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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue # 163
Week Ending 12-8-96
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to Ulhendl for winning last week's News of the Realm contest
for his story entitled "The Coming Darkness".

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

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November WWAI Finals!!

First--Darkthane--25 pearls and 4 free hours

Second---Kh0lari--20 pearls and 3 free hours

Third--Sylphee--15 pearls and 2 free hours

Random roll winner---Opslin--5 pearls

-Ulf

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No Pain, No Gain Booth - 12/1

Gathering a group around me, I tested my skills (and their saves ;>) with 2
Cause Serious Wounds, followed by 1 Cure Critical.  For the most part, my
causes were worse than my cures (doh!) but it was fun nevertheless.

The following brave souls came to try:  Icey Wind, Daelwyn, LOK Shirak, The
Gorgon, IMWeak, SOR Remus, Sir Deno, Nagarue 2, SuperOrc, Ghst1961, O Sniper,
Genocidist, SoulS1nger, Lrd Markus, and NOR Jag.  The following won 2 pearls
each:  Ghst1961, O Sniper, SoulS1nger, and NOR Jag.  Congratulations and
thank you to everyone that participated!!!

NW Sparkle

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

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

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

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New Player Tours:

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

December 8th Sunday  12:00 PM EST - with NW Hobbes.
December 11th Wednesday  10:00 PM EST - NWA Nova.
December 14th *Saturday  2:00 AM EST - NWA Tarant.

* Technically, it's Sunday early morning, but easier to remember that it's
Saturday evening after midnight.  ;>

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

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This reporter was treated to some rare songs and tales in the Sisters' Tavern
this week. The Monday SingAlong featured the works of Firef0rged, GoblinBite,
BaerSidhe, Jedi Chris, Songshine, SednaBlood, Lady Ellyn, Elvin Hawke, and NW
Rex.  Readers may find renditions of these posted in the Great Hall Tavern
folder. GoblinBite was awarded a kiss from NWT Mystri, and incidentally the 3
pearl award.

On Wednesday night popular demand brought another night of singing and tales,
and Auguress, Gumples, V Eight,  and Jaliycia all took the stage. Gumples
comic rendition of an Ode to his Mug took the two Pearl award.

Magic was apparently afoot on Friday night, as an Evil Power placed a lock on
the Tavern door later in the eve. Only by luck could patrons enter, and
TavernKeep Spryte herself was only able to enter for a brief time before
being snatched back out by the puntmonsters. Tavern regulars took it in good
spirit however, and continued with offerings of song and story. Songshine
tended bar in the absence of the Sisters. MECH night was postponed, and the
Sisters will welcome NWN's favorite MECHanicals this coming Friday instead.

Upcoming this week:

The sisters' supply of wood for the fire has been waylaid! Orcs in Nightsedge
have disrupted the shipment. Bring some wood for the fire, and ask NWT Spryte
for a number. At the end of the evening, the number matching her random roll
wins the prize! 

You've watched her mix her drinks..perhaps you've even tasted the famous
whatever IT is. Mystri has a new concoction she wants to offer to the
patrons. Come and have some, and name that drink..winning RP and post takes
the prize.

The Sisters' Tavern in the Great Hall operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday
evenings, from 11pm-1am EST. Join them there for fun and prizes!

~The Roving ReporterVisions of Beauty
(submitted by: Lrd Kedryn)

Part I, Visions of Beauty

  He departs the Inn in Triboar to begin his journey, there is a few places
he needs visit this eve. Heading south threw the gate, leaving the city
proper, he enters the woods. Having travelled this trail many times, he pays
less attention to the critters scurrying about and more attention to the
surrounding woods. Fall is here, the days are still warm but the nights tend
to get cool, so he wears a cloak to keep the chill away. The leaves are
turning to bright reds and yellows, making the country side a very colorful
sight indeed. The sky is a luminescent orange, the sun passing just below the
horizon, twilight is fast approaching. The air is filled with the scent of
wild flowers and berries, and is starting to grow cooler with the coming of
night. He thinks, * it's a good night to travel the woods of Westbridge*, he
smiles. 

  The reason for this journey is to retrieve some potions from the magic shop
in Westbridge city, and then a quick trip to Red Larch for the components of
the Amulet. As a defender of Tyr, and a Knight of the Eternal Flame, it is
his responsibility to protect the innocent and vanquish evil where ever he
finds it. The potions and amulet help him in this cause. These days it seems
there is more evil to rid the realms of then ever before, it is not hard to
find evil, for it usually finds him. As he has no family, his parents lost to
him when he was but a child, he mostly travels alone. He had found a true
purpose when joining the guild of Knights, he had found a family he didn't
have. The responsibilities that were his, he took very seriously, they were
what guided him threw life.

  Pausing on the trail, he realizes there are no sounds emanating from the
woods around him. He thinks, *this is not right, these woods are always full
of life, something must be amiss*. Looking around, trying to determine the
cause of the silence, he see's nothing out of the ordinary. He proceeds
cautiously down the trail, a few steps more and he hears a rustling in the
bushes ahead, he crouches and peers threw the brush to see what is causing
the noise. There in a clearing is two red dragons and several wyverns, the
dragons discussing an ambush on the city. He thinks, *this is something I
can't allow*. Moving back quietly from the trail, he casts preparation spells
to protect him against the onslaught sure to come once he attacks. Normally,
he would not attack another, not even a creature. However this is to prevent
the blood shed of many innocents, and he believes that Tyr would accept this
as just. He is now prepared to combat the creatures, he casts invisibility to
gain a better vantage point. He will try to discourage the creatures first,
but if that fails, best to be prepared.

  Stepping into the open and revealing himself, he clears his throat in a
gesture of announcement. He then bespeaks the creatures and asks for them to
heed him. At first startled by his sudden appearance, the creatures don't
move. The dragons listen momentarily then scream, "attack the foolish human,
he dare impose on dragonfolk!" He knew this would be the likely response,
therefore his first cast is a Globe of Invulnerability, for he knows the
spells the dragons are capable of. The dragons cast a spell towards him, as
expected, a fireball. It falls harmlessly about his globe, although burning
the surrounding trees and bushes. He steps back a few paces and unleashes a
spell of his own, an Ice storm, the dragons scream in agony.  The ice also
puts out the fire started by the dragons. Now he is beset by the wyverns,
snapping and clawing at him, dodging and weaving to avoid their blows, some
strikes catch his images. He then casts a fireball of his own, directly on
top of himself, not hurting himself but doing alot of harm to the wyverns.
Three of the wyverns fall with that cast, now there are only one wyvern and
the two dragons to contend with, another fireball falls harmlessly about him.
He then casts a hold monster and quickly dispatches two more of the foes. One
dragon remains, it attacks with tooth and claw.  A bloody battle ensues, mace
finding purchase on the scales of the dragon, while the dragon rips and tears
at his flesh. He manages to cast one more spell, the dragon is clumsied,
cowering back the dragon now wants to talk its way free. He listens to the
dragon, then allows it to flee, no need to kill an injured creature, it will
probably die on its own. He then heads for the Inn, he needed to rest and
heal his wounds.

  Two days had passed, it took longer to heal then he had expected. While
resting, he feels something brush his mind, a familiar awareness. (*Ked, meet
me in Neverwinter at Stryders Inn, there are evils attacking innocents in the
sewers below the city*), this voice he knew well, for it belonged to the
Warlord of his guild, Haldor. He sent a thought back to him, (*on my way,
although it may take a short time to get there, I'm in Westbridge*), the
reply he expected, (* well hurry up, your always off wandering those outlying
towns*). He smiles.

  After a hurried run back to Neverwinter, he heads to the Inn to meet Hal,
finding him talking to a lady. Not just a lady, but a true vision of beauty,
she was the most beautiful lady he had seen. A smile that warmed his heart
and a voice that cheered his spirit, how had he missed this lovely lady in
his travels threw the realms? Just then he realized Haldor was laughing, not
at something said, but at him. He then realized that he had been starring and
not given a proper greeting, blushing, he bowed and greeted Hal and the
lovely lady. Haldor introduced her, "Kedryn, this is the Lady Ikela, a long
time friend". Stuttering somewhat, he said "Hello M'lady Ikela". Smiling,
Ikela said "hello M'lord Kedryn, it's nice to meet you". Then Ikela said "I
am sorry that I may not join you tonight on your journeys, but I must be
leaving, I have a long journey ahead of me". Still feeling somewhat giddy
from her presence, he smiled and said "perhaps we can travel together
sometime in the future." She smiled and said "that I think I would enjoy,
till we meet again", she curtsied then left. Soon as she was gone Haldor
burst into laughter, and said "I think someone's been smitten." All he could
do was smile.

Lrd Kedryn
KEF Knight

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Part II, Visions Enhanced

  After a short time in Neverwinter city, helping to secure the sewers from
evil, he felt the urge to be out among the creatures of the woods. A few
small things to tend to then a journey to the outlying city's once again,
remembering Haldor's words <*your always off wandering those outlying towns*>
he didn't know what attracted him so, to these towns so far from the main
congregation of people. He felt the most at peace with himself and his
surroundings when walking the woods and trails. He thinks that this is
because of those who raised him after the death of his parents were very
influential, and the values they taught him have stayed with him threw out
his adult life.

  Departing threw the east gate, he begins the journey to Longsaddle. Once
there he can practice his combat arts alone, which allows him to concentrate
and hone these arts to a fine edge, much akin to a swords edge. Comfortable
in the surroundings of the woods, he finds himself recalling his past.  

  There was a time when he was a young man, a time that he spent in the care
and upbringing of a Lord Stormaster. He was a man that would not soon be
forgotten. The lord had taught him to respect others beliefs and not to
begrudge a person for not believing in the same values as he himself would
believe in, for after all, all are created different and therefore are
different. The lord taught him the courtesies of court, and how to inter
mingle with the higher classes of people, as well as how to listen and
understand their ways. He also taught him how to tend to the weary and ill,
for these people would need his help more than any. He misses his old
teacher, someday he hopes to see him again, for he also travels alot and is
likely far away from the realms of man.

  Reaching the borders of the west central woods, he takes more care in
paying attention to the surroundings. Even though these are woods, and he
would normally feel comfortable traversing them, there are creatures here
that can rend a man limb from limb. This is also an area that is visited
frequently by evils, there is much mischief for them to do here. Ahead there
is a bridge that crosses the river, there are usually trolls close by.
Rounding a corner in the trail just before the bridge, he hears sounds of
combat. Casting invisibility on himself to prevent detection, he moves in for
a closer look, it appears there is a lone ranger fighting off a large band of
Troll's and Ogre mages. He seems to be sorely pressed, concentrating and
projecting his thought's towards the ranger, he asks if he may be of
assistance in the fray. The ranger quickly sends back a definite yes, so he
moves into a better vantage point and casts a spell upon the troll's and
mages. A well placed fireball in the midst of the mage's which causes a
forlorn scream from the surprised attack, and they now know there are two to
contend with. The ranger slashes with his mighty weapon and trolls fall
swiftly, a few more spells and the mage's are finished, it was a well fought
battle on two fronts by two people that knew nothing of each other.  The
ranger approached him, smiled, and said "my name is Jacob, and I would like
to thank you for your timely assistance." He said " I am Kedryn, and as I
seen you were being pressed rather hard by the mages, I felt you might need
some help." Smiling he extended his hand towards the ranger and bid him take
camp with him to rest and heal from the combat.

  After a night of rest and comraderies, the two parted company. The ranger
was heading to the northern parts of the woods to seek out a holders
stronghold, while he was headed east to Longsaddle. A day later and the
western gate to Longsaddle was visible ahead, the last part of the trip threw
the woods was peaceful. Proceeding straight to the Inn, he wanted to rest and
enjoy some ale. 

  Upon entering the Inn, he noticed there were only a few patrons there. He
took a seat near the door and by a window, and asked the barmaid for an ale.
After a short time, he heard a voice from the back of the Inn, he thought the
ale was making him tipsy. The voice he heard was one he had heard before,
although he could not place where he had heard it before, it was a sweet
voice, one that calmed him and made him feel relaxed. Suddenly he realized
where he knew that voice from, hoping he wasn't wrong, he got up from the
table and walked around to the back room of the Inn.

  There sitting at a table, the woman he had hoped it would be. She was every
bit as beautiful as he remembered, and that smile, he knew that Tyr had
looked favorably on him today. Approaching the table, she looked up and seen
him, she smiled and said "hello M'lord Kedryn, it's nice to see you again."
He smiled and said "hello M'lady Ikela, I have been wanting to speak with you
for some time now." She said "oh? well have a seat and do tell me what it is
on your mind." He spent the rest of the evening in conversation with her, it
was a very pleasant evening in deed.

Lrd Kedryn
Beloved of Ikela
KEF KnightNo Rest for the Weary
(submitted by: Centruo)

"...Please, Centruo, just stay with me. I don't want to be alone tonight."
Ilysianna said as Centruo laid her down on her bed.

"Of course I will, Ilysianna," he said as he laid down next to her, holding
her warmly. The rest of the night wasn't as pleasent...

Centruo looked out into a black void. Nothing upon nothing everywhere he
could see. He got a slight sensation of slowly spinning, so slowly in fact,
that he could hardly tell. He turned his head to find that he was holding a
large planet on his back. Of course he was, he's been doing it forever. 'No
reason today should be any different from any other day,' he thought.

Slowly a curve of light and warmeth spread across the planets surface,
warming it and him both. As he looked he saw the Sun. Her name was Ilysianna,
and he longed every day to be closer to Her. He knew, however, that if he got
closer, then his planet could get hurt, and he couldn't have that.  She
reached out for him longing for him to hold Her. Once he reached out himself,
and the whole planet almost fell off of his shoulders. He wouldn't, couldn't
let that happen. He owed it to his planet to hold it as best he could, though
everyday it seemed heavier.

As he basked in Her warmth, (as it was the only thing he could get from Her)
smaller planets appeared around him. No, they were moons. They were his moons
and they were orbiting him.  Each one had it's own name and it's own face.
There was 'Kyrasha' a Bringer of Woe to the inhabitants of the planet.
'Luchsaugig', usually a large blue moon that orbited with Kyrasha, to equal
her out, but something knocked his orbit off course. 'Most likely that large
whole in the center of it.' Centruo thought.  There was 'Apokilyps', a moon
that was very large, and was trying to eclipse the light of Ilysianna.
'Bryan', a moon that usually denoted free spirit. Here was 'Dwar Amaav', the
oldest of the moons to Centruo's knowledge, but something happened to cause
the the Moon to no longer talk with him. There were others, but these were
the ones to stick out.

'So many moons', Centruo thought. 'What to do with them?'  The moons all took
on personifications of the people in real life. Only they were twisted and
dangerous looking. Kyrasha sprout great, leather wings. She had completely
black eyes, and a look of evil on her face.

Luchsaugig looked as though he were rotting, and bloated, as well as an odd
shade of blue.

Apokilyps paid no mind to Centruo, but turned his attention on the Sun.

Bryan had a sneer of contempt on his face, and he also looked toward her.

Dwar, as usual, ignored them all.

Soon, Luchsaugig and a man who looked just like Centruo walked up to him.
Suddenly Centruo realized that he was dreaming, and that he hadn't done this
for eternity.

A pair of scales appeared, with minature people on the trays. On one side
stood Kyrasha, as she was, holding a dagger to her chest. On the other was
Ilysianna, about to embrace Apokilyps. As Luchsaugig shambled toward Centruo
as zombies do, Centruo looked down to see that the clothes he was wearing
were entirely too big for him, and hung loosely around his body. He also
noted that they were in shades of grey and black.

Luch and the Evil Centruo he killed after he tried to kiss Ilysianna finally
got to him. Each smiled evilly at whatever they had in mind for The Master of
the Seelie Court.

"Well, well, well. Thought you could get rid of me, did you?" the Evil
Centruo said. "Hah, no such luck."

"Let's see, where does it hurt, Cent?" Luchsaugig said in a gravily voice.

"Leave me alone, both of you." Centruo said, almost pleading.  The evil
Centruo cocked a thumb toward the scales behind them, both presently equaled
out. "We're not here to hurt you, old Pal. We're here to help. We're going to
see where your heart stands on this matter of who to lose. Whichever side
reaches the top is the side that you would chose."

"What? How are you going to do that?" Centruo asked him.

"Simple," Luchsaugig said, "we'll lay your heart on each side." Both the
creatures began to laugh.  Luchsaugig produced a large knife and reached out
to Centruo. Since he was holding the planet, he couldn't very well stop them.
Slowly, and painfully, they cut out his heart, leaving a great gaping hole in
his chest, yet he remained alive. Luchsaugig shambled over to the scales,
laying his heart on the plate with Kyrasha on it. The scales didn't seem to
budge. Luchsaugig and the Evil Centruo grinned at each other, then Luch layed
the heart on the tray with Ilysianna and Apokilyps on it. The scales tipped
over as he released the heart. They both looked at him and the evil Centruo
chuckled and said, "Well, looks like you'd chose losing Kyrasha to Ilysianna
any day, Cent. How wonderfully greedy of you."

"NO! I love Her! Don't you understand?! I can't choose, it's not even my
choice! Kyrasha's, she's..." Centruo began to say.

"...Expendable, Cent?" Luchsaugig asked.

"No! No, it's not that, you don't understand."

"Ah, don't worry, Cent, ol', buddy. I can take care of everything. I'll just
take the memory away from you, then you won't have to worry about anything."
Bryan said, as he and Kyrasha walked up.

"No, please I asked you not to." Centruo said.

"I know, but I also said I wouldn't seduce your queen, but guess what? I
don't care about what I said." Bryan said, with his usual sly smile and a
wink.

"Expendable, am I, Centruo?", Kyrasha asked, her wings folded behind her.

"Kyrasha, please understand. I love Her. She's all I have. Without Her I'd
die. I know it."

"Wouldn't it be more Paladin-like to sacrifice yourself than another?"
Kyrasha asked, an evil grin on her face.

"Yes, I know, but..." Centruo began.

"But you're a failure?" a smaller form of Ilysianna asked.

"Ilysianna, not you too." Centruo said, noticing that the planet was getting
heavier all the time.  Bryan put his arms around Ilysianna from behind and
began kissing her neck as she continued. "Look at you, you can't even support
your own load. Even those you are supporting are turning against you." She
said, and when Centruo looked, he could see the inhabitants hitting his arms
with pick-axes and hoes. Looking back, Centruo's knees began to buckle under
the weight, and he saw that Apokilyps had joined them and was now embracing
Ilysianna.

"NO! Stop it!" Centruo shouted, and almost released his planet.

"This is between us, mind your own business, Centruo." Apokilyps said with a
chuckle.

"I, unlike you, Centruo, can handle this. You don't have to watch, if you
don't want to." Ilysianna said, turning back to look up at Apokilyps and kiss
him fully.

"Well, this isn't too nice, is it, brother?" Amon asked as he joined them,
twirling a red mask in his hand.

"Amon! Please help me." Centruo pleaded.

"Help you? Hah! I call this poetic justice brother." Amon said, then jumped
on Centruo's planet.

Centruo went down to one knee, every muscle straining to keep his planet
supported. The others joined Amon, except for Dwar, who remained dormant.

Centruo, now on both knees, looked at the back of Dwar, his one time friend.
"Dwar, please, I can't do this anymore. I'm not good enough."Centruo pleaded.

Dwar slowly turned around, and looked at Centruo's pathetic stance. "You were
good enough to steal her from me, weren't you?"

"I'm sorry, what was I supposed to do?" Centruo asked.

"You could have left, instead of forcing me to. Because of you, I couldn't be
with Ilsyianna. Because of you, I could never feel returned love. Because of
you, I left, Centruo." Dwar told him.

"No!!!!!" Centruo cried, but suddenly noticed the load was lighter. He was
now holding only the planet, and nothing else, and no moons orbited him. A
great white light slammed into the Sun, and when it did, it made Her eyes
change to different colors. She looked toward the light, turning her warmth
from Centruo and to the source of the light. In a flash, She disappeared to
embrace the light.  Centruo's eyes widened as first he froze in place and
then began moving quickly toward the void that She once filled.

As he came crashing into that void, he saw, heading straight for him, through
a light blue sheet of ice, another man, holding another planet. The man
holding this planet he knew well. This one was called Krelestro. As would be
expected, the two collided into each other, as well as many other planets,
destroying themselves now that their Sun was gone from them forever.

Upon making contact with the rest of the planets, Centruo woke with a start.
He was cold, and was covered with sweat. He moved closer to Ilysianna,
ironically enough, for her warmth. He was pleased to see that she didn't seem
to be awakened by his start, but as he began to shiver, he stared up at the
ceiling rubbing his head. 'What was happening?' 'Why all this now?' 'How do I
stop it?' These and more questions took his mind over. He turned to look at
the peaceful of Ilysianna, and kissed her eyelids before laying back to go to
sleep. What seemed like only a half hour later, Ilysianna jumped out of the
bed, apparently in the grip of her own nightmare. As he moved to comfort her,
she drew her sword and placed it precariously close to his neck...

Centruoicles Sculpturatus
Master of the Seelie Court
Seelie Sidhe Baron
Kithain AGMStorm Warning:
The Dragon's Game
(submitted by: OHNSLAUGHT)

    Fleet Admiral Icarus stared in disbelief at the dispatch he had just
received. It was very difficult to believe that the Storm Elves would war
against the dragon centaurs of Anadia so soon after their conquest of the
Wind Elves, but the dispatch couldn't be wrong. He thought of Anadia,
bustling with activity as of late, when for so many years it had been the
playground of the feral halflings. The world was mostly barren wasteland,
with the grasslands controlled by the halfling tribes, the poles ruled by
humans, and the sky belonging to two species of Elves.

   The Elves had long resisted the Elven Imperial Fleet, content with their
millenia long war of attrition upon each other. Eventually the tides turned
against the Wind Elves, the result being their near extinction. In the months
after that, the Storm Elves were quiet, the E.I.F. had thought that they too
had nearly been eradicated in the fighting. Apparently the E.I.F. brass was
wrong since this dispatch told of a new genocidal war beginning. The dragon
centaurs had fought too long against the halflings, losing the magical
abilities that allowed them to helm ships across the void of Wildspace. The
disadvantage was clear to Icarus, who could see in his mind's eye the
devastation that the Storm Elves could wreak.

   "Helmsman, set a course for Acadia. Best possible speed. Number One,
contact the rest of the task force. We'll take up an orbit over Acadia and
attempt a negotiation with the Storm Elves. If they oblige us, we'll be able
to halt this war before it can get underway."

   The radiant dragon known to Ohnslaught as "Crinshinabaum" hid within a
cloud of small asteroids floating around the world of Garden. The world was
basically a cluster of ateroids, held together by the roots of a huge plant
called Yggdrasil by the Northmen of Toril. The radiant dragon had been
waiting for quite awhile, patiently awaiting the Elven Imperial Fleet that
would have to pass by to reach Anadia.

   Crinshinabaum was not alone, however. The spacefaring, evolved orcs known
as Scro were inside their ships waiting for the dragon to begin his attack,
which would signal the Scro to take out the smaller Elven ships. Near the
Scro's scorpion ships lurked the Ogre Mammoth ships, loaded to capacity with
battle-crazed Ogres who's only goal was to board and destroy the Elven
Armadas that the radiant would have already imobilized.

   Prince Villithandra had his Mind Flayers manning the score of nautiloids
keep within the asteroids of Garden to avoid detection by the Elven ships.
They kept contact with Crinshinabaum via magic, awaiting his signal to
destroy the Elven Man'O'War escort ships. The Illithid prince was a cautious
man, understanding that if he failed to wipe the Elves out, he would end up
facing a fleet of extermination from the vegeful Elves. Thus, he brought
along some extra insurance in the Vodoni mercenaries manning their
half-dozen, double-prowed Assassin ships.

   The Elven Imperial Fleet moved to use Garden's gravity to slingshot them
to Acadia. Nearing the apex of the field, Fleet Admiral Icarus's
well-developed danger sense suddenly raised the hair upon his neck. Rushing
to a porthole, he saw nothing but the a free-floating asteroid cluster and
some debris from the crashing together of asteroids over the millenia. The
feeling of dread remained, however, and the Admiral was about to order
General Quarters when the attack began.

   "Radiant on starboard bow!" came the cry from an unknown crewman. The
dragon had winked into existance and breathed the pure-energy pulse the breed
was known for into the center of the Armada next to Icarus's "Arrow of
Justice". The massive ship convulsed and lost power immediately, as the blast
disintegrated the helm and helmsman upon it. The wave from the blast was
enough to shake the Arrow of Justice, even though the Armada-class ship
weighed one-hundred tons.

   "Battlestations!" cried Icarus. "Bring her about and fire ballistae at
will!"

   Another wave of energy slammed into the fleet's sole Monarch-class armada,
the "Early Light Gleaming",. sending the massive left wing floating away from
the ship and setting her on fire. The radiant dragon flew to the other side
of the ship and disappeared into the debris.

   "Where is he! Where did that wyrm go?" Icarus demanded from his equally
beguiled bridge officers. He was answered with his sighting of yet another
burst of energy that blasted straight through the Armada "Arguith's Glory".
The dragon looped around and bolted into the small asteroid cluster Icarus
had seen earlier. "Surround that cluster! deploy supply ships to the stricken
ships! That was three blasts, so he's likely out of steam. Let's go for the
kill,men!"

   The five Armadas still undamaged, accompanied by a dozen Man-O-Wars,
launched 30 one-man flitters as a vanguard and moved to surround the cluster,
trapping the radiant dragon within. They accomplished this easily, and waited
for orders.

   Icarus sat at his command chair and thought about the situation. Reports
were finally arriving from the Eels sent to check on the damaged vessels. The
Arguith's Glory would be salvageable, but the dead on that ship alone was
well over forty, leaving too few crewmen to make repairs or to pilot the
vessel with any kind of efficiency.  The other two ships were total losses,
both having lost their helms, and the monarch having been nlown apart by a
powder explosion that took out the Eel supply ship that had been evacuating
the ship.

   Crinshinabaum sat at the center of the small asteroid cluster, the Scro
and Ogre vessels floating around him. He was in contact with Prince
Villithandra, making plans for the next attack.

   "Soon, the Elves will attack. They will have no other choice! I have
stopped three of their ships, and Fleet Admiral Icarus will not allow me to
be able to escape. He will send in his flitters to flush me out, and I will
oblige them. At that point, the illithid will strike from Garden, while the
Scro move to attack away from this cluster. The Ogre mammoths will wait for
the battle to be joined, at which they will hit the remaining Armadas with
their full power of the rams mounted on them. Everything is going according
to plan. The Star Riders will be facing the Storm Elves alone, and if they
survive that, they will be the only remaining force of good within this
sphere's wildspace! Such is the will of Ohnslaught to overstretch the hated
Star Riders. Soon he will rule his moon, and I will be free to rule the rest
of the sphere. I, Crinshinabaum, greatest dragon in Realmspace!"

   The dragon laughs maniacally, revelling in his own power.

   "Send in the flitters. I want that dragon to come out to meet his death!"

   Icarus's orders were quickly obeyed, the veteran flitter pilots plunging
their single man scout ships into the rocks, searching for the slayer of
their comrades.The Jester in the Tavern
(submitted by: TDC Mystic)

Strider's Tavern held the usual riff-raff.  Proud warriors boasted of their
numerous physical conquests of the day, mysterious wizards sat in huddled
conference, debating some new arcane topic.  Shadowy "treasure hunters"
leaned casually, though their alert, cunning, eyes never missed the flash of
a ring or the bulge of a money purse.  A few pious clergymen stood aloof,
praying for their unknowing congregation that indulded in so many sins as to
make their blessed blood boil.  Apart from the chaos a lone figure sat
engulfed in his own chaos; the chaos that comes with a slightly unbalanced
mind.

Impossibly dressed in a variety of violet a golden-hued fabrics, the man's
tall cap could be seen bobbing as he carried on an animated conversation with
himself.  His title was "Jestre", though his name, if he'd ever had one, was
unknown.  He had not been born, in any conventional sense, but rather
discovered.  He was found lying naked just outside the gate to Floodblest
over two years ago. The kindly group that came upon his prostrate form took
him to the Neverwinter Temple, where his body healed.  His mind, however, was
lost to the madness; shattered by the horrible beasts that so many others
have fallen to.

His garb was of his own request, spawned by some demented fashion that he
fancied himself a part of.  His hat, his most prized posession, was rumored
to be a gift of Lord Nasher himself, after Jestre had spent some time with
him.  The Lord had pitied the poor fool, whose phisique indicated he may have
once been an able adventurer.  For his own safety as well as that of others,
the Jestre has not been allowed to set foot outside of Neverwinter since his
rebirth.  This has left him with much time on his hands.  Too much.

Few who wander upon his maniacal ramblings emerge entirely unscathed.  Many
of Neverwinter's finest adventurors have been reduced to petty insults and
threats of force when he turned his unique, unrelenting wit upon them.  It is
truly difficult not to crumple when faced with the full force of his unhinged
personality.  Such was the case this past evening, when Strider's hosted a
passing company of dwarves.

Jestre: "Greeting fellows!!! Have ye room enough for another at your table?"

Dwarf (hesitantly):  "We be waitin' for another clansman. 'E will be joinin'
us presently."

Jestre: "What luck!!! It is I who ye seek, born an' bred a dwarf of the Iron
Hills!!!"

Dwarf:  "Ya fool! Y'ar no more a dwarf than I be an elfin-maid!"  (Dwarven
laughter)

Jestre: "Why madam! Forgive me, but in my revelry I seem to have overlooked
your fair countenence! Come, now, let me introduce you to my friends..."

Jestre (aside to dwarf/elf): "Mind ye say nothing of their height...they are
not children, though they act it at times...they are "DWARVES" don't you
know..."

By this time the little band was well into it's cups, and Jestre's debasement
of their leder provided a source of merriment to the usually somber group.
Only the dwarf who sought to match wits with the witless could call the
everning a failure.  He lasted a remarkably long time, far longer than most,
before he excused himself and retired for the evening amidst a round of rude
comments from his fellows.

Fortunately, as the bested dwarf departed, a Drow mage swept into the room,
looking rather serious in his blood-stained sable robes.  Unfortunately for
her, Jestre had just gotten started...*~*A New Age*~*
(submitted by: Tizer)

'Twas the night before December 1st
We watched the clock with massive thirst

Minutes before the clock struck twelve
Into the realms we prepared to delve

At midnight after we'd had our wait
Most of our faces hit the great gate

For the realms were full and the gates were closed.
Off the ground our crumpled forms rose

We breathed heavy sighs and moaned with chagrin.
Who would be next to fight their way in?

At last through the doors appeared a small light
Not sure it was real, I rose to full height.

Warned of the opening of the great gate
I distracted the others, laying the bait.

"Hey look over there!" I cried to the mob
They looked to west, the poor ignorant slobs.

As the gates opened, I leaped through with glee
The others looked back and caught sight of me.

"You there!" they shouted with angst and frustration.
But nothing I heard in my state of elation.

I shouted with joy at the success of my scheme.
Though shortlived it was, for a time my eyes gleamed.

My body was frozen, my limbs would not bend.
The world faded from view thus fortelling the end.

Pulled through the portal, back to the crowd.
Their faces were twisted, their voices were loud.

Thrown back to the cold, I went on my way.
In for five minutes, out for a day.
Join Me in the Tavern
(submitted by: Petalflow)

Greetings, friends from far away,
How fare thee, on this windy day.
Share a drink with me, feel the fire,
Tell us, what mosters did you just slay.

Aye, I am a kight, who finds solace in the night.
I enjoy an ale, in the laturn light.
Why? Because loneliness,
Haunts me, like a blight.

What good is sunshine,
When no one is there, to share your wine.

Out there where we all stray,
To different gods we may pray.
Yet when life becomes weary,
In this tavern, by my side,
You are always welcome, to stay.
Waiting in Anxiety
(submitted by: Petalflow)

     The knight walked in the Neverwinter Garden alone, pondering.

     The sun appeared rather tired already, with most of the day gone.  It
radiated bleach light, without much warmth.  All the strange and exotic
plants in the garden looked even more fascinating in this dimming light. The
knight walked among them, smelling none of the alluring scent, his mind far
away.

     Briefly, his fingers brushed against the occarina in his bag, a small
verse emerged in his mind.  Humming lowly, he continued his stroll.

     The sadness sank in as usual, without warning.  He frowned.  I must be
getting old, the thought suddenly flashed for a second.  His skin tan and
smooth, his back straight like a blade, anyone would judge him no older than
30 at the first glance, yet the eyes, the eyes seemed ageless.  Prismatical
colors shone against a violet background, universe itself was reflected in
those eyes.  An eternal sorrow and a deep compassion for life intertwined
with each other, blending perfectly.

     He had seen the flowers withering as well as blooming.

     PetalFlow quickly recollected himself.  He stopped in front of some
Tiger Lily.  The bright color seemed to cheer him up a bit.  Again, the face
of a young woman smiling appeared in his mind.  A rather timid barmaid.  He
grinned a bit wryly at himself.  She looked young.  So young that she
appeared naive.  Yet, her eyes encompassed emotions surprisingly rich.  A
mature understanding seemed to be born with her, it flew out from her
naturally.  Maybe it's the innocence itself gifted her with this deep
comprehension.  Her gestures never bold, always subtle.  Her smile never
sarcastic, saturated only with gentleness.  One would not say that she was
strikingly beautiful, as a matter of fact, most customers in the tavern first
notice her sister's bright radiance.  She just stood there in her sister's
shadow, content, without any ambitions for the attention.

     PetalFlow's heart suddenly felt warm.  His humming turned for a more
cheerful melody.  A couple more steps brought him facing some lilacs.  He
somehow remembered home.

     He did not picture a structure, what he remembered was the feeling of
being at home.  Warm, secure, and worryfree.  Sleeping with the knowledge
that somebody was always near, laughing without holding back, the biggest
question for the day was what was for dinner...  Strangely whenever he saw
the girl, a feeling of ease overwelmed him, instantly transformed where he
was into a place he belonged...

     The sound of bells from the temple of Ogma interrupted his train of
thought.  The knight looked up in the sky.  His heart pounded a bit too fast.
He almost laughed.  Now I'm acting like a teenage boy.  He shook his head.  A
couple of strands of black hair parted before his eyes, casually laid back.
He stood motionless for a second, trying to make a decision.

     He headed out of the garden.

     After taking a couple of turns on the quiet street, he arrived at the
familiar house.  Standing outside the moonshaped door, he could almost smell
the food Mystri had been making in the huge kitchen.  The house looked no
different than a week ago, yet it felt.. more lively.  He could almost hear
the laughter of the sisters, and the image of Mystri holding a skillet in one
hand, with the other hand resting on her hips, waving away lines of young,
rich suitors seemed amazingly vivid.  And her sister, giggling behind her,
looking out with the shyness even more touching than Mystri's fiery glares...
PetalFlow's heart somehow melted.

     He was nervous.  Definitely nervous.  He appeared calm, standing outside
the door without movement, letting the oak trees shadow his figure.  Only his
fingers' little twitching betrayed his anxiety.  But his heart was in
turmoil.  Hundreds of voices seemed to speak to him from inside together, all
suggesting different courses, dragging him into chaos.  He felt silly.  A
strange sensation he hadn't experienced in a long time.  He felt out of
control, but he didn't know what needed to be controlled.  It was the
knowledge that he might be doing the wrong thing and at the same time he
could not stop that made him nervous.

     The moonshape gate opened.

     The two sisters walked out together, obviously laughing at some jokes.
The sunlight suddenly warmed up from their happiness.  Mystri turned around
to locked the door, Spryte glanced around, still laughing, with her right
hand covering her mouth.  The knight advanced a bit, keeping the distance
manner required and bowed.

     "Good afternoon, m'lady"

     "Good afternoon to you, m'lord."  Spryte smiled.  If she was surprised,
she did not show any sign of it.  It almost appeared that she was expecting
him.

     "I'd say good evening, Petal,"  Mystri turned with a grin on her face.
"The sun's disappearing already, I think the sun doesn't like me too much,"
She winked.

     "I sincerely doubt that, m'lady,"  PetalFlow smiled back, Mystri always
knew how to greet people.

     "Anyway, what are you doing here, checking on us?  Don't worry, I
haven't torn the house apart.. yet,"  Mystri grinned jokingly,

     "I wouldn't mind you doing that, m'lady... I think some of those fine
pearls will definitely cover the cost,"  Even PetalFlow joked back this time,
his eyes strayed to Spryte.

     They both laughed, Mystri loudly, her sister lightly.  Somehow it seemed
that Spryte blushed a bit.  PetalFlow doubted whether that was just his
imagination.

     Mystri kept acting the speaker role, "so, what are you here for then?
We have to leave for the tavern now."

     Suddenly, the knight lost his words.  All the excuses he thought up
before looked horribly fake, he fumbled with his voice. "Oh.. I, I was just
passing by.  Tonight I have important business to attend to,  So I will not
be able to join you in the tavern again.  I was wondering maybe I can have
the honor to escort you ladies to there.  I thought maybe we could catch up a
bit on the local news on the way."  Now that was NOT what he intended to say.

     Mystri shrugged, "that's fine by me, what do you say, sis?"  she turned
toward Spryte.

     For one brief moment, PetalFlow made eye contact again with the barmaid,
he looked straight into her eyes.  Pure innocence and gentleness, unmarked by
the world's countless tragedies.  A rather curious light shone in those two
beautiful lakes, that eternal smile danced on her face...

     For one moment, PetalFlow's entire world circled around her
answer.Skorp, The Autobiography - Part V
(submitted by: ITB Skorp)

  The Women. It's funny how power and money attract women like moths to a
candle. While I was AGM of ITB, and, when King Bookie was at its financial
peak, everywhere I turned, women offered themselves to me. Sometimes I
obliged them, but, after a day or two, I found myself bored with them.
Always, they tried quickly to gain favors of my power, or, baubles and
trinkets, before they had earned them on their own. These women often place
far to much value on their own bodies, and should perhaps place more on their
self respect. However, let me not sound too cold, my youth
was...enjoyable...to say the least, and, I would be too harsh a man not to
say that there were many wild times shared with these women, and, there were
many oats sown. For a young man, it was a good time.

 Then, one day, I was out prowling about on my own, and , I ran into a pair
of Nightmask assasins, one young, one old, and the old one was working on
getting the younger enough expieriance to train. Quickly, I caught the old
one off guard, smashing her skull with my mace, and turned to the younger, a
grin upon my face. As I began to toy with the young would be assasin,
suddenly, from nowhere, a woman struck me from behind, temporarily dazing me.
I struck back, but, the woman persisted, yelling for the young assasin to
flee while she held me at bay. I laughed and advanced on this daring woman,
but, faster than lightning, she cut me deeply on my arm, then turned and
disappeared into the darkness herself.

 A few days later, as the wound healed, I was approached by a cheerful lass
who seemed quite taken by me, as most women did. This flirty young lass drew
my attention, with her carefree demeanor and her boldness in speaking to one
with my reputation. Then, she reached down, touched the healing wound on my
arm, giggled and walked away. It was her!!! Again, she was gone, but, now
that I had gotten a bit more of a look at her, I was able to put my contacts
to work. I found out everything about her. She was the Ship's Mistress of the
pirate ship "Wicked Wench" and one of the leading Pirates of Neverwinter. Her
name, Avengelyne.

 Avengelyne and I begane spending much time together, picnicing in the woods
(after of course clearing away any possible intruders). We talked, and,
always, even if it was sure to offend or anger me, she spoke her mind. After
some time, we could no longer be apart, while she was at sea, the messages
flown back and forth by her parrot and my crow were not enough. Avengelyne
and I were married, and, soon thereafter she left the Wicked Wench and the
Pirates to live with me in my tower of the ITB complex as ITB Teddi.

Of course, often women still throw themselves at me to this day, but, now it
just amuses me, to think that they believe they can offer me something that
Teddi cannot.A Gathering
(submitted by: Draconight)

In a small dark room in a corner of Vilnask a small gathering of powers is
occuring. A single figure is dominating the scene, not in the physical sense,
but in an aura of command and power. Avoice rich with passion can emenates
from this figure. "For too long now it has been happening! Something must
change if we are all to grow and continue down the path."  The figure turns
about the room as it speaks to gaze and point at each of the ohters in the
gathering. "I have seen it, as have you all. These people and minions of evil
and destruction have gained to large a foothold in the lands. Balance is
being upset, growth stifled and the muck of entorpy is miring the planes."
With a sigh of frustration he sits at the table to more evenly and calmly
observe and speak with the fellows gathered with him.

 "It comes down to us to make a change." With this statement the others begin
to mutter and shift until at last one speaks out. "Draco, why must we act?
You of all know it is not our policy nor place to meddle in the affairs of
the realms. This very idea will disturb the balance more than it is now.  How
is meddling in the affairs going to help the state of balance?" The other
figures nod their heads in mute agreement and turn and await the answer. 

"The answer should be obvious to us all. Look around you, the realms have
shifted to the darkness. Thieves and murderers walk about in plain sight, and
worse yet practice their arts without regard or mercy to any within the
realms." The group starts shifting and muttering as if to intterupt and argue
with him. He quickly holds out his hand for peace and the table falls silent
again.  "Before you speak the mantra of balance to me. Yes I know that for
the planes to be harmonized they must see tha dark as well as the light. But
you must also take from this that for there to be harmony the must be equals
at the least. Is this not correct?" Seeing that his statement is met with
affermative nods he continue with his argument. " But are they equal within
our lands? I say thee nay!! In all of my recent travels I have seen nothing
but deciet and base betrayals, murder and theft. This is the stuff that will
destroy the harmonies of balance." Rising to his feet and slamming his fists
on the table. " I say that it must stop!! Balance must be restored. Those so
charged within the realms are failing at the task in mine eyes! We must do
something, we must affect the change and restore the harmonies. We must act,
for if it is not us then who, if not now then when? Shall we wait around and
hope that it is taken care of ? If we do that then how are we protecting the
balance ?"

That being said another of the group rises and lifts back the hood on his
traveling cloak. " Once again ye speak wisdom my old friend. Though we do not
truly like this course of action ye have shown us that is up to us to restore
balance as it should be. I speak for us all when I say that ye have our
support. With that please tell us what it is ye would like for us to do?"  

A grin of relief and triumph split Draconights face as he sits back down.
"This is what I am proposing. Not and open move against the forces again us
but something a little less risky. I propose that we set forth our agents and
powers at our disposal to affect the change. Nothing big or overly heroic as
of yet. An act here and there to counter the vileness in the realm. Gather
and train more agents to work with us, gather more powers and items for
oursleves and be strong within the balance of power. Then, and only then, if
need be we act in the open. We must act with cold cunning and fleet minds to
combat the swell of evil in these lands. I say to ye all then, let us gather
about us a company of those willing to tweak the beaks of those who would
unsway the balance and counter the celestial harmonies. Gather those who are
willing to work subtley moving from the shadows to do there work and then
melt back when the job is done. What say ye my brothers?"

The figures mutter softly to one another and back and forth for a short time.
Finally they all sit back in their seats and push back hoods or remove a
cloaking disguise. One by one the turn to him and speak their answer.
"Aye.... Aye...... Aye...... Aye"   The person who had spoke again rises and
addresses the group. " Then we are agreed!? It has been far too long since
last we rode together. Far too long indeed since the Company of the Shadow
Riders moved about the land. I am pleased with this." With that he vanishes
in a pale wisp of smoke. From about the table other trails of smoke join in
to form a halo around the table and the lone man and candle left in the room.

With a grin he rises and mutters to himself, " Aye, far too long. An let evil
ware for again we ride. We who ride in shadow."  With a soft chuckle he too
fades from view leaving yet another wisp of smoke to float above the candle
left burning on the table. And as his laughter fades so to does the flame of
the candle and again darkness descends in this corner of the realms.Life &
Death in NW
(submitted by: WGW Zuby)

I Journey Through The Land Of Never Winter
its lands of green and blue
I Notice All The Monsters There
and don't know what to do

I Come Apon The Evil There
and do my best to flee
But Evil Seems Much Too Strong
they always capture me

I Struggle To My Final Breath
i really wish I fled
No Matter How Long I Fight
i always end up dead
The Rains Came
(submitted by: Kerrg0n)

Standing at the end of the pier, leaning against the railing, he looked out
at the Sea of Swords.  From time to time a wave would crash against the
pilings and an ice cold spray of water would fly up at him.  A storm was
brewing, a big one.  He was soaked to the bone by the figid water, but he
made no move to seek shelter.  He simply stood, and waited, shivering
slightly.

He was alone.

The cold numbed him, and he wanted very much to be numb.  Unfortunately, it
was emotional numbness he sought, not physical.  He wished fervently for her
safe return, but would not allow himself to go rushing off after her.  This
was something she needed to do alone.  He tried not to allow his natural
cynisism to tarnish such noble ideals with the thought, 'But she does
everything alone,' but it was difficult.

Instead, he waited.  And shivered.

The first fat drops of rain plopped down from above.  Some corner of his
brain dredged up the fact that larger drops meant for a shorter storm, but he
quickly disregarded that.  No storm no matter how large, or how small...no
matter how fierce or mild was going to budge him, until he was darn good and
ready to be budged.

It had begun.

Soon, the rain came with a vengence.  The drops pelting him, stinging with
their intensity.  The wind whipped at him and caused his cloak to flap around
him.  His long hair was plastered to his face.  The water blinded him.

Still, he did not move.

He turned his head slowly to look back up the length of the dock, but the
rain was coming down so hard, he could not see more than a few feet in any
direction.  With a resigned sigh, he pushed off from the far railing.  He
leaned into the whipping wind and began to make his way slowly along the
dock, grasping the side railing for support.

He never saw the wave.

It was immense.  It crashed down on him from behind, shattering the railing
into splinters.  The force of it slammed him into the side of Nasher's palace
and his breath was driven from his lungs.  The backwash dragged him across
the dock and plunged him into the sea.

He was swept away.

Submerged in the frigid water, he sank quickly, his clothes dragging him
under.  For a few brief seconds, he allowed it to happen.  Despair took hold
of him and he sank into it's depths.  Some people feared him, but fear was
not what he sought.  Those he cared most about had no inclination to care
back.  Some hid behind the shadows of the past.  Others squelched their
emotions by unnatural means.  Still others drifted away and were never heard
from again. 

And so he sank.

A tiny portion of his mind flashed a message to the rest of his brain.  It
was short, and very much to the point.  'Death is the coward's way out.'
This was not his path.  This was not what he wished to be remembered as.
This was not what would become of him.  He would not give in to the storm
within, or the storm without.

He kicked once, feebly.

It was a start, but his body was weak, tired and numb.  The storm was
winning, and that was unacceptable.  Kerrgon did not lose.  He never lost.
And if he did, it was by his design, not that of anyone else...Nature
included.  He kicked again, the rage building within him granting him
strength.  He pulled with his arms, clawing at the water.  He drew himself
up, kicking and scratching, until at last his head broke free of the sea.

He gasped and delicious air filled his lungs.

His mind closed itself to everything except kicking and paddleing.  He had no
bearings, the rain obscuring his vision.  He swam.  He pressed thoughts of
being tired out of his head.  He swam.  He prayed to whatever gods might be
listening that land was close.  He swam.  Suddenly, he was raised by a huge
swell.  As he came flying down, he crashed onto a series of rocks.  He
grunted in pain as ribs cracked, and bones broke.  

He was ashore.

Through a haze of pain, he dragged himself across the rocks, away from the
sea.  His left arm dragged along uselessly, and every breath was like a fire
in his chest.  He crawled until he could no longer feel the waves tugging at
him.  He crawled further still until he was well away from the sea.  He
collapsed on the sand, his breath coming in ragged hitches.  He had made it.

Darkness followed.

Kerrgon
Kithain AGM
Master of the Unseelies
Lord of NightmaresA Little Girl's Wish
(submitted by: Jaliycia)

     The cubs were asleep and her toys were all put in their place.

      Wyrmsilver slept on the carousel horse, in a beam of moonlight.

      Jaliycia sat next to her toy castle, hugging a stuffed mime-clown doll.

     The little princess had been plagued with feelings of loss since her
discovery of the  Someday-Knight's departure.  It felt as though some part of
her had been removed with the deft flick of a sword point...a wound beyond
her small skills to heal...how does one kiss one's self to make it better?
Most of the time she did her best to put it behind her; it would not be
"proper" for her to indulge in sadness...that would not be behavior becoming
a good princess.  But tonight, she felt alone.

      Sighing, she took down the book that Centruo said he gave her from its
place on the shelves.  Jaliy loved the etching of Tremble on its cover, and
found herself staring at it as the colors danced before her.  The stories
contained within were entertaining to be sure, but twice so far the childling
found herself skipping ahead to peak at the last chapters...the oddest part
was that they changed each time she did.  Cent warned her that the stories
were hers and some had yet to be written, but the concept was still a bit
much for her to grasp.  The stories told of the little princess learning to
ride and fight and sing and dance...all things Jaliy looked forward to with
joy...and impatience.  She now fought her own curiousity to read only a
chapter at a time and not to skip ahead.  A voice echoes in the back of her
mind, sounding very much like Master Kerrgon's..."a sidhe must remember
discipline..."

      Jaliy's feet dangled off the edge of the large white rocking chair as
she settled the book in her lap.  Nearby her side sat the dictionary that
Luchsaugig gave her.  He told her that it would help her understand the words
and concepts that were still beyond her realm of experience...she still
wondered how Mr. Webster "knew" what she needed explained, but she trusted
him and his gift.  It had already helped a great deal with the definitions
for anarchy and mischief...though Jaliy thought it quite unfair that the book
did not explain the current wilder fascination with riding tack...

      Opening the cover of the heavy tome, Jaliycia began to read aloud with
a soft whisper.  The chapter she had stopped at last time told of a trip her
friends would soon be taking and the adventure they would share with her upon
their return...when she felt something nudge the back of her chair and set it
rocking gently.  After having only read a scant two pages, the sidhe closed
her book and peeked over her shoulder.  Through the chair's latice work,
Jaliy could see a single dark eye and some long silver-white hair...

      "Hello...?  How did you get in here?"  Her voice was calm and
steady...not because she was, but because her training held frequent
reminders that one should always be kind to even the most unexpected of
guests.

      The skirts of her newest party gown hushed a counter-point whisper to
her words as she slipped from the corner seat to get a better view of the
stranger.  One of the cublings whimpered and fell deeper into sleep's dreams,
muffling the gasp of surprise coming from the little changeling.  Before her
stood a unicorn colt!

       "Oh...you're...beautiful.  Do you have a name...?"  Jaliycia's books
held pictures of beasts such as these, and once she had even met one in a
dream (a gift out of her first days in Neverwinter), but this one looked to
be as solid as the rest of the room.  

        The unicorn tossed his mane to get the wisp-curled ends out of his
eyes.  He nodded once to her question and stepped lightly from behind the
chair.  His coat shimmered with pale light, giving it a bluish cast...the
white purer than the freshest fallen snow.  His eyes were midnight blue,
further lending the color to the hue of his pelt.

         Jaliycia heard the faintest whisper reply, "Names are secrets shared
with friends; I am Shirian, I am your friend."  The unicorn's "voice" was
more thought than vocal sound; but she imagined that the timbre approximated
that of a bard she heard once in the Great Hall...a sweet tenor's tone.

       "You wished for a friend...you whispered the wish on the wind.  My
mother heard your call and sent me to play and guide you.  Would you like me
to stay?" 

       He lowered his head to gently touch the princess with the tip of his
horn as he spoke...Jaliy was almost sure she could see through the twisting
horn as though it were made of porcelain or shell.  Her heart skipped a beat.
She remembered the wish she made the night before while walking back to the
Freehold with Luchsaugig, but did not really expect it to come true.  It was
just something one did on a falling star...wasn't it?

       "No Princess...but if I was only an unintentioned wish..."  The
unicorn turned his head as if to leave and the childling was jerked from her
wonder.

       "Please...stay.  I did not mean to insult you, or your visit.  I
just..."  Jaliy sighed.  She didn't want to admit that she questioned the
magic of wishes...or to talk about the sadness that made it so.
Straightening her dress, she lowered herself into a deep curtsey and
introduced herself properly, "Good evening fair creature; I am Princess
Jaliycia of the Kithain of Neverwinter...will you play with me and be my
friend?"  She hoped that the lightness of her tone would make the magical
beast want to stay.  The loneliness felt so opressive at times...and she
really did wish for a new friend...

       The beast nodded again.  He approached Jaliy and invited her to return
to her seat.  Instead, she sat down next to her castle again...looking now
like a giantess dwarfing the delicate structure.

       "What is it you would like to do?" Jaliycia asked the unicorn...having
never 'played' with a one-horned mythical beast, she didn't have any idea
what games they liked to play.

        "I have run from the farthest forests of Evermeet to do as my mother
bid...for now, little princess, I think I need to sleep."  He sank to his
knees next to her...and laid his head in her lap.  Jaliycia smiled at the
unicorn and gently carressed the feather-soft mane that fell down his neck.
She began to sing a lullaby that the Queen would sing to her...when she
wasn't too busy to tuck the princess in at night.  The song told of a little
boat and three men would would fish in it and try to catch the night's stars
reflected in the waters.  By the last verse, Jaliy was fighting her own
yawns...and the unicorn colt was fast asleep.

      Sunlight danced over the shining fur that made up the unicorn's coat.
Standing next to him, Jaliy looked as if she glowed with his reflected light.
Her eyes did hold a certain light...for now she had a friend that had
promised not to leave her.  Shirian had just completed a vow on the spirits
of his ancestors to remain with the Princess until the coming of the
Shattering.  Jaliy didn't understand the term, but the creature would tell
her only that it was a tale for another night.  "Patience..." the princess
reminded herself, "was a hard-won virtue."

       Youthful exhuberance ruled the pair as they sprinted off from the pond
in the gardens.  They played hide-and-seek among the giant trees and revelled
in the happiness of newfound friendships.  When one stopped to rest, the
other would give a gentle hug and wait until the game could restart.  The
princess made flower garlands for the pair to wear and the unicorn splashed
water with his horn to make her giggle during their rest-stops.  Finally, the
confines of the Freehold held no more hiding places and the game extended
passed the great gates.  Shirian and Jaliycia were headed toward the walls of
Neverwinter with their game of tag...and all the mischief they could find.

      Dashing into the outer hall/museum of Nasher's Castle, Jaliycia
stumbled to a halt and tried to regain her balance as she curtseyed greetings
to the small changeling gathering.  Kyrasha, Kerrgon and Dwar each returned
her greetings and allowed the young one a chance to catch her breath.
Kerrgon's face seemed to be fighting a small war...deciding between a chuckle
at the princess' obvious state and a soft reminder on the decorum of nobles.
Dwar stepped over to Jaliy and lifted her up for a hug...she had missed the
troll so much during his abscence that each hug she returned now held as much
power as her tiny arms allowed.

      She remembered the subject of her search and started twisting in the
troll's arms, trying to find the creature she'd been following.  "Did any of
you see a white unicorn go running through here?  We were playing...and I
lost him."

      The adults informed her that they had not...they'd been sitting in the
hall "catching up" and no unicorns had passed by.  Jaliy wasn't sure if they
thought she was playing a game so she explained that she had a new
unicorn-friend and that they were conducting a serious game of tag.  They
suggested that the princess sit and wait a moment to see if the creature
back-tracked to find her...it would also stop her from running off without a
definate direction.  She nodded at the sense behind the thought and settled
herself down beneath the knife display to wait.

      Kyrasha and Kerrgon fell back into what sounded like the remnants of a
previous conversation about the contents of his closet while Jaliycia greeted
Fianna McD.  She asked him if he'd passed a unicorn on his way in and
straightened her gown when he told her no.  After giving the little princess
a flask of cider that had been promised during one of their earlier meetings,
McD sat back to observe the banter going on around him.  Waiting was not one
of her best talents...but sipping the sweet cider helped some...and the chase
had built up a fierce thirst that she hadn't recognized until the first drops
of juice touched the back of her throat.  The childling hoped that Shirian
didn't just get bored and go home...wherever that was.  When Jaliy heard a
stray comment about harnesses from the wilders around her, she perked back
up.

      "Master Kerrgon...do you know where I can find a bridle for my new
unicorn friend?  He might like a gold one like the books in my playroom talk
about...do you have one?"  Her pale blue eyes sparkled with the thought of
presenting her new friend with a fine gift and the story to go behind it.
Kerrgon nodded and hinted at the possibility of a saddle hiding in a corner
somewhere and a riding lesson to accompany it.  Kyrasha nudged the dark sidhe
back to her conversation with comments on riding and saddles, but the child
didn't care...the thought of a saddle had never occurred to her but just the
possibility of a ride on Shirian's back had her tumbling headlong into a
daydream.  She didn't come out of it again until Grybbn joined the party.

     "Hello all" Grybbn's voice was a splash of cool water on the fading
images of her dreaming.  The nocker smiled as Luch and the rest said hellos
and took the light-hearted teasing they dished out with a hearty laugh.  When
did Luchsaugig arrive...?  And where did Dwar go?  Jaliy sighed; she hated it
when the dreams made her miss stuff...

      The princess asked Grybbn if he saw the unicorn as he entered the Keep.
Shaking his head, the nocker told her that the only unicorn he'd seen was the
one in his hands.  As he said this, he withdrew a stuffed toy unicorn from
his bag.  Jaliy broke into a squeal of delight at the sight of the new toy
and couldn't thank Grybbn enough when he offered the plush animal over to
her.  She sat and hugged the gift close to her, promising to love it and care
for it.

      Woosh!  A rush of air chilled Jaliycia as she looked up to see a white
blur run by.

      Shirian had returned and the game was on again!

      Princess Jaliycia bobbed a curtsey to all in farewell and took up the
chase in the wake of her four-hooved friend.  She couldn't wait to show him
the new toy...and wondered what he would think of having a stuffed doll that
looked like him stare back.

Jaliycia
Littlest Sidhe of the Seelie Court
Princess of the KithainDrink Me...
(submitted by: Jaliycia)

       Jaliycia and Shirian had not given up on their game of tag around
Neverwinter.  It was the unicorn's turn to be "it" and hers to run and hide.
The Great Hall was open and the firelight blazed warmly in the windows.
Stumbling through the doors, Jaliy squealed in delight and rushed to hug the
friends she had missed over the lonely month.  Cyane looked only a little
different to the childling's eyes, and Slicr was as huggable as ever.  Like
magic, a cool mug of cider appeared by the childling's side on the bar; the
princess resisted the urge to squeeze the bartender for the night, NWA Drake,
out of deference for his feathers.

       "Who wants to sample a Two-Moon Fizz?"  Asmodi called out to those
around him.  Drake agreed to let the kindred tend bar for a few moments and
he was taking full advantage of the opportunity.  "There is no alcohol in it,
Jaliycia, if that is what is keeping you from it..."  Asmodi's smile
convinced the sidhe to think it over and agree to sample the concoction.

       Jaliy kept a close eye out for the return of her horned companion,
while Drake lounged in the hot tub with a patron named Katishya.  The pair
seemed to be enjoying themselves...though the princess still did not
understand why people would 'choose' to take a bath when their mothers
weren't insisting on it.  When Dervela padded into the tavern, her face lit
up...she loved the company her Garou friends...how many friends could a child
talk to and pet at the same time...and have them answer back!?

       Under the bar, unseen by all, Asmodi added one "secret" ingredient and
then another (milk, berries, blood, etc).  In the tub, there could be heard
quacking noises and rubber squeeking sounds (from the NWA and his rubber
ducky).  Jaliycia's glass was refilled by Dervela...and the flask she
"borrowed" from Fianna McD's "secret stash" of cider.  When she set the first
mug down, it rested next to a glass full of fizzing liquid.  

        Conversation between Jaliy and DragnSlicr continued on...they
discussed the adventures she had with her new unicorn and the changes that
had been happening around the Tavern.  When the bouncer/warrior noted
Asmodi's drink by her side, she began questioning the kindred about its
contents; while they argued, she scanned the room again.  The pair went back
and forth talking about ingredients like milk, non-native fruits, and
Daquila...the rambling became so much background noise as the bathers offered
Jaliy the rubber duck toy.  It landed in her hands with a "Sqeek!" and she
giggled with delight at the silly expression on its face.

       "It has a few other things you wouldn't want to hear..."  Asmodi's
voice drifted over to her ears as her tummy rumbled and the thirst returned.
"It comes from another plane, where rather gruesome ingredients were used..."

       Distracted by the splashing in the corner, the princess forgot about
the drink for the moment...and Slicr stopped worrying.  The Garou had managed
to involve the little sidhe in a game of keep-away with the duck toy and she
was too busy giggling to drink.  They finally ended up in a heap on the wood
floor...tickling and batting at each other in play.

       Katishya and Amsodi spent that time trying to figure out who would be
behind the bar, until Drake agreed to sample one of his Fizz's.  So, the
vampire went back to work, creating another of his drinks...this time, for an
adult...with all of the "kick" behind the taste.  That decided, the drow went
to sit with Drake and play at being patrons for a bit...pounding the tables
and demanding service until chuckles made speech a challenge.  Asmodi set the
second glass down next to the first...and turned to start on a third.  

       Jaliycia, by this point, had worked up a thirst tickling the she-wolf.
She stood, straightened her dress and stepped up to the bar.  The noise from
the tavernkeep drew her eyes as her hand reached out to take up her forgotten
drink.  She took a sip and made a face...quickly hiding her expression,
because even princesses need to remember to be polite...and making faces is
hardly polite.

        "How is it, Jaliy?"  Slicr's words were louder...and the childling
shrugged in answer.

        "I like apple cider better..."  She shivered as it went down.  And
then the hiccups began.  All around the princess, little pink bubbles started
popping into existance.  

         Asmodi turned back to the patrons, a startled expression on his
face.  "You drank that?...Just now?"  He was looking more worried by the
moment.  Jaliy took it as creative nerves and nodded...stiffling another
hiccup.  The pale kindred looked all the paler as he took a careful step
backward, "That, I think, was a bad course of action considering that I added
the Dequila...and was about to serve it to Drake."

      Slicr stood and his voice lowered in a most menacing way.  "What did
you do to her, Asmodi?"

      Asmodi's behavior, though worrisome to the adults around her, did not
phase Jaliycia.  Her insides tickled her and the bubbles that floated before
her eyes danced like magic.  She hiccuped again and squeeked the rubber duck.
The combination of those elements only made the princess giggle all the
harder...which brought on more hiccups, more bubbles and more squeeks.

       Now the other patrons in the Tavern began to echo DragnSlicr's
questions of what the kindred had served to the Kithain Princess.  Each knew
that Jaliy's nature tended to lead her into trouble, but to have it laid on
her without her own doing tore out their hearts for the little girl.  Her
hiccups were looking painful to those around her and they heard her mumble
something about the ailment hardly being one a noble should suffer from.

        Ignoring the queries around him, Asmodi asked the princess,
"err...Your vision...is okay?"  A bead of sweat rolled red down the back of
his neck as he waited for her answer.  He waved a hand before her face when
he had the nerve to draw closer and told the others about Jaliycia drinking a
Two-Moon Fizz without the side-effects nullified.

        The child whispered something about bubbles and reached out to pop
one.  The scent of bubble gum filled the air and Jaliy inhaled deeply.
"Bubbles gum!"

        Katishya watched her reactions and asked Asmodi what the "normal"
side-effects were?  Drake could be heard flipping through first aid manuals.
Slicr tried to hold his temper in check.  "Asmodi, dos knows that dos will
have to pay if she is harmed..."  The albino drow drew closer to the
vampire...partly to halt further action, and partly to halt his retreat.

       "She WON'T die!"  Asmodi's voice broke...as he tried to convice them
that no lasting harm would be done.  He began to ramble on about serious
mental stresses and hallucinations of death and suffering...unless she was
completely innocent.  Jaliy didn't understand what they were all worried
about.  The drink made her tingle inside and her vision was fuzzy, the
hiccups were annoying, but they would pass.  She was almost enjoying the
bubbles and their bubble gum smell.  Slicr asked her to come over to him and
she skipped to his side, only tripping once at a particularly harsh hiccup.
Slicr grabbed her before she touched the ground...thus, making the fall look
more like a graceful tumble into his lap.

       Dervela sat quietly watching...debating whether to goto the Freehold
and return with help for the little sidhe.  If nothing else, this event would
one vote in favor of placing limits on the princess and her "unsupervised
playtimes".  Sighing, she rose and decided to find the one thing she knew of
that would cure anything...Fiannabrew.

       The absurdity of the whole thing struck Drake and Katishya at that
point and the pair began making jokes about Asmodi "breaking" Jaliy...and his
needing to "fix" her.  Then the couple fell to deciding who would try to
scare the hiccups out of the childling. (Since there were no Mechs around, it
was unlikely their plan would work...but they had to try.)

       Asmodi told Slicr about what happened to him when he drank the Fizz at
its full potency...that it brought memories of passions to mind for him.
The bouncer began to prepare a home-remedy for the hiccups...and hoped it
would take care of the bubbles too.  The kindred was obviously distressed
over the thought of what might happen to the little princess...but what was
done, was done. 

        Jaliy still watched the bubbles as they floated around and popped.
She squeeked the duck toy and giggled at the sound, and hiccuped between
every third breath.  The smell of bubble gum had her taking deep
breaths...and she was beginning to wish that Shirian would find her, so that
the touch of his horn would take the painful spasms away.  In the meantime,
she sipped at the drink that Slicr's efforts produced; hoping it would at
least ease the ache that slowly grew in her head.

        "All she has to do is avoid falling into a state of depression until
the effects wear off...the addictive nature of the drink should not touch her
after only one glass...I hope." Asmodi assured Slicr as they watched Jaliy's
hiccups shake her tiny shoulders again.

       The crash of a couple ITB's entering the Tavern took Slicr away from
the childling's side for a moment.  The door required repairing...and that
was another of Slicr's many functions around the bar.  Asmodi took advantage
of his abscence and began talking to Jaliy in soothing tones while he held
her in her chair with a steady grip.  He asked her what she was seeing, and
she described the bubbles to him.  When he inquired about the contents of the
bubbles, the little sidhe felt saddened...they were empty and the kindred
sounded as though they should have things floating in them.  Something in the
back of her mind echoed with Larsen's old gibes, but she refused to listen,
so they fell to quiet echoes beyond the chaos around her.

       Slicr was just putting the toolbox away when it struck Drake that it
was the bouncer's job to fix all of the broken things around the Tavern.  In
jest, he pointed to where the childling sat and demanded in a ducky voice
that he "fix the princess, darnit, quack!"

       Jaliycia blinked away another hiccup.  "I'm broke?"

       Drake's words almost brought Larsen's cutting remarks to the fore
again, "Well, those bubbles don't seem quite right, Jali."  His smile took
the edge off though, and she turned to study the bubbles...hoping that
something beyond the bubble gum smell would appear inside.  Asmodi's voice
continued to relax her...but the hiccups would not stop.

        The chatter around the Tavern became harder to follow, but she tried
hard to concentrate on the bubbles and the hope that Shirian would find her
soon.  The hiccups were growing more painful and she didn't want to upset the
adults around her.  They already seemed angry that she was hiccuping and that
the bubbles were still popping up.   

      DragSlicr took up Asmodi's spot behind Jaliy and began to cast a
Neutralize Poison spell.  It was a last ditch effort that he hoped would cure
the childling.  He had no clue what the hiccups would do if she left the
Tavern, and the anxiety on her face was one he'd seen before...prior to her
running off in tears.  The soothing effects of the spell washed over the
little sidhe.  She sighed once and relaxed in Slicr's arms...waiting for the
hiccup to rock her body again.  It didn't happen.  The large warrior smiled
and asked her if she still saw bubbles...she passed her hand through them to
pop them all and smiled, "Not anymore..."  And she inhaled the last vestiges
of the sweet scent of bubble gum.

     As if the scent called him, the unicorn foal stood at the Tavern door,
his golden bridle hanging slack on the floor.  "Shirian!"  Jaliycia jumped
out of her chair and ran over to hug the mythical beast.  The tap of his horn
on her shoulder served a dual purpose...to wipe the lingering effects of the
Fizz and to greet his friend.  A turn, curtsey and wave later, and the pair
ducked out of the Tavern and headed for home.  Jaliy still had a headache
from her first taste of alcohol and her shoulders ached from the
hiccups...three bubbles hung in the air behind her as the doors closed.

~~Jaliycia 
Littlest Sidhe of the Seelie Court
Princess of the KithainThe Four Winds!
(submitted by: V Eight)

"Grandfather...tell me a story!"

   "Oh, alright...go and get your storybook."

"NO, NO...not one of those, a real story!"

   "A real story?"

"Yes, tell me about when you were a boy..."

   "Well then, I shall have to take you back with me a long way in time....."

   "It was my 13th year, on a cold winter's day....as I walked through the
enchanted forest, I heard the sounds of horses and men at arms. I felt
compelled to walk on, and find the source of these sounds. When the forest
did clear...I was standing on a hill. Before me, was a great plain...and on
it, the armies of the world..STANDING, WAITING! I thought to myself...'for
whom, or what are they waiting?' 

    Suddenly, a gust of wind came up from the north...there a appeared a lone
rider, holding a sword of steel. From the south, came another...bearing a
battle axe. From the east, came a third...holding a spiked club. And finally,
from the west....a rider who wielded a great hammer of war. Behind them, came
their soldiers of death, followed by an army of immortals. They were few in
number, but the look in their eyes told all who beheld them...that they would
leave this day in victory, or death.

    And there was a great silence...my heart, began to pound. Storm clouds
filled the sky with darkness. Rain came. The 4 winds blew with such anger
that I held fast to a tree. I watched the 4 riders, raise their weapons into
the air...screaming their war cries...they led the attack. Down to the battle
they rode. They met the armies of the world with a mighty CCLLAASSHH!! I
could feel the ground shake - the earth drank much blood that day. Each of
the four, was unto himself...a whirlwind of doom.

    When the smoke did clear, many thousands were dead. There was much blood
and gore. Their bodies lay broken and scattered across the battlefield like
brown leaves blown by the wind. And I saw the 4 ride together to the top of a
hill, while below them...the soldiers of death assembled, and all those that
would now swear allegiance to them. And the 4, spoke the words of the
Warrior's Prayer;

     Gods of war, I call you
     My sword is by my side
     I seek a life of honor
     Free from all false pride
     I will crack the whip with a bold and mighty hail
     Cover me with death, if I should ever fail.
     Glory, Majesty, Unity

     Hail! Hail! Hail! And as I stood and looked on, I heard the armies of
the world, hail them without end. And their voices of victory carried long
and far throughout the land!"

   "Welp, that's it. Did you like the story?"

"Yeah, it was great.."

   "Oh, I'm glad. Now off to bed with you."

"Grandfather?"

   "Yes?"

"Who were those 4 men?"

   "Who were they? They were...ahh, tryin' to trick me, are ya? You'll know
soon enough lad. Soon enough!"Return of Lynx
(submitted by: SOM Lynx)

   Hail! and Well Met!!

  Returning from a long adventure, LynxSom returns to the Tower. Looking
around, he sees there are many new faces; most of them wearing the clothing
of new members. ::thinking--'brother must have been busy, poor guy.' He
chuckles, thinking of his poor twin, trying to help all of them at once.::
Looking at the top of the Tower, he notices  a dark cloud. "Hmmm, I wonder".
Quickly scanning the new faces all about, he sees one in particular, and
scowls. 

 One of the senior members, watching the approaching twin glare at the
student, quickly grabs his arm and pulls him inside. ::whispers:: "Don't
worry, he'll get his; your brother has it out for him". LynxSom says "I bet
he does, call it a feeling. So what are we gonna do about this character?
Know him I don't , but the smell that eminates from him puts a bad taste in
my mouth". "Don't worry, Snake will find out, he is wise and is perhaps
waiting for the right moment" the member says. After a exchange of hugs and
words of greeting, LynxSom goes off looking for more Brothers / Sisters...

  While strolling through the halls of the tower, LynxSom can't believe the
numbers of new members. Coming around a bend, there's a blinding flash of
fur. Not ducking in time the twins collide. A resounding crash echos
thoughout the tower, with clatters of sheilds, weapons, and many items.
Looking at each other for the first time in a while, the twins faces just
split into wide smiles. Chuckling, they begin to ruff house with the stuff
flying everywhere.

 Tal, Neranek, Kmalj, Snake, Ceribus and Orion, memorizing their spells for
today's training / adventuring, hear the crash which sounds like an army
attacking the tower. All of them, in their full battle outfits, except for
Ceribus who has on his brew-making apron, run down the hall to what seems
like a full scale battle.

  First rounding the bend is Neranek, who spots the twins;a smile on his
face. He screeches to a halt. Tal comes up behind Ner, peeks over his
shoulder and begins to softly chuckle. Kmalj, seeing the twins at play,
mumbles "I should have known." Orion, seeing what the racket is, says "Well
things I guess are going to get back to normal." Snake, taking up the rear,
sees the twins and says "Alright you tw---oof!!" Ceribus came running up,
tripped on his apron, slammed into Snake, which in turn, pushed all of them
on top of the twins. 

  From the mass of bodies piled on top of him, LynxSom says, in a muffled
voice,    "Gee, was I missed?" After what LynxSom said, they all took one
look at themselves, begin to laugh, and join in the rough-housing.

   Meanwhile, outside, WeeWacker and NightRide with the new members are
waiting for the rest of the council to attend and inspect the recruits.
Hearing the commotion, Wee and Night, organize the troops into tight battle
formations, and head forth into the tower at a cautious pace.   Now hearing
an army approaching the hall, Snake looks up into the faces of Wee and
NightRide with the troops. He nudges the rest. All begin to stop, stare, and
say at the same time, "What?  The council can't have fun?"  With that, Snake
dismisses the recruits for a day off.

   Later that night, on top of the tower, under the stars, all the council
was there. Not discussing plans for the future, just enjoying each others'
company. For a bit all is forgotten and dispelled. The stars that night could
not out shine the light which twinkled in the friends' eyes...........

Som Lynx
Lord Of MysteryStarlight Arrival
(submitted by: SR Stellar)

  The huge granite block in the center of Neverwinter square stood only
inches above the rising torrents which filled the cities streets.  The flat
exposed section of the block was illumiated for a moment as a single beam of
starlight broke through the cloud cover and focused upon the block.  Just as
suddenly, the light vanished as the clouds closed back in.

  Atop the granite block were two forms which had not been there before.  The
first a tall figure clothed in glittering white chainmail seemed to have seen
countless ages come and go.  In the darkness of the streets the only light
coming from the glowing rune-covered scimitar upon Stellar's left hip and a
pure white gem affixed to his forehead.

  Stellar's elven eyes scanned the streets for heat from anyone who might be
about at this miserable time in Neverwinter's history.  Finding the only heat
trace coming from his companion atop the massive block, Stellar sighed and
turned to his companion.

  The other form upon the block would have struck terror into the heart of
the most seasoned of adventurers if encountered in less civilized
surroundings.  Standing beside the Star elf was an immense wolf.  Easily as
large as a medium war horse, the wolf's fur was as white as pure fallen snow.
Winter glanced over at Stellar and her glittering crystal blue eyes revealed
that she was ready to depart.

  Stellar leaped deftly onto Winter's wide back and the pair dived off of the
granite block into the flooded streets.  The flowing torrents parted around
Winter's massive form as she moved slowly toward the city gates.  Sitting
upon the back of his wolf companion, Stellar noticed that the waters came up
to mid-chest on the white wolf.

  "Let us visit Tizer and Tel'Mithrim.  Perhaps they shall be able to provide
some insight into this strange occurance."  Stellar commented.

  Winter nodded resolutely and began plowing through the flood waters as if
it were flowing grass.

  A short time later, Stellar and Winter arrived outside the guild hall to
find the sounds of drinking and laughter meet them at the door.  Glancing
back the way they had come, Stellar noticed the dark clouds swirling and
expanding slowly across the night sky.

SR Stellar
Silma'Quessir
en sila lumenn' omentilievoMystri & Spryte
(submitted by: Petalflow)

Greetings, friends from all around,
I am a knight with a passion for songs.
Rest your swordarms, order an ale,
Gather around me, for a tale.

Tis a tale of two young girls,
Lightening balls each of them hurls.
Sisters they are, same yearnings they share.

In the small village of Nesme they together lived,
Where sky was blue, air was fresh.
Where fertile soil gave birth to kindred souls.

The older one had eyes of azure seas,
Fiery flames boil beneath.
Named after a goddess, magic flew in her veins.

A dagger behind an alluring smile,
Tavern's life toughened Mystri with guile.
Between the tables she served beers, adverntures filled her ears.

The younger one was the fairy of the house,
Gentleness weaved her blouse.
Through emerald green lakes, she saw the world with innocent faith.

A sword dancing with the sunlight,
The most beloved was Spryte.
With the youth came a restless heart, in her dreams she tavelled far.

Springs came, Summers went,
When the yellow leaves fell Mystri could no longer wait.
Sister, let's go see the world before it's too late.

Together they left the small village of Nesme,
Following the cool breeze from the sea.
With proud spirit, a hard jouney they endured with ease.

Thus the tale leads to now, 
To the most charming barmaids I take a bow. 
In a season when snow descends,
Upon a city knows only spring,
To every heart in the Sword Coast Jewel,
May songs and happiness they forever bring.
Kaye Sedai
(submitted by: Kaye Sedai)

  Kaye wandered back into The Realms and found that Neverwinter was bustling.
Ever since Lord Nasher agreed to open the borders it had been this way.
Suddenly a familiar presence tugged at her. VON!  Her beloved was nearby.
She Mindspoke with him briefly and quickly located him.

  She embraced her Gaidin in front of the whole Square and she cared not.
For Kaye wanted all the world to see her and Von Gaidin together.  She took
Von's hand and he led her to a quiet place overlooking the water.  After a
few moments of sharing each others company and admiring the view, Von
suggested that they go to Triboar.

  Kaye followed him arm in arm until they reached Vilnask.  Here they decided
that travelling seperately would attract less encounters with monsters.  Upon
reaching the Lost Hills and the place that is referred to as the "shack", she
saw her friends Winnowill and Nathan so stopped briefly to visit.

  Shortly following that as Kaye was avoiding yet another monster attack, she
was attacked by a barbarian she had never seen previously.  Quickly she
channeled and brought her defenses to bear.  Fortunately they held out
against his assault.  Almost casually, she brought forth her Wand of
Fireballs and began lobbing an explosive counterattack to the barbarians
unprovoked attack.  While doing this she drew more saidar into her to
increase her speed so that she could take refuge in the nearby trees.

  Eventually, the madman's defenses wore down and with a final volley of
Banefire she rendered him unconcious.  Lacking the strength after her battle
to still the madman she settled for opening a portal to the nearest Waygate
and tossing his now inert body through it.

  Still reeling from her confrontation Kaye stumbled across a lair of Hill
Giants and a Purple Worm.  A quick battle proved Kaye the victor.  It was
then that her beloved Von Mindspoke to her that he had found a fine blade and
wanted to return to Neverwinter to put it away for safekeeping.

  The two returned to Neverwinter, sometimes travelling together and
sometimes apart, but always together in
spirit.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The elderly man looked at the damaged sleigh runner and sighed deeply.  His
breath lingered in the air a moment and sparkling bits of frost glistened on
his beard and mustache.  It seemed that he would be making his deliveries on
foot this year and the road stretched out before him was a long one.   Ah
well, he'd simply have to start early!  With a cheerful smile and a slight
chuckle, he hoisted his pack full of gifts and began his journey to
Neverwinter.  At least, it would be warm there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Yuletide is fast approaching!  As always, our own beloved NW Santa will
be making stops in Neverwinter during the month of December.  The jolly old
elf will have goodies in store for those smart and quick enough to find him,
as he visits various locations in the Realms.

Each time Santa enters the realms, he will give a clue to his current
location.  The first three players who find Santa first will get gifts from
him.  Additionally in each visit, NW Santa will randomly pick out a lucky
adventurer who will also receive a gift.

So, keep your eyes peeled, and those ears perked for Santa's distinctive
laugh, and you may just find yourself going home with a shiny new item!

Only one gift per person (screen name) is possible from NW Santa!  He'll be
checking his list just to be sure. ;D  Will he find you've been naughty or
nice this past year?

Happy Holidays!(submitted by: Sky xFLIER)

The world of Neverwinter is a large one and if you are a newbie.  Find a
friend or go to the vaults and get someone to take you to until you get some
levels then start exploring  If you still find it difficult, get in touch
with a guild you have heard about, join them and then see if a guild member
will help you around for a while...<<worked for me>>!   A good place to start
at is the vaults in Neverwinter, people will usually give you magic items.
[Editor's Note:  Only trade with people with whom you know and trust.  Bad
items do occasionally get passed around, so let the buyer beware! --  News]

I hope that help some of you nwbies out there....Have fun in all your
adventures.............

Sky xFLIER
2nd in charge(submitted by: OMM Wynd)

OMM Mentor and OMM Wynd will be getting married on December 18th at 10am EST
in Windycliffs (1,13).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.

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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!

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