Kelfour Edition volume II number X
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Special Double Edition |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III's March/April 1992 |
| Vol.2 Nos.10/11 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| Graphics! / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| Animation! / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| Sound! / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) _|
| / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / \
| IBM (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| Front End |
| Program! |
| The Kronicles of Kulthea |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_ |
/ |
| Local News ................ 1 Hall of Fame ............ 9 |
| A Quick Look at Stonehold ................ Celestin Drowstar 3 |
| Kulthean Word Search ........................ Thantis Azzurn 6 |
| Inside the Spider Temple ..................... Isei Ikazuchi 7 |
| Iorak's Reach ............................ Belladonna Atropa 10 |
| Care of Familiars .................... Elminester Silvanisti 14 |
| Why I Will Survive in Kulthea ........... Flavor Da'Fearless 16 |
| To BB, or Not to BB ..................... Gallenod Varynesti 17 |
| The Last Hurrah ................................. Ise Ikiryo 17 |
| Jewelry of Kulthea .............. Library of del|{nightsaber 18 |
| Surviving Level One .................... Metaboculous Griden 21 |
| Call to Arms ........................... B'HALTHON d'Anathur 23 |
| Lords Council of Kelfour's ............. B'halthon d'Anathur 24 |
| Farewell, My Friends ..................... Amelda Heronheart 26 |
| Kelfour Edition Seeks Editor ............................... 28 |
| A Battle for Life ............................. Vaash Majeer 29 |
| Responsible Traditions ................. Lightning Blackhawk 30 |
| A Tale of Greed ......................... Avarice Valenausan 32 |
| GemmerStony ................................... Ringo Hobson 36 |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on the GEnie online service. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Editor Lady Wisraith Winterwind, Assistant Editors Lady |
| Rune Arundel or Kalagay Halatil, or Publisher Lady Phaedra Bleu by |
| GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. Banner letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
____________ o_______
// \ (| \_____
|| LOCAL NEWS | (| Long \ Bank Robbers Thwarted, Slain
\\____________/ (| Live \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|____ Kulthea \ Report by Artuero Bresnahanini
| \___________\
\/ / \
\/ / \ Crime in Kelfour's reached a new peak
_ _ _ / \ when a band of thugs robbed the Quell-
| |_| |_| | / \ bourne National Bank of over one hun-
| | / Kelfour \ dred thousand silvers, fleeing town
\ / | Edition | before the baffled constable made it
| | | _ _ | out from under his desk. Enraged citi-
_ | | _ _ | / \ / \ | zens followed a trail of silver pieces,
| |_| |_| |_| | | | | | | | impudent ESP messages, and occasional
| | \ | | | | / sightings to a dangerous, concealed
| | ||_| |_|| hideout in the Coastal Cliffs.
\ _ / | |
| / \ | | | Once inside, pursuers contended with
| | | | _ | | hidden doors and secret passages as
| | | |_| | | | they made their way through an under-
| _ |_| | | | ground maze crawling with orcs, rattle-
| / \ |_| | snakes and minotaurs. Many adventurers
| | | _ | died before discovering a vault at the
| | | / \____ | maze's end, and still more fell to
| | | | \ __ | blows from the vicious gang who had
| | | | | / \ | secreted themselves inside it.
| |_| |__ | | | |
| |_ | | | | When confronted with adversaries of
| |_ | | o| | their own abilities, however, the six
| |_| | | | criminals soon learned that crime does
| | | | not pay. Justice won the day as some
| |____| | of Kelfour's Finest conducted a brief
|___________________________| but deadly course in melee combat.
____________________________
An enormous amount of treasure was
Lockpicking Tweaked recovered, much of it split gra-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ciously among all who partook in the
Report by Quickpick deadly pursuit. Let us hope this stand
against crime frightens those who would
The gods of thievery made some dare future raids upon our town.
subtle changes to the dying art -------------------------------------
of lockpicking. Essentially, two on the simplest of locks with a lot
are evident. Firstly, whenever a of (bad) luck. The latter of these
pick is damaged, it is clearly two events is guaranteed to cause:
visible to the lockpicker. There
are various orders of ineptitude a) Foul-mouthed epithets to be
ranging from lockpicks stuck in hurled at the gods of thieves.
locks to the ever popular *snap*. b) The Temple monk to be shocked.
c) Death of lockpicking as an art.
The second change of consequence
involves two stages as open-ended Thieves are unhappy about these new,
rolls now exist in lockpicking. subtle changes. They receive infor-
This means that Fumblefingers Finne- mation as to why they fail as op-
gan could actually crack open a posed to successfully unlocking
tough chest with a crude lockpick chests. A member of the Thief's
and lots of (good) luck. It also Union was heard mumbling about
means that highly skilled pickers hammers and chisels. Stay tuned for
could snap their prized possessions further developments.
-1-
Graphics! Animation! Sound! Town Forums Address Hot Issues
GemStone Graphic Front End ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beta Version Announced! Town Forums are held each Wednesday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ at 9:30 PM Eastern time in Moot
An IBM-compatible graphic front end Hall's Assembly Room.
program for GemStone III has been
released by Simutronics. The soft- Upcoming topics include Deaths &
ware includes a terminal program, Rezzes (chaired by Reline) on April
and the graphical user interface 15, Houses (chaired by Elvanion) on
itself containing vital stats, April 22, and the IBM Graphic Front
graphics and animations illustrating End program (chaired by Bardon) on
the world and its denizens. April 29.
The Beta 1.0 release of this program Citizens are urged to participate in
is currently available from the NEW these forums and contribute to
GemStone III Software Library, menu issues of vital importance to the
item #8 on GEnie page 930. It is future of Kulthea and our booming
self-extracting, entitled GS3B.EXE town of Kelfour's Landing.
(File #3) for IBM compatibles with
hard drive/VGA.
WISHING YOU A BREW IN ONE HAND
AND A SHILLELAGH IN THE OTHER! Kelfour Edition
Runes Discovered! .____________________. Congratulates
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |||| | : |
A rush on rune ||||| | : | *****************
training of late |||||_|_:______________| * Anuiel Teleri *
was precipitated | :: <> <> :||: | *****************
by the exciting | :: <> <> :||: |
discovery of / :: <> <> :||: \ Thief
papers encoded [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Extraordinaire!
with the power OOO ///////// \\\\\\\\\ OOO
of spells! OOOO /_<O> <O>_\ OOOO for finding the
OOOOO OOOOO
Now all OOOOOOO (o_o) OOOOOOO MAGNIFICENT
adventurers OOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOO BLUE TOPAZ
(with a little OOOOOOOOO ///////^\\\\\\\ OOOOOOOOO
rune training) OOOOOOOOO / /\___/ OOOOOOOOO From clues in
can dazzle their OOOOOOOO / / OOOOOOOO stories in its
friends and _____ \ / /\ / / last two
opponents with \ \_/ /XXXX\ /XXXXXXX Editions!
fire or water... \ / \
Your choice. :-) \____/ (:) art by Cornelius Great
Sleuthing!
HAPPY (belated) ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
Creature Enhancements on the Way! when stunning is the result of a
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ hit; creatures that used to just
As part of their ongoing policy of wear shields will now have the
game enhancement, and thanks to many ability to decide to use them;
valuable player suggestions from the creatures that wield or snatch up a
Town Forum, Feedback, and the MPGRT two-handed weapon will not be able
BB, Simutronics has begun imple- to use shields; creatures that are
menting a series of creature fixes, disabled by a limb loss will still
including more powerful "AI-type" try and fight to the best of their
logic. ability or flee if the situation
seems hopeless; and several other
You'll notice some differences right changes. If you notice anything
away: Creatures will no longer be unusual about creatures' behavior in
able to change their parry to 100 these regards, please notify a GM.
-2-
A Quick Look at Stonehold
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Celestin Drowstar
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |
| //|"| |ll I wanted was to "My maps!" he roared. "My maps are
_| //=|"| | sit back at Helga's, my own, and the last thing I want
/@| // |"| | relax and enjoy an is to let everybody... every hobbit
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / ale. The last thing too, to be coming down there. It's
~~~~~~~~~~~ I expected was to bad enough with the gnolls there
have to sit with a talkative dwarf already!"
who couldn't understand why any
creature would want to live in the He fell silent, and scratching his
woods when there were so many long braided beard he thought about
places underground where one could the wager.
dwell. Of course, being a wood
elf, I didn't see why anyone would "What will you give me if you can
want to live in a hole in the not make it in?" he asked.
ground. I didn't express that view
to him though, since I was hoping I shrugged, "How about a thousand
my silence would make him go away, silver and a gold ring?".
but he continued on and on...
"You're on," he said as he stood
"Take Stonehold, for instance. If and gathered up his maps. "Walking
it wasn't for those pesky gnolls, there will take too long, so I'll
the place would be a paradise!" he set your ring for the pool right
said, a distant gleam in his eyes. outside of Stonehold."
It seemed there was no way to shut "Fine," I replied, and after awhile
him up, short of slitting his we found ourselves outside a large
throat. I'd think of some other stone door that was the entrance to
less drastic way sooner or later. Stonehold. The door was locked,
and after fumbling around in his
"Sounds nice," I said. "Maybe one backpack awhile, the dwarf produced
day you can show me Stonehold." a lockpick and opened the lock that
sealed the door. I could feel the
To this he laughed. "You! An elf? floor sway slightly as we headed
Only dwarves and hobbits are the through the entrance corridor to
right size to get into the place. the main hall.
You may be small for an elf," he
continued, looking me over, "but "Oh yeah... there's a trap back
you'd never get far into it." there that'll drop most big folk
down into a dungeon on the lower
"Never say never," I replied, level," he said with a mischievous
taking a sip of my ale. smile. I nodded and we continued
north until we reached the northern
"Hmmph! I'll tell ya what," he part of the main hall.
said, pulling maps from his
backpack and spreading them on the "This is as far as you go... unless
table. "In this room..." he jabbed you can squeeze through there," he
a pudgy finger at a mark on his said, indicating a small key hole-
maps, "there's a map on the wall. shaped opening in the wall.
If you can get in there and read
what it says, I'll..." he paused to After I examined the opening I
think of something to wager. asked to see his maps again. I
studied them quickly, then handed
"Give me the maps," I finished, as them back. I stepped back from the
I looked over them more closely. opening and took a deep breath.
-3- More...
___________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/ Stonehold - Upper Level /
|------------------------------------------------------------------'
| |
| O __ _ |
| / \___ |_ |_| |\/| | |
| / \ | ROLKRM | |IRILDAT | |USLUBRI |_ORUM |
| O a..B c...c |
| / : : : |
| / d e : O O |
| O : f \| |
| \ G / O S |
| \ / | \ |
| O--O--O O--O--O O O |
| |\/|\/| /| \ | | |
| |/\|/\| | | O O-O O |
| O--O--O | | \ / \ _/| |
| \ | / | | O O | / | |
| h / O--O \_ / | O-O | |
| : | | O \ / | |
| h O | | / O O |
| \ / \ | O O-O O / / |
| O \ / \ / \ | O O |
| /| O O O O | / |
| O O \ | O \ / O O O |
| / | O |/ O / \ / |
| O O | O _/ O--O--O |
| \ | O | O ___/ \ |
| O O \ | / / O |
| \| O O O O |
| j \ | / / \ |
| : k--------O O--O |
| : : More info on |
| j k Lower Level Map |
| \ /|\ |
| O-------O R O a - B: 'go trail' |
| / \|/ \ B - e: 'go hut' |
| O O O c - c, L - L: 'go door' |
| / | \ c - f, f - c: 'go stone' |
| x..Y T-O L m..n d - G, G - d, |
| | \: : n - U, U - n: 'go stair' |
| | L U h - h: 'go arch' |
| \ /|\ j - j: 'go crevice' |
| O | O k - k: 'go open' |
| \|/ m - n, n - m, |
| P x - Y, Y - x: 'go bridge' |
| ______________________________________________________________|__
\_/________________________________________________________________/
"No way in for ya, elf... Pay up!" around my throbbing eyeball. With
he said with a smile. a little leverage I popped the eye
from my skull and watched as it
That smile quickly faded as I in- sprouted little batlike wings and
cantated a spell. I could hear him began to hover before us. The
mumble something about hating magic dwarf standing next to me was
but it was too late. My spell was starting to look ill, but I didn't
ready. Casually I pushed my finger have time to enjoy that as I had to
into my eye socket and cupped it concentrate on moving the eye.
-4- More...
