Kelfour Edition volume III number IV
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_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | The Key to Lockpicking! See Page 6 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III(tm) September 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.4 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| |
| The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Local News .................. 1 Hall of Fame ............... 9 |
| Hobland: The New Player's Guide To Riches ....... Dayln Grimm 2 |
| Untitled Poem ...................................... Greywulf 2 |
| The Bard's Lament .......................... Enegue Lionheart 5 |
| The Key to Lockpicking ............ Lord Artuero Bresnahanini 6 |
| "Charming, Disarming You" ..................... Thellra Dumas 8 |
| Armaments: A Guide to Weapons .............. Melchior Merdaen 10 |
| What's in a Name? ....................... Lightning Blackhawk 11 |
| A Newcomer's View of Kelfour's ............ Palance Buckhanna 12 |
| along the ridge .................................. Coll Furze 13 |
| Quest ........................................... Tapor Lieff 14 |
| Hunter's Stew ............................ Silvanestii Family 16 |
| Begginings .................................... Thellra Dumas 17 |
| We Were Expecting Someone Older ..... Lord Gallenod Varynesti 18 |
| Revelations ................ Elyria Blythe & Jhembryn Durrock 23 |
| Cycles (Part I) ...................... Lord Whilder Planrathe 25 |
| Sailor's Woe ..................................... Rhea Sibex 28 |
| Murder and the Poisoned Pen .......... Miss Louvella Parsnips 29 |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III(tm) on GEnie's online service. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Assistant Editors Kalagay Halatil or Lady Rune Arundel, or |
| Publisher Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| Banner letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
Local News: Kelfour's Landing
~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quest of the Loremaster
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone who completed this exciting Lord Gallenod Varynesti and Lord
quest received a bone ring, fame and Mikhail Minnehan, in that order.
experience points; role-playing
winners received nifty boomerangs as You'll find several Bardic Competi-
well. Six top-scoring individuals tion winners in this issue including
took home merchandise prizes includ- Greywulf's untitled poem which won
ing real gems and I.C.E. boxed sets. the short poetry contest, Enegue's
Role-playing awards went to: "The Bard's Lament" which took third
place, Rhea's 1st Place Bard Song
Place "Sailor's Woe," and Part 1 of Lord
1st Kelryn Greyblade Gallenod Varnesti's story which took
2nd Nerilka Ferine 1st place in that category.
3rd Moalanfaidh Maolmadhog
4th Sharissyl Falinoriel KE encourages others to send their
5th Althea Cassidy works via GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON
6th Trachten Hickapod should they honor us with permission
7th Slohan Quickheart to publish them.
8th Greywulf Alliantha
9th Thex DRAGONSBANE Residents Enjoy Free Weekends
10th Aredhel Marathys ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Citizens of Kelfour's Landing often
Groups placed in the following order: enjoy the wilds (both in and out of
town) for full weekends at no cost
Place Group to themselves. This is made possible
1st Levels 5-8 by contributing to this newsletter,
2nd Levels 9-12 Kelfour Edition. Interested parties
3rd Levels 13-16 should inquire of Phaedra Blue in
4th Levels 17-20 the game, or send GE Mail to her at
5th Levels 1-4 the address P.HERRINGTON.
6th Lords
Local Residents Wed
Hot Summer Nights competition was ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
keen. Winners of the Scavenger Hunt Kalagay Halatil and Laeg Cearnach
were Nixie Trevize in 1st Place, were wed in a dramatic ceremony in
Lord Maruko Ahsimine in 2nd and Lord late September. KE wishes them happy
Zhuge Liang in 3rd. The best Assas- and prosperous lives on behalf of
sins turned out to be Lord Zhuge, the entire community.
________________________________________
/ \ \
\@| Sing-Along-With-Glitch |
~| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| by Glitch Talesitall, Bard at Large |
| |
| Ten Lost Lords. |
| Ten Lost Lords. |
| In circles they did run. |
| In circles they did run. |
| They all went out on a quest to do. |
| Even taking along Lord Hobbits two, |
| But hack 'n slash was all they knew. |
_| Our Ten Lost Lords. |
/@| Ten Lost Lords. |
\_/______________________________________/
-1-
Hobland: The New Player's Guide To Riches
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
___________ by Dayln Grimm ________________
/ \ ______ \ / \\
\@| /~/~~\_\ | | *Caution!* ||
| \~\____~ |o, have you read Nat- The two-handed | These Tactics Can||
_| _~~~~\~\ | asha's No Nonsense sword is a mas- | Get You Killed ||
/@| \~\__/~/ | Guide to Rolling A sive weapon that \________________//
\_/ ~~~~~~ / Character? Are you does great damage | ||
~~~~~~~~~~ killing kobolds with and criticals. It is ~~~~~~~~~~~
ease and are torkaans becoming bor- much easier to hit most creatures
ing? This is a guide to the richest with this weapon than any other, but
newbie AREA in the lands. Where there's a trade off. The loss of 20
chests are common, creatures drop DB for not using a shield can be the
magic items in their last moments, difference between life and death.
and the experience gained both in I have seen a 1st level character
game context and reality is far fighting along side a 4th level
beyond what you will achieve in party match their damage blow for
kobland or on the cliffs. blow using this weapon. I have also
seen that same character die from a
I am speaking of course of Hobland. single hit from a hobgoblin.
As a lowly 3rd (almost 4th) level
thief, I have hunted here from 1st The drake falchion is the weapon of
level -- and you can, too! I am not choice in Hobland. Not only do you
going to presume to teach anyone how get the shield bonus and a weapon
to roll a character, there are good that hits easier than a broadsword,
articles in previous KEs or in drakes flare up occassionally and do
Natasha's Guide. If your STrength special damage. Ask around the
is in the 90s and you have double temple. Many people have spares.
trained in a weapon, or you are 2nd If you can't find one, be patient.
level and have single trained in I have found two drakes in Hobland
weapons, you should be able to so far, you may just find your own.
effectively hunt in Hobland. You
should wear heavy hide, arm and leg So you're ready, but how to get
greaves, visored helm and a wooden there? You need a map! I suggest
shield (except for two handers). you down-load Zepath's maps in the
For a weapon you need a broadsword, GemStone III Library, but here's one
falchion, two-handed sword, or -- if for now.
you can get one from an older More next page...
player -- a drake falchion.
Weaponry
Untitled Poem by Greywulf
The broadsword is a fine weapon for ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hobland. You get to use a shield She waits
and it is fairly easy to get a hit for me I'd like to think
on those hobgoblins. even then
in the passion of her fury
The falchion is a slightly better her willful rending of flesh and earth
weapon than the broadsword. It is my dark eyes flaming
easier to hit creatures in Hobland in the heat of her defiance.
with it. The problem is that they In stone
are not sold in the weapon shop. she waits the gate
You can sometimes find a falchion my soul's sweet slayer
from a Lord returning to the temple wait not much longer;
from the Monastery. Ask! Lords are each dawn
usually happy to give one to a every noon
courteous newbie. holds twilight's promise.
-2-
From Temple to Hobland
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
K-(go path)--G
| ......|-(go gate)................... MAP KEY
K . T .
| . | . T = Town
K . T-T Kelfours . G = Gate
| . | Landing . K = Kobland
K . T . C = Move carefully
| . | . H = Hobland
K . T . X = Don't go down!
| . | .
K . T-T-T-T-T /------\ .
/ . | |Temple| .
K . T \------/ .
| . | |-(go temple exit). Tips
K . T----T .
\ . . Ready your weapon and
K .................................... shield, and Parry 100 at
| the Gate.
K ................
\ . . In the areas marked "C"
K . Hobland . N move cautiously. One
| . . | false step can put you
K . H . W--+--E in a dangerous place.
| . |\ . |
K . H \ . S In the place marked "X"
| . | \ . you can go down. DON'T
K . H \ . DO IT! I have also seen
/ . | H . creatures come up here
K (go path H | . from below!
|-on the way \ H .
C back only) H | . There is a shortcut to
\ . | H . Hobland but it puts you
C . H-H H | . in the path of very mean
\ . / \ / H . Werebears.
C . H H | .
\ /. X . Always travel at Parry
C ............ 100.
Now for the Monsters! You will find 4 types in Hobland:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hobgoblin (Type A) Hobgoblin (Type B)
OB - 50 DB - 25 OB - 50 DB - 25
THT (broadsword) - 31 THT (broadsword) - 57
MTHT (heavy hide) - 79 MTHT (heavy hide) - 84
CPs - 60 Level - 3 CPs - 60 Level - 3
Weapon - short sword Weapon - battle axe
Armor - metal breastplate Armor - leather breastplate
Forest Troll Lesser Orc
OB - 36/70/60 DB - 25 OB - 60 DB - 50
THT (broadsword) - 57 THT (broadsword) - 57
MTHT (heavy hide) - 99/66/69 MTHT (heavy hide) - 79
CPs - 250 Level - 6 CPs - 60 Level - 4
Weapon - cudgel/claw/bite Weapon - short sword
Armor - heavy hide Armor - heavy hide
-3- More...
All of these monsters usually drop him to attack you again. This
treasure (when they die) in the form allows you maximum protection and
of small chests, silver coins and maximum attack power. It has draw-
magic items. The THT is the roll it backs though: the monster can't hit
takes for you to hit the creature you and often runs away. Also,
using a broadsword. The MTHT is another monster can come in and hit
what it takes the monster to hit you you while you are stuck in round
wearing heavy hide. CPs is how many time. I use an even more dangerous
Concussion Points a monster has. method. Double parry tag! I attack
twice at parry 0 and just barely
The first thing you will notice is make it back to parry 100 before the
how easy it is to hit a type A Hobgoblin strikes. (This tactic can
Hobgoblin. This is your main prey: get you killed!)
Easy to hit, high MTHT, lots of
treasure, and the metal breastplate If parry tag is not your cup of tea,
he carries is worth 166 silvers at or if you are faced with more than
the pawn shop! one creature then use this method.
Parry down to a point (use your own
Type B Hobgoblins are a little math) where the creature can just
harder to hit but not much. This is barely hit you (a roll of 95 or
prey #2. Go after them for their better) and then attack as often as
treasure and the leather breast- you can. This is a much safer
plates that are worth 66 silvers at method and will protect you from
the pawn shop. those beasties who like to jump into
the middle of a fight.
The Lesser Orc is hard to hit. His
high DB and that heavy hide (just Other Things To Remember
like yours) make him a tough target.
His short sword is better than the Use Macros for parry and attack.
others so watch out. At parry 100 You need the speed!
you should be okay. As you hit
them, they will parry up generating You are in a far more dangerous area
a DB of up to 120! I suggest you than Kobland. Learn to fight there
parry 100 and don't fight these. first.
They don't carry much treasure and
usually aren't worth the time. Don't hunt alone! If you insist on
hunting alone, don't parry tag!
The Forest Troll is both the most
worthwhile and most dangerous mon- Skin your prey. Hobgoblin scalps
ster in Hobland. While he uses his are worth 35 silvers, Troll hides
cudgel, he is easy to hit and can't are worth 55. Sell them at the
fight worth beans, but when (not if, furrier shop, south of the Gate.
WHEN!) that cudgel breaks he becomes
a fighting machine that will make Search dead monsters soon. They
short work of you. They have high decay quickly and you'll lose the
CPs and will parry up. Until you treasure.
are very comfortable with Hobland I
suggest you leave them alone. Hobland is a well traveled area. It
is often crowded. Be courteous,
Tactics don't attack a monster already
engaged with a character unless you
When faced with a lone Hobgoblin, are invited. Say hello to fellow
you can parry tag. That is to wait adventurers, bow, smile, etc.
at parry 100 for the monster to
attack first and then drop your Wear your shield to get treasure.
parry to 0, attack the Hobgoblin and Put it in your sack or backpack and
then parry back up to 100 at then then remove your shield. At parry
end of your round time and wait for 100 with your weapon in your right
-4- More...
hand you have more protection than Check your EXperience often. You
your shield alone can give you. are fighting good monsters and will
max your mind out fast!
Watch your RoundTime. As you pick
up metal breastplates and chests, it If a Forest Troll or other nasty is
will increase. If your it's long, standing over your treasure, parry
don't parry tag! 100 and wait. When he sees he can't
hit you he will usually leave.
If your shield breaks, many monsters
drop them. Pick one up. If the fighting gets tough, leave.
(I have been in a clearing with
If you are out of room to carry that three Hobgoblins, two Lesser Orcs,
last piece of treasure, drop your and a Forest Troll). Remember: He
greaves (arm and leg) you can get who fights and runs away, lives to
new ones on your next kill. fight another day.
The Bard's Lament: by Enegue Lionheart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We gather here but once a year,
To tell of tales both far and near,
Of Kingly quests and creatures dire,
Of maidens fair and loves hot fire.
Unfortunate a Bard I am,
Who gathers tales but second hand,
Embellishment is what I do,
When bringing ballads home to you.
Much rather would I join the fight,
If only I could use the might,
Of lute or flute or rousing song,
That from a Bard is magic strong.
Once more I'm taught a magic spell,
I raise my voice as I do well,
Out pours my song in warm gold tones,
Yet not a bit of magic flows.
And while some day our powers will make,
That damned Inn's crystal seem a fake,
Tis hard as Bard to see in the lands,
Items cast spells only Bards should command.
I search the Lands, I read the Tomes,
And see my spells in others homes.
It brings me grief that what I seek,
Appears in spell lists foreign and cheap.
With heavy sigh and hopeful mein,
I cross my fingers each time I train,
And look to the day I may ply my trade,
As tis my heritage beyond weilding a blade.
A Bard of Kelfour's, that I am.
I hope one day to join the band,
Of warriors, theives and mages too,
who enjoy their powers thru and thru.
-5-
Successful Thievery: The Key to Lockpicking
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Lord Artuero Bresnahanini
_______________
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+| uch to the delight Enough time has passed since the
| |~\~\/~/~| | of thieves and all introduction of this new system to
_| |~|\~~/|~| | who double train allow for an educated discussion of
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_| in the skill of its mechanics.
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ picking locks, a
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ new lockpicking Basic Determination of Success or
system was implemented a few months Failure:
ago. This new system de-emphasizes
the importance of the lockpick and The formula used to determine a
makes an adventurer's skill the det- thief's success in picking a lock is
ermining factor in picking a lock. as follows:
["Result"] ["Modified Skill"]
R = ((Base Skill) * (Lockpick Factor))
+ D100 + Lock Difficulty
If R is greater than 100, the thief R < 25 The thief fails to pick
is successful in picking the lock. the lock and learns little about it.
The time it takes to successfully
pick a lock is determined by how R = 25-75 The thief fails to pick
much R is greater than 100. If R the lock, but gets the feeling that
falls between 100 and 150, the thief it is within his abilities.
takes twenty seconds to pick the
lock. If R is between 150 and 200, R = 75-90 The thief fails to pick
the lock is picked in only ten the lock, but learns how difficult
seconds, and if R is greater than (in thief-lingo) the lock is.
200, the thief picks the lock in no
time at all. R = 90-100 The thief fails to pick
the lock, but gets a better under-
If R is 100 or less, then the thief standing of how the lock works, as
has failed in his attempt to pick well as determining how difficult it
the lock. There are differing is to pick. This result adds 5 to
degrees of failure in picking the the picker's next roll on the chest.
lock. Fortunately, I do not fail
enough to make a confident estimate The thief may also fail by fumbling
of the thresholds for failure the attempt completely. This happens
results, but my guesses are as when the D100 = 1. A fumble results
follows: in total failure with no round time.
Base Skill * * * * * * * *
Now let us examine the factors which believe it provides an additional
go into the lockpicking formula. To +10 to the picker's skill. On the
begin with, a thief's base skill is other hand, certain injuries, espe-
made up of his skill bonus in cially head or nervous system
picking locks plus his INtuition injuries, subtract from a thief's
bonus. In addition, a thief may skill. You will be aware of it if
augment this natural bonus by either your injuries have made picking the
casting locklore on himself (+20), lock more difficult.
or by having locklore cast on him by
an accomplice or an item (+10). Base Skill = Pick Locks + IN +
Although the existence of a kneeling Locklore [+10 or +20] + Kneel-
bonus is disputed, I personally ing [+10] - injury penalty.
-6- More...
Lockpick Factor is added to the other factors, the
chest difficulty is always expressed
The thief's base skill is modified as a negative number, decreasing the
by the quality of the lockpick he final result (R).
chooses. The lockpick factor for
lockpicks generally in use is as The lock difficulty can vary greatly
follows: from lock to lock, ranging from -5
on down in increments of -5. Chests
Common Lockpick 1.10 carried by creatures are supposed to
Good Lockpick (approximation) 1.30 be generated so that a character
Professional Lockpick 1.50 double trained in picking locks with
Lore/Laen Lockpick 1.90 no additional bonuses can open a
Xeno Lockpick 2.50 chest found on a creature of the
character's level on the first try
Multiplying the thief's base skill fifty percent of the time with a
by the lockpick factor gives us his pick appropriate to the character's
modified skill. Improving his mod- level. However, it appears that
ified skill, through training, by this is only a nominal standard; the
buying a better lockpick, using difficulties are "tweaked" to reach
locklore, and kneeling, is as far as a desired result in terms of
the thief can go in bettering his attempts/successes.
ability to open a lock.
Examples
The rest is left to the chance of a
D100 roll and the shrewdness of the Now for some examples to illustrate
maker of the lock he is attempting the workings of the lockpicking
to pick. system. Let us postulate the case
of Remus, a twelfth level thief who
D100 Roll is double trained in picking locks
with an INtuition of 84. He will
The thief's modified skill is added have 28 ranks of skill, giving him a
to his D100 roll. As mentioned skill bonus of +114. His IN bonus
earlier, should the D100 roll result is +8, giving him a total natural
in an unmodified 1, the thief bonus of 122. He has not trained in
fumbles his attempt. The D100 roll spells, so he will be unable to give
may also result in extraordinary himself a locklore bonus.
success because the roll for
lockpicking is what is known as an Suppose that while hunting cave
"open" (for open-ended) D100 roll. trolls in the silver mines, Remus
This means that should the D100 = slays an unhappy troglodyte. He
100, a second D100 roll is added to cannot skin it, so he searches it
the first. Should this second roll and finds a chest. Although Remus
result in another 100, a third D100 does not know this, the chest has a
roll is made and added to the first lock with a difficulty of -190.
two, and so on. Thus, at least
theoretically, any lock can be Thinking this will be an easy task,
picked by any adventurer. When a Remus pulls out his professional
picker does roll a 100, he feels lockpick. He first disarms the chest
especially lucky. (Note: This roll (which is beyond the scope of this
is not truly open-ended, because it discussion) and finding no traps,
cannot be negative.) attempts to pick the lock. Multiply-
ing his skill (122) by the lockpick
Lock Difficulty factor for a professional pick (1.5)
yields a modified skill of 183. We
The difficulty of the lock, commonly add in his D100 result of 75 for a
referred to as the "mod", works total of 258. Finally, we add the
against the thief. Do not let the -190 chest difficulty which brings
above formula mislead you: although down to 68. Too bad for Remus. He is
it shows that the chest difficulty unable to pick the lock; however, he
-7- More...
does get the feeling that it is pick a lock (where you learn little
within his abilities. about the lock) may result in damage
and even outright breakage to your
Remus puts his professional lockpick pick. A damaged pick is less effect-
away and retrieves a lore lockpick ive than a new one, and a broken one
from his sack. Determined to succeed is of no use at all. I do not yet
this time, he asks a mage to cast have a theory on the mechanics of
the locklore spell on him, and risks breakage except to the extent that
life and limb by kneeling. His it is based on a relationship of the
natural skill of +122 is augmented difficulty of the lock to the pick-
by his friend's casting of locklore er's natural skill, and the strength
(+10), and his kneeling bonus (+10), of the lockpick. Laen picks are the
resulting in a base skill of +142. strongest normally available.
The lockpick factor for a lore pick Hopefully this discussion of lock-
is 1.9. Multiplying the base skill picking has enlightened you. Keep in
by this factor results in a modified mind that the numbers discussed are
skill of 270. Adding his D100 roll for the most part approximations
of 95, and the -190 Lock Difficulty, (the exception being the Lockpick
Remus's result is a whopping 175. Factors for all but the good pick),
Success! Not only is Remus able to based on experiences and intuition
pick the lock, but he does it in of myself and other notable thieves,
only ten seconds. as the actual formula is hidden. I
believe you will find it to be an
Let us suppose that Remus wishes to accurate model even if not perfect.
determine the range of chests he can
pick under normal circumstances.
For him, that means kneeling with "Charming, Disarming You"
his green laen pick, but without the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
locklore spell. His base skill in (or Thellra's Chest Blues)
this situation would be +132 (114 +8
+10), and his modified skill is 251 When we first met,
(132 * 1.9). Because the lowest roll Not so long ago,
he can get on the D100 is two (a You desired to touch me
fumble will make him miss no matter And promptly did so.
what), it will take a lock more You rushed blindly, Thell,
difficult than -150 to thwart any of As some will do,
his attempts (251 + 2 + (-150) = 103 So it's no surprise,
Success!). Thus, barring a fumble, That I captured you.
Remus will be able to open any lock With that first touch,
easier than -155 on the first try. I knew it was fate,
You'd never let go,
However, he also wishes to know what It was much too late.
chests are too difficult for him to Your heart fluttered,
attempt. Even if Remiss rolls a 99, As we locked in embrace,
he will be not be able to open a I saw the sparks fly,
chest more difficult than -245 (251 They haloed your face.
+ 99 + (-250) = 100 Failure!). So Your tingling body,
his range runs up to about -245, Was trapped, my dear,
although with luck he may pick You couldn't escape,
higher. Remus is a careful person, And your eyes rolled in fear.
so he will not attempt to pick Your hair stood straight up,
chests he knows are more difficult Your clothes were singed, too,
than -225, as he feels a 25% chance Since an electric current,
of success is reasonable enough. Was surging through you.
You collapsed to the ground,
A Word On Breakage Fell right on your head,
You finally let go of me,
A fumble roll or complete failure to Too late, you were dead.
-8-
__________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/________________________________________________________________________/
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| FIGHTER Lvl THIEF Lvl |===========COMMON MAN==|
|-------------------------------------------------|Snikt Masrach 27|
| Waldo2 Ptolomy 23 Mikhail Minnehan 27 |Enoch Madriaax 20|
| Gilthor Longblade 22 Snikt Masrach 27 |Beolost Lamontt 19|
| Ise Ikiryo 22 Moonpie Legend 24 |Sauren Tessar 13|
| Benar Stormarm 21 Artuero Bresnahanini 24 |Silent Mydnyghte 10|
| Garret Faerghhail 20 Winter Moorsland 23 |=============HIGH MAN==|
| Sylphe Woodcrest 16 Valeria Deering 22 |Gilthor Longblade 22|
| Angeleyes DuLac 15 Camorra Amandaus 21 |Benar Stormarm 21|
| Peat Sallixto 15 Griffun Skyborne 21 |Queron Kinevan 20|
| Dirac de Montegilt 14 Stanyon Sting 20 |Luke Medivac 17|
|_Eyashusa Donestaya 13 Feckly Fecund 20 |Mordue d'Arti 16|
/------------------------------------------------|=============HALF ELF==|
| MAGE CLERIC |Kayla Kyndhart 29|
|-------------------------------------------------|Fxg Lyon 29|
| Dartaghan Darkstar 29 Lairaerrykthrok Tyki..28 |Mikhail Minnehan 27|
| Odds Bodkins 27 Taarna Wayfinder 27 |Rhys Corwinson 27|
| Whilder Planrathe 26 Redeye Kielsson 22 |Taarna Wayfinder 27|
| Gira Gavilan 25 Zinderin Paxton 21 |=============WOOD ELF==|
| Certain Justice 24 Bashir Mskshadhvar 21 |Baram Lightclad 23|
| Baram Lightclad 23 Lohann McCloud 21 |Zhuge Liang 21|
| Elminester Silvan..23 Ardneh Cormorant 20 |Joqain Denark 20|
| Griffin Skywave 22 Edrom Atheling 20 |Rena Oakhallow 19|
| Karel Tasavalta 22 Rena Oakhallow 19 |Mithil Wyerla 17|
|_Rhone Yarrl 22 Michealoos Duraderos 19 |=============HIGH ELF==|
/------------------------------------------------|Strom O'Berin 38|
| HEALER BARD |Soulsavr Truespel 12|
|-------------------------------------------------|Eol Elmoth 11|
| Strom O'Berin 38 Enegue LionHeart 21 |Aquarin Howenthorne 6|
| Kayla Kyndhart 29 Vshaal hiJneksha's 16 |Maia Moonsong 6|
| Rhys Corwinson 27 Mendle Seldagrave 16 |=============FAIR ELF==|
| Chardros Grax 25 Balladeer Carpentere 12 |Whilder Planrathe 26|
| Caretaker D'BoldH..23 Damiano Faustas 11 |Chardros Grax 25|
| Unum LUX 18 Llorien Silvanestii 10 |Artuero Bresnahanini 24|
| Woundhealer Odlaw 18 Elladan Palarran 10 |Certain Justice 24|
| Luke Medivac 17 Ringo Hobson 9 |Airioch Ramthanodox 22|
| Vesitsa Talchild 17 Rasta Farian 8 |=============DWARF=====|
|_Penna Dulaney 16 Darksaul Payne 7 |Caretaker D'BoldHome 23|
/------------------------------------------------|Vesitsa Talchild 17|
| RANGER SORCERER |Vshaal hiJneksha's 16|
|-------------------------------------------------|Alberich Albenherrs..12|
| Fxg Lyon 29 Airioch Ramthanodox 22 |Brand Brandenburg 11|
| Nastorm Trevin 25 Mnesilichus Exitii 22 |=============HALFLING==|
| Maruko Ashimine 25 Enigma Sirillian 21 |Dartaghan Darkstar 29|
| Yuri Hanbidt 24 Queron Kinevan 20 |Lairaerrykthrok Tyk..28|
| Gallenod Varynesti 22 Isei Ikazuchi 20 |Odds Bodkins 27|
| Talon Elessidil 21 Enoch Madriaax 20 |Griffin Skywave 22|
| Rune Arundel 20 Finndall Bobbins 18 |Mnesilichus Exitii 22|
| Arborius Draginson 20 Mithil Wyerla 17 |=======================|
| Artaq Congress 19 Vlad Drakulya 16 | ------------------- |
| Beolost Lamontt 19 Fallon Slaaon 12 | ------------------- |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
/@\ Shadow World Current Rankings as of Mon Sep 07 06:01:26 1992 |
\_/_________________________________-9-___________________________________/
Armaments: A Guide to Weapons in GemStone III
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part I: Edged Weapons
_____________ By Melchior Merdaen
/ \ _________ \
\@| ||=|=|=|| |here's a variety of ing results. Hopefully, this infor-
| ~~ |_| ~~ | weapons available in mation will make it easier for a new
_| |_| | Kulthea, and the se- character to choose his/her first
/@| _|_|_ | lection often comes weapon, and more advanced ones to
\_/ ~~~~~ / down to what is most pick the right weapon for the job.
~~~~~~~~~~~ affordable or conven- Let's begin with skin-based armors.
ient. I spent some time (5 1/2
levels, to be exact) recording the The numbers to the left of the slash
To Hit (THT) and critical thresholds represent the THT while those to the
of different weapons against differ- right are the lowest number needed
ent armor types, with some interest- to produce a critical hit: THT/CRIT.
ARMOR: Rapier Falchn Sh.Swd Br.Swd Scimitr HandAxe B.Axe 2H-Sword
Robes 56/67 54/75 52/73 52/73 57/78 57/78 49/70 46/67
Skin 66/77 76/87 71/82 76/87 81/92 81/92 76/87 71/82
Lite Hide 70/81 80/91 75/86 80/91 85/96 85/96 80/91 75/86
Hvy. Hide 74/85 84/95 79/90 84/95 89/100 89/100 84/95 79/90
The rapier and short sword yield the best results of all one-handed weapons,
while the two-handed sword beats the battle axe. Now, on to Soft Leather:
ARMOR: Rapier Falchn Sh.Swd Br.Swd Scimitr HandAxe B.Axe 2H-Sword
L.Leather 47/68 54/75 52/73 52/73 57/78 57/78 49/70 46/67
The rapier still tops the list in single handed, while the short sword and
broadsword tie for second. The 2H-Sword still out-performs the battle axe.
Next we move to rigid leather.
ARMOR: Rapier Falchn Sh.Swd Br.Swd Scimitr HandAxe B.Axe 2H-Sword
LeatherBr. 61/82 53/74 62/83 57/78 62/83 54/75 51/72 49/70
Cuirboli 69/90 61/82 70/91 65/86 70/91 62/83 59/80 57/78
The rapier and short sword prove much less adequate against here, while the
falchion and the hand axe move to the top of the list. The 2H-sword still
maintains a slight edge over the battle axe. Chain is next.
ARMOR: Rapier Falchn ShSwrd BroSwd Scimitr Hand Ax B.Axe 2H-Swrd
Chain Hau 61/111 57/107 71/121 61/111 66/116 56/106 48/98 51/101
Surprisingly here, the hand axe is the best single handed performer,
followed by the falchion. The battle axe has eclipsed the 2H-sword in the
two-handed category. Lastly, we'll cover plate.
ARMOR: Rapier Falchn ShSwd BroSwd Scimitr Hand Ax B.Axe 2H-Swrd
Metal Br. 49/120 27/98 41/112 31/102 31/102 26/97 18/89 21/92
Again, the hand axe gives the best showing in its category, followed closely
by the falchion. The battle axe again proves itself to be the better two-
handed choice. More...
-10-
Conclusions Once you move up to higher armor
types, the falchion or hand axe is
There's the information; use it as a better bet. For two-handeders, up
you will. However, since this is my until chain armor types, the
article, I have some recommenda- two-handed sword is the best choice,
tions. For lower level characters after which it may be worthwhile to
who spend most of their time in the grab that hobgoblin's battle axe.
forest fighting kobolds or on the If you want to get a weapon and be
Mine Road, I recommend the short done with it, the falchion is your
sword. The Rapier has better num- best bet as an overall performer;
bers, but its price and the fact even better if you can get a drake
that it breaks easily make it a poor falchion. The big loser? The scimi-
choice. Granted, the short sword tar. It only comes close to being
causes less concussion point damage, competitive in one category; plate.
but its THT and crit numbers are Everywhere else it's a dog. I'd
lower, making hits and crits easier stay away from it. I'm checking
to get. Of course, Crits are the special order materials and magical
name of the game when it comes right enhancements and will cover them
down to it. later. Til then, good hunting!
What's in a Name?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Lightning Blackhawk
_______________
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+ |hat's in a name? Now on to something a bit more
| |~|/~~\|~| | Well, besides the serious. In choosing a name, try to
_| |~/~/\~\~| | obvious, there avoid beginning letters that are the
/@| _|__/ \__|_ | are quite a few same as commonly found creatures in
\_/_____________/ things. Lets take the wilds of Kulthea. Especially
a look at the easy part first. In avoid having the first three letters
the world of Kulthea, we are for- match. For instance, Hobart would
tunate because we have a chance to be a bad name to have if you are
choose our own names. This being hunting hobgoblins. You should also
the case, our names have our person- avoid a name that starts with the
ality etched in them. Sometimes our letters GOL or even GO. In the
pofessions can be identified from beginning it may not seem too bad,
our names, or sometimes our racial until you get old enough to start
background can be ascertained. Our hunting golems. And remember that
names give us style, that flair, there are more than one species of
that pizazz, that whatchamacallit. golems living in our lands. It
<smirk> But you're saying, "I would be sad indeed if a golem stomp
already knew that." Okay, okay, bear knocked you down and a fellow party
with me. member hit and killed you by mis-
take. Also keep in mind that if
Another point that I would like to someone typed in "kil gol" or "att
make is that you "look" at someone gol", they will always hit at
before you address them as either a another character first, no matter
he or a she. A lot of names could be how many golems may be in the same
used by either gender. For instance, room.
my own name could be attached to a
person of the female persuasion. So take care in choosing your name.
This one simple thing could save you Chose one that is not only
a very embarassing situation. And descriptive and colorful, but keeps
believe me, I wherefor I speak. you out of harms way.
-11-
_________ A Newcomer's View of Kelfour's
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Palance Buckhanna
| |~| |
_| |~| | grew up deep in the that I could "think" to him if he
/@| _|~|_ | fields of Grondor and was needed. Such generosity amazed
\_/ ~~~~~ / came to Kelfour's green me, and I thanked him for the
~~~~~~~~ as the springtime grasses precious gift. Never before had I
of Lyndia. Like my Elven Healer seen such magic, and I quickly
forefathers, I was taken at an early rubbed the amulet. Immediately my
age deep into the woods to practice mind buzzed with strange thoughts,
the family craft. With no more than talk of Lords and Ladies, of Great
I could carry, I left home to find Orcs and Wolverines and Quests to
adventure. In spite of cautionary make my head spin. I almost lost
tales of cutthroats and bandits, my balance, but the gentle cleric
I came to the "big city" wide-eyed caught me and helped me sit down.
and ready for anything. He grinned at me and told me that it
would take a little time before I
I have always been a religious got used to having others' thoughts
person, so I thought it best to give in my head.
the local Temple a call. A warm
greeting from the adventurers Just then the kind healer returned
lounging in the entranceway met me. and handed me a small pouch. Inside
A weathered old thief with a missing was a variety of herbs, grasses, and
eye and several nasty scars came roots. I had never been able to
sauntering over. "First time here, afford such as this although I was
kid?" he grinned. aware of their use. I thanked her
for such a wonderful gift but she
I was both scared and impressed with told me to think nothing of it. She
this smiling rogue and uncertain as only requested that I use the herbs
to where the encounter would lead. to do good and to help others as she
My fears faded, however, as he had helped me. The Cleric told me
regaled me with stories that even that the Lady Klara helps many
one as naive as I couldn't believe. people the way she helped me, and I
A lovely maiden, recognizing me as a told him that I would do exactly
fellow healer, rescued me. what she asked of me.
She was so stunning in her azure He then introduced me to a
robes that even the boisterous rogue formidable looking fighter who had
fell silent as she approached. She just entered the Temple. Balinor
seemed frail, but had an air of looked like a man who got exactly
dignity and respect. I bowed and she what he wanted and he was definitely
responded with a gracious curtsy, not one to anger or to trifle with.
asking my name and of the events He joked with the old Cleric, saying
which had brought me here. She "Are you doing charity work again
quizzed me thoroughly on the state old man?"
of my experience and whether I had
acquired any healing herbs on my Before I could decide whether to
journey. When I told her I had no laugh or get mad, the fighter
money and was not sure how an reached into his mountain pack and
aspiring Healer began to make an pulled out a brilliant falchion and
honest living, she bade me wait, and handed it to me. I was awed by the
left quickly and quietly. exquisite weapon's shape and size.
He laughed loudly and asked if I
During my wait, the oldest of a could heal arm wounds. I told him
nearby group of clerics introduced that I was studying just such a
himself and offered his assistance. thing now and would soon be able to
He handed me a shining crystal heal him. He shouted to a mage and
amulet to wear around my neck so a bard that were close by and then
-12- More...
turned to me and told me to come I waved as they left and then
with him. I said goodbye to the wandered aimlessly for about half an
Cleric and headed out of the Temple hour until I finally followed anoth-
with Balinor. er hunting party to the gates of
town. Once there, I went to Temple
The Bard was a quiet fellow with a and rested as Balinor had said. As I
slight limp and a dark scar on his sat in there thinking about all of
neck, while the mage was tall and the new and wonderful things I had
dark with a deep voice and a variety seen that day, my new ring caught my
of wands. We left the town and were eye. I rubbed its smooth, shiny sur-
walking south when I spotted a face and took it off so I could have
Wolverine coming. I grabbed my new a good look at it. It was a beauti-
falchion and readied myself for the ful piece of jewelry and once again
assault. Balinor looked over at me thought of the mysterious Balinor
and said, "Friend Palance, didn't all of the other kind folk who had
you tell me that you were right- helped a newcomer in town. Just as I
handed?" I told him I was, and he was about to doze off, I thought to
asked me why I was carrying my put my ring back on before I lost
new prize in my left hand. I gave it...
him a weak smile and swapped hands
as I watched him quickly dispatch along the ridge
the charging Wolverine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Coll Furze
We walked on until we came near a
Cemetery. Balinor said that the tis almost dark and belly growlin
hunting would be good today and that close to trees 'most black as night
I should do nothing but parry and when there 'long path scoots lil furry-
stay out of the way until I was in arguin wit head, me stomach wins
needed. So I watched this
incredible party destroy group after he can't me see lil furry
group of undead creatures. After quiet now and smart so slow i creep
each battle, I would do what little been rollin in that yonder torkaan
I could to heal the party and then anway, the wind e's at yer back
we would start off again. After a
couple of hours things were slowing quickly now i raise me lil blade
down, so Balinor took us back to a swoop in close and swing it down
worn old bridge. He removed a and hit it, hit it -- hmm I wunner
golden ring from his finger and gave throw it in th'fire, or eat it raw?
it to me.
hear the twig snap turn aroun then
"Put the ring on and turn it to set see the tall one big sword in his hand
its location," he said. "Then when look to left now, look to right now
you remove the ring and put it on gulp and fart and wish i'z in me cave
again, you will return to this
spot." I put the ring on and felt a swings i first i swings and misses
magical pulse in my finger, once knows i'll never see me home agin
again stunned by such startling laugh, his sword clangs on me breastplate
magic! I thanked him for the ring hardly feel it, laughin, cut em down
and asked him where we were off to
now. He told me that he and the thirsty now run down th'path
others were headed for a place that sees another tall one in the shade
would surely be lethal to me and laugh -- no shield and seez no armor
that I should return to the Temple amble down th'trail to this fresh meat
to relax and ponder the things I had
seen and learned. He asked me if I ack, he burnt me shot bright light me
knew how to get back to town and not look around but nothin looks the same
wanting to appear foolish I told him stare at hand now, stare at arm now
that I did. sky she spins and nightime falls at last
-13-
Quest
~~~~~
by Tapor Lieff
_________
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ | am on a quest, one that honor and truth, courage and hum-
_| |~| | is far beyond my skill, ility. "Always defend against your
/@| _|~|_ | and may never be achie- weakness," he would say, "for every-
\_/ ~~~~~ / ved. A quest that I one and everything has a weakness."
~~~~~~~~ will never leave or for-
get. My name is Tapor Lieff, though This confused me. I could see no
that was not the name given me at my weakness in him, he was invincible
birth. If you will hear my story, I in my eyes. When I asked him of his
must begin then. weakness, he only repeated, "Every-
one and everything has its weak-
I was born in the Lieff family home, ness". When I reached the age of
within the great walled city of fifteen, my grandfather showed me
Balini. A home of wealth and power, his collection of weapons. It was
for my father was a member of the an awesome sight, filled with blades
high council of the fellowship. I and hammers and spears, all studded
was given the name Surri Lieff II, in gold and embedded with jewels.
after my father. For I was the My eyes were drawn to the sword
first born male and was to be a standing upright in the middle of
scholar, to take my father's seat in the collection. A sword that from
the fellowship council when the need hilt to tip stood nearly a foot
arose. The fellowship was once a taller than my grandfather. A two-
powerful tool in the taming of the handed sword with a blade that
lands and creatures around Balini, seemed to give off its own light,
but the land was now tame and the and a hilt fashioned in the shape of
creatures dead. Fabulous stories an angel whose wings were spread to
were told by my grandfather, Tapor, guard the wielder's hands. My desire
of the battles it took to tame those for glory was overwhelming, and I
lands. Stories that stirred in me a told my grandfather that.
desire to follow, and meet the chal-
lenges of which he spoke. He frowned, and taught me his final
lesson. As we walked away from the
With the land empty of dangerous display he said, "You, Surri, will
beasts, the fellowship turned its never be a master of arms. A master
attention to the dangerous men. of arms needs no glory. He needs
They became the protectors of the only a reason of virtue, a quest to
city of Balini, and did a far better follow. Without it, he is nothing,
job than did the constable and his and you have no reason but your own
men. "The fee the people pay is greed for glory. I will teach you no
small in comparison to the services more." I asked of this quest and if
they receive," my father would say. he had completed it. He shook his
"Soon the fellowship will protect head slowly saying only, "Not yet."
the entire realm." We did not spend much time together
after that night.
My schooling in the way of a scholar
came from the mages of the fellow- I continued my schooling for the
ship council, but I was slow to fellowship, for I knew that without
learn; my mind would wander to a a quest, my destiny was to be a
place of battle and glory. Each day member of the fellowship council. I
after my teachings, I would sit with began to study harder but could
my grandfather and hear his teach- still barely read. One night the
ings in the ways of chivalry that a bells of the guard tower rang out
master of arms must have. Those and woke me. Soon, guards carried to
lessons I learned well, lessons of the house the body of my grand-
-14- More...
father. His back was burned and done. I left Balini that morning and
split with a force that I knew must never returned. I now had a quest,
have been magical. Now I knew his but to complete it I needed to learn
weakness, and it terrified me. His the ways of arms, to master the
weakness was a single word and skill and follow the teachings of my
gesture from one who knew the ways grandfather. I cast away the name
of magic. After the funeral, I was of Surri Lieff II, and adopted the
surprised to learn that the fellow- name Tapor in his honor.
ship was not searching for the
murderer. My father told me that I wandered many years before I came
the council decided that the fiend to the city of Kelfour's Landing.
would be long gone by now. Although There, I met a young half-elf by the
I was not allowed into the council name of Dayln Grimm. He showed me
meetings themselves, I had seen the the wild lands surrounding the city
fellowships army at work under their and how to survive them and learn.
orders. They were relentless and I have now decided that this place
could achieve nearly anything. I will serve well my needs, until I
knew the fellowship would search for have mastered the art of arms and
the killer, and I was going to help. the teachings of my grandfather. I
I stole into the fellowship council will, someday, crush the fellowship
chambers early one morning when it itself and groups like it, or die in
was empty. I searched the records battle trying.
there looking for any information
they may have discovered of the I must go now, to hunt -- and learn.
killer. The words were difficult,
but what I could read crushed me: =======\\=======
___________________________
Orders to ransack towns that did not / __________________________ \
pay their dues, plots to upheave | / \ |
towns that did not yet belong to the || _ ||
fellowship, and orders of assas- || / \ ||
sination for those who opposed the || || | ||
fellowship. It was among these rec- || || | ||
ords that I saw the name of my || || | ||
grandfather, Tapor. I struggled to || || | ||
make out each word. || || | ||
|| || | ||
"By order of the High Council of the || || | ||
Fellowship of Balini, for speaking || || | ||
openly against the fellowship and || || | ||
questioning our wisdom, it is || || | ||
decided that Tapor Erad Lieff is to || || | ||
be executed outside of the city || || | ||
walls at the earliest opportunity." || || | ||
|| || | ||
This document was signed by all the || || | ||
fellowship high council members, || || | ||
including my own father. I sat for || ||__| ||
hours in that empty hall, crying. I || // \ ||
thought of killing every fellowship || //______\ ||
member I could, but then remembered || | | ||
something my grandfather had taught || | ( ||
me. "If you want to kill a tree, || | ( ||
you do not attack the leaves." I || |__) ||
needed to destroy the fellowship || ||
itself. Then I remembered what he | \__________________________/ |
had told me of the quest. My mind \____________________________/
cleared, and I knew what was to be
-15-
Hunter's Stew
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A gourmet recipe from the world
____________ famous kitchen of the Silvanestii family
/ \ ______ \
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~|| kay, class, pay at- In the meantime, dig out Grandma's
_||~| |~|| tention. Here's an old 20 gallon cauldron. Not the one
/@| \~\__/~/ | intricate recipe pas- she used to mix the devil's brew in,
\_/ ~~~~~~ / sed down through the either. Grease the inside with the
~~~~~~~~~~~ ages in my family. I torkaan bacon, and then brown the
I recently made this at a gathering bacon in the bottom. Next, add the
of my beloved Penna's clan, to rave 6 gallons of Helga's Blackgrog. (If
reviews. In fact, they enjoyed it either Odds or Whilder have been
so much, they insisted that I share invited to partake of this sumptuous
it with all of Kelfour. feast, you may consider asking them
to ET the cauldron 3 or 4 times due
A most important thing: All ingred- to the highly acidic and somewhat
ients MUST be fresh. Spoiled meat explosive nature of Helga's brews.)
does nothing to enhance the exqui-
site flavoring of this mouth-water- When the mixture is bubbling, add
ing treat. the cubed puma. Cover and simmer for
______________________________ an hour. Meanwhile
A note on gathering / \ rub steaks liber-
the Puma Haunch. It | Ingredients | ally with garlic.
is considered bad | ~~~~~~~~~~~ | Then find a spell-
form to use a level | 1 Puma Haunch | caster with fire
one cleric as bait. | 1 Rasher of Torkaan Bacon | bolt to quickly
A two week old can | 2 Black Bear Steaks per person | sear the meat to
of tune is just as | 2 cups of ground Boar Tusk | seal in juices.
good, provided you | 6 gallons of Helga's Blackgrog | Add the steaks to
have a ranger on | Akbutege Leaf | the cauldron.
hand to cast Airwall | Edram Moss |
to protection those | Garlic | When mean is tender
sensitive olfactory | Salt and Pepper to taste | add ground Boar's
nerves. \______________________________/ Tusk (for thicken-
er), and salt and
Preparation petter to taste. Stir constantly un-
mixture thickens.
The key is quick and timely prepar-
ation of the meats. Enlist your din- Serve over wild rice, and with a
ner party to give you a hand. Makes tossed salad. Best wine? Erebor's
the time go faster and conversation Tipple of course. Chilled to 43
pleasant. Get that burly fighter to degrees. No refrigerator? That's
tenderize the steaks with his war what cold ball spells are for.
hammer while a healer cuts the puma
haunch into nice bite size morsels. Enjoy. And bon appetite!
Someone asked why Akbutege Leaf and Edram Moss were included in ingre-
dients. I thought it obvious: When the guests aren't looking, eat
them to patch up the injuries you got while gathering the ingredients
so no one will see how inept you really are at hunting.
-16-
Beginnings
~~~~~~~~~~
_________ by Thellra Dumas
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |
_| |~| | remember my first day in "Well, I NEVER!!" I huffed, aghast,
/@| _|~|_ | Kelfour's Landing with and stomped toward the door.
\_/ ~~~~~ / much melancholy. It was
~~~~~~~~ one of the finest days I "Well, maybe you should!" I heard
can recall, yet much has been lost the gnome guffaw before I slammed
since then. After many weeks of it -- hard.
hard travel, I walked wearily
through the gates into a bustling Muttering to myself, I launched away
city, the likes of which I had never from that place and promptly slammed
even imagined. Being from a tiny into someone rushing around the
village, I had never seen so many corner. The breath was knocked out
people in one place. I pulled a of me and I gasped for air. I
worn scroll from my pack and opened my eyes and found myself
carefully unrolled it. I read (for staring up at the most handsome man
the hundredth time): I'd ever seen. A bard, by the look
____________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@|_ WANTED // |
/ |
| Brave Adventures to Aid in Battle Against Evil. |
| Treasure and Fame Your Reward. _|
_| Raging Threk Inn. City of Kelfour's Landing. \
/@| |
\_/__________________________________________________/
I got directions from a mystical- of his merry outfit and the tin horn
looking old man, and practically ran tied over his shoulder.
to the Inn. I waved the scroll in
front of the sullen gnome behind the "Oh dear, miss! Are you alright?"
counter. "Where's the boss?" I He seemed genuinely concerned.
asked eagerly.
Still gasping, I managed to reply,
The gnome stared at me for a long "I'll be fine in a minute."
moment, taking in my disheveled ap-
pearance. Its eyes then glanced at He helped me sit up, glancing past
the scroll I had spread on the me every few seconds. "Is someone
counter and an evil grin split its after you?" I asked, looking behind
ugly face. "YOU!?" It sneered. "The me. I took his hand as he helped me
boss might hire you to serve drinks stand.
at the bar but NEVER to fight in his
company. You're just a little girl!" "Nooo, I'm just a tad late for an
It practically spat that last word appointment, but I want to be sure
at me like an insult. you're really okay," he blushed. "I
apologize for running into you."
I snatched up the scroll, took a
step back, and cleared my throat. "Accidents happen," I smiled. "I've
"Just get the boss!" I sneered back. been hit worse." I stooped to pick
up my pack and caught him staring at
The gnome rolled its beady eyes, me out of the corner of my eye.
continuing to ignore my request. Grinning inwardly, I straightened
"Come back when the bar opens, my and blurted out, "Can I come with
sweet. I have the perfect job for you?"
you," it said with a leering wink. More...
-17-
At that exact instant he asked, "I'd better liven things up a little
"Would you like to accompany me, now." He smiled wonderfullly, sat on
milady?" the edge of the platform, and began
a tale. He spoke of famous people
We both burst out laughing. "I'd be living in the lands and revealed
honored," we said simultaneously, many adventures they'd had. The
and we laughed so hard tears came to bard actually became the people he
our eyes. After the laughter had spoke of. One minute an innocent
subsided into little giggles, we maiden was telling a silly story.
looked at each other and I said, The next, a terrible ogre stomped on
"Great minds..." "...Think alike," the stage in a horrifying temper.
he finished with a grin. He offered
me his arm and we hurried down the When he was done, the crowd cheered
street towards a large crowd wildly. He smiled, nodded, and bowed
gathered at the town square. again. Picking up his pack, he
walked toward me and took my hand.
"By the way, my name is Lorien," he
said and tipped his hat to me. "You were wonderful!" I whistled.
"You'll get a spot in that festival
"I'm Thellra." I pointed to the for sure."
crowd. "What's going on?"
"Thank you for saying so." He said,
"It's my appointment." He explained. seeming doubtful of his own talent.
"I'm auditioning for a spot in the
summer festival." We then walked to the bakery and ate
cookies while we told each other our
A loud voice called out "Lorien histories. So began our friendship.
Silvanesti! Lorien! You're up!" Things were definitely looking up,
my first day in the Landing.
"Here! Here I am!" Lorien yelled.
Smiling at me, he bounded towards (Apologies to Llorien and Penna,
the makeshift stage. "Wait for me!" this remembrance being long ago.)
I squirmed through the tightly _________________________________
pressed crowd and made my way up to / \
the front. Lorien took his place on | |
the wooden platform and began to | |
speak in a quiet but very commanding | Helga's Tavern |
voice. "I will begin by playing a | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
new song. Just finished it today." | |
He took a beautifully crafted dark | For the finest in all things |
cherry flute out of his pack, drew | Kulthean, visit the world- |
in a breath and started playing. It | famous Helga's Tavern. |
was such a hauntingly sad tune that | |
told of such grief that a goodly | |
portion of the audience was wiping | The BEST Drinks in the Lands! |
away tears before long. Even though | |
the tune was so very sad, it touched | Tastiest Torkaanii Stew! |
something deep inside me and somehow | |
comforted me. Such a sharing of woe | Best Companionship in the World! |
seemed to connect everyone in the | |
crowd to one another, making us less | Up the stairs, two blocks |
than strangers. Lorien came to the | South of Surtey's Tent |
end with a clear high note and then | |
his flute fell silent. I saw him | |
wipe away a tear of his own before \_________________________________/
he bowed to the crowd.
-18-
We Were Expecting Someone Older
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Lord Gallenod Varynesti
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |
| //|"| |lgo!" bellowed Brugo "Alright," grumbled the trader, "the
_| //=|"| | Ironhand. The dwarf little thief has rich friends. As
/@| // |"| | looked extremely long as the passage is booked and
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / cross, his already paid for, we might as well take him.
~~~~~~~~~~~ craggy face further But I'm holding you personally res-
creased by a ferocious squint as he ponsible for his behavior, appren-
inspected his wagon. tice." Brugo glared at the younger
dwarf. "If he causes trouble, I'll
"Yes, Master Trader?" Algo shifted have your hide for a saddlebag!"
his weight and waited for the
inevitable tongue lashing that With that, Brugo stomped off,
preceeded any trip with his master. leaving Algo thanking the Forger
He knew that the trader was happiest that the old grump had taken it that
with his wagons empty and his purse well. With a sigh of relief, he tur-
full, not the other way around. So, ned back to the wagon and the hob-
at the beginning of every trip, when bit. Two bright little eyes returned
Brugo had spent the majority of his his gaze.
ready cash on goods, he was usually
in a foul mood. "He doesn't seem to like hobbits
much, does he?" the small figure
"What," Brugo asked through clenched observed.
teeth, "is THAT doing in my wagon?"
Algo sighed as he looked at the
The object of Brugo's attention was hobbit. "Well, he doesn't appear to
a small figure curled up asleep on like anyone much, but it's just a
top of some expensive carpets. The front. He claims if he looked frien-
tiny figure seemed blissfully uncon- dly, people would take advantage of
cerned that the massive dwarf star- him. He's really very nice. For a
ing down at it looked ready to eat master trader, anyway."
raw oak.
"He's not very nice to you," re-
"I can explain, Master Trader." Algo marked the hobbit. "He yells at you
shuffled again. "A gentleman asked all the time."
if we would take this little hobbit
over the pass with us. He paid for Algo chuckled. "Yes, he yells a
his passage, Master Trader." lot. But he also drove all night
through a blizzard to a healer when
"Paid?" snorted Brugo. "With what? my youngest son was deathly ill. He
This hobbit doesn't look like he has spoke the burial service for my
two coins to rub together. At least father when he died." Algo sighed.
not yet. He'll steal us blind, "He was my father's apprentice, and
Algo! Don't you know all hobbits inherited the business from him. As
are natural born thieves? It's in I will inherit from him in 80 years
their blood! And you've just booked or so when he leaves us."
passage for one on MY CARAVAN?!?"
Algo sighed, and then grinned. "And
Algo blushed, and stammered: "But he really is a very good trader. He
the gentleman paid in gold, Master. may be surly, but he's honest. And
Here." With a nervous flick of the very careful, which I hope helps on
wrist, Algo handed a bulging purse this trip." The young dwarf's face
to Brugo. The old dwarf's eyes wid- darkened.
ened and his face relaxed a little
as he considered the weight. "Why is that?" asked the hobbit.
-19- More...
"Well," replied Algo, "the route going were no business of a green
we're taking has had some strange apprentice barely into his beard.
happenings of late. Some caravans He smiled at the small figure
have gotten through with no trouble. perched on the wagon and said: "I'm
Others have disappeared without a Algo Stonearm, apprentice trader.
trace. Master Brugo intends to go And what might your name be, friend
over the mountains to Pragor, and hobbit?"
this is the only route. So he's
hired mercenaries to protect us." The little hobbit grinned. "You'd
better not let your master see you
Algo pointed to four lounging near being so polite, Algo, or he may
the front of the caravan. One appea- decide you're not suited for this
red to be a ranger, dressed head to business." Algo blushed slightly.
toe in camouflaged hide armor. The
second was a female elven mage, The hobbit chuckled and continued:
lithe and graceful. The third was a "I'm Wimby Littlefoot, scholar and
cleric of the Order of Reann. traveler." The hobbit smiled. "I'm
afraid my family was very dis-
The last member of the group was appointed in me, as I've never had a
apparently its leader: a huge talent for thievery. Your goods are
fighter with a shimmering greatsword safe from me."
slung on his back. "That," said
Algo, indicating the fighter, "is Disarmed by the hobbit's cheerful,
Andar Trollbane. Got the name when innocent-looking grin, Algo smiled
he killed a giant cave troll at the back. "Well," he chuckled, "I hope
age of 12. Single-handedly." Algo so. I'd make a terrible saddlebag."
shuddered.
"Yo, dwarfling!" boomed a loud
"Most impressive," said the hobbit, voice. Algo and Wimby looked up to
nodding. "Your master apparently see Andar approaching on a huge
hires the best. This must be a black horse. He looked even bigger
valuable caravan." close up, almost seven feet tall,
with muscles like a classic statue.
Algo regarded the hobbit carefully, With him, riding a grey palfrey, was
remembering his master's words about the elf.
thieves and hobbits.
Andar grinned at the dwarf. "Your
The hobbit chuckled. "Have no fear, master said we were to see you about
my friend, I have no designs on your supplies, and such." Despite the
goods. I am but a poor traveller. fact that Algo was over 50 years old
How could I steal even a single rug and the human was barely 30, Algo
from this stack? They outweigh me felt like a gawky youth in the
10 to 1." The hobbit grinned. presence of the massive fighter.
Algo chuckled at the thought of the The elf put her hand on Andar's arm
tiny hobbit trying to even lift one and smiled. "Andar, please. This
of the fine Hulgar carpets. How- poor dwarf has enough problems
ever, he was still wary, as his without you grinning down at him
master didn't always tell him like a huge baboon."
everything about their cargo. Could
they be carrying jewels, or some Andar softened his expression
rare magical items? Considering the slightly. "You're right, Delphia.
body guards Brugo had hired, it That Brugo is a tough bugger. I'll
seemed this trip was far more than a lighten up." Andar shifted his
simple journey to sell carpets. attention back to the dwarf as the
other two mercenaries rode up. He
Algo put such thoughts from his smiled at Algo. "You're Algo,
mind. Any secret deals Brugo had right?" he asked.
-20- More...
"Yes sir," replied Algo. "What may mercenaries were all completely
I do for you?" straight-faced, while the hobbit had
the perpetual look of bemusement
Andar nodded. "OK. We'll need room peculiar to his race.
on a wagon for supplies for our
horses and food for ourselves. You "Well," sniffed the dwarf, "you must
can handle that?" admit it does sound a little silly.
Whizbamph. What kind of name is
Algo nodded. "Already done, sir. that? And the other bit. Sounds
Your agent was quite specific about like a name for a cheap stage
your requirements." magician. After all, how many
people can go around adding the word
Andar nodded again. "Yes, Lachmar `Incredible' to their name?"
is most efficient. As is anyone who
works for our employer." Andar smiled grimly. "He didn't. I
believe the the Duke of Allond did
Algo was puzzled at this. "Your that after a medium-sized dragon
employer, sir?" I thought you were vaporized in mid-air in full view of
working for Master Brugo." the entire population of his castle.
This was one day after the duke
Andar seemed about to speak again, inked a contract with Lachmar for
but Delphia laid a hand on his arm. Wizbamph to get rid of the beast."
They exchanged a silent glance
before Andar answered. Algo, who's only contact with a
dragon came when he saw a tooth
"Yes, we have an employer," Andar twice his size in a museum, nodded
replied guardedly. People like your dazedly. "Okay," he mumbled. "I
master contract through him for guess that qualifies."
mercenaries. Depending on what the
job is, he then sends Lachmar arr- "But what does he look like?" asked
ange the details. The boss prefers Wimby. "Did anyone see him?"
to remain anonymous."
Andar looked at the bright-eyed
"You mean you don't know who he is?" hobbit and shook his head. "Nope,
piped up a small voice from the not that I know of. He's been
wagon. Wimby's bright eyes flashed credited with a few spectacular
with interest. deeds like that. To the best of my
knowledge, though, there's no one,
Upon seeing the hobbit, Andar including his main agent, Lachmar,
chuckled and Delphia smiled. The who really knows what he looks like.
elven magess moved closer to the No one living, that is."
wagon and gently patted the tiny
hobbit on the shoulder. Algo shuddered slightly at the tone
in the fighter's voice. "Well, we
"Greetings, little one," she smiled. seem to be leaving. Should you
"Yes, we know who he is. We've just require anything else, please let me
never actually met him." know." Algo bowed, and climbed up on
the wagon next to Wimby. Andar
"Well? Who is it?" chirped the nodded, the four mercenaries assumed
hobbit. their posts, and the caravan slowly
started moving out the gates.
The ranger answered in a dour voice:
"Whizbamph the Incredible." "Do you think that was true?"
squeaked Wimby. "Did this Whizbang
On hearing the name, Algo started to really zap a dragon?"
chuckle. Then, he noticed he was
the only one who thought the name Algo shrugged. "Well, if Andar said
sounded at all funny. The four it happened, it probably did. And I
-21- More...
think the name is Whizbamph. Anyone him feel very safe.
who can vaporize anything, I want to
get his name right." The dwarf Wimby turned out to be a delightful
grinned. "Not that I'll ever get to traveling companion. The little
meet someone like that. I'm impres- hobbit could sing and juggle as well
sed enough with Andar and company." as any professional Algo had ever
seen. He even brought an ocassional
The hobbit grinned back. "They are smile to Brugo's normally gruff
big, aren't they? And smelly, too. countenance. "Funny little thief,"
Except for the lady elf, of course; Brugo chuckled one night, after
she's kind of cute." Wimby smiled Wimby had asked for a volunteer,
wistfully. "Ah well, wishing won't selected the gruff master trader,
make us any bigger, will it." With and proceeded to pull gold coins out
that the hobbit sighed, burrowed of his ear. Of course, all the coins
into the carpet pile, and promptly had come from Brugo's purse.
fell asleep.
But Brugo didn't seem to mind. The
The caravan moved farther into the little halfling had charmed everyone
mountains as the days progressed. with his stories, songs, and tricks.
The late fall air was crisp, and the Particularly Delphia, who, to every-
weather perfectly clear as the wagon one's great amusement had taken to
train moved ever deeper into the hugging the hobbit at any excuse and
mountains. Gaden, the ranger, scout- calling him her "little fuzzy cud-
ed ahead ocassionally to look for dle-bunny." Wimby thrived under the
signs of trouble, but found nothing. attention, and snuggled up to the
Pelag, the cleric, cast a warding elven magess at every opportunity.
spell on the camp every night. The
cleric was alerted by his spell if Day after day, the caravan moved
any creature larger than a squirrel deeper into the mountains with no
approached the camp, and the mercen- sign of trouble. Little did they
aries investigated every incident. know the full extent of the dangers
Algo was thoroughly impressed with that awaited them.
their professionalism and quiet
efficiency. Seeing them work made Conclusion Next Month
________________________________________________________________________
I I
| |
| )/ \( |
| . . ____|' . . . . `|___ |
| . /\ l\ . )/ _____|/ ^^^^^^^^^ // == |
| . . . ____|' . /\ |\ '^^^^^^^^^^^^^ . . |
| . . /\ /\ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ . . |
| . . . . ^^^^^^^^^^^^ |
| . . . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |
| , . ^^^^^^^^^ |
| . O Y ^^^^ |
| /-l--| D ) . |
| l | /-l-/ . . |
| ,_, / \ | l |
| q O / \ . . |
| \/^\_p |
| l_l . |
| | \ . . |
| |
| |
| +-----------------------------+ |
| | Cave Painting -- 'The Hunt' | Kelfour |
| |_____________________________| Museum |
I______________________________________________________________________I
___________ Revelations
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~\\ | by Elyria Blythe & Jhembryn Durrock.
| |~| |||
_| |~| ||| ying several times that it was Jhembryn's father and
/@| |~|_// | recently and losing a her own late love. Soon afterward I
\_/ ~~~~~~ / cherished weapon has left to meditate on this revelation.
~~~~~~~~~~ made me start thinking My friend joined me in my hunt for
about life and death and family. greater orcs, and welcome he was. I
drank in every feature of his face
My mother died long ago in a battle and soon started laughing quietly.
against disease which she could not
win. All I remember of her is flow- "Are you all right Elyria?" Jhembryn
ing white hair and sparkling violet asked. "You seem a little bemused."
eyes, soothing voice and warm hands.
I was only five when she passed I laughed even harder, remembering a
away, not nearly enough time to know particular confidence of his. He
her. My father, inconsolable, sent once told me that before he became
me to live with a maiden aunt. He engaged, he had had a feeling of
passed away several years later, reaching toward me and had felt
still never quite recovered from my something holding him back.
mother's death. My aunt died in her
sleep a few years back, quietly and He stared at me, confused, head
painlessly, a victim of old age. No cocked to one side. "Elyria, are
one was left me for family, and I you sure you're all right? What are
was often lonely and sorrowful. you laughing about?"
As my grief lessened, the numerous "Jhem, I'd like to show you
men of Kelfour's--suave and something I hold very dear, and I
handsome--came to my notice as think it will explain everything to
though I were seeing them for the you. At least, I hope it will.'
first time. One young healer quite
attracted me, yet the bond which I removed a small weathered drawing
drew us together seemed to part us of my mother and father from my pack
too. I came to love Jhembryn, yet and handed it to Jhembryn. Awe and
something always held me back from comprehension dawned in his eyes as
saying so. When my fiance, Bolivar, he gazed at the picture. Finally he
swept me off my feet the strange looked up from it and smiled.
bond, although not forgotten, was
pushed into a dark corner of my "I always wanted a sister, you know,
mind. We three were best friends and but I never dreamed I actually had
enjoyed our hunting expeditions one. To find that it is you--! And
immensely. to think that I had a crush on you!"
In time, my friend and I began to He started laughing, then kissed me
reminisce about our lives, reviving resoundingly on the cheek and winked
the dim memories we had of our at me.
families. His father had died when
he was about ten, but his mother "I guess it's okay for me to do that
still lived, a charming human lady, now that I don't have to worry about
striking - looking even after the Bolivar hitting me. After all, we
passage of years. I visited her were only great friends before. Now
often, as I so much missed my own we know who we really are."
sweet mother.
He then held me in an emotional
On one visit, a tattered drawing of embrace, saying through his tears,
man caught my eye. Shock icicled "I'm so happy we found out. At last
through me; I quietly asked whose I have a true family. Will you tell
picture it was. Proudly she told me me about our father?"
-23-
We went to the cottage for a while, One in particular stood out among
so that we could share the memories them, and this I shared with my
we held about our father. I hadn't brother. "It was right after my
known where he traveled during the mother died, and father and I were
years after my mother's death, but walking along the river. He was
now I did. Unable to face the child very preoccupied and looked
that reminded him so of his wife, he strained. I remember it so clearly
found solace in the arms of another because of the startlingly vivid
woman. Had I met Jhembryn's mother blue of the sky and the cries of the
while biased by painful knowledge, I sea birds wheeling overhead.
would have hated her and hated
Jhembryn. But my maturity and time "We stopped at the river's edge, and
in these lands serve me well. I love he turned to me. His face was
my brother dearly, and his mother weary, his eyes dull. He kneeled
as well. before me and held me close, and I
could feel his warm breath against
I told Jhembryn about the happy me. Holding me back away from him a
times I had spent with Father, and bit, he looked into my eyes and
he in turn shared his life with me. smiled. 'I have something for you,
Neither of us had many years with little one. I want you to keep it
him, but they were special ones for always, and think about the good
both of us. times when we were a family.' He
pulled a drawing from his pocket and
"My father--our father--was killed handed it to me. It was the one I
in battle at a storming of the town carry now.
gates on a dark evening, during one
of the periodic Unlife uprisings "Not long after that he sent me to
against the citizens of Kelfour's my aunt's. I saw brief glimpses of
Landing," Jhembryn began. "But I him in the ensuing years before his
remember before he died, when he death, but never with any
first taught me to wield a sword. regularity. I guess it was too
painful for him."
"I was rather clumsy with it, only
about nine years old at the time, Jhembryn and I sat for a few moments
but I still wanted to be as good as lost in thought. Finally, I smiled
him." Tears began to flow from and pulled him to his feet,
Jhembryn's eyes. indicating the door of the cottage.
"Shall we?" I asked.
"I really don't think he cared how
good I was, but I wanted to please We continued our hunt and were
him so badly. He had little time to joined there by my love. A rash of
teach me because of the many battles giggling, winking, and nudging broke
he was called to fight. I long felt out between Jhembryn and me, as
that there was something he wanted Bolivar looked on in confusion. I
to tell me, but never did. finally introduced my love to his
soon to be brother-in-law and
"He died when I was ten. I don't watched the fun. Strangely enough,
really remember very much, but I my brother and I are getting married
cherish the memories I have." After within days of each other.
a long pause Jhembryn went on.
"Stories of how our father died Not all the revelations in life are
helped me decide what to do with my good, and not all are bad. This
life. At the age of 19 I began to revelation heartened me after the
study the healing arts. Now every recent sorrows of repeated death.
time I heal someone, I wonder why no The laughter and love we feel is
one could have healed Father." genuine and gives me back a family I
thought lost.
I sighed and thought about the very
few clear memories I had of Father. ======\\======
-24-
___________ Cycles (Part I)
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\_\ | by Lord Whilder Planrathe
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ | lowly her world came small, wide-mouthed jug that had
/@| \~\__/~/ | into focus. She been sitting at her feet all day.
\_/ ~~~~~~ / blinked once, clear- She shook it vigorously and a loud
~~~~~~~~~~ ing the glazed look rattling came from it. "Inside of
from her bright green eyes. For a this jug are 10 dice. Each die has
moment she could not remember who 10 sides. Each side has a symbol of
she was, nor why she had come here. one of my choices. The symbol that
is seen most often on the first roll
Then she saw the steel statue... shall be my choice. If it is
required, I shall roll a second
Memories. Ages past. Worlds ago. time."
She sat at the table outside the (How had she kept a straight face at
small cottage. It was her birthday. their looks? She suddenly burst
And on this day, she would have to into laughter. Better late than
choose the path her life would never...)
follow. The crowd gathered around
was not the well-wishers who had Again she had to wait as they edged
attended her parties before, but the closer, jostling each other for a
teachers who would help her along view of the table. After they
the road she would soon choose. Or seemed to have settled into position
rather, the life chance would choose she glared along the edge of the
for her. table. More movement as the
spectators tried to move away from
(Chance! Her name was Chance! She the table edge yet still maintain
remembered it now.) their view.
She looked around at the gathering, Finally satisfied that nobody would
trying her best to remain solemn. A bump against the table, she shook
difficult task since it seemed the the jug and poured the dice onto the
entire world was there, trying to table top. The sound of each stone
convince her to follow their own as it clattered onto the wood roared
paths of learning or trade. Long like thunder in her ears. Her heart
hours ago they had began telling her seemed to climb into her throat.
of the wonders of their arts, of the Breathing seemed impossible. She
necessity of their crafts. But she lost focus on the crowd, the table
knew. Gods how she knew! They only itself. Only the eternally
wanted her for the fame of having tumbling, spinning, skittering dice
the Luck-Child as their apprentice. existed. And ages later, they came
to rest.
She waited politely. No more came
forth to petition her. She She waited as the crowd surged
straightened her back and waited as around, murmuring to themselves and
the talking died to a murmur, then each other. She waited as they left
to a silence. "My friends" she to spread the news, to be the first
spoke "I have decided not to decide to tell those who could not attend.
for myself." She politely waited as As the sun began setting, she
the roar of disapproval crested over realized that only two elves
her, then slowly subsided. remained near the table.
She continued, louder to be heard She looked up at the first one.
over the few remaining voices, "I Nondescript, even for an elf. His
have decided on several clothes could fit in almost
possibilities." She lifted the anywhere. Not flashy, yet nice
-25-
enough to be worn in a royal court. She looked up in surprise. Send for
He could be mistaken for someone him? She had sent a request for him
working their way up the social to attend, not a demand. Then she
ladder or someone who could fit in remembered that she was the Luck-
with common society. Child. A request from her might
seem a command to others.
She watched as he slowly reached
forward and picked up a die with a She recovered her composure. "I
soft-looking hand. Her slight scowl asked for you to come for I desire
did not bother him in the least. to learn from the one I think is the
Carefully, lightly he turned the die best. You have many years of
on his fingers, studying each side experience, and are still alive and
and then placing it exactly back even recently were in combat."
where it had been, each side facing
exactly as it had been before. He He seemed to consider her statement.
picked up a second die, examined it, Slowly he nodded. "Very well. Be
and placed it exactly as before. at my home an hour before dawn, two
days hence. Be neither late nor
"Not loaded," he said, in a voice so early. And bring little with you,
quiet she almost didn't hear him. for I do not believe you will stay
long." He then turned and left,
"No" she whispered back. leaving her kneeling in the grass.
"Why is there one face of white, the Memories ended. The Present.
other of black?"
She looked again at the rusting
"What do you think?" she answered. statue. She had come here for a
reason. There had to be a reason.
"Why do you think it is as clear cut She was no longer a guardswoman at
as that?" he answered. Then he the keep. The master had died ages
walked away from the table. ago. She should have died ages ago.
Yet there were great blanks in her
(Gods, she had been foolish thinking memory. She couldn't recall how she
good and evil was that clear cut.) got here, or the trip here. She
frowned. The last memory she had
She looked over at the remaining was of her meeting far from this
elf, and suddenly felt very small. place, with the mage Wild Luck. Or
He was the armsman from another Whilder, as he seemed to prefer.
village, and had only come at her
request. She looked back at the And somehow she knew that had been
dice. All ten had stopped with the five weeks ago.
picture of a sword on the top face.
Where did five weeks of her life go?
She stood up and walked over to the
old warrior. She then knelt down in She was still trying to remember
front of him. what she had done for the last five
weeks when the golem charged in
"Master of Arms, I would learn your through the eastern archway.
ways. Will you take me and train me Without a bit of hesitation she ran
in the way of the warrior?" straight at the magical construct,
her rapier seemed to leap into her
He looked down upon her, considering hand. She swerved to her left just
his reply. For long moments she out of its reach. Clumsily it
feared he would reject her. grabbed for her, almost as though it
was trying to hug her. She saw the
"Why did you send for me?" He asked. opening she needed and leapt
"There are many others who would straight at it, her rapier going
train you, who are faster or straight through its eye, into the
stronger than I am." brain, the metal of the rapier
-26- More...
disrupting both physical being and And the new aches, pains, bruises,
magical energies. And even as the cuts, and scrapes, the cracked and
golem fell, she looked at the rapier broken bones...
in her hand, and memories came back.
She remembered the day he did not
Memories. Ages past. Worlds ago... arrive on time to begin the days
Flood of memories. Short, jumbled... session. She started the routines
the endless days of training... the and continued on until well into the
endless repetition of exercise... morning, and was just beginning to
the endless swing of over-weighted worry when he arrived. He was
swords... the endless running with dressed in ordinary clothes, not his
more weight than she could carry... usual practice armor, and she knew
The endless climbing in full armor.. it was the last day of her training
with him.
The endless aches, pains, bruises,
and cuts... He sat upon the bench, and indicated
she should join him.
She remembered the time he showed
her the trunk, overflowing with "Would you be as a snake?" he asked.
medals, decorations, proud proclama-
tions of honor and bravery in fancy She was puzzled, for he had never
script. He ignored her questions, said anything like this before. She
simply stating that the chest was thought for a moment, then realized
full of worthless metal and parch- what he had asked. "No," she replied
ment. Things that impressed others, "for the snake strikes quickly and
but not a true armsman. kills by poison. It stays, striking
only a smaller or weaker foe and
She remembered his words... runs from the stronger, larger
ones."
"Many fight for the glory of the
battle. The bards sing often and He nodded. "Would you be as a bear?"
tell many tales about their great
battles over a mug of ale. Yet what "No, for a bear depends on brute
of the one they speak of? Often strength and size."
dust, for the greatest battle they
ever fought was always their last. He nodded again. "What is the best
way for you to fight, then?"
"Many use strength to beat their
foes. Yet that very strength is She puzzled over the question. But
their greatest weakness. For when she had no answer.
they meet a foe stronger than
themselves, they fall. He waited patiently. The sun passed
its zenith and began its descent
"Many use speed to defeat another. into afternoon. Still, she could
Yet battles must be fought where not answer him.
movement is restricted, or the
footing treacherous. Finally, she gave up. "How should I
fight? What is the best way for me?"
"Fight not for the glory of battle.
Fight not for the first strike. He turned to face her. "You are
Fight not to show your strength. indeed wiser than you believe. You
Fight only to win." asked for the best way for yourself.
Not for the best way. The best way
She remembered the training... in for you."
barehanded combat... with but
daggers and simple clubs... with She fidgeted under his stern gaze.
many swords and maces... with long, His black eyes caught her and held
clumsy pole arms... her attention as never before.
-27- More...
"Be as the Hawk," he said. "The the brisk morning air.
Hawk knows it gets but one strike,
one chance at life or death. It He was there. Awaiting her.
will circle and circle, patiently
watching and waiting. And when it Without a word he presented her with
strikes, it will strike true. The a rapier. His visage as stern as
Hawk strikes to slay, not to battle ever. She watched his back as he
gloriously." walked to the doorway, then he
stopped and turned to her.
He stood suddenly. "In the morn,
one hour before dawn, you will "Your cycle of childhood ended when
leave." And before she could react, you took the path of a warrior. Your
he walked away. cycle of training ends now with this
dawn. Begin now the cycle of life."
She spent the rest of the afternoon
preparing to leave, packing the few She remembered the small, sad smile
things she had brought with her that played across his lips as he
along with the few items she had closed the door.
acquired during her (had it truly
been so many?) years under the Memories ended. The Present.
armsmaster's instruction.
She glanced around, unsure of how
She slept fitfully that night and much time she had spent thinking
lay awake in her cot until the about the distant past. Her eye
appointed hour had arrived. She caught the open steel door and the
slowly walked to the door and looked room beyond it. Without realizing
around, but her mentor had not what was happening, she followed an
arrived to bid her farewell. Slowly urge to enter the old lab...
she opened the door and stepped into (To Be Continued)
Sailor's Woe: by Rhea Sibex
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A sailing man a Nymph did meet, one day upon the shore.
He knew she was no normal lass,
For only seaweed twas she wore.
"Come here my beauty",the sailor cried...
Ne'er such lovliness has been at my side",
he reached his arms for more.
Anxiously she viewed the man, great hairy ugly beast.
Her mermaid friends had warned her, never travel alone the beach.
"Begone foul demon - you whiskered thing, only a waterling can be my king"
Whereupon she began to sing...
Hoh Lah la-laaa
Eee Yah me-meee
Hoh Lah la-laaa
"To my song your ears shall ring"
And the sailor's eyes did stop their shine,
As upon that shore his fate was signed.
No more the Nymphs ran through his mind,
As her song did make him stay.
And to this day the sailors know,
That Nymphs might be chased, but never caught.
Fair of form but for sailors not.
-28-
Murder and the Poisoned Pen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Miss Louvella Parsnips
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|e have just return- in the near future, but we have
| |~|/~~\|~| | ed from a rather serious doubts as to the wedding
_| |~/~/\~\~| | lengthy absence, ever taking place. We do indeed.
/@| _|__/ \__|_| brought on by
\_/_____________/ several attempts A very young wood-elf magess has
on our venerable life, and have also announced her intentions to
discovered the same decadence, cor- marry a half elf fighter with an
ruption and moral instability still equally sharp blade. Of course, we
still rife in Kelfour's Landing. would not be as tacky as to suggest
that this fighter seeks to gain the
We wonder if the depraved inhabit- best of two worlds and that the two
ants of Kulthea will ever change, brides know nothing of each other.
especially those few who thought We are sure the wedding night will
to rid the lands permanently of our be rather interesting.
exalted persona. We have no doubt
that the culprits will be brought The dark patch has overshadowed the
to task in the very near future. impending wedding(s) also as he has
We have no doubts indeed. been seen deep in the Kaldsfang
forest locked in a passionate
Of course, just because we were in embrace with one of the brides-to-
absentia does not mean our eyes and be. We are much too genteel to ever
ears were closed to the henious mention the name of the trollop who
activities in the land. We are has been dallying around, but we did
delighted to inform you of a rather happen to notice she seemed very at
dark patch on Kulthea of late. It home in the forest.
seems a young thief has been
antagonizing everyone from the most A hastily scrawled missive in our
pompous lordly type to the youngest mailbox has brought to light a
(and still somewhat naive) of vicious and cruel murder which has
adventurers. hence gone undetected. It is this
which convinced us to return to the
Naturally some of the more abhorrent Landing, as no crime this henious
members of the landing took justice should go unpunished. Who better to
into their own hands and attempted discover the murderer (and call for
to stop this half-elf. He, however, a public hanging) than us? We have
refuses to have anything to do with our suspicions that the murderer of
the pompous lordly types, and has one of Kelfour's prominent (if
continued his offensive activities rather tarnished) adventurers, might
while mocking those who seek to be the same fiend who tried to
drive him from the lands. We do not silence our malefic pen for eternity.
know which is the lesser of two
evils, the dark patch on humanity or We are still investigating this rash
the pompous lordly types who think of crimes and will keep you informed
they have a right to dispense moral as to further developments. We would
justice. What nerve. advise all adventurers to develop
eyes in the back of their heads or
Speaking of offensive activities, we at least to watch their backs.
have noticed a young couple spending
a great deal of time au natural in Until next month, dear reader,
Frick's best suite. The half-elf remember to send gossip, tattle and
fighter with a very sharp blade and hearsay to MISS.SNOOP (via GE Mail)
his short and hairy bride-to-be where it will quickly reach our
insist they will be married sometime eager eyes. Tra la for now!
-29-
KEV3N4
[end]
See Also: