Kelfour Edition volume II number V
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^^'''^^
(((\\|//)))
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// ) ( \ \
|/ \ X / \ <-- Meet Helga on Page 6 |
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|( _\V/_ ) |
>\\(o>)<o)//< |
\=( .O. )=/ GemStone III'S October 1991 |
||/\ /v\ /\| Vol.2, No.5 |
| _| HHH |_ _ _ _ ___ |
|/ \ \_/ / \ / ) / ) / ) / __) |
/ \___/ \ / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
/ / \_/ \ \ / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
/ /. .\ \ / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
\ \__//^\\__/ / (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
\ \) ( / _____ _ _ _ _ |
|\/=/\M/\==\/ / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
|( ^^v^^ ) / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
/ \ / \ / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| : \. ./: : | / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| : . . : : | (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| : . . : : | |
| : . . : : | The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| : . . : : |______________________________________________________|
| : . . : : |______________________________________________________|
| : . . : : | |
| : . . : : | Local News ............. 1 Hall of Fame 28 |
|\/:\/.\/.\:/:\| Song for Yuri ............. Amelda Heronheart 1 |
|\//\/ \/ \/\/\/ Cold Shoulders ..... Lady Wisraith Winterwind 2 |
|\_/ | _/' \_ Overview of Professions ....... Isei Ikazuchi 3 |
\___/\_/ \____/ Warrior Art .................. Inyigo Montoya 4 |
| A Bottle of Rumors ...... Michaelos Durandero 5 |
| The Big Picture ........................... Twyndle Majeer 7 |
| Riders on the Storm, Book Review ........ Artemis Al~Anhir 8 |
| A Day to Forget .................... Lady Taarna Wayfinder 10 |
| Steel Golem map ............................. Phaedra Bleu 12 |
| CSS Unraveled: Spell & Reverse Spell Law ..... |<enner Boh 13 |
| On Entering Kulthea .................. Lord Rhys Corwinson 15 |
| Lands of the Rich and Famous ............. Elzbeth Collins 18 |
| I'm (Almost) Second Level ............... Cartek Dammacles 21 |
| Otter Lore .................................. Siobann Nimm 23 |
| Kalagay in Mur Fosityr ................... Kalagay Halatil 24 |
| Of Mice and Half-Elves, Part 2 ........ Gallenod Varynesti 26 |
| Chest and Unsigned Poem Found ............... Lian Winslow 28 |
| The Eyes Have It .................. Miss Louvella Parsnips 29 |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition is devoted to the multi-player game of GemStone III |
| on the GEnie Information Network. Submissions are edited for space |
| accuracy and readability. Contact Editor Lady Wisraith Winterwind, |
| Asst.Editor Lady Rune Arundel, or Publisher Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail |
| for details at P.HERRINGTON. Copyright (C) 1991 Kelfour Edition. |
| Freely distributable when kept intact. Logo letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|__
\_/____________________________________________________________________/
Local News /\
~~~~~~~~~~ /TO\
/ ALL\
GemStone III Bulletin Board / THOSE\ Strange Encounters
Goes GEnie*Basic / WHO \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ / FOUGHT \ Strange goings on around the
On Oct. 1, 1991, the Bulletin | AND WON! | Landing have been reported
Board for all of Kulthea | * | lately. None less than a
became effectively free! Yes, | Sept 29/91 | fairy, cat, owl and mouse
the Multi-Player RoundTable | Gladitorial| were reputedly seen cavort-
Bulletin Board is now included | Games! | ing upstairs in the Wayside
in GEnie*Basic services. Even | * | Inn, and Alexis, Dec and
if all you do is lurk, reading |Free-For-All| Rune were wandering the
postings there by top players, | (No Magic) | graveyard one night when
GameMasters and Simutronics | Gallenod | they were confronted by a
management is guaranteed to | Foskat | large white cat.
increase your enjoyment in | Darkhan |
GemStone III because it will | Artaq | Knowing there to be no cats
immediately increase your | * | willing to brave the Unlife,
knowledge of the game. | One-On-One | they examined this creature
| (Magic) | thinking it a familiar, the
Hundreds of questions, | Gallenod | favored pet of a witch, mage
answers, opinions and playing | Griffon | or warlock.
tips are available there on | Isei |
menu option #1 at GEnie page | Airioch | They were puzzled, however,
1045. If you don't know how | Dagmar | as they knew of none in all
to navigate a Bulletin Board, | * | Kulthea who owned a fami-
look in the May 1991 Kelfour |Free-For-All| liar. As they stood there
Edition (KEDITION.12) for a | (Magic) | pondering this strange
tutorial with examples using | Gallenod | occurrence, the cat spoke.
the GemStone topics themselves. | Griffon |
(Topics 17 through 20). | Isei | In a decidedly unfriendly
| Kodos | manner it said, "Dec, your
Welcome New GameMasters! | Fxg | days are numbered." As they
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | * | gasped in horror, the cat
Look closely the next time you |Team Combat | surveyed them from evil
see Draxiel or Samiel. | (Magic) | green eyes. As Rune reached
| Sioban & | for her falchion, the cat
It's not often we get TWO new | Gallenod | faded into the shadows.
GameMasters in Kulthea, and | Griffon & |
this duo in particular pro- |Rory &Foskat| Other monsters have sup-
mises new fun and improvement | Elminester&| posedly been heard jeering
to game mechanics as well. |Griffon&Isei| at hunters. One reputedly
Both are programmers of repute | Michealoos&| called Dec and Wisraith
as well as nice guys in that |Griffon&Isei| bullies. Further occurrences
elusive land known as Earth. | Wisraith & | should be reported to KE.
__________|Fxg& Airioch|__________
// .... \
Song for Yuri \\__________ ___________/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \ /
By Amelda Heronheart | Hosted | But the radiant glow
| by | On his youthful face
Behold Lord Yuri | Vlad | Shines most brightly before
The fighting fury | & | he hurries
What will it take to tame him? | Dec! | From the temple door
A centaur hide / \ To hunt Manticore
He may offer with pride ( ) After Dagmar has made him
To a damsel on a whim... \__________/ blurry.
-1-
Editorial: Cold Shoulders
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Wisraith Winterwind
/ \ ________ \
\@| ~|~|~~|| |
| |~|_ ~~ |riends are easily made Kelfour's Landing attracts a rather
_| |~|-| | in Kelfour's Landing. strange breed, open and friendly but
/@| |~| | You see it all the fiercely proud and equally vulner-
\_/ ~~~~~ / time: The friendly able. The combination of pride and
~~~~~~~~~~~ smiles and hugs, the vulnerability has some distinctive
consoling rubs on the shoulder. We alchemical properties. It makes us
give these to those we hardly know, afraid to be hurt, especially by
to the newest additions to our com- those who know us well, and we
munity. Sometimes this casual fam- convince ourselves that rapproach-
iliarity generates a real friend- ment is not OUR responsibility. We
ship, a genuine affinity between are so afraid of rejection that we
people. We share our hopes, am- don't make the first step to recon-
bitions, foibles and failures. Such ciliation. We may even be afraid to
friendships can develop with startl- accept someone else's attempt.
ing speed, perhaps faster than else- Coupled with that, we don't want to
where. I have experienced the joy of appear "weak" by capitulating or
developing such relationships and being the first to say, "I'm sorry,"
spent much time laughing and so our pride also interferes with
savoring the company of those I care reconciliation. We may think, "If
about and trust. Therein is a sin- he doesn't want to be my friend
gular and healthy magic. anymore, that's HIS loss." Repeat
this often enough and you may find
Unfortunately, I have also experi- yourself a lonely person in a sea of
enced good friendships slip away, former friends. Whose loss is it
the magic gradually or instantly then?
gone. Though you have to look for
it, almost as frequently as a hug is I can think of few things more sad
exchanged there is a stony, stubborn than losing a friendship to a misun-
silence between people who used to derstanding because neither party
be friends. So why do solid friend- was brave or humble enough to step
ships dissolve into these uncom- forward. The longer we wait, the
fortable silences? less likely are we to ever say
something and the farther away the
Sometimes we drift apart without friendship goes. Regrets turn to
knowing why. Maybe we see each bitterness, and rather than blame
other less as we each discover new ourselves for being stubborn and
things. Sometimes we never find out cowardly we blame the other for
why a person is distant because they hurting us. We may even actively
aren't brave enough to tell us or work against one we used to call
they mistakenly think we know. friend in petty crusades designed
Sometimes we only give people one hurt back as much as we think we
chance; they blow it and we never have been hurt.
give them the opportunity to do
better the next time. Sometimes we It occurs to me that I would rather
cut friendships short because we acknowledge that I might have been
find new friends and forget to con- wrong and renew a broken friendship
tinue nurturing the older friendship than believe I am infallible and
for the novelty of the new. Some- lose a thing of value. I have waited
times we misunderstand other's too long, perhaps, but I say to some
actions or intentions. These things of you, "our friendship was impor-
may account for why a friendship tant to me and I miss it. Can't we
fails, but what prevents such try to get it back?"
divisions from being patched up?
-2-
Starting Right:
An Overview of Professions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By Isei Ikazuchi
_______________
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|elcome to Gemstone! most at low levels. Famous fighters
| |~|/~~\|~| | If you are reading are Ise, Kirc, Benar and Gilthor.
_| |~/~/\~\~| | this, you are most
/@| _|__/ \__|_| likely interested Clerics are the only ones that can
\_/_____________/ in starting off on fight the Unlife without the need of
the right foot. This article focuses blessing weapons. There is a shop
on how to begin your life in Gem- that is just for Clerics that sells
Stone with the right character for holy weapons for them near the town
YOU. The first thing you have to do Temple. The nicest thing about
is choose the profession you are Clerics is their ability to resur-
most likely to stick with and be rect other characters at higher
known as in GemStone. There are levels. Ressurection becomes a
eight professions: Bards, Fighters, Cleric's main avenue of advancement
Clerics, Mages, Thieves, Sorcerers, as they are given a lot of exper-
Healers and Rangers. Different ience when they sucessfully perform
strengths and weaknesses give each lifegiving. Clerics are much needed,
profession a unique aspect and loved and respected for their
outlook; you may want to try a ability to restore life. Famous
variety before you settle on one. Clerics are Sindar and Taarna.
Bards augment their fighting ability High level Mages are powerful
with magical songs. At present, people; they are well liked,
however, neither of the spell lists respected and feared, but to get up
available to them is completed. If there takes a lot of time, effort,
you would like to become one, you persistence and patience. The
should know that Bards are rewards are worth it. They have a
fascinating and generally well variety of spells, both offensive
received. Right now, however, it and defensive. They also have mis-
takes more than songs and poetry to cellaneous spells that are most
be a successful Bard in GemStone and useful in quests and such. Mages are
due to the lack of completed spell fun and very interesting and if you
lists, relatively few people choose already like casting all sorts of
to be Bards at this time. Enegue is spells, you should try this pro-
the most famous Bard in GemStone. fession. Famous Mages are Dagmar,
Karel, Lythe and Wisraith.
Fighters are particularly good for
beginners because they are simple to If you like to be independent,
play and loads of fun at lower versatile and rich, the Thief pro-
levels. What sets them apart from fession is the best choice. Their
other professions in the arms realm low skill costs allow them to
is the ability to specialize cheaply develop a variety of abilities and
in two-handed weapons. The two offsets their lack of magical
handed sword is incomparable in prowess. Pickpockets are not
damage it inflicts, making up for appreciated but "honorable" thieves
the magic deviod nature of the are respected for their ability to
profession. The disadvantage to disarm and open chests for others
using two-handed weapons is (usually for a service charge).
increased vulnerability since you Stealthy by nature, high level
cannot carry a shield. Fighters tend thieves are deadly ambushers and can
to have the most concussion points stalk and hide with ease. Famous
and therefore can last longer than thieves are Valeria and Moonpie.
-3- More...
Sorcerers are powerful magic users. Rangers make great combatants and
Trading flexibility for power, they companions. Their ability to cast
are not as versatile as most other spells of protection is a big bonus
professions. Taking power from two to them and to their friends. They
realms of magic means being able to are not as versatile as thieves but
have a wide variety of spells to this lack is offset by their grasp
choose from and that power points of magic. Being both arms and magic
are derived based on two stats, using, they are similar to Bards. As
rather than just one for other of now, the Ranger base spell list
professions. The sorcerer base list is unfinished. Despite this there
has been completed up to the level 6 are many famous Rangers out there,
spell. A challenging profession to including Fxg, Yuri, Nastorm,
develop, sorcery concentrates on Corwin, Talon, Maruko and Rune.
offense. Be warned, sorcerers do not
have any defensive spells. Nice Which profession is right for you?
spells at lower levels may be an If you aren't sure or are tempted by
incentive to try one out. Xura is more than one, talk to the suc-
GemStone's most famous sorcerer. cessful members of the professions
that interest you; they can go into
If you would like to get to know the detail about the strengths, weak-
game, chat, feel the atmosphere and nesses, triumphs and pitfalls of
be respected, the Healer profession their professions. Also, don't be
is the one for you. There will afraid to try a variety of pro-
always be adventurers in need of fessions yourself or to switch to
your care. In addition to combat, another if you find one doesn't suit
you gain experience by healing and you. GemStone is a world of options
your ability to heal more severe and the variety of professions
damage increases as you go up in provides many unique opportunities.
level. Famous healers are Kayla,
Rhys and Strom.
__________________________________________________________________________
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| **&***/ /** *************/ -_/ \__ \_*_************* |
| **&*/ /** *****/ \_--_ \ / _--_/ \/ I \*** |
| *****& /** ****/ _- -_ -V- _- -_ ( I \*** |
| *[\\\\ &** ***/ _- _-_ -_/|\_- _-_ (\ I /\*** |
| *[ / -/\&** ***/ .- _- -_ -.- _- ( \\ I / |** |
| ***\./ /\** **/ :_- -_ / \ _- ( \\ I / |** |
| *****\/ \***/ /( . \( o )/ . ( \\/ \/ |** |
| ****\ \( /**( \_________/\_/ \_______(======| O |----|** |
| ***\ ( /** **( / \ ( //\_/\ |** |
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| ***\__ /*** **\ / / .;. \ \ ( // I \ |** |
| ******** **\ / / ..;.. \ \ ( // I \/** |
| **\ /___/ ...;... \___\ /*(/ I / |
| Art by **\((((_____;_____))))/** \_____I___/ |
| Inyigo Montoya **|o o o o o o o o o |** |
| **|o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_|** |
|__________________________________________________________________________|
Painting Thirteen purchased by Vlad Drakulya at the Art Auction
-4-
A Bottle of Rumors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_________ by Michealos Durandero
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |
| |~| |t was a fine afternoon ing he continued telling me of his
_| |~| | that found me resting reasons to move to the north.
/@| _|~|_ | after some hunting in
\_/ ~~~~~ / the hollow tree south of "My name is Foloc and I have fallen
~~~~~~~~ the Dragonsfang Forest. on misfortune. I used to be a weap-
I sat and, taking my bottle from my ons trader for the chieftains of the
sack, poured some wine in a cup and greater orc tribes but they have
drank. As I finished, my reverie witnessed their chests being raided
was interrupted by a kobold that had by the people of Kelfour's Landing
the misfortune to stroll in. With and have stopped buying as before.
three swings of my broadsword it was
dead. I returned to my wine. "My livelihood could survive this
but not on top of the hobgoblins
I was just settling in again when moving from twohanded to short
the lesser orc arrived. He was old- swords and chain hauberks only being
looking and wore leather armor, un- used by the odd wealthy orc."
usual for his breed. I hastily stood
and was reaching for my eog I nodded to him. I had noticed this
broadsword when he spoke. I was change in armament myself, partic-
amazed, and stayed my hand; I had ularly since chain hauberks are
heard of orcs that could speak the worth a considerable amount at the
common tongue but had never met one pawn shop. He continued telling me
myself. His accent was thick and about how he had to sell most of his
guttural, but I managed to under- inventory at next to no profit, or
stand him. sell nothing at all. At this point I
interrupted his narrative, "All
"Please don't kill me," he said, "I right, I can see why you wish to
am only a poor orc emigrating to the leave this area, but where then is
north. I mean you no harm." the information to help my people
with which you will buy your life?"
I thought about killing him despite
his words but lesser orcs are not "The orcs have bought some new traps
famous for carrying a lot of silver and installed them in their chests.
and I would learn nothing from his The new suppliers have sold them to
death. He spoke again, "If you spare many creatures," he said.
me I will give you information that
will benefit you and your people." "What manner of traps are these?"
I gestured for him to sit and I Grinning to show one of his missing
rested back on my heels, keeping my teeth he replied, "Oh, some sort of
broadsword in hand. I asked why he magical vial that releases a stun
was moving to the north, since it cloud when broken. The new supplier
was more common to see his brethren is a grey orc who has found a way to
from the mine area traveling south. create a potion with the spell."
He told me that he wanted to end his
years in peace and where he might His information confirmed the rumors
have a chance of survival. I had been hearing about such an
advance in trap technology. Thinking
Clearing his throat as a signal of there was no more he could tell me,
its dryness, he glanced toward my I was rising to leave when he said,
bottle of wine. I poured some in a "There is more. Would you like to
dirty cup that I use for odd things hear something about the hill
and offered it to him. After drink- trolls?"
-5- More...
I looked at him and wondered what the powers they had granted the
he could tell me about the dangerous trolls many years ago."
creatures which rival their cousins
the cave trolls in cunning and When I asked which powers, he smiled
swordsmanship. I knew that most and this time he did not wait for me
adventurers avoided them as too to pour for him but took the bottle
difficult. I asked him what he could himself. He drank again and winking
tell me of them and he extended his said, "The power to withstand stuns.
cup. As I poured more wine, he Without this ability they have
continued talking. It was becoming become less aggressive and no longer
increasingly difficult to understand attack with the strength or defend
what he was saying as his orcish with the quickness they once did.
accent got thicker as he drank. He They are still powerful but can no
began a tale of how the hill trolls longer challenge the Unlife they
had angered agents of the Unlife. dispute with.
"The Unlife have begun new opera- Hill trolls could be stunned now? I
tions near the territory of the hill could hardly believe it. The orc had
trolls and they objected. In retali- more than paid for his life so when
ation, the Unlife masters took away I rose I left the remaining wine.
Continued on page 7
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@ @
| ^^'''^^ |
| (((\\|//))) |
| .=====. |
| / ) ( \ ___________________________________ |
| / \ X / \ / \ |
| |/\_\ /_/\| / A HU-MAN I shant vonder... \ |
| ( _\V/_ ) /_ \ |
| >\\(o>)<o)//< | Right here in this elwen willage? | |
| \=( .O. )=/ __ | | |
| |/\ /v\ /\| / \ | Madame Helga *lo-o-ves* Humans! | |
| _| HHH |_ /_/\ \ \ | |
| / \ \_/ / \ ( ^ \...& vhat Helga vants Helga gets :)| |
| / \___/ \ ^^/ \ / |
| | / \_/ \ \ / / \ Now,now,dahling: Come to Mama! / |
| |/. .\\ \/ / \______ _______________________/ |
| |\__//^\\__/ \ / |
| | |) ( |
| |-/=/\M/\==\ |
| |( ^^v^^ ) |
| - / \ / \ |
| \| : \. ./: : |<<-tattoo on rump reads: |
| | : . . : : | 'PROPERTY of SIMUTRONICS'-<<< |
| | : . . : : | |
| | : . . : : | |
| | : . . : : | |
| | : . . : : | |
| | : . . : : | ******************************** |
| | : . . : : | * * |
| | : . . : : | * 'Kelfour Komic Karicatures' * |
| |\/:\/.\/.\:/:\| * * |
| \//\/ \/ \/\/\/ ******************************** |
| |\_/ | /' \ |
| \___/\_/ \____/ |
@______________________________________________________________________@
Drawing Twentyfour purchased at the Art Auction by Airioch Ramthanodox
-6-
The Big Picture
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ By Twyndle Majeer
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |s I traveled the roads Perhaps they are newcomers to the
| //|"| | back toward my home- land who have never been in a
_| //=|"| | land from Kelfour's society quite like this one; people
/@| // |"| | Landing I began to who took for granted members of
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / think about those I their own communities. I, for one,
~~~~~~~~~~~~ was leaving behind. thought that I could pick my friends
It occurred to me that I had never and loved ones and sculpt my own
really thought of them as people life from others'. That was wrong.
before. I think part of the reason We all need to remember that behind
was that in my family, we were the eyes of every hunting partner or
taught that all races apart from companion at the temple, there is a
elves were inferior. When I arrived real and caring person who feels and
at Kelfour's Landing, I immediately reacts. We must be cautious that we
started to take the people there for do not treat them like props. Others
granted. I felt they were just there don't want to be treated with less
to play a role in my life. respect than you expect from others.
All this began to change one day a I know that when I return from my
while ago. I had a talk with a cer- kingdom deep in the wild woods of
tain female who showed me the light, yonder, that I will be a new person,
even if I didn't see it until later. a person who treats others as people
She told me I was pushing on her. and learns to act around them like
What she meant was that I was asking they were my equals and not dummies
her to do things for me too often. set up for me to do with as I
At the time I was angry but as I please. We must all remember to be
rode towards my far away home, what calm, gracious, and respectful to
she had said started to make sense. all around us, whether they are
I then realized that no matter what Lord, Lady, or newcomer in these
you think of the others in Kelfour, fine lands, for they too have feel-
you have to treat them as equals and ings worthy of consideration. I
as people. want to thank that lovely lady for
having the courage to stand up for
I think that there are others who herself and teach me so important a
make the same mistake as I did. lesson. You know who you are.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bottle of Rumors: Concluded It fell to the ground with a crash.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When it did not try to rise I looked
Wanting to investigate immediately more closely and the glazed eyes
if his information was the truth, I confirmed the orc's words. It was
headed for the abandoned inn where I stunned. I took advantage and struck
knew they could often be found. again, quickly finishing it. It
After waiting a while, an unsuspect- carried some silver and a crystal
ing hill troll ambled in. It struck amulet, plus I took its augmented
at me, and its attack WAS less pow- breasplate and the two-handed sword
erful! When I responded in kind it and, putting them in my sack, headed
was clear that its defense was down back to town and the pawnshop where
as well. Still, the fight was a I received 66 silvers for the sword
difficult one so reaching into my and 188 for the breastplate.
sack for a magical statue I kept
there, I rubbed it vigorously and Later I sat in the temple, re-
felt its mystical power making me flecting on the day's excitement.
quicker and harder to hit. The next "No doubt many adventurers will now
time it swung it became afraid and visit the hill trolls," I thought.
ran. Following, I swung with all my "Perhaps, fighters like me will now
might, and connected with its leg. be able to prosper in our lands."
