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Revision as of 07:15, 23 May 2014
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Festival Next Month - See Local News |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| July 1991 |
| GemStone III's Vol.2, No.2 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| ()_______ / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| ||*******\_____/ /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| ||*******\_____|/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| ||*******\_____| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| ||*******\_____| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| ||*******\_____|/ (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| ||-------\_____| ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| ||-------\_____|(__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| || (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| || Happy |
| || July 4th! The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| || |
|__||_________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Local News............... 1 Shadow of Melancholy ....... 1 |
| Hunting Updates ........ Backpack Map by Lokyy of Thangoith 2 |
| From the Lost Memoirs of Usul Lu'Nak ...................... 3 |
| Statistics 101: Krush Course in Combat .. Hellion ColdIron 4 |
| Life .............................. Courtesy of Eron Kulsen 8 |
| Avoiding Conflict ................ Lady Wisraith Winterwind 9 |
| In a Word ............................... Amelda Heronheart 10 |
| "Let's Swing" .......................... Zaknafien Do'Urden 12 |
| Nymphs in Kulthea ..................... Lord Rhys Corwinson 13 |
| Introducing Civilization to Danjirland ..... Inyigo Montoya 14 |
| History of Ale ........................ Delvian Kel'Bathian 15 |
| Hall of Fame ............................................. 16 |
| The Added Experience Bonus ............. Lokyy of Thangoith 17 |
| The Untold Story .................... Cameron SilverMask II 19 |
| Lament to a Nubie ......................... Chance Saberman 20 |
| Pwyll, Prince of Annwfn Pt.3 .................. Eron Kulsen 21 |
| At the Hub of the World ................... Flint Thalassar 22 |
| The Dark Gods .............................. Elor Once-Dark 26 |
| The Malicious Meddler .............. Miss Louvella Parsnips 29 |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| 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 Editor Lady Wisraith Winterwind, Assistant Editor Rune |
| Arundel, Stringer Samwell Hawkholder, or Publisher Phaedra Bleu by |
| GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. Banner art by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
_______________
// \
___________ || Local News |
/ \ ____ \ || ========== |
\@| /~/~~\\ | \\_______________/ Editors Appointed
||~| ~ | """""""""""""""""
_||~| |~~| |emStone adventurers Phaedra Bleu, Publisher of Kelfour
/@| \~\__)/ |are advised to mark Edition, recently announced Lady
\_/ ~~~~~ / your calendars for Wisraith Winterwind as KE's new
~~~~~~~~~~fun, games and prizes: Editor, with Rune Arundel joining
the staff as Assistant Editor. All
August 2-4: residents are cordially invited to
Scavenger Hunt! visit the KE Building (two blocks
Birthday Bash for Rhiannon & Gira. south of the General Store) during
business hours to get acquainted
August 9-10: New Area! with the staff and make suggestions
The Sands of Jiwo Ima. about future editorial coverage.
August 16-18: Remember: KE pays contributors with
Ye Olde Kelfour's Jousting Event FREE WEEKENDS in GemStone III. Ask
(Elimination Style) any staff member for details.
August 24: _________________________________
The Gladitorial Games: Host Vlad / \
| Kelfour Edition honors the memory |
The Second Annual Kulthean Festival! | of its Founding Editor |
26th: Torkaan Skinning Contest | |
27th: Art Contest/Judging | Usul Lu'Nak |
28th: Dagger Throw | |
29th: Barding/Poetry Contest | and prays for his safe and |
30th: Lockpicking Contest | imminent return to the lands. |
Birthday Bash for Roland \_________________________________/
31st: The Infamous GameMaster
Dunking Booth!
Prizes and Treasures to be Awarded
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Rolemaster/Shadow World Modules and Two 1-Year Subscriptions to Computer
Boxed Sets (Courtesy of Iron Crown Gaming World Magazine (Courtesy of
Enterprises), including -12- copies the Gang at CGW).
of the Quellbourne Module and -3-
Boxed Sets of "Emer - Master Atlas & REAL Semi-Precious Gems: Amethysts,
Addendum" plus "Tales of the Lore- Garnets, Citrines, Topaz, and more!
masters I & II", "Stormriders - A
Shadow World Novel", and many more! Don't miss the fun!
__________________________________________________
Shadow of Melancholy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Under the Lu'nak tree he sits alone
His lute breaks somber chords with songs of home.
But no one sees this shadowed place
Nor Orhan, rising, light his face.
In this killing borne Land of the Silver Mists
An Iron Wind blows as The Shadow shifts.
Is the bloodred tune that fills the sky
Kadaena's death scream, or a lullaby?
Usul in the temple longing for a Quindera (Kieron's Magic Lute)
-1-
Hunting Updates: Backpack Reference Scroll
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Mine Hunters Rejoice This area for less experienced adventurers has
"""""""""""""""""""" been discovered, but watch out: Currently more
The apparent migration of dangerous than the notorious Wolverines are
deadly poisonous Cave Worms the Bounders (stomp OB 40, THT 49) and Dark
from Tralog's Silver Mines Wisplings (pound OB 35, THT of 41). A more
recently permitted return of detailed map is available on page 13.
experienced hunters to that _____________________________________________
area. This joyous occasion / \ \
brought about discovery of a \@/___________________________________________/
second fissure connecting the | |
Greater Spider area through | New Coastal Cliffs |
the crevice to an area | """""""""""""""""" |
adjacent to the Cave Troll | Charted by Lokyy of Thangoith |
camp up the steps to the | |
north. Residents are warned | *-*-* |
however that the Cave Trolls | / \ coast |
here attack with claws making | *-*-6 *-*-*-* * |
them more dangerous than | \ / | \ |
those in the Castle Dungeons. | *-*-* * *-*-*-* |
But the appearance of Crystal | | / / \ |
Golems in this adjacent area | * * *-*-* * *-*-7 |
makes them well worth hunting | \ | / \ | |
if your DB is at least 170. | *-*-* *-* * * |
Just don't solo: Resident | 1 2 \ \ 9 |
Gemstings and Spiders web and | * * *-* |
slay lone adventurers with | / / / \ |
relative ease. | * * * * |
| / \ | / | village |
Ice Kral Spotted | * * * * * |
"""""""""""""""" | cemetary | \ \ | |
Without warning or explan- | * 3 * * |
ation, a troop of Ice Kral | | / |
were recently seen roaming | * 8 |
the streets of town. The | / |
troop consisted of a Captain, | * |
Wizard, Mercenaries and sev- | 3 * |
eral Apprentices. No doubt | underground | / |
scouting the Landing, the Ice | ruin * * |
Kral (noted for their warlike | /|\ / \ |
demeanor) provoked no vio- | *-*-* * 5-* * |
lence, despite at least one | 4 | |
of their number being killed | *-* * *-*-8 |
by a citizen who picked a | | /| | secret wing |
quarrel. This unprecedented | * * * 5 |
event brought out our mili- |-------------------------------------------|
tia, who had not been bother- | Ye Old Monsters | Legend |
ed to leave their barracks in | Level 1 | 1: path |
months. As the Kral departed, | Sea Nymph | 2: trail |
rowing away in a skiff, they | Carrion Worm | 3: steps |
yelled, "We'll be back!" | Level 2 | 4: door (trap) |
Management at Kelfours Secure | Ghost | 5: pull sconce, chain |
Bank is advised that perhaps | Level 3 | 6: tree (knothole) |
their current Ice Kral guards | Dark Wispling | 7: go road (Kelfours) |
may be less than trustworthy _| Level 7 | 8: shrine |
should their brethren /@| Bounder | 9: gap |
return in greater numbers. \_/__________________________________________/
-2-
_________
/ \ _____ \ From the Lost Memoirs of Usul Lu'Nak
\@| |~| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_| |~| |
/@| _|~|_ |ran into the curious mystic When The Curious One had finished,
\_/ ~~~~~ / wandering down Widow Wart I asked him where he had come upon
~~~~~~~~ Road today. He said, " Ah, such a song and he replied, "Well,
Usul, Bard and Scribe, here is a song if you MUST know... a little bird
you may choose to keep to yourself or told me as I was taking a bath."
publish for all to read. It's called He gazed into his crystal, smiling.
A Hudvaark's Lament and it goes like "Heh, needless to say, I skinned
this: and fried it." He smirked, looking
me in the eye. "And finger lickin'
I'm a little seagull, good t'was too!"
On a windak stair.
Trying to find the ocean, Saddened, I recited this litany:
Looking everywhere.
Hard times without pity, "I am not afraid of what there might
In this cold town by the sea. be. Out in the world you learn so
Is there nowhere left to fly to? many things, oh yes, you do! So I
Nothing anywhere for me? tell you _again_, I'm not afraid to
go out there in this Shadow World &
Shadows lurk in every corner, be myself. So come on, listen to me:
No one feeling any shame There are _so_ many things in this
Townfolk bleeding on the sidewalks, world that we must not be afraid of,
Does it really seem the same? No, no, no! Just believe in yourself
Murder, mayhem and corruption. and in time you'll get ahead...So
Same old story everyday. BE SOMEONE! Come on now BE YOURSELF!
It's gonna take a big old wagon, !!! B E Y O U R S E L F !!!
Just to haul them all away. Do not be misled by what evil-doers
may say. They will only bring you
When the good are left defenseless down if you let them!"
Seeking truth, they serve the lie.
Yes, the living are a-dying, The Mystic shrugged. He turned to
But no one stops to wonder why. walk away. He looked back at me over
Think I'll fly out to the wilds now his shoulder & looking deep into the
To the fangs that bite the sky. crystal in his hands he whispered:
I guess I'm never going back there;
That will be the day I die. "You only got two roads to travel in
this Shadow World. Only two roads."
Oh, it goes to show.
Man, it's hard, just to live. I nodded to him, but he had already
Oh? Don't you know? disappeared into the silver mists.
Signs I take. Signs I give."
For
/ Wisraith
/ /\ Winterwind
\ / / / \
\\\' , / // /\ / ~~~\
\\\//, _/ //, / ~\ / \
\_-//' / //<, / \ / ~~~ \ /\
/ >> \\\`__/_ / ~~~ \ / ~~~ \ / \
/,)-^>> _\` \\\ /~ \/ ~~~~ /\ \/ \
(/ \\ / \\\ / ~~~ \ /\ / \ / ~~~ \
// _//\\\ / ~~~ \ / \/ / ~~~ \
\\_____(('--(('_____________ ~~ / ~~ \ /~~~ \
(ZZZZZZZI _________________________/ ~/ \ / ~~~~ \
// / ~~~~/ DragonsFang Mts. \
-3-
Statistics 101: A Krush Course in Combat
Or the very, Very, VERY Last Word on Combat
____________ by Hellion ColdIron
/ \ _____ \
\@| /~/~~\\_ |emStone III -- which easily surpassed by its elegance.
| |~| __~ | is unbelieveable in After a few practice trials you'll
| |~| |_ | | scope and dynamics be happily punching away at your
_| |~| )| | both -- seems to calculator.
/@| \~\__// | suffer from a self-
\_/ ~~~~~ / perpetuating mythos All weapons in the known world are
~~~~~~~~~~~ concerning its combat. held under 5 categories - AL (Arms
I can't count the times I've trudged Law), SL (Spell Law), CL (Claw Law),
aross a battlefield or sat quietly RSL (Reverse Spell Law) and RCL
in the temple and listened to an (Rev. Claw Law). AL weapons are
"expert" advise a newcomer to the just that - weapons. SL contains
lands on the strengths and flaws the elemental attack spell
inherent in certain weapon and armor statistics. CL is the grouping for
types. By now, most regulars know natural weapons. RSL & RCL are
about these, but the actual statis- inverse tables and all attacks
tics involved escape them. This falling into these categories affect
article assumes a working knowledge heavier armor more adversely (thus,
of combat in GSIII. we have the infamous "lightning rod"
effect).
Without further adieu, here is the
Condensed Combat System (CCS) in its The armor classes (1-20) are divided
brutal entirety, unabridged as it up into 5 separate armor categories,
appears in Rolemaster Companion I, each with its own distinctive
enhanced (I hope) with editorial advantages and disadvantages: Skin
comment. Illustration 1 shows the (Sk) entails ATs 1-4, Soft Leather
format that forms the basis for all (Sl) 5-8, Rigid Leather (Rl) 9-12,
combat in GSIII involving the Chain (Ch) 13-16 and bringing up the
standardized form, and I have yet to rear (as always) is Plate (Pl) at
find an exception: 17-20.
I should point out that this article The combat system has three parts:
doesn't deal with weapon/shield (1) The Attack Statistics Area (ASA)
clashes, or criticals. Those I where all info on Weapon OB
shall leave for another day. modifiers and damage is kept, (2)
However, at the end of the article the Armor DB modifier area where all
I'll kick some theories around on info on DB mods to different armor
the CCS as it appears to have been types is held, and (3) the THT area,
implemented. Also, if you find this where minimum THT's and Crit levels
system a bit (!) complex at first, are stored...
don't worry. It's complexity is
_________________________Illustration 1____________________
// \
|| [Name] [swings/slugs/bites/etc at] [Target] [with Weapon] |
|| OB: XX vs DB: YY |
|| THT: ZZ, d100: AA, modified: BB |
|| [Damage done] |
|| [Potential criticals] |
\\___________________________________________________________/
Critical types:
P = Puncture; S = Slash; K = Krush; I = Impact; C = Cold; H = Heat
E = Entangle or Electricity; T = Tiny; G = Grapple; U = Unbalance
-4- More...
Condensed Combat System - Attack Statistics Area (ASA)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attack Fail Crit Table| Weapon OB mods & Basic Hit Factors [OB MOD(BHF)]
Type Range Type Type | Skin S.Leath R.Leath Chain Plate
-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------
Dagger 01 P,S AL | -10(4.7) -12(8.2) -20(8.5) -20(10.7) -20(22.9)
Falchion 05 S,K AL | +0(2.3) -2(3.3) +4(3.3) +4(4.4) +4(6.4)
Hand axe 04 K,S AL | -5(3.1) -5(4.5) +3(4.2) +5(5.5) +5(8.5)
Main Gau 02 P,S AL | -8(4.4) -10(7.1) -15(7.3) -15(9.1) -15(16.7)
Scimitar 04 S,K AL | -5(2.5) -5(3.7) -5(3.9) -5(7.7) +0(13.2)
Rapier 04 P,S AL | +10(5.3) +5(7.5) -4(9.1) +0(10.4) -18(23.7)
Broadswo 03 S,K AL | +0(2.8) +0(4.1) +0(4.4) +0(6.0) +0(10.3)
Shortswo 02 S,K AL | +5(3.8) +0(5.4) -5(6.4) -10(8.7) -10(14.9)
-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------
Barefist 01 K,I AL |-25(11.4) -35(15.9) -35(25.0) -35(29.0) -31(31.5)
Club 04 K,I AL | -15(3.9) -15(5.7) -10(4.9) -10(5.7) -5(10.3)
War Hamm 04 K,P AL | -5(3.2) +0(4.7) +0(4.2) +10(5.0) +10(7.7)
Mace 02 K,I AL | -5(3.5) -5(5.0) +0(4.9) +5(5.3) +5(8.0)
M. Star 08 K,P AL | +0(2.5) +0(3.5) +5(3.9) +10(4.6) +10(6.6)
Whip 06 E,K AL | -9(3.9) -10(8.8) -15(10.1) -25(12.2) -25(32.0)
-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------
Bola 07 E,K AL | -10(5.1) -10(8.0) -10(4.1) -10(5.7) -6(10.1)
Comp.Bow 04 P AL | -9(2.9) +1(3.4) -2(3.0) +10(3.5) +5(6.4)
Hvy Xbow 05 P AL | -2(2.3) +6(3.1) +4(2.6) +15(3.5) +10(5.8)
Lt Xbow 05 P AL | -7(2.8) -3(3.4) -2(3.1) +3(3.7) +0(7.1)
L. Bow 05 P AL | -3(2.6) +3(3.2) +1(2.9) +13(3.3) +8(5.8)
S. Bow 04 P AL | -12(3.1) -4(4.3) -11(3.6) +0(4.0) +0(9.9)
Sling 06 K,I AL | -12(2.5) -15(3.9) -6(3.4) -5(4.3) +0(6.7)
-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------
Bat. Axe 05 S,K AL | +0(1.5) +3(2.3) +6(2.0) +13(2.6) +13(4.6)
Flail 08 K,P AL | +4(1.8) +6(2.4) +10(2.6) +13(3.3) +13(4.5)
War Matt 06 K,I AL | +0(1.7) +3(2.2) +6(2.2) +15(2.7) +18(3.6)
Q. Staff 03 K,I AL | -15(2.8) -12(3.7) -12(4.5) -12(6.1) -15(9.2)
2-H Swor 05 S,K AL | +5(1.6) +6(2.1) +8(2.0) +10(2.8) +10(4.7)
-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------
Javelin 04 P AL | -6(3.3) -6(4.3) -6(3.7) -7(5.2) -10(11.4)
Lance 07 P,I AL | +0(1.4) +4(1.9) +5(1.8) +17(2.1) +20(2.8)
PoleArm 07 P,K AL | -2(1.8) -2(2.5) -1(2.5) +0(3.3) +0(5.2)
Spear 05 P,I AL | -4(2.8) -5(4.0) +0(3.6) +3(4.7) -4(10.5)
-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------
Bk/Pn 02 T,S,K*& CL | +3(3.4) +5(3.3) -7(4.3) +9(4.5) +30(4.6)
Bite 02 T,S,P*& CL | +17(2.5) +5(2.6) +0(2.7) +15(3.0) +23(3.2)
Cl/Ta 02 T,S,P*& CL | +20(4.7) +1(5.0) -3(5.3) +11(5.4) +22(5.9)
G/S/E/S 02 G& RCL | -6(5.0) -5(6.4) +11(9.2) +30(8.0) +45(12.4)
Ho/Tu 02 T,P,U*& CL | +19(2.9) +2(3.1) +3(3.2) +13(3.4) +22(3.5)
RaBuBa 02 U,K*& RCL | -4(5.7) -8(5.8) +7(6.3) +25(5.9) +43(6.8)
Stinger 02 T,P*& CL | +21(9.3) -5(10.4) -2(9.7) +11(10.8) +21(11.5)
TA 02 T& CL | +26(8.3) +4(9.6) +0(10.4) +14(10.9) +25(10.3)
Tr/St 02 K& CL | +37(3.1) +18(3.0) +9(4.2) +28(4.7) +34(4.6)
Fa/Cr 02 K+ CL | +45(2.4) +35(2.8) +23(3.1) +45(3.0) +43(3.6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Martial Arts Strikes and Sweeps seem to be unimplemented at this time,
but are probably part of the GSIII CCS anyway.
-5- More...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ShckBlt 02# E$ RSL | +9(7.0) -11(8.6) -1(10.2) +28(8.6) +46(10.2)
WatrBlt 02# I$ SL | +6(3.7) -5(4.9) -3(7.6) +16(7.6) +28(10.5)
IceBolt 02# I,C$ RSL | +21(2.6) +15(3.5) +18(6.0) +34(6.1) +53(8.5)
FireBlt 02# I,H$ SL | +38(3.3) +10(4.2) +15(6.2) +36(5.8) +51(7.7)
LghtBlt 02# E,I,H$ RSL | +30(3.0) +21(4.0) +18(5.2) +50(4.8) +66(5.6)
ColdBal 04# C@ SL | +62(7.0) +39(8.4) +48(9.8) +64(9.1) +76(10.9)
FireBal 04# H@ SL | +68(5.6) +53(6.0) +61(7.4) +72(8.2) +84(9.5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armor DB mods Area (ADBmods): Threshold Area (TA):
Table Type Armor Catagories
AT | AL SL CL RSL RCL | | Sk Sl Rl Ch Pl |
---|-------------------------| ----|-------------------------------|
1 | 15 2 0 13 38 | THT | 61 52 52 26 5 |
2 | 5 0 4 3 25 | A | 71 72 72 75 75 |
3 | 19 12 16 18 33 | B | 76 84 83 89 89 |
4 | 23 16 25 25 29 | C | 82 99 98 100 97 |
5 | 0 11 11 18 29 | D | 93 112 114 110 104 |
6 | 3 16 15 17 23 | E | 111 131 126 119 109 |
7 | 7 21 22 17 15 | -------------------------------------
8 | 12 19 24 15 10 |
9 | 5 12 22 22 21 | Process Summary Area:
10 | 13 19 30 27 18 |
11 | 18 24 37 28 12 | 1) Roll d100, halt attack if <= failure.
12 | 22 29 44 25 8 | Otherwise, modify roll by attacker's
13 | 15 13 23 20 17 | OB & target's DB. If attack is natural
14 | 25 16 31 15 14 | weapon, apply any ceiling restrictions
15 | 30 23 37 10 7 | due to attack size (see attack size
16 | 35 24 38 7 4 | restrict. below). Result is the IAV.
17 | 26 12 29 17 11 |
18 | 35 15 36 12 8 | 2) Cross index the attack's "Table Type"
19 | 45 23 41 5 4 | with the target's armor type in the
20 | 50 28 48 0 0 | Armor DB Mods area. Take the IAV,
------------------------------ subtract the Armor DB mod, and add the
proper Weapon OB Mod (WOBM). The result
is the FAN.
3) If the FAN is >= the THT (see threshold area) then the attack does damage.
A critical is also resulted if the FAN is greater than at least one of
the other thresholds; its severity is indicated by the highest threshold
crossed.
4) To determine how many Concussion Pts were delivered divide (FAN - THT)
by the Basic Hit Factor for the weapon used (round off):
(FAN - THT) / BHF
Notes:
Attack size restrictions are typically for natural attacks by beasts. The
intention of the CCS was to mimic the RoleMaster attack tables as closely as
possible, and the RM tables had a cutoff at 150 for the OB/DB modified d100
attack roll, regardless of the attack type used.
Ceilings are 105 for small attacks, 120 for medium, 135 for large and 150 for
huge attacks.
-6- More...
Weapons should probably be treated as huge attacks although I don't believe
they are as GSIII implements them. Thus you have two-handed swords
delivering 100-point blows when they originally maxed out at 47 points or so.
Abbreviated natural attack types:
Bk/Pn - Beak/Pincher Cl/Tl - Claw/Talon
G/G/E/S - Grapple/Grasp/Envelop/Swallow Ho/Tu - Horn/Tusk
RaBuBa - Ram/Butt/Bash TA - Tiny animal
Tr/St - Trample/Stomp Fa/Cr - Fall/Crush
... the first type of critical indicated to the second and so on. They are
not meant to indicate additional criticals for exceptional damage as given
on the other attack lines.
Additional criticals are, I believe, unimplemented - only 1 critical per
strike maximum, the crit type seems to be random.
Symbol Means
# These attacks may incur fumbles at higher ranges depending on the
armor type and range of the final attack number.
Note: I believe that these attacks have a fumble range of 04.
$ Inflicts special criticals when an Unmodified 100 is rolled.
@ Inflict special criticals when an UM 96-100 is rolled.
Note: Both unimplemented??]
& Limited by the size of the attack - small..huge.
+ Limited either by distance fallen or by size of attack - small..huge.
_________________________________________________________________________
/ Example \
| |
| Hellion (OB of 55) swings a broadsword at a vorpal rabbit (yet to |
| be implemented, DB of 60, AT of 1) D100 roll is (what luck!) 95. |
| |
| IAV = [(roll) 95 + (OB) 55 - (DB) 60] = 90. |
| FAN = [(IAV) 90 - (ADBmod vs. AL) 15 + (WOBmod vs. Skin) +0] = 75. |
| Since (FAN) 75 > (THT) 61, Hellion scored a hit. |
| damage = (75 - 61) = 15 / (BHF) 2.8WOBM |
| = exactly 5 points of damage, and since the A critical threshold |
| was passed, the critter takes an A critical (probably slash). |
| |
| The rabbit, being annoyed by this, leaps at Hellion with its teeth bared |
| (Bite, max attack size = Huge, OB = 120). Hellion is wearing a Chain |
| Hauberk (AT 16) but has an anemic DB of only 50. The roll is (whoops) 92. |
| |
| IAV = [(roll) 92 + (OB) 120 - (DB) 50] = 162. This is over the maximum |
| IAV for a huge attack, so it is reduced to 150. |
| FAN = [(IAV) 150 - (ADBmod vs. CL) 38 + (WOBmod vs. Chain) +15] = 127. |
| Since (FAN) 127 > (THT) 26, the rabbit scored a hit (to say the least). |
| damage done = (127 - 26) = 101 / (BHF) 3.0 |
| = 33 concussion points. That's nothing compared to the E |
| crit poor Hellion has to face. (Probably lose his head.) |
\_________________________________________________________________________/
In practice, the optimum choice for a weapon is one with consistantly high
WOBM values and very Loooooow BHF's. That way, it will decrease your THT and
increase your damage. Looking at the chart, right off hand I can see that the
war mattock (as suggested) is the crushing weapon of choice. The falchion is
an excellent choice in slashing weapons, as it's WOBMod values remain low
negative to low positive. Did anybody notice that the lance seems to be the
best 2-handed weapon? Look at those WOBMod/BHF ratios.
Given time, you will probably recognize the deviation in the THT value given
by the GSIII combat system from the five standard THT values in the CCS. GS
apparently factors the WOBMod and ADBmod into the THT so the only modifi-
cation made to the attack d100 are the OB/DB mods. Here is a formula for
converting CCS THTs into GSIII THTs. I've tested it on numbers given by
Yasantre Spleenbender, and haveyet to find an error.
GSIII THT = CCS THT + (Armor DB mod) - (Weapon OB Mod)
eg: Falchion vs. Plate, 5 + 50 - (4) = THT 56
eg: Bare fist vs. Plate, 5 + 50 - (-31) = THT 86
eg: Lightning vs. Hauberk, 26 + 7 - (50) = THT -17
The system is compact and appears to retain a good portion of the original
RoleMaster qualities (probably 90-93%). Also of interest is the fact that it
is flexible enough to be used in any roleplaying environment. Soup up the
water bolt attack and whallah, you have a shotgun blast... etc. etc., et al.
In a world where death by violence is as common as the ebb of the tide, it is
appropriate that our characters fight through a combat system as sharp as the
edge of an eog broadsword.
Life -- Courtesy of Eron Kulsen
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
>LOOK
You see a stairwell leading up to a trap door. The Stairs also lead down.
Obvious exits: down
>PARRY 100
Parrying at 100 percent.
>CLIMB STAIR
[Kelfour's, Land Tower East]
You notice a gold ring, a gold ring, a crystal amulet, some heavy hide,
a broadsword, a reinforced shield, a lore lockpick and a baby dragon.
Obvious exits: down.
>
A baby dragon stomps at you with its foot!
OB: 200 vs DB: 85 = +115
THT 49, d100 roll: 87, modified: 202
...and hits for 49 concussion points of damage!
Bone-crushing blow to left leg.
An extra 12 concussion points of damage.
You are stunned for 2 rounds!
>
>DOWN
You are still stunned!
A baby dragon breathes an enchanted fire at you!
OB: 250 vs DB: 60 = +190
THT 06, d100 roll: 90, modified: 280
...and hits for 58 concussion points of damage!
Head charred to a smoldering stump!
>
*Eron just bit the dust.
A voice from below yells, "Eron, is it safe to come up yet?"
-8-
Editorial: Avoiding Conflict
"""""""""""""""""
___________ by Lady Wisraith Winterwind
/ \ ______ \ Editor, Kelfour Edition
\@| /~/~~\_\ |
| \~\____~ |itting here at my desk Unless you are the kind of person
_| _~~~~\~\ |in my new office in who thrives on controversy, about
/@| \~\__/~/ |the new Kefour Edition this time you're apt to become
\_/ ~~~~~~ / Building, it occurs to disgusted with the entire situation
~~~~~~~~~~ me that this month has whether you're involved or not.
been one of the most peaceful I can Conflicts, however, need not pro-
recall. Perhaps I've just not heard gress this way. If you are strong
of new scandals and controversies, in your convictions, there is no
but I tend to trust my perception need to defend them, especially to
because our purveyor of purient someone intentionally baiting you.
interests, Louvella Parsnips, Refusing to dispute in public is not
periodically stalks through the a weakness if your goal is peace.
newsroom in an absolute rage. Rather, it is the strongest state-
Noticing this peace has made me ment you can make; you are saying
think about the nature of it, what you will enforce peace around you by
disrupts it, and how to regain and not becoming involved in open con-
retain it. flict. There will always be times
Unrest arises when an individual you can't avoid it, but there are
or group demonstrates - by word or always ways to mitigate it, too. If
deed - that which diverges from the your intent is to avoid spectacle,
ideas of someone else. This is true take your quarrel out of the public
in a dispute between citizens or eye, and don't encourage spectators.
civilizations. In either case, one In addition, avoid becoming
side's expression provokes a nega- involved in other people's disputes,
tive response which, in turn, is either as a spectator or a parti-
often calculated to re-provoke the cipant, unless specifically asked by
first party. both sides to help mediate the
Complicating this is the fact dispute. When we spectate, we create
that disputes draw attention, and an audience, and if we try to force
parties soon arrive who are not a role as mediator, we may well
directly involved. Some try to provoke the original parties into
bring about compromise, and some try resenting us for it, generating more
to stir things up by becoming allied bad feelings. If someone
with one side. Others feel it their specifically asks for help, that is
responsibility to interject their one thing, but we often seem to
opinions (invited or not) while a blindly jump into the disputes of
few just want to be involved in others, out of loyalty or some other
whatever has people's attention. motivation, where we may not be
None one of these people know, as wanted and probably are not needed.
do the original participants, what Most people seem able to take care
the dispute was really about. Their of themselves; give them the chance
words and deeds only serve to cloud to solve their own problems.
the issue(s) leading to even greater We all know people who thrive on
conflict. conflict and delight in involving
Then too, newcomers form an those who try to avoid it. They
audience which tends to bring out will always be around, sniffing
the performer in us. In front of an through the detritus of our lives.
audience, neither side tends to If you want peace, don't dignify
compromise, and may even feel agitators with a response unless you
pressured to recruit allies, allies absolutely must. Even then, do it on
who bring their own ideas, pre- your terms, not theirs. No world is
judices, assumptions and agendas. free of conflict, but there's no
Thus, even the best intentioned rule that says you must settle it in
newcomer can exacerbate a dispute. public.
-9-
In a Word
"""""""""
_____________ by Amelda Heronheart
/ \ _________ \
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |rying to make one's name I shan't reveal, I learned of
_| |_| | way in a new land an even more distressing occurrence
/@| _|_|_ | with new customs, that had befallen him and a hunting
\_/__________/ language and terms partner in his early days. It was
of dialect can be confusing. not really the mage's fault, and he
When recently arrived in Kulthea, felt badly about it. It seems they
I made the acquaintance of the were out hunting torkaan and the
gracious Kyanna under most trying mage waved a lethal wand at the
circumstances, particularly for her. "tor." The wand worked perfectly.
Fortunately she has a sympathetic The flames were a sight to behold.
nature and still speaks to me, and However, poor Tory was barbecued
even calls me "friend." What rather than the tork. On hearing
happened was that I was invited on a this sad story I realized just how
hunting party of which the good important a name can be. I have
Kyanna was a member. We were never seen the lad Tory about, and
hunting kobolds and although I had assume he has undergone a change of
hunted before, it had not been much. appellation, which is advisable
It seems that 3-letter abbre- under the circumstances.
viations are commonly used in this Returning to the local custom
place and I had been told that a of abbreviating just about every-
kobold could be referred to as a thing, I have been warned several
kob. Having no hunting macros times that one should really follow
prepared, and being of an original the three-letter system. I'm afraid
turn of mind (though often MUCH too I did not heed the advice other than
impetuous, as my friends will tell in combat, and became comfortable
you) I had discovered I could make putting things into and taking them
my work easier and eliminate typos out of my "ba"ckpack. This worked
by attacking "k" rather than "kob." until one night I was invited to a
It never occurred to me the gods party at my friend Piffen's house --
would misunderstand my intentions. at the House of Argent Aspis, to be
This had worked perfectly while exact. It was stunning! I was over-
hunting with my friend Whistler, whelmed by the opulence of the house
although he did not know of my and by Piffen's graciousness. The
abridged abbreviations or would evening was enveloped in beauty,
certainly have warned me. There- like a dream. Piffen gave me a pair
fore, I was surprised, and certainly of black satin slippers -- a wonder
Kyanna was no less so, when I to behold, and not another pair like
accidentally attacked Kyanna rather them in all the land. I was taken
than the kobold. After many aback trying to be on my best
apologies, checking for damages, company behavior, but I still had
much hugging, etc., we began the much to master by way of customs and
hunt again. Unfortunately, I seemed dialect. This night I learned to
to have the "k" burned into my drink MY wine, a skill that must be
reflexes, because the poor lady learned since "drink wine" assumes
found herself victim to my sword one wishes to drink from the carafe,
several more times before I had and that was never my intention.
sufficiently re-programmed my After having had a few drinks (and
neurons to "att kob" without my friends may say that these went
mistake. Lucky for her, my prowess to my head, although I can hardly
with weapons was lacking in those believe so) I realized that it would
days and her defenses were good. be more socially correct if I
In discussing this near dis- removed some armor I had accident-
astrous outing with a mage whose ally left in place; I removed my leg
-10- More...
greaves and inobtrusively slipped yet again, I began to notice that
them into my "ba"ckpack, only to the healer seemed somewhat embar-
realize the next morning that I had rassed; then I noticed he would
actually put them into Piffen's reach to invoke his amulet almost
bar instead. immediately after he had rubbed my
But then how many bars do I humble self. As I have spent more
encounter in Kelfour's? What was time in this country, I have on
done was done. I continued happily numerous occasions been rubbed by
putting things into my "ba"ckpack friends and strangers alike.
until one day I accompanied friends Usually I smile and go on my way,
to Cheldar's. Penna and I decided though occasionally a gentle-elf
to take a bath as long as we were will admit that he has NOT made a
there. I thought it appropriate to mistake at all, and I shall refrain
unarm, and accordingly put my shield here from relating what effect this
and broadsword into my "ba"ckpack. has upon me. Let me just say I am
In the shadowy interior, I must not not complaining, simply pointing out
have noticed what I was doing. When certain dangers of our dialect.
M'Lord Naxxixx pulled the chain to In regard to these perils, last
show Penna and myself how the but by no means least, I wish to
"ba"ths worked, my shield and broad- tell of the time I nearly dis-
sword washed right down the drain! membered my beloved friend Penna in
Was I surprised! Monsieur Arconium front of Moot Hall. Her gallant
was nearly beside himself, handed me paramour, Khelban, had been kind
his own broadsword and rushed out to enough to stow my gear and all my
replace my custom shield, although clothing in his locker as I, with a
it was not his fault at all. From tear in my eye and hope in my heart,
that day on, I have been more headed off to encounter the
careful when putting items into my Character Generator. Yes, I had
"bac"pack. So far, so good. been in the land long enough to know
My own name has proven to be of I wished to stay and grow wise and
some amusement in this place as seek my fortune here, and I had
well. I had no idea when I arrived finally become convinced that I must
that this would be so, having never become stronger within myself if I
had particularly interesting exper- were to live a long and prosperous
iences occur from its use. However, life. So, as I fondly parted from
once again, abbreviations caused my friends, knowing I would return a
confusion. Even veterans of life in different Elf -- a better one, hope-
Kelfour's are not immune to the fully, but nevertheless different --
pitfalls of the 2-letter abridgment. I began affectionately to kiss Penna
A certain eminent healer, for whom I goodbye. What happened was not a
have the utmost respect and to whom matter of abbreviations this time,
I owe my life and lack of scars, has but a slip of the fingers that
been caught in this snare on any anyone could make. I suddenly found
number of occasions. We had not myself pummelling Penna with my bare
even been introduced when, in the hands. I'm afraid "kiss" is dan-
temple, I found that I was being gerously close to "kill" and I had
gently rubbed by him! simply made an honest mistake.
The touch of a healer is not to
be disdained, and at first I won- Fortunately, with all my belongings
dered whether he had seen signs of in the locker I was unarmed and no
some illness or injury of which I real damage was done to Penna. But
was unaware. I did not think this as embarrassing and potentially
the case since I felt perfectly tragic as this lapse could have
well, but as I was new and the been, one has to wonder what might
healer widely known for his skill, I have been the effect if the error
assumed he would not do this without had been made in reverse and I had
reason. When it happened again and been trying to "kill" a wolverine.
-11-
"Lets Swing!"
"""""""""""""
____________ by Zaknafien Do'Urden
/ \ ______ \
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~||Kay, I was new to town my village, and I had more often
_||~| |~|| but I had an idea of than not come out the winner. I
/@| \~\__/~/ | what I should do. I quickly answered with "To the Stun!"
\_/ ~~~~~~ / went to the armory in fear of losing my life, and when
~~~~~~~~~~~ and bought the best he said "What?" I missed it due to
armor silver could buy, then to the the fact I was swinging my sword.
weaponsmiths and got myself a Little did I know that Donnwulf was
weapon. I was ready for anything; just trying to test my OB/DB!
I'd listened to the tales of my I attacked him with the ferocity
elders, grand stories they were, and of a bat out of hades, stabbing and
hoped to have some for myself right swinging as I strode towards him. I
away. Adventures that the bards didn't even notice the strange look
would sing of for years to come. on his face. My attacks rarely hit
I travelled through town looking and when he repeatedly yelled
for information on local beasts of "Stop!" I thought he was being
the wilds. I heard whispers of sarcastic, so I continued on with
torkaani and kobolds but nothing heightened fury. He tried to run
about their location. I found away which made me think I was
myself that day at the gate with no winning, and I followed through the
idea where to find action, but forest until the two of them lost
looking for it anyway. Then two me. I didn't see them for the rest
seasoned adventurers happened by, of my journey. I was so proud of
so, thinking safety in numbers, I myself, my attack had fended off the
introduced myself. likes of Donnwulf! My ego was
"Hail, and well met," I said. swollen beyond the point of control.
"My name is Zaknafien Do'Urden. I And that was the end of that. Or so
am new to town but I understand I thought.
something of fighting and all that Several days (and a few kills)
it entails. May I join your group later, I happened upon Naxxixx and
so that I might gain the experience Penna, both higher level and skilled
of watching you?" people that you probably know. I
The two adventurers were Penna said my usual greeting to them and
and Donnwulf. I joined their group they asked if I would join their
with anxiety building in my heart. group. I was curious as to why they
The adrenalin was heady but there would need my lower level skills in
were no monsters to be found. I battle but I joined anyway not to
didn't see one monster, except for push my luck. We were hunting
fleeting glances of Karnelins and hobgoblins, and I knew where I was
Wolverines. In my naievete I once going this time because I'd recently
tried to attack one but Donnwulf got a map. We hiked for what seemed
quickly grabbed me and dragged me to to be miles, and after we killed a
safety. few orcs we stopped. I thought it
"Zaknafien," he said, "What is was to rest so I chose a spot on the
your Offensive Bonus and Defensive ground and lay there. (Not a wise
Bonus at parry 100?" move, as I found out later.)
I glared at him, mumbling. I "Zak," Naxxixx said, "I heard you
thought I knew everything then, freaked out on Donnwulf a couple of
although soon enough I would realize days ago." Penna nodded in agree-
there was much to learn. ment.
Donnwulf saw my confusion. "What?" I said, quickly standing
"C'mon, Zak, let's swing." so that I might gain a more
Ah ha! This I understood! Many defensible position should the worst
fights had I been in as a child in happen. I carefully made no action
-12- Continued on Page 18
Nymphs in Kulthea
____________ """""""""""""""""
/ \ __ \ by Lord Rhys Corwinson
\@| / "| |
| //|"| |s the gods have been silent to repeated pleas to grant me
_| //=|"| | something in the land I can do to good purpose, I have
/@| // |"| | turned my efforts to exploring diverse territories. A
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / result of this is my attempt to help newcomers find the
~~~~~~~~~~~ true path. Hopefully this map of the new Coastal Cliffs
along Merchant Road will help.
Preliminary findings of monsters in the area include: Level 1 Sea
Nymphs (along the CC area), Level 1 Carrion Worms (along the CC, QP, RV
and OP areas), Level 3 Bounders (in the ravine and hillocks), Level 2
Ghosts (In the CY), and Level 3 Dark Wisplings (in the Underground). No
OBs and DBs are included since I suspect they will be tweaked before this
goes to press. Keep your parry up until you know what you're fighting.
Codes: Overgrown Path=OP, Coastal Cliffs=CC, Ravine=RV, Wrecked
Village=WV Small Hillock=HI, West Wing=WW, Cemetary=CY, Entrance Hall=EH,
Quiet Path=QP CC-CC-CC Merchant Road lies
/ \ NW, NW, NW of the
CC-CC-CC CC-CC-CC-CC CC Town gates.
\ / | \
CC-CC-CC RV CC-CC-CC-CC M
| / / \ E
HI RV OP-OP-OP QP CC-CC-CC-R R
\ | / \ | C O
HI-HI-HI RV------OP OP QP H A
SW SE \ \ /--(Go gap) A D
Path Trail OP WV--WV N
N \ / / / \ T
W+E \ / OP WV WV
S \ | / |
/ \ OP WV WV
NW NE \ Cistern |
Trail Path OP \ WV
CEMETARY Steps WV /
Inside ENTRANCE to Clearing WV Shrine
Mausoleum / |
Go | Out CY (Go \
Mau | / \ Steps) \
Mausoleum CY UNDERGROUND
----Pit Entrance Hall Cold Storage
Go / | | /
Pit / Out CY EH Kitchen
/ | / | \ / \
Grave CY / EH \ Din - Fire Cold
/ / Trap Wood Hall Room Storage
CY WW-WW-WW Door Door |
Marker to Sailors Flat / | Dormitory
Spot / | / |
/ | Excavation Excavation
/ |
/ Antechamber--Royal Bedroom
(Climb Trapdoor Deep Pit | .
or Climb Roots) Pit Bedroom . <-Pull Sconce in DH
. . to get Stone Chute
(CHUTE) . HW--HW--Altar and Shrine
. |
-13- . HW (Pull Chain for Chute)
Introducing Civilization to Danjirland
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
_________ by Inyigo Montoya
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ | woke up that morning for help in resurrecting my now dead
| |~| | with one goal in mind; friend. He responded by meeting us
_| |~| | to go into Danjirland there. I guess he couldn't help but
/@| _|~|_ | and tame those wicked chuckle at the idiocy of us going
\_/ ~~~~~ / Grey Orcs. To shave them there in the first place, but he
~~~~~~~~ dead or alive. My first brought Elandred back from the dead,
excursion into these wilds had been so all seemed well.
a mess although in retrospect I did
learn a few things. Not letting that failure hamper me I
proceeded to ask some of my more
I had taken my childhood friend, powerful friends to go with me
Elandred the healer, with me just in there. Joquain (only the gods know
case a need arose for an extra limb why) was overjoyed by this suicidal
or two (on me, of course). Having ranger's idea and agreed. We were
spent only 7 years in the lands, to met at the entrance to Hobland to
none of them in Danjirland, I was discuss our strategy. (Strategy?
filled with childhood innocence of We don't need no stinkin' strategy.)
the rage hidden inside the beasts I then saw that Glorfindel, who
there. We cautiously passed the obviously didn't know of our plans,
sign entering the cursed place when was in Joquain's group. "Great," I
we made our first mistake. Going on thought. Joquain asked if I was
the trail, I discovered later, is ready just as Glorfindel asked "Go?
more dangerous than the path. Where?"
Actually, let me re-phrase that: It "Danjirland," I replied. As the orcs
was our second mistake. The first had a wild eyed look about them, so
was the whole idea. We soon met our then did Glorfindel. "DANJIRLAND!!"
first Grey Orc and what a sight it he exclaimed. "I've lived here
was, grunting to itself. "This is longer than you and I highly suggest
odd," I thought. I parried for full you not go there." Undaunted by his
defense as did Elandred to see what concern, I explained that I needed
it could do. Two swings from the to go. For some reason, Joquain
orc later I finally realized what took Glorfindel's concern wrongly.
was going on. "Two swings?" I asked He explained to Glorfindel that the
myself. This was a joyous moment. two of them had about the same
As I smiled at Elandred's obvious amount of talent in the wielding of
disgust with me, the orc grunted wands, spells, and swords. This
again and waved at the clouds. part gets hazy, but they then
Before long they began turning black started taking shots at each other.
as night. It was as I motioned to No, not pot shots, actual blows to
Elandred to look up at this sight tell who was stronger! Shaking my
that I noticed his absence. Finally head, I realized we were never
I looked down. "Elandred, it's a going. Apparently no one told these
sight to behold all right, but is it two. They finally realized, after
a good idea to lie down?" Wait, he ten minutes of spell casting,
wasn't lying down, he was stunned! edging, and blurring, that 1 point
Ack! He'd been stunned at full separated the two. Giving up, I
parry! offered to buy drinks at Helga's and
lie about going into Danjirland.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins Joquain's reply was simple, "Lie?
as I drug him out only to find a war What are you talking about? We ARE
troll anxious to give him one last hunting Grey Orcs!" Nevertheless we
love tap. At the sight of his called it off.
broken body, I beseached Lord Erebor Continued on Page 20
-14-
History of Ale
""""""""""""""
_______________ by Delvian Kel'Bathian
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| |HACK! WHACK! A out near the fire. He forgot that
/@| _|__/ \__|_|rough hand whomps the next day he would have to be up
\_/_____________/me upside the head. early for the Lord's inspection of
his fields and did not remember the
"Delvian, wake up! Curse you for pot of porridge until that after-
being the sleepy fool that you are!" noon. On entering his home, he
shouted the master in that voice noticed an actively bubbling mass in
that struck fear into the hearts of his cookpot. Not wanting to throw
acolytes at the academy. out the grain, he removed the bub-
bling liquid to a large clay crock
"Are you going to sleep there like which he placed on the shelf to be
some farmboy or present your work to cleaned. The lid was so tight that
this group? I am sure I can find he had difficulty opening it and
something more exciting for you to some time passed before it was
do elsewhere!" disturbed again.
I woke up instantly, scattering my Early in the Spring, the old man's
papers all over the floor. I cursed young nephew came to help with the
myself for my lapse. The last time I Spring planting. As luck and fortune
fell asleep, I had to scrub the would have it, he and his fellow
latrines for a fortnight. I leapt workers retired to the uncle's house
out of my chair and walked for a drink of water. After they
sheepishly to the front of the room. rested, the nephew reached for the
His eyes followed me. He watched large clay crock so they would have
every step while shifting from side something in the fields to drink.
to side like that bear familiar of
his and every bit as predatory. I The day was hot and the young men
knew then that I was going to get toiled hard at the plows. A boy
challenged on any bit of information opened the crock and a dark, foamy,
I presented. amber liquid emptied into his wooden
bowl. He smelled the liquid and
Taking a slow, deep breath I began. said, "This smells sort of like my
"Today I shall discuss the history mum's bread in the morning." On
of the fermented beverage known as tasting it, he exclaimed, "but it
ale. Ale was not originally a tastes like wine!" At this, all the
beverage at all. It started out as a young men drank the pot dry.
way for the common man to eat his
porridge in the wintertime. The young men returned from the
fields singing and dancing. When
In the past, peasants were ignorant the uncle saw one of them with the
of the more civilized practices of crock in his hand, he was frightened
cleaning one's teeth with wild that they had been poisoned. He
onions or other roots, therefore hurried them into the house, put
they often lost their teeth early in them to bed, and prayed for Eissa to
life. The winter wheat has always spare their lives.
been a poor hard kernel grain. Thus,
peasants boiled their grain to When they awoke the next morning,
soften it. the young men explained how they
came across the crock and its con-
On one such winter day, an old man tents. The old man sat and looked
was too tired to eat his meager at the pot carefully, a shrewd gleam
ration of porridge and left the pot in his eye. "Hmmm, this is a chance
-15- More...
event that I must not set aside," he walked into the structure, past the
said to himself, then went about the private drinking rooms, into the
task of repeating his early error. common room with its central fire-
A month later he was rewarded with pit. The smell of burning oak and
the same amber liquid with all its ale was strong, along with the scent
intoxicating properties. of well-oiled leather and the
occasional hint of a lady's perfume.
As the years progressed, the old
farmer became wealthy, selling his "Stop gawking, Delvian, and get us
"liquid bread" elixir to the local space for a glass. It is not as
populace. He had special crocks thou hast never seen this place
made from the local potter which had before! Get me the chair next to
pegs inserted into the sides. He the fire. Move it!"
warned his customers not to drink
more than a single peg's worth of The master of the alehouse waved the
his elixir, lest they have more than servants away and hobbled over to
just "pleasant dreams." the fire to serve us himself. "How
may I serve thee, Lord Archmage?"
The crocks developed a reputation in the owner asked.
themselves as strong men proved
their stamina and capacity by drink- "I have been told of the history of
ing more than a peg of elixir. This the ale you serve by one of my young
practice brought about the expres- acolytes. I have come to see proof
sion, "taking him down a peg or and measure the quality of your
two." wares. Bring me your best."
The old man never named the elixir, In moments, the old man came back
but when drinking it, he would with an old clay crock that looked
always say that it "twas good for like it was as ancient as the ale-
what ails you." Shortly thereafter, master himself. He struggled with
the young men simply called it ail, the lid and then sighed and placed
or ale as we know it today." the crock into my younger hands. I
held the crock as gently as I would
"Enough!" cried the master. "Thy a fragile crystal and removed the
history is correct if not somewhat lid. I poured the dark liquid into
colored. Whilst I accept thy re- the Lord Archmage's goblet and gave
search, I know how thou hast come the crock back to the alemaster.
upon it. Tell us not these tales. I
now charge you to show the proof for "Uncle, you always did have problems
your story!" opening that crock." I smiled and
relaxed in my chair, again contem-
With that he ushered me out of the plating the glass of amber liquid in
class and made me lead the students front of me, sparkling in the light
to a local ale establishment. We from the dying fire.
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ HALL OF FAME \
|@/______________________________________________________________________/
| Congrats: Lord Ise Ikiryo, Lord Rhys Corwinson and Lady Rune Arundel |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bard Enegue LionHeart 20 | High Human Benar Stormarm 18 |
| Ranger Fxg Lyon 23 | Common Man Beolost Lamontt 19 |
| Mage Dagmar Istarii 24 | Dwarf Vesitsa Talchild 16 |
| Fighter Ise Ikiryo 20 | Halfling Xura Viirkort 18 |
| Thief Valeria Deering 22 | Wood Elf Zhuge Liang 15 |
| Cleric Taarna Wayfinder 23 | High Elf Strom O'Berin 21 |
| Sorceror Xura Viirkort 18 | Half Elf Dagmar Istarii 24 |
| Healer Kayla Kyndhart 27 | Fair Elf Valeria Deering 22 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
/@| Current GSIII Fame Rankings by Profession and Race - July 17, 1991 |
\_/_________________________________-16-_________________________________/
The Added Experience Bonus
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
_____________ by Lokyy of Thangoith
/ \____ ____\
\@|+|~| |~|+|
| |~| |~| |nlife has intrigued me (please slap me upside the head
_| |~| |~| | me since childhood. when you see me) sold me a ring for
/@| \~\-/~/ |A macabre fascination 2000 coins. I'm sure he had no idea
\_/ ~~~~~ / has inspired my devo- how happy I was.
~~~~~~~~~~~ tion to the study of
death, life, and unlife. I came to In the weeks prior I had spent time
Kelfour's Landing several months at the the Kelfour Edition Building
ago, an aspiring young cleric seek- reading through back issues when I
ing fame, fortune, and most of all came across information on bone
battle with this unlife, and while golems. I'd seen a bone golem in
my early days were awkward, with the the crypt when I was in the grave-
help of kind veterans, I was soon yard. Based on this information, I
enough thrashing my way through the calculated that with the help of a
forest west of the Landing. magical statue I could defeat this
abomination. Ring and statue in
After gaining some general battle hand I headed off to the graveyard.
experience I acquired a map of the
graveyard, thinking that at last I You'd think that phantoms would
would meet my destiny with the learn not to mess with clerics but I
unlife. My excitement turned to was forced to teach them a fatal
frustration, however, as I dis- lesson. I entered the dark and
covered the massive bronze gate at forbiding crypt slowly. It seemed
the entrance. Being a High Man with as though the golem had been waiting
exceptional strength I was able to for me for as long as I had been
open it only after about ten minutes waiting to face it. As I stepped
of back-breaking exertion. No through the shadowy arch it attacked
sooner did I step through it when a with incredible agility, but a mummy
phantom gate keeper appeared to lock was with it and I didn't like the
me in! I wasn't given time to worry odds.
about it though as another phantom
quickly appeared and began moaning I fled west hoping to gain position
incantations -- this place was more to fight them one at a time. The
frightening than I had anticipated. ploy worked as the mummy gave chase.
It's feeble defenses were no match
I soon discovered however that phan- for my Holy Eog Mace. After
toms were no match for a cleric and knocking the wretch to the floor I
began banishing them with relative found a home for the mace between
ease. Then hoards of skeletons and the creature's ears. Wasting no
ghouls set upon me only to meet time I quickly gathered up the
their destruction. After being mummy's shroud and made use of my
wounded by a revenant I headed back statue. Now came the real battle.
to the Landing. That gate was a
definite problem. I had seen people As I reentered I was again surprised
with gold rings that allowed them to by the golem's speed. I fended off
teleport and decided to postpone its blow and attacked with all my
further adventures in the graveyard might. A devastationg hit! I had no
until I found one of these rings. time to celebrate as the golem
attacked before I could regain my
In the weeks following, I defeated defensive posture. Thinking my
what seemed an army of hobgoblins timing was off I continued my
but could not find a gold ring. strategy but soon realized that the
Then my luck changed. A kind and golem was too fast for me to attack
noble adventurer, whose name eludes and defend between its attacks. I
-17- More...
quickly calculated that even with a Let's Swing (Continued from Page 12)
minimum defence there was only a """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
slim chance of being hit so I went towards my sword or shield.
into a berserker-like frenzy. I was "Yeah Zak, I heard you tried to
aware that the beast had several kill him, even though he said to
methods of attack but they all stop, but you wouldn't and you
appeared equally ineffective. After chased him through the woods." Penna
several more succesful strikes I agreed with this as well.
began to relax, thinking that the "What? I was just sparring with
battle would soon be over. My him because he said 'Lets Swing' and
ballooning ego was suddenly crushed then he ran off and so I followed."
when the creature decided to pound I replied.
at me with its fist! While the blow "Zak, he only wanted to test your
caused no permanent injury it was OB/DB to see what you were ready to
devastating to say the least. The battle." Penna calmly stated.
pain seemed to be amplified when I "He cast a spell at me that made
calculated that this type of attack me feel calmer so I thought he
was more likely to succeed than really wanted to fight to the stun,
fail! It had only been toying with which I even said!" I exclaimed.
me. Anyone in their right mind "No, Zak, I think you knew what
would have run at this point. But I you were doing, you were going to be
stumbled along the thin line between a WANNA-BE-KILLER!" Naxxix screamed.
fear and anger and attacked again. I saw that this was not going to
To my relief this turned out to be be argued through, and that they had
the fatal blow as the beast fell made their descision. And I thought
unmoving. I knew what was coming up so I got
my shield and sword ready.
As the adrenalin faded and my judge- "But in fact," Naxxixx continued,
ment returned I realized that only a "you are ended up becoming the
fool or someone more powerfull than WANNA-BE-KILLED!"
myself would hunt here. This seemed It seemed that things were
like a good time to use my new ring! definitely not going my way, and I
Later, relaxing in the Wayside Inn, was positive that things were going
I realized that the combat exper- to get messy. If he was just
ience I had gained was insignificant kidding with me I will never know,
compared to the experience of living because I did what all brave and
the moment. It is clear that one courageous adventurers do in the
can never underestimate the enemy face of danger: I ran.
and you never know what suprises may I ran for a mile or two, passing
await. I'm fortunate to be alive to all kinds of monsters and animals,
learn from this valuable lesson. but they were nothing compared to
the monsters that were no doubt on
________________________ my trail. I stopped for a while,
// \ and then quickly retired for the day
|| Larton's Locks | to think what I was going to do.
|| Lockpicks for Everyone | Five minutes later I came back
|| | with plans drawn out by use of my
|| Crude +0 | map. It consisted of loops,
|| Common +10 | circles, hiding spots and everything
|| Good +25 | just to lose them because I was sure
|| Professional +50 | they would be there, waiting to kill
|| Pro Laen +65 | me. As it turned out my fears were
|| Lore +75 | unbased. They were gone. I
|| Precision Laen +85 | returned to town warily, hoping
\\________________________/ someone would believe me. And do
you know what happened? Everyone
just laughed and moved on.
-18-
The Untold Story
""""""""""""""""
___________ by Cameron SilverMask II
/ \ ______ \
\@| ~|_|~\\ |
| |~| |||uring a time of Heroes, agreement that this fellow was not
_| |~| ||| when legends the likes to be trusted they agreed to find
/@| |~|_// | of Tulkas Gwath and out what they could. After hearing
\_/ ~~~~~~ / Blumokshadhvar walked his words they decided to join the
~~~~~~~~~~ the land, there came to organization and see for themselves
Kelfour's Landing a young Ranger. whether or not this group worked for
He was not powerful nor was he wise the good or ill of the land.
in the ways of the world but he had
a deep abiding love of nature and They soon came to realize the that
life. However, as strong as this some of the members of this group
love ran his single hatred ran were some of the most powerful
equally deep. How, you may ask, can people in the land. They decided to
one who loves so greatly know stay for if this group worked toward
anything of hatred? the harm of the land then there was
no evidence of such activities.
There was only one thing that could However, after overhearing a whis-
inspire so burning a hatred in this pered conversation one day, Cameron
young man, and that was the Unlife. realized this group was as dangerous
He so despised all creatures of an as he had once thought it was.
unnatural sort that he hunted and
obliterated all traces of these He knew that his friend must be told
things. This young man was named and after a long conversation both
Cameron SilverMask. One day he decided that something had to be
walked out of the wilderness and done. They gathered a band of
straight into Kelfour's main gate. adventurers both knew to be loyal
and trustworthy friends. A plan was
It was a long and danger-filled soon formed to infiltrate this group
journey from his homeland. He with as many people as could be
constantly fought such creatures as trusted by the companions. The plan
Orcs (both Lesser and Greater) and was simple: infiltrate and bring
Hobgoblins. In the time that he about the downfall from inside.
stayed at Kelfour's the locals came
to know him as kind an generous While this plan was being carried
warrior. He often risked his life to out there was another greater drama
save others and teach young warriors going on. Tulkas, who had been a
to be compassionate to others. member of the group longer than
Cameron had, decided to expose the
One day while hunting down a band of them and prevent any more people
Great Orcs that had been destroying from being corrupted. After hearing
local farms he met a young fighter what Tulkas had done the leader of
by the name of Kashthra. It turned this terrible group sent his most
out that he and Cameron had been lethal weapons to silence Tulkas.
after the same orcs and they decided
to join together. The two were The Dark assassins, which had been
successful in destroying the orcs held in check by the Leader, were
and soon became fast friends. Soon now free to hunt down any who broke
word of their prowess in weapons oath and revealed the true purpose
began to spread to outlying areas. of the group. This event brought a
new meaning of terror to Kelfour's
One such person who had heard word Landing. For each assassin defeated
of them came to them with a proposal the next one that came was stronger
that they join his organization. and the next even more powerful.
After a brief discussion and an Soon they were appearing to every-
-19- More...
one seeking ruination of the group. Danjirland (Continued from Page 14)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Finally, just before Cameron and On the third day, I did it again,
Kashthra's plan was to be brought to with the same child-like expecta-
fruition the unthinkable happened. tion, although I have no idea why.
They were betrayed by one of their I finally asked Lyzonn, a feared and
own. Soon Assassins were chasing respected mage in these lands, if he
after Cameron and Kashthra as well would go with me. "No problem,
as Tulkas. Friends started being young, foolish one," he said. I was
killed or simply disappeared never overjoyed, and Joquain came along as
to be seen again. Tulkas, having well. But after the ordeal was
had enough decided to leave the Land over, I realized that Glorfindel had
forever, never to be heard of again. been right -- not yet, not for me
anyway. Lyzonn dispatched the orcs
Knowing it was only a matter of time with ease, but I could barely nick
before the assassins turned their them. Thus, in my travels of these
full attention to them, Cameron and lands I've learned that: 1) Fleeing
Kashthra came to a decision. Rather is no sign of cowardice, it's the
than risking their friends any result knowlegeable experience to
further in an effort that was by now realize a situation is over your
beyond any chance of success they head. 2) Never gaze at black clouds
decided to leave the land also. The spewed forth by manic depressive
two said there good-byes with a tear orcs who talk to themselves. 3)
in there eyes for by this time they Flee when you could get hit at full
were like unto brothers. defense. And last but not least, 5)
never pay any heed to Inyigo
Kashthra was never seen again in the Montoya's hairbrained ideas!
land and Cameron knew not what
became of him. Cameron left the
lands around Kelfours Landing and
once again took to the hard life of Lament to a Nubie
the wilderness trail. He journeyed """""""""""""""""
long contemplating his first defeat by Chance Saberman
from what he now realized was
another plot of the Unlife. He O' young adventurer,
travelled long and far never How brave thou truly are!
stopping in one place long for fear To face great danger fearlessly;
of endangering those around him. Persist and you'll go far.
Time passed and Cameron never Ye may be badly injured,
returned to Kelfour's Landing. His But death can be endured,
closest friends never gave up hope Fear not--the Powers smile on thee;
that one day he would return. A new life to be insured!
However, the more time that passed
the more they realized that he was Yet still thine task is difficult--
not returning. Finally when they 'Tis one which I do share--
had given up hope there appeared a Experience grows and fame will gain;
young Ranger at the Gate to Yet danger everywhere.
Kelfour's Landing. A young Ranger
who bore a striking resemblance to
Cameron. A young Ranger who used Endure Kelfour's hardships,
his Fathers name... the name of Take care beyond its walls.
Cameron SilverMask. Well met I say and fare thee well:
To the hunt! Adventure calls!
This ranger went on to his own great
deeds and made friends on his own ========\\========
merit. But that is a story for
another time and place.
-20-
Pwyll, Prince of Annwfn
"""""""""""""""""""""""
_____________ Part III by Eron Kulsen
/ \ _________ \
\@| ||=|=|=|| |he continuation of a the lady held her great steed to a
| ~~ |_| ~~ | story to be sung by slow and steady amble, when Pwyll
_| |_| | all bards in the reached the bottom of the hill she
/@| _|_|_ | lands of Kulthea was already far away. The king's
\_/__________/ from this time forth, horse gave chase, and though it flew
this tale is of a time before the like the wind it did not avail him.
great lords of the undead had let For the faster he pursued her, the
loose their mignions and evil more distance lay between them.
creatures. It is a story of bravery Pwyll marvelled at this and said,
and magic, best told from the "By Eissa, it does no good to follow
strings of a harp. Hear then if you the lady. I know of no horse in the
will, the third part of the tale; realm swifter than this one, yet I
Pwyll, Prince of Annwfn... am no closer than when I began.
There must be some mystery here."
One night just at twilight Pwyll And his heart filled with such
was standing atop a mound gazing out misery that he cried out as one in
over his realm when a man appeared pain saying, "Maiden, for the sake
to him and said, "It is peculiar to of the man you love most, wait for
this place that whosoever should sit me!"
on this mound shall undertake one of Instantly the horsewoman stopped
two things: Either he will receive and turned to him, removing the
a grevious wound and die, or he will silken veil from before her face.
see a wonder." And she was the most beautiful woman
"Well in my present state, I care he had ever beheld in mortal flesh,
not whether I live or die, but it more fair than a whole spring full
might cheer me to see a wonder," of flowers, than winter's first
said Pwyll. "Therefore, I will sit snow, than the sky of high summer,
upon this mound, and come what may." than the gold of autumn.
Pwyll sat down and the man "Gladly will I wait for you," she
vanished, and he saw a woman mounted said, "and it were better for your
on a magnificent white horse, pale horse if you had asked it long ago."
as the moon as it rises over the "My lady," Pwyll said respect-
fields. The woman was dressed in fully, "whence do you come, and tell
fine linen and silk of shining gold me, if you can, the nature of your
and was riding toward him at a slow journey."
and steady pace. "Lord," she replied in a most
He went down from the mound to gentle manner," I journey on my
meet her, but when he reached the errand and I am pleased to see you."
road at the bottom of the hill, she "Then welcome to you," Pwyll
had gone far away from him. He said, thinking that the beauty of
pursued her as quickly as he could all the maidens and ladies he had
on foot, but the more he pursued the ever seen was ugliness next to her
further away she got. He gave up in beauty. "What, may I ask you, is
misery and returned to his caer. your errand?"
But he thought about this woman "Well, you might ask. My
all night long and he said to principal quest was seeking you."
himself, "Tomorrow evening I will Pwyll's heart leapt inside him.
sit once more upon the mound and I "That is a most excellent quest in
will bring the fastest horse in my my estimation. But can you tell me
kingdom." He did this, and once more who you are?"
as he sat on the oucn he saw the "Can and will," she said. "I am
woman approaching. Pwyll leaped Rhiannon, daughter of Hyfiadd Hen,
into the saddle and spurred the and I am being given to a man
horse to meet her. Yet, even thoguh against my will. For I have never
-21- Continued on Page 25
At the Hub of the World
"""""""""""""""""""""""
____________ by Flint Thalassar
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| | slender arm snaked the pawn shop, Jaezila?"
| //|"| | around Flint's neck She shook her head.
_| //=|"| | yanking him back into "Know anyone who has?"
/@| // |"| | the shadows along "Can't think of anyone," she
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / Widow-Wart Road. He said. "Though somebody must buy the
~~~~~~~~~~~~ yelped and swung his stuff, or how would the place stay
elbow back in a vicious arc, but the in business?"
blow landed without real effect. "Ah. I watched the place for the
Reversing direction, his hand better part of a day, and never saw
whipped over his shoulder in an anyone come out with anything they
effort to claw at his attacker's hadn't brought in." Flint settled
eyes. He felt his arm blocked, then back and took another sip from his
grappled, and he wrenched it free mug. His companion made noncom-
again. With a forward snap of his mittal noises. "Besides," he con-
upper body, Flint tried a throw, tinued, "think of all those metal
only to feel his balance give way and leather breastplates everyone
when his opponent twisted. Both hit sells there. If somebody is buying
the street together, like a pair of them, what do they do, hang them on
coins tossed to a beggar. the wall? I sure haven't seen any-
His adversary held him close, one wear them. Have you?"
and whispered: "You're slipping, "I see your point."
Flint. That was far too easy." "But this is very odd. What sort
Flint caught a hint of perfume in of business operates by buying all
the evening air. Jasmine and clover. sorts of goods and selling nothing?
"Jaezila?" Where does the money come from? Why
Giggling, his opponent released isn't the shop full of breastplates
her grasp. Flint instantly whirled from floor to ceiling?"
around and pinned her to the ground. "What must happen," said Jaezila,
The warm light of dusk revealed the "is that they are taken and sold in
short golden hair and violet eyes of some distant city, where demand is
Jaezila Prescot. higher. So a profit is assured."
Flint chuckled. He stood up, "A reasonable idea, I grant you.
pulling Jaezila to her feet to hug But... try something for me. Close
her. "You're right. I've been your eyes."
spending so much time studying magic Jaezila gave Flint a suspicious
that my other skills have atrophied. glance. Was this going to be
But that's no excuse. Listen, another attempt to use the sleep
Jaezila, I've been watching the pawn spell on her? Flint must have
shop all day, and I've noticed figured out by now that he would get
something curious." nowhere with that approach. She
A puzzled expression crossed closed her eyes.
Jaezila's face. She appeared to "Now think back," Flint was
ponder something. "You mean to tell saying, "to when you were a girl,
me, you were lurking here to observe and a caravan came to your town.
the pawn shop?" Remember it?"
"What did you think I was doing?" Jaezila pictured the dusty
Jaezila brushed her hands off streets of her childhood home, heard
against her cloak. "Never mind." the clamor of the crowds. Foreign-
She fixed Flint with a sly gaze. sounding music announced the pre-
"Let's get a drink and you can tell sence of a caravan in the bazaar,
me what you found." where the air was thick with the
Over a mug of ale at Helga's, smells of incense and exotic foods.
Flint began to explain himself. She nodded.
"Have you ever bought anything at "What was being sold?"
-22- More...
"Spices, silks, perfumes. Strange Perhaps the sculptor who had worked
animals and rare delicacies. Music on the bank building had used this
instruments, incense..." fellow for a model, he thought. He
"Tell me, were battered breast- repressed a giggle. Looking over
plates a big seller? Did colored his shoulder, Jaezila watched the
tents fill with sweaty hordes, lined man shoulder a large canvas sack.
up to haggle over a dented helm or "Aha," Flint whispered.
mouldering shield?" "Shh."
Jaezila's eyes drew open, the The man had just shuffled into
image faded. "I see what you mean. the street when he was seized by an
What is your explanation, then?" odd transformation. His posture
Flint hovered over the edge of straightened, his frown rose into a
the table. "Anyone who would pay hollow smile, and he lumbered toward
good coin for that stuff would Mirenna Street as if unsure of his
intend to use it. And I've only bearings. His attempt to appear
seen it used by Hobgoblins. In add- jovial and innocent was comical.
ition, Hobs often carry around "There goes the middleman," said
chests full of money. You and I Flint, "making a clandestine del-
wouldn't take our fortunes with us ivery to the Hobs."
on a stroll through the woods, "Notice how he plays the simple
right? Why should they? Unless..." bumpkin?" said Jaezila. "Suspicious,
Flint drained the last of his ale to be sure." From a distance, the
and set the mug firmly down on the two stalked the man, who carried his
table. burden along Colewaether Way to the
"Yes?" wharf. There he let the sack drop
"Unless they were going shopping!" and settled down beside it.
Jaezila laughed and made a dis- "The docks, how perfect," said
missive gesture. "Brilliant, Flint. Flint. "A boat will row up, he'll
So, when you watched the shop today, throw the sack in, pocket his fee --
how many Hobgoblins did you see go who would suspect that his hooded
in and return with armfuls of customers are Hobs?"
breastplates?" "What an imagination," said
"I'm not saying they buy them at Jaezila. The man emptied the
the shop. But they buy them somehow. contents of his sack, and began to a
It's the only explanation." careful examination of the breast-
"What was that new sign I saw plates that now lay strewn around
over the door? Ten percent discount him. Waving off her whispered
for Hobs?" Jaezila giggled. objections, Flint took Jaezila by
"I'm serious! How else does he the hand and walked right out onto
stay in business?" the dock.
"Let's find out." "You there," Flint said, "what
When they returned, the pawn shop are you doing?" He emphasized the
was dark. As the pair crept up to need for a reply by drawing his
the door, Flint patted at the empty sword. Jaezila sighed. Flint sure
pocket where he once kept lock- knew how to start a conversation.
picking tools. He sighed. Jaezila The balding man looked up,
slowly rotated the door handle. It frightened. He found himself out-
was unlocked! Before she could pull numbered, unarmed, and trapped on
it open, a sudden noise from the the dock, which offered only the
interior sent them scurrying back to murky waters below as a means of
the shadows. egress. His gaze darted past Flint
The door creaked opened a small and locked on to Jaezila, whose
amount, just enough to allow a countenance seemed the only beacon
balding head to poke out and scan of hope in this disturbing scene.
the street. The man's skin was pasty "If I were you, I'd quit ogling
white, his hair black and unruly. the lady and keep your eyes here,"
His rounded cheeks and exaggerated said Flint, indicating the broad-
scowl reminded Flint of a gargoyle. sword. He wondered if he were cap-
-23-
able of such a feat himself. sail to distant lands with a crew of
The man pointed to the breast- talking torkaans, as he is to find a
plates. "I just, yes, just found diamond in the lining of a Hob's
these in the forest. Nice, eh?" armor. Both are fables. That diamond
"Did this forest happen to bear a story was old when I was still in
striking resemblance to a certain school. In fact, I knew a boy who
decrepit pawnshop?" claimed to have made the whole thing
The man glanced again at Jaezila, up himself." The man looked crest-
as if expecting her to supply the fallen.
answer. Given the choice of dealing Flint picked up a breastplate,
with a tall, blond, sword-wielding ran his fingers along its inner
madman or an attractive young Fair surface, then discarded it. He
Elf, he obviously preferred the lat- shook his head. "You are not going
ter. Especially when the swords- to find..." Searched one by one and
man's blue robe was covered with a cast away, the breastplates landed
grimy dirt, as though he had re- in a rhythm that echoed his words.
cently been thrown from a horse. "Anything." Thump. "At all." Thump.
Perhaps the woman would be more "In these -- wait a minute!" Flint's
sensible. He smiled at her in what hand seemed to have caught on
he thought of as an appealing man- something.
ner. She frowned back at him. Flint The balding man jumped up.
raised his sword high overhead, "What? What is it!"
threatening. "I recall warning you." With a sharp turn of the
"Hold! I'll tell you! I took breastplate, Flint withdrew his
them, right? How much do you want closed fist. "Nothing. A mere
to keep quiet?" trick of the light and shadow."
Jaezila nudged Flint. "This man Jaezila followed Flint's eyes as he
is no conspirator with Hobgoblins," glanced down at his hand, which
she whispered, "he's a common thief. bulged suspiciously. He looked away,
Like somebody else I once knew." taking new interest in the horizon.
Flint placed his sword point "That's mine! You have no right
on the cringing man's neck. "What to that! Give it here immediately,"
were you looking for just now?" said the man. With new-found courage
The man grimaced. "I heard that born of greed, he marched up to
the Hobs will sometimes hide a Flint and glared.
diamond or two in their breastplates Flint fluttered his eyelashes.
as emergency funds..." The rest of The effect was so bizarre that
his explanation was drowned out by Jaezila burst out laughing. "I'll
laughter. Flint put the sword away, tell you what," said Flint. "For a
still giggling. He looked sternly mere fifty silvers, I'll give you a
at the man. peek at what I hold in my hand.
"At the hub of the world," Flint What I found in 'your' stolen
began, "is a giant flower of stone, breastplate. I'm not sure what it
with the color and sheen of is, but who knows? Could be
mother-of-pearl. The men who live in valuable!" Flint leered at the man.
its shade call it Jaal at'Rii. It Flint's gargoyle flailed his arms
grows from the earth up to encompass wildly at his sides, the pitch and
the sky. When rain falls on our intensity of his voice rising like
land, truly it is the dew falling the whistle of a boiling teapot.
from the drooping petals of that "And I'll tell you what! I'll give
flower." Flint seemed about to go on you one hundred, and you'll hand
at some length. Jaezila waved her that over, and you'll say nothing of
hand in front of his face. this, and you'll leave my sight and
"Pardon me," she said, "but has never return!" The man produced a
this little fable some relevance?" coin pouch, which he thrust out more
"Our friend here," Flint said, like an attack than a bribe. Flint
"is as likely to fashion a ship from tossed the pouch to Jaezila and
the blossoms of that flower, and extended his arm. His hand slowly
-24- More...
turned over. One by one, Flint's thought, smiling. Finally, some re-
fingers stretched, and he let his cognition. His hand drifted up to
find drop into the stranger's chubby tug at his collar. "Of course you
palms. mean as..."
Jaezila looked down. In the "I mean entertaining children at
shocked man's grasp were two paper parties."
flowers: one red, one white. They both laughed. It was late,
"Better start working on your but the rain arrived outside just in
ship," said Flint, "I'll alert the time to announce the need for
torkaan community." Flint and another round.
Jaezila hurried away, snickering.
From behind them in the waning light Pwyll, Prince of Annwfn (from P. 21)
came a string of incoherent curses. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Next they heard a series of desired any man until meeting you.
splashes, which Jaezila identified And if you reject me now, I will
as the sound of breastplates being never love anyone."
hurled into Claedsbrim Bay. Pwyll could not believe his ears.
Back at the tavern, Flint passed "Fair creature," he said, "if I
Jaezila another ale and deposited a could choose from all the women in
few more coins from the small pouch any world, I would choose you."
onto the counter. Jaezila took the The maiden smiled, and her eyes
mug and looked at Flint. shone with such happiness that Pwyll
"Those flowers were actually thought his heart would break.
inside the breastplate?" "Well, if that is you answer, let us
Flint smirked. "Nothing was in make a tryst before I am given to
the breastplate. Merely a little this other man."
sleight-of-hand on my part. Heh." "I will pledge whatever you
"Flint, when you said you were want," said Pwyll, "and the sooner
studying magic.." Jaezila grinnned. the better, I say."
"I confess I envisioned something "Very well, lord," the maiden
more fearsome. Necromancy, say." replied. "Come to my father's court
"I know a wide variety of where there is to be a feast, and
incantations." Hadn't she even been you can claim me there."
impressed with his quick thinking, "I will do it," he promised, and
his cleverness? Of course she had, returned to his court where he
he decided. called his warband and together they
"How many of them start with the rode out, reaching the court of
words 'pick a card, any card?'" Hyfiadd Hen just as night came on.
"Less than half. Though many do Pwyll greeted Rhiannon and her
begin with 'may I borrow that coin father and said, "Lord, let this be
purse for a moment?'" Flint reached a wedding feast, for as king of this
over and appeared to remove a silver realm I claim your daughter for my
coin from Jaezila's ear. wife if she will have me."
"Old habits die hard, I see. Hyfiadd Hen frowned mightily, but
Anyhow, we at least know now that no said, "Very well, so be it. I put
commerce with monsters was taking this court at your disposal."
place." "Let the feast begin," said
"Nothing of the sort," said Pwyll, and he sat down with Rhiannon
Flint. "Only that one particular by his side.
half-wit was not engaged in such an But no sooner had they sat down
endeavor. But better to forget than there arose a commotion outside
about it. After all, close down the and into the hall came a large,
pawn shop and we put ourselves out noble-looking fellow dressed in rich
of business, don't we?" clothing. He came directly to Pwyll
"Ah, Flint. With skills like and saluted him. "Welcome to you,
yours I'm sure you'd have no trouble friend; find another place to sit."
getting by." She winked at him.
This was more like it, he Conclusion the next month
-25-
T h e D a r k G o d s
or The Good, the Bad, and the Gnarly
_____________ """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
/ \ _________ \ by Elor Once-Dark
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |is not without a cer- irrational temper, rousing mighty
_| |_| | tain degree of tre- storms out of the upredictable
/@| _|_|_ |pidation that I begin waters.
\_/__________/ this expose'. Iloura and Iorak are another
You see, I am Elor ONCE-DARK. pair. The Earth-Mother and the mas-
What's worse, I am a cleric-at- ter of metal-working have achieved a
large. If that were not enough to sort of harmony. Iloura is linked
add insult to injury: I consider with AUTUMN and the harvest,
myself an example of truth, justice mistress of nature, animals & all
and the Kulthean Way. growing things. Iorak, the Master
This in itself would not nec- Smith of Orhan, is a very imposing
essarily be bad except that in the fellow who almost never leaves his
pursuit of this particular under- smithies, being a bit of a recluse.
taking I risk the WRATH of the GODS Phaon, his wife, Oriana, and Cay
THEMSELVES. Nevertheless, onward! always seem to be involved in play-
To refresh thy memories, Kuor and ful contests of athletic and combat
Valris are the head Lord and Lady of might and magic. Phaon is Lord of
Orhan. Complementing each other, the Sun & is associated with SUMMER,
these elder gods are the most level virility and elemental magic. Oriana
headed. Valris is the mistress of is goddess of love and femininity,
learning and wisdom, whilst her associated with SPRING & weddings.
husband is Master of the Flows and Both are notorious philanderers,
manipulates the weather. however, and many are those on
Reann, god of Night, dreams and Kulthea who claim heir to this
hunting, and Jaysek, associated with divine lineage. Cay is patron of
illusion and sorcery in its purest warriors, associated with skill at
sense, often travel to Kulthea toge- arms and raw physical prowess.
ther. They make a moody, grim pair The guilds patronize these Lords:
as Jaysek at times can be positively FIGHTER.......Cay and Iorak
morbid, and can be perceived in dark THIEF.................Teris
disguise to spout grim prophesies. BARD.................Kieron
Kieron, Jaysek's twin and mirror RANGER.....Iloura and Reann
image in many ways, is patron of MAGE.......Phaon and Oriana
festivals and holidays. He is a pro- SORCERER...Jaysek and Shaal
moter of the performing arts. Lusty, HEALER................Eissa
seductive and the most frivolous of CLERIC......Kuor and Valris
the pantheon, he can often be found In contrast to these goody two-shoes
with Teris, a handsome but mis- of Orhan, the DARK GODS of CHARON
chievous youth who is god of Speed are a most fearful breed of beings.
and Fair Wind. As messenger of the Unlike the Pantheon of Orhan, who
Lords, Teris visits Kulthea often are content to stay on their wond-
but rarely lingers. rous moon (and who can blame them
Then there is beautiful Eissa. for 'tis truly a paradise compared
Almost always alone, this mistress to the broken corruption that is our
of death and rebirth, associated world) these mighty, but vile and
with WINTER, often wanders though pernicious Dark Ones are making
her forest-garden where the River of their presence felt.
Life flows. While friendly with the The recent outbreak of undead may
Lords, she prefers solitude and they be taken as an indication of their
respect her wishes. renewed involvement with the Unlife.
Shaal, another loner, is master There are _no_ known temples (covert
of the seas. He is moody and or open) in Quellbourne to these
reclusive and has frequent fits of wicked Gods... yet, & no mention of
-26- More...
them exists in the Tomes. They co- ANDARAS - God of felines & Lord of
exist on Charon in little more than numerous cat-cults on Kulthea. He
an uneasy alliance. No single god is less single minded than some of
is recognized as the leader. While his brethren & has a twisted sense
not as intrinsically powerful as the of humor: like a cat he will toy
Lords of Orhan, they do not make an with his prey. He has green eyes
effort to distance themselves from with slit pupils, black hair & a
interaction. Here then, is what muscular but lithe build. Sadistic
I've learned of these Dark Gods and and indifferent by nature & a seer
their Foul and Cursed Moon Charon: by profession, he carries a +40 eog
CHARON, the Third Moon: Its surface mace with a head wrought in silver
is a frozen waste with no atmos- to resemble a cat-head. He wears a
phere; the interior is a network of golden segmented collar (+100 DB)
caverns formed from volcanic forces. when he transforms into his other
Inside them the Dark Gods thrive and form: an 8 ft. tall black panther.
plan wicked mischief upon Kulthea.
SCALU - Nightmare God. His visage is
ORGIANA - Goddess of Darkness. Too terrifying due to its mutation as a
cruel beyond belief, she delights in 10 ft. tall, very muscular man with
pain. She has a particular loathing the head of a black hyena with
for men. Her cults are most fre- luminous eyes and black hair. He is
quently made up of females who cold & emotionless & frequently at
torture and kill the males of their odds with his nemesis, Reann. He
species. With her long black hair, wields an unholy +30 hand-axe which
shapely build and glowing red eyes, can be thrown and returns to him.
she is the ultimate chaos sorceress. Besides the 6 ft. Dreamstaff which
She has the Orb of Agony (a soul casts sleep up to level 50, he has
stealer), and a firewhip which all spells dealing in mind control
strikes as a +35 flail & delivers and all the mystic base lists.
heat criticals with any other. She
wears the Tiara of Torment which Z'TAAR-Champion of Charon. Mindless
drains target of hits every round. in his pursuit of followers and the
destruction of his enemies, he is an
KESH'TA'KAI - Master of Signs and awesome warrior with a scarily
Symbols. This grey-eyed,black haired determined & viscious attitude. His
olive-skinned Dark God projects a cults are oriented towards warfare &
cool, calculating demeanor. The dominating less martial cultures.
magic of words and letters is known Though he will rarely enter battle
better by him than any entity in the on behalf of any other Dark God, he
Shadow World Milieu. He is reclu- once faced Cay in single combat, &
sive and has no desire to rule the though the battle was inconclusive,
other gods, although he could be between them lies a grudging mutual
Master of Charon due to his powers. respect. He wears black eog chain
In fact, he (along with Andaras) is armor which protects against white
in some ways not what one could magic. His sword, called Slayer, is
consider 'evil'. He hates the Lords a magnificent +35 two handed sword
of Orhan but has no wish to dominate of black eog with edges of silvery
the peoples of Kulthea. He is a Vanuum (an alloy native to Charon).
master of glyphs (spells cast by In the center of the blade near the
tracing luminous symbols in the air) hilt is a huge flat cut ruby which
and Power Words. He can paralyze glows when the sword draws a soul.
armies in an instant. He is never It is intelligent, intensely evil,
without a large tome; He carries a cannot be fumbled, and casts Dark
glittering Runesword with a clear Absoulution which robs the target of
laen edge striking as a +30 2-handed its soul if it fails to resist.
sword. Runes run up & down the This Dark Warrior God also wears a
blade; upon hitting an opponent, black eog helm with a faceplate made
they reconfigure to be Of Slaying. to resemble a skull.
-27- More...
MORALIS - God of Love and Pain. One sures, and bring downfall through
of the more twisted gods, usually violence brought about by uncontrol-
seen as a handsome blond young man lable jealousy and hate. She is not
though he will take a female guise. a warrior herself, though she can be
He visits Kulthea to seduce young a formidable opponent in combat,
women and men. Once in his thrall, wielding a curved +30 mithril broad-
he takes them to his Palace of Tears sword in each of her 4 hands in a
in the caverns of Charon where he whirling dance of death. A bard &
keeps them as slaves. He abuses them mentalist by profession, she wears a
in a perversion of love, leaving diaphanous robe and a platinum neck-
them bloody and battered, yet they lace with a milky white stone called
fight for the chance to be with him. a LoveStone: A power enhancer and
Moralis' disciples differ from Inis' an aphrodisiac which when touched by
in being more indulgent & maso- the perspiration of a Kulthean,
chistic with orgies ending with many enslaves him to the wearer forever.
dead. He wields a +35 crossbow that
delivers depression criticals which The DARK SPIRITS are the serving
curses the target to be hopelessly souls of the Dark Gods, sharing a
in love with Moralis if the RR loathing for all things of goodness.
fails. The only cure is Remove They include OMIR, known as the
Curse. He wears golden sandals that Assasin of Charon; ALKATAN, a
cast Monk's Bridge spell lists at servant of Klysus; MORGU, a hideous
will and a loincloth that protects creature with glistening black skin,
criticals in that area. He wears leathery wings, and large red claws
golden wrist and ankle bands that often confused with demons; ZANIA, a
can parry missile or melee attacks statuesque but spaced-out and insane
with half his OB at no penalty. astrologer known as Keeper of the
Moon because she reputedly drives a
KLYSUS - The Lizard God of Death and misty chariot through the sky pulled
mortal enemy of Eissa, for while she by spectral stallions towing Charon;
is also the Goddess of Death, hers and the Dancers of Inis who resemble
is a clean departure and release of their mistress and appear during
the soul. Klysus' death is a tor- rituals to seduce her enemies &
tured sacrifice; he drinks the blood destroy them in sensual revelry.
and devours the very spirit of the
dead. He is a Soul-taker. Tall, mus- Last but not least of the Ungodly
cular, with skin of an almost Hordes of the Unlife is a beast
metallic bronze color, his large known as AGOTH, a most demonic ruler
almond eyes have slitted, reptilian of the beings which inhabit the Void
pupils. His forked tongue and fangs and the nether pales of existence.
are not normally noticeable, but he Since no one in their right mind
speaks with a hissing lisp. He is would wish to confront this gnarly
an evil Cleric by profession and dude, much less visit the pales from
carries a three-pronged trident which no one has ever returned and
forged of rare blue-red ithloss with maintained his sanity, the less said
tips of black eog. Striking as a about this abomination the better!
+40 pole arm, it is Of Slaying
elves. Wears a gold necklace with a I conclude this tome with a word of
glittering red Soul Stealer gem. warning to my fellow clerics. This
may seem so much Dark Lore, but thou
INIS - Green eyed, blonde, and shalt rue the day when thou doth
voluptuous with a wry, seductive cast Communion and find before thee
demeanor and truly insatiable lust. not one of the Lords of Orhan, but
A Dancer possessed of four arms, she instead one of the Dark Gods. Do
vies for the attention of the weak, not take these words lightly, for ye
seducing those who cannot control have been duly warned! Indeed, if I
their lusts. Cults of Inis are be no more, thou shalt know why.
invariably devoted to carnal plea- -----May the Lords be with thee!---
-28-
The Malicious Meddler
"""""""""""""""""""""
by Miss Louvella Parsnips
_______________
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| | e have been nosing delighted to inform you that a
_| |~/~/\~\~| | into everyone's muchly married, bleu robed lady mage
/@| _|__/ \__|_| business lately has been carrying on behind closed
\_/_____________/ and have discover- doors with the aforementioned
ed some shocking goings on in philandering fighter. We spotted her
Kelfour's Landing. In an outrageous in a rather unusual position, stuck
public display, Kulthea's most in the window while trying to make a
famous lordly mage and a very male quick getaway from the fellow's
(or so we thought) fighter fellow office. Perhaps she need attend the
with angelic eyes were seen locked Surtey Akrash School of Slim?
in a passionate embrace in the
middle of Eissa's Temple. Even the While we are on the subject of
monk's eyebrows were raised in corpulent concubines, we are pleased
surprise. We wonder if the mage's to report that our lady cleric of
betrothed, the kindhearted lady the olde speeche has driven her
healer, is aware of her intended's former betrothed, a certain long
true nature. We notice that she has winded, lordly thief, to flee
been conspicuously absent from Kelfour's Landing permanently and
Kulthea for some time and wonder if has attached herself to a certain
indeed she may have regained partial fair elf bardly type.
sight, hearing and speech.
Notwithstanding that this new
It has come to our attention, via admirer is slightly on the young
missives from several of Kulthea's side (twenty years or so, to say the
previously innocent maidens, that a least), but she has been cavorting
certain lordly fighter has been shamelessly with him in public, and
garnering himself quite a reputation even sharing the durable lad with
as a swaggering philanderer. We are her sister, a flirtatious young
under the impression that this thief.
Casanova designed his office in the
newly opened House of Paupers to And finally, might we mention that
include a carefully concealed window now that the plot to overthrow us
which can be used as an escape route has been undermined and we again can
for the luckless ladies enticed to walk the streets of Kulthea in safe
his oft serviced divan. anonyminity, we remind you that all
gossip, heresay and tattle can be
Naturally, the concubines of this addressed to us via that wonderous
womanizing fellow make a hasty exit GEmail (MISS.SNOOP). It will be sure
when his betrothed, a supposedly to reach our eager eyes directly.
chaste, wraithlike lady mage pays
him a visit. She, of course, has no Until next month, delicious scandal
idea of the secret trysts of her hunting and tra-la for now!
intended and we can only wonder if ________________________________
indeed all of Kulthea's ladies // \
suffer from a strange disorder that || Kelfour Edition rewards contri- |
has left them all deaf, dumb and || butors with FREE WEEKENDS in |
blind. || GemStone III. |
|| |
Betrothals are all the rage lately || Contact Publisher Phaedra Bleu |
in Kelfour's Landing, although || via GE Mail at P.HERRINGTON for |
marriage vows do not seem to hold || details, or ask a Staff Member. |
any weight with its citizens. We are \\_______________________________/
-29- end
KE:V2N2
See Also: