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/ \ \
| | Monster Compendium! See Page 20 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III(tm) November 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.6 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| |
| The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Houses of Kulthea ........................ Dartaghan Darkstar 1 |
| Black Stalkers .............................. Kalagay Halatil 3 |
| (untitled poem) ........................... Greywulf Aliantha 4 |
| How to Pick a Pocket .............. Lord Artuero Bresnahanini 5 |
| The Price of Love ............................ Jarran Terraxx 6 |
| The Thieves Guild ......................... Kahsmire Drakkhen 9 |
| The Knight and the Lady ..................... Valeria Deering 11 |
| Pauper's All Hallow's Eve Masquerade ........... Phaedra Bleu 12 |
| You Can't Hit a Centaur? ............... Lord Certain Justice 13 |
| A Tale to be Told ............................... Eron Kulsen 15 |
| night ..................................... Trachten Hickapod 16 |
| Undermining Kelfour's Part 2 ............ Llorien Silvanestii 17 |
| Monster Compendium ............................... Xca Thedra 20 |
| Babes in Gorcland (Episode 2) ................... Dayln Grimm 26 |
| nerilka ................................... Trachten Hickapod 28 |
| School Daze ............................... Lloyd Llowd, Ph.D 29 |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player role-playing game GemStone III on GEnie Information Network. |
| Submissions may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. |
| Contact Assistant Editor Kalagay Halatil or Publisher Phaedra Bleu |
| by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| Banner letters by Yonah |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
______________ Houses of Kulthea
/ \ ____ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~| | | |~ | by Dartaghan Darkstar
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| | ouses of Kulthea fee, the players have to pay for the
/@| _|~| |~|_ | are Gemstone III construction and furnishing of their
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / player cooperatives private rooms. Houses may also offer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ established under engraving and loan services.
the auspices of the local government
but organized and governed by the The first House recognized by the
players. This flexible system allows local government was established by
a House to be organized as a guild a group of dedicated roleplayers who
or a social club or in any other banded together to oppose the Unlife
manner, as long as the setup stays the growing influence of the Grand
within the framework detailed in the Poobah over the adventurers of the
Tomes by the local government. Landing. Titanic battles were fought
by Lady Wisraith and Lord Riverwind,
Any group of five or more players of Lord Lythe, Lord Fxg, and their
level five or higher (characters allies in their crusade against the
must be level five or higher to be Unlife. They even dared to assault
eligible to join a House) may the stronghold of the Unlife itself,
petition the local government to be repeatedly killing the Grand Poobah
accepted into the Cooperative of the and his underlings.
Houses of Kulthea (CHK). The CHK is
a loose federation of all the Houses Finally, the Grand Poobah called on
of Kulthea. It sets standards of dark powers to place wards around
conduct and administers the system his stronghold, powerful enough to
of dispute resolution which uses the withstand the assaults of the House
tribunal model. The local government of the Rising Phoenix. In a secure
has appointed Lord Elvanion, to be stronghold, the Unlife strengthened
House Controller and to have the its influence. The House of the
responsibility for the establishment Rising Phoenix continued its valiant
and maintenance of all the Houses battle, but even these intrepid cru-
of Kulthea. saders wearied. Most have moved on
to far lands, seeking to escape the
The Houses offer players camaraderie evil they so abhor.
and opportunity for roleplaying,
along with a wide range of services The House of the Rising Phoenix has
and benefits. Some Houses have been not been the same nor very active
established to further professional, since then, but if you are intrigued
political, and social goals. Others by a "House dedicated to preventing
emphasize camaraderie and adventur- the furtherance of the goals of the
ing, and one House was established Unlife," talk with Lady Galauriel,
as a for-profit social club. Lord Maruko, or Lord Waldo2. Member-
ship fees are reasonable, but only
Probably the most popular feature of strong roleplayers with untainted
the Houses is expanded storage. Most souls need apply.
Houses provide forty - item lockers
for members. House Arcane managed House of Argent Aspis was the first
to install sixty-item lockers; rumor House to be built. It was founded by
has it that Lord Moonpie Legend a group of free spirits, among them
bribed local officials. The rumor is Lord Erebor and Lord Whilder, as an
unsubstantiated, but the sixty-item exclusive House that avoids politics
lockers have been confirmed. and local disputes. Not much was
known about this House until they
Some Houses also provide for players began sponsoring a Newcomers Orien-
to design and own a private room. tation Night where House members
Unlike locker facilities, the use of offer a training tour to newly
which is included in the membership arrived adventurers.
-1- More...
Now the House of the Argent Aspis House Brigatta was founded by Lord
has opened up a bit and is seeking Zinderin, Lady Taarna, and Sterling
new members. They are interested in as a private House to promote role-
players that will be active members playing. This House is still rather
and are here for the long term. exclusive, but all applicants will
Initiation fee is 20,000 silvers. be considered. While this House is
Talk to Lord Bleys about membership. small, it does have an earth node, a
bar, and a doorbell that announces
House Arcane was established by a arrivals by name. The initiation fee
group of close friends who sought is 5000 silvers, no monthly dues.
a private sanctuary in which to Dedicated roleplayers should get in
recoup after stimulating quests and touch with Lord Zinderin.
safaris. A House with a pool and a
well-stocked bar seemed ideal. House There are two other Houses being
members occasionally lead safaris organized in Kelfour's, the House of
open to all adventurers. Other Grimoire and the House of Eternity.
safaris are for members only. House of Grimoire is dedicated to
the study of magic lore, bardsong,
House Arcane is a non-political and the history of Kulthea. It is
House with a closed membership. They under construction, but the date of
will, however, open the membership completion is unknown at this time.
up for the right candidate. To be Thantis can give you more informa-
considered for membership, you must tion. The House of Eternity plans to
be at least level 20 and active in be a sanctuary for clerics and
Gemstone on a regular basis. You healers. Lord Sauron is unable at
must also be an adventurer, not a this time to say more about the
crusader. Roleplaying is encouraged, House. When and if the House will
but good judgment must be exercised be built is unknown at this time.
so that House Arcane doesn't become
embroiled in personal or political The Houses of Kulthea have so far
conflicts. A fondness for hobbits is failed to live up to the original
also encouraged :). Initiation fee expectations of the local government
is 50,000 silvers. See Dartaghan for and players. Early on, we got a
more information. glimpse of the potential that the
House system has as a venue for
Shortly after the House of Argent roleplaying and as political and
Aspis and House Arcane were built, social focal points. After a brief
Silent, the first tycoon of the period of excitement and activism
Landing, with a couple of silent (mostly from House of the Rising
partners, built the first for-profit Phoenix), organized House activities
social club. Almost from the day it slowly fizzled out. Most Houses look
opened, the House of Paupers has vacant, inactive except for the
been the most popular House in locker doors.
Kelfour's, with far more members
than any other. That may be changing soon. Rumors of
monthly House Challenge Games have
The House is open to all players surfaced lately. Not much is known
level five or higher. The single yet, but it sounds intriguing. There
membership plan has lifetime fee of has also been talk that the Chair-
20,000 silvers and no monthly dues. persons and Chairhobbits of all the
For that sum, you get to soak in a Houses are meeting to work out a way
hot tub while you enjoy a drink from to implement the system of conflict
the free bar. Some members are known resolution provided by the Coopera-
to drink more in one night than rea- tive of the Houses of Kulthea.
sonable monthly dues would buy at Perhaps the new activism will usher
Helga's Tavern. Speak to Lord Kirc in an era where Houses will be more
or Lady Phaedra about joining. than glorified locker clubs.
-2-
___________ Black Stalkers
o[ ________ ]o ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| "|"|""\"\ | by Kalagay Halatil
| |"|__/"/ |
| |" __ < | lack stalkers are right arm, a one-rounder. Do not get
| |"| \"\ | nasty," lectured one carried away. Take the gift and only
| |"|__/"/ | well-meaning friend, hit once before parrying up again,
| """""""" | while I recovered in especially if things are a little
| / \ | the temple. "Their sluggish. A strike to the left leg
| / \ | hunting companions, is a two-round stun. I'm still very
|/ \| the basilisks, are cautious about swinging twice even
nasty. Their unlife neighbors, the in that case. Things get more com-
deathwoodes, tree spirits, and skel- fortable with blows to its chest for
etal giants are nasty. Why bother?" a three - round stun or abdominal
slashes for four. Bloody gashes to
Now I love hunting stalkers in good the head are good for ten rounds.
company so I thought for a long time
how to answer that question. If you It's tempting to _berserksgangen_
are not a risk-taker, if you are not when your stalker is stopped cold, I
bored stiff with steel golems, or if admit. You want so badly to parry
you truly prefer to hunt alone, then down and beat it to peices before it
indeed you won't bother with black can come to and start running or
stalkers. But you will miss out on a hitting back. What you do not want
lively and profitable time if you is for a basilisk to thunder in and
leave cavers behind and go straight immobilize you just then, and that
to steelies. Black stalkers carry is exactly what basilisks do best.
Level II chests, just to start with. Many a Stalker lived as its would-be
slayer died because a basilisk froze
Stalkers are so easily stunned that the warrior at parry 0 long enough
bushwhacking is one of the best ways for the Stalker to come out of its
to hunt them. The two of you hide stun and start taking big pieces out
and wait for Mr. Stalker to sniff of her hide.
out one of you. The other can parry
hit from ambush, and parry up again Your partner cannot help you much in
in time. Usually. Of course, the this case, because no one can drag
sniffee follows up in the usual way, you away if you are immobilized. The
parry down, hit, and parry up again. best you can hope for is that the
stalker will bleed to death and fall
While the Black Stalker is only mod- at your feet before it can actually
erately fast, it hits plenty hard get in enough swipes to kill you.
when it does connect. If you plan to The best insurance is to kill each
parry tag them, keep in mind the basilisk as it appears, even if you
different ways you can stun them and get no experience for it. If you or
how long each kind of stun lasts. your partner has a calming spell, so
The most usual stun is a hit to the much the better.
Monster Statistics
Black Stalker - level 17 Basilisk - level 7
Type A: OB = 165/90 DB = 90 OB = 70/55/50 DB = 70
THT = 65 MTHT = 79/41 THT 84 MTHT 69/66/99
Weapon - 2-handed sword/pound Weapon - bite/claw/swing
Armor - Cuirbouili leather Special attack-gaze (7-10 sec.)
Immobilize - (20 - 30 sec.)
Type B: OB = 165/90 DB = 90
THT = 83 MTHT = 79/41 The basilisk is a serpent - ostrich
Weapon - short sword/pound with punishing natural attacks. Dead
Armor - none basiliks will drop silvers and the
More...
-3-
odd useful item when searched, but eyes, and an attitude. They've got
not chests, to my knowledge. enough clout to be dangerous with a
short sword, never mind a two-handed
Stalkers are bi - pedal beasts with weapon. As I mentioned earlier, they
cloven hooves, knobby fists, red frequently drop Level II chests.
Here's what you will find through the clearing south of greater orcs:
______________________________________________________________________
|\ Map of Stalkers, Ye Dead Path of Trees and Bare Peakes of Smatoth \
|/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| tree bridge |
| to cockatrices |
| | |
| ( ) Upper |
| | Kaldesfang |
| .................. ( )--> swamp |
| Here be Basilisks ( ) : | |
| and Vengeful : / \ : ( )--> gorcs |
| Black Stalkers : / \ : : |
| :( ) ( ) : go clearing |
| : | | : : |
| :( ) ( )-----( ) Dead Path |
| /: \ / : go path ( ) Deathwoodes|
| ( : ( )--( ) ...: \ / | \ |
| :............:( )--( ) ( ) ( )--(u)--( ) and |
| climb // trail / \ \ \ | / Malicious |
| to \ ( ) Smatoth ( ) \ ( ) Tree Spirits|
| Skeletal ) \ | \ | |
| Giants \ _ _ _( ) ( ) ( ) |
| \ / u = up into top of |
__ | ( ) giant tree |
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
(untitled poem)
Who hath seen flames Despairing
and loveth not the Dark? they laid tomorrow's promises
upon dry needles
wood elves amble up the trail and grief ignited.
steel wrapped in wool
to quiet clangs On the trail below
their purpose sharp -- kinderslayers scowl
the dark elf village; at scents which follow
a moment's confusion on the evening breeze
upon finding none but a young one asks:
children sleeping how --
not knowing local holidays do they not love their
young as we do?
Later another answers, No
dead parents try not to understand them
buried their own hearts they aren't, you know
but could not commit real elves like us
immortal flesh
now cold, to earth. Greywulf Aliantha
-4-
Successful Thievery: How to Pick a Pocket
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Lord Artuero Bresnahanini
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| e now turn our For those of you who don't know, the
| |~|/~~\|~| | attention to the command which initiates a
_| |~/~/\~\~| | much-maligned, if pickpocketing attempt is STEAL
/@| _|__/ \__|_| undeniably useful . The thief must have
\_/_____________/ art of picking at least one hand free in order to
pockets. I must apologize that I've make an attempt. As we shall see
not been able to ascertain the exact later, having both hands free is
mechanics of the pickpocketing pro- advisable.
cess. Indeed, the following model
is most likely erroneous in several A simplified formula is set forth
respects. Still, I believe the model below. I will discuss what makes
provides a framework for understand- up the Thief's Total Bonus and the
ing the basics of picking pockets. Target's Total Bonus presently.
___________________________________________________________________
| R = D100 + (Thief's Total Bonus) - (Target's Total Bonus) |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The D100 is subject to a fumble. with an upper limit of the number of
If the D100 = 1 or 2, the thief, silvers the target is carrying,
regardless of any other factors, possibly (though I do not believe it
fails his attempt to pick the is) modified by the amount of silver
target's pockets. In fact, the the target is carrying and the bonus
thief botches his attempt so badly of the target. For example, on any
that the victim notices. The only given successful attempt, I gain
way to achieve this extraordinary somewhere between 110 and 170
failure is through the fumble roll. silvers. I can't say how this number
A pickpocket, no matter how bad, is reached, except that it seems to
cannot be discovered without rolling depend on my skill more than on the
a 1 or 2 on his D100. target's defenses.
Barring a fumble, the two results Now let us turn to what makes up the
possible are as follows: Thief's and the Target's bonuses.
While I believe I have been able to
R = < 100: the thief fails to gain identify all of the factors which
sufficient advantage to pick the make up the bonuses, I have been
target's pocket. unable to determine how they are
weighted, so please take this
R > 100: the thief's attempt is information with a rather large
successful. If the target carries no grain of salt.
silvers, the thief will discover the
fact. Otherwise, the thief grabs a The Total Thief Bonus consists of
handful of silvers. his Pick Pockets skill bonus plus
(or minus) his Self-Discipline bonus
I believe the number of coins taken plus his AGility bonus. The formula
depends on the skill of the thief, might go something like this:
___________________________________________________________________________
(Total Thief Bonus) = Pickpocket Skill + [(SD + SD + AG)/3] + Other Factors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other factors include: Picking from The Total Target Bonus consists of
hiding/invisible (a bonus), injuries the Target's Perception skill bonus,
(a penalty), having both or only one his Pick Pocket skill bonus, his
hand free (a penalty for having only QUickness and his INtuition. I am
one hand free), and possibly less confident about this formula
encumbrance. than about the thief's:
_________________________________________________________________________
(Total Target Bonus) = Perception + Pickpocket Skill + [(IN + IN + QU)/3]
-5- More...
The target apparently does not have Even though Toady is only half
to make a dexterous move type roll, Ricardo's level, Ricardo is going to
so things like injuries or encum- have a hard time picking his pock-
brance should not affect his chances ets, as he needs to roll a 93 or
of having his pockets picked. better to be successful.
Now for a few examples. This month, R = 93 + 103 - 95 = 101
Remus's nefarious younger brother,
Ricardo, takes a trip to hobland to Ricardo tries a few times and never
do some "collecting." Ricardo is rolls over a 92. On his fourth try,
eighth level with great interest in Ricardo rolls a 1. This results in
picking pockets, so he has double Toady's noticing Ricardo's attempt
trained throughout his career. He to steal from him. Yipes!
has no injuries, both hands free, is
unencumbered, and will not strike Ricardo grins, and runs away. Toady
from hiding at all, as he wishes to vows to train harder so that he can
make this a quick run. someday pick Ricardo's pockets.
Ricardo has 20 ranks of pick pocket In reality, however, once thieves
skill, giving him a skill bonus of get to be a high enough level,
90. He is a common man with a 90 SD through a fair amount of training in
and a 90 AG; his stat bonuses are 15 perception and picking pockets, they
and 10. Putting these numbers into effectively close out the
the picker's formula, we get: possibility that anyone can steal
from them. Other classes may do
Total Thief Bonus = 90 + [(15 + 15 this as well, although it will take
+ 10)/3] = 103.3, or +103 a bit longer and cost more dps.
His first target is a 3rd level mage I have noticed that the way people
named Bartholomew. Like most mages train leads to the situation that I
and sorcerers, Bart has not trained can pick some people all of the
a lick in perception or in picking time, and some people none of the
pockets. However, he is a halfling time. There are few people who I
with 100 QU and 92 IN. His bonus is: miss only occasionally, and this
occurs generally when I am
Total Target Bonus = 0 + 0 + [(35 + attempting to pick against thieves
35 + 12)/3] = 27.1, or 27 slightly lower than half my level.
Ricardo makes his first attempt, and Pickpocketing is a worthwhile skill,
rolls a 32. from both a defensive and offensive
standpoint. I do suggest that any
R = 32 + 103 - 27 = 108 = Success! pickpocket also train heavily in
weapons use, however, as there are
Ricardo gets away with say 75 coins. many uncivilized and immoral folks
He makes another attempt, but he in the land who will attempt to slay
only rolls a 24. This puts R at 100, a weaker pickpocket, rather than
which is just low enough so that take the time to develop the skills
Ricardo fails to pick Bart's pocket. necessary to defeat them.
_________________________________
Ricardo moves on to his next target, / \
this time a fellow thief named | Beginner's Tip |
Toady. Toady has single trained in | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
both picking pockets and in | Develop safe habits by always |
perception; he is fourth level, with | getting your weapon first so |
stat bonuses of 40 QU and 25 IN (He | that it will be in your right |
is a fair elf). Toady's bonus: | hand. Then remove your shield. |
| |
Total Target Bonus = 30 + 30 + [(40 \_________________________________/
+ 40 + 25)/3] = 95
-6-
The Price of Love
_________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _____ \ by Jarran Terraxx
\@| ~|_|~ |
| | | |
_| |~| | t was early afternoon, "You know how much Lanara loves me
/@| _|~|_ | the sun partially hid- and how I love her. So, with a lot
\_/ ~~~~~ / den by thick clouds. A of work and courage, I'm good and
~~~~~~~~ cool breeze was blowing, ready to propose to her. Well, I
making it a nice day as I walked to was ready." His eyes showed his
the bank, enjoying the scenery as I pain at that last statement. With a
went. The leaves had changed to a deep breath he continued.
myriad of colors and were strewn
across the road where they'd been "I have been saving money for some
left by the wind. The streets were time, and today was finally going to
worn and weathered by time and man. get her that beautiful ring and ask
Some of the buildings were old and her to marry me. So I came to the
dirty, but many still looked as bank, got all my money and headed to
fresh as the day they were built. the gemcutter's shop. I pointed to
the ring and reached for my pouch.
My pockets bulged from the coins I That's when I realized someone had
had found on a rude orc that thought taken my every coin." His voice
he was good enough to beat me. For faltered.
once I was happy at the fact that I
had gotten at least a little money. "Vallar, I'm so sorry. But I have
money, maybe even enough," I said
As I made way up the road to the hopefully, forcing a smile.
bank I looked at it, and realized it
had seen better days. Entering, I His look left me speachless, but it
nodded to the guard, and happened to was his next statement that shut me
notice a friend of mine leaning his up.
head against the old cracked wall
off to one side of the tellers -- "I can't take your money. I appre-
the look on his face making my heart ciate the offer, but I can't accept
sink. He looked as if his world had it. I also can't ever tell Lanara
come to an end. about this -- it would crush her
heart." He patted my shoulder as if
"Vallar? You all right?" I asked. HE were trying to reassure ME.
Slowly he looked up at me, his eyes Suddenly, I brightened. "Let's get
almost in tears. "No, I'm not," he you that money right now. Between
said, his voice devoid of emotion. the two of us, we can rake it up in
no time."
I placed my hand on his shoulder and
steered him outside bank, pulling He shook his head sadly and looked
him off to one side. "Why don't you up at me. "How to tell you this, my
tell me what happened," I said in a friend?"
quiet voice. "Maybe I can help."
My heart felt as if it knew some-
He shook his head slowly. "I doubt thing I didn't. "Come on, it can't
there is anything you can do." be all that bad. You just need to
go out there and get the money. We
"You can talk to me. We're the best can do it easily in a few hours."
of friends, remember?"
"No," he said solemnly, "I'm leaving
He nodded and with a sigh of hope- here for good, going where there
lessness began talking, his eyes aren't thieves to make people's
seeming to fade off to the distance. lives miserable. I need you to do me
-7- More...
a big favor; watch out for Lanara, thing I had to leave to take care
until maybe I can return." of, and you don't know when I'll be
back."
I stood there in shock for what
seemed an eternity. I couldn't make My heart sank as I realized nothing
myself not believe what he had just I could say or do would change
said. Finally, I was able to find this. All that was left was honor
my voice -- at least, I think it was what he asked of me. So I nodded and
my voice. "You can't mean that! gave him my word.
What about Lanara? She'll be heart-
broken! Don't do it, stay here, we He smiled, revealing a bitterness I
can find the thief, and get your had never seen before. "You are a
money back. It won't be hard to do." good friend, Jarran. Thank you. I
can never repay you for this. Do
He looked at me sadly. "I know who take good care of her for me."
did it -- I only passed one person
between the bank and the gemcutter's I nodded. "But despite what you
shop -- but even together we say, I'll figure out who this thief
couldn't do it. We'd wind up dead. is, and I swear upon my honor that
At least not yet. But keep train- they'll pay for this disgrace.
ing, make yourself better, then one
day, when it's time, I'll come back Sighing. "As you wish, Jarran, just
and tell you who it was. Don't don't get killed for it." Then,
worry; you know what goes around after grasping my arm briefly in a
comes around. That thief will get warrior's salute, he turned and
it one of these days -- yes, it WILL headed for the town gates.
happen -- and the thief will know it
was me whose love was lost." I watched him go, vowing that this
would not go forgotten. With that I
I looked at him, anger barely under resolutely went into the bank and
control. "Who was it?" deposited my money, determined not
to fall prey to a thieve's pocket
He shook his head, "No, not today or picking. Then I made my way to the
anytime soon. I don't want your life temple to look for Lanara. My heart
on my hands. Just take care of was heavy with the news I had to
Lanara for me, and watch your deliver as the clouds broke and
pockets, my friend. This thief has began pouring rain.
no morals and you'll only wind up ________________________________
being another victim." / \
| Earn |
I grabbed his wrist, "Don't you dare | |
leave! Don't let a thief ruin it | FREE WEEKENDS IN KULTHEA |
all for you, you still love Lanara! | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Build your money up again and try it | You too can enjoy a completely |
on another day!" | free weekend in the lands of |
| GemStone III. All you have to |
He looked at me with sadness. "You | to do is have three submissions |
don't understand, Jarran. Today is | of at least one page each |
a special day for her, and I wanted | published in Kelfour Edition. |
to make it even more special by pro- | We'll even help you polish it. |
posing. But it's lost, the moment | Stories, How-To's, Poetry, etc. |
is gone, and I won't be a victim to | |
this thief any longer. I'm not | For full details, send GE Mail |
getting money to support a thief, | to Publisher Phaedra Bleu at |
especially one who has ruined this | the address P.HERRINGTON. |
for me and Larana. And you are to | |
never, ever to tell Larana about it! | |
Just say something happened, some- \________________________________/
-8-
The Thieves Guild
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ Player Editorial by Kahsmire Drakkhen
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |
| //|"| | world without morals One of its rules consists of a fee
_| //=|"| | or laws to govern each member is required to ask for
/@| // |"| | the actions of its in preforming task of picking and
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / inhabitants becomes disarming a chest. This rule is
~~~~~~~~~~~ a world of chaos and what I would call the "2-3 scoops."
self-destruction. This is the case A scoop is what many people would
in the world of Kulthea. refer to as 1 single gathering of
coins from the chest, since a chest
Upon its rich land, there are many usually has more coins in it than
different types of race and classes, that. Guild members are required to
each having its own form of govern- charge 2 scoops for a regular locked
ment to help keep them civilized. chest and 3 scoops for one that has
But those who aren't governed by any was trapped. For calculation pur-
known set of rules become savages poses, this comes to about 20% of
and roam around quite freely. what may be in the chests for 2
scoops, and about 30% for 3 scoops.
For the past three years, Kulthea Not only is this a rule required of
has had no government of any sort, members, it apparently accounts for
but instead, each person has been income of its members as well.
free to make his own rules. Lucky
for many of us, within the gates of Let me explain. the case. When a
Kelfour there are a set of laws that Thief Guild member charges you 2
everyone must abide by. But with scoops or 20%, he is allowed to keep
the laws in the town, there are also half of it, and the other half is
rules and laws within the guilds required to be put into the treasury
which a couple of classes seem to of the Guild.
have formed. Apparently, each guild
has set their own set of rules and Does that seems fair, that you get
laws for their members to abide by. to keep half the share even though
But along with the rules, there are you are doing all the work. But why
also advantages to joining the join the guild when you can keep it
guild... if you can call all to yourself? It seems more
them advantages. logical to keep it all yourself,
don't you think? Those half shares
One guild in particular seems to be really add up if you think about it.
causing disturbances in the lands. Think of all the laen shields you
The guild I am referring to is the could buy, or that special weapon
Thief Guild. It was formed recently you can save up for or that ET'd
and, from the looks of it, seems to hide you've been dieing to have. So
have accumulated a fair number of why join the Thief Guild? There
members who all possess one unique must be other advantages to draw
ability, that of being able to pick members, let me get right to them.
locks on treasure chests.
One advantage is that it creates a
At first glance, this seems to be a sense of closeness or what they
group of unique people with unique would "fellowship." One member help-
abilities who can help the lands ing another member in the need. A
alot. But why would a thief or long lasting friendship to the end,
anyone who can pick a lock join a or as long as the Thief Guild lasts,
group like this? As I said, it has or even as long as you are still
advantages, but it also has rules with them. But it seems strange to
that its members must follow. Let join a guild just for that. When
me share with you some of things I you are in the game you create your
have learned about the this Guild. own friends and group that you can
-9- More...
help or go hunting with. You and them. Your guess is as good as mine
your fellow adventurers create that about how strict or lenient they may
bond of friendship yourselves, be about infractions -- and you
especially when you find trouble. don't know any of these things until
So why join the Thief Guild? You you have already joined.
don't need them to create closeness
or fellowship. It is created even as I have shared with you some of what
you sit in the temple talking to I have learned about this guild. It
someone you never talked to before. seems like a good idea to join, so
why do many refuse or are against
Apparently, as I found out, the it? It seems that a rumor, or
sense of fellowship created by the possibly the truth has been
Thief Guild also gives its member a circulated about the Thief Guild.
sense of protection. If you like
the idea of going out hunting and One of these rumors is that the two
having two Lords watch over you, high Lords are out looking for
then maybe this is an advantage. As members. You must be at least level
I found out, the two high Lords who 5 and have lockpicking and disarming
govern the Thief Guild watch over skills. And from what I have heard,
members closely, aiding themif there anyone who has those skills is
is trouble by sending help. It required to join. First they are
seems odd to me that two Lords would asked to join but if they refuse,
protect you from something your the pressure starts. If this is
group is not able to, though they true, I disagree with these tactics
may be the same rank as you are. the Thief Guild is using to recruit
The two illustrious Lords of the membership. A person should be
Thief Guild are Lord Mikhail and allowed to decide their own fate and
Lord Artuero, and they just happen choose freely without pressure as to
to be the two highest thieves in the whether they should join. I see lot
lands. Apparently, if you become a of people who have joined the guild,
member, you are also protected by but I don't know whether they were
them from being harrassed. If pressured to do so because they
someone is found to be harrassing a won't say. This makes me wonder
member, the penalty is death. I what happens if someone changes
shudder to think of making a mistake their mind and wants to resign.
like that and having those Lords
come after me. The other story going around that
angers people like me in Kelfour's
Another advantage, I am told, is is that whoever openly opposes the
that members can borrow from the Thief Guild will be dealt with
guild treasury. Now that is truly severely. As to how severely, my
an advantage. But what's the limit guess is death. I personally am op-
on how much you can borrow -- and posed to this Guild. It is a matter
how much interest do they charge? of opinion and I have the right to
Only members know. As I walk around address it if I choose. No one has
Kelfour, I look at these guild the right to harm me for this
members and it seems that they are opinion, and if they do, they will
very well equipped, so the treasury prove these rumors to be true. A
must be generous. But as we have person should be entitled to their
learned in life, you don't get own opinions and be able to express
something for nothing. What does them freely if they choose to do so.
the guild get for these loans, what It seems that you are also dealt
happens if you don't pay it back? with severly if you try to bring the
Thief Guild down. If expressing my
Only its members fully know the opinions should have that effect,
rules governing the Thief Guild, and then so be it.
all members are required to follow
-10-
The Knight and the Lady
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Valeria Deering
In a faraway land dwelt a noble Knight
Peace blessed the lands which called him lord
Yet one day he laid aside book and pen
Once again buckled on armor and sword
And then into the chamber came his Lady.
She saw him geared as for war with dismay
"Why dost thou bear arms and sword?"
Asked the Lady of her noble Knight.
"Whither goest thou, my lord?"
And trembled she, his fair Lady.
"There is need for me in the shadow lands
And I shall be on the road by first light."
Visions of battle and heroic deeds
Fired the heart of the courageous Knight.
"But naught to concern thee, my Lady."
"Pray do not, my lord, go again questing
Surely, for us, peace is the better lot
What good is slaying giants to home
And hearth? 'Twould leave thee little thought
Little thought for thy Lady."
"Lady, friends from afar call for mine aid
Sworn enemies doth cry out their hate
Tonight, I ride for the lands of shadow
For no man e'er escapes his fate
And so, au revoir, my Lady."
As e'ening fell he rode from his keep
Nothing would stop him, this valiant Knight
On his quest for death or glory
Not ogre nor giant nor barrow wight
Nor e'en the tears of a Lady.
-11-
Paupers' All Hallow's Eve Masquerade
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ by Phaedra Bleu
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~||
_||~| |~|| n All Hallow's Eve, plush mohair hobbit suit, some hairy
/@| \~\__/~/ | the House of Paupers hobbit foot boots with hairy hobbit
\_/ ~~~~~~ / was discovered to be hand gloves, fake hobbit ears, blue
~~~~~~~~~~~ haunted, complete with plaid pants with a bright yellow
roaming ghosts, a raging bon-fire shirt, a dark green feathered cap,
where lovely bard DreamWeaver and a forest green knapsack decora-
Oenothara entertained with song and ted with an embroidered windak tree.
story (accompanied at times by a
gargoyle), and the swimming pool was As the personification of winter,
filled with a strange red gooey lovely Fair Elf Sylvermyst Sadheart
substance. placed fourth. Her long braided
silver hair and violet eyes were set
Fortunes were told, apples contain- off with a sheer silvery veil, a
ing prizes were bobbed for, and some wreath of silver frosted leaves, a
adventurers were mysteriously trans- sheer gauze bodice tastefully dotted
ported to a strange place. with small silver frosted leaves,
silvery gauze veils suspended from a
The highlight of the evening was a delicate silver belt clasped at the
gala costume contest sponsored by waist with a single silver frosted
the House and judged by officers leaf, delicate silver sandals, and a
Lord Kirc Bloodguard, Lairaerrythork silvery satin pouch. She carried a
TykilVuul and myself, Phaedra Bleu. frosted silver-tipped wand and sil-
ver tipped rose.
Taking first place in this costume
contest was Lord Caretaker D'Bold- Fifth place went to Sahardes Star-
Home, the Dwarf Healer. He wore gazers, the Half-Elf Fighter. He
rose colored spectacles, a thick wore a mask in the shape of a
beard braided into two plaits at the snarling panther, its eyes shaped
ends, a cloak woven from numerous from deep green emeralds and its
troll beards, a moldy wolverine pelt whiskers from gold wire, a panther
overcoat, some grey sackcloth pants, suit with a long graceful tail,
and tattered rags wrapped around his clawed panther boots, and panther
feet. Caretaker pestered everyone paw gloves.
with his begging bowl and infected
us all with fleas. A truely pitiful Among five great prizes were a magic
character. falchion, a black satin magician's
cape, Eidolon, City of the Sky
Second place went to Bugg Hornwort, (Shadow World Sourcebook), Quell-
the Halfling. Hilarious Bugg wore a bourne: Land of the Silver Mist mod-
mask that resembled the face of Lord ule, & RoleMaster Character Records
Mikhail Minnehan, complete with Book containing individual character
black eyepatch and a bulbous red sheets for every RM profession,
rubber nose. He was dressed in a compliments of Simutronics.
harlequined jester's robe in red,
black and yellow, with sleeves that The contest was EmCee'd by graceful
drug upon the ground, topped by a Nerilka Ferine, and participants
jester's cap with silver bells. He numbered an auspicious 13 -- all of
found nourishment in a rubber pickle whom were simply marvelous --
and tickled the party-goers with a including Artuero Bresnahanini,
limp chicken familiar. Catrissa Dakhati, Bleys Airelious,
Mikhail Minnehan, Stanyon Sting,
Lord Gallenod Varynesti, the Half- Iliana Calmar, Gregor Deathwish, and
Elf Ranger, placed third. He wore a Alyssa Sandorala.
-12-
_________ What Do You Mean, You Can't Hit a Centaur?
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | Player Editorial by Lord Certain Justice
| | | |
_| |~| |
/@| _|~|_ | wanted to call this get spell and critical hit exper-
\_/ ~~~~~ / "GMs: The Good, The Bad ience along the lines of the ori-
~~~~~~~~ and The Ugly," but I'm ginal RoleMaster algorithms. Sure,
told that title was used elsewhere. sure the E crit we roll against
Besides, it would be unfair, some- kobolds that happen to wander into
what untrue, and possibly too kind a our path in the woods would be a big
generalization to label our tormen- deal -- until its divided by twenty
tors with. Seriously, I have en- or more. I for one wouldn't waste
joyed most, if not all of the power points or connect time to get
special events that have been two experience points from a kob or
materializing in the lands lately. hob if I could still get ten from a
The fog golems were cute, it would ghoul king, guardian or stalker.
have been nice to get them back now
and then (before the ruins became a It's not getting less and less from
dangerous place to play and get no slaughter of lower level monsters
experience). It's really surprising that's irksome, didn't we stop
that newbies weren't slaughtered by decrying the fact that there is no
the bellacorns at the town gates. longer experience in murder in
But enough of these positive com- Kulthea? What we demand is that
ments, this is meant to be an experience be awarded for effective
editorial on spell experience. use of spells. And until you can
come up with an acceptable defini-
It may only be amongst the Lords, I tion of effective, any spell that
realize there aren't that many of us works should have worth. I'm sure
over twenty-fourth level, but it's a that you will quiet a lot of
lot of work to charge up, burn grumbles with a token one experience
devices and then risk a ring to nick point per power point required for
a centaur or get webbed by a spider the spell. My pet modification
and have to logoff until he leaves would be to multiply this by the
town. Even when there are enough of level of the target divided by the
us around to cajole a priest into level of the caster (rounded up, of
summoning a mammoth spider, the course) for offensive spells and the
experience for the hours of planning inverse for defensive, only allowing
and effort has to be split six to the defensive experience for casting
ten ways. That is unless you happen on player characters; no mass blurs
to only contribute defensive bonuses on torkaans.
to the party or calm or blind the
creature to the benefit of the If you're afraid of disrupting game
entire enterprise. In that event balance or aggravating someone or
your experience is zip, nada, zero, other, consider the players who have
yep a big goose egg. invested enough to become Lords, but
who don't come around all that often
It does not seem too much to ask to any more.
______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| GemStone III Graphics/Sound Front End Program |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| If you play GemStone III using an IBM-compatible system, check out |
| Simutronics' Front End Program in the Library on page 930. Great |
| game enhancements and conveniences along with color and sounds! |
| |
\______________________________________________________________________/
-14-
_____________ A Tale To Be Told
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Eron Kulsen
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| | wilight came early noble wedding. And for it to be
/@| _|_|_ | that evening, bring- Dagmar and Kayla! What would be
\_/__________/ ing chill winds and worthy to give to the couple? Alas,
ominous clouds from the north. Eron nothing I could give. I shall pray
huddled by the fire at the Wayside over it; perhaps an idea will come
Inn, staring into the red-orange from the gods to me."
flames and sipping warm spiced wine.
It had been an eventful day to be The following day, Eron sat amongst
sure, yet things were just about to others in the Temple, recounting
get more interesting. battles of the day, and showing off
the scars to prove them. Suddenly,
A weary messenger boy came up the a rugged gnoll came sauntering into
stairs looking worried. "Excuse me, the temple, bringing a silence with
milord. I was sent to deliver a him. He had a sturdy bag slung over
letter to one named Eron Kulsen. his shoulders and a cane which was
Might you be he?" obviously not meant to be used for
walking. His hands were scarred and
"That I am, lad. You may deliver the burnt, his skin was wrinkled,
letter and be on your way." leathery, and quite tan. He'd the
looks of a smith, to be sure.
"Forgive me, my lord," stuttered the
boy, "I have lost the parchment I Several adventurers commented on his
was to deliver you. Yet I would arrival. Gnollish workmanship was
gladly recite the letter to you." beyond compare, their weapons sought
after by all who would swing a
"Then out with it, boy," muttered sword. The gnoll glanced over the
Eron. "I'm not one to begrudge silent crowd, rested his gaze upon
another's mistakes--usually. Speak Eron, and scowled. "You, Eron. I am
the message." told by the gods that you search for
a unique gift. Because I owe a favor
Quickly the youth sputtered out the to a certain goddess, I will use my
message: "Eron, it is done. Kayla skills to make such a gift. Come."
has consented to be wed with me! We
will be married at the next full Eron followed the gnoll, leaving
moon, in the wedding glade. gossiping whispers in the temple.
Everyone will be there. Please, come The gnoll walked in silence for a
and celebrate with me and my love! few blocks, then abruptly stopped.
Signed, Lord Dagmar Istarii."
"Where might I find a suitable forge
"Torkaan teeth! I didn't think she in this town? It seems as though
would agree so quickly. I didn't the gods' directions were of no
think he would get the nerve to ask help, as usual," scowled the gnoll.
so soon, for that matter!"
"I might be able to lead you there,
"Milord?" questioned the messenger, sir. Along the way, might you be
holding out an eager hand. willing to entertain a few
questions?" Eron responded, taking
"Ah, forgive me, here you go." the lead towards the smithy.
Deftly, Eron tossed the boy a few
silvers. "No," said the gnoll, "so don't even
bother to ask."
"Now, what to get as a wedding
gift?" thought Eron. "No wedding Eron shrugged this off and soon
will be greater than this, the first arrived at the smithy, standing
-15- More...
aside to allow the gnoll to inspect bellows again. "Start pumping, lad.
the area. Mumbling to himself, the This fire isn't getting any hotter."
gnoll nodded his approval and
quickly went to work, putting his In a daze, Eron set the shimmering
bag down and producing various tools iridescent falchion down and began
from it. Among them were a rather working the large bellows. As before
large bellows, a smith's hammer, and the runes on the anvil glowed, and a
a rune-covered anvil. loud roar brought essence into yet
another falchion under the gnoll's
"Now then," inquired the gnoll,"what hammer, blinding Eron as before,
did you have in mind?" even though his eyes were closed and
prepared this time around.
"Well," replied Eron, "I've heard of
the fine craftsmanship of gnollish Wearily the gnoll walked over to
weaponry. Certainly such would make Eron, picking up the falchion on the
a good gift in these lands." ground, and handed two identical
shimmering iridescent falchions to
The gnoll merely nodded and soon had him. Eron accepted them without a
the coals white hot inside the word, and knew the value of the gift
forge. Taking hammer in hand and he had received. Then, stammering,
producing an ordinary falchion from Eron tried to thank the smith, but
his bag, he began to heat the blade. the gnoll would have none of it.
"Well, hurry with it, man! These Gathering up his things, the gnoll
coals won't stay hot forever! Grab slung the bag over his shoulder and
the bellows and start pumping!" bid Eron a farewell and a thanks.
Eron quickly did as he was told and "Thanks?" Asked Eron, "But it is I
watched the smith begin his work. who should-"
After the falchion was hot, the
gnoll hammered at the blade, chan- "Nay," said the gnoll, "Now I don't
ting in a language Eron had never owe any more favors to the gods."
heard. Soon the runes engraved on And with a wink and a grin from ear
the anvil began to glow as brightly to ear, the gnoll left Eron holding
as the falchion, adding to the two of the finest swords in Kulthea.
brilliance and heat in the room.
Suddenly the gnoll raised his voice night by Trachten
in an ear splitting roar, bringing
in a magical flow of essence that Reann's light
knocked Eron to his knees, and glints on darkened steel
brought the falchion's brightness to as I slide
that of the sun. through the trees
young ranger comes
After several moments Eron's vision crashing in behind me
cleared, revealing the gnoll sitting finger to lips does not still
back in a slump, holding in his hand hand to chest does
a shimmering, iridescent falchion. glistening sleek cat
Gaping, Eron accepted the falchion pads into clearing ahead
from the gnoll and could only stare swishing its tail
at the magnificent blade. child scared slightly shifts
puma is on him
The gnoll took a deep breath and four claws cut deeply
stood up. He said, "This gift is for one feeble steel gash in return
a wedding couple, I understand." I swing from the shadows
Unable to speak, Eron faintly nodded cat dies yeowling
and turned his gaze back to the student shakes from fevered chills
shimmering falchion. The gnoll keeping company with the akbutege
nodded and sighed, handing Eron the on trip back to town
-16-
_______________ Undermining Kelfour's (Part 2)
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+| by Llorien Silvanestii
| |~\~\/~/~| |
_| |~|\~~/|~| |
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_| aybe we'd better "Headed north on Andraax, that's
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ go back and talk all I know."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to the shop owner
and see if he can shed some light on "Probably headed for the gates, you
the subject," Pterelas suggested. would think," surmised Pterelas.
A few minutes later everyone was
gathered around the still-recovering A voice from a dark corner of the
shop owner, badgering him with temple spoke out. "They must have
questions. Haltingly, he unfolded been very good at hiding to get by
his story. me." A figure stood up and, throwing
his hood back, revealed the visage
"Elves from hell, they were. Black of Inyigo, ranger extraordinaire. "I
as coal and as quiet as silk across just came back from a little mapping
a newborn's backside, they were." He trip, which was not a great success
shivered with the remembrance of since I forgot to take my parchment
those dark forms drifting noiseless paper with me again, and I had
into his shop. paused at the gates to chat for a
while. No one passed us, going in or
"I told them that I was closed, and out, that I did not recognize."
Ignatius started to show them to the
door. They spoke amongst themselves "Very strange, since that means that
in a strange dialect, so I only they must have left by the river, or
caught a few words. Ghosts or else they are still in town. And I
spirits, I think they mentioned. know that the harbor master takes a
Plus an ancient word that means very dim view of people disturbing
powerful or strong. I also think one him during dinner," Pterelas mused.
of them said something about
regretting what must be done. That's "Well, we could take a walk around
when they attacked. town. Maybe someone has seen or
heard something out of the ordin-
"Ignatius never had a chance. A ary," said Aegyptia.
quick blow to the head and he was
out like a snuffed torch. I ran for If we want to talk to people,
the door and received a scimitar to perhaps the town square would be the
the gut for my trouble. The next place to start," Penna suggested.
thing I remember was one of them
hoisting Ignatius over his shoulder, As they headed west on Half-Senit,
saying he might be helpful. The rest the adventurers were halted by the
started ransacking the shop, ob- sight of a young child playing with
viously looking for something. Then a dagger. Not just any dagger, but a
they spotted the weapons locker and white one.
smashed it open, grabbed the holy
weapons, and lit out into the night. "Where did you find that?" asked
Aegyptia. "May I see it?"
"What is happening to our fair
town?" lamented the shop owner. "Why The child looked cautiously at the
have these dark ones visited our group of well-armed and, in Penna's
home and done this?" case well-scarred, adventurers and
meekly handed over the dagger. He
"Did you happen to see which then turned tail and ran out off as
direction they headed?" queried fast as his short legs could carry
Pterelas. "Perhaps it is not to late him.
to pick up the trail!" More...
-17-
Upon examining the knife, Aegyptia could've sworn I was carrying 150,"
proclaimed, "It's eog! I feel the stated the trader. "I still don't
power of Eissa emanating from it." know how you managed to talk me
outta pressing charges."
"Seems like they were headed for the
gates after all. You sure you didn't Penna cleared her throat. "This is
see anything, Inyigo?" Llorien asked not getting us anywhere."
the ranger, wondering if the man's
perception was equal to his memory "You're absolutely right, Penna,"
and map-making skills. said Aegyptia. "Let's just quickly
check it out and then move on."
Inyigo did not miss the inuendo and
replied, "No chance, music man. At As we approached the old well and
least no more of a chance than you the tree, Pterelas suddenly stopped
singing off key." Feeling like he and pointed into the tree. Seeing
had put the bard into his rightful leaves rustling with no wind to stir
place, Inyigo motioned the group to them, Llorien boldly stepped forward
continue moving. Llorien brought up and called out to the unseen
the rear, muttering something about intruder, "Show yourself, you
a new song dealing with the party cowardly knave!"
antics of a certain drunk ranger.
A form launched itself from the
The town square was strangely quiet foliage, directly at the bold bard.
with no one passing through except A flurry of vigorous activity fol-
the local trader, who seemed to be lowed as Llorien took several swings
moving rather more quickly than was to dispatch his foe. Pterelas
his wont. slapped him on the back, saying,
"Nice going, oh mighty hunter!" as
"Hold up there!" called Pterelas. he pushed the squirrel's corpse out
"What's your hurry?" of the way.
"I heard voices back there, though I Llorien blushed as he wiped the
did not understand of what they blood from his falchion. He
spoke," stammered the trader. He pretended to plant a kiss on Penna's
pointed to the north side of the cheek and whispered in her ear, "Uh,
square. "And they did not sound at dear?"
all pleasant. But I couldn't see
anyone, so I figured that it must be "Yes, my love?" answered Penna.
some cutpurses planning an ambush."
"Could you, uh, that is, you
The only things to be seen in the see...," he held out his hand to
direction the trader pointed were Penna, who saw the blood welling up
the tree in which many of us had in numerous scratches on its back.
played in our younger days and the
old unused well. "Oh, Llorien! A squirrel? Again?"
"It was probably just some children "Hey, it only took me four swings
playing a joke," chided Inyigo. this time. Besides," he pouted,
"It's not severed this time, only
"Maybe so," said the trader, "but nicked."
one cannot take chances when one is
carrying coin." He stared right at Penna shook her head, took Llorien's
Pterelas, who looked sheepish. hand in hers, and began to meditate.
The scratches faded from his hand
"It was only a prank," Pterelas and reappeared on hers. She uttered
said. "I did give it back." a phrase of magic, and the scratches
healed, leaving fresh red scars.
"You gave me back 100 silver, and I More...
-18-
"Now that the injured have been Inyigo. "Want me to airwall you,
tended to," chuckled Aegyptia, "can just in case?" He winked at Penna
we continue?" and quickly clambered over the side
before the slighted bard could
Meanwhile, Pterelas and Inyigo retort.
wandered over by the old well.
Suddenly Inyigo stopped. "Hey, look "Why do I put up with this abuse,
here!" exclaimed the stalwart dear?" He looked at Penna inquisi-
ranger, pointing at the well. tively.
Aegyptia gasped. A fine silver chain
with a small pendant shaped in "Because he's your friend," answered
Eissa's sign lay wedged between two Penna. "Besides, who would help him
of the well's stones. She recognized find his way back to town every time
it as the only piece of adornment he goes out mapping?" Llorien
that Ignatius ever allowed himself. nodded.
"Maybe they've dumped poor "Hey, you guys. Come on down here."
Ignatius's body down the well," Inyigo's voice came from the well.
Pterelas said. Quickly grabbing the From the tone of his voice something
well rope, he lowered himself hand was up, and soon everyone was
over hand into the depths. We heard squeezed together in the bottom of
him call up, "Um, could someone the well. "Look here," he said,
throw down a torch? It's a bit dark tracing around an area of stonework
down here." roughly in the shape of a door.
"This looks like it's not part of
Taking a brand from his backpack, the original construction of the
Inyigo struck his flint against the well."
rock wall of the well and soon had
the torch burning. He leaned over "A secret door?" asked Aegyptia
the side and peered down. "Ready? incredulously. "In this old well?"
Here it comes."
"So, how do we open it?" asked
"Well?" I shouted. "You find any- Penna, looking for a lever or other
thing?" means of opening the door. Pterelas
leaned over to take a closer look at
"No sign of Ignatius," answered an interesting rock formation, with
Pterelas. "But this is curious. Llorien peering over his shoulder.
Looks like the dirt has been Trying to maneuver in the cramped
disturbed down here recently." space, Inyigo accidentally stuck
Llorien in the backside with his
"Maybe you better go check it out, dagger, which he had been using to
Inyigo," suggested Aegyptia. scrape at the rocks.
"Oh sure, and get all yucky and "Hey, watch that!" the bard yelped,
muddy," Inyigo protested. But after turning around quickly. In the
a stern look from the ladies in the process of doing so, he jostled
group, he threw up in hands in mock Pterelas, pushing the poor boy's
surrender. "All right, I'm going! No head into a protruding rock.
need to push!"
"Ouch!" Pterelas stood up rubbing
"I'll stay here and guard the his head. But no one was paying any
ladies," Llorien volunteered gal- attention to him. Everyone was
lantly. watching a portion of the well swing
away to reveal a dark passage.
"In case some half-crazed robin
attacks, right Llorien?" grinned [To Be Continued]
-19-
Monster Compendium
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Xca Thedra
/ \ __ \
\@| / "| |
| //|"| |s an aid to residents In addition, fire rats and fire cats
_| //=|"| | of Kelfour's Landing are new species and may evolve
/@| // |"| | I have compiled, to somewhat before they adapt to the
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / the best of my abil- environs of Kelfour's.
~~~~~~~~~~~ ity, this list of the
monsters that roam the lands Following each monster's name is
information I consider important. A
Although I conducted extensive re- "U" next to the monster's level
search in trying to make sure all indicates it is one of the undead.
statistics for each monster were re- If a monster can be skinned, the
corded accurately, you should allow highest price Jarek will quote for
for the possiblity that I erred. that skin is shown in the Skin
Also, some monsters may possess column. The line under a monster's
abilities they failed to exhibit as stats outlines offensive and special
I interviewed them for this census. abilities.
Information on the ki-lin dates from In all cases I have shown the base
the time it was initially discov- DB without regard to shield bonus.
ered. Recently, I have tried to The parry tag style of combat was
encourage a lich to summon one, but used to determine relative quick-
the liches at the monestary have ness. If I could not parry tag a
proven most uncooperative and I have creature it was rated fast. Those I
not been able to verify information could tag, if careful, rated medium
on the ki-lin. while those that could be hit twice
were rated as slow.
Known Monsters Characteristics and Stats as of 11-92
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lvl DB Crits CPS Speed Skin Location
Accolyte, Spider 23 201 normal 500 medium n/a st
morning star(219)
Apparition, Dark 5 U 30 normal 90 medium n/a cp
broadsword(50), word of bleeding, limb pain, blur
Arachnid, Mammoth 27 254 small 575 medium n/a st
web, pincher(249), stinger(245)
Assassin, Shadow 18 U 90 large 180 fast n/a gy
scimitar(150), weaponfire, blur, hues, invisibility
Basilisk 7 60 small 130 slow beak(45) sm
immobilizing gaze, claw(55), bite(70), swing(50)
Bear, Black 11 60 large 290 slow hide(100) sf
22/rnd disease, bite(105), claw(110)
Bear, Brown 8 50 large 270 slow skin(100) dj,c0
15/rnd disease, bite(70), claw(70)
More...
-20-
Bloodbeast 7 U 70 normal 120 fast n/a cp
acid spray, daggar(65)
Boar 10 45 large 250 slow snout(75) sf
bite(100), charge(110)
Bounder 4 55 normal 80 fast hide(90) cc
claw(45), bite(55), stomp(40)
Cat, Fire 18 90 small 210 fast claw(600) sf
claw(165)
Centaur, Red 23 210 large 300 medium hide(825) st
stomp(180), charge(190), ensnare(180)
Chieftain, Sohleugir 11 45 normal 175 fast crest(75) sc
quake, morning star((95)
Cobra 2 40 small 20 medium skin(25) gy
poison, bite(30)
Cockatrice 6 45 small 70 medium feather(35) lo
immobilizing gaze, claw(50), charge(40), pincher(60)
Deathwoode 13 U 70 small 210 medium n/a sm,ck
wind, tremors, lb(90), wbolt(90), bite(90), pound(100)
Dirge, Death 9 U 75 normal 125 medium skin(35) gy,ck
fear, calm, swing(60)
Eel, Moray 4 45 small 80 medium skin(45) ss
tusk(65), stinger(80)
Firephantom 6 U 20 normal 85 fast n/a bv,ck
firebolt(60), fireball(60), fire storm, swing(40)
Fisherman, Spectral 6 U 30 normal 100 medium n/a ss
grappling net(50)
Gemsting 4 45 small 60 medium stinger(25) mi
web, pincher(60), stinger(80), charge(65)
Ghost 2 U 35 normal 50 medium n/a ce
sword(40)
Ghoul, Greater 3 U 20 normal 60 medium scraping(45) gy
claw(40)
Ghoul, Lesser 1 U 10 normal 25 slow nail(45) gy
claw(20
Giant, Frost 19 100 large 275 medium toe(100) bg
quake, cold ball(100), immune to cold, sword(145)
Giant, Skeletal 12 U 40 normal 290 medium bone(45) sm
flail(110), pound(120)
More...
-21-
Giant, Storm 18 105 large 300 medium skin(100) cp,sm
quake, wind, lb(100), wbolt(100), pound(140), axe(165)
Gnoll, Cave 3 35 normal 60 slow n/a sh
sword(60), spear(60), swing(60)
Gnoll, Ranger 5 40 normal 60 medium n/a sh
handaxe(60), claw(60)
Gnoll, Thief 7 30 normal 80 medium n/a sh
daggar(80), swing(80)
Gnome, Cave 2 30 normal 60 slow scalp(35) mi
handaxe(20)
Goblin 2 30 normal 50 medium skin(35) gy,go,mr
scimitar(40), flail(40), swing(40)
Golem, Bone 8 U 30 normal 110 fast bone(35) dj
swing(100), ensnare(60), pound(90)
Golem, Crystal 12 70 large 220 slow n/a c2,mi
ensnare(90), stomp(70), morning star(90)
Golem, Steel 20 105 large 300 medium n/a c4,br
quake, pound(130), hammer(155), ensnare(90), swing(90)
Guardian, Cold 15 100 small 175 medium n/a bg
cold ball(100), ensare(65)
Guardian, Fire 16 70 small 195 medium n/a bv
firebolt(110), fireball (110), firestorm, swing(85)
Hobgoblin 3 25 normal 60 slow scalp(35) gy,ho
battle axe(50), sword(50)
Hound, Zephyr 24 192 small 500 medium tooth(825) st
25/rnd poison, bite(230), claw(220)
Karnelin 3 45 small 65 fast hide(25) df
charge(38), stomp(32), bite(41)
King, Ghoul 16 U 80 large 180 slow finger(100) gy,c3
fear, aura, claw(120), bite(125), pound(90)
Ki-lin 27 170 large 380 medium horn(875) mo
boil earth, stomp(210), ensnare(190), charge(220)
Kobold 1 10 normal 30 slow skin(25) df,mr
sword(10), swing(18)
Lich, Monastic 27 U 175 large 385 medium n/a mo
summon Ki-lin, blinding, uncalm, falchion(247), drain
Lizardman, Sohleugir 7 40 normal 150 fast skin(45) sc
trident(80)
More...
-22-
Lord, Wight 20 U 160 large 400 medium skin(100) c4
cloud, fear, wiz shield, boilearth, word stun,fal(155)
Manticore 9 55 large 150 fast tail(35) kf,c2
claw(70), stinger(75)
Marmot 10 70 small 150 medium pelt(40) ai
disease, bite(85), claw(65)
Monk, Monastic 25 U 170 normal 375 medium n/a mo
blinding, uncalm, dagger(250)
Mummy 6 U 30 normal 100 medium shroud(75) gy
claw(40), ensnare(10)
Nymph, Sea 1 35 normal 45 medium n/a cc
song of holding, dagger(41)
Ogre, Large 8 20 normal 150 fast n/a cp,dj
claw(80), swing(100)
Ogre, Mountain 14 105 normal 200 medium nose(75) dj
cudgel(140), swing(140)
Orc, Dark 12 75 normal 170 medium ear(55) ai
scimitar(85)
Orc, Greater 5 50 normal 80 slow scalp(45) go,sm
scimitar(80), mace(80), sword(80)
Orc, Grey 10 90 normal 130 fast beard(45) df,dj
fire bolt(45) stun cloud, mace(90)
Orc, Lesser 4 30 normal 60 slow hide(35) mr,ho,lo
sword(60), cudgel(60), swing(60)
Phantom 2 U 20 small 45 medium n/a gy
aura, shock bolt (30), swing(20)
Priest, Spider 25 219 normal 525 medium n/a st
guidance, word of stun, summon Arachnid, rapier(221)
Puma 15 70 normal 130 medium hide(300) sf
bite(150), claw(135)
Rat, Fire 16 75 small 200 fast claw(600) sf
claw(140), bite(155)
Rat, Giant 1 8 normal 25 medium pelt(25) kc
bite(10)
Revenant 4 U 45 normal 115 fast n/a gy
blur, broadsword(60)
Servant, Spider 21 202 normal 425 medium n/a st
spear(207)
More...
-23-
Skeleton 1 U 0 normal 30 slow bone(10) gy
dagger(25)
Skelton, Ice 3 U 35 normal 50 medium skull(25) bg
immune to cold, dagger(40)
Spectre 14 U 80 large 250 medium skin(45) c2
fear, wind, cloud, cball(90), sbolt(90), rapier(85)
Spider, Greater 8 40 small 100 medium leg(55) mi
web, stinger(70), pincher(70), bite(70)
Spider, Major 20 90 small 425 fast n/a c4,st
web, stinger(120), pincher(120), tusk(90)
Spirit, Tree 21 U 240 small 450 fast n/a sm
call lightning, boilearth, hues, blur, swing(140)
Stalker, Black 17 90 normal 210 medium n/a sm
twohanded sword(165), sword(165)
Tatzelwurm 3 45 small 145 medium n/a mi
6/rnd poison, charge(40), bite(50), claw(60)
Threk 8 50 small 130 fast hide(45) kf
claw(50), charge(30), bite(70)
Titan 13 85 large 320 medium scalp(75) bg
quake, weaponfire, lb(80), alkar, mattock(105)
Torkaan 1 0 normal 35 slow pelt(25) df
bite(20)
Troglodyte 3 30 normal 65 slow n/a mi
cudgel(50)
Troll, Cave 12 37 large 265 slow skin(55) mi,dj,c1
bite(150), claw(150), mace(127), sword(127)
Troll, Forest 6 25 normal 180 slow hide(55) cp,lo,go
bite(60), claw(60), handaxe(40), flail(40), dagger(40)
Troll, Hill 11 70 large 205 slow beard(55) oi
twohaded sword(90), war hammer(90)
Troll, War 10 50 large 250 medium n/a dj,ck
war hammer(120), halberd(120)
WereBear 10 U 68 small 230 medium paw(45) df,c0
charge(90), bite(85), claw(95)
Wight, Barrow 15 U 135 normal 160 medium claw(75) gy
fear, twohanded sword(165), sword(165), drain
Wispling, Dark 3 40 normal 70 medium n/a cc
charge(40), pound(35), ensnare(45)
More...
-24-
Witch, Sea 7 70 normal 125 medium n/a ss
handaxe(65)
Wolf, Ghost 11 U 65 large 200 fast n/a dj
disease, bite(100), claw(75)
Wolverine 5 50 normal 50 medium pelt(35) go,df
4/rnd disease, bite(50), claw(45)
Worm, Carrion 1 40 small 40 medium skin(35) cc
charge(26), bite(32)
Wraith 15 U 85 large 240 slow talon(75) c2,ai
word stun, fear, cball(90), lb(90), drain, sword(90)
Location Key
~~~~~~~~~~~~
ai = Abandoned Inn gy = Graveyard
bg = Blototh Glacier ho = Hobs
br = Blototh Ruins kc = Kelfours Catacombs
bv = Blototh Volcano kf = Kladsfang Foothills
cc = Coastal Cliffs lo = Lorcs
ce = Cemetary mi = Mine
c0 = Claedesbrim Cave mo = Monestary
c1 = Claedesbrim Dungeon lvl 1 mr = Mine Road
c2 = Claedesbrim Dungeon lvl 2 oi = Outside Abandoned Inn
c3 = Claedesbrim Dungeon lvl 3 sc = Sea Shore Cave
c4 = Claedesbrim Dungeon lvl 4 sf = Seolfar Straker Forest
ck = Claedesbrim Keep sh = Stonehold
cp = Claedesbrim Plain ss = Sea Shore
dj = Danjirland sm = Smatoth
df = Dragonsfang Forest st = Spider Temple
go = Gorcs
Glossary of Skills
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
drain life level drain cloud stun cloud
lb lightning bolt wind call wind
wbolt water bolt cball cold ball
sword short sword fal falchion
-25-
______________________________________________
/ \ Kulthea \
\@| |
| The Final Frontier |
| These are the Voyages of Dayln and Tapor |
| In their $5000 Mission |
| To Seek out new Monsters |
| New magical Treasures |
| To boldly Go where no Newbie has gone Before|
| ____________________________________________|
|@\ ..(music swells).. \
\/____________________________________________/
Our adventures have survived the trials of Kobland and have been hunting in
Hobland for some time now. With three years experience behind them, they
look on toward new areas and greater treasures. We join the dynamic duo at
the Wayside Inn, preparing for their next quest.
__________
/ \ ______ \ Babes in Gorcland (Episode 2)
\@| ~|_|~\\ | by Dayln Grimm
| |~| |||
_| |~| |||ayln: Hey, Tapor, we're They search the Hobgoblin and come
/@| |~|_// | 3rd now. Let's take on up with 3 silvers and an "I Love
\_/ ~~~~~~ / something else. Elvis" bumper sticker.
~~~~~~~~~
Tapor: Well, the Monastery sounds Tapor: I knew there was a reason for
like fun, but we can't swim. The us to hunt a new area.
Spider Temple sounds good, but we
don't know where it is. I have a map Our boys are ready for the worst as
to Gorcland, but it sounds whimpy. they continue toward Gorcland.
Dayln: Ok, let's go there, but next (a Cockatrice ambles in)
time let's do the Spider Temple.
Dayln: Look out! I don't know what
So off they go. Dayln gets them near this is!
the drop in Hobland with his uncanny
sense of direction and an incredibly Tapor: I am ready for anything.
accurate memory (the shift-F2 key).
With Tapor leading, weapons prepared The Cockatrice attacks (THT 99).
and shields ready, down they drop.
Tapor: What a joke!
(a Hobgoblin ambles in)
Dayln: Yeah, let's parry 0 and wipe
Dayln: Since we are here already, we him out.
might as well kill it.
The Cockatrice attacks (THT 66).
Tapor: Sure. Dayln is stunned. The Cockatrice
gazes at Tapor, who is immobilized.
The Hobgoblin takes a mighty swing
with his battle axe and misses. Tapor: Ah, Dayln?
Dayln hits the Hobgoblin with his
Laen broadsword. Tapor swings his Dayln: What!
shield and knocks the Hobgoblin to
the ground. Dayln attacks again but Tapor: Can you move?
misses. Tapor beats the Hobgoblin to
death with his shield. The Hobgoblin Dayln: No, I was hoping you could.
screams / dies. Tapor types "swap."
Fortunately, our heros escape the
Dayln: I don't believe I saw that. Cockatrice.
-26- More...
Dayln: Did you see his cudgel break? 5 gold coins and a heart shaped
locket with a picture of Elu in it.
Tapor: He wasn't using a cudgel.
Dayln: Was that Elu's Orc? It has a
Dayln: I have been pinched before hickey on its neck, so he must be
but never that hard. near.
Tapor: Yeah, and I have a new Tapor: I'll call him on Think Net.
meaning for "If looks could kill!" He may want to give it mouth to
mouth; I don't.
Finally in Gorcland they run into
their first Greater Orc. The next Gorc battle is very
frustrating. Dayln and Tapor
(a Greater Orc moves into repeatedly move into the clearing,
the clearing) and the Gorc attacks and then moves
away. It is time for a decision.
(a Greater Orc removes his
shield from his shoulder) Dayln: Look, I'm bleeding and we
must go back soon, but I still want
After parry tagging the orc for that Gorc. Let's parry 0 and move in
awhile, (and only doing about 10 cps to attack the second we get there.
of damage)... One of us will surely stun him, and
then he will be easy.
Tapor: He is turtling. I'm going to
try something. Tapor: You're right. If we are
going back soon, we can get healed
Tapor puts away his new Laen if he gets a lucky shot in. What
Broadsword and gets out his Sledge could go wrong?
Hammer. Tapor hits the Gorc full on
the chest and stuns it. Dayln The party moves east.
finishes it off by severing the
Gorc's head. (Swamp, round time 30 sec.)
Tapor: Did you see him remove his Dayln and Tapor: OH NO!
shield?
The Gorc repeatedly wallops both our
Dayln: Yes, I'm going to parry 0 heros but fails to kill them or
while we walk around, so I can hit cause (any more) serious bleeding.
them before they ready that shield. Finally getting free of the muck,
Dayln and Tapor beat a hasty
Tapor: What a great idea! You go retreat.
ahead.
Dayln: This is it, Tapor. I must
(a Greater Orc ambles in) go back.
The Gorc already has his shield out, Tapor: Ok, let's go back by way of
and Dayln misses. Dayln is quickly Hobland. I need a shield now.
stunned.
Dayln: All right, but hurry up.
Tapor: Don't worry, Dayln, he is
slow. I will double tag him! Tapor: You are telling me to hurry?
You are the one who can't climb the
Tapor is knocked to the ground, and shortcut trail.
Dayln is slashed in the left leg.
Bleeding! Tapor stands back up, and Dayln: I'm up a level. I'll try it.
Dayln recovers from his stun. The
battle rages on for about 10 Tapor: (mutters under his breath)
minutes, but finally our heros
achieve a victory. A search turns up Dayln tries to climb but pulls back.
-27- More...
Tapor: Come on Dayln, don't whimp Dayln and Tapor leave. (trickle
out now. gush).
Dayln tries and finally makes it So ends the great Gorc adventure.
back up to Hobland. He breathes Believe it or not, our heros have
easier now and waits for Tapor. decided to make Gorcland their new
Dayln waits a long time for Tapor. hunting ground.
Dayln yells: Hey! Tapor! Are you Life is no fun without adrenalin
coming up or what? (trickle trickle).
Dayln rubs a crystal amulet. Dayln ==============\\==============
thinks: Tapor, where are you?
Tapor, over the Think Net: Help!
Healers! I'm in the Temple! Hurry!
Dayln: What the (expletive deleted)! nerilka
Dayln removes and then wears his claedesbrim echos
gold ring and flashes back to the with clattering hooves
Temple. He finds himself standing in what the ...
a pool of blood with a strong ah nerika
current coming from the direction of only one in town
a prone Tapor. Dayln wades over and bigger than me
sees the stick coming out of both of I can ride on her back
Tapor's ears and that one of his if I take off my boots
legs is missing. Dayln finds that he and promise not to pinch
can't tend bleeding that severe. He weightless
forgets his own bleeding and calls jumping over falls
for healers over the net, to no flying down hills
avail. I squeeze too tight
and into the bush I go
Dayln: (trickle trickle) What come up rubbin'
happened to you! (trickle trickle). my hard highman head
she laughs so hard
Tapor: (gush gush) I had a little tears stream down
trouble climbing the trail (gush ah nerilka
gush). only one in town
bigger than me
Dayln: (trickle trickle) Tapor, you
must wait for a time when healers by Trachten Hickapod
are in the Temple, BUT NEVER TEASE
ME ABOUT THAT TRAIL AGAIN! (trickle
trickle).
Tapor: (gush gush) I am leaving now.
Goodbye, Dayln (gush gush). * * *
* * * * *
Dayln: (trickle trickle) See you * ** * *
soon, my old friend. (trickle * * * **
trickle). * \\* / *
* *\/ / **
Tapor: (gush gush) Maybe we should * * (
wait for 4th before we do the Spider | |
Temple (gush gush). | |
/ \
Dayln: (trickle trickle) Whimp! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~'~~~~~~~~
(trickle trickle).
-28-
______________ School Daze
/ \ ____ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~| | | |~ | by Lloyd Llowd, Ph.D
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| | ow demeaning. Here person in the history of KPS
/@| _|~| |~|_ | I sit, a product of (Kulthean Public School) #42 to
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / the best education, graduate without passing any subject
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ toiling away at a but physical education. (Rumor has
cut-rate rag like the Kelfour's it the rugby coach fixed his
Edition. Little did I realize when I grades.) Captain of the Australian
applied for the job as gossip maven Rules Chess Team until he was
here that I'd actually have to live suspended for actually trying to
and interact with the vagabonds and move a piece instead of simply
ruffians that infest this squalid pummeling his opponent into the
little town. Well, so be it. Perhaps ground.
I can bring some sense of perspec-
tive and culture to this pimple on LORD STROM O'BERIN: Strom "The
the face of Kulthea. Barber" O'Berin was the most feared
member of KPS #42's rugby team: he
I've read some of the work of my was the medic. His early attempts
predecessor. Revolting. I'm amazed at first aid helped many promising
that none of you actually strung her athletes continue their careers,
up. Shameless yellow journalism, to mostly as professional organ donors.
which I will never stoop. I don't Originally wanted to be a
deal in gossip. As a well-connected veterinarian, but changed
scholar, however, I have access to professions when he discovered that
certain educational records that animals could not be hypnotized to
might be of interest to you, to wit: go out and get themselves injured.
school yearbooks that contain
fascinating facts about some of the LORD ARTUERO BRESNAHANINI: Voted
better-known citizens of Kelfour's "Most Likely to Sell His Mother to
Landing. Here are the sordid an Ice Kraal for Political Office"
beginnings of some of your more mis- by his class. An accomplished
leading citizens: pickpocket at an early age, he's
rumored to have stolen the school
LORD DARTAGHAN DARKSTAR: Voted "Most principal's dentures, without being
Likely to Defoliate a Major Land- detected, while they were being
mass" by his class. His picture in worn.
the yearbook is a blurred photo of
the top of his head, taken while he MS LOUVELLA PARSNIPS: Voted "Most
was trying to jump up in front of Likely To" by her class. Passed
the camera lens. He was suspended horse and buggy driver education
from class for turning the chemistry based solely on her "parking" score
lab into a smoking hole while trying on the final exam, with bonus points
to make homemade napalm. from the instructor for "excessive
use of the whip." Enormous weight
LORD MIKHAIL MINNEHAN: Voted "Most gain caused by massive chocolate
Likely to Succeed" by the FFK chip cookie ingestion caused severe
(Future Felons of Kulthea). His depression, which she reacted to by
yearbook picture is blank, as he was secretly undergoing a sex change.
hidden when it was taken. Most of She/he now prefers to be referred to
his school records disappeared under in private as "The Grand Poobah" and
mysterious circumstances. Suspended wears a wig and dress in public to
on several occasions for starting keep up appearances with old
rugby games with a live hobbit as friends.
the ball.
If I don't find a better job by next
LORD GILTHOR LONGBLADE: The only month, I'll be back.
-29- KEV3N6
[end]
______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Dragon Sighted! See Page 1 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III(tm) December 1992 |
| Vol.3, No.7 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| ..,a@@@a,a@@@a,.. _ _ _ _ |
| .,;*;;@@@@@a@@@@@;;;;,. / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| ;;;;;;;;;a@@^@@a;;;*;;;;; __/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
|;;;;*;;;a@@@ @@@a;;;;*;;; / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
;;;;;;;a@@@@ .@@@@@;;;;;;;; / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
;;*;;;a@@@@@ @@'`@@@;;;;;*;( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
;;;;;;@@;;@@ `@ ;;@;;;*;;;; |
|;;;*;;@;;;;@;;;;;*;;;;;;;;; The Kronicles of Kulthea |
|`;;;;;;*;;;;;;;;;;;*;;;;' |
|_____`;;;;;;;;*;;;;;;;'______________________________________________|
|________`;;;*;;;;;;;_________________________________________________|
| |
| Local News ................................................ 1 |
| Making Money the Easy Way ........................ Darkseed 2 |
| Not for Newbies Only .................. Llorien Silvanestii 3 |
| Up From the Muck ......................... Celestin Drowstar 4 |
| The Art of Dying ............................. Gwen Belanger 5 |
| The Flesh Against Itself ................ Elyssa Lightstrong 6 |
| Who Are You? ............................... Kalagay Halatil 7 |
| The Dark is Patient ..................... Elyssa Lightstrong 7 |
| A Letter from Pelan Lightstrong ......... Elyssa Lightstrong 8 |
| Monster Chronicles: Goblins ................. Jarran Terraxx 9 |
| Puzzling Kulthean Words ..................... Jarran Terraxx 10 |
| Deja Vu: Life Generously Forfeited ............. Eron Kulsen 11 |
| The Real Thieves Guild .................. Lord Stanyon Sting 12 |
| Strange Occurrences ...................... Jhembryne Ilystin 13 |
| Babe in the Woods ............................ Thellra Dumas 14 |
| Torkaan Stew ............................. Solanum Dulcamara 15 |
| Undermining Kelfour's, Part 3 .......... Llorien Silvanestii 16 |
| Cycles (Conclusion) ................. Lord Whilder Planrathe 21 |
| Kralling Back Home to Momma ............... Lloyd Llowd, PhD 25 |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition of the Kronicles of Kulthea is devoted to the multi-|
| player roleplaying game GemStone III on GEnie. Submissions may be |
| edited for space, accuracy and readability. Contact our Assistant |
| Editors Kalagay Halatil, Jarran Terraxx, or Publisher Phaedra Bleu |
| by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| _________________________________________________________________|__
| | |
\_/____________________________________________________________________/
|
Dragon Sighted! ___________________________/[
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ()____) )_______) )_________ [
The shock wave of an explosion star- | | | | \[
tles you. Across town, visible above _____|_|_______|_|____ |
the rooftops, you can see a red dra- // ~ ~ \ |
gon swooping low and blasting build- || Kelfour's Landing |
ings apart with a merciless, fiery || Local News |
attack! \\_____________________/
You're dashing through the streets
toward it when you hear a pounding The dragon glides off to the east.
sound from high above you.
You hear a roaring sound from high
A large red dragon flying high above in the air. You glance up to see the
pulls up sharply and lofts itself red dragon has dipped dangerously
into the clouds, vanishing for sev- close to the town and is exhaling
eral anxious moments before dipping volumes of fire from its snout! It
into view again. banks into a steep turn, extending
its wings to their full span in
It is an adult red, probably a Great order to glide gingerly on some ris-
Fire Drake. The beast belongs to the ing air currents.
most noble, mysterious and terrible
race in Kulthea. This particular That thing is so high, it's even be-
specimen must measure 90 feet in yond a bow shot!
length and have a wingspan of over
140 feet, making it one of the big-
gest you've ever heard tale of. The
creature has been flying overhead \ \
for some time now, and shows the un- \\ \\
usual characteristic of seeming to ) \ \ ) \ \ Great
be looking for something specific \ \ \____ \ ~~~~~
below. It's extremely agile but has ) \ / __ _\ Fire Drake
the scars of a savage fighter with \ / (_@\ (_@) ~~~~~~~~~~
more than a little experience in \( \
staying alive. /^\ \ << _\_
/ //\ \ \___ \\ \
High above, the great red dragon // // \__\/ \ \\ ^ ^)
heads off to the south. A large // // / (___\/\__/ _
shadow rushes by you. // // / \ _ / \
// //__/ \ \ ( \
The dragon, which has been // ___// / /| | \ \ > )
flying high above, suddenly // / / ( _/ | \ \/ /
pulls up sharply, pounding / ___// // \ < | | \ /
its wings with great /// / / / \ \ | \ /
strength to hold its pos- /// | \| | \/
ition. You see what looks _________/ ___| \
like a small figure atop it / \ / ( | \ )
lean over, seemingly to / \__\_\( ( * ) )
examine the terrain below. / ______/ / \(__ (_________) )
You can't tell much about | ( / ( )
this figure except that it | | / \ /
has human form and may be | (_______/ /\ |^| |
controlling the beast much | _/__\ / \ /__
like you would control a | _ /^\__/ \ / \__/^\
horse. This would be \__________/ |/\_____/\______/ \______/\____/\|
unbelievable if you weren't
seeing it with your own eyes!
-1-
____________ Making Money the Easy Way
/ \ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\\ | by Darkseed
||~| ~~ |
_||~| |==| | ood even to you all. At that point you can do one of two
/@| \~\__// | Tonight I bring you things. You can either turn the
\_/ ~~~~~ / lore of how to gain ring, resetting it, or you can leave
~~~~~~~~~~~ silvers in a quick and it on your finger. If you turn the
easy way. Many old adventurers have ring, you will feel that same pulse
heard of and used this method, but I setting the ring once more. But if
will share it with newcomers, too. you do not turn the ring, something
different will occur. If you wear
Those of us who have hunted for any the ring again from that same room,
time know the Upper Kaldsfang, where you will go back to where you wore
hobgoblins, lesser orcs, and forest the ring to teleport. If you are in
trolls roam. We know the silver, any other room, you will teleport to
armor, and chests these creatures the original room once more.
leave in their wake. But there is
much more that can be gained here, Now, on with the money - making. The
and all it takes is one small item steps in the process are simple. Go
and some time. to the pawn shop on Widow-Wart Road
and set your ring in it. Walk to
Many of you know the item called a hobs, taking only the essentials:
gold ring. You use it to teleport armor, shield, weapon, and backpack.
back and forth from places to save The less you bring, the more room
time. This device can be used to you will have to carry things. Once
make a lot of silver for those who in the field, pick up everything you
are in need. For the benefit of the see, not just metal breastplates.
newer adventurers, we will see where Pick up everything except perhaps
we can get a gold ring. the greaves. Though the battle axes
some of the hobgoblins carry are
Gold rings are commonly found in only worth 50, these weapons can add
chests throughout the lands. Your up quickly.
best bet is to find a gold ring in a
chest or buy one from another player Once your backpack is full of metal
who might have extras. They are and leather breastplates, heavy
usually sold around town by some hide, battle axes, and so on, use
adventurer or other. You can expect your ring back to the pawn shop and
to pay anywhere from one thousand to sell off all the items. You should
three thousand silvers. Do not be make a tidy profit, and the
discouraged if you cannot find a traveling time will be quite short.
gold ring. Ask around and keep look- From there, you can either make a
ing for it. They are out there. quick run to the bank to deposit
your new-found money or simply ring
The first step in learning to use back to hobs and do it all again.
the gold ring is to understand its
workings. The system may seem This method is very quick. You go
complicated, but once you get the back and forth picking up everything
hang of using it, it is quite you find. Although individually the
simple. When you put the ring on items are not worth much, when you
your finger for the first time, you have so many the load has a high
feel a tiny pulse which means that value. You can probably pick up a
you have "set" the ring for that minimum five hundred silvers' worth
place. Once you travel anywhere else of stuff each visit. If you are
(save for certain magical rooms ringing back and forth for say, an
which bar the rings' usage), remove hour, you can make a good four
the ring and wear it again. This thousand silver easily.
will transport you back to the place
where you originally wore it. The downside is getting caught by
-2- Continued on Page 6
_________ Not for Newbies Only
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Llorien Silvanestii
| |~| |
_| |~| | have been asked to write of stepping on hobgoblins for the
/@| _|~|_ | a few words about House past month, who wishes to test some
\_/ ~~~~~ / Argent Aspis's monthly undead in the graveyard or perhaps
~~~~~~~~ orientation night. Most venture deeper into Kaldsfang and
people are under the misconception fight it out with orcs, is more than
that all we do is take raw rookies welcome to come to the orientation
out and teach them how to fight nights as well. We can set up a
torkaans. The orientation we provide group accompanied by an experienced
is much more than that. fighter and a healer, and let them
head out to parts unknown to
It is true that we take newcomers in experience the thrill we all felt
hand and teach them basic survival when we first ventured in gorcs or
and hunting techniques. We also talk ran into a cockatrice and saw our
about hunting courtesy, the proper friend decide to become a living
procedure for dying and getting statue.
brought back to the land of the liv-
ing, and the use of such items as These groups will be offered tips on
amulets. We give tips on rolling and the best weapons to use for the
training of characters. We also occasion or other tactics that have
stress the roleplaying aspects of proven useful. How many new players
the game and introduce them to the out there know that a forest troll
commands available for this as well. will sit down and begin tending it's
bleeding wounds if you hide, making
Most importantly though, new players it much easier to hit? Or that there
get to meet others of the same level is a ridge line above the mine road
and ability with whom they may form that has some rich little goblins
hunting parties in the future and running around on it?
share the comraderie that I think is
the primary reason any of us even We at Aspis urge the experienced
journey to Kelfour's Landing. players out there to let the
newcomers know of our program. The
We try to include a variety of sooner these newcomers learn how
professions in our working team, so things work, the more pleasant the
that a new player can talk to game is for everyone. If you think,
someone who has already gone through "Well, they will learn eventually,"
the trials and tribulations of the just remember the last time a newbie
earlier stages and get tips based on scooped a 900 coin chest in the
experience. The house has recently temple (25 at a time), while ten
recruited many new members to people tried to talk.
further flesh out our team and can ________________________________
now boast of having 2 clerics and a / \
number of healers ready to patch up | FREE |
the unfortunate ones who, by system | Vacation in Kulthea! |
hiccup or their own eagerness, end | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
up on the wrong end of an encounter | Enjoy the Weekend of your Dreams |
with one of the many denizens of | in Kulthea -- Absolutely FREE! |
Kelfour's forests. | |
| Kill, maim and destroy to your |
So why is this article entitled "Not | heart's content, or lay back and |
For Newbies Only"? Most people seem | cool it. All you need do is have |
to believe that newcomers are the | three articles published here in |
only ones we help on these | Kelfour Edition. Contact Phaedra |
orientation nights. However, we will | Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON |
also take out players that wish to | for details. No obligation! |
explore a new area. A player, tired \________________________________/
-3-
Up From the Muck
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
____________ by Celestin Drowstar
/ \ _________\
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |his last spring found The biggest threat are the Sohlougir
/@| _|_|_ | the reptiles around Cheiftains. They can make you lose
\_/__________/ Kelfour's emerging your footing by slamming their tails
from their winter slumber. Usually on the ground. If you miss your
reptiles are not so bad, but the maneuver roll you'll become prone,
ones that moved into the sea caves and may sustain damage in the fall.
off from the coastal cliffs area are The lizardmen are not as tough, but
not so nice. The information I have they have a tendency to breed like
on these creatures is kind of rabbits. Even though the area is
sketchy (due mostly to the fact that pretty dangerous, the lure of the
I keep getting killed by them), level two chests found here have
though it should be fairly accurate. attracted many adventurers.
Chieftain, Sohlougir: 10th Level, fast speed, tail slam,
Morning Star (95 OB), shield (65 DB).
Lizardman, Sohlougir: 7th Level, fast speed,
Trident (80 OB), shield (40 DB).
__________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/________________________________________________________________________/
| |
| A - A: go path ( )-( )-( ) |
| / \ Coastal Cliff Area |
| ( )-( )-( )-( ) ( ) |
| / | \ |
| <-(A)-( ) ( )-( )-( )-( ) |
| : / \ |
| <-(A)-(B)................ ( )-( )-(C)-> |
| | u/d : |
| ( ) : C: Merchant Road to |
| | u/d : B - B: go crevice and from Kelfour's |
| ( ) : (go road) |
| | u/d : |
| ( ) :.............................. |
| : N |
| F - G: go hole ( ) : | |
| G - F: up u/d | \ : W-+-E |
| ( ) | \ D - E: go bridge : | |
| u/d | (F)--( ) \ : S |
| ( ) : (D)<--(E)-->(D)--( )--(B) |
| u/d | (G) / |
| (H) __________/ |
| : / u/d = up and down |
| : / H - I: down instead of |
| ( )--(I) I - H: climb stone north and south |
| / |
| (J)--( ) |
| : J - K: go fissure |
| (K) K - J: out |
/| |
\/_________________________________________________________________________/
-4-
____________ The Art of Dying
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\~\ | by Gwen Belanger
||~| |~||
_||~| |~||
/@| \~\__/~/ | ver the years that I goes ten times over during death.
\_/ ~~~~~~ / have read Kelfours' The During Death circumstance is
~~~~~~~~~~~ Edition, I have seen what you do while you are being
many of the "How To" guides. "How to hacked, mangled, stomped, drowned,
Skin Torkaans" and "How to Get Lost bludgeoned or otherwise killed. Here
in the Swamp" and so on and so we make our last desperate attempt
forth, but I have yet to see a guide at life. Certain things such as
on the all important art of dying. bringing down your guard, dropping
your shield, swapping your hands,
One night I was waiting for a rez, falling down, making your helmet
sitting around with Kalagay in the fall over your eyes when you're just
uh.. ghost hang out. At which time I about to strike (hey, it happens!),
had made some comment about the and my personal favorite, swearing
method of my skillful demise and at the foe while they are busy
Kalagay had suggested that I write cutting you into pieces (but you
an article about it. However, that sure told him!).
would hardly do the topic of artis-
tic downfall justice, so I composed Last but not least, the After Death.
this article on The Art of Dying. It is important for us heroing types
to try and maintain our pride; that
There are three specific attributes way when we make complete fools out
which make up the perfect demise: of ourselves it's twice as funny. It
the Before Death, the During Death, is, therefore, essential that the
and the After Death. I have greater complete death be followed by a
experience in this topic mainly due complete loss of control. When we
to the fact that unlike high level die, it is important that we curse,
characters, most anything can kill scream and swear at our assailant
me. I have fully explored, though (what's he gonna do? Kill you?).
much to my dismay, each of these Although we can not snarl or growl
three categories. We will discuss when we're dead, we must say that we
each attribute in detail and observe would snarl and growl if we weren't
how each makes up one partition of dead. This can be done like so:
the complete death.
The ghost of Gwen says, "Growl"
First off, we have the Before Death.
This is the condition we're in just The affect of such a vocal onslaught
before we enter a difficult and can be devastating to the one who
potentially dangerous circumstance. fell you, and might cause them to
In other words, how you are before flee, or maybe cause them to relieve
you are about to die. The Before themselves upon your corpse. Use
Death is the sum of the flaws that caution when speaking from the After
will lead to our eminent demise. Death for this reason, as I can
Therefore, such things as weapons in assure you it is an unpleasant thing
the wrong hands, no weapons at all, (especially when you can't close
no attempt at parrying due to either your eyes).
surprise or carelessness, walking
with your eyes closed, or crawling Now I will show an example. Try to
on your hands and knees into a fight find the three attributes:
fit into this category.
Gwen is in hobs. He just killed a
Now comes the most important part of forest troll and is a little weary
all; the During Death. It is very (long day for Gwen). He decides to
important that the hero maintain his take a quick run down near greater
or her indignity at all times. This orcs before he calls it a night.
-5-
Going down the path, Gwen discovers Making Money the Easy Way: From P.2
an orc. Hah! Gwen prepares to attack ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
only to find that the orc is a tad Navigators while using your ring.
quicker. Gwen knows he was hit, but You could find yourself yanked into
thinks nothing of it. He has been a strange room where your ring and
hurt a number of times and hardly all your pocket cash will be taken
even notices anymore. He attempts to (a good reason to bank your cash
hack at the orc, but finds that he each trip). It doesn't happen often,
has no left arm. but it is annoying. My best advice
is to get a new ring and go on.
Gwen blinks.
I hope you have enjoyed this hunting
This presents a bit of a problem for tip, and that you can use it to your
our claymore wielding hero. Stunned, advantage. If you find this method
Gwen decides to try his best not to usable and enjoyable, tell any other
die. He swears and curses and makes friends who might not read this
various references to orc heritage. article. Hobs is an area that can
This results in more orcs coming to offer many things. We are indeed
help Gwen die. But wait! The stun blessed that the Gods saw fit to
has passed and now Gwen makes a mad create such a place.
dash for the trail. What a break!
The orc should've killed him, he
thinks, but Gwen wont complain. The Flesh Against Itself
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whoops. by Elyssa Lightstrong
Gwen happens to slip on the trail Winding my way
and comes tumbling down. Seeing the through black and grey hills,
orcs converging on him, Gwen tries the stars are my guides,
again to climb the trail, although shining their cold light on the path
he forgot to stand up. The orcs,
with a considerable offensive advan- Stopping among gardens,
tage over Gwen, who by this time has black and red roses glittering
only one arm, lying on his back, with reflected light,
bleeding and without a weapon, pro- their scent heady.
ceed to make coffee and have an
early dinner. Onward past rivers,
black and silver waters rushing,
Ow. movement unstoppable
singing in the night.
Gwen yells and screams and swears.
He even growls. And through a village small,
black and brown huts squatting,
The ghost of Gwen says, "Growl." resting together
like bread and fish and a warm fire.
All to no avail. The orcs kick and
spit on Gwen. Refusing to take this Until a precipice tall,
abuse (Gwen _is_ in the Union), black and white stark,
retires to ghost heaven. and wind
to raise the flesh against itself.
Did you notice the three attributes
mentioned? Now you can duplicate
this model yourself. The possibil-
ities are nearly endless and the _________________________________
variety of monsters allows for many / \\
excruciatingly painful applications | Happy Holidays ||
of the model. So try and remember | from ||
what you've read in this informa- | Kelfour Edition ||
tive guide on The Art of Dying! \________________________________//
-6-
Who Are You?
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ Editorial by Kalagay Halatil
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~||
_||~| |~|| nce in a while an Landing? Are you gentry, riff-raff,
/@| \~\__/~/ | imagined population parvenu?
\_/ ~~~~~~ / becomes vivid in back
~~~~~~~~~~~ of your eyes, and the "Do you wear finery or warrior's
scrolling of text gives way to pic- battle dress? Where do you take your
tures only you can see, because of dinner when you can choose? Where do
someone on the other end of a phone you sleep when it is time: temple or
line. Players new to Gemstone right tavern, camp or cottonwood bough?
now have a chance to learn from role
players which has not been equaled "Are you lightsome, friendly,
in the Landing in a long time. To battle-loving? Are you dark, driven,
long time. To our delight they seize alone? Rich in money, rich in
any chance to make living beings things? Who loves you? And who do
from their imaginings. Generously, you love?
they make these beings live for all
all of us as well as for themselves. Roleplayers ask questions like these
of their own creations as they
Think of the memorable characters journey in The Wilds Land. They ask
who have crossed your trail just in the same questions of you. It's the
the past couple of months. Each one sense that you came from somewhere
knows where she came from. Each and are going somewhere that keeps
remembers relatives or his fostering you "in character," even in the most
and getting old enough to survive in technical, mechanical discussion.
The Wilds on his own. You may never If you will answer them solidly,
hear the story, but each character with the sharp edges of clear know-
which impressed you knows where she ledge, then you can share some of
lives and what she likes best to eat yourself with the rest of us. The
and drink and wear. Each has a community takes on texture, and all
favorite flower, color, jewel, pair of us learn from all of us how our
of boots, or place to catch a catnap characters can more truly be.
or lurk in ambush for the next
critter or pickpocket's mark.
The Dark is Patient
For those players whose other self ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
is still locked into an unsharable by Elyssa Lightstrong
dark, there are ways and words that
can bring unique life into the com-
munity of Kelfour's Landing. Ask What evil we fight.
your character questions like these:
Sorrow in the night,
"How do you differ from the elf next so easy to hide,
to you, how is your dwarfishness they feed on it.
your own and not someone else's? Did
you ever tell yourself the story of The moonlight sometimes
your own life? will illuminate,
light the pain with pain with its
"What shaped you into the fighter, soft glow.
the tender, the mage, the scholar or
singer that you are? And are you the The monsters wait,
best you can be at it, or are you step back,
still learning? until clouds pass before the moon's
bright once more.
"Did you come from far away, or were
you born right here in Kelfour's What evil we fight.
-7-
_______________ A Letter From Pelan Lightstrong
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+| by Elyssa Lightstrong
| |~\~\/~/~| |
_| |~|\~~/|~| |
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_|y parents died when action that I take that flows from
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ I was very young, any of these ideals is considered
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and my uncle Pelan right and appropriate.
took me in and cared for me as if I
were his own. He is, for all intents Right action is, also, dependent on
and purposes, my father. When I was what I call the harmony of nature.
old enough to be apprenticed, he This takes into account the plans of
went off to Kelfour's Landing, we the gods in their creation of our
tried to stay in touch by a steady world. This harmony is important in
correspondence. that it provides us with a means of
measuring ourselves that lies out-
In the letters we would send to each side of ourselves. Action must be in
other, we'd cover many topics: we accord with this harmony if it is to
talked about day to day lives, he'd be right in the greater sense of the
tell me about life in a frontier word. The difficulty, of course,
town, and many times we'd discuss lies in determining what exactly the
philosophy, this particular subject gods planned, as we are not gods and
being important to me as a recent don't mentate at their level.
apprentice to a clerical order.
However, keeping in mind the will of
The following is one of the letters the gods does eliminate evil actions
containing part of our discussion on as being appropriate, because while
appropriate behavior. I thought it those actions might fit in with
might be of interest to some, so I the ideals of the individual, evil
have asked to have it printed here. is detrimental to the harmony of
I hope you find it interesting. nature. Here, I refer to evil in the
true sense of the word: those who
Hello Elyssa, would destroy life and oppose and
I hope this letter finds you happy distort the harmony of nature.
and well. I'd received your last
letter after much anticipation, and So, now we have this definition.
I am glad to hear that matters Appropriate action is the maint-
concerning that particular misunder- enance of one's ideal throughout
standing have been settled. I only life, the being of such ideals from
regret not being there to help. day to day, and is action that is in
Although, I hope life will go more keeping with the harmony of nature,
smoothly for you now and that your that seeks to foster life and the
studies proceed without hindrance. greater plan of those powers above
us. We may now continue with the
Now, referring to the second part of discussion and know of what the
your last letter and our continuing other speaks when we talk about it.
discussion of philosophy, we must
first stop and define what we mean It seems that I have gone on for
by appropriate or right action. much too long, for I have run out of
Otherwise, neither of us will be paper. Our discussion will continue
able to agree on anything, for our with your response to my definition.
understanding of each other shall be I am positive you will have one. So
faulty. Appropriate action, as I I will end this here. Take care of
understand is that which maintains yourself, dear Elyssa. I miss you
the ideals of whatever individual and your brother very much. I hope
performs such actions. What I mean hope to see you both soon.
is this: let us say that I believe
the ideal man is just, wise, strong, With Love,
kind, and brave. For me, then, any Pelan Lightstrong
-8-
Monster Chronicles: Goblins
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ______ \ Jarran Terraxx
\@| /~/~~\~\ |
||~| |~||
_||~| |~||ne of Kelfours weakest In battle they may appear tough but
/@| \~\__/~/ |and smallest creatures that is far from the fact. Goblins
\_/ ~~~~~~ / is the Goblin. These are not known for the bravery, they
~~~~~~~~~~~ small ugly monsters are more frightened of running into
somewhat resemble short and stout an adventurer then any first level
humanoids. Although, they are far adventurer is of running into them.
from human and not even close to Odds are that the moment that ugly
being considered good looking by the guy realizes how far outmatched he
humans or elves. Their skin colors is, then you're gonna have quite a
range anywhere from yellow through a chase on your hands as it's going
dull orange to a brick red. Due to to take off running just as fast as
their bright skin it's very unlikely its little legs are going to allow.
that you could miss them, so a sneak After all, they arent called yellow
attack by one is hardly possible. bellies for nothing.
The texture of their skin is rough Finally, when you do manage to catch
and somewhat rubbery although hardly him, and put his wailing out of your
as dense as rubber. They are usually misery, and you go to see if he has
very dirty, as they believe that the any treasure, well, don't get to
skin loses some of its resistance dissapointed, because if you get
everytime they bathe. Usually dirt, anything off them at all, five gold
mud, hair, and pieces of food cling will bet you that it's only a good
to their skin. These particles of case of skin lice. Goblins hardly
grime are the biggest reason why ever carry anything worth value, a
they can be smelled coming from a good example is their weapons and
mile away. They tend to dress in armor, notice that they are in need
dark, drab and soiled-looking colors of some serious repair. After you've
the most favorite of the colors are taken care of dispatching them, then
anywhere from an ugly brown to a at least try skinning them. Despite
dirty gray or stained maroon. the lice, the skin is worth some
35 silvers at the pawnshop, and its
Their eyes are large and oval, with rumored that they're worth something
pupils that range from a reddish to to another establishment as well.
a lemon yellow, with a whitish color
surrounding the outside of the eye. So remember, the next time you see
Their noses are flat and broad, and this four foot, ugly, yellow, wimpy
it looks as if they had been hit in critter come running down the path
the nose once to many times, perhaps at you, odds are he's running from
they had chased one to many rocks. something else, and just made a big
mistake when he came towards you.
They mostly prefer dwelling in such
places as the graveyard, mine road The Goblins are level two creatures
or Gorcs, they prefer these places and are rather easy to hit, not very
mostly due to their weakness, and fast, and usually they wont even get
feel much safer in the company of close to hitting you. They prefer to
bigger and stronger allies such as use flails and have sometimes been
the orcs and undead. They are very seen using scimitars. Beyond that
light in weight mostly due to the though, they are hardly a threat by
fact they rarely get much to eat, by themselves. Sometimes, like once
there isn't many creatures they can in a great while, you might actually
defeat easily, so they usually wind find a chest on one of them, but the
up only eating things that they can odds of this are very rare, so dont
scrounge up like adventurer remains. hold your breath.
-9-
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| @/______________________Puzzling Kulthean Words________________________/
| _ |
| by Jarran Terraxx |_| |
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| Instructions: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _|_|_ |
| Fill in the squares with |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| |
| the words from the next page. |_| |
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-10-
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| Enter some of these words in spaces on the preceeding page so that |
| they fit together and are spelled properly. How long will it take? |
| -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ghoul Charon Centaur Assassin Sohleugir Curfalakai Loremasters |
| Giant Mikori Mammoth Wifurwif Kladsfang Necropolis Dragonsfang |
| Gnoll Tlilok Bounder Basilisk Wolverine Bloodbeast Interregnum |
| Golem Hegheg Essence Revenant Manticore Navigators Trelkinaark |
| Threk Hrassk Blototh Torkland Catacombs Channeling |
| Eissa Spider Spectre Cemetary Stonehold Troglodyte |
| Wight Marmot Smatoth Gemsting Labyrinth Deathwoods |
| Orhan Zephyr Kulthea Seoltang Arnuminas Apparition |
| Varin Stalker Mausoleum Cladesbrim |
| Mummy Dangirland |
| SilverLake |
| Tatzelwurm |
\_______________________________________________________________________/
____________ Deja Vu: Life Generously Forfeited
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Eron Kulsen
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| |long with the likes down like a twelve - year - old and
/@| // |"| |of the Lords Dagmar, pointed at Eron's empty right hand.
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / Strom, Moonpie, and That is about all Eron ever saw
~~~~~~~~~~~ Landreth, young Eron after that.
followed along eagerly to find the
recently discovered Spider Temple. A centaur stomps at Eron!
Moonpie led the party to the mine OB: 190 vs. DB: 58
road where a new trail appeared. THT: 49 DRoll 100: 80
Swords in hand and fear put aside, Modified: (Too high for Eron's
they entered unfamiliar terrain. health!) Shattering blow to the
Landreth lead the party and mapped skull! Eron is hit for 56 cps!
their progress among abandoned huts.
Eron's head was squashed to a bloody
Moonpie asked, "I wonder what kind pulp, sending the cerebral cortex
of critters inhabit this area?" flying in multiple directions!
Strom said, "I don't know, but I ** Eron just bit the dust!
hope they're a high enough level for
some good experience." Dagmar moaned while Strom commented,
"OB of 190."
Eron followed meekly, hiding behind
Dagmar while fishing in his hooded Moonpie said, "Yeah, and a THT of
cloak for more statues. Of a sudden, of 49 against heavy hide. You get-
an evil-looking red centaur crashed ting all this down, Landreth?"
out of some nearby bushes. Landreth
exclaimed, "Wow! That's impressive Landreth nodded while absently wip-
looking, eh?" ing Eron's brains off his boot.
Moonpie said, "Maybe we should parry Eron's ghost seemed to remember a
up until we find out its OB." Strom similar day long ago. Something to
nodded, and Dagmar jumped up and do with a baby dragon.
-11-
____________ The Real Thieves Guild
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Lord Stanyon Sting
| //|"| | Minister of Public Affairs
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |n idea starts in the scoops fair? You decide.
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / mind of one person
~~~~~~~~~~~ and if that idea is Falsehood #3: The only reason for
good, others join to make it become joining the Guild is fellowship.
reality. That's what happened when False! Thieves are individuals and
Lords Mikhail and Artuero approached join the Guild for their own
their fellow thieves with the idea reasons. Kahsmire is mistaken if he
of creating a guild, and response thinks he speaks for all thieves in
was overwhelming. I myself was this matter.
taken by the concept, and together,
we went to work in forming it. Falsehood #4: Thief Lords will come
to assassinate you if you have a
I will not bore you with accounts of dispute with a Guild member. False!
the painstaking meetings that were Let me state this here and now:
held to determine the policy of the THERE IS NO POLICY WITHIN THE GUILD
Guild. Suffice to say that after THAT CONDONES ASSASSINATIONS! If
all was said and done, a general this were so, Kahsmire would no
policy was formed, with the approval longer be alive. He has never
of all the membership. That policy attended a meeting and, to my know-
is a good one for Kulthea overall. ledge, has not been asked to join.
As Minister of Public Affairs of the The Guild steps in when there is a
Thieves Guild, it is my job to see dispute between Guild members, but
that all information about the guild player conflicts do not and should
is accurate and factual. After not concern the Guild. Now if some
reading the article published last hostile group should start attacking
month about the Guild by Kahsmire, Guild members because they are Guild
who is mis-informed, this point by members and for no other reason than
point response is designed to clear their being Guild members, that is a
the air of his misconceptions. different story. The Guild reserves
the right to defend its existence.
Falsehood #1: The Guild requires
its members to take two scoops and Falsehood #5: The Guild pressures
three if the chest is trapped. thieves to join. False! When we
False! The Guild requests one scoop approach a thief and offer member-
from any chest; none if it contains ship to him/her, we naturally give
under 100 silvers. Any additional our reasons for their joining,
scoops taken is the policy of the stating the advantages and benefits
individual picker. of membership. Should the thief
decline, that is that. Lord Bleys,
Falsehood #2: Are scoops fair? Lord Winter, Galauriel and others
After all, you did all the work! have declined membership. Ask them
False! When healers are called upon if they have ever been threatened or
to heal, and clerics to save life, coerced about joining.
they are amply rewarded for their
time and sacrifice. No one in the It is natural for thieves to have a
land is called upon for help more guild. It is natural for other
than the thief for the chests, and professions to have guilds, too. We
we are the ones who can open them. all know guild speak -- why not have
It is a time-consuming task, fraught a guild to go along with it?
with danger, and the experience you
get is laughable. Every day a thief There is nothing preventing other
dies trying to open a chest. Are professions from forming guilds.
-12- Continued on Page 20
____________
/ \ ____ \ Strange Occurrences
\@| /~/~~\\ | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
||~| ~~ | by Jhembryne Illystin
_||~| |==| |
/@| \~\__// |reetings, Kelfourians. to lose my strength and my will to
\_/ ~~~~~ / Most of you who have live; eventually, I succumbed to the
~~~~~~~~~~~ been here for a while welcome comfort of unconsciousness.
may remember me as Jhembryn Durrock.
But, my friends, some strange things My next recollection is of waking on
have happened. the shore by Kelfour's near the dock
where my ship would have landed. In
I departed a while ago on an expedi- tring to stand, I found my left leg
tion to learn new healing methods twisted at a strange angle; it was
and explore other parts of Kulthea. broken badly. Simple, I thought. A
My journey was both enjoyable and low level healing spell would easily
enlightening; however, the voyage to take care of it. But I could not
here was a bit more (ahem) eventful. remember how to cast it. I knew what
to do; I just couldn't do it. All
The journey back to Kelfour's began but the simplest of spells were lost
in a small harbor town, the name of to me. My healing ability was gone.
which I have mercifully forgotten.
Our vessel looked sturdy enough, but It was then that I realized the loss
as we know, looks can be deceiving. of my weapons, armor, jewelry, and
clothing. Some quickly grabbed rags
We sailed for several weeks, and I covered enough of me that I would
became tired of oceans. I spent any not be jailed by the constable. No
spare time on deck exercising or problem, I thought again. I have
practicing my healing incantations. 70,000 silvers in the bank. But when
Then, when we were but days from I got there, it was all gone. I also
port, I saw a strange form on the found my locker to be empty.
horizon, approaching quickly.
I spent the next hours in the temple
I called it to the attention of the alone, waiting for any familiar face
captain, who quickly identified it to show up and help me figure things
as a dragon, and ordered me below. out. Finally my old friend Larisa
Adamantly, I demanded that he allow came in, saw me, and could not
me to lend whatever help I could in believe her eyes. Sharlan, another
the impending attack, and began to friend from the past, loaned me some
prepare a barrage of healing spells. silver to get started again. Larisa
and I went shopping for new armor
My first thought, upon a closer look and weaponry.
at the dragon, was of its beauty and
grace. But awe turned to dread when Then I visited a place I thought I'd
he made his first attack. He used never see again, the catacombs. The
only one claw, but killed three men giant rats were easy enough to kill,
instantly, and put another close to but not nearly as easy as they ought
death. I went to his side at once, to have been. It seemed I was start-
to take his wounds upon myself and ing over. I changed my name a bit by
heal them as quickly as I ever had. adding a letter to the first, and
taking my mother's maiden name as my
Now that I look back on it, perhaps own, since my father is dead.
it would have been kinder to let him
die. On the dragon's next pass, its So, hello again, sort of. I hope all
flaming breath engulfed the ship, my old hunting partners and friends
destroying it utterly. I jumped free can forget my apparent youth and
into the water with no worse than inexperience, and remember that an
minor injuries, but there was no aged and wise mind occupies this
sign of rescue. Slowly, I began to young body.
-13-
___________ Babe in the Woods
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\_\ | by Thellra Dumas
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ | omeone once told me, were especially mean. And they
/@| \~\__/~/ | "Beware of what you rarely left their babies unattended.
\_/ ~~~~~~ / pick up traveling. You I circled the area and found a blood
~~~~~~~~~~ may not be able to get trail. "Oh, no! If the mother is
rid of it!" I never really under- wounded, she's going to be really
stood before just how true that is. mad. I've got to get out of here!"
I said to myself.
On my way home from hunting Grey
Orcs a few months ago, I came upon I turned around, and there before me
a curious object lying in my path. was a broken cudgel, bloodstained
I bent over to examine it more grass, and worst of all, a dead
closely. It was a child's rag doll, troll. Rolling my eyes skyward,
and a very unusual one. Instead of a I asked "Why me?" and walked back to
smiling face, there was a troll's the squealing baby troll, mumbling
fierce visage crudely drawn on it. loudly about ignorant poachers. I
couldn't just leave the baby there.
"A troll!?" I wondered. "Who would I've had my fair share of battles
make a troll doll?" It appeared to with trolls, but I couldn't imagine
be made of a sack stuffed with hay, leaving any kind of baby alone in a
and it was well-worn. A little bit dangerous wood.
of hay stuck out of one side, making
the body look quite misshapen. I reached into my pack and brought
"Or maybe that's the way troll dolls out a sturdy pair of thick gloves
are supposed to look," I thought to and the raggedy troll doll I had
myself, grinning. found earlier. "I guess this belongs
to you," I told the trollie baby. It
Thinking that my friends in town grabbed the doll and started chewing
might have a good laugh over it, I on it, saliva dripping all over. I
stuck the raggedy troll doll in my grimaced, and gingerly reached out,
pack. Before I could continue on my picking up the little troll. With my
way, however, I heard a keening that falchion in one hand and the orphan
made my ears hurt. Immediately on my troll in the other, I walked back to
guard, I brought my falchion up and town, wondering all the way just
tightened my grip on my shield. The what I was going to do with my new-
sound came again, from the direction found bundle of teeth and claws.
of a large rock to my left. The
wailing sounded like a nail being I'm still wondering. All I've been
drawn out of a plank of wood. I able to find out is that trolls have
peeked warily around the side of the a huge appetite, and elvenfolk seem
boulder. to be a favorite food. The trollie
baby has latched onto me, quite
There on the ground was a tiny literally. It sank its teeth into my
creature, no bigger than my leg this morning and won't let go.
backpack. "How could a sound that There's more blood on the floor than
painful come from a thing so small?" in my poor wounded body, so if
I asked myself. I carefully nudged there's a healer about, please stop
the creature with my boot, turning by. We can talk about quantity
it over on its back. A baby troll! discounts.
Its eyes were wide with fright, and
it clutched my boot with small but By the way, if anyone knows how to
razor-sharp claws. get rid of this pesky critter, I'm
all ears. Well, I'm all one ear. The
I had never even seen a baby troll troll ate my other one. Anyone out
before, but I did know troll mothers there? Anyone at all? Help!
-14-
_______________ Torkaan Stew
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Solanum Dulcamara
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | hat's breakfast?" By that time, the drops I've slipped
/@| _|__/ \__|_| in his drink take effect, and I can
\_/_____________/ I look into the roll him into bed and have a party
the pot on the stove and think for a tearing up the sheets. He'll wake up
minute. Telling the truth would be and never admit he's forgotten his
fun, but then he might not want any. part in the most "unforgettable"
night of my life.
"Torkaan stew," I answer. It does
have some torkaan in it, though most The hound eying me from the bed now,
people don't cook the eyes. though, hadn't missed a thing. He
wasn't terribly imposing, but I'd
"Torkaan stew? What I left in the given him the usual three drops.
pot last night?" Rose root drops usually hit about
ten minutes after consumption, with
"It's a new batch," I offer. "I can one distressing side effect which
add some lodfa'al eggs if you like." always makes the moonlight walk more
He hesitates. "And some moss? I got entertaining. I do enjoy watching
it just this morning." A bit before Romeo squirm while he fights the
sunrise, in fact: if lace moss could urges to curl up and sleep and to
survive even indirect sunlight, run off behind the bushes before he
there wouldn't be any forests. An soils his clothes. We tend to arrive
hour before sunrise is best, before at his house quickly, even though a
predawn light sends it withering curious exception to the ten minute
into day-long winter, to be reborn rule is that, when mixed with alco-
from the lacy ruins the next night. hol, the drops don't take effect
till the alcohol wears off.
Grinning in memory of last night's
conquest, he assents. "If you were Last night's Romeo must have been
charging me, I'd want something drinking for a while before I got
better, but I guess it'll do." He there, unfortunately. He persisted
probably hopes that remark hurt me. the entire way home, which took near
Stupid man. an hour and a half, and survived the
first hour in bed quite deliriously
My own memories of last night would happy. I'd begun to worry that the
leave me with no real reason to drops weren't working when his whole
smile if things weren't going so body went stiff against me for one
well this morning. agonizing moment. Just as his eyes
crossed and began to roll back in
It started the same way it always his head, I caught the faint whiff
does. I arrive at a local tavern, I of a rather foul odor, and some-
let a local buy me a drink. The thing warm struck my bare leg.
tavern keeper doctors the drink,
always giving the man the same know- Not that I didn't take immediate
ing smile. I drink it without advantage: the stew needed something
"noticing" (it makes the next parts gathered from the victim to be
a lot easier). The lead hound of the effective. I was out of bed before
local pack makes suggestions, we he landed, and after rolling him in
slip off as quietly as his ego can his mess once for luck, I'd yanked
tolerate, and I spend the next half the ruined sheets off the bed, found
hour or so eluding his advances the pot for the morning's breakfast,
till he finally relents and takes me and shaken a bit of the mess into it
to his home. before thrusting the sheet into the
stove for the fire the next day. I
If they would only put up more of a usually just give the man a few
fight, the evening might be fun. healthy scratches across his back
-15- More...
and clean my nails into the pot, but "Water!" I cry in dismay, stopping
I can't help smiling when I think of his fork in midair. After a slow
serving today's steaming plate. look around the table, he fixes me
with a glower, saying nothing. "Is
I lower the egg gently into the pot, there a well nearby?"
careful not to break the shell.
Lodfa'al eggs are probably the "You'll have to run to the river.
hardest part of the entire recipe to Better make it quick, too. This stew
come by, even though it's easy to looks plenty hot, and I think it's
find the lodfa'al. Anyway, it's not burnt."
hard to let them find you. Having no
hearts, the lodfa'al need an almost I grab a pail and dart quickly
constant supply of blood. Elves, through the door. Once on the other
humans and bears are their favorite side, though, I'm in no hurry. I
prey. Lodfa'al eggs, though, can wander in and out among the trees,
only be gathered two ways: before whistling answers to the birds. One
implantation you can extract them circle around the cottage, resisting
from the dead mother, or after the temptation to peep in through
implantation you can extract them the unshuttered window, and I step
from the dead host. The second way through the doorway, letting the
is easier, but finding a willing smile run over my face.
host is almost impossible.
He sits as I left him, facing the
He watches, unsmiling, as I stir the stove. I fling the water pail into
concoction with a long bone. Lots the room. It strikes the floor
of people stew the bones, tossing noisily, just behind his chair. He
them into the pot and cooking them doesn't move. I glide to the back
until the meat peels off, but I stir of the chair, wrap my arms around
instead. He has to know everything him and kiss his cold cheek. "Miss
that goes into the stew, but I don't me?" I whisper, quickly checking his
have to tell him what kind of bone pockets.
this is. He sees it in the stew, and
that's enough. It's much easier Pretty much empty, no surprise
that way, really. If I had to tell there. I search the entire cottage
him what I put in, I don't know how in a matter of minutes. I could
I'd explain a basilisk's rib as an have sold the lodfa'al egg for more.
entree, without even trying to Still, this is much more enjoyable.
explain why I really needed the Scattering a handful of leaves on
marrow more than anything else. the table, I make my way back to the
door.
The pot bubbles noisily. "Almost
ready," I smile. My friend Jima loans me her cat
stick again. She says she's always
"It's about time. I'm starved," he luckier with the thing after I've
growls. used it once or twice, and she and I
are both firm believers in luck.
"What's your hurry?" I think to I've almost rubbed all the luck out
myself, turning quickly to the stove of it by the time anybody finds him,
so he won't wonder about the smile but it's always worth the wait.
on my lips. There is a pop inside
the pot, and blue flames slowly "How long do you think he's been
spread over the bubbling stew. I dead?" an elf in a blue cloak asks
quickly cover the pot, and drag it his stouter companion, who's been
off the stove. prodding the deceased with a stick.
"It's ready," I announce needlessly, "I don't know," answers the round
almost knocking the plate out of his one. "A while." He glances around
outstretched hand as I turn towards the room, then looks on the table.
the table. "What are those leaves?"
-16- Continued on Page 20
____________ Undermining Kelfour's (Part 3)
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~~|~|| by Llorien Silvanestii
| |~|__|~||
_| |~|--// |terelas stuck a torch Pterelas frowned and said, "I'm sure
/@| |~| | into the opening in I saw something move. There, again!"
\_/ ~~~~ / the dry well, illumi- We strained our eyes to see.
~~~~~~~~~~~ nating a steep tunnel.
Cautiously he entered the passage, "Why don't we just go over and
closely followed by the rest of us. investigate?" suggested Penna and
strode over to the rock with us
"Look here," said Inyigo, pointing right behind her. Something peculiar
to footprints in the scuffled dust caught our notice, two emeralds set
of the floor. Two lines trailed down into the rock. Pterelas sheathed his
down into the earth. "Looks like a sword with a smile and pulled out a
group of people were dragging some- dagger to pry one of the emeralds
thing. Or someone." loose. The bright gem blinked like
an eye.
"Well, let's go then," I motioned to
Inyigo. "It's obvious that it's "What the heck--." In surprise,
Ignatius they were dragging." Pterelas jumped, lost his balance,
and dropped his dagger. His voice
Single file, our hearty band started echoed through the cavern, "Rocks
down to whatever awaited us. It was with eyes?"
beginning to seem as if the tunnel
had no end when Pterelas suddenly Aegyptia pressed the surface of the
stopped. "The passage opens up into rock with one finger. It gave a bit
a cavern, folks," he said, "but I at her touch; she said excitedly,
don't see or hear anything." "This is not a rock. It's alive!"
Penna prudently surrounded each of We were further amazed to see a
us with one of her protective small figure, perfectly stone - like
spells, and we entered the immense in coloring and markings, detach
cavern, staying along the wall. Our itself from the stalagmite, walk
astonished eyes saw intricate forma- around to the other side, and attach
tions of rock standing everywhere, itself to the rock once more. In the
formations like sculpture but almost place vacated by the mysterious lit-
as if they lived. Not the likeness tle creature, we saw a new addition
of anything we had seen before, but to the carved formation.
mesmerizing. "Could these be natural
formations?" asked Aegyptia. "They "It's a gallery, a bloody artist's
are beautiful!" studio," Inyigo stated emphatically.
"The little critter is carving all
"I don't think so, Aegyptia," Inyigo this stuff."
answered. "Although the forest is my
home, I have ventured into caves, I thought, "This is an awful lot of
but never have I come across any- work for one small creature. Maybe
thing even remotely like this." He magic will show me if there are any
was just starting to relate his others." My eyes glazed; I became
hoary encounter with fire guardians aware of more of the little beings.
when Pterelas pointed to a near-by
stalagmite which was partly formed "We are not alone," I told the
into a sculpture. others. "There are many of them,
alive and aware. But they take no
"What was that?" he said. "Something notice of us, I don't know why."
moved by that rock."
As we wandered through the carvings,
"I don't see anything, you foolish we spotted many sets of eyes, as we
thief," I mumbled. now knew them to be. If we stopped
-17- More...
at a carving long enough and stared, The two ladies chanted and gestured.
we could see slight movement, so Meanwhile, we got close enough to
slow that it was barely perceptible. the creature to start swinging at
it. Pterelas landed a nasty blow to
We were so enchanted by the cavern the side of its head, only to see
that we forgot our purpose; that is, his sword glance off the hard body
until an awful rending reverberated armor. I thrust my falchion at its
through the cavern. With a crash, a midsection, numbing my entire arm.
section of the wall collapsed into a The creature, evidently enraged at
heap of stone and dust. A scrabbling having dinner interrupted, turned
noise reached our ears from the new and flailed at Inyigo. One of its
opening into the cavern. Through the claws connected; Inyigo fell back,
settling dust, a figure appeared. clutching at the bleeding gash in
his chest.
Shambling upright on two hind legs
was a nightmare to scare anyone. Its Aegyptia pointed at the beast. Its
chitinous body scraped along the eyes glazed over, and it began to
rock. Its four arms, each ending in stumble blindly. Then Penna gestured
a vicious claw, were scooping up and a look of calm and peacefulness
debris and pushing it into a maw big seemed to wash over it. It stopped
enough to hold a hobbit's foot. Two in its tracks.
mandibles, the size of scimitars and
wickedly serrated, crushed large Penna rushed to Inyigo to examine
pieces into smaller chunks to eat. the extent of the poor ranger's
The thing's multifaceted eyes injuries. She closed her eyes and
scanned the cavern, then it fixed laid her hands on the ragged wound,
its gaze upon one of the formations which closed up and reappeared on
and lurched towards the delicate her own chest. She staggered for a
structure. moment and then the wound began to
heal, leaving only a fresh scar.
"You don't suppose it means to--,"
Penna's voice trailed off. The hor- Meanwhile, the rest of us watched in
ror encircled the slender spire with amazement as the little grey ones
its mandibles, and lopped off the gathered closely around the beast.
top part. As it did so, the cavern They knelt and lay their hands on
shuddered as if in pain. All around the ground. A low thrum filled the
the cavern, small figures detached air, and the rock beneath the crea-
themselves from their workplaces and ture's feet began to liquefy. Soon
moved slowly toward the creature. it was half-immersed in molten rock,
Not satisfied with one work of art, and the grey ones stopped. The rock
it reached for the next sculpture. hardened, trapping the monster for
all time. They then scooped rock out
"If those little guys don't hurry, of the ground like clay and encased
that thing is going to destroy all the creature in it. Another sculp-
their work," Inyigo said. "Perhaps ture, a grotesque one this time, was
we should give them a hand?" added to the gallery.
Brandishing his sword, he stepped
forward and Pterelas and I followed. Having stopped the threat to their
work, the little stone beings turned
"You three are going to take down their attention to us, or rather to
that hideous beast?" asked Aegyptia. Penna and Aegyptia.
She turned to Penna. "Why do men
always think that the only way to "Careful, ladies," I cautioned. "I
deal with a problem is to hack it up don't relish the idea of you two
into little pieces?" becoming permanent attractions
here."
"I don't know," sighed Penna. "Maybe
we'd better step in and save them "They don't seem to be hostile
from themselves." toward us, Llorien," said Penna.
-18- More...
The grey ones stationed themselves "I think that it only likes girls,
around the two ladies, and a dark Llorien," chuckled Pterelas.
slate-colored one stepped a little
closer than the others. "Have you seen any of the dark ones
recently?" asked Penna.
"Thgsb erty dfygg," it said and
bowed. It looked expectantly at "Yes, there was a group that came
them, awaiting a reply. through here not long ago." answered
the rock man. "They were going
Aegyptia, scratching her head, toward their dwellings."
looked over at Penna. "What did he
say?" "Do you know this place?" asked
Aegyptia.
Penna shrugged. "You got me. My
knowledge of stone-talking is a bit "We know of it but do not venture
rusty." there," answered the rock man. "The
The creature perked up at the sound way is through the tunnel on the
of the ladies' voices. Haltingly, other side of the cavern. But
with a voice unaccustomed to making beware. They are a harsh people, not
such sounds, it said in a strange at all in tune with the stone."
dialect of elven, "We thank you for "In tune with the stone?" echoed
your help. We would have eventually Penna.
stopped it ourselves, but not before
it had ruined much work." "Yes, unlike you who use the power
in the rock. You use the power
"Oh, you're quite welcome," smiled differently than we do, but the
Penna. source is the same."
The little one squatted on its "I think he means the flows of
haunches. "What are you doing here? essence, Penna," said Aegyptia.
You look like the others, but your Penna nodded.
surface is lighter in hue."
"Do you mean to go there?" asked the
We immediately gathered closer. little one.
"What other ones?" asked Pterelas.
The rock being either did not hear "I'm afraid we have to," said Penna.
Pterelas or chose to ignore him. "One of our friends has been taken
by them."
Aegyptia asked the rock man again,
"What other ones?" "Their place seems to be devoid of
the power. You will be hard pressed
"The dark ones," the being said. there should you require to draw
"The ones who live below." upon it." said the rock man. "Allow
us to give you something to aid you,
Inyigo and I looked at each other, in return for your assistance to
and shook our heads. "Why didn't he us."
just answer Pterelas? " Inyigo
wondered. He gathered the others around him,
then knelt and scooped up some of
"Let me try something," I said. I the rock and began somehow to mold
turned to the rock man and asked, the solid stone. Soon he held a
"What was that creature?" As with small replica of the formations
Pterelas, I got no response. "Your adorning the cavern. He held it
mother was a torkaan and your father above his head, and the others
smelled of windak berries," I placed their hands on it, chanting.
taunted the strange being, hoping to A sonorous song began to form, the
get a response. The rock man vibrations carrying through the rock
continued to be oblivious to my itself. A coruscating light engulfed
presence. the group of little people and was
-19- More...
absorbed into the sculpture. The The Real Thieves Guild -From Page 12
procedure was repeated by the little ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ones, and soon there were two Thieves, perhaps more than others
delicate sculptures. The darker rock since we have formed the first
man stood and gave one of the guild, feel a sense of comradery
figurines to each of the ladies. among themselves. But the Guild
doesn't exist merely for ourselves.
"They are limited, but they help We offer valuable services to all
when you need to access the power," who adventure in Kulthea.
the rock man said. He then bowed to
each lady in turn. "Just rub it." New in the lands? Need a guide?
Want to transport large sums of
Penna and Aegyptia curtsied to the silver? Need a lock picked on a
strange little man. "I wonder what chest? From the graveyard gate to
he means by that?" Aegyptia asked. Iorak's Reach, the Thieves Guild is
"Only one way to find out, I guess." willing and ready to help anyone in
She rubbed the little figurine and need, especially on those dangerous
immediately felt the flow of essence missions when no one else is anxious
power into her body. "Yikes!" excla- to lend a hand.
imed Aegyptia. "It's like a porta- \ /
ble node, or a power storage item!" __/\__
\ /
"A most gracious gift, kind sir," / |/\| \
said Penna to the rock man. **
**
He lead us toward the other side of **
the cavern to a tunnel leading fur- */**
ther into its depths. The ladies bid ****
farewell to the rock beings, and we ()**\*
headed deeper into we knew not what. ||****
The last thing we heard before being *||*****
swallowed up by the tunnel was the *~~***\\
rock man's voice calling out, "Knock **********
upon the rock if you ever have need **********
of us Pekhs." ******()**\\
**//**||****
(To Be Continued) *******||*****
**//***~~*****
*()*************
Torkaan Stew From Page 15 *||***********()
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **||**//*******||*
"Dwale," pronounces Blue, upon quick **~~***********||*
examination. "But from the look on ****************~~**
his face he died of a heart attack." //******()******\\***
********||************
"Did you see that gal he left the **//****||**********()
tavern with? If he'd died in bed, *********~~**********||*
I'd say you were right." ()********************||*
||***//********()*****~~**
"Think she might be involved?" *||*************||*********
***~~*******//****||*****\\***
"Nah. Looks like she did her thing ******************~~**********
and left. Not enough stew for two." **()***********************()****
***||**//****************\\*||*****
They spend a few more minutes going ****||*******//**************||******
things, but they don't find much I ***~~******/ ***| *** *****~~**\\*
didn't. I send the cat running into **/*** *| |* *********
the woods and, once it's safely away | |
from the torkaan stew, I let it go. ~~~~~~~~~~~
-20-
_______________ Cycles (Conclusion)
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Lord Whilder Planrathe
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| | hilder ran head through it. She saw the strength of
/@| _|__/ \__|_| on into the invis- the barrier. And the weakness.
\_/_____________/ barrier. Had he Without a second thought, she
been mortal, every bone in his body snapped her wings up and dived at
would have broken. As it was, he the weak area, her talons stretched
simply stopped and looked around. before her. Talons that would
Then he saw It, seeming an eternity strike and slay.
away, yet he knew he could reach
through the barrier and touch It. "No," whispered Whilder. "I will not
join you. I may be destroyed, but I
Chance saw the wolf's sudden stop will not help you."
and immediately wheeled away. She
could not see what had stopped him "But brother, you misunderstand me.
but she knew there was something I do not mean you, personally, shall
there. She began a long circle, slay Life. But the energy of your
looking for her opening, the time to soul will be used to destroy many
strike. living beings. You will cease to
exist in a moment, but your soul
It considered the two before It. will destroy."
Surely, Its immense size must be
intimidating them already. And the Whilder suddenly pushed, straight
barrier would keep them from doing armed, against the barrier, the dull
It any harm. Now was the time for look in his eyes replaced by deter-
It to bring forth the wonderful mination. The hawk's piercing talons
agony It enjoyed so much. It would struck the barrier, and instantly
feed well from these two. the barrier ceased to exist.
Whilder's form suddenly changed. Whilder fell between his father and
Where a moment before stood the brother. Before they could stop him,
wolf, now his naked soul stood as a he pushed forth a bolt of pure
Fair Elf. From the corner of his essence energy, a bolt that tore
eye he saw the hawk continue to into the thing waiting beyond.
circle.
The tinkerer watched the storm rage
Something shifted on the other side just beyond the coast. Terrible
of the barrier. Shifted, formed, bolts of lightning struck the ocean
and became his brother and father. and the rain looked like a grey
wall. Yet, for all its fury, the
"Welcome home, Wild Luck," said his storm seemed to move no closer. And
father. above the leading clouds of the
storm, the glow of Orhan appeared.
"You will now join us, eternally Perhaps he would get his desire;
destroying that which you love. perhaps he would gaze upon Orhan one
That which is called Life," said his last time.
brother.
It screamed. The essence pouring
The words struck Whilder like a through It was pure poison. It had
physical blow. He staggered. He to have energy NOW. It took the two
placed the palm of his hand against hollow souls that It had kept in
the barrier, holding himself slight existence. They would not be
upright. much, but they were better than
nothing against the pain.
She saw the mage almost fall
forward. As his hand touched the She was slammed back by the noise of
barrier she saw a wave ripple Its scream, like a physical blow
-21- More...
shoving her away from the strange placed on the shelf until needed
being. Helplessly, she tumbled again. She searched once more,
through the nothingness, unable to hoping to find something left
stop herself. Then she saw the mage behind. A trinket to take with her
spinning and tumbling along beside to remind her in her waking moments
her. She realized his soul was of the mage. She found nothing.
ebbing into the nothingness, for she
could see through him as though he Weakly, she made her way from the
were made of gauze. She glimpsed lab. She looked upon her armor,
him twisting and turning, trying to standing silent vigil over the room
reach her and then he brushed the outside the lab. The cycle of her
tip of her wing with the palm of his soul being trapped within was over.
right hand. Now began the cycle of service to
the Gods. She made her way through
She was suddenly rocketing through the hallways to the door of the
the nothingness. Straight as an keep. Silently she hoped the Gods
arrow she sped. Across an eternal would not erase her knowledge of
distance. She saw her construct body what she now was.
and the mage's body and then she
slammed to a stop, like she had The tinkerer slowly stood. Sadly,
fallen a great distance onto the he looked once more at the spot the
ground. She realized then that her mage had left so long ago. Looking
soul was in the construct again. up at Orhan, he prayed to Eissa that
She felt as though she had fought the mage's soul had been saved.
for days with no rest. Weakly, she That it was within her realm and not
watched the strange black opening in destroyed like so many others. Like
the wall fade, until it was no a man who had the weight of the
longer there. She attempted to world suddenly dropped upon his
move, but the effort was too much. shoulders, the tinkerer walked off
into the darkness.
As blackness overtook her
consciousness, she knew one thing. Slowly, It healed itself. Energies
The mage was not breathing. freely given by Its followers were
repairing the damage done by the
The tinkerer watched as the storm accursed mage. The mage may have
quickly broke up. The fury of been an elf, but the life span of an
moments before was replaced by the elf was nothing compared to It.
stars of the night sky. And above Carefully It probed the place where
it all shown Orhan. He felt the the portal had been.
evil power that had been building
suddenly ebb. The mage must have Gone. No matter to It. There were
succeeded, but had he survived? The other ways, other plans and schemes.
tinkerer turned his attention back And to a being that measured the
to the spot where the mage had lifespan of a star as a human
teleported. He feared the worst. measured the blink of an eye, there
was always plenty of time.
Slowly she clawed her way back from
the blackness. She awoke and lay She crossed over the fallen door,
gathering strength. She stared at out into the night. She spotted
the spot where the mage's body had Orhan, high overhead. Silently she
been, but there was nothing there waited for the Gods to take her
now. What had happened? Scavengers? back. Long minutes passed. She
shifted her stance ever so slowly,
Perhaps. Perhaps they were not her feet and legs tired. More
interested in her construct body and minutes passed. She shifted her
simply took the mage. Perhaps her legs again.
body did not register at all with
them. It did not matter. She would And then it struck her. Her muscles
be taken up by the Gods again, were cramping from standing.
-22- More...
But that was impossible! She gave an raying silently they were wrong.
involuntary gasp at the thought. And Long moments passed and then they
then she felt it. A heart, beating began speaking. Slowly, they
regularly within her breast. managed to piece together the story
of their return.
The steel statue maintained its
silent vigil. It watched without She did not tell him that she had
emotion as the mage's invisibility been sent by the Gods of Orhan. He
spell wore off. It watched as the did not tell her he knew she was
mage slowly awoke and crawled out sent by the Gods of Orhan. They fell
from under the table where he had together, laughing at the danger
dragged himself before the blackness they had faced. Laughing at the
overtook him. thought of utter destruction of the
soul. They suddenly found life, and
Whilder looked around. Chance's the comfort of their arms around
body was gone. He had tried to help each other.
her. The strain of keeping his soul
with hers and guiding her back had "You teleported into the room. Why
been too much. He remembered did you not leave the same way?"
arriving back in his own body. He
remembered crawling over to her, of Whilder laughed. "The way I left
finding neither heartbeat nor the Landing, there may have bowmen
breathing. He knew then that she had ready to slay me the moment I
not made it. Knowing that he would appeared. Much safer to walk up to
soon lose consciousness, he crawled the gates and tell the city watch
under the table and cast that I had been attacked and was
invisibility upon himself until the merely defending myself. With any
darkness came. How long the spell luck, by now other mages will have
had endured he did not know. explained that the spell I cast was
one of defense, not destruction."
Silently he spoke to Eissa, then set
himself to insuring that the portal She frowned. Then nodded. "I will
was truly gone. tell them what happened."
She stood watching Orhan race across "No."
the night sky, tears streaming down
her face. She was flesh and blood "No?"
again. A new cycle of life would
begin for her, just as the mage's "We will think of something else to
cycle had ended. tell them before we arrive. I will
feel safer the fewer who are aware
It was unfair. It was unjust. of the portal's existence or its
location," Whilder said.
At a sound behind her, she spun,
drawing her rapier. "But, it is gone. You said yourself
you checked."
Whilder walked tiredly across the
fallen door, his feet stirring up Whilder shook his head and looked
thick dust. As he stepped through back into the doorway. "It may be.
the opening, his exhausted mind It also may be a weak point in the
registered the sound of movement essence flows. The fewer who are
accompanied by the swish of a blade. aware of this, the fewer who will
try to reopen it."
Without conscious thought, he called
forth a spell of destruction. She nodded, then smiled impishly.
"If you think few should know, Wild
They stared at each other, the mage Luck, then perhaps you should keep a
and the guardswoman. Each certain close eye on me. I might be tempted
that the other was a ghost. Each to tell." She stared deeply into
-23- More...
his light grey eyes. Grey eyes that man's shoulders. He begged and
seemed to shimmer with the power of cajoled them for information, but
the essence itself. they would simply tell him nothing.
They had no idea that anything had
He slipped an arm about her waist. happened last night. At least,
Slowly they began down the mountain. nothing more than a storm off the
"I always keep a very close eye on coast that bypassed the town.
my Chance."
Whilder repeated his story of being
Her green eyes sparkled, reflecting attacked by an unseen force and
the light from Orhan. Eyes as green using his teleport ring to avoid
as the morning sun softly touching a bringing a battle into the heart of
dew covered leaf in the spring. the town, where many innocent people
could have been killed. His unseen
Epilogue foe had attacked him again, he said.
~~~~~~~~ He had driven the attacker off but
They arrived at the gates to the would need to be wary in case
Landing the next morning. It was far whoever it was came back. The
into the afternoon before the guards tinkerer knew the story to be false
were satisfied with the mage's story but wisely said nothing. Someday,
of his actions the afternoon before. perhaps, he would regain the mage's
Two guards escorted them through the trust and learn the true tale.
town to keep people from panicking
again. The sight of the mage under Early that evening, as a maid
guard would reassure most. carried a serving tray past one of
the many doors, she heard a male
They saw the tinkerer as they were voice from within exclaim, "So
checking into The Raging Threk Inn that's where your birthmark is!"
that afternoon. For some reason
Whilder could not understand, years And the laughter followed her down
seemed to drop from the strange old the hall and into the night.
() /\
_/\_ / \
\ o/ / /\ \
/o^\ --------/ /-------------
/^ o \ \ ----/ /----------- /
/ o ^ \ \ \ / / \ \ / /
/ ^ o \ \ \ / \ \ /
/o ^ o ^ \ \ \ \ \
/_ o ^ o _\ / \ \ / \ \
/ ^ o ^ \ / / \ \ / / \ \
/ ^ o ^ o \ / /----------/ /---\ \
/o ^ o ^ o\ -------------/ /--------
/ ^ o ^ o ^\ \ \/ /
/ o ^ o ^ ^ o\ \ /
/__________________\ \/
\___/
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!
And a Joyous New Year!
-24-
_____________ Kralling Back Home to Momma
/ \ _________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Lloyd Llowd, PhD
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |hanks for all the out the trash might be a better
/@| _|_|_ | letters in response description. Excepting the healer,
\_/__________/ to my first column. we'd never miss the riff-raff the
I found them thoroughly absorbent. Kral wandered off with.
My parrot likes them, too. It's a
nice change from shredded newspaper It's probably just as well the Kral
in her cage. didn't try to use them for their
boat dedication ceremony. Offering
To answer a few of your questions: those characters to the Gods might
No, PhD does not stand for "phony have precipitated the greatest
dork." Yes, my parents were married. deitical rampage since Akbar the Mad
No, they weren't cousins. And the tried to pass off three ladies from
death threat from the Hobbit Anti- Mother Oberloytner's House of
Defamation League was interesting, Passion as vestal virgins during a
though I'd probably take it more visit by Veritia, Demi-Goddess of
seriously if it weren't written in Purity.
crayon.
All in all, my second month here was
Well, the Kral invaded last month, marginally less entertaining than my
if you could call it an invasion. first. The only bright spot was
Judging from the size and ability of watching the constable trying to
the invading force, I'd say their arrest a rather unusual half-elf,
king, Walfeor "Wallflower" Gal'Kel, half-horse creature for not carrying
just sent a few of his servants out a little scoop to clean up after
for burritos and they got lost. herself. He couldn't figure out how
Everyone knows you go to Jaiman for to get the manacles on her and
fast food, not here. eventually just let her off with a
stern warning not to leave any more
It was pathetic. The Kral had every- little "presents" outside.
thing going for them. The defenders
were led by some thieves, a ranger School Daze (Reprise)
with a messiah complex, and one ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
fighter who later impaled himself on A few more scholastic snapshots for
his own sword. They could've bought your albums:
off the thieves and hidden the ran-
ger's soap box, which might have, Lord Lairaerrykthrok TykilVuul:
mercifully, shut him up. Earned his diploma when he finally
learned to spell his own name after
Most of the more powerful Lords 18 years. Liked to pass out shaded
couldn't even be bothered to get out eyewear to protect his friends from
of bed, though I do understand the his "blinding" personality.
hobbits' problem. The invasion came
well past bedtime, and their mothers Lord Gallenod Varynesti: Voted Most
wouldn't let them out to play. Likely to Fold, Spindle, and
Mutilate. A fascination with sharp
The dragon was more entertaining. I edges started him on a career in
enjoyed the aerial show, though I origami, though he failed his Black
never did figure out who the fat git Scissors exam when he failed to cut
on his back was. Or how the poor his way out of a wet paper bag.
dragon managed to stay in the air
with all that weight on him. Lord Elvanion Darkholt: Was the
trainer for every female sports team
All in all, it was a complete bust in the school. Never actually played
as far as invasions go. And then any sports, but was KPS #42's All-
there was the kidnapping. Taking out Time Scoring Champ.
-25-
KEV3N7
[end]
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Hunting Mummies to Fire Cats! |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III(TM) January 1993 |
| Vol. 3, No.8 |
| _ _ _ ___ |
| / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| _____ _ _ _ _ |
| |\ ,,,,, /| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| \/_ _\/ | / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
/\ (_ " _) / ___) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
\ \ ( ,--, ) / (_ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
/ / ,,,\__-__/,,, (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
\ \ ,,,,""""""",,,, |
/_/ ( )"""""""( ) ,('') The Kronicles of Kulthea |
[!!!]-' / """"""" \ \_/ / |
`-----' """"""""" `.___/ |
|______ ;;;;;;;;; __________________________________________________|
|_______ """"""""" ___________________________________________________|
| """" """" |
| """ """ |
| _"", ,""_ Local News .............................. 1 |
| __(___) (___)_ Hall of Fame ............................ 11 |
| Kelfour Census Report ... Catrissa Dakhati 2 |
| Rolling up a Character .................... Lord Nixie Trevize 4 |
| Mastering the Character Generator .............. Rondo d'Amici 5 |
| Successful Thievery: |
| The Deadliest Skill .............. Lord Artuero Bresnahanini 7 |
| How to Defeat Pickpockets .......................... Anonymous 9 |
| Misremembering Moon ................................. Greywulf 12 |
| The Monster Chronicles: Mummies ............... Jarran Terraxx 13 |
| A Hacker's Guide to Greys ................... Imlach Draughlir 14 |
| A Guide to Cavers ................................... Darkseed 16 |
| Out of the Frying Pan (FGS) ................ Celestin Drowstar 18 |
| Fire Cats and Fire Rats ...................... Kalagay Halatil 20 |
| Water's Shadowed Flight .......................... Eron Kulsen 22 |
| Bumbling in the Dark .......................... Kert Clandocci 23 |
| A Guiding Star ............................. Belladonna Atropa 25 |
| Harpy Holidays ............................... Lloyd Lowd, PhD 27 |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Kelfour Edition/Kronicles of Kulthea, is devoted to the Multiplayer |
| Role-Playing Game GemStone III on GEnie Online Service. Submissions |
| may be edited for space, accuracy and readability. Write Assistant |
| Editors Kalagay Halatil, Jarran Terraxx, Rasputin Santare, or to |
| Publisher Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for details. |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\_/_____________________________________________________________________/
Kelfour's Local News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Role-playing Experience! Pirates Pose as Merchants!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All residents are encouraged to stay Although (as you can see below) they
in character when in the environs of offered items of great value, recent
Kulthea because, at long last, real visiting merchants were exposed as
experience points are being awarded dangerous pirates by several brave
for doing so! adventurers.
Read the Version Notes Some items included a Grey Nipcan of
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Invisibility for 700 silvers, white
Staying current with changes to the gold vial believed to hold a
game is important to optimizing your Resurrection potion for 5580, Silver
playing investment. Changes are doc- horn of Strength for 2000, Metal
umented regularly in the Version Chalice containing Blur for 2000,
Notes available on menu option 2 on Alabaster decanter of Wizard Shield
GEnie page 931. Changes were ex- for 7150, Glass Flask of Strenth for
plained there, for instance, in 725, Glass Bottle of Channeling for
December and January affecting the 4000, and a Glass Decanter with an
following: unknown spell for 1700 silvers.
Tend, Diagnose and Unwrap Great GemStone III Resources
Dragging overfilled containers ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Word of Disarm * Indexes to Back Kelfour Editions
Brawling GemStone III Library files 45 & 46
Enchantment True and Get command Find the articles YOU want!
Disarm and Trap
Call Familiar * Town Forums every Wednesday
... and many more! Residents meet in Moot Hall
Visit Town Frequently * Newbie Night, Last Tuesday of Each
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Month. Personal help in the game!
Attention! Residents staying out of
Kulthea for more than 90 days run * Multi-player Games RoundTable
the risk of not being recognized up- GEnie*Basic Bulletin Board
on return. Details in GemStone III's Categories 17 through 20
Policy Statement on GEnie page 931. Keyword MPGRT
/|
//|
// |
______________________________________________________|/ |_______
/ \ | _| \
\@| Hunter's Theme Song | (_) |
| _| |
| Home on the Plains (_) |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| |
| Oh, give me a home where the Lesser Orcs roam, |
| Where the Torkaans and Hobgoblins play. |
| Where often is heard, that encouraging word |
| That my chest won't blow pickers away! |
| |
| Home, home on the plains! |
| Where the Trolls and the Wolvies I slay. |
| Where crits are deserved, and my wounds are all cured, |
_| And my mind never clears up all day! |
/@| |
\/_________________________________________________________________/
-1-
____________
/ \ __ \ Kelfour's Landing Census Report
\@| / "| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| //|"| | by Catrissa Dakhati, Census Taker
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| | census of Kelfour's [Editor's Note: This situation was
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / Landing adventurers rectified in grand style by the bard
~~~~~~~~~~~ was conducted early Lord Enegue LionHeart by press time,
last December when the entire popu- as shown by the January 25th Fame.]
lation of 646 people was polled as
to race and choice of profession. The same statistics were then com-
It was discovered that 43 inhabi- puted for the entire population of
tants of Kelfour's had attained the Kelfour's Landing.
special title of Lord or Lady. A
separate poll was done for these Half-elves may be outcasts in other
high ranking members of our fair lands, but they have obviously found
town. a home in Kelfour's Landing. The
class divisions show that Kelfour's
This titled class numbered 43, just is truly a frontier town. As in any
less than 7% of the population. frontier town, thieves are plentiful
so carrying a tight purse is recom-
As can be seen by the following mended. And it is clear from this
charts, Elves are the more dominant census that the town needs more
of the races, making up almost 80% clerics and healers.
of the Lords. The absence of Lords
among common men is interesting, These are the facts and figures, any
although the division of the Lord- further analysis and discussion will
ships among the various professions be left to others. Hopefully this
was fairly evenly distributed except census will prove informative and
for bards. useful to all.
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ Breakdown of Lords by Race and Class \
| @/_____________________________________________________________________/
| Halfling 5 (12%) Fighter 3 ( 7%) |
| Half-elf 20 (47%) Thief 10 (23%) |
| Fair elf 12 (28%) Bard 0 ( 0%) |
| High man 3 ( 7%) Ranger 6 (14%) |
| High elf 1 ( 2%) Cleric 6 (14%) |
| Wood elf 1 ( 2%) Healer 5 (12%) |
|_ Dwarf 1 ( 2%) Mage 10 (23%) _|
/ Common man 0 ( 0%) Sorceror 3 ( 7%) \
| --------- --------- |
| Total 43 (100%) 43 (100%) |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Race by Class |
| Half- Half Fair High High Wood Common |
| ling Elf Elf Man Elf Elf Dwarf Man |
| |
| Fighter 0% 5% 0% 67% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
| Thief 0% 25% 42% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
| Bard 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
| Ranger 0% 30% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
| Cleric 20% 20% 8% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
| Healer 0% 10% 8% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0% |
| Mage 60% 10% 33% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% |
| Sorceror 20% 0% 8% 33% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
| ---------------------------------------------------- |
__| Total # 5 20 12 3 1 1 1 0 |
\_/______________________________________________________________________/
-2-
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ Class by Race \
| @/_____________________________________________________________________/
| Fighter Thief Bard Ranger Cleric Healer Mage Sorc |
| |
| Halfling 0% 0% 0% 0% 17% 0% 30% 33% |
| Half-elf 33% 50% 0% 100% 67% 40% 20% 0% |
| Fair elf 0% 50% 0% 0% 17% 20% 40% 33% |
| High man 67% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 33% |
|_ High elf 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 20% 0% 0% _|
/ Wood elf 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 10% 0% \
| Dwarf 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 20% 0% 0% |
| Com. Man 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% |
| --------------------------------------------------- |
| Total # 3 10 0 6 6 5 10 3 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Number of each Race and Class split up |
|_---------------------------------------------------------------------_|
/ Halfling 44 ( 7%) Fighter 111 (17%) \
| Half-elf 295 (46%) Thief 154 (24%) |
| Fair elf 118 (18%) Bard 28 ( 4%) |
| High man 86 (13%) Ranger 109 (17%) |
| High elf 15 ( 2%) Mage 109 (17%) |
| Wood elf 30 ( 5%) Sorceror 44 ( 7%) |
|_ Dwarf 23 ( 4%) Cleric 53 ( 8%) _|
/ Common man 35 ( 5%) Healer 38 ( 6%) \
| ---------- --------- |
| Totals 646 (100%) 646 (100%) |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Race by Class and Class by Race |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Half Half Fair High High Wood Common |
| ling Elf Elf Man Elf Elf Dwarf Man |
| Fighter 0% 15% 8% 40% 20% 7% 43% 20% |
| Thief 14% 31% 27% 3% 20% 13% 17% 31% |
| Bard 2% 3% 5% 6% 7% 10% 0% 9% |
| Ranger 0% 24% 10% 19% 7% 10% 9% 11% |
| Cleric 7% 8% 8% 12% 7% 0% 13% 6% |
| Healer 2% 6% 5% 5% 20% 0% 17% 6% |
| Mage 59% 7% 29% 13% 7% 40% 0% 9% |
| Sorceror 16% 5% 8% 3% 13% 20% 0% 9% |
| ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Total # 44 295 118 86 15 30 23 35 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Fighter Thief Bard Ranger Cleric Healer Mage Sorc |
| Halfling 0% 4% 4% 0% 6% 3% 24% 16% |
| Half-elf 41% 59% 32% 65% 47% 47% 20% 32% |
| Fair elf 9% 21% 21% 11% 17% 16% 31% 20% |
| High man 31% 2% 18% 15% 19% 11% 10% 7% |
| High elf 3% 2% 4% 1% 2% 8% 1% 5% |
| Wood elf 2% 3% 11% 3% 0% 0% 11% 14% |
| Dwarf 9% 3% 0% 2% 6% 11% 0% 0% |
| Com. Man 6% 7% 11% 4% 4% 5% 3% 7% |
| --------------------------------------------------- |
| Total # 111 154 28 109 53 38 109 44 |
| |
| Note: Percentages may not always add up to 100 due to rounding. |
__| This report was based on the Fame list posted on Dec. 10, 1992. |
\_/______________________________________________________________________/
-3-
___________ Rolling up a Character
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Lord Nixie Trevize
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| | nyone who wants to The second set of numbers, your
/@| // |"| | develop a long-term potential stats, is determined from
\_/ ~~ ~~~/ character in GemStone a Role Master table incorporated in
~~~~~~~~~~ should test a variety the character manager.
of professions before choosing one.
Find someone to show you the ropes. You've probably been advised about
Information from others will save re-rolling. "Get 100s and put them
you much time and frustration. here, then put that 99 there," etc.
Well, okay if you want just 3 or 4
Once you've decided on a profession, good stats, but if you want good
you will need to create a character stats all around, forget that.
with stats (numbers which determine
bonuses that affect your character's Here's what you do:
abilities in the game) you can live
with over time. My own experience Ask around (or look in back issues
has been that you can expect to of KE) and find out which stats are
spent 4 to 6 hours in the character important to your profession.
manager to optimize these stats.
For example, my character's stats Put your two lowest rolls in your
using this technique are: character's automatic 90s.
COnstitution 99 STrength 99 Put your highest roll in the skill
AGility 99 QUickness 98 you need the most which is not
Self Discipline 99 PResence 75 covered by an automatic 90.
ELoquence 97 INtuition 97
REasoning 87 EMpathy 98 Put all other high numbers in the
first 5 stats (CO, AG, SD, EL, RE)
Any profession would be successful to maximize your Development points.
with these stats.
Once you have started your pattern,
The character manager generates two stick to it. Don't jump around with
sets of numbers for your character. your numbers. Just stick to putting
These numbers are divided between a the same type in the same place.
first roll and a potential roll --
the stats you start out with and the Always examine your character's
potential stats you work toward as potential stats to see if they are
as your character matures. Both satisfactory. This method allows
sets are weighted: On your first you to take advantage of both sets
roll, you will get 3 numbers between of rolls and the possible 90s that
75-100, 3 between 50-80, 3 between each can produce. The object is to
20-50, and 1 between 20-100. The get the potential 90s to match the
second set of numbers will produce low stats from the first roll.
similar results, except that numbers
between 1 and 20 are allowed on some Believe me, this method works! I
rolls. invested six hours rolling up my
character. Three times I rejected
Let's look at the spreads. Your better stats than I ended up with
will have two automatic 90s, and the because I wanted 2.8 power points
character manager will generate a per level. I settled instead for
total of 6 numbers between 75-100, 6 2.5, and I've never regretted it.
between 50-80, 6 between 20-50, and
2 between 20-100. It's possible to My advice is to forget about getting
get eight 100s and two 98s, but this 100s. Go for a bunch of the highest
would occur rarely indeed. 90s you can manage.
-4-
_______________ Mastering the Character Generator
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~~\ /~~|+| by Rondo d'Amici
| |~\~\/~/~| |
_| |~|\~~/|~| | any a new resident _________________________________
/@| _|~| ~~ |~|_| of Kulthea, after \ \
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ spending several ||________________________________|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ years in the area, | |
has decided that their chosen | 1 @ 98 or higher for INtuition |
profession of adventuring is not for | |
them. Most of these folks have re- | 3 @ 90 or higher for QUickness |
latives of some description who wish | COnstitution and STrength |
to follow in their footsteps as | |
adventurers, but this entails visit- | 1 @ 75 or higher for AGility |
ing that most blessed of all spots | ______________________________|
of the town of Kelfours Landing, the | @\ \
Character Generator. This article \_/______________________________/
discusses how to best determine what
the new adventurer needs to obtain
from the Character Generator and the Additionally, I wanted the potential
best way to obtain these charact- rolls in each of the above categor-
eristics without causing your family ies to be 95 or higher. I decided
to go bankrupt. to prioritize the remaining rolls in
this order: Self Discipline, Reas-
Deciding What You Want oning, Empathy, Presence, and Elo-
quence (taking the default 90). The
Before you enter the character purpose of making these decisions in
generator, you should spend some advance is to allow you to look
time deciding what your new char- immediately at a set of 10 rolls and
acter wants to do as a profession. decide if the rolls are high enough
After you decide, you must determine to merit investing more time or
the sort of statistics and training whether you should reroll posthaste.
that are best for someone of that
profession. The best way to do this Remember that you will have no more
is to contact the leading citizens than four starting rolls above 80,
in your chosen profession. Talk to no matter how many times you reroll.
various people around town, leave The potential rolls are a function
messages on the bulletin board, or of the starting rolls, but they can
send email to individuals, if you theoretically be any value equal to
know their addresses. Additionally, or greater than the starting rolls.
you should read Kelfour's most
famous book, Natasha's No-Nonsense The beginning adventurer should
Tourist Handbook to Kulthea. decide which areas he plans to train
in before entering the character
Other adventurers will be happy to generator. Spell users should per-
tell you what stats are important to use the spell lists in advance to
your occupation, but opinions about decide which list or lists they plan
rolls abound! It's up to you to de- to develop. Will your character be
cide how high your rolls must be for a picker of chests, a picker of
each stat. In other words, do you pockets, or a stalker who picks on
want a QUickness rating above 90 or monsters? Will you wave wands, read
95, or is 80 good enough? How many runes, or try to brawl your way to
Power Points per level are enough? fame and fortune? Many local
For example, when I visited the residents will be more than happy to
character generator I had decided I discuss how to optimize your train-
needed the following potential rolls ing experience.
to be an effective cleric: More...
-5-
Once you decide you are ready to Your second macro should read:
enter the character generator, you
need to set up two macros to help D [CR] Y [CR] D [CR] Y [CR] D [CR] Y
you quickly reroll when you get poor [CR] M [CR] 1 [CR] 1 [CR] 1 [CR] 1
rolls. The first macro should read [CR] Your Name [CR] 3 [CR] 1 [CR] Y
as follows: [CR] Y [CR]
N [CR] 4 [CR] [CR] 3 [CR] This one answers all the questions
to get from your potential rolls to
where [CR] is a carriage return a new set of rolls.
character, ASCII 13. (Note: There
are really no spaces in macros; Now you're ready. CHECK IN at the
spaces are used for clarity only.) inn. Retire your character or fam-
This macro will be used after the ily and agree to have the computer
rolls are displayed and you have assign the rolls randomly. You will
rearranged them if you desire. The be looking at a set of ten rolls,
N and first [CR] answers "no" to the where the first three are probably
question, "Do you want to rearrange the highest, along with possibly the
the rolls?" The 4 and [CR] select last. Look these rolls over and
the profession of Cleric. If you decide if you want to build your
want some other profession, change character from them. If not, exe-
the 4 to a number from the following cute the first macro, press enter,
table: and execute the second macro. In
________________________ approximately 50 seconds, you will
|\ \ be looking at a new roll. Unlike in
|/_______________________/ the game, I found no limit to the
| | number of lines you can type ahead.
| 1 = Fighter |
| 2 = Thief | [Editor's Note: ALWAYS check out
| 3 = Mage | your POTENTIAL rolls! Great changes
| 4 = Cleric | can have taken place with them.]
|_ 5 = Healer |
/ 6 = Sorcerer | If you like those numbers, rearrange
| 7 = Ranger | them in the order you desire. Then
| 8 = Bard | either execute the first macro ONLY,
| _____________________|_ or answer the questions manually
| @\ \ until you see your potential rolls.
\_/______________________/ If you execute this part manually,
you will not have to bother with
The next [CR] acknowledges when the correcting the first macro to your
generator tells you that certain profession and race. At this point,
rolls were raised to 90. The 3 and you will have to decide if this
[CR] selects the race of Half Elf. character is acceptable. If you
If you desire another race, change like the character, proceed normally
the 3 to a number from the following through the training screens and
table that corresponds to the race away you go. If the potential rolls
of your choice: are not to your satisfaction, hit
______________________ the enter key and execute the second
/ \ \ macro. In about 40 seconds, you'll
\@| 1 = Common Man | have a new set of rolls to play
| 2 = High Man | with. In my case, it took me about
| 3 = Half Elf | 40 rolls to get the character I
| 4 = Wood Elf | wanted, which totalled around 90
| 5 = High Elf _| minutes using this system. I be-
| 6 = Fair Elf \ lieve it will allow you to design
_| 7 = Dwarf | a good character without the bore-
/@| 8 = Halfling | boredom and expense usually assoc-
\/_____________________/ iated with rerolling.
-6-
Successful Thievery: The Deadliest Skill
_____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _________ \ by Lord Artuero Bresnahanini
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |he ability to ambush mines the extent of the critical
_| |_| | well does not come injury inflicted on the target. The
/@| _|_|_ | easily. A thief who way in which it does so is straight-
\_/__________/ patiently trains in forward; add the ambusher's skill
it (twice per level, every level) ranks to the D100 roll. Thus, if the
will not find ambushing at all help- roll is 46 (assume a "C" critical
ful until well along in this career. for simplicity's sake), and the
Eventually, however, these years of ambusher has twelve ranks of ambush,
training pay off, and the higher the modified D100 is 58, and the
level thief fully trained in ambush crit inflicted is whatever a 58
can be expected to kill a foe with a dictates on the appropriate table.
single blow.
Allow me to put the crit roll into
This month's article explores this equation form. If the reader desires
deadliest of abilities. In doing so, further clarification, I again refer
I have assumed that the reader has a him or her to Lady Valeria's series,
more than passing familiarity with which explains the mechanics of the
Lady Valeria Deering's two - part crit system in full.
series "On Critical Hits," found in
Kelfour Edition, Vol.1, Nos.10 & 11. Modified Crit Roll = D100 + [Crit
Type Modification] + [Target Crit
The bonus derived from the ambush Resistance, if any] + [Ambush
skill is not like the bonus acquired Skill (when attacking from hiding)]
with other skills, which increase at
a decreasing rate (+5 for each of An example is in order. Recall last
the first ten skill ranks, +4 for time that Toady had his pocket pick-
each of the 11th through 20th skill ed by Ricardo. Toady vowed to train
ranks and so forth). Training in harder, and he was true to his word.
ambush gives a player the straight Lord Toady now walks the Wild. Being
bonus of +1 for each skill rank no a civilized chap, he has, of course,
matter how many ranks the character not caused any harm to Ricardo.
has earned. This accounts for the
comparatively slow realization of However, Lord Toady has become angry
the skills benefit. with Tortious, because Tortious has
spoken out openly about something he
The ambush skill comes into play swore to keep secret. Toady sets out
only after a number of prerequisites to slay Tortious and successfully
are satisfied. First, the thief must stalks him out of the temple into
hide successfully. For this reason, the grasslands. He readies a weapon
ambush training without training in and jumps out of hiding to attack!
stalk and hide is of minimal worth.
Once a thief is successfully hidden, Unfortunately, a torkaan wanders in
he or she must attack from this hid- front of Toady just at that moment,
den position and not only hit the so Toady swings his morning star at
target, but exceed the THT by enough the torkaan instead of at Tortious,
that a critical hit is scored. Once and Tortious manages to escape.
these factors are satisfied -- the
successful hide, the strike from But let us see what happens to the
hiding, the successful hit, and the torkaan. Toady's OB with the morning
scoring of a critical injury on top star is 145 (he is level 22 with no
of concussion point damage -- the ST bonus). The torkaan's DB is, of
skill of ambush enters the picture. course, zero. The morning star's THT
against AT3, which I believe torkaan
Ambush affects combat by adding to skin to be, is 80. Toady's D100 roll
the internal D100 roll which deter- turns out to be a 10.
-7- More...
Toady's modified D100 is 155 (OB of even with a low crit roll, the bonus
145 - DB of 0 + D100 of 10), so he will increase the crit's severity to
exceeds the THT by 75. This results the point that the target will be
in Toady's damaging the torkaan to incapacitated and easily finished.
the extent of 30 concussion points.
He also scores a critical hit on the Now that the benefits of serious
unfortunate torkaan. ambush training have been explained,
let us look at some tips about how
Exceeding the THT of skin based to use the hide/ambush technique in
armors by anything over 50 results hunting. A thief will generally use
in an "E" Critical. Using Valeria's hide / ambush when soloing, as most
tables, we see that an "E" Critical groups do not appreciate having the
adds 20 to the critical roll. In quarry destroyed in one blow. Still,
addition, because Toady is level 22 when hunting in a group with a
and fully trained in ambush, he adds greedy, double - casting mage, it is
the number of skill ranks he has one sure way to teach the magic-user
accumulated, 46, to the roll. Toady some restraint, and the thief is
therefore brings a total of +66 to encouraged to do so.
his crit roll.
To solo using hide/ambush, you must
Keep in mind that the crit roll is recognize that older monsters in the
hidden; you will never get to see it land have a ridiculously effective
as a player. However, for purposes "find" logic. No amount of training
of this example, we will show that can overcome it, at least while a
Toady's D100 crit roll is a 62. The thief can still get experience from
roll is modified by +20 (because of the monster. So the monster must be
"E" Critical) bringing it to 82, slow enough for the thief to hide
which means that Toady would break (which takes five seconds) and then
the torkaan's right arm. However, strike before the monster can sniff
when he adds his ambush skill bonus, him out and attack. Otherwise, the
Toady's crit roll goes right off the thief will never be able to get off
charts, exceeding 120 and resulting an attack, as the monster continues
in instant death to the torkaan, rediscovering his hiding place.
either on the crushing table (heart
destroyed) or the puncture table If the thief can muster enough DB,
(shot through ears). through magic or by parrying, to
withstand an attack, the creature's
Some monsters have a natural resist- round time need be only slightly
ance to crits. Liches, for example, over five seconds. The thief may
have a -40 to the crit roll against then strike from hiding and let the
them. Monks have similar resistance. creature attack while the thief is
In order to overcome this handicap, still in round time from the ambush.
a thief must strike from ambush to The thief may then hide again and
have a reasonable chance of slaying repeat the process.
the monster in any way other than
beating it until it loses all of its However, if the thief cannot stand
concussion points. Torkaans, I have up to a hit from the monster without
determined after significant field parrying back up to 100 first, then
testing, are not among the monsters a long creature round time, eleven
resistant to crits, thus Toady slays or twelve seconds, is necessary. The
the torkaan in one blow. thief waits for the creature to
strike, hides, ambushes, parries up
At high levels of skill, the chances again, and then lets the creature
of an individual surviving an ambush strike before repeating. The process
attack become quite small. Although can take a long time and can also be
instant death will not be achieved rather risky.
in every instance (until the thief
reaches the 59th level or so), a Keep in mind that it may be worth-
look at the crit tables shows that while to parry substantially and
-8- [Continued on Page 10]
____________ How to Defeat Pickpockets
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | Anonymous
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |s you may be aware, often, especially when someone you
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / picking pockets is on suspect is around. You'll figure out
~~~~~~~~~~~ the rise in Kulthea. in a hurry who the main pickpockets
Fortunately, though, pickpockets CAN in town are. Don't just be suspic-
be defeated. Here's how. ious of Lord level thieves, though.
ANY profession can pick pockets.
Long Term
~~~~~~~~~ Thirdly, use INFO to check on your
Anyone can train cheaply to defeat a silvers, not WEALTH. When you type
pickpocket. The secret is to train INFO no one sees you count your
once in perception and pickpocketing coins, unlike with WEALTH. This way,
each level. BOTH bonuses add to your the pickpocket won't know that you
defence against being stolen from. suspect her.
For the would-be robber only, her
pickpocketing skill is applied. This Next, know which areas are safe from
means by level 12 the Lord level pickpockets and which aren't. The
pickpocket is beginning to have some temple is safe. Travelling merchants
trouble stealing from you. By level wagons and shacks are USUALLY safe
17 she probably can't steal from you (more on that later). Helga's Tavern
at all. This advantage continues to is NOT safe.
grow in your favor. By the time you
are level 21 or so, a level 30 (!) Be especially wary when merchants
pickpocket can't touch you; by level are in town, or when special events
23 you are safe from a level 40 are going on. Pickpockets are out in
robber, etc. force then. Special events rarely
have any kind of protection from
The pickpocket also gets a bonus of pickpocketing, so leave your money
(SD+SD+AG)/3, but since most pick- in the bank. Areas around merchants
pockets are elves of one sort or the are usually protected from thievery
other (all elves have a SD penalty) of this type. When you are waiting
this doesn't amount to much. The for a merchant and someone picks
victim get a bonus of (IN+IN+QU)/3. your pocket, use the REPORT command
It's pretty cheap to train this way, to send a message asking GameMasters
2-5 points for sword swingers, 6 to protect the area. Use REPORT in-
points for spell users. Well worth instead of THINK because only Game-
it in the long run. Masters see those messages.
Short Term Even when the merchant's wagons are
~~~~~~~~~~ safe, the area outside of them some-
There are also lots of things you times isn't. This causes problems
can do to protect your hard-earned when you are waiting for the merch-
silvers if you don't have sufficient ants to arrive, with your pockets
training to be safe. The first rule full of silver. Fortunately, you
is obvious, leave your money in the cannot be stolen from if you are
bank! If you don't have it on you hidden. If the robbers aren't there
it can't be stolen. Set up a macro yet, just hide and wait for the
to go from the temple straight to merchants. If the robbers are there
the bank, including a 'go window' at already, chances are you cannot hide
the end. with them in the room. Go to a
nearby room, hide, and sneak into
Secondly, know who the pickpockets the room with the pickpockets in it.
are. One way to do this is to keep It's much easier to sneak up on
a small amount of silver in your someone with high perception than it
pocket at all times. Check on it is to hide from them.
-9- More...
Finally, don't stand out. Most pick- tend to go out of his way to pester
pockets are of sordid character and you. You must be just as sneaky as
vengeful nature. If one KNOWS you he is, at least until he can no
caused problems for him, he will longer pick your pocket.
____________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@|_ Robbers Victims |
/ Double Trained Single Trained |
| Level Pickpocket Bonus Perception + Pick = Defense Bonus |
| ----- ---------------- --------------------------------- |
| 5 58 30 + 30 = 60 |
| 10 96 54 + 54 = 108 |
| 15 134 74 + 74 = 148 _|
| 20 152 93 + 93 = 186 \
| 25 162 108 + 108 = 216 |
_| 30 172 122 + 122 = 244 |
/@| |
\_/__________________________________________________________________/
________________________________
Successful Thievery .... From Page 8 / \
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Earn An |
use the hide / ambush technique to | |
hunt faster monsters. This method | All Expense-PAID Vacation |
reduces the thief's chance to hit | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
the creature by a large amount in | in Kulthea |
many cases. However, the handicap | ~~~~~~~~~~ |
may be offset by better criticals | |
when the thief does connect. Experi- | Take the vacation of your dreams |
mentation will show if it is a good | in Kelfour's and its surrounding |
way for an individual thief to hunt. | wilds absolutely FREE! An entire |
| weekend from 6PM Friday until |
Finally, the newer creatures, monks | 8AM Monday, your local time. |
and liches in particular, have a | |
more reasonable "find" logic which | Explore the town, hunt in the |
allows the thief a chance to remain | wilds, make new friends or visit |
hidden after the monster searches. | Castle Claedesbrim's ruins -- do |
Ambush skill will become more valu- | everything you normally would, |
able as new creatures appear with | absolutely FREE! |
this more reasonable logic; and the | |
thief may hide, wait for the monster | You can do all this by simply |
to search, attack, parry, and hide | contributing articles, poetry or |
again. In addition to the benefit of | ASCII art to Kelfour Edition, |
ambush against these monsters, the | GemStone III's official player- |
thief is also able to escape many | written newsletter. |
attacks altogether because the mons- | |
ter cannot find him or her. Thus, to | Send GE Mail to KE's Publisher |
the mature thief, ambush is a useful | Phaedra Blue (at P.HERRINGTON) |
day-to-day skill as well as being an | for complete details! |
invaluable resource for occasions | |
when one hit is all you might get. \________________________________/
-10-
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| ) Hall of Fame )
|@/_______________________________________________________________________/
| |
| FIGHTER Lvl THIEF Lvl |===========COMMON MAN==|
|-------------------------------------------------|Bishop O'dowd 15|
| Waldo2 Ptolomy 24 Mikhail Minnehan 29 |Sauren Tessar 13|
| Gilthor Longblade 23 Artuero Bresnahanini 27 |Dreamweaver Oenotha..11|
| Benar Stormarm 21 Moonpie Legend 24 |Silent Mydnyghte 10|
| Blades Clanners 16 Valeria Deering 23 |Dec Carfa'shon 10|
| Metaboculous Grid..15 Stanyon Sting 23 |=============HIGH MAN==|
| Peat Sallixto 15 Winter Moorsland 23 |Gilthor Longblade 23|
| Angeleyes DuLac 15 Camorra Amandaus 22 |Benar Stormarm 21|
| Dirac de.Montegilt 14 Griffun Skyborne 21 |Queron Kinevan 20|
| Imlach Drauglir 13 Bleys Airelious 21 |Luke Medivac 18|
|_Flynn Bloodmark 12 Laeg Cearnach 20 |Enegue LionHeart 17|
/------------------------------------------------|=============HALF ELF==|
| MAGE CLERIC |Fxg Lyon 29|
|-------------------------------------------------|Mikhail Minnehan 29|
| Dartaghan Darkstar 30 Lairaerrykthrok Tyki..30 |Kayla Kyndhart 29|
| Odds Bodkins 27 Taarna Wayfinder 27 |Taarna Wayfinder 27|
| Whilder Planrathe 26 Redeye Kielsson 24 |Maruko Ashimine 26|
| Certain Justice 24 Zinderin Paxton 23 |=============WOOD ELF==|
| Elminester Silvan..23 Ardneh Cormorant 21 |Joqain Denark 20|
| Rhone Yarrl 22 Lohann McCloud 21 |Mithil Wyerla 17|
| Artemis Al~Anhir 21 Michealoos Duraderos 19 |Kaylin Darkmoor 16|
| Wisraith Winterwi..21 Snow Evenstars 19 |Celestin Drowstar 10|
| Delvian Kel'Bathi..20 Tory Sterlington 17 |Moalanfaidh Maomadh.. 9|
|_Xura Viirkort 20 Paks Moray 16 |=============HIGH ELF==|
/------------------------------------------------|Strom O'Berin 40|
| HEALER BARD |Soulsavr Truespel 13|
|-------------------------------------------------|Fonrod Felagund 9|
| Strom O'Berin 40 Enegue LionHeart 17 |Tighbor Siterious 7|
| Kayla Kyndhart 29 Mendle Seldagrave 16 |Aguarin Howenthorne 6|
| Caretaker D'Bolho..26 Llorien Silvanestii 13 |=============FAIR ELF==|
| Woundhealer Odlaw 21 Dreamweaver Oenothara 11 |Artuero Bresnahanini 27|
| Unum LUX 20 Elladan Palarran 10 |Whilder Planrathe 26|
| Penna Dulaney 19 Rasta Farian 8 |Certain Justice 24|
| Luke Medivac 18 Valinor Kalmirson 6 |Valeria Deering 23|
| Vesitsa Talchild 17 Zimbangu Atlantia 6 |Airioch Ramthanodox 23|
| Eowynn Earrame 16 Telemon Talespinner 6 |=============DWARF=====|
|_Aldan Hawkei 12 Chieftain Getty's 6 |Caretaker D'BoldHome 26|
/------------------------------------------------|Vesitsa Talchild 17|
| RANGER SORCERER |Aeklug Baeyenbregha..16|
|-------------------------------------------------|Alberich Albenherrs..14|
| Fxg Lyon 29 Airioch Ramthanodox 23 |Hilgavolkas LaJolla 10|
| Maruko Ashimine 26 Enigma Sirillian 21 |=============HALFLING==|
| Nastrom Trevin 26 Queron Kinevan 20 |Dartaghan Darkstar 30|
| Gallenod Varynesti 23 Nixie Trevize 19 |Lairaerrykthrok Tyk..30|
| Talon Elessidil 21 Mithil Wyerla 17 |Odds Bodkins 27|
| Arborius Draginson 20 Vlad Drakulya 16 |Artemis Al~Anhir 21|
| Mohrgan Silversteel 19 Anthrax BLACKMOORE 11 |Enigma Sirillian 21|
| Kalagay Halatil 17 Charms D'Warfling 11 |=======================|
| Trachten Hickapod 16 Celestin Drowstar 10 | ------------------- |
| Rory Brandybuck 16 Sylvermyst Sadheart 10 | ------------------- |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
/@\ Shadow World Current Rankings as of Sun Jan 03 21:08:01 1993 |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-11-
_____________________________________________________
/\ \
\@| |
| |
| Misremembering Moon |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| by Greywulf |
| |
| |
| ...and the moonlight's scent is sweet |
| with clarity, |
| green leaves, dark leaves, dark green leaves |
| deep breaths spin 'round and 'round |
| and 'round and 'round and 'round and 'round |
| loud whispered thoughts my heart remembers not |
| |
| ...ansilius |
| |
| run |
| pad, the softened earth, the needles damp |
| he comes |
| about the circle race, ecstatic |
| the Taker comes |
| we breathe we breathe |
| we run and run and run and run and run |
| and celebrate |
| |
| ...the Feast! |
| |
| howl, howl, while ye remember howl! |
| sweet thickness spreading down our muzzles |
| chest fur matting |
| chase the moon we |
| are the Moon we are for now |
| and he, |
| the Slit-eyed One is us |
| and we are he |
| |
| ...and we remember not |
| |
/@| |
\/____________________________________________________/
-12-
____________ The Monster Chronicles: Mummies
/ \ _________\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ||=|=|=|| | by Jarran Terraxx
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |
/@| _|_|_ |
\_/__________/his month we'll cover section of the graveyard, that one
one of the most fearsome of the section being the crypt, which is a
undead, the Mummy. very appropriate place for them,
considering they'll want to stay
Before taking on this horror, it is near their original resting places.
wisest to know your target and the Keeping that in mind, it won't be
things they are capable of. Mummies very likely that you'll accidentally
are very hard to miss, of all of encounter one anywhere else, unless,
the undead creatures, they are very of course, someone chased it out at
unmistakable. The way to always tell you.
a mummy from any other creature, is
the fact that mummies were once dead Now for a little closer look at the
relatives of one person or another, Mummy itself. As stated earlier, the
who were then taken and wrapped up Mummy is wrapped up in bandages from
in cloth bandages to preserve their when they were first buried. Since
bodies. At least until someone, most then, the bandages have grown old
likely a cleric, brought them back and rotting, the bodies themselves
to unlife to haunt and torment the having gone far into the decaying
citizens of Kelfours landing. process. Earth worms and other such
insects have probably made a home
Fortunately, Mummies can only be within the body of the mummy. The
found in one place, the graveyard, eyes have long sunken inside their
so you certainly wont run into one sockets, but they don't really see
on the road. It is suggested that with them anymore. Someone with a
you don't try Mummies until you are weak stomach may not be able to
at least 6th level, and certainly handle looking into the untold hor-
not alone. Mummies hang around with rors that are reflected in a Mummy's
some pretty tough monsters, like the eyes.
bone golem (which will be covered in
another article). Therefore, it is Mummies don't seem to be able to
also suggested that you travel with move around like other undead. The
at least one cleric and a group of logical reason may be that before
about four other members; there is they died they may have already had
safety in numbers when dealing with something wrong, or perhaps the way
powerful undead. they had died might have been a very
brutal one. Since they have their
Mummies have a DB of 30 and are of original bodies when they were first
normal speed, so it is possible to buried, then they still retain that
get in two hits to its one. Mummies specific trait they had. This might
use two forms of attacks, both claw, be a limp, or an unusable arm, even
and ensnare, making them extremely perhaps their head lolling to one
difficult to deal with. Being snared side. But no matter what the problem
and then clawed by a mummy is not on they are still quite dangerous to
the list of fun things to do. deal with, and unlike some other
monsters, they won't beg for mercy
After you beat the mummy, skinning from you.
it is always a nice idea. It's said
that Jarlik the Furrier will pay 75 Mummies are bent on the destruction
silvers for mummy shrouds, on top of on all life, so killing you or any
the treasure that they are already other living creature won't bother
carrying, most likely from their them. However, if one does manage
tombs where they were first buried. to defeat you, rest assured that you
Mummies hang out in a very small won't end up as one of the undead.
-13-
____________ A Hacker's Guide to Greys
/ \ ___ ___\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| \~\ /~/ | by Imlach Draughlir
| \ ~ / |
_| |~| |ou've wandered through How to Get to Grey Orcs
/@| |~| | Torkland, gone on to _______________________________
\_/ ~~~ / Hobs, traveled into /\ N \
~~~~~~~~~~~ Gorcs, and hacked \@| Kobold [ ] W+E |
about in Hillies. Now you're faced | Forest / | S |
with that most horrible of all ques- | / | |
tions, "What's next?" There IS an | / | |
answer to that question: Greys! | go [ ] [ ] go |
| path // \\ trail |
The Grey Orc is one of the most | [W] |
unsociable creatures I've met in the | | Werebears |
Dragonsfang so far, but when they | [ ] |
drop Level 2 chests with more | | |
frequency than a Hob, it sort of | [ ] |
makes up for their lack of manners. | B=boulder / \ |
(By the way, if you're hunting in a | / \ |
group, let the lowest level charac- | [ ] [B] [ ] |
ter search. You'll find more chests | \ down / |
that way.) | \ / |
| [ ] <-- climb |
You will also notice how quick the | | boulder |
Grey Orc is. You can forget about | [ ] |
playing parry tag with these bundles | | |
of joy. I've been told that parrying | [ ] -- [ ] |
them is possible, but after spending | go // |
three levels hunting there, I've yet /@| pass [ ] |
to see it done successfully. \/______________________________/
Next in a long line of threats is in the center. The final stage is
how rapidly Greys appear or "gen" as the active one, when those sparks
some like to say. At first glace, leave the cloud. Luckily the sparks
this sounds good. Then it "turtles" strike randomly, so the Orc can get
up (shifting its OB to DB) and you hit just like you.
are flailing away like a hapless
bozo when another one ambles in. Be VERY wary when those clouds
Suddenly: spark. The damage they do is in the
form of critical strikes. Armor is
Blast drives foe's jaw thru brain! no protection, though the higher
** Imlach just bit the dust! your AGility is, the less likely you
are to sustain damage. A cloud can
See what I mean? kill you outright or just shave off
a few concussion points. As if this
Okay. We've covered the subtle wasn't bad enough, a cloud can move
threats, so let's take a look at the into other areas. So keep a close
obvious things you'll have to worry watch on where clouds are and check
about, namely, combat capabilities. adjoining rooms.
Grey Orcs have several attacks. The
most infuriating of these is the Moving down the list we come to the
ever unpopular gas cloud. When a dreaded firebolt and shockbolt. A
Grey casts a cloud, it goes through laen shield can be a big help here.
a series of stages before it becomes The +15 from the shield goes into
dangerous. During stage one, the your spell DB as well. Being only a
cloud forms in the air above you. At thick-skulled fighter myself, I've
stage two, it condenses. In stage found this to be an absolute
three, you'll notice sparks forming necessity while fighting here.
-14- More...
Now to the least of your worries, course, is never travel alone! Even
the physical prowess of the Greys. Lords and Ladies can die here if
You'll find you have a THT of 64 they make the wrong move. In fact,
with a broadsword, so adjust your if your group meets another group
parry accordingly. I've included the while you're there, join forces.
statistics of the Grey Orc here, so It's bad enough trying to keep an
you can get an idea of what you'll eye on the clouds your orcs make,
be facing. let alone those which other groups
_________________________________ generate.
/| |
|| Grey Orc Statistics | Second, pick up anything you drop as
|| | quickly as possible, especially
|| Level 10 Fast speed CPS 130 | shields. If you thought Greys were a
|| DB 90 Weapon: Mace OB 90 | pain before, just wait till one is
|| Magic attacks: Shockbolt OB 40 | wearing your shiny new laen shield!
|| Firebolt OB 45 |
|| Gas Cloud | Finally, never get overconfident. As
\|_________________________________| soon as you become comfortable,
|| | you'll get a face full of cloud,
~~~~~~~~~~ be stunned by a firebolt, or simply
When it comes to traveling in Greys get nailed by a lucky mace blow.
there are a few things you might Greys is a dangerous place, but the
want to keep in mind. The first, of rewards are well worth it. Have fun!
=====================================================
,mmmmm, ______ _________
@ooooo@, / /. . \\ /./-----\.\
@0m0m0Q@ / /. . .`,\\>./, , ,\.\
@0X00X@@ | |. . . |:|\| , , |.|
____@0m00@_____ | | . . . |:|X| , , , |.|
@@@op(oboy)pop@@Ok | |. . . |:|\| , , |.|
@@@@opopopopop@@@p@@| | . . . |:|\| , , , |.|
@@o@@opopopopop@@op@@,|. . . |:|\| , , |.|
@@o@@popopopopopop@o@@| . . . |:|X| , , , |.|
@@o@@mmmmmmgogogo@oo@|. . . |:|\| , , |.|
@@@@@@@mmm'ooo@|@oo@| . . . |:|\| , , , |.|
@oooooooOOOO@" @o@|. . . |:|\| , , |.|
@OoOoO@OoOoO@ @@@| . . . |:|X| , , , |.|
@oooo@@@oooo@ @@@|. . . .|:|\| , , |.|
.@@@o@@@@ooo@@ ,@@}| . . .// \\_________/.|
.@@oo@@@@@@ooo@. "@@'|. . // \==========/
.@ooooo@@@@@oooo@ \ //
@ooooO@' `@@ooo@|
@oooo@' `@oooo@
@ooo@' `oooo@| The MUMMY, from his coffin,
@oo@@' `@oo@| began to rise. And suddenly,
@o@@| @@o@, to my surprize...
@@@@: @@o@| -----
@@@@: @@o@| "HE DID THE MASH!"
`@oo: `@@@:
/@@@) /@@@)
(@@@@/ (@@@@/ Art by Phoenix
=====================================================
-15-
A Guide to Cavers
______________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ ____ ____ \ By Darkseed
\@| ~| | | |~ |
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| |
/@| _|~| |~|_ | ave you grown tired you're fighting has attacked you.
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / of killing Greater At that moment, you drop your parry,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Orcs for the lowly attack the monster a certain number
experience you seem to receive? Do of times, depending on the monster's
they no longer challenge your gifts speed, and then parry back up again
with the blade? If this is true and before it can swing once more. This
if you're looking for a new way to way, you're attacking at your full
advance, Cave Trolls may be just the strength, without running the risk
solution for you. of being attacked while your DB is
low. With Cave Trolls, you can get
Cave Trolls are large trolls that in two swings before the Cave Troll
live in the Claedesbrim Dungeon. can retaliate as long as the speed
They can be very nasty at times but of the game is normal and you get no
the rewards you gain can be quite delays.
exceptional. Trolls are level twelve
creatures with a mere 62 DB, easier The next trick is what do to when a
to hit than a Greater Orc. Their Troll "turtles." What this means is
OBs are considerably higher at 127, that the troll is essentially going
but if you can survive that at parry to parry 100. Its OB will be 0 when
100, then you'll do fine here. As it attacks you, and its DB will be
with all areas, there are certain considerably higher. A Cave Troll's
tricks to the trade that must be DB when it is turtled is 153. In
learned before one can successfully other words, you must either be able
hunt this area. to hit a 153, or have someone in
your party who can do it for you. A
First off, never go alone to cavers third option is having someone who
unless you are of a considerably can cast spells or wave wands at it.
high level, at least 8th. The reason This is essential due to the fact
for this rule is that if you get that Cave Trolls have a tendency to
caught with your guard down and a turtle if you do not kill them fast
troll takes a swing at you, he can enough. They will fight you normally
kill you in one shot. This can prove for a while until they have lost a
to be rough on your weapons as you certain number of concussion points.
tend to drop them and they tend to Then they will turtle, swing, and
disappear once they are left alone. begin running from room to room.
If you have another person with you
there is a high chance he or she can Another helpful trick is in knowing
get your items for you and go off to what to wear. Heavy hide is a good
seek help. This is not an option to choice. The Troll has a THT of 89
one who fights alone. with his weapon. Also, objects such
as aventails, greaves, and helms are
The next trick is in how you go important because trolls can inflict
about fighting them. Cave trolls are critical damage. Often called crits,
so big, that they move quite slowly. this can happen when a monster's hit
Parry tagging is a technique that is 10+ points higher than your DB.
will help keep you alive, as well as Can be deadly. Weapons and shields
assist you in defeating the Trolls. that are made of special materials
For those of you who aren't familiar are generally known to be resistant
with parry tagging, I will discuss as far as breaking goes. Cave Trolls
the fundamentals of it. are not known to break shaalk or
laen items regularly. There is, of
Parry tagging is when you keep your course, always the chance that it
parry raised until the creature that could happen.
-16- More...
I suggest large groups of at least are 12th level. Strong, lower level
three people when you fight Cave players with superior equipment can
Trolls. This will generate a good gain experience quickly from trolls.
amount of experience, as well as This can serve as a great spot for
give you the fighting power to be gaining levels at a very fast clip.
able to kill them, usually before I strongly suggest that you take the
they can turtle. The real plus to time to see if Cave Trolls are the
Cave Trolls is the fact that they quarry for you.
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| Map to Cave Troll Area Town Gates --->O |
| go path-->| |
| _____________ west--> /-----O |
| / \ N / | |
| / Cave Trolls \ | O---O---O |
| /-----------------\ W--+--E | / ^ |
| | | | O | |
| | Level 12 | S / go path |
| | Max OB: 127 | O |
| | DB: 62 | | |
| | Max DB: 153 | O---O---O |
| | Very Slow | up/down--> | |
| | Level 1 Chests | | |
| \_______________/ O |
| / |
| O---O---O---O---O---O |
| | ^ |
| O go path | |\ ,,,,, /| |
| / | \/_ _\/ | |
| O /\ (_ " _) |
| / \ \ ( ,--, ) |
| O / / ,,,\__-__/,,, |
| go path--->| \ \ ,,,,""""""",,,, |
| O---O /_/ | |"""""""( ) ('')
| / ^ | [!!!]-' / """"""" \ \_/ /
| / O `-----' """"""""" `.___/|
| up/down \ <- go ledge ;;;;;;;;; |
| O """"""""" |
| | """" """" |
| O--O---O---O """ """ |
| ^ \ _"", ,""_ |
| | O (___) (___) |
| up/down | |
| O O / |
| go door ---> \ \ <--- go door / <-- go crack |
| | O O---O---O---O---O-----/ |
| ---> \ | | ^\---------\ |
| O---O---O---O O \ |
| ^ \ | Beginning of Cavers |
| | ^ O O---O ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| go arch | | <--up/down (Relatively Small Area) |
_| go door O |
/@| |
\/______________________________________________________________________/
-17-
_________ Out of the Frying Pan
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Celestin Drowstar
| |~| |
_| |~| |t was a chilly trip up falchion until finally I killed it.
/@| _|~|_ | through Danjirland, but
\_/ ~~~~~ / it got warm real fast. The next fire guardian was not so
~~~~~~~~ Up on Blototh sits a vol- easily dispatched. That airwalled
cano, home to fire guardians and firephantom wandered into the melee
firephantoms. This was my first time and became a nuisance. The guardian
into the volcano, and I was only not only cast fireballs and fire-
kinda sure that I could survive the bolts, but also a firestorm! The
fireballs and firebolts that the guardian suddenly brightened as
local inhabitants could unleash. before, but this time a dark cloud
Some older mages and sorcerers had appeared. I knew I only had a short
assured me I could, and I was really time to flee the room before the
hoping they were right. storm struck, and I had no intention
of sticking around to see what it
My first encounter here was with a could do to me. I fled to safety and
firephantom. It wasn't too powerful returned after a while to find that
for me; but, since it was unlife, I the firestorm was gone. I pulled a
couldn't hit it with my weapon. Not metal wand from my sack and quickly
wanting to waste any metal wands on killed the guardian before it could
it, I airwalled it and continued to cast another firestorm.
explore my new surroundings. While I
admired the lava flows in one of the I continued hunting fire guardians
rooms, a fire guardian floated in. in this fashion until, needing rest
and more metal wands, I had to ring
The fire guardian charged me, and I back to the safety of the temple.
easily dodged the attack, preparing Only a few people were there, some
and casting a Touch of Disruption just chatting and one trying to open
spell. It hit the guardian's leg but a chest. As I sat resting, I was
didn't do much damage. Brightening, feeling pretty good about the fact
the guardian prepared its attack and that I had fought fire guardians and
cast a fireball at me. I realized lived through it and now I was safe.
that my magical defenses were enough
to survive the attacks. We battled Then the person next to me who was
for a short time. It cast fireballs picking a chest looked up and said:
and firebolts at me, and I attacked
with Touch of Disruption spells and "Uh oh..."
More...
___________________________________________________________________
/| |
|| Info on the Blototh Volcano Critters |
|| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|| |
|| Firephantom: Level 6 Undead Fire Guardian: Level 16 Living |
|| DB 20 CPs 85 fast speed DB 70 CPs 195 med speed small |
|| |
|| Non-magic attack (with OB): Non-magic attacks (with OB): |
|| Swing (40) Charge (55) Swing (85) |
|| |
|| Magic attacks (with OB): Magic attacks (with OB): |
|| Firebolt (60) Fireball (60) Firebolt (110) Fireball (110) |
|| Firestorm (area attack) Firestorm (area attack) |
\|___________________________________________________________________|
\________________________________________________________\
-18-
To get to the Blototh Volcano, go to Titans have weaponfire, which can
the weatherbeaten sign which leads instantly demolish a weapon even if
to Danjirland, and follow the trail. you dash past at top speed. Use an
Quickly go on to the fallen tree expendable weapon. Go on to the gash
trunk and cross it. which is the spot marked A on the
map. If you walk back you will need
At this point, you will be in Titan to GO MOUTH to get out, where you
territory. It is very important NOT went GO GASH to enter.
to carry valuable weapons here.
___________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@| The Danjirland Route to Blototh Volcano and Fire Guardians |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| |
| |
| ......... [A] |
| : u/d : B - C, D - C: climb arch |
| : [ ] C - B: ne |
| go gash (in) : C - D: sw |
| go mouth (out) u/d : [ ] |
| [ ] : / |
| / [ ]..... u/d [ ]-------[B] |
| [ ] | : / . \ |
| / | [ ] [ ] . [ ] |
| [ ]-- [ ]-- up/down | : | [C] | |
| up/down | :.....[ ] . [ ] |
| [ ] | u/d \ . / |
| | [ ] [D]-------[ ] |
| up/down \ |
| TITANS! --> [ ] [*] The spot marked C is |
|Put your good / a safe node room. |
|stuff away [ ] |
| and run! \ go /-[ ] |
| [ ]-/ trunk | |
| [ ] |
| | |
| [ ]--[ ] [ ] |
| / / / |
| [ ] [ ]--[ ] N |
|<- to | |
| hill [ ] <- go trail | |
| trolls . W --+-- E |
| . | |
| _________ |
| / \ S |
| | Danjir!! | |
| \_________/ |
| | | |
/@| ~~~~~ |
\_/_________________________________________________________________/
-19-
____________ Fire Cats and Fire Rats
/ \ ___ ___\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| \~\ /~/ | by Kalagay Halatil
| \ ~ / |
_| |~| | ou would think that a To begin with the smaller creature,
/@| |~| | sufficiency of cats Firerats are deadly with teeth and
\_/ ~~~ / could keep a large claws. Brimstone floors give them
~~~~~~~~~~~ rat population under traction for fast attacks, and their
control. The sad fact is that the bite can deliver serious disease.
Firecats in their cave at the end of Firecats, on the other hand, are a
the Seolfar Strake would rather eat whole lot worse. Not only are they
people than rats. And what do the as fast and numerous and harder to
Firerats do, eat cheese? Not they! kill, they deliver way too many heat
It's people or nothing for Firerats. criticals (where any = too many).
_______________________________________________________________
/ \ Monster Statistics \
\@| |
| Firecat - level 18 Firerat - level 16 |
| OB = 165 DB = 90 OB = 140 / 155 DB = 70 |
| THT = 66 MTHT = 80 THT = 66 / 69 MTHT = 84 |
| Attack - claw Attack - claw, bite |
| Special - heat criticals Special - disease |
__| |
\ | -*- Assumes Normal Heavy Hide and Broadsword -*- |
\|_____________________________________________________________/
These animals do not carry chests, Puma Update
so what makes them worth hunting? ~~~~~~~~~~~
On a purely materialistic plane, In October, Kelfour Edition printed
Jarlik will give you 600 silvers for Celestin Drowstar's map and article
Firecat claws and about 350 silvers about pumas, early and welcome news
for Firerat tails. Worth some devel- about this furry bonanza. Following
opment points put into skinning, if is a minor up-date:
cash is what you are after.
First, there are three fog rooms by
I like to use a rapier on these the waterfall where everyone's DB is
creatures because of the reduced bumped up by +30 -- yours and the
THT. I'm not the hardest hitter on the pumas'. If you remember this,
the planet, so that's a major con- you can parry down some so you can
sideration for me. As usual with hit harder. Just remember to parry
natural attacks, heavy hide is not normally when you leave these rooms.
not as good protection as a leather
breastplate would be. Train in rigid Next, a rock jetty extends out into
leather when you can, and you will the lake from the southeast shore.
be safer among the claws and teeth. This is possibly a "safe" room; I've
yet to see a puma in there.
Firecats and Firerats are too fast
for parry tag; find a parry level Finally, the route to pumas has a
that will let you hit but which will kink in it that didn't show up on
keep you alive when the Firecats hit the previous map. The kink has now
back. Experiment from parry 100 on been included.
down, not the other way around. Also
think about the special attacks, the On the following page is a map of
disease and heat crits. A little tag the route from the rockslide north
can hurt you, stun you, and possibly of the Mine Road to the cave at the
kill you. Err on the side of caution end of Seolfar Strake, including the
unless you have a cleric friend who area where pumas are found.
needs work. -20- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| /@ | Mappe Of Ye Denizens of Seolfar Strake |
| \_/______________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| N ( )--( )--( ) |
| | / \ |
| W--+--E go / \ |
| | ( )--( ) trail ( ) ( ) |
| S / / - FIRECATS - \ |
| / / ..................... \ |
| ( ) ( ) : ( )--( ) : ( ) |
| | | : / \ : \ |
| | | : / \ : \ |
| ( ) ( )--( ) : ( ) ( ) ( )--( ): ( ) |
| | \ : \ \ / . (out) \ |
| | BEARS \ :... \ \ / go opening \ |
| ( ) ( ) : ( ) ( ) : . ( )|
| | and \ : \ | go cave (in) | |
| | \ : \ | : . | |
| ( ) BOARS ( ) : ( ) : ( ) ( )|
| | | :.............: | . |
| | | | down -> |
| ( ) ( ) - FIRERATS - ( ) <- up |
| <- climb rock | / \ . |
| | / \ . |
| ( )--( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) |
| / | \ |
| / | \ <- go path ............ |
| ( ) ( )- -( ) ( )--( )--( ). . : ( )--( ) : |
| \ / go trail -> / : |
| \ / : / : |
| ( ) .......................: ( ) : |
| : / : |
| : . . . . . ./. . . . : |
| : + 30 to . ( ) . : |
| : your DB . / \ . : |
| : and the . / fog \ . : |
| : puma's . ( ) ( ) . : |
| : . .|. . . . . | . . : |
| : | | : |
| : ( ) ( ) : |
| : | go rock : |
| : - PUMAS - go shore : |
| : | ( ) : |
| :.................................: |
| |
| _______________________________________________________________________|_
\/________________________________________________________________________/
-21-
Water's Shadowed Flight
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By Eron Kulsen
Shadowed is the hand of night,
Dark and desperate, filled with hate.
Stars blaze through infinite darkness,
Points of light, nothing more, nothing less.
Pale Moon, ever present in rising glory;
Lighting the way, revealing moving stories.
Blue Orb, why do you run at such steadfast pace?
To someone's dismay, the sun may take thy place.
Silver streams, sprung from below.
Enchanted waters, where do your rivers flow?
Deep waters move to run swift, faster, faster still.
Shattered light, escapes, dancing across the surface.
Slowing speed, cool lakes, under a moonlight night.
Here you will stay a while, dear water in placid state.
Hurry now, do not tarry, soon the sun will wound the sky.
Even now heat escapes, stay cold, or face thy fate.
Tendrils, wet with mist, rise above the lake;
Entranced in their own movement to place.
Transparent to naked eye, feeding upon deep waters;
Cold to touch, yet warm to rise above.
Bodies of waters move on once more.
Currents to be thy body, thy soul.
Rush quick, straight and true,
Before suns power, fades thee soon.
Run quicker still, sweet waters, to the east.. light!
Your journey soon ends, green seas await.
Now, a taste of salt to bitter the tongue;
Ahead, new and vast oceans are not to late.
Bright sunlight tightens the grip, above you enfolds.
'Ware not, silver spring, thy waters are home.
Moons and Suns will pass, in short eternal time.
Fear not, dear spring, more waters will come.
______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| Imbedding Service Available |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Lord Sorcerer Nixie Trevine, honored resident of Kelfour's Landing, |
| will imbed select sorcerous and channeling spells in items you pro- |
| vide, for your use later. You must supply the item, and his fee in |
| silvers is tallied by the formula 1000 + (level of spell -1 * 100). |
| Further information may be obtained from Lord Nixie, or by typing |
| IMBED within the confines of Kulthea. For example, Lock Lore (#403) |
| imbedded in your item costs 1200 silvers. |
\______________________________________________________________________/
-22-
_____________ Bumbling in the Dark
/ \ ____ ___\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|~| /~/~ | by Kert Clandocci
| |~|_/~/ |
_| |~|~\~\ | ert awoke slowly, paces, preparing for the next
/@| _|~| \~\_ | as if coming out of onslaught, he had already shifted
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~/ a haze. At first into a combat state and was acting
~~~~~~~~~~~~ he had no idea where from instinct and experience.
he was. The landscape was obscured
in night shadow, with only the light The tork sprang toward him one more
of Orhan to illuminate it. Looking time, lunging for his throat. At
around in an effort to get his the last second, with a simple man-
bearings, he suddenly realized that euver, Kert thrust his shield into
he had been sleeping outside in the the torkaan's path, forcing it to
grasslands! While this was sur- move away. But the beast immediately
prising in itself, he was even more regained its footing and turned
surprised that he hadn't been again to attack, just as Kert
slaughtered in his sleep by a wand- launched an attack of his own.
ering torkaan. These normally tran- Drake falchion swept down, burrowing
quil, chubby, sheep-like animals, deeply into the beast's neck and
(the domain of the mysterious flaring up with a fiery blast. The
Ky'Taari His Shepherdesses) had be- torkaan was thrown back from the
come rabid and attacked without pro- force of the blow, dead before it
vocation. "Those shepherdesses I hit the ground. "Whoa, only one
never seem to see must have the strike!" he thought exultantly.
flock bedded down," he muttered to "Usually these battles take a fair
himself. Standing slowly to bit longer than that." Kert was
stretch, he glanced about once more pumped up from the quick combat and
to ascertain where he was situated the fatigue he had felt after first
in relation to the town gates. awakening was gone. "Maybe I'll
Familiar landmarks soon revealed hunt a bit longer and see if there
that he was just south of Kelfours - are any more of the nasty beasts
a short, easy journey. Reaching lurking about, endangering the town-
down to pick up his falchion and his folk."
trusty shield, he noticed - again to
his surprise - an odd shimmering He quickly skinned the torkaan and
light emanating from both. tossed the pelt into his backpack.
"That'll at least pay for my
"Hmm... that's odd, my protection lodging," he thought to himself as
spell is still up," Kert said to he jogged north toward town. "And
himself. Feeling a little less vul- I'll be a bit closer to town if I do
nerable, he readied himself for the get tired."
trek back into town and set off to
the north, his thoughts on finding a Kert travelled a couple of hours
nice, warm bed. more through the short grass toward
the town gates, meeting, greeting
After walking only a couple of and skinning two more torkaans along
hundred yards, a torkaan that had the way. Upon his arrival at the
been lying inconspicuously in a path to the gate, he briefly contem-
patch of tall grass off to his left plated heading on into town to sell
leapt out at him. All thoughts of the three fresh torkaan pelts. But
warm beds vanished. Turning swift- the lure of battle was too much. He
ly, Kert swung at the drooling decided instead to take a quick
creature and knew as soon as he did side-trip into the woods to see if
that the blow had been rushed and kobolds were as lively as torkaans
would miss its mark. In an instant, at night.
the torkaan was on him, but the
attack was wild and Kert easily He turned west and moved slowly
side-stepped it. Backing up a few through the woods, peering cau-
-23- More...
tiously about in the soft moonlight. that he was alive and well, that
Making his way back south for a there had been no torkaans, no
while, he spotted a pair of kobolds kobolds and no wolverine, and that
in a small clearing dead ahead. he'd just had one too many at
Deciding to make this his last Helga's.
combat of the night, he quickly cast
a protection spell and sprinted into
the clearing to make his attack. ____________________________________
/ \ \
The kobs reacted quickly, spreading |@/_____ Where the Torkaans Roam ____/
out to get to Kert's flanks. But he | |
was ready for them, and quickly | |
slashed open the thigh of the | [KE] = Kelfour's |
nearest one. He turned to get his | Exterior |
shield up to fend off the other | |
kob's attack when he felt the slice | [LG] = Lower |
of metal in his lower back and the | Dragsonfang |
sticky warmth of blood gushing from | Grasslands |
the fresh wound. Not backing down, | |
he decided it was a minor injury and | |
renewed his attack. He made a feint | Kobland<--[KE]---path---to gate |
at the second kobold and spun | | Kelfours |
quickly, driving his falchion home | [KE] |
in the stomach of its partner. The | | |
creature screamed and dropped to the | [KE] N |
ground, twitching as its lifeblood | | | |
poured from its wounds. | [KE] W--*--E |
| | | |
Kert swiftly turned back to the | [KE] S |
remaining kobold. But it was al- | | |
ready fleeing to the north. "Afraid | [KE] |
to stand and fight," he thought as | / \ go |
he prepared to set off in pursuit. | [LG] [LG]-[KE]-[KE]-[KE]-bridge|
Then, to his horror, he saw the | | |
reason: a wolverine, racing across | [LG] |
the clearing, moonlight reflecting | \ |
ominously from razor-sharp claws. | [LG] |
| | |
Immediately, Kert started to back up | [LG] |
and prepared to defend. But he knew | \ |
even as he moved that it was too | [LG] |
late. The wolverine was on him in | | |
less than a heartbeat, and he felt | [LG] |
its claws sink deep into his chest, | | |
his blood spurting warm and wet on | [LG] |
his skin. His vision blurred and he | | |
fell, still clinging to his | [LG] |
falchion... | / |
| [LG]---->Iorak's Reach |
...and slowly became aware that he | | The Shadow |
was looking up at the bottom of a | | |
bar stool. The falchion had become | go path |
a beer mug, its contents lying pun- | | |
gent and wet in a puddle on the | To Upper Kandsfang |
floor. A near-empty bottle of wine | and Hobland |
lay across the bar, slowly dripping | ________________________________|
onto his chest. Through a drunken | @\ \
haze, his mind registered the fact \__/_______________________________/
-24-
____________ A Guiding Star
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|~|~~|| | by Belladonna Atropa
| |~|_ ~~ |
_| |~|-| |ew tragedies strike as to those hunting grounds others deem
/@| |~| | forcefully as a death unprofitable.
\_/ ~~~~~ / in the family, espe-
~~~~~~~~~~~ cially from the point Sadly, even in the desolate regions,
of view of the deceased. We here in clerics are challenged, not by other
Kelfour's are lucky to have a corps players, but by the frustration of
of dedicated and competent clerics fighting monsters that won't die, or
to aid us in these times, offering that can't be found, or that are
more than just comfort: our clerics unapproachable. One of the common
can offer a return to life for those training grounds for young clerics
of us careless enough to have left is the graveyard. Why do other
it too soon. professions, those with better
skills in combat, avoid this place?
Still, glad as most of us are to In part, because heavy gates render
have a cleric on hand in these entry almost impossible for one who
circumstances, they are not much travels alone. In part, because the
desired as companions in battle, creatures of that haunted realm,long
particularly among those young whose since gone from material life, have
guiding principle is "advancement at fewer valuable, salable possessions
any price." The limitations a cleric than any other collection. And, in
faces in combat challenges any but part, because none save clerics can
the most patient hunting party to wield the only weapons commonly
avoid shutting them out of the available which have effect on the
carnage. Still, this mayhem, unliving things found there.
distasteful as it is to many
clerics, is a necessary part of the The graveyard, then, would seem to
learning experience. When clerics have been made for clerics. They
are relegated to the back ranks in alone have spells designed for such
hunting parties, they are forced creatures, and they alone can use
either to hunt alone or to content the weapons. But clerics are not
themselves with what they have notoriously strong. Clerics are not
learned and advance no further. notoriously rich. Without strength
to push past the gates, without
Not a difficult choice. Few would coins to buy rings to bypass those
choose stagnation even if gates, this unprofitable ground is
advancement were to come at the cost nearly unattainable.
of companionship, if there were a
possibility in later years that What other regions are unclaimed by
one's skills and training would more able hunters? Surely no one
prove invaluable to the rest of the would consign clerics to the
adventuring community. It is ironic catacombs. Rats carry disease but no
that the same clerics whose services purses, and they offer little
are absolutely vital in times of challenge as hunters progress in
trouble are an unwanted burden in skill. The coastal cliffs are
their earlier years. We, the perhaps the best area readily
perpetually dying, challenge clerics accessible, but the carrion worms
to prove their willingness to serve infesting the region are quite
us in our greatest need. We require dangerous. The kobold forest and the
them to hide out away from the mine road are so often the chosen
travelled ways, learning their craft hunting grounds of other professions
in isolation, with little help even that clerics are frequently forced
in such common forms as protective to abandon hunts in those expanses.
spells. Yet those called to this
profession often endure such In short, the prospects for clerics,
enforced loneliness, accepting exile particularly young clerics, are
-25- More..
fairly bleak. They can advance far dirty. Let them come to understand
more slowly than other classes, with death, and dying. It will be to each
a great deal of difficulty, hunting hunter's advantage later on if a
with other groups, or they can cleric at this stage learns what the
advance in isolation, again with hunt is all about.
much greater difficulty than other
professions. This is a primary cause There is something you can do, even
why clerics so frequently leave those of you past the hob-stomping
Kelfour's, sending back others of days of youth. You can spend some
their family to prosper in what is a time helping a cleric learn the art
remarkably well-to-do frontier town. of combat. You can help find the
This is also a primary cause why monsters most commonly hunted at
clerics are so infrequently that age. You can cast whatever
available at the time of an protective spells you may have so
adventurer's death, prompting the your cleric can hunt more
dreaded realm- shifting which can fearlessly. You can even help wear
leave a decaying body protected from the monster down if you have the
the elements and foul creatures but time and a yearning for easy prey.
also cut off from the lands of the
living and of the dead. Those in If you have younger cousins and
this condition, often referred to as nieces and nephews, don't send them
the "off line," can survive weeks or out to hunt alone, with a sense of
even years awaiting the services of "family honor" compelling them to
clerics, but it is hardly an meteoric rise. Let them take the
enviable plight. slower path of the guiding star to a
young cleric, advancing at the pace
What can be done? Is there a way of those who follow.
clerics can be brought into the
mainstream of hunting groups, even _________________________________
in the days of their youth? / \
| |
Of course there is. The drawback is | |
that the concept is so blindingly | |
simple it's hard for get-ahead young | |
adventurers to grasp. As clerics in | |
later years assume responsibility | |
for the well - being of the entire | |
community, so in their younger days | |
the community must take some respon- | |
sibility for the well - being of | Your Advertisement Here |
clerics. | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| |
Those hunting in the more profitable | |
areas must make an effort to include | |
clerics in their groups beyond just | |
allowing them to tag along. Clerics | |
must be allowed to participate in | |
the battle. Not just when the more | |
battle-ready are exhausted and ready | |
ready to retire for a while, but | |
from the time the group forms until | |
it breaks up at end of day. If a | |
monster falls to a single blow, so | Kelfour Edition sells advertising |
be it. If a monster, as is more | space to select patrons. Contact |
often the case, is slowly beaten | Publisher Phaedra Bleu for rates |
back, beaten down, killed, then make | (in silvers) and more information |
an effort to see that the cleric in | at GE Mail address P.HERRINGTON. |
the party has a hand in that | |
process. Let them get their hands \_________________________________/
-26-
____________ Harpy Holidays
/ \ ___ ___\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| \~\ /~/ | by Lloyd Lowd, PhD
| \ ~ / |
_| |~| |uletide descended upon Presents are always a big part of
/@| |~| | us once again last the season. Some of our more
\_/ ~~~ / month. As the bard prominent residents were seen either
~~~~~~~~~~~ Thomin of Lehrer sang: sporting their new "prezzies" or
sulking because they didn't get what
Slay those wildfowl, geese, they wanted. Lady Valeria, for
and pheasants, instance, had a brand new sword and
Trim the tree, get useless cheerfully showed it to everyone she
presents... met, all the while dusting the tips
By my beard, this season's of her fingers with emery cloth and
unpleasant! saying what a nice present her
Elf-friend, here we go again. "Sandy Claws" got her. Somehow I got
the impression that this particular
Of course, Thomin may be forgiven spirit of Yuletide present spent
his poor mood in what most people more time hiding in shadows than
consider a festive season. He'd just sliding in chimneys.
sat through a three-hour recital by
Enegue the Bard that consisted of The hobbits were a sight, as always.
Yuletide arias from ancient operas, Lord Dartaghan got his usual gift
all of which were the last works by from his Great Aunt Reba: a set of
the respective composers. (Obviously fuzzy wolverine pajamas with padded
their patrons beheaded them to feet and fake claws. (It seems the
prevent further musical mischief.) nice old lady still thinks of him as
a little nipper and likes to hear
And, as if the simple rendition of him try to growl and pretend he's a
these musical aberrations wasn't fierce wild creature.) But the
enough, Enegue (otherwise known as worst blow to the sheep-dipped
the Bland Bard, due to his habit of hobbit's ego was when he discovered
reciting ancient history in public) that his partner in grime, the Low
hired (or coerced through kidnapping Prelate of Kelfour's Landing, was
their loved ones) the Kulthean Play- now a quarter-cubit taller than he,
ers to accompany him. This group of thanks to some heel lifts given by a
amateur thespians practices out of friendly deity.
Cheldar's Bath House every Monday
night, partly because the Bath House Lord Mikhail checked his stocking to
is usually fairly empty that night find a lump of coal, which he
and that any sin is allowed there. promptly inserted into the vacuum
It also helps that Cheldar is almost where his soul formerly resided.
completely deaf. Lord Maruko opened his presents with
a dazzling display of his katana, to
The group isn't completely hopeless; discover an autographed manuscript
they are quite loud. During the per- of Mushashi's "Five Rings." Unfor-
formance, a slightly lovesick bull tunately, he received a severe paper
moose arrived and made a beeline for cut while opening the book and will
the choir. It seems that one of the require months of bed rest after
young fighters in the group, who having Lord Strom tend his wounds.
fancies himself a singer, had the
pitch and timbre of a female moose Speaking of Lord (Legend In His Own
in the throes of a mating frenzy. Mind) Strom, someone gave a him a
Needless to say, this disrupted the certificate for six free lessons
concert completely, and was greeted from Surtey on how to treat compound
with a standing ovation from the fractures. Or was that how to
audience. (The moose kicked open the compound fractures? Probably the
door that Enegue's manager thought- latter. I'd recommend everyone stay
fully locked as the event started.) healthy this year.
-27-
KEV3N8
[end]
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| | Epic Battle Poem, Page 12 |
@_/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| |
| GemStone III(tm) February 1993 |
| Vol.3, No.9 |
| ****** _ _ _ ___ |
| @| || |@ / ) / ) / ) / __) |
| | || | / /_/ / ____ / / _/ ( ____ __ __ ____ |
| @| || |@ / __/ / __ ) / / ( __) / _ ) / / / / / ___) |
| |....| / /\ \ / ___/ / / / / / (/ / / (_/ / / / |
| \||/ (_/ \_) (____) (_( (_( (____/ (_____( (_( |
| | | _____ _ _ _ _ |
| |""| / ____) / ) (/ _/ ) (/ |
| | | / (__ ___/ / _ ( _) _ ____ ____ |
| |""| / ____) / _ / / ) / / / ) / _ ) / ) |
| | | / (__ / (/ / / / / / / / / (/ / / /) / |
| |""| (_____) (____( (_( (_( (_( (____/ (_((_( |
| | | |
| |""| |
| | | The Kronicles of Kulthea |
| |""| |
|_ /- -\ __________________________________________________________|
| // \\ _________________________________________________________|
|// __ \\ |
// "" \\ C O N T E N T S |
| /^^\ | |
| | | | Local News ..................................... 1 |
| \__/ | A Letter to the Editor ............. Sean2 Lladd 2 |
\\ __ // Enemy Mine ...................... Rask X-ForTran 3 |
|\\ "" // Crime and Punishment ............... Tanya Nickia 5 |
| \\______// Crossed-Words Puzzle ...... Gilinfandorial Lycaeon 6 |
| \******/ Monster Chronicles: Cockatrices .... Jarran Terraxx 7 |
| The Unlife in Kulthea: Part I .. Lord Maruko Ashimine 8 |
| The Lost Temple .............................. Jarran Terraxx 10 |
| The First Lay of Haakon ..................... Haakon deStrega 12 |
| How to Hunt as a Sorcerer ................ Lord Nixie Trevize 20 |
| Tales from the Newbie Crypt ...................... Syr Calden 21 |
| Tavern Tale for Tulrach ......................... Eron Kulsen 22 |
| Scenes from the Inn ............................. Sean2 Lladd 24 |
| Undermining Kelfour's Part 4 ............ Llorien Silvanestii 27 |
| Dread and Circuses ........................ Lloyd Llowd, Ph.D 30 |
| |
| |
|_____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| 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. Write to |
| Assistant Editors Kalagay Halatil, Jarran Terraxx, Rasputin Santare |
| or Publisher Lady Phaedra Bleu by GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON for info. |
| __________________________________________________________________|___
| / /
\/_____________________________________________________________________/
_____________________________
// \ Auction Announced
|| + Kelfour Edition + | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|| | The weekend of March 27-28 will mark
|| L O C A L N E W S | the return of the highly acclaimed
|| + + | auctions to Kelfour's Landing!
\\____________________________/ Items from residents will also be
auctioned, so clean out those dusty
Rare Gems Being Found! old cupboards and get rid of those
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ heirlooms you never use.
Reports have been flooding into KE
about marvelous stones and gems. New Merchant Inventory
The gem shop near the SW corner of ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
town pays first-rate prices for Brother Wuldreth has expanded his
these finds, and according to inventory, and now has custom holy
several local mages and bards, many symbols for purchase by the town's
have latent magical qualities. citizens. He invites everyone to
his grand re-opening, at the cleric
Dragging Comrades shop just west of the Temple.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Residents report that dragging fall- Sen Dalatin has new supplies which
en comrades is more difficult of benefit local alchemists. Wands,
late, particularly when trying to rods, and amulets suitable for
drag someone bigger than you are -- imbedding may be special ordered.
although extra bursts of unexplained Sen also offers an unusual "grot
energy have been cited. Also note t'kel" potion, which, according to
that you must have a hand free to unconfirmed reports, has unusual
drag things now. abilities regarding gems.
______________________________________________________________________
// \
|| Congratulations Gladitorial Games Winners |
|| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|| Non-Magic Events |
|| Levels Singles Melees Teams |
|| ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~ |
|| 1-3 Rosetti Rosetti Rosetti, Melody |
|| 4-6 Daryann Plover Jarran, Daryann |
|| 7-9 Valinor Alyssya Kree, Alyssya |
|| 10-14 None Tanya None |
|| 15-19 Lydrynn Metaboculous Miriya, Lyndrynn |
|| 20+ Gallenod Stanyon Metaboculous, Maruko, Gilthor |
|| |
|| Magic Events |
|| Levels Singles Melees Teams |
|| ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~ |
|| 1-3 Sven None None |
|| 4-6 Loque Jarran Jarran, Harpo |
|| 7-9 None Valinor Kree, Valinor, Harpo |
|| 10-14 None Valinor None |
|| 15-19 Catrissa Catrissa Catrissa, Ashen, Aeklug |
|| 20+ Strom Artuero Gallenod, Nimloth, Strom |
|| |
|| Grand Final Melee |
|| 1st Place: Artuero 2nd Place: Gallenod 3rd Place: Strom |
||-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
|| In honor of the victors who fought their best and won these events, |
|| who showed all they had, and hope to continue onward on their paths |
|| to whatever their hearts desire, KE salutes you! |
\\_____________________________________________________________________/
-1-
_______________ A Letter to the Editor
/ \ ____ ____\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| +|~| __ |~|+| by Sean2 Lladd
| |~|/~~\|~| |
_| |~/~/\~\~| |
/@| _|__/ \__|_|hile I am fairly for survival (vs. his greed factor)
\_/_____________/ new to the game of is best guaranteed. This is a very
GemStone, I would like to take this rational decision that was made by
opportunity to express an opinion my character, not by me as a player.
that I feel is appropriate to the My character knows that if he stays
role playing community. This has to in the catacombs, he is perfectly
do with the concept of Role Playing safe, and will go up in experience.
and character re-rolling. Heck, I made my first level's worth
of experience almost totally in the
It is my belief that a fair number catacombs.
of role players are missing the main
point of Fantasy Role Playing. They At any rate, he slew a few, and came
are taking on a character, a chance up with a chest. To make a rather
to be someone completely different; long story short, when the chest was
to live a different life; in effect, opened for him, inside was a Drake
they are escaping from reality and Falchion. My character was ecstatic
entering a different "reality" for over this discovery, but one of the
a while. However, by treating their other players was "surprised" that I
character as a disposable entity, was so excited. His comment to me
something simply to be discarded if was that he could have given me one
it does not meet their expectations, if I had asked.
they are depriving themselves (and
others) of a rewarding experience. That is the point. What made it so
The chance to take a character that exciting was that my character had
may or may not be the "best," and to encountered the wild and unknown,
play them is a reward unto itself. had survived and returned with, for
him, a great treasure. The treasure
I understand that the alter reality was, for those players who have been
of GSIII is not supposed to mirror here for awhile, perhaps trivial to
our reality. But, by discarding a them, but for my character (my role)
character because it is not up to it was a rich reward. Because it was
someone's standards (not necessarily trivialized by this other character
your own standards, I have seen a (however unintentional), some of the
number of newer players just "dump" enjoyment was gone. I realize that
a character because it did not meet there was no malice intended in this
someone else's idea of perfection), other player's off-hand remark.
you deny yourself of the chance to
"make it" in this alter world. By That is part of my point. Do not let
trivializing something for someone yourself become so jaded or bored
else (intended or unintended), you with your life in Kelfour's that you
assist in proliferating this type of can not see the wonder from anothers
view, that if a character is not all perspective. After all, it is *NOT*
powerful, with near perfect stats, the real world; life in this type of
then that character is not a good environment should be a challenge, a
one. joy, a reason to rejoice. So if by
chance, a second rank fighter does a
Every character is a good character! dance through the square because of
a treasure he or she has found, then
This is perhaps best expressed by an dance with that character and share
experience that "I" had while in their joy. Role play.
Kelfour's the other morning hunting.
My character was out in Kobs, mostly For you newer players, think about
because he is only a second rank this: If you take the time to build
fighter and that is where his chance a background for your new character,
-2- (Continued on Page 4)
Enemy Mine
~~~~~~~~~~
_______________ by Rask X-ForTran
/ \ ____ ____\
\@| +|~| __ |~|+|
| |~|/~~\|~| | ho doesn't like those things that might lead to
_| |~/~/\~\~| | having a friend? conflict. And by so doing we
/@| _|__/ \__|_| Who doesn't like overlook the true potential for
\_/_____________/ making a friend? excitement. Right now you could
Is that not one of the first things easily be thinking that dodging
we do upon entering GemStone? We swords and surviving ambushes isn't
all need friends to help us slay isn't quite your cup of tea, or
monsters; friends to heal us when that I've got more than a few loose
we're hurt, to open chests, give us screws. But I think you'll agree
money, weapons, and advice; friends with me by the end of this article
to save us when we're in trouble, that not only will having (and
comfort us when we die, or even making) enemies be more in
resurrect us. Yes, our friends are character, it will enhance the
to be cherished; for who can live game.
without them?
I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT YOU HACK,
But what about enemies? Do you SLASH, BASH, BURN, OR MELT YOUR
have one? Or want one, or need one? ENEMY TO DEATH! Let me repeat that
Are they not as important as our to make sure you get the point (and
friends? my head stays on my shoulders where
it belongs): I am not advocating
I know, I know. You're probably wanton violence and murder.
thinking, "Who needs enemies? The
monsters are bad enough!" And you I AM saying that having enemies
may also be thinking that I, Rask, would make GemStone a more realistic
am insane. But please, bear with environment; that enemies could
me; hear what I have to say before play as important a role as friends.
you judge. They could add a certain flavor to
the game, which the political
I want you to think for a moment development of the Houses could
about the way we treat each other in enhance. (Of course, having enemies
GemStone. Almost everyone is nice, could enhance the political
pleasant and polite: always bowing development of the Houses - but
and curtseying, saying hello to that's a different subject).
each other, helping each other when
we are lost or hurt. Now I want While I admit that not everyone's
you to think for a minute about real character would need or want an
life - your own life will do just enemy, for those who do, there are
fine. Think back in time. Have you some suggestions I'd like to make.
ever had a person (or persons) that
you would have LOVED to humiliate First of all, you need to choose
(or at least severely damage)? your enemies carefully. Take your
Something you'd like to avenge time. This is a VERY SERIOUS
against someone? Did it not add a decision. Just imagine what could
little spice to your existence, happen to you if you chose someone
make life a bit more interesting? who was of a much lower, or much
Compare the image in your mind with higher level than you. So try to
what GemStone is like, and ask stick with characters at your own
yourself if there isn't something level, and consider how fast they're
missing, something vital, something advancing in comparison to yourself.
energizing.
Secondly, you need to consider the
Yes, I'm saying that we tend to potential side-effects from certain
play out of character by ignoring types of characters. For example,
-3- More...
if your enemy is a healer, don't A Letter to the Editor From Page 2
expect to get healed; if he's a ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
thief, guard your silver well. to develop an identity and a past,
Then take a look at the broader then you might be less likely to
implications. How will having this discard him/her after a few levels
person as an enemy affect your because the character is not moving
relationship with the various up the chain fast enough. Give your
guilds and Houses? (I'd hate to character a good reason for being in
have the Healer's Guild mad at me!). Kelfour's. Sit down and write out a
Once you have determined the 2 to 4 paragraph short story on why
worthiness of your enemy, you need this character came to Kelfour's and
to select a plan of attack (this what things you hope to accomplish
need not be a physical attack). with this character.
Some suggestions that I have are:
relieving them of their hard-won I have done this very thing, and by
booty just as they start to reach so doing, I have a better feel for
for it; out - bidding them at an what I want from the game, and how I
auction, even if you don't need need to go about in order to get
any of the items; interrupting their what I want. I fully intend to take
conversations, and so on. I think my character to the highest level he
you get the picture. You're only can attain. He *WILL* be a force in
limited by your imagination (and Kelfour's. He will not retire until
Simutronics' guidelines). he is done with everything, till he
has been everywhere, seen it all. No
Finally, you'll also need to limit he is not perfect, he does not have
and time your actions. If you become all 90+ rolls, but he "is."
a problem player, always picking on
one person, the consequences could My advice to every new player is to
be disastrous. Your enemy could do this. Role play your character,
change his/her time schedule to make that character the best that he
avoid you, or even leave the realm or she can be. Do not get so caught
altogether (which we don't want, up in the stats and numbers of the
really!), so take things slowly, game that you totally ignore the
but be consistent. real possibilities. If you give your
character "life" then your character
A WORD OF CAUTION: If you do make will give you something that can not
an enemy, expect retaliation. This be bought. The true satisfaction of
could also include actions by surviving one more day, the know-
friends or others whose services ledge that you tried and succeeded,
are for hire. and that tomorrow you are going to
do it again. Use this knowledge to
Cherish your friends and stick enrich your life. You can learn a
close to them, and may you have much lot about yourself, if you just let
joy with them. But may you have your character teach you.
even greater joy in developing an
enemy and enriching everyone's In the words of the universe's most
world. famous Vulcan, quite apt to the
experience of a game such as
GemStone: "Live long, and prosper."
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| |
| Free Weekends in Kulthea! |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Contact Lady Phaedra Bleu for details |
| by sending GE Mail to P.HERRINGTON. |
| |
| |
\_______________________________________________________________________/
-4-
_____________ Crime and Punishment
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| //|"| | by Tanya Nickia
| // |"| |
_| //==|"| |ha, Varlet! I have no trial. Guilt or innocence are
/@| // |"| |you!" That is a cry irrelevant. The judge immediately
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / heard almost daily declares you guilty and charges you
~~~~~~~~~~~~ in Kelfour's - the a fine. The amount depends on the
sad sound of the constable dragging crime you were accused of commit-
some hapless victim off to jail. ting; some are more costly than
others. If you don't have enough
Kelfour's Landing may be a frontier silver on you to pay the fine, items
town, but it's still a town in which are confiscated instead.
certain laws are enforced. And the
Constable enforces those laws with If you have any possessions left
an iron fist. Even the seedier Lords after paying the fine, they can be
and Ladies are no match for him. collected at the constable's office
near the temple. You'll find them
I am very familiar with the justice in a box on the constable's desk.
system in Kelfour's. I myself have If the possessions aren't claimed,
never committed any crime, but the they'll eventually be donated to the
constable has falsely accused me on poor. Good news for the poor; bad
several occasions. I suspect that news for the condemned.
he's in on some scheme with the
judge who collects the fines. It should be noted that the
constable only enforces these laws
When you are captured by the within the town limits. Out in the
constable, you're tossed into a dark wilds, anything goes.
jail cell, where you must wait for a
couple of minutes until the judge is This list is incomplete. After all,
ready for you. The cell is a nasty the mayor is always looking for ways
dirty place, crawling with rats. It to increase revenues, and new fines
is a long couple of minutes. are rumoured to be his best source
of income. It may be unfair; it may
In this town you're given no chance even be corrupt. But it is justice
to defend yourself from any of the in the town of Kelfour's Landing.
constable's accusations. There is
_______________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
| @/_____________________________________________________________________/
| |
| Crime How Committed Fine |
| ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ |
| Hooliganism Attacking animals, other 200sp |
| minor annoyances. |
| Petty Theft Picking pockets 100sp |
| Theft (Unknown) 500sp |
| Assault Fist or spell attacks 250sp |
| Assault with a |
| Deadly Weapon Attacking with a weapon 1,000sp |
| Endangering Casting Tremors/Stuncloud, 5,000sp |
| Public Safety and other area affect spells |
| Murder Self-explanatory (Unknown) |
| High Treason Attacking the constable, 50,000sp |
| other treasonous acts |
| _____________________________________________________________________|_
| @\ \
\__/_____________________________________________________________________/
-5-
Crossed-Words Puzzle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Gilinfandorial Lycaeon
____________ The Silent Ranger
/ \ _________\
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ | his puzzle was taught to me by a travelling mage who
_| |_| | considered it good for mental agility as well as for
/@| _|_|_ | helping to take one's mind off absorbtion of their
\_/__________/ experiences. Answers are on Page 29. No peeking!
Have fun, my friends.
___________________________________________________________
|1 | |17| |18| | | |28| |19| | |20|xx|2 | | |21| |
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| |xx| |xx| |xx|xx|xx|6 | | |xx|7 | | |22|xx|xx| |xx|
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| |xx| |xx|xx|xx|23|xx|xx|xx| |xx|8 | |xx| |xx|xx| |xx|
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|xx|xx| |xx|24|xx| |xx|xx|9 | |xx|29| |xx|10|25|26| |xx|
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|xx|xx|11| | | | |xx|xx|xx| |xx| |xx|xx|xx|12| | |xx|
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|xx|xx|xx|xx| |xx| |xx|13|27| |xx|xx|xx|14| | | | |xx|
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|xx|xx|xx|xx| |xx|xx|xx|16| | | | | |xx|xx| |xx| |xx|
|xx|xx|xx|xx|__|xx|xx|xx|__|__|__|__|__|__|xx|xx|__|xx|__|xx|
ACROSS: DOWN:
1. Creature hunted for soft pelt. 1. Very strong weapon material.
2. To bear a weapon. 7. What Sea Hags did to Kelfour's.
3. The most common cutting weapon. 17. The spirit of a suicidal creature
4. Bigger relative of Kobolds. 18. _____ & Poetry.
5. Godess who returns life. 19. To bring back to life.
6. 'Battle' Trolls. 20. Giant sheep.
7. Kelfour's founder's first name. 21. Ancient ones who teach lore.
8. Alchemists Anonymous (abrv.) 22. Pride & personal self worth.
9. Kelfour's Edition (abrv.) 23. An artificial creature.
10. Nocturnal birds of prey. 24. _____'s Reach.
11. Ugly giants who hate sunlight. 25. Creeping Widow-_____ (vines).
12. Only obvious exit from Furrier. 26. To drag something awkwardly.
13. Giant Rodent infesting Kelfour 27. Ranger spell ___Wall.
14. Death _____ (Musical Unlife). 28. Magical Metal.
15. To render weaponless.
16. The Spider Godess
29. Not Out
-6-
Monster Chronicles: Cockatrices
____________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/ \ _________\ by Jarran Terraxx
\@| ||=|=|=|| |
| ~~ |_| ~~ |
_| |_| |his month we turn our Several tips are good to know when
/@| _|_|_ | attention to one of dealing with these overpowering two-
\_/__________/ Kelfour's more color- legged dinners. First, never ever
ful creatures, the Cockatrice. This hunt them alone on the off chance
wonderous, majestic creature for all that this critter will only
the world resembles an over-sized immobilize you, without following
chicken complete with tail feathers. through with its full attack. It is
always nice to know that your
Do not be fooled by its looks. That partner will do his or her best to
old saying that beauty is only skin kill it, hopefully before it can
deep is true where this creature is send you to an early retirement.
concerned. It may look like a big However, keep one very important
chicken but it is hardly as harmless fact in mind. If this charming
as one. Ranging anywhere from four beast happens to charm you into
to six feet tall, and going around immobility, you will be completely
charging at everyone and desperately at its mercy, as your friend will
trying to immobilize you or anything quickly learn when s/he tries to
else it meets, the Cockatrice is one drag you to safety and discovers
socially unacceptable creature that that you are too busy imitating a
would cause any farmer to have a statue to want move right then.
nervous breakdown if he tried to get
it to lay eggs. A second important fact to keep in
mind is if you get immobilized by
The Cockatrice has several forms of the Cockatrice, you will soon find
attacks that it can use. Its claws out that even though it may not be
are sharp and deadly, and it strikes able to hit you while you are freely
with an Offensive Bonus (here after able to move, this is not so when
referred to as OB) of 50. Its claws you are immobile. After stopping
may be sharp, but its pincher (beak) you cold in your tracks and then
is much sharper and allows it to hit following up with a friendly little
at an OB of 60, which is a little charge aimed right for your chest,
better than its claws. you will discover that it has a much
better chance to hit you now. The
However fond it is of these two reason for this is that your
forms of attacks, it prefers a more Defensive Bonus (commonly referred
deadly and devious combination. to as DB) will suddenly drop to zero
Though this creature may appear and leave you with absolutely no way
harmless at first, its most dan- to defend yourself.
gerous attack, and one that has
brought many an adventurer down, is Many adventurers prefer to avoid the
a petrifying gaze. With just one Cockatrice all together, for very
look from this monster, if you fail obvious reasons. However, should
to turn away in time, you will you survive an encounter against one
suddenly find yourself frozen and of them, try to skin it as the tail
completely unable to move. You will feather alone is worth about 35
also, unfortunately, find that you silvers to Jarlik the Furrier.
are unable to even defend yourself
as it follows through with the So remember: when up against a big
second part of this attack. Once chicken, try to get rid of it as
you are frozen it will launch itself quickly as possible before it has
at you, much like a charging bull, time to immobilize you and send you
and even though its charge has only on your way to Eissa.
an OB of 40, it can still be deadly
to one who is immobilized. (Cockatrice description on Page 23.)
-7-
____________ Part I: The Unlife of Kulthea
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Lord Maruko Ashimine
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |uthors Note: The following is first in a series of articles
\_/ ~~ ~~~ /dedicated to educating the populace of Kelfours Landing about
~~~~~~~~~~~ the Unlife. Explanations, a brief history, theorizations, and
ancient legends are all forthcoming. The information here and soon to come
is the result of extensive research through the Tomes of Kulthea and is
dedicated to Lady Wisraith Winterwind, founder of the House of the Rising
Phoenix.
Knowledge is power - it awaits for those who seek it. I offer you all this
knowledge, so when the night has ended, and the darkness recedes, you may
awake all the more wise and with the dawn perceive our world in a different
Light.
Lord Maruko Ashimine
Warden of the Keys
House of the Rising Phoenix
===========================================================================
With the help of the Loremasters, Cults, more so than the Loremasters
many civilizations arose on a firm were willing to impart with. Some
footing, settling the wide lands and servants of the Unlife impersonated
exploring all about them. The world the Loremasters, gaining the trust
seemed a peaceful place until the and confidence of the naive cultures
coming of the Unlife and the return in this way. The teachings of the
of Shadow to the world. false sages were different, however.
They spoke of the ways of warfare
The Unlife feeds on destruction, and whispered many tales of hostile
upon the deaths of individuals and peoples - imagined enemies who were
societies with equal fervor. It is readying to attack. Thus were the
a thirst unquenched and unslackable. seeds of suspicion sown. The Lore-
Indeed, the more it consumes, the masters attempted to rectify those
more it seems to require. It has no misdeeds, but they seemed too few
source, but it is everywhere, and and were unable (or unwilling) to
waiting for a tool to open the door assault the minions of the Unlife
and allow it to enter. Through the with force. Some of the many peoples
surviving followers of Kadaena, who responded to their warnings, however
for long years licked their wounds and the battle lines were drawn for
in hidden places, the Unlife found the conflict which would soon end
its instruments. These souls, who the Era.
are desperate for power - for even a
shadow of the strength they had once Almost as a unit, the creatures and
had - eagerly accepted the offers of peoples under the sway of the Unlife
the energy from the Unlife and grew arose and attacked those people who
strong in dark places, gathering to remained free of dark domination.
themselves minions of many types and Great Demons and hosts of creatures,
creating others to suit their needs. led by Priests, Essence Masters and
Cults and Orders of varied origins the elite servants of the Unlife,
and membership took form, but their lashed out and attempted to utterly
purposes were dark and evil. It was destroy what the Loremasters had
also during this time that the Great nurtured for so long.
Demons were first fashioned by the
most powerful of the Lords. The wars nearly lasted for close to
three hundred years, and though the
Soon the young mannish peoples were powers unleashed during the conflict
presented with choices: they were were as nothing compared to those
offered great knowledge by these new used in the battle of the Lords of
-8- More...
Essence, much was destroyed that had defeated the forces of the Unlife,
taken long years to build. though at great cost.
There were many valiant leaders in The victory of the Free Peoples had
the wars, and many had fallen before a high price: entire cultures and
the chill Shadow of the Unlife. Many entire species had been wiped out,
terrors unnumbered and unspeakable Ilmaris Terisonen and Tethior the
walked the lands and flew in the Smith were killed (along with many
high airs. In desperation, some of other valiant Loremasters and Sages)
the Loremasters turned from their and Andraax was driven insane. The
unspoken creed of refusing to act Lords of Orhan had returned home to
directly and matched their strength their Moon.
against the minions of the Unlight.
Most perished in this effort, though Greatly-weakened survivors retreated
without this aid the Peoples would once again into themselves, concen-
almost certainly have fallen. In the trating only on the necessities of
end the Loremasters and the Peoples survival. This marked the end of the
of Light were victorious and had Second Era.
________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
|@/______________________________________________________________________/
| |
| "...We cleared the summit and it was as Kirin had said: ahead of us |
| lay a wide vale, filled with the green of growing things. Sunlight |
| warmed us and reflected off of a long lake ahead. But, scattered |
| across the valley were dark patches which raced across the rolling |
| hills, sliding like ethereal snakes. They were only shadows cast |
| by clouds under the sun, but they gave me a feeling of menace; of |
| malignant purpose. Even as I pondered this, one of the dark patches |
| rose up the hillside and covered us. The sun went out, and I have |
| never been so afraid before or since. We were in the presence of |
| the Unlife." |
| |
| From the Visions of Andraax |
| Nomikos Library, Jaiman |
| |
/@| |
\_/______________________________________________________________________/
______________________________________________________________________
/ \
| March Town Forums Scheduled |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Hear ye! Hear ye! All citizens are encouraged to attend the Town |
| Forums held each Wednesday evening at 10PM Eastern time in Moot |
| Hall. Come participate in the future of Kelfour's Landing! |
| |
| 3 Mar: "Roleplaying and Experience Bonuses" - Hosted by Elvanion. |
| 10 Mar: "Ranger Spells" - Hosted by Enoch. |
| 17 Mar: "Imbedding, Enchanting, and Creating Runes" - Hosted by Kygar |
| 24 Mar: "Monsters and Their Treasures" - Hosted by Giacomo. |
| 31 Mar: "Treasure, Loot, and Plunder" - Hosted by Marvelin. |
| |
\______________________________________________________________________/
-9-
____________ The Lost Temple
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Jarran Terraxx
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| |
/@| // |"| |few weeks ago an in- Lord Mohrgan with disease.
\_/ ~~ ~~~ / teresting event took
~~~~~~~~~~~ place, an event so Having had more than enough of these
different that all of Kelfours will godly actions, November and Lord
remember it for many months to come. Mohrgan retaliated, screaming their
For those of us who protect the fury. Were the gods going insane by
land, fighting off hordes of treating them that way? This did
monsters, one comment sums it up: not seem a normal way for the gods
Kelfour's Temple was lost. to behave. To complicate matters, a
great booming voice was heard in
It was not the fact that we adven- response to the shouts of the two
turers lost use of the temple, it diseased adventurers, simply stating
was the reason it was lost that that if we did not respect their
stunned us -- in some cases literal- temple, then we should have none.
ly. Let us step back to that fate-
ful day, at a time that no one sus- Deciding that they would not be
pected anything wrong. It seemed to threatened, word was quickly passed
be a normal day... over the think-net that the gods had
turned their backs on us. This only
Several were gathered in the temple, made matters worse, and the gods
taking their rest from a hard day of showed very quickly just how angry
adventuring, among them Rastur, they were.
November and Lord Mohrgan. Although
others were there, the entire event The monk started to shake and sweat
seems to have focused around these uncontrollably. The elf, concerned
three. for the monk, quickly took him to a
healer. With all honesty, it just
Adventurers in the Temple were be- seemed to be a way to get them both
having normally when, strangely out of harms way for what was coming
enough, the elf, who had always just next, for that was when magic
hushed us, commented about us not stopped functioning in the temple.
being respectful. This seemed to
start some bickering, but nothing Without warning, the air became warm
out of the ordinary, at least not and a feeling of dread filled every-
until plaster from the ceiling fell one; something more was yet to come.
and nearly hit some of the people Then the gods yelled that the Temple
there. That seemed a bit much for was now cursed by our very presence
some, and they began shouting and and it was no longer holy. Perhaps
generally showing anger. If they crazed from disease, Lord Mohrgan
had only known what was to come. challenged the gods. Thus, in a
response to his futility, light
Without warning, a stun cloud faded within the temple and began to
appeared! November and Lord Mohrgan darken, and evil laughter was heard.
were injured. Rastur went to began
tending these wounds when the elf The next moments were filled with
said in a no-nonsense tone, that mayhem as suddenly ghouls appeared,
Rastur was not allowed to heal them. WITHIN the very Temple itself!
Shock was their first reaction, but Wasting no time, they attacked the
despite the elf's warning, Rastur remaining adventurers who, natur-
tended them just the same. Once ally, defended themselves. Soon the
both were healed, the gods, appar- temple was filled with ghouls and
ently thinking that they can do adventurers fighting for dominion of
whatever they want to justify their the Temple. Realizing they were
reasons, struck down November and severely outnumbered, many of the
-10- More...
adventurers left, none too soon, for hand. Guards were set up to watch
no sooner had they done so, than over anyone there so pick pockets
Liches and Ghoul Kings entered the could not deprive them of their
Temple. hard earned money. An essence node
was directed there as well.
The battle raged, both sides taking
casualties. And the problem was not Thus ended the day that forever
isolated to the Temple, as more changed our lives. Although we lost
unlife were found raging around town the Temple as a place to refresh
and the nearby wilds, and citizens ourselves through a mighty display
were being attacked everywhere. of a capriciousness typical of gods
Within the Temple, the main con- everywhere, the Town Square has a
frontation was going poorly for charm all its own. It is certainly
residents, for we could use no magic more centrally located which will,
within its confines. There seemed among other things, benefit those
no problem for others using magic arrivals in search of aid who happen
there, however, as stun clouds left upon the frontier town of Kelfour's
many helpless before the unlife's Landing.
vicious onslaught.
And once again, our brave adven-
At long last, things began settling turers proved that we shall survive.
down and the unlife fled the temple
-- as did the remaining adventurers,
most of whom gathered in Town Square
or at Helga's. The latter sat in
shocked disbelief, listening to an
old priest advise that the only way
open to them was to find a new place ******
to gather, for obviously they could @| || |@
no longer use the Temple in safety. | || |
@| || |@
However, before any of this could be |....|
done, we were set the task of Lute \||/
restoring the Temple to what it once ~~~~ | |
was. Many were shocked, and still Crafted by |""|
others upset: Had our ears deceived | |
us? We were being told to restore Bard |""|
something we had not damaged, and | |
then informed that we could no Erion Kulsen |""|
longer congregate there? Tempers | |
flared, and many refused to accept |""|
what they were hearing. | |
|""|
Then, the Mayor, who actually came /- -\
out of his office, joined us in the // \\
square where, along with the old // __ \\
priest, he convinced us that we had // "" \\
no choice but to choose a new place | /^^\ |
to reflect on our experiences. | | | |
| \__/ |
With some reluctance, residents set \\ __ //
about getting items needed to purify \\ "" //
the Temple. Through a long, and \\______//
what turned out to be an enriching \******/
ceremony, it was started on its way
to purification. While this was
being done, stone benches were
delivered to the Town Wquare, and a
new place for us to rest was at
-11-
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: ___________ :
| \ __ \ The First Lay of Haakon |
: | / "| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| | //|"| | by Haakon deStrega :
| | //=|"| | |
| | // |"| | |
| / ~~ ~~~ / fter the fact it was Falchion in backpack and |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~ clear when it started. Shield on my shoulder |
| I, a poor Thief, name of Tired, I walked towards the |
: Haakon DeStrega Temple of Orhan |
| Returned I was, in the High-domed, that soars over :
| Last light of evening Market and storefront |
| Coin in my purse from a Balm to the traveler |
| Run through the Kaldsfang Weary and injured. |
| |
: Tired I was, but Say I this for in Quellbourne |
: Unbroken in battle. A sane man learns quickly :
: Free of all orc-cut To check and to tend to :
| Or other concussion. A wound that is bleeding. :
| Lay myself down with a If he be not Healer the |
| Mind slowly numbing. Damage is mortal. |
| Hoped to return to my An unnoticed wound can be |
| Battlegrounds soon. Secretly lethal. |
| |
| Except for the scars on my To any of Quellbourne |
: Face, I was healthy. Such wounds are familiar. |
| But as I lay resting, some Even the bite of a torkaan :
| Magic attacked me. Can cause them. |
| My mind did degrade (If torkaan be lucky and |
| In unusual fashion. Parry be lowered.) |
| Laceration and bruising So Fear did not blanket my |
| Appeared on my chest! Reason, or freeze me. |
| |
| Instead, I reviewed the Know I that Rastur, the |
| Precincts of the Temple. Scarred One's a joker. |
| Others were there much more And thought, for a moment |
| Wounded than I, and That he was but playing |
| Desirous of employing the With me, a poor first-level |
: Gifts of the Healer Thief-in-the-making. |
: Dispensed by Lord Rastur, who I thought he had Transferred :
| Held court at the altar. The injuries to me. :
| |
| Knew I not, at that moment "Rastur!" I brayed. "Did you |
| That this could not happen. Pass me concussion?" |
| That Transfer, among other Lord Rastur looked up and |
| Gifts of the Healers Examined me, briefly. |
| Cannot be employed to I felt, in that moment, |
| Pass hurts on to others. Ashamed of my brutal |
: So I laughed and called out Assumption that such a great |
| To the Lord on his dais. Lord might be Trickster. |
| |
| Instead, I was suddenly In healing of some sudden |
| Frightened that Rastur Phalanx of wounded. |
| Might well have exceeded the An excess of damage is |
__| Scope of his powers Fatal to Healers! |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-12- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: :
| I thought: "Has he trodden No! Rastur the Wound-Taker |
: So close to his limits Spoke out, most gentle. |
| That in order to save the more "You must not have noticed :
| Greviously wounded, he's This trivial injury." |
| Started Transferring their And with meditation |
| CP's to others? He took it upon him. |
| Battlers whose unbroken A subsequent gesture, |
| Bodies can take them?" The wounds disappeared! |
: |
| Well and good. And--Eissa At that moment, an ancient :
| Preserve me!--my gaffe had not Appeared in the Temple. |
| Bought me the anger of A priest, long in years, who |
| Rastur the Healer. Named himself Duvo. |
: Thankful I was, and I Stared he down over the |
: Offered him silver. Warriors assembled. |
: Rastur, as always, Then called out a message :
| Declined with a grin. Channeled from Godhead. :
| :
| "Oh thee, sacreligious!" He Those who respect not the |
| Called to the warriors. Grounds of the Temple |
| "Why use you the Temple Have naught but to mock the |
| to break open chests? Attempts of the priesthood |
| And presume on this ground To hold off incursions of |
: For your fighter's retreat?" Unlife and evil. |
| Sadly, the chosen of Their blood would soon stain |
| Quellbourne did mock him. The zone of the Gods! :
| |
| Yet still they would mock! Again, I was lucky! My |
| And trouble did follow Falchion sung fire, and I |
| Me, as I left the Slaughtered my fill of the |
| Precincts of the Temple Monsters of Kaldsfang. |
| And flew through the city Loaded with breastplates and |
| Of Kelfour, at evening Chests, I turned homeward, |
| And down into Torkland, Eager for Temple and |
| And back into Hobs. Talk with my friends. |
| |
: Peaceful, indeed, were the Happy, I walked through the |
: Fields of fair Torkland. Streets of the Landing. |
| Quiet, the gate-square and Blew a kiss to the flower-girl :
| Wayfarer's Inn. (She smiled back at me). :
| Through Kelfour I hurried Tired, unwounded, I'd |
| To Dernick's, and haggled Pass a few moments in |
| Little (though prices for Converse with friends, between |
| Breastplates are falling.) Battle and Mayhem. |
| |
| The Temple was filled with With others I lay there |
: The usual role-call Arrogant, deadly. |
| Of Healers and Fighters and A killer of orcs, trolls, kobs,|
| Mages and Thieves. Wolverines, karns. |
| Joy that we felt, in the Sword in my backpack, and |
| Bliss of survival. Shield on my shoulder, I |
| Gladness at healing Lay on my back, and I |
| And monsters defeated. Flirted with women. |
__| |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-13- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: :
| Sure! There are beauties November was with us, |
: among the proud warriors! She, tall and complacent |
| Strong women, proud and Blue of eye, blonde :
| Secure in blood combat. And exceedingly fair. |
| High-level Fighters and Strong in war, brave in death |
| Rangers and Bards. She held court in the Temple |
| Fair-Elf and Half-elf Lord Mohrgan, her comrade |
| Dwarven and Man. He, also, was there. |
: |
| It was later, they told me To their credit, the Lords did not:
| What had transpired Submit to these biddings. |
| Words of the Gods had Proud in their power, |
| Boomed out, in the Temple. Secure in their grace. |
: That Rastur was told not to And Mohrgan among them, |
: Heal the war-broken. And Lady November |
: Lord Redeye enjoined not to Did curse at the Gods :
| Rez back the dead. In a manner unseemly! :
| :
| I, a poor Thief Yet Gods are oft gentle |
| Asleep in the corner When warning their children |
| Did not quickly realize And no one was hurt in this |
| What Evil had come there. Trivial chiding. |
| Gods, in their Fury, are We gathered outside at the |
: Often quite subtle. Square of Orhan and |
| The Cloud gathered quiet Reviewed the events, in a |
| And struck without warning. Moil of confusion. :
| |
| Had some fool Thief opened But nay! As I lay there |
| A chest without checking In deep meditation |
| For traps? Wherefrom else On who I thought most fair |
| Could this Cloud be a'borning? And most delightful |
| The stronger checked inside Then did the Gods strike |
| And all was as normal. Without limit or mercy |
| We returned to the Temple At all the brave fighters |
| Glad to resume. In converse most peaceful. |
| |
: At first, we who were old Even I, a poor Thief, but with|
: Or lived, with our fathers Th' advantage of reroll |
| In years before, did think Though only first Level :
| It was Newbies Night! And sure Did laugh, at the first. :
| The Lords Dartaghan Darkstar A howl! One did not read it |
| And Strom had been seen, As threat. In field, one might|
| Leading their crowds of But not in the Temple. |
| Unblooded warriors. Who could be hurt here? |
| |
| Then they were upon us! Attacked without warning |
: Ghouls! There! In the Temple! We thought someone was joking! |
| The home of all peace was That one of the Lords had a |
| A field made for war! Magic anew. |
| Our Fighters, both healed and And indeed, the first fighting |
| Unhealed, grasped their weapons. Was not to be feared of |
| The rest stood there, stunned For ghouls only carry |
| Not expecting to die. An OB of 20. |
__| |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-14- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: :
| Yet as young ones began to I call to you, fighters, |
: Take critical slashes To witness this telling. |
| We all knew the fighting Haakon, I, am naught :
| Was real as could be. But a pitiful Thief. |
| I grabbed for my falchion But my father was Fighter: |
| And shield from my shoulder Elohim LifeWire. |
| And struck at an unlife And my mother a lady |
| That threatened at me. Of Fair Elven birth. |
: |
| As such, I have powers I may be First Level, but :
| Beyond your bold newbie. Careful rerolling |
| Both strong in defense, and Has given me strength and |
| Strong in attack. My My mother's quicksilver. |
: Father did cede me I can wear down a wolverine |
: Superlative macros Slashing and charging |
: And I do really well at the And crush any Lorc :
| Old "slash and hack." With stealth and precision. :
| :
| So be it! I struck at this Horror! I carried no |
| Unlife abortion! Cleric-blessed weapon! |
| My falchion passed through its' I could not touch ghouls |
| Untouchable form! As they fast multiplied. |
| In round-time I watched, as the Nor they me, for my parries |
: First of the newbies Are fast as my father's. |
| In Temple began to take But helpless I watched |
| Critical damage. As the children were slaughtered. :
| |
| November struck out, of So, too, I tried. For my |
| Blue eye and laen hammer, Rolls were in order. |
| But nor could she touch No Unlife could touch me |
| The Unlife aborning! For round after round! |
| Poor young! One Drzzyk Thinking Lady November |
| Caught her attention. Herself's in no peril |
| She caught at his shoulder I tried dragging Drzzyk |
| Tried to drag him to safety. Out of the Temple. |
| |
: The young ones should realize And so, Dryzzyk fell at the |
: That if help from their elders Claws of the Unlife! |
| Is wanting, then they should (Unlucky, but young, he's :
| Have typable names! Reborn in an instant.) :
| Imagine -- oh fighters! At this point, all warriors |
| The horror of typing But the most keen retreated. |
| "DRAG DRYZZYK TO EXIT" November remained at the |
| Three times, in a hurry! Portal, defending. |
| |
| She died there! Accepting the I, for the luck of the roll |
: Strikes of Unholy Stayed there, also. |
| In favor of letting them Dragging at Dryzzyk |
| Free of the Temple! And unhurt by fiends. |
| Fair Lady November! A A laugh! And a Ghoul King |
| Killer of merit! She fell Appeared in the Temple. |
| In defending I ran then, dishonored |
| Her warrior friends! In fear for my life. |
__| |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-15- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: :
| Those who stayed came outside Many there were, besides |
: And told us all, later fair November |
| That TWO Ghoul-Kings came Who died in hard fighting :
| Along with a lich. With liches and ghouls. |
| Me, the horror of fighting To think! They died wondering |
| A beast that my falchion Why? In the Temple!? |
| Can't touch, did unman me. There but for peace |
| Caused pain in my heart. And a healing of souls. |
: |
| When Lady November (Excuse me Lord Strom pulled a Rularon :
| For calling her Lady, when Fal from his backpack |
| I know not the Level she's reached) And struck at an Unlife |
| Did fall, bleeding And blew it to bits! |
: The ghouls battled through Then cast a strong Stun at an|
: And did infect the square Unruly Ghoul King and |
: Of Orhan, then did we Knocked him to ground :
| The survivors give battle. With a casual gesture! :
| :
| The others fought back! But I caught the green eye |
| The ghouls were ascendant! Of a girl, Daryann |
| We knew not if Kelfour Who, fighting right bravely |
| Was owned by their evil. Was taking some hit points. |
| A thunder above us said 'A good time to log!' I |
: Godlings were angry! Suggested. I, coward! |
| The warriors fought, but That we survived was the |
| Could not strike, truly. Result of this strategy. :
| |
| Those who stayed were the strongest My fear was that warriors |
| Of Lords, Clerics, Healers Who died in the Temple |
| They drove the incursion Would Depart, and return |
| Of Unlife from Temple! To the Holy of Altars. |
| Meanwhile, I used the common art But then, be surrounded |
| To send my soul into the MPGRT By ghouls and by liches, |
| To confer with the souls And torn limb from limb |
| Of the recently departed. Be recycled by Eissa! |
| |
: Death upon Death! But the Confused, we stood, and surveyed |
: Fighters were braver than All the wreckage. |
| I! There was no-one in The Temple was Deadly :
| RoundTable, hiding. The amulets barren. :
| Ashamed, I returned to the The Essence had fled from the |
| World of our making. Precincts of Quellbourne |
| The Lords had already A sacrilege awful had |
| Destroyed the vile Unlife. Distorted our World. |
| |
| So, there stood the Priest "Why do you wonder how this |
: A sending of Godlings Cruel event could |
| He looked at us, sadly Come to the Temple where |
| And bemoaned our fates. Healers hold court?" |
| Cruel, some said, of the He said. "When the Gods |
| Lives of our young ones. Withdraw their Protection |
| But far from ignoring The Unlife rush in |
| The deaths we had suffered. To own what is left!" |
__| |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-16- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: :
| Still, there were those The priest looked on, sadly |
: Who mocked the Priest's teaching. And spoke in a whisper |
| Even November, revived and "Come to the Square, and :
| Restored to her hammer and laen Hear of the Gods." |
| Did scream in a war-voice: We went, we survivors |
| "Why kill the weak ones? Strong, though forsaken |
| If we are the culprits Ready to battle for |
| Then kill us, alone!" Temple and Home. |
: |
| There did we argue, with At the end, the Priest granted:
| Priest and with Godhead That Gods he served, gladly |
| And mercy was shown, that we Would grant us the Temple |
| Were not struck down. For worship and praise. |
: The strongest of Lords But that the vile Unlife |
: Did stand up, among us Had fouled its precincts |
: And show us their Reason And that a hard Quest :
| In discourse, most gentle. Was our only solution. :
| :
| Seven wands, did he ask for In addition, he said that the |
| Of silver, and full-charged! Gods had demanded |
| And seven of pelts from the A potion of Wekwek, for |
| Species of Unlife: Wounds of the chest. |
| Talon of Wraith, Mummy's wrap I thought of my own minor |
: Ghoul scraping, and bone Wounds of before, and |
| Of Skeleton, Nail of Ghoul King Knew that the heart of the |
| Paw of Werebear, and more. Temple was stolen. :
| |
| Furthermore, he required a We wondered at this, but the |
| Mage of great substance Warriors quickly |
| To undo a curse with the Divided, among themselves |
| Purest of chants. The quests that were needed. |
| And then he demanded a Lord Strom himself |
| Cleric most vital Of the Rularon Falchion |
| To cast resurrection Did volunteer to collect |
| Of Life to the Altar. The palls of the Unlife! |
| |
: Allyssya, too! Killer of Monsters I, a Thief, strong in but |
: Did swear to assist the Physical arms, did join with |
| Lord Strom, in this duty. The Lady Dreamweaver, Bard :
| Others did join them, still Of Bards, in her laen and :
| Others did bless their sharp Orichalc armor, to hunt for |
| Weapons, and cast magic The wands that are carried |
| Protects on their bodies. By orcs and hobgoblins |
| In mountains of Kaldsfang. |
| |
| With us came Daryann Dreamweaver, strong in her |
: Warrior maiden Own Bardic Magik |
| Killer of trolls Asked that we listen, |
| And protector of newbies! Make use of our crystals |
| Fast, did we fly through the Reporting on progress |
| Streets of the Landing Of other brave parties |
| Southwards we wended In capturing that which |
| Towards conquest or death. The priest had demanded. |
__| |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-17- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: :
| So it was, that in Kaldsfang But I digress. As it happened |
: We came upon creatures We found no wands silver |
| Killed them with shaalk Or otherwise -- Wait! We :
| And with laen and with fal. Did find ONE, but of metal. |
| Blood ran in rivers! And then, we returned when the |
| I, myself, was right proud Sendings of others |
| That with Dary and Dream there Informed us that all of |
| I actually killed one! The priest's will was done. |
: |
| There in the Town Square we Still, we were lost without :
| Waited for Lord Strom Cleric of pure heart |
| The brave one -- killer of And great power! Lucky we were|
| Liches and mummies! That a great one was there! |
: He was the one upon whom Chelsea, Resurrectrice |
: We could count Appeared, all unbidden. |
: To cast the required Holy sign on her breast :
| Uncurse on the Altar. For the Unlife to fear! :
| :
| That Lady knew nought of the Was she of pure heart, as the |
| Seat of our troubles Priest had demanded? |
| Nor of the horror of Calmly, she answered, and |
| Risk that she took. These are her words: |
| Gentle and mild, she "Pureness of heart is but |
: Agreed to contribute Found in the striving! |
| Life, if t'was wanted Part of the process |
| Or power required. Of life! Not a goal." :
| |
| Slowly, the ancient Priest Thence, to the Temple we |
| Smiled in agreement. Came, in a body. |
| (Wisdom is aught the Dreamweaver, carrying the |
| Domain of the Gods!) Vilest of Pelts! Bleys |
| Brave Lady Chelsea had The brave joker, his disk |
| Spoken a truth that Drawn behind us |
| Remains with us still Bearing a Freight of |
| In our darkest hours. Powerful wands. |
| |
: Also came Penna, the So we came to the Altar of |
: Weaver of yarns, Mistress of Sacrifice, blessed. |
| Distaff and spindle, bearing But broken by presence of :
| A potion of Wekwek. True cure Unlife, unyielding! :
| For most terrible breast-wounds Here, in the Unsacrosanct |
| Demanded, in this instance We stood: warriors who knew |
| To heal the very heart That their survival was drawn |
| Of the Temple of Orhan. From the unslaked flow of Essence.|
| |
| The Cleansing began! The old Weeping, we watched, as the |
: Priest demanded a pelt Old priest demanded |
| From the Unlife dominions. The pelts of the Undead |
| In a flash, it had vanished! And wands, in their order. |
| A wand, then -- one of seven Warriors, whose wounds |
| Charged to the fullest! were still |
| With its flare came the sound Smarting, did hand up |
| Of the bells of the Holy. These most sacred items |
__| And kneel there, in prayer. |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-18- More...
_________________________________________________________________________
/ \ \
\@: :
| A touch of his hand, and the But lo! There were yet a |
: Items went missing! Few, still among us |
| The clear, tiny altar Who did not believe in the :
| Glowed brightly with light! Biddings of priests! |
| All of us there knew the Cynically mocked, as his |
| Strength of this Master Power flowed through us |
| As incense did fragrance And watched as the old man |
| The smoke of the Dead. Did stagger and falter. |
: |
| His life was at risk, in this Then Chelsea, bright Lady :
| Cleansing most mighty. Did bravely step forward |
| Yet softly he begged that our Still unsure of context |
| Lords would not falter. Though strong in her heart. |
: "Cast Uncurse!" he ordered "Cast rez!" The priest bade, |
: And Strom did not fail him. As the chanting did falter |
: The Lord read the runes And Chelsea made gestures :
| And his power flowed outwards! And focused her soul. :
| :
| Cast once! Rolled a failure! Exploding in light! Did the |
| No rez was forthcoming! Temple of Orhan |
| But Chelsea, the pure-hearted Resound to the outflow |
| Cleric, unfazed, Of ritual power! |
| Repeated the motions of The clearest of winds did |
: Full Resurrection. Blow by the Altar |
| Another true cast, and the And whispers from Gods |
| Power burned brightly! Were heard on the air. :
| |
| A moment of silence--then The Temple is once again |
| Smiles from all present! Safe from the Unlife |
| There wasn't a doubt that The Gods have returned |
| The cleansing had worked! To its altars and halls. |
| The priest, still alive, though The priests have commenced |
| Quite weak and quite shaky An additional cleansing |
| Did thank the brave warriors We wait, all the people |
| For faith and for fealty. For news reassuring. |
| |
: Meanwhile, I sing, in my We all were most willing |
: Cracked voice, un-Bardic We brave ones, (we cowards!) |
| Of all the brave young ones To fight in the service :
| Dead in the Temple Of comrades, the weaker. :
| And of Lords, and of Ladies Risking all for the sake of |
| Who strive in their fashion Resanctification. |
| Towards life, and towards light May our blood render Holy |
| And towards pureness of purpose. This labor of Love. |
| |
| |
| |
| End of the First Lay |
: of Haakon DeStrega |
| |
| |
| |
| |
__| |
\_/_______________________________________________________________________/
-19-
____________ How to Hunt as a Sorcerer
/ \ ________ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|~|~~\~\ | by Lord Nixie Trevize
| |~|__/~/ |
| |~ __ < |
_| |~| \~\ | eing a sorcerer at you cast will be low. From Levels 1
/@| |~|__/~/ | low levels is going to 8, you're a train-once-per-level
\_/ ~~~~~~~~ / to be tough. Don't sword swinger. You might actually
~~~~~~~~~~~ try to kid yourself; kill a monster with magic upon
you're not going to be powerful. occasion, but unless you're waving
Your magic power points will be low. wands, don't count on it. I recom-
Your odds of hitting anything when mend spell training as follows:
_______________________________________________________________
/ \ Order of Spell Training \
\@ | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Level Spell List : Level Spell List |
| ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ : ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ |
| 1 401 Guard I O/E : 6 702 Touch of |
| 1 701 Limpain Sorc : Disruption Sorc |
| 2 402 Presence O/E : 7 406 Guard II O/E |
| 3 403 Lock Lore O/E : 8 101 Protection I O/C |
| 4 404 Trap Lore O/E : 9 102 Air Wall O/C |
| 5 405 Essence Wave O/E : 10 103 Aura O/C |
| __________________________________________________________|_
| @\ O/E = Open Essence List O/C = Open Channeling List \
\__/ Sorc = Sorcerer Base List /
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After level 10, your spell choice chance of hitting torkaans or rats.
will depend upon which spell list Buy laen when you can afford it.
you wish to develop first. Train in
directed spells twice per level. Level 3-4: Kobolds, lesser orcs, and
Invest 10 development points in the goblins on the old mine road. Start
spell list each time you train. using Limbpain at level 3; if you
cast Limbpain on kobolds, orcs, and
Train once per level in wands and goblins, they will sit to tend their
once per level in brawling or single wounds. If you get a limb to bleed,
edged weapons. NOTE: If you choose hide and wait for the orc or goblin
to train in brawling, advancement to sit down. (Hands don't count.
will be much harder, but at higher Critters won't sit to tend them.)
levels you will be able to use runes Attack at parry 0 from hiding, and
without being defenseless. You will if you are lucky, you will stun or
also be able to use wands without kill it.
removing your shield. Nets that use
brawling skills are no longer avail- Level 4-5: Hobgoblins and forest
able, so consider carefully before trolls, the richest monsters in the
training in brawling instead of one- lands for their levels. The money
handed edged weapons. will come in handy for getting your
gear improved. Use Limbpain to bleed
Train as best you can in first aid, them, then hide and wait for them to
body development, channeling, runes, sit down.
and perception. Develop climbing and
swimming skills as you can. When you reach level 5, you will get
Essence Wave. This spell will take
What to Hunt you to level 12 or 13. With this
~~~~~~~~~~~~ spell, you can hunt greater orcs to
Level 1-2: Rats, torkaans, and sea level 7 or 8, then go to cave trolls
nymphs. Use a rapier to increase the for levels 9 to 12. Levels 12 to 15,
-20- (Continued on page 23)
___________ Tales From the Newbie Crypt
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| /~/~~\_\ | by Syr Calden
| \~\____~ |
_| _~~~~\~\ |
/@| \~\__/~/ |haska is going to kill One more discard, and home free. I
\_/ ~~~~~~ / you!" Rama said with took the ring from my backpack to be
~~~~~~~~~~ glee, "and I will if sure of its easy reach. Holding my
he doesn't." sword and shield tightly, I intoned
the dreaded command, 'Go path!'
The glistening darkness and stone
walls of the catacombs echoed our Hearing a roar, I spun to see a huge
whispered conversation. All I fully black shape descend on me. Suddenly,
remember was 'w,ne,sw,e..' and then every adventurer's worst nightmare
repeat 'w,ne..' Where were the rats? materialized - die roll, 99, stunned
for 10 rounds!
"Rats. Rats. Thousands and thousands
of rats!" I said. "No!" I wailed through teeth that
would not open.
"Shut up with the Renfield imitation
already," Rama said, as he gestured The beast toyed with me, laughing at
to the low ceiling in his 'Why me?' me, before delivering the last blow.
pantomime.
"It seems you have died..."
"It was not my fault the werebear
got me," I said, as I backhanded a "They can't get away with this!" I
rat that had slunk into the room. fumed. Quickly departing, I ran out
of the Temple in my shorts, with the
"Rats are so... boring," I said, as shush of the priest trailing after
Rama easily finished off the rat. me, till once again I stood in front
"Thousands and thousands of rats," I of the dreaded path.
croaked.
Grab, dodge, and run, I thought to
"Shut up!" Rama shouted. myself. Formulating my battle plan.
"Try this ring around town a few 'Go path. Get backpack. Go path,'
times," Shaska said, as he handed me I typed. Enter!
the teleportation ring. "Rama and I
will meet you at the temple in an Chuckling, I sat back to enjoy the
hour, then we'll try some wilding." triumph of mind over matter.
The ring pulsed as I put it on. My "You may only type two commands
vision clouded briefly. ahead.." I heard just before a huge
black shape descended on me.
"Yes!" I shouted, giggling as the
priest shushed me as he always did "It seems you have died..."
when I entered the Temple.
"They can't get away with this...!"
Let's see, I thought. 'Making Money
the Easy Way' in the last 'Kelfour's "Most people would have settled for
Edition' said I can make a fortune one death and gotten help, but nooo,
with discarded brick-a-brack. Here I you had to go for three!" Rama said
come! as we hunted another rat. "Shaska is
going to kill you."
After collecting nineteen discards,
I found myself standing and facing a "Thousands and thousands of rats," I
footpath. 'Werebears!' Shaska had chortled.
written and erased the rest of the
map. "Shut up!"
-21-
___________ Tavern Tale for Tulrach
/ \ ______ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~\\ | by Eron Kulsen
| |~| |||
_| |~| |||eep in the shadows of Shrugging, Eron picked up his mug
/@| |~|_// | Helga's Tavern sat a and took a long, deep drink. Wiping
\_/ ~~~~~~ / lone listener. Conver- whatever didn't make it past his
~~~~~~~~~~ sation filled the room, lips with his sleeve, he set the mug
along with the ravings of drunks and down and stared out the window.
the laughter of adventurers in com- Tulrach, looking distracted, glanced
radeship. Hours rolled by, folk came around the musty room without really
or left on their own or were kicked noticing anything. Eron ended his
out by Helga's rather large boot. trance with the outside view and
Finally, a small man in a patched regarded Tulrach.
tunic and matching hose walked in
and went directly to the listener's "By Eissa, Tulrach, spit it out.
table. He sat down and a big grin What's bothering you?"
spread across his face.
"Well, I hope you don't take offense
"Then the sighting was legitimate?" to this, and since you haven't said
asked the shadowed figure eagerly. why you want to go to Melghoren's so
badly--. You see, I kinda made a bet
The little man answered, "Aye, that with the other guys that you would
it was. I myself even went out to get in. I know you can pull it off
the area and saw the sight." and all, but maybe if you bring back
some proof? I need something to show
Eron leaned into the light and ges- the others that you succeeded."
tured for Helga to bring over two
large mugs of ale. "So where exactly Fingering the sturdy sword strapped
is it then, Tulrach?" around his waist, Eron glared toward
an eager listener at another table,
"Well, when I last saw it, the tower quickly ending any further eaves-
was near the entrance to the cold dropping. A smile cracked across his
guardian maze, but it seemed to be face and he chuckled quietly at
shifting toward the lava flows on Tulrach. "A sabre," he said.
the other side of Blototh," answered
Tulrach. "A what?"
Helga came with two foaming mugs of "A sabre."
ale, winked, and picked up the coins
Eron put on the table for her. "What about a sabre?"
"Then it is done. I will set out "I'll bring you back a sabre, you
late tomorrow afternoon and hope to dimwit!"
get there by twilight."
"How am I supposed to know you got
"Be careful, Eron. Whatever gave you it from the tower?"
this crazy idea could get you into a
lot of trouble. Remember what Mel- "Simple. It won't be any ordinary
ghoren did to the last person he sabre. It'll be a magical sabre. I'm
found anywhere near his tower." I'm sure Melghoren can use an ease
of the load in his treasury anyhow."
Eron stifled a shudder and nodded.
"But who says he's going to know I Tulrach cocked an eye at Eron and
was even there? I'll be in and out looked completely skeptical.
as quick and quiet as a specter."
"Well, if you can get a magical
"Just as long as you don't become sabre, then I'm sure that would be
one yourself," remarked Tulrach. proof enough. Just don't go grabbing
-22- More...
all the treasure in sight and stuff- How to Hunt as a Sorcerer from P. 20
ing it down your pants! You'll make ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
more noise than Dartaghan complain- you can hunt fire guardians, black
ing about his size." stalkers, or pumas.
Eron laughed, finished up his ale, At level 15, you will need to start
and banged his mug on the table, hunting golems. At this level you
nearly shattering it. He shrugged at start relying on magic alone for
the cracked mug and tossed it to the damage. You must hunt in a group.
ground, sending flying shards of Cast ToD for at least 4 to 6 hits
glass all over. Helga looked over at per golem. Use wands if you have
the mess and glared, while Eron them, to add to your concussion
stifled a laugh. point damage. You can't kill a golem
by yourself yet, without using a ton
"I told you, one more time and you'd of wands or getting a lucky
pay for it!" boomed Helga, stomping critical.
over towards Eron.
As a sorcerer, you will need to be
Eron darted around the table, and creative when you hunt. If you
nimbly avoiding Helga's boot, bolted decide to hunt fire guardians, you
for the door. He winked at Helga will have to put up with fire
rather suggestively from around the phantoms, a level 6 or 8 undead
door frame, then ducked back behind monster. You can freeze the phantom
the door and was gone. Helga turned to a room by casting 3 successful
to glare at Tulrach, but to her sur- Limbpain casts on one of its legs.
prise the chair he once sat in was The same can be done to basilisks in
empty. Cursing like a banshee, Helga Black Stalkers or, for that matter,
walked back towards the bar, silenc- any monster.
ing everyone.
Levels 6 to 15 are tough without the
"Well?! What are you all staring at? Essence Wave spell. If you are hav-
You came here to drink and have a ing troubles, find a cleric of about
good time, so DRINK!" your level and ask to join up. Most
clerics will help, since you help to
Everyone left in the bar finished generate more monsters, and your OB
their drinks in unison and deposited will not outpace theirs. The cleric
unusual amounts of tips, exiting the spells will lower the monster's DB
tavern as quickly and painlessly as enough so you can hit it.
possible.
If you choose to be a sorcerer, you
(To be Continued) will learn patience. You will hunt a
________________________________ lot alone. You will learn how to
/ \ conserve power, because you will
| New Descriptions | never have enough. It's still a lot
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | of fun and a lot of challenge. After
| Ever wonder what a Torkaan or | you reach level 18 or 19, life is a
| Karnelin looks like? Now there | little easier, but not much.
| are descriptions available for \_____________________________________
| many different creatures (and \
| other things as well). To see what some of these denizens look like, |
| just type DESCRIBE , for example DESCRIBE COCKATRICE: |
| |
| A smaller relative of the basilisk, the cockatrice has a serpentine |
| body, with feathered head, wings, and legs. Having the cold, freezing |
| gaze of its larger cousin, the cockatrice should not be treated lightly. |
| A sharp beak and raking claws complete this small but deadly package |
| of evil. |
\________________________________________________________________________/
-23-
______________ Scenes from the Inn
/ \ ____ ____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~| | | |~ | by Sean2 Lladd
| |~|--|~| |
_| |~|--|~| | o, lads! It's good Speaking of which, you lads ready
/@| _|~| |~|_ | to see you again. for another round? Oh, wipe those
\_/ ~~~~ ~~~~ / Just a minute, looks off your faces, I'm buying.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ while I whistle us Money's the one thing I do have. So
up some drink. There's young Miktor. drink up! Tomorrow's another day.
Yo, Miktor! Come join us! And bring Aleea! Yes, lass, another pitcher.
Aleea with you!
Aye, I envy you lads. I have no-one
Ah, Miktor. You've accomplished your to go "home" to. And the one place I
task right well. Aleea, a pitcher ever felt comfortable in the last
(what else?) of ale and the common few years, the one place I could say
dinner for me. I'm hungry enough to even came close to being "home,"
eat an unskinned torkaan. Raw! Any- even that's denied me here. It seems
thing for you lads? Well then lass, that the local government has this
off with you. crack-brained idea that if they let
the guild set up a hall here, we'll
Aye, Varnick, it's been a profitable all go hog wild and start killing
few days. And what do you think of children and women and such-like.
my new blade? Enchanted! Sure, look
it over. What's that? Oh, I'm sorry. I was
talking about the Mercenary's Guild.
Ah-h, that hits the spot. How's the Oh come on! Not you, too! No and no
the new little one, Miktor? Mother and no. That's the kind of goings-on
and babe are well, I trust. What's the guild works to prevent, not
that? Off to her mother's already! promote.
Ho, ho, ho! What! Hey, calm down you
young hothead. 'Twas but a joke. You see, it's like this. Where I
Calm down, I say! Here, have another come from, the Guild is an
ale and cool off. I'd like to be established and powerful
able to eat my dinner in peace. organization. It's been in business
for at least 2000 years and has
What's that, Varnick? You think the actually prevented more wars and
adventuring life is all ale and gold useless bloodshed than even some of
and magical swords? Well, it's not. our religions.
And I'll tell you this for a fact, I
envy you lads. By my sword, that's Every lad or lass that wants to make
true! No, I'm not poking fun at you. a way in the world usually ends up
I envy you all. You have wives and belonging to the guild. You see, the
warm beds to go home to, some of you guild has rules about behavior, what
have children who love you and need you can and can't do, how much you
you, and you have families who care can charge in fees for your
what happens to you. I have none of services, what your responsibilities
these things -- no wife, no children to your employer are, and what his
(nor ever like to), and certainly responsibilities to you are.
no family.
All honest men know that if they go
Oh aye, I knew who my parents were, to the guild to hire their guards,
but they're long dead. That's right, whether it's a merchant to protect a
I told you about them the other caravan, or a householder to protect
week. And my mother's father--faugh! his children and home, they'll get
He disowned me at my birth, and my honest and loyal service. Why, it's
father's family was destroyed by common knowledge that if you hire
that same birth. But enough! I grow free-lance guards, non - guild that
maudlin, and there's no use crying is, you may pay less, but the ser-
over spilled ale. vice is not so "safe," understand.
-24- More...
Why's that? It all comes down to the a way out of it. You notice I said
Guild creed. As it was explained to "sticky OR unprofitable?" Well, a
me, there's three basic rules on merc company that gets a rep as con-
which all the other guild rules are tract breakers, they don't get hired
based. Goes something like this: much. And if you don't get hired,
you can't make money.
"Honor and obey thy commander;
Honor and protect thy comrades; Same thing happens to a company that
Honor and defend thy contract." gets a rep as a group of, shall we
say, troublemakers. It's worse for a
Pretty simple, eh? company like that, really, 'cause
the label sticks to the members as
Works sort of like this. If you're a well as the company. And it's hard
member of a company, like I was, to find work with another company if
then you take an oath with the guild you've been labeled a troublemaker.
as soon as you sign up. And your
dues and such are part of the "cost" To get back to my point. If, and I
of your training. mean if, a contract gets broken, for
whatever reason, then either party,
Why to the Guild first? Easy. If or both, can apply to the guild for
there's ever a problem, your oath to judgment. Aye, the system works.
the guild takes precedence, and they I've seen it. I was a part of it.
are the final arbiter of your
behavior and actions. Sometimes you Partly it works due to what one of
can have a "problem" with your my instructors called "a lesson in
company or your commander, and the the economics of greed." Say a mer-
oath to the guild gives you a way chant hires a guild-bonded guard or
to, shall we say, protect your guard team. At the end of the job,
honor. Not only that, by swearing to he shorts them some of the fee.
the guild, you're bound to it and to Tells them that if they don't take
obey its rules. That way, even if the smaller fee, he'll go to the
you're between jobs, shall we say, guild and file a petition of fault,
as a mercenary, you're still respon- claiming the guards were lax and
sible to someone or something for troublemakers. So, the guards take
your behavior. Makes the town people the smaller fee, 'cause they want to
feel safer that way. be able to get another job.
Then after you've sworn your oath to But, they also pass the word to the
the Guild, you swear to the company local guildmaster who puts the story
or the company commander, usually into his report to the guild office
directly to the commander. There's a for the region, and so on. If enough
number of reasons for that, but the stories start cropping up about that
main one is that if there's a con- same merchant, then he gets black-
tract problem between the company listed. What's a blacklist? Means
and its employer, the problem is that the guild doesn't have to deal
with the commander and the employer, with him and no member has to accept
not with the whole company, and us a contract unless he wants to.
"grunts" don't have to worry about
guild fines and fees and all that. So, now this merchant can't find any
We just follow orders. guild - bonded guards, so he hires
"free-lancers." Only, odds are that
What happens after a contract's bro- those free-lance guards are really
ken? Well, for one thing, the odds in with the Thieves' Guild, and at
against that happening are pretty the first sign of "trouble" they run
high. Why? Oh, because most command- away, so the merchant loses his mer-
ers take good care NOT to get into chandise. But because he didn't have
sticky or unprofitable contracts. If guild - bonded guards, he has no way
he does find himself in a sticky to recover his losses. And he can't
situation, he'll usually try to work get any sympathy from his brother
-25- More...
merchants because their goods are the Guild fined the merchants the
getting through to market, and they full price of our contract to cover
ARE using guild-bonded guards. See, the cash and supplies we were sup-
a lesson in economics. posed to get. The Guild refused any
services to the merchants for a full
Oh, it'll work against a member too. year and fined them fifty percent
Remember, I said the guild is set up over the contract price as a penalty
to regulate both the duties of an assessment. But -- and this is the
employer to a member and a member's good part--the Guild also fined our
duties to his employer. I recollect commander all "profit" from the con-
the time our commander contracted tract, saying that he entered into
with a group of merchants to defend it with the intent to break it.
'em from another group of merchants.
Merchant's Guild wars are always a Yep, you heard right. It seems that
good source of income for a while questioning our company book-
mercenary company, at least where I keeper, the guild investigator found
came from. Merchants fight over that our illustrious commander knew
stuff like trade routes and supplies all along what the merchants were up
like dogs over a bone! to. He entered into the contract to
try and weasel out of it later.
Any road, part of our contract was
for supplies and weapons instead of So you see, lads, the system works.
cash. Well, those merchants supplied It protects the individual's honor,
us, all right. They delivered a load and it protects the Guild's honor.
of rotten cloaks and stuff, mildewed Isn't that what guilds are supposed
tents, tainted foodstuffs, and the to do? Fighting is what I do for a
weapons -- less than useless! They living. I don't "enjoy" killing. If
likely emptied their storehouses of you meet someone who says he enjoys
every useless, unsalable piece of killing, you watch him. He's the one
goods they had. And they likely fig- who's dangerous.
ured that there was nothing we could
do about it! If I don't enjoy it, why do I do it?
Because it's all that I know. Like I
Wrong! When our commander got a good said, I never really had a family,
look at what was being unloaded for so I've always been a loner. And I'm
our "supplies," I thought he'd have good and getting better. It's the
a seizure. He grabbed our contract, same with you. You do the work that
marched up to the merchant making you do because you're good at it.
the delivery, and tore it up right That's the thing in a nutshell.
in his face. Ho, ho, ho, ho. I guess
the merchant near died of apoplexy. And besides, if it wasn't for me and
Somebody told me later that the guy the others out there like me, you
was actually foaming, he was so mad. wouldn't have a place to do what you
do. We protect you from the dangers
Well, our commander "commandeered" outside the walls, and you provide
the wagons and drivers, told us to us with the goods and services we
get the stuff loaded back onto 'em, need.
and break camp. It only took us an
hour to move out, and we headed for Say Miktor, isn't that the missus in
the nearest guild hall, straight. the doorway? I'd say the visit to
We unloaded the "supplies" in the mother's is over. I guess I'll head
yard, and the commander went after for my bunk too. It's gonna be a
a guild rep to lodge his complaint. hard day tomorrow. For all of us,
one way or another.
Ah-h-h. That's good. All this
talkin's givin' me a dry throat. No Aleea, we're off to our beds. And
here's some extra for the service.
What? Oh, what happened? Hold tight, Get yourself something pretty to
I'm gettin' to it. To make it short, wear. Good night to you, lass.
-26-
____________ Undermining Kelfour's (Part 4)
/ \ _____ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| ~|_|~ | by Llorien Silvanestii
| |~| |
_| |~| __ |eaving the cavern of strode off down the tunnel, cleric
/@| |~|__|| | the pehks behind, our at her side.
\_/ ~~~~~~~ / brave party of adven-
~~~~~~~~~~~ turers delved deeper, "Hmph!" exclaimed Pterelas. "With-
elven eyesight making use of the out us--, without us, they'd be--"
scant light coming from behind them.
They rounded a bend -- and plunged "What?" asked Inyigo. "Safe?"
into utter darkness.
"And without them, we'd have been
"Okay, I guess we need to break out the blue plate special for that
the torches now," remarked Llorien. thing back in the cavern," shuddered
He looked expectantly at Inyigo, who Llorien, starting after the ladies.
felt the bard's eyes upon him even
though he could not see. They trudged on through the twisting
passage, rounded yet another bend,
"Torches?" asked Inyigo. "Who put me and found the way blocked by a door.
in charge of torches?" Not just any door. A big, iron-clad
door. Its size suggested that even a
"You're the bloody ranger. You guys golem with a hyperactive thyroid
explore caves and stuff, don't you?" could use it with no real problems.
stated Llorien. "I figured it was
part of your standard equipment." Pterelas pulled on the door handle.
"It's locked. Just my specialty." He
"The only places I have explored peered into what looked like a key-
recently are Helga's, the bathhouse, hole to discern which lockpick he
and the most current parties," should use and whether there were
replied Inyigo, "and they, for the any nasty traps associated with it.
most part, tend to be well lit."
"Well? Can you unlock it?" asked
"Anyone got a gold wand?" asked Inyigo impatiently.
Pterelas. "We can always torch the
ranger." "Picking is delicate work," Pterelas
said over his shoulder. "If you rush
Penna sighed and muttered a few these things, you can end up dead."
words. A small glowing orb appeared, He returned to his meticulous exami-
floating by her shoulder. nation of the lock mechanism.
"Oh yeah, I forgot that you knew Llorien nudged Inyigo and mouthed,
that spell, dear," said Llorien. "Watch this." He mumbled a few words
"It's not one that you've used and gestured at the door. With an
much." Although, he thought to echoing click, it banged open.
himself, she sure complained enough
that it was another useless spell, Pterelas, absorbed in his task, was
foisted on her by the teachers at caught and crushed against the wall.
the Healers' Academy. The young lad slid to the ground,
grumbling, "I hate that spell. It's
"Shall we continue?" asked Aegyptia. making those in my trade utterly
"Otherwise, we won't have to worry superfluous. Maybe I will change to
about saving Ignatius. He'll have something Kelfour's has needed for a
died of old age." long time--a bardslayer perhaps."
Penna nodded to Aegyptia, threw a Llorien made a rude sound. "You're
disapproving glance at the bickering just sore because I can open locks
(and in her opinion, mostly inept) like that and not have to worry over
male members of the group, and traps," Llorien retorted. He turned
-27- More...
on his heel, smiled at the ladies, forgetting its prey, and turned to
and strode through the open doorway. focus its attention on this new
As he passed through, everyone heard threat.
a stifled gasp.
Blue sparks crackled around Penna's
Pterelas, extricating himself from fingertips; then a bright blue bolt
the door, asked, "What was that? The of energy shot forth, striking the
bard step in some torkaan's mess?" spider square in the chest. Its legs
jittered from the overload of energy
Penna and Aegyptia, giggling, could coursing through its body, and its
only stand and point to the doorway. chest smoldered where the bolt hit.
Inyigo, being less restrained, burst
out in long guffaws. The spider yowled with rage at the
interruption of its meal. Its back
"Close," chuckled Inyigo, helping legs worked furiously to prepare
Pterelas to his feet. The hapless another web.
Llorien was enmeshed in a web.
The sticky substance shot towards
"This is not supposed to happen," Penna. Pterelas, moving like light-
stated Llorien, his words muffled ning, slammed her out of the way, to
by the strands enshrouding his head. be entrapped by the web himself.
"The spell is supposed to bypass
traps if it is successful." Aegyptia, who had taken a metallic-
looking wand from her pouch, now saw
Aegyptia pondered that for a moment. her opening. She waved the wand at
"If it was not a trap on the door, the spider. Nothing happened. She
where did that stuff come from?" stamped her foot angrily, and waved
the wand again. With a "whooosh!" a
The words were hardly out of her ball of extremely cold air rushed at
mouth when the strands of webbing the spider, engulfing it and at once
tightened. The bard suddenly jerked freezing it into a lifeless statue.
out of sight. It hit the floor from twelve feet up
and shattered.
"Llorien!" shouted Penna.
The spider's web, also frozen by the
As everyone raced through the door, blast, crumbled and dumped Llorien's
they heard a muffled yelp from above body unceremoniously onto the hard
their heads. A horrible sight met earthen floor. Penna scurried to the
their eyes. A spider three times the limp form and brushed away the last
size of the average elf hovered over strands, relieved that at least the
the limp form of Llorien. Its fangs bard was still breathing.
sank into his chest, and it made
sickly slurping sounds. "He's hurt bad," said Penna, "but I
think he's been poisoned too, some
"Do something!" screamed Penna, as nerve poison that seems to have par-
her fingers started to weave an alyzed him." She pulled a small jar
intricate pattern. of salve from her backpack and began
to apply it to the two punctures on
Inyigo quickly unslung his bow, Llorien's chest. "This should leech
nocked an arrow, and fired at the out the poison. I don't want to heal
spider. The arrow sank deep into the the wounds until after it has left
fleshy part of the spider's abdomen his system." She started bandaging.
but didn't seem to cause any real
damage. Pterelas pulled a dagger out "Mmmpphhh," issued from the sticky
of his belt, took aim, and let fly. mess still lying on the ground.
The blade flew unerringly towards
the arachnid, and imbedded itself in Aegyptia and Inyigo worked carefully
one of the creature's eyes. The to remove the webbing that encapsu-
spider jerked and howled in pain, lated Pterelas.
-28- More...
Are you sure you want to remove the and make a bed next to the firepit.
poison from him?" asked Pterelas. While Penna patches her fiance, I'll
"This may be the only way we can get start some wayfarer's stew."
him to shut up for any length of
time, you know." But his concerned Pterelas seized a couple of blankets
appraisal of Llorien's condition be- and spread them out, and Inyigo lay
lied his words. Penna shot him a Llorien down upon them.
withering look; he suddenly decided
that his falchion could do with a Penna began to unwrap the bandages
sharpening and oiling. on Llorien's chest. Satisfied that
the poison had indeed run its
Aegyptia looked around tentatively. course, she proceeded to heal the
"Shall we stay here until Llorien is wounds. Inyigo and Pterelas went
healed? It seems fairly safe now." about getting a fire started, while
Aegyptia decided that Llorien might
"It will take a while for the poison be more comfortable with something
to dissipate," Penna said. "If one for a pillow. She spied the last
of the men carries him, perhaps we remaining blanket in the corner.
can find a small alcove that is
better protected." She bent down to take it, then her
breath caught in a gasp. The others,
"That makes sense," said Inyigo. "We immediately alerted, glanced in her
are rather out in the open here." He direction. "Look at this," she said,
shrugged out of his backpack, tossed pointing at the spot where the last
it to Pterelas, and slung the bard's blanket had been. Scrawled onto the
body over his shoulder. The party rock in what appeared to be charcoal
gathered itself together and headed was a symbol.
on into the passage.
"Reann's symbol," Aegyptia mused.
After about a half hour with no sign "The sign of the god Ignatius served
of spiders, they came across a side with his life."
branch. Pterelas motioned for the
others to wait and silently disap- And underneath the symbol was a
peared down the small tunnel. A few single word: DROW.
minutes later, he reappeared.
(To Be Continued)
"Looks like we aren't the only ones _________________________________
who wanted a place to camp." Inyigo / \\
raised an eyebrow. Pterelas shook | Answers to Crossed-Words Puzzle ||
his head and said, "No, they aren't | From Page 6 ||
here now," and led the others down | ACROSS: ||
the side tunnel. | 1. Striped Veercat ||
| 2. Wield ||
The tunnel led round a bend, then | 3. Sword DOWN: ||
opened up into a small cave. Signs | 4. Orc 1. Shaalk ||
of recent use were everywhere; the | 5. Eissa 7. Raid ||
remains of a cooking fire, a small | 6. War 17. Revenant ||
supply of firewood, a few tattered | 7. Rame 18. Prose ||
blankets piled in one corner. | 8. AA 19. Resurrect ||
| 9. KE 20. Torkaan ||
"Looks like someone's regular rest- | 10. Owls 21. Loremasters ||
ing place," surmised Inyigo. A groan | 11. Troll 22. Ego ||
issued from Llorien's lips. | 12. Out 23. Golem ||
| 13. Rat 24. Iorak ||
"Better set him down, Inyigo," said | 14. Dirge 25. Worts ||
Aegyptia. "Let Penna do her work." | 15. Disarm 26. Lug ||
| 16. Hrassk 27. Air ||
Inyigo looked for a likely resting | 29. In 28. Eog ||
spot. "Pterelas, grab those blankets \________________________________//
-29-
___________ Dread and Circuses
/ \ __ \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\@| / "| | by Lloyd Llowd, Ph.D
| //|"| |
_| //=|"| | nother month dawns Yes, real entertainment is hard to
/@| // |"| | grey and dreary in come by around here. Still, I did go
\_/ ~~ ~~~/ Kelfour's Landing, to what promised to be an entertain-
~~~~~~~~~~~ and I still fail to event: the Gladiatorial Games.
see the attraction this town holds
for its residents. This month I Whatever possessed me to think that
prevailed upon the publisher to watching our local populace busily
devote a little extra space to my slaughtering each other interest me?
journalistic endeavors in an attempt Especially when none of them stayed
to raise the tone of this wretched dead. However, I sat myself down
little rag. I thought everyone would expecting something at least margin-
appreciate it, as the only other ally more interesting than the Three
entertainments are slaughtering the Card Monte game which the young
local fauna, casting useless spells cleric with the pointy teeth set up
on the custodial staff of the on Bluestar Lane behind the bank.
Temple and killing each other.
The first set of fights, single com-
Well, at least you used to be able bat without magic, set the tone for
to annoy the Temple staff. The the entire day. The fights started
blatantly blasphemous attitude of with the youngsters, who were enthu-
some of our more callous citizens siastic but offered little in the
finally prompted a reaction from way of finesse. I shan't bore you
what must be some of the most with the details of what I consider
inattentive deities this side of preliminary matches, as the true
Slugmound the Eversleeping, patron champions of any given type of com-
of laziness and coma victims. bat combat were the Lords, anyway.
Talk about your delayed reaction, Unfortunately, the Lords didn't have
inconsiderate morons have cast every much to offer either in the way of
manner of spell for years on the serious entertainment. I had heard
unfortunate monk who looks after the (mostly from the Lords themselves,
Temple. Now, after all this time, trumpeting claims of their prowess
the Gods notice that their faithful prior to the fights) that our nobles
servant looks like the legendary were fearsome fighters, capable of
"smurf" and take action? There were prodigious feats of martial skill.
thunder - lizards millions of years Fortunately, most of them can afford
ago with brains the size of walnuts a great deal of magical armor and
that had faster reaction times. weapons, because if they were forced
to rely on their skill with normal
As it stands, the Temple is all but weapons and armor, Kelfour's landing
abandoned. Citizens have deserted would belong to the kobolds.
religion in droves, showing the true
bankruptcy of their spirits. Now The one-on-one combats with no magic
they lounge around the town square were a comedy of errors. I wonder
and litter the area with old, empty, why the audience didn't riot on the
rotten chests. When they are not spot in some cases. For example, let
dropping them from the old oak tree us review the fights of Lord Galle-
on the heads of unsuspecting pass- nod, the champion in this batch.
ersby. The only thing that livens my
days, as I watch from the window of In the first fight, Lady Valeria
my room, is the occasional careless awaited a strategic moment and then
thief who sets off a trap. Zaps, tried to bribe Lord Gallenod with a
explosions, and slicing noises are large sum of silver, a miscalcula-
pleasant reminders that some things tion of the first order, as he is so
are still foolproof. insufferably pious that paladins get
-30- More...
nauseous in his presence. Enraged by the foil. Gilthor was apparently so
the attempted bribe, the rabid ran- stunned at the tiny pinprick, he
ger skewered the insolent thief with just stood there and let himself be
his foil, hit her with the bag of cut to pieces. I've heard of glass
silver and stunned her, and chopped jaws, but glass bodies?
her into small bits with a falchion.
This is entertainment? The melees were interesting, if only
for the fact that they allowed the
Lord Gallenod's second opponent was combatants to show their true feel-
Lord Artuero, who holds the ings and backstab every single one
distinction of being the only Lord of their "friends" in the Arena for
ever killed by a torkaan. The fight silver and glory. In the Lord batch,
was marred at the start by Artuero for example, Lord Stanyon won mostly
dousing Gallenod with rum-spiked because he was the lowest priority
lemonade in a childish display of target for everyone in the ring.
disrespect. As they engaged in
earnest I saw a brief flicker of The low point in my day came after
skill from both until Gallenod the single combats with magic. It is
slipped in the lemonade puddle and a sad commentary on those we count
lunged forward. This move caught on to defend our town that the
Artuero by surprise (one wonders unlimited single combat champion of
just how much he'd had to drink Kelfour's Landing is a Healer. Not
before this fight) and Gallenod's content with screaming for more and
foil impaled the hapless Artuero bloodier wounds from the infirmary,
through the heart, a happy accident Lord Strom came out to personally
for the clumsy ranger. drum up more business. The sight of
a Healer, supposedly dedicated to
Unfortunately for Gallenod, he the peaceful, charitable art of car-
failed to catch his fall and impaled ing for his fellow beings, blasting
himself on the thief's falchion, and hacking apart stunned and prone
slicing open his own throat. But not opponents made me wonder how much of
before the judge had ruled the lucky his technique he also practiced in
(but dead) ranger the winner. An his surgery. He looked very at home.
appalling display of blind luck, but
it earned Gallenod, once the healers If I could hire competent bodyguards
had put him back together, a place around here, I would be headed back
in the final match against Lord over the mountain passes to civili-
Gilthor. zation within a fortnight. However,
given the level of ability I saw in
It was an interesting sight as I the Arena last month, I am brushing
compared the two of them before the up my Kobold in case the town comes
match. Lord Gallenod, a medium-sized under new management.
half elf holding a foil marginally ________________________________
larger than a toothpick, and Lord / \
Gilthor, a huge high man carrying a | The Tomes of Kulthea |
sword the size of Mount Iorak. | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Surely, I thought, this will be the | One of the most valuable tools |
greatest mismatch since Nimm the | available to the aspiring adven- |
Inexperienced, first level cleric, | turer is Tomes of Kulthea on |
tried to cast a blue glow on a | GemStone Page 931. Answers to |
spectral monk. I confidently placed | thousands of questions ranging |
my one and only bet of the day on | from facts about the world of |
Lord Gilthor, who had easily won his | Kulthea to tips on weaponry and |
other two matches. | spells are there. For example, |
| to learn about the NEW Role- |
Alas, fate has a sense of humor. | playing Multipliers, search on |
While Gilthor was still playing with | the keyword ROLEPLAY. For |
the shield that had slipped from his | assistance enter word HELP. |
shoulder, Gallenod poked him with \________________________________/
-31-
KEV3N9
[end]
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