==========oOo========== NEVERWINTER NEWS Issue # 174 Week Ending 2-23-97 ==========oOo========== *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* FRONT PAGE *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Congratulations to Joraina for winning last week's News of the Realm contest for her story entitled "First Quest". Joraina has earned the choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes). Keep up the good work! ;D <><><><><> <><><><><> Greets all! I'm sure many of you have noticed the problems Neverwinter is presently experiencing with players being punted from the game. To clarify, it seems that AOL has made an "improvement" which sends a message every 45 minutes asking if you'd like to remain logged onto the system. If you do not reply immediately it logs you off. Further information about this feature can be found in the AOL Insider (Keyword:AOL Insider). In some parts of the service and while doing various tasks (uploading a file, browsing the web, and I'm sure others), you never see that message, are unable to respond, and lose your connection. Games are affected, Neverwinter of course is affected by this improvement. Unfortunately, until AOL does make a change and either backs that new usage timer out of the system, or make some other remedy, you're advised to QTS (Quit to System) every half hour or so. You might even want to log off and back on again to be certain that you won't be punted. It's my understanding that these punts are causing a variety of problems, the least of which are massive ghosting in the game, the greatest of which are the loss of experience and items. I'm sure we all realize how impossible it is to conduct any sort of event in the game while these punt conditions are in effect. As a result of these technical problems and until further notice, ALL in-game events are cancelled. These include Tours, Mini Booths, Mini Festivals, and Location Hunts. Additionally all Guild Sponsored In Game Events will be cancelled. Unfortunately, this situation has also resulted in the postponement/cancellation of the "not quite announced yet" Winter Celebration. As soon as we have some remedy for the situation, I'll get those events rolling again. Note that all events OUTSIDE the game will continue as normal. WWAI, Trivia, the Great Hall Tavern and the News of the Realms contests will occur as scheduled. Neverwinter is NOT the only area affected and we have strongly expressed our concerns to AOL. As soon as we have any futher updates, we'll advise you all. Regards, NW Events <><><><><> <><><><><> Pearl Plan Transaction Form!! Greets all! I'm happy to announce that a new Pearl Plan Transaction Form has been linked into our main Neverwinter Nights screen (Keyword: AD&D). This form was specifically designed to deal with the most frequently requested transactions. It automatically generates a mail message and sends it directly to NW Oyster and NW Events. It is our hope that the use of this form will assist you in providing all of the necessary information for each type of transaction, thereby expediting the entire process and allowing us to respond more quickly to your requests. Please note that the use of this form REQUIRES that you be logged onto the system and using the screen name whose account you wish to be effected by the transaction request. Be sure to confirm which screen name you're signed on with before using the form! Please do NOT use this form if you have no ideas what pearls are and how they might relate to Neverwinter Nights or you do not have a pearl account. You can find information about the Pearl Plan at Keyword: AD&D in the Neverwinter Nights Events area. Full details and instructions for the form are located in the Neverwinter Nights Events area in the article "Pearl Plan Transaction Form Instructions". (Keyword:AD&D >> Neverwinter Nights Events >> Pearl Plan Transaction Form Instructions) Thanks to the folks that suggested that this kind of a form would be helpful! ;D Happily we were able to get it setup though not QUITE in time to coincide with the Pearl Database e-mails. Ah well... still, it's there now! It's pretty basic, without the bells and whistles, but.. it works and we have great hopes that it will help us toward our goal of improving the pearl plan. Regards, NW Events <><><><><> <><><><><> *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* NEVERWINTER CALENDAR *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Greets all! I'm sure many of you have noticed the problems Neverwinter is presently experiencing with players being punted from the game. To clarify, it seems that AOL has made an "improvement" which sends a message every 45 minutes asking if you'd like to remain logged onto the system. If you do not reply immediately it logs you off. Further information about this feature can be found in the AOL Insider (Keyword:AOL Insider). In some parts of the service and while doing various tasks (uploading a file, browsing the web, and I'm sure others), you never see that message, are unable to respond, and lose your connection. Games are affected, Neverwinter of course is affected by this improvement. Unfortunately, until AOL does make a change and either backs that new usage timer out of the system, or make some other remedy, you're advised to QTS (Quit to System) every half hour or so. You might even want to log off and back on again to be certain that you won't be punted. It's my understanding that these punts are causing a variety of problems, the least of which are massive ghosting in the game, the greatest of which are the loss of experience and items. I'm sure we all realize how impossible it is to conduct any sort of event in the game while these punt conditions are in effect. As a result of these technical problems and until further notice, ALL in-game events are cancelled. These include Tours, Mini Booths, Mini Festivals, and Location Hunts. Additionally all Guild Sponsored In Game Events will be cancelled. Unfortunately, this situation has also resulted in the postponement/cancellation of the "not quite announced yet" Winter Celebration. As soon as we have some remedy for the situation, I'll get those events rolling again. Note that all events OUTSIDE the game will continue as normal. WWAI, Trivia, the Great Hall Tavern and the News of the Realms contests will occur as scheduled. Neverwinter is NOT the only area affected and we have strongly expressed our concerns to AOL. As soon as we have any futher updates, we'll advise you all. Regards, NW Events <><><><><> <><><><><> The Duel (submitted by: Zacnefear2) Leaving his Ilharess upstairs, the faeruk's muscles twitched with excess energy yet. While he would have liked to have toyed further with the wayward dalhar, he was well aware that Ari would have been most displeased. A evil smile slowly crossed his lips as he thought of a way to not only please her, but of how to rid himself of that energy. Turning about, he soon was decending once again to the floors below. This time he went deeper under the house, decending deep into the bowels of the dungeons. The Sartglin bowed at his approach, while he merely gestured that they open the door to the cell. Quickly they opened the door, then stepped aside, but the faeruk again signaled for them to follow. Entering the damp room, he looked over the weakened elf still hanging in his chains. "Close dossta eyes wael...for usstan does naut wish thee to be handicaped due to ensufficient light" Then closing his own, he muttered a simple cantrip. The cell was soon lite with several globes of faerie fire, dispelling the darkness enough, yet still would naut harm sensitive drow eyes. Letting his own return to the normal spectrum while closed, he then opened them and looked about. Satisfied, he pointed to one of the sargtlin. "Release him from the chains that bind him!" The sargtlin blinked, hesitating, then moved forward while removing a key from his pocket. Errandir dropped to the floor, groans escaping from the effects of his battered body. Zac merely indicated that the other Sargtlin should close the door, while he moved to a corner and waited. The pale elf rubbed the chaffed skin on his wrists while watching his tormentor studying him. When he had recovered enough of his circulation, he stood up, looking down at his evil brethren. "Give him dossta sword" Zac commanded of the sargtlin that had released him. Again the jaluk blinked, yet this time hesitated to long. A slender blade that glowed darkly flowed from the faeruk's sheath in the blink of an eye. It's razor edge stopping just short of the pulsing jugular. "Dos does naut want ussa to ask twice" the Jabbuk said with sickening softness. Gulping visibly, the sargtlin slowly removed his blade, and tossed it to the faerie. Errandir was shocked to have a weapon once again in his hand, but quickly read the evil intent in the eyes of the other. "At least I'll get to defend myself this time " he thought to himself. And the two squared off, while the sargtlin backed away and watched, hand crossbows in hand. Both studied the other silently for a moment, then with a suddeness that would have shocked most, the dance began. Sparks flew as blades met in a crashing ring that pierced the deepest of the dungeons. Blades flickered through the air, singing a song that could mean death at any moment for either. Arms pumped steel back and forth, as feet skittered amongst the mire of slick stone. Bodies swayed to and fro, while blood trickled from nicks on both. Yet time was against the pale elf, for he had already endured torture and starvation. Sweat glistened from both as the dance wore on, then it happened. Ducking a swipe that was now slowing as the faerie tired, Zac swung at the pale elf's head. Twisting the blade slightly, the flat of it crashed against it, causing a brilliant burst of light to flash before errandirs eyes. Then his backhand stoke took the elf's right arm off just above the elbow. The faerie screamed in pain, then slumped to his knee's. His sword clanged to the floor, he grabbed at what remained of his arm to staunch the flow of blood. The Dark one's arm moved again, the hilt of his blade again hitting him in the head. Darkness flowed over Errandir like a flood, he toppled to the floor. Stepping back, the faeruk put away his blade, after flicking the elf's blood from it. Then reaching into his sleeve he removed two small jars, which he tossed to the sargtlin. "One will heal the arm enough to stop the flow of vlos, the other will restore some of his strength. Both are to be given to him at once." As the sargtlin caught the jars and rushed forward to administer them, the faeruks instructions continued. "Replace him in his bonds, but see to it a patrol is sent forth with the arm, usstan wish it to be returned to Tizer. How ye find him is up to dos, but see it is done!!" With that, the Jabbuk opened the door and moved again to the stairs. Then slowly glided upwards once again. Zacnefear d'Dur'EbenTo Kill a Drow (submitted by: MyLove4U2U) The insults that fly. The ones that I hear These people yell so loud. To be so near. These people you see Aren't talking to me It's that scum sucking drow Oh! ok its alright now For these idiots I fear To insult me. Oh dear Would be death at the worst For their skulls I could burst But as long as they yell and insult the drow I'll play along and go feeblemind him now Oh no! I fear this one is maxxed A fighter a clam? Haha I'm relaxed He can throw a hold How brave. Oh so bold But now he is clumsy and certainly dying Wait for the globe and then he will be frying The drow is dead... The drow is dead! I ripped out his heart and severed his head Killing drow is easy. For it takes no special skill Just prep well then attack. Youll be sure for a kill You must be fast so hurry now. Move quickly and you're off to slay a drow! EB Quija/Mylove I had to modify this one to post it due to the language. For the original e-mail me. The Sack (submitted by: MyLove4U2U) Ive been at my keyboard for 2 days and 2 nights My heads spinning round. I think im losing my sight. Kobalds, banshees, krakken, and a dragon thats black I think its past time for me to be hitting the sack. Good night EB MyLove/Quija Opinions are Opinions (submitted by: MyLove4U2U) People are fighting its oh such a shame. They yell at each other its really quite lame. If you want to complain certainly please do. But please make sure it benifits you. Quarrling amongst ourselves is not the right way. Tell the ones in power. Do it now! Today! If you blame it on me what can I do? Its obvious someone has feebleminded you. The Song of Battle (submitted by: KF Trumpet) The following poem is a story of an assault on Waterdeep, it is written from two viewpoints, the attackers text will be preceded by a "-" the defenders text will be preceded by a "~" identical thoughts will be preceded by a "=". Here we go... -With the dawn's -coming light -Comes the loss -of the night -and the call -to arms ~Sleep is gone ~supplies are packed ~Put your fear ~in a sack ~and leave it ~far behind -Store the food -shut the gate -Draw the water -from the lake -and prepare -for the siege ~Begin the march ~a steady beat ~From the thudding ~of armored feet ~hate your captain ~and the horse he rides -Women and children -hurry inside -Horses stabled -nowhere to ride -for this castle -is the last defense ~As we march ~ever on ~charge of the light brigade ~my thoughts are drawn ~will like results ~come forward on this day -On horizon -see our fate -Double bar -all the gates -and watch -in the macabre silence ~See our hatred ~closer now ~Speed the tempo ~so to allow ~the quickened loss ~of life -preparations -all are done -pray the battle -might be won -and to live -to another dawn ~Siege engines ready ~to approach ~Upon the castle ~which we encroach ~ready to force our entry ~and to slay -Hear the army -a lively pace -Somewhat ironic -in this place -where we also hear -the grim deathly silence ~Weapons drawn ~at the ready ~Charging now ~the beat unsteady ~screaming ~a cry of courage and fear -Arrows pulled -bowstrings taut -Released to stop -the deadly onslaught -a single tear -drops from a young man's eye ~Running forward ~screams of pain ~Shatter the madness ~to make us sane ~and pause to reconsider ~the foolish charge -Halting now -the charge has stopped -Confusion reigns -bows are dropped -as the battering ram -comes forth ~Rolling forward ~thudding hard ~People scramble ~and disregard ~the army ~which stands in silent wait -Doors bend -to slow destruction -Splinters fly -less obstruction -soon the clash of steel -will begin ~Gateway open ~flash of steel ~Madness rises ~senses reel ~and mass insanity ~takes us all -Sword drawn -hack and slash -Blood scattered -like so much ash -friend and foe alike -fall to cold steel =Fighting now =through the tempest =I see a man =surely the best =and i fight =so that we may meet =At last we meet =and in a flash =Foe meets foe =as we clash =I see the rage in his eyes =and he sees mine =Fighting on =my limbs grow weary =The rage is gone =his eyes are bleary =and it seems as if we see =the others thoughts =Strong foe indeed =equally trained =Relief comes over me =a relaxing rain =and combat seems =like fun -He is my equal -no longer a war -A simple test -of who knows more -and losing isn't dying -it's just a game ~We were merely toying ~just playing around ~A sword pierces through ~my friend hits the ground ~I look to see my captain ~and I cry -Blood comes forth -and I forgive -My nameless friend -for I still live -and i ask him -give me vengeance ~Charging forward ~eyes wide with rage ~I slay my captain ~though twice my age ~I disregard respect ~for my elders -Slowly dying -on the ground -My breath comes sharply -I look around -the castle -is smoldering ash ~Both forces dead ~a scant still live ~A mere few youths ~whom positive ~that war is not ~the way -Body weakened -vision cloudy -I see my friend -hover about me -he carries me -to a proper burial ~To the castle midwives ~I carry my nameless friend ~And to have them see ~his life won't reach it's end ~I watch myself drop ~from exhaustion =And now I wake =from the hospital bed =I am surprised to see =my friend is not dead =and we talk and i learn =his name =And though our time =is at an end =It's nice to die =by your friends =and know the youths =rebuild And we the youths have found the way, to create a lasting day, through peace, and a common cause. And now the song is silent, And now the world is sane, And now the song is natural, Like the falling rain... First Kiss (submitted by: HG Kerowyn) Life in these realms is not always filled with cruelty and terror. At times there are genuine moments of kindness, generosity, love and passion. The following was one such time ... Kerowyn's heart began to beat loudly as the coach pulled up in front of the Longsaddle Inn and the man and turned to look at the woman seated next to him. As he gazed into her beautiful green eyes, her thoughts returned to the events of the day they had spent together in Neverwinter, and she smiled. The man's hands trembled as he leaned forward to place his hand along the side of her heart-shaped face. The touch was electric as she felt the cool, softness of his fingers upon her skin. She wondered if he could feel, or perhaps even shared the apprehension of the moment. Kerowyn's heart raced as the fire that raged within her made the cramped interior of the carriage seem suddenly warm. She had visualized this moment in her mind for several weeks and tried to prepare herself for it, but now that it had arrived she felt awkward, and afraid. Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward as the man drew her into his arms. Her lips parted slightly and he kissed her gently. Kerowyn's heart skipped a beat as their lips met and she tasted the sweetness she knew she would find there. She returned the kiss. Kerowyn's heart soared as his lips moved over her face, placing gentle kisses on her cheeks, her eyes, her nose, before returning once more to her lips. He kissed her again and she felt the inquisitive, gentle probing of his tongue. Her mouth opened and their passion intensified. Kerowyn's heart swelled with desire as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her deeply. Her tongue met his and moved into his mouth in an oral dance of love. When their lips finally parted, the man drew Kerowyn's head to his shoulder and tasted the bouquet of her perfumed neck and hair. Kerowyn's heart smiled as her fingers moved gently up and down the front of his shirt as they savored the ardor of the moment. For several minutes, they held each other close and continued to bathe in the glow of tenderness and warmth, saying nothing; letting their hearts communicate their feelings. Kerowyn's heart stopped beating and she died. Her life as she knew it was over. Her still, euphoric heart passed peacefully through her chest wall and entered the man's body where, joining with his heart, it was renewed and began to beat again. Wherever they would go, wherever life led them from this moment forward, they would never be alone again. HG Kerowyn The Harper's GuildKEF Knighting (submitted by: Aluric) Aluric spent the morning in prayer, something had left him unsettled for many days making him unpleasant company for many, including Peader, whom was rarely put off by anything. Aluric knew he wasn't his usual self. He was not sleeping right, not being able to put a name to his discomfort; sought solace in the worship of the divine. Today even that had brought little comfort to the nag which constantly clouded his thoughts. Having little relief the knight went to his office to attend to business. There where still some of the roll call reports dribbling in, which increased his disappointment further. His dream of creating a guild tree was not bearing any growth to the seed he had planted. Most of the forms where Spartan in the facts they provided beyond the obvious, and worse still was the lack of sufficient numbers. With results like these he thought, it was not worth the time and trouble he had put upon the office of scribe. Luckily Mishikal was not the complaining sort, else he would have even a bigger burden to front. Ambrlin would want the results of the roll call published long before now, but his agenda was the cause for the delay, so he felt he had let her down somewhat as well. It seemed this cloud was his partner for some time more. As he sifted through the papers upon his desk, finding the new identity for the likes of his lord Starbeard, new appointments to the ranks of the Knight Errant lists. There was some pleasure in noting some of the new Knight errants where already completed in there training program and awaiting knighting. Reading on Aluric was pleasantly surprised to find his once squire Dquar had had sever new points to his credit, it seemed they would not be doing combat after all. Having several lads of his own now joining the Knight Errant company. Quite impressive Aluric though, His once student had now even surpassed his own account of students come to be knight errants. It did sort of make Aluric more fretful still, but this was lightened by the fact that Dquar's request for knighting was in his hands. Checking the facts of the matter, revealed if Aluric where to leave now the knighting could well be preformed this day in the square proper. Feeling a renewed rush of energy, Aluric bolted for the doorway hoping to get clear of his office and the keep before his staff took note. Alas the Assistant Guild Master, was blessed with a very observant lot for a staff, drat the luck. Conditions being such, his roan was not ready, and he had to saddle the mount himself making for a prime target. Sure enough as he cinched the belly strap of his saddle they found him. "Mi Lord Aetheluric! Magister! where are you off too?" Aluric released the saddle bags leaving them lose upon the beasts backside, as he turned to handle this new assault on his dark mood. "Nilelant, how many time have I ASKED OF THE NOT TO BE SO FORMAL!" "Really, master must you be so rude, I am not after all your whipping boy, proprieties must be observed. What would the others think if I let formality drop, simply because you would rather dispense with it for your own conveniency." Unruffled, Nileant continued on as if it where a normal part of the exchange; Now just where are you off to, I left strict instructions, they where not to let you leave with out notifying me of your departure. And I have not. Who gave you your mount? That equipment was supposed to be put up until you have had some rest. Really Aetheluric, your not some young pup. Why don't you act your age. You cant serve any one let alone our guild like this. Even the Mighty Aluric must have some sleep. I know for a fact you haven't been to bed in a fortnight." "Nileant you push too far. It is you who are supposed to serve me, not the other way around. I will not be bandied about but the likes of you or anyone else. I am not some child to be mollycoddled coddled. I do what I do when I do it at my own pleasure and I will thank you to well remember that and keep to your station!" "Well magister! firstly I am not your servant. You know too well I serve the office not the person. My oath is as binding as yours and it requires me to see to your proper conduct of that office you hold so high. SO save your verbal lashings for the others, I will see to my duties. First of which is to see that you get some rest, your an absolute monster at the moment and not fit for company let alone public encounters. Just look at you; raving about in the open, under the public eye. You are embarrassing your self, not me. This is not normal even for you! Now let the groomsman put you friend here, back in his comfortable stall and come away and have some rest in a soft bed. I will have the chiuregone dispense some apothecary remedy for your sleeplessness, but I must insist you get some rest. It is apparent to me, it is effecting your judgement." The small man would not be swayed, and already had himself between Aluric and the horse both of which far out weighed him in every class. Moving Aluric back in the direction of the tower which served the administrative section of the guild, the groom had already begun to lead the horse away. The man had smoothed his tone sufficiently to make Aluric regret his own harsh behavior, and even allow himself to be lead away, when it struck him what was happening. "Alright. Alright already! You win, but there is one more thing I must see to then Ill suffer you ministrations"; Aluric had planted his feet firmly. Nileant knew where this was heading and decided that discretion was the better part of valor. Waving to the now totally confused groom, to bring out the mount again. He commented quietly; "Very well mi lord Aluric, (using his common name); from your garb I can only assume you mean to go and knight the young errant of yours. Dquar is much like you and not very patient, so I will propose a compromise. Go and do the knighting, then return and prepare to sleep long and hard. If you cant do your job it make mine the harder, so I will see to a draught to insure you rest for a good spell. Agreed?" Aluric nodded his assent and bolted like a colt for the big beast, he new the man who served the office would not be deterred but he could delay his encounter with this chemical sand man for a time more still. He didn't know why but sleep was the last thing he wanted, it didn't seem to bring him rest, something hunted him in his dreams. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew what but he just could not put a name to it. Still even he had to admit he was very tired. But for now he would go and do what he most enjoyed about this office. Aluric made good time and the rhythm of his mount made for some thing of a lullaby, which pulled at the edges of the knights mind, and it was there waiting for him which brought him upright in his saddle wide eyed and alert for what ever threatened. Finding no enemies about, he set to going over the service as he had prepared it. This would be the first public performance of the rite of passage into knighthood. Actually Lady Treya had been the first to experience Aluric's modifications to the Knighting which was the pride of the office of AGM for the Knights of the Eternal Flame. But that was preformed in short order, given the conditions at the time. The guild meeting had concluded, and the gates into Neverwinter where continually blocked. SO exception had been made. Only those close to the lady and her hearts love where in attendance. There where no squires or arch knights to attend her in her time of passage. Today it would be different. So in good order Aluric made way through. Finding few of the order in the realms. Not all Aluric had wished for but enough to do justice to the candidate he was here to knight. He found Sirs More and Dquar easily enough, and while he sent Dquar to stand vigil, to others of the order he gave private instructions. To Dquar's own squire now another knight errant. "As there are none of Dquar's present pages or squires present this day, it falls to you sir should you accept the responsibility, to stand as his squire. You where once his man, and as such sworn to my service as well. So would you do this for our friend?" "Magister, it would be my personal honor to repay in part the debt to Master Dquar." "Good man, then it is settled." After insuring the younger fellow had enough coin of the realm, and was properly on his way Aluric set out to find his next accomplice. Standing vigil, Dquar had no idea of what lay in store; Aluric would insure it would be a day for him to remember fondly. Checking with the local patrols, Aluric found Lady Treya herself, and politely asked of her another favor. "Mi lady, as my first Knight, would you be so kind as to attend me in this next knighting?" The Lady Treya was most cordial in her acceptance. It would be her who would escort Dquar at the completion of his vigil to the great tree in the square of Neverwinter proper. As well she would insure he stood the vigil in a proper manner. Actually Aluric had begun to fret the details, until now he had not realized he had left the choice of location for where Dquar would stand his vigil up to Dquar. So Lady Treya had to first find the young man. Not that Aluric would have suggested Dquar go atop the "Widows Walk" as he did so many years ago, but the thought had crossed his mind. Still it would not have had the same significance in any matter. Aluric had chosen that site in part due to his own fears of height combined with open spaces. It was a personal challenge of sorts, besides the spiritual aspect. He would query the 2 latter on the matter of the vigil. But he knew Dquar would not shirk from his own responsibilities, and he also knew no matter how secluded the site of Dquar's vigil might be, the Lady Treya had her ways of learning of its location as did all of here sex. Women where funny that way, they always seemed to know just the right of any matter, weather of the heart, the soul, a mans spirit, or his desire. Aluric was nearly thrown from the saddle with a blinding pain in his head. The mount nickered in protest at these sudden and uncalled shifts of its burden. As Aluric used his prayers to ease off the discomfort; he verbally assured the old paint, he was sorry for the shift and eased the pair back into the easy canter they where accustomed to travel with. Eventually, with great concentration Aluric brought the headache into submission, and could open his eyes, to see they where still headed in the correct direction. Travel into the dark night was not the easiest way to go about on a horse, but He knew he did not want to sleep. His quarry was still a ways away, and Aluric would find him before the matins prayers where upon him. So as they moved through the outlying lands towards the Lost Hills, Aluric did pray his devotions for vespers and compline in the saddle. It was several hours before sunup when Aluric found him asleep in his bedroll. As usual Aluric was able to pass unhindered through this knight's wards, so finely tuned to the evil about that they where. As Aluric reached out to rouse the sleeping knight of KEF, a hand shot out from inside the bed roll, pulling Aluric down on top of the man, knife at his throat. "I know you do not want to die so far from your friends evil spawn, but you would have done better not to come alone." Startled as Aluric was it took several breaths before Aluric could reply, but luckily his captor was not one to go in for the "quick kill". "Lord Meane; what ever are you talking about? I was merely trying to wake you gently, for I have need of your help." Aluric knew better than resist Meane, else the man he though asleep might well slit his throat in haste not being fully in control of his senses. The instinct to live can do that you know. "Aluric? Aluric! Gads man what are you doing a way out here chief? besides there must be ill about, something triggered my wards." Releasing his hold on the others surplice Aluric rolled to his side as Meane sprang to his feet, sword now free of its sheath. Looking about, he could not find the reason for the trigger of his personal alarm, and began eyeing his visitor."You look like him, Tell me what has come of you and they Lady Fair, if your really who you claim to be?" Aluric looked confused for a bit, then said; "Meane, I don't know what you are talking about, I came out here because most of the guild is out and away, and I need you to stand in for me at a knighting! Now put down the blade, theres none here but you n me. I checked myself before entering the camp. Obviously we need to work on attuning you and your wards some more. At that Meane relaxed, none knew of the training Aluric had set to do for Meane using those stones of his. It must be Aluric, so he must need to work on the spell some more. Surely that must be it. "Knighting? you say, who chief? I had not seen the posting before I left on patrol." "You could not have know, mi lord, I only just came to learn of Dquar's candidacy, and set him to go about his vigil observance. My time of late is short, and other things seek to sway me from my appointed course. I will be apart for a short spell but would repay his faithful service with his knighting now before I go. I had sent notice to all the council and the eligible candidates, but it would seem you and I and a few others are all that is available. As the AGM I am by rights and desire the one to preform the knighting of my former squire and so need someone to stand in for me as his arch knight. I could think of no one better for the task than you my friend, and stop calling me chief! You know I never realized how that grates on the nerves. Does Ambrlin permit you that informality? Never mind don't answer that, I already know I would not approve of the answer. None the less I know its your way, but I do find it a bit of a bother, could you not simply use my name.?" Meane was already breaking camp; "As you will it Magister Aetheluric Lundonie! so it shall be Dominie!" "Cut that out Meane, would you please! Look I have the required item here, I made it myself just for his knighting, as it was long done long ago. Paid for the materials with money earned from doing odd jobs for the farmers of the field. A devil of a time I had too, seems my face is a bit too well know for my liking. No one would take me seriously. I only just finished smelting the gold for the baldric two days ago." Holding the prize out for Meane's inspection, drew the expected whistle of approval. "Aluric tis no wonder you don't sleep of late, this must have taken a score of days alone. " "Meane, in truth I do not sleep out of a dread of the rest it does not bring, that only served to expedite the crafting of this gift. So I would be honored if you would present it in my place." The crow of the cock, brought the pair to observe the first of the lights rays on the horizon, Aluric excused himself and knelt in observance of the "Matins Prayer" while Meane finished making ready for their departure. Time was now growing short, and they made way back to Neverwinter by means of the "death express", leaving Aluric's mount once more to find his own way home. SO who cared if he got a bit side tracked, this was a very familiar place, and the charger might be grey here and there, but his memory served him well. SO he headed off in the direction of his nose, almost opposite the way back to the keep. Soon enough he would return to his knight, but it would wait. They gathered a the great tree, and discussed the proceedings about to commence. Dquar had a few guests present when He and Lady Treya arrived. Motioning for quiet, Aluric began; "May the creator thank thee one and all for thine presence as we seek to bring into the fold another Knight Of The Eternal Flame. Lady Treya, have you witnessed this knight errants observance of the vigil?" The Lady nodded her assent, "Indeed mi Lord Aetheluric, he was found fast in his observance of the time before now. Contemplating his misdeeds, protecting his holy equipment, and considering how he may live to serve those less blessed then he. He has been made aware of the oath he will be required to take, and the obligations he will be required to undertake if he should chose to follow the knights who walk the path in the flames light." "Well done then, We thank thee Lady for thine aid, and attention to detail. Dquar is now and forever in your debt, as am I. Now may the creator grant us the wisdom to always find the right, the knowledge to chose the right and the strength to make it endure." Turning then to the trio of men standing before him, he asked; "Meane, Dquar and Moore; what would you have of your guild?" In unison the pair replied; "We request knighthood for one who is deserving of same but not yet sworn to the order!" Aluric sang in his tenor voice; "As you wish so it shall be." "Lord Dquar, it has been attested you now meet all the requirements to stand and be counted among these fine knights gathered here, and leave the companionship of those who would serve but have yet to pass beyond such. Are you now ready to affirm your oath to this guild and the code of knighthood?" Lord Meane and Lord More stepped back a pace, and Dquar once more affirmed his intent to be knighted. At Aluric's motion, the 2 stepped back to Dquar and divested him of his gambison, padding and also took away his weapons and armour. Nearly naked before those gathered save his leather breeches, Lady Treya then handed Dquar the white surplice which he slipped over his head, as usual the loose garment flapped and billowed in the faint breeze. Aluric then spoke again; "Dquar kneel now and receive the sacrament of knighthood, you have made known your intent to become a knight of the Eternal Flame. Before those here gathered all of us shall take this opportunity to reaffirm our vows as you do like wise for the first time. From this day on you will be forever sworn to serve your guild, and those who this guild appoints as leaders of the masses. As of now her friends are your friends, your enemies are as one as well. As this guild profits so do we all. If this guild should fall from grace so do us all. Is it your wish now to enter into this contract, knowing it can never be broken with out becoming one accursed in the flames light cast?" Dquar replied; "It is, and shall be as you have said Magister! Together do we prosper or perish, so say I Dquar knight errant of KEF!" Aluric reached out to Lady Treya and she handed him the scroll, guilded in gold, emblazened with a flame of silver, and bound by a single white gold thread sealed with the signet Aluric now wore on his hand. Looking down at the scroll and its seal, and the signet ring he now wore on his hand, he was staggering back from the blinding flash of a headache returned. Briefly he found himself wondering how he had come to posses the ring. Last he had seen it it was still on Lady Fair Star's hand, gifted her by Sir Bardolf. As quickly the pain was gone once more, obviously she had left it for him some time before and he just had not remembered receiving it, which concerned him for a bit, but given the matter at hand, he pushed it to the back of his mind. Maybe they where right, he should seek medical attention for this lack of sleep, it seemed to be effecting his memory now. Aluric opened his eyes to find those gathered staring at him, obviously the man needed sleep, several of his friends would see to it after this was over. Aluric saw a page hand over a small scroll to Meane, recognizing at once the seal of the office, from Nileant. This would not go well it would seem haste was in order. "Knight Errant Dquar also know as Dquar of KEF repeat after me; A Knight of the flame is a knight whom forever walks the path of light. A knight of KEF casts lights glow into the darkness so that shadows of evil be dispelled. Sworn only to valor is a knight of KEF." With each new line of the knights oath, Dquar heartily gave his assent repeating the lines for himself. Each of those gathered there did like wise, remembering their own personal joy at being called into this service. Aluric continued on with the litany of the sacrament; "A true knights words speak only truth. A Knight of the Eternal Flame is one who upholds the weak. His arms are for the defense of the helpless, and his wrath is reserved for the wicked. When the just cry out into the dark in their need; A true knight will come." As Dquar recited these last lines, Aluric drew forth the great blade and struck Dquar's left shoulder with the flat of it. "Remember Dquar, the motto of our order; judge not above thine own standard." That said Aluric then placed the blade flat against Dquar's right shoulder. "Never forget Dquar, no one is above this code." That said Aluric placed the sword point upon his own toe lest it touch earth with out cause. "Receive now these tokens of your servitude and knighthood". From the side lines Meane approached and uncovered his package, unwrapping it and presenting it to the crowd. Aluric said" Behold the belt of white, its buckle, forged in fire at my own hand, white in purity, as the baldric it carries. May you support our order in pure service as this gift from your former arch knight supports you now and forever." From the opposite side came the man who once called Dquar his squire presenting the next token for the crowd to see from behind the kneeling Dquar. Aluric spoke once more; "Receive you spurs, from the hands of those who followed you in service, may they serve to remind you of you own debt to them. Made of pure silver, tipped in gold, may you never come to treasure anything above this or beyond it in material wealth. "Now seal the oath you have taken voluntarily upon the hilt of this sword, the token of thine service and calling." Dquar leaned forward and placed his lips upon the cross of the hilt and pommel of Aluric's sword. "Arise Sir Dquar, and take your place among the knighthood of KEF. As Dquar stood on his feet, Aluric struck his shoulder with his mailed fist, setting the new knight back a pace or two. Stunned the look on his face said everything. Aluric spoke again; "Sir Dquar, as a knight let the first blow you receive come from one who cares for you as a brother. Knowing that nothing can hurt more than being hurt by one you so trust. Remember no pain can be greater than this." Dquar stood in shocked silence. But Aluric continued as he knelt before the newest knight of KEF, "Now good knight, accept my sword as a sign of true contrition for the act of betrayal." Aluric handed over his sword to Dquar hilt first. "Now as a true knight dispense the justice of the realm as is your right. I seek forgiveness for this deed, it is up to you and only you to so grant it. You may do with me as you will, I am at your mercy, for I knew well the possible consequences of my actions. " So saying this Aluric laid his head upon the foot of Dquar and awaited his judgement. Dquar reached down and lifted Aluric to his feet; " Arise my lord Aluric, you have done as was the need setting aside personal feelings and with out regard to personal safety. You have done your duty to your office." Aluric stood and received back his sword; thanking the young knight. "Then Good Knight, will you now reserve you first act of forgiveness from one who did betray your friend ship, or will you bless me and forgive me?" Dquar smiled as did the others ; " Aetheluric Lundonie I forgive you this act of will and obedience, for in so doing all prosper." The 2 men then exchanged embraces , and Aluric concluded the rite with the words; "Then by that power vested in me I do pronounce you a true knight of the order, may evil tremble at the sight of one so called". A cheer rose up then from the group before the great tree, and the festivities moved towards commencement. But it was Meane who broke the now party like atmosphere; "But there is still one question left unanswered mi' lord" Aluric smiled and said "And that question good knight is which path will our young friend follow?" Meane looked towards Dquar through squinted eyes, his face set in consternation. Dquar gave his reply simply and as a matter of foregone fact; "I would walk the walk of one who follows the way of the sword." Though Aluric was saddened a bit by this he had already known this was the way of it. Joining in the congrats spread round about, with Dquar and Meane now joined as fast friends of old times. Once all had made their congratulations Aluric excused himself, but not before Meane caught hold of his hand and showed him the scroll. "Mi lord Aluric, I trust you are going to see the one who sent this? If I do not have your word, I have been instructed by The Mistress herself, bring you to the infirmary at once. You know I will carry out her orders, so why not make this easy for the both of us.!" "Relax my friend, stay and enjoy the revelry, I was going there post haste, it would seem even I must admit there is some problem here. I had already resigned myself to the good chiergeons ministrations, so why don't all of you stop being the mother hen and find some evil to gate or something?" "Actually, Aluric, I was thinking I would escort you, or walk after you, your choice but I'll not rest this night till you are safe within the keeps walls." But it was not necessary for Aluric had already summoned the coach to take him back to the keep, he was weary as he had not been for some time, now it was time to seek out the help of others.Damien Pounds my Cranium (submitted by: OGS Jester) Taking time this afternoon I acted like a total loon And took some time off of my work And a couple of projects I did indeed shirk I crept into the realms this day And found ol' Damien with lots to say To the arena he said, and there we went And gate first I quickly found myself sent I tried some things, a new technique But I guess he who taught me was quite unique I CK'd myself and a couple of griffs But at the end of the bout I did join them as stiffs Was there a lesson, there to be learned? I would say yes, if the lesson ain't spurned Because it shows one much when your eyes are open And as I fine tune my game..here's to the future, I'm hopin' [the above was a result of my match with ITB Damien) OGS Jester Not yet the master of PVP, but still very slick with the poetry Forces Above Us (submitted by: KING XKONG) Power of water, wind , and earth Cast this spell to show its birth Raise the fire to stop the harm By the power within this charm Power of water , wind , and earth Turn the fire back to its birth Raise this spell to shield the flame By the power that we have tamed Power of water , wind , and earth Toss your foe back to its birth Raise your hand to strike its face If you hit you win your case By night , and flame , and , shining rock Open your hidden fiery lock Paradox in Hades - Part 1 (submitted by: ParadoxRvs) (Disclaimer: I apologize if this story seems derivitive of others, but when you read alot, there is no guarantee that your original ideas, are. The names have been changed in this story because I wasn't sure if the owners wanted to be mentioned in a rookie's first attempt. Comments appreciated, but let us not merely bash the newbie. Thank you, ParadoxRvs[revised]) As Paradox strolled through the halls of the Great Cathedral of Hades, he wondered at the reason for his sudden recall. His latest mission on the Prime Material Plane had begun barely a month before, and already he was expected to appear before the Council to give a progress report. Paradox felt a sense of unease, not just because of the suddenness of the request, but a physical discomfort. As he thought about his discomfort, he smiled. In his normal form, which he wore here, his three metre body, hard without being muscular, was a great change from the form he had been using for the last four weeks. The 1.3 metre half-elf that he had been using in Neverwinter, was a far cry from his body now. Here his eyes were an iridescent opal, he had a mouth that held teeth sharper than the finest steel, and claws, which if allowed to grow, could be used as 15 centimetre knifes. Paradox, however, prefered to keep his much shorter, feeling that they interfered with his use of hand weapons. His half-elven form, though, was much different. In Neverwinter, he was a man of just medium build, with calm , grey, eyes. and a smiling demeanor. His normal attire in Neverwinter was a pair of black leather breeches, red silk tunic, and boots that came to mid-calf. His cloak was dark blue, and he hated hats. His hair was a braid hanging five centimetres below his neck, with a silver and a gold band wrapped around the braid. Paradox laughed aloud, drawing stares from the other daemons hurrying through the halls of the Cathedral. It was no wonder he was uncomfortable, he felt as if he were wearing a suit twelve sizes too large. As Paradox continued his wanderings through the Cathedral, he studied the ancient and rare pieces of art and history on display. The idea that creatures of evil had no sense of beauty, was, he felt,absurd. He had always had a great appreciation of the beauty around him. Why, some of these objects, he, Paradox, had procured (aye, even stolen) and presented to the Museum of Antiquities and Art. A few, he admitted, had not been ancient when he stole them. Thinking of beauty, he was reminded of some of the beautiful women he had met, so far, in the city of Neverwinter. There was Jessica, the vampiress. A member of the Camarilla(?), a beauty of true stature. He hoped her mate(?) appreciated her beauty as well as Paradox did, more so, in fact. Then, there was Crystina, a shape shifter, who's ability was wasted, Paradox felt, because her shape was already perfect, in his opinion. Another beauty, Lady Stephanie, who had allowed him the great pleasure of her company. There were several others, Carol, who he believed was engaged to be married, Krista, a child of the wind, Lady Wendy, a goodess of wolves, Victoria, who he admired, but did not know well, and the child(?) Jennifer , Princess of the Sidhe. As Paradox thought of these women, he remembered a few of his own mates, with whom he had spawned three hundred assorted daemons, and one son and a daughter. Paradox could think of very few other Primal Daemons who had produced both a male and female heir. That idiot, Dragos, his predecessor in Neverwinter, had never spawned anything higher than a yagnodaemon. Paradox, however had spawned a dozen Arcanadaemons over the millenia, many of whom he still greeted with affection. Suddenly, an Imp messenger, appearing at his shoulder, called him before the Council. As Paradox prepared his teleportation spell, he again wondered why he had been recalled. As Paradox stood before the Council, he gazed up at the daemons who comprised the acting leaders of their realm. There were six Primal Daemons, who were unknown to him, four Arcanadaemons, only one of whom Paradox knew, and three Ultrodaemons, one, he was very pleased to note, of his own spawn. But, most frightening and unusual to Paradox, both Charon, Boatman of the Styx, and the latest Oinodaemon, Cholerus, were both in their thrones at Council Center. "Greetings, Paradox, and thank you for appearing before the Council of Hades, " the Speaker, an Arcanadaemon, stated. " It is our intent to find how the course of events proceeds on the Prime Material Plane, City of Neverwinter, and its Environs. We regret the shortness of your first tour in Neverwinter, but wish for your opinions on the handling of affairs there, so far." Paradox began, "Councilmembers, Boatman, and The One, it is an honor to appear before you and to give what must be, only, my own opinions and observations." "My predecessor, Dragos, has made what appear to me to be, several major errors in setting up this operation. His use of orcs and kobolds, primarily in the city itself, has caused a major increases in the numbers of adventurers seeking wealth and power in the region. This will make it much more difficult for us to achieve our goal of control in the region. Unfortunately, he has also increased the breeding capacity and shrunk the time until maturity of these races, thus making it impossible to remove them from the field of operations. Again, unfortunately, he has allowed these creatures enough intelligence in their leaders to understand that they are, regularly, getting their collective asses kicked. I believe that they will either mutiny on us, or go rogue, thus endangering our hopes and plans." "Dragos also has, in my opinion, indulged his preference for the reptilian, using both Lizard men and giant lizards in his second line of attack. In my wanderings of the city, under the guise of adventurer, I have only occasionally run across a semi-intelligent attack by bugbears, or even gnolls." "I should also report that the Zentarians are also interested the area, and should be watched closely. " "In order to continue this operation, I will require a large increase in gold for payments to the orcs and kobolds, to increase their enthusiasm, and several highly coveted magic items, in order to appease their war leaders." "Finally, realizing that I have no real need to know, I would request at least some explanation for this particular project." The Council Speaker, replied. "Paradox, although your request is tantamount to insubordination, we take into account your abilities as a war leader, and instructor in the ways of espionage and humanoid murder and warfare. In answer to your question, the Council has received information that an Object of Great Power either is, or will be, at some future time, to be found in this area, and we, the Council, wish this Object to be in the possession and control of Hades." "Further, concerning the Zentarians, apparently they, and probably the Princes of Hell, have also acquired this information. This will make it a race with many players, because, knowing what we know, both the forces of Nuetrality, and the forces of Good, will join in their own attempts to gain this Object." "Now," the Speaker continued, " a matter of disciplinary concern! "Paradox, you are accused of assault against a Creature of Evil, one Kilro, Demon of the Abyss, during his pursuit of a matter unrelated to Us. Would you explain to Us the reason for this! "Mr. Speaker, Council Members," Paradox replied, " the Demon known as Kilro was endangering the safety of many of my friends in the Great Hall of Neverwinter, a local pub. As I have admitted before, I am guilty of affection for the Humans and Demi-Humans that I encounter. As I proven many times in the past, whenever necessary I am more than willing to kill a friend in the pursuit of my missions, but it is always with feelings of great remorse at the loss. Knowing myself actually incapable of Love, I have no real explanation for these emotions. " "As to my request for aid from Anthraxus, I felt that this was not a time to display the full range of abilities available to me, and thus summoned He who's aid was easiest explained. The mortals and semi-mortals in Neverwinter do not have a very complete understanding of the hierarchy of the Outer Planes, and even those Gifted with the status of Deity are ill-instructed as to their abilities and limits. I, personally, have never understood the generosity of the CREATORS in the Deitization of mortals and semi-mortals, In fact, the very thought of possible immortality, for me, is much more frightening than a True and Final Death. I had already admitted that Loviatar, Goddess of Pain, was my matron, so the call for Anthraxus could be explained as a call to her minion. As for the fouling of any plan devised by the Demon Kilro, I thank the CREATORS for every opportunity to befoul the devices of any demon or devil I come across. The Boatman, Charon, spoke for the first time: "Paradox, your devotion to your duties has been shown to be superb at all times. Your use of opportunity to spoil the plans of the Demon Kilro was well executed. You are hereby absolved of all culpability in this matter, but beware that the Lords of the Abyss will not be so generous. Watch your back, boy!! "As to the matter of Neverwinter", the Boatman continued, " we will increase your budget to include additional wealth for the payment of Our hirelings and minions, and you will receive assorted magic items to be dispersed at your discretion. We thank you for your frank and interesting thoughts on the matter of Neverwinter. Thou art released to thy own devices. You are granted a liberty of 48 hours, and then are expected to return to Neverwinter. May the CREATORS grant us Victory!!! As Paradox left he heard the Oinodaemon speak: " I believe that We will want to hear the explanations of Dragos, for the handling , or, mishandling of the Neverwinter Project"Memories (submitted by: GreySavant) Tal leaned against the trunk of the Oak tree, his blue eyes staring out from his snow white hair to catch the light of the stars. In his hand he held a wineskin, it's contents untouched while he pondered the unexplainable workings that led his life so... With a sigh, Tal reached into his pouch and pulled out a strand of hair from his sashling, his only momento from the time he had spent with Song. A single tear drifted down his fine grey cheeks as he felt the soft velvet touch of her locks, his mind reliving the memories of but days ago. With a resigned look upon his fine elven features, Tal reached into his sashling and removed a small blue star sapphire, it's faceted sides glistening in the night as he held it up to bathe in the moon's radiance. Then he drew forth a blue crystal dagger and laid a symbol upon the forest floor, placing the stone within it's center as he leaned against the tree and closed his eyes, letting his sorrow flow over him once again before he began to Sing. The tears flew quickly asTal dropped his emotional defenses, the grief building the memories within his mind in a painfully clear image of hope and joy. Then Tal found what he wanted, the moment and time that he wished most to remember. With a shuddering sigh he griped his feelings and channeled them deep within his Soul, allowing his body to become a vessel for the Song as he lifted his hands above the gem. Tal lifted his head and began to sing, his beautiful tenor filling the glade with it's power as he channeled his emotions and Soul into his Song. Song of my Heart, Tender of Dreams You found my heart so open and true I cannot hide behind perhaps or seems I must live with Truth, and so love you I will Love you Forever, Far better then Never, I opened my eyes, and opened my heart You glided to me with on sweet tender feet I reached out to hold you, and there we start For in your arms I felt my heart was complete I held you close, your head to my breast And you breathed so soft, your whisper a caress I could not leave you, I failed duties test I cared not for your lover, my heart must confess I will Love you Forever, Far better then Never, I saw only your eyes, and your arms about me I felt only your touch, and gave up my Soul Now I am lost and alone, though I can finally see No Love can abide, in one whose heart I stole So I let loose my bonds, I cut my eternal ties I drop all pretenses and let your heart flee away For we cannot continue, not in this sweet lie We must part away, though my heart cries stay I will Love you forever, Far better then Never, Tal's hands burst into blue flames as he Sang his Song, his eyes flaring brightly as he shed blue fiery tears. The pattern below his hands was flaming also as his tears flew over to land on the gem, it's facets begining to glow with the same blue fire as they absorbed his memories within them. Then the fires began to fade as the Song ended, the brilliant radiance that lit up the clearing dying away to a dim light peering from a small blue gem, and Tal's brilliant blue eyes. With a reverent hand, he reached out to touch the stone, his fingers wrapping about it's cool smoothness as he lifted it into his palm and brought it to his eyes. Then Tal whispered a single word, his voice so soft that none could hear, and an image appeared above the small gem. Songshine danced among the moon-lit glade, her hair streaming about her as she pranced about the flower coated field with a wild abandon. Her eyes were alight, full of a tenderness and love that cannot be imitated, her movements a Dance of Adoration and Praise to the gods who gave such beauty life. Then Song fell to the floor admist a delightful giggle, and the view coasted through the glade to spy over laughing form. A grey hand appears, lifting up from behind the gem and softly touching one of Song's cheeks. Song's eyes turn to look through the gem with a tender glance of longing