==========oOo========== NEVERWINTER NEWS Issue # 101 Week Ending 9-30-95 ==========oOo========== *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* FRONT PAGE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Congratulations to Kyla Taerl for winning last week's News of the Realm contest. Kyla Taerl has earned choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes) WTG! <><><><><> <><><><><> Tour 9/19/95 Once again Lord Nasher had ordered that I gather together a group of valiant adventurers and patrol the troubled roads between Neverwinter City and Crossergate. Shortly after I put out the call, I was overwhelmed with the enthusiastic response as brave travellers hurried to join me at my recruiting center near the docks. The stout and stalwart Jemrek, young Exo Phil1, the half drow Dwaylin, the valiant Manthos58, the silent and slightly disturbing Darvian, half-elven Allanon676, a noble minded lady Alzen, and the experienced Knightl0rd and Kithmor all answered the call. Setting out in two groups we began our trek, never encountering any real trouble until we reached Vilnask. There, however, we were set upon repeatedly by strange tree-like creatures and hungry wolves. Battling our way past the beasts we continued onward to the gates of the town of Crossergate. There we found more wolves and their terrible frost breathing cousins. Nearly every step of the way was a struggle, as the young paladin Alzen seemed to attract the beasts notice at every step. Within our party there was some conflict, as young Darvian drew magical glyphs in the dirt and called upon an evil god, whose name he refused to divulge. The sturdy dwarf, Jemrek took offense at this "magix" as did several others at the foul nature of Darvian's god. Disappearing in a cloud, the young cleric was gone, but he vowed vengeance and many in the party feared he was off to arrange an ambush. By the time we had reached the Crossergate Inn, we were weary but determined to find the source of all the trouble. Having heard rumors of a Temple of Bane secreted away, we decided to try to discover what news we could. Alzen, Exo Phil1, Jemrek, Knightl0rd, Dwaylin and Manthos58 all agreed to continue. We found a secret door, which was clear as day to the stone-wise dwarf and stepped through into a maze of rooms and passageways. Young Exo Phil1 charged into a massed barracks of orcs and cast his spell, sending many of them to sleep. Before we could react to his brave attack, a fire elemental stepped up behind him and struck him down. In rage we rushed in to stand over his body, though we could not save him. In sorrow we continued, destroying many foul denziens of this place. Stout Jemrek opened a door and found beyond a great mass of frogs and two Ogre Magi. Singing a dwarven battle song, he waded into the midst of the creatures swinging his axe mightly. Before we could even turn he was down, struck twice by the "finger waggling magix" of the Ogres. Vowing to remember his bravery, Knightl0rd slew the creatures in an inferno of magical fire. Onward we treked through a spiraling maze, until we found a centaur who pleaded for our aid. Assistance we gave at once, though the lady paladin Alzen fell rendering it. With a prayer to Tyr for her soul, we strode onward. Encoutering Gawyn1 in battle before us we rushed to assist him. He chose to join us in our quest. Finally we came upon the Temple of Bane, though it seemed empty and unused. We were unable to walk into the area itself though, as some magic prevented our entrance. Dwaylin tried to break through using his scimitar repeatedly but to no avail. Turning aside, we continued through the antechambers, fighting hell hounds and other fell creatures. At last we reached a door through which mumbling could be heard. Bursting in, we discovered a cleric of Bane and several of his minions. The battle was quickly won as Manthos, Dwaylin, Knightl0rd and Gawyn1 lept into the fight. Within the dead cleric's robes, however, we found an note of some importance. Swearing to rush this information to Lord Nasher, the party set off, whilst I retired to the Temple of Tyr to pray for our fallen comrades. Thanks to all who participated! NW Ember <><><><><> <><><><><> The winner of the Location Hunt on Thursday (9/21) was elfprncss who was the first to find the True Blade in Nightsedge. The winner of the Location Hunt on Sunday (9/24) was ranafran who found the Dwarven Miners Shoppe in record time (along with a host of others). NW Kel <><><><><> <><><><><> Sorry took so long folx, but it was a close one.... **Official scores after Log Reviews** In First, winning 25 pearls and 4 free hours is Dwyvyrn, with 33 points!!! In Second, winning 20 pearls and 3 free hours is Mansho0n with 32 points!!! And in Third, winning 15 pearls and 2 free hours is Dam1on, with 31 points!!! Also, Sagx won the 5 pearl roll off. Thanks NW Tempus & NW Ulfius <><><><><> <><><><><> MINOR GAUNTLET BOOTH September 25, 1995 - 10 pm et - Results CONGRATS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR WINNING 2 PEARLS Kef M1nax, Evil Ci0wn, Hedron, Sylverion, Evl Crow, Viridium, who all successfully resisted my charms, poison kiss and bear hug ! Again way to go all! And thanks for taking up the challenge ! NWA Blythe <><><><><> <><><><><> "Congratulations to Medicrusty, who survived my nasty cause serious wounds, to win the second September GoH booth! Medicrusty will gain 5 pearls. -Strahd" <><><><><> <><><><><> Tour 09/14 Triel was laying on her bed in the staff quarters when there came a light rap on her bedroom door. Throwing on a robe, she went and opened it but a bit to see who would come at this ungodly hour. Seeing the runner, she opened the door but a bit more and asked what the problem could be. The runner handed Triel a scroll, bowed and turned to depart. With a questioning look, she dismissed the runner, closed the door and walked over to her desk by the window. She noticed the seal of his Lord Nasher on the scroll and knew then that this must be an important missive. Triel sat at her desk and lit the lamp, as it was just breaking a new day. She broke the seal and unrolled the scroll slowly, as she knew this did not bode well. Reading, she knew she must dress and go to the square to find a hardy band of adventurers to join her on the mission that was thrust upon her. After dressing, Triel headed out to the NeverWinter Square and she saw that indeed, there were some adventurers that were ready to take on what the realms could throw at them. In her mind, tho, Triel knew that this would be a dangerous mission as she had been directed to take the group to the northern part of the realms and rid the area of Luskan Outpost of the menace that could be seen by the inhabitants there. Triel, seeing Tanya97, Hancock220, HMcDeath, KMalJ and KaleVanna, figured she had a fighting chance to survive and return victorious. Making sure all were ready, Triel headed out of the square and northward through the Wharves and then on through WindyCliffs with little or no obstacles to bar their way. They feasted on wild boar on their stop in the southern part of Port Llast and having sated their