Kelfour Edition volume I number VII
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| | GemStone III Anniversary Issue |
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| XX XX XXXX XX |
| xXX XX xX XX The Kronicles |
| XXX XXX xXX of Kulthea: Vol.1, No. 7 |
| XXX X December 1990 |
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
/ Message from Simutronics... 1 Fame.... 25 Local News........ 3 |
| Goin' Thru Changes, Editorial .................... Usul Lu'Nak 4 |
| Kirc's Korner: Never Hurts to Ask ............ Kirc Bloodguard 5 |
| Layman's Guide To Herbs ....................... Rhys Corwinson 8 |
| Wound/Herb Chart ........................ Caretaker D'Boldhome 9 |
| Healing Spells ........................... Lady Kayla Kyndhart 10 |
| The Raging Threk Inn ......................... Damiano Faustas 12 |
| Dousing The Flames ................... Avondale del{nightsaber 13 |
| Guest Editorial ............................. Selixr D'aboriel 15 |
| Gambling Gladitorial Games ...................... Vlad Drakula 16 |
| Fashion Statement ........................... Darwynn Ellessur 18 |
| The Art of Making Macros ...................... Nastorm Trevin 19 |
| Kulthean Heraldic Registry ............. Salvius Cygnus-Aureus 20 |
| A Beastiary of Kelfour's ....................... Lythe L'Green 21 |
| Fall of Queen Inobe ...................... Wisraith Winterwind 26 |
| Master Death ................................ Raven Brightwing 27 |
| The Jaded Oracle ...................... Miss Louvella Parsnips 28 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| The Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the game |
| GemStone III on the GEnie Information Network. Submissions are welcome |
| and may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. Contact Usul |
| Lu'Nak, Editor-In-Chief, Landreth deLorde, Technical Editor, Eron |
| Kulsen Reporter, Phaedra Bleu, Publisher or send GEnie Email requesting |
| information to P.HERRINGTON. Banner by Dagger |
| ______________________________________________________________________|__
\_/________________________________________________________________________/
/| /|
Message From Simutroni / | |/|
""""""""""""""""""""""c / | |G|
"\s / | / G|
[] [] " _________________ / |
/}----------)(-)(-[]--| | | |------------ | ___
\}--------------------| | | |------------ | |\
| I V E R S | \ | |
| N __ A | \ | \ G|
This December marks the | N / |ST R | Skills, on \ | the other
first anniversary of | A ~| | Y | hand, are stea\ |dily being
GemStone III. It seems | | | | implemented. \| Those re-
as though we just opened | _| |_ | maining undone tend to be
not more than a few weeks | |_____| | those which deal with areas
ago, yet it has been an | | of combat which will re-
entire year of hard work, | GEMSTONE | quire the completion of the
trials and rewards. An | III | longawaited engagement com-
anniversary is a time to | | | | bat system. We are confi-
look back over the past | | ^ | | dent that the skills will
year and see what lessons | |/ \| | be entirely in place before
can be learned so as to | / \ | long and that experience
improve upon the next | / \ | awards for their use will be
year. It is my hope that |/ \| a reality.
our hindsight is indeed ' `
20/20 so that our plans for the Still, the greatest missing element
future will be sharply focused. of GemStone has been the lack of
role-playing quests for which it was
The trials were many, starting with designed. GemStone is a monstrous
the strain of getting GemStone III engine-of-creation and contains the
ready for opening. This was a most advanced tools for real-time,
difficult time for everyone working interactive quest construction. The
on the project: Long, sleepless problem is that such tools carry
hours, an unforgiving clock and with them a heavy learning curve for
little hope that everything we the GameMasters and require great
wanted would be ready for opening. effort to create a given concept.
Still we pushed forward and tried to Our plan is to start simple and have
make as much of our vision a reality our current GMs learn the ropes of
as possible. quest construction one level of
complexity at a time. In addition,
Perhaps our most obvious short-fall we have been bringing aboard guest
is the incomplete aspect of the designers of considerable note to
game. The spell lists, for example, add their talents to the pool. With
comprise a major defect for those all this, we can say the future
who have to wait for their continues to look bright for the
completion. One of the major quest concept in GemStone III.
problems with the spell lists is
that once set they are difficult to Despite the turmoil during our first
change and for some of the ones yet year, there were moments of
to be completed we have spells we fascination. Our first quest in
wish to add that will take advantage GemStone III was Melgorehn's Tower;
of features still in development. an odd assortment of puzzles
This unfortunate situation keeps the designed by a mad wizard (okay, so
lists from getting done in a timely it was me). I suppose some of the
manner, but on balance we feel the most intense emotional responses (of
end result will be worth it. the excitement sort) were generated
(More)
-1-
by those who made it to the final As everyone has been expecting,
battle. For those of us watching, other games are moving your way with
it was just as fun. Beyond anything their own styles and flavors. I am
else, this is the direction in which pleased that these products, though
we want to push the GemStone III competing, represent distinct appro-
project. aches to the same genre, and in that
there is much to be said for the
I cannot let this opportunity pass benefit to the players. It is ob-
without congratulating the people vious that no one game can satisfy
who put Kelfour Edition together all possible tastes, and even within
each month. Perhaps it is difficult the confines of epic fantasy there
to say what exact benefits KE brings are an infinite number of variations.
to GemStone, but there is no doubt For GemStone, we believe we maintain
that its absence would be a great a compelling advantage in the area
loss. This newsletter is done with of promoting positive player
the same standards as a major interaction and role-playing and in
publication, but all due to the the presentation of the richest,
initiative of the players of highest-quality quests. As for our
GemStone III. Simply said, this is official New Year's resolution, we
the finest on-line game newsletter promise to do our best to make such
there is; period. a statement more than a boast.
Perhaps it is fitting that on this From everyone on the GemStone III
anniversary of GemStone III we give staff, we thank you for the good
up our claim as the only text-based, times and wish you a Merry Christmas
fantasy role-playing game on GEnie. and a Happy New Year!
(
! ! (
_/ \_ _/ \_ ( ^^ )
/ \ / \ ( ( )
|"""""| |"""""| (_(__
| I | ___ __ ___ | I | (_(_(_
| | | |_||_| | | | __
| | /\/\/\/\/\/\ | |
| | | __ __ | | |
I_I_I_I_I_I | || || | I_I_I_I_I_I
^^ ~\~ ` ' ~/~ | "" "" | ~\~ ` ' ~/~
]] I I [[ ]] ] I I [ [[ ]] I I [[
__ __ __ | | | __ __ __ | | | __ __ __
||_||_|| | I | | || || || | | I | ||_||_||
| | [[| |] | ||_||_|| | [| |]] | |
| II | [[ | |]]| vvvvvv |[[| | ]] | II |
| | | | |~~| ! |~~| /\/\/\/\ |~~| ! |~~| | | | |
___ _| |_ |_|__|__|_/^\ | | | I I | | | /^\_|__|__|_| _| |_ ___
| |_||_||_||_||||||/~ ~\|__|__|______|__|__|/~ ~\||||||_||_||_||_| |
| I I I I |
\ I I I I | I | II II II II II | I | I I I I /
| | | _____________ | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| C A S T L E | | | ^|^ | | | CLAEDESBRIM |
___|________________|_____|___|_____|_____|__|_____|________________|___
-Kaitlyn of Elanthia _________________________
__________
-2-
o ___________
|=~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~\
|= Local News >
|=___________/
Electronic Arts Winners! | ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~
"""""""""""""""""""""""" |
Congratulations to the winners | hands which would inhibit dexterity
of last month's software drawing: | and eyesight are now factors. Both
| hands must be free to DISARM, and a
Maruko Ashimine, Ranger | pick must be in one hand with the
Rhys Corwinson, Healer | other hand free when working locks.
Ironwind Graydawn, Cleric |\
Twie MonteCristo', Mage /| \ And the Effects System which
Artemus Soulcrusher, Ranger / ~ \ governs things like departing
Nastorm Trevin, Ranger / \ after death, spell durations and
/ \ and effects like your ability to
Each won the new / \ store rubs from crystal amulets
release of their choice _ / _ _ _ \_ has been adjusted. See the
from Electronic Arts, | |_| |_| |_| |_| | Version Notes for details.
selecting from among |_________________|
Indianapolis 500, Power | | We are told by the Gods that
Monger, Inperium, Earl | ______ | progress is being made on
Weaver's Baseball and | | | | | | the new Engagement Combat
Starflight. | |-+--+-| | System, which will be avail-
| |_|__|_| | able for testing prior to
New Commands | | implementation, and further-
"""""""""""" __ | __ _ __ | __ more, that a House System
A welcome new message | |_| |_| |_| |_| | (would you believe privately
for PUT tells precisely | | owned real estate?) is in
where you put something. \ East Tower / the works as well.
For instance, if you put \_________________/
a broadsword in an unspec- | |
ified backpack and there Melgorehn's Revenge Quest
happens to be a backpack on the """""""""""""""""""""""""
ground, you will now see that it Mad Melgorehn returned to Kulthea
went into the one at your feet (the just as this Edition went to press.
default) rather than the one you're This time Melgorehn arrived inside a
wearing. fascinating steam-driven dragon that
was found crashed but amazingly
The SET command has two new options: damage free in Danjirland. A crew
Profession and CombatBrief. (Type of residents finally got the
SET in the game to see all options.) mechanical dragon airborn, upon
Unless you SET Profession, your which they buzzed town and the ruins
character's line of work will NOT be of Castle Claedesbrim before finally
shown when someone looks at you. defeating Mad Mel for a second time.
SETting CombatBrief results in the Details in next month's Edition.
elimination of detailed battle
statistics EXCEPT your own when ..................................
you're hunting. Handy when things : :\
get wild and wooley during a battle. : RESURRECTION :\
: 24-Hour \\\\\\\\\\\\\ HotLine :\
We have a RUMOR command now (al- : :\
though gossip is still the domain of : 212/881-4575 :\
Miss Parsons). RoundTime for DISARM- : :\
ing chests has been reduced (read : Cleric Salvius Cygnus-Aureus :\
the Version Notes on GEnie, page : :\
931, for extensive information about :................................:\
DISARM) and wounds on a lock pickers \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
-3-
____________ Goin' Thru Changes ________________
/ \ _______ \ """""""""""""""""" o=(____|/\/\/\|____)=o
\@| ~|_|~~\\ | by Usul Lu'Nak, Editor-In-Chief | |\/\/\/| |
| |~| ||| | |/\/\/\| |
| |~| ||| | |\/\/\/| |
_| |~| |||ecember 1st. Early. like ten billion | |/\/\/\| |
/@| |~|__// | Dawn over the Clae- or so neurons of | |\/\/\/| |
\_/ ~ ~ ~ ~ / desbrim is inevit- it -an entire | |/\/\/\| |
---------- ably a surprise. At life allotment- | |\/\/\/| |
first a dim ghost -like Hamlet's on the day we | |/\/\/\| |
father- and far less real than the emigrate from | |\/\/\/| |
silver mists which rise and hug the womb to room. | |/\/\/\| |
parapets of the guardtowers, it It provides the | |\/\/\/| |
eventually rises behind the windak sketchy outline | |/\/\/\| |
palisades like a glacier of light, of our | |\/\/\/| / |
asserting its slow, inexorable claim substance. All | |/ \| / |
on the world by gift of demanding that waits to | / \ |
beauty. Soon, the mists fade, then fill it in, to | / \ |
die and the day is here. complete the | / \ |
picture, are the |/ \|
Yesterday, it was not like this. changes. ' `
Then it was gray and muted. There
was a fog over the bay; the bay side Mark that. All that defines us is
on the shoreline could have been the how we change.
rim of the world, beyond which there
was nothing. The day before that As in growth: To see the world from
was different still. On that morn- an ascending succession of heights,
ing, the world woke up hot with the to reach out to it with bigger
last of Indian summer; the light hands, to crawl, then walk, then run
carved vapors off the water and the on stronger legs. As in learning
wind tossed them in short, darting what magic can do and all the many
breaths. It was an astonishing illu- unlikely wonders that surround us.
sion. Despite the heat, the water And by creation, that remarkable
looked cold, the same glaring blue drive to deliberately add to what
as thick ice, and the vapor looked already is. When we grow or learn
like blowing snow. It was a portent or create, we change. We become
of life on the bay in the months to ourselves and no one else, as
come. A memory of the myriad forces similar to and yet utterly different
that first carved this landscape one from our fellows as any two dawns
year ago, as dreams turned into over the Farok Tesea.
reality and the Land was born anew.
Mark this, too: While we and the
It was also a message: Things change. world are nothing but change, we
constantly pretend otherwise. We
The cycles turn. We turn with them, resist the implications of quantum
and how we turn makes all the psychology as much or more than any
difference. The world was not born proponent of classical mechanics
empty. To imagine that Kulthea is ever resisted quantum physics. We
like a tabula rosa, a blank slate to persist in looking at ourselves and
be scrawled on at player and at Gemstone through a series of
programmer's whims is to desperately dulled myopic lenses.
underestimate the nature of the
beast. Inside the powerful mechan- The scale of our error is vast. We
ical brain at GEnie headquarters is have opinions before we have
the stuff which each day allows us questions. We defend our positions
to wonder what each new day will before we examine others. We assume
bring. It's pretty much all there, and that everyone thinks and acts as
(More on p. 7)
-4-
_____________ Kirc's Korner: Never Hurts To Ask
/ \ _________ \ """"""""""""""""""
\@| ~|_|~ ~|| | by Kirc Bloodguard
| |~|__ ~~ |
| |~|--| |
_| |~| __ |ver wonder why that monsters so that the less powerful
/@| |~|___|| | guy you met in the characters can get their dibs in,
\_/ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ / temple never talked too. What it comes down to is: "If
------------ to you? Or a monster you are in a group, work as a group.
ambles in and you start beating on If you're gonna kill it yourself,
it, when some folks rush in and kill hunt by yourself."
it? They took your prey! Well,
maybe not. Here are some things I Another thing: If you are a higher
think might lessen misunderstandings level person hunting in a low level
and disgruntled players; etiquette area for loot, be nice and let any
and conventions that are commonly low level hunters who wander in get
observed in Kulthea. a shot or two at the critter before
you kill it. You don't get
Attacking Critters experience but they do. This is
"""""""""""""""""" something I like to do but it's up
When you encounter someone or a to the individual.
group attacking a monster, don't
waltz in swinging. Ask first unless Opening Chests
you see that they are in trouble """"""""""""""
(stunned, prone, etc). It can be When someone agrees to open a chest
very irritating to be of low level for you wait for them to come out of
attacking a monster then someone Round Time before getting the coins
comes in (maybe with higher skill), or the loot. Let the chest opener
kills it and leaves -- or worse yet, have a share of the loot for the
kills it, takes all the loot, and service they have performed.
THEN leaves. Usually that's two scoops of coins
but establish their rate first. I
If you encounter a person/group have seen someone pick up a chest
frequently in an area, it's a good after it had been opened for them
idea to ask if they mind you taking and leave while the chest opener was
swings at any monster you might see still in Round Time.
them attacking and vice versa.
A chest opener risks lockpick
A similar situation can occur within breakage, potential traps and time
a group, too. Some overpowered spent trying to open the chest. It
individual hogs the kills under the is fair for them to get something
mistaken belief that by doing so for their trouble. On the other
they get more experience. (This a hand there are limits. I saw one
reason some lower powered people inexperienced chest opener demand
hunt alone). The way I understand someone replace their lockpick when
it, if everyone inflicts it broke. Unless this was agreed
approximately equal amounts of upon beforehand then it is not
damage on the critter then they all necessary. The chest opener did not
get FULL experience for the kill. HAVE to open the chest.
So the stronger group member gains
nothing by hogging but hurts others If you don't want to pay to have a
in the group by depriving them of chest opened then be prepared to
full experience. carry it around for a while since
most chest openers charge a fee to
Best is the so-called Mentor or Big cover their time spent and the
Brother method where the more overall cost of replacing lockpicks.
powerful characters weaken or stun (Also for profit too! :).
(More)
-5-
An opposite view: Don't just walk Get an honest banker who can count
in, open a chest and expect to get :). Of course, there are other ways
paid. (Unless you open chests for of sharing treasure just so long as
free.) Maybe the owner was waiting everyone agrees.
for a friend to open it. State your
rate ahead of time and see if they ESP
agree to it. I've see someone open """
a chest and take all the cash, Ever see someone get angry when they
explaining that they need it to ESP a message and get no reply?
replace a pick. If you take the Then they make a few snide remarks
risk, accept the consequences. over the think-net/amu-net/ESP-net.
What they don't realize or maybe
Looting Monsters forgot is that the other person may
"""""""""""""""" not be on the -net or more commonly
Everyone likes cash especially since is busy, maybe fighting. It's not a
the items we can buy have been good idea to stand there in Round
expanded. It can be aggravating Time thinking while some monster is
when someone gets grabby: beating on you.
<Someone searches the monster which I've also seen someone fighting a
yields 24 coins and a short sword.> monster get an ESP message, been too
busy to answer, then after the kill
Grabby Guy says, "I'll take the not answer the caller because they
coins and you take the sword." added some smart aleck remark when
Joe Dude says, "Um, okay." they received no response initially.
<The next monster yields 33 coins It's also wise to keep the chatter
and a metal breastplate.> down on the -net. Remember the
messages are broadcast to EVERYONE
Grabby Guy says, "You take the coins and it can be extremely inconvenient
and I'll take the breastplate." to have them scroll by when you are
Joe Dude says, "Um, wait a sec..." intently watching the screen for
combat information.
See the problem? The metal
breastplate is worth 7-8 times the Miscellaneous
value of the short sword. So Grabby """""""""""""
Dude is trying to take Joe Dude for When joining a group, ask first.
a ride. Some people want to hunt alone or
may have other reasons to exclude
If no-one wants the stuff, fine. you from their group (besides your
However that should be established body odor):
first. Another thing I've seen is
one person grabbing all the coins Kirc stands up.
and loot explaining that they will Kirc says, "Well, off to hunt."
split it at the end. Somehow they Newbie joins Kirc's group.
always seem to disconnect before the Kirc disbands his group.
group gets back to town and when you Newbie asks, "What's the matter?
catch up with them later they say Not good enough for you?"
the Navigators got 'em. Yeah, sure. Newbie leaves in a huff.
<Kirc being a slow typist replies
One way to handle loot is for after the Newbie leaves...>
everyone to carry some, pool Kirc says, "Actually I'm hunting
everything after hunting and split Frost Giants which are level 18 or
it evenly. Another way is to so and are too tough for a first
appoint someone as "banker." This level character."
person collects the cash and Kirc says, "Oh, he's gone."
distributes it among the others. Kirc shrugs. <In exasperation>
(More)
-6-
Don't you hate it when someone EDITORIAL (Continued from p. 4)
arrives then leaves when you greet """""""""
them, so that you end up bowing to we do. We reduce complex ideas to
thin air? Well, not all are rude first causes and triggering
people (although there are some out principles, then think we understand
there), and there are plenty of them, grasping at a leaf and saying,
other reasons. Maybe: "Here, right here begins this tree."
We imagine that the Gemstone that
1) Screen scroll: So much stuff spawned and carries us along is like
scrolls by on their screen they miss a building, stiff and architectural,
you in the clutter. This is common constructed from the foundation
with newbies who have their upward and subject only to external
descriptions set on incredibly long. disruption, instead of seeing it as
a growing, flowing, changing being
2) Emergency: They may be in a like ourselves.
hurry to save someone or someone's
stuff, or in a frantic dash to the We have seen many changes since
healers tent with 2 cp's left. Orhan first rose over Kelfour's
(Maybe they come back to check to Landing one year ago. It was a new
see if you are a healer, if not, mad GemStone; a different GemStone. An
dash again.) These are the kind of evolving GemStone. We are lucky in
reasons I can understand for haste. that technology has provided us with
a voice to influence the changes
3) Macros: Some people have macros that are still to come. But to play
set to take them from point A to GemStone is to court and accept
point B. One friend of mine usually change. We have the collective
leaves his console to get a snack ability to throw our unique colors
when he kicks in one of these into Simutronics' palette and
traveling macros. He doesn't stop contribute to the emerging work of
to acknowledge a greeting since he art. But to live for art instead of
never saw it in the first place. artifice you must give yourself up
to the possibility that you may not
Conclusion recognize yourself tomorrow, or
"""""""""" understand who you were today.
I hope this helps clarify some
things. Obviously, I cannot cover So finally, remember this: Tomorrow
everything so I have mentioned a different sun will rise over a
things people ask me about the most different Land and a different You.
or which seem to be cause the most Imagine otherwise and all you will
problems. create are shadows.
That guy in the temple who ignored __________________
you? Maybe he was away from the o=(_____|/\/\/\|_____)=o
keyboard and wasn't making a silent | |\/\/\/| |
statement about your halitosis. The | |/\/\/\| |
people who came in and took your | |\/\/\/| |
prey? Maybe they chased it from the | |/\/\/\| |
next room, which took a while be- | |\/\/\/| |
cause the mage was prepping a spell. | |/\/\/\| |
Remember, it never hurts to ask. | |\/\/\/| |
| |/\/\/\| |
| |\/\/\/| |
========\\========= | |/\/\/\| |
| |\/\/\/| / |
| |/ \| / |
| / \ |
| / \ |
|/ \|
-7- ' `
Layman's Guide to Herbs
"""""""""""""""""""""""
____________ By Rhys Corwinson
/ \ ______ \
\@/ /~/~ ~\\ | With thanks to Vesitsa, Kayla, Caretaker, Strom,
| |~| ~ | the rest of the Healer clan and all my patients!
| |~| |
| |~| |
| |~| _ |aretaker's compiled level one injuries don't. (Bleeding)
/@| \~\___// | Herb Chart (page x) and other battlefield fun will be
\_/ ~ ~ ~ / is probably the covered more extensively in Part II
----------- single most useful of this article, coming soon. To
reference for both Healers below save lives until then, I recommend
10th level spell capability and always carrying Edram Moss for limbs
battlefield ER treatment. However, [the most common critical] and if
proper use of the chart takes some you have room and the bucks,
study of how injuries are imple- Arfandas Stem for head wounds and
mented in GemStone III, and how we Pasamar Grass for chest wounds.)
Healers fix people up.
The other category covered on the
When a nasty monster gets you with a chart is Scars. Scar removal is not
critical, several things happen. available from Healers. (We can
First, you get concussion points only remove our own.) You receive a
deducted; any Healer can transfer scar at the level of the injury
these at a multiple of 5 cps * level cured when you use herbs or are
per transfer. Concussion points cured by Surtey, who is not a Healer
(cps) also heal at a rate determined but a master of herbs. By the way,
by both your constitution and - so seeing Surtey is cheaper than buying
the manual says - your first aid herbs, but unless a quick fingered
skill level. One of Sen Dalatin's Healer is with you, he'll tie you
herbs, Akbutege Leaf (10 doses), down and leave you with a bunch of
will heal some of your cp's. I nasty scars. Not recommended, since
can't say how many, since I've never they cost more to cure than
had to use it. :) injuries!
Second, you take damage to an area However, a Healer's main source of
of your body. On Caretaker's chart, experience points is to take
a description of each injury you injuries and cure them ourselves,
will likely receive is to the left thus leaving us scarred but you
side. Next to that is a number from scarless. Lest you wonder why we do
one to three - or least to worst - not walk around with no limbs,
denoting the level of severity. transfering an injury and curing it
Herbs that are useful for severe leaves a scar ONLY AT THE LEVEL OF
injuries are both rather expensive THE INJURY. That is, after taking 2
and, unfortunately, do not cure bites of Edram Moss for a left leg
level one (minor) injuries; in other injured at Level 3 (severed), you
words, you've got to shell out some will see: "You have a severed left
more bucks or find a healer. leg and minor bruises and
lacerations on your left leg," and
With the probable exception of neck when I take the bruises (any healer
wounds, reducing a level three with spell 0802 can), you will have
(severe) injury to a level one a whole leg and I'll only have a few
(minor) injury always requires two old battle scars. Of course we
bites of the same herb. This is don't get experience for Healing our
important not only for looks but fellow Healers, but new Healers
also because level two and three should know that it is an unspoken
injuries generally bleed, where guild rule to help each other out.
-8- (Continued on page 11)
______________ Wound/Herb Chart / \ ____ ____ \ """""""""""""""" \@| ~| | | |~ | | |~|__|~| | by Caretaker D'Boldhome | |~ __ ~| | _| |~| |~| |erbs for wounds and scars, compiled from a basic healing /@| _|~| |~|_ | lesson given by Vesitsa Talchild. \_/ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ / ---------------
LIMB INJURY HERBS
1- Minor bruises and lacerations Arnuminas Leaf
2- Fractured and bleeding Edram Moss
3- Severed Edram Moss
LIMB SCAR
1- Battle scar Dagmather Spine
2- Mangled Curfalakai Fruit
3- Missing Siran Clove
HEAD INJURY
1- Minor bruises about the head Rewk Potion
2- Lacerations and a mild concussion Arfandas Stem
3- Bleeding from the ears Arfandas Stem
HEAD SCAR
1- Scar across the face Hegheg Root
2- Facial scars Bursthelas Potion
3- Terrible mutilation wounds Bursthelas Potion
NERVOUS SYSTEM INJURY
1- Twitching Wifurwif Lichen
2- Sporadic convulsions Belrama Potion
3- Uncontrollable convulsions Belrama Potion
NERVOUS SYSTEM SCARS
1- Slurred speech Terbas Leaf
2- Constant spasms Yuth Flower
3- you will never see in nature Yuth Flower
BODY INJURIES
1- Minor bruises and cuts Berterin Moss
2- Deep lacerations Pasamar Grass
3- Gashes and serious bleeding Pasamar Grass
BODY SCARS
1- Old battle scar Tarnas Potion
2- Painful looking scars Wekwek Potion
3- Terrible permanent mutilation Wekwek Potion
EYE INJURIES
1- Irritation Berterin Moss
2- Swollen Pasamar Grass
3- Blinded Pasamar Grass
EYE SCARS
1- Black and blue Tarnas Potion
2- Bruises and swelling (maybe) Wekwek Potion
3- Blinded Baldakur Potion
-9-
______________ HEALING SPELLS / \ ________ \ """""""""""""" \@| ~| __ ~\ | by Lady Kayla Kyndhard | |~|__|~ | | | |~ __ ~/ | _| |~| \~\ |ecently, I have received requests for the Healer's Spell /@| |~| \~\ | list. I have only trained in the list to Level 11 since \_/ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~/ spells after Level 10 do not benefit other players. ------------- Therefore, I am not sure of all of the properties of the higher spells, but they seem to follow a set pattern. They are as follow:
0801 Heal I Restores 10 concussion points. 1pp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0802 Limb Repair I Heals minor bruises and lacerations on limbs. 2pp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0803 System Repair I Heals strange case of twitching. 3pp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0804 Head Repair I Heals bruises on head or neck. 4pp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0805 Organ Repair I Heals minor bruises and lacerations on chest,
back, abdomen and minor irritations of the eye. 5pp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0806 Heal II Restores several concussion points at one time. 6pp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0807 Limb Repair II Heals severed and fractured/bleeding limbs. 7pp
NOTE: You must cast twice for severed limbs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0808 System Repair II Heals uncontrolable and sporadic convulsions. 8pp
NOTE: You must cast twice for uncontrolable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0809 Head Repair II Heals bleeding from ears, mild concussion, snapped
bones and bleeding neck. NOTE: You must cast
twice for bleeding ears/snapped bones. 9pp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
0810 Organ Repair II Heals deep gashes, deep lacerations of the chest,
back and abdomen. Also heals blinded eyes. 10pp
NOTE: Cast twice for deep gashes and blinded eyes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SPELLS ONLY HEAL SCARS ON THE HEALER
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0811 Limb Repair True I Heals old battle scars on limbs. 11pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0812 System Repair True I Heals slurred speech. 12pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0813 Head Repair True I Heals a scar across face or neck. 13pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0814 Organ Repair True I Heals old battle scar on chest, back, abdomen
and black and blue eyes. 14pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0815 Limb Repair True II Heals mangled limbs. 15pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0816 System Repair True II Heals very difficult time controlling and
constant spasms. 16pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Continued)
-10-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0817 Head Repair True II Heals terrible scars from serious neck wounds
and old neck wounds, mutilated head wounds and
several facial scars. 17pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0818 Organ Repair True II Heals permanent mutilated and painful looking
scars on chest, back, and abdomen. Also heals
severe swelling and bruises of the eye. 18pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0819 Eye Regeneration Restores blinded eyes 19pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0820 Limb Regeneration Restores missing limbs. 20pp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anonymous
"""""""""
There's a Curious Mystic whispering in your ear.
If you listen carefully now, you will hear!
As he points you towards his masters
Whispering like the Iron Wind
He pretends to hold the Answers
But only Questions lie within!
Are they Truth or Lies?
GUIDE TO HERBS (Con. from p. 8) ==============================Chris Fenn=
"""""""""""""" F H E B R A
Some notes: First, I am O T Y W R O D
currently researching neck L W E O I R !
injuries; they will be L O L L C K
included in a future issue.
Second, injuries are ) (
cumulative. That is, if you ) ^^ (
get hit for a level 2 injury ) -\\ ( ^^ )
when you already have a level ))_) -\ \ !! ( ( )
1 injury, you'll likely end up )- /_ /: \ (_(__
without that part of your / ._____\ (_(_(
body. If you can find a /\ ./o o) | --
healer in the field, always /__\/ <_ v/D
play it safe and get fixed \ .\ != !/! ^^
before going on. Third, set a \ .\_l___|__
ring to the temple. Healers \ /......./\
usually carry one set there * \| : / .\ *
too, and it may save your life * * * | : \ .\ * *
if you don't have to walk in \\* *\*// | : :\ .\ \\ **
when I'm deep in the * \\*// * | : :\\ / \ * \\//
wilderness. *// \\* *___| : :\|> > * \\*
//** * //// \ : :\/.\ / * *// '*
Finally, ask Healers to buy //\\** \ / : /. /* \\**//
herbs for you. We get a 25% **//* \__/______ / \ /______ *
discount! Besides, I should *\_* ((__(_______/\ /________()
be able to get into the back ** /// \| \| \/'\| /\
room soon, so you can get / \ \| :\| U\\___
herbs not listed on the chart. \_____/ \| :\| v | |))
| \| :\| |OIL|
============================== =======================================
"We're off to see the....
Ack!.....wrong fantasy!"
-11-
_____________ The Raging Threk Inn
/ \___________\ """"""""""""""""""""
\@|||--|-|--||| by Damiano Faustas
|~~ |~| ~~|
| | | |
_| |~| |here was a wee babe born strong and lusty
/@| |~| | Hum diddly hum diddly hum diddly do
\_/ ~ ~ ~ / There was a wee babe born strong and lusty
------------ But even at birth his temper was rusty
Hum diddly hum diddly do
He was strong as an ox and grew like a tree
Hum diddly hum diddly hum diddly do
He was strong as an ox and grew like a tree
When he was young he bounced his father on his knee
Hum diddly hum diddly do
He left home one day to throw his future to the fates
Hum diddly hum diddly hum diddly do
He left home one day to throw his future to the fates
Looking for a richer life (and maybe better interest rates!)
Hum diddly hum diddly do
He found his way to ________________________________
Kelfour's Landing | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hum diddly hum diddly | | | | ..... | | | |
hum diddly do | | | . _ _ . | |
He found his way to | | | | . __ _ _ . | | | |
Kelfour's Landing | | | : _ _ __ : | |
To his amazement, no | | ;)~~ v ~~(: | |
inn was standing | | |{\ >O) (O< /} | | | |
Hum diddly hum diddly do | | (" 6 / - ") |
| | | | (\ /- -\ /) | | |
| | | |( === )| The InnKeeper THREK...
So he built himself an inn | | | \ / | | | |
to house people for pay | | | |- ^ -'| ...IN A RAGE AGAIN!
Hum diddly dum diddly | | ___-/ _\ /_ \-__ | | |
hum diddly do | / <_>@<_> \ |
So he built himself an inn | | | o | | |
to house people for pay |____| o ---- |______|
and maybe enjoy a beer o
at the end of the day _________________________________
Hum diddly hum diddly do by Cris Fenn
One night some robbers entered, his inn to wreck
Hum diddly hum diddly hum diddly do
One night some robbers entered, his inn to wreck
He screamed so loud people thought he was a Threk
Hum diddly hum diddly do
He fought all four, there was no doubt he'd win
Hum diddly hum diddly hum diddly do
He fought all four, there was no doubt he'd win
And that's why he now calls his place "The Raging Threk Inn"
Hum diddly hum diddly do
-12-
_________ Dousing the Flame
/ \ _____ \ """""""""""""""""
\@| ~|_|~ | by Avondale del{nightsaber
| |~| |
| |~| |
_| |~| | knew it was a bad idea the heat and knew this was not only
/@| _|~|_ | to join up with some going to be a hard trip, but also
\_/ ~ ~ ~ / older, hardened warriors one where I would get all itchy and
-------- and spell slingers for wet everywhere. Gads, what a
adventure, but hobgoblins and orcs thought, but kept it to myself. The
had started to bore me when I began caverns in the mountain seemed to
to fight them with my bare hands and glow with intense redness and I soon
thick skull. Smashing my head got bored looking around and started
against theirs made me think of what to slouch behind the real men.
I was actually getting out of this Then, as quick as I can fall asleep
and led me to decide for once to reading historical journals, I woke
fight something which could actually up to the sound of someone or
take my head OFF. Waiting patiently someTHING moaning. Oh, I thought,
in the temple, I heard some of the put that out of its misery will
older boys or rather men talking someone? Then I got a nudge from
about taking on some guardians. Lythe that this was our man and my
Guardians? Hmm, guardians of what I mind started to cloud with fear that
wondered. Being as polite as I I was going to be one of those guys
could, I asked them what they were to satisfy my own wish. I felt like
up to and if I could join in their running away. Good thing there
fun. Fun they asked? Har har. I wasn't a girl for a hundred miles to
quickly looked down and began to ask look at my face.
them what was so funny. They
answered that fire guardians are not This monster was at least 50 feet
"fun" and can toast you like fried (nudge), okay, 10 feet tall, and had
bacon. What a thought. It made me arms like cannons (nudge). Okay
wonder how I would taste, but I already! All he had was fire for
quickly erased my mind and listened hands and firey-looking eyes. I
intently to how I would come about remembered the little lecture in the
fighting one of these things. After temple and charged at the guardian
some explaining, I learned that you with a mind full of all I had
just keep attacking until one of you learned as a child in combat. I
dies. Hopefully that isn't you, but slashed at his head and felt my gold
you don't think about it till it shaalk sword bite deep in his hide.
happens so no one worries. After He gave a shriek and roared in my
suiting up, I joined, Lythe, Corwin, face, making me gasp for air. I
and a nameless thief for my first ended up disengaging for five
life-threatening adventure. seconds due to this little cry, and
then charged him again. As I fell
Being a good 5 or 6 levels younger flat on my back I scrambled up, and
than them I knew I had to be saw the thief was also attacking it,
careful. After readying ourselves, as was Corwin. Lythe being our
we journeyed to a faraway land and fearless leader and all, he
climbed up this mountain of fire. I apparently thought it would be best
tried to study the surroundings as if he sat back and commanded us as
much as I could but they said we he sipped some cool lemonade (slap).
should move along lest the titans
come. Hmm, I wondered what a titan No, Lythe began casting water bolts
was. Ah well, we continued our which struck the fire guardian all
journey and soon reached the mouth over, and I mean ALL over. I
of a fiery volcano. I could feel noticed it weaken after a while and
(More)
-13-
when I gave it a good shot, it surprise and cost him his life. As
evaporated all together with a loud I descended, I grinned wickedly when
moan. I wiped my brow and thought our eyes met, his full of death.
how this wasn't so bad after all. Then with lighting fast quickness, I
No casualties except a few bruises pulled my sword out from behind my
and lots of experience points. What back and slammed it in the same
else can a guy ask for? Okay, there spot as before, splitting his skull.
is a LOT I could ask for, but I have
to stick to this story. That foul beast vanquished, we
debated on what to do. Corwin, his
After the guardian we waited and head burnt like bacon, had trouble
were rapping, when out of no where casting spells and my toasted leg
came this phantom. It was all red made me limp. After some discus-
and sickly and made me wanna puke, sion, we thought it would better to
which I did since I couldn't even heal and rest than continue, so we
hit it. I watched the battle as got ready to journey home.
they fought, when suddenly another
fire guardian appeared with his dark Removing our gold rings, we put them
gaze, mumbling something I couldn't back on again and suddenly blinked
make out. I gasped, got up as quick back to the temple. I laid down and
as I could, and charged at him only put my shield and sword away. Ahh,
to fall flat on my back as I felt it was good to be home. Got myself
intense heat on my feet. I looked healed and only then thought to
down and there it was, my feet all check my mind. What? Still
roasted. I tried swinging from the CLEAR?!? I risk my life for a
ground but everyone had seen him by monster 10 times stronger than me
then and attacked with me. and I'm still clear? Hmmm, was it
worth it? Well, yeah. Fighting a
I gasped in pain and held my breath monster that can kill you is at
to get up. Ok, guardian, I thought, least educational. No matter what,
you wanna play? With a berserking it sure wasn't boring.
madness I charged it again. I could
see this battle was not going as $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
well as the first and soon Corwin $ $
was on his back with a fried head. $ B E L D R I C K ' S $
I ignored everything and slammed my $ G A M I N G $
Shaalk down his skull only to feel $ H A L L $
it barely bite in! Ugg, what luck. $ * $
I heard the guardian gesture again $ * _ * $
and felt apprehensive but Lythe said $ |*| $
to keep going and his harsh language $ _____| |______ ()
set me to my task. $ /--------------\ //
$ ||WIN BIG BUCKS| \ //$
That slowdown had delayed me a mere $ ||$$$$$$$$$$$$$| // $
five seconds, but it was enough for $ | _____________ // $
the guardian to loose his next fire- $ || | | | ( $
ball. I skillfully dodged it and $ |[BAR][BAR][BAR]< | $
was again airborne for a strong $ ||____|___*____| | $
strike. I could see he was tired $ * /_____*_______ / | $
but then he gestured yet again. $ * //oo O o O*oO // * / $
Where do these bozos get their $ ( ___*_o_*_o___/* / $
power? Still in the air, I saw $ \_______________ / $
Lythe with his metal wand casting $ $
ice balls at the beast while the $ North of Banker's Square $
thief and Corwin hacked at it from $ Where the fun begins $
opposite sides. My death-from- $ When the chips are in! $
above tactic caught the guardian in $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
-14-
_____________ Guest Editorial
/ \ ______ \ --------------
\@| /~/~~\~\ | by Selixr D'aboriel, Healer
| |~| ~~ |
| \~\____ | "Mental and Spiritual healing is just as important."
| ~ ~\~\ |
_| |~| |~||
/@| \~\__/~/ |ometimes in life, one By our definition, this is clearly
\_/ ~ ~ ~ / is confronted with NOT ethical. It's bad enough that
----------- difficult choices. the critters regularly claim many
I know that I have confronted citizens, do we have to worry about
plenty. Sometimes it's as simple our companions too? What could be
as deciding which bank to put worse than this terrible crime?
your hard-earned silver into, while Well, I'll tell you what's worse:
at others, the agenda for the day is The CONDONED killing of a citizen by
choosing whether to battle Greater other citizens. A lynch mob, if you
Orcs alone or hunt with a party of will; a group of people determined
greedy Hobgoblin hunters. An to exact vengeance.
ethical choice, however, is like
deciding whether to kill a monster The supposed justification? "He
someone else has been fighting. killed others... He deserved it...
He had it coming... Everybody hated
Most of us have had to make ethical him." Give me a break! Are we in
choices at one time or another. For the dark ages? Does popular opinion
some it is easy. Others take more hold the lives of a few in its
time to ponder the merits and pos- fickle hand? Killing a citizen
sible courses of action. Perusing because that citizen murdered others
the library, I found the following reduces everybody to the level of
definition for Ethical: "Conforming murderer. A lynch mob is no better
to standards of conduct." Looking than the lynchee. Lynch mobs punish
further was interesting because in the act of which they themselves are
all the library I couldn't find one guilty, and if that isn't hypocrisy,
reference to a standard of conduct then I don't know what is.
for us here in Kelfour's Landing.
Why not let the gods exact the
Not only was I surprised, I was karmic retribution due? Our prayers
intrigued. What standard of conduct to them are generally answered in
is generally acceptable to all due course, the gods being what they
citizens? I asked myself. Simple are. Sometimes, by their initial
answers almost always make more inaction, they teach us patience...
sense than complex ones. "Do unto For each citizen has within the
others what you would have done unto possibility for redemption and
you," makes sense, right? After change. But they do not rest in
all, if you'd been working on a troubled times for very long.
forest troll for five minutes when
some goon came by and killed it with I had the unfortunate experience of
one swack of his broadsword, would witnessing this dubiously sane
YOU be happy? ritual of group bonding. The vic-
tim, an unpopular individual I am
Armed with this simple standard of told, is no longer present in the
conduct, it is possible to confront lands. Who knows what befell him?
a difficult choice -- perhaps the What is important is to realize that
most difficult choice that I have murder is one of the most unethical
had first-hand experience with here: decisions one can make. Perhaps, in
The murder of one citizen by time, all of us in Kulthea will
another. learn this basic wisdom.
-15-
_____________ Gambling Gladitorial Games
/ \ __ \ """"""""""""""""""""""""""
\@| / ~| | by Vlad Drakula
| //|~| |
| // |~| |
_| //~~|~| |s I was wandering 1. I would like to hold this event
/@| // |~| |about town the other on the second Saturday of the new
\_/ ~~ ~ ~ / day, biding time year which is January 12. This will
------------ while waiting for a give you plenty of time to prepare
shield to be built, I happened upon (i.e. save money, as there will be
a book in the pawn shop. The title, betting), and give me time to hammer
"Ancient Games," immediately caught out the logistics and rules. Plus
my attention. I bought it at once will give the "City Nobility" an
and read it that same day. Within opportunity to help without being
its pages I found a wonderful idea rushed. The event would start
for all of us in Kulthea: around noon (PST) and continue until
Gladitorial Games! I started all tournaments have finished.
thinking about this, talked to a few
people who could be paramount to the 2. A number of tournaments will be
success of such an endeavor, and held, with different rules for
have come up with a number of ideas different tournies and levels of
on how to run such an event. competition. That is to say, there
might be a no-holds barred
First off, I realized that no one, tournament for levels 1-4, another
and I mean NO ONE, would be for levels 5-8, and so on. Possible
interested in participating in these tournament limits might be: No
Games if they are at risk of Holds Barred, Magic Only, No Magic,
permanent death. So I immediately Fisticuffs, etc. I propose that 2,
talked to Lord Erebor, to see if he 3, or 4 players fight at a time, the
would help resurrect those who winner advancing to semi-finals or
happen to taste the dust. The gleam finals within that tournie for their
in his eye, and the way he rubbed level. Higher level contestants
his hands together, were all the could not participate in the lower
answer I needed to know I had his level competitions (e.g. Lords may
support (for a suitable donation, of not participate in fights for levels
course, but more on this later). 1-4, 5-8, etc.) but lower level
Next, I spoke with the "City contestants could join higher levels
Nobility," (AKA Simutronics) to see (although they risk getting toasted,
if they might help out. Their but that's their choice).
response was while they like the
idea, they could not provide details 3. In order to enter a tournie each
as to what aid they might contribute competitor would pay an Entry Fee,
in time for this article. I have maybe 500 silvers for levels 1-4,
petitioned them for prizes, possibly 1000 for levels 5-8, and so on.
an arena, etc., which has all been These fees would be used as prize
taken under advisement. (They are money for that event, so the more
busy running the world, after all.) who participate, the bigger the
prize. Entry fees would be held by
Even without their support, I feel the "The Bank" (I'll find someone
we can make a go of this, so here is who is pick-proof, so that it will
my proposed basic framework. If you be safe). If the "City Nobility"
have any ideas, please let me know! furnishes some prizes (we'll cross
Talk to me around town, via ESP, or our fingers!), entry fees could be
drop me a letter through those reduced or even done away with.
magicians of communication, the
GEnies. Address it to R.PESSIN, 4. Technically, the only problem I
though, or they won't know who envision is one of Round Times, or
you're talking about. "Whoever swings first loses, as the
-16- (Continued)
other fellow will kill him while he Side bets between just a few people
recovers and brings up his parry." I may also be placed. The obvious
have thought long and hard about risk of side bets, though, is how
this, and come up with the following to ensure that the other person pays
suggestion: Contestants may not if you win. The House will also be
parry to the degree that their willing to hold side bets prior to
defensive capabilities rise above a the start of the fight, and pay
predetermined amount (perhaps 80 DB out appropriately (administration
for lower levels, 100 for high). I fee of 1/2 the normal pool fee will
need some feedback on this and all be charged, maybe 2.5%). So, if
suggestions are welcome. Better A wishes to have a personal
side bet with Better C, they can
5. Resurrection, a most important tell the House who has chosen to win
detail! In addition to Lord Erebor, and give "The Bank" the money, being
I have talked with Lady Taarna, who assured of receiving the proper
is also interested in helping out. payment. All side bets would, of
And I have petitioned the "City course, also be placed before the
Nobility" to bring in other clerics start of the fight. If you have
capable of resurrecting, to help questions or see faults with this
take the load off our "home-town" gambling plan, do let me know.
clerics. The possibility of a
Resurrection Fee in addition to the 7. Who wins? The last player
Entry Fee exists as well. alive, of course. If a contestant
disconnects from GemStone, that
6. Gambling! What fun would this would be as good as death. If a
for the spectators if there were no player cheats in any way from the
gambling? Here is how I will rules of a particular tournie, they
function as the House and run it: would be ruled dead. A player could
All contestants in a tournie will be give up too, but that would be
pre-announced. Anyone wishing to wimping out, and we want blood!.
place a bet will tell me how much
they bet (in increments of 100 sp That's it, and I look forward to
only). I will record that amount, hearing from you. January's Kelfour
and they will hand the money over to Edition will have the final word on
"The Bank" (you know, that pick- events, fees and so forth.
proof person). All money placed on
a given fight will be pooled, and a ====================================
small administration fee will be = ) ( ) ( =
deducted from each pool by the =__) (_ ) ( =
House, maybe 5%. When that fight is =--------. (__ ( /\M/\ ) =
over, anyone who bet on the winner =GemStone| (_ /^^v^^ )=
will share proportionately in the =__III___| ^.--.^ ( / / __)) =
pool based on how much they bet. = !\ /! / (_____) =
= !(o)(o)! / / / =
For example, Betters A and B place = /\ L_ /\ =
wagers on Lord Dagmar of 500 sp and = !/==\! "Vlad =
1000 sp, respectively. Better C = _\\__//\_ Drakula" =
places a 5000 sp bet on me (what a = | __\/__ \ =
fool!). This would make the pool = ! / /\M/\ \ ] =
6500 sp, less 5% (325 sp) for the = \/ ! ^^v^^ ! \\] =
House, leaving 6175. I get toasted = ! \___/ \___' /\] =
of course, and Lord Dagmar wins. = ! ( / \ )\/ \\] =
Player A bet 500 sp, which was = /\/!\ - -\ /)/ / \] =
33.33% of the total bets on Lord = \__)H( - - ) /( ) \ \\ =
Dagmar, thus Player A would get = /HH! -.- (]\ \ \\ =
33.33% of the pool, 2058 sp, and =======================by Cris Fenn=
Better B would take the balance. Will Kelfour Edition be taken over
by "GARBLED CHARACTERS"?
-17-
_____________ Fashion Statement
/ \____ ____\ """""""""""""""""
\@|~|_| |_|~| by Darwynn Ellessur
| |~|___|~| |
| |~ ___ ~| |
_| |~| |~| |ere's a facet of GemStone that everyone can take part in.
/@|_|~| |~|_| It isn't getting dressed for social occasions, but rather
\_ /~ ~ ~ ~/ it's the apparel you choose to wear when you're back in
---------- town. Sure, you can wander around in a helm and armor, but
but is it comfortable? Is it attractive? Is it the positive statement you
want to make about yourself to others? If you answered no to any of this,
here are some some tips to making the "LOOK name" command the most popular
game in town. Individuality is a key to invigorating roleplaying. I enjoy
it when Wisraith wears a gown, or, as an example:
______________________________ ____________________________________
/ \ \ / \ \
\@| You see Angelique Lovelin | \@| You see Lal Nirandra the Half-|
| the Fair Elf Mage. She is | | Elf Thief. He is holding a golden|
| holding a silver wand in | | wand in his left hand and a|
| her right hand. She is | | tankard of Golden Fox mead in his|
| wearing a flowing red | | right hand. He is wearing a red|
| robe, a silver band, a gold| | velvet cloak, a crystal amulet,|
| ring, a silvery silk sash, | | a gold band, a large sack, some|
_| a red brocade backpack and | _| grey doeskin boots, a gold ring|
/@| a grey Velvet pouch. | /@| and a grey satin sash. |
\_/___________________________/ \_/__________________________________/
These are are two relatively highly ranked players but how about a newcomer?
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| You see Vim O'Brien the Half-Elf Healer. She is holding a rapier in her|
|right hand and a white iron shield in her left hand. She is wearing a gold|
|ring, a white iron helm, a white silk pouch, some arm greaves, some heavy|
|hide, leg greaves, some white leather sandals and a white cotton backpack.|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Classy, eh? Incredible displays of wealth are not as important as taste and
flair. You can enrich the lives of everyone you meet, while being satisfied
that you're not just in a community of slash and hack artists.
How to implement your look? You've chosen race, hair, complexion and eye
color, so you have an idea of how you appear. When you close your eyes, do
you see a radiant vision in silver and blue, or a more somber image? When
you're comfortable with this vision, you are ready to build your outfit.
You need to know where the general store and Sarii's shop are, and the
armory and weapon shop can provide personalized gear, too. What's etiquette
for changing your apparel? There's Cheldar's bathhouse -- the bedroom or
stage, which ever meets your needs. I often duck into a side street or
building although on occasion I have changed in the SQUARE. You can ease
the process of changing with macros, one to GetDressed and one to GetReady.
__My favorite Look:________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@| You see Moonpie Legend the Half-Elf Thief. He is holding an eog mace|
| in his right hand. He is wearing a gold ring, a metal aventail, a black|
| mithril shield, a black mithril helm, a black velvet backpack, some arm|
_| greaves, some leg greaves, a ruby amulet, an onyx wristlet, a black|
/@| velvet cloak, a black silk sash and a leather breastplate. |
\_/_________________________________________________________________________/
-18-
_____________ The Art of Making Macros / \___________\ """""""""""""""""""""""" \@|||--|-|--||| by Nastorm Trevin |~~ |-| ~~| _| |-| | /@| |-| |his is an introduction to formulating and writing macros. \_/ ~ ~ ~ / It is the first in a series of articles which will cover
------------ macros and provide you with tips on designing them effect- ively. The second article will introduce more complex macros, while the third will show you how to design and use them in combat situations. What are macros? They are the redefining of existing keys in your communication program. If your communication program allows you to write macros, you can use these automated actions to improve your abilities in GemStone. Macros can reduce the time needed to gather booty, wands, attack monsters and gain experience. And they never make typing mistakes. Ever been with someone who whips off his shield, gets a chest, puts the chest in his backpack, whips his shield back out, and swings at another monster before you can even type ATTACK MONSTER? If so, that player is using macros to advantage. Communications programs which support macros have a syntax for writing them. You will need to read the documentation for information on your program's particular macro syntax. I use an IBM clone and a communication's program called Telix. Telix allows you to redefine all the keys on the keyboard, and I currently have 70 macros set up for GemStone. The general structure of macros is the same for most programs. Let's say that you want to write a macro to attack an orc. Normally you would type ATTACK ORC and then press the enter key. That's what you want your macro to do. Assuming your program's syntax for the enter key is <CR>, the macro you write would look like this:
ATTACK ORC<CR>
Each time you press that key your communications program will send:
ATTACK ORC followed by the enter key. Instead of typing 10 characters,
you press ONE key. I think you will agree that the speed advantage is
substantial. Examples of good macros to write include:
GET BREASTPLATE<CR> SEARCH monster<CR>
PUT BREASTPLATE IN MY BACKPACK<CR> SKIN monster<CR>
GET BREASTPLATE FROM MY BACKPACK<CR> PARRY 100<CR>
SELL BREASTPLATE<CR> PARRY 0<CR>
Next time I will cover more complex macros which do more than one thing.
For example, you might want to try this slightly more complex macro:
PARRY 100<CR>WEAR SHIELD<CR>
Just about anything you type can be done with a macro, so be creative.
Write down your most common actions and store them as a macro for your
next foraging trip into the wilds of GemStone.
-19-
_________ Kulthean Heraldic Registry
/ \ _____ \ """"""""""""""""""""""""""
@| ~|_|~ | by Salvius Cygnus-Aureus
| |~| |
| |~| |
_| |~| |n an effort to provide individuality to characters of GemStone,
/@| _|~|_ | I have created the Kulthean Cape & Sash Registry. For those of
\_/ ~ ~ ~ / you who have not seen it, read Topic 32 in Category 20 on
-------- Scorpia's Games RoundTable, page 805.
By registering two colors of those available in the clothing shop in the
southeast part of town (on Dragonsfang Road), you can state your
individuality, your house colors or show common bonds with other players.
Here is the list of all colors which I have registered. If you think you
have claimed colors but do not see them here, it is because there was some
discrepancy that was never cleared up, so you should come and talk to me.
If you have not registered colors, the rules are very simple: Choose two
colors that have not yet been claimed. You are then the claimant of those
colors. If you would like to let someone else use those colors also, then
post a message to that effect in the RoundTable. Otherwise, just post your
selection. Then, go to the clothing shop and purchase a cape and a sash in
your colors. As many have done, it is also nice to buy custom armor,
weapons & goods in your colors, until you have a complete color-coordinated
outfit. This shows your individuality and links with other players.
This list is current to 11/23/90, and shows houses where the claimants have
indicated them. It would be nice if more colors were associated with
houses. If you haven't done so already, I urge (and welcome) you to
register yours.
Salvius Cygnus-Aureus.........Blue/Gold (House of the Golden Swan)
Floop Cygnus-Aureus...........Blue/Gold (House of the Golden Swan)
Aleric Karamis................Blue/Gold (House of the Golden Swan)
Lal Niranda..........................Red/Grey (House of Wolverine)
Wisraith Winterwind..............White/White (House of Winterwind)
Enist d'e'elni.....................Silver/Grey (House of d'e'elni)
Kedryn StrongBlade............Green/Red (House of Emerald Knights)
Kimball Kinnison......................Gold/Gold (House of Halbane)
Kelson Halbane........................Gold/Gold (House of Halbane)
Kaylar Haldane........................Gold/Gold (House of Halbane)
Raven BRIGHTWING.........Black/Grey Lady Kayla Kyndhart......Purple/Silver
Achoo GoldenRod.........Blue/Silver Talon Elessidil.............Black/Gold
Hannibal Tulark..........Grey/Black Taarna Wayfinder...............Red/Red
Enrico..... ..............Red/Black Viszier Wazara........Camouflage/Azure
Valeria Deering...........Black/Tan Krystal trumen..............White/Gold
Tom Mondragon...........Black/Green Lavim Springtoe............Green/Green
Airioch Ramthanadox.......Grey/Grey Fxg Lyon............Diaphionous <sigh>
Angelique Lovelin........Red/Silver Jamel Kaili...............Black/Silver
Hardtwood Strongbow......Red/Yellow Siegfried dieMisterToten...Black/White
Emeralda L'Eeon........Green/Silver Mordue d'Arti.............Black/Orange
Lord Erebor Bordeaux......Grey/Dark Merriebeth IvyThorn........Azure/White
Deerslayer O'Byrne.....Azure/Silver Fesley Grammar.............Azure/Green
Celeborn Greyswndir......Blue/Green Eron Kulsen..............Silver/Silver
Strom O'Berin.............Red/White Arius Altair...............Azure/Azure
Elor Once-Dark.........Purple/White Opal DIAMOND-NINJA........Silver/White
Ilstar Darkedge.........Dark/Silver Moonpie Legend...........Purple/Purple
Hetchel Threadbare.......Grey/White Kirc Bloodguard...............Red/Gold
-20-
__________
/ \ __ \ A Beastiary of Kelfour's
\@| / "| | """"""""""""""""""""""""
| //|"| | by Lythe L'Green
| //_|"| |
_| //~~|"| |
/@| // |"| |s a resident of Kelfour's Landing, I've always had an avid
\_/ ~~ ~ ~ / interest in the wild beasts that live in the area. After
------------ traversing much of the land around Kulthea, battling various
creatures and conversing with learned sages, I've compiled what I believe to
be an accurate list of the monsters you might find when you journey far from
the safety of town.
* * * Format * * *
This list is arranged in alphabetical order. The first line of each entry
shows the monster's name and level, its relative quickness, the spells it
can cast, and any special powers or abilities it may have. These special
abilities are described in a Glossary at the end of the list. Second and
subsequent lines show various permutations available, i.e., different types
of equipment it can carry, along with applicable defensive and offensive
bonuses. Next to each of these listings is a note about where the monster
may be usually be found.
The size and speed of these creatures is important. If they are small
creatures, they receive critical attacks which do slightly less damage than
normal. If they are large creatures, they receive a set of critical attacks
which are generally more damaging than normal, yet rarely produce a stun.
Monsters which are "fast" are impossible to use "parry-tag" style of combat
around; they generally can attack once or twice for every one of your
attacks. Medium speed monsters are those which can be parry-tagged with
care. They can typically deliver one attack for every one of yours. Slow
monsters are just a little slower than that, while very slow monsters are
noteworthy for their lethargy -- you may be able to safely attack them twice
for every once they can attack to you.
Many hunters are often confused about the amount of experience points they
get for slaying a monster. The formula is 100 + (monster level - your
level)*100. You won't ever get less than zero. You get full experience for
it as long as you damage the monster the same percentage as you represent in
the party. For example, if you are in a party of four, you need to do 25%
of the damage to the monster to get full experience.
* * * The Monsters * * *
Apparition, dark: 5th level, slow speed, casts minor pain, limb pain, blur Broadsword (50), DB 30 [Claedesbrim Plateau]
Assassin, shadow: 18, fast, unlife, cast weaponfire, blur, hues,invisibility
Scimitar (150), DB 30 [Barrow Mound, shaft and cold tunnels]
Basilisk: 7th level, large creature, slow speed, immobilizing gaze
Bite (70), Swing (50), Claw (55), DB 70 [Smatoth/Claedesbrim Castle]
Bear, great brown: 8th level, very slow, animal, 15/rnd disease, large
Bite (70), Claw (70), DB 50 [Danjirland, path]
(More)
-21
Black Stalker: 17th level, medium speed
Two handed sword or short sword (165), 90 DB [Smatoth]
Bloodbeast: 7th level, unlife, medium speed, acid spray
Dagger (65), DB 70 [Claedesbrim Gorge]
Cobra: 1st level, small creature, fast speed, 3/rnd poison
Bite (30), DB 40 [Graveyard, Dam]
Cockatrice: 6th level, small creature, medium speed, immobilizing gaze
Charge (40), Claw (50), Snap (60), 45 DB
Deathwoode: 17th level, unlife, medium speed, casts call wind, tremors,
lightning bolt (90), shockbolt (90)
Bite (90), Pound (100), DB 70 [Dead Forest/Claedesbrim Castle]
Dirge, death: 9th level, medium speed, unlife, cast fear, calm
Swing (60), DB 75 [Graveyard, bog]
Firephantom: 6th, unlife, immune to fire, cast firestorm, fire bolt (60)
Swing (40), DB 20 [Blototh Volcano/Claedesbrim Castle]
Gemsting: 4th level, medium speed, web, small creature
Snap (60), Stab (80), Charge (65), DB 45 [Mine]
Ghoul, greater: 3rd level, unlife
Claw (40), DB 30 [Graveyard, bog and tunnels]
Ghoul King: 16th level, slow speed, unlife, casts fear, aura
Claw (120), Bite (125), Pound (90), DB 80 [Claedesbrim Dungeon level 3]
Ghoul, lesser: 1st level, unlife
Claw (20), DB 10 [Graveyard]
Giant, frost: 17th level, large creature, stomp, medium speed,
casts cold ball (100)
Short sword (145), heavy hide, DB 100 [Blototh]
Giant, skeletal: unlife, large creature
Flail (110), DB 40 [Claedesbrim Dungeon level 3]
Giant, storm: 20th level, large creature, medium speed, stomp, casts
call wind, lightning bolt (100), water bolt (80)
Swing (140), DB 105 [Claedesbrim, Cave]
Gnoll, cave: 3rd level, very slow speed
Short sword or spear (35), shield, chain mail, DB 35 [Stonehold]
Gnoll, ranger: 5th level, medium speed
Hand axe, light hide, DB 40 [Stonehold]
Gnoll, thief: 7th level, medium speed
Dagger (80), light hide, DB 30 [Stonehold]
Gnome, cave: 2nd level, slow speed
Handaxe (20), leather breastplate, DB 30 [Mine]
Goblin: 3rd level, slow
Scimitar (40), Ring Mail, DB 30 [Upper Kaldsfang, across bridge]
Flail (20), light hide, DB 30 [Graveyard]
Swing (40), light hide, DB 30 [Mine Trail]
Golem, bone: 8th level, medium speed, unlife
Swing (100), Ensnare (60), Pound (90), DB 30 [Crypt/Tower exterior]
-22- (More)
Golem, crystal: 12th level, slow speed, large creature, unstunnable, stomp
Morning Star (90), DB 70 [Claedesbrim Dungeon level 2]
Golem, steel: 20th level, medium speed, large creature, unstunnable, stomp
Pound (160), Ensnare (90), DB 105 [Blothoth, Ruins]
Warhammer (155), DB 105 [Claedesbrim Dungeon level 4]
Guardian, cold: 15th, large, med. speed, imm. to cold, cast cold ball (100)
Charge (50), Ensnare (65), DB 100 [Blototh Glacier]
Guardian, fire: 16th, large, medium speed, imm. to heat
casts fire bolt (100), firestorm
Charge (70), Ensnare (70), DB 100 [Blototh Volcano]
Hobgoblin: 3rd level, slow speed
Battle axe (50), leather breastplate, DB 25 [Upper Kaldsfang]
Two-handed sword (50), metal breastplate, DB 25 [Upper Kaldsfang]
Karnelin: 1st level, small creature, animal, medium speed
Charge (38), Bite (41), Stomp (32), 45 DB [Lower Dragonsfang]
Kobold: 1st level, slow speed
Short sword (10), light hide, shield, DB 10 [Lower Dragonsfang]
Swing (18), DB 10 [Mine, maze]
Manticore: 6th level, medium speed
Claw (70), Stinger (75), DB 55 [Up. Kald. Foothills/Claedes. Dung.lev 2]
Mummy, lesser: 6th level, unlife
Claw (40), Ensnare (10), DB 30 [Crypt]
Ogre, large: 12th level, fast speed, 2 attacks per round
Swing (100), Claw (80), heavy hide, 20 DB [Danjirld Caves/Claedes. Gorge]
Ogre, mountain: 14th level, medium speed
Cudgel (140), heavy hide, 105 DB [Danjirland, trail]
Orc, greater: 6th level, very slow speed
Mace (80), chain hauberk, shield, DB 30 [Upper Kaldsfang, across bridge]
Scimitar (80), reinforced leather, DB 30 [Upper Kaldsfang, across bridge]
Orc, grey: 9th level, fast speed, cast stun cloud, fire bolt (45)
Mace or short sword (90), shield, DB 90 [Danjirld, trail or path/Fthills]
Orc, lesser: 4th level, slow speed
Short sword or Mace (60), heavy hide, DB 60 [Upper Kaldsfang]
Cudgel (60), heavy hide, DB 60 [Mine Road]
Phantom: 2nd level, slow speed, unlife, cast aura, shock bolt (30)
Swing (20), DB 20 [Graveyard]
Rat, giant: 1st level, small creature
Bite (30), DB 30 [Kelfour Catacombs]
Revenant: 4th level, medium speed, unlife, cast blur, minor pain
Broadsword (60), shield, reinforced leather [Graveyard, trail]
Skeleton: 1st level, slow, unlife
Dagger (20), cloak, DB 0 [Graveyard]
Skeleton, ice: 3rd level, slow, unlife, immune to cold
Dagger (40), cloak, DB 35 [Blototh]
(More)
-23-
Spectre: 14th level, unlife, medium speed, cast fear, call wind, stun cloud,
cold ball (90), shock bolt (90)
Rapier (85), DB 170 [Claedesbrim Castle level 2]
Spider, greater: 8th level, slow speed, small creature, web
Stab (70), Pincher (70), Bite (70), DB 40 [Mine, crevice]
Spider, major: 19th level, fast speed, long-duration web
Pincher (120), Stab (120), DB 90 [Claedesbrim Dungeon level 4]
Spirit, tree: 17th, unlife, casts call lightning, boil earth, hues, blur
Ensnare (120), Swing (140), DB 240 [Dead Forest]
Tatzelwurm: 3rd level, 6/rnd poison, small creature
Claw (60), Bite (50), DB 45 [Mine]
Threk: 8th level, animal, large creature, fast speed
Charge (30), Bite (70), Claw (40), DB 55 [UK Foothills, Claedes. Gorge]
Titan: 14th level, large, stomp, casts weaponfire, lightning bolt (80)
War mattock (105), reinforced leather, DB 85 [Blototh]
Torkaan: 1st level, slow speed, animal
Bite (20), Claw (20), DB 0 [Kelfour Exterior/Lower Dragonsfang]
Troglodyte: 3rd level, very slow
Cudgel (45), shield, light hide, DB 30 [Mine]
Troll, cave: 12th level, large creature, very slow speed
Cudgel (135), heavy hide, 30 DB [Danjirland, Caves]
Claw (150), 30 DB [Danjirland, Caves]
Mace (127), full leather, DB 37 [Claedesbrim Dungeon level 1]
Troll, forest: 6th level, slow speed
Cudgel (36), heavy hide, DB 25 [Upper Kaldsfang]
Flail or Dagger (40), heavy hide, DB 25 [Upper Kaldsfang, across bridge]
Claw (60), Bite (60), heavy hide, DB 25 [Danjirland/Claedesbrim Forest]
Troll, hill: 11th level, medium speed, unstunnable
Two-handed sword (110), augmented breastplate, DB 70 [W. of Danjir sign]
Troll, war: 10th level, medium speed, large creature
War hammer (120), chain hauberk, shield, DB 50 [Danjirland, path]
Halberd (120), reinforced leather, DB 50 [Claedesbrim Castle]
Werebear: 10th level, medium speed, unlife
Charge (90), Claw (95), Bite (85), DB 68 [Claedesbrim Cavern/Low. Dr. F.]
Wight, barrow: 15th level, slow speed, unlife, cast fear, life level drain
Broadsword or claw (165), metal breastplate, DB 135 [Barrow mound]
Wight lord: 17th level, medium speed, unlife, life level drain,
cast stun cloud, fear, wizard shield, boil earth
Falchion (155), DB 160 [Claedesbrim Dungeon level 4]
Wolf, ghost: 11th level, unlife, fast speed, disease
Bite (100), DB 65 [Tower exterior]
Wolverine: 5th level, animal, medium speed, 4/rnd disease
Bite (45), Claw (45), DB 50 [Lower Dragonsfang, Kelfour Exterior]
Worm, cave: 10th level, medium speed, 20/rnd poison
Bite (120), Ensnare (90), Charge (110), DB 55 [Mine]
Wraith: 15th level, Medium speed, unlife, casts word of stun, fear,
cold ball (90), lightning bolt (90)
Short sword (110), DB 110 [Claedesbrim Castle level 2]
-24- (More)
* * * Special Ability Glossary * * *
Acid spray: Acid is sprayed at you; you have a chance to avoid it. If
you are hit, you may lose up to 25 concussion points.
Cast: This monster can cast the spells indicated. See the Tomes
of Kulthea for more information on what these spells do.
The one you won't find is the "fear" spell, employed by the
more powerful unlife monsters. This spell has a chance of
making you drop what you are holding and flee in terror,
or immobilizing you (see gaze). Elemental attack spells
have their applicable offensive bonuses listed next to the
spell.
Disease: If bitten, you may contract a disease which will cause you to
lose concussion points every round. You will lose the full
amount the first round, and then it will decrease the damage
by one concussion point the next round, until it dissipates
at zero damage. For example, a disease doing 4/rnd would do
4 concussion points of damage the first round, 3 the second,
2 the third and 1 the last, for a total of 10.
Gaze: A gaze will either immobilize you (but not cause you to drop
what you are holding, as in the fear spell), causing your DB
to drop and making you unable to move, or simply make you un-
able to move for a short amount of time. High self discipline
is a defense against this.
Immune: Creatures immune to heat or cold elemental attacks.
Life drain: Upon contact with a claw attack, you will lose 1 life level
point temporarily. Note: losing all life levels annihilates
the soul and destroys the character permanently.
Poison: Effectively the same as a disease.
Stomp: Creatures with this ability stomp on the ground and cause you
to fall over. Make sure you stand back up right away.
Unstunnable: This creature cannot be stunned.
Web: If you are webbed, you will be unable to move and your
strength and quickness bonuses are lost for the duration.
__________________________________________________________________________
/ \ HALL OF FAME \
|@/________________________________________________________________________/
| Kelfour Edition Extends its most HeartFelt Congratulations to: |
| Lady Kayla Kyndhart, Lord Dagmar Istarii, Lord FXG Lyon |
|_ and Lord Erebor Bordeaux for attaining Noble Rank! |
/------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bard Mendle Seldagrave 16 | High Human Angeleyes DuLac 15 |
| Ranger FXG Lyon 20 | Common Man Beolost Lamontt 14 |
| Mage Dagmar Istarii 22 | Dwarf Vesitsa Talchild 15 |
| Fighter Kirc Bloodguard 15 | Halfling Doppel Ganger 11 |
| Thief Riverwind Entreri 18 | Wood Elf Celeborn Greyswndir 10 |
| Cleric Erebor Bordeaux 20 | High Elf Strom O'Berin 11 |
| Sorceror Airioch Ramthanadox 11 | Half Elf Dagmar Istarii 22 |
| Healer Kayla Kyndhart 21 | Fair Elf Erebor Bordeaux 21 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
/@| Current GSIII Fame Rankings by Profession and Race - December 1, 1990 |
\_/_________________________________________________________________________/
-25-
___________
/ \ __ \ The Fall of Queen Inobe
\@| /~| | -----------------------
| //~| | by Wisraith Winterwind
| //|~| |
_| //=|~| |
/@| // |~| |s a matter of histor- The High Priest was born of the dark
\_/~~ ~ ~ / ical record, the Cult breed of elves, the Dyar. He was
---------- of the Sea-Drake old; dark power having preserved his
was largely responsible for the body and his will for long on long.
downfall of the Realm of U-Lyshak on In his younger days he was known as
the isle-continent of Jaiman toward Aeryk, though he had not used that
the end of the second era (the Era name in thousands of years. Some
of Ire). This effort was directed say he yet lives, having been long
by the High Priest of Yarthraak at in hiding, waiting for the Unlife to
the behest of Lorgalis (also known grow again in strength so he may
as the Magician to the Schola), begin anew the task of throwing down
perhaps the most devoted and the land of U-Lyshak.
powerful servant of Kadaena and the
Unlife on this, our continent, of Each year it seemed the cult grew
Jaiman. Many are the tales of woe stronger, taking power from the
from this time, some chronicled on throne. Norek's allies were weak or
dusty scrolls and others passed down under siege themselves, however, so
through generations by story and to prevent violence and the death of
song. This tale I have pieced his people, Phionam allowed this
together from stories of my child- erosion of his power, ever hoping
hood and lore of the many story for help from some, from any,
tellers I have sought in my travels. quarter. Over the years, the shift
of power encompassed religious as
In the southwest og the land of well as political freedoms in Norek.
U-Lyshak lay the city of Norek, well
known for its beautiful bridges and Since the founding of the city, the
busy port on the Alunn River, near people of Norek had held a yearly
the Bay of Elysea. Isolated from festival to worship their god, Kuor.
its neighbors by the Elven Forest, However, at the end of a dark year,
Remiriath, it was largely that they called Year of the
independent from the capital city of Serpent, at Yarthraak's insistence
Helyssa. Norek was ruled with grace it was decreed that holiday prepar-
any justice by its king, Phionam and ations continue but that Kuor be
its queen, Inobe. worshipped no more. Kadaena would
instead be the object of veneration
Inobe was a proud woman, and many and celebration. Appalled at this
felt she had a right to be so. Tall blasphemy, many protested but more
and beautiful, her subjects were afraid and obeyed the High
virtually worshipped her. But to Priest's commandment.
her, all this was as nothing
compared to her pride and joy in her Only one was brave (or foolish, the
motherhood of seven sons and seven tales differ here) enough to stand
daughters. These children promised against this evil decree. At the
to grow up as beautiful as their peak of the somber celebration,
mother and as wise as their father. Queen Inobe strode to the
The royal brood was the hope of sacrificial altar, swept aside the
Norek, shedding light on a future priests that attempted to restrain
which was rapidly being darkened by her and harangued the crowd. She
the ever-growing shadow of the raged at them, how could they bow
presence of the Cult of the down and grovel before the image of
Sea-Drake and the influence of the the evil Kadaena? Who was this
High Priest of Yarthraak. mistress of the Unlife whose only
-26- (Continued)
spawn were ugly twisted creatures disbelieving that her sons were
who inspired madness in all who dead, gathered her daughters to her
beheld them? She proclaimed that and ran to the courtyard.
the royal family would never submit
to such humiliation; they always At the very sight of the twisted
had, and always would, worship Kuor. corpses, the girls fell weeping by
Claiming a living family as strong the bodies of their beloved broth-
and lovely as her own would never ers. Inobe barely noticed the spraw-
fall to Kadaena and her misbegotten led form of her husband, so intent
brood, she stood fair and proud over was she on the rest of the carnage.
a people torn between loyalty and Hidden, the assassins struck again.
fear. Finally, it was the king, Six writhing girls fell shrieking in
himself, who restrained her, pro- agony, dying beside their brothers.
bably saving her life by placing her Crying in fear, the youngest toddled
in the inner sanctum of the palace to her mother who swept her up and
away from the malevolent ire of the held her fiercely to her breast.
deputies of the Priest. She cursed the hidden killers,
demanding they face her.
Enraged by her insolence, the next
day Yarthraak dispatched two assas- As she stood defiant, they
sins, a man and a woman cloaked in deliberately drew their bows and let
black, to the palace to satisfy the fly. Two arrows struck the baby
sacrifice Kadaena demanded in retri- girl with such force they traveled
bution. They crept to the palace on to impale her mother's heart.
courtyard where Inobe's sons Some say she died of shock before
practiced at arms, running and the arrows pierced her breast.
laughing. One by one, the assassins Inobe crumpled to the ground, locked
shot down the bewildered boys, in death with her youngest child.
leaving the bodies riddled with
poisoned black arrows, grimaces of After the slaughter of the royal
pain and fear frozen on their young family, the Cult of the Sea-Drake
faces. The two retired to the seized those govern- mental
shadows to wait. functions they did not control;
Norek, its population terrorized,
News of the slaughter quickly fell to chaos and the yoke of
reached the ears of the parents. Kadaena. Not un- til the Wars of
The king arrived first and, stricken Dominion and dawn of our age were
with grief at the death of his sons, Inobe and her city avenged by the
the Phionam slit his throat. Inobe, power of the Loremasters.
Master Death
""""""""""""
by Raven Brightwing /
\ /
O Death you are my master \----- -/
Cold darkness begins to engulf me /\__ __/ \
I try to fight, but fall faster \__ /\ \
There is nothing more left to see / / /\ /\ \ \
-- -----<>------ ---
As I fall I grope the air \ \ \/ \/ / / |
I call for help, but no one can hear \/___\/ |
All I see is your empty stare \/-----\/ *
Your eyes show there is nothing to fear / \ ^^^
/ \
I relax and let you pull me in
I surrender with no hope to win
I approach you, my Master, with no qualms
I only hope you embrace me with open arms -Cris Fenn
-27-
______________ The Jaded Oracle
/ \ ____ ____ \ """"""""""""""""
\@| ~|_| /~/~ | by Miss Louvella Parsnips
| |~|_/~/ |
| |~|~\~\ |
_| |~| \~\ |elfour's has been Speaking of bundles, Angelique and
/@| _|~| \~\_| set aflame by a Lal Nirandra are expecting delivery
\_/ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~/ nasty fight be- of their's any time now. We wonder
------------- tween cleric Erebor if it is the product of Lal, or
Bordeaux and ranger Rune Arundel. mayhaps another of our virile
Of course, we know the real scoop adventurers, many of whom have been
and are delighted to make it public. seen in company with the popular
It seems that Rune typically lost mage, and none of whom resemble her
her temper and said a few choice husband in the slightest. 'Twill be
words to Erebor, who grew mightily interesting to see the color of the
insulted and threw down his child eyes, eh?
falchion, vowing to leave the lands
forever. Pretty funny when you Wedding bells will ring this month
recall that it was Erebor's bad- for two of our more visible
mouthing which kicked off the residents; the much sought-after
dispute that culminated in our mage Phaedra Bleu, who was won over
first Tribunal decision not long at last by long-time resident ranger
ago. Nevertheless, Erebor has since Landreth deLorde. Now, we know that
become near and dear to the hearts opposites attract, but we can't help
of our erstwhile residents (a wondering about the future of a
sentiment that just happened to union between one who is decidedly
coincide with his ability to perform evil and another who has done
resurrections, of course) which, in everything to wipe evil from land.
turn, incited them to madness; death Should there come an uprising, will
threats toward Rune flew like this happy couple oppose each other
arrows. Safe from threats since she during the day and <heh> attract
was already dead (not to mention each other at night? And what about
deedless), Rune apologized publicly, a certain spurned healer who has
calming some of them, although it long carried a torch for the
was Erebor himself who smoothed handsome, blond ranger? Will she be
things over and has since returned. in the wedding party, which is set
All is well? Well, we wonder if any on Winter Solstice and reads like a
of those threats still stand. social registry of Kulthea? Could
be a *very* interesting ceremony.
Rune has been spreading herself
around since the much discussed Cheldar's Bath house suddenly became
departure of another certain cleric popular last month, when a number
(who, as far as we can tell, still of highly regarded residents spent
hasn't actually left) and it appears the weekend there, sitting, no less,
that she is expecting a bundle of in the water closet behind the tap-
joy sometime next year. The father? estry just inside the front door.
We are not, as Rune would have us, Suppose they were playing Canasta?
su