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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 141
Week Ending 7-7-96
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FRONT PAGE
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Before we get into our regular features, I'd like to pause for a brief moment
to mourn the loss of one our own this past Independance Day.

Many of you may remember a player in NWN who used to frequent the game quite
a bit.  Her name was Lisa and she played such characters as Ravenl0ck,
Sp1ral, Ldy Syrin, Sharee V, a SOL, along with many other chars.

There's no easy way of putting this.  Lisa died Thursday night in a car
accident at 9:27pm.  She was hit by a drunk driver, was not wearing her
safety belt and went through the windshield.  :<

Lisa made an impression on quite a few players and staff members while she
was a member of the Neverwinter community including NW Mystek, NW Hobbes, ITB
Brutal, Metr0n, and Aurela among many others and she will be missed.

Everything is really put into perspective when someone is taken from us and
we wish to pause from the hustle-bustle of everyday life to say, "We loved
you, Lisa and we're going to miss you dearly."

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                                       Lisa Campbell (1966-1996)
               May you finally find in death, the peace that eluded you in
life.
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Tyr's Rally Recap
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The day of celebration had come and gone.  The Summer Festival which Lord
Nasher had sponsored for the enjoyment of the citizens of the city was a
pleasant memory when the actual date of the 5th Anniversary of Neverwinter,
June 24th, arrived.  It was a day of labor for most, in part the reason why
the Summer Festival had been held during a rest day instead!

Throughout the warm summer's day, the guard on duty in Neverwinter Square
awarded random passerby with gifts from Lord Nasher himself!  Later that
evening, the eagerly anticipated "Gond's Benevolence" was to be held in the
Great Hall!  Thinking of his people, Lord Nasher had already prepared another
suprise for the evening and had arranged a special ceremony with the clerics
of Tyr!

Just after nightfall, as the evening turned cooler the priest's of the
stalwart god of Justice stepped forth from their Temple in the city and
solemnly arrayed themself, chanting praises to the "even handed" god. Curious
citizens began to gather about, watching the clerics in their robes of
deepest blue and purple robes.  As the attention of the city was upon the
procession of priests, banners were posted which declared the evening a
festival in celebration of the self-sacrificing deity.  There were to be four
competitions each of which would test the mettle and strength of the
competitor's will!  (Slay Living, The Rigors, Minor Gauntlet, & Hold Monster
booths)  Those that endured the trial without flinching would receive a
reward from Lord Nasher himself!  (win 4 pearls)

In eager anticipation the citizens of the city raced to compete and enjoy the
festivities held in Tyr's honor and in recognition of Neverwinter's 5th
Anniversary!  When all was done, over 130 had participated!  Thanks and
congratulations to all the winners at Tyr's Rally!

NW Events ;D


Minor Gauntlet
---------------------
Ag Heyhey
Arielzwei
Augststorm
Azimer
Bane of NW
Brishnok
Drk Legacy
Ekaha
Ingenjeger
KEF Fair
Lammasu145
Panzermagi
Soulsbane
Wingbrothr

Slay Living
----------------
Bamboom
Carnalfury
Doc Weird
Drk Legacy
Fat K1d
Glaeros
Hedron
Jedi Chris
John Galtq
KEF Choct0
Lady Fa1r
Mech Vapor
Myschyff
Newbassist
Oklar
Sarhth0r
SK Majstic
Sol Arthur
Sol Entres
XO2 Zeus

Hold Monster
--------------------
Augststorm
Drk Legacy
ITB Hate
Jewelessa
Kh0lari
Mech Ryman
Rd Nathan
SK Majystc
Sol Entres
Sol Lethal
Thorn Hawk
V Eight

The Rigors
----------------
Arcticdoll
Azimer
Earl Graye
Firef0rged
Glaeros
Ktoaron
Ky II
Ldy Nalika
Newbassist
Poe IV
Quikdeth
Redd Iz
Soulsbane
Todmatth
V Targ0th
XmNateGrey

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Congratulations to Thorn Hawk for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for his story entitled "Farewell".

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

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New Players Tour!!

It seemed quiet and peaceful in the sleepy suburb of Southwall when the brave
adventurers set forth from the Neverwinter Gardens.  Iobehold, SGT Peep,
Silveran z, Digixuser1, Notime2ply and Widomaker were in the first party, led
by NWA Raven.  Raven had heard reports of a greedy band of thieves who had
been relieving the residents and tourists of their hard-earned possessions,
and the party agreed that they would seek out and rid the area of all the
thieves they could find.  And the seeming tranquility of sleepy Southwall
didn't last very long.

After a few altercations with a few lizards and spies, the party continued
westward through Southwall, always on the lookout for the occasional skulking
thief.  Unfortunately, a few of the adventurers had to leave suddenly, so by
the time the party reached the northwest corner of Southwall, there were only
four left, besides Raven.  Fortunately, though, they were soon joined by the
stalwart Wildman56 and KTO Huma.  

Imagine the surprise of the party when, thinking they had finally found the
thieves lair, they found themselves in the midst of a passle of kobolds led
by a huge threatening minotaur!    The battle seemed to rage on and on for
hours, blood was everywhere, the party sustained wound after wound, but they
kept fighting, each one determined to help save the other.  Finally, only the
minotaur was left, surrounded by the brave warriors.  KTO Huma landed the
killing blow and retrieved the prized battle axe +1, which he then graciously
gave to Digixuser1.  Ahh.. poor Digixuser1 had been killed several times
during the foray, and his demise at the hands of the minotaur caused him to
spend some time changing from a magic user to a paladin... a choice which was
applauded by all.

Finally, the party was down to two warriors, Silveran Z and Digixuser1, who,
with Raven, finally discovered where the thieves had been hiding. After
clearing out the many thieves from their hideout, the small party headed on,
following up the clue left them by the last dying gasp of a thief.
Unfortunately, time was limited for all adventurers, and that quest remains
to be finished on another day.

-- NWA Raven

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New Player's Tour - 6/30

Last Tour of June!

June is the 5th anniversary of Neverwinter nights, I had the pleasure of
conducting the last tour of this month ;)

The destination was Crossergate.  Joining me were mwalton938, krastliun,
baddawgie, vartan hai, rstrending, kindar, and dey kemlar.  The journey
through Southwall was quick and uneventful.  The crumbling walls a reminder
of the current times.

Dawg, an eager paladin, began seeking out evil to destroy at every turn.
When he began swinging at the trees, we thought he had lost it all.  However,
the trees began to attack back... and from behind them came the wolves.  The
road to Vilnask was wrought with battle after battle.  Upon reaching the
town, we found some unoccupied buildings to rest in.  The Inns are always
busy this time of year.

We continued out of Vilnask, fighting off spies and banshees they party with.
Upon reaching the border to the land of Crossergate, all that remained of our
group was vartan hai, kindar, baddawgie, and dey kemlar.  The others had
wandered off, I fear to fall into the fates the banshees had for them :(

Kemlar had to return to Neverwinter soon into our journey, and dawg suffered
some terrible wounds.  With the assistance of lrd feanor, we managed to reach
Crossergate proper.  Unfortunately vartan was called away as well.  And after
exchanging a few items, dawg and kindar were ready to continue.

We explored the back streets of Crossergate.  We are convinced that evil
doing is all about the town for we were continually forced to defend
ourselves and our lives.  Perhaps this town of Crossergate will deserve
future (and more deeper) exploration....

Thanks to all who attended and assisted this tour!

-- NW Frost

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Cause Serious Wounds Booth Winner - 7/1

To herald the beginning of July, Lord Nasher decreed a mini-booth be held.
On Monday, July 1st, at 10 pm est, a banner rang out across the realms
announcing the competition.  Fifteen adventurers raced to the booth
location--inside the mayor's house in Nightsedge.

One by one, the participants took their turn, trying to resist two cause
serious wounds spells as best they could.  As the competition wore on, the
leadership position changed hands from zaknafeine to gardian to sagx to
abzzcesse...and finally to Jnar4u!  

Congratulations to jnar4u who took just 14 hit points of damage!  Jnar4u won
the prize of five pearls!

Thanks to all the participants!

--NWA Nabu

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July Trivia Results!!

July 2, 1996
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*** First Place - Snaak 21 points! ***

** Second Place - Ldy Nalika 20 points! **

* Third Place - Opslin 20 points! *

Random Drawing Winner - Zandrakkas

Note: Due to a tie for second there was a roll-off.
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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 : )

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

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

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

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New Player Tours:

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

July 8th Monday  8:00 PM EDT - with NW Cosmic.
July 10th *Wednesday  12:00 AM EDT - with NWA Elwind.
July 11th Thursday  11:00 PM EDT - with NW Hobbes.

* The midnight following Wednesday evening to keep it from getting too
complicated.

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

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Congratulations to Thorn Hawk for winning last week's News of the Realm
contest for the story "Farewell".


Thorn Hawk has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of
Heroes).  Keep up the good work!  ;D
ElvinPride's Quest - Part 3
(submitted by: ElvinPride)


The  Cloak  Rider

Several weeks had passed now, since ElvinPride's misfortune in Nightsedge.
His wounds healing, his strength returning.  The day was lovely; sun shining,
slight breeze rustling the trees.  Elvin sat under the willow near the Guild
Hall, mesmerized by its leaves dancing playfully in the breeze.  The elven
children were nearby this afternoon, innocently playing a game of Orc-bones.
The Elf-mage's daydream breaks, as a young elf runs by yelling.  "You the Orc
!! You the Orc !!".  Smiling, he reminisces of his own childhood, the similar
games that he played as a child.  "How happy and carefree they seem!", mused
ElvinPride, as the children squeal with laughter.

A plume of dust in the distance catches the woodsman's eye.  "Hmm..", thinks
Elvin; looking, wondering.  The sound of horse-hooves on hardened soil,
rapidly advancing; now drowns out the sounds of the children.  Around a
twisted bend in the road appears a horse; a dark, shadowy figure aboard.
Elvin stands; still curious.  "Could it be?  A Cloak Rider?  What in the name
of the Gods would he be doing here in NeverWinter?", he wondered, a concerned
look on his face.

Arriving in the village square, the Cloak Rider confronts a crowd outside the
local inn.  Following exchanged conversation, an Elder points the horseman
towards the tree where ElvinPride now stands.  His thoughts turn immediately
away from the children.  The rider turns and approaches ElvinPride.  As he
nears, the elf studies the dark, expressionless, face.  Chiseled and worn,
the human features are quite evident.

"ElvinPride of Brass Crown?", inquires the messenger.  "Yes, I am he", Elvin
replies hesitantly.  "Well met, Pride!  I have a message from King Gammon's
forces, deliverable to you".  The tan, scarred hands of the horseman fumble
in a saddlebag, retrieving a scroll of parchment and a small pouch.  With no
delay, he hands the items to the surprised  wood-elf.  "Pleasant news I hope,
Pride", he mutters, as he rebuckles his saddlebag.  "Although, good news has
been sparse as of late.  Fare thee well, and live long, ElvinPride!".  

King Gammon's courier prods his steed.  "GID'YAP!!", again billowing up dust,
as he speeds down the trail, and out of view.  The concerned elf mumbles
"Aluve', friend!", waving a golden hand in farewell; the cloaked figure now
too distant to hear him.

The children had now quit thier games.  Gathering near Elvin, the young faces
glow with wonder.  The native of Brass Crown stares down at the wax seal on
the parchment, then looks to the pouch; unsure of which to open first.
Deciding on the message as first, the TCS Recruit slips a finger under the
wax, breaking the seal.....


The  Message

ElvinPride carefully unrolls the parchment and begins to read:

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                                            Honorable ElvinPride,
                                            Son of Rhys Pride,

                      I truly hope all is well.  Unfortunately, I bring grave
news.  'Tis as first
                      thought.  The foul beast Musre'Loki hath indeed
abducted the one
                      known as Krysthiial.  The item you have received
confirms this, I am
                      afraid.  T'was found amidst bones; that of an Elf, near
Triton Pass.
                      My heart goes out to you, I am truly sorry.

                                             Aldere  Rushman
                                        (General of the Cloak Riders)
                                        (Messenger to King Gammon)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elvin releases his hold on the note in horror, letting it flutter to the
grass.  His smooth face now contorts, eyes brimming with tears; once again
feeling that dark emptiness inside.  "N..NO!!", he chokes; as the elven
children now disperse, frightened looks on thier young faces.  His nimble
hands now fumble with the pouch, dumping its contents into one hand.  A tiny
gold band glimmers in the sun, smooth and without distinction.  "Can it be?
Noo!..", he cries; his tears beginning to fall.  "Th...There is only one way
to be sure!".  Summoning his magical powers, and what is left of his inner
strength; ElvinPride casts a spell on the ring.  He silently reads the
inscription on the +2 magical band:
                          ~~My only love, Krysthiial.  Till death shall we be
one--Elvin~~
Emotions swallow the hapless elf; knees buckling as he drops to the ground in
misery.Old Soldiers Never Die
(submitted by: Talgar)

Talgar the Paladin, sat in the huge chair in the great room of his modest
country manor. He half -listened politely to two Lords of the Protectorate,
Swordshere and Phantra, sitting across from him, as they beseeched his aid.
His mind was more on the dealings of his estate than on their troubles that
they so vervantly espoused. Phrases of 'evils running rampant' and 'innocents
being killed' were lost to him as he pondered whether it would rain later and
ruin the near harvestable crops in his fields. He had heard it all before.

 Talgar had retired as 'Lord of Paladins' of the Protectorate many months
ago, and turning his back on the political dealings that were everyday life
in Neverwinter proper, had moved back to his modest holdings near Longsaddle
and lived the life of the country baron that he was. 

 He interrupted Swordshere's speech and  began to explain that he was too
busy, and that he had to take a trip to far off Triboar, to take one of his
serfs, that had been hurt in an accident, to a healer there. The broken bones
were beyond his ability to heal and though they might set up on their own
with no complications, he never scrimped when it came to his people's
welfare. He ,in turn, was interrupted by a soft voice coming from one of the
men that had accompanied the two Lords of the Protectorate.

  "It is the ITB milord", said the man.

  Talgar looked up at the man and saw that it was Tieglin, his one time
squire and now Paladin of the First Rank. HIs words chilled Talgar's blood
cold. Tieglin of all people present in the room would know the pain those
words caused him.

 Tieglin had been the one that had carried the mortally wounded Talgar the
many miles to the temple in Triboar ,after he had fallen during a war with
the ITB. Though his own wounds would have been enough to overcome a lesser
man, Tieglin persisted. HIs Lord was dying, and that just could not happen.
When they had arrived at the temple, the monks took one look at Talgar's
ravaged body and professed that they had little hope in saving one so
terribly wounded. They began their ministrations only at Tieglin's rather
demanding insistence. One does not say no to a Paladin lightly, even one that
is leaning upon a wall to keep from falling down.

  After two long days and nights, the monks declared Talgar as saved. It had
been touch and go the whole time. Among themselves, the monks marveled at his
recovery, muttering phrases with the words 'only a paladin' among them.

  It was three weeks later when Talgar finally left the temple and returned
to Neverwinter, where he immediately resigned from his position in the
Protectorate.

 "It is the ITB, milord" Tieglin softly repeated, with those remembered pains
echoed in his eyes, 'We are again at war".

Talgar sat silent for a moment, and listened to the voice in his head tell
him that he was too old,that he had served his time and others could carry on
the fight. But then another voice in his head cried out, 'But you are still a
Paladin of the Protectorate!'  and it was that voice that finally convinced
him what to do. For, once a Paladin of the Protectorate, always a Paladin of
the Protectorate and all that that brings.  He stood up and looking Tieglin
in the eyes, quietly said, "I shall be there. I have a slight debt to pay".

 Later, after the men had left, Talgar gathered his things for the trip to
Triboar with his serf, for that was not to be put aside, and strangely felt
happier than he had in a long time. A thought crossed his mind as he walked
out his door, and he laughed as he pulled the door closed. 

  "At least I will be just a 'soljer' ", he cackled, "let those youngsters
get all the headaches leading the fight! "Part 1 - The Calling & the Journey
(submitted by: NOR Bishop)


THE CALLING

In one of the temple rooms a bishop sat at his desk reading a book that held
the knowledge of ritual prayer for the priest of Oghma.  There were many
books in this room that the Lord Bishop had wrote.  This one though was his
favorite.  With the knowledge held in this book he learned how to stand
before the great god of knowledge and ask for special blessings upon the
priest and deacons that served under his rank.  His loyalty and devotion to
the church was looked upon with great respect and honor, not only amoung the
monks in the church but all the citizens of the town.  The Lord Bishop to the
priest and deacons of Oghma in this particular section of Faerun was a humble
man giving 100 percent of all his focused energy to others in need of
knowledge.

He kneeled before the altar in his room and started to pray.  Several hours
of intense uttering and moaning -- the bishop recieved a warm feeling in his
spirit.  He knew his prayers were always heard, but it was a good feeling
when Oghma sent a surge of power to reside in the bishops' soul.  The robes
he was wearing had become drenched with the sweat that poured off his body as
he prayed.  Being to weak to stand, he layed on the floor and before he knew
it a deep sleep came upon him.

Sweet dreams of a lovely lady entered his mind as he slept.  She was a lady
that had devoted her time and energy to helping others.  In the blur of the
dream he saw that she belonged to a large group of people with the same
intentions as her.  She was helping others enjoy life.  They would go on long
journeys together fighting many beast to cleanse the land for the weak and
innocent (and sometimes the guilty).  The most important part of the dream
stayed within his mind as a haunting thought -- they would share their
knowledge with each other and even give young people a chance for a reward
just for gaining knowledge about the realms.

There wasn't any question in the bishops mind whether to leave and find this
lady or not.  He knew that where ever he traveled the blessings of Oghma
would always stay with him.  The devotion to Oghma would never leave the
heart of this particular bishop.  In fact, this would be an expansion of the
life long service for the bishop.  He called for his scribe and had the
message distributed to all the monks in the church.  The temple of Oghma was
less one great man of god that evening.

He carefully packed books and ancient scrolls in his bags.  Chuckling lightly
to himself as he realized he was trying to take the whole library.  Light
humor was easy for the bishop.  All the knowledge that he possesed in his
mind would sometimes take strange turns because of his overwhelming wit.

All the priests and priestess' gathered in the great hall to give their
bishop an honorable farewell.  Some of the rich and important citizens were
waiting in the courtyard outside.  Many going away gifts were offered to the
bishop but he directed his scribe for them to be offerings to the god Oghma.


THE JOURNEY

The road that lead to the great city of Neverwinter was well trodden.  Many
times the bishop had to stop and heal diseased, cursed, and wounded people.
One incident that you might find interesting was when a feebleminded man was
walking on the path.  Unfortunately, he was not intelligent enough to know
that he had been affected by a magical spell.  Judging by the clothes that he
wore and the armor that he bore, which seemingly portrayed high rank of a
local guild -- he indeed was under the power of a magical spell.  The bishop
stopped the man and spoke, "Be free, m'son, of the power that has infected
your mind.  Take into yourself now the healing power of Oghma's knowledge and
be free from stupidness."  Immediately, the man came out of the haze he was
walking around in and remembered where he was and what had happened.  There
was no need for payment but the healed man insisted on paying the bishop. So,
the money was taken and put away for tithes and offerings unto Oghma.

Upon a donkey he rode on the trail from Waterdeep.  Stopping whenever he
could at small villages and large towns to be of service to those in need of
some knowledge.  As he approached a particular town, Berun, he noticed there
weren't any people in any of the buildings.  The inn, armory, and temples had
been ransacked by large creatures who left behind large piles of dung and
urine to mark the territory as theirs.  Of course, the bishop had to stop and
check in every building to make sure that there wasn't anyone still alive
that might need a special services of a cleric.

As he was leaving one of the abandoned buildings ten large trolls began to
push the bishop around.  They picked him up and started tossing him around
like a ball.  The bishop wielded his flail and began to twirl it.  It soon
met the skull of the troll that was 'supposed' to catch the bishop.  The
troll was knocked back several feet onto a table. As he tumbled over the
table and smacked into the wall he left a slimy green muck that dripped down
the wall when the troll fell to the ground.

The bishop turned around just in time to see another troll taking a swipe at
his head.  The claws barely scraped the bracers on the bishops arm as the
bishop raised his arm to block the blow.  The bishop touched the trolls head
and spoke, "Take this troll to the depths of the earth, m'lord Oghma!!!"  The
bishops hands radiated with a redish ember glow and the trolls head exploded
into small fragments.

The bishop turned toward the other eight trolls and swung his flail in a
round-house formation.  The flail hit the head of the furthest troll to the
right causing his head to hit the next head of the troll standing to him.....
and so on.. causing a domino effect.  The trolls stood there looking
bewildered from such a quick and strong bash.  Quickly, the bishop whipped
out a scroll and read it.  Another troll fell to the ground after his legs
and arms abruply burst into flames.

Again, the bishop dodged another attempt of the trolls to sustain him.  As a
troll reached out to grab the bishop, the bishop reached out and grabbed the
troll by the throat.  He spoke, "Breath be gone from these cursed lungs!!"
The trolls eyes began to boggle and his face began to turn white.  He too
fell to the ground.

The remaining trolls stood there suprised that a small frail man could be so
powerful.  The bishop advanced upon the remaining twirling his flail.  "GO!
Before you meet the fate of your brethren."  he proclaimed.  The trolls just
stood there as they were very confused.  The bishop had little tolerance for
creatures such as trolls.  "From muck you're created and MUCK you shall
return!"  immediately as he said this two trolls fell to the ground and
transformed into green slime that engulfed the remaining trolls and
disentegrated them into ashes.

The bishop exited the small building and threw two flask of oil in through
the window.  "Fire element of the earth, show thyself in my hand."  he spoke
and produced fire in his hand.  Quickly,  he lit the oil and the trolls were
burned to ashes.A Fire in the Sky - Part 2
(submitted by: SOL Saybr)

By the time the two Sols get to the sphere, it seems to have cooled off
somewhat.  As Saybr starts to go near the thing, which by now can be seen to
be made of metal, Met stops him and says, "Hey.  Don't ya think it might be a
good idea to cast some protective spells on yourself before you get too close
to that thing?"

"Heh...good idea.  I guess I got excited."  

After prepping themselves (although it cooled somewhat, Saybr noticed that
Resist Fire was a good idea) they began looking the thing over.  It was
perfectly spherical, and was seamless and smooth, except for some strange
kind of control pad with numbered and colored buttons.

After pushing different buttons at random, a charge of electricity runs
through Saybr's body.  "I guess I owe you another one.  If I hadn't globed,
I'd prolly be fried right now."

Met frowned at him. "Let me try."  There was a hiss, and a small panel slid
open, revealing the contents.  Metria's eyes grew wide.  "Look at this!"

Saybr let out a whistle.  "These have Mech written all over them," he said as
he pulled out something that looked like a metal crossbow, only not so clumsy
and without a visible bow or string.  "These have to be some sort of weapon.
I'm gonna call for help."

He closed his eyes and reached out with his mind to his brother Trance.  He
briefly relayed what they had found.  "You'd better bring a couple of
Acolytes with wagons, and Sol Lazer.  If anybody could figure these out, it's
him."  Trance relayed that they were on their way, and Saybr and Met sat
tight.

After awhile, Trance and Lazer rode up on horseback.  "The wagons are on
their way.  Show us your toys," Trance grinned.  Saybr tossed him the weapon,
and another to Lazer.

"Well, Lazer, what do you think?", he asked.

"Definately a weapon, see this thing here must be the firing mechanism and
this here is......" A bolt of blue lightning bursts from the device, goes
through Trance's body, and sears a tree behind him.  "Ooops!  Sorry!" Lazer
replied, grinning sheepishly at Trance.

Trance growled.  "You're lucky I always prep when I come through the woods."

Metria laughed.  "What's so funny?"  Trance asked.

"Think of all the time you saved.  We would have argued for hours trying to
decide whether a globe would stop that thing."  She couldn't help from
smiling.  

Just then, the wagons pulled up.  "Load 'em up boys.  I think the Masks are
in for a little surprise!"

Lazer asked, "Do you suppose I could hang onto one, you know, to study on the
way back?"

The reply was instant, from all three of the other soldiers, "NO!"

Lazer started to sulk.  "One mistake and your branded, mumble mumble"

As the Sols headed back to the keep, they failed to notice one important
detail, namely MECH 8Ball watching their progress from concealment.  He did
not look too happy about his supplies being taken, and was already plotting
their recapture.....A Tale Begins
(submitted by: Sol Arthur)

Arthur walked along the streets of Neverwinter watching those he passed with
interest, mostly for their reactions to him, a Soldier of Light.  He had been
somewhat troubled of late, his assignment here in Neverwinter not being what
he had envisioned at all.  This played on his mind, as did the rumors of the
behavior of the Soldiers of Light in and around the town of Neverwinter.  It
was this rumor that he looked to those he passed for answers.  It was the
reaction of others that would confirm or deny the rumors.

As he walked he found himself passing Lord Nashers keep, its large walls
doing nothing more than blocking the view of his failure to keep Neverwinter
safe and protected.  Arthur had yet to meet Lord Nasher, but was not looking
forward to it, for he had already formed an opinion, and it was one of
dislike for the Lord of Neverwinter.  The sadness and despair in the commoner
was appalling, and Lord Nasher and his lack of courage was to blame.  

Arthur walked over and stopped below the large wall to Nasher's keep, turned
and faced Neverwinter Square,  leaned back and watched those who passed or
stopped in the square.  There was a multitude of beings that passed this way
and that, belonging to one guild or another.  Guilds, gangs, it seemed to
make little difference here, for only the evil guilds were being heard above
the despair that this region of the Sword Coast had decayed to.

Arthur had to admit, Tempus was being properly tithed too, as battles were
numerous in the area.  But even those battles were usually one evil guild
fighting another.  No, it seemed that those who professed good were far and
few between as of late.  Arthur had heard different when he had been given
his assignment here.  He had been told of glorious battles that involved
those guilds that upheld what was right and true against the evil swarms that
plagued this land.

The Keepers of the Eternal Flame came to mind first, as Arthur recalled
battles and wars where the Keepers were regarded as one of the area's finest
fighting forces.  Yet since his return, he had rarely seen one of the famed
Keepers on patrol, much less a glorious battle.

He had observed that those called the Protectorate were trying hard to combat
the waves of evil, but their good hearted efforts were being overwhelmed, as
were the other good guilds who tried to stem the tide.  Neverwinter was in an
age of darkness, there could be no other definition that Arthur could think
of.  Though Tempus was gaining ever more glory through the battles fought
around the area, his long term objectives were not being attended to.

Yes, even Arthur was frowning on the lack of leadership his brothers and
sisters in the Soldiers of Light were offering to the commoner in
Neverwinter.  On occasion since his return he had been fortunate to battle
with some of his brothers and sisters, but they were usually the same faces,
which were few, and it was never anything organized.

Arthur had heard stories of what the Soldiers of Light once were in
Neverwinter, and as he walked away from Lord Nashers keep, he knew he was
going to try his hardest to restore that glory to the guild he served, and to
his god Tempus.Ego's New Jewel
(submitted by: Ego Prime)

Removing her bodice and laying her gently on the alter, only the sounds of
her panting breath and racing heart broke the silence within the church.
Unable to speak or move,  her eyes opened and began to take in the
surroundings of where she lay.

Skeletal, battered and bloody bodies, some of which still twitching from
recent death-filled the seats within.  Worn tapastries, strange writings and
mystic symbols adorned the face of all four walls.  The cold marble pressed
against her naked back as the gargoyle sconces looked down upon her with
crimsen eyes.  And there seemingly to hover above an immense gothic figure
cast in gold and fine gems, she saw him!.

Within her head she heard his voice radiate as it filled her soul.......
"Welcome my child to the church of Ego.  Your day of salvation has arrived at
last.   The good of Tyr which has held you enthralled, will do so no more.
Since the 1st day you seeked me out and asked for my help, you knew!  The
powers of evil touched you that day and with that touch you felt the
seductive beauty of the darkness.   There has been none other that has held
good as dear to their heart as you have.   Most good souls hold some seed of
darkness that allow's one to penetrate, touch and  manipulate it.  But you
Emerld Ldy resisted and fought it for many months until today!  Emerld, the
time is now!  Tell me you welcome the darkness!  That you are ready to end
your life of goodness!  That you accept me as your god and savior and I will
give your life new meaning, filled with many wonders and the delicious evil
and all that it brings.  Whisper it aloud just once and I will give you the
love like that to which you have never known".

As she gazed into my eyes a single tear rolled down her alabaster cheek.  Her
lips began to quiver as a small hushed voice escaped her....... "Ego you are
my god.  Deliver me.  Take me for your own".

And with that said the gem which were the eyes of the gothic idol began to
glow.  As Emerld gazed at the hypnotic eyes the creatures claws opened
revealing a jagged dagger of silver.  As she closed her eyes the dagger
dropped from above and plunged deep into her chest impaling her to the altar.

A veil of exotic silks materialized and drapped her body.  A moment later the
Ceremony would begin and Ego would find his Jewel!Blue Moon
(submitted by: WOL Mist)

Through the swirling fog, the lamp lighter for the town of Crossergate makes
his rounds, at each corner of the town square he lights the hurricane lamps
set high above the street on ornate iron posts. The flickering flame casts a
yellow glow upon the walls of the stone buildings that line the streets on
both sides, as the sharp report of his footsteps fade into the distance a
lone figure emerges from a hidden passageway.  The light dance's over a faded
purple cloak, its hood casting a shadow over the face of the lone traveler.

The combined light of the lamps and the moon reveal a small Elvin woman,
strapped across her back is a long sword, its hilt is beautifully crafted and
the whole length of the sword glows faintly with a magic that seems to have
been forged into the blade.  Pushing back the hood, two small gauntleted
hands reveal a china white face framed by long black hair. The exspession on
the Elvin womans face is stone serious as she tilts her head back to look at
the full moon, the second full moon this month, it is the Blue Moon.

Mist gazes at the bright orb high above , her face reveals no emotion as she
stares at the sky. "Luna, it is a welcome sign. Surely if you can appear full
twice in one month then we your children may yet prevail against this
darkness that has descended upon us."  Mist murmers aloud. "My brothers have
disapeared one by one, it seems but a handful remain. Where is Lobo, my
betrothed? Zaltar my dear friend has long been abscent from our lodge. The
hearth is cold, no meal has been cooked there in a forenight.  The vile house
of ITB has defiled the den of the Wolves of Luna. Will you not call your
children home? WolBanshee fights in the Lost Hills in an attempt to keep the
twisting path clear of evils, many from the other guilds stand beside her,
but from WOL only AGM Azlan has joined her."

Pulling the hood back on her head the Elvin woman steps back into the shadow
just as a group of UDL stagger out of the inn, only two eyes can be seen
shining from the darkness, the eyes of a predator, out of the shadows steps
the Banshee.

The hunt continues, no evil is safe when the wolves howl.  OOOWWOOOOOOLLLL
Dark Times Ahead - Part 1
(submitted by: LafeL)

Panic and despair sweeps across the countryside. Townsfolk gather in the
great cities of Neverwinter, looking to their leaders for answers to the
terror that has engulfed them all.  Clerics fill various temples praying for
divine guidence;the prayers go unanswered. Mighty sorcerers cast spell upon
spell to no avail. Hoplessness sets in; have the gods abandoned their
followers? 

Not more than five days ago, a hooded figure stood in the center of
Neverwinter claiming the end is near, that the people of this town have
abandoned all faith and hope in those who brought them this world. The "False
Gods", as they were called, took it upon themselves to alter that was created
for them; using forbidden magics to create unlimited and unholy weapons. Soon
it became apparent that these "False Gods" sucked the life from this world.
Trust in others was a thing of the past. The use of forbidden magic became
widespread to the point of honorable people, be they good or evil, left the
realms for more stable surroundings. The people of Neverwinter laughed at
this hooded man, saying Lord Nasher and his Royal Guard would protect them
and return the countryside to order.

A lone figure stands outside the gate of Lord Nasher's castle. Bard's once
sang sonnets about the luster and beauty of this structure; spires reaching
into the heavens, walls glistening in the sun. But looking thru the figure's
eyes, one would see nothing but death's grip. A slot opens and a voice calls
out, " Who goes there?". "I am Tyst, leader of The Protectorate, answering
Lord's Nasher's summons." The castle gate struggles to lower down and Tyst
enters the castle. A weary figure walks up to Tyst.  "Lord Nasher will see
you now, but remember this, what you see within these walls must be kept
within these walls. If the townsfolk knew of the dire state if the
kingdom,surely all will be lost." Tyst is led into an antechamber where a
group of armor clad warriors surround a frail person lying on a bed. " Come
closer Tyst, there is much to be discussed." Walking closer, Tyst recognizes
Nasher's Royal Guard; Snowie, Hobbes, Icarus, Aziza and others huddled around
their lord. Tyst bows and says, " How may I serve thee?" "Loyal Tyst" Nasher
responds, "as you can see, Neverwinter is in great peril. These "False Gods"
are everywhere and tis more than my Royal Guards can handle. We need to find
the answer to the curse that has befallen us all. The deeds of your guild are
known to me and you are the last hope of Neverwinter. Gather the finest of
your bretheren, save our land." As Tyst leaves the castle,his head sinks as
he thinks. " Is this what our land has become? A wave of the hand and
anything can be yours?

A somber mood enveloped the Great Hall of The Protectorate. The summons was
answered by some of the finest adventurers in all of Neverwinter. These
veterans knew of the evil that had taken over the lands and on their vows,
pledged to do all they could to defeat this evil and return Neverwinter to
it's former glory. Tyst rose to address his bretheren. "Brother's and
sister's, we all know of the dire state that has befallen the countryside, an
evil for which there seems to be no answer. Lord Nasher has asked The
Protectorate to find the answer; one we must find or die trying. Since you
are more familiar with the dark ways BoltThrwr; it is up to you to find the
solution. Prepare yourselves my friends, all depends on us few." With that
said, the warriors of The Protectorate left the hall and went to prepare for
the evil that lay ahead.

"More familiar with the dark ways?" BoltThrwr laughed as he entered his
private room," now what would have given him that idea?" Looking into the
room of the Arch-summoner lies the answer. Books and tomes line the shelfs,
skulls holding them in place; arcane symbols line the floor. Not much light
is needed, Bolt is accustomed to being in the dark.  Not to say that he is
Drow; quite the contrary; it is more of a way of life.  A solitary elf to
most; he treasures his privacy, concerning himself with his fellow mages and
guildmates.  First appearances would decieve you; thou not many get close
enough to study his features.  Jet black hair; eyes that change hues
depending on his mood, muscular; thou not like a paladin. Bolt relies on
deception and stealth; features that foes have found out, albeit too late.
The magelord places braziers around a pentagram in the middle of his room.
Taking coal in his hands, he delicately traces symbols on the floor. "
Luminaire, where are you?"  Bolt calls out. A flapping of wings is heard, and
into the room a small black dragon flies in."  A tear if you please " Bolt
asks his familiar. Placing a vial near it's eye, Bolt retrieves the final
ingredient for his spell. Lighting the braziers, Bolt begins to cant.
Weaving his hands and speaking a tounge long since forgotten, he pours the
dragon's tears onto the pentagram. ::boom:: ::crash:: an explosion rocks the
tower. Thrown across the room, Bolt struggles to regain his senses. He looks
at the result; nine symbols are burnt into the floor."  Ah...these look
familiar " he states as he leaves to join the others.

" We must find these nine artifacts " Bolt addresses the adventurers, " and
do not think that it shall be easy. For not only will you face monsters, but
perhaps your own personal demons as well. Return the artifacts to me once you
have recovered them, then we may be able to overcome this evil. "  A look of
hope falls across the faces of  The Protectorate; now they have a light at
the end of the tunnel.

To be continued....


Lafel
Star's Fella
The ProtectorateMission Improbable
(submitted by: Shenazia)

    I's can't believe of all da stinkin' people in dis town, I is sittin'
here gabbin' wif some dead guys, but whad' I expect, I opened my mouth again
an' told 'em I knew who dey was. So of course, dey asked me ta have a lil
talk wif 'em.  I's agree, I mean, do I really have a choice?!  So here I am
listenin' to em.  But dey aint all dat bad, well, 'cept that rude one who ran
off after tellin' me in not so many words ta bloke off.  Ah well, I will see
'im in da hills one day, an' maybe I just might give 'im a taste of my Redcap
razor sharp teeth.  Chewin' through a vamp wont be any kinds of challenge.

     Anyways, I's gabbin' wif dese vamps an' dey wanted ta know what an' who
I is, an' so I's tell 'em.  Dey never heard of da Kith before, so I tell 'em
a bit 'bout us.  Dey is way cool wif me.  When I mentions banality to 'em,
and explain dat its de disbelief in my kind, dey actually wanna see if'n dere
be anyway dat dey can help wif it.  Well, we brainstorm on dat fer awhile,
an' den we just start talkin'. 

     I take a bite of da table since I am gettin' a bit hungry and dey do da
same, I never thought dat vamp teeth was so strong. Dats when I mention my
secret fantascy of actually tastin' one of dem iron men.  Imagine my surprise
when dey all tell me dat da Mechs are all bland, I mean, dey have tasted 'em.
Immediately, my questions start ta fly, dey tell me where I can find a mech,
and let me know what kinda powers dey have.  No sooner as dey take a breath
I's out da door runnin' ta da hills.

     Oh Blessed Heaven!!!!  Mechs, Mechs everywhere!!!!!  Some wif steel
skin, some wif iron, some wif flesh (yuck), but everywhere I look, dere dey
are!  After I pick my jaw up off da ground, I realize I's in da middle of a
major war, fightin' all around me.  I can't take da chance of gettin' caught
up in da skirmish, so I run ta jump and hide behind a tree.  Turnin'
sideways, I take a few deep breaths an relax a moment, until I realize dis
tree has just been disintegrated and dere is a mech starin' right at me wif
some kinda big metal, smokin' crossbow leveled at me.  Wif a small eep comin'
from my lips, I flip over to anudder tree and realize dat it aint hidin'
nufin' since its about as wide as my forearm.  My legs shoot out from under
me, each going a different direction an' I find myself in a split on da
ground.  Quickly, I smudge some dirt on my face and throw some sticks and
leaves in my hair and leap head first into a bush.  Safety at last.

     Through da leaves I finally find a Mech dat is turnin' ta leave da
battle.  He is pretty beat up so's I figure he is headed back ta his
barracks.  Dis is my opportunity.  Castin' invis on myself, den usin' da Kith
magics ta conceal my body heat (since da vamps told me dat da iron men can
see dat) I crawl from da bush and start ta follow him.  Tree to tree I run,
lookin' like some kinda crazy person, but da mech seems not to see me
everytime he turns around from da noise of me runnin' face first into one of
the trees.  Finally, he comes to giant doors and before I can decide what ta
do, disappears within them, da doors closing right behind him. 

     So I walks over to da doors and press myself against da wall, hopin' dat
da next mech will come in soon so I's can follow him in an' prepare myself
for da buffet.

     Hours an' hours go by until the doors finally open again. Someone wuz
comin' out.  To go in or to go after dis person?  Too many choices, kinda
like "For here or ta go".  When I's saw what left da compound, my mind wuz
made up fer me.  A female mech walked outta da doors, starin' off into space
like there wuzn't a hungry Kith Redcap about ta pounce on her.  Hehehe,
dinner time!

     I'z followed her to a secluded glen in da Hills before she finally
turned around and told someone to stop followin' her an' show demselves.  I
looked around an' didn't see no body.  Who wuz she talkin' t... oh, me.  So I
strolled over dere, a certain attitude in my step before I realized I was
still invis.  I dropped my invis right infront of her and smiled as brightly
as I could, da sun reflectin' off my steely teeth.  She an' I spoke, but I
don't know why she almost passed out when i asked her da question.

     "I wants ta taste a Mech, can I have a piece of yas lady?"

     She was gone, loopy, crazy, just pure whacko.  She started laughin, den
she shaddup, den she started ta cry, den she smacked herself.  I just stood
dere starin' at her wif my bloodshot eyes until she finally looked at me and
asked if'n I wuz serious. Wif a vigorous nod, I answered her question.  Dats
when she took off her boot an' offered me her foot.

     A few minutes later, I was using a piece of Mech foot fer a toofpick as
she limped off in da direction of da compound.  Although I thought one taste
of a mech would satisfy my curiosity, I know came to da realization dat...

     I was addicted ta Mech feet.

     So, stickin' a few more branches in my hair, I dropped to da ground an'
started ta crawl around, lookin' fer da nicest pair of metal feet in da
realms.

Shenazia
Kithain Redcap Knight
"Da Mouth"
NW Avon Representative
Starter of New TrendsQuest for the Black Chest
(submitted by: LadyLeora)

Tarlyn had listened carefully to Freya's plan, and had thought, at the time,
that it was a good idea. She was a goddess, after all and they didn't talk to
winged-lions everyday. Now, crouched behind the rocks in the wyverns lair, he
wasn't so certain this was the right tact... 

"Couldn't Saren just buy a damned engagement ring?!" he thought to himself,
grumbling. "I'm a winged lion, for the gods' sake! What do I care about
humans getting married!?"  But he knew he would do anything for his
bond-mate, Leora... and from what Freya had told him, this would make her
very happy... 

So, he stood there, listening to the deep, hollow breathing of the clutch of
wyverns that slept on the hot sands of the cavern floor. Tarlyn's paws ached
from the constant burn of the volcanic cavern, as he shifted from side to
side, trying to rest them, formulating the plan.

The cavern had once been the lair of a huge red dragon. The clutch of wyverns
had invaded the cavern and through their sheer numbers, had destroyed the red
wyrm, though the assault had decimated their flock to just five. Wyverns were
notoriously stupid creatures, Tarlyn knew, but fierce fighters in an
animalistic sense... they had no sense of their own mortality and no fear.

Treasure was piled about the cavern, gleaming with silent majesty. Freya had
told him the ring would be in a small black chest, at the top of one of the
piles, next to a golden statue of the goddess Athena. Tarlyn's keen eyes
scanned over the golden piles, alighting on the statue. There, next to the
statue lay a tiny black box.

And in front of the pile, lay five wyverns.

The wyverns were young, their brown-black scales not the full ebony of
maturity yet. They were all about Tarlyn's size, and weight, and could fly
like he could; no help there. He could pounce on one and kill it before the
others awoke, but that would still leave four...

He looked around the room, his tail lashing in frustration. He saw a huge
stalactite above the sands... Hmm... It was huge. If it fell...

He crept to the right, crouching low against the sands, feeling the skin and
soft fur of his belly burn on the heat. Yes, sure enough the stalactite was
thinner from this side. If he could gain enough momentum, he could...

Trotting all the way down the passageway out of the main cavern, Tarlyn leapt
mightily into the air, wings fighting the stale air. Picking up speed, he
rounded the corner into the wyvern's lair.

Tucking his head into his chest, he had time to think, "Yes, this is going to
hurt..." before he smashed into the broad side of the stalactite. Seeing a
bright flash before his eyes, his nose feeling numb with pain, he flapped,
trying to keep upright.

The stalactite broke from the ceiling with a snap, falling to the sands far
below. The wyverns had awoken, hearing him flap in, and now proceeded to
watch the stalactite fall. It was a true indication of how stupid they were,
because three of them saw it falling towards them and did not move out of the
way.

There was a terrifying thud that shook the cavern, and one of the creatures
began a high-pitched screaming that made Tarlyn's mane rise, a roar building
in his chest. 

Tarlyn didn't wait to see what the other two would do, but dove to the
statue, grabbing the tiny box in his teeth, and leapt back into the air.

The two other wyverns met him on the way up. One was bleeding badly from
where it's tail had been crushed by the falling stone, but both looked
formidable, their red eyes glowing.

Tarlyn felt the wildness of his lion's blood rise in him like a wave, and
wished his mouth was not full so that he could roar. He dove beneath them,
hearing the uninjured one's poisoned tail snapping after him with cracks like
a whip. With two running strides on the sands, he was airborne again, flying
for dear life with the wyvern's in hot pursuit.

The cavern was long, and the way to the surface was filled with twists and
turns that Tarlyn hoped he remembered well enough. Using all the aerobatic
flying skills he possessed, he dove sideways past one stalactite, hearing a
muffled "whump!" as one of the wyvern's smashed painfully into it. One left.
He hoped it was the injured one, but wasn't going to risk looking back to
see.

He swooped below a low arch, and into a low cavern. The wyvern following him
didn't hit the stone arch as he had hoped. He heard it breathing behind him,
and the tail came forward with another crack, closer this time... so, it
wasn't the injured one, but the one who still had the whole tail. Great.
Poison.

"Oh, Freya, I hope you know how close this is getting..." Tarlyn thought,
beginning to get worried. His wings were tired, the breath burning in his
chest, and that damned flying lizard was gaining on him.

He pulled in his wings and shot like a bullet through another archway, then
unfurled his wings to soar into another huge cavern. He heard the wyvern give
a muffled squawk, and turned, but it appeared shortly thereafter, wingtips
bleeding and abraded.

With a tired sigh, Tarlyn took off again. It was no good. It was going to be
a fight.

Landing on the rocky floor, he set down the box and jumped aside as the
wyvern's tail struck at him again, missing the back of his hind quarters by
inches. Leaping up as the wyvern tried to rise, Tarlyn roared a challenge to
his reptilian foe, and grabbed the tail above the stinger in his powerful
jaws.

The wyvern was pulled down as Tarlyn dropped like a stone, to land on the
floor of the cavern. The Wyvern landed hard on one wing, giving another
screech of pain.

Pulling and tearing, Tarlyn ripped the lethal stinger from the tail. Horrible
black poison, thick like tar, spat convulsively from the broken poison sacs
in the tail, followed by foul smelling gouts of blood. Spitting out the
stinger, Tarlyn began to retch uncontrollably.

The wyvern turned, head darting forward to grab Tarlyn's ear and part of his
skin in it's mouth. Roaring at the unexpected pain, Tarlyn leapt at the
creature, grasping it in his foreclaws, and kicking lethally with his
powerful hind legs. He could feel blood matting his beautiful platinum mane,
and the pain was excruciating!

They wrestled and fought, rolling over and over. The wyvern kept biting
horribly, but seeing as how it only had two legs, it could not attack with
them often, having to use them for balance. Tarlyn's claws finally found
purchase on the slick scales of the wyvern, and ripped in.

Like a bag bursting, slimy foul-smelling intestines covered his legs and
body. The wyvern started to keen appallingly, head snaking back and forth in
pain.

Tarlyn jumped back, breathing hard. Yes, he had done it. He had won, but the
mind-blurring ringing in his head told him it had not been without cost. He
wondered if the thing had ripped the ear from his head or not.

Picking up the small box, he limped his way quickly from the cavern, trying
to put as much distance between himself and the screaming death-cries of the
wyvern. 

He had to get back to Leora...

*************************************

LadyLeora the Red
GM of the WinterguardWelp, I dont know if you were looking for works of art
such as this, but here is a portrait of ITB Teddi and her brand new flail
"Shriek". The "Shriek" story ran this week in the Tales section of the paper,
and well, I though the picture would make a nice follow up, if you can use
it.It was just finished today,it hasn't been uploaded in this final form to
the ITB web page yet, so you get a exclusive! <g>


ITB Skorp
Attack in Red Larch
(submitted by: SOMNeranek)

     Neranek sat alone in his room, pouring over the latest scroll he had
aquired.  His form shimmered and blurred as always, due to the displacer
cloak of his of design.  The cleric, turned mage began the process of
scribing the scroll into his leather-bound spellbook, when a knock fell upon
his door.  Startled, the mage rose and placed the scroll into a drawer in his
ancient mahongony desk.  Casting a rune of protection on the desk, Ner turned
and went to the door.

     As he reached the door, a soft, gentle voice called out to him from the
other side. 

     "Neranek, my lord, are you in there?"

     Recognizing the voice, Ner quickly cast dispelling magics on the wards
barring the door and quickly reached up on pulled open the latch.  Standing
in the doorway was a woman of startling beauty.  Her flaming crimson hair
cascaded in gentle waves from around her face.  The Lady stood a full six
feet tall with a lovely frame.  Her gentle grace belied the fact the she was
a most able fighter.  Her tanned shoulders and face were exposed above the
top of her strapless gown which was cut from a velvet so dark-blue in color,
that it almost appeared to be black.  However, what intrigued Neranek the
most were her eyes.  Her eyes were the most alluring shade of purple that he
had ever seen.

     His voice finding purchase in his throat, he spoke "Lady Talia.  Then
you did receive my answer to your question?  Please come in and we can depart
momentarily."

     "Yes, Ner, I do not know how I can repay this favor I have asked of ye,
yet somehow I will." came her reply as she stepped across the threshold into
Neranek's quarters.  She eyes probed the room with the skill of a trained
warrior.  Always on guard, Talia had learned the rewards of vigilance.  What
odd living quarters, she thought to herself.

     "Talia," began Neranek, "as always with you, the reward is in the
giving.  While the price I have yet to pay for this venture remains to be
seen, I have agreed to aid you here.  Perhaps the time is long past for this
reunion."

     The Lady Paladin-Mage tried to focus her eyes on the shimmering form of
the mage before her.  His odd, discordant sounding voice seemed to come from
the air around him which did not aid her in focusing in on his true form.  To
her knowledge, no one that she knew had ever laid eyes upon the cleric-mage.
In her mind's eye, she had toyed with several fanciful ideas of what he might
look like in reality.  

     Though she was disturbed by the mournful sound his voice had made when
he mentioned his personal price, she replied "Ner, you do not have to go
through with this on my account.  I can seek another path to walk to reach my
goal.  The gift I seek to procure is not worth sacrfice to any but myself."

     Her soft voice left no doubt in Neranek's mind that the decision was in
his hands to make.  He could walk away freely and owe the Lady nothing.  Yet,
the decision he felt was never truly his to make.  Once the request for help
was made, he felt the hand of destiny tighten upon him once again.

     "Come then, fairest Talia.  The time is upon us.  Stand over there
please while I cast my spell." Neranek told her pointing to an area near his
mahogany desk.  

     Standing behind the desk, Talia watched as Neranek went through the
procedure of casting a dimension door.  A shimmering red portal opened in the
space in front of Neranek.  Odd, she thought, most of these portals I have
seen others cast are usually blue in color.  How unusual that Ner's should be
different.

     Picking up his spell-book, Neranek turned and beckoned for her to follow
and then entered the portal.  Placing her faith in her friend, Talia walked
calmly into the portal and was felt surprise when red light felt warm as it
spilled over her body.

     Blinking back the sudden brightness that momentarily blinded her, Talia
saw that she had rematerialized outside the gates of Red Larch.  Neranek was
standing patiently off to the side waiting for her.  Behind her the red
doorway faded out of existance.  

     "We are to wait for Tseanna at the Inn," Neranek said as he led the way
into the city.  Neranek admired the contruction of the city that had once
been his home.  Before becoming the cleric-mage know as Neranek, he had lived
a joyous life in this city with his mother and father and three sisters.
That all came to an end one fatefull day while he and his sister, Tseanna,
were visiting Waterdeep to the south.  An invading horde had overwhelmed Red
Larch and the farmlands surrounding it.  The invaders had murdered his family
that had remaind behind.  Neranek marveled bitterly at how easy it had been
to rebuild the walls of the city, while he had no way of rebuilding his
former life.

     Talia followed behind the cleric-mage as he led the way to the Inn.
Entering the establishment, Neranek motioned her over to a secluded table in
the back.  Sitting on the comfortable wooden seat, Talia noted that Neranek
had apperently spent time here before as a serving girl brought over a tray
with two glasses and a wooden pitcher and left without saying a word.  Taking
a glass, Neranek picked up the pitcher and poured a sparkling pink liquid
into it.  Passing it to Talia he said, "I think you will like this blend.  It
is Strawberry-Kiwi."

     Taking the drink, Talia lifted it to her full lips and tasted it.  The
lady paladin rolled it around across her tongue and swallowed.  The
sugar-water concoction tasted good and she told Neranek so.  Wondering how
long they would have to wait, Talia was surprised to notice a new arrival to
the inn had come very close to her without her notice.  Casting a surprised
eye, Talia could not believe who she saw before her.  While the newcomer had
a grim look on her face, Talia had no trouble recognizing the Lady Tseanna
Wynn of Waterdeep.  Talia was amazed that Neranek had invited one of the most
famous mages of Waterdeep to meet with him.

     Bowing her head, Talia offered, "My Lady Wynn, I am honored by your
presence."

     Tseanna ignored Talia's efforts at introduction and continued to stare
at the displacement effect caused by Neranek's cloak.  "Hello, Jason" she
finally began.

     "This is old territory Tseanna." came Neranek's response. "I am Neranek
now.  Jason is," Neranek paused to think over his response then continued "no
longer here.  You of all should know that he is no more as you can no longer
read his thoughts as you once could."

     Talia felt very awkward suddenly as if she were intruding on things best
left between these two.  Ner had told her and all of his brethren in the
Servants of Mystery, the tale of his early life and told them that he had
become Neranek.  What he had not shared was just what that meant.  Nor had he
told anyone of the obvious resentment that Tseanna felt towards this change.

     She started to excuse herself to allow for privacy, but Neranek placed a
hand on her forearm and gently pushed her back into her seat.  Talia was
stunned at the bone-numbing coldness that had come from Neranek's touch.
Rubbing her arm thoughtfully, she watched Tseanna continue.  

     "And you know that I can not accept this as a permanent change.  I have
and will continue my magical studies in an attempt to understand what you
have done with Jason and how I can separate you from him."  Tseanna spoke
sharply, in a tone of voice that chilled Talia.  When an arch-mage of The
City of Splendors makes an oath like that, one had best not be on the
receiving end of it.

     "Tsea, we will debate this another time.  Have you the cloth that I
asked you to purchase for me?  Two full bolts of Sembian Silk in light blue
was what I required."

     Tseanna Wynn shrugged her shoulders and replied, "The cloth be cursed! I
only came here to see if you had come to your senses.  I can see that you
haven't so I may as well give you the cloth and be on my way."  With that,
Tseanna reached into a bag at her side and pulled from it two bolts of cloth.
Talia recognized the bag for what it was, a magical bag of holding as she
accepted the cloth from the angry mage.  If Neranek had not been related to
Tseanna, Talia would have felt extemely vulnerable sitting next to the one
who was provoking the arch-mage.

     "Tseanna, accept what I am.  I am Neranek who was Jason, hence I have
always been here.  There can be no return."

     Talia thought she could detect a note of sorrow amidst the sound coming
from Neranek.

     "For now," came Tseanna's reply, "for now."

     With that, the mage made a gesture and turned a stepped into a portal
that sprang up at her command.  With a snap, the portal closed leaving Talia
alone again with Neranek.  Talia looked at the cloth uncomfortably.  She felt
guilty at the price Neranek had just paid to secure the cloth for her.  Not
knowing what to say, she was relieved when Neranek spoke first.

     "It is late.  Perhaps we should stay the night here and return to
NeverWinter on the morrow."  Neranek stood and led the way to the back of the
Inn and stopped before a doorway near the back.  His cloak parted to reveal a
hand reaching out with a key in it.  Neranek placed the key in the door and
unlocked it.  

     "You may sleep in here.  I am going to go for a walk and then I will
retire in the room next door."

     Talia nodded her head to him and she pushed past him into the room.
Shutting the door behind her, she surveyed the room.  Beside an over-sized
bed, stood a nightstand with a wash-basin.  Stripping of her gown, she folded
it carefully and placed it on the sole chair in the room located near the
door.  Talia went to the wash-basin and poured some water in it from the
pitcher beside it.  After washing her face, she flung back the bed covers and
climbed in.  

     After what had seemed like only a few peaceful minutes, Talia was awaked
by an insistent pounding on her door.

     "Lady! Lady wake up!  Your friend is under attack and needs assistance"
came a frantic voice.

     Talia vaulted from the bed and grabbed at her dress.  Unfolding it she
snatched up her handbag and plunged her whole arm inside of it.  After
groping around for a second, she pulled from it her enchanted long-sword.
Pulling her dress up over her body as she opened the door, Talia surprised
the innkeeper as he was about to pound on it again.

     "Where is he?" she demanded, "Where is Neranek?"

     "Out there, Lady." the innkeeper jabbed a finger in the direction of the
street.  "Hurry!"

     As Talia raced from the Inn into the street, the night was lit up by a
sudden yellow flash of light.  Talia recognized the magical burst as the
effects of a turning of undead.  Her blade held before her, she hit the
street at a run.  She knew that Neranek must be in trouble as he favored
using the simple magic of a fireball to destroy his foes.  He must have been
wounded to prevent his spell-casting.

     Rounding a corner, she was shocked at the carnage that lay before her.
Neranek had his back to her and was on his knees.  Across the courtyard were
the smoking remains of well over one hundred skeletal warriors.  Their
discarded weapons could well stock the entire armory of Red Larch.  Lying on
the ground closest to him she noticed, with alarm, a mace covered with fresh
blood.

     Talia began scanning the shadows nearby.  Through her understanding of
the magical art, she knew that whomever had raised these skeletons was very
likely nearby to be able to command them effectively.  Her keen eyes picked
out a dark form across the courtyard.  Talia quickly placed herself between
the approaching stranger and Neranek.

     Neranek reached for her and croaked "Careful, Tal, he is not what he
seems."  He jerked in pain from the exertion of speaking and fell silent.  

     Talia dropped into a fighter's stance and held her sword out before her.
As the stranger drew closer, she could see that he wore a dark cape that he
had pulled around himself.  His skin appeared grey in color and his hair was
black as night.  As he came withing striking distance of her sword, the
creature flung open his cape and threw himself onto her blade.  Not expecting
such a move, Talia was unprepared when the vampire assumed his mist form and
flowed behind her.  

     The vampires taloned hands struck at her back tearing deep gouges in
her.  Talia struggled through the pain to retain her grip on her sword and to
turn and face the creature.  She swung her sword and again the vampire
assumed mist form allowing the blade to carry straight through himself
without harm.  The vampire circled behind her.

     Trying to offer assistance from nearby, Neranek managed to yell out one
syllable, "TURN."

     For a split second, Talia thought Neranek was trying to warn her that
the vampire was moving to catch her from behind.  Then she realized that he
knew that she was aware of the vampire's location and was referring to
something else entirely.  

     Spinning to face the vampire, Talia slammed her long-sword down into the
ground.  Dropping to one knee, she pressed the hilt of the sword against her
forehead.  When her Honor Sword had been crafted for her, the holy symbol of
Mystra, goddess of Magic, had been carved into the hilt.  Offering a prayer
to Mystra, Talia invoked her Paladin ability to turn undead.  She knew in her
heart that while she did not have the power to destroy such a powerful undead
creature, she could force it to flee the battle.

     A yellow flash erupted from her sword and struck the vampire.  Recoiling
in pain and revulsion, the vampire was forced to flee.  Cursing obscenities
at them, the vampire turned and fled into the night.  Where the vampire had
last stood, Talia noticed that it had dropped a stone marker.  Yanking her
sword from the ground, she wearily walked over and picked it up.  The marker
was split into two pieces and when Talia held them together, she realized
that it was a stone of binding.  The magic binding control over the vampire
had been shattered when she had turned him.  The name of the vampire was
emblazoned on on side and read "Galos".  Flipping the Stone over, a simple
"c" had been painted on in what looked to be blood.  Cyric, she thought.  His
attacks on the Servants continue.  So far, Neranek has born the fury of his
assaults.  Although Talia could think of no reason why Cyric had not yet
carried his war to the gates of their Tower.

     Forgetting her own wounds temporarily, Talia went to Neranek's side.
Placing her hands on his slowly shimmering form, she invoked her ability to
Heal once per day.  A healing warmth spread from her hands into Neranek's
battered body.  She felt satisfaction as she leaned closer and heard his
breathing become easier.  Picking him up in her strong arms, she carried him
back to the Inn and placed him in her bed.  She slid the nightstand in front
of the door and sat in the chair and watched over him throughout the night. 

     When morning came, Neranek felt well enought to cast the return spell to
the Tower.  As he rose from the bed, he noticed that Talia had bound her
wounds with white bandages during the night.

     "Talia, we must return now, the danger grows every day.  I fear for your
safety if we remain here now."

     Talia rearranged the furniture away from the door and then picked up the
bolts of cloth in her left hand.  She held out her right hand and Neranek
nodded to her.  He cast the Dimension Door spell and stepped through.  After
he had gone, Talia paused a moment.  I fear for you Neranek, she thought and
then stepped through.Storming the Gate
(submitted by: Sir Stoker)

It seemed like any other day in Neverwinter. We had monsters prowling right
up to the gates of the city proper and we had been doing our best trying to
contain their never ending advances. You can only get so much excitement,
though, from dispatching Lizardmen, Yeti, and Umber Hulks. We had been on our
way back from Windycliffs to Neverwinter in order to train and rest. Our
leader, SKATE2LIVE, made the timely suggestion that we recruit a few more
adventurers and storm the gates to the sewers. We managed to talk a few brave
adventurers into joining our rag tag party and set off to make a name for
ourselves.

The adventure quickly turned into our very own version of comic relief. Our
fearless leader (it will be evident later why I call him fearless) started
out the adventure by forgetting how to get to the sewer gates. Now, don't get
me wrong, I enjoy a leisurely stroll around the city proper as well as the
next adventurer. But in this instance, the adrenalin level and our desire to
fight for the good cause was overwhelming. Luckily, one of the new
adventurers spoke up and directed him to the gates. If he had not done so, we
would probably still be wandering the city. We cast some preparatory spells
and began our decent into the murky sewers.

As soon as we exited the passage into the sewers, we knew we were in for a
big fight. We were immediately surrounded by stone and metal golems. Now,
most of us had come prepared for this type of fight with our magically
enhanced weapons at the ready. The exception to this was our FEARLESS leader
who was heard early in the battle saying, "Why am I only hitting for zero
points damage?". With that question, one of our veteran adventures from the
Heroes of the Realms Guild, HR Sky, asked "Don't you have a magic weapon?".
He replied that he didn't know that he needed one. After much LOL and ROFL,
we continued the fight while contemplating our own intelligence for following
a basically unarmed leader into a fight with golems. I do have to hand it to
him though. Even with doing zero damage, he kept right on swinging away at
them. If heart could kill a golem, he would have killed them all in the first
round. We were finally victorious after many rounds of hack and slash and
about half of our party perishing, including The Cyric, who although was
Chaotic Evil alignment, sacrificed himself saving me, a Paladin.  I believe
it proved that there can be good found in anyone if you give them a chance.

After the fight concluded we split the loot and returned to Neverwinter
proper do discuss important issues such as how to better screen your leaders.
After many mugs of mead, we decided we had too much fun on the adventure to
really worry about it. We all went our separate ways vowing that we would
have to try the whole adventure again some day.To Reclaim Service Owed
(submitted by: Sol Arthur)

Arthur sat and enjoyed his ale, the Crossergate Inn proving to be quiet and
serene when compared to the chaotic atmosphere of Neverwinter.  The ale was
as refreshing, and the service as good as one would expect for the Savage
North.  The quiet was nice, as Arthur needed time to reflect on his last
couple of days, two days that found him wondering on his service here in the
north.

He started to finish his third glass of the cold amber liquid when the cold
breeze blew through the inn.  Arthur's senses stirred as he felt more in the
wind than just chill, he felt also the evil it carried with it.  The
waitress, who had been sitting idly nearby, quickly moved behind the bar,
where she felt safe from the unseen force that had entered.

Arthur's gaze quickly scanned the room until he spotted it in the shadows of
one corner.  Blazing red eyes glared out of the darkness at him as he sat
there at the table.  The waitress followed his gaze, started to scream as she
saw what was there, but instead covered her mouth and ran from the room.

"Arthur, am I correct?" the voice was low, hard and cold.

"Yes, I am Arthur," came a quick response as the Sol came to his feet.

"Arthur, you currently claim the servitude of  the Arch Lich, Shurg, and I am
here to challenge that right," the voice continued, the eyes still staring,
seeming to burn into Arthur's soul.

"And what would ye offer in exchange for this right," Arthur responded,
moving slowly in the direction of the corner.

"We shall do battle Arthur.  Should I win, Shurg is free of his servitude,
should you win, I also shall serve the same fate as he", the Undead Lord
explained his terms, still in the low, cold voice as he started.

"Well, since battle is my tithe, I shall accept, but with whom do I fight?"
Arthur's response.

"I am called Dread, and I shall await thee close by Arthur, Soldier of Light,
for you soon shall be embraced by Myrkul's touch", the voice laughed the last
words, the chill of evil once again filling the inn and then he was gone as
quickly as he arrived.

Arthur whispered quietly to himself, "Watch over me Tempus, for I nay wish to
be embraced by one such as Old Lord Skull".

Arthur somehow knew where Dread would go, as he walked down the main street
in Crossergate, heading for the secret door that would lead one to the
Dracolichs.  Arthur stepped through the hidden door and walked down the hall,
stepping through the first door he quickly spotted the red eyes and ghostly
form once more.

"Arthur, you do not disappoint me," Dread spoke, the same low cold voice.

"Nay, I do not disappoint Tempus, whom I serve Dread," Arthur replied,
quickly casting preparations for the battle to come.

The Undead Lord seemed to just wait, his presence pure evil in the hard
reality that surrounded him.  "He must already have prepared himself," Arthur
thought, finishing up on his preparations.

Then suddenly the fight began, the Undead Lord starting moving quickly away
from the creatures he summoned to the challenge.  For the first time Arthur
knew what else would be involved in the conflict.  "Wild boars and a
bullette, harmless enough," he thought as he pursued the ghostly form of
Dread, noticing that he had cast a globe of protection about himself.

Arthur followed suit, casting a globe of his own, then joining Dread as they
both moved away from the creatures.  Incantations were cast on both sides, as
stink clouds erupted in the halls of the old building.  Both Arthur and Dread
were holding there own against the other's spells as the bullette found his
way into the battle.

Dread evaded the bullette and moved quickly back toward the on rushing wild
boars, leaving Arthur standing next to the monster.  The Soldier of Light
knew if Dread got off a silence now, he was finished in this first test and
thought quickly for an out.  He cast the spell quickly, hoping it would hold
the beast before him, and not really thinking about the effects on the Undead
Lord.

Arthur smiled as the bullette froze in place before him, then turned to
engage Dread once more.  But what he beheld caught him completely by
surprise, for the hold had also caught the Undead Lord and Arthur had turned
just in time to see the wild boar dispel the ghostly form of Dread.

The Soldier of Light gave a silent thanks to Tempus, then sat down and waited
for Dread to return for the second test.  With one victory behind him, Arthur
started to toy with the thoughts of what having two UDL in his service for an
evening would bring.

Arthur did not have to wait long as Dread appeared for the second match.  He
seemed to be larger, his shadowy form seeming to fill the room as he entered.
Dread quickly started the fight and moved to one side of the room, the wild
boars and bullettes following him.

Arthur appeared right behind Dread in the battle, but instead of engaging,
turned and moved quickly down one hall away from the room where the battle
had began.  The Soldier of Light smiled as the boars surrounded Dread in one
corner.

The battle went on for a few rounds like this, Arthur content to watch from
afar as Dread battled the boars and bullette.  Then in a scream of rage,
Dread came charging out of the room, past the boars and down the hall towards
Arthur.

Quickly the Soldier of Light moved further up the hall casting an incantation
at the on rushing Undead Lord, who spoke one in return as the battle was
engaged in earnest.  The two moved up the hall casting causes on each other,
each taking damage and in return inflicting his own.

Arthur watched Dreads eyes, the glowing red orbs that seemed to be lost in
battle rage.  "Perhaps he is not counting," Arthur thought to himself as he
continued to exchange damage spells with the Undead Lord.

Then quickly, Arthur moved away from the wall, knowing his globe had dropped
the round before.  He moved out into the center of an east, west, hall and
turned speaking the incantation that he hoped would spell the end for Dread.
The Undead Lord turned, still standing next to the wall where they had been
battling.

The lightning bolt crackled through the air as it made it's way towards
Dread, who now saw the threat coming.  He braced himself as the bolt struck
him, hit the wall and bounced back, striking him once again.  It was more
than Dread could handle and once again his form vanished from the scene.

Arthur knelt quickly, saying thanks to Tempus that the Undead Lord had failed
to count the rounds and that he had come away with yet another victory.  He
then stood and walked from the building, heading back to the Crossergate Inn
for a cold ale while he contemplated what he shall do one evening with his
two undead allies.Of a White Flower - Part 3
(submitted by: Thorn Hawk)

The ranger stopped to catch his breath.  The sun had just crested the trees
to the east driving the mists from the forest floor while the cloaked figure
knelt down to drink from the clear waters of the brook.  It had been many
days since his departure from Neverwinter and his thoughts drifted back to
Luthyen, proud mistress of Castle Stalker.  He had given her a water lily
from a lake deep within the woods to the north of where he now stood.  It was
just a flower, yet it was also a part of himself for what it had cost him to
pick.  He had given her a part of his spirit, his heart and that thought
alone sent chills down his spine.  Love was not something the ranger gave
lightly for his life was one of solitude.  Picking up his pack, Thorn Hawk
headed north instead of continuing his journey to Neverwinter.  Perhaps
another gift for Luthyen could not hurt, thought the ranger with a smile on
his face.

Two days travel brought Thorn Hawk to his goal.  A full moon had just risen
to light the narrow path the ranger walked on.  A twinkling light seen
through the trees prompted the ranger to slow his pace and move with the
utmost care.  As he crept closer, he noted the lights being made by a camp
fire.  "Now who would be out here?" he thought as his senses picked up
another presence in the woods.

The leopard inched her way closer to the clearing smelling the scent of horse
flesh.  It was one of her favorite meals, yet it had been long since she had
tasted it.  She spotted her prey mere leaps away, but something else caught
the great cat's attention.  A two-legged creature sat nearby and this caused
the cat to pause for it felt power within this one.  She slowly backed away
knowing her meal would have to wait.

As he made his way toward the clearing, Thorn Hawk noticed the great cat
moving away silently and smiled.  The smile faded from his face when he saw
the horse picketed to a tree.  It was Midnight, Luthyen's mare.  With his
heart beating faster, he approached the sitting figure knowing she could not
sense his approach.  When he entered the circle of firelight, midnight looked
up and gazed his way.

"Evening milady," whispered Thorn Hawk his heart in his throat.  

Spinning around her arms starting to cast a spell, Luthyen hesitated,
"milord, ye startled me."

"Twas not my intention," pausing puzzled, "but what are ye doing here?"

Smiling hesitantly, "I came looking for you."

Glancing over her shoulder to the darkened lake beyond, "why?" he asked
moving to stand before her.

Taking a deep breath to slow her fluttering heart, "once I told thee I just
wished to venture and have fun and that if anything came of it I would let
thee know."

Nervously, "aye, I remember."

Moving closer to him, "well, I've made a decision," she replied smiling.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, "milady, I . . ."

"Shssssh, I have chosen thee milord for ye have stolen my heart."

Taking her in his arms, "and you mine, dearheart," he stammered.

They stood that way for many minutes just content to feel the closeness of
the other while out on the lake, a mournful call could be heard from a loon
searching for its mate.

Thorn Hawk,
Brotherhood of PathfindersSacred Heart
(submitted by: Lake Mist)

As you walk along, the night surrounds you like a broken helm,
The dreams you had were once of love and pride,
Misty paths block your sight of the realms,
But the wolf's eyes will show you and be your guide.

The woods you once loved are scarred and cold,
The name of Mielikki rings through out the lands,
This time we will fight with sword of old,
And should we fail, all truth prevails in Tyr's hands.

Can you see the hand of death, are you part of the story?
Can you hear him crying for your soul?
Can you tell me, when shadow strikes, where's the glory?
When the battle is over, will your body be cold?

Running in through the whispering rain,
Defilers of the land, can you not wonder?
Your short life and your endless blame,
What price for truth, can you feel the thunder?

Do you follow the path that others tread?
Do you need a mirror to see it well?
Are you among those who are so easily lead?
Will the hand of Tyr still toll the bell?

There are those who are laughing, laughing at you,
Still defilers are fighting, making war on the realms,
Can't you see the truth, what will you do?
Don't you know, will you let it over whelm?

There's a hope and a sacred heart that is growing anew,
Look at the dawn and see the new day that has begun.
Those of angry hearts reach out for you,
You are no longer a fool, the sacred heart has won.

Ride the day and sail the night,
Malar's claws can not save them from hell,
Your eyes are burning as you begin to fight this plight,
Talos' hand inside the defilers will dwell.

The ring has been broken and your soul must be saved,
Brave spirits are gathering, within the sacred heart they dwell,
They are joining forces, for the defilers storm must be braved,
And the anger of Silvanus will serve them well.

The sun shines on a new day, the realms turning green,
The hand of Mielikki will guide,
Lilac is in bloom, through the wolf's eyes is seen,
A sacred realm, made for all to abide.
Elven Saga - Chapter 2
(submitted by: Nilgeit)

   The elf attacked.

   The urd, looking like a winged kobold, toppled from the giantkin's
shoulder as the Hold Monster spell took hold.  The fomorian unknowingly
shrugged off the enchantment, but grunted as the magical arrows slammed into
his chest.  The fifth arrow, on the string before the third had hit, followed
its target as it crumpled to the ground.  The elf leaned his bow against a
tree, recovering it with oilcloth, and stepped onto the path while drawing
his longsword.

   The fomorian was dead, but the urd's eyes bulged with fear as the elf
stood over him.  Holding the tip of the sword to its neck, the elf scanned
the path for a few moments.  Finally he bent and bound the urd with stout
wire.

   Back at the fire, the elf quickly charmed the winged creature with both
spell and food.  In moments it was grovelling, swearing fealty and renouncing
its gen, or family.  While it reduced a raw coney to grease stains, it
babbled and whined.  Soon the elf had a slight idea what was going on.

   The urd, named Oltch, had lived with its gen in the South Wood, just west
of the Greycloaks, for all of its life.  Two months ago or so, an ominous
figure had appeared in the gen's large burrow, suprising and frightening half
of the 250-strong family and sending the chieftan into apoplexy.  After an
"extensive" magical display (the elf recognized most of the spells as
variations of cantrips or low-level whiz-bangs) the entire gen was allied to
the spellcaster.  This particular urd had been summoned to the wizard's camp,
where it had seen more creatures than ever before.  Apparently this wizard
was gathering a strange and motley host of allies and subjects.  From
giantkin to undead, from wild animals to goblinoid races, banners and burrows
had dotted a wide area.  Oltch had been partnered with the fomorian, and was
given three items: a ring of invisibility, a small mirror which the Master
used to give him instructions and receive reports, and a small perfect
crystal.  The elf took the crystal and held it up to his eye, as the urd
demonstrated.  Instantly he was chilled--the crystal contained an image,
clear as day, of the elf himself.

   It was a portable, magical wanted poster.(submitted by: Metr0n)

(Occasionally, a Storm Giant resists your best efforts and will close on you
late in the fight..at that point, he will throw an LB, so get him quickly!)

One thing ya may have fergot ta mention about the WG Storm Giants.  While
they are stand'n still when you poped in, they'll toss their natural
Lightning Bolts at ya, that'll go through all yer protections, but once ya
git them SG's ta move, they start "Casting" the spell, which won't go through
yer Minor Globe.

;)

Met(submitted by: Iadris)
!!!!!!!!WIN FREE HOURS AT THE CARNIVAL OF MYSTERIES!!!!!!!!

Didn't win the prizes at the Summer Festival as you'd planned? Well, here's
another chance! Servants of Mystery (SOM) is honoring our patron goddess
Mystra by sponsoring our very own Carnival!

DATE: July 12th, Friday, 10:00 PM Eastern.
WHERE: Locations of booths will be annonced via banner within the realm.
PRIZES: Free hours will be given to two winners per booths. In addition, one
non-winner will also win free hours as determined by a raffle.
CONTESTANTS: Players will be accepted as contestants at the booths on
first-come, first-served basis.

BOOTHS:

!!!!!!!!For a look at the complete Booth Rules, check the Carnival of
Mysteries folder on the Events Announcements and Discussion Message
Board!!!!!!!!

*The Magical Melee* (Two groups of 7 plus referees)
Cast and survive! Battle it out in a refereed PvP combat.
<First Prize> 4 free AOL hours
<Second Prize>2 free AOL hours

*The Thunder Storm* (16 contestants)
Brace yourselves! You'll be feeling under the weather as our booth operators
hurl Lightning Bolt and Ice Storm your way!
<First Prize> 4 freeAOL  hours to contestant who takes the least damage.
<Second Prize>  2 free AOL hours to contestant who takes the most damage
without dying.

*Hands of Doom* (16 contestants)
Can you remain standing after a double punch? Two Critical Wounds spells will
be cast on each contestant.
<First Prize> 4 free AOL hours to contestant who takes the least damage.
<Second Prize>  2 free AOL hours to contestant who takes the most damage
without dying.

Participants at The Thunder Storm and Hands of Doom will have prep spells
removed beforehand by the Booth Operator's Dispel Magic spells.

Mark your calenders, adventurers! We'll see you at the Carnival of
Mysteries!<><><><><>
<><><><><>

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.

<><><><><>
<><><><><>

MONTHLY CONTEST STARTS IN JULY!!

Win Pearls for your Guild!

Participate in the monthly News of the Realms "Newsworthy" contest.  Each
month, 4 pearls will be awarded to the account of the Guild with the most
"newsworthy" articles for that month!  We're looking for works of art,
articles of fine literature, helpful hints of extraordinary brilliance,
poetic works which stir the soul, etc.  The key word here is "newsworthy"...
only articles with substance will be counted in the contest!

To participate you need to:

 - Indicate with your submission the name of your SANCTIONED guild.  Only
Sanctioned Guilds are presently eligible to receive pearls for a Guild pearl
account. 

 - Write something!