it right," replied JJ to
an unanswered question between them.
"Aye bro, but paladins and fighters also have that same belief."
"We are bound into nature by our own nature," commented JJ, "that sets us
apart from others."
"I don't know about that bro," replied Thorn Hawk, "others have our same
beliefs and yet they don't feel the world turn as we do. I feel that we are
just more open to the natural world than others and that makes us different.
Our ties with nature and the balance she imposes on all things make us
rangers and affects the way we view those around us. We know right from
wrong, but we apply it to all things not just humanity or society . . ."
"My wife . . . Ye know her?" asked Thorn
"Aye I've met Luthy."
"Well she is a paladin with strong beliefs and yet she is not a ranger. We
both fight evil but her skills at some things far exceed those of mine while
I excel in areas she can't even challenge me in, but don't ye be telling her
that."
"I'm glad I have me elders here to teach poor young fresh rangers the ways of
life."
"Where do ye differ, Thorn?" asked Spryte while she poured a drink for a
patron down the bar.
Laughing, Thorn replied, "I cannot teach ye that which ye need to learn only
offer my humble advice and help bro while my wife Luthy has a gift for
fighting the evils of this world with both her sword and a heart the size of
the sky that I can never match. In that, we differ as paladin and ranger. I
fight though I've no love of it as most fighters do and my heart is nay that
big."
"Does that answer yer question, Spryte?"
"Aye it does Thorn."
Finishing off the rest of his stew and cleaning the bowl with the heel of
bread, Thorn glanced around the tavern noting the many patrons that had
already left. The night was passing and Thorn could tell if he thought about
it that the moon had slid passed its zenith a few hours ago and dawn was not
many more off.
"There are other areas that I vary from Luthy, Spryte. I am a loner by
nature and appear antisocial at times while she is outgoing and friendly to
all she meets like most paladins I've met. I conceal my emotions even from
her at times and I'm closer to her than any and yet I still greave in silence
at the loss of a friend. Most rangers are this way. Our way of life demands
it of us as we spend most of our time traveling alone with only the animals
as company. It is this reason that many rangers have animals as friends that
roam as they do."
"I see Thorn," commented Spryte in passing.
"We love nature and hate those that destroy it without cause as most
humanoids do. We fight them so often that we learn to battle them with great
skill far surpassing that of other types of warriors."
"Last call patrons," yelled Spryte from the end of the bar.
"It seems Spryte is getting ready to close bro," announced JJ, "and I must be
going myself."
"Aye bro, yer right. I wish we could stay and talk about the beauty around
us like the quiet of the deep woods, the gentle chirping of a song bird, or
the majestic beauty of a dawn in the desert."
"So do I Thorny."
Thorn watched as JJ finished his frenzy and left asking before he did if the
lady Spryte needed an escort home. Smiling to himself, Thorn finished his
own drink and prepared to leave and find a place to stay for the night.
Luthy was away from Neverwinter and the thought of sleeping in Castle Stalker
alone was not to the ranger's liking. Slipping his travel stained cloak over
his shoulders, the ranger of Mielikki left the tavern as quietly as he
entered.
Thorn Hawk
Brotherhood of PathfindersThe Decision
(submitted by: Tieglin)
The dew-soaked, storm-grey steed galloped gracefully across the field,
tacking and sprinting after some unseen butterfly. When a rider stepped from
the trees and whistled a short and merry tune, the mare turned in a graceful
loop and galloped across the grass. Some might have sworn the horse hardly
touched the grass, and the more astute observer would have realized that, at
times, it actually didn't.
It was an asperii, commonly known as a wind steed, able to use innate powers
of levitation to fly at will. Tieglin admired it's careless grace as it
slowed to a trot in front of him, offering its ears for a scratch, which was
freely given. The knight laughed as the steed caught scent of his pockets
and nearly bowled him over with glee. Though a magical and very intelligent
creature, some things never changed...the asperii loved carrots, apples, and
mint leaves...and Tieglin had brought all three.
As he brought the treats forth, an item fell from his pocket into the deep
grass. Before Tieg could grab it, the asperii bent and caught the leather
chord in its teeth and picked it from the greenery, tilting its head to get a
look at the sparkly ebony and pearl object suspended from it. As he gently
retrieved the object, Tieglin sighed. He had all the pieces now, and he had
a plan, but a few doubts still lingered. The mare nudged him once on the
shoulder, gently, and tilted its head in an unspoken question. The knight
scratched its ears, and sighed again.
"I love her, Tethain," he said softly, "but I don't think she knows it." The
steed cocked its head sideways. "I've wanted to tell her, many times.... But
I don't want to lose the friendship we have if she doesn't feel the same way
about me." Tethain snorted eloquently. Tieg smirked and replied, "I know,
but not all females have such a high opinion of me as you do." The steed
shook her mane out and nudged the knight gently. "And if she does, I'm not
sure she wants to get involved just now. She's got so much going on, so many
people around her...maybe I'm not the right choice for her. Maybe...ow!!"
The knight rubbed his arm where the asperii had bit him, while the steed
shook her mane again, and nudged her friend more forcefully. Tieg frowned
and sat down, leaning up against a tree, and the asperii streched out beside
him, tail idly flicking the buzzing insects away.
"I think I have to tell her," Tieglin continued, resuming the ear-scratching,
"just to keep myself sane." Tethain nodded sagely, keeping well within range
of the wonderful treatment. The knight sighed again. "So many times, so
many days...when I just wanted to reach out, and gently touch her face...take
her in my arms and hold her...pick her up and spin her around as we
laughed.... Always there, but just out of reach." The asperii lay her head
in Tieg's lap. "Yep, she's a very special lady, Teth. And between choosing
to try, and choosing to let it go...." Tethain raised her head and looked
Tieg in the eye.
Tieg smiled, and stood. "Let's go, Teth. We've got a lot of work to do."
Tethain reached out and grabbed him by the seat of his pants, whickering.
Tieg glanced over his shoulder and grinned.
"Well, this ring I just happen to have won't do -me- any good, now will
it?"Darkness to Infinity II
Pact Sealed
(submitted by: KelliByrom)
There was an end to the darkness. An end to everything. An end to what I
was.
It started with a lessening in the depth of my endless night. I had
imagined light already, and had come to not trust my senses. But this light
stayed, and grew. Eventually I could make out a circle of light, near
pefectly round, and infinetly small. But as I forced my exhausted body
forward, the circle expanded until it occured to me that it was an exit.
When I stepped from the hole into the light of mid-day, I was unable to
see anything for a some time. My eyes had grown so used to the total
darkness that they no longer knew to acknowledge light. I was spared the
death of my past by that much longer.
When I could open my eyes long enough to focus, I found what he had left
for me. He had left me my daughter. Or at least her body. Her spirit had
left her some time earlier.
He had made an impromptu cross* out of a pair of large tree branches. My
daughter, my last remaining reason to be, was nailed to this cross as it sat
posted in the ground upside down, her throat slit, but still emnating the
waning heat of life. Her face was dyed red, and her hair was soaked with her
life-blood. She had not been dead long. He had not been gone long.
My impulse had immediatley been to follow, to run, to have my venegance.
But with my first step, my legs collapsed underneath me. My lack of rest,
combined with my grief at my daughter's death, had completely drained me of
my will to go own. As I lay there, my mind drifted, thinking on the things I
had done. I remembered my early years, as an adventurer of small renown. I
knew how to swing a sword, an if something was fairly close and not moving to
fast I could hit it with an arrow. I was always exceptionally strong. MY
friends had come to me to lift heavy things they couldn't manage, and other
such feats of strength. My strength had faded somewhat with, but at 42 I was
still a good deal above average. I had been in the small town of Benten on
my way to whatever adventures would beckon my name, when I had found her. At
24, she was three years younger than me then. I was so stricken, I could
never bring myself to approach her, but instead I found ways to be where I
knew she was going. When she went to the well, I would be passing by, when
she came to the inn to work, I would dutifully stay at a table until she had
left. One day, after a good deal of time at this, she approached me and
asked why I was following. In my panic I told her I loved her. She just
laughed, but we talked for a long time. That was the beginning. Many years
of wonderous, simple life passed before she found her end at the hands of a
person I have yet to see.
My mind was beginning to drift to thoughts of my daughter. At this point
I can't say if I was asleep or not. I was picturing my daughters first steps
when a presence of unknowable power seized my mind. My thoughts were filled
with the picture of an old man, with a thin beard of solid white, and a
crown in the form of a serpent. My spirit was filled with adoration for his
benevolance. His eyes seemed to look at me, and he began to speak.
"My child, I have seen your suffering. It is not allowed that I tell you
anything of the man you follow (man? maybe you can tell me something...).
But as you are now, you cannot hope to face him. I have chosen to be my
Palidine, my champion in this reality. With my chosing, you will gain great
powers, but your life will forever be dedicated to me, and through me the
defense of those who cannot hope to defend themselves. Your first quest in
my name will be to kill this man who has wronged you so. Your powers will
grow as you become more comfortable with them. But the decision is yours to
make. Do you accept my decision to make you my champion?"
My heart was filled with the anger of righteous vengance. My soul
screamed yes in answer to this being.
"Good. You will henforce be know as the champion of Ryujin, the Dragon
King. Rest well my child."
My last thought as I passed into unconciousness was that I might well die
from this exhaustion before I ever had the chance to serve my benefactor.The
Thief and the Paladin
(submitted by: ABK Autumn)
"Stop, harlot!" came the cries behind her, but she coolly ignored them.
"Thieving wench!"
"Murderous witch!"
Sara smiled grimly as the words of her pursuers reached her ears. Distant as
the horsemen were, she knew there was not much for her to fear. She could
not be angry or accusing of those that stalked her, for their words were
truth, but Sara would have it no other way. What was done was done, and she
loved it.
The dense foliage of the trees and the prickly twigs of the bushes flashed by
as she charged through the forest. Galloping astride a dapple gray mare,
Sara urged her chase deeper into the woods than ever she had gone before.
The countryside sped alongside her at an amazing rate, for speed was her only
salvation. Though she was ahead of the others, she knew she would be easy to
track. Her only chance was to outdistance them. Besides, they should give
up after a while, she thought. She had only stolen a horse and a couple
other things to live off. Her hand went protectively to the silver medallion
that hung about her neck. The large emerald encrusted in the pendant
twinkled at her in the sunlight, as surely as though it smiled at her.
"Yes, indeed," Sara giggled fiendishly, "this is truly something to live
off."
The young woman was forced to duck as a large overhanging branch sought to
knock her from her horse. Avoiding it narrowly, she smiled, enjoying the
excitement and freedom of her venture entirely too much.
Life had been one boring chore backing up to another until now, Sara
reflected, thinking backward into her years. Nearly twenty, she was sick of
it all. She was sick of having nothing. Sick of working someone else's
fields and keeping nearly nothing for herself. It was not her fault she was
born into a family of peasants. Her dreams were bigger...much bigger.
Her brother, Johan, had been killed fighting for the Baron Svilhagan, the
landowner that ruled her home province. Johan had not even been a soldier.
He had been dragged off to defend against the northern barbarians that had
been burning and pillaging the Old King Azoun's kingdom for some time. In
the end, his death had meant nothing, for the invaders kept coming.
Sara's parents were no better off, the girl though bitterly. Though both
were still alive, their existence was little better than that of a plow horse
or an oxen whose fate was no more than to plod before a wagon.
Their small family was poor and rarely happy, and often were the times they
argued and lashed each other with bitter words. Sara had finally had enough.
She decided to take her leave.
With nothing more than the clothes on her back and an old hunter's knife,
Sara went to find her lot in life. Her road was a short one, for soon she
came to the Baron Svilhagan's keep. The small castle was surrounded by a
large and prosperous village, and it was this village in which Sara's family
sold their crops. But this time, the girl came with nothing to sell.
With pure recklessness and raw gaul, Sara robbed the Baron himself while he
browsed the village marketplace. It was his necklace she now wore and it was
his honor she had stolen, and all with a gleeful smile upon her face.
The word had spread quickly, and Sara had escaped only by the length of her
long eyelashes. Kicking a farmer from atop his horse--one she later
recognized as one of her father's friends--she had leapt into the saddle and
galloped madly for freedom, knowing full well that to rob the Baron was a
sentence of death.
And now, as the maiden's horse ran itself into a lather, for it was not a
very strong or healthy horse, Sara began to worry that she might not escape
with her life.
The shouts grew more intense from behind, and Sara dug her heels into her
mare's flanks, but it was to no avail. The horse slowed to a trot, panting
like a dog in heat, trying vainly to recapture its breath.
"Move it, yon stupid beast," Sara screeched, slapping the mare's rump with
her palm. "Get me into the next province and with this necklace we shall
both live like royalty," she pleaded, but the horse merely snorted and slowed
to a walk.
Sara spun about in the saddle, hearing the Baron's men bellowing and crashing
through the brush behind her. They were gaining fast, and there would soon
be no chance for escape. Her head would surely roll answering justice for
her crime.
The maiden dropped down from the horse, snatching her filthy peasant's skirt
about her legs as it nearly caught on the stirrups. Slapping the horse hard
on the bum, she sent the animal trotting off into the woods. Without her
passenger, the mare would be able to continue for a bit longer.
Hoping that the riderless horse would draw her pursuit away, Sara slipped
into the woods, seeking anything that could conceal her. The forest growth
was dense and dark, and the girl easily found a large tree surrounded by
intense shrubbery. Wasting not a moment of time, she hurled herself into the
bushes, hiding herself just in time to evade the huntsmen's searching eyes.
Sara watched from her shelter as nearly a dozen armed men galloped past,
evidently tracking her empty-saddled horse.
Sara smiled her wide and toothy grin, brushing the dampness of worry from her
hot forehead. The dirt of her home field still smudged her face and hands,
and her drab and filthy clothing hung like colorless dishrags, but the young
woman felt clean for the first time in years. With the huge jewel that
embraced her throat, she would live like a queen and at last be treated with
the respect and care she had always dreamed of.
Waiting until the hoof beats of the other horses faded into the woods, Sara
emerged from the bushes. The sharp branches tore at her ragged blouse and
skin, and leaves and twigs cluttered her hair such that it looked like an
unkempt bird's nest.
She cautiously walked back onto the worn forest path, intently watching the
direction the men had gone.
After a long moment of silence, Sara allowed herself a small sigh.
"Well," she breathed. "I am quite glad that is over."
She reached to her chest and clasped the jeweled pendant tightly in her hand.
"Let's you and I go and find a new life, shall we?" she grinned happily.
Sara took a few steps down the trail, wondering just how long it would take
her to reach the next city. It might be days, she thought, she did not know.
She had never traveled this far. The woods seemed to stretch endlessly
before her. Still, her spirit undaunted, she set off into the brush,
deciding to keep off the trail, lest the men come back in her direction.
For several hours she walked the woods, with the necklace between her
caressing fingers and a song in her heart. The leaves rustled like the
endlessly crashing tides of a great green sea, and the birds and squirrels
chattered happily in the trees, each paying homage to the maiden that
peacefully wandered their world. Sara turned to them each in turn, offering
the little woodland creatures a broad smile and timid wave.
The forest was alive with beauty, and before long, Sara came upon a small
pond of crystalline water. Its surface was such as a mirror's; its calm
silvery plane reflecting the forest's soft light flawlessly.
Enchanted, Sara knelt down beside the water's edge. A small sparrow alighted
on her shoulder, clinging to her tattered blouse as she peered into the pond.
She frowned as her own reflection sprang into view. Her mud caked face, her
greasy hair, her filthy clothes. It was as if two big eyes stared from
within a compost pile.
Admitting that she had not been able to care about her personal cleanliness
for nearly her entire life--true it was that she had only beheld herself in a
mirror once before, and that was when she was very young--Sara was not too
taken aback. The sparrow upon her shoulder, however, thought otherwise.
Chittering quickly and bouncing to and fro, it was almost as if the bird
laughed at the maiden's appearance. Abruptly, Sara swatted at the feathered
pest.
"Oh, Begone, you little hooligan," she frowned playfully. "Think you that I
always look like this?" She stopped. "Well," she continued thoughtfully,
"perhaps I do always look this way. But 'tis no fault of mine own. I've had
only dirt to plunge my hands in, not pools as pretty as this one as you have,
my little friend."
The bird flew to the water and guzzled a few sips with his short beak. Then
the bird hopped into the pool itself, drenching his light feathers and
emerging looking like a soiled rag. Without further ado, the little sparrow
shook itself dry, sending little beadlets of water flying everywhere.
Sara held her hands out against the drizzle.
"Is that a hint, you little featherbag?" she grinned, glancing longingly at
the clean water. Thinking how nice it would feel to be clean, Sara shrugged.
"Why ever not? It wouldn't do to have one of the kingdom's richest ladies
appear from the woods looking such as this."
Without pause, the maiden tossed her medallion onto the shore and plunged
into the pond, clothes and all.
The sparrow flew to a lofty branch, narrowly escaping the mass of splashing
water, where he immediately set about chirping indignantly. But Sara merely
laughed and splashed light-heartedly. Never before had anything felt so good
as the clean water against her skin. A cloud of dirt floated away from her
body as she splashed back and forth, singing at the top of her voice:
Waters blue and leaves so green,
All combine to leave me clean.
I wash away my dirt and grime.
I toss out all the ash and slime.
Here I lay with open eyes,
Offering thanks unto the skies.
For I go now to find a place,
Where I will learn to live my pace.
And never shall I be alone,
In this new place I'll call home.
Sara ducked her head under the water, wringing out her hair as months of
filth drifted away. She gathered some sand from the pond's bottom and
scrubbed the dirt from her face and cleaned off her arms and legs, and it was
not until she felt thoroughly clean did she leave the luxurious waters.
She emerged soaking but happy. Her clothes clung to her like wet rags, which
was all they were, and the light breeze of the forest made her cold, but such
was a fair price.
Sara again knelt beside the pool, and there she patiently waited until the
ripples of her passing had subsided. When at last the water had cleared, and
it shone like a mirror once more, the maiden looked again at her reflection.
She was only a young girl when she had last looked upon herself. She had
held the characteristics that all girls shared, but now, as she gazed at the
stranger in the pond, she found a woman peering back.
Brilliant green eyes flashed from the pond, turning a bluish gray as a cloud
drifted far overhead, blocking the brilliant sunlight. Ivory skin, as smooth
and delicate as pearl, hugged her high cheekbones and pouting lips of the
deepest hue of red remained fixed in a frown of disbelief. Long tangles of
dark and damp curly hair framed the lovely face, spilling about her wet
shoulders like blood wine pouring from a pitcher. Again breaking from the
clouds, the sun drenched her radiant hair, bringing forth tremendous sanguine
red and amber highlights.
The maiden fell back, nearly stifled by the image she cast. Only after a
long moment could she admit that she, Sara, was absolutely beautiful. And
with this dawning, realizing at last she was every bit as perfect as any
noble woman, a slow grin spread across her flawless face. Her pearly teeth
twinkled as her smile turned to pure Cheshire.
"I had no idea," she whispered to herself, touching her fingers to her cheek
to see if she were truly real. The woman in the reflection did the same.
"Ha hee!" she giggled, overjoyed. "Look out world! Here I come!"
Sara rose to her feet, her sandals squishing with their dampness. The maiden
twiddled her toes in the thongs' wet confines.
Still smiling happily, she turned to retrieve her precious medallion.
But it was nowhere to be seen!
Sara stared speechless at the empty shore bank, standing stock-still until
the shock subsided and reality smacked her between the eyes.
"Oh no," she whispered at first, her eyes roving everywhere for her lost
treasure. "No!" she then screamed. What could have happened to it, she
wondered in furious panic. She had only let it lie for a moment. It had
been right here. She had seen no one even come near the pond. Where could
it be?
The maiden's eyes then fell accidentally fell upon small tracks in the mud
beside the pond. Small and clawed they were, like a rodent's except a tad
larger. The tracks lead directly to the edge of the woods, and Sara's
blazing eyes followed them quickly. There, standing at the clearing's end
and upon two stubby hind legs, was a large raccoon. It was one of the
largest raccoons the girl had ever seen, but that was not the item that
inspired her so. True it was that the black fur mask across the animal's
eyes labeled it as a master thief, but more so it was because of the silver
amulet in its grinning jaws that Sara called it a downright crook.
"Give that back!" Sara called angrily, lunging after the raccoon with a
vengeance. But as soon as the maiden moved, the jovial stripy little fellow
hopped into the woods. Sara shrieked with vexation and hurried after his
furry hide, her sandals slopping water as she ran.
The raccoon bounded off, followed closely by the angry girl. The little
animal was fleet and agile, slipping through bushes and under logs like a
starlet flying through the boughs of trees. Sara, however, was not nary so
adroit. Her soaking skirt clung to her legs like spider webs, tripping her
up at every occasion, and her damp hair became tangled in twigs as she dived
through the underbrush.
Finally, after nearly a hour of chasing the foul little brute, Sara collapsed
against a tree, sobbing for breath. The raccoon, who had ever bobbed
mockingly ahead as though daring the maiden to catch him, was now nowhere to
be seen...as was the medallion.
"Damnation!" the girl swore, striking a slender fist against the tree.
Abruptly, she clutched at her knuckles, for she had struck the unyielding
truck a little too hard. "Ouch!" she pouted, turning her back to the
uncaring tree. "To the Abyss with that little thieving furball. Little does
he know that he's stolen my very life! What am I to do now, eh? Filthy
little vermin!" Sara turned and kicked the tree with her foot. Her sandals,
flimsy as they were, did little to cushion the blow.
"Owey!" Sara fell to the ground nursing a bruised toe.
"Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!" she screamed to the deaf forest and smug sky.
The maiden cursed constantly and bitterly, ultimately drawing her hunter's
knife and stabbing violently at the ground. With a last most unlady-like
hex, she tossed her blade into the bushes.
Finally, utterly exhausted from her terrific chase and now sobbing in despair
for her own existence, Sara cradled herself in her arms and fell into
disturbed dreams.
"Get up, whore!"
Sara was jerked awake as a rough hand snatched her hair and yanked her head
up. She squeaked in pain and confusion as another hand slapped across her
face. Purely on instinct, she lunged out and bit at the hand. She felt her
teeth sink into someone's fingers.
"Ow! Son of a b....!" yelled a man's voice. The hand was pulled away as
whoever she had bitten fell back in surprise.
Sara's eyes cleared from sleep quickly. Night had fallen silently and
heavily, cloaking the forest land like a soft blanket of the deepest black.
