[Visit http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/tekken/856/ to view more files!]
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Plan Ahead for those Hot Summer Nights! Page 2 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III'S June 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.1 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| _ _ / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| /_\ /_\ ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| |o| _______ |o|(__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| | |/ _ \| |___) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| |o|___/_\___|o| |
| |. ..|O| . . | The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| ~| . | | .|~ |
| .*.|____|_|____|.*. . |
|__________\ \________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| ......................... Local News ....................... 1 |
| Level Six ..................................... Stanyon Sting 1 |
| Hot Summer Nights Agenda ................... from Simutronics 2 |
| Annual Hall of Fame ........................................ 3 |
| Hear Ye! Oh, Newcomers to Kulthea! ............ Stanyon Sting 4 |
| High Sorcery, Part One: Path to Power .... Dartaghan Darkstar 6 |
| Rolled Rat and Kobold Kabobs ................. Sargon Garenth 8 |
| Tentative Open Essence Spell List .......................... 9 |
| Compendium of Magic Items ...... Libraries House |{nightsaber 10 |
| First Blood .................................. Thantis Azzurn 12 |
| Reaan's Gift ............. Amelda Heronheart & Inyigo Montoya 13 |
| The Story of My Coming ...................... Iomadh Dauphin 14 |
| The Old Man and the Wight Lord ........ Elminester Silvanisty 15 |
| Love Mourns Eternal ........................... Elyria Blythe 17 |
| Regrets ....................................... Feckly Fecund 19 |
| Symbols and Lies, Conclusion ......... Lord Whilder Planrathe 22 |
| Corruption in Kulthea ................ Miss Louvella Parsnips 26 |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact 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
~~~~~~~~~~
Maps & Reference Charts Wands & Runes Modified
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Popular Ranger Zepath Edgewater has Tests by local residents have con-
assembled his vast collection of firmed that wands and runes began
Kulthean reference materials includ- functioning similarly late this
ing highly detailed maps of all month. It appears that the realm is
accessible hunting areas near town now based upon profession. Modi-
along with charts describing known fiers have been determined:
traits of monsters in one handy
tome. Available in GIF for ALL -30 Spell not in your realm.
types of PCs and ready to print, -20 Spell is in your realm but not
this material is contained in File on a list you can learn
#28 GIFMAPS8.LZH from the GemStone +10 Spell is in one of your lists,
Library, Option 8 on Page 930. but you do not know it yet
+30 You know the Spell
Index to KE: Volume 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gone are +/-60 possibilities, and
This Kelfour Edition marks the first runes are now more accessible to the
issue of our third volume or year of various professions.
publication. Newcomers to town
often find back issues of value, and _________________________________
an index to articles published last / \
year (Volume 2) is in the final | Hot Summer Nights! |
stages of assembly by Thantis Azzurn | Events & Contests: Next Page |
as we go to press. Watch for it soon \_________________________________/
in the GemStone III Library.
The upcoming Index to Volume 2 is Level Six
similar in design and scope to that ~~~~~~~~~
for KE's first year, Volume 1, which by Stanyon Sting
is available in the MPGRT Library as
File 248 KEINDEX1.TXT. Nearly 200 Hear this tale, I will be brief
player-written articles are cross- On what it's like to be a Thief
referenced by type, author and Tis a pretty fix I'm in
subject, accompanied by the file For levels 1-5 I've been
name/number of the KE in which each Now, at level six, I fear
was published to help you select My mind seems always fresh and clear
which back issues would be most Hillies my sword will break
valuable to your collection. Cavers put my soul at stake
And they who once put me to the test
Natasha's Guide to Kulthea Gobs and Lorcs are now but pests
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forest Trolls can still be fun
Now returned from faraway travels, And Greater Orcs are on the run
well-known Healer Natasha Cheridin But even these are little risks
visited the Kelfour Edition Building I dream of Golems and Basilisks
recently. Her mission was research- To hear the Black Stalkers howl
ing the morgue files to verify facts To slay Werebears on the prowl
and details for an upcoming revision I'm told tales of Spider Priests
of her famous Guide to Kulthea. And Unlife having a living feast
My heart is high
Natasha's Updated Guide to Kulthea For I know one day
will be available from the GemStone The hour is nigh
Library soon. Be sure to keep the When I join the fray
file number handy for recommending Heaven it will seem to me
to newcomers to our lands. When level seven I will be
-1-
Spend those Hot Summer Nights in Kulthea!
Contests, Prizes, Special Events throughout August!
Hot Summer Nights Agenda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August (Schedule subject to change)
Sat/1: One-Night Quest, Conducted by Lord Bardon
Sun/2: Kickoff of the Kelfourian Assassins' Guild Game, to run entire month
Mon/3: Beginning Night of Kulthean Olympics and Carnival
Tue/4: Newbie Night + Olympics continue
Wed/5: Town Forum + Olympics continue
Thu/6: Olympics continue
Fri/7: Olympics continue with Lord Bardon's Water Tunnel Races!
Sat/8: Olympics conclude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun/9: Full-scale auction, with different level tents
Mon/10: Bardic Song and Prose contest
Tue/11: Newbie Night
Wed/12: Town Forum ____________________
Thu/13: MiniEvent, run by Giacomo /\ \
Fri/14: Merchant Ship visits Kelfour's landing. \@| Find REAL Gems |
Sat/15: Event (maze), run by Kygar. | |
-----------------------------------------------------| In Kulthea |
Sun/16: Gladitorial Games | |
Mon/17: ASCII art showcase/contest | Throughout the |
Tue/18: Newbie Night | |
Wed/19: Town Forum /@| Month of August! |
Thu/20: Blank \/____________________/
Fri/21: Kickoff of Game-wide Scavenger Hunt
Sat/22: Conclusion of Game-wide Scavenger Hunt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun/23: Begin Major Quest (registration may be necessary)
Mon/24: Continue Major Quest
Tue/25: Continue Major Quest (possible Newbie Night)
Wed/26: Continue Major Quest (possible Town Forum)
Thu/27: Continue Major Quest
Fri/28: Continue Major Quest
Sat/29: Final Group runs of Major Quest
Sun/30: Conclusion of month-long Assassins' Game/Awards Ceremony
+ Opening of New Area to public.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Olympics in the first week will include events like skinning and lock-
picking contests, GM dunking, brawling contests, pole vaulting, etc.
The Kelfourian Assassins' Guild Game will be a sort of 'tag' wherein players
"assassinate" targets. Skill, luck, and not a little cunning required.
Complete rules for the Bardic, ASCII Art and Composition Contests are on the
MPGRT Bulletin Board. To read ONLY that message, enter MOVE 1045;1 on
GEnie, then enter SET 20 at the prompt, followed by REA 3 62. Some entries
must be submitted by July 31st. Read the rules if you plan to enter.
The Scavenger Hunt will require hunting throughout Kulthea for items on
lists. The first few players returning completed lists will win prizes!
The Quest during the last week of August will take place in an area which
will be opened on the last day of the month.
-2-
__________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/________________________________________________________________________/
| |
| FIGHTER Lvl THIEF Lvl |===========COMMON MAN==|
|-------------------------------------------------|Beolost Lamontt 19|
| Ise Ikiryo 22 Moonpie Legend 24 |Sauren Tessar 13|
| Benar Stormarm 21 Valeria Deering 22 |Silent Mydnyghte 10|
| Gilthor Longblade 21 Artuero Bresnahanini 22 |Rowena Ookami 8|
| Waldo2 Ptolomy 21 Mikhail Minnehan 22 |Saar Halinot 4|
| Kirk Bloodguard 20 Camorra Amandaus 21 |=============HIGH MAN==|
| Garret Faerghhail 17 Griffun Skyborne 21 |Benar Stormarm 21|
| Angeleyes DuLac 15 Laeg Cearnach 20 |Gilthor Longblade 21|
| Peat Sallixto 13 Kyrenis Windrider 19 |Queron Kinevan 20|
| Eyashusa Donestaya 13 Feckly Fecund 18 |Balm Loydrich 18|
|_Dirac de Montegilt 13 Winter Moorsland 17 |Angeleyes DuLac 15|
/------------------------------------------------|=============HALF ELF==|
| MAGE CLERIC |Kayla Kyndhart 28|
|-------------------------------------------------|Fxg Lyon 27|
| Odds Bodkins 27 Taarna Wayfinder 26 |Rhys Corwinson 26|
| Lose Soulblaster 26 Sindar d'Clairique 22 |Taarna Wayfinder 26|
| Dagmar Istarii 25 Bashir Mskshadhvar 21 |Dagmar Istarii 25|
| Certain Justice 23 Redeye Kielsson 20 |=============WOOD ELF==|
| Elminester Silvan..23 Ardneh Cormorant 20 |Baram Lightclad 23|
| Whilder Planrathe 23 Lohann McCloud 20 |Joqain Denark 20|
| Baram Lightclad 23 Lairaerrykthrok Tyki..20 |Zhuge Liang 18|
| Dartaghan Darkstar 23 Michealoos Duraderos 19 |Mithil Wyerla 17|
| Karel Tasavalta 22 Zinderin Paxton 18 |Kaylin Darkmoor 16|
|_Griffin Skywave 22 Tory Sterlington 17 |=============HIGH ELF==|
/------------------------------------------------|Strom O'Berin 37|
| HEALER BARD |Eol Elmoth 11|
|-------------------------------------------------|Soulsavr Truespel 8|
| Strom O'Berin 37 Enegue LionHeart 20 |Maia Moonsong 6|
| Kayla Kyndhart 28 Vshaal hiJneksha's 16 |Aquarin Howenthorne 5|
| Rhys Corwinson 26 Mendle Seldagrave 16 |=============FAIR ELF==|
| Chardros Grax 25 Balladeer Carpentere 12 |Lose Soulblaster 26|
| Caretaker D'Boldh 22 Damiano Faustas 11 |Chardros Grax 25|
| Balm Loydrich 18 Elladan Palarran 10 |Certain Justice 23|
| Vesitsa Talchild 17 Ringo Hobson 9 |Valeria Deering 22|
| Unum LUX 16 Lorien Silvanesti 7 |Artuero Bresnahanini 22|
| Woundhealer odlaw 16 Thundarii Kregen 7 |=============DWARF=====|
|_Mystal Darkshado 15 Darksaul Payne 7 |Caretaker D'BoldHome 22|
/------------------------------------------------|Vesitsa Talchild 17|
| RANGER SORCERER |Vshaal hiJneksha's 16|
|-------------------------------------------------|Hilgavolkas LaJolla 9|
| Fxg Lyon 27 Enigma Sirillian 21 |Brand Brandenburg 9|
| Yuri Hanbidt 24 Queron Kinevan 20 |=============HALFLING==|
| Maruko Ashimine 22 Airioch Ramthanodox 20 |Odds Bodkins 27|
| Nastrom Trevin 22 Isei Ikazuchi 19 |Dartaghan Darkstar 23|
| Talon Elissidil 21 Mithil Wyerla 17 |Griffin Skywave 22|
| Rune Arundel 20 Vlad Drakulya 16 |Enigma Sirillian 21|
| Landreth deLorde 20 Warmajere DrakesBane 13 |Artemis Al~Anhir 21|
| Arborius Draginson 20 Fallon Slaaon 12 |=======================|
| Gallenod Varynesti 20 Coen Ni'shaang 11 | Congratulations |
| Artaq Congress 19 Eol Elmoth 11 | To All! |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
/| Annual Hall of Fame by Profession and Race as of May 28, 1992 |
\/________________________________________________________________________/
-3-
Hear Ye! Oh, Newcomers to Kulthea!
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ________ \ by Stanyon Sting
\@| ~|_|~~|| |
| |~|_|~~ |
_| |~|-|__ | TIQUETTE IN TOWN: Give gifts! Healers always can use
/@| |~|__|| | Most citizens gather your extra crystal amulets to keep
\_/ ~~~~~~~~ / in the Temple, as it on the "net" and thus be available
~~~~~~~~~~~ is easy to get to and to critically injured players who
is renowned for its virtue in exper- are not able to make it back to the
ience absorption and power point temple. Non-magic types can donate
regeneration. When many are present any runes they find to rune-trained
to socialize and transact business, characters. No one in Kulthea can
"whisper" your private conversations prosper on his own, and considerate
so as not to disturb others with behavior at early levels can make
your inconsequential utterings. the difference between Life and
Death in Kulthea, as well as making
Found a chest? You may unlock its true and long-lasting friendships.
secrets here. Many kindly thieves
are willing to risk life and limb ETIQUETTE OUTSIDE THE GATE: When
for your enrichment. While I charge you encounter another character in
not for my services, I do advise battle with a monster, DO NOT join
offering your chest champion some the fray unless invited to do so.
money for the sake of politeness. It is polite to ask if the
Beleaguer not the good thief to open adventurer needs any help. Often
all your things on demand as soon as you get a nod to join and, presto,
he or she enters the room, but find you have a hunting partner.
time to greet this selfless citizen.
You may thus avoid paying that das- Do not frivol time away with
tard locksmith who preys upon your questions when you come upon some
pocketbook like a rabid navigator. unfortunate who is stunned or prone
Happy am I to pick chests for any with a monster in the room. Use the
soul, but once in a while my own "DRAG" command to save the victim's
business at hand beckons me first. life. Know the room exits and type
DRAG (name of character) N or S or
Healers are found here, too! The whatever the exit is. Rooms with no
juxtaposition of hopes within these obvious exits do not allow dragging.
talented people is mighty strange In this case, advise the person to
indeed. They hope for injuries to QUIT and come back a little later
fall upon us so they may increase when the monster is gone. If there
their skills through experience. is no response then stay, and maybe
Yet, at the same time, they show the monster will attack you instead.
compassion for us by taking our Saving someone's life is a wonderful
injuries upon themselves! Honor them way to introduce yourself. ;)
unremittingly, for they are always
on the lookout for people who need When you come across a group of
their help. adventurers, it is mannerly to ask
if you may join them. However, a
Friendly spell users will bestow rejection here is not necessarily
upon you some extra DB or OB with contemptible behavior on their
their spell craft if they take a part. They may be too many. They
liking to you and want you to be may be higher level characters on
safe outside the gate. The best way their way to a place too dangerous
in Kulthea to achieve all your goals for you to hunt. They may be lower
as fast as possible is to make level players who will be hunting
friends. The simple 'thank you' for in places you have outgrown.
any favor goes a long way to achieve Remember, though, there is safety in
fast friendships. numbers, especially since it is
-4- More...
likely you will meet death sometime quickly as possible to wait for the
in your career. next attack, and so on. It is an
effective way to fight, but the
YOU JUST BIT THE DUST! You are risks are great. If the monster
dead. If you are killed by some catches you at parry 0 before you
lucky monster, you drop whatever get a chance to change back to
you are carrying in your hands, parry 100...ACK! Some monsters are
most likely your shield and weapon. too fast for you to use this method.
If you are in a party, others can I suggest parry tagging only in a
recover your stuff to return to group until you are familiar with
you. You will (we hope) be raised the various monsters and how
by some wonderful cleric, or quickly they attack.
(preferably not) depart from your
body and re-appear in the temple Because time is of the essence in
sans all your equipment. parry tag, using macros is crucial
to your survival. Most communication
If you have died alone, you have systems allow you to use macros, and
four minutes to linger above your I really advise it. Macros enable
body hoping someone will come by to you to invoke commands without typ-
help. After four minutes, you will ing more than a stroke or two. The
depart, leaving ALL your belongings time saved may be the difference
behind. You then reappear in the between life and death in parry tag.
Temple, provided you have honored
Eissa with a deed on your record. SURVIVAL TIPS: Oh boy, a chest!
At first level there is no penalty When gathering treasure in the
for dying (up to five deaths), but wilds outside of Kelfour's Landing,
after that you can suffer grievous ALWAYS put away your shield and NOT
harm to your statistics. your weapon. At Parry 100, all your
weapon bonus goes into your defen-
I suggest that if you have been sive posture. When you put your
obliterated, you wait about three weapon away, you lose all that bonus
minutes in the hope that someone and thus are vulnerable to an attack
may pass by who will get help. If from whatever whatever may walk into
no one comes, then quit the game the room. The only exception to
and go to the MPGAMES RoundTable this rule would be for the level one
Conference. GemStone has its own player whose OB is actually less
room in the Multi-Player Games than a shield's DB bonus.
RoundTable, Room 9 - The GemStone
Temple Room. Other poor souls may FINDING AN ITEM: When groups of
be waiting there, and clerics check hunters find such special items as a
in now and then. If someone does Ruby Amulet or a Black Storm Blade,
look in, be sure to mention your and everyone wants it, then it is
plight to get help. Deaths are customary to "roll" for it. Players
announced throughout the land to put their weapons away (please go to
every player, so if a companion of a safe place before you do this),
yours gets wind of your premature parry at 100, and attack each other
demise, most likely they will go once. Whoever rolls the highest
meet you in the RTC to see if they number with the 100 sided dice wins
can help. This is another example the item. This is fun because
of how developing friendships is attacking your friends is something
crucial to success in GemStone. you don't normally want to do. Be a
good sport and congratulate the
BATTLE TIPS: Parry tag is played winner for being so fortunate unless
thus: "Parry" at 100 when the of course, you win (yeah!).
monster attacks you. Quickly
"parry" at 0 to attack the monster. TESTING AN ITEM: Ok, you have this
Return to parry 100 again as special item. Now what? The first
-5- [Continued on Page 7]
High Sorcery Part One: Path to Power
_______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____\ by Dartaghan Darkstar
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| |hy on Kulthea would I still pay homage to that gifted
/@| _|__/ \__|_| anyone in their young sorcerer, I believe his name
\_/_____________/ right mind want to was Ishmael, who devised the current
be a sorcerer? A young sorcerer can power point regeneration formula
barely defeat a torkaan in single used by GemStone. Prior to Sept.
combat and that's only if s/he uses of 1990, spellcasters regenerated
a sword. What could be more path- one power point every two minutes in
etic than a youngster trying to use the field and two at an earth node.
magic to blast a rotten tempered That meant that all spell- casters
sheep and getting - rather than a would regenerate powers at the same
pelt - a bad case of slurred speech? rate no matter what level. Now,
While this daunting scenario dis- thanks to Ishmael, that level fifty
courages most people from trying sorcerer gets ten power points per
sorcery, it is not the whole story. cycle in the field and 20 at a node.
The current formula allows a spell-
The real truth, known only by the caster to regenerate 10% of her
maniacal practitioners of high sor- maximum power points in the field,
cery, is that the rewards of high and 20% at an earth node.
sorcery are as great as the road to
them are forbidding, not to mention Base Attack Spells (such as the
prolonged. Some experienced practi- sorcerer's Touch of Disruption) use
tioners of the trade like Airioch, Base Attack Rolls (BAR). When a sor-
Enigma, Queron and others have cerer casts a Base Attack spell, a
discovered that their magical attack 100-sided die is rolled and the
spells are beginning to be very result is referred to as the unmod-
effective in destroying their prey. ified BAR. Then the caster's level
It is still true, however, that even is added, along with other modifi-
at level 20, sorcerers are still cations due to magic or armor worn
unable to hunt alone effectively and by the caster, to the unmodified BAR
do best in larger hunting parties. to get the modified BAR. The target
But by the time they reach level 30, then rolls a 100-sided die for its
these sorcerers will be as powerful unmodified Resistance Roll (RR).
as any other player of like level no Any added resistance such as that
matter what profession he or she may provided by magic or armor, es-
be, and may even be able to solo as pecially metal based armor, is then
well. And no one, not even the most added to that D100 roll.
powerful Hobbit mage will be able to
challenge them with impunity once If the target's modified Resistance
they reach Legend status (level 50). Roll (RR) is less than sorcerer's
modified BAR, then the target fails
This metamorphosis is possible due to resist the attack. It then rolls
to two unique features of the Role another D100 die to see which criti-
Master/GemStone magic system: The cal it will be hit with from the
bane/blessing of Base Attack Spells Critical Tables used by GemStone.
(BAS), the source of the sorcerer's Therein lies the secret behind the
power, and its use of the Base metamorphosis of the wimpy sorcery
Attack Roll (BAR) combined with the practiced by low level sorcerers to
incredible increase in the number of the near-omnipotent power of High
power points available to high level Sorcery: While the Sorcerer's level
sorcerers. A level five sorcerer is is added to his Base attack roll,
likely to have a maximum of ten the target's level is not! This
power points while a level fifty translates to a level five sorcerer
Legend will probably have 100 plus. only getting a Level Bonus of 5
-6- More...
while a level fifty sorcerer gets a Hear Ye! [Continued from Page 5]
bonus of 50! If the caster and the ~~~~~~~~
target are the same level, all the thing you do is pick it up and drop
sorcerer needs is a modified BAR of it. Sometimes an item is cursed, in
+51 over the modified RR roll of the which case you will not be able to
target to tag it! drop it; then you will need a cleric
to uncurse it for you.
If you crave to be the ultimate des-
troyer and are undaunted by the Ok, you know it's not cursed, 'cause
prolonged apprenticeship and forbid- you can drop it. Now what? You can
ding road to high sorcery, go for it test it in the field (or you can get
today! The sooner you start, the a friend to test it for you if you
sooner you will reach that legendary are not sure how), to see if it has
status where you will be able to any special qualities in combat.
cast killer spells all day and your You can look at it, search it, wear
targets will virtually be unable to it, rub it, wave it, invoke it, kick
resist your powerful sorcery. it, and generally try anything to
see what special properties it might
Disclaimer have. Some people in the land are
~~~~~~~~~~ quite experienced in item lore and
Practice High Sorcery at your own may have seen something like this
risk. Neither KE's Staff nor the one before. So ask around.
author will be responsible for the
mental health or lack thereof of The surest way to examine this item
anyone who starts down the road to is to test it at the "Crystal." The
High Sorcery and ends up just as crystal is located in a secret room
demented as s/he is powerful. Con- in the Abandoned Inn located at the
sider carefully not only the skill end of hill troll country. Do not
and persistence necessary to attain try to go there alone unless you
high sorcery but also the depth of can face hill trolls that wield two-
the pockets required. handed swords, and unless you can
stand off the wraiths in the inn.
Coming in the next KE: High Sorcery
Part Two: Guide to Power -- Your So you somehow have made it to the
Guide to Rolling and Developing the crystal. Hold the item in your left
Ultimate Destroyer. hand and touch the crystal with
_________________________________ your bare right hand. If sparks run
/ \\ across the item, then it has some
| || magical properties. "No sparks, no
| Free Weekends in Kulthea! || magic" is generally the rule. Beams
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ || shooting off an item are a good sign
| Hunting Binge, Honeymoon or just || of power.
| Happy Daze... Play from 6PM ||
| Friday to 8AM Monday (your local || Shaalk, laen, ET'D stuff, and other
| time) in the ShadowWorld of || enchanted materials will all have a
| GemStone III -- FREE -- on the || beam with a unique color. An item's
| Weekend of your choice! || approximate number of charges is
| || indicated by the sound it plays
| How? By contributing to Kelfour || when you touch the crystal. A few
| Edition. Send GE Mail to Phaedra || people in the Land have studied the
| Bleu (P.HERRINGTON) for details. || crystal, and I suggest you find them
| || and consult with them to decipher
\________________________________// these color and sound codes for you.
-7-
Rolled Rat and Kobold Kabobs
______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____ \ by Sargon Garenth
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| |ere's a tasty little dish, the first in a series for those
/@| _|~| |~|_ | of you who wonder what to do with pesky creatures after
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / you've successfully skinned them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ingredients:
~~~~~~~~~~~~ _______________________________
1 kobold /\ \
1 giant rat \@| Note |
1 large onion or a dozen miniatures | |
2 large tomatoes or a dozen cherries | If you lack the culinary |
2 large green peppers | boldness to sample properly |
2 large potatoes or a dozen small | prepared rat or kobold, |
purple-skinned potatoes | common beefsteak may be |
1 package toothpicks | substituted for fillets. |
4 skewers (minimum) /@| |
\/______________________________/
Procedure:
~~~~~~~~~~
1. Kill, skin and gut kobold and rat.
2. Fillet both into 4 inch by 6 inch rectangles minimum; the larger the
better. Trim fillets until they are 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
3. Chop vegetables fine to personal preference. Thin strips also work.
4. Prepare meat to taste. Suggestions include:
a. plain f. barbecue sauce
b. salt and pepper g. curry sauce
c. soy sauce h. cajun sauce
d. garlic and onion salt i. any desirable combo
e. allspice of the above.
5. Marinade fillets a few hours in a good wine of your choice to soften
the meat and make it chewable.
6. Lay fillets flat on a plate.
7. Mix vegetables in a large bowl.
8. Place an appropriate amount of mixed vegetables lengthwise in each
fillet. Roll fillet over vegetables until a sort of enchilada or meat
roll is formed.
9. Pinch and secure both ends of each meat roll with toothpicks.
10. Skewer the meat roll. When done properly, the bulge of vegetables
should be below the skewer when the skewered meat roll is held
parallel to the flat ground. This, along with the toothpicks securing
each end, prevents the juices from leaking out during cooking.
11. Barbecue skewers parallel to flat ground until done.
12. Serve and enjoy.
-8-
____________________________________________________________________
/\ \
\@| |
| Tentative Open Essence Spell List |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| See MPGRT Bulletin Board for Discussion. |
|___________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Guarding I (401) Dispell Magic (412) |
| +10 To RRS, and -10 to Dispell a prepared spell, |
| Elemental attack types. magical effect or PPS. |
| |
| Presence (402) Bladeturn (413) |
| Reveals Hidden/Invisible Target gets phys OB penalty |
| characters/creatures equal to caster's level. |
| |
| Locklore (403) Essence Strike (414) |
| +10, +1 per/lvl for lock- Magical RR attack |
| picking (1/2 effect on |
| others) Telepathy (415) |
| Telepathic communication |
| Traplore (404) between two people. |
| As Locklore but for |
| Disarm skill Essence Armor (416) |
| Creates a suit of magical |
| Essence Bolt (405) armor. |
| Attack vs RR |
| True Strike (417) |
| Guarding II (406) Plus to magic and phys OB |
| +10 to Physical DB equal to casters level. |
| |
| Detect Magic (407) Gather Flows (418) |
| Detects spells on people Create a temporary Earthnode. |
| and objects |
| Mass Guarding (419) |
| Word of Opening (408) +20 to physical and magical |
| IN Bonus % to open a DB of a group. |
| locked container or door. |
| Imbed Spell (420) |
| Word of Disarming (409) Create a magical item. |
| IN Bonus % to disarm trap. (Example: wand) |
| |
| Essence Blade (410) Guarding True (425) |
| Creates a magical blade, Plus of caster level to |
| plus of caster's level. Magic DB, Phys DB and RRs. |
| |
| Essence Shield (411) Drain Power (430) |
| Creates a magical shield, Drain PPs from another. |
| plus of caster's level. |
| |
| Flow Riding (450) |
| Magical transportation |
_| to an Earthnode. |
/@| |
\/___________________________________________________________________/
-9-
Compendium of Magic Items
_______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____\ From the Libraries of
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| House |{nightsaber
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | ands, staves, and A Quicksilver Potion - Foul-smelling
/@| _|__/ \__|_| magic items of potion with unknown properties.
\_/_____________/ might in Kulthea:
A Faded Yellow Page - This page was
A Glass Orb - This sphere radiates a ripped from a long lost book. It
magical energy. It appears fragile allows the owner to cast the
and of little use. Our scholars are Invisibility spell.
in the dark on its properties.
A Chalky Potion - This was created
An Amulet of Warding - Allows its by a wandering mage who was feeling
owner to cast Wall of Force. Simi- homesick for his own lands. It
lar to the power in ruby amulets. tastes terrible, but its effect is
highly addictive. Similar to the
A Wand of Untrammeling - This wand crystal amulets in Kulthea, these
creates a beam of intense heat, cast ESP powers in the ancient land
which melts any webs which stick to of Elanthia.
a fellow adventurer.
Willow Staff - This staff is a staff
A Lead and Copper Staff - A fine of Untrammelling. Destroys webs.
looking staff, it is made of lead
and copper, which gives it a golden Swirling Amulet - This casts Rapid
and silver shine. Fire when rubbed.
A Talisman of Discernment - This Scarlet Amulet - Similar to the ruby
little item casts the spell Presence amulets, these cast the open
when rubbed. It helps search out channeling spell Wall of Force.
invisible and hidden persons. However, these offer more charges.
A Holy Icon - A holy symbol which An Ash Wand - A dark red wand which
casts Lifekeeping I. tosses massive fireballs when waved.
Crystal Ball - A clear, colorless Carved Idol of Eissa - Another cler-
crystal, expertly cut and polished ical item, also casts Lifekeeping.
to be perfectly spherical. Known to
possess some magic. Eog Holy Symbol - This symbol aids
the wielder in destroying mid-level
A Glass Wand - A wand made from undead monsters.
clear glass. It seems to have a
perpetual lightning storm raging A Holy Relic - Casts Lifegiving I.
inside and releases lightning bolts It gives the owner the ability to
when waved at a target. call upon a deity to raise a fallen
comrade.
A Crystal Wand - A wand made of pure
crystal. It is smooth and clear and A Willow Wand - Casts Dispell II.
casts the spell Water Bolt. Similar to the eog holy symbol, this
item lets the owner cast Repel
A Black Crystal Rod - About a foot Undead II.
long, it seems to absorb all light.
When waved, it casts Fear. A Staff of Light - Casts light(?)
Scholars at House Knightsaber are
A Shimmering Potion - This concoc- not positive about its effects.
tion looks very pure, comforting,
and cleansing. More...
-10-
Golden Anhk - This powerful relic Holy Shards - Properties unknown.
casts the spell Lifegiving True.
You need skill in channeling to use Spirit Wands - These mysterious
this wand. wands cast Lifekeeping on fallen
comrades to allow time to find a
A Rune-Covered Steel Tube - A small powerful cleric with the abilities
tube inlaid with magical runes. to ressurect.
Casts the spell Sleep III.
Prayer Beads - Properties unknown.
A Hot Metal Tube - This tube con-
stantly gives off heat. When waved, Iron Amulet - This amulet is made of
it creates huge balls of fire. solid iron. Even though it is dull
looking, constant rubbing could
A Multihued Wand - A wand having cause it to become shinier. It also
many colors. Properties unknown. grants Strength with each rub.
An Oaken Staff - A staff made of Glass Spider - A fairly rare item
oak. Properties unknown. rumored to cast one of the sorceror
spells. Made of solid glass, this
A Blue Crystal - A pure blue crystal spider is jeweled with ruby eyes and
which casts the spell Guidance when diamond fangs.
rubbed. Its charges are rumored to
range from 1 to 30+. A Swirled Glass Amulet - Swirling
fog can be seen inside this amulet.
A Dark Laquered Wand - Cures a Rub to cast Airwall.
fellow adventurer of poison.
A Sun Wand - This shiny red-orange
Black Crystal Wand - This shiny dark wand allows any healer to create
wand made from fine crystal casts herbs needed for healing.
Fear when waved.
A Grey Potion - This plain potion
A Platinum Wand - A finely made wand casts the spell Strength when
crafted in expensive platinum. When quaffed. It gives the user a +15
pointed and waved at a target, it bonus to OB for 30 secs per level of
sends great waves of lightning bolts the user. It also tells you how
against a foe. many uses are left so you always
know how much is left.
A Red Wand - This fine piece of
magic casts deadly fireballs. A Silvery Potion - This slick potion
grants the user a minor increase in
A Willow Staff - Properties unknown. speed for a short time.
Made of willow wood.
|ZZzzz
|
|
|ZZzzz /^\ |ZZzzz
| |~~~| |
| |^^^^^^^| / \
/^\ |[]+ | |~~~|
|^^^^^^^| | +[]| | |
| +[]|/\/\/\/\^/\/\/\/\/|^^^^^^^|
|+[]+ |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| +[]|
| | [] /^\ [] |+[]+ | __________
| +[]+| [] || || [] | +[]+| -------
|[]+ | || || |[]+ |_______
___________ |_______|------------------|_______|
~~~~~~
-11-
____________ First Blood
/ \ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\\ | by Thantis Azzurn
||~| ~~ |
_||~| |==| | reetings, Kultheans! I saw nothing the dark chamber.
/@| \~\__// | Among our many pos-
\_/ ~~~~~ / sessions, perhaps our I mustered up enough courage to
~~~~~~~~~~~ most precious are our charge into the next chamber. I was
memories. The past must not be for- greeted by two glowing red eyes. A
gotten, or we are doomed to repeat giant rat, the size of the youngest
it. I remember my arrival in Kel- hobbits of my village, charged at
four's Landing... and my first hunt. me, foam drooling from its mouth.
Blocking it with my shield, I
It was a cold and blustery day when chanted the strange words to open my
a young hobbit, me, Thantis Azzurn, body to the forces of Essence and
first entered the large town of focus them into an electric bolt. I
Kelfour's Landing. The wind was swung wildly at the bloodthirsty
strong. Night was just beginning to beast, missing it by inches. It
fall upon the town. A distant charged again, nearly knocking me
cousin of mine, another Thantis over by the pure force of its
Azzurn, had been a citizen of Kel- attack. Still unharmed, I fought
four's for a time, before he on. I chanted the final word of my
departed to serve on a sailing mystic spell and let the bolt flow
expedition to parts unknown, and from me into the rat. It flew into
knowing of my intention to take up the wretched beast, burning the nose
residence in the town, left a from its evil face, and the rat's
package with the good healers in the movement ceased.
Temple of Eissa. I pulled my cloak
tight around me as I walked through I approached it, preparing to remove
the dark streets. Stopping by the it's fur coat as my prize. As I
temple, I gathered what turned out neared the body, it sprung upon me,
to be most of my cousin's old adven- sinking its teeth into the soft
turing gear; I thanked the healers flesh of my leg. Again I began my
and tipped them what little cash I incantations. I swung again with my
could afford. Settling my debits blade, cutting deep into its chest.
with the clerk of the town, I went Fresh, warm blood oozed from its
to visit the weapon smith, Tyron. wound down my blade. The feel of it
After giving me a fine, stout blade, as it reached my flesh made my skin
he told me that I might find rats in crawl. The rat, still conscious,
the town's ancient catacombs on sprung again. I "hurled" the second
which to test it. bolt at it in mid swing. The shock
stopped the poor beast's heart and
Pulling out my cousin's journal, I it fell to the earth before me. I
located the catacombs and ran to had done too much damage to save
them. The town was dark, poorly lit the pelt, but I removed one of the
by odd lanterns and torches along rat's teeth as a memento. I then
the streets. Residents scurried returned to the Temple of Eissa,
past me, caught up in their own laying upon a bench inside, to con-
affairs. (I later learned there was templated my situation. That was the
a treasure hunt in town, with the first time I killed, and the exper-
great chest I had seen outside the ience would change my life forever.
temple as a prize.) I found the odd
entrance to the catacombs in a small Looking back upon that day now, I
cul-de-sac of Keltern's Way. Grab- think how much easier my life might
bing a torch, I slung my shield off have been, had I run from the rat
my shoulder and drew my small blade. and back to my homeland. The gains
Stepping inside, I held my breath, outweigh the risks, though, and life
waiting to face fierce horrors, but is never easy.
-12-
|
._ ___ ^ ^ . . '____ ___ ___ _____
| \ | / \ / \ |\ | | | ' | | |
|=/ |== /===\ /===\ | \ | \== | __ | |== |
| \ |__ / \ / \ | \| / |__|' | | |
' ' __/ '
Poem and layout by Amelda Heronheart ASCII art by Inyigo Montoya
===========================================================================
| |
| I gave birth in a wood ############################## |
| Alone in my Time ############################## |
| To a green-eyed daughter, ##########,//;\\############## |
| Perfection #########//__ __\############ |
| #######//// .. '||########### |
| Held warm by my side ######||||| __ )|||########## |
| We communed through that night ######||||| _/ @@@@@))###### |
| With no aid from a single ######||||| @@@@@@@@^'##### |
| Direction ######||||| @@@@. . | |##### |
| #####||||||\ @@@@@ ^ / ###### |
| Until near the dawn #####|||||| \ @@@@@/ @##### |
| When I fitfully slept #####|||||| \ @@/ @@@#### |
| And I dreamed of dark gods #####|||||| \/ @@@@#### |
| And deception ####||||||| @@ @@@@@#### |
| ####||||||| @@@@@ @@@@@##### |
| I importuned Reaan ####||||||| `@@@@@@@@@@"###### |
| The Lord of the Night ####|||||||| @@@@@@@@"||###### |
| To save my young babe, ###||||||||| `@@@@@"|||###### |
| Love's conception |
| |
| Reaan's voice rasped I shall grant her support |
| In the ear of my dream As she travels the shore |
| That he'd not alter Of the darkness, |
| Predestination Unlife's incantations |
| |
| My child would be taken In a clerical robe |
| Alive from my arms With a cleric's pure soul |
| And raised mid foul beings' She will find all her needed |
| Subjugation Protection |
| |
| Amelda, he said, And she'll one day return |
| I will do what I can, To the land of her birth |
| I cannot stop this cruel To pursue yet her noble |
| Separation Profession |
| |
| But I'll grant her a gift Look you for green eyes |
| And I'll stand by her side, And for dark curly hair |
| In these ways I can offer And a pale half-elven |
| Salvation Complexion |
| |
| I shall grant her the means Your daughter shall find you |
| To defend her own mind Fear not my dear one |
| Against demons' profane She is strong, your intrepid |
| Violation Reflection |
| ___________________________________________________________________ |
| / \ \ |
| \@| Lady Phaedra Bleu, I found this parchment in the province of | |
| /@| Werebears. It appears to be of some interest.... - Aegyptia | |
| \_/_________________________________________________________________/ |
====================================13=====================================
The Story of My Coming
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Iomadh Dauphin, Unbeliever,
/ \ ____ ____\ Bearer of the White Gold
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+|
| |~\~\/~/~| |y name is Iomadh. I skin is perhaps my most striking
_| |~|\~~/|~| | am a Drow. I come feature. My skin is a uniform
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_| from the lands of glossy black. Not black in the
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ the Drow, far, far sense of the Negroes, who originate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to the southeast -- in a land I know nothing about, but
farther than you care to know, and black in the sense of night. Black
nearer than I care to remember. The as the remains of a firepit. Black
farther the better, I think; for my like the pitch that oozes from some
brothers and my kindred threw me trees, trees that I am so familiar
out. They made me an outcast be- with. Trees that are now my friends.
cause I did not share their love of
destruction, looting and pillaging. Can you cast my image in your mind?
I desire a life of peace; a life of Can you see how striking I must be?
harmony and serenity, but that is I do not say this to brag -- rather,
not the way of the Drow -- they cast I say it as a simple fact. Can you
me out because of what I hold dear. not also see how I would be
rejected, shunned, even avoided by
Thankfully, I knew enough to survive people not of my own kind? Can you
on my own, relying on my wits and see how people, not knowing what I
skill to survive in the wild forest, was or where I came from, would have
the jungles, the hills and moun- no desire to know? I have found
tains, and finally the plains sur- that most beings have a great fear
rounding greater Kulthea. of the unknown, and I approach that
fairly closely. The thing most
I heard rumours of Kulthea soon unknown to the sentient races, I
after I left my homelands, never to think, is the Unlife, and I
return. I heard of this place where certainly have had my taste of being
the fettle of adventurers determined mistaken for Unlife.
their social standing, where their
skill alone distinguished them from
their peers. I heard of this place Luckily, I had the forethought and
where there was no prejudice, where materials to keep a journal of my
there was little hatred or dislike. travels. This journal may be of
some small interest to you. Of
Prejudice, hatred, dislike: These [Continued on Page 16]
are all important to me, because _____________________
being a Drow, I do not look much / \
like other inhabitants of the world. / \
Of course, I share with other intel- / \
ligent species the characteristics / \
of having two legs, two arms, and a /_ _\
head, but that is about where the | \ ______ ______ / |
similarity ends. I found early in | | | (.) | | (.) | | |
my travels that these differences | | \____/ \____/ | |
were what would separate me from | | /\ | |
everyone else that I encountered. |__/ / \ \__|
/ /_/\_\ \
Differences, you ask? Well, I am \_____ _____/
fairly young yet, even for an Elf. | | \_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _/ | |
However, my hair is silver and has | | |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| | |
been from birth; or so I hear. My \ \ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / /
eyes are violet, an uncommon color \ \|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_/ /
even among Drow. And my skin -- my \ /
-14- \_______________________/
_____________ The Old Man and the Wight Lord
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Elminester Silvanisty
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| | he fierce steel make sure that nobody was following
/@| _|_|_ | golems disappeared him. He came to a stop at the arch
\_/__________/ mysteriously one day where the golem statue stands.
from the ruins close to Blototh
Mountain, and I had to hunt Fire The old man began to move his finger
Guardians in the volcano to maintain in a manner that I recognized but
my skills. Early one morning I came never used. A rush of Unlife
out of the vent hole in the volcano gathered, and suddenly, from
to tend a broken and bleeding leg nowhere, a dark figure appeared,
and head toward the magical healing tall as a Fire Guardian. The
pool to the south. A Titan came apparition wore a robe torn in
from nowhere and my only weapon, a places through which you could see
camouflaged iron rapier, disappeared no sign of a body. Its red eyes
in a burst of fire. glowed with anger and cruelty. It
had no other face, just a black aura
My right hand burned, I found myself that sent fear to my heart. I knew
defenseless against the Titan, so I what the creature was: a Wight Lord,
ran upward to find a safe area. one of the most powerful Undead in
Golems no longer walked in the all Kulthea.
ruins, I knew, so I went in through
the door. It was holding a dark knife covered
with blood in its spectral hand. The
As I was closing the door after me, weapon was familiar to me from some
I saw an old man walking in the research in the city of Arion. It
ruins. He was wearing black robes was a Slay-Knife, the most dreaded
and black sandals, and a pendant in weapon used by the Unlife. This
the shape of a golem hung from his will kill you, but more than that,
neck. His face was all wrinkled and it will turn you into a Wraith.
old, his hair was long and white, I shuddered at the thought.
his eyes had a mysterious look as if
a great burden had been put on him. The old man spoke to the foul
I felt that this man once had great creature. "Master, I have done as
command of Essence, but could no you instructed and supplied the new
longer work with it. traps to the creatures of the land."
I saw the shadow on him of those of The Wight spoke, and I could smell
us who take the dark path, but this the nauseating stench from its
man was different. He radiated such mouth. "You have done well, my
an aura of pure Unlife that even I disciple." The old man smiled
felt chills all over my body. With a faintly. The Wight spoke again. "For
gesture and whispered words, I cast so long have you been gone teaching
the spell that makes me invisible. these creatures how to trap their
The old man moved north, and I chests with the newest and most
followed, curious to know what he cunning traps that my Master can
was doing in these ruins. offer." Unexpectedly, the creature
trembled in a surge of Essence that
Curiosity is my most dangerous flaw; even I could feel, but with a
if I had a coin for every time it gesture the creature steadied
got me into trouble, I could be the itself. I could see the constant
richest half-elf in all of Kulthea. struggle between Essence and Unlife.
The old man kept moving north, and I
followed as quietly as possible to The creature spoke again. "You will
avoid detection. Now and then he be rewarded. It is time for you to
looked around over his shoulder to resume your duties in the production
-15- More...
of golems. We must keep the down. I had no choice but to call
population of Kelfour's Landing upon life-draining powers. As I
under control." Both of them laughed moved my fingers, I felt the world
with a maniac laughter, and when go dark all around me, and I disap-
they stopped the Wight took peared to reappear back in town.
something from its robe. "Here,"
said the Unlife Lord. I looked around, trying to regain my
bearings. I was bleeding very badly,
The old man took the black scroll too faint to try to tend my leg. My
and looked at his master, puzzled. fingers moved again, my life drained
"What is this, Lord?" he asked. and my blood froze. Now I could
get to the Temple of Eissa, where a
"It is an enchantment that will make skilled healer could restore my leg.
the golems faster. This step will Townspeople looked amused as I hob-
force more of the inhabitants of bled tiredly to the Temple.
Kelfour's to join us."
After I was healed, I stayed in town
I felt anger. So that is what has for a couple of weeks, spending time
happened to the golems, I thought. at Helga's, pondering how Unlife
That is where the new deadly chest almost took my life and how it saved
traps came from. I knew that it was me. Sometimes I wonder if the Powers
beyond a gray orc to create time have already taken my life. Well, I
rifts, explosive bombs, and better make my way to Helga's and
electrical rods. drink some wine. It helps.
I shifted my weight and stepped on ==============\\==============
some some branches. The Wight Lord
turned and looked directly at me. I My Coming [Continued from Page 14]
was still invisible, but suddenly it ~~~~~~~~~
moved its spectral hands, drawing course, now that I read it again, I
signs in the air. My spell crumbled realize my reckoning of time will
and I became visible. The old man mean little to you, especially those
acted with unbelievable swiftness who do not descend from Elven stock.
and hurled a Lightningbolt at me. I But perhaps I can provide some small
was able to avoid it, but the Wight assistance in this matter: a Drow
Lord then moved into position to shanra is called by you a 'day.' A
strike me with the Slay-Knife. cushanra is roughly equivalent to
your week. A lemshan corresponds to
Without a weapon, I feared for my your concept of 'month.' Finally,
life. I did not look forward to culem can be translated as 'year.'
spending my afterlife as a Wraith. I Smaller or larger units of time are
started moving my fingers and not significant in this account, as
drawing in the air. At the same time I did not bother to write things
I gestured, and called upon all my hour by hour, nor did I look further
protective spells. The creature than the current culem -- excuse me,
lunged to attack, and I sidestepped I shall try to conform to your
it. standards of reckoning. Indeed, I
did not look beyond the current day,
Now it was my turn. I took a metal as I found early on that looking
wand and pointed it at the Wight and forward or back too far did me no
a ball of ice struck it on the head. good.
I took the opportunity to run south
as fast I could. I got to the door One more item I might mention before
with the old man and the Wight on my I start: In my accounts in future
heels. As I wrestled with the door, issues, you will find tales of how I
I felt pain in my leg. My leg was came to be called the Unbeliever,
gone! The old man took my leg off and also of the White Gold that I
with a Firebolt, hoping to slow me profess to bear.
-16-
Love Mourns Eternal
_______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____\ by Elyria Blythe
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | e were happy, my and fed each other morsels from our
/@| _|__/ \__|_| love and I, to be basket. We were so hopelessly young.
\_/_____________/ together sitting
on the rooftop gazing at the stars After our meal we decided to walk
in the velvety black night sky. through the surrounding countryside.
Tonight he was explaining to me the The woods were particularly plea-
legend of Altair and Deneb. He had sant, sunlight winking through the
taken it upon himself to educate me trees as we walked. But then we
in the lore of the world around us happened by a graveyard. The sun-
and of the stars. ____________________________________________
\ \
I was enthralled by his tale, | Eternity |
weaver of stories that he is, | ~~~~~~~~ |
and could almost see the | You're here, my love. You're mine at last.|
images he drew. But as he | Yet you're just beyond my grasp. |
spoke, a creeping darkness | I fear that you will slip away |
came over me and the name of | Like all the times of yesterday. |
Altair began echoing in my | |
mind. | My past lives come at night to haunt me. |
| Visions which show to me the tree |
'Altair.. Altair..,' it whis- | Where last I helplessly watched you die |
pered. I fell deeper into a | Shrieking soundlessly in my mind. |
whirling vortex, immobile and | |
confused. When I became aware | An old soothsayer once told me true |
again, I was walking hand in | My soul's irrevocably bound to you. |
hand with my love, exploring | We'll wander through the eons while |
part of the lands we had not | Devils come to steal our smiles. |
yet visited. We were so young | |
and foolish. | Screaming endlessly through the years |
| Never able to staunch the fears |
It was when I looked fully at | Of never having your hand in mine |
him that the first jarring | Without early death to end our time. |
note entered my idyllic state. | |
His was not the face of my | I cannot hide my heart from you; |
love, and yet it was! Stun- | It's not a case of win or lose. |
ned, I whirled in confusion, | Our minds and souls are bound forever |
my mind coming to rest on one | Needing neither ring nor tether. |
absolute fact: I was not | |
Elyria, and he was not Baram. | The love we share is very strong, |
| Perhaps enough to break the bond |
I sensed the weight of eons of | That holds you ever apart from me |
ancient layers of life upon | And keeps us from our destiny. |
us. We were many, we two, and | |
had been together through the | Maybe now I've reached my goal |
centuries. It was then that I | With my heart unblemished, whole. |
began to shiver, knowing what | Finding now what once was lost, |
was to come... | Despite the very painful cost. |
| |
My name was Sage, my love was | Screaming endlessly through the years |
Kel, and we were walking to a | Never able to staunch the fears |
willow tree, the perfect set- | Of never having your hand in mine |
ting for the picnic we had pre-| Without early death to end our time. |
pared. We laughed and talked |___________________________________________|
-17- More...
light there was mottled and lent a I came aware to find myself crying,
diseased look to the ground, the held tightly by my love. His hur-
tombstones and crypts. He was so ried caresses and attempts to soothe
unaware of his fate. From out of me were of no avail. He understood
nowhere, wight lords and their min- when I could not vocalize my con-
ions sprang up around us. We were dition and pressed the matter not,
totally unprepared and took many reassuring me as best he could.
strikes. Only after a particularly
severe strike to Kel were we able to A few nights hence we returned to
get away, him half stumbling, and I the rooftop at my request, for I had
half dragging him. a gift for him. Having no other way
to explain, I had composed a song,
We made it as far as the willow we and it was then that I sang it.
had passed earlier in our journey.
It was there he died in my arms, his He held me tightly after, and began
last words a whisper forever etched remembering as well. We can only
on my mind. 'I love you Sage, now hope that armed with this knowledge
and for always, I love you...' And we can find some way to break this
he was gone. Echoing through my curse upon us. To be forever doomed
mind were shrieks against this fate, to have my love die early, to wander
for I knew not whether it was mine through the centuries never attain-
or his. Such had been our a close ing satisfaction, was anathema.
mental bond.
We have returned to that rooftop
In shock and desolation I built a since, but never mentioned Altair
bier to place his body on, and and Deneb.
watched as his flesh burned, sick-
ened by the oversweet smell. The My fair love is gone from the lands
flames mesmerized me, drew me in, now. Even knowing has not helped
and calmed my mind. They drew me break the bonds of the curse upon
deeper and deeper in until I started us. Is it not ironic that just when
to once again fall into that whirl- we found our fate, it struck again?
ing vortex of blackness.
___====-_ _-====___
_--^^^#####// \\#####^^^--_
_-^##########// ( ) \\##########^-_
-############// |\^^/| \\############-
_/############// (@::@) \\############\_
/#############(( \\// ))#############\
-###############\\ (oo) //###############-
-#################\\ / ** \ //#################-
-###################\\/ \//###################-
_#/|##########/\######( /\ )######/\##########|\#_
|/ |#/\#/\#/\/ \#/\##\ | | /##/\#/ \/\#/\#/\#| \|
' |/ V V ' V \#\| | | |/#/ V ' V V \| '
' ' ' ' / | | | | \ ' ' ' '
( | | | | )
__\ | | | | /__
(vvv(VVV)(VVV)vvv)
"The Terror that FLAPS in the night!"
-18-
____________ Regrets
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Feckly Fecund
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| | halfling sat by a do love the feel of fired clay, and
/@| // |"| | barroom door, having I'd rather use a nice bowl shaped by
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / smoked too much and hand for the hand than an awkward,
~~~~~~~~~~~ eaten even more. On outsized flagon or mug.
achieving that state of contentment
so tirelessly sought by mankind, "That was my state of mind when the
disdained and derided by dwarfdom, venturers came in.
and long acclaimed as the natural
and normal state of being by every "You wouldn't think to look at them
elf queried on the matter, he let that such flashy fops, dandies with
his musings wax unusually philosoph- their loud colors, braided boots and
ical. Ere long, he was contemplating jeweled splendor, even knew which
the meaning of life, politics, why end of the sword to hold, let alone
anyone would eat a chest, where how to use it. I pondered epigrams
hobgoblins go when they crumble to to describe the party for my diary--
dust... a moraine mass, a cute and cuddly
clutch, perhaps a grandiose gaggle--
This is how he started his story: when quite by accident I overheard
this conversation:
"Who are these near mythical lords
from the recent yet still-dark past "'Barkeep, my fellows and I seek the
of Kulthea? Were Lythe and Allanon services of an acquisitional engin-
and the rest diligent and misunder- eer, a burglar of little renown but
stood citizens of the land, or mere unmatched skill, to accompany us on
dilletants, or would-be tyrants a minor expedition. Nothing overly
seeking to establish a chaotic hege- dangerous mind you, but a matter of
mony? Young I am, but I have seen some delicacy.'
no theft in temple or violence in
the streets. "He was a brute of a man, almost
seven feet tall. I did have to
"Aye, there are the occasional unex- listen harder when he leaned over
plained losses and pockets found and whispered to the bartender, 'And
mysteriously empty that jingled with it would help if he were one of
coin only minutes before. It is to those little people, to better
be expected when risk-takers gather, manage any confining spaces.'
a small price to pay for freedom. I
hear that when the daring Deering "'Good sir,' I squeaked past my grin
walked the lands, lords and newbies 'may I inquire as to what one might
alike were apt to wake up missing expect by way of compensation were
their family jewels, and, I have he to accept the position you just
heard, often more. But I digress. mentioned?'
"This was an evening much like every "The following negotiation took
other at Helga's -- an evening for a little time, which was just as well,
steady flow of bowls. I'd had my since we departed the next morning
bowls of torkaan stew with a bowl of at an unnaturally early hour. There
mead to wash them down. Now it was was hardly time to break my fast
time to try a few bowls of this with a snack of muffins and jam,
delicious pipe weed I'd found in a sausages, eggs, buttered hominy and
forgotten cache in the catacombs a pot of tea.
(rough work, clearing the varmints
that infest the lower realms of the "The trip was uneventful. Even with
city), perchance partaking of a bowl the caravan that drug out for what
of the fine brandy served here. I seemed leagues, we couldn't attract
-19- More...
the attention of anything the smal- else did, maybe a little less (the
lest bit unsavory. I was hoping to low angle, you know). It might have
be ambushed by brigands at the very been that lack of data that prompted
least. The leader, Lord Ruggles, me to ask the vital question, 'I
came back to collect me. He says to wonder what goes in those holes?'
me, 'Come help search for the trail. Everyone else could clearly see they
Our map says the old guild road were filled with leaves, trash,
branches off somewhere near here.' bric-a-brac; a pack rat's hoard, but
nothing that glittered to attract
"Well, I saw the same thing everyone any attention...
_________________________________
[Trail Side Climb]
The trail winds along a precarious, weather-smoothed cliff face. Having done
her best to wear away all but the most impervious bone of this mountain,
leaving a glassy face only sporadically marred by pock marks, Mother Nature
now turns her will and winds on hapless travelers who happen by.
The chill gusts whip at your coat tails and bites at your heels, dragging
the unwary, and the unwilling as well, closer to the doom that awaits them
on the other hand. Ahead lies another bend and the unknown.
Upon searching, you discover unnaturally round holes in the cliff face eight
feet up or so. The holes are filled with litter, and they appear to be
drilled into the wall six to eight inches and angled down. There are
obvious exits to the north and south.
[Hidden Ledge]
Fifty feet or so above the trail is a near-invisible niche. At about the two
foot level, the setting sun strikes glints from its wall. Closer inspection
reveals, written in halfling in what appears to be diamond dust, "Push here
to no avail, but accept this token of friendship and good fellowship."
As you press upward on the words, a section of the wall swings up and back
to expose an archway which is finely carved and proportioned--all of three
feet tall--opening onto a stair leading into the dark heart of the mountain.
The only way back seems to be the way you came.
[Landing]
You are on a landing at the top of a dark stone stairway. The way down
looks strange to you. It's not a trick of the light from the lichen along
the walls; the steps do appear particularly made for children. You see the
mechanism for the not-so-secret side of a secret door here.
[Secret Door, Landing]
This landing is at the bottom of two stairwells. Which to choose? Both wind
into the darkness. There is also a small round wooden door. There appear
to be no other exits.
[Den]
This was once obviously a nice place to rest up, but the sofa and easy
chairs have long since been splintered. The cushions have been rent and
their innards strewn about. The legs of chairs and tables are mixed in
amongst the calciferous remains of once-living animal legs. A small round
wooden door appears to be the only exit.
More...
-20-
[Tunnel End]
A stairway and tunnel meet here. The stairs lead little-step-by-little-
step further into the bowels of the mountain. The tunnel seems to trail off
into darkness.
[Tunnel]
You are escorted here by endless ranks of unused sconces.
[Tunnel end]
This is the juncture of a large cavern and a dark tunnel which disappears
into the mountain. The packed dirt floor of the tunnel interfaces with the
flagstone flooring that paves the cavern.
[Halls of the Mountain King]
This cavern clearly once contained an extensive keep. The dusty bones of
blasted buildings litter the landscape. Around the periphery, minor shops
and hovels have partially survived, no doubt because they were imbedded in
the cavern walls. Your gaze is drawn to a structure in the center of this
cavern, if for no other reason than its completeness in the midst of such
desolation. This building looks to be built of living rock. If seams there
are, the joins of its stones were magically faced, perhaps melded. The
windows and door facing you have been made part of the rope relief that
adorns it. The play of light and grey on the two high windows remind you of
roses. The only exit appears to be the tunnel to the west.
[Radagast Rope Company, Ropery]
The entire face of this building is decorated with etchings of strings and
cords and rope. There are double doors outlined in heavy cabling, no doubt
good for rope bridges in hemp manifestations, with knots for hinges and
knobs. The windows, though not dainty, are bordered in rope and twine just
the right size for mountain- and dungeoneering. Too bad they are all rock.
[Radagast Rope Company, Display Room]
A stela greets you here. This could represent the nature of life or commem-
orate the first transaction of this establishment, or perhaps someone simply
thought it would look nice here. The stela is a marble relief of merchant
and customer, obviously depicting the exchange of a coin purse for a rope of
some kind. The remainder of the room seems dedicated to irregular piles of
dust and what must be the petrified remains of half burned furnishings.
An archway and nondescript black door occupy the north wall. Unobtrusive to
the point of going almost unnoticed, small doorways partially covered with
tattered hangings occur in both the east and west walls. An ebony door and
a large plaque dominate one wall. There is a double door in the south wall,
lighted by a glowing emerald-colored sign. The plaque is boldly printed,
"PRIVATE! Authorized Personnel Only". In the Common language, and appar-
ently a number of tongues you don't recognize, the emerald sign reads, "This
Way Out."
__ __
( )__( )
/\ @ @/\ "SQEAK!...
/ \: :/ \
(___________________| \()/ | "Was that KOBOLD Kabobs!?"
\__________/
V V V V
-21-
Symbols and Lies (Conclusion)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
______________ by Lord Whilder Planrathe
/ \ ____ ____ \
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| | ere," she said, Trolls. Not his father. Not his bro-
_| |~|--|~| |slapping the hilt of ther. Just two trolls. Or more lies?
/@| _|~| |~|_ |the broadsword into
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ /his hand. "You may Momentarily, his father's ghostly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ need this if any form appeared, attempting to
more trolls arrive." displace the troll. The lips moved,
though no sound issued. The elven
Whilder looked back down at the body form wavered and disappeared,
of his father. It seemed to blur, as leaving only the body of the troll.
though two beings were trying to Whilder did not need to hear the
occupy the same space. Harsh out- words spoken by his father's image.
lines of a troll combatted for the He knew what his father was trying
space occupied by the fair elf. to tell him.
Neither seemed to win.
Beware.
"Yes," sighed Whilder, looking away.
He closed his hand around the worn "Well, mage, just what is this great
hilt, adjusting his grip. Not too decision you've come to?" she asked
tight, or the force of the blow lightly. He was on his feet again,
could numb his own arm or break his talking and aware of his true sur-
own wrist. Not too loose, so the roundings. She thought the danger
sword could not be knocked from his was past.
hand or turn wrong when he struck.
Just as his father had trained him "I haven't made a decision. Not
to hold the weapon. yet." Whilder stepped away from the
body, shifting his sword to his left
She stood and waited. After a few hand. Slowly he began a series of
moments, Whilder began to struggle gestures, murmuring arcane words.
to his feet. She reached out to Turning in a slow circle he repeated
help him stand. the words, so softly that even elven
ears could not discern them.
"What brings you to this spot,
mage?" she asked. As he completed his circle, he stop-
ped and thrust his right hand into
"I...I needed to make a decision. the air, palm aiming straight up.
This seemed as good a place as any "I seek the one!" he cried. Energy
for it. And you?" leapt up, spreading into a circle,
an invisible wave cresting outward.
She hesitated for a moment. "I have Whilder lowered his arm, and shifted
decided to try my weapon against the his sword back into his right hand.
minions of Hrassk," she finally
replied, pointing toward a trail "What spell was that?"
that was dark even in the late
afternoon sun. "A variation of Call Familiar," he
replied.
Whilder looked into her green eyes
and saw a hint of pain. Startled, "Variation?"
he realized she had just lied to
him. If she was lying about her "Yes. Normally the Call Familiar
real reason for being here, perhaps spell allows the mage to bond with
she was lying about the bodies. an animal that he can control. This
spell should just bring an animal in
Whilder looked again at the bodies. response to its call. The animal
-22- More...
that answers this call will deter- up on this foolishness soon.
mine my future."
"What do you know of your birth-
"How will it determine your future? mark?"
Will it walk up to you and say
'Hello, Whilder. You ought to go on "Not much," admitted Whilder. "Just
studying the arts of magic?'" that it happens to be in the shape
of the old sign for luck. The super-
"No," answered Whilder. "Something stitious claimed any other name
about it will tell me what I should would bring doom upon the village.
do, what course I should take." That doom arrived anyway."
"How?" she exclaimed, wondering if "Perhaps not," she said. "Think.
the mage had fully recovered. Some of your village escaped the
slaughter. You did. And maybe more
Whilder sighed. "I do not know. I than you believe could have escaped.
trust myself to the whims of fate." It was not a total slaughter of
life, not if even one escaped. And
"Wild luck" she murmured. "True to one did escape. You."
your name." Then louder, "What could
answer your spell-call?" She turned to look at him, but he
was still watching the setting sun.
"Oh, typical animals," Whilder "It was first called the Chance
replied, watching as the sun began symbol because those born with it
to touch the horizon. "Cats, dogs, seemed to take risks others would
falcons..." not contemplate. However, it seemed
that these folk were always winning,
"And some not-so-typical ones, I always coming out unscathed or
take it." richer for the chances they took.
It soon started being called the
"Most certainly," said Whilder, Luck symbol, for those same folk
looking back at the guardswoman. seemed to have an infinite source of
"Maybe a torkaan, or a brown bear. luck at their command. It became a
Possibly even a cockatrice. The superstition that a child born with
spell just requires that an animal the symbol must be named after it or
answer it, not necessarily an animal the luck would turn against the
that the mage could control through bearer and those around him."
the spell."
Was he hearing her, she wondered?
"And once this messenger arrives? He seemed lost, staring at the sun-
What happens then?" set. She wanted to grab and shake
him until his teeth rattled, but she
Whilder looked over at the setting felt that was not the answer. She
sun. "I believe I will become one waited a moment for a response but
with the animal, for a few moments received only silence. She con-
anyway. I will not control it nor tinued her explanation, hoping he
it me. If I am correct, our iden- heard, hoping he understood.
tities will be as one. If something
happens to it during that time, the "As the tales go, it became known as
same will happen to me. Please take Rampant Luck during a small war bet-
no actions, no matter what occurs." ween two kingdoms. Three warriors,
all born with the luck sign, held a
The guardswoman turned nervously, pass against an entire army. Not
scanning the area for anything that one enemy did they themselves slay.
could be a threat to them. Such a Not one arrow did they nock. And
spell could not work, she thought. not one wound or injury did any of
She needed to get him talking about the three receive. Yet their
something else. Maybe he would give enemies were decimated and retreated
-23- More...
from the field of battle." in until after they were well into
the archers' formations. The bodies
"How?" asked Whilder. "How could an of the archers caused many a mount
entire army be decimated and never to fall, lashing out at anything
have come to battle?" near it. Since the mounted soldiers
had bunched together to ride through
She felt a wave a relief pass what was supposed to be open space,
through her. He was listening, even the fallen horses kicked out at
if he was staring at the half-set other mounts. The struck mounts
sun. "Well, here's the tale that I lashed back at anything near or
think is closest to the truth: around them. The archers that had
not become trapped in the confusion
"They used a typical deployment. quickly moved away and bunched into
Common foot soldiers advanced first, small, unorganized groups.
in order to draw the enemy archers'
fire and reveal their position. "One of the officers among the foot
Their own archers, neatly formed up soldiers glanced back and saw the
a distance behind the foot soldiers, melee behind him. Fearing that the
then rushed up to send vollies of enemy had somehow gotten behind and
arrows into the enemy positions. within the ranks of the archers, he
blew the signal for retreat on his
"The foot soldiers then made their horn. The foot soldiers spread out
way to the base of the small moun- even further trying to stop their
tains flanking the pass under headlong charge. Before they could
protection of their own archers. reform and make an orderly retreat,
Once there, a signal was given to many had seen the growing chaos
the mounted soldiers. The archers within their own ranks of archers.
were to open ranks at the signal,
allowing the mounted soldiers past, "Words were quickly shouted. Many
then close up again and continue mistook the confusion to mean that
their barrage of missiles. the enemy had managed to get a large
force behind them. With cries of
"The mounted soldiers rode as far as encouragement to each other they
they could, dismounted, and began began a disorganized charge back
attacking the enemy. The foot toward their own lines.
soldiers followed, reinforcing the
mounted soldiers who would not be "Several of the archers who had
tired from the ride, as the foot escaped the carnage within their
soldiers would be from their charge. ranks looked back toward the
But things went wrong... mountain. Not much could be seen
through the dust and haze that now
"Battle horns sounded from the filled the air around them. Nothing
mountain, startling flocks of birds could be heard over the noise behind
which launched themselves from the them. All they saw were figures
mountain. The foot soldiers charg- racing toward them, figures waving
ed, thinking them, survivors later weapons. Quickly, several of the
claimed, to be arrows fired by enemy surviving archers began sending
bowmen. The mounted soldiers, con- arrows at the charging men. Other
fused by the echoes of the horns and archers noticed these few and joined
shouting, charged. The archers, the barrage, each thinking that the
amused that the foot soldiers were others had identified the men
panicked by birds, never heard the charging them as the enemy.
approach of the mounted soldiers
until they crashed into the rear of "It was considered pure, rampant
their own formations. luck that stopped the invading
army." She moved around to stand
"The mounted soldiers had just built between Whilder and his view of the
up to full speed and could not rein sunset. "It was good luck for the
-24- More...
three protectors, bad luck for the He had his answer.
invaders. Not just one kind of luck
or the other. And not something "Mage?" she asked, concern evident
that could be called on, could be in her voice.
relied on at all times."
"Tell me," he whispered, looking up
A sadness reflected in her eyes. from his hand. "Tell me why you
"Two of the three died in another really came to this spot tonight."
battle but scant days later."
She looked into his eyes. "I do not
Whilder felt his spell ebb, begin to know, truthfully. I only knew I was
fade, as she finished her story. "I needed. That I would be useful." No
have failed again," he said. "The pain reflected in her eyes this
spell ends without answer." time. No lies. He glanced at the
two bodies, shrouded in the
The guardswoman looked solemnly into darkness. No lies.
his light grey eyes. "Not failed,"
she said. "You tried, and trying is Whilder readied his shield. "I'm
never failure." And even as she going back to the Landing. Would
spoke, she watched the intelligence, you like to walk with me, Chance?"
the very spark of life itself,
suddenly leave those eyes. "No, I..," and the look of surprise
on her face was priceless. "How did
She saw only the eyes of the dead. you know?" she stammered. "You
Shocked, she gasped and drew her couldn't have seen..." The crimson
weapon. Quickly she looked about for glow from her face outshone the sun-
an attacker who could have killed set that occurred but moments ago.
the mage while she spoke to him.
Whilder smiled and turned away,
The wolf growled, grey fur bristling starting his trek back to town.
along its back. He was confused. From the darkness his voice drifted
One moment he had been following the back to her.
scent of his prey, the next, it
seemed, he was far away from his "My birth-name is Wild Luck. That
normal hunting grounds. For long is how I knew."
moments he watched the strange
figures. One stood still as death.
The other crouched and waved some- Epilogue
thing at him, making strange noises.
The scent of death drifted from two She stood in the darkness watching
other forms on the ground. as Orhan rose, waxing full against
the night sky. Even as the light
Abruptly, the wolf spun and left, from the home of the Gods brightened
running back toward his home, back the night, she seemed to grow
to his hunt. indistinct. Slowly her form became
like gossamer, fading from sight...
Whilder's world suddenly snapped
into place. A world of color, not And she was gone.
the shades of grey seen through his
eyes moments ago... Long moments passed after she disap-
eared. Then, like a distant sigh,
No, not his eyes. The wolf's eyes. came two words barely whispered, the
speaker indistinct, unidentifiable.
Whilder looked down at his right
hand still gripping his sword. His "He knows."
vision shifted beyond his fingers,
beyond the hilt in his hand, to the Or...perhaps... perhaps it was just
birthmark on his own palm. the evening breeze.
-25-
Corruption in Kulthea
"""""""""""""""""""""
___________ by Miss Louvella Parsnips
/ \ ______ \
\@| ~|_|~\\ | ecadence abounds in understand that he presented her
| |~| ||| Kulthea this month as with an enormous and disgustingly
_| |~| ||| we discovered, much to gaudy engagement ring and she,
/@| |~|_// | our distress, disgust having no better sense, accepted the
\_/ ~~~~~~ / and chagrin. tawdry ring.
~~~~~~~~~~
As usual, our bleu robed magess has Of course, given this garish
been up to no good, flaunting her healer's substantial collection of
considerable wares through the town ornate, gaudy and rather inappropr-
in a display of vulgar exhibition- iate engagement rings, we wonder if
ism. It seems that this depraved this wedding will ever take place,
trollop strolled through the town despite the too obvious and too
attracting, like fleas to a dog, passionate amounts of smooching and
several of Kelfour's desperate, and cooing going on about town. It reeks
not very bright, young lads. We of deception to us. We wonder if our
were shocked to learn that following young ranger will ever be seen
this lewd demonstration, la magess again. We wonder indeed.
led the unfortunate fellows to
Frick's newly refurbished suite for While we are on the subject of
a night of immoral, crude and inappropriate behavior, we have
lascivious entertainment. learned that our lady cleric of the
old speeche and the multitude of
Naturally, the magess' henpecked and members of her family have formed a
desperate husband decided that he new society, BUM, which we
too would stroll through the town, understand stands for Break Up
au natural, in the hopes of attract- Monopolies. We have no idea what the
ing some of Kelfour's harlot-like, nature of this new society could
and brainless, damsels and thereby stand for, but we are rather
enjoying a depraved night of his suspicious that BUM really stands
own. Unfortunately, no one paid any for Break Up Marriages, however, we
attention to this poor fellow (no would not dream of being as tacky as
one, that is, except us) and he was to actually accuse our la clan of
forced to spend the evening indulg- such filthy and devious behavior,
ing in solitary entertainment. This would we?
being so, it does not surprise us in
the least that la magess must look Until next time, gentle reader,
elsewhere. stay decent and tra-la for now!
We have also learned that Kelfour's ==================================
favorite mad mage has undergone an | THE SOCIETY FOR MORAL DECENCY |
experimental operation offered by | -= MEMBERSHIP DRIVE =- |
Surtey Akrash. Of course, we would |__________________________________|
not be so crass as to detail the | |
manner of the operation, but let us | Calling all decent, moral |
just assure you that he is no longer | upright, rather goody-goody |
a lord...or a he. | and otherwise uncorrupt |
| ADVENTURERS |
Tacky seems to be the operative word | ************************* |
of late and tacky best describes the | Help us wipe out depravity |
impending wedding between a young | in Kelfour's Landing |
half-elf ranger and the newly | Join the SPMD today! |
returned from exile healer. We |__________________________________|
-26-
KEV3N1
[end]
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Here Come Hot Summer Nights! Pages 2 & 29 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III'S July 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.2 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| . _____ _ _ _ _ |
|. + Prizes! / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| . ____ + / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| + /\/\/\ / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| .\/ \/ . / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| . \ / . (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| . + \/ . |
| . + The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| + . . |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| Local News .................................................. 1 |
| QUESTionable Behavior ............... Lord Gallenod Varynesti 2 |
| Our Favorite Things ........................... Stanyon Sting 5 |
| High Sorcery Part II: Guide to Power ..... Dartaghan Darkstar 6 |
| The Price of Trust ............................ Elyria Blythe 7 |
| Monastery Maps ....................... Lord Whilder Planrathe 9 |
| A Farewell to Wands ................... Talamasca D'Lioncourt 13 |
| A Family Man .................................. Stanyon Sting 14 |
| The Thoughts of a Healer ................... Jhembryn Durrock 16 |
| Regrets (Part 2) .............................. Feckly Fecund 17 |
| Find the Words: Theme HEALERS ................. Haze Skywrack 19 |
| Guided Tour of the Graveyard (Maps) .... Aegyptia Nyctadaemus 20 |
| Monsters of the Graveyard .............. Aegyptia Nyctadaemus 27 |
| Hot Summer Nights Prizes! ................................... 29 |
| |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player role-playing game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions edited for space, accuracy and readability. For details |
| contact assistant editors Kalagay Halatil, Iomadh Dauphin, or Lady |
| Rune Arundel, or publisher Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON. |
| Banner letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
Shift in Clerics' Powers |\ __
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \ | \ __ || __
All residents -- especially | \___________||_||_||____________/|
clerics -- are urged to check -- | _______________________________ (
the GemStone III Version Notes | / : : \|
on GEnie Page 931 for details / | / {~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}
about changes to the powers of |/ |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
clerics. | |
| L O C A L |
Alterations are detailed in the July | |
'92 Changes. They affect, among | N E W S |
other things, depart times in the | |
event death for all races as well as | K E |
the need for deeds. These changes | E /\ D |
pertain to ALL resurrections. KE | L / \ I |
will publish an informed player | F / \ T |
analysis in a future edition but | O / \ I |
check out the Version Notes in the | U / \ O |
meantime. | R / \ N |
| / \ |
Player Resources | / \ |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | / \ |
Town Forums are held each Wednesday |/ \|
night in Moot Hall. This is a great
way to be heard by the designers and
GameMasters. Drag It!
~~~~~~~~
Your game time can be enhanced by The next time you discover you don't
downloading informative, files from have the strength or space to pick
the GemStone III Software Library on something up (dead bodies included)
page 930. Study files offline to in- try DRAGging it. Most things can be
crease enjoyment of your time in the drug through doorways and arches as
game. For instance, an INDEX to KE'S well as in the standard directions.
second year of issues is now avail- Nice enhancement!
able (KEINDEX2.TXT) as well one for
our first year (KEINDEX1.TXT). Also __________________________________
recommended are Zepath's GIFMAPS9 in / \
three varieties of compression, the | !Hot Summer Nights! |
updated version of Natasha's No Non- \__________________________________/
sense Guide, and Taluk's ARMOR.TXT.
.ooooo..
.oOOOOOOOOOOOo
.oOOOOOOO"""""OOOO.
.oOOOOOOO" "OOO
_,ooOOOOOOO" OOO
o.O. _,oOOOOOOOOOOOOO. OOO
OO_Oo. _,oOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO `='
.oOOOOOOOO. ..ooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO oooo.
.O('OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
--\QQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
/ |~`````"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
| .O:OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO""" ~"""""""' oo`OOOO
oO.OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO""' `O OOOO
.OO.OOOOOOOOOO/""""'''' OOOO
oOO.OOOOOOOO/" `OO00
QQO.OOOOOO/"
oOOOO/" Warning: Dangerous pumas sighted!
QQQO/" KE needs details!
-1-
___________ QUESTionable Behavior
/ \ ________\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~~|| | by Lord Gallenod Varynesti
| |~|_|~~ |
_| |~|-|__ | ach of us dreams of sword-swingers as spell-casters. Of
/@| |~|__|| | that big quest where course, any two sword-swingers will
\_/ ~~~~~~~~/ we solve all the puz- compliment the mage and cleric.
~~~~~~~~~~ zles, track the vil- Fighters, for example, can learn to
lains to their lair, and vanquish pick locks as well as thieves. How-
the varlets. (Then strip them of ever, thieves can train cheaply in a
everything they owned, of course.) wide variety of skills, and are
However, it's rarely that simple. usually better climbers and swimmers
than are fighters. On some quests,
Sometimes it takes a lot of fumbling those skills may be very important.
around until someone finds the catch
to the secret door. Some puzzles, Once you have the basic group, you
like the entrance to the new monas- may add more people as you see fit.
tery, can only be solved by a Sorcerers are particularly powerful
specific class of player, or one questors, as they can assault oppo-
with unique skills. Then there are nents otherwise immune to the
the monsters you may encounter along party's attacks. While I'd still
the way. A party of thieves with no slightly favor a mage for the basic
blessed weapons will be in trouble group because mage and closed
if ambushed by Wight Lords. The essence spells give more overall
first and most important part of a benefit to a party, I'd advise you
quest is organizing your group. to always try to include at least
one sorcerer in your group.
Mostly, you have no idea what kind
of opposition you'll run into, so Fighters are also a welcome addi-
it's best to recruit as balanced a tion, particularly those with two-
group as possible. At a minimum, handed weapons. A patient fighter
you should have at least one cleric with a greatsword can dispatch mon-
and a mage. The cleric is absolu- sters with two blows that would take
tely essential if you encounter the rest of your several minutes. I
Unlife, and mages have a powerful say patient because fighters sacri-
collection of spells at their dis- fice 20 to 45 points of defensive
posal even at lower levels. A mage ability to carry those huge weapons.
specializing in the Closed Essence Impatient fighters with low DB'S get
list has useful spells like Slow and killed off too quickly to do the
Haste. The main advantages to the party much good.
Mage Base list are the defensive
spells, like Wizard Shield and Blur, Bards, unfortunately, are at a
that can be cast on party members. significant disadvantage until they
get some spells. Until then, they
In addition to a cleric and mage, a will have to rely on their quick
basic group should have a ranger and wits to raise them above the level
a thief. Rangers have good defen- of simple sword-swingers. However,
sive spells in addition to their a bard who can sing and entertain a
combat ability, and thieves can pick dispirited group of questors lost in
locks, an important skill if you a maze and beset by countless
expect to reap the rewards of your beasties is okay in my book.
endeavors. Rangers and thieves, if
they have channeling skill, can also And last, but hardly least, are
act as living power batteries for healers. While healers have little
the cleric and mage. offensive capability, they can be
absolutely priceless on a quest.
As a general rule, try to balance
the group so there are as many Wounds that might put your only
-2- More...
mage, cleric or thief out of commis- whisper. And consider this: the
sion are child's play to a competent gods sometimes judge us during these
healer, saving valuable time and quests. Players who natter on about
maybe even the character's life. inconsequential things are rarely
Definitely recruit a healer for your rewarded for their behavior.
group, and then protect that worthy
person with every available re- Also, the group leader should be the
source. only one communicating over the ESP
net. I've seen several groups have
My ultimate group would include a to backtrack to pick up people who
cleric, healer, sorcerer, two mages decided they just couldn't resist a
(one with each list,) two rangers, a side comment or two while their
fighter and a thief. Add a second group was travelling. (I've also
cleric if you expect to encounter seen members abandoned, because the
much Unlife. But as long as you group leader got fed up with having
have the basic four-profession group to go back for them.) If you must
I mention above, you should be okay. use the net, make sure you get the
group to stop and wait.
Now that you have your group formed,
you're ready to go out and save the When you enter uncharted territory,
world, right? Probably not. The it's best to take a careful look at
difference between a successful everything in every room. Have the
group and a dead group is usually characters with high perception
team-work. Make sure everyone knows search. Touching or tapping things
their roles before you set a single is a fast way of discovering those
foot outside town. obvious items that might have other
functions. It's also a good way for
First, you need a leader. Leader- a character who has discovered a
ship should not be determined by hidden door, for example, to show it
comparing experience and automati- to the rest of the group. Some
cally assigning the player with the handy random commands would be "tap
most as leader. Pick a leader who opening," "touch chest," and "tap
knows the lay of the land. Change (hidden) door."
leaders if you're going into an area
that the current leader is unfam- Puzzles can be trying for a group,
iliar with. You never know when particularly if activating that trap
you'll need to move quickly; know- door drops you into an area where
ledge of the terrain is a big plus. you can't ESP the solution to the
rest of the party. Once you've
Keep chatter to a minimum; it just identified everything in the room
clutters things up. If you have that might activate something, my
something pertinent to the quest, suggestion would be to have differ-
fine. If you want to chat with one ent people try different things with
person, it's usually a lot less it. Poldark the Mage turns, Whiz-
annoying to the entire group if you bamph the Sorcerer pulls, Lighthand
More...
//| //|
| |
|\___|___/| |\___|___/|
| | | |
\ /__ ___ __\ /
| | |___| |___| | |
| | | |
| | _____ | |
| | ||||||| | |
| | ||||||| | |
_______________| |______|||||||______| |_______________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| |~~~~~/ \~~~~~| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-3-
the Thief pushes. That way, if a opposition. Even if every monster
character disappears though a hole, in the room is familiar to you,
you have some idea what caused him there may be hiders in the shadows
to vanish. waiting for you to lower your parry
so they can ambush you.
Combat can come upon you two ways on
a quest, expected and unexpected. A Sword-swingers should start any
few thoughts on how a well-prepared combat by searching the room for
group deals with each: hidden opponents while at full
parry. This gives clerics time to
Expect to have something nasty try Hold or Blind opponents, sorcerers
to rip your head off every time you to use Mind Jolt, or mages to use
enter a new room. This is not being Slow. If you have the support, wait
paranoid; they really are out to get for the spell-slingers to soften up
you. If you have time to prepare the opposition before you start
for combat, the first thing you swinging. Also, try to get a read-
should do is have attack commands at ing on the offensive and defensive
the ready. (In other words, make capabilities of your opponents,
some "attack thingie" macros if you spells and round times included.
know what you're up against.) You never know when such information
will come in handy.
Those characters with defensive
spells should cast them on everyone During combat, someone should always
at regular intervals to save power. be watching for stunned comrades and
For instance, I'm a ranger with 32 be prepared to drag them to safety.
power points. If I cast them all at If a party member gets stunned, drag
them back the way you came, if
possible. Dragging them to an unex-
once, I can cover myself and two plored room could take them from the
other characters with +20 physical, frying pan to the fire, so to speak.
+20 RR and +30 magical DB for 40 This job usually falls to healers,
minutes. or to clerics if there are no Unlife
present. With Unlife, one of the
However, If I space that out and sword-swingers should drag if there
cast on one person every six or is no healer present.
seven minutes, I can maintain that
coverage on myself and five other If things get really bad, evacuate.
characters almost indefinitely, plus The group leader should yell LEAVING
have points left over to give myself or RETREAT, and then get the heck
an extra +15 to physical DB when I out of there once people are no
need it and channel a few PPS to a longer in round time from attacks.
cleric or healer in an emergency. The monsters may chase you, but may
The same applies to any spell where not come in force.
you can build up a duration. Cast
one or two, get back to full points, Okay, you've solved the puzzles,
and cast a few more. Do this while killed the baddies, and rescued
you're searching around and not only whoever needed to be rescued. You
will your party will be well pro- now have this huge pile of loot to
tected when you arrive at that divide up. (We hope!) How do you do
ambush, but your spellcasters should this without coming to blows?
still be at or near full power.
Grabbing treasure and running off
Actual combat can turn into a bloody with it is the fastest way I know of
mess if every player fires off _ad_ getting a lot of people VERY mad at
_lib_. Quest opponents are usually you. I like to think that if a
much more dangerous than the group worked together well enough to
monsters we fight day to day, so a solve the quest they can divide up
little tactics never hurts. The treasure in a reasonable way.
first thing to do is assess the More on page 8...
Our Favorite Things
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Stanyon Sting
Charging Karnelians and no DB Torkaans
Lite armored Kobolds with their small fortunes
Frothing dark Werebears that make us take wing
These are a few of our favorite things
Strong armed Hobgoblins that carry good treasure
Fast moving Threks that we hunt for our pleasure
Bare handed Trolls and the dangers they bring
These are a few of our favorite things
When the chest *clicks*
When the blade nicks
When you're feeling fried
We simply go back to the Temple we love
So happy to have not died
Quick casting Titans with their weapon fire
Frightening Unlife and the souls they desire
Bewitching young Sea Nymphs and the songs that they sing
These are a few of our favorite things
Pounding Steel Golems and Shadow Assassins
Calming Death Dirges and Spiders that fasten
Sidestepping Black Stalkers two-handed swings
These are few of our favorite things
Going on quests
Passing the tests
With your friends around
Discovering things like a Shimmering Glove
And bringing it back to town
Twinkling auras and translucent glowing
Finding the Crystal that is all knowing
Not being navved when using Gold Rings
These are a few of our favorite things
Making a Level and passing a Spell Roll
Finally realizing all your Potential
Doing your best at some good Role-Playing
These are a few of our favorite things
Avoiding gas clouds
Shouting out loud
We have come to fight
Thereby elevating the level above
And gaining more skills and might
-5-
High Sorcery Part II: Guide to Power
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
___________ by Dartaghan Darkstar
/ \ ______ \
\@| ~|_|~\\ |
| |~| || |eveloping the ultimate of any set that has a 100 in it or
_| |~| || | destroyer will not be three or more 90s.
/@| |~|_// | easy. Young sorcerers
\_/ ~~~~~~ / are almost as hard to The POTENTIAL stats are what counts.
~~~~~~~~~~ develop as healers and Try to get potentials of 90 or
clerics. Reading Character Law and higher in AG, QU and ST. Having an
Campaign Law as well as Spell Law of average of 90 in CO, RE, EL and SD
the Rolemaster series published by would insure an adequate number of
Iron Crown Enterprises (I.C.E.) can DEVelopment points. A minimum of
help minimize the hurdles young two power points per level is a
sorcerers will encounter on the long must. Sorcerers are hybrid spell-
road to high sorcery. Nine out of casters. Thus they derive the total
ten hobbits have also recommended number of their power points from
reading High Sorcery Parts I and II the average of their EM and IN
along with finding a mentor to help stats, which so happens to be their
you over the toughest spots. primary requisites.
Your first hurdle -- getting a set Some may be tempted to put the two
of killer potential stats -- can be lowest D100 rolls here, take the
a pain. However, with a bit of luck automatic 90s, and hope for good
and a set of macros, it should not potential rolls. Statistically, the
hurt your budget too much. First of better strategy is to put the 100 in
all, you do not need killer stats to EM and the lowest number in IN.
have the potential to one day prac- Doing it this way gives you a much
tice the dark magics of high greater probability of getting two
sorcery. Secondly, even if you want or more power points per level. If
the killer stats of an ultimate you plan to be a proficient user of
destroyer, there are tricks that can elemental attack wands such as the
shorten the time needed rolling the iron, silver, metal, and gold wands
dice in the Character Manager. commonly found in Kulthea, then put
your next highest roll in AG. The
On your first trip to the Character AG stat bonus along with any racial
Manager, record each keystroke bonus is added to the Directed Spell
necessary to move from getting 10 skill and the sum is the Offensive
100-sided dice rolls to another set Bonus of your elemental attack. Put
of 10 100-sided rolls without rear- the next highest numbers in QU and
ranging the rolls or training in ST. The QU bonus is your basic
anything. Then make a set of macros Defensive Bonus to which bonuses
or a script of those keystrokes. from shields and magical armor etc.
Using this tool will enable you to are added to derive your ability to
get new sets of stats in less than a avoid getting hit from melee
minute, until you get a set worth attacks. High ST is needed at first
rearranging to see the potential so you can use your single-edged
rolls. The trick is to be able to weapons skill to kill monsters and
recognize when to rearrange the D100 later to parry the melee attacks of
rolls and when to use your tool to high level monsters.
get a new set of stats. This is
more an intuitive process than a Put your next highest numbers in EQ
science. About the best you can and RE. The higher the EQ stat the
hope for is a set of D100 stat rolls more field experience your mind can
that has a 100 or 99 and two other hold before you reach the must rest
90s or higher stats. Rearrange and state. Higher the RE stat, faster
take a look at the potential rolls you can absorb that experience. Put
-6- More...
the next two highest numbers in CO wands, runes and the body skills.
and SD. The CO bonus adds to your Train two times per level in the
maximum body hit points. The SD Directed Spell skill if you plan on
bonus is used for channelling skill being a proficient user of elemental
and in the ability to resist attacks attack wands. Even if you do not
like the stare of a basilisk. It plan on using wands, still train
also might be used to add to the once per level in the Directed Spell
hiding skill someday. The amount of skill. It is useful to parry ele-
Development points is derived from mental attacks of monsters and other
the CO, AG, SD, EL and RE stats. If players. Try to always put 10 deve-
you had a 100 in all these stats you lopment points into your Spell List.
can have the maximum possible of 50 If its unavoidable, 9 is safe once
development points. Having a poten- in a while but putting only 8 into
tial of 40 or more is recommended. the Spell List is not recommended.
Try to have a potential average of Most sorcerers would want to get a
90 or greater in these five stats to spell every level. If at the early
insure you will have sufficient levels you do not have enough
number of Development points. The development points to train in all
PR stat's only know effect is to the these basic skills, do not start
hiding skill, higher the PR, harder training in runes and/or channeling
it is to hide. Having killer stats till later. Channeling power points
is not a must. You can have some- from other players and using runes
what lower stats than recommended can be useful but not critical to
here and still become a practitioner your development. Once you have 90
of high sorcery. It just takes to 120 body points, you can stop
longer to get there. training in body. That will free 8
development points for other skills
The most powerful sorcerers are such as climbing, perception and
either halflings or elves. The first aid.
exception is Queron, a highman, who
is a very powerful practitioner of Your first spell should be in the
high sorcery. Highman is probably sorcerer's base list. The next in
the best choice for sorcerers More on next page...
planning on training in hiding and
ambushing. Half-elves have the best
balance of stat bonus and is perhaps The Price of Trust
the best overall choice for most ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
players, Only try a halfling with by Elyria Blythe
extreme caution. While they have
the potential to be the best wand Do I dare give up my heart
wavers, they also have a -20 ST To one who may not want a part
bonus which makes them the most Of the love I have to share?
difficult sorcerer to develop to Can I say that I don't care?
lord level. Wood elves are a good
choice for sorcerers who wish to be My fears attack me in the night.
very good wand wavers but do not I drown amidst the waves of fright
want the -20 ST bonus of a halfling. Along with wolves which seek to rage
Against my heart given to a mage.
At first you will have only enough
Development points for some basic Who's to say he's like the ones
skills such as one-handed Single Whose painful treatment I now shun;
Edge and Body development. Hope- Those who treated me as dirt,
fully as your stats reach their Or nothing more than one to hurt.
potential you will be able to train
in such skills as climbing and per- I cannot comprehend this pain,
ception. So start out by training For in sooth I stand so much to gain.
once per level in one-handed single To give my heart to a man such as he
edge weapons, channeling, staves and He need only ask me for its key.
-7-
open channeling. Then go back to QUESTionable Behavior from Page 4
the base list to get Touch of ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disruption. From here you can take The first trick is to collect it all
several roads to high sorcery. No and get it to a safe location. A
one road is clearly superior to good idea if you don't want a lot of
another. One path is to learn three outsiders hanging around when you're
more spells in the open channeling dividing up is to have a pre-
list to get aura and airwall. Aura arranged meeting place. That way,
adds +10 to DB and to RR for one you can call over the net that
minute per caster's level. Airwall you're "at the spot" without alert-
is very useful when you need +50 to ing every potential thief in Kulthea
DB in an emergency and at higher to your whereabouts. Also, don't go
levels when you want to use just out picking daisies when your group
Base Attack Spells. Then go to the is gathering to divvy treasure. One
open essence list and learn at least of the most annoying things for any
the first 10. The 10th spell, es- group is when one person with some
sence blast, is a real killer. of the quest items takes the better
part of an hour to show up for the
An intriguing alternative path to treasure division.
high sorcery is to train in hiding
and ambushing. A potential of more Having gotten the treasure to a safe
than 40 DEV points is required. place, you need to find some way of
Even then you will be limited to dividing it up. In some cases,
training once per level in one- certain items may be usable only by
handed single edge weapons, body, certain professions. Clerics should
hiding, ambushing, and staves and get holy items, healers should get
wands. Hopefully you will have at healing items, sword-swingers the
least 7 or 8 DEV points left to put swords, thieves the lockpicks, etc.
in the spell list. After a few
levels you should have enough DEV If a player will give up their roll
points to train once per level in of the dice for a special item, then
directed spells as well. If pos- that's fair trade. However, if a
sible, train once per level in runes cleric passes up the offer of a Holy
but only if you can still put at Symbol to roll for a cloak, then let
least 8 DEV points in spell lists. them. Everyone who was in on the
Once you have 90 or so body points, quest, whether they killed anything
stop training in body and use the 8 or not, has a right to what was
DEV points to train in skills like found. Even if the healers didn't
climbing, perception, and swimming. have to heal a single wound because
If you do not have enough DEV points the party was so well prepared, they
to train in hiding and ambushing still deserve a full share for tak-
during the first few levels, train ing the risks, in my humble opinion.
just in ambushing at first. Start
training in hiding when your DEV Some people don't like rolling dice
points increase as your stats reach for treasure; however, it seems to
their potentials. be our fairest recourse at the mo-
ment. Have someone keep track of
Developing this ultimate destroyer all the rolls and act as moderator.
will not be easy. A few spell rolls If you're not careful, dividing the
are likely to be missed. Not many treasure can take longer than the
secondary skills will be developed. quest itself, so try not to waste
But given the nature of Touch of time in the process.
Disruption, Essence Blast and other
spells available to sorcerers, the I've probably missed some things,
bonus to the criticals provided by but if you stick to the basics I've
ambushing should be worth the outlined here you should do pretty
enormous costs. If power is your well. And remember: no quest has
game, than this is your path to it. ever been solved by a single person.
-8-It takes teamwork.
Monastery Maps
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_____________ by Lord Whilder Planrathe
/ \ _______ \
\@| ~| _ ~\ |
| |~|_|~ | |ecently, a discovery area which, as of this writing, can
| |~ _ ~/ |was made by a daring be visited ONLY by familiars.
_| |~| \~\ |group of adventurers.
/@| |~| \~\ |Though I wasn't along Monsters here include Spectral
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~/to find this new area Monks, Liches and, in the sewer,
~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was loaned a ring Ratsnakes. I will leave it to those
set to its doors by Stanyon, and was better versed in Unlife to explain
able to gain entrance with a fami- the abilities of the Monk and Lich.
liar and lots of help from others. As I write this, none but familiars
Here is my map of the interior of has gained entrance to the sewers
this Monastery with notes about an and the Ratsnakes.
Monastery Map (First and lower level accessible by all)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 1 Notes: Rooms marked 1 are small chambers
\ / containing a cot and a spike at
1--- O ---1 head level. Nothing else found.
/|\
1/ | \1 A to B, B to A: Go door. (If door
| is not open, the only way in is
| a or someone who has a ring set
1 | 1 for interior. If you are outside,
\|/ Pull Lever to open door.)
1--- O ---1 (Next
/|\ Map) C to D: Go arch.
1 | 1 \
| \ E to F: Turn brazier; secret door.
O----I----J----K
/ F to E: Open door.
/ O----B
/ | | G to H: Go Opening. It's hidden
F-----E-----D | | but I did not need to see it.
| \ | A----O
O \ | | H: A room with a rune-covered
| \ | L stone which seems to ward off the
O----O----G----H \ | Unlife. Good resting place.
| \ |
O \| F: A stairway that goes to lower
O-----O----C----O level where stone is located.
| | /
| | / I to J: Go privy.
O | /
| |/ J to K: Go Hole. Only a familiar
| O can enter this hole now. Hafling
O-----O-----O volunteers with strict diet/exer-
| cise training should contact a
O Lord/Lady immediately!
General Notes: Obvious directions and OUT have been left off this map.
Same with go stairs, up/down. If way back is simply a direction, I have
left that information off as well. For example: To go from C to D you Go
Arch. To move from D to C is simply SouthEast. L on the first map is where
you come out of the Lake after swimming. More...
-9-
Monastery Map Sewer Level (accessible by familiars only at this writing)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
O O O
| | |
O---O---O
| |
O O
\ /
\ /
\ /
O---O---O---K <-- From map above
/ |
/ O---O---O
Rocks --> Z----Y----X----W----V \
U <-- Basket
To move between rooms V, W, X, Y and open the front door. Have familiar
Z requires the opening of doors by Drop Rock and the intelligent animal
the familiar. Have it try to get will drop it right into the basket
ring using the FULL name of the ring for you!
to reduce confusion. Once the doors
are open, they will stay open as There is a little problem that will
long as you keep sending a familiar try your patience. The sewers are
into the area. The two important filled with creatures called Rat-
rooms are: snakes. These little animals LOVE
rocks and have a tendency to grab
Room Z: Contains a large pile of them out of the basket, right under
rocks. Have familiar get rock and the familiar's nose! It takes speed
then send familiar to... to get enough rocks into the basket
to open the door but a quick,
Room U. This room has a basket patient mage can persevere.
attached to counterweights that will
________________________________________________________________
What follows is a tour of the sewers for those of you who cannot command a
familiar. I'm sure you're interested in what each area looks like. My
comments are included in parenthesis ()....
The grey wolf went into a small privy.
[Inside the Privy] (Note: Room J on first map.)
This room is fairly simplistic in its design, as many rooms of this sort
are. Bare brick walls, blackened with ages of damp and mildew, look upon an
unassuming privy hole in the center of the room.
Obvious exits: out.
[Inside the Sewer] (Room K on both maps.)
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. A pipe leads up and out, through what looks like the
underside of a privy chute. Around you lie the remnants of, well, remnants.
Obvious exits: west, out.
(In the interests of saving time and space, we skip ahead to room Z on the
second map, and work directly back to room U. I have edited out commands
and most movements, e.g, Tell fam to go Iron door.)
More...
-10-
[Inside the Sewer] (Room Z on second map.)
This is the drainoff area for the Monastery's sewage. Before you is also
the mouth of a surprisingly large underground river, flowing swiftly past.
Some sort of animal has made a rather large pile of rocks, which lies dir-
ectly on the edge of the river. In the pile you can see bits of shiny
metal, but nothing large. Near the east wall hangs an iron ring, apparently
to control the door in times of emergency. You also see an open copper door.
Obvious exits: none.
The wolf carefully picks up a round rock.
The grey wolf went through a copper door.
[Inside the Sewer] (Room Y on second map.)
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. Hanging from the ceiling are three rings -- of bronze,
steel, and copper -- apparently used to control the doors in times of flood
or emergency. You also see a bronze door and an open copper door.
Obvious paths: none.
The wolf drops the rock it was carrying.
>The grey wolf tugs on a copper ring.
Squealing and grinding, the bronze door slides into the ceiling. Your fam-
iliar reacts with mild confusion. It couldn't get the ring, just tug on it.
The wolf carefully picks up a round rock.
[Inside the Sewer] (Room X on second map.)
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. Hanging from the ceiling are three rings -- of copper,
bronze, and steel -- apparently used to control the doors in times of flood
or emergency. You also see an open steel door and an open bronze door.
Obvious paths: none.
[Inside the Sewer] (Room W on second map.)
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. Hanging from the ceiling are three rings -- of steel,
copper, and bronze -- apparently used to control the doors in times of flood
or emergency. You also see an open iron door and an open steel door.
Obvious exits: none.
[Inside the Sewer] (Room V on second map.)
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. Above can be seen a drain in the bottom curve of what,
from all appearances, was once a sacrificial altar. Black stains course down
the walls and spot the floor, old enough to be little more than dust now.
Near the west wall hangs an iron ring apparently to raise and lower the door
in times of emergency. You also see a sewer ratsnake and an open iron door.
Obvious exits: northeast.
A ratsnake scrabbles northeast, hissing sibilantly at nothing in particular.
More...
-11-
[Inside the Sewer]
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. The tunnel is at its darkest point to the east of the
curve here, with diffused lighting visible off to the southwest. You also
see a sewer ratsnake.
Obvious exits: east, southwest.
[Inside the Sewer]
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. It is dim here, but faint light can be seen to the
east, with the darkness deepening to the west.
Obvious exits: east, west.
[Inside the Sewer]
This tunnel is part of the Monastery sewer system; raised ledges along the
sides provide a convenient walkway raised slightly above the main sewage
trench in the center. Through a small grating above you is what appears to be
the ceiling of the corridor overhead. You also see a sewer ratsnake.
Obvious exits: south, east, west, northeast, northwest.
A ratsnake scrabbles east, hissing sibilantly at nothing in particular.
[Inside the Sewer]
This tunnel, though part of the Monastery sewer system, looks more like an
access tunnel to something further east. The ledges and trench of the main
tunnel are gone, leaving a normal flat surface to walk upon.
Obvious exits: north, east.
A ratsnake just scrabbled in, hissing quietly to itself.
[Inside the Sewer]
This tunnel, though part of the Monastery sewer system, looks more like an
access tunnel to something further east. The ledges and trench of the main
tunnel are gone, leaving a normal flat surface to walk upon.
Obvious exits: east, west.
A ratsnake just scrabbled in, hissing quietly to itself.
[Inside the Sewer]
This tunnel, though part of the Monastery sewer system, looks more like an
access tunnel to something in the room to the southeast.The ledges and trench
of the main tunnel are gone, leaving a normal flat surface to walk upon.
Obvious exits: west, southeast.
A ratsnake just scrabbled in, hissing quietly to itself.
[Inside the Sewer] (Room U on second map.)
This room apparently contains the counterweight for a rather large, heavy
mechanism. Dangling from a series of chains, pulleys and gears is a big
metal basket, with some dust gathered on it. The dust, however, appears to
have been disturbed lately, perhaps by something scuttling about these
tunnels.
Obvious exits: northwest.
The wolf goes over to the basket, where it promptly drops a round rock in.
The basket shifts downward slightly, with a grinding of gears.
-12-
A Farewell to Wands
___________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ by Talamasca D'Lioncourt
\@| /~/~~\_\ |
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ | pring. A long, cold that kept others at a distance.
/@| \~\__/~/ | winter was finally
\_/ ~~~~~~ / over. It was the time "I had heard that things had been
~~~~~~~~~~ a young sorcerer's changing up on Iorak's..." I started
fancy turns to magic! Of course, a to say.
young sorcerer's fancy turns to
magic in all seasons, but people see "It doesn't matter," he interrupted.
it happening more clearly in the "I found something on the mountain
spring. Such was the case for a that may take the place of wands for
friend of mine named Celestin. me."
Most sorcerers like Celestin are not "What did you find?" I asked.
proficient with weapons, and their
spells prove to be less efficient Celestin stared into his grog for a
than mages' spells in some cases, so time without answering. Thinking
many hunt creatures with wands. he may not have heard me, I was
Lately it has become more difficult about to ask my question again when
for sorcerers to wave wands, but he spoke. He had found some sort of
Celestin's major problem is finding strange device which he agreed to
enough wands to use. He usually let me examine.
keeps wands with charges in his sack
and wands that are out of charges "Come," he said, rising to his feet.
in his backpack. When all his wands "I'll not show it here. Let's go
are used up, he climbs up to the top where we won't be disturbed."
of Iorak's Reach and recharges them.
We left Helga's and headed out of
I remember the last time when he town towards the trail that led to
returned from Iorak's. It was early the mines. When we got there,
in the season, and I was sitting in Celestin took a black metal box from
Helga's sipping wine and listening his sack and set it on a large rock.
to some bards singing when Celestin It was about the size of a small
came in and headed straight to my chest, and I could see on its
table. He threw down his empty pack, surface some small, blinking lights
pulled out a chair, and sat with a and a yellow symbol made of three
sigh. triangles within a circle.
"Charging wands again?" I asked. "I think it's a magical device of
some sort. I found these runes with
"They all exploded," he said in a it. Can you make any sense out of
low, angry voice. He set two silver them?" he asked.
coins on the table. A server
brought him grog, took the coins, I was so intent on examining the
and quickly moved away. device that he had to wave the
parchment in front of my face to get
Townspeople shied away from Celes- my attention. I nodded, took the
tin. He wasn't ugly or anything parchment from him, and began to
like that, although he was kind of examine it. These were not runes of
ghoulish-looking with his pale skin any magical type that I could
and dark hair, eyes, and clothing. understand, but I tried my best to
A scar down his face, which he said interpret them.
was given him by a god, didn't help
much either. Still, it was more "Hmm, I'm not sure what this says...
likely his almost constant gloom something about megaton yield,
-13- More on page 15...
A Family Man
~~~~~~~~~~~~
___________ by Stanyon Sting
/ \ ____ \
\@| /~/~~\\ |
| |~| ~ | oming back one day Being in a relatively safe area I
_| |~| _ | from a pounding by decided to take the opportunity to
/@| \~\__// | steel golems, I chan- open a few of the chests the golems
\_/ ~~~~~ / ced upon a man walk- reluctantly gave me. The birds were
~~~~~~~~~~ ing my way on the road. singing and the sky was fair, but no
"Fair evening good sir!" I said. music was sweeter to me than the
"Stanyon am I, Stanyon Sting of the sound of the *click*. This was
family of Sting. Care for company denied me however, as my injuries
in your journey to town?" prevented me from exercising my hard
earned thiefly skills. Just then a
"And a good evening to you, sir," he woman came walking down the path
replied politely. "Actually, I am right towards me. I stood up as
seeking some peace and quiet on this fast as I could. She was beautiful!
fine night. I rarely get any as my Bowing awkwardly, I greeted her in
brothers and sisters are always cal- fashion of Half Elves. "Stanyon
ling upon me for something. I'd Sting at your service, m'Lady. Is
like to get my blessed hands on the there aught errand that takes such a
person who invented these confounded fair lady on such a lonely road as
crystal amulets!" Looking at this this?" I asked.
man, I could see he was finely
attired. His twinkling robes, spark- "Indeed!" she replied. "My errand
ling sash, and gleaming rings of all is none other than you, Stanyon
colors, shapes and types indicated Sting." Laughing in as clear a voice
that he was a Lord of great might as I have ever heard she meditated
and power. over me and took my injuries upon
herself one by one until I was a
"Lonely has been my road of late, healthy as the day I emerged from
m'lord," I said. "Most of compan- that back alley by the gates of
ions have either left the land for town. Feeling like my old self
some needed rest or are seeking again, I laughed along with her.
self-improvement at the Raging Threk "My father sent word to me that you
Inn. Lately I have been sharing the were here and in great need." I
company of Steel Golems, and they looked at her with a twinkle in my
have no desire for companionship." eye. "Well, I'm glad he didn't
He must have looked me over for all dispose of his crystal amulet." She
at once a look of concern was in his gave me a knowing glance. "Oh, he
eyes. complains all the time but it's just
talk. I admit some members of my
"Stanyon, you are injured gravely!" family have taken advantage of the
he exclaimed. Trying to put on as fact that they have a father who is
brave a face as I could, I said, "Oh a Lord Cleric. They take risks they
it's nothing, m'lord. Just some should not be taking knowing they
deep lacerations on my back, a can always receive help from him.
missing arm, a mild concussion with Since we were children he has always
some bleeding from the ears, not to wanted us to be responsible and
mention that I feel about a quarter independent citizens of Kulthea. I
as strong as before." I grimaced as have one brother who insists on
I said this. fighting hill trolls even though he
knows that they are too tough for
He rubbed me gently and said, "Wait fighter types. Daddy has resur-
right here!" Before I could reply he rected him five times in the last
disappeared in the fashion those in two weeks, but the last time, he
Kulthea have become accustomed to. made him wait in the temple for
-14- More...
three days. I think he has learned A Farewell to Wands from page 13
his lesson." Before I could reply ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
she somehow vanished as quickly as thermonuclear something or other," I
kobold under a fear spell. mumbled.
I returned to my two chests lying on "There must be some way to activate
the ground. *click* *click* and it," he said as he knelt down and
they were open. One of the chests peered more closely at the device.
had a clammy white boulder. "Oh, "Maybe a shockbolt..."
boy," I said to myself. "Wonder
what this does?" What it did was We became so absorbed in trying to
stick to my hands like glue. activate the device that we did not
Cursed! It began to glow with a notice a goblin coming down the
bright light and a smidgen of dread trail. It must have realized we
entered my thoughts. I heard a hadn't seen it for it ran up quickly
snicker behind me. Quickly I spun and swung at Celestin! It missed by
around, drawing my sword but not my a hand's length.
shield as the cursed boulder
prevented that action. It was the Unfortunately, it did not miss the
Lord Cleric! With a wave of his device. The goblin's cudgel smashed
hand, he said, "You can drop it now, into the black box, breaking it open
Stanyon." And I dropped the boulder. and knocking it off the rock. Some
sparks and wisp of smoke flew out
"I have seen this before," he remar- from it, and looked as though it was
ked. "My nephew is a fine mage but melting in upon itself.
he often sticks his nose into things
he shouldn't be." The two of us Neither Celestin nor I could believe
began slowly walking home together. what had happened, and we both stood
"My brother lives in these woods," there in a sort of stunned shock.
he said. "He is a fine ranger but The goblin glanced around nervously,
as a child he was always..." not expecting the sudden quiet. The
silence was broken when Celestin
________________________________ spun around towards it.
/ \
| Potential Value: $372.00 | "See what you did, you bloody
| | idiot!" he screamed at the goblin
| | while pointing at the black smold-
| Spend a | ering lump that had been the box a
| | short time ago.
| -* FREE WEEKEND *- |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~ | The goblin was caught off guard by
| in Kulthea | Celestin's outburst. Celestin drew
| | his broadsword and started chopping
| | into it, and it died quickly, but
| | Celestin hacked at the corpse until
| Contributors to KE earn FREE | he was exhausted. Then he threw
| WEEKENDS (from 6PM Friday to | down his broadsword and walked
| 8AM Monday, your local time) | off towards town.
| for three published articles |
| or other major works. | I retrieved the broadsword and has-
| | tily searched the dead goblin. It
| | had a cudgel, a silver coin, and a
| Send inquiries via GE Mail | metal wand. When I caught up with
| to KE Publisher Phaedra Bleu | Celestin I gave him the wand, think-
| at P.HERRINGTON for details. | ing it might cheer him up. He
| | looked at it and then shoved it into
| | his sack.
\________________________________/-15-
"Figures..." he muttered.
_______________ The Thoughts of a Healer
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+| by Jhembryn Durrock
| |~\~\/~/~| |
_| |~|\~~/|~| | y name is Jhembryn hard times yourself, then remember
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_| Durrock; I am a and perhaps share your next chest
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ young but capable with the healer. We really are
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ healer of the 7th understanding people, we love
level. The road here has not been helping others, and we get enjoyment
easy. My purpose in writing is not out of saving lives. Please don't
to complain of hardship but to give make it hard for us to do that. :)
you an insight into how we healers A few other things make every-
work. By no means do I speak for all one's day go a little easier when it
healers but only for myself. These comes to healing. Let's say, for
thoughts will, I hope, assist example, that you come in to the
aspiring young healers to advance as temple with a head wound. If you
far as I have and beyond. I have are so new that you do not know who
far to go before I am truly versed the healers are, ASK! If the temple
in all aspects of my profession, but is fairly empty, the healer "on
I have learned much. duty" will probably immediately
Healing is a painful business, in check you out for injuries and fix
more ways than one. Let me quickly any that exist.
explain for you non-healers how we If the temple is full though,
heal. We do not exactly heal you, standing room only, we may be busy
but rather we take your wounds upon healing others or having a conversa-
ourselves. Then we use our granted tion (we do have personal lives).
abilities to heal ourselves, which Just tap a healer on the shoulder,
leaves behind the telltale scars of or call to him, or whisper to him.
an experienced healer. That is the We will answer, I promise! It helps
first pain I speak of, pain in the too if you can tell us exactly where
literal sense. your wounds are, if you are bleeding
The other pain is personal, pain (cps/rd), and how many cps you have
which affects me every day. It is left. We can then heal the most
the pain of knowing that I cannot dangerous wound first.
save a life without herbs. My fear It is my observation that we run
is that when I leave a person bleed- healing in the temple much as an
in the temple so I can go get herbs, emergency room is run. We take care
the person may not live until I of the most life-threatening wounds
return. I have never lost a person first. I do not work on a first
that way, but I am scared that one come, first served basis. Not to
day I will. sound morbid, I work on the basis of
Herbs are a big part of a younger who would die sooner without the
healer's life and by "young" I mean attention.
below about 10th or 11th level. By Oh, here's another thing that I
that time, herbs are no longer appreciate. If you are in the
necessary for routine healing temple and not wounded, and the
operations. For healers of my healer is REALLY busy using a lot of
skills though, herbs are an accepted herbs, offer to run to the alchemist
fact of life. I need them. for him. Take up a collection and
Unfortunately, they are very resupply his herbs. Many have done
expensive. If a healer heals you that for me in the past, and it
without the use of herbs, a donation really helps me a lot.
would be nice. But if the healer is Again, these thoughts reflect my
forced to use herbs to save your own personal feelings, not those of
life, remember that he just spent any other healers. I think, though,
his hard earned silver to save you. that you will find my feelings are
Give the healer a bit of silver or a for the most part universal within
nice item. If you have come upon the healing community.
-16-
_____________ Regrets (Part 2)
/ \ _______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~| _ ~\ | by Feckly Fecund
| |~|_|~ | |
| |~ _ ~/ |
_| |~| \~\ | adagast Rope Company Manager's Office]
/@| |~| \~\ | Strange, only half of this room seems to have suffered the
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~/ ravages of time and magical tide. The condition of the part
~~~~~~~~~~~~ of the room you have just entered suggests the scene of a
titanic battle. The walls are encrusted with drippings, as if they were
nearly melted in a conflagration involving primal forces of nature. Nothing
less could have liquefied walls of solid shaalk this way. Nothing else has
survived, not even shards or ashes. That is, up to a point just a little in
front of the impressive ithloss desk near the far wall. There seems to be a
line across the floor, walls, and ceiling which encircles the room, a line
that says to you, and to the magic before you, "This far and no further."
[Radagast Rope Company, Manager's Desk]
The throne-like chair behind the ithloss desk offers an impressive perch
from which its long-forgotten occupant could view his visitors. Remarkable
hangings adorn the walls, and curios and statuary of clearly immense value
complete this counterpoint to the desolation and destruction evidenced on
the other side of the line. Despite the damage they have suffered, there
are two usable doors in the east wall and one in the north. There are no
other obvious exits.
[Radagast Rope Company, Beyond the Looking Glass]
You are in the center of what must be a most powerful illusion. The
furniture and accoutrements are obviously of great value and equally
obviously unreal. The floor is mostly a gaping maw, no doubt point- ing to
an unsavory end for anyone who falls. Still, there seems to be a safe path
across this half of the room through the middle of the illusionary
furniture.
There is a collapsed wall along the western end of the room and the
remainder of a devastated room to the east. Behind the rubble, no doubt
from the collapsed ceiling in this part of the room, there is a shadowy
crevice in the wall. There seem to be deformed depressions in the rear wall
leading down into the seemingly bottomless pit below. The only exit appears
to be the path into the other half of the room.
[Radagast Rope Company, Ropewalk]
Neither time nor magic seem to have had much effect on this room. Rows of
tables run its length. At the west end of the room, dark holes stare inward
like empty, dead eyes. At the east end of each table there is a hole in the
floor.
[Radagast Rope Company, Storeroom]
If not for the sign on the door, even money no one would guess what this
room once was. The nubs of fire-hardened pins and slugs that might once
have been brass nails litter the dusty floor. If not for the fiery magic
that ignited the contents of this room, you feel that they might well have
been preserved to this very day.
A search reveals a concealed lock box in the north wall. The doors on the
east and west walls are the only obvious exits.
More...
-17-
[Radagast Rope Company, Warehouse]
Crates. An ocean of crates. Half-burned crates, charred and broken; the
ashes of crates with the occasional remnants of bands and nails; almost and
fully intact crates, some of wood and some of more substantial materials,
are strewn all about this room. Some of the very large and otherwise intact
ones seem marred and dented, as if an enormous power had striven long long
and hard before giving up its attempts at gaining entry to their precious
contents.
Behind one of the more substantial metal boxes is a rubble clogged chute
which might lead to the surface. There are exits to the east, south, and
southeast of this room.
[Radagast Rope Company, Guard's Quarters]
There must have once been bunks in the places where row upon row of
splinters and dust now neatly lie, except for the disarray radiating from
the far corner. Like spokes, drag marks trail through these memories of
sleep, converging on a low straw throne. If the gristle and bone shards at
its base are any indication, this altar to catabolism has witnessed the
explosive and probably premature passing of many a mountain creature, as
well as the accidental sacrifice of occasional luckless adventurers.
[Radagast Rope Company, Lunch Room]
A table, two chairs and a tray are here, stone by the look of them, polished
granite. And what are those small square holes in the wall? Where is the
dust? This room is atypically clean.
Staring out of the holes are the dark eyes of endless night at the cold
heart of all ageing mountains. Faint echoes of winds wearing on -tites and
-mites sigh in the unplumbable distance. There is a door in the west wall.
[Radagast Rope Company, Pantry]
A nasty chill claws your flesh and sinks in, grasping for your bones.
Remnants of dry goods indicate that this was not always cold storage,
despite the occasional carcass which dangles from the ceiling. The only way
out is the way you came in.
[Radagast Rope Company, Privy]
Once again, Gaeia illustrates that nothing is so common as the unusual.
Water still trickles into a trench dug behind a row of low walls. Despite
apparently continual washing, there lingers in the air a most foul stench.
Something long dead or possibly something long undead could be lying here.
It would be much better if this place were awash with fresh air instead of a
trickle of water. There is a distant pervasive "drip, splash" as the
manufactured stream finds egress far away and far below.
[Radagast Rope Company, Privy]
Ambushed! Now I know what a monster feels like when I attack from
invisibility. Well, really, it was my own fault. So engrossed was I in
examining the seats with holes in them, between the little walls, that I
hadn't noticed that the next one was occupied.
The first thing I did notice was the crackle, as every hair on my body stood
up and tried to leave! There was lightning everywhere!
I can only thank the great Hairy Foot that it didn't hit me head on. Or
maybe it would have been better; everyone is always saying that the toughest
part of me is my head, but I didn't think so. That bolt could have fried
-18- More...
any lord in the land. I just hoped I wouldn't fumble my magic as he had.
I only got a glimpse of the monster as I rolled into the next stall. It was
big, really big, and draped in a hooded cloak from head to ankles. And
there lay the secret to my survival. There were strange and baggy garments
piled about his ankles. Apparently he stumbled on them and miscast his
magic. I must not fall prey to any such catastrophe or it would be my last.
The only thing that came to mind was to strike back as quickly as possible.
With a flip of my wrist, I cast Minor Pain at him. Had I realized how futile
and desperate an act it was, I should have frozen on the spot and died.
It worked! Never before such an effect! He fell grasping his bleeding head.
Realizing I had but seconds to choose a course of action my very life
depended on (for I was rooms ahead of my party and no help could arrive in
time) I prepared Touch of Disruption. I ran up and cast right into his face.
The carnage resulting from his erupting carcass was devastating. It nearly
washed me from my feet. Knee deep in ichor, besmudged and disheveled, I felt
for once that I could stand being a little taller. Don't get me wrong, it's
better to search from this angle. It's great simply to be alive to search,
the proper size and all that, but just once I'd like to walk over instead of
swimming through the gore. My laundry bills are worse than my bar tab.
It was thinking of my bar tab that made my search so diligent and the dis-
covery so satisfying. This guy must have been looting the place! He was car-
rying a sack of silver pieces, probably thousands of them, and a mithril
circlet and a iron and ruby ring and ...
"Yo, Charms! Closing time!" Neither the words nor the vice-like grip that
rattled my big toe were particularly gentle. "Damn! Oops, not you, Helga.
Just a comment on the unfairness of life." With that, I gathered myself, as
effectively as any wool, and tottered out into the starry early morning.
Now, where was that path again?
________________________________________________________________________
/ \
| Find the Words: Theme HEALERS |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| by Haze Skywrack |
| |
| H K W E R Y D O B T E R B A S Find the words below in the grid to the |
| B A L D A K U R E D I L E A F left. Unused words form a sentence. |
| R F A R N U M I N A S S O M L Answer in the August Kelfour Edition. |
| F L N A A M U F K G D N U O W |
| I O O M R E B A O M S P I N E Arfandas Arm Arnuminas Baldakur |
| W W I A I M L N P A S A M A R Belrama Berterin Body Bursthelas |
| R R T L S A I A F T S C A R B 8Buy Cure Curfalakai Cuts |
| U R O I F R E H T H E G H E G Dagmather Edram Eye Face |
| F I P R E F E A E E B I L E G Flower Fruit Grass Head |
| I K U T E A R A R R G R A S S Heal Hegheg Herb Leaf |
| W C R Y L N D T E T A C U T S Leg Limb Moss Pasamar |
| L E E N A D A H O M F A C E H Potion Rewk Root Scar |
| B N R S L A L O A S P A S M T Siran Spasm Spine Stem |
| F R U I T S R E K E W K E W U Tarnas Terbas Wekwek Wifurwif |
| O S C S A L E H T S R U B U Y Wound Yuth |
\________________________________________________________________________/
-19-
Guided Tour of the Graveyard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Aegyptia Nyctadaemus
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |
| //|"| |egyptia, where can I Depending on your level and armor,
_| //=|"| | get mummy shrouds?" getting back out can be even more
/@| // |"| | asks one adventurer. difficult, because you must push the
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / "Where can I find gate with monsters nipping at your
~~~~~~~~~~~ ghoul scrapings, and heels or worse. If you have a ring,
are the ghouls tough?" Since my set it so you can ring out. Some GY
first days in the Landing, I have spots don't allow rings. If yours
noticed how people enjoy taking home doesn't work, try a new location.
bizarre trophies to amaze their If you hunt the graveyard often as I
friends; some of the strangest are do, you may want to set your ring to
found in the town graveyard. It is carry you between the temple and a
affectionately known to residents as safe area such as the foyer of the
the "GY" although its official name Crypt (K on Map 2).
in the Tomes of Kulthea is "The From the town gates, follow the
Necropolis of Etrevion." As a cleric path leading around the wooden pali-
I have a professional interest in sades of Kelfour's Landing, first
helping destroy the Unlife plague going south down "torkaan row,"
that haunts our lands, but I find through the plains and meadows.
the graveyard oddly beautiful. It Sometimes we get so busy battling
is a quiet place filled with his- monsters or rushing from one place
tory, and the crypt is removed from to another with our descriptions set
the summer heat. on "!desc" that we forget about the
You don't have to be a cleric to wonders of our countryside. Take a
hunt the GY, but you must ask a look around. You'll find torkaans
cleric to bless weapons for you, for and wolverines as well as adven-
the Unlife can only be damaged by turers coming and going from their
blessed weapons and magic. There hunting expeditions. Hudvaarks can
are a few live monsters there that usually be seen circling overhead.
do not require blessed weapons, not- These large, white seabirds are so
ably goblins, hobgoblins and cobras. awkward on land, they remain in
The higher the level of cleric who flight for most of the year.
does the blessing, the better: You At 6 on Map 1, you can see the
get three swings per level of the plains to the southwest. This is
cleric (the Tomes err in saying one good country for hunting torkaan
swing per level, else the gods have (giant killer sheep) and wolverines.
bestowed stronger blessings upon us Continue southeast around the town
since they were written), and they walls to 7, where you get your first
are not cumulative. If a high level glance of the Colewaether river,
cleric cannot be found, try to get which carries river traffic in and
several weapons blessed before out of Kelfour's Landing.
starting out. Clerics can purchase East of the bridge is the
permanently blessed holy weapons in entrance to Mine Road. Along this
their Shop near the temple, but road and in the mines themselves are
these cannot be used by other class. many monsters which can be hunted by
Before you go, you should also lower- to mid-level adventurers.
consider how you're going to get At 13 we leave the path skirt-
back out. One of the more frustra- ing town, to take an obscure trail
ting "monsters" in the GY is the towards our destination. We pass
massive bronze gate that guards its through a pretty, sunlit clearing
entrance. Much time is required to and a dense maze of trees. This can
push it open, even with great be frightening and disorienting, but
strength, so the more friends you if you follow the directions on the
have help, the quicker it will go. map, you'll get through all right.
-20- More...
______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| N |
| W + E -=GRAVEYARD=- |
| S CONTINUED ON |
| MAP 2 |
| \|/ |
| ============================= GY GATE, INSIDE A push gate |
| | | | go gate |
| | MAP 1: | GY GATE, OUTSIDE 18 |
| | APPROACH TO THE GRAVEYARD | / |
| | | go path |
| ============================= / |
| 17 |
| / |
| go trail |
| / |
| OUTSIDE 16 |
| K KELFOUR'S | |
| O LANDING THE MAZE |
| B go MAIN GATE OF TREES |
| O-1--path--(WAYSIDE INN) | |
| L | Heading toward the GY, |
| D 2 KELFOUR'S LANDING keep going northeast and |
| S | RIVER GATE (Not north until you are out of |
| 3 open to foot -----X the maze; leaving the GY, |
| | traffic) | keep going south and |
| 4 X southwest till you are out. |
| | MINE ROAD | go / |
| 5 | 13--trail--14--15--THE MAZE |
| | climb | OF TREES |
| 6 bank 12 |
| / \ go | / |
| X 7--8--9--bridge--10--11 |
| | | |
| GRASSLANDS VANTAGE |
| POINT |
| |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| MONSTERS: 1-10 11-15 16-18 |
| Torkaans Usually No monsters |
_| Wolverines No monsters |
/@| |
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
Wolverines and torkaans don't enter It opens slowly. Those with VERY
this part of the forest, so you GOOD climbing skill might try that
should be safe from monsters until route but be warned that this is can
you pass through the Graveyard gate be quick way to a painful death.
from 18 to A. The gate itself is beautiful,
There are no monsters just out- decorated with images of our beloved
side the gate, a good thing because Eissa and the vile Empress Kadaena,
you must have your hands free to to whom Bandur Etrevion pledged his
push it open. Give it a hard PUSH, very soul. Bandur was the fist Lord
and wait until you notice you aren't of Orhan to follow the Unlife.
pushing any more. Then push again. Once the gate opens arm yourself
-21-
and enter the graveyard. Just able to go back and retrieve your
inside the gate, weaker unlife tend things, or on the other hand, you
to swarm, along with goblins, so be may run clear to the town gate
prepared. Here (A through J on Map before you get your senses back.
2) are phantoms, skeletons, lesser They calm fairly easily though if
ghouls and goblins. At the end of you have that spell. Ilstar Dark-
this article is a description of all edge said of the dirges: "These
GY monsters and their locations. forms with very dark eyes seem to be
You also get your first view of the spirits bound to this world by
magnificent crypt built by Bandur music. Quiet, haunting tunes can be
Etrevion several thousand years ago heard when they are about. Their
Be sure to "look at crypt" and "read voices can make you stand frozen or
inscription". run for your life."
To the north lies the burial The route from MM to LL is one
mound of Etrevion's brother, Kes- way, and it's easy to get confused.
trel, whom he slew in a fit of The area from BB up through the dam
madness, possessed as he was by the and the creek is much safer. As far
Unlife. The entry foyer (K) is safe as I know, dirges don't go there.
from monsters. The path encircling Moving west to CC and north, you'll
the crypt (A through J) gives a good find where fallen trees have blocked
view of the crypt from all angles. the creek to form a natural dam.
At J you can look at the green- This is the place to hunt cobras if
veined, marble monument among the you can stand the smell of the
gravesites and read the inscription rotting stuff in the pond; the
to the sons of Kestrel Etrevion snakes usually swarm in great number
("read base"). once they realize anyone has
From F, take the trail north to trespassed. They live around the
the burial mound itself. Flowers water and also the dry parts of the
here are usually pretty. Revenants creek bed (GG and HH).
and hobgoblins inhabit the area of So much for above ground, now
the mound, but most terrible is the let's return to the main gate and
ghoul king (UU on Map 2). A rock- investigate the crypt. From A we
strewn gully leads upward for a enter the foyer (K). No monsters
breathtaking view, but one or more venture here, so it's a good place
kings await the unwary atop the to ring to and from. It's eerie but
mound, and you should understand beautiful. The subtle light comes
this adversary well before attempt- from strips of arinyark inlaid into
ing the gully. the stone walls. Arinyark naturally
From X we leave the main grave- absorbs and retains raw Essence
yard and pass amid a half-circle of radiations, allowing it to illu-
strewn monoliths ("look monolith" at minate the grisly freize perpetually
X). They could only have been placed down through the centuries ("look"
here by the golems Bandur created to and "read" the frieze).
build his brother's burial mound. Through the arch are three of the
Going southwest, we head toward the most haunting rooms in all of
bog, the creek and some odd stone Kulthea. After Bandur killed his
ruins. South from AA there are a brother, Kestrel, he was tormented
few well-kept graves of an ancient, by guilt and the Unlife to the point
noble family, before the land falls that he decided to end his days on.
off into the bog where you are According to the Tomes, he returned
likely to encounter death dirges (JJ to where he had had his brother
to RR) and greater ghouls. The buried, and "planned and ordered a
methane gas and leeches in the bog great graveyard and crypt to be
are pretty disgusting, but if you do built in the wilds. He oversaw the
venture into this realm, I suggest entire project himself, using magi-
using only replaceable weapons and cal powers and conjured hordes to
shields. When the dirges cast Fear, complete the undertaking." Thus,
you may run only a short way and be this crypt was built. "That having
-22- More...
______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| N ==================== A-J |
| W + E HH | | Skeletons |
| S / | MAP 2: | | Lesser Ghouls |
| GG | GRAVEYARD, | | Phantoms |
| / | GROUND LEVEL | | Goblins |
| FF | | | |
| | ==================== | |
| down/up | K |
| | | No monsters |
| EE V----U----T | |
| | / / \ | |
| go dam/go bank W / \ | L-N |
| | /| go gulley \ | Lesser Mummies |
| DD X | / S | Bone Golem? |
| | / \| UU / | |
| CC--BB----AA Y / | |
| / | \ / | EE-HH |
| go path | Z------Q--R | Cobras |
| / | | | |
| MM---JJ----KK | P | |
| |\ |\ | | / | O-DD |
| | \ | \ | | O | and RR-TT |
| | \ | \ | RR | | Hobgoblins |
| | \| \| | | | Revenants |
| `* NN---LL | | | |
| \ | go trail | |
| go trail | | | JJ-TT |
| \ | | | Greater Ghouls |
| OO-PP-QQ | | Death Dirges |
| / | | |
| SS E---------F | |
| / / LEADS \ | UU |
| TT / UNDER CRYPT \ | Ghoul Kings |
| / (SEE MAP 3) \ |
| D | G ___ |
| | L--M--N | _{(___) |
| C | H--J __{\{_____}__ |
| * From MM, | go arch | _|\_\{_______}_\ |
| south goes B | I _{ \|~~~~~~~~~~~~~|__ |
| one-way \ K / (\_\{_______________}_\ |
| to LL \ | / (\(_____________________) |
| \ go / \( IN MEMORIAM ) |
| \ crypt/ / |\========================= |
| \ out / | | ~~~ | |
| \ | / | | "Here lie the sons | |
| \ | / | | of Kestrel Etrevion, | |
| \|/ | | princes all, | |
| A | | who perished | |
| push gate | go gate | | in the battle to | |
| 18 | | regain their | |
| / ; | ancestral land." | |
_| START HERE FROM MAP 1 ^^^\| | |
/@| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
-23-
been done, and all the enchantments volume.")
and magical traps placed around the Heading west again, at N is a
graveyard, Bandur installed all his tall, onyx tablet. Look at it and
valued possessions, treasured manu- you will find some windak beads,
scripts and holy relics in rooms which you can examine more closely.
within the crypt. This is one of the strands used by
"Finally, he was satisfied that The Dark Path - the state cult
the work was finished according to created by Bandur. According to the
his grand design. Now totally mad Tomes, "Followers of The Dark Path
and in failing health, he returned engaged in many heinous ritual
to the capital to appear before an practices beneath a genteel facade
assembly of the high-ranking priests of prayer, meditation, contemplation
of The Dark Path, who ran the day- and cultivation of physical perfec-
to-day affairs of the land. tion. They were ostentatious in
Pronouncing the words solemnly, their devotions, carrying around
`Kadaena Throk Farok,' he told them, long rosaries of windak beads and
`There is a place that calls me, reciting out loud the Iylarian
where I must go. My brother awaits phrase `Kadaena Throk Farok.'
me there. Seek me not if you value "True followers of the cult of
your lives. Find me not if you Kadaena who recited the phrase with
value your souls!' fervor and dedication were promised
"With that, he uttered a Spell of everlasting existence by Bandur, and
Returning and transported himself to after death were transformed by him
the crypt... Sealing himself up in a into various levels of undead
sarcophagus of his own devising, he creatures." It is only by reciting
muttered a last black spell under this phrase ourselves, that we can
his breath and gave up his soul to enter further into the crypt. (At N
the powers that it had been promised type "Kadaena Throk Farok," with
to long ago." quote marks in the beginning and no
Some of his relics can still be punctuation after it.) The magic
seen. A look around the room at M words take us into a dark chamber
reveals that something has recently beneath the crypt (VV on Map 3).
left tracks leading away from the There is just enough light to see
coffin. Personally, I think he may the portal leading back out. In
rise and stalk the land in some this area can be found greater
demonic form, even though you can ghouls. Going south we pass through
touch the shrouded form inside the the anteroom of a rich burial
sarcophagus, and it seems to be chamber. If we take the ramp and go
solid enough. ("Look at coffin," north, we enter a maze of tunnels.
"look in coffin," "touch corpse.") The quickest way through this is
Lesser mummies can be found here (L, down and north (returning, go up and
M, N) and there used to be a bone south). Greater ghouls can be
golem as well, although I haven't hunted in all directions throughout
seen it in some time. One day when the maze; when you're ready to
I was collecting mummy shrouds to leave, go up and south.
sell to the furrier, my friend Tunnels and corridors take us to
Lucius the cleric told me that was CCC where a hole in the earth
not wise, because, "The Unlife will ceiling takes us up into the inter-
find a way to return life to the ior of the the burial mound of
shroud." I have never seen this Kestrel Etrevion himself (DDD thru
happen, but I do not doubt that he III). Beware! Barrow wights lurk
saw it. A very chilling thought. within the mound, waiting to steal
Going west (L) we find some of your life. They are not only dan-
Bandur's manuscripts, scrolls and gerous, they are sadistic: If one
personal relics. You can "look" at kills you, it will "sink its bloody
the manuscript, and then "look" on claws deep into your body, taking a
the ledge to see his most famous moment to enjoy the grotesque sound
written work ("Look volume," "read of it."
-24- More...
______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| N YYY-------XXX |
| W + E | | |
| S | CCCC | |
| | | | |
| | go |** |
| ================== ZZZ stair WWW |
| | | |***| /| |
| | MAP 3: | | BBBB | * sw from VVV is |
| | GRAVEYARD, | | / \| one-way to TTT |
| | UNDER CRYPT | AAAA VVV |
| | | | \ */| ** n from WWW is |
| ================== | \ | one-way to XXX |
| | \ | |
| TTT-----UUU *** se from ZZZ is |
| | one-way to BBBB, |
| down/ | nw from BBBB is |
| RRR----up----SSS one-way to WWW |
| | |
| down/up |
| | |
| QQQ-----go-----PPP |
| grating | (n or go cabinet, same thing/ |
| OOO to return, out) |
| | |
| LLL-------MMM |
| VV-WW | | DDD-III |
| No monsters? down/up go Barrow Wights |
| | door (These may roam much |
| KKK | further north, but I |
| XX-CCC | NNN did not see any there.) |
| Greater Ghouls down/up |
| (Found mainly | |
| throughout JJJ JJJ-DDDD |
| the maze.) | Shadow Assassins |
| go pile/up |
| | go > |
| CCC-----hole-----DDD--EEE--FFF |
| / go < | \ |
| START BBB burrow | GGG |
| AT VV: / | / |
| from N AAA III-------HHH |
| on Map 2 | |
| say go corridor |
| "Kadaena | CURSES! |
| Throk ZZ |
| Farok" | `___' |
| to return YY (MAZE) down,n/ = / \ = |
| to Map 2, | up,s ==| o o |== |
| go go XX ===| ___ |=== |
| portal ramp ==== ' ' ==== |
| | / ==== ==== |
_| | / ==== ==== |
/@| WW |
\_/____________________________________________________________________/
-25- More...
The warrior-king's tomb can be Look at both the throne and the
seen at FFF, and at GGG you can look tapestry, if you can stand it.
at murals depicting his battles. In Through the door is a storeroom.
the shadows can be seen the image of North from the throne room is a
his brother, Bandur, the dark mage banquet hall at least as disgusting
who lent his skills to aid Kel- as the throne room. You can either
strel's illustrious career ("read "go cabinet" or go north from this
mural" for a brief explanation). In hall (both take you inside the
the dirt annex of the mound (III) cabinet). Here you find a warped
you can "look" at an amazing ebony wooden grating, which reveals the
and ivory dragon chair. way into a deep shaft. Down, and
Returning to DDD we GO BURROW down again we enter the cold tunnels
back to the tunnel, and by way of under the crypt.
the dirt pile (GO PILE) we enter a This whole place seems to have
sloping passage under the burial been carved out so the ghouls can
mound. Now we are in truly dangerous keep their food on ice. I won't
territory. Shadow assassins are tell you what it is, you'll have to
found throughout the rest of our look for yourself. A few of the
journey. You won't see them at tunnels must be traversed one way,
first, but they'll call your name in as shown on the map. The ghouls'
a mocking voice, then jump out from main larder is at BBBB, and if you
nowhere. I have heard there are climb the stairway from there you
sometimes other horrible creatures enter the ice room. Gruesome as it
between here and the ice room (CCCC) is, it's worth a look. You'll wit-
as well, but I have yet to meet one. ness a bizarre sight inside a large
This part of the passage is filled slab of ice ("look slab"). There is
with slimy, creepy things, but don't also a smaller slab ("touch ice"),
worry, it gets worse. but it doesn't do anything special.
At LLL is a small cavern with I believe a precious gem was found
fluorescent fungus. There are piles under it once.
of bones and rotting flesh, and to And that's it; end of the tour.
the east is a throne room. It must It's been fun. I hope you can find
have belonged to some Unlife king, your way back out. As for me, I'll
because I don't know who else could just use my magic ring....
have created anything as revolting.
Aegyptia slides a gold ring off her finger.
Aegyptia slides an intricate gold and brass ring on her finger.
Suddenly Aegyptia vanishes!
You pick up the thoughts of Aegyptia thinking:
"Can anyone tell me how to get out of Fire Guardians?"
______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| To those who helped or whose work I studied in writing this |
| article and drawing the maps, I thank you: |
| |
_| Zepath, Melda, Sauron, Pterelas, Lythe, Lucius, Inyigo, |
/@| Dec, Coen, Landreth, Avondale, Kirc and Ilstar. |
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
More...
-26-
Monsters of the Graveyard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THTS are given against heavy hide. For a description of spells and
abilities, see descriptions at the end of the section.
BARROW WIGHT (Unlife) DEATH DIRGE (Unlife)
===================== ====================
Level: 15, medium speed Level: 9, medium speed
There are two types of barrow Attack: Swing (OB 60, THT 99)
wight; can appear in room at Special Abilities:
same time; one uses a broad- Calm & Fear
sword and metal breastplate, Song of Holding
the other twohanded sword and Base DB: 75 CPs: 80
augmented breastplate. Booty (pawnable price in silvers):
Attack: Claw (OB 165, THT 66) Dirge skin (35)
Broadsword (OB 165, THT 84) Visored helm (6)
2handed sword (OB 165,THT 79) Does not carry treasure
Special Abilities:
Fear GHOUL, GREATER (Unlife)
Immobilization =======================
Life Level Drain Level: 3, medium speed
Base DB: 165 CPs: 210 Attack: Claw (OB 40, THT 66)
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): No Special Abilities
Wight claw (75) Base DB: 20 CPs: 65
Broadsword (50) Booty (pawnable price in silvers):
Metal breastplate (166) Ghoul scraping (45)
Twohanded sword (66) May carry silver
Augmented breastplate (216)
Wooden shield (3) GHOUL, LESSER (Unlife)
Treasure Chests, item, silver ======================
Level: 1, medium speed
BONE GOLEM (Unlife) Attack: Claw (OB 20, THT 66)
(Possibly extinct from Graveyard) No Special Abilities
================================= Base DB: 10 CPs: 25
Level: 8, medium speed Booty (pawnable price in silvers):
Attack: Swing (OB 100) Ghoul nail (45)
Pound (OB 90) Does not carry treasure
Ensnare (OB 40 or 60)
No Special Abilities GHOUL KING (Unlife)
Base DB: 30 CPs: 110 ===================
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): Level: 16, slow
Golem bone (35) Attack: Bite (OB 125, THT 69)
May carry treasure Claw (OB 120, THT 66)
Fist (OB 90, THT 41)
COBRA (Living) Special Abilities:
============== Fear & Aura
Level: 2, fast Immobilization
Attack: Bite (OB 30, THT 69) Base DB: 80 CPs: 176
Special Abilities: Booty (pawnable price in silvers):
Poison (3/rnd) Ghoul finger (value unknown)
Base DB: 40 Double chain mail (166)
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): Metal aventail (3)
Cobra skin (25) Wooden shield (3)
Does not carry treasure Treasure: Chest, items, silver
More...
-27-
GOBLIN (Living) SHADOW ASSASSIN (Unlife)
=============== ========================
Level: 2, slow Level: 18, fast, but spends much
Attack: Flail (OB 20, THT 80) time casting DB spells, and
No Special Abilities can be parry tagged. Hint:
Base DB: 30 CPs: 50 make macro to put away and
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): get weapon in order to avoid
Goblin skin (35) the weapon fire spell. I
Light hide (13) watched Pterelas, a thief,
Flail (63) kill these at level 13 using
Treasure chest, item, silver that method.
Attack: Scimitar (OB 150, THT 89)
HOBGOBLIN (Living) Special Abilities:
================== Weaponfire, Blur, Hues
Level: 3, slow Invisibility
Attack: Swing (OB 50, THT 99) Base DB: 30? (up to 85 with spells)
No Special Abilities CPs: 206
Base DB: 25 CPs: 60 Booty (pawnable price in silvers):
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): Not skinnable, Scimitar (36)
Hobgoblin scalp (35) Treasure chests, item, silver
Carry only a few silvers
SKELETON (Unlife)
MUMMY, LESSER (Unlife) =================
====================== Level: 1, slow
Level: 7, slow Attack: Dagger (OB 25, THT 94)
Attack: Claw (OB 40, THT 66) No Special Abilities
Ensnare (OB 10, THT 96) Base DB: 0 CPs: 30
No Special Abilities Booty (pawnable price in silvers):
Base DB: 30 Skeleton bone (10)
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): Dagger (worthless)
Mummy shroud (75) Woven cloak (worthless)
Treasure: items, silver Light leather (26)
PHANTOM (Unlife) WIGHT LORD (Unlife)
================ ======================
Level: 2, medium speed (Rumor has it that these inhabit
Attack: Swing (OB 20, THT 99) the Graveyard, but I have never
Special Abilities: seen one; stats are from the Wight
Shockbolt (OB 30, THT 77) Lords in Claedsbrim Dungeon Lvl 4.)
Aura Level: 17, medium speed
Base DB: 20 CPs: 40 Attack: Falchion (155)
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): Special abilities:
None (disintegrates) Life Level Drain, Stun Cloud
Fear, Immobilize, Boil Earth
REVENANT (Unlife) Wizard Shield
================= Base DB: 160 CPs: Unknown
Level: 4, medium speed Booty (pawnable price in silvers):
Attack: Broadsword (OB 60, THT 84) Unknown
Special Abilities: _________________________________
Aura / \
Limb Pain | For a Good Time in |
Base DB: 45 CPs: 115 | The Graveyard |
Booty (pawnable price in silvers): | |
Unskinnable (disintegrates) | Find the Flower Girl in Town |
Broadsword (50) | Give her some silver coins |
Reinforced leather (33) | Take what she gives you in return |
Wooden shield (3) | to the hidden Priest in the Temple |
Carries no treasure \__________________________________/
-28-
Hot Summer Nights Prizes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In celebration of GEnie'S "Hot Summer Nights" in August, Simutronics proudly
announces over $1500 in prizes for special GemStone events. (This is NOT
a complete list of events. Please refer to the NEWS command in GemStone III
and the special GEnie *HSN calendar for more information.)
Rules
~~~~~
(1) Each person, regardless of multiple GEnie accounts, is eligible for a
maximum of two (2) prizes during the entire month of August.
(2) Judgements on prize awards by Simutronics will be final.
(3) All rules are subject to modification as the situation requires.
(4) Written/spoken prose will become the sole property of Simutronics Corp.
(5) ASCII Art will become the sole property of Simutronics Corp.
(6) Winners must be in good credit standing with GEnie for the past 6 months.
(7) GEnie Internal Accounts are not eligible for prizes.
Prizes
~~~~~~
14 Amethyst, Citrine and Garnet GEMS will be hidden throughout the lands in
August! Additional prizes may be awarded based on roleplaying, player
interaction and other GameMaster determinations. Prizes for Specific Events:
Kelfour's Assassins' Contest (Beginning August 1 and ending August 31)
1st Place: Iron Crown's (ICE) Shadow World "Emer" Boxed Set
2nd Place: Iron Crown's (ICE) Shadow World "Quellbourne" Module
3rd Place: Iron Crown's (ICE) Shadow World "StormRiders" Novel
Water Tunnel Races (August 7):
1st Place: ICE Shadow World "Emer" Boxed Set
2nd Place: ICE Shadow World Rolemaster Companion IV
3rd Place: ICE Shadow World "Quellbourne" Module
Bardic Song/Prose (August 10) prizes for EACH of SIX events (Short Story,
Epic Poetry, Songs, Short Poetry, Short Story-Telling):
1st Place: ICE "BladeStorm" Miniatures Boxes Game
2nd Place: ICE Shadow World "Quellbourne" Module ___________________
3rd Place: ICE Shadow World "StormRiders" Novel / \
| Gladitorial Games |
Special One-Night Mini-Event/Quest (August 13): | (August 16): Check |
1st Place: 1.40 Carat Faceted Garnet Gem | GemStone III Tomes |
2nd Place: ICE Shadow World Rolemaster Companion IV | (Page 930, query |
3rd Place: ICE Shadow World "Quellbourne" Module | GAME) for details |
| on Experience Point |
Maze Event (August 15): | formulae and Awards |
1st Place: 1.34 carat Faceted Cubic Zirconium Gem \___________________/
2nd Place: ICE Shadow World Rolemaster Companion IV
3rd Place: ICE Shadow World "Quellbourne" Module
ASCII Art Showcase & Contest (August 17):
1st Place: ICE Shadow World "BladeStorm" Miniature Boxed Game
2nd Place: ICE Shadow World "Quellbourne" Module
3rd Place: ICE Shadow World "StormRiders" Novel
Major GemStone III Quest (August 23-29):
1st Place: 1.54 Carat Faceted Garnet Gem
2nd Place: ICE Shadow World Rolemaster Companion IV KEV3N2
3rd Place: ICE Shadow World "Quellbourne" Module [end]
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Great Potpourri of Tips and Tales |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| GemStone III's August 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.3 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| |
| The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Noblesse Oblique ..................... Lord Gallenod Varynesti 1 |
| Some Notes on Commands ....................................... 2 |
| Talespinning, Songsmithing, Dreamweaving . Llorien Silvanestii 3 |
| Inyigo's Lost Love ............................ Inyigo Montoya 4 |
| The Merchant's Wagon ......................... Rastur Shibatae 5 |
| The Etiquette of Dying .................. Aegyptia Nyctadaemus 8 |
| Tips for Healers ............................ Jhembryn Durrock 10 |
| Mad Glimmering .................................... Rhea Sibex 10 |
| High Sorcery: Correction! ................. Dartaghan Darkstar 11 |
| Of Arms and Their Evolution ................. Melchion Merdaen 12 |
| The New IBM Front End ........................ Altor Arlington 13 |
| Immediate Environs Map .................. Aegyptia Nyctadaemus 15 |
| Wearbear Revenge ............................... Thellra Dumas 16 |
| Quest of Love: The Resolution ................. Bolivar DiGriz 17 |
| Life of a Mage ........................... Llorien Silvanestii 18 |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream & Barriers............ Elyria Blythe 19 |
| A Wight's Revenge ...................... Elminester Silvanisty 21 |
| Every Little Bit Helps ..................... Celestin Drowstar 24 |
| The Story of My Coming, Part II ............... Iomadh Dauphin 26 |
| Rhea's Troll Call Song ............................ Rhea Sibex 27 |
| The Death Of A Thief ............................. Tapor Lieff 28 |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Assistant Editors Kalagay Halatil or Lady Rune Arundel, or |
| Publisher Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
Noblesse Oblique
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Lord Gallenod Varynesti
/ \ ____ \
\@| /~/~~\\ |
||~| ~~ | reetigs, one and all! and weapons. Lady Taarna, the lead-
_||~| |==| | Once again I take pen ing cleric in the Land was one of
/@| \~\__// | in hand to address an the original Kelfour pioneers. Lord
\_/ ~~~~~ / issue near and dear Enegue, the only Bardic Lord. Lady
~~~~~~~~~~~ to any who strive for Kayla and Lord Rhys, Master Healers.
excellence in Kulthea. Today's top- And no list would be complete with-
ic: the obligations of nobility in out Lord Yuri and, of course, Lord
our littletown. Having lately achie- Fxg, GemStone's own version of a
ved noble rank, I feel a certain Battlemaster and the mightiest
obligation to explain what noble warrior in the Landing.
status means from both the per-
spective of struggling to reach These puissant Lords and Ladies and
noble rank and what it feels like to their contemporaries have been
have finally achieved it. joined of late by a second gener-
ation of nobility. Lord Mikhail,
It's not easy to earn ennoblement. the Landing's master questor. Lord
Of the hundreds of players listed on Dartaghan, who achieved noble rank
the fame lists, less than 50 are in only six weeks! The list of new
Lords and Ladies. Far fewer are Lords and Ladies grows each month,
still active in the game, for having and the evil powers that threaten
reached this long-sought goal, many our existence are hard-pressed to
adventurers go into semi-retirement stem the rising tide of increasingly
or bring younger siblings (and even capable adventurers. But what does
offspring) into town. Some just this "nobility" entail? What are
leave, looking for new thrills. the responsibilities of nobility,
Living legends such as Lord Dagmar, and what are the perks?
Lady Valeria, Lord Erebor, among
others, have disappeared into the I can't speak for my fellow Lords
mists of time. Younger players will and Ladies, so I'll give you the
hear their names only in old perspective I formed while a young
stories, along with that of the Mad adventurer working my way up. My
Mage Lythe, his mortal enemy Lord views are a mixture of both personal
Laeg. Young players who pass the experience and the studies I under-
House of the Rising Phoenix may took parallel with my advance in
never have the privilege of meeting experience to better prepare myself
its founder, Lady Wisraith. And we for noble rank.
are all poorer for the passing of
the great cleric Lords Sindar and Nobility means power. Lords and
Bashir. Ladies fear little in this land, as
they've gained enough ability to go
Among those who remain, however, are almost anywhere with impunity. Lords
some of the most powerful and routinely battle monsters that would
influential residents of Kelfour's kill three quarters of the residents
Landing. Kulthea's greatest Healer, of Kelfour's with two strokes. And
Lord Strom, the highest level woe betide lesser adventurers who
adventurer extant in the landing. raise the wrath of a less than scru-
Master Thief Lord Moonpie, who is pulous noble. Several young adven-
rumored to be able to pick a gnat's turers have died at the hands of the
nose with a crowbar. Lord Odds and enraged (or sometimes bored) Lord
Lord Lose, who, while no longer they offended. While most nobility
permanent residents in Kelfour's, are patient, I recommend younger
are still the only two mages to ever characters tread carefully in the
gain the ability to enchant items presence of Lords they don't know
-1- More...
well, as some will go out of their fear, and other nobility usually
way to "educate" the ill-mannered or take a dim view of that.
ignorant.
Nobility involves certain expecta-
Nobility confers a certain societal tions. On major quests, nobility
respect. As a young adventurer, I are expected to take a prominent
dreamed of one day being a Lord role, and face the most dangerous
myself. The title itself adds a cer- challenges. Younger adventurers come
tain image to a character, and most to depend on their noble mentors for
nobility have acquired a rather defensive and offensive enhance-
personal style in dress and manners. ments. A noble greeted properly by
How they act beyond that determines a liegeman has a certain obligation
whether they are respected, feared, to the safety of his or her vassal.
or ignored. Whether or not I per- This may mean casting spells, loan-
sonally liked the nobles I met, how- ing money, opening chests, etc. Of
ever, I respected their achievement course, the noble can't be forced to
in attaining noble rank. provide these services. However,
almost every Lord or Lady I've met
It's never wrong to show respect to here has, to different degrees,
any noble you approach, usually with fulfilled these expectations.
bow or curtsey when you address the
Lord or Lady. (Note: while it may Many will never reach noble rank;
be appropriate for female characters the road is not easy. Becoming a
to bow, it would be insulting for a Lord or Lady is only a milestone,
male character to curtsey.) Some not the end of the road, and pro-
nobility prefer being addressed as gression beyond is possibly even
"Lord" or "Lady," while others are more difficult than getting there.
uncomfortable with the formal con- Some stop to rest and never progress
ventions. You'll never be wrong, further, content with their place in
however, to use the honorific unless life. Some grow restless and leave
a particular noble has told you it town entirely in search of new ad-
isn't necessary. And respect works ventures. Others continue on, look-
both ways. Nobles who do not return ing for new challenges down the
the respect of subordinates will road. The higher you climb, how-
quickly lose even the token respect ever, the steeper this road gets.
their titles confer. They may then See you there.
only maintain their status through
______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| Some Notes on Commands |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| The MEASURE command has been added which allows you to determine the |
| approximate number of doses left in a potion or herb. |
| |
| A DIAGNOSE command has been added which will be of special interest to |
| those inclined towards the healing arts. This command, when used on |
| another chracter, will allow you to quickly determine their injuries |
| based on your medical skills (first aid skill). |
| |
| As you may know, there are some magical pools of water in Kulthea that |
| can help with bleeding. These have been adjusted somewhat as they now |
| do not cure bleeding, but rather clot it for a period of time. On the |
| plus side, they now affect all bleeding not just one area. However, |
| the behavior of these pools is unpredictable and overuse of them may |
| lead to a depletion of whatever magical properties still persist. The |
| lesson is this: guard your precious natural resources, lakes, forest, |
| magical pools, things like that. |
\______________________________________________________________________/
-2-
Talespinning, Songsmithing and Dreamweaving
_____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _________ \ by Llorien Silvanestii
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| | he bard is probably automatically be raised to 90. I
/@| _|_|_ | the least played and would then put the 4 highest scores
\_/__________/ most misunderstood into the other development stats in
class in the world of GemStone III. the following order: AG, CO, RE,
Bards don't have a clearcut role as and SD. I will go into development
do the other professions. Yet this points further in the section on
class offers one of the best choices training.
when it comes to role-play-ability
-- at least in this humble bard's When it comes to the physical stats,
opinion. Let's explore the world of STrength, QUickness, PResence, IN-
the bard. tuition and EMpathy, the choices are
fairly easy. EMpathy is the other
Stats prime attribute of this class, so
~~~~~ put the lowest remaining score into
The first step in rolling up a bard it. It will also be raised to 90.
is deciding which direction of Then put the two highest remaining
training you are going to pursue. stats into ST and QU. The order in
Since the advent of the new lock- which you do this is partially
picking system, I strongly recommend dependent on your choice of race.
not try- __________________________________________________
ing to / \ The Elven
create | Bardly Skill Cost Total Notes | races seem
the ever | ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ | to be the
popular | One Handed Edged 3/9 12 Always take 2 ranks | most suit-
bard- | Body Development 3 15 One rank should do |able, giving
thief. | Directed Spells 10 25 A MUST every time | bonuses to
even with| Wands 6 31 | your quick-
LockLore,| Runes 5 36 | ness but a
the | Spell List 4/* 44 Try to invest twice | half-elven
ability | per Level. |character is
to train \__________________________________________________/a good choice
only once for the addi-
per level in picking and disarming tional strength bonus. Finally, put
makes this option unfeasible. Be- the last 2 stats into IN and PR, in
sides, if you've read the manual, that order.
you know a bard is a SEMI-Spell
Caster - although the training costs A last note on stat generation.
would have you think otherwise. When viewing the potentials of your
stats, keep in mind that the higher
The bard's best trait is the ability the EM potential, the more spell
to combine a reasonable strength at power points you will get in the
arms with spell casting. With this later stages of development. Also, a
in mind, and the fact that most decent potential in ST and QU is de-
training costs are fairly high for sirable to allow the bard to become
this class, here is my approach. effective in combat.
First and most important to a bard Training (See Illustration)
is the number of development points ~~~~~~~~
he has. These are determined by 5 Due to the costs, a bard must by
stats: COnstitution, AGility, Self necessity have a fair number of dev-
Discipline, REasoning, and ELoqu- elopment points, even to start. Let
ence. ELoquence is one of a bard's me demonstrate by showing you the
primary stats, therefore I would put skills I trained in and their costs
the lowest score there as it will at the early stages of my career.
-3-
As you can see, even the most rudi- way to develop a bard, but I have
mentary skills will end up costing found that it works fairly well.
you a large number of development (This from a bard who hunted pumas
points. You may start with less at level 2.)
than 44 points, in which case you
could only invest in one rank of But never forget the primary purpose
spell list and use any left over of a bard. Not squashing critters,
points to invest in, say, Perception or blowing up castles with that neat
or Climbing or First Aid. But by the new spell of mass destruction. We
time you reach third level, you'll are the historians and storytellers
want at least those 44 dev. points. of GemStone III. Much has happened
and much will happen that future
As you climb levels, you may want to generations would benefit by if the
skip a level training in wands and knowledge of these events is pre-
invest points in your spell list. At served, whether by song, story, or
higher levels, when weapons training anecdote. Maybe we can't go kill
is only getting you +2 to your wea- centaurs or spiders by ourselves now
pons skill (or perhaps when it hits (if ever), but we can write the
+3), you would do well to consider stories of those who can, or those
training only once/level in weapons, who were foolish enough to try.
thus freeing 9 valuable points which
can be put into your spell list. Inyigo's Lost Love
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Which spell list to choose? The by Inyigo Montoya
bard class has 2 lists to pick from,
neither of which are yet fully imp- I sit here thinking of Piffen,
lemented. The Bard list has two As she picked my chest,
spells implemented while the Open Oh, how I've been smitten,
Essence List has four. Rumor has it My heart stolen by the best.
that the Open Essence list is under-
going revision and may soon have A stalwart champion,
many more spells available, so this A prince from faraway,
may be the best choice at present, None sways her falchion,
but the proposed Bard list has great Her pride will not stray.
potential. Given the cost of train-
ing in spell lists, it is probably She is one of zest,
best to concentrate on one list for She is one so pure,
the time being, so that when the She rides the wave's crest,
spells are available, you can take With her sultry demure.
immediate advantage of them.
I ask not to be your knight,
If you have high AGility, you may This I know will never come,
want to train in First Aid. In For like a thief in the night,
addition to being able to help your My search has just begun.
fellow adventurers when they forget
to duck, you'll find there are Piffen, my fair maiden,
plenty of critters whose pelts are I can never make you happy,
worth a small fortune (centaurs and For my soul has been stricken,
pumas come to mind). Train only With the blackness of Anarchy.
once per level in this skill as the
extra 6 points for the second level A love as deep as mine,
can be better spent elsewhere. must not give you fright,
It is more like aged wine,
Conclusion for my thief in white.
There you have it -- what, through To harbor you from the cold,
trial and error, I have found works Your wounds for me to tend,
for me. This is by no means the only And may I be so bold.....
-4- I'd like to call you friend.
____________ The Merchant's Wagon
/ \ ____ \ (A view from the inside)
\@| /~/~~\\ | by Rastur Shibatae
||~| ~~ |
_||~| |==| | ypsy wagons sighted!" to the bank. Galauriel and Garret
/@| \~\__// | The hand-printed sign handed over some silvers while Dolph
\_/ ~~~~~ / in the square told us called out everyone's name as they
~~~~~~~~~~~ they were coming that paid. It seemed like somone could be
very day, with "a big surprise." My making a list of the lucky few. My
mind raced with the stories fellow teacher, Natasha, looked frightened,
adventurers told me of trinkets and but I had no second thoughts; into
special clothes, of weapons, armor, my pocket I reached and out came my
and magic things sold by the travel- 500 silvers.
ing merchants. Maybe I could buy a
great weapon or a unique ring of The merchant unlatched the door on
power. Without hesitation, I gave the back of the wagon and swung it
up killing torkaans and kobolds to wide open. I gave Dolph my coins and
wait for the gypsy wagon's arrival. stepped up the ladder. From the
dark interior, Alhana asked, "What's
The townsfolks' excitement grew to a the surprise?" I felt a sharp pain
frenzy when the Town Crier rushed in on the back of my head and then all
to announce, "The Gypsy Wagon is now went black.
just outside town! It will arrive in
minutes!" And off he ran to proclaim When I came to, I found myself sit-
the good news in a different part of ting inside a very dark "merchant's"
town. I checked my supply of hard- wagon, bound and gagged. I cried,
earned silvers and bolted for the "Oh, no!" but the only sound to find
center of town, hoping to get first its way into the air was a muffled
pick of the wares and to sample the "MmMfmmmMf." Then I watched help-
"big surprise." as Gilthor was pushed into the wagon
bound and gagged. He was soon fol-
It seemed like hours before the lowed by Galauriel, then Hagar and
colorful wagon arrived. The gypsy Kalas. Garret was pushed in next,
merchant looked to be a Fair Elf, then Talabane and Tranar.
well dressed in a silk shirt, fancy
trousers, a black jacket and threk Hagar struggled to his feet just as
hide boots. He sported a black mus- Alhana was pushed into the wagon,
tache and wore a gold pendant shaped bound and gagged. Gilthor tried to
into a clenched fist. His name was say something but again only
Dolph and he seemed a true showman, "MfMfmmmMf" was heard. Galauriel
waiting for the crowds to grow to and Tranar struggled to stand up but
just the right size before opening were knocked down by the entrance of
for business. Bardo and Maruko. We tried to stand
and make our escape but the wagon
I looked around me at the turnout: suddenly lurched forward knocking us
Alhana was there, and Mikhail, and all to the floor.
Jhembryn, Natasha, and Gilthor, then
Galauriel, Hagar, Kalas, Garrett, From the way the wagon was shaking
along with Lose and Kayla, Zinderin, and jolting, I guessed that we were
Gandalf, Bardo, and others I did not going pretty fast. As a result, all
recognize. I knew there must be the motion didn't allow for much
something really special on board. action. Still, we tried to stand up
again and communicate with each
Just then Dolph called, "The first other with muffled noises, blinking
ten people to hand me 500 silver can eyes, and shaking heads.
see the most amazing surprise!" In a
flurry of activity, Jhembryn gave As the wagon lurched back and forth,
Dolph his coins as Alhana rushed off the thought struck me that its floor
-5-
was made of wood. My jump caused the "Well, it looks like our visitors
floor "give a little." My fall took have broken out of their cell," she
Bardo down too; however, now every- said. "Ah, so many pretty little
one began to jump up and down, to playthings. They will provide hours
break through the wagon's floor. It of fun for me."
got comical afer a while, with all
of us jumping, falling, standing, Cyanidia Banewort had pale skin,
blinking, shaking heads, whatever we dark eyes, and unkempt, long black
could do while bound and gagged. hair. Just looking at her made me
shudder.
Meanwhile, the wagon continued
careening around corners, down Cyanidia was well equipped with a
alleyways, and over bumpy black shaalk shield in her left hand
cobblestones. I could only imagine and a "deadly black broadsword" in
what was occurring outside this her right. She wore a long dwarfskin
contraption. Were others following cloak over a gruesome black-as-death
the wagon? What was going to happen tunic, a spiked leather collar, and
to us? Why didn't I pay heed to my a dull white skull helm. She also
teacher's frightened look? Where had leather wrist guards, dull black
were we and where were we heading? leg guards, and platinum armbands.
I continued to jump and fall on the
floorboards, occasionally taking my "Now what do we do with them?" Dolph
companions down with me. asked. "I don't think we can get
them all back in. I suppose we'll
The wagon lurched once more and came have to do away with the bigger
to an aburpt stop, sending us all to ones, and drag the smaller ones on
the floor again. We heard Dolph the ship by themselves."
giggle, "You folks *fall* for things
mighty easily." Cyanidia smiled at Gilthor and while
the rest of us exclaimed our muffled
"Nice job, Dolph," some female said. dissatisfaction with being kept
against our wills, she "playfully"
Dolph appeared inside the wagon just rubbed her broadsword down Gilthor's
as we began to jump around again. He chest! Gilthor groaned and I saw
said, "Well, see you all after the that he had some deep lacerations.
lovely boat trip. Did you see stars
when my deary knocked you on your "Damn!" I thought to myself, "I'm
head?" He chuckled and added, "Fare- only a level 2 healer, I can't take
well. Don't struggle too much. You chest damage." I was outraged,
need to save your strength to finish scared for my life and the lives of
the trip." my companions; we all were! Gags
muffled our curses to grunts.
We continued to speak to each other
through our "MfMfmmmMf" noises and "You folks are in for a nice treat.
nudges and motion with our heads and Would you like to see what I have
eyes the feelings of fear and planned for you?" she asked. While
helplessness we all felt. While Dolph mumbled something about the
some of us slumped to the floor, money they could have made from us
others continued to jump up and down being "alive," Cyanidia removed a
causing the floor to "give a little" shrunken halfling head from her
each time. Suddenly, the floor broke belt. She held the halfling head up
apart under out feet, sending all of in her hand and smiled softly at it.
us tumbling to the ground outside. Suddenly, Cyanidia clenched her fist
and squeezed! The remains oozed out
We found ourselves in the cargo room between her sticky fingers.
of Iolan's Warehouse, with Dolph
exclaiming, "What the..!?" I recog- Dolph removed his claidmore from
nized his female companion at once inside his cloak and while looking
from her "Wanted" poster in town. down its edge, he aimed it at each
-6- More...
one of us like it was a ranged Talabane and Alhana attacked with
weapon. "Who should I start with?" blades and Kalas cast shockbolts;
he asked. still nothing could touch Cyanidia.
Kalas muttered, "Oh boy, where is
Gilthor groaned as Cyanidia rubbed Odds when we need him!"
her broadsword down Alhana's arm.
Alhana hopped up and down exclaiming Cyanidia swung her deadly black
"MfMfmmmMf!" Dolph laughed and then broadsword at Garret--and missed!
swung his claidmore at Gilthor. Galauriel severed Dolph's left hand
Gilthor's abdomen opened up and and Talabane hit him with a bone-
Dolph swung again splitting the crushing blow to the leg, following
chest cavity and destroying his up with a slash to the forehead when
heart. I went numb. my blow went wide. "Dolph!" cried
Cyanidia, as Alhana's blow sent him
"Poor Gilthor," Cyanidia smiled. She to the grave.
bent over and kissed him gently.
"You have destroyed one of my men!
Kalas groaned and Maruko shook his I will not tolerate that!" Cyanidia
head. The rest of us hopped up and cried out. She crushed Garett's
and down trying to get free. Alhana throat as she threw off every spell
and Galauriel moved a little closer and attack. I healed the injured as
to the crates lined up against one well as I could, and Gilthor's ghost
wall of the warehouse and rubbed cried, "Get help! Get a cleric!"
their bonds against the crates.
While I watched in horror, Dolph's
"Dolph, please do something with corpse rose and walked right out of
that body. It's beginning to the warehouse. The fight followed
smell." Cyanidia said. Then turning him out and moved down the streets
her gaze towards Maruko, she said, of Kelfour's waterfront.
"Maruko dear, you look a little
tired." Cyanidia dodged Rory's thrust and
stunned him. Maruko's blow, though
All at once, Galauriel broke her invisibly guided, also went astray.
bonds and began to untie our hands Lose waved a cold steel rod at
so we could free ourselves. At that, Cyanidia, lightly stunning her; but
Cyanidia prepared for battle. She two more attacks missed, allowing
rubbed a necklet of halfling fingers her to recover somewhat. She shouted
and a deep blue glow surrounded her. to Dolph for help, but the coward
She rubbed a black widow spider came out of hiding and fled!
earring to envelop herself with a
wall of force. Finally, Cyanidia Cyanidia tried to take cover behind
rubbed her black onyx buckle and a Zinderin. She rubbed him gently,
translucent sphere formed about her. saying, "Come with me, Zinderin. I
can teach you all about life -- and
Amid cries of dismay from Alhana and death," and clasped his hand.
Kalas, Garret urged "Parry up!" and
Galauriel shouted, "Go for her!" A wicked slash from Maruko's katana
cut Cyanidia's abdomen, causing her
With that, we attacked, swinging our sword to clash with Mikhail's. Rory
swords and throwing spells at the got in a gash to her leg, and Maruko
evil Cyanidia. She had protected sent a crushing blow to her back.
herself too well, however; our THT Waldo2 fractured her ribs, paving
against her was over 530! Above the the way for Maruko to administer the
din, we could hear Gilthor's ghost final blow.
shouting, "Get her! Avenge me!"
* Cyanidia just bit the dust!
Galauriel replied fiercely, "We
will!" and Maruko growled, "On your Cyanidia's possessions were quickly
honor, Gilthor!" Hagar, Galauriel, claimed by the victors. Of her evil
-7- Continued on Page 9
_____________ The Etiquette of Dying
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Aegyptia Nyctadaemus
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| | here I lay on the The next item is deeds. You need to
/@| _|_|_ | the Upper Kaldsfang, start accumulating these because you
\_/__________/ broken and bleeding, will lose one every time you die and
newly level two. An orc stomped on get resurrected, and you will lose
my weapon and shield and flung oaths two if you depart. If you die with
at my body. Through the panic and none, it's an automatic departure to
confusion of death, I heard someone the Character Manager. Don't think
shouting at me, "Don't depart! Log it's safe to go about with one deed,
to 1045;2!" because if something goes wrong with
a resurrection and the cleric has to
I thought the adventurer who stopped try again, you've lost your one deed
to save my gear was speaking to me and you're out of luck.
in Seoltang! Precious time slipped
by before I understood him and left It's best to start buying deeds at
the surface of the planet until a first level. My advice is to buy a
resurrection could be arranged. lot of them because they become more
expensive as you get older. At low
Perhaps the information that follows levels, deeds can be purchased with
will spare new adventurers some con- agates. As you go higher you will
fusion. It might also spare those need tourmaline stones, topaz or
who find the body the trouble of opals, which are all found in
describing details under less than chests. At any level, you can buy
ideal circumstances. Jamel's article deeds with silver. The formula,
"Life After Death," in Vol. 1, No. 9 given by Vizier quoting Kayla in the
of the KE, is useful, though much KE, Vol. 1, No. 12, is this:
has changed since then.
100 silver per level
The gods now allow you ten "free" +100 silver per number of deeds
deaths in the first year of training you already have
(Level 1). They may not SEEM free, +101 silver
because you may lose your gear when
you depart and have to re-equip. Now Agates count 500 silver towards a
if someone is on hand to get your deed and tourmalines count 1000. I
stuff, the DRAG command allows the don't know how much topaz and opals
good soul to fill your sack or back- are worth; I've never found any.
pack with your equipment and drag it
into town, even if it is too full to Here's how you get a deed: take your
pick up. offering (agate, silver, etc.) into
the temple. "Go black arch," and
What makes these deaths "free" is then go behind the tapestry ("go
the fact that you do not lose a deed tap"). Strike the hollow brass chime
when you die, you do not lose your two times ("hit chime with mallet").
character and wind up back in the Tyriyn will tell you to kneel and
Character Manager, and your stats prepare your offering. Kneel, drop
are not affected when you reach your agate or silver ("drop agate,"
Level 2. Everything changes once you "drop 500 coins"), then hit the
train for Level 2, though. Death chime with the mallet one more time.
becomes a much bigger deal. If you If your offering is acceptable, your
depart, some of your stats will most your deed will be recorded. Type EXP
likely be randomly lowered when you to see how many deeds you have.
train at your next level. Potential
stats are not changed; you will gain Now you're ready to die. Here's what
back the points eventually. Still, will happen. Say you underestimate
the loss can affect your ability to a troll:
function. Think before you depart. * Aegyptia just bit the dust!
-8- More...
A message will tell you how long you right afterward. The cleric usually
have before your soul automatically casts Lifekeeping first, to allow
departs. This period of time depends time to tend your injuries and/or to
on your race as follows: Common Man, drag you to a safe place for the
8 minutes; High Man, 7 minutes; Half rez. If the preliminary steps take a
Elf and other Elf races, 4 minutes; long time and the spell wears off,
Dwarf and Halfling, 10 minutes each. you still have as much time left as
A cleric with the Lifekeeping spell remained before the spell was cast.
can give you 30 seconds more for Lifekeep can be re-cast as often as
each level of the casting cleric. necessary. You can stay Lifekept
More about this later. even if the attending cleric doesn't
have the resurrection spell.
When you die, you drop any items in
your hands, but you do not drop the Resurrecting in the wilds is risky
things you are wearing. As long as for the cleric as well as for the
you don't depart, your clothing and victim. While LifeKEEPING can be
backpack or sack will be safe, along cast with no risk to the cleric,
with rings, anything you wear around LifeGIVING will leave both the
your neck, and your shield, if you cleric and the newly raised person
happen to be wearing it. Ask someone low in life levels and with
in your party to get your weapon and dangerously lowered defenses against
shield. If you are alone, you can attack. In addition, the cleric will
wait and hope someone will find you, be stunned for about 45 seconds.
but don't wait too long. You can
lose everything if you depart. In an area with monsters, the cleric
will probably calm everything in
Your best chance of a quick sight. If you hunters see calmed
resurrection is to exit and go to monsters, try to find out if a
the Temple Room in the Muliplayer resurrection is in progress. If it
Games Round Table, at page 1045;2. is, don't attack a calmed monster.
When you are prompted for a room,
type 9. Usually, someone will show Ideally, you and the cleric both
up there within a few minutes and ring back to safety as soon as you
help arrange for a resurrection, or are able to move. If you have no
"rez." If no one shows, go to the ring, you will have to make other
MPG Bulletin Board, page 1045;1, arrangements, perhaps borrowing a
Category 17, Topic 9, and post a shield from someone whose defenses
notice that you need resurrecting. are in better shape than yours. The
Some clerics will make appointments improvements to the DRAG command,
for resurrection by e-mail. however, mean your cleric or friends
will try to drag your body to safety
Be sure to leave basic information before a rez is even attempted. Work
about where you died, as exactly as out the details ahead of time, and
you can remember (room exits too, if all will go smoothly and safely.
you know them). Also say something -*-
about the injuries that killed you, Merchant's Wagon - Cont. from Page 7
so you can be tended or healed when ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
you come back to life. Otherwise, goods, I recovered a black leather
you will simply die all over again. knapsack that I now wear as a remin-
At present, instant death criticals der of the gypsy merchant wagon and
don't bleed and won't kill you a the horrifying adventure that lay in
second time, but that could change. wait for the curious that day. I
Disease also will not kill you a don't know if she and Dolph are
second time, but poison can. alive, dead or -- undead. Though I
hope our paths never cross again,
When you've made your arrangements, the encounter brought me comrades
the cleric and party will want to be and gave me the will to become the
on the spot before you log back into best healer I can be and to share my
the game or near enough to find you knowledge and skill with others.
-9-
_____________ Tips for Healers
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Jhembryn Durrock
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| | his list is intended ambitious, and that is great! But I
/@| _|_|_ | to be advice to low am 7th level, and need all the exper
\_/__________/ level healers about ience I can get. Take turns if there
good healing practices, training, is more than one healer around.
and survival.
6.) Take care when you transfer con-
1.) Download Kelfour Edition No.7, cussion points, keeping a sharp eye
Dec. 90. It is available in the on how many you have left. You can
Multiplayer-Games Library in several die from transfering too many. Don't
formats, file numbers 14-17. On page be offended if someone you are heal-
9, you will find a complete list of ing says to be careful. They have
herbs and what they do. For you probably seen a healer heal himself
younger healers, a neck injury is to death. You can transfer 5 points
treated as a head injury. per level, so watch it at second!
2.) Always carry Edram Moss, Mad Glimmering
Arfandas Stem, and Pasamar Grass. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These three herbs will keep a person by Rhea Sibex
live long enough to get them to a
better healer, and they do not leave I see it it's gleaming
nasty scars! I want it it's sheening
I hides so's to catch it
3.) Keep up training in the healers' I know I'm no match yet
list and worry about closed and open
channeling after you can succesfully I'll wait in these shadows
heal any wound. It is also important Till I see my chance an
to train every time in channeling. I don't think I'm strong e
Your skill levels determine not only 'nuff to make attack yet.
the percentage of power points you
can successfully send but your abil- So I'll wait - ears a twitch
ity to receive points as well. For the footfall and swish
Of a warrior fine,
4.) On a hunt, always travel with a To make its treasure mine
fighter-type person or a mage or
sorcerer. At lower levels we need Whats that! Why's it sniffing?
the help. Also, stop along the way How come its a stiff'ning
and check for wounded. Sometimes I scrunch myself smaller
newer people don't have amulets and Kaedena! It's taller
cannot call for help. Worse, some
don't even realize they are hurt! Mouth snarling - Teeth gaping
It raises its axe an
5.) You know, I wouldn't believe No time to leap back as
this if I had not seen it. I have It starts to attack - ah!
seen healers get upset with each
other over who gets to heal who! It's skewered in time by
Come on folks, we all need A warrior's blade who's
experience; let's not fight over it! Just entered this glade an
Any respectable healer will advise Has my scruffy hide saved!
you to trade off. Take what you can
and call for help on what you cannot Before he can blink or
handle. Me stop to think I take
Its treasure to clink in
Even Lords need experience, but they My loot sack and
will give you a chance, just let Slink... Away!
them. I know, you young healers are Whats that? Is it gleaming...
-10-
High Sorcery: Correction!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_________ by Dartaghan Darkstar
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~| |~ |
| |~| |
_| |~| | it has been discovered Disruption. These spells will not
/@| _|~|_ | that a gang of nefarious only make you very powerful but very
\_/ ~~~~~ / elves broke into the KE popular when hunting parties are
~~~~~~~~ Building the night before forming.
the July print run and hacked the
last three paragraphs from the High If, however, you want to be as
Sorcery Part Two: Guide to Power destructive as possible, as most
article. They then pasted on their Ultimate Destroyers do, then look to
own stuff asserting that sorcerers the Sorcerer's base list. Mind Jolt
should train in ambush. This is and Mind Shock can stun your foes.
absolutely false! Sorcerers should Word of Panic will make anyone
-NOT- train in the ambush skill. helpless before you. Demonic Ass-
The ambush skill only applies to assin can offer you companionship if
weapon attacks. Spell attacks like your destructive nature makes it
TOD do not derive any benefit hard to find hunting parties to
whatsoever from training in Ambush. join. Shatter may free you even
Hiding on the other hand can be use- from that thief Larton. If you take
ful skill even without the benefit this path to high sorcery, learn the
of Ambushing. Since casting attack first three spells in the Open
spells do not have round times, a Channeling list. Protect 1, Air-
sorcerer can come out of hiding, wall, and Aura protect you from
cast TOD at a target, and then hide physical and magical attacks. The
again before he can be attacked. more daring might want to train in
With the right macros, and enough Hiding. With the right macros, such
hiding skill, this tactic might make a sorcerer can attack from hiding
a sorcerer invincible in a player v. and hide again before anything can
player battle. return the attack. To make this
work, you have to train in hiding
Readers should cut the last three every level. Otherwise, you will
paragraphs from High Sorcery Part not be able to hide near monsters
Two and paste the following cor- and players with high perception.
rected paragraphs in place: Perhaps the sorcerer taking this
path should only train once per
level in Directed spells, thus
Which spell lists to learn and in freeing up five development points
what order is a tough question. for the Hiding skill.
Every sorcerer should have Touch of
Disruption by level two. TOD will If your goal is to be the most des-
become your primary form of attack tructive of all the mortals adven-
as you approach lord level. Of the turing in the Shadow World, this is
two proposed spell lists in the the path for you. Even the bravest
tomes, Sorcerer's base list and the hobbit mage would not be able to
Open Essence, the Open is more stand for long before the Ultimate
versatile and perhaps even more Destroyer casting Disruption True
powerful for the sorcerer training from hiding.
to use elemental attack wands. ______________________________
Spells such as Essence wave, Word of / REWARD! \
Opening, Essence Blast, Guarding, | A tidy reward is offered by |
Essence Blade, Inbed and True Strike | the Author for information |
makes the Open Essence spell list | leading to the capture of the |
the one that a sorcerer should con- | Nefarious Gang of Elves guilty |
centrate on once he has Touch of | of this dastardly editing. |
-11- \______________________________/
Of Arms and Their Evolution
_____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _________ \ by Melchion Merdaen
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| | here is available to and cutting, or a narrow pointed
/@| _|_|_ | us in GemStone III a blade purely for thrusting. The cut
\_/__________/ rather wide array of of a straight blade was more of a
weaponry. While the choices are not hacking cut than that of the curved
as staggering as a look at the blade. Examples: standard "Long
entire history of arms, at the out- Sword," short sword, Claymore,
set you must still choose from 7 Rapier.
types of edged weapons, 2 crushing
weapons and 2 polearms. Through the The different blade types can be
course of adventuring, more types seen to be associated with certain
become available. Why the great var- geographical regions. With some ex-
iety? While functional improvement ceptions, the curved, slicing blade
often played a large part in the predominates in the east and middle-
history of a weapon, changes in east. Warfare from horseback and
fashion could also result in change Chariots was common, and the curved
in weapon design. I would like to blade is much better suited to this.
offer some insight into the func- Armor was also generally lighter,
tional differences of weapon types and a broad, heavy sword was not
in a group. By no means am I an ex- needed to penetrate it.
expert in this field, and this arti-
cle is not meant to be the defini- The broad, hacking blade predomin-
tive work on the topic. ated in Europe. Heavier and sturd-
ier than the curved, it could pene-
The sword has been been held in the trate the heavier armors associated
highest regard through out history, with the region. Early European
as an art form, an heirloom, a swords had blunted points and were
symbol of war, justice and honor. effective only for cutting. Later,
Of variable gender; he, she or it the blade began to taper to a point,
has been worshipped, has been the giving the ability to thrust.
favored gift of the gods and endowed Curved and half-curved blades, in-
with human and super-human qual- fluenced by eastern weapons, began
ities. It has been said to sing, appearing in Europe after the
speak and dance, and been lovingly crusades.
named and cared for. At its most
basic, the sword is a long metal It can also be seen, again with some
blade, designed to cut, thrust or exceptions, that there was a varia-
both, with a grip at one end. Blade tion in sword types from north to
types typically fall into 2 forms: south. People of the southern lati-
tudes were generally active and
Curved: When the curve is inside, agile races of light build and _com-
this blade is particularly efficient paritively_ small strength. They
at cutting, while a poor choice for have been seen to have generally
thrusting. Example: Scimitar. preferred pointed swords, whose
thrust can deleivered without re-
Less common is the ouside curve. quiring a great deal of strength and
These weapons were commonly broader weight; whereas the people of the
and heavier at the front and made north, often larger and stronger,
excellent chopping weapons. Exam- chose the long, straight blade more
ple: Kukri. suited to their power and stature.
Straight: one or two handed. A Following is a list (hopefully com-
broad, blunted blade for cutting, a plete) of the edged weapons avail-
broad pointed blade for thrusting able in GemStone and some comments
-12- Continued on Page 14
____________ The New IBM Front End
/ \ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\\ | By Altor Arlington
||~| ~~ |
_||~| |==| | emstone's new Front from a room, as well as UP, DOWN,
/@| \~\__// | End has the potential and OUT. Bar graphs which represent
\_/ ~~~~~ / to show beautiful CP's, PP's, life levels, parry per-
~~~~~~~~~~~ detailed illustrations centage, and round time appear here.
and graphic creatures. I hope this
article will help you decide if the In the top right window, the actual
program enhancement is something graphic interface begins to unfold.
which would interest you. In this corner, illustrations of the
forest, Upper Kaldesfang, Lower
When you load the interface for the Dragonsfang, the temple, and other
first time, you will be asked to go places appear. The pictures are
through a setup menu for baud rate, well-designed, and they load from
ports, and colors and fonts for the resource files that come with the FE
program's windows. You also set up and can be updated. My only
a Chronicles function to capture all complaint with them is that there
of your session to a file for later are not enough of them! Although
reading/grimacing. monsters have not been added to the
pictures yet, I am sure they will be
The graphical part of the Front End sooner or later.
takes control when you enter Kulthea
from Option 3 of the Gemstone III The bottom two-thirds of the screen,
menu. There are three main sections not counting a border, is devoted to
to the interface: a window in the the interface you are used to
top left, one in the top right, and seeing. It has been enhanced to let
one that covers the bottom 2/3 of you set certain lines in bold, such
the screen. as the "Also here" line you see when
you enter a room or LOOK. The window
The top left corner window gives you can be split, so that your familiar
graphics that tell you about your will have its own window.
character's position in the game.
There are graphics of your left and The border around this window
right hands and a hand with fingers changes with respect to where your
extended. These graphics represent character is in the game. For
respectively what you have in your instance, when you are in the
left hand, right hand, and what forest, the window has tree branches
spells you have ready for casting. surrounding it.
You can see at a glance what you
have readied for combat without Surprising and fun little animations
using the INV command. The only show up here when you least expect
error I have found with this section them. Once when I was in the city, a
is that it does not update your little dragon ran across the top of
right hand when your weapon is of the border, shooting flames.
knocked from your grasp. It served the purpose of amusing me,
is worth it.
There are small and large icons that
look like your character. The small You can create a variety of macros
icon represents what your character with the FE, up to 480 of them, each
is physically doing; if you are with up to 512 characters. These can
kneeling, the small icon adopts a include returns, pauses, wait for a
kneeling pose. This is a neat gadget particular character, or wait for a
to play with while you rest in round time to finish, to mention a
the temple. The larger icon shows few. I use these macros to parry up,
any permanent or current damage to parry down, parry tag, attack,
to your character. A compass-like prepare and cast spells, and log on
graphic shows you the obvious exits to GemStone.
-13- More...
The Front End also lets you use the Of Arms & Evolution -- From Page 12
keys on your number keypad to move ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in compass directions. The center on their relationship to similarly
(5) key is OUT. Each of these edged weapons in history:
keystrokes is automatically followed
by a return. The number keys used The Short Sword: Probably most
with a macro set up around the DRAG closely resembles the Roman Gladius
command make it easy to move a or European Spatha; a double edged
friend's body to safety or pull a blade of approximately 50cm.
LARGE sack of loot back to town.
The Scimitar: As described earlier,
Another aspect of the front end an Eastern weapon composed of a
which is useful in combat is a curved, single edged blade of
programmable icon bar that can be approximately 80cm. One of the most
put at the bottom of your edit efficient cutting designs ever.
window. Some icons duplicate what
is already on the screen, but some, The Two Handed Sword: A heavy (some
like the Room Name, are not. examples weigh close to 20 pounds),
long (up to 6 feet total length),
New resource packets should be bladed sword, single or double
coming along soon that will let you edged, designed to smash through
hear sounds, add new pictures and heavy armor by sheer weight and
animations, and perhaps give you momentum. Remained in use on the
even more information such as battlefield into the 16th century.
companions in your group or items in
your sack or backpack. A nice The Rapier: A long, narrow bladed
feature for Simutronics to work on thrusting sword from about the 15th
is a button bar (for function keys) century. Elaborate systems of use
and a compass which you can use with developed around this sword, and it
the mouse. As it is now, a mouse is was an item of high fashion.
not really implemented to any great
degree in the FE. The Broadsword: As it appears in
GemStone, the broadsword seems indi-
As more resource files and other cative of the standard European
enhancements are produced, I will fighting sword; a blade of approx-
review them as well. This Front End imately 70-80 cm., double edged,
is a great start for the game and with any of a variety of hilt and
undoubtedly makes it more fun to pommel designs. The swords actually
play. I would recommend it to anyone called "broadswords" in history
who has an IBM compatible computer showed great variety: they could be
and a VGA display. It is not only of straight or half curved design,
entertaining, but also helps you be single or double edged, with plain
more productive while you are in to elaborate "basket" style hilts.
Gemstone III.
The Falchion: A sword with a heavy
_______________________________ blade of aproximately 60cm., with a
/ \ single, curved edge. The back could
| FREE WEEKENDS in KULTHEA! | be straight, curved or clipped near
| ========================= | the point. The over-all appearance
| Earn an entire FREE WEEKEND | is that of a very long Bowie knife.
| to spend as you wish anywhere | A formible chopping type sword, the
| in Kelfour's Landing or the | effect was probaly much like a large
| surrounding wilds. | meat cleaver.
| |
| How? By contributing to the | I have left the dagger out of my
| Kelfour Edition. Send GE Mail | discussion. While it is one of the
| to P.HERRINGTON for details! | oldest edged weapons known, I
\_______________________________/ question its practicality in combat,
except as a last ditch effort.
-14-
______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| COASTAL CLIFFS--go road--X Entrance Gate to Arena |
| \ |
| ,X -===- |
| / \ Jousting IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS |
| N / X Area of Kelfour's Landing |
| W + E , |\ (often ASCII Map by |
| S | X \closed) Aegyptia Nyctadaemus |
| | / \ with thanks to |
| | go path,\ Trebor, Zepath, |
| ============= | / ne \ Elzbeth and Torgas |
| | Beware of | | X \ -===- |
| | Karnelins | | \ \ |
| ============= | go arch \ X |
| | \ \ | |
| go path X \ go dinghy |
| go | Wedding \ | |
| X--dep/---X | one Glade \ X--X--X |
| up / \ | way W \ / |
| / X XX<-|-------X--go path--OUTSIDE---X |
| Karnelins X | XX--X | TOWN GATE |
| \ X | /| go | (go gate) |
| go \ /| |/ `------>X |
| path---X | X path | Torkaan |
| to up/ / (one way) X Row X--X |
| CLAEDSBRIM down X | North OLD | |
| CASTLE | | X MINE ROAD X |
| X--X--X Kobolds | & MONASTERY | |
| \ | <---- X | X-go |
| ============== \| | climb | trail |
| | Beware of | X Torkaans X bank X to |
| | Wolverines | | ----> / \ go | / Grave- |
| ============== X X X--X--X--bridge--X--X yard |
| | | | |
| X X X |
| Kobolds & /| \ |
| Karnelins / | X |
| / | | Torkaan Row South |
| X | X |
| | | \ |
| go X---X go X go |
| trail \ / path | X--opening/--X |
| WERE- X | out Iorak's |
| BEARS. | go Gate |
| . X path House |
| . | | |
| ======================= . X X IORAK'S |
| | Note: Werebears are | . / / REACH |
| | much more dangerous | . X--X (Reasonably safe) |
| | than Wolverines | . | |
| ======================= . X <--go path to return north |
| . | |
| WEREBEARS------X To Hobland, Danjirland, |
| and Grey Orcs, \ Greater Orcs, Manticores, |
_| go clearning Threks, Hill Trolls, Glacier, |
/@| to return Stalkers and Lava Flows |
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
Wearbear Revenge
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ __ \ by Thellra Dumas
\@| / "| |
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| | hunter I'll never be. dismay, it wasn't a tree. I almost
/@| // |"| | Oh, I try. I guess fell over as the huge shape moved
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / I'm a middlin' kind away a few paces, towering over me.
~~~~~~~~~~~ of hunter. My trophy I froze, gazing helplessly at that
case has more than a few skins: giant werebear frothing at the
orcs, hobgoblins, trolls and pumas. mouth... such a cavernous mouth...
My pride and joy, however, is the long razor-sharp teeth dripping with
backpack I had made from the hide of slime... darkness.
a ferocious werebear.
I still cannot believe I made it out
I remember when I first arrived in with my life. The werebear must
town. A young and innocent little have tired of playing with my almost
thing I was. Kind folks tried to lifeless body, and I regained
set me straight on armor, weapons, consciousness in the temple, pain-
and the most likely places for an fully aware of being the center of
amateur to hunt. I only listened attention. A beautiful Healer with
with half an ear though, impatient long dark curls was soothing my
to be out on my own. Yes, I thought terrible wounds while a few others
I was a legend in the making. milled around, trying to get a
Dreaming of the epic poetry I would glimpse of the young fool that went
inspire, I dashed right out into the up against a werebear.
forest without rations, a map, or
the name of a healer...just in case. I felt weak, coming so close to
"Just in case of what?" I laughed to death, but I thanked the Healer and
myself, "I won't be needing anyone's made my escape from the temple.
help this day!" Anything to be away from those
pitying looks everyone was giving
Wielding a rusty second-hand broad- me. Retreating into my wretched
sword, I stomped into a clearing, room at the inn, I checked myself
bold as can be. I caught a glimpse over. The Healer had done a fine
of a kobold hiding behind a huge job. Only a few pink scars were
rock. It appeared that it was try- evidence of the horrible wounds that
ing to close a sort of wooden trunk, the werebear had inflicted on me.
but the latch was giving trouble. All of my possessions were gone save
a fair quality lockpick tucked into
"Treasure!!!" I screamed with glee, my boot and the bloodstained
running toward the creature. It clothing upon my back. Woe is me!
took one glance in my direction,
grabbed the trunk, and disappeared Needless to say, I managed to
into a stand of windak trees. survive. With the help of some good
friends, I regained my self confi-
"That treasure will be mine!" I dence. I immersed myself in train-
snarled and took up the chase. It ing and even managed to save enough
seemed that just as I was gaining on money for a decent weapon. I was
that ugly kobold, it would slip cautioned many times, and for once I
away, taunting me as it ran. listened to the lessons the older
folks told. I bought a map and
Before I knew it, I was in a dark, started hunting in groups. To my
dead part of the woods. There was surprise I made even more friends
no sign of the fleeing kobold or its and I could always glean something
wooden trunk, so I took the oppor- useful from their experience. I
tunity to lean back against a sturdy slowly honed my skills and became a
tree to catch my breath. To my better hunter. Still not a great
-16- Continued on Page 23
Quest of Love: The Resolution
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ________ \ By Bolivar DiGriz
\@| ~|~|~~\~\ |
| |~|__/~/ |
| |~ __ < | olivar awoke to the Bolivar looked around the main
_| |~| \~\ | sound of birds sing- chapel of the temple attempting to
/@| |~|__/~/ | ing merrily and fro- sort out the confusing mass of
\_/ ~~~~~~~~ / licking in the air. sights and sounds as the many
~~~~~~~~~~~ adventurers of Kelfour's Landing met
"Such a beautiful morn," he thought, their friends and planned for the
folding his arms behind his head. days adventures.
"I wonder what adventures might come
my way today?" He saw Natasha the kindly, seasoned
healer speaking to Jhembryn, a good-
Rubbing the last of dredges of sleep natured and relative novice in the
from his eyes, he stretched lazily trade. He noticed Garret the notor-
and hopped out of bed. Reaching ious cannibal, and his newly wed
under his pillow he withdrew his wife, Galauriel, who apparently
copper sheath, admiring its engraved enjoyed his affectionate nibblings.
design and the craftsmanship of the The noble Lords Gallenod and Whilder
item. He withdrew the drake fal- were also present, quietly discus-
chion contained within and tested sing their recent exploits in the
its sharpness. land of the Golems; Lord Whilder was
gently stroking his pet bluebird.
"Hobgoblins beware!" he chuckled. Before he could continue his
observations, Bolivar was awestruck.
Quickly dressing in his camouflage His eyes instantly became focused on
tunic and accessories, Bolivar the most beautiful of fair elves he
pulled a large treasure sack from had ever chanced to see.
under his bed. Peering inside he
saw his black laen lockpick and a Bolivar's eyes strained to their
golden ring. limit, admiring the long, flowing
white hair that caressed the
"Alas! I spend all my money on voluptuous curves of the wondrous
these blasted picks." Bolivar mut- fair elf's body with every head
tered, smiling wearily at his tool movement. He nudged Gandalf.
of trade. Then, holding up the
golden ring, he stared at it admir- "Who, by Elyssa, is that gorgeous
ingly. "But my wonderful Naviga- maiden," he whispered.
tor's ring has saved me many times!"
Gandalf blinked and followed
Slipping the ring on his finger, he Bolivar's gaze. "Why that, my
gave it a little turn to set its friend, is Elyria Blythe. A most
destination to his home. Tapping stunning lady, indeed."
his purse to make sure he still had
some silver, he stepped outside and Bolivar stared intently at Elyria,
made his way to the temple. Upon noticing the charming beauty of her
arriving, he strolled inside the violet eyes, and the pearly white-
magnificent structure, quickly spot- ness of her fair skin, as it teased
ting his good friend, Gandalf. his imagination through the various
openings in her armor. Surprised,
"Hello Gandalf! How are you today?" Bolivar suddenly realized he was a
asked Bolivar, smiling broadly. victim of love at first sight. His
heart was beating at an alarming
"Ah, Bolivar! Just resting up a bit rate and blood was racing through
before I go to hunt some orcs." his veins.
Gandalf replied. More...
-17-
"Will she take just a common human, colors, reminding Bolivar of the
a thief with no riches, fame or confusion of his emotions. He was
power as a husband?" he wondered. standing back in his home. Flinging
Suppressing his doubts he thought, himself on the bed he began crying,
"It isn't relevant. I must have wracking sobs shaking his body.
her, as no other will ever do for me
now." "Never shall I give up on her," he
cried. "If I must wait till my death
Frowning at Gandalf's knowing smile, death bed, so be it. I shall never
Bolivar said, "I must get to know love another." The day wasn't so
her better." beautiful after all."
"I can see by your face that you
will not give up until you have won Life of a Mage
her hand." Gandalf responded, chuck- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ling and nodding his head. by Llorien Silvanestii
"You know me too well Gandalf." Dedicated to
sighed Bolivar, his gaze never Lords Odds and Whilder
leaving the lovely Elyria.
There he was, in the forest
With the stealth and subtlety only His wand shiny and new
one of the thief profession has, Knees shaking at the thought
Bolivar quietly melded into the Of the kobold he must hew.
shadows and began sneaking his way
toward Elyria. Picking his way A rustle in the bushes
around pews and columns, he suddenly A disturbance of leaves
saw her turn towards him and smile. A swing of his sword
Blinking dumbfoundedly, wondering The kobold family grieves.
how she could have ever noticed he
was there, he suddenly realized she The thrill of killing
wasn't looking at him. She was In his mouth sits tart
looking past him. He pledges his life
To refinement of his art.
Curious, he turned his head and
looked back over his shoulder. He His power ever growing
noticed the handsome and honorable Onward the mage goes
figure of Lord Baram filling the Shock bolt, fire bolt
temple entrance. With utter horror Vanguishing all his foes.
and dismay he watched as Elyria ran
towards Baram, her arms flung Soon even the trolls fear
outward, smiling sweetly at him and The one who casts stun cloud
calling his name lovingly the way The orcs run screaming
only one truly in love can do. From the mage who stands proud.
Cruel and sharp, comprehension slow- He wanders with impunity
ly grabbed hold of Bolivar's mind. Nothing he cannot fell
A feeling of great sadness washed "One more lich", he says
over him, like a wave upon a sand "And I have yet another spell."
castle, sweeping away the hopeful
and happy feelings he had felt a Having done his training
moment before, leaving him empty And telling all his friends
inside. He could not bear to see He has failed to consider
them meet. With tears in his eyes, What it all portends.
Bolivar removed and replaced the
golden ring on his hand. Now he sits in the temple
Deep in contemplation
The world suddenly faded out and was Wondering about the merits
replaced by a myriad of swirling Of ET concatenation.
-18-
_________ A Midsummer Night's Dream
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Elyria Blythe
| |~| |
_| |~| | t had been a rough day. shiny depression at the top of the
/@| _|~|_ | I was hitting poorly, my cave's entrance, but failing to find
\_/ ~~~~~ / ax as ineffective as a a way up to it, we ignored it and
~~~~~~~~ dull knife. It seemed my passed on into the cave.
my companions had far surpassed me
in strength and skill, for they were Inside it was odd to my eyes, and I
having more success than I. Wearily could see that Bolivar had furrowed
I went home, but sleep was not his brow. The walls were curved and
easily found. Tossing and turning we could dimly see a tunnel twisting
produced only a restless doze. away into the darkness. Arches
supported the walls and ceiling at
I awoke what seemed like only regular intervals, fostering a
minutes later to some sound or luminous moss that gave off sickly
movement I could not identify. Soft green light. Our steps, magnified
breathing in the shadows nearby by the echoes, competed with the
caught my ear; I turned my head rustling sounds of animals scurrying
toward the sound as a dark shape around in the dark. Once our eyes
detached itself from the deep adjusted to the dim light, Bolivar
shadows and knelt by my bedside. began to notice depressions in the
walls just about at waist height.
"Elyria. Elyria, it's me, Bolivar,"
the shape whispered into my ear. It was as he was pointing one out to
"Look outside. Something strange is me that a finger-length projectile
happening outside." He pulled gently shot out from it, striking my heavy
at my sleeve. hide. It became a snake, hissing as
it hit the floor and slithering off
I dragged myself from the warmth of under cover of the darkness. The
my bed and went to the window, weaving and undulating tunnel had
pulling on my various armors and a calming, almost hypnotic effect on
placing my cloak over my shoulders. us, making it hard to respond to the
Out the window thin, glowing attacks upon us by rats and spiders
tendrils of mist stretched away and other denizens of the tunnel
toward the town gates, weaving complex. These creatures were not
patterns of phosphorescent light. particularly dangerous, but the
tunnel's lulling rhythm made our
I took Bolivar's hand in mine and responses slow and weak.
led him outside, intent on following
the tendrils wherever they led. We The constant barrage of creatures
walked for what seemed like forever and attacks by hissing snakes took
until we were completely lost, with their toll on us while we slashed
only the shifting mists to guide us. our way on, dispatching each
Abruptly, we came into a clearing. creature as it appeared. We had
Directly ahead up a slightly rising risen an estimated three levels in
incline, was a dark cave, its height above the entrance when I
shadows deepened in contrast with noticed that the quality of the
the pale silvery light of the moon. light had changed in the distance.
The entrance was shrouded with moss I tapped Bolivar lightly on the
hanging in strands, and fingers of shoulder and nodded in the direction
fog disappeared inside. of the light. He squeezed my hand in
response and we went on. It was at
We heard no sound at all as we this point that it occurred to me
approached the cave; no footsteps, that neither of us had spoken since
no breath, no animal life, nothing. he had come to me in my room.
Bolivar pointed out a semi-circular More...
-19-
"Bolivar," I whispered, "what is object never fell from its tenuous
this all about?" He shook his head hold. We heard a noise, soft at
at me and tugged again at my arm. I first, then louder, ominous. It was
sighed and shrugged and we went on. hissing at us in a peculiarly jerky
The light around us became silvery manner, almost as if it were
again as we entered the end of the laughing. I frowned at it, not
tunnel. Silhouetted by the light, taking my eyes from the object I
two stalactites curved down over the could see more clearly now. It was
exit from the tunnel. A slow drip a pendant of some sort.
came from their direction punctuated
by an occasional bubbling hiss. "I think I'm going to have to try to
steal it from that beast," Bolivar
We edged carefully past them, but I said. "Just in case something goes
was splashed by a drop of fluid, and wrong, I'll have my ring ready." He
it burned when it touched my skin. then removed a brass and gold ring
A gasp escaped my lips, causing from his finger. Edging even closer,
Bolivar to spin about and look he prepared himself for the moment
searchingly at me, his eyes ahead. Drawing several deep
gleaming. I shook my head at him and breaths, he relaxed, then with a
gestured toward the light. lightning quick movement, he
snatched the pendant from the jaws
We emerged onto a broad platform, of the cobra. Its jaws just missed
the view revealing the lands below him as they closed with a loud snap.
us. A movement off to my side stole It began to sway back and forth upon
my attention from the surrounding the altar, hissing and sensing the
lands, and I saw what had alerted air with its tongue. Its body began
Bolivar. There was an altar in restlessly to slide against itself
front of us. Upon the altar lay as we backed away from it. I
coiled a giant cobra. Depending prepared myself to fight, but the
from its open jaws was a shiny creature merely lowered itself to
object, swinging slightly in the the platform and slithered into the
cool breeze, points of light darkness.
striking off it as it moved. The
eyes of the cobra glittered in the "Stash that thing and let's get out
pale moonlight, seeming to watch us of here," I hissed.
closely, bespeaking an intelligence
I had not yet encountered in the As we turned, I noticed a faint
snakes I had already fought. trail highlighted in the moonlight,
so I nudged Bolivar in that
"Bolivar," I whispered, "I don't direction. We climbed the trail,
think I can get that thing, whatever arriving out onto the top of the
it is. You're a thief, can you?" tunnel. Next to us, sloping down
and away into the darkness, was
He cocked his head to the side, another semi-circular depression
considering, then nodded at me once. like the one we had seen earlier.
We both edged closer to the object, Looking back toward the altar, I
squinting against the darkness, happened to glance down. Below me
trying to see what it was. Bolivar were two hugely glittering eyes,
drew his drake and attempted to gazing sightlessly over the altar.
cleave the cobra in half. He was Below them was a gaping jaw with two
stunned by the reverberations sent dripping fangs. We had traveled to
coursing through his arm when the this place through the body of a
falchion not only bounced off the rock snake. I shook my head with
cobra, but actually shattered in his wonder. Bolivar started to chuckle
hand. softly, his body shaking.
The cobra never moved, its glittery Bolivar sat down at the top end of
eyes never closed, and the dangling the depression, patting the space in
-20- More...
front of him and smiling. I glanced der of its body spiraled around the
back one last time at the altar, and leg of the cross. Its eyes were
noticed that there was another giant blood red ruby chips and its fangs
cobra coiled upon it, still as were smooth white bone.
stone, a shiny object depending from
its jaws. Bolivar draped the pendant around my
neck with a tired gesture. I
I sat down in the vee of Bolivar's indicated that he could stay, as it
legs and he held me tightly, our was too far for him to walk home in
weight giving the impetus to start his condition. I fell into my bed,
us on a slippery journey down the fully dressed, too tired to care.
back of the rock snake. It was Strong arms wrapped around me as
swift and cold on the way down, even Bolivar joined me, his warm breath
slightly nauseating the way it on my neck a contrast to the icy
twisted and dipped. We shot off the cold of the pendant against my
end and landed in a bed of soft chest.
moss, where we had begun our quest
only an hour earlier. When I awoke I was alone in my room.
I sat up in a flash of memory and
Fog now billowed up over the scrabbled at my neck. There was
entrance to the cave, pushing us nothing there. I was as I had been
back to the trail we had followed when I had first gone to sleep, not
earlier. We were guided away as wearing armor or jewelry of any kind
before by wisps stretching in but for my ring. Things were all
tendrils, lost in an endless weaving neatly stacked where I had left them
pattern of glowing mist, until we the night before.
saw before us the gates of town.
Back in my room, we lit a lamp to I reached out my thoughts to Bolivar
examine our prize. It was the and was answered by a sleepy echo in
oddest thing I had ever seen, a my mind. He had never left his own
snake ankh pendant, a pale oak room in the night and was puzzled as
colored t-piece of mithril, to why I was contacting him so
surmounted by a glittery deep green early. I let him go, telling him
snake. The snake's body formed the I'd see him later, and merely sat on
arch of the ankh, with its head the window ledge, gazing out into
positioned at the juxtaposition of the dawn, feeling the ghostly
the leg and arms of the cross, mouth impression of ice against my chest.
opened as if to strike. The remain-
Barriers
~~~~~~~~
by Elyria Blythe
Even the ice encasing your heart
Is not enough to cool my love
Which burns so hot it sears the sky
Perhaps enough to warm your soul.
Even the dark engulfing your soul
Is not enough to dim my love
Which shines so bright it lights the sky
Perhaps enough to illuminate your mind.
Even the wall surrounding your mind
Is not enough to hold back my love
Which burrows deep between the cracks
Perhaps enough to capture your heart.
-21-
___________ A Wight's Revenge
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Elminester Silvanisty
| |~| |
_| |~| __ | ong months had gone After checking my account, I headed
/@| |~|__|| | since I came close to to the city gates. It had been a
\_/ ~~~~~~~/ my dismissal from while since I called upon my art, so
~~~~~~~~~~ this world, five of I felt I should practice on a puny
them if my memory doesn't fail me. creature before hunting big game. I
I came face to face with death called on my invisibility spell and
itself and I survived, though the lurked in the grassland waiting for
memory still sends chills through my a wolverine or torkaan to come along.
bones. Just looking at my new leg Later, confident that I still knew
reminds me of how close it was. the spells, I left the body of a
torkaan smoking behind me.
A check of my bank balance showed me
that I had spent too many months and Invisible again, I reached the ruins
too much of my wealth drinking in where I had been so close to death.
the taverns, forgetting my studies, I looked nervously around, knowing
trying to shake my fear. Now it was that the old man might still be
time to go back to work! there. Sometimes I wonder if my
chosen path will bring me to the
I needed to adventure for wealth and same end as him, servant of a Lord
to continue my search for power. How of Unlife. I shudder at the thought.
much I have paid for the power that Surely I've heard rumors about the
I wield! Not many know of the dark master of my guild but he never has
shadow that follows me everywhere. ordered me to harm an inhabitant of
Still, I don't regret paying the Kelfour's Landing.
price, for it brings me incredible
power at little cost. Then I saw it, a steel golem but not
a common one. It was much larger,
Power hunger! That is how I was and glowed around its metal body and
raised, the son of a noble fair elf eyes. It looked straight at me.
and a high human. I was raised by my
father in the way of the Silvanisty Suddenly a woman came from behind
family, a struggle between all the me, and with a gesture she dispelled
sons of the family for supremacy my magic. I turned my head and saw
over the rest. Masters of the what she was. During my time in
essence are the Silvanisty. Though town, I heard about the mountain
I followed the family trade from an hags but thought of them as some
early age, being half-breed meant overblown tale. Looking at her was
that I could never hope to achieve a mistake because the golem moved
anything more than the rank of with incredible speed, casting a
captain in the Clan's army. As soon wind that threw me to the floor. The
as I was of age, I fled the conclave last thing that I remembered was
and went to the fair elven capital. the golem lifting its huge hand and
aiming at my head.
The Silvanisty don't look kindly on
traitors. They sent a group of arch- I woke in a dark cell, my hands
ers to "discipline" me. To make it chained to the wall. The smell was
short, I was able to escape and get nauseating. I could see huge forms
to the main city of Palia in Mazo- around magic wards that call a minor
berruna. There I used gold to flee spell of light. To my horror, I saw
to the north. I hired a Navigator to the still forms of various creatues.
bring me to this frontier town, and
here I remain, still thirsty for Most were from the goblinoid races,
power, still keeping the Silvanisty but I could see dwarves, elves and
name up to its reputation. humans, too. I shuddered because
-22- More...
each body had all its skin removed. Werebear Revenge - Cont from Page 16
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sudden pain made me realize my head hunter, but I learned.
was throbbing where the golem struck
me. But I was not badly injured. A few months ago, I left town on a
personal quest. I snuck through the
The sound of keys brought me to forest so quietly that not even the
notice the opening door. A man in blades of grass I crept upon knew I
black robes came in. It was the old was there. It took me several days,
man of my nightmare! For how many but at last I found myself near the
sleepless nights had I dreaded this lair of the old werebear. From my
moment! He lit a torch, mostly for hiding place, I surveyed the area.
my sake, I assumed. The way he Broken shields littered the ground,
walked in the dark hinted that he evidence that I had not been the
had a spell of light. Of course, he only victim.
could not know that I did also.
The sound of a snapping twig broke
He approached me smiling. "Welcome the silence like a thunderbolt. I
to my humble home, master Elmin- whirled around and there was my long
ester," he said. He laughed when I awaited foe, not ten paces away.
looked at him with hatred. "You The werebear glared at me with a
have noticed the bodies. Fear not, growl of recognition and advanced.
my good mage, they are not dead. Holding my blessed broadsword in
Yet!" front of me, I held my breath, took
aim, and swung with all my might.
His eyes glowed as he went on, "I My whole body shook as my sword hit
see you don't understand, master bone. It cleaved through the were-
Elminester. You see, to create the bear's flesh like a swimmer through
golem we must use a living water, separating its ugly head from
creature." He gestured toward one of its body. The head flew away to land
the orc bodies. "Common golems you in the grass, but the body didn't
have seen come from the goblinoid notice. One step, then two...
races. However, with much research, finally it collapsed at my feet.
I have found a way to use the
intelligent races to make golems of I let out a war cry that must have
greater quality. The process calls been heard for miles: "Wahoooooooo!"
for the intense suffering of the I kissed my sword, sheathed it, and
creature without it dying. Then, danced around the fallen creature.
using runes of great power, I meld After a minute or so, feeling rather
the body in there," he pointed silly, I stopped dancing and pulled
toward a huge cauldron, "with a out my skinning knife. Skinning the
magical mix of steel." He laughed. corpse quickly, lest another were-
"The golem that you saw outside was bear was lurking around, I rolled up
my first try -- a mage heading your the hide and tucked it under my arm.
city who got lost in the woods. He
put up quite a fight." Back safely in town, I swaggered to
the gypsy's tent and ordered a
I snorted at him. "What do you want beautiful azure backpack to be made
with me, old man?" of the werebear hide. That evening
I hosted a celebration at Helga's,
He got close to me and whispered, but that's another story.
"Not I, master Elminester. Him."
Today I wear that backpack proudly,
He pointed, and from the shadows a but also as a reminder of how impat-
familiar form appeared... the Wight ient and foolish I can be. I'm not
Lord! cured of these qualities (as many
Healers and Clerics can attest) but
(To Be continued) I believe I have grown a bit wiser.
-23-
Every Little Bit Helps
(or I Think, Therefore I'm in Trouble)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_________ by Celestin Drowstar
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |
| |~| | am pretty much a loner headed down the trail to where the
_| |~| | so I like to hunt on the greater orcs lived, Gorcland.
/@| _|~|_ | mine road for goblins,
\_/ ~~~~~ / lesser orcs, and kobolds After crossing the bridge where the
~~~~~~~~ because I seldom see cockatrices hang out, I wandered
anyone else there. With my laen about for a bit without encountering
shield and my quickness, not even anything. I got a good idea where
the orcs up there could touch me everything was, and found the
anymore, so I began to think about cottage and pool easily enough, and
bigger game -- like greater orcs. the fringes of the swamp. I didn't
want to go into the swamp, not even
The more I thought about it, the to chase a wounded creature, so I
more I was convinced that as long as was glad I found it ahead of time.
I was faster than a greater orc I
could survive going up against one. As I wandered around, I came upon a
My skills had developed so that I forest troll. He was armed with a
could now parry well enough to keep dagger that he wasn't very good
greater orcs from hitting me. So with, so I decided to attack him
early one morning I decided to give with my axe. Cutting through his
it a shot and head on out for heavy hide armor was hard, but I
Gorcland. I asked if anyone wanted scored a few decent hits.
to tag along, but there were no
takers. Others were going after He was bleeding in a few places, and
larger game than I was ready for. he started to concentrate more on
defending himself than attacking me.
I really didn't like the idea of After a while I was unable to hit
going into new territory alone, him with my axe, so I prepared a
because of the danger of losing the touch of disruption spell and cast.
shaalk axe that I'd just bought. The troll resisted the spell, so I
Still, I had gone into new areas pulled a metal wand from my sack.
before without any trouble. As I Quickly I waved the wand and
was getting ready to leave the released a cold ball at the troll.
temple, a friendly lord chanted and It blasted his leg, knocking him to
cast a spell of protection on a few the ground. I finished him off with
of us who were heading out into the my axe before he could get up.
wilds. We thanked him and left for
the gates of town. From there, each I hurriedly put my wand back in my
of us went our separate ways into sack, and readied my shield in case
the wilderness. some other creature might be lurking
about. Searching the troll turned
According to other hunters, greater up a few silver coins.
orcs are strong enough to break laen
shields. I couldn't afford to buy Before going on, I paused to think
another one after spending most of about the battle just ended. I had
my hard-earned money on my new axe, used only one charge from a metal
so I walked through the grass-lands wand and a couple of power points
toward hobgoblin territory to get a for a spell. "This is going to be a
wooden shield. It didn't take long breeze!" I thought.
to find a hobgoblin I could kill
without much trouble. I dispatched With that in mind I set out looking
him, took his shield, double checked for more quarry. It wasn't long
to be sure I had enough wands, and before I came upon a greater orc. I
-24- More...
decided not to rush this fight, so I greater orc, stunning him, and then
would only attack only once after took a quick swing with my axe. I
each of his attacks. The fight went missed, and before I could recover
about the same as it did with the my defenses, he came out of his
troll, but a lot slower. stunned condition and attacked me
with a mace!
This time I used four power points
for spells and seven charges on my He hit me really hard and took
metal wand before finally finishing almost quarter of the damage that I
him off. It was costly, but I was could sustain. Luckily, he didn't
happy since this was the first injure me critically before I got my
greater orc I had ever fought and defenses back up.
I'd beaten him! He didn't have any
coins but he wore a chain hauberk Right after that, the protection
that I knew could be pawned for a spell cast on me earlier at the
goodly amount. I set out to find temple stopped working. Since I am
more of his kind. a wood elf and a not-so-high-level
sorcerer (who has been known to
I found and dispatched two more neglect body development training to
greater orcs in much the same way as insure the learning of a spell), it
the first and grew yet more con- dawned on me that I could be pushing
fident in my ability to fight them. my luck to stick around. I turned
I even figured out that I didn't back toward town, to visit the
need to use my axe, since I could pawnshop and bank before going to
wait until an orc attacked, wear my rest my numbed mind at the temple.
shield, get a wand from my sack,
wave it at him, put my wand back in When I think about that fight now, I
my sack, and ready my shield before realize that if I hadn't had a
he could attack again. I ran out of protection spell on me, that orc
charges on my metal wand while would have landed a critical strike
fighting the first of this pair, so that could been fatal. The more I
I tried out a silver wand. That think about it, the more appre-
worked really well, and it did a ciative I am of those who are
good job of stunning him, too. generous in protecting others, even
when they are not asked to. Thanks!
I used the silver wand on the next Every little bit helps.
|
/ \
| / \
/ \ / \
/ \ / \ ________
/ \ | _ | / ____ \
| | | / \ | | | | |
| | \ | | / | |____| |
\ / || || \ /
| | || || | |
| | | ||___|| | |
__ | | / \ | | | |
| |_| | _ _ ( ) | | _ _ _ | | _
| | | |_| |__\ /_____| | | |_| |_| |__| |_| |
| |_| |____| |
| ____ |
| / \ |
| / \ |
| | | |
____| |________| _________________________________ |____
-25-
The Story of My Coming, Part II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Iomadh Dauphin, Unbeliever
___________ Bearer of the White Gold
/ \ _____ \
\@| ~|_|~ |
| |~| |uckily I had the fore- serenity, as opposed to the Drow
_| |~| __ |thought - and the mat- ideal of destruction and rage), but
/@| |~|__|| |erials - to keep a still shaking inside, not knowing
\_/ ~~~~~~~/ journal of my travels. what to expect. The elders of my
~~~~~~~~~~ This journal may be of race have made it forbidden to talk
some small interest to you. Of about the ceremony of 'Moksha,' the
course, now that I read it again, I Drow coming of age; the time when
realize my reckoning of time will the boy becomes a man, the girl a
mean little to you, especially those woman -- even to each other. I had
of you that do not descend from no idea what to expect.
Elven stock. But perhaps I can pro-
vide some small assistance in this At any rate, I am no longer bound by
matter: a Drow shanra is called by the Drow elders, so I tell you this:
you a 'day.' A cushanra is roughly I still remember this day clearly.
equivalent to your week. A lemshan There I was on the dais, alone,
corresponds to your concept of shaking, not knowing what to expect.
'month.' Finally, culem can be tran- After an unbearably long time, the
slated as 'year.' Smaller or larger Elders filed into the room, taking
units of time are not significant in up positions that completely sur-
this account, as I did not bother to rounded me. The only opening they
write things hour by hour, nor did I left was quickly filled by a guard.
look further than the current culem
-- excuse me, I shall try to conform "Iomadh!" I heard my name called. I
to your standards of reckoning. looked about, but could not find the
Indeed, I did not look beyond the source of the voice. Surely it was
current day, as I found rather early one of the now-seated Elders? "You
on that looking forward or back too know why you are here," the voice
far did me no good. continued. "However, yours will not
be a traditional Moksha." My mind
One more item before I start: In raced. "This is because you are dif-
this account you will find the tales ferent, Iomadh, very different." Did
of how I came to be called the I detect a note of derision creeping
Unbeliever, and also of the White into the voice? "So different that
Gold that I profess to bear. we have no choice. Yes, we have
been observing you, Iomadh. So in
the name of all that is right and
Culem 1, Lemshan 1, Shanra 1 good, in the name off all that Drow
My Egress: hold sacred, I hereby try you for
the crimes of being GOOD to people,
And there I was, standing tall and of loving PEACE, of seeking HAR-
proud, just beginning my sixteenth MONY!" I could hear the loathing
year. What present do I get? What dripping from the speaker's words
boon do I recieve? Not a knife, no, now. "Therefore, I try you also for
nor any other implement of destruc- the crimes of being a traitor, a
tion. I do not recieve a cloak, man- spy, and a turncoat." The voice
tle, even a pair of boots -- instead paused, as my body went slack under
I recieve an excommunication! There its influence.
I stood, on the dais, wondering how
I had made it as far as I had I could not believe the words I was
without acquiring disfavour (if you hearing! The voice boomed again:
will recall, I am a pacifist at "And I find you GUILTY of these
heart; I desire peace, harmony and crimes! Is there anyone to stand
-26- More...
for Iomadh?" The room was silent; I never thought that I would find
nothing stirred at all. And the friends like the ones I have found,
voice went on: "The sentence for such as Bolivar, Jhembryn, Rimmer,
this is not death, for death is too Alhana, Rory, and a few others that
good for one such as yourself. But I am sure I forget at this point.
you may wish it had been death, for Certainly, I do not wish to offend;
you are to be cast out from this If you, gentle reader, consider
place, amongst all the things that yourself my friend, then by all
are wild and untamed. You will no means, include yourself in the list.
longer have the safety of the war-
rens, you will no longer enjoy the And I never dreamed I would find one
shelter of our caves, you will no Melissa Douglas, whom I met in
longer feel the cool darkness Kelfour's... I tried to protect her
within." I did not believe what the and we ended up falling in love.
voice was telling me. I did not Ha! A Drow? Love? Surely you jest.
believe what was happening to me. I But it is true, yes, a Drow can
knew what I believed in, but I had love. At least this one can, in the
never heard of anyone being cast out sense that one typically knows the
like this! Finally, the voice an- word. Romance, and so on. Ah, the
nounced, "Therefore, Iomadh, you are road with Melissa has surely been
to be escorted from this place, tumultous, but well worth it. That,
never to return. You may take however is another story altogether.
nothing except what you carry."
Luckily, I thought, I had taken the Rhea's Troll Call Song
habit of keeping a knife in my boot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had encountered -dislike- like by Rhea Sibex
this before (although on a much
smaller scale), so I had had to Come to me my Trollie Baby,
learn to defend myself. The last Come to me my Trollie Dear,
words I remember the voice saying Let me see your waving ears,
were, "Take this half-Drow from our Those flapping wings of Fear.
presence! Escort him outside!"
Come to me my Trollie Darling,
Even when I heard the guards with- Come to me my Trollie Love,
draw into the cave, even when I saw I have a gift of steel for you,
the forest for the first time, smelt My dusky Turtle Dove.
the air that was not stuffy and
smelly, I did not believe. My mind I love the way you curl my hair,
refused to believe what had happened I shiver and shake in fear,
to me -- and to this day, I still do I await your thumping footfall now,
not believe that my kin would do Don't make me wait all year.
such a thing to me. Therefore, I
carry the title 'Unbeliever' -- as Come to me my Trollie Baby,
an affirmation to myself that what My fleabags furry delight,
happened to me was unspeakable, I only want to show you how,
unthinkable. It is a title I give A wand of silver lights.
myself, if only to remind me of what
happened. Despite my tendencies and All Trolls come now and hug me close,
desires, I can never forget where I I promise not to bite,
came from. Come to me my Trollie Baby,
Come visit me tonight!
________________________________
Upon reading this again, though, I / \
find I must add that I never thought | Rhea Sibex's Troll Call Song and |
I would find a place such as Kel- | Mad Glimmering, also in this KE, |
four's Landing, where the strong get | won 1st and 2nd Place Prizes in |
stronger and the weak die away. It | in the August Bard Competition! |
is almost like home in that respect. \________________________________/
-27-
The Death Of A Thief
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Tapor Lieff
The temple filled with brave, good men A wounded man points to the ground
Who'd dare to go where none had been Then moves away without a sound
I sat alone The metal glint
My thief unknown Gives me a hint
I show my pride The breastplate there
I type in "hide" I'll quickly wear
They laughed at me, all ten Then I was Kobland bound
"ANY PICKERS?" calls a vet A Kobold steps into my space
"I CAN PICK THAT LOCK I'LL BET" The tension high my thoughts did race
A steady hand I'll kill him here
My smile grand I'll show no fear
I kneel down In just one blow
But then I frown I'll let him know
"GOT A PICK? I'M STILL IN DEBT" This, of course, was not the case
With borrowed tool, and treasure near I was parried up, could not get hurt
I searched the chest I knew with death I would not flirt
"NO TRAP, ALL CLEAR" He swung a miss
I went to pick My sword he'd kiss
But wait, no click A parry tag
A flash of light A system lag
Then all went white He knocked me in the dirt
"THE RIFT SEEMS COLD THIS YEAR"
But he who fights and runs away
I popped back in and soon felt strong Can live to fight another day
"COME HUNT WITH ME, I'LL DO NO WRONG" So I went east
I grab my shield And met a beast
My sword I wield He sure looked mean
Then I stop That Wolverine
I type in swap On the altar, now, I lay
The silence sure was long
I go alone, and trust to fate
I need no friend, no hunting mate
An hour out _________
I'm quite the scout | |
I find my prize | R.I.P. |
With widened eyes | |
"SO THERE'S THE CITY GATE" | | |
| -+- |
\* | | |
|/ | | ,'
~~~``~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KEV3N3
[end]
-28-
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | 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
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]
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | All Hallow's Eve Masquerade! See Page 28 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| |
| GemStone III(tm) October 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.5 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| /~~~~~~~~~~~\ / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| / _ _ \/ (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| / /^\ /^\ \____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| | \_/ _ \_/ |_ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| | <_> |_) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| | |\ _ /| | |
| | \ |_| |_| / | The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| \ \ / / |
| \ ~~~~~~~ / |
|____\___________/____________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| |
| Local News .................................................. 1 |
| Gorcland: The New Player's Guide to Riches ...... Dayln Grimm 2 |
| Successful Thievery: Traps ....... Lord Artuero Bresnahanini 6 |
| Puma Chow ................................. Murdoch Ravenlock 9 |
| Cartographer's Shop: Kelfour's Landing ... |
| ........... Revision by Avondale de|{nightsaber 10 |
| We Were Expecting Someone Older ..... Lord Gallenod Varynesti 12 |
| Undermining Kelfour's (Pt. 1) .......... Llorien Silivanestii 17 |
| The Wight's Revenge (Conclusion) ...... Elminester Sylvanisty 19 |
| The Dock Boy .................................... Tapor Lieff 22 |
| Untitled Poem ............................. Greywulf Aliantha 23 |
| Cycles (Part III) .................... Lord Whilder Planrathe 24 |
| All Hallow's Eve Masquerade ................. Your Invitation 28 |
| |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact 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
~~~~~~~~~~ Auction In Town Square
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An interesting assortment of
.`~~~~~~'. merchandise was being auctioned
,` ', in a red striped tent on the
: (0) (0) : promenade in town square as
: /\ : this issue of KE went to press.
`,_ _,' Auctioneer Gwyllim ApLorien
:<||||>: (who, to your editors, seems to
\____/ have more scruples than some
0 ()======()=====() 0 travelling salesmen who have
| / () \ / passed through our gates)
| / == () == \ / claimed no responsibility for
| / == () == \ / magical or other properties,
o == () == o but had a reasonably nice sel-
() ection of things available, all
// \\ of which went to the highest
0 0 bidder, with a limit of two
each, including:
A flamberge
A laen falchion
_______________________________________ A diamond rod
/\ \ A threk figurine
\@| Open Essence Spell List |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | An embroidered shaalk tunic
| No. Name Duration | A plaited straw sunhat
| -------------------- --------- | An emerald green satin dress
| 401 Guarding I 1 min/lvl | A shimmering translucent gown
| 402 Presence Immediate | woven of fog and mist that
| 403 Locklore *1 minute | clings and flows as an image
| 404 Traplore *1 minute | in a dream.
| 405 Essence Wave Immediate |
| 406 Guarding II 1 min/lvl | A golden unicorn mask
| 407 Word of Opening Immediate | A dragon mask: snarling visage
| 408 Word of Disarming Immediate | of a Red Dragon with jewel-
| 409 Essence Blast Immediate | led flames shooting forth
| 410 Detect Spell Immediate | A sinister black mask
| 411 Essence Blade 3 strikes/lvl |
| 412 Bladeturn 10 sec/lvl | Gwyllim offered to auction mer-
| 413 Vulnerability 10 sec/lvl | merchandise on behalf of resi-
| 414 Guarding III 1 min/lvl | dents, along with more of his
| 415 Essence Strike Immediate | own stock in a second session
| 416 Piercing Gaze Immediate | the next evening.
| 417 Dispel Magic Immediate |
| 418 Gather Flows *1 min/lvl | __
| 419 Guarding III 1 min/lvl | / /
| 420 Imbed Spell Permanent | /~~~~~~~~~~~\
| 425 True Strike 30 sec/lvl | / _ _ \
| 430 Guarding True 30 sec/lvl | / /^\ /^\ \
| 450 Flow Riding Immediate | | \_/ _ \_/ |
| *Not cumulative | | <_> |
| | | |\ _ /| |
| For details, enter SPELLS at the | | \ |_| |_| / |
_| Query Prompt in the Tomes on GEnie | \ \ / /
/@| GemStone III Page 931. | \ ~~~~~~~ /
\/______________________________________/ \___________/
-1-
Gorcland: The New Player's Guide to Riches
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _____ \ Part 2
\@| ~|_|~ | by Dayln Grimm
| |~| |
_| |~| __ |
/@| |~|__|| | ast month we covered tradeoff, but you can get a falchion
\_/ ~~~~~~~ / Hobland, a great spot cheaper, and a drake gives you those
~~~~~~~~~~~ to begin your life in special hits.
Kulthea. After a very few levels,
though, Hobgoblins no longer seem Eog gives you a +10 to your OB. This
exciting. You've tried the Trolls material is strong, and the added
and have mastered them, even when bonus makes it well worth the price
their weapons break. The Lesser Orcs at around 21,000 silvers.
fall to your blade after a short Ithloss, I understand, is a weaker
battle. It is time to move on. material and only gives a +12 to OB.
The price at around 30,000 silvers
Gorcland is a good choice for your is too close to laen to make this
next hunting ground. I include purchase worthwhile.
Lesser Orcs and Cockatrices in this
article. This area is much larger Laen is the material of choice in
and more interesting than Hobland. Kulthea. You have probably already
More dangerous too. seen adventurers using laen
broadswords. They give a bonus of
My articles are aimed at the +15 and are quite strong. They are
followers of the Realm of Arms: pricey, though, at 33,000 silvers.
Fighters, Thieves, Rangers, and
Bards. I know nothing of magic and Shaalk is very magical and gives a
do not know the tactics for the bonus of +20. However, it is
other realms. To hunt effectively in downright expensive at around 65,000
Gorcland, you need to generate an OB silvers.
of about 75, and more would be
better. If you are a little short of ET'd weapons (weapons with the spell
hitting power, read the section on Enchant True cast on them) are the
weaponry. most magical items you are likely to
see. You cannot buy an ET'd weapon
In my last article, I covered what at the armory like the others. You
should be worn as armor and which must first buy or find the non-
weapons are best for your means. The magical weapon you wish to have ET'd
same holds true for Gorcland, but I and then pay a high enough Lord Mage
will cover weapons further. to cast the spell. An ET'd weapon
has no added strength but will give
Weaponry a +25 bonus to OB. Prices vary.
By now you should have replaced your Please do not hound a High Lord Mage
broadsword with a falchion or a to enchant your weapon. You are
drake falchion. However, if you have taking up his time and enjoyment in
the means, then buy a broadsword the land. If you happen to find
made of magic material. yourself with one, be polite. The
cost in power to cast Enchant True
In my opinion, a mithril broadsword is considerable.
costing around 10,000 silvers is not
much better than a falchion. The Traveling Tips: There are 2 ways
falchion does more damage and hits to reach Lesser Orcs and Cockatrices
most armors almost as easily. and 3 ways for Gorcland. The places
However, the magic bonus for the marked X on the map can be navigated
material (+5 for mithril) is added by going down to Lesser Orcs or by
to your DB at parry 100. It is a climbing up to Hobland.
-2- More...
Map to Gorcland
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Back to Town)
| Map Key
K H K - Kobland
| |\ C - Path to Hobland
Kobland K H \ Hobland Lesser Orcs
| | \ and Dangirland
K H \ (Choose Carefully)
/ | H H - Hobland
K H | O - Lesser Orcs and
|-(go path) \ H Cockatrices
C H | G - Gorcland
\ | H S - Swamp
C H-H H | (30 sec round time)
\ / \ / H X - Ridge
C H H | (down to Lesser Orcs;
/ \ / X climb trail to Hobland
O-O C |--Down/ B - Bridge (go bridge to
| \ | Climb trail cross)
| (To) X T - Tree bridge (go tree
O (Dangirland) / to cross)
| O P - Healing pool (drink pool
| / to stop bleeding)
O Lesser O @ - Cottage (go door to
| Orcs \ enter)
| and O
O Cockatrices /
Up/Down--|\ | O Always travel at parry 100
O \| /
Up/Down--| O O-O--B Always hunt with a friend
T \ / \---(go bridge)
(go tree)-| O O B Skin your prey
T \ / \
| O G Pawn the armors
G--G |
| \ G-G Be courteous to others
| S Swamp / \
| \ / G
| S S |
| \ | G----to Threks and
| S-S S-S | Manticores
/ |/ G
/ S |
/ G
/ / N
/ Gorcland G \ | /
| / \|/
| G---G---G-G-G W---+---E
| / / /|\
| G P / / | \
| / |\ / S
G-G-G-G-G @ G
| (go door)
to
Deathwoods
and Black Stalkers
-3- More...
You can fall climbing up that trail. You can fall into the chasm,
My companion has hurt himself badly incurring damage, and then must
trying to climb it, with severed leg "climb walls" to get out. My
and bleeding from the ears, no less. companion is now 2 for 2 for falling
off the tree bridge. From here it is
From here you are in Lesser Orcs and a short trip to the bottom of
can get to Gorcland by going across Gorcland.
the bridge (marked B). Be careful of
Threks around the eastern edge. They The swamp is an area to be avoided.
sometimes appear there, and they are Every time you take a step you incur
fast and can surprise you. a 30 sec. round time. If you decide
to chase a critter in the areas
The second way to Lesser Orcs is on marked S, then be sure you are at
the way to Hobland. Be careful, as parry 100. The monsters incur no
the entrance to Dangirland is near. round time here, as they live in the
You can also get to Gorcland by area and are used to it.
crossing Lesser Orcs and the bridge
again. Keep at parry 100, as those The area marked P on the map is a
Cockatrices can gaze and immobilize lifesaver. This is a healing pool.
you. This is still the safest path Drink from this pool to stop any
though. bleeding you have. Be careful,
because a monster can come in and
The third way to Gorcland is hit you.
dangerous but fun. In the south-
western area of Lesser Orcs is a The place marked @ is a small
slope and a tree bridge (Marked T). cottage. You can enter it with the
A large elm tree spans a chasm. command GO DOOR.
Tactics
~~~~~~~
Forest Trolls: We have 2 new types Just as you get into the swing of
of Forest Trolls. The stupid Trolls parry tag they will stop fighting
thought they would do better with a and wait. If you drop parry and
weapon that doesn't break as often. attack they will tag you hard!
The dagger-and flail-carrying types
are just asking to be killed. Set A turtled Greater Orc is hard to
your parry to a point that they can kill. Rarely do Greater Orcs carry
barely hit you (0 for some), and chests, but I have seen them. I
just hammer away at them. double parry tag Greater Orcs and
hope for a stun (and hope no other
Watch out, just in case that weapon monster walks into the room).
breaks. Trolls have lots of CPs, so
it takes a while to kill them, but Goblins: These are the jokes of the
they carry good treasure so it is forest. They are easy to kill and
worth the time it takes. don't fight very well. Their ring
mail pawns for about 130 silvers,
Lesser Orcs: These are the same ones though.
we killed in Hobland. Parry tag
works well, but watch out for Cockatrices: At last a monster for
wandering Cockatrices. Being semi-low level folks that has
immobilized at parry 0 can get you several attacks and 2 special magic
killed fast. Lesser Orcs do carry attacks. The physical attacks have
chests but it is rare. different MTHTs, and it is hard to
judge where to parry. This almost
Greater Orcs: The challenge! These forces you into parry tag. Look out!
critters have a high OB and a low The gaze of a cockatrice will give
DB. This gives them room to parry at you a round time of about 7 seconds,
different levels. These are smart long enough for the creature to hit
critters and will try to fool you. you if you are at parry 0. More...
-4-
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ The Monsters \
| @/____________________________________________________________________ /
| |
| Forest Troll (Type A) Forest Troll (Type B) |
| OB = 36/70/60 DB = 29 OB = 40/70/60 DB = 29 |
| THT = 31 MTHT = 99/66/67 THT = 31 MTHT = 94/66/67 |
| CPs = 250 Level = 6 CPs = 250 Level = 6 |
| Weapon - Cudgel/Claw/Bite Weapon - Dagger/Claw/Bite |
| Armor - Heavy Hide Armor - Heavy Hide |
|_ Found above bridge Found above and below bridge _|
/ \
| Forest Troll (Type C) Lesser Orc |
| OB = 40/70/60 DB = 29 OB = 60 DB = 50 |
| THT = 31 MTHT = 80/66/67 THT = 84 MTHT = 79 |
| CPs= 250 Level = 6 CPs = 60 Level = 4 |
| Weapon - Flail/Claw/Bite Weapon - Short Sword |
| Armor - Heavy Hide Armor - Heavy Hide |
|_ Found above and below bridge Found above bridge _|
/ \
| Greater Orc (Type A) Greater Orc (Type B) |
| OB = 80 DB = 30 OB = 80 DB = 30 |
| THT = 65 MTHT = 89 THT = 61 MTHT = 89 |
| CPs = 85 Level = 6 CPs = 85 Level = 6 |
| Weapon - Scimitar Weapon - Mace |
| Armor - Cuirbouili Leather Armor - Chain Hauberk |
|_ Found below bridge Found below bridge _|
/ \
| Cockatrice Goblin |
| OB = 40/50/60 DB = 45 OB = 40 DB = 30 |
| THT = 80 MTHT = 83/66/94 THT = 70 MTHT = 89 |
| CPs = 70 Level = 6 CPs = 50 Level = 3 |
| Weapon - Pinch/Claw/Charge Weapon - Scimitar |
| Armor - As Light Hide Armor - Ring Mail |
| Special attack: Gaze/Immobilize Found above and below bridge |
| Found above bridge |
| _______________________________________________________________________
| @ \ The THTs and MTHTs assume use of a broadsword and heavy hide. \
\_ /_____________________________________________________________________/
The Immobilizing gaze is the same makes up for less frequent chests.
thing but with a much longer round Be careful with those Gorcland
time. Neither spell changes your DB chests; many of them are trapped.
(thank the Gods). I parry tag these
creatures but am careful with attack All of the advice I gave in my
timing. They will cast a spell and Hobland article last month still
then if it is successful they will holds true for Gorcland. This is a
attack you immediately. Cockatrices richer and more varied area. I have
often carry chests. I get more had many fine adventures and met
satisfaction and fun killing some of my favorite people hunting
Cockatrices than any other creatures here. I wish you all the best of
in the area. luck. Happy Hunting!
_________________________________
Chests in the area seem to be more / \
rare than in Hobland but have more | Earn FREE Weekends in Kulthea |
silvers in them. All of these | by Contributing to KE |
creatures drop magic items and the | For Details |
armor the Gorcs wear is worth a lot | Send GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON |
at the pawn shop. That more than \_________________________________/
-5-
Successful Thievery: Traps and How to Overcome Them
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Lord Artuero Bresnahanini
/ \ _________\
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ | o begin with, a discussion of the mechanics of finding and
_| |_| | disarming traps is in order. A thief must first find a trap
/@| _|_|_ | in order to be able to disarm it. The formula for finding a
\_/__________/ trap goes something like this:
Rf = (Disarm Skill Bonus) + (Perception Skill Bonus)**
+ (IN Bonus) + (Other Bonuses) + D100 + (Trap Difficulty)
( ** Perception Skill Bonus = .5 or something. Higher level thieves
can detect any trap in one try, so this aspect is difficult to verify.)
If Rf is greater than 100, the thief may include kneeling, Traplore, and
is able to detect the presence and perhaps even Locklore. It does not
nature of the trap. If Rf is 100 or appear that the possibility of a
less, the thief fails to discover fumble exists in the realm of
the trap, incurring a round time as finding or disarming the traps on
if there were no trap at all. chests. Note that while the trap
difficulty is added in the above
The thief's disarm skill bonus is formula, the trap difficulty is
that which he earns from training. always a negative number, which
His perception skill is added, results in a lessening of the chance
although the bonus which goes for a thief to find and disarm the
towards finding a trap may be trap on a chest.
reduced by some factor. This
explains why it is much easier to Once the thief has found the trap,
find a trap than to disarm it -- a he may attempt to disarm it. The
thief's perception bonus does not formula for disarming a trap is much
apply to disarming. The INtuition simpler than that for picking a
bonus is just that. Other bonuses lock, and is as follows:
Rd = (Disarm Skill Bonus) + (IN Bonus) + (Other Bonuses)
+ D100 + Trap Difficulty
Other bonuses may include kneeling have a base of forty-five seconds
(+10), and Lord Moonpie swears that reduced in some manner which does
Locklore will add to your chances of seem to take the thief's skill into
disarming a chest, either by +20 if account, at least to some degree.
you cast the spell on yourself or by
+10 if an item is used or the spell Should Rd turn out to be 100 or
is cast on you by an accomplice. less, the thief fails. The extent
I believe that kneeling and Locklore of his failure is based on by how
help to disarm a trap trap as well. much Rd is less than 100.
The authorities however, say that The thief might learn the difficulty
Locklore does not help you disarm of the trap, should he come close
traps. Traplore should increase your enough (my guess: with an 80 or 90).
chances, although that spell remains Should he fail badly enough (less
unimplemented at this time. than 0?), the thief sets off the
trap. Of course, there could be dire
If Rd is more than 100, then the consequences for the thief and
thief successfully disarms the trap. bystanders depending on the nature
The round time involved seems to of the trap. More...
-6-
Types of Traps warp. This is known as "rifting"
and is a rather enjoyable pastime.
The Ever-Disarmable Poison Needle Nonetheless, certain groups frown
Trap: upon the practice of "rifting,"
especially when done by older
A tiny hole (through which a thieves. This trap has a -140
poisoned needle shoots) is the difficulty and can be disarmed by
giveaway for this kind of trap. It etching some extra lines around the
is the easiest of traps to find and lock mechanism, altering the magic
disarm, having only a -5 difficulty. of the original markings.
A thief blocks the hole through
which the needle shoots to disarm The only real harm this trap can
it. The trap may be set off by an cause occurs when the thief is alone
unsuccessful attempt at picking the and picking the chest. Often, when
lock, and results in a mild he returns to the present, the chest
poisoning of the picker should he will no longer be there, having been
fail a resistance roll. taken by a creature or another
player. In any case, once a thief
The Unpopular Gas Cloud Trap: is in a time rift, he can do little
but enjoy it while he wanders around
A chest containing this trap will in one direction or another before
have a hammer poised to shatter a he pops out, dazed and confused,
small vial of liquid if the lock is into what is now the present.
tampered with. Disarm it by bending
the weak metal of the hammer. This One useful aspect of the time warp
trap has a -30 difficulty. When trap is that it affords the
this trap is sprung, a gas cloud opportunity for the thief to spend
spews out of the chest, threatening his round time from picking a lock
picker and bystanders. A thief may in a safe situation. This allows
"pick around" this trap, but if he the thief to kneel and pick in the
fails to open the lock he will have field, and then stand up before he
to move quickly after his twenty is released from the warp.
second round time for picking
expires before the cloud begins to The Deadly Metal Rod Trap:
cause damage.
This trap was first discovered by
The Disappointing Dark Crystal Trap: Sagan Necropolis while hunting in
the Silver mines. Sagan died twenty
This trap consists of a small, dark seconds later in an attempt to
crystal embedded in the locking disarm the trap. This trap,
mechanism. If a thief fails his evidenced by a small, glowing metal
disarming attempt badly enough, or rod positioned in the keyhole, is
fails to pick the lock even by the often deadly. It requires great
slimmest margin, a hole will open in skill to nudge the rod out of
the earth and suck the chest into alignment (-150 difficulty). Should
the netherworld, never to be seen a thief fail badly enough when
again. Get around this trap by disarming, or fail to pick the lock
grinding down parts of the lock without first disarming this trap,
mechanism so that it will not he receives an electricity critical.
contact the dark crystal when one Although the severity of the
attempts to pick the lock. This critical seems to have lessened in
trap carries a -95 difficulty. recent times, the metal rod trap is
one to be taken seriously.
The Benign Time Warp Trap:
The Frustrating Explosive Trap:
Strange markings around the lock
mechanism empower this trap to send A "bomb" is the most difficult chest
the picker, whether successful in to open successfully. Although the
picking the lock or not, into a time trap's difficulty is the same as
-7- More...
that of the metal rod trap (-150), brunt of the explosion, receiving a
this trap detonates regardless of fairly serious and possibly fatal
whether a thief is successful in impact critical.
picking the lock. Thus, this trap
must be disarmed prior to a picking Should they fail to take cover in
attempt. With care and skill, a time by making a difficult maneuver
thief may rub some mud into the roll, bystanders receive a less
white substance that comprises the severe impact critical. To add
chemical / explosive mixture, insult to injury, the chest and its
rendering it harmless. Should the entire contents are destroyed in the
chest explode, the picker bears the explosion.
A short summary of the trap types
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Trap Diff. Pick Around? Destroys Chest?
Poison Needle - 5 Yes No
Gas Cloud - 30 Yes No
Dark Crystal - 90 Yes Yes
Time Warp -140 No No
Metal Rod -150 Yes No
Explosive -150 No Yes
At this time, these six comprise the universe of traps in our region.
Now for an example. After reading roll, his Rd will always exceed the
last month's article, our friendly 101 necessary for a disarm.
thief Remus was able to pick enough
chests to gain a level. That would Realizing that this formula lends
make his level an unlucky number, so itself easily to a quick
I will grant him another. Thus he determination of his chances of
is now fourteenth level. Remus is a success on each trap, Remus does
"new generation" thief, and so he some arithmetic, and figures out his
has double trained in his disarm chances, at fourteenth level, of
trap skill throughout his career. successfully disarming any of the
His thirty-two ranks of skill give other traps. He will always be able
him a skill bonus of +124. His +8 to disarm a gas trap (+142 + (-30) =
IN bonus gives him a total natural 112), but will only be able to
skill of +132. disarm a dark crystal trap on 32% of
his attempts (+142 +(-90) = +32).
Remus has just picked a chest with a The time warp trap is only barely
time warp trap, and is in a time within his range (+142 + (-140) =
rift. Therefore, he is able to read +2); he has only a 2% chance to
this article and I can write about disarm this on any given attempt as
his reading this article. Remus has he must make his D100 roll either a
determined that he will put the 99 or 100 to succeed. Alas, Remus
information he has learned here to realizes, the metal rod trap and the
use while he is rifting by learning explosive trap are out of his reach
which traps he may disarm. completely (+142 + (-150) = -8).
Remus decides that he will generally Remember that the formulas given
kneel when disarming a chest, thus here are models based on experience
his total skill bonus for disarming and intuition. They may not be per-
is +142. Applying this bonus to the fect, but their predictions have
trap difficulty for a needle trap, turned out to be very accurate.
Remus realizes that he has a +137 to A better understanding of traps
add to his D100 roll. Thus, he will should lead to a safer world. I hope
always succeed at disarming a needle this article is a step in that
trap. No matter how low his D100 direction.
-8-
____________
/ \ __ \ Puma Chow
\@| / "| | ~~~~~~~~~
| //|"| | by Murdoch Ravenlock
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / few months ago a new some sword swingers and/or sorcerers
~~~~~~~~~~~ area opened up right who can stun the puma, at least one
outside of town off the mine trail. healer, and a cleric. If you can
One of the inhabitants in the new find a cleric who can blind them,
area is the puma, a large cat often all the better! I've seen some play-
referred to as a mountain lion. The ers hunt them solo, but if you are
pumas here live along a lake shore new to the area and have an aversion
and along a forest trail (see map). to becoming puma chow, then hunting
in a group is the best route.
Pumas are parry-taggable but are
quick enough that extra caution ________________________________
should be used. One of my cousins / \ Information About Pumas \
had his stomach ripped out by a puma |@/_____________________________ /
so I'd stay away from them if the | |
system is running slow. Pumas don't | Level 15, speed - med to fast |
carry chests, but their hides are | Attacks: Bite OB-150 THT 69 |
quite valuable. | Claw OB-135 THT 66 |
| DB - 70 (max 190) CPs - 150 |
The best way to hunt pumas is in a /@| THT with broadsword - 84 |
group. The group should consist of \/_______________________________/
Map of Puma Area
FP--FP
/ / ************************
FOREST FP FP--FP * Map key *
AREA MAP | \ * MT = Mine Trail *
FP FP * Va = Valley *
| \ \ * FP = Forest Path (1) *
FP ? FP * Fo = Fork in Path *
| | * WP = Winding Path *
FP ? FP * FT = Forest Trail *
| \ / * LS = Lake Shore *
climb FP ? Fo ************************
rockslide | / \
MT...........Va--Va Va WP--WP--WP..........FT----FT
(from Mine / | go trail /
Trail) Va ?--Va (to where FT
| \ / pumas are) /
? Va LS
/ | / \
? ? LS LS
| |
LS LS (2)
Notes: (1) Be careful of Black Bears, Giant Boars and other critters
that live along the Forest Path.
(2) There's a waterfall here that is so loud you will need to
yell if you want to talk.
-9-
Cartographer's Shop: Kelfour's Landing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Darwynn Ellessur
Revision by Avondale de|{nightsaber
The map on these two pages can be taped together to provide a quick
reference for old and new residents of Kelfour's Landing. It provides
accurate directions along the arcs from each location, although some arcs
have been stretched. To use the bridge between banks of the Colewaether,
use the command GO BRIDGE.
LEGEND
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ### Exterior Wall / NE-SW Street Abbreviation |
| --- East-West = bridge Place Abbreviation |
| | North-South \ NW-SE XXX Colewaether River |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
1 WES--LAN--EAS
### gate ##############################################
# |
2 # NRG--NRG--NRG--NRG--NRG--NRG--NRG--NRG--NRG--NRG-------BAW
# / | fur | mil | hea | har
# / | | | | | N |
3 # --- EOG MEW YAR JAR WID | |
# / bat | | | thi /|\ |
# / | | | | | | |
4 #WRG SQNW-----SQNE--REA--MEW--REA--REA--JAR WID--MIR | COL
# | rti wea sta |loc,eng hel paw | | ndo
# | |\ /| | | | | | |
5 #WRG | \ / | IOR LAN JAR--WID DRA COL
#mer | \ / | bla hbr war kin | /war
# | | | | | | | | | / XX
6 # | | |WEL| | AND--KEL--KEL JAR--LAE--DRA--COL XXX
# | | \ | / | | | war | wha\ XXX
# | | \|/ | | | | | \ X
7 #WRG--BLU--SQW--SQC--SQE--HAL--AND KEL--JAR DRA COL
# | gro ban wel moo | | \ inn,bel |
# | | /tre\ | | | \ | |
8 #WRG | | | | AND CUL WIN--WIN--DRA--WIN--WCR=
# | | / \ | con cat | ban |
# | |/ \| | | | |
9 #WRG--GRI--SQSW-----SQSE | MOO--MOO DRA |
# \ arm hpa gen | | hph | |
# \ | | | | | |
10 # \ | AND--ORH--ORH HUD--HUD--DRA COL-
# \ | cle tem mus bak fle |
# \ | | | |
11 # \ FAE TER--TER DRA COL-
# \ scr,keo | | dre |
# \ | | | | |
12 # SRG--SRG--SRG--SRG--SRG--SRG-------SRG-------SRG--SRG--SRG-
# gem
#############################################################
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
-10-
Map --->
Cartographer's Shop (Continued)
Each node has a street name in capital letters: WID (Widow-wart Road);
a place name in lower case letters: paw (the pawnshop); and several
directional lines: N, E, S. This nomenclature is used for sites. A grid
system is provided for fast look-up from the cross-reference tables for
streets and places.
|
WID-- <-- Street Name
paw <-- Place Name (Blank, if none)
|
STREET CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
------------------------------------
AND Andraax Avenue G6-G10
AQU Aqua Regia Road Q5
BAE Bay's East Watch Q2
O P Q R BAW Bay's West Watch N2
BLU Bluestar Street B7
1 BOA Boatyard Q10
####################### BRI Bridge, Kelfour's O8
XXXXXXXX # COL Colewaether Way N4,N5,M6,N7-N11
XXXXXXXX BAE # 2 DRA Dragonfang Road L5-L11
XXXXXXXX cat # EAS East Tower E1
XXXXXXXXX \ # ECR East Crossing P8
XXXXXXXXX \ERG # 3 EOG Eogsmith St C3
XXXXXXXXXX alc # ERG East Ring Road R3-R8
XXXXXXXXXX | # FAE Faetherquel St E11
-NDOXXXXXXX | # 4 GAR Garden Q9,R9,R10
XXXXXXXXXX | # GRI Grimseer Lane B9
XXXXXXXXXX | # HAL Half Senit Street F7
XXXXXXXXXX AQU--ERG # 5 HUD Hudvaark Road J10,K10
XXXXXXXXX | coo # IOR Iorak Street H5
XXXXXXXXX | | # JAR Jarkarn Street J3-J7
XXXXXXXX RIV | # 6 MEW Mews, The G3-G4
XXXXXXXXX | | # MIR Mirenna Street L4
XXXXXXXXX | | # MOO Moonstone Lane I9,J9
XXXXXXX RIV ERG # 7 NRG North Ring Road C2-L2
XXXXXXX | bre # ORH Orhan Square H10,I10
XXXXXX | | # REA Reaan Street F4,H4,I4
=BRI==ECR--RIV--ERG # 8 RIV River Ramble Q6-Q8
XXXXX jet war | # SHA Shanty Town P11-Q12
XXXXX | | # SQC SQUARE Central D7
XXXXX GAR GAR--HAS# 9 SQE SQUARE East E7
XXXXXXXX shk has# SQNE SQUARE Northeast E4
XXXXXXX | # SQNW SQUARE Northwest C4
-----------BOAXXGAR # 10 SQSE SQUARE Southeast E9
boaXX # SQSW SQUARE Southwest C9
| XXX # SQW SQUARE West C7
------SHA--SHA XX # 11 SRG South Ring Road C12-N12
sha | XX # TER Teris Lane G11,H11
| | X # WEL Town Well D6
------SHA--SHA # 12 WES West Tower C1
# WCR West Crossing N8
################### WID Widow-wart Road K3-K5
WIN Windzak Street J8,K8,M8
O P Q R S WRG West Ring Road A4-A9
YAR Yarlek Lane I3
<--- Map -11-
ABBR. PLACE GRID DIRECTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------
alc Alchemist R3 GO HOUSE
arm Armory B9 GO ARMORY
bak Baker's K10 GO SHOP
bat Cheldar's Bathhouse C3 GO BATH
ban Bank, 1st Quellbourne C7 GO BANK, GO ARCH, GO WINDOW
ban Bank, Kelfour Secure L8 GO ENTRANCE, NORTH, GO WINDOW
bel Beldreck's Gaming Hall L7 GO HALL
boa Boatyard gate Q10 GO GATE
bla Blacksmith H5 GO GATE, GO DOOR
bre Brewery R7 GO GATE
cat Catacombs Q2 GO TOWER,GO STAIR,N,GO HID DOOR
cat Catacombs I8 GO CRATE
cle Cleric's Store G10 GO CLERIC
con Constabulary G8 GO BUILDING
coo Cooper R5 GO SHOP
dre Dress shop, (Sarii's) L11 GO SHOP
eng Engraver's Shop I4 Go SHOP
fle Fletcher, (Faeroudh) L10 GO DOOR
fur Furrier, (Jarik's) D2 GO SHOP
gate GATE D1 GO GATE
gem Gemcutter's D12 GO SHOP
gen General Store E9 GO STORE
gro Grocer B7 GO GROCER
har House, Arcane N2 GO GATE
has House, Argent Aspis S9 GO GATE
hbr House, Brigatta I5 GO GATE
hea Healer's Tent (Surtey) J2 GO TENT
hel Helga's Tavern J4 GO STAIR
hpa House, Paupers C9 GO GATE
hph House, Rising Phoenix J9 GO ENTRYWAY
inn Inn, Frith's L7 GO INN
jet Jetty P8 GO FOOTPATH
keo Kelfour Edition Office E11 GO BUILDING
kin Kintaru's Herbs K5 GO HOUSE
loc Locksmith I4 GO DOOR
mer Merchant's Guild A5 GO GUILD
mil Military Barracks H2 GO BARRACKS
moo Moot Hall E7 GO HALL
mus Kelfour's Museum I10 GO MUSEUM
ndo North Dock N4 GO WALKWAY
paw Pawnshop, Dernick's K4 GO PAWN
rti Raging Threk's Inn C4 GO INN
scr Scribe E11 GO SHOP
sha Shanty O11 GO SHANTY
she Shed L5 GO WAREHOUSE
shk Shack R9 GO SHACK
sta Stables G3 GO STABLE
tem Temple of Eissa H10 GO TEMPLE
thi Thingul Manor K3 GO GATE
tre Tree House D7 CLIMB TREE
war warehouse,OLD Q8 GO WAREHOUSE
war warehouse, TOWN J5 GO ENTRANCE
war warehouse, TOWN J6 GO WAREHOUSE, GO DOOR
war warehouse, IOLAN's N5 GO WAREHOUSE
wea Weapons, Tyron's Arms E4 GO ENTRANCE
wel Town Well D7 GO WELL
wha Wharf, South M6 GO WHARF
-12-
We Were Expecting Someone Older
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Lord Gallenod Varynesti
Our story to this point: A caravan led by the dwarven master trader Brugo
Ironhand is travelling through a dangerous mountain pass. Protecting the
caravan is a group of mercenaries led by the fighter Andar Trollbane. Also
with the caravan are Algo Stonearm, apprentice to Brugo, and a small half-
ling traveller, Wimby Littlefoot.
____________
/ \ _________\
\@| ||=|=|=|| | hey were a week into what happened to Pelag, a log sus-
| ~~ |_| ~~ | the trip when Gaden pended from two trees swung down at
_| |_| | reported something the front of the caravan and slammed
/@| _|_|_ | odd ahead. "There's into Gaden. Algo heard bones crack
\_/__________/ signs of some large as both the hapless ranger and his
creature up there," he said, gestur- horse were swept from the trail.
ing at the pass. Perhaps more than
one. It's hard to tell with all Then, from the shadows of the forest
this stone." and the ravine rose two hulking
figures: mountain ogres. Big ones.
"You think there might be a pro- Carrying small, uprooted trees like
blem?" asked Andar. "What kind of clubs, they charged the wagon train.
signs?"
"Rock Apes!" shouted Andar. "Delph-
"Well, how about half a dead grizzly ia, see if you can slow them down!"
bear." Gaden replied sardonicaly. Unable to turn his horse on the
narrow trail, Andar leapt from his
"Only half?" chuckled Pelag. "Per- mount and ran to meet the nearest
haps whatever killed it isn't hungry ogre's charge.
any more."
Algo could see the ogres more clear-
"It wasn't eaten," Gaden replied ly as they approached. They were
levelly. "Just torn in half. Don't huge, well over ten feet tall, but
know what happened to the other moved with surprising quickness
part." through the underbrush. Behind him,
Delphia muttered the beginnings of a
That sobered the group. Brugo spell. Then Algo heard a dull thump.
reached back into his wagon and Turning around, he found himself
pulled out a wicked-looking battle face to face with a third ogre,
axe. He smiled. "Well, let's do grinning over Delphia's prone body.
it, then. We've still got six hours
of daylight to get through the pass. Algo grabbed his axe and charged,
Perhaps the critter's only a night realizing that their only chance lay
hunter." Setting the darkly gleaming in giving the mercenaries enough
axe down next to him on the seat, he time to recover and deal with the
whistled for the caravan to resume ogres. The third ogre, however,
their climb up the steep trail. ignored him and moved to join its
fellows. The three ogres confronted
Pelgar was the first casualty. The Andar, who they obviously considered
group heard the sound of stone the most dangerous.
grinding on stone. Suddenly, a huge
boulder came from out of a side The fighter was strictly on the
ravine and knocked him from his defensive, as the three ogres herded
saddle. The surprised band had him farther and farther from the
little time to recover. While caravan. Finally, his back to a
everyone was looking back to see sheer cliff, Andar threw caution to
-13- More...
the wind. He rubbed a dull amulet air! The ogres laughed, and pro-
at his neck and then the silvery ceeded to play a gruesome game of
pommel of his greatsword. Moving tether-ball with the trapped dwarf.
faster than Algo had ever thought
possible for a human, Andar waded With a sinking heart, Algo realized
into the three ogres like a whirling he was now alone. The mercenaries
dervish, sword flashing like light- were obviously down for the count,
ning. and the other drivers had fled. He
gripped his small axe tightly,
Andar's enhanced strength and speed, awaiting his fate.
though, weren't quite enough. He
did considerable damage to all three "Oooh! That's terrible!" shrill
ogres, but in the end a powerful voice chirped. Algo watched in
blow from one of them knocked him stunned amazement as the tiny form
over the cliff. Satisfied, the ogres of Wimby jogged out to the ogres.
turned as one and headed for the They stopped batting the net, which
wagons. In the back of his mind, by now was still. Algo was torn
Algo seemed to remember something between hoping his master was still
about rock ogres having the brains alive and wondering what the hobbit
of the rocks they were named after. was doing.
Their tactics, however, belied that;
they had taken out the mercenaries The ogres seemed as confused as Algo
with military precision. Algo by the tiny, unarmed creature in
raised his axe and prayed to the front of them. Wimby looked up at
Forger for the strength to survive. the biggest ogre, eyes wide and
But in his heart, he knew it was shinning. "Wow, that must hurt!" he
hopeless. exclaimed, pointing to the largest
of the gashes opened by Andar's
Brugo, however, wasn't giving up. sword.
Raising his axe, edges gleaming in
the fading sunlight, he barred the The ogre, surprised by the un-
way to the wagons. The ogres stop- expected sympathy, dumbly nodded his
ped and stared at him. Then, amaz- head. Wimby pressed his opening.
ing for a creature marginally more "Here," he said, "try this." The
intelligent than a rock, one spoke. hobbit reached into a pocket and
pulled out a small vial of fluid.
"YOU.. HAVE... THING.. MOMMA WANTS," Running up to the ogre, he sprinkled
the ogre rumbled. "GIMMIE!" the fluid on the wound. Algo and
the ogres watched in amazement as
If Brugo had any idea what the ogre the wound closed.
was talking about, he didn't budge
an inch. "BETTER!" growled the ogre. "MORE!"
"You'll touch my goods over my dead "YEAH.. MORE!" roared the other two,
body, rocks-for-brains!" yelled the jumping up and down. Algo heard a
dwarf. Brugo charged the ogres and small landslide start down the
aimed a mighty blow at the closest. slope. The three ogres surrounded
The dark axe sliced through the Wimby.
cudgel the ogre was carrying like it
was a wet noodle. The ogre back- "But I don't have any more," cried
pedalled in surprise, trampling a Wimby. "That was all I had!"
small tree. Brugo darted forward,
sensing an opening, and swung again. The ogres frowned and glared at
The ogre, however, dodged with a Wimby.
speed seemingly impossible for one
its size. Brugo's axe cut through a "But I know where you can get some!
tightly strung vine and a net Do you want more?" asked Wimby.
hoisted the old dwarf high into the More...
-14-
"MORE!" roared all three ogres in quietly, and Momma won't hurt you,
unison. you nasty little hobbits!"
"Okay, then listen up. You see, The hag glared, energy flared, and
there's this magic pool," Wimby be- Algo felt his limbs freeze in ter-
gan firing off directions so fast it ror. Helpless to even run, he drop-
made Algo's head spin. The ogres ped his axe and stood frozen in
looked completely confused. "You'd place.
better hurry. If you don't get
there by sundown, the magic won't Wimby, however, seemed unaffected.
work! Now go! That way! Hurry!" "Oh dear," he sighed. "I had so
hoped to avoid this.
The ogres, completely forgetting
about the caravan, thundered off in As the enraged hag started forward,
the direction their newfound friend Wimby raised his hands and intoned a
was pointing. They weren't quite single word. It didn't sound like a
sure where they were going, but they hobbit's voice; it sounded more like
knew they had to hurry; sundown was the Voice of Doom itself. Then, too
soon. fast for Algo's eye to follow, the
hobbit slammed his hands together.
Algo watched the ogres thunder off A blast of essence shattered the
into the forest, and then all was fabric of reality for an instant.
silent. He heard a chuckle and As it washed over the hag, she
turned to see Wimby smiling up at wilted like sugar under a waterfall,
him. her entire form vaporized by the
force of Wimby's attack.
"Boy," exclaimed Wimby, "those guys
were nasty. Stupid, but nasty." As Vaporized. Algo's numbed brain echo-
he regarded the smiling hobit, Algo ed the word again and again.
remembered something about fortune
favoring fools and children. He Vaporized.. vaporized.. vaporized...
wondered if hobbits counted as both.
Just like that dragon!
Suddenly, the scene was shattered by
a loud screech and a crash like The sudden shock of realization
thunder. The ugliest female Algo broke the spell the hag had cast on
had ever seen appeared in a cloud of him. A new fear filled the young
choking smoke, glaring at the dwarf, as he slowly backed away from
hobbit. She was also the biggest, the tiny form of Whizbamph the
standing well over ten feet tall. Incredible.
"So!" she shrieked, "you think Algo stammered, "That was.. that
you're so smart, furball? So what was.."
if those idiot children of mine are
off on a wild goose chase! They've "Incredible?" chuckled the hobbit.
done what's needed. Now, where is "I guess so. I just hate having to
it? I can smell it! I wants it, do that, though. It's so violent."
NOW!!!" The tiny sorcerer looked almost sad.
Wimby looked innocently at the moun- "But what are you doing here?",
tain hag. "Where's what, ma'am?" He stammered Algo. You're.. you're.."
smiled sweetly at the huge old
crone. "The boss?" replied the hobbit.
"Well, yes, I suppose so. But I had
"None of your tricks for me, you a hunch about this one. Thought I'd
hairy thief!" Mystical energies come along to keep an eye on things.
began gathering around the hag, and Good thing, too. Ogres are pretty
the clearing grew dark. "Give it up stupid on their own, but that hag
-15- More...
was really nasty. Even got them to winked; Algo's blood ran cold.
follow directions. Quite well-
organized." "You mean, no one else knows what
you look like but me?" Algo asked
"But, you're not.. I. mean.. I was glumly. He could see where this was
expecting someone..." Algo's voice heading, and he didn't like it.
tailed off.
"You got it." The sorcerer sighed.
"Taller, perhaps?" chuckled the "Oh well, I guess it can't be
hobbit. helped. Good bye, Algo."
"Well," blushed Algo, "older, Algo tried to back away as the
anyway." sorcerer raised his hands again, but
the terrified dwarf tripped over his
"It's not the years, my friend, but dropped axe as the hobbit cast his
the mileage," smiled the sorcerer. spell.
"But what about the others? Andar, Algo stared around the clearing.
Gaden, Delphia? And the cleric?" The ogres were gone. And what about
Algo was almost panic-stricken, as the old woman. Old woman? Was
events settled in his still foggy there an old woman? Algo shook his
brain. head to clear the fog that seemed to
surround his brain. Where had he
"Oh, they did reasonably well, gotten these bottles? He heard a
considering the opposition. I hope groan from the net holding Brugo.
they're all right," the sorcerer
mused. Reaching into a small vest "Master, you're alive!" Algo stood
pocket, the hobbit pulled out two up and ran to cut the old dwarf
impossibly large vials and set them down. Brugo was bruised, but unbro-
on the wagon. "When you get a ken. Further searching revealed
chance, have them drink these heal- Gaden, Delphia, and Pelag, all
ing potions. If they're still severely wounded but still clinging
alive, that is." to life. Without questioning where
he'd gotten them, they all drank
Algo nodded again, picking up the from Algo's healing potions.
bottles.
"Where's Andar?" asked Delphia.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Andar felt Algo looked at her sadly. That much
slightly warm as the hobbit stared he remembered. He pointed to the
at him intently. "There's the cliff.
little problem of what to do about
you." "The ogres knocked him over the
edge," he answered quietly. The
"Me?" gulped the dwarf. "What about group carefully crept to the edge
me?" and looked down. Ten feet down, the
unconscious form of Andar hung from
"Well," the hobbit replied, "I can't the wrist cord of his sword, the
have someone blabbing to the world cross-brace of which was wedged in a
that Whizbamph the Incredible, the crevice. Thirty minutes of careful
most feared sorcerer in nine realms maneuvering, with Gaden hanging 300
and head of the largest mercenary feet in the air on a rope, and they
organization in the Star Empire is a managed to get the fighter's huge
cute, fuzzy, "cuddle-bunny," can I? body up the cliff. The little group
Think what it would do to my used the last of the healing potion
reputation! Can you imagine how to bring Andar around.
much business I'd get if everyone
heard that? She was a cute elf, "Where.. what happened?" the groggy
though." The hobbit grinned and fighter asked.
-16- (Continued on Page 18)
____________
/ \ _________\ Undermining Kelfour's (Part 1)
\@| ||=|=|=|| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| ~~ |_| ~~ | by Llorien Silvanestii
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ | he disappearances mention disturbing others' prayers."
\_/__________/ began nearly two
weeks ago. At first no one seemed "Aw, you sound just like Ignatius,"
to take notice. The flower girl who I pouted. "But you forgot to
enticed passersby with her fragrant apologize to everyone." As the words
white flower petals stopped coming. left my lips, I realized that the
The curious mystic who most thought brother had not yet returned. From
quite mad, seemed to have found him- the looks on my companions' faces,
self a remote hiding place to hole they were thinking the same thing.
up in.
"That's not like him," Pterelas
But then the unthinkable happened. noted. "He usually is gone but a few
Brother Ignatius, the kindly monk minutes. Perhaps his friend needed a
who kept the weary and injured hand closing up shop."
company while they laid around the
temple, had stepped out just for a Just then a muted cry of pain
moment to visit a friend at the drifted in through the open temple
cleric's shop next door. door. Penna leaped to her feet, the
knowledge of another's pain spurring
Pterelas and I were engaged in our her to action. The blood-splattered
favorite pastime, baiting each other form of the cleric shop owner
to see who would be left speechless staggered in the doorway, took two
first. Penna and Aegyptia talked steps, and fell into an unmoving
over the healing /resurrection that heap.
they had just completed, a hapless
bard who thought that he could lull Penna sprang to his side, quickly
a grey orc to sleep with a lullaby. checking over the inert form for the
extent of the injuries. "Aegyptia,
"It's a good thing that your Llorien he's seriously hurt and I haven't
can swing a sword, Penna," remarked recovered enough power to heal him."
Aegyptia. "With his voice, we would Aegyptia nodded and closed her eyes.
be picking up pieces of him every A brilliant blue arc passed between
time he stepped outside the town her and Penna, who then took the
gates." Penna giggled and glanced in poor man's injuries onto herself.
my direction.
"Come on Llorien!" Pterelas shouted.
With Pterelas seeming in fine form, "Ignatius may be in trouble!" As I
I decided to use an old trick which drew my falchion and ran after him,
always seems to fluster him. I the thought crossed my mind that for
whistled a complicated little ditty, a bright young lad, he tended
the sweet notes filling the air. towards statements of the obvious.
Pterelas immediately took up the
challenge and tried to do the same. We sprinted out into the murky
The tuneless sound that emerged from night, unslinging our shields as we
between his pursed lips sounded just ran. The faint rays of moonlight
like that kobold we had seen made deceptive shadows. As we
earlier, the one that wandered into approached the shop, Pterelas
the grip of a werebear. Aegyptia motioned for me to stop. He pointed
glanced over in irritation and shook at the open door and signed for me
her head. to take up a position on the left
side. I quickly maneuvered into
"Llorien!" Penna admonished. "You place, then checked his postion. He
know how that bugs Pterelas. Not to was nowhere to be seen. Only a
-17- More...
shifting of the shadows showed him weapons are gone!" Sure enough,
as he stealthily made his way to the there was no sign anywhere of the
open doorway. holy weapons that are a cleric's
best friend.
I gripped my blade tightly as he
prepared to enter. Thoughts raced (Continued Next Month)
through my mind that anyone who
would stoop so low as to hurt an
unarmed monk was a desperate type. I =================\\=================
crept closer, ready to jump in if
Pterelas uncovered the criminals
still in the act. Expecting Someone Older From Page 16
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a few seconds I realized that no "I don't know," shrugged Algo. "One
sounds of combat came from the shop. minute, you're all down and I'm
I let my breath out slowly, still surrounded by ogres. The next thing
wary of letting down my guard, as a I know, I'm all alone in the
glow lit the doorway and Pterelas clearing holding those bottles."
stuck his head out.
Andar nodded, examined one of the
"Looks like they've been and gone," bottles, thumbed a small mark on the
he said, putting down his lamp. The neck, and looked at Delphia. "I
place was wrecked. Cupboards had think the boss was here; that's his
been emptied, their contents strewn mark. Sounds like he hit you with a
over the floor. Vials of holy water Forget spell, Algo. Nice to know he
lay smashed, their precious contents was looking after us, though I think
soaked up by the thirsty ground. Lachmar's going to have quite a
lecture for us when we get to
"Any sign of Ignatius?" I asked. Pragor." The fighter winced, as if
Pterelas shook his head. he feared the lecture more than the
ogres. "Boy, did we get suckered."
"And they weren't common thieves
either," he noted. "The old man's Suddenly, Algo stood up. "Wimby!
cash is untouched." Where's Wimby?"
"Oh?" I asked, raising my eyebrow in "Oh, poor little hobbit!" cried Del-
his direction. "How do you know phia. "Yes, what happened to him?"
where he keeps his cash?" Pterelas
shrugged and started searching. Brugo, who had been checking some
cargo in one of the wagons, looked
Penna and Aegyptia entered the shop, up. "He's over here. Sleeping like
the strain of healing evident in a baby." The grizzled dwarf chuck-
Penna's face. She rubbed a fresh led. "I guess what they say is
scar on her abdomen and muttered true: the Gods protect fools and
something about the cost of scar- children. I wonder if hobbits
removing herbs. "How is he?" I asked qualify as both?"
although I knew that with Penna
looking after him, he'd be fine. Algo seemed to hear an echo of
someone else saying that, but
Penna started to reply, but Aegyptia couldn't quite remember where. The
exclaimed, "Where are they?" memory quickly faded as the group
turned to picking up the pieces of
A look of puzzlement on his face, the shattered caravan.
Pterelas replied, "Who? The crooks?
They obviously vamoosed." Meanwhile, Wimby Littlefoot, some-
times known by his professional name
"Not the crooks!" she exclaimed. of "Whizbamph the Incredible," was
Pointing at an empty locker, she dreaming of being cuddled by a whole
said, "The weapons! All the blessed host of female elves.
-18-
____________ The Wight's Revenge (Conclusion)
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|~|~~|| | by Elminester Sylvanisty
| |~|_ ~~ |
_| |~|-| | ace to face with a Spider Temple, greater than my
/@| |~| | wight lord! I could rivals in the evil Monastery. I will
\_/ ~~~~~ / feel the perturbing conquer your small town, and from
~~~~~~~~~~~ red orbs that served there I will send my great army to
for its eyes focus on me. It floated conquer Kulthea, and even the gods
toward me silently, and I shuddered will fear me!" The wight lord
and closed my eyes, hoping that when continued to boast, thinking that no
I opened them the nightmare would be one could thwart it.
over. A putrefying hand on my chin
forced me to look up. The old man said, "We shouldn't tell
this mage about our plans."
"Well Master Elminester, we meet
again, this time on my terms," the The wight lord's roar made the old
wight lord said. I sensed the evil man step back. "Don't fear, my
power that told me this was not one servant! Soon he will be another one
of the common wight lords you find of our destructive toys." It moved
in most dark dungeons. closer to me and whispered, "You
will suffer as the old master of
The old man stayed back as his this ruin did when I stole the
master made its appearance. Now the secret of the creation of golems
wight lord addressed him. "You have from him. He thought he had escaped
done well, Moshtrol. I told you that me, but he was as much a fool as
we had only to wait and he would you."
fall into our hands."
The wight floated away from me and
The wight lord moved close and clapped its hands. From nowhere,
looked at my leg. "Excellent work. the glowing steel golem appeared.
It still amazes me what mortals can "Soon you will be like one of these,
do with their magic." All the time I and more of them will be made." The
remained silent, but my leg grew wight issued orders to the golem:
numb and I shifted it. "You do not "Destroy anyone who enters, except
like your accomodations, mortal? You for me and Moshtrol. Come, Servant,
grow impatient?" it sneered. "Always we must prepare. The steel golem
in a hurry, even to die." It will guard the mage until the melted
laughed maniacally, "Oh, but master steel is ready."
Elminester, it will not be that
easy." With a gesture, the wight They closed the cell door behind
lord lit the furnace under the them. I had been quiet all the time
cauldron. The liquid in the cauldron absorbing information. The wight
boiled up, filling my nostrils with king planned to create more of the
sickly fumes so that I coughed and magic-using golems by trapping
my vision blurred. unsuspecting travelers. My mind
raced, trying to find a way to
The wight lord spoke again. "You escape. Then I had it! Most
will be another soldier in my army. controlled creatures follow
Soon I will rise to the most favored instruction but can't make decisions
position among the wight kings and on their own. I struggled against my
servants of Kadaena." chains to see the reaction of the
golem. It just stood there, of
So, it was a wight king! I knew that course. It had been ordered only to
the powers this creature mustered kill anyone entering the room
were too formidable even for a wight besides the wight and the old man.
lord. "I will be the favorite of
Kadaena when she returns," it went I reached into my pocket and lay
on. "Greater than her minions of the hold of a rune with the spell "Call
-19- More...
Familiar" on it. I couldn't cast bolt to a leg and another to its
spells with my hands chained, and my arm. The golem fell to the ground,
head hurt, but I could hold the making the entire room tremble. It
runes. I read them, and the power of started to rise; a final bolt caught
the spell was within my mind. I cast it full in the chest and the golem
the spell, and the magic called my fell still.
familiar.
I didn't waste any time. I used my
A calico cat appeared. The steel rune to unlock the door, made myself
golem lifted one of its giant legs invisible, and moved quickly down
to kick at the cat, but a magic the corridors of the dungeon. I was
shield appeared that kept the golem afraid there might be wards against
from harming the ethereal form of my gold ring, so I didn't use it. I
my familiar. I felt in my hidden heard voices from a door as I moved
pockets for something that would past. Through the small window in
help me get free of my chains. the door I saw the wight and its
Eureka! A rune with the spell "Open servant, planning their next move.
II". Four of them. I chanted the They had many scrolls on top of a
rune; my chains opened easily. The table, scrolls I had seen before.
steel golem kept up its mindless They were the copies of the scroll
attack on the familiar, and I knew I that the wight lord had given to the
had to hurry, as the shielding spell old man when I first spied on them.
couldn't last much longer. The wight king was talking, so I
moved closer.
I examined the cell, which was
really a much larger room. The door "I have brought all the existing
was just in front of where I was copies of the spell here to protect
chained. There was a small table to them from my rivals," the creature
the right with my traveling sack and said. "The mountain hags will keep
pouch. I moved quietly toward the them safe."
table while the golem was occupied
and pulled from my pouch the "Elminester will be a good soldier
medicinal roots I needed, some to our cause, Master."
pieces of Arfandas Stem. As I ate
them, the warmth of their magic The wight king nodded and replied
healed my wounds so that I could "Yes, soon I will have Kelfour's
summon all my protective magic. Landing, and those fools in the
Monastery and the Spider Temple will
First, I tried to call upon my dark kneel before me as Supreme Master of
powers, but they wouldn't work in the Unlife".
the cell. It made sense; the wight
king probably had enemies within its I had to do something, and fast. I
own ranks, so it had wards against moved away from the door, cast haste
their magic. I would have to fight again, made myself invisible, and
this golem with my essence magic. I prepared a Fire Storm spell. I open
took a blue crystal wand from my the door and let the spell fall
sack and one iron amulet. I rubbed inside the room. I prepared a Death
the amulet and felt my strength and Cloud spell and cast it and then a
agility grow. Stun Cloud spell. All these actions
took less than a second. Then I
I was ready! I cast my haste spell, blasted the old man with a well-
and everything slowed around me. I aimed firebolt to the chest.
dismissed my familiar, and the
calico cat jumped through the small The wight lord moved toward me with
window in the door and disappeared. its Slay-knife while one of the hags
The steel golem turned just as I moved to protect the old man. They
blasted it with a lightning bolt. It had not realized yet that the fire
tried to kick me, but I stepped back cloud was almost ready to pour down
and dropped it with one lightning its deadly shower. I had about three
-20- More...
seconds to leave the room, but the I could not find the body of the old
wight king lunged at me and would man. The hag that had tried to save
have made me one of their ranks if I him was dead. I heard maniacal
hadn't backed away. laughter and the old man's voice.
"Well, well, you are more resour-
I gestured at it and it fell down as ceful than my master thought." The
the ground under its feet melted door I was moving toward disap-
into lava. I called upon another peared. "I will show you now what
spell, and everyone in the room power is!" A door appeared in one
trembled and fell to the ground. wall and the old man stepped through
The wight king raised its blade it. He still had the scorched mark
again. I used the last of my power of my firebolt on his chest.
and pointed at its Slay-knife. The
weapon disappeared in a burst of He started to gesture; I recognized
fire. I had used too much power to the words of the spell. There was
cast more spells, but before the no time to worry about whether the
wight lord could strike me with its gold ring would bring me to safety.
life draining claws, I went out and I took it from my pouch, put it on,
blocked the door with a big rock. and the town gates appeared. People
stared and avoided me, as I was a
Heat came through the door and the mess.
cries of agony from the mountain
hags. Thunder sounded as the death I smiled to myself. Not such a bad
and stun clouds moved around the day, nothing that a good bath and
room, electrical bolts hitting the mug of ale couldn't fix. The old man
creatures. One bolt arced through was still alive, but without the
the window and almost hit me. I sat wight king to help him, he probably
down to wait till the spells had was just a minor problem for the
expired before I removed the rock brave people of Kelfour's Landing.
and opened the door. As soon as it We still have to deal with the
was quiet, I looked inside. All the Monastery and the Spider Temple, but
hags were dead, most of them burned they have become a part our life.
beyond recognition. The body of the
wight king lay on the floor, and the I went through the gates toward the
scrolls on the table had been turned bathhouse.
into ashes. ........
;::;;::;,
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`v%vnmmmmmn%:%vnmnmmm-21-vnmmmnv%:%vnmmv%vnmnv'
____________ The Dock Boy
/ \____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@|~|~~\ |~|~| by Tapor Lieff
| |~\~\|~| |
_| |~|\~\~| |
/@|_|~| \~~|_| ight mist rolled in He would simply load the ships hard
\_/~~~~ ~~~~/ off the ocean as a and fast, hoping to get a better
~~~~~~~~~~~ cry fell on the meal than the last for his extra
streets. Not the cry of death or labor. The meals he hoped for never
the cry of a woman, but the cry of a came. Soon Ben stopped feeding him
baby. Ben Tooldor had heard all the at all saying, "If you can work,
other cries in the night and slept you can eat." The pay Ben gave him
through them. He had worked on the was small, so small that to survive
docks for many years and was quite Dayln had to find another way.
used to them. But the cry of a baby
was new to Kelfour's Landing. It He would sometimes find food in the
woke him. crates he loaded and would eat it
in the ship's hold while he was
Tired and angry, he stepped out of alone. The sailors would call out,
the warehouse where he lived and "Hey Grim, what's taking so long?"
searched for the child that had Then he would drop the crumbs and
disturbed him. He found it in the rush to get the next crate.
alleyway, wrapped in a blanket of
silvery silk. He looked up and down He was living in fear: fear of Ben,
the alley for the parents, but there fear of the sailors, and fear of
were none to be seen. As he picked starvation. He grew tired of it and
up the child he noticed its started to plan for a better life.
features, the color of its skin. He knew the sailors carried money in
the ships, and he knew that Ben was
"Great, a half-elf," he said not as poor as he let on, but
sarcastically to himself. Then he getting to the cash was the problem.
noticed the cloth it was wrapped in.
"Probably the son of an elf harlot," One slow morning he walked the
he mumbled. He walked back to the streets of Kelfour's Landing trying
warehouse and took the child with to think. He walked behind Larton's
him. The note on the ground he locksmith shop, and there on the
never did notice. Its ink was slowly ground he saw some old broken locks.
running in the misty night and was He put them in his pocket and began
soon gone altogether. to work out a plan.
Ben tried to pawn the orphan onto At night, by the light of a candle,
everyone, but no one had the time or Dayln studied the locks. He dis-
desire. He often thought of throwing covered some of their secrets and
the brat into the sea and would walk their flaws. With a thin piece of
to the end of the dock. "Back to metal he could open them. "I will
wherever you came from!" he would never be hungry again," he thought,
say but never could really do it. "Ben Tooldar will pay what he owes."
He named the child Dayln, for the Dayln was patient. He still loaded
child woke him at the break of day the ships, worked their holds, and
each morning. For many years Ben stole small amounts of cash from
cared just enough for the child to their cabins, and got better at it.
keep it alive but not much more A little here and a little there,
than that. When he was old enough, he found himself with almost 500
Dayln was put to work loading the silver coins. "Now," he thought, "I
ships that stopped at the port. am rich, and my time has come."
The sailors would ask him, "Why so He waited for Ben to fall asleep,
grim?" but Dayln would not answer. and worked at the lock on his door.
-22- (Continued on Page 24)
Untitled Poem
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Greywulf Aliantha
Massive, ancient, rising hundreds of feet
above the dry brown weeds, this giant oak
for years is slowly dying, bark flaking
away like dandruff and falling
finding company in the litter scattered
over the blackened earth. Its leaves thin
and letting through the rain, branches rotten
dead and hollow, waiting for the first
strong gale, yet in their sickly arms
providing for the slender birch a home.
He's thinking of his parents now long dead
who left the land of heavy cliffs, he's
heard the tale, the fairness of the day
the sky of sunny cumulus while below,
the narrow strips of green between the rocks
sang promises to windak and forsythia
a gentler land far North, of
grassy slopes and duir groves, of gardens
nestled contentendly among the crossings
of River and canals, just west of Port Kataine.
Those days when first they
came were glorious; towering
trees shiny with the weight of leaf
the water clear and sweet
and busy with the land's bustling commerce
while atop the hills the nurseries,
famed throughout that land and many
housed silver-haired master horticulturists.
What joy, they said, to be a sapling then
But looking now through broken boughs,
below are waterways gone to swamp
barges, big and rusted remnants of
once vibrant trade float sickly
the rising stench ironic tribute
for history the birch is too young to remember.
Except that summer sky, that scarlet
Eastern sky and sparks that shot across
the moon, flames flickering high above
the tops of homes, motheries whispering their
fear, the horizon glowing a seering
symbol of the Woode's violent, fiery death.
Paint your horizon red, he thinks, and
watch while thousands flee; shoot death
across the sky and see familiar faces
race the Dawn to North, to South and West
to anywhere but East or oak they panicked run;
their lumber packed they leave behind forgotten
(Continued)
-23-
stumps. Some stay. The eldest ones whose
hearts deny goodbyes to trees their homes,
their friends, whose rings give
silent testimony to their lives.
Funny thinks the birch, unsmiling
while morning rain runs down his shoulder,
down his arm, his wrist, his clenched fist.
How funny that in truth it was not fire. No
flame did touch the tops of hills or lick this
mighty timber's leaves. It was the light,
the rolling, billowing clouds of sickly
brightness which poured in from the East,
unbreathable air that hid the moon and
over all the Woode cast death. No, he
knows no fire touched this oak, it is
rotting from within for lack of dark.
_________________________________________________________________________
The Doc Boy - Continued from Page 22
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It opened without a sound, and he "Well, Dayln Grimm," she said, "I
started to work on the chest at the think you are gonna live." She
foot of the old man's bed. The lock laughed and rejoined her friends.
was good, not like those on the
ship. It made a strange noise, and Dayln spent a few nights in the
Dayln felt a pain in his finger. He temple listening to stories and try-
felt a needle. His finger felt cold, ing to understand. He found his 500
then his whole hand. silvers would get him little. He
met a lovely lady named Aegyptia,
As he realized that he was going to who told him how to make money by
die, he yelled "Poison!" Ben woke killing the creatures outside the
and sat up in his bed, only to fall city. She took him to the shops,
back as the chest landed on his head and showed him what to buy.
with a mighty force. He never woke
again. Aegyptia introduced Dayln to a man
named Winter, who showed him how to
Dayln dashed into the street, not use the sword he now owned. Dalyn
knowing what to do. His head was braved the wilds several times, yet
throbbing, and he was getting dizzy. he always returned to the temple to
He ran into a temple, the only place hear the great stories.
with a light at that time of night.
One night a young warrior entered.
There were many people sitting in He did not join in the conversa-
the large room talking as he tions, but sat alone. Dayln joined
collapsed on the floor. A woman him, and they began to talk. The
asked, "What's wrong boy?" but Dayln young man's name was Tapor Lieff.
was too weak to answer. She knelt
beside him and uttered some strange "I know not these lands, sir, and I
words and the throb in his head was am in need of your help," he said to
gone. "What's your name, kid?" she Dayln. This surprised Dayln, for no
asked. Dayln felt confused as he one had ever needed his help before.
noticed that the conversation never
even stopped, and the woman seemed "I can help you," Dayln said,
very unconcerned. thinking of the kindness he had been
shown in the temple. "I can teach
"Grimm," he said, remembering the you of the lands, and perhaps you
sailors. He paused just a second could help me also." Tapor smiled
then said, "Dayln." and a long friendship began.
-24-
_______________ Cycles (Part II)
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Lord Whilder Planrathe
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | hilder rummaged in Whilder finished his spell and a
/@| _|__/ \__|_| the small locker bubble of force surrounded him. The
\_/_____________/ again. Carefully haze was disappearing from his
he removed and replaced wands and vision and he realized that the
amulets. He sighed in frustration. militia would kill him, then ask
He felt that he needed to prepare questions. Fighting the pain that
for a great battle, yet he knew still burned his right hand, he slid
that all the spells and enchanted a gold ring from his finger and then
items he had would be worthless. replaced it. While the first of the
Blast the dreams that plagued him guards were entering the square,
these last five weeks! He slammed Whilder vanished.
the locker shut and stormed out of
Moot Hall, his thoughts in turmoil. From the nearby shadows a figure
stepped out and looked around. The
Whilder walked across the central panic had cleared the square and
square, his mind not on the crowds caused some injuries, but luckily no
or sights around him. At least his one had died. Even now, healers
brother's voice had been silent all were arriving to help the injured.
these weeks. Or perhaps it was his The tinkerer found a seat where he
brother's ghost sending him the could watch the spot where the mage
dreams. Dreams of falling into had been when he teleported away.
nothingness, of being slowly turned If the mage returned, well and good.
into that same nothingness. No If not...
longer existing, or even ever to
have existed. "If not," he thought, "pray that the
destruction of existence is quick,
The steel statue kept its silent the suffering of the living short."
vigil as the guardswoman stepped
through the steel door. It never She fell, watching a visible wave of
reacted, even when the very core of her strength and even a little piece
the mountain shook with her scream of her soul rip from her and speed
of pain, anguish, terror. toward the far wall. Through pain
released with her soul-scream, she
Whilder fell to his knees, the world could see a small black spot growing
covered in a sudden red haze, the on the wall. She fought to block the
birthmark on his right hand burning pain with her mind as yet another
him so badly that he almost ripped wave of strength and another tiny
it off at the wrist with his left part of her soul struck the spot,
hand. He began chanting his most and the spot became larger. And as
powerful defensive spells, forcing she lay watching her very existence
his left hand away to gesture the being destroyed, the blank spots in
proper signs. her memory began to fill.
The crowd seemed to stop everything Memories... Of wars and battles and
for an instant, then it panicked. travels across a world... Of the
It was not the first time a mage had death of her physical body, of her
gone mad and begun casting great soul trapped in the armor... Of the
spells of destruction in the heart mage releasing her soul... Of the
of the town. People ran blindly, meeting with Eissa in the world
calling on the Gods for salvation. beyond the gate... Of the voices
Pandemonium spread throughout the that called her back from beyond...
square. The town militia shoved into Of the body she now had being made
the square, trying to stop the mage by the Gods themselves...
before he could cast. More...
-25-
The body she was now losing. With a sound like a heavy sword
Magically made. Faster and stronger striking unprotected flesh, the
than any mere flesh and blood. She tentacles ripped their souls from
needed to breathe only to force air their bodies and drug them into the
past her vocal chords for speaking, dark hole.
not to live.
The tinkerer glanced around for what
For the body was not real. It had seemed the thousandth time. Talk of
no heart to beat. It was simply a the mage was already dying away.
vessel to hold her soul and memories Many were heading to their homes for
of her life. dinner. The sun would set soon and
still the mage did not return.
And when the Gods didn't need her on
the world, they set her aside, she He reconsidered the three possibili-
unaware of time passing until they ties that had been discussed within
needed her again, like a child's toy the council.
set upon a shelf awaiting the
child's return. The mage would succeed in sealing
the portal they knew still existed,
At least when she had been trapped ending that threat that had lain
in the armor, she knew time was dormant for so many centuries.
passing.
The mage would fail, but the trigger
But the Gods thought it would be for the portal would remain out of
kinder for her to be unaware of the the grasp of the Unlife. What would
time which passed passing while she open the portal, they did not know.
wasn't needed.
The mage would fail, and in his
She released another soul-scream of failure open the portal. And the
anguish at her memories even as world would know the true tread of
Whilder teleported into the room. the Unlife. That is, for the short
time the world would continue to
Whilder fell forward, the second exist after the portal opened.
wave of pain from his birthmark
washing over him, threatening to She looked around at Nothingness, at
destroy him. He tried to block out a blackness that wasn't black. No
the pain. Slowly, his vision sign of the opening they had been
cleared. He saw Chance, lying there brought in through. She looked for
like a discarded rag doll, the pain the mage.
and anguish showing clearly in those
green eyes. She saw the wolf. Shifting greys
against the background of nothing-
Green, like the green of too-long ness. Its grey eyes shone like two
dead flesh. beacons of power flashing in the
darkness. It seemed to stand in mid-
He forced himself to look over in air yet to have solid footing.
the direction she was staring. He
saw the strange black area slowly Even as she puzzled on this, the
growing on the wall. It was not a tentacle holding her released her
hole like any he had ever seen and dissolved into the nothingness.
before. A cruel mouth formed in front of her
eyes, each fang being a smaller
It was nothingness. mouth with more jagged fangs. The
scratching voice of thousands rang
And even as he looked, two long, in her ears.
dark tentacles reached out from the
hole. One slowly wrapped around his "Thank you, my child, for coming and
body, through and into his soul. The providing the catalyst. To open the
second was doing the same to Chance. portal I needed a soul of one who
-26-
thought they served great good in a Tentacles, claws, hands, and teeth
form that was not a living being. shifted into being and attacked her.
As your reward, you shall watch me Always she avoided them, always she
destroy your world, your Gods, and continued to circle. She watched
the many stars and worlds around patiently. These were but small
them. Then you shall join them in bits of her enemy. She would be
non-existence." patient; she would wait for the
right target to attack. To slay.
She felt her sanity slipping away.
The Gods, in an effort to keep her The tinkerer shifted uncomfortably.
in their immediate grasp, had The sun was setting, storm clouds
provided the very means to release gathering off the coast. He wondered
their own destruction. if the storm would accompany the
destruction of the lands.
Whilder felt the pressure as the
tentacle around him tried to burrow Whilder ran on, dodging, jumping,
into his soul-being. He ran at the snapping at those things that
place where the tentacle seemed to attacked him as he ran. The hawk
originate, then suddenly threw him- wheeled and dipped and soared with
self into a roll in the opposite him, sometimes above, sometimes
direction. Twisting, he clamped his below him. He followed the scent
jaws down on the part that loosened that assailed his nose.
from his actions and released a
spell of power from inside his mind. The scent of death...
The tentacle burst into flames and
dissolved. From everywhere came a She banked sharply, avoiding a
scream of pain. grasping hand as large as her own
form. She did not know what drove
Whilder quickly looked up at the wolf to go in this particular
Chance. direction, but she would follow.
The mouth evaporated, screaming in It waited. These two had caused It
pain. The scream echoed in her mind some minor pain but had allowed It
long after it was gone. She glanced to gain access to that troublesome
at the wolf and was shocked to hear world. It could stop them, destroy
the mage's voice in her head. them at any moment. But the anguish
they would feel when It destroyed
"Fight. Or lie down and die." them so close to their goal would be
so sweet, so delicious. And then It
She wondered how she could fight could begin the destruction of all
Nothing. Whilder saw Chance suddenly living things.
shift her form. In its place was
a hawk, feathers of dark crimson The tinkerer looked around the dark
blood, eyes of green. square. The mage had been gone too
long. He must have failed. The
The green of too-long dead flesh... tinkerer could smell evil spreading
across the land. The portal was
She snapped her wings and realized open. He knew even though he had
she was soaring. She wheeled around not seen it. The storm moved closer,
the wolf, then under it. Reality and the tinkerer felt a touch of
here was what they made it, and she sadness. The storm was hiding Orhan
made hers a clear, open sky. Sharp from view. He would have liked to
eyes constantly scanned for signs of gaze upon it one last time.
something to attack or for something
that might attack her. (Conclusion Next Month)
-27-
__________________________________________________________________________
| /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ |
|/ \|
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|/ ) You are Cordially Invited to the \|
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-28-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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