==========oOo========== NEVERWINTER NEWS Issue # 147 Week Ending 8-18-96 ==========oOo========== *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* FRONT PAGE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Congratulations to Ldy Graye for winning last week's News of the Realm contest for her story entitled "A Rose for Earl". Ldy Graye has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Congratulations to the teams of: Sagx & Karamiran Abzzsta1n & Kadi0n Who each were able to assist Lord Nasher today by discovering the fate of the courier hired by Lord Nasher to send a critical message to his agents in Amphail. Check the STORMBRINGERS! folder for the "Windrider's" tale and perhaps theirs! For their quick wits and assistance, they each win 15 pearls and 2 free hours! Also.. congratulations to Devin Tir and to Dirk Dirty who each win 5 pearls for their excellent roleplaying during the quest! Well done all ;D Regards, NW Events <><><><><> <><><><><> August GOH Booth #1 Results! "August GoH booth #1 featured some shocking events. Participants were asked to take lightning bolt damage, and the two who took the highest and lowest damage would be deemed the winners. Congratulations to Modalex and Gherkin II, who were the winners. Especially to Gherkin, who took 81 points of damage from the two casts and still lived!" -- NW Strahd <><><><><> <><><><><> Lightning Bolt Booth Winner! Jnar4u wins the booth taking the least amount of damage. He only received 33 hps of damage and therefore wins 5 pearls for his effort. Congratulations! -- NWA Shaggy <><><><><> <><><><><> New Players Tour - 8/11 Neverwinter was all in a frenzy. Nasher's guards were to be seen gathering more info about the rumored threat surrounding Neverwinter, and the leading citizens could be seen mustering their own units. However, there was still the normal business to take care of, and a missing person needed to be found. With the guard spread so thinly, NWA Simba needed to form a unit of volunteers to go find a missing person in Vilnask. Answering the call were 7 stout young adventurers, Zonestar, Skurland, Rive27, Rwilkie, CW Saber, Wulfff359 and Bleedalot. Simba surveyed the crew, and at first was concerned about their youth, but, as the group was attacked by a pack of wild wolves on the road to Vilnask,he watched the group dispatch the hungry animals quite handily. The group proceeded to the residance of Willo Clovyr, and the good Mrs. Clovyr told them of her missing husband. As the group searched for clues, CW Sable found a hidden entrance in Willo's workshop! The group decended down the tunnel, and we're meet by a variety of foul creatures. Snakes, Rats and Boars all tried to attack the group, but all failed. Zonestar, Skurland and Rive27 disappeared from the group, taken by foul magic no doubt placed by the evil god named Punt the Unruly. Much to Simba's delight, his lovely fiance, SimbasNa1a arrived to help fill the gap left by the missing adventurers. Soon, the group found themselves attacked by a large group of varied creatures, the largest of which were a pack of mamoths! Simba got torn from the group at that desperate moment, but Nala, CW Sabre and Wulfff359 persevered and defeated the foul creatures, finding Willo being guarded by them. Willo was so glad, he awarded each a magical dagger of striking. -- NWA Simba <><><><><> <><><><><> Minor Gauntlet Booth Results - 8/14 Screenname Results Cannibus57 wins 2 pearls V Targ wins 2 pearls Trippye poisoned Tyo Ark wins 2 pearls Qataclysm wins 2 pearls Horm II charmed Tyst charmed TP Tec wins 2 pearls Mech Alita held Hakar2 charmed Beltar poisoned Goodgater charmed G0nesha poisoned KTO Edge charmed Even went smoothly and quickly, so no complaints about the wait ;) NWA Elwind <><><><><> <><><><><> Slay Living Booth Winners - 8/16 Winners of 2 pearls Veridienne SK Majystc Feuilde S0L Shugar St0rmbrngr Mech Spade Ice E Mist JP Anakin -- NWA Shaggy <><><><><> <><><><><> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* NEVERWINTER CALENDAR *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Keep an eye peeled for those Mini-Booths because they will appear when you least expect in different areas of the Realms! Can you be at the right place at the right time when the NW calls for a location? Keep your eyes and ears open for these events! Watch for the banners! <><><><><> <><><><><> New Player Tours: Join the following staff members for a tour of the Realm: August 19th Monday 10:00 PM EDT - with NW Amaya. August 20th Tuesday 9:00 PM EDT - with NW Shaman. August 23rd Friday 7:00 PM EDT - with NWA Rex. Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Chaos from Above (submitted by: SOL Bard) From high above the reverie I tried to avoid discovery Whilst poised on a blind which stretched out on a limb My chance of discovery was more than quite slim How did I get here, this perch in a tree? If I tell you my friend you may not believe me For I had several weeks to construct this tree loft And I'm having some fun for the bed is quite soft While below is a army whose presence is foul And they bode good much pain as they lurk and they prowl But I knew they were coming, hench my spot far above So I feel I should tell you in the way that I love... I'd received an odd message, from a man who was mellow Whose etheral form was now decked out in yellow He said, "I too sang, and was one of the best, But now only appear at milords own behest" "There's an army of shadows descending my friend And these scum have decided to slay to the end My fellows and friends of the guild OGS So please stop and delay them as I return to my rest" He pointed out where they would come gather and plan And I silently wondered, just who is this odd man? He then rose towards the sky, and I got quite a thrill For mayhaps this is the spirit of the late Mr. Bill It was then I decided to invest in some time To build a high nest and remain quite sublime I was glad I did do this for the army did show But their meetings were shared and now I'm in the know The BDA camped out directly below And as more of them came, oh the stench it did grow KAAOS arrived, and the din then arose As they looked at their allies down each haughtily held nose Who else do we await, they did shout at the camp! But then the ITB came, and my heart felt a cold clamp What motive did bind these pond scum in a bond? And preclude their old feuds so they all get along? The motive could be nothing less than the end Of the OGS guild that their joint talents could lend A decisive quick death to this once renown guild By hunting and slaying until each member's killed So I wrote and I noted their plans of attack While they drank I did listen to their irreverant yack But before I would leave with the knowledge I'd gained Could I add to the chaos, where relationships are strained? As morning did dawn, I snuck down from the tree And I looked all around with a joy and a glee For few people knew I had been through the guild Where your targets a mark, and how people were shilled Now,what fun and what mischief could I spread all around? With this army of flakes that was spread on the ground? Daggers and weapons were pulled from their sheathes And traces of comrades footsteps were left on the leaves The coins and the trinkets from the snoozing BDA Were now in new sacks as I passed ITB's way A KAAOS'ians dagger that was dripping with green ooze I did carefully place in one of Kh0lari's big shoes A Grimmoire or two that I found while I ranged Were then set in the fire (than should make someone deranged) Proud of my work, I climbed back in my tree And I buried my face laughing in my joy and my glee I can hardly await for the morning to break To gauge all the chaos when they finally awake This might raise quite a laugh through the realms of this land And this smile you enjoy, is via SOL Bard's hand!! SOL Bard Warrior Poet (submitted by: Wgbt) Yet another Top Ten list brought to you from Wagebolt, of the Winterguard! This week's, straight from the home office in Triboar Under it's: TOP TEN SURE SIGNS OF A NEWB IN NW: 10)He Thinks globes protect him from "Hold Monster" 9)He Goes to vaults and begins stealing Daggers of Striking from other newbies 8)He Has a mouth big enough to stick a watermelon in 7)He Thinks "Drow" is past-tense for "Draw" 6)He Shaves his head thinking it will make feebs slide off 5)He Is refererd to as the Lord of Caps-Lock. 4)He Uses stinking clouds as deoderant 3)He Escaped from the NeverWinter Asylum... twice 2)He Blames times he dies in PVP on the fact that he's lactose intolerant. 1)He Jumps people in Southwall ::Throws blue index card out the window:: (WorldWide Plate) "Put on yer plate!" The Bear (submitted by: Thorn Hawk) It was a brisk, sunny day. The wind was blowing in a calm, rhythmic pace, and all seemed well. Yet, something felt oddly out of place; as if the calm of the day was trying to warn of something more. It was at this point, when the day seemed perhaps too serene, that a growing sound of thunder began to come from the east. Thorn Hawk stopped to listen to the sound thinking it didn't quite sound like thunder, but like an explosion of some type. He quickened his pace toward the bunkhouse when he noted a large mass of smoke rising through the trees. Approaching the bunkhouse, Thorn Hawk saw Thralos with his little bear sitting on the steps leading toward Calinor's alehouse as smoke and steam poured out the broken windows. "Bro, am I glad to see you," yelled Thralos, relief in his voice, rising to his feet. "What hast happened here, Brother?" "She is going to kill me." "She?" "Brother, ye have more troubles than a woman when Cal gets back and sees his still," remarked Thorn Hawk, wirily, glancing in the alehouse and seeing a pile of twisted metal. "Oh Gods," wailed Thralos, "you're right bro. He's going to kill me, too." "Too?" "Who else is going to kill you, brother?" "Primrose." "Why would Primrose want to kill you?" asked Thorn Hawk, puzzled. "Well bro, you see it started when I found the little guy eating some of Rose's flowers." "Which ones?" "Her roses," sighed Thralos shaking his head. "And when I chased him, he ran into the garden she has been working all spring on. It was then I noticed that her roses were not all he had been eating." "He tore up her garden, too?" wonder in Thorn Hawk's voice as he gazed down at the little bear cub sitting quietly by Thralos. "Yes." "Then he headed toward the alehouse." "I called for him to stop, but he wouldn't listen and through the open door he dashed. When I got there, the still was tipping over and he was headed out the back door." "And?" "There isn't much to tell after that. I ran back out before the whole thing went up and while I was putting out the fire, bear came back and sat on the steps to watch me." "You do know brother that was some of Cal's special frenzy for the summer festival?" O.O 0 "What am I going to do?" "Well brother, ye can start by helping me clean this up and then ye can head for Neverwinter and try and find a dwarf." "Ye do know a dwarf, don't ye?" Thinking, "yep." "Fine then, tell him ye are in need of a still. Once ye have done that, head for the gardens and find some flowers to replace the ones the little guy ate." "But, what about the garden and the frenzy?" "Brother, those things are lost, but ye can calm them down by giving Cal and Rose gifts, like a new still and some new rose bushes," answered Thorn Hawk, smiling. As Thralos headed off toward Neverwinter, Thorn Hawk sat on the steps of the bunkhouse with the cub thinking about why the Gods ever decided to give rangers followers . . . Thorn Hawk, Brotherhood of PathfindersThe Mallorn Tree - Part 3 ~ A New Dawn ~ (submitted by: Thorn Hawk) Draping the golden surcoat over his shoulders, Thorn Hawk pulled his hair back into a ponytail holding it in place with a silver clasp. Adjusting his surcoat, he finished getting dressed by buckling on his sword, Destiny. Leaving the deeper woods for the dryad grove, he thought about the coming dawn. He had awaked with a start some hours before dawn. There had been no clear reason only a vague feeling that immersed his spirit. It had been one week since he had completed the shrine and the ranger knew without a doubt today was the day it was consecrated. He gathered his belonging, those few things he knew he would need, and left the Mallorn tree behind. Pausing at the brook that fed the falls in the grove, the ranger noticed his reflection in the slowly moving water. He had followed the lady of the forest devoutly, but never dressing as one of her clerics until this day. The silvery chain mail felt odd to the ranger who spent his days wearing lighter leather. Last, was the golden surcoat with its russet trim that draped over the rangers frame. A white unicorn head stood proudly over his heart a symbol of his goddess. Today, more than any other, he was a ranger of Mielikki, the lady of the forest. Thorn Hawk emerged from the trees into the grove to find the shrine crowded with people. It seemed others were called to this place. He smiled when he saw Tarma and some of the other dryads gathered around the statue in the center of the shrine. Another figure stood next to Tarma, Luthyen. Thorn Hawk's heart caught in his throat when her eyes met his. Her smile was brighter than the sun and brought more warmth with it and he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld. The elfstone she wore around her brow gave off a sudden burst of light as Thorn Hawk moved to stand by her side. "Good morning dearheart." "And to you, milord." "I had not thought that so many would be here . . . " "Aye love, they have been coming since before dawn like you just moving out of the trees to stand in the grove and bear witness to a new dawn." "I am glad for it fills my heart with joy to see so many here," replied Thorn Hawk smiling, "Good day to you milady dryad." "Good morning Thorn," replied Tarma, "I had thought to find you here sooner than this." "I was in the woods thinking and getting dressed." "I can see that milord," replied Luthyen grinning. "Well I . . ." Just then a clear note from a horn rang though the grove. All eyes turned to find the source of the blast. It echoed from every corner of the grove and its source remained hidden. Many dryads hidden within their trees began stepping forth as small tressym kittens flew around them. Fireforged stepped up to take Tarma's hand as the morning sun broke above the trees to bathe the shrine in its glow. Catching a glint of metal out of the corner of his eye, Thorn Hawk stood transfixed as dozens of golden clad figures moved out of the trees. They stood just inside the grove like guardians while from within their ranks, pipes could be heard playing. "My brethren have come," replied Thorn Hawk to the unspoken question in everyone's eyes. Smiling, Tarma, dryad queen and priestess, started to sing. Her song of renewal and rebirth was taken up by those near her, but soon all in the glade were singing while Barthonis, ranger and bard, played his pipes. As the song died into silence, a thought, a phrase briefly touched the minds of all those within the glade. "Thank you my children." Thorn Hawk, Brotherhood of PathfindersWives of King Henry VIII (submitted by: Z Harkas Z) You all know about big King Henry VIII But do you know how his wives met their fate? Listen my good friends and you all shall hear, What happened to the six he once held so dear. The first, Katherine of Argon, he finally divorced, Anne Boyeln, the second, was beheaded of course. Number three, Jane Seymore, during childbirth she died, He soon divored Anne of Cleves, but she hardly cried. The he beheaded Catherine Howard 'cuz she was a tart, But he was survived by Katie Parr, who had a strong heart. So the sequence is in easy rhyme, Divorced, beheaded, died; Divorced, beheaded, survived, Yes, indeed he gave them all a very bad time. Three Katies, two Annes, and a Jane, To Henry, they were all a Royal Pain. Written by: O. K. Hallam Virginia Beach VA The Name Game - Part 1 (submitted by: SOL Bard) As a Bard, it is prudent that I travel far places And I often do meet some unusual faces All decked out in colors both grim and diverse But the names that they choose go from better to worse So I thought that just maybe I would write up some labels That would appropriately fit in the different guild stables Well I worked and I slaved on the names of the guilds In the hopes that in laughter quite a few might be killed The Temple of Sloth is an appropriate name For a guild where the members are lazy and lame One of these spiders uses the name of Delracnurd When he falls, by his name you should know what's occurred Lady Midflight is another who's sad Is it true in a battle that she'll run or she'll CAD? Now many do flee from the name ZackNFright But 'tis from his BO, and I believe they are right Mavralsin is a lady that the innkeepers dodge For at the end of the bar she will too often lodge Ariel-uh-huh is a master of terror And it's not just her breath, but the shape of her hair Nearo has delusions of being a king But he'd do better to first lose his chartreuse pinky ring Mighty and fearless is our friend Jasra Bark And by picking on newbies does leave quite a bold mark Another fierce spider has the name Shadolimb Are there thought patterns there, nah the chances are slim Is the ThLightSide a name that we should also fear? Or is it simply a label that should be on a beer? With a stride that is proud comes the fellow Kaeynehex He's a real fireplug, and where the dog may water next There are so many others, but just where do I stop? For already I know, they'll want my head on the block As you may well guess I must close this short rhyme However please have no fear, I'll continue some time And I hope that not only have I provided a laugh Getting Ready for the Dance (submitted by: Luthyen) Luthyen slowly dressed in her gown of forest green. Tonight was the dance contest in the Tavern. Although she loved to dance, she rarely did so in public. Her dancing was always more expression of private emotion than for public display. Thorn had asked her to go, though, and said how he loved to see her dance. Binding the Elfstone about her brow, she paused to look at her reflection. The Stone sparkled on her high forehead, binding the dark waves of her hair back from her face. Her deep brown eyes were large in her face, and sparkled in their own right. Her generous mouth made a half smile as she gently traced the edge of the white lilly which floated in a crystal bowel beneath the mirror. It was true that Thorn did inspire her to dance..A dance that spoke of the sun first breaking on a spring morn, when just to breathe in the air made one as dizzy as a draught of Frenzy. A dance of the quiet whisper of a stream over stones, cool in the summer heat. A dance of the regret of Autumn, as things pass to begin the long Winters' sleep of change. A dance of hot fires burning to warm cold nights, when the snow swirled outside. A dance of beginnings, as all the world came alive again in the Spring...A dance of the love she bore for the Ranger. Smiling, swaying slightly as she sang under her breath, Luthyen slipped the overbodice on and left for the Tavern.Fireside Chat with Talia (submitted by: SOM Talia) You push the heavy oak door open and enter a brightly lit room. Candles cast their illumination across a spacious sitting room. The floor is carpeted, a rarity indeed in these parts. A fireplace lines the far wall with two high-back chairs sitting facing it. A coffee table sits between the chairs with a silver service set upon it. You breath in a light scent of mint. You spy a lady sitting in the one of the chairs. Her hair is scarlett and shoulder length. Sensing you entry, she turns in the chair to face you. Seeing her purple eyes gazing at you softly, and the light smile upon her lips, you begin to relax. The Lady Talia Autumnals is all you have heard. Smoothing a fold in her spledid azure dress, Talia beckons you forward. "Please, do be seated." she says in a light, musical voice. You glide forward throught the rich carpet and settle down into the comfortably upholstered chair. Talia leans forward and picks up the silver teapot. After pouring a cup of the steaming liquid, she hands the cup to you. You take the cup and inhale it's aroma. Ahh, the source of the mint, you surmise. Talia settles back into her chair, folding her legs up into the chair beneath her. She sips from her cup briefly and then sets it aside on the table. "You have come to hear of Sybil. Correct?" You nod in agreement. "Let me begin with a little of her background. I have come to know her rather intimately," she says with a wry smile, "and little of her life escapes me. Sybil was born into a low ranking house within the hierarchy of Menzoberranzan, Hyp'Tel. She was the first born child of their Matron, Qagless. In a vain hope to increase her house's power, Qagless sent Sybil off to Arach-Tinilith in very early in her life." Talia pauses and takes a sip from her tea. "At their school of priestesses, Sybil was treated as one lower than low. Drow society is one of violence and treachery. There were no helping hands for her. Instead of sucumbing to despair, Sybil thrived there. In that quality, she and I are much the same. Hate filled her heart and she threw her entire being towards servicing her spider goddess, Lloth. Where as, here on the surface, I was able to work towards different ends." "As her lust for power grew, she gained in ability. She seemed adept at all things magical, however, she neglected her physical studies. She has only taken up arms once or twice. Sybil did not live in a vacuum, however. Her ambitions were noticed my other members of the clergy from more powerful houses. They bargained with Lloth and won a boon. They were sent a rather exotic looking vampire thrall of Lloth's choosing. The vampire seduced the young drow and gave her his gift of nigh-eternal life. Lloth had agreed to the request for many reasons I am certain. No doubt did the conspiritors endebt themselves to her, but they also gave a powerful chaotic tool to Lloth in the form of a vampire-priestess. Know this, above all else, Lloth thrives on chaos." You swallow your mouthful of tea and nod solemnly. Slowly, you trace a warding sigil in the air. "Sybil served Lloth in this capacity for centuries. She was given to prowling the surface world during the night, sowing havok wherever she could. It was but a short time ago our paths crossed here in NeverWinter." The Lady Paladin pauses. Studying her face, you think you can spot a hint of regret in her eyes. "One night, not long ago, I arrived at the Inn in WindyCliffs. I had promised my old friend Versuccio that I would sing and dance that night for his patrons. Entering the Inn, all seemed to be at rights with itself. The Inn was packed as usual with an assortment of travellers, shopkeepers and sell-swords. However, Versuccio was not at his usual post behind the bar. "I was informed by a passing waitress that he was in the storeroom. Since Versuccio and I are old friends, I thought nothing of wandering back there to greet him. Outside of the door, my fighters instinct ticked off in my head. Something was out of place here." "I concentrated for a moment and was nearly overwhelmed by the power of the evil that I detected. Slamming the door to the stockroom open with my shoulder, I charged in to see Versuccio throughly entranced by the Vampiress' gaze. I brandished my Holy Symbol against her to no effect. She was of a level far above my abiltity to turn." "We fought, then, over the life of that innkeeper. Sybil relied heavily on magic to attempt to bring me down. After she hit me with an opening magical attack, I cast Minor Globe of Invulnerabilty on myself and charged her with my enchanted blade." "I hit nothing but open air. While I was protected from her magical assaults, she was able to dematerialize at will. I was easily able to defend against the minor physical attacks she attempted, but we were in a standoff. In frustration, Sybil called upon her goddess, and was answered. While she stood there, she returned to a solid form, to receive the blessing of Lloth. Seeing an opportunity, I took it. As my blade bit into her neck, the capricious Lloth took her priestess' prayer of besting me and twisted it to suit her chaotic fancy." Talia breathes a deep sigh and sips from her cup. "To Lloth, there is no great love between her and her servants. So what she did next cost her nothing, and amused her greatly. As the life began to slip from Sybil, she honored her request for aid in besting me in a chaotic way. Using my blade as a conduit between Sybil and I, Lloth transferred Sybil's essence into my body." "A long, drawn out struggle for control ensued between us. Eventually, I came out on top but she lurks here," Talia indicates her forehead with a graceful hand, "always scheming, trying to find a way to either possess me or escape to another host." "From time to time, she has gained momentary control over me. Fortunately, only when I am taken off guard, or extremely weary. She is a scourge and a pox on my soul and I would be rid of her if I was able." Finishing, Talia smiles warmly at you. "Have no fear, my friend, she is shut away quite strongly at the moment. Here, have another cup of tea and let us spend some time listening now to stories of your adventures." It is many hours later before you bid the Lady good-eve and journey on your way. Fini<><><><><> <><><><><> 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!! 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!