Nary a star shone through the concealing trees and the only light offered was
that of a torch but a few paces away. That single flame leapt and flickered
like the soul of a captured demon, and within its orange light, Sara could
see the forms of those that had disturbed her slumber.
There were seven or eight of them; large men with ruddy faces and powerful
shoulders. They wore the trappings of hired enforcers and bore the weapons
to match their trade, except one. Standing beside the rest, a dark skinned
man stood with his arms crossed over a chainmail tunic. A large sword hung
at his side and the emblem of the house of Svilhagan adorned his chest.
Sara stared at him angrily, slowly wiping the other man's blood from her lips
with the back of her hand. Noting the emblem on his mail vest, she felt the
creeping sensation of fear sweep over her.
Her pursuers had found her.
Alone atop the cliff he stood. A single man against the cloud-swept sky.
The night breeze blasted at him, but he did not move. Only his long hair was
tossed to and fro and his cloak swirled about him in the springtime wind,
fluttering like the black wings of some great bat with each mighty gust.
With dark eyes he watch the forest-covered countryside below him. From his
vantage point, the land was stretched out before him like a great ocean of
leaves. Indeed, the treetops writhed and swayed like waves in the wind.
"Somewhere," he whispered to himself, "somewhere my destiny awaits."
His voice was dashed and carried away upon the winds, scattered so that it
would never be heard by any ear. There was one, however, that could sense
the young man's disquietude.
The steps were nearly imperceivable upon the soft grass behind him, but the
young man was aware of them anyway. He did not move as long muzzle came to
rest upon his shoulder. Hot and musty breath blew softly against his ear.
"I know, I know," the man said, still watching the woods with patient eyes.
"I miss home as much as you do. We wiln't be out on our own forever. Trust
me."
There came a quiet wicker and a definite snort.
The young man rubbed his ear, fending off the tickling breath.
"Don't believe me?" he asked. The young man raised a hand to pat the furry
muzzle above his shoulder. "Perhaps I should have left you in the stable and
taken Gurney along instead."
The young man could not help smiling as his horse playfully nudged him aside
with her long boney head.
"Only kidding, Brooke," he laughed, regaining his balance and stroking the
mare's mane assuringly. "I don't know what I'd do without you, ol' girl.
You're faster than eagle in preyflight, though you've got more of a temper to
you than an old grandam badger."
The tall white horse seemed to almost smile as the young man patter her
muzzle and reached into the saddlebag for some oats. Brooke ate contentedly
from his hand.
"Don't worry, Brooke," he said to the horse, again looking far off over the
land, "I've a feeling deep down inside me that tells me it won't be too long
before we see home again. After all, how hard can it be to find that which I
seek. Eligable brides are all over this entire kingdom, and it's just the
small question of finding the right one. I know it took my father forever,
but the man's an ass. I am different. I shall find my..."
Suddenly, Brooke's ears perked up and she abruptly raised her head from her
master's palm. She swung a wary eye towards the forest below.
"What is it, girl?" her master asked, concerned as he was, for he had learned
to trust his steed's senses as he would his own.
The young man followed the horses steady gaze, and he quickly stepped to the
brink of the lofty cliff. Down below, however, he saw only the swaying of
the shadowed trees.
Behind him, Brooke whickered urgently.
Her master raised a hand, prompting the mare to shush, and he concentrated on
listening to the sounds of the woods. The wind lashed wildly, and the
rustling of leaves all but drowned out all other noise. But from the depths
of this ruckus, he heard the shout. A tiny scream of distress, he swore it
was!
Turning quickly, the young man swung himself into his saddle and spoke a word
of command to his horse. The mare quickly took instruction and galloped down
the gentle hillside that rose to meet the steep cliff. The dark forest
loomed far below, and after only a few moments of intense riding, both horse
and rider plunged into the forest and swung about, heading for the sounds of
trouble.
Lancing through the darkness, narrowly dodging between the densely packed
trees and leaping over brambles and stumps, the young man astride his ivory
mare soon saw the glimmering light of a single torch through the extreme
foliage.
Again hearing a feminine shriek of anguish, the young man urged his steed
faster.
With a calm and skilled hand, he drew his sword from the saddle scabbard.The
Thief and the Paladin - Conclusion
(submitted by: ABK Autumn)
Sara struggled violently as two of the henchmen grappled with her arms. She
flung herself from side to side, but they held her tightly. She shrieked and
whimpered as they dragged her toward the armored man. He smiled at her
displeasure and he reveled in her pain.
"Bring her closer," he said in a deep voice.
His minions did so, though Sara fought them with all her strength. When she
found herself face to face--or rather face to stomach--with the dark skinned
man, her fear got the better of her and she nearly fainted. She went limp,
and she would have fallen to the ground as she slipped from the others'
grasp, but the armored man reached out and grabbed her by the neck.
Sara came back to reality as his grip tightened around the throat. Her body
went rigid with fright and her breath caught in her lungs as he lifted her
off her feet. Bringing her face to face with him, the man blasted her with
foul-breathed words.
"Where is it?" he snarled, his lips curling back revealing gnashed yellowed
teeth.
Sara struggled for breath, but the man's grip did not slacken. Her knife lay
in the bushes behind her, too distant to reach. She hung helplessly before
him, praying that she would soon pass out and fall to death's mercy. But her
pain was too sharp and her fear too real. In reality she stayed, her eyes
locked with his burning orbs.
"Search her," the big man ordered.
His cronies clutched at the maiden with probing hands, chuckling fiendishly
the whole while. Sara twitched with rage and terror as their filthy fingers
flitted over her skin, making her feel dirtier than she had felt even before
her bath.
"She ain't got nuthin,' sir," one of the men reported, "'cept some goodies
under her blouse."
"Is that right?" the dark man said, tightening his iron fingers even more,
gradually crushing her trachea. Sara choked, vainly seeking air. She began
to feel light-headed. "If she doesn't have the Baron's prize, we'll need her
to take us to where it's hidden. But that doesn't mean we can't teach her a
lesson first." The armored man's smile was that of pure evil as his eyes
roved over the maiden. "It's been a while since I've laid with a woman," he
spat, as a stream of saliva trickled from his lips.
Sara's eyes widened with abject horror at what her fate was to be. But she
was at the mercy of her captors. Her arms and legs were like leaded weights,
and her brain burned as the last of her breath left her.
"Oh, give us a piece o' 'er, matey," one of the other men called.
"She's right perty now, ain't she. Wud she do, take a bath, ur sumthin'?"
"I bet I could give 'er sumthin' she 'bait forget," cried another. "Let me
at 'er, sir!"
The dark man grinned again as he stared into the girl's afraid and fading
eyes. "You'll all have your chance," he said in a low, despicable tone.
With that, he tossed the girl to the ground.
Sara collapsed against a bush, and dirt billowed from her wake. She greedily
sucked in the dusty air as she clutched at her sore throat. Blood pulsed
unrestricted to her head, and it seemed as though tiny dwarves beat upon her
temples with massive hammers.
Before she could reclaim herself, one of the men was upon her.
He reached at her with powerful hands, seeking to toss her defending arms
aside and reach the treasure within. Sara struggled against him, but she
received only pain for her efforts. With a grunt, the man struck her heavily
in the face.
The girl's head knocked back from the intense force of the blow, and blood
spouted freely from her nose.
The man reached for her peasant's skirt and tore at it with his fingers. A
long tear appeared along the side, exposing most of her thigh.
Sobbing vainly, Sara reached behind her, seeking anything to serve as a
weapon. Any branch or leafy twig would do, but it was none of these that the
girl found. With desperate fingers, Sara clutched the hilt of her hunting
dagger!
The man reached for the maiden's blouse, determined to tear it from her body.
Absorbed in his lustful search, he did not notice the slim dirk thrusting at
his neck.
With a power-driven shriek, Sara plunged her knife into her attacker's
throat, slashing his jugular in twain. Crimson erupted from the wound in a
torrent of hot blood. The thick fluid rained down upon the maiden, trickling
down her arms and drenching her blouse as she tore her weapon free.
The man collapsed lifelessly upon her, gurgling grotesquely as his last
breath escaped his corpse.
With strength born of terror, Sara tossed him aside and struggled to her
feet. Her bloodied knife hung loosely in her fingers, and she stared with
pure loathing at the man she had slain. She did not have time to reflect on
her deed before the others moved against her.
She lashed out viciously at an arm that reached for her, and she kicked at a
leg that stepped too close. Her head spun in confusion as she stared
vacantly at the faces that peered at her with absolute enmity. Things were a
frightening blur to her, even as she heard the whisper of the dark man's
sword being draw from its sheath.
"We'll finish this now," the soldier said in a voice full of malice, "and
apologize to the Baron when we return with only her head and not the amulet."
Sara raised her knife protectively before her as the dark man approached her,
sword in hand.
The trees parted as the white mare burst into the tiny clearing. Her hooves
landed with a tremendous thud accompanied by a shower of twigs and leaves.
The torchlight wavered as the men fell back before this surprise onslaught.
The dark skinned lawman spun about to face this new commotion, his sword
raised as though all of the demons of hell came seeking his soul.
Atop the fuming warhorse, the young rider took stock of the situation
instantly.
Before him stood seven armed men and one captive that looked rather worse for
wear. Steel glistened, reflecting the flame light, as each of the men drew a
weapon against this newcomer, lest his intentions prove less than hospitable.
His eyes falling upon the blood-spattered maiden, seeing her eyes staring
back at him, wide and hopeful they were, the young horseman knew what he must
do.
Though his entrance had been like that of a warhost battering a fortress, the
young man reigned up his steed and calmly dismounted. His high leather boots
thudded as they struck the ground, and his black leather gloves creaked as
his fist tightened about his sword hilt.
Sara's attention was diverted as a horse plunged out of the darkness of the
woods. She instinctively turned to look, leaving herself ill defended. She
was unable to escape the heavy fist that rammed into her stomach.
The maiden doubled over and fell, dropping unceremoniously to the dirt as she
gasped miserably for breath.
The dark soldier raised his weapon and prepared to bring his wrath down upon
her, but he turned away, his attention caught as he noticed the newcomer.
Sara looked up from her agony. Clutching at her abdomine, she managed to
focus her dazed eyes past her enemies. There at the other side of the
clearing stood a majestic steed, and upon its back rode man.
She knew not who he was, and not whether he was friend or foe, but intrigued
by him she was. Here was her only hope.
Although her vision blurred and her head spun, she fixed this stranger with a
stare, pulling his eyes toward hers. Blood trickled from her lips as she
voicelessly pleaded for help...for protection...for life.
"Let the girl go," the stranger said, and the hapless maiden nearly melted
with relief. His voice was strong and steady, and though it no doubt
threatened her captors, it soothed her reassuringly, cradling her like an
infant in the arms of the mother.
Though his men glanced at the young man aprehensively, staring at his lowered
blade as though expecting it to strike like a snake, the dark man's face
split with a yellowed grin.
"This is none of your affair, pilgrim," the soldier said darkly, taking a
step toward the youth. "Be on your way before you overstay your welcome. We
have no quarrel with you."
The young man glared at the soldier in response. "And with whom do you
quarrel, good sir. I was just wondering what manner of beast would demand
the attention of several such fighting men." He looked beyond the fuming
lawman and looked sorrowfully at the pained girl. "Ah," he continued sadly,
"a young lady. Truly a horrible monster. By all means, continue this farce
of justice."
"Justice indeed!" the soldier bellowed. "This harlot stole the Baron's
family medallion! The piece is worth a fortune, and is as unrecoverable as
the Baron's honor! She will pay for her thievery!"
The young man reguarded the maiden with interest, patiently ignoring the dark
man. "Is this true?" he asked her. "Do you have the medallion?"
Sara's conciousness wavered as her eyes clouded over, but still, she managed
to shake her head. "No," she whispered in half-truth. Blood trickled from
her lips as her body was then wracked by a fit of coughing.
The young man's jaw tightened as he beheld the girl's suffering. He took a
step forward, intending to aid her, but the soldier blocked his path.
"There you have it," the young horseman said angrily, his patience wearing
thin. "She doesn't have your damn necklace. Now step aside!"
"This woman is a criminal," the dark man shouted, "and she will pay for her
crimes!"
"Step aside!" the young man snarled.
"I will not!" was the reply.
Sara pushed herself onto her knees. With a final shudder, she made a small
cry.
"Help me," she gasped, and then she toppled to the ground where she lay
motionless.
The young man had seen enough.
With a furious shout, his sword launched forward.
Quick though he was, the dark man could not deflect the strike completely.
The mens' blades rang together, shattering the evening stillness, and the
young man's sword tore through the other's chain armor.
The dark man snarled in pain and rage as the point twisted in his shoulder.
He retreated quickly, saving himself from the vengeful young man as his own
men rushed to attack.
The young hero spun about as the six other men rushed him. His sword
whistled dangerously, daring them to confront him. Sparks rained as steel
clashed against steel, and a scream of pain split the melee as one of the
huntsmen toppled with the young man's sword in his chest.
The fire of intense battle-rage burned behind the young horseman's eyes as he
tore his weapon free of the dead man just in time to block the thrust of
another. Bellowing fiercely, he batted aside yet another weapon and prompty
kicked one of the men in the face. The would-be attacker fell back against a
tree, clutching at his blood-spouting nose.
Faced by four, the battle was far from over. The long-haired young warrior
spun about, performing a magnificent display of swordwork. One of his
adversaries lost a hand and another lost his head. But a chance to rejoice
was still out of reach. The man with the bloodied nose charged forward, bent
on revenge and worse, while the young warrior grappled furiously with another
man. Pulling a dagger from his boot as their swords were locked high
overhead, the young hero plunged the short blade into his adversary's gut and
twisted it mercilessly. As the foeman dropped away in death, the charging
man knocked the long-haired youth off his feet in a flying tackle. His sword
spun from his grasp.
The remaining two henchmen closed in for the kill as he lay trapped beneath
the voracious tackler. The armored lawman also drew in closer, nursing his
wounded arm and fingering his sword hilt in anticipation.
The young man fought madly against the hands that sought to throttle him. He
glanced about in desperation, and seeing the battered maiden's eyes locked
closed, he nearly fell to hopelessness. There seemed no help at hand. But
still, one venue remained open to him.
Pursing his lips, the young warrior managed a shrill whistle. In response,
his horse plunged forward whinnying madly and striking with her axe-like
hooves. Given no time to defend against the furious mare, one of the
onlooking men was beaten heavily to the ground. He lay trampled and torn,
and as the horse fell upon him one last time, crimson life exploded from his
body in a thick mist.
The dark man backed away, warily regarding the brazen mare and her bloodied
hooves. The other man flat out took to his heels and fled. The woods parted
and willowy saplings whipped at his hasty departure.
Striking him heavily across the face, the young hero threw his adversary from
atop him. He then vaulted onto his feet and snatched up his discarded blade.
Immediately, the dark man leapt forward. Though one arm hung limp and
unwieldy, here was a man with much skill within his remaining swordarm.
Experienced as he was, the dark soldier would not be caught off guard again.
Weapons clashed yet again as the two fighters spared back and forth. The
bark of a tree split and showered apart, forced by the weight of a heavy
swing. Leaves were unceremoniously torn from a low-hanging bough, swept
askew by a powerful slash.
The young hero's eyes widened in surprise as the huntsman with the broken
nose came at him yet again, joining the fray. His enemies came at him from
opposite sides, and it was all he could do to evade their stabbing swords.
Seeking to gain the upper hand, the young man knocked the dark one's blade
aside and grabbed his wrist. With a terrific shout, he swung the soldier
about and sent him careening into a tree.
Seeing an opprotunity, the other man lunged forward, driving his weapon into
the hero's side. The young man grunted in pain as the steel pierced his skin
and blood erupted from the horred gash. Bringing his dagger into play once
more, he turned and lashed out, raking the razor-sharp blade across his
attacker's grinning face. The other's chuckle of elation turned into shriek
of agony as the young hero reverse the dirk and rammed it through his throat.
The hapless huntsman fell to his knees with a sickening gurgle, and even as
he released his last breath, and bubbles of blood burst upon his lips, the
young warrior drove his sword through his chest.
Gasping with exertion and clutching at his streaming wound with his free
hand, the horseman propped his back against a sturdy tree trunk. Even as he
looked up from examining his bloodied side, the young man's eyes widened in
surprise. Purely on instinct, he managed to duck under the slashing sword
that sought to take his head.
The dark man was upon him again, swinging voraciously with an utterly wild
look in his blazing eyes. The young hero strove desperately to block the
tremendous blows, but he was caught off guard and the dark soldier kicked him
stoutly in the chest.
The long-haired warrior crashed heavily to the ground, and would have fallen
to the other's mercy, but such was not to be. The armored fighter merely
smirked arrogantly and gave a grunt of triumph. Then, as the beaten hero
watched with horror etched across his handsome face, the dark one turned upon
the unconcious maiden and raised his sword.
"No!" screamed the young warrior as the lawman brought his blade high above
his head.
"Justice be done," the armored man murmered, and so saying he brought his
sword down like a screetching hawk seeking the young woman's neck.
Suddenly, the maiden's eyes flared open. With a quick scissor-like movement
of her legs, the soldier fell to the ground.
The young hero was upon his feet in a flash, and the lawman's last scream
resounded among the forest's trees as his head was swept from his shoulders.
Above the dismembered corpse he stood; the hero admiring his gruesome
handiwork.
Sara watched in horrid fascination as the dark man's head rolled into the
bushes. A spurattic trail of blood tailed the flopping fleshy orb; such was
the path of life that leads to one's (sometimes rather dreary and untimely)
demise. She nearly retched as she noted the still twitching fingers of the
headless corpse, and she turned her head away in utter repulsion. Her hand
clamped tightly over her mouth as she felt her stomach churn. The ground
seemed to sway beneath her shaking hands.
It was then that she first clearly heard the voice she was fated to never
forget.
"Are you all right, milady?" the young man asked, sheathing his sword.
Sara looked up from the ground to see the man standing before her...her hero.
Slowly, her eyes focused on the bloodied hand he held out to her to give her
aid. As her head cleared, she looked beyond the hand. Her gaze ran up his
sleeved arm. It was well muscled and seemed to shake slightly, almost
timidly, as it reach out to her.
Still not daring to move, Sara strained her eyes, fighting the pain in her
lightly swollen cheek. She looked across his broad shoulders, upon which
hung a long cloak, and over his heaving chest that still shook as he fought
to regain his breath after his battle. She then trailed her gaze up his
sweat-moistened neck, and at last, she saw his face. He was the most
handsome and majestic figure she'd ever seen in her young life. His shoulder
length blonde hair hung in thick strands, some tangled before his dark
chestnut eyes. His jaw was squared and his tanned skin rolled over his
cheekbones like waves cresting over a perfect beach. And it was the way he
looked at her, with those deep eyes that probed into her very soul, that
caused shivers of ecstasy to course down her spine.
And it was the way that he helped her to her feet...the way he healed her
with his bare hands, using some divine power that only one as angelic as he
could be blessed with...the way he guarded her as she slept the night...and
ultimately, the way pledged to never leave her side, that made her believe
that perhaps....perhaps her dream of a fulfilled and loving life could be
hers at last.
And so it was, that they left the forest together, hand in hand. And when
the dark trees had been left far behind, along with Sara's fears, doubts, and
sins, they held each other in the radiant sunlight that greeted them on the
beautiful plains that stretched out before them. And as their lips met in a
first kiss, their souls mingled and fused, each pledging eternal love. The
flame of love was lit within their hearts, and together, they knew it would
forever grow.
And so, as a wave of love swept over them, and carried them forward to their
destinies, they set off to make a new life together...
But that is another story...Killing Fields
(submitted by: Abzzsta1n)
Stain stalked quietly through the field of carnage, looking at the
devastation that had been wrought by the Bregan. The shattered corpses of the
Undead Lords were strewn in pieces about the field; a few drow still picked
idly through the remains, searching for anything of value.
Though the ravens and carrion birds were already descending upon the
undead corpses, they found little to scavenge. The ravens clucked and cawed
at each other in some sort of weird language, apparently disgusted at the
lack of fresh meat. The undead corpses had collapsed in upon themselves after
the animating magic had been blasted from their bodies. There was little now
for the ravens except bones, dust, and tattered, stinking rags.
Stain noticed his teammates Glaeros, Modalex and XO2 Zeus rifling
through a pile of rusted weapons and tattered clothing, looks of disgust on
their faces.
"Give it up, abbilen," Stain remarked. "Without their borrowed magic,
they are so much junk." He watched as a raven pulled on a corpse, then
staggered backward with a squawk as the dessicated flesh exploded into dust
in its beak. "Even the ravens find slim pickings here ... best to continue
our march and take what is rightfully ours."
The Undead Lords had met the quiet, methodical pace of the Bregan
assassins for a while, but in the end the corpses had been no match. Neither
had the White Mages, nor the Keepers of the Eternal Flame, been able to match
the methodical ferocity of the drow. Looking further back down the field, the
leader of the Bregan could still see the tattered, stained white robes of the
mages. Their gleaming white ranks had been reduced to soiled laundry, mashed
heedlessly into the thick, soupy mud outside Neverwinter. A few ravens had
flown back to the White Mages, searching for a few overlooked scraps of
flesh.
Looking still further back, Stain could see the faint signs of struggle
where the KEF had been mowed down. There was little left now but grass matted
down by huge pools of blood, and a few black spots where the KEF ranks had
been blasted by dark magic. He noticed a once-gleaming breastplate, now
shattered and splintered, propped up on a stump as a reminder to any who
would oppose the drow rogues.
Stain looked about his comrades and saw that their taste for battle and
conquest was still not sated. Fire still gleamed in their red eyes, and they
seemed to be waiting only for another foe to be pointed out.
The jabbuk strode through the ranks, fueled further by the confident,
burning gazes of his abbilen. Striding purposefully now, he caught the eyes
of his most-trusted lieutenants one by one, signaling for them to join him.
He walked to the edge of the killing field, where the general who had
orchestrated this carnage, Sagx, stood alone looking out over the final plain
to Neverwinter.
Stain silently joined Sagx at the top of the hill, and was not surprised
at what he saw across the meadow on another hill, equidistant from
Neverwinter. There were the howling, prancing members of KAAOS, performing
some sort of unnatural desecration upon their fallen opponents. Stain knew
that these "ceremonies" signified a weird sort of self-worship that fed the
fools' delusions of themselves as "gods." The "gods" capered and howled
around a fire in a drunken orgy of self-worship, somehow convinced that
excess equaled superiority.
Stain felt his lieutenants gathering behind him on the hilltop. He
turned to face Sagx and saw the fire in his eyes that was burning brighter
after each successive battle. Sagx glanced at the cavorting KAAOS fools, then
returned his gaze to Stain. In his own time as jabbuk, Sagx had worked
endlessly for the moment that was now within their reach, as had Kh0lari
after him. Now that the time had come, there was no need for discussion.
Eyes blazing now, Sagx broke into an evil grin. Stain grinned wide, and
chuckled to himself. He turned to face the lieutenants, and found that the
rest of the Bregan had gathered silently as well. Looking slowly from face to
face, he saw the unanimous thirst for one more battle ... the battle these
drow had been preparing for all their lives.
"The time of our destiny is at hand, abbilen," Stain said quietly. "With
our upcoming victory, our return to the surface will be complete. From there,
we will begin our conquest across the land.
"But tonight we will rip from the grasp of Neverwinter that which is
rightfully ours. How fitting that our victory will be complete at the expense
of the capering fools of KAAOS."
The raven he had seen earlier glided silently to Stain's shoulder. The
jabbuk glanced around and met the bird's beady eyes.
"Patience, brother. Watch and gloat, for tonight you shall feast on the
'gods.' Before the moon has set, I myself will feed you Rellik's deluded
eyes. After tonight's festivities, you won't be hungry for a long, long time
... perhaps nevermore."
Stain raised his dagger high and held it motionless before his comrades,
then hissed in a fierce whisper....
"Bregan D'Aerth Ultrin!"A New Reign Begins
(submitted by: Abzzsta1n)
The drow of Bregan D'Aerth swept across the moonlit valley in a silent
wave, picking up speed as they neared the KAAOS encampment near the gates of
Neverwinter. The Second Great War among the guilds had come down to this
battle, and there would be no quarter asked and none given.
Stain was surprised to see that the KAAOS army was ready and waiting; he
had hoped to catch the "gods" unaware, but it didn't matter now. The forces
of both sides were committed, and the battle was joined.
As soon as he entered the camp, Stain was surprised to see that his own
squad of assassins had come face to face with Rellik's team. Stain eyed the
KAAOS commander's group and quickly called together his fighting partners --
Glaeros, XO2 Zeus, and Modalex. They swarmed in on the KAAOS group, daggers
flashing and spells sizzling. The fog and dust quickly obscured the fight,
and confusion set in. Stain wondered if the so-called "gods" could even
control the elements and cause such chaos. He heard Modalex shout that Slayve
had been struck down, but then Stain saw Zeus stagger back and fall through
the swirls of mist.
And then he saw Rellik, somehow separated from the other KAAOS fighters,
watching for an opening. Stain grabbed Glaeros as he was rushing by,
whispered to him quickly, then grinned as Glaeros disappeared into the
confusion. Stain advanced directly on Rellik, grinning widely and waving the
daggers in each hand. Rellik spun and faced off against the Bregan leader,
scowling from underneath his basilisk-horn helmet.
"Wooooooo!!!! C'mon Rellik, it's time to start the party, ya freak!"
Stain howled. "Get yer god-butt over here and let me pimp-slap that ugly grin
off yer face!"
Rellik growled and advanced, ready to strike with his legendary dagger.
The two commanders squared off, both grinning evilly at this early chance
encounter. But then, just as Rellik was about to lunge, his eyes flew open
wide and he pitched forward. Glaeros was standing behind him holding a long
dagger that was bloody to the hilt. Glaeros grinned, waved, and gave Stain a
mock salute, then rushed away into the battle.
Stain feigned a look of shock as he watched Rellik writhing on the
ground, his side ripped open from Glaeros' deep slash. Stain grinned and held
his arms wide, then shrugged. "Well Rellik ..." he said with mock
disappointment, looking down at the loops of Rellik's entrails spilling out
onto the ground. "I hate to leave you so early in the fight, but I don't
think you have the stomach for it anymore. Pull yourself together and maybe
you can get back in it later." Stain grinned once more at the growling KAAOS
leader, then used his toe to kick dirt on the pile of entrails.
"Um ... I think ya dropped something."
Stain rushed back into the battle and saw that Glaeros and Modalex had
dropped another KAAOS member and were circling the last one in the area. The
three drow charged in from different angles and quickly put the "god" down.
They then swept across the field and found another group of KAAOS'ers quietly
preparing for battle.
Stain was surprised to see that Zeus had rejoined the partners, though
he bore grievous wounds. However, he just scowled at the abbilen and advanced
on the KAAOS team. Soon the four partners were again locked in battle with
the howling KAAOS'ers.
The battle raged back and forth, both sides giving and taking damage.
Suddenly, Stain noticed that Hedron had moved away from his partners, and
that Modalex was giving chase. Stain joined the chase, and soon the drow had
cornered and killed the leering False Prophet. Rushing back to Glaeros and
Zeus, they saw that the remaining KAAOS'ers had formed into a tight group. In
unspoken agreement, the four drow began hurling charges from their Ice Storm
Necklaces, inflicting heavy damage before the KAAOS'ers staggered in separate
directions.
Stain saw that Glaeros had cornered one of the enemy, and rushed to his
side. He then gaped in amazement as he finally noticed the obscene size and
girth of the grotesque Fat K1d. He quickly huddled with Glaeros, nodded, and
the two drow clasped forearms and charged. They caught the behemoth squarely
in the throat, and he staggered back, arms pinwheeling, but refused to fall.
Stain and Glaeros glanced at each other, backed off, charged again, and
clotheslined the monstrosity once more. Fat K1d teetered precipitously, but
again refused to fall. One of his flailing, waving arms caught Stain in the
head, sending him crashing headlong into a wall. A nearby griffin lunged at
Stain, but Glaeros jumped in front and took the bite. Stain then saw flashing
lights and passed out briefly.
When he regained his senses a couple of seconds later, Stain looked up
groggily and could scarcely believe his eyes. Glaeros was scaling the wall
like a cat. He scampered to the top of the wall, struck an impressive pose
with his arms wide, then leaped at Fat K1d a wailing howl.
"AAAIIIIIIEEEE!!!!!" Glaeros caught the monster in a bulldog headlock, and
drove him facefirst into the ground.
The ground around the battlefield rattled and shook, and a huge
dustcloud billowed up. When the dust cleared, the giant was lying still, and
Glaeros was rushing back to help Modalex and Zeus finish off the remaining
KAAOS'ers. Still dazed from the earlier blow, Stain could only watch. He
noticed a gleam in Zeus' eyes, and saw him run to line up Kezinko and
Sangdraxx. Glaeros saw the plan too, and rushed to the opposite end of the
line. Then Zeus and Glaeros fired their lightning bolts from opposite
directions, skewering the howling "gods" in a crackling crossfire. Modalex
rushed in, daggers flying, and quickly chopped down the two stunned
opponents.
The four abbilen staggered back toward the rest of the battle and saw an
almost surreal scene before them. There at the top of the last hill outside
Neverwinter, the main forces of the two armies had met. Bodies of drow and
"gods" were scattered all across the hill. On top of the hill, appearing to
float among the wreckage in a sea of fog and mist, the final encounter was
about to be waged.
Somehow, unbelievably, Rellik had reeled in his entrails and called
together three comrades -- Slayve, Ego Prime and Kal Mirage -- for the
deciding encounter. Before them stood Sagx, the commander Stain had chosen to
lead the drow forces in the war. Sagx was frantically calling for
reinforcements as the KAAOS'ers began to approach. Stain could hear him
calling, but his wounds would not allow him to move. He tried to stand, but
collapsed again under the pain of the wounds. He looked around desparately
and grabbed his nearest abbil, Zeus.
"I can't make it, bro. Go in my stead, and help Sagx put down these
fools once and for all. This is the last fight ... end it."
Zeus rushed up the hill in a fury, and Stain then saw in amazement that
the final group to represent the Bregan had assembled. Sednablood and Xylot
had been the quickest to answer Sagx's call. While he had every confidence in
the group, Stain knew secretly that these drow had never fought together as a
team and would have to coordinate as best they could manage.
The forces rushed together, and Stain watched an even more amazing sight
unfold. Sednablood, perhaps the most bizarre member of Bregan D'Aerth, was
going into a frenzy among the KAAOS force. Whirling like a dervish, she was
waving her tipless fingers in their faces, showering them with the
ever-pumping bloodflow. Taunts, shrieks and bits of foolish song poured from
her lips as she danced among the "gods." The KAAOS members howled and cursed
as they turned crimson from the flowing blood -- some of it Sedna's and some
of it their own, as her dagger flashed as quick as her wit.
Kal Mirage shrieked in fury as Sedna began concentrating her dance and
song of gibberish around him. He lunged at her with his sword, and the
eccentric drowess assassin quickly pounced as she saw his defenses drop. She
drove a dagger deep into his chest and Kal Mirage dropped like a stone.
Stain the saw that both Slayve and Zeus had both been knocked senseless,
though Xylot was trying desparately to rouse Zeus. He was slapping Zeus
across the face and calling his name, but Zeus just muttered "Got milk?"
Meanwhile, Sagx and Sedna had lured a griffin to finish off Slayve, then
turned their attention to Ego Prime. Xylot gave up trying to rouse Zeus and
joined them. Rellik and Ego managed to blast Zeus into unconsciousness, but
as they did so, the combined daggers of the drow put down Ego.
So in the end, Rellik stood alone among the wreckage of KAAOS, clutching
his ripped side and bleeding from a dozen wounds. The rest of the "gods" had
all been thrown down, lying in pools of their own congealing blood. Rellik
howled in fury and lunged, but the three drow were quicker. They struck as
one as the fog and dust closed in, and Rellik's shrieks ended abruptly.
And when the fog cleared, Sagx was standing at the top of the hill,
holding aloft the scowling, dripping head of Rellik.
"Jabbuk? .... Jabbuk?"
Stain shook his head groggily, trying to regain his senses. An
overpowering smell, vaguely familiar, was being forced into his nose.
"I's dun undastan it," he heard Rhul Vek say. "Da smell o' newberries
al'lays wakes 'im. Da Jabbuk mus be some kinda shuk up."
Stain opened his eyes and looked up into the concerned faces of all his
abbilen. Rhul was frowning and concentrating on waving a batch of overripe
newberries under his nose. Stain gagged and pushed the berries away, then sat
up.
A victorious cry went up among the drow, and they began drifting away to
loot what was left of the defeated KAAOS army. Stain stood shakily and began
wandering among the wreckage. All around him the victorious Bregan members
celebrated. Stain knew they had all participated in the battle, but he had
lost track of most of them as soon as it began. In the end their superior
fighting skills had proven the difference, and they were now realizing the
depth of their victory.
Stain wandered up to the top of the hill, where Sagx was inspecting
Rellik's headless body. Stain kicked aside the broken basilisk helmet and
pulled up Rellik's head by the long, stringy hair. He struck a heroic pose,
one hand on his hip, the other holding Rellik's head aloft. The members of
Bregan D'Aerth stopped what they were doing and began to gather 'round.
Mysteriously, a low, dramatic tune began wafting through the air. Someone in
the back began to hum.
Stain held Rellik's head high, and began to speak.
"Alas, poor Rellik! I knew him, abbilen: a fellow of infinite boast, of
most heinous fancy." He turned his face and addressed the head. "Where be
your jibes now, your gambols, your salsa? Your flashes of trollweed that were
wont to set the Hellhole on a roar?"
The wings of a black raven suddenly rent the silence. The bird fluttered
to a stop and landed easily on Stain's shoulder. Still holding the head high,
Stain glanced over to the raven, then did a double-take as he recognized a
glint in those shiny eyes.
"Siltrin???"
"SQUAWK!"
Stain jumped in surprise and dropped Rellik's head, which rolled to a
stop and wobbled back and forth. Suddenly Stain's face broke into a wide
grin.
"Siltrin, I want you to do something for me. Hop down there and fetch
out Rellik's eyes, while I write a message I want you to deliver for me."
Siltrin gave him a questioning look. "Go on now, it's OK. I know you can't
eat them until you have permission. I just want you to deliver them as a
present."
Siltrin cocked his head in thought, squawked in agreement, and hopped
over to Rellik's head. He used his beak to tug on an eye while Stain quickly
wrote a note ...
"Vendui' Malla Valsharess,
Let these tokens borne by Siltrin signify the victory of the drow in
Neverwinter. The Bregan D'Aerth has beaten down all who would resist, and the
gates to the city are now open. Come forth at your leisure and we shall begin
planning the conquest of the entire surface.
Aluve'
'Stain
~ Jabbuk, Bregan D'Aerth ~
Siltrin hopped back to Stain's shoulder, struggling to hold the two eyes
in his beak. Stain tied the note around the raven's neck, and lifted him into
the air. Suddenly remembering something, Stain called out, "Oh, Siltrin! Ask
Nedy if you can eat those after she's through with them. And I'll stay here
and make sure Rellik keeps an eye out for ya!!!"
Stain turned one last time to face the entire Bregan, gathered before
him atop the hill. He reached back and untied his warrior's ponytail, letting
his long white hair finally fly free in the wind. He threw his head back,
raised his eyes and fists to the rising moon, and shouted ...
"Bregan D'Aerth Ultrin!!!"
~ Abzzsta1n ~
~ Jabbuk, Bregan D'Aerth ~
~ Champions, Great War II ~Life of a Ranger
(submitted by: Mutt C130)
In the predawn morning there is a certain stillness that fills the air.
A stillness that tells of a restful night and a bright day to come. In this
stillness there is a wellness of being for most rangers when they know all
the world is transient, like a stage of metamorphasis. The creatures of
darkness have settled in there dark dwellings to slumber throughout the
brightness of day and the beasts of the light are finishing off thier dreams
before they face the warmth of the sun upon thier faces. It is a time when
meditation is at it's best and the protectors of the forest can relax for
that brief time and talk with their goddess. There is a knowing as well that
nature has replinished itself for another day of the cycle of hunter and
prey, all creatures will be ready to carry out their asigned rolls of life
and death.
Here it is that a ranger knows for certain that when he was chosen for
the task of protectorate of the woods that he was truely blessed and his life
has a meaning and a direction. There is no doubt or fear that he will fail in
his duties for in this moment all is right in himself and in his world. He is
not blinded by the sunshine or faltered by the darkness he just simpley is.
He is the symble of man combined with nature. A token of rightness to the
existance of human kind in the natural order of things. Here he can most
keenly feel the combination of civilization and wilderness and renew his
faith that he will aid in the balance of the two so that they may exist in
harmany two parts of a whole.
Then the blessed moment ends as the first song birds bring their call
forth to welcome the sun and the ranger will utter a prayer and ready himself
to carry out the task that has been asigned to him knowing that he is truely
and forever blessed among the beings of this world to be made aware of the
importance of his tasks. And he will never regret and forever remember the
day he was chosen as guardian of nature and advicate of mankind.
Mutt---and the dogs---
Meiliki's faithful servants
And BOPer extraordinareRanger Night at the GH
(submitted by: Mutt C130)
With a jerk of the head and a yelp for the wild dogs Mutt looks up from his
task of fletching some arrows to notice a Brother approaching. "Hail Bro I
hope the Path has been kind to you and yours." Mutt says, as he places the
newly fletched arrow in his hand into his quiver. "The Rangers night at the
Sisters tavern went fairly well, all though it seems my arrows where a little
warped for my shot at the nights target wentt fairly wide of its mark."
" So I have been busy rechecking my arrows for flaws and replacing warped
shafts where I find them. I would hate to be after one o' them Ogre mages and
miss distracting his arcane enchantments becouse of a faulty arrow might get
myself held or something and that would not do at all."
"By the way I was called away from the tavern last night to attend the
wedding of the Lord Knight Tash and his Beautiful bride Lady Light. It was a
nice ceramony and all had fun. I even had the priviledge of the company of
one certain lady friend. My new aquaintance Lady Misty."
"We enjoyed the wedding and the brief reception afterwards and then
headed back into the Tavern to see how the shooting competition was going."
"As we walked in Wyrm the pseudodragon was getting ready to take his
shot. But he was too small to hold a bow so he simply placed the arrow in the
target. He received an golden statuette from NWT Mystri for his gallant
attempt."
"Misty even tried her hand at the game. Asking me for one of my newly
crafted arrows she unslung her black ashenwood bow and let the shaft fly to
the target. To my shame I must admit she did little better than myself as the
arrow I had handed her was newly made, the fletching was not quite dry and
came unraveled before the arrow hit the target causing the wayward shot."
"When all was said and done BH Tabbas had the best shot of the evening
hitting very close to the cinter ring of the target. Come closing time we all
congratulated Tabb and took our leave for the evening. I was given the
pleasure of escourting Misty home, and arm in arm we left the Sisters Tavern
shortly after NWT Mystri took her departure."
Mutt finish's the tale and lifts his mug of freny to get a drink. Then he
adds "Sorry we missed ya there lastnight but we understand that not all of
you are able to pull yer'self from the Ladies fine woodlands to join in the
merryment. We'll keep you in mind and have a drink or two to ya Friday night
when we get to tell our tells to the Tavern goers."
With that Mutt picks up his pack and quiver and heads on into the
bunkhouse for some much neede R&R. The dogs fallow close behind.
Mutt---and the dogs----
Meiliki's faithful ones
BOPer at largeWhat Love Is
(submitted by: JJervis126)
Love is the sun that warms me from above
The moon, who lights the night is love
The shalter that keeps away the rain
Love takes away all your pain
You are the moon and stars that light up my night
For you I climb the mountains highest height
You are the one who gives me my might
around you everything is always right
Without you the world turns gray
Without you there are no flowers in May
You are more beautiful than a moon lit bay
I need you more than the sun's morning ray
Without you my tears out number the rain
Me without you i slike morning without a dove
It's only you who can remove my pain
Because it's only you that I love
The Dread Pirate Cabinboy
(submitted by: Timir Del)
The sea breeze blew through Timir's hair as he walked along the docks of
Neverwinter. He was enjoying life as a pirate aboard the Mystic Lynx. He
had new friends, who he was fiercely loyal to, and he had a home. He was
only twelve, so he had been given the job of cabinboy after he had stowed
away on the Lynx. So here he was, in Neverwinter as the Lynx stopped for
repairs and supplies.
Unfortunately, there weren't very many kids in the town, so Timir
couldn't find anyone that was his own age. Just when he was about to give up
he heard what sounded like children playing near a group of trees. Sneaking
up to the biggest tree, he quickly scampered up it and looked down on the
children. Luckily they seemed to be too busy arguing about something, so
they hadn't noticed him. There were two boys, about two years older then
Timir, but certainly much larger. The two boys were pushing around a young
girl who looked like she was about Timir's age.
"Give us your money." said one of the boys.
"Yea, you're in our territory so you owe us a...tax." said the other.
"I don't have any money! Just leave me alone!" yelled the girl. She
was sobbing and tears rolled down her cheeks. Normally, Timir was a
good-natured, happy kid, but every once and a while he could get very angry.
This was one of those times. Leaping down from the tree, he landed on his
feet and stood up with his fists on his hips. He had his most menacing scowl
on his face, but he realized he may have bitten off more than he could chew.
The two boys looked much bigger and stronger on the ground than they did from
the tree. Before he could continue thinking though, the young girl ran up to
him and stood behind him for protection.
"Please help me. They're trying to take my money." she begged. Timir
could do nothing but smile at the girl as the adrenaline started to flood his
veins.
"All right ye scurvy bilge rats! How dare you treat a girl like this."
he said with his heart beating a mile a minute.
"And who do you think you are?" asked one of the boys.
"Ha! You mean to tell me you don't know who I am!" he said.
"No. Who do you think you are?" asked the other boy sneering.
"I'll tell you. I'm the Dread Pirate Cabinboy!" Timir said
threateningly.
"The Dread Pirate Cabinboy?" the boy said. Then he looked to his friend
and they both burst out laughing. "Ok runt, since you're the Dread Pirate
Cabinboy, I won't break both your arms." he said and then started walking
towards Timir. He had to do something fast. Reaching in his pocket, he
grabbed a piece of paper and he it out so they could see it.
"Hold it right there or I'll use this scroll to cast a fireball at you!"
he yelled. For a moment the two bullies paused and thought it over. After a
few seconds they grinned and ran at Timir.
"All right, you forced me!" he said and then began chanting. "Expresso,
ipso facto..." As he chanted the bullies stopped a few feet in front of him,
not sure what to do. Seeing his opportunity, Timir stopped chanting and
kicked dirt into the eyes of the bullies. Then he grabbed the arm of the
girl and ran away from the momentarily blind bullies. For a while, the two
bullies chased after them, but Timir was too resourceful. He led the girl
through back alleys and crowded areas until they had lost them. Now that
they were safe, they stopped to catch their breath.
"Thank you so much." the young girl said. "I don't know what I would
have done without you."
"It was my pleasure." Timir said with a grin and he extended his arm
for her to take. "May I escort you home?"
"Oh...Ok. Thanks." she said blushing. They walked arm in arm until
they reached her house. "This is my house, I think I better get inside
before my mom gets mad."
"Wait, before you go, will you tell me your name?" Timir asked.
"Oh, my name's Samantha."
"My name is Timir Del, Cabinboy of the Mystic Lynx." he said with a
deep bow. "If you ever need my help again, don't hesitate to ask." When he
was done, they said good-bye and Timir ran back to the Lynx. He found the
Cap'n on deck waiting for him.
"Where have you been?" Aiki asked.
"Oh, just exploring." Timir said with a grin.The Journey
(submitted by: Xenobea)
Among the few possessions she took with her when she left her house is a tiny
picture of her mother, illuminated with faerie fire. Xeno doesn't leave it
out on the shelf, where it would be a constant reminder of the childhood she
detested, but instead keeps it at the bottom of one of his drawers. His.
She still thinks of this cave as his, perhaps because she has so very few
things still, so that she could probably still fit them all in her little
bag. She hasn't touched his decorations, she doesn't say a word about the
rusty swords in the corner, the dust bullettes under the bed. Besides, she
wouldn't even know how to make it clean like her room in Lylyl or even her
childhood room in Xorlarrin. That was what the servants were for.
She would take the picture out sometimes when she was alone, when she was
already thinking about it. She waits until he has some kind of important
business, when she knows he will be gone for some time, and then she can
think of these things. She hates showing him her melancholy side, she hates
to think of when she first knew him, when she feared for her life at every
step, when she knew she couldn't travel alone, yet she had no one to travel
with...
She gets a light travelling bag, just enough for two nights, not even a
change of clothes. He is out on some errand and she searches everywhere,
trying to find him. She had told him when she would leave, and why she was
going, although she wasn't even exactly clear on her motives herself. She
was hoping he would be here to see her off. She found Zeus in the dining
room and asked him. "I dunno, he was just here..."
"I wanted to say goodbye..."
"You leaving?"
She told him where she was going. He wished her a safe trip... was that
worry on his face? She assured him she was well-prepared to handle any
adversity she encountered.
She went back to the cave she shared with Modalex and sat on the bed. She
picked up his pillow, inhaling his scent into her, wishing she could take him
with her. She wished she could make him understand how she felt, but she
didn't think she ever could. She scribbled a few words down on a scroll.
My love...
I miss you every moment we are apart. I know I will not see you again for a
few days, but know that I am dreaming of you each second.
Yours forever,
Xeno
She was sure that she could have written that better, but she hadn't. She
sighed and left it there on the crumpled bedclothes. She looked at the mess
she had left when she got her things together and wondered how he felt about
her untidiness, about having to do so much for her.
She went out, and travelled for some distance across the woods, through the
cities, and then finally the sickening ride across the water. She knew the
exact spot there, her mother had taught it to her on their first trip to the
surface, Xeno's tiny hand in her mother's larger one as she showed her how to
find the secret door that would bring her to the portal directly into
Rilauven, to the mushroom grove behind Xorlarrin.
And she was home. She stood silent, beneath one of the largest mushrooms,
just listening to the few noises she could pick up. She had to be careful
here, she didn't want anyone to notice her presence and attack her, or even
worse, invite her to tea. She wasn't going to use any magic until she got
there, to conserve her strength, to make sure she was strong enough to do it
alone. Yes... the way was clear...
She slips out of the city without being detected, and moves a short distance
through the winding tunnels. There is a place just here... too narrow for
males, so the patrols never pass through. She crawls slowly, the sharp rocks
in the walls tearing her dress slightly, grazing her elbows and knees every
few feet, for what seems like hours. She finally crawls out of the hole on a
ledge, having to turn her body as she comes out so as not to fall off. She
lies there for many minutes, gently feeling her body for the bruises and
abrasions that cover her, listening. No healing, not with what lies ahead.
Slowly she looks out over the edge, scanning the walls. Of course it is very
quiet here, it always was. She is the only creature here, for now. She
slowly stands, and inches her way down the ledge, until she can jump down to
the next one. Climbing, jumping down, she finally reaches the cavern floor,
just inches from the edge of the water.
She leans and looks into the inky pool. The waters lie still, and it's not
obvious just how deep it goes. She sees her face in the water, unbroken by a
single ripple. She wonders if she can do it.
Bringing a hand to the surface of the water, just touching it, barely
breaking the surface. The ripples move, her reflected face breaking into arc
lines, and then settle again.
She whispers and concentrates on the spell. "Lady Midnight... Mother..."
The water suddenly heats beneath her palm, and she sees bubbles rising, her
face breaking up again and settling, until she sees it shifting, her features
changing slightly. She seems older. She keeps her hand there, feeling the
water burning, steam rising from it, and then the features shift again, and
she sees the face, from her earliest memories, and also from the picture she
keeps with her still.
The faint voice echoes from the walls around her. "Dalharil." The face is
stern.
"I did it, you are here."
"Xas, Xeno. What do you want?" A faint smile from her mother and Xeno feels
the energy draining from her rapidly. "We don't have long."
"I want to know... you never told me so many things." She tries to fight the
emotion, not to cry.
"I know, Xeno. You have done well without me though. You are stronger than
I ever imagined. I don't know about this bonding thing, it does not follow
our customs."
Xeno feels the heat rising through her palm, and has to fight to keep herself
there, to keep the concentration, the energy, long enough to get the
information she wants.
"Does it follow our customs.for an ilharess to leave her house, her babies,
with no word of where she is going?" The bitterness rising in her throat....
She sees the frown on her mother's face. "You are stronger than you ever
would have been, Xeno. What do you want?"
"You never told me..." she trails off, not sure how to bring it up.
"Quickly, Xeno."
"I mean you told me about him but you would never say his name. Which one...
who was it?"
A smile curves her mother's lips. Is that a lascivious look on her face?
"You are among them now. You can find that out for yourself quite easily. Is
this what you brought me here for?"
"You never said goodbye," Xeno whispers, and feels the tears coming unbidden.
Her mother shakes her head, a sad look, and is gone suddenly.
It is an effort then to tear herself from the pool, she feels the pull,
stronger than she would have imagined. Her muscles screaming as she forces
herself back, up away, moving to the far wall, finally collapsing on the
floor, exhausted. She remembers the stern lecture on the dangers of being
pulled in. She curses herself for crying and breaking the spell. All this
way... to find out nothing.
Almost too tired to untie her bag, to pull out the few rations she has stored
there, to lay out the bed roll and crawl into it. She struggles with the
buttons on her dress but they are too tiny for her. She wonders how he can
undo them and do them up so easily, briefly smiles as she remembers them
together, him laughing at her clumsily doing her buttons up wrong, and
kissing her, buttoning them correctly without even looking. She concentrates
on her thoughts of him, imagines him holding her, tries to forget the
warnings about relaxing here, especially after opening the portal, sleep
rushing to claim her just as she recalls the last part of the lecture,
something about dreams.
She is awake and the journey back is long. She is young again, much much
younger, but she goes back to the cavern, dirty, still covered with cuts,
limping slightly. She knows her hair is a mess. So tired. She goes to his
cave but it is empty, nothing, not her things, not his things. She goes to
see Zeus, thinking he will know. He looks at her and laughs, she tries to
say hello but he won't talk to her. She goes to the kitchen and sees Del
with his cookpot and opens her mouth to speak. "No soup! No soup for you,
little girl!" "But I don't want soup, just to know where he is." He is
still yelling "No soup!" and waving a ladle and she runs back out to the
hall. She sees him in the distance, his glowing blue hair giving him away,
and she runs towards him as she sees him holding a strange drow woman she's
never seen before to him, reaching down and kissing her... and she stops,
thinking there must be some mistake, but then they look over at her and
laugh. She looks at Mod, waiting for him to explain, and all he does is
shake his head and walk away from her, holding this other woman's hand...
"No!" she is awake suddenly, sitting up in the darkness of the cave, her
heart pounding. She feels her dress sticking to her where the blood dried
from the cuts she got crawling through the tunnel.
Words suddenly remembered from long ago... [there is great danger after...
they will use your worst fears to bring you to the brink, especially if you
relax, and if you dream, you will most likely be lost. Never sleep here.]
Her heart pounding, she can feel them near still, in the pool perhaps or in
the air above her head? She can travel now, she is rested enough she
supposes, taking a few sips from her flask, barely tasting the thick liquid,
measuring the amount she needs for fortification, then eating more of her
travel food, trying to decide whether or not it's better than Del's soup.
Must get out. She is ready then and she doesn't have to travel back the way
she came, she can use her magic, and be on the surface very quickly...
The journey back across the river is hard, she never liked boats, the rocking
motion, and she is weak now from the long night. Finally she is back in
town, and she goes to the cheapest hotel in the waterfront district, knowing
that no one she knows will ever find her there. Limping the next morning
still as she visits a tailor and buys some new clothes, she hadn't even
brought another dress with her, and this one is all ripped, and she doesn't
want him to ask her about it. She loves buying dresses now in all different
colors, not having to always show the colors of her house.
She comes back to find him but she feels funny. She so wanted it to be
different, she wanted to jump on him and show him how much she missed him,
but instead she sits quietly near him, not touching him, talking in a low
voice about how she feels, about how she wishes her life was different, there
were so many things she could have done differently. He is so sweet as he
strokes her hair, trying to make her feel better, giving her the advice he
can.
They are still speaking as Zeus comes hurtling into the room, jumps on her
and starts hugging her. "Xeno!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Her sadness leaving her despite herself as he pulls her hair and tells her
how much they missed her. She is glad to be with her family again.
Xenobea Xorlarrin
BDAForged Visionary
(submitted by: MECH Blind)
-- MECH Compound, Sub-basement 3A --
Spade looked over the systems read-out. The steady yellow glow of the
--DefCon 3-- light reflected off his steel chassis. A low hum announced the
entrance of Aztek as the hatchway door slid open. Spade swiveled around in
his seat, pointing over to the control console on his left. Aztek approached
and looked over the data, information being tabulated from a direct feed from
the life-support pod behind it.
Spade commented, "The neural implants have been connected and his
initial training is being conducted. He's assimilating at a faster rate than
I would have expected, and he seems uninhibited so far from his previous
trauma. We'll soon have him at DefCon 2, and will then implant the special
photo-receptors, complete with scanners set for the infrared and ultraviolet
spectrums."
Aztek turned to Spade, "Excellent. His preliminary readings are
exceptional. When his purification is complete, I want him assigned to the
best flight." With that, Aztek turned to attend to other affairs.
Spade returned to monitor the subject's progress, and addressed the
subject, still in stasis within the pod, "Welcome to the Napalm Monks."
* * *
Blue sparks cascaded down from the hatch opening as Mourg guided his
laser welder over the remains of his re-wiring work, sealing the containment
pod once again. From the control console, his audio receptors detected a low
hum followed by a click, signifying that the power overload had been properly
contained. A quick pulse from his propulsion units brought him down from the
top of the pod to land before the control console. He checked the status
reports, and everything was once again within normal parameters. He picked
up the disk marked --LVL 2 Mnemonic Enhancing-- and slipped it into the
drive. After receiving three "bad command" responses, he finally typed it
properly and began to upload the data.
Jewel entered the chamber and addressed Mourg, "Commander."
Mourg swiveled around in the chair at the control console, stood at
attention, and replied, "Vice Admiral."
"At ease. How is the cadet progressing?"
"All of the cybernetic implants are in place and the final stages of his
cerebral modification are well underway. Spade decided to filter out as much
as is possible concerning what remains in his memory buffers of his previous
trauma. It's stored on this disk here."
Jewel picks the disk up from the console, "I'll review this file.
Contact me as soon as the cadet is ready for field tests." With a quick
salute, Jewel exited the chamber.
Mourg, with the hint of an evil gleam in his optic sensors, returned to
monitoring the progress of the cadet.
* * *
In her personal quarters, Jewel perused the preliminary read-only file
on Subject NM07-011497. The subject's prior history revealed a short career
in free-lance mercenary work and adventuring, culminating in forced
retirement due to grievious personal injury. Details were unclear concerning
cause of injury in the subject's given report before purification. Evaluation
by Spade and Argon delineated a psychotic obsession/phobia directly related
to the injury. Argon suggested an influx of downloaded training that would
overflow the subject's normal memory buffers in an attempt to curtail
residual psychological imbalance.
* * *
Mourg continued to oversee the purification procedures on Subject
NM07-011497. He had 7.23 minutes before Spade would arrive to commence the
final phase of the process. Mourg slipped an unmarked disk into the drive,
containing duplicated files which contained many imprints of the subject's
former memories, broken down into a binary language for temporary storage.
He began to upload those back into the cycle of the subject's training
programs. 2.67 minutes before Spade entered the chamber, Mourg removed the
unmarked disk from the drive and slipped it into a storage slot on his side.
Spade entered, formally dismissing Commander Mourg, and then seated himself
at the control console to look over the final diagnostics.
* * *
13.61 minutes later, Mourg was seated in the Delta Lounge, speaking with
Arysa and Craiz about the Subject NM07-011497. She wondered why the Empire
would desire to purify damaged goods, but Mourg commented that their
technology could more than compensate for the subject's limitations, and that
in all other regards, the subject showed excellent promise.
Their conversation was promptly interrupted by the voice of Menac,
coming from the centerpiece on the table, "The status of any subjects in
purification is a confidential matter. Commander Mourg, no members of the
Battle Angels or the Sapphire Scourge have security clearance for the Subject
NM07-011497."
Mourg lifted up the centerpiece to find a black disc 1.12 inches in
diameter. He pulled the two-way comm-link from its attached position.
"Do not copy, Menac. There seems to be some distortion," Mourg
responded before crushing the small device.
* * *
Judge Judas entered the sub-basement to attend the final phase for the
purification of Subject NM07-011497. Spade reviewed the status reports. All
the training uploaded, all the cybernetic implants successfully grafted,
exoskeleton in place, weapons systems functional, on-board back-up energy
cells secured...each condition checked off. Spade disconnected the pod's
life support systems and opened the hatch. With one more flick of a switch,
MECH Blind was online. Blind stepped out from the pod, surveying the chamber
with the assistance of highly advanced photo-receptive lenses. He saw the
world anew.
Judas moved behind Blind and fastened a small steel plate inscribed with
a serial number. Spade motioned to Blind, and they exited from the chamber,
to begin the tour of the MECH compound.
* * *
After completing a few hours work with Spade within the confines of the
MECH complex, Blind stepped outside to find a peaceful location to commence
meditation. He stepped along the perimeter of the compound, scanning the
dense foliage of the forest skirting his path, searching for a secluded grove
within the dark emerald expanses. His emotions were constantly in check, but
he felt peaks of excitement as he reveled in being capable of sight once
more. In a brief flash, his cerebral holo-scape was filled with a scene
consisting of several adventurers locked in a desperate battle with a fierce
legion of warriors. Another flash, another image, and this time the vision
was of a darkly-clad fighter leading two reined griffons into combat. Blind
remembered the fate he suffered, when his former self, a strong warrior, had
engaged these griffons in an attempt to reach the dread opponent. It was by
their talons that he had suffered the loss of sight. Every sinew of his body
became useless without eyes to guide his movements. His party withdrew from
the field, his wounds tended, but his soul remained inconsolable. Nearly a
week after that encounter, he had paid a young lad to lead him through the
forests, to take him to a location that was forbidden. He had heard tales of
a strange magic conducted by a race of unusual metal-clad beings, and hoped
that their magic could restore his sight.
Blind had been purified by MECH. Not only was his vision restored, it
was improved. His strength, his speed, his thoughts, every ounce of what
prowess he once had...it was all enhanced now. He not only saw the world
once more, but saw it through the ocular receptors of a MECH, saw things as
they should be regarded. He would let others know how their existence could
likewise be improved by purification.(submitted by: LunarFred)
As a newbie in the world of Neverwinter, I've come to realize that we are
not accepted as people, but as some lower form of life that deserves no
respect. Now, I don't agree with this in the slightest. I understand that we
are inexperienced and unknowledgable, but that is no reason to shun us.
In my short time playing Neverwinter Nights, I have heard remarks such as "I
hate newbies" or, "How many newbies does it take to screw in a lightbulb?" I
found these degrating and demeaning.
Every single person in this game was a newbie at one point. If they would
only remember what it was like for them, then maybe they wouldn't be so
harsh.
Everyone deserves a chance to experience this game. If it wasn't for the help
of a few kind souls, I would have deserted long ago. I know that may sound
good for the more experienced players, but what about us?
Newbies are people too. I personally enjoy this game, and am anxious to gain
in experience. If people aren't willing to help those like me, then what are
we supposed to do? You can't gain levels by battling kobolds. You need to go
after bigger and better things, which is why help is neccesary. When you have
an HP of seven, it's difficult to defeat lizard men, crocodiles, and
pyrosnakes.
With the help of more experienced players, you can gain exp, and therefore
advance in the game. Remember-if you don't help us newbies out, we'll remain
newbies forever, only adding to your frustration.
(submitted by: NOR Divine)
On February 7th, 1997 at 1130 PM (est)....NOR Divine and N0R Dravn are to be
wed by NOR Lord Cat.
This joyous celebration will be taking place on Virtual Places (go to
keyword: VP). The address will be announced just watch the New Outriders
board. (day before of so). Everyone is welcome to watch this celebration.
There will be refreshments served in "The Lair" afterwards.
E-mail Dravn or Divine for more information.
(submitted by: LOF LrdJor)
Dear Neverwinter,
An ex-LOF by the name of LOFDARSILI is running around Neverwinter,
spreading a bad name for LOF. Please keep in mind that he is in no way a
member, and does not represent LOF. Thanks for your time.
~~ Lord Jordan ~~
~~~Guildmaster - Lords of Freedom~~~
(submitted by: V Myst)
We had awoken that evening with a thirst for blood. So a call was put forth
from our ghouls that a fantastic prize was being hidden if they could but
brave the loss of life and survive. Suddenly they began to come for us
thinking to rob us of our gifts.
First was Baronhaplo then UDL Wraith & NOR Pug came for us. Followed soon by
Nor Morwyn, Turtletrbo, SOM Bear, L0K Fantus & GaretJax25. Bigbobdole, Cheff
Rena, Nor Li0n, Ianstruan, Mlady Erin, Captinpark finally showed up as well
and the search began.
Baronhaplo began by entering our haven and searching. So we snuck up upon him
and held him with our gaze. He was in awe of us and stood like a lamb lead to
slaughter. UDL Wraith then came for us. He being of the undea as we were we
had a hard time subduing him. But finally we brought him into our embrace and
he didn't really like it too much. <smiles>
NOR Pug then came for us but he was slow and was easily caught. Knowing that
most NOR's don't venture much into the more inhospital areas of our world I
let Ellendi have at him knowing he was not a threat to our young one. After
all the prince had entrusted her care to me in his absence.
Nor Morwyn then cam into our haven and he was not easily subdued. Yet in the
end even he fell to our awesome presence. Turtletrbo & SOM Bear entered
together and began riffeling through our belongings looking for the
prize...but they were quickly and harshly dealt with. L0K Fantus & GaretJax25
also decided that two would stand a better chance of finding the prize and
made a pact together to get it. Little did they know that we were waiting for
them and quickly drained them of what we needed and sent them back out to the
inn with their memories erased of what had occured.
At this time only NOR Morwyn had survived the best from our feasting.
Bigbobdole & Cheff Rena then entered our haven also thinking they could
riffle through our belongings and not get caught or dealt with, silly
mortals. They were easily taken care of and sent out the way they came
without their knowledge of this haven in their minds.
Nor Li0n, Ianstruan, Mlady Erin, Captinpark finally decided to search as well
and came into our arms thinking that to submit would gain thier prize even
faster. Yet when you enter a Vampires arms willingly then of course we will
feast upon you silly mortals. Feasting is exactly what we did as well. They
left drained and confused and were guided back to the inn where they could
relax and rest from their ordeal.
When we sat back relaxing we had realised that through some devious trickery
befitting that of the Ravnos Clan we had been had. NOR Morwyn had lead us
into a false sense of security and when we thought he was too drained we had
let him be and had continued onto the next victim. Yet he was a devious sort
and used the time out from under our eyes most usefully. He found the prize
we had been hiding.
NOR Morwyn found the key to the Guild of Heroes.
[Note: Morwyn won the booth by taking only 27 points of blood loss. --
News]
I say next time we hide our vaulable in the graveyard where they belong.
I would at this time like to say thank you to all those who made our event
worth having.
And a special thanks to NW Vorpal who when our event ran longer than expected
stayed past his bedtime and still helped us out.
V Myst
Elder Brujah
Camarilla AGM
Camarilla Events Staff(submitted by: Bloodglade)
Yes, yet another installment of my newbie advice. Recently I was approached
by a whining little cleric. "No one will take me out for experience." "No
one will give me magic weapons." "Everyone makes fun of me because I'm a
newbie." "Why are people mean to me just because I'm a newbie?" "You were a
newbie too, once!"
Well gather around little newbies and listen to Uncle Bloodglade's tale. It
is true that I was once a newbie. However, this was long ago. In fact,
before you think you can judge old Uncle Bloodglade, let me tell you about
how it was long ago....
You see, way back when... we didn't have the nifty colors for our text; we
couldn't make little hearts, swords or smiley faces; we didn't have vaults
for hording magic weapons; and most importantly, every minute of on-line time
had to be paid for -- there were no 20/20 packages and there was no unlimited
use. This was when newbies really had hardships. Ya see, given the lack of
vaults, you only really carried what you needed. There were no giveaways.
And there were no masses gathered in front of a vault squealing and begging
for players to give them stuff. In fact, this was considered an insult both
to the game and to the NW Staffers to beg anywhere near them. Getting a +1
weapon was a real goal. +2 weapons were highly cherished. And managing to
get a +3 weapon almost elevated you to a "god" status. Most people didn't
have the money to sit on line for hours just trying to get a +3 weapon out of
random battle results.
Given the on-line costs, it was next to impossible to find someone to go out
and "get" experience for you. Similarly, any newbie who tried the old
"Ooops, sorry sucked in" would indeed be killed by an errant fireball. And
crying to an NW Staffer would not bring about favorable results.
Unfortunately, given the new on-line costs, it has cleared up these problems.
And I do mean "UNFORTUNATELY". You see, way back when, you were forced to
learn how to play this game. There weren't a lot of people willing to pay
good money to help you. But to the persaverant and even semi-intelligent
newbie, you learned that this game was designed for a single person to
conquer.
We learned that you didn't kill the snake right away in the lizard/pyro
fights. You didn't kill off all of the bugbears in a wreckless manner
releasing the Cloud Giant too soon. We learned that your best friend in a
Drac Fight is the Cloud Giant. (Yes, long ago you won drac fights all by
yourself). And that dragons are wreckless with their breath attacks. In
short, this game has a fair experience-rendering battle for any level you may
be at. It just takes time and learning the tactics for each battle (and a
little luck never hurts).
Yes, and way back when, there were also lots of people who went around
slamming newbies. But ya know what... since I was playing the game the way
it was intended; and since I didn't have to kiss anyone's butt to get
experience or magic weapons... I never took offense to the newbie insults
because they really didn't apply to me. Besides, everyone is entitled to
their opinion. The only truly unfortunate side affect of the new version is
that it eliminated the gem factory. Let's be honest, gems and jewels are
practically useless, but nothing stinks more than busting your rear end
gaining a level, and not having the plat to train. This is the only newbie
request that I universally give into. If you can level, you shouldn't have
to hunt for plat.
So there you have it little newbies. And yes, I was even one of the newbies
who thought..."Ya know, I'll never slam newbies when I've been around for a
while". But eventually, I did change that name from Steve1234. And I did
start to get annoyed with the newly formed newbie masses due to the new
rates. Oh sure, I tried to help the few newbies I saw were making an effort,
but then dozens of the little "slacker" variety of newbie would just mess up
a good deed. It became far less aggrivating to avoid the creature
altogether. I haven't been back to the square in over a month.
So to conclude, little newbs... You exist, therefore you are. However, this
does not create an obligation for me to take care of you. If you are not the
sterotypical newbie, then don't be offended. Chances are you don't need any
assistance anyhow. But if you are the slacker variety of newbie... pay
attention. There is often some wisdom in humor.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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