 Dwarven War Hymn By: MoradinSon DEATH FROM BELOW Dwarven war hymn heard in the battle of the Underhalls We sing the song Of the underhalls Of warriors strong When duty calls Our goblin foes straight down we'll MOW Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of dwarven king Of warriors strong His praises sing The goblin foe shall suffer WOE Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of battles won Of warriors strong When duty's done Who'll lift their ales and clammor HO! Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of fallen kin Of warriors strong Who die and grin In the face of death and as they go Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of brethren lost Of warriors strong Who pay the cost That we may sing as free dwarfs SO Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of dwarven host Of warriors strong Their might to boast Our legions march forth, heel and TOE Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of mountain stone Of warriors strong Who defend the throne Of the Olor Kuld King NYSTRAMO Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of Nystramo's ten Of warriors strong As a hundred men Their enemies fall dead row by ROW Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of Lonely Mount Of warriors strong In might past count No goblin horde will say us NO Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of hearth and home Of warriors strong No more to roam In battlefield with axe and bow Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** We sing the song Of victory Of warriors strong Of Axepeak we Will fight the fight and slay the foe Shout louder lads ***DEATH FROM BELOW*** Re: Dwarven War Hymn By: Tigguhr Tigguhr banged his helm with his mailed fist. "been singin tha wrong tune, Tha be me trubble!" He listened to the others singing and slowly picked up the proper words. Slamming his ax into the Warrior, he found renewed strength from the song. The Queen is Angered By: Jhaelryna Valsharess Jhaelryna looked up from the detailed reports arrayed in front of her. "You have done well, Zyxos. I am most pleased with you. I agree that your plan of a second front of attack could destroy the dwarves. I shall contact the patrol with their new orders..." The Queen sent her awareness out to the patrol, seeking mental contact with the wizard in command. As soon as she connected with him mentally, her mind was assaulted with chaotic images of death and conflict. "Faern? What in Lloth's name is going on?" queried Jhaelryna. The response was fragmented and disjointed. "Patrol....discovered...no easy way out...will contact you...no time to chat with you..." The wizard severed the telepathic contact with his Queen, leaving Jhaelryna sputtering angrily. "Unbelievable!!! What gall! He shall pay dearly for his impudence and his failure!" Knocking a table to the floor, she strode about the room screaming. "This shall be the last time he fails the temple!" She spun on her heels and pointed an accusing finger at the Jabbress d'Arach Tinilith. "Your brother walks a fine line, Jabbress. You would do well to instruct him to follow the narrow path. I shall teach him a lesson in humility! As of this point I relieve Zor'ak from his command. Never again shall he lead other drow." Turning to Zyxos, she continued. "Faern, you are now given command of the expeditionary force. Make all speed to the Mountain and attempt to salvage what you can of the situation. Relieve Zor'ak of command, and send him to me. He shall answer for his incompetance. Go now." Valsharess Jhaelryna GM, TOL Enter Zor'ak... By: Zorak The drow wizard parried the goblin's attack easily, knocking the club from the foul creature's grasp. Almost as an afterthought, he drove his sword deep into the goblin's chest while he attempted to make sense of the situation around him. All those around him were still partially blinded from the blast. The blinding flash actually gave the drow an advantage. All drow warriors were trained in blind fighting. Fighting blind is their preferred method of attack, and they practice their skills intensively. He could hear the screams of dying goblins and dwarves all around him. Barking out his commands, Zor'ak ordered his patrol to form up and to attempt to withdraw from the whirling melee. He felt the touch of the Valsharess' mind as she began to query him about his progress. Grumbling at her ill-timed intrusion, the Faern responded "...no time to chat with you...", as he abruptly severed mental contact with the Queen. He had the safety of his patrol to think about, there was no time to get in a discussion with the Valsharess. Most of the patrol formed up around him, and they began to fight their way through the goblin and dwarven lines to relative safety. Zor'ak Alur Faern The Stormtroopers By: MoradinSon Storm MoradinSon's troops were a welcome aid to Nystramo and the Ten. The charge of MoradinSon's brigade of reinforcements had cut off the majority of the goblin horde from the goblin king and his hammer armed shock troops. The goblins that were separated from the horde and it's gibbering shaman were visibly less anxious to do battle with the well armed and armored dwarven warriors. Although Morad's "Stormtroopers" , as he liked to call them, had given Nystramo a greater chance for survival, the move was not without cost. The Stormtroop was now caught in a melee crossfire. Struggling mightily to decimate the troops they had cut off while maintaining the bulwark between the main goblin horde and the gates of the Mount's Underhalls. Ironfist, Baldar Hmr, Element, Erov and Ninnyhammer had worked beside Morad for the past weeks as the Rrin Kuld has striven to prepare the mount for the present siege. After so much hard work ,sweat, toil and worry, the dwarves had vowed to defend one anothers' backs from harm. Morad had regretted having to appoint Baldar to the Ten but Nystramo's safety was more important than the comfort Baldar's ready axe would have provided to Storm and Storm felt that much the better for knowing that Baldar would fight to the end, if need be, for Nys's sake. Baldar was the only one of his Stonewerks employees who was not now fighting by his side. Although Storm had tried to maintain his gruff exterior he had been moved by his fellow dwarfs loyalty. "We fights harder ta pertecks the Kuldar whut signs the paychecks" Ninny had told him with a grin as the he and the others had demanded to be posted in Storms command. "Besides I nae has had a chance ta wins a wager wit ye yet" "Hrmph " Storm had replied " Winnin this war will nae makes that any more likely" Now Storm, Erov, Iron, Element and Ninny and a few others made up the center of the Stormtroop battle line. From time to time they could not help but glance toward the battle raging around Nystramo and the Ten. When they did they could see Baldar swinging and singing along with the rest of the dwarven army and it was a comfort to know he had not yet fallen even under the heavy blows being rained down on his shield by the huge goblin who faced him. It was clear to Storm that the goblin shaman who was exhorting his troops on was the key to the battle. The goblins that had been cut off from the shaman's sight and who could not hear him over the sound of the Dwarven war hymn were beginning to rout with the exception of those heavily armed troops who surrounded the battle between the two kings. Singing louder than ever before he urged his troops on. Between shouts of "DEATH FROM BELOW " and punctuating the impalement his next goblin he began to grind his teeth and strike himself upon his helm with the butt of his trident. He could feel the berzerker rage begin to take hold. His eyes focused on the shaman and his wrath rose until he could hold it back no longer. Heedless of the torrent of goblin bodies that stood between himself and the Shaman he began to push forward. It began as a single dwarven whirlwind. A deadly trident wielding, berserk dervish of a dwarf. The bond that had been forged between the stoneworking dwarves and their leader was a strong one and as they saw him rage and push forward, the rage became infectious. The dwarven berserk is a deadly thing and rare. All the more awe inspiring to behold as it became a wave that consumed the Stormtroops one by one as they all began to go just a little mad. Soon the magically crazed goblins began to yield to the equally enraged dwarves. Re: The Queen is Angered By: ZYXOS ::: ZYXOS bowed as the Queen gave her commands.... even had she not mentioned the name or the relationship to St1leto there would have been little doubt in ZYXOS's mind whom she was referring to::: ::: thinking to himself::: ".. .ahhh... Jabbuk... it has been awhile since I have seen you, but you haven't changed I see.... "As you command, my Valsharess....", ZYXOS replied as he completed his bow. ::: backing from the room and then turning on his heel, ZYXOS hurried from the Royal Fortress and into the still, dark, warmness of the Underdark :::: "Well, Jabbuk, let's see what I can do to assist you and follow the Queen's commands as well..." If anyone had noticed his passing, they might have been surprised to see that ZYXOS was not heading towards the normal passages to the Surface from Rilauven... but rather was heading into side tunnels.... tunnels from which he had most recently emerged carrying his notes and his maps. Then again... anyone who really knew the Jabbuk Faern had long since stopped being surprised at whatever his actions might be.... ZYXOS Rilynt'tar Dark One of the Drow Jabbuk Faern Rilynt'tar Fightin' By: D1AMOND 2 D1amond could see Morad and his troops move forward, with relief. Although this battle had been fought for only a hour, it seemed like days to her tiring arms. Seeing the Storm troops making ground heartened her and she began to fight with renewed vigor. The hammer troops were the most persistent goblins she had ever encountered, but she had noticed Nystramo's nod at the shaman and gathered that he was the reason for the goblin's lack of fear. The fight between the huge goblin leader and her taerin was impressive and, given other circumstances, she would have enjoyed watching. But this was no sparring contest, no seats to sit and watch and make wagers, this was the real thing, life and death. With everything in her she fought at Nystramo's side and protected him from any of the other attacking goblins. He had his hands full with the leader. She shouted words of encouragement to the other ten and a order or two when she felt it necessary. They were a tight group and needed little in the way of orders once the battle had begun. The fighting grew more and more intense. The battle song that had rung through the halls had faltered a little as the dwarfs were concentrating more and more on the swings of the tiring arms. Refusing to give in to the fatigue that wanted to overcome her, D1amond took a deep breath and started bellowing forth a new battle hymn with renewed strength startling the hammer fighter before her. She quickly took advantage of the off guard monster and impaled it with her sword. The others in the ten followed her example and once again a song of battle and praise filled the under halls of the Lonely Mount. The Battle By: Nystramo The goblin chieftan was huge. Nystramo had seen him from a distance, but seeing him up close in personal combat was another thing entirely. He smiled grimly and thought, "Sure'n it's nae the firs' time I done battle wi' a big enemy, eh?" Indeed, the dwarven chief, like most of his kin, had found his small stature to be to his advantage in most fights. The big folk just weren't used to fighting someone who's head didn't reach above their chests, while dwarves were constantly fighting opponents that towered over them. He rebalanced his axe and grunted, "Lets see wha' ya gots o'er den a fancy blade, eh gobbo?" The goblin leered and replied, "I will drink your soul, Chief of Axepeak." Nystramo barely had time to think that this was a highly unusual thing for a goblin of any size to say when the white, flaming sword flew towards his skull. He quickly dodged to the side, deftly bringing Rorn Norogh up to counter and deflect the goblins sword. "Lots quicker'n I 'spected," he thought. Both combatants traded minor attacks, feeling out each other's defenses. Nystramo was surprised by the goblin's speed and skill with the blade; he knew most goblins preferred spears and clubs, weapons that required little training to use properly. The goblin chieftan (Gunklob, judging by the shouts of the surrounding goblins) handled the sword like a master bladesman, however; as skillfully as he had seen some tree huggers fight with them. He frowned a let loose a flurry of slices and cuts that would have left most opponents dazzled. Gunklob parried them all effortlessly; without, it seemed, thinking. Nystramo hung back a bit then, allowing Gunklob to go on the offensive. The chieftan leered again and lunged forward. Nystramo parried it easily. Another attack, another simple parry. The goblin's attacks were quick and strong, but not especially skillful. He realized he had been taken aback by his seemingly miraculous parries; he hadn't had a chance to note that the goblin's attacks were mediocre at best. He frowned and backed off a bit more, deciding to change tactics. Suddenly, Nystramo charged forward, axe held high for a downward cut. Predictably, Gunklob held his sword higher for the expected parry. At the last second Nys tucked and rolled, sweeping his axe toward the goblin's knees. He grinned, thinking how many of his taller enemies had fallen for this rather simple, if difficult to execute, maneuver. So, it was understandable when the dwarven chief was momentarily stunned as the flashing white blade easily parried his attack, leaving him in a very vulnerable position. Fortunately, Gunklob was equally surprised by the incredible parry. Nystramo had time to regain his feet, but not enough to prepare his defense properly. The expected counter attack came, and he was barely able to deflect the blade from his chest. The sword slid along the flat of the axeblade, slicing a gash in Nystramo's left side. He screamed as the fire seared his skin and coursed through his veins. Around him, he just barely sensed a faltering in The Ten as they heard their chief's agony. Unfortunately for the goblin Hammer Warriors, this faltering was quickly followed by a renewed fury. D1amond, in particular, fought as one possesed by a demon, driving the goblin she was engaged with to assume a more defensive stance than he liked. Nystramo grimaced, eyeing the blade. The fire in his blood abated, but the dull throbbing at his side continued. He once again relaxed his aggressive stance, allowing Gunklob to take the initiative again. Once again the attacks were easily deflected. Nys made a few experimental attacks himself, eyeing the goblin's defense more carefully. He noted that when Gunklob parried, he didn't shift his posture to compensate as any trained warrior does. The only part of his body involved in the parries was his sword arm. His stance remained aggressive, almost as his arm was doing all the thinking when the need for defense arose. His arm... or his sword. "Magix," Nys muttered, and spit. He grimaced as pain shot through his side once again, the wound bleeding freely. "Gots ta finish thi' soon," he thought. He wasn't yet weakened by the wound, but soon he would be. He needed to get through that sword somehow, and quickly. He made a few more quick attacks, each one easily countered by the magical blade. Gunklob's grin widened as the blood flowed from the dwarven chief. Soon, he thought, he woud finish the pesky stuntie. Then he could take the sparkly golden axe all for himself. The chieftan laughed, thinking that even Gaglug couldn't stand in his way after today. Nystramo became more cautious, now that he was fully aware of the nature of his enemy. Clearly the blade was magicked to parry any attack against it's wielder. He was certain that no matter how skillfully he tried to evade the blade with his axe, he would not be able to wound the goblin. "Hrmph, lets be seein' 'ow tha gobbo blade 'andles two attacks a' once, eh?" What most dwarven enemies fail to realize when battling the stout kuldar was that all dwarves carry with them two formidable weapons at all times; their feet. Dwarven shoes are traditionally shod with iron to withstand the rigors of constant mining deep in the bowels of the earth. Thus, they are very heavy. Another consquence of this is that dwarven legs are incredibly strong. Anyone who has ever been kicked by a dwarf learns to respect dwarven feet. So it was that Gunklob and his mystical weapon did not recognize the Nystramo's feet as a threat. When Rorn Norogh sliced the air on the way to Gunklob's chest, the sword quickly interposed itself. What it could not do, no matter what magic had been instilled in it, was get in the way of Nystramo's iron shod foot as it simultaneously connected with Gunklob's knee. Gunklob's scream was gratifying, to say the least. Nystramo had been hoping to shatter the knee, effectively ending the fight. What he had not counted on was Gunklob's magical armor. The goblin's knee had been badly hurt, but not shattered. Still, Gunklob was slowed now, limping. Nystramo had found his weakness. Gunklob growled visciously, wisely holding his ground. He knew he couldn't bring the attack to the dwarven chief now. He was too slow and clumsly with his wounded knee. He needed to stay on the defensive. If he knew anything about dwarves, and he knew a thing or two, he knew that the chief would not settle for a stalemate. He would go for the kill. Besides, the dwarf was bleeding even more now. He couldn't stay conscious forever in this condition. So, Gunklob would let the sword protect him from the dwarf's axe, while he kept an eye on everything else. Especially the feet. Nys moved back as well, gauging Gunklob's stance. The goblin was more careful now, wary for another trick. Experimentally, Nys grabbed a handful of spines from his pouch and threw them at Gunklob. The sword cut them all from the air effortlessly. "Hrmph. So mu' fer tha' idea." Still, the need to end this fight was becoming more and more pressing. Nys could feel the blood pooling inside his armor, and he was beginning to feel week. Summoning every ounce of strength, he went for a last, desperate attempt. He charged forward, his shield before him, bellowing "DEATH FROM BELOW!" Gunklob, realizing what the dwarf was hoping for, and that is magical sword probably couldn't help him if a furious, charging dwarf slammed into him shield first, tried desperately to scurry out of the way. His knee betrayed him, however, and he stumbled and fell over in the attempt. Ironically, this was probably the best move he could have made. Nystramo's momentum was too great to stop. He saw, too late, that there was not a solid wall of goblin in front of him, but a large lump of goblin instead. He stumbled over the prone goblin just as Gunklob was attempting to regain his feet. Nystramo could still have recovered more quickly and gained the advantage, since he had two intact knees, except for the rock that managed to connect with his head as he went down. Nys's helmet and thick skull absorbed most of the impact, but not enough to keep him from being dazed. His grip on Rorn Norogh weakened, and the axe slipped from his fingers. He had no idea where his shield had gotten to. He was defenseless. Even his feet were in no position to help him. He rolled over weakly, and looked up at the blurry image of Gunklob, probably leering but he couldn't tell for sure. The sword however, wicked, white and cruel, was impossible to miss. "Now, dwarf, you will feel the pain of my fire in your gut. Your screams will echoe in your halls, and you kin will be slaughtered one by one. Die knowing you failed miserably." The laugh was loud and booming, and echoed inside of Nystramo's skull. He growled and spit, not replying in any other way, waiting for the sword to fall. Answered Prayer By: Splendarr Splendarr ran towards the casting drow, praying with every step. Half way through its spell, its concentration broke and it began to back away from the charging dwarf. Not wanting to leave her post, Splendarr stopped her charge as the drow quickly faded into the shadows of the hall beyond her. Breathing hard, she thanked Moradin for saving her hide and went back into the alcove to have herself healed a bit, while she kept a wary eye on the small caverns entrance. She could see that the battle line was moving back her way, as Morad and his troops had whipped themselves into a frenzy and were slicing through the goblins. She knew that more goblins would try to hide in the healing alcove so she found a recently healed soldier and they stood guard over the entrance, easily cutting down the random terrorized fleeing goblin. The battle looked to be going well, but in the back of her mind she still wondered about the drow, and if it had reinforcements. She hoped that there weren't too many of those vile creatures loose in the mount. Gaglug Strikes! By: Gaglug Gunklob raised H'rathn'gon high, preparing to end Nystramo's life. Suddenly, a fiery blast of magic struck Gunklob squarely in the back, blasting a large hole clear through the goblin cheiftan. The huge goblin swayed for a moment, and then crumpled in a heap. An unearthy shriek eminated from the demonsword as it fell to the ground, powerless without a wielder. "ME!!! I BE DA CHIEF NOW!!" crowed Gaglug after the successful assassination of his chieftan. Bringing out a small glowing sphere, he continued, "I holds da sparkly and soon I holds da glowysword!". Gaglug advanced to where H'rathn'gon lay lifeless upon the stone. Before he could reach the sword, he was seized yet again by a uncontrollable gout of magic. Light and smoke eminated from the shaman's eyes as the wild magic sought release. Gaglug trembled and shreiked as the channeled energy burst from his body. Unfortunately, the magical discharge struck Gaglug's "sparkly", knocking it from his hand. The effect was immediate. A thunderous explosion shook the caverns as the drow artifact activated. A large section of floor disappeared suddenly, dropping dwarf and goblin alike into the murky depths of the pit. Smoke and fire billowed out of the pit, and a foul blackness seemed to flow from the evil place. Strangely, all fighting stopped for a moment as all the combatants turned to see what was happening. The unearthly quiet was broken when a huge clawed hand reached out of the pit and slammed into the stone floor. The massive claw gripped the stone as if it was mere clay. In that instant, all semblance of order disappeared as terrified drow, dwarves, and goblins attempted to flee from the emerging demon. Mighty Gaglug, Dwarf-Ripper and Troll-Eater Shaman of the Goblins The Danger to Us All... By: Zorak "She is mad!" thought Zor'ak as he witnessed the opening of the pit, "This will destroy us all!". The drow wizard stood strangely impassive as all those around him, friend and foe alike, fled from the emerging demon. Several other smaller forms emerged from the pit, and began to look around while the huge monster finally pulled itself into this plane. "Tanar'ri" thought the drow wizard, as he subconsciously began to classify the monsters by species and subspecies. Zor'ak cursed under his breath. "Damn Jhaelryna and her insane schemes! To open a gate to the abyss is madness!" Zor'ak knew that the gate could not be easily controlled. Oh yes, it would indeed wipe out the dwarves eventually. They would not be able to hold back the tide of demons forever. But what then? The foul creatures would expand from the gate in ever-widening circles. Soon the entire surface realm could be threatened...and eventually the drow city itself would feel the effects of this gateway to the lower planes. The pit rumbled, then increased in diameter by several feet. Concerned, Zor'ak examined the gateway with his magical senses. As the wizard examined the gate, his eyes filled with horror. It was unstable! That fool shaman was to blame! His wild magic had made the entire gate extremely unstable! It was not a gateway as much as it was a rift. And the rift was widening! It would continue to widen, sucking everthing off of this plane, and depositing it in the abyss. All their lives were in danger! A disaster of this magnitude could potentially destroy all of Neverwinter. The dwarves would be the first to die, but all the other races would soon follow. The realms as they existed would just disappear. "DAMN YOU VALSHARESS!!!" screamed Zor'ak as he ran towards the rift. The Tanar'ri at the pit sensed the powerful wizard's approach, and turned to face him. As the faern closed the distance, his mind worked feverishly on his options. He knew what he had to do. It was all up to him. Few in the realms had the knowledge and the experience to do what he was attempting. The other drow with him were useless. Mere fighters. It requires wizardly skill to attempt to seal an interdimensional rift.... Zor'ak Alur Faern Re: The Danger to Us All... By: KAGIS I finished my roll across the ground near a crevase in the rock wall. Gathering myself quickly I launched forward and turned so I'd hidden myself in the crevase watching patiently for the battle to settle down around me. It was chaos, the drow warriors faught dwarves and goblins alike. Goblins ran in all directions some attempting to flee, some attempting to... well, I'm not certain what most of them were trying. I watched MoradinSon's troop restore some semblance of order to the scene before me and quickly turned my attention back at my cheif. Nystramo faught like I've never seen anyone fight before. Pride swelled within my bones and I couldn't hold back a laugh when Nys's feet caught the gobling chieftan by surprise. I still carried Fulcrum in my strong arm and had a few scrolls left, but it was too chaotic to risk casting fireballs in the melee. Suddenly things went back to the previous state of chaos. The goblin shaman had killed the goblin chieftan, Nys lay wounded and dazed on the ground and some sort of magical portal began opening. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the drow Jabbak moving toward the portal. By the look in his eye I could tell he ment to close it. That was good considering I started seeing very strange creatures stepping from the portal. "Ahhh Sandstone, nae more meanies! When dis gonna stop?" I watched the creatures and new they were pure evil. Suddenly I felt a presense... somewhere... I looked down. Fulcrum, the Axe was vibrating in my hand. "Wha' be dis?" I watched one of the creatures reach forward with long taloned arm and crush a goblin in one hand while the talons of it's other hand sliced clean through a dwarven warrior. "Moradin's blood! Nae silly lookin' freak o' nature's gonne be hurtin' me kin!" I raced forward slicing my way through any goblins foolish enough to get in my way. Fulcrum's visbrations became stronger as I neared the creature. "I guess dis be wha' ye were men' ta do," I wispered to my axe. The tall creature launched one arm almost lazily at me, Fulcrum cut deeply into before it got close. As Fulcrum cleaved the creature's arm it began to glow. "So, ya's can 'urt jus' like da res' o' us." I taunted. The monster roared out in pain. And then the attacks came so fast I could barely see them. My arms stung with pain as I moved to block each blow; the attacks vibrating my very bones with their ferocity. "Maybe dis wasn' suc' a goo' idea afterall." Kagis Undermount Scout Re: Gaglug strikes! By: Tigguhr HAR DEE uh oh.... Demon, Drow, and an Evil Weapon By: Niord Niord slowly regained his senses. His body spasmed from the sudden realization of agonizing pain. Slowly he reached into his pouch, and pulled out a flask. He sipped the bitter contents slowly, feeling a little better with each swallow. Tossing aside the empty, he withdrew another flask and downed it all in one gulp. His arm was still of no use, but the pain was deadened, and the blood no longer flowed from wounds. He slowly stood up, and almost fell over as his head pounded. Throwing the flask at a drow, and missing by a mile, he picked up his axe and started wandering aimlessly. Cutting down a few goblins with wildly swung blows, he continued to stumble forward, almost tripping over a dazed dwarf on the ground. Niord stared at him, and in a few seconds his vision cleared enough to notice the chief. He instinktivly ducked as a bolt of lightning hit the wall beside him. I whirled around, and there stood a crazed goblin, with currents coursing the entirety of it's body. It looked at me, and then at a glowing sword on the floor. The goblin charged for the sword, and without thinking, I did so also. I swung my axe in a staggered arc, aiming at the goblin. As I charged, a rock snagged my foot....uh oh. My swing missed the startled goblin by mere inches, and instead hit the sword on the floor, sending it through the air. The goblin was running before I hit the floor. I lay in agony, watching the blade on it's violent flight through the air. Then I noticed the crevace, the demon, and the drow charging both. This was truely a sight to see. The sword, seemingly of it's own will, was trying to stop in mid air, like it was afraid of the hole in the ground. The drow was casting magix on the demon, with seemingly no effect. The little minnions all around were tearing goblins, drow, and kin apart. I got up and ran to where I saw a scout despiratly defending himself from one of the demons, the thought that we were all going to die today passing through my mind again and gain.... Savin' The Chief By: D1AMOND 2 D1amond saw Nystramo fall in his battle with the goblin chief and her heart stopped. Relief washed over her as her taerin's closest threat, the goblin chief, was slain by one of his own. Her heart started beating again twice as fast as her warriors instinct took over. She ordered the ten to surround their chief and quickly bent to check his health. He was unconscious, but she had seen him take that shot to his side and saw the blood leaking from his armor. She ordered the ten to make a path from the battle as she and Baldar Hmr carried the chief. As they were about to pull away, there was a loud flash of magic, followed by cries of terror. Not far behind them, a large pit had opened in the floor and dwarf and goblins alike plummeted to their death. The ten had only the protection of the chief on their minds so they continued to slowly fight their way from the battle and, gladly, away from the nasty looking dark hole forming in the ground. Once the large dark creature clawed its way from the pit, the battle was all but forgotten as the goblins ran in every direction. Some dwarves lost heart as well, but many had the presence of mind to stand and fight, easily slaying the fleeing monsters. This made the tens progress faster, as they didn't have to fight as hard to get their chief to safety. They made their way safely from the battle area and was ushered to a healing area by the quiet, but concerned Splendarr. The ten secured the area as D1amond and Baldar laid Nystramo down for the healers to attend to. The healers looked grim as they worked on their injured chief, and D1amond sat beside Nystramo, holding his hand and speaking softly. The battle outside was forgotten as Nystramo's health was seen to. The Tiger Emerges By: HiuFang Li "At long last...!!" Gellkirk the farmer snapped his head up nervously at the sound of the voice, which seemed to come from the very earth which he worked. Eyes trained upon a large clump of bushes not lying far from where he stood, the farmer gripped the large scythe he held, sensing danger. Who in Faerun would come to his little plot of land on the outskirts of Neverwinter? the farmer thought worriedly. "Quick! Drop me, you stupid dwarf, let me go! I must get home as swiftly as possible.." Gellkirk jumped at this new voice, which was much more high-strung and rapid than the first one. Losing his fear slightly, he stepped lightly toward the clump, more in curiosity than anything else. Suddenly, a violent rustling shook the branches of growth, and a funny little man was unceremoniously hurled from the concealing leaves. "'Tis well, 'tis well.. you have done your work. Go, go back to your home," a deeper, richer voice rumbled from within the bushes. The farmer could not help cracking a smile at the sight of the little man, who, judging from the crumpled, pointed hat on his head, the bent and cracked spectacles on his nose, and the dirt-stained rumpled beard falling from his chin, was a very bedraggled and dirty gnome. Scrambling to his feet in a frenzied fashion, the gnome, hardly noticing the human who stood half-gawking, half-smiling at him, quickly took off in the direction of Neverwinter, muttering expletives as he went along. At this moment, more movement shook the nearby bushes, and another figure emerged from the leaves. His jaw dropping, Gellkirk saw an even stranger sight before him. It was obviously a dwarf, the cascading beard and stunted, yet well-muscled frame telling of his race. However, that was not what surprised the farmer. The strangest thing of all was the dwarf's appearance: a subtle smile painted on the little warrior's lips, he dusted off his very queerly-dressed body. Swathed tightly in raven-black cloth which matched the color of his beard, various little knots and tight folds marked the strange garb; however, one could see the effects of the wear-and-tear of hard travels on the clothing, as holes and alarmingly large tears lay wide open all over the cloth. A few blood-tinted bandages also lay wrapped about some of the dwarf's limbs, and a short, black scabbard housing a sword could barely be seen bound to the warrior's back. With little more than a furtive wink, the dwarf turned away from the farmer's gaze, and sped off in the direction of Neverwinter, the duskiness of twilight painting wierd figures on the dwarf's quickly-disappearing form. He was soon gone without a sound. Finally daring to blink, Gellkirk the farmer shook his head hard, as if trying to wake up from a dream. Ambling over to the clump of bushes from which the two emerged from, he parted the foliage in curiosity, trying to deduce from where the two had materialized. He received his answer after some moments of searching, as he stared into the pitch-blackness of the small entrance to a cavern. Stagnant drafts of wind, eerily warm, drifted from the yawning mouth, hinting at what might be lurking within....
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