and love, her cheeks flushed with her exertions as her dazling smile rises to match the wonder of her eyes. The image fades, leaving Tal alone in the woods once again. His long fingered hand closes about the gem as he wipes the tears away from his face and looks up into the crescent moon. With a sigh, he stands and walks into the center of the glade, turning to stare about him with a slow smile as he peers about. "I will always have my memories, Song of my Heart. Wherever your path leads, I will remember and love you as my heart promised." says Talanithus as he holds the brilliant blue jewel above him. "Corellon!! Hear your Faithful Servant! I have loved another woman, making twice in this moon that my heart has heard and followed Hanali's call. Both Edan's were worthy of your Child's Love, and yet Fate has stolen them both from me. And so I beg of you, do allow your Follower to be tempted with the sweet caress of Hanali's gifts. Gird my heart strong... Hold me above the tender desires of my loneliness... Imbue within your Vessel the abilty to serve you with all my mind, heart, body, spirit, and soul." Then Talanithus lowered amd closed his eyes as a beam of moonlight struck down from the Heaven's to illuminate him, bathing his shivering body in its glow as a voice sounded within his head, "My son... You have not displeased me, to Love is the greatest of gifts that the gods can offer, paling even the Gift of Life. Hold those memories, Love them as you may, and you will learn the Way I have opened for you. Trust in me, lay your worries at my feet, and walk Knowing that I will Guide you." Tal opened his eyes, the moon above him suddenly appearing almost blindingly white as he peered into the eyes of his Lord. Then Tal smiled, feeling the acceptance of his god as he closed his hands tight about the gem he held above him, quietly whispering, "Thank you, Father...." The radiance seemed to twinkle, then slowly fade into the moons pale shadow. Tal stood, unmoving, as he watched the moon continue its path across the sky, his eyes open and wide as he absorbed the message of his Master. Then he sighed, holding the gem up once again, and walked out into the Forest's depths to walk the Way before him. Talanithus Tarant The GreySavant of the Tel'Mithrim Priest of Corellon for the Grey Company A Kitty Apology (submitted by: GreySavant) The small child sized Tal flew through the air quickly, his body wrapped in a wreath of blue fire. He knew where the Hall was, and which room was Jali's, thanks to Bryan's instructions... Now he had only to get there and set up his trap, so he could catch Jali and apoligize. Grinning, he flew faster, burning through the wind as he thought up his little scheme. As he flew, he remembered the teasing that had gotten the Little Princess mad. He was SOOooo sorry about that. He didnt know she was already mad 'cause of something that happened before. He felt like such a heel... he was just trying to have fun, that's what the girl had told him he was there for, anyways! With a shrug he came into view of the Hall of Justice, his eyes showing him a plethora of traps about the strangly constructed building. Tal sure was glad he didnt have to sneak in there. He morphed down into a Kitty Cat, a grey little bundle of fur with a white streak on its head and bright blue eyes, then Tal used a bit of Fire to wrap himslef in a No-See-Me cloak so he could sneak about, without any of the Kithain's spotting him. With a little Kitty snicker, he weaved inside the door, dancing about a big blue mans feet as he walked back to Jali's room. Ack! The door was closed! How was he supposed to get inside when he was a Kitty?? Quickly, the little Tal thought of his options. He could become Elven again, but then he wouldnt have his No-See-Me... as a matter of fact, if he did ANYTHING with his Fire or magic, he wouldnt have his No-See-Me. But then again, I COULD just come visible as a Cat, and then... A Kitty began mewing at Jali's door, scratching at it as it pranced back and forth with its tail twitching in the air. With a little Kitty smile it looked up at a passing Kith who was bending down to pet it, steadily purring as the Big Blue Man's hands stroked it and teased it's fur. "You get locked out of Jali's room, Little One?" said the Troll with a smile, "Let me help you..." With that, the Troll lifted up Tal's Kitten self and opened the door, walking in and placing the Kitty on Jali's bed with another pat. "You be good, you cute little furball," said the Blue Man as he walked out and closed the door. "Yes!! I'm in!" thought Tal as he looked about the room. It was sparsely furnished, with only a few toys inside the small room and a rather utilitarian style decor. Lined up in a corner were a group of small blue crystal toy soldiers, evenly arranged in ranks and at parade rest in front of a big Toy Castle. For some reason, Tal recognized the little toys, but he couldnt put a finger on what was bothering him about them. Next to them was a House.. a name flashed in his mind, the House of Dreams, but Tal didnt know how he knew that. Turning to the bed, he walked along until he came to the middle, using the Fire to make a lovely basket with a pink ribbon on it, and a pink ribbon with bells for himself. Then he curled up inside the basket and promptly fell asleep.... "Ahhh!! A Kitty!!" was the first thing Tal heard when two cute little hands picked him up and carried him to a pink blanket that almost crushed him. Shaking his little Kitty head to ward the sleep off, Tal was suddenly pulled up be kissed on the nose by his friend, Jali. "Meow!!" said Tal.. although he really said "Jali!!", then he streched his little cat paws and flexed his claws, suddnely becoming more awake. With a twist, he jumped from Jali's arms and fell to the floor, landing nimbly on his little paws. Then he rubbed himself against Jali's leg for a second, until Tal suddenly remembered why he was here. Stepping back, Tal sat on his little Kitty legs and looked at Jali with sad eyes. Then he lifted his head and said , "Jali, I am SOOOoooo sorry I made you mad. If I be your Kitty for tonight will you forgive me?" Jali started back as the Kitty spoke, looking closer at it as she smiled widely. "You're Tal, arent you... I can tell." was her reply as she bent down to stroke Tal's head with her soft little hands. "Of course I forgive you, that's what all good Princess' do when someone apologizes." Then she smiled and picked up the Kitty, looking down at it's bright blue eyes as she said, "And I cant be mad at you anyways... you're Tal!" Then she giggled and jumped onto the bed, where Tal woggled free from her grasp and pounced on one of the ribbons that fluttered from her dress. "I have an idea!" said Jali as she watched Tal pounce on the ribbon, "Let's play Monster's and Soldiers!!" Tal looked around the room and replied, "The room is too small for me to be a Monster, Jali." Jali giggled and hopped off the bed, skipping off to the corner of the room where she knelt beside all the little Soldiers. "See... these are the Soldiers.. and you will be the Monster!! And I can be the Princess and you will have to try and keep all the Soldiers from rescuing me," explained Jali as she giggled. Then Jali began whirling around in a tight circle, a pink cloud of Glamour appearing around her as she quickly shrunk down to toy soldier size. Tal watched with amusement, seeing part of the nature of her magic but not understanding its source as she shrunk down before him. With a little cat paw, he reached out to brush Jali, who giggled and danced away. Jali whirled about to the figures and yelled, "Help me Soldiers!! This big Kitty Monster is trying to eat me!!" The Soldiers spranf into action, quickly moving into formation as they advanced towards the Kitty. A flash of blue fire leapt through Tal's eyes as he leapt in the air towards the approaching Soldiers, his body burying into the first rank and knocking them all onto their backs. With a "Grrrr... oowwlll" ha swiped an other with his little paw, feeling the bite of a sword on his flank. "YYooowww!!" was his cry as he leapt high into the air, whilring about as he landed atop the unseen, but definetly felt assailant. Then Tal leapt back, scooping Jali up by the back of her dress and leaping onto the bed. He lowered her gently and then peeked over the edge as the soldiers began to climb the coverlet. "Ack!!" thought Tal as Jali giggled, "there are to many of them me to attack! I need.. a PLAN!" Whirling about, the Tal Kitty ran over to the edge and grabbed a pillow in his teeth, pulling it to the edge of the bed, then he peekled over, and quickly ran back for another one, followed quickly by the teddy bears. "Setting up a wall against me Soldiers, you Monster Kitty?" said Jali as she giggled from her perch on the bed. "They will just climb up and save me!!" Then she laughed again as she watched Tal yank the seams off one of the pillows, sending feathers flying.... Tal didnt stop, he lined up all the pillows and bears on the edge of thebed and then peeked over. Yes, there they were, all climbing the coverlet now, with tiny weapons sheathed. Then the Kitty stepped back and began pushing the pillows and animals over, each of them landing with a Plump!! With a satisfied smile, he looked back over the edge to see all the pillows and stuffed creatures lined on the bottom edge of the bed, the Soldiers pinned beneath them! "MMEyyyeeesss!!" was the Kitty Tal's triumphant call as he whirled on his Princess.. but she wasnt there! Looking around, he saw one of the figures had climbed up the OTHER side of the bed and had already rescued Jali!! With a little Kitty scream of frustration, Tal leapt off the opposite edge and snuck under the bed, waiting beneath the edge they would have to come down on. Tal waited, body tensed and ready to spring, every sense alert and awaiting some sign of their arrival. Then a sharp pain pierced his tail and Tal leapt up into the air, hitting his head on the bottom side of the bed. "YYRrrooowwW!!" Whirling around, Tal saw the giggling Jali and the last Soldier quickly running away, the Soldier's sword out and ready from it's recent use on the abuse of Tal's buttocks. With a little "Grrrroowwll!!"" He leapt after them, sliding along under the bed. Tal almost caught them when a Pink Cloud surrounded the two and they literally flew up into the air. Tal screeched to halt, slamming into one of the pillows and freeing one of the Soldiers. His quick paw kept it pinned while he pulled the pillow back over with his teeth, but it gave Jali and the Soldier the time to escape. Turning back to his Prey, he saw Jali and the Soldier atop the Castles Walls, Jali gigling and waving hello to him. "Rats!!" thought Tal, "they beat me!!" With a slow and dignified walk he glided over to the Drawbridge and sat, slowly cleaning himself while Jali giggled and ran down the stairs. When Jali appeared in front of TAl, he bowed his haid and said, "You beat me, Jali, fair and square." Then he smiled his Kitty smile and finshed, "But is was LOTS of fun." Jali gigled and rushed up to hug the Kitty about it's neck, her tiny arms not even reaching its top. "You were funny too, Tal Kitty. But I am tired now, It's time to go sleepy." Then Jali stepped back and span about into a circle, a pink cloud of Galmour again flowing about her as she grew to her full size. With a giggle she bent down and picked Tal up, stroking his soft fur as she jumped into bed and laid amidst the pillows. Tal sneezed a little Cat sneeze, and Jali laughed. "We can't have Kitty sick, can we?" said Jali, pink Glamout surrounding the feathers as they leapt back into the pillow and it resealed itself. "Now time for sleepy!!" She squealed as Tal Kittry licked her nose again. With a playful push, she set Tal Kitty on the bed and pink Glamor again coated her, dressing her in her nightie. Then she laid down and set her hand on Tal Kitty's side, snuggling him close. "I forgive you, Tal Kitty. You are a good..." said Jali as she laid down, yawning, "...friend. And lots..." another yawn, "...of fun..." and Jali was asleep. Tal looked up at Jali as she slept, snuggling in closer for warmth, and thought about all the things that had happened today. He didnt know how he got here, or why he was such good friends with this girl he had never met, but he did no one thing. Jali was the most Un-Yuckie girl he knew. And with that, Tal closed his Kitty eyes and fell asleep as well. Talanithus Tarant The GreySavant of the Tel'Mithrim Priest of Corellon for the Grey CompanyThe Follower (submitted by: HC Fazz) Again came the feeling that he was being watched. For days the hairs on the back of his neck had been at attention. Something was out there, watching.......waiting. For the thousandth time he spun around, hand dropping to the hilt of his long sword. Again, nothing. He knew these woods, knew them better than an innkeeper knew his own kitchen. For years he had dedicated his life to their care and the balance within. None of that made any difference. His Rangering skills were of no use; whatever was out there was beyond discovery. How many times had he back-checked his trail? Always he found the same. Nothing. Somewhere inside of him a small knot of fear waited; lurking. How long before it grew into a seething mass that rendered him merciless in the face of this unknown? Ever since he had discovered that lair, he had known no peace. Could it be that the Shaman's spell had had some dire effect upon him after all? It had started back in Crossergate. His supply of arrowheads was running low; shafts and fletching were to be found in abundance here in Neverwinter Wood (for one with the proper knowledge), but arrowheads didn't grow on trees. After haggling a fair price with Arnok Fireforge, the Dwarven smithy just outside of Crossergate, he had wandered the town, hungering for a small touch of civilization in the guise of a hot bath and a meal he didn't have to catch on his own. Clean, skin still pink from the hot water and with a belly full of roast mutton, he was walking of his late afternoon drowsiness when he chanced upon the town board. The gray weather-beaten wood has covered with tattered pieces of parchment; torn corners and rain blurred words were all that remained- except for one, which couldn't have been nailed up more than a day or two ago. A local farmer, Torak Gaersford, had lost a fair number of sheep to some unknown predator. The reward was small, a handful of silver was all the modest farmer could offer. Perhaps that's way none of the adventurers that had filled Neverwinter recently had removed the notice. That was the problem, Fazz thought, these self proclaimed heroes were so blinded by visions of fame, glory and wealth that they couldn't be bothered with helping someone for the simple sake of helping somebody. Carefully removing the notice, he folded and pocketed it, along with the small iron nail tacking it up; a useful component for a favored spell. Among the torn ruins on the board he found two other nails, which he also pocketed. Fame, glory and wealth were of no big concern to him; the thought of the helpless farmer was more important. Besides, he had a better place for all that mutton than in the belly of a nameless stalker. A few hours travel and he arrived at the farm. Before even speaking with Torak, he scouted out around the perimeter of the fields. It was not a large farm, Fazz saw. Perhaps a half dozen men were all that were needed to work it; or maybe just one determined man with the help of his sons and the love of a good woman, he thought as he noted the four people hard at work, even as dusk began to fall. The barn and animal pens were located close to the house, where a wisp of white smoke and a few sparks rose from the chimney to join with the emerging stars. The nearness of the pens to the house gave him pause for concern; surely Torak could keep close watch on them, so near were they. Moving closer, he saw a couple of dozen sheep, chickens, pigs, a few cows and a plow horse. Nearing the horse, he studied it with a critical eye. Speaking gently to it, with that special knack that all Rangers seemed to share, he ran his hand through it's mane, to find it well cared for, no burrs or snarls, carefully combed out. Gently grasping the horse by fetlock and cannon, he softly raised it leg to study the hoof. Well shod he was, no stones or debris anywhere. Torak cared well for his animals. It would be a pleasure to help the humble farmer. As the twilight deepened, he moved to the door of the simple house and knocked. "Come on in, it's open" came a woman's voice from inside. Lifting the wooden latch, he stepped inside. The large room seemed to be a combination of kitchen, dining and living rooms. The furniture, though simple, was sturdily made. Everything was neat and clean. By the large fieldstone hearth a stout middle aged woman worked over a kettle of something that smelled delicious. "Have yerself a seat, dinner'll be ready in a few minutes" she said without looking up from her preparations. "Um, I'm Fazz, a Knight with the Holy Crusaders. I came about your missing sheep--what is that your cooking, it smells wonderful!" The woman straightened and turned, studying Fazz with an appraising stare. "Vegetable stew. Yer welcome to stay. Torak and the boys will be in soon; he's the one the one ye want to speak to." Inspection complete, she turned back to her cooking. From outside Fazz heard sounds of splashing water, a minute later a large man, skin browned and wrinkled from years in the sun, entered the room accompanied by 3 teenage boys. "Well met, stranger, I'm Torak that's me wife Handra and these are me boys, Farinth, Arman and Helseff. What brings ye here?" After introducing himself, he listened to Torak's story over dinner. "It all started a couple of weeks ago. Me sheep started disappearing. I thought they might have wandered off, but the fence is good. Then I thought maybe it was wolves or something, so I raised the fence- they still kept going, one every couple o' nights. I can't find tracks anywhere, and me and the boys are to tired to stay up all night watching. I don't know what to do, I need the money from that wool to see us through the winter. I can't pay ye much, but whatever I have is yours." Fazz could tell from Torak's bearing that he was a proud, independent man-but he didn't confuse pride with stupidity. That earned the man a large measure of his respect. "Well," began Fazz, "I'll start in the morning; looking for signs and checking out the area. It'll probably take a couple of days before I find anything. For tonight, I'll stay in the barn; maybe I can hear something. Don't worry about any reward, I'm honored to be able to help. Mrs. Gaerford, the meal was delicious. Thank you very much" After helping the family clear the dishes, he retired to the barn and settled in to spend the night, trusting in his senses to awaken him if anything happened. Morning came, and before the sun had risen Fazz was awakened by the sound of the farmers going about their daily chores. After a quick meal of bread and cheese, he splashed some water on his face and began his inspection of the sheep pen. "Trying to find tracks inside would be useless," he thought to himself as he moved carefully around the outside of the pen. Made from rough-hewn lumber, he noted that while a wolf could possibly jump over its five foot height, there was no way it would be able to get a sheep out. Around the pen were numerous tracks of people and animals, all identifiable as the Gaerford's or as their animals. Looking closely, he saw some rat tracks and some muffled impressions, but he had no idea what they were. There was nothing to be learned here, so he started searching out towards the fields, away from the farmhouse. He figured that this would be the most likely approach for whatever was taking the sheep. Further and further he went, through the well tended fields until he came to the edge of the forest. He had seen a few more of the indistinct marks, and was still at a loss as to what they might be. Searching the edge of the forest, he found an area where the trees had broken twigs and scuffed bark, indicating that something had passed this way not to long ago. Closer inspection revealed an area of the forest floor that showed signs of recent passage. Now that he had an idea of direction, the faint trail became easier to follow, but tracking an old trail like this was a long and tedious process. For days he searched out signs; an overturned rock here, some torn moss over there, but these were all the signs that Fazz needed to follow the path of his quarry. Deeper into the forest led the trail. Beneath his feet, the ground gradually grew more rocky; the trees here were smaller and thinning out. Occasionally great outcroppings of rock rose from the forest floor. Fazz slowed his pace to a crawl. There were many more signs on the ground, and in a muddy hollow he spied a well-known footprint: Orcs! Proceeding more cautiously now, he crept through the underbrush in the direction the tracks were heading. Soon faint sounds drifted towards his straining ears. Each step precisely placed, he made sure of his footing before preceding. Now was not the time for the sound of a snapping twig to give away his position. Soon ahead he spied a small clearing through the thinning cover of the brush. Several voices were arguing in the harsh guttural tongue that was Orcish Language. From shadow to shadow he crept, drawing closer to the clearing. Now he could see the Orcs. Three, four......seven, eight, nine of them were clustered around what appeared to be a cage of some sort. Carcasses of several sheep littered the clearing, the faint stench of rotting flesh drifted past his nose. Off to one side under a heavy overhang of rock a dark cleft led into the side of the a hill. Well, this solved the mystery of the disappearing sheep. But why had he been able to find no footprints near the farm? Orcs that left no obvious trail were a new threat to the lands around Neverwinter; one that bore further investigation. A dangerous path lay before him: to observe this group of Orcs until this new mystery was solved. Eyes searching out the areas of most concealment for his prolonged observations, Fazz was somewhat startled by a loud, angry snarl coming from the clearing. Looking back, he saw a large mountain lion in the cage in the center. What a magnificent beast!! The color of a sunlit field of wheat, the great cat's yellow-green eyes swept the Orcs over a mouth full of gleaming bared fangs. Now the Orcs were arguing louder, and Fazz could make out the words. "He no can be trained. He to wild. I say kill now, and we eat sheep!" The speaking Orc jabbed at the cat with a short spear, opening a gash along one of its flanks. This action precipitated a smack on the head from another, if possible even uglier than the first. "No, Karg say we train him hunt for tribe. We listen Karg. Karg say bones say tell him this must be done. Karg bones always speak truth." Another Orc chimed in, "I say we kill too. Skinny Human plant people notice animals gone. Dey come for us soon. Tie rags on feet not good enough. Dey come soon, too many us to kill" Another mystery solved, and rather easily at that! Someone in the tribe of Orcs had been smart enough to wrap rags around the raiders feet to disguise the footprints. Fazz mentally cursed himself. This was a Strider's trick. A Ranger Lord such as himself should have realized that from the beginning. In the moment that it took for this thought to go through his head, yet another orc jabbed at the Mountain Lion with a spear, burying a good eight inches of it into the cat's side. With a fierce snarl the cat whirled around, wrenching the spear from the Orc's grasp. Out lashed a sleek well muscled paw, almost quicker than the eye could follow. The spear-less orc was hurled backwards to fall motionless on the ground, half of is misshapen face torn off by the razor sharp claws. Weapons were drawn, and the clang of ringing steel and thudding wood filled the clearing as the Orcs began to fight amongst themselves. Muttering a quick thanks to Tymora for this lucky break, Fazz quickly unsheathed his long sword and charged into the clearing. The preoccupied Orcs barely saw him coming, and before they could turn to meet this new threat, Fazz was among them, wicked weapon leading the way! The nearest two Orcs went down under two fierce slashes. Skidding to a stop and then dancing backwards, an extended flurry of blocks, feints, parries and strikes left three more of the Orcs lifeless on the ground. The remaining three Orcs used the deaths of their comrades to good advantage, taking those seconds to form an organized front against Fazz. Slowly they closed in, angry reddish eyes burning under their low jutting foreheads. "I told you Humans come," said the one. "Now we have to kill him so we still get sheeps." Cautiously Fazz backpedaled, sword at the ready and free hand searching in his belt pouch. Searching fingers soon found their target, and Fazz's hand emerged holding the nails he had removed from the message board in Crossergate. A few quick syllables in the arcane language of magic and the nails disappeared in a flash of blue light and a small "crack". Streamers of mystic force shot from his hand to engulf the three approaching Orcs. Two of them froze motionless, firmly in the grasp of the energy of The Spell of Holding. In mid-stride and off balance, the toppled to the ground to lay sprawled there; bodies oddly contorted, frozen in the motions of advancing towards Fazz. Look of smug confidence replaced with the beginnings of panic, the remaining Orc eyed Fazz warily. Suddenly it threw its weapon at Fazz, then turned and bolted into the forest, quickly disappearing from view. Never one to stab anything in the back, Fazz let the pitiful creature flee. Casting a wary eye towards the cave entrance, Fazz surveyed the carnage in the clearing. Checking each body, he found one Orc still alive, on hand clutching the entrails that spilled from its torn stomach. Without a moments hesitation Fazz's sword flashed downward, removing the suffering Orc's head in a quick, merciful death. Shaking his head at the death littering the forest, he again cast a glance towards the silent entrance of the underground lair. A low weak growl coming from the caged cat distracted him from the fact that things were a bit to quiet. Approaching the cage, the part of him that loved and cared for all of Mielikki's children cried out in pain. Inside the cage, the great mountain lion lay on its side, lungs struggling to retain the breath that bubbled out in a froth of blood from around the spear hanging from its side. The sight of such an beautiful animal suffering so was more than Fazz could stand. In a burst of adrenaline fired strength he tore the door of the cage from its hinges and moved towards the dying cat. Light fading from the yellow-green almond shaped eyes, the cat feebly tried to raise claws to Fazz, who easily deflected the slow moving paw. Speaking in a low soothing voice, he knelt beside the cat as its struggles lessened. Reaching once more into his belt pouch, his hand closed upon a small metal vial. As the cat made a weak attempt to bite at Fazz, he gently grasped the cat's throat. Popping of the top of the vial, he poured the contents into the mountain lions mouth. No sooner was the vial empty when Fazz pitched forward over the body of the cat, propelled by a great blow from behind. His breath rushed out of his lungs, but where there should have been a "whoosh" of rushing air there was nothing but silence. Rolling to the side, he saw yet another Orc, wearing some sort of fur covered robe and wielding a stout oaken cudgel closing for another blow. Aching lungs starving to draw air, he was barely able to get his foot up in time to stop the advancing Orc. With a mighty kick he propelled the Orc backward and scrambled to his feet, darting out of the cage and into the open. Still there was no sound, only absolute silence. A glance showed his long sword lying on the ground several feet away, where he had dropped it in his haste to aide the injured cat. Shifting his gaze back to the Orc, he was able to several things that he hadn't seen before. Around the Orc's neck hung a necklace of dried Human fingers. From a ragged scarred hole in one ear; long ago healed in gruesome deformity; hung several feathers bound with a leather thong. Carved into the cudgel were several runes, none of which he recognized. Still Fazz hung in a vacuum of absolute silence. As the Orc neared and raised his club to strike, a sudden flash of inspiration struck fazz as he realized that this was an Orc Shaman acting under the influence of a Prayer of Silence. That was why farmer Gaerford had never heard any of his sheep being stolen!! Cloth bound feet, Prayers of Silence, trying to train a mountain lion to hunt for the tribe, this was one smart Orc and a more deadly foe because of it. Karg the Orc Shaman strode towards Fazz, raising the club high overhead in preparation for a crushing blow. As the club descended, Fazz stepped into the blow, accepting the hit on one shoulder. His nearness to Karg robbed the blow of much of its power; though he was sure to have a nasty bruise from where the base of the club slammed into him. Continuing his forward motion, he hooked a foot behind Karg's ankle and shoved him in the chest. As the Orc fell backward to the ground, Fazz continued right past him, accelerating as he went. Putting some distance between him and Karg, as soon as he heard the pounding of his feet on the ground he stopped and quickly spun around, hands and fingers already moving in the beginning of a spell. As the mystic words flowed liquid-like from his lips, he saw Karg rising to his feet. With a final cry of "Magica Negatus" a soft white glow formed around Karg, then quickly faded, stealing with it the Shaman's Prayer of Silence. The magic dispelled, he could now here the coarse grunts of the Orcs-more than one of them. "Fazz, you are an idiot" he said aloud. The energies of his Spell of Magical Negation had also affected the two Orcs paralyzed by his Spell of Holding. "When, by all the God's, are you going to learn to aim that spell?" he continued to berate himself, pulling a dagger from his belt. As the two Orcs approached, they moved to position themselves between Fazz and Karg, whose cruel lips were already twisting in Prayer. Suddenly freezing dead in their tracks, their piggish faces turned to the sound of a fierce snarl. Bolting from the now open cage came the mountain lion, straight for the Orcs that had tormented it so. As the now restored cat plowed into the Orcs, Fazz felt the tingle of eldritch power swarm around his limbs as Karg completed his Prayer. His vision began to dim, fading quickly to blackness. But as the energy of the magic dissipated, so did the darkness in his eyes. When he could once more see, two Orcs lay dead before him, bodies torn open by feline claw and fang. The great cat was nowhere to be seen, nor was the Orc Shaman. Slowly the sounds of the forest filtered back into Fazz's consciousness. Retrieving his long sword, he searched the area in vain for any sign of his foe. Even with all his tracking skills, the only thing he could determine was that the cat had gone of in the same direction as the Shaman, but then the trail was lost. Moving cautiously towards the cave, he found it was not very deep and contained nothing but some lice-ridden bedding and half gnawed sheep bones. A small alcove in the rear of the cave appeared to be the bed of Shaman. A circle scratched into the soil of the cave floor contained perhaps a dozen small bones, randomly scattered about. Circumscribing the whole affair were more strange runes. Searching the area more carefully, he was rewarded by the discovery of a small sack, made from some kind of animal's hide. As he picked it up the sound of clinking coins came from within. Bringing it into the sunlight, he opened to find perhaps 50 silver pieces and eight or ten gold Crowns. "I'm sure Torak Gaersford would appreciate this as payment for his lost sheep" thought Fazz, stowing the bag in his sack. "I wish I could have got that Shaman, but at least I saved the cat." He began the long hike back to the Gaerford farmstead. A flicker of movement caught the corner of his eye. Spinning around, he once again saw nothing. Mielikki's mink mittens, this was madness! Normally unflappable, his inability to locate whatever it was that was out there had every nerve screaming in tension. Or maybe nothing was out there. Maybe the Shaman's spell had done something to his mind. The forest closed in around him. Branches reached for his head and tried to claw his eyes out. In the distance a feral scream pierced the stillness of the air, heavy and smothering. There!! Ahead!! What was that lurking behind that tree? In a flash his long sword was in his hand. The words to a Spell of Lighting burned in the forefront of his mind, straining to tumble out through his tightening throat. It took every shred of what little self control he had left to stop himself from blasting every tree in the forest. Slowly he crept forward through the darkening woods, every footfall a measure of silence, every pounding heartbeat a measure of fear. In his hand the sword twitched back and forth with every tremor of his quavering muscles. Nearing the tree, he burst around it, sword coming down in a wicked slice. A piece of moss dropped to the ground. Moss!! Now he was seeing monsters in the very plants he had known all his life. He had to regain control of his senses. Dusk was creeping its way through the trees, as would soon the creatures of the night. Finding a spot in the shelter of an uprooted forest giant, he quickly gulped down some cold rations, nervously glancing about throughout the bland meal. Forgoing the warmth and comfort of a fire for fear of attracting predators, he settled in for the night. A shiver passed through his body, though the night was warm. Wrapping his cloak tighter about himself, he stared off into the darkness of the forest until succumbing to the rigors of the day. Sleep came and went in fits. Night noises familiar to him were now demons closing in. Clouds passed in front of the half moon; in the shifting light shadows seemed to leap for him. The sound of leaves stirring in the breeze became the clattering claws of a hideous Troll. His dreams were of like; sleep and wakefulness blurred and became one until his reality became mind-numbing fear. His eyes snapped open--or had they been open all along? Fazz neither knew nor cared, feeling only the panic rising within him in an incessant tide. Springing to his feet and automatically grabbing his pack, he sped blindly off into the forest. Ahead an Ogre loomed, massive arms outstretched to grab him! Unable to stop or even slow his reckless flight, he slammed bodily into the tree before him. Bouncing off the trunk, he took off in a new direction, as razor sharp talons clawed at his eyes. Ducking under the branches, giant Snakes rose from the ground before him, their sinuous bodies wrapping around his legs. He tore his legs free from the vine that had tripped him and crawled off into the underbrush. Collapsing on the ground, his lungs strained for air as his body curled into a fetal ball. Faint chanting drifted past his ears as the Zhentil Clerics worked their spells. A prodding on his back caused him to frantically roll aside. Turning, a pair of luminous yellow-green eyes lay inches from his own. He closed his eyes and screamed, a primal howl of naked terror. Lungs empty and throat aching, he opened his eyes to the blackness of the night. In the distance the chanting grew louder, nearer. Heaving himself to his feet, he lumbered off in yet another direction. Again the yellow-green eyes were before him! All around him, the chanting grew louder, surrounding him, closing in, strangling. There was no where to escape. Run! Anywhere! Run! Get away! Leaden legs barely able to lift his blind feet, he staggered through the night forest till some unseen object tripped him. As he lay on the ground, breath coming in huge rasping gasps, the moon emerged once more from its luminous veil. Before him stood a hairy figure. Two dull red eyes glowed from the shadowed mask that was its head. In one hand was grasped a staff topped with a Human skull; the other hidden in darkness. Slowly the figure stepped forward towards the helpless Fazz. As the creature stepped into a ray of moonlight filtering through the canopy overhead, a shake of its head and the hood of its fur covered robe dropped away. The Orc Shaman Karg! His other arm came from behind his back, hand firmly grasping the familiar rune covered club. Up rose the arm. Unable to offer any defense, Fazz closed his eyes and began a silent prayer to Mielikki. A bestial scream pierced the night air. Eyes springing open, his prayer abruptly stopped, before him the Orc Shaman lay on the ground motionless. From over his body a pair of yellow-green eyes stared at Fazz. Jaws fastened around the throat of the dead Orc was a Mountain Lion, the same one from the cage! A casual shake of its great tawny head and the Shaman's head flew off into the night, blank staring eyes seeming to seek out Fazz as it disappeared into the darkness. The cat pawed at the body a few times as a kitten playing with a toy, then moved towards Fazz, still lying on the ground. Closer came his savior, the Orc's blood staining its muzzle and dripping from its teeth. Right up to him it came, until its glowing eyes stared into Fazz's from a distance of inches. Slowly the great mouth opened, and a rough tongue emerged to lick his face once, twice, then a third time. The Great Cat then began to purr, and strolled off into the forest..... Fazz awoke in the morning exactly where he had last lain the night before. Only feet away lay the body of the Orc Shaman, a cloud of flies already gathered on the raw opening where was once its head. A single bloody paw print of a Mountain Lion was spread across the Orc's chest like an epitaph. Gathering his scattered belongs, he collected the rune carved club and started back towards the Gaersford farmstead. Several times during the trip he caught sight of a silent tawny shape moving through the woods around him, protecting him, accompanying him; a mysterious companion but somehow a friend.The Holy Crusaders Marching Band Theme Song (submitted by: HC Fazz) When Evil rears it ugly head While common folk all flee in dread Who sends the monsters back to bed? The Queen's Holy Crusaders! When wars are fought in dire times Without reasons, without rhymes Who makes them pay for all their crimes? The Queen's Holy Crusaders! When innocents, in time of need Want help to come in all good speed What Guild commits heroic deeds? The Queen's Holy Crusaders! When Nasher needs a loyal band Wandering Neverwinter Land What group will always lend a hand? The Queen's Holy Crusaders! Boscer's Kitchen-tongue's delight! Nahmid's Bar-never a fight! Venkelos' Garden is quite a sight! The Queen's Holy Crusaders! Crusaders! Crusaders! Cavalier, Guard and Scout! Crusaders! Crusaders! Parliment and Knights, no doubt! Crusaders! Crusaders! The Prince and Squires shout! The Queen's Holy Crusaders! The Jester (submitted by: ITB Damien) There's this tiny lad named OGS Jester Where the HOUSE ITB he does pester Who's pen yields many a poem But with a fist he hits like a Gnome Around and around he does talk But he definately cannot do the walk For I have never seen someone gate Such as Jester has so quick as of late Why does Jester come back for more Because in the Art of PvP he is poor And there are many a lessons to be learned But the first ones respect which he has earned I can assure that HOUSE ITB can Exterminate But the question is only when will be the date For when Jester decides he must come back I can assure his skull we will crack (The above was a result of my victory over OGS Jester) Damien Mercenary HOUSE ITB The Wrong Thing (submitted by: LOKANLOAD) I have done what I felt was right. The memory of that thought crosses my mind as I try to decide the fate of Thalon, the treacherous slave who lies at my mercy. The battle was a good one, well fought. Thalon fought well, as did I. Despite the crowds animosity towards me, the fight quickly turned into a standing room only event. The crowd quickly ceased their catcalls, once the fight began. Thalon, ever the troublemaker, had started the fight with a handful of sand. To the uninitiated, this tactic could prove deadly. Unfortunately for Thalon, I am a seasoned veteran of "The Pit". The sand sailed harmlessly over my head, and I kicked him in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain. Seizing the advantage, I brought a double handed, fists clenched blow to the back of his neck. Down he went. I took the time, while he recovered from my initial onslaught, to raise my arms and bask in the crowds adulation. How quickly they have changed their tune. Only five minutes ago, I was a traitor to them. Now, once again, I am a hero. As I see Thalon rise to his feet, I prepare for the next round of fighting. Having easily won the first fall, I now get my choice of weapons for the second. I choose my favorite, the quarterstaff. Thalon chooses the club. Now with a weapon, I circle warily, waiting for my opponent to make a mistake. Thalon is being more cautious now, having learned a lesson in the first fall. With both of us circling, and making no move to attack, the crowd is growing anxious. A chant of blood, blood, blood" begins to rise from the throng. Their bloodlust is rising, and I can see by the expression on Thalon's face that his is too. Thalon swings for my knee, a blow I block with the lower half of my staff. With his club in a low position, it leaves his upper body and head open to my attack. Not wanting to end it just yet, I whack him in the ribs, leaving an angry welt. He stumbles back, trying to regain his composure before he resumes the attack. Now is my time, and I press the attack while he is out of sorts. I strike low, then high, the low again. Thalon blocks all the blows, but each time, his block comes later in the swing of the staff. I know that soon he will be to slow, and my blows will land on whatever part of his body I choose to strike. In desperation, Thalon swings wildly over his head, trying to get the quick victory by knocking me senseless. I swing my staff in an arc over my head, connect with his club, and send it flying. Now without a weapon, Thalon knows his chance for winning this round are next to nil. I know that Thalon will never accept my offer for his surrender, so I press in upon him with the staff. A blow to the leg brings him to one knee, then I strike with an overhead swing the connects with his head and takes him down once again. Again, the crowd cheers for me. They know that the next and final round can end at any time, with blood spilling on the arena sand. Now comes the time for metal weapons. Once again, I get the first choice of weapons. I'm not good with edged weapons, but I have had some success with a short sword, so I choose that weapon. After Thalon regains consciousness, he takes the trident, and we come to the middle of the arena to fight the final round. "Now comes the time for the blood you've all been waiting for", the announcer shouts to the crowd. A cheer rises from the crowd, and I can feel the energy surging through me, as the concentrated energy of so many people flows through my veins. How can I resist the bloodlust flowing from this crowd, when I can feel it so easily. It's almost a tangible entity, attempting to get into my subconscious, to take over my thoughts and actions. I have never killed in the arena, and I don't ever intend to. Every time I fight here, I have to fight not only my opponent, but also the bloodlust that flows so freely from the crowd. As we again circle each other, I know that a slip on my part will probably end with me lying in a pool of my own blood on the arena floor. Thalon is in a somewhat better position, knowing that I have never killed my opponent, all he truly has to fear is the sting of defeat. Thalon opens this round with a trident jab directed at my midsection. I parry it aside, and swing for Thalon's sword arm. Thalon brings the trident around and connects solidly with my short sword, almost knocking it from my grasp. I back off from this initial fray, impressed with his skill with the trident. I can see the evil grin spreading across his face as he begins to think that he has me where he wants me. I can see that this round will not be like the first two. In both of those rounds, Thalon made a critical mistake that costs him the fall. I doubt that he will make that kind of mistake again, so I am going to have to force him into a position where he has to make a choice, and the wrong choice will equal a victory for me. I let him bring the attack to me again, but this time when he strikes with his trident, I sidestep and get close to him, so that his advantage of reach is negated. When he brings his trident around to try to force me back, the prongs are too far behind me to connect, so I let the tridents haft hit me in the side, and I grab onto it, effectively rendering it useless. I hit him in his off arm with the sword, drawing blood and making that arm unusable. My strike has gone down to the bone in his arm, causing my sword to catch and hold there. I release the weapon and punch Thalon full in his face, knocking him back onto the ground. My sword comes free from his arm, and he loses his grip on the trident. I toss them both aside and say to Thalon "This victory is mine". Lying on the ground, Thalon knows that the fight is over. The crowd cheers, and I turn my attention to them and their cheers. I raise my arms above my head again, and walk to the other side of the arena. After I finish with my victory walk, I cross the arena again and offer my hand to Thalon to help him up. I see the evil grin on his face too late, and see the barb he has in his hand only as he throws it into my chest. A burning pain shoots through my chest. Poison!! Thalon has poisoned me. I stumble back from him, and fall to a knee. I remove the barb from my chest, and throw it to the ground. The pain is overwhelming. I can feel it, like fire running thought my veins. I feel the poison draining away my strength. Thalon has risen to his feet, and now he is basking in the crowds adoration. Unbelievable, how the crowd can be so fickle. They are rewarding this slave for being treacherous. My anger at the betrayal overrides all the pain I feel, and I get to my feet and slam into Thalon with a jarring tackle. He falls to the ground stunned, and I drag him over to the place where I had fallen to one knee. I grab the barb up from where I had thrown it, and hold it up for all the crowd to see. A hush falls over the crowd, as they wait to see what I will do. I don't know if I will die from this poison, but I can see the justice in giving Thalon the exact same chance of death that he so treacherously gave to me. From above my head, I plunge the barb into Thalon's neck, and leave it there and regain my feet. I can feel the poison running it's course, and I think now that I am going to live. Thalon, however, is not so lucky. His body convulses with pain, and he unthinkingly jerks about on the arena floor. Eventually, Thalon ceases his movement. I know that there was justice in what I did, but I cannot resolve this conflict within my breast. Now, after so many fights, I have finally killed another in the arena. I don't know if I will be able to resolve this conflict, and I do not know if I will kill again, now that I have done it. Now I have done what I knew was wrong.Return of the Rex (submitted by: Banerd Rex) Banerd Rex had become truly despondant after hearing of the loss of his friend Gambit. After seeing the once mighty order of knights that he had created now fallen to the wayside in a mocking play of that which once was, knowing the best friend he had ever known in his life was dead was the final stroke. It was true the knight that everyone had known and loved so long seemed changed. He now sat in Matagas inn spending his nights staring into one empty mug after another. He had lost everything in his life that had ever mattered to him. He lost his one true love Audora Le Rein, while under the plume of the fiery mountain known as Yserbius. He had lost his beloved order of knights now nothing but a shadow of its glorious splendor. And finally, he had lost the one man he could turn to when all else falied. The one man he called brother and friend; Gambit. Banerd Rex now sat before the unmarked grave of his former friend and knight of justice. He knelt, tears streaming down his cheeks as his worn and soiled cloak flowed freely in the bitter winds embrace. "Tyr, why? Why all this?", the man wept as for the first time in his life he doubted everything he had ever known. His family, his friendships, and yes...even Tyr. The man was truly desperate, what was there worth living for he thought. He watched as the sunset that day and slowly drew Valhallas scorn from its sheath. The eerie broadsword shed its blue white light as it freed its scabbard. Reaching up with one free hand he wiped away the tears and threw himself to his knees sharply once again. Shrieking wails of torment rung out high into the air as Valhallas Scorn drove clean through the flesh and punched through to the other side. There was darkness and then a voice. Was this the abyss or was it mount celestia? As he looked up he saw his beloved Audora with a hand reached out towards him. At last the knight had found peace. He smiled as at last Tyr had given justice upon this mans soul. The moment seemed to last forever as their hands outstretched towards one another and then...there was an eerie darkness which followed a most sinister and dispicable laughter. Suddenly the fallen knights eyes opened; slumped over with his sword still in his belly sitting in a pool of his own blood. Yet there was no pain, only a very familiar laughter that permeated the air with a stench of evil the realms had not seen since the coming of the Rex. So the man that had been known as Banerd stood, and the beast that was within him also stood and pulled the sword free and tossed it to the ground. One had slain the other and with the passing of the other a rebirth, the scourge that would return to plague the realms once more...known only as Banerd Rex.My Story (submitted by: Mustang C) Another lonely day in Neverwinter City finds me at Daglow's Inn wasting my hard-earned Platinum on cheap talk and wine. I decided to get out and explore. Not finding anyone I knew at the bar, I ate my pancakes and Stout, and went "for a little walk." I traveled north to the Windycliffs, where I can find trouble-a-plenty brewing in the forest. Sure enough I was ambushed by a pyro snake and 6 lizardmen. These were so good, they trapped another doomed adventurer as well. Digging thru my pack, I came across my trusty rusty axe and went to work. The Snake decided to go to work too, taking out three of the lizardmen in his fiery attacks. The unlucky adventurer also fell to these attacks. He desparately needed help to dispatch the snake. I however, could not fight my way past the many lizards that came at me. Desparately we fought these foul creatures. I proved myself round after round, cleaving heads with my rusty axe. As I lopped off the head of the last Lizard, I turned my attention to the snake. As I did so, I was greeted by a giant tower of flame, and a cry of "Nnnnoooooooooo......." and realized that Pyro won his battle. Set by rage, I undertook the difficult task of a 1-on-1 battle with a pyro snake. The snake reared it's ugly head and said "So, you wish to do battle with a Pyro?! Prove your worth...take this!" Astonished by his mastery of Common Speech, I was hardly prepared for the mighty blast of fire that hit me. However, the armor held, and I was not killed, only severely weakened. I figured the bluff technique coul do the trick, so I replied, "You'll have to do better than that to defeat me. As it is, I think I shall enjoy some Snake Stew...extra hot!" Took quite a few scales off with that hit. I whacked him again. This time causing him to writhe and slither in obvious pain. He attempted to torch me again. Again I was not expecting it, and got burned badly. I slump to the ground, convulsing. My last chance to defeat this monstrosity came when he tried to bite me to finish me off. He realized not how weak I really was, and completely missed me as a result. He ended up swallowing his teeth from the miss. With the last of my strength, I got up to one knee, grabbed my axe, and swung with all my might (which was not much by this point.) I hit the snake, and I guess the blood from the battle sharpened my blade nicely, as it surprisingly cleaved Pyro in two. Weak from the battle I fell atop the body of the snake. Several hours later, I woke up. Realizing I had fallen asleep on top of a Pyro Snake, I jumped back. I thought to myself, "Did I do this? Did I defeat all these monsters? How?" I then caught sight of my sharp, rejuvenated axe, and I knew. I won this in battle with a Minotaur. It was happy to see battle again. I picked up the carcasses, and went back to town. Daglow was happy to see his favorite patron back at the bar. I told him I wanted some of his famous Pyro Snake stew, and that I had brought the Pyro, as well as some Lizardmen for his other dishes. He said, "I haven't made Pyro Stew in quite awhile. As you know, I am older now, and don't get out as much as I did before. Adventurers these days don't want to pay for a stew they have to bring the MEAT for, you know, and I can do nothing to a snake. I would get burned if I set foot near the Gate! I will do you a favor. In exchange for the Lizardmen, I will cook you up a batch of Pyro Snake Stew, as well as give you some gold, too." I readily agreed, and within the hour, I had a bowl of the most delicious stew I ever had. With the gold, I headed for the Temple of Tyr, and paid for the fallen one to be resurrected. I then went back to Daglow's, and had me another bowl of Stew. This time however, I enjoyed my Stew with a tall bottle of fine Bock from his cellar. This story brought to you by: Mustang C Order of the Golden StaffStirges (submitted by: HR D0DGER) While strolling merrily on fine day , Flash and Dodger were held at bay. Encroached upon them a flock of stirge; Pushed the lovers to a corner as they did converge The battle began without much haste, They began to dispatch and lay to waste The flock of stirge. Killing one by one, Till those that were left were almost none. It came from the rear to Flash's surprise, And did latch on tight before she did realize. The stirge did bite and began to suck and Dodger was in melee; what terrible luck. When finish his battle, and he did fast He tripped and fell, as he began to cast The spell to save his wife to be, and all to quick it jumped on he. But Flash was weak and could not help, Dodger was in pain and began to yelp. He gained his strength and threw the foe and aimed his sword for the final blow. But Flash cried out to her spouse to be To kill it now would be tyranny. He said to his love you must be ill, It attacked us both let me make my kill. She said to her love, no let it be, For in it mingle the blood of we. It represents our love united, Cast a spell and charm instead. So Dodger saw the truth in her words, And charmed this distant relative of birds. Befriended them it did real fast Its vicious ways , a thing of the past. He turned to his love and did say A miracle was made this very day. Three lives in one for all to see We must protect it for eternity. So from her hair a ribbon came, She tied it round the stirge now tame. The color , a bright crimson red To represent mixed blood, we shed. So see you this holy stirge; don't kill For the blood of Flash and Dodger shall also spill. If you see this stirge then let I be It is joined with us in harmony. The Persistence of Memory (submitted by: HR D0DGER) Time, what is time? Time is the sea- That roars in the background; The amniotic fluid that Once we were so fond of. Time is Eve's tree- Prominent above all; A grey dead stick The Earth has swallowed Time is the Guild Questing like ants On a faceless golden watch, Looking for treasures dear. Time is the Stage- The blues of Neverwinter performed; Lit by the sunset, Eclipsed by a timer. Time is the Lord of the Flies- Waiting like a leech As the watch melts away For a new victim to ensnare. Time is Death- A pale face melts into the ground, The timer has overcome its existence. To the system it will return. Time is the sea cliffs- Mother earth incarnate; With all her power , Cannot stop this evil plague. Time is a memory- All that will remain; Its persistence that starts, The cycle once again. I cast a curse upon the timer. May this plague be lifted from our land. To My Love, Flash, Because... (submitted by: HR D0DGER) I peer into your eyes And my journey begins. A thousand stars, Twinkling brightly, Light the way. You smile, I quiver. Our lips join, The furnace of my heart Is set ablaze. We Embrace. Our hearts, Separated only by The confines of the flesh Beat in unison. Two Souls have joined. I take your hand, Soft, ivory and warm. Together, The universe is ours. I shall be your shield, Protecting you from harm Along the way. We traverse the seasons.... Fields of poppies, The cry of the meadowlark, They salute us As we pass. Droplets of dew Begin to fall; Cleansing our souls. Filled with dew, We travel on. Seeking out warmth, We hold each other. A ray of sparkling brilliance, Lends a hand. Daisies, violets and roses abound. I ask them if they mind If i pick them for my love. They smile. I gather many, And fashion a crown. I place it gently Above your brow. You are my queen. I am enthralled by your beauty. We travel on.... One leaf begins to change, Two, three, all One by one they fall to the ground. Each step we take is cushioned By a golden path. We travel on... The world turns to glass. Glimmering reflections Of your beauty Appear across the land. We have arrived. Our crystal palace Yet another kiss, Our passion grows Warming the earth. It shares our love. Once again, A meadowlark cries... This is eternity. You and I Our world May it never end Storm Clouds - Part 3 (submitted by: Thorn Hawk) While night fell over the town of Floodblest, the snow slowed then stopped, as the clouds broke apart and drifted east letting the silver glow of the moon outline a figure running through the trees. He paused briefly to watch the torches flare to life in the small town and the lights shine from the Rankled Boar inn knowing that rangers patrolled the streets looking for giants whereas others sat in the inn resting after long battles with the humanoids. "Ah, to sit and have a frenzy with my brethren," whispered Thorn Hawk to the wind. Pulling his cloak tighter to ward off the chill air, he continued his journey, his eyes ever watchful. He arrived on the outskirts of Neverwinter during a changing of the guard and was able to sneak past the gates without much trouble. People were scarce this early in the morning and the ranger moved through Neverwinter without hindrance though he did stop at a clothier to replace his tattered clothing. His eyes narrowed as he left the shop. These were ominous times, he thought his eyes searching the small crowd of people for any signs of danger. Castle stalker was as he remembered. A tall edifice with four main towers each facing a cardinal point. His favorite was the east tower, the one facing the woods and his home further east past Longsaddle and the High forest. Perhaps, I can surprise my wife, he thought entering a small warehouse off the main street. Thorn Hawk entered a shadowed alcove and slipped through a secret door. Smiling to himself, he crept along the darkened passageway. I wonder just how much Luthyen knows about these hallways, he thought making his way toward the castle. Passing the various egresses from the hidden castle, he emerged behind a tapestry depicting the battle of some knight and a horde of humanoids. Laughing softly at the sight, he glided to the kitchen and the sounds of soft music on silent feet. Merging with the shadows just outside the doorway, the ranger watched his wife work. She stood over a work table humming a soft tune packing a small container of freshly baked brownies for her cadets most likely thought Thorn Hawk. Her hair was pulled back highlighting her face in the moring light. She had chosen to dress in a riding skirt of russet and a flowing blouse of soft blue. Thorn Hawk stood within the shadows and watched his wife work his face masking the emotions that tore at his heart. He loved her with all his spirit and marveled at her beauty every time he saw her. It was for this reason that he had come back from the woods at this moment. Stepping into the kitchen to lean against the doorjamb, he waited, a smile playing across his lips. He stood there minutes before she noticed his arrival and turned. "Melamin!" she gasped, "where have ye been?" "What have ye done?" Luthyen said rushing into his arms. Catching her in a fierce embrace and wiping the smudge of flour from her nose, he answered, "tis nothing melar just the reminders left by an orc band and a rather confused farmer." "Can ye travel?" his voice becoming more somber as he gazed into her eyes. She returned the gaze before slowly nodding. Quickly she packed the brownies for her brother Zindio in West Bridge, then as she packed her own bag, she handed a small package to Thorn Hawk. From this one came the smell of spices. "Spiced cupcakes, I presume?" grinned the ranger watching his wife gather up the last of her items. Nodding, she buckled on Starseeker and took up her fine long bow. Thorn Hawk stood inside the doorway observing her before he spoke, "Love, I fear for you here within these walls so close to the city. I hear news of foul ghosts haunting the streets. I wish us to travel a bit far away from here perhaps to that lake deep within the woods. I would rest easier with ye by my side during these times." The elfstone flared brightly as she gazed at her husband, her love, "let us go then, melar." Together, hand in hand, they headed for the postern gate and the dawn. Thorn watched the guards walking the battlements as they passed through the courtyard and as they left the city behind, a slight chill breeze began blowing off the sea bringing with it another storm. Thorn Hawk, Brotherhood of PathfindersDevil's Lament (The Price of Honor) (submitted by: DL Siswai) After a battle, that took all his might Devil searched out a place for the night. Stumbling on in,he paid for a bed quite unaware of what lay ahead. For he was foolish of toungue,and could not resist, to tease and to ridicule,those in his midst. Now near him there sat,a Dragon named Jade Telling her friends of a successful night's raid. Deserving of dignity,honor,respect, not paying attention to the fool on her left. "You're dead",she cried out at the words that he spoke, even though he explained it was all just a joke. Tired and weary,unable to fight a mad dash he did make,for the door on his right. War was declared,and a price on his head for the one he insulted,wanted him dead. Afraid and alone I found him one night, I told him he needed to do what was right. So off we did go,to the land called Triboar, to meet Dragon Jade,and settle the score. "My honor he took,and for that we must fight a battle of wits,magic and might." And when it was done,I picked up my friend back to the inn,his wounds I did tend. "Please listen my friends,and heed what I say for the price of honor is a high one to pay." DL Siswai Old Man's Dreams (submitted by: AKH BASHER) "I Feel....like im dying..." An old man was lying down on a cot in a hospital. The sounds of people dying, and the utter silence of the already dead surrounded him. His neighbors had brought him here, for it was a place for the cripled. No one knew what was wrong with him. No one cared really. But one hooded figure sat over him. His eyes pierced the old mans soul. Saw his thoughts, saw his fears. It was a scary time, mainly becuase he was dying. The hooded figure, just sat there, pale face, comforting in the fact, that he was the only one that had a thought for this old man. "You are dying little one." "I ...am?" "Why else would you be here?" The hodded figure chuckled a bit. "Why do you laugh my only friend?" "Friend? You dont even know my name. How can I be your friend?" "Please, im alone, My family is dead. I only want someone to call friend before I die." "Little one, you are never alone with the gods that exist. You should know that!" "Yes, I suppose, but I am still not to sure about the "gods" "Hah!, I know better then to say I dont believe in them!!" The old man coughed for several minutes. His condition was getting worse and worse. The hooded figure continued. "I hear, that youve been having dreams while you were here. Is this true?" "Well, yes, they are the weirdest thing." The man coughed more...recovered, then continued. "I dream of the stars, the moon, planets, the universe. Its as though I'm not dreaming. I can touch everythign I dream of. I see the future, I see the Past. I see now." "How long has this been going on little one?" "Ever since I was a child. No matter how much I tried, they kept coming." "Why would you want to stop them? You said you could see everything? Why stop seeing your future?" "Hooded figure, I dont have the strength to argue. Tell me your name friend?" "Its not important right now." The hooded figure continued. "Tell me more about the universe. I have studied it long, but never have I heard of such detailed dreams." "You seem as though a little student boy. Why do you ask so many questions?" "Just please, tell me of your adventures. I must make sure." "As you wish.... I have seen and heard more in my dreams, then I've ever seen in my regular life." The old man coughed, blood came up, his life was nearing its end. "Continue" "I'm dying, but...I've seen myself in the future. Why? How is this possible? I see you, and a few others. They seem unable, or unwilling to die? How is this possible? Tell me, hooded one?" "You are now asking more questions then me. You see and hear everything in your dreams, sleep and find the anwsers you seek little one." The hooded figure passed his hand in front of the old mans eyes. The old man passed into unconsousness almost instantly. "Sleep little one, Sleep" The old man tossed and turned in his sleep. He groaned with pain, with surprise, with knowledge of what he was exploring. The hooded figure knew, that he had found one. An immortal, only few had been found in existence. Why, had a mortal, been afflicted with this disease of immortality. Only few had been accepted into this close ring of friends. He was not born with the disease, but why should he have it near his death. Seeing the universe was something only gods could do. But this mortal was dying. Should he end his life so no one would hear of this adventure? or should he help him. Help him to become what he and few others had accomplished? He would think first. "Little one, youve had enough sleep. Awaken!" With out a seconds delay, the old man awoke. He looked shocked, and then fearful. "I now know why you have come. And I know the choice you will make. But explain...Basher...why am I inflicted with your disease?" Basher looked concerned. for a mortal to know his name, he would have to of told him. But Basher clearly remembered he hadnt. Why then, had this mortal called him by name? To show his powers or just because he was dying? Basher responded. "Old man, you know my name, and probably all about me by now. Tell me, why do you hold on to your mortal life? Do you enjoy the pain and suffering that comes with it? Your family is dead, why stay here? No one cares for you, and if they did, they would die soon too. I have lived milenia beyond your age and was born way before that. You must forget your mortal life. You must take up a new....way of life. Join me and my family of gods. Your destiny has been set, join us. Only few have ever been asked. None have denied us. Even you have seen yourself in your dreams. How can you expect to see yourself that far in the future if you die trying to live in this imperfect body?" "You speak wisely friend. I have seen myself and you and your family. It looks glorious. I would love to join.....but..." "BUT?????, are you insane old man? What is left? Your life is nothing in this state of living. Join me, and see how you will live. "I would like to see more of this world....live to see my own death with friends...but I do know this is impossible. Im afraid to do Basher. Please, are you surs its the only way to become...one of you?" "Little one, Friend, accept my help. If you do, you will die. But when you become reborn, you will be a god. Accept my hand in friendship. Become a ... god...a friend." With that, the old man died.. With the death of the old man, came the birth of a new immortal. A god. One of the newest ever seen. Through the old man's death, a new god had been born. A new family member would be initiated. It was the way of the gods.....................Knighting (submitted by: KEF Dquar) The day finally came, Dquar Blackmoon of Waterdeep was finally going to be a Knight of the Eternal Flame. He received word that today would be his Knighting only brief hours before he was to actually be Knighted, in Neverwinter Square standing before an entire crowd of people. This was the first "public" ceremony the Knights of KEF ever had, and they would use Sir Dquar as the guinea pig. But Dquar didn't mind being an experiment, he only cared about taking the oaths of Knighthood. Lord Aluric called to Dquar through the ESP abilities granted to those who serve Tyr to their fullest. He gave Dquar the good news, and started to assemble some members of KEF to witness Dquar's taking of vow's. Dquar became overjoyed, and ran immediately to nearby Camelot, where he searched for some old friends to tell the good news. Upon his arrvial, some skeletons jumped forth from a room adjacent to the entry way and attacked the soon-to-be Knight. Dquar dealt with them quickly and moved on down the hall to the main audience chamber. There he found Sir Dagron sitting in an old oaken chair carved in a far away land some odd years ago. Dagron was gazing into the blaze in the hearth, and never heard Dquar enter. Dquar rushed up to Dagron, and somewhat startled the Elder Knight of KORT. "Geez Dquar, your gonna give me a heart attack with all those surprise welcomes of yours." Dquar smiled and clasped Dagron's forearms. "Dag, I bring good news. Today is the day that I become an official Knight of KEF!!" Dagron jumped from his chair and began doing a bit of a jig, or something he called "dancing". His hollars and cheers could have woke the dead, and his bellowing laugh made the room shake around us. "Tis wonderful lad! I always knew ya'd do it!" Dagron then gave Dquar a big hug and smiled. "When and where will the ceremony be held, I wouldn't miss it for the world!" "Well Dag, the cermony is in Neverwinter Square, and it starts....." Dquar looked at his gnomish watch, that could tell precise timings of day when in the sunlight, and replied, "It's starting now!" Dagron and Dquar rushed to Nevrwinter Square where a small group was assembled near a large oak tree. Aluric stood and held a mighty blade in his right hand. One of Dquar's once Squires, KEF Calin, stood to the left of Aluric. To his right stood KEF Treya. Silverknight rode in soon after Dquar's arrival and stood amongst the other members of the Guild. Dagron stood beside Dquar and made his greetings with the members of KEF. Aluric pronounced that the ceremony was to begin, and a hush fell over all who were watching the first ever public Knighting Ceremony. Dquar knelt before Aluric, who stood over him holding the sword. Dagron knelt next to Dquar and drew his sword, holding it with the blade facing downwards into the earth. Aluric began the reciting of vows, where Dquar had to affirm that he would stand by and hold these truths. After Dquar took the oaths of Knighthood, his first task was to be forgiveness. Aluric punched Dquar in the face, making Dquar wheel, but not fall. Dquar forgave his fellow KEF brethren, and he received the ceremonial white belt and spurs. After the ceremony, most of the Knights had to attend to guild business, and Sir Dagron gave his congrats and snuck away quietly. Calin and Dquar were all that were left standing in the Square, and they decided to celebrate with a feast at Strider's Tavern. They ate and drank the night away, and told many stories amongst themselves and with some patrons of the Tavern that night. Calin eventually stumbled to his room, with Dquar heading towards his. They said their good nights and went to their separate rooms, where each dreamed wonderful dreams of fair maidens, great treasures, and the Eternal Flame. KEF DquarWeary Wanderer (submitted by: Rounlin) These days I grow weary of the hostile creatures roaming these Realms. From the townships of Port Llast to Westbridge to Triboar. I can remember when these lands were very rarely invaded by any evil creatures. Those were peaceful times. When love, music, and trade were always at work, up and down the coast. I can remember when my wife and I spent romantic weekends together on the Islands of Neverwinter alone. Those were the kind days. But those days are no longer. Now the only peace I find is that of battle and a occasional Frenzy with my friends. The battles are long and hard. Even though my baby dragon Whisp helps me with the resistence, I still take my fair share of hurt. And the Frenzy; Let me tell you. I love drinking with my friends. I find the Frenzy heals my wounds day by day. I gain, such a need for, companionship from them these days. A year ago I would have stayed far from civilization and stay in my protection of the forest. Practicing my magiks and Rangership. Not hearing from anyone or anything for weeks on hand. I loved being by myself in the forest, all alone. But alas today I must gain help from my friends. And tomorrow will be another day. Rounlin Starwolf the Pure Servant of Mielikki BrotherHood Of PathfindersChant by the Ancients (submitted by: Zindio) The following chant was sung by the Ancients of The People. Me mother sung it to me in Weinimer when I was a child. Some parts I don't agree with because i've found Drow that were not out to kill everything in sight. As a Member of The Protectorates I've even found some that asked fer help, alltough I won't give up thier names. I just thought this chant may be of interest to all races in the Realms and have taken great care to translate it from Elfan speak to Common and Drow speak. All can learn from a piece of history. Elfin first so that ye can feel the melodious rythym, common next and Drow speak last. Accompianment with a shalaquin is recommended. Tel lina e'kuentre linae g'Aredhelrim Tel'Quessir. Linae a'amin b'mathir amin lire hin amine en Tal'Weinimer. Amin n'weera yassen tel kwent ten'Mori Quessir Aa' n'ksh rangwqual. Amin' taur'ohtar Tel'Vardaoo amin elee Mori'Quessir sinome Tel'Realms irmvard. Sen essaoo dinamine oio olin. Rendranwa amin irma yassen sina hina. Nelde lammenoi amine narne, Tel'Quessir, adan, ar'Mori'Quessir. Coircorm amin laita tel'maghshalaquin. Lil hyrr ghil zhaw zhaunil. Xund ulu sarnus Lil Darthiir D'Ilythiiri. Ussta ilhar belbauus ussa nindel ssinsuurul vei'drav dalhar zhahus usstan. Usstan qua'lae xuil fol wund p'wal naut jal Ilythiiri phuul esaph. Llar rinteithen usstan xund, Darthiir, Rivvil, lueth Ilythiiri. Rilkhel orn zhaun jivvin (Shalaquin) whol ssinsuurul. Manka Lle Elea Mori'Quessir Ifin Ye a Drow See Ka Dos Thalra A'Ilythiiri Vano wu'vanima taur sy Tel'Realms. Mori'Quessir rome n'ala lle d'tel'talar'. Whilst strolling through the sylvan splender of the Realms a Drow pops up afore ye from the ground. Z'hindren waelane wun lil'do'suul colbauth a'Ilythiiri thalack'velen dos da'lil colbauth. Uum rim mellone'n amin ai'ascar ripa llie sule tyele. Stand fast me friends, a wrong move and yer life will end. Xuat bautha ussta abbilen, ka dos xun dos orn elghinyrr. Edano lle quen ron ve' riste d'lle nnaro' asc bragol shael. Human kind your flesh they like,stripped from yer bones as fast as light. Rivvil dos siltrin nind saph, raldarus da'dos khel izil nizzre' zotrethen. Tel'Quessir ar' Naugrim, di'thango llie tenna' er' Mori'Quessir irm vasa meretho lle. Elves and Dwarves, slaves ye be until a hungry Drow feasts upon ye. Darthiir lueth Duergar, rothen dos orn tlu hwuen natha Ilythiiri calen dos. Ikotane kwar Tel'Mori o' yassen templa asca, khil yassen bragollach tel'llach ar'templa pilini. So hold the dark one with magic fast, follow up with a fireball or magic missle blast. Jir mir lil olath kul'gobuss xuil faer z'ress, valm o' xuil chath z'ress xor faerbol Manka Tel'Mori'Quessir ar'edainme na' vanim hear' lle umn'ele. Ifin the Drow a female be, beware her beauty and look away. Ka Lil Ilythiir zhah jalil, sarn ilta ssin lueth bautha sol alust. Re celebreth beth lle coiruva ele re loske losse tel'lokirindol flagelit re eht quenala lle. Her sweet honeyed voice t'will entice thee to look upon her snowwhite locks as her snakehead whip bites into yer back. Ilta ssinjin ssinss z'ressus dos kyorl ilta suliss'urn siltrin izil ilta elgluth trilen dos rath. Avari' burro'en he lleuva tenna' re anfaug fo'nnar' vasuva thule lle. Then her prisoner ye will be until hunger drives her to set yer soul free. Zhahn ilta kul'gobuss dos urn tlu hwuen elamshin harventhe dos z'ress. Nuquern sen yassen asc manka mellonoo llie thanguva, tela chaco' tenna' tel'telar mori. Fight them fast ifin friends they be attacking, kill each one until the grounds be blackened. Zotreth nina saph nizzre'ka abbilen nina thalack'velin elgg nina ogglin hwuen lil har'dru zhah elghinyrr. N'ilya Mori'Quessir khil Lloth, nan n'ala rangwe lle lerethura. Some Drow adhere not to Lloth, but afore that's figured out, cusine ye might be. Fol Ilythiiri xuat bel'la Lloth, jhal p'los nindel zhah dos zhaunil, dos urn challin. Ensorcele ita'is mellonea en amin, kel yassen asc tel'irmoie Tel'Mori'Quessir n'lle ar' amin. Invis me friends, turn and flee, the affairs of Drow are for neither you or me. Dos velkyn ussta abbilen, drewst dosstan da'gaer. Lil xunden d'lil Ilyiith naut whol dos xuv ussta. Ant lle ar'lle lind lina leitla llie mela tel men nuin tel ithil. Turn away then and whistle a tune, enjoy the splender of the realms under the moon. Alu lueth ssinjin ssinsuurul xun, ssinssrigg lil colbauth harl lil ssussun d'olata. THE ENDReclamation Adventures Chapter 1: The Year the Bard Foretold (submitted by: RayDogg 79) <> <<> The jet marble effigy of Lord Nasher loomed up against the coal black sky above the Great Hall glistening with blue white light as the moon engulfed his lords likeness in effervescence. I saw my brother of the Staff, Nilen as he conversed with the affable Nova who stood watch over the hall. I could spare no more time than to give a hurried genuflection to both of them. "G'deve brother...Nova....Nova, I must see Nasher....tis of great importance...." Nilen's eyes blew up in amazement. "Brother!!! We thought something had happened to you..." "Something did." I said somberly. He noted my despondance as well as a fire in my eyes. "Well thank all that is good in this world that you are okay. We had lost hope. The Lady Snuez had been the last to see you so long ago. And she knew not where you had been headed. Can ye tell me what has occured to you." "Later, dear friend. Now I've business with his lordship." Nova, who listened in hidden interest, nodded an affirmative and I sprinted through the large oaken doors of the Hall, dashing to Nasher's main chambers, hoping he would be there. Nilen noted the large staff I bore, cocked an eyebrow, and, saying several hurried farewells to Nova, followed me into the Hall. I rapped upon the door of Nasher's chambers. For a minute I thought he was not in....but then a low voice emanated from within, beckoning me to enter. Sitting upon a rosewood throne, cushioned in red velvet, sat the neat, and awe inspiring glory of my lord and dear friend Nasher. "Macabre! Can it be? The said you were dead. What phantom is it that stands before me!" "It is I m'lord....weary and haggard. But alive nonetheless." "I can scarce believe it! 'Tis been a long long time, you must admit....Where have ye been all these months. I was afraid something had occured to my gnomish servitor." Nasher waved away the small cousel in his dimly lit room, that looked at me in wonderment, and gestured for me to take a seat. His eyes then glazed over in pondering wonder over the staff I lay upon his table. I removed the magical cloak I had salvaged from a dark mage I had had to dispatch in Triboar and chuckled as Nasher started as my image shifted with the cloak's ridding. "M'lord....that which lies before you is the item many have sought....and died for....That...my lord....is the LifeGiver." Nasher's jaw dropped. He rose to his feet and studied the golden staff and its glistening head. He fingered the beautiful amethyst encrusted into the orb and froze in disbelief. "Stalker....how?" "Oh..that is a long story, m'lord. And though i would like to relate it to you, I am much too tired." I grimaced and sighed as brief flashes of remembrance of the events I had experienced in the past few months flitted through my mind. "And, suffice to say, there are still areas which I try to leave behind me....rather not dredge them up." Nasher frowned as he noted some type of pain in my eyes. He said nothing. He reclaimed his seat. I drew my scimitar and grasping the hilt, I ran my palm over the dull metal and its sheen returned and it hummed. I spun it for a second and layed it aside. "Well, Red Larch and WestBridge can be informed that their LifeGiver is now in safe hands. Someone else will have to deal with returning it to them though. I wish to avoid them for the time being." Nasher nodded. "Okay, my small friend. I see you are not tired enough to keep yourself from jabbering like a madman." He grinned and I smiled wanely. "Youwouldbesurprisedmylord." We chuckled with eachother. I placed my hand upon the staff and reverted to a more serious air. "Lord....you know what this amethyst is do you not?" Nasher grinned from ear to ear. "Indeed....Tis the Amethyst of NeverWinter. One of the nine jewels of Neverwinter." "Yes....I learned about them during my travels....The nine jewels....with which all the pure and good magicks of NeverWinter may be honed. The Amethyst was a jewel of life....the others...well, frankly m'lord...that is what I wish to discover. I want yer permission and blessing to seek the other eight jewels, my liege." The lord of NeverWinter leaned forward and grasped my shoulders. "Macabre...you know how unlikely it is that they shall ever be found. All but the Amethyst were lost in age old wars long before your time or mine. The recent loss of the Orb of Life devastated many of our elders....but with its retrieval, at least we know one of the jewels is safe....the others are most certainly long gone. There's little anyone can do about that." "I can't...I won't...let myself believe that. Do you realize what good we could do with the jewels?" "Of course....but, where to start? They were separated, lost, stolen, fought over, misused, hidden, perhaps even destroyed all over the realms. What could possibly lead you to them?" "That is for me to try to deduce....."I looked to the bag at myside. Nasher looked at the staff, and shook his head. "You really think you can do it? It seems so unlikely." I stood up and gathered my belongings. "Aye....but something draws me into a want to search for them...I know not what. Call it a personal quest my friend." My lord stared at me awkwardly.....He stood, walked around the table to where I stood, embraced me. "Then, all I can do is wish you luck my friend...you have my blessing...and Tyr's moreso." A knock echoed from his door. "Alas, I've matters to attend to. Berun is looking bad....ridden with dark goings on. And it is spreading to other lands. Speed to you, Stalker. And goodnight." Outside Nasher's chambers stood my brothers Nilen and Cyman. "Well met, my brethren. It has been awhile since I have seen either one of ye. What brings you here?" Cyman spoke up. "Amazing! It is you. Stalker, where have you been! Sheesh! Couldn't write?" My smile reflected his but turned inwards on itself. "Nevermind that. Nilen seems to think something is wrong brother." I looked up at the talluns before me and my eyes glimmered. "Eh? Wrong? Nay, nothing is wrong persay. I have had a difficult and eventful time away from the warmth of my family. And now, I must leave again. I have a mission to complete." "Stalker...do this not to us. Accompany us to Daglow's. Tell us of your journeys. Don't just depart. Everone misses you." "Very well....I've a short time to keep company with two of my brothers........." I looked at them, thankful to see them after so long. "It is good to see you again. I did not know if I would ever return from Red Larch and beyond. I met death face to face many times of late. Why my luck has yet to run out I do not know. Come...Let us go to Daglow's." We sat at a table in the corner of Daglow's inn, the umber shade shrouding it broken minutely by a flame that tickled the darkness away. I retold the tale of my travels through the far reaches. I told of my love Rain, I told of my terrible battles, I told of the devilish creatures I encountered, and I told of my retrieval of the LifeGiver. They were astounded at the volumes of ordeals I had gone through.... Then Nilen recounted what I had missed in my absence. Boy...I had missed a lot. Cyman then inquired what it was I was off to do....and I told them. Neither really knew much about the jewels. Nothing really. I mean...what I had learned I was told by Alinster, the mage who had melded the Orb of Life and the Staff of Health into one magical instrument. And that was only a nominal couple nuggets of information. "Where will you go...I mean how will you go about finding these relics?", Cyman queried. I withdrew a tome from my bag, bound in azure leather, faded and water warped. I smiled wryly. "I sorta lifted....er..."borrowed" this off the The Great Anthenaeum in Crossergate. Its the journal of a halfling sage named Elrolin. He spent his whole life in search of the jewels. Before death overtook him he located four of them, besides the Amethyst of NeverWinter, but by that time, he was far too weak and lacking of funds to attempt to attain them. I've been researching his notes." A sour expression crossed my face. "They are nearly all encrypted. But I do know the location of one of the jewels so far." Nilen perked. "Where?" "Well, with the evidence here, and assuming I've not gone astray in my decoding of this gibberish...I'd say Elrolin is saying the Jewel of the Sea....or the Saphire of NeverWinter...is somewhere on the island of Trisk...or a some small islet off her coast...there are directions, but there is no way I'll translate them until I get to the Islands. I shall need some help there but, I will find that jewel...if it is the last thing I do." "Help? Why not the Order? All of us would be willing to help Macabre...you know that." "Yes...of course I know. But I must depart tonight. The harbor guard is a friend of mine, and he is to sneak me on to the Sea Patriot. No one must know of what my plans are. Too many evil souls would seek to stop me or get to the jewel first. I must leave soon....very soon." Nilen and Cyman looked at eachother.....Cyman shrugged sadly....Nilen then stood up. "Okay, Macabre, Cyman....head to the docks. I will run home and inform my love as to what is afoot. She will tell the Order. I shall make haste. But we will not let you go at this alone." Nilen flashed out of the inn leaving Cyman and I stone still. "Er...you said it Nil." Cyman muttered. The three of us hurried onto the shadowy galleon and I whispered a thanks to the young lady who guarded the harbor this night. "I owe ye Chelle." "Yah, well don't get yore fireends o yoreself trown into the sea, kay gnomer." "Lets hope not, madame. Farewell." I heard the ropes along the ships masts stretch as the anchor was drawn. We slipped into a cargo hold and waited ...feeling the ocean carry us. We were off............... (submitted by: Neurosis) Here's some useful and practical tips for the founding GM of a new, unsanctioned guild. I'm submitting these not cause I'm nice, but cause I'm tired of seeing the same damn mistakes repeated over and over. 1. Don't even mail NW Guilds saying you have a guild until you have 20 members. Being forced to have a Tales folder only looks cheesy and discourages interest, especially from veteran players. If you can't find 20 people willing to follow you, you probably ought to rethink forming a guild. 2. Once NW Guilds agrees to create your folder in the Unsanctioned area, ask him when you can expect to have it open. Knowing roughly when your folder will open will keep the first 15 posts of your new guild from being outsiders saying "I posted here first!" 3. Read everything. Know every duty required of an Unsanctioned GM. You are required to submit a guild roster to NW Guilds the first of every month. Send it in 4-5 days early if you're smart. You are required to post once every 7 days. However, if that's all you're willing to post, give it up. The ideal GM with goals of sanctioned status should be posting at least every other day. 4. Don't go crazy appointing AGMs. One GM and one AGM are fine for guilds of 12-15. You won't need a second AGM until you get 16-20 members. Likewise, if you're establishing a lawful guild with a structured tier of member hierarchies, don't make more positions than you have members to fill (you don't need 15 Demon Prince positions when you only have 12 members). 5. Post your guild charter at least once a month. The allows people to learn about your guild without having to go back through 60 days of messages. It also serves to remind your newer membership of exactly what is expected of them. 6. Events are required in order to get sanctioned. Not only that, they're great ways to publicize. However, don't fall into the rut of thinking that your guild's events need to resemble in any way the events held by the staff. Got a PvP guild? Pick a date to storm the Sewers. E-Mail NW Events at least one week in advance and you might even be able to get a banner. Got a RP Guild? Arrange (and publicize!) a night of role-play in the Nightsedge Inn. Not only are events good publicity, they're also a great way to make your members more enthusiastic about the guild. 7. Activity is important beyond all else. Your members are all new. Most of them don't know each other. They do know you, though. So get into the game as often as you can. In any guild's early months the GM must be the most active individual. If they don't see you playing, chances are they won't play either. If you can't be in the game 4 days a week you cannot sustain an active guild! 8. To prefix or not to prefix? A prefix is an easily identifiable acronym placed at the start of each guild members name (ITB, ABK, MECH, V). Opinions on prefixes are mixed. Veteran players will often dismiss prefix guilds as being inconsequential, and will often not even think of joining one. However, the ability to do an in-game "List" command ( /L ) is advantageous for seeing who's playing. 9. Restrain yourself from excessive recruitment. Having 25 active members who all know each other and play together is better than 50 semi-active members. Examine your roster every month as you submit it to NW Guilds. Make note of who plays often, who plays occasionally, and who almost never plays. Feel free to boot the inactive ones. Send them one warning letter and if you do not see noticable, dramatic improvement send a polite, but firm letter saying they may reapply when they can dedicate more time to the guild. Most will understand. In addition, such evaluations make the members of your guild feel prouder to be a part of an organization that only keeps skilled and/or dedicated members, rather than a guild that just has "names on a list." 10. Have a unique, but not a foreign theme for your guild. Basing your guild on outside sources (non-AD&D) will gain you some quick members, fans of those games, books, etc., but will again make veteran players sneer. It also tends to make your role-play exclusive, as only fans of the books/game you're basing your guild on will feel inclined to interact with you. Being a GM is not easy, but if you do it right and keep it simple it can be fun. In my experience, 9 out of 10 problems that a GM will face he causes himself. The best GM's seem to do little because they are planning ahead. If yer gonna do something, do it right. Neurosis KAAOS(submitted by: Adonaste) A little piece of advice for the younglings as they learn to "dance" with the beholders. Always memorize a two invisibility spells. Once the battle has begun and the dance is unfolding...you will find that extra invis extremely handy. This will allow you to move to safety, re-mirror, heal, and if you're in an area where one of those nasty drow maybe lurking...globe. Adonaste Streeaka Sarol --BDA--(submitted by: JDstar1) 100 Help Wanted Clerical ;> Mid level priest available for afternoons as expert healer. Make your next campaign a sure winner with the help of a professional healer! Guarenteed to be effective or your jewels back! !00% satisfaction guarenteed! Makes a great gift! etc... etc... jdStar1(submitted by: Kamsa) Now that there are more and more new players in NWN there is an ever more pressing want and need to head to the dracs. And Everyone heads for the Vilnask dracs, but aren't ya tired of those long lines and the endless waiting to get in to get your magical items or experience??? Perhaps some of you little more than a newbies have ventured to crossergate for those dracs, but yet again another line. During the wee night hours ya might head to Windy Cliffs and pray that you are one of the few who gets in on a trig there. Wouldn't ya rather try something new or something different?? There are many other drac fights, and they can give ya the magic items and experience ya newbies need so badly. At night ya can travel to the Lost Hills, and head to spot 15,1, where you will face 3 Dracs, 2 mummies and a handful of banshees. now if ya solo this fight it will give ya an astounding 70,000 exp. Perhaps you would like to venture elsewhere like perhaps the west woods through nightsedge. in the woods you have a choice of fighting the day time dracs at 6,4, or during the night at 9,5. The daytime dracs consist of 6 dracs and some banshees, this fight yield a whopping 88 thousand exp., the night time dracs are paired with earth elemental and gives over 100 thousand exp. and if ya wish to venture to a different part of woods then head to the south west woods at night time and go to spot 6,14 and you will find drachs, banshees and basilisks. Sounds better than long lines huh??? Only one problem each of these dracs are in pvp areas and ya might have to fight some other characters instead of just dracs. So I suggest ya get big parties and try your luck. Getting there and surviving is up to you, but if ya can you might lose the dubious title of Newbie. Kamsa ya friendly devil(submitted by: CW Arc) For those of you who, als, are classified as Newbs, the wretched term, I have a few hints for you. That mechanical man, don't follow him. The ITB helper, he wants to lead you for more than the good feeling inside... That man at the vaults, make sure you get his item before you trade yours! Join a guild... No, don't try and join MECH or ITB, but join a guild such as ABK, LOK, SUN, etc... as soon as you are halfway to maxxing. This will speed up your maxxing, and give you quite a few companions. Read message boards, every message on them before you post a reply, you might make a fool out of yourself if you don't! Don't start posting heavily until you do have an okay background in the game, or risk the dreaded newb name calling... You needn't have a clam to start with, but know that your ft/th/ma isn't going to be rocking at the arena, that he will be a quester... Finish every quest you can, they not only give you items, they teach you the Realms... Know that when you cuss, but leave out a letter and add a * or ! or @ or # or etc.. it is called masking, and still a TOS violation.. ofr that matter read the TOS again, just to be sure you didn't miss anything... Most of all, the only rule I have found to be one-hundred percent needed is that everyone must have fun!(submitted by: Kai Thei) newbie - (nu' bee) n. sing. Also 'newb', 'newbee'. 1) A brand new, untested, untried, and generally useless character in Neverwinter Nights. 2) Anyone lacking in even the most basic game knowledge, despite the fact that practically everything a player needs to know can be found in the documentation. (Hint) 3) A player with hundreds of thousands or millions of experience points, who still wanders around asking bonehead question because they didn't read the documentation, either. (Hint again) 4) Anyone, regardless of experience and however well meaning, who leads parties of new characters "to the dracs". 5) Anyone, regardless of experience, who begs at the vaults. 6) Anyone, regardless of experience, who cannot stay IC, or doesn't even know what that means. Type 6 newbie commonly gets offended by roleplay, abuses the musical note symbol to type out the lyrics of popular songs, and can be found most often at the Vilnask dracs whining incessantly because it's full. 7) Anyone, regardless of experience, who is not reading this, or has never read the News. Type 7 also never reads the boards. Come to think of it, this means they never post either, so Type 7 may be a blessing in disguise. Avoiding being a newbie is surprisingly easy, and demands only minimal intelligence. I know this is asking a lot from some people. Main Rule: Keep your mouth shut. As in don't talk. As in the less you talk, the less you'll say something stupid, beg, whine, annoy other players, and generally make a fool of yourself. The biggest newbie giveaway is the need for mindless babble. Have a nice day. KaiGimme a Scoop! Enter the weekly News of the Realm contest by submitting text for publishing. If your Announcement, Article, Helpful Hint, NW Abby Question, Poem, Fiction, or Tidbit wins, you'll have won your choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes)! Submit all text to screenname: NW NEWS. <><><><><> <><><><><> MONTHLY CONTEST!! Win Pearls for your Guild! Participate in the monthly News of the Realms "Newsworthy" contest. Each month, 4 pearls will be awarded to the account of the Guild with the most "newsworthy" articles for that month! We're looking for works of art, articles of fine literature, helpful hints of extraordinary brilliance, poetic works which stir the soul, etc. The key word here is "newsworthy"... only articles with substance will be counted in the contest! To participate you need to: - Indicate with your submission the name of your SANCTIONED guild. Only sanctioned Guilds are presently eligible to receive pearls for a Guild pearl account. - Write something! <><><><><> <><><><><>