==========oOo========== NEVERWINTER NEWS Issue # 137 Week Ending 6-9-96 ==========oOo========== *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* FRONT PAGE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Congratulations to Spedlestor for winning last week's News of the Realm contest for his story entitled "Sped's Tale - Part Two -- The Compass Gold". Spedlestor has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Ice Storm Booth Winner -- 6/2 Calling across the lands for the Magic Users to ply their trade against me, using the Ice Storm, I had 15 folks cast 2 spells each at me and the top score won 4 pearls and a free hour of online time... The winner: Harlequ1n with a whopping 41 hp's Now, if you don't mind...I am going to take a nice HOT shower to try to warm these old bones. ::chuckle:: ::shiver:: -NW Triel <><><><><> <><><><><> Tour 6/1/96, 10pm ET Gathering strong companions, Ember led the party southward toward the troubled town of Crossergate. Rumors spoke of a renewal of activity in the desecrated Temple of Bane and the guardswoman was determined to discover the truth of the stories. Though travel at night was dangerous through the thief ridden streets of Southwall and the wolf infested paths of Vilnask, the adventurers made their way to the Inn safely. After grabbing a quick ale and some hearty stew, they pressed onward through Crossergate. They were ambushed time and time again, by fierce packs of feral hounds cold-breathing wolves! Staggering and injured they made their way into the Inn at Crossergate and began to listen to the local gossip. A hidden passageway and twisting chambers were reported by older folk who recalled the Temple at the height of its depravity. With a resolute nod, Ember gathered her patrol together. They made their way deep within the labyrinth, finally winning through to the Temple itself. It seemed abandoned at first glance, but a powerful magic prevented their entry into the cloisters themselves. Searching for another path, they finally were able to force their way into the evil shrine. Holy water and prayers to Tyr and Helm, and a few discreet mutterings in drow, sanctified the place once more. With satisfaction the travellers made their way out of the Temple grounds and were attacked by a Banite priest! As Ember and the evil cleric dueled, the minions of Bane fell before the might of the patrol. In the Banite's robes, a scrawled note was discovered. Hurrying back to Neverwinter, the party presented their findings to Lord Nasher and were rewarded for their bravery! Thanks to Lord Dude, Bbertya, Psyhcoward, Red Pearl, D Gertis, DJFerrara, Humme, AAAWill, SK Rustic, ERS Jimi and Ldydrkhawk for their assistance! NW Ember <><><><><> <><><><><> June Trivia June 4, 1996 __________ *** First Place - Llewdoc 27 points! *** ** Second Place - Dirk Dirty 25 points! ** * Third Place - Opslin 19 points! * Random Drawing Winner - Kkrom ____________________________________________________ The winners will have the time credited to their account and pearls credited to their screen name. * First Place - 4 FREE hours and 25 Pearls * Second Place - 3 FREE hours and 20 Pearls * Third Place - 2 FREE hours and 15 Pearls * Random Drawing - 5 Pearls Congrats and thanks from NW Baldor and NW Strahd : ) <><><><><> <><><><><> Random Slay Booth, 6/5 The Winds of Death were weak this eve at the Slay Living Booth held at Midnight, 15,14 Wharves. Only one fell this nite ;) The following all survived the Death cast and were awarded two pearls each: Somarkemp Black Dye Lyssixi Sol Lazer Drk Legacy Omm Rm WOL Azlan Deemonia Augststorm Drizzt Udn Exodus10 TCS Elrond With this many winners the players had a Great time ;) NWA Elwind <><><><><> <><><><><> Poison Booth Winners -- 6/6 Winners: Drk Legacy KEF Lance Cordedarmz Wntrchill BD Piper Chedynn Mech Canon ABK Shaman Shadosin -- NWA Leto <><><><><> <><><><><> Fumble Booth Winners -- 6/8 Domino completed his first Mini Booth this afternoon!! He was in a foul mood and was roaming the Wharves area freezing people with his icy stare (Fumble Booth held at 7,1 Wharves). Those that he did not effect were: Drk Legacy ITB Teddi TCS Cyrw1n Darkk Sint Lyssixi Mech Elegy MWalker486 For their steely nerves they receive 2 pearls each. Overall a great experience!! -- NWA Domino <><><><><> <><><><><> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* NEVERWINTER CALENDAR *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 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: June 11th Tuesday 10:00 PM EST - with NWA Domino. June 13th Thursday 3:00 PM EST - with NW Tempus. June 15th Saturday 4:30 PM EST - with NWA Simba. Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Congratulations to Spedlestor for winning last week's News of the Realm contest for the story "Sped's Tale - Compass Gold Part Two". Spedlestor has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D Mage Killer (submitted by: Ceribus) A figure in dark leathers stood before an ornate chest. Inside were his most prized possessions, the tools of his trade. He quietly slipped the key into the lock, and turned. He felt the mechanism turn, and he jumped to the side just as a dart tipped with the poison of a Wyvern's tail flew out of the lock. Satisfied that the chest hadn't been tampered with, the slim figure picked up his tools, and readied them. First he pulled out a small bag with several different rings in it. He took out a red, and a blue ring, and placed them on his middle fingers. He was now immune to fire and ice based attacks. Next he slipped out a white ring, and a dark green one. Placing these on his ring fingers he sighed in contentment. Now he was immune to poison and lightning attacks as well. Next he put on a ring with a full Globe of Invulnerability cast on it. On the same finger in his opposite hand he placed a ring that protected him from attacks of the mind. As an after-thought he took out two more rings, one of water-breathing, the other was a ring of vampiric regeneration. He placed these rings on his "pinkie" fingers. He reached into the chest and pulled out a bundle wrapped in silk. He gently unwrapped it, uncovering bracers that protected him from thrown weapons, and any weapons non-magical. He then unwrapped a helm that prevented others from casting any type of tracing spell on him, and he put this on. Next he took out some boots of speed, and a shield that either absorbed or reflected spells cast at the wielder, all the person holding the shield had to do was will it to be so. The next item he took out wasn't wrapped in anything, but it seemed to be somewhat alive with a power all its own. The shadowy figure shook it out, revealing a jet black cloak. He swirled it on, and activated its powers. The cloak suddenly sprouted giant bat wings, and flapped under the will of the figure in black. With another thought the wings receded back into the wings of the bat cloak. He then took out various daggers and throwing weapons, many of which had spells cast on them. From the bottom of the chest he brought out a scabbard. It appeared to belong to a normal long sword, but this weapon was not normal. It was a sword of sharpness, and it had taken the life from more than one mage before. With deep reverence he strapped it on his waist. There remained only four things in the chest, each in a separate corner. They were specially bound rocks, taken from certain places around the realms. They were shielded in metal, because nothing magical was even remotely safe in the presence of these rocks. Two of them were dead magic rocks. Any enchantments in a certain area were rendered inactive, and no spells could be cast. It was perhaps the single most destructive thing in his arsenal, because it could wipe out anybody's magical defenses, even his own. The remaining two rocks were wild magic rocks. Any spell cast in a wild magic area ran a high risk of becoming warped, and twisted. These were a basic last defense, and a souvenir from the Time of Troubles. He strapped one of each rock onto each hip. Picking up his shield, the figure stood. It was time for the hunt. . .and there was a mage that needed killin'. . . * * * Elora hummed a cheerful tune as she walked through the woods. Several squirrels skittered about overhead, playing chase with each other. A pair of birds looked up from building their nest to chirp testily at the light hearted squirrels. The cleric just shook her head, and idly ran her fingers through her long, sun-golden hair. She was taller than most men, standing at nearly 6 feet tall. She was dressed in pure white robes, trimmed in blue. She had a fair complexion, and her eyes shone like aquamarines. Glancing down at the path in front of her, Elora opened her spell-book. She had recently taken up the study of magic, and her tutor wanted her to study as much as she could. She got distracted again as a deer came bounding through the clearing to take a drink at the small pool that passed nearby. Elora flounced onto a tree stump, and placed her spell book on the forest floor. It was too fine a day to be studying a musty old book. That's why she had left the temple in the first place, so that she could be outside among nature. She reached in her pocket for some grain, and held it out for the deer to smell. The deer looked up, and cautiously sniffed the air. After decided that a late afternoon snack couldn't hurt, the deer came up and nuzzled Elora's hand, eating that grain that she had there. Looking fondly at the animal, Elora started to idly stroke the deer's magnificent fur. "What a fine animal you are," she murmured. Suddenly the deer looked up, frightened. Without advertising his intent, the deer took off through the forest. Puzzled, Elora looked after it. "Now why would you do that, little deer?" she wondered aloud. "Maybe it's because she saw me sneak up behind you." a cold, quiet voice said from behind her. Startled, Elora spun around. "Who are you?" Ignoring her completely, the man clad all in black looked at the open spellbook on the forest floor. "So, you're a mage are you?" he asked with casual calm. The girl picked up her book and hugged it to her chest, something about this man seemed, wrong. "What's your name?" she asked again, quietly readying a spell. The man in black looked at her, and noted the that she was trying a spell. Narrowing his eyes, he replied, "I'm called the Mage Killer, and I will be your death." At his words the girl released her spell, that of a clerical spell flamestrike. A great pillar of flame immediately pierced the heavens, and struck the man, enshrouding him in flames. Shivering uncontrollably, that was the only time she had used a spell to harm, Elora backed up. Suddenly there was a hiss, and the pillar of flame died down. "Haven't you got something a tad bit stronger than that? I'd hate to have this over with so quickly." The man in the black said, as he started a slow advance. The girl, trembling, turned around and started to run. The man in black frowned, "That's not very sporting of you." he said with a frown. Using the extra speed afforded him by the boots of speed, he got in front of the girl. When she saw that he was in front of her, Elora screamed, eyes wide with fright. She fell to the ground, back peddling furiously. She turned, trying to get away. The Mage Killer strode up behind her, and grasped her shoulder. Spinning her around, he drew his sword. "And so ends another meddler of a spellcaster that seeks to toy with the very forces that give us life." With that he drove his blade through the spellbook, which she still clutched to her breast, and into the soft chest beneath it. His blade slid in easily, brutally ending the life of the young woman that just wanted to be left alone with nature. As she died, the forest, which had been silent up until now, shuddered to life as squirrels and birds alike ran away in horror. The Mage Killer watched as the light left the eyes of his most recent victim. This one wasn't even a challenge. He contemptuously pulled his blade free, and cleaned the blood off of it on the robes of the dead girl. He glared down at the girl, and watched the slow spread of blood in grim satisfaction. He snapped his head up, Someone was coming this way! He hurriedly looked around for a place to hide. He scrambled up a tree as a male elf walked into the clearing, looking down at the dead girl in horror. The elf said a short prayer to Mystra over the body, and the figure in the tree tensed. If this was a spellcaster he would have to die, but nothing he had done so far led the cloaked figure to believe that the elf was a mage. Thinking, Mage Killer moved off through the trees to find a suitable area. There was always one way to find out if someone's a mage. . . * * * Ceribus wandered through some woods that he happened to find. He didn't know the name of these woods, but that hardly mattered. All that mattered was that he was in a setting that made his elven soul well up in thanks. He was dressed in plain, homespun robes, the only ornament he had was a small symbol. It had eight stars in a circle, with a red mist flowing downward from the center. The symbol of Mystra, goddess of magic. He wasn't a cleric, he just belonged to the Servants of Mystery, and they liked for their officers to wear Mystra's symbol. He walked on, enjoying the peace and quiet. He passed a certain type of tree, and he paused. Taking out his knife, Cer cut into the bark a short way, and drained off some of the sap. Cer removed a powdered mint flavored leaf from one of his many pouches, and mixed this with the tree sap. When it was sufficiently mixed, Cer stuck it in his mouth and started chewing. Blowing a bubble with the concoction, Ceribus walked on through the woods. Suddenly a deer burst through the woods in front of Cer, with the whites of his eyes showing, clearly scared out of his mind. Concerned, Ceribus tried to calm the animal down. However, the animal had other thoughts in his head. Breaking free of Cer's grasp, the deer bounded on through the forest. It wasn't long after that, that Cer heard a scream resound throughout the forest. Instantly wary, he tried to determine where the sound came from. He figured, quite correctly, that whatever made the deer frightened probably caused the scream as well. So he headed off in the direction that the deer came from. It didn't take him long to reach the clearing, and the sight he saw made him gag. He saw a girl laying on her back, with a single sword mark through her breast, and the book she had been holding. There was a semi-congealed pool of blood that was spread out from the wound. Walking fully into the clearing, Cer gently closed her eyes, and spoke a short prayer to Mystra. As he was raising up, he heard the sound of something moving through the trees. It sounded too heavy to be a forest animal, so Cer made note of which direction that noise was traveling. Casting a spell of illusion on the dead girl, so that hopefully nothing would mess with her, Cer sprinted off in search of whatever made that noise. He had chased the sound until he came into a really dense region of the forest. He didn't have much hope of following the sound now, the trees grew too close together to do much following. Just as he was about to turn around, Cer noticed a man standing in the shadows of a tree. He had almost overlooked the man because he was wearing all black, but Cer could see him now. "Hail!" Cer called out. "Do you know anything about the dead girl back in that clearing?" Cer asked. "Can't say I have mate," replied the dark-cloaked figure. "I was just waiting here for someone to help me, will you help me?" Somewhat confused, Cer agreed "Aye, what did you have in mind?" "Just follow me." the man replied mysteriously. He lead the way to another clearing, this one with a cave nestled in one corner. Off to one side of the cave was a drop off, and it ended several hundred feet below, on many sharp edged boulders. "What exactly are we here for?" Cer asked with some trepidation. "There's a dragon in that cave that has been terrorizing caravans. I've been sent to destroy it, but my mage has died. I thought you were a mage, and could help me." The man in black said smoothly. Cer glanced around nervously, he didn't like the idea of fighting a dragon in this terrain, but he didn't really have a choice, the human would probably die without the help of a mage. "Alright, you're correct, I am a mage." the human's eyes lit up. Cer continued, "When the dragon comes out I'll cast a lightning bolt at it, by the way, what color dragon is it?" "It's a red." "Okay, after the lightning bolt connects the first time I want you to start throwing daggers at me." The man in black let his jaw drop. This idiot mage just ASKED him to kill him! The Mage Killer nodded, and Ceribus went into motion. Casting a fireball spell, Cer aimed it into the cave's entrance. The fireball flew in, and billowed out in a magnificent explosion of fire. The cave shook, and several small boulders dislodged themselves. The dragon brought its head out of the cave. Its head alone was two times as tall as Cer was. The monster's teeth were as long as swords and looked to be as sharp as diamonds. It gazed malevolently out at the fool that had dared awaken it. It pulled the rest of its serpentine body out of the cave entrance, and slowly unfolded his enormous wings. Cer finished casting his lightning bolt spell, and aimed it so that it would rebound off the cave wall behind the dragon, and hit the dragon twice. The bolt flashed blue from Cer's hand, and struck the massive beast in the chest, then the rebound hit him in the back. Ceribus looked towards the human, and signaled him to start throwing. Mage Killer did so happily. Each blade he threw went true . . .and Cer caught each one and put it up into the air, flipping and catching until all of Mage Killer's knives were in the air. Mage Killer looked on in stupefaction. That mage had caught every blade and was juggling them! Ceribus had no time to look at his companion, he shifted slightly, and added in a few blades of his own, these were enchanted blades. When the dragon started to inhale, Cer casually flung each blade as strong as he could. The blades came down in the juggling pattern, and were then thrown straight toward the dragon. A steady line of blades was leading away from Ceribus, and when the last blade left his grasp, he collapsed, breathless. The dragon, who had closed his eyes in preparation of toasting these intruders, felt the first burning stab, he wasn't worried. When he felt twenty more follow in quick succession, then he thought something was wrong and swallowed the fire he was getting ready to breath. The last blade struck home, and the dragon collapsed on its stomach, driving the blades even deeper. Mage Killer just looked at Cer. Shaking out of his amazement, Mage Killer set his mouth, drew his sword, and grimly started to advance. He was going to regret killing this particular mage, but not for very long. Cer looked up, and saw the human stalking toward him with a drawn blade. "Its alright, I believe that he won't be troubling anything for a while." Cer said, slightly out of breath. Mage Killer paused. "I don't care about the dragon. My name is Mage Killer," he said with a bow. "And I will be your death." "Now that's not a very polite thing to do, now is it?" Cer asked. His killer stopped, momentarily confused. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. "Aren't you going to scream, run, beg for mercy, or cast spells at me?" he asked. "Why should I?" Cer asked in return. "I just want to know why you want to kill me." Mage Killer paused. This wasn't a normally asked question. Still, it wouldn't hurt to tell this one before he died. "My parent's were once mighty spell caster's. One day their magic got out of control and destroyed them. All because of magic! I was just old enough to understand what had happened. Their pursuit of magic killed them, magic killed them. That's why I kill mage's, because no one should mess with the stuff that gives us life." Cer thought to himself that that sounded kinda hypocritical, but he didn't say anything. He almost had his breath back, now if this guy would just keep talking..."I'm sorry for your loss," Ceribus said. "By the way, my name's Ceribus." Mage Killer looked uncertain. This wasn't supposed to happen. His victims weren't supposed to feel sympathetic, they were supposed to feel fear. "You do know that I'm going to kill you, right?" Cer nodded, "Most likely." he agreed. Scowling, Mage Killer started moving towards Cer. He stood above Cer, who was still on the ground, with sword upraised. Trembling, he lowered the sword slightly. "Cast a spell." "Can't do it," Cer replied. "Mystra forbids the irresponsible use of magic." Mage Killer growled, "The Goddess of magic? She's the one responsible for my parents death! I'll kill her too in time!!" Cer didn't even think, he just cast a stream of magic missiles at the Mage Killer. Killer swung his shield around and absorbed the hits. "I tried to get you to see that some of us use magic with dignity, not casting spells to enslave or harm other folk, but you just wouldn't listen." Cer said as he slowly stood. "You told me lies, magic spells should always be kept away from mortal use." Cer cast another stream of magic missiles at him. Like the others, these were absorbed into the shield. "For lying to me I'm going to kill you slow, mage," he sneered, making an insult of the word. Pointing his shield at Cer, Mage Killer released the stored spells. Many bright pulses of magic raced toward Cer, and burst apart before they hit him, stopped by a minor globe of invulnerability. Mage Killer snarled, and rushed toward Cer. Ceribus called his magic quarterstaff to his hand, and prepared himself. Mage Killer came in high, swinging for Cer's head, Cer blocked, then swiped for his opponent's legs. He backed up, then attacked with a shield slam as a frontal assault, and came in low with his sword, angling it up towards Cer's ribs. Ceribus cast a dimension door and ended up at the edge of the cliff edge. Mage Killer was enraged, it had been a long time since someone put up this much of a fight! Lunging with his sword, Mage Killer made a mistake. Ceribus moved out of the way slightly, and pushed Killer's back. Mage Killer went over the edge. Fearing contingency spells, Cer ran to the edge of the forest. He heard an insane cackling coming from behind. Wondering what was going on, Cer turned around. What he saw surprised him more than a little. Mage Killer seemed to have grown huge bat wings and was hovering over the chasm, laughing insanely. He had lost his sword and shield in the fall, but he thought he could still beat this opponent. Then something unexpected happened, the dragon recovered. It snapped its massive head up, and glared right at something flying in the air. The dragon couldn't see very clearly because of the tears of pain, and to its blurred vision the flying bat-winged thing looked somewhat like a baby dragon come to take advantage of a wounded relative. With a bellow of rage, the wounded red dragon rose, slowly, up to its feet. Mage Killer looked at it in horror. The first time in many long years he had felt this emotion. The dragon flapped its mighty wings, and reached out a taloned arm to snatch the would-be plunderer. Mage Killer tried to fly away, but the dragon's massive tail shot out, grazing him, and tearing his cloak. As the cloak's enchantment fell away, the dragon's taloned hand reached him, and in the space of but a breath the man feared by mages everywhere was no more. Ceribus turned and ran into the forest, glad to be rid of the Mage Killer. By luck or chance he happened upon that first clearing. He dispelled his illusion, and gently buried the body. This clearing would never be the peaceful haven it once was, but at least the soul of the girl would be at peace. He must remember to have a cleric from her church stop by to say last rites for her. Ceribus sat and prayed silently that her spirit knew peace. As he was finishing he heard a noise off to one side. Standing and brushing himself off, Cer waited. Out of the brush came a face he knew well, the paladin Kmalj, resplendent in his full plate mail, polished as usual. "There you are lad!" Kmalj rumbled. "I've been looking around for you, what have you been doing?" Cer thought back, smiling he replied "Not much, just playing with a dragon, nothing important." With that he walked off into the forest. After shaking his head at Cer's statement, Kmalj joined him. -Ceribus the Wonder Monkey, 3-Headed Suicidal Protector of Idiots, and Current SOM Jester.Diamond's Beard (submitted by: D1amond 2) [This tale happened right after the great change in Neverwinter, better known as version 2.2.] ********** A cloaked figured grumbled her way through NW, vehemently complaining each time she made a wrong turn. "Dadbern flighty humans! I goes travelin fer a couple o'months an they up an change everythin! An I'll be a duergar afore I goes an asks one o'Nasher's lackeys fer directions." After fumbling about the realms and kicking a few walls, D1AMOND finally made her way to the jewelry shop she runs with her sister Emmrald. She slams open the shop door, breaking the bell on the door in the process, and glares around the shop. Seeing Emmrald sitting at her workbench, D1 says with a smirk, "At least you has the sense to not up an change everythin. Ya could'a least sent word tha' NW went on a decoratin binge." Not even looking up from her work, Em says irritatedly, "Like've had time to leave this shop. You up an leave me ta do all this werk meself and I'm supposed ta keep up with all tha changes tha 'umans....bin....up....ta....." She had forgotten what she is saying as she turned and got her first look at D1AMOND. "Whut!......yer beard!.....Whut happened to it?" Emmrald asks in pure shock. Blushing, D1 lowers her head in shame and mumbles quietly, "Sumone took it," and starts up the stairs to her room. Not quite believing her ears, Em asks incredulously, "Excuze me? Did you say sumone took yer beard?" Ashamed at her weakness and irritated at having to say it again, D1 swings around and yells, "AYE! AN UPPITY WAGGLY FINGERED ELF THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUNNY TO CASTS A SPELL ON ME AND MAKES ME BEARD DISAPPEAR!!!!!" Realizing she was shouting at her innocent sister, D1 lowers her voice and continues. "It nae be growing back either as far as I cin tell, cuz it's bin gone a for'night and nae even a whisker has grown back. Ya thinks ye cin live wit me and continya to werks wit me in me shame." Looking at D1 frankly, Em asks, "Did ye gets revenge?" "Aye," D1 answers, throws a pouch onto Em's workbench and walks upstairs and to unpack. D1 gets to her room and throws her pack on her bed when she hears a 'yelp' of surprise from downstairs. Then Em calls up to her proudly, "Ya gots all ten of them. Ther's one elf tha' nae be wagglin it's fingers anymore." ******** The first days back at the shop were hectic for D1AMOND as she helped Emmrald get caught up on the backlog of work the shop had collected in D1's absence. Then there were the books to go over, since the sisters always checked each others ciphering. Not to mention, the new ale recipe D1 brought back with her that she wanted to try and, of course, guild gossip to catch up on. After a long day and well into the night of constant work, D1 stretched back from her work and rubbed her stiff neck. With a big yawn, she scratched her chin as she decided where to cut next on the large gem before her. Feeling her bare chin she mumbled under her breath, "Damned thievin treehugger." With a growl of exasperation, Emmy, who is working next to D1, turns and says "Ya know, I've bin patient wit ya, thinkin maybe you wer too ashamed ta talk about whut 'appened ta ye. I 'ave listened ta yer continyas mumbles, grumbles an cursin fer three days now. If'n ye nae tells me whut 'appened rite now, tha nex' time ye mumbles 'bout that elf, I'm gonna start lobin' gems at ye!" With eyebrows raised and arms crossed, D1 looks over at her sister with an 'I'd like to see you try,' big sister expression on her face. "Before ye goes throwin around our livelyhood, all ye 'ad ta do was ask." D1 turn's around and starts to work again, mumbling about not leaving Em alone with the shop again because she gets to uppity. Emmrald waits for her sister to begin her tale, but after 30 seconds or so, Em realizes that it wasn't going to happen. With her hands before her, Em grits her teeth and pretends to choke her sometime infuriating sister. She takes a deep breath to calm herself and asks sweetly, with an edge of sarcasam, "D1AMOND, big sister o'mine, will you PUUUULLLLEEAAASSEE tell me whut 'appened, afore I die of curiousity." "Well fer sure lil' sister, it's about time ye asks."................ ********** D1AMOND sat back in her chair, took a sip of ale and began telling her tale. "About 2 weeks inta me trip, I came acrost a dangerous land whut was infested wit monsters too strong fer me ta kills alone. So's I met up wit some adventurers an we decides ta travels tagether. In's tha party, includin me, wer a well traveled 'uman couple and a pair o' elven brothers. Rite off I could see's tha' me an the yunger elven brother wer nae gonna be frens. He wer a theivin' airgant fingerwaggler, whut found grate pleasure at others misfortune. Tha older o' tha brothers, in reverse, was kind and honorable, an' we became fast frens. About a week inta ar jerneys, he confided in me an tol' me tha' his lil' brother had bin banished from ther elven 'omeland and tha' he 'ad chosen ta come along wit 'is brother cuz he wer tha only family he 'ad. I tol' tha older brother out rite tha' I thot he 'ad made a hairbrained decision, but after thinkin 'bout it I realized tha' I woulda done tha same thing, given 'is perdicament." With a smile D1 stopped and winked at Emmrald who was listening intently. "I could go inta some detail here 'bout the yung lads crimes an' how they finally led ta 'is banishment, but serfice it ta say tha' tha banishment taught tha lad nae a lesson one. In fact, his brother told me, it had only served ta makes him more bitter an' cruel. Ta make a long story a bits shorter, tha yung lad an' I butt 'eads more'n once. Tha main grief of which, wer his hankerin fer me special dagger whut father 'ad made fer me. He thought it wer a game ta steals it frum me an' get me angered." Looking over to her sister, D1, with sad expression on her face stated. "You knos me rules about stealin. Tha first time I caught tha lad with me dagger, whilst he wer on tha ground bleedin I explained me punishment policy. One warnin then a finger fer each time he stilt frum me. Sadly, tha lad only laughed at me an' nae took me serious. Tha older brother could see tha' I wer serious, an begged me ta have mercy on tha lad. I explained to me fren tha' law be law an' tha' his brother was gonna 'ave ta meet wit some kind of judgement other than a sissy banishment in order ta learns a lesson. Against me better judgement tho, I told me fren tha' I would just keep count an continya ta warns tha yung lad not ta steal frum me. Well, a lass cin only takes so much. Each mornin I would wake up an' me dagger would be missin. I'd go over ta tha lad, snatch his pack, get me dagger and then I'd get down inta his face and tells him, 'that's one' er two, three until I gots ta ten. Tha lad would only jeer at me an' make rude coments about bein surprised I could count. Tha final mornin of me count, not only wer me dagger missin, but tha lad had cast a spell on me in me sleep whut made me beard disappear. Enuff wer enuff an' tha yung lads older brother did nae stands in me way whilst I rendered me punishment. Tha yung lad, of course, threatened me life an vowed his vengeance. Watch yer back, blah blah blah, next time I takes you head not just yer beard, blah blah blah, and assorted nonsense. I could tell tha' he still nae learnt anythin, so's I tooks tha' fingers wit me an' told him to come get them when he be ready." Throwing her hands into the air to show the end of her story, D1 says, "No great battles or savin' of tha world as we kno it, but I guess you best watch out if a fingerless elf shows up at tha shop." D1amond Glanderlin Axepeak Elder Gor Kuld Veteran Battlerager Warden O' The Gem Cutters Master Drill SargeantEncounter at the Inn (submitted by: Felena) It was well past nightfall when they came upon a small inn and she entered, the hood of her cloak pulled over her head until she had fully surveyed those in the common room. Reaching out with her senses, she did a sweep of the room, and feeling no immediate danger seated herself at a table near the doorway. The innkeep approached her warily, as the hood still hid her face, and took her order for a bowl of Owlbear stew and bread, a mug of chilly mead and a bowl of warm cream for Cali. Though she was a knight, and fully capable of defending herself against an attack, she felt it prudent to avoid attention being drawn to herself. A woman, traveling alone invited all sorts of unwanted situations, and she was in no mood to parry the advances of male travelers already well into their cups. She payed the innkeep generously when he returned with her meal, made arrangements for Silvermyst's care, and obtained lodgings for the night. The stew was well seasoned, and plentiful, and she became full before she had finished half of it. She offered several pieces of the meat to Cali, who sat on the bench next to her, belly full of the warm cream she had purchased for him. Having eaten her fill, she pushed the bowl across the table and took up her mug, drinking deeply of the honey flavored liquid. It was chilled to perfection, and though it was an exceptional offering, it still paled in comparison to her sister Allsfaire's brew. She sat quietly, Cali curled at her side, cloak still over her head, and watched the crackling fire. It was then that she heard the door to the common room open, a gust of wind slamming the door against the wall. In the opening, stood a giant of a man, perhaps 250 stones heavy. He had to bend to enter the generously cut doorway, and all eyes turned to him as he stepped into the room. He looked at the offending door, which closed itself at his will, and swept the hood off of his head. She could feel him reaching out with his senses, and in response secured her mental barriers in place so that he might not breach her mind. The barriers had become quite strong, and he would not be able to pass them without causing her considerable pain. The traveler's gaze rested upon her, she could sense it even though she had not met his gaze. After a bit, she lifted her head and met his curious glance, her hood falling from around her face. An evil smile curled his lips, though she did not turn from it. Cali, sensing her unrest, rose from his nap to sit beside her, attentive to the scene unfolding. "So, what have we here," he said, moving toward her table. Felena sighed deeply, knowing trouble was inevitable. "A lass, unescorted in these parts? My, my!" His evil chuckle echoed through the room, and the others there just watched, as if they feared him worse than death. "You speak to a knight of the Round Table, sir, not just a traveling lass'. I will thank thee to trouble me not with thy foolish advances, for I am in no mood just now to deal with them." He lifted an eyebrow in response and said, "Quite small for a Knight are ye not? Ye do not look so threatening to me, young lass." Those seated in the common room responded with muted chuckles. "Might I remind thee sir, that it does not take imposing size to be an expert spell caster? Again, I warn thee, do not trouble me. I wish to finish my meal in peace." He threw his head back and laughed, long and hard, Felena looking upon him unimpressed. She sat quietly, judging her location, and surveying the room. Again, the man spoke, "Come now, lass, surely ye wish a spot of company this night." He grinned at those seated around him, as if enlisting their support. "Company is the furthest thing from my mind, sir," she responded. " I wish merely to be left in peace." Surprised that he had not made her shrink in fear, he moved menacingly toward her, Cali responding by folding back his ears, hissing a warning at the man. Felena reached out, calming Cali with her touch, all the while keeping visual contact with her oppressor. "Do not step any closer sir. I do not wish trouble this night." "Trouble? That is indeed what ye shall have, Lady Knight. I am not used to having my wishes thwarted by a mere woman!!" As he spoke, he reached out, grabbing her by the arm and pulled her easily from her seat on the bench. As soon as her feet touched the floor once again, Felena's hands began glowing red, and she locked them onto the arms of her attacker. She allowed the full force of the spell to flow through her, down her arms centering into her hands, burning her hand prints into his flesh to his utter astonishment. His eyes glossed over with pain, and he released her, crumbling to his knees. Felena immediately cast her spells of preparation for what she was sure would be a continuation of this encounter. To her surprise, the man did not rise from his knees. She stood at the ready, nonetheless, waiting and watching warily. "M'lady, I beg mercy," he said to her, not raising his eyes from the floor. "I am but a rogue fighter with no spell casting abilities to speak of save a few tricks like closing doors. I would not stand a chance against thee in battle. I stand defeated before all these assembled here, and pledge to thee my fealty if thee wouldst but grant me my life." Felena looked upon him there, in his shame, and spoke calmly and evenly to him, though there was no doubt in the minds of those present that she meant what she did say. "Raise thy eyes from the floor and meet my gaze, sir!" The man did so, and she continued, sweeping the room with her gaze as she spoke. My name is Lady Felena MacRorie, Knight of the Round Table. Our order is sworn to uphold peace and protect the innocent in Tyr's name. I take that vow seriously," she said directly to the man before her. "I shall pass through here regularly, as this town is on my route from Camelot to my home in Winterbrook. Should I ever find that thou has returned to thy menacing ways of intimidation, I shall personally see that ye suffer thy just punishment." She met his eyes, then and asked. "Do I make myself perfectly clear?" "Aye, m'lady, ye do indeed!" he exclaimed, cowering in fear of possible retribution. "In addition to what I have said to thee thus far, I assign thee to protect this inn from interlopers, such as thyself, under the supervision of yon innkeep. I shall have regular communication with him as to the performance of said duties. Do not fail to keep thy vow!" Her gaze rested upon him, eyes meeting his with full determination. He held the gaze briefly, then again looked to the floor. "I shall do as thou hast instructed, M'lady MacRorie. Ye shall have no reason pursue further punishment. For my word is my bond." "Rise then from the floor, that I might see to thy wounds," Felena said to him, motioning to the bench at her table. The man looked at her in surprise, having not expected further mercy from the Knight, though he rose and took a seat on the bench. Felena reached into her pouch, pulling forth a jar of the healing salve made in her home of Winterbrook. She paused for a moment, as the healing properties of the salve left virtually no scars behind, considering whether to leave the marks of her hands upon his arms as a reminder would be deserved. She pushed the thought from her mind though, feeling as though he had been punished enough for one night. Setting the jar upon the table, she settled into a healing trance, kneeling before him and placing her hands onto the wounds they had made. She could feel the flesh repairing itself under her touch, and worked until the raw scars were all that could be seen. She then spread a generous portion of the salve upon the wounds, placing a little of the salve into a clean cloth and presenting it to him with instructions to apply it again for the next several nights. He thanked her again for her generosity, as she placed the jar into her pack, drained her mug of mead, now room temperature to her disappointment. She nodded acknowledgment to him as she gathered her belongings and scooped Cali up from his place on the bench, turning toward the stairway leading to her room. "M'lady MacRorie?" His voice was quiet and humble. She turned back to him, meeting his gaze and waited for him to continue. "Might I offer my services in seeing to thy horse, and then standing guard at thy door this night that ye may rest comfortably?" She smiled at him in response, nodded her thanks and continued to her room. True to his word, she found him standing guard at her door when she opened it the next morning as she went down the stairs to the common room to break her fast. Her morning meal consisted of fruit of the vine, bread and warm gruel, which she ate quickly so that she might continue on her journey with no further ado. Having gathered all her belongings, she preceded into the adjoining stables to retrieve Silvermyst, who to her surprise had been prepared for their departure, and stood at the ready. She saw his shadow near the stall, and turned to him, thanking him for caring for Silvermyst. As she pulled herself into the saddle, the man bowed to her, assuring her she would hear of no further trouble from him. She smiled in response, saying she would expect that to be the case, as she rode out of the stables to resume her journey to Winterbrook.The Tale of Logarth - Book One (submitted by: Logarth) ** Herein lies the first book in the life story of the renegade drow known as Logarth Z'Saarr, a capable fighter and mage and admittedly one of the best thieves in all the realms. Watch both yourself and your valuables when he is around for he is sly, cunning and ruthless. He serves no master, only himself, but is unquestioningly loyal to those he calls brother..... Menzoberranzen.... Only one word, but it conveys many things to many races: cruelty, deceit, death, fear, evil.... But to many drow, it means home, just as it did for me at one time. I was born the third son of the house Z'Saarr, a minor noble house of Menzoberranzen. Normally, this is a position to be coveted and respected but not so within house Z'Saarr. I grew up learning to fear and even loathe my two older brothers and sister Vergha, a high priestess of Lloth. My brothers would torment me and mercilessly beat me just for sport. I was helpless to defend myself against them because I was so much younger than they. I vividly recall the torture I endured at the end of my sisters snake headed whip, and it is something that makes me cringe still today. I vowed one day to exact my revenge upon them all. I soon learned house Z'Saarr tends to be one of the most treacherous and cruel in all the Underdark, especially within it's own family. I manifested my innate magical abilities at a very early age and demonstrated a remarkable capacity for other forms of magic as well so the Matron Mother decided I would pursue them further. My magical studies were overseen by my brother Kendrazz, who was a high ranking member of Sorcere, the mage school at the famed academy Tier Breche, and through his tutelage I progressed quickly. The weapons training all drow undergo came easy to me and I developed deadly skill for the long sword, dagger and trident. I soon found myself able to best all my instructors save one, my eldest brother and weapons master of House Z'Saarr, Xarglesh. Due to my varied skills the Matron Mother became interested in me and started keeping tabs on my activities. Soon after, she secretly summoned me to her chambers where she told me that she had been watching my progress and was pleased to see that I was becoming such a capable fighter and mage. She also said she wanted me to develop skills in other areas in order to round out my talents and make me a more versatile tool. She rejoiced that I would become her most powerful weapon against the other houses. "One day soon you will be approached by a stranger who will tell you he was sent by me. Listen to and obey this stranger as you would me for he will be responsible for your other training. Do not disobey or anger him for he is far more dangerous than you would care to find out.", she warned. I waited expectantly for this mysterious stranger to reveal himself to me but he never showed himself. After a couple weeks I had all but pushed thoughts of the stranger to the back of my mind. One day as I was traveling through a rather deserted section of Menzoberranzen, a figure suddenly melted out of the shadows right next to me and rasped my name. Startled by the sudden appearance of this person shrouded in shadows and darkness, I instinctively went for my dagger only to find an empty sheath. Intent on protecting myself with magic I reached for my bag of spell components discovering the severed ends of the tie that used to hold the bag on my belt. The figure chuckled. "Looking for these are you?", he asked while displaying my dagger in one hand and my bag in his other. I could only gape in disbelief as I saw what he held, thinking I must have dropped them a ways back. That failed to explain the severed tie though, and I realized he must have taken them from me without my knowing his presence or actions. "I see by your puzzled expression you have yet to figure out who I am. Your Matron Mother has sent me for you. It seems I am to be your newest mentor." Sudden realization hit me like a boulder. This was the stranger I had been waiting for. He continued, "My real name is not important, but I am known throughout this city as Veldrins." Veldrins!! Before me stood the most notorious thief (and reportedly assassin) in all of the Underdark, and I was to become his apprentice. Now I realized why the Matron Mother kept referring to me as her "tool" and her "most powerful weapon". Tossing my dagger and bag to me he said "Return here when the fires of Narbondel grow dim. Tonight we begin your training." That night, I returned as instructed and began learning the art of being a thief. I continued meeting with Veldrins whenever he instructed, never meeting at the same place or at the same time of day twice in a row. "Secrecy and stealth are our greatest assets" was a favored saying of his. He seemed to know my every move for our meetings never conflicted with my other activities which allowed me to keep up with my magical studies and practice with my weapons whenever possible. I grew more skillful and deadly with each passing day performing various tasks under his tutelage. Not only did I learn the typical thief skills such as picking pockets, scaling walls, breaking into secure buildings and using shadows to hide myself, I also learned to present myself as a "respectable" member of society and I developed three identities to pick and choose from depending upon the circumstances. When I approached the age of adulthood, the Matron Mother demanded an especially challenging blooding of me (the drow ritual that signifies when a drow child enters into adulthood) in order to test my skills and see if my training was progressing satisfactorily. I was given a most fearsome task, to singularly track down and slay a hook horror that had been ravaging the outer edges of the city. I armed myself with a finely crafted but non-magical longsword and enchanted dagger, gathered my spellbook and components and set off in search of my prey. A full week I spent alone in the wilds of the Underdark, ceaselessly stalking my prey and calling upon all of my training to avoid and overcome the varied dangers of the Underdark. Finally, my perseverance paid off and I found the lair of the hook horror. No sooner had I entered the beasts lair, my acute elven senses warned me of approach from behind. Reflexively, I dropped down and rolled forward drawing my sword, narrowly avoiding having my head separated from my shoulders by the beasts razor sharp claws. Regaining my feet I spun to meet my foe, just able to dodge the beasts mad rush. For what seemed like hours (but was in actuality mere minutes) all was a flurry of activity: slash, cut, parry, dodge. I began to tire against the beasts unnatural strength and started taking a multitude of minor slashes from its claws and a particularly nasty wound to the shoulder. It was bleeding from a couple of cuts but seemed to be largely unaffected due to its plate-like armored hide. I started to fear that alone I was no match for the beast. ***SNAP*** I watched in dismay as my longsword broke to the hilt on the armored exoskeleton of the horror and with a mighty blow from its' claw I tumbled across the room. Lying on the floor, dazed and confused, I watched the creature approach. Relying solely on instinct I thrust forth my hand and white darts of magical light sped unerringly toward the beast rocking it back a few yards. Realization forced its way into my pain clouded mind and I searched my spells to keep on the offensive. Knowing that a fireball in the close quarters of the chamber would also spell my death, I cast the next most powerful spell I had at my disposal. ****CRACK**** The lightning bolt flew from my fingers, dancing through the air, lighting the chamber with an unearthly glow, striking the horror square in the chest and passing out its back continuing toward the rock wall. The beast bellowed in pain and for the first time fear. Luck was on my side after all as the lightning bolt struck the wall and ricocheted toward the ceiling where it struck a grouping of stalactites which dislodged and rained down upon the horror causing little damage but distracting its' attention. Calling upon my innate magical powers I conjured a globe of darkness around the beasts head then immediately cast a spell of spider climbing. Up the wall and across the ceiling I scurried, dropping down to the ground when I was above and slightly behind the monster, drawing my enchanted dagger while in the air. Upon landing I took my blade in a two-handed grip, raised it above my head and threw myself at the beasts back for all I was worth. The blade plunged deep and true, into the soft flesh between two of the armored plates. The beast screamed in rage and I plunged my blade in yet again, this time feeling satisfaction as the life slipped from the beast. It convulsed and quivered on my blade, then died. I passed out moments later from fatigue and loss of blood. I awakened sometime later very much bruised and battered, but alive. After tending my wounds the best I could I explored the beasts lair. Searching the remains of the beasts previous victims I came across a trident and a few pieces of jewelry including a ring. Upon further examination of my loot, the trident proved to be made out of a single piece of adamantite and have been enchanted with the most powerful of magic. The ring also proved to be enchanted, but its exact nature escaped me. Gathering up my gear and the head of the hook horror, I proceeded back to Menzoberranzen. The trip home proved to be uneventful and I was able to present myself to the Matron Mother in her audience chamber that very same night. I recounted my tale to all in the chamber and offered up my trophy as proof. The Matron Mother accepted my trophy and declared my blooding successfully completed at which time she declared a grand feast be held in my honor and presented me with a magic longsword. Once again summoning me to her private chambers secretly the next day, the Matron Mother praised me on my accomplishment saying that I had proved to be more resourceful and powerful than she ever imagined. She bestowed two additional gifts upon me, a ring of protection and bracers of protection saying they would serve me better in certain situations than bulkier armor would. She then detailed for me how I would serve her in various roles as thief, spy and ultimately assassin, taking on tasks that I must never reveal to anyone. I was informed that failure or discovery even once would result in the worst punishment available... being turned into a drider! Such is the wrath of the Matron Mother. So I served her in these secret missions, and I served her well, although I didn't always agree with or like what was my duty to her. Never once did I hesitate or question her orders or judgment no matter what dangerous or vile act I had to perform in her name. My brothers, unknowing of my clandestine operations, started resenting my seemingly carefree life with no obligations. After all, I had not been required to serve in the House Guard as a company officer or to join Sorcere and vie for a ruling seat like other wizards. Their resentment quickly turned to hatred and they started plotting my death. House Z'Saarr was planning a raid upon the surface world, one that would hopefully gain our house the favor of Lloth. I was surprised to find that my sister Vergha would be accompanying the raiders. Even more surprised was I when the Matron Mother told me I would also accompany the raiders to ensure nothing happened to Vergha. I gathered the necessities and outfitted myself with the tools of my trade: I slipped my lockpicks into my vest, bundled together my spellbook and components, strapped my longsword on my hip, tucked my dagger into its boot sheath and took up my trident in hand, securing its harness across my back. Now I was ready to go. The raiding party left within the hour under the leadership of Xarglesh who traveled in the company of Vergha and Kendrazz. I traveled in the rear of the party, being unobtrusive and keeping pretty much to myself, not desiring the company of my siblings. After three weeks of constant travel, we arrived at one of the hidden exits to the surface world. We made camp, resting and preparing for the better part of a day, needing nightfall before we could strike. Finally night came and we prepared to leave. Creeping forth, we encircled the village of the surface elves. While waiting for the others to get into position I began to study our victims. I noticed a figure wrapped in a hooded cloak skulking around the shadows outside a tavern. I had to suppress a chuckle as I saw the cutpurse ply his trade outside the busy tavern in this sleepy little village, carefully picking his marks and secretly relieving them of their valuables. Finally, all were in position and the attack was launched. Rank upon rank of drow soldiers flooded from the surrounding forest into the unsuspecting village. I could only stand there, transfixed as I watched the horror unfold before me. Surely in my day I had been responsible for a number of deaths but always it was delivered quickly and as painlessly as possible. The torture and butchery I witnessed sickened me. The drow soldiers were actually enjoying and reveling in the slaughter of these defenseless elves. At the forefront of the slaughter I saw Vergha and Xarglesh. They stood upon the steps of the tavern covered in blood, hacking away at the dead and dying while laughing maniacally. Spurred into action by the sight of a figure fleeing into the trees behind the tavern, I dashed across the battlefield and stealthily pursued knowing we could not afford to let anyone summon help. My prey was good, but not nearly as good as I and I soon caught up with him. Without breaking stride I drew my dagger from my boot and launched it at the fleeing figure. My aim was true and the heavy hilt of the weapon struck him square in the back of the head instantly felling him to the forest floor. As I rolled him over prepared to deliver the deathblow I was taken aback. This was the cutpurse I was watching just minutes ago. Surprise and confusion filled me when I noticed that his skin was rather dusky, much darker than any of the surface elves but lighter than my own, his chin and cheeks had a sparse cover of whiskers, and the hair spilling from the hood of his cloak covering his pointed ears was pure white. Stunned by the revelation that this mysterious cutpurse had drow blood, I stood and prepared to leave. I felt there was no need to kill him, for he would be unconscious and therefore unable to get help for many hours. "Brother....." the word was dripping with venom. I turned to see Xarglesh standing across the clearing, his massive broadsword drawn and menace in his eyes. Kendrazz was at his side a feral smile upon his lips. "So you decided to join us after all.", said Xarglesh. "Good thing this surface dweller didn't manage to slay you. Now we get that satisfaction." Instantly I lashed out and cast a mighty fireball in their direction hoping to end this confrontation quickly. To my dismay, I heard Kendrazz cackle in glee as they walked toward me through the magical fires unscathed. "You think your puny magic is a match for mine?", he asked. Suddenly, I found myself unable to move or even breathe, rising up off the ground a good four feet or so noticing my mysterious ring sent a tingle through my hand. It felt as if I were caught in the clutches of a storm giant and he was squeezing the life out of me. I knew then and there I was about to die. "Not too quickly now" I heard Xarglesh say. "I want to see him suffer before we kill him." The pain was excruciating, my lungs felt as if they were going to burst so badly did I need oxygen. Everything was fading to black and I realized I was going to suffocate. As quickly as I found myself caught in the magical embrace, I found myself gasping for air and falling to the ground. The force that had been holding me disappeared! I weakly looked up in time to see Kendrazz give a mighty jerk and make a gurgling sound as the point of a blade emerged from his throat just underneath his chin. The still body of my brother slipped to the ground revealing the shadowy figure of my rescuer. Xarglesh spun in a blur of movement as he raised his mighty broadsword and swung at the shadowy figure. I could only lay there and recover my breath watching as he struck my unknown savior in the right side, the blade biting deep and true. He kicked the body free of his sword and turned to face me. "Little brother, you have been a thorn in my side for too long. You, the favored of our Matron Mother, believe us to be beneath you and also feel you have no need to fulfill your duty to House Z'Saarr. For this I will kill you where you stand. You know you cannot hope to defeat me. Prepare to die." Having said that, he was upon me. I dove to the side avoiding his mighty blade and recovered my dropped trident. I came to my feet, crouched in a fighting stance, trident held before me. We circled each other warily, testing each other with feints and lunges, knowing each others strengths and weaknesses, looking for the elusive opening that would give us an edge. STOP!!!! Boomed a voice we both knew all to well. We turned to see our sister, a high priestess of Lloth enter the clearing. "What is the meaning of this fight between kin?" she asked. As I tried relating what happened, my dear brother was proclaiming me a liar insisting that I was the one who jumped him. SILENCE.. both of us magically lost the ability to speak. She glanced around, taking in the scene of our battle. "Dear Lloth", she murmured upon seeing Kendrazz's lifeless form "I will get to the bottom of this." She bent down and examined his corpse, removing the blade from his throat. After taking a careful look around her she bade Xarglesh come to her. I smiled, thinking she surmised the truth and was about to punish Xarglesh. She turned to face me and walked forward, stopping only a few yards from me, death in her eyes. "Logarth, do you recognize this blade?" I gasped and ice filled my veins as I saw that the dagger she took from Kendrazz's throat was none other than my own favored blade. Xarglesh was grinning evilly from ear to ear. "I find your dagger buried deep in our other brothers throat, yet you expect me to believe you are the innocent here. I now know you to be not only responsible for our brother's death, but also, more importantly, of putting this raiding party in jeopardy and incurring the wrath of Lloth upon our house. As a high priestess of the Spider Queen I pronounce you to be sacrificed to her.... immediately." She raised her hands and started praying to Lloth to take me in appeasement of her wrath. A great sheet of flame burst forth from her hands to engulf me. For a second I felt the intense heat of her clerical magic, then the mysterious ring on my hand gave a great vibration and turned the awesome power of her spell back upon her as it crumbled to dust. She screamed to Lloth as the flames engulfed her form and Xarglesh could only stand there slack jawed and watch. Seizing the advantage I hefted my trident and hurled it with all my force toward my brother. It struck him right in the chest, the enchanted points of the weapon easily cleaving through his fine chain armor and pinning him to the tree behind him. Drawing my longsword I moved to Vergha and severed her head, ending her pitiful cries. After ensuring there were no other threats in the area I gathered up my belongings. I bent down next to the still form of my rescuer, curious to see who had saved my life. It was none other that the mysterious halfdrow, and amazingly enough he was still alive, but barely. I recovered an undamaged potion of extra-healing from my sisters corpse and returned to the halfdrow. His heartbeat was faint and his breathing was ragged and shallow. I feared I was too late. Opening his lips I dribbled most of the potion down his throat. The little left I administered directly to the hideous gash in his right side. The wound started to close a little and the bleeding all but stopped. Also his heartbeat felt stronger and he was breathing more regular. I started hearing sounds of approaching search parties, no doubt looking for their missing officer. I made a decision right then and there. I knew I could never return to Menzoberranzen. The slaying of my brothers could be excused and forgiven as justified, but I had also slain a high priestess of Lloth. There would be no mercy for me. I would be given to the priestesses to be transformed into a drider, to serve out the rest of my days as a half-man half-spider beast. I would be an example to all of what happens to those who go against Lloth's wishes. Knowing this, I scooped up the halfdrow and glided off into the woods in search of shelter, now destined to be a creature of the surface world... ** Such ends the first book of Logarth's tale **Zindio Waits (submitted by: Zindio) Zindio's fire burned to glowing embers, shining in the night like an Ogre's eye. The wind is sharp with the coldness of death, Zindio stares at the remains of his fire deep in thought. "Cawww, Cawww." Startled Zindio reaches for his weapon. A Hugh black crow lands inches from his feet. Zindio thinks,"Dinner" The hugh bird darts forward in a fighting stance, Zindio readies his trident to take the offending creature to his gate. The bird raises its wings and does a dance of old Elfin magic, then promptly steals a brownie from Zindio's stash given him by Luthyen. "Enough, vile creature, those be mine!" Zindio yells. The crow stops, looks at Zindio, and does the routine again. It looks at Zindio with wide intelligent eyes and for a third time goes into the routine. Zindio stops his killing motion, mouth drops open, smiles and puts the Trident away. A messenger from Star he muses. Star Aura has given Zindio the go ahead to re train to Fighter/Magic User/Thief. Zindio sits down, gets a brownie from his everlasting tin and gives the bird a bite. Now turning to the stars Zindio says,"Scorp me lad, watch yer back, Zindio knows the rules this time and me handbook don't say anything about illegal tools." "Heh, Heh, yer name be on the gate." Zindio leaves the grounds and heads for the training room. ====>Morning finds Zindio tired but exuberant, whistling and old Elfin tune. " Me training is over'" he muses, " Low score on me dexterity but, acceptable." The battles as a Ranger had scarred his hands, and left broken bones in both legs so his score was only a 16 on dexterity but acceptable for his new profession< Fighter/Magic User/Thief> The red faced Half-Elf picked up his purple beret and headed for his vault. Inside the vault Zindio withdrew his +3 Trident,Cloak, and the other things he had deposited before training. "Now", he thought,"I be ready to fight." Zindio headed for the wharves, confident that his fighting skills were in order, and now, He had magic! The first encounter was a Kobold, stepping out of the shadows to rob him, THWACK, the trident came down on a bald head, to the gate sailed the would be robber. "Hades!" he said, "I forgot about me magic." Walking along furthe two Orcs ran out at him. Zindio promptly cast a sleep spell, forgot to target and went to sleep. Embarrased, Zindio woke up at the gate, bruised but alive. " More to this magic thing than I thought." he mused. After memorizing his spell, Zindio headed for southwall. Several fights later the TP Cadet was back in shape. To Vilnast he headed, straight through to the inn, fighting his way there he was feeling good again. In Vilnast he joined a new adventurer, Ljdragn, LJ followed Zindio into Willo's house and out the secret door, down the path south and west. The first fight was fine, Rats and wolves, a bit further north, a Cloud Giant and Anahegs ambushed them, if it werent for the help of several other fighters both of them would have been gated. Zindio camped for the night planning his next expedition for the next day. Early the next day Zindio headed back to Neverwinter, across the plaza and to the wharves. He joined a new adventurer by the name of MntDewer, together they traveled to Floodbest. Many fights later Zindio and Mtndewer camped and talked. Zindio convinced his new friend to make an application to The Protectorate Guild for Cadet status. The next evening Zindio made his way, alone, to Nightsedge. At the bend going south into Nightsedge twice Zindio was attacked by Owlbears, Twice he was gated. Contemplating his next action at the walkway between Floodbest and The Wharves, a voice shouted" Hail Cadet!" Looking up Zindio saw BoltThrwer, an Elf soldier from The Protectorate. "Hail Sire," he said. "May the trees be above ye." BoltThrwer stood and talked awhile to the Cadet when Ldy Tarma crossed the path, "Hail MiLady." Boltthrwr said, " And where ye be going tonight?" "Why hellow my dear," she said, "Just waiting for Fireforged, Hail Cadet." she said. Zindio looked up and saw a lovely lady dressed in a robe and holding a stick. Zindio bowed, saluted and said "Hail MiLady." "Where ye be headed my dear." she said. "To Nightsedge'" Zindio replied. "But the owlbears are to much for me at this time." "I'll be glad to accompany you my dear," she said, "Fire can find me." The cadet bade farewell to Boltthrwr and followed Ldy Tarma. Into Nightsedge they they went, fight after fight they emerged victorious, Zindio killing three and Ldy Tarma killing the rest their path was filled with the acid stench of burning flesh from her powerful fire bolts. Ldy Tarma stopped on the path, Zindio figited restlesly, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Finally she turned, smiled, and said, " Excuse me my dear, I was Esp ing." " Ok with me." said Zindio, "Lets go." A few kilometers down the bushy path alongside a stream they were attacked by six Owlbears and a huge insect. " Stay back my dear," she said" These things are too much for you." Zindio, eager to please rushed to behind Ldy Tarma as an Owlbear attacked from behind. Zindio's Trident bounced off a thick skull, irritating the huge adversary. " Oh, Oh!" he exclaimed. Ldy Tarma turned around and killed the offender, "Stay back, go above the fight." she said. Zindio zipped up to the left and turned around. Into the fray stepped a neatly dressed gentelman, "Hellow my dear," he said. " I've got a present for you." He then swatted an owlbear, killing it on the spot. " Why thank you." she said, throwing a lightning bolt killing the insect. " How sweet of you" Meantime Zindio, frustrated because he was told to stay out of the battle was runing back and forth, up and down, and around the upper pasture. "Stay still, stop bouncing around, little one. Stop that ye bouncy Cadet." Said Fireforged. " I've got an itch on me back." said Zindio. "Use the tree my dear." said Ldy Tarma, killing the last of the beasts. The two then ignored Zindio, hugged, kissed and wispered into each other's ears. Fireforged gave her something wrapped and tied with a ribbon. They turned to Zindio and said "Let's go you impatient cadet." and off to the north they moved. Entering the outskirts of what looked like a deserted town the group was attacked by hugh lizards. Zindio rushed in and killed the first one, turned and saw the other couple kissing. A bolt of lightning from Fireforged killed two more lizards, fire shot out of Ldy Tarma's hands and another died. Down to one, Zindio tried to kill the last one but was blocked by the two lovers, hugging and whispering in each other's ears. " How do ye get any fighting done?" Zindio said, exasperated by their antics. Fireforged, turned and smiled, strode down to the last lizard, and promtly killed it. The party then headed for the inn. Zindio, tired and bruised, paid the five gold pieces and found a room in the rundown inn. "Goodnight cadet." said Fireforged. "Don't go out by yourself dear." said Ldy Tarma. Zindio sat down crosslegged, smiled back, saluted and thanked the two for their help. The training hall was down the street, Zindio had made up his mind to leave in the morning, train to level two, and then head eastward toward Tri Boar.Of a Pact with the Devil (submitted by: Luthyen) Luthyen unstrung her bow and slid it through the loops on her Backpack of Carrying. She loosened Star Seeker in the scabard, and adjusted the pack on her back. It was a long walk back to NW, and she wanted to be prepared, for the Woods could be unkind to the unwary. As she began to walk, she felt the peculiar fuzziness of thought that accompanied a projected message, and heard a voice inside her head. "Hello, " it said in pleasant tones. "Um..do I know thee?" Luthyen thought back. "No..but I have to kill you," came the somewhat regretful reply. Luthyen stopped walking and shook her head. She squeezed her eyes tight shut and rubbed them with the heels of her hands, then opened them again. Sunlight streamed through the pines along the lake shore, and birds were singing, and somewhere a voice was saying in her head that she was to die. "Why?" she asked. "I sold my soul to the devil, " came the thought. "I am Tarnavus, a cleric, and I gave in to temptation and surrendered to evil. Now I must pay up. You see, " he continued," I made a pact with PrimeDevil. In exchange for... certain favors..I sold him my soul. The price was what he would later ask of me. And what he asked, " again the voice became mournful, "was that I kill you." "But why would he want you to kill me?" she responded, puzzled. "Because he likes you." Luthyen laughed out loud, startling a doe crossing the clearing in front of her. "Tis a strange way he has of showing it, " she replied to Tarnavus. "I shall not be easy prey for ye,..... or for him, " she warned. "I have no intention of dying." "I know..but I am a cleric..." "Maxxed, I suppose?" "Oh yes..." came that thought, with still the tinge of sadness coloring it. "I dont want to do it..but the contract was signed in blood..it is quite binding." "Um..I suppose ye know that my family in the Protectorate will nae take kindly to this? Ye may be in an uncomfortable position quite soon....." "Yes, I know...." came the voice, and now sounded mournful for itself more than for her. "Well, why did ye warn me? Did ye expect me to run?" Luthyen shook her head. TP did not run.. "Because I don't want to hurt you....and I wanted your family to defend you...." the voice was growing fainter now. "Farewell........" it said and faded out. Luthyen resumed her walk, then quickened to a trot, and soon was running swiftly and silently through the woods in the direction of Nightsedge. "Hmmmm," she thought. "I am a little out of practice since Gambit is gone and I have not been sparring....I'll send a message to Phantra.. I believe it's time for a little refresher course in paladin battle tactics vs. clerics.." Luthyen Lady of Castle Stalker The ProtectorateThe Arrival of KAAOS (submitted by: Mad Drunk) Searching through the possessions of a long dead adventurer, the thief finds the diary of ITB Scorp. The first portion is written in a almost illegible hand, as though the person was completely consumed by fear. The last portion was inked in blood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I awake to a scream. Peering out of the ditch that was my bed, I see countless citizens of Neverwinter running for their very lives. From what, I know not. The acidic rain pounds hard into the ground, sizzling with each drop, and leaving a hazy green mist throughout the city. The sun shines through the ominous clouds with a deep red fury, burning through the eyes of the unfortunate who look at it. I can come to only one conclusion, hell has come to Neverwinter. Neverwinter guards fight valiantly to maintain order in the center of the city. Spells of protection are cast, yet their defenses slowly weaken. Soldier after soldier falls to the unrelenting acidic rain and the anger of the transformed sun. They are no match against the obvious perversion of evil that has claimed Neverwinter as its home. I knew then, I was truely doomed. A large gateway forms in the center of the square, ripping and destroying all in its path, and the first demon steps through the gate. It looks nothing like any demon I've ever seen, but pure evil radiates around it like a beacon of night, scaring me more than any demon ever could. I want to fall to my knees and beg for my life, for my very soul. More forms emerge from the gateway, and the first unholy one is joined by its evil brethren. Time and space distorts for a brief instant, as the last minion of pure evil arrives, and the gateway shimmers out of existence. Those that survived the acid rain and blazing sun, scream in pure terror. The guards of Neverwinter move to protect the weak, forming a pathetic line of defense in a vain attempt to protect the citizens and the place they call home. I lay still in the ditch, wanting to run, but unable to take my eyes from the unholy yet glorious spectical. The leader, (I assume he was the leader since he arrived first), steps towards the guards, squashing a dead child's skull under the heel of his boot. The guards cower in fear and the evil one begins to speak in a loud and thunderous voice, "Bow down mortals, for KAAOS has arrived. We are your gods, and you are our slaves." A woman sobs loudly, holding her horrible scarred child to her chest. Malhavok notes the woman and signals to the god standing next to him. A form of jet black steps forth, pure evil extends from his fingertips, and the woman is silenced forever. I continue to watch in awe from the ditch, completely captivated by the scene unfolding before me. The leader of the gods, nods his head towards the legion of KAAOS. A single shrill scream turns my attention to the right. By the time I turn my attention back to the gods, the fight has begun. What I saw next, is impossible for any sane person to describe. The gods moved with deadly efficiency, literally ripping each victim limb from limb. Images of blood, gore, violence and death painted through my mind. I wanted to vomit, but most of all, I wanted to die. They must have felt my plea, for one of the evil ones appeared before me, 9" serrated dagger raised, and the battle faded into utter and complete blackness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Emerld, the Cad and Ego (submitted by: Ego Prime) The Goodie Emerld sat alone in her room.... born with goodness and a silver spoon. She was courted by many and shunned most away.... til a cloaked figure entered her life that memerable day. Never had she beheld such a magnificient sight.... as the mage of darkness was illuminated in light. With his ebony skin and eyes of scarlet hue.... he held her attention as she gazed at the view. And just as fast as the GOD appeared.... he vanished like that and raised her fears. Now time did pass and she thought herself saved.... from the evil he was but remembered his gaze. Then one night while alone she travelled the realms.... and encountered a Cad who did give her hell. She called for help but her cries went for naught.... no staff came to aid her so she came up with this thought. "I must find someone, someone who.... is more evil and powerful than any I knew". And that is when she opened her heart.... and called upon Ego to help on her part. Now yes I did help, a few words were exchanged.... between the Cad and Ego and everything changed. To this day he has never been seen.... the only remains is his severed spleen. But the story doesn't end, it has barely begun.... for to ask evil for help is to nurture it's son. And now that she has, her soul is on loan.... to Ego and KAAOS and Hell Hole his home! <> Calgar and the Thief (submitted by: Lrd Calgar) "WHERE IS HE !?" Lord Calgar screamed. "I WANT THE THIEF BROUGHT TO ME!" and out of the corner of his eye he saw a shadow bend into an ally. "STOP MISERABLE LITTLE WORM" Running as fast as he can to catch up to the faceless shadow he turns the corner, a dead end, with no one in site. As Calgar pondered the possible escape routes his mood started to shift. "It's gonna be a long day." "Hail Lord Calgar:)" a voice rings out. "Vendu' my lady, Sara" he replies. "I trust things are well with you my lady?" "They are," she says with confidence, "But you don't seem to be in a good mood" "Aye my lady, I was just robbed." Calgar say's with a sad look in his eye's. "What did they get?" "Me Amulet of Health was taken" "A terrible crime sir, I am Sorry." she say's as she looks towards the ground. With an uplifting voice she exclaims "WELL WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? LET'S GO AFTER HIM!" A gleam appears in Calgars eyes "YES"... "LET US TRACK HIM TO THE ENDS OF THE REALM, AND MAKE HIM SORRY FOR HIS TRECHARY." With this the two comrades set off in search of a thief. Stoping at the local inn, they gave the discription of the thief and asked if any-one has seen him. To there disapointment no-one would respond. Not even the inn keeper had anything to say. Then a voice spoke up, "Hail Calgar, I think I saw a man fiting the discription" "Where?" Calgar responded. "Headed towards the Wharves, it looked like" "Many thanks good sir, I am in you debt" Calagar said with a bow. The man interjected "Lord Calgar, if I may join you I am an excellent tracker." "What do you think Sara?" "Why not?" She replies with a smile "The more the better" "Come then, join us Ganeth Kar." And they left the inn, the three of them on a mission to serve justice. Kar proved to be quite a good tracker indeed. Avoiding wolves that could smell our sent a mile away, and the large Viltrask's that usually accompanied the wolves. With the good graces of Tyr they made it to the Vilnask inn. A dark and lonesome place it was, they were the only costumers on this evening. It was getting late so the group decided to rest and get some food. An hour had past and the sun had set when Calgar said "It is dark outside, Ganeth Kar your skill's will be truly tested now" "Night or day, the prey always leaves a trail that I can follow." Kar said. "Well then let's go catch a thief." Sara said with exuberation. Not more than 100 yard's from the bar they could a small crowd gathered neer an ally, Sara went to investigate. As she aprouched the scene the croud started to fan out. Then one of them shouted "Get them!". " Thieves!" Sara shouted as sparks started to gather around her fingers, and a bolt of lightning arced awy from her outstreched arms towrds the leader of this band of cut-throats. "I am on my way!" Calgar shouted as he prepared to fire a devistating fire ball at the main group of the thieves. An arrow whistles past Sara's head with precision aim, Ganeth Kar drops the front thief in one shot, "It's all in the wrist" he exclaims. Then the sound of the tell tale fire ball cause the very ground to shake as the remainig thieves are insinerated by the explosion going of in front of them, "They wont be bothering us any-more." "Lord Calgar! Over hear" Kar exclaims. "What is it Ganeth?" "A clue to our thief, I think" Ganeth Kar had found a piece map. A stamp in the corner, "It look's like a purple squid, the sign of the thieves guild. Perhaps our thief has just given away his hiding place. Come on! It's not far from here. Now we will show the thieves of Neverwinter that they can't just steal from anyone!" The adventurer's set out, following the map as it lead them throught the woods. Bends in the road made it difficult to defend if there were an ambush. But Ganeth would not be hindered. Around a corner the map got cut off, with the path continuing on ahead of them. "Well," said Kar "I have a fealing there is simething nearby that the map is not showing us." "Every-one look for a possible secret entrance" Sara proclaims. "That thief must be near, I can smell him." The group searched for about 20 minutes with no luck. So they gathered to make camp and discuss what was next. Luck was with them though this night. As Sara leaned back against a tree she disappeared right through it! "Sara were'd you go! Calgar screams out. Then from no-were Sara appears right were she was before. The shimmering ilumination of the illusion had given away it's secret. "This must be the secret the map would not show" Kar say's with joy. "well then let us be prepared, for who knows what may be lurking in the shadows through that illusion." They got there gear together and prepared to walk through the illusion. The vibrent colors and swirling lights made them feel sick to there stomich when they passed through it, but no permanent damage. There they saw a cave, a great place for a thief to go to hide his ill gotten goods. As our group entered the cave they were awed by it's size and well lit corridors. The only person adept in shadow stealth was Kar, so he immediately disappeared into the shadows. Sara and Calgar decided to move slowly following behind the faint glimps's of Ganeths movements. Then Ganeth stop short, as if frozen from fear. Sara and Calgar hurredly got up to Kar to find out what was wrong. There they saw what Kar stoped for. The thief they were looking for was sitting quitly at a desk looking over his newest prize, Calgars amulet. "HOLD THIEF AND RETURN MY AMULET, OR I WILL SPLIT YOUR SKULL WITH THINE SWORD!" The thief looks up at Calgar with great surprise "Fool you should not have ventured this far into the cave." With that the thief gave out a hidious laugh. Meanwhile Ganeth was recovered from his terror enough to yell "DRACS!" The mear mention of these foul beasts sent normall men running in fear, but Calgar would not be moved so easly. "THIEF! IF I WERE YOU I WOULD CALL OF YOUR PETS BEFORE I DISTROY THEM!" "CALGAR LETS GET OUTA HERE!" Sara screams. Just as the scream leaves Saras lips the ground begins to shake from the explosion of a fire ball that exploded in the middle of the group of Dracolichs "DIRECT HIT!" Calgar yells. An arrow wizzes past Calgars head and hit's one of the Dracs square in the chest killing it instantly. "O.K. THIEF YOU WANT A FIGHT ? YOU GOT ONE!" Sara cries as a lightning bolt shoots from her hands striking the thief straight on. "Is that the best you can do?" the thief says as he returns the lightning bolt at Sara. The bolt of lightning strikes Sara hard then bounces of the wall and strikes her again, sending her into shock. "CONSINTRATE ON THE DRACS!" Yells Ganeth as he fires another volley of arrows, which bounce harmleslly of the wall. The eyes of the Dracs begin to light up as they aproach the group. The unconsious Sara is the first to recieve their charge and the first Drac doesn't hesitate a moment to use his power of teleportation and send Sara back to Neverwinter. The second of the remaining three Dracs begins to approach Ganeth Kar. Kar narely avoids the horrific affects of the Dracs fire breath, as he dives behind a rock. The last Drac who seems to be waiting in the back ground starts to speak. "VIALA UM MORTE FINA!" With the final syllable uttered a flury of sounds envelope the cave. Movement everywhere, were there was no movement before. Then they saw it, the bones of the dead begining to move, and form together. The skeletons fully formed started to rise, carrying their ancient swords and shields, they ready themselves to attack. The fear of these hidious creatures being able to controll the dead was enough to send Ganeth running for his life.Which left him an easy target for the Drac next to him to swoop down and bite Kar in half. "GANETH!" Calgar yells out. As the other two Dracs begin to move closer. Calgar utters his final words of redemption at the thief "YOU CAN NOT HIDE FROM ME, I HAVE YOUR SENT AND WILL TRACK YOU DOWN AGAIN!" With this Calgar casts his last resort spell. "I WILL RETURN THIEF!" In a cloud of smoke Calgar disappears, to another dimension.Rebirth in Mirth (submitted by: SOL Bard) Greetings friends... As you read this prose, I exhort you that this actually did happen... After waking early, I tried my best From the computer rolls, some good scores to wrest But after spending my time, at least an hour or two I was more than dismayed by the numbers it did spew.. When I did find a profile which fit into the guild The system locked up..by the gods I'd been shilled So I take this brief moment, to just come say hello As I resist many an urge, to turn my PC into jello I will roll again later, to see what the fates have in mind And I'll pray the next chance will be kinder this time For if the system locks up when I next take my chances It wil be one more heartbreak in my AOL romances SOL Bard Heart, but not spirit broken over the Puntmonster (:<) It was all 18's cept the charisma.. Born in Blood (submitted by: BSA Beast) (Originally posted by ThundrChld) The old women of the village had foreseen this night. All but one of the omens pointed to painful death. A single flower growing on cursed ground hinted of life. The villagers were barricaded in their homes hoping that the wards around the doors and windows were strong enough to keep evil at bay. This was the night of the challenge. A night when the very fabric of existence would be stretched to the breaking point. From all points of the compass they came. Some gliding, some shambling, others seeming no more substantial than the mist that hid their forms. GOC, UDL, ERS, MECH and any guild worthy of the Azuth's Challenge prepared for battle. A single black crow flew the night air. It was whispered that this was the legendary Ebony, eyes of the ITB. Magi of the highest order would strive for supremacy on this night. Most would win only death. Triboar inn was where they gathered to view the competition and receive final instructions. Taunts and threats filled the air. The judges of the Shadow Alliance strove to contain forces that if unleashed would mean the destruction of the town. Only in the arena could such power be released. Threats of a truly odious nature were made against Judge ArielZwei. She was with child. The guild of KAAOS, always looking for innocents to torment, pursued her like wolves following a trail of blood. Only her formidable powers allowed her to rise above terror and perform her duties as judge of the challenge. Sixty magi jostled for position on the assigned killing ground. The night air was alive with the energy of protective spells. As one they started the combat. Eight separate vortexes of power erupted. Had a mere mortal been present, he would have dropped to his knees in agony. Judges sat on these vortexes monitoring the surge and ebb of power, savoring the deaths of the least powerful. Judge ArielZwei never dreamed that these forces could penetrate her defenses and affect her unborn child. She attributed her nausea and pain to the nearness of evil. After round one, more than half of the Magi were dead. Ariel barely made it back to the inn. Other judges of the SA had to help her into a chair. Unable to catch her breath, she requested medicinal aid in the form of a flask of ThundrChld's private stock. Pain, nausea and terror retreated to a manageable level. Round two was about to begin. Once again Ariel camped at the site of conflict, determined to perform her duty as judge. With her protective spells weakened, the full force of the combatants now penetrated her womb. As the last mage fell, so too did Ariel. Dazed, sweating, and in pain, she was carried to the inn to sit out the final rounds of the challenge. Brothers and sisters tried to comfort her and relieve the pain. It seemed that only the never-empty flask of ThundrChld could restore her. Despite protests from all there, she insisted on being present for the final fight between Mad Drunk of KAAOS and ITB Master. With only these two most powerful magi fighting, the full force of their power would not be diluted by lesser magic. Scarlet ribbons of death clashed with black clouds of destruction. Surges of pent up energy were released in a violent storm legendary proportions. Ariel screamed only once at the power spent in sending ITB Master to his death. Carried back to the inn, she pleaded for another pull on the flask which would allow her release from pain. Alas it was not to be given. ThundrChld bearing the treasure of the victor, was running lackey-like to NW behind Mad Drunk. Screams of agony brought her guild to her side. The child had chosen. It would not be denied any longer. A wail of anguish was accompanied by a release of accumulated force. Birth on a night of so much death. The boy child was handed to the nearly unconscious mother. A strange glow seemed to come from his already open eyes as if he were a being of many origins. Softly Ariel addressed her newborn child, "You are Sagen of the Shadow Alliance"Ner's Hair-Raising Tale (submitted by: SOMNeranek) It was hard to distinguish the size of the room for the it was shrouded in near complete darkness. Neranek knew, however, that the room was occupied by the tiny murmurings coming from within. A warm hand met his in the darkness and a soft voice whispered "Come with me, it is nearly time" The voice had been female, but Neranek could discern little else from it. Swallowing down his unease at being led through the darkness, Neranek allowed the hand to pull him along. "Sit here" the voice softly bade him. Neranek felt the gentle hands push him down onto what felt like a cement bench. "We will begin soon" Waiting for what seemed like hours, Neranek tried to force his breathing to be steady and to remain calm. He didn't want to be here and his every instinct was telling him to flee. His heart skipped a beat just then as beams of light stabbed down from the ceiling. They were highly focused and cast off no light to brighten the room. They served only to illuminate their targets. The tops of the heads of the twenty or so people sitting in a semi-circle of cement benches around Neranek. Neranek was taken aback. In his wildest imaginings, he had never conceived that what was revealed before him was possible. The lights focus revealed that each of the people sitting in the room was balding! Most were totally bald, while some had stray locks of hair here and there. Neranek started sweating. This couldn't be happening! The bald figure directly across from Neranek spoke then in a rich baritone. "Welcome brothers to this week's meeting of the Secret Society of Hairless Anonymous, NeverWinter Division. We are gathered here because we are needed. We have observed you carefully for some time, Neranek. We have come to the conclusion that it is time for you to receive our assistance in facing what troubles you." Sweat began to form on Neranek's brow. He felt weak and naustious. Finding some courage, Neranek spoke in an odd musical, birdlike voice "What would you have of me? I have nothing to offer to this order!" The baritone replied "Enough Neranek, you are among fellows here! You have no need to hide from yourself here. REMOVE THY HAIRPIECE!" Neranek wanted to deny the accusation that he was wearing a hairpiece, but found he couldn't speak. Even worse, he felt his arms reaching up to his head, no longer acting according to his wishes. Neranek licked his parched lips to moisten them as his hands pulled the hairpiece off of his head. The baritone voice continued "Now Neranek, tell us your tale. What is it that has driven you to this desperate act? I suspect that we will find your response familiar to our own experiences so take heart." Again, Neranek moistened his lips. Neranek cleared his throat nervously and began. "It wasn't supposed to be. It was a simple accident caused by gentle horseplay!" Emotion welled up in Neranek, choking off his words. "Peace gentle one," came a soothing voice from his right, "we have all been through this before. We understand your nervousness. Please continue." "Umm, what happened was during a guild meeting, I was taking turns both tormenting and being tormented by one of my guildmates. You know how it is. Shooting of minor spells at one another while the Guild Master isn't looking. That kind of thing. Mostly harmless stuff. Shaking hands with a burning hands spell or a shocking grasp enacted." This provoked a chuckle from one of the heads across from Neranek. "Burning hands...got to remember that one." "Well, this meeting, we kinda got out of hand. After bouncing a rubberband off of my friends head, he filled a paperbag with a type of paste and thrust it over my head." Neranek forced back a sob, as the power of the memory overtook him. "He didn't mean any harm by it, he just thought it would keep me from speaking. I panicked and jerked the bag off, and all of my hair came out with it! I didn't know what to do. I was sitting in the back of a guild meeting with my hair in a paperbag." A hand pushed a class of cool liquid into Neranek's hand. Taking a sip, he found the water refreshing and it calmed him. "I panicked. Not wanting to draw attention to myself and implicate my friend in our mutual crime of inattention, I looked for a solution. My eyes fell upon an unopened CHIA pet that had been given to the guild as a gag gift. I quietly teleported the box to my side, and opening it, I spread the CHIA seeds on my now bald head. I tried to be nonchalant about it but several close by brothers began to take notice. I picked up a watering can from the windowsill where it had been left after apparently watering a windowbox of flowers. Tipping it up, I watered my head and felt the seeds begin to grow." "I pretended not to notice that nearly everyone's eyes were upon me as the guild continued in it's business. I received a telepathic message from one of my friends, that they would assist me in hiding my mistake. Two of my guild brothers switched seats placing my new accomplice into the seat next to me. He then worked fertilizer into my new CHIA hair and cast a bless spell to aid in it's growth. I didn't think to ask him until later where he had gotten the fertilizer from. A minor mistake, although, he continues to laugh about it to this day." Stopping momentarily, Neranek took another sip of water and collected his thoughts. He felt an odd sense of relief settling over him as he shared his tale. "I thought it would look natural. I never dreamed that everyone would realize what it was. After I realized my error, I knew that I had to do something about the green hair sticking up off of my head. So I compounded the problem. I colored it. Brown. Yes, I said brown." The baritone voice interupted "Oh, you poor fellow. I can guess what came next. Everyone thought that you had lost your green thumb and that your CHIA had dried up and died. Brown is after all the color of dead grass." Neranek nodded in the direction of his insightful host. "Aye, that is indeed what happened. After that, I mowed the CHIA all off and bought this silly rug in NeverWinter Square. I guess I hoped that everyone would forget in time and think that my own hair had grown back, but you have shown me how transparent that hope was." Finishing his tale with relief, Neranek was surprised at how he felt about his hair loss now. It no longer seemed to matter to him. He was moved by the gentle applause from the room around him. "Neranek, we want you to go from this place now," came another voice from the crowd, "go and never have cause to return here again. Accept yourself for who and what you are and know that that will always be enough. Never be afraid of what you are." At his feet, the hairpiece was struck by a magic missile and was reduced to ash. Once again, the room was plunged into darkness as the lights went out. "This session is ended" were the final words from that baritone that Neranek heard, as a he was led out of the room.(submitted by: Drizzt Udn) Well, I came up with a sort of helpful hint for some low level players who can't find a guide...(happens to me a lot). When you're low level and can't find a friend to help you get to a place fer some XP, I got a good method to get to a Drac spot. Head out towards the Windy Cliff Dracs and any fight you come to, pick exit, alter, quit. You'll come back to the same square with no fight. :) This only works real good for Windycliff Dracs because there are no triggered fights on the path. :) Drizzt Do'Urden<><><><><> <><><><><> 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. <><><><><> <><><><><>