Kelfour Edition volume II number XII
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Explanations of ALL Commands - See Page 6 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III'S May 1992 |
| Vol.2, No.12 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| . _____ _ _ _ _ |
| . / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| * * . / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| _|_|_ . / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| . (_____) / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| _|~~~~~|_ (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| _(~ KE's ~)_ |
| |~ Second ~| The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| _| Anniversary |_ |
|_(_________________)_________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| Local News ....................... Input from Bleys Airelious 1 |
| Tales of Old ................................... Vaash Majeer 2 |
| Fun in the Sun with a Sword ...................... Zoweee Wow 3 |
| The Gates of Kelfour's Landing ................. Art by Yonah 4 |
| Prices! Prices! Prices! ...................... Thantis Azzurn 5 |
| Eight Stones of Power ...................................... 5 |
| GemStone III Commands ................. Elminester Silvanisti 6 |
| Made Immortal by the Reroller ............. Celestin Drowstar 12 |
| Learning All the Right Moves ....... Darkwalker deKnightsaber 15 |
| Is it Better to Have...? ................. Flavor Da'Fearless 18 |
| TimeRift ................. Bobuss Mortis & Arborius Dragonson 19 |
| Ship Entering Claedesbrim Bay ........ Art by Flint Thalassar 19 |
| Cape & Sash Registry of Family Colors .. Artuero Bresnahanini 22 |
| Symbols and Lies, Pt.1 ............... Lord Whilder Planrathe 23 |
| The Serious Snoop .................... Miss Louvella Parsnips 27 |
| |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Assistant Editors Kalagay Halatil or Lady Rune Arundel, or |
| Publisher Lady Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| Banner letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|__
| ) )
\_/____________________________________________________________________/
Local News
~~~~~~~~~~
Mysterious Threads of Unlife the town gates to the tidal pool in
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the Coastal Cliffs.
Report by Bleys Airelious
There, we discovered a new series of
Roots of this tale go back in time. caves not far from the ruined dock
As you may know, House Aspis has in the Shore Area, and encountered a
been haunted by the spirit of Cleric long forgotten race of sohleugir
Erebor Bordeaux since his soul was lizardmen. They seem as powerful as
imprisoned by the Unlife. It fell greater orcs, and carry tridents as
upon House Aspis' shoulders to find they slink about quickly, peering
a way to free our departed comrade. with cold, unblinking eyes.
With the aid of the Lady Taarna and
others, we were able to determine We had yet, however, to encounter
that by making a simulacrum of the mystery. At the site of a newly
Erebor it might possible to fool the formed crevice we discovered a thin
Unlife into releasing his soul. thread stretching up out of sight!
It produced an almost ceaseless low
We came together in a ceremony which humming, a note both evil and chil-
began by offering material items to ling to the soul. Touching this
attract the Unlife's greed. Then we thread produced a mysterious voice
gave parts of ourselves so the simu- that echoed deep within my mind:
lacrum could be whole, and appear "The time is not yet ripe. Be
real. After a time of solemn prayer patient and vigilant but meddle not
the Unlife was indeed fooled -- and with things beyond your ken. Wait
Erebor's soul was released! for a sign to come...."
Then, not long ago, Erebor's Ghost Three more threads were found later,
came back to warn of terrible in the Graveyard, on Blototh Moun-
danger. As we feared, the Unlife tain, and in the domain of the
wasn't fooled for long; it seeks Fireguards, apparently representing
revenge on those who tricked it. the elements of water, earth, air
and fire. And they are growing!
Erebor's warnings became increas- When discovered, these black threads
ingly urgent and one night a ter- were thin; later they grew to the
rible Essence Storm rolled into size of a woman's wrist, then a
Claedesbrim Bay. Some of us pro- man's wrist and, at the time of this
tected the town while others sought report, are the size of a man's arm!
the source of the storm which filled
the sky with flashes of lightning of Watch your loved ones, my friend;
all hues and the shook the ground. the battle is far from over. I know
Essence users experienced an over- not what the future holds but I know
load at one point and, among others, good will triumph in the end, no
I was translocated from a battle at matter what the cost!
__________________________________________________
| |
| Town Forums: Wednesdays at 9:30PM Eastern Time |
|--------------------------------------------------|
| TOPIC HOST DATE |
|--------------------------------------------------|
| Open Essence Spell List Kygar June 3 |
| Ranger Spells Snikt June 10 |
| Romance: Wooings & Weddings Elvanion June 17 |
| (Begins at 10:30 Eastern) |
| Closed Channeling Spell List Kygar June 24 |
|__________________________________________________|
-1-
Tales of Old
""""""""""""
____________ by Vaash Majeer
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |s I walked down Reann of Kelfour's Landing diminished.
| //|"| | street, I happened Finally the Gods of our own reality
_| //=|"| | upon the curious mys- saw this and were quick to strike.
/@| // |"| | tic we all know well.
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / I nodded to him as I "Have you ever wondered exactly why
~~~~~~~~~~~ do to all I pass and adventurers come this way? Many are
was about to continue on my way when not here for furs or coins or even
he called out to me, "Vaash, stop a fame. Some come here only to do
second. I have need of your ear." battle with the evil minions of the
I turned slowly and saw him approach realm. It was the Gods' hands that
me quickly and with delight. Now, I brought them here. And bring them
had been warned of this mystic's here today as well. With the mon-
stories but was eager to hear tales sters ravaging the land, the Gods
of old. "I want to tell you a needed powerful fighters, mages,
story," he said as he sat down upon sorcerers, clerics, bards and
the dusty road. "It is a tale of thieves to challenge them and power-
adventure and danger." I smiled to ful healers to ease the injuries
myself and sat down, ready to hear garnered in the struggles. Thus,
his yarn. they cast powerful spells over the
town calling adventurers to it.
"A long time ago when Kelfour was From all around, people flocked in.
still young and only a few settlers People with weapons that gleamed in
were in the area, a great and evil the sunlight and armor as thick as
thing occurred. Now, the Gods of hide. They did battle with these
this realm were pleased with the monsters and slowly but surely drove
civilization that was beginning here them back.
in Kelfour and gave their people
good crops and torkaan to raise. "This did not please Aurin and his
However, somewhere far away on revenge was cold and powerful. With
another plane of existence, an evil all his power, he struck down these
God by the name of Aurin happened adventurers, killing them on the
upon our realm and decided he liked spot. Kuor, the King of the Gods
what he saw. Aurin was very powerful here was very angry. With a powerful
and very evil. Though the people of stride he threw a lighting bolt at
Kelfour were not powerful at the Aurin. Now, Aurin might have been
time, neither were the monsters. powerful, but not that powerful; the
Aurin saw fit to change that and, bolt hit him and he fell back. With
with his power, he gave the monsters Aurin on his knees, Kuor banished
things they never could have desired him back to his own realm. But the
before. Weapons, intelligence, and damage was done, the monsters still
deadly skills were just a few of the roamed with Aurin's power and no God
things Aurin showered upon them. could undo that. That is why to
this very day, adventurers still
"With these new-found skills, the arrive to hunt the evil creatures of
monsters began to pillage and de- our realm."
stroy the town of Kelfour's Landing.
Although just a small village at the I marveled at this tale. Not just
time, many people inhabited Kelfour for its story, but for the impact it
and many perished. Aurin laughed had on me. For I too knew of this
with glee as he saw human, elf, Aurin. He had plagued my sleep
dwarf, and halfling cut down by his since I had arrived here. Could it
army of evil. He animated the bodies be that Aurin was returning? Was he
that fell into undead and sent them planning to seek revenge upon us?
to his newly formed graveyard. As
the months went on, the population Only time will tell.
-2-
Fun in the Sun with a Sword
_____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _________ \ by Zoweee Wow
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |o the north of our action aplenty! Spectral fisherman
/@| _|_|_ |famous Coastal Cliffs abound, to hack you to goblets for
\_/__________/ lies a beautiful your amusement and the Moray Eels
stretch of beach comparable to the are a scream! Oh yes, let's not
shores of Waikiki (wherever THAT forget those lovely Sea Witches!
is). Hosting huge waves, beautiful So come on down! Bring a fishing
stretches of white and black sand pole and coerce your friends into
shoreline, a sailors' haven, dock- acting as bait! With this map as an
yard for fishing, an authentic Kraal aid, suntan oil, a clerics blessing
Warship and a tidal pool for the on yer weapon, and a boogie board,
kiddies, it's sure to become a fav- I'm sure you'll agree that Kelfour's
orite summertime retreat for heroes! Landing IS the Alcapulco of Kulthea!
Hmmmm? What's that? Don't LIKE The Beach area is north of
the beach? Think sitting around in Coastal Cliffs. Exact directions
the sun with a beachmat and ugly from Town are: Go Gate, NW, NW, NW,
swimshorts is boring and stupid? Go Road, W, W, NW, W, W, W, NW, NW,
Well, fear not! This beach has W, W, SW, W, W, W, SW, W, Go Path.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::Map of BeachLands ::
:: :: RDxx[]xx[] ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::RS=Rocky Shore :: | ::New! Sohleugir Lizardman::
::SH=Sailor's Haven :: RD ::Approximate OB 75, DB 40::
::OH=Outside Haven :: | ::Weapon: Trident ::
::BS=Black Sands :: RD :: THT 86 against hide, ::
::RD=Rotting Dock :: | :: 58 vs leather breastplt::
::TP=Tidal Pool :: RD ::Carry Small Chests ::
::BH=Boat House :: | SH ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::[]=Unidentified :: RD |
:: :: | SH
::::::::::::::::::::::::: RD ^
^ | Climb Ladder
Go Dock/ | v
/Go Beach | SH
v / \
BS [] SH SH RS
/ \ | \ / |
BS--BS--BS--BS----BS--BS--BS--[]--RS-----SH-----RS--RS--RS--RS--RS--TP
^ | \ ^ x
Hatch | [] \ Path | x
:::::::::::::::::::::::::: v | \ v TP
::Key Map Symbols :: SH BH \ CC x
:: :: ^ | \ x
::X = Up/Down :: Passage | BH \ TP
:: :: v [] x
:: ^ :: SH--SH / x
:: | Special Movement :: | [] TP
:: v (i.e. GO ?????) :: SH--SH / N
:: :: [] W+E
:: :: / S
:: :: []xx[]xx[]
:: ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-3- More...
Here's the stats on some of the beaches regulars...
Sea Witches: Moray Eels: Spectral Fisherman:
OB=65 DB=70 OB: Pincher=60 DB=45 OB=50 DB=30
THT=76 Rnd Time=10 sec Sting=80 THT=76 Rnd Time=10 seconds
CCP's=128 Tusk=65 CCP's=105
Skin: Can't Skin 'em THT=73 Rnd Time=7 sec Skin: Skin a ghost, weenie?
They carry a Hand Axe CCP's=70 They carry Grappling Nets
and normally have coins Skin: Eel Skin and may have coinage
I think Spectral Fishermen and Sea hitting Steel Golems.
Witches probably carry chests, but
doubt if you'll ever get one off an Finally, the only place I saw Sea
Eel. Also, and this is IMPORTANT, Witches was in the Black Sands area;
you can NOT hit Spectral Fishermen Spectral Fishermen can be found in
without a blessed weapon (Clerics Sailors Haven and Rotting Dock
can bless them for you). Finally, areas; Moray Eels can be found in
RT's may be off by a second either the vicinity of the Boat House or
way, and CCP's may be a little Tidal Pool. I hear the Moray's also
inaccurate, but not much. Sorry, put in an appearance on the Rocky
there is no way to check for sure. Shores, but could not confirm it.
One more thing: Grappling nets use In the Boathouse, there is a Kraal
your Brawling Skill to wield, and Warship which can be entered by
are the single BEST weapons for either GO BOAT or GO HULL. Enjoy!
___________________________________________________________________________
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| .-----------------------. |
| | \|/ {= |_ ( () /|\ {= | |
| |__-----_ ~|~ () _----__| |
| __-~~~ __-- ~\____/~ ~~--_ |
| __-~~ | | ~~-__ |
| _--~ \ `.-~~ .-~~-. ~-_ |
| _-~ _-~~\ | | | | .' .' _ ~-_ ,|
| /~ | \ \ | `. `-__-' .' .' /` ~~-_ /~ ~\ , :|
|, , | \_ \--~` \ ` ____ `~~--' / ,--_ | , :.:|
|:.:.| ~-_ \ \_--~ __--|~~,:| ~~~--__ ` : ~, |.:..' :|
|: : | ~-_-~----- __-~~ : |:;`,| .... ~~-__ -_ ~-_ ' | : : :|
|: : | ~-_ _-~ : |`,.;| : ```... ~-_ ~-_--~ | : :.:|
|:.:.|__________~___/~.` : |.`';| : o ``. ~\__________|.:..' :|
|: : |___|___|___|_| .` : |`';,| : : |__|___|__| : : :|
|: : |_|___|___|___| : : |`;,.| : : ||___|___|| : :.:|
|:.:.|___|___|___|| : : |:';,| : : |_|___|__|.:..' :|
|: : |_|___|___|__| : : |,.`'; : : |___|___|| : : :|
|: : |___|___|___|| : o : |,.`'| : : |_|___|__| : :.:|
|:.:.|_|___|___|__| : o ..: |`,.'| : : |___|___||.:..' :|
|: : |___|___|___|| : ...``` __-'`';,| : o o : |_|___|__| : : :|
|: : |_|___|___|__| `` __--~~;:`;'`,.| :.............: |___|___|| : :.'|
|:.:.|___|___|___||__--~~`';`':'`';,:`'|___________________|_|___|__|.:..' |
| _/',.`;`,.';`';,``';,.`';,.,.`';`';,.`';,.`'\_ |
| /;`',.;`,.';`',.;`;.',.`';,.`';,.`';,.`';,.`':;\ |
| ___ |
| |
|___________________________________________________________________________|
The Gates of Kelfour's Landing by Yonah
-4-
Prices! Prices! Prices!
___________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ \ by Thantis Azzurn
\@| /~/~~\\ |
| |~| ~ |
_| |~| _ |ash can weigh you down those long-stemmed roses before you
/@| \~\__// | Vile pick-pockets rob head to Brinn's? That is one place
\_/ ~~~~~ / you blind. Navigators where it pays to know the prices in
~~~~~~~~~~ can demand payment. in advance!
Countless other things can happen to
your hard-earned silver, so isn't it What follows is a list of the major
fortunate that we have banks! But stores in Kelfour's Landing, with
what about those times when you basic items at list prices. (Special
really need to go shopping? order items can be found in KEv1n5.)
With a rank or two of trading, you
Ever wonder what some merchants have can bargain prices down by 10 or
to offer? Need to know the cost of more silvers.
Sariis' Clothiers Prices Kelfour's General Supplies Prices
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
Low Leather Boots.................22 Leather Backpack.................135
High Leather Boots................45 Mountain Backpack................180
White Leather Moccasins...........11 Belt Pouch........................22
Black Leather Boots...............90 Velvet Pouch......................33
Flowing Robe.....................112 Herb Pouch........................33
Blue, Red, Green, White, Brown,Black Small Sack........................45
Woven Cloak.......................90 Large Sack........................45
Woven Black Cloak.................90 Leather Sheath....................45
Woven Green Cloak.................90 Black Leather Sheath..............56
Hooded Cloak......................94 Saber Sheath......................78
Full-length Gown...............11250 Dagger Sheath.....................45
(Blue, Emerald, White, Red,Lavender) Small Chest......................225
Brinn's Blossoms Aznell's Armory
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crown of Bluestar Blossoms......1875 Pair of Arm Greaves...............22
Garland of Wildflowers..........1125 Pair of Leg Greaves...............22
Wreath of Sirenflowers..........2500 Wooden Shield.....................22
Bouquet, Bridal Blush Roses....12500 Reinforced Wooden Shield..........45
Single Red Rose..................562 Leather Helm......................22
Dozen Long Stemmed Roses........6250 Visored Helm......................45
Crown of Snow White Blossoms....5000 Aventail..........................90
White Carnation Boutonniere......250 Light Hide Armor (AT 3)..........135
Heavy Hide Armor (AT 4)..........157
Tyron's Arms Light Leather Armor (AT 5).......180
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Full Leather Armor (AT 6)........225
Cudgel............................11 Reinforced Leather Armor (AT 7)..337
Dagger.............................6 Double Leather Armor (AT 8)......450
Short Sword......................157 Cuirbouilli Leather Armor (AT9)..675
Scimitar.........................247 Ring Mail Armor (AT 10)..........900
Two-handed Sword.................450 Studded Leather Armor (AT 12)...1001
Rapier...........................495 Scale Mail Armor (AT 12)........1012
Broadsword.......................270 Brigandine Armor (AT 12)........1023
Hand Axe.........................135 Chain Mail Armor (AT 13).........675
Mace.............................157 Double Chain Mail Armor (AT 14)..787
War Hammer.......................337 Aug. Chain Mail Armor (AT 15)....787
Quarter Staff.....................22 Chain Hauberk (AT 16)...........1462
Halbard...........................90 Metal Breastplate Armor (AT17)..1125
-5- More...
The Alchemist Shop Prices Gert's Bakery Prices
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
Akbutege Leaf....................532 Loaf of Bread.....................50
Wifurwif Lichen..................266 Wedding Cake....................1000
Belrama Potion...................532 Piece of Wedding Cake.............20
Terbas Leaf......................399 Birthday Cake....................400
Yuth Flower.....................1092 Slice of Birthday Cake............20
Arnuminas Leaf...................273 Chocolate Chip Cookie.............10
Edram Moss.......................682 Cinnamon Sugar Cookie.............10
Dagmather Spine..................273 Donut............................. ?
Curfalaka Fruit..................682 Mug of Strong Kulthean Coffee.....50
Rewk Potion......................409 Cup of Herbal Tea.................50
Arfandas Stem....................682
Hegheg Root......................546 Tools Of The Trade
Bursthelas Potion...............1365 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Berterin Moss....................546 Crude Lockpick....................47
Pasamar Grass...................1092 Common Lockpick..................247
Tarnas Potion...................1092 Good Lockpick....................475
Wekwek Potion...................1365 Professional Lockpick............950
Baldakur Potion.................1092
Siran Clove.....................2184
_____________________________________________
/ \ \
\@ | Eight stones of power, |
| Eight stones of might, |
| Scattered on a rampant wind, |
| Thrown into the night. |
| |
| The first went sailing o'er a roof, |
| And there was left to lie. |
| The second on a stony shelf, |
| Watching people die. |
| |
| The third was nettle blown and came, |
| To rest in a fiery place. |
| The fourth fell to a rocky grave, |
| Amid strange and beautiful grace. |
| |
| The fifth concealed in velvet darkness, |
| In a dreadful place of power. |
| The sixth saw ashen ruin, |
| And weathers by the hour. |
| |
| The seventh lies alone and cold, |
| In an ivy colored box. |
| The eighth is just below the grass, |
| But not among the rocks. |
| |
| If you shall seek, |
| Then you shall find, |
_ | But 'ware the stones, |
/@ | That steal your mind. |
\_/___________________________________________/
-6-
GemStone III Commands
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Elminester Silvanisti
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| | hen you enter the You could kill another player that
_| |~/~/\~\~| | world of GemStone has the same first letter in his
/@| _|__/ \__|_| III, you can feel name. If you want to attack more
\_/_____________/ overwhelmed by all than one monster of the same kind,
of the things you have to learn. you can specify which one. Example:
The commands that you use to take ATTACK FIRST ORC or ATTACK OTHER
your character across the land are ORC, when there are two of the same
very important. Some commands are kind. See KILL and CAST.
combat-specific while others are
used for roleplaying purposes. The APPRAISE - Use this to find the
latter will help show what kind of standard value of an item. Format:
personality your character has. As APPRAISE [OBJECT]. Example: APPRAISE
GemStone grows and evolves, new SWORD.
commands are added. Here is a list
of all the commands that are active ASSIST - This command will call a
now and how they are used. A GameMaster to assist you with
command that appears in in capital problems in the game.
letters needs that part to function.
Some commands can also be used BET - Used to place a wager. Format:
alone. The optional part appears in BET [AMOUNT] on [PLAYER|TEAM] this
lower case letters. command is used mostly in the
gladitorial games.
ACCEPT - Accept an offer of an
object from a person. See GIVE. BOW - Lets you bow to a person or
just bow. Format BOW [person] . SEE
ACT - Allows you to create special CURTSEY.
actions that can't be performed
using other commands. The action CANCEL - Use to cancel an ASSIST.
will appear between parentheses. Format CANCEL ASSIST.
Format: ACT [MESSAGE]. Example:
"Act runs and hides behind the CAST - This is an action and a
monk." What appears will be combat command. You use this command
(Elminester runs and hides behind to cast a prepared spell. Format:
the monk.) ACT is a theatrical CAST [person|object|monster]. The
command and doesn't really cause same rules as ATTACK apply to this
anything to happen. See SMILE. command when casting at monsters and
persons. Example: CAST ORC, CAST
ADVICE - Used by first level play- SECOND ORC, CAST OTHER ORC. When
ers. When you first come to Kel- CAST is used alone, the spell will
four's Landing, you can learn what affect the caster. See PREPARE, WAVE
to do and where to go using the and INVOKE.
ADVICE command. However, this
command is no substitute for a live CHANNEL - Allows players with
player, who will be your best source channeling skill to transfer power
of information. points to each other. Format CHANNEL
[AMOUNT] [PERSON]. The points
ATTACK - A combat command. Use this transferred will depend on the
command to strike any monster or channeling skills of the sender and
player. Format: ATTACK [TARGET]. the receiver.
With this command you can use the
first three letters of the target. CHECK IN - Enter the character
Troll will be 'tro'. You could use manager to advance in level or to
one letter, but that is dangerous. reroll your character.
-7- More...
CLIMB - This command will allow you DRAG - Lets you drag a person out of
to climb obstacles that can't be any room that has directional exits.
passed by GO. Format: DRAG [PERSON DIRECTION]
CLOSE - This is an action command. DROP - You will drop the item in
You can close doors, chests, your left hand if you just type
pouches, sacks and backpacks. Doors DROP. Otherwise, DROP [item].
and chests must be unlocked in order
to be closed. See OPEN. DUCK - Self-explanatory.
CRY - Self-explanatory. EAT - Use it to eat. Format: EAT
[ITEM]. You can also use this
CURTSEY - Self-explanatory. Format: command to bite another player.
Same as BOW. Format: EAT [PERSON].
DANCE - Allows you to invite someone EXAMINE. This command is used to
to dance. Format: DANCE with test chests for traps. Format:
[person]. When used alone, you will EXAMINE [ITEM]. See PICK and DISARM.
dance by yourself.
EXPERIENCE - Lists how much
DECLINE - Used to decline an offer experience you have, your level, how
of an object from somebody. many deeds you have, your family
fame and personal fame, and the
DEPART - When your character has condition of your mind.
died and you don't want to wait for
your body to decompose normally, you EXIT - Use to leave the game.
can type DEPART and you will find
yourself in the altar at Eissa's FROWN - Self-explanatory.
temple. Be careful using this
command, because you will lose all GASP - Self-explanatory.
your items. You must also have deeds
from the temple of Eissa which you GET - This command lets you pick up
can get by donating agates and an object. Format: GET [ITEM]. You
tourmaline stones from chests. need to specify which item you want
if there is one on the ground and
DIRECTIONS - This is a new player's you want one from your sack.
command. It will tell you what Example: GET SWORD or GET SWORD FROM
direction certain places are from MY SACK.
where you are. Format: DIRECTION
[PLACE] Example: DIRECTION TEMPLE. GIGGLE - Self-explanatory.
DISARM - Used to remove traps from GIVE - Will offer to the designated
locks. Format DISARM [ITEM], where person whatever you have in your
ITEM can be whatever has a lock. right hand. The other person has to
DISBAND - Allows you to disband a ACCEPT. You can give coins to others
group of people who are joined to also. Format: GIVE [PERSON], GIVE
you. See JOIN and LEAVE. [PERSON AMOUNT]
DISMOUNT - This command is used only GLARE - self-explanatory. Format:
during the joust to get off a horse. GLARE [PERSON]
There are no horses in Kelfour's
Landing except the ones that are GRIN - Self-explanatory.
imported for the joust games.
GRIMACE - Self-explanatory.
DRINK - Will let you drink any item
that is drinkable. Format: DRINK GROWL - Self-explanatory.
[ITEM]. Example: DRINK TEA, DRINK MY
ALE, DRINK POTION. GO - Use this command to move in
-8- More...
non-directional ways such as PATH, JUMP - Will make you jump up and
TRAIL, DOOR, GATE, HOLE, CREVICE, down like a twelve year old (fun
ARCH, WINDOW, and SHOP. Format: GO command.)
DOOR.
KICK - Will let you kick any object,
GULP - Self-explanatory. monster, or person. Format: KICK
[OBJECT|PERSON]
HEALTH - Lists remaining concussion
points, life levels and modifiers to KISS - Lets you kiss a person or ob-
your general health and to your DB. ject. Format: KISS [PERSON|OBJECT].
It lists your wounds, whether you
are bleeding, and what your rate of KILL - Same as ATTACK.
bleeding is.
KNEEL - When you KNEEL, you get a
HELP - Gives a brief explanation of bonus to your lock picking skill.
how to use the commands and how to You also lose -50 to your DB and OB.
move in Gemstone. See LIE, SIT, and PRAY.
HIDE - This commands allows you to KNOCK - Self-explanatory. Format:
hide from players or monsters. If a KNOCK [OBJECT]
player in the room has enough
perception skill, you will be seen LEAN - You can lean back, left,
and won't be able to hide. You can right, lean on your weapon, or lean
attack from hiding. If you have on a person. Formats: LEAN
skill in ambush, it will be added to [DIRECTION], LEAN on [WEAPON], and
any critical you roll. See STALK and LEAN on [PERSON].
SNEAK.
LEAVE - Allows you to leave a group
HIT - Use to hit an object. Format: of which you are a member.
HIT [OBJECT] Same as PUNCH. See affecting your DB and OB in the same
notes. manner as KNEEL. Exercise caution
in the Wild.
HUG - Will allow you to hug a
person. Format: HUG [PERSON]. LOCK - Will let you lock an item
that has a lock if you have its key.
HOWL - Self-explanatory. Format LOCK [ITEM]
INFO - Lists your statistics and LIE - Puts you in a prone position.
their potentials, along with your Use caution in the wild. This com-
level, description, wealth, and mand deducts -50 from your DB.
number of power points.
LOOK - Lets you examine people,
INVENTORY - Tells you what you have rooms, and objects. There are some
in each of your hands and what you things that are not visible when you
are wearing. use LOOK, and you have to SEARCH for
them. Format LOOK [object|person].
INVOKE - This command is used to See SEARCH.
invoke a rune. You must first read
the rune to find what spells are MOUNT - This command allows you to
inscribed in the rune. With the rune mount a horse.
in one hand and the other free,
INVOKE [NAME|CODE]. NEWS - WIll give you an update of
WHAT IS GOING ON IN GEMSTONE.
JOIN - Allows you to become a member
of a group of adventurers, so that NOD - Self-explanatory. Format: NOD
several can travel together or be [person].
affected by a group spell such as
Mass Blur. Format: JOIN [PERSON]. NUDGE - Self-explanatory. Format
-9- More...
NUDGE [PERSON]. point, regardless of how many points
the spell requires.
OPEN - Will allow you to open any
object that is not locked. Format: REMOVE - This command is used to
OPEN [OBJECT]. take off an item that you are
wearing. Format REMOVE [ITEM].
ORDER - Use to buy items from the
shops in town. REPORT - USED TO NOTIFY GAMEMASTER
OF BUGS. (You should use the ASSIST
PARRY - This command is used to command when you need to talk to a
change the amount of OB that goes GAMEMASTER).
into your DB. Format: PARRY [amount]
Example: PARRY 100 will put all your RING - This is used to ring a bell
OB into your DB (see notes). Used or a similar object. RING [OBJECT].
alone, it tells you what your
current parry percentage is. RUB - Use this to rub magical items
or people. Magic items such as
PAY - Used to pay debts in Moot amulets, statues, and crystals will
Hall. Format: PAY [AMOUNT]. cast spells on you when rubbed.
Format: RUB [ITEM|PERSON].
PET - Allows you to pet any non-
harmful creatures and Familiars. SEARCH - Use this command to find
Format: PET [creature]. treasures on monsters or to find
hidden persons and hidden passages
PREPARE - Readies a spell so that or objects. Format SEARCH or SEARCH
you can cast it. You must know the [monster|object].
spell code or name. Format: PREPARE
[CODE|NAME]. Once the spell is SIT - Self-explanatory. Be cautious
prepared, you have a limited amount about using this when in the Wild.
of time in which to cast it, before
the spell dissipates. SELL - Use this command to sell
items in the pawn shop, furrier
PRAY - This command causes you kneel shop, and gem cutter's shop. Format:
and say prayers. Use caution with SELL [ITEM]. You can use the
this command while in the Wild. APPRAISE command to find the value
(See KNEEL). of the item before you sell it.
PUNCH - A theatrical command used SHAKE - You can use this command to
to punch another character without shake your head or to shake hands
causing any actual damage. Format: with somebody. Format: SHAKE
PUNCH [PERSON]. (See HIT). [hand|head]. Example: SHAKE HAND
Michaeloos. You see: Elminester
PUSH - Self-explanatory. Format: shakes hands with Michaeloos.
PUSH [OBJECT].
SHUDDER - Self-explanatory.
PUT - Used to place objects in any
specific location. Format: PUT SKIN - This command is used to skin
[object] IN or ON [location]. Used monsters. Later you can sell the
alone, it works the same as DROP. skin in the furrier shop. Format:
SKIN [MONSTER].
READ - For writing and runes. You
need rune skill in order to read SLAP - Self-explanatory. Format:
runes. Format: READ [OBJECT]. SLAP [PERSON].
RELEASE - This command will let a SMILE - This command will make you
prepared spell dissipate so you can smile or smile at someone in
prepare another. When you release a particular. You can use this command
spell, you only lose one power as the ACT command and put a message
-10- More...
after it. Format: SMILE [person] WAIT - Will indicate that you are
[message]. Example: SMILE Michealoos waiting for something.
evilly. You will see this:
"Elminester smiles at Michealoos WAVE - Use this command to aim a
evilly." The advantage of SMILE over wand or staff at target. Format:
ACT is that the message won't be WAVE WAND AT [MONSTER|PERSON]. You
in parentheses. can also use it to greet people.
SMIRK - Self-explanatory. WEALTH - This will tell you how much
money you have and how much you owe.
SNIFF - Self-explanatory. Format:
SNIFF [object|person] WEAR - This command lets you put on
any item that can be worn, such as
STAND - Self-explanatory. sacks, backpacks, or items of armor
and clothing. If you use a shield,
STEAL - Used to pick pockets. You you can WEAR SHIELD to free a hand.
must have skill in picking pockets,
and you should not attempt to YAWN - Self-explanatory.
pickpocket in town. Format STEAL
[PERSON]. YELL - When you yell, people in the
next room can hear you. Format: YELL
STRIKE - Same as PUNCH and KICK but [message].
you will strike the person.
Notes
SWAP - This command will change ~~~~~
objects from one hand to the other, 1. Commands such as SLAP, KICK,
Whatever you have on your right hand PUNCH, STRIKE and EAT don't cause
will go to the left and vice versa. real damage and are only for
theatrical purposes.
TAP - Self explanatory. TAP
[object]. 2. Some commands are used only for
certain special actions. HIT is used
TELL - Used by mages and sorcerers in the ritual that is performed in
or anybody that can cast the the temple of Eissa to gain deeds
FAMILIAR or EYE SPY spell. Format toward return from death. RING is
TELL [FAMILIAR|EYE] to [ACTION]. used to call Larton so he can
appraise a chest and tell you how
THINK - Use this command to much he will charge you to open it.
communicate with others using ESP. PAY can be used to pay Larton to
This spell can be obtained by open a chest.
rubbing crystal amulets and by other
means. Format: THINK [MESSAGE]. 3. DB is your DEFENSIVE BONUS, OB is
your OFFENSIVE BONUS and CP is
TICKLE - Self-explanatory. Format CONCUSSION POINTS.
TICKLE [PERSON].
Every day new commands are added to
TOUCH - Self-explanatory. Format GemStone III. I suggest you check
TOUCH [OBJECT|PERSON]. the version notes and use the NEW
command so you don't miss anything.
TRANSFER - Healers use this command _________________________________
to transfer wounds from other / \
players to themselves. Format: | INDEX Needed for KE Volume 2 |
TRANSFER [WOUND] from [PERSON]. | |
| Earn the Free Weekend of your |
TURN - Use this command to turn an | dreams by compiling an Index of |
object. Format: TURN [OBJECT], used | articles published during KE's |
mostly to reset GOLD RINGS. | 2nd year. Contact P.HERRINGTON |
| by GE Mail for details. |
UNLOCK - Self-explanatory. -11-\_________________________________/
_________ Made Immortal by the Reroller
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Celestin Drowstar
| |~| |
_| |~| |
/@| _|~|_ | once played a character some of the things I learned will
\_/ ~~~~~ / who looked like a good help you when, or if, you visit the
~~~~~~~~ sorcerer. Wasn't strong Character Manager to roll up yours.
but he was quick and agile and had
great potential for magic. He did By the time you get to the Character
not bother with any form of armed Manager, you should know what pro-
combat, training instead in the art fession and race you want your
of wands and directed spells. It character to be. You should know
didn't take long to get to 5th level the minimum values you will accept
when I realized he would soon have in the stats you roll, as well as
nothing to hunt to advance in level. the minimum potential values for the
character's stats. If you are
I put a lot of time and money into unsure about profession, look at the
that character, so I thought it best Skill Development Costs charts below
to do some planning before rolling to see what advantages different
up my new sorcerer. I hope that professions offer.
______________________________________________________
/ \ \
| @/ Skill Development Costs /
| ------------------------------------------------------'
| Skills | Fighter | Thief | Ranger | Bard |
|----------------+---------+---------+---------+---------|
| Soft Leather | 1/* | 1/* | 1/* | 2/* |
| Rigid Leather | 1/* | 2/* | 2/* | 2/* |
| Chain | 2/* | 3/* | 3/* | 3/* |
| Plate | 2/* | 4/* | 4/* | 5/* |
| 1-Handed Edged | 1/5 | 2/7 | 3/7 | 3/9 |
| 1-Handed Crush | 2/5 | 3/8 | 4 | 6 |
| Two-Handed | 2/7 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Bows | 2/7 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Thrown | 2/7 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Pole Arms | 5 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| Climbing | 3/7 | 2/5 | 3/9 | 3/9 |
| Swimming | 2/6 | 1/3 | 2/6 | 2/6 |
| Riding | 2/6 | 2/6 | 2/6 | 2/6 |
| Disarm Traps | 3/8 | 1/3 | 4 | 4 |
| Pick Locks | 3/9 | 1/3 | 4 | 4 |
| Stalk & Hide | 2/5 | 1/3 | 1/5 | 2/7 |
| Perception | 2/5 | 1/3 | 2/7 | 2/7 |
| Spell Lists | 20 | 10 | 4/* | 4/* |
| Runes | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Staves & Wands | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Channeling | 25 | 20 | 3 | 13 |
| Direct Spells | 20 | 20 | 15 | 10 |
| Ambush | 3/8 | 1/3 | 3 | 6 |
| Body Devel | 1/3 | 3/7 | 2/7 | 3/8 |
| First Aid | 2/6 | 2/6 | 2/4 | 2/6 |
| Trading | 3/6 | 2/4 | 3/5 | 2/4 |
| Pick Pockets | 3/6 | 1/2 | 2/5 | 2/4 |
| Brawling | 2/6 | 2/7 | 5 | 5 |
| _____________________________________________________|_
\_/_______________________________________________________ /
-12- More...
_____________________________________________________
Skill Development / \ Skill Development Costs \
Costs charts also | @/___________________________________________________/
show which combin- | Skills | Mage | Cleric | Healer |Sorcrer|
ations of skills |----------------+--------+---------+---------+-------|
your character can | Soft Leather | 9 | 1/* | 2/* | 9 |
reasonably train | Rigid Leather | 9 | 2/* | 3/* | 9 |
in. For example, | Chain | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
it is possible for | Plate | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
a fighter to | 1-Handed Edged | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 |
double train in | 1-Handed Crush | 20 | 7 | 20 | 20 |
one-handed edged | Two-Handed | 20 | 9 | 20 | 20 |
weapons,two-handed | Bows | 20 | 9 | 20 | 20 |
weapons, body de- | Thrown | 20 | 9 | 20 | 20 |
velopment, disarm | Pole Arms | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
traps, lock pick- | Climbing | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
ing, and brawling. | Swimming | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
All of that would | Riding | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
cost 50 develop- | Disarm Traps | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
ment points, how- | Pick Locks | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
ever, so he or she | Stalk & Hide | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
would need 100's | Perception | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
in all development | Spell Lists | 1/* | 1/* | 1/* | 1/* |
stats which is | Runes | 1/4 | 2/5 | 2/6 | 2/5 |
highly unlikely. | Staves & Wands | 1/4 | 2/5 | 3/7 | 2/5 |
| Channeling | 7 | 1/4 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Races in Kulthea | Direct Spells | 2/5 | 3 | 3 | 2/5 |
have different | Ambush | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
stat bonuses and | Body Devel | 8 | 6 | 1/3 | 8 |
penalties as well, | First Aid | 2/6 | 1/5 | 1/2 | 3/6 |
as shown on the | Trading | 3/5 | 2/5 | 2/6 | 3/6 |
table below. | Pick Pockets | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
___| Brawling | 18 | 7 | 18 | 18 |
\_/_____________________________________________________/
Chances are you will want to select a race to improve the stats that you
think are important to your character. You don't have to, of course. If
you have your heart set on playing a dwarf mage then choose that. Just be
sure that the stats you select overcome any penalties that could adversely
affect your character at higher levels.
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ Race Selection Table \
| @/_______________________________________________________________________ /
| Development Stats Primary Stats Additional |
| |
| ST QU PR IN EM CO AG SD EQ RE |
| Common Men +5 0 0 0 0 0 0 +5 0 0 1xD8/120 |
| High Men +10 -5 +10 0 0 +10 -5 0 0 0 .7xD10/150 |
| Half-Elves +5 +10 +10 0 0 +5 +5 -10 0 0 .7xD10/150 |
| Wood Elves 0 +5 +5 0 +5 0 +10 -20 +5 0 1.5xD8/150 |
| High Elves 0 +10 +10 0 +5 0 +5 -20 +5 0 2xD8/110 |
| Fair Elves 0 +15 +15 0 +5 0 +5 -20 +5 0 3xD10/120 |
| Dwarves +5 -5 -10 0 -10 +15 -5 +5 0 0 .5xD10/120 |
| Halflings -20 +10 -15 0 -5 +15 +15 -10 0 0 .5xD8/80 |
| ________________________________________________________________________|
\_/________________________________________________________________________/
-13- More...
One of the best tools I've found for From the sheet, you can see that at
selecting minimums for stats is level seven, I can hunt hill trolls
spreadsheet software. A spreadsheet without getting any criticals at
can show my weapon's OB and DB, full parry. At level eight, I can
magic OB and DB, and power points at hunt Fire Guardians without getting
future levels. You can find the fried. Doesn't look like this
formulas you need in Viszier's character will be able to hunt at a
article, "Basic Math for GSIII," in higher level than FGs easily though.
KEv1n12. I need to increase the potential
minimums for STrength and / or
I also use 'Adds' columns to figure QUickness. As you can see, figuring
increases in stats toward potential. out the minimum stats your character
Here is an example of part of a needs before you reroll will help a
spreadsheet, so you can get an idea lot in the higher levels.
of what I've putting together and
what you can get from it: Once you have figured out your
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ Spreadsheet Sample \
| @/ /
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------'
| OBs DBs Magic Adds |
| Lvl w/ Fal w/ SD w/ SD w/ SD+WS OB DB PPs DBQ MOB MDB |
| --- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---- ---- --- --- --- --- |
| 1 10 30 54 74 41 61 3 0 0 0 |
| 2 15 35 59 79 51 81 5 0 0 0 |
| 3 20 40 66 86 63 103 8 2 2 2 |
| 4 25 45 71 91 75 125 10 2 2 4 |
| 5 30 50 76 96 85 143 13 2 2 6 |
| 6 35 55 83 103 95 161 16 4 2 8 |
| 7 40 60 88 108 103 177 18 4 0 8 |
| 8 45 65 93 113 113 195 21 4 2 10 |
| 9 50 70 98 118 121 211 23 4 0 10 |
| 10 54 74 102 122 129 227 26 4 0 10 |
| 11 58 78 106 126 136 241 29 4 0 10 |
| 12 62 82 110 130 142 253 31 4 0 10 |
| 13 66 86 114 134 148 265 34 4 0 10 |
| 14 70 90 118 138 154 277 36 4 0 10 |
| 15 74 94 122 142 160 289 39 4 0 10 |
| 16 78 98 126 146 166 301 42 4 0 10 |
| 17 82 102 130 150 172 313 44 4 0 10 |
| 18 86 106 134 154 178 325 47 4 0 10 |
| 19 90 110 138 158 184 337 49 4 0 10 |
| 20 94 114 142 162 190 349 52 4 0 10 |
| |
| Fal = Falchion SD = Shaalk Dagger WS= Wooden Shield |
| PBQ = Plus in QU MOB = Plus in AG MDB= Plus in AG (cumm) |
| ____________________________________________________________________|__
\_/______________________________________________________________________/
minimums, stick to them. It may take I've ever gotten was two, and I've
a long time to roll them up, but heard of someone getting three, but
it'll be worth it in the long run. I've not heard of more than that.
As far as potentials go, the best
Of course, if you are setting all I've ever had was two 100's, two
of your minimums to 100, then you 99's, and the rest above eighty.
will be in the roller a very long Others have gotten better, I'm sure,
time indeed! The most 100's that and maybe you will too!
-14-
Learning All the Right Moves
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ Or the Art of Training a Character Properly
/ \ __ \ by Darkwalker deKnightsaber
\@| / "| | with help from Avondale de|{nightsaber
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |fter playing GemStone so you shouldn't rush.
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / for over two years, Next is weapon skill. Off-hand,
~~~~~~~~~~~ I have repeatedly run I suggest fighters learn two-handed
into a problem of training my char- (massive damage and probably the
acter incorrectly because of things only advantage of being a fighter
that were not implemented at the right now) and a ranged weapon.
time. Not being one who likes to Learning all weapons would be a
waste resources, I don't bother with tremendous waste so learn one
things until they are put in... and hand-to-hand and one ranged. Unless
this is where I hope this article something is done to let you train
will help you. more than once, other classes most
You should know that Simutronics likely should not train in any other
implements new things very slowly, weapons. As for pole arms, I sug-
but YOU should plan ahead and roll gest that everyone who can do so for
up a character that will not be a fair price train in it. It is
forced into retirement due to new fairly cheap and being able to
system implementations (meaning get attack from the back can let you
a character with VERY good stats and take a break from getting hit all
have knowledge in ALL skills). I've the time. Fighters and Thieves
had two characters over level 10, should probably train in it, and
and had to reroll both due to Rangers and Bards who couldn't get
ignorance in certain fields. It is bows and thrown weapons should
important to do things properly from probably train in this instead since
the start because getting a good the lance (a polearm) is the most
character makes it easier later on. deadly weapon in the game.
If you want to get to Lord level and Next, we have general skills.
beyond, it is a necessity. Being a real bargain for thieves, I
First off, follow the articles suggest they train at least once per
published in KE on how to roll a level in climbing, riding, and
character. They are all fairly swimming. For the other arms-users,
accurate, but remember: Unless you training once per level is also
play for the personal interaction of suggested. Spell-users MUST train a
role-playing exclusively, GemStone little off and on between levels
III is not a place for mediocrity. because not being able to climb can
You must get VERY good stats. limit the areas you can visit. In
Also extremely important are what the future, swimming may be an
skills you train in. Looking at the important factor as well. The best
list, I see that armor is first. time for spell-users to train would
The good thing about armor is that be times when you skip a body dev-
you can put as many ranks as you elopment skill. Remember, body dev-
want in them so it is easy to "catch elopment is a skill with a maximum
up" here if something new gets put and you shouldn't (in my opinion,
in. I suggest that everyone includ- rush or force yourself to reach your
ing arms-users not train at all max as fast as possible.) Not
until the engagement system gets put training in these skills was one of
in because if chain or plate are the reasons I rerolled a character,
implemented, and they are better and that was after twelve levels!
than rigid leather, all those Next come the thiefly skills.
development points will have been Thieves should train twice per level
wasted. Also remember that you can and fighters may want to as well,
learn those ranks all in one level but it is very expensive and I would
-15- More...
save instead for ambush and weapons. nate between skills or just get good
Rangers and Bards may also want to in one and train in the other at a
pick locks, but remember you also higher level (like 10 or so).
have spell lists to think about. Channeling is good mainly for
Hide and Stalk is required for Clerics, Healers, Rangers and Sor-
ambushing and I suggest you train in cerors. For other classes, I think
it twice per level if you ambush. there are better skills to develop.
It's not really worth it if you It is particularly useful for
don't because getting the message of rangers who don't have spell lists
someone noticing you when you are and have many spell points unused.
hunting in a group makes you waste Directed spell is good for your
one of your skills and is also spell offense and spell defense.
downright embarrassing! Mages and Sorcerors must train twice
Perception is a very useful and Clerics and Healers once. This
skill! It lets you find secret is too costly for arms-users and
doors and may even play a bigger they should pass except for maybe
role in the future. I suggest you the Bard. At 10, it is still costly
train in this once per level and if and one must weigh its usefulness.
it's cheap, maybe even twice. It would definitely make you more
Spell lists are mainly for spell- adaptable to different environments
users and hybrids, but thieves may (safer if you find a new area where
want to get the locklore spell. monsters in the same area have high
Fighters shouldn't even think about melee OB and spell OB.)
it. Try to put ten per level, but I Ambush should be trained in twice
wouldn't force myself to put ten by Thieves and possibly twice for
unless I was a cleric. Nine is okay Fighters. Rangers and Bards may
and if you don't get the spell, you also want it but since it takes too
need only put in one next level and long to get real good at it, I'd
you'll have development points for pass. Spell-users may also want it
other skills. Hybrids, the choice as well since they can get low THT
is up to you if you want only spells with metal wands and get great
or some skills and spells. My old crits. The cost is fairly high, and
Ranger put about 5 ranks per level it's up to you if you think it will
and was still able to get channel- be worth it, but since brawling may
ing, lockpicking, and first aid. be more useful, I'd think I'd do
Runes were recently implemented, that instead.
and since they act like wands, I Body development is needed for
suggest training in them once per all classes and everyone should only
level instead of twice for spell- train once per level (except Healers
users. Other classes such as perhaps). This is a skill you can
fighters, thieves, rangers and max out on, and since most deaths
bards, may want to train in them as are from crits, only train once per
well because at high levels, level including Fighters.
training once per level will get you First aid can help you stop
pass the mod easily and you will be wounds and skin animals. It is a
able to cast spells! fairly useful skill and it may be
Staves and wands should be worth getting a few levels to heal
studied like runes, but since there specific injuries. Ask a Healer who
is a lack of non-offensive wands may know how many ranks it takes for
(which use your directed spell OB) each type of injury.
arms-users may want to pass. Trading helps you by not letting
However, if you've got the points the shop owners get angry with you
and want to hope for a better future for bargaining. Get a couple ranks
of more useful utility wands, train if you can, but don't worry if you
in this as well. I would suggest don't have any.
runes instead though, and remember Picking pockets helps you lighten
that it is impossible to train in the load of your friends and enemies
everything so try to either alter- alike. Most people have harsh
-16- More...
punishments for pick-pockets so spells at high levels anyway.
think first before you get this It isn't possible to train in
skill. everything and most of the time a
Brawling is a useful skill few ranks is all you really need.
because it lets you parry without Some skills like pole arms, for
the use of a weapon. It also lets example, are extremely expensive for
you use nets which have very low THT a Bard, but you may still want to
on certain monsters. Fighters and train in it so that when its
Thieves may want to train twice per implemented, you will be ready.
level, but Rangers and Bards should Also note that if the engagement
probably pass. Spell users can system gets put in, spell users will
train in brawling but at a very high need a free hand to cast and
cost. If you have the development brawling may be much more important.
points, it is worth it in the long You might want to train in it
run since you would only depend on instead of a weapon.
________________________________________________________________________
/ \
| Class Train Once Train Twice |
|__________________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Fighter Pole Arms (probably not if you use bows Two-handed, Bows or |
| or thrown), Climbing, Riding, Swimming, Thrown, Pick Locks, |
| Perception, Runes, Body Development, Stalk/Hide, Ambush, |
| First Aid, Trading Brawling |
| |
| Thief Pole Arms, Climbing, Riding, Swimming, One-handed Edge or |
| Perception, Runes, Body Dev, First Aid, Crushing, Disarm |
| Trading Trap, Pick Locks, |
| Stalk/Hide, Ambush, |
| Brawling |
| |
| Mage 1-hand Edge in no Brawling, Perception, Directed Spells |
| 8-10 in Spell Lists, Runes, Wands, Body (Off and on Climbing |
| Dev, Ambush, Trading, First Aid, Brawling Swimming, Riding) |
| |
| Cleric Any weapon (even ranged), Perception, Channeling |
| 10 in Spell List, Runes, Wands, Directed (Off and on Climbing |
| Spells, Body Dev, First Aid, Trading, Swimming, Riding) |
| Brawling |
| |
| Healer One-hand Edge, Perception, 8-10 Spell Channeling, Body Dev |
| Lists, Runes, Wands, Directed Spells, (Off and on Climbing |
| Trading, First Aid Swimming, Riding) |
| |
| Sorceror One-hand Edge if no Brawling, Perception Directed Spells |
| 8-10 Spell List, Runes, Wands, Channeling (Off and on Climbing |
| Body, Ambush, Trading, First Aid, Brawling Swimming, Riding) |
| |
| Ranger Bows, Thrown or Pole Arms, Pick Locks, One-hand Edged |
| Stalk/Hide, Perception, 1-9 Spell Lists, (Off and on Climbing |
| Runes, Wands, Channeling, Ambush, Body Dev Swimming, Riding |
| First Aid, Trading, Brawling |
| |
| Bard Bows, Thrown OR Pole Arms, Pick Locks, One-handed Edged |
| Stalk/Hide, Perception, 1-9 Spell Lists (Off and on Climbing |
| Runes, Wands, Directed Spells, Ambush, Swimming, Riding) |
| Body Dev, First Aid, Trading, Brawling |
\________________________________________________________________________/
-17-
____________ Is it Better to Have...?
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|~|~~|| | by Flavor Da'Fearless
| |~|_ ~~ |
_| |~|-| | riday night came in each other and I was ready to
/@| |~| | the land of Kulthea. develop it. She told me that I
\_/ ~~~~~ / A mystical voice exp- made her feel warm inside. With me,
~~~~~~~~~~~ lained to all that I she didn't follow her first instinct
had joined the land once again. The involving men, which was to run. Yet
small crowd sitting in the temple I was tearing her apart, she said.
greeted me as I evaluated my health,
experience and inventory. I found a Then I was told that there was so
spot on the dusty floor to sit and much more I needed to know about
look at the people sitting near me. her. I wanted to know everything
about her. She explained how she
Most were trying to get treasure had a deep, dark mysterious past. I
chests unlocked, while the rest did not care what she had to tell
described their adventures. But I me. Nothing she could say would
was only interested in one person's change my feelings towards her or
comments. make me afraid. She told me that I
should be afraid.
One voice received all my attention
for its owner seemed intelligent, This caused me to try to forget my
kind, friendly and charming. She former feelings. I had allowed my
was also quite attractive. A quick emotions to get me in trouble before
look: No wedding band. Another look: but this time would be different.
No engagement band. Yet another: Quickly I raised my parry to 100;
No rings at all. Could I be in luck? however, that doesn't work with
matters of the heart. Based on my
I wanted to know her better than I own previous experience, I set up my
knew the lands of Kulthea, better defenses and prepared for the worst.
than a fighter's best friend, his
weapon. To get her attention, I And now things just aren't the same.
introduced myself, just in case she Everything is changing for the
didn't know The Flavor. worse, faster than I ever expected.
She's avoiding me, ignoring me, not
"Hello," I whispered into her ear. speaking to me. I feel so down-
"I am everyone's favorite Flavor... trodden. I do not have to be blind
Flavor Da'Fearless, fighter. I am or stunned to recognize the signals.
the terror that hunts in the night.
It's a pleasure to meet you." I wrote her a letter saying that I
had fun while it lasted. That
She smiled at me. In a few moments, someday I hope she'll be happy.
she whispered, "Hello, Flavor. I see That someday it would all be
you are unique. Nice introduction." forgotten. Yet in my heart and mind
I thanked and complemented her and I am a broken man. No mage can cast
hoped to see her later and more a spell to help me forget her. No
often. Over the next few nights, fight can be greater than the war
she accompanied me on hunts, and it I've had with my feelings. No
seemed that we grew close. I was cleric can resurrect the part of me
starting to be affected by her. I that died when she left my life. No
enjoyed her company. I knew it was healer can heal my broken heart.
bad when I felt happy just to know
she was visiting Kulthea. As I stand at the edge of a cliff,
looking over the wilds of Kulthea,
We had talked in remote places for one question repeats itself to me:
what seemed like hours on end. I Is it better to have loved and lost,
felt we had made a commitment to than never to have loved at all?
-18-
TimeRift
~~~~~~~~
_________ by Bobuss Mortis and Arborius Dragonson
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |
| | | | don't know where you got Bobuss mumbled. He took a deep
_| |~| | this chest but it wasn't breath and... Click.
/@| _|~|_ | from Hobs," Bobuss mum-
\_/ ~~~~~ / bled. He took a deep breath and... Click.
~~~~~~~~
"Sure it was," Arborius said, crack- He took a deep breath and... Click.
ing a barely noticeable smile.
Bobuss could see the glint of a dark "Hmmmm." Why did he feel like he'd
sygils toward the back of the lock. been through this before? Then
He had never seen anything like it abruptly his surroundings changed.
but since it wasn't part of the main He was in a totally flat landscape
lock assembly he figured he would that extended to the horizon.
just keep his lockpick clear of it. Nothing to be seen as far as he
He took a deep breath to clear his could look.
head, knowing that he needed to use
not only skill but his intuition to "What now?" Bobuss sighed. "It's
get the feel of the lock. Most always something." He hesitated a
times he didn't think about picking, moment trying to figure out what to
he just let his hands do it. do. His father had always said,
"Nothing is ever gained by standing
"Well, guess it's now or never," still." So he smiled and started
More...
_________________________________________________________________________
| |
| |
| __-_---_ _-_---_ |
| -___ __- -_ _ -_ |
| --- __---_ --- -- |
| _-_ --- -_ + + + |
| -_ ___-___- _____|___ ____|___ ____|___ |
| -- ( ) ) ) |
| ( ) ) ) |
| ( ) ) ) |
| (_________)________)________) |
| ____||___ ___||___ ___||___ |
| ( ) ) ) |
| ( ) ) ) |
| ( ) ) ) |
| (_________)________)________) |
|+_ | | | | | | /-------] |
|--|_ L_______________|_|______|_|______|_|_|========| |
|--__---__ \\ +--------| |
|_________\-------\\ . Q Q Q Q Q Q Q |-----------|
| ~ ~ \;;;: \ \ \ \ \ \ \ / ,,'' '''' |
| ~ ,;;;:;.;;;^^\^^^^\^^^^\^^^^\^^^^\^^^^\^^^\'',, ''''''''|
| ~ '' '' '' '' '' '' ''' ,,,''''' |
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~|
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
| ~ ~ ~ |
| Ship entering Claedesbrim Bay |
| |
|_________________________________________________________________________|
Original Painting in Kelfour's Museum: Artist: Flint Thalassar
-19- Donor: Vlad the Art Dealer
walking, deciding there had to be this sleek craft, they were in
something in this strange place. He serious trouble. Pirates in this
hadn't gone ten feet when he was area were notorious for not taking
suddenly bombarded with images of prisoners. Bobuss glanced about for
his past, present, and maybe the away to escape, terror gripping his
future. Struggling to keep his wits heart. They had come so far for it
about him, Bobuss pressed on as the to end like this! He grabbed Rath
images shifted, seemingly organizing and Riga as the crew scurried around
themselves into some sequential grabbing belaying pins and other
order. Finally, one image totally assorted weapons.
filled the landscape... before him
were three young men; himself and "We have to get out of here!" he
his two cousins, Riga and Rath cried frantically. "Let's grab one
Mortis, at the rail of a ship at of the life boats and try to make it
sea. to Claedesbrim Bay."
It was when he had first arrived at Rath looked at him solemnly. "We'd
Kelfour's. never make it. Either they kill us
fighting, or they kill us running
The wind blew in their faces, and I say we give them hell before
smelling of the sea. Bobuss smiled; we go!" Bobuss realized he was right
this was real adventure! The but he didn't have to like it. The
cousins had heard about a frontier three of them dashed below deck to
town called Kelfour's Landing, known get what Bobuss called their "edge,"
for its adventurers, a few months weapons and magic items that would
before. Quickly deciding to go and be handy when they got to Kelfour's.
make their fortunes in this untamed If they got to Kelfour's. Rath
land, they had traveled far and were grabbed a large two-handed sword and
now less than a day from their a potion, Riga his gold and silver
destination. They were excited wands, and Bobuss snatched up his
beyond belief. Bobuss, the son of a shaalk short sword and the gold and
locksmith, was determined not to onyx brooch his mother had given
live the boring life his father led. him, saying it would bring luck.
He wanted to use his skills to
become rich, no matter what he had As they arrived back topside they
to do, and his cousins had similar saw that the pirate ship had closed
aims in mind. Rath, a pretty good much of the distance between them.
ranger, was coming to seek fame for They could see pirates running
himself, and Riga, a mage of no around the deck making preparations
small water, was already seeking out to take their ship, which was now
new spells and knowledge. While less than a half a mile away and
these aims were fine, he knew there closing. Riga said, "come closer,
could be no fame without finance, I'll give you a little protection."
and spells cost! He was glad that As they stepped forward Riga ges-
his cousins had come, and felt tured, and they felt both looked
confident that they could handle stronger. Rath uncorked his potion
anything that came their way. and waited. The ship was now within
a hundred yards, and they could see
"Ship off the starboard bow!" came what looked like three small bon-
the shout from the crow's nest. The fires. As they watched, the fires
captain came running to the suddenly shot forward, burning
forecastle, looking-glass in hand. missles streaking toward them.
As he peered through it a look of
dread formed on his face. "Damn," "Incoming!" shouted the man in the
he mumbled, "pirates." As the ship crow's nest. Sailors scattered for
drew closer Bobuss began to make out cover. Two of the missles overshot
details, and if the ship was any the vessel, but the third smashed
indication of the inhabitants of dead center of the mast, hurtling
-20- More...
burning debris about. There was a about what a way to have it end
loud crack and part of the mast before the adventure even truly
collapsed, smashing to the deck. begin.
Smoke and confusion were everywhere.
Bobuss called out, "Rath! Riga!" Then, without warning, the entire
but there was no answer. He scram- ship exploded and Bobuss instinct-
bled through the wreckage searching, ively went under the surface. When
but the smoke was too thick. He he came up, it was to see the last
called out again and again, and of the ship going down into the
finally heard Rath sobbing, "...over water. Debris was everywhere as he
here." Bobuss followed the voice grabbed a piece of planking and
till he saw Rath slumped over his attempted to paddle away. But he
brother's body, half covered with quickly tired and just floated, the
debris, tears streaming down his current taking him farther from the
face. "They killed him," he sobbed. pirate ship. Eventually he passed
Rath shook with anguish. Then he out from the shock and exhaustion of
stopped and looked to the ship now the battle and the loss of his
pulling alongside the crippled ship, cousins. He awoke occasionally to
a look of pure hatred burning in his find himself floating aimlessly with
eyes. "Now they pay..." he mumbled. the current, and once he thought he
saw something in the distance, but
The pirates had lowered planks and was to weak to do anything. He knew
were beginning to board the ship. he was dead, so he floated uncaring,
Rath Mortis drank the potion and the ready to let the gods take him.
change was immediate; he looked
incredibly strong and imposing. He He dreamed. He dreamed that he had
gripped his two handed sword and stopped floating and there was some-
walked forward. The pirates were thing solid beneath him. After
indiscriminately attacking sailors awhile he dreamed he heard voices,
-- that is, until Rath arrived. He angels he thought. Then he was
waded into them like he was har- floating again, but it felt dif-
vesting wheat. Eleven pirates were ferent, and he let the darkness take
soon dead, one nearly cleaved in him. Then suddenly his world was
half. But they soon realized he was full of light and sound, and he felt
no ordinary sailor and began tar- as though a hand had somehow wrapped
getting him. Bobuss heard the itself around his soul and brought
captain wail, "they'll never take me him back. As the pain hit him like
ship," and another sailor scream, a brick wall, he thought he heard
"Captain, no!" someone say, "Arborius, he's awake."
Soon, from somewhere deep within the Bobuss blinked, realizing he was
ship there came an explosion. reliving all this from a "TimeRift,"
Bobuss glanced at Rath in time to a phenomenon he had heard about from
see him take a rapier strike to his other lockpickers. He cursed the
throat, blood streaming every- being that had brought him to this
where, but on he kept fighting. He place to repeat his own personal
searched desperately for something hell even as he watched on.
to help his cousin and saw one of _________________________________
Riga's wands. Desperate situations / \
require desperate measures, he | Spend a FREE WEEKEND in Kulthea |
figured. How hard could it be? He | * * * * * * * * |
grabbed and waved a wand at a pirate | That's right! Play to your hearts |
in one fluid motion, which immed- | content -- from 6PM Friday to 8AM |
iately felt wrong; the wand flared | Monday morning! Three published |
briefly then exploded, throwing | articles/stories in KE is all it |
Bobuss over the rail and into the | takes! Send GE Mail asking about |
ice-cold water. He floundered, | details to Lady Phaedra Bleu C/O |
losing his short sword, thinking | P.HERRINGTON |
-21-\_________________________________/
___________ Cape & Sash Registry of Family Colors
/ \ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\\ | by Artuero Bresnahanini
| |~| ~ |
_| |~| _ | hoosing your family families inactive between the most
/@| \~\__// | colors is easier. The two recent Halls of Fame (1/92 and
\_/ ~~~~~ / Cape & Sash Society 3/92). We suggest that these colors
~~~~~~~~~~ recently compiled a be made available to new claimants
new Registry of Family Colors. It in 60 days unless the family holding
includes claims made since the last them reposts their claim.
list was compiled, striking claims For those who have not registered
by families no longer included in colors but wish to, the process of
the Hall of Fame. registration is simple; the hard
The registry recognizes claims on part is choosing the colors. Once
standard colors available through you have done that, check the fol-
the special order process in town. lowing list to see if they are
In addition, a claim on black and already held. If not, go to the
white, for example, is regarded as MPGRT Bulletin Board (Page 1045;1)
the same as a claim on white and and post a notice in The Kulthean
black. In order to free colors, the Cape & Sash Registry (Topic 15 in
registry identified those held by Category 20). That's all you need
do to have your claim recognized.
___________________________________________________________________________
| Registered Family Colors | Must Be Reclaimed within 60 Days |
|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
|White/White Wisraith Winterwind |White/Grey Hetchel Threadbear |
|White/Black Xura Viirkort |White/Blue Brant Souvanhouf |
|White/Dark Gwen Belanger |White/Purple Elor Once-Dark |
|White/Red Strom O'Berin |White/Silvery Opal Diamond-Ninja |
|White/Green Paithan Kirlan |Grey/Grey Leatherbelly Vain |
|White/Golden Artuero Bresnahanini |Grey/Black Raven Brightwing |
|White/Camoflage Michealoos Durados |Grey/Dark Erebor Bordeaux |
|Grey/Lavender House of Eternity |Grey/Red Lal Nirinda |
|Grey/Camoflage Ash Blackstar |Grey/Cyan Jochme Ytier |
|Grey/Azure Rune Arundel |Grey/Silvery Enist d'e'elni |
|Black/Black Vlad Drakulya |Black/Blue Elzbeth Collins |
|Black/Dark Joqain Denark |Black/Azure Bannor Trocolar |
|Black/Green Moonpie Legend |Black/Tan Valeria Deering |
|Black/Orange Mordue d'Arti |Dark/Azure Alton Alanthias |
|Black/Purple The Griff Bros. |Dark/Silvery Ilstar Darkedge |
|Black/Golden Talon Elessendil |Red/Green Kedryn Strongblade |
|Black/Silvery Jamel Kaili |Red/Yellow Hardtwood Strongbow |
|Black/Brass Zoweeejr Shadowzit |Red/Silvery Angelique Lovelin |
|Dark/Camoflage Gallenod Varynesti |Blue/Azure Fnord Malaclypse |
|Red/Red Taarna Wayfinder |Blue/Golden Salvius Cygnus-Aureus|
|Black/Red Fortunato Sunslang |Blue/Silvery Achoo GoldenRod |
|Red/Golden Kirc Bloodguard |Azure/Azure Arius Altair |
|Blue/Purple Donal Champagne |Azure/Cyan Fesley Grammar |
|Azure/Green Jehr Ap'Cydon |Azure/Silvery Deerslayer O'Bryne |
|Azure/Camoflage Viszier Wazara |Cyan/Green Celeborn Greyswndir |
|Green/Green Rhys Corwinson |Cyan/Chrome Reese Morlane |
|Green/Brown Dane Redlance |Green/Yellow Kitty Thornburr |
|Green/Metallic Hilgavolkas LaJolla |Green/Golden Keredon Oro |
|Purple/Golden Paks Moray |Purple/Lavender Tarellon D'Armond |
|Purple/Silvery Kayla Kindhart |Brown/Orange Rhen Gothmog |
|Lavender/Golden Rhea Sibex |Brown/Golden Elwyn Moonstrom |
|Silvery/Silvery Eron Kulsen |Golden/Golden Kimball Kinnison |
|Silvery/Chrome Cameron SilverMask |Golden/Silvery Quiz Questroy |
------------------------------------22-------------------------------------
_______________ Symbols and Lies, Part 1
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Lord Whilder Planrathe
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| |hilder wearily made haunt a God?"
/@| _|__/ \__|_| his way to the
\_/_____________/ flat black rock. "Killing weak creatures is not
Slowly he scanned the surrounding power."
landscape. "An appropriate spot for
a decision," he thought. "Then show yourself!" he screamed.
"Show me this power you surrendered
He looked back up the path toward your soul, your very existence,
the Landing. "I could go sit in for!"
Helga's tavern, watch the Landing
fall to the evil within and without. "Here," came the soft voice from
Or..." He shuddered as another behind Whilder.
thought crossed his mind. "...or
join it." Whilder spun on the balls of his
feet, his sword barely deflecting
"And why not?" replied a faint the blow aimed at his head.
voice. His brother's voice. "Powers "Attacking from behind is not a
you haven't dreamed of. Powers that display of power," he snapped,
no others shall have. Powers that backing away from his opponent.
others shall fall prey to. Powers
that can make you famous, respected, "Your skill has grown," replied the
feared..." figure.
Whilder's hand whitened around the The attack had come in with his back
grip of his broadsword. "You're to the late afternoon sun, and re-
dead," he whispered. flexes alone had saved Whilder from
the unseen blow. He had been talk-
"I am with you always," answered his ing to the sky, not watching for
brother's voice. "You and I were movement, not constantly scanning
one at birth. Now in death I am one for the many trolls that travelled
with something greater. Join us." here. "Your blow was weak," Whilder
said, edging into the open and
Whilder's sword trembled. The rage waiting for his eyes to adjust.
building within him was barely
controllable, yet there was nothing "If I had killed you, you would not
to strike at. Nothing to battle. be able to join us," said the figure
Whilder whispered again, anger rasp- as it slowly moved to let the light
ing his voice. "Your soul was con- fall upon its face.
sumed by that greater power! You
exist no more!" His face. Whilder's face. A face
that had not aged a day since he had
"I am with you always. The power can last seen it 30 years ago.
be yours as well."
"Impossible!" hissed Whilder.
"Power? I have power!" Whilder
turned and pointed down the old mine "Nothing is impossible, if you serve
road. "I could go to the mines. the proper cause," answered his
Wander them for the rest of my days. brother. "Join us, and know eternal
I could easily kill anything that victory, eternal life."
lives there! Isn't that power? I
would be feared by those creatures, Eternal damnation, more likely,
maybe someday worshipped as a God by thought Whilder. He watched as his
them! Would you stop haunting me if brother came full around into the
that happened? Would you dare to sunlight. "Show me your hand,
-23- More...
brother. Show me it is really you." hug Whilder and began to step
forward, the short sword held
The brother smiled and slung his carelessly in his right hand, flat
shield over his shoulder. Something edge toward Whilder.
about the movement struck Whilder as
wrong, but there was no time to Whilder's vision shifted.
puzzle over it. His brother dropped
his left arm. Holding the palm up It was wrong, all wrong. Not the
at waist level, he stepped closer, bright, shimmering field he
the flat edge of his short sword recalled. It was a hole in the very
resting almost carelessly on his essence itself, blackness striving
right shoulder. to overwhelm reality, trying to des-
troy all existence. A blackness
He walked forward until the point of shaped as a faintly humanoid form.
Whilder's sword pressed against his The weapon was a many-jagged thing
leather jerkin. The sword never that promised pain and destruction.
wavered against the body pressing
against it. The arm never moved. His combat reflexes took over.
His brother stopped, a sad smile on
his face. "This is how you greet Whilder leapt forward, his left arm
your own brother?" he asked. sweeping around to block the sword
arm of his opponent. His right
Whilder looked down at his brother's shoulder dipped slightly and dropped
palm. It was there! The birthmark back, the broadsword swinging up,
in the left palm, the ancient fair flat edge parallel to the ground.
elven symbol for luck. Not the The point of the weapon met his foe
later symbols to indicate either the same instant as his left should-
good or bad luck, but the first one, er, his right arm thrusting forward.
called "rampant luck" by his race. The momentum of his body knocked his
foe backwards, broadsword thrusting
The same symbol called "wild luck" through the jerkin just under the
in the common tongue. The same breastbone. The angle of their
symbol that was on his own right falling bodies allowed the broad-
palm. The same cursed symbol that sword to continue through the heart.
had denied their parents the right
to name them. Whilder stood up, ripping his sword
from the body. He did not need to
"Rampant," whispered Whilder, his check his foe. The disruption of its
sword arm, then his entire body, essence field told him better than
relaxing. His broadsword dropped any physical examination that it was
to his side. dead.
"Wild," said Rampant, using his It?
birth-name and not the name Whilder
had adopted in an attempt to break Whilder quickly shifted his vision
free of the ancient ways that seemed back to normal. And looked down on
to have cursed him. the face of his brother.
The grin on Rampant's face told "Madness," whispered Whilder to his
Whilder his brother was teasing, as brother's body.
he had when they were children.
Whilder smiled and concentrated to Another voice came. "You were always
shift his vision. He wanted to see good at killing your own family."
his brother's essence field, a field
that was slightly stronger than his Whilder looked over at his father.
own, he remembered. "How..."
Rampant spread his arms as though to The sight of his father suddenly
-24- More...
registered. Unarmed, wearing robes now lost, so was I. No matter which
he had worn on that night of terror. direction I went, I had no way out,
Whilder didn't need to ask his no goals, no hope.
father to turn around, he knew what
the back would look like. A hole in "Then one with the power showed me
both the robe and the flesh. A hole the way, the true goal. He led me
created by a broadsword. from the maze, out of those woods."
His broadsword. Whilder watched as his father
carelessly stepped over the body of
Driven by his hand, as it had killed Rampant, drawing closer.
his own brother but a moment before.
Whilder spoke softly, hoping the
Whilder backed away from the figure growing terror in his voice would
of his father. Reflex brought his not betray him. "The path you were
sword up into the guard position, given was the path to a graveyard."
but the sight was too much for him.
His brother's body, his dead father "No, my son. I was given was the
standing just beyond it. His path to becoming one with the power.
weapon, the killer of all he loved, The power that keeps us alive
fell from his nerveless fingers. forever. The power that has sent us
here to give you another chance."
"Your grip seems weak," mused his
father. "I thought you had learned His father stepped over the broad-
your lessons from me better." sword, not even glancing at it.
Whilder hesitated. He had come to
Whilder backed more. "You're dead," this place to make a decision about
he whispered. "You killed Mother. his life. Perhaps...
I killed you. You're dead."
His father stopped, just out of
"Think, my son. She was a powerful reach. "Join the power," he said,
magess. She gave herself to me, to pointing at Whilder. "Tell us your
aid me in becoming one with the decision now!"
power. Had you not interfered, not
you not stopped me, she would still Before Whilder could reply, before
be alive. She would have been whole his father could take another step,
once I became one with the power. a thin length of metal thrust itself
Remember her last words." out of his father's chest. The look
on his face never changed, never
I love you, she had said to his wavered.
father. And then she had died.
"They will deny you your existence,
"You killed her then, as surely as your glory," came his father's voice
you killed your brother just now." from a vast distance. "Beware of
them. Join the power."
Whilder stumbled and almost lost his
footing. He stopped backing away. Whilder watched, fascinated, as the
blade slowly drew back into his
"Over there," pointed his father, father's chest. Impossibly slow, he
"are vast woods. If you walk ran- fell first to his knees, then
domly about in them, you will be forward onto his face, revealing his
forever lost. Life is like those killer standing behind him.
woods. I had reached that point of
my life with no idea of which She fixed Whilder with her striking
direction I should go. The paths I green eyes, a hint of amusement and
had chosen seemed to lead further concern flashing within them. "You
into an endless maze. Now you, too, always try to talk trolls to death?"
have reached that point. As you are
-25- More...
"Trolls?" Whilder numbly replied. hoping for a response. Long moments
passed. No reaction.
She smiled. "Speak up. You've been
mumbling ever since I got here. Whilder was still staring as though
Annoying habit but I guess mages end she weren't there, staring at the
up that way from mumbling spells." body. Not a troll, she knew. What
he saw she didn't know. Whatever
Whilder watched her sling her shield had attacked his mind had not been a
over her shoulder, bending to roll normal illusion, and trolls never
the body of his father over. He had power over individual minds.
looked at the face. Numbly, he fell
to his knees, hesitantly reaching An alliance? Or something strong
out, touching, his fingers tracing enough to scare or control the
the harsh outlines. trolls and get their cooperation?
Something that could then disguise
Not the face of his father, an elf. the trolls and invade Whilder's mind
The face of a troll. without being in the immediate area?
Something that could disguise the
"Don't let them fool you," came his trolls only to Whilder.
fathers voice again from a distance.
Whilder pulled his hand away quick- She stood and quickly scanned the
ly. "How can I know?" area again. Nothing. Nobody.
Whatever or whoever it had been had
"Trust us," said his brother. left or died with the trolls. Or
Whilder looked over at his body. "I was powerful enough to maintain its
am with you always," it said. hold on Whilder's mind without being
in any contact with the mage.
The guardswoman straightened, plac-
ing the rapier in its sheath on the She turned back to where Whilder was
side of her backpack. She glanced kneeling. Dropping to one knee, she
at the body Whilder was staring at. grabbed his right hand with her
The body of a troll. left, intending to slap the hilt of
the broadsword into his hand, hoping
Something she did not understand was physical contact would work where
happening here; the mage talking to words had failed. Hoping he would
bodies, holding a conversation with not mistake her action as an attack.
someone, or something. His lips
barely moved, his voice so faint she Then she spotted the birthmark.
could only understand occasionally. "Rampant luck," she hissed.
Warrior's instinct said there was "No," answered Whilder, his voice
nothing to fight, nothing to kill. barely audible. "Rampant died 30
Yet every fiber told her the mage years ago. Or was it just a few
was in the gravest danger of his minutes?"
life. That he was losing his mind, [Conclusion Next Issue]
and his soul would soon follow. ________________________________
/ \
She did not want to attack the mage. | For our BEST Customers |
He might react with a combat spell. | |
She wanted to get his attention, to | Strawberry Ice! Yum! o |
get him talking to her. She stepped | ( ) |
between Whilder and his view of the | Refreshing, slushy drink (___) |
other troll. Walking over to his | made with ice, dairy \ / |
sword, she knelt and picked it up. | cream and Strawberries! \_/ |
| / \ |
"Nice weapon." She spoke loudly. | Perfect for a Sweetie! ~~~~~ |
"Too clumsy for my tastes, though." | Gert's Baker's Shop |
She glanced sidelong at Whilder, \________________________________/
-26-
The Serious Snoop
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Miss Louvella Parsnips
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| e have just retur- healer has made her way back to the
| |~|/~~\|~| | ned from an exten- lands following an exile of more
_| |~/~/\~\~| | ded tour of the than twenty years. We are under the
/@| _|__/ \__|_| decadent Ice Krall impression that said healer has been
\_/_____________/ castles and were attempting to sway many of Kelfour's
shocked to discover that Kelfour's young and impressionable adventurers
Landing is as corrupt, immoral and to her cause which includes
disgusting as ever. something along the lines of blood
sacrifice. We wonder exactly what
We hobbled through the town gates, this seemingly innocent healer has
and found ourselves accosted by the in store for the naive adventurers
ghost of a portly, long dead cleric. who seem to be blind to the designs
We were quite shocked, to say the of this wench. We wonder indeed.
least. Naturally, this cleric is
spouting off about doom and gloom, We have received many questioning
in his usual grandiloquent manner missives lately, asking about the
and we could not help but wonder at aforementioned disappearance of many
the forces that have brought such a of Kelfour's prominent and most
tortured soul back to the lands. despised adventurers. We are pleased
to inform you that the Society for
Of course, seeing the decadence of the Preservation of Moral Decency
some of Kelfour's newest adventurers (SPMD) finally gathered enough
must have been enough to send our evidence to drive these licentious
portly cleric scrambling from his adventurers from Kulthea. Of course,
grave and he brings dire warnings corruption is still rife in the
(something which -we- have been lands, but beware for we and the
doing for months now) that the SPMD are watching.
corrupt behavior of those in the
landing will be tolerated no longer. Until next time, gentle reader, keep
out of trouble and Tra-la for now!
We have learned that after the
banishment of many of Kelfour's most
prominent (and rather tacky) ==================================
personalities, several previously | |
untainted youngsters have been | MERCHANT MALL |
attempting to follow in the |__________________________________|
footsteps of these repugnant lords | |
and ladies. One young magess who | Dungeons and Torture |
will remain nameless for now, has | Chambers our Speciality |
taken on the role of our late | |
wraithlike lady mage and can be | TOURS BY MISS LOUVELLA |
found at all hours of the evening | ************************* |
entertaining behind closed doors at | |
Frick's inn and accepting lavish and | Visit us for customized |
rather tawdry baubles from her many | vacations of a lifetime |
admirers. Of course, one can always | |
look at the adornments of the lady | Banishments and exiles |
mages of the land to see exactly | by special request. Mortal |
whom we are referring to. | enemies welcome. Contact Miss |
| Louvella Parsnips, KE building |
Surprisingly enough, our reporters |__________________________________|
have informed us that a certain
-27-
KEV2N12
[end]
See Also: