Kelfour Edition volume III number VII
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Dragon Sighted! See Page 1 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
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| GemStone III(tm) December 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.7 |
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|;;;*;;@;;;;@;;;;;*;;;;;;;;; The Kronicles of Kulthea |
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|_____`;;;;;;;;*;;;;;;;'______________________________________________|
|________`;;;*;;;;;;;_________________________________________________|
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| Local News ................................................ 1 |
| Making Money the Easy Way ........................ Darkseed 2 |
| Not for Newbies Only .................. Llorien Silvanestii 3 |
| Up From the Muck ......................... Celestin Drowstar 4 |
| The Art of Dying ............................. Gwen Belanger 5 |
| The Flesh Against Itself ................ Elyssa Lightstrong 6 |
| Who Are You? ............................... Kalagay Halatil 7 |
| The Dark is Patient ..................... Elyssa Lightstrong 7 |
| A Letter from Pelan Lightstrong ......... Elyssa Lightstrong 8 |
| Monster Chronicles: Goblins ................. Jarran Terraxx 9 |
| Puzzling Kulthean Words ..................... Jarran Terraxx 10 |
| Deja Vu: Life Generously Forfeited ............. Eron Kulsen 11 |
| The Real Thieves Guild .................. Lord Stanyon Sting 12 |
| Strange Occurrences ...................... Jhembryne Ilystin 13 |
| Babe in the Woods ............................ Thellra Dumas 14 |
| Torkaan Stew ............................. Solanum Dulcamara 15 |
| Undermining Kelfour's, Part 3 .......... Llorien Silvanestii 16 |
| Cycles (Conclusion) ................. Lord Whilder Planrathe 21 |
| Kralling Back Home to Momma ............... Lloyd Llowd, PhD 25 |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie. Submissions may be |
| edited for space, accuracy and readability. Contact our Assistant |
| Editors Kalagay Halatil, Jarran Terraxx, or Publisher Phaedra Bleu |
| by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| _________________________________________________________________|__
| | |
\_/____________________________________________________________________/
|
Dragon Sighted! ___________________________/[
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ()____) )_______) )_________ [
The shock wave of an explosion star- | | | | \[
tles you. Across town, visible above _____|_|_______|_|____ |
the rooftops, you can see a red dra- // ~ ~ \ |
gon swooping low and blasting build- || Kelfour's Landing |
ings apart with a merciless, fiery || Local News |
attack! \\_____________________/
You're dashing through the streets
toward it when you hear a pounding The dragon glides off to the east.
sound from high above you.
You hear a roaring sound from high
A large red dragon flying high above in the air. You glance up to see the
pulls up sharply and lofts itself red dragon has dipped dangerously
into the clouds, vanishing for sev- close to the town and is exhaling
eral anxious moments before dipping volumes of fire from its snout! It
into view again. banks into a steep turn, extending
its wings to their full span in
It is an adult red, probably a Great order to glide gingerly on some ris-
Fire Drake. The beast belongs to the ing air currents.
most noble, mysterious and terrible
race in Kulthea. This particular That thing is so high, it's even be-
specimen must measure 90 feet in yond a bow shot!
length and have a wingspan of over
140 feet, making it one of the big-
gest you've ever heard tale of. The
creature has been flying overhead \ \
for some time now, and shows the un- \\ \\
usual characteristic of seeming to ) \ \ ) \ \ Great
be looking for something specific \ \ \____ \ ~~~~~
below. It's extremely agile but has ) \ / __ _\ Fire Drake
the scars of a savage fighter with \ / (_@\ (_@) ~~~~~~~~~~
more than a little experience in \( \
staying alive. /^\ \ << _\_
/ //\ \ \___ \\ \
High above, the great red dragon // // \__\/ \ \\ ^ ^)
heads off to the south. A large // // / (___\/\__/ _
shadow rushes by you. // // / \ _ / \
// //__/ \ \ ( \
The dragon, which has been // ___// / /| | \ \ > )
flying high above, suddenly // / / ( _/ | \ \/ /
pulls up sharply, pounding / ___// // \ < | | \ /
its wings with great /// / / / \ \ | \ /
strength to hold its pos- /// | \| | \/
ition. You see what looks _________/ ___| \
like a small figure atop it / \ / ( | \ )
lean over, seemingly to / \__\_\( ( * ) )
examine the terrain below. / ______/ / \(__ (_________) )
You can't tell much about | ( / ( )
this figure except that it | | / \ /
has human form and may be | (_______/ /\ |^| |
controlling the beast much | _/__\ / \ /__
like you would control a | _ /^\__/ \ / \__/^\
horse. This would be \__________/ |/\_____/\______/ \______/\____/\|
unbelievable if you weren't
seeing it with your own eyes!
-1-
____________ Making Money the Easy Way
/ \ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\\ | by Darkseed
||~| ~~ |
_||~| |==| | ood even to you all. At that point you can do one of two
/@| \~\__// | Tonight I bring you things. You can either turn the
\_/ ~~~~~ / lore of how to gain ring, resetting it, or you can leave
~~~~~~~~~~~ silvers in a quick and it on your finger. If you turn the
easy way. Many old adventurers have ring, you will feel that same pulse
heard of and used this method, but I setting the ring once more. But if
will share it with newcomers, too. you do not turn the ring, something
different will occur. If you wear
Those of us who have hunted for any the ring again from that same room,
time know the Upper Kaldsfang, where you will go back to where you wore
hobgoblins, lesser orcs, and forest the ring to teleport. If you are in
trolls roam. We know the silver, any other room, you will teleport to
armor, and chests these creatures the original room once more.
leave in their wake. But there is
much more that can be gained here, Now, on with the money - making. The
and all it takes is one small item steps in the process are simple. Go
and some time. to the pawn shop on Widow-Wart Road
and set your ring in it. Walk to
Many of you know the item called a hobs, taking only the essentials:
gold ring. You use it to teleport armor, shield, weapon, and backpack.
back and forth from places to save The less you bring, the more room
time. This device can be used to you will have to carry things. Once
make a lot of silver for those who in the field, pick up everything you
are in need. For the benefit of the see, not just metal breastplates.
newer adventurers, we will see where Pick up everything except perhaps
we can get a gold ring. the greaves. Though the battle axes
some of the hobgoblins carry are
Gold rings are commonly found in only worth 50, these weapons can add
chests throughout the lands. Your up quickly.
best bet is to find a gold ring in a
chest or buy one from another player Once your backpack is full of metal
who might have extras. They are and leather breastplates, heavy
usually sold around town by some hide, battle axes, and so on, use
adventurer or other. You can expect your ring back to the pawn shop and
to pay anywhere from one thousand to sell off all the items. You should
three thousand silvers. Do not be make a tidy profit, and the
discouraged if you cannot find a traveling time will be quite short.
gold ring. Ask around and keep look- From there, you can either make a
ing for it. They are out there. quick run to the bank to deposit
your new-found money or simply ring
The first step in learning to use back to hobs and do it all again.
the gold ring is to understand its
workings. The system may seem This method is very quick. You go
complicated, but once you get the back and forth picking up everything
hang of using it, it is quite you find. Although individually the
simple. When you put the ring on items are not worth much, when you
your finger for the first time, you have so many the load has a high
feel a tiny pulse which means that value. You can probably pick up a
you have "set" the ring for that minimum five hundred silvers' worth
place. Once you travel anywhere else of stuff each visit. If you are
(save for certain magical rooms ringing back and forth for say, an
which bar the rings' usage), remove hour, you can make a good four
the ring and wear it again. This thousand silver easily.
will transport you back to the place
where you originally wore it. The downside is getting caught by
-2- Continued on Page 6
_________ Not for Newbies Only
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Llorien Silvanestii
| |~| |
_| |~| | have been asked to write of stepping on hobgoblins for the
/@| _|~|_ | a few words about House past month, who wishes to test some
\_/ ~~~~~ / Argent Aspis's monthly undead in the graveyard or perhaps
~~~~~~~~ orientation night. Most venture deeper into Kaldsfang and
people are under the misconception fight it out with orcs, is more than
that all we do is take raw rookies welcome to come to the orientation
out and teach them how to fight nights as well. We can set up a
torkaans. The orientation we provide group accompanied by an experienced
is much more than that. fighter and a healer, and let them
head out to parts unknown to
It is true that we take newcomers in experience the thrill we all felt
hand and teach them basic survival when we first ventured in gorcs or
and hunting techniques. We also talk ran into a cockatrice and saw our
about hunting courtesy, the proper friend decide to become a living
procedure for dying and getting statue.
brought back to the land of the liv-
ing, and the use of such items as These groups will be offered tips on
amulets. We give tips on rolling and the best weapons to use for the
training of characters. We also occasion or other tactics that have
stress the roleplaying aspects of proven useful. How many new players
the game and introduce them to the out there know that a forest troll
commands available for this as well. will sit down and begin tending it's
bleeding wounds if you hide, making
Most importantly though, new players it much easier to hit? Or that there
get to meet others of the same level is a ridge line above the mine road
and ability with whom they may form that has some rich little goblins
hunting parties in the future and running around on it?
share the comraderie that I think is
the primary reason any of us even We at Aspis urge the experienced
journey to Kelfour's Landing. players out there to let the
newcomers know of our program. The
We try to include a variety of sooner these newcomers learn how
professions in our working team, so things work, the more pleasant the
that a new player can talk to game is for everyone. If you think,
someone who has already gone through "Well, they will learn eventually,"
the trials and tribulations of the just remember the last time a newbie
earlier stages and get tips based on scooped a 900 coin chest in the
experience. The house has recently temple (25 at a time), while ten
recruited many new members to people tried to talk.
further flesh out our team and can ________________________________
now boast of having 2 clerics and a / \
number of healers ready to patch up | FREE |
the unfortunate ones who, by system | Vacation in Kulthea! |
hiccup or their own eagerness, end | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
up on the wrong end of an encounter | Enjoy the Weekend of your Dreams |
with one of the many denizens of | in Kulthea -- Absolutely FREE! |
Kelfour's forests. | |
| Kill, maim and destroy to your |
So why is this article entitled "Not | heart's content, or lay back and |
For Newbies Only"? Most people seem | cool it. All you need do is have |
to believe that newcomers are the | three articles published here in |
only ones we help on these | Kelfour Edition. Contact Phaedra |
orientation nights. However, we will | Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON |
also take out players that wish to | for details. No obligation! |
explore a new area. A player, tired \________________________________/
-3-
Up From the Muck
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Celestin Drowstar
/ \ _________\
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |his last spring found The biggest threat are the Sohlougir
/@| _|_|_ | the reptiles around Cheiftains. They can make you lose
\_/__________/ Kelfour's emerging your footing by slamming their tails
from their winter slumber. Usually on the ground. If you miss your
reptiles are not so bad, but the maneuver roll you'll become prone,
ones that moved into the sea caves and may sustain damage in the fall.
off from the coastal cliffs area are The lizardmen are not as tough, but
not so nice. The information I have they have a tendency to breed like
on these creatures is kind of rabbits. Even though the area is
sketchy (due mostly to the fact that pretty dangerous, the lure of the
I keep getting killed by them), level two chests found here have
though it should be fairly accurate. attracted many adventurers.
Chieftain, Sohlougir: 10th Level, fast speed, tail slam,
Morning Star (95 OB), shield (65 DB).
Lizardman, Sohlougir: 7th Level, fast speed,
Trident (80 OB), shield (40 DB).
__________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/________________________________________________________________________/
| |
| A - A: go path ( )-( )-( ) |
| / \ Coastal Cliff Area |
| ( )-( )-( )-( ) ( ) |
| / | \ |
| <-(A)-( ) ( )-( )-( )-( ) |
| : / \ |
| <-(A)-(B)................ ( )-( )-(C)-> |
| | u/d : |
| ( ) : C: Merchant Road to |
| | u/d : B - B: go crevice and from Kelfour's |
| ( ) : (go road) |
| | u/d : |
| ( ) :.............................. |
| : N |
| F - G: go hole ( ) : | |
| G - F: up u/d | \ : W-+-E |
| ( ) | \ D - E: go bridge : | |
| u/d | (F)--( ) \ : S |
| ( ) : (D)<--(E)-->(D)--( )--(B) |
| u/d | (G) / |
| (H) __________/ |
| : / u/d = up and down |
| : / H - I: down instead of |
| ( )--(I) I - H: climb stone north and south |
| / |
| (J)--( ) |
| : J - K: go fissure |
| (K) K - J: out |
/| |
\/_________________________________________________________________________/
-4-
____________ The Art of Dying
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\~\ | by Gwen Belanger
||~| |~||
_||~| |~||
/@| \~\__/~/ | ver the years that I goes ten times over during death.
\_/ ~~~~~~ / have read Kelfours' The During Death circumstance is
~~~~~~~~~~~ Edition, I have seen what you do while you are being
many of the "How To" guides. "How to hacked, mangled, stomped, drowned,
Skin Torkaans" and "How to Get Lost bludgeoned or otherwise killed. Here
in the Swamp" and so on and so we make our last desperate attempt
forth, but I have yet to see a guide at life. Certain things such as
on the all important art of dying. bringing down your guard, dropping
your shield, swapping your hands,
One night I was waiting for a rez, falling down, making your helmet
sitting around with Kalagay in the fall over your eyes when you're just
uh.. ghost hang out. At which time I about to strike (hey, it happens!),
had made some comment about the and my personal favorite, swearing
method of my skillful demise and at the foe while they are busy
Kalagay had suggested that I write cutting you into pieces (but you
an article about it. However, that sure told him!).
would hardly do the topic of artis-
tic downfall justice, so I composed Last but not least, the After Death.
this article on The Art of Dying. It is important for us heroing types
to try and maintain our pride; that
There are three specific attributes way when we make complete fools out
which make up the perfect demise: of ourselves it's twice as funny. It
the Before Death, the During Death, is, therefore, essential that the
and the After Death. I have greater complete death be followed by a
experience in this topic mainly due complete loss of control. When we
to the fact that unlike high level die, it is important that we curse,
characters, most anything can kill scream and swear at our assailant
me. I have fully explored, though (what's he gonna do? Kill you?).
much to my dismay, each of these Although we can not snarl or growl
three categories. We will discuss when we're dead, we must say that we
each attribute in detail and observe would snarl and growl if we weren't
how each makes up one partition of dead. This can be done like so:
the complete death.
The ghost of Gwen says, "Growl"
First off, we have the Before Death.
This is the condition we're in just The affect of such a vocal onslaught
before we enter a difficult and can be devastating to the one who
potentially dangerous circumstance. fell you, and might cause them to
In other words, how you are before flee, or maybe cause them to relieve
you are about to die. The Before themselves upon your corpse. Use
Death is the sum of the flaws that caution when speaking from the After
will lead to our eminent demise. Death for this reason, as I can
Therefore, such things as weapons in assure you it is an unpleasant thing
the wrong hands, no weapons at all, (especially when you can't close
no attempt at parrying due to either your eyes).
surprise or carelessness, walking
with your eyes closed, or crawling Now I will show an example. Try to
on your hands and knees into a fight find the three attributes:
fit into this category.
Gwen is in hobs. He just killed a
Now comes the most important part of forest troll and is a little weary
all; the During Death. It is very (long day for Gwen). He decides to
important that the hero maintain his take a quick run down near greater
or her indignity at all times. This orcs before he calls it a night.
-5-
Going down the path, Gwen discovers Making Money the Easy Way: From P.2
an orc. Hah! Gwen prepares to attack ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
only to find that the orc is a tad Navigators while using your ring.
quicker. Gwen knows he was hit, but You could find yourself yanked into
thinks nothing of it. He has been a strange room where your ring and
hurt a number of times and hardly all your pocket cash will be taken
even notices anymore. He attempts to (a good reason to bank your cash
hack at the orc, but finds that he each trip). It doesn't happen often,
has no left arm. but it is annoying. My best advice
is to get a new ring and go on.
Gwen blinks.
I hope you have enjoyed this hunting
This presents a bit of a problem for tip, and that you can use it to your
our claymore wielding hero. Stunned, advantage. If you find this method
Gwen decides to try his best not to usable and enjoyable, tell any other
die. He swears and curses and makes friends who might not read this
various references to orc heritage. article. Hobs is an area that can
This results in more orcs coming to offer many things. We are indeed
help Gwen die. But wait! The stun blessed that the Gods saw fit to
has passed and now Gwen makes a mad create such a place.
dash for the trail. What a break!
The orc should've killed him, he
thinks, but Gwen wont complain. The Flesh Against Itself
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whoops. by Elyssa Lightstrong
Gwen happens to slip on the trail Winding my way
and comes tumbling down. Seeing the through black and grey hills,
orcs converging on him, Gwen tries the stars are my guides,
again to climb the trail, although shining their cold light on the path
he forgot to stand up. The orcs,
with a considerable offensive advan- Stopping among gardens,
tage over Gwen, who by this time has black and red roses glittering
only one arm, lying on his back, with reflected light,
bleeding and without a weapon, pro- their scent heady.
ceed to make coffee and have an
early dinner. Onward past rivers,
black and silver waters rushing,
Ow. movement unstoppable
singing in the night.
Gwen yells and screams and swears.
He even growls. And through a village small,
black and brown huts squatting,
The ghost of Gwen says, "Growl." resting together
like bread and fish and a warm fire.
All to no avail. The orcs kick and
spit on Gwen. Refusing to take this Until a precipice tall,
abuse (Gwen _is_ in the Union), black and white stark,
retires to ghost heaven. and wind
to raise the flesh against itself.
Did you notice the three attributes
mentioned? Now you can duplicate
this model yourself. The possibil-
ities are nearly endless and the _________________________________
variety of monsters allows for many / \\
excruciatingly painful applications | Happy Holidays ||
of the model. So try and remember | from ||
what you've read in this informa- | Kelfour Edition ||
tive guide on The Art of Dying! \________________________________//
-6-
Who Are You?
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ Editorial by Kalagay Halatil
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~||
_||~| |~|| nce in a while an Landing? Are you gentry, riff-raff,
/@| \~\__/~/ | imagined population parvenu?
\_/ ~~~~~~ / becomes vivid in back
~~~~~~~~~~~ of your eyes, and the "Do you wear finery or warrior's
scrolling of text gives way to pic- battle dress? Where do you take your
tures only you can see, because of dinner when you can choose? Where do
someone on the other end of a phone you sleep when it is time: temple or
line. Players new to Gemstone right tavern, camp or cottonwood bough?
now have a chance to learn from role
players which has not been equaled "Are you lightsome, friendly,
in the Landing in a long time. To battle-loving? Are you dark, driven,
long time. To our delight they seize alone? Rich in money, rich in
any chance to make living beings things? Who loves you? And who do
from their imaginings. Generously, you love?
they make these beings live for all
all of us as well as for themselves. Roleplayers ask questions like these
of their own creations as they
Think of the memorable characters journey in The Wilds Land. They ask
who have crossed your trail just in the same questions of you. It's the
the past couple of months. Each one sense that you came from somewhere
knows where she came from. Each and are going somewhere that keeps
remembers relatives or his fostering you "in character," even in the most
and getting old enough to survive in technical, mechanical discussion.
The Wilds on his own. You may never If you will answer them solidly,
hear the story, but each character with the sharp edges of clear know-
which impressed you knows where she ledge, then you can share some of
lives and what she likes best to eat yourself with the rest of us. The
and drink and wear. Each has a community takes on texture, and all
favorite flower, color, jewel, pair of us learn from all of us how our
of boots, or place to catch a catnap characters can more truly be.
or lurk in ambush for the next
critter or pickpocket's mark.
The Dark is Patient
For those players whose other self ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
is still locked into an unsharable by Elyssa Lightstrong
dark, there are ways and words that
can bring unique life into the com-
munity of Kelfour's Landing. Ask What evil we fight.
your character questions like these:
Sorrow in the night,
"How do you differ from the elf next so easy to hide,
to you, how is your dwarfishness they feed on it.
your own and not someone else's? Did
you ever tell yourself the story of The moonlight sometimes
your own life? will illuminate,
light the pain with pain with its
"What shaped you into the fighter, soft glow.
the tender, the mage, the scholar or
singer that you are? And are you the The monsters wait,
best you can be at it, or are you step back,
still learning? until clouds pass before the moon's
bright once more.
"Did you come from far away, or were
you born right here in Kelfour's What evil we fight.
-7-
_______________ A Letter From Pelan Lightstrong
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+| by Elyssa Lightstrong
| |~\~\/~/~| |
_| |~|\~~/|~| |
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_|y parents died when action that I take that flows from
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ I was very young, any of these ideals is considered
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and my uncle Pelan right and appropriate.
took me in and cared for me as if I
were his own. He is, for all intents Right action is, also, dependent on
and purposes, my father. When I was what I call the harmony of nature.
old enough to be apprenticed, he This takes into account the plans of
went off to Kelfour's Landing, we the gods in their creation of our
tried to stay in touch by a steady world. This harmony is important in
correspondence. that it provides us with a means of
measuring ourselves that lies out-
In the letters we would send to each side of ourselves. Action must be in
other, we'd cover many topics: we accord with this harmony if it is to
talked about day to day lives, he'd be right in the greater sense of the
tell me about life in a frontier word. The difficulty, of course,
town, and many times we'd discuss lies in determining what exactly the
philosophy, this particular subject gods planned, as we are not gods and
being important to me as a recent don't mentate at their level.
apprentice to a clerical order.
However, keeping in mind the will of
The following is one of the letters the gods does eliminate evil actions
containing part of our discussion on as being appropriate, because while
appropriate behavior. I thought it those actions might fit in with
might be of interest to some, so I the ideals of the individual, evil
have asked to have it printed here. is detrimental to the harmony of
I hope you find it interesting. nature. Here, I refer to evil in the
true sense of the word: those who
Hello Elyssa, would destroy life and oppose and
I hope this letter finds you happy distort the harmony of nature.
and well. I'd received your last
letter after much anticipation, and So, now we have this definition.
I am glad to hear that matters Appropriate action is the maint-
concerning that particular misunder- enance of one's ideal throughout
standing have been settled. I only life, the being of such ideals from
regret not being there to help. day to day, and is action that is in
Although, I hope life will go more keeping with the harmony of nature,
smoothly for you now and that your that seeks to foster life and the
studies proceed without hindrance. greater plan of those powers above
us. We may now continue with the
Now, referring to the second part of discussion and know of what the
your last letter and our continuing other speaks when we talk about it.
discussion of philosophy, we must
first stop and define what we mean It seems that I have gone on for
by appropriate or right action. much too long, for I have run out of
Otherwise, neither of us will be paper. Our discussion will continue
able to agree on anything, for our with your response to my definition.
understanding of each other shall be I am positive you will have one. So
faulty. Appropriate action, as I I will end this here. Take care of
understand is that which maintains yourself, dear Elyssa. I miss you
the ideals of whatever individual and your brother very much. I hope
performs such actions. What I mean hope to see you both soon.
is this: let us say that I believe
the ideal man is just, wise, strong, With Love,
kind, and brave. For me, then, any Pelan Lightstrong
-8-
Monster Chronicles: Goblins
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ Jarran Terraxx
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~||
_||~| |~||ne of Kelfours weakest In battle they may appear tough but
/@| \~\__/~/ |and smallest creatures that is far from the fact. Goblins
\_/ ~~~~~~ / is the Goblin. These are not known for the bravery, they
~~~~~~~~~~~ small ugly monsters are more frightened of running into
somewhat resemble short and stout an adventurer then any first level
humanoids. Although, they are far adventurer is of running into them.
from human and not even close to Odds are that the moment that ugly
being considered good looking by the guy realizes how far outmatched he
humans or elves. Their skin colors is, then you're gonna have quite a
range anywhere from yellow through a chase on your hands as it's going
dull orange to a brick red. Due to to take off running just as fast as
their bright skin it's very unlikely its little legs are going to allow.
that you could miss them, so a sneak After all, they arent called yellow
attack by one is hardly possible. bellies for nothing.
The texture of their skin is rough Finally, when you do manage to catch
and somewhat rubbery although hardly him, and put his wailing out of your
as dense as rubber. They are usually misery, and you go to see if he has
very dirty, as they believe that the any treasure, well, don't get to
skin loses some of its resistance dissapointed, because if you get
everytime they bathe. Usually dirt, anything off them at all, five gold
mud, hair, and pieces of food cling will bet you that it's only a good
to their skin. These particles of case of skin lice. Goblins hardly
grime are the biggest reason why ever carry anything worth value, a
they can be smelled coming from a good example is their weapons and
mile away. They tend to dress in armor, notice that they are in need
dark, drab and soiled-looking colors of some serious repair. After you've
the most favorite of the colors are taken care of dispatching them, then
anywhere from an ugly brown to a at least try skinning them. Despite
dirty gray or stained maroon. the lice, the skin is worth some
35 silvers at the pawnshop, and its
Their eyes are large and oval, with rumored that they're worth something
pupils that range from a reddish to to another establishment as well.
a lemon yellow, with a whitish color
surrounding the outside of the eye. So remember, the next time you see
Their noses are flat and broad, and this four foot, ugly, yellow, wimpy
it looks as if they had been hit in critter come running down the path
the nose once to many times, perhaps at you, odds are he's running from
they had chased one to many rocks. something else, and just made a big
mistake when he came towards you.
They mostly prefer dwelling in such
places as the graveyard, mine road The Goblins are level two creatures
or Gorcs, they prefer these places and are rather easy to hit, not very
mostly due to their weakness, and fast, and usually they wont even get
feel much safer in the company of close to hitting you. They prefer to
bigger and stronger allies such as use flails and have sometimes been
the orcs and undead. They are very seen using scimitars. Beyond that
light in weight mostly due to the though, they are hardly a threat by
fact they rarely get much to eat, by themselves. Sometimes, like once
there isn't many creatures they can in a great while, you might actually
defeat easily, so they usually wind find a chest on one of them, but the
up only eating things that they can odds of this are very rare, so dont
scrounge up like adventurer remains. hold your breath.
-9-
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| @/______________________Puzzling Kulthean Words________________________/
| _ |
| by Jarran Terraxx |_| |
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| |_| |
| Instructions: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _|_|_ |
| Fill in the squares with |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| |
| the words from the next page. |_| |
| _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _|_| |
| |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| |
| _____________________________________________________________________|_
| @\ \
\__/_____________________________________________________________________/
-10-
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| Enter some of these words in spaces on the preceeding page so that |
| they fit together and are spelled properly. How long will it take? |
| -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ghoul Charon Centaur Assassin Sohleugir Curfalakai Loremasters |
| Giant Mikori Mammoth Wifurwif Kladsfang Necropolis Dragonsfang |
| Gnoll Tlilok Bounder Basilisk Wolverine Bloodbeast Interregnum |
| Golem Hegheg Essence Revenant Manticore Navigators Trelkinaark |
| Threk Hrassk Blototh Torkland Catacombs Channeling |
| Eissa Spider Spectre Cemetary Stonehold Troglodyte |
| Wight Marmot Smatoth Gemsting Labyrinth Deathwoods |
| Orhan Zephyr Kulthea Seoltang Arnuminas Apparition |
| Varin Stalker Mausoleum Cladesbrim |
| Mummy Dangirland |
| SilverLake |
| Tatzelwurm |
\_______________________________________________________________________/
____________ Deja Vu: Life Generously Forfeited
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Eron Kulsen
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| |long with the likes down like a twelve - year - old and
/@| // |"| |of the Lords Dagmar, pointed at Eron's empty right hand.
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / Strom, Moonpie, and That is about all Eron ever saw
~~~~~~~~~~~ Landreth, young Eron after that.
followed along eagerly to find the
recently discovered Spider Temple. A centaur stomps at Eron!
Moonpie led the party to the mine OB: 190 vs. DB: 58
road where a new trail appeared. THT: 49 DRoll 100: 80
Swords in hand and fear put aside, Modified: (Too high for Eron's
they entered unfamiliar terrain. health!) Shattering blow to the
Landreth lead the party and mapped skull! Eron is hit for 56 cps!
their progress among abandoned huts.
Eron's head was squashed to a bloody
Moonpie asked, "I wonder what kind pulp, sending the cerebral cortex
of critters inhabit this area?" flying in multiple directions!
Strom said, "I don't know, but I ** Eron just bit the dust!
hope they're a high enough level for
some good experience." Dagmar moaned while Strom commented,
"OB of 190."
Eron followed meekly, hiding behind
Dagmar while fishing in his hooded Moonpie said, "Yeah, and a THT of
cloak for more statues. Of a sudden, of 49 against heavy hide. You get-
an evil-looking red centaur crashed ting all this down, Landreth?"
out of some nearby bushes. Landreth
exclaimed, "Wow! That's impressive Landreth nodded while absently wip-
looking, eh?" ing Eron's brains off his boot.
Moonpie said, "Maybe we should parry Eron's ghost seemed to remember a
up until we find out its OB." Strom similar day long ago. Something to
nodded, and Dagmar jumped up and do with a baby dragon.
-11-
____________ The Real Thieves Guild
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Lord Stanyon Sting
| //|"| | Minister of Public Affairs
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |n idea starts in the scoops fair? You decide.
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / mind of one person
~~~~~~~~~~~ and if that idea is Falsehood #3: The only reason for
good, others join to make it become joining the Guild is fellowship.
reality. That's what happened when False! Thieves are individuals and
Lords Mikhail and Artuero approached join the Guild for their own
their fellow thieves with the idea reasons. Kahsmire is mistaken if he
of creating a guild, and response thinks he speaks for all thieves in
was overwhelming. I myself was this matter.
taken by the concept, and together,
we went to work in forming it. Falsehood #4: Thief Lords will come
to assassinate you if you have a
I will not bore you with accounts of dispute with a Guild member. False!
the painstaking meetings that were Let me state this here and now:
held to determine the policy of the THERE IS NO POLICY WITHIN THE GUILD
Guild. Suffice to say that after THAT CONDONES ASSASSINATIONS! If
all was said and done, a general this were so, Kahsmire would no
policy was formed, with the approval longer be alive. He has never
of all the membership. That policy attended a meeting and, to my know-
is a good one for Kulthea overall. ledge, has not been asked to join.
As Minister of Public Affairs of the The Guild steps in when there is a
Thieves Guild, it is my job to see dispute between Guild members, but
that all information about the guild player conflicts do not and should
is accurate and factual. After not concern the Guild. Now if some
reading the article published last hostile group should start attacking
month about the Guild by Kahsmire, Guild members because they are Guild
who is mis-informed, this point by members and for no other reason than
point response is designed to clear their being Guild members, that is a
the air of his misconceptions. different story. The Guild reserves
the right to defend its existence.
Falsehood #1: The Guild requires
its members to take two scoops and Falsehood #5: The Guild pressures
three if the chest is trapped. thieves to join. False! When we
False! The Guild requests one scoop approach a thief and offer member-
from any chest; none if it contains ship to him/her, we naturally give
under 100 silvers. Any additional our reasons for their joining,
scoops taken is the policy of the stating the advantages and benefits
individual picker. of membership. Should the thief
decline, that is that. Lord Bleys,
Falsehood #2: Are scoops fair? Lord Winter, Galauriel and others
After all, you did all the work! have declined membership. Ask them
False! When healers are called upon if they have ever been threatened or
to heal, and clerics to save life, coerced about joining.
they are amply rewarded for their
time and sacrifice. No one in the It is natural for thieves to have a
land is called upon for help more guild. It is natural for other
than the thief for the chests, and professions to have guilds, too. We
we are the ones who can open them. all know guild speak -- why not have
It is a time-consuming task, fraught a guild to go along with it?
with danger, and the experience you
get is laughable. Every day a thief There is nothing preventing other
dies trying to open a chest. Are professions from forming guilds.
-12- Continued on Page 20
____________
/ \ ____ \ Strange Occurrences
\@| /~/~~\\ | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
||~| ~~ | by Jhembryne Illystin
_||~| |==| |
/@| \~\__// |reetings, Kelfourians. to lose my strength and my will to
\_/ ~~~~~ / Most of you who have live; eventually, I succumbed to the
~~~~~~~~~~~ been here for a while welcome comfort of unconsciousness.
may remember me as Jhembryn Durrock.
But, my friends, some strange things My next recollection is of waking on
have happened. the shore by Kelfour's near the dock
where my ship would have landed. In
I departed a while ago on an expedi- tring to stand, I found my left leg
tion to learn new healing methods twisted at a strange angle; it was
and explore other parts of Kulthea. broken badly. Simple, I thought. A
My journey was both enjoyable and low level healing spell would easily
enlightening; however, the voyage to take care of it. But I could not
here was a bit more (ahem) eventful. remember how to cast it. I knew what
to do; I just couldn't do it. All
The journey back to Kelfour's began but the simplest of spells were lost
in a small harbor town, the name of to me. My healing ability was gone.
which I have mercifully forgotten.
Our vessel looked sturdy enough, but It was then that I realized the loss
as we know, looks can be deceiving. of my weapons, armor, jewelry, and
clothing. Some quickly grabbed rags
We sailed for several weeks, and I covered enough of me that I would
became tired of oceans. I spent any not be jailed by the constable. No
spare time on deck exercising or problem, I thought again. I have
practicing my healing incantations. 70,000 silvers in the bank. But when
Then, when we were but days from I got there, it was all gone. I also
port, I saw a strange form on the found my locker to be empty.
horizon, approaching quickly.
I spent the next hours in the temple
I called it to the attention of the alone, waiting for any familiar face
captain, who quickly identified it to show up and help me figure things
as a dragon, and ordered me below. out. Finally my old friend Larisa
Adamantly, I demanded that he allow came in, saw me, and could not
me to lend whatever help I could in believe her eyes. Sharlan, another
the impending attack, and began to friend from the past, loaned me some
prepare a barrage of healing spells. silver to get started again. Larisa
and I went shopping for new armor
My first thought, upon a closer look and weaponry.
at the dragon, was of its beauty and
grace. But awe turned to dread when Then I visited a place I thought I'd
he made his first attack. He used never see again, the catacombs. The
only one claw, but killed three men giant rats were easy enough to kill,
instantly, and put another close to but not nearly as easy as they ought
death. I went to his side at once, to have been. It seemed I was start-
to take his wounds upon myself and ing over. I changed my name a bit by
heal them as quickly as I ever had. adding a letter to the first, and
taking my mother's maiden name as my
Now that I look back on it, perhaps own, since my father is dead.
it would have been kinder to let him
die. On the dragon's next pass, its So, hello again, sort of. I hope all
flaming breath engulfed the ship, my old hunting partners and friends
destroying it utterly. I jumped free can forget my apparent youth and
into the water with no worse than inexperience, and remember that an
minor injuries, but there was no aged and wise mind occupies this
sign of rescue. Slowly, I began to young body.
-13-
___________ Babe in the Woods
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\_\ | by Thellra Dumas
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ | omeone once told me, were especially mean. And they
/@| \~\__/~/ | "Beware of what you rarely left their babies unattended.
\_/ ~~~~~~ / pick up traveling. You I circled the area and found a blood
~~~~~~~~~~ may not be able to get trail. "Oh, no! If the mother is
rid of it!" I never really under- wounded, she's going to be really
stood before just how true that is. mad. I've got to get out of here!"
I said to myself.
On my way home from hunting Grey
Orcs a few months ago, I came upon I turned around, and there before me
a curious object lying in my path. was a broken cudgel, bloodstained
I bent over to examine it more grass, and worst of all, a dead
closely. It was a child's rag doll, troll. Rolling my eyes skyward,
and a very unusual one. Instead of a I asked "Why me?" and walked back to
smiling face, there was a troll's the squealing baby troll, mumbling
fierce visage crudely drawn on it. loudly about ignorant poachers. I
couldn't just leave the baby there.
"A troll!?" I wondered. "Who would I've had my fair share of battles
make a troll doll?" It appeared to with trolls, but I couldn't imagine
be made of a sack stuffed with hay, leaving any kind of baby alone in a
and it was well-worn. A little bit dangerous wood.
of hay stuck out of one side, making
the body look quite misshapen. I reached into my pack and brought
"Or maybe that's the way troll dolls out a sturdy pair of thick gloves
are supposed to look," I thought to and the raggedy troll doll I had
myself, grinning. found earlier. "I guess this belongs
to you," I told the trollie baby. It
Thinking that my friends in town grabbed the doll and started chewing
might have a good laugh over it, I on it, saliva dripping all over. I
stuck the raggedy troll doll in my grimaced, and gingerly reached out,
pack. Before I could continue on my picking up the little troll. With my
way, however, I heard a keening that falchion in one hand and the orphan
made my ears hurt. Immediately on my troll in the other, I walked back to
guard, I brought my falchion up and town, wondering all the way just
tightened my grip on my shield. The what I was going to do with my new-
sound came again, from the direction found bundle of teeth and claws.
of a large rock to my left. The
wailing sounded like a nail being I'm still wondering. All I've been
drawn out of a plank of wood. I able to find out is that trolls have
peeked warily around the side of the a huge appetite, and elvenfolk seem
boulder. to be a favorite food. The trollie
baby has latched onto me, quite
There on the ground was a tiny literally. It sank its teeth into my
creature, no bigger than my leg this morning and won't let go.
backpack. "How could a sound that There's more blood on the floor than
painful come from a thing so small?" in my poor wounded body, so if
I asked myself. I carefully nudged there's a healer about, please stop
the creature with my boot, turning by. We can talk about quantity
it over on its back. A baby troll! discounts.
Its eyes were wide with fright, and
it clutched my boot with small but By the way, if anyone knows how to
razor-sharp claws. get rid of this pesky critter, I'm
all ears. Well, I'm all one ear. The
I had never even seen a baby troll troll ate my other one. Anyone out
before, but I did know troll mothers there? Anyone at all? Help!
-14-
_______________ Torkaan Stew
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Solanum Dulcamara
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | hat's breakfast?" By that time, the drops I've slipped
/@| _|__/ \__|_| in his drink take effect, and I can
\_/_____________/ I look into the roll him into bed and have a party
the pot on the stove and think for a tearing up the sheets. He'll wake up
minute. Telling the truth would be and never admit he's forgotten his
fun, but then he might not want any. part in the most "unforgettable"
night of my life.
"Torkaan stew," I answer. It does
have some torkaan in it, though most The hound eying me from the bed now,
people don't cook the eyes. though, hadn't missed a thing. He
wasn't terribly imposing, but I'd
"Torkaan stew? What I left in the given him the usual three drops.
pot last night?" Rose root drops usually hit about
ten minutes after consumption, with
"It's a new batch," I offer. "I can one distressing side effect which
add some lodfa'al eggs if you like." always makes the moonlight walk more
He hesitates. "And some moss? I got entertaining. I do enjoy watching
it just this morning." A bit before Romeo squirm while he fights the
sunrise, in fact: if lace moss could urges to curl up and sleep and to
survive even indirect sunlight, run off behind the bushes before he
there wouldn't be any forests. An soils his clothes. We tend to arrive
hour before sunrise is best, before at his house quickly, even though a
predawn light sends it withering curious exception to the ten minute
into day-long winter, to be reborn rule is that, when mixed with alco-
from the lacy ruins the next night. hol, the drops don't take effect
till the alcohol wears off.
Grinning in memory of last night's
conquest, he assents. "If you were Last night's Romeo must have been
charging me, I'd want something drinking for a while before I got
better, but I guess it'll do." He there, unfortunately. He persisted
probably hopes that remark hurt me. the entire way home, which took near
Stupid man. an hour and a half, and survived the
first hour in bed quite deliriously
My own memories of last night would happy. I'd begun to worry that the
leave me with no real reason to drops weren't working when his whole
smile if things weren't going so body went stiff against me for one
well this morning. agonizing moment. Just as his eyes
crossed and began to roll back in
It started the same way it always his head, I caught the faint whiff
does. I arrive at a local tavern, I of a rather foul odor, and some-
let a local buy me a drink. The thing warm struck my bare leg.
tavern keeper doctors the drink,
always giving the man the same know- Not that I didn't take immediate
ing smile. I drink it without advantage: the stew needed something
"noticing" (it makes the next parts gathered from the victim to be
a lot easier). The lead hound of the effective. I was out of bed before
local pack makes suggestions, we he landed, and after rolling him in
slip off as quietly as his ego can his mess once for luck, I'd yanked
tolerate, and I spend the next half the ruined sheets off the bed, found
hour or so eluding his advances the pot for the morning's breakfast,
till he finally relents and takes me and shaken a bit of the mess into it
to his home. before thrusting the sheet into the
stove for the fire the next day. I
If they would only put up more of a usually just give the man a few
fight, the evening might be fun. healthy scratches across his back
-15- More...
and clean my nails into the pot, but "Water!" I cry in dismay, stopping
I can't help smiling when I think of his fork in midair. After a slow
serving today's steaming plate. look around the table, he fixes me
with a glower, saying nothing. "Is
I lower the egg gently into the pot, there a well nearby?"
careful not to break the shell.
Lodfa'al eggs are probably the "You'll have to run to the river.
hardest part of the entire recipe to Better make it quick, too. This stew
come by, even though it's easy to looks plenty hot, and I think it's
find the lodfa'al. Anyway, it's not burnt."
hard to let them find you. Having no
hearts, the lodfa'al need an almost I grab a pail and dart quickly
constant supply of blood. Elves, through the door. Once on the other
humans and bears are their favorite side, though, I'm in no hurry. I
prey. Lodfa'al eggs, though, can wander in and out among the trees,
only be gathered two ways: before whistling answers to the birds. One
implantation you can extract them circle around the cottage, resisting
from the dead mother, or after the temptation to peep in through
implantation you can extract them the unshuttered window, and I step
from the dead host. The second way through the doorway, letting the
is easier, but finding a willing smile run over my face.
host is almost impossible.
He sits as I left him, facing the
He watches, unsmiling, as I stir the stove. I fling the water pail into
concoction with a long bone. Lots the room. It strikes the floor
of people stew the bones, tossing noisily, just behind his chair. He
them into the pot and cooking them doesn't move. I glide to the back
until the meat peels off, but I stir of the chair, wrap my arms around
instead. He has to know everything him and kiss his cold cheek. "Miss
that goes into the stew, but I don't me?" I whisper, quickly checking his
have to tell him what kind of bone pockets.
this is. He sees it in the stew, and
that's enough. It's much easier Pretty much empty, no surprise
that way, really. If I had to tell there. I search the entire cottage
him what I put in, I don't know how in a matter of minutes. I could
I'd explain a basilisk's rib as an have sold the lodfa'al egg for more.
entree, without even trying to Still, this is much more enjoyable.
explain why I really needed the Scattering a handful of leaves on
marrow more than anything else. the table, I make my way back to the
door.
The pot bubbles noisily. "Almost
ready," I smile. My friend Jima loans me her cat
stick again. She says she's always
"It's about time. I'm starved," he luckier with the thing after I've
growls. used it once or twice, and she and I
are both firm believers in luck.
"What's your hurry?" I think to I've almost rubbed all the luck out
myself, turning quickly to the stove of it by the time anybody finds him,
so he won't wonder about the smile but it's always worth the wait.
on my lips. There is a pop inside
the pot, and blue flames slowly "How long do you think he's been
spread over the bubbling stew. I dead?" an elf in a blue cloak asks
quickly cover the pot, and drag it his stouter companion, who's been
off the stove. prodding the deceased with a stick.
"It's ready," I announce needlessly, "I don't know," answers the round
almost knocking the plate out of his one. "A while." He glances around
outstretched hand as I turn towards the room, then looks on the table.
the table. "What are those leaves?"
-16- Continued on Page 20
____________ Undermining Kelfour's (Part 3)
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~~|~|| by Llorien Silvanestii
| |~|__|~||
_| |~|--// |terelas stuck a torch Pterelas frowned and said, "I'm sure
/@| |~| | into the opening in I saw something move. There, again!"
\_/ ~~~~ / the dry well, illumi- We strained our eyes to see.
~~~~~~~~~~~ nating a steep tunnel.
Cautiously he entered the passage, "Why don't we just go over and
closely followed by the rest of us. investigate?" suggested Penna and
strode over to the rock with us
"Look here," said Inyigo, pointing right behind her. Something peculiar
to footprints in the scuffled dust caught our notice, two emeralds set
of the floor. Two lines trailed down into the rock. Pterelas sheathed his
down into the earth. "Looks like a sword with a smile and pulled out a
group of people were dragging some- dagger to pry one of the emeralds
thing. Or someone." loose. The bright gem blinked like
an eye.
"Well, let's go then," I motioned to
Inyigo. "It's obvious that it's "What the heck--." In surprise,
Ignatius they were dragging." Pterelas jumped, lost his balance,
and dropped his dagger. His voice
Single file, our hearty band started echoed through the cavern, "Rocks
down to whatever awaited us. It was with eyes?"
beginning to seem as if the tunnel
had no end when Pterelas suddenly Aegyptia pressed the surface of the
stopped. "The passage opens up into rock with one finger. It gave a bit
a cavern, folks," he said, "but I at her touch; she said excitedly,
don't see or hear anything." "This is not a rock. It's alive!"
Penna prudently surrounded each of We were further amazed to see a
us with one of her protective small figure, perfectly stone - like
spells, and we entered the immense in coloring and markings, detach
cavern, staying along the wall. Our itself from the stalagmite, walk
astonished eyes saw intricate forma- around to the other side, and attach
tions of rock standing everywhere, itself to the rock once more. In the
formations like sculpture but almost place vacated by the mysterious lit-
as if they lived. Not the likeness tle creature, we saw a new addition
of anything we had seen before, but to the carved formation.
mesmerizing. "Could these be natural
formations?" asked Aegyptia. "They "It's a gallery, a bloody artist's
are beautiful!" studio," Inyigo stated emphatically.
"The little critter is carving all
"I don't think so, Aegyptia," Inyigo this stuff."
answered. "Although the forest is my
home, I have ventured into caves, I thought, "This is an awful lot of
but never have I come across any- work for one small creature. Maybe
thing even remotely like this." He magic will show me if there are any
was just starting to relate his others." My eyes glazed; I became
hoary encounter with fire guardians aware of more of the little beings.
when Pterelas pointed to a near-by
stalagmite which was partly formed "We are not alone," I told the
into a sculpture. others. "There are many of them,
alive and aware. But they take no
"What was that?" he said. "Something notice of us, I don't know why."
moved by that rock."
As we wandered through the carvings,
"I don't see anything, you foolish we spotted many sets of eyes, as we
thief," I mumbled. now knew them to be. If we stopped
-17- More...
at a carving long enough and stared, The two ladies chanted and gestured.
we could see slight movement, so Meanwhile, we got close enough to
slow that it was barely perceptible. the creature to start swinging at
it. Pterelas landed a nasty blow to
We were so enchanted by the cavern the side of its head, only to see
that we forgot our purpose; that is, his sword glance off the hard body
until an awful rending reverberated armor. I thrust my falchion at its
through the cavern. With a crash, a midsection, numbing my entire arm.
section of the wall collapsed into a The creature, evidently enraged at
heap of stone and dust. A scrabbling having dinner interrupted, turned
noise reached our ears from the new and flailed at Inyigo. One of its
opening into the cavern. Through the claws connected; Inyigo fell back,
settling dust, a figure appeared. clutching at the bleeding gash in
his chest.
Shambling upright on two hind legs
was a nightmare to scare anyone. Its Aegyptia pointed at the beast. Its
chitinous body scraped along the eyes glazed over, and it began to
rock. Its four arms, each ending in stumble blindly. Then Penna gestured
a vicious claw, were scooping up and a look of calm and peacefulness
debris and pushing it into a maw big seemed to wash over it. It stopped
enough to hold a hobbit's foot. Two in its tracks.
mandibles, the size of scimitars and
wickedly serrated, crushed large Penna rushed to Inyigo to examine
pieces into smaller chunks to eat. the extent of the poor ranger's
The thing's multifaceted eyes injuries. She closed her eyes and
scanned the cavern, then it fixed laid her hands on the ragged wound,
its gaze upon one of the formations which closed up and reappeared on
and lurched towards the delicate her own chest. She staggered for a
structure. moment and then the wound began to
heal, leaving only a fresh scar.
"You don't suppose it means to--,"
Penna's voice trailed off. The hor- Meanwhile, the rest of us watched in
ror encircled the slender spire with amazement as the little grey ones
its mandibles, and lopped off the gathered closely around the beast.
top part. As it did so, the cavern They knelt and lay their hands on
shuddered as if in pain. All around the ground. A low thrum filled the
the cavern, small figures detached air, and the rock beneath the crea-
themselves from their workplaces and ture's feet began to liquefy. Soon
moved slowly toward the creature. it was half-immersed in molten rock,
Not satisfied with one work of art, and the grey ones stopped. The rock
it reached for the next sculpture. hardened, trapping the monster for
all time. They then scooped rock out
"If those little guys don't hurry, of the ground like clay and encased
that thing is going to destroy all the creature in it. Another sculp-
their work," Inyigo said. "Perhaps ture, a grotesque one this time, was
we should give them a hand?" added to the gallery.
Brandishing his sword, he stepped
forward and Pterelas and I followed. Having stopped the threat to their
work, the little stone beings turned
"You three are going to take down their attention to us, or rather to
that hideous beast?" asked Aegyptia. Penna and Aegyptia.
She turned to Penna. "Why do men
always think that the only way to "Careful, ladies," I cautioned. "I
deal with a problem is to hack it up don't relish the idea of you two
into little pieces?" becoming permanent attractions
here."
"I don't know," sighed Penna. "Maybe
we'd better step in and save them "They don't seem to be hostile
from themselves." toward us, Llorien," said Penna.
-18- More...
The grey ones stationed themselves "I think that it only likes girls,
around the two ladies, and a dark Llorien," chuckled Pterelas.
slate-colored one stepped a little
closer than the others. "Have you seen any of the dark ones
recently?" asked Penna.
"Thgsb erty dfygg," it said and
bowed. It looked expectantly at "Yes, there was a group that came
them, awaiting a reply. through here not long ago." answered
the rock man. "They were going
Aegyptia, scratching her head, toward their dwellings."
looked over at Penna. "What did he
say?" "Do you know this place?" asked
Aegyptia.
Penna shrugged. "You got me. My
knowledge of stone-talking is a bit "We know of it but do not venture
rusty." there," answered the rock man. "The
The creature perked up at the sound way is through the tunnel on the
of the ladies' voices. Haltingly, other side of the cavern. But
with a voice unaccustomed to making beware. They are a harsh people, not
such sounds, it said in a strange at all in tune with the stone."
dialect of elven, "We thank you for "In tune with the stone?" echoed
your help. We would have eventually Penna.
stopped it ourselves, but not before
it had ruined much work." "Yes, unlike you who use the power
in the rock. You use the power
"Oh, you're quite welcome," smiled differently than we do, but the
Penna. source is the same."
The little one squatted on its "I think he means the flows of
haunches. "What are you doing here? essence, Penna," said Aegyptia.
You look like the others, but your Penna nodded.
surface is lighter in hue."
"Do you mean to go there?" asked the
We immediately gathered closer. little one.
"What other ones?" asked Pterelas.
The rock being either did not hear "I'm afraid we have to," said Penna.
Pterelas or chose to ignore him. "One of our friends has been taken
by them."
Aegyptia asked the rock man again,
"What other ones?" "Their place seems to be devoid of
the power. You will be hard pressed
"The dark ones," the being said. there should you require to draw
"The ones who live below." upon it." said the rock man. "Allow
us to give you something to aid you,
Inyigo and I looked at each other, in return for your assistance to
and shook our heads. "Why didn't he us."
just answer Pterelas? " Inyigo
wondered. He gathered the others around him,
then knelt and scooped up some of
"Let me try something," I said. I the rock and began somehow to mold
turned to the rock man and asked, the solid stone. Soon he held a
"What was that creature?" As with small replica of the formations
Pterelas, I got no response. "Your adorning the cavern. He held it
mother was a torkaan and your father above his head, and the others
smelled of windak berries," I placed their hands on it, chanting.
taunted the strange being, hoping to A sonorous song began to form, the
get a response. The rock man vibrations carrying through the rock
continued to be oblivious to my itself. A coruscating light engulfed
presence. the group of little people and was
-19- More...
absorbed into the sculpture. The The Real Thieves Guild -From Page 12
procedure was repeated by the little ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ones, and soon there were two Thieves, perhaps more than others
delicate sculptures. The darker rock since we have formed the first
man stood and gave one of the guild, feel a sense of comradery
figurines to each of the ladies. among themselves. But the Guild
doesn't exist merely for ourselves.
"They are limited, but they help We offer valuable services to all
when you need to access the power," who adventure in Kulthea.
the rock man said. He then bowed to
each lady in turn. "Just rub it." New in the lands? Need a guide?
Want to transport large sums of
Penna and Aegyptia curtsied to the silver? Need a lock picked on a
strange little man. "I wonder what chest? From the graveyard gate to
he means by that?" Aegyptia asked. Iorak's Reach, the Thieves Guild is
"Only one way to find out, I guess." willing and ready to help anyone in
She rubbed the little figurine and need, especially on those dangerous
immediately felt the flow of essence missions when no one else is anxious
power into her body. "Yikes!" excla- to lend a hand.
imed Aegyptia. "It's like a porta- \ /
ble node, or a power storage item!" __/\__
\ /
"A most gracious gift, kind sir," / |/\| \
said Penna to the rock man. **
**
He lead us toward the other side of **
the cavern to a tunnel leading fur- */**
ther into its depths. The ladies bid ****
farewell to the rock beings, and we ()**\*
headed deeper into we knew not what. ||****
The last thing we heard before being *||*****
swallowed up by the tunnel was the *~~***\\
rock man's voice calling out, "Knock **********
upon the rock if you ever have need **********
of us Pekhs." ******()**\\
**//**||****
(To Be Continued) *******||*****
**//***~~*****
*()*************
Torkaan Stew From Page 15 *||***********()
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **||**//*******||*
"Dwale," pronounces Blue, upon quick **~~***********||*
examination. "But from the look on ****************~~**
his face he died of a heart attack." //******()******\\***
********||************
"Did you see that gal he left the **//****||**********()
tavern with? If he'd died in bed, *********~~**********||*
I'd say you were right." ()********************||*
||***//********()*****~~**
"Think she might be involved?" *||*************||*********
***~~*******//****||*****\\***
"Nah. Looks like she did her thing ******************~~**********
and left. Not enough stew for two." **()***********************()****
***||**//****************\\*||*****
They spend a few more minutes going ****||*******//**************||******
things, but they don't find much I ***~~******/ ***| *** *****~~**\\*
didn't. I send the cat running into **/*** *| |* *********
the woods and, once it's safely away | |
from the torkaan stew, I let it go. ~~~~~~~~~~~
-20-
_______________ Cycles (Conclusion)
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Lord Whilder Planrathe
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | hilder ran head through it. She saw the strength of
/@| _|__/ \__|_| on into the invis- the barrier. And the weakness.
\_/_____________/ barrier. Had he Without a second thought, she
been mortal, every bone in his body snapped her wings up and dived at
would have broken. As it was, he the weak area, her talons stretched
simply stopped and looked around. before her. Talons that would
Then he saw It, seeming an eternity strike and slay.
away, yet he knew he could reach
through the barrier and touch It. "No," whispered Whilder. "I will not
join you. I may be destroyed, but I
Chance saw the wolf's sudden stop will not help you."
and immediately wheeled away. She
could not see what had stopped him "But brother, you misunderstand me.
but she knew there was something I do not mean you, personally, shall
there. She began a long circle, slay Life. But the energy of your
looking for her opening, the time to soul will be used to destroy many
strike. living beings. You will cease to
exist in a moment, but your soul
It considered the two before It. will destroy."
Surely, Its immense size must be
intimidating them already. And the Whilder suddenly pushed, straight
barrier would keep them from doing armed, against the barrier, the dull
It any harm. Now was the time for look in his eyes replaced by deter-
It to bring forth the wonderful mination. The hawk's piercing talons
agony It enjoyed so much. It would struck the barrier, and instantly
feed well from these two. the barrier ceased to exist.
Whilder's form suddenly changed. Whilder fell between his father and
Where a moment before stood the brother. Before they could stop him,
wolf, now his naked soul stood as a he pushed forth a bolt of pure
Fair Elf. From the corner of his essence energy, a bolt that tore
eye he saw the hawk continue to into the thing waiting beyond.
circle.
The tinkerer watched the storm rage
Something shifted on the other side just beyond the coast. Terrible
of the barrier. Shifted, formed, bolts of lightning struck the ocean
and became his brother and father. and the rain looked like a grey
wall. Yet, for all its fury, the
"Welcome home, Wild Luck," said his storm seemed to move no closer. And
father. above the leading clouds of the
storm, the glow of Orhan appeared.
"You will now join us, eternally Perhaps he would get his desire;
destroying that which you love. perhaps he would gaze upon Orhan one
That which is called Life," said his last time.
brother.
It screamed. The essence pouring
The words struck Whilder like a through It was pure poison. It had
physical blow. He staggered. He to have energy NOW. It took the two
placed the palm of his hand against hollow souls that It had kept in
the barrier, holding himself slight existence. They would not be
upright. much, but they were better than
nothing against the pain.
She saw the mage almost fall
forward. As his hand touched the She was slammed back by the noise of
barrier she saw a wave ripple Its scream, like a physical blow
-21- More...
shoving her away from the strange placed on the shelf until needed
being. Helplessly, she tumbled again. She searched once more,
through the nothingness, unable to hoping to find something left
stop herself. Then she saw the mage behind. A trinket to take with her
spinning and tumbling along beside to remind her in her waking moments
her. She realized his soul was of the mage. She found nothing.
ebbing into the nothingness, for she
could see through him as though he Weakly, she made her way from the
were made of gauze. She glimpsed lab. She looked upon her armor,
him twisting and turning, trying to standing silent vigil over the room
reach her and then he brushed the outside the lab. The cycle of her
tip of her wing with the palm of his soul being trapped within was over.
right hand. Now began the cycle of service to
the Gods. She made her way through
She was suddenly rocketing through the hallways to the door of the
the nothingness. Straight as an keep. Silently she hoped the Gods
arrow she sped. Across an eternal would not erase her knowledge of
distance. She saw her construct body what she now was.
and the mage's body and then she
slammed to a stop, like she had The tinkerer slowly stood. Sadly,
fallen a great distance onto the he looked once more at the spot the
ground. She realized then that her mage had left so long ago. Looking
soul was in the construct again. up at Orhan, he prayed to Eissa that
She felt as though she had fought the mage's soul had been saved.
for days with no rest. Weakly, she That it was within her realm and not
watched the strange black opening in destroyed like so many others. Like
the wall fade, until it was no a man who had the weight of the
longer there. She attempted to world suddenly dropped upon his
move, but the effort was too much. shoulders, the tinkerer walked off
into the darkness.
As blackness overtook her
consciousness, she knew one thing. Slowly, It healed itself. Energies
The mage was not breathing. freely given by Its followers were
repairing the damage done by the
The tinkerer watched as the storm accursed mage. The mage may have
quickly broke up. The fury of been an elf, but the life span of an
moments before was replaced by the elf was nothing compared to It.
stars of the night sky. And above Carefully It probed the place where
it all shown Orhan. He felt the the portal had been.
evil power that had been building
suddenly ebb. The mage must have Gone. No matter to It. There were
succeeded, but had he survived? The other ways, other plans and schemes.
tinkerer turned his attention back And to a being that measured the
to the spot where the mage had lifespan of a star as a human
teleported. He feared the worst. measured the blink of an eye, there
was always plenty of time.
Slowly she clawed her way back from
the blackness. She awoke and lay She crossed over the fallen door,
gathering strength. She stared at out into the night. She spotted
the spot where the mage's body had Orhan, high overhead. Silently she
been, but there was nothing there waited for the Gods to take her
now. What had happened? Scavengers? back. Long minutes passed. She
shifted her stance ever so slowly,
Perhaps. Perhaps they were not her feet and legs tired. More
interested in her construct body and minutes passed. She shifted her
simply took the mage. Perhaps her legs again.
body did not register at all with
them. It did not matter. She would And then it struck her. Her muscles
be taken up by the Gods again, were cramping from standing.
-22- More...
But that was impossible! She gave an raying silently they were wrong.
involuntary gasp at the thought. And Long moments passed and then they
then she felt it. A heart, beating began speaking. Slowly, they
regularly within her breast. managed to piece together the story
of their return.
The steel statue maintained its
silent vigil. It watched without She did not tell him that she had
emotion as the mage's invisibility been sent by the Gods of Orhan. He
spell wore off. It watched as the did not tell her he knew she was
mage slowly awoke and crawled out sent by the Gods of Orhan. They fell
from under the table where he had together, laughing at the danger
dragged himself before the blackness they had faced. Laughing at the
overtook him. thought of utter destruction of the
soul. They suddenly found life, and
Whilder looked around. Chance's the comfort of their arms around
body was gone. He had tried to help each other.
her. The strain of keeping his soul
with hers and guiding her back had "You teleported into the room. Why
been too much. He remembered did you not leave the same way?"
arriving back in his own body. He
remembered crawling over to her, of Whilder laughed. "The way I left
finding neither heartbeat nor the Landing, there may have bowmen
breathing. He knew then that she had ready to slay me the moment I
not made it. Knowing that he would appeared. Much safer to walk up to
soon lose consciousness, he crawled the gates and tell the city watch
under the table and cast that I had been attacked and was
invisibility upon himself until the merely defending myself. With any
darkness came. How long the spell luck, by now other mages will have
had endured he did not know. explained that the spell I cast was
one of defense, not destruction."
Silently he spoke to Eissa, then set
himself to insuring that the portal She frowned. Then nodded. "I will
was truly gone. tell them what happened."
She stood watching Orhan race across "No."
the night sky, tears streaming down
her face. She was flesh and blood "No?"
again. A new cycle of life would
begin for her, just as the mage's "We will think of something else to
cycle had ended. tell them before we arrive. I will
feel safer the fewer who are aware
It was unfair. It was unjust. of the portal's existence or its
location," Whilder said.
At a sound behind her, she spun,
drawing her rapier. "But, it is gone. You said yourself
you checked."
Whilder walked tiredly across the
fallen door, his feet stirring up Whilder shook his head and looked
thick dust. As he stepped through back into the doorway. "It may be.
the opening, his exhausted mind It also may be a weak point in the
registered the sound of movement essence flows. The fewer who are
accompanied by the swish of a blade. aware of this, the fewer who will
try to reopen it."
Without conscious thought, he called
forth a spell of destruction. She nodded, then smiled impishly.
"If you think few should know, Wild
They stared at each other, the mage Luck, then perhaps you should keep a
and the guardswoman. Each certain close eye on me. I might be tempted
that the other was a ghost. Each to tell." She stared deeply into
-23- More...
his light grey eyes. Grey eyes that man's shoulders. He begged and
seemed to shimmer with the power of cajoled them for information, but
the essence itself. they would simply tell him nothing.
They had no idea that anything had
He slipped an arm about her waist. happened last night. At least,
Slowly they began down the mountain. nothing more than a storm off the
"I always keep a very close eye on coast that bypassed the town.
my Chance."
Whilder repeated his story of being
Her green eyes sparkled, reflecting attacked by an unseen force and
the light from Orhan. Eyes as green using his teleport ring to avoid
as the morning sun softly touching a bringing a battle into the heart of
dew covered leaf in the spring. the town, where many innocent people
could have been killed. His unseen
Epilogue foe had attacked him again, he said.
~~~~~~~~ He had driven the attacker off but
They arrived at the gates to the would need to be wary in case
Landing the next morning. It was far whoever it was came back. The
into the afternoon before the guards tinkerer knew the story to be false
were satisfied with the mage's story but wisely said nothing. Someday,
of his actions the afternoon before. perhaps, he would regain the mage's
Two guards escorted them through the trust and learn the true tale.
town to keep people from panicking
again. The sight of the mage under Early that evening, as a maid
guard would reassure most. carried a serving tray past one of
the many doors, she heard a male
They saw the tinkerer as they were voice from within exclaim, "So
checking into The Raging Threk Inn that's where your birthmark is!"
that afternoon. For some reason
Whilder could not understand, years And the laughter followed her down
seemed to drop from the strange old the hall and into the night.
() /\
_/\_ / \
\ o/ / /\ \
/o^\ --------/ /-------------
/^ o \ \ ----/ /----------- /
/ o ^ \ \ \ / / \ \ / /
/ ^ o \ \ \ / \ \ /
/o ^ o ^ \ \ \ \ \
/_ o ^ o _\ / \ \ / \ \
/ ^ o ^ \ / / \ \ / / \ \
/ ^ o ^ o \ / /----------/ /---\ \
/o ^ o ^ o\ -------------/ /--------
/ ^ o ^ o ^\ \ \/ /
/ o ^ o ^ ^ o\ \ /
/__________________\ \/
\___/
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!
And a Joyous New Year!
-24-
_____________ Kralling Back Home to Momma
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Lloyd Llowd, PhD
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |hanks for all the out the trash might be a better
/@| _|_|_ | letters in response description. Excepting the healer,
\_/__________/ to my first column. we'd never miss the riff-raff the
I found them thoroughly absorbent. Kral wandered off with.
My parrot likes them, too. It's a
nice change from shredded newspaper It's probably just as well the Kral
in her cage. didn't try to use them for their
boat dedication ceremony. Offering
To answer a few of your questions: those characters to the Gods might
No, PhD does not stand for "phony have precipitated the greatest
dork." Yes, my parents were married. deitical rampage since Akbar the Mad
No, they weren't cousins. And the tried to pass off three ladies from
death threat from the Hobbit Anti- Mother Oberloytner's House of
Defamation League was interesting, Passion as vestal virgins during a
though I'd probably take it more visit by Veritia, Demi-Goddess of
seriously if it weren't written in Purity.
crayon.
All in all, my second month here was
Well, the Kral invaded last month, marginally less entertaining than my
if you could call it an invasion. first. The only bright spot was
Judging from the size and ability of watching the constable trying to
the invading force, I'd say their arrest a rather unusual half-elf,
king, Walfeor "Wallflower" Gal'Kel, half-horse creature for not carrying
just sent a few of his servants out a little scoop to clean up after
for burritos and they got lost. herself. He couldn't figure out how
Everyone knows you go to Jaiman for to get the manacles on her and
fast food, not here. eventually just let her off with a
stern warning not to leave any more
It was pathetic. The Kral had every- little "presents" outside.
thing going for them. The defenders
were led by some thieves, a ranger School Daze (Reprise)
with a messiah complex, and one ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
fighter who later impaled himself on A few more scholastic snapshots for
his own sword. They could've bought your albums:
off the thieves and hidden the ran-
ger's soap box, which might have, Lord Lairaerrykthrok TykilVuul:
mercifully, shut him up. Earned his diploma when he finally
learned to spell his own name after
Most of the more powerful Lords 18 years. Liked to pass out shaded
couldn't even be bothered to get out eyewear to protect his friends from
of bed, though I do understand the his "blinding" personality.
hobbits' problem. The invasion came
well past bedtime, and their mothers Lord Gallenod Varynesti: Voted Most
wouldn't let them out to play. Likely to Fold, Spindle, and
Mutilate. A fascination with sharp
The dragon was more entertaining. I edges started him on a career in
enjoyed the aerial show, though I origami, though he failed his Black
never did figure out who the fat git Scissors exam when he failed to cut
on his back was. Or how the poor his way out of a wet paper bag.
dragon managed to stay in the air
with all that weight on him. Lord Elvanion Darkholt: Was the
trainer for every female sports team
All in all, it was a complete bust in the school. Never actually played
as far as invasions go. And then any sports, but was KPS #42's All-
there was the kidnapping. Taking out Time Scoring Champ.
-25-
KEV3N7
[end]