==========oOo========== NEVERWINTER NEWS Issue # 138 Week Ending 6-16-96 ==========oOo========== *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* FRONT PAGE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Congratulations to Ceribus for winning last week's News of the Realm contest for his story entitled "Mage Killer". Ceribus has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Magic Missle Booth Winner - 6/10 9pm ET Highest score total of 71 is by St0newolf winner of 4 pearls and 1 hr online time.. Hobbsie <><><><><> <><><><><> Bane's Tyranny Mini-Festival Results ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The summer's heat was oppressive within the walls of the city of Neverwinter. The searing weather had begun a few days ago and the temperature had been steadily building until it was stifling. Folk gathered in the shade of the palace, under the boughs of the ancient tree in the square, they clustered in small groups in the Neverwinter Gardens and desperately sought places to escape the sun's fury. As the days progressed, tempers grew shorter and shorter. Brawls became common in the taverns, folks bargaining for goods took to louder and louder conversation until they were pushing and shoving one another in frustration, the smallest trifle which days before would have merited a simple polite "Pardon" became issues of honor and a cause to duel in the city's streets. Lord Nasher, advised of the mounting tension within the city, consulted with his closest advisors. The guards of the city found themselves embroiled unceasingly in bitter disputes over pointless and irrelevant matters and began to suspect some magic or malign force at work. The clerics of Helm, communing with the Watcher himself reported that the black hand of Bane was slowly covering the city, fostering strife and hatred amidst the gentle people. Uncertain how to combat this evil influence and concerned for the welfare of his people, Lord Nasher decided that competitions and sports might bring the people together in celebration. To that end he decreed that in celebration of the upcoming 5th Anniversary and Summer Festival, an afternoon of feasting would be held! As the banners were posted and the guardsmen explained the rules, folks began to hurry to the four locations set aside for the tests of skill and courage. All who arrived and requested a spot within the competition for the first hour following the announcement were granted a chance to participate! Casting aside their sulkiness and vicious temper, the citizens raced to reach the appointed locations. Each attempted to show their strength of will and resist the magics of the guards and those that succeeded were rewarded with pearls from Lord Nasher himself! (Resist 2 Hold Monster spells, win 4 pearls!) When the afternoon's competition was complete 110 had tested their mettle against Lord Nasher's finest. The effort to resist the magics helped the citizens reassert their own will over Bane's dark and gloomy hatred. Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to those that won! NW Events Winners of 4 Pearls =============== Abzzcesse Aekheled Ap0kilyps Charlemayn Drk Legacy Ganelon Gardiansun J0stick JSmith5237 Kadion KF Doctor KF M0ytal Lady Fa1r Lucretcia Mech 8ball Minervasun Mordeth Mr Tesh Nor Ashtar Quikdeth Raxious Redd Iz Reth Santree Shaperdef Sienuthu SirBernlad Sir Vermin SK Saint SK Sara SK Solack Sol Brazen Sol Lethal Soulsbane Tatyana II Thorn W0od Thundrchld TP Polr0m V Atonious V Lazeras WGW Aggar WOLBanshee Wranglir Zacnefear2 <><><><><> <><><><><> June GOH Booth #1 The 1st GoH booth of June saw its participants dare to see what kind off effect they would recieve from a cause: Specifically1 cause serious wounds and 1 cause critical wounds were cast on them ;> The one who took the least effect was Men0sis! Men0sis took only 20 damage from the two spells and gains 6 pearls. -- NW Strahd <><><><><> <><><><><> New Player's Tour - 6/11 A valient band of travellers gathered in Neverwinter in preparation for a journey to Windycliffs. After making initial plans they headed north from the city and encountered a great deal of traffic on the road. Monsters of all variety were out in force and as they approached the edge of Windycliffs they were asailed by gnolls which were quickly dispatched but in the fray and confusion of battle we lost several of our party. By the time we got past the first trouble they found a secret passage through the hedge and a less traveled path. At this point the group was made up of Paladin197, SaryonII, Greythorne, Laze Ivian and NWA Domino. The road traveled east and then turned to the north, where they discovered yet another secret passage. They discovered a secret lair and decided to investigate it. Traveling through the passage they were attacked by Gnolls and a huge Umber Hulk. They quickly dispatched the beasts and continued north. They finally came to the last chamber and were confronted by 3 basilisks and a carrion crawler. We were glad we bought those mirrors as they helped us quickly destroy the monsters. In the corner of the room was a treasure and among the gold and platinum I found a Cleric's scroll. Greythorne was a young cleric, and I gave him the scroll. After heading back toward the road SaryonII proclaimed that he had other pressing matters to attend and left the party. We then made our way to Windycliffs proper, on the way encountering harpys and trolls and a huge Purple Worm. Once there we heard stories of a dracolich rampaging through Port LLast and decided to help the citizens of Port Llast and rid them of the the terrible menace. On the way north we were attacked by hordes of rats and wild boars. They came in waves and we destroyed them in waves. Eventually we made it to the city. We asked around about the trouble and learned that the monster was hiding somewhere north of town. During our investigation we ran into NW Snowie, who agreed to guide us part of the way. We went down the block and turned past the Sword Coast Jewelers and then headed north. The monsters became more and more deadly. We encountered a large number of Owl Bears and a huge Earth Elemental. After a well fought battle we moved southeast. After a myriad of other fights with monsters including an evil mage with Yeti and Umber Hulks and Kraken spys, we eventually made it to the the Dracoliches hideaway. We stormed in and layed waste to the terrible monsters and took their treasure. We then fought our way back to the city and rested up for the trip back to Neverwinter. A well fought and rewarding quest indeed! <><><><><> <><><><><> Location Hunt 6/14/96 In the early morning hours a call went out for assistance in finding the place where Intricate Runes Carved in stone above the door said.... something ;D Congratulations to Jaliyorna, who found that place and wins 4 pearls and 1 hour of time! NW Ember ;) <><><><><> <><><><><> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 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! <><><><><> <><><><><> WWAI Announcement: When: Thursday, June 20th Time: 10 PM Eastern time Where:The Great Hall Tavern Come join NW Ember and NW Ulfius for the June edition of: <<>><<>> Who/What/Am/I <<>><<>> Thurs. June 20th at 10 pm ET in the Great Hall Tavern. Prizes: First Place: 25 Pearls + 4 hours Second Place: 20 Pearls + 3 hours Third Place: 15 Pearls + 2 hours Winners of First through Third place will also receive GOH access! Cya There! NW Ember and NW Ulfius <><><><><> <><><><><> New Player Tours: Join the following staff members for a tour of the Realm: June 17th Monday 9:00 PM EST - with NWA Simba. June 19th Wednesday 11:00 PM EST - with NWA Nabu. June 21st *Friday 12:00 AM EST - with NWA Rex. * Technically this is Saturday midnight, but making it late Friday night makes it easier for folks to understand and plan to attend. ;> Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> The Feud (submitted by: Tigguhr) Some time after Tigguhr had tucked Dwee in to her little bed, he decided to retire himself. He wasn't proud of himself for scaring Dwee so much. But he did what he had to do. "Nae wonders Dwyv whar so grouchy alla time," he thought. "I wonders 'ow many rott'n dooties he done wot he ne'r even tol' me abou'..." He reached into a drawer at his worktable and pulled out the small flask that the Dun Gor had put in there some time ago, "...fer 'mergencies, Chief." Baldy said with a completely straight face. Tigguhr took a long pull of the wiskery, then replaced the flask. He stretched out and began worrying about everything at once. Soon he fell into a troubled dream-filled sleep..... --------- Tigguhr found himself standing in a large room, behind a podium of sorts, flanked by Storm, Baldar and D1, Aelin, Uncle and Emmy. Standing opposite them, behind another podium, were several drow. He thought he recognized Zyxos, maybe Nedylene or Ragana or Legora amongst the drow. Suddenly, the whole room burst with annoyingly bright music. A huge audience of humans cheered, and a lanky gangler in a black and white suit jumped from behind a wall and ran into the middle of the room, between the podium of Dwarves and Drow. "I'm Bink Fartinmail and I have just one thing to say..... "LET'S PLAY THE FEUD!!!" "Eh, Wots???" Tigguhr managed. Baldy grinned like a devil and shoved the chief over to a central podium. When Tigguhr looked up, he was facing Nedy, who glared confidently at him. "I hope you like lovely parting gifts, hargluk." Tigguhr bounced nervously, looking around in confusion. Baldy snuck up behind him and moved the Chief's mailed fist over a large red button. "Whacks it when ye ken tha answer chief!" Bink started up again. "Ok! the Dwarves versus the Drow and we have the lovely Nedylene and the eh, well dressed Mr. Tigguhr to start us off. That's fake fur I trust Mr. Tigguhr? OK! 100 people surveyed, top five answers on the board. Here's the question.....Name something you have at a party!" Nedy whacked the buzzer. "Paladin fingers!" she blurted with vile glee. The drow howled their pleasure but the humans in the audience groaned. Bink looked up to a huge black board hopefully. "Ok! Show me....Paladin fingers!" A nasty buzzer sounded. "Oh I'm sooo sorry Ms. Nedylene. Ok! Mr. Tigguhr. Name something you have at party." The chief answered instantly, "Ale!" The rest of the dwarves cheered. "Goo' answer! Goo' answer lad!" Ding! A bright bell rung. The words "beer or wine" came up on the big black board. The dwarves were upset. Emmy shouted, "Ale! Nae swampwater er elfie wine!" "OK! Will you pass or play?" Tigguhr again was befuddled, but his elders shouted, "Plays! We plays." "I guesses we plays?" the chief offered. Baldy dragged him back to the team podium. Bink approached Baldy. "Well Mr. Hammersmith, you're up. Name something you have at party." Baldy answered instantly, "Whiskery!" The rest of the dwarves groaned. Bink pointed to the board. "Show me Wiskery!" The nasty buzzer sounded. Bink was undeterred, gushing, "That's one down!" as he moved down the line to D1amond 2. Bink leaned down, all teeth and starched hair, "How about a little kiss, Miss D1amond?" D1 whacked him so hard that Bink crumpled to the floor. "Cut!!! Go to commerical" someone barked. Bink waved the commercial break off, bouncing up with a smile. "Well then, perhaps a handshake later? Ok! lets get on to it. Name something you have at a party." Glaring at Bink and fingering her axe, D1 said flatly, "Ale." "Oh sorry my dear, that's already been used. Name something else, won't you?" D1 glared fiercely. "I nae be yer dear an me answer be ale!" The kin gave a resounding, "Aye lass!" "Ok! Show me ale...again?!" The bad buzzer sounded a second time. Bink moved on to MoradinSon, who was grinning with supreme confidence. Bink picked this up and thought to entice an entertaining comment out of the dwarf. "Sooo..Tell me a bit about yourself, Mr. MoradinSon?" Storm puffed out his chest proudly, "I gots mithril bones!!" "Well you must be very proud! What the heck does that mean?" "Wellen, I whar whi' me god ye ken..." Storm tryed to explain, but was deftly cut off by Bink. "Yes I'm sure! Now...name something you have at a party." Storm grumbled but considered the question. Then with a commanding voice he barked, "Ale!" as if the question even needed asking. "Are you sure you want to go with the same answer again?" Storm stood with his arms crossed, muttering "idgit" under his breath. "Ok! show me...Ale???" The buzzer went off for a third time as Uncle handed Bink a mug in response to the "show me an ale" request. Swinging across to the drow podium, Bink moved to the next dark elf, Zyxos, who had been passing the time dropping darkness globes into the audience. "Ok Mr. Zyxos...your chance to steal for the drow! Name something you have at a party!" Zyxos smiled slowly at the dwarves. Any chance to intimidate, he thought. "At any party, I would be sure to have plenty of dwarven slaves." Bink was ever hopeful as he looked up to the board. "Show me dwarven slaves!" The bad buzzer sounded again. "Ohh!!! Sorry drow! OK! Dwarves you win!!!" Bink bounded over to Tigguhr. "Now...." he said with an air of drama and mystery. "Who's going to play the lightning round!?!???" Zyxos, obviously annoyed at losing anything, shouted "I am..." and began lacing the air with lightning bolts. Tigguhr dove for cover and landed hard on the floor. Aelin whipped out a scroll and tossed a bolt back, which grazed Bink as it flew by, setting his hair on fire..... ----- The chief woke up as he hit the floor of his delves hard from falling out of bed. Sitting up, he tryed to massage away the pain in his head from the wiskery he had drunk. He grumbled aloud, "Bah! Whiskery be off limits agin!"Origin of Neranek (submitted by: SOMNeranek) This is a tale I have been asked to share. The tale of a man by the name of Jason Wynn. Though, I suppose that most of you will not recognize the name, I ask that you speak a prayer for him. For he is lost to Toril for all time. His tale begins some twenty years past near the village of Red Larch. The darkness was sundered by a bolt of lightning crackling down from stormy skies. A peal of thunder followed the lightning. A large elm became a gift to fireplaces. For a brief instant, the countryside was illuminated revealing a small farmhouse that disappeared as the darkness returned. A wail of pain came from the house, somewhat muted by the thunder. Inside the house, Yaren Wynn cried out again. Sweat ran from her forehead, stinging her eyes. Her husband, Tarsis, was at her side, and he ran a cool cloth over her face. "Soon, Yaren, our child is nearly born. Just a little longer." Yaren blinked back tears of pain and squeezed her husband's hand. "Tar, this pregnancy has been difficult. I don't know if we dare try for another. I pray to Sune that you get your son this time." Yaren fell silent as another contraction took her. Though she had bore Tarsis three daughters, she knew that he desired a son to carry on the family name. "Shh, Yar, this is not the time. I just need you to be well." The door opened in an came Sel, the oldest of their daughters. Her red hair was matted against her neck and shoulders. "The storm is getting worse, but i made it to the well." She poured cool water into the pot by the fire from the bucket she carried. "How is mother?" her voice carrying no small amount of worry. "She is fine, now please, see to your sisters" Sel cast a worried glance at her mother and then turned and climbed the stairs to the second floor. She opened the door to the room that she shared with her two sisters, Gyn and Tseanna, and crept in. Gyn was still sleeping, her black hair cascading on the pillow around her face. Tseanna, the youngest, was awake. "Sel, I can hear him!" she said excitedly upon seeing her sister. "Him? Him who?" "Our brother, silly! I can hear his thoughts" Sel leveled her gaze to meet Tseanna's eyes. "Don't be silly, we don't even know yet if mother is carrying a boy or a girl." Inwardly, she wondered though if Tseanna could be telling the truth. Besides mother, who was a priestess of Sune Firehair, Tseanna was the only other family member who displayed any proficiency for the mystic arts. Although she was only just over two years old, Tseanna seemed wise beyond her years. Many times she surprised everyone with her insights. She had been able to speak and write as an adult at only six months old and was able to detect magic instinctively. "Rest now, Tsea, we will know in the morning." With that, Sel Wynn stripped off her wet clothes and slipped into her evening gown. She pulled a towel from the dresser and dried her hair before climbing into her bed. Although sleep came for Sel, Tseanna remained awake and her eyes seemed to sparkle with anticipation. As the night came to a close, a child's cry could be heard from downstairs and Jason Wynn was brought into the world. Tseanna sighed contentedly, I was right, she thought as she finally allowed herself to sleep. Over the next several years, Jason and Tseanna surprised and amazed everyone. As they grew older, they became more and more inseparable. They could share each others thoughts as easily as most found it to speak. Except for his link with his sister, Jason appeared to be normal in every other way. Yaren had attempted to teach him the ways of magic, but Jason apparently had no innate talent. As the summers came and went, Jason grew into a strong young man from laboring on the farm. Tseanna's abilities rivaled their mother's clerical magic, although she had chosen not to follow in her footsteps. Instead of becoming a priestess, Tsea had instead taken up the mantle of a witch. Their older sisters, Sel and Gyn had married and had moved into Red Larch with their husbands. When Jason had turned twenty and Tseanna twenty-two, Tseanna had already become a respected practitioner of the mystic arts and Jason was ever at her side as her protector. While questing in Waterdeep for magical items, they learned of a disquieting threat approaching Waterdeep from the North. An army of Trolls and Orcs was marching on Waterdeep. Messages relayed by runners from Neverwinter had told of massive destruction to several villages between Neverwinter and Waterdeep. While the champions of Waterdeep assembled their forces to defend their city, an icy fear gripped the hearts of Jason and Tseanna. They knew that their home and family in Red Larch lay between Waterdeep and NeverWinter. While Jason supported returning to Red Larch with help, the war council in Waterdeep cut short his hopes of rescue. "We can not to afford to send off forces now, young Wynn. Indeed, we can not even spare you or your sister. Waterdeep has need of you both." intoned one of the lead mages. Jason turned to his sister, "Tsea, we are on our own then. Can you teleport us home?" The look Tseanna gave him made his heart grow cold. "Jay, I can not leave this city now. They need us, and I can not allow this city to fall." Jason Wynn felt his world turning upside down. "What about our family? Tsea, what about our sisters?" Tears burned down his cheeks to match the ones on his sister's face. "Jay, you heard the reports, it is likely too late already," she began only to be interrupted. "Tsea, please. Send me alone if you must, I can not bear being here, while I know they could be in danger." His pleading look tore at Tseanna's heart and she looked away. "Alright, Jason, I owe you at least that much" Tseanna began her incantation and made a series of arcane gestures. As a portal formed next, to them Tseanna embrace Jason and wept openly. "I don't know when I will be able to come for you, Jay. Be careful, I don't think I could live with myself knowing I sent you to your grave." Jason returned her hug fiercely and whispered "I shall Tsea, and I will make sure that the whole family is waiting for you when you return to us. Now I must be going." With that, he stepped through the portal and looked back upon his sister with his own eyes for the last time. Arriving home, what he saw hit him with an almost physical force. The farmhouse where they had spent so many happy years was a smoldering ruin. The stench of seared flesh hung in the air. Jason dropped his sword and ran towards the house screaming out of rage and fear. He fell short of the house when he saw the remains of his father strewn about just outside the door. He looked as if he had be torn apart by large creature. His father's shattered longsword lay upon the grass near his lifeless hand. Jason whispered a prayer for his father and pressed on. "Mother, are you there? Please mother, answer me!" Heedless of his own safety, he passed through the still standing door frame of his once home. What he found within stilled his heart. "Mother" he sobbed. In many ways, the marauding army had dealt a kinder fate to his father. Jason picked up the lifeless form of his mother and carried her out of the house and laid her upon the ground next to his father. His mind blank with grief, Jason set about digging graves for his parents. He dug them next to each other just south of the farmhouse, near the garden that his father loved so much. Burying his parents, Jason laid flowers atop his mother's grave and the hilt of his father's longsword upon his. He then fell to his knees and a deep wail of grief tore from his lungs. He didn't move when he sensed a sudden presence behind him. Jason felt the pain of his loss so deeply, that he didn't care about anything else around him. An odd, musical noise came from the figure behind him and then a rich voice spoke through the tones "Wynn, it is your time." The voice then fell silent. Not looking up, Jason asked through the tears, "Who are you, and where did you come from?" Again came the musical tones and the voice "I am...who I am, and I have always been here." The air fell silent for a few minutes as Jason pondered that response. "Prepare yourself, though you know it not yet, you have sought me for many years and now you are to be fulfilled." Jason felt the barriers in his mind fall as he was filled with the presence. In a few moments, although outwardly no apparent change had occurred, Jason Wynn simply no longer existed. Miles to the south, Tseanna felt an alien presence intrude upon her mindlink with Jason. Abruptly, her mindlink shattered. The sudden pain drove her to her knees and she wept. At the grave of her parents, Neranek stood and his eyes, though yet wet with the tears of Jason Wynn, radiated understanding.Journey - Part 1 (submitted by: Tyrliasha) A shadow passed her reddened eyes Along the darkened wall, And drifted in it's spider form, Into the temple hall. Where once, to Lloth, such prayers were said, Now there was revelry. Her people...foolish, powerful Now worshipped Eilistraee. Tyrliasha watched in vain, Alone against her kin. But loyal to her Goddess, Lloth, She knew which god would win. The shadow passed out of the hall, And stones screamed in its wake. Her once-kin crouched in sudden fear As the earth began to shake. Then stone began to crumble, Boulders fell around her head, And when the noise subsided - The city's drow were dead. Tyrliasha stood alone Among unfaithful dead. She gasped a prayer to Lloth, Swearing to follow where She led. Then, shining in the darkness Came a single, silver line, Made of woven spider-silk Glowing soft and fine. Tyrliasha grasped the thread And suddenly she knew. Alone among her once-kin She would start her life anew. The silk thread drew her forward And she clutched it to her breast, As she fell into a silent daze - A magic kind of rest. Tyrliasha came awake And carefully she stood. She whispered thanks to Goddess Lloth And stepped off through the wood. Silent in this surface night This homeless drow would roam, Praying that Lloth's pleasure Would provide for her a home..... Tyrliasha Yathrin D'Faen Tlabbar The Trials of Kevin (submitted by: SOL Metria) The young man entered quietly Into the city square And stared about in wonder At the people gathered there. There were powerful and armored. He was clearly at a loss But he knew in just a moment The NW was boss! Someone looked right at him And snarled, "Hey ..newbie!" The young man jumped and looked around And stuttered out, "who me?" "You'd best reroll your character", The nasty person said. "With those HP and that AC, You'll surely end up dead!" The young man was dismayed at best. He felt a bit like bait. "I'll make it work!", he swore aloud. "I'm Kevin238! Just then a kindly fellow that He'd never met before, Said "I'll help ya out there Kevin! After all, I AM a Nor!" The Nor puffed up his feathers... No wait - that was his chest. "Stick with me", the Nor said. "Cause at helping, we're the best!" The wandered out to Vilnesk Cause the Nor said it was night. And before they'd gone ten paces They had found a massive fight! But the Nor forgot the basics For young Kevin328 And before the Nor was even in Poor Kevin met the gate. At the inn, after the fight The Nor was all remorse. "Next time we'll win!" young Kevin said. The Nor said "But of course." They tried throughout the afternoon But died in every fight. "I thought you said you'd help me!" Young Kevin said in fright. "Well", the Nor said, blushing, "I suppose you need the facts". He paused, then said "I like to help, But truth is...I'm not maxed!" (stay tuned for more of Kevin's exploits as he learns the Realm) Sol Metria Coffin With Laughter (submitted by: SOL Bard) I spent some tough time in the realms on this eve With wishs of a new character I was trying to weave For my attempts at some others had failed dismally you see And I did wish to do much better just between you and me It was then I attended a meeting of the SOL brotherhood To find what not to do, and to find that which I should The meeting was racous and filled with much fun But it was over too quick for my bro's had to run So I reentered the realms to create once again Another SOL Bard and I was quick to begin As I came into the square, well guess what should I find But a pair of vampires who were acting unkind I took great offense at the way they did speak But was amused at their moxy, their being so pale and so weak So the banter did flow for a moment or two Until I discovered which way the wind blew I grabbed up a handful of a powder called garlic And threw it up high, and watched the vamps both get sick One started coughing and got sick on his cloak So I pulled out a mirror, thought I'd help out this bloke He seemed quite unhappy when he looked in the glass And I sensed in my thoughts that they really were crass.. But in truth, I'm NOT sorry I did pick on a vamp The things that I said showed that I am quite a scamp The vamps were rolling and laughing, with tears in each eye Until they looked up and saw light in the sky They then muttered words with which I could hardly cope For which any good mother would have then fed them soap They cast piercing glances back at SOL Sabyr and me And I laughed 'til I collapsed, oh my spirit felt free I can still see the smoke as they ran for their graves Was it from their quick flight, or from the sun on these knaves? With that Sabyr laughed and then ran to the shack Esping me quickly he wouldn't be back... So I recapped this start with this new guild I'd just joined And I laughed at the mirth and the phrases I'd coined So beware ye evils, for a new bard is born For of wicked pond scum I have nothing but scorn And I believe SOL is a guild for which I will grow in my love And from which evil will winch from the deeds they will hear of... SOL Bard Warrior Poet PVP (submitted by: SOL Metria) IF... You're new in Neverwinter and someone offers aid And you're thankful - oh so thankful - at the offer that he made And he takes you to the hills for all the things that you can see Then suddenly, you're held and feebed - Guess what? It's PvP! IF You find someone to max you and he says he'll do it quick And you wind up in the gate crash where the golems make you sick. Get safe and just invis yourself so golems cannot see. But if you see Men0sis, Heh! - Guess what? It's PvP! IF It's early in the morning and you need a couple scrolls So you slip into the sewers without those pesky Nightmask tolls. You think you're doing wonderful, then someone hollars Wheeeeeee! You might as well just hang it up - Guess what? It's PvP! IF You head out to the drac fight in the woods where no one goes, Better hit your F2 often and know your friends from foes. And when you hit that F2 and ya see an ITB You might as well just globe and pray - Guess what? It's PvP! IF You're evil and your fighting and you're feeling mighty brave, And you think you can't be beaten cause you've managed every save, You'd better watch your back, my friend, and hope a SOL don't see, 'Cause we'll jump in to stop ya, friend - Guess what? It's PvP! SO When you roll your character, you'd better roll a Clam Or if you're feeling saintly you could also roll a Pam. Neverwinter's lots of fun, but it's more fun, you see When ya feeb and hold and fumble cause - Guess what? That's PvP! Sol Metria --I'm a SOL ...not a saint!-- Dissertation on House ITB (submitted by: Octavo123) Ahhhhhhhh, My subject for today is one well known to all but the newest of PvPers to the realms, House ITB. The ITB are famous for their wild hunts in the sewers, Lost Hills, and Triboar. But, seeing as how powerful they really are, do they need to feed their egos by picking on newbs who entered the sewers with a friend ??? They should stay to guild sanctioned events or attack people who maybe stand a chance at even a fair fight. They should offer them to flee or fight or QTS or something before they get held and have their turns skipped for an hour or 2. This is not wimping out or anything like that, but is a non-aggression treaty with newbs themselves. But, they should make the newbs defer to their might or something. This is nothing more then common sense and a little honor, all bad guys throughout many movies and history had a little honor, they should too, for respect is something all people have, good or bad, and they were once newbs too.Definition of the BDA (submitted by: SOL Metria) (found partially burned and buried in a heap somewhere in Southwall) We are the mighty BDA, as you can plainly see. We've a charter and a folder and that's enough for me! We look just like the mighty TOL, but maybe you should know, We lack thier class, we lack thier god - we're only pseudo-drow! We'll take in any member, we don't care about their god. As long as you can pass for drow, we don't care if you're odd. It's nice if you are nasty and have evil in your heart, But as long as you can fake it, we'll take ya - it's a start! We'd prefer that you can PvP, more so if you can save But we've a map for fleeing, so ya don't have to be brave! We know we are the greatest guild, but some thing we're the worst. Well actually, we're drider-bait...if SOL don't find us first!!! Sol Metria To Love an Elven Maiden (submitted by: N0R Med1c) Part 1 N0R Med1c was walking though the town of Vil when he heard the esp of Khrysital. "Come and play with me Unka Med1c, I am in the Red Mage INN with unka Chaos." Med1c made his way though Vil and through Southwall and finally into Neverwinter. Khrys smiled with glee as Med1c walked into the INN and ran upto Med1c and grabbed his leg. Chuckling softly, he picked the little one up and carried her piggyback across the INN and set her down next to Chaos as he took a seat at the table. Chaos and Med1c talked for awhile as Khrys played with her teddybear. Then suddenly the door opened. Med1c stopped talking as his eyes were drawn to the elven maiden standing in the doorway. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. His heart was pounding as she made he way across the INN to their table. "An'tie Shelanthra!!!!", Khrys cried as she recognized the newcommer. "HAIL *NOR/", the elven maiden said as she approached the table, "I am Shelanthra, a new squire in the guild." Med1c's heart hung on every word that flowed from her lips. Chaos extended his hand and shook the fagile hand that was extended his way. Turning to Med1c she extended her hand to him, and as Med1c took her hand he felt a warm feeling surge throughout his body. He looked deep into her eyes, and realized he was staring. Blushing deeply he released her hand slowly. Quickly thinking he excused himself form the table and rushed outside. Khrys noticed him leaving and followed him carefully outside. She watched as he raced down the street, and she followed carefully so as not to be noticed by him. He made his way to the Gardens of Neverwinter and walked down some of the rows to a bush of roses. Khrys watched as he picked 12 of the prettiest roses on the bush and removed the thorns with a dagger. Med1c noticed Khrys had followed him as he made his way out of the garden, scooped her up and gave her a ride back to the INN. Khrys giggled as they made their way inside. "These are for you M'lady" said Med1c as he handed the elf maiden the roses. Her eyes sparkled brightly and she smiled as she took the roses offered. Med1c blushed as he caught Chaos smiling strangely. Chaos had never seen his friend acting this strangely. "I think it's time for me to leave", said Chaos getting up, "I hope to see you all later." As Chaos left the INN he winked at Med1c, smiling and thinking to himself "he's in love". Med1c watched as the elf maiden took a seat next to him. Khrys giggled and watched the two of them talking. "I wanna go see the Dracs unka Med1c.", Khyrs pleaded, "Unka Chaos was gonna take me. Please?" "Ok, little one.", Med1c replied, "We'll go see the Dracs but you have to stay close to me so you don't get lost." "Might I join you?", Med1c heard as his heart skipped a beat. "It would be my pleasure to escort you.", he replied grinning. Khrys raced ahead outside and watched as the two adults walked slowly down the street oblivious to the other travelers on the road. Part 2 Khrys raced ahead of the two adults as they made thier way through Southwall. Med1c noticed the child getting dangerously ahead but before he could react he heard the silvery voice of Shelanthra chide the child sternly. Stopping before the gate to Vil, Med1c cast a bleesing on the party as well as praying for their safety and without thinking followed it with a haste spell. "DOH!!!", he exclaimed as Khrys became a year older and slightly bigger, he was gonna get it from Lace if she knew what happened. Khrys giggled as the baggy dress she was wearing suddenly fit better. "Lookie unka Med1c, I gots bigger!!!", she exclaimed hapily. Med1c sighed and slumped against a tree remembering the problems that Lace had during her pregnancy, and hoping that Count Zima wouldn't have his head on a pike. Shelanthra laughed at the sight of Med1c oblivious to all other surroundings and how his face furrowed into worry. "I gotta be more careful with that spell.", he thought to himself as he glanced at the now 5 year old child of Lace. Part 3 As they party made their way through Vil, Khyst watched two two adults closely. They reminded her of her mommy and daddy the way they looked at each other. Med1c sheepishly put his arm around the fair maiden only to have her esp him. "Careful now........not too fast.", he heard as her silvery voice in his head. "Forgive me M'lady, t'was not my intention.", he sent back as he removed his arm. Shelanthra smiled and grabbed his hand in hers watching him blush. Med1c felt the warm sensation of her hand rush up his arm to his heart. As they walked, hand-in-hand, Khrys played peek-a-boo through the trees. All of a sudden they were surrounded by wolves and ice-hounds. Khrys squeeled in terror as the dogs attacked. Thinking quickly, Med1c shielded the pair with his body and cast a fireball into the fray, killing several of the dogs and covering himself in gore. Shelanthra placed Khrys in the safety of a tree and told her to stay there while she helped "unka Med1c". Shelanthra raced back to the fight finding that the wolves had not been relienient while she was gone. Med1c was covered in gore and blood, most of it belonging to him. She saw the deep rends in his arms and legs as he smote another wolf, only to have it replaced by another from the pack. She watched in awe as he cast another fireball into the fray, taking some of the damage on himself so she wouldn't get hurt. Shelanthra quickly cast a hold monster spell, binding 3 wolves with magical restraints. Med1c dispatched another ice-hound with a solid blow from his flail and made his way towards the elf maiden. Shelanthra moved back a few paces and cast magic missle on the last two wolves, scoring a kill on both. Med1c smiled and thought to himself, "This is no ordinary elf maiden." After Med1c had freshened up from a nearby stream, he retrieved Khrys from the safety of her tree. "Bad doggies hurt unka Med1c.", she said frowning as he placed her on the ground, "Khrys gives you kiss like mommy do and make it better." Khrys pecked Med1c on the cheek and hugged him, "You be all better now." "Yes, little one", Med1c responded, "All better now." Shelanthra caught his eyes as he stood and gently placed a kiss on his other cheek. "That's from me.", she giggled. Med1c blushed an unseemly red as his eyes sparkled. "You have the most beautiful eyes.", he told her. "I feel like I'm drowning in them sometimes.....", he trailed off. Regaining his composure he stated, "We're almost to the Crossergate Dracs, we have to be careful from here out." Khrys walked beside the two adults and played with her teddybear as they made their way into the lair. The Union: Gloranna & Varen (submitted by: MrBill888) An event took place in this land where I wander Gloranna and Varen were married, lest no one break asunder And to grace this gathering, it was a wonder to me To see the OGS gather from land and from sea Before the ceremony, there were threats of a gate crash Then a vow I swore not to let evil pass Dark forces wandered by, from time to time Moving swiftly on, mayhaps afraid of my rhyme Now the list of the Order, was great indeed As even Tripwire showed, on his magnificent steed And Sir Rewel appeared, back from afar Along with Melik Night Cat, who arrived via car There was Bannor, and Rustle, and Mershu as well And KTO Omar who snuck in for a spell Whilst lumbering in, after an ale or two Stood Cedric T, a friend we all knew Was I missing a guest, well now let me think.. Oh yes, by the Ale barrel was OGS Bink The festivities grew to a crescendo and peak I saw more of my friends than I'd seen in a week With long yellow robes, and a noble white beard Stepped forth OGS Bannor, of whom evil feared He rang a gold chime, it was time to begin Reciting the words he's said before once again A quiet hush fell upon the group I called bro's As a new union began then our voices arose Many praises were reigned upon Gloranna and Varen Along with showing this guild did approve and were caring Fine times were had by one and all And after the gardens we did grace the guild hall I remembered the times when the land was full of much fun For this eve was a reminder of when I had begun So I wish Gloranna and Varen the best there can be Promising if they need aid, they can call out to me But Mr.Bill888 now wanders the realms on his own With no guild to lay claim, yet I'll continue to roam... Mr.Bill888 Warrior Poet Triboar, the Long Way (submitted by: Zindio) The moon had been out for several hours, its golden glow washing over Southwall. The half-elf warrior, Zindio, rose, stretched, and looked at the stars to determine the time. Quickly esping SWORDSHERE,Tyst, and then Luthyen, Zindio found that these members of The Protectorates were not around. A little disapointed, but not dicouraged, Zindio checked his equipment, food, and weapons, for tonight he was going straight into Tri-Boar, alone. Leaving his camp in Southwall, Zindio was attacked by a zombie and its squad of dead soldiers. A fire ball flung at the group put all of them back into the ground wence they came. Faster and faster the half-elf moved, through Neverwinter and into the wharves,and into Floodbest. Four kilometers into the town lizards rushed out to take Zindio's hide. Zindio walked away into the inn with a fresh piece of lizard tail. "Ha'all" the voice came from the corner. Zindio looked around and there sat HG Quill, the friendly, beer bellied, soldier from the night before who had taken him and eight other adventurers through the caverns under Floodbest to destroy the evil there. "Hail yerself, my wine skin ye be wanting?" smiled Zindio. "Nay I have to be going, but thanks anyway" Quill said. "Where goest thou this eve, eh?" "To Tri-Boar" said Zindio. "By yerself? The sewers, or the long way?" "The long way through the woods and longsaddle, I lost all my badges the last time I tried the sewer route, besides it smells down there. " said Zindio. "Heh,heh, that it does" laughed the good natured Quill. "Invis yerself?" " Nay, meself does not have that spell yet" said Zindio, shaking his head. Suddenly Zindio's hands dissapeared. "That'll help ye get through, just flee each fight and don't hit anything. I'll be going to Longsaddle and Ill follow behind ye." said Quill. The conversation was overheard by another adventurer, name of Sun, the last name was foreign sounding like the people from far east of Neverwinter, Tsou, Yasou, or something like that. Now Sun says increduously with eyes wide," By yourself? You can travel with me if you like." "I can't, I must do it alone." "Why?" said Sun. Zindio replied mater-of-factly, "Because I'm a TP cadet. If I cant make this trip and get there now, I'll never be any good to The guild, The Protectorate. I must do it alone." His face set, Zindio took a small sip of wine. "Ok, I can understand that. Good luck to you, I know a few members of The Protectorate and they've always given me a hand when I needed it." Sun finished his ale,shaking his head slightly, thinking,"He's crazy." Standing up Sun said to Zindio,"I'll be on the road just yell if you need any help,Bye." and Sun strode out. "Aye, I'll be behind ye Zindio in case ye get into trouble, have maps do ye?" said HG Quill. "Nay, just what I drew when SWORDSHERE took me to Nightsedge and the few coordinates that me friend Xvandor gave me to get there." said Zindio. "Just keep to the East and when ye get to the Central east woods if ye die ye'll end up in Tri-boar." advised Quill. Standing up, the warrier said "Ye first, and luck to ye." Saluting, Zindio left the inn and started east, past the well and north to the edges of Floodbest, east and then south to the gate into Nightsedge, the sounds of fighting behind him made him hesitatate, but Quill told him to flee all fights and keep moving. Zindio fled several fights and got into Nightsedge. Now the rest of the trip all he had was coordinates to go by, key ones given him by Xvandor to help him find his way. Heart beating loudly, out of breath, Zindio sat down a couple of klics into the west wood area. "Keep moving!" a voice wispered tersely from a patch of trees. Peering intently Zindio made out the form of Sun, hiding in the trees. "If you stop they'll find you." Crashes in the underbrush puntuated this statement and Zindio fled down the path. The Moon had dropped behind the edge of the world when Zindio walked into Longsaddle. Stopping a little ways from the gate Zindio was getting his bearings to the inn when cheefully he heard" See Y'all made it." Beaming behind him was Quill who had also made it through the gate. "Aye, I did at that." said Zindio, with a broad smile from pointed ear to pointed ear. Down to the inn the half-elf trotted, rested for a while and then up and outside again to look around. Silvershops,stores, all sorts of things here he thought. Up to the north of the inn he walked looking around when into a nest of Wyverns he went. Fireball atomaticly thrown killing a small critter and damaging the five Wyverns huddled together. Not killing them, they poured out of thier nest, irritated at the least, object--- kill this funny looking critter that just burned them. Zindio hits the first one twice with Luthyen's brownie slicer(+3 Bastard sword), it dies, its sister hits Zindio, another poisons the young adventurer and he wakes up at the gate. Dragging himself up,Zindio heads for the inn, fixes once and regains fireball spell, four griffins leap out at him and again he is at the gate. The poison is blurring his vision, breath comming in gasps, he wobbles back in the direction of the inn. Griffens attack him about four klics from the inn and Zindio wakes up in the Temple of Tyr. Zindio is healed but has no idea where he is. Walking out from the temple Zindio travels through the tree lined path when he runs into a battered and bleeding individual. "Sun!" Zindio exclaims, "Ye look like last nights dinner." "Thanks," Sun said, wiping blood off his face,"You look good too." "Where are we?" Zindio asks. "In Tri-Boar, follow my footsteps and I'll take you to the inn, it's not far." Zindio walks behind Sun and enters an inn.. Zindio will now stay in the area and complete his training as Fighter/MU/Thief. His first quest has already been assigned to him by Luthyen and its in this area. We will undoubtedly hear more from him as he completes and fine tunes his skills.A Matron in Underdark: Ballad of Matron Malice (submitted by: Iadris) (Sung to the melody of "Englishman in New York" by Sting) I want Drizzt, I want his head my dear I want the traitor brought to me I want to turn him into a drider if I can I am Malice of Underdark See me floating on my magic disk A snake head whip by my side I take it everywhere I walk I am Malice of Underdark I'm a Matron, I'm an evil Matron I am Malice of Underdark I'm a Matron, I'm an evil Matron I am Malice of Underdark The Houses battle for supremacy Jarlaxle is switching sides again It takes a drow to stab a kinsman and smile Sacrifice, that's true to Lloth's way I'm a Matron, I'm an evil Matron I am Malice of Underdark I'm a Matron, I'm an evil Matron I am Malice of Underdark Mind flayer's probing, your mind's exploding High priestess is chanting once again Spider Queen's waiting, she's so demanding There's nothing we hate more than the sun Sibling rivalry can be fatal dear Here in Menzoberranzan Confront your enemies, backstab when they turn Treachery is just a game to us The Houses battle for supremacy Jarlaxle is switching sides again It takes a drow to stab a kinsman and smile Sacrifice, that's true to Lloth's way I'm a Matron, I'm an evil Matron I am Malice of Underdark I'm a Matron, I'm an evil Matron I am Malice of Underdark Of a White Flower (submitted by: Luthyen) The morning was bright and shining as Luthyen entered the kitchen to begin the day's baking. She went first to the breakfast nook overlooking the practice floor. It was empty now, but had been very busy in past days. She thought about the tricks she had learned for personal combat, and hoped she would not have to use them..nevertheless, they must be practiced, and Thorn Hawk had been most obliging in that. She stretched, a little stiff from the blows she had taken when he got past her guard. Well, she had given as good as she got, and doubtless Master Hawk was moving a little slow on arising as well...smiling, she turned towards the main kitchen and stopped. In the very center of her work table was a fine woven cloth of deep forest green with jewel purple accents. In the very center of the cloth stood a clear bowl of cut crystal. In the very center of the bowl floated a pure white water lilly. As the morning sun hit the water in the bowl and passed through, rainbow shards reflected all along the table. Slowly she approached the table, and gently ran one finger over the flower. There was just one place she had seen these grow..on a lake far to the north and east, deep in the woods, where she had camped and sparred with Thorn Hawk. It was a place not far from where she had spent her time alone after the loss of Gambit.. A pine forest surrounded the lake, and loons could be heard calling along the shore in the twilight. There was a retaining wall along the lake side, where a ferry could dock to assist travellers who needed to reach the other side at a more rapid pace. They had sparred up to that wall..and she had overreached her balance..and gotten a dunking for her efforts. She had come up through a cluster of the water lillies, which surrounded her brow like a crown. Thorn was at the water's edge, reaching his hand to her..and when he saw her thus, he paled and his look went far away. "Milord?" she had said, as she pulled herself out of the frigid waters. His eyes had not seen her. She had touched his shoulder, and found that he trembled as she did. "Thorn? What is it?" she asked him gently. Thorn Hawk's eyes refocused on her, shivering from the glacier fed lake waters. "Ah..n-nothing, milady..ah..I am sorry, I did not mean for ye to take a swim.." As she wrapped herself in her cloak, he began to tell her a story, of the love he had lost to the holderbeast. "...and just before the Holders came, milady, she had tumbled in the water, and when she emerged..she wore a crown of water lillies, as you did...I have never been able to see them without thinking of her..and never been able to touch them, since that time..for they made me think of love, and I have never loved again..but you still are cold, let me fetch thee a dry tunic at the least, that wet dress will not warm thee.." Thorn had built a fire, and found warm clothes for her to wear, and wrapped her in his own cloak. They had walked back the next morning, none the worse for a dip in the lake. She had returned to her work with the Cadets of the Protectorate, and her baking..and he to his ranger duties. She gently traced the petals of the floating flower. "Milady," a voice interrupted her. "Workmen are here to cleanse the Castle of Kobolds. They ask if ye would like to stay or to go elsewhere..it will take a few days." Luthyen looked up. "Um..I think I will stay at TP Keep for now..I will get my bag..and I shall take this." She picked up the bowl as if it were the finest treasure. She thought perhaps it was. ~Luthyen The ProtectorateAn Ending and a Beginning??? (submitted by: Vet Vic) Rashid sits in the now deserted Triboar inn and contemplates the events of the evening. He is not a heavily muscled man, more of a lean hard type and he exudes a confidence andpower. His long legs are stretched out and he stares into the fire but really doesn't see it as he relives the battles and the times shared together. What a strange turn had occurred last night and yet was it real or a passing fancy. He remembers meeting Llandriel again after meeting her several night previously when he was adventuring with Temple of the Four Winds brother Wolf MKII. She had been a lively maiden, full of the adventurers spirit and pleasant to share an evening with as they fought side by side through the Crossergate guest for Lord Nasher. It was her personality and striking beauty as well as her fighting capabilities that had attracted Rashid to the damsel that eve but after they had finished she had disappeared and he had put her out if his mind as another of the amazing woman adventurers he had met in the realms. And then last night had happened and yet what had happened? He had been helping some young adventurers find and free Willo and at the end of the quest had headed back to Neverwinter to discuss the information from Willo with the mayor when she had hailed him near the Southwall gate. It was a tentative hail as if she was trying to place his face, struggling to remember him and yet there appeared to be an undercurrent of excitement put out by the lady...He hadn't been able to put his finger on it at the time. She had invited him to accompany her small group of young adventurers to the Crossergate dracoliths. It seems that Lord Nasher had been informed that the deadly beasts had taken up residence near Crossergate. He readily accepted the invitation, again struck by her beauty and grace and the quest began. The party struggled on the way to Vilnask since it seems that the scents of several of the young warriors were attracting monster. Probably some cheap bath oils! They arrived at the Vilnask inn and continued the journey shy several adventurers who had decided the road ahead was too dangerous. A small group of four began to make their way to Crossergate, unfortunately, two things happened to dampen the party. First, it was discovered the monster magnet was still with them and countless battles were held. Secondly, Rashid in haste to leave the inn had forgotten to rest and only had a limited number of spells available in his memory. The two problems served to pare the group to only Llandriel and Rashid and as they struggled to make their way to Crossergate together, a mutual attraction appearred to be given life. He smiles remembering that he had not thought it was possible for such a lady to be attracted to his coarseness and yet she seemed to desire his company and he was flattered. Crossergate was gained and a group was put together to fight the dracoliths. It was at this time that he discovered her strong telepathic abilities as she constantly conversed with him and bantered him in his mind while the other were oblivious to what was going on. The night passed rapidly and the dracoliths were greatly reduced in numbers as were the adventurers but three remained, two strong men, Rashid and another maned Ralibe and the lovely Llandriel. Several times during the night she had pleaded with him not to retire and he had yielded to the lady's wishes. A fight was entered and the dracoliths immediately seized the opportunity of the small group and divided their forces, one attacked each of the men and one headed toward Cat. Ralibe was killed and Rashid slayed his dracolith and moved quickly between the lady and the evil dragon but it was to no avail as the dragon severely wounded him and not much later the beautiful :Llandriel was injured as well. Twas back at the inn after some healing and nourishment that the night took a strange turn. They had become separated during the fight and she now called for him to come to her and to take her away from the town. Always yielding to the wishes of a lady, he had found her in the company of the other adventurer, Ralibe, and she begged Rashid to take her away from the man. Was it a lovers' quarrel?? He hailed the young man and got confusing answers and took the lady to a secluded area and sat down to talk. It appears that the lady, for all of her beauty and grace, had lived a hard life (as most adventurers do) losing a husband and a beau. She confessed that she could not feel and yet tears flowed and she constantly showed a apcity for deep feelings to Rashid. And yet there was something about the other warrior who kept hailing Rashid to ask about Llandriel. Finally, she confessed that Ralibe was courting her but was unfaithful to her and she was reconsidering her relationship with him. Rashid's heart swelled at such an injustice to a fine and fair maiden, To be offered her affection and treat it so lightly was against all that he believed in and his anger grew. And then she had laid her head on his shoulder and he smelled her sweetness and touched her hair and the anger had subsided. They talked long into the night and early morn and as he rose to finally leave her, he wondered what the future would hold. She had embraced him fiercely before he left and he had gently, tentatively kissed her good night with the promise to her that he would escort her and .....if she so desired, share her heart......was it ending and ... beginning or simply the excitement of the battle and the feelings associated with fear and victory...only time would tell.....A White Flower (submitted by: Thorn Hawk) Silently he moved through the garden of castle stalker seeking an ancient oak tree. Climbing up into the balcony of a small room overlooking the gardens, the figure turned to the tree, "thank you old one for thy assistance." Walking down the hallways of the castle, wary of intruding, the ranger passed a door and paused; a faint smile touched his lips as he felt underneath his cloak. Moving on, he quickly stepped into an alcove as a guard walked passed. He dared not be found for his gift would then be ruined of the mistress of the castle caught him in his endeavor and there was the matter of her father. It seems the man was not too pleased with the gentle ranger's actions in sparing with his daughter. Shrugging, he continued. He had not intended any harm, just wanted to teach the lady a trick or two . . . Arriving at the kitchen, a place he knew she would find his gift, he approached a table and gently pulled from his cloak a small glass bowl filled with crystal clear water. In its center rested a pearly white water lily from a lake deep within the woods. A lake they had visited on occasion. Smiling, he retraced his steps and left . . . On his way out of Neverwinter, he paused to glance back at castle stalker his mind drifting back to the lake where he had picked the flower. ~~~ A slight warm breeze blew out of the south as the ranger moved through the pine forest that dominated this part of the woods. His destination, a lake, was still hidden from his view by the tall pines. He moved slowly not sure if he was doing the right thing or even if he could do this thing. Emerging from the trees, he spied the lake as he last remembered it. Smiling, he watched a great heron take flight and soar toward the distant trees to alight and wait for him to leave its hunting ground. Moving near the lakes' edge, he spotted his goal, a water lily floating near the shore. Picking his flower, he entered the water knife in hand only to stop and stare at the flower his mind seeing the face of his lost love, Kalean. She had died years before, but his last images of her were dominated by a water lily resting on her head after he had asked her to marry him. He had thought to never love another again and the other night that thought hit him in the chest as he watched Luthyen emerge from this same lake wearing a crown of water lily flowers in her brown hair. He had stood frozen for long minutes, his mind elsewhere until she had touched his arm. Observing the flower, a new picture entered his mind of a lovely woman with long brown hair and a sparkling gem resting on her brow. Slowly, the ranger reached down with trembling fingers and cut the water lily from its stalk. Placing the white flower in a crystal bowl, he returned to the woods while a great heron landed deftly in the water near the water lilies. ~~~ As the ranger headed south out of Neverwinter to meet his sister in Crossergate, he wondered if the mistress of castle stalker understood the true cost of the gift he had given her. Smiling, he believed she did. Thorn Hawk, BOP A Young Dragon (submitted by: Bloodeyes) A young red dragon glides above freshly plowed fields. His stomach rumbles, he has recently come to awareness and meals do not always come easy. A scent on the wind of a farmer and an ox makes the dragon's stomach rumble again. A massive stream of drool escapes the edges of the dragon's mouth, trails back along the line of his shoulders and wings to spray off into the air behind him . Where droplets hit the earth the ground sizzles. "Ah serf and turf" thinks the dragon "My favorite meal" as he homes in on the scent and stalks his prey from above. A quick plunge from above and it is over. A slash across the belly and ribs of the ox leaves it shaking on the ground its guts spread out around it. A return slash sends the farmer flying 15 feet across the field. A disappointing snap signals a broken neck . The bummed out dragon lands and retrieves the farmers body. "Oh well, no playing with the food tonight" Carrying the farmer's body over to the ox he carefully collects all the pieces from the ox and stacks them on the farmer's body. Turning around he uses his tail to mash it all into one big pudding . He curls his body around the mash and begins to slurp it down. Another human scent, "DANGER" shrills through the dragon's body. He bolts upright. His fear quickly dissipates as he spies an incredibly old man in a black dress picking his way across the field . The dragon begins to feed again and forgets the old man until he hears: "I have been waiting for you, we have a game to play" The dragon's head snaps around "What game?" "How about chess?" says the old man as he withdraws a pretty gold ring and chess set from his travel pack. " If you win you get this ring, If I win you must leave this area and never come back." The dragon finds it hard to think with the pretty bauble in front of him but he knows that he is smarter than this old man so he agrees. The game begins the dragon plays aggressively, the old man patiently. The old geezer sits and contemplates the board quietly as the dragon slavers over the gold ring. The first game ends in a draw. Many games follow and the old man lures the dragon on with bigger and bigger jewels and bits of gold. The dragon bets anything he can think of. Each game ends in a draw. Finally the old man pulls out a wondrous magical sword and a small jewel. The dragons blood rages he must have these things! "What will you bet for these things" the dragon yells. The old man as calm as ever says "These are most precious items, the wealth of my family for many generations. For these I will only accept your dragon form and a geas that for the rest of your days you may only tell the truth." In an orgasm of greed the dragon shouts "I accept your wager" The game begins. The dragon plays as aggressively as ever pushing and attacking always. Yet now the old man plays with his eyes closed moving each piece as soon as the dragon finishes his turn. Finally the dragon in a fit of ecstasy forces his opponent's king into a corner. "Check" yells the dragon. The patient old man moves a piece. Stands up mumbles a couple of words over the sword and pushes it into the ground. The dragon looks at the board and tilts his head in a puzzled manner. Finally he realizes that he has lost. In a fit of rage he leaps at the old man, grabs a mace from the old man's belt and bashes in the geezer's head. The man's body hits the ground with a thud but the look on his face is a peaceful smile. Looking at the weapon in his hand the dragon realizes: "IT IS A HAND NOT A CLAW". He sits down and starts to weep. Then he hears the old man's voice. He looks at the body and it is still dead but he still hears the man. "My son, I have followed the goddess of life for so long that I could not take yours for all your callous evil. Yet in elven form and limited to always telling the truth I think I have minimized the damage you may cause. Yet to make sure you might never be in one place to wreak your mischief too long I will tell you this: Your dragon form has been locked into that sword you played for. When I pushed the sword into the ground the goddess took it and hid it on this plane. If you search hard enough and long enough you may find it." The once dragon stands up and spits on the old mans body. He shouts into the air "I will find my dragon form again old man and I will show you what deceit might be hidden within the truth" a soft chuckle echoes in his head. Reaching into the pile of ox and farmer pudding he pulls out a handful and shoves it into his mouth feeling a certain pleasure as the blood runs down his chin and chest. He begins to march toward the nearest habitation. The only sign of the dragon are the inhuman blood red eyes and the dragon shadow which follows him.Collection of Riddles (submitted by: TCS Starr) Vendui' ar Mae Govannen Toror'amin ar' Seleramin (Hail and Well Met, Brothers and Sisters) Amin naa Tel'Lindar en'Tel'Quessir en' TCS (I am an Elven Bard of TCS) My last post was one filled with ballads and poems (posted with my old name: "Tel Lindar") This post is a collection of riddles that I have collected while journeying through Neverwinter. If you have any good riddles, ballads, poems or stories based in the Forgotten Realms, I would love to here them. Or if you need answers to any of my riddles, just send an Email my way =) Well, here ye are... 1) It Is taller than trees, Up, up it goes, And yet never grows? 2) Voiceless it cries, Wingless it flutters, Toothless bites, Mouthless mutters. 3) It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt. It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter. 4) Alive without breath, As cold as death; Never thirsty, ever drinking, All in mail never clinking. 5) This thing all things devours: Birds, beast,trees, flowers; Gnaws iron, bites steel; Grinds hard stones to meal; Slays king, ruins town, And beats high mountain down. 6) After you give me, you must keep me. What am I? 7) I am as light as a feather, but you can't hold me for more than a couple of minutes. What am I? 8) Has a mouth but does not speak, has a bed but never sleeps. 9) Runs smoother than any rhyme, loves to fall but cannot climb! 10) You break it even if you name it! 11) If you feed me, I thrive; If I drink, I die. What am I? 12) If you break me I do not stop working, If you touch me I may be snared, If you lose me Nothing will matter. 13) My life can be measured in hours, I serve by being devoured. Thin, I am quick Fat, I am slow Wind is my foe. 14) Glittering points That downward thrust, Sparkling spears That never rust. 15) Something wholly unreal, yet seems real to I. Think my friend, tell me where does it lie? 16) First will be last Last will be first and all in between will also be cursed open the door, and I will be there so be carefull... and beware ! 17) Colored as a maiden tweaked, time was naught when I began; through the garden I was sneaked, I alone am the fall of man. 18) This creature, part man and part tree, hates the termite as much as the flea. His tracks do not match, and his limbs may detach, but he's not a strange creature to see. 19) The part of the bird that is not in the sky, which can swim in the ocean and always stay dry. 20) Dead and bound, what once was free. What made no sound, now sings with glee. 21) The root tops the trunk on this backward thing, that grows in the winter and dies in the spring. 22) In marble halls as white as milk, Lined with a skin as soft as silk, Within a fountain crystal-clear, A golden apple doth appear. No doors there are to this stronghold, Yet thieves break in and steal the gold. 23) 'Twas in heaven pronounced, and 'twas muttered in hell, An echo caught faintly the sound as it fell; On the confines of earth 'twas permitted to rest, And the depths of the ocean its presence confessed; 'Twill be found in the sphere when 'tis riven asunder, Be seen in the lightning and heard in the thunder. 'Twas allotted to man with his earliest breath, Attends him at birth, and awaits him in death, Presides o'er his happiness, honor, and health, Is the prop of his house, and the end of his wealth. In the heaps of the miser 'tis hoarded with care, But is sure to be lost on the prodigal heir. It begins every hope, every wish it must bound, With the husbandman toils, and with monarchs is crowned. Without it the soldier, the seamn may roam, But woe to the wretch who expels it from home! In the whispers of conscience its voice will be found, Nor e'en in the whirlwind of passion be drowned. 'Twill not soften the heart; but though deaf be the ear, It will make it acutely and instantly hear. Yet in shade let it rest, like a delicate flower, Ah... breathe on it softly, - it dies in an hour. 24) Though I dance at a ball, I am nothing at all. 25) I rode to Shadowdale on Friday, Stayed for three days, And left on the same Friday How is this possible? (And No, Elminster did not send me back in time three days) 26) As destructive as life, As healing as death; An institutioner of strife, Just as prone to bless. It is all that is good, Yet with an evil trend; As it was the beginning of things, It can also be the end. 27) The beginning of eternity, The end of time and space, The beginning of every end, The end of every place. Well, all that's it for now =) Starr Lindar ~The DreamWeaver~ Grey Clan: The Children of Seldarine (submitted by: ITB Teddi) It was a moonless night as the ITBs gathered at the appointed battle field, as summoned by war mistress ITB Myst. She had issued a challenge, and to the one that proved victorious, a great prize would be offered. A tournament was to begin, a battle among the best, for the prized Girdle of Cloud Giant Strength (50 pearl value) donated by their generous brother ITB Silent. The ITBs gathered around the designated battle site, eyeing each other. One could feel the tension in the air , for every ITB present thought the girdle was within their grasp, but only one would walk away victorious. From initiate to Grandmaster of Bondage, all greedily eyed the prize. The blood was thick on the battlefield ground, and when the dust finally settled and the sound of flail on flail stopped, alone in the field stood ITB Ashlar and ITB Force. Brother versus sister - a battle for the coveted girdle. It took three difficult battles to decide the winner, but in the end, ITB Force stood holding the girdle of cloud giant strength. Congratulations ITB Force!!! :D And congrats to all who participated in this fun event: ITB Ashlar, ITB Circe, ITB Master, ITB Lilyth, ITB Storm, ITB Wicked, ITB Faust, ITB Skorp, ITB Myst, ITB Force, ITB Crafty, ITB Hate, ITB Xavier, ITB Teddi, ITB Borg, ITB Cormyr, ITB Corpse, ITB Deceit, ITB Grynch, and ITB Libido. -Teddi- House ITB When: Thursday, June 20th Time: 10 PM Eastern time Where:The Great Hall Tavern Come join NW Ember and NW Ulfius for the June edition of: <<>><<>> Who/What/Am/I <<>><<>> Thurs. June 20th at 10 pm ET in the Great Hall Tavern. Prizes: First Place: 25 Pearls + 4 hours Second Place: 20 Pearls + 3 hours Third Place: 15 Pearls + 2 hours Winners of First through Third place will also receive GOH access! Cya There! NW Ember and NW Ulfius <><><><><> <><><><><> <><><><><> <><><><><> 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. <><><><><> <><><><><>