tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18720080030450672242024-03-13T18:50:50.492-07:00Anamnesis of the Mystic ScholarMystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-38976682123389542312017-09-20T16:11:00.002-07:002017-09-20T16:13:54.987-07:00Airlines SuckI returned home to Pennsylvania a few days ago, after visiting my father in Colorado.<br />
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I had absolutely <b><i>no trouble</i></b> with the Transportation Security Administration. And yet, you hear stories. I'm now thinking that those people are just "complainers," looking for something to complain about.<br />
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United Airlines, however, was another matter. I <b><i>did not</i></b> make a single connection, not one. And each time, <b><i>I</i></b> was asked why the plane was late. Why would United Airlines personnel be such idiots as to think that <b><i>I</i></b> would know the answer to that question?<br />
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Interestingly, my luggage did not miss a single connection. It arrived in Grand Junction "on time," while I had to spend the night in Denver. Moreover, the next morning -- a Friday -- United had four flights to Grand Junction.<br />
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<b><i>All</i></b> of them booked and twenty people on <b><i>standby</i></b>. I rented a car for the remainder of my journey; 285 miles.<br />
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On the return trip, I was informed by United personnel -- upon landing in Denver -- that I had an hour to make my connection. I knew they were lying. I ran through the terminal as best I could, with my Disability and cane, my hips and knee killing me. I arrived at the next gate <b><i>just</i></b> as they were boarding the plane. So much for the "hour" to make my connection.<br />
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The <b><i>exact</i></b> same thing happened again at Chicago's O'Hare. I ran across that terminal too.<br />
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That's enough for me, no more flying . . . thanks to the Airline, <b><i>not</i></b> TSA. Next year, I drive out there. Much more comfortable, relaxed and . . . I can stop to pee when I need to.Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-58040591752884747992017-07-08T08:00:00.000-07:002017-07-08T08:00:07.373-07:00A Book Review: Jean Lafitte, The Pirate Who Saved AmericaAs a cousin of Jean Lafitte, I'm always interested in publications that detail his life and I thought I might find this book interesting.<br />
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Alas, neither the description, nor any of the reviews, prepared me for the reality, though one or two reviews <b><i>might</i></b> have hinted at it.<br />
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This is a book for children.<br />
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The actual "story" is only forty pages long and many of them are nothing more than full page pictures. The other pages are, primarily, pictures accompanied by writing, usually only one or two paragraphs. In short, it doesn't take very long to read.<br />
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While it does tell the basics, any details are sorely lacking. I would recommend the book for your children, but any adult interested in the "real" story, accompanied by the details, should look elsewhere.Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-7755102011052744462017-07-04T18:24:00.001-07:002017-07-04T18:38:38.153-07:00A Book Review: Knight of JerusalemAnother spellbinding tale by Professor Helena P. Schrader. This one is the first book in the trilogy about Balian of Ibelin. This is another man of whom we have scant information for as a youth. As with Leonidas of Sparta, he was the younger son and thus, not expected to inherit, so who would have thought he'd rise to such great heights?<br />
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We know about his father, his mother and his brothers, as each had played fairly important parts in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. We know that Balian and his brother played "prominent roles" at the battle of Montgisard, though the chronicles are not specific about details. We also don't have details about the exact nature of Balian's relationship with the King, Baldwin IV either, but we <b><i>do</i></b> know that the King granted Balian <b><i>two</i></b> distinct marks of favor; permitting Balian's marriage to a very important Dowager Queen <b><i>and</i></b> his allowing Balian -- and not another important male relative -- to carry his heir, Baldwin V, to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for the royal ceremony.<br />
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Using these facts, along with others found here and there, Professor Schrader spins an intriguing tale of Balian's life and accomplishments, right up to his marriage to Maria Zoe Comnena and the birth of their first child. That's where this first book ends.<br />
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There's murder, intrigue, backstabbing, plotting, fight scenes and family arguments, along with more touching scenes to tug at one's emotions. I would have read this book completely through -- as I did her book, "A Boy of the Agoge" -- but this books was thicker, so I was forced to "wait until tomorrow" to find out what happened. LOL<br />
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Another excellent treatise that I hardily recommend to anyone interested in the real Balian, rather than the fictional Balian of Ridley Scott. The man makes an excellent movie, but he's just a bit weak on his facts. The real Balian is even more interesting and rose to great heights.Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-91157042018367137852017-07-01T15:45:00.003-07:002017-07-04T18:25:56.890-07:00A Book Review: "A Boy of the Agoge"Riveting.<br />
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I received my books from Amazon yesterday afternoon, about 3 pm. I chose to start with "A Boy of the Agoge," by Professor Helena P. Schrader. I started reading about 6 pm, I finished at about 2:45 am. Yes, I grew sleepy, Yes, my eyes grew tired and red. No, I didn't want to "wait until tomorrow" to see what happened next.<br />
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Professor Schrader has a Ph.D. in History from the University of Hamburg. She has several blogs, but is most well known for her contributions to <b>Real Crusades History</b>, found <a href="http://realcrusadeshistory.blogspot.com/">here</a>. At least, that's where I met her and where I "see" her most often. In that vein, she has written a trilogy of Balian of Ibelin; the real Balian, not the Ridley Scott Balian. But a discussion of that trilogy is for another review.<br />
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"A Boy of the Agoge" is the first book in a trilogy telling the story of Leonidas of Sparta. Yes, he of "the three hundred" fame, he of the Thermopylae fame. But as Professor Schrader points out in her book's Introduction, very little is known of his boyhood. There are, in her words, "tantalizing tidbits," but no detailed records.<br />
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Leonidas was the fourth son -- being the second born of twins -- of King Anaxandridas II. As such, he was little noteworthy to historians during his early life. Not surprising when one considers how unlikely it was that, as the fourth son, he would ever inherit the throne. Thus, not much attention was paid to him during this period by writers. Since he was not the heir apparent, the Agoge was his destination, as it was for all Spartan boys.<br />
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We do know about the tumultuous relationship he had with his brothers and they with each other. His eldest brother -- Cleomenes -- became king and his second brother -- Dorieus -- vied with Cleomenes for the throne. We have details like these and from these, Professor Schrader has postulated what Leonidas' early life might have been like and woven an enthralling story from it.<br />
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While the events of Leonidas' early life are the "fiction" part of the story, the rest of this "historical novel" is not. Professor Schrader gives us wonderful descriptions of what Sparta was like during this period and what life there would have been life; the temples, the government, the Agoge, the courses taught there, the dances and theater, a brief account of the wars with Messenia and the end relationship between Sparta and Messenia.<br />
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Not only an enjoyable read, but an educational one as well, especially for anyone interested int hat period of history, of which I am one. Her prose, spelling, punctuation? I found nothing that distracted me from the story itself. It flowed smoothly, without bumps, or hiccups and at a nice, steady pace. She did not race through the story, nor did she stumble upon any spots that might mire the reader down. As I said, I sat through it in one, non-stop, reading session.<br />
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A thoroughly good read, a thoroughly enjoyable read, that I would recommend to anyone.<br />
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If you want to learn more about Sparta, you might want to visit her blog, <b>Sparta Reconsidered</b>, found <a href="http://spartareconsidered.blogspot.com/">here</a>.Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-24288923079591785062017-07-01T13:53:00.000-07:002017-07-01T13:53:19.653-07:00Trying to post a review<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm trying to post a book review here, but something weird on going on. Parts of the post end up missing, while others seem to end up high-lighted.</div>
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Wish I knew more about this sort of thing. Guess I'll try again after I clean the computer.</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-27607536791412824562016-07-17T16:21:00.000-07:002017-04-04T18:06:32.315-07:00The Smuggler's Inn; Part One<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Lily sighed heavily. "This really is the hind end of
nowhere, isn't it?"</div>
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The companions continued their journey to the northeast,
their horses plodding along at a steady pace. They were traveling a dirt road,
which ran under a canopy of trees. The weather was good, mostly sunny, though
it was beginning to grow colder. It had been three days since they left Paco
and his salt mine. The village Paco had pointed them too hadn't been much, but
they had been informed there of a larger town further along the road and the friends
were headed for it.</div>
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Erlik shrugged. "Depends; There are villages and
hamlets about, even some towns. You've seen the map."</div>
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"Perhaps, but they're not New Harbor, are they?"
Lily asked longingly.</div>
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"Missing the 'big city,' are you?" queried Erlik.</div>
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It was the rogue's turn to shrug. "I miss the hustle and
bustle. I'd go crazy living in a village like that last one."</div>
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"An' da ale!" Huthgar chimed in. "Sum o' da
stuff tha' be servin' tis nay fit fer any self respectin' dwarf."</div>
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"Not much choice in brews, that's for sure,"
agreed Samuel. "It's <i>really</i> bad when you consider that drinking is
the <i>only</i> thing to do in some of these places."</div>
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"Well, except for further research in its libraries,
New Harbor was played out, for me anyway," said Erlik. "That's why I
felt the need to travel." He waved his hand, indicating the country before
them. "Out there is all that remains of the once great Valardeem Empire.
Many of its cities are covered over now, buried and forgotten, but there are
still riches and ancient knowledge to be found . . . by those willing to
look."</div>
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Samuel nodded. "So you said, why do you think I'm
here."</div>
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"Aye!" agreed the dwarf. "Twern't fer ya gud
looks tha' I cum 'long."</div>
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Lily laughed. "Thank Dalt for small kindnesses."
She looked at the wizard. "Still, I expected, well . . . more." She
pointed ahead. "If there was once a great empire out here . . . where is
it?" She shrugged in perplexity.</div>
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"The Frozen Steppes now cover much of it," Erlik
informed her. "The Great Forest covers still more. Any ruins we find out on
the steppes, are likely to be remnants of the old empire and will be worth
exploring. We may even find a few such as we traverse the forest."</div>
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"Aiyee!" Huthgar's pony stumbled and the dwarf
desperately clung to his saddle horn. "Blast'd beastie! Ye'll be da death
o' me yet!"</div>
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Lily chuckled. "Dwarves are terrible riders."</div>
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"Twer dwarves meant ta ride, we'd nae be havin'
legs!" Huthgar replied.</div>
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"Still, you think they'd be some more obvious signs of
this empire," Samuel interjected, ignoring Huthgar's plight. "Especially if it was as big as you
say."</div>
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"Nature reclaims the land must faster than you might
think," Erlik informed the fighter. "And it's been centuries since
the Valardeem Empire fell."</div>
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"So, what happened to it?" the fighter pressed.</div>
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"The same thing that happens to every human kingdom;
war, famine, pestilence, the weather," Erlik replied.</div>
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"The <i>weather</i>?" Samuel asked, incredulous. "You mean rain . . . snow?"</div>
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"Certainly," Erlik shrugged. "You don't think
the Frozen Steppes were always frozen, do you? Who would attempt to build an
empire in such a land? The weather patterns changed; the climate grew colder
and inhospitable. People live where they can obtain food. When the weather
changed in these lands, food production dropped and people were forced to leave
the area . . . or starve."</div>
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"That's where the 'famine' part comes in,"
observed Lily.</div>
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Erlik nodded. "Yes."</div>
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"So, where did they go?" Samuel asked.</div>
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"South, to warmer climes, naturally," answered
Erlik. "Where do you think Bethmoora and the other southern cities come from?"</div>
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"Bethmoora be par' o' dis empire ya speak of?"
asked Huthgar.</div>
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The wizard shrugged. "Can't rightly say, but
Bethmoora's been around for some seven hundred years, maybe longer. I'm sure
that much of its early population stems from the empire's people fleeing
south."</div>
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"I imagine you'll be exploring the libraries of
Bethmoora for information," Lily said.</div>
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Erlik looked at her. "Perhaps, though I have no
particular intention of being obvious about it."</div>
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"What's the secret?" asked Samuel.</div>
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"Secret? There's no secret," Erlik told him.
"But about one hundred years ago a battle took place in the city between
powerful factions of mages vying for control of the place. The city suffered
considerable damage and many people lost their lives. These days, magic users are
carefully watched and mistrusted. Needless to say, I don't plan on announcing
my presence."</div>
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"Whoa!" Samuel threw up his hand as he halted his
horse. "Hold up. There's a trail leading off into the forest here."
He pointed. Turning in his saddle to look at Erlik, he asked. "Shall we
take a look?"</div>
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"Does the trail look used?" the wizard asked.</div>
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"Nope," came the reply. "It looks like it's
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Erlik moved<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his
horse forward. "It's unlikely to be something from the old empire; the
forest would have reclaimed it long ago." He shrugged again. "Still,
it might be worth investigating."</div>
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"Den wha ar' we waitin' fer?" asked Huthgar.
