Kelfour Edition volume II number VIII
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Win a Magnificent Blue Topaz! See Page 4 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III's January 1992 |
| Vol.2, No.8 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| E/ / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| D/ / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| I/ / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| S/ (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| N/ Two _____ _ _ _ _ |
|I/ AUTHENTIC / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| GemStone III / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
**************** / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
* Trading Cards* / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
**************** (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| |
| Start YOUR The Kronicles of Kulthea |
|Collection Now! |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| |
| Local News ................................................... 1 |
| Authentic GemStone III Trading Card: Skeleton .. Szandor LaVey 1 |
| Editorial: Quest Etiquette ................................... 2 |
| A Certain Taste to Remember ............. Lord Certain Justice 3 |
| A Winter's Tale, Preamble ...... by the Scribes of Quellbourne 4 |
| Between Good and Evil ........................ Flint Thalassar 9 |
| The Odds of Enchantment .. An Interview with Lord Odds Bodkins 12 |
| Re-roll of the Dice ............................ Feckly Fecund 13 |
| History o' the World, Part II .................. Szandor LaVey 15 |
| Of Mice and Half-Elves, Conclusion ........ Gallenod Varynesti 16 |
| Authentic GemStone III Trading Card: Goblin .... Szandor LaVey 19 |
| The Dark One .................................. Inyigo Montoya 20 |
| A Secret from the Keep, Part I ........ Lord Whilder Planrathe 23 |
| Of Greed and Thieves .................. Miss Louvella Parsnips 28 |
| |
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|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Editor Lady Wiswraith Winterwind, Assistant Editor Rune |
| Arundel, or Publisher Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for |
| details. Banner letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
From KE's City Desk: Local Kelfour's Landing News!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enchantment True Seen in Kulthea! Authentic GS3 Trading Cards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ____________________________
Lord Odds Bodkins is the first mage / \ \
to acquire the enchant true spell. \@| GemStone III |
Although not without quirks, (and | ________________________ |
some say it is tied in with the || ||
Duplicate Spell) Lord Odds has || __ __ ||
managed to enchant many items for || / V \ ||
grateful adventurers. || > . . < ||
|| \O v O/ ||
It seems, however, that weapons may || /...\ ||
be the only enchantable items for || \___/ ||
Lord Odds and armor, shields and the || //=--/|\--=\\ ||
like are not as simple. See KE's || //\___/|\___/\\ ||
exclusive Interview with Lords Odds || // \___/|\___/ \\ ||
in THIS issue on Page 12. || // \___/|\___/ \\ ||
||________________________||
Gladitorial Games Return! | |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Skeleton: Lvl 1 CP - 30 |
The Gladitorial Games are again | OB 25 |
making their appearance in Kulthea /@| [ 5 ] DB 0 |
with some changes announced. Please \ / /
see the bulletin board or Vlad ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dracula for more information on Starting in THIS issue of KE you can
these changes. We believe they are begin collecting AUTHENTIC GS3
something along the lines of the Trading Cards. Watch for others
batch level adjustments, but more among these pages and don't be
information will be forthcoming fooled by imitations. Collect them
before the games begin. all to trade with your friends!
The Engraver has begun to engrave shields with the Coats of Arms of
recognized Houses of Kulthea! First to be so honored? House of the Rising
Phoenix. Their Coat of Arms:
_____________________
___________________ \
_________________ \ \ ___ /\
_______________ \ \ \ ____/_ %) / / /\
_____________ \ \ \ \ /___ ^ %| / / / / /\
, ___________ \ \ \ \ \ /% % |/ / / / / / /\
} ________ ==========| /% % %'/ / / / / / / /\
} } ______ | ++++++++ | /% % %,)\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
} _____ \~*~*~*~*~ /% % % % ),\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
, } ___| +++++' / % % % %,), | | | | | | | | |
} } } } ' % *~*~* /% % % %,),), / / / / / / / / /
} } } ' } } % % % +++'/ % % %,),),), / / / / / / / /
} } } } ' } } * % % % %,),),),), / / / / / / /
} } } ' } } } } % % % ),),),),) / / / / / /
} } ' } } ' } } ),),),),),),), / / / / /
} ' } } ' } } ' ),),) ),),) / / / /
} } %% % / / /
} } } } % /\\\ / /
} } } /\\\ /
,} Art by Lady Wisraith Winterwind
-1-
Quest Etiquette
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ Editorial
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|ith addition of new That's what Feedback and the Bulle-
| |~|/~~\|~| | staff members to tin Board are for. Airing frustra-
_| |~/~/\~\~| | Simutronics, there tions in an appropriate manner is
/@| _|__/ \__|_| has been a welcome called consideration, in inappro-
\_/_____________/ increase in quests priate fashion it is rudeness.
roleplaying events. This is new ter- I think most of us can identify
ritory for both players and Game- with the character who is robbed of
Masters. It appears we have gotten a newly discovered item -- it is a
off to a rocky start, however, and loss of opportunity for fun due to
now seems a good time to point some the greed and self-centeredness of
things out. another. Perhaps more subtle but to
Just as every character's person- some, maybe many, as frustrating, is
ality differs and all players have theft of the moment or mood. To one
different aspirations for their who values tangibles, the theft of
characters, so too do we all have an item or money is inexcusable. To
different notions of what consti- one who values intangibles, the
tutes a "good" quest or event. Some theft of a roleplaying opportunity
of us quest for treasure (items or a time of cameraderie is every
and/or silver), some for tricky bit as intolerable.
problems to solve, some for unique I know we've all waited a long
roleplaying opportunities, and some time for quests to be routine and
for the ultimate combat challenge. have built great expectations. From
For each and every player, there is past quests, we know that no quest
a different "perfect" quest. pleases everyone. But since we
Some quests are large in scope can't please everybody, does that
and incorporate many different mean we should stop having them? Of
aspects. However, these are few and course not. It means is that we
far between due to the incredible must accept that each quest, while
work required. Smaller quests must not OUR favorite, may be someone
be less ambitious and only incor- else's "perfect" quest. If you
porate one or two different aspects. spoil it for them they will resent
Their primary drawback is a limit- you as much as if you stole some-
ation in scope; they are less likely thing because, in fact, you have.
to please everyone but since they Be patient; your "perfect" quest
are easier to run, they become more will come along, too.
frequent. As a result, everybody's Different people like different
favorite kind of quest eventually kinds of quests; if you aren't
turns up. While waiting for our enjoying yourself that doesn't mean
"perfect" quest, however, we must that no one else is. If you cannot
keep in mind that not everyone wait long enough to post a message,
expects the same things and while we at least remain respectful; you may
may be disappointed, some one else may not realize your demands are
may be having the time of her life. upsetting other players, but they
Having the time of her life, that probably are, not to mention
is, until someone breaks character discouraging the GameMasters from
to criticize the GameMasters because running quests if they think all
it isn't what she expected, and that happens is people chew them out
demanding they immediately tailor it without regard for the work they put
to her personal preferences. That in. Finally, there is not one of us
is not to say that if one is dis- who is more important than any other
appointed she shouldn't express one; by heckling and insulting the
herself, but there are appropriate GameMasters in public during an
and inappropriate ways to do so. event, you demonstrate that you
think you are.
-2-
A Certain Taste to Remember
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Lord Certain Justice
___________
/ \ ______ \
\@| ~|_|~\\ |onuts with your tea or manticore chips with asfarnass dip,
| |~| ||| a little barbecued leg and end the evening with pickled
_| |~| ||| of threk with a flagon cockatrice eggs in mint jelly. The
/@| |~|_// | of ale are all well and entire repast I wash down with no
\_/ ~~~~~~ / good, but some of us less than a full decanter of ancient
~~~~~~~~~~ require more than troll mariner port, a vintage recovered
jerky to make it through the long from a long dead raiding party I
evenings between adventures. When I happened upon --but that story is for
get back from a particularly arduous another time. Just on the off chance
quest, nothing rests better in my that you might want to try one of
tummy, or preys more on my mind, than these treats on your mate the next
a little dragon chicken or tea-smoked time she asks why you never do any of
ogre. the cooking, I present one of my
I usually begin with crispy fried favorite recipes. Bon appetit!
_____________________________
/ \ \
In logistics lay the |@/___________________________/ Sprinkle the spices
true challenge of |_ Dragon Chicken | through the grate of
preparing this dish. /---------------------------| the full helm on the
Presentation and | 1 14 lb chicken (if you | bird's armor.
accoutrements aside, | have trouble loc- |
I have always found | ating one, sub- | Now comes the tricky
that bringing each | titute a small | part. You will have
ingredient together | threk) alive or | to sneak up on the
effectively is be | freshly killed. | dragon. With the
the mark of a truly | | chicken panicked and
wondrous chef. | 1 small dragon, just old | unable to see or
| enough to breathe | smell the dragon,
First, fit the chic- | (fire that is). | chase it towards the
ken (or threk as you | | fell drake! A note
prefer) into the | 1 full set of fake armor. | of warning at this
armor. Next, fill | | point: Timing and
the gauntlets and | 1 gallon of molasses | skill at arms are
boots with vegetab- | | crucial at this
les (these remote | A generous assortment of | juncture. You must
areas tend to be | spices and fresh | kill the dragon (or
subjected to less /@| vegetables. | otherwise recover
severe heat) and \_/___________________________/ the roasted carcass)
collect the juices. after the dragon
breathes, but before
Now, pour the molasses into the neck he eats your supper without becoming
of the breastplate; this tends to an unexpected appetizer yourself. It
hold the entire affair together is prudent NOT to use area effect
better and to restrain the bird, magic due to the collateral damage
if you were lucky enough to get a likely to be done to your supper.
a live one.
-3-
A Winter's Tale, Preamble
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_____________ by the Scribes of Quellbourne
/ \ _________ \
\@| ||=|=|=|| | hey had chased him A clash of swords and the booming of
| ~~ |_| ~~ | across miles of snow a battering ram thudding into the
_| |_| | covered wilderness. heavy gates spurred him on. He knew
/@| _|_|_ | He lurched along, the sorcerer had tracked him here,
\_/__________/ his breath visible even now they were breaking through
in the cold, his boots making soft the gates. Innocent people would be
crunching sounds in the thick snow, destroyed, the entire town could be
the jagged shaft of an arrow protru- ruined and all because of him.
ding from his right shoulder. He
could hear the baying dogs in the "I have to get out of here, track me
distance, the harsh barking growing elsewhere," he cried, running down a
clearer with every stumbling step he darkened alley. Resting against an
took. He knew they were following ivy-covered stone wall, Irya
his trail. Blood spattered the carefully unwrapped the bundle he'd
pristine snow behind him, shining carried for so long. A last look,
blackly in Orhan's pale light. he thought, gazing into the beauty
of the magnificent blue topaz. It
He clutched a bundle to his chest. was huge, bigger than any gem ever
Wrapped in tattered layers of cloth discovered and flickers of blue fire
was his prize, the greatest treasure danced in its depths. He stroked a
in all Kulthea, marking him the finger carefully across the gem,
greatest thief of all time. then rewrapped it.
His name was Irya, and his thiefly Irya had finally reached a decision.
reputation had earned him the last He would hide the gem and leave this
name Lighthand. He was a master at part of the world. Perhaps in a few
his trade, the only one brave (or years the sorcerer would forget -
foolish) and adept enough to break and he could return for it. Under
into the old tower and steal the no circumstances must it fall back
sorcerer's most precious object. He into the hands of the sorcerer for
had almost gotten away with it, too. if it did, all Kulthea would be but
ashes. Resolving to seek a hiding
Curse them for spotting me so soon, place for the gem, Irya left the
he thought, staggering along the shadows and found himself on a
winding path that led to the gates bustling main road.
of a town up ahead. I must find a
healer, I cannot die and let them The town was bright with flickering
take the treasure from my corpse. I torchlight as many citizens and mil-
must not let it fall into the hands itia had hurried to the gates. The
of that evil again! Curse you, Mor- sorcerer and his minions had been
dred, curse you and your foul plan. turned back, but not without cost to
"You will not use this treasure to the people of Kelfour's Landing.
open Quellbourne to the unlife while Many of its soldiers and brave
-I- live!" Irya said aloud. citizens lay dead at the foot of the
gates. One solitary mage stood on
Orhan's light was dimmed by thick the ramparts, casting ward spells to
clouds as Irya slipped through the insure the evil would not return.
town gates unnoticed. Not many were
about at this time of night. A "At least I am safe for the momemt,"
couple of militia, a night watchman, Irya said to himself, almost weeping
some late revelers returning from at thought of damage he had caused.
the tavern. None took note of Irya He knew the sorcerer would not give
as he crept along, keeping to the up easily.
shadows. -4- # # #
More..
"2,000 silvers, if you please." another section. It seemed quieter
Slaktey Akrash, gold teeth gleaming, and less bright so Irya stepped
smiled at Irya and held out a damp through. There were a few couples
palm. Irya scowled, already itching drinking and whispering to each
inside the coarse cotton bandage the other in the dimness. Irya sat down
healer had strapped his wound with. at a small table, brushed a strand
"Robbery!" he cried. of lank black hair from his green
eyes and sipped his ale. His fin-
"You're alive, aren't you?" Slaktey gers, idle always, twisted a small
said. "What price your life, sire?" bud vase that held a drooping daisy.
"Hmmm," he mused to himself, "just
"All right, all right," Irya grum- about the right size." He measured
bled, dropping the silvers into the (with his eyes) a small crack in one
eager palm. At least he wouldn't of the table legs. But that could
die now, and he felt almost well. wait. He yawned. First some rest.
While the healer had been tending to The inn was shabby but suited to his
him, Irya had taken a quick look purposes, so Irya paid the silvers
around the tent. The only hiding and followed the Innkeeper to a
place was beneath one of the sick tiny, almost bare room. Once alone,
beds. Judging from the amount of he shoved a small dresser against
dust and dirt there, Irya could tell the door, made sure the latch was
no one ever cleaned under there. tight, then tore a strip from the
Perhaps, he thought. Perhaps. bottom of the sheet and tied the
bundle to his calf, under his
"Now for a drink," he muttered as he breeches. He lay down, dagger in
left the healer's tent. The excite- hand, and closed his eyes.
ment over, Kelfour's Landing was
almost quiet again. Irya noticed He woke with the dawn and immed-
two half-elves, dressed in the deep iately checked to see that the
green of the ranger profession, bundle was still there. Finding all
staggering down the cobbled streets, as he had left it, he pushed the
singing at the top of their voices. dresser out of the way and stepped
He decided to follow them, knowing into the narrow hall.
they would lead him, unknowingly,
where he wished to go. A small staircase beckoned Irya from
the far end of the hallway, and he
Irya thumped up the rickety steps climbed it curiously. It led to the
and pushed open the door to Helga's attic of the inn, with plenty of
Tavern. A whiff of stale air hit hiding places around. Another lad-
him like a rock as he pushed his way der went through a trap door and
past the horde of unruly but jolly onto the rooftop. He peered over,
adventurers. "Ale," he cried over noticing that the building across
the din, shoving a half-conscious the way had a broken window. "May
dwarf out of the way as he leaned as well explore there, too," he said
against the counter. as he maneuvered across the roof and
swung his legs through the window.
Irya didn't like the place. He wor-
ried that one of these drunkards More...
would glimpse his gem and it would ________________________________
be all over. Still, he'd paid the / \
huge, aproned woman behind the | Read carefully. Uncover the |
counter, and he supposed he might as | clues, puzzle it out, discover |
well drink his ale. There has got | where Irya Lighthand hid the |
to be a quieter place, he thought, | |
struggling through the crowd. | Magnificent Blue Topaz! |
| You WON'T be sorry! :) |
He spied an archway leading to \________________________________/
-5-
He landed on a some old crates, undisturbed. A gnollish glass
precariously stacked, almost falling twinkled from the mantle and Irya
as they swayed. "Curses," he cried, counted at least six hiding places.
trying to get his balance. What a The armchair was deep and plush
perfect hiding place, he thought as enough that the gem could rest
he secured himself. The undisturbed comfortably beneath its cushions for
dust looked years old. Carefully, some time. "Hmmm," Irya pondered,
he climbed down to level ground. smiling at the boy. "Show me your
other secret places."
The storeroom led out into a gaming
hall. Never one to resist the call The boy led him through the twisting
of dice, Iyra spent a pleasurable streets of the town, darting into so
hour at the gaming tables, almost many places Irya couldn't keep track
losing his last silver before he of them all. Some kind of hall or
tore himself away. guild, a stable by the smell, a shop
with an empty back room, under a
As he stood on the red cobblestones small bridge, through several aban-
outside the gambling house, Irya saw doned warehouses, a cottage, an
a small tow-headed boy staring at abandoned store, and finally to a
him. He stared back, noting that guard tower.
the boy's clothes were ragged, his
face unwashed with dirty pointed It was while climbing the winding
ears marking him as half-elven. staircase of the tower that Irya
felt the first pains. Harsh and
"Got a silver for some bread, good agonizing, he felt as though his
sir?" the boy asked, holding out a whole body was being sliced by the
grubby hand. sharpest knives. He groaned,
sinking to his knees on the stair,
"Perhaps." Irya fingered the last "Boy... boy, help me!" he muttered.
silver coin inside his tunic pocket.
"I need some help." "Whassamatter?" the boy asked,
peering anxiously at him.
"At your service." The boy bowed.
"I've been poisoned. I mean, a
"I trust you can keep silent about poisoned arrow hit me yesterday and
this, boy," Irya said in his stern- I haven't much time left. I need to
est voice. "It's very important." hide a .... an object."
The boy nodded and he continued. "I
need to hide something. It's a game "Give it me then and I'll hide it
I'm playing with a friend and I need where they won't never know about,"
to hide something where no one will the boy babbled, holding onto Irya's
ever find it." leg to keep him from tumbling down
the staircase.
The boy grinned. "I know lots of
those places," he said, grabbing the "Nay, I must do it myself."
edge of Irya's cloak. "C'mon."
The boy held out his hand. "First,
Irya smiled inwardly at his bril- the silver."
liant idea. Who would know a town
as well as a street boy? "Lead on, Irya handed over the coin and
boy," he said, following the lad groaned again as the boy helped him
down the street. to his feet. He breathed deeply and
concentrated, finally managing to
Now this is interesting, Irya control the pain as his long-
thought, as he squeezed through a departed mother had taught him.
hidden space behind the fireplace.
He had no idea where they were, but "Let us continue."
this place was dusty and practically More...
-6-
"As you wish," replied the boy. floor of the cell and shackled his
arms and legs to great iron rings
Irya blinked and focused his eyes. embedded in the rock.
His vision was blurry and he knew
his reactions were slowing. When he "I will ask again. Where is the
raised a trembling hand and wiped it topaz?" the sorcerer said, staring
across his eyes, the boy gasped. down at Irya's shaking form. "I can
stop the poison that ravages your
"What?" Irya snapped. body even now, Lighthand. Just give
me the jewel."
"Your mark." The boy pointed to the
brand on Irya's forearm. "You're a "I do not have it," Irya said,
master thief!" trying to smile confidently. "I
said you have the wrong elf."
Irya smiled as best he could. "Aye."
"We shall see about that! Search
"That's what I want to be," the boy him!" the sorcerer screamed at his
said, smiling wickedly. "I practice guards.
as much as I can. Got any pointers?"
The trolls almost shredded Irya's
Irya smiled down at him. "Just clothing with their sharp talons.
listen to your teachers." They wrenched off his boots, finding
only parchment stuffed into the toes
The boy scowled. "That's no good. to keep the fit. He screamed as the
I've heard that before." jagged claws ripped his skin. One
troll cowered before the sorcerer.
"That's all I can tell you," Irya "We cannot find it, master."
grunted, staggering along behind the
boy. "Now find me a hiding place or "Where did you hide it, Lighthand?"
I'll have your ears as trophies." the sorcerer demanded in a brittle
voice. Irya just shook his head.
# # #
"If you will permit me, master," one
They caught him as he staggered over wight lord stepped forward. The
the drawbridge to the castle. His sorcerer nodded. "One of the raven
clothes were wet with sea spray and scouts has reported back."
slimy, as though he had slid through
mud or slime, and his eyes burned "And?" the sorcerer demanded, pacing
like black coals. Wight lords and the length of the small cell.
litches and a smattering of vicious
trolls jumped out at Irya and held "Lighthand had a boy with him.
him fast. Perhaps he gave the jewel to this
More...
The sorcerer, cruel and powerful in Write for __
his gold-etched scarlet robe, step- Kelfour // )
ped forward and gripped Irya's chin Edition, and // \/
between two talon-tipped fingers. you too can // \/
"It seems you have been busy, earn a FREE // \/
Lighthand. Where is the jewel?" WEEKEND in // \/
GemStone // \/
"Jewel?" Irya said. "You have the III. // \/
wrong elf, Mordred. I have no // \/
jewel." //__/
///\ Contact
"Liar!" the sorcerer screamed. "Take __//__ a GM or a
him to the dungeon!" | | newsletter
| | Staff Member
They threw him to the cold stone /________\ for details.
-7-
youngster." The sorcerer nodded and the boy
sighed deeply.
"Did the raven see this? Where is
this boy?" "I took him to the gambling hall, to
all the fireplaces, the merchant
"The raven did not see the transfer hall..." the boy furrowed his brow,
of the jewel. The boy lives yet in "the guard towers, I remember naught
Shanty Town, in the southeast of the else, Lord."
Landing."
"There must be others," the sorcerer
"Very well," the sorcerer said, "I said. "50,000 silver pieces to you
shall deal with this boy myself. if I find my treasure, boy."
Meanwhile, and see if you cannot
convince Lighthand to reveal the "He... he wanted to see the crypt
whereabouts of my treasure. I must in the abandoned temple. I could
have that jewel!" not leave the town, so I directed
It took the wight lords and litches him there."
only a short time to reduce Irya to
an empty shell. His eyes stared "Where else?"
vacantly at the ceiling as his life
ebbed slowly from his body in a "I remember naught else, Lord," the
great red pool. "Enough," the boy said, fighting back tears of
leader of the lords demanded. "We fear. "Only the thief knows for
must save some life force for the sure where the treasure is."
master."
"Perhaps you yourself took the
Irya's eyes flickered at the treasure while he suffered from the
retreating backs of the sorcerer's poison," the sorcerer said slowly.
minions. The great stone door "Perhaps it is even now hidden in
slammed and he heard the bolt that shack you call your home."
wrenched into place. Curse you,
Mordred, he thought, and curse your "Nay Lord!" the boy wailed. "I did
topaz, too. It has cost me my life. not take the topaz."
With his last strength, Irya's The sorcerer smiled mirthlessly.
fingers curled around a small sharp "Then how do you know it is a
stone. He gritted his teeth and topaz?"
began to scratch the stone floor
with it. Let me get it right, he The boy said nothing, just stared at
thought desperately, just let me get the sorcerer with terrified eyes.
it right. "Torture him!" the sorcerer screamed
at the guards. "I must have my
They threw the boy into the cell treasure!"
next to where Irya lay drawing his
last ragged breaths. "Did you take Kill me if you must, the boy thought
the jewel from the thief?" the desperately as the claws began to
sorcerer asked the boy. rend his skin, your evil will get no
aid from me!
"Nay!" the boy cried. "I only showed _________________________________
him the town. He paid me a silver." / \
| So endeth the first part of the |
"Hmmm," the sorcerer frowned. "You | tale of Irya Lighthand and the |
will tell me every place you showed | Magnificent Blue Topaz. |
Lighthand." | |
| Will you be the first to find |
The boy stared open mouthed at the | this valuable prize? |
magestic sorcerer. "I will tell you | Final details next month. |
all I can remember, Lord." \_________________________________/
-8-
Between Good and Evil
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Flint Thalassar
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |gwin looked around. Agwin wondered at this little drama,
| //|"| | The old warehouse then understood what was happening.
_| //=|"| | smelled of high des- The taller man did not want his
/@| // |"| | ert before a storm. henchman to give away too many
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / He explored the mesas secrets too soon. Agwin would have
~~~~~~~~~~~~ and valleys of stack- to earn such revelations. The com-
ed crates. Could this be the place? manding voice of Kaspar marked him
Self consciousness overcame him, but as the leader, probably a powerful
still he called out "Tree?" Then sorcerer who was accustomed to
again, "Treeeeee!" No response. He conversing with demons.
tried twittering the sound like a
bird: "Treetreetree? Treetreetree- In truth, Kaspar had assumed that
tree?" Agwin listened for a reply, anyone who could so utterly mis-
but heard only the reverberations of understand directions to the bath-
his own voice. Turning to leave, he house must be hard of hearing, and
gave a startled cry when he caught had started speaking louder to
sight of two men who had somehow compensate. Agwin asked him if this
snuck up on him. was, then, "the group" of which he
had heard so much. "There are many
The first was large and bearish, groups," Kaspar began.
with a rounded brown beard. The
fact that his grey suit had gone out "Collect them all," said Titus, then
of style some forty years ago only smiled meekly as Kaspar's hand fast-
made him look more menacing. A ened on the back of his neck.
hook- nosed fellow, slight of build,
stood at his side, brushing back Kaspar looked back at Agwin. "Many
flowing red hair. Agwin decided paths lead to the top of the moun-
these must be his contacts. tain. Some are straight and steep,
others wander and weave. Yet only
"I am Kaspar," said the bearded one, one is open on weekends."
"and this is Titus."
Agwin pursed his lips. Here he was,
Agwin retreated to a more comfort- face to face with those who could
able distance, then found his voice. teach him so much, and already he
"Hi. Well. Agwin," he said, inclin- felt confused. "I'm afraid ..."
ing a finger toward himself. "See,
I heard, well, was told really, to "Of course you are afraid," said
seek my fortune in the warehouse, Titus. "Fear will be your constant
and that the password was 'tree.'" companion in these coming months, as
He searched the men for some sign of you learn to harness the powers of
comprehension. the AON."
The one called Titus made a face. "Yes, the AON," said Kaspar, nod-
"You sure, now, they didn't say the ding. "Welcome, Agwin, to the
b..." He halted with a groan and Assortment of Nights."
looked down, where Kaspar had
planted a large foot decisively upon "Assortment?"
his own.
"Pah! Nomenclature such as 'Council'
"Welcome, young friend," said or 'Society' rings of bureaucracy
Kaspar. "You are one of the few to and authoritarianism, don't you
have divined the correct interpret- agree? 'Assortment' describes us
ation." quite well."
More...
-9-
"Um. Indeed. That's 'Knights' with Titus and Kaspar held in whispers,
a 'K' was it?" they looked back at Agwin with a
smile. "Yes," said Kaspar. "You
Kaspar thought for a moment. "It will return with the skins of four -
was with a 'K' at one time, but the - no, five ... Ha ha! did I say
K was removed when our female com- five? I meant seven."
rades complained of sexism. Now it
is with an 'N.'" Agwin waited. "Seven?"
"With an 'N' and no 'K,'" said "Seven persimmons," announced Titus.
Titus. Kaspar let out his breath in a slow
hiss. Titus glanced up at his
"'N' -- a nice androgynous letter," friend, then continued, "plus twenty
said Kaspar. "Delicately rounded in thousand silver coins for postage
lower case, straight and firm in and handling." He spread his arms
caps, a perfect combination of male wide and shrugged. "After all, we
and female essences." must ship them to AON headquarters
for transmogrification."
"But as for 'K'..." Titus dismissed
the letter with a sneer. "Persimmons?"
"All yang." "I know, Agwin, how you must feel,"
said Kaspar. "The quest seems too
"Spiny," said Kaspar. "Obtrusive. difficult. Hopeless, even." He
Overly assertive, large or small." spoke with the weary voice of one
dredging up a familiar argument.
Agwin raised a hand to his brow. "But you don't get something for
Was it his imagination, or was he nothing. I've never seen a
becoming feverish? "Well, 'Assort- persimmon give up without a fight,
ment of Nights,' though, that does- and I expect no less of you!"
n't make a lot of sense, does it?
Vague at best, one would think." It then occurred to Agwin that he
might be dreaming. But glancing
The big man leaned forward, pushing around, he found the colors too
Agwin back with his gaze. "There vivid. No, he thought, I only dream
are more important issues at stake in pastels. Persimmon must be some
here than making sense! And as for code word or metaphor. "When you
vagueness, remember the saying, 'in say 'persimmon,' you don't mean the
vagueness lies nebulosity.'" actual, that is the, er ..."
Seeing no glimmer of understanding Kaspar sat down on a crate, and
in Agwin, Titus added, "or put motioned for Agwin to find a seat
another way, 'seek tautology and you near him. "I see. You worry that
seek tautology.' Does that help?" your path is not the same as that of
your friends. Let me tell you a
By now Agwin felt his head spinning, story, a parable. This may help."
a sensation to which, as a patron of
Helga's tavern, he was not altoget- "At the edge of a cliff," he began,
her a stranger. They must think I "sat two men, contemplating the view
am a complete idiot, he thought. of the jungle many hundreds of feet
This lore is too subtle for a beneath them. A rustle of wings
beginner like me. If only I could heralded the arrival of a large
somehow appear 'in the know.' What avian, which swooped past the men
was it I overheard at Helga's? "Um, and rose on the updraft formed by
well put. Of course. Now what will the cliff. Clutched in the bird's
be my first quest? Skins, is it?" claws was a brilliant diamond,
larger than a man's fist. The bird
After a short conversation which grew tired of its heavy prize and
-10- More...
released its grip, letting the jewel man," said Titus.
descend in a graceful arc toward the
foliage below." "He said there were only two."
"Each fellow cast a sidelong glance "Ah, there appeared to be only two,"
at his companion, hoping to have said Kaspar, "because the third man
been the sole witness to this was hiding behind a rock."
marvel; each was disappointed. The
first man, without hesitation, flung "Why was that?"
himself from his perch and hurtled
into space after the treasure. The "Pah! It is his subsequent actions
second waited only long enough to which concern us here. He watched
watch the other plummet out of the other men while consuming a
sight, then decided to reach the tomato sandwich. Soon he returned
jungle floor via a winding trail." home, slipped into bed beside his
wife, and enjoyed a delightful...
"Now the first man exulted in his night's sleep." Kaspar gave a smug
decision. His thoughts ran thus: nod, signaling the end of the story.
'How swiftly I approach my destina-
tion! Oh, how effortless my travel! "Could you elaborate?" asked Agwin.
While that poor fool struggles over
uneven ground, I have harnessed the "Very well," said Titus. "You see,
very forces of nature to my aid. he lay down in the bedchamber beside
Surely I will reach the diamond his perfumed companion. Then,
first, and claim it as my own.'" placing his..."
"The second had meanwhile begun to "I have some grasp of that part,"
despair. 'My efforts will prove fu- said Agwin. "Rather, it is the
tile,' he thought. 'The path I have meaning of the story that I fail to
chosen alternately approaches and understand."
turns from the diamond; who knows
where it may lead me? My journey is Titus smiled. "It means, sure
difficult and slow. He races ahead enough, that no worldly treasure can
of me -- this is unfair.'" compare with a nice..."
Kaspar hesitated, letting Agwin ab- "What my esteemed comrade is trying
sorb the story. "Well, just as he to say," Kaspar broke in, "is that a
had predicted, the man who had story like this yields up its sec-
jumped reached the diamond first. rets only after many weeks of
However, the force of the fall squ- sincere meditation."
ashed him into a thick paste, much
like cookie dough, but lacking such Agwin brightened. He had heard of
appealing features as chocolate this sort of thing. The Secret Mas-
chips. Some time later, the second ters preferred to conceal their lore
man reached the jungle floor. Tired within cryptic parables, lest their
and saddened, he wandered at last powers fall into the hands of the
within sight of the treasure, where unworthy. He stood back up. "I see.
he was promptly devoured by tigers." I go, then, to complete my first
quest."
Kaspar folded his arms. Agwin squin-
ted, seeing the story in his mind "Seven persimmon skins, and the mon-
and wondering what he had missed. ey," said Kaspar. "Do not fail us."
"Forgive me, but understanding of
this parable eludes me. Though Agwin had just reached the street
varying in their methods, both men when he heard the voice of Titus
appear to have lost their lives." calling after him. "And a half-
gallon of milk!" He hoped this was
He failed to mention the third not another metaphor.
-11-
The Odds of Enchantment
An Interview with Odds Bodkins
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Wisraith Winterwind
/ \ ______ \
\@| /~/~~\~\ |ver the years it has think proliferation of enchanted
||~| |~|| has been the goal of items will make them commonplace?
_||~| |~|| many mages to grasp
/@| \~\__/~/ | that Holy Grail of OB: Not really, at least, not right
\_/ ~~~~~~ / spells, Enchantment away. With mundane weapons, which I
~~~~~~~~~~~ True. Only since the seem to be best with, I estimate my
discovery of the Spider Temple has success rate at one in four casts.
achieving level 25 (the lowest level With weapons there seems to be an
at which the spell is castable) been equal chance of succssful enchant-
possible for mages. However, pos- ment and pyrotechnics.
sible in no way denotes easy, or
even likely, and being the first to My success rate has been ter-
learn Enchantment True puts Odds rible with armor and shields. The
Bodkins in a class by himself, at items blow up at least half the time
least for the time being. Congrat- and the spell only succeeds about
ulations, Odds! once in thirty casts. Maybe some
future mage will surpass me in this
KE: What exactly does the Enchant- area; there is precedence for that
ment True spell do, Odds? with the Duplicate spell.
OB: When cast successfully on a To make rapid proliferation even
weapon, a shield, or armor, a +25 less likely, the spell cannot be
bonus is imparted to that item. cast at essence nodes and only seems
to have much success when I'm at my
KE: Does the spell work on any other full power points. As a result, I
items? have to wait at least four to five
minutes between casting. With a
OB: Items such as capes, helms, success rate for armor and shields,
aventails, and the like, appear to well, you can see how the time
be enchantable but no discernable involved becomes enormous.
bonus is evident when they are used.
Most other items just glow slightly KE: Will you be offering enchanted
and then fade. items free of charge, or have you a
fee structure already in place?
KE: Do there appear to be any
restrictions on what weapons, OB: I plan on charging enough to
shields and armor are enchantable? make enchanted items somewhat val-
uable but still available to most.
OB: Items made of any exotic My structure is based on their value
materials such as eog, laen, mithril in relation to other items avail-
or shaalk, "special order" items able, or, at least, that is my
from the shops, many "unique" items intent. I'm also offering one free
and items that have been blessed or enchantment to any healer or cleric
edged are not enchantable and are of at least level ten and to a few
lost immediately. people to whom I feel indebted.
KE: Lost? Lost how? KE: Are there any changes you'd like
to see in the way the spell
OB: They provide everyone present operates?
with an unplanned fireworks display.
OB: Weapons specially ordered from
KE: How unfortunate. With you in the shops seem to be impossible to
business now, as it were, do you enchant. I agree with this in the
-12- Cont. On Page 27...
Re-roll of the Dice
Or When There's No Justice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Feckly Fecund
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|hy on Kulthea would first level character gets a free
| |~|/~~\|~| | anyone who spent ride on the wings of enlightened
_| |~/~/\~\~| | hundreds, if not self interest. After all, which of
/@| _|__/ \__|_| thousands of dol- us would have stayed and played for
\_/_____________/ ars to get a char- those next arduous eighteen levels
acter half way to Lord status decide if our most prized possession had
to re-roll? This question plagued already lost all his bonuses at
me for weeks. Plagued me until I second level?
took a close look at the playability
of Feckly, dark knave. The poten- Don't get me wrong, I love role
tials tend to blind us to the roads playing; been a MERPs and AD&Der
which must be taken to achieve them. for more than a decade, but lets
Not unlike the average Stone-head, I face it: You can't hunt kobolds,
got another account and rolled a hobgoblins and orcs forever. The
little cousin who soon became more vagaries of the experience algo-
than someone to run those trouble- rithms fail to obscure two critical
some errands to summon a cleric truths: you have to earn the exper-
after making a fatal mistake. ience before you can absorb it, and
it takes time to absorb experience,
Certain blazed past Feckly and made whether it's productive or not.
eleventh level while Feckly only got (And as we all know, time is money,
from seventh to eighth in the same unless you're a Sysop.) I answer two
period. It was already too late for simple questions to confirm that I'm
the foolish knave; too many times having fun: did the session feel
it had been easier to depart. After more like work or play and did I
all, the expensive weapon and shield average over 1000 experience points
were already lost. Besides, there per hour. Any of you out there with
were no clerics online, or they were bottomless checking accounts may
all busy with the existing backup of find the first measure of signifi-
broken and lifeless bodies. cantly greater importance than the
second, but even at this pace it
Let's look at what the rules say will cost well over $3000.00 to
happens to the character who trusts intimidate and awe newbies with my
in the gods for another chance. presence in the same room with them
After all, we know that the Scor- as Lord Feckly.
pians have seldom given the rules an
interpretation or interpolation man- Now, once you've mastered the
ifestly over-favorable to the mechanics: full keyboard macros,
player. maps of all the `right' places to
go, preprogrammed cute sayings,
Character Law says that the char- places to go where the killing is
acter who dies will suffer a loss of
2d4 points in each potential stat easy and the treasure is plentiful,
(ouch!) per death. This is kindly why are you only getting 200 exp/hr?
deferred until the character reaches Remember those potentials you sacri-
the next level, something that might ficed for play time back when you
never occur after you use up that were second level? Maybe you have
fourth or fifth deed or if the pen- exhibited enough skill to have
alty was imposed after each death. reached your potentials at an early
age and are still only able to
The sudden and subtle sting of death accumulate 500 exp/hr and your mind
is also dulled by the fact that no is always full? Listen up and I'll
penalty is exacted from newbies, the let you in on the results of my
-13- More...
experiment in designer characters: really need the extra locker space
although the hypothesis was proven, and you can probably recover the
the patient died. As many have costs in under two hundred trips to
learned, and few have articulated, store or retrieve items. That's
you need a character for every really not a lot, especially if you
function and two high speed modems! consider the times you had to log
off with chests in your disk and no
To survive, each character needs one available to open them.
offensive and defensive bonus
devices. Beyond laen and shaalk Back to those special items. I wish
weapons and armor, bonuses only I could find one. My next, and
become harder and more expensive to probably last, relative is going to
acquire. What this really means is be an item finder. Feckly does a
that you need a silver mine. If you fine job of finding cash, in and out
can't find it or earn it, your of chests, but there are never any
character will have to become as items in those chests. Just not
adept and as frequent a pilferer as enough bonuses to fight, and sur-
one notorious Lady, who in fact may vive, those really tough and wealthy
be no lady, whose name will remain monsters.
unmentioned. It was, after all,
having my hard earned coin pilfered I think a first level character that
from my very pockets, even in cannot be hit by a cave troll, even
temple, that persuaded me to become if kneeling, is what is needed. One
a thief when I did finally reroll that can ferret out those pesky
Feckly. Fear not, it was only in chests they guard so jealously. I
self defense. may even hire him out to mid and
high level parties.
I have never stolen from anyone --
who didn't deserve it. Acquiring If I had it all to do over again, I
cash (for your new shaalk breast- would never never never play a
plate) is a two part process, character incapable of absorbing two
assuming you don't steal it from a thousand experience points and hour.
legion of soon-to-be-very-pissed This obviously implies the he could
adventurers; finding chests of easily earn more than that with just
silver and magic items, and then a few beasts of a killable level.
opening those chests. Ask Lord Lose Earning and absorbing at a peak rate
how frustrating it is to have a in excess of eighty points per
locker full of chests that no one minute seems right. Alas, I have
can pick. Better yet, consider the only gotten up to sixty/fifty with
pain of Griffun as a mere level two any character to date. We'll see
chest eats his second xeno lock pick next time through the character
in the same session! generator.
Now that we have established why Good luck and good hunting.
greed is a fundamental necessity in /\ /\
the continued survivability of a |/\\ //\|
character (not to mention cost \ /~~~~~\ / Art by
effective level advancement), how |(o) (o)| Yonah
can we enhance our gratification of __| @ |__
this healthy lust? A mage who can /~ | >=-=< | ~\
help supplement one's carrying | \_____/ |
capacity is always nice. If you can / | | \
never cast your own disk spell, make | / | | \ |
some good friends or plan to pay for | | | | | |
the extra eight item slots. Join a `vvv' | | | `vvv'
house as soon as possible. By all | | |
means, if you have aclique, join the / / \ \
house they belong to, but join. You |____/ \____|
-14-
History o' the World, Part II
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
_________ by Szandor LaVey with d'Tarx M'Kryel Dou'orTan
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |t is interesting to note sexless being, but does not imply
| |~| | that, although the Kob- being inanimate, such as our Common
_| |~| | olds do hold [their bel- language; Thus, 'It' is the proper
/@| _|~|_ | ief in eventual world term to refer to the Great One]
\_/ ~~~~~ / domination] in very high created the moons to help and serve
~~~~~~~~ regard, it is not, in the heavens. These moons were named
fact, the ONLY belief of the Kobold. fLetg, Grell, Qikth, rGalth, and
orKhan [Orhan].
I mention this because to most Ko-
bold Historians (a select group, "Then the Great One created the
indeed) it has been held true that First Race (the Goblins), and gave
Kobolds as a race only focus on "The g'Thria to them to do with as they
Battle" as it is called (see Part I) pleased, and left. It is not known
and nothing else including politics, WHY or WHERE the Great One went, but
religion, and public relations. It did leave. This was the First AGE
which lasted for untold millenia,
However, it has been recently dis- and ended with the Second Coming.
covered that the Kobolds have
another belief they focus upon, one "In this Second Coming, the Great
almost as strong as their world One returned (from wherever It went)
domination belief. This new belief to judge the progress of the Gob-
is more religious than not, and lins. It gave a favourable judgement
thus, has been classified under of course. I mean, the Goblins were
Religious Beliefs. Of course. the First Race, and perfect in all
ways. After the judgement was
To explain this, it is first neces- given, It granted the Goblins their
sary to explain its derivation. This one greatest wish; To share the
comes from a portion of the Goblin world with another species.
belief which deals with with
Kobolds, among other races. "However, once creating the First
Race (The Perfect Race, as they are
I, myself, hold a great many Goblin- sometimes called), the Great One
oid beliefs, but I have deferred my would not stoop to create anything
judgement to one more experienced in lesser than the great Goblins (down
such matters, a good friend of mine being the only way to go from there)
named d'Tarx M'Kryel Dou'orTan and bestowed upon the moons the
(Called Do'Urden). I have ammended ability to create new life, and left
portions of this dissertation to (again, it is unclear as to where).
clarify specific discrepancies.
"So the moons pondered and argued
"...[Goblins] are as interesting as for seven years over what to make,
Kobolds in their own special way. and eventually decided thus: Each
Goblins do not believe, like the moon may make one race to live on
Kobolds, that they may one day rule g'Thria.
Kulthea. Nay, they believe, instead,
that they already DO rule Kulthea, "So, fLetg created the Kobolds,
but they keep it a big secret. Grell created the Hobgoblins, Qikth
created the Orcs, rGalth created the
"The Goblin Religion begins thus: Trolls, and orKhan created Humans.
"In the beginning, the Great One
created g'Thria [Kulthea] and the "Unfortunatly, the moons did not ask
heavens to watch over it. Then It the Great One's permission to create
[Note: In the Goblin language, five races, and brought on Its
there is a pronoun which specifies a unstoppable wrath.
-15- More...
"The Great One did not decide to Now, the Kobolds do NOT believe in
punish the moons, but chose, in this Goblin Religion, BUT they do
stead, to strike upon each of these agree that they were created to be
new races, cursing each for its' the slaves of another race (and the
creators' folly. Goblins just happen to have the same
idea).
"The Kobolds were mostly eliminated,
and those left were rounded up and The reason for this seems to stem
given to the Goblins as slaves. The from a great Kobold parable. This
Goblins did not understand such a parable is rather difficult to
base concept, however, but were understand (at least, for non-
taught by the Great One in Its' Kobolds), but deals with a story
divine rage. about how the First Kobold irritated
the race which enslaved the Kobold,
"To the Hobgoblins (which It and was punished for it.
particularly disliked, they being a
blatant imitation of the First And so, being as he was just a
Race), It also nearly eliminated, Kobold, the First Kobold never EVER
save but a few who It gave little tried to irritate this race again,
capacity for any intelligence. and spent the rest of his life in
humility. Well, Kobolds being
"It split the Orcs apart, forming an Kobolds, they think that humility is
entire race based on the main Orcish a good thing because of this, and
characteristics. Thus were formed happily claim to be a slave race.
the grey (the embodiment of
nastiness), the greater (the But (and now onto the previously
embodiment of arrogance), and the mentioned Kobold Religious Belief),
lesser (the embodiment of they believe that the Last Kobold
stupidity). will break the rules and rise up
against whatever race has them
"The Trolls were attacked similarly enslaved at that time and free all
as well, forming into the cave, the Kobolds from the yoke of slavery
hill, the war, and the forest. But, forever, and THEN they can march on
it is not known just what the the world to take what rightfully
differences between these separate belongs to them (ie, Kulthea).
trolls are.
An interesting side note, however,
"And, lastly, to the humans; The is that the Kobolds, right NOW, are
Great One particularly did NOT at NOT enslaved by any race, and so are
all like the idea of this Human, ready to march on any given day but
and so split the human up as It they are waiting for the Last Kobold
split the trolls and orcs. This to arrive to give The Word so that
time, however, It split the human up they CAN march.
according to its fears. Thus, the
elves (the fear of nature), the But, all Kobolds are very humble (as
dwarves (the fear of emotions), and well they should; I mean, they're
the halflings (the fear of being KOBOLDS), and none of them (not even
bullied). the most experienced warrior) would
claim to be the great Last Kobold.
"And thus began the Second Age of
g'Thria, sometimes called the Age of So the Kobolds bide their time and
orKhan, orKhan being the only moon wait for the Last Kobold to arrive,
actually punished by the Great One. spending all of the meantime
He was punished as only a god can training day after day to be in
punish..." shape when he comes.
And thus was the Kobold created Fat chance, I say.
(according to the Goblins, anyway).
-16-
Of Mice and Half-Elves, Conclusion
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Gallenod Varynesti
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| elcome back, my trapped in a hunter's net, the Mouse
| |~|/~~\|~| | friends, to a new does indeed rescue him by chewing
_| |~/~/\~\~| | year and new adv- through the ropes of the net.
/@| _|__/ \__|_| entures! I begin
\_/_____________/ this new year with This tale is of a Mouse who rescued
hope, as I begin all new endeavors, a Lion, figuratively speaking. It
that it will be better than the is also a love story. Because of
last. Indeed, it is fitting that this Mouse, I now have Faith in my
this Mouse Tale should come at the future.
start of a new year, as it chron-
icles the start of my life in After several months in the Landing,
Kelfour's Landing. I'd begun to feel my losses less
keenly as I forged new friendships
Those of you familiar with my prev- and had new adventures. I've made
ious tales will remember that the many friends here, but some are no
occasion of my arrival here was not longer around. In particular, a
exactly a high point in my life. young female thief I'd become
Bereft of home, family, and friends, acquainted with early on decided to
I found myself at the front gates leave town for some reason or other.
with little but the clothes on my (One can never tell with thieves,
back. I wandered, lost and feeling why they may choose to leave town.)
very alone in a strange place; we've Before leaving, however, she asked
all known that feeling. Eventually, me to meet her sister, who was
with the help of too many people to coming to town the next day.
mention here, I learned my way
around enough to fend for myself. Her sister? What would this girl be
After a while I found not peace or like, I wondered, who had a thief
contentment, but a feeling of shared for a sister. The meeting place was
purpose with the other residents. a bit suspect too: the shanty town
While they can never replace my by the docks. My thief friend had
family and home, they are as much a never done me wrong, but nonetheless
part of my life now as the Clan I went armed to the meeting place.
Varyn was before. While I was becoming a fairly
competent fighter, I knew that I was
This is not, however, a story about still comparatively inexperienced.
my struggles to adapt to a new life; I arrived early enough to scout out
this is a Mouse Tale, and I must in- the area ahead of time, but found
troduce the Mouse. (A strictly sym- nothing suspicious. I settled down
bolic title, as you may have noticed to wait, wondering why I'd agreed to
from before. My Mice, though, have this in the first place. There were
a habit of roaring.) I'm sure all of many things that needed doing, and
you are familiar with the fable of here I was honoring a promise to a
the Lion and the Mouse. The Lion thief I'd known less than two weeks
captures the Mouse, and the Mouse to look after a sister I'd never
makes a deal with the Lion: if the met. I guess I accepted the charge
Lion lets the Mouse go free, sparing because I wanted to repay some of
its life, the Mouse will save the the kindness people had shown me
Lion's life someday. The Lion, when I first arrived. If not for
heartily amused by the Mouse's that help, I'd have been wolverine
audacity, lets the Mouse go, not food. I heard someone approaching.
because he ever seriously thinks the It was a young half-elf in clerical
Mouse will ever rescue him, but robes! A cleric? I could see the
because he admires its spunk. family resemblance, but the two were
Later, however, when the Lion is very different. While the thief had
-17- More...
been flamboyant, this girl was shy warning. I was in mid-swing when
and careful. She hugged the edge of the cockatrice thundered into the
the road, and seemed a bit uncertain clearing. Startled, I missed the
about where she was going. She orc and turned to face this new
reminded me a bit of a mouse explor- menace. I'd fought cockatrices
ing new territory. before, and they were dangerous. I
was about to tell my friend to get
I stepped forward and introduced my- behind me, when the thing gazed at
self. She was hesitant at first but me. I felt my limbs stiffen, and
after I had given her the armor and knew I was in serious trouble.
weapons her sister had left for her
and we had talked a bit, she opened Some claim that when people are
up a little. She was pretty, but beheaded that they feel no pain. I
not what you would consider glam- think they do. The cockatrice
orous. One of those girls who did- nailed me with a perfect shot that
n't need makeup to look good, be- drove my jawbone into my brain. The
cause her attractiveness was as much exact feeling is indescribable, but
spiritual as it was physical. Yes, the pain lasted at least 15 seconds
I felt some affection for her, but until my soul was free and floating
it was more what a teacher might above the scene. As my vision
feel for a student than anything cleared, I saw my friend, alone,
else. We would be friends, I thought surrounded by the orc and the cock-
and I would help her not only atrice, and feared she would be dead
because of my pledge, but because if she didn't leave immediately.
she was a genuinely nice person.
"Go," my ghost said, "get out!"
In the weeks that followed, we were
almost inseparable. She grew in "No," she exclaimed, "I'm not leav-
both confidence and ability, as much ing you." The three of them circled
from her own tenacity as from my my dead body, the cockatrice crow-
teaching. I used to tease her about ing, the orc leering and the cleric
her "magnetic personality," as mon- calling for help on her amulet. She
sters appeared three times as often kept them at bay with her mace, but
when I hunted with her. I suppose I still thought it was only a matter
that she was so "good" it was like a of time before her body joined mine
beacon for evil creatures. Whatever on the ground. My soul ached to
the reason, we made a great team. I depart, but I held on to watch even
valued her friendship and compan- though I couldn't do anything to
ionship; she was a gentle soul, but help. Still keeping her guard up,
determined, as I was, to make some she cast a spell to bind my spirit
meaning of her life and avenge the to my body. Seeing the light
death of her father. That was a envelop my form, the orc gave a
bond we had that we spoke of little. grunting laugh and leered. "Dead
We simply understood, and that was meat," it growled in common, an
all we needed. I still thought of amazingly complex sentence for a
her as my student, however, even creature only marginally more
when she gained the ability to cast intelligent than a rock. Then, to
spells I could only dream of. I show its contempt, it spit on my
found myself dragging her stunned helpless body.
form to safety from time to time,
reinforcing my illusion that I would That's when things got really weird.
always be her protector. Old habits Seeing the orc defile my body en-
are hard to break. raged my gentle cleric. She ad-
vanced on it, cursing in an obscure
One day, all that changed. We had elven dialect with such violence
chased a lesser orc into an area new that my corpse blushed. I don't
to both of us. I had just engaged think the orc understood the words,
the orc, when I heard her yell a but it definitely understood the
-18- More...
tone. It immediately ran from the longer feel empty and without
clearing so fast it left skid marks. family. We shall be each other's
family, and our families shall
While my friend was preoccupied with eventually, we hope, continute on
the orc, the cockatrice took the through us. She has washed away my
opportunity to start trampling my bitterness and despair, giving me a
body. To my amazement, I saw my new sense of joy and wonder. There
friend whirl around and start are still things I wish to teach
stalking it! It made a stand and her, but I now realize there is much
tried to stun her with its gaze; she I can learn from her, as well.
met the stare measure for measure. (Though she does still blush when I
After about 10 seconds, the ask her to teach me some of that
cockatrice blinked, whimpered, and dialogue she used on the orc. She
ran out of the clearing in the claims she doesn't remember exactly
opposite direction the orc had what she said.)
taken. In addition to being dead, I
was now stunned, as well. Not with Thus ends the third Mouse Tale, with
the shock of being dead, but with a a happy ending. Oh, I almost
new-found respect for my friend. forgot. I never did mention her
Was this really the same girl I'd name, did I? I gave you a clue near
shown how to hold a weapon, who'd the beginning of the story, but I
been so squeamish about skinning her think I'll close with this: If you
first rat, and who prayed for have Faith, you have everything, and
Eissa's forgiveness for killing even I have Faith.
the vilest of creatures? It sud-
denly dawned on me that I, like the Peace and joy to you in the new
Lion in the fable, was being saved year, and may you find the happiness
by a Mouse that now roared. She that we have.
stayed with me in that place,
keeping my spirit attached to my \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
body and defending me from all ____________________________
comers until a senior cleric arrived / \ \
to resurrect me. Then, she helped \@| GemStone III |
carry me back to town to recover. | ________________________ |
|| ___ ___ ||
We had always been friends, and I'd || \.\_......_/./ ||
never thought it would be any more || \/ _ _ \/ ||
than that because our original rel- || / \ / \ ||
ationship had been that of teacher ||_____\ O \/ O /_____ ||
and student. I realized that she was ||""""" \ () / """""\ ||
now at least my equal. In an || \``''/ ||
instant I knew that I loved her, now || / |,,| \ ||
that I had discarded my silly and || / \~~/ \ ||
patronizing attitude. As she sat || / ~~ \ ||
with me in the Temple as the healers || ||
worked on putting me back together, ||________________________||
I resolved to marry her. | |
| Hob : Lvl 3 CP - 60 |
I will not bore you with the details | Goblin OB 50 |
of the courtship, as we prefer some /@| [ 3 ] DB 25 |
things to remain private. However, \ / /
one of my father's sayings applies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Son," he told me, "a man chases a
woman until she catches him." My Authentic GemStone III Trading Card
love led me a long and merry chase, by Szandor LaVey
but relented in the end. We are to
be married this month, barring some -ACCEPT NO CHEAP IMITATIONS!-
unforeseen delay. With her, I no Collect Originals & Impress Friends
-19-
The Dark One
""""""""""""
by Inyigo Montoya
___________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/_________________________________________________________________________/
| |
| [House Aspis, Lounge] |
| |
| This room, though rather large, exudes an air of quiet comfort and good |
| feelings. Several chairs and cushions sit near a stone fireplace waiting |
| for occupants and across the room stands a well stocked bar for the |
| guests of the House. A bay window looks out over the town with a low |
| comfortable couch in front of it to enjoy the view. A huge, thickly |
| woven rug covers most of the floor and adds warmth to the room. A |
| swinging door on the north side of the room leads to the kitchen. You |
| also see a banner hanging over the fireplace. |
| |
| Also here: Inyigo |
| |
| Obvious exits: east. |
| |
| /-------------------------------------------------------------------------
\_/_________________________________________________________________________/
_____________
/ \ _________ \
\@| ||=|=|=|| |the pain, the horror, turbed me, yet he had a charm and a
| ~~ |_| ~~ | I faced this as the demure that was endearing. He
_| |_| | countdown began," smugly rebuffed Taarna's goading as
/@| _|_|_ | Inyigo writes as he a crowd of my own friends converged
\_/__________/ leans back against on the heated exchange.
the brick wall behind him, recount-
ing that horrid event not too long It was interesting to see a stranger
ago. Sweat drips from his cheeks as in these parts, especially one of
he reexperiences his anguish. The his appearance. Interesting, but
tongues of flame from the fireplace nonetheless I had no intention of
illuminate the parchment he writes meddling in the affairs of others so
on and cast a demonic shadow over I paced behind them merely wanting
half his face. to be on my way.
"What have I done, my beliefs I have The apparent motivation for the
betrayed, my soul once again is rumpus was due to a youth who was
tainted. Mallenon, the dark one, warned against speaking of the
tested my faith and I have fal- Council. I abruptly stopped and
tered....what have I done?", he turned to him. I made a gesture of
thinks to himself as he stares recognition that obligated all my
morosely, his eyes welling up with brethren to respond. Sure enough the
grief. Here is the tale of woes he stranger was one of us. He know-
writes for none to remember. ingly smiled and directed his
attention to me as well.
It was a silent day, a silence too
eerie to be normal, when I happened Mallenon was his name and he glared
upon a long lost friend, Lady down at the youth and something in
Taarna, by the grasslands in Kalds- me snapped like a twig on a
fang. She seemed to be in a heated midwinter's day.
debate with an individual clad in
black, a glowing mace in hand, and "Who are you?" I asked innocently.
an ugly face. As I walked towards
them, his appearance indeed dis- "Who do you think I am?" Mallenon
queried in return. spell was cast upon me by my com-
rades. I rose up, grabbed for my
"Casting judgements on others is sword and lowered it to meet his
reserved for nobility, or so they glowing eyes.
think, so again I ask, who are you?"
I replied, taunting to him to reveal "If indeed you are the assassin of
his identity. assassins, if you are indeed the
dark one, prove it now!" I hollered
He turned his attention to the youth pushing my way through the crowd.
once more and warned, "Speak of us
again and suffer the consequences." Once again he swayed and in an
instant I found myself prone on the
He condescendingly crooked his brow ground and felt a pulse blaze
at the boy. At this point he seemed through my very heart. Squirming
to take the posture of one had been for my life I succumbed to the pain.
banished from the lands many ages
ago - one who was feared and one who "Stop!" Taarna screamed.
was mighty enough to take down the
strongest of our warriors. We She gestured and uttered a phrase.
called him the Dark Assassin, but I A white sphere resolved in the air
couldn't believe this pompous being and relishing some comfort, I felt a
could be Mallenon. tingling in my soul.
I gripped my weapon with every "What I take away, I can easily give
intention of striking him down back." Mallenon flicked his wrist
before he had the opportunity to and once again I was on my feet,
harm the youth. unharmed.
"Prove yourself!" I dared him. "If indeed you do want a confront-
ation, seek me by the barrow mound
I whispered to Lord Whilder, "I'm at the haunting place of the unlife,
taking him and should I happen to and there you shall see your maker."
fall, he will be on the offensive, he said as he faded away.
so counter the best you can."
Inyigo wipes his face now as the
Whilder nodded, so at it I went. memories of seething pain felt in
the encounter once again begin to
"Who should I prove I am?" Mallenon surface. He swallows down some
once again asked as I leapt from my brandy and peers out into the
position and swung down as quickly midnight moonlight, his veins
and as ferociously as my straining coursing with grief. He resumes the
muscles would allow. A sad smile task of continuing his journal....
revealed the hate in his eyes as he
swerved with the instant grace of a I did what I could to protect, to
cat. believe. This was my destiny. I
swore to keep my faith in the
Belief suspended, I watched. He was Council, and let me down they would
quick. With an discreet gesture, he not. In my mind I was the best I
motioned to my arm. A fiery pain could be as the Taskmaster foretold
shot up as I let my sword go, my arm back when I was a mere acolyte. The
toppling down behind it. Council would not have done this to
me. It would have asked for its
Arborius, Artemook and Whilder dues in another way and loyalty
stepped in front of me as I fell to would never falter when the signs
the ground screaming like a stuck were obvious.
pig. Luke and Taarna ran to my aid.
Luke knelt and transferred my wounds Mallenon, powerful as he was, was
to himself. In an instant I felt a just a farce, or so I thought (or
rush of intense rage as spell after rather hoped). Someone sent by them
-20-
would have been preceded by an calmly sat there, mysteriously
oracle foretold by a high priest, speaking with Mallenon.
not like this.
Taarna, Redeye and Michealoos,
I thought this as we headed back almost as if it were choreographed,
into town, the group drooling with began an assault on the creatures.
bloodlust. I ran to my locker and If they weren't dispelled on the
retrieved treasured magical items I first cast they were to be calmed
had saved up for this day. I would and left harmless.
use them to serve the Council, and
such a mockery of the Dark Assassin "Stop!" Zinderin exclaimed. "Hear
was enough to justify this. what he has to say before you lay
his minions to waste!"
As we assembled in the temple Lady
Taarna, communing with her god, "Stop!" Mallenon yelled. "They
Kuor, explained that the only way to won't harm you if you stop!"
banish Mallenon was to recite the
words, "I repudiate the unlife", The three clerics, drunken with
whilst in a circle around him. adrenaline, and sapped of their
strength had formed a triad around
She gave warning of irredeemable the rest of us to prevent any harm.
repurcussions which would befall any They had heard this and stopped for
Council members who took part in an instant.
this.
I was in awe. The creatures had
Absolute terror struck the crowd as indeed stoppped their assault on us.
they realized that the mightiest
ones amongst them were indeed those "By the moons of Orhan! He IS the
aligned with the Council. dark one!", I thought.
Still convinced that this was a I clenched my teeth and glanced at
farce, I steadfastly held on to my him. Looking at him for a blink of
beliefs and stayed by my friends. an eye, I could see his smiling face
- the smile that said it all.
We gathered for one last prayer and
felt an overwhelming confidence in "Inyigo..."
the air as we set off for the
journey. The trek seemed like a I turned to see what it was that
blink of an eye for the merriment whispered. Nothing. I scanned the
and hunger within everyone in our ranks observing whether or not any-
party. one else had heard it. They were too
preoccupied with watching.
"If only he had proved himself
successfully, I would've given him Almost the instant it ceased, a
my unfaltering loyalty", I thought wraith leapt into the group and slew
to myself as we climbed the mound. one of the members of our party.
Loud war cries bellowed forth and
Then, there it was. We rose to the the sound of steel upon steel
peak as the shadows met our eyes. thundered across the field.
The top of the hill was flattened
out to reveal countless unlife "Inyigo..." I turned. Silence....
creatures swaying side to side,
drooling with anticipation, watching The masses were still fighting and I
us as we climbed higher to meet could see them screaming, but I
them. Mallenon sat there, compla- heard nothing, dead still silence.
cently smiling at us. Slowly turning, oblivious of the
carnage, there Mallenon sat pointing
Zinderin reached the peak long at me.
before we started our climb and-21- More...
"Inyigo, come to me...." he with confusion. My friends who I've
whispered in my ear from his throne. valued more dearly than life itself
"This is the apocalypse you have were slowly but surely falling. The
been sworn to, now prove who you circle was broken where I knelt and
are!" this kept Mallenon alive.
I smiled to myself and knew, deep in I let the boy go, dropped my shield,
me, I knew. and let out what seemed like a howl.
Some of the warriors had made their "I REPRUDIATE THE UNLIFE!" escaped
way to the dark one now, and started my larynx as I held my face in
to form a circle. shame.
I saw this and ran towards the A wraith had been standing behind
throne. I ran through the ranks and me, dagger in hand, and let loose a
now aimed my falchion dead on to most vile assault. Thrust upon
meet one of the infidels who doubted thrust pierced my shoulder and neck.
the unlife's powers, with one goal Too weak to stand, I crumbled and
in mind, break the circle by slaying gasped my final breaths.
the fools I travelled here with.
The others had uttered the words of
"I repudiate the unlife," Taarna banishment as Mallenon slowly burned
said. away. My final memory before ceasing
the struggle to live was a black
Mallenon shrieked and stood up. The vortex scooping me up and whisking
dark one gestured at the individual me away.
I was charging for and a blast tore
through his hide. Once again, complete silence...
As I was about to land the final "Inyigo there is still good left in
blow to the one Mallenon had you...", I heard emanating from the
gestured at, I saw him turn and shadows in the blackness. The voice
writhe in pain. It was the youth I recognized as Kuor's. Although it
who had been warned by the dark one. was a soft whisper I still heard it
Instead of pushing my falchion as clearly as had it been shouted
through him, I let go of it, and into my ear. Then a series of images
instictively caught him as he fell. flashed before me. Flashes of
friends, the ones loved, the memor-
His dying face smiled at me as he ies of my life.
said, "I repudiate the unlife."
Eyes opening I realized I was
Those were the last words to leave sprawled on the temple stairs, Mich-
his lips as he expired on my arms. ealoos looming above. He slapped me
The tears that formed in my eyes a few times, bringing me to
flowed as easily as the blood from consciousness.
his body.
"What happened?" he asked.
"I repudiate the unlife." Zinderin
murmurred. That question was foremost in my
mind, as well, for I did not know
"I repudiate the unlife." could be what had transpired past Mallenon's
heard again and again as Mallenon banishment.
grew more and more desperate. He
opened his palm to slay what he After the long explantion each of us
could reach, and one by one our had given the other, I worked my way
ranks diminished. back to Aspis to rest. I couldn't
sleep for I tossed and turned trying
"NO!" I yelled, my voice cracking to come to grips with what I had
-22- Continued on Page 27...
A Secret from the Keep
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_____________ by Lord Whilder Planrathe
/ \ _________ \
\@| ||=|=|=|| |ime is a strange phe- and back. An attempt to avoid dir-
| ~~ |_| ~~ | nomena. Years can ect contact, to roll with the force
_| |_| | pass quickly and that does connect. Some reflexes
/@| _|_|_ | quietly, seemingly are learned to the utmost possible.
\_/__________/ without effort or Some reflexes are never as good
thought. A split second can be an as they need to be.
eternity.
Or the start of the trip through Time is a strange phenomena. It
eternity... is a constant that we cannot keep
My thoughts are racing wildly, perceiving as a constant. To some
yet actual movement seems to have it drags by slowly, almost at an
come to a standstill. I know three intolerable rate. To others it
things. flashes by too fast, never enough of
The golem has gotten too close. it to do what we need.
The golem is swinging its steel Yet time always moves at the same
fist at me. rate...
The golem is not going to miss my
skull. My mind screams instructions Desire to live versus desire to
to my muscles, trying to dodge the kill. An attempt by reflexes to
death it sees coming. But my mus- avoid unnaturally driven flesh and
cles are in another time. A year muscle of steel. Time is too fast
will pass before they respond to the for the reflexes, too slow for the
urgent pleas to move. driven steel fist. I manage to roll
A year in the next life, beyond with the blow, but I am now on my
Eissa's gate. back and the force was enough to
severely stun me. I see everything
Time is a strange phenomena. through a red haze and my muscles
Actions can occur in a split second, are not responding. The golem moves
seemingly without thought or effort. over me, raising its fist for the
Yet thought precedes those actions, death blow. And death strikes.
whether we are concious or not of It strikes the golem.
those thoughts. Those actions that I almost missed it. A thin, fine
we do without seeming to think about blade coming out of the golems chest
we call reflexes. Some reflexes are right where the heart would be. The
learned through experience, such as golem moans loudly and falls over.
pulling your hand back from a fire Or rather is pushed sideways by the
before you are burnt. blade wielder behind it so it won't
Some reflexes are taught... land on me.
The haze in my vision clears for
The steel fist fills my vision, a moment, yet I am still unable to
yet memories run rampant in my sub- move or speak. The only thing I can
conciousness. And one memory comes do is lie there while she quickly
forward. I remember my father. searches the remains for treasures
His dream of my becoming a it may have carried. The golem
warrior like himself. returns to the energies that created
His disappointment in my becoming it, to be brought forth again at a
a mage. later time. She smiles at me and
His final look as I freed him says "You're welcome." And just as I
from the control of the Unlife. My am able to move, to speak, she
subconcious remembers my father's disappears into the shadows. Slowly
attempts to train me and my muscles I work my way to my feet and look at
respond as trained. My back muscles my dim reflection in the metal wall.
contract, pulling me back and to the Blood is pouring from my scalp. I
side, my leg muscles pulling me down try a quick enchantment, one that
-23- More...
calls forth an image of myself. I there I would have been killed in
botch the attempt severely. I dare that hall. If the Navigators had not
not stay and attempt to find my decided to take back their ring at
benefactor. Gathering my belongings that moment, I would not have ended
I invoke the power of the telepor- up at the gate and been found by
tation ring I wear and blink in Rhys. Instead I would have made it
surprise. to the temple and bled to death
I am not in the temple of Eissa while the monks prayed to Eissa to
as I should be. As fast as I receive my soul.
realize what is happening it is I try to think about the stranger
over. The Navigators, those strange who saved me from the golem and I
creators of the magic rings, grabbed cannot remember much. Female,
me as I was teleporting and relieved certainly. Soft, low voice. She
me of the ring and my hard earned was wearing heavy hide armor that
silvers. And then they uncere- hid her figure. A leather helm that
moniously dumped me at the gate to hid her hair. I couldn't decide if
Kelfour's Landing. Even as I look the shade of her skin was a light
around a wave of dizziness sweeps tan from the sun or merely the
over me and I realize I am going to darkness of the ruins.
bleed to death before I reach aid. And green eyes. A green like the
I rail at the fates for their morning sun softly touching a dew
cruelty as I prepare for death. covered leaf in spring. The promise
And suddenly through the crowd of life shown in those eyes. I
pushes the healer Rhys Corwinson. prayed to Eissa myself. Prayed that
Without a word he calls upon his the light would not leave those
healing powers and the severe damage eyes.
to my head slowly disappears, only
to reappear on Rhys himself. With Time passed. Days into weeks,
but a gesture his wound closes, then weeks into months. I studied and
heals to leave a scar upon his own soon had learned to turn myself
brow. Without waiting to hear my invisible. I visited the ruins
heartfelt thanks he turns and speeds often, and would sometimes meet my
through the gates, on his way to strange savior. Sometimes she would
help others in trouble, I think. simply spring out of the shadows,
Stumbling, I make my way to the her rapier bringing death to the
temple to rest and recover my golems. Sometimes just that soft,
strength. low voice, urging me to cast yet
At the Temple of Eissa, I wearily another spell at our foe. Always
take a seat and look around. And I she avoided any long conversations
laugh. The fates are indeed strange and would fade into the shadows as
and mysterious. soon as our foe was vanquished.
"Why do you disturb the sanctity Once, I turned myself invisible,
of the Temple with such noise?" asks hoping to follow her. But still she
the Monk. evaded me. And always the last
"Tell me, Holy One. Have any of thing I would see of her were those
those with the powers to heal been green eyes.
here lately?" I asked. More time passed. I learned the
"Only the healer Rhys. He left ability to turn the ground molten
but scant moments ago. Yet you do beneath a particular target, a spell
not seem in need of such services." that required much control on the
The Monk watches me expectantly, but part of the caster. I was cele-
soon realizes I have nothing more to brating my achievement at Helga's
say and returns to his prayers. when HE walked into my life again.
I ponder the strange workings of "I thought there wasn't much call
fate. If I had not been wandering for a tinkerer in the Landing," I
around the ruins by myself I would slurred to the familiar figure as he
not have been surprised by that sat down on the stool next to me.
golem. If the stranger had not been "The fortunes of a traveler are
-24- More...
many and strange," he replied. "As halls and rooms, bits of the story
are the fortunes of those that coming back to me with each step.
manipulate the Essence itself. Have Many of the bits incomplete, in no
you moved from this establishment logical order.
since our last meeting?" I stopped in the library, quietly
I drew myself up to my full closing the door and leaning against
height, and began to regale him with it. This room always fills me with
stories of my many battles and a sense of dispair. All this know-
successes. And wouldn't you know ledge, lost, perhaps never to be
it? rediscovered. I resist the urge to
I bought the drinks all night. reach out and caress a tome, knowing
full well that a mere touch will
It took nearly two days for me to destroy it, rendering it beyond any
recover from my celebration. I did hope of reconstruction. And another
not see the tinkerer around and, fragment from memory comes forward.
counting my 3 remaining coins, I "...sealed the cover of the tome..."
hoped I would not see him again for Sealed? Most tomes are bound
some time. I readied myself and together between wood covers with a
began the long journey to the ruins. thong or piece of rope. The thong
Maybe I would see Green Eyes there. being on the left side to hold the
The thought cheered me and I sped pages together while reading. But
quickly through the countryside. why do I think of a tome being
Soon I reached Blototh Mountain and sealed?
The Keep. I begin looking over the many
The Keep? Now why had I suddenly volumes. Nothing unusual catches my
thought of these old ruins as The eye. None are "sealed" in any man-
Keep? Fragments of memories came ner different from any other. I
back to me. A time of deep trouble take a different approach, reading
that seemed to have touched my soul those titles that are still visible.
and a story told by someone. Ah yes. And after many hours, one volume
That night in Helga's and the Tink- looks out of place from among the
erer telling some wild tale he had others. On a shelf with books about
heard somewhere during his travels. nature and plants lies a tome
And my foolishness, talking to a entitled "Falicies of Godhood."
statue of all things. Thank Orhan I Rubbing my eyes, I begin to examine
had not been observed by anyone! it without touching it. Two feet
After I had finally gotten some wide, two feet high, and maybe a
sleep I had gone to that noted foot thick. Nothing unusual there.
healer, Surtey Akrash. He had Then I realize what is wrong.
pointed out the problem easily The wooden cover is slightly
enough. "Too much eating from thicker than that of the others.
Helga's kitchen, not enough nutri- And it is warped and cracked in the
tion." That bit of information, and middle, as though it were thinner in
some vile concoction that was the middle than the edges. I take a
supposed to aid my stomach, had deep breath, then another. My hands
settled all my problems and only are trembling too much to trust
cost me 100 silvers. Well worth the them. Slowly, carefully, I begin to
price, I thought, for my sleep had lightly rub the spot that is the
not been troubled since that time. worst. The wood crumbles to my
Just a story. Something to pass touch, revealing a hollow area,
the time at a bar. Still, I quickly about a foot square. Blowing the
moved through the entrance to The dust away, I spot something inside.
Keep. A shiver going through me as I slowly lever out what looks like a
I walked across the fallen door, a sheet of glass. Examining it care-
fragment of memory telling me that fully, I discover it is not glass,
there was an ancient body under it, but a glass-like substance. Some-
crushed by the entrance of the what flexible, as thin as the cut-
Unlife. I wandered through the ting edge of a sword. Clear like a
-25- More...
fresh water stream except for the was about to ask her why when she
runes that seem to be sealed inside. spun around.
Runes sealed inside! I check the
compartment. Four sheets total! As Time is a strange phenomena. In
my mind races, one thing I realize an instant you can discover things
immediately is that this is not a you had been searching months for...
place for study. I put the strange
sheets away and open the door. She spun toward me and discovered
"Ho, scribe. And what was so I was but inches from her. As she
interesting in there?" giggles the looked up at me I realized she was
soft voice of Green Eyes as I step short, the top of her head barely
into the hallway. reaching my chin. A whisp of auburn
"Ho, yourself, guardien angel," I hair dangled from under the left
reply. "Nothing but some strange side of her helm. Her skin was
glass plates that would not turn to lightly tanned from the sun. And
dust with the books." Now why had I those eyes...
told her that, I wondered. I had Green. The green of too-long-
meant to keep it a secret until I dead flesh!
had studied them myself.
"Glass plates? Really? May I All this in an instant under the
see them?" moons of Kulthea. We were too close
"Well..." I tapped my leather to bring weapons into play. I tried
sack. "I have them secured. How to grapple her, knowing that she was
about escorting me back to town and going to kill me the instant she
we can look them over?" I had found could move far enough from me to get
something to interest her. Now if her rapier. Or at least I thought
she would only agree maybe I could she would move back from me to draw
get a conversation going and learn it. Instead she simply twisted
something about her. slightly and I went flying over her.
"Of course," she said. "We'll I had never studied unarmed
have to stop somewhere on the way combat, a fact became evident as I
back, as late as it is now. But two landed hard. Landed with my leather
traveling together is safer in the sack between me and the ground...
wilds." Sounds. Many and varied. A loud
I could not believe my luck. A thump as I hit the ground. The
discovery of unknown proportions AND muffled clatter of statues and wands
the lady finally traveling with me. from the sack. The swish as a
I began to revise my estimation of rapier sliced through the air. The
the Gods of Orhan and fate in clink of three coins in my pocket.
general as we began the trek through The slight crack and crunch of
The Keep. And, of course, as I was something glass being ground between
busy pondering these things I forgot something hard by a heavy weight.
to try to get a conversation going.
No wonder I'm a mage. Time is a strange phenomena.
The sun had set as we traveled, Life or death can be decided in the
yet still we continued moving. I blink of an eye...
did not recognize the features of
the surrounding countryside. I see the rapier, its point but
"You've been in Helga's and not an inch from my left eye. I look up
recognized it," said the voice in into those green eyes, the green of
the back of my head. I had to agree too-long-dead flesh...
with that. Course, that WAS after a She blinks...
few ales. And I am looking into those green
Suddenly she stopped. I almost eyes. The green of the morning sun
walked right into her, it was so lightly kissing the dew on a spring
sudden. Or maybe my conversation leaf.
with myself had something to do with The tip of the rapier never
not realizing she had stopped. I wavers. One moment it is poised to
-26- More...
plunge itself into my brain, the The Dark One :Continued from Page 22
next it is back in the sheath sewn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
onto her backpack. She turns and done. I lit a fire downstairs and
fades into the night. The last dipped a quill, struggling to con-
thing I hear is that sweat, soft nect the fragments of my conscience.
voice saying "I have the choice. I As I began to scratch upon the
choose to give you your life. parchment, my mind recoiled: "I had
Goodbye." betrayed what I thought meant the
How sad, I think. She serves the most to me. I betrayed those who
unlife yet believes she has full have given me the powers to be one
control of her actions. If it hadn't of strength."
been for the breaking glass she
would have killed me without "No regrets Inyigo, no regrets." he
realizing it. Without a choice. whispered to himself as he folded
How long will she and others fool the parchment he wrote the journal
themselves? on. Sighing, Inyigo took the last
Slowly I make my way to my feet. sip of brandy.
I look around and strike out for
Kelfours Landing, hoping I'm not as He leaned back once again and gazed
lost as I fear. I soon find a at the fireplace used to light the
familiar landmark and make my way darkened room. Crumpling the journal
back to the town. I'll be there by he threw it into the fire and smiled
early morning. to himself.
[Conclusion in the next KE] "Inyigo..." whispered a voice.
____________________________________
He jumped up to see Amelda holding a
Odds of Enchantment (From Page 12) candle by the entrance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
cases of materials like laen, that "It's late my friend, go get some
impart a bonus of their own, but for rest. Mallenon is but a memory now.
more mundane materials such as Sleep and awake to a new day
steel, I think enchantment should be tomorrow, leave this behind you."
possible.
Inyigo let out a laugh that echoed
Also, in my experience so far, through the almost empty house as he
shields and armor are equally bade her goodnight and wearily
difficult to enchant. Since shields climbed the stairs. Yet, in the back
are at risk of breakage and armor is of his mind wondered the question --
not, I'd prefer to see shields was that the last of Mallenon?
easier to enchant. ________________________________
// \
KE: Any other comments or obser- || Visit the Kulthean Hot Spot |
vations? || |
|| HELGA'S TAVERN |
OB: Just that if you try to talk to || ************** |
me in the Temple or elsewhere and || |
get no response, please don't be || Great Drinks! Torkaani Stew! |
offended. It's really difficult to || |
whisper to four or more people at a || Regain your Strength |
time, and I've been swamped with new || THE FASTEST WAY! |
friends. || |
|| Stop by TODAY! |
KE: Again, we want to heartily con- \\________________________________/
gratulate Odds on his achievement; || |
it is truly a new era he is ushering || |
in. Great work! ~~~``~~~~~''~
-27-
Of Greed and Thieves
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Miss Louvella Parsnips
____________
/ \ ____ \
\@| /~/~~\\ |reed seems to be the accept unique and valuable items and
||~| ~~ | operative word in judging from the jewels and cloaks
_||~| |==| | Kulthea of late, and she is adorned with, our desperate
/@| \~\__// | we have learned that (and rather blind) fellows are pay-
\_/ ~~~~~ / an entire cell-full ing the price. Of course, many of
~~~~~~~~~~~ of thieves have esc- them are also paying Surtey Akrash
aped their confines and made their for treatment afterwards, but then
way into Kelfour's Landing. we never said any of them had
brains, did we?
We have learned that a certain
scurrilous young thief, who we susp- Speaking of desperation, fights have
ect is related to the late, portly, been erupting between long time com-
wine loving cleric, has been offer- panions over certain unique items.
ing his services to young and brain- We overheard one young fellow state,
less adventurers whenever they have as he slunk away after taking a
need for someone to open a chest. nasty beating, "the strong and the
rich always win." How profound.
According to the many missives we
have received from these unfortunate Many of Kulthea's young maidens,
adventurers, our sly thief opens the especially those who wear clerical
chests and snatches any special item robes, have been frequenting Frick's
he might see in the chest and calls Inn with several hardy adventurers
it a fee for services rendered. in tow. Many silvers have been exch-
anging hands and we find it disgust-
Despite the protests of the young ing, to say the least, that such
adventurers, the thief has hoarded blatant decadent behavior is occuring
many unique items and deprived these in the once quiet Kelfour's Landing,
new arrivals of what may be the only and we wonder where this will end.
chance to acquire something unique.
For shame! Speaking of decadence, we have
learned that our noisome, red-haired
Speaking of greedy thieves, we have lady ranger has sent her sister, a
learned that a relative of the in- red-haired thief to plague the land-
famous long-winded, lordly thief has ing. Some say this young thief aided
once again, committed a henious the hussy who stole the valuables
crime. It seems that this young hus- from the quest and, in fact, it is
sy used her powers of invisibility she who now glories over these items
while accompanying many adventurers secreted away in her locker. We, of
on a rewarding and long quest. Hid- course, have no doubt that this red-
den from all eyes, this despicable haired thief does indeed know of
trollop stole two priceless items the items, as bloodlines do speak
from a chest, thereby denying those for themselves and we will be keep-
who were once her friends the use of ing a jaded eye on this young trol-
these items and turning herself and lop. We will indeed.
all the members of her family into
outcasts and pariahs. Well done! Until next month, gentle reader,
remember to send your gossip, news
Thieves are not the only ones over- and bribes to MISS.SNOOP (via GE
come with greed. We have learned Mail) where it will reach our eager
that our wraithlike lady mage has eyes at once.
increased the price on services ren-
dered. It seems she will now only Tra-la for now!
-28- KE2N8
[end]
See Also: