Reporters this issue:
Andy Merritt (amerritt@armltd.co.uk)
Leonard Scott (lenscott@aol.com)
Michael R. Smith (michael@pacifier.com)
Matt Brooks (mcbroo@tsrv1.ts.wm.edu)
Mike Phillips (msphil@birds.wm.edu)
Sandy Murphy (io01092@maine.maine.edu)
The Reaper (iridian@netcom.com)
Vincent Gray (vince@vaxi.sscl.uwo.ca)
The Vast: The Grey Forest:
MONSTERS SIGHTED!
A band of Pilgrims on their way through the Grey Forest to Lyrabar
claim to have seen 20 foot tall, humanoid "crab people" lumber past
them. The three crab people were dark grey, with huge claws
approximately 5 feet long and 3 feet across. The Pilgrims tried to
defend themselves with rocks, but the crab people took no notice of
them and finally flew off north over the pilgrims. They also claim
that bright lights came out of the crab people's feet and "propelled"
them into the sky. Town Watch members of Lyrabar, who first came into
contact with the pilgrims noted the smell of alcohol of the breath of
the pilgrims, but the pilgrims say that the alcohol had no effect on
their observations. One adventuring band stated that they would like
to take a look in the forest, "just to make sure it was nothing."
Neverwinter:
RED KNIGHT SHRINE, PALADIN CONSECRATED.
A shrine devoted to the Red Knight, vassal of Tempus, was opened
in Neverwinter last week. Built in the shape of 12 foot chess piece
of red marble and steel, the ceremony was attended by 34 followers of
the Red Knight of the organization known as Warriors of the Red
Knight. Included was the initiation of a beginning paladin, Maudlin
Stardottir of Tantras by a reformed Helm priest, Granf of Silverymoon.
This is the first such shrine to the Red Knight, a lawful and war-like
goddess, and followers say there will be many more.
Moonsea Reaches: Hillsfar:
LOCAL BOY CRIES WOLF ONE TOO MANY TIMES
Local shepherd boy, Wonty "the Skunk," was found dead by a group
of sheep ranchers just outside of Hillsfar this morning. "The lad had
a mean streak that finally caught up with him," said one witness to
the incident referring to the numerous times that he falsely sounded a
trump to signal a predator among the sheep. "He was always calling on
that blasted horn, and each time we came out to help him, we found
nothing wrong. After a while, we just stopped coming and let him
blow." He blew his last horn just before his fourteenth birthday.
Funeral services are to be held this afternoon after ranchers kill the
creature which ate Wonty and 7 sheep.
Dragon Coast: Westgate:
DECREASE IN RATE OF PIRATE ATTACKS
Merchant guilds report that in the last month, attacks on merchant
ships, by pirates from the Pirate Isles has decreased almost 50%. Two
merchant ships were attacked but got away without loss of merchandise.
The captain of one of these ships, the Clearwater Blue, reports that
the pirates he sees are grouped in twos or threes rather than single
ships and are more cautious in approaching. Informants among the
pirates themselves have rumored that someone is hunting down and
destroying pirate ships that leave the major island of Earthspur. In
one case, a merchant ship was rescued by a slender ship that fired
upon the pirates and lead them away from the shipping lanes.
Amn: City of Riatavin:
SKIRMISH BETWEEN RIVALS TO THE TETHYRIAN THRONE
Last week an armed battle between forces allied to Noble house
Sverdlovsk and forces allied to noble house Zuyevo erupted last week
in the Silversmith District. Included among warriors were two mages on
the side of Sverdlovsk. When the battle was over, 23 men on the side
of Sverdlovsk were dead including both mages, and all 37 retainers
from Zuyevo were killed. The Sverdlovsk faction is proclaiming victory
over the Zuyevo family after signing a treaty with another family,
Orekhovo-Zuyevo, three days ago.
Vilhon Reach: Sespech:
TREATY SIGNED BETWEEN BARON FOESMASHER AND HLONDETH.
Heralds of Baron Foesmasher have declared a "non-aggression"
treaty between Sespech and Hlondeth across the Vilhon Reach. In
recent months, tensions between these two countries have run to an all
time high as Baron Foesmasher continues to fight a war of independence
against Chondath and his daughter, Glisena, is being courted by an
ambassador from Hlondeth. Baron Foesmasher wishes to reassure his
people that this does not effect his desire to protect Sespech, and
that his ship-building program continues unabated.
The Vast: The Flooded Forest:
BULLYWUG UPRISING THREATENS TAVILAR FESTIVAL
A bullywug from the Flooded Forest has joined the various bands of
barbaric bullywugs into a horde of rampaging amphibians. Various
adventuring groups from Raven's Bluff and elsewhere have been called
in by the town leader, Anargil Do'Elsinor, to help contain them to the
swamp. Early next month, a traveling circus, The Padded Buffoons, is
due to come to Tavilar to kick off the annual Mushroom and Fungus
Festival which brings in tourists --and tourist coins -- from around
the realms. Miss Do'Elsinor offers a reward of 7 bushels of the
locally prized Amaldot mushrooms to the group which brings in the head
of the bullywug leader, Glib the Noxious.
The Vast: Raven's Bluff:
WELCOME, SIEUR REGNIER!
Local wonder, Sieur Jacques Regnier, has recently started a new
business, "the Rescuers," to help find lost or kidnapped loved ones.
He has decided to take on the case of Marlene, the lovely amnesiac
currently living in Tsurlagol. She was recently found with no memory
of her past, and no belongings which could help lead investigators.
Sieur Regnier has his own "lost" past to speak of: he was a native of
another dimension, AErth. Sieur Regnier arrived in the Forgotten
Realms near Raven's Bluff along with his squire, Roderic Du J'oire. He
was trying to rescue the mistress of a well-known Bishop from bandits
when a vision of greater glory and a future of brave deeds recounted
came to him. It said, "depart from this land and seek the Forgotten
Realm." After several days, he arrived outside Raven's Bluff.
Surprised by the variety of Powers, he was smitten by tales of Sune,
in particular tales of silent beauties held in bondage by evil giants.
He is intrigued with the woman, Marlene, who was found in Tsurlagol
(but was never reported missing), and wishes to meet her.
DM's note: Sieur Regnier was the Instant NPC (by Mike Phillips) from
FNN v2 n8, for the Mythus Prime system. For AD&D purposes, he is a
Fighter(mage): a new class which has the attributes of a fighter,
plus access to the mage schools, Abjuration and Lesser Divination.
Spells start at level three as a first level mage. Experience points
required are as for a fighter plus 3X the Base Exp. as noted on table
21, page 23 of DMG 2nd Ed.
FORGOTTEN REALMS CLASSIFIEDS
NEEDED. Willing and able-bodied persons to help the town of Tavilar in preventing bloodshed by a minor infestation of bullywugs. Wages are from 2 gold per week and up (more for experience). Inquire with Anargil Do'Elsinor in Tavilar. [The Vast]
*** The Rescuers ***
We specialize in finding lost loved ones, and returning victims of
kidnapping unharmed. I am Sieur Jacques Regnier, with 13 years
experience in the business of protecting the innocent and the weak,
and am willing to discuss terms and conditions with anyone needing my
help. Aided both by might of arms and magick, as well as my assistant
Roderic Du'Joire, I have successfully rescued 3 women and 2 men in a
far off land called AErth. I am willing to use my skills here for the
benefit of the needy. [Raven's Bluff, The Vast]
Desperately Seeking Suzail...
Single Elven male seeks single Elven female with taste for
adventure to share travel, excitement, and the Great Outdoors.
Interested parties may leave word with innkeeper Selavar at Selavar's
Inn on Dockyard Way one block south of the Promenade in Suzail
[Cormyr].
*** RED KNIGHT SEEKS FOLLOWERS ***
The Warriors of the Red Knight seeks brave, willing persons of
either sex who wish to explore the world righting wrongs and rescuing
victims of evil. The Warriors is an organization devoted to the
woship of the Red Knight, the Mentor of Strategy, Diviner of Tactics.
The Organization will provide maps, and worthy quests for qualified
applicants who revoke their old faiths to follow the Red Knight. We
especially invite worshippers of Tempus who feel that he is too
unpredictable, and worshippers of Helm who feel that his time for
action has passed him by. Of course women are especially welcome, as
the Red Knight is an equal opportuniy diety [Neverwinter].
Leonard Scott: lenscott@aol.com
Matt Brooks: mcbroo@tsrv1.ts.wm.edu
FRAUDULENT MAGE LET OFF HOOK
Further to reports about a group of mages being employed by the
watch to set continual lights around the city, and the recent rumours
that some were being sabotaged by the mages themselves in order to
extend their own contract with the watch, our source revealed that one
of these mages, named Tor was let off the hook at a recent Magisters
hearing, despite significant evidence against him. Our own reporter
has revealed that a friend of the thief who spoke out against Tor has
recently disappeared - the watch, however, refused to comment on any
of this. We will keep you informed even if the City Watch won't.
DAGGERFORD MILITIAMEN TELLS OF UNDERGROUND WORLD
Our reporter spoke at great length over a barrel of ale to a
member of the Daggerford Militia, who prefers to remain unnamed, about
his last assignment, which is believed to have been the "Suicide
Mission" mentioned in previous articles.
Our source spoke of strange monsters of many varieties, including
undead of many sorts, strange phantom monsters, demonic creatures and
even a fabled Beholder. He spoke of an enormous underground Citadel
now almost empty, an underground slave town run by gnomes, and a huge
city in a single chamber several miles across run by clerics of some
fire god and strange clans of elves.
Despite the ale, we believe it likely that much of what he said
does exist, and he swore that these places are not more than 150 miles
from Waterdeep itself! Our source would not discuss what his mission
had been, or specify in more detail where the entrance to this
underground realm could be found, although he insisted it was not
through the Undermountain complex accessible via the Yawning Portal.
Andy Merritt: amerritt@armltd.co.uk
Michael R. Smith: michael@pacifier.com
Vincent Gray: VINCE@vaxi.sscl.uwo.ca
Mike Phillips: msphil@birds.wm.edu
FISHERMAN FINDS HEAD OF ZEUS!
A local fisherman hauled up what turned out to be a bronze head of
what the priests in the nearby town of (fill in the blank) identified
as the head of Zeus, which had been torn from the statue, many years
ago. A larger temple (in a major city) has possession of the statue
and a large troop of guards are transporting the head there now.
It is common knowledge that there is a prophecy regarding the
reappearance of the head of Zeus - it is a sign that a savior will
come, during time of great trouble, but only when it seems too late.
Oddly, though, there has been peace and prosperity for many years now.
(What isn't common knowledge, though it is well known to priests of
the Olympians and many learned people, is that the prophecy also says
that if the statue is found during time of great prosperity, it will
be an omen of imminent woes to come - possibly because of divine
wrath. One would have to go to an oracle to learn more about this
...)
Sandy Murphy: io01092@maine.maine.edu
Reapharven: CIVIL WAR IN REAPHARVEN
In the small country of Reapharven, until recently a hub of trade
between the Leonan Empire and the countries of the east, has been torn
by civil war. The royal family, bereaved by the death of venerable
King Jarden, is now led by his daughter, Queen Jesdana, and the rebel
alliance has sworn that they will not allow her to rule.
It is now common knowledge that Queen Jesdana was involved in the
exposed conspiracy to discredit the LeGrange family and blame it on
the Ambassador from Ravensmere:
Lord LeGrange was executed early last year for the crime of
criminal cowardice in that he stood by doing nothing while a man was
killed on the streets of Oathhaven, capital of Reapharven. It was
later revealed that Lord LeGrange had been held in the thrall of a
mage's spell and *could* do nothing, that the trial had been rushed to
a swift conclusion, and that the Queen herself had influenced the
judge of the case through her own arcane magics.
The motive? LeGrange had hired an alchemist to discover an
antidote for Fossewater and Reaperdust addicition. As Fossewater and
Reaperdust were the sole unique exports of Reapharven, the Queen
naturally had an interest in keeping that trade alive. For the good of
the country.
Private investigators hired by the family in exile uncovered the
twisted plot and distributed the hidden formula for the cure to the
general populace, thus destroying any chance of the Queen covering the
whole incident up.
The military still supports the royal family and Queen Jesdana
appears determined to hold the throne no matter the cost. Against her
are the allied noble families of Reapharven, each fearing that the
Queen might someday do to them what she did to the LeGranges.
The rebel standard is held by the new Lord LeGrange, eldest son of
the old lord. He is as yet unmarried and rumors are that there are
negotiations between his family and the ruling family of the Ohne
Islands for an alliance of sorts.
Queen Jesdana has appealed for and received aid from the Mage of
Ravensmoke Valley, in the north of Reapharven. This mysterious mage is
known only for his unfriendliness to any who enter his valley and for
his rumored dealings with extra-planar creatures. Since the rumor of
their alliance spread, reports of demonic interference have come in
from the sites of several skirmishes.
Throughout this whole dispute, Scarshold, arguably the most
powerful city in Reapharven and considered by most to be an
independent city-state, has remained open to refugees but closed to
negotiations with either side. Scarson, the Ranger Lord of the walled
fortress in the Devil's Spine mountains, has refused to comment on the
situation except to state the neutrality of his domain.
It is acknowledged as fact that, should Scarson join the fray on
either side, the battle will already be won.
The reaper: iridian@netcom.com
Country of Amdosia: Island of Cetar:
DISASTER ON CETAR ISLAND RETURNS CADETS VICTORIOUS!
21 cadets and 23 crewmembers of the crystal powered ship, the
Barracuda, returned to Seaholm yesterday aboard a commandeered pirate
ship, the Nightshade just two days later than expected. They report
that just after the cadets were dropped off on the northern end of
Cetar island to begin their four day survival test, the Barracuda was
attacked by two pirate ships commanded by the dread pirates DelCid and
Kidwell. The Barracuda was scuttled to prevent the crystal engine from
falling into the hands of the pirates and most of the crewmembers
escaped onto the island. Some of the cadets, who were mostly ignorant
of the fate of the Barracuda, grouped and attacked the pirates signal
tower on the western peak of the island (the rest were captured by the
pirates, reportedly to be sold in the slave trade or labor camps). The
disastrous battle resulted in 10 cadets dead! It was later retaken six
days later as a most fortuitous event happened: the pirate maid, Gisu
of the Kaiser happened upon the island and engaged the evil pirate
lords in catapult fire. This allowed the wily cadets to capture the
pirates' stockade filled with their ill-gotten loot and to rescue
their captured fellows. Gisu, having overcome the remnant of the
pirates, traded one of the captured pirate ships for the riches,
allowing the cadets to return home.
Dean-Commander Lazard congratulated the survivors for their
courage and bravery and awarded everyone medals of commendation
(posthumously for those who died in battle.)
Leonard Scott: lenscott@aol.com
I and my companions had traveled 80 miles East along the Leaf- Flow, a tributary of the river Arran, into the Chondalwood. We last ended at a small glade at the beginning of the Leaf-Flow after an encounter with trolls, and were presently recuperating. Just before we set out, Nygellis, my sword and magic using Elven companion, set a small wooden figurine of a harp in dedication to Milil near the eastern end of the glade. The forest was thick, and we could only make about 3 miles per day, in a generally eastward direction.
Day 2- Although we had crossed several game trails, it wasn't until just before midday that we found a trail headed in the direction we wanted. Along this trail we made good time: about 6 miles per day, considering the time needed to detour around blockages that often covered the trail.
Day 4- We were still hungry, but Jander (a brave fighter), known as BIG Jander to her friends and foes alike, showed us how to prepare some moss, that was growing on almost every tree, into a tasty, if somewhat dry, snack. Shortly after noonfeast, we entered a shady clearing. Phan, the roguish gnome, was walking point when something dropped down and covered him. I wanted to help him, but a spindly humanoid dropped down out of the trees and attacked the rest of us. It was definitely spider-like and Big Jander warned us not to let it bite us. We managed to kill it and helped Phan out from under a blanket- like web. We left as soon as possible, following the trail eastward.
Day 5- The trail opened up considerably, and we entered a small village inside the Chondalwood. They spoke a very accented form of Common, but were illiterate. it turned out that their priest (of Eldath) had recently been killed by a pack of vicious reptiles which they called "ranmocks." I convinced my friends to stay long enough to teach one of the children the rudiments of spelling, and to help an elder with arthritis (I had a salve which relieved the pain). We stayed two days, and erected a signpost with the Deneir glyph "requesting a spelling instructor."
Day 8- The village elders told us of an abandoned ruin that had a library filled with books. A trail, one days journey North, headed East, would lead right by it. I wished to very much see this library, and since it was in the direction we wished to go, there was little more to discuss. The people kindly set us up with food and some equipment, and we set out early in the morning and found the eastward trail that evening.
Day 9- This trail was wider than the previous one, and we made good time. As evening approached, we heard high pitched whining noises in the underbrush nearby, but saw nothing. As we were setting up camp, several bipedal reptiles jumped out of the surroundings and attacked. They were about 3 foot tall, and twice as long, including the tail. They leaped to attack, but were wary in battle. We quickly killed 4 of the ranmocks, and the rest stayed out of the range of firelight. They did not leave until early morning, and we decided they were probably nocturnal.
Day 10- Just before stopping for noonfeast, we discovered the ruins. It had once been a grand library-keep. In our searches we had found 3 books on early Chondathan history that were in reasonably good condition. When we got out it was already night, and as we left the compound we were beset upon by several large spiders that were quite fast runners. We knew that there was nothing we could do except to run. We ran all night until early the next morning.
Day 11- It was just before daybreak that we stopped, only to discover that Phan must have dropped two of the books as he ran. I felt like sending him back to get them, but it really wasn't his fault. Nygellis climbed a tall tree and said the edge of the forest wasn't much farther East, and so we continued on.
Day 12- The forest gradually thinned leaving us in a small valley running North-South. Beyond the forest to the East a large mountain range rose up almost immediately. We stopped to rest and decide our next course. Jander, who had served time on a ship in the Inner Sea, thought we should head North to reach it. Phan thought we should head East and go over the mountains. Nygellis wanted to go South, around the base of the mountains. So it was up to me: I didn't know what the Mountain range was called or what could be found there, so of course that was the only option. We would travel due East OVER the primordial mountains, giving us an assured page in the Annals of Deneir....
DM's note: Ranmocks are pack dinosaurs on the model of Deinonychus. They have the same stats as wild dogs but with damage 1d6.
Leonard Scott: lenscott@aol.com
22nd Dec
The next day Mairenne didn't want to get up, and she'd locked her
door, so Eddie opened it! Paddy put his head round the door to see if
she was ok, and she was furious.
Visiting Scauny in his office the party was told that he had
realised that during the orc raid on the office and stores if anyone
able to read had been with the orcs they might have discovered about
the gem shipment on the barge - so the gems were quite likely stolen
by the Claw tribe. Scauny was asked about other quarry workers, in
particular the foremen, Jamie Brown and Bill Overhand, but he had
nothing to say against them.
Next, most of the party asked some of the guards on the wall about
people's movements into and out of the village recently. Malcolm had
passed thru several weeks before, and the grocer and butcher both left
the village quite frequently, but there was nothing unusual.
Padur strolled around the village for a while, and was approached
by a woman who he recognised but couldn't place (!) She turned out to
be Jerez's wife, Annie Sorter, wanting to talk to Finbar about the
ring he was gathering information about. Padur passed the message on,
and Finbar was told that Jerez had taken the ring a couple of months
back to be tightened, but that the attempt had obviously failed as it
was just as loose - presumably something to do with the ring's magic
properties?
Most of the party spent the afternoon looking around the quarry
under Scauny's supervision. They were shown the gem seams and a cave
which wasn't currently being used, which the party thought suspicious
- it turned out to be entirely empty.
Meanwhile Paddy and Eddie cased the grocer's for a midnight raid,
as they were suspicious about Jerez going off with the ring -possibly
to see the witch. Although unlikely, it was possible that Melinda, or
sign of her, might be found in the Sorter's house, after all Jerez had
a motive to want the wedding to be disrupted -his hatred of Malcolm
Mowbray.
During the night Paddy and Eddie raided the house, taking great
care not to be seen by the guards on the wall. They searched all the
rooms except the bedroom, and looked thru several drawers at
documents. However they found out nothing significant, but managed to
wake the baby in the process.
23rd Dec
The next day the party left at first light for the witch's house,
and found it unoccupied. Eddie unlocked the door, but immediately the
door spoke "Leave now, or be forever cursed" ! Mob wrote a note
saying he'd like another love potion, and left the Baron's address.
Meanwhile Eddie decided he didn't want to enter the cottage, and Mob
agreed, so after putting the note on the doorstep they moved away from
the cottage. However, Padur, Finbar, Paddy and Mairenne were not put
off and went inside. They looked over the place finding it much as
before - a typical witch's cottage. Finbar took a couple of jars
containing liquid and Padur found a step ladder into the loft and
pushed open the loft door - he was immediately blinded by a flash.
His eyes hurt alot, so he sat on the floor, and Mairenne put a bandage
around his eyes. Paddy and Finbar now went up into the loft and
looked around, finding boxes of books, and assorted other equipment,
but most significantly a scarf which looked like it could be
Melinda's!
Meanwhile downstairs Mairenne started trashing the main room,
pulling bottles off shelves and smashing them on the floor. She wrote
"orc lover" on one wall with charcoal. All the while Caljuin stood
outside the door, not entirely sure what to do, as he didn't like the
sound of being forever cursed.
Andy Merritt: amerritt@armltd.co.uk