"Les 'vestigate."</div>
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Erlik looked from the dwarf to the fighter, then nodded.
"By all means, let's investigate."</div>
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Samuel lead the way through the trees and onto the pathway.</div>
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"I hope there's something worthwhile in there,"
said Lily. "It would be nice if this started turning into a more
profitable venture." She urged her horse forward, following the others
unto the unused path.</div>
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The trail meandered through the forest for a couple of
miles, then abruptly ended . . . at a cliff. Samuel dismounted and the others
followed suit. The fighter studied the ground along the edge of the cliff and
pointed.</div>
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Down below the companions could see a lake with what
appeared to be two docks on opposite sides. Some kind of building appeared to be
built into the cliff on one side, while a trail lead off into a canyon on the
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"There seems to have been a trail leading down from
here . . . once upon a time," Samuel informed his friends. "But it's
long gone. Whatever that building is, it seems you can only access it by
boat." He pointed. "That trail leading off; that's the only way to
get to it."</div>
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"Well, whatever it is, it isn't ancient and -- judging
from the smoke rising up -- it isn't abandoned," noted Erlik</div>
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"Looks like all we can do is go back to the main road
and see if we can find that trail further along," offered Lily.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span>"Aye, 'dat 'bout sums 'er up," agreed Huthgar.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
</span>Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-63115169642792275762016-07-15T10:58:00.002-07:002016-07-15T11:34:09.618-07:00Introducing Helen Hollick<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-pNseTn_MQ/V4kjMOEJzhI/AAAAAAAAAwM/RChH2sKbiQIBTa38sUcVyoQL15lJDygdgCLcB/s1600/Helen-in-cream-hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-pNseTn_MQ/V4kjMOEJzhI/AAAAAAAAAwM/RChH2sKbiQIBTa38sUcVyoQL15lJDygdgCLcB/s320/Helen-in-cream-hat.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, I've come into contact with Ms Helen Hollick, the
most recent Reader of my blog. Naturally, I googled her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It turns out that Ms Hollick is the author of numerous
published novels. Needless to say I was flattered that she should choose to
peruse my humble writings. She has just released the fifth volume of her <i>Pirate
Code</i> series, starring Captain Jesamiah Acorne and his ship, the Sea Witch. It's a mixture of realism fiction with elements of fantasy, as is evidenced by a ghost, a witch and . . . the Nightman.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having just discovered this, I have yet to read the books
myself, but I did start hunting them up on Amazon and other locations. They
seem to be quite popular and the blurbs are excellent. I'm now determined to
get the books.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've also added her blog -- <a href="https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/">Let Us Talk of Many Things</a> -- to
my list of favorites. You can find it over in the right hand column. Please give
her blog a perusal and -- if seventeenth century high seas hi-jinks are your thing --
I suggest you check out her books.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She also has her own webpage --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.helenhollick.net/">Welcome to Helen Hollick's World of Books</a> -- where you can find all
of her publications; well into the teens now. Well, I count eighteen covers, at
any rate.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, that's my "discovery" for this week. Ms
Hollick has been kind enough to chat with me and I'm finding her delightful and I know you will too.
Giving her a "shout out" is something I just had to do.</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-35568323712947716032016-07-13T18:45:00.001-07:002016-07-15T11:03:29.240-07:00Another 'Zine<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8w41m-me0UI/V4klSdIW0YI/AAAAAAAAAwY/y8wQKR0Jm0gOj2xRe4bdJx6OrbFqoOjJwCLcB/s1600/Christian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8w41m-me0UI/V4klSdIW0YI/AAAAAAAAAwY/y8wQKR0Jm0gOj2xRe4bdJx6OrbFqoOjJwCLcB/s320/Christian.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My friend, Christian, of <a href="http://unknownzine.blogspot.com/">Destination Unknown</a> fame, started a
new one page Zine some months back, which I seem to have missed the beginning
of. I need to make up for that and so I'm shamelessly giving him a plug.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christian also created a new blog called <a href="http://thegreatblackbell.blogspot.com/">The Tolling of the Great BlackBell</a>, where he post short video vignettes about the zine. He's on a Planescape
kick at the moment, though he also does other things; like Baldur's Gate.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He's also got a mad composer running around the streets of
Seattle at present, loosing demon summoning music upon unsuspecting musicians .
. . bastard. The poor souls are lost forever . . . maybe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christian's a good guy with a love for the game, so give his
new blog a quick look, won't you? Thanks guys!</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-8897648312928161222016-07-12T16:10:00.000-07:002016-07-15T11:14:45.329-07:00Capitalization<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Occasionally I get critiqued for my improper use of
Capitalization.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First, let me say thank you to everyone who does so, it
really is nice to know that you're paying that much attention to my stories.
However, you should know that I am aware of this point, <i>but</i> . . . I do it for a
reason.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As with this last installment of "The Salt Pit,"
there are, at times, long periods between my posts. I capitalize words like
"Fighter" and "Dwarf" specifically to remind my readers of
the Character Class of each character, as well as their particular race. The length of time between the posting of parts five and six
is also the reason I made sure to include the illustrations of each character
as well. I am aware that, in a few months, this post will be
forgotten and people will begin pointing out this "error" once more.
I really don't mind. I just wanted to get this out there.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The Salt Pit" is a suggested adventure from my
friend Tim Shorts, of <a href="http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/">Gothridge Manor</a>, taken from the first issue of his e-zine
"The Manor." Our intrepid heroes will continue their journeys in the
adventure laid out in "The Manor" #2. Hey, credit where credit is due. I started this story for Tim
and his lovely wife, Ivy, who has her own blog; <a href="http://thehappywhisk.blogspot.com/">The Happy Whisk</a>. The woman likes to cook, what can I say?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGro2IvPIjg/V4V15PWWvKI/AAAAAAAAAv0/vpIO2PwlrhoceywZJl4WlXltmIskG7M_QCLcB/s1600/Matt%2BJackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGro2IvPIjg/V4V15PWWvKI/AAAAAAAAAv0/vpIO2PwlrhoceywZJl4WlXltmIskG7M_QCLcB/s200/Matt%2BJackson.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The mention of the city of "Bethmoora" is a nod to
my good friend, Sergeant First Class Matt Jackson -- thanks ever so much for your service Matt! -- whose blog can be found <a href="http://www.msjx.org/">here</a>.
Matt has started his own gaming world called "Ecalpon" and Bethmoora is a major city of that
world. Hope I'm not giving too much away, but again . . . credit where credit is due. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhTLXXK2yI/V4kni7w8AII/AAAAAAAAAww/7IfH7KGwuw4WT3IAgN26YzTnwkkE21okgCLcB/s1600/research08image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhTLXXK2yI/V4kni7w8AII/AAAAAAAAAww/7IfH7KGwuw4WT3IAgN26YzTnwkkE21okgCLcB/s1600/research08image.jpg" /></a></div>
I do have my own world, in
which I write and game, and I also enjoy writing stories for the World of Greyhawk, the world that introduced me to gaming. These stories are
presently posted elsewhere and are being saved on my webpage, found <a href="http://melkot.com/mysticscholar/index.html">here</a>, for those who are interested. The page is hosted by my friend Denis Tetreault, the creator of the city of Melkot, for the World of Greyhawk. His webpage is "<a href="http://melkot.com/">Maldin's Greyhawk</a>," where Denis floats some interesting ideas. </div>
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<br /></div>
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One day, perhaps with the onset of better vision, I'll get
around to finishing my novel. We'll see. I have been suffering from some blurry vision, thanks to my
diabetes, and have been receiving injections into my eyeball, so my reading and
writing have been "hit and miss" lately. I apologize for that.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The blurry is still there, but the eyesight is getting
better, so I'll try and get back to it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for sticking around, your patience is always appreciated.</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-42488461974098960872016-07-11T13:03:00.002-07:002016-07-11T17:54:05.499-07:00The Salt Pit; Part Six<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss1ytKsSbQw/V4PzyeBc5dI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2iGurXgytwsrrG40dJ3kKDBjfBTcsonfwCKgB/s1600/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss1ytKsSbQw/V4PzyeBc5dI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2iGurXgytwsrrG40dJ3kKDBjfBTcsonfwCKgB/s320/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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The slimy reptile slammed into Samuel's shield with enough
force to make the warrior take a step back. The creature's javelin stabbed at
the Fighter from over his shield, nearly hitting him in the face.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Ha! Ya be mon, critter!</i>" shouted Huthgar,
as he took a step forward, intent on hacking the beast in half with his axe.
"<i>Argh!</i>" Huthgar's swing was interrupted by a stabbing pain.
Looking down, he could see another javelin piercing his leg, passing clean
through. He grabbed for it with his left hand.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"<i>I told you there was more than one!</i>" Erlik
cried, stabbing his hand forward. "<i>Nok!</i>" Two blue,
scintillating balls of light streaked towards the second creature, striking it
squarely in the chest. The cast of its second javelin was broken up, as it
grabbed at its torso in pain. "<i>Running out of spells!</i>" The
Wizard shouted, as a reminder.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily seemed to recover herself and staggered to her feet.
Drawing one of her daggers, she cast it. "<i>Ha!</i>" The dagger
handle struck the creature and glanced harmlessly away. "<i>Damn!</i>"
The Rogue reached for another.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Samuel tried chopping at the reptile with his sword, but it
was pressing the Fighter too closely for accurate swinging and he opted to stab at
it instead. "<i>My sword is too long for such close in work!</i>" he
grunted.</div>
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The lizard-like creature clung to Samuel's shield with one
claw, while stabbing its javelin over the top with the other.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrplAIYyLUw/V4P0yrdQP2I/AAAAAAAAAvY/_BQ2eedwvTIHvc7NOnBy7YwBqYDA-AVnACKgB/s1600/Huthgar%2B05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrplAIYyLUw/V4P0yrdQP2I/AAAAAAAAAvY/_BQ2eedwvTIHvc7NOnBy7YwBqYDA-AVnACKgB/s320/Huthgar%2B05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"<i>Umph!</i>" The Cleric grunted as he snapped
off the javelin piercing his leg, then, taking a fresh hold of his axe, he
swung it with all his might into the back of the reptile. "<i>Ahh!</i>"
Huthgar sighed with satisfaction as the blade of his axe sank into the
creature's back, nearly slicing it in two.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Another javelin stuck the wall near Lily. "Don't . .
." she coughed, ". . . forget the . . ." she coughed again
". . . other one."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"<i>That's not going to happen!</i>" Samuel
shouted. Free of his attacker, he charged down the tunnel in the dim light.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"<i>Wait!</i>" cried Erlik. "<span style="font-size: x-small;">Idiot!</span>" he
breathed, as he took up his staff and followed after the Fighter.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"We bes' hobble afta' 'em, lass," Huthgar
suggested.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Yes, we'd better," Lily replied, offering her
shoulder to the dwarf.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*</div>
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<br /></div>
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The creature was down on one knee, still in obvious pain
from Erlik's attack. Samuel charged headlong and slammed into the smaller
creature with his shield. It fell over backwards, tumbling head over heals upon
the ground. Before it could recover, Samuel plunged his sword into it, pinning
it to the ground. "<i>Die, you damn, filthy beast!</i>"</div>
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<br /></div>
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The beast struggled briefly, squirming upon the blade, then
it hissed and lay still.</div>
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Erlik caught up, his lantern swinging wildly from his
sprint, casting light eerily about the cavern. "That was stupid," he
said. "We've no idea how many there are." He moved his lantern about,
peering into the darkness, but all he could see were the walls of the cavern.</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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"I don't care how many of them there are," snarled
Samuel.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wizard nodded in the darkness. "Yes, that's your
problem," he softly replied.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"What do you mean?" The Fighter demanded, swinging
about to face the wizard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I mean, it's going to get you killed," Erlik
replied. "I just hope it doesn't get me killed too."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily and Huthgar came hobbling up together. "What are
you arguing about now?" the Rogue asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The same thing we always argue about," Erlik
replied, jerking his thumb at Samuel. "His recklessness."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Doh! Somebody give this guy a tissue already, will
you?" pleaded Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"He's not wrong," Lily replied. "That
'berserker' thing you do <b><i>is</i></b> going to get you in trouble . . . one of
these days."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Let it go, lad," Huthgar said, looking at Samuel.
"Tha' no be Fighters. Tha' no understand."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Samuel opened his mouth to reply, then shut it and shrugged.
"Whatever."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Lily, let's shine some light around this place and
make sure there aren't any other surprises, shall we?" suggested Erlik.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Right." Recovering her breath now, the Rogue
moved about the cavern looking for any breaches in the walls. "Looks like
a dead end," she reported.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erlik nodded agreement. "Yes, it does." He looked
at the others. "Paco will need to close off that other tunnel. The water's
leaking in here from somewhere and each of the creatures we've encountered can
easily use that access point to regain entry into the mine."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Well, best get back up top and tell him then,"
said Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Ack!</i>" Huthgar grunted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What now?" asked Lily casting her gaze about the darkness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I <i>told</i> ya we'd be needin' to clumb back up tha'
damn ladder!" the cleric cursed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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daggers," Erlik reminded the Rogue.</span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*</div>
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Once up top, the companions informed Paco of the situation.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"So you'd best close that tunnel off," Erlik
advised. "Otherwise, you're going to have more trouble."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Then it is safe?" Paco asked. "I can return
to working in the mine?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"As safe as it ever was," nodded Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Long as ya close off da utter tunnel," added
Huthgar.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paco threw up his arms and smiled. "Ah! I <i>thank</i>
you, my friends! <i>Thank</i> you!" He waved them towards the cottage.
"Come! You eat and spend the night, yes? Tomorrow you can continue on your
way with your salt! Come! My wife, she prepared a ham for you! A large
ham!"</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Samuel and Huthgar started for the cabin, smiling and laughing; Huthgar limping upon his wounded leg.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"A large ham is all the reward those two require,"
Lily whispered to Erlik.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wizard chuckled and nodded in agreement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rogue slipped her arm into the Wizard's. "So, any idea what you're going to do with your share of the salt?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I think we'd better decide where we're going to sell it, first," Erlik replied. "It just seems to work better if you turn the salt into silver . . . <i>before</i> trying to spend it. The market around here isn't going to be as good as someplace without a salt mine." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily nodded. "Any ideas?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I'm thinking we might wait until we reach Bethmoora," Erlik replied.</div>
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Lily
nodded. "Yes, always thinking." She looked at the Wizard. "That's
why I keep you around."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Erlik
turned his head abruptly and looked at the woman. Seeing the twinkle in her eye, he chuckled again.</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-51517224862054517912015-08-11T13:31:00.000-07:002016-07-11T09:06:20.525-07:00The Salt Pit; Part Five<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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"You've taken a real beating, my friend," Lily
says, squatting next to Huthgar and placing her hand upon his shoulder.
"Between that 'cape' creature and the lizard, you've had a heck of a
day."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ah need a ale," the dwarf breathed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Can you continue?" the Wizard asked. "Or do
you need rest?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ack, no," the dwarf replied. "Ah can go
on."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
"I'll take the lead," offered Samuel. "Perhaps if
we drop a torch down there, it will provide enough light for me."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Unnecessary," Erlik informed the Fighter. "I
have a spell I've been saving for this. When you're ready, I'll cast it."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Huthgar, sure you're ready?" Samuel asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, lad," Huthgar replied. "Ah jus need'd
ta catch ma breath."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erlik nodded and moved to the ledge. "<i>Illuminatus
sphericus flotaetum</i>." Four glowing balls of light appeared in the air
in front of the Wizard. They began to move down the shaft. "The bottom's
only about ten feet down. I'm only going to move them about ten feet forward;
don't want to lose sight of them." He stood to the side, so that Samuel
might access the ladder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Samuel paused next to Erlik. "Why couldn't you do this
when that 'flappy thing' put us in darkness?" <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The shaft and lower tunnel were bathed in light.</span></div>
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"This spell is not powerful enough to dispel magical
darkness," Erlik replied. "It also isn't going to last for very long,
so I suggest you get moving . . . <i>before</i> you find yourself in darkness
again."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Samuel stepped onto the ladder and started down. "<i>It's
still holding</i>," he called out. He sniffed. "<i>Something smells down here!</i>"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About two feet from the bottom, he let go of the ladder and
dropped to the ground. He swung his shield to the front -- it was held across
his back by means of a shoulder strap -- and slung it onto his left arm,
immediately drawing his sword afterwards.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9CJEFRmbDSM/VcpWJNmfGEI/AAAAAAAAAqc/U9dzj_rJL3c/s1600/Samuel%2B06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9CJEFRmbDSM/VcpWJNmfGEI/AAAAAAAAAqc/U9dzj_rJL3c/s320/Samuel%2B06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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"<b><i>Looks like the tunnel descends sharply for
another ten feet, then levels out!</i></b>" he shouts up.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily stood net to Erlik. "<i>Damn!</i> Just how deep is
this place?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I think we're there," Erlik replied. "You
should get down there quickly, before my spell ends and Samuel finds himself
confronting whatever this thing is in the dark. The creature's sure to have the
advantage over him under such circumstances."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ah be right b'hind ye lass," Huthgar told her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
"Right," Lily breathed, then stepped onto the
ladder. Reaching the bottom, she moved to just behind Samuel.
"Anything yet?"<br />
<br />
"No," the fighter replied. "Nothin'. I'm not
moving forward 'til everyone's here."<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You're not going to hear <i>me</i> complain, big
boy," Lily agreed. "Mister Mysterious says those lights of his will
be going out soon." She gave a curt nod. "We'll wait for him to get
here with <i>his</i> lantern." She held hers up higher, over the Fighter's
shoulder.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Riiight</i>," breathed Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Oof!</i>" This burst of air announced the
arrival of Huthgar. "Damn!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What's the matter?" Lily asked excitedly, turning
her head to look at the dwarf.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Id jus 'curred ta me," Huthgar replied, looking
up. "We got's ta clumb up outta 'dis t'ing."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Damn!</i>" Samuel swore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>What!</i>?" Lily gasped, quickly turning her
attention back to the Fighter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"He's right," Samuel said. The Fighter and Cleric
began chuckling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Damn you two!</i>" Lily slapped Samuel on the
back of the head. "<i>Now is not the time for</i> . . ." Lily
grabbed her throat and began to gag.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>By the gods!</i>" cried Samuel as he gasped
for air. "What is that horrid stench?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Id be tha beastie!</i>" cried Huthgar, raising
his axe. "<i>Git duwn har Wizard!</i>"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Anemoi gustus!</i></b>" Erlik's voice rang
out from behind the companions. A stiff breeze came blowing down the tunnel and
into the cavern beyond, carrying the atrocious reek with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily leaned against the cavern wall, coughing and throwing
up, clearly helpless for the moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Damn, that was bad," acknowledged Samuel, shaking
his head and snorting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ain' n'ver smelt nothin' like it a'fore," agreed
Huthgar. "Wha could smell <i>tha</i> bad?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Our friend," Erlik told them. "And judging
by the intensity of the odor . . . there's more than one of them."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Mor'n one o' <i>wha</i>?" asked the dwarf. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>That</i>," Erlik replied, pointing down the
passageway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
Charging up the tunnel -- slowed slightly by the ascent -- came what appeared to be a <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">reptilian creature that looked somewhat humanoid. It was a little
shorter than a human and spindly, but with muscular arms and walking -- or
running in this case --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>erect on its
squat legs, trailing a long, slender tail. Its head was lizardlike and crowned
with a frill that extended from the forehead to the base of the neck. Its eyes
were black and beady, but seemed to glow in the darkness. Its maw was opened wide, displaying sharp and jagged
teeth. The creature hissed loudly as it charged.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLzC0QMTww8/VcpWQLpbMZI/AAAAAAAAAqs/d1clPA_vqSQ/s1600/Troglodyte%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLzC0QMTww8/VcpWQLpbMZI/AAAAAAAAAqs/d1clPA_vqSQ/s320/Troglodyte%2B01.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">It raised its arm and then shot it forward. A
javelin whizzed past Samuel's head and nearly impaled the Wizard, tearing the sleeve of his robe. Another javelin
could be clearly seen in the creature's clawed hand.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">"<i>Keep an eye out for a second one!</i>"
called Erlik, raising his right hand and preparing another spell. He held his
lantern high with his left hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Lily remained incapacitated against the wall
of the tunnel, falling to a sitting position, although she managed to bring her
lantern to bare on the unfolding scene.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Huthgar quickly moved to stand beside Samuel.
"Tha's it, lil beastie! Hurra ta taste ma steel!" He raised his axe
ready to meet the charge. "Together lad!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Samuel braced his feet, leaning forward, ready
to meet the charge with his sword extended before him. "I'm with
you!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">At that moment, Erlik's <i>Dancing Lights</i>
spell ended </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">and the lanterns' flickering light showed only
the horrid face as it rushed upon them.</span></div>
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</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-83596587364869124372015-08-07T13:24:00.002-07:002016-07-16T16:21:10.617-07:00The Salt Pit; Part Four<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Aye, 'tis c'lapsed!</i>" cried Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"As Paco said it would be," offered Lily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Continue downward!</i>" shouted Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Aye!</i>" Huthgar shouted agreement. "<i>Nothin'
here 'cept a rotten hide!</i>"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dwarf continued his descent. Thus far, the simple ladder
had held up remarkably well, though not without creaking and groaning and such
other protestations as wood can give under a fairly heavy load.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ten feet from the bottom of the shaft, Huthgar reached the
next tunnel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Ah be here!</i>" he shouted up. "<i>Nae any tr'uble!
C'mon duwn!</i>" The dwarf stepped into the tunnel, taking his war hammer from its resting place -- upon his back -- and making ready,
awaiting the arrival of his companions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily quickly descended and joined Huthgar, her lantern
lighting the way. "Seems to go a little ways."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Twelf, ma'be fiftin feet," Huthgar said.
"Thae's a drop 'bout 'dare."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erlik arrived with his lantern, closely followed by Samuel.
"Shall we?" the Wizard asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Huthgar moved forward and soon reached a slight dip. As
his companions joined him, their lanterns revealed a thick, soupy gray water
which filled the cavern. A very narrow beach -- of a sort -- lined the pool at
their end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Look!" Samuel pointed to their right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
Some
ten feet away was a lizard.<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> The
lizard was fairly large as lizards go -- about the size of a terrier -- perhaps a foot tall at its back and weighing maybe twenty-five pounds. It had a bullet-shaped head sporting a
large pair of horns that swept back from the sides like spiky ears. A similar
structure was evident on the tip of its tail. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Its skin went from a pale gray on its belly to a pale blue along its
sides, turning into a dark blue on its back, intermingled with black markings
along its back and tail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">The lizard began making clicking sounds and
the skin on everyone's arms started tingling, their hairs standing on end.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kwgsDKQgI7s/VcUPLbnl16I/AAAAAAAAAp8/GHZ45JuK4sg/s1600/Shocker%2BLizard%2B01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kwgsDKQgI7s/VcUPLbnl16I/AAAAAAAAAp8/GHZ45JuK4sg/s320/Shocker%2BLizard%2B01.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"That's called a <i>Shocker Lizard</i>,
my friends," Erlik explained. "And what you're feeling is the
electrical current it's generating."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"I take it that it doesn't like us,"
breathed Lily.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"That would be a fair assessment,"
Erlik agreed. "It's warning us away; we're disturbing it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"Well, Paco wants his mine back,"
said Samuel. "And -- though it may not be much -- he's <i>paying</i> us.
Can we leave this thing here?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"No, not really," Erlik replied.
"They're capable of stunning a foe from five feet away. If there are <i>two</i>
of them, well, they could kill a man from as much as twenty feet away. So . . .
no, we can't leave it here." Erlik looked around. "Anybody see
another one of these things?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Everyone began scanning the area, while
keeping an eye on the lizard in front of them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"Nae, canna say ah do," said
Huthgar. "Whar do ya t'ink it come from?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"Well, we passed a marshy area on the way
here," Erlik answered. "That's the type . . . <b><i>look out!</i></b>"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">The lizard suddenly dashed forward to within
range, raised its head and tail, then let go with a buzzing sound. A bluish
glow seemed to emanate from it, striking Huthgar and Samuel, running along
their armor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Samuel threw his head back. "<b><i>Aieeeee!</i></b>"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Huthgar seemed to double over. "<b><i>Argh!</i></b>"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Erlik's hand shot forward. "<i>Nok!</i>"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Two bluish balls of scintillating light
streaked from his outstretched hand, slamming into the lizard and tossing it
backwards. Momentarily stunned, it lay upon the ground, twitching.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Without speaking Lily hurled her dagger at the
reptile, but it buried its point harmlessly into the ground, close to the
lizard. "<i>Damn!</i>" she cursed as she dropped her lantern and drew
two throwing daggers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">The moment passed and the lizard was up on
its feet, ready to do battle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"<i>Ack,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no ya doon't!</i>" cried Huthgar, recovering and swinging his war
hammer with two hands, burying the head deep into the soft ground near the
water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54vTKKGm5jM/VcUPgsJzcBI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Nm3eVIulXAM/s1600/Huthgar%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54vTKKGm5jM/VcUPgsJzcBI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Nm3eVIulXAM/s320/Huthgar%2B01.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">The bluish lizard scrambled over the hammer's head and
up the handle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"<i>Damn it's quick!</i>" shouted Samuel,
striking at the creature with the flat of his blade, in order to avoid harming Huthgar or his hammer. The lizard appeared to
give a little "yip" as the blade of Samuel's sword struck its tail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Again a bluish burst seemed to emanate from
the reptile and again Samuel's and Huthgar's chain armor acted as a conduit for the
electrical charge. Man and dwarf cried out together and fell upon their hands and knees.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Erlik's hand stabbed at the creature once
more. "<i>Nok!</i>"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Once again two scintillating bluish balls of
light streaked out and stuck the creature full on. Slammed backwards once more,
the lizard fell upon the ground, twitched once, then lay still.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"That should finish it," observed
Erlik. "Damn thing cost me two spells."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Lily moved to recover her thrown dagger.
"Judging by the way it felled Sam and 'Gar, it's a damn good thing you had
the spells to spend!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"Oh, those little bastards can be <i>plenty</i>
dangerous, alright," Erlik agreed. "Let's just be glad there weren't
two of them in here." He looked around, a pensive expression on his face.
"A colony of them would be even worse."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"Aye, ye nae hav' ta be tellin' me
twice," admitted the dwarf, staggering to his feet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"Damn, that hurt," Samuel rasped as he also rose from the ground.
"I don't know how much more of that I could have taken."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"The charged centered on the two of you,
delivering its full impact," Erlik explained. "It's your armor; metal
attracts electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a way, that
was good. Had <i>I</i> been incapacitated by the lizard's attack . . ." he
shrugged. "It <i>might</i> have even finished us off."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"Think this is what was attacking Paco's
house?" asked Samuel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Erlik shook his head. "No. You saw the
claw marks; too high up for this thing. Plus, Ralph would have made one heck of
a meal for so small a creature. Perhaps if we had discovered a <i>colony</i> of
them, <i>that</i> might have explained the . . . consumption of Ralph, but it
still wouldn't have explained the claw marks on the cabin."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">"We need ta examin' 'dis cavern,"
suggested Huthgar. "Make sure nae mor' o' the buggers be in here." He
leaned the handle of his hammer against the wall. "Firs' tho', I need to
be asking' Faeter Moradin fer some healin' fer the two o' us."</span></div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-64100371400541825802015-08-04T11:51:00.000-07:002016-07-16T16:16:28.652-07:00The Salt Pit; Part Three<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-TnSzlsOaU/VcEHjqs-erI/AAAAAAAAApI/F2Nm-sVOlPQ/s1600/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-TnSzlsOaU/VcEHjqs-erI/AAAAAAAAApI/F2Nm-sVOlPQ/s320/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, thar be t'ree hoss shoes he'r," Huthgar
called.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Paco says he's still pulling salt out of that
mine," Erlik called back. "We need to make sure it hasn't become
inhabited."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With so short a distance, Lily soon reached Huthgar's side.
"This tunnel seems to slope upward," she called, looking up at the
Wizard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We're on our way," Erlik replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon, he and Samuel were standing with their companions.
"Well, let's get this tunnel cleared and move on. It'll be getting dark
soon," the Fighter suggested.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Hmph</i>," Lily snorted. "<i>You two</i>
are the ones who wanted to search through a ton of, of . . . monster poop,
looking for non-existent emeralds."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Hey</i>, if we're going to be slaying monsters <i>and</i>
putting ourselves at risk, then <i>I'd</i> like a little more reward than just
two bags of salt," Samuel insisted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Aye!</i>" Huthgar agreed. "Tha lil' gem
be wor'h couple hunerd silver pieces!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Exactly!</i>" Samuel nearly shouted.
"Can't pass up a haul like that!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Ha!</i> There was no evidence that there was more
than one gem!" Lily retorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"We wasted . . . <i>hey!</i> What happened to the lanterns?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Ah cannae see!</i></b>" cried Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tunnel was suddenly thrown into darkness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It's not the lanterns," Erlik answered. "I
can just see mine, <i>if</i> I hold it up to my face. This is a magical darkness<i>.
Beware!</i>"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Wha be causin' it?" asked Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Really?</i>" Erlik countered. "From a <i>Dwarf</i>?
Can you not think of <i>several</i> creatures of the underground that could do
such a thing?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Drow!</i>" cried Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though no one could see the action, the Wizard buried his
face in his palm. "<i>Doh!</i> If it were <i>Drow</i>, we'd already have
been set upon!" he decreed. "Heaven's mercy. If it were <i>Drow</i>
they wouldn't have <i>scratched</i> at Paco's door . . . they'd have burned the
house down."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, tha be da truth of it," Huthgar admitted.
"Mus' be some utter beastie."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"So . . . what do we do?" asked Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We continue on," said Lily. "Whatever this
thing is, it moved in during Paco's absence, or else he'd know about it."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkUEQyxSdvE/V1h63JyFANI/AAAAAAAAAr0/2-uiyq6rwbkPsnySAtClzSQTkb3N5fnmgCKgB/s1600/Erlik%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkUEQyxSdvE/V1h63JyFANI/AAAAAAAAAr0/2-uiyq6rwbkPsnySAtClzSQTkb3N5fnmgCKgB/s320/Erlik%2B02.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
"True enough," agreed Erlik. "Whatever it
turns out to be, we can't leave it in here. Huthgar, surely you have a sense --
a feeling -- for the tunnel?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye laddie, tha ah do," the Dwarf replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Alright then, everyone take hold of the person in
front of them; belt, shirt, whatever," Erlik directed the group.
"Huthgar, push forward. Paco said there was a cavern area at the end of
this tunnel; take us there."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With everyone taking a grip on the person in front of them,
the companions pushed forward. It wasn't long before the floor leveled out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ah ken sense a op'n space befoe . . . <b><i>Argh!</i></b>"
the Dwarf screamed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Eiyee!</i></b>" Lily's scream followed
Huthgar's. "Some kind of . . . blanket . . . <i>thing</i>, just fell over Huthgar!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Blanket?" repeated Erlik, puzzled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Erlik!</i></b> Do something about this
darkness!" demanded Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>I can't!</i>" the Wizard informed the Fighter.
"I don't have a spell powerful enough for that."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Huthgar's muffled cries could be heard through the
constricting material.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"This thing is smothering him!" cried Lily.
"Help me!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Samuel and Erlik made their way forward, running their hands
along the walls. First finding Lily, they then proceed to locate Huthgar and
the thing grappling him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"This thing feels . . . leathery," said Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"That's because it's a beast, an animal," Erlik informed
them. "Judging by the tendrils hanging off the bottom of it <i>and</i> the
fact that it created this darkness, I'd judge it to be a <i>Darkmantle</i>."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4gsjB5Mask/VcEHmHJc5BI/AAAAAAAAApQ/YqEuHRP8P5o/s1600/darkmantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4gsjB5Mask/VcEHmHJc5BI/AAAAAAAAApQ/YqEuHRP8P5o/s320/darkmantle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Is that the thing that pretends to be a
stalactite?" asked Lily.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Only one of several," Erlik replied. "This
thing is going to try and smother Huthgar; squeeze him to death. We've got to
get it off of him."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I'll stab it!" cried Samuel, the sound of a blade
being drawn reaching Erlik's ears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>No!</i></b>" the Wizard cried. "The
beast isn't <i>that</i> thick, you dolt! You'll stab Huthgar too!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Erlik's words, Huthgar's cries grew louder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Put your blade away and wrestle it!" demanded
Lily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I was just trying to help!" Samuel peevishly
replied. The sound of his blade slamming back into its sheath could be heard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Grab a hold of it and <i>don't let go</i>," said
Erlik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Otherwise it'll flitter
off into the darkness and attack us at another time."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Together -- with Huthgar pushing from inside -- the three
pulled the creature off of their friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Drag it down onto the floor!" Erlik instructed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The creature struggled against their grip -- almost escaping
-- but down it came, finally pinned<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>beneath several bodies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Eww!</i>" Lily cried. "I just stuck my
finger into something . . . <i>icky</i>."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Probably one of it's eyes," said Erlik.
"Take your dagger and start stabbing it there, while the rest of us hold
it down . . . and try not to hit anyone's hand."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unseen, Samuel jerked his hand away at Erlik's words. The
creature surged upwards, nearly breaking free.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Don't let go of it!</i></b>" the Wizard
cried.</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-35424679836233925202015-08-01T11:57:00.000-07:002016-06-08T12:56:26.648-07:00The Salt Pit; Part Two<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RLF9caWhgG8/Vb0QZuk-T1I/AAAAAAAAAos/30955N5BV_g/s1600/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RLF9caWhgG8/Vb0QZuk-T1I/AAAAAAAAAos/30955N5BV_g/s320/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Looks deep," Samuel observed, leaning over the
pit entrance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nae, 'tis no mor'n fitty feet duwn," Huthgar
replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh, well, in <i>that</i> case we can just jump," said Erlik.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Ha!</i></b>" barked the Dwarf, slapping the
Wizard on the back and nearly knocking him into the open hole. "Nice 'un,
laddie! <i>Jump!</i>" Huthgar laughed heartily, then sobered. "Nae,
'tis too fer . . . mor's tha pity." He sighed. "Ah ken see tha bot'um
tho'."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Good, you can go first," offered Lily. "Paco
says the first tunnel's about twelve feet down. I think I can just see
it." She pointed to a dark spot. "Seems to be a, what, an indention?
Just there."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, thae be tha op'nin'," agreed Huthgar.
"A'll go duwn thar and light a torch fer tha rest o' ya."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Be careful," cautioned the heavy Fighter.
"That ladder doesn't look all that strong."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Paco did say they use a makeshift crane for hauling
the sacks of salt out." Erlik looked around, then pointed. "Probably
that thing." He pointed at a contraption off to the side. "Given that
he and Ralph didn't wear heavy armor when they mined the salt . . ." He
shrugged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Dwarf stuffed a torch into his belt. "Right,
careful as ah go," he acknowledged, stepping onto the ladder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Dwarf cautiously made his way down the ladder to the
entrance of the first tunnel. "Thae be a bracket here!" he called up.
Shoving the torch into the sconce, he lit it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"There's the light," observed the Wizard.
"You should go next," he said, looking at the Rogue. "In case
our uninvited guest has taken precautions against intruders?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Traps; right." With that, Lily hopped onto the
ladder and quickly made her way down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You next," said Samuel. "If the ladder's
going to break, it will do so under my weight. Best you already be down
there."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Yes," breathed Erlik. "All of us trapped
together. Well, that's one way to go." The Wizard stepped onto the ladder
and was soon joined with the others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a few moments, Samuel joined them. "Well, the ladder
held together."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tunnel was just wide enough for two people to stand next
to each other and perhaps twenty feet long. Roots grew down, out of the
ceiling, which was just high enough for the six foot tall Samuel to stand
erect, with a couple of inches to spare.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Here be tha s'plies Paco told of," said Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Ugh!</i>" Lily croaked. "And here's the
foot."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erlik bent down and looked closely at the appendage.
"Yes, yes, these are teeth marks." He pointed to the ragged
flesh at the end of the appendage, which had been severed just about half way up the calf. "This was
bitten off."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nice, the monster thinks <i>we're</i> dinner," breathed
Samuel. "What else is new?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erlik looked at Lily. "I say we push these two down the
shaft and let the monster eat them." He shrugged. "It'll die of
indigestion."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily smiled at the red robed man. "Considering<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how long it's been since either of them have
bathed . . . you're probably right."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Samuel chuckled. "True enough. Of course, if Huthgar
and I throw <i>you</i> two down there . . . it'll soon die of starvation!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Ha!</i> Well said, lad!" The Dwarf agreed.
"Ye <i>both</i> be needin' mor meat on yer bones."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wizard sighed. "Regrettably, neither choice is an option. I'm afraid we're just going to have to go
down there and kill it the old fashion way." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"An wha' way be that?" asked Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Magic and muscle," the Wizard replied. "Now
grab the rope and light the lanterns."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Izbu0QG8d6s/V1h4V2lYC7I/AAAAAAAAArc/9GASATDmbUcP-3SE49WYJ9JgWkqJSBQLgCLcB/s1600/Lily%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Izbu0QG8d6s/V1h4V2lYC7I/AAAAAAAAArc/9GASATDmbUcP-3SE49WYJ9JgWkqJSBQLgCLcB/s320/Lily%2B02.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"By the gods!" cried Lily, quickly covering her mouth with
her hand, eyes wide in horror. "What is that <i>smell</i>?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"If I had to guess? I'd say <i>that</i>." Erlik
pointed, his voice muffled by the sleeve of his robe, which covered the lower
part of his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What is it?" asked Samuel, his nose all wrinkled
up against the foulness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"If I had to guess, I said . . . droppings," Erlik
replied. "I think we've found our friend's latrine."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ack! Ah n'ver smelt <i>ena'thin</i> so horrid in me
life!" Huthgar claimed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erlik leaned in close, peering intensely. "Yes,
definitely droppings." Looking about, he located the remains of a broken
pick. Using the broken end of the handle, he prodded the foul stuff.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What <i>are</i> you doing?" asked Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ack! <i>Wizards!</i>" scoffed Huthgar. "Thae
alus be pokin' inta <i>nasty</i> stuff!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"An interesting diet our friend has," observed
Erlik, ignoring Huthgar's comment. "Unless I am greatly mistaken, there are parts of a Gelatinous Cube
in here."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"A <i>Gelatinous Cube</i>?" asked Lily,
incredulous. "What on Oerth eats Gelatinous Cubes?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Our friend, here . . . apparently," Erlik
replied, continuing his examination. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"Well, that rules out the possibility of those two
giving it indigestion."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I'd say so," Lily agreed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"And what's this?" Erlik shoved a
small clump of feces to the side and, putting the pick handle down, reached
into his robes, pulling out a pair of tweezers. A sparkle of green glinted in
the lantern light. He took hold of it with his tweezers and brought it fully
into the light.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Interesting," he breathed. "It would seem
our friend below also eats emeralds."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i><b>Emeralds</b></i>?" Samuel nearly shouted, hurriedly bending over the
Wizard's shoulder and nearly pushing him to the ground. "There's <i>emeralds</i> in the scat?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Would you mind trying <i>not</i> to shove me into the
stuff?" Erlik demanded, shrugging his shoulders and trying to shake Samuel
off of him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh! Sorry!" Samuel contritely replied, backing
away from the squatting Wizard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I found <i>one</i> emerald," Erlik answered.
"Whether or not there are more of them, I cannot say. Shall we poke
through all of this?" He waved his hand, indicating the numerous piles of
feces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Huthgar and Samuel looked at each other, then scrambled to
find their own sticks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily shook her head. "<b><i>Disgusting!</i></b>"</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-18855209860185145632015-07-30T14:30:00.000-07:002016-06-08T13:09:57.543-07:00The Salt Pit; Part One<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5TfKaRVE2c/V1h58Ha2RJI/AAAAAAAAAro/1qwGjZVmOj0nlSgyNi0rTadiZB-aJCwXACLcB/s1600/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5TfKaRVE2c/V1h58Ha2RJI/AAAAAAAAAro/1qwGjZVmOj0nlSgyNi0rTadiZB-aJCwXACLcB/s320/Salt%2BPit_html_41685284.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"Do <i>not</i> make me talk about your mother,"
Samuel warned.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Ha!</i> And wha'd <i>ye</i> be knowin' 'bout me
mutter?" Huthgar retorted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What? You think I've never been to a brothel?" Samuel
ask.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Please</i></b>!" Erlik interjected.
"Really? <b><i>Really</i></b>? You two have been at it for the last two
days!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Let it go, Erlik," Lily suggest. "You know
it's how they pass the time while we travel."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Yes, but <i>two days</i>?" the Wizard demanded, shaking his head. "The
childish banality is beginning to drive me crazy."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ta bad we nae be mor' 'fisticated' fer ya, 'lik ma
lad," the Dwarf replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Erlik . . . <b><i>Erlik</i></b>; how many times . .
."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<b><i>Don't</i></b>!" the Rogue cried.
"<i>Don't</i>! He's just trying to bait you. You need to stop letting him. As
long as he knows it's working, he won't stop."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You two spoil all the fun," the Fighter complained.
"Huthgar and I . . ."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big man stopped speaking as a simple home came into
view; smoke rising from the stone chimney. Partly timber construction, partly
rough cut stone, it was a ramshackle place, with only a small garden off to the
side. It looked to be about a story and a half tall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CSjF8W4QPM/VbqS0lKY_DI/AAAAAAAAAoU/ucwJ92-Z1qI/s1600/Stone%2B%2526%2BTimber%2BCottage%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CSjF8W4QPM/VbqS0lKY_DI/AAAAAAAAAoU/ucwJ92-Z1qI/s320/Stone%2B%2526%2BTimber%2BCottage%2B1.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nae much o' a farm, I be thinkin'," said Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"That garden's not big enough for much more than a
family," Erlik offered. "I'm guessing that 'farming' isn't how this
man makes his living."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Well, there's smoke," said Lily. "Maybe
he'll trade us a meal for a few coppers?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Certainly won't hurt to ask," Erlik agreed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Samuel flashed a smile. "I'm tired of my own cooking .
. . but let's approach slowly, we don't want to frighten them."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Aye, caution 'tis tha word, laddie," agreed Huthgar.
"I nae wan' tae spoil a chance fer good food . . . even if'n it be little
mor'n stew."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The group approached the home slowly. As they neared, a
shutter opened on a window and the face of a man peered out at them. A moment
later, the face disappeared, the shutter closed and the door opened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A man stood just outside the door, wearing homespun and worn
leather boots. He looked nervously towards a wooden platform not too distant
from his door, then back at the group.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Greetings my good man," said Erlik. "My
friends and I have been traveling for some time and would appreciate a place to
rest and some hot food. We can pay."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man opened his mouth, then hesitated as he looked at the man in red robes. "Greetings . . . friend," he finally replied, in a tenor voice that sounded nervous. "I would gladly offer ya and ya companions food,
but it may not be safe." He again looked nervously towards the wooden
platform.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Trouble?" asked Samuel, following the man's gaze.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Yes," the man replied. "Bad trouble."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Mayhap we can hep ya, lad," offered Huthgar.
"In 'schange fer yer hos'tality."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"If that's possible, I would be <i>most</i> grateful," the
man quickly responded. "My name is Paco and I am a salt miner." He
pointed to the platform. "A creature has taken over my mine and killed my
helper!" His voice grew louder as his excitement built. "It's even
attacked the house a couple of times!" He pointed at the door and walls of
the home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Let's see," Samuel said, as he dismounted. He
walked over to the door and examined it closely, then the wall on either side.
"These are claw marks . . . deep ones." He looked at his friends.
"Something's been trying to get in alright."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The group dismounted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Please, if you can help; the tax collector is due any
day," Paco continues. "I don't have any real money and I haven't been
able to get into my mine for almost two weeks now! The tax collector will<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>take most of the salt I presently have -- if
we can even get to it -- but I'll still have a few sacks left over. I have a
wife and two small children. Free us of this monster and I'll give you three of
the remaining sacks!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We can pro'bly get mor'n a few silver fer a couple
sacks o' salt," said Huthgar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily sneered at the Dwarf. "There's some kind of
monster trying desperately to <i>eat</i> a woman and two children and you're
thinking about <i>money</i>?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"How'd ya know 'tis tryin' tae ate 'em?" the Dwarf
retorted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It ate my friend!" cried Paco, his posture
suddenly slumping "At least, all I ever found of him was his . . . uh,
foot." The miner swallowed hard. "All I found was his foot and a
part of his lower leg."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily slapped the Dwarf on his shoulder. "<i>See</i>?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"While Huthgar is correct in thinking that we must be
practical," Erlik chimed in. "Lily is also correct in thinking that
there is no need for us not to be charitable; two sacks of salt would be
sufficient, I think." The Wizard looked at Paco. "As long as they come
with a home cooked meal and a place for us, and our horses, to spend the
night?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paco's face lit up with signs of hope. "You're welcome
to put your animals in the lean-to," he pointed to the other side of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his home. "And the four of you are
welcome to bed down in the main room for the night. My wife is a good cook;
but there won't be much. The creature -- whatever it is -- has left our garden
alone and we've been able to tend it, a little, during the day; along with some harvesting.
But the meat's about gone and most of the flour. " He shrugged. "I
haven't been able to hunt , or go to town, and that, that . . . <i>thing</i>,
killed and devoured the last of my pigs four days ago. There's enough venison
left for a nice stew, but not enough for steaks."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" A hearty stew sounds just fine," Lily replied,
looking at her companions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Well, there's still plenty of daylight," says
Samuel. "No sense giving this thing -- whatever it is -- a chance to kill
our horses during the night. How big is this mine?" he asked, turning to
Paco.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I have a map inside my home," Paco replied
excitedly. "I can give you all the information you need. There are even
some supplies in my storage tunnel; the first one you'll come to. The salt
deposits in it played out last year. There's two small cask of lantern oil, two
lanterns and three hundred feet of rope stored there" He swallowed hard
again. "You'll find Ralph's . . . foot, in there as well. My boys can tend
your animals while we go inside and look over the map; if you'd like?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"By all means," agreed the Wizard. "Let's go
inside and make our plans."</div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-58419013561015405202015-07-25T13:58:00.000-07:002016-06-08T13:40:53.163-07:00Into The Manor #5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhKgNBKrYDs/V1h707d9tuI/AAAAAAAAAsM/bkNqtdwFtAsPS8OhK48ONAb3FoMAmuTgACKgB/s1600/Huthgar%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhKgNBKrYDs/V1h707d9tuI/AAAAAAAAAsM/bkNqtdwFtAsPS8OhK48ONAb3FoMAmuTgACKgB/s320/Huthgar%2B04.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
Huthgar belched. "Tis <i>Brom</i>, I tell you!"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Okay, so who is this 'Brom' again?" asked Samuel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"A damn <i>murderer</i>!" Huthgar replied, downing
another large gulp of ale. "Tha worse<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>enemy of dwarven-kind! <i>A traitor to his people</i>!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"If he's such a special enemy of the dwarves, why is he
plaguing this <i>human</i> town?" asked Lily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"'Cause he hates <i>everybody</i>!" cried the dwarf, slamming his tankard down onto the table and sloshing ale everywhere.
"He likes ta kill . . . <i>fer tha killin's sake</i>! He worships Nillium; a dark
an' evil god. Sacrificed a whole <i>clan</i> of dwarves to the bugger, he did."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"How does that connect to a haunted house?" asked
Erlik, daubing ale from his red robes with a towel and shaking his head. "<span style="font-size: x-small;">Slob</span>," he breathed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Tomb, not house," corrected Lily.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Tomb, house . . ." the wizard shrugged.
"What's the difference? Haunted is haunted in this place. I mean, we're sitting in a
tavern called the <i>Wailing Banshee</i>; of all things."</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_WyCU7oJi8/V1h8b8CTSqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/OCmZQiyeyUYOwFtn8QajIFKT5jOynowWACLcB/s1600/Samuel%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_WyCU7oJi8/V1h8b8CTSqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/OCmZQiyeyUYOwFtn8QajIFKT5jOynowWACLcB/s320/Samuel%2B01.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
"Sir Reginald is dead and buried," said Samuel, belaboring the obvious.
"So there's <i>some</i> difference."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"<i>Brom nae be a ghost</i>!" insisted Huthgar.
"He's a <i>evil</i> bastard, aye, have no doubt, and a powerful cleric . . . <i>but no
ghost</i>!"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Okay, so he's an evil, bastard cleric that's fixing to
<i>be</i> a ghost," Erlik shrugged again. "The townspeople want the bandits
dealt with; driven off or killed. Let's just be about it."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"<i>Aye</i>!" cried Huthgar, jumping to his feet and lifting his waraxe over his head. "'Tis high time tha
bastard <i>died</i>!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Manor #5, by our friend, Tim Shorts, of <a href="http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/">Gothridge Manor</a>,
is filled with little one off adventures this time around, as opposed to the
single adventure we have come to expect. In the above "short" I've
combined one of the characters found within with Tim's latest offering: <b>Crypt
of Sir Reginald</b>. I'm using the Crypt to supplant the <b>Haunted House</b> offered --
located on page twenty -- in this issue of The Manor.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6LSsVmnNC0/VbP9Ou11CRI/AAAAAAAAAn4/MRE6bhE32Bo/s1600/index.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6LSsVmnNC0/VbP9Ou11CRI/AAAAAAAAAn4/MRE6bhE32Bo/s320/index.png" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tim's a good man for coming up with ideas. This time he's
collaborated with <b>Chris Coski</b> and <b>Sean Robson</b>, two names that are unknown to
me, alas. <b>Jay Penn</b> -- another unknown to me -- provided the artwork, making for
some right evil looking bastards. Well done Jay!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sean Robson provided a nice list -- located on page twelve
-- from which to create tavern names; I used one above. I plan on using one of
Chris Coski's <b>Cursed Concoctions</b> -- located on page nine -- in the next short.
A friend has talked me into writing a story based upon Tim's offerings, though
it didn't take much arm twisting to tell you the truth.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that I'm working with The Manor #5, I'll be using
characters and concoctions offered within to tell the story of our intrepid
adventurers: Huthgar, Lily, Samuel and Erlik. I'll be posting the stories here,
on the Blog, in chapter form.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope you enjoy them. </div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-14921810095568948992015-02-26T15:43:00.001-08:002016-06-08T13:37:25.450-07:00Into The Manor #4<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XeKZ-qcdneU/V1h9pr9daII/AAAAAAAAAs0/Z5ORhmHdZTInGdtBroH70bgyTnIh5XjMwCLcB/s1600/Samuel%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XeKZ-qcdneU/V1h9pr9daII/AAAAAAAAAs0/Z5ORhmHdZTInGdtBroH70bgyTnIh5XjMwCLcB/s320/Samuel%2B03.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Kord's mercy!</i>" cried
Samuel "What <i>is</i> that pounding?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"It's the other table,"
moaned Huthgar. "The guy's tapping his foot."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"I've never been so hung over
in all my life," groaned Lily. "I didn't know I could drink so
much."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A man entered the tavern, a dandy, judging by his
dress. He walked into the middle of the room, right next
to their table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>"<i>Hear ye! Hear ye!</i>"</b> The man bellowed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"<i>By the gods!</i>" Samuel
cried out in agony, grabbing his head and trying to bury his face in the table.
"<i>Make it stop!</i>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>"<i>The Hamlet of Low Ridge is calling
for the assistance of a group of brave individuals to rid the region of a pack
of horrible creatures!</i>"</b> The crier continued, in a loud, clear voice. <b>"<i>Any interested parties
are to travel to Low Ridge and meet with Walter, Bailiff of Low Ridge! Reward
will be negotiated upon acceptance!</i>"</b></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1g8ye3oTe1Y/V1h98hm-loI/AAAAAAAAAs8/hIoiqiiJDWsDxuIpiygyR5-EffYTcg-4gCLcB/s1600/Lily%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1g8ye3oTe1Y/V1h98hm-loI/AAAAAAAAAs8/hIoiqiiJDWsDxuIpiygyR5-EffYTcg-4gCLcB/s320/Lily%2B04.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Kill it!</i>" pleaded Lily.
"Somebody please kill it!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">T</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">he fancy<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">-</span>dressed man looked at the
group with a raised eyebrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"What <i>is</i> it?" asked
Samuel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"A crier," murmured
Huthgar. "A town crier."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"I swear, if it 'cries' again,
I'm gonna kill it," whispers Lily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"It's not my fault you're hung
over, you know," said the dandy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Maybe not," moaned
Samuel. "But it's <i>your</i> fault my head's pounding now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"I'm merely doing my job,"
the dandy replied. "There's trouble in Low Ridge and they seek adventurers.
I was told that <i>you</i> were adventurers. I've read the flyer and cried the news, I
shall go now."</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Wait a minute," said
Huthgar. "Just wait a minute." The <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">d</span>warf looked at his companions.
"I lost three teeth in that last fight."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"So?" Lily looked at the <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">d</span>warf through blood-shot eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"So, I've <i>still</i> got more teeth
than I've got coins," Huthgar replied, hooking his thumb in the direction of the
crier. "This guy's offering us work."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"He's <i>advertising work</i>,"
Samuel corrects. "Not offering."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lily swung her head to look at
Samuel and immediately regretted it. "<i>Ugh!</i>" She put her hand to her forehead. "So what's the difference?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Samuel shrugged. "Nothin', I
guess." He turned his head to look at the crier and groaned. "So,
what's this job again?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thus begins the Adventure: <b><i>Incident
at Butcher Creek</i></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Manor, issue #4, is larger than
Tim's first three endeavors, because it's a longer adventure.
Tim uses creatures unique to himself, I'm thinking, as I am unfamiliar with
several of those he outlines in this issue. Although some of his monsters are
familiar to me, if a bit different.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SF4BAC5RO-U/V1h_sRSwTvI/AAAAAAAAAtk/meoezh7O5YkIgjwahS_ButJxMrwk8e9MQCLcB/s1600/Displacer%2BBeast%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SF4BAC5RO-U/V1h_sRSwTvI/AAAAAAAAAtk/meoezh7O5YkIgjwahS_ButJxMrwk8e9MQCLcB/s320/Displacer%2BBeast%2B01.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The problem at Low Ridge is the
<b><i>Shadow Panthers</i></b> plaguing the town. For a description of this animal, think
<b><i>Displacer Beast</i></b>. (For some reason I couldn't copy & paste this from the
pdf) The artist rendition found in the 2<sup>nd</sup> Edition Monster Manual is
more in line with Tim's Shadow Panther than is the artwork depiction in the 3.5
Monster Manual. Only, remember that the Shadow Panthers have <b><i>four</i></b> tentacles,
not two.</span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While the Shadow Panthers are the
immediate problem, they are not the only problem and certainly not the
"biggest" problem, especially over the long term. No, that honor
belongs to the <b><i>Or'Drog</i></b>, a creature of Chaos, from the Abyss. It's trying to
build a gate into our world; something that cannot be allowed, obviously.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"The shadow panthers are a problem," admits Horta, the village Elder. "But they're not the only problem, nor the biggest."</span></div>
<br />
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</div>
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</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"There's a <i>bigger</i> problem?" ask Samuel, eyes wide.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Oh yes," Horta replies. "A <i>much</i> bigger problem and a more dangerous one."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Well this just keeps getting better and better," says Lily, her tone dripping with sarcasm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Or'Drog is slowly corrupting the
people of the village of Low Ridge. Its shape is that of a floating head,
similar in concept to a Beholder, or a Grell, but with powers all its own.
<i>Confusion</i>, <i>Charm</i>, <i>Sleep</i> and <i>Polymorph</i> are its main weapons, though there are a
few others.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All in all, a very nice little
adventure, something I've come to expect from Tim. And Tim throws in a few
other unique monsters near the end. Another fine work from our friend Tim, over
at <a href="http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/">Gothridge Manor</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep the fine products coming Tim!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-70082128284930516082015-02-21T12:03:00.003-08:002016-07-16T16:09:22.031-07:00Strength versus Dexterity<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I use House Rules to correct
mistakes. The mistakes are not perceived, they are real. Take for instance:
Frostburn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was looking through this
publication just the other day and came across yet another example of the
Writers not understanding their Stats and the Editors not catching, or
correcting, the mistake. In Frostburn, they confuse Strength with Dexterity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What is Strength? Strength is
<b><i>damage</i></b>, plain and simple. What is Dexterity? Dexterity is "<b><i>to hit</i></b>,"
plain and simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When Heracles tries to grab the wily
little thief, he misses. That's poor <b>Dexterity</b>. But, what happens when Heracles
finally succeeds in grabbing him? The wily little thief is finished. That's
<b>Strength</b>. Heracles has a hard time catching the quick little rogue, but, once
he does, Heracles deals incredible damage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The mailed Knight foolishly laughs at
d'Artagnan. Why? The Knight <b><i>knows</i></b> that d'Artagnan cannot <b><i>ever</i></b> pierce all that
plate armor. That's poor Strength. But, as I said, the Knight does so
foolishly. Why? Because of d'Artagnan's <b><i>great</i></b> Dexterity. We all know that d'Artagnan
is <b><i>most definitely</i></b> going to find – <b><i>and hit</i></b> – that one spot where the Knight's
armor doesn't fill the tiny gap. Poor Strength, yes, but <b><i>fantastic</i></b> Dexterity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3D26HEMnto/VOjh0LMjhuI/AAAAAAAAAlM/PN4WjRPCtGQ/s1600/Dire%2BPolar%2BBear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3D26HEMnto/VOjh0LMjhuI/AAAAAAAAAlM/PN4WjRPCtGQ/s1600/Dire%2BPolar%2BBear.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Strength is damage, plain and
simple. Dexterity is "to hit," plain and simple.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Frostburn, I find that they
assign the <b>Dire Polar Bear</b> (page 115) a +25 "to hit" with its Claw
Attack and a +20 "to hit" with its Bite Attack. The Dire Polar Bear
has Strength of 39 and Dexterity of 11.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Frostburn, I find that they
assign the <b>Saber-toothed Tiger</b> (page 118) a +10 "to hit" with its
Claw Attack and a +12 "to hit" with its Bite Attack. The
Saber-toothed Tiger has Strength of 24 and Dexterity of 14.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghxpd2D6aHs/VOjh9lIS8gI/AAAAAAAAAlU/mhn055uKZLA/s1600/Saber-toothed%2BTiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghxpd2D6aHs/VOjh9lIS8gI/AAAAAAAAAlU/mhn055uKZLA/s1600/Saber-toothed%2BTiger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So, the animal with the <b><i>worse</i></b>
Dexterity has a <b><i>much</i></b> better chance of hitting its target than the animal with
the <b><i>best</i></b> Dexterity. This makes sense to you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Dire Polar Bear's bite does 3d8+7
points of damage, while the Saber-toothed Tiger's bite does 2d6+7 points of
damage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So, the animal with the worse
Dexterity has a much better chance of "hitting" its target than does
the animal with the better Dexterity, while at the same time, the animal with the
much <b><i>greater</i></b> Strength does only a <b><i>little</i></b> more damage than the animal with the
considerably <b><i>lesser</i></b> Strength.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Absolutely nonsensical.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No, I cannot foresee a time when I will forgo House Rules.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</span>Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-61928356849383294192014-12-20T13:27:00.000-08:002016-07-16T16:10:56.460-07:00The Barrow SagaWell, RPoL games move slowly and this one is no exception. Nothing much to report, I'm sad to say. The "Gang" rested up, renewed their spells and set off into the unknown again. They traveled through the now deserted domains of the dead Tomb Spider, past two empty rooms, to discover a third empty room, with four sarcophagi and a mysterious mirror.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kamLWJw9TWQ/VJXkOPGd_GI/AAAAAAAAAkw/78cWxJxJSjU/s1600/Huecuva%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kamLWJw9TWQ/VJXkOPGd_GI/AAAAAAAAAkw/78cWxJxJSjU/s320/Huecuva%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Leery now, they decided to back up to the mirror and throw something
over it. No biggie, the mirror was nothing but trouble and of no value
-- to them. Experience awarded accordingly. Then, after having
ascertained which way the "bad guys" went, the self-declared "leader"
bullied the others into a side jaunt and checking out another
unexplored different room . . . thus walking right into the arms of a <i><b>Huecuva</b></i> . . .<br />
<br />
(We're playing 3.5, so I'm using the one from the <i>Fiend Folio</i>)<br />
<br />
And a <i><b>Plague Walker</b></i> . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEqvk65vM0Q/VJXk-_f2g8I/AAAAAAAAAk4/j-sjjilcZSQ/s1600/Plague%2BWalker_html_m309efb0f.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEqvk65vM0Q/VJXk-_f2g8I/AAAAAAAAAk4/j-sjjilcZSQ/s400/Plague%2BWalker_html_m309efb0f.gif" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
(From 3.5's MM IV -- But I got this image out of the actual Module. Need to figure out how to make the "blank space" of this picture smaller)<br />
<br />
The Cleric of Kord managed to <b><i>Turn</i></b> the Huecuva -- which now stands in a corner being pummeled by a silver axe -- but lacked the '<i>oomph</i>' to <b><i>Turn</i></b> the Plague Walker as well, which -- in its turn -- is pummeling the Adventurers.<br />
<br />
We'll see how it turns out.<br />
<br />
A new Player has taken over the Whisper Gnome -- Flipplestick -- and I've allowed him to make some minor changes accordingly. Flip now has the <i>Identify</i> spell -- you will recall that the Group has two (2) Spell Casters, neither of which could cast <i>Identify</i> (go figure) -- and I granted him three Pearls, one hundred gold pieces (100gp) in value. Maybe now they'll be able to <i>Identify</i> at least a couple of the items they have and get themselves some much needed help.<br />
<br />
Like their unidentified <i>Wand of Magic Missiles</i>.<br />
<br />
Like I said, I'll keep you posted on developments. Meanwhile, time to post about some other things. I've "dawdled" long enough.Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-48702560906940634692014-10-05T13:34:00.000-07:002016-07-16T16:11:33.805-07:00Deadly Paralysis<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">"<b>Paralyzed:</b> Frozen in place and unable to move or act, such
as by the hold person spell. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and
Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, <i><b>but can take purely mental actions</b></i>. A
winged creature flying in the air at the time that it becomes paralyzed cannot
flap its wings and falls. A paralyzed swimmer can’t swim and may drown. A
creature can move through a space occupied by a paralyzed creature—ally or not.
Each square occupied by a paralyzed creature, however, counts as 2 squares." <b>Player's Handbook</b>, page 311.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Yes . . . and no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of the games I'm currently running on RPoL is "The
Lost City of Barakus." My Players are in the sewers and a Carrion Crawler
damn near caused a TPK. Three of the party members were <i>paralyzed</i>. I played it
according to the "Rules" and found it . . . bogus.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFqXNK_CWaw/VDGqfo5TBhI/AAAAAAAAAjs/72SV48tGzew/s1600/Carrion%2BCrawler%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFqXNK_CWaw/VDGqfo5TBhI/AAAAAAAAAjs/72SV48tGzew/s320/Carrion%2BCrawler%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You see the "Rule" above and the portion that I
highlighted. So, here's the question:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Since when did the heart and lungs cease to be muscles?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">How long can you live when your heart stops beating and your
lungs stop pumping oxygen through your body? Or, to make it simpler, how long
before you pass out? The "Rules as Written" do not account, nor
allow, for either scenario. As we all know, when your heart and lungs cease to
function, both outcomes are inevitable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b><i>Curare</i></b> is known to paralyze skeletal muscles, but <b><i>only</i></b> in
low quantities. Too much and it stops the diaphragm and heart too. The Carrion
Crawler attacks with eight tentacles. Getting an "over-dose" of
Carrion Crawler venom is quite easy . . . it just needs to hit you multiple
times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t think I'm going to do the R.A.W. with this one
anymore. In future, I think some Characters are going to pass out and some are
going to die. <span style="mso-bidi-language: HE;">Paralysis </span>is far more
deadly than the books allow for. Of course, I will raise the CR for the Carrion Crawler by "1" for that same reason.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anybody know why I shouldn't do this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-20425512366856750962014-10-04T12:29:00.000-07:002014-10-04T12:29:09.305-07:00Tomb Spider - The DMs Best Friend
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I'm presently running the module
"Barrow of the Forgotten King" in one of my RPoL games. My Players
have just been introduced to the Tomb Spider – <strong><em>the hard way</em></strong>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--peDt0KALqs/VDBI-9t3x7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/hgsSDkWeJfM/s1600/tomb_spider_by_gianlucaromano-d76e63l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--peDt0KALqs/VDBI-9t3x7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/hgsSDkWeJfM/s1600/tomb_spider_by_gianlucaromano-d76e63l.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The group's leading Cleric – a priest
of Pelor – was bitten by the Tomb Spider. The group finally won the battle, but
the priest had been bitten twice and failed one of his <em>Fortitude Saves</em> and so
he was poisoned. The group's Cleric of Kord was also bitten, but only once and
he made his one <em>Fortitude Save</em>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Cleric of Pelor had suffered
some decent damage from the two bites, having lost twenty-two (22) hit points out of twenty-seven (27).
Once the fight was finished, he chose to cast <em>Cure Moderate Wounds</em> upon himself,
thus inflicting himself with another thirteen (13) points of damage, falling to minus eight (-8) hit
points.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Of course, everyone started
screaming at the Cleric of Kord to do something – no one having rolled a
<em>Knowledge</em> check sufficient to know <em>anything</em> significant about Tomb Spiders –
and the Cleric of Kord immediately performed a <em>Heal</em> check and poured not one,
but <strong><em>two</em></strong> potions of <em>Cure Light Wounds</em> down the fallen Pelorian's throat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Needless to say, that put our poor
Pelorian well below minus ten (-10) hit points. Taps anyone?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Speaking only for myself, of course, as a DM .
. . I've found a new favorite among my long list of "friends."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Mwahahahahahahahahahaha!</span></em></strong></span></div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-19079722872299694792014-09-23T17:03:00.000-07:002014-09-23T17:03:33.617-07:00My Brother's PassingBack in April I posted that my younger brother, aged 34, had gotten sick with cancer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mysticscholar.blogspot.com/2014/04/adenocarcinoma-cancer.html">http://mysticscholar.blogspot.com/2014/04/adenocarcinoma-cancer.html</a><br />
<br />
Just letting you guys know that early this morning . . . he passed away. Just a little after 1 am.<br />
<br />
The doctors had informed the family that most people who get this don't survive 5 years. Drew only made 6 months.<br />
<br />
I was 18 when that boy was born. My father and step-mother are beside themselves, naturally. All in all, a bad day in this old world.Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-23288219778168914962014-06-30T13:53:00.002-07:002014-06-30T13:59:16.494-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Gygax Magazine #3 contains a little
more Sci-fi this time around. Ernie makes a contribution, but Luke is
"missing." Where are you Luke?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_T5SJSY9RYc/U7HG7Za5ONI/AAAAAAAAAjM/7voFirVrXQM/s1600/Gygax+Mag+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_T5SJSY9RYc/U7HG7Za5ONI/AAAAAAAAAjM/7voFirVrXQM/s1600/Gygax+Mag+3.jpg" height="640" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Ernie and Benoist give us an
Adventure Module: "The Marmoreal Tomb of Garn Pat'uul." It used to be
a city of the Dwarves, until some Stone Giants crashed the party; typical. There are
goblins, kobolds, stirges, spiders, rot grubs . . . the usual "pests"
one finds. Then, of course, there are the "larger" problems. Well
naturally there are <em>Undead</em> – what did you expect? <strong><em>It's a tomb!</em></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Wolfgang Bauer follows up with the
article: "Order of the Knights Incorporeal." It's written for the <strong><em>13th Age</em></strong> RPG. Yes, that's right . . . <strong><em>incorporeal</em></strong>.
And yes, it means <strong><em>just</em></strong> what it says; an army of the buggers. Ravenloft anyone? Yep, the "Ghost Knights" are a new villain
for the game and yes, a Vampire is to blame for their existence. But then, aren't they always? Of course, Wolfgang <strong><em>does</em></strong> try to lay at least <strong><em>some</em></strong> of the blame at the feet of the <strong>Darakhul</strong> -- Ghouls of the Underworld. But then again, isn't that just like Wolfgang? Yeah, <strong><em>defending</em></strong> the Vampire, naturally. Now we can all stop wondering why we only see Bauer <strong><em>after</em></strong> the sun goes down. <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">Mwahahahahahaha!</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Tim Kask presents us with "Master
Mariner," rules for running a gang of <strong><em>Pirates!</em></strong> I think Mike Bridges – a.k.a. "Mortellan"
– of <a href="http://greyhawkery.blogspot.com/">Greyhawkery</a> should take a look at this one, pirate fanatic that he <strong><em>IS</em></strong>. Is there <strong><em>anyone</em></strong> left who <strong><em>doesn't</em></strong> know about Mort's pirate campaign? If so . . . where the heck have <strong><em>you</em></strong> been!? Yeah, even
Mike could come away with some ideas from this one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">James M. Ward presents a mini
Adventure: "They All Died at the International Space Station." Sounds
like a TPK in the making to me, if the players are not careful. It's Sci-fi, so I couldn't get that into it, but I like the way James presents it. Nice writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Jess Hartley presents a piece of
Advice on how to rid yourself of a contentious Player. A Player invited their
girl-friend to join the group, they have since split up and she's being
"snippy" during their gaming sessions. I'd say the advised works well
for ridding yourself of any Player who has – for some reason – become a problem
for the group. A definite <strong><em>must</em></strong> for anyone experiencing this kind of problem in their game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Ben Gerber presents an article on
sock-puppet role playing for kids. Talk about "passing the baton." Sounds like a great way to introduce the
next generation to the game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Jayson Elliot presents a new Player
Class for AD&D, the <strong>Airlancer</strong>, on page 12. The Class is for those of noble
birth. Do you have a player that <strong><em>doesn't</em></strong> want their character to be of noble birth? These guys possess a unique ability . . . for when they've had one too many! Look it over, you may have found a new Class for your game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">James Carpio presents us with the
dwarven Rune Priest for <strong><em>Dungeon Crawl Classics</em></strong>. I found the character
interesting and may have to give one a try out. Like every character class, it has its advantages and its disadvantages. It's for you to decide if this guy is for your game and you can't determine that until you've read the article.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Michael Curtis offers an interesting
take on Artifacts and their ability to impart <strong><em>Knowedge</em></strong> and <strong><em>Ancient Lore</em></strong> to the
holder. This is quite different from the blatant destructive/curative power usually displayed by, or granted to, an artifact. Surely everyone knows that "knowledge is power?" Well, here it is . . . manifold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The comics "Full Frontal
Nerdity" and "Order of the Stick" make a return in this issue. I'm partial to
Order of the Stick myself and in this edition they've been . . . <strong><em>REBOOTED!</em></strong> Holy Mackerel! Our favorite Bard – Elan – then starts talking about how when a Franchise runs out of ideas . . .
they start over. Sound like any company you know? I doubt that Rich Burlew has run out of ideas – just yet – but it is a perfect analogy for our Hobby. ROFL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">There are other articles to be read,
for sure, but I just can't get into that much Science Fiction. Sure, I've
watched Star Trek, but not every incarnation. Voyager, Deep Space Nine,
Enterprise, blah, I was <strong><em>never</em></strong> interested in those. Sword & Sorcery is
my escapism outlet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Still there's more good stuff in this
edition of <strong>Gygax Magazine</strong> for people of my taste too. Each piece is well written; the Publishers are insuring that they use people with some talent, it's only with some subject matter that I loose interest. But taste vary widely, so dive in and enjoy!</span></div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-43466726267635119972014-06-15T13:45:00.000-07:002014-06-24T13:05:02.967-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Player Characters:</span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Arya Snow</strong> - Female half-elven
Ranger, age 32, 5'4" tall, 135 lbs., white hair with black streaks, green
eyes, left handed. Born in the County, she joined the guard, but quickly
learned her skills were put to better use patrolling the County's wild places.
She now patrols the wilds alone, slaying evil humanoids her favorite past-time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Duran Lazerde</strong> - Male human Paladin
of Heironeous, age 20, 6'4" tall, 220 lbs., blonde hair and blue eyes,
left handed. Duran was born the second son of Duke Lazerde, Knight of Barovia
and ruler of the fortified stronghold of Broque. He is on a Quest to spread the
"light of Heironeous" to unbelievers. The polyglot of people gathered
in Flen -- in an effort to cleanse the Earldom -- has drawn him here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Quintus</strong> - Male human Kineticist, age
unknown, 6'2" tall, 195 lbs., black hair and beard, grey eyes. Born to a
prostitute in Estgant, he was abandoned upon the steps of the Church of St.
Cuthbert. His talents were quickly recognized and he was trained by the Order
of the Sanctified Mind. He strives to use his psionic abilities for the
betterment of mankind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Rowan Nigel</strong> - Female wood gnome,
Druid, age unknown though she calls grown men "kid," she's 2'4"
tall, 30 lbs., with black hair and blue eyes. Her family lived amidst the Grey
Elves of the Vesve forest, north of the Deepstill River. Trained as a Druid by
her mother and taught Alchemy by her father, Rowan served her community well.
Then, ten months ago, a horde of Abyssal bats -- led by lesser Demons --
invaded her home, as part of the on-going fight with Iuz. Rowan's mother was
slain by an Ogre named Iron Jaw. While her father and brothers rebuild their
lives in the Vesve, Rowan pursues Iron Jaw, whom rumor says is heading south.
It's been sometime since she's had word of the Ogre's movements.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Fiolas Duihm</strong> - Male human Fighter,
age 26, 6' tall, 195 lbs., brown hair and hazel eyes, right handed. Fiolas was
born and raised in the city of Niole Dra. He grew up learning to use the sword
and soon moved to the city of Flen, where swords were much needed. He served as
a member of the Guard, a job he enjoyed, but within a few years he found
himself chosen to serve as the County's next Executioner. Quickly losing
interest in such grisly work -- and having served out his enlistment -- Fiolas
now seeks to make his own way in the world.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Bryce Woodkin</strong> – Male gnome, Scout and
Cleric, age 72, height 3'3", weight 47 lbs., hair red, eyes green, left
handed. Bryce was born in the Little Hills of the Yeomanry and is in service to
the Countess. His family was killed in the raid on Kilm, having lived on one of
the outlying farms. He's anxious for vengeance against the perpetrators of
these foul acts and was eager to join the group in its endeavor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Non-Player Characters:</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Tarn</strong> - Male human Rogue, age 21,
5'9" tall, and 168 lbs., blonde hair, and blue eyes, right handed. Tarn is
the second son of the Head of the Thieves' Guild of Niole Dra. Finding his son
in gambling trouble -- again -- Tarn was sent on a mission; to contact each of
the Guild Houses within Keoland. Silver tokens were given to Tarn, identifying
him as a trusted member of the Guild. Tarn has long since gambled the tokens
away and cannot return to the Guild. He's travelled west in search of his own
Destiny . . . and to avoid the wrath of the Guild. (former PC)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Worquin</strong> - Male human Cleric, age 24,
5'11" tall, 190 lbs., close cropped sandy blonde hair and blue eyes, right
handed. A cleric of Trithereon, Worquin came north from Longspear -- in The
Yeomanry -- when he learned of the razing of Kilm. It is his desire to bring
"Justice" to those who would perpetrate such evil upon the innocent .
. . though "Retribution" is closer to what the Cleric and his God
actually have in mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Pharles Brightblade</strong> - Male human
Fighter, age 30, 5'10" tall, 185 lbs., brown hair and blue eyes, right
handed. Pharles is a Captain in the County's army and is second in command of
the fortress of Godakin Keep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew
Duran Lazerde some years back, when the younger man was training to serve
Heironeous. His mission is to protect the territory around Godakin Keep, but
given the relationship with Duran, he will allow the heroes to use the Keep as
their base of operations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Game so far:</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Well, like all RPoL games, it's
moving slow. It can take as much as a month to cover one game "day."
Slow moving indeed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">So far, the group gathered in the
city of Flen and headed out for Godakin's Keep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They're "officially" investigating what happen at the hobniz
village of Kilm, while surreptitiously searching for the Countess' son, Lord
Garson. His disappearance is being kept a state secret, due to peculiarities of
my particular game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Before ever leaving the city the
composition of the group changed, due to the disappearance of Players. RPoL
Players are not the most reliable in the Gaming World, sadly. Still, I've
managed to collect a few that are faithful and regular, so . . . </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">They spent the first day Gathering
Information. Lord Garson's disappearance was only a "rumor," being a
State Secret and all. Arya Snow (our Ranger) was able to get the skinny from a
Sergeant in the Army with whom she is acquainted. Duran (our Paladin) once
campaigned with Captain Pharles Brightblade – an Officer at Godakin's Keep –
who happened to be in Flen that day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Trusting Duran, Pharles explained
the situation, including the need for secrecy, and told Duran he would see him
and his companions at the Keep. Using the rest of the day to supply themselves,
they set out for Godakin's Keep the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The first day out they ran into four
Hobgoblins and five Goblins. Tarn (our Rogue), Quintus (our Psionicist), Arya,
Duran and Rowan's Brixashulty (our Wood Gnome's riding goat) all suffered some
damage; Arya Snow suffered the worse, falling into the negatives. She received
some healing during the fight and was able to bring her bow back into the
service of her companions. As the final goblin fled, Arya called out: <span style="color: red;">"Go
ahead and run, boy . . . You'll just die tired . . ."</span> It did . . . die tired,
that is. In the end, they overcame their foes and continued their journey
southward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The second day into their journey,
they were rudely awakened by an Ettin! Fiolas Duihm (our Fighter) landed a
solid blow right out of the box, as did Quintus (our Psionicist); with a Ray of
Frost that caused almost max damage. Rowan (our Wood Gnome) then caused
problems by casting Entanglement. Her spell failed to hold the Ettin in place,
though it succeeded in preventing Duran (our Paladin) from charging with his
warhorse. Also, in casting this spell, she failed to take into consideration
that we did not have all that many ranged weapons among our number.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Duran decided to charge the Ettin on
foot, testing his ability to avoid being Entangled, but only succeeded in
giving the Ettin an Attack of Opportunity with its superior reach. The Ettin
felled him with a single blow, dropping Duran to -8 hit points. Using a two
weapon attack, the Ettin also did severe damage to Fiolas (our Fighter).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Tarn (our Rogue) managed to get
close enough to Duran – without coming into the Ettin's ten foot reach – and
poured a Cure Light Wounds down his throat, healing all the damage and bringing
Duran back to 1 hit point.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Ettin took a step back, to avoid
Fiolas' sword and lost his Save roll, finally becoming Entangled by Rowan's
spell. Everyone fell back at that point and resorted to bows, slings and
crossbows to finish off the Ettin. On its next turn, the Ettin failed to break
free of the entanglement and the companions were able to finish it off with
some solid hits by the few ranged weapons they possessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">All healing spells were used up
getting everyone fit enough for travel and they saved the last two potions for
emergencies. Fortunately, the rest of the day passed without event, even though I
rolled random encounter dice, but only twice. They were pretty beat-up and I
wasn't ready to kill anyone off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">They met Captain Brightblade at the
Keep, the Captain having traveled by barge was able to travel without stop,
and so arrived before our band of heroes. They received some additional
healing, met up with a Cleric of Trithereon, named Worquin, who will now be
traveling with them, providing healing for the group.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Arya Snow also met up with Bryce
Woodkin, a Gnome Scout of her acquaintance and another PC. They've been
Gathering Information, Listening and Spotting – have learned their lessons
earlier – and picking up rumors from just about everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A couple of more NPCs have entered
the story, but will be confined to the Keep and will only play a role when the
PCs are there. That's the update and I'm sorry it took so long, but as I said,
the online game is slow moving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Next, I'll be getting to that review
of Gygax Magazine, Issue #3. More Science Fiction gaming in this one, so it was
a tougher read for me. Also, I've read all my Manors, from Time Shorts over at <a href="http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/">Gothridge Manor</a>, and
enjoyed every one of them. I'll be getting to the Manor review as well.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Look for all of it in the next
couple of days. A review of Nathan Irving's latest offering, from <a href="http://secretsoftheshadowend.blogspot.com/">Secrets of the Shadowend</a>, is also in the works, even though <a href="http://www.tenkarstavern.com/">Erik Tenkar</a> and others have
beaten me to it.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Thanks for reading! And sorry I was
gone for so long. Won't happen again . . . I hope!</span></div>
Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1872008003045067224.post-37555670785959020272014-04-19T12:24:00.000-07:002014-04-19T17:27:05.407-07:00Horror's Cast of Characters<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Well, it's time to get started posting about my <em>Horror on the Hill</em> game. As I said, it's based loosely upon both the Module (B5) and upon Gary Holain's article <em>The Kingdom of Keoland</em>, from the <strong>Living Greyhawk Journal</strong>, issue #1.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong><em>Note</em></strong>: Very few of the Players haunting <a href="http://www.rpol.net/">Role Playon Line</a> are interested in starting with 1<sup>st</sup> level Characters, so I have gotten into the habit of allowing everyone to start at 2<sup>nd</sup> level; that's where the Character's currently are. Also, o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ne of the Player's quit soon after the game started and a second quit later. I am currently NPC-ing two "former" PCs. They will soon serve as Cannon fodder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Player Characters:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Arya Snow - </strong>female half-elven Ranger,
age 32, 5'4" tall, 135 lbs., white hair with black streaks, green eyes,
left handed. Born in the County, she joined the guard, but quickly learned her
skills were put to better use patrolling the County's wild places. She now patrols the wilds alone, slaying evil humanoids her favorite past-time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Duran Lazerde - </strong>male human Paladin of
Heironeous, age 20, 6'4" tall, 220 lbs., blonde hair and blue eyes, left
handed. Born the second son of Duke Lazerde, Knight of Barovia and ruler of the
fortified stronghold of Broque. He is on a Quest to spread the "light of
Heironeous" to unbelievers. The polyglot of people gathered in Flen -- in an effort to cleanse the Earldom -- has drawn him here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Quntius - </strong>male human Kineticist, age
unknown, 6'2" tall, 195 lbs., black hair and beard, grey eyes. Born to a
prostitute in Estgant, he was abandoned upon the steps of the Church of St.
Cuthbert. His talents were quickly recognized and he was trained by the <em>Order
of the Sanctified Mind</em>. He strives to use his psionic abilities for the betterment of mankind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Rowan Nigel</strong> - female wood gnome Druid,
age unknown, 2'4" tall, 30 lbs., black hair, blue eyes. Her family lived
amidst the Grey Elves of the Vesve forest, north of the Deepstill River.
Trained as a Druid by her mother and taught Alchemy by her father, Rowan served
her community well. Then, ten months ago, a horde of Abyssal bats -- led by
lesser Demons -- invaded her home, as part of the on-going fight with Iuz. Rowan's
mother was slain by an Ogre named Iron Jaw. While her father and brothers
rebuild their lives in the Vesve, Rowan pursues Iron Jaw, whom rumor says is
heading south. It's been sometime since she's had word of the Ogre's movements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The non-Player Characters:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Tarn - </strong>male human Rogue, age 21,
5'9" tall, 168 lbs., blonde hair, and blue eyes, right handed. Tarn is the
second son of the Head of the Thieves' Guild of Niole Dra. Finding his son in
gambling trouble -- again -- Tarn was sent on a mission; to contact each of the Guild Houses within
Keoland. Silver tokens were given to Tarn, identifying him as a trusted member of the Guild. Tarn
has long since gambled the tokens away and cannot return to the Guild. He's travelled west
in search of his own Destiny . . . and to avoid the wrath of the Guild. (former PC)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Fiolas - </strong>male human Fighter, age 26,
6' tall, 195 lbs., brown hair and hazel eyes, right handed. Fiolas was born and raised in the city of Niole Dra. He grew up learning to use the sword and soon moved to the city of Flen, where swords were much needed. He served as
a member of the Guard, a job he enjoyed, but within a few years he found himself chosen to serve as the County's next Executioner.
Quickly losing interest in such grisly work -- and having served out his enlistment -- Fiolas now seeks to make his own way in the world. (former PC)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Worquin - </strong>male human Cleric, age 24,
5'11" tall, 190 lbs., close cropped sandy blonde hair and blue eyes, right
handed. A cleric of Trithereon, Worquin came north from Longspear -- in The Yeomanry -- when he
learned of the razing of Kilm. It is his desire to bring "Justice" to those who
would perpetrate such evil upon the innocent . . . though "Retribution" is closer to what the Cleric and his God actually have in mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><strong>Pharles Brightblade - </strong>male human
Fighter, age 30, 5'10" tall, 185 lbs., brown hair and blue eyes, right
handed. Pharles is a Captain in the County's army and is second in command of
the fortress of Godakin Keep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew
Duran Lazerde some years back, when the younger man was training to serve
Heironeous. His mission is to protect the territory around Godakin Keep, but given the relationship with Duran, he will allow the heroes to use the Keep as their base of operations.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oHcCUyV6VEs/U1L-lCbYrZI/AAAAAAAAAiY/8PkW4YPjcVg/s1600/The+Keep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oHcCUyV6VEs/U1L-lCbYrZI/AAAAAAAAAiY/8PkW4YPjcVg/s1600/The+Keep.jpg" height="523" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Godakin Keep</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Game opens with each of the
Characters living in, or around, the city of Flen, capital of the County Flen,
Kingdom of Keoland. Though not habitual "drinking buddies," they have
shared a tankard, or two, and are thus known to each other. Our story opens
with the friends sharing ale and discussing a new rumor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A couple of months back, the hobniz
village of Kilm was razed by humanoids from the Jotens, across the Javan River.
Lord Garson Elgarin, son of the Countess, Lady Allita Elgarin, and Heir to the
title, led a group of men to investigate. Two weeks ago, they crossed the Javan
and entered the Jotens and then . . . they disappeared; all one hundred of
them. Well, that's the "rumor," anyway. Our heroes believe they can succeed where the Lord and his one hundred failed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Due to the constant raiding from across the Javan River, the County's armed patrols are spread pretty thin and having one hundred men suddenly disappear hasn't helped matters. So to ease the burden -- somewhat -- supplies to the Keep are now shipped by barge, due to the fort's nearness to the river.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B77C3iqQF5M/U1MTKzTOB5I/AAAAAAAAAik/JWS_1BEtCtU/s1600/Godakin+Keep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B77C3iqQF5M/U1MTKzTOB5I/AAAAAAAAAik/JWS_1BEtCtU/s1600/Godakin+Keep.jpg" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
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Gary Holian's vision</div>
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<br />
FYI - I changed the first picture for Godakin Keep after speaking with Gary Holian. Some of you will recognize this as the picture for <em>Keep on the Borderlands</em>, but this is more inline with Gary's vision, so I'll start using it. The second picture shows the aerial view of the Keep as it sits on the Javan River.<br />
<br />
The Keep averages a garrison of 500 men, but can hold nearly 2000, when necessary. The surrounding village has a population of approximately 750.</div>
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Mystic Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com2