hunger, they continued on to the Port Llast Inn and rested for what was to come. Making sure all were ready and spelled up, Triel led her group further northward and met with a couple bands of griffons, which they quickly dispatched. They finally reached the gate to the outpost and with some trepidation, Triel led them on and, with only one battle to bar their way, to the Inn. Having heard the locals talk of Zhentil Fighters helping the beholders, Triel knew this must be the location of the trouble Lord Nasher had spoken of. Making it to what appeared to be a secret door, Triel prepared her group to enter the battle. (Having lost all but two of the adventurers during the trek northward, She knew this would be a tough battle. Because of the late hour, they had to retire for the night.) Bashing the secret door open, Triel and the remaining two met the Zhentil Fighters and Cyclopskin along with two beholders head on. After many arrows from her assistants and fireballs thrown by Hancock, she knew that they would be victorious, as they stayed out of the reach of the beholder's spells with Triel continued to thrash them. Having won the battle, it appeared there was nothing but to return to NeverWinter City and tell Lord Nasher of their victory, but it seemed that was not to be yet, as, when the battle had ended, there appeared to be candles, of all things, and a poser for them to figure out to make it safely out of the area and back to the Inn to rest up. Having figured out the poser and reading what was said, Triel led her group back to the Inn for must revelry. The two that had helped Triel defeat the battle were Hancock220 and KaleVanna, who wanted to do battle yet again, but because it was late, Triel knew that she must return to the staff compound and report her findings to Lord Nasher. Bidding a fond farewell to her companions, Triel headed out of the Inn and back southward to the city. I hope all enjoyed the tour and the friendship that's goes along with being in a group such as we had for your trip to the northern parts of the realm. -NW Triel <><><><><> <><><><><> Congrats to MRQ CHAR for finding the Shrine of Chauntea in Floodblest, the clue being "Pay your respects to agriculure here". Mrq Char wins 4 Pearls and 1 hour online time. : ) NW Baldor <><><><><> <><><><><> King of the Mountain PVP booth Location: Southwall 14,7 (The following people participated: Group 1 --------- kid storm fissi0n abzzscent latar joesmoken sliepner mortal fyr Group 2 --------- balaczar namnuy bencanjam robin 0876 moradeth tk ghost n0r bash From Group 1, mortal fyr emerged victorious. From Group 2, namnuy emerged victorious. After bandaging their wounds, resting, and studying their spell books, these two battled it out in a wonderfully played battle. namnuy managed to hold mortal fyr at a critical time (as the goblins were sneaking up behind him) and the battle was over. namnuy wins the title of "King ofthe Mountain" and 8 pearls! NW Sparkle <><><><><> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 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: October 1st Sunday 2:00 PM ET - Join NW 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 October 4th, Wednesday 12:00 A M ET - Join NWA Silver for a tour of the Realm. Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet!;D New Player Tour: October 5th Thursday 9:00 PM ET - Join NWA Mortis for a tour of the Realm. Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet!;D New Player Tour: October 7th Saturday 10:00 PM ET)- Join NWA Cosmic for a tour of the Realm. Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet!; <><><><><> <><><><><> " The Game Part Two! " (Submitted by Ryltarl) After many hours of adventuring Larenil finally called a halt to their travels saying, " Wait Rytlarl." Waving her hand two chairs appear along the grassy trail. " Sit with me for a bit Velgla Jabbuk and let us talk of this guardian you spoke of earlier. ", Larenil says softly. Tarl turns and watches Larenil, mildly shocked at her sudden change in tone and action. Tarl watches Larenil with caution as she gracefully glides into her chair and motions for him to join her. Easing into the chair, not entirely comfortable at the Jabbress' sudden change in her approach. Tarl wonders what game she is playing. Larenil watches the Velgla Jabbuk, amused at his nervousness. Knowing that she has succeded in getting him off balance and that she can now proceed with her plans. " So Velgla Jabbuk tell me how you could serve the Ulathtallar? ", Larenil ask casually. Eyes widening slightly at her question, Tarl hesitantly ask his own question, " Do you ask me to serve thee Jabbress? I am honored that you think that much of me! " With a cunning smile Larenil responds, " I am speaking hypothetically of course Velgla Jabbuk. We both know where your loyalties lie now that you attend the VDVM. " Nodding in agreement, Tarl acknowledges, " You are right Jabbress. However, loyalties can lie in many places. " Still wondering to himself what Larenil is really doing, Tarl listens to her voice and watches her face for any signs or clues as to her true intentions. Larenil surveys Tarl breifly then says, " As I said Velgla Jabbuk, your loyalties lay with your House and with the VDVM. How could I be confident of your true intentions were you to serve me? " A sly grin crossed Tarl's lips as he comments, " There are many types of loyalties Jabbress. As I am sure you know. Perhaps there could be a loyalty between us, under the right circumstances! " Tarl watches Larenil, feeling as if he has recovered at least slightly from Larenil's ingenious manipulation and her devious cunning. Larenil shows no signs of being thrown off guard at Tarl's comments and even still has a slightly smug grin on her face. Growling to himself, Tarl again wonders what her game is. All this time Larenil has been watching Tarl, noticing his apprehension and biding her time. Letting Tarl build images in his mind more devistating by the moment. Finally Larenil laughs a light evil little laugh and says, " Yes Ryltarl, there are many kinds of loyalty. " Larenil's voice takes on a sharp edge as she continues," But I know the dark loyalties of the VDVM all too well, and I think perhaps you take me for a wael, Velgla Jabbuk, if you think I would let you serve me with your loyalties lying with the Ul'Veldriss and her dark Magthere." Inhaling deeply Tarl still struggles to regain his composure as he ponders for a moment on how to respond to Larenil's seeming accusation. Tarl locks eyes with Larenil for the first time and responds, " Where there is ambition, one can find loyalties as well. And who would dare to defy the Ulathtallar? " Larenil comtemplates Tarl's question carefully, still trying to keep Tarl off guard. Then Larenil makes a slight nod and agrees, " Perhaps you are right Velgla Jabbuk. Ambition does create loyalties, of a sort. What are your ambitions Ryltarl? " Tarl makes a quick glance around the area as if he looks for an escape, any escape to avoid the Ulathtallar's dangerous question, seeing that he has no escape he decides to add to the plot stewing in Larenil's mind already, " I seek to serve the Ul'Veldriss and ultimately the Valsharess herself if Lolth so wills it. It is Lolth's will that has brought me to where I am today, not mine. " Seeing the conviction in his words Larenil simply comments, " Those are lofty ambitions Velgla Jabbuk, be careful you do not set your goals too high. " Then Larenil looks up into the night sky, silently pondering how she could use this ambitious Velgla Jabbuk. After several minutes of silence Larenil comments, " I do not know how the rivvin ever get use to the overwhelming sense of space and openess that the sky creates. Or how they get used to the brilliant light given off by the many glittering motes in the blanket of darkness that covers the sky at night. " Sensing the Ulathtallar's sudden change in mood and approach, Tarl replies, " Yes it is most difficult to understand how they get use to it. Perhaps it is as we are use to the deep caverns, because it is what we have known since birth. So it is with them. " Smiling slyly, Tarl watches the Jabbress to see if he has regained any ground with her. " Yes, perhaps you are right, but I do so miss the beauties of Rilauven while I am away. Its many wonders, the glowing sheets of faerie fire, the exquisite architecture, the beauty of the everlasting darkness and the wonderous Temple of Lolth itself. The Rivvil will never know these wonders. " Suddenly an evil laughs escapes her lips, " Except of course as they lie upon the sacrificial altar! " Again Tarl is unsure of Larenil's methods. He wonders, does she do this merely to place me off guard, or does she truly marvel at the wonders of the surface world, or is there another hidden reason or meaning to this change in the conversation. Unsure of how to answer the Ulathtallar, he simply follows her gaze up into the sky and ponders her devious tricks. Larenil, Ulathtallar d'Arach'Tinilith lueth Ulfaerz'un'arr d'Sorcere and Ryltarl, Velgla Jabbuk d'Rilynt'tar A Melody in the Garden (Submitted by OSIR1S) Lady Taarla stood looking out the bedroom window, watching the sun rise on the horizon. Her thoughts were troubled from a nightmare that she had just awakened from, and she couldn't seem to get her mind off of it. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled as she saw Osiris was still asleep, Dragonslayer curled up beside him. Turning back to the window, she gazed at the brilliant hues of the sky in the east. It was going to be a beautiful day. If she was going to enjoy it, Taarla was going to have to banish the nightmares from her memory and in order to do that, she was going to have to find something else with which to occupy her thoughts. Walking quietly across the room, so as not to awaken her beloved, Taarla took a faded blue dress from the closet and quickly dressed. The skirt was faded and the sleeves a bit shabby, but it was not meant for social affairs... it was meant to wear when Taarla intended to work in her gardens, and that's exactly what she was preparing to do. After tying her hair with a blue ribbon, she removed her gloves from a nearby table and picked up her boots from the floor at the foot of the bed. Taarla walked to the door and as soon as she placed her hand on the doorknob, Dragonslayer was at her feet. She smiled down at him as he walked all around her feet and began purring. Taarla looked back to make sure Osiris was still sleeping and then opened the door when she saw that he was. Dragonslayer followed his mistress through the door and down the hallway. Taarla stopped at the front door just long enough to pull her boots on and change their present color of pink to a soft shade of blue. Dragonslayer meowed at Taarla impatiently to open the door and when she did, they stepped out into a glorious Spring morning. Taarla began walking towards her garden, willing her thoughts to turn away from the darkness of her nightmare and into the light of the sun. From the bedroom, Osiris watched from the window as Taarla and Dragonslayer walked towards the gardens. Osiris knew his lady was troubled with nightmares and it concerned him that she never wanted to talk about them. On many mornings such as this one, he found her in her gardens, working to rid her mind of worry and fear he supposed. Osiris took a deep breath and let it out in a heavy sigh. "Taarla, you worry too much, Love," he thought to himself, "I hope in time we can find a way to erase the fears that haunt you." Osiris watched Taarla for a very long time and a smile played across his face when she laughed at Dragonslayer chasing butterflies among the daisies. "Silly kitten," Taarla laughed at Dragonslayer. He looked back at her and meowed before he raced off in pursuit of an unusually large butterfly which had landed in a patch of marigolds. Taarla went back to the task of pruning the rosebushes, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face. But try as she might to forget the dreams, Taarla continued to see flashes of images... running in the darkness... lost and alone... the evil laughter of unseen enemies... Taarla winced as a thorn from the rosebush went through her glove and pierced her finger. She removed the glove from her hand and watched as a tiny drop of blood fell. For several moments Taarla sat in the midst of her rosebushes seemingly mesmerized by the blood on her finger. Her body was motionless, but her mind raced with the memory of the nightmare, and again Taarla saw the images... blood on her hands... her blood... the crack of a whip... the sound of chains... Osiris knelt beside Taarla without her ever realizing he was there. "Taarla, what's wrong, Love?" he asked her. She turned her face towards him and after a brief pause she said, "I was just thinking to myself and..." Taarla stopped in mid-sentence for she realized her voice was trembling. She took a deep breath and continued, "I'm fine, Osi, it's nothing, really." Osiris stood up and held out his hand to Taarla, "Come on, Love, let's go for a walk." Taking his hand, Taarla smiled up at his handsome face and answered, "All right, that sounds nice. I'm sure the roses can wait another day," and after getting to her feet, she brushed off her skirt. Osiris took Taarla by the hand and led her from the garden. "They will have to wait, Love, because I intend to take my lovely wife for a walk. She's been spending entirely too much time with her rosebushes." Taarla laughed as Osiris pulled her along and very soon, all memories of her nightmare were forgotten as she walked alongside her beloved. Dragonslayer popped his head out of the marigolds and raced after the happy couple. He ran in leaps and bounds and Osiris and Taarla laughed at the spirited cat. For most of the day Taarla and Osiris explored the area and enjoyed each other's company far more than the scenery. They laughed and joked about many things and Osiris was overjoyed to see his wife smile. In the middle of the forest, he picked a wild rose and put it in her hair and kissed her. He pulled her close to him and whispered softly as he embraced her, "I love you, my winter rose," and for awhile nightmares and roses were forgotten... and all that existed in the world was them. As the sun was beginning to set, Osiris and Taarla arrived back at the door to their cottage. Dragonslayer padded along right behind them and upon reaching the door, plopped himself down at the entrance. "Tired, lil' one?" Taarla asked her pet. Dragonslayer chose that moment to yawn and Taarla giggled. Osiris opened the door and the three tired adventurers went into the cottage for the evening. Taarla set off in the direction of the kitchen to begin preparations for dinner, while Osiris and Dragonslayer sauntered into the living room to start a fire to ward off the chill of the night air. After dinner, Taarla and Osiris sat in front of the fireplace; Osiris working on some new maps of the area they had explored, and Taarla writing in her journals. Taarla looked up from her writing and stared into the flames of the fire and watched the shadows dance across the walls. She knew she was being dreadfully childish, but she hated the evening hours for soon she would have to sleep and then the nightmares would haunt her yet again. Osiris looked up from his maps and saw Taarla staring into the flames. He knew where her thoughts lay and placing the maps on a nearby table, he beckoned to her, "C'mere, Love." His voice breaking the trance-like state she was in, Taarla walked over to Osiris and he pulled her onto his lap, and for several minutes the couple sat in silence, Taarla resting her head on his shoulder, Osiris holding her closely. Dragonslayer lay full length in front of the fireplace basking in the warmth emitted from the burning logs. "Taarla, please tell me... tell me about the nightmares," Osiris asked her in a hushed tone, but Taarla did not respond. She had fallen fast asleep and to Osiris' relief, she appeared to be sleeping peacefully. Osiris remained in the chair by the fire for hours, not wishing to disturb his wife's peaceful slumber. Her breathing was soft and steady and as he looked at her face, it appeared as serene as an angel's. Finally, Osiris gathered Taarla in his arms and carred her to the bedroom where he gently placed her sleeping form on the bed. He moved to take off her boots, but he hesitated. It would surely wake her, so he left them and carefully crawled into bed beside her and after placing a feather-light kiss on her cheek, Osiris was soon asleep himself. At the stroke of midnight, Taarla began to dream... She was standing at the entrance of a cave and peering into the blackness, a chill causing her to shiver. "Taarla," an eerie voice echoed to her from the cave. She dared not enter, but she was drawn to the voice like a moth to a flame. "Taarla," the voice came again and she cringed as hysterical laughter reverberated from the inside of the cave. Taarla began walking towards the mouth of the cave and the voice hissed, "Yesssss.... come to me." Before she reached the entrance, Taarla stopped and listened for suddenly she could hear music coming from a far-off place. The music started getting closer; the familiar tones of a harp, the strings being drawn by expert hands. Soon the cave was forgotten and the voice within was silenced as the music filled the air. Taarla woke up and looked around her. She was in her bed and it was still dark, Osiris sleeping soundly next to her. Taarla sat up, thinking she had heard something, some kind of music. As she sat on the edge of the bed, she heard it again... the faint music of a harp. Quietly, she slipped from the room and headed towards the front door. Dragonslayer was already there waiting for her. "Do you hear it, too, lil' one?" she whispered to him. Dragonslayer raised one paw and placed it on the doorframe. "All right; we'll see what it is," Taarla whispered again. Taking her cloak from a peg on the back of the door, she threw it around her shoulders and opened the door. As soon as Taarla and Dragonslayer stepped through the open door the music grew louder, and it was coming from the direction of the gardens. Osiris appeared in the doorway behind them looking a bit alarmed. "Taarla, where are you going at this hour?" he asked her. "Shhh," she shushed him, "Can't you hear it?" Osiris listened for a moment and then he, too, could hear the lilting tones coming from the gardens. "What is it, Love," he questioned Taarla. Taarla didn't answer him. She simply placed a finger to her lips and held out her hand to him. Osiris kept his silence and took Taarla by the hand. The three of them walked through the dew-moistened grass in the direction of the softly playing music.... As Taarla and Osiris approached the gardens with Dragonslayer following in their footsteps, they could see a soft, golden light that lingered over the gardens like a mist. The music of the harp continued to play and as they drew closer to the garden's edge, Taarla could see movement coming from the rosebushes. Dragonslayer streaked through the garden, his curiosity outweighing any caution whatsoever. Taarla yelled, 'Dragonslayer! Stop!" But he was too quick and he had already discovered where the movement came from and beneath the rosebushes, a tiny blue sphere floated out of the playful cat's reach. Osiris called to Dragonslayer then, and swishing his tail behind him, Dragonslayer came to sit at Osiris' feet. Osiris picked him up just in case something else captured the attention of Dragonslayer's watchful eyes. All of Taarla's attention was focused on the floating blue sphere and she started walking towards it. The gardens were quiet yet the golden mist still lingered, and though Taarla moved ever closer to the sphere, it remained hovering like a butterfly over the rosebushes. Osiris watched in silence, a purring ball of fluff in his arms. Reaching a spot so close she could reach out and touch the glowing sphere, Taarla stopped. As she watched the floating blue light, the colors began to swirl and brighten. Violet-blue glittered against the darkness of the night, and brightening, the sphere floated towards Taarla. She smiled as she watched the crystaline sphere hovering in front of her and reaching out with her hand, she attempted to touch it. As her finger came into contact with the sphere, Taarla heard a tiny giggle and in an instant the blue light disappeared and a whimsical fairy alighted in the palm of her hand. Beautiful gossamer wings unfolded as a pair of twinkling blue eyes looked up at Taarla. "Evenin', Fair Lady," came a teeny voice from the blue-winged fairy. Taarla was somewhat startled to hear the fairy speak to her, but she managed a soft greeting of "Evening." The fairy twirled around in the palm of Taarla's hand and swirling her tiny skirts of silvery blue, she said, "My name's Melody, Fair Lady, what's yours?" Taarla laughed and said, "Taarla... my name is Taarla." The fairy darted from her hand over to Osiris, and keeping her distance from Dragonslayer's batting paws said, "And who might you be, Noble Sir?" Osiris kept a firm grip on Dragonslayer and looked at Taarla, then answered, "I am Osiris, wee one, and this fidgety little beast goes by the name of Dragonslayer." "Hehe," the fairy giggled, "I can see why," and then with a wave of her finger, she cast a glittering shower of stars to flit around Dragonslayer's whiskers. Dragonslayer went wild trying to catch the bright sparks and the fairy named Melody flew back to rest in Taarla's hand once again. "You are the keeper of this garden, are you not?" the fairy asked Taarla. "Why, yes, I am," Taarla answered. Taarla looked at the fairy as she remained sitting in her hand and waited for Melody to say more, but the blue wings fluttered and Melody drifted back to the ground beneath the rosebushes. Taarla knelt down to see where the fairy had gone. Peering beneath the massive red blooms of the rosebush, Taarla could see Melody sitting down before a beautiful, iridescent web of strings. Melody giggled and sang, "Would you like to hear me play, Fair Lady... shall I play to keep the nightmares at bay... shall I sing the tunes of the fairyfolke to ease your mind each day... Oh, Fair Lady... would you like to hear me play?" A warm, heart-felt smile appeared on Taarla's face and she nodded and said, "Oh, yes, Melody, I would be most honored to hear you play." Osiris came to stand beside Taarla and together they leaned up against the trunk of a nearby apple tree in full bloom and waited for Melody to begin her lovely concerto. Dragonslayer picked a spot high up in the branches and as he climbed around trying to find the most comfortable perch, pink petals from the blossoms fell down like snow and Melody began to softly pluck the strings of her webbed harp. The tune was a bit different from the first that Taarla had heard, but the music seemed to swell with each carefully struck note, echoing through the garden. Taarla snuggled up close to Osiris and let the music fill her soul and her mind captured images of snow-white unicorns, rainbows, playful kittens and beautiful fairies alighting on the blooms of her garden. As Osiris sat with his wife in his arms, he pondered the mystery of the blue fairy named Melody and how she came to be in this particular garden and then his thoughts turned to a yellowed piece of parchment which lay in the top drawer of his desk... FOR SALE... enchanted cottage... a place of magic wonders... deep within the forest... seclusion and privacy... one-of-a-kind... serious inquiries only... Osiris chuckled to himself for he hadn't believed a single word of that advertisement and as he listened to the beautiful music being played by Melody, he noticed movement all around the garden... multi-colored fairies dancing through the air over the tops of the flowers... Until the hour before the dawn Osiris and Taarla watched and listened to the dance of the fairies and just when the sun began to rise in the East, fairies, harp, and music disappeared, leaving only Taarla, Osiris and Dragonslayer asleep beneath the blossoming apple tree, a sprinkling of pink petals in the warm morning breezes. May thy travels be well. (Submitted by WILSONER M) The air crackled with energy and the sky grew to a hazy hue. The smell of flesh rose into the air as the spell caster prepared another lightning bolt. Tremendous power surged through the spell caster's arms and his mind screamed in outrage for the ambush. His head tilted back and his rolled up into his head. His left arm shot forward and a blue flame, brighter than the sun, hurled toward the monsters. Kraken spies were swept in all directions, like leaves riding the wind. His face was red with anger and his eyes focused on the banshee. With a tremendous voice, a voice of an entire legend that echoed through the room, Wilsoner said, "NO MORE." The banshee began to approach Wilsoner and struck him with a painful blow. As blood started to flow from his left eye, Wilsoner began to chant a new spell. Upon hearing the spell caster's chant the banshee struck again and broke Wilsoner's concentration. A fighter walked through the cloudy room ignoring the stench of burned flesh. The fighter was endowed with powerful forearms. Magnificent armor adorned him and he held a sword with flames coming off it. He stepped over bodies as he approached and engaged the banshee. With a mighty blow he cut the banshee in to two pieces. As the banshee fell to the floor, its body dissipated into the room's atmosphere and the Kraken's bodies disappeared. Wilson weak from the battle thanked the fighter as they departed their on ways. Tremendous energy shot from the other room as they were leaving. The fighter noticed that another spell caster was in need. This is the life that a hero accepts and the survival of the realm depends on honorable men and women such as him. With patience of steel he walks into the next battle to dispatch the evil monsters. Be sure to catch capter two of wilsoners travels May your journeys be well. chapter 2 (Submitted by WILSONER M) Energy erupted in the atmosphere, cinders of ashes floated about like snow in the wind. Soon black sut covered the floor. As wilsoner watched the fighter walk into the next room, he quickly pulled his oversized robe up to his knees so that he could catch up with his new found freind. The floor had recently been clutered with bits and pieces of kraken spies which disapeared when the battle ended, however the stinch of burned flesh remained. Wilsoner began to image what this home looked loke before the invasions. Children running about outside and parents teaching them how to cast invisibility spell. He is reminded of his child hood and how his father tought him to charm animals and play hide and seek while invisible. They lived in a quiet town called crossergate which was one town south of the town he was born in, sothwall. His father never prepared him for battle since neverwinter had been peaceful since Lord Nasher's arrival. Lord Nasher had vanquished all the threats long before he was born and made the realm a safe place to live. Unfortunately he only cleared the surrounding towns of never winter city and not the dark corners of the realm. Many families were unaware of the evils, lurking outside of the realms, waiting in the darkness until the forces of evil could come together to purge the lands of the citizens. Sure he had heard rumors about them, but thats was what they were, rumors. Soon the creatures began to enter the towns a few at a time, but soon entire leagends began to form and the land was in turmoil. Inocent people were slaughtered, women raped and babys sacrificed to the demi gods. Wilsoner had lost his own mother after being raped by kraken spies and his father had disapeared on one of Lord Nasher's quests. Out of anger and fear, Wilsoner took his fathers spell book and fled to the town of southwall. There he had learned to avoid the intruders and grouped together with other rebels to prepare for war. One night he opened the spell book and stared at the strange symbols that covered the pages. It was written in a language he had never seen. Instead of elvingish it was composed of pictures of serpants and other creatures. Then it occured to him that the book could only be read after a read magic spell was cast. Unfortunately his father never taught him that one. Realizing he could not read the book, his hope for vengance draned away and a felling of sadness set in. The other rebels, unaware of wilsoner's problem, tried to cheer him up. They tried to get him intrested in training again, but to no avail. One lady mage offered him some prozac but it only made him more depressed. One night he told the lady mage why he was upset. She smacked him across the face and cursed him. Renewed anger filled wilsoner as he began to intercept any future blows. If you didn't know how to read it why didn't you ask me to teach you. You stupid stupid boy. Do you think that we are that bad that you should insult us like that. Here we are feeding you and providing for you, waiting for you to learn your art and join the cause. I will teach you this and I expect you to be training everyday from now on! You can not gain experience by sitting in here sulking like a child. I do not know what your motivation is for being here, all I want to know is if you are a team player. With wounded pride, Wilsoner learned the spell for reading the magic book. After casting the spell, the pictures were burned into his mind and began to form words. The words were actually names of spells with no directions to them. He then noticed the spell for invisibility. This one he knew, his father had tought him a year before the invasion. He then focused on the spell magic missile and all the other spell names faded away to leave a blank page where word and hand signs appeared. His father had tought him the correct words and hand movements for the invisibilty spell so he was familiar enough to follow along on the page. As he spoke the last word and crossed his hands, a spark flew out towards a nereby sleeping elf. In moments, after hereing the elfs scream, the room was filled with people that had their weapons drawn. That snot nosed infant just burned me. Look, see my rear end. There is a burn mark through my trousers. Wilsoner was preparing to flee when a large fighter approached the elf and told him to quit crying, it is not that bad. The boy is just learning and I'm sure did not mean to do it. You boy, take your book outside and practice. Several months passed and wilsoner began to learn more spells after each battle he went on. There was always a crocodile or two around the town for him to practice on. After several months he was invited to go rescue a man held prisoner in the town of crossergate. The journey is hazzardous and many will not survive, avoice from the front of the croud announced. Fortunately Lord Nasher has blocked the grim reaper from our lands so we can not die. We can however be torutured. If you should fall beware that your belongings can be taken by evil doers. Someone will take you to designated safety areas at the entrance of each town when you loose conciousness. If you do end up back there I advise you to wait for the next group before trying again. The idea of going to the town where his mother was raped, fueled a fire that burned in him. He new now about Lord Nasher blocking the angel of death from collecting souls, and now had hope that his mother was alive and in the realms somewhere. Perhaps she was looking for him at this very moment. The tought excited him and he began to prepare for the journey. He was hoping to run into her on the way and perhaps drop by his home to check for a note or some type of evidence of her survival. Wait a minute if we can not die, will the monstors die? This question began to pound at him heavely. He started to think about how strange it was to find a crocodile in the same place everyday. He tried to remember if the crocodiles looked the same, maybe it was the same one. He decided not to ask in fear of catching to much attention from the others, so he went to the spot. Before he began searching he found a quiet spot and looked through his book to see if their was a spell to help him. Then it dawned on him that he could use the charm animal spell his father had tought him to tame the crocodile and question it. After preparing and taming the crocodile he learned that it was the same one, so no matter how many monstors he killed they would be back in the same spot the next day or perhaps sooner. He returned to the camp that was now considered to be an inn thinking about the conciquences of immortality. In the morning the sun came through the inn's windows and brightened the room to a brilliant yellow haze. He awoke and found the lady mage sitting at the edge of his bed. Good morning child. I wish you would reconsider going with them, you are still to weak to pursue such dangerous creatures. I here there are dracolich and mamoths on the way. I fear that you are not prepared, you have not even learned the art of organization. What are you going to do when you are in a battle and need to cast. Are you going to take the time to look up a spell in your book and cast it? By that time you will be dead, or now, unconscious and in a lot of pain. A true caster memorizes spells from their books so that they can be used immediately. At first you can only memorize a couple but after you have experience in memorizing you will be able to hold more in that empty head. WIth that insult she left the room. Wilsoner expected such an insult and frankly grew quit fond of them. They were part of her charm and he knew she didn't mean them. It was her only outlet for her anger and frustration, and that he could relate too. A voice called out for all who are going to gather in the inn's lobby. Quickly he took her advice and memorized several spell including a fireball one. That would be very handy for long distance attacks. Wilsoner walked into the lobby as the group was leaving and quickly followed. They arrived in crossergate a day latter and had been in many fights. As they entered the town the familiarity started coming back to wilsoner. The desire to know if his mother was a live haunted him, so he silently ducked down a side street in town and headed toward his home. The street to his home was cluttered with trash and stood vacant. This is were dad tought me to play drac ball and mom would bring us a glass of elvinaid after we played for awhile. The memorys clouded his mind and he began to fell the pain. As the first tear aproached he fought back the feeling and wiped his eyes. As he walked to the front door he noticed where the krakens had kicked the door in. Dad had told mom to buy a fire ball wand in case of attacks while he was gone, but she refused to have a wand in her home. He walked up the steps and found the door locked from the inside. His heart began to pound and he started yelling "Mother." He knocked on the door but no one answered. He had memorized the knock spell but had never used it before. With a couple of hand motions and a few words the door flew open. Darkness engulfed the room and began to seep out as he entered. With every step he felt uneasy about the door being locked. Mom is smarter than this. She would not still be here with a locked door. She should know that the krakens could return. As he stepped into the living area, the door slamed shut and Kraken spies jumped out from the shadows. He was so scared he began to cast half hazardly. He let a lightning bolt go towards one of the krakens..... Hey kid are you coming, the fighter yelled from his mother's bedroom. He had been day dreaming about his journey here and now remembered where he was. Wait! That energy coming from the other room might be from my mother. Be sure to catch chapter 3 of wilsoner's journeys. " The Game Part 3" (Submitted by Ryltarl) As quickly as the blink of the eye, Larenil looks back at Tarl and with a soft smile on her face states, " We have travelled far Velgla Jabbuk and the journey has made my throat dry. Something to drink would be nice. " Tarl makes a slight nod and retrieves a Mithral flask from his pack along with a Silver goblet. Larenil waves her hand again and a small table appears between them. Ever so slowly and carefully Tarl removes the cork from his magical wine flask and begins to fill the silver goblet. After filling the goblet, he raises the goblet to his lips and takes a small sip. Pausing for a moment and then offering the goblet to Larenil as he says, " I hope you find this to your satisfaction Jabbress. " Tarl's eyes shine with a devious gleam as he watches Larenil take the goblet. Smug in himself that just like all the others this one will fall to his greatest concoction, the potion of domination. Larenil gracefully takes the goblet and to Tarl's surprise pulls a small pellet from the folds of her cloak and crushes it up into the wine, " I hope you do not mind my eccentric ways, but one can never be to careful, as you have already pointed out. " , she slyly whispers. It takes all of Tarl's many years of training not to reveal his disappointment at being thwarted. Even though he is thwarted, Tarl cannot but admire this beautifully, powerful Jabbress, for she is the first to avoid his wonderful potion. Even though he knows he has lost what little advantage he might of had, Tarl cannot repress a chuckle at the Jabbress' quile and cunning. As Larenil waits for the pellet to take full affect she again begins to question Tarl, " So you believe you could be loyal to the Ulathtallar, if the circumstances where right, do you? " Nodding Tarl responds, " Perhaps, if the Ulathtallar was willing. " Making the evil little laugh that Tarl has learned to expect from the Jabbress, Larenil suddenly becomes very serious and casually states, " You are ambitious Velgla Jabbuk, and I shall be watching thee. Perhaps I can find a use for one as ambitious as you. Perhaps. But be careful Velgla Jabbuk that you do not misplace your loyalties, for your death would soon follow if you do!" Again unsure of how to respond Tarl simply nods his understanding and states, " I shall be careful Jabbress, as I always have been. And I hope I make things interesting for you while you observe me. " Tarl makes a small chuckle, attempting to regain his confidence. Suddenly an idea comes to Tarl, if he can only......! Letting his eyes drift to Larenil's goblet and licking his lips as if a sudden thirst has come over him, Tarl begins to act slightly nervous as he ask, " Jabbress, may I share in your wine? " A slight smile crosses Larenil's lips as she replies with a demure tone, " Why of course Tarl. You have been most gracious in your serving me, please share the wine with me. " As she motions for Tarl to drink from the cup. Tarl nods as he reaches for the goblet with his left hand. Meanwhile Tarl's right had slips silently into his small pouch and retrieves a small berry coated in a special salve. As he raises the goblet to his lips, Tarl grasp the goblet in both hands and takes a long sip. As he lowers the goblet from his lips he carefully and quietly drops the berry into the goblet. As Tarl replaces the goblet on the table Larenil summoned, he offers his thanks, " Thank you Jabbress. That was most refreshing and a great honor. " Leaning back in his chair, now a bit more comfortable, Tarl waits for the Jabbress to drink again, hoping she does not see the change occurring in the goblet. As he waits Larenil begins to tell a tale, " I do not mean to bore you Velgla Jabbuk, but I must tell you a story. " Tarl nods and replies thinking he will soon have the upper hand, " You could never bore me Jabbress." Larenil smiles wickedly and then continues, " This tale is of a weak old rivvil I once knew. He claimed he was a Red Wizard of Thay. He was wearing the proper robes, but somehow after he met me, he no longer seemed to care to return to the Kingdom of Thay." A small wickedly evil laugh and then she resumes her tale, " Well it seems this old wizard had the most marvelous trick. This trick would allow him to capture a portion of someones essence or life force. He did this merely by using something of theirs like their hair, skin......" As Larenil pauses the hackles on Tarl's neck stand straight up, and a small sweat begins to form on his brow. Tarl's eyes suddenly drop to the goblet he just drank from as Larenil picks up where she left off, " or even someone's saliva. " As she says this, Tarl's had darts out to grab the silver goblet. As his hand grasp the goblet Tarl realizes he is a moment to late as the goblet blinks out and he is grasping nothing but air. To be continued in " The Game Part 4." Larenil, Ulathtallar d'Arach-Tinilith lueth Ulfaerz'un'arr d'Sorcere and Ryltarl, Velgla Jabbuk d'Rilynt'tar DEVIL'S NIGHT! ..........As the fall festival approaches Neverwinter, strange things have begun to happen throughout the town and surrounding regions. Cattle have been found ripped to pieces in the farmer's fields. People have been missing with out a trace. Graves have been dug up in the Long Saddle and LLast cemeteries. And a strange odor has engulfed the city, growing stronger everyday, with seemingly no recognizable source. Worse yet, there have been several sightings of corpses, some even without the flesh on their bones, walking around aimlessly just outside the city walls. It is as if a great plague has befallen Neverwinter and grows mightier with each passing night. The townsfolk have grown scared and rarely go outdoors during the eve. The local business's are suffering and trade has nearly come to a standstill, with outside traders shying away from the cursed town. Neverwinter is in need of salvation, if it isnt too late already....... THE NIGHT MASKS Proudly Present D E V I L ' S N I G H T Devil's Night is unlike any other quest that Neverwinter has seen; because how well you do depends upon how well you fight. This quest is single elimination, meaning, if your entire party is defeated in one of the many NPC pvp locations throughout the quest, your team is eliminated from play. Unlike previous quests, teams will contain 3 players, not the standard 4. The Devil's Night quest will take the questors on a mad chase through many regions of NW, and challenge both their pvp prowess and their mental capabilities. The teams with the best 3 finishing times will be awarded pearl prizes! The quest will be held from 7:30 PM to 1 am EST, but no team will be permitted more then 4 hours to complete the quest (not including bonus's and penalties) Make sure to keep up with the latest breaking news and clues in the Devil's Night folder, located in the Never Winter Events board. Registration: Registration will continue up to a week before the quest. The capacity of this quest is 20 teams, 3 players each for a total of 60 players, so make sure to register as soon as possible. You must have a team leader, and assistant leader and another member to form a party. You may substitute up three days before the day of the quest....as long as you have at least one player from the original roster on your team. QUEST RULES Quest Key Word Definitions ========================== Quest Team: Is a group of players who agree to work together with a common goal of winning the Quest. Quest teams are made up of 3 members (1 Team Leader, 1 Alternate Team Leader, and 1 additional team member). Quest Coordinator: Is a person who assists in the operation of the Quest. Each Quest team is assigned a Quest Coordinator, who usually will be the Quest team's contact for receiving clues during the Quest. Silk Sable will be your game coordinator during this quest. Should she be unavailable at any time, Metr0n will be her substitute. NPC: Is a person who is assisting in the operation of the Quest. They are stationed in an area or specific location which a Quest team will need to locate. During the Quest, teams will receive clues which will help them determine where they should seek the NPC. General Quest Rules =================== 1) The Quest will run for a maximum of 4 hours per team. 2) Each Quest team shall contain 3 members, as follows: 1 Team Leader, 1 Alternate Team Leader, and 1 additional member. If at any time a Team Leader should "punt", the Alternate Team Leader shall temporary take over as the Team Leader (along with all the benefits and duties). 3) Parties are GREATLY encouraged to pre-register for the Quest. Teams may join up to 7 days before the Quest is to begin. Thereafter, no more teams will be permitted to join the Quest. Advanced registration information is posted in the Devil's Night folder located on the events board. A maximum of 20 teams will be accepted for the quest, so its advisable to register as early as possible. 4) Substitutions may be made three days prior to starting time, given that the game coordinator is able to accommodate the change. Only 2 substitutions may be made by each team. An entirely new team can not replace a pre-registered team. 5) The winning Quest teams will be determined by "Quest times" The team with the lowest time wins. 6) Each team will be assigned a general starting time prior to the quest and must be present in NW by this time. The game coordinator will esp the team leader at that time and ask the team to come to her location, where upon she will deliver the first clue to the entire team. At that point the team's starting time is noted and their quest has begun. 7) Your entire Quest Team should be present at the finale of the Quest, whether it be returning items, finding an NPC etc. For each missing party member a 15 minute penalty will be assessed to the team's "Quest completion time". 8) When the team completes the Quest their finishing time will be noted. Any penalties will then be added to the finishing time. 9) NPCs participating in the Quest will not answer ESP's from players during the Quest. 10) The Quest Coordinator will respond to ESP's from the Quest Team Leaders only. Any Quest problems MUST be directed to the Quest Coordinator through your Quest Team Leader. Do NOT ESP your Quest Coordinator for any other reason than clues or problems. 11) Any game problems must be reported to the Staff member on duty. 12) If your Quest Team is stumped on one of the Quest clues, your Quest Team Leader may send an ESP to your assigned Quest Coordinator. The Quest Coordinator will give an additional clue to the party. Each additional clue costs your Quest Team a 15 minute penalty. Teams will have 3 guesses at any riddles presented during the quest, each wrong answer garners a 10 minute penalty. After 3 wrong guesses the npc will automatically reveal the answer to the riddle. 13) Once your Quest Team has found the correct NPC, the NPC will not start up with their 'Quest Dialog' with you until at least 2 of your 3 team members are present. 14) Once at least 2 of the 3 quest team members are assembled before the NPC, the NPC will start their "Quest Dialog" with you, and the NPC may request that you supply them with a certain item before they will continue speaking with you. Some NPC's may even require that you battle against them or that you help them battle certain monsters! 15) Once your Quest Team has correctly completed an encounter with a NPC, the NPC may also offer your Team Leader a special item. In most cases, the NPC will then ESP your Quest Coordinator to notify them that your Quest Team has completed their location. 16) Unless the actual host system crashes, no adjustments will be made to the team's "Quest completion time", unless there is some unforeseen delay at NPC locations. This includes adjustments requested due to a team member punting or delay at an NPC due to more than one team arriving at the same time. 17) Players blocking the gates during a Quest will be issued a "Game warning" for Event disruption. If the player is a team member in the Quest, and the warning is not heeded, a penalty of 15 minutes will be added to the team's Quest completion time. 18) If applicable, Quest related PVP will be limited to a 20 minutes duration, with the exception of the finale which may last 30 minutes. At that point, the battle will end. The following spells are not permitted in Quest PVP: Poison, Feeblemind and Silence. Note: Dispel Magic is allowed to be cast on incapacitated (held, fumbled, nauseous) team members only or incapacitated monsters in order to free them to kill your opponent. Any violations will net a 15 minute penalty for the caster's team, the second offense will disqualify the team. 19) If team PVP is allowed during this Quest, only members of the same Quest team are permitted to join forces during a Quest to fight the NPC(s), re-entry of the same battle is not permitted. 20) If a team is defeated while engaged in PVP with a set NPC encounter they are eliminated from the event. The entire team must be defeated in order for the team to be knocked out of the quest. 21) Non-participating players should not engage in PVP combat with any of the players on a Quest Team. Attacking a member of a team participating in the Quest, or in any way interfering with the Quest will garner the offender an Events Disruption warning. The Lineup for The second Round of The Great War is as follows: SOL v GKOB TP v ITB SA v GOC KORT v MASKS KEF v KAAOS Evil is begining the second wave of attacks upon Neverwinter, after being surprised that KEF, SOL, TP and KORT were all able to replel the invaders that were sent to confront them during the first wave. Initially the feeling was that almost all of the forces of good would fall in the first wave, but Neverwinter will be a little harder to take than was planned. Look for the KORT/MASK and KEF/KAAOS fights to be especially exciting. Skorp Warlord,House ITB <><><><><> <><><><><> 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. <><><><><> <><><><><>