Riders on the Storm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Artemis Al~Anhir
/ \____ ____\
\@|~|~~\ |~|~|ow that the Hot Summer with Unlife, that Lythe would be
| |~\~\|~| | Nights are over and able to sniff him out from a mile
_| |~|\~\~| | the days are dwind- away. This guy is more determined
/@|_|~| \~~|_| ling down, I suppose to dominate Shadow World than Dec is
\_/~~~~ ~~~~/ you've resigned your- to roll the perfect character. His
~~~~~~~~~~~ self to yet another schemes include the theft of a
winter plopped down by the fizzling Navigator's compass with which he
fireplace, whittling yet another set plans to gate in Demons from beyond
of Windak Wood toothpicks. Well, the Pale, the fomentation of civil
despair not brave adventurers! This war through the murder of one of
winter, as those cold winds blow in Jaiman's most beloved princes, the
from Claedesbrim Bay you can curl up recovery of dark necromantic power
inside that werebear rug and read from the ruined walls of Quell-
Stormriders, the first Shadow World bourne, and the seduction of Kella,
novel, by Roxanne Longstreet. This whose nascent power and affinity for
is a dynamite book set in and around the Unlife make her his ideal tool.
our own kooky Kelfour's Landing. This is one bad dude!
This book is more exciting than
making a level, more gripping than a Then there's Iarsang the Navigator.
+20 grappling net, more electric This poor guy is ambushed by Jadel,
than a shockbolt blast, more...well, has his Compass ripped from his
you get the idea. body, and is left for dead. He must
find Jadel and retrieve his Compass
All the ingredients for a sizzling before it can be used to summon the
story are present, not least of Demons from Beyond the Pale, and
which is a well developed and exe- before the separation kills him. I
cuted plot. Distilled to its ess- felt so sorry for this guy I almost
ence, Stormriders might well have forgave all the times that his
been titled, 'Unlive and Let Die', colleagues made off with my gold
or 'An Extraordinary Unlife' or even rings and my silver.
'One Unlife To Live'. Yes, once
again the Unlife has reared its There's also Tiernan and Laurel.
diabolical head in an attempt at He's a prince so charming, so dar-
Shadow World domination. But this ing, so reckless, he might as well
is not just another one of those be a Hobbit. Unfortunately for him,
Good vs Evil, Light vs Dark stories, his death is Jadel's trigger for
for Stormriders is chock full of civil war. This fellow is more
characters better fleshed out than a endangered than a torkaan roast on a
troop of Hobbits after All-U-Can-Eat Hobbit's supper table. His "friend"
night at Helga's. Laurel, the Half-elven Illusionist
daughter of a Loremaster is no
There's Brion, Kella, and Evan, better off. Unfortunately, she's
father, mother, and son, plucked head-over-heels in love with Tier-
from their "ordinary world" by an nan. Sheesh! She stares at this guy
Essence-generated rift in time/space the way I look at a glazed donut!
and dumped like used wands smack dab
in the middle of a Good vs Unlife- We can't forget about Andraax the
free-for-all. The fact that they pos- Mad Loremaster. He's an Essence user
sess mystical talents making Dagmar of unparalleled power. Too bad he's
look like a cheap carnival magician as befuddled as a Hobbit is pudgy.
only adds fuel to the flames. Too bad for Evan, Andraax takes a
liking to him. This mad Mage, con-
There's Jadel, the Elvan Sorcerer. tinually pops up and spirits poor
Here's a guy so evil, so saturated Evan away.
-8-
Finally, we have Tyes the Lore- Travel deep within the Spider Temple
master. This guy's got more work and view Hrassk's ghastly sacri-
than a janitor after the Argent ficial ceremonies. Sail with the Sea
Aspis party. He's got to help Brion Kral to their island fortress, Trel-
find Evan and Kella; he's got to kinaark'est. Spend an evening at
help Iarsang find Jadel and recover Cheldar's Bathhouse. Gain some
the compass; he's got to find insight into the Navigators and the
Andraax; and he's got to find his Loremasters. Even Tyron makes a
daughter Laurel. Phew! His hands are guest appearance.
fuller than a Hobbit during a visit
to the pastry shop. I do have a few minor quibbles with
Stormriders. First is the complete
Complex characters, and a complex and total absence of Hobbits from
plot, but Longstreet manages to pull this book. There are Orcs, and Kral,
all these subplots together tighter and Humans, and Dwarves, and plenty
than my purse-string at a pick- of Elves, but no Halflings! What
pockets' convention. But, as my does Longstreet have against us
gravedigger uncle used to say,"A little hairy people? Speaking of
good plot is nice, but it's what's Elves, I've never read a more Elf-
buried in it that's important." True centric book in my life. Most of the
enough! And there's lots of other truly powerful and interesting
goodies to be found in Stormriders. people are Elves. The "most hand-
some", "most beautiful" characters
For you hack-em, slash-em, bash-em, are Elves. I wouldn't be at all
fry-em types, there's fighting surprised if this Longstreet person
galore. Shudder as you read the was tall, with fair skin and pointed
grisly descriptions of Iarsang's ears. My second quibble is the size
ambush by the Unlife. Shiver with of the book. It is 287 pages long
every word of Tyes' battle with the but it's a very short 287 pages. The
Major Spiders. Ooooh and aaaah as people at ICE really tried to
Tyes attempts to banish the Demons stretch things. There's 15 pages of
from beyond the Pale. Gasp at the ICE product summaries; the top and
account of Brion's duel with the bottom margins could make a High-Man
Gerdar the Duelist. fall short, and a blank line is
inserted after each paragraph.
Speaking of gasping, there's heaps
of romance too. More hanky-panky As I said my quarrels with the book
goes on in this book than at Buy- are minor. I thoroughly enjoyed
One-Get-One-Free night at Cheldar's Stormriders and recommend it
Bathhouse! Jadel and Kella, Tiernan wholeheartedly to all of you out
and Laurel, Iarsang and Daphine; my there in GSIII. This is ICE'S first
little ears are turning red at the offering in the Roleplaying novel
thought of it. genre. They assured me that
Stormriders could be found in major
Of course there's humor too. Grin as book and tome stores, such as
Andraax turns himself into a Sea Waldenbooks or Tomes-R-Us. If you
Dragon, swallows Tiernan whole, only can't locate Stormriders in your
to spit him up a moment later. area, you can order it directly from
Giggle as Tiernan becomes the ICE. I was able to get through to
unwitting recipient of a spell that ICE on my amulet during one of those
makes him irresistible to women. freaky Essence storms, but the ICE
Guffaw as mad Andraax discusses the representative suggested using
meaning of life with a rock! device called a telephone (?) to
contact them. The device is
Best of all though, is the fact that activated by the following magical
Stormriders takes place in the incantation: 804-295-4280. The
beloved territory of Kelfour's future release of other fine novels
Landing. Numerous elements of GSIII from ICE depends on the success of
are vividly described in the book. Stormriders, so happy reading!
A Day to Forget
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_________ by Lady Taarna Wayfinder
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |
| |~| | sighed again, but this tavern, Taarna." She and Enegue had
_| |~| | time I started choking. been tired by the battle, and had
/@| _|~|_ | The warm glow of the sought the comforts of town to relax
\_/ ~~~~~ / fading afternoon light a bit. Glancing at my companions, I
~~~~~~~~ was becoming dull brown knew I was useless here, so I bid my
as a huge dust cloud was once again farewells and headed back to town.
created by my friends. As I entered Helga's, sounds of
I tried to quiet my cough, not merriment filled my ears and I
wishing to be noticed. It was bad almost left my dampened spirits
enough that all I could do was stand behind. Though I felt uncomfor-
there, leaning on my mace, unable to table here, not wanting to dis-
help in the battle. Dagmar and Moon- appoint Rune, I wandered through the
pie were hardly recognizable. The tavern until I found her and Enegue
glistening sheen which had previous- at a small table at the back.
ly coated their bodies, acted as a I declined the offer of a drink
magnet for the tiny particles which and asked Rune what she needed. A
now filled the air. falchion!? My mood brightened for
I had been invited, as had sev- this I could do. I had fought the
eral others, to join a hunting wight lords many times before,
expedition to the spider temple. I knowing well how treacherous they
hoped to at least inflict some small can be. Rune wanted to accompany me,
wounds on our prey. I wanted to and I tried to dissuade her, fearing
share the feelings of fear and for her safety and noticing the arm
excitement which caused my comrades' Enegue had around her shoulder.
eyes to shine with abandon but it "Stay here, and relax with Enegue.
was not to be. I had swung with all I shan't be long," I said, but she
my might at a snarling hound only to insisted. As I was still feeling a
feel my mace bounce off its tough useless and dejected, I couldn't
hide. The beast didn't even flinch. deny that I'd welcome the company,
Though disappointed, I remembered so we quickly prepared to leave.
the wand tucked away in my backpack. Upon arriving in the lower level
Quickly shouldering my shield, I of the dungeon, I felt its dampness
withdrew it. As the hound was immediately begin to seep into my
blind, due to a successful spell I bones. It was cool and dangerously
had previously cast, perhaps I now quiet and we snuck about, trying not
had a chance to strike it. to let our presence be known.
Suddenly there was a tremendous Turning a corner, we ran smack
gust of wind and our prey fell to into a wight lord! I hastily mur-
the ground, helpless. I quickly mured my spell, hoping to calm it,
waved my wand, watching as a bolt of but it spied Rune and realized she
light struck it. Nothing happened. was defenseless against its magic.
Luckily the others were oblivious Before I could cast, Rune was
to my meager attempt to help, their enveloped in the boiling earth. Her
battle screams filling the air as screams echoed through the dank
they quickly finished off the hound. halls, then fell suddenly quiet as I
It was times like these that I won- flung my spell to calm the wight
dered about my choice of profession. lord. I was shocked as I saw her
I quietly replaced my wand and lifeless body before me. Shaking, I
readied my shield again as I foll- cast this time at Rune, binding her
owed the group through the forest as soul to her body for a few more
they hunted their next victim. moments as I frantically raced thr-
Then I heard Rune's voice echo- ough the area, calming a golem as I
ing through my mind. "Come to the passed, returning quickly to Rune's
-10- More...
crumpled form. Dagmar yelled out to me to leave
Thanking the gods that I could do this spot at once, and to wait in
so, I restored her life to her once the heavens above while he searched
again, watching as she suddenly for another cleric to rejoin my
blinked out of sight to safety. As spirit with my body.
I stood frozen, waiting for the As I floated over my earthly
effects of the spell to wear off, form, I worried for Bashir's safety.
feelings of ineptness washed over me This was an extremely dangerous
for I hadn't even been able to place to have to resurrect someone,
procure the falchion. I thought but he had already strengthened the
about staying and trying to get one bond between my soul and body, so I
for her, but weakness overwhelmed me could not depart and ask Eissa for
and I knew I also had to leave. another chance.
Removing my ring, I welcomed the As a bright light enveloped me, I
thought of the hard floors of the heard my heart pounding in my ears
temple. This was just not my night. and the blood coursed through my
But as I slid the ring back on my veins once again. Gratefully I hug-
finger I blinked in surprise. This ged Bashir, thanking him with all my
wasn't the temple! heart for giving me life once again.
I recognized the tree that the He ordered me to leave immediately,
hound had earlier lain before and and there was a ring on the ground
quickly used my ring again, hoping for me to use. Obeying, I grabbed
the wight lord would not awaken. the ring, this time being trans-
Desperately, I called for help, as I ported safely back to the temple. I
knew I could not walk through the was embarrassed that I had forgotten
dungeon in my weakened state. to set my own ring for this safe
Relief poured over me as Moonpie haven, for I had so often told
offered to lend me his ring, if I others to make sure they did so.
would but ring back to that tree My head ached, I was battered and
again. I reacted quickly, and was bruised, but alive. As I lay down
suddenly breathing in the cool to rest, I felt Rune's arms around
forest air once again. Graciously, me, blaming herself for my death.
Moonpie handed me his ring and Knowing full well that it was my own
thanking him, I slipped it on. carelessness that had caused this, I
A sudden jolt of pain ripped returned her hug, trying to reass-
through me, as I stood facing a ure her that she was not to blame.
spider servant. As it knocked me to The peace I was beginning to feel
the ground, I tried in vain to use was shattered by an overwhelming
the ring to take me from this place. sense of despair. Bashir had just
I felt a searing pain shoot through died. Without thinking, I stood,
my head and then I felt nothing. feeling my knees crumple beneath me.
Wanting to cry but unable to, I I was not strong enough yet to go to
looked down at the blood pouring his aid. The despair deepened, as I
from my forehead, the servant prod- heard the cry for help from his
ding my lifeless body. My shield! companion. I answered that I could
It was on the ground. I prayed hard not yet venture from the temple, but
to Oriana, that Dagmar and Moonpie would do so as soon as I was able.
would notice my demise, and find my Bashir went to wait among the
shield. I waited, hovering over my gods, as I prayed to Oriana to help
place of death, feeling helpless. me quickly regain my strength.
When they burst into the room, I Strom suddenly appeared in the
cried out with joy. "Please ret- temple, healing my wounds, as well
rieve my shield and weapon! Thank as those of my injured friends who
you so much!" I almost forgot that I graced this holy spot. After what
was no longer occupying my body, so seemed like an eternity, with my
relieved was I that my things had shield and weapon again in my
been saved, as I knew I didn't have possession, I asked Strom to accom-
the funds to replace them. pany me back to the vile forest to
-11- Continued Next Page
All About Steel Golems
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Phaedra Bleu
Steel Golems are rated as ______________ Take the TRAIL from the well-
Level 20 monsters. They / : \ known weatherbeaten sign at
are tough and it is said / _Arch__Arch_ \ the entrance to Danjirland to
that a Defensive Bonus / / \ \ reach them. Then go through
of around 180 is nec- / /Statue Steel\ \ Mountain Ogre territory (N,
essary to hunt them / /& Niche Door\ \ NE,E,SE,E,NE,N,NE,N,N,N)
although many brave / / (safe)\ \ to the fallen tree trunk.
adventurers do so / /_____/ /\ \_____\ \ Move across it carefully
with much less. / /::\ \ (GO TRUNK) then NW, NE.
They do not use / __________/::::\__________ \
weapons, employ- | |::::::::::::::::::::::::::| | At this point you will
ing only natural | |:::::: Steel Golem's :::::| | be in TITAN territory.
attacks, and are | ~~~~|:::: House :::::|~~~~ | It is very important
slow moving, mean-| ____|::::::::::::::::|____ | NOT to carry valuable
ing you can parry | |::::: Blototh Mountain :::| | weapons here as Titans
tag them easily. | |::::::::::::::::::::::::::| | have weapon fire which
| ~~~~~~~~~~/::::\~~~~~~~~~~ | can instantly demolish
Golems are parti- \ _____ /::::::\ _____ / a weapon even if you
cularly vulnerable \ \:::/ /::::::::\ \:::/ / dash past at top speed.
to Mage's spells. \ \:/ /::::::::::\ \:/ / Use an expendable weapon
They stomp, knocking \ ~ /::::::::::::\ ~ / and go UP, N, then through
you off your feet and \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ / 5 UPS in a row. Enter the
lowering your defense, \________ ________/ steel door at the bottom of
and their most fiercesome | | N this map and ready your real
attack is with their fist |..| W+E weapon at this point. Many
at an Offensive Bonus of 130. | | S wooden doors in the Golem's
Steel golems carry a valuable |..| House are not shown here as
assortment of treasure, inclu- | |Steel experience has indicated that
ding Level II chests with an ^^ Door Golems are rarely, if ever,
excess of 1000 silver coins! Entrance found behind them.
_______________________________________________________________________
A Day to Forget: Concluded
help with Bashir. He needed a bit Bashir's spirit floated towards
of coaxing, as I had to walk, since us from the clouds, and I quickly
this time I had not forgotten to made it and his body one. I watched
turn my ring. Strom mumbled some- as he vanished from sight, relieved
thing about his disdain for spiders, that at least a small portion of my
but finally agreed to the task. As error had been corrected.
I heard him remind all who were Upon arriving back at the temple,
going to remember THIS time to set I asked if he needed a ring, for he
their rings, I felt my face again too had used a borrowed one. As I.
flush with embarrassment. In a relaxed against the altar, I heard
matter of moments, we were on our him murmuring something about for-
way to rescue Bashir, and hopefully getting to set his ring. A small
ease some of my guilt. smile flickered over my lips, not
We found the scene of his death, that I was happy at his misfortune,
blood staining the dirt path, the but in the realization that I was
brush trampled against the earth. A not the only one to sometimes make
ring was dropped at my feet for his that particular error.
use as we all calmed the roaming As I rested, I reflected on the
beasts in preparation for his day's events, hoping never to repeat
return. I glanced about, not recog- the likes of it, vowing to be more
nizing the spot, but decided that in careful, and deciding to remain a
the throes of death, I had not been a cleric for one more day or at
aware of my surroundings. least until after my bubble bath.
-12-
CCS Unraveled: Spell Law & Reverse Spell Law
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
__________ by |<enner Boh
// _____ \
|| /~/~~\\. |
|| |~| ~~ | onfused by the Condensed Combat System? Too lays to use the
|| |~| __ | Condensed Combat System? Never heard of the Condensed Combat
|| \~\__// | Combat System? If your answer to any of these questions is
\\ ~~~~~ / yes, then you are in luck. Below are the tables for Spell
~~~~~~~~~~ Law and Reverse Spell Law Attacks. No computation required!
Just sit back and let your eyes do the work!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
| Armor Type 4 5 6 9 13 17 |
| QU Penalty 0 0 0 0 -5 -10 |
| 1/2 Maneuver Mod 0 0 0 -2.5 -5 -7.5 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Water Bolt BHF 3.7 4.9 4.9 7.6 7.6 10.5 |
| THT 71 68 73 64.5 18 -19 |
| 'A' Criticals 81 88 93 84.5 67 51.5 |
| 'B' Criticals 86 100 105 95.5 81 65.5 |
| 'C' Criticals 92 115 120 111 92 73.5 |
| 'D' Criticals 103 128 133 127 102 80.5 |
| 'E' Criticals 121 147 152 139 111 85.5 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Fire Bolt BHF 3.3 4.2 4.2 6.2 5.8 7.7 |
| THT 39 53 58 46.5 -2 -42 |
| 'A' Criticals 49 73 78 66.5 47 28.5 |
| 'B' Criticals 54 85 90 77.5 61 42.5 |
| 'C' Criticals 60 100 105 92.5 72 50.5 |
| 'D' Criticals 71 113 118 109 82 57.5 |
| 'E' Criticals 89 132 137 121 91 62.5 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Cold Ball BHF 7 8.4 8.4 9.8 9.1 10.9 |
| THT 15 24 29 13. -30 -67 |
| 'A' Criticals 25 44 49 33.5 19 3.5 |
| 'B' Criticals 30 56 61 44.5 33 17.5 |
| 'C' Criticals 36 71 76 59.5 44 25.5 |
| 'D' Criticals 47 84 89 75.5 54 32.5 |
| 'E' Criticals 65 103 108 87.5 63 37.5 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Fire Ball BHF 5.6 6 6 7.4 8.2 9.5 |
| THT 9 10 15 0.5 -38 -75 |
| 'A' Criticals 19 30 35 20.5 11 -5 |
| 'B' Criticals 24 42 47 31.5 25 9.5 |
| 'C' Criticals 30 57 62 46.5 36 17.5 |
| 'D' Criticals 41 70 75 62.5 46 24.5 |
| 'E' Criticals 59 89 94 74.5 55 29.5 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Shock Bolt BHF 7 8.6 8.6 10.2 8.6 10.2 |
| THT 77 81 80 72.5 13 -32 |
| 'A' Criticals 87 101 100 92.5 62 38.5 |
| 'B' Criticals 92 113 112 104 76 52.5 |
| 'C' Criticals 98 128 127 119 87 60.5 |
| 'D' Criticals 109 141 140 135 97 67.5 |
| 'E' Criticals 127 160 159 147 106 72.5 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------
More...
-13-
---------------------------------------------------------------------
| Armor Type 4 5 6 9 13 17 |
| QU Penalty 0 0 0 0 -5 -10 |
| 1/2 Maneuver Mod 0 0 0 -2.5 -5 -7.5 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Ice Bolt BHF 2.6 3.5 3.5 6 6.1 8.5 |
| THT 65 55 54 53.5 7 -39 |
| 'A' Criticals 75 75 74 73.5 56 31.5 |
| 'B' Criticals 80 87 86 84.5 70 45.5 |
| 'C' Criticals 86 102 101 99.5 81 53.5 |
| 'D' Criticals 97 115 114 116 91 60.5 |
| 'E' Criticals 115 134 133 128 100 65.5 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Lightning Bolt BHF 3 4 4 5.2 4.8 5.6 |
| THT 56 49 48 53.5 -9 -52 |
| 'A' Criticals 66 69 68 73.5 40 18.5 |
| 'B' Criticals 71 81 80 84.5 54 32.5 |
| 'C' Criticals 77 96 95 99.5 65 40.5 |
| 'D' Criticals 88 109 108 116 75 47.5 |
| 'E' Criticals 106 128 127 128 84 52.5 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ye Olde Notes:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1) The chart does not include all of the armor types; doing so would
have quadrupled the size of this article. Instead, I have included
only the best armor type(s) from each armor category.
2) I lied about not having to do any computation. For obvious reasons,
I could not figure QU bonuses into the tables. To do so, simply add
your QU bonus and the QU penalty. If the result is positive, then
add the sum to the desired values. If negative, don't do anything.
3) OB and DB are not figured in for the same obvious reasons; however,
the relative protection each armor provides compared to all others
remains basically the same.
4) Some armors, because of their bulk, carry a Maneuver Modification
Penalty. Half of this penalty is applied to your DB and is already
taken into account by the tables; the other half is applied to your
OB. The effect the OB penalty has on the figures will depend on the
amount of OB used to parry.
5) The Maneuver Mod penalties given above are the minimum penalties.
If you haven't trained enough in the armor, then the penalties will
be higher (ATs 1 through 5 do not require any training).
6) The Basic Hit Factor (BHF) determines how much non-critical damage
is done. The formula for determining the amount of damage is (Attack
roll-Final THT)/BHF. In other words, the lower the BHF the better.
_________________________________________________________________________
Classified Ads
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOR SALE: Wax coloring sticks in 64 WANTED: Construction workers (car-
glorious hues. Special sharpening penters, bricklayers, stone-masons,
tool included. Starving artist needs strong backs) to build houses in
lunch money. Inquiries KE, Box 453. Kelfour's Landing. Contact Elvanion
Darkholt for details.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH INSURANCE: Do you
fall when climbing hills and cross- FOR SALE: Sexist Sarii's won't make
ing logs? Leave something for your a skirt? Find our CART in town.
loved ones. Not 4 assassinations or Specialists in garments for lower
slips by Surtey. Brochure: Box 13. regions, we're the PantaLoons!
-14-
On Entering Kulthea
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Lord Rhys Corwinson
______________
/ \____ ____\
\@|+|~| __ |~|+|elcome to Kulthea! is the Temple, gathering place for
| |~|/~~\|~| | Staying alive can Kelfour's Landing. Why is this?
_| |~/~/\~\~| | be far from easy There are a number of reasons.
/@|_|__/ \__|_| there, particularly First and foremost, it is the safest
\_/____________/ when everything place in Kulthea, since the Goddess
is new. At minimum, you should get Eissa permits no violence there.
maps of the areas you'll run across Second, you need someplace to absorb
first, the manual and a couple of experience after you hunt and the
articles from Kelfour Edition -- and temple allows you to do so at twice
READ THEM. Much of what goes on in the rate of most anywhere else in
GemStone is easier to interpret with Kulthea because it's an EARTHNODE.
them as reference. Here are some (Read the Manual for more.) There
suggestions on what you should to do are other Earthnodes, but none so
start. popular as the Temple. There's one
other key to its popularity: it's
Download some background mater- where all the Healers congregate to
ials. First, I suggest the off- fix you up! Type DIR to find your
icial GemStone manual. It provides way there.
background and reasoning behind the
game. It's at Page 931, type M931 Once inside the Temple, introduce
at a prompt to get there. Next, yourself, and ask if someone will
download RJWOODHEAD'S (aka Trebor, give you a tour. Going out into the
the Ranger) maps to the area wilderness naked is not wise, and
surrounding the town. This is where one of the stops you'll undoubtedly
you'll be hunting for several make on the tour is the armory and
levels. It's ASCII. Finally, down- the weaponsmith to get the tools you
load KEdition 2-2, which contains a need to survive. Everyone needs a
map to the Coastal Cliffs, another weapon and armor. Although different
safe area to hunt in for young weapons have different uses as do
players. These last two files can different armors, for your first few
be found in the MPGRT Libraries. levels, you should get a broadsword
at the weaponsmith, heavy hide
When you enter Kulthea, you'll find armor, a helm, arm and leg greaves
yourself at the town gates with no and an aventail at the Armory, and a
equipment and a little pocket change backpack or sack (for carrying loot)
someone gave you as a loan to get at the General Store.
started. (Type WEALTH to see how
much you have and how much you owe.) When outside of town, or in the
Three commands which prove immensely catacombs, your sword should go in
useful for beginners are: HELP, your right hand, your shield in your
ADVICE, and DIRECTION. HELP gives left. If they are reversed, you
you a list of general information, will not be able to fight eff-
like how to move between rooms and ectively. Use the INVentory command
how to talk. ADVICE gives you to see which hand they are in, and
information like keeping your parry SWAP if they are in the wrong hands.
up and your shield in hand. With a weapon in your right hand,
you are ready to fight.
DIRECTION is the way to find your
way around town. Don't repay your There are four key terms you must
loan until you've equipped yourself familiarize yourself with while
and have earned some extra cash. learning the mechanics of fighting
and the wilderness. They are:
The first stop you'll want to make More...
-15-
1. Offensive Bonus (OB): This is how It's easy to get to: Go through the
hard you can hit something. town gates, GO PATH, and then W.
2. Defensive Bonus (DB): This re- You'll then be in the forest. (It's
flects how easily you can avoid that stretch of rooms running down
an attack. the Western side of Map 4A). Once
3. Concussion Points: How many hits in the forest, you will find 4
you can take before you die. varieties of creatures: kobolds,
4. Parry: How much of your weapon torkaans, karnelins, and wolverines.
skill is allocated, by percent-
age to your Defensive Bonus. Kobolds are very easy to kill, and
torkaans aren't all that bad, but
The way to kill something is to get they carry a disease that can
a large difference between your OB rapidly deplete your concussion
and the critter's DB. The way to points. Should you encounter a
survive is by having a larger DB karnelin or wolverine and do not
than your opponent's OB. have a maximum DB of over 60, leave
them alone or face an immediate
Parrying (the use of the parry threat to your life. Kobolds are
command) is the way you can allocate the only creatures in the forest
your weapon skill and thus the way that carry treasure. Kobolds and
you can determine the difference torakaans are level 1, Karnelins are
between your OB/DB and the level 3 and wolverines are level 5,
critter's. PARRY 0 allocates all of so watch out! By the way, don't
your weapons skill to your OB and take the path at the southern end of
gives none to your DB. PARRY 100 the forest (leading SW). It goes to
allocates all of your weapons skill a room that often has kobolds but
to your DB. Parry 30 gives 30% to more often has level 10 werebears,
your DB and the rest to your OB and which have killed many a level 10
so on. Keep your Parry at 100 player and love to devour delectible
unless you are in a fight, when you level 1 characters.
may use a variety of techniques to
kill monsters. Read Kirc's article The Coastal Cliffs are new, designed
on parrying, or watch others. to challenge new players. There are
level 1 sea nymphs along the coast,
Needless to say, you can't hunt which I recommend fighting, and
everywhere as a new player. There level 1 carrion worms as well.
are 7 areas in which a level 1 Ghosts are level 2, and the bounders
through 5 player can hunt in and dark wisplings level 3. I sug-
reasonable safety. They are: The gest avoiding bounders and wisp-
Catacombs, Forest, Graveyard, Mine lings, as they are tough and danger-
Trail, Coastal Cliffs, Hobgoblins, ous for new players. If you stay
and the Mines. along the far north rooms on the
map, you will generally encounter
The Catacombs under the city are only nymphs and worms, which can be
populated by Giant Rats with VERY fought fairly well, if a bit tough
sharp teeth. (The area is on Map if you're alone. Ghosts provide
2.) I do not recommend hunting there good hunting for clerics, though the
unless you have the armor skill to Graveyard may offer better hunting
wear leather breastplate. If you're if you can get in.
wearing Heavy Hide armor, be
extremely careful because their main Speaking of the Graveyard, you will
weapons, claws and teeth, are need a guide to enter there; it is
especially effective against that not shown on Trebor's maps. You
type of armor. will generally also need a cleric to
accompany you, or at least bless
Generally, the preferred area for your weapon, since Unlife monsters
your first hunt will be in the (phantoms, revenants, ghouls, and
Dragonsfang Forest for kobolds. skeletons) can only be harmed by
-16-
blessed weapons or magical attacks. of the highest level players in the
You do not need a blessed weapon to game die there routinely, maiking it
hunt goblins, hobgoblins and cobras an area to avoid for a long time.
that also inhabit the Graveyard. I
recommend this area for anyone bored The Mine is interesting. There have
with hunting elsewhere, since most been a number of nasty creatures
of monsters here are fairly easy to added since Trebor made his maps
kill and are not too dangerous. long ago. Troglodytes, kobolds and
Beginners should avoid the crypt; cave gnomes are level 1 and fairly
level 8 mummies and level 11 bone tame. Greater spiders are level 8
golems will quickly put an end to and require group effort to van-
your adventuring. I also strongly quish. Cave trolls (level 12),
advise you not take any paths with- crystal golems (level 12), gemstings
out an experienced guide. If you (level 4), and cave worms (level
take the wrong turn, a death dirge 10), are viscious and meant for
or greater ghoul may suck the life higher level adventurers. It has
out of you. been recently rumored that the cave
worms have disappeared from the
Hobgoblins is the area on Map 4B Mines, making it a little safer.
that occupies the right part of the
page. Level 4 hobgoblins wearing The farther north you go in the
metal and leather breastplates Mine, the more likely you are to
(selling for 166 and 66 silver, find a cave troll with a 150 OB and
respectively) give this area its a claw attack. The first series of
name. Also inhabiting this area are E-W rooms off of the N-S route
level 3 lesser orcs and level 6 (which have rooms marked M-M) seem
forest trolls. Probably the single comparatively safe. Get a guide to
most hunted area in Kulthea, you can show you around. I wouldn't rec-
join a party going there. It may ommend it to anyone under level 3.
not be appropriate until you hit
level 3, however, since the orcs and These are the areas you can concern
trolls are a bit hard to hit for yourself with as a young player. As
beginning magic users. far as technical stuff, ask around
on what will help you out or read
Unless you want to be paralyzed by a further articles in Kelfour Edition.
cockatrice's gaze, avoid the SW exit Good luck!
from the NE-SW-SE room at the
"entrance" to Hobgoblins. For the _________________________________
same reason, avoid going down from / \\
the room that's at the end of the | GemStone Conferences on the ||
string of N-S rooms on the east side | MPGRT at Page 1045 on GEnie ||
of the map. Do not go SE from the |----------------------------------||
entrance room, for level 11 hill | Tuesdays at 10PM Eastern Time ||
trolls tend to wander in that area, | Hosted by Fnordo Rivera! ||
and their OB is 90 with a very |----------------------------------||
deadly Two-Handed sword! | Oct. 8: Ranger Spell Lists ||
| Discuss them live! ||
The Mine Trail is an interesting | Oct. 15: Conflict in Kulthea! ||
place to hunt. On Map 5, lesser | Roleplaying or Real? ||
orcs and goblins are predominate | Oct. 22: Evil or Good? ||
there. They are armed with lesser | Unlife or Life? ||
weapons and armor than their | Discuss YOUR choices. ||
brethren in Hobland or the Grave- | Oct. 29: Sorcerer Spell Lists ||
yard. Be aware that there is a | Discuss them live! ||
trail leading to the Spider Temple \________________________________//
(a Lord level area) that is marked | \ ||
off with a black rock. Taking that | \ ||
trail is tantamount to suicide. All ~~~~''``~~~~~~~~~~''~~
-17-
Lands of the Rich and Famous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A level oriented exploration of the Island of Quellbourne
by Elzbeth Collins
____________
/ \ ______ \
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~|| utside the binding timber and the ores that lie dormant
_||~| |~|| limits of objective in "The Land of the Silver Mists."
/@| \~\__/~/ | human experience, far To Quellbourne they came, north to
\_/ ~~~~~~ / beyond that which the the Kaldsfang Mountains, and there,
~~~~~~~~~~~ eye can see, further on the shores of Claedesbrim Bay,
than the faintest ghostly twinkle in at the site of a lone trappers first
the night sky, deeper than the murky camp, sprang the village of Kel-
depths of the ocean floor, lies a four's Landing. Thus came men and
realm of wonder. the companions of men, mortal and
immortal, side by side, each seeking
Silent, ineffable, it is a place of their own niche, and each coveting
dreams, of magic, and of fantasy. that which they sought.
Even distant and unreachable, it is ___________
as much a part of our own beings as / \ ______ \
our narrow and strictured minds \@| /~/~~\_\ |
allow, and all living things lie | \~\____~ |
inescapably within its subtle power. _| _~~~~\~\ | ince that time, many
/@| \~\__/~/ | hardy adventurers
Its presence can sometimes be felt \_/ ~~~~~~ / have risked life and
when the gull cries, when the light ~~~~~~~~~~ limb in the wilds that
springs suddenly through the forest surround Kelfour's Landing. Not
leaves, or when our own mortality some few have brought us word of
creeps too near, for it is our only those lands, and the foul creatures
link with carefree immortality, and that abound. Many brave souls have
we know it as Kulthea. sought to tell us of the shape of
our island home, and these great
Cruel waves pound relentlessly upon cartographers have done a fine
the rocky cliffs of a northern service indeed.
shore. A narrow strip of sandy
beach under blue and greying skies. However, as explorations of these
Tall pines, hardy oak and windak, lands continue, and settlers
make homes among the rolling hills. continue to make their way among us,
Rich in game; Karnelin, Torkaan, and many changes must be noted to the
Wolverine. An ancient place, a place old maps. Many of these fine works
of power and mystery. Once great, have become so outdated as to be a
but now fallen into ruin and decay. danger to the young adventurer. A
Tall castles, beaten down by wind few steps down a curious unnoted
and weather. Ancient cities, choked path may lead one from the relative
and strangled by the wild run of safety of familiar grounds to the
nature. Vistas, proud and harshly severe danger of the lairs of fell
beautiful. Harsh, for in the beauty and awesome creatures. Newcomers to
lies the danger of a land gone wild. our community need be warned of
these areas of extreme danger that
So it was some five and twenty years lie but an easy stroll from the town
ago that Rame Kelfour, a trapper gates. Our young comrades should be
seeking game that had grown scarce advised of the areas where they can
in the lands to the south and west, find fortune and adventure suitable
found this rich and untamed land. for their limited abilities. These
His tales spread far and wide, and maps are designed with this in mind.
many came to know of the riches in The young adventurer should feel
game and fur, of the abundance of safe in the areas shown.
-18- More...
_________________________________
/ \ \ This area should comprise the
| \ \ primary hunting grounds of the new
\_/ | MAP ONE: | adventurer. The areas mapped are
| | populated by the weakest of the
| The Forest and Plains that | creatures that abound in the wilds.
| immediately surround the | Kobolds, and Torkaans should be the
_ | village of Kelfour's | sought-after game for the less
/ \| Landing. | experienced, but be warned of the
| / / dangerous Karnelin and the fell
\/_______________________________/ Wolverine that also live here.
The Gladitorial <1> <1> Go Road to get to the
Arena \ Coastal Cliffs area.
+-+ +-+ +-+ <2> Go Gate to enter town.
| | | |-------------| | <3> Climb Bank to get to the
+-+ +-+ +-+ Old Mine Road area.
/ | /...Go Arch \ <4> The Obscure Trail leads
+-+ +-+ +-+ to the Graveyard.
| |-| | | | <5> To Hobland, and higher
+-+ +-+ +-+ level areas
^ \ / \ <6> Up to the castle area.
One | +-+ Go / +-+
Way.....+<-| | Path / | |
+-+ ____/ +-+
/ | \
/ +-+ +-+ \ +-+
/ | | | | \ Wayside | |
*A*...../... +-+ +-+ \ Inn +-+
| / : Go\ /Go \ Located |.....Go Dinghy
| +-+ : Arch\ /Path \ Here +-+ +-+ +-+
O W| | | : +-+ \ : | |-| |-| |
n a| +-+ : | | \ : +-+ +-+ +-+
e y| | : +-+ \ : /
+-+ +-+ :...... +-+ +-+ +-+ +-+
| |-| |------+ : | |-| | | |-| |
+-+ +-+ Go | : +-+ +-+ +-+ +-+
| / Path| : Go Path..../ \ |
+-+ | : * +-+ \ |
| | | :...A--<---<---| | <2> |
+-+ | * One Way +-+ ***************** |
/ | | * * |
<6> +-+ | One Way +-+ * Here lies the * +-+
| | | +--->--->----------| | * village of * | |
| +-+ +-+ * Kelfour's * +-+
| | <<< Here there be Kobolds | * Landing * |
+-+ +-+ +-+ and Torkaans. But be +-+ * * |
| |-| |-| | <<< cautious of the odd | | ***************** |
+-+ +-+ +-+ Wolverine or Karnelin +-+ |
\ | <<< that wanders through. | |
+-+ +-+ <<< Here ye will find +-+
| | | | herds of roaming | |<4>
+-+ +-+ <<< Torkaan. But be +-+
| | careful of the |
+-+ +-+ <<< Wolverines also. |
| | | | |
+-+ +-+ |
| -19- | |
More...
+-+ +-+ +-+
| | | | Go | |
+-+ +-+ Bridge +-+
/ | / \ : /
+-+ | +-+ +-+ +-+ +-+ : +-+ +-+
| | | | | | |-| |-| |---| |-| |
+-+ | +-+ +-+ +-+ +-+ +-+ +-+
| | | | \
+-+ +-+ +-+ +-+ \
| |-| | | | | | <3>
+-+ +-+ +-+ +-+ :
T| |P A shortcut will \ :
r| |a oftimes cut short +-+ .................:.......
a| |t : more than the path. | | : Climbing the Bank :
i| |h : Watch for Werebears! +-+ : leads to the area of :
l| | : | : the Old Mine Road. :
+-+.......: +-+ : This will be the area :
| |----------------+ | | : featured by Map Two. :
+-+ | +-+ :.......................:
| \
| +-+
| | |
| +-+
| |
| +-+
| | |
| +-+
| | Iorak's Reach
| +-+ +-+
| | | | | The legend of
| +-+ +-+ this mountain
| | / tells us that
| +-+ +-+ great majiks are
| | |-| | accomplished at
| +-+ +-+ its peak. Many
| / skills are needed
| +-+ to scale to the lofty
| | | heights. You will need
| +-+ much training before
| | making the attempt.
| +-+
+------------------| |
+-+
\
\
\ <5>
Newcomers are well advised to limit all means, stay away from the Castle
their explorations to those areas Area <6> until you are much more
presented here. Do not be anxious experienced and powerful.
to go farther afield. Wandering
away from these areas can bring you Should more experienced hunters
face to face with creatures best offer to escort you into Hobland,
avoided until a much higher degree take them up on the offer. It will
of expertise is gained. be a good experience for you.
Specifically, you should avoid Next time, Map Two: The Old Mine
venturing into Hobland <5> and the Road, continuing the quest for
areas farther south of that, and by experience. Until then, Good Luck!
-20-
I'm (Almost) Second Level
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
___________ by Cartek Dammacles
/ \ ______ \
\@| /~/~~\_\ |
| \~\____~ | urviving can be hard less likely to happen.
_| _~~~~\~\ | when all is new and
/@| \~\__/~/ | advanced characters Now you and your companion(s) have
\_/ ~~~~~~ / forget the mistakes all put away your weapons and are
~~~~~~~~~~ they made when young. ready to get the treasure. You all
They try to give good advice but reach for the coins and the guy with
sometimes we just aren't ready for the "get coin" macro wins every
it yet. We need tips on things so time. The rest of you just smile
basic that even a level two or three and say "OK" right? Tell Mr. Macro
doesn't think about them anymore. that since he's so fast, he's
welcome to pick up the coins, just
Bearing that in mind, inexperienced so long as he is willing to SHARE
players gather round and listen to <amount picked up>. That way
the wisdom of one who knows just everyone gets an even take. One
those basic tips you need. When you last tip about getting coins, let
venture forth from Kulthea, you have the guy who has no debts pick up the
a weapon and a shield. A younger, coins. Remember that debt you
now deceased sibling of mine went have to Moot Hall? You can't give
haphazardly through the gates, his coins to another character while you
shield in his right hand, his sword owe that debt.
in his left. He was not long for
this world. Don't be gauche. You Dividing up treasure like drake
attack with the weapon in your right falchions, wands, crystal amulets,
hand; you leave it in your left and and gold rings can be a lot tougher.
it won't do a thing for you. There are a couple of strategies
which make this process go more
Now you're going through the Drag- smoothly. You can hold on to all
onsfang Forest and you surprise a the items until you are done hunting
kobold. Quickly you dispatch it and and split them all somewhere safe
even manage to skin the sucker. You like the Temple. You can also ask
search it and he's got a couple of for certain treasures early
coins, his armor and a sword. ("anybody mind if I get the next
Immediately you "wear" your shield amulet?"), and use coin awards to
and pick up the treasure, right? offset the other treasures ("OK, Wiz
got the oak wand, I got the drake
That works great for those with more falchion, so Lou gets the amethyst
weapons training than you have at and an extra 400 coins.").
level one. Remember that your de-
fense is made up of your quickness If you come to an arrangement like
bonus, your weapon skill (at parry "I'll take the gems, you take the
100) and your shield. The shield coins," get the gems appraised, and
adds 20 points to your defense. count the coins! Once, a new
Until your weapon skill surpasses 4 aquaintance and I were exploring
ranks, a shield will do more to the Coastal Cliffs and encountered a
protect you than your weapon will. herd of nymphs. One by one they
A young ranger of my acquaintance fell or ran off. Often my friend or
showed me why you never wear or drop I would chase them, always returning
your shield to pick up treasure. after the kill. Finally, he ran off
There are few things more embar- after one and I stayed to finish one
assing than getting killed by a off. When mine died she dropped a
relative of the recently slain while chest which my companion saw me pick
looting dead bodies. At least if up as he returned. When we got it
you're holding your shield, this is open, I looked in and saw some coins
-21-
and a few gems. I snagged the gems Speaking of dead people, when you
and offered him the chest with the run across somebody's body, or their
coins. No big deal, right? I later possessions, what do you do? See if
found out there were over 800 they have any good treasure? Ignore
silvers in there. The gems were it? No, bring their stuff back to
worth a grand total of 75. Know the the Temple and, if you can, use your
value of the merchandise you offer crystal amulet to THINK ahead to the
to trade for coins. Temple so someone can tell the
victim not to buy all new gear.
Inevitably, my friend, you are going
to get wounded, and bleed. When you I hope these reminders and tips will
sit or lie down to have somebody help you rank beginners. If it seems
TEND your injury, stand up as soon like a lot to remember, just keep
as possible. There's a severe pen- in mind that everyone you meet had
alty assessed to both your attack to go through the same experiences
and defense when you are not stand- and make the same mistakes. Here's
ing. Just ask Cas who was killed by your chance to make a few less.
a wandering orc when she lied down
to allow a friend to treat her leg. Here's a scroll for your backpack:
_____________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/___________________________________________________________________/
| |
| TIPS TEAR SHEET |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| |
| Tip #1 Always check (INVENTORY) and make sure your shield is in |
| ~~~~~~ your left hand and your weapon is in your right. If they |
| are reversed, SWAP them. |
| |
| Tip #2 When picking up treasure use your sword hand instead of |
| ~~~~~~ your shield hand until you have at least four ranks of |
| weapon training. |
| |
| Tip #3 When in a group, decide how to split the treasure before |
| ~~~~~~ you go adventuring. |
| |
| Tip #4 Ask for certain treasures in advance to save hard feelings |
| ~~~~~~ (I want the first gold ring! I want the next amulet!) |
| |
| Tip #5 When in a group, let the person who has no debts pick up |
| ~~~~~~ the coins. If you have a debt you can't give the coins |
| away or drop them. |
| |
| Tip #6 Pay your debt so you can carry the coins. |
| ~~~~~~ |
| |
| Tip #7 If you are wounded and have to sit or lie down so some- |
| ~~~~~~ one can TEND your wound, stand up as soon as possible! |
| |
| Tip #8 If you run across somebody's dead body, bring their stuff |
| ~~~~~~ to the Temple and THINK ahead that you have their things. |
/@| |
\_/___________________________________________________________________/
-22-
Otter Lore
~~~~~~~~~~
_________ By Siobann Nimm
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |
| |~| |nyigo and I strolled down save waves crashing on the shore. I
_| |~| | the beach, looking for wrenched my arm free of Inyigo's
/@| _|~|_ | shells and other trin- grasp and ran back. The view was
\_/ ~~~~~ / kets from the sea. We gruesome. The otters' dismembered
~~~~~~~~ paused along a rocky remains lay on the sand. Their mar-
stretch of sand to watch some velous pelts were gone and I real-
creatures I had not seen before. ized the purpose of the carnage.
They were cute and cuddly, covered Helpless, I bellowed a cry of
with a sleek black fur and paid us rage and pain to the empty sky.
little mind as they frolicked in the Inyigo's face filled with concern as
shallow pools about the rocks. he ran across the shore in response
"Playful, aren't they," I said. to my outburst. His look of worry
"What manner of creature are they?" was soon replaced by disgust as saw
"Otters," Inyigo responded. the grisly scene for himself.
Tempted to pet one, I had no more "Why in all of Eissa's land
than reached out my hand when the should there be such a mockery of
animal reared up, ivory teeth bared. life," I asked the winds.
Shocked and frightened, I pulled my Leaning back, Inyigo sighed.
hand away. At the same time, I heard "There are those who would do
a commotion behind me and turned to anything for money. There are those
see the real reason for their fear; who must do what they can to
a band of cudgel-wielding adven- survive. Who are we to judge them?
turers raced toward us. They may have had families of their
Not sure who the cudgels were in- own, starving in the streets. The
tended for, Inyigo and I drew our otter pelts do bring a hefty price.
swords. My sense of relief as the "Blame not the hunters for their
attackers passed us by became a cold prey. Blame the powers that be for
shiver as I heard the blood-curdling their insensitivity. Society in
scream. Spinning around, I saw the Quellbourne puts so little value on
carcass of an otter hit the ground life. The gods know and encourage
with a thud. Blood spattered across this. It was they who misled these
the rocks from where cudgel met with creatures, luring them to our land
bone, spreading the otter's brains and toward their sure demise."
across the beach. Before I could Inyigo and I still frequent that
absorb the horror of the scene, the beach, stopping to pray to the gods
hunters moved to the next, quickly to keep the otters away from our
dispatching it in much the same way. dangerous shore. Perhaps they have
Some otters tried to flee, but heard us for we have not seen otters
the younger ones were trapped on now for some time. Maybe those we
shore. Older otters returned to saw murdered were the last of their
fight. One old grey-whisker infl- kind. We may never know, but the
icted a deep slash on a hunter memory of that day's horror shall
before his head met with the crush- visit me for the rest of my life.
ing force of a cudgel. Gasping in ____________________________
horror, I watched the killers pull // \
the overmatched otters into shore || You otter get MORE for |
and beat them to death one by one. || your skins! |
I am ashamed to admit it, but I hid || |
my eyes, and ran from the scene. || JARLIK THE FURRIER |
Struggling silently with our || """""""""""""""""" |
feelings, we dared not glance back || From tanning to taxedermy, |
down the beach until we heard the || trust US with your trophies |
hunters leave and no sounds remained \\___________________________/
-23-
Kalagay in Mur Fosityr
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Kalagay Halatil
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+|
| |~\~\/~/~| | idsummer stars family, all together once more,
_| |~|\~~/|~| | pierced the mild chattered and laughed over their
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_| evening, yet Kala- evening meal. Yet, for all her
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ gay huddled in her merriment, Kalagay was not easy in
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ dark fur cloak to her mind. Her much loved and per-
combat an inner chill. Waiting on sistent father had plans; she did
the dock, she re-read the message not doubt for one moment that he had
she had received from Mur Fosityr. plans, and these plans did not
include her returning to Jaiman.
"My child," it began. "Thy mother, She foresaw a painful interview
my treasured Alais, fades in thy ab- during which she would attempt, as
sence and we fear for her unless you kindly as possible, to disabuse him
return. A navigator comes for you of the idea that she had returned
apace. I beg you fail us not. Your for good and would marry a wealthy
worried father, Elantoin Halatil." neighbor and have many grandbabies
for him to make plans for. Indeed,
The same stars that evening saw her a long talk about her own wishes for
ghosting over glittering snow in her her life was about a year overdue.
family's calash, drawn by a pair of Just as soon as she was rested...
ponies, minutes from the lodge she
had known summer after summer. The After days of gatherings and teas
horses paced easily, plumes of and renewing acquaintances in the
breath in the night air the only neighborhood, Kalagay was ready to
sign of their exertion. It had been go back to Kelfour's if she had to
a year, almost to the day, since she walk on water to do it. Gil rescued
had fled this home and journeyed to her by insisting she try out his new
Jaiman, to be cast ashore outside mare on a ride to the mountains, to
the walls of Kelfour's Landing. hunt and camp overnight.
Her welcome was all that any prodi- Orhan struck silver where the snow
gal could wish. Her mother dressed piled up against windak trunks and
again in colorful silks and began branches. The night air was so cold
planning dinners and get-togethers. and still, it seemed to hang in
Her brother Gil and her little sis- glittering layers. In the vast moun-
ter, sturdy Brittomart, pestered her tain silence, Kalagay and Gil stal-
for tales from The Wild Lands. ked like white clad ghosts, covered
to their eyes and breathing quietly.
Gil, as a budding naturalist and Below them, their mounts stamped and
husbandman, was particularly inter- whuffled in a lee shelter. A brisk
ested to know that torkaans, which wind in their faces took the sounds
on Mur Fosityr were considered to be and smells away downslope. Their
merely dinner and a warm cloak on quarry was the elusive snow panther,
four feet, were liable to flee their denning in the highest ramparts, big
herders in the Jaimani grassland and footed and thickly furred.
become rabid and a menace to travel.
A visit with Elvanion Darkholt the
Brittomart wanted to know what women previous month acquainted Kalagay
in Kelfour's wore under their hide with his warpanther and the litter
armor and whether there were many of kits cavorting in the grassy
parties. Her blue eyes sparkled glade near the fighter's home.
over the creamy soft doeskin gown There was pride and affection in
Kalagay brought out to show her. Elvanion's voice as he recounted
Elantoin looked fondly on as his tales of their battles against Un-
-24- More...
life's minions in vanished Elanthia. Kalagay had no sooner taken pos-
Kalagay's dreams were overtaken by a session of the kit when its parent
furred beast, taloned and fanged and caught their scent, screeching.
greatvoiced, eyes like deep green
ice and feet like furry platters. Wide shoulders shoved through
scrubby alder, claws like scimitars
The snow panther, for so she finally flashed closer and closer, quicker
identified her dream creature, was than seemed possible. Kalagay and
not regarded as amenable to domes- Gil were downslope and mounted just
tication or co-operative venture as the panther leaped, and only a
with man. It was all but unassail- tricky swiveling maneuver by her
able and willed its own death if mount kept Kalagay from being snag-
captured. The pelts, acquired at ged by the enormous talons of the
enormous cost, were prized for their enraged feline. Not even the bulk
beauty and elegant warmth. No one of her cloak protected her from the
had managed to take kits to raise. needle teeth and claws of her
captive. Blind and frightened, it
Yet this was Kalagay's aspiration. fought furiously against constraint,
Though she had and comrades aplenty, yelling piteously for its mother.
she missed the warmth of another
living being as she slept under the Realizing she had lost her chance,
stars in The Wild Land where, by its the mother panther raced back to the
size and strength, the snow panther den. They could hear her pacing.
should be able to thrive. crying for her lost kit, and
shattering the air with growls.
The cavern they stealthily approach-
ed seemed to be just the place to Kalagay felt her eyes well in
begin looking. Kits, were there any, empathy. In seconds she was turning
would not have their eyes open yet. her mount around to ride back to the
Gil explained that it was possible den. Gil, who thought she had lost
to imprint a baby animal if one control of her horse, grabbed its
cared for it and kept it near, headstall and hauled it around. He
though in the case of snow panthers, knew the mother panther would kill
there was no evidence that the at once if riders or horses came
technique had ever worked. within her reach. They rode a head-
long scramble down the mountainside
Making the final yards on hands and until they could no longer hear the
knees, Kalagay risked a peek to be distant grief-stricken cries. Kal-
sure the mother panther was really agay cuddled the shivering bundle
gone. The opening to the den looked inside her shirt and wrapped her
too small to admit the bulk of a cloak securely around herself. Tiny
grown snow panther, however, she claws caught in the skin over her
could hear noises inside, squeak- ribs, but she ignored the discomfort
ings and rustlings. A carnivore in the pleasure of its living warmth
smell, heavy and fetid, clung to the against her. She felt connected,
ground. While Gil kept his eye out mind and body, with another living
for the mother's return, Kalagay being. As nature intended, her att-
reached a gauntleted hand into the achment was immediate and profound.
opening and hoped there were kits The kit would be cared for and
and not snakes. One by one she taught. Its own love should follow,
fetched out tiny bundles, gave each just as though she were its mother.
a quick look, and selected the
largest female of the litter. The "I shall name thee for the mountain
rest of the now-squealing babies she which was thy home, little one,"
rapidly put back into their nest. Kalagay crooned to the kit. "Thou
They actually hoped, rather than shall be called Gwailin Cloud
expected, to get away before the Shredder, and may you come to love
mother came back. Sure enough, me as I love thee."
-25-
Of Mice and Half-Elves, Part II
______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____ \ by Gallenod Varynesti
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| | ome, what a con- in the world. The elves accepted
_| |~|--|~| | cept. I had a home, him as my mother's husband and
/@| _|~| |~|_ | once. I didn't app- respected his skill as a ranger, but
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / reciate it for what never really accepted him as a true
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ it was while I was member of clan and family. My
there, but I miss it terribly now father never seemed to mind this; my
that I'm without it. Kelfour's Land- mother's love was all he needed.
ing is as much my home now as any- I, on the other hand, had a dif-
place since I left the elven village ficult time as a child. Admittedly,
of Glynvaryn, but it's not the same. I didn't make it easier on myself by
It's a frontier town, populated by being rash and moody, but being a
those who live with adventure every half-breed in an otherwise pure so-
day of their lives. The relation- ciety can be a difficult experience.
ships here are alliance and compe- Perhaps that is why there are so
tition, not clan and family. The many half-elf adventurers. Not at
locals don't really care what we do home with either human or elven
to each other as long as we keep relatives, we strike out on our own
spending our silver in their shops. for places where many races meet.
Life in the Landing is cheap; we We stand out less here because
think of death as an inconvenience, almost everyone is different.
because it is rarely final. This Half-elves, as a race, can be de-
town of ours is little more than a fined as follows: all grandparents
meeting place for adventurers. I see were human or elf, and at least one
no children here, because there are grandparent was of a different race
no families. How can a community than the others. In some societies,
grow toward a future without child- any mixing of the bloodlines, no
ren? This is a boom town, and the matter how far back, would make you
boom is in slaughter. As long as a half-elf. (Or a half-human, from
there are monsters to kill and trea- the elve's point of view.) In
sure to be won, Kelfour's Landing practice, however, if the mix isn't
will survive. Let me tell you of a at least 25 to 75, you're virtually
real community, a place where clan indistinguishable from a "full" elf
and family were devoted to raising or human.
children and preparing for a future. Why is this a problem? Half-
Let me tell you of the home of my elves seem to have all the advan-
youth, and the first Mouse Tale. tages of both races. But being the
Yes, the Mouse is one of the strongest and fastest doesn't do you
reasons for the title of this set of much good when 21 other children are
stories. He was my only true friend teasing you. Every child in the
when I was a child, and that only village had a nickname. Mine was
because no one else understood Mordleg, which is elven for "iron
either of us. Thrown together by club." Most elven children's nick-
the circumstance of being "differ- names translate as Bright Eyes,
ent," we drew support from each Moondancer, and Gladerunner, and are
other during our youth, forging the based on some personal quirk or be-
strongest of friendships. havior. I got mine by flattening,
You may ask what was different with a wild punch, an elven boy who
about us. Consider that this was an was foolish enough to stop teasing
elven village, not a mixing pot like me and start making rude comments
Kelfour's Landing. There were only about my parents' disfigured faces.
two people in the entire village who When the healer finished resetting
were not elven: me, and my father. the boy's jaw, she looked accusingly
He was an adult, however, and had a at me and said, "What did you hit
clear sense of his place and purpose him with, an iron club?" My fate was
-26- More...
sealed at that moment as I heard all not, of course, but we no longer
the other children murmur, "mordleg, cared about the petty concerns of
mordleg, mordleg..." It was the ul- children. We had purpose.
timate insult to an elf. They con- Mouse surprised me by his choice
sidered iron a base metal fit for no of professions, though. He became a
good purpose, and the club was the cleric. I asked him once, in jest,
lowliest of weapons. why he'd chosen a profession where
The Mouse got his nickname be- he would have to come in contact
cause he was afraid of everything. with not only people, but the very
As a toddler, he'd seen his parents gods as well? He gave me one of his
killed in a horrible and grisly best long, serious, looks. "Because
manner. He was found in a thicket I know what it feels like to have a
near their bodies which had been broken soul," he said. "And thanks
shredded and sucked dry by some to you, perhaps I can now mend a few
terrible, unknown thing. He was others." I have never been more
afraid of everyone and everything deeply moved by a compliment, and
until the day I got my nickname. blushed in embarrassment that I had
As the other children skipped made light of his choice. Then he
home, happy that I now had a proper smiled in that quiet way of his, and
nickname, I stood there fighting said, "Besides, it's easier than
back tears. I was just about to bolt working for a living." My mother
and run when I felt a light touch on discovered the two of us, about 15
my shoulder. I whirled around, in- seconds later, rolling around on the
tending to vent my frustrations on floor laughing like hiccupping
whatever hapless person had dis- hyenas. Deciding that our convul-
turbed me. It was Mouse, standing sions were a personal problem, not a
there reaching towards me. The same medical one, she turned and left the
boy who had been teasing me had also room, shaking her head and mumbling,
been mercilessly tormenting him. "I have tried, Lords, I have tried."
For the first time I could remember, My own profession? I did not
Mouse didn't look afraid, just sad start life as a ranger. I developed
and lonely. We stared at each other some basic ranger skills, but after
for a long time: half breed and bas- my experience with Mouse I decided
ket case. Then he spoke the first to follow my mother's path and be-
words we had heard from him since he come a teacher. My father was a bit
was three years old. "Good," he disappointed as he had expected me
said. When he saw my puzzled look, to join him and the other warriors
he followed it with, "Hit." Then he in hunting the denizens of evil that
smiled, another first, and moved seemed to grow more numerous every
closer until his chest was nearly day, but he accepted my choice with
touching mine. "Friend," he stated, the grace and nobility that were his
hugging me. I was thunderstruck. No trademarks. I still hunted with him
one, but no one, had gotten Mouse to occasionally, but devoted myself to
say a word for the last seven years, preparing the youth of our village
either through kindness or torture. to take their place in the world.
Lord Azreal, our village's leading Thus ends the first Mouse Tale.
cleric, declared it a miracle. And look at me now: A vagabond with
That was a turning point for me. little more than the clothes on my
Helping Mouse come out of his shell back, the equipment I can carry, and
became my mission in life; we were just enough money in the bank to pay
inseparable. The village elders ev- this month's rent. A teacher, who
entually allowed my parents to adopt instead of teaching reading, num-
him, as my mother was a cousin of bers, and philosophy, teaches the
his parents. Mouse and I spent arts of death and plunder. Perhaps
twelve glorious years as the best of next time I will tell you how I came
friends. He remained quiet and shy, to this state; how a young half-elf
but the look of fear in his eyes lost home, family, and everything
eventually died. Our nicknames did else in this world he held dear.
-27-
Chest and Unsigned Poem Found
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lian Winslow was rummaging around in Although that was hardly what he
an old village he discovered out by expected, Lian had the presence of
Claedesbrim, and ran across a chest mind to bring the parchment to the
half buried in the dirt. Upon drag- Kelfour Edition offices. When trans-
ging it out and opening it, he found lated from the Old Common Runic, it
a parchment sheet and an old, faded was found to contain the following
wedding dress that fell apart when poem, which is sadly indicative of
he touched it. the turbulent history of our lands.
Unsigned Poem
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I went upon a summers' day
to where my bonnie lover lay
cold beneath the sod and clay
of eastern claesdesbrim.
I put some flowers on his grave For the evil ones had lain in wait
too little was the strength I gave in Bree, out by the farmers' gate
his death from him I could not stave and there my lover met his fate
in eastern claedesbrim. in eastern claedesbrim.
I well remember, yes, I do So, if your lover makes to leave
the night when he and motley crew an Orcish wife to sore bereave
rode forth all dressed in green & blue keep him, if you will not grieve
in eastern claedesbrim. in eastern claedesbrim.
They went to find an Orcish band And as I turned away from there
that ravaged free upon the land I felt a wind that touched my hair
yes brave they were, but weak of hand I thought I heard him whisper fair
in eastern claedesbrim. in eastern claedesbrim.
===============\\=================
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ HALL OF FAME \
|@/______________________________________________________________________/
| Congratulations to Lord Xura Viirkort and Lord Benar Stormarm |
|_ for achieving Noble Rank! |
/---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bard Enegue LionHeart 20 | High Human Benar Stormarm 20 |
| Ranger Fxg Lyon 25 | Common Man Beolost Lamontt 19 |
| Mage Dagmar Istarii 25 | Dwarf Vshaal hiJneksha'a 16 |
| Fighter Ise Ikiryo 21 | Halfling Xura Viirkort 20 |
| Thief Valeria Deering 22 | Wood Elf Joqain Denark 16 |
| Cleric Taarna Wayfinder 25 | High Elf Strom O'BERIN 24 |
| Sorceror Xura Viirkort 20 | Half Elf Dagmar Istarii 25 |
| Healer Kayla Kyndhart 27 | Fair Elf Valeria Deering 22 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
/@| Current GSIII Fame Rankings by Profession and Race: October 10, 1991 |
\_/______________________________________________________________________/
-28-
The Eyes Have It
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
________ by Miss Louvella Parsnips
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ | ndecency and Immorality Frick mentioned that this mage then
| |~| | (along with other nasty refused to pay his bill and has been
_| |~| | things) have reared banished from the inn. We expect to
/@| _|~|_ | their ugly heads once hear the same from Threk any time.
\_/ ~~~~~ / again this month.
~~~~~~~~ A nasty little spat occured between
We were shocked to discover one of Kulthea's favorite mad mage and a
Kelfour's well-known, maiden clerics certain red-haired lady ranger. It
has broken her vows of purity and seems that our troublesome ranger
has, for some time, been dallying had the audacity to insult the
around, resulting in her expecting mage's wife, a coyote-faced thief,
a wee one some time late next year. at which time he called for a duel
to the death. However, the ranger
We, of course, were horrified that refused to rise to the challenge,
something like this could occur choosing to flee rather than fight.
behind the backs of the KMS (Kelfour
Morality Society) of which we are We have also learned that during the
the chairperson, but we were even gladitorial games, the ranger's
more shocked to learn that the assu- opponent, a wraithlike lady mage
med father of the child is a flinty- attempted, for some reason that we
eyed fellow who has since refused cannot quite fathom, to fling a
to wed our ruined cleric. For shame. glass of water on her, at which
Or perhaps for the best, as she is point the ranger fled the arena in
rather homely, to say the least. fear. She has since refused to speak
to anyone, more from shame, we are
One of Kelfour's muchly married lady sure, than the throat disorder she
mages has been carrying on once claims to have contracted.
again behind her long suffering
husband's back. This time, our blue The most shocking discovery we made
robed trollop was spotted in one of this month was learning that yet
the abandoned bedrooms in Blototh another of Kelfour's debutante
ruins with a young (and handsome) clerics has thrown caution (and
bardly type. We wonder if her ranger clothes) to the wind, and has been
husband has caught the ever present noticed, on several occasions,
disease that seems to affect the displaying her treasures for all and
senses, rendering him, along with sundry. We have also learned that
many others, deaf, dumb and blind. this cleric has been entertaining
members of Kelfour's youngest sect
Speaking of which, we have noticed in her rooms at one of the houses.
the distinct absence of our kind-
hearted lady healer lately, follow- She claims, of course, that the
ing our announcement of her betroth- clandestine meetings are for educat-
ed lordly mage's true orientation. ional purposes only, and that the
We wonder if he has spurned her for youngsters needed a hand in learning
another (perhaps one of the muscular our Kulthean ways. In fact, one of
and swaggering fighters that const- the blustering fellows, upon leaving
antly hug him) and she has fled Kul- the rooms, remarked, "I never knew
thea in shame. school could be this good."
Strains of Mozart were playing in Until next month, faithful reader,
the background as we noticed a young remember to send gossip, rumors and
damsel thiefly type cavorting in tid-bits to MISS.SNOOP (via GEMAIL).
Frick's inn with a dark haired mage,
who is old enough to be her father. Happy snooping, and tra-la for now!
-29-
KE:V2N5
[end]
See Also: