Spooky Stories Night, 10/31/1998, Dreamheart’s Concert Series, Baearholt's Farmhold

As transcribed by Mykk Dalys

It has been 355 years, 349 days since the Victory of Lanival the Redeemer.

It is the 9th month of Dolefaren the Brigantine (ship) in the year of the Emerald Dolphin

It is currently fall.

It is very early morning.

It's raining a downpour.

A bolt of white-hot lightning flashes down from the heavens!

A loud, buffeting roar shakes the air around you.

[Baearholt's Farmhold, Taproom]

Dark oak beams criss-cross the low whitewashed ceiling in the taproom of Baearholt's Farmhold. In the corner, a bard sits on a tall stool playing a rapid melody on her gittern as patrons join in a hearty drinking song and sample the quality meads and ales for which Baearholt's is known. You also see a narrow door, a polished mahogany counter and a menu.

***********************************

THE GUEST LIST

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Storyteller Ailill Dreaghnean, a Human Bard

Atanamir Tar'Qetil, a Human

Balladeer Austeria Tollemache, a Human Bard

Axem

Cemm Marcolin, a Human Warrior Mage

Clerris

Sentinel Donic

Taleweaver Dreamheart Delaevan, a Human Bard

Drosjex

Poet Firannion Matrevyn, a Human Bard

Gwaihr

Imari

Issus Veltshimmer, an Elf

Jaguari

Jipamc Zifna'b, a S'Kra Mur Warrior Mage

Juleanne Sylvermyst, an Elothean

Keriala

Kerianna

Mystic Khaman

Kortny Horselord, a Human

Larnae

Lena Silverburg, a Human Commoner

Sir Maliktoo

Healer Marandia

Meronda

Mykk Dalys, a Halfling

Nekayah Astyrel, an Elothean Bard

Nimuen

Presagia

Rubyshard

Ryian Mnhei`sahe, an Elothean Ranger

Sentinel Salamae

Samantha NyteCloaked, a S'Kra Mur Ranger

Storym

Therrilliar d'Onlor, an Elf

Thorns

Thriss Skree'Tul, a S'Kra Mur

Tlarra

Praetor Tohrum

Bard Useff

Set List:

Nekayah: Octa's Witches

Ailill: Ghost of Obsidian Pass

Firannion: King Henry

Dreamheart: "Young Woman and the Watcher"

Kortny: Anlorahlhe

Austeria: Emerald Coast

Nimuen: "The horror of love"

Issus: "Asilas and Marryck"

Jipamc: "Tarsus"

Therrilliar: "Jenarta and Hadulo"

******************************************************

* YOU ARE LOGGING INTO THE GAME DURING A MAJOR EVENT *

* Do NOT Assist or Report asking about it. *

* This event will last through this weekend. *

******************************************************

Strange things are afoot. The skies are filled with storms and the undead stir. Great evil walks the Realms and seeks to catch you in its fiendish traps. Where and how it might sieze you no one knows. Be prepared and remember that no matter how bleak things seem, there is always hope.

Your mind hears Fircia thinking, "great storm... wheres the rest?!?"

Your mind hears Joshuah thinking, "Such a night."

Your mind hears Rock thinking, "Hell, be happy we aint all half dead, maybe we've been an effective deterent. Prepare fer the werst - dead or injured with no Paths or Clerics around. Dont hang alone and defluff, get backup blessed weapons, and favas are my suggestions <salute>"

Your mind hears Fandella thinking, "According to Gabela: If memories protected and glyphed, depart. You'll be a spirit. Touch the cleric there, and he/she then waves lighted incense and you become dead again. He/she does soul bond and the dead one lives."

Your mind hears Fandella thinking, "If no cleric and just glyphed and depart, you do the touch/kiss altar and then dig grave."

Your mind hears Moonsmasher thinking, "or ye can get a soul bond on your dead body, run to the altar, touch it, then ye get teleported to your grave alive"

Your mind hears Fandella thinking, "and you may need to touch more than twice."

Your mind hears Zyxan thinking, "Ack! things are coming out of his grave!!!"

Your mind hears Jesamina thinking, "A cleric can also cast Phelim's Sanction to send a spirit back, but I think they hit rock bottom devotion for that"

Your mind hears Talladega thinking, "clerics are unable to raise "

Your mind hears Zyxan thinking, "so what happens if the spirit doesn't get back to his grave before it disappears?"

Your mind hears Redarch thinking, "Zyxan..just what ye are seeing now..the stuff appears on the ground for graverobbers to take..if they don't get back to it in time..and Oshpej spirit in Cleric guild..where do we send it?"

[Baearholt's Farmhold]

Just off the Northern Trade Route stands an ivy-covered small brick building which houses Baearholt's Tavern. Part of the family farmhold, it is renowned for its meads and ale, all of which are brewed on the premises under Ivor Baearholt's exacting supervision. You also see a twisting wooded trail.

Obvious paths: none.

Taleweaver Dreamheart just arrived.

Dreamheart turns her gaze to the sky for a few moments.

You nod to Dreamheart.

You say, "Nasty."

Dreamheart says, "Heyo."

Aes-Danai Fandella just arrived.

You ask, "We on for tonight?"

Dreamheart says, "you bet."

Aes-Danai Fandella went down a twisting wooded trail.

You smile.

Dreamheart exclaims, "the Show Must Go On!"

You say, "After you."

Dreamheart winks.

You wave.

Taleweaver Dreamheart entered Baearholt's Tavern.

Your mind hears Atanamir thinking, "Spooky story night begins here at Baearholt's in 10 minutes with some of the finest talents of the Realms!"

[Baearholt's Farmhold, Taproom]

Dark oak beams criss-cross the low whitewashed ceiling in the taproom of Baearholt's Farmhold. In the corner, a bard sits on a tall stool playing a rapid melody on her gittern as patrons join in a hearty drinking song and sample the quality meads and ales for which Baearholt's is known. You also see a narrow door, a polished mahogany counter with some stuff on it and a menu.

Obvious exits: out.

Kortny says, "I thought when you said scary stories you meant like when Silvry wanted us to learn all that lore and everywhere you look there was crushing and crushing and crushinng"

Kortny screams!

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "Good evening everyone! Welcome to our special night of stories by some of the best storytellers in the Realms."

Dreamheart says, "Sprinkled amid the tales tonight will be a few songs, and a poem recitation, as well."

Dreamheart says, "There are refreshments on the counter for everyone, and since there is a full program, without any further delay..."

Dreamheart says, "I would like to remind you that performers love shiny things for tips, and they also love your complete attention during the performance."

Dreamheart exclaims, "Nekayah is first with a timely song, "Octa's Witches". The floor is yours Nekayah!"

Nekayah stands up.

Nekayah wobbles, looking a bit faint.

Nekayah smiles timidly.

Nekayah opens her medium case.

Nekayah gets a carved wren-engraved pick from inside her medium case.

Nekayah slides a carved wren-engraved pick onto her finger.

Nekayah puts her rose in her backpack.

Nekayah listens carefully to the cherrywood mandolin, plucking the strings.

Nekayah says, "Um..."

Nekayah says, "I'm sorry this song isn't better."

Nekayah says, "It seems a barbarian or a child can do better."

Nekayah winces.

Nekayah says, "Anyway..."

Nekayah says, "If a couple of you would like to chorus with me, it might sound better."

Nekayah smiles hopefully.

Nekayah nods.

Nekayah clears her throat.

Nekayah recites:

"I call this 'Octa's Witches.' Sometimes the most horrifying things are not just stories."

Nekayah smiles sadly and begins fingering her mandolin rapidly.

Ailill's baritone, Kortny's baritone, Therrilliar's mezzo-soprano and Dreamheart's alto join with Nekayah's mezzo-soprano as she sings:

"Oh, I met a dozen witches on the darkest of the moon,

They said that they were waiting for another coming soon.

They eyed me with their hard eyes and they touched me with their claws.

I called upon Faenella, yet that gave them no pause."

Nekayah sings in a mezzo-soprano voice:

"Francesse may argue openly, and Meanne may poke fun.

While Octa moves in secrecy, and Orgredd tries weak puns,

But in the shadows one dark night they quietly arrayed

Above the Seirgelde heights to watch as poor Dahan decayed."

Nekayah smiles and looks up at you while still fingering her mandolin rapidly.

Ailill's baritone, Kortny's baritone, Therrilliar's mezzo-soprano and Dreamheart's alto join with Nekayah's mezzo-soprano as she sings:

"Oh, I met a dozen witches on the darkest of the moon,

They said that they were waiting for another coming soon.

So watch your children closely and prepare for a black day.

When debts to gods are questioned, be sure someone will pay."

Nekayah smiles sadly and fingers her mandolin more deliberately.

Nekayah sadly sings in a mezzo-soprano voice:

"'Twas Sadar drew the dagger almost gently on the throat,

To paint all of their foreheads with a sticky, still hot coat.

But now they say they do not kill --perhaps it was just once.

I say believe them, trust them --but then I am just a dunce."

Nekayah smiles and begins fingering her mandolin firmly.

Ailill's baritone, Kortny's baritone, Therrilliar's mezzo-soprano and Dreamheart's alto join with Nekayah's mezzo-soprano as she sings:

"Oh, I met a dozen witches on the darkest of the moon,

They said that they were waiting for another coming soon.

You'd better harvest garlic bulbs and nail them to your door,

There's something faintly on the wind, I think the smell of war."

Nekayah slowly sings in a mezzo-soprano voice:

"There's something faintly on the wind, I think the smell of war."

Nekayah smiles and lets the last note hang until it fades.

Nekayah curtsies.

Firannion smiles grimly at Nekayah.

Therrilliar applauds.

Storym applauds.

Salamae applauds.

Kerianna applauds.

Therrilliar exclaims, "Wonderful!"

Nekayah curtsies.

Axem applauds.

Austeria applauds.

Gwaihr applauds.

Firannion applauds.

Dreamheart applauds.

You applaud.

Jaguari applauds.

Kortny applauds.

You hear the voice of Issus exclaim, "::cheers:: Great song!!!!"

Maliktoo lets out a loud "Huzzah!"

Ailill lets out a hearty cheer for Nekayah!

Nekayah takes a seat.

Samantha applauds.

Drosjex applauds.

Firannion takes a sip of her double-bock.

Storym lets out a loud "Huzzah!"

Ryian grins.

Jaguari takes a seat.

Donic applauds.

Firannion searches around for a moment.

Dreamheart says, "Well done Nekayah! timely."

Dreamheart nods.

Dreamheart nods.

Dreamheart stands up.

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "And now, Storyteller Ailill will tell us about Ghost of Obsidian Pass."

Dreamheart nods to Ailill.

Ailill stands up.

Dreamheart says, "The stool is yours Ailill."

Dreamheart takes a seat.

Ailill paces back and forth.

Firannion blinks.

Ailill frets.

Ailill says, "ok"

Ailill says, "took a long walk back from my hovel in Kaerna thinkin on this"

Ailill says, "not a memory I like to conjure"

Ailill says, "but as its near Jeolandu, thought this fit"

Ailill quietly says, "'Travel on the South Trade Road is not without its risks. Snowbeasts I was ready for. But what I tell you now will make you think again about the gondola and Obsidian Pass. I was returning north. Tired from some harrowing escapes in Undershard, I was not seeking company. On boarding the gondola, a large and boisterous traveling party was already inside. I stayed in the foyer for some quiet. To pass the time, I took a large gem from my sack to give it a look over."

Ailill inhales a great swallow of air.

Ailill nervously says, "'As I gazed closely at my stone, searching for flaws and some clue as to its value, the room grew unusually cold. From the corner of my eye, I saw someone else in the room. Turning, I found no one there. Looking again at my gem I noticed a faint glow in the center of the stone. "

Ailill gasps!

Ailill helplessly says, "'I looked closer and my gaze was trapped. I tried to look away, but could not. The glow grew until the room was filled by a flickering green light. I felt a presence with me. In me. I could not stop looking at the glowing stone. I saw movement inside. I screamed in my mind as thoughts not my own swept me away."

Ailill moans.

(Ailill leans back into the shadow of the firelight. From the darkness you hear his voice, now strangely changed. Older and somehow more sinister.)

Ailill excitedly says, "'The moon has gone behind the ridge. Now I must move Lormahle to the center of the stone circle. Quickly, fool! If my master finds me before the deed is done, there will truly be hell to pay. I must find the courage to cast this infernal spell and imprison her soul to fuel the gondola forever. If only Aesthene had tried this spell in all the secret times I have watched him. No matter. "

Ailill smugly says, "'Do the deed, and then T'vargath will be a name remembered! The mighty Aesthene, himself, hasn't solved this in 3 attempts. And on the morrow the great wizard will climb the path and find the gondola moving of itself, just as Queen Morganae and Ferdahl Alec requested."

Ailill darkly exclaims, "'There she is in place! The spell has been prepared. The dark night seems to grow close as my spell takes form. Building. Strengthening. The words of power forging a cage around her soft soul, as the facets of this gem that will be the vessel. Soon, it will proceed of its own. Not even Aesthene can stop the spell now!"

Ailill helplessly says, "'Wait! What is happening? The spell - something is wrong, but I can't stop now. The power would be released unbound! By Kertigen, he is here! Aesthene. No, I am found. He is chanting too. I feel his power twisting my spell like a snake. Twisting back to bite me!"

Ailill weakly exclaims, "'Too late! He has known all along. And now joining the spell he has turned it on me. Where is that lovely young maid, Lormahle? The perfect sacrifice to fuel the gondola with her spirit's pain. He has placed me at the focus of these demonic forces. The spell cannot be stopped, and I know not how to shift it again!"

Ailill begins an eerie, warbling wail of despair.

Ailill leans forward.

(Ailill leans forward and seems to grow in size. His eyes blaze with a righteous fury!)

Ailill angrily says, "'"Stupid fool! Oh, T'vargath, if only you had waited. But no. I forget. You had not the skill and when I felt this spell invoked tonight I knew my suspicions were true. How long did you spy on me, when I thought I was alone? There is a darker side to magic and you were not sufficiently prepared. In your ambition, you sought to imprison the poor innocent here and do what I could not?" "

Ailill sternly says, "'"Then you shall certainly get what you deserve, my apprentice. The gondola shall soon fly. And you shall have eternity to learn patience. At least you shall have immortality with the gondola.""

Ailill hopelessly says, "'Swifter now the power gathers, coalescing in a many-sided cage around me, like the facets of a gem. Again, glowing with a flickering green light. "

Ailill shivers.

(Ailill sits forward into to the light. You see the memory haunts him still.)

Ailill weakly says, "'And as I gazed in horror, I saw the gem in my hands, the glow slowly fading. I saw an image in the top facet. As I looked I saw my reflection with the agonized face of T'vargath looking back at me. The glow faded at last, and I was released."

Ailill shudders.

Ailill sighs.

Ailill says, "I haven't been south of Leth since"

Samantha clucks her tongue and shakes her head.

Storym takes a sip of his ale.

Dreamheart grins at Ailill.

Marandia applauds.

Kortny applauds.

Presagia applauds.

Nekayah exclaims, "I can see why not!"

Axem applauds.

Meronda's jaw drops.

Presagia applauds.

Maliktoo lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Ailill!

Useff applauds.

Lena quietly says, "I don't blame you"

Tohrum applauds.

Storym applauds.

Meronda applauds.

Jaguari stands up.

Donic applauds.

Samantha lets out a hearty cheer for Ailill!

Useff gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Marandia giggles.

Rubyshard applauds.

Jaguari applauds.

Lena smiles.

Maliktoo applauds.

Marandia kneels.

Therrilliar applauds.

Drosjex smiles at Ailill.

Dreamheart nods to Lena.

Marandia leaps to her feet!

Nekayah applauds.

You applaud.

Storym takes a sip of his ale.

Maliktoo kneels.

Marandia dusts herself off.

Lena applauds.

Ailill smiles.

Maliktoo stands up.

You take a sip of the mead.

Presagia lets out a hearty cheer for Ailill!

Jaguari disbands his group.

You hear the voice of Issus say, "::cheers:: "

Dreamheart exclaims, "Smart bard!"

Lena blows gently on a diminutive glass fishbowl, prompting the tiny red selhinyasu to rise greedily to the water's surface.

Samantha exclaims, "nicely dun!"

Marandia enfolds Maliktoo in a warm embrace.

Dreamheart lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Ailill!

Maliktoo adjusts his metallic blue plate.

Dreamheart stands up.

Austeria applauds.

Dreamheart smiles.

Lena smiles.

Firannion lets out a hearty cheer for Ailill!

Storym takes a sip of his ale.

Nekayah says, "Oh course, being trapped on the gondola..."

Ailill says, "thank ye"

Nekayah says, "Just think of the captive audiences."

Drosjex pats Ailill on the back.

Gwaihr lets out a hearty cheer for Ailill!

You hear someone laughing.

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "Next, we have Firannion herself with one of her famous songs. I believe it is a premiere for a new work, too."

Dreamheart nods to Firannion.

Dreamheart takes a seat.

Firannion puts her cloth in her instrument case.

Firannion says, "Actually not, Dreamie. This is a traditional song of very ancient origin."

Dreamheart says, "Ahhh."

Dreamheart nods to Firannion.

Dreamheart appears to be listening intently for something.

Ailill exclaims, "We love you Firannion!"

Ailill ducks his head.

Ailill blushes a bright red color.

(Ailill hides behind Therrilliar)

Firannion says, "Some of you may know that, besides being a songwriter, I am also something of an amateur collector of traditional songs."

Firannion says, "In my travels I have found that some of the best old tales and songs are passed down by midwives."

Firannion says, "That's where I learned this one. I am told it dates back to the days before ever iron was forged."

Firannion says, "When kings ruled not necessarily for life...but only for as long as they could prove their virility, so that the crops would continue to flourish."

Firannion smiles.

Firannion says, "Here is a song of such a king...a paragon of chivalry, as well, named Henry."

Firannion says, "The history books have forgotten him, but the midwives have not."

Firannion listens carefully to the silk-stringed pyi-pya, plucking the strings.

Firannion smiles grimly as she begins to pick out a dark tune in a minor key on her pyi-pya.

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

"Let never a man a-wooing wend that lacketh thinges three:

A store of gold, an open heart and full of charity

And this was seen of King Henry, though he lay quite alone

For he's taken him to a haunted hall, seven miles from the town"

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

"He's chased the deer now him before, and the doe down by the den

Till the fattest buck in all the flock King Henry he has slain

His huntsmen followed him to the hall to make them burly cheer

When loud the wind was heard to sound and an earthquake rocked the floor"

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

"And darkness covered all the hall where they sat at their meat

The grey dogs, yowling, left their food and crept to Henry's feet

Then louder howled the rising wind and burst the fastened door

And in there came a grisly ghost, a-standing on the floor"

Firannion shudders.

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

"Her head hit the roof-tree of the house, her middle you could not span

Each frightened huntsman fled the hall and left the King alone

Her teeth were like the tether-stakes, her nose like club or maul

And nothing less she seemed to be than a fiend that comes from Hell"

(Firannion shifts into a rhythm even more menacing-sounding than the first, like an impatient beast stomping to and fro.)

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

""Some meat, some meat, you King Henry, some meat you give to me

Go kill your horse, you King Henry, and bring him here to me!"

He's gone and slain his berry-brown steed, though it made his heart full sore

For she's eaten up both flesh and bone, left nothing but hide and hair"

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

""More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me

Go kill your greyhounds, King Henry, and bring them here to me!"

And when he's slain his good greyhounds, it made his heart full sore

For she's eaten up both flesh and bone, left nothing but hide and hair"

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

""More meat, more meat, you King Henry, more meat you give to me

Go fell your goshawks, King Henry, and bring them here to me!"

And when he's slain his gay goshawks, it made his heart full sore

For she's eaten up both flesh and bone, left nothing but feathers bare"

Firannion smiles rather nastily as she takes an instrumental break, giving her listeners time to ponder exactly whose flesh the hag might crave for her next snack.

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

""Some drink, some drink now, King Henry, some drink you give to me

Oh, you sew up your horse's hide and bring in a drink to me!"

So he's sewn up the bloody hide and a cask of wine put in

And she drank it up all in one draught, left never a drop therein"

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

""A bed, a bed now, King Henry, a bed you'll make for me

Oh, you must pull the heather green and make it soft for me!"

So pulled has he the heather green and made for her a bed

And taken has he his gay mantle and over it he has spread"

Firannion ponders the faces of the men in the audience blanching one by one as they begin to figure out where this is going.

Firannion smirks.

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

""Take off your clothes now, King Henry, and lie down by my side

Now swear, now swear, you King Henry, to take me for your bride!"

"The gods forbid," says King Henry, "that ever the like betide

That ever a fiend that comes from Hell should stretch down by my side!""

Firannion ponders the extremes to which some paladins will go in pursuit of perfect chivalry as she plays one last instrumental break.

Firannion sings in a soprano voice:

"When the night was gone and the day was come and the sun shone through the hall

The fairest lady that ever was seen lay between him and the wall!

"I've met with many a gentle knight that gave me such a fill

But never before with a courteous knight that gave me all my will.""

Firannion grins.

Firannion curtsies.

Useff chortles softly at some secret joke.

Meronda beams!

Lena smiles.

Useff applauds.

Khaman sighs.

Nekayah applauds.

Therrilliar applauds.

Cemm grins.

Khaman smiles.

Meronda applauds.

Cemm applauds.

Meronda applauds.

Cemm lets out a hearty cheer for Firannion!

Useff lets out a hearty cheer for Firannion!

Dreamheart laughs!

Nimuen applauds.

Larnae applauds.

Dreamheart applauds.

Storym lets out a loud "Huzzah!"

Drosjex applauds.

Atanamir applauds.

Delsydraya applauds.

Cemm grins.

Atanamir grins at Firannion.

Drosjex says, "that was good."

Gwaihr grins.

Firannion says, "And so King Henry passes the test..."

Drosjex smiles.

Dreamheart lets out a hearty cheer for Firannion!

Gwaihr applauds.

You beam at Firannion!

Meronda applauds.

Firannion winks.

Austeria lets out a loud "Huzzah!"

You hear the voice of Issus say, "::cheers::"

Midiazo just arrived.

Ailill lets out a hearty cheer for Firannion!

Storym takes a sip of his ale.

Dreamheart stands up.

You hear someone laughing.

Gwaihr takes a sip of his mead.

Momus entered a narrow door.

Kortny smiles at Firannion.

Midiazo raises an eyebrow.

You take a sip of the mead -- quite sweet and delicious!

Dreamheart says, "And so do you, Firannion, and so do you."

Nimuen lets out a hearty cheer for Firannion!

Ryian applauds.

Lena says, "Good story"

Firannion says, "The lasses do seem to like that one better than the lads do, for some reason."

Nimuen says, "That's because most lasses don't have t'deal with themselves in th' morning."

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart asks, "Ailill, would you hold my drink for me, please?"

Ailill nods.

Dreamheart offers Ailill a glass of pumpkin lambric.

Ailill says, "course"

Ailill accepts Dreamheart's pumpkin lambric.

Ailill says, "so long as you ferget how full it was"

Dreamheart says, "Just when you thought it was safe ... I fear you are going to have to listen to me tell a traditional tale."

Dreamheart takes a seat.

(Dreamheart begins to speak in a clear, captivating tone...)

Dreamheart says, "This story has several stars. The first, of course, is the Young Woman."

Dreamheart says, "The lass was in her tenth circle of study and tonight she journeyed out in the wilderness, accompanied by a Paladin who had come to protect her."

Dreamheart says, "She knew all guild members had to endure these dangerous jobs, and her duty this time was to help restore the memories of several who had fallen to trouble up on the Northern Trade Route."

(Dreamheart looks everyone directly in the eyes, and you remember the last time you faced down some fell creature that direction, and how ugly they are.)

Dreamheart says, "The night was still and moonless, and this duty seemed particularly harsh tonight. Luckily, she was not alone. Her companion would harness for her, and trace wards when she was done."

Dreamheart says, "Her mind was numb from so much work, and by the time the last one had been cared for, she felt the need to rest."

(Dreamheart shakes her head as if she were weary.)

Dreamheart sighs.

Dreamheart says, "She turned to go back to town. The Paladin, hearing a report of swarming crocodiles, told her to go on, he would take care of this battle himself."

Dreamheart says, "So she started toward home with wary eyes watching the path over the lava flow."

Dreamheart says, "She felt a light breeze on her cheek and then heard a noise, 'whhhshpth!' which startled her."

Dreamheart blinks.

Dreamheart says, "She called out to her companion, but there was no answer, he had not caught up with her. Fear began to creep upwards through her numbed mind, and she realized she should quickly get back to town."

(Dreamheart bites her lip, her eyes widen, her voice softens...)

Dreamheart quietly says, "Walking along the path again, she came to a fork in the road and paused for a moment to remember which one to take. Once more, there was light breeze on her cheek and she heard a noise behind her."

Dreamheart exclaims, "whhhshpth!"

Dreamheart says, "She turned just in time to see a man out of the corner of her eye, garbed in black, trying to tiptoe by her. She screamed and took the left fork of the road."

(Dreamheart begins to tell the story a little faster...)

Dreamheart says, "As she rounded the turn, the same man suddenly steped out of the shadows just as she passed him."

Dreamheart says, "Knowing that this was too much of a close call, she stepped up her pace, holding her shield for maximum protection and making sure that her cutlass was clearly visible."

Dreamheart says, "She got all the way to the turn off on the path to Fire Sprites, finally, and thought she was safe from the stalking stranger. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she felt again that breeze upon her cheek and that odd noise,"

Dreamheart exclaims, "whhhshpth!"

Dreamheart gasps!

Dreamheart says, "Frightened beyond even a scream this time, she headed down the main road and to the rockslide, hoping to see someone, anyone, who could help her."

Dreamheart says, "As she reached to grab hold of a convenient branch to help her climb down the rockslide, the strange man revealed himself again! She turned to flee her pursuer."

(Dreamheart pauses dramatically. You suddenly feel an urge to hold your breath.)

Dreamheart shifts her weight.

Dreamheart says, "Down the road she ran."

