==========oOo========== NEVERWINTER NEWS Issue # 85 Week Ending 5-27-95 ==========oOo========== *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* FRONT PAGE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Congratulations to YKSS for winning last week's News of the Realm contest. YKSS has earned choice of 4 Pearls or 2 Free Hours of On-line time to be credited to their account. WTG! <><><><><> <><><><><> Booth type: Magic missle booth Booth location: 13,5 Warehouses Booth time: Sat, May 20th, 8 PM ET Booth winner (5 pearls): Boshiro Congratulations to Boshiro for winning the second of this month's GOH only minibooths. Boshiro edged out Kid Storm by a point, and went on to victory by only taking 38 pts of damage from 2 magic missle spells. Thanks to all the GOH members who participated, and a hearty WTG to Boshiro! NW Kishpa <><><><><> <><><><><> Congrats to Ra1the for being the first to find the location from the clue "Arak and Sons." : ) Ra1the wins 4 Pearls and 1 FREE hour. : ) NW Baldor <><><><><> <><><><><> Location Hunt winner - 5/26 Winner is Tieglin. 4 pearls and 1 free hour online. Mystek <><><><><> <><><><><> FireBall Booth 5/27/95 Booth Winner : Tunkir Congratulations to Tunkir for Casting two fireballs for a total of 66 Points! He won 4 pearls and 1 hour of free online time for warming NWA Blythe up;) <><><><><> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* NEVERWINTER CALENDAR *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Be on the look out for those Mini Booths that seem to pop up out of nowhere! 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! New Player Tour: May28th Sunday 1:00 PM ET - Join NWA Kregar for a tour of the Realm. Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet!;D New Player Tour May 31st, Wednesday 8:00 PM ET - Join NWA Hobbes for a tour of the Realm. Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet!;D New Player Tour: June 1st, Thursday 8:00 PM ET - Join NW Aziza for a tour of the Realm. Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet!;D New Player Tour: June 3rd Saturday 3:00 PM ET Join NWA Blythe for a tour of the Realm. Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet!; <><><><><> <><><><><> The Great Purge Part Three Pg 1 (Submitted by Simarin) I awoke at the cock's crow and climbed out of bed, ready to start what was sure to be a long day. I quickly bathed and dressed before sitting down to polish my armor and check my supplies. Soon I was fully suited and striding out the door and down the stairs into the common room for a hearty breakfast. Halfway through my bacon Ardrim arrived, but it wasn't until we were both nearly through with our meal that LTT staggered down the stairs. He appeared to be fighting a mild headache (Ardrim and I had warned him about the Frenzy, but does he ever listen?) and appeared less then fresh, but he seemed just as ready as we to begin our quest. Almost as ready, anyway. By the time he had received his meal both Ardrim and I were completely finished with ours. "Just what kind of ogre-brained idea is that?!" exploded LTT. "Without a good breakfast I won't be able to go on! I'll be too weak to fight and'll end with a sword in me belly, and you'll be less one bloody cleric!" I winked at Ardrim. "Do you think that the thieves will just sit on their thumbs until you're finished eating? They might very well decide to storm Lord Nasher's castle within the next half hour! Then they'de have control of the largest city on the Sword Coast north of Waterdeep. Innocents would die in troves, and all because we had to wait for you to eat breakfast!" Ardrim was shaking wit silent laughter by now, and LTT was racking his brain for a good reason for us to stay here so he could have his breakfast, which was growing colder every second we argued. Then he smiled. "What good will it do if we charge in there screaming with our weapons in our hands and not one single idea in our heads? It won't do any good at all. We need to stay here and form our strategy." He smiled triumphantly. "So be it, let us plan," I replied, beaten. Soon the mood turned serious, however, as we sat and disscused our plans. We now knew that the thieves' hideout lay in the western section of Southwall, but it was undoubtedly extremely well-hidden. "We can't hope to stumble upon it by chance, and if we spend the time needed to search for it, then the thieves shall know us to be the ones who destroyed their brethen yesterday. If they don't attack us in scores, then I have no doubt they'll lay some nasty traps for us, should we come anywhere near discovering their lair." Ardrim spoke sense, and truth. We all sat pondering his words for long moments before LTT suddenly spoke up. "Then the hunters become the hunted, the trackers become the tracked, and the watchers become the watched. We'll hide all throughout the western portion of Southwall until one of us sees them, and then we'll let them lead us directly to their lair." "Agreed," I said. "But what should happen if they see us go into hiding? They'll not make a move to give away their position, and the whole day shall go to waste, unless we can find some way to be sure there are none about when we take up our posts." Suddenly Ardrim's lavender eyes lit up. "I think I have an idea..." Before another hour had passed I was trudging through the north-western portion of Southwall carrying a food cart behind me, and casting nervous glances about that were not entirely faked. The poor farmer's clothes on my back had cost little, and the cost of the cart and all the food inside hadn't been anything unreasonable. At two different points in western Southwall, LTT and Ardrim appeared likewise. The plan was simple: with nothing left in Southwall but adventurers, guards, and extremely large and rare parties of farmers, a lone farmer would bring a thieves as surely as honey brought flies. If there were any to see that lone farmer, that is. If no one attacked, then no one was around, meaning it was safe to take up our positions. I meandered around a bit more just to be sure no one was about before suddenly taking a running leap towards the wall of a nearby building. My hands grasped a window sill, and I hauled myself up. I reached upwards again, and this time my hands siezed the edge of the top of the building. I climbed up quickly, and as soon as I was up I flattened myself before running my gaze along the street below. I breathed a sigh of relief. No one had seen. I quickly found a depression which I could lie in and be able to see anyone on the street without them being able to see me. Then I watched and waited as the sun climbed the sky. I saw very little during this time, only a few parties of adventurers and patrols of Royal Guards. Twice I was sure I saw shadows that seemed to move, and I watched the thieves closely both times, but they merely passed on to another street. * * * * * * * * * Lacam sat in the shadows, watching my barely visible form from the safety of the shadows. He was a senior guild member, and so had been immeadiatly suspicious of a single farmer treading where only a score of his brethen would do likewise. So the thief waited, and was there to see my climb to the roof. This spectacle of mine proved his suspisions, and led him to wait and watch to see what I would do next. Despite the fact that he was a major crimp in our plans, he provided us with help that far outweighed any problems he might have caused. For he was a senior guild member, and so his absence from the guild was noticed. Large groups of thieves were sent forth by the guild to search for him, and the fact did not go unoticed by Ardrim, who was in a perfect position to watch their comings and goings and to take note of the building they came from. * * * * * * * * Ardrim had been watching the building constantly since he had first discovered it was at least connected to the thieves' hideout. His drow eyesight found penetrating the darkness no problem at all, and within an hour he had figured out the routine by which the thieves were sent out. Then he made his move. His inborn agility and stealth allowed him to drop silently from the building he had been watching from and to make his way over to the building. The next pack of scum would be coming in in about two minutes, and he had to move quickly. The building was directly west of the Farmer's Well, and inside was a door to the north and south in addition to the one the dark elf had entered. Once inside, Ard quickly discovered the darkest corner and crept into it. He didn't have to wait long, for it was only minute later that half a dozen thieves slipped in through a secret passage in the wall to the north. They quickly searched the room for intruders and of course completely missed the well-hidden elf. Satisfied that they were alone, they entered the door to the south and were followed by Ardrim. Inside here they turned to the west side of the room and the leader made his way to the wall. A second later a trap door opened up and the thieves all climbed in. To Ardrim's great delight, the last one dropped a dagger on the way down, and searched a bit before finding it and hurrying to catch up with the group. In his haste, he had left the trap door open. The dark elf quickly descended into the lower room, and stood in shadows, waiting to see what the thieves would do next. The leader approached what appeared to be an opening in the wall without a door, but it needed no door, since Ardrim's inborn magical abilities told him the door was protected by a powerful spell. The leader approached a foggy spot in the air, and inscribed something on it. The barrier lifted, the band entered, and the barrier returned, with the foggy part now clear. But Ardrim had had enough time to see what it was and was all ready hurrying out of the building. * * * * * * * (Cont. on next page) The Great Purge Part Three Pg 2 (Submitted by Simarin) * * * * * * * I sat under the blistering sun, the street still calm, with no life stirring. Or so I thought. A moment later I heard a loud cracking sound, and a moment later Ardrim emerged from the shadows. "Sim, you were supposed to be watching for thieves, not letting one watch you," said the elf as he displayed the body of a dead thief, his head cracked open and oozing blood. Then I heard a click, and I leapt off the building as crossbow bolt grazed my arm. I came down in a forward roll, taking away much of the force of the impact before leaping to my feet and drawing my blade. Three thieves rushed me and two rushed Ardrim, another holding back to reload his crossbow. "Maybe you should watch your own back, ye lazy drow!" I called as my blades clashed with those of the thieves. My friend, however, was too busy to answer. It didn't take me long to take out two thieves, but the third proved to be of tougher stuff than the other two, and quicker as well. He held two daggers and deflected a thrust of mine and while my sword arm was still being thrown outward by the force, he leapt in with one dagger aimed at my head, the other at my stomach. My shield slammed into his gut, knocking the wind out of him, and my sword quickly finished him. I suppose it was lucky for me that he lasted as long as he did, for a crossbow bolt intended for me flew straight into the death thief's skull. I quickly threw myself down and glanced up to assess the current situation. Ardrim was lying slumped against the wall with a quarrel in his chest, and the crossbowman was currently reloading. Suddenly a blast of magic sent him flying through the air to land at my feet, quite dead. LTT walked up, a grin on his face. "Got tired of waiting. Where's Ardrim?" I gestured towards the drow's prone form, and LTT grew serious when he saw how badly our comrade was injured. "We must get him back to Neverwinter quickly Sim, for I don't possess the power to heal a wound as bad as this." Back in Neverwinter we took Ard to the Red Mage Inn and found a cleric to tend him. For a price, of course. "We can't stop now, LTT. They know we're on to them, and we have to move quickly." I paced Ardrim's room while LTT sat on the bend, checking on the drow. "Aye, but he must know something, for he wouldn't have left his post if he didn't. What good is it if we go back without the knowledge he has? It'll waste even more time." Suddenly Ardrim's eyes fluttered open, and he began to speak in a weak, soft voice. "Mansion.... across from..... the Well..... south door, then west wall.... look for trap door, password," he gasped as a spasm of pain hit him. "passwerd," he continued even more weakly. "Beholder beckerds..." he fell unconscious. LTT and I both agreed that we must leave now, for time might run out at anytime. Determinedly, we marched forth from the Inn and back into Southwall to storm the thieves' lair and make Southwall safe once more. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> A Grand Adventure... Part 1 (Submitted by Ringleron) I woke up sweating at an inn at Luskan. I ran my hand down my chest and felt relieved that I didn't find a wound there. The nightmare felt so real. I dreamt that I was in the dracoliches lair at Vilnask. I remember running into position while taking out a bit of fur and a crystal rod. I finished casting a spell and a bolt of lightning escaped my fingertips. The bolt curved around a cloud giant and hit the nearest dracolich sending bits of its bony ribcage in all directions. The bolt continued and hit the other dracolich behind it doing the same result. I can't help but grin when the lightning bolt slammed against the wall and rebounded back the way it came. The dracolich bellowed in agony as the bolt hit it again. Just then, my luck ran out. The bellowing creature breathed fire killing the dracolich in front of it and disintegrating the cloud giant in front of me. I tried to ignore the cries of the dying creatures and fumbled for a few desperately needed spell components, sulfur and a tiny ball of bat guano. I was beginning the spell when I gazed upon the dracolich's empty eye sockets. I began to feel the gaze's paralyzing effects. I tried to fight it off, but, it was too overwhelming. It was the dracolich's turn to grin. It took a step closer and raked me with its claw. Its icy claw sliced through me like a hot knife cutting butter. The pain. I managed to ask Tyr for aid before I blacked out. The next thing I saw was the gentle face of one of Tyr's clerics. That was a long time ago. I shook my head and reached for my robe. In the folds of my robe, I pulled out a timepiece and found out that I over slept. I quickly made the bed, grabbed my spellbook and replenished the spells that I used last night. As I was leaving the inn, the innkeeper handed me a message. It was from Khaymara. The letter said, "Got tired waiting for you. See you at Windycliffs." Casting a small cantrip, the message burst into flames and disappeared. I rushed out of the inn, bound for Windycliffs. The trip through Luskan was uneventful. Before reaching the inn at Port Llast, I ran into a group of umber hulks and griffins. Well rested, those creatures didn't stand a chance. I stopped by the inn at Port Llast, memorized some spells and continued my trip to Windycliffs. I was a few leagues away from the boundaries of Windycliffs, when I started to feel hungry. Just then, a group of wild boars and a hoard of rats came rushing at me. "Ah... Bacon and pork chops." I pigged out. ;) After a quick lunch, I resumed my journey to Windycliffs. I reached the inn at Windycliffs. The Inn wasn't too crowded so I found Khaymara with little trouble. She was standing by the bar. I greeted her and she gave me her usual greeting. She bowed and tipped her new hat, but she tipped her hat a bit too strongly and her hat fell to the floor. I picked up the hat and gave it to her. She told me she was trying a new drink that they were serving and offered it to me. I respectfully declined knowing I can't hold my liquor that good. Khaymara told me that she was waiting for Dragonklaw. She asked me if I want to join them for a quick adventure. I smiled and said yes. I could never say no to a lovely lady. I was telling Khaymara about my trip to Windycliffs, when Dragonklaw and Red Erik arrived. Greetings were exchanged. A quick discussion about where to go was held. Dragonklaw suggested the dracoliches at the Gem Factory, but, I said that that area is always crowded. He nodded and suggested the dracoliches at Port Llast. However, I added that the dracoliches there are hard to find. So, I suggested the beholders at Luskan. The group agreed to it. Silently, I breathe a sigh of relief which I masked with a grin. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> The Story of the Bracelet Chapter 19: Agrabah Bound (Submitted by Vallus) The mighty ship known as The Phoenix traveled through the Wildspace within the Crystal Sphere known as Realmspace. The ship was created by the usage of two artifacts: The Bracelet of Power and The Disc of Guardianship. The Phoenix, although powerful, has a finite energy supply which regenerates slowly over time. Normal flying puts little or no drain on this supply but usage of it's special powers such as Fiery Phoenix and the Eyebeams can cause a drain on the energy supply. None of this has mattered for a thousand years, but it will soon." It was Leoster and Crystal's first full day of flying aboard The Phoenix, they had been sitting in the ruby helm chairs for several hours when a clanging bell sounded from the bowels of the ship. "What could that be?" wondered Crystal, the light from the clear crystal at the front of the bridge glistening on her moonstone studded mask which she wore to hide a scar which she received fighting acid-spitting Ankhegs. A halfling wearing an apron entered the bridge "What is this?" she asked "Do you guys eat or not? I've got eveningfeast ready to serve and the soldiers are getting hungry waiting for you two!" "And you are?" asked Leoster "Call me Cookie" replied the halfling "everybody does. I'm head cook around here. What, you think just because this ship is magic those aboard don't need food? C'mon! The first meal with new head honchos on board requires said head honchos to eat first." "Well," said Crystal when the halfling had finished talking "I am pretty hungry.." "Then let's go! The troops are getting restless!" Leoster went down to the galley where eveningfeast was served. The Giff marines had a type of soup called yaneesh which was a yellow broth with grass in it. Several Giff told Cookie that the yaneesh was the best they'd ever had. Leoster and Crystal had a roast which was comparable to that of the finest inn in Waterdeep. The next two months passed quickly for Crystal and Leoster as they discovered the wonders of their magical ship. Leoster spent quite a bit of time in a magical laboratory that Elminster would have been proud to work in. Crystal spent time in the onboard training room getting herself back into top fighting form drilling with the Giff marines. All too soon however, they finished their trip through the Phlogiston outside of the Crystal Spheres and reached Desertspace and it's main planet, Desertia. As they approached the planet, The Phoenix gave them a briefing. "I have detected a concentration of emerald energy near the city of Agrabah. It is ruled by a Sultan who has a daughter named Jasmine. Jasmine is engaged to the street-rat turned hero known as Aladdin. He is aided in his adventures by a genie, an intelligent flying carpet, and his best friend who is a monkey known as Abu. On his adventures, Aladdin is sometimes accompanied by Jasmine, who is quite adventurous in her own right." As The Phoenix flew down towards Agrabah, Leoster and Crystal saw a green light. "Is that?" "Yes." A giant studded with emeralds was walking towards the walls of Agrabah and began firing green energy blasts at the city. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> SMIM CHAPTER 2 (Submitted by YKSS) A few days had passed since Smim and the senior gaurd had encountered the exploding croc. Since then the mysterious mage had made his presence felt. More exploding monsters and beasts had been encountered near Neverwinter, and some monsters had appeared with magical weapons and armor. Lord Nasher asked all the adventurers he could find to help solve the problem, but no one could find the mysterious mage. An elven adventurer by the name of Meldumnum made an important discovery; most of the exploding monsters and beasts were not monsters or beasts at all, but animated statues. Once people knew this, it became easy to tell the statues from the real thing as the statues moved predictably and were not very itelligent. People soon found out how to easily defeat the statues, but a statue and a monster together was a different matter. Luckily Lord Nasher managed to have one captured and brought to the dungeons for examination. It was discovered that the statues had very poor eyesight. If one found oneself in combat with a statue and a monster, all one had to do was manuver the monster between oneself and the statue, and the dumb statue would fight the monster. However some regular monsters would explode as well, and there was the problem of the enchanted weapons & armor. Lord Nasher was deeply worried about these events, but the citizens of the relams simply learned how to deal with this new situation and life went on. Even after the mage began teleporting dragon statues into Neverwinter (not that anyone had much to fear from the dragon statues. The mage that was teleporting them in was obviously doing so blind, as some were teleported into buildings that were so small that the statue couldn't move and was easily disposed of. Even if one was teleported into the open, it was so dumb that it would set itself on fire or fly into the ground) After the news came that a cure had been found for the new stupidity spell there seemed to be even less cause for worry. This day found Smim patrolling alone in Soutwall, not too far from the gate that led to Neverwinter Square. He had a watchful eye out to spot any indication that a teleport spell would deposit something. He had seen a few of them (by now they were not uncommon) and he hoped that he would be able to intercept the new monster or statue before it had a chance to get it's bearings after teleportring and destroy it. He was standing gaurd late in his shift, thinking of the ale he would be soon be having at a local tarven when his eye caught a group of three walking down the street, talking quietly among themselves. The reason that the group caught his attention was that one of them was Ater, the gadget maker and trader. Ater always meant well with his inventions, but there always seemed to be accidents whenever his devices were used that couldn't be explained, like his hairbrush that would make your hair curly if you used it. People who used it sometimes, for no reason that could be found, would have their hair change color at any time of day, even if it had been hours since the brush had been used. Lord Nasher had told all his gaurds to report Ater's presence in the vicinitry so that the fire brigade could be warned. The other two were very old humans, well over 200, a sure sign of a powerful magic user. Something told Smim that this warranted looking into, so he followed the group, keeping an inconspicuous distance. He soon noticed that he wasn't alone. A halfling thief was also shadowing the group, his greedy evil eyes on the packs that the old men carried on their backs. Suddenly there was a shimmer in the air directly in front of the group and a lizardman appeared. The thief saw his chance. He quickly darted up to one of the men, slit a hole in his pack with a dagger, and removed an item. Smim in one motion placed his boot on the halfling's hand, pinning it to the ground and reached over the old man to stab the lizardman in the throat, which killed it instantly. At that moment, however, the thief twisted his hand under Smim's boot in an effort to get it free. A great blast shook Neverwinter. People stopped what they were doing to listen as the sound rolled over the city. After it passed the city was as still as a graveyard. If one had been on a certain street in Southwall that afternoon, one would have seen a most amazing sight: four men and a halfling standing on the street one moment, the next surrounded by an exteremly bright ball of light. Then the ball of light dissappeared, leaving the street empty. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Fey in Exile Stories Submitted by Fey 0ne "A Life for Life" When Rohanbear entered it was as a man once more, the man that had fallen asleep beside me the night before. He did not look at me but went directly to the empty chair. He stood with one hand resting lightly on it and turned to a man seated across the room from me and bowed deeply. I had not noticed the man before. I realized he was the only person in that cave who did not look young and attractive. He was old and more than old. His skin clung to his face like a shroud, pinching his nose and sinking his cheeks. Eyes of the palest blue stared out under a mass of stark white hair. His thin lips were pressed hard together but he opened them now to speak. "Well, Rohan," he said, each word spoken slowly, as if the effort pained him. "What is her answer?" Rohan looked uncomfortable. "Master," he began, "she does not yet know the question." A murmur went round the room of soft protest. Rohan ignored the mumblings and spoke directly to the old man he had called "Master." There was anger in his eyes. "I have found her," he said flatly. "I have recalled her to life. I have brought her here. I have done all that I can do. I cannot ask this of her." Still he did not look at me, though I felt many eyes upon me then. The woman Fin sighed. "Then she knows nothing?" she asked. Taking the silence for her answer, she turned to me. "Why did you come here, young woman?" she demanded. I opened my mouth to stammer out some ill formed reply but closed it again as I caught sight of Rohanbear's expression, so grave and sad. Fin went on, impatiently, "There is no time to waste! Your own homeland is in great danger. Only Rohan can save them, can save all of us. You must say yes!" She rose and walked around the circle slowly. "It is my gift to see the future," she went on, more calmly. "Three nights ago I had a dream. In that dream I was transported to the lost hills of your land. Below me I saw one whom I had not seen for many ages. He had assumed the shape of one of you creatures. He still had that power. The Betrayer, we call him now, for he has long been banished from our dimension. But in this dream I saw him and I saw that he had proclaimed himself a god, a power among powers, strong enough to control all the deities of your realms. These were the lies he would whisper to any that would listen and to those who would not, his powers seemed to prove his words. For the Betrayer had learned one of our most carefully guarded secrets. He had found a Master Spell." She was interrupted by the startled reactions of those to whom these words were new. Talon spoke up angrily. "The Betrayer uses this spell to prove his supremacy. The undead face the worst threat of their existence! They must be warned. They must be aided." "But why the undead especially?" I found the courage to ask. The old man answered me. "The spell, young woman, is the Master Turn Undead. There is no salvation from it; once cast, the undead are utterly destroyed." Fin took up her tale once more. "My dream became a vision for such is my gift. A Being came to me and spoke to me: "Seek she that neither lives nor dies. By her life recalled shall ye know her. The blood of the bear shall be upon her hand. In death shall he prevail." Fin turned towards the assembly and said loudly, "Are there any here that doubt the truth of this prophecy?" The old man stirred. "No one doubts you, Fin. Sit down now." He turned slowly towards me and leaned forward in his chair. His tone was grave. "Lady Fey, I must ask you. Will you bear the blood of the bear upon your hand?" Understanding at last found me and in shock and horror I said, "I owe Rohanbear my life and you want me to kill him? How can you ask this of me?" I protested, looking around the room for one friendly face, one measure of support, but there was none. "This is madness, surely." In disbelief I stood, then moved to Rohanbear's side and gazed up at him until he at last lifted his eyes to meet mine. "And do you ask this of me also?" "Yes," he said, his voice betraying no emotion, his eyes never leaving mine. Talon rose and gently guided me back to my chair. "He made his choice when he recalled you to life, my dear," he said quietly. "Do not fail him now." I sat down, numb and bewildered. My answer, when it came was faint, but every ear was straining for it and every ear heard my reply. "There is no more time to lose," I heard Fin say, "bring her the sword." * * * Afterwards, everyone was very kind. Talon pried the sword from my clenched fingers and pressed a cup of strong wine to my lips. Fin bundled me up and led me to a corner of the cave where a cot had been prepared for me. Two women came and took my bloody clothes and bathed me and put me to bed. Even the old man looked in on me, his wrinkled face wet with tears. I tried to tell them I would be fine, that I just needed some rest and could they please stop that woman from screaming? The agony of that endless screaming. . . . If she would just stop screaming, I could rest, I could sleep. I just needed some sleep. It was long into the night before I realized the screams were my own. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jazzy's Useful Items Emporium Submitted by: Jazzm1n) Jazzmin stood back and admired her handiwork. The stucco storefront, iced soft peach, boasted a lovingly handcarved sign which read; Jazzy's Useful Items Emporium. The crystal windows, like enchanted portals to another world, previewed the tastefully arranged display. Entering the small shop, she noted the perfect placement of the wrought iron weapons racks. To her left, an array of unfurled scrolls adorned a wooden table. The door creaked behind her and she turned to find her first customer. A handsome stranger gazed around the room, a smile upon his face. "Welcome to Jazzy's Useful Items Emporium sir. Would you like a tour?" The man nodded and she directed his attention to the silver sheen of the weapons. "Ah.. here we have a collection of the finest weapons in the land. Is not this Guisarme-Voulge the loveliest you have ever seen? What about this marvelous Spetum.. or perhaps I could interest you in this wonderful Fauchard-Fork?" Her customer did not appear thrilled at the selection, so she turned to the most inspiring one of all, "This infamous Bo-Stick?" Turning to the scrolls, the man said "Well... er.. perhaps a scroll?" Smiling radiantly, she plucked one from the shelf. "Ah.. how about this.. a triple Read Magic scroll! Or.. " taking another, "a cleric dispell evil scroll. Why sir this is the most useful scroll of all! You can fake a dispell magic on yourself with it! Oh and look at this lovely one! A Spiritual Hammer/Snake Charm scroll!" The man began to laugh, "Where do you get all these.. useful.. things?" "Why sir.. they are donated by fine and brave adventurers who know their true value!" "Indeed? What might that be?" "Why nothing of course!" Jazzm1n Champion Gatherer of Fauchard-Forks <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Punt Monster (Submitted by DarkWolfMM) In the forgotten realms many dangers are found. Some magical while others great in strength. Some are overcome easily alone, some require a group, almost all are conquerable however. Exception in the realm is not rare in most things. One of these exceptions is a monster I have never beated. Once upon me it is unstopable, never sparing. Triboar, near the arena. The air was crisp and clean. The mornings sunshine was complemented by the kiss of a birds song. One could imagine a world in peace without dispute or suffering on a day like this. The battles of morning had either been postponed in appreciation of such a day, or more likely were about to start. I would be ready when the fighting started. Thats where I was headed anyway. The Triboar Arena, to test my skills against my fellow adventurers. For in my seeming long life I had mastered every beast I could think of. These oponants where by far more challenging. Already men where coming out of the inn. Some going through Berrun's Hill, and some going to Westgate. A particulally ugly mage was heading to the Lost Hills, Malhav.... something or other. I proceeded down the road to the arena door. Inside I could hear the muffled sounds of battle. I opened it wide. Ahh, my good friend Sh0rn0 was in combat with, V Savan. Yes that was who it was. Fairly interesting, although I was sure Sh0rn0 would win. V Savan was pelted by a cause critical wounds spell from Sh0rn0. His mage robe became darkened with blood. He retained his footing however, and sent a lightning bolt at Sh0rn0. Unaffected Sh0rn0 cast another spell. This time the cause serious wounds spell of Sh0rn0 knocked V Savan to the ground. With a curse his movement stopped. Sh0rn0 smiled. Behind me I heard footsteps. Down the road, Mordain and her followers were coming. Sh0rn0 seemed unworried, but I was. Ghalador steped out of a door near me looking a bit worn. Sh0rn0 waved to him and he entered the arena. I decided 2 to 1 odds were a truly bad way for this day to start. With a giving a good luck I left my two friends where they were and retreated down the street. At the street's end I turned to see the 6 evils enter the arena. Letting out a sigh I returned on my route out of Triboar. Nowhere to go really. Maybe a dragon or something to pass the time with. The ground shook. I stoped upon feeling the tremor. The earth had ceased movement but now it came on again. This time stonger. I did all I could to stay standing. Beneath me the ground cracked open. A emense ray of yellow light reached upward. A wind came up and the tremors grew in strength. I was partially blinded by the light shooting up from below me. Beside me a group of trees was torn away by a huricane force wind. I was on the ground when I saw it. A creature no smaller that a fire giant stood before me. Grayish, almost two dimensional. The monster looked like a streak upon a window, smeared. But in this shape I could see eyes. Mirrors. Reflecting my own horified image. The ground exploded and I was cast upward. The strange yellow light turned red, then velvet, and finally darkblue. I was held in the air by this strange light. I seamed mounted on top of it. But I was sinking. Below me the monster was waving its' arms in jerking erratic motions. A circle of white formed in his hands. The brightness overwhelmed. The entire area was bleached by it. I heard a abrupt surge and something inpacted against my chest. I felt myself disintergrating into the blue light. I was gone. As if a dream my next memory was myself coming together and smashing through the floorboards at the inn. My nerves were fried. I took days to regain my state of mind. I kept this to myself untill one night when a pitcher of Sweatbriar Mead had loosened my tounge to my friends. I discovered the experience universal. The one creature no one had bested, the punt monster. Stories where told of the, "mages of aol," which were said to be of help in the detouring of this menace. The realms shall be truly conquered when this nussance is removed. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Memorial Daze (Submitted by: GRAYvemark) The atmosphere in the inn was somber which suited me fine. Recent events had caused a blissful melancholy in which I now wallowed. The inn was sparse of customers but I was not in any real mood for company. The inn, Chars, aptly named for its fire gutted decor, was operated by the owners, Sym, a lanky vampire, and Dye Ann, a disheveled zombie wench. Sym thought he was the gods' gift to the female persuasion, be it 2- or multi-legged. He also lusted after his business partner, whom I had no idea what he saw in her or rather though her (especially with that gaping hole in her abdomen!). But that point was mute. The DelRubio Banshee Triplets wailed their rendition of 'Whip It!' in the far corner as the rickety door banged open. A deformed, obese humanoid waddled in and plopped onto a bar stool which creaked ominously beneath his weight. "AbNorm!" the few patrons present shouted at the newcomer who waved and gulped the green slimy liquid Sym offered him. AbNorm was a regular as most of the beings here were. Chars was an out-of-the-way place in Berun's Hill of which few rarely knew. It was mainly a place for the outcasts normally shunned by the populace of the realms. I frequented it often when I needed to think. "Another?" Sym asked nodding to my empty tankard. "Hmm?" I said blinking. "Oh, sure. Thanks." Sym tapped the spigot protruding from the KEF's jugular who dangled by his feet from the rafters. I needed something strong so I had declined the SOL and TP brands. "Something wrong, Grayve?" a seductive voice said huskily. The medusa slid an arm around my shoulders trying to get me to gaze into her stony eyes. I was no fool. "Leave him be, 'Ho," Dye Ann said as she continued to dry the stein in her decaying hands. Pouting, 'Ho moved away. "You okay, Dread Lord?" Sym asked. "Yap, Sym. Just reminiscing." I sighed and sipped the warm red liquid. "You know, I remember when I first started out in the realms and knowing hordes of friends. I never hear from them or see them again. I wonder what has happened to them?" "Maybe the new gods of OOC and TOS have claimed their lives," AbNorm spoke up. A hush settled over the small crowd at his words. "Bite your tongue," Sym hissed. He did and spat it out. AbNorm was none too bright. "Don't listen to him," Dye Ann said. "No maybe he's right," I said. "Perhaps these new gods are to be feared as Myrkul and Bane are." I shook my head in disbelief of the notion. "I recall VRDeath and Death4U2. And the beautiful Evil Vixen and Darcy Doe. I remember old guild mates like Knyt Maalr and Stilborn. I can hear Jadog's insightful advice. I can see Goth Punkr clearly showing me a new maneuver with my staff. I have fought along side of Bone Lich. Now where are they?" Sym and Dye Ann looked at each other and sighed. They, too, remember the names of friends claimed by who knows what gods. The DelRubios sang 'Why Do Good Girls Like Bad Boys?' in the background. "You know, we need a special day of remembrance for those lost, unsung souls. Like a Memorial Day," I said, my crimson eyes glowing brighter. "Good idea, Grayve. From this time forth, we at Chars shall claim this day as Memorial Day!" Sym said with a decisive nod. "Here, here!" the crowd chimed in. Sym's eyes suddenly glazed. Then he blinked. "Okay, everyone, listen up. Is there a Kyam in here? First name is Owattador? Owattador Kyam? You have an ESP! Owattador Kyam!? Otwatta....Doh!" Sym slapped his forehead. "Homer! Tell Bart and Lisa to stay off my brain wavelength!" I smiled and then lifted my tankard in silent salute. Here's to all my old friends who have disappeared from the realms for whatever reasons. May you find what you seek wherever you may be... <><><><><> <><><><><> Gimme a Scoop! 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