Kelfour Edition volume IV number I
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | First Issue of KE's Fourth Year! |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III(tm) June 1993 |
| _ _ _ ___ Vol 4, No.1 |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| ____ |
| ____ ( __ ) _____ _ _ _ _ |
| ( __ O\__|\__/|__ / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| \__/ ( ) / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| -- \/| )./\.( | / ___) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| / ) ) (____\___) / (_ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| ( \ / \ / (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| O/ \ / | |
| ( \ | / / | |
| \ )|( \ ( ) The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| / // \ \ | |
| / _ /_/ | |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| Kelfour's Landing Local News ................................ 1 |
| Practical Aspects of RR Spells, Pt II Lord Trachten Hickapod 2 |
| Custom Materials .................................. Kenner Boh 4 |
| A Dream Come True ................................... Darkseed 5 |
| Another Look at the Mine Road ............. Palance Buckhannah 7 |
| Wilderness Report ....................... D. Forrest Hobgoblin 8 |
| A Matter of Honor: Part II ....................... Sean2 Lladd 9 |
| The Town Square ............................ Alyssya Sandorala 15 |
| Visit to Ye Oddity Workshop ................ Lady Phaedra Bleu 16 |
| Song of Power's Calling ......................... Erion Kulsen 18 |
| First Innocence ................................ Shiloh Strong 24 |
| Gladiatorial Games Winners ...................... Kree Morlain 23 |
| Bugg's Newsbites ............................ Bugg Hornwort 25,28 |
| The Looking Glass War, Conclusion .... Lord Gallenod Varynesti 26 |
| Lletters to Lloyd ........................... Lloyd Llowd, PhD 29 |
| |
| --* Plus more limericks by Bugg Hornwort *-- |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi |
| player role-playing game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Editor Rasputin Santare; Assist. Editors Kalagay Hallatil, |
| or Jarran Terraxx; or Publisher Lady Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to |
| P.HERRINGTON, for details. |
| _________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/____________________________________________________________________/
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Double Newcomer's Nights In June cooperation, house activities and
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ community relations. This meeting
There will be two Newcomer's Welcome could mark the beginning of some new
and Orientation Nights this month: new and exciting developments in our
House Aspis will host the first on community. KE will keep you posted
Tuesday, June 15th; and House Arcane as things happen.
will host the second on June 29th.
Both will start at 6 p.m. EDT. These ________________________________
two nights of orientation and / \
training will conducted by some of | Gladiatorial Games are coming! |
Kelfour's finest citizens, and will | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
give newcomers to GemStone a double | June 26th starting at 12PM EDT |
opportunity at learning the secrets | House Aspis will be holding |
of success and survival in Kulthea. | the Gladiatorial Games! |
Pass the word. | |
| Prizes! |
First Grand Meeting Of Houses | ~~~~~~~ |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Winners will receive money, |
Speaking of Houses, the first for- | experience, trophies and special |
mal Inter-house Gathering will take | prizes. Included amongst the |
place Saturday, June 12th, at 6 PM | prizes are permabless weapons! |
Eastern times. Officers of all the | |
Chartered Houses and their members | Come out and fight, or just bet |
have been invited to attend to dis- | on your favorite combatants! |
cuss, among other things, mutual \________________________________/
Upcoming Town Forums
Date Topic Chair-GM
-----------------------------------------------------------
9 June The Anything Goes Topic Kygar
16 June This Old House (and how to make it better) Elvanion
23 June To Be Announced
30 June Closed Essence Spells You Never Knew About Marvelin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Town Forums are conducted each Wednesday Night in the Moot
Hall Assembly Room at 10:00 PM Eastern time.
\ | /
-- --(*)-- --
/ | \
-1-
____________ Practical Aspects of RR Spells, Part II
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Lord Trachten Hickapod
| //|"| | (Cont'd from KE Vol.3, No.10)
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |n important fact I more likely the BAR roll will be
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / did not discuss in my adjusted to 95. To get a higher BAR
~~~~~~~~~~~ first article, is the roll, ie. 96-100, that exact number
level bonus that pure spell casters must be rolled. There is only a 5%
get to their BAR roll. For pure chance of this, no matter what the
spell casters their level is added level of the caster. Obviously, the
to the BAR roll, UP TO A MAX. OF 95. 95 roll is the one you really need
The higher level the caster is, the to guard against.
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| Bar Bonus |
| Result Needed |
| for to be |
| Armor 95 Roll 95% Safe(!) |
| ------------- ------- ----------- |
| Both Realms: Normal/Inert -55 +105 |
| |
| Channeling: Metal Shield -40 +90 |
| Metal Armor -35 +85 |
| |
| Essence: Leather Armor -45 +95 (+) |
| Metal Armor -50 +100 |
| |
| (!) Versus creatures your level |
| |
| (+) Yes, this is correct. In fact, leather is better than metal vs. |
| essence for BAR rolls of 73 or better. In other words, vs. high |
| level casters (level 29 or higher), leather resists better than |
| metal. |
| |
| _____________________________________________________________________|
|@\ \
\/_____________________________________________________________________/
===========================================================================
Racial Mods ________________________________
----------- / \
| Channeling Essence |
RR protection provided by spells is | Race Resistance Resistance |
easy to find from the spells lists | ---------- ---------- ---------- |
in the tomes. Racial protection is | Common Man 0 0 |
not listed outside the RM manuals, | High Man +5 -5 |
however. Here is a chart of race | High Elf -5 -5 |
resistance mods vs. the different RR | Fair Elf -5 -5 |
spell types. One thing worth noting | Wood Elf 5 5 |
is the much vaunted +50 resistance | Half Elf -5 -5 |
of halflings, is only versus Essence | Halfling 0 +50 |
RR spells. | Dwarf 0 +40 |
\________________________________/
-2- More...
Armor and Shield Types
----------------------
Here are two charts showing the expensive shields, so you will know
various armors and shields and what how fragile your 60000 silver shaalk
type of material they are made of as shield actually is. Note that the
far as RR spells are concerned. All popular laen shield is NOT metal.
of these armors may be purchased at
the armory in town. I have noted the I have personally tested or observed
ST/BR (better known as the Strength/ all of these armors and shields in
Breakage factors), for some of the action vs. RR spells.
\ | /
\ | /
//@ \ | /
@====[*]======================-* - - - - -
\\@ / | \
/ | \
/ | \
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| Armor Desc AT Type Shield Material Type ST/BR |
| ------------------- -- ---- --------------- ----- ------ |
| Naked 1 Inert Regular Inert |
| Robe 2 Inert Wood Inert |
| Light Hide 3 Inert Hide Inert |
| Heavy Hide 4 Inert Leather Inert |
| Light Leather 5 Leather Iron Metal |
| Full Leather 6 Leather Bronze Metal |
| Reinforced Leather 7 Leather Mithril Metal 65/195 |
| Double Leather 8 Leather Eog Metal 60/185 |
| Leather Breastplate 9 Leather Ithloss Metal 65/195 |
| Cuirbouilli Leather 10 Leather Laen Inert 70/220 |
| Ring Mail (*) 11 Metal Shaalk Metal 60/185 |
| Studded Leather (*) 12 Metal |
| Scale Mail (*) 12 Metal Reinforced Metal 45/165 |
| Brigandine Armor (*) 12 Metal |
| Chain Mail 13 Metal |
| Double Chain 14 Metal |
| Augmented Chain 15 Metal |
| Chain Hauberk 16 Metal |
| Metal Breastplate 17 Metal |
| Augmented Breastplate 18 Metal |
| Half Plate Armor 19 Metal |
| Full Plate Armor 20 Metal |
| |
| (*) Note the quirkiness of AT 11 and 12. Although leather armors |
| with good THT against things like shockbolt, they are classified |
| as metal armors in GS vs. RR rolls. |
| |
| Also note that AT 10, a rigid leather armor, can be special ordered |
| from the armory out of iron, bronze, mithril, etc. which are Metal |
| vs. RR rolls. |
/@| |
\_/______________________________________________________________________/
-3-
_____________
/ \ _________ \ Custom Materials
\@| ||=|=|=|| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| ~~ |_| ~~ | by Kenner Boh
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ | he following chart describes the properties of the custom-
\_/__________/ order materials found in the weapons shop and the armory:
@=========================================================================)
| Material | Type | $/ft | St/Bf | OB | DB |Dye| Item | Base| Ft |
|------------+------+------+--------+-----+-----+---+----------+-----+----|
|Alexandrite| Weapon| 200 | 20/30 | -19 | N/A | N |Axe | 60 | 8 |
|Bronze | Both | 15 | 45/80 | -5 | -5 | N |Broadsword| 120 | 10 |
|Hide | Armor | 10 | 50/80 | N/A | -10 | Y |Cudgel | 5 | 4 |
|Iron | Both | 20 | 55/120 | 0 | 0 | Y |Dagger | 3 | 2 |
|Leather | Armor | 15 | 50/ 80 | N/A | -5 | Y |Greatsword| 200 | 8 |
|Metal | Weapon| 20 | 55/120 | 0 | N/A | Y |Halberd | 140 | 8 |
|Obsidian | Weapon| 40 | 45/80 | -5 | N/A | N |Hammer | 150 | 9 |
|Ruby | Weapon| 1000 | 20/30 | -10 | N/A | N |Mace | 70 | 9 |
|Steel | Weapon| 20 | 55/120 | 0 | N/A | Y |Rapier | 220 | 8 |
|Windak | Weapon| 5 | 50/50 | -10 | N/A | Y |Scimitar | 110 | 8 |
|Wood | Both | 5 | 50/50 | -20 | 0 | Y |Staff | 10 | 5 |
|-----------+-------+------+--------+-----+-----+---+----------+-----+----|
|Eog | Both | 2000 | +15/30 | +10 | 10 | N |Sword | 70 | 8 |
|Eog (White)| Weapon| 2100 | +15/30 | +10 | NA | N |Helm | 10 | 5 |
|Ithloss | Both | 3000 | +20/40 | +12 | +12 | Y |Shield | 10 | 10 |
|Laen | Both | 3300 | +24/65 | +15 | +15 | Y |AT10 Armor| 100 | 80 |
|Mithril | Both | 1000 | +20/40 | +5 | +5 | Y |AT15 Armor| 400 | 90 |
|Shaalk | Both | 6500 | +15/40 | +20 | +20 | Y |AT20 Armor|2000 |150 |
@=========================================================================)
Explanation of Table Headings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MATERIAL: All materials available in DB: The bonus or penalty a material
the weapon and armor shops. will add to or subtract from your
Defensive Bonus.
TYPE: Kind of item that can be made.
DYE: If the material can be dyed.
$/FT: Cost per foot of material.
ITEM: All the customizable items
ST/BF: Strength/Breakage factors. found in the weapon and armor shops.
OB: The bonus or penalty a material BASE: Initial cost to make an item.
will add to or subtract from your
Offensive Bonus. FT: Amount of material to be used.
Further Notes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Item COST = BASE + ( FT * $ / FT ). weapon is +24/65, while the St/Bf of
Dyeing costs one extra silver / ft. a laen shield is +25/65. Data for
white eog weapons is unclear; the
Non-magical materials replace origi- St/Bf of white eog may be +20/35.
nal item St/Bf values with the ones
given. Magical materials add to ori- DB modifiers do not affect helms.
ginal St/Bfs.
Weapons of white eog can be used by
Helms and suits of armor are not clerics to fight Unlife.
breakable. Weapon breakage is dis-
cussed in back issues of the Kelfour First level characters cannot order
Edition. Oddly, the St/Bf of a laen custom-made items.
-4-
____________ A Dream Come True
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Darkseed
| |~| |
_| |~| __ | ife in Kelfour's clothing, as well as shelter. She
/@| |~|__|| | Landing ain't easy. made him happy, or rather, pleased
\_/ ~~~~~~~ / I've lived here all him. Though my mother was not happy,
~~~~~~~~~~~ my life, and if there she wasn't starving either.
is one thing I've learned on the
streets, it's that life ain't easy. Larton soon grew tired of my mother.
Let me explain. She became more and more demanding.
It seemed she actually wanted atten-
My name is Gub, and I've been on the tion, she wanted to be listened to,
streets of Kelfour's Landing all my actually to be treated with respect!
life, an orphan with no one to watch All this, plus the thought of having
over me. I spent all my time either to deal with a child had ill effect
begging for money or lifting it from on Larton. He'd had it. One night,
the purses of all those fighting in a drunken rage, he sent my mother
types around town. bruised and running, back into the
streets for safety.
Where do they all come from anyway?
Every day more and more of those My mother lived on scraps and the
fighters and mages show up, bewil- occasional silver from a mage or
dered and lost. Seems like they make ranger. I was born in an alleyway
up the whole population of our town. with no one else to care for me. For
town. Why is it there's no one who the first three years of my life,
was born here? Everyone has a past she begged, stole, and even killed,
in a far-off spot. Not me, though. I to see that I was never hungry.
was born right here.
Then one dark day, amidst a fight in
My mother was a beggar in Shanty the town square between a mad mage
Town, scrounging for food to stay and several adversaries, my mother
alive. One day she came across a man was caught in a stun cloud and
named Larton closing up his lock killed. It was on that day that I
shop. She timidly approached the truly became alone.
rough-looking man and asked if he
had a few spare silvers. After living on my own for a few
years, I began to grow stronger and
Larton let go a low, guttural growl, slowly came to see that maybe I had
"Begone, beggar girl!" My mother potential to be more than a common
turned in fright and began to hurry street urchin. I had a bit of cash
off down Reann Street. As he watched saved up from begging and such, and
the poor yet appealing girl flee, a one day I decided to enroll in a
glint in Larton's eye showed the school of fighting to learn to use a
locksmith's head was full of ideas. blade. For the next four years, I
learned about weapons, armor, first
In a quick flash, Larton caught up aid, and other skills that allowed
with the girl and grabbed her by the me to become a competent fighter.
arm. "Wait," he said. "Come with me, I learned lockpicking too, a skill I
and we'll see about some food." took naturally to.
Larton flashed a crooked smile that
made my mother uneasy. But she was Finally my instructors deemed me
very hungry and a meal was something ready to leave the school and begin
she couldn't resist. "So what's your my life as a true adventurer, just
name?" asked Larton, as they disap- like those I saw around me. They
peared into the night. loaned me some silvers and told me
to make something of myself. Alone
My mother stayed with Larton for once more, I decided to purchase for
several months. He gave her food and myself equipment that I knew how to
-5-
use. I got some heavy hide armor, a I loved my life as a fighter. I had
broadsword, and other things that I such freedom to fight any way I
was most proficient in using. Soon I wanted to. There was always a mage
looked just like the other adven- or ranger around to give me some
turers in town, and so began my life protective spells, so I didn't worry
as a fighter. about learning the arts of magic.
I quickly made friends among people Soon, there was little left to learn
with interests like mine. Weeks ran about swinging a blade. I was able
into months as I ventured outside to focus on other talents, like
the walls to fight the denizens sur- becoming a better lock picker or be-
rounding my home. As time sped by, ing able to climb anything I found.
I grew stronger, able to swing my Anything physical was easily over-
broadsword with more and more force. come by my strength and my skills.
In addition, I became used to wear- I knew that this was what I wanted
ing various types of armor that pro- to be. I loved what I had, because
tected me from an enemies' blows. As I knew it was special. Being a
a fighter using only my brute force, fighter made me special, and that
it was easy to become stronger with was all I could ever ask for.
more vigor. I also started using
other weapons. It seemed I could Looking back now, it seems strange
have my pick of any weapon, while to me that I became one of the kinds
my ranger, thief, mage, and other of people I grew up around. Never
friends were more limited to one- in my wildest dreams as a boy did I
handed edged weapons. Rarely did I think I'd wind up like the adven-
see a sorcerer carrying anything but turers who make up this town.
a falchion or broadsword. Me? I'd
pull out my mace, my large, heavy, Now I know why so many of them come
powerful claidmore, or even a rapier here. I finally see what draws them
on occasion. I felt I truly knew to this frontier town. This love,
weapons and what they were about. this passion for adventure, is truly
I also learned first aid, and fight- a remarkable thing. And to this
ing with my bare hands. Once I best- day, I can't help but smile as I buy
ed a fellow mage barehanded. lockpicks from Larton now and then.
_______________________________________________
__\ ____\ \
/ / \__| ART'S DEMISE |
| | | ________________________________/
|__ \___/_________/ by Bugg Hornwort \
/ |
\ _|
\ The bailiff, a cold-blooded fiend, \
| Concocted a brilliant scheme. |
| He'd off that old snob |
| Who was after his job, |
| And walk away totally clean. |
| |
| He chose a dumb blonde for the part, |
| Then had her trained in the assassin's art. |
| The best part of his plan _|
| Was, she was a torkaan, \
| And that's how he bush-wacked ol' Art. |
| |
/_________________ |
||\ \_______________________________
||_| \
| | |
\/________________________________________________ /
-6-
Another Look at the Mine Road
___________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ Palance Buckhannah
\@| /~/~~\_\ |
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ |ome new characters are All the monsters in the area carry
/@| \~\__/~/ |so anxious to "get chests around with them (now and
\_/ ~~~~~~ / into the thick of then) and all have skins or hides
~~~~~~~~~~ things" that they lose that can be sold in town for a few
sight of one of the best areas to quick silvers. If you've never been
get experience and treasure. The on the mine road, take a side trip
Mine Road has been a blessing for me over the bridge and up the bank to
in my 8 years' training as a Healer. see what you're missing. You may
It is half way between town and Hob- find that it's a place you want to
goblins, which makes for a quick spend some time in.
journey if someone needs healing at
either place. I realize that a map of the mine
road is easily found in Zepath's
It is also an area where you can master maps and in back issues of
work on your combat skills. With the the Kelfour Edition, but here is a
presence of the Kobold, Lesser Orc, quick one for those who want to
and the Goblin, you have a wonderful "take a peek."
mix of beasties to either hunt alone
(Goblins and Kobolds for new play- _____________________________
ers) or with a group (Lesser Orcs /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\\
for the more experienced or for | [T] <- climb pine |:
larger parties of new players). : / (to goblins) |:
: [ ] [C] <-, |:
Since the area attracts new players, : | | | |:
a Healer's presence is invaluable. | [ ] [ ] | |:
Too many times I have bumped into | \ / | |:
people who did not even realize they | [ ] [ ] climb rock |:
were injured. Still others did not | \ | (to Mines) |:
know they were bleeding to death on | [ ] |:
the road. The benefits to new char- : | |:
acters and to a Healer both are | [ ] |:
quite impressive. : / |:
: [ ] |:
____________________________________ | / |:
/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [ ] |:
: | N |:
: go [ ] } |:
: [ ] - path - [P] / O |:
| | go gate [ ] - [ ] (/ \) |:
| [ ] [ ] - [G] | | W <- ( * ) -> E |:
| | | [ ] | (\ /) |:
| [ ] [ ] G = Town Gates | | O |:
| | | P = Path out of [ ] [ ] { |:
: [ ] [ ] town \ / S |:
| | \ [ ] |:
: [ ] [S] = Town Square / |:
: | [ ] MAP of ROUTE |:
| [ ] climb / from |:
: \ / bank TOWN SQUARE |:
: [ ] - [ ] - [ ] - go - [ ] to the |:
| |:
\______________________________________________________________________//
-7-
Wilderness Report
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _____ \ by D. Forrest Hobgoblin
\@| ~|_|~ |
| |~| |
_| |~| __ |
/@| |~|__|| |o there all! This is into a small snuff box. I couldn't
\_/ ~~~~~~~ / yer field reporter even defend meself in this thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~ D.Forrest Hobgoblin All that metal an' all I could do is
commin to you from the wild side.... become a one hob sardine can. Great.
Another adventure prematurely ended
Well, let's get right to the story. by you lousy smellies.
I was minden' my own business, as
usual, an' I runs across this BIG So the next week when I wanderin'
tin can. I couldn't believe it. Well around collectin' up more of the
actually it was this weirdo dressed trash you all leave about (What a
in this metal suit but _boy_ did it dirty place you've made the forrest,
look neat! All new an' shiny... He it used to be so clean an' tidy...
was decked out in it from head to Why even the Goblins are startin' to
toe. I wanted to mosey on over an' complain an they're _really_ dirty!)
talk to him when allofasudden one of Anyway, I was walkin about playin'
my nieghbors, Rocky T. Orc, rushes "trash hob" an' I happen upon Rocky
this guy an' forces him to climb again complainin' about his stomach
this really steep cliff. Rocky's a ache. Sos I ask him whats he been
mean bugger an' I thought it would eatin an' he says, "I've been <burp>
be best to hide in the bushes while scroungen around the walls of the
he beat on this smellie for a bit. <oof> smellies an' thier dumped
So this poor smellie gets about food's there fer the picken.." Well,
halfway up an' realizes that he I tells him that he oughta stick to
never had any formal trainin' in torkan stew an' marmot cuttlets but
climbin', falls, an' smashes himself he says that he's eatin it to have
on the rocks. one up on you smellies. He told me
that you all think that certain orcs
Dead. Just like that. How fragile, have some amazin magical power! BAH!
eh? Well Rocky laughs an' wanders It ain't no power of magic, I'll
off mumblin' somethin' about havin' tell you that much! Its yer food
gas an' sos I, bein' as smart as I that's given these orcs gas! BAD gas
am, run over to this heap of metal at that! (Boy the last time I saw
an' quickly put it on. WOW....was lightnin' clouds like that was when
it heavy! By the time I got it on, Elvanian came over for supper..well,
I could hardly walk....an' the heat! nevermind) I never could cook a good
Sheesh, this smellie really needed smElf*burger. <sigh> I hope this
some Edram deoderant! PeeeeYewwww! clears up some minor misconceptions
up about magic an' the great tin
Sos there I was in this tin can, all cans. Oh, no... Where are my ear
shiny an' clinky, an' I realize that plugs! I think I hear the soprannos
it really is hard to move around in again...EEEEKK!
this thing. Then I heard singin'. ------------------------------------
Horrible noises comin' from around HILGAVOLKAS
the bend! It was them! The dreaded ~~~~~~~~~~~
singin' freaks...The ones you call.. by Bugg Hornwort
BARDS! I tried to run, but the sound
reverberated in the tin can so much Hilgavolkas, a cleric impressive,
it almost rattled my brain loose! Of Caretaker is fond and possessive.
There I was, tryin' to slowly waddle But the job is so tough,
away in this giant tin can an' the Cleaning cobwebs and stuff
valkaries are desendin' upon me like From Care's beard,
flies on...well you get the picture. that there's no time for rezzes.
Within no time, they had reduced me ------------------------------------
-8-
____________ A Matter of Honor: Part II
/ \ _________\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Sean2 Lladd
| ~~ |_| ~~ | (Cont'd from KE Volume 3, #10)
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ |he story thus far: Our hero, a half-elven mercenary, filed
\_/__________/ a complaint against his captain with the local Mercenary's
Guild chapter. While attempting to give his true name to Mikel, the Guild
Receptionist, he was struck by an elvish Name Curse that had been placed
upon him by his grandfather. Oskar, a Guild Mage, removed most of the curse
and Sean was taken to the guild infirmary for further examination.
Sean passed out from the strain of the curse and is currently sleeping
in the infirmary. Theo, the guild's Master Healer, and Oskar are preparing
to trance-read Sean's memories so as to use them as impartial evidence in
the case against Sean's ex-CO. The trance-read memories will be placed in a
specially prepared crystal that may be used later by anyone who has had the
proper spell cast upon them. The crystal could be thus used in court.
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@| Cast of Characters: |
| Sean - Fighter, Mercenary (Junior Journeyman Class), Our |
| Hero. |
| Mikel - Guild Receptionist, Fighter, Mercenary (Master |
| Class) |
| Oskar - Guild Mage, Mercenary (Master Class) |
| Theophilus - Guild Healer, Mercenary (Master Class) |
| Torvaal - Captain "Torvaal's Weasels", Mercenary |
| Miktok - Mage, Mercenary (Senior Journeyman Class) |
| T'Maerionnal - Sean's Maternal Grandfather, Elf Lord, Mage/Sorceror|
| (Master Class) |
| Lyrinda - Guild Healer, Mercenary (Senior Apprentice Class) |
| ______________________________________________________________________|
|@\ \
\/______________________________________________________________________/
The story continues:
I was floating in the air, drifting will be just fine. I know what I am
like a wind-blown leaf with no past, doing."
no future and nothing to remember.
Memories. Memories of memories, they The healer, a small mountain of a
were so vague and insubstantial, yet man, turned back towards the bed and
so real, and harsh. Some pleasant, began to examine the prone figure
most were painful and full of shame. more closely.
Voices in the distance; strange, yet
familiar and somehow comforting in The clothing is typical of a young
that familiarity. Touch. A cool hand mercenary. Not too flashy, as that
on my forehead and my old nurse's could bring thieves and other kinds
voice telling me that I am safe and of trouble in towns and cities, but
I should rest. I try to turn towards serviceable and obviously well made.
the familiar voice, but the darkness The leather baldric and sword belt
comes again... are clean and supple, as are the
lightly polished boots now standing
"Theo, are you sure he is alright?" next to the bed. The total bespeak
the one-armed man asked, somewhat an attention to detail and a certain
anxiously. amount of conscientiousness.
"Mikel," the healer replied. "He The face is that of a young man with
-9- More...
perhaps a slightly exotic cast to as he started to pick up the gear on
it. Something about the shape and the floor. "Tell me later. The boy
slant of the eyes perhaps, or maybe is the important thing right now."
the lobes of his ears. The hair
seems somehow out of place with the The one-armed man paused and looked
face, being black and straight, as down at the figure on the bed. A
well as cut short in order to fit strange look crossing his face but
under a helmet. Yet, it was still a was quickly gone again.
young face, that when caught in an
unguarded moment, such as now, an "You are not a boy anymore," he said
innocent face. very softly. "My brother would be
proud of you."
The one-armed man stood impatiently
at the foot of the bed, his distress The one-armed man finished picking
obvious by the distracted way he was up the scattered gear and left the
rubbing at the place where his left room, strangely silent.
forearm used to be. He started to
speak, but caught himself with an The healer, having already returned
obvious effort. to his patient, appearing to have
heard none of this. He began passing
"Mikel," the healer snapped over his his hands over the boys head in a
shoulder. "You are as nervous as a gesture similar to the one the mage
rat in a ferretry! If you can not had used earlier. The blue glow that
make yourself be still, then make emanated from his hands was deeper
yourself be useful. Take his gear to in color as well as much brighter
a guest cell, then have Oskar bring than the mage's previous attempt had
me a Class III Jer'myin crystal." been. A faint red glow emanated from
the prone figure's head.
"Class III!?" Mikel asked surprised.
"There is still something there,"
"Yes, you know as well as I do, that the healer muttered to himself. "I
Torvaal and the grandfather will try just wish I knew what it was and why
to alter his testimony. That bastard it is still there."
Miktok is powerful enough to effect
anything lesser, as for that elvish "You know," came a high voice from
misbegotten p`oktarn the boy calls a behind the healer. "If you continue
grandfather ...Well, at any rate, talking to yourself like that, then
Oskar will have to ward the thing so people are going to start thinking
that even the gods could not touch that you are mentally unsound. As I
it, a Class III is the only thing have been saying for the past year
that will take that kind of power." and a half, I would not be of much
use as a character witness at your
The healer stopped and straightened trial, now would I?"
himself, drawing in a deep breath as
if to calm himself. He turned to the "Oskar," the healer replied, a bit
man at the foot of the bed with a startled. "I did not hear you come
somewhat sheepish grin. in. I did not expect you for another
half a candle mark."
"Oye," he said. "I got a bit worked
up there." "Theo, I knew what you were going to
need as soon as his uncle called me
"You too, eh?" the one-armed man into the reception area," the mage
asked, with a slight grin. "Well, I retorted, pointing to the figure on
know why I am here. As for Oskar, the bed.
he is here because I am here. Now I
think I have an idea why you are "While I am thinking about it, when
here." are you going to start referring to
civilized time referents?" the mage
"No, not now," the healer continued, continued, with a mischievous glint
-10- More...
in his eye. "The ancients invented You got the most obvious part, the
clocks about 20,000 years ago (if part that was on the surface. There
you believe the elves), so why do is still something in there, some
your people still insist on using linkage with the old man probably,
candlemarks?" and that part is going to take both
of us to remove."
The healer glanced up quickly, just
catching the grin of amusement on "This boy.. err.. man," the healer
the mage's face. corrected himself. "His un, I mean,
Mikel. Mikel was right, he is no
"Never mind about the candles," the longer a boy. From the glimpses I
healer replied with his own grin. got initially, I doubt that he ever
"His uncle, eh? That explains a lot. really had a boyhood. At any rate,
But how did you know I would want a young Sean is in as near perfect a
Class III crystal? How did you find pre-trance state as any I have ever
one in the first place?" seen."
"Well," the mage responded tartly. "What!" the mage exclaimed loudly.
"What else did you think I would "You know we are not ready to read
use? As for where I got it, I have him yet! If you maintain the trance
had this particular crystal since until we are ready, you will be too
the day they had carried Mikel back weak to properly deep-read him. You
without his arm. This is one of the know that I can not do it!"
best crystals I have ever seen. Cost
me...well, it cost me. But I have it "Relax," the healer replied calmly.
and that is all that counts." "It appears to be natural. He had
started to come to, but then just
"As for the relationship between slipped into a nice even, deep pre-
Mikel and this young man," the mage trance state. If it is not natural,
continued quickly. "No-one must ever then I will take it as a gift from
know. Including the young man lying the gods. Either way, he is sleeping
there. The guild allowed us to come peacefully and looks to remain so
here for a reason; actually, for two for quite awhile."
reasons. But both of those reasons
hinge on the young man's testimony." The healer turned and gazed down at
the figure laying upon the cot. He
"So," he continued. "If anyone were stood there for a minute, absently
to suspect there was any hint of rubbing his chin with his left hand.
bias from the adjudication team..." The mage waited patiently, a small
grin on his face.
"Headed by me," the mage interjected
with a sly grin. "Well," the healer shook himself and
straightened up. "Talking wins no
"As well as Mikel and myself," the battles. Whatever the reason, Sean
healer continued, matching the grin is resting and it will only take a
on the mage's face. "Then the guilds nudge to put him into the proper
honor, and the evidence, will go state for a deep-read."
right into the midden heap."
The healer glanced at the sleeping
"Not only the guilds honor," stated figure with a puzzled look upon his
the mage flatly. "But yours, mine, face, then turned to face the mage.
Mikel's and this young man's. So we
had better get this force on the "We might as well start with you,
move! Oh, by the way, what was that seeing as how someone or some thing,
about something still there? I got has so conveniently solved our power
that curse out...man did I get that problem for us. I will read you now
curse out. Didn't I?" to get the part about the curse and
what happened in the reception area;
"No, I do not think that you did. then we will get a deposition from
-11- More...
Mikel tomorrow and seal it in the source of the laughter.
crystal then. You ready?"
"Not *ALL* the gods, you wicked old
"Aye," answered the mage grimly. "I man. Not all..."
have been ready ever since my shield
brother had lost his arm and that The old man loses his concentration,
pox-ridden son-of-a-desert-flea had his eyes widening in surprise. The
thrown him out of the company." power he had started to carefully
gather releases itself prematurely
"Oskar!" snapped the healer. "Get a in a brilliant flash of blue-white
grip. If that comes through in the light. The unmistakable stench of
crystal..." lightning lingers in the air, along
with the smell of burnt wine and
"You are right," the mage said quite charred carpeting.
simply. "I am sorry. It is just that
I have...we have, waited for a long Sitting in a charred circle in the
time. Give me a moment and I will tower room, the old man curses, his
focus and shield myself properly." powers scattered and useless to be
____________ of any use. He hears the laughter
once again.
A large tower room, overlooking a ____________
large city. It is almost nightfall,
the sounds of the city seem muted "Well, that just about covers your
and distant, as if the city itself testimony. Now we have got to get
was settling down to sleep. A gentle somebody to monitor while we read
breeze gently floated in through the the lad."
west windows, bringing a hint of the
various flowers and herbs growing in Theo stood up and stretched. The
the garden many stories below. effort required to record Oskar's
testimony into the crystal had been
An old man sits in a finely carved minimal, as both men were Masters in
wooden chair, a mage's Minor Seat of their respective professions and had
Power, a glass of wine laying on the worked many times together in the
floor next to him, the spilled wine past. The problem was, that Theo,
staining the carpet a blood red. The like most very large men, tended to
old man is unaware of the glass, or stiffen up rather quickly if he held
the spilled wine. His eyes, cold and one position for any length of time.
grey like the winter sea, they are
focused on something far beyond the "I know just the lass," the master
room, something that only he can healer continued.
see. His hand, which once held the
magically chilled glass of wine, was "Well, I certainly hope this one is
clutching a small pendant hanging far better than the last nincompoop
around his neck. you foisted off on me," grumbled the
mage. "Fool could not even cure a
"The fools would interfere," hissing headache!"
softly to himself. "By all the gods,
they shall not." "Oskar, I told you, the headaches
caused by your over-exertions in the
The old man starts to draw himself field of magery is vastly different
up, to begin to reinforce his spell, than an every day, run-of-the-mill
a spell cast long ago and with much headache. IF you had bothered to
care and hatred. His eyes go distant tell me EXACTLY what the problem had
and flat, as if dead, or empty. been, I would not have assigned Mal
to do the job in the first place!"
Suddenly, his eyes focus again. A
small, silvery laugh floats on the The mage just stood there grinning
edge of his consciousness. The old from ear to ear, much like a child
man strains to hear, to identify the that has pulled off a particularly
-12- More...
clever trick. The healer grabbed up back door, arms outstretched for a
a pillow from the nearest cot and few minutes, then nodded to himself,
flung it at the mage, a grin forming apparently satisfied with his new
on his own face in response. handiwork.
"Oskar, you could try the patience "Theo, can you check your Healer's
of a god. You are lucky that there Wards before we begin?"
was not a full bedpan near, or you
would have gotten that instead." "Got a hunch?" Theo asked quietly,
catching the concern in the mage's
"What makes you think that your aim voice. "Or is something going on?"
with a bedpan is any better?" the
mage quipped. "No, just go get your "Right now it is merely a hunch,"
medical prodigy, whoever she is..." Oskar explained. "But with who we
are dealing with, better safe than
The mage stood up, cocking his head sorry. You check the Wards, I will
to one side, as if listening for finish setting things up here."
something that only he could hear.
He sniffed at the air, and abruptly Theo nodded briefly and turned to
turned, heading towards the front the apprentice, who had been quietly
entrance to the infirmary. He opened standing beside him for the past few
the door and yelled up the hall. minutes.
"Mikel, I am warding the infirmary. "Alright, Lyrinda," he said quietly.
Try to keep the emergencies down to "I want you to check ALL the Wards,
a minimum." just like we have done before. Only
this time, I am merely going to
Not bothering to wait for a response observe, not guide."
he closed the door and shot the bolt
on the inside. He then paused for a The girl quietly rubbed her hands on
second and started tracing sigils in her blue-bordered smock and took a
the air in front of the door. He deep breath. She cast a nervous eye
then reached into a pouch hanging at at the mage and reddened when she
his side and carefully took a small saw Oskar watching her intently. She
pinch of glittering powder, which he quickly lowered her eyes and drew in
threw at the door, at the same time another breath.
chanting a Word of power. Suddenly,
a scintillating pattern formed in "Do not worry lass, I will be with
the doorway and seemed to melt into you. Do it like it was a practice
the door and frame surrounding it. session. You can handle this, we
both know it."
"Pretty strong ward isn't it?" asked
Theo, who had been standing by the She looked up at the master healer,
cot holding Sean, watching. nodding. She stretched her arms out
in an unconscious mimicry of Oskar's
Oskar just made a "not now" gesture earlier pose and immediately slipped
with one hand and walked over to the into a light trance. Theo stretched
other entrance to the room. Stopping out one hand towards the girl, palm
for a second and cocking one eye at outward, fingers splayed.
Theo.
Immediately, a pale blue glow formed
"Aye, we are all here," the healer around her, followed by an answering
stated. glow around the healer's hand. The
aura around the girl was not nearly
As Theo turned to give some quiet as bright as that of the one around
instructions to the apprentice now the master healer and it seemed to
standing silently at his side, Oskar pulse slightly. The healer muttered
repeated his earlier performance at something and the aura around the
the second door. He stood at the girl firmed up, though still not as
-13- More...
bright as that of the master's. briefly, then settled into a steady
glow. As it steadied, it brightened
The healers, master and apprentice, perceptibly and then faded slowly
stood quietly for a couple minutes, away. Suddenly Sean was surrounded
then the master withdrew his hand. by the same glow which stretched out
As his hand fell to his side, the a tendril towards the apprentice,
aura around him faded and the aura then faded away. The light blue glow
around the girl seemed to be flowing formed around the two other men, the
upwards and downwards at the same same tendrils forming briefly as the
time. The girl sighed and stood with glow faded.
her eyes closed, relaxing in the
after-calm of the trance. "Good, very well done," Theo said.
"I know that you can hear me Lyrinda
"Good," the healer said quietly. "I but do not try to answer. You are
knew you were ready." not up to that level yet. I will be
going into the patient's memories to
"Now for the tricky part," he said, extract what we need for evidence,
turning to face the mage and the man Oskar will be the active bridge to
laying on the cot. "You will need to the crystal. Your job is to watch
lightly monitor both Oskar and me, our vital signs. If anything serious
actively monitor Sean, AND keep a starts to happen, I should be able
watch on the wards." to withdraw in time to help you."
"Do not worry," he said, catching With a brief nod to the mage, Theo
the quick look of apprehension in entered into a trance-state. He then
the younger healer's eyes. "It would leaned towards the young man on the
take something on the order of a god bed, placing both hands on either
to get through now. I just want you side of his head. There was a brief
to act as a possible witness in case flash of red, followed by a look of
something does try to breach them." irritation on the healer's face. He
adjusted his hands slightly, trying
Oskar lifted one eyebrow towards the again to enter Sean's mind. This
master healer and smiled briefly. time he was apparently successful,
because he sighed softly, relaxing.
"Well Theo, if you and, er, Lyrinda,
are ready, we will begin." The mage watched for a minute to be
sure that all was well, then started
"OK Lyrinda, again, this is just chanting over a glowing blue-green
like we have practiced," Theo said crystal. At once, the crystal began
to his apprentice, with a quick nod to pulse with the mage's heartbeat.
to the mage. "Focus first on Sean, Abruptly, an intense blue-green beam
then pick us up, then the wards." of light flashed from the crystal,
touching the mages forehead, another
She nodded, sitting down on the cot flashed from the mage to the healer.
next to Sean and began stretching Once done, the mage closed his eyes
her arms out again. and settled himself.
"No lass, that is not necessary," Unnoticed by anyone in the room, a
Theo chided softly. "If you hold female form appeared next to them.
that position for too long, the pain She observed them for a few seconds,
will overcome your concentration in then gestured, a third beam lanced
a short time. Just sit in a relaxed from the crystal to the apprentice.
position, enter your trance, and The woman nodded slightly and with a
monitor." fond look at Sean, faded out. After
she left, the three people linked to
She nodded, placing her hands in her the crystal sat as if in a frozen
lap. She carefully slipped back into tableau; the healer linked to the
the trance-state, the blue glow once crystal via the mage, the apprentice
again forming around her. It pulsed linked directly to the crystal...
-14- [To Be Continued]
/===================================================================\
| _____ __ _ __ __ _ ___ ____ |
| | | | | | |\ | /__ / \ | | / \ |__\ |__ |
| | | | | | | | \ | \ | | | | /---\ | \ | |
| | \__/ \_|_/ | \| ___/ \__/\ \___/ | | | \ |____ |
| |
\===================================================================/
Art by Alyssya Sandorala
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|| || || || @
|| MM MM || @ @ _________________
MM MM / ======* \
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@ _______ __ || || || ||
/--*--\_\ __/%/__ || MM MM ||
|_____|_| /// MM MM
o o /// _________________
_______ o oo o /// / \
/--*--\_\ o o @ /// |===================| @
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-15-
Visit to Ye Oddity Workshop
______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____ \ by Lady Phaedra Bleu
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| |alfling mage extra- with manuscripts affixed to the
/@| _|~| |~|_ |ordinaire, the Lord earthern walls. A well-stocked bar
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / Odds Bodkins, cast stood near a fireplace, and I soon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a spell to unlock found my glance moving over a very
the beautiful copper-clad door con- low desk into the handsome brown
necting the antechamber with his eyes of Lord Odds, who leaned back
consulting chambers in the Oddity in a comfy little chair just his
Workshop. We had travelled far to size. Not for the first time that
reach this magical place, south from day, I found myself pondering the
the gates of Kelfour's Landing, vagaries of mixed parentage.
through grasslands and forests into
steeply rugged foothills from which "I feel like Alice," I observed with
we glimpsed the grandeur of the a smile, dropping my gaze and keep-
eastern stretch of the Dragonsfang ing my thoughts to myself. "But you
Mountains. As we neared our destin- were saying...?"
ation, the soaring peak of Lyftoth
Mountain loomed to the south. "Ah, yes. I am here.." he continued,
indicating with a wave of his hand
My throat was parched, not from the the workshop in general, "by leave
long trip or from squeezing through of the Great Gnoll, who seems to
a crevice to reach the mountain path have a bit of influence in this
that ultimately lead to a foot-high area." He smiled into my eyes as he
fissure in the rough stone of a stood, and I couldn't help noticing
narrow ledge (for I am accustomed to that the top of his head was at
such things), but from the momentary least two feet beneath the ceiling.
terror of suddenly finding myself Maybe three. "My dealings have been
diminished -- without warning, mind through an agent, a fellow called
you -- to a height of 6 inches! A Snibble," he explained, "who has ar-
humbling experience at best, which I ranged things fairly much to my sat-
deem to be intentional. Or perhaps isfaction. Would you care to see the
dryness is another effect of the laBORatory?" he asked, pronouncing
bright red smastan berries I had it with the emphasis on the second
plucked and impulsively gobbled syllable.
prior to my transformation. At any
rate, I was back to my tall, slender "Indeed, I certainly would," I re-
elven self immediately upon clamber- plied, rising to resume my carefully
ing through the tiny fissure, a hunched stance.
condition made apparent by my need
to hunch over to avoid catching the Taking our drinks with us, he led
hood of my cloak on the ceiling of the way back into the antechamber.
the low cave of this antechamber. Just as he began another spell I
glimpsed a faint shimmering light
Ducking through the doorway, I fol- through the quartz window in the
lowed Lord Odds into his chambers door he faced, which was intricately
and was soon resting comfortably on inlaid with ayinyak. I blinked.
a plush settee, from which I
accepted the May wine he graciously "The essence is powerful in here,"
offered. Sipping with satisfaction, he said, opening the door. "It
I caught my breath by looking about seems to help with my enchantments."
the elegant albeit small cave. I saw
that scenes from the books of the The curved earthen walls of the
Loremasters were etched upon the laboratory housed many niches, and
copper door through which we had piles of rock and soil around the
entered, and noted shelves filled room indicated a renovation was in
-16- More...
progress. A long, low table made momentarily and I forgot to hunch.
from a slab of granite was the only "Thunk!" went my head against the
thing in the room. ceiling. I saw stars.
"There is still work to be done," he A pained expression crossed Lord
noted, "but it is quite usable." Odds' features and he rushed to my
aid, his black satin magician's
"So this is where you do your cloak billowing out behind him. I
enchantments," I said, surprised by leaned against him briefly, bothered
the awe in my voice. more by my clumsiness than the dull
throb of my temples.
He glanced up at me and nodded.
"There are occasional manifestations "My lady, are you... are you all
of power here... lights, sounds, right?" he stammered. "I totally
odors, like something besides me is forgot that your height.. umm, yes.
at work. I suspect there is more to Well, how do you fare?" he asked.
be learned about the secrets of this When I didn't answer, he added, "it
place," he added. can be disconcerting in here."
I walked toward an opening in the I could feel myself blushing, and we
east wall -- at least I think it was both giggled, although I'm sure he
east. "What's in here?" I asked. he would call it a chuckle.
"A small storage area," he replied Hunkering down, I followed him back
offhandedly. into the antechamber.
I went through the opening in anti- He locked the doors, pointed at a
cipation of relief, for I could see potted plant, and a few moments
at a glance that the area beyond had later I realized he was no longer
been excavated down deeper into the standing beside me. A droplet of
earth than the rest of the workshop, water from the moist dirt roof fell
evidently to provide warmth and on my head with a "PLOP!" and I
humidity to preserve the potency of snatched a handful of smastan
the myriad magical substances laid berries, swallowed them, and braced
by there, yet the ceiling was the myself. Sure enough! Once again, I
same height as the other caves. was half a foot tall! Scrambling
through the fissure, I found myself
I stretched and smiled as I resumed disoriented but I quickly regained
my normal posture; I was standing up my original stature and looked
straight. The far corner of the around. Lord Odds didn't even seem
cave was dug down at a very steep to notice.
angle, walled off by a natural lime-
stone outcropping. There, I noticed "You know," he said, taking my hand
a large chest. tenderly as we headed back down the
mountain path. "Someone suggested I
"The gnolls crafted me a chest to install a doorbell that plays a
keep a small quantity of potions little Jefferson Airplane, whatever
here," Lord Odds explained as I that is. Perhaps I shall mention it
studied it. Made from limestone, it to Snibble."
appeared to be antique, with bas
relief carvings of three-foot high @
legendary heroes, mages and holy men @*@
decorating all sides. I found @@***@@
myself taken with it and studied the @@@ @*@ @@@
images to imprint them to memory. *@@@@ @@@ @@@@*
*@@ @@*@@ @@*
As I turned and was stepping back up @@@@@@***@@@@@@
into the laboratory, a spontaneous @@@@@@@*@@@@@@@
bright shimmer of light blinded me *****************
-17-
_________ Song of Power's Calling - Part I
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Erion Kulsen
| | | | (Prologue)
_| |~| |
/@| _|~|_ |was not born into this the Essence without fail. To become
\_/ ~~~~~ / world a prodigy of the a Master of the Essence is my most
~~~~~~~~ Flows of Essence, as most burning desire. As I am sure is the
feel they need be to have any effect very same for those who have even a
in these lands. Though I was gifted, minute awareness or ability to work
I was never recognized as one who with this invisible force.
would be able to fully manipulate
and bend the very Essence towards my Yet, in that I can never be known
will. Never was I offered the chance among my race, nor those who dwell
to become a mage or even a sorcerer. in Jaiman, nor even those who are my
I had little talent in channeling peers. Sadly, my father was able to
power from my god, so I was also control even more Essence than I, a
refused an equal place with the trained bard, when he was but a mere
the clerics and healers. However, I thief.
was taken under wing by one person
who believed I possessed a keen ear Because of this and much more, I am
for music. Though I doubt that I always searching for other ways to
shall ever become recognized for my increase my knowledge, awareness and
works. But if it was a bard I was to my abilities to alter the flows and
become, then a bard I would be. patterns of Essence around me.
Though still, there is a yearning, a Now that I have displayed my inner
deep desire, to know, to want, to being for all to witness, I hope you
have that which cannot be mine. I will take heed and understand what
will always hunger to know what it I have done. I make no excuses, nor
is like to wield real power. Though, do I ask for pity or understanding.
I will always thirst to have a full All I ask is that you know who I am,
understanding of how to draw upon and what I will become...
The Story
~~~~~~~~~
The floor was cold and damp, with a southernmost tip of Jaiman. I was
definite smell of rodents. Strewn headed for Nomikos, mainly just to
out on the chilling stones, my body research the texts and scrolls on
was arranged in a contorted fashion. the subject of the Flows of Essence,
My clothes were filthy and smelled which so dominate our land. I was
of stale vomit. Pain shot through my even hoping to find some key for
head as I tried to lift it, and I unlocking greater power, and being
momentarily faltered while trying to able to increase a persons ability,
rise. I finally managed to turn my namely mine.
head toward a small window, bathing
my face in the cool light of the Apparently however, I had not quite
autumn morning; finally noticing for reached the Library at Nomikos. But,
the first time, the iron bars that instead, I seem to have been placed
sealed me in my cage. Bits of images in to one of those most unfortunate
flashed through my mind. I attempted predicaments which my father used to
to piece together some story with speak about. Though, most like to
which I could explain my current refer to them as jails. However, I
condition, though it was in vain. am not helpless in a situation like
this, even if my profession was a
I did remember, however, where I had bard. Listening to my father's old
been going. I had been trying to stories had indeed helped me out of
reach the great Library at Nomikos, worse situations. This would prove
on the Isle of Ormian, just off the to be but a minor one of those kinds
-18- More...
of challenges. "The finest tavern in Losan," she
replied matter of factly.
As usual, one of these places was
only minimally guarded for simple "Yes, yes, I am sure it is. What I
minor offenders like me, as I have meant was, how far is it from here
assumed to be at this time. I still to Ormian?"
have not recalled how I ended up in
this dungeon. Yet in a short time, The barmaid gave me a speculative
none of that would matter. Reaching glance, trying to assess me. Though
inside my boot, I retrieved a small, I doubt the thought got very far. It
but useful lockpick. This was one would probably take a few hours for
of my fathers most prized, (...and her thought processes to run their
used..), possessions. Quietly, as my course.
father taught me, I carefully worked
the lock mechanisms free with the "If yer set on bringing yourself
pick, and slowly pushed the iron bar thar, you are not far. A few leagues
door open. It was all too easy after south will take you to the coast.
that; I merely had to go retrieve my From there you can buy passage on a
belongings, which were thrown in a ship to take you to the island."
small cubicle across my cell, and
then slipped by the sleeping guard, Another uncertain glance, something
praising my god Kieron during the clicked inside her brain. She shot
whole event. me a menacing leer and started to
say, "Saaay," she drawled, "aren't
Once outside, I turned my head and you that bard last night who..."
looked up at the building I had just
left. "Losan City Jail", the sign This was definitely my cue to leave.
read. Not familiar with the town or I jumped up and headed for the door
its whereabouts, I quickly headed without looking back.
for the nearest tavern.
Sure there are times when a man must
It was a dark musty place, smelling stand and face danger, but this was
of rotten food and stale beer, a not one of those times. As it was,
testament to the rest of town. I sat I had apparently tried to do just
down at the nearest table and waited that last night. I obviously had not
for a bit of service while listening won. Ducking into a nearby alley,
to the usual types of drunks and low I headed for the main street out of
lifes. Do not get me wrong, it is town, and turned south.
not that I don't like these sort of
people, as a matter of fact, it is A goodly distance from the town I
sometimes useful to hang out with began thinking back to the bar. It
them. It is just that it is easy to was at times like those, that I had
lower your self-esteem in here. Most wished I could cast a quick spell. I
of them are an uneducated, vile and cursed myself for being weak and for
generally worthless assortment of running away. If only I could have
harlots, petty thieves and the local given them a taste of true power,
common folk. One thing I had not and brought them to their knees. Yet
noticed was that I was receiving a in my profession with but a mediocre
lot of angry leers and the subject understanding of the Essence had
of some rather lewd, but whispered its limitations. If only I had more
comments. power and more control.. then maybe.
But then again, that is why I was on
A barmaid stopped by my table on her my way to the Library at Nomikos...
way to pick up a few orders.
Angry feelings still churning deep
"What will it be yer sirness..?" within me, I had left the town and
headed south, towards the coast and
"A little information about where I destiny. Little was I aware that
am would be nice." destiny would come to me... Perhaps
-19- More...
ending my quest for knowledge and "Indeed," he uttered "many have said
power. as much of me, and regretted that
they thought so."
With the sun on my right, wounding
the horizon a blood red and the wind Puzzled but still to self-concerned
whipping my cape in all directions, to find out what he meant, I merely
I was rather surprised by a curious grunted and continued my trek. After
man. Surprised not because he looked a short while, the sun crept beneath
a bit curious, but rather because he the low lying mountains, signaling a
appeared to have been walking along time for rest. With the dark robed
side me, without me ever noticing. man still with me, I headed to a
Looking over at me he began speaking near by clump of trees and laid out
as though we were in the middle of a my things, searching for something
conversation. to eat. Picking out a large loaf of
brown bread and a bit of dried meat,
"Where might the bard's travels take I offered some to the man. Shaking
you this time of the year?" He asked his head, he sat back up against a
casually. tree and watched me eat. Unnerved by
this, I finished quickly and laid my
"Nomikos." I quipped, still hot over cape out to rest on.
showing my weakness in Losan. "And
how is it you know me as a bard?" "Strange and deadly creatures stalk
the night friend. If you don't mind,
Ignoring my question he continued, I will keep a watch tonight."
"Since you are headed south, I will
join you for a while." "I've n'er heard of such creatures
in these parts. You can keep watch
I wanted to say no, but something if you like, though I know it is
inside me held me back from doing safe." I replied, wondering where he
so. I glanced over at the man and got this idea of such creatures in
looked him over. Save for the small these parts. Shrugging it off, I let
pouch at his belt, he bore nothing my eyes slowly close and was soon
else than the dark robes he wore. He fast asleep.
returned my gaze with a smile. A
smile that tore away my very flesh, Snapping tree limbs and a howl that
peeled back the walls I had built chilled the blood, woke me. Quickly
around me and exposed my bare soul, rising and reaching for my saber, I
and leaving absolutely no questions stood ready to face whatever had
about my character. Shuddering, I made that horrid sound. There, a
turned away from him, as I heard him mere fifty paces or less, stood the
draw breath again to speak. dark robed man and a rather hideous
creature.
"Is something troubling you friend,
help I can?" The creature somewhat resembled an
ogre, though it stood a good 2 or 3
Friend he said.. Something about the feet taller. Its skin shone a scaly
way he said friend, mocked the very black against the moon and its eyes
existence of friendship. For the gleamed an evil red. A gaping maw
moment, friendship did not exist in showed long jagged teeth, perhaps
my world; the concept seemed somehow strong enough to tear away the hide
impossible and even alien to me. Who of a dragon. Though unmistakably, it
was this man anyway? Certainly no bore great wings upon its back, most
one with whom I wished to share my likely capable of lifting that huge
thoughts. Though I had little doubt body into the air. Surely this was a
there was much left to reveal that creature of the Unlife.
he did not already know.
Standing there I could only stare,
"Nothing that you can help with," I and prepare myself to meet death. I
finally answered. would not run this time, though I
-20- More...
felt there were very few places that meant with him, though I found out
could hide me from this creature of later that I was to continue my own.
the night. The creature turned its
attention towards me and began to Cresting a hill, we viewed a small
move towards me. Steadying myself, coastal village. The familiar scent
I held the saber before me in a two of the ocean filled my lungs and I
handed grip and waited. breathed deeply.
Strange words and arcane gestures "I do know not why I have continued
began to come forth from the robed towards Nomikos. If you would have
man. All around me, I could feel his me, I will stay with you to continue
calling bring pure and raw Essence my lessons." I stated.
towards him. Screaming, the creature
turned its attention back towards "Nay. Though you learn fast, I am
the robed man. But it was much too not the right one to teach you these
late. Power surged forth from his things. North is where you will find
outstretched palms; and striking the true power, seek there, and you will
creature in a blinding fury of heat have the power you desire."
and utter power.
I nodded and looked down upon the
I stood there... in awe. Where once village, wondering which way I would
was a creature that would have very go. I looked back at the robed man,
easily torn me from my limbs and but found him gone. The last few
devoured my soul, there was nothing days held many secrets and surprises
but wisping trails of smoke left. I and this was just another. I sighed,
lowered my saber and looked back at thinking it was fitting for him to
the now calm figure of a dark robed leave the same way he came to me....
man. He walked towards me, and set Though... I never learned his name,
his cold hand upon my shoulder, and or where he was from. No matter, I
beckoned me back to camp. would go on to Nomikos, then north,
there was time yet.
"Teach me. I want to wield the power
that you now hold. I no longer wish I continued on to the docks, alone.
to be weak." It was all I could say. Thinking back on the hooded figure
It was all I wanted. that had been with me for most of my
journey. Before long, I found myself
He merely nodded and said, "I will before the docks. After looking over
keep watch the rest of the night. the various boats docked there, I
Rest." chose the one I thought would best
fit my needs. As I strolled casually
The next two days I spent journeying over to it, I assessed the captain,
towards the coast, and ultimately to trying to determine the best way to
Nomikos. Though I had no idea why, deal with him.
surely this was what I had been
looking for. I believed my search After haggling for several minutes
was over, when I had found this man. with the captain about the price of
Yet I was still drawn towards that passage to Nomikos, I headed across
Isle of Knowledge. the gangplank. Stepping on a meager
excuse for a boat, I headed near the
Patiently teaching me over the next prow and sat down. I was tired, yet
few days, I had gained in skill, and extremely anxious and excited about
knew better the ways of molding the the past few days. I tried to calm
Essence. Though I learned no way to myself, letting the salty sea air
expel raw power as he had against fill my nostrils and clear my mind.
the creature, it was enough to help
me in combat. I savored every piece Across from me sat a high elf in a
of knowledge he gave me. He asked pale green robe who was obviously
for nothing in return, only that I not used to travel by sea. We had
continue my studies. I assumed he not even been on the open water for
-21- More...
more than a few minutes and he was had followed Ander to the college.
already beginning to look sick. His "Come..." He said as he gestured for
face matched his robe, and his eyes me to follow.
had a vacant stare to them.
We walked into the entrance of the
"Are you going to be alright..?" I building, receiving a few glances
asked. from the older men who wore the same
robes as Ander. I followed Ander
"In a few moments yes.." He barely into an enormous central room and
whispered. gaped at the magnificence of it all.
Light streamed in from a dome above
He reached into one of his pockets and set the white tile floor ablaze.
and retrieved a small vial filled There were a few people sitting at
with a green liquid. He drank from desks or in chairs along the wall,
it and immediately began feeling reading as would be expected. The
better. We began to make some polite center of the room was cleared and
conversation and soon found the time several various groups were standing
passing by rapidly. Before I knew together speaking quietly.
it we were docking and preparing to
leave. We walked down the gangplank We headed into a side hallway and
and headed towards town. Not yet walked a good distance, seemingly
having learned his name, I asked him taking random turns and heading past
that as well as what brought him to a myriad of doors. Finally, we came
Ormian. to an engraved windak door, with
Ander's name inscribed at eye level.
"Ander Ghosan," he replied, "I am an He opened the door and gestured for
employed alchemist doing mostly some me to enter. I found what I had
research work for the College of expected to see. There were shelves
Essence at Deirdra. The city we are filled with many of Ander's personal
docking at now. And you?" collections of books. A large table
was set in the middle of the large
"Erion Kulsen. A bard searching for room cluttered with vials of liquid,
knowledge." samples of unknown substances and
other items I could not identify. He
"Well, you have come to the right closed the door behind him and began
place Erion. I assure you of that. to speak.
What type of knowledge is it that
you are searching for?" "I myself understand your plight. I
might have something that can help
I spoke to him of what I wanted in you."
life, how I became to have this need
and my reasons for wanting to gain Excited, I opened my mouth to speak
more control over the very flow of but he continued.
essence. All the while, he listened
and nodded once in a while, but said "..but before I do I must warn you."
nothing.
I blinked and shut my mouth, waiting
Finally I finished, and was rather for him to continue.
surprised to find myself at the main
entrance of a large building. The "All of this... " He gestured at the
structure was made of ancient white table,"..my work, has been dedicated
marble adorned with varying sizes of towards increasing my control over
dome as part of the roof. Grand the flows. I believe I have found
columns standing at least thirty feet the answer."
in the air supporting the lip of the
roof. Massive doors made of ithloss He picked up a glass vial, filled
were swung wide open allowing the with a clear liquid that shimmered
crowds of students, professors and with iridescent flashes as the light
researchers entrance. Apparently I struck it.
-22- More...
"This is what I have found. Though, Gladiatorial Games Winners
it is untested and might have some ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
adverse side effects on the mind and -----
body. I myself would drink of it, if /// \\ NON-MAGIC
I were not afraid of what else might |||| || ~~~~~~~~~
happen. I am desperate to know the ||||| || 1-ON-1 MELEE
results of my work. So I will offer \\\\\ // ~~~~~~ ~~~~~
it to you, asking only a small favor ----- Imric Imric
in return. Yet, before I ask, let me | . . | Sasha Sasha
say this... there is no other way | . . | Rasputin Rasputin
known in Kulthea that can do which \___/ Rasputin Ichiko
you desire." | . . | Dara Heron
| . . | Metaboculus Blades
I stood there, simply gazing at the \___/ Enegue Blades
iridescent light refracting through | . . | _______
the small vial he held in his hand. / \___/ \ _/ \
My mind struggled with the various | \ | / | ___ |
possibilities. On one hand I could | -- * -- | / \ |
gain all that I have ever wanted, on | / | \ |_/\| \|
the other, I could suffer a terrible \_______/ MAGIC
consequence possibly even death. Yet |\ | | ~~~~~
I knew what I would choose. For me, |\ \| | 1-ON-1 MELEE
death would be preferable to living |\ \| | ~~~~~~ ~~~~~
with my weakness. |\ \| | Imric Imric
|\ \| | Simon Hagar
"I will take the chance. What is the |\ \| | Loque Loque
favor?" As I spoke I reached for the |\ \| | Kenner Kenner
vial in his hand. |\ \| | Jarran Dara
|\ \| | Gallenod No Entries
He released the vial into my grip |\ \| | Dartagan No Entries
and said one last thing. |\ \| |
|\ \| | NON-MAGIC TEAMS
"Do not drink it here. I do not want |\ \| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
to be responsible for what might |\ \| | Imric/Lydrynn/Legolas
happen. If you do live... come back |\ \| | Sasha/Imric
and let me learn from you. This is |\ \| | Blades & Rasputin
in the name of research after all." |\ \| | Kree/Oberon/Kyreth
|\ \| | Dara/Llorien/Jarran
"You do not know what this means to |\ \| | No Entries
me. I will find some way to repay |\ \| | Blades/Gallenod
you." |\ \| |
|\ \| | MAGIC TEAMS
"Nonsense, I ask for nothing but |\ \| | ~~~~~~~~~~~
that which I have already asked. Do |\ \| | Imric/Markham/Silkenford
yourself a favor and learn more ways |\ \| | Imric/Hagar/Silkenford
to utilize the power you may receive |\ \| | Loque/Rasputin
from that vial. The Library here in |\ \| | Kree/Kenner/Oberon
Deirdra is as good a place to start. |\ \| |
Now please go, I have much to do |\ \| | GRAND MELEE
today." |\ \| | ~~~~~~~~~~~
|\ \| | 1st - Gallenod
"Yes, of course." I said as I headed |\ \| | 2nd - Tharpe
out the door. "Thank you again." |\ \| | 3rd - Oberon
|\ \| |
He waved me away and motioned for me |\ \| | Conducted By:
to shut the door on my way out. I |\ \| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
walked out of the room with my fate \ \| / Kree Morlain
held in a small vial in my hands. \ / Lord Gallenod Varynesti
-23-
_____________ First Innocence
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | Shiloh Strong
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |he trader pushed his Then out of the alley stepped the
/@| _|_|_ | way past the crowd, town constable. "Ha! Now I have you,
\_/__________/ white teeth flashing varlet!" he screamed, to my despair.
a grin as he walked over to a young His strong hands gripped my arms and
woman selling flowers. I've always pulled me through the streets to the
hated this guy; he annoys me. If he the Constabulary. There he threw me
ever gets any money off anything, he into a small cell with dirty walls
dances around town tapping his money and some strange animal scurrying
sack and bragging about how much around in the shadows.
silver he just made.
I waited there for what seemed like
He leaned against a nearby wall and hours, then the sound of keys
started talking to the flower girl. rattling in the lock floated to my
I cracked my knuckles, about to try joyful ears. A large man in a deputy
a little trick my brother Pheonix uniform grabbed me by the shoulder
taught me. I slowly walked over to and escorted me to Moot Hall.
the trader and pretended to be lis-
tening to their conversation. He was There I was placed before the Judge,
telling her about his latest deal as an old man with large bushy eye-
she faked interest. My hand slid brows. He peered down his long nose
slowly around the trader's waist and and said in a raspy voice, "There
towards his money pouch. can be no doubt as to your guilt.
For the crime specified, the court
The girl rearranged her dress as the hereby fines you 100 silver pieces.
trader droned on. I reached the belt You are now free to go."
and started to open the pouch when a
tiny kitten rubbed against my leg. The judge then stood up and said,
It startled me; I lost my balance "Court is adjourned!" He banged his
and landed with all my weight on the annoying little gavel upon the table
trader's pouch. and retired to his chambers.
His pouch snapped off and I fell in I was ushered out of the hall and
a dusty heap in the middle of the walked back to the jail to get my
road. He glared at me, I glared at stuff. I had just opened the seal of
the kitten, and the girl ran for the my box when in came Lord Artuero and
constable. The trader took his pouch Lord Nixie. I bowed and they waved
from me and followed after the girl. at me, then proceeded to do things
The kitten stared at me with intel- that were strange to me at the time.
ligent eyes.
They would come into the room and
"Thanks a lot," I said. "Now I'm a Lord Nixie would gesture at the jail
wanted man." cell door and then they would go out
again. They did this four or five
I sighed, got out my drake falchion, times before I realized that Nixie
slung my shield off my shoulder, and was casting a Word of Opening spell
headed to hunt hobgoblins. on the door. That was why they had
to go outside so much, so that Nixie
I returned with the load of my life, could prepare his spell. (The con-
two chests in my backpack and drag- stabulary is a magic resistant zone,
ging a chest from a Forest Troll. As which means you are unable to use
I came to the town gates, I thought any magical item or cast any magical
over the amulet network, "Any chest spells in the area.) On their fifth
pickers in the Square?" The reply trip, Lord Nixie gestured and the
was "yes," so I walked on toward the door swung open. The two Lords dis-
Town Square. appeared inside the cell.
-24- More...
Suddenly the door swung shut. They "One down," Artuero chuckled.
started knocking on their side, and
I opened the door and walked in. To We talked a bit but our conversation
my dismay, I heard the door swing was interrupted when Artuero was
shut behind me. pulled from the room. I sighed and
closed my eyes. I hadn't slept for a
"Darn it!" Artuero said, frowning. while and was getting tired. I
yawned, stretched, pushed the door,
I tried the door. It was locked punched the door, tried hacking away
tight. Nixie gestured, but his voice at the door with my drake falchion.
caught in his throat and his spell Nothing worked.
died. Artuero whipped out his Xeno
lockpick and settled into picking I sat there for what seemed like a
the door's lock. We all flinched at couple hours. Just when I had memo-
the sound of his lockpick snapping. rized every crack in that unsanitary
wall, my friend the deputy brought
"We're doomed," I said and leaned me over to see the judge.
back against the door.
He looked at me and then, much to my
"I hope the constable knows we're in enjoyment, screamed at the deputy,
here," Nixie said, and I realized "This man is innocent! Let him go!"
that we might be stuck in here for a
long time. I rushed out of the hall and found
my two jail buddies waiting for me.
Artuero banged on the door with his
foot, stubbing his toe in the pro- "Well that was an experience," I
cess. I closed my eyes and tried to said, as I tried to brush the jail
relax. About three minutes passed, dirt off myself.
and then suddenly the door I was
leaning on opened. I fell back with Artuero chuckled and said, "You
a squeak and got up just in time to know, Shiloh, we made history today.
see the same deputy I met earlier I think we were the first people
that day dragging Nixie away. Then ever to come out of there innocent."
the door slammed shut again.
Bugg's Newsbites...
Health Scare Linked to Berries
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was announced today by Lord entrance-and-exit scheme of his
Strom, that the intestinal problems workshop, Lord Odds replied, "Hey,
being experienced recently by magic can only do so much. I had
residents of Kelfours Landing have to find some common element of my
been traced to the ingestation of visitors, whose proportional makeup
swastan berries. Some concern has was consistent with the necessary
been expressed over the diarrhetic size reduction. A diarrhetic was
effects which the berries seem to the obvious solution. The only
have on those of Elven, Common Man, problem I've found so far is that
and High Man extraction. The only the variation in personal content
known local source of swastan is greater than I had anticipated,
berries is a pair of bushes in the so some folks end up considerably
vicinity of Lord Odds workshop. smaller than the expected six
inches... I'd prefer not to name any
When questioned about the reason names."
for including swastan berries in the
-25-
_________ The Looking Glass War - Conclusion
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Lord Gallenod Varynesti
| |~| |
_| |~| | ran toward the orcs the orc. "Oh, how wonderful to see
/@| _|~|_ | advancing on the small you!" Michael, Stephanie, and the
\_/ ~~~~~ / group, knowing I would orc all regarded me with various
~~~~~~~~ not be in time. Then, out degrees of disbelief. I came closer.
of nowhere, an arrow took one of the
orcs in the shoulder. The other two "Gallenod, have you gone nuts?"
slowed. I heard a whoop from behind Michael exclaimed.
me. I didn't stop to look. I took an
orc in the throat and moved to the "Trust me," I whispered, smiling
next. No time to waste, none for broadly at the orc. I moved closer.
finesse. I disembowelled the second
orc with little ceremony and turned "Well Orco," I beamed, "how are the
for the third. mate and orclings! Come on, let's
find a jug and have a drink."
I saw three things. I saw Michael,
with a bow. Arrow nocked, he faced The orc stopped backing away and
the wounded orc, who was holding a cocked its head. It seemed puzzled
sword to Lady Stephanie's throat. but relieved that I thought it was a
She was frozen, seemingly stunned by friend. It smiled. A hideous sight,
the violence of the scene. Third, I but I was close enough. The orc had
saw the portal, through which poured relaxed its grip on Stephanie.
the astrologer's minions. War trolls
now. But the Pensics were gaining in "And guess what I've got for you!" I
confidence, and they had captured exclaimed, reaching inside my cape.
weapons from the orcs. Apparently The orc leaned forward for a closer
their practice battles had done them look and took my rapier through its
some good after all. right eye. It shook once and died.
The orc with the arrow in its "Brainless," I muttered, wincing
shoulder, holding Stephanie, was slightly at my own pun. I withdrew
slowly backing towards the portal. I the rapier. The orc decayed into
moved carefully towards the orc; I compost. Lady Stephanie had fainted
didn't want to startle it. It was and Michael was making retching
wounded, weak, afraid, and in pain. sounds. I felt nothing but a dull
But still dangerous. satisfaction, and then sorrow. I was
no better than the orc; I killed
"Orc," I said quietly, "you don't without pity or mercy. Perhaps the
want her. You just want to escape. fat toad under Kelfour's Landing was
You just want to go home." I don't right, after all. My destiny, it
know if the orc understood me, but I seemed, was death.
hoped the tone of my voice would
calm it. I sheathed my rapier and Michael had recovered somewhat and
moved forward. was looking at me with something
akin to awe. "That was awesome, man.
"Come on, orc. Let her go." I tried What are those things?"
to sound as soothing as I could,
given the circumstances. The orc "Orcs," I replied. "Just orcs."
still looked nervous.
"Really?" said Michael, "like in the
Remembering a story my father had books, and stuff? And that weird
told me, I decided to try another mirror over there, it leads to--?"
tack. I slung my shield over my
shoulder and smiled at the orc. "Kulthea, my home."
"Friend Orc!" I shouted joyously at "You're not from around here, then?"
-26- More...
"No," I smiled. Then shouts from the rushing over us. I felt a shift in
camp attracted our attention. the core of my being, and then we
were in the crypt in the keep.
The battle had centered around
Prince Alexander and a barrow wight. "What--?" she said.
I shuddered. Unlife. The astrologer
was truly mad. The match looked I looked at her sadly, not knowing
fairly even. I moved in, switching how to tell her that she was a long
swords on the fly. way from home with little hope of
returning. The shield on the wall
Cut and thrust, slash and parry. The showed nothing. It seemed to be one-
prince was being driven back, unable way only.
to damage the wight. The remaining
trolls and orcs had fallen in around "Stay close," I warned. "Be quiet."
the wight. The Pensics had formed She nodded and blinked; the shock
similarly around Alexander. hadn't quite set in, yet. We left
the crypt and went toward the tower.
Then the wight projected its aura.
Fear swept the Pensic ranks. Some We moved outside. Odd. There was no
fled, others froze. Its sword came sign of the fleeing minions. But the
down in a deadly arc and clashed on group outside the gate of the keep
enchanted silver. "Try me, wight," had grown. It now included many more
I snarled. "Go ahead, scare me. I orcs, several war trolls, and--
dare you."
--a barrow wight?
The wight wasn't impressed. Maybe it
knew I'd never actually fought one I had a bad feeling about this. We
of its kind without benefit of cler- headed for the tower. As we entered
ical aid before. Maybe, being the main hall, I felt a wave of
unlife, it didn't care about much of force slam into my mind!
anything. It rushed me, along with
two of the trolls. The next minute A mind shout? Stephanie slumped,
or so was rather busy. stunned by the spell. I gently moved
her into an alcove where I hoped she
Fortunately, the wight hadn't fig- would be safe. A flash of light came
ured out the power drain here. It from above as I ran up the stairs. A
was weak. I killed the wight and one strange sight greeted me.
of the trolls without difficulty and
saw that Alexander had disposed of The gnome was about to fry me.
the other troll. Our eyes met; we Another me. As the gnome released
nodded briefly to each other and his flare, I charged forward and
turned to face the rest of the knocked myself out of the way. Into
astrologer's minions. the mirror.
Who were rapidly fleeing back into "What? How? Where--?" the gnome
the portal. That was my ticket home. spluttered.
I moved to follow them. I was right
in front of the portal when someone "Try 'who,'" I said, as I ran the
grabbed my arm. It was Stephanie. gnome through with my rapier. The
look of surprise never left his face
"Wait!" she cried. "Where are you as he slumped to the floor. He made
going? What's going on!" one last gesture, and a crystal
glowed, brighter and brighter. Then
"I'm going home, Stephanie," I said, it shattered.
"To my life, such as it is."
"Too late, fool," he gasped. "My
"Wait, I can--," Whatever she had army marches." Then he died.
been about to say was drowned out by
the portal suddenly expanding and I looked in the mirror and saw
-27- More...
myself in the middle of the Pensic In the days that followed, we worked
mock battle. A strange feeling, it out, she and I. Her name wasn't
viewing your own future past. really Stephanie. It was Christina.
She and her friends had belonged to
I heard movement outside. The mon- a society that recreated medieval
sters were moving into the crypt. times for enjoyment. They adopted
But it had been a full day between the names and dress of historic
my appearance and theirs. And I'd times as a hobby and called the
gotten back before they left. Appar- gathering I'd stumbled into the
ently there was some time distortion "Pensic War."
in the astrologer's system.
Now they were truly living history,
No kidding. I'd just skipped back a if not creating it. The entire group
day, myself. In time to save myself. had been swept into Kulthea's past.
I looked back into the mirror. The gnome's grand design had back-
Events were progressing faster, now. fired catastrophically on him. His
Apparently the mirror was running own plan had brought Alexander and
wild without the astrologer to con- the Pensics to the land. To drive
trol it. That might explain the time his own people out. How ironic.
distortions. I watched the night go,
and the fights the next day. Faster Christina cried a lot at first. It
and faster. The mirror glowed. But I tore my heart to hear her sobbing in
had to stay. I had to know. the night as she grieved for family
and friends left behind. I consoled
The battle. The orc with Stephanie. her as best I could. She was a sweet
The wight. And then, the mirror lass, caring for me when the pain
bowed out from the wall like a bal- from my wounds became too great to
loon; the image zoomed in. It rushed travel. After a few days, she came
rushed over Stephanie and me. Then a to terms with her new life by decid-
few seconds later it swept over the ing to care for me more permanently.
the Pensics. The mirror shattered. And I found much to love in her, and
through her, myself. I came to terms
The blast knocked me into the with my life through her love.
astrologer's workbench. I felt ribs
crack. Stars danced in my eyes. You won't see her in the Landing.
Adventuring isn't her type of life.
"Gallenod!" It was Stephanie. I felt But yet, she is among us. I carry a
soft hands touch my face. Outside, I piece of her in my heart wherever I
heard the astrologer's followers go; it helps me resist the darkness
noisily fleeing from the crypt into in my soul. And though I know her
the forest. "What is going on? Where now only as Christina, she will
are we?" always be a Lady to me.
Bugg's Newsbites...
Bailiff Announces Celebration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Honorable Bailiff of Kelfour's sundry for several hours. He
Landing wishes to announce a invites all law-abiding citizens to
celebration which will occur on the reciprocate, and says that at the
occasion of Lord Artuero close of the festivities he will
Bresnahanini's rumoured departure retire to his own quarters. There
for the summer. he will sip champagne in the company
of Lola, a torkaan he rescued from
The Bailiff has indicated that he the wilds outside town. He says he
will mark the event by calmly found her quietly munching on a
strolling about the confines of the bloody centaur hide vest, and
town, and magnanimously bestowing immediately felt an undeniable
his friendly smile upon all and affection for her.
-28-
____________ Drink, Drank, Drunk
/ \ _________\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Lloyd Llowd, PhD
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ |here have been some by the departure of Lord Artuero
\_/__________/riotous parties in the "Torkaan Bait" Bresnahanini from the
Landing of late. Mostly going away town. It was held at a secret time
parties. Still, even the departure and locale, just in case Lord Art
of some of our more disreputable accidentally returned. Though I was
citizens should not result in the unable to gain any information about
drunken debauchery witnessed in the the party, there were, however, some
last month. noticeable side effects from the
party.
Helga's Tavern, home of "Blackdew
Grog," a drink that has been banned It was apparently held the night
in twelve kingdoms and used as an before the last Gladiatorial Games,
embalming fluid in six others, was as most of the Lords either did not
the scene of the first debacle of show up or were just plain useless
the spring season: the departure of in the fights due to their massive
Erion the Bard. hangovers.
Young Erion, is the page at House Lord Dartaghan, for instance, was
Arcane. A bard with a voice that clearly still drunk from the night
could strip the paint from ironwork, before, as he mistakenly entered a
Erion announced his decision to seek non-magic fight and was shaved bald
fame and fortune in another land. by Lord Enegue. The hapless halfling
Probably at another profession, as later appeared in a full body wig
well. made of elf hair. How revolting.
From what my informants tell me, the There have been rumors of ritual
poor boy was just tired of having sacrifice by several Arcane Masters.
the dictator of House Arcane, Lord How else do you explain the gruesome
Dartaghan "Stinky" Darkstar, saddle body parts appearing at the front
him up and ride him around the House gate of town? There is a suspicion
shouting: "Hi-yo Elfmeat, away!" that Lord Artuero did not leave town
willingly, and that the body parts
Whatever the reason, Erion's goodbye are his.
announcement sparked a party. In
which several of our younger, more Which would be poetic justice, but
impressionable citizens were drawn it is unfortunate that I did not get
into House Arcane on the promise of to him myself. The deed he sold me
free drinks. The party eventually to Thingul Manor is a forgery, and I
moved to Helga's Tavern, where Lord am being evicted by ghosts! Once
Gallenod, who has been reputed as an again, I am forced into the street,
absolute teetotaller, was thrown out unhomed by cruel fate.
for drunken and disorderly conduct.
Shameful! But I understand that if I hurry, I
can move into House Brigatta and
Worse still: near the end of the establish squatter's rights. After
party, Erion announced that he had all, possession is nine tenths of
decided to stay in these lands after the law. Ask any demon.
all. One wonders what coercion Lord
Dartaghan had used to entice the lad Next month, what you have all been
back into the fold. One wonders, waiting to see: Dr Lloyd's Worst
indeed. Dressed List. So have a care with
your haberdashery, or prepare to be
The other party of note was sparked exposed in public.
-29-
KEV4N1
[end]