Kelfour Edition volume III number I
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Plan Ahead for those Hot Summer Nights! Page 2 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
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| GemStone III'S June 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.1 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| _ _ / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| /_\ /_\ ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| |o| _______ |o|(__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| | |/ _ \| |___) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| |o|___/_\___|o| |
| |. ..|O| . . | The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| ~| . | | .|~ |
| .*.|____|_|____|.*. . |
|__________\ \________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| ......................... Local News ....................... 1 |
| Level Six ..................................... Stanyon Sting 1 |
| Hot Summer Nights Agenda ................... from Simutronics 2 |
| Annual Hall of Fame ........................................ 3 |
| Hear Ye! Oh, Newcomers to Kulthea! ............ Stanyon Sting 4 |
| High Sorcery, Part One: Path to Power .... Dartaghan Darkstar 6 |
| Rolled Rat and Kobold Kabobs ................. Sargon Garenth 8 |
| Tentative Open Essence Spell List .......................... 9 |
| Compendium of Magic Items ...... Libraries House |{nightsaber 10 |
| First Blood .................................. Thantis Azzurn 12 |
| Reaan's Gift ............. Amelda Heronheart & Inyigo Montoya 13 |
| The Story of My Coming ...................... Iomadh Dauphin 14 |
| The Old Man and the Wight Lord ........ Elminester Silvanisty 15 |
| Love Mourns Eternal ........................... Elyria Blythe 17 |
| Regrets ....................................... Feckly Fecund 19 |
| Symbols and Lies, Conclusion ......... Lord Whilder Planrathe 22 |
| Corruption in Kulthea ................ Miss Louvella Parsnips 26 |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Assistant Editors Kalagay Halatil or Lady Rune Arundel, or |
| Publisher Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| Banner letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
LOCAL NEWS
~~~~~~~~~~
Maps & Reference Charts Wands & Runes Modified
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Popular Ranger Zepath Edgewater has Tests by local residents have con-
assembled his vast collection of firmed that wands and runes began
Kulthean reference materials includ- functioning similarly late this
ing highly detailed maps of all month. It appears that the realm is
accessible hunting areas near town now based upon profession. Modi-
along with charts describing known fiers have been determined:
traits of monsters in one handy
tome. Available in GIF for ALL -30 Spell not in your realm.
types of PCs and ready to print, -20 Spell is in your realm but not
this material is contained in File on a list you can learn
#28 GIFMAPS8.LZH from the GemStone +10 Spell is in one of your lists,
Library, Option 8 on Page 930. but you do not know it yet
+30 You know the Spell
Index to KE: Volume 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gone are +/-60 possibilities, and
This Kelfour Edition marks the first runes are now more accessible to the
issue of our third volume or year of various professions.
publication. Newcomers to town
often find back issues of value, and _________________________________
an index to articles published last / \
year (Volume 2) is in the final | Hot Summer Nights! |
stages of assembly by Thantis Azzurn | Events & Contests: Next Page |
as we go to press. Watch for it soon \_________________________________/
in the GemStone III Library.
The upcoming Index to Volume 2 is Level Six
similar in design and scope to that ~~~~~~~~~
for KE's first year, Volume 1, which by Stanyon Sting
is available in the MPGRT Library as
File 248 KEINDEX1.TXT. Nearly 200 Hear this tale, I will be brief
player-written articles are cross- On what it's like to be a Thief
referenced by type, author and Tis a pretty fix I'm in
subject, accompanied by the file For levels 1-5 I've been
name/number of the KE in which each Now, at level six, I fear
was published to help you select My mind seems always fresh and clear
which back issues would be most Hillies my sword will break
valuable to your collection. Cavers put my soul at stake
And they who once put me to the test
Natasha's Guide to Kulthea Gobs and Lorcs are now but pests
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forest Trolls can still be fun
Now returned from faraway travels, And Greater Orcs are on the run
well-known Healer Natasha Cheridin But even these are little risks
visited the Kelfour Edition Building I dream of Golems and Basilisks
recently. Her mission was research- To hear the Black Stalkers howl
ing the morgue files to verify facts To slay Werebears on the prowl
and details for an upcoming revision I'm told tales of Spider Priests
of her famous Guide to Kulthea. And Unlife having a living feast
My heart is high
Natasha's Updated Guide to Kulthea For I know one day
will be available from the GemStone The hour is nigh
Library soon. Be sure to keep the When I join the fray
file number handy for recommending Heaven it will seem to me
to newcomers to our lands. When level seven I will be
-1-
Spend those Hot Summer Nights in Kulthea!
Contests, Prizes, Special Events throughout August!
Hot Summer Nights Agenda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August (Schedule subject to change)
Sat/1: One-Night Quest, Conducted by Lord Bardon
Sun/2: Kickoff of the Kelfourian Assassins' Guild Game, to run entire month
Mon/3: Beginning Night of Kulthean Olympics and Carnival
Tue/4: Newbie Night + Olympics continue
Wed/5: Town Forum + Olympics continue
Thu/6: Olympics continue
Fri/7: Olympics continue with Lord Bardon's Water Tunnel Races!
Sat/8: Olympics conclude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun/9: Full-scale auction, with different level tents
Mon/10: Bardic Song and Prose contest
Tue/11: Newbie Night
Wed/12: Town Forum ____________________
Thu/13: MiniEvent, run by Giacomo /\ \
Fri/14: Merchant Ship visits Kelfour's landing. \@| Find REAL Gems |
Sat/15: Event (maze), run by Kygar. | |
-----------------------------------------------------| In Kulthea |
Sun/16: Gladitorial Games | |
Mon/17: ASCII art showcase/contest | Throughout the |
Tue/18: Newbie Night | |
Wed/19: Town Forum /@| Month of August! |
Thu/20: Blank \/____________________/
Fri/21: Kickoff of Game-wide Scavenger Hunt
Sat/22: Conclusion of Game-wide Scavenger Hunt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun/23: Begin Major Quest (registration may be necessary)
Mon/24: Continue Major Quest
Tue/25: Continue Major Quest (possible Newbie Night)
Wed/26: Continue Major Quest (possible Town Forum)
Thu/27: Continue Major Quest
Fri/28: Continue Major Quest
Sat/29: Final Group runs of Major Quest
Sun/30: Conclusion of month-long Assassins' Game/Awards Ceremony
+ Opening of New Area to public.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Olympics in the first week will include events like skinning and lock-
picking contests, GM dunking, brawling contests, pole vaulting, etc.
The Kelfourian Assassins' Guild Game will be a sort of 'tag' wherein players
"assassinate" targets. Skill, luck, and not a little cunning required.
Complete rules for the Bardic, ASCII Art and Composition Contests are on the
MPGRT Bulletin Board. To read ONLY that message, enter MOVE 1045;1 on
GEnie, then enter SET 20 at the prompt, followed by REA 3 62. Some entries
must be submitted by July 31st. Read the rules if you plan to enter.
The Scavenger Hunt will require hunting throughout Kulthea for items on
lists. The first few players returning completed lists will win prizes!
The Quest during the last week of August will take place in an area which
will be opened on the last day of the month.
-2-
__________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/________________________________________________________________________/
| |
| FIGHTER Lvl THIEF Lvl |===========COMMON MAN==|
|-------------------------------------------------|Beolost Lamontt 19|
| Ise Ikiryo 22 Moonpie Legend 24 |Sauren Tessar 13|
| Benar Stormarm 21 Valeria Deering 22 |Silent Mydnyghte 10|
| Gilthor Longblade 21 Artuero Bresnahanini 22 |Rowena Ookami 8|
| Waldo2 Ptolomy 21 Mikhail Minnehan 22 |Saar Halinot 4|
| Kirk Bloodguard 20 Camorra Amandaus 21 |=============HIGH MAN==|
| Garret Faerghhail 17 Griffun Skyborne 21 |Benar Stormarm 21|
| Angeleyes DuLac 15 Laeg Cearnach 20 |Gilthor Longblade 21|
| Peat Sallixto 13 Kyrenis Windrider 19 |Queron Kinevan 20|
| Eyashusa Donestaya 13 Feckly Fecund 18 |Balm Loydrich 18|
|_Dirac de Montegilt 13 Winter Moorsland 17 |Angeleyes DuLac 15|
/------------------------------------------------|=============HALF ELF==|
| MAGE CLERIC |Kayla Kyndhart 28|
|-------------------------------------------------|Fxg Lyon 27|
| Odds Bodkins 27 Taarna Wayfinder 26 |Rhys Corwinson 26|
| Lose Soulblaster 26 Sindar d'Clairique 22 |Taarna Wayfinder 26|
| Dagmar Istarii 25 Bashir Mskshadhvar 21 |Dagmar Istarii 25|
| Certain Justice 23 Redeye Kielsson 20 |=============WOOD ELF==|
| Elminester Silvan..23 Ardneh Cormorant 20 |Baram Lightclad 23|
| Whilder Planrathe 23 Lohann McCloud 20 |Joqain Denark 20|
| Baram Lightclad 23 Lairaerrykthrok Tyki..20 |Zhuge Liang 18|
| Dartaghan Darkstar 23 Michealoos Duraderos 19 |Mithil Wyerla 17|
| Karel Tasavalta 22 Zinderin Paxton 18 |Kaylin Darkmoor 16|
|_Griffin Skywave 22 Tory Sterlington 17 |=============HIGH ELF==|
/------------------------------------------------|Strom O'Berin 37|
| HEALER BARD |Eol Elmoth 11|
|-------------------------------------------------|Soulsavr Truespel 8|
| Strom O'Berin 37 Enegue LionHeart 20 |Maia Moonsong 6|
| Kayla Kyndhart 28 Vshaal hiJneksha's 16 |Aquarin Howenthorne 5|
| Rhys Corwinson 26 Mendle Seldagrave 16 |=============FAIR ELF==|
| Chardros Grax 25 Balladeer Carpentere 12 |Lose Soulblaster 26|
| Caretaker D'Boldh 22 Damiano Faustas 11 |Chardros Grax 25|
| Balm Loydrich 18 Elladan Palarran 10 |Certain Justice 23|
| Vesitsa Talchild 17 Ringo Hobson 9 |Valeria Deering 22|
| Unum LUX 16 Lorien Silvanesti 7 |Artuero Bresnahanini 22|
| Woundhealer odlaw 16 Thundarii Kregen 7 |=============DWARF=====|
|_Mystal Darkshado 15 Darksaul Payne 7 |Caretaker D'BoldHome 22|
/------------------------------------------------|Vesitsa Talchild 17|
| RANGER SORCERER |Vshaal hiJneksha's 16|
|-------------------------------------------------|Hilgavolkas LaJolla 9|
| Fxg Lyon 27 Enigma Sirillian 21 |Brand Brandenburg 9|
| Yuri Hanbidt 24 Queron Kinevan 20 |=============HALFLING==|
| Maruko Ashimine 22 Airioch Ramthanodox 20 |Odds Bodkins 27|
| Nastrom Trevin 22 Isei Ikazuchi 19 |Dartaghan Darkstar 23|
| Talon Elissidil 21 Mithil Wyerla 17 |Griffin Skywave 22|
| Rune Arundel 20 Vlad Drakulya 16 |Enigma Sirillian 21|
| Landreth deLorde 20 Warmajere DrakesBane 13 |Artemis Al~Anhir 21|
| Arborius Draginson 20 Fallon Slaaon 12 |=======================|
| Gallenod Varynesti 20 Coen Ni'shaang 11 | Congratulations |
| Artaq Congress 19 Eol Elmoth 11 | To All! |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
/| Annual Hall of Fame by Profession and Race as of May 28, 1992 |
\/________________________________________________________________________/
-3-
Hear Ye! Oh, Newcomers to Kulthea!
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ________ \ by Stanyon Sting
\@| ~|_|~~|| |
| |~|_|~~ |
_| |~|-|__ | TIQUETTE IN TOWN: Give gifts! Healers always can use
/@| |~|__|| | Most citizens gather your extra crystal amulets to keep
\_/ ~~~~~~~~ / in the Temple, as it on the "net" and thus be available
~~~~~~~~~~~ is easy to get to and to critically injured players who
is renowned for its virtue in exper- are not able to make it back to the
ience absorption and power point temple. Non-magic types can donate
regeneration. When many are present any runes they find to rune-trained
to socialize and transact business, characters. No one in Kulthea can
"whisper" your private conversations prosper on his own, and considerate
so as not to disturb others with behavior at early levels can make
your inconsequential utterings. the difference between Life and
Death in Kulthea, as well as making
Found a chest? You may unlock its true and long-lasting friendships.
secrets here. Many kindly thieves
are willing to risk life and limb ETIQUETTE OUTSIDE THE GATE: When
for your enrichment. While I charge you encounter another character in
not for my services, I do advise battle with a monster, DO NOT join
offering your chest champion some the fray unless invited to do so.
money for the sake of politeness. It is polite to ask if the
Beleaguer not the good thief to open adventurer needs any help. Often
all your things on demand as soon as you get a nod to join and, presto,
he or she enters the room, but find you have a hunting partner.
time to greet this selfless citizen.
You may thus avoid paying that das- Do not frivol time away with
tard locksmith who preys upon your questions when you come upon some
pocketbook like a rabid navigator. unfortunate who is stunned or prone
Happy am I to pick chests for any with a monster in the room. Use the
soul, but once in a while my own "DRAG" command to save the victim's
business at hand beckons me first. life. Know the room exits and type
DRAG (name of character) N or S or
Healers are found here, too! The whatever the exit is. Rooms with no
juxtaposition of hopes within these obvious exits do not allow dragging.
talented people is mighty strange In this case, advise the person to
indeed. They hope for injuries to QUIT and come back a little later
fall upon us so they may increase when the monster is gone. If there
their skills through experience. is no response then stay, and maybe
Yet, at the same time, they show the monster will attack you instead.
compassion for us by taking our Saving someone's life is a wonderful
injuries upon themselves! Honor them way to introduce yourself. ;)
unremittingly, for they are always
on the lookout for people who need When you come across a group of
their help. adventurers, it is mannerly to ask
if you may join them. However, a
Friendly spell users will bestow rejection here is not necessarily
upon you some extra DB or OB with contemptible behavior on their
their spell craft if they take a part. They may be too many. They
liking to you and want you to be may be higher level characters on
safe outside the gate. The best way their way to a place too dangerous
in Kulthea to achieve all your goals for you to hunt. They may be lower
as fast as possible is to make level players who will be hunting
friends. The simple 'thank you' for in places you have outgrown.
any favor goes a long way to achieve Remember, though, there is safety in
fast friendships. numbers, especially since it is
-4- More...
likely you will meet death sometime quickly as possible to wait for the
in your career. next attack, and so on. It is an
effective way to fight, but the
YOU JUST BIT THE DUST! You are risks are great. If the monster
dead. If you are killed by some catches you at parry 0 before you
lucky monster, you drop whatever get a chance to change back to
you are carrying in your hands, parry 100...ACK! Some monsters are
most likely your shield and weapon. too fast for you to use this method.
If you are in a party, others can I suggest parry tagging only in a
recover your stuff to return to group until you are familiar with
you. You will (we hope) be raised the various monsters and how
by some wonderful cleric, or quickly they attack.
(preferably not) depart from your
body and re-appear in the temple Because time is of the essence in
sans all your equipment. parry tag, using macros is crucial
to your survival. Most communication
If you have died alone, you have systems allow you to use macros, and
four minutes to linger above your I really advise it. Macros enable
body hoping someone will come by to you to invoke commands without typ-
help. After four minutes, you will ing more than a stroke or two. The
depart, leaving ALL your belongings time saved may be the difference
behind. You then reappear in the between life and death in parry tag.
Temple, provided you have honored
Eissa with a deed on your record. SURVIVAL TIPS: Oh boy, a chest!
At first level there is no penalty When gathering treasure in the
for dying (up to five deaths), but wilds outside of Kelfour's Landing,
after that you can suffer grievous ALWAYS put away your shield and NOT
harm to your statistics. your weapon. At Parry 100, all your
weapon bonus goes into your defen-
I suggest that if you have been sive posture. When you put your
obliterated, you wait about three weapon away, you lose all that bonus
minutes in the hope that someone and thus are vulnerable to an attack
may pass by who will get help. If from whatever whatever may walk into
no one comes, then quit the game the room. The only exception to
and go to the MPGAMES RoundTable this rule would be for the level one
Conference. GemStone has its own player whose OB is actually less
room in the Multi-Player Games than a shield's DB bonus.
RoundTable, Room 9 - The GemStone
Temple Room. Other poor souls may FINDING AN ITEM: When groups of
be waiting there, and clerics check hunters find such special items as a
in now and then. If someone does Ruby Amulet or a Black Storm Blade,
look in, be sure to mention your and everyone wants it, then it is
plight to get help. Deaths are customary to "roll" for it. Players
announced throughout the land to put their weapons away (please go to
every player, so if a companion of a safe place before you do this),
yours gets wind of your premature parry at 100, and attack each other
demise, most likely they will go once. Whoever rolls the highest
meet you in the RTC to see if they number with the 100 sided dice wins
can help. This is another example the item. This is fun because
of how developing friendships is attacking your friends is something
crucial to success in GemStone. you don't normally want to do. Be a
good sport and congratulate the
BATTLE TIPS: Parry tag is played winner for being so fortunate unless
thus: "Parry" at 100 when the of course, you win (yeah!).
monster attacks you. Quickly
"parry" at 0 to attack the monster. TESTING AN ITEM: Ok, you have this
Return to parry 100 again as special item. Now what? The first
-5- [Continued on Page 7]
High Sorcery Part One: Path to Power
_______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____\ by Dartaghan Darkstar
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| |hy on Kulthea would I still pay homage to that gifted
/@| _|__/ \__|_| anyone in their young sorcerer, I believe his name
\_/_____________/ right mind want to was Ishmael, who devised the current
be a sorcerer? A young sorcerer can power point regeneration formula
barely defeat a torkaan in single used by GemStone. Prior to Sept.
combat and that's only if s/he uses of 1990, spellcasters regenerated
a sword. What could be more path- one power point every two minutes in
etic than a youngster trying to use the field and two at an earth node.
magic to blast a rotten tempered That meant that all spell- casters
sheep and getting - rather than a would regenerate powers at the same
pelt - a bad case of slurred speech? rate no matter what level. Now,
While this daunting scenario dis- thanks to Ishmael, that level fifty
courages most people from trying sorcerer gets ten power points per
sorcery, it is not the whole story. cycle in the field and 20 at a node.
The current formula allows a spell-
The real truth, known only by the caster to regenerate 10% of her
maniacal practitioners of high sor- maximum power points in the field,
cery, is that the rewards of high and 20% at an earth node.
sorcery are as great as the road to
them are forbidding, not to mention Base Attack Spells (such as the
prolonged. Some experienced practi- sorcerer's Touch of Disruption) use
tioners of the trade like Airioch, Base Attack Rolls (BAR). When a sor-
Enigma, Queron and others have cerer casts a Base Attack spell, a
discovered that their magical attack 100-sided die is rolled and the
spells are beginning to be very result is referred to as the unmod-
effective in destroying their prey. ified BAR. Then the caster's level
It is still true, however, that even is added, along with other modifi-
at level 20, sorcerers are still cations due to magic or armor worn
unable to hunt alone effectively and by the caster, to the unmodified BAR
do best in larger hunting parties. to get the modified BAR. The target
But by the time they reach level 30, then rolls a 100-sided die for its
these sorcerers will be as powerful unmodified Resistance Roll (RR).
as any other player of like level no Any added resistance such as that
matter what profession he or she may provided by magic or armor, es-
be, and may even be able to solo as pecially metal based armor, is then
well. And no one, not even the most added to that D100 roll.
powerful Hobbit mage will be able to
challenge them with impunity once If the target's modified Resistance
they reach Legend status (level 50). Roll (RR) is less than sorcerer's
modified BAR, then the target fails
This metamorphosis is possible due to resist the attack. It then rolls
to two unique features of the Role another D100 die to see which criti-
Master/GemStone magic system: The cal it will be hit with from the
bane/blessing of Base Attack Spells Critical Tables used by GemStone.
(BAS), the source of the sorcerer's Therein lies the secret behind the
power, and its use of the Base metamorphosis of the wimpy sorcery
Attack Roll (BAR) combined with the practiced by low level sorcerers to
incredible increase in the number of the near-omnipotent power of High
power points available to high level Sorcery: While the Sorcerer's level
sorcerers. A level five sorcerer is is added to his Base attack roll,
likely to have a maximum of ten the target's level is not! This
power points while a level fifty translates to a level five sorcerer
Legend will probably have 100 plus. only getting a Level Bonus of 5
-6- More...
while a level fifty sorcerer gets a Hear Ye! [Continued from Page 5]
bonus of 50! If the caster and the ~~~~~~~~
target are the same level, all the thing you do is pick it up and drop
sorcerer needs is a modified BAR of it. Sometimes an item is cursed, in
+51 over the modified RR roll of the which case you will not be able to
target to tag it! drop it; then you will need a cleric
to uncurse it for you.
If you crave to be the ultimate des-
troyer and are undaunted by the Ok, you know it's not cursed, 'cause
prolonged apprenticeship and forbid- you can drop it. Now what? You can
ding road to high sorcery, go for it test it in the field (or you can get
today! The sooner you start, the a friend to test it for you if you
sooner you will reach that legendary are not sure how), to see if it has
status where you will be able to any special qualities in combat.
cast killer spells all day and your You can look at it, search it, wear
targets will virtually be unable to it, rub it, wave it, invoke it, kick
resist your powerful sorcery. it, and generally try anything to
see what special properties it might
Disclaimer have. Some people in the land are
~~~~~~~~~~ quite experienced in item lore and
Practice High Sorcery at your own may have seen something like this
risk. Neither KE's Staff nor the one before. So ask around.
author will be responsible for the
mental health or lack thereof of The surest way to examine this item
anyone who starts down the road to is to test it at the "Crystal." The
High Sorcery and ends up just as crystal is located in a secret room
demented as s/he is powerful. Con- in the Abandoned Inn located at the
sider carefully not only the skill end of hill troll country. Do not
and persistence necessary to attain try to go there alone unless you
high sorcery but also the depth of can face hill trolls that wield two-
the pockets required. handed swords, and unless you can
stand off the wraiths in the inn.
Coming in the next KE: High Sorcery
Part Two: Guide to Power -- Your So you somehow have made it to the
Guide to Rolling and Developing the crystal. Hold the item in your left
Ultimate Destroyer. hand and touch the crystal with
_________________________________ your bare right hand. If sparks run
/ \\ across the item, then it has some
| || magical properties. "No sparks, no
| Free Weekends in Kulthea! || magic" is generally the rule. Beams
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ || shooting off an item are a good sign
| Hunting Binge, Honeymoon or just || of power.
| Happy Daze... Play from 6PM ||
| Friday to 8AM Monday (your local || Shaalk, laen, ET'D stuff, and other
| time) in the ShadowWorld of || enchanted materials will all have a
| GemStone III -- FREE -- on the || beam with a unique color. An item's
| Weekend of your choice! || approximate number of charges is
| || indicated by the sound it plays
| How? By contributing to Kelfour || when you touch the crystal. A few
| Edition. Send GE Mail to Phaedra || people in the Land have studied the
| Bleu (P.HERRINGTON) for details. || crystal, and I suggest you find them
| || and consult with them to decipher
\________________________________// these color and sound codes for you.
-7-
Rolled Rat and Kobold Kabobs
______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____ \ by Sargon Garenth
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| |ere's a tasty little dish, the first in a series for those
/@| _|~| |~|_ | of you who wonder what to do with pesky creatures after
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / you've successfully skinned them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ingredients:
~~~~~~~~~~~~ _______________________________
1 kobold /\ \
1 giant rat \@| Note |
1 large onion or a dozen miniatures | |
2 large tomatoes or a dozen cherries | If you lack the culinary |
2 large green peppers | boldness to sample properly |
2 large potatoes or a dozen small | prepared rat or kobold, |
purple-skinned potatoes | common beefsteak may be |
1 package toothpicks | substituted for fillets. |
4 skewers (minimum) /@| |
\/______________________________/
Procedure:
~~~~~~~~~~
1. Kill, skin and gut kobold and rat.
2. Fillet both into 4 inch by 6 inch rectangles minimum; the larger the
better. Trim fillets until they are 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
3. Chop vegetables fine to personal preference. Thin strips also work.
4. Prepare meat to taste. Suggestions include:
a. plain f. barbecue sauce
b. salt and pepper g. curry sauce
c. soy sauce h. cajun sauce
d. garlic and onion salt i. any desirable combo
e. allspice of the above.
5. Marinade fillets a few hours in a good wine of your choice to soften
the meat and make it chewable.
6. Lay fillets flat on a plate.
7. Mix vegetables in a large bowl.
8. Place an appropriate amount of mixed vegetables lengthwise in each
fillet. Roll fillet over vegetables until a sort of enchilada or meat
roll is formed.
9. Pinch and secure both ends of each meat roll with toothpicks.
10. Skewer the meat roll. When done properly, the bulge of vegetables
should be below the skewer when the skewered meat roll is held
parallel to the flat ground. This, along with the toothpicks securing
each end, prevents the juices from leaking out during cooking.
11. Barbecue skewers parallel to flat ground until done.
12. Serve and enjoy.
-8-
____________________________________________________________________
/\ \
\@| |
| Tentative Open Essence Spell List |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| See MPGRT Bulletin Board for Discussion. |
|___________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Guarding I (401) Dispell Magic (412) |
| +10 To RRS, and -10 to Dispell a prepared spell, |
| Elemental attack types. magical effect or PPS. |
| |
| Presence (402) Bladeturn (413) |
| Reveals Hidden/Invisible Target gets phys OB penalty |
| characters/creatures equal to caster's level. |
| |
| Locklore (403) Essence Strike (414) |
| +10, +1 per/lvl for lock- Magical RR attack |
| picking (1/2 effect on |
| others) Telepathy (415) |
| Telepathic communication |
| Traplore (404) between two people. |
| As Locklore but for |
| Disarm skill Essence Armor (416) |
| Creates a suit of magical |
| Essence Bolt (405) armor. |
| Attack vs RR |
| True Strike (417) |
| Guarding II (406) Plus to magic and phys OB |
| +10 to Physical DB equal to casters level. |
| |
| Detect Magic (407) Gather Flows (418) |
| Detects spells on people Create a temporary Earthnode. |
| and objects |
| Mass Guarding (419) |
| Word of Opening (408) +20 to physical and magical |
| IN Bonus % to open a DB of a group. |
| locked container or door. |
| Imbed Spell (420) |
| Word of Disarming (409) Create a magical item. |
| IN Bonus % to disarm trap. (Example: wand) |
| |
| Essence Blade (410) Guarding True (425) |
| Creates a magical blade, Plus of caster level to |
| plus of caster's level. Magic DB, Phys DB and RRs. |
| |
| Essence Shield (411) Drain Power (430) |
| Creates a magical shield, Drain PPs from another. |
| plus of caster's level. |
| |
| Flow Riding (450) |
| Magical transportation |
_| to an Earthnode. |
/@| |
\/___________________________________________________________________/
-9-
Compendium of Magic Items
_______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____\ From the Libraries of
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| House |{nightsaber
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | ands, staves, and A Quicksilver Potion - Foul-smelling
/@| _|__/ \__|_| magic items of potion with unknown properties.
\_/_____________/ might in Kulthea:
A Faded Yellow Page - This page was
A Glass Orb - This sphere radiates a ripped from a long lost book. It
magical energy. It appears fragile allows the owner to cast the
and of little use. Our scholars are Invisibility spell.
in the dark on its properties.
A Chalky Potion - This was created
An Amulet of Warding - Allows its by a wandering mage who was feeling
owner to cast Wall of Force. Simi- homesick for his own lands. It
lar to the power in ruby amulets. tastes terrible, but its effect is
highly addictive. Similar to the
A Wand of Untrammeling - This wand crystal amulets in Kulthea, these
creates a beam of intense heat, cast ESP powers in the ancient land
which melts any webs which stick to of Elanthia.
a fellow adventurer.
Willow Staff - This staff is a staff
A Lead and Copper Staff - A fine of Untrammelling. Destroys webs.
looking staff, it is made of lead
and copper, which gives it a golden Swirling Amulet - This casts Rapid
and silver shine. Fire when rubbed.
A Talisman of Discernment - This Scarlet Amulet - Similar to the ruby
little item casts the spell Presence amulets, these cast the open
when rubbed. It helps search out channeling spell Wall of Force.
invisible and hidden persons. However, these offer more charges.
A Holy Icon - A holy symbol which An Ash Wand - A dark red wand which
casts Lifekeeping I. tosses massive fireballs when waved.
Crystal Ball - A clear, colorless Carved Idol of Eissa - Another cler-
crystal, expertly cut and polished ical item, also casts Lifekeeping.
to be perfectly spherical. Known to
possess some magic. Eog Holy Symbol - This symbol aids
the wielder in destroying mid-level
A Glass Wand - A wand made from undead monsters.
clear glass. It seems to have a
perpetual lightning storm raging A Holy Relic - Casts Lifegiving I.
inside and releases lightning bolts It gives the owner the ability to
when waved at a target. call upon a deity to raise a fallen
comrade.
A Crystal Wand - A wand made of pure
crystal. It is smooth and clear and A Willow Wand - Casts Dispell II.
casts the spell Water Bolt. Similar to the eog holy symbol, this
item lets the owner cast Repel
A Black Crystal Rod - About a foot Undead II.
long, it seems to absorb all light.
When waved, it casts Fear. A Staff of Light - Casts light(?)
Scholars at House Knightsaber are
A Shimmering Potion - This concoc- not positive about its effects.
tion looks very pure, comforting,
and cleansing. More...
-10-
Golden Anhk - This powerful relic Holy Shards - Properties unknown.
casts the spell Lifegiving True.
You need skill in channeling to use Spirit Wands - These mysterious
this wand. wands cast Lifekeeping on fallen
comrades to allow time to find a
A Rune-Covered Steel Tube - A small powerful cleric with the abilities
tube inlaid with magical runes. to ressurect.
Casts the spell Sleep III.
Prayer Beads - Properties unknown.
A Hot Metal Tube - This tube con-
stantly gives off heat. When waved, Iron Amulet - This amulet is made of
it creates huge balls of fire. solid iron. Even though it is dull
looking, constant rubbing could
A Multihued Wand - A wand having cause it to become shinier. It also
many colors. Properties unknown. grants Strength with each rub.
An Oaken Staff - A staff made of Glass Spider - A fairly rare item
oak. Properties unknown. rumored to cast one of the sorceror
spells. Made of solid glass, this
A Blue Crystal - A pure blue crystal spider is jeweled with ruby eyes and
which casts the spell Guidance when diamond fangs.
rubbed. Its charges are rumored to
range from 1 to 30+. A Swirled Glass Amulet - Swirling
fog can be seen inside this amulet.
A Dark Laquered Wand - Cures a Rub to cast Airwall.
fellow adventurer of poison.
A Sun Wand - This shiny red-orange
Black Crystal Wand - This shiny dark wand allows any healer to create
wand made from fine crystal casts herbs needed for healing.
Fear when waved.
A Grey Potion - This plain potion
A Platinum Wand - A finely made wand casts the spell Strength when
crafted in expensive platinum. When quaffed. It gives the user a +15
pointed and waved at a target, it bonus to OB for 30 secs per level of
sends great waves of lightning bolts the user. It also tells you how
against a foe. many uses are left so you always
know how much is left.
A Red Wand - This fine piece of
magic casts deadly fireballs. A Silvery Potion - This slick potion
grants the user a minor increase in
A Willow Staff - Properties unknown. speed for a short time.
Made of willow wood.
|ZZzzz
|
|
|ZZzzz /^\ |ZZzzz
| |~~~| |
| |^^^^^^^| / \
/^\ |[]+ | |~~~|
|^^^^^^^| | +[]| | |
| +[]|/\/\/\/\^/\/\/\/\/|^^^^^^^|
|+[]+ |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| +[]|
| | [] /^\ [] |+[]+ | __________
| +[]+| [] || || [] | +[]+| -------
|[]+ | || || |[]+ |_______
___________ |_______|------------------|_______|
~~~~~~
-11-
____________ First Blood
/ \ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\\ | by Thantis Azzurn
||~| ~~ |
_||~| |==| | reetings, Kultheans! I saw nothing the dark chamber.
/@| \~\__// | Among our many pos-
\_/ ~~~~~ / sessions, perhaps our I mustered up enough courage to
~~~~~~~~~~~ most precious are our charge into the next chamber. I was
memories. The past must not be for- greeted by two glowing red eyes. A
gotten, or we are doomed to repeat giant rat, the size of the youngest
it. I remember my arrival in Kel- hobbits of my village, charged at
four's Landing... and my first hunt. me, foam drooling from its mouth.
Blocking it with my shield, I
It was a cold and blustery day when chanted the strange words to open my
a young hobbit, me, Thantis Azzurn, body to the forces of Essence and
first entered the large town of focus them into an electric bolt. I
Kelfour's Landing. The wind was swung wildly at the bloodthirsty
strong. Night was just beginning to beast, missing it by inches. It
fall upon the town. A distant charged again, nearly knocking me
cousin of mine, another Thantis over by the pure force of its
Azzurn, had been a citizen of Kel- attack. Still unharmed, I fought
four's for a time, before he on. I chanted the final word of my
departed to serve on a sailing mystic spell and let the bolt flow
expedition to parts unknown, and from me into the rat. It flew into
knowing of my intention to take up the wretched beast, burning the nose
residence in the town, left a from its evil face, and the rat's
package with the good healers in the movement ceased.
Temple of Eissa. I pulled my cloak
tight around me as I walked through I approached it, preparing to remove
the dark streets. Stopping by the it's fur coat as my prize. As I
temple, I gathered what turned out neared the body, it sprung upon me,
to be most of my cousin's old adven- sinking its teeth into the soft
turing gear; I thanked the healers flesh of my leg. Again I began my
and tipped them what little cash I incantations. I swung again with my
could afford. Settling my debits blade, cutting deep into its chest.
with the clerk of the town, I went Fresh, warm blood oozed from its
to visit the weapon smith, Tyron. wound down my blade. The feel of it
After giving me a fine, stout blade, as it reached my flesh made my skin
he told me that I might find rats in crawl. The rat, still conscious,
the town's ancient catacombs on sprung again. I "hurled" the second
which to test it. bolt at it in mid swing. The shock
stopped the poor beast's heart and
Pulling out my cousin's journal, I it fell to the earth before me. I
located the catacombs and ran to had done too much damage to save
them. The town was dark, poorly lit the pelt, but I removed one of the
by odd lanterns and torches along rat's teeth as a memento. I then
the streets. Residents scurried returned to the Temple of Eissa,
past me, caught up in their own laying upon a bench inside, to con-
affairs. (I later learned there was templated my situation. That was the
a treasure hunt in town, with the first time I killed, and the exper-
great chest I had seen outside the ience would change my life forever.
temple as a prize.) I found the odd
entrance to the catacombs in a small Looking back upon that day now, I
cul-de-sac of Keltern's Way. Grab- think how much easier my life might
bing a torch, I slung my shield off have been, had I run from the rat
my shoulder and drew my small blade. and back to my homeland. The gains
Stepping inside, I held my breath, outweigh the risks, though, and life
waiting to face fierce horrors, but is never easy.
-12-
|
._ ___ ^ ^ . . '____ ___ ___ _____
| \ | / \ / \ |\ | | | ' | | |
|=/ |== /===\ /===\ | \ | \== | __ | |== |
| \ |__ / \ / \ | \| / |__|' | | |
' ' __/ '
Poem and layout by Amelda Heronheart ASCII art by Inyigo Montoya
===========================================================================
| |
| I gave birth in a wood ############################## |
| Alone in my Time ############################## |
| To a green-eyed daughter, ##########,//;\\############## |
| Perfection #########//__ __\############ |
| #######//// .. '||########### |
| Held warm by my side ######||||| __ )|||########## |
| We communed through that night ######||||| _/ @@@@@))###### |
| With no aid from a single ######||||| @@@@@@@@^'##### |
| Direction ######||||| @@@@. . | |##### |
| #####||||||\ @@@@@ ^ / ###### |
| Until near the dawn #####|||||| \ @@@@@/ @##### |
| When I fitfully slept #####|||||| \ @@/ @@@#### |
| And I dreamed of dark gods #####|||||| \/ @@@@#### |
| And deception ####||||||| @@ @@@@@#### |
| ####||||||| @@@@@ @@@@@##### |
| I importuned Reaan ####||||||| `@@@@@@@@@@"###### |
| The Lord of the Night ####|||||||| @@@@@@@@"||###### |
| To save my young babe, ###||||||||| `@@@@@"|||###### |
| Love's conception |
| |
| Reaan's voice rasped I shall grant her support |
| In the ear of my dream As she travels the shore |
| That he'd not alter Of the darkness, |
| Predestination Unlife's incantations |
| |
| My child would be taken In a clerical robe |
| Alive from my arms With a cleric's pure soul |
| And raised mid foul beings' She will find all her needed |
| Subjugation Protection |
| |
| Amelda, he said, And she'll one day return |
| I will do what I can, To the land of her birth |
| I cannot stop this cruel To pursue yet her noble |
| Separation Profession |
| |
| But I'll grant her a gift Look you for green eyes |
| And I'll stand by her side, And for dark curly hair |
| In these ways I can offer And a pale half-elven |
| Salvation Complexion |
| |
| I shall grant her the means Your daughter shall find you |
| To defend her own mind Fear not my dear one |
| Against demons' profane She is strong, your intrepid |
| Violation Reflection |
| ___________________________________________________________________ |
| / \ \ |
| \@| Lady Phaedra Bleu, I found this parchment in the province of | |
| /@| Werebears. It appears to be of some interest.... - Aegyptia | |
| \_/_________________________________________________________________/ |
====================================13=====================================
The Story of My Coming
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Iomadh Dauphin, Unbeliever,
/ \ ____ ____\ Bearer of the White Gold
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+|
| |~\~\/~/~| |y name is Iomadh. I skin is perhaps my most striking
_| |~|\~~/|~| | am a Drow. I come feature. My skin is a uniform
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_| from the lands of glossy black. Not black in the
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ the Drow, far, far sense of the Negroes, who originate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to the southeast -- in a land I know nothing about, but
farther than you care to know, and black in the sense of night. Black
nearer than I care to remember. The as the remains of a firepit. Black
farther the better, I think; for my like the pitch that oozes from some
brothers and my kindred threw me trees, trees that I am so familiar
out. They made me an outcast be- with. Trees that are now my friends.
cause I did not share their love of
destruction, looting and pillaging. Can you cast my image in your mind?
I desire a life of peace; a life of Can you see how striking I must be?
harmony and serenity, but that is I do not say this to brag -- rather,
not the way of the Drow -- they cast I say it as a simple fact. Can you
me out because of what I hold dear. not also see how I would be
rejected, shunned, even avoided by
Thankfully, I knew enough to survive people not of my own kind? Can you
on my own, relying on my wits and see how people, not knowing what I
skill to survive in the wild forest, was or where I came from, would have
the jungles, the hills and moun- no desire to know? I have found
tains, and finally the plains sur- that most beings have a great fear
rounding greater Kulthea. of the unknown, and I approach that
fairly closely. The thing most
I heard rumours of Kulthea soon unknown to the sentient races, I
after I left my homelands, never to think, is the Unlife, and I
return. I heard of this place where certainly have had my taste of being
the fettle of adventurers determined mistaken for Unlife.
their social standing, where their
skill alone distinguished them from
their peers. I heard of this place Luckily, I had the forethought and
where there was no prejudice, where materials to keep a journal of my
there was little hatred or dislike. travels. This journal may be of
some small interest to you. Of
Prejudice, hatred, dislike: These [Continued on Page 16]
are all important to me, because _____________________
being a Drow, I do not look much / \
like other inhabitants of the world. / \
Of course, I share with other intel- / \
ligent species the characteristics / \
of having two legs, two arms, and a /_ _\
head, but that is about where the | \ ______ ______ / |
similarity ends. I found early in | | | (.) | | (.) | | |
my travels that these differences | | \____/ \____/ | |
were what would separate me from | | /\ | |
everyone else that I encountered. |__/ / \ \__|
/ /_/\_\ \
Differences, you ask? Well, I am \_____ _____/
fairly young yet, even for an Elf. | | \_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _/ | |
However, my hair is silver and has | | |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| | |
been from birth; or so I hear. My \ \ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / /
eyes are violet, an uncommon color \ \|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_/ /
even among Drow. And my skin -- my \ /
-14- \_______________________/
_____________ The Old Man and the Wight Lord
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Elminester Silvanisty
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| | he fierce steel make sure that nobody was following
/@| _|_|_ | golems disappeared him. He came to a stop at the arch
\_/__________/ mysteriously one day where the golem statue stands.
from the ruins close to Blototh
Mountain, and I had to hunt Fire The old man began to move his finger
Guardians in the volcano to maintain in a manner that I recognized but
my skills. Early one morning I came never used. A rush of Unlife
out of the vent hole in the volcano gathered, and suddenly, from
to tend a broken and bleeding leg nowhere, a dark figure appeared,
and head toward the magical healing tall as a Fire Guardian. The
pool to the south. A Titan came apparition wore a robe torn in
from nowhere and my only weapon, a places through which you could see
camouflaged iron rapier, disappeared no sign of a body. Its red eyes
in a burst of fire. glowed with anger and cruelty. It
had no other face, just a black aura
My right hand burned, I found myself that sent fear to my heart. I knew
defenseless against the Titan, so I what the creature was: a Wight Lord,
ran upward to find a safe area. one of the most powerful Undead in
Golems no longer walked in the all Kulthea.
ruins, I knew, so I went in through
the door. It was holding a dark knife covered
with blood in its spectral hand. The
As I was closing the door after me, weapon was familiar to me from some
I saw an old man walking in the research in the city of Arion. It
ruins. He was wearing black robes was a Slay-Knife, the most dreaded
and black sandals, and a pendant in weapon used by the Unlife. This
the shape of a golem hung from his will kill you, but more than that,
neck. His face was all wrinkled and it will turn you into a Wraith.
old, his hair was long and white, I shuddered at the thought.
his eyes had a mysterious look as if
a great burden had been put on him. The old man spoke to the foul
I felt that this man once had great creature. "Master, I have done as
command of Essence, but could no you instructed and supplied the new
longer work with it. traps to the creatures of the land."
I saw the shadow on him of those of The Wight spoke, and I could smell
us who take the dark path, but this the nauseating stench from its
man was different. He radiated such mouth. "You have done well, my
an aura of pure Unlife that even I disciple." The old man smiled
felt chills all over my body. With a faintly. The Wight spoke again. "For
gesture and whispered words, I cast so long have you been gone teaching
the spell that makes me invisible. these creatures how to trap their
The old man moved north, and I chests with the newest and most
followed, curious to know what he cunning traps that my Master can
was doing in these ruins. offer." Unexpectedly, the creature
trembled in a surge of Essence that
Curiosity is my most dangerous flaw; even I could feel, but with a
if I had a coin for every time it gesture the creature steadied
got me into trouble, I could be the itself. I could see the constant
richest half-elf in all of Kulthea. struggle between Essence and Unlife.
The old man kept moving north, and I
followed as quietly as possible to The creature spoke again. "You will
avoid detection. Now and then he be rewarded. It is time for you to
looked around over his shoulder to resume your duties in the production
-15- More...
of golems. We must keep the down. I had no choice but to call
population of Kelfour's Landing upon life-draining powers. As I
under control." Both of them laughed moved my fingers, I felt the world
with a maniac laughter, and when go dark all around me, and I disap-
they stopped the Wight took peared to reappear back in town.
something from its robe. "Here,"
said the Unlife Lord. I looked around, trying to regain my
bearings. I was bleeding very badly,
The old man took the black scroll too faint to try to tend my leg. My
and looked at his master, puzzled. fingers moved again, my life drained
"What is this, Lord?" he asked. and my blood froze. Now I could
get to the Temple of Eissa, where a
"It is an enchantment that will make skilled healer could restore my leg.
the golems faster. This step will Townspeople looked amused as I hob-
force more of the inhabitants of bled tiredly to the Temple.
Kelfour's to join us."
After I was healed, I stayed in town
I felt anger. So that is what has for a couple of weeks, spending time
happened to the golems, I thought. at Helga's, pondering how Unlife
That is where the new deadly chest almost took my life and how it saved
traps came from. I knew that it was me. Sometimes I wonder if the Powers
beyond a gray orc to create time have already taken my life. Well, I
rifts, explosive bombs, and better make my way to Helga's and
electrical rods. drink some wine. It helps.
I shifted my weight and stepped on ==============\\==============
some some branches. The Wight Lord
turned and looked directly at me. I My Coming [Continued from Page 14]
was still invisible, but suddenly it ~~~~~~~~~
moved its spectral hands, drawing course, now that I read it again, I
signs in the air. My spell crumbled realize my reckoning of time will
and I became visible. The old man mean little to you, especially those
acted with unbelievable swiftness who do not descend from Elven stock.
and hurled a Lightningbolt at me. I But perhaps I can provide some small
was able to avoid it, but the Wight assistance in this matter: a Drow
Lord then moved into position to shanra is called by you a 'day.' A
strike me with the Slay-Knife. cushanra is roughly equivalent to
your week. A lemshan corresponds to
Without a weapon, I feared for my your concept of 'month.' Finally,
life. I did not look forward to culem can be translated as 'year.'
spending my afterlife as a Wraith. I Smaller or larger units of time are
started moving my fingers and not significant in this account, as
drawing in the air. At the same time I did not bother to write things
I gestured, and called upon all my hour by hour, nor did I look further
protective spells. The creature than the current culem -- excuse me,
lunged to attack, and I sidestepped I shall try to conform to your
it. standards of reckoning. Indeed, I
did not look beyond the current day,
Now it was my turn. I took a metal as I found early on that looking
wand and pointed it at the Wight and forward or back too far did me no
a ball of ice struck it on the head. good.
I took the opportunity to run south
as fast I could. I got to the door One more item I might mention before
with the old man and the Wight on my I start: In my accounts in future
heels. As I wrestled with the door, issues, you will find tales of how I
I felt pain in my leg. My leg was came to be called the Unbeliever,
gone! The old man took my leg off and also of the White Gold that I
with a Firebolt, hoping to slow me profess to bear.
-16-
Love Mourns Eternal
_______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____\ by Elyria Blythe
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | e were happy, my and fed each other morsels from our
/@| _|__/ \__|_| love and I, to be basket. We were so hopelessly young.
\_/_____________/ together sitting
on the rooftop gazing at the stars After our meal we decided to walk
in the velvety black night sky. through the surrounding countryside.
Tonight he was explaining to me the The woods were particularly plea-
legend of Altair and Deneb. He had sant, sunlight winking through the
taken it upon himself to educate me trees as we walked. But then we
in the lore of the world around us happened by a graveyard. The sun-
and of the stars. ____________________________________________
\ \
I was enthralled by his tale, | Eternity |
weaver of stories that he is, | ~~~~~~~~ |
and could almost see the | You're here, my love. You're mine at last.|
images he drew. But as he | Yet you're just beyond my grasp. |
spoke, a creeping darkness | I fear that you will slip away |
came over me and the name of | Like all the times of yesterday. |
Altair began echoing in my | |
mind. | My past lives come at night to haunt me. |
| Visions which show to me the tree |
'Altair.. Altair..,' it whis- | Where last I helplessly watched you die |
pered. I fell deeper into a | Shrieking soundlessly in my mind. |
whirling vortex, immobile and | |
confused. When I became aware | An old soothsayer once told me true |
again, I was walking hand in | My soul's irrevocably bound to you. |
hand with my love, exploring | We'll wander through the eons while |
part of the lands we had not | Devils come to steal our smiles. |
yet visited. We were so young | |
and foolish. | Screaming endlessly through the years |
| Never able to staunch the fears |
It was when I looked fully at | Of never having your hand in mine |
him that the first jarring | Without early death to end our time. |
note entered my idyllic state. | |
His was not the face of my | I cannot hide my heart from you; |
love, and yet it was! Stun- | It's not a case of win or lose. |
ned, I whirled in confusion, | Our minds and souls are bound forever |
my mind coming to rest on one | Needing neither ring nor tether. |
absolute fact: I was not | |
Elyria, and he was not Baram. | The love we share is very strong, |
| Perhaps enough to break the bond |
I sensed the weight of eons of | That holds you ever apart from me |
ancient layers of life upon | And keeps us from our destiny. |
us. We were many, we two, and | |
had been together through the | Maybe now I've reached my goal |
centuries. It was then that I | With my heart unblemished, whole. |
began to shiver, knowing what | Finding now what once was lost, |
was to come... | Despite the very painful cost. |
| |
My name was Sage, my love was | Screaming endlessly through the years |
Kel, and we were walking to a | Never able to staunch the fears |
willow tree, the perfect set- | Of never having your hand in mine |
ting for the picnic we had pre-| Without early death to end our time. |
pared. We laughed and talked |___________________________________________|
-17- More...
light there was mottled and lent a I came aware to find myself crying,
diseased look to the ground, the held tightly by my love. His hur-
tombstones and crypts. He was so ried caresses and attempts to soothe
unaware of his fate. From out of me were of no avail. He understood
nowhere, wight lords and their min- when I could not vocalize my con-
ions sprang up around us. We were dition and pressed the matter not,
totally unprepared and took many reassuring me as best he could.
strikes. Only after a particularly
severe strike to Kel were we able to A few nights hence we returned to
get away, him half stumbling, and I the rooftop at my request, for I had
half dragging him. a gift for him. Having no other way
to explain, I had composed a song,
We made it as far as the willow we and it was then that I sang it.
had passed earlier in our journey.
It was there he died in my arms, his He held me tightly after, and began
last words a whisper forever etched remembering as well. We can only
on my mind. 'I love you Sage, now hope that armed with this knowledge
and for always, I love you...' And we can find some way to break this
he was gone. Echoing through my curse upon us. To be forever doomed
mind were shrieks against this fate, to have my love die early, to wander
for I knew not whether it was mine through the centuries never attain-
or his. Such had been our a close ing satisfaction, was anathema.
mental bond.
We have returned to that rooftop
In shock and desolation I built a since, but never mentioned Altair
bier to place his body on, and and Deneb.
watched as his flesh burned, sick-
ened by the oversweet smell. The My fair love is gone from the lands
flames mesmerized me, drew me in, now. Even knowing has not helped
and calmed my mind. They drew me break the bonds of the curse upon
deeper and deeper in until I started us. Is it not ironic that just when
to once again fall into that whirl- we found our fate, it struck again?
ing vortex of blackness.
___====-_ _-====___
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_-^##########// ( ) \\##########^-_
-############// |\^^/| \\############-
_/############// (@::@) \\############\_
/#############(( \\// ))#############\
-###############\\ (oo) //###############-
-#################\\ / ** \ //#################-
-###################\\/ \//###################-
_#/|##########/\######( /\ )######/\##########|\#_
|/ |#/\#/\#/\/ \#/\##\ | | /##/\#/ \/\#/\#/\#| \|
' |/ V V ' V \#\| | | |/#/ V ' V V \| '
' ' ' ' / | | | | \ ' ' ' '
( | | | | )
__\ | | | | /__
(vvv(VVV)(VVV)vvv)
"The Terror that FLAPS in the night!"
-18-
____________ Regrets
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Feckly Fecund
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| | halfling sat by a do love the feel of fired clay, and
/@| // |"| | barroom door, having I'd rather use a nice bowl shaped by
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / smoked too much and hand for the hand than an awkward,
~~~~~~~~~~~ eaten even more. On outsized flagon or mug.
achieving that state of contentment
so tirelessly sought by mankind, "That was my state of mind when the
disdained and derided by dwarfdom, venturers came in.
and long acclaimed as the natural
and normal state of being by every "You wouldn't think to look at them
elf queried on the matter, he let that such flashy fops, dandies with
his musings wax unusually philosoph- their loud colors, braided boots and
ical. Ere long, he was contemplating jeweled splendor, even knew which
the meaning of life, politics, why end of the sword to hold, let alone
anyone would eat a chest, where how to use it. I pondered epigrams
hobgoblins go when they crumble to to describe the party for my diary--
dust... a moraine mass, a cute and cuddly
clutch, perhaps a grandiose gaggle--
This is how he started his story: when quite by accident I overheard
this conversation:
"Who are these near mythical lords
from the recent yet still-dark past "'Barkeep, my fellows and I seek the
of Kulthea? Were Lythe and Allanon services of an acquisitional engin-
and the rest diligent and misunder- eer, a burglar of little renown but
stood citizens of the land, or mere unmatched skill, to accompany us on
dilletants, or would-be tyrants a minor expedition. Nothing overly
seeking to establish a chaotic hege- dangerous mind you, but a matter of
mony? Young I am, but I have seen some delicacy.'
no theft in temple or violence in
the streets. "He was a brute of a man, almost
seven feet tall. I did have to
"Aye, there are the occasional unex- listen harder when he leaned over
plained losses and pockets found and whispered to the bartender, 'And
mysteriously empty that jingled with it would help if he were one of
coin only minutes before. It is to those little people, to better
be expected when risk-takers gather, manage any confining spaces.'
a small price to pay for freedom. I
hear that when the daring Deering "'Good sir,' I squeaked past my grin
walked the lands, lords and newbies 'may I inquire as to what one might
alike were apt to wake up missing expect by way of compensation were
their family jewels, and, I have he to accept the position you just
heard, often more. But I digress. mentioned?'
"This was an evening much like every "The following negotiation took
other at Helga's -- an evening for a little time, which was just as well,
steady flow of bowls. I'd had my since we departed the next morning
bowls of torkaan stew with a bowl of at an unnaturally early hour. There
mead to wash them down. Now it was was hardly time to break my fast
time to try a few bowls of this with a snack of muffins and jam,
delicious pipe weed I'd found in a sausages, eggs, buttered hominy and
forgotten cache in the catacombs a pot of tea.
(rough work, clearing the varmints
that infest the lower realms of the "The trip was uneventful. Even with
city), perchance partaking of a bowl the caravan that drug out for what
of the fine brandy served here. I seemed leagues, we couldn't attract
-19- More...
the attention of anything the smal- else did, maybe a little less (the
lest bit unsavory. I was hoping to low angle, you know). It might have
be ambushed by brigands at the very been that lack of data that prompted
least. The leader, Lord Ruggles, me to ask the vital question, 'I
came back to collect me. He says to wonder what goes in those holes?'
me, 'Come help search for the trail. Everyone else could clearly see they
Our map says the old guild road were filled with leaves, trash,
branches off somewhere near here.' bric-a-brac; a pack rat's hoard, but
nothing that glittered to attract
"Well, I saw the same thing everyone any attention...
_________________________________
[Trail Side Climb]
The trail winds along a precarious, weather-smoothed cliff face. Having done
her best to wear away all but the most impervious bone of this mountain,
leaving a glassy face only sporadically marred by pock marks, Mother Nature
now turns her will and winds on hapless travelers who happen by.
The chill gusts whip at your coat tails and bites at your heels, dragging
the unwary, and the unwilling as well, closer to the doom that awaits them
on the other hand. Ahead lies another bend and the unknown.
Upon searching, you discover unnaturally round holes in the cliff face eight
feet up or so. The holes are filled with litter, and they appear to be
drilled into the wall six to eight inches and angled down. There are
obvious exits to the north and south.
[Hidden Ledge]
Fifty feet or so above the trail is a near-invisible niche. At about the two
foot level, the setting sun strikes glints from its wall. Closer inspection
reveals, written in halfling in what appears to be diamond dust, "Push here
to no avail, but accept this token of friendship and good fellowship."
As you press upward on the words, a section of the wall swings up and back
to expose an archway which is finely carved and proportioned--all of three
feet tall--opening onto a stair leading into the dark heart of the mountain.
The only way back seems to be the way you came.
[Landing]
You are on a landing at the top of a dark stone stairway. The way down
looks strange to you. It's not a trick of the light from the lichen along
the walls; the steps do appear particularly made for children. You see the
mechanism for the not-so-secret side of a secret door here.
[Secret Door, Landing]
This landing is at the bottom of two stairwells. Which to choose? Both wind
into the darkness. There is also a small round wooden door. There appear
to be no other exits.
[Den]
This was once obviously a nice place to rest up, but the sofa and easy
chairs have long since been splintered. The cushions have been rent and
their innards strewn about. The legs of chairs and tables are mixed in
amongst the calciferous remains of once-living animal legs. A small round
wooden door appears to be the only exit.
More...
-20-
[Tunnel End]
A stairway and tunnel meet here. The stairs lead little-step-by-little-
step further into the bowels of the mountain. The tunnel seems to trail off
into darkness.
[Tunnel]
You are escorted here by endless ranks of unused sconces.
[Tunnel end]
This is the juncture of a large cavern and a dark tunnel which disappears
into the mountain. The packed dirt floor of the tunnel interfaces with the
flagstone flooring that paves the cavern.
[Halls of the Mountain King]
This cavern clearly once contained an extensive keep. The dusty bones of
blasted buildings litter the landscape. Around the periphery, minor shops
and hovels have partially survived, no doubt because they were imbedded in
the cavern walls. Your gaze is drawn to a structure in the center of this
cavern, if for no other reason than its completeness in the midst of such
desolation. This building looks to be built of living rock. If seams there
are, the joins of its stones were magically faced, perhaps melded. The
windows and door facing you have been made part of the rope relief that
adorns it. The play of light and grey on the two high windows remind you of
roses. The only exit appears to be the tunnel to the west.
[Radagast Rope Company, Ropery]
The entire face of this building is decorated with etchings of strings and
cords and rope. There are double doors outlined in heavy cabling, no doubt
good for rope bridges in hemp manifestations, with knots for hinges and
knobs. The windows, though not dainty, are bordered in rope and twine just
the right size for mountain- and dungeoneering. Too bad they are all rock.
[Radagast Rope Company, Display Room]
A stela greets you here. This could represent the nature of life or commem-
orate the first transaction of this establishment, or perhaps someone simply
thought it would look nice here. The stela is a marble relief of merchant
and customer, obviously depicting the exchange of a coin purse for a rope of
some kind. The remainder of the room seems dedicated to irregular piles of
dust and what must be the petrified remains of half burned furnishings.
An archway and nondescript black door occupy the north wall. Unobtrusive to
the point of going almost unnoticed, small doorways partially covered with
tattered hangings occur in both the east and west walls. An ebony door and
a large plaque dominate one wall. There is a double door in the south wall,
lighted by a glowing emerald-colored sign. The plaque is boldly printed,
"PRIVATE! Authorized Personnel Only". In the Common language, and appar-
ently a number of tongues you don't recognize, the emerald sign reads, "This
Way Out."
__ __
( )__( )
/\ @ @/\ "SQEAK!...
/ \: :/ \
(___________________| \()/ | "Was that KOBOLD Kabobs!?"
\__________/
V V V V
-21-
Symbols and Lies (Conclusion)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
______________ by Lord Whilder Planrathe
/ \ ____ ____ \
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| | ere," she said, Trolls. Not his father. Not his bro-
_| |~|--|~| |slapping the hilt of ther. Just two trolls. Or more lies?
/@| _|~| |~|_ |the broadsword into
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ /his hand. "You may Momentarily, his father's ghostly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ need this if any form appeared, attempting to
more trolls arrive." displace the troll. The lips moved,
though no sound issued. The elven
Whilder looked back down at the body form wavered and disappeared,
of his father. It seemed to blur, as leaving only the body of the troll.
though two beings were trying to Whilder did not need to hear the
occupy the same space. Harsh out- words spoken by his father's image.
lines of a troll combatted for the He knew what his father was trying
space occupied by the fair elf. to tell him.
Neither seemed to win.
Beware.
"Yes," sighed Whilder, looking away.
He closed his hand around the worn "Well, mage, just what is this great
hilt, adjusting his grip. Not too decision you've come to?" she asked
tight, or the force of the blow lightly. He was on his feet again,
could numb his own arm or break his talking and aware of his true sur-
own wrist. Not too loose, so the roundings. She thought the danger
sword could not be knocked from his was past.
hand or turn wrong when he struck.
Just as his father had trained him "I haven't made a decision. Not
to hold the weapon. yet." Whilder stepped away from the
body, shifting his sword to his left
She stood and waited. After a few hand. Slowly he began a series of
moments, Whilder began to struggle gestures, murmuring arcane words.
to his feet. She reached out to Turning in a slow circle he repeated
help him stand. the words, so softly that even elven
ears could not discern them.
"What brings you to this spot,
mage?" she asked. As he completed his circle, he stop-
ped and thrust his right hand into
"I...I needed to make a decision. the air, palm aiming straight up.
This seemed as good a place as any "I seek the one!" he cried. Energy
for it. And you?" leapt up, spreading into a circle,
an invisible wave cresting outward.
She hesitated for a moment. "I have Whilder lowered his arm, and shifted
decided to try my weapon against the his sword back into his right hand.
minions of Hrassk," she finally
replied, pointing toward a trail "What spell was that?"
that was dark even in the late
afternoon sun. "A variation of Call Familiar," he
replied.
Whilder looked into her green eyes
and saw a hint of pain. Startled, "Variation?"
he realized she had just lied to
him. If she was lying about her "Yes. Normally the Call Familiar
real reason for being here, perhaps spell allows the mage to bond with
she was lying about the bodies. an animal that he can control. This
spell should just bring an animal in
Whilder looked again at the bodies. response to its call. The animal
-22- More...
that answers this call will deter- up on this foolishness soon.
mine my future."
"What do you know of your birth-
"How will it determine your future? mark?"
Will it walk up to you and say
'Hello, Whilder. You ought to go on "Not much," admitted Whilder. "Just
studying the arts of magic?'" that it happens to be in the shape
of the old sign for luck. The super-
"No," answered Whilder. "Something stitious claimed any other name
about it will tell me what I should would bring doom upon the village.
do, what course I should take." That doom arrived anyway."
"How?" she exclaimed, wondering if "Perhaps not," she said. "Think.
the mage had fully recovered. Some of your village escaped the
slaughter. You did. And maybe more
Whilder sighed. "I do not know. I than you believe could have escaped.
trust myself to the whims of fate." It was not a total slaughter of
life, not if even one escaped. And
"Wild luck" she murmured. "True to one did escape. You."
your name." Then louder, "What could
answer your spell-call?" She turned to look at him, but he
was still watching the setting sun.
"Oh, typical animals," Whilder "It was first called the Chance
replied, watching as the sun began symbol because those born with it
to touch the horizon. "Cats, dogs, seemed to take risks others would
falcons..." not contemplate. However, it seemed
that these folk were always winning,
"And some not-so-typical ones, I always coming out unscathed or
take it." richer for the chances they took.
It soon started being called the
"Most certainly," said Whilder, Luck symbol, for those same folk
looking back at the guardswoman. seemed to have an infinite source of
"Maybe a torkaan, or a brown bear. luck at their command. It became a
Possibly even a cockatrice. The superstition that a child born with
spell just requires that an animal the symbol must be named after it or
answer it, not necessarily an animal the luck would turn against the
that the mage could control through bearer and those around him."
the spell."
Was he hearing her, she wondered?
"And once this messenger arrives? He seemed lost, staring at the sun-
What happens then?" set. She wanted to grab and shake
him until his teeth rattled, but she
Whilder looked over at the setting felt that was not the answer. She
sun. "I believe I will become one waited a moment for a response but
with the animal, for a few moments received only silence. She con-
anyway. I will not control it nor tinued her explanation, hoping he
it me. If I am correct, our iden- heard, hoping he understood.
tities will be as one. If something
happens to it during that time, the "As the tales go, it became known as
same will happen to me. Please take Rampant Luck during a small war bet-
no actions, no matter what occurs." ween two kingdoms. Three warriors,
all born with the luck sign, held a
The guardswoman turned nervously, pass against an entire army. Not
scanning the area for anything that one enemy did they themselves slay.
could be a threat to them. Such a Not one arrow did they nock. And
spell could not work, she thought. not one wound or injury did any of
She needed to get him talking about the three receive. Yet their
something else. Maybe he would give enemies were decimated and retreated
-23- More...
from the field of battle." in until after they were well into
the archers' formations. The bodies
"How?" asked Whilder. "How could an of the archers caused many a mount
entire army be decimated and never to fall, lashing out at anything
have come to battle?" near it. Since the mounted soldiers
had bunched together to ride through
She felt a wave a relief pass what was supposed to be open space,
through her. He was listening, even the fallen horses kicked out at
if he was staring at the half-set other mounts. The struck mounts
sun. "Well, here's the tale that I lashed back at anything near or
think is closest to the truth: around them. The archers that had
not become trapped in the confusion
"They used a typical deployment. quickly moved away and bunched into
Common foot soldiers advanced first, small, unorganized groups.
in order to draw the enemy archers'
fire and reveal their position. "One of the officers among the foot
Their own archers, neatly formed up soldiers glanced back and saw the
a distance behind the foot soldiers, melee behind him. Fearing that the
then rushed up to send vollies of enemy had somehow gotten behind and
arrows into the enemy positions. within the ranks of the archers, he
blew the signal for retreat on his
"The foot soldiers then made their horn. The foot soldiers spread out
way to the base of the small moun- even further trying to stop their
tains flanking the pass under headlong charge. Before they could
protection of their own archers. reform and make an orderly retreat,
Once there, a signal was given to many had seen the growing chaos
the mounted soldiers. The archers within their own ranks of archers.
were to open ranks at the signal,
allowing the mounted soldiers past, "Words were quickly shouted. Many
then close up again and continue mistook the confusion to mean that
their barrage of missiles. the enemy had managed to get a large
force behind them. With cries of
"The mounted soldiers rode as far as encouragement to each other they
they could, dismounted, and began began a disorganized charge back
attacking the enemy. The foot toward their own lines.
soldiers followed, reinforcing the
mounted soldiers who would not be "Several of the archers who had
tired from the ride, as the foot escaped the carnage within their
soldiers would be from their charge. ranks looked back toward the
But things went wrong... mountain. Not much could be seen
through the dust and haze that now
"Battle horns sounded from the filled the air around them. Nothing
mountain, startling flocks of birds could be heard over the noise behind
which launched themselves from the them. All they saw were figures
mountain. The foot soldiers charg- racing toward them, figures waving
ed, thinking them, survivors later weapons. Quickly, several of the
claimed, to be arrows fired by enemy surviving archers began sending
bowmen. The mounted soldiers, con- arrows at the charging men. Other
fused by the echoes of the horns and archers noticed these few and joined
shouting, charged. The archers, the barrage, each thinking that the
amused that the foot soldiers were others had identified the men
panicked by birds, never heard the charging them as the enemy.
approach of the mounted soldiers
until they crashed into the rear of "It was considered pure, rampant
their own formations. luck that stopped the invading
army." She moved around to stand
"The mounted soldiers had just built between Whilder and his view of the
up to full speed and could not rein sunset. "It was good luck for the
-24- More...
three protectors, bad luck for the He had his answer.
invaders. Not just one kind of luck
or the other. And not something "Mage?" she asked, concern evident
that could be called on, could be in her voice.
relied on at all times."
"Tell me," he whispered, looking up
A sadness reflected in her eyes. from his hand. "Tell me why you
"Two of the three died in another really came to this spot tonight."
battle but scant days later."
She looked into his eyes. "I do not
Whilder felt his spell ebb, begin to know, truthfully. I only knew I was
fade, as she finished her story. "I needed. That I would be useful." No
have failed again," he said. "The pain reflected in her eyes this
spell ends without answer." time. No lies. He glanced at the
two bodies, shrouded in the
The guardswoman looked solemnly into darkness. No lies.
his light grey eyes. "Not failed,"
she said. "You tried, and trying is Whilder readied his shield. "I'm
never failure." And even as she going back to the Landing. Would
spoke, she watched the intelligence, you like to walk with me, Chance?"
the very spark of life itself,
suddenly leave those eyes. "No, I..," and the look of surprise
on her face was priceless. "How did
She saw only the eyes of the dead. you know?" she stammered. "You
Shocked, she gasped and drew her couldn't have seen..." The crimson
weapon. Quickly she looked about for glow from her face outshone the sun-
an attacker who could have killed set that occurred but moments ago.
the mage while she spoke to him.
Whilder smiled and turned away,
The wolf growled, grey fur bristling starting his trek back to town.
along its back. He was confused. From the darkness his voice drifted
One moment he had been following the back to her.
scent of his prey, the next, it
seemed, he was far away from his "My birth-name is Wild Luck. That
normal hunting grounds. For long is how I knew."
moments he watched the strange
figures. One stood still as death.
The other crouched and waved some- Epilogue
thing at him, making strange noises.
The scent of death drifted from two She stood in the darkness watching
other forms on the ground. as Orhan rose, waxing full against
the night sky. Even as the light
Abruptly, the wolf spun and left, from the home of the Gods brightened
running back toward his home, back the night, she seemed to grow
to his hunt. indistinct. Slowly her form became
like gossamer, fading from sight...
Whilder's world suddenly snapped
into place. A world of color, not And she was gone.
the shades of grey seen through his
eyes moments ago... Long moments passed after she disap-
eared. Then, like a distant sigh,
No, not his eyes. The wolf's eyes. came two words barely whispered, the
speaker indistinct, unidentifiable.
Whilder looked down at his right
hand still gripping his sword. His "He knows."
vision shifted beyond his fingers,
beyond the hilt in his hand, to the Or...perhaps... perhaps it was just
birthmark on his own palm. the evening breeze.
-25-
Corruption in Kulthea
"""""""""""""""""""""
___________ by Miss Louvella Parsnips
/ \ ______ \
\@| ~|_|~\\ | ecadence abounds in understand that he presented her
| |~| ||| Kulthea this month as with an enormous and disgustingly
_| |~| ||| we discovered, much to gaudy engagement ring and she,
/@| |~|_// | our distress, disgust having no better sense, accepted the
\_/ ~~~~~~ / and chagrin. tawdry ring.
~~~~~~~~~~
As usual, our bleu robed magess has Of course, given this garish
been up to no good, flaunting her healer's substantial collection of
considerable wares through the town ornate, gaudy and rather inappropr-
in a display of vulgar exhibition- iate engagement rings, we wonder if
ism. It seems that this depraved this wedding will ever take place,
trollop strolled through the town despite the too obvious and too
attracting, like fleas to a dog, passionate amounts of smooching and
several of Kelfour's desperate, and cooing going on about town. It reeks
not very bright, young lads. We of deception to us. We wonder if our
were shocked to learn that following young ranger will ever be seen
this lewd demonstration, la magess again. We wonder indeed.
led the unfortunate fellows to
Frick's newly refurbished suite for While we are on the subject of
a night of immoral, crude and inappropriate behavior, we have
lascivious entertainment. learned that our lady cleric of the
old speeche and the multitude of
Naturally, the magess' henpecked and members of her family have formed a
desperate husband decided that he new society, BUM, which we
too would stroll through the town, understand stands for Break Up
au natural, in the hopes of attract- Monopolies. We have no idea what the
ing some of Kelfour's harlot-like, nature of this new society could
and brainless, damsels and thereby stand for, but we are rather
enjoying a depraved night of his suspicious that BUM really stands
own. Unfortunately, no one paid any for Break Up Marriages, however, we
attention to this poor fellow (no would not dream of being as tacky as
one, that is, except us) and he was to actually accuse our la clan of
forced to spend the evening indulg- such filthy and devious behavior,
ing in solitary entertainment. This would we?
being so, it does not surprise us in
the least that la magess must look Until next time, gentle reader,
elsewhere. stay decent and tra-la for now!
We have also learned that Kelfour's ==================================
favorite mad mage has undergone an | THE SOCIETY FOR MORAL DECENCY |
experimental operation offered by | -= MEMBERSHIP DRIVE =- |
Surtey Akrash. Of course, we would |__________________________________|
not be so crass as to detail the | |
manner of the operation, but let us | Calling all decent, moral |
just assure you that he is no longer | upright, rather goody-goody |
a lord...or a he. | and otherwise uncorrupt |
| ADVENTURERS |
Tacky seems to be the operative word | ************************* |
of late and tacky best describes the | Help us wipe out depravity |
impending wedding between a young | in Kelfour's Landing |
half-elf ranger and the newly | Join the SPMD today! |
returned from exile healer. We |__________________________________|
-26-
KEV3N1
[end]
See Also: