==========oOo========== NEVERWINTER NEWS Issue # 150 Week Ending 9-8-96 ==========oOo========== *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* FRONT PAGE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Congratulations to Thorn Hawk for winning last week's News of the Realm contest for his story entitled "The Watch". Thorn Hawk has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Well, there was no winning guild for the Monthly Contest for August, folks!! There were TWO guilds that finished tied. Despite counting and recounting all the articles, I could not break the tie and so therefore I've decided that the two winning guilds each garner the 4 pearls apiece! The winning guilds were: The Brotherhood of the Pathfinders and The Protectorate! Congrats to both guilds!! -- News <><><><><> <><><><><> September Trivia Results!! September 3, 1996 ________________ *** First Place - Llewdoc 31 points! *** ** Second Place - Cucumberus 30 points! ** * Third Place - Dirk Dirty 20 points! * Random Drawing Winner - Alisana ____________________________________________________ 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 : ) <><><><><> <><><><><> Location Hunt Winner - 8/30/96 Congrats to 'Devon Ark' for winning this evenings Location Hunt! The clue was: You find yourself in a series of Catacombs... He knew the location was NightsEdge Caverns 4,15. Congrats! :> --Gari <><><><><> <><><><><> Minor Gauntlet Booth Winners!! I had the pleasure of holding a minor gauntlet booth today at 15,0 Windycliff. While there was 15 participants in the booth only 4 people survived! Congrats to Kef Medic, Qualasia, Doc Ridge, and KTO Drgnd! They won 2 pearls each! Thanks all for making it a pleasurable event! :D NW Tempus <><><><><> <><><><><> New Player Tour - 9/4 A group of adventurers formed in the Neverwinter Gardens just before Midnite. Elwind prepared the group for their travels to Floodblest at the request of Lord Nasher. In our band of harty souls was; Dornin a human ranger, NOR Shanare a human paladin, Melikki737 a human ranger, Kaliless a fighter/thief dwarf, Shawnr5569 a fighter/mage/thief elf, MS Dowds a human ranger, Bezz a half-elf ranger, and myself. Our party went down the Well in Floodblest to clear the Evil. We battled hard and long, but where able to clear the way. And our 1st level ranger...bezz as just a true warrior of old.. Reminded me of the old Berserkers ;) Evil will think twice before tainting that Well again. Thanks all for your hard work and support in the rescue of Floodblests water supply ;) NWA Elwind <><><><><> <><><><><> Magic Missle Booth Winner - 9/5 They've thought about it. They've had dreams about it.... and tonight.. NW Amaya made dreams come true! 15 lucky (and fast on their feet) participants were able to cast three Magic Missiles upon NW Amaya who was hidden away in an abandoned building in the Wharves. Thorn Hawk was the first one in and took the early lead with a score of 68. Thorn W00d, ABK Brood, KF Bossman, V Eight, Gen0cide were all unable to meet that mark. Up stepped Modalex who tied Thorn Hawk's score of 68! Litle God was unable to top that score. MECH Riots proudly stepped into the ring and with a score of 70, stole the lead from Thorn Hawk and Modalex! SK Rustic, Drk Fiend, Eagle V1ew, Dirk Dirty, Abzzcesse and TP Heckler cast their missiles at Amaya's battered and burned self... to no avail. MECH Riots took the title with a score of 70! Congratulations to Mech Riots who wins 4 Pearls and One Free Hour! NW Amaya <><><><><> <><><><><> New Players Tour Last night the would be assassins of Lord Nasher was killed in a gallant attempt by a group of warriors; JohnT58141, OTS Elana, Paldeo, Daelwyn, Medic51, Ragnatz, and F1lraen. In spite of a spell cast twice by an evil wizard, "Dispel Adventures" (PUNT), Medic51 and Cajun did finally make it through and Medic51 did-in the notorious thief Tandel Davavb. Thanks to all those brave ones, the attempt it self was a dangerous one. No one was killed, but if you see any of those named above wandering lost around the realms, give them a kind thanks, and directions home. -- NWA Cajun <><><><><> <><><><><> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 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: September 9th Monday 10:00 PM EDT - with NW Hobbes. September 12th *Thursday 1:00 AM EDT - with NWA Leto. September 14th Saturday 7:00 PM EDT - with NWA Simba. * Technically, this is the 13th... but it's Thursday evening, so we'll keep it this way to avoid confusion. ;D Those interested in any of these tours should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to meet! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Congratulations to Thorn Hawk for winning last week's News of the Realm contest for the story "The Watch". Thorn Hawk has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D ShadowMaster's Fall - Part 1 (submitted by: Angilynne) Her visit to Lylyl had been ended rather abruptly when Indigos had been called away to attend the Ilharess. Angilynne and Nang had departed soon afterword. She knew that it was a day's journey to the gem mines and she wanted to reach them before the next day. They traveled in silence, her thoughts consumed by the events that seemed to be unfolding in Rilauven, he by what had already occurred. It was not enough for either that the House remained strong and vibrant. It was not enough that they each could only do what they could do to defend Fey-Branche. She knew, in her heart, that there were limits to what she could accomplish on her own, but Fey-Branche had given her home and station when she had been lost and struggling for answers. But that was long ago and that rivvin woman who sought the answers to all the world's riddles was far behind her. In Menzoberranzan, she had learned many things about herself. Every society had its share of madmen and doomsayers, every society had its beliefs. The drow were no different. In the great library, she had uncovered no less than two hundred references to the 'Instrument of Lloth'... Was it merely pride and ambition that guided her belief? Was it simple ego that made it seem that she was so close to the visions of the past? Or was it true that somewhere in all of this that the Quarval-Sharess had some destiny for her and her alone. Elamshim. Nang did not question the validity of the prophets' words... nor did her have any doubt that the one they had foreseen walked beside him now. Learning the written word had uncovered worlds for him. Learning to seek answers beyond some handed down tale passed from tribe to tribe, father to son, to be mutated and corrupted by the passage of time had taught him that there were things beyond his former existence that he had never even considered. But the truth of all was that the House was threatened... everything they had built upon over the years might get ground to dust. The answer might lie in the mine. The answer might lie in the most incongruous of places. And the answer might be worse than the problem itself. *** The mine administrator shook visibly under the gaze of the ust daharil. There was no forgiveness in her eyes and he knew that his answers better be good. It was not that he ran this place inefficently. Sometimes, promising veins merely petered out. Sometimes, they looked in the wrong places. Sometimes... "You have not met your projections in some time, " she observed mildly. He nodded without answer, for no question had been asked. "Well, " she said, "are your workers merely slothful? Or is there some explanation I have failed to grasp thus far?" He shook his head, "I am sure the malla yathrin has a firm grasp of everything here." Her eyes darkened. She rose and walked around the desk. The grim, silent kobold that served as her only escort crossed over to the door and stood in front of it like a mute sentinel. Angilynne stared down at him for a long time. "There had better be something better than that, " she said, finally. In a quavering voice, he launched into a lengthy explanation of all the problems the mines faced... the unforeseen difficulties, the accidents, the unpredictability of the business. She absorbed it all without comment until he finally started repeating what he had already said and she cut him off. "Very well, " she stated. "Your incompetence is established. You are relieved of your position." He collapsed back against his chair in defeat. This had been his entire life. It was all gone in a moment. In one brief comment. Nang moved forward without sound. He realized the man's desperation and intent immediately. The attack, clumsy and ill formed as it was, never truly had a chance to crystallize and the administrator was dead before he even made it around the table. Angilynne rose and walked out to the main office. "Where, " she asked the nearest miner, "is the lead crew chief?" *** The inspection of the first mine had taken hours to perform. The duergar crew chief, a bit more confident, though still awed by her station, had held himself together very well under her scrutiny. She could accept his explanations for the many delays and gave consideration to his proposed solutions. To his confusion, she had also asked to see the scrap heaps. He had taken her to the outgoing bins and motioned toward them. "Don't know why ye wanted to see these, malla yathrin, " the stout little fellow said, "but here they be." In light of his compretence, she chose to overlook his bad manners and gazed down at the contents of the bins, "What use do you have for these?" He shook his head, "None at all. 'Tis dumped every night." She nodded, "I see." Casting a brief spell, she saw some of the substances in the bins start to glow and smiled briefly, "Good. I want them saved and stored for the nonce. I will explain later." He nodded, "Your will, Malla Yathrin." *** It was late by the time they reached the upper level of the firt mine and she decided to belay beginning the second inspection until the following day. "You will accompany again on the morrow, " she ordered the duergar. "I dinna work in the other mine, malla yathrin, " he stated, gruffly. "I dinna know how much help I'll be for ye there." She shook her head, "The inspection is as much for you as for me, " She answered. "You are now the administrator of all the mines." He chuckled, "Aye, malla yathrin. Thank ye." Neverwinter was closer than Rilauven to their mines, so she decided that she and Nang would remain at Mataga's Inn until the inspections were complete. After he had made arrangements for the rooms, she sent him with a scroll to Laele, detailing what she had done and asking for any information pertinent to the House in her absence. He promised to return before dawn. It began incongrously enough. Mataga's was The usual way station for those who might have beusiness on the surface. She had been sitting near the fire and saw Halic enter and gestured for him to join her. He did so and they spoke for some time before she noticed the others who had come to Mataga's. Her face froze as she saw the ilharess of Rilynt'tar seated across the room from them. Rising, she offered a gracious greeting and received on in return. The first daughter of Elythanar and her familar were also in attendance, as were several others. Angilynne greeted them all and returned to her place after a few moments. Lannata of of the First House arrived early in the night and smiled and joined her and Halic as they spoke. Angilynne had lapsed into silence by this point, now concentrating on the progress reports and records of the mine she had toured during the day. So engrossed was she in them, that she did not, at first, notice the arrival of Ryltarl. But before long, it was inevitable that she must. *** He was laughing loudly, all insolence and irreverence as he gazed around at those assembled in the Inn. He and Angilynne exchanged no words for some time, but she finally looked up at a sharp remark made toward him by Lannata. Halic, seeing that she was no longer engrossed in work, offered to prepare wine for her. She offered no reply as she stared at the male of Rilynt'tar. Jasra Dark had long since left for Rilauven and Angilynne wondered why he yet remained. Finally, she turned and responded, "No, Halic, dear... I would like Ryltarl to prepare my wine." He glanced at her in surprise, as did most present. Her eyes glimmered faintly in the candle light as she watched his reaction wordlessly. Ryltarl glanced down at her insignia, then his own and shrugged. With an exaggerated bow, he sneered, "Your will, Yathrin." She did not react outwardly to the slight, merely watched calmly as he went through the ritual with a smirk. Finally, he turned back to her and, ensuring that she could see him, dipped his finger in the goblet and stirred vigorously. Grinning, he offered it to her, "Your wine, yathrin." Without warning, her hand lashed out and sent the goblet spinning back into his chest. He jumped back, slightly startled, though he had expected such a reaction. Dancing back, he grinned again. Angilynne started to reach for the whip she generally carried, though, in truth, it was a rare thing that she actually whipped anyone. She preferred other methods to get what she want. Politely, she asked Lannata for hers and Lannata, with some amusement, handed it over. The veldruk remained a few paces away and disobeyed her command to stand before her, though he did rip his tunic open, reveling countless scars from past beatings. Angilynne remained calm as she watched him. Finally, she commanded Halic to lock the door to the Inn. Ryltarl backed away as he say her approch and his brow furrowed in concentration. Shadows danced out from the walls and encircled her feet as he attempted to hold her immobile. At her side, the flute flashed with luminace and the shadows backed away. "I am the prophetsinger of the Quarval-Sharess, " she stated. "Your toys have no effect on me." She did not know if that were truly the case, but in his surprise, the attack faltered. Halic stormed forward, enraged at the affront to his First Daughter. His blades sprung from their sheathes and Ryltarl's did likewise. Feinting toward Halic, he moved toward Fey-Branche's Ust Daharil. Angilynne was briefly surprised, then realized the desperation behind the maneuver. Ryltarl at last realized the peril of his course and did not know how to get out. The shadows moved outward again and in seconds, the shadowmaster of Rilynt'tar was gone. ***Babylon's Story (submitted by: Babyl0n) She couldn't remember a time when she had not been shy. It was her dominant personality trait. She had been ridiculed for it since childhood, teased by her brother, sister, father, mother, who were none of them shy, none of them timid in any respect. Her father had been a mason, quiet and stern, absorbed in his work and unmindful of this family. Her mother had shrugged off his neglect with a whirlpool of social activities to which she had dragged her children along relentlessly. For as far back as she could remember, Babylon had accompanied her on these sallies of hypocrisy, these visits of false flattery to the elite of her small country town. During these excursions, Babylon had remained in the background, unspeaking, unnoticed, shy. "What a ninny you are, child," her mother would scold her as they drove home in their wagon, and "Ninny, ninny, ninny!" her brother and sister would echo, laughing when the tears would well up in her eyes. "You have got to learn to put yourself forward, my girl," her mother would continue, "or you'll never catch a husband and then where will you be? You mustn't expect your father and I to look after you all your life, you know." Finding no solace or comfort within her family circle, Babylon took to roaming the woods that bordered their humble hamlet, her bow in hand, hunting with a skill that would have surprised her family, had they but known. But she did not tell them of this secret passion for the hunt, nor did her kills grace their family table. Instead, she would stop at the witch's hut and offer her bounty in exchange for the old woman's tales or faraway places and enchantment. "What is't you have for me today, then?" the witch would ask her at her approach. "A young boar, then, is't? You've a way with that arrow, lass, no mistake, and a keen eye, a keen eye." Then they would skin and gut the creature and the old woman would weave her tales of magic and heroism and glory. But came the day when no cackling voice rose up to greet her, came the day when Babylon found the hut deserted, emptied of all save a single book lying on a table. The witch had vanished, had left no word, no clue to where she'd gone, nothing but this ancient tome laid open on a dusty table. Babylon had wept then, though the witch had never been particularly kind to her. She had wept, then dried her tears and dressed her rabbits alone, eating them over the old witch's abandoned fire. She had perused the book as she ate, flipping the pages casually at first, then slowly and more intently as she had discerned it's content. It was a book of spells. And so, from that day forward, Babylon's life took a different course. She grasped every opportunity to return to the deserted hut, to study the book. The witch had left it to her, she was positive of that. Babylon began to practice magic, weaving the words of power with growing confidence. And she began to lay her plans. She said nothing to her family. They teased and tormented her more than ever now, for she had become even more withdrawn and remote from them and it irked them, to see her so self-contained, so apart from their familial world. One day she returned from an afternoon at the hut to find them all waiting for her, her brother and sister giggling, her father stern and solemn, her mother looking pleased with herself. "Well, Baby, I've done my best for you. No one can say I haven't done my best," she said. "The widower Crowley has asked for your hand. You're to be married this moon's day." "Married?" she breathed, a look of increduility upon her face. "Aye, married," she said with an air of finality. "We shall have to rush to be ready but I dare say it's worth the extra work to know you'll be provided for -- the gods know what would have become of you if old Crowley wouldn't have taken you. You've not personality enough for anyone save that old miser." "Well, lass?" demanded her father gruffly. "Have you no word of thanks for your mother?" "But is it really true?" she sputtered. "I have never even met Master Crowley." "True enough," answered her father. "Look, here are the bans published in the Weekly for all to see." He handed her the scroll to read herself. Babylon took the parchment and read the announcement and for a moment she felt the world spin and go bright and she thought she would swoon. But then another notice on the paper caught her eye, reviving her senses in an instant. She said nothing for a moment but stared and stared at the words before her. At last she turned to her parents and said, "Thank you, mother. Thank you, father. I will be ready by moon's day." Then, saying no more than that, she quitted the room and went up to her own, ignoring the ridicule her mother was directing at her simple response. Once in her room, she quickly packed her few belongings into her hunting satchel, tucked the Weekly into it, and, grabbing her bow and quiver, slipped out the window and scrambled down the tree outside it. She had one stop to make before her departure: the witch's hut to retrieve the book of spells. That went into her satchel as well and she withdrew the Weekly and read the notice once more: The Guild of Chaos, the oldest and most venerated fighting guild in Neverwinter, is now accepting a limited number of applicants for consideration. Prospective apprentices must be skilled hunters and proficient in magic. Apply in person this moon's day. "My apologies, mother," Babylon said softly, as she shut the witch's door and vanished into the moonless night, "but I have another appointment on moon's day. There will be no wedding."A Werewolf's Diary (submitted by: WCADragon) << Log entry of the fifth month of Necrolifthim, seventeenth hell. Day six. The women of neverwinter are becomming stronger, their scent of mating is overwhelming the older realms surrounding Neverwinter. Berun is one of the many who's population of women have desire above all others. Their desire is reaking through their marriage, their other husband's poor preformance at satisfaction shall be their undoing. If I was not bound by my own ambitions SATAN would surely gain souls craving for the touches of one who could show them the ways of pure hell. I could only hope that the women of wolves, who's ability to become the canine hordes of NWN, would end their torment. The desire they release driving my carnal instincts into insanity. I will be traveling to Luksan, the cold there will undoubtly surpress the scent, and my urges for domination, and to offer these poor souls the perfect enjoyment they desire. Their body's are begging to be ripped apart with satisfaction, as their souls are tarnished, destroyed and bent to fulfill the dark ones will. I have met many women in the realms, even the undead crave for more. LeshroinkernThe Story of the KPKs (submitted by: Kevin KPK) 463 AD- The time is now. Vangul KPK has reached the age. It is the time that he swears himself to the quest. The quest of his father, his father's father and so on. The Brotherhood Of The Dark Moon had taken all his ancestors who had taken on the quest. He was the last of the KPKs and he would destroy the Brotherhood of The Dark Moon or they would exist on, forever. His skills had reached their fullest. Now IS the time! He armed himself with the Dagger Of Datron. The dagger was said to be blessed and any man of evil that comes in contact with it is instantly sent to the netherworld, no matter how light the blow. He dressed himself in a robe of mostly white, a the sign of goodness, trimmed in red, as a sign of the people killed and hurt by the Brotherhoods, And a magical black belt, that protected him from the undead. He called forth, and stepped through the Dimensional gate used to travel to the entrance of the Brotherhood. As he appeared, he was facing a door with no crease down the center, no handle, no knocker, and no seam at the bottom where it met the ground. Vangul wasn't surprised at this, he was warned of "A door that isn't." He reached out to tap on the door with his left hand, using only his index and ring finger. It was a spell he learned near the middle of his training and had just now perfected. He would make it so the wall would disappear, and within seconds of him passing through it would return. Though it had no name he called it wall walk. As his hand met with the wall his hand passed through it. That wasn't sposed to happen, but then he realized it must just be a mirage, and he stepped through. Vangul then found himself surrounded by walls on each side of him. He pushed against each wall and nothing happened, not even the one he just past through. He tried to use the wall walk on the walls, and it didn't work. He tried calling for the dimensional door... nothing. He was gripped by a sense of panic. He pound at the walls. Once he stopped the wall he was looking at disappeared. Vangul quickly stepped into the new room. In front of him on three chairs were 3 men in cloaks. The one to Vangul's left was in all red. In the middle, all black. And the one on the right was in all grey. He tried to read their minds, but failed, he only got some feelings from them. The one in red was eager and impatient. The one in grey was uncertain of himself, almost scared. And the one in black let no feelings show but had a dark aura around him. "GREETINGS" the voice shook the room and came from the one in the middle, but was so forceful it was as if a giant had just screamed it in his ear. "I HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOU AND KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE." Through the shadows formed by his hood Vangul could almost see a cold, deathly smile form on the man in black's face. "LET US BEGIN." With the finish of begin the room changed from a black to a grey. The mage in red disappeared and so did the chairs. "THIS IS SLAGRY. HE IS A BEGINNER IN THE WAYS OF THE MAGE." Then black mage then raised his hand. Vangul could feel his life drifting away... then it stopped. *** *** *** *** Vangul knew that the mages together could easily overpower him, and the mage in black was going to be a problem. When the black mage started to drain his power he thought he was as good as dead. "DO NOT WORRY, ALTHOUGH I AM 'EVIL' I PREFER A FAIR FIGHT, SEEING AS SLAGRY IS FAIRLY NEW YOU CANNOT CAST HIGH LEVEL SPELLS, AND YOUR ABILITY TO WITHSTAND SPELLS IS LESS. I WILL LEAVE YOU NOW. FIGHT." Suddenly from the walls spike grew, making touching the walls extremely deadly. Vangul noticed that the Black Mage seemed to like making things happen at his last word. His thought was interrupted by Slagry casting a spell. Vangul jumped out of the path of the spell. Vangul, knowing that the longer he fought the slimmer the chances of him surviving were, so he decided to cast a hold spell. He took four shots at Slagry. Slagry dodged the first one, then the second, the third one hit Slagry but was unaffected, the fourth hold spell hit AND held Slagry. Not wanting to use more magic than necessary he ran up to Slagry and hit him into the wall. Upon contact with the wall Slagry was instantly incinerated and the room changed again, now to red. Vangul turned around and saw the Red Mage appear. The red mage cast a dispel magic and a cure spell on Vangul, returning him to his full potential. "FIGHT," the room shook when the word was said. The Red Mage didn't waste any time. He immediately cast 3 magic missiles at Vangul. Vangul dodged the first missile which hit the wall behind him and destroyed the spike it hit, which instantly was replaced with another spike. The second one hit Vangul and made him lose balance then the third Magic Missile hit him in the chest and he was knocked over. The Red Mage then took full advantage of Vangul's position and cast a lighting bolt. The force of the bolt hit him at full, then it bounced off the wall but this time hit him with only half the force. Vangul hadn't wanted to use the Dagger Of Datron so soon but he had no choice. As the Red Mage readied himself to cast another spell Vangul reached down to his belt and pulled out the dagger. He threw it at the mage and the end of the handle hit the Red Mage on the boot. It was enough though, the mage was instantly pulled through a dimensional portal. He quickly retrieved the dagger, healed himself, and cast and invisibility spell on himself. He saw the Black Mage appear and he laughed, "YOU THINK YOU CAN POSSIBLY WIN! WELL IF YOU DO, YOU ARE WRONG!" Vangul decided that if Black Mage couldn't already see him he would soon enable himself to. He ran up to the mage to throw the Dagger Of Datron at him. The Black Mage waved his hand in the air and the Dagger Of Datron was pulled out of Vangul's hand and flew up and got stuck to the ceiling. Vangul didn't stop running though, he threw his weight into the Black Mage and knocked him into the wall. As the black mage was about to hit the spikes they regressed into the wall, and after he stepped away from the wall the spikes went back. "FOOL! I WIN!" As he said that he cast a feeblemind spell on Vangul and then a hold spell, both were successful. Using magic the black mage pulled the dagger out of the ceiling using his mind. He then had the blade of the dagger stop at Vagul KPK's throat. "ANY LAST WORDS?" "Yes, I do. Long after you are dead there will be another KPK. This KPK will be born far into the future and will be taken back in time. This KPK will then destroy all Mages of The Brotherhood Of the Dark Moon, and he shall be victorious. He will be raised and taught in a town of many troubles and he shall be a great hero. Upon his 20th day of birth he shall be instructed of the quest of the KPKs." Upon the finishing of these words his life passed from him. *** *** *** *** 1981- A baby is born, this baby has an odd shaped birthmark on bottomside of his left fore-arm. 1982- The baby's father dies late 1983- The child becomes sick of an incurrable disease. early 1984- As the child gets sicker and sicker his parents become very worried. One night as the child's mother is watching over him a man in a robe appears in the room. "Greetings. I am the Sage of Never Winter. It was prophesied in the year 328 B.C. that your child was to be born and destroy an evil known as The Brotherhood Of the Dark Moon. He is sick, I can cure him but only if you allow me to take him to Never Winter in return, so he can fulfill his destiny." At this the mother was shocked, but curious. "How do you know this is the right child?" At this the man raised the baby's arm and pointed to the birthmark. Knowing this was the only chance at life for the baby the mother let the sage of Never Winter take her child, and through a blue "door" she watched her child disappear. *** *** *** *** Never Winter- A young man known as Kevin KPK is sat down and spoken to by The Sage of Never Winter. "Kevin, you are a last of great mages, where your preceeders were completely mages we have trained you in the ways of the cleric to try to keep you living longer than them. The KPKs have had a great quest still to be carried out. There are evil mages living in the towns around Never Winter. They are all members of The Brotherhood of The Dark Moon. This brotherhood is extremely excluded and you are only allowed in if you are of their blood. The KPKs have known about this brotherhood and a few, rare, others. Me as an example. You have reached the age where you must swear yourself to this quest and take out to destroy all of this Brotherhood. -= Kevin KPK later created a guild, this guild has the name of The Diamond Of Magic. He and the members of this guild are all sworn to the destruction of the Brotherhood of the Dark Moon. Upon his journeys Kevin KPK has encountered 2 Evil mages. Both were of the brotherhood. Kevin KPK killed one of the 2 he has knowledge of. He knows there are more and he and his guild will not rest until their quest has been completed, and Kevin KPK can return to his real home. End. Kevin Kennedy Notes By Me, Kevin KPK, The author * Bits and pieces of this are real depending on how you look at it. 1) I was born in 1981 2) I am currently in the process of getting enough members in my guild to make it qualify for unsanctioned 3) It name is The Diamond Of Magic 4) I'm the GM 5) I am aware of 2 evil mages, The one in the well, which i haven't beaten and the one you fight to return to the house in vilnask after fighting the dracs which ive beat 6) I have gotten to a level 10 cleric and am currently working on the dual and am a level 4 mage ** If there is a Vangul KPK or slagry, or any other name i used in this writing, I would like to point out that I didn't know he/she existed and am sorry for using the ID without asking. If there is a Brotherhood Of The Dark Moon, I was unaware of its existence and am sorry for not asking first.The 10th Jewel of Neverwinter (submitted by: Dan XI) As a lone adventurer walks across the barren lifeless expanses beyond NeverWinter, he encounters a dwarven adventurer coming from Stone Bridge. The dwarf says that there is an immense power building near NeverWinter and tells the Lone Adventurer that he should check it out. The Lone Adventurer then travels the long trek to NeverWinter encountering more strange Adventurers that claim to have lost their powers at the hand of an immense evil. These stories strike the Lone Adventurer's curiosity even more and he ask Lord Nasher about this EVIL. Lord Nasher was at a total lose at this, so the Lone Adventurer turns to The Crusaders of the Realms Guild (COR). COR tells the adventurer that this great evil almost killed Jo Don Cal a great warrior of COR and was a growing concern among the Crusaders. The adventurer leaves the COR guild hall and makes a days hike to the NeverWinter woods a place of exceedingly dangerous monsters. Using a map created by Jo Don Cal during his tedious trip trhough the woods and his final encounter with some sort of monster The Lone Adventurer follows a non-existent trail to a grassy knoll with some sort of crystal on top. Strange enough the crystal is not on the map. The Lone Adventurer prepares camp and soon finds himself besieged by shadows that advance with swords of pure darkness stabbing and slicing at his weatherbeaten body. The Adventurer now knows what the crystal is. It is a Jewel of NeverWinter that has fallen into the hands of an evil mage. The Lone Adventurer soon fights his way out of the surrounding shadows and retreats to a nearby tree. His strength now waning from being struck with the swords of darkness, The Lone Adventurer hobbles to the crystal while being stabbed. When there, despite his serious blood loss, he takes his mighty sword of light forged by the last of the great elven smiths and shatters the 10th Jewel of NeverWinter with it forever destroying it and the evil mage's power. However the lone adventurer could never stand up to the the barrage of swords and daggers that the evil shadows had stabbed him with and so The Lone Adventurer after saving NeverWinter and all adjoining states died in solitude never again seeing the cities he had saved. Now there are only 9 Jewels of NeverWinter waiting to be exploited, by good or evil. Only time will tell which one can conquer them first. AFTER NOTES- This story took place before the LifeGiver saga. the exact time has never been known (not even by the author).Out of the Ashes (submitted by: Sol Arthur) Arthur sat, his back to the old tree, high atop the hill overlooking the keep where the Soldiers of Light made their home. He absently played with the grass beside him as he looked down on the keep and let the thoughts of his service to Tempus flow through his mind. Thoughts that surfaced now, for he had finally cut through all the mixed emotions of the past few days and had made a decision on his future. A future that would affect him as well as those below in the keep. He stood up and leaned back against the tree for a last look down the hill and let his mind go back to his first visit to the keep. He was young then, having just finished his youth training in the City of Waterdeep, studying at the great Temple of Tempus that was in the City of Splendors. He had learned all the ways of his god, but it had been all book learning and it was here to Neverwinter he had been sent, to gain his first training as a true soldier. He had traveled under the simple name of Priest then, the Arch Prelate, Abysss having taken a liking to the lad from the first day they met. Sol Priest ran errands all over Neverwinter for Abysss, learning each step of the way. He joined the Arch Prelate on many a foray into the sewers to fight the likes of the Night Masks, or Kaaos. The Soldiers of Light were a pretty carefree lot back then, as Kef was the largest guild that upheld Lord Nashers law. Arthur let his hand slide into the large pouch that hung at his side and he pulled out the two small statues and let their cool surface slide across his palm one time. The first was an ivory mare, Veiros, the second an ebony stallion, Deiros. Should Tempus ever be seen riding the mare, favor in battle was shown, to be seen on the stallion, foretold defeat. The statues had taught the young Priest many a lesson, but one in particular that Arthur thought of now. He was in Striders enjoying an ale, the two statues sitting on the table before him, when suddenly they were snatched away by a wizard in black robes. Murrain he had called himself, and he taunted the young Priest with his holy symbols. It was decided a fight would take place between the wizard and the young Priest, the winner to keep the holy symbols as his own. But that was not fair, the young priest had spoke out that day, to which Murrain had laughed and replied that evil was not always fair. He then turned and left Striders, to head off to meet the young Priest in battle. That battle taught the young Priest a lesson that Arthur still held to this day, a lesson that was about to come more to the fore than he had ever thought possible. Murrain had picked the Warehouse District for the fight, giving the young Priest a name of a building to meet the wizard in. It was then that Murrain and his lady left Striders, a wicked laughter following their exit, meant to taunt the young Priest. The fresh lad from Waterdeep was nervous to say the least, his palms sweating, his breath quick and short. He had noticed the items the wizard wore and knew he was to fight one superior to himself. Slowly he made his way up the stairs to the room he rented at Striders, unlocking the door and stepping into the darkness beyond. He went to the window and looked out at the streets of Neverwinter, his eyes taking in both it's beauty and it's ugliness in one quick glance. The spires of Lord Nasher's Keep, where within lay a fat, lazy lord, who did nothing to protect its citizens. This was something the young Priest had noticed his first day in the small merchant town. Turning from the window, he walked over to a table and lit two candles there and spread out a cloth between them on the tables wooden surface. The cloth was black with a blazing red sword emblazoned upon it. The young Priest lit the candles and knelt before the table, tears rolling down his cheeks for not having his holy symbols with him. He quietly asked forgiveness from his lord Tempus for losing those items dear to him and his service to the God of War. It was here, in this dark room, that the young Priest felt his god for the first time. "Stand young Arthur," the voice came, speaking Priest's true name. "There is much for you to learn, and this will be but your first lesson, it is not the end," the voice continued, somewhat soft Arthur had though for a God of War. "Learn this lesson well Arthur, for it will be important to you one day," the last words before a cool breeze whipped through the open window and put out both candles, leaving Arthur kneeling in the dark. "Could it be true," he thought to himself as he knelt there. "Was that truly the voice of Tempus?" the young lad knelt and thought to himself. Arthur did not move that night, keeping the same kneeling position in the dark, letting the experience somewhat overwhelm him. It was when the first rays of the morning sun broke the window that the young Priest rose, knowing that only too soon he would be meeting the wizard Murrain, and perhaps he would die, but he would honor both himself and Tempus in the process, that was the only thing he was sure of as he stepped out of the room and headed downstairs and a meeting that would mark the young Priests character for the rest of his life. Arthur made his way down the streets of the Warehouse District, following the directions that Murrain had given him. Finding the deserted building, Arthur stepped inside to see Murrain and his lady standing inside. "Ah, the young Priest made it," Murrain spoke, followed by a brief period of laughter. "I thought for sure you would not show lad,' the wizard said, walking towards him. Arthur stepped back a couple of steps, somewhat surprised that the wizard would think a Priest of Tempus would not show for a fight, though it was one of his first. "Why would I not show wizard, for today we shall honor my god, as we battle over his symbols," Arthur said, stepping forward, casting a globe about himself, somewhat startling Murrain, who did not expect such an aggressive approach. "Have you studied the black stallion well wizard, so that your defeat was known to you beforehand," Arthur said moving around Murrain who had also cast a globe about himself. Spells started to fly as Arthur and Murrain battled each other, neither seeming to gain the upperhand for sometime. Murrain at times seemed frustrated, and Arthur had not the time to think of anything but Murrain, for he was trying to muster all the skill he could to win this tithe to his lord, Tempus. Then the hold stuck as the wizard stopped his attack noticing that Arthur had succumbed to the incantation. Smiling to himself, Murrain walked up to Arthur, quickly being joined by his lady. He knew that Arthur was aware, just could not move due to the magic. The wizard took out the two small statues and held them in his palm for Arthur to see, then smiled to himself and slipped them into the young lad's pouch. "Young Priest, very few in Neverwinter would have even showed for this fight, much less gave me such a contest," Murrain said, smiling to himself as he turned and kissed his lady on the cheek. He then turned and rubbed his hand through Arthur's hair and laughed. "I kind of like you Priest, so learn ye today that even evil has honor. You fought well for what you believed in, and that is what I tested today, your faith, not your skill in battle. You stood up to me for what you believed in, and that Priest earns my respect more than anything you can ever do in battle," his last words trailing off as he and his lady turned and walked from the building. Arthur made his way back to Striders, thinking back on the fight he had just lost and the lesson learned when he saw the young boy running towards him. "Priest, it's Abysss, he wants you to come to the square," the lad said, completely out of breath. "Aye son, I am on my way," Arthur replied, reaching in his pouch and taking out a silver for the boy. "Here, go and fetch yourself something cool to drink, ye be needing it boy," he continued, then turned and made his way down the street to the square. Neverwinter Square stood directly in front of Lord Nashers keep and was one of the places of meeting for many of those who resided here. But Arthur was not ready for the sight he witnessed turning the corner. A caravan had just pulled in, perhaps once a train of perhaps fifty wagons, but now only the remnants of a few. There were scores of people slowly following the best of the wagons, they were all maimed to some degree. It looked like they had lost a war, and then were allowed to live as witness to others. Abysss saw Arthur enter the square and signaled for him to come join him. Arthur made his way through the growing crowd and joined Abysss. "Arch Prelate," Arthur said with a nod of respect. "Priest, bear witness that the Zhentarim has once again organized the savage tribes of the north. Word came with the wagon that we are to send some of our warriors to the north to help fend off the hordes from overrunning Luskan and some of the smaller villages. I want you to go Priest," Abysss had said, not once looking at Arthur, just watching the parade of the hopeless that passed before the two servants of Tempus. "If this is what you wish Arch Prelate, I will leave on the morning," Arthur replied. "No, I wish you to leave now," came the answer to Arthur's statement. "As you wish," Arthur said, nodding once more and turning to head for Striders where he could pick up his belongings. "And Priest," Arthur came to a stop hearing the Arch Prelate call. "Yes," Arthur said as he turned and looked on Abysss for the final time. "Keep the faith," Abysss said, then turned and disappeared into the crowd. The next year of Arthur's life was truly a living hell as he fought the orc hordes of the north. The sheer numbers of inhuman tribes and the wicked cunning of their Zhentarim masters taught Arthur everything he wanted to know about war and more. Day after day of constant battle, piles of death surrounding him as his foes fell to either magic or mace. Each night an exhausted deep sleep, only to awake and do it over once more. One evening in the lull of battle, Arthur learned the second lesson in his searching for the truth behind the service to Tempus. An aging warrior was sitting by the fire, puffing on an old pipe full of hobbitweed, a vice he argued helped him sleep. Most had gone to bed, and it was just the warrior and Arthur, the one smoking and the young lad lost in thought until the small stone hit him upside the head. "Hey," Arthur snapped as he stood quickly, anger flashing across his features. The warrior roared with laughter, then coughing up the remaining smoke his lungs still carried. "Kinda tense, aren't we boy?" the older man laughed once more, the words so full of mirth that Arthur had to break a smile. "Yes, I suppose I am tense," Arthur said, sitting back down next to the fire. "Sorry old timer," he said, laying down and resting his head on the blanket that was folded up as a pillow. "It just seems that there is no end to their numbers, day after damned day they come," Arthur said, his words full of the frustration he was feeling. "So lad, ye have yet to learn the secret of that damned deity you worship?" the warrior said with a laugh, then sitting back and taking a long drag off the pipe. "What do you mean by that?" Arthur said, sitting quickly upright once more. The old warrior just laughed once more, taking the pipe and tapping it out on a large stone near where he sat. "Listen good lad, I will only tell you this once, then it is up to you to gain the wisdom or not," the man said, putting away the pipe and standing, looking around in the darkness as if sensing something, then turning and looking to Arthur once more. The aging warrior circled the fire slowly and as he did, it seemed to Arthur as he grew younger, and taller in stature. More than once Arthur rubbed his eyes and looked again as the man seemed to grow before him. Now standing perhaps seven foot tall, dressed in battered armor that seemed to bleed, the man turned and looked down at Arthur. "Young Priest, no you this, tomorrow on the sunrise, when you look across that valley at the thousands that have gathered against you, draw your strength from them. No you that you serve the God of War, a god who cares not for good or evil, but for battle he lives. Those that gather across the valley, in their thousands, all are unknowingly giving you strength through their tithes to your god Arthur! Now stand and know that on the morrow you shall learn to harness this strength, these endless tithes and use them to your advantage. It is called wisdom lad," the tall giant of a man smiled with the last words. A white mare broke the clearing and trotted up to the fire. The man who towered over where Arthur stood turned to the large mare and mounted. "Tomorrow Arthur, you become a true servant of Tempus," the man said, turned the mare and rode from the clearing, disappearing into the night and leaving Arthur with many unanswered questions, but one new piece of knowledge. A valuable lesson that soon proved it's worth. For not only the new day brought victory for Arthur, but the weeks and months that followed. Arthur learned to harness the knowledge that those he fought served the same purpose as him, and that any battle, for any reason, under any rules was tithe to his lord, Tempus. Those weeks and months also brought Arthur a reputation as a military commander, as he led Lord's Alliance armies to one victory after another against the Zhentarim forces. Yes, Arthur learned that in battle their was no difference between good and evil, only allies and enemies, and each to be treated as such. It was this Arthur that returned to Neverwinter, learning quickly of changes in his absence. KEF was no longer a factor in the guild wars and Abysss no longer led the Soldiers of Light. Entity was the Arch Prelate, Arthur had learned, and he thought back to his early days with the guild and remembered the Most Holy General, but could not remember much else about him. Entres had embraced Arthur's return and perhaps the most rewarding news was an impending war with House ITB. The next three months had been well documented as Arthur had served the Soldiers of Light with the lessons he had learned over the last couple of years and now found himself thinking back to those days and pondering the future he had chosen when he broke the clearing and looked down at the large fortress below. Yes, he had chosen a future, one that would not be popular with some of those he had learned to call friend, but a future he need take if he was to truly set the example of what a servant of Tempus was. Yes, as Arthur walked down the hill toward the compound at the bottom of the hill, he knew his chosen course was the right one. Only through battle could one show the true faith of Tempus, and this course of action was going to lead to battle, plenty of it, for Arthur was about to enter a new home, a home that would allow him to truly honor both himself and his house. Yes, this house knew the true meaning of battle, for it was a house of warriors. The end..... but is it.....Going Mad (submitted by: ElvinHawke) GOING MAD!!! It had been a very bad day. Hawke cursed to himself as he stumbled down the streets of Neverwinter. First of all, Chyanna was upset at him. "Fer me stubborn ways" he assumed. Logarth was ready to rip his heart out and mount it on the wall, for standing up to him in a verbal crossfire they were indulging with each other. Alric, the silent one; had even condemned him for his verbosities. Robitius had flashed him a look he would never forget, during that fateful meeting concerning the doomed Smugglers Run. And, to top things off; Spedlestor, the once revered rogue; had slithered by to ransack what was left of his sanity. Although he would never admit it to the others, Hawke did take heed of some of the traitor's words. He had, after all, respected this thief once. Sifting out the torrid words Sped had flung Hawke's way, the young thief had reassembled his thoughts into a somewhat clearer message for himself. "It be true, Hawke. Yer thinkin' too much of yerself, an' not the Lurkers. Ya know how things were back in Gammon wi' the Black Blades. Did'ja ever see yerself cavortin' 'round like yas do now? No! Never! Maybe Sped was right. What 'ave ya done fer the Lurkers? Huh? Nothin' ! Yeah.....ya knew that di'nt ya...ya droolin' after that fine lass Chyanna, an' not keepin' up on business. Well...C'mon Hawkie...get 'cha self together lad! GET YASELF TOGETHER!!!!" The young elven thief stopped walking, leaning himself forward against a wall. Clenching his fists tightly, he began to scream as he pounded his fists and head against the bricks in mental anguish. "ARGH!!! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!!!" ***Two strange hands grabbed his shoulders just then. Hawke turned quickly in surprise. It was Rabenau, of the Dragoons. "What's wrong with ye, Hawke?" "Rab...Help me. I think I'm going mad!" squeaked the elf. Rabenau shook him fiercely, Hawke's head lolling back and forth. "Don't worry, ya get used to it after a while. As if I could help you regain sanity anyways!!" Rab the Mad let loose of him, then cackled wildly as he sauntered down the road. Hawke dropped to his knees, struggling to gain his composure, and began thinking out his next move. "Ok...first. No matter how much ya loves the lass, ya gotta let her go. Jus' put her outta yer mind Hawke...it's better fer everyone that way. Jus' tell her ya will always 'ave a soft spot fer her, an' leave it at that. Besides...ya know in yer mind she been eyein' someone else...so jus' drop it Hawkie." He thought to himself how difficult this would really be for him, but acknowledged the fact that it must happen....at all costs. "I best give her me regards before I start thinkin' me plans fer the Lurkers. 'Twould be best, havin' a clear conscious an' all. ElvinHawke slowly made his way to the bar, to where he knew Chyanna would be. A RETURN TO THE TAVERN Hawke threw open the doors to Cyane's establishment and stepped in. His favorite barkeep was looking as beautiful as ever, and Hawke smiled as he first spotted her behind the bar. "Cyane!!" he voiced, rushing over to hug her. "Hello Elvin." she purred back returning his hug. He had really needed this closeness today. After all, things were not going his way. "Greets Hawke!" The elf turned to that familiar voice. "Chy" he utters, winking at Cyane before strolling over and hugging Chyanna. Hawke saw she had been holding something delicately in her hand. "What 'cha got there, Chy?" A sparkle appeared in her eyes. "It's a magical egg, Hawke. Go get cha one from Cyane. She has several tonight." "Now don't open it, Chyanna", warned Cyane precautiously from behind the bar. "Thank ye, Cyane. Nay, I won't open it." Chyanna giggled. Hawke looked around to see who was here tonight. Abzzsta1n! "Dammit!" he whispered angrily. One of those that captured the smugglers, Abzzsta1n was strutting around in a new Cloak of Displacement, with a new Mirrored Shield +2 laying on the table near him. "Blast! That should 'ave been ours! Hope Robitius don't come in an' see that!" Hawke sighed, thinking back to the Smugglers Run again. A crash and some gasps from the crowd, turn the elf's head. There was Hadin; long sword in hand, smashing the thick oaken tables. A warning from Cyane and DragnSlicr, had no effect in stopping the Drow's foolishness. Hawke had had his share of drow encounters for the day. "HADIN!! Sit yer arse down...NOW!!" Hadin flashed a childish smile as Hawke screeched at him, before sheathing his sword and sitting down. Hawke motioned for Hadin to pay restitution for his damage, then asked Cyane politely for a magical egg. Hawke walked over to where Chyanna now sat, and pulled up a seat. Sir Boin began telling of a "Chyanna Sweepstakes", where the foolish men of the realms competed for the hearts of the few outnumbered women. Hawke tensed up, stifling a groan, and rose to his feet. "Easy Hawke...ya were jus' gonna let it go....remember? If ya love her, ya need ta jus' take it easy and ferget 'bout her...Now sit back down an 'ave a drink." his inner voice spoke to him. Chyanna grabs his arm as he stands. "Sit love" she coos, stroking his arm. "Jus' calm down Hawke." ElvinHawke sat reluctantly, tuning out Boin's banter about the men after Chyanna. He watched as the NW Guard, Mystek; and Cyane, flirted at the bar. Hawke smiled at thier playfulness, and chuckled to himself as the barkeep did everything in her power to protect those magical eggs. Alric Inge joined the table, as Hawke motioned to him. Alric arrived with yet more spirits to drink. Chy was well on her way to another good drunk; Boin was still rattling on about Chyanna's "men"; Alric and her were exchanging playful smiles; and ElvinHawke was tearing himself up inside. "GAWD!! I got's ta get outta here!" he realized. Again he stood, this time without resistence from Chyanna. "'Cause Alric's here now" he pondered, peering out the tavern window, wrapped deep in thought. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alric and Chyanna stripping off thier outer garments, and get into the hot tub together. Hawke gritted his teeth in agony, then walked out of the bar. The young thief spyed a wench pushing a flower cart down the way. "Hawke...Do what yer thinkin'....go gets some of dem flowers, an give 'em ta Chy! Tell her ya still feel fer her." Mumbling along the way, he approached the cart, buying the largest basket of roses there was. And then some. He tossed several platinums to the vendor; who giggled in delight; and then Hawke made his way back to the tavern. A MAGICAL EGG ElvinHawke returned to the bar, carrying the enormous basket of rich, red, roses. Chyanna, Alric, Boin, and Luthyen were still soaking peacefully in the tub, along with several others that the elf didn't recognize. "Hawke, you back?" questioned Boin. "Hawke! Come in the tub. Join me and Alric!" sang Chyanna. "And Boin" blurbed Sir Boin again. Hawke knelt before Chyanna, setting the basket of flowers on the tubs edge to her side. "She di'nt even notice I was carryin' 'em!" he rued to himself. "Nay lass. I can not join ya. I 'ave come ta tell ya what a fool I 'ave been lately." Chyanna smiles half-drunkenly. "Awww....Hawke. Ya soooo sweet!" "ElvinHawke continues. "Sweetness. The roses are jus' a reminder thats I'll always be in love wit' ya....an' ya'll always be me friend." "Who Me? I didn't know you cared! Where's the cuts on your hands? Roses have thorns you know!" prattled Sir Boin. ElvinHawke was incredibly close to diving in and slitting Boin's throat for those words; but kept as calm as he was able nonetheless; bowing his head in humility. "Hak.we....thank ye" slurred Chyanna, gently grasping his chin, lifting it. She smiled at him, a gentle look on her face. Chyanna leant over kissing him softly. His eyes welling with tears, he basked in the beauty of her kiss, for he knew to himself it would probably be the last. "That means a lot to me, Hawke" She smiled again, and ElvinHawke wondered if she would even remember this moment tomorrow. "Aye Chyanna...It means the world to me." Kissing her forehead lightly, the elf rises and weakly struggles to the bar. "Dragn? Ya still pourin'?" he croaked, wiping the moisture from his eyes. "What would you like Hawke?" intervenes Cyane. "The strongest ya gots, Cyane. An makes it a double!" Hawke could hear Boin again in the background, yelling for him to come back and give him some more pick-up lines. Alric cut him off, telling him "Leave the lad alone, Boin. 'Tis a hard thing to get over." ElvinHawke cursed Alric, thinking "Why does he care? He been quietly after the lass hisself!" "How about a VOT, Hawke? Or a Carry Me perhaps is your taste." Cyane waited for a reply. "It matters not, Cyane" he mumbled. She mixes and sets a tall violet concoction in front of him. He grunts, wondering what the 'ell is in that drink. Retrieving his magical egg from his pocket, the rogue studies its simplicity. "Ahh...there is more here than meets the eye. No one knows fer sure what beauty can spring from this frail shell. Maybe......" he thinks of Chyanna again briefly. "Maybe....not knowing what lies within is indeed the magic!" A smile crosses his lips, thinking of the egg. "Hawke! Come here. I need ya. Alric ripped me dress. Fix it!" Hawke chuckled as he looked at Chyanna, standing half-naked, dripping water onto the bar floor. "Hold on lass. Hmm... It's gonna take some mendin'. Here...wear me tunic." Wondering why this had turned into his problem, and not Alric's; who had ripped her dress to begin with; he helped her squirm into his tunic. It was then he noticed Cyane standing on the bar. "Ok....you have all been granted an egg. Chadrec requested I open his." Cyane smashed it gently on her noggin', and everyone watched as a small feather flutters down. Nothing else. "Stiele! Open your egg please." Stiele carefully opens it as a small silver mirror on a chain drops out. "ElvinHawke...please open your egg." Hawke was reluctant at first, but then gave in. As he gently opened the egg, a small bird flies out and around the tavern. Hawke smiled in awe like a young child. "Aww...cute little fella. 'Twas indeed a magic egg!" boasted ElvinHawke. Meanwhile, Sir Boin was opening his. A small snake dropped out and slithered away. The tavern crowd roared as Boin chased it down. Luthyen's egg was opened next by Thorn Hawk. From the magical egg emmanated a glowing white light, quickly turning colors. Pink, yellow, violet. The display lit the whole of the room before disapating. Chyanna followed, along with Centruo and Dark Lugon, with Cyane breaking open the egg of Dhaunae's. No magic for these four. The runny contents of these eggs splatted to the floor. Groans rose from the patrons, and Hawke noticed Chy pouting. Putting an arm around her, "Aww...'Tis ok lass." he reassured her. Greenbelly, Thorn Hawk, Ilysianna, and Seaver's eggs were next to be opened. A shiny platinum piece dropped out of each. Cyane smiled, knowing she would probably receive these as a nightly tip. Abzzsta1n, Aurela, Alric Inge, Modalex, Kerrg0n, Delracnid, Dey KemLar, and BryanSatyr patiently awaited thier openings. "Ready? one...two...three...Open!" giggled Cyane. Seven puffs of smoke arose from the eight remaining eggs; and after the smoke cleared, Delracnid stood grinning with three pearls. ElvinHawke appreciated his egg more than he would any of the others. Saying his good-byes, he noticed Alric and Chyanna together. ElvinHawke just smiled. "It was an omen!" he mused to himself. "I 'ave been set free....jus' like that wee bird! No more o' this elf worryin' 'bout that lass..." Waving to everyone as he left, he dashed onto the street, whistling as he scampered to Strider's. Hawke(submitted by: BD Piper) EFFECTIVE SEWER GATE GRASHING 101 If done correctly and with a wee bit o luck the following tips can reap you a successful gate crash (assuming also that you don't get jumped). Key One: Prepping. Cast the standard prep spells of resist cold, friends, resist fire, shield, prayer, bless, haste, mirror image and protection from evil (assuming yer not a Palm) and enlarge. Also PRE-GLOBE! This is imperative cause if you don't you run the risk of being slowed and then it's all over. Get yer +3 Weapon ready..... Key Two: Your first turn. Immediately cast a dimension door away from the golems into the lower right side of the screen, this allows you got get away from multiple enemies and permits only one Golem at a time to attack you. Key Three: Attacking strategically. Once your in the corner its time to plan and play smartly, you'll want to strategically use your Lightning Bolts on the Iron Golems, only when you can nail at least two of them. Also the key is to be patient and count the rounds, this is important because it'll likely take more rounds for you to win than your globe will last! So it's important that you keep track of the length of time your battle is taken.....cast your SECOND globe sooner than earlier (some will argue that having another mirror image and another hast casted is wiser than just casting another globe.....debatable). Key Four: Good Luck! The rest is up to you!! Hack and Slash away!! Important reminders: Iron Golems are magic resistant except to LB's which slow em for three rounds, and FB's which actually heal them 1 hp per HD of the FB. Stone Golems are likewise unaffected by spells (even LB's) but the key here is that they can be struck with a +2 Weapon or better unlike the Irons which need +3 Weapons. If you make it you'll get over 110,000 experience points!! BD Piper AGM Blue Dawn PS. Oh, and winning a gate crash doesn't mean you'll get access to the sewers, it just means you'll fight the next battle (which is 10 times tougher). Even winning the next battle (worth over 150,000 exp) won't win you entrance........jings.....nothing like having a good ole badge!!(submitted by: Black Dye) There are those who fear what they do not understand. There are those who try to flee or even talk their way out of my grasp. Sometimes I wonder where the evil comes from. Yes I have been known to kill without any remorse, actually feeling rather good about myself for having dispatched yet another good aligned character. Sometimes I wonder where the goodness comes from. Yes I have been known to aid a traveler who has lost his or her way. What drives me I cannot say. Times I feel confused with my thoughts and feelings. One moment I will be on the side of evil and the next I will come to the aid of the side of good. I am often confused for I believe that there is no order to anything including my own actions. But how can this be? There must be some kind of order, for if there is not the world is upside down. Some say I am totally unreliable, though in truth the one reliable thing about me is that I cannot be relied upon. Is it madness? Am I a Lunatic? What am I to make of it all? There must be an answer for my behavior. There must be. For if I am to remain true to my beliefs, I must be able to rationalize why I do what I do. Ah! I do have the answer. The Answer is it must be the Chaotic Neutral within. For those who are not sure what I am talking about, please consider that when you choose an alignment in the game for your character that you are role playing a specific trait. For example: 1) * Neutral Evil characters are primarily concerned with themselves and their own objectives. 2) * Lawful Good characters believe that an orderly, strong society with a well-organized government can work to make life better for the majority of the people. Therefore Lawful Good characters strive for those things that will bring the greatest benefit to the most people and cause the least harm. 3) * Neutral good characters believe that a balance of forces is important, but that the concerns of law and chaos do not moderate the need for good. To role play an alignment it is important to know what each stands for and then to try to carry that out to the best of your ability! Remember it is important to try to stay in character. DYE *....Taken directly from the AD&D Players handbook word for word.<><><><><> <><><><><> 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!