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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 123
Week Ending 3-3-96
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Well, it was another rough week for picking a winner for this week.  There
were several very good entries to choose from.  However, I decided to award
and give a hearty congratulations to Riklaun for winning last week's News of
the Realm contest for his 10-part magnum opus that I entitled "The Raven".

Riklaun has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of
Heroes).  Keep up the good work!  ;D

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NW Triel sent out a call across the lands for a party of brave adventurers to
enter the dreaded well in Floodblest, yet again.

Thinking that we had a chance to find and rid the Realms of that slippery
mage once and for all, we departed civilization and made the trak through the
Wharves and on into Floodblest.  We managed to stave off a number of lizards
and pyrosnakes during the journey and made it to the Inn for a much needed
rest.

Here, we made plans on how we should continue.  The party, consisting of
Gerronamo, Galendar, Sir Aceden, Aenkar, MHelveston, MSCHM43, Slice 5309 and
De Molatt, (having lost a couple along the way, we picked another, Slice) we
entered the well and moved along the pathway only to be pounced upon by a
band of the mage's Owl Bears, but we made quick work of them and continued
on.

During our journey, we had a couple of punts and lost a couple of members of
our small band but the survivors managed to help me dispense with the evil
that would stand in our way.

This mage was, indeed, wily but we were determined to find him this time.  We
found his secret study, but it was empty so we continued on our way.  We
heard footsteps, but we never saw him.  He continued to throw his minions in
our path, which we quickly took care of.

We came to a secret door, only to find that we were back in Floodblest again
and the mage had managed to slip through our fingers yet again.

We went back to the Inn and rested and headed back to NeverWinter City were
the party disbanded.

We hope that the next party of brave adventurers will be able to find him and
rid the Realms of his kind.

-NW Triel

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Hold Monster Booth Winners - 2/26

I called across the lands for 15 mighty warriors to try to survive my hold
monster spells and earn 2 pearls in the process.  Of the 15 that arrived in
time, 2 punted and 4 survived.

The four were...
V Selena
Leed Sun
Nieynna
Hunter Sun

The other brave warriors that dared to attempt to survive were...
KA Manthra
Lion Kom
MHorn23212
Ldy Eos
Warderick
KEF Gild
SK Proctor
Aarius
Azure Tear

Thanks for the fun all

-NW Triel

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Location Hunt Winner - 2/27

The winner of Sunday's location hunt is TK Front who found the stone fortress
in the woods in record time :)

NW Kel

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Cause Serious Wound Booth Winner - 2/28

Congrats to JGL DOW for taking only 14 points and winning 5 pearls. : )

NW Baldor

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THE ONCE IN FOUR YEARS TOUR !!

"Hail!  Tis adventure we seek," was the call I heard.

"Adventure you say?"

And thus it began.  Luke Amon, A Loerch, Kantdothat, HG Mirage, Rimanasco,
and Lebolas joined me in NW City for adventure in the southland.   Our
travels through Southwall was quick, with only a brief stop at the inn to
refresh... (hic)...  da oders, not me ya see.... (hic)...

::drinks hot java mix::   Whoa!   Where'd my senses go?

Soon we entered Vilnask...  the trees seemed to come alive... the wolves
attacking... But, you should know, the tree's bark was worse than the wolves
bite...

::drinks more hot java::  Whoa!   Where'd the eraser go?

On our way through Vilnask, we were joined by Archwiza and later on, HC
Warden.  Kantdothat's humor kept everyone laughing.  The Banshees were a
terror this night, folks running for cover and casting bizarre spells in
defense!   We were lucky that no one fell in the path of friendly fire.
Magic hip waders came in handy to cross the rivers and streams....

::empties 4 drops from bottom of java mug::  Whoa!  Where'd it all go?

Into Crossergate we dared... the wolves must have sent word ahead for more
wolves and ice hounds beseiged us!   Everyone one fought bravely and
valiantly... and Luke Amon dances amon Ice Hounds.  ::ponders punlessness of
it all::  The town of Crossergate stood in awe as we made our way in, tired
and exhausted... not a detect magic left among us (thanks to the Banshees!).
At our destination, soon everyone made their own way... seeking fortune
further on or the safety of the lands gone by.

::shakes 1 drop from java mug::   Hurumpth...

Next Feb. 29 should be just as fun :D

NW Frost

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Location Hunt Winner - 2/29

Finding the lever on the wall was Le Fu Ying, of the Temple of the Four
Seasons.

Le is now the proud owner of 1 free hour and 4 pearls:)

-Ulfy

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Tour 2/27/96

Stepping out of the palace, I searched the night sky for signs of bad
weather.  Smiling I realized that the moon was full and luminous and the
night sky clear of any clouds.  This would be an excellent evening for my
patrol, as the light cascading from the moon above would help light the path.
I moved to the water's edge, near the entrance to the Great Hall and gazed
into the darkness there.  The light's reflection was beautiful and so, for a
moment I stood silently, my orders resting still within my belt pouch.

Shaking off my momentary lethargy, I reached for the scroll and broke the
seal.  The Captain's instructions were clear and precise.... my patrol should
scour the roads south of the City proper, aiding what traveller's we found
and maintaining the safety of the path by destroying any creatures which
sought to attack those who use the roads.  If the patrol was able to discover
more information about the Temple of Bane, rumored to be stirring once more,
then we were to do so.  Replacing the scroll, I checked my equipment to be
certain that all was in readiness and then began to recruit brave
adventurer's to join the patrol.  A great many responded eagerly, and I was
very pleased to see the enthusiasm and willingness to help M'lord and the
City.

After advising those who wished to come along to follow, I began the journey
southward into Southwall.  The greetings and good wishes of those who saw our
party depart were heartening.  Cheerfully, we bid them all good fortune and
then once out of the bustle of the city, we took stock of our skills.  Luke
Amon, Cygnus0000, Mashburn14, Renthar, Sal 4 KOJ, JMarcus821, and FF Zardak
had all managed to resist the lure of the taverns we had passed and were all
ready to get moving.

We had little trouble in Southwall, though Luke seemed to find an adversary
every few steps.  His keen vision and eagle eyes gave him some sort of
warning long before any of us noticed the beasts.  Once we reached Vilnask,
we discovered that the wolves were once again feeling bold enough to venture
out into the streets, attacking travellers.  We killed a great many of them
and their allies.  The hearty paladin Mashburn's bow did fearsome damage, as
did the mage Cygnus' darts.  Their distance weapons combined with spells and
weapons damage from Renthar, JMarcus and Zardak easily cleared the path. Sal
vanished without a word in one of the battles and though we never found his
body, we felt we must continue and hoped that no harm had befallen him.  

At the inn, we bid FF Zardak a good evening, as he had duties to attend to in
the KEF keep.  Quenching our thirst, re-memorizing our spells, we set forth
again and reached the outskirts of Crossergate.  Here the wolves were even
more bold and their larger cousins proved considerably more dangerous.  Yet
through all, the patrol stayed together and fought with great courage and
tenacity, helping one another as needed.  Young JMarcus, too wandered away
with nary a word... and we felt that he must also have encountered the same
magics which took our earlier companion from us.  

A few steps from the Inn, and Renthar vanished in the same way.  Taking stock
of our condition, Cygnus, Luke, Mashburn and I considered whether we ought to
continue our search for the Temple of Bane, or return to Neverwinter City.
The noble Skrail PAL, overhearing our conversation offered to join us and we
welcomed him gladly.  We travelled swiftly, and discovered the secret
passageway that my orders had pointed out.  Slipping through we fought and
fought, every step of the way toward the hidden Temple complex.  The brave
paladin Mashburn was gravely wounded and forced to retire.  We knew we would
miss his mighty bow, but we continued on, as he wished.  An ambush by Ogre
Magi and Giant Frogs took Cygnus from us... and somberly we continued onward.
Within a strange maze, Luke Amon... was gored by bullettes as we stood unable
to move to help him.  His amazing ability to find a fight had been once again
proven.  We sent him back to the city, to have his wounds tended fully.

Skrail and I decided that in dedication to the others of the patrol, we must
press ahead.  And so, we did, slaying all that tried to stop us.  At last, we
reached the Temple and discovered to our consternation that the rumors were
true.  We surprised a cleric of Bane and slew him, and in the pockets of his
robe discovered the information that M'Lord required.  Hastening back to
Neverwinter, I delivered the message and spoke at length with him about the
enthusiasm, courage and solidarity displayed by the members of the patrol.
Well done all!

Thanks again to all who participated ;)

-NW Ember

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NEVERWINTER CALENDAR
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Keep an eye peeled for those Mini-Booths because they will appear when you
least expect in different areas of the Realms!

Can you be at the right place at the right time when the NW calls for a
location?

Keep your eyes and ears open for these events!   Watch for the banners!

New Player Tours:

Join the following staff members for a tour of the Realm:

March 3rd Sunday  3:00 PM EST - with NW Ulfius.
March 7th Thursday  8:00 PM EST - with NW Hobbes.

Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner
telling where to meet!  ;D

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Thieves: Returning Role-Play
(Submitted by: SwitFeet)

Severen  has many good points.   Infact, thieves do seem lacking as a Player
class.  They have no REAL abilites, in combat or out.  You say that when
thieves steal your items they in effect steal your money. This is plainly not
true.  Unless you hacked the item, you had to go through a series of quests,
battles, or what have you to attain it.  You did not pay 3 dollars an hour
for the marginal utility of a set of AC 3's.  You paid that money for the
roleplaying element of the game.

       The reason I posted the article in the NW Newspaper was to warn people
how to avoid thieves.  It gives them many good tips on avoiding my ilk.  Most
people jump headlong into trading.  All their attention is dedicated to a set
of Gaunts or whatever they want to trade for.  They completly eliminate the
roleplay aspect of trading.  If in real life you were going to give someone
your money that you did not know,. I assure you that you would try to size up
their credibility, look and see if they were backed up by a respectable
business, be sure they had the good, or whatever it takes to make you trust
that person. The tips I gave seek to return the role play into Neverwinter.
An aspect that has been lost in the shuffle of months and editions.   If
thieving is what it takes for people to look out for themselves and (god
forbid) roleplay a bit.  Great.

       Servren sugests that thieves should be able to steal from Computer
generated NPC's.  This I have to say is completely foolish.  There would be
no roleplay.  It would just be another series of automated choices.  Thieves
would quickly learn how to master the computer's Thieving Generator and then
get many free items without roleplay.  For thieving to be a challenge there
has to be a human element.  This can only be attained at the vaults.

        As for the Dragoon that got kicked off of AOL for harassment of a
Spirit Lurker, can you blame the lurker?  He DID steal an item.  But at the
same time that is not against the rules.  It would be the same case if the
thief had jumped him in the lost hills, and then lost his temper and swore.
Also, if infact he was TOSsed off of AOL for harassment, this would not have
been the first time he had been caught by the NW's.   It is three strikes and
you are out here in NW, he probably would have been TOSsed off anyway.

    Stealing at the vaults is totaly diferent from real stealing.  Now, it
may hurt your feelings if you loose your good items, but that is it.  A call
to the NW administrative level is useless.  If they do infact curtail
stealing they would in effect be doing a disservice to Neverwinter.    The
Spirit Lurkers thieves/spy guild would probably vanish.  Roleplay at the
vaults would cease to exist. 

     Solutions to stealing-  If you want some way to control stealing yet not
eliminate the roleplaying element, I have a possible solution.  Create a list
of known thieves and post it somewhere where everyone can easily find it and
print it out.   It would increase the challenge for me.  And would give the
citizens of Neverwinter extra protection against us.  We would still make out
very well, only half of neverwinter ever reads the boards, but would protect
the players who want to be protected.

SwitFeet
Master of Quick Feet
Spirit LurkersSiege at Floodblest - Chapter 1
(Submitted by: Makmorg)

Siege at Floodblest-Chapter 1

Did you ever get the feeling that someone, somewhere, was having a laugh at
your expense?  This sudden feeling wasn't like having some kind of
clairvoyant skill that pick up these strange vibrations from the psychic
ether. No, it was more like the laughter and the sound of your name mentioned
was being carried on the wind until it reached your very ears.  It was how I
felt right about now.  Like there was someone out there having a good laugh
on me because they knew something about me that I didn't.  Or more like
something that was going to happen to me.  I really hated that feeling.

I know I was probably imagining the whole thing.  Maybe the desolate area
where I was traveling was having an effect on my mind.  I was moving along
the empty Neverwinter Wharves, east of the city, on my way to the village of
Floodblest, a small farming community further east of here.  Although the
Wharves boasted a spectacular view of the mystical Neverwinter River it, like
other areas outside of Neverwinter, had long been surrendered to unknown
forces of evil.

The city of Neverwinter, along with it's outlying territories, was at war but
wasn't facing a standing army of any sorts.  No, instead the city faced an
insidious army of darkness which quietly seeped its way across the region
like a plague until shadows of evil encroached on the borders of the city
itself.  Where vibrant communities and businesses once flourished, monsters
and other dark beings now held sway.  The lords and leaders of the region
were at a loss to find the cause for the sudden influx of monsters and dire
events.

Personally, I suspected that my old enemies, the Zhentarim, were somehow
mixed up in this.  Rumors of the Black Network's presence in the region was
why I came to Neverwinter in the first place.  I was in town for only a few
days and I already had clashed with some of their agents while rescuing a
street contact from their clutches in the Warehouse District.  The contact,
Duncan Stillwater, was vital to me alive because he had some information on
Zhentarim activities in the area.  It was he who pointed me towards
Floodblest.  The merchant had heard rumors of Zhentarim agents quietly
slipping into the farming community for purposes unknown.  It didn't take an
Elminster to figure out it would bad news for Floodblest anyway you looked at
it.

I also had another motive for making the trip east.  After my battle with the
Zhentarim in the Warehouse district I brought the surviving Zhentarim-who
unfortunately was a low level thug who had no useful information-before Lord
Nasher, Neverwinter's ruler as proof of Zhentarim activity in the region.
The old adventurer thanked me for my actions and, impressed with my skills,
asked if I could respond to a local town mayor's plea for help.
Coincidentally the town was Floodblest.  Apparently the farming community was
under siege by dark monsters as well as a mysterious illness which had struck
down many of the townsfolk.  Lord Nasher had hoped that I could find some
clues as to what was happening out there.  Of course he added the typical
adventurer's clause that any treasure I came across during my quest would be
mine to keep as reward.

There was no point in telling him I wasn't interested in any treasure.  A
long time ago the Zhentarim killed my family, so now I kill them.  It was as
simple as that.  If the Zhentarim were responsible for the siege at
Floodblest then the agents of the Black Network were living on borrowed time.

Now, it would have been naive of me to think that I was the only adventurer
Lord Nasher asked to undertake this task.  In fact I knew that a whole slew
of would be heroes, from green novices to scarred veterans were headed out to
Floodblest on behalf of Lord Nasher, and I was sure that it was usual desire
for fame and fortune that was driving a more than a few of them.  It was just
as well, the entire area was swarming with orc bandits, giant lizards, pyro
snakes, owl bears, and other nasty beasts.  The city of Neverwinter and the
outlying towns and villages would need every available sword, spell, and
prayer they could get.  

Before the start of my trip I prepared myself for the worst.  The brown
leather armor I wore was covered with black steel plates and was magically
enhanced for maximum protection while being light enough to give me complete
mobility.  It was a relic from my time with the Black Crossbow Regiment.  So
was the collapsible crossbow held in a sling across my back.  Loaded with
special black bolts my crossbow could punch through the strongest armor.  The
rest of my equipment included various dirks, daggers, and garottes secreted
in hidden pockets on my being and a collapsible grappling hook and twine
clipped to my belt.  I liked to be ready for any situation.  Too many times
over the years I found myself at the bottom of some pit usually with some
hungry monster to keep me company.  These things always seem to happen to me.


With the afternoon sun still burning strong I passed the guardhouse at the
end of the Wharves and was soon navigating through the maze like greenery
which lead to Floodblest.  Before I passed the gate the old guard stationed
there looked at me with the tired eyes of someone who has seen too many young
men and women go off to their deaths.  I later understood his demeanor.
Halfway through my journey I saw that the fight for Neverwinter was taking
its toll on the adventurer population.  More than once I had stopped to bury
the remains of heroes who would never be.  From the injuries on some of the
corpses and tracks on the battlefield I could tell that giant lizards had
taken up residence in the area.  I would have to be very careful.

Not all the adventurers I encountered met with tragedy and I was able to save
some parties, mostly groups of loosely banded, inexperienced, adventurers,
from certain death, arriving at the scene of pitched fights against voracious
monsters in the nick of time.  As I correctly surmised hunting packs of giant
lizards were the culprits behind most of the attacks and more than once did a
bolt from my crossbow bring down a reptilian beast.

Unfortunately for every group I saved it seemed that I would find twice that
number dead.  It was times like this when I truly felt the heavy burden of my
lot in life.  I could only carry on at this point and just try save those I
could and avenge those I could not.

It was late in the day as I neared the village of Floodblest when I suddenly
heard the sounds of another fight ahead of me.  I quickly pulled out my
crossbow and triggered the switch to unfurl it.  I then rushed off to join
the fray.  I prayed to Tyr that I wouldn't be witness to another unnecessary
loss of life.

I ran around a clump of bushes and found an armor clad woman holding at bay a
pack of hungry giant lizards.  The cleric-she wore the symbol of Helm around
her neck-was the only person I saw but she was holding her own quite well
against the reptiles.  Two battered, bloodied, lizard carcasses littered the
ground at her feet while the three remaining were hard pressed to get through
her swinging mace.

She was truly a sight to behold in battle.  The cleric of Helm swung her mace
effortlessly, smashing one lizard on the snout, and then quickly changing the
arc of her attack to strike the second.  She used a silver shield, emblazoned
with Eye of Helm, to block the third.  Her musculature was sleek, and her
long black curly hair and mahogany skin glistened with sweat from the effort
of the fight.  Her strong, pretty, face showed her determination to win this
fight and I did not doubt for a moment that the black woman would carry the
battle this day.  In any event, my crossbow would help to end this skirmish
quickly.

I raised the stock of the crossbow to my shoulder and was ready to skewer a
lizard, when the cleric of Helm suddenly spotted me and shouted out to me
from the thick of battle.

"Stop!  Don't you dare!  This fight is mine!"  She then returned her
attention back to the reptilian predators.  Her distraction had cost her a
quick blood drawing nip to her leg from one of the scaly beasts but she
quickly recovered, and was driving them back again with a barrage of mace
blows.

Was this cleric serious?  It was obvious that she was tiring from the battle.
Her movements were methodically becoming slower while the lizards' attacks
were pressing closer and yet she rejected my aid.  I've heard of some
adventurers who refused any help in a battle, no matter the odds, as a test
of their skills and stamina.  Was this powerful cleric fighting alone to test
her abilities?  I knew the clerics of Helm could be a stubborn lot of
devotees but this was too much for me to comprehend.  It was against my
nature to not to help a fellow adventurer in need.

I shook my head and thought that in the end her reasons were her own.  As a
fellow adventurer I could only respect her wishes and since the fight was
blocking the only road to Floodblest there was nothing more to do but watch
the battle be carried out to the end.  The sudden appearance of a pyro snake,
however, changed the entire scenario.

The fire breathing serpent emerged from a group of bushes behind the cleric
and detected the combatants with a flick of its forked tongue.  Sensing a
potential meal it reared up it ugly head and was prepared to unleash its
scorching breath.  Damned snake was an opportunistic hunter and did not
hesitate to steal prey from other predators.  Sometimes it even feasted on
the predators themselves.  It would simply take down as many victims it could
with a fiery blast and feed on the dead.  Caught up in the fury of the fight
against the lizards the cleric seemed totally oblivious to the impending
threat.  No time to worry about adventurer's etiquette now.  My cleric friend
was about to feel the heat of an attack from another front.  There was no
point in using my crossbow.  The pyro snake would unleash its breath even in
death.  Time to do it the hard way.  Wasn't that always the way.

I ran towards the cleric, pumping my adrenaline charged legs as fast as I
could.  When I finally neared the beautiful black woman, I hurled myself
through the air and tackled the cleric to the ground.  Just then the snake
unleashed a gout of scorching fire and red hot flames licked its way across
my back.  Although my magic armor absorbed most of the blast I could still
feel my skin blister underneath the metal and leather.  The three remaining
giant lizards, having no kind of protection, were scorched where they stood.
Their dying shrieks and the stench of their burning flesh filled the air.  

Ignoring the reptile roast, I checked on the well being of the Helmswoman.
She stared up from underneath me with anger lighting up her eyes.  This
didn't bode well for me.  Grabbing my shoulders in a powerful grip she
hissed, "I told you this fight was mine!"

Not the kind of response I was expecting from someone I just saved.  Wisps of
smoke rose from my back and I started to feel the pain of my scorched flesh.
I ignored it all for the moment, however, and returned her hostile stare.  I
then smiled and replied, "Well you can't imagine how burnt up I am about
this."

Growling in frustration the cleric swiftly kicked my still smoking body off
of hers and jumped to her feet.  I landed painfully on my wounded back.
Gritting my teeth in pain and anger I scampered up to a standing position
quickly.  Before I could say or do anything further, however, I suddenly was
engulfed by the pyro serpent's massive body.  I guess he preferred his meals
lightly roasted.  Massive coils tightened around me and the snake started to
squeeze the life out of me.  Talk about deja vu.  I struggled to gets my arms
free but barely could draw a breath.  Incredulously the cleric stood a few
paces away picking up her gear, completely ignoring my predicament.

"Uhhh...could...you...give...me..a..hand?"  I gasped out from my scaly
prison.

The black woman looked at me as if I just asked her for the City of
Waterdeep, then ignored me, and returned to picking up the rest of her gear.
When she finished a fraction of a second later she turned to me and said,
"Unlike some other people, I would not dare interfere with another
adventurer's fight."

Was this cleric mad?  Before I could answer my own question the pyro snake
tightened its grip, and opened its cavernous mouth, rows of dagger like teeth
perched above my head.  It was either ready to eat me or cook me some more.
Either way meant trouble for one crossbow bearing vigilante.  Feeling as if
my chest was about to explode I barely managed to croak my next words.

"Please...by...all...means...interfere!"

The cleric paused for what seemed like an eternity, then shrugged her
shoulders and said, "Well if you insist".

I could only shake my beet red face to signify yes!

She grasped her holy symbol and quickly said a prayer.  Blue light flashed
from her hands and struck the snake.  The pyro snake suddenly released its
hold on me and I tumbled to the ground, gasping desperately for air.  She had
cast a charm snake spell.  After finishing off the snake with a skull
crushing blow to the head the cleric of Helm walked over to me, knelt down by
my side, and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I hope you appreciate my actions."  She said.

Still trying to catch my breath I looked back at her and replied, "You can't
imagine how choked up I am."  She ignored my comment and proceeded to roughly
shove me down to the ground..  I attempted to prop myself back up but she
said, "Don't struggle!  I'm trying to heal you."

Giving up I fell back to my elbows.  She gripped her holy symbol once again
and mouthed off a prayer.  Her hands glowed blue and she placed them on my
chest.  A feeling of warmth spread throughout my body and I could feel my
wounds mending.  It was over quickly and the cleric was soon up again.
Flexing my body I stood up slowly.  

"You had that snake charm spell prepared all along. didn't you."  I said as a
statement not a question.

The cleric looked at me with daunting brown eyes and a tiny smile and said,
"I wanted you to teach you lesson.  I already knew that the snake was behind
me.  I told you, the fight was mine."

I just shook my head and muttered, "Clerics." I then extended my hands
towards her, "Thank you just the same.  My name is Mak."

She took my hand in a firm grip and responded, "You are quite welcome Mak.
My name is Saralla of the Temple of Helm and I apologize for my earlier
outburst.  I thought you might be another male adventurer who feels that
every woman needs to be rescued."

With a puzzled look I asked, "What changed your mind about me?"

With a grin she answered, "The fact that you asked for my help showed me
otherwise."

Returning her smile, I said, "Yeah that's me.  Sir Humble."  She laughed
lightly at my comment.  She looked prettier now that she wasn't trying to
kill something.

"Well, Sir Humble.  Where are you off to?"

"Floodblest.  Seems some monsters have decided to move into the area.  I
heading out there to see what I can do to help the villagers."

"Well as fate would have it I am heading to Floodblest as well, though for
different reasons.  I'm curious about the mysterious illness that have
afflicted many there."

With a broad smile I said, "Excellent.  Why don't we travel together, seeing
as how we make a great team."

A playful smirk crossed her pretty ebony face and she said, "I doubt that but
I will agree to journey with you anyway.  I could use the company."

"Great, let me pick up my gear and we'll be on our way."  In my never ending
struggle against the Zhentarim, allies were invaluable, and Saralla, cleric
of Helm, was definitely someone I wanted on my side.

I walked over to where I dropped my crossbow and reached down for it but
following behind me was Saralla.

"Here let me.  Your body may still be tender."  She said as she reached down.

As luck would have it we both knelt at the same time and our bodies bumped
into each.  We both quickly stood up only find that my grappling device had
snagged on to her belt.  A funny thought occurred to me then and I could not
help but smile.

Noticing my look Saralla asked in a friendly tone, "What are you smiling
about?"

With a grin splitting my face I looked at my new ally and said, "Well, I
guess is this where we hook up."

::::To be continued:::Zaknafe Drow Mercenary.. 'The Meeting'
(Submitted by: Zaknafe)

  In the days that followed I studied with Justin attempting to learn the
languages of this land. Human language I found to be more interesting an
difficult to learn, but I'm a very quick learner and it did not take long
before I mastered the basics of the languages. Two weeks had passed before
the Guild Master had finally returned from his business, but upon his arrival
Justin came to fetch me to speak with him.  "Respect.... haha" I mumbled to
myself  realizing how quickly I was 'fetched' to talk to the gm even after
the gm(guild master) had gone on a long trip and would need rest no doubt.

Justin took me through a series of long hallways, until we reached the pass
door, in which a password must be wrote on it in order to gain access.Justin
wrote the password and I was very amused as how stupid the thieves here where
for Justin needed to write the password backwards in order for the guard to
see it. "hahahahaha, idiots..." the door came open and again more hallways
then finally we reached the guild masters quarters. As I entered I
immediately noticed that the G.M. was not what I had expected, he was a large
man about 6 feet and more in height and was cut with muscles he looked very
powerful.

"Zaknafe I presume?" he spoke in a deep monotone voice.

"You presume correct" I replied

"I am Lordan, Guild Master of the thieves guild that you have become aware of
here in Southwall. I trust you've had a comfortable stay?"

I was growing impatient now and wanted to skip all the formalities and find
out what the gm had planned for me.  "Lets skip the formalities and speak
your peace with me Lordan, to what do you offer me?"  He stood quiet, and
stared at me with such great intensity that the other thieves present in the
room shivered in fear. I stood firm and returned his gaze with one of my own
equally as intensive. I am a Drow, fear is not in my vocabulary, nothing on
the surface could equal the horrors of the underdark and I've survived them.
He then waved his hand and all in the room quickly left.

When the last thief had exited the room, he began to speak. " I offer you a
position in my guild...."  I do not wish to be in this guild full of weak
minded thieves you are the only one that seems to have some intelligence.."
He rose up quickly and I met his sword with my scimitar and again we stared
each other down....  "Drow!!! you are an arrogant fool..... and I do so like
it... you are right I am surrounded by weak minded foolish thieves that is
why I've asked you here why when I learned of your arrival here I had you
tracked. You are alone.. a ... rogue no where to go you barely know anything
of this land, what I offer you is a 'place' in my guild not to be a member of
this guild,.... the position..... weapons master... I need you to teach your
skills to these.....weak, foolish thieves. I seen how quickly you dispatched
the mage nostilic no one in this guild but me could have done it so quickly,
cleanly, easily."

"Why would you believe that I would teach my skills to .... humans?" I
replied.

"You need us.. as much as we need you.Think of the possibilities, many use
our services to steal, assassinate, retrieve information and other odd and
end things for them. You have no place to go, no knowledge of this land
except for that which you have already learned while I was away."  He is a
fool to think that I need him as much as he needs me, I have survived the
underdark and traveled afar across hostile lands. I  can learn quickly of
what this land has to offer, already I know of the different cities that are
around Neverwinter. However.. the connections they have already established,
and the reputation would benefit me greatly I would indeed profit from this
alliance. In time.. I may even be able to take over this... 'guild'.

I then placed my Scimitar back in its scabbard and held my hand out in the
traditional ..'human way of acceptance. or greeting gesture' ..."I accept
your offer.. Lordan you are wrong of many things of me.. you underestimate my
abilities, however.. you are right I am in need of your guild" the latter in
my statement was not true, but it is what I must allow Lordan to believe to
be true.........

"Good... Good... I'm glad you see it my way" Lordan
spoke..............History of Ellidrin
(submitted by: QueSeraSer)

                                 HISTORY OF ELLIDRIN

I come from a small tribe of Ice Elves, who once lived on the remote Isles of
Ice, far to the south.  This tribe inhabited rock caves and were akin to Sea
Elves, with silver skin, blue hair, and blue eyes.  Our contacts with the
outside world were minimal, as the treacherous reefs in the Sea of Sorrows
prevented all but the nimblest of boats from reaching our shores.  My family
lived at the southernmost point in the island, far away from the other elves.
My mother was a healer, and for this reason we occasionally saw the other
inhabitants of the island, who came to her for healing or to trade for herbs,
which only she knew how to find.  My father practiced magic and studied the
artifacts which our kin brought him from the wrecks which littered the reefs
around the island.  He told us unbelievable stories of the affairs of men,
and other elven tribes.   I grew up thus, isolated from all other company,
learning the ways of healing and magic, my only company the sea birds and
dolphins.  I never left my home until the age of 14, when a cousin from the
settlement on the northern shore came to bring news that a ship had reached
the island.  My father immediately sent me off with jewels and instructions
to discover what sort of goods they had aboard the ship.  That was the last I
saw of my mother and father, for the volcano which had been inactive for so
long soon destroyed the southern part of the island.  The village wise-woman
said that the northern part of the island would soon be in danger as well and
my people packed up the things they could and left our island in fishing
boats to find suitable dwellings on the smaller islands which surrounded
ours.  My aunt and uncle wished me to live with them, but Garlin, the captain
of the ship, upon questioning me and discovering my knowledge of herbs and
magic, convinced me to sail with him for a time.

And thus I left the company of elves.  I travelled with Garlin and his crew
and saw many wonderful sights.  After a six months, Garlin  brought me to his
brother Gelhad's home, where there were three young girls, and Gelhad and his
wife Serrelinda  took me in and brought me up as their own.  There I took
Garlin's pet name for me, QueSeraSera, as well as my given name, Ellidrin.

News of border skirmishes reached our forest when I was 18, and my father and
the two older sisters left to protect the realms.  Soon after, we received
word that Gelhad was dead.  Grief-stricken by the knews, Serrelinda died in
childbirth.  My powers could do nothing to prevent this.  I left the baby in
the care of my youngest sister, who was staying at home, completing her
studies, and left to see more of the Realms.  

Que
Ellidrin the Fair
Ice Elf
Holder of Many Jewels                                      - THE HOLD OF THE
VAMPIRE -
                                            (submitted by: Capybarra)

The first time she looked into the vampire's eyes, she was transfixed.  She
knew that she would not be able to resist a command from him.  When he had
taken what he wanted from her, leaving her feeling weak, drained and dizzy,
unable to stand, he took control of her mind as well as her will.  He erased
her knowledge of what had occurred between them, but left her with a single
command.  If he called her, she would fly to his side immediately.  When he
told her to leave that night, she left, not knowing it was not her own will
that commanded her.  It was her disorientation at the loss of some of her
mental faculties, as well as the loss of so much blood, which allowed her to
lose herself so completely in the forest.  Later, the only thing that made
her aware that anything amiss had occurred was the marks on her neck... and
every time she felt his voice in her mind she was strangely compelled as if
awaiting instructions...

It was nearly a month later, and she had almost forgotten her previous
encounter with him.  One day, to test a new page, she commanded that he
should find her within the town of Neverwinter.  Picking a little-used
building, she checked to observe that no one should observe her entrance and
snuck to a dark room in the back... where she was surprised to find the
vampire awaiting her.  She started, then turned to leave, thinking he could
not possibly wish her company, but was startled when he asked her to come
close, took her in his arms and held her there for many minutes.  She could
not resist his cold embrace, his hands on her, his teeth in her neck, the
blood draining slowly out of her... her feelings were only of staying with
him and obeying his every command.  In the ensuing conflict between the
vampire and her brothers, as they attempted to drive him off or destroy him,
she could do nothing but watch, weak and helpless on the floor, torn between
her loyalty to the Round Table and this strange compulsion she felt to do
what the vampire asked.  Finally the vampire left ... with a promise that he
would be back for her.  Once he was gone, she was deeply ashamed of giving in
to him... when not in his presence she was free, her own woman, but one look
in his eyes and she was his again.  How to break free of his hold?  How had
she come under his spell so easily?

She had always been sensitive, but somehow lately it seemed she was more and
more so.  When her husband was still alive, and missing, she pined for him
every day she walked without him.  With his death she was shattered, the only
thing keeping her from utter misery the company of her friend Corwin.  It
seemed her emotions were less and less under her control, and when she
discovered that she was carrying Celaborn's child, her feelings continued to
run rampant.  It seemed she was rarely the calm, peaceful and happy girl she
had once been.  Instead she felt withdrawn, alone even in company, sad even
when she should be happy.  

With Corwin's love and his proposal of marriage, she found herself joyous
once more, but perhaps even too joyous... and then when the engagement was
called off she was miserable again ... it seemed her moods were always
swinging back and forth from elation to misery.  When a friend pointed out
that it was her pregnancy affecting her moods, it began to make sense... for
the mood swings seemed to have begun just after the moment of conception, one
of the last times she saw her husband alive.

Perhaps it was this that left her open to the vampire's spell of suggestion?
When an older knight suggested that a true knight would never have fallen
under the vampire's spell, in fact would not have spoken with him or looked
into his eyes, she wondered if indeed she did not deserve to be with the
Round Table, when it was all she had worked for almost her entire life... she
felt certain that if she could somehow break free of his spell, or if he were
to lose interest in her, then she would not have to worry about his hold over
her any longer.  But how to do this?  Weak, exhausted, and depressed at her
weakness, she returned to Camelot, wondering who if any of the knights there
might be able to assist her with her problem... or if they would mock her,
disdain her, and drive her from them.

Capybarra
Lady of the Round TableWANDERER - Part 7
"The Incandescent Jewel"
(submitted by: Lake Mist)

As we stepped out of the Inn in Longsaddle, a chill winter wind blew in and
made us all draw our cloaks a little closer...Jok pointed west as said "We
travel this way for awhile"...

We entered a secret door at 1,7 and were confronted by five Shambling
Molds...these were dispatched easily...several holds were cast before we were
able to toss these salads...

To Longsaddle Under at 15,0 we were teleported...Trolls...yards, miles of
Trolls...a sea of green..."Cerdith, where art thou?" went up the cry from
all...

Thru this maze of corridors we traveled, the walls all looking the
same...Slyvarz became separated from us...a search was started...more
Trolls...

Lost...turned around...it was decided to advance to 12,4...a couple of
Banshee and several Mummies were encountered...the Banshee wail took it's
toll...some were frightened...others fought on...

We finally appeared back in Longsaddle at 3,9...we made our way to the Inn
and rest...Bro KB departed along the way...Slyvarz was still separated from
us...a wandering Ranger named Myst Fox we spied a few times in our travels
this nite...

At the Inn, we rested and prepared to once again seek the Incandescent
Jewel...

We departed the Inn and headed south and east to the stables and 9,11.. Jok
warned us that ahead we would find four Driders and a Remorhaz...

Thru the door and Jok quickly dispatched three of the Driders...I cast a
Fumble on the Remorhaz and slowed it down a little...Slyvarz quickly cut down
the remaining Drider, and we all worked on the Remorhaz...

Thru the portal and down to Longsaddle Under we descended...we made our way
thru a large temple to a door at 5,10...forward into another room, door to
the south-west...into a smaller room with a door to the north-west...

Into this room and three more just like it...we stopped at 11,9 and prepared
to face two Beholders and three Zhentil Fighters...

Jok entered first at began the melee...several blows were exchanged, he was
stunned but continued to fight...then suddenly, a lucky blow, he was
felled...

Slyvarz and I entered and began to hack at the Beholders, already
weakened...one fell quickly, and then finally the other...Zhentil arrows were
a nuisance and soon silenced...the Incandescent Jewel...

We quickly returned to the Inn to rest...I made my way south out of
Longsaddle...then thru Berun...and into Triboar...I would rest at the Triboar
Inn this nite...Thief - Part 1
"The Necklace"
(submitted by: Garthlik)
Garthlik One Eye

    The night is young and the moon is full.  It is good for the guardsmen
that line the walls of King Ramba's fortress in Mara.  There are many men,
more than usual.  Once people called the fortress "The Unconquered," but that
was now a long time ago.

     The brighter the moon is, the darker the shadows are.  The shadows are
hiding many unpredictable things.  Nothing is like it used to be, not
anymore.

     "You drunken idiot!  Wake up!  Do you hear me?" asked the guard.

     I jumped from my perch right into the middle of the guard's back,
reached around quickly and snapped his neck.

     "Alarm!" cried another guard as he turned a corner and spied me.  I've
failed.  To many of them.

     "Die, you!" he cried as he charged me with his spear.  I grabbed the
spear shaft just behind the point, spun and threw the guard over my shoulder,
breaking his nose and knocking him unconscious as he hit the stone floor.

     More guards rushing down the corridor.  "Look!  The thief!  Quick!" was
the cry.

     "You want me?  Well then, try to catch me," I yelled as I sprang for the
edge of the wall and leapt down to the next level.

     "You, down there!  Get him!"  was the cry as I jumped.  A spear went
screaming past my left ear and embedded itself in the chest of the guard
waiting to capture me.  I sprang across another short wall and onto another
level.  Running as fast as I could across the open, I made the shadows and
safety.

     "Don't waste your spear, he's too far," said the Captain of the Guard,
"What luck, he hit his mark this eve I'll wager."

     The Captain made his way back to the King's chambers.  "How?" screamed
the King.  "Across the roof, this time.  He left his mark upon the armory,"
explained the Captain, holding up the eye patch.

     "Shades of demons, Garthlik One Eye!  He mocks me," screamed the King,
"And where were you?"

     "Guarding your chambers, as you ordered.  The rumors," said the Captain.

     The rumors had started three months earlier, after the necklace made of
the family jewels had been stolen.  The King's sanctuary and life were no
longer safe.  Some ancient enemy had arisen to cleanse the earth with his
blood.  Rumors, based on no fact.  They made my work harder though.

     "How could I have hired such an imbecile," shouted the King.

     "Thanks to my reputation," returned the Captain.

     "I've had it with you.  You must recover the ceremonial knife that
Garthlik stole tonight.  The anniversary feast is next week," the King
ordered, "My own subjects will destroy me."

     "Don't worry, I'll find Garthlik One Eye.  I give you my word," said the
Captain.

     "Your word!  Destroy that rogue once and for all!" screamed the King.

     As the Captain left the King's chambers, he tried to remember what he
knew of Garthlik One Eye.  From what he had heard, the thief had been around
an awfully long time.  How old could he be about now?  Old enough to have
grandchildren?  Undoubtedly not, since the man he had seen this evening moved
with the agility and speed of a young cat.

     I had since made my way to a gem dealer's shop that I knew.  I was tired
and sore, maybe I was getting to old for this business.

 "I forgive you for waking me in the middle of the night.  Let me give you
some advice, run as fast as you can.  There isn't a man in this kingdom that
will buy this knife," said the gem dealer.

 "Berrybeck would give me good money for this," I explained.

     The gem dealer chuckled as he explained, "Berrybeck's been dead for
years.  You must not have been around for awhile.  In prison maybe?  I want
to keep my head on, farewell, move on."

 As I left, what I didn't see was the gem dealer motioning to his son to
leave and find the guards.  Deep in thought of how to get out of this town
and to another where I would be able to sell this knife, I didn't notice the
quiet, a trap.  Blackness surrounded me as the stone bounced off the back of
my head.

     When I awoke, four soldiers, two with crossbows, one with a short bow
and the last with a rope around my neck, stood around me.  Hands bound behind
me, I was still trying to get my bearing when I realized that they were so
scared that they had forgotten to take the knife.

     "Our leader wants to know what you have done with the necklace you stole
from the King," said one of the guards.

     The necklace, the thing that had brought me out of seclusion.  I hadn't
been in these parts in several years, and never stole anything when I was
here.  I had just brought items from other kingdoms to sell in these parts.
I was getting closer to the answer I sought.

     As we crossed under an archway, a rope slid down around the neck of the
soldier carrying the shortbow.  He was hoisted high in the air and left to
hang.  The others turned quickly as they heard his bow hit the stones.  As
they hurried to try and help their friend, dropping the rope that held me in
check, a figure leapt down behind them.  "Drop your weapons and I'll let you
live," he explained.

     As the three remaining soldiers turned, one raised a crossbow to fire.
An arrow tore threw his neck before he could raise his weapon to fire.  As
the second soldier readied to fire, I ran into him from behind sending his
arrow high and off the wall.  He turned and hammered me into the ground with
his crossbow.  As he turned, an arrow buried itself deep within his heart.

     The last soldier was preparing to sling a stone, but decided to run
away.  As he turned to run, I extended my legs, tripping him.  He fell
heavily onto the stones.  Angered, he drew a dagger and prepared to throw it
into me.  Another arrow cut through the air and buried itself in the center
of his chest.

     I raised myself up, turned and saw, "Good job, Captain.  What do you
want of me?" I asked.

     "I'm not a Captain anymore.  They call me Atani Roc, and I was looking
for you, to kill you," he explained.  He stood on the rope that was tied
around my neck to make movement awkward for me.  "I've never killed a
helpless man before, and I don't want to start now.  Besides, it would be a
pleasure to do battle with the infamous Garthlik One Eye, barehanded," he
explained, "All right?"

     I looked at him for moment, "Yes!" I snickered.  I turned around to let
him cut my hands loose.  I may be old, but I am certainly not ready to die.

     As the knife cut my hands free, I sprang forward and kicked backward as
hard as I could, burying both feet into his groin.  He dropped hard.  I spun
and planted a boot heel center of his nose.  It didn't break, but he went to
sleep instantly, blood running down his face.

     I took the rope off my neck and quickly looked around.  Just as I had
thought, he had a horse hidden with several days rations and other supplies.
I quickly loaded him across the saddle and made my way out of the town.
Several miles away, I made camp for the night.  I stripped of all his
clothing and tied him standing to a large tree along the roadway.  He was
beginning to come around, "Good morning," I said.

     "You filthy pig!" he shouted, "I saved your life and you don't even have
the guts to fight like a man.  And you stole my horse!"

     "Yes.  I have need of your horse.  But, I need you to help answer a
question or two.  Look what I found in your saddlebags," I said as I held up
the King's necklace, "And you dare call me a filthy pig!" 

     "You stole the King's necklace, then killed the Captain of the Guard,
made it all look like I did it, and then took the dead Captain's place, why?"
I asked.

     "It was the only thing I could do to protect myself.  Your reputation
precedes you and it was easy to convince them that you did it," he said, "I
was ordered to steal the necklace by order of the neighbor, King Ironwood.
The two Kings had been feuding for years.  But they made up a couple of days
after the theft.  I couldn't go back and collect my reward."

     "Fool, you've earned the necklace, anyway," I said as I tossed it to the
ground between his feet, "Explain it to the King when he finds you."

     As I turned the horse to ride away, he called out hysterically, "Hey!
Don't leave me like this!  I...I'll find you!  Do you hear me?  I'll find
you!"

     "You bet," I said more to myself than anyone as I rode away.  This life
of mine has gotten way out of hand, if it is so easy for others to blame me
for their misdeeds.Journey from Syalra - Part 1
(submitted by: Magica Blu)

  There is a country far to the north called Syalra. That is the country I
come from. It is inhibited mainly by ice elves and other races and creatures
of the cold, for Syalra has only one season: winter. It is rare that the
temperatures rise above freezing, unless you are in the southern part of
Syalra, where the air is a bit warmer.

  For the most part, Syalra is small and unimportant to the countries around
it with the exception of one. That country is Caendre. Syalra and Caendre
have been enemy countries for centuries. An old legend stated that Syalra and
Caendre had once been one country until it came to pass that the king died.
He had two sons, twins, and they both wanted to be king. They fought over the
country for many years until their mother, on her deathbed from an illness,
begged them to split the country and live in peace. That is what the two
brothers did but the countries remained enemies long after the brothers had
died. Even though, war had never broken out . . . until one day, when Syalra
had had enough. For years Syalra had been having a unusual amount of trouble
from Caendre. Finally  the King declared war. But I will tell more about that
later.

  My father was a lord of Syalra and my family, the Icetalon family, was
highly respected. I had two younger sisters and a younger brother. Even
though no one really thought we needed it, my siblings and I were taught the
art of magic and swordplay. We were also well schooled in archery. I enjoyed
learning how to use the bow and blade, but I preferred magic. Nothing was
more thrilling for me than to learn about magic and casting spells and to
this day every new spell that I might scribe or discover is a wonder.

  To return to my story, war finally broke out when I was still a young elf.
I appeared to be seventeen or eighteen by human standards but due to the long
lives of elves my years were far beyond that. I had a very long, thick mane
of snow white hair and blue eyes the color of a mountain lake. I was taller
than most elven females, slender, but a lot stronger than I looked.

  When the war began, most had very strong opinions about who was stronger,
about who would win, and some even had an opinion about which country was the
"rightful" country, meaning the "rightful" country was the country that
belonged to the brother who was supposed to claim the throne. Yet these
opinions didn't last long. The war was horrible, families were torn apart,
innocent elves killed. Soon, everyone just wanted the terror to stop. My
father never supported the war. He wanted to keep my brother, sisters and I
protected from it.

  But there was no way to protect us from it forever.

  One of my fathers friends, an officer of Syalra's army, wanted my brother,
Koraene, to fight in the war.

  My father did not want that but he knew that Syalra's army was desperate
and if he didn't put Koraene in the war, that would seen as the mark of a
traitor and he would be killed.

  He decided to escape from Syalra. His plan was simple. He would  take my
mother and siblings on a "vacation" and leave me to take care of  the house
while he was gone. Then, after he had left my family in their safe home in
another country, he would come back for me. He said that I had  to stay for a
little longer than the others so suspicions wouldn't be raised.

  All went well at first. But by the time eight days had passed and my father
should have come and taken me to the rest of my family, I recieved horrible
news. On their way out of Syalra, my family had been killed.

  I wept at the news, but my heart was not only filled with sorrow, but with
fear. What would happen now? I had no family nearby and I was not sure I
could survive by myself. What if someone discovered that my father really was
trying to escape and the Lord Sheriff came to arrest me, certain I knew about
the plan? That would surely mean death for me. I was certain that was the
event that would take place in only a matter of days. And I learned a few
days later that I had been right.Rain Song

(submitted by: Bro Rivers)


::Stands and faces audience::
This is a song about an experience we all have had in our lives.  Mother
nature
offers many different ways to learn.  This song  is about the rain, wind, and
clouds.

::Sits on stool, grabs lute::
::Begins with strong major chord::

I heard the sound of the abundance of rain;
It was coming in the clouds today.
One or two then more than a few
Scouting grey clouds came into view.
Then, the sun had gone and the moons were too,
'Twas time for the grey to cover the blue.

<<Chorus>>
::Changes key to the sub-dominant chord::
::Stepping up rhythm:

Come in mighty rain and wind,
Wash this place new again.
Come in mighty rain and wind,
Blow away deaths hovering stinch.
You alone hold in your hand --
Bringing life and newness to our land.

::Brings music back around to major chord::

The clouds moved in over my head;
The lightning grew limbs as it spread.
The mountains and the hills were humbled too
As the clouds rose to great altitude.
Standing in awe at its introduction
I watched the storms preparation of destruction.

<<Chorus>>
::Changes key to the sub-dominant chord::
::Stepping up rhythm::

Come in mighty rain and wind,
Wash this place new again.
Come in mighty rain and wind,
Blow away deaths hovering stinch.
You alone hold in your hand --
Bringing life and newness to our land.

::Changes slower rhythm, music plays softly::
::Speaks deep with dignity::

When we watch the earth, sky and sea -- look closely and you will see ....
Something more than what your senses tell;
Knowledge of deep things ring clear as a bell.
Welcome the day for in it you will learn
There are mouths with words you've never heard.

::Music fades with the sound of the dominant chord::

::Stands and bows::

My name is Riversongs.  I play my music by the riverside.  Visit me someday
and
we'll share the wine and do our best to have a good time.
The Origins of the Staff

(submitted by: Zhan Druin)


For the one known as Zhan Druin, it all started with Pain.  There was no
wonder, no joy.  His mother upon childbirth, suffered the most unbearable of
pain... far exceeding even the terrible threshold suffered by most women
during this most agonizing sacrifice.


Pain.


It is said that his mother died of it, before the birthing was even complete.
A decision was made.  He was ripped forcibly from his dead mother's body.  A
lifetime of agony had begun.


Pain.


Beating, hunger, exposure, and abuse.  As an unwanted and cursed child, Zhan
Druin had endured more suffering by the age of ten than most people do in a
lifetime.  As luck would have it, Zhan matured to be a handsome young man.
This was most unfortunate, as his newfound charms only served to twist him,
to pervert him.  Delving into forbidden pleasures, Zhan grew a burning taste
for unearthly pleasures, the torture of the flesh.


Pain.


Loviatar was his chosen mistress.  Seeing the hunger and potential in this
mortal, she had blessed him - cursed him... fueled his hunger and armed him
to satisfy it.  Many times he had tasted the excruciation of her terrible
lash, and she deemed that he should have his own implement of torture.  A
staff - one like no other - through this mortal, the world would feel
unearthly pain, and endure the suffering of the gods.


Pain.


The purest black, almost radiating in its darkness, the Staff of Pain is made
from a unique substance known only to Loviatar herself.  This minor artifact
is the ideal tool for torture, having many and various grisly capabilities.
Most notable are the hook-tipped chains which can be sent shooting forth from
either end of the staff.  These thin, seemingly-delicate chains, are nearly
unbreakable, and are subject to arcane command by the bearer of the Staff -
who is able to fire, retract, and twist them according to his will.  The
staff also doubles as a scythe - with a long, curving blade which springs out
and retracts near the top of the Staff upon command.  A long, adamantium
spike can also slide forth from the base of the Staff, serving as a spearhead
or a method of magically anchoring the Staff to a particular spot in the
ground.


Pain.


The Staff has several other capabilities, most of which are hereto unknown.
Like MaxScourge's creatures, like Jas Dancer's mad dance, the Staff of Pain
is Hunger - it must be fed.  Every part of the Staff, particularly the
hook-tipped chains, have the capability of conducting the raw energy of agony
- transmitting pain in a manner similar to electricity.  Zhan Druin has paid
a terrible price to have this minor artifact bestowed upon him, and it is
said that the price is one that he has yet to pay.  Only the cabalistic
GateKeeper himself knows this price, and it burns in his mind unceasingly as
it looms in his future.


Zhan Druin

GateKeeper of the Citadel

Master of Excruciation

Pleasure in Pain
Kirkland
(submitted by: Nevkerk)

                                       Chapter 1

Thus it begins.  The lands of Kirkland are far beyond the sea, the hills and
valleys are peaceful.  Life is rich, with families not wanting for food or
shelter. The beasts of the fields are tended and commerce well established.
The social graces are held in high esteam by all. The study of the past is
required of all for this is not always as life has been in these lands.  It
was little more than three generations past when war, and strife filled the
lands. It was not that war was unkown to Kirklanders, but never in all their
history had war been spred through all the regions at the same time.

The cause of this war had a common beginning,  EVIL . Now you may say there
has always been evil around, but take heed in this warning, this is a evil
unlike any ever known to mankind. Mankind can spawn evil of their own but it
is not of such great power as that which beset our lands. This evil is not
even from our own world and this is why you need heed this closely.

It all began within the darkness of a soul, the soul of a man of no great
importance in our history, till such time that he, in ways he never dreamed
possible called down this Evil upon our lands. His name was Zorkerk and I say
was because upon calling down this Evil, it consumed him immediately. I will
tell more of these events in greater detail at a later time.  Thus begins the
history of my people, for truly it was a beginning of time in history that
such terrible war and death instills. I will close this chapter in saying
that thou a Evil as such has enormous power it can be fought and will have to
be, for now this Evil has come to the lands of Neverwinter.  If you in your
journeys come across my path or those of my fellow Kirklanders, we will hail
thee, for we have come to do battle against a terrible foe, this Evil that
was once in our own lands. Be ye of Alignment Good and you will find in us a
strong will and burning desire to see this Evil defeated for once and for
all. Till such time that I am able to greet thee, I bid thee;

Fair Thee Well

Nevkerk of Kirkland    
I will post more of our History as time and Evil allows

Fellow Kirklanders:                  

Trevkerk

Garkerk

Falkerk(submitted by: Morngrym)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--  From the Journal of Morngrym Verigost, Bard of KORT --


It took a century to gain the strength...the knowledge...the instrument.

They said no human could do it...perhaps haughty elves, older than wrinkled
time...but...

I played the song that night.

This solitary figure of a man, in the hallowed chamber of wisdom...
Each string of the mystical lyre caused a flood...of magic, ecstasy, pain...I
just don't know.

The walls shook with thunder, crumbled around me.  I watched in horror as my
body aged and withered to dust (as I always knew it would)...I watched in
confusion as the shell was reborn in some crashing wave of humanity (as I
always feared it might be)...and I felt life again.  Strong and sweet, bitter
and cold.

Everything was spinning (where am I?)...Earth and stone eroded beneath my
feet in the blink of some divine eye, my body was aloft and on
fire...scorching essence (who am I?) in some primeval storm.  The notes fell
around me...so strange, so frightening.  This damned song!  Teetering on the
edge...of this gaping maw of hollowness, calling...

"Hold on to it!"         "Let it go!"

Howling voices echoed in my head.  This moaning chorus of tortured selves,
begging for release...asking to be taken in, giving it all up in the pale,
brilliant disintegration.  

And then suddenly...there was flight!  So lost was I in the swirling ether of
time and reason..  I couldn't think...couldn't feel...who could have known of
this?!

Silence!

A heartbeat of sacred silence...I could finally breath again...thank the
heavens.

I came crashing to my knees (solid ground!), soaked in shivering
sweat...dried by lingering flames.  Those embers fluttered lightly to the
cobbles there...in that cold chamber where no torch light survived...such a
dark, lonely tomb.

I cannot guess why...or how there was survival...one tattered soul
transformed.

...into something more than before.

But I was grateful.

And the lyre was consumed in the fiery storm...I knew it was the right thing
in this newfound awareness.

But I'll still never quite know how...

I played the song that night.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neverwinter Nights Tips for New Players
(submitted by Quad SF)

Neverwinter Nights Tips for New Players

1. Always buy the best weapons and armor your class and money pouch can buy.

2. Keep increasing your level--the higher you are the stronger you are and
the more areas you can explore.

3. At low levels, use long-range weapons before you use your sword.

4. If you're a mage, cleric, or druid, be the magical support for a group.

5. If you can, join a guild. Look to those that are reliable and
well-respected, for they have better resources and information.

6. If you have need of help, don't be afraid to ask those whose names are in
green.  The NWN staff are always willing to help you.

7. If you're outnumbered and not enough magic, head to the nearest corner or
doorway.  Then there will be less creatures that will surround you. 

8. If you face computer-controlled mages, hide inside a doorway or a behind a
wall. They operate on line-of-sight (they don't see you, they don't attack.)

9. If you have a stinky cloud, use it to b]ock a doorway between you and the
creatures.  Then use ranged weapons and/or magic.

10. Don't turn down any offers to join a group without a reason.  The added
boost in experience and money will help you greatly in increasing your level.


From the Brotherhood of Pathfinders
Compiled by Quadrillian SteelflightOOC Announcement
(submitted by HG Quill)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those that attend'd the weddin' of HG Quill an' HG Flaire in the woods
earlier this month may like to know, that on Feb 29th... 9pm PT... We
exchange'd vows in the RW an' are now husband & wife...

Our romance began on the Wharves of NW where we met, an' carry'd us all the
way from opposite coasts (I was east coast, she was an' is west) into each
others arms to start a fantasy life in the real world...  

We want to thank everyone that has enter'd these realms for makin' it the
perfect place to fall in love...

~ Quill ~
Harper Scribe
Happiest man alive...<><><><><>
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