Dreamheart furrows her brow.

Dreamheart says, "But as she turned to head south at the caravansary, she saw him tiptoeing by her, following her again, hiding in the shadows! She fled."

Dreamheart says, "Even the reaver waiting on the path looked like a much more welcome sight, and they were no small threat to her."

Dreamheart shakes her head.

Dreamheart exclaims, "She plunged on down the trail, hoping for the bridge that would take her to the last section towards the city. As she ran, dreading the man who stalked her, she saw him again reveal himself and reach out a hand....!"

Dreamheart shudders.

Dreamheart leans forward.

Dreamheart says, "Her heart was pounding, and the only thing fueling her legs must have been the sheer terror she felt. She ran, straight along the path. The city gates were south. South she ran."

(Dreamheart speaks forcefully, using her voice to effectively add to the mounting tension.)

Dreamheart says, "Again, near Kaerna, the stranger stepped out of the shadows right beside her."

Dreamheart shifts her weight.

Dreamheart says, "She was sure it was only fortune, or perhaps the Goddess that kept her from his clutches. She ran, not even looking back."

Dreamheart says, "The city gates were right ahead, she could see the lanterns. Safety was all she wanted right now. As she ran through the gates, she paused to steady herself. And in that moment..."

Dreamheart exclaims, "WHHHSHPTH!"

Dreamheart blinks.

Dreamheart says, "The same stranger stepped out of the shadows with a look in his eyes that terrified her, and before his hand could reach out to her, she ran. Straight to the Guild."

Dreamheart leans back.

Dreamheart says, "She collapsed, sobbing, as she entered and told her waiting friends and aquaintances that someone was trying to kill her, and had stalked her all that way. She described him as best she could, and as she was about ..."

Dreamheart takes a seat.

Dreamheart says, "to tell them that this stalking stranger was in their very own town, a darkly clad man steps into the Guild entrance."

Dreamheart says, "She screamed, "That's HIM!," pointing to the man in the doorway."

Dreamheart glances at a narrow door.

Dreamheart says, "The man leaned on the Guild entrance, clad in black, there was something very classy about him, but at the same time quite disarming. One look verified he had indeed earned the title of Watcher. He blinked, and then in a calm voice explained, "Lass, do not be afraid."

Dreamheart says, "She interrupted him, "Don't get near me! Someone help me, he is trying to kill me."

Dreamheart shifts her weight.

Dreamheart says, "The Watcher waved down her hysteria, and continued, "Lass, it is not me whom you should fear. Did you hear those odd noises in the night?" He waited for her answer."

Dreamheart says, "She nodded her head at him, looking unconvinced."

Dreamheart nods.

Dreamheart says, "He spoke in measured tones, "You were being stalked by a most foul Fiend. The Fiend was moving to strike when you heard that. Each time it did, I stepped forward to put myself between it and you."

Dreamheart says, "The creature is now dead, I engaged it at the city gates. You need not fear any longer."

Dreamheart says, "The Watcher looked at the frightened young woman and smiled in a gentle manner. "We will speak again. Rest, now, you need it."

(Dreamheart sighs with relief, the tension lifts from the room in a breath.)

Dreamheart says, "The lass was so startled she could not do anything but watch him turn to walk out the door. It was then that she noticed he was leaving a trail of blood."

(Dreamheart tilts her head to one side and looks up and smiles at everyone.)

Dreamheart stands up.

Dreamheart asks, "I would hazard a professional guess that there will be more to THAT story someday, did you notice how the Watcher looked at the young woman?"

Dreamheart winks.

Dreamheart smiles.

Dreamheart curtsies.

Nimuen smiles.

Khaman chuckles.

Meronda applauds.

Larnae applauds.

Lena grins.

Nimuen applauds.

Nekayah nods to Dreamheart.

Firannion beams at Dreamheart!

Ailill asks, "same way I look at you?"

Gwaihr grins.

Cemm grins.

Imari applauds.

Cemm applauds.

Storym lets out a loud "Huzzah!"

Atanamir grins.

Drosjex lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Atanamir applauds.

Austeria applauds.

Samantha ponders dat a spell

Jipamc lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Ryian applauds.

Therrilliar applauds.

Ailill ducks his head.

Firannion lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Axem applauds.

Drosjex applauds.

Atanamir gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Kortny applauds.

Keriala smiles.

Cemm lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Delsydraya applauds.

Meronda smiles and whistles loudly.

Drosjex stands up.

Kortny grins.

Keriala lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Lena gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Firannion just nudged Ailill.

Cemm beams at Dreamheart!

Tlarra gets a glass of golden perry from atop a polished mahogany counter.

Drosjex applauds.

Samantha applauds.

Lena applauds.

Nekayah says, "At least she didn't meet him in a tavern."

You hear the voice of Issus say, "::cheerclapapplaud::"

Gwaihr applauds.

Ailill giggles at Firannion.

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "And now, Kortny, the floor is yours."

Dreamheart takes a seat.

Kortny gazes down at the floor.

Kortny says, "Little nicer than the floor in my house but be a pain to pack it there."

Kortny smiles.

Kortny says, "A story you want and a story I have."

Kortny says, "Truth and legend are often intertwined."

Kortny says, "This story has parts of both in it, so judge for yourself."

Kortny smiles.

Kortny begins his Bardic performance for his audience.

Kortny says, "This is the story of Anlorahlhe by Kortny Horselords."

Khaman leans back.

Kortny recites:

"When the armies of the World Dragon Priests

Had retreated to the area of the Black Hand

The Elotheans and Elves of the shattered city of Shard

Banded together to rebuild Shard and the province of Ilith."

Kortny recites:

"It was during this time that Alec

Built a symbol of that new peace with the Elves

That symbol being the gondola that served to connect

The elves with their Leth kin."

Kortny recites:

"The Elves, honored by this act,

Swore to guard and ensure the operation of the gondola

It is at this point that our story begins."

Kortny pulls his hood up on his cloak covering his face in shadows.

Kortny leans forward.

Kortny darkly says, "But even as the Elves and Elotheans celebrated the rebuilding of their cultures, dark forces gathered to oppose them. And it was in a deep hole that an evil necromancer began to chant. "

Kortny chants in a baritone voice:

"Darkness, Darkness, come to me!

Gather round and follow my decree!

A heart of ice and anger of life!

Create me a creature full of spite!

Form claws that are so sharp and cruel,

That they can slice those Elven fools!"

Kortny darkly says, "And as he chanted this evil spell, a creature was given life. Seemingly nothing but claws and fangs, it's first step on this world sent a ripple through the magic of the land."

Kortny says, "An Elven mage whose age was beyond the memories of all but himself, felt the evil magic resonate in the lands. And as it faded away, fate took possesion of him and he chanted these words with his dying breath:"

Kortny chants in a baritone voice:

"As light turns so does darkness

As darkness turns so does light

When the powers of death bring forth life

The powers of life must bring forth death"

Kortny chants in a baritone voice:

"A mother's milk will quench the flame

A noble's blood will talisman bring

To the center must it go

And wait there for it's appointed foe."

Kortny quietly says, "Now the Elves debated long and hard trying to discern the prophecy. After five years of study, it was decided that they would create a talisman so full of the magic of life that it's mere presence would dampen the evil in the realms. "

Kortny quietly says, "What exactly the Elven mages did to create the staff is unknown. But after five years they appeared with a staff burning with a blue flame. A hundred Elven mothers gave of their breasts milk to quench the magical flames that danced within the staff. And thus was a talisman for good born."

Kortny says, "The leader of the Mountain Elves recognized that this talisman would be needed in the future and the safest place for it would be in the great temple in Crossing. "

Kortny says, "She chose twenty of her finest warriors to escort the staff to the province of Zoluren. To lead this war party she chose her daughter Anlorahlhe. "

Kortny firmly says, "Now Anlorahlhe was the pride of the Mountain Elves. There were many songs sung of her praising her beauty and her kindness. "

Kortny darkly says, "Unfortunately unknown to the Elves their actions had not gone unnoticed. Spies for the necromancer watched as the war party readied itself for departure."

Kortny darkly says, "The mage summoned up his creature and infused it with his power. He then sent it to intercept the Elves and destroy the tailsman. The creature raced toward the Elven lands with great speed."

Kortny says, "The war band, having gotten ready, departed from the mountains and arrived at the gondola. Anlorahlhe sent one half of her guard across to secure the northern platform. "

Kortny says, "The gondola guided by an Elven mage returned to the south platform to pick up the rest of the party. The spirits of the party were high and laughter and song filled the air as the party took their seats."

Kortny sighs.

Kortny hums mournfully to himself.

Kortny sadly says, "No one noticed the small thump on the top of the gondola."

Kortny words bring a slight chill as you hear a thump behind you. Glancing quickly over the shoulder shows a sheepish looking waitress pushing a chair up to a table.

Kortny slowly says, "The beast attacked without warning. The Elven mage operating the gondola was the first to die. The guards leapt to fight but were flung back and overcome by the pure savagery of the beast. In the end only the princess Anlorahlhe and the beast were left."

Kortny says, "Well, the princess held the staff in front of her and the beast was kept at bay. But the princess had not been unscratched in the struggle, a red stain was now forming at her side."

Kortny exclaims, "Suddenly the prophecy was made clear to her!"

Kortny chants in a baritone voice:

"A mother's milk will quench the flame

A noble's blood will talisman bring

To the center must it go

And wait there for it's appointed foe."

Kortny sadly says, "She knew the future would need this talisman and also what she had to do. She reached down and ran the staff along the blood of the wound at her side."

(Kortny stamps the ground with a loud !!!THAMP!!!!)

Kortny says, "And a bright light enveloped the gondola, and Anlorahlhe's body fell to the ground. The beast with a heart of ice was too strong to be overcome so easily but it was greatly weakened by the magic of life that shone forth. "

Kortny says, "With a jerk of the ropes the gondola started to move again, with no hand to guide it. The warriors having heard the cries stood ready on the platform. But whatever they where expecting it was not the creature that sprang past them and fled down the ridge."

Kortny says, "The rest of the war band rushed into the gondola with cries of dismay. All inside where dead and the enchanted staff was not to be found."

Kortny says, "Some say the Elves failed in their mission that day. Others are not so sure, because that gondola with no hand to guide it still travels back and forth. And a few have been said to hear a young lady weeping as if some duty had long kept her seperated from those she loved. "

Kortny quietly says, "But I guess only Anlorahlhe really knows the truth. For now........."

Kortny bows.

Khaman ponders.

Meronda smiles sadly.

Therrilliar applauds.

Axem applauds.

Tlarra sighs.

Ailill lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!

Kabel takes a sip of his double-bock.

Dreamheart nods.

Meronda applauds.

Issus applauds.

Useff applauds.

Dreamheart applauds.

Axem applauds.

You notice Issus slip into a hiding place.

Khaman applauds.

Useff lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!

Tlarra applauds.

Kabel leans back.

Nekayah applauds.

Nimuen applauds.

Dreamheart lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!

Samantha lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!

Delsydraya applauds.

Atanamir applauds.

Imari applauds.

Imari applauds.

Larnae applauds.

Kortny's performance ends.

Storym applauds.

Gwaihr applauds.

Atanamir lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!

Samantha applauds.

Ailill says, "masterful"

Dreamheart stands up.

Samantha nods to Ailill.

Cemm applauds.

Cemm lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!

Nekayah nods to Ailill.

Firannion lets out a hearty cheer for Kortny!

Dreamheart says, "You know, every time someone tells that tale, it always ends the same way."

Ryian says, "Let us pray it takes no such sacrifice to understand the Prophecy upon us.."

Dreamheart begins an eerie, warbling wail of despair.

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "I would like to introduce Austeria, who will perform Emerald Coast for us."

Dreamheart nods to Austeria.

Dreamheart takes a seat.

Austeria stands up.

Austeria opens her medium doeskin case.

Austeria gets a silverwillow mandolin from inside her medium doeskin case.

Austeria matter-of-factly says, "y Me friends, the universe be run by practical jokers."

Austeria says, "They say when ye choose a certain path in life, ye know a certain something will happen to ye, but the circumstances in which it happens can often be ironic and downright macabre."

Austeria says, "Vengeance be a dish that must be served cold. But the spices that can go into this dish, make it seem so perfectly prepared, so suitable a dish to serve, that ye might think the gods ordained it. So it happened with Old Roryk and the man who killed him."

Austeria says, "The song be 'Emerald Coast,' by Austeria Tollemache."

(Austeria begins to play a slow, haunting tune on her mandolin. The low notes creep forth like molasses, creating a feeling of chill and unease among the audience. Then she begins to sing.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Oh tell me, Muse, the tale of the ghost,

That haunted a village on Emerald Coast,

Appearing upon the streets ev'ry night,

Moaning and wand'ring 'til morning light..."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Oh tell me, Muse, the poltergeist's tale,

That's whispered in taverns o'er tankards of ale,

The tale of how he died, and became a ghost,

Then 'ppeared in the village on Emerald Coast..."

(Austeria begins to play a lighter, brisker tune that reminds you of a pleasant sea chantey. Swaying in tune to the notes, Austeria hums the melody briefly, then begins to sing again.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"He once were a sailor, upon the bright seas,

He climbed up his ship's masts as if they were trees,

From the crow's nest he guided the ship through the night,

His song eased the crewmen when they were in fright..."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"'Twas said that with him, one could never get lost,

E'en when all about in a blow one were tossed,

In a matter of hours he knew where to go,

And afore long they heard that great cry of 'Land Ho!' "

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"But his ship were attacked on the Crystal Bay,

By drunk, angry pirates in the light of day,

Their captain had him cast in the deep blue brine,

Then drank blood of his crewmen as if it were wine..."

Austeria smiles bitterly- a smile like the grin of death. The tune from her mandolin becomes more fierce and angry; complex chords form a tempestuous canto. Fire flashes in Austeria's eyes as she resumes her song.

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Oh tell me, Muse, the tale of the ghost,

That haunted a village on Emerald Coast,

Scratching on windows and howling through doors,

Frightening the people straight down to their cores..."

(Austeria suddenly vanishes into thin air, leaving only the haunting notes of her mandolin to betray her presence. Suddenly she appears out of thin air waving her arms and shouting 'BOO!!' at Firannion causing her to shriek and jump out of her pantyhose!)

Austeria smiles like a total doofus!

Firannion flinches.

Austeria says, "Ahem."

Austeria coughs.

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"They once called him Roryk, when he still lived life,

He loved the blue ocean like it were a wife,

Now e'en though dead, yet he still were not gone,

Nor had he any rest from the dusk 'til the dawn.."

(Firannion doesn't wear pantyhose.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"At first they knew not why he haunted the coast,

So far from the sea towns that he loved the most,

Not e'en the village's wisest men knew-

They searched, but could not find a sign or a clue..."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Then one stormy day came a gaunt, green-eyed man,

Who wore on his cap the emblem of his clan,

At the sight of him folk cheered and cried, 'Welcome back!'

For he was the mayor's son, this Captain Jacques..."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"That night the ghost showed up- upon the main street,

Through the dust he trudged and shuffled his feet,

And when Captain Jacques walked out through the inn door

the people would have the answer they longed for..."

(Austeria begins to play an angry, fiery tune on her mandolin; her voice becomes cold as ice and full of menace. Her expression sends a chill through the depths of your very soul.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"On sight of the Captain the ghost gave a scream,

A sound like a thunderclap heard in a dream,

Then forth from his lips came chill words in a breath:

'There! There be the man who sent me to me death!' "

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"The Captain stood transfixed- the townsfolk aghast,

Their answer now stood afore them at long last,

Their hero- a murderer! And pirate as well!

'Twas him who put this ghost through his private hell..."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Oh tell me, Muse, the poltergeist's tale,

That's whispered in taverns o'er tankards of ale,

Confronting his killer after four long years,

Now seeking to end his long suff'ring and tears..."

Austeria ponders the Captain's predicament and shudders delicately. Then her expression turns grim, accented by a series of crashing chords upon her mandolin.

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Then out of the inn came an amber-haired lass,

Possessed of a spirit they say matched her sass,

Decked out in fine clothes, scimitar at her hip,

Cold chill in her eyes and a sneer on her lip!"

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"She turned to the Captain and asked, "Be it so?"

"Did ye truly commit this murder so low?"

'Twas I," said Jacques- "But it concerns not ye.

As me bodyguard, ye be here to guard me."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

""No more," said the lass! "Now I'll cause ye pain,

For I be the niece of the man ye hath slain!

Look ye last now at life, and receive me sharp blade,

Ye now shall lie in the grave ye have made!" "

(Austeria scowls a bitter scowl as though facing down her worst enemy. She strums her mandolin louder, playing a difficult arpeggio that sounds like a sentence of condemnation upon one who must now answer for his crimes.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Out came the girl's blade, and she made her rush,

While o'er the townsfolk there now came a great hush,

Captain Jacques drew his cutlass, to defend his own skin,

Determined that he should not pay for his sin."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Steel rung on steel- slice, parry and thrust!

In the eyes of the lass shone a terrible lust

For the blood of this man who'd done her a great wrong,

And give the ghost that which he'd awaited so long..."

(Austeria begins to move her feet in a danse macabre; weaving and stepping as though locked in mortal combat. With admirable skill, she maintains the rapid, angry tune on her mandolin without missing a beat.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Then suddenly Captain Jacques turned and he fled,

When the lass slashed his chest and the blood flowed bright red,

The maiden gave chase- she would not be denied!

Nay, she'd not rest 'til Roryk's killer died!"

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"At the edge of the cliff nowhere remained to flee,

And the lass shouted, "Now ye blood belongs to me!"

Above her there floated the form of the ghost,

Urging the death of whom he hated most..."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Jacques grabbed the girl's wrist as her blade came at him,

With a sneer he said, "Lass, I do hope ye can swim!"

And he tried to cast her down to the sea below,

When the ghost gave a fierce cry, "Nay! 'Twill not be so!" "

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"The ghost started wailing, and larger he grew,

Straight at the pirate he suddenly flew,

The Captain's eyes bulged and he stood still with fright,

As he saw the ghost's eyes shine with terrible light!"

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"At once, the girl grabbed hold of the Pirate's shirt,

She looked at her uncle and said, "I end ye hurt!"

With a deft twist, she pitched her foe into the brine,

And the ghost shouted, "Vengeance now finally be mine!" "

(Austeria stands still and raises a clenched fist into the air. But then she begins to play a sad, mournful tune upon her mandolin, making you feel a terrible sense of loss. A tear rolls down Austeria's cheek as she begins to sing again.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"But then, the ghost saw his niece gone as well,

The Pirate held fast to her- she also fell!

Townsfolk saw the ghost kneel and look out to sea,

"My niece!" he called, "Eluned's soldier be ye!" "

Austeria hauntingly says, "Captain Jacques' body was recovered from the sea a week later. The body of the girl who had killed him was never recovered. Old Roryk's ghost was never seen again."

Austeria hauntingly says, "The fate of Old Roryk and his niece remains a mystery. All agree that only Eluned knows the answer..."

(Austeria begins to play another soft, haunting tune upon her mandolin. The notes hang in the air, restoring the feeling of mystery and wonder.)

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"They buried the Pirate in the village graveyard,

While tales of that night flew out, from Bard to Bard,

How a killer met his doom from the niece of a ghost,

At the cliff near the village on Emerald Coast..."

Austeria sings in an alto voice:

"Oh tell me, Muse, the tale of the ghost,

That haunted a village on Emerald Coast,

He left this life young- thrown from his ship's mast-

And finally, they say, he be at peace at last..."

Austeria smiles a chilling smile as her body begins to grow misty. Bowing her head, she intones, "Rest in Peace, Uncle Roryk, for I have avenged ye," before vanishing like a plume of smoke. The last haunting notes of the mandolin drift away into the distance.....

(Austeria fades into view again and bows with a grand flourish.)

Nimuen lets out a hearty cheer for Austeria!

Khaman grins.

You notice Issus slip into a hiding place.

Firannion cackles!

Nimuen says, "I love a good sea tale."

Therrilliar applauds.

Meronda applauds.

Dreamheart applauds.

Nimuen applauds.

Kabel kneels.

Storym applauds.

Dreamheart lets out a hearty cheer for Austeria!

Gwaihr gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Cemm grins.

Therrilliar exclaims, "Well told and sung!"

Dreamheart stands up.

Lena gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Kabel applauds.

Firannion applauds.

Cemm lets out a hearty cheer for Austeria!

Firannion applauds.

Nekayah applauds.

Cemm beams!

You hear the voice of Issus exclaim, "Great song, Austeria!"

Firannion applauds.

Lena applauds.

Dreamheart exclaims, "Whatta tale, Austeria!"

Kabel flounders about on the ground.

Kortny applauds.

Gwaihr lets out a hearty cheer for Austeria!

Kabel leaps to his feet!

Firannion says, "An exciting rendition."

Khaman chuckles.

Khaman applauds.

Dreamheart nods.

Firannion grins.

[back to Set List]

(Nimuen climbs up on top of the bar and settles herself back.)

Dreamheart exclaims, "Now, Nimuen, the spotlight is yours!"

Nimuen says, "Hate t'follow that..."

Nimuen grins.

You hear the voice of Issus say, "Not as much as I'll hate following you..."

Nimuen says, "But I will. And tonight what I have is a tale, not of the sea for a change, but of the horror of love."

Nimuen begins her Bardic performance for her audience.

Nimuen says, "Well, the difficulties."

Nimuen winks at Lena.

Nimuen settles back and rests her hands against her knees. She begins to speak in a deeper, sing-song tone that catches your ear.

Nimuen chants in a soprano voice:

"Once ago and far away there was a wizened mage

She claimed her skill came from webs

The silken threads, the captured rage."

Nimuen gazes around, her eyes catching yours in an invitation to the story.

Nimuen says, "For years upon years this mage wove her webs, practicing her craft and honing her nimble fingers. It was said that she could see your fate in the warp of a cloth, and the ways to work around it in the weave."

Nimuen says, "She was wise, and glorious, and aloof, as some great mages become when their sight of the world beyond blots out that of the world they stand upon."

Nimuen says, "Lovely, too, with dark black hair and fair skin, and dressed always in robes of red, with threads of all the other colors in the rainbow shimmering softly in the surface."

Nimuen mutters, "Aren't they all?"

Nimuen says, "She gained a name, other than her own, for as all know, names have their own power."

Nimuen says, "And while a mage's real name is a great secret, the names of their strength can bring strength. She was called the Weaver..."

Nimuen traces her hands in the air, weaving them back and forth in the familiar form of a child's game, and briefly shifts to the singsong voice of youth.

Nimuen chants in a soprano voice:

"Travel far and travel wide

To see The Weaver of a Hundred Eyes

She'll reveal to you what fate abides."

Nimuen stills her hands.

Nimuen says, "For she saw far in her weavings, and many came to her high tower, which was grown from trees and lifesculpted to her tastes, rather than built of closing stone."

Nimuen says, "They came, asking for her advice, asking for her visions, asking for a touch of her cloth, that would bring them luck and wisdom."

Nimuen says, "And her pride grew and her name reached the many ears of Harawep."

Nimuen says, "Harawep..."

Nimuen uses her index finger to trace an X across her chest.

Nimuen says, "Harawep, who watched with her many eyes, and listened with her many ears, scattered around the lifesculpted home in small black bodies and shimmering silken hideaways."

Nimuen shivers.

Nimuen says, "And Harawep watched, waiting for the day The Weaver of Many Eyes went to far. She watched for many years, while people came to ask their fates. Old women came to ask for their children, young men to ask for their fame, those between for power and love."

Nimuen says, "And the Weaver would spin the thread and weave the cloth, and if she thought it wise, say what she saw. But she was a mage, not a god, and she would not cut or sew fate to fit."

Nimuen says, "And Harawep watched."

Nimuen says, "Among those that brought their troubles to the mage, there came one day a dark stranger."

Nimuen says, "He was beautiful, and he was strong, and he had a fire in his eyes that had enchanted many women before."

Nimuen mutters, "Aren't they all?"

Nimuen says, "The Weaver, however, was not swept away, for she was no fainting maid, but a woman grown and wise."

Nimuen says, "But she was, for the first time in her life, challenged by something other than a spell or test of knowledge. And a challenge is as good as a swoon, to some women."

Nimuen smiles.

Nimuen says, "And the challenge was not only to her, for what he saw was strong, and wise, and so very, very aloof."

Nimuen says, "'So when he stood before her, he asked no question but this: "May I come again?""

Nimuen says, "She said yes."

Nimuen says, "And each day he came, to stand in her house of trees, to watch her weave her cloth, to watch her tend to the futures of those who came, never to ask more than, "May I come again?" "

Nimuen says, "And one day, after near a year under the watchful eyes of Hartwep's daughters, he would arrive -- dusty, or bleeding, or clean and dressed sharply, she would answer, "No, but you may stay.""

Nimuen smiles softly.

Nimuen says, "And so he did."

Nimuen says, "Harawep may have smiled, for she is not completely without feeling for all that she is the maker of widows, and her daughters wove webs of luck that night."

Nimuen says, "But as her daughters wove, their thousand eyes saw what they had seen many times."

Nimuen says, "The Weaver starting a new cloth, reading a new life..."

(Nimuen threads her fingers together, and apart, once and once again.)

Nimuen says, "And they saw her able fingers drawing the thread through, slowly, then faster, and faster still as the mage's eyes darken with fury and tears unshed."

Nimuen says, "For the thread turned had black under the magic of her fingers, and the fate that the Weaver of Many Eyes saw was death and fear."

Nimuen shivers.

Nimuen says, "The mage, having waited so many years alone without knowing that alone was not the only way to live, stood..."

Nimuen says, "...and with her voice, her heart and her eyes, she cursed Harawep and all the other gods."

Nimuen raises her eyes to the heavens and makes a small sign against attention.

Nimuen says, "This Harawep might forgive with a sting of pain, for the mage's pain was sweet to her, it must be said."

Nimuen says, "She might have. She might not. But for what the Weaver did next..."

Nimuen inhales a great swallow of air.

Nimuen slowly empties her lungs.

Nimuen says, "She went up to where the man slept, and kissed his eyes and cut a lock of his hair, bringing down to her spindle. "

Nimuen says, "And with every scrap of power gathered from her birth, and let me tell you, that was power rare seen since the Redeemer..."

Nimuen says, "...she began to weave through the cloth again, unravelling it and changing the warp."

Nimuen raises her voice, projecting it with the strength and determination that drove the Weaver's fingers.

Nimuen says, "Refusing to cry, her eyes glowing, she stayed through the night, forcing the dyes, changing the thread..."

Nimuen says, "...battling fate itself."

Nimuen lowers her voice, nearly whispering.

Nimuen says, "And winning."

Nimuen closes her eyes.

Nimuen says, "She had won, come morning. Won the life of her warrior."

(Nimuen opens her eyes, and her voice is deep and quiet.)

Nimuen says, "But she had won by working underneath the eyes of a goddess to upsurp the rights of the gods. A goddess known for making widows, and dark death.""

Nimuen says, "Harawep watched. And Harawep thought. And Harawep, in her own way, forgave."

Nimuen says, "For even the dark gods know love."

Nimuen says, "And in the morning, when the warrior arose..."

Nimuen brushes her hand over eyes, briefly.

Nimuen says, "He found a glorious tunic, of all the colors of the rainbow, trimmed a fine dark hem of his own hair."

Nimuen says, "And on it rested a black spider with a hundred red eyes."

Nimuen shakes her head.

Nimuen says, "The spider looked at him, once and and a hundred times, and crawled gently on his hand."

Nimuen gazes down at her own hands, and back up at you.

Nimuen says, "After the tears stopped, he placed her, ever so gently, in a corner of the house, to spin webs with eight legs rather than two hands, and he picked up the tunic."

Nimuen quietly says, "Though what he did while wearing it is another tale, that is yet to be written. It's said he was never once hurt while wearing it, and lived a long life."

Nimuen pauses.

Nimuen says, "But though he lived long, perhaps that too was the will of the widow maker, for his eyes never again reflected the same passion, or the same fire."

Nimuen says, "And that spider, for all mortals may know, still weaves with the rest of Harawep's children."

Nimuen lowers her voice, forcing you to learn forward to hear her final words.

Nimuen says, "And that, my friends, is the justice of a goddess far-seeing, darkly wise and cruel."

Nimuen's performance ends.

Nimuen bows.

Lena shivers.

Therrilliar leans forward.

Meronda says, "WOW"

Dreamheart applauds.

Ailill says, "wow"

Therrilliar applauds.

Austeria lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Nimuen!

Issus applauds.

Ryian slowly empties his lungs.

Larnae applauds.

Meronda applauds.

You applaud.

Cemm applauds.

Jipamc gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Nekayah applauds.

Storym applauds.

Cemm exclaims, "Fantastic!"

Samantha applauds.

Khaman asks, "You were worried?"

Firannion says, "How...terrible."

Meronda lets out a hearty cheer for Nimuen!

Dreamheart says, "Wonderful, Nimuen. Wonderful."

Khaman applauds.

Dreamheart grins at Nimuen.

Cemm beams at Nimuen!

Issus lets out a hearty cheer for Nimuen!

Dreamheart stands up.

Firannion shudders.

Nekayah pats Nimuen on the back.

Larnae smiles.

Lena says, "*Wonderful* story"

Gwaihr applauds.

Nekayah shudders.

Cemm lets out a hearty cheer for Nimuen!

Lena beams!

Dreamheart lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Nimuen!

Nimuen says, "Thank you."

Firannion lets out a hearty cheer for Nimuen!

Khaman bows to Nimuen.

Therrilliar nods to Nimuen.

Nimuen smiles.

Firannion shudders.

Therrilliar praises Nimuen.

You take a sip of the stout.

Meronda says, "T R E M E N D O U S"

Meronda beams at Nimuen!

Lena grins.

Dreamheart beams at Nimuen!

Cemm smiles sadly, pondering the tale.

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "And Issus takes his place up in front next."

Dreamheart nods to Issus.

Issus smiles.

Dreamheart takes a seat.

Dreamheart takes a sip of her lambric.

Lena smiles.

Gwaihr takes a sip of his mead.

Firannion smiles at Issus.

Issus says, "Thanks. I ask that if you have not already looked at me, don't"

(Therrilliar winces....too late!)

Lena covers her eyes with her hand.

Austeria stares at Issus.

Lena giggles.

Therrilliar nods to Dreamheart.

Issus says, "I was up to some rather dirty business before I got here, and am not really dressed for performng."

Issus leans on his quarterstaff.

Issus begins his Bardic performance for his audience.

Issus vanishes from your view...You find this a bit unsettling for some reason. You suddenly feel as if you are being scrutinized, and a chill runs up your spine.

Issus chants in a countertenor voice:

"On a dark and stormy night,

In a Shanty in the Middens,

Two forms huddled together in their fright,

Of them I say...good riddance..."

Issus says, "Heh...but that comes later..."

Issus lets out a sinister chuckle from the shadows.

Issus says, "The two clutching each other to stay off the cold were man and wife. They were deeply in love with eachother, and would do anything for one another. Marryck and his wife Asilas were fine, brave Gor'Tog Barbarians, and were loved dearly by all who had ever met them."

Issus says, "However, this night they had fear in their hearts...Their only lantern had run out of oil, and all of their dry firewood had been burned the night before...To make matters worse, their small home let in quite a bit of rain, and quite a lot of cold."

Issus says, "Asilas was frightened by the recent news of undead in the area, as well as the reports of deadly lightening. Together, Marryck and Asilas were an unbeatable team in all fields, but Asilas was more concerned for her unborn child..."

Issus lets out a pitying snicker.

Issus says, "Marryck, sensing her worry, comforted her in a way that an outsider would find surprisingly gentle for a Gor'Tog. 'I will go ask a neighbor for some oil and firewood to stay off the cold and rain. I'll not have my pregnant wife catching fever because I was too afraid of getting a little bit wet."

Issus says, "She begged him not to go, but he would not hear of it..."

Issus lets out a stiffled chuckle of sinister mirth...

Issus says, "Asilas let her husband go and huddled on their bed under a warm blanket. She was just beginning to get over her fear of 'undead merauders' loose about the realms when there came a tapping at her window...."

Issus says, "Asilas gazed out of the window in their one room shack into the pitch black night. After a moment with no repetition, she chided herself for letting the night get to her..."

Issus seems to glance at the audience from the shadows, and a sudden blaze of lightening from outside the tavern illuminates his face for a fraction of a second...You realize with terror that the Issus you know is not the one looking back at you, but rather a fleshless human skull with a smile of death permanantly pasted on it's face.

Issus says, "And THAT, folks, is exactly what Asilas saw out the window..."

Issus cackles!

Issus says, "Naturally, Asilas flew into a wild panic! She leapt with speed towards the door and in one fluid motion had both locked it and drawn her claymore."

Issus says, "She took up position behind the door and waited for the fould creature to make an attempt at breaking in...but none came..."

Issus says, "Asilas feared that she had once again let her imagination run wild...when there came a rapid knock at the door..."

Issus says, "She peered through the peephole on the door and was relieved to see her love gazing back at her. She threw up the lock and tossed the door open, admitting her husband."

Issus says, "Or, thats what she THOUGHT she did..."

Issus smiles evily.

Issus says, "The figure she had admitted hobbled towards her, leaning heavily on a peg-leg. But it was not her husband. She stood transfixed as the figure drew near..."

Issus says, "And dropped her lovers head to the ground..."

Issus chants in a countertenor voice:

"6 feet tall, a skull for a face,

The form was terror incarnate.

A peg for a leg, a boot on one foot,

With a smouldering gaze of hate."

Issus cackles madly.

Issus says, "Before she knew what was happening, the crature removed a quarterstaff from his shoulder and swiped at her. Asilas barely escaped the attack and leapt past him out the door."

Issus says, "Asilas ran, but the creature persude her. But ahead she saw a human figure walking away from her! 'HELP!' she screamed! The figure turned towards her and their eyes met..."

Issus says, "Or rather, her eyes met the figures empty eye sockets..."

Issus says, "Asilas screamed, but no one heard her in the violent storm..."

Issus leans forward on his quarterstaff.

Issus says, "The creature was merciful and knocked her head off in one clean swipe of his quarterstaff."

Issus chuckles from the shadows.

Issus says, "Yes yes, I know what yer thinkin. 'Oh wow, Issus, sooo scary. Lame story, Iss-man.'"

Issus says, "But to that, my reply. It was not a story at all. In fact..."

Issus says, "It...happened...an...hour...ago..."

Issus shows off his quarterstaff in an impressive display of agility.

Lena edges away from Issus.

Jipamc shrieks!

Ailill lets out a hearty cheer for Issus!

Clerris draws forth a bone-hilted hanger.

Issus finally steps from the shadows, and to your horror you are suddenly faced by the same creature that took Asilas and Marryck to their graves.

Therrilliar cowers away from Issus!

Khaman says, "Oh for Phelim's sake there goes my sleep for a month."

Firannion shudders.

Khaman flails his arms about.

Issus gets a sugary candy Gor'Tog skull from inside an ebonwood toy box.

Jipamc's tail stands rigid against his back.

Meronda blanches.

Meronda babbles incoherently.

Atanamir flails his arms about.

Issus takes a bite of the skull.

Issus smiles evily.

Issus chants in a countertenor voice:

"6 foot tall, a skull for a head,

One Ghoulskin boot and a black peg-leg,

I am terror incarnate...

Watch out in these days,

For around the corner I may be,

With my smouldering gaze of hate."

(Lena hides behind the counter.)

Clerris sheathes his bone-hilted hanger.

Firannion edges away from Issus.

Khaman nervously exclaims, "Gaaaaah!"

Clerris mutters cryptically to himself.

Lena whimpers softly.

Nimuen moves over to guard Firannion.

Issus lunges at the audience and makes a broad sweep with his black quarterstaff.

Firannion leans on Nimuen.

Dreamheart gasps!

Issus grins nonchalantly, and the Issus you know and love is ruturned to being.

Dreamheart leans back.

Issus says, "Be careful, folks. And stay safe."

Nimuen applauds.

Ailill shrugs.

Khaman leans back.

Gwaihr grins.

Issus bows.

Meronda applauds.

Jipamc stretches.

Firannion lets out a long sigh of relief.

Khaman applauds.

Meronda applauds.

Therrilliar lets out a hearty cheer for Issus!

Storym lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Issus!

Samantha applauds.

Clerris grins at Gwaihr.

Meronda shivers.

Ryian wobbles, looking a bit faint.

Clerris applauds.

Cemm says, "Whew."

Jipamc puts his scimitar in his mesh weapon harness.

Austeria takes a bite of the lunch.

Firannion grins.

Dreamheart applauds.

Nimuen leans on Firannion.

Cemm applauds.

Ailill lets out a hearty cheer for Issus!

Samantha hisses, "verra ssscary"

Dreamheart beams at Issus!

Cemm lets out a hearty cheer for Issus!

Firannion just tickled Issus.

Dreamheart applauds.

Issus babbles incoherently.

Nimuen asks, "He's not -really- gonna kill us, is he, Firannion?"

Firannion giggles.

Larnae just arrived.

(Lena peeks over the edge of the counter.)

Firannion shakes her head at Nimuen.

Ailill makes a hissing noise that sounds almost like a S'Kra Mur.

Dreamheart pats Issus on the back.

Dreamheart stands up.

Austeria says, "Great story, but ya missed me with that staff swipe."

Lena asks, "Is it safe?"

Austeria cackles!

Firannion lets out a hearty cheer for Issus!

Larnae leans on Cemm.

Nimuen asks, "Promise?"

Issus points a banded ebony quarterstaff at Austeria.

Meronda grins.

Cemm leans on Larnae.

Issus winks.

Firannion nods to Lena.

Firannion gives Nimuen a smooch.

Nekayah takes a sip of her ale.

(Nimuen slowly lets go of her grip on her scythe.)

Nimuen grins.

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "And on the heels of Issus..."

Nimuen just hugged Firannion.

Issus hums cheerfully to himself.

Issus takes a seat.

(Dreamheart glances at him warily still.)

Lena says, "Think I'll stay here just in case..."

Ryian says, "ich."

Lena chuckles.

Meronda chuckles at Dreamheart.

Issus puts his skull in a Gorbesh catapult basket.

Jipamc stretches.

Meronda says, "My heart's still thumpin'"

Lena leans against a polished mahogany counter.

Ryian babbles something incoherent at Issus.

Dreamheart says, "I would like to introduce Jipamc. The spotlight is all yours."

Dreamheart smiles at Jipamc.

Issus cackles!

Jipamc smiles.

Dreamheart takes a seat.

Gwaihr grins.

Ailill winks at Dreamheart.

Jipamc says, "my tale is an interesting one"

Jipamc says, "It starts back near the end of the gorbesh war..."

Jipamc says, "With a young cleric who was in the wrong place, at the wrong time....."

Jipamc says, "Tarsus had been doing his part during the war, aiding those struck down by the evil Gorbesh hordes"

Jipamc says, "yet as the end drew near, he decided to return from the crossing to his home in Shard"

Jipamc says, "As he was walking along the Southern Trade Route, he heard the clomping of heavy boots, echoing after his steps"

Jipamc says, "he spun around, but nobody was there"

Jipamc says, "he resumed his travels"

Jipamc says, "soon he heard the clomping again, closer than before"

Jipamc says, "he spun around again! Yet still nothing there"

Jipamc says, "He traveled on..."

Jipamc says, "A thump! A snarl! He slowly turned around"

Jipamc says, "there, behind him, was a gorbesh soldier"

Jipamc says, "With a scream, he turned and ran, faster and faster, never looking back"

Jipamc says, "The webs! In his haste he had forgotten, and was soon stuck"

Jipamc says, "as he struggled to free himself, the gorbesh stalked in..."

Jipamc says, "he managed to free himself, and drew his only weapon on hand, a small throwing knife"

Jipamc says, "He threw it as hard as he could, and turned to run again, without stopping to see the effect"

Jipamc says, "And he made it! He reached the safety of the gates, and managed to gasp out his story to the guard"

Jipamc says, "He was escorted to Shard, by powerful friends, and resided, growing more and more powerful, as time went by"

Jipamc exclaims, "we come to the present day, and Tarsus is one of the highest clerics in all the land, he fears nothing!"

Jipamc says, "But the gorbesh return, and war breaks out again"

Jipamc says, "He returns to the crossing to do his part again, and leads the forces of elanthia to victory"

Jipamc says, "the war is now over, and once again he begins the journey south"

Jipamc says, "He gets off the ferry and begins to slowly walk home"

Jipamc exclaims, "but he hears a noise again!"

Jipamc says, "scraaaape, clomp. Scraaaape clomp."

Jipamc says, "it draws nearer"

Jipamc says, "he smiles, and draws his falchion"

Jipamc says, "but as he turns to face his adversary, a chill runs up his spine"

Jipamc says, "he remembers what had happened last time he traveled this way"

Jipamc says, "his mighty resolve is broken, he turns his back and runs"

Jipamc says, "after a few minutes he stops and listens"

Jipamc says, "clomp scraaaape. clomp scraaaape."

Jipamc exclaims, "it sounds even nearer, and it begins to speed up!"

Jipamc says, "clomp scraape. clomp scraape."

Jipamc says, "he begins to sweat, turning, he runs again"

Jipamc says, "this time he does remember the webs, and manages to avoid them, not stopping till he reaches the gate"

Jipamc says, "he dashes in, and stops to catch his breath"

Jipamc says, "clomp scrape. clomp scraaaaaaaaaape..."

Jipamc says, "he spins around, and there before him..."

Jipamc says, "is the same gorbesh soldier! only he is limping in his left leg."

Jipamc says, "tarsus, whimpers, and curls into a small ball, ready to accept his fate"

Jipamc says, "the soldier slowly reaches into his cloak and pulls out..."

Jipamc says, "a tiny throwing dagger"

Jipamc says, "with a sneer, he tosses it to Tarsus"

Jipamc says, ""Here stupid! Watch where you throw your stuff, next time you might kill someone!""

Cemm chuckles.

Issus blinks.

Ailill chortles softly at some secret joke.

Clerris chuckles.

Firannion nods to Nimuen.

Issus laughs!

Ryian blinks.

Lena laughs!

Clerris falls to the ground laughing hysterically!

Cemm snickers.

Firannion giggles.

Larnae chuckles.

Dreamheart begins chortling at Jipamc.

Therrilliar snickers.

Gwaihr grins.

Cemm laughs!

Firannion applauds.

Austeria smirks.

Jipamc says, "so remember, be careful where you toss your weapons, you never know who might return them..."

(Nimuen holds out her hand to the various folks she had side bets going with. When no one dishes up, she applauds a tale well told.)

Keriala chuckles.

Dreamheart giggles.

Jipamc grins.

Ailill lets out a hearty cheer for Jipamc!

Cemm grins at Jipamc.

Jipamc stretches.

Therrilliar giggles.

Clerris sits up.

Gwaihr lets out a hearty cheer for Jipamc!

Dreamheart applauds.

Lena grins.

Therrilliar applauds.

Khaman grins.

Nimuen applauds.

Dreamheart lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Jipamc!

Nekayah applauds.

Cemm grins.

Jipamc blushes a splotchy, mottled color.

Momus just arrived.

Austeria applauds.

Momus just went out.

Ryian applauds.

Cemm applauds.

Issus applauds.

Dreamheart exclaims, "Great story Jipamc!"

Atanamir applauds.

Dreamheart stands up.

Issus lets out a hearty cheer for Jipamc!

Khaman chuckles.

Dreamheart grins at Jipamc.

Lena applauds.

(Ailill grudgingly gives Nimuen the 3 copper Lirum)

Storym stands up.

Nimuen chuckles at Ailill.

Ailill blushes a bright red color.

Gwaihr exclaims, "All these years, a bard and you never told us!"

Firannion laughs at Ailill.

Meronda applauds.

Cemm grins.

Clerris grins at Gwaihr.

Gwaihr grins at Jipamc.

Storym just went out.

Jipamc says, "thank you, made it up as I went, my stories are much better that way"

Meronda takes a sip of her mead.

Jipamc just nudged Gwaihr.

Gwaihr snickers.

Ryian says, "For the most part.."

Cemm chuckles to himself.

[back to Set List]

Dreamheart says, "And now, our closing tale is from Therrilliar."

Dreamheart nods to Therrilliar.

Therrilliar stands up.

Dreamheart says, "The spotlight is yours, Therrilliar."

Therrilliar clears her throat.

Therrilliar recites:

"The tale I tell you this night is one I have not told for many years, for it is one that is painful in its speaking and horrible in its hearing. But it is a tale of treachery and despair, and it should be told...as a warning."

Therrilliar recites:

"It was perhaps twenty years ago, when I set sail from my island home of Onlor as passenger on the Gallon's Widow, heading west towards Elanthia. "

Therrilliar recites:

"It was winter, and the passage was risky, for large sea creatures oft winter in the warm currents of those waters, but our captain was in a hurry and sought to avoid any naval patrols, as was often the wont of a smuggler such as he."

Therrilliar recites:

"The voyage was peaceful enough at first...dull in fact, but on the seventeenth day of our sojourn, the waters boiled as huge tentacles erupted from the seas and lashed the decks, splintering wood and crushing men in their deadly grasp. "

Therrilliar recites:

"We fought hard, and eventually the bite of our blades and the song of our arrows told, for the beast submerged to lick its wounds, though we were aggrieved at the loss of two of our number. "

Therrilliar recites:

"But the ship was in bad shape, crushed by three of those thick tentacles, and we needed to put in to some place for repair."

Therrilliar recites:

"Fortunately, the captain knew of an island nearby inhabited by a tribe of natives who were friendly and with whom the captain had traded from time to time. So we limped and bailed and prayed to Eluned and finally came in sight of the smallish isle. "

Therrilliar recites:

"It was approaching dusk when we maneuvered the ship into the bay and brought her as close as the coral reefs would allow. Then a half dozen of us took to the long boat and rowed to shore."

Therrilliar recites:

"We had expected to be met by curious villagers, for surely ships such as ours were not commonplace in these waters and the captain had assured us that he was treated to a feast by the tribesmen on his last visit. "

Therrilliar recites:

"But as we rowed nearer to the village of bamboo huts and mud wattles, we saw not a single villager stir, nor a single flickering light or flame. The only sound was the lapping of waves, the slight tell of our oars, and the night call of the beasts of the evening."

Therrilliar recites:

"Clearly something was amiss, and as we beached our long boat upon the muddy shore, we drew blade and nocked arrow and a few struck up torches to guide us. So accoutered, we strode through the village."

Therrilliar recites:

"What we strode through was a charnel house."

Therrilliar recites:

"Huts were open to the night air as if ripped apart by great claws, splinters scattered upon the ground. Thatched roofs were pulled apart, and hide curtains were slashed with jagged cuts. "

Therrilliar recites:

"But worse still were the bodies. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Dozens of them in dozens of huts, mauled and mangled in ways that defy description, but all, every single body that still possessed enough of a face to judge its features, frozen in a horrible rictus of agony that bespoke of terror preceding death. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And the blood! "

Therrilliar recites:

"More than one would imagine from a thousand bodies, splashed everywhere, in great dried pools upon the ground, in streaks and handprints upon the hut walls, and in great violent spatters upon even the highest ceilings. "

Therrilliar recites:

"A mad, scarlet painting upon a canvas of terror."

Therrilliar recites:

"We strode grimly through this madness, gorge rising in our throats, hoping to find the reason for such monstrousity. "

Therrilliar recites:

"A few of the sailors bent double and heaved their night's meal, but I was too numb from the sheer brutality displayed here to feel any emotion but fear."

Therrilliar recites:

"It was only after several hours of searching that we found the three survivors. They were hidden in a small mound of mud, with a few breathing holes and a small store of food and water. "

Therrilliar recites:

"It took over an hour of gentle tones and persuasion for them to emerge from their hidey-hole, and in the end I had to play Hodierna's Lilt to calm them sufficiently."

Therrilliar recites:

"The tale they told was an abomination."

Therrilliar recites:

"There was a young couple of the tribe who were deeply in love, had been in love since childhood. These were Jenarta and Hadulo, and Hadulo had long hoped to marry Jenarta and to father her children. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Finally, one day, Hadulo came to the father of Jenarta and asked for his permission to marry his daughter. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Alas! For just that very day the warriors of the tribe had accused Hadulo's father of cowardice when a fight had erupted against a neighboring tribe over fishing rights. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Never would Jenarta be allowed to marry the son of a coward! A coward whose actions had cost the lives of two of the best warriors of the tribe."

Therrilliar recites:

"Hadulo was heart-broken, and repeatedly begged Jenarta to defy her father and run away with him. But Jenarta always refused, not wanting to betray her father or her tribe."

Therrilliar recites:

"And so it came to pass that Jenarta was betrothed to another and learned to love her betrothed, and as the day of the wedding approached, Hadulo's heart became dark as coal, and his anger seethed."

Therrilliar recites:

"The night before the wedding, as Jenarta and her betrothed snuck away down the beach for a private moment together, Hadulo crept up behind them. "

Therrilliar recites:

"He plunged his coral dagger into the betrothed's spine, who fell to the ground dead. Then, with ravening in his eyes, he turned upon Jenarta. "

Therrilliar recites:

"With the strength brought of boiling anger, Hadulo shouted, loud enough so that the villagers nearby could hear "If you will not bear the children of Hadulo, fair treacherous Jenarta, then you shall bear no children forever!" "

Therrilliar recites:

"And with this he wielded his knife in a way which no knife was meant to be wielded, and he shut Jenarta off from the ranks of motherhood forever."

Therrilliar recites:

"As the villagers approached the scene, Hadulo ran into the thick jungles north of the village. Jenarta, kneeling with her own blood at her feet, screamed in despair at the sight of her betrothed and, madness upon her, fled also into the jungle, a trail of blood following in her wake."

Therrilliar recites:

"The villagers searched for days for both Hadulo and Jenarta, but found no trace of either."

Therrilliar recites:

"A week later villagers went missing. "

Therrilliar recites:

"At first it was a hunter or two, and although uncommon, hunters had gone missing before, killed by mishap or raiding tribes. "

Therrilliar recites:

"But then villagers went missing from their huts in the middle of the night. The village shaman consorted with his ancestors and determined that a great curse was laid upon the tribe. "

Therrilliar recites:

"He went missing the next night."

Therrilliar recites:

"As days passed, more villagers were taken in the night, and now the abductions were less subtle and more overt. Huts were slashed through and blood was evident. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Finally, villagers stopped being abducted, and were simply slain gruesomely within their own huts. "

Therrilliar recites:

"The remaining villagers banded together in the chieftain's house for mutual protection, all except the three we found hiding in the mud. "

Therrilliar recites:

"That was three nights before we had arrived, and those in the mud heard the sound of screams and of wet, gurgling death coming from the chieftain's hut two nights ago. Then all was silent until we arrived."

Therrilliar recites:

"We knew then that we could not make repairs under these conditions, for we feared we would be beset as we laboured to repair our ship, and so, grimly, we determined to enter the jungle and search for the slayer of the villagers."

Therrilliar recites:

"Long did we travel in that steamy clime, for most of the night and the rest of the day, hacking through thick growths and swatting at the buzzing insects that harangued our every move. "

Therrilliar recites:

"But as dusk again approached, we came quietly to a clearing. And within the clearing we saw her."

Therrilliar recites:

"She was abomination."

Therrilliar recites:

"She was a young tribeswoman, in ripped, dirty, blood stained clothes, and the inside of her legs still trickled with fresh blood. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Her face was contorted into a grimace that defied normal musculature, and her eyes...her eyes were unfathomable malice. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And the clearing she inhabited...was hell brought to earth. "

Therrilliar recites:

"I shall not even deign to describe what I saw in that clearing, except to say that even the vilest Gorbesh did not deserve the fate of those villagers in that clearing."

Therrilliar recites:

"As we staggered back a-ways to gather ourselves, wild looks in all of our eyes, I told the group my thoughts."

Therrilliar recites:

"That is Jenarta. She is Norebo."

Therrilliar recites:

"My companions stared at me blankly, and so I told them of the Norebo, the malign spirit that haunts the realms of darkness and shadow, but that sometimes makes its way to our lands to inhabit a body and feed on violence. "

Therrilliar recites:

"This spirit cannot possess a body unwilling. It must therefore be invited in by its host, and so it finds those who are mad or in despair, and it whispers to these persons promises...promises of vengeance, and of power, and of redemption. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And eventually these insidious whispers break down resistance, and the Norebo is invited in. There it takes over its host, and then it feeds to grow stronger. And the Norebo does not feed on plants or animals, nor even upon the bodies of the seven races. "

Therrilliar recites:

"The Norebo feeds on pain and despair. And the more it feeds, the stronger it becomes."

Therrilliar recites:

"My companions looked at me in horror, and asked me what we could so, for certainly if the girl was strong enough to slay an entire village she could slay us as well. "

Therrilliar recites:

"But I told them that I remembered an account by a Paladin, who had heard of a similar possession of an old woman in a village. "

Therrilliar recites:

"The Paladin came to slay the woman, but when he saw her he saw it was his mother, who had abandoned him at birth. "

Therrilliar recites:

"The old woman gave the Paladin a look of recognition and mustered up the will to fight and expel the spirit. "

Therrilliar recites:

"We had to find someone or something that would shock Jenarta enough to fight the evil spirit and to expel it. A moment's thought gave up the answer. "

Therrilliar recites:

"We must find Hadulo."

Therrilliar recites:

"It was a long search, over several days, for Hadulo was a crafty woodsman, but find him we did, and we trapped him in his cave and overpowered him and bound him in ropes and jungle vines. "

Therrilliar recites:

"So trussed, we dragged Hadulo towards the clearing, but as we did I worried, for I feared that the stench of death about the clearing would be enough to give the Norebo the power to resist our plan. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And so I bid my companions to ward Hadulo in a nearby area...to stand him up and to themselves hide nearby but out of sight. "

Therrilliar recites:

"With that, I strode toward the Norebo's den."

Therrilliar recites:

"My feet trembled and my heart quavered at the thought of actually entering that clearing, where humans had been used as no being should be, but I knew this was the only chance we had to leave this island, and I also felt a pity for the girl that was once in possession of the body now wracked with evil. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And so I approached and finally, after a final deep breath, entered the clearing."

Therrilliar recites:

"At once the girl's head turned towards me, and she smiled a most foul smile as gibbets of flesh dropped from her mouth. "

Therrilliar recites:

"With the strength of a cougar she leapt towards me, covering almost twenty feet in that single bound. Just barely did I flee the sweep of her be-taloned hand as it smote the bark from a nearby tree."

Therrilliar recites:

"And then I ran...as fast and as desperately as I had ever run before or since. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Through thorny growths, through mud and pools of water, ripping through vines and overhangs, for I felt the hot breath of malice upon my heels. "

Therrilliar recites:

"I did not dare look back, not until my breath had almost given out and I began to worry that I had lost my way back to the place were Hadulo was. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Then I turned back and saw my doom upon me, and so looking, I tripped over a fallen limb and plunged headlong into the bushes ahead of me. "

Therrilliar recites:

"I heard the girl enter behind me and prepared for my own horrific end, but when the blow did not come I looked up and saw her standing behind me, transfixed on a point ahead of me. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Following her malefic gaze I saw Hadulo, standing helpless and bound, his eyes now as wide as saucers, having finally divined what fate we had in store for him."

Therrilliar recites:

"But within the body that was once Jenarta a conflict raged. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Muscles all over her body rippled back and forth in unnatural ways as if they were warring armies clashing on a field of battle. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Twice she screamed, a scream of such rank despair that even today it brings me shudders and goosebumps. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Then, with a final, racking spasm, we saw a shadow leave her body and fly off into the jungle."

Therrilliar recites:

"As I started to rise and my companions began to emerge from hiding, I saw that the girl, still bloodied and haggard, was no longer the instrument of evil I had witnessed a minute before. "

Therrilliar recites:

Therrilliar recites:

"Quickly, she strode forward, grabbed my carving knife from my sheath, and cut Hadulo's throat from ear to ear. So sated, she sank to her knees and let the knife fall from her grasp."

Therrilliar recites:

"I stood then, and made move to comfort her, but it was only then that I saw the truth of her predicament. "

Therrilliar recites:

"For although the Norebo had been in complete control of her mind and body during her possession, it had, in the complete malice of its delight, allowed her to see, hear, taste, and remember every action her body had committed. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And now, as the realization of this crossed her face, she let out a scream and began to claw at her face with her sharp nails."

Therrilliar recites:

"My companions made move to grab her arms and overpower her, but I waved them away as I stooped quickly to the ground and arose again. "

Therrilliar recites:

"Then I stared straight into Jenarta's eyes and, although knowing she did not speak my tongue, said to her "come my child, and embrace me, for I truly understand your pain and I can cure it"."

Therrilliar recites:

"And suddenly, Jenarta stopped, and with blood streaming from her nail-rent face she stood, and with a single tear in her eye stepped forward and embraced me."

Therrilliar recites:

"Some of my companions, on the journey home after we repaired the ship would not speak to me thereafter, and in their whispers called me murderer. "

Therrilliar recites:

"But I know as Faenella is my witness, that as Jenarta slumped off of the bloody carving knife in my hand and we broke our embrace, that she had a smile on her face and a look of blessed relief in her eyes. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And although I have often asked Faenella to forgive me if I did wrong that day, I can swear to you that on the anniversary of her death I always dream of her. "

Therrilliar recites:

"And in my dreams I see her with the gods, and she is whole, and her betrothed is with her, and children scurry at her feet. And I know that she has found at last surcease."

Therrilliar recites:

"But let this tale be a warning to you all...give not in to despair, no matter what travails may come your way, for despair is the mother of evil and the mother of violence."

Therrilliar smiles wanly and nods, having concluded her grim tale.

Jipamc mutters cryptically to himself.

Clerris nods to Therrilliar.

Lena shivers.

Dreamheart gulps.

Keriala sighs.

Khaman says, "There was no other choice, it was the right thing....."

Therrilliar takes a seat.

Ryian pants.

Nekayah sighs.

Ailill nods to Therrilliar.

Therrilliar nods to Khaman.

Nimuen shivers.

Firannion inhales a great swallow of air.

Jipamc lets out a hearty cheer for Therrilliar!

Issus applauds.

Austeria pats Therrilliar on the back.

Larnae applauds.

Firannion slowly empties her lungs.

Khaman applauds.

Cemm says, "Sheesh."

Nimuen says, "Thank you, Therrilliar."

Dreamheart says, "Oh, my, therrilliar."

Firannion applauds.

Cemm applauds.

Larnae lets out a hearty cheer for Therrilliar!

Gwaihr lets out a hearty cheer for Therrilliar!

Issus just hugged Therrilliar.

Nekayah applauds.

Firannion shudders.

Ailill says, "wow"

(Dreamheart claps soberly.)

Meronda applauds.

Meronda shudders.

Khaman leans back.

Lena says, "Bravo Therrilliar"

Meronda nods to Dreamheart.

Dreamheart stands up.

Clerris says, "someone get that lass a good drink"

Therrilliar bows to Lena.

Lena smiles.

Keriala says, "Applause would be... anticlimactic. But what a compelling tale, Therrilliar."

Ryian stands up.

Khaman smiles.

Keriala shivers.

You applaud.

Dreamheart says, "Well, my drink is gone, and I think we have come to the end of our tales this night."

Dreamheart says, "Next week, same time, same place, same day, right here, we resume the concerts."

Meronda exclaims, "Thank you to all you wonderful story tellers!"

Issus says, "Good night, all. Twas fun."

Ailill says, "none too soon Dream, another like that..."

Therrilliar nods to Dreamheart.

Cemm grins at Dreamheart.

Nekayah nods.

Khaman grins.

Nekayah smiles.

Clerris sheathes his bone-hilted hanger.

Nekayah takes a bite of the ambrosia.

Dreamheart says, "Every storyteller tonight, please stand, and take a bow."

Jipamc bows.

Firannion says, "Presuming that there is a next week."

Khaman says, "And don't let the boogeyman getcha..."

Ailill waves.

Meronda applauds.

Austeria bows.

Ryian says, "That the stories heard here are stories.. but much worse things may happen in the flash of the lightning.."

Atanamir applauds.

Dreamheart applauds.

Meronda applauds.

Issus bows.

Therrilliar bows.

Cemm chuckles at Firannion.

Gwaihr exclaims, "Great set of story tellers. Great job everyone!"

Khaman darkly says, "Mwa-ha-haaaa...."

Lena says, "Thank you for a fun, and scary evening"

Nimuen bows.

Nekayah takes a bite of the ambrosia.

Larnae applauds.

Firannion stands up.

Therrilliar nods to Ryian.

Meronda applauds.

Nekayah applauds.

Atanamir applauds.

Cemm beams!

Ailill stands up.

Dreamheart nods to Lena.

Cemm nods.

Jipamc sheathes his carving knife.

Firannion curtsies.

Ailill bows.

Issus exclaims, "Have a good night, and dont talk to strangers!"

Therrilliar takes a sip of her windhaze.

Khaman applauds.

Nimuen says, "And of course, storyteller and organizer Dreamheart."

Nekayah stands up.

Therrilliar chuckles at Issus.

Cemm exclaims, "Whew!"

Issus says, "Especially not in the middens..."

Larnae smiles at Cemm.

Issus cackles!

Firannion winks at Issus.

Ryian says, "May Truffenyi protect and guide us.."

Nimuen points at Dreamheart.

Nimuen applauds.

Therrilliar lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Dreamheart!

Jipamc exclaims, "and don't throw knives at them!"

Cemm grins at Larnae.

Larnae scratches Cemm's back. Cemm smiles blissfully.

Khaman chuckles.

Nekayah curtsies to Dreamheart.

Firannion lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Gwaihr lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Khaman applauds.

Ailill lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Lena says, "Of course"

Issus lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Nekayah lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Dreamheart says, "I hope to see you all next week again. In the meanwhile, watch your steps the next while..."

Lena beams at Dreamheart!

Meronda lets out a hearty cheer for Dreamheart!

Nekayah pats Dreamheart on the back.

Firannion nods.

Therrilliar takes a sip of her windhaze.

Cemm nods to Dreamheart.

Nimuen says, "And remember to keep an eye on the Wren's Nest - we'll be announcing how to find the sign up sheet for the Tourney real soon now. Promise."

Ailill just hugged Firannion.

Issus just hugged Therrilliar.

Nekayah takes a bite of the ambrosia.

Meronda takes a sip of her mead.

Ryian says, "And may years from now not our friends tell the same tales of us.."

Clerris traces an arcane sigil in the air.

Ailill just hugged Therrilliar.

Issus just hugged Firannion.

Atanamir smiles.

Firannion gazes thoughtfully at a pint of dark double-bock.

Dreamheart says, "Lest you become a gruesome tale in the awful things that surround us."

Khaman chuckles.

***********************************

THE GUEST LIST

***********************************

Storyteller Ailill Dreaghnean, a Human Bard [back to Guest List]

He has jade eyes, very long thick amber hair that is tousled, and tanned skin.

He is young for a Human.

He has faint scuffing to the neck.

He is in good shape.

He is wearing a rosewood longbow, an olive green backpack, a rich sable sack, some rich sable boots, a forest green sheath, an emerald green quiver, a forest green kilt, a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a marqueterie copperleaf locket, a silver ring bearing the crest of the Bard Guild, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a leather aventail, a long pouch, a silver key with a spider-web design on the grip, a leather reinforced helm, an ordinary shield and some jet black fur-lined leathers.

Atanamir Tar'Qetil, a Human [back to Guest List]

Atanamir has grey hair, pale skin, one silver eye and one grey eye, and blue woad filligrees concealing stylized panthers on his face.

He is wearing a tasseled leather waterskin, a double-stringed crossbow, a starry white narcissus, a dust grey half-cloak fastened at the neck with a disk-shaped emerald brooch, a greatsword sheath, some midnight black elven plate, a midnight black elven aventail, some midnight black elven gauntlets, a midnight black elven helm, a kyanite gwethdesuan, a grey leather haversack, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a sturdy black backpack, a wide bronze-studded war girdle with a silver wolf-head buckle, an electrum signet ring, an inlaid jade band, a deep black azurite nose-ring, a blue and grey tartan kilt embroidered with the image of a dragon swooping to avoid a lightning bolt, a tiny golden dragon charm, a sickly, petrified chicken's leg with talons pointed in different directions, a silver key with a spider-web design on the grip, a thick greyish black steel choker with a small silver clasp, a marqueterie copperleaf locket, a small ivory name tag, an elegant gold kilt pin set with a crystal, a handmade ru'at bracelet crafted from silver and studded with small flecks of malachite, a carved jade dragon pin with tiny faceted ruby eyes, a black imperial shoulder sash with a silver eye embroidered on the breast, a fur-trimmed leather sporran with foxtail tassels, a pair of supple travel-worn riding boots set with spurs made of troll fang, some silver-rimmed spectacles, a witch ball, a misty white satin ribbon and a black leather bullwhip.

Balladeer Austeria Tollemache, a Human Bard [back to Guest List]

She has grey eyes, long thick amber hair that is loose, and fair skin.

She is young for a Human.

She has faint scuffing to the right arm, faint scuffing to the left arm, faint scuffing to the right leg, faint scuffing to the left leg, faint scuffing to the chest, faint scuffing to the abdomen, faint scuffing to the right eye, faint scuffing to the left eye.

She is in good shape.

She is wearing a alder longbow, some scale greaves, a wicker quiver, some hip length white calfshide boots, a crystal ring, some white hose, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a pearl barrette, a black leather cape, some articulated armguards, an arm pouch, a carved white pick, a silver key with a spider-web design on the grip, a sturdy silver backpack, a medium doeskin case, a silver chain, a doeskin long pouch, a fletching pouch, a well-wrought breastplate, a silver suede skirt and a bronze dragon pin.

Cemm Marcolin, a Human Warrior Mage [back to Guest List]

He has crystal blue eyes, shoulder length wavy brown hair that is loose, and tanned skin.

He is young for a Human.

He is in good shape.

He is wearing some hunting leathers, a pair of polished black leather knee boots, a hooded longcoat, a sturdy weapon harness, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a balanced light crossbow, a chain balaclava, a fragile black diamond rose and a pair of mesh handguards.

Taleweaver Dreamheart Delaevan, a Human Bard [back to Guest List]

She has grey eyes, shoulder length wavy auburn hair that is tousled, and fair skin.

She is young for a Human.

She is in good shape.

She is wearing a fine mesh backpack, a tear-drop crystal earring, some studded leather gloves, a carved wooden wren hanging from a soft leather cord, a delicate goldbark wren and panther clasp, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, a canvas sack, a carved silver pick, a lantholite gwethdesuan, a sling, a somber black hooded cloak, some smoke grey leathers, a leather cowl, a wilted poppy, a waermodi gwethdesuan and a lasmodi gwethdesuan.

Poet Firannion Matrevyn, a Human Bard [back to Guest List]

She has violet eyes, long thick silver hair that is braided, and tanned skin.

She is fairly young for a Human.

She has faint scuffing to the abdomen.

She is in good shape.

She is holding a broken silver chain in her right hand.

She is wearing a lantholite gwethdesuan, a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a alder longbow, a blue brocade backpack embroidered along the straps with a wren-in-flight pattern, a carved wooden wren hanging from a soft leather cord, a cerulean blue pouch, a cerulean blue scabbard, a mist grey foraging apron, some smoke grey snakeskin boots, a creamy white silk tabard intricately embroidered with a shimmering golden harp, some billowing white satin pantaloons edged with seed pearls along the outer seams, a silky white blouse, some glittering chain, some calla lily earrings with pearl accents, some spidery copper-rimmed spectacles, a platinum ring bearing the crest of the Warrior Mage Guild, a cerulean hip belt embroidered with intricate golden wrens, a shagreen instrument case embossed with the golden emblem of the Bards' Guild, a carved pick, some white silk stockings, a sparkling-red cookie bag, a tiny nightingale charm, a gold owl ear-stud, a white silken cape lined with thick snowbeast fur, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, a waermodi gwethdesuan, a glittering chain balaclava, an onyx-inlaid light crossbow and some mail gloves.

Issus Veltshimmer, an Elf [back to Guest List]

He has hazel eyes, shoulder length fine russet hair that is unkempt, and tanned skin.

He is young for an Elf.

He has faint scuffing to the neck, faint scuffing to the right arm, faint scuffing to the left arm, faint scuffing to the right hand, faint scuffing to the left hand, faint scuffing to the right eye.

He is in good shape.

He is holding a toy skeletal sailor in his right hand and a banded ebony quarterstaff in his left.

He is wearing an iron-banded skull helm, a waxed red fake mustache, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a Gorbesh catapult basket, some mail gauntlets, a long mesh weapon harness, some lamellar armor, a crystal spider medallion, a silver band, an ebony pegleg carved with images of dancing skeletons, some ghoulskin boots colored pale grey splotched with sickly green and a ice blue cloak with a mountain scene painted on the back.

Jipamc Zifna'b, a S'Kra Mur Warrior Mage [back to Guest List]

He has slitted jade eyes and camouflage scales.

He is young for a S'Kra Mur.

He has faint scuffing to the right arm, tiny scratches to the left arm, faint scuffing to the right leg, faint scuffing to the left leg, faint scuffing to the right hand, faint scuffing to the left hand, tiny scratches to the chest, faint scuffing to the abdomen, faint scuffing to the back.

He is in good shape.

He is wearing a foresters crossbow, a lumpy bundle, a knee-length tunic emblazoned with the badge of the Opreina Moracul, a long mesh weapon harness, a pitch-black sack, some scale greaves, a black cloak, a snug doeskin jacket, a tailored silk shirt, some loose doeskin pants, a brushed silver torque inlaid with an onyx coyote silhouetted against a cambrinth moon, a heavy cambrinth wristband inlaid with a cheerful silver donkey, a bronzed cambrinth ring bearing the crest of the Warrior Mage Guild, a platinum ring bearing the crest of the Warrior Mage Guild, a carved jade dragon pin with tiny faceted ruby eyes, a slender silver eyebrow ring, a bronze dragon pin, a worn golden medallion, a jet black boar-hide bandana, a pair of black calfskin hipboots, a small velvet sack embroidered with tumbling dice, a thigh quiver dyed in a brown and green camouflage pattern, a leather ankle sheath, a medicine pouch made from the skull and hide of a cougar, a fine mesh backpack and a twisted cambrinth armband.

Juleanne Sylvermyst, an Elothean [back to Guest List]

She has silver eyes, long curly strawberry hair that is loose, and tanned skin.

She is fairly young for an Elothean.

She has some faint scars along the right arm, some faint scars along the right hand.

She is in good shape.

She is wearing a pair of emerald-studded war boots lined with deep green silk, a delicate midnight-blue pouch dangling from a thin jade chain, a dancer's belt, a belled bracelet, a belled anklet, an inlaid jade band, a delicate silver ring engraved with roses and thistle outlined in a swirl of gold, some sparkling diamond heart-shaped earrings, a mirrored turpeer, a sprig of mistletoe, a dwarven war scabbard wrapped in blue-dyed lizardhide and laced with a cord woven from wolf spidersilk, a grey Elven belt quiver bearing the image of the dragon Glacis, a leather cowl, some reinforced hide gloves, a jewelled dagger sheath set with sparkling rubies and sapphires, a recurve bow, a green and navy-blue plaid kilt, a blue leather ankle sheath, some oiled leathers, a dark hooded cloak, a grey leather haversack, some silver knee socks and a tiny platinum tart pin.

Kortny Horselord, a Human [back to Guest List]

He has violet eyes, long thick auburn hair that is loose, and fair skin.

He is young for a Human.

He is in good shape.

He is wearing an Elothean silverwillow crossbow, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a lantholite gwethdesuan, a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a misty grey belt, some chain silvered armguards, a misty grey bag, a small jeweled sack, a sturdy weapon harness, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, an albatross feather, a double-linked chain tunic, a hand-stitched traveler's pack, some chain silvered legguards, some silvered mail gauntlets and a leather cowl.

Lena Silverburg, a Human Commoner [back to Guest List]

She has ale-brown eyes, long wavy golden brown hair that is tied back, and fair skin.

She is young for a Human.

She is in good shape.

She is holding a diminutive glass fishbowl in her right hand.

She is wearing a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, a long leather pouch cinched with a silver ram's head on a rawhide thong, some boots, a dove-grey cotton blouse, a sturdy backpack, a large sack and a flowing skirt.

Mykk Dalys, a Halfling [back to Guest List]

You have blue eyes, short wavy black hair that is tied back, and tanned skin.

You are in good shape.

You are wearing a black eyepatch vividly stained with crimson blood, a black suede hooded cloak, some polished black armor, a blood red swashbuckler's sash, a long leather pouch cinched with a silver ram's head on a rawhide thong, a leather weapon harness, a platinum ring bearing the crest of the Bard Guild, a jadeite gwethdesuan and a kyanite gwethdesuan.

Nekayah Astyrel, an Elothean Bard [back to Guest List]

She has crystal blue eyes, very long fine platinum hair that is tied back, and tanned skin.

She is fairly young for an Elothean.

She has faint scuffing to the right hand.

She is in good shape.

She is holding a long-stemmed white rose in her right hand.

She is wearing an onyx black medium case, a pearl grey silk long pouch, a forest green towel embroidered with a golden dragon, an ebony arm pouch, a snakeskin wrist sheath, some reinforced greaves, a sturdy backpack, a pair of black boots, a ruby teardrop earring, a small dragon charm, a star shaped brass pin wrapped in silver wire, some pitch-black leggings, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a leather scabbard, an oiled leather jacket, an ordinary shield and a foresters crossbow.

Ryian Mnhei`sahe, an Elothean Ranger [back to Guest List]

He has green eyes, cropped platinum hair, and tanned skin.

He is fairly young for an Elothean.

He has faint scuffing to the head, minor swelling and bruising around the right arm, faint scuffing to the right leg, faint scuffing to the left hand, faint scuffing to the right eye.

He is in good shape.

He is holding a glass of Lethean ouisque in his right hand.

He is wearing a fine mesh backpack, a thigh quiver dyed in a brown and green camouflage pattern, some leather greaves, a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a leather aventail, a grendel-skin utility belt, a silver key with a spider-web design on the grip, a grey leather shoulder scabbard, some pure white wolfskin boots, a sluagh-hide breastplate, a fletching pouch, a silver chain, some leather vambraces, a jackal-tooth wristband, a longbow and a knee-length tunic emblazoned with the badge of the Opreina Moracul.

Samantha NyteCloaked, a S'Kra Mur Ranger [back to Guest List]

She has slitted crystal blue eyes and black scales.

She is young for a S'Kra Mur.

She is in good shape.

She is wearing a dark leather mask, a dusty rose doeskin skirt, a fletching pouch, some full leather armor, a leather sheath, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a mist grey foraging apron, a willow short bow, a pair of dark leather gloves, a thigh quiver dyed in a brown and green camouflage pattern, a leather ankle sheath, a mist grey journey pack and an ash longbow.

Therrilliar d'Onlor, an Elf [back to Guest List]

She has violet eyes, long straight silver hair that is tied back, and fair skin.

She is young for an Elf.

She is in good shape.

She is wearing a fringed leather sheath, a red satin tabard sewn in brilliant gold thread with the emblem of the wren of Faenella, a foresters bow, a knee-length tunic emblazoned with the badge of the Opreina Moracul, some chain, a flat-black chain balaclava, some gleaming mail gauntlets, an arm pouch stitched with a beautiful forest scene, a waermodi gwethdesuan, a moonstone nightingale ring, a silver ring engraved with the image of a moon and sun, an amber yellow thigh bag, some white silk stockings, a cerulean hip belt embroidered with intricate golden wrens, a bronze medallion stamped with the image of a flying wren, a delicate gold necklace with a small flute charm, a delicate gold necklace with a mandolin charm, a platinum ring bearing the crest of the Bard Guild, a long leather pouch cinched with a silver ram's head on a rawhide thong, a woven leather belt adorned with tiny brass wrens, a leather scroll pouch cinched with a bronze albatross, a white gold headband, a blue brocade backpack embroidered along the straps with a wren-in-flight pattern, a golden silk sunflower, a silver key with a spider-web design on the grip, a blue leather ankle sheath, a jet-black silk garter accented with a tiny ruby heart pierced with a diamond arrow, a platinum engagement ring set with a dark red ruby teardrop, a lapis lazuli wren charm, a leaf-stitched cloak crafted in woodland shades of autumn, a bard's blue eyepatch engraved with the silver image of a lute, some dangling golden earrings shaped like clusters of tiny acorns, a shagreen instrument case embossed with the golden emblem of the Bards' Guild, some dark green side-laced suede boots with copper trim, a thigh quiver dyed in a brown and green camouflage pattern and a lasmodi gwethdesuan.

Thriss Skree'Tul, a S'Kra Mur [back to Guest List]

He has slitted grey eyes and green-grey scales.

He is young for a S'Kra Mur.

He is in good shape.

He is wearing a black amaryllis, an onyx-inlaid light crossbow, a light crossbow, a lasmodi gwethdesuan, a mist grey tail pouch, a hip pouch, a silver key with a spider-web design on the grip, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, a sjatmal gwethdesuan, a silver kathla of nine expertly enameled plates that depict events surrounding the life of Damaris, a silky grey tabard depicting a black serpent emerging from an ivory moon, a silver tail barb, a worn golden medallion, some old boots, a hooded shadow black cloak clasped at the neck with a small diamond dagger, a corded claymore sheath, a roughly-braided leather armband, a brown cotton armband, a gold ring bearing the crest of the Thieves' Guild, a faded gold ring, a moonstone panther amulet, some prayer beads, a black leather hand-tooled highwayman's belt, a pair of blue trousers batiked with a playful welkin sliding down the leg, a storm grey backpack, some storm grey leathers, a dark leather mask and some reinforced hide gloves.