Kelfour Edition volume IV number IV
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | D. Forrest Hobgoblin's Farewell: Page 11 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
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| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / /_/ ( ____ __ __ ____ September 1993 |
| / __/ / __ )/ /( __)/ _ )/ / / // ___) Vol.4, No.4 |
| / /\ \ / ___// / / / / (/ // (_/ // / |
| (_/ \_)(____)(_( (_( (____/(_____((_( |
| |
|_ \ | / |
/ _____* - |
| /\___/\ |
| |\_____/| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| \| |/ / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| --| \ / |-- / (__ ___/ / _ ( _)_ ____ ____ |
| / _________ \ / ___)/ _ / / ) / / / )/ _ )/ ) _|
| / / \ \ / (_ / (/ / / / / / / // (/ // /) / \
| | / \ | (_____)(____( (_( (_( (_((____/(_((_( |
| |( GemStone III )| |
| ||\ (tm) /|| The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| |\| \__________ / |/| |
| \ \|_|__|_|__|_|/ / |
| \_____________/ |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
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| Kelfour's Landing Local News ................................ 1 |
| Kelfour's Landing Attacked by Unlife ....... Ducwiz Blackwood 2 |
| Good Hunting Teams ............... Amber Kari & Ryan Andreoti 4 |
| Lore of the First Era .......................... Erion Kulsen 5 |
| Answers to Riddles in August KE ................ Glynn Nebula 6 |
|_ A Day of Puzzles ............................... Glynn Nebula 7 |
/ Crystal Golems of Claedesbrim ............. Celestin Drowstar 8 |
| What is a System Burp? ...................... Loque Windsfoot 10 |
| Wilderness Report ...................... D. Forrest Hobgoblin 11 |
| Before You Roll A Mage ............... Lord Whilder Planrathe 13 |
| Keys (Part 1) ..................................... Anonymous 17 |
| Monster Chronicles: Grey Orcs ................ Jarran Terraxx 19 _|
| Inside the Spider Temple ............. Lord Trachten Hickapod 21 \
| Robomagess Part 2 ......................... Belladonna Atropa 23 |
| Matter of Honor (Part IV) ........................ Sean2 Ladd 27 |
| Dogged Daze ................................ Lloyd Llowd, PhD 30 |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi |
| player role-playing game GemStone III on GEnie. Submissions may be |
| edited for space, accuracy and readability. Contact Editor Rasputin |
| Santare, Asst. Editors Kalagay Hallatil or Jarran Terraxx, or Pub- |
| lisher Lady Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| |
| __________________________________________________________________|__
| ) )
\_/____________________________________________________________________/
_______________________
Carry That Weight __\ ____\ \ Asleet at the Wheel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ / / \__| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inventory limits will | | | ____________/ Insomniacs no longer
be expanding soon, so |__ \___/_____/ \ need to worry about
you'll be able to lug / | falling asleep at the
more items at a time. \ L O C A L _| keyboard and running
This major upgrade to \ \ up a huge bill.
the software will be | N E W S | GemStone now has an
one part of a larger | | inactivity timer to
package of changes /_____________ | wake you or shake you.
and bug fixes dealing ||\ \___________ The timer will auto-
with inventory, en- ||_| \ matically send you a
cumbrance and picking | | | warning if you don't
up or dropping items. \/________________________ / respond within nine
Some will be phased in gradually, minutes; if the inactivity lasts
and some will be implemented another minute longer, the GemStone
together. software will boot you out to the
GEnie prompt, where you can log back
Every character will have an into GemStone. If you remain asleep
encumbrance limit; once that limit GEnie will disconnect you after a
is reached, they won't be able to few minutes.
pick up anything else. The rule of
thumb will be that you can carry a New GS3FE Version Released
maximum of up to 1.5 times your own ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
weight in stuff. Perhaps the biggest news of the day
for folks with IBM-compatible
Encumbrance will be based on a computers is the release of the new
point system where one encumbrance Graphical Front End (Version 1.7B).
point will equal one pound or less. You can find and download it from
The minimum weight for an item will the GemStone Library (Menu option
be one point. In general, a large #8, at Page 930). The file is
sack will hold about 20 points of #199. If you have a sound card,
stuff and backpacks will hold 40. (and who doesn't?) you're in for a
special treat: this version includes
Spellcasting Changes all-original Kulthean compositions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Jeff Gatlin! It also boasts an
Sorcerers, take note. Limb Pain improved scripting system, and more
spells (701 and 705) now have than we have room to print here!
improved logic when inflicting
injuries. Touch of Disruption Workshops Working
(702), does additional cp point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
damage in proportion to the Our most powerful spellcasters can
severity of the critical. Mind now enhance enchanting and imbedding
Jolt (706), now lasts for 5 seconds abilities in workshops. Some public
per 5 failures on Resistance Roll, workshops are now under construction
as opposed to the shorter 5/10 of and one private workshop has been
the older version. established near Stonehold. ;)
Town Forums Scheduled for September
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Sep Assassin's Guild: Killing for Fun & Profit Nuit
15 Sep Why the Constable Can't Keep the Cons Stable Eldron
22 Sep Glad Games or Sad Games? Suggestions & Ideas Elvanion
29 Sep An Open Forum on Closed Essence Marvelin
------------------------------------------------------------------
Town Forums are conducted each Wednesday Night in the Moot Hall,
Assembly Room at 10pm EDT.
-=1=-
66
____________ Kelfour's Landing Attacked by Unlife!
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|~|~~|| | by Ducwiz Blackwood
| |~|_ ~~ |
_| |~|-| | or those of you that clearing just as a crowd started to
/@| |~| | were not there, I am gather. We decided it was now just
\_/ ~~~~~ / going to tell you too crowded and lit out for home as
~~~~~~~~~~~ of the recent attack fast as we could!
on Kelfour's Landing by the unlife.
I, unfortunately, did not contribute Once safely back in town, Malvolio
one whack in defense of our city, and I thought it best to sell our
but I witnessed the horrible slaugh- booty and hide out for the rest of
ter brought by the vile attack. What the evening. Neither of us had any
I learned could help prevent a simi- experience with the unlife or the
lar catastrophe in the future. blessed weapons necessary to fight
them. We stopped at Jarlik's to sell
I became aware that something was a few hides. While at the furrier's
not right as Malvolio, the healer, we heard that Akido was killed!
and I walked back from a successful
hunting trip along the Mine Road. We We barely arrived at the pawn shop
came upon some light leather and a when we heard about Esir dying! I
woven cloak. Thibor showed up, and asked Dernick to appraise an amulet
the three of us speculated about the for me but got distracted while
new hunter who bought the light Malvolio and I talked about the
leather as protection. Then Thibor apparent unlife attack. Suddenly
mentioned a skeleton north of us and Dernick slammed his fist on the
left in that direction. Malvolio and counter. "Ducwiz, do not make me
I were intrigued. We had never seen repeat myself. I'll give you 199
a skeleton before. I don't know what silvers and not a silver more!" This
Malvolio was thinking, but I thought day was taking a very odd turn.
these were just bleached bones lying Quickly I sold him the amulet and we
on the ground! left. Once outside, Malvolio told me
that Dernick looked like the unlife!
We went north and found Akido, Lady-
dawn, and Thibor standing over more Now it was apparent that the unlife
light leather, a woven cloak, and a influence was being felt inside Kel-
short sword. We were puzzled to find four's too. We armed ourselves and
the same stuff here and asked where quickly ran to the gemcutter's. On
the things came from. Ladydawn said, the way, we passed Ladydawn, a group
"Skeletal cloak," and Akido spoke of of adventurers, and three broad-
the unlife! Thinking it was a single swords lying on the ground; this
skeleton in a cloak, I asked who had made sense later. In the town square
worn the leather. Akido answered, we found Esir and asked him what got
"A skeleton." him. He said it was a skeletal war-
rior, not a skeleton, and it was at
After you have adventured a little the gate!
while, you know which monsters to
expect where. Skeletons do not We finished our business at the gem-
belong on Torkaan Row! This throws cutter's and the bank, then went to
your whole view of the universe out Sariis' so Malvolio could place a
of whack; skeletons belong in the special order (he is ever the dapper
graveyard, where I don't have to see healer). It was an uneventful trip;
them. I was in shock and a little we only heard of three more people
frightened. What unknown dangers dying. I left Malvolio there and
would we face before we reached the headed back to the town square to
safety of Kelfour's Landing? find out what was happening.
We did not have long to worry about Just before I arrived at the square,
this. A skeleton walked into the I had my first experience with true
-=2=-
Evil. An eerie whisper, carried on a there, but Lord Strom was nowhere
chill wind, said, "Take them, my to be seen.
children!"
On my way back to the square, I saw
People rushed in and out of the town Leara fighting a skeletal lord. In
square, some asking to have wounds front of Jarlik's, Logan fought
tended, some to get weapons blessed, three skeletons and a skeletal lord.
all talking of the unlife attack! There was another skeleton on the
Ladydawn was blessing weapons, but ground dead (I guess when they quit
our gods were hampered and it seemed moving they are finally dead), so it
to take forever. This also prevented appeared he had things in hand. How-
her from resurrecting anyone, and ever, just as I left, a skeletal
there were plenty that needed it. I warrior arrived; Logan died shortly
asked to have my drake falchion after that. I passed Heron fighting
blessed and found that you cannot a skeleton and a skeletal giant. He
bless magical weapons. Besides, the had the giant on the ground, but the
line was very long. Someone said to match was not over. The giant still
find Lord Strom and ask him to bless fought back with its pound attack.
a weapon for me. She said he was at
the gate helping to defend our city. I kept moving. The sky grew darker
as the sun dimmed. The chill wind
As I headed for the gate, I thought whispered, "Crush them!" The attack
about what I might find there. One by the unlife was at its peak.
of the bits of conversation I heard
mentioned a skeletal lord. I was Ladydawn blessed weapons in the
sure these were beyond my ability. I square, but the line was long and
am only a third year ranger; why was the need was great. Adventurers took
I headed this way? It still worried their swords as they were done and
me when I ran into a skeleton and a rushed out to greet the undead. At
skeletal giant just north of Chel- the same time, word came back of
dar's Bathhouse! There was no time other brave heros dying. A call came
to ponder how they got into the city that there was a skeletal lord by
as the skeleton took a swing at me. the temple. I waited, hoping to get
Looking through the records later, I my sword blessed, so that I might
found that skeletons are not much of also defend our city.
a threat to any but first or second
year adventurers, but a skeletal Epilogue
giant is strong enough to kill me
with a single blow! I got my sword blessed, but by then
the unlife had been defeated. There
I turned right around and went south were twenty - one deaths I counted
just as Rohan and Tanasa arrived to during this attack; some brave
greet the danger. Wintermane was in adventurers died two or three times.
front of the bathhouse, but he left
before I could warn him. A moment Much of this slaughter could have
later, both Wintermane and Tanasa been prevented had we been prepared.
were dead. I decided to make a run If every one of us had a blessed
for the gate. weapon and knew what unlife we could
fight and what we could not, losses
To the north, two skeletons kept would have been minimized. Looking
Wintermane's body company. The skel- over past issues of the Kelfour's
eton (not the giant) took a swipe at Edition, I see that these attacks
me; then I was by them. I passed by have happened before. We should not
a skeletal lord and was at the gate. have been surprised like this.
There were cloaks and leather lying
everywhere and treasure and other I call on the mayor to arrange for
items that were dropped by the dying the stockpiling of blessed weapons
adventurers. Outside the gate it was to prepare for the next time. We can
the same. There were adventurers use the barracks, and everyone could
-=3=- (Continued Page 6)
______________ Good Hunting Teams
/ \ ____ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~| | | |~ | by Amber Kari and Ryan Andreoti
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| | ave you ever been any professions, too, since lower
/@| _|~| |~|_ | slaughtered while level spell casters end up fighting
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / fighting enemies? most of the time because they don't
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Hey! I had a have high level spells to use. [Ed.
Healer! Oh, he's dead too--." Note: And they run out of power.]
What went wrong? You didn't have a The Fighter / Healer group is first
successful hunting group. Generally, because they are the professions
the "best hunting group" consists of that are needed the most. They are
a Mage, a Fighter, a Healer, and a kind of "Primary Professions," in
Cleric. Having two of a profession the sense that they serve the most
is fine, and adding anyone else is direct purpose. You need a Fighter
great too, but this is the base of a to kill those monsters that other
hunting group. people can't get. (Usually, you will
end up with some fighters in your
All right. You know where to hunt, team anyway, there are so many.) You
you have all your good hunting need a Healer to heal those who have
gear, and you know everything about been hurt fighting. This is not to
the monsters there. Who are you say that other professions are not
going to go with? You should always good. They are like extensions of
go hunting with another person so the Healer or Fighter, although not
that if you die, your partner can very similar to each other.
yell for help and grab your stuff
before a monster can take it. The Mage and the Cleric are second
because with a Healer in the group,
Naturally, it is safer to travel in you hope you won't need a Cleric
a larger group, with characters of resurrecting <g>. A Mage's purpose
several different professions, but is similar to a Fighter's, except a
you won't get as much experience or Mage casts spells. Why aren't they
silver. It does depend on where you at the bottom then? The reason these
are hunting, though. When you fight are not at the bottom of the list is
any type of creature -- kobolds or that a Mage can hit metal armor more
wraiths or those pesky squirrels easily, and a Cleric might need to
that throw acorns at you--you likely resurrect someone. A Cleric can kill
want, in order of "more necessary" off undead too! This makes them much
to "less necessary": more necessary when hunting wraiths.
1) Healer/Fighter 2) Mage/Cleric The Thief and Ranger are #3 because
3) Thief/Ranger 4) Bard their special talents are not so
much required in the field. I mean,
A Healer is good to have with you you can get locks picked in town,
most all the time. It depends on how (but not near people, in case of a
dangerous the monsters are to you, trap) and a Ranger's spells are not
of course. If you are a 30th level used for anything too incredible.
Bard fighting kobolds by yourself, There is nothing wrong with having
you have lots of hits and a high OB; Rangers, since they can be just as
you won't need a Healer or a cleric. good as Fighters at fighting when
they double-train.
For lower level creatures, having a
good team is not as crucial as when Bards are at the end (no offense
you are fighting golems and other bards) because they are not _needed_
big nasties. A low level team should to do anything specific. Besides,
have fewer than five people, if you you couldn't find a bard very easily
want to get a lot of experience. A if you wanted to. But again, there
low level team can consist of about is nothing wrong with having them.
-=4=- (Continued Page 6)
____________ Lore of the First Era
/ \ _________\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Erion Kulsen
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ |he following text is which ended the Second Era. In the
\_/__________/ scribed from various beginning of time all the lands upon
journals, scrolls, and various other Kulthea was one entire land mass. It
historical writings by Erion Kulsen. was here that life was born and the
Which are kept at the Library in rising of a race named the Altha
Nomikos. achieved greatness. From 10,000 to
12,000 FE, the Althan culture had
Kulthea is the seventh of fifteen developed a technology which enabled
planets circling a G-type star. It them to travel to many other distant
circles at approximately 98 million stars. Soon, the Althans began to
miles from the star. This allows the conquer these other worlds and their
planet to sustain a considerably races. This turned Kulthea into the
large amount of life. Kulthea holds veritable center of an interstellar
in orbit around it, five moons, one colonization. Planets suitable for
of which, circles the largest moon life were colonized by new seedling
Orhan. The moons have a profound cultures, Kulthea became the mother
effect over the tides, currents and planet to many races.
weather. Yet there is something else
infinitely more powerful that affect It was at this time that Essence was
our lives more than can be imagined. discovered by the Althan scientists.
That is the Flows of Essence. Before long, genetic manipulation
was used to enhance latent abilities
Essence is something common to all in order to harness this new power.
things, animate or inanimate. It is One specific family, the K'ta'virri,
a part of everything, without it, were found to have a certain special
there would be nothing. Currents in aptitude for the Essence Flow. Soon
the Essence Flow are said to dictate members of the K'ta'virri became the
events in time as well as the course first true Psionics, able to use the
of our lives. It is a power so vast essence within them. As well as any
that none can know it fully. around them, if they were near the
home planet Kulthea.
In the First Era, extensive studies
were performed to decipher the vast By 16,000 FE, the K'ta'virri family
mysteries of the Essence on our own had used their abilities to conquer
planet. It was discovered through a large portion of the galaxy and
the study of other planetary systems proclaimed themselves rulers over it
that our world lay on the threshold all. For many millennia after, the
of a radically different universe. K'ta'virri dynasty controlled all of
Kulthea, stands just outside of the the galaxy, using their Psionic and
gateway leading to another plane of Essence powers to uphold them.
existence with completely different
physical laws from our own. It is Yet power corrupts. It was only so
through this gateway that the Flow long until the K'ta'virri had become
of Essence passes, enveloping our ruthless and even sadistic. Life in
world. There have been many through- the galaxy cowered under the power
out the Eras, who have been able to of the K'ta'virri dynasty, as they
channel this power (Transcribed from became more corrupt in their ways.
a Lords of Essence Speaking Crystal, In 30,000 FE, the ruthlessness came
approximately 130,000 years old). to a climax as the ascension of the
Nomikos Library Special Collection). Empress Kadaena K'ta'virri swiftly
came about.
The First Era lasted 100 millennia,
and was perhaps the most intriguing The K'ta'virri soon became known as
time, until the Wars of Dominion, the Lords of the Essence, lead by
-=5=-
Kadaena. Over time, certain select As well as why they might do so. Yet
K'ta'virri became almost as one with something is certain... those among
the Essence. They developed powers us now who wield the Essence are but
to mold the earth, assume any shape pale shadows compared to the power
at will and became immortal. They that once walked the land. (From the
held awesome powers over the Essence writings of the Loremaster Lydek
Flow. Yet, the sadistic ruling of Terisonen, 2267 Third Era).
Kadaena over the galaxy soon brought
about the plans to overthrow the
Empress. Utha K'ta'virri became the Attack by Unlife - From Page 3
leader of the underground rebellion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a time, both factions, followers donate weapons. I would volunteer to
of Utha and those who called Kadaena collect the donations. Clerics can
their mistress, gathered both power be found to donate the time to bless
and followers. them. If the mayor cannot see to it,
maybe one of the Houses could; House
In 30,250 FE, rebellion swept across of the Rising Phoenix is a prospect.
the galaxy. Using their political, Until some group can arrange to make
technological and Psionic powers, an preparations to protect our city, it
attempt was made to sweep the now is up to each of us. Keep a blessed
Empress-goddess Kadaena and all of weapon in your locker at all times.
her followers from the throne. Many I now have two. Also, clerics are
worlds were obliterated in the clash not the only ones in Kelfour's who
and races were reduced to primitive can bless weapons. There is a way to
shadows of what they once were. get weapons blessed at the temple.
Hint: it involves white, magical
On our own world, battles between items, and you get what you pay for.
Utha and Kadaena were met with the
strongest of each faction. Though, Good Hunting Teams - From Page 4
the world was not destroyed, for a ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
year it was in torment. This was a They have handy spell-songs, and can
struggle that shook Kulthea to its also double-train in fighting.
core. Continents sank, lands below
the deep waters were thrust above The reason to have a Mage, Healer,
the surface. Great rivers of molten Fighter, and Cleric in a hunting
rock were spewed forth and the most team is that they each serve differ-
unimaginable tidal waves wiped out ent purposes. A Fighter fights with
entire races... carving an entirely weapons which can have bonuses put
new geographical face on the planet. on by the Mage, who burns the metal-
Large areas were laid waste as those armored monsters, which whack the
under Utha, called the Uruths, not Fighter, who gets healed by the
considered a part of the K'ta'virri Healer and resurrected by a Cleric,
family any longer, destroyed all of who kills any undead creatures that
the last remaining K'ta'virri. It is happen upon the group. All of these
believed that both Utha and Kadaena go into a good team, for more exper-
were destroyed in a final clash, ience and more silver.
which nearly broke the world. There
are rumors of survivors of both the
Uruths and the K'ta'virri who placed ________________________________
themselves in cryogenic freeze so as / Answers to Riddles in Aug KE \
to awaken at a later time. Thus came | 1) Riddle |
the end of the First Era. | 2) GemStone, or Gem, or Jewel |
| 3) Graveyard |
Virtually all technology, knowledge | 4) Earth, Water, Air, Fire |
of Essence and the science from the | 5) Mirror |
First Era were destroyed in what is \________________________________/
known as the Sundering. Any and all
knowledge of when the Uruths or the
K'ta'virri might wake up is unknown.
-=6=-
_____________
/ \ _________ \ A Day of Puzzles
\@| ||=|=|=|| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| ~~ |_| ~~ | Glynn Nebula
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ | hree Goblins" "Three Caves"
\_/__________/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~
While hunting on the old mine road Later that day, I learned of a troll
one bright and sunny day, I chanced who did boast, "I have a treasure
to hear the rough voices of three hidden most bold in one of three
goblins near. Curious as to what caves I do hold. I can be found in
they might say, I hid myself quickly one of the other two caves around."
away. As they approached, I did hear Further he said, "Upon each cave did
them argue over who should have got- I write one statement to thee, but
ten the chest of many silver, the only the cave with the treasure has
prize least rotten, or who the small a statement of fact. The other two
ring of gold, being better than are lies to lead you off track."
nothing to hold. I jumped out from
my place of hiding and demanded the Now, I being one not to pass up free
chest of silver to my liking. lunch, looked for the troll's caves
on a hunch. Three caves I did find,
Now the goblins, thinking to flee in all in a line. The left cave read,
order to be free, each made a state- "The rightmost cave has nothing
ment before leaving me. The first, within." The center cave did read,
running south, did say, "I have only "Inside, a Troll is waiting to be
a ring of gold! Do not follow me!" fed." The cave to the right read
The second, running northeast, said simply, "The center cave is empty."
as he fled, "My brother lies to you,
noble bard. He hath the chest you Which cave did I choose so I would
seek most hard!" The third, wasting not lose?
no time, ran northwest, yelling,
"The second has a ring of gold. I "Three Chests"
myself have nothing to hold." ~~~~~~~~~~~~
The last puzzle I did face was from
I thought to myself, which one will a member of a short race. A hobbit
I chase? He with the chest would not did place a label upon each of three
tell the truth, but he with nothing chests. Each label was incorrect at
would not lie, having nothing to best, for this was a test. The three
hide. The one with the ring may say chests, one each, I was told, had
anything, be it true or false. So I silver, gems, and magic of old. The
thought for a moment of what the labels did read "MAGIC", "GEMS", and
three said, learning from them which "MAGIC or SILVER" penned brightly
way lead to the chest-bearing goblin for all to see.
I soon would be following?
How many chests did I have to open
Can you say which path I chose for a in order to correct the labels with-
chest of many silver along the road? out hoping?
(Answers on Page 9)
_______
/ _____\
__ / * |
// \----------\___ /----------------------------- \
|| | | | | | |___|--------------------------------->
\\\_//----------/ \----------------------------- /
\ * |_____
\ ______ /
-=7=-
_________ Crystal Golems of Claedesbrim
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Celestin Drowstar
| | | |
_| |~| |
/@| _|~|_ | was hunting cave trolls some practice on a lesser golem.
\_/ ~~~~~ / one day, and happened
~~~~~~~~ upon a thief that I know. To get to the crystal golem's area
go through the crack that leads into
He was passing through on his way to the caverns where the cave trolls
the next lower level of Claedesbrim live and go W, W, W, W, S, GO DOOR,
Castle in search of crystal golems. GO CHUTE.
I told him that I had never been
there, so he invited me along. The chute is a one way trip down to
the second level. In order to leave
We spent the rest of the day hunting the area from the second level, go
down crystal golems and avoiding to the farthest northwest corner and
the manticores when we chanced upon GO SPACE, GO TRAPDOOR, GO DOOR, E,
them. It was a great experience and E, N, E, E, E, E, GO CRACK.
I have travelled back to Claedesbrim
Castle to hunt crystal golems many The following are the main creatures
times. Now that I am hunting steel that you will encounter within the
golems, I am really glad to have had dotted area of the map (see below):
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| |
| Lvl DB Crits CPs Speed Attack(ob) |
| --- -- ----- --- ----- --------------------------------- |
| Manticore 9 55 large 150 fast claw(70), stinger(75) |
| |
| Golem, Crystal 12 70 large 220 slow morning star & ensnare(90), stomp |
| |
\_______________________________________________________________________/
Avoid the areas marked with question to be added about this special stomp
marks, since I am not sure what type attack. The first is that when a
of creatures inhabit these areas. I golem is stomping its DB will go way
have encountered spectres in some of up. Wait through the stomping until
them, so I avoided those areas. it starts swinging at you again
before attacking. The other thing to
Hunting crystal golems will take watch out for, is when the golem
some small amount of preparation. stomps down, that another golem or
You will want to have a macro key manticore is not running into the
set to STAND. The golems have a room while you are prone.
nasty habit of stomping the ground;
when they stomp there is a chance Since the manticores are fast, they
that you will lose your footing and can, or more likely will, hit you
fall down. Stand as quickly as you before you can stand up. I would
can, since being prone will reduce normally take a trip around the area
your DB by 50! This is not a healthy to find out where the manticores
condition to be in. The only time were at, before engaging any golems,
that I have died in crystal golems and avoided them as best as I could.
was from a morningstar spike in the I also airwalled the manticores for
forehead after having been knocked some extra protection. Of course you
prone. could always kill the manticore, but
then another would probably pop up
There are two other points that need where and when you least expect it!
-=8=-
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/_____________________________________________________________________/
| ( ) ( ) To |
| go door | go door | Kelfours |
| go | | \ |
| ( )--arch-+ ( )------( )----( )-( )-( )-go crack-( ) |
| | | go | |
| ( )-door-( )--( )-( )-Door-( ) ( ) |
| go ^ | | |
| trapdoor | | | |
| (1 way) | go chute +-----+ ( )-( )-u/d-( ) |
| ( ) (1 way) | |
| go space | .................|................................... |
| .....|...: | : |
| : [ ]------[ ]-----[ ]--)--[ ]--[ ]----[ ]-----[ ] : |
| : | go | crack | | | : |
| : [ ] (?) | | | go : |
| : | go | [ ] go (?) [ ]-Door-[ ]: |
| : [ ]-Door-[ ]<---------+ | door | | : |
| go | | | | : |
| (?)-door-[ ]-[ ]--go--[ ] [ ]--[ ]--[ ]--[ ] : |
| : | door | | : |
| ......: | go door | go : |
| : [ ] | [ ]-door-[ ]: |
| : | (?) | : |
| : go | go go [ ] : |
| :[ ]-door-[ ]-[ ]-[ ]-oak door-[ ]-Passage-[ ]-[ ]-[ ] | go : |
| : | [ ]-door-[ ]: |
| : go iron door | : |
| : | | : |
| : [ ]------------go crack--------------[ ] : |
| :..................................................................: |
| Map Legend: ( ) - First level caverns (Cave trolls) |
| [ ] - Second level (Crystal golems and Manticores) |
/@| (?) - Could be other nasties like Spectres (avoid) |
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
Puzzle Answers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Three Goblins" - The goblin with be false. Neither can it have the
nothing would only tell the truth. troll, because the statement would
He can not be the first one, because be true, so it must be empty. The
it would be a lie to claim to have right cave would then have a true
the ring. Neither could the first statement and the treasure within,
goblin be the one with the ring; and the left cave's statement is
even so, he is free to lie or tell false, with a troll within.
the truth, because the goblin with
nothing, who tells only the truth, "Three Chests" - Each chest has only
would not be able to say, "The first one type of treasure and a false
has the chest," if he was second. label. The chest labelled "MAGIC or
Neither could he say, "The second SILVER" can only have gems inside in
has the ring," if he was third. order for the label to be incorrect.
Therefore, the first goblin would Next, the chest labeled "MAGIC" must
have the chest. have silver to be labeled incorrect,
because the two treasure types left
"Three Caves" - Only the cave with are magic and silver. The remaining
the treasure has a true statement. chest, incorrectly labeled "GEMS,"
The center cave cannot have the would contain magic, that being the
treasure because the statement would only treasure type left.
-=9=-
___________ What is a System Burp?
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\_\ | by Loque Windsfoot
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ | ystem slow down. reading, he was appalled at being
/@| \~\__/~/ | System burp. Node inside a library and promptly left.
\_/ ~~~~~~ / freeze. Game delay.
~~~~~~~~~~ I flipped the pages to "System Slow
All of us have seen these phrases-- Down." To my delight, the topic cov-
usually at an inopportune moment. ered an entire page, divided into
Like the instant you lower parry to three definitions:
attack that stalker. To learn the
cause of these 'delays', I took a 1. Those in the Realms of Arms and
hiatus in my spell research. Essence put the blame for delays
squarely upon the gods manipulating
My first resource, as for all mages, time itself to benefit their fol-
was "The Mage's Handbook: Everything lowers. For instance, who gains when
You Wanted to Know About Spells That a delay causes a fighter to lose a
Seem to Have no Purpose, and More," valued appendage? That's right, the
by Dartaghan Darkstar and a nameless healer who heals him. The same could
taller person. Although there was an be said when the delay causes death;
interesting chart showing the proba- the services of a cleric are needed.
bility that a mage will kill himself
and others soon after learning the 2. Those in the Realm of Channeling
death cloud spell, there was only a have a philosophy of their own.
mention of a "System Stutter" in Channelers believe the proliferation
passing. Nothing substantial. of essence users causes these annoy-
ing delays, citing literature to the
"Loul's Unabridged Dictionary," my effect that their gods are unaware
next choice, was available only in that power is being drawn from them
the second edition, which was too at all. They would not, therefore,
streamlined for my purposes. Appar- manipulate time to help anyone. No,
ently, today's mages do not have the when many Essence users draw on the
time to delve into history while flows at once, a tidal vacuum dis-
looking up topics. rupts the normal passage of time.
A trip to Kelfour's Public Library When this vacuum, which is thought
was next. I walked quickly from my to be many miles across, passes
room at the Wayside Inn, passing through an area, time actually comes
through Town Square along the way. to a near stop. Unfortunately, this
I was comforted by the usual happen- slow down usually does not affect
ings--morons jumping out of the tree the denizens of the land, which is
and fighters taking pleasure in where the problem lies.
dragging others around.
3. The last theory was formulated by
In the Library, I walked back to the a group of sorcerers. As you might
older manuscripts. To my surprise, a expect, they believe that a combina-
young fighter stood over the tome-- tion of the previous two definitions
reading it. As I went behind him to to be responsible. They believe that
stand in line, he raised his head if the other groups would not draw
and muttered something derogatory in their power from only one of these
guild speak. sources, but from a combination of
them, the delays would be less fre-
I supposed that his remark was along quent as well as less deadly.
the lines of "Ugh." With my tattered
runes, I invoked a forget spell. The Regardless of the cause, I need a
moment I cast it at the young man, healer to repair my arm. My friend
the glint of intelligence left his Mr. Steel Golem thought he needed it
eye. He not only forgot what he was more than I do.
-=10=-
______________ Wilderness Report
/ \ ____ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~| | | |~ | by D. Forrest Hobgoblin
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| |
/@| _|~| |~|_ |i ho all! This is because of this little tyke with a
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / D.Forrest Hobgoblin VERY grown-up sword. I remember the
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ commin' atcha from old days where a Hob was safe in his
the VERY CROWDED wilds of Kulthea... own neighborhood. We NEVER had to
lock our chests when dad was a kid..
What's that? WHY am I packin' my
clothes and moving? Are you serious? The next day wasn't any better.
Well then, let me tell you. Brelga had just gone off to stay
with her mother (yea, we split on
What is WITH you stinkies, anyhow? acounta' we never got on quite right
Yer like a bunch o' rabbits! The after that trip to the Old Inn.) and
latest headline of the GOrc Gazzette I decided to get some fresh air.
read: What I'd like to know is.... WHERE'D
ALL THE FRESH AIR GO? It smelled
"MILLIONS OF UNWASHED MASSES FLOOD like a lockerroom out in the forrest
FORREST AND WREAK HAVOC ON PEACEFULL and all I could hear was more of
DWELLERS" this yellin' and screamin'.
I couldn't believe my beady little Well I got a little more than just
eyes! So's I decide to take a stroll angry and I decides to go talk to
out to the forrest one fatefull day, that Elvanion person who's supposed
and even before I could even get to have it in with the higher powers
'round da bend, I hear screemin' and of this world. I wanna put a stop to
laughin' and yellin' and all sorts all this! I couldn't beleive it...
of carryin' on! ALLOFASUDDEN, from around this bend,
hundreds of sreamin' - Whacha call
I run into this little smelly tyke em...NEWBIES? - come runnen' around
and he looks at me kinda funny. I the bend, all decked out in this new
say to the puny brat, "Ho there, gear lookin like a chicken race and
smelly! Whats all the huh-bub, bub?" straight in my direction! I look
around to see what the're after and
He stares... blinks... stares s'more then it hits me...RUN!
and then says, "MEET THY DEATH YOU
FOUL HELLISH BEAST FROM THE NETHER Hundreds! No kidin', HUNDREDS! And
REGION FOR I SHALL SMITE THY BUMPY they kept commin' from everywhere!
HEAD UNTILL YOU LOOK LIKE A PRUNE IN Luckily I ran into my big brothers
THE BELLY OF A TORKAN AND I WILL friend Wiley Wearbear and as they
CRUSH THY BONES INTO A POWDER THAT all came round that bend, the first
WILL MAKE FLOWER LOOK LIKE SAND AND ones froze and the rest collided.
I CAN..." When they all realized that they
were no longer up against little-ol
I interrupted, "Scuse me, but that defenseless me, they turned white,
there was one BAD run-on pal!" frothed at the mouth a little, and
ran faster than I did! Boy did we
So he stops... blinks again... howls have a good laugh! Wiley says he's
and pulls out this HUGE white eog never eatin better in years, but I
sword! Where the HECK did this tiny still said that it was gettin outa
little runt get THAT thing??? I hand.
quickly decided to split that scene,
but before I could get my knees to I was off to Elvanion in no time,
stop knocken together, he hefts this but I was sure to hide all the way
thing into my head and that was that to town! Once I had climbed into
BAAM and I was out. Dead. Deceased. some smellie clothing, I set off to
Passed-on. Kicked the bucket. All find Elvanions pad, but ALLOFASUDDEN
-=11=-
POOF! I was there with Elvanion! "But you haven't even heard about
the place", he said, "And the job I
He says to me, "Whatcha want D.F.? have for you takes work and..."
You look kind of stupid in those
civies." as he pets this realy weird "I'LL TAKE IT!" I said.
lookin cat.
Needless to say, I made it home
"Well, Elv, I'm tired of this place after another race with the hoards
and I'm movin' out! I hear theres of smellie brats and now here I am.
these greener pastures of sorts past What's that? What will I do with
Ioraks Reach...Heard about them from myself? Oh, hey, c'mon now... Elv
some appretice of Amergin's... Nice said I got this job lined up with
kid, but kinda wierd, ya know? I somethin' called a "Company" working
think it cause the kids spending too with "Information Services" or some
much time with that Healer Amergin such junk. Well, here I am, at the
and not enuf time with smellies his door and all I have to say is THANKS
own age. And another thing..." FOR BEATIN MY HEAD IN, you smellies.
Elvanion just sat there and listened My new job is workin for this new
to me ramble for a LONG while about corporation called BEnie. Should be
this and that and finally says to me an easy no hassle job. Lots of perks
"D.F., I have a proposition for ya! and I don't have to deal with you,
How'd you like to take some time off those smellies anymore! Everyone is
from this place and find yerself in nice and there's no problems in that
a more exciting and less dangerous land. I'll miss this place, tho.
atmosphere?"
I suppose I'll miss the brats as
I couldn't believe my ears! This is well... NOT! Bye all, and remember
what I've wanted for years! No more fellow critters, If they drop it,
smellie brats, no more Eog weildin' You CAN use it! Stupid monsters..
tykes, no more Chicken-hatted smElfs
and no more ear-splitten Bards! What Its a wonder they ever survived.
else could I say but "YES!!!"
() _______ _______ []
|| | ._. | | * | ||
+=II=+|.(_).| |(...)| +=II=+
|| | .o. | |\~|~/| ||
|| \ . / | ||| | ||
|| . \ /. .. |_____| ||
|| , " . . , ||
`'() () () () `'
__ || || || || __
|| ( ) .||, .||, .||, .||, ( ) ||
|| _)(____ )(_____)(___)(_____)(________)(_ ||
||______ I|||///""\\.\ /.//""\( |||| )/"""\ ||||I ______||
||____|| "|| //""""\\.\/.//""""\~||||~/""""I\||||" ||____||
||----|| ||//I \\..// \||||/ I \||| ||----||
|| || | / I \\// \../ I \|| || ||
|| || "I I "" "" I I"" || ||
"" "" """" """" "" ""
"DRINK OF ALLEGIANCE"
by Imric Of Troyhadwyl
-=12=-
____________ Before You Roll A Mage
/ \ _________\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Lord Whilder Planrathe
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ |o be one of the most times of a OHE trained mage, but
\_/__________/ powerful mages of the after you get to a higher level,
land, you must first survive the your sword becomes useless as an
Character Manager. offensive weapon. The real problem
is that all of your friends will
The saying of An Old Sage is partly remember those levels that you were
in error. Before you step up and casting and swinging your sword in
face the dreaded Character Manager and no matter how long ago that was,
you must first be made aware of the they will continue to tell you how
options available to a mage. I will, great you are doing and how easy it
hopefully, not quote too many things is for you to advance.
already written about rolling up
mages or a character in general. The second advantage, is that any
bonus the weapon may have due to
Some of the best articles for mages its material or magical enchantments
can be found in back issues of this will be added on to your defensive
paper, though, I am not certain that bonus at full parry. This is almost
all of them have been moved to the as good as having a free defensive
GemStone Library. If you are unable spell that you never have to cast.
to find it in the GemStone Library
here, check the GemStone library in The third advantage, is OHE costs 9
the Multi-Player Games RoundTable development points, compared to the
(MPGRT) or the ancient one which was 18 development points for brawling.
located in Scorpia's RoundTable. The OHE mage can develop additional
skills with the extra 9 development
The articles I recommend that you points.
get are "The Essentials of Learning"
by Lythe L'Green (Vol.1, No. 5 Oct The disadvantages of training in OHE
1990); "Magic Section: Playing the are several:
Mage" by Lythe L'Green, "Spells and
Armors" by Yashantre Spleenbender, The first, is you do not want to go
and "The Delicate Art of Waving" by up against something that can cast
Twie MonteCristo (all three articles the spell weaponfire. At level 10,
are in Vol. 1, No 9, February 1991); you are looking at a DB drop of 54
lastly, "So you Want to be a Mage" points plus the bonus of the weapon
by Dagmar Istarii (Vol. 1, No. 11, destroyed. If it was laen, your DB
April 1991). will drop a total of 69 points. That
is usually enough to put the mage in
One of the biggest choices you must a "Time to call a Cleric" situation.
make for your mage, is whether you Also, weapons can break, placing you
should train in One-Handed Edged in the same situation.
(OHE) weapons or Brawling. OHE has
the following advantages: The second disadvantage, is you will
want to stay away from creatures
First, at the lower levels shockbolt that cast fear spells. Unless you
prepping time will be so long that have a great self-discipline bonus,
you will depend more on a sword than you face dropping both your weapon
your spells for quick advancement. and shield and being unable to move
Levels 5 through 10 or so, you can for several seconds. You should hunt
cast your spell, swing your sword these creatures with someone who can
and still have the time to parry up hold/stun/blind them, this can be a
against most creatures. lot of fun. Note that these types of
creatures are unlife and your spells
These levels are probably the best will work fine against them though
-=13=- More...
you will need a weapon blessed by a his shield, though that might be
cleric if you want to hit them the enough depending on the level and
Old-Fashioned way. stats of the individual mage. He
does not have to worry about weapon
The third disadvantage, has not yet breakage and the cost of replacement
happened at this writing, but it is weapons.
a possibility the OHE mage should be
aware of. The current way that we do Another advantage is the Brawling
combat allows an OHE mage to hold a mage is prepared for the new casting
weapon, shield, and still be able to system, no matter what requirements
cast spells. However, this has been they may be.
scheduled to change. The change will
require that one hand be empty in The disadvantages are the current
order to cast. The question on this cost of brawling (18 development
that has not been answered at this points) and the lack of the extra
time is, which hand? protection given by magical swords
at full parry. This means that the
If either hand, then the mage will Brawling mage will need additional
have a choice of leaving his shield protection from spells or items to
hand empty while casting. However, be as safe as an equal OHE mage.
if the requirement matches that of
the weapon users, ie right hand only The second thing a mage needs to do
then the higher level OHE mage could is plan out his spells. With all
be at an extreme disadvantage. Note three spell lists available to the
that I say could be, since there mage now known, it is the wise mage
will undoubtedly be other changes who will know when and how he wants
made at the same time that may help to develop his spells before he or
the OHE mage that I am not aware of. she steps into the Character Manager
for battle with the dice. The table
The Brawling mage has advantages and listed below has all of the spells
disadvantages. known and available to all mages.
The biggest advantage, is that the Note that you must learn the spells
brawling mage can hold a wand in his in the order listed. Your level will
right hand, his shield in his left not make a difference. If you were
hand and still parry. This means the level 10 and switched from the Mage
brawling mage can cast a spell, wave list to the Closed Essence list, the
his wand, then parry up in a short spell you learn will be spell 501
amount of time. Less time, in fact, (Sleep I). You have no options in
than the OHE mage can cast, swing a this, so plan out your training
sword, and parry up. accordingly.
The big disadvantage, is the rather Also note that you must learn the
slow advancement that the Brawling "Unlisted Spell" numbers as well.
mage will have until he reaches a For example, if you wish to train
level where his prep time for the from spell 920, Call Familiar, to
spell becomes almost zero seconds spell 925, Enchant True, then you
and his ability to trigger a wand is must learn spell numbers 921, 922,
an automatic success. Unlike the OHE 923 and 924. There are no spells in
mage, this ability to use a wand those "slots". This is to represent
immediately after casting, can be the difficulty of these higher level
used offensively at higher levels. spells.
At least until they implement the
new casting system. Please be aware of the requirements
for learning any of the higher level
The Brawling mage does not have to spells. Too many mages, and I am
worry about the weaponfire casting including myself in this, will pick
creatures, and if he fails against a out and target a high level spell
fear spell his biggest loss will be and work their way toward it. Look
-=14=- More...
over what you wish to learn very you could do with several lower
carefully and think about what you level spells as opposed to having
could do with those 5 extra spells one list completed up through spell
as opposed to only 1 spell, or what number 20.
___________________________________________________________________
/ \
/ SPELLS \
| Open Essence Mage Closed Essence |
| ------------ ------------ -------------- |
| @401 Guarding I #901 Shockbolt 501 Sleep I |
| 402 Presence *902 Magic Edge 502 Spellstore |
| 403 Lock Lore #903 Water Bolt @503 Blur |
| 404 Trap Lore #904 Stun Cloud 504 Slow I |
| 405 Detect @905 Displacement 505 Sleep II |
| @406 Guarding II #906 Fire Bolt *506 Haste I |
| 407 Word of Opening #907 Cold Ball @507 Deflection |
| 408 Word of Disarming #908 Fire Ball @508 Spell Bending |
| #409 Essence Blast 909 Tremors *509 Strength |
| 410 Essence Wave #910 Lightning Bolt 510 Unpain |
| *411 Essence Blade @911 Mass Blur 511 Floating Disk |
| *412 Blade Turn 912 Call Wind 512 Slow II |
| 413 Vulnerability #913 Death Cloud 513 Sleep III |
| @414 Guarding III #914 Firestorm *514 Haste II |
| #415 Essence Strike #915 Weapon Fire *515 Rapid Fire |
| 416 Piercing Gaze @916 Invisibility !516 Charge Wand |
| 417 Dispel Magic #917 Boil Earth !517 Charge Staff |
| 418 Gather Flows 918 Duplicate !@518 Bravery True |
| @419 Mass Guarding @919 Wizard's Shield 519 Sleep True |
| 420 Imbed Spell 920 Call Familiar !520 Calm Dragon |
| *425 True Strike 925 Enchant True !@525 Mist Form |
| !@430 Guarding True !930 Unknown !530 Word of Calling |
| !450 Flow Riding !950 Unknown !550 Dragon Control |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Notes: Mage spell 930 and 950 must be discovered by the advanced mage. |
| They are Unknown to all at this time. |
| |
| @ = Spells that add to target's defensive bonus. |
| # = Spells that can cause CP damage to the target. |
| * = Spells that increase the targets offensive ability. |
| ! = Spell is not implemented at this time. |
| Note: I have heard that the Closed Essence spell list is undergoing |
| major changes. I would recommend that any mage interested in this, |
| download the forum discussion from the GemStone library. |
| |
| To get a full description of each spell, go to the Tomes and at the |
| Query? prompt type in the word "Spells" then select the number that |
\ matches the spell list you desire to know about. /
\____________________________________________________________________/
Let us take a general look at each In other words, your level is cross
list, its known advantages and its referenced against the difficulty of
disadvantages. the target, and fate determines your
success or failure. If you think
Open Essence. This list is available this is easy, talk to sorcerers.
to several professions, including
sorcerers, thieves, and bards. This The two spells on this list that can
list uses essence type channeling do actual damage to your target are
and not any skills you can develop. Essence Blast and Essence Strike.
-=15=- More...
Essence Wave, while not causing any is also available only to the mage,
damage, will "freeze" the target, though I have not verified this. At
lowering its defense a little, and first glance, this list looks very
keep it frozen in place for several weak to the mage, but it has several
seconds allowing you to attack it advantages. The Sleep spells will
without fear. Other spells, such as cause the target to simply fall to
Vulnerability, if successful, will the ground and fall asleep. This
lower the targets defense, making it will lower the defense of the target
much easier to hit. The best overall considerably. With careful timing
defensive spells available to the the mage can attack the sleeping
mage are on this list. Each Guarding figure and be able to return to full
spell will protect against physical, parry before the target can get back
magical and channeling attacks and to its feet and attack. Each Sleep
have good durations. spell affects a certain level of
creature, but not other levels.
The disadvantage of this list is for
offense in its channeling type rolls Spell store will allow the mage to
for success and that the useful prepare a spell for combat and keep
spells for offensive combat are at it ready for an indefinite amount of
spell level 9 and up. time, as opposed to the spell fading
from the mage within 10-15 seconds
Mage list. Available only to mages. after it is ready to cast.
This list contains the best spells
for the mage who wants to go out and The Slow spells cause the targets to
blast things. All bolt and ball type take longer between attacks (3 or 6
attacks use the mages Directed Spell seconds, depending on which spell is
skill to determine the ability to used), where as the Haste spells
hit the target. Also, knowing these subtract from the time the target
spells makes it easier for the mage needs to take actions. Haste II is a
to trigger wands which contain these favorite to cast on sword-swingers
spells. In addition, the variety of in your party, as it allows them to
directed spells is better, as some attack as fast as possible.
creatures are more resistant to one
type of spell or another, and some Strength will add to the offensive
types of armor that are extremely capability of the target and affects
difficult to hit with one spell may both weapon use and Directed Spells
be ridiculously easy to hit with casting alike. Out of those three
another spell. defensive spells, though, none are
that strong. Two will protect only
Two spells that do not use a mage's against physical attacks while the
Directed Spells skill are Weaponfire third affects only defense against
and Boil Earth. The Weaponfire spell channeling type attacks. Two of the
is a quick way to disarm an opponent defensive spells are much shorter in
and do a small bit of damage, while duration than most other defensive
the Boil Earth spell can damage, and spells available to the mage.
with extreme luck, kill an opponent
without requiring the mage to parry I hope that this general overview of
down and possibly be hit himself. weapon versus brawling and of the
The disadvantage to those two spells spell lists is useful to those who
is their cost in Power Points to the wish to try being a mage. Careful
mage and the extreme difficulty to planning of the gaining of spells
actually do significant damage. can, at the higher levels, make all
the difference between the everyday
All three defensive spells protect mage who walks the land and the Mage
the mage from physical attacks and who is the Master of the Flows of
do not add to the mages ability to Essence.
resist magic or channeling attacks.
The Character Manager awaits your
Closed Essence. I believe this list decisions.
-=16=-
Keys (Part 1)
___________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ Anonymous
\@| /~/~~\_\ |
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ | o, you're new here, he said in a soft voice, "Are you in
/@| \~\__/~/ | right? I could tell. the habit of buying drinks and leav-
\_/ ~~~~~~ / Sure, have a seat. A ing them on the bar." He didn't make
~~~~~~~~~~ drink? Why, thank you. it a question; it was a statement. I
An ale, if you please. Yes, I remem- was trying to come up with something
ber my first visit to Helga's. It to say to keep from looking like a
was--well, let me tell you about it. fool in front of all the folks I had
pushed through when I noticed that
I stepped through the doors and into his cloak was not a garment you just
Helga's Tavern, my pockets jingling buy. The corner was too dark to make
with coin from my first explorations it out clearly, but it certainly had
and victories just outside the gates darker stripes against the dark
of Kelfour's Landing. Two of the cloak. Thinking of the strange capes
kobolds I met had been very generous and cloaks worn by others who walked
to me, giving me a chest each for my the lands, I suddenly realized: Here
efforts. I thought to celebrate and is someone I might not want to be on
was given directions to this tavern. the bad side of.
I must admit I was rude, being flush Oh, stop snickering. I am well aware
with victories and what was, to me, that there are those who could kill
a vast amount of coin. I pushed past me without trying. Just you attack a
what were obviously the "regulars," Lord or Lady when you're fresh out
dock workers and common townsfolk of your apprenticeship. Many will
that filled the room, ignoring their just insult you by sitting down and
mutters and remarks. What did they watching you attack them.
know? They worked at their dull,
boring jobs, destined never to know Anyway, I thought fast. I said, "I
the true thrill of living life as it saw you sitting here and wondered if
was meant to be lived. After much you might like a drink. I'm buying,
effort, I got the bartender's atten- of course." Stop that laughing! Yes,
tion, ordered ale, and moved off to I said it exactly like that! I did!
find a table. Ah, that one in the I--I-- all right, all right. I stam-
corner will do nicely, I thought. I mered and cleared my throat, but the
elbowed my way through the crowd. gist of it got through. He politely
asked for ale and I went back and
As I reached my targeted table, I purchased one and brought both ales
realized someone already sat there back to the table. He invited me to
in the shadows, his back against the sit with him and asked me some ques-
wall. The hood of his cloak came far tions about myself. Of course I
forward, hiding his features; and answered! Each and every one of his
the cloak wrapped around him so I questions, and truthfully! I swear
couldn't see what else he might be it! Why? Because I recalled a Lady
wearing. What did you ask? Oh, how who was walking through the area I
did I know it was a male and not a was exploring. This wolverine came
female? Well, truthfully, I did not charging out of a bush and snapped
know until much later when he left. at her. She simply brushed it aside
He whispered, and I never got a look with a swipe of her weapon, then
at his face. Now, stop interrupting apologized. Apologized! To me! She
me so I can finish. thought she had taken away a kill
from me!
Where was I? Oh yes, I made my way
over, ready to tell this person to Ah, I see you remember your first
move, that I was claiming the table meetings with those beasts. I was
as my own. But before I could speak fortunate that it attacked the Lady
-=17=-
instead of me. More than fortunate, wounds on him, and he knew he could
since she skinned it and gave it to not stand many more. Still, he felt
me as a trophy. It is NOT the same he could defeat the creature, and
one I showed off and claimed as my visions of displaying its foul hide
own kill. That one WAS my first to his friends made him forget his
kill, not the one the Lady gave me. injuries. Thinking of friends made
I swear it! the Lord Ranger look around himself.
Slowly he let out a sad sigh.
Anyway, he seemed satisfied with my
answers and we had another ale. Of Where WAS the town from here? In
course, I bought. As we were on our fact, where was 'here'?
third ale, he asked if he could help
me with anything, seeing that I was Well, someone would find him sooner
so generous. Well, I'll tell you, I or later and lead him back to town.
thought long and hard. Remember, I It wouldn't be the first time that
still wasn't sure if this was a male had happened. He went back to stalk
or female, though by this time I had the beast. And stopped.
figured out that it must be a full-
blooded elf. I knew it because their He was at the top of a small valley,
eyes are different. They kind of obviously created by an earthquake a
glow when they use that infra-vision long time ago, from its weathered
of theirs. The glow gave the eye- sides. Still, he didn't remember any
shape of a full elf, not one of the report of a steep valley. He leaned
half-elfs that populate this town. I forward to see if there might be a
did notice that the glow was maybe a way to climb down to explore it.
very light grey in color.
A roar came from right behind him!
I thought about it while we finished Startled, the Lord Ranger spun to
our ales and ordered another round. meet the beast and lost his balance,
Then it struck me, what bothered me tumbling backwards into the valley.
when I found my first chest! So I His only thoughts as he fell were
asked. "Where do the creatures who how he would track the creature down
keep their treasure in those locked and kill it if he ever found a way
chests keep the key? I looked all out of the valley. Tumbling head
over and could never find it." over heels, the Lord Ranger lost
consciousness. At the top of the
Don't look at me like that. It was a valley wall, the Torkaan bleated in
fair question. Haven't you ever won- satisfaction and turned to make its
dered about that? Hah! I knew it! way back to the grasslands.
And you probably think that there is
no answer, don't you? The Lord Ranger awoke and immedi-
ately tended his injuries. Then he
Of course I know. The elf told me. noticed that he was lying in a large
You want to hear the tale? All thorn bush. Carefully he extracted
right, here it is in his own words. himself, unraveling all the bandages
he had just used and causing one or
The Tale two more injuries from the thorns.
~~~~~~~~ He settled down to tend his wounds
"You have to understand, I don't again. After a couple of hours, he
dare use any names. Some folks would looked like a mummy, but the bleed-
be very upset if this ever got out. ing was under control. He decided to
Most everyone will deny it if you climb up the way he had come down.
ask, but that will be your decision.
It all happened this way..." Halfway up, he remembered he had not
bothered to learn anything about
"The Lord Ranger carefully stalked climbing.
forward, gleaming sword ready. The
terrible beast he stalked and bat- After waking up again, tending
tled for hours had inflicted several himself again, climbing out of the
-=18=- (Continued Page 20)
____________ Monster Chronicles: Grey Orcs
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|~|~~|| | by Jarran Terraxx
| |~|_ ~~ |
_| |~|-| |
/@| |~| |or some time, the area will assume that you will be hunting
\_/ ~~~~~ / known as Grey Orcs there alone.
~~~~~~~~~~~ had been one of the
most ideal places to hunt for money In order to hunt these Orcs and keep
and treasure. However, recently it from making the same mistakes I did,
seems the Grey Orcs have hit a slump it is wise to be in at least your
and are not nearly as wealthy as tenth year of training, as well as
they once were. Perhaps it's due to have the necessary equipment with
the constant adventuring in the area which to handle them.
or perhaps it is the short supply of
the materials they needed. Whatever Unlike their darker cousins, Grey
the case may be, for now they are Orcs do not have quite as powerful a
barely able to find any treasure to Defensive and Offensive Bonus. This
reward those who hunt them. does not, by any means, indicate
that they are less dangerous -- as I
Yet this does not mean they are any quickly discovered on more than one
less dangerous than they were. Quite occasion.
often, those adventurers that hunted
there lost their lives in their The Grey Orcs prefer to wear leather
pursuit of riches. Grey Orcs are by armor which gives them a Defensive
far the most dangerous of orcs in Bonus (commonly referred to as DB)
the lands these days. of about 90, making them difficult
to hit for younger adventurers. In
Grey Orcs inhabit a small area with- most cases they can be parry-tagged.
in the Forest Lands. This area is Which means raising your DB to its
both secluded and a bit dangerous to maximum and waiting for them to
get into. When the Grey Orcs settled attack; then dropping your parry to
into their area, they made sure that 0 -- thereby placing all of your DB
it was both secluded and some- into your OB (or Offensive Bonus);
what guarded from the unwary. swinging at them, and then raising
your DB to full again. Unfortunately
The trail to their hidden land is this leaves you at an extremely big
hidden down a foot path that is disadvantage if another Grey Orc
heavily guarded by creatures known happens to come running into the
as Werebears. However, the Werebears area while you are defenseless.
are best left discussed for another
day. For now, we'll discuss our Grey Orcs also have quite a powerful
friends, the Grey Orcs. OB themselves. They usually prefer
to use maces, which gives them an OB
The Grey Orcs get their name from of 90. I quickly found this out when
the greyish color of their skin. The I tried parry tagging one, only to
color, along with their features, is have another one come in the area
enough to make the young adventurer and shatter my chest with one shot,
sick from just looking at them. The making my life generally unhappy at
ugliness of their features is by far the loss of my weapon, shield and my
the least of the more experienced life.
adventurer's concern.
However, this is not the main reason
When I was young and foolish enough why so many adventurers have lost
to go with others to hunt this then their lives here. The first time I
land of bountiful treasures, I soon went hunting Grey Orcs I thought, No
discovered just how dangerous these problem, I can handle them. That was
creatures could really be. However, also before I discovered, by taking
for the purpose of discussion we a fire bolt in the skull and leaving
-=19=-
my head a smoldering stump, that that these chests are Level II and
Grey Orcs have a limited ability for more often than not, are trapped.
casting spells. Naturally, at the
time this all-too-late discovery did So before you go hunting in Grey
very little to save my head...not to Orcs, it would be a wise idea to
mention give new meaning to the make sure someone knows where you
phrase, "well done." are hunting, just in case you meet
an unfortunate demise. And if you
So far to date, Grey Orcs have been see a Stun Cloud, don't hesitate to
known to cast only two spells. Fire run. :)
bolt, which I mentioned earlier, is
easy to defend against with proper ________________________________
spells and equipment. However, their / \
most dangerous and destructive spell | Descr. of Grey Orcs: This Orc, |
is Stun Cloud. At first, these semi | midway in size between a lesser |
harmless looking clouds, appear as | and a greater orc, has a greyish |
simple red clouds in the air. But | cast to its skin, lending an |
within seconds, this harmless cloud | unhealthy pallor to an already |
begins sparking and taking on a new | hideous countenance. Its dim |
form. Scant moments later, the cloud | intelligence flickers behind the |
begins unleashing nasty and all-too | narrow eyes, and a mocking grin |
often deadly bolts of fire. This | shows blackened and rotted teeth.|
usually leaves the adventurer in a \________________________________/
rather dangerous position. However,
it has also been verified by me, as Keys - Continued from Page 18
I stood stunned from a blast of one ~~~~
of the stun clouds, that Grey Orcs thorn bush again, and tending his
are also defenseless against these wounds yet again, he decided to walk
creations they set loose. More than along the valley floor to see if
once I have seen a Grey Orc meet there was an easier way out, like a
its own demise from these clouds. stairway.
Please also note that Stun Clouds
have a tendency to travel from room A while later the Lord Ranger noted
to room. So even if you do happen that thorn bushes covered both sides
to get out of the room where one of the steep walls. In fact, they
was set off, be wary. It might just were like an obstacle to keep anyone
decide to follow you, depending on from climbing down. Or up. His end
which way the wind is blowing. of the valley narrowed suddenly and
went almost straight up. Sighing,
The best equipment to take to fight the Lord Ranger turned to go to the
Grey Orcs is laen equipment, due other end when he spotted some move-
to their resistance from breakage ment under one of the thorn bushes.
and the added bonus they give. Do Quickly the Lord Ranger drew his
keep in mind however, that if you sword and prepared for battle.
are slain by a Grey Orc, they will
usually give up their own shield (To Be Continued) * * *
for your more expensive one, which ***-*-*
leaves you roughly 33,000 silvers _//* . . *\_
poorer and nothing to show for it. *| | *
All too often, I have lost my prize *********** \ \//
equipment to the Grey Orcs, and now **************** - *
that they are very poor creatures, ************************
it is usually not worth the loss of **/_****** *** ***********
such expensive gear. ****** *** ***** *** *
***** *** *** ** *
As far as treasure goes, if you are ) / / ( \ | | /
lucky enough to kill a Grey Orc ( \ \| |) ||
that happened to be carrying some || || || ||
kind of chest or box, keep in mind ## ## ## ##
-=20=
____________ Inside the Spider Temple
/ \ _________\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Lord Trachten Hickapod
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ |he inside of the you are hiding in the room. Priests
\_/__________/spider temple has re- and priestesses are well versed in
opened and offers excellent hunting, the open channeling spell list. The
especially for ambushers. flare spell is probably the worst of
their attacks (it is the equivalent
Both the priests and acolytes are of a fireball attack). Fortunately,
stunnable, get normal criticals, and they prefer to use their weapons,
do not have critical resistance. only casting spells every 8 rounds
They will sit and tend, but not if or so.
_______________________________________________________________________
// \
|| Priest/Priestess Hrasskian Acolyte |
|| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|| Level: 26 Level: 23 |
|| Attacks/OB: Scimitar/200, Sword/200, Attacks/OB: War Hammer/170 |
|| Flare/201 |
|| DB: 205 DB: 188 |
|| Roundtime: 9 Seconds Roundtime: 7 Seconds |
|| Cp's: Approx. 220 Cp's: Approx. 190 |
|| AT: 2 AT: 16 |
|| Skin: None Skin: None |
|| Treasure: Level 3 Chests Treasure: Level 3 Chests |
|| Special: Word of Stun, Guidance, Special: None |
|| Unbalance, Web Spell |
\_______________________________________________________________________/
Mammoth arachnids are not so good THT of AT 4 vs a falch is 84 but for
for ambushers. They have short RT's the Arachnids vs. a falch it is 83.
(more commonly known as Roundtimes),
and get large criticals. Blind and _______________________________
e-wave work on them, but when using // \
e-wave, be careful as the arachnids || Mammoth Arachnids |
tend to stand and strike at the same || ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
instant. || Level: 30 |
|| Attacks/OB: Ensnare/220 |
The AT (also known as Armor Type) of || Bite/235 |
the Mammoth Arachnids requires a || DB: 180 |
little explanation. Like many other || Roundtime: 6 Seconds |
creatures with natural protection in || CP's: Approx. 325 |
GemStone, the Arachnids have what is || AT: 4 (-1) |
called a 'tweaked' AT. The critical || Skin: None |
thresholds and cp damage match that || Treasure: None |
of AT 4, but the THT's are AT 4 || Special: Web |
THT's MINUS ONE. For example, the \\_______________________________/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Webbing was a big problem with the now have a chance to dodge the web.
old spider temple. The new webs are However, if you are webbed again
a slight improvement. For priests before the first web wears off, it
the web spell is a channeling RR STILL increases your web time. Solo
spell, and for the spiders it is a hunters should log as soon as they
hard maneuver roll. Either way, you are webbed, because the arachnid
-=21=-
will just stand there piling more DB and possibly your Roundtime are
and more webs on. To make problems affected.
worse, webbed adventurers cannot be
dragged. The worst thing about hunting the
spider temple is the number of rooms
If you are webbed, the duration is to check and doors to go through. I
10s/lvl of caster (modified by the ended up writing up four macros for
result of your maneuver roll for the searching the rooms, one starting in
arachnids web). Your DB from your each room around the altar (N, S, E,
QU, shield, and armor bonus will be and W). When hunting solo, I found
lost. Your entire DB will come from that 2-3 creatures gen'd at a time.
spells and your parried OB. You can Having macros to help me track them
be partially webbed, where your OB, down made life much simpler.
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\_@| --- Inside the Spider Temple --- |
| |
| X C C E |
| \ ^ ^ ^ |
| 'E' and 'C' \| | | adjectives describe |
| rooms are cells, X--X--X E doors to get to |
| 'E' cells have \ ^ leg, e.g. 'go gold |
| escape tunnels \| door' to go to this |
| X X--X <-- leg |
| C C C C \ / |
| ^ ^ ^ ^ onyx gold |
| | | | | \ / |
| X--X--X--X--X X X--X |
| \ /^\ / |
| marb / | \ wind |
| \ / | \ / |
| 'A' marks altar X<--A-->X* <- arch -> X <- go door, |
| in center of temple, / \ |* / \ * entrance |
| 'go altar' to get basa \ | / bej to spider |
| to it / \v/ \ temple |
| X--X X* X |
| * / \ * \ |
| gold rings only work wood teak \ |
| in rooms marked with '*' / \ X |
| : X--X X--X * |
| : * * |
| : |
| There are only a few rooms in the temple where you may use a |
| navigator's ring (marked with a '*' on the map). Beyond the |
| teak and wood doors are safe rooms, i.e., no creatures there. |
/@ | : //~~~~~~~~~\ |
\_/_________________:_____ // __________________________________________/
___:__ |/ _______
/ : \ || //-------\\
/ \| // ________ \\
| |// //-------\\
| _|_/______ \\
\ / \-----\\ \\
____\ / | \\ \
------ -----| @@@ ||
// // \ __ @@ @ ||
// // || @@@ ||
// // ||
|| \\ || -=22=-
|| \\__\\________
\\ -- -------
_______________ Robomagess Part 2
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Belladonna Atropa
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| |
/@| _|__/ \__|_|ith the ranger at "I hate just looking for the things.
\_/_____________/ my side, walking When I am fighting them I know what
anxiously (I had not yet figured out to expect." He said with a hint of
a way to make rings work), we headed uneasiness creeping into his voice.
up Blototh.
I smiled, knowing exactly how he
"Are you sure you want to do this?" felt, yet at the same time, I had
he asked needlessly. "The last time never done this before. My mind on a
things did not work out too well, million things at once, I led the
you were... normal then." way around a corner, almost bumping
into the back of a golem who was
"I am normal now," I replied keeping doing a sidestep dance with another
my eyes on the steep path we were golem.
following.
I began preparing the blur spell
"Well, normal for you," he replied automatically, casting it on the
nonchalantly. "You are still a bit ranger as the golem facing us lifted
stiff compared to most fighters or its foot and stomped. I jumped back
even most mages with swords. I am up on my feet, and fired all four of
still not sure how that 'armor' of my right wands at the back of the
yours is going to work, especially other golem. Four good, solid hits.
against golems."
The ranger was slowly wobbling his
"It is not armor," I murmured rather way to his feet, trying to find them
quietly. "It is what passes for my and the ground at the same time. I
chest. I do not know how it works as had done this before, yet it had not
armor, as a chest it seems to get worked. At the same time, I had
the job done." never done this before.
"What do you say about trying cave I prepared a shockbolt spell, firing
trolls for a while, just to get you it at the golem who still had not
warmed up a little?" He asked a bit turned to face us. A clean shot to
hopefully. the head, but all that seemed to do
was wake him up. He finally turned,
"I did fairly well hunting golems and stomped.
before that fight. I never had much
luck with cavers." As I spoke, we He stepped on the ranger's right arm
crossed over the fallen door into but before I could move to help him
the steel halls. I had never heard to his feet, the first golem pounded
the place so silent. at me with its huge fist. I waved
my four left fingers at that golem,
We stood for a moment, but nothing prepared another shockbolt, bringing
seemed to be moving within. I had my arm up to fire the spell at that
not come up here to not fight steel same golem.
golems.
Suddenly, everything seemed to start
"Hello, is anybody home?" I called, moving in slow motion again. A third
tickling the ranger carefully, to golem literally stomped around the
avoid cutting him with the falchion. corner ahead. My shockbolt shot over
the second golem's left shoulder. I
For a while, we heard the echoes of fell to the ground, my eyes locking
my voice, but no other sounds. With on the third golem, the one wearing
a shrug, I moved on farther into the a green silk cloak and a gold ring.
side of the mountain. I always wondered if they recycled
-=23=- More...
these things. about fighting a long time ago.
I landed on my left side, trying to I yanked my shield off my left hand,
roll to my feet. My thoughts started hooked the ranger under his left arm
running far ahead of my body, I had and dragged him out of the room. He
already prepared and fired the next was lying on the ground, still in
spell while my legs were struggling shock, but at least not in danger of
to get me up off the ground. being stepped on by either of the
heavy walkers. I draped his cloak
I saw the ranger mouthing sounds as over him to keep him warm, doing my
he stared at his rapier, which was best to tend his arm wound, reset my
lying on the ground near what was shield and headed back to the fight.
left of his now broken arm.
Only one golem was still waiting for
My gaze on the ranger was suddenly me in the next room. One battered
broken as a golem pounded at me with steel golem, the one with the ring
its huge fist. Despite how low I was and the cloak had disappeared, as
to the ground, it still managed to had the rapier. I shuddered to think
brush against my back. I hardly felt of a steel golem walking around with
a thing. a shaalk rapier, but I knew that my
imagination was getting carried away
I tried to prepare a displacement again. Things that get dropped have
spell, but my body still had not yet always had an interesting habit of
caught up to the shockbolt I knew I disappearing. Besides, golems did
needed to cast at the first golem. not carry weapons.
My mind kept moving. I realized that
I needed to finish up the golem that I waited for the attack from the one
had first stomped, since I had hit remaining golem, I was up on my toes
it the hardest already. I also knew and ready to duck out from under its
I needed to take on the second golem heavy swing. Golems were so easy.
after that.
The arm came up and then around. I
My body had finally gotten me back ducked, then stepped in, fired off a
on my feet. I had prepared a spell. shockbolt, followed by a blast from
I knew where it needed to go, but I my four left fingers. The cold ball
could not take my eyes off the golem turned its head into an ice cube and
in the green silk cloak. the huge shape fell to the ground. I
quickly searched the golem, but came
As it swung at me, I quickly ducked; up empty, so I headed back to check
that seemed to break the slow spell. on the ranger.
Things started moving at a normal
rate again. The shockbolt slammed He was still in shock, but with the
into the chest of the most damaged blood loss stemmed, at least his
golem, slamming into its chest and color was better. I did what I could
leaving a gaping hole there. One was to make him comfortable, elevating
down. his legs, waiting, crouched next to
the maimed figure. I continued to
I looked at the ranger. He still had wait and wait. Suddenly, he blinked
not moved. He seemed to be in shock, and then shuddered. Pulled his cloak
in fact, which was hardly surprising up around his chin, finally looking
considering what had just happened up at me.
to him.
"Where am I?" he asked, his voice
I waved my four right fingers at the seemed to sound far away.
second golem, four solid hits to its
body, but not much else. It swung, "Blototh. You are on Blototh. Can
hammering me in the chest. I seemed you tell me where you are?" I asked.
to hold up against it pretty well, I
finally remembered what I had known "I'm in steel golems?" he responded,
-=24=-
almost as if he was not sure. seemingly still a little in shock.
He would be all right. No, maybe he We stepped onto the fallen door, the
would not be all right. He was not rapier came slashing down out of
looking at me, he was looking past nowhere. The ranger fell from my
me, and yet, there was nobody there. arms, dazed, pressing his remaining
hand into his torn stomach.
With a sudden chill running down my
spine, I carefully straightened from I yanked my shield free, hooking my
my crouch and turned around. Before left fingers under his left arm. As
I realized what was happening, the I did, I saw the golem pulling the
rapier came slashing down, clipping ring off its hand, I quickly dropped
me on the front of my right shoulder the ranger, swinging my falchion
and stopped there, turned aside by across and tearing into steel. The
my weird new skin. I was bleeding, hand clutching the ring fell away,
but just barely. as I reset my shield the golem and I
looked at one another and smiled.
I brought my hands up and fired from
all eight wands. The blast literally The golem stomped. I jumped back to
picked the golem up and slammed it my feet as the rapier came slashing
against the wall, after the force of down again. This golem was not going
the wands released the golem, it to be easy! I stepped back, prepared
dropped to the floor. blur, and cast it on myself. I was
going to need every little bit of
I smiled at the golem, it smiled at help I could get.
me, then it took off its ring.
The golem stepped in, pounded at me
"No!" I shouted, quickly preparing a with its left arm stump. I brought
shockbolt, but by the time I fired the shield up to take the blow, at
it, the target had disappeared. the same instant, spinning to bring
the falchion around to catch the
"Was that my rapier?" he groaned. I rapier. I deflected the rapier with
nodded. "Sorry. I should not have ease.
left it lying there."
Without giving it time to swing at
"I will take it out of your cut." I me again, I quickly waved all eight
said jokingly, then turned serious. fingers at the golem. Two clean
"So far, I have not found anything misses, two of the fireball attacks
on them as yet." exploded uselessly against the wall.
Six hits, and none gave me any kind
"We found a golem with a ring," he of an advantage.
glanced around nervously.
The golem pounded at me again. I
"Yes, and it is using it. I better raised the shield, spun once again
get you out of here." I helped him to bring the falchion around, but
to his feet, and we began walking this time its right hand pounded as
towards the fallen door. well, the rapier sliced into me and
left me a broad cut on my chest.
We walked around the bend, carefully
this time. No golems dancing. We My falchion managed to clip him on
continued down the hall, making one the shoulder, but accomplished very
last turn. I could see the door just little. It stepped towards me. I
ahead of us. stepped back, and bumped into the
wall. The golem smiled.
"You ready for some sunshine?" I
teased, knowing it was well after I prepared a shockbolt and cast it.
dark. Did golems have noses that mattered?
This one did not any more. While it
"Moonshine is okay," he responded, pondered the loss of its nose, I
-=25=-
stepped away from the wall, pushing me that had not been replaced, but I
quickly past the golem, putting my did not run as much as I had before.
back to the fallen door and the cool Stopping by the stump on my way down
night air outside. The golem turned the mountain, I thought, "Is he all
and stepped after me. I slashed with right?"
the falchion, then waited for its
next attack. Seconds passed before I finally got
a response. I picked up the thoughts
It brought the rapier slashing down. of the ranger, "He will live."
I raised my shield to catch the blow
as it stomped. I fell to the ground The offer I got for the emerald was
and quickly rolled to my left as its pretty insulting, so I kept it. I
left arm stump punched straight into returned the rapier and shield to
the floor. From my knees, I attacked the ranger, then asked one of the
its right leg. The falchion cutting local bards about the cloak. He said
deeply, leaving half a leg on that it was not magical, but could easily
side. I stepped into the golem and be enchanted. Not that I could have
stuck my right pinky wand against afforded that just then, but it
its chest and fired at point blank gave me something to think about.
range.
I still have both the emerald and
As the smoking ruins of the golem the ring. I am waiting for the next
sank towards the ground, I scrambled visit by the merchants, to see if we
to check on the ranger. With the can make those into some kind of
stomach wound on top of the blood he pendant I can use instead of a ring.
had already lost, he was in poor
shape.
I rubbed my chest. "We are going to
need a healer in the town square, in
a hurry!"
___
I could never carry the ranger far @/- -/@
enough that fast, even with two good @/- _/@/
hands. Then I remembered something, | | /
quickly turning and searching the | ||
golem. One green silk cloak. One | ||
blue shaalk rapier. Best of all, in | ||
its chest cavity, an emerald. What | ||
an emerald it was! But no ring. | ||
| ||
The ring had been on the hand I cut | ||
off. I looked around the floor, | ||_
found it, grabbed the ring, pressing _/___\_\_
it onto the ranger's finger. / \.\
/ \..\
I quickly broadcasted over the think | /^\ |..|
net, "He is on his way." I looked | | | |..|
one more time around the room. The | \_/ |..|
ranger had dropped his shield during | _____ |..|
the battle. I picked up the shield, \ ___ /../
his shaalk rapier, stuffing those in \ _______ /./
my backpack, picked up the cloak,
draped it over my shoulders, picked
up the emerald and headed towards
the door.
It was a long walk with no company.
My legs were about the only part of
-=26=-
_________ Matter of Honor (Part IV)
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Sean2 Ladd
| | | |
_| |~| |
/@| _|~|_ | was surrounded by at grandfather gotten me into?!
\_/ ~~~~~ / least a dozen or more of
~~~~~~~~my so-called new comrades. "Yes-s," he hissed at me. "I like
There were a few smiles, but they pretty-boys, I like pretty halfie
were the kind of smile the cat shows boys even better..."
the mouse, and they were all aimed
at me. The last was said just as he grabbed
for me with his left hand. I had
"Well, well, well. Here is a real been expecting something of the sort
pretty-boy." and quickly stepped back, drawing my
sword. Whatever doubts may have been
"What shall we do with our newest lingering, were quickly put to rest.
'comrade', eh lads?" the biggest one I was not about to simply roll over
continued. "O-o-o-h, and a halfie, and give in.
too. I always liked pretty halfie
boys..." I could feel the sword-bond begin to
form between myself and the sword,
If there had been any confusion as drawing deeply on the power that it
to what was supposed to happen next, offered. Perhaps my grandfather had
it was being dispelled quickly. The been testing me all these years, to
implications of the ringleader's see if I am truly 'tek T'Maerionnal.
rude remarks were not lost on me. My After all, he himself had performed
ex-teacher, Callinthaerion, had told the rite of House Weapons Sealing,
me about the various forms of shield giving me the ability to double, or
partnering. even triple, my fighting skills at
will.
According to Callin, they ranged
from the purely professional of two "Watch it, Mik!" one of the others
or more people assigned to do a job; called, as my sword began to glow
to the long-term friendship and the lightly. "He has one of them cursed
trust of mercs who worked together elf-bonded swords!"
for a long time and knew each others
abilities AND shortcomings; to the The one called Mik, the ring-leader,
partnering of two people in full, stopped and drew his arm back to his
with all that implied. It looked sword, lightly resting his hand on
like the last was what the big one the sword hilt. He looked me over
was after. Sort of. with narrowed eyes, as if studying
an intriguing puzzle.
It is not that I was offended by the
concept. Shal'maak couplings of both "So, a pretty halfie boy with a
men and women had been common enough pretty halfie toy," he said, smiling
at my grandfather's keep, no-one had coldly. "It is so-o-o big, too."
made any kind of distinction between
them and the male-female type of Three or four of the others laughed
arrangements. I was not interested. harshly, the rest watched intently.
I was also less interested in being I drew deeply on the bond, feeling
"forced" into such an arrangement. it gather its strength as its power
meshed with my own power and skills.
I took a second to look around, and I straightened from the defensive
noticed something that had escaped crouch I had automatically assumed.
me before. There were no women in
the camp, of any kind. That brought "True," I replied, as calmly, and
on a sense of panic that had not with as much assurance, as I could.
been there before. Just what had my "I am a 'halfie', as you so quaintly
-=27=-
put it. Sean 'tek T'Ma..." was Torvaal, my Company Commander.
Torvaal I recognized, because he had
I had forgotten my nurses warning once come to my grandfather's keep
about using my real name, just as I in person, along with some guild
had been about to say "Sean 'tek representative, to take my oath to
T'Maerionnal, at your service" when the company. It was hard to believe
a blast of power had surged from the that it was only yesterday, if today
sword through the bond. The pain of was still today.
that blast was so intense that I had
been driven to my knees, unable to The other person was no-one I knew,
breath and unable to release the but I had a vague, uneasy feeling
sword. that he was someone I was not going
to like.
The sword was glowing a brilliant
red, pulsing like a living thing. "I do not give a rat's knackers!"
With every pulse another blast of Torvaal yelled at the other person.
pain washed through my body. The "The old man assured me that your
understanding of what my grandfather skill was sufficient to detach the
had done flashed through my mind, sword once the curse was triggered.
but was driven out by yet another Also, that once it was detached, you
wave of pain. I could see the faces could transfer it to me. I want that
of the men surrounding me, most of sword! Now!! Do you understand, me,
them pointing and laughing; some of NOW!!"
them intently enjoying my pain with
a relish that would have disgusted "Torvaal, I have already told you,"
me had I been able to think clearly. the other replied quietly. "That the
There would be no help from them! curse some how appears to be tied to
the sword bond. If you break the
Suddenly I seemed to be able to hear bond now, you will kill the boy."
my grandfather's voice. He seemed
amused and rather pleased with what "If you kill the boy," he rushed to
was occurring. continue. "The sword will fade. The
old man WAS right, I CAN break the
"So soon? Heh, heh, he must have bond. But he did not tell you two
drawn deeply on the bond, too. Good, primary facts. One being that YOU
very good. Yes-s, nicely done. But need to be part elf, which we both
not too much, I want it to live for know you are not."
awhile yet..."
"The second," he said, holding up a
At that I felt darkness wash over me hand to forestall Torvaal's reply.
as the lack of air began to take its "The second fact, is if the bond is
effect. broken, the boy dies and the sword
goes poof!"
--==++==--
"Curse that old man!" Torvaal's face
I was aware, yet not truly awake. I grew purple with rage. "Curse him to
could feel the pain of seriously the nethermost hell! He has lied to
abused muscles throughout my entire me, he has used me, and he tricked
body, yet the sensation seemed to be me. He...tricked...me!! Curse him!"
distant, as if some how I were not
really connected to the rest of me. "Shoe is on the other foot for once,
As I grew more "aware", I noticed a eh?" the other man chuckled.
figure laying on a cot below me,
with two other men standing over it. Torvaal whirled and reached for his
That figure was myself. I had heard sword. The man just stood there with
of this, but never even expected to a sardonic grin on his face. Torvaal
experience it. glared at him for a few seconds and
then drew a deep breath, releasing
One of the two people in the tent his pent up anger.
-=28=-
"You are right, Miktok, it is," he "What?!" Torvaal let out a shout.
replied flatly. "But that does not "All this so that YOU can have the
mean I have to like it!" sword?!"
"You were right about the old man, "Relax!" Miktok countered. "If you
too," he continued as he turned to stop and think, the only place that
peer down at my body on the cot. "He is warded all the time is my tent.
is one tricky bastard. So, how do we More specifically, my special chest.
salvage something from this?" I will have to keep the sword in
there. Otherwise the bond will start
"We?" asked the mage, with a gleam. to grow..and we will have to do this
"I do not know about you, but I am all over again. And again, and..."
going to mute the spell enough so
that the boy can function. While I "Alright already!" Torvaal finally
am at it, I will blank out the sword acknowledged grudgingly. "I get the
and the curse from the boy's active point."
memory."
Torvaal glared at the mage for a
"When he comes to, tell him that he long minute and then nodded once. He
must choose a new name to use in the turned, kicked a camp stool across
company. Yes, that will do nicely. the tent and stormed out. Almost
Tell him, that if his real name does immediately after his exit his voice
become known, that the the entire could be heard clearly, yelling at
company will try to kill him." someone standing nearby.
"Just listen," the mage continued. The mage chuckled and turned back
"We need to keep him under control. towards my sleeping figure. He began
We also need to make sure that he to chant under his breath, gesturing
does not trigger the curse again. over my body with both hands. I
Right?" could feel myself falling, as if
being drawn back into my body. The
He looked expectantly at Torvaal and pain began to become more intense,
waited. Torvaal, deep in thought, there was a roaring sound, a loud
stood there musing, then abruptly rushing, as if from a great wind.
grinned. The pain-n...
(To Be Continued)
"Go on," he said with a tight smile. ***
"I think I see where you are going, // * \\
but tell me anyway." | *** |
\\ * //
"OK, we will work it like this. I {|*|}
will mute the curse and blank it as {|*|}
much as I can without doing any real {|*|}
damage. While I am at it, I will {|*|}
also plant a suggestion spell, so \\+++||*||+++//
that when he first comes to, he will ~~~[~~~]~~~
be susceptible to whatever you tell [ ]
him." [ ]
[ ]
"You tell him that he is in great [ ]
danger if his name becomes known. [ ]
Something about his birth. That way [ ]
he will not trigger the spell, we [ ]
can also keep the sword under wraps [ ]
until I can figure out some way to [ ]
transfer the thing. If I can." [ ]
[ ]
"Oh, one more thing. I will have to [ ]
keep the sword in my quarters." \_/
-=29=-
___________ Dogged Daze
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Lloyd Llowd, PhD
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |ll great civilizations #1 butcher in the Landing. (One won-
\_/ ~~ ~~~/ fall once they come ders where Lord Strom was for this.)
~~~~~~~~~~~ to rely on "bread and
circuses" to entertain the masses. Lord Lair prevailed, probably due to
And our town has considerably less his extensive experience with ritual
to hold it up than most places. Hot sacrifice. Lord Caretaker was ham-
Summer Nights may have just kicked pered slightly by the fact that he
out the fragile underpinnings of never completely skins his patients
our society. while practicing.
Where should I start? Well, leaving And yet another Gladiatorial Games
town comes to mind. But that is not stumbled into the Arena. I shall not
an option at the moment, at least bother reporting the results of the
until I find some rat poison and a matches, as they were entirely with-
hack saw. Fortunately, it is impos- out consequence. What does concern
sible to report on all the events me are rumors that some of our citi-
that occurred last month in the tiny zens exhibited powers of the Unlife
space I'm allowed, so I shall just fighting on after blows that would
hit the low points. kill normal mortals.
The water tunnel races were a farce. Piffle. There is no mystery to why
Contestants were given a map of the Lord Oberon continued to fight after
tunnels and then told to go dig for a rapier scrambled his cranium. He
gems as the water rushed them down is not Unlife, just brainless. Send-
the sluices. The event came down to ing a sword through his ears merely
Lord Mikhail and Lord Gallenod. As helped clear up his sinuses. All of
this event required extensive map the other alleged Unlife were simply
reading ability, I placed a large too stupid to know they were sup-
wager on Lord Mikhail, as Lord posed to be dead.
Gallenod normally cannot find his
way out of a room with one door. And of course, the Bardic Oafs com-
petition was a snoozer. Lord Brax
Unfortunately, Lord Gallenod got wisely handed out lead anchors dis-
confused and used a map of the Kel- guised as medals in the hopes that
four's sewer system for the event. some of the contestants would fall
Upside down, no less. Due to an into Helga's punch bowl and drown.
unbelievable coincidence, by taking I did enjoy young Bugg Hornwort's
every wrong turn he got a perfect singing, though. And the tale of the
guide to the water tunnels. To Foo Bird of Unhappiness was fair, at
everyone's surprise, the Wrong - Way least until the happy ending. But I
Ranger coasted to victory. I suspect was glad I had that beeswax in my
Lord Mikhail's devious hand in this, ears for the rest of the evening.
as I saw the rogue who took my
silver pass him a bag shortly after All this, and a hobbit crayon draw-
the races were over. ing wins first prize at the Art
contest. I must find a way back to
The skinning contest was ghastly. civilization, before I lose what
Drugged, stunned torkaans sliding little piece of mind remains.
down a chute at the pull of a lever
to be dispatched and skinned by \ | /
bloodthirsty barbarians. And the //@ \ | /
worst of the lot were Lord Caretaker @====[*]======================-* - -
and Lord Lairaerrykthrok. A healer \\@ / | \
and a cleric vying for the title of / | \
-=30=-
KEV4N4
[end]