The eye sped through the opening, soft hiss as my wandering eye
through a glowing intersection, up rushed towards me. I reached out
a corridor into a long passage. and caught the squishy globe and
This turned into a bent passage quickly pressed it back into my eye
before coming out into a large socket. After a few blinks it
muster hall. North from there I seemed to seat itself properly. I
moved the eye into what looked like wiped off some gooey red residue
a living chamber and quickly found with my sleeve, and felt myself
the map on the wall. I con- once again presentable.
centrated on the eye and read what
was on the map. That seemed to be more than the
dwarf could stand. He promptly
"Frolkrm Hirildat Muslubri Corum," fainted at my feet. I chuckled as
I said to the dwarf who was looking I removed the maps from his back-
pale. pack. I then drug him outside and
set him down by the pool. Deciding
I concentrated again on the eye and he was safe there I ringed back to
had it return the way it had came. town... back to what would be
The disembodied, floating eye hopefully a quieter Helga's.
entered the room, and we heard a
___________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/ Stonehold - Lower Level /
|------------------------------------------------------------------'
| |
| G Points of Interest (Both Levels): |
| : |
| j B - 'go ferry' will go to shore. |
| / Don't hurt old gnoll :) |
| O c - 'push stone' from outside, |
| | 'turn lock' from inside. |
| O f - Round time when going to c |
| \ and back. |
| O G - Is G on upper level map. |
| | j, k - Lil folks only thru here |
| O L - Main Entrance. Big folks |
| / may drop to w on lower level |
| v...v Lock on door is -35 to pick? |
| | x, m, n - Crossbow Snipers! Go Quick! |
| O P - Pool. Stops Bleeding. |
| | R, Y - +20 to everyone's DB here. |
| O S - Round time incurred if you |
| | 'look at ore'. Try it! :) |
| O T - Way back to Threks and Gorcs |
| / U - Is U on upper level map. |
| O |
| | v - v: 'go recess' then |
| O 'look stream' |
| | w - w: 'go door' NOTE: this door |
| w...w can ONLY be opened from |
| \_________________ outside. If you can't get |
| \ anyone to let you out you |
| O---z can swim to the pool, but |
| j - G: 'go crevice' : you have to leave your |
| z - z: 'go door' z belongings here. |
| 'turn lock' if locked \ Be Careful :) |
| U |
| ______________________________________________________________|__
\_/________________________________________________________________/
-5- More...
Author's Notes: The maps of Stonehold on the preceding pages do no justice
to the wonderful descriptions there. If you are a dwarf or halfling I recom-
mend visiting it. If not, don't bother... it CAN be frustrating. Most of
it is reasonably safe with care. Main dangers are gnolls (described below)
and crossbow bolts that inflict (possibly fatal) criticals. Crossbow
snipers are marked on the map, and most of the valley outside. Run if you
hear a bolt zip by. The pool is a safe area. The gnolls may be found inside:
Gnoll, cave: 3rd level, very slow speed
Short sword or spear (35), shield, chain mail, DB 35
Gnoll, ranger: 5th level, medium speed
Hand axe (60), light hide, DB 40
Gnoll, thief: 7th level, medium speed
Dagger (80), light hide, DB 30
The best way to get there is to have someone set a ring for you. If you
walk you must go through several rooms between the crevice in Threks and the
valley outside Stonehold where you will get long round times like the swamps
in Gorcs. To ring out, you have to be outside. Enjoy!
_____________________________________________________________________
Kulthean Word Search
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DWARF
by Thantis Azzurn EISSA
ELF
Find the words listed separately on the scroll. EOG
They may be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. ESSENCE
________________________________________________ FALCHION
/ \ \ FIGHTER
| _\ \ GOLEM
\@__| | HALFLING
| C B R F H A X N Q R G T R V R A N G E R B C | HEALER
| U K D E C N E S S E Y L E O E N A E J V N O | HEAVY HIDE
| U W P I V Y C Y H T U O L U T Q H O J P T R | HOBGOBLIN
| U D R H D L L L A H I B A N S A Z G R G T J | IORAKS REACH
| G X U T E R I K A G R K E M A M G D P W G A | KARNELIN
| R W W K V D A S L I M C H D M N I I X A E N | KELFOUR EDITION
| R F I Y D R I G K F D O V E E O Q T V Q N X | KELFOURS LANDING
| F H Q O N A S H O G S H I B R I D K H A F D | KOBOLD
| R G O E W B N D Y N T S M A O T U W T R N Y | KULTHEA
| X N L B N O T G W V S N K O L I N G Q D I F | LAEN
| E I W M G O N K I A A S R C R D L O E F P L | LOREMASTER
| N L C C R O O D U R R E X C I E I P B E T J | MAGE
| L F Z K S B B D K E L F H Q R R F N E R R C | MITHRIL
| Q L A S O T W L A P N A U I F U E A O Y E N | NAVIGATOR
| A A P L M Z O C I R N E N C R O V L P R N M | ORC
| N H D C C B H N E N L W J D X F L L C E F M | ORHAN
| N V B E T H I K E L F O U R S L A N D I N G | QUELLBORNE
| V A B N A F I L B H C L A E D E S B R I M Y | RANGER
| K X Z T M J I O Q J O X E T N K Z A Z Q E C | SHAALK
| Q M M A V N R U N K U L T H E A K T H O L B | SHOCKBOLT
| Y I X U G N A H R O F F D N T N Z V G H O R | SILVER
_| R Q J R E R E C R O S P I D E R H M M A G E | SORCERER
/@| | SPIDER
| | | STONEHOLD
\/_______________________________________________/ THIEF
TORKAAN
BARD CHANNELING CLAIDHMORE DANGIRLAND TROLL
CENTAUR CLAEDESBRIM CLERIC DRAGONS UNLIFE
-6-
Inside the Spider Temple of Hrassk
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ________ \ by Isei Ikazuchi
\@| ~|_|~~|| |
| |~|_|~~ |
_| |~|-|__ |ver wanted to experience the inside of the Spider Temple but
/@| |~|__|| | fear you have only enough DB to last 10 seconds? Well, now
\_/ ~~~~~~~~ / you can see what it's like without danger. Read on!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sights inside the Spider Temple you have always wanted to see but were
afraid to enter. The fun starts here!
[Lower Kaldsfang, Forest]
Murky shapes, indistinct in the primeval forest gloom, filter through the
swaying pine boughs of the woods surrounding you. Suspended between two
ancient and venerable pines is a large, intricate spider web. Tattered to
shreds and fluttering in the breeze, it appears to have been spun to trap
man-sized prey. You also see a rough path.
Obvious paths: east.
>
After some walking....
>
[Spider Temple, Entrance]
You come upon the entrance to the Great Temple of Hrassk, the Spider
Goddess, whose fearsome likeness provides the plan for the layout of the
temple. Set above the ironbound oaken doors leading into the forbidding
black basalt structure are eight moonstones arrayed in dual rows of four.
Representing eyes, they seem to glare down at you with evil intent and a
peculiar, insatiable greed.
Obvious paths: southeast.
>
go door
>
[Spider Temple, Entry Hall]
The only light in the entrance hall comes from two marvellously crafted
candelabra, which from certain angles reflects back at you from the polished
black basalt walls. The shuffle of your feet against the teak floor
produces scuffling sounds. Large oaken doors lead in and out of this temple
of Hrassk, the spider goddess. You also see a black basalt arch.
Obvious exits: none.
>
go arch
>
[Spider Temple, Central Chamber]
The flickering, shifting light of candles fills this imposing central
chamber with moving shadows. Overhead a web-patterned tracery of red laen
supports the high domed ceiling, which rises tens of feet over the altar
that lies at the center of the chamber. Candle sconces flank each of the
doors that lead to the "legs" of this shrine to the spider goddess. Your
eyes are drawn to the grotesque arrangement of inlaid floor tiles which
depict scenes of death by poison. You also see a windak door, a bejeweled
door and a black basalt arch.
Obvious exits: northwest, southwest.
>
Light from the candle sconces along the wall flickers slowly, casting
living shadows through a black central chamber.
>
go altar -7- More...
>
[Spider Temple, Near Altar]
You are standing before the spiritual center of the shrine--a massive black
marble altar that rises several feet from the floor. Its sides are adorned
with images of various spiders.
Obvious exits: north, south, east, west.
>
You hear a malevolent rustling in the tracery overhead.
>
The High Priest Askylor just arrived at the altar.
>
Askylor kneels before the altar and begins to pray.
>
You see before you Askylor, the High Priest of Hrassk. His thin, spindle-
like arms and legs remind you greatly of the deity he has choosen to serve.
He wears a long, flowing robe, embroidered in silver with arachnids and
their webs.
>
Askylor raises his arms and continues murmuring prayers.
>
A curl of smoke from the incense on the altar rises up into webwork of
arches overhead.
>
A spider priest just arrived at the altar.
>
Askylor stands as he finishes his prayers.
>
Askylor walks around the altar, refreshing the incense and candles.
>
You hear a malevolent rustling in the tracery overhead.
>
A spider priest chants briefly, then utters a prayer.
>
A spider priest swings a rapier at you!
OB: 221 vs DB: 278 = -107
THT 61, d100 roll: 31, modified: -76
A clean miss.
>
A spider priest gestures mystically!
An invisible force guides a spider priest.
>
You exclaim, "Ack!"
>
A spider priest swings a rapier at you!
OB: 296 vs DB: 278 = +18
THT 61, d100 roll: 6, modified: 24
A clean miss.
The guiding force leaves a spider priest.
>
You exclaim, "Whew! Close one!"
>
Askylor kneels before the altar and begins to pray.
>
A curl of smoke from the incense on the altar rises up into webwork of
arches overhead.
>
You hear a malevolent rustling in the tracery overhead.
>
-8- More...
[Spider Temple, Near Altar]
You are standing before the spiritual center of the shrine--a massive black
marble altar that rises several feet from the floor. Its sides are adorned
with images of various spiders. You also see a spider priest and the High
Priest Askylor who is kneeling.
Obvious exits: north, south, east, west.
>
A spider priest chants briefly, then utters a prayer.
>
A spider priest gestures fiercely about, chanting loudly as great arcs of
blinding light flash behind him! You see a shadow obscure the light as it
moves forward. Its bulk steps gingerly over the priest and advances towards
you. The mammoth spider lurches to attack!
A mammoth arachnid spins a web at you!
Suddenly you are engulfed in thick strands of webbing!
>
W>You can't do that while entangled in a web.
W>A mammoth arachnid stabs at you with its stinger!
OB: 245 vs DB: 53 = +192
THT 76, d100 roll: 89, modified: 281
...and hits for 96 concussion points of damage!
Grazing shot.
An extra 5 concussion points of damage.
* Isei just bit the dust!
DEAD>quit
You retire to call a cleric for a resurrection...
Bummer! That cuts our tour short! Must be nice to have pets like that.
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ HALL OF FAME \
|@/______________________________________________________________________/
| |
| Congratulations to Lord Artuero Bresnahanini, Lord Enigma Sirillian, |
| Lord Mmorfo Chumpster, Lord Rhone Yarrl, Lord Joqain Denark, Lord |
| Arborius Dragonson, Lord Redeye Kielson, Lord Airioch Ramthanodox, |
| Lord Delvian Kel'Bathian and Lord Lohann McCloud for... |
| Achieving Noble Rank! |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bard Enegue LionHeart 20 | High Man Corwin D'AMBER 11 |
| Ranger Fxg Lyon 26 | Common Man Beolost Lamontt 19 |
| Mage Odds Bodkins 28 | Dwarf Vshaal hiJneksha'a 16 |
| Fighter Ise Ikiryo 22 | Halfling Odds Bodkins 27 |
| Thief Moonpie Legend 23 | Wood Elf Baram Lightclad 22 |
| Cleric Taarna Wayfinder 26 | High Elf Strom O'BERIN 34 |
| Sorceror Xura Viikort 21 | Half Elf Fxg Lyon 26 |
| Healer Strom O'Berin 34 | Fair Elf Lose Soulblaster 25 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
/@| Current GSIII Fame Rankings by Profession and Race - March 30, 1992 |
\_/______________________________________________________________________/
-9-
_______________ Iorak's Reach
/ \ ____ ____\ """""""""""""
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Belladonna Atropa
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| |hen I first came to we're standing right now, you used
/@| _|__/ \__|_| this city, every- to be standing on the ground in this
\_/_____________/ thing I saw was a mountain's shadow. There was a
marvel to me. I recognized nothing; mountain, all right, but as far back
I was awed by everything. One place as anybody can remember, it was just
to which I was introduced soon after floating along, way up there in the
my arrival was a mountain just a sky."
short hike outside the town gates.
Iorak's Reach, they called it, and "Up there?" I asked, pointing up.
as we made the long journey up to
the mist-shrouded peak of this moun- "That's right," he answered, with a
tain, my guide passed the time by smile.
telling me something of its history.
"In the sky?" I asked, looking at
"I can remember a time," he began as him doubtfully until a small boulder
we clambered across the drawbridge bouncing just over my head dis-
over a stream at the mountain's tracted me.
foot, "that there wasn't no mountain
here at all." "Right up there," he replied, nod-
ding calmly.
"I see," I said agreeably. "You woke
up one morning and there it was?" I started to say something, but I
wasn't sure what it was going to be,
"Oh, no," he said, shaking his head so I just sort of cleared my throat
solemnly as we began picking our way and let it go. Evidently, this
along a narrow and rather unsettling offended my guide, whose word was
path. "It wasn't nothing to do with not to be questioned. Dodging a
waking up in the morning, that much hail of fist sized rocks, he con-
I remember for certain." He paused, tinued testily, "If you weren't so
waiting until the roar of the small new around here, you'd know all of
avalanche I'd set off with a care- this already."
less step had faded somewhat. "No,
I went to bed one night and there By now we had come to what looked to
was no mountain. But it was the me like a test. There was a ledge a
middle of the night that I felt, or ways over our heads, and between us
anyway, I guess most everybody in and the ledge were four steps.
town felt it, it was a huge, an Unfortunately, all four steps were
enormous earthquake. Felt like the the same height. I couldn't see how
entire city was going to slide into this was of any help to us until I
the Bay, and all of us with it." noticed that my guide was staring at
a number of small buttons to the
I nodded politely -- cheerfully, I side of the staircase. Each button,
hoped -- but his mention of an I realized, had writing on it.
earthquake combined with the sight "Maybe if you push those letters in
of a mountain goat rolling down the the right order, the steps will
slope and across the trail in front change places," I suggested.
of us had made quite a dent in my
confidence. "And that's when you He seemed unimpressed. "Any ideas
saw the mountain for the first for which one to punch first?"
time?" I asked.
I hadn't really given it much
"No," he answered. "The mountain thought. I tried to remember all my
had been there for a long time. old spelling rules, but they didn't
Where we're standing right now, or didn't help much. "Was it R before S
anyway on the ground below where except after E? No, S before O, and
-10- More...
Z... Well, just Z, I guess. And O on. My curiosity got the better of
before R unless there's a full moon? me. I looked down. I gulped. I tried
Hmmm." I wasn't getting anywhere, so to get my mind off the abyssal drop
I decided to keep quiet and let him that awaited my next inevitable mis-
solve the problem. He managed it in step. I looked back at the ledge.
just under half an hour, though his My guide stood, grinning, on what
methods he would never divulge. looked from my position like very
solid ground. I clenched my teeth,
"So if this mountain was floating then tried to relax. I tried to get
along so happily for all that time, him talking again.
why the earthquake? How'd it get
down here?" "Wouldn't they have to wait till
whenever Orhan was supposed to be
My guide paused while two hill above it, and look at it then?"
trolls, apparently too caught up in
their mating ritual to notice they "Oh, what do you know? They're gods.
were moving, careened down the face They know the moon moves. Not only
of the mountain just ahead of us, that, they even know why. They know
then answered, "It was the gods." He how to make it move where they want,
was edging steadily west along the and when, too."
ledge as he grunted this, though I
could hardly see where he hoped we I supposed that made sense. For a
were going. As I made my way along brief moment, I fought the urge to
the same ledge, he continued. "They beg the gods who could move moons
weren't quite sure what that moun- where they willed to come get me off
tain was doing up there, either. So this ledge, but I was almost to the
they decided to come take a look." safety of the platform. "So what
did they do? They just brought
"They just flew down from Orhan to Orhan around and had a look?"
check out some mountain that was
minding its own business, floating "Exactly that." He took my hand and
around in midair?" led me towards a trellis where a
small cab was waiting. I'd barely
"Well, no, not exactly." Small had time to notice a small pool
plants were ripping free from the along side of a stream that had been
mountainside in his hands, and for a dammed, sending the water away from
moment or two he was silent as he the pool and over a paddle wheel,
worked his way around a final bend when he nudged me into the cab. A
in the ledge. Though I could no moment later he was in the cab too,
longer see him, I guessed he'd and with a lurch we were moving up
reached the end of the ledge, as his the side of the mountain. As I
voice didn't sound as strained. looked out the windows of the wooden
"You know how lazy they'd gotten in cab we rode in, I couldn't help
the last few centuries. They hate noticing that the trellis beneath us
leaving their home at all, if they didn't look terribly sturdy.
don't have to." I followed his voice
as I clung to the mountain, inching "And they decided the mountain
my way along this slender ledge and belonged on the ground, instead?" I
praying I wouldn't be curious enough asked, finding myself with something
to look down. "And," he went on, new to need distracting from.
"as you know, they only chose Orhan
for their home because it moves "Well, no," he said, smiling cruelly
across the entire world, every day." as a rock bouncing off the top of
the cab knocked us partly off
"Well, how would that help them come balance and partly off the trellis
take a look at our mountain?" I as well. "Here, just lean this way
asked, finally clearing the last for a while, till another rock comes
curve of the ledge and seeing the along. They almost always strike
wider platform my guide was standing each side in turns." The word
-11- More.
"almost" brought a lump to my from somewhere above and very nearly
throat. "No, the gods were rather knocked the cab entirely off the
busy admiring the view. It's a track. With a shudder, I turned
lovely mountain, really, especially towards the wall of fog ahead of me
if you're not trying to climb it." and took a few hesitant steps
With a loud boom, a second boulder forward. When I could no longer see
struck the top of the cab and, as my my hands, I came to a halt.
guide had predicted, we were knocked
back into a more balanced position "Where are you?" my guide called
over the trellis. I immediately from somewhere in front of me.
tried to throw myself to the center
of the cab for fear I would over- "Here!" I called back.
balance us to the other side.
"Don't move." I was quite content to
"Anyway," he continued, seemingly follow this instruction. The next
indifferent to our recent escape minute, a hand flapped once, twice
from certain death, "the gods were across my face and settled on my
admiring the view, and one or two of nose. From just in front of me I
them had begun arguing about what heard his voice. "Belladonna? Is
should be done with the mountain. that you?" For answer I bit his
One said, 'Bring it up to Orhan. finger. "Here," he said, pressing
It's too nice a mountain to leave it some kind of rope into my hands.
here on Kulthea.' Another wanted to "These just sort of grow along the
just leave it where it was, 'since wall up ahead. This is how we get
the mortals probably think we have up the rest of the way."
something to do with its being there
in the first place, and they're Figuring out what he wanted me to do
likely all the more awed because of with the rope took even less time
it.' Well, pretty soon they were all than doing it, and in minutes I was
talking at once, each trying to con- at the top of Iorak's Reach, or so I
vince the others simultaneously that supposed. He wasted no time
their idea was the best." admiring the view. "We're going
through here," he said, pointing to
The cab had reached the top of the a small opening in a nearby rock
trellis now, and we got out, he a wall. I felt somewhat cheated.
little more steadily than I, I'm Looking up, I saw Orhan so close it
afraid. We were on another wide seemed like I could touch it, but
platform, but the far side of this obviously the mountain went up even
one was entirely lost in fog. My farther. Tlilok was in clear view.
guide began walking into the fog. I suddenly began to wonder how long
Before he'd taken two steps, I lost we'd been climbing. It was no later
sight of him. than noon when we'd started up the
hill, yet here it was clearly night.
"We can't be going in there. How My guide had disappeared already,
will we know when to duck?" though, so without further thought I
went through the opening he had
"Relax," he answered. "We're practi- pointed out to me.
cally at the top of the mountain, or
this part anyway. There's hardly any I found him waiting for me, seated
thing left to fall on us from here." on the floor of a chamber with just
a single onyx altar for furnishings.
That didn't reassure me as much as He pointed up. I could see many
he might have hoped. If we were that small holes in the ceiling above us,
close to the top, then we had that but before I could begin to make out
much farther to fall if we walked what pattern they might form, a
the wrong way in the fog. I looked shaft of moonlight broke through
back almost fondly at the cab as it several of the tiny openings. I was
rested wearily at the top of the hardly surprised to note the light
trellis but just then a boulder fell fell on the altar, making a kind of
-12- More...
star pattern. What did surprise me Stranger advice I never heard, but
was the noise it made. I had never for whatever reason, I took it. In
heard noisy moonlight before. the room below there was a pool, and
I tried to sit in it. As soon as
"What in Kulthea and Orhan is that I'd put my right foot in the pool,
noise?" I asked, imaginatively. and then put my weight on my right
foot, however, I realized the time
"They're trying again," he grinned. for thinking was past. I slipped,
"See, while they were having their ending up in the sitting position
little conference about what they I'd intended all along, but in a
should do with the mountain, they stream of water that flowed through
all got too busy to think about the an opening in the west wall of the
fact that they were still moving room.
toward the mountain the whole time.
Next thing they know, bump goes Before I could even try to regain my
Orhan into the top of the mountain, feet, the water had carried me with
and then bump goes the mountain onto it. Soon I was sliding through
the ground it's been shading for tunnels, mostly underwater, gasping
centuries." at pockets of air, and always going
downhill, moving faster than I've
"The gods crashed their moon into a ever moved before or since.
mountain?"
You may think it's hard to get lost
"Been stuck there for the better going downhill but there were water-
part of my life," he replied with a ways branching off to both sides.
smile. "Stuck pretty good, too. What As it happened, I had my coin purse
you're seeing here is them trying to on my left side, so I was leaning to
get their moon moving again. They my left almost the entire ride down
cast all their magic into trying to the mountain. By the time I
push the thing off of the mountain, arrived, utterly drenched, half-
so naturally when the moon stays put drowned and airborne at the water-
the magic all comes flying back at fall spilling out near the base of
the mountain instead. But they the mountain, the sun was shining
can't just cast all that magic for- again. It slowly dawned on me that
ever or they might blow up the whole I was by the same lake that fed the
moon so they only go at it by whiles stream we'd passed over on the draw-
at a time. Every so often they start bridge in the start of our journey.
up again, though. And if you're here
when it happens," he winked, flip- To this day I haven't figured out if
ping a wand onto the moonlit star on I was just lying there by the lake
the altar, "there's enough magic dreaming the whole time, but if I
coming back down from that moon to was, it must have been a prophetic
refill as many wands as you've got dream. Though I never saw my guide
the patience to sit still for." again, I've been up the mountain
many times since, and following that
That was enough for me. How I'd path he showed me has brought me
managed to get all the way to the through every time.
top of Iorak's Reach without _______________________________
realizing my guide was insane I // \
didn't know, but it was obviously || Kelfour Edition |
time to leave. "How do I get down || Rewards its contributors with |
from here," I asked. || |
|| FREE WEEKENDS |
With an even broader smile, he || In GemStone III |
pointed through a hole in the floor || |
of the room with one thumb. "Go sit || Ask a GameMaster or KE Staff |
in the pool," he suggested. "An || Member for details |
idea might come to you." \\_______________________________/
-13-
The Care of Familiars
_________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _____ \ by Elminester Silvanisti
\@| ~|_|~ |
| | | |
_| |~| |t had been a long road can get into the room where that
/@| _|~|_ | to achieve mastery over person is. The familiar is limited
\_/ ~~~~~ / the small creatures of in the same ways as a normal cat or
~~~~~~~~ the wood. I had finish- animal. They can't find hidden or
ed the last stages of my research invisible people.
toward obtaining the spell to call
a creature to serve me. I remember Familiars are powerful creatures
the first time that I called one of which can't be hurt by anything in
these creatures. It was a calico our lands. They are immune to
cat that approached me from nowhere physical and magical attacks either
and looked at me with intelligence. from channeling essence or unlife.
The energy needed to call a
"What is your command master?" it familiar from the pale of existence
asked. they come from is enormous. This
explains why they are immune to
I had, so far, no experience com- attacks from the physical realm.
manding these creatures. Familiars, Limited in the same way, they can't
as lore tells, are nature's spirits attack other creatures.
(good ones) that when summoned take
over the body of a living creature. When a familiar's master dies, it
They are then under the will of the will go to the temple of Eissa and
person who summoned it. ask for help. I have not had the
privilege (or misfortune) of wit-
I tried to communicate with my new nessing this with my own familiars.
familiar. "What can you do?" I
asked the cat. It looked at me as Four varieties of familiar have
if it didn't understand, so I tried appeared to serve me so far. They
a different approach. I sent my are cat, hawk, falcon, and wolf.
thought to it: "SIT." The most common is the cat, which
comes in four color variations:
The cat answered "YES, MASTER." I white, black, calico, and tabby.
tried several commands. Sometimes Cats can go anywhere and they are
it obeyed; others it ignored me. quick. The wolf comes in only one
variety: grey. A wolf familiar can
After some study, I could direct my carry heavier burdens than a cat,
familiar to go in any direction I and it is very fast. The hawk and
wanted it to. It would go through the falcon are the fastest; but,
doors and climb paths. It could unlike the land familiars, they
take small objects in its mouth and cannot carry much nor go indoors.
carry them for long distances. The
familiar could send images of its Familiars need to be cared for and
surroundings when asked, or I could respected. They have feelings the
command it to watch the events in same as you do. Merely because they
its location. take the body of an animal doesn't
mean that they are not intelligent.
Two attributes make a familiar Familiars cannot act for themselves
particularly useful. A familiar can because they are bound by the
speak to others for you when you spell that called them and opened
are somewhere else. This is useful the gate from their home. The spell
for sending a message to someone that calls a familiar forth is one
who is far from you and yet keep of the most powerful spells, second
the message private. A familiar can to the Enchant True spell. This
find any person as long as the it spell is in the mage base list.
-14- More...
It appears that a familiar absorbs frustration whenever my familiar
its host's memories so that it can has an "accident" on him ;).
behave as normally as possible.
Though a familiar does not need I have found when I call a familiar
physical sustenance, the host still I get the same "spirit" although
needs food and water to survive. the host may change each time.
The purpose of feeding a familiar Whenever I cast the spell, the gate
is primarily to allow its host body to the realm where my familiar
to survive after the familiar lives opens. Upon arriving in our
leaves it. As the master of a plane the spirit immediately takes
familiar, I must hunt for it, since over the first available host. If
it cannot harm anything in our I am indoors, the familiar will
plane. Cats are the easiest to care take over the body of a cat.
for. If I bring a giant rat from Outdoors, you never know what you
the catacombs, the cat will eat will get.
about half of it and be satisfied
for the duration of the spell. Each time I call my familiar I find
out more about it and its home. As
Wolves are more selective and won't I said, familiars come from one of
eat rats. Their preferred morsel is many pales, mostly from the higher
torkaans, but they will also eat pales which are closer to our dim-
wolverines, karnelins, and threks. ension. You could call them Imps,
Wolves won't touch anything that a lower form of demonic being.
isn't fresh or anything killed with Higher forms are only to be
a spell. This forces me to kill the commanded by the most powerful
food animal with my sword. I sorcerers.
usually kill just torkaans but it
takes about four to satisfy a wolf. The familiar which I call forth has
One threk would be enough, but I led me to see that its home is a
only hunt them when I feel like violent one. Spirits are hunted as
giving the familiar a treat. food by the most powerful denizens
of the lower pales: djinni,
Hawks and falcons prefer eels and devils, and demons. This explains
worms from the coast. These foods why their life span is so short.
are hard to obtain, however, so if
I happen to call a hawk or falcon, Familiars welcome being called to
I dismiss it almost at once. our world because the few minutes
of existence here is an eternity
Another thing to take into account for them. The next time that you
is that whenever you walk with your see a familiar, pet it; it might
familiar around town, you are end in the jaws of a mighty djinn
responsible for any "accident" that when it returns home. And don't be
the host may have. More than once mad if you step on an "accident" or
the constable has had a little talk something drops on you.
with me about "accidents" that one
of my cats had. I usually walk with /\ /\
a small bag and hope that nothing /. \ / .\
happens. /. . \_______/ . .\
/ \
I make wolves stay out of town ( )
because with them I would need a ( (___ ___) )
wagon to clean up one of their ( /()\ /()\ )
"accidents." Hawks and falcons are ( ~~ ~~ )
more fun in this respect. Whenever ( . ) ( . )
the constable gives me too much ( .. ___ .. )
trouble (I still haven't forgotten ( . \_/ . )
the time that he arrested me) I ( |_ )
call a hawk or falcon and make it \_______/
follow him. I enjoy the constable's
-15-
Why I Will Survive In Kulthea
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_____________ by Flavor Da'Fearless
/ \ _________ \
\@| ||=|=|=|| |his is everyone's fav- climbing skill so I could get up the
| ~~ |_| ~~ | orite Flavor, Flavor trail in lessor orc/cockatrice land.
_| |_| | Da'Fearless Fighter.
/@| _|_|_ | And it is because I Secondly, people have critized me
\_/___________/ am a fighter that I because I have learned how to pick
ask you not to be to judgemental locks. Not that I'm any threat to
about my advice. I feel that there Lord Moonpie, Lord of All That Goes
are three kinds of fighters in Click, but knowing how to pick does
Kulthea. First, there are the Lords, help. There have been times when I
such as my big brother Lord Gilthor. have dumped metal breastplates so I
These types are called superior could carry a chest, only to find a
fighters. They can do practically bunch of agates in it later. Not
anything they desire to practically good. Picking chests is good and is
anything they desire to do it to. not a skill that should belong only
Next there are the medial fighters. to thieves!
These fighters are in the middle
levels, six to nineteen, with decent Thirdly, many of the weapons in
training. Kulthea are one handed: daggers,
falchions, broadswords and others.
Then, of course, there are the new- However, don't let this convince you
bies -- those who achieve great hits to train in one-handed edged. By
on hobs for their level. As I have all means, buy a weapon that suits
classified three levels, there are your training. I just ask you to
also sublevels: The eager, who remember this: It is true that
train in everything -- one-handed someone who has split his training
edged, one-handed crushing, two- between three weapons will be able
handed edged, staffs/bow weapons to attack with multiple weapons, but
amongst others; the average fighter, in the long run, I will have a
who splits his development points higher bonus by specializing in one
evenly amongst weapon training; and weapon. I will also have other
types like me, the specialist, who skills such as lock picking that
concentrate training in one area. they won't have -- which is why I,
Flavor Da'Fearless Fighter, will
In defense of specialists, I have survive in Kulthea.
often been asked, "Flavor, can you
use two-handed swords?" When I Peace.
reply, "No," I hear remarks such as,
"We need to talk about being a
fighter." This is nonsense. Now, _______________________________
wait... I'm not writing another |\_____________________________/|
Guide to Building a Better Fighter, | | | |
I'm just attempting to highlight a | | | |
few of the advantages of being a | | HELGA'S TAVERN | |
specialist. For example, when | | | |
starting out, I found that I had a | | | |
small number of development points. | | BE THERE | |
And since I had played before and | | | |
had a drake falchion waiting for me, | |___________________________| |
which is a one-handed edged weapon, |/_____________________________\|
I trained in that skill. Then I
studied picking locks and disarming
chests after I'd fully trained in Is there REALLY a place called
body development and other essen- the Thingful Mansion in town??
tials. I also made sure I got some
-16-
To BB, or Not to BB...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Gallenod Varynesti
______________ GemStone III Category Leader
/ \ ____ ____ \
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| |i! Instead of in- attacks or obscene language; GEnie
_| |~|--|~| | flicting another of is a family network, after all. You
/@| _|~| |~|_ | my stories on you, can post an insulting message in
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / I thought this character to another GemStone char-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ would be a good time acter as long as you keep this in
to toss out some information about mind. We encourage roleplaying.
what's going on in our areas of the However, anyone who exceeds the
GEnie Multi-Player Games RoundTable bounds of good taste will be advised
(MPGRT) and what you can get into if of that, and if they persist in vio-
you're not already active there. If lating these rules their privileges
you're an experienced RT customer in the bulletin board can be revoked
you may want to skip past all the based on the procedures setout in
basic info and just head straight to the RoundTable policy and the GEnie
the description of what Gira looked *POLICY.
like after she drank a Purple Haze
in the Drooping Dragon Pub and her That's not normally a problem.
armor melted off. (If you have no People participate here for any
idea what I'm referring to, then you number of legitimate reasons. Some
may wish to read the entire text so have questions they want answered,
you'll be able to deal with it and some have the answer. Others
rationally when we get there.) come to participate in discussions
of technical points of GemStone
There are three areas in the RT, rules and game mechanics. Many have
located on GEnie page 1045: The suggestions for improvements to the
Bulletin Boards (BB), the Real-Time game and post them here so the
Conference area (RTC), and the Lib- Simutronics staff can see not only
raries. All are valuable sources of their suggestions, but the other
information. players' reactions to them. We also
have some talented story-tellers in
Most of the action happens in the the group, as well as our cloud of
BB. Our CATegories are numbers 17 resident gadflies.
through 20. We have technical dis-
cussions about spells and combat, Good posters do one of three things:
stories of heroes and villains, ask, inform, or entertain. All three
pleas for help, and even our own pub if they're really talented. We have
to hang out in. The number of a variety of topics that cover al-
messages that show up in those four most everything you'd ever want to
CATegories is quite amazing; I went talk about. Unfortunately, dis-
away for two weeks at Christmas and cussion in some topics tends to
found over 2800 new messages in "drift" every once in a while. This
there when I got back -- both infor- can be confusing to someone who
mative and entertaining. opens a topic on weapons, only to
find a spirited discussion of spells
Our primary purpose is simple: bul- in progress. Please try to stay on
letin boards are a way for players topic. If you drift, we'll even-
and staff to communicate with each tually get around to giving you a
other in a public forum. Just like nudge in the right direction.
a real bulletin board, you post (Which may involve moving a few
notes for others to read, and they messages, too.) Please bear in mind
post notes for you. Because this is that your Cat Leaders are here to
a public forum, however, we have try and keep things organized for
some restrictions on what you can your benefit.
post. We don't allow personal More...
-17-
Every Thursday night we have a perfect gentleman, and hopes that
GemStone discussion in Room 9 of the this positive endorsement will not
RTC. Topics range from clinics for cause irreparable damage to Lord
new players to guest speakers. In Moonpie's reputation.]
January, for instance, we had a dis-
cussion of Gladitorial Game tactics ...and it's a good thing we found
in the RTC right before the Games. that block and tackle. See what fun
Last month, Kygar came and talked to we have in there?
a small but spirited (many of our
visitors were actually just waiting If you have questions, catch me in
to be ressed:) discussion of quests, the game or send GE Mail to Fnord at
mini-events and GM NPCS. On the E.ARCHIBALD or Gallenod at D.LONG23.
19th of March at 10:00 PM ET, Lord If you think we're the problem
Elvanion Darkbolt was the guest. rather than the cure, our Boss is
(By the way, no weapons or offensive Carrie Washburn (and her staff) at
spells were allowed in the RTC for MPGAMES. Write her if you like us,
that one.:) On March 26th, I did a too, but we won't hold our breath.
clinic on combat math. Aside from
the RTC with Elvanion (he apparently
wanted to make sure the sun would be
all the way down before he logged ____________ The Last Hurrah
on) our RTCS start at 9:30 EST. / \ _________\ """""""""""""""
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Ise Ikiryo
Our most underused area is probably | ~~ |_| ~~ |
the library. Yes, you have down- _| |_| |he night was unusual-
loaded this fine newsletter from it, /@| _|_|_ | ly cold. Pulling my
but do you also know about all the \_/__________/ cloak tightly around
maps, hints, and other interesting my body, and I was walking towards
bits that live there? And uploading the town gates when I sensed his
is free! Just found a new way to presence. I had not seen him in a
get out of the second level of long time and went looking for him.
Claedesbrim Dungeon that no one else
knows about? Earn the thanks and I found him in the Hall of Lords in
admiration of your fellow adven- the House of Arcane Masters. He was
turers by loading it in the library just standing, unmoving, in complete
for all to see. silence, gazing at the mural. There
were tears in his eyes. I ap-
What's that, you ask? What did Gira proached him silently and waited.
look like after her armor melted He turned around to face me and
off? It was in the Drooping Dragon began to talk about days long past.
Pub in Cat 20. She had the nerve to
call my pub "dimly lit," so I wanted I looked at him with a sudden real-
to show her we had some serious ization, shocking and painful. My
brew. I served her a Purple Haze, a heart sank as my fears came true. He
drink so strong that if you drink was leaving the lands. Forever. We
one, the person next to you gets looked at each other for a time,
double-vision. When that drink hit then we embraced.
her Godlike constitution, the
resulting heat melted her adamantine I watched with great sadness and a
armor to slag. Well, let me tell heavy heart as he walked slowly out
you, it wasn't.... of the hall and into the night.
Words cannot express the grief I
[We interrupt this discussion for an felt for the passing of an old
important announcement: Lady Gira friend, a friend made a long time
Gavilan wishes to thank Lord Moonpie ago, when the world was young and
Legend for helping her out while she beautiful.
was under the foul influence of some
evil brew called a Purple Haze. She Farewell, Dagmar, you will be dearly
wishes to point out that he was a missed.
-18-
Jewelry in Kulthea
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the Libraries of House |{nightsaber
A Delicate Platinum Ring A coral necklace
This fine ring made of platinum is A necklace made from the skeletons
known to possess some magical of tiny sea animals.
properties.
A moss covered ring
A Silver Earcuff This strange looking ring casts
This exquisite example of the the level 3 spell airwall from the
jeweler's art is suitable for both Open Channeling list when rubbed.
ladies and gentlemen. Made of Covered with moss, it seems to
fine silver, it is reported to make its owner itch.
give its wielder the ability to
have ESP powers similar to those An onyx wristlet
found in crystal amulets. A deathly black wristlet rumored
to offer some magical properties.
A White Gold Band
This band is of finest white gold, A gold earring in shape of a skull
an heirloom of gnollish crafts- This earring, most likely found
manship. The satiny sheen of this from some dead sea pirate goes
bracelet has been caused by years well with any thieves ensemble.
of rubbing. With a rub, the user
is able to casts the spell Haste A wrist sundial
II giving him lightning speed. Worn on the wrist. This lets the
owner tell time by calculating the
A Crystal Earring position of the sun with respect
Beautiful item, made from finest to the horizon and season.
water crystal. Expertly faceted to
catch the light and sparkle with A glowing steel lockpick
all the colors of the rainbow. A small lockpick made of hardened
steel; also possessing a strong
A Silver Pentagram inner glow.
This little gem was found near a
wizard's grave. Lets the wielder A pair of rose colored spectacles
casts Wizard's Shield. These spectacles make an ignorant
fighter look like an ingenious
A Silver Bracelet mage when worn. Seems to give
This fine silver bracelet is made it's owner a intellectual look.
of the purest sterling, polished
to a flawless shine and etched A large gold earring
with a runic design. Matches any A smooth earring of solid gold.
outfit and enhances any ensemble.
A black opal ring
A braided grass band A black translucent inlaid stone
A simple, plain looking band made fit into a ring. This ring gives
from a special pouch in the lands. its owner the ability to create
powerful magical firestorms.
A litch bone ring
This ring is made from a dead A braided silver wire wristlet
litches bones, however no magical A small wire wristlet made of fine
properties has yet been found. silver.
A sapphire ring
A clear blue ring inlaid with
bright sapphires. More...
-19-
An ominous skull ring allows the wielder to remove the
Who knows what sort of secrets deadly poisons in someone's blood.
could be hidden in this artifact?
At the very least, it looks A magical diamond ring
frightening and has scared many a A ring made from a fine diamond,
child away from its sight. allowed the wielder to cast the
spell Wizard's Shield. After 4
A pair of pearl earrings rubs, it shattered on its own.
Made of ivory white pearls, these
earrings look fit for a princess. A large pear shaped diamond pendant
This powerful pendant is known to
A delicate ankle bracelet cast powerful magics.
This delicate item fits around the
ankle of its owner. A fine addi- A moonstone necklace
tion to any outfit. A necklace made from a moonstone.
A titanium ring A silvery wristband
This powerful ring made of There are rumors of other wrist-
hardened titanium gives it's owner bands similar to this one in the
some minor protection(+15) against lands. It allows the user to
physical and elemental attacks. magically clean his armor to a
shiny glimmer with a mere rub.
A mother of pearl necklace
This valuable strand of pearls is An aquamarine earcuff
seen in the olden days worn by An earcuff made of aquamarine
many healers. It is known to being a transparent blue-green in
cast the spell Heal II. color.
A malachite pendant A delicate silver ankle bracelet
Another healing artifact, this A small ankle bracelet in the
pendant casts the spell Heal I shape of a chain of flowers.
when rubbed.
A crown of gaily colored ribbons
A silver medal of Heroism that trail down in long, wavy plaits
A medal showing everyone that you Ribbons worn that gives its owner
have done a Heroic deed. an exotic look. Matches any gown
and great for causing quite a stir
A White Eog Ring in local taverns.
This powerful ring gives its
wielder godlike abilities that are Black pearl necklaces
known only to a few people. It This powerful necklace is made of
seems not to surface in the lands deep black pearls which allows the
often and is known that no one owner to cast Heal II when rubbed.
belonging to any society may use
it. Healing bracelets
Another healing item, this casts
A Black Eog Ring one of the spells from the
Another powerful ring, the oppo- healer's base spell list.
site to the white eog ring, it is
used by those in the Council of Dragon brooches
Light and gives its wielder A decorative pin in the shape of a
immense abilities. dragon.
A shimmering neckchain A golden dragon ring
A shiny neckchain which seems to Acquiring this ring was a story in
shimmer uncontrolably. itself and its properties are
still not widely spread. Inlaid
An emerald ring with gold, this ring is etched
This old artifact is made from the with the shape of a dragon.
finest emeralds in the lands and -20- [Continued on Page 36]
____________ Surviving Level One
/ \ ____ \ """""""""""""""""""
\@| /~/~~\\ | by Metaboculous Griden
||~| ~~ |
_||~| |==| |ood day, my fellow Another thing: Don't put your weapon
/@| \~\__// | warriors. I'd like to on the ground; put it in your
\_/ ~~~~~ / take a moment to talk backpack. I watched a manticore
~~~~~~~~~~~ to the new people in pick up a special weapon one day and
Kelfour's Landing and say, "Hello." run off with it.
My subject is setting your parry so
that you can live long enough to If you don't have a weapon in your
really enjoy this game. I would right hand, you lose its OB for
also like to thank Thantis for his defensive purposes. Then the only
article in February's Kelfour OB that you can add to your DB is
Edition. I recommend that article your brawling skill. A note on
to all newcomers. Thantis offered brawling, for those fighters and
some very good advice. thieves who will be picking chests
out in the wilds: it would be wise
So you've rolled a character, to train at least once per level in
equipped him, and someone who has brawling. When you are picking you
told you how to get to the kobold have to wear your shield and put
forest. Great! You're ready go get your weapon away, only leaving your
waxed! And you will be if you don't lockpick in your right hand.
understand how to set your parry. Without brawling, your DB even at
full parry might not be high enough
The first tactic I see some first to keep you from getting killed if a
level players use is to try to match critter walks in.
their DB to their attacker's OB.
Below is an example of when not to For those who don't know, THT is To
do this. (Of course, I couldn't get Hit Threshold. Modified, it is the
a critter to roll a 100 for my final result of the attacker's roll.
examples when I had the capture on, If the modified value is higher than
but they rolled 'em as soon as I the THT, then the attacker makes
turned it off. Yes, I bit the dust contact. At this point there are
trying to get examples for this <g>. other things that happen, depending
Lesson 1: Critters will roll a 100 on the weapon and the amount the
as soon as you don't want them to!) roll is over the THT.
A Hill Troll swings a twohanded There are several very good and in-
sword at you! depth articles in past KE'S about
armor and weapons. Many hard hours
OB: 90 vs DB: 91 = -1 and real dollars were put into these
THT 79, d100 roll: 45, modified: 44 articles so other people wouldn't
Weapon clash! have to spend the time or money.
[STR/BF: 75/200 vs. 90/200, Take a little time to browse these
(open)D100 = -41] files and download them. The
articles include tables on THT for
I got lucky here. Forgot to remove each weapon against each type of
my shield which would have added 20 armor and tables for monster hit
to my DB. You can see that any roll points, just as an example. So take
of 80 or more could have hit for a few minutes and go through some of
some damage, and a roll of 95-100 the past editions.
might have stunned me. When you're
stunned, your DB is lowered. If the All right, so now you know how to
hit knocks you to the ground, you keep from getting killed. Next is
better hope the monster rolls real what to hunt, so let's talk about
low, because your DB is reduced by some critters. First, there are
50 points. kobolds. Little wimpy critters for
-21- More...
level one players, these carry short Now on to hobgoblins. This is
swords worth 23 at pawn. They also probably the most popular area for
carry various items and chests. younger levels to hunt, but you have
Their OB is 10, which means they to watch out for lesser orcs. For
will probably have a hard time fighter types these aren't too hard
hitting you. The dangerous part to hit, but if you are a mage it's
about hunting kobolds is that not likely you can fight them.
karnelin and wolverines frequent the
area. These will kill ya pretty Forest trolls also frequent the
quick if they walk in while your area. These are level six critters
parried down fighting a kob. and hard to hit. However, they
carry cudgels which they can hardly
If you have a good OB and decent DB, use, so their THT against your heavy
you can fight sea nymphs. Sea hide is 99. You can parry down
nymphs are nice because the only against these.
other critters that roam the top
path in the Coastal Cliffs area are Warning! If you break a troll's
carrion worms. Once I did see a weapon, it can claw and bite you and
bounder wander in there, but I its THT against you drops to 66. It
believe it might have been chased. can wax ya in a heartbeat then!
Carrion worms are a little feisty, Another thing about claws--if a claw
and they do bite, but they don't go attack hits, even for just 2 cps,
to the west side of the Cliffs there is an automatic critical roll.
unless chased. If you fail this by enough you can
die instantly, no matter how well-
Here's a sea nymph swinging at some armored you are.
heavy hide. Notice its THT:
Now a word on parry tagging. It's
A sea nymph swings a dagger at you! totally up to you. "Parry tag" is
to be at parry 100, wait until the
OB: 41 vs DB: 166 = -125 critter swings at you, then parry
THT 94, d100 roll: 89, modified: -36 down to 0 and swing, then parry back
A clean miss. up to 100 as soon as possible. Some
critters have a longer round time
You swing a midnight black falchion than you do, so this not so dan-
at a sea nymph! gerous... well maybe!
OB: 32 vs DB: 35 = -3 Say you mistype and don't realize it
THT 66, d100 roll: 65, modified: 66 in time. Or while you're in round
A clean miss. time at parry 0, another critter
walks in and swings at you. Well,
If you are a fighter type you should you just might be reading that
have the OB to hit these. If you are scrolling page of the things that
a mage, fear not. They are decently are said when you die, especially if
easy to sleep. Once they hit the you're in kobolds and a karnelin
ground their DB drops to -15, and a walks in on your fight.
rapier has a THT of 56 against
nymphs. With minimum patience, you I learned this the hard way and
can fight these with little worry personally don't parry tag. The few
about getting killed. Sea nymphs times I've tried I have been burned
also carry chests and other items. by it. However, several people
swear by it, so it's your choice.
The next area is the old mine road Clerics need EXP too! Good luck and
on the way to the Graveyard. Here good hunting!
you can find kobolds and lesser
orcs. These are easier to hit than =============\\=============
lesser orcs in hobland, which is
good for experience. However, you
won't make any money here.
-22-
A Call to Arms
____________ """"""""""""""
/ \ ______ \ B'halthon d'Anathur
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~|| n a night not too the streets unhindered by the
_||~| |~|| long ago, an evil forces of law.
/@| \~\__/~/ | black chalice found
\_/ ~~~~~~ / its way to our town To whom, then, the credit for the
~~~~~~~~~~~ well and minions of survival of our town? While it
the unLife found their way beyond would be impossible in a day's time
the gates. Summoned by the chalice or less to recount the innumerable
or drawn by some nameless power, instances of heroism and selfless
this unimpeded arrival in our midst sacrifice offered up by the town's
raises questions about the ability doughty warriors, healers, mages
and dedication of our gate guards, and thieves, no small mention
although the subsequent battles on should be made of the contributions
the streets of our home, often of one Taarna, cleric. Putting her
raging in the square, sometimes favored status with the gods in
pressing against the very walls of considerable jeopardy, she called
Eissa's temple, proved beyond doubt on the powers of Orhan for an
the valor and determination of accounting of the sudden appearance
Kelfour's clerics and other staunch of the unLife and the likeliest
defenders. means of its correction. Without
the aid of perhaps the most
One of the more surprising dedicated cleric of Kulthea in the
contributions to the night's action struggle against the unLife, the
was that of the town constable. riddle might never have been
Hired to protect the city against solved, and the town, despite the
acts of violence and theft, the tireless efforts of rangers,
constable's only contribution to clerics, sorcerors and more, would
the city's defence was to hurt the have been entirely, utterly
morale of the fighters, thieves and destroyed.
others struggling to save the town.
Ah, but even the beloved of the
Smiling affably, the constable with gods may be despised in other
the suspicious eyes saw exactly corners, and no less could be
nothing of concern in the actions expected for Taarna. A powerful
of the spectres, wraiths, spectral force for good, she had the undying
hounds and other unliving trash. enmity of evil as one portion of
As harmless recreation he dismissed her reward. And if there exists in
their destruction of all life that Kelfour a greater evil than the
came within their grasp. The utter maleficent mage, Mallenon, its
riot of the citizenry in their mad identity is unknown to this writer.
haste to escape the seemingly Purporting to act on behalf of
inevitable ruin of our good town Kelfour's most secret shadow
was of only slight concern to him; society, itself loudly whispered to
he noted only that it afforded some owe allegiance to the unLife,
opportunities to reckless looters. Mallenon spoke of unheeded warnings
as he murdered Taarna in cold
Those that tarried to redistribute blood, and in the cleric's weapon
unguarded wealth typically paid the stores, no less.
price, being swiftly incarcerated,
equally swiftly dispatched by the Then, oh, truly then, was the worth
ghoul pack that started oh, so of our good constable shown for all
small but by the bloody night's end to see. Swiftly was the fiend
was doing a heart-stopping Mallenon brought to justice!
rendition of the Jail House Rock, Imprisoned, as was his onerous due!
or falling victim to the And then, at the behest of our good
implacable, inhuman hordes roaming constable, released with no charges
-23- [Continued on Page 25]
__________ The Lords Council of Kelfour
/ \ __ \ """"""""""""""""""""""""""""
\@| / "| | B'halthon d'Anathur
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| | ll sentients are which could save our friend from
/@| // |"| | created with certain the treachery of this false other?
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / inalienable rights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Among these are, No, in none of these cases would
presumably, the right to choose the councils of the wise have us
ones own path, to face dangers of permit the slaughter of those who
ones own free will, and to be do not understand their peril, and
protected so far as is possible who do not see an enemy.
from such dangers as threaten but
are beyond ones ability to Similarly, in a society where the
control. And yet for those of unLife is only feared during
Kelfour's citizens more experienced outright assault, it cannot be
in the ways of the greater world argued that the populace generally
that exists beyond these walls, sees at all. Whether dormant,
this presents a terrible choice. active or aggressively seeking the
death of all that lives, unLife is
If the citizenry understand the and always shall be a threat. If
peril presented by the unLife, then there be people who see no danger,
they must recognize that the still we must act for their
constable is no fit guardian of the protection. We have seen, we have
public well-being. If the experienced first hand the
citizenry fail to understand the devastation of the assault of the
grave threat represented by the unLife.
unLife, is it our duty to respect
their ignorance and do nothing? It falls to us to choose the best
course. Let us, then, choose from
Consider the example of a world ourselves those most able to see.
where blindness is the norm. Is Let us choose those who have
it, then, the right of the populace longest endured the malice of the
to choose their own leaders? To unLife, and let our course be set
seal their own dooms? Are we, the according to the teachings of their
sighted, in this case bound to long experience.
honor their choices?
Resolved, then, that as this city
Consider the example of a friend would best be governed by those who
whose back is turned to a malign best understand its danger, let a
foe. As we stand facing this Council be formed among the learned
friend, and therefore with a clear Lords and Ladies of the city.
view of the adversary, are we
obligated out of a respect for the Let there be chosen, among the most
right of our friend to choose his devoted of the city's guardians,
own path, to watch our friend die, three clerics, Lords and Ladies all
destroyed by a foe whose successful if such be possible, for among the
attack we might easily have clerics will be found the
prevented? staunchest enemies of the unLife.
Consider the example of a friend Let there be chosen two healers, of
who faces another, known to us as a similar station, for among the
false murderer, but still in the healers will be found those who
eyes of our friend a trusted ally. best understand the suffering
Shall a rigid respect for the brought by the work of the unLife.
rights of others to choose their
own way compel us to watch Let these five hold council, and
silently, withholding a warning from among the other Lords and
-24- More...
Ladies of the city let them choose A Call to Arms [From page 23]
such as they deem most fit to be ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
added to the Lords' Council of filed, without even the slimmest
Kelfour, always adding by twos so requirement of the posting of bail.
it may never be deadlocked.
No lasting result could attend the
Let this council maintain itself efforts of this fiend, as the whole
perpetually, removing from the of the city was roused for his
ranks of the Council any who fall blood. For fear of his life he
short of their calling, or who are dared not show himself outside the
unable to continue to represent the protective influence of his close
city, and adding those who show friend, Kelfour's tireless and
themselves able to replace these vigilant constable. By the good
absent or unfit Lords or Ladies. graces of Kelfour's other clerics,
Taarna was raised and lives to
Let this Council pass such laws, speak of the evils which so
and appoint such officers and personally challenge her. Mallenon
stewards as it deems appropriate in was exposed for the coward he truly
the administering of these laws: is, refusing even to speak in
defence of his own foul deeds.
First, to maintain the readiness of
the city at all times against the Still, how long can we hope to
coming of enemies and against the protect the citizens of Kelfour
coming of such natural plagues, when the constable himself acts in
famines and disasters as may fall league with the forces of
upon us at unawares. annihilation? Can we truly oppose
Kelfour's forces of law? And yet,
Second, to organize the protectors Kelfour's duly elected law
and citizens of this city in times enforcers choose a standard of
of peril, always mindful of the justice that views all actions of
wandering paths of the best and the unLife, in pursuit of its goal
bravest in these lands, always of the destruction of all life,
cautious to provide against absence with less prejudice than is bent
of those most earnestly desired. towards those who would reduce the
lining in the pockets of the
Third, to further the work of the wealthy.
city's temple and great Houses in
the battle against the unLife, The time has come. This town is
providing where needs allow for the under siege, and the gate guards
ordering of expeditions to destroy have proved inadequate to their
the nests of unLife now identified, duties. The constable has proved
and ordering smaller forays to the unworthy of his hire. The time has
wilds at times to explore any new come for Kelfour's true guardians,
regions suspected of harboring the for those who strive eternally
malicious creatures. against the creatures that threaten
its trade, and against the unLife
Fourth, to support the work of that threatens its existence, to
Kelfour's clerics and healers in throw off the shackles of a law
keeping the battle-trained among us imposed to ensure the rights of the
well and fit. most evasive, the most insincere.
That the city may ever prosper, let The time has come for a new law.
this be done, and quickly. Until The time has come for the Lord's
such time as we set ourselves to Council of Kelfour.
it, Kelfour's only lawful protector
shall be the constable. To such a ===========\\============
fate let us not abandon those we
have always sought to defend.
-25-
Farewell, My Friends
""""""""""""""""""""
_________ by Amelda Heronheart
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ | wanted to invite you lady shall have the torkaan."
| |~| | all to my wedding - it
_| |~| | would have been spectac- After that glorious evening, we lost
/@| _|~|_ | lar. There were lots of touch until again our paths did cross
\_/ ~~~~~ / things I wanted but such by accident or by design, and we
~~~~~~~~ is the way of life. hunted the night away chasing the
greater orc, the forest troll, the
I wanted to invite you all to my nimble threk. Naxxixx was all
wedding - it would have been politeness to me and filled with
spectacular. There were lots of respect, and yet maintained a boyish
things I wanted, but such, my friends sense of fun. My heart was lost to
is life. Oh yes, I have learned him, as his was to me. He chided me -
bitter lessons, and I will speak of a bard who never sang, and was so
them. Naxxixx is no more with me, and clumsy she always had scars or
I cry tears of loss and sorrow. I missing eyes, being too long from
have sung no song since the eve we town and in want of a healer.
parted.
____________________________________
My belongings are cleared from the / \ \
House of the Argent Aspis and I have \@| Song For Naxxixx |
taken up meager lodgings (if they can | |
be called that) in a grey stone tower | I thought to hunt one evening |
- abandoned as I found it - | Early in the Spring |
overlooking the scene of my Beloved's | And Fortune smiled upon me |
fatal encounter in the country where | And the very gods did sing. |
the werebear stalks and the | |
treacherous grey orc plots endless | For I met upon the lonely path |
methods for the demise of hapless | A man whose eyes did shine |
travellers. Morbid, you may say. | And twinkle forth a radiance |
Well, it suits my mood. | Reflected back in mine. |
| |
I sing no happy songs but my mind | His courtly manners charmed me, |
does drift, despite my anguish, to | His hunting skill was art, |
the glad times, before my Dear One | But 'twas in the playful way |
was called away...but I shall tell _| He watched o'er me, |
that later. It was not so far from /@| This man-elf won my heart. |
this very tower that we met for the \_/ /
very first time. I was young then - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
but a few months in Kelfour's Landing He loved me as I was, with my
- and was teaching myself to hunt clumsiness and scars, but in knowing
torkaan so I would not go hungry. Our him I began to care more for my
paths crossed by accident - or was it person and, in my wish to please him
by a higher design? I am inclined to I overcame my fear of self-expression
think the latter. He was returning and began composing songs for my
home from the pursuit of larger game, Beloved. Oh yes, I was a bard by
and there he found me, still poorly profession, and training, but only
armed and somewhat clumsy. He bowed because my family schooled me for it.
politely, and I beheld the merry Until I met my Love, I had no will to
twinkle in his eye. He smiled a bit sing. He admired my words and the
indulgently, suggesting that such a pure clarity of my voice, and I began
"mighty warrioress" as myself might to delight not only Naxxixx with my
seek better sport than the lowly songs, but found occasion to sing for
sheep, but I explained my others, too, until I had some small
circumstances, and he bowed again and reputation in the land. Those were
smiling, said, "In that case, the happy times, indeed.
-26- More...
One day my Love proposed to me. temple for our friends. Our merriment
Kyanna, my dear, dear friend, was was such that we broke more glasses
there to witness it. Naxxixx than we removed from there, and on
presented me with one red rose, and our return to the temple, Melda
proposed to me in song. Our lives embraced us warmly and thought to
were filled with music in those everyone in Kelfour's to gather at
the House of Paupers for a party. It
________________________________________ was lovely.
/ \ \
\@| Song For Amelda | There were impromptu toasts and
| | gifts - the overflowings of warm
| The tale I tell is godsworn true | hearts. We drank and splashed
| Of chance's role in love. | about, vying for points as each
| Yes, all our lives are etched in time| tried to out-do the others in
| By the mighty gods above. | flopping into the pool in the
| | most entertaining dives of every
| I'd never known a love before... | kind and level of perfection. We
| I'd never meant to start. | played like otters late into the
| Then I saw the world as it should be | blissful night.
| In Amelda Heronheart. |
| | The blissful night... of these we
| To walk along the city streets | had many, my Love and I. Then
| Alone was once my place. | came the day he told me he must
| But I knew I'd never walk again | leave. We had not set our hands
| Without her smiling face... | in marriage yet, and he said it
| | must be thus, and was for the
| Close by to show me things | best, because I must now act the
| I'd never seen, I'd never learned. | part of a widow, bravely, though
| And to grace me with that tender kiss| he still lived. You can imagine
| For which My heart had yearned. | my torment. At first he could not
| | openly even to me, of the reason
| Her beauty reaches past my words, | for his departure. That it was
| Her mind beyond my dreams. | dangerous I could see in his
| To snatch me from her loving side | elven eyes. That our separation
| Would take the fiercest teams... | grieved him was only too, too
| | clear.
| Of mages wise and fighters bold, |
| And monsters of all breeds | It was a duty he was honor-bound
| Because the words she speaks so soft | to perform in the farther reaches
| Take root in me like seeds. | of the country of his birth -
| | in the hazardous marshes of Mor-
| And when the seeds will sprout and | va. This is all he was able to
| grow, | relate. He sent a messenger to
| There'll be no hurt, no crime | the House of Aspis, at great dan-
| For then we two shall be as one | ger to himself and messenger,
| Until the end of time. | informing us of his quests
| | through Morva. He exhorted my
| To all who listen to my tale, | friends to watch over me, and
| It makes no matter who... | they have done this. An elf could
_| Believe in fate and some one day, | not have better friends than I
/@| Your love will come to you. | have had...
\_/ /
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In his travels, Naxxixx bartered
for a magical pendant and could
bright days. We wanted to include return him to Kelfour's Landing for
everyone in the happiness of our short periods, but it proved to be
engagement, and ran hand in hand to erratic, and its unpredictability was
Helga's to induce that lady to sell a danger to his life. I saw him only
us ale and wine to bring back to the once, and then too briefly. I am
-27- More...
telling you these things, my to return to a village of friends
friends, because you have been dear for the delivery, was caught out of
to me and I know my interests and time. She was born in the hut of a
those of Naxxixx are safe with you. stranger, and as I travelled with
No one must know where he has gone her soon after, we were beset by a
and why, or even that he lives and dark brigands and she was stolen
so he has asked me to behave as if I from my grasp. Tales in the
knew him not, as if he had never neighborhood years after led me to
been in this world, and that is more believe she had been made against
than I can bear as I tread the her will to serve the dark gods
streets of Kelfour's where we lived through association with the Unlife.
and loved and sang. The respons- If there is any truth to this, my
ibility of my calling and my bardly blood runs cold as flowing ice in
nature would have me chronicle the terror for my child.
lives of those I've known -- the
tales of deeds -- the stories of The second baby was a boy. He was
persons and of battles and of times conceived in indiscretion due to
of fun and times of danger. It is revelry and drinking, though I can
my way: to see beyond the everyday tell you that his father is a noble
and elevate our lives in song. elf, and good. It seems that foul
Perhaps someday I shall find it in Louvella was right for once, though
my heart to sing again...someday I denied it at the time, because I
when the sun shines brightly on the did not believe the rumors myself,
wings of a butterfly outside the having had little memory of the
window of my stony keep. Until evening. When my mistake was
then, I sit sadly beside a small evident, I went again to a town of
fire listening to the mournful wind friends, this time arriving in time
and the low moaning of the werebear, for the birth, and leaving the boy
and the crunching of orcish with a worthy nurse and family. In
footsteps in the tinder. my youth and shame, I lost contact
with those good people in whose
I have two children. Did you know keeping I had left him.
it? I suppose I can tell it now. I
have seen neither since they have But my story grows long, and I am
grown beyond the size of newborn tired. Perhaps someday I shall
babies. Rumor says they are both in cross the fields for a skin of water
Kelfour's Landing - or they were - from the river, and shall notice the
and I have searched for them. Alas, sun shining brightly on the wings of
they may have passed beyond this a butterfly. Until that time, I
place and I not even seen their scratch away my sad story with this
faces once. The first, a girl, old quill and watch the rain beat
belongs to Naxxixx. She was born in patterns in the earth. My love to
a time he was away from the land, you all.
and I, still young and having tried
______________________________________________________________________
// \
|| Kelfour Edition Seeks Editor |
|| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|| The services of an experienced wordsmith are being sought by the |
|| leading newsletter in the lands of Kulthea, Kelfour Edition. |
|| |
|| Applicants must be have a mastery of the common language spoken in |
|| the lands, and a working knowledge of the elven tongues will |
|| be a plus. Salary will be commensurate with skills, although a |
|| love of publishing will oftimes be the reward. Private office is |
|| available in the Kelfour Building just south of the General Store. |
|| Send resume to Lady Phaedra Blue at GE Mail address P.HERRINGTON. |
\\_____________________________________________________________________/
-28-
A Battle for Life
_____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _______ \ by Vaash Majeer
\@| ~| _ ~\ |
| |~|_|~ | | ain pelted the closed as usual. We knew we would
| |~ _ ~/ | walls of the Temple need great strength to open it.
_| |~| \~\ | as I entered that Mud washed underneath the gate as
/@| |~| \~\ | night. Many adven- the rain continued to pour down.
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~/ turers huddled for Glasya and Snow and I pushed at the
~~~~~~~~~~~~ warmth. The monk gate, though the mud made the
with his cup passed me on his way footing treacherous. We put our
out to get some rainwater. I shrug- backs into it. Silent in the rain,
ged at his strange ways and sat we pushed with all our might.
down by Glasya and Snow. They were After what seemed like hours, the
about to try to resurrect Rory, so rusty hinges creaked, and the gate
I offered to help with any monsters swung open enough for us to get
that might get in the way. As we inside.
drew up our hoods and stepped out
into the rain, I asked where Rory's The inside of the Graveyard was
remains were. worse than the outside. The whole
scene looked like a nightmare, but
"The Graveyard," Snow murmured. this was no dream. A foul stench
arose from the crypt, and we could
Now, a night like this is not a make out the shape of undead beings
good time to visit the graveyard. slowly moving towards us. Rory had
We heard that the river up by the died in the crypt we ducked into to
Greater Orcs' territory was in catch our breath. Inside the crypt
flood as we hurried through the mud was a door which opened on an evil
towards the great iron gate that place where many monsters lurked.
led into the evil place. We trudged That was where we had to go.
through the rain speaking little
and trying to stay warm. I could We moved a bit closer to each other
see precious little through the as water trickled in through the
sheets of water falling, and I was cracks, creating an eerie sound.
grateful for Glasya's faithful Glasya announced that she was not
guiding hand that got us to the afraid, and we prepared ourselves
maze of trees and bushes which lay to enter the danger with spells of
between us and the graveyard. protection which surrounded each of
us with a soft blue light. Snow
Underneath the boughs of the great prepared the first of the clerical
forest the land was drier. The spells she would cast on Rory when
rain dripped gently through the we found his body. We drew our
trees and the scene was almost weapons, but only to use for our
serene. We all knew the general defense.
direction we needed to go in order
to come out of the woods. Soon we "Ready?" asked Glasya. Snow and I
were moving among the trees, nodded, and we stepped into the
straining our eyes for any sign of dank pit of evil.
the other side. More than once, I
thought I would never escape the A scene of horror awaited us. Seven
clutch of the forest's trees and lesser mummies moaned and wailed
bushes, but finally we all emerged. for their lost souls. But the real
We were greeted by the pelting of threat was a huge creature who
rain once again on our soaked stood over Rory's fallen body as
cloaks as we continued toward the though it was a prize. It was a
looming gate. bone golem. Snow and Glasya sprang
into action, shaking me out of my
Soon we confronted the huge gate, trance. Glasya dragged Rory's body
-29- [Continued on Page 31]
Responsible Traditions
""""""""""""""""""""""
_________ by Lightning Blackhawk
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ | tell this tale for the thought I had seen him before. He
| |~| | benefit of all so we told me I had probably seen him in
_| |~| | will not become some- the hands of Eissa, for she had
/@| _|~|_ | thing we would look back taken care of him in some dire
\_/ ~~~~~ / upon with regret, and so moments. I was surprised that no
~~~~~~~~ we may be what we should. one had welcomed this youngster when
I met a fellow one day on the way he arrived. I told him that if he
back to town after I had reduced the wanted, I could show him around and
cave troll population to my satis- answer any questions to the best of
faction. His name was Birch and he my abilities. He was most pleased
was hunting kobolds alone; I could with that and thanked me again.
tell by his demeanor that he was new He knew a bit about our part of
to our fair lands. As I passed by, the world, just enough to get him in
he was battling with a kobold, and I all sorts of trouble. I asked if he
killed a karnelin that could have had gotten any deeds. He in return,
taken his life with an angry stomp. asked me what deeds were. We sat
I checked to confirm that there were and talked awhile about them, until
no more creatures nearby that could I saw a spark of understanding in
easily kill him. Having found none his eyes. It just so happened that
and knowing that he would have a I had a chest with me that had some
fair chance now, I headed back to agates.
town for I was weary. We went to the Temple of Eissa so
I passed him by once more; he was he could offer the agates in the
still battling the kobold, but just hopes that she would look favorably
before I was out of earshot, he upon him and present him with deeds,
cried, "Help me!" I went back for I which she did. We went exploring
thought mayhaps something else had around town and then out to do a
attacked him that I had overlooked. little hunting. While at the gates
There was nothing about except that talking about some of the do's and
kobold so I settled down to watch dont's of the wilds, we met others
him end its life with a well placed who were coming or going. One of
thrust from his falchion. He told them gave him a drake falchion. (I
me he was lost and did not know the offer this person my apologies, for
way back to town. I smiled and his name escapes me or I would
proceeded to escort him. mention it here.) I told Birch of
When we were safely outside the the different wilderness areas while
gates of Kelfour's Landing, a place we were hunting, what to hunt and
where we could both catch our breath most of all, what to avoid.
-- his for being safe and mine for He made some mistakes, but I
seeing to his safety -- he told me still remember those I made when I
he had arrived only five hours was young, and I know that we all
thence. He also said he was a have made our share of them, so I
fighter by trade and gave me his know this is not surprising to any
thanks for helping him. I asked if of us. As it turned out, he almost
he knew his way around town yet, and made a fatal error while we were
if he wanted to pawn the goods that exploring hobland, and was griev-
he had won from his battles. ously injured. Our luck held for
We went to the furrier first, for Gardner and Kimber were nearby and
we were practically at its doorstep. came to our aid. Kimber tended and
I took out a troll skin and sold it healed him as best she could, but
to Jarik. Birch was puzzled for he his wounds were severe and required
knew naught of this. I asked if any- medicinal herbs she had in town. We
one had shown him around, and he joined up and went there, where
shook his head, no. I told him I Kimber healed him. We thanked them
-30- More...
both and went on our way. It was A Battle for Life From Page 29
now very late and we decided we ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
should get some rest, for we were eastward. Before Snow could
tired and tired people make more follow, the bone golem pounded her
mistakes. We said good night and with its fist, driving her to the
went our separate ways. floor, stunned. My faltering mind
This story might end here except contained only one thought: to get
that I have heard through bard's Snow out of the golem's way. I
tales and from stories told of elden dragged her to the other room where
days when all the people helped one Glasya waited by Rory's corpse.
another for if they did not, they
would all perish. I remember While Snow quickly recovered,
ballads of hunting parties that were mummies began pouring into the
made up of fighters, thieves, mages, room. Glasya and I formed a shield
clerics, and healers, stories of for Snow as she cast the first
strategies in hunting that insured spells to reunite Rory's body and
all reaped the fruits of victory in spirit. The lesser mummies stayed
battle, epics of times when there back, not trusting the shine in our
were no clerics that had Eissa's swords. Then we heard pounding
blessing and death lurked around feet, and the dreaded bone golem
every corner, and songs of flew into the room. It knocked
camaraderie and companionship were Glasya and me down just as Snow
the norm, and treasures were divided brought Rory back to life. We
so that all might benefit from them. watched in horror as the bone golem
Of these things I have read and smashed Rory back into death again.
heard but I cannot tell you a story Vulnerable Snow was pounded too and
of elden days first hand, for all I had to teleport to safety. In the
know comes from bard's tales and mayhem, I stood confused and mo-
books, as I have said. I am tionless. A mummy lunged at me,
unworthy to be telling tales of old, and I barely escaped its out-
when I was not there to live them; stretched fingers.
those tales will have to be told by
another and I will sit and listen in "Vaash!" screamed Glasya, battling
awe with the rest of you, drinking back a mummy herself. "Run!"
in every word. I hope for one of
our Lords or Ladies to grant us a In a daze, I fumbled for my
telling of the elden days, of what teleporting ring just as the Bone
they were like, so we may better Golem pounded my leg, smashing it
appreciate what we have today. and ripping it open. I fell to the
I leave you with thoughts to floor of the crypt but managed to
ponder: Have we become so unappre- use my ring, instantly completing
ciative that we take things for my fall within Eissa's temple.
granted? Have we forgotten what it Luke, waiting to heal Rory, cared
was like when we were new to the for my leg wound, and soon I could
lands, and have we become so caught move again. In a few seconds Glasya
up in ourselves that we do not have appeared and he healed her also.
the time for the young? If we do
not pass to the next generation what We survived, but what good did we
we know -- such as the lost art of do? Rory's remains still rested in
dragging someone out of the melee the crypt; we were no further along
when they are stunned -- then who in his rescue than before.
will?
_______________________________ Later, with help from another
/ \ cleric, the mummies were calmed and
| Bonus Paid for TECHNICAL | we managed to save Rory. I never
| Submissions to KE. Send GE Mail | forgot, though, how powerful the
| to Publisher Lady Phaedra Blue | forces of Unlife are. To this day I
| at P.HERRINGTON address. | have not returned to the graveyard,
\_______________________________/ nor do I venture out in storms.
-31-
A Tale of Greed
_____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _________ \ by Avarice Valenausan
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |he elf made his way All was well. His future secure, he
_| |_| | up the narrow spiral snuggled down into the complacent
/@| _|_|_ | stairwell from the slumber of gentility. But his time-
\_/__________/ hold to the main honored attention to planning and
deck. Icy wind streamed detail began to atrophy. He found
through gaps between the trap door his stomach filled and his clothing
and its frame allowing a thin mist fashionable, but he began to miss
of snow to drizzle down from above. the passions of his "youth." It was
A shimmer caught his eye and he true, the elf had only seen thirty
noticed that the planks near the top winters or so, but considered him-
of the stairs had become iced over. self aged beyond his years and, he
He realized he should have expected would dare say, somewhat wise. Yet
this; the temperature had dropped he felt the stagnation of courtly
significantly during the night, a love settling in. His life-to-be
fact his quaking arms vigorously seemed dullness incarnate. But, in
confirmed. He hated ships to begin his opulent prison he was determined
with, but he hated cold even more. to make the best of it... he WOULD
If it hadn't been for the brat up in find entertainment. His mounting
the nest shouting something that frustration vented itself most
vaguely sounded like "land," he notably through his chronically
would certainly have remained below active libido. As was the case with
deck for the rest of the journey. all great men, he was sure, a cheap
And as if the bite in the air wasn't thrill had been his undoing.
enough, the gods had seen fit to When the heiress discovered her
endow the hold with a most notable love and one of the serving girls in
stench -- most annoying to his sen- flagrante delicto on the centuries
sitive nose. But the tall, white- old bearskin rug of her royal
haired wood elf knew he couldn't chambers, she ordered him beheaded
complain. The gods had also seen (and worse) on the spot. Caught
fit to make possible his escape from with his pants down and his hands in
a fate worse than death. the cookie jar, so to speak, the
It seemed a certain heiress from dilemma seemed hopeless. Luckily,
a certain noble family in a certain the vivacious young serving girl
city now across the sea hadn't taken hadn't done away with ALL his
well to the workings of the elf's articles: A golden ring remained
petty deceits. The elf surmised firmly planted on his left hand.
that the beautifully elegant and With a quick manipulation of his
obscenely wealthy Lady Cathyrn nimble fingers, the simple golden
Dhursomn of House Hyr was blessed band was removed and replaced before
with neither a strong sense of humor the froth from the guards' mouths
nor an open mind. It was now appar- hit the floor.
ent that she wasn't particularly He paused briefly to consider
fond of "open relationships" either. what would happen to the servant.
He remembered having considered Very briefly, then it was back to
the scheme his crowning achievement, business. As in the past, the ring
an extraordinary means of capping again transported him to the narrow,
off the extraordinary career of an secluded alley near the wharves.
extraordinary criminal. He would However, not as in the past, he had
retire into luxury and inherit legi- been transported without clothing or
timacy. The elf wove his web of equipment. He still clutched two
deceit and delusion into the strata things: a small cushion and a jar of
of the city's power elite and into molasses. (He hoped he wouldn't be
the more-than-receptive arms of the asked to explain the circumstances.)
lovely, but aging Lady Dhursomn. Outside the alley it seemed to be
-32- More...
spitting snow. He realized it had (Gods understood him, they just
truly been some time since he had didn't like him.) Knees quaking, he
experienced the city's icy night ventured onward.
air. No longer basking in the warm- After moving through two even
th of his chambers, and unaccustomed dimmer chambers, he sneezed. That
to such dilemmas, he eventually damn smell again -- must be herbs...
decided he was, indeed, freezing. or something rotting. Down and into
That was not good. He knew he had the shadows. Silence. The area was
to find some sort of protection from essentially full of crates and he
the elements, and soon. The thought breathed a sigh of relief, assumed
of a salaried constable coming the workers were now loading some
across his frozen carcass was still other portion of the hold. Entering
better than what would happen if another, smaller chamber, he real-
agents from House Hyr came upon him ized that the air grew warmer and he
before he could think of something. could see better. This area was
No, he had to get out of town and slightly illuminated by oil lanterns
get warm... in that order. on support posts. Instead of being
On the pier a clipper stood at most twenty degrees, like the
ready, a myriad of sailors and dock- rest of the hold, it must have been
workers readying her for a voyage. at least, oh, say forty. Fruit.
The Moira would probably be leaving The crates must have had fruit in
port the next morning, but hopefully them. It would be here he would
with an unexpected passenger. make his camp and defy the fates (or
Almost instinctively, he shot across walk into their trap). He only
the loading dock and into the wished something could be done with
shadows of the crates waiting to be the herbs.
loaded. What a rush. From across Between dodging dockworkers and
the pier, a workman appeared to have warrant officers he found time to
seen something, then went back to rethink his strategy concerning the
his work. The elf's acute senses Lady Dhursomn. He concluded,
detected an aroma coming from the incorrectly, that it had broken down
crates and he nearly sneezed. Some at its most essential spot: He had
kind of flowers or herbs. Up the failed to make the heiress truly
mooring rope and onto the deck; love him. But as was his usual line
through the shadows and into the of rationalization, this was not
hold. God, he loved this cloak and entirely his fault. If Dhursomn had
dagger stuff. He could only assume been so taken with him to begin
that the ship's silence conveyed its with, he mused, why would she have
consent. ordered his disembowelment on such a
A tarpaulin; some string; some whimsy? No, it was now obvious at
quick rips and scurrying again. least to him that the heiress was
Cold. Damn cold. That's fine if definitely incapable of compassion:
you're with a lady, but it ain't no A cold product of royal inbreeding,
good if you're in the hold of destined to be lonely and unloved
freighter in the dead of winter. throughout her miserable, opulent
Where was the ship headed? How long life-- NOT. So, he now saw that the
the journey? If it were extensive, fault apparently lay with the
he might freeze down in here. He heiress. Fine. That's just the way
sank into the bowels of the his luck seemed to go: Find what
freighter, hoping the gods wouldn't appears to be a perfectly good mark,
allow such a distinguished career only to discover too late in the
criminal as himself to perish in game that the mark had deceived him
such an unceremonious and anonymous from the start. The gods truly
manner. It then occurred to him hated him. Maybe they were trying
that the gods just might indeed to tell him something. He resolved
think such an ending humorous, if to drop the cushion and molasses
not deserved... he didn't parti- routine in the future.
cularly like or understand gods. He shivered at the injustice to
-33- More...
humanity that the heiress' life and then justified it in his mind by
would be. By all rights, her thinking how the gods had truly
opulent wealth should be his own. shown him a rough time for the past
But all that was now moot (unless few days; he deserved this respite.
all this, as he prayed, was a bad, Lying down upon the straw he quickly
bad dream). Dhursomn was fabulously found relief from life's trials. He
wealthy and would remain so until dreamt of sheep.
her comfortable, pampered, dying Gentle, billowing fleece bounded
days. And even then there was a over seemingly endless rolling
good chance her wealth could have hills, all to the south of a large,
her brought back from the grave walled city. Beautiful maidens
fresh and anew. He painfully knew stood watch over the flocks, and all
he couldn't say as much for himself. was bliss (especially since the
At his age, or lack there of, he had maidens seemed to be wearing nothing
nothing to show for himself, nothing at all). Aside from this, he noticed
to leave behind. There was nothing that none of the sheep seemed to be
that people, years from now, would paying attention to him, something
look back on and say "what a guy." he considered rude, at the least.
It was then that the name he would He called out to them, waving, but
use in whatever port the ship docked none seemed to hear him. He then
in came to him. became aware of their incessant
Footsteps from above. Dart back "baa-ing." The sheep were not only
down the stairs. Slip! Recover. rude, but obnoxious as well.
Hide. Listen. Someone talking on Something had to be done.
deck. They move on. It occurred to Looking at the sheep, he realized
him that he just might have to wait their fleece was made of silver.
until nightfall to get off the ship. The silver called to him and he was
Great. That meant the shops would drawn closer. In his right hand he
be closed. He was really getting carried a massive weapon... a
tired of eating fruit, and (although broadsword. He found this strange
he would never admit it to himself) since normally his weapons of choice
the past few days had made him were those of a more gentile nature.
something of a claustrophobe. He He started upon discovering a cum-
also had sworn never to seek the bersome shield in his left hand.
services of an herbalist-- ever. Looking down at his dress (which
until this point he had been
unconcerned with) he found himself
The Moira was docked and emptied to be outfitted in some sort of
of cargo and crew before the elf heavy, animal skin armor. Most
managed to slip off and into the disgusting. Furthermore, he wore
alleyways that populate all dock arm and leg greaves, and there
areas. The day was colder than he seemed to be a pack of some kind on
had expected and even though he had his back (it was, no doubt, empty).
come this far on his exodus from The sound of the "baa-ing" died
Dhursomn it might have been all for down somewhat as he became aware of
nothing if he was unable to find the helmet he was wearing. A
shelter again. An open doorway visored helmet no doubt. There was
presented itself and he accepted the an aventail around his neck. This
offer with gratitude. Once inside, was indeed strange, but he had had
the temperature seemed to rise stranger dreams than this... in
twenty degrees. The door had led to particular one involving a small
an abandoned warehouse. Perfect! cushion and a jar of molasses...
He could hide inside until something but they all seemed so vague now.
better came along. He began to move closer to the
Exploration of the premises oblivious sheep, vile notions of
revealed a loft covered with what to do with the silver fleece
straw... someone had been sleeping floating through his muddled brain.
there until recently. He pondered He raised his sword effortlessly and
at how convenient the setup appeared let it cleave into and through at
-34- More...
least ten sheep with one blow. With that, the unlife began
There was no blood, no agony for the pouring molasses over the wood elf's
sheep. Their fleece simply deflated head. He sank to his knees, then to
as if they were balloons. He then the ground -- his strength sapped by
realized he didn't know what ball- the substance. Screaming, he tried
oons were but that didn't matter. As to wipe the sticky substance off his
the fleece sank to the ground, the face and armor, but realized he
pelts became coins. He quickly actually liked the sweet, brown
scooped up the coins and put them in substance. He became aware that he
his backpack. Up went his sword. was now without clothing or possess-
Down went the sheep, oblivious to ions of any sort when the dead-cold
their backs turned to the elf. bodies of the unlife began squirming
He couldn't help but laugh with around him like maggots in rotting
glee. Soon the hills were covered meat. That particular metaphor was
with silver, and the only task left especially unsettling. He screamed
was to gather it -- a task he the scream of the damned and
finished, he was sure, in what would suddenly jerked himself up to find
have been record time. Then the that he was back in the loft of the
maidens turned to face him, their warehouse... cold and hungry but
beautiful faces now scarred and clothed and alive. He wept.
maligned. Their eyes were aglow
with a fiery radiance and somehow he
considered them evil... although "You are new to Kelfour's Land-
that was a concept he seldom dealt ing?" The First Quellbourne teller
with and rarely recognized as truly didn't recognize the tall, well-
existing. As they moved slowly dressed elf. She did know how to
toward him, their nubile forms suck up.
turned to hollow husks of their "Yes. Just arrived a few days
former selves and when they walked ago. What is the depository limit
there was a nauseating sucking sound at your bank, Ms.... ?"
with each footfall. Unlife. "Ausyr. Evelyn Ausyr. The limit
Unlife: That which even the most is 5,000, I'm afraid. Of course,
strong of heart and spirit shudder accommodations can be made for our
at its name. Strangely, he found more... prestigious clients, like
himself unable to move, and there yourself." She gave the elf a look
was an unusual tugging sensation at insinuating a sort of kinship. An
his back... the weight of the insinuation he thought rude, con-
silver in his pack. He heard the sidering her position in the bank
ex-maidens begin to giggle, their and station in life. He put the
bodies now quivering with nervous sack on the counter and noticed the
twitches and spasms. Something must crow's feet around the teller's eyes
be funny, he thought. as her gaze followed the silver.
"What seems to be the trouble?" The bank officer asked him his
he asked politely. name, for official purposes.
They each produced a small "My name?"
cushion and a jar of molasses as "Eh, yes sir. Your name." She let
their rotting tongues slithered a breathy, almost condescending
forth from between rotting teeth and laugh escape her lips (to anyone
proceeded to swath their lips and else it would have been strictly
chins with a sickly brown ichor. condescending). "Surely you must
"Come PLAY with us. Mallenon has realize I require your name in order
so many things to show you." to open an account for you?" puzzled
"Melon Man? Would you mind the teller. She grinned.
repeating your last sentence, "Oh, of course." He grinned back.
please?" the elf stalled. He found Valenausan, Avarice Valenausan."
his phrasing to be most childish and The teller's eyes looked up from
beneath him, but somehow he wasn't her writing.
in control of his actions. "A-V-A-R-I-C-E V-A-L-E-N-A-U-S-A-N
-35- More...
he spelled outloud. GemmerStony
"It will be a pleasure ~~~~~~~~~~~
doing business with you, Mr. by Ringo Hobson
Valenausan," the teller said With apologies to Lewis Carroll
with certainty. She passed
his receipt under the
window. 'Twas Blototh and the rabid torks
"Yes. Most assuredly," Did snarl and scamper in the plain:
he mused, barely able to All turtl'd were the greater orcs,
contain his grin. The bank And the wraiths moan'd in vain.
had virtually no security.
It would be the first stage "Beware the GemmerStone, my dear!
of his newest crowning achi- Those costly calls, that venal vice!
evement. Stepping through a Beware the Dragon's fang, and fear
low arch into the square The hissing Cockatrice!"66
outside, he stopped to view
the position of the sun. She dipp'd her mithril pen in ink:
"First Quellbourne on one For hours thru Quellbourne she search'd--
end of town... Kelfour's But paused she 'neath a Windak tree,
Secure on the other. And me Her amulet besmirch'd.
in the middle. There's
money to be made." He shook And, as in roundish time she thought,
his head with satisfaction The GemmerStone, its bill aflame,
and swaggered north to his Came ambling toward that very spot,
room at the Raging Threk. Yet charging all the same!
Jewelry in Kulthea Page 20 Par' 0! Par' 0! At' Tro' At Tro'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The mithril pen lash'd up and down!
A gold pendant in the shape And once it died, she skinn'd its hide
of a cat. And macro'd back to town.
This pendant allows its
owner to cast the spell "And hast thou writ off GemmerStone?
Call Familiar. Come here, thrice-blessed one!
Then run and play! All night! All day!
A diamond solitaire ring 'Til Monday's early sun."
This ring is set with a
single valuable diamond in 'Twas Blototh, and the rabid torks
its center. Has not been Did snarl and scamper in the plain:
known to offer any magical All turtl'd were the greater orcs,
it's center. Has not been And the wraiths moan'd in vain.
properties.
_ _ _ _
A shield ring - +20db shield \/ /\ | |_| |_| |_| |
The ring creates an invis- / \ ) | |
ible sheild around the / \ ( | |
wearer's body giving an / \ ) \ /\ /\ /
increased defense (+20). \ ____ / ( | || || |
__ | || | /\ | || || |
| |__| || | _ _ / \ | || || |
/ | | | |_| |_| \ | | \
/ _____| |_| |_| | \
/ / | | | \
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^|
| # |
| |
| |
| # |
| KEV2N10-11 |
| [end] |
|_________________________________________________________________________|
See Also: