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SPECIAL FEATUBE: PAGES FBOM THE AGES
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Judy Mueller 3 Artifacts, Relics,and DM's Headaches-by Roger Moore
Reprinted frorn Issue 14 of the Newszine
Tips for the gamemaster on how to use those high-powered magic items
to his advantage

6 The Lvrvc Crv* Open Air Farmers Market-by Joseph Wichmann

Reprinted from Issue 44 of the Newszine
Shop for an adventure in the Ravens Bluffmarket

I Zee Chef-by Bruce Heard

Reprinted from Issue 23 of the Newszine
Add a bit of spice to your campaigns with this quirky NPC class

FEATURES
16 World Under Construction-by William W. Connors
Here's a chance for you to offer some suggestionsfor TSBs Ravpm,onro
SecondEdition project

26 1996 G:rrrCoru'Game Fair RPGA'Network Events Preview

EDITORIAL

25 Notesfrom HO

28 RavensBluffTrumpeter

DEPARTMENTS
13 Elminster's Everwinking Ey*by Ed Greenwood
Dunbridges and the Duskwood

18 Forgotten Deities-by Eric Boyd

A look at two of the elder elemental evils: Dendar the Night Serpent and
Kezef the Chaos Hound

22 A World of Your Own-by Roger Moore

Magical alternate histories, part 2

About the Cover

our cover this issue represents a little bit of the history of the Newszine. The col-
lage ofprevious covers introduces our special feature: reprints ofarticles (includ-
ing one of the earliest LrwNc Crrv businesses)from some of the best issues of the
Newszine.

P L Y E R
 ARTIFACTS, RELICS, AI.{D DM
HEADACHES

'rrys,

b;/'
*-
_1'.

F.i

AD&D games heap scorn on the heads Prime Powers (p. 163 of the DuNcnoN
by Roger E. Moore Masrnn Guide) is worth looking at here.
of such players and their characters.
But the players are not so much at fault This lists some of the greatest powers
This article was originally printed in
as the DMs who let them get such items that an artifact or relic could possess'
Issue #14 of the Newszine. Page num-
to begin with. Some of them may be too powerful for a
bers referenceslisted for the DuNenou
A-DM may claim, with a little valid- referee's tastes; I wouldn't like to have a
Mesrnff Guide refer to the lst edition
ity, that the DuNcnoN Mnsrun Guide character gain an item that gave one
printing.
allows the chance for characters to reg- wish or resurrection spell per day' An
ularly obtain artifacts by including item like that makes the challenge in
There are several aspects of the AD&D@ getting through a campaign fall like a
role-playing game system that are often them in the random-roll magic items
tables. This is true, butjust because lead weight.
subject to game abuse, and the use of There's nothing wrong with reward-
artifacts and relics is one these diffr- someonehappens to roll up t}'e Eye of
Vecna whlle laying out a first-level ing characters with good treasure, but
cult-to-control gray areas' By defini-
dungeon doesn't mean that he should ttrere is something very un-rewarding
tion, an artifact or relic is a unique
include such an item anyway. This vio- in giving the characters everything they
magical item of extreme Power that
lates common sense in maintaining *.ot. El utt an artifact should be very
may have unintended side effects
game balance, and guarantees that the carefully designed to keep things from
resulting from its use. Obtaining an of control.
artifact should require enormous effort iampaign will get knocked out of kil- "soins out
ter. The only way a player character Aitifacts should be chosenwith the
on the part ofthe player characters,
can get hold of an artifact is for a DM overall campaign in mind. If the cam-
and it just may be that getting the arti- paign's universe has nothing to do with
fact is more dangerous to a character's to arrange it that waY; the DM is com-
pletely responsible for such an event. lhe Wosln oF GREYHAwTffantasy set-
life than the quest to frnd the artifact.
(It would be a good idea to ignore or tins. someoflthe DuuceoN MASTER
Unfortunately this is not always the
cross out the reference to "Artifact or Gni"de'sartifacts fthe Cup and Talis-
case.There are campaigns in which
Relic" in Table (III. E.) I on p. L22 of man of Al'Akbar,fot instance)would
characters frnd it exceptionally easy to
the DuNcuoN Masrpn Guide.) Instead, not be available and others, generated
get hold ofan artifact, and it is not
these devicesshould be introduced in a by the DM's fertile imagination, might
uncommon at times to find adventuring
groups who have many or all of the arti- manner completelYunder the DM's bL. tt's a good idea to avoid gifting them-
control. with too many powerful abilities, even if
facts listed in the DuNcsoN MASTER
Consider game balance if using arti- they are supposedto be exceptionally
Guide and an assortment of the other
facts and relics in your campaign. How large and mightY' As a rule of thumb,
ones as well. A lot of people who play
powerful will an aftifactbe? Table V: the Mace of Cuthbert in the DullcpoN
what they consider to be balanced
 Masrnn Guide is a good example of a All too often it seemsthat artifacts The idea ofuncontrollable weapons
low-power (using the term loosely) arti- don't get no respect,and this is a situa- may be used to good effect in an adven-
fact, while the Machine of Lum the Mad tion that the DM can take pains to rec- ture in having similar evil artifact
might prove too much for most cam- tifii. Thosewho have read Michael swords. Whenever an especially low
paigns to absorb. Powers should be con- Moorcock'sStormbringer novels have number is rolled "to hit
sistent with the nature of the device; an an excellent idea ofthe possiblecon- with the weapon (exclu-
artifact related to an oceanic deity sequencesin utilizing a major sive ofall bonusesof
would not likely allow one to fly or ani- artrfact; these things can be any sort), the sword
mate zombies, but might have powers dangerous!The Sword ofKas could turn in the
that allowed one to summon and control is not just a sword; it is a sen- user's grip and
sea creatures. tient being with a mind and automatically
Having designed some artifacts for a will of its own, fully able to attack the near-
campaign, the question arises of how to lead a character to complete est ally with all
use them in scenarios.DMs may occa- destruction. The Wand of bonuses"to hit"
sionally drop tales and legends concern- Orcusis not just a wand: it and for damage
ing certain artifacts to the players as is the toy of a god devotedto applying. If no
part ofthe overall campaign seasoning. death and the spreading of ally is available,
The full range of powers and abilities wickednessand evil, and ho ho, the sword
that an artifact has should not be reflects the nature ofits cre- attacks its user
given; only those relevant to the events ator in its powers.Even a good- with all bonuses
in which they figure would be aligned item like the Mace of applying. This system
described. Tales concerning artifacts Cuthbert could have powers that are was used to satisfactory
and relics should not always be particu- not (from somecharacters'viewpoints) effect in a number of cam-
larly accurate,either; it may not be beneficial; maybe it causesthe user to go paigns I've been in, and evil arti-
true at all that the Eye of Vecna glves on a quest oncea month for the causeof fact weapons generally become
off a death ray once per melee round. good,a quest in which the character will unpopular in short order. Similar
Tales grow in the telling, as everyone not benefit in any material way (empha- effects may be grafted on to other magi-
knows, and tradition may suggest that sizing humility, of course).In an old cam- cal weaponry in AD&D game play;
an item may be able to do such-and- paign of mine, a paladin character Blachrazor (from D&D@ game module
such when in fact it does nothing of the managedto get his hands upon the sword 52: White Plume Mountain) and the
kind. Excalibur. He was pleasedenough Sword of Kas come immediately to
The other side ofthe coin is with it until he discovered that mind.
that what one does not hear the sword would attempt to This brings up the question of when
about an artifact could be "P possesshim at odd times and it would be possible to actually intro-
more important than what
is known about it. The
t send him on a quest. It got
to the point where the the
duce an artifact into the campaign. For
the most part such an introduction
unknown and potentially
i* paladin began using any
r!''0, should be left up to the characters. If,
' t' qf
athand having heard some of the tales about
devastating aspects of : |1r'{ t nfhpr w aqnon
otherweapon hqnd
q'f ha forced
artifacts should be care- S" rather than
rqthov fhqn be fnrnarl to various artifacts, they decide to track
fully considered and "" draw Excalibur and risk one of them down, then the DM can
played upon by DMs being sent offquesting draw up a string ofadventures that
when dealing with items acrossthe countryside, will (possibly) lead the characters to
like these. with his allies in mad pur- such a device. However, there may be
In a way, an artifact or false leads, or copiesof artifacts (of
relic is virtually a character Another example: Ear- small power and with unpleasant traps
in itself. These deviceshave r ! lier editions of the lDpnrns built into them) might exist that are
been around for ages,hundreds AND DEMIGODS"'manuall car- mistaken for the real thing. The series
or thousands ofyears, and have ried descriptions of Michael Moor- of adventures leading to either a false
survived countless major events that cock's characters from the Elric of lead, false "artifact," or real artifact
few living beings might now remember. Melnibone series, and a full description could be frustrating or dangerous in
They are dangerous to tinker with, of Elric's sword, Stormbringer ("possibly any event. One Dungeon Master I
granting either might and power to their the most powerful magic weaponpos- know, Bill Kurtz, ran a dungeon
user or destruction, ruin, and death (or sessedby a mortal anywhere"). It's not wherein it was said a copper ring
worse). No artifact should ever be fully uncommon to find a character who owns existed that would allow a magic-user
predictable;no one should ever (ifpos- this weapon or its twin, Mournblade,in to gain several levels ofability auto-
sible) know the full range of any artifac- AD&D game campaigns. The characters matically so long as the ring was worn;
t's capabilities. Some DMs hand players (and their players) feel that they can when the player characters entered the
a note completely describing their char- completely control the sword and use it dungeon, however, they discovered that
acter's relic, all of its good and bad regularly. However, looking back at the whole areas of the complex were fiIled
points, and let them take it from there. Elric books,it becomesapparent that with normal copper rings that exactly
This gives the characters too much not even Elric could control his own matched the description of the
power at once, and strips all the mystery sword, and no one else but a member of artifact. I once allowed a group
and glamor away from the item, making the royal house of Melnibone was sup- to come into possession of
it no better in a way than a +l dagger; posedto be able to use S/ormbringer what they believed was
more powerful than a +l dagger, but no (Elric was the last of his line). Charac- the Wand, of Orcus'.how- ---;i
more mysterious. The players will ters in AD&D games who grasp Storm- ever, the item was a
regard the relic asjust another thing for bringer could be instantly and false device that would
their characters to carry around to blast irrevocably slain or life-drained, no sav- for several times run-
the monsters apart. ing throw given, at the DM's option. ning, give offa death

4
spell but afber a set number ofuses take the item to the nearest dwarven ofgood, and ofSt. Cuthbert's religion
automatically slew the user. Players kingdom so the king may use it. Some specifically. TheAxe of the Dwaruish
should not grow over-confident when evil dwarves might wish to gain the Axe Lords exists to further the ends ofthe
hunting for relics. for themselves, and some dwarves (if dwarven people. The DM may introduce
It is a good idea, when giving out the character who gained the Are is of artifacts in such a way as to make their
stories and clues on the arti- exceptional ability) might want the ultimate purposes clear afber some
facts, to avoid making the character to be the new king, or investigation on the characters' parts. It
clues very clear or fre- whatnot. The political and social could be arranged for them to eventu-
quently encoun- situation will be plunged into ally gain possession(if not control) of an
tered. Paying a turmoil; a character had better artlfact so that some greater need not
bartender to get be good at keeping his or her necessarily of the characters' designs is
information on head abovewater. Imagine, met.
the location of too, the possibleconse- In the WoruD oF GREYHAwKfantasY
."."iii..f*iit , ',r quences if a non-dwarf came setting, it might happen that the
get the charac- back with t}'e Axe'. continual Church ofSt. Cuthbert would fall upon
,*d
ters nothing but i attempts to take back the hard times brought about by the manip-
useless chatter. item by dwarves of every ulations ofevil forces. High level char-
At worst, it sort? rioting? warfare on a acters might frnd that a final
could get the ':Fbroad scale?The DM's imagi- confrontation is coming between the
characters slain nation will form the limits to defenders ofthe faith and their allies,
by enraged citi-
l
what is possible. and those who would wiPe it out for-
zenry; consider how "'fl[;
#*.
With the above in ever. The Mace of Cuthberl is needed
you would react ifyou *& mind, picture the effects if a char- but has disappeared. A similar situation
s + " occurred in Terry Brooks' novel,The
were contacted by a grouP acter gains the Wand of Orcus,Hand
today that was actively seek- ofVecna, or other exceptionally evil and Sword of Shannara, when a Powerful
ing to frnd or build a nuclear weapon- powerful relic. Picture how the FBI, the magical sword was all that stood
The attitude you have about that may CIA, the U.S. Army, and other agencies between victory and defeat for the
give you a great deal of insight into how would react if somebodyactually built forces of good. The unmaking of the One
or stole a nuclear weapon. This doesn't Ring was the great quest in J.R.R.
normal citizens in the AD&D game
speak for how other evil creatures Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy,
world feel about major artifacts,
evil or good. would react; very likely there would be which points out that it might not be
whether
The above comparison maY be taken extreme rivalry among evil creatures to the gaining and use of an item that is
gain possessionofthe device in ques- required, but the destruction ofan arti-
even further. Everyone today is aware
tion, a no-holds-barred, no-quarter- fact. This would lessen the
ofthe existenceofnuclear weapons,and ' power or cause that the
people have a general idea ofwhat they given fight to the death for all
concerned. artifact promotes.
do, but when pinned down to specifrcs, Artifacts are not toYs
it is difficult to frnd anyone who can tell To illustrate this, another
game I refereed involved for characters to deck
you what their exact capabilities are.
three player characters of themselves out with.
Those who do know often aren't telling. They form an active
Universally, you will not be likely to very high levels who sought
the Wand of Orcus; though part of a camPaign
frnd people who want such things
all were evil. all were of dif- world, furthering the
around themselves. Most people would
ferent religious persuasions. aims of forces greater
have a deep distrust, to put it mildly, of than mortal. Charac-
anyone they knew who owned an H- Once the Wandwas found, I :::'tpq

began passing notes vv the

to )'4 ters who become
bomb. Apply all of the above to AD&D
.j .'

lrvvvu v4v
uEts,4rl lroDDr!!5
:,';1 involved with relics of
game world citizenry and their feelings players. The character who wor-
",
'i :A ;

shipped Asmodeus began having .r:f : power must tread carefullY,

about artifacts in general (evil artifacts
dreams that hinted that his deity and must consider the great risks
specifrcally). Maybe good-aligrredpeople
forms of cancer wished him to take the item to lessen they are taking. No one can claim to do
would frnd a cure for all
the power of Orcus. Another character moie than possessa relic, if even that is
to be a wonderful thing, as some people
began to want the item for his own, see- possible (some relics may well posse.qs
feel the Space Shuttle to be a wonderful
in[ that he could have extreme power if lheir "owners"). It is the Dungeon Mas-
thing. But even good things, in the
he possessedit. The third character ter's responsibility to see that artifacts
wrong hands ....
woishipped Orcus, and was bound and and like items are given the respect
These points are made to give dePth
determined not to give the item up. The they deserve, and to mete out rewards
to the idea ofa player character actu-
result was an adventure frlled with dou- or doom as the situation calls for. For
ally gaining possessionof a major arti-
ble-crosses.calculated assassination high-level and carefully monitored cam-
fact or relic. These things are more
attempts, and a final duel between an paigns, introducing an artifact can pro-
than just strong magical items' They
have an aura about them, aPart in the evil Grand Master of Flowers and an vide adventure enough for manY
cultural fabric, and ownership ofsuch Archmage/Lord. The characters picked sessionsof entertaining PlaY.
devices can have severe Politi- up on the clues readily enough and ful-
cal and social implications. fiiled the nature of theWand: "to wreak
If a dwarven character chaos and evil upon all living things"
comes back from an (DINGEoNMasrnn Guide, p. 162). Poetic
adventure with the justice, indeed.
s Axe of the Dwaruish What purpose is there in having
Lords. other dwarves artifacts it all f they are so dangerous?
"
.. hearing this may Artifacts and relics serve higher pur-
' want the character to poses.The Mace of Cuthbert is a servant
6

Open Air Market

Shop p in gf o r a n adventure?
by Joseph Wichmann On some days, armor or swords or 'LanLa Selik is an 87-year-old widow
even a warhorse or a wheeled cart eking out a living by selling her baked
might be for sale here. Prices are no goods. She has white hair and black
This article first appeared in issue 44 of
tlte Newszine. It is the first article higher than those listed in the AD&D@ eyes. She is 4' 8" tall and weighs a mere
detailing a Living City business. gamePlayers Handbook, since this is 85 pounds. Lana is well liked bY her
essentially a wholesale operation- neighbors, and sought out for her bak-
Five days each week this large oPen 'Martin is a 67-year-old O-level ing skills. Many local noblemen and
area is bustling with mercantile activi human male. He is 5' 7" tall and businessmen have offered herjobs, but
ty. The operators, Eldon and Fiona Hop- weighs 130 pounds, with gray hair and she enjoys the independence of selling
ple, live with their three children i1 a - blue eyes. He is the son ofa local in the market. She also likes to meet a
neat, one-story frame house at the back farmer and has lived near Ravens variety ofpeople, and will question any
ofthe property. Bluff all his life. Every other day he obvious adventurers about their experi-
There are 16 booths scattered over visits streams and lakes in the area to ences,
8Kwerky Guiden is Dwerky's identi-
the area. On market days most of them catch frsh to sell at the market. Martin
are filled with goodsfor sale. City- lives in a one-room shack beside a lake cal twin brother.
n OmeliaTrom-see below
dwelling craftsmen and farmers from outside the city. He has a smokehouse
10Manuel Osidi is an excellent tai-
the coun tryside sell and trade their nearby. He is a country boY with a
products in the booths. Traveling tin- - strong rural accent, but is very friendly lor. He is a 47 year-old 1st level male
kers, peddlers, caravan merchants, and and talkative, though he has no useful half elf fighter with 7 hit points. He
even demi humans from the surround- information for PCs. For one gold piece wears studded leather armor and is
ing areas buy, sell, and trade goods and per day he will serve as a fishing armed with a short sword. He is 5' 5"
services.Any item might be sold here on guide. Anyone who hires him has a tall, and weighs 125 pounds. His hair
any given market day. In this way, the 75Vochance to catch 7-12 fish and a and eyes are gray. He is partial to elves
Dungeon Master can determine what is 25Vochance to catch onIY 1-6 fish. and concerned about their image. When
available and, if he wishes, Provide ' Frieda is the wife of a local dairY an elf passes his stall, Manuel will
player characters the opportunity to farmer. She is a 32 year-old 0-level notice any defects in his or her clothing.
obtain rare or unusual goodsand serv human female. She is 5' 2" tall and If he seesdefects, he will offer to mend
ices. Player characters can even rent a weighs 110 pounds, with auburn hair them for free and will scold the elf if he
booth if they wish; the price is four sil- and hazel eyes. She is quiet and shy but or she does not accept the offer.
ver pieces per day. will warm to any character who treats
On a typical market daY the booths her kindly. Frieda is popular with the Dominic
might be allocated as follows (footnotes other vendors becauseshe alwaYs
indicate local persons described below): speaks well of their goods. 7th Level Male Human Thief
#1 Peddler selling cookware and ' Barket is a 0-level human male, 38
householdgoods years old. He is 5' 11" tall and weighs STR 16
#2 Smoked and fresh fish' 170 pounds. He has black hair and INT: 17
#3 Butter. cheese,milk' brown eyes, with dark, rough skin. He WIS: 10
#4 Unallocated is particularly fond of dwarves and will DEX: 18
#5 Fresh and smoked Pork and grve free samples of meat to anY who CON: I
sausagesu approach his booth. He will give a free CHA': 13
#6 Fresh lamb and Produce (shelled string of sausagesto anY dwarf who COM: 14
dried beans and Peas) buys some of his meat. AC Normak 1
a Carter is a glassblower who works AC Rear:6
#7 Tinker repairing equipment and
household items right in his booth. A O-levelhuman Hit Points: 25
#8 Glass bottles and vialsa male, he is 5'tall, weighs 120 pounds, Alignment: Neutral Evil
#9 Knives and hand axes (sharpen- and has blond hair and gray eyes. He is T[eapon Proficiencies: Knife, Sap,
ing also available) 29 years old. Carter is very skillful and Dart
#10 Woodenboxesand small cabi can custom produce any type of glass- Special Abilities: Cabinet making,
nets and chestsu ware. including the making of traps and
uDominic-see below secret compartments
#11 Grains and melonsu
#12 Fresh bread and pastriesT u Dwerky Guiden is a 0-level human, Languages: Common, Thieves' Cant
#13 Unallocated 27 yeats old. He is a local farmer with
#14 Fowl' brown hair and eyes. He weighs 220 Thief Skills:
#15 Soap and candlest pounds, and is 6' tall. He is a jolly and
#16 Cloaks and robeslo(articles friendly man who treats everyone PP OL FT MS HS HN CW RL
acceptedfor mending as well) fairly. 70 67 55 65 53 25 94 35

P L Y E D R
 7

Dominic is 37 years old, 5' 10" tall, and Through his aptitude and hard arranged by her father when she was
weighs 145 pounds. He has coal black work, Dominic has risen to a prominent 16. She, ofcourse, was never asked her
hair and black eyes, and is very wiry position in the Thieves' Guild, and he opinion on the anangement. After a
and agile. He is imperturbable and knows much about its operations. How- few months of married life, living with
unreadable. He is also taciturn, and ever, nothing can persuade him to her husband and Isterra, her mother-
seldom conversesother than in grunts betray the guild or give any information in-law, Omelia grew bored' So she
to signify yes or no. Therefore, little about it. Ironically, his mother now apprenticed herself to a magic-user in
works for him (she is a guild member), the city.
communication passesbetween him
although neither of them knows they Sometimes late at night, when Blei-
and other people. He distrusts and
are related. fuss was sound asleeP,Omelia would
despises all women, and has no social
life whatsoever. He wears Bracers of sneak out ofthe house and visit taverns
which she knew were frequented bY
Defense AC 5 andis armed at all times Ome l i aTr om adventurers. Finally, after three years
wiih two knives, a saP at his belt, and
3rd Level Female Human Magic-User ofapprenticeshiP, she felt she was
nine darts on a bandoleer beneath his ready and began to search for an adven-
vest.
STR: L4 turing groupio join' She found a likely
His cabinets, chests, and boxes are of band ofadventurers consisting of a
superb design and workmanship; many INT: 17
WIS: 12 fiehter, a ranger' a dwarven ftghtet/
hJve intricately carved decorations. He
DE)C 16 th-ief. a cleric, and a thief; she made
can make custom items for his clients;
CON: 16 arrangements to exPlore a dungeon
these can include secret compartments with them.
and traps. He sells his work at reason- CIIAc l7
COM: 18 After a harrowing cross-country trek
able prices, ranging from 10 gP for 1 they reached the entrance to the
smali, simple box to 400 gp for a cabinet AC Norma} 8
AC Rear: 10 ancient dungeon described on a trea-
with custom carvings and secret com- sure map. The ensuing sorties into the
partment. Hit Points: 15
- Aligmnent Chaotic Good underworld were fraught with danger
Dominic is the son of a female thief
Weipon Profr ciencies: Quartgrs-taff and excitement. Omelia, with her sleep
who abandoned him as an infant, leav-
Speclal Abilities: Swimming, Riding spell and ingenuity, earned respect
ing him on the stePs of a rich man's fiom her more experienced companions'
house one night in the dead of winter- Languages: Common
Spells/Day:2 1 Her party killed a band of orcs and
The man, rather than adoPting him as pressed on, encountering skeletons,
his mother had hoped, placed him in an Spell Book:
zombies, a carrion crawler, and other -
orphanage. Dominic remained there monsters. Omelia always behaved with
ontll he ieached the age ofnine, when Level I Spells:
Enlarge Light intelligence and courage. Finally,the
he escaped.He had been put to work in-
Magic Missile* Read Magic eroup penetrated to the heart ofthe
the orphanage's carpentry shop and had f,onguo.r. There disaster struck. The
already learned some woodworking Sleip SPider Climb*
frghter was killed and the thief was
when he escaPed'He constructed a inJured in an encounter with a mummy'
crutch for himself and, pretending to be Level 2 Spells:
living. Da.rkness15' Rodiu" RoPe Trick The party captured a great treasure,
-He begged for a
crippled,
Melf s Acid Arrow but the thiefiuffered a prolonged and
also began to steal from shoPs
Stinking Cloud * asonizing death from a rotting disease'
and unwitting Pedestrians; he soon *spells normally memorized
- She returned to her husband, Peni-
came to the attention of a member of tent and ashamed, and he acceptedher
the Thieves' Guild. This thief took with out complaint, happy to have her
young Dominic under his wing and Omelia Trom is the wife an an Alche-
mist in Ravens Bluff. She is 23 Years back. For ayear she was content, but,in
began to train him in the skills ofpro- the end wanderlust took her again' She
fessional thievery. When Dominic was old, 5'9" tall and weighs 140 pounds.
She is exceptionally beautiful. She has ioined her old comPanions,who had
twelve the thief apprenticed him to a iecruited another fighter and thief, to
cabinet-maker who formallY (and Iong auburn hair and clear brown eyes'
Heimother-in-law makes the soap and go adventuring again. After several
expertly) taught him carpentry and cab- Iharp frghts with humanoids, they dis-
inet-making. With his high dexterity' candles she sells. There is a657o chance
that she will also have several ofher coveied an ancient barrow-and
intelligence, and strength, Dominic entered. The partyeasily defeated
quickly excelled in both professions' husband's potions on display. He spe-
- cializes inPhilters of Loue, which he everything they encountered; their con-
Dominic has spent his life wander- fidence growing steadilY. But an
ing the streets and back alleYs of sells to rich people, and Omelia will
always have at least one of these if she encounter in an evil chapel with a wight
Rivens Bluffand knows the city as well and a dozen zombies left them devas-
as anyone alive. Ifan item or activity is has any potions at all. Ifanother type of
potion iJdesired, there is a707o chance tated. Only the cleric, the thief, and
available in the city, Dominic will know Omelia survived. The cleric performed
of it's existence, location, and price' If a itr"t lt will be available. Otherwise' she
will have two or three randomly deter- sacred rites in the hope that their com-
character is in search oTa specific place, panions wouldn't rise as undead, and
person, item, or activity, Dominic can mined potions.
Omelia is the daughter of a wealthY ih" tht"u returned to Ravens Bluff.
lead the character to it. The character Once again Omelia's husband welcomed
will have to pay Dominic very well for merchant of Ravens Bluff. Her mar-
riage to Bleifuss Trom, a 54-year-old her with open arms, for he was a forgiv-
the service, but need not worrlr about ing man and loved her and her beauty'
Dominic's discretion. Alchemist of considerable renown, was

P L Y E D R
 I

It has been two years since Omelia He met and fell in love with Fiona FionaHopple
returned to the city. During that time Mann; though she loved him in return,
she has faithfully served Bleifuss and her father would not let them marry O-Level Female Human
sold his and his mother's products at because he considered Eldon a vagrant.
the market. But now she has grown Eldon wanted to settle down with STR: 9
bored again and is eager for adventure. Fiona and establish an open air mar- INT: 15
Her old adventuring party no longer ket for farmers and itinerant tinkers IVIS: 13
exists, and she will gladly join any and peddlers; he even had a vacant DE)c 9
group of adventurers whom she judges plot of land in mind. However, he was CON: 10
to be of good alignment. She is more unable to accumulate funds sufficient CIIA': 16
mature now, and will expect a plan with to the purpose. COM: 74
a reasonable chance ofsuccess. One day as he was returning from AC Norma} 10
Her husbant is resig:nedto Omelia's work to his rented room he came upon a AC Rear: 10
adventurousness,and they have reached dress shop that had caught fire. He IIit Points: 3
a friendly accord.Bleifuss acceptsher dashed through the flames into the inte- Alignment: Lawful Good
wanderings with faith in her loyalty. rior of the building and found a woman Special Abilities: Singing, Plays the
Over the years she has learned to love overcomeby smoke. He dragged her to Mandolin
the old man, now 62, and she will do safety and plunged back into the blaz- Languages: Common
nothing to harm or betray him. ing building, saving a young girl. After-
Omelia is sparkling and energetic, ward, the frre grew too fierce for him to Fiona Hopple is 29 years old. At 5' 6"
optimistic, and ready for anything new. try again. During the rescues,he suf- and 150 pounds, she is plump and
She is ajoy to be around; her beauty fered severe burns on one arm and one pretty; she is friendly, easy-going,and
and her love oflife attract people to her. leg and is scarred to this day. The likable. She.has light brown hair and
Her major drawback in adventuring is people he rescued were the wife and green eyes. She is the daughter ofa
the horror that death and physical cor- daughter of a prominent and wealthy middle-class merchant and has led a
ruption awaken in her. After a period of citizen of Ravens Bluff. and the man very sheltered existence becauseboth
adventuring she will always return to gave Eldon a reward of 1,000 gold her father and Eldon have been devoted
her husband for the maturitv and sta- pieces. Good fortune had conspired with to protecting her from all harm.
bility he provides. Eldon's unselfish nature to provide him Eldon and Fiona have three chil-
with a lucky break that solved most of dren; their son, Ellis, is thirteen, and
his problems. their daughters, Fiona and Charity, are
El d o n H o p p l e Eldon used the reward to buy his eleven and seven. The children are verT/
l"st Level Male Human Fighter vacant land, and with his own hands he polite and often help customers arrange
Owner of the Market built the house and sixteen booths that their goodsin the booths. Ellis will
now occupy it. In two years his business watch a customer's booth and sell his
STR: L8/43 was thriving and the Open Air Farmers wares if the customer has to leave the
INT: L2 Market became known as the place to market for a short time.
WIS: 10 go for the finest, freshest produce and Fiona plays the mandolin and sings
DEx: 14 meat. Many also came frequently to dis- beautifully. Her secret desire always
CON: 16 cover what interesting or unusual goods has been to sing professionally, but the
CIIA': 10 and services might be available on any men in her life, being unenlightened,
COM: 9 given day. Eldon began to earn a good would never allow it. If Fiona takes a
AC NorrnaL 10 living. liking to a character, male or female,
AC Rear: 10 Finally, when he saw how industri- she will invite the character and his or
Hit Points: 5 ous and successfulEldon was, Fiona's her companions to supper. Since she is
Alignment: Neutral Good father consentedto their wedding. an excellent cook, they will have a fine
TVeapon Profrciencies: Bastard sword, Eldon and Fiona have lived in the house meal. Afterward, she may sing for them;
Pike he built ever since, and have been very this will be a treat finer even than the
Special Abilities: Endurance happy. meal.
Languages: Common Eldon, a brusque and businesslike The Hopples are good, kind, and
man, nevertheless dotes on his family gentle people, well liked and highly
Eldon Hopple is 37 years old. He weighs and is very protective of them. He and regarded by all, both at the market and
205 pounds and stands 6'2" tall. He has Fiona will try to be helpful to any char- in the neighborhood. They are well-
brown hair and brown eyes. He is a acters who approach them, for whatever known throughout their area ofthe city,
Ravens Bluffnative, born into poverty. reason. Eldon is very good with his and have fed and helped people rnany
He joined the army when he was 17 hands and skilled at many trades. He times over the years. If any harrn befell
years old and served for two years, can fix almost any item or mechanical them it would be considered a great evil
frghting in several campaigns against device of wood or metal, and will gladly by all who know them, including quite a
evil humanoids. He found bloodshed not do so for anyone renting a booth from few adventurers who are grateful to
to his liking, however, and quit when him. them. Anyone who rescues or avenges
his term was up. He spent the next few the Hopples would be well thought of
years working at odd jobs around the and well treated in Ravens Bluff.
city, becoming proficient in many crafts U
but master of none.

P L Y E R
 "Zee Chef"
by Bruce lleard ble XP value.) If the chef is successful,the new recipe may be
recorded into the Cook Book. Thereafter, the chefgains a30Vo
This article first appeared in issue 23 of the Newszine bonus to the chance ofsuccess for subsequent attempts to pre-
pare the same dish. The DM secretly checks for successeach
Have you ever tasted a dish so fine that you tried to make it time the recipe is attempted, and applies appropriate penal-
yourself, but couldn't quite duplicate the recipe?Recent ties for failure according to the choseningredients.
research has unearthed a great culinary secret-the finest chefs The chefgains the XP value ofany substance used in a
are actually spellcasters, and the secret ingredient in their new creation, in addition to the XP for extra cash payments.
recipes is a touch of magic. Now, for the first time, the powers For example, Chef Armand discoveredhow to distill "Imperial
and abilities ofthe chefare presented below, so that you can Purple Worm Liquor" and his Duke rewarded him with an
add some delicious sorcery to your own campaign world. extra 500 gp for his brilliant invention. The XP award is:
The Class: The chefis a non-player character devotedto 4,900+ (500x 2) = 5,900XP.
furthering the culinary arts and learning more about native del- Chefs may trade or sell recipes and spells amongst them-
icacies. Chefs may be of any humanoid race, but they are rarely selves as desired. No experience is awarded for traded spells,
encounteredin the wilderness, preferring civilized locations to but recipes acquired in this manner are worth half their origi-
practice their trade.Chefs are usually found in smoky and sooty nal XP value awarded upon the first successfulpreparation of
lairs called kitchens, frequently in the employ of high-ranking the dish.
nobles who can afford to pay the salaries they demand. Abilitiesl All chefs have the innate ability to determine
Requirements: A chef must have strength, intelligence, the presenceofpoison in food by smell or taste. The chance of
and constitution scoresof at least 9, and a chef with an intelli- successis 25 Vo+ 3 Voper cheflevel.
genceof 16 or more gains a 107obonus to earned experience. At 15th level, the chef gains the ability to brew magic
Although they may be of any neutral alignment, very few chefs potions as a 7th level magic-user. A Grand Cordon-Bleu will
show the distinctive behavior ofevil. The experiencerequire- usually retire from the futility of human civilization and find
ments and spell abilities for the chef class are detailed below. an isoiated abode, there to create rare dishes that no being of
Experience Progression: The chefs special techniques lesser sensitivity could ever appreciate.'.
are closely related to those of the alchemist, involving the mix- Combah Although chefs dtl not usually resort to violence,
ing ofvarious ingredients to obtain a specilic product. But the com bat is sometimes necessaryin self-defenseor to acquire
chefs creations are intended to be eaten... and enjoyed. Chefs rare ingredients. Chefs fight on the Thief Combat Table, and
improve their abilities by creating new dishes from rare sub- are proficient in the following weapons' as well as dagger:
stances, and their secrets are closely guarded.
To become a 1st level common cook, the cook'sboy must Weapon Damage
bring his master an uncommon ingredient and participate in Butcher Knife, chopper or other
the preparation ofthe final product. (Cook's boys frequently sharp kitchen tool 1d6
offei their culinary services to adventuring parties free of Large ladle, frying pan, rolling-Pin
charge in the hopes offinding such an ingredient to start their or other blunt kitchen tool Ld4
careers.) Thereafter, the chefgains 2 XP per gold piece earned
for services. Oil is also used frequently. Female Chefs have a + 2 bonus "to
Chefs may also earn experience points for inventing new hit" with the rolling pin. The chef may use any pan lid as a
recipes. The base chance for preparing a new dish is 60% plus small shield, or the pan itself as a helm, but no other forms of
57o per cheflevel. This is modified by -10Voper 1000 XP value armor are permitted.
of each special ingredient. (Normal ingredients have a negligi- Restrictions: The chefs philosophy is to further the cause

Level Experience Hit Dice (dG) Level fitles Spells

L2S 4

0 <0 1.d2 Cook"sBoy

1 0 1 Common Cook I -:
2 1,000 2 Cook 2
D 3,ooo .t Baker 2 1-
4 6,000 4 Head Cook 3 1-
5 10,000 5 Steward .J 2-
6 15,000 o Royal Steward J 2I
al 25,000 7 Imperial Steward
I
21,
8 40,000 8 Warden of the Banquets 4 31
q
60,000 I Chef A 32
10 90,000 10 Master Chef 32 1
1.1 130,000 10+l- Master Chef 5 3 "2
t2 180,000 10+2 Master Chef 5 42
13 250,000 10+3 Master Chef 5 43
l4 350,000 10+4 Master Chef 5 43
15 500,000 10+5 Grand Cordon-Bleu 6 43

POLYTTEDRON I
ofgood and enjoyable nutrition; therefore, the use ofpoison is Fast Foods (Alteration)
strictly forbidden. Anyone caught attempting to serve poiso-
nous food or introduce poison into an edible substance (espe- Range:0 Components: V, S, M
cially a chefs culinary creation) will be dealt with severely by Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 1
the chefin charge. Area ofEffect: Special Saving Throw: None
Spell Casting Chefs gain and use their spells much like
users. Both new spells and recipes are recorded into the This spell is equivalent to the priest spellcreate food & water,
Cook Book, and each morning the chef choosesspells to memo-
-agic except for the following additional effects. The food produced
rizefor the day. will come in small boxes; the juicy food will always be between
two buns, and the drink is a bubbling black liquid. Note how-
Chef Spells ever that this spell variant has never been totally mastered,
and a possible side effect may occur. There is aSVochance per
Level I- box created that it will be empty when opened and a horrible
alien voice will shriek, "Huerzdabeeph?".The material compo-
Affect Normal Fires (Alteration) nent is one fried potato.

Range:5 yards perlevel Components:V, S, M Read Culinary Magic (Divination)

Duration: 2 rounds per level Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: l0-foot radius Saving Throw: None Range:0 Components: V, S, M
Duration: 2 rounds/level Casting Time: 1 round
This spell is the same as the magic-user spell. Area ofEffect: Special Saving Throw: None

Create Condiments (Alteration) This is equivalent to a regular read magic spell, except that it
empowers the caster to understand a chefs spell or an
Range: 10 yards Components: V, S, M unknown recipe instead of normal magic. The material compo-
Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 1 round nent is a jelly prism.
Area ofEffect: Special Saving Throw: None
Spectral Smell (Alteration)
The caster can create one bag of salt and one bag of pepper,
each weighing one pound per level. The material component is Range: 10 yds./level Components:S, M
a small salt box. Duration: 1 turn/level Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: One creature/item Saving Throw: Negates
Create \Yine (Alteration)
This spell imparts a pleasant smell to any creature or item on
Range:30 yards ComPonents:V, S, M which it is cast. The smell is appetizing to whatever creature
Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 1 round type is most numerous within a 100'radius of the target. Crea-
Area of Effect: Up to 27 c:u.ft. Saving Throw: None ture targets are permitted a saving throw vs. spells to avoid the
effect. The material componentis one drop of vanilla extract.
This spell is the same as the lst level priest spell create water,
except that wine is produced instead. Level 2
Dancing Bites (Conjuration/Summoning) Cream Tarts (Evocation)

Range: 10 yards per level Components:V, S, M Range:60 yds. + 10 yds./level Components:S, M

Duration: 5 rounds Casting Time: 1 round Duration: Special Casting Time: 1
+ 1 round per level Area of Effect: 1 or more Saving Throw: Special
Area of Effect: 20 foot diameter Saving Throw: None creatures in a 10'x 10'area
sphere
Except as noted, this spell resembles the magic-user spell
When the chef casts this spell, 1d10 small mouths appear in rnagic missile. Instead of missiles, cream tarts spring forth
the air and start eating away at any food, rations, garbage, from the caster's hands and automatically hit the designated
bones,etc. within the area ofeffect...anexcellenttrash dis- target(s). Although they do no damage, victims must save vs.
posal method for sloppy cooks.Each mouth will absorb 1 spells or be blinded by the cream for the following round. The
pound of "edible material" per round. The mouths cannot be material component is a cream tart.
used to attack creatures. The material component is a tooth.
Conjure Hunger & Thirst (Abjuration)
Edible Glamour (Illusion /Phantasm)
Range: 10 yds./level Components: V, S, M
Range: 10 feet Components:V, S, M Duration: 1 round./level Casting Time: 1 round
Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 5 Area of Effect: 30 foot diameter Saving Throw: Special
Area of Effect: One dish Saving Throw: None sphere

This spell can be used to decorate a dish, to impart a special This spell will affect one HD (or level) of creatures within the
flavor, or even to create faint sounds (like the sound ofcrispy area of effect per level of the caster. The affected creatures feel
bread, popping, crackling, bubbling, etc.), at the choice ofthe extremely hungry and./orthirsty (at the choice of the caster)
caster. It has no effect on creatures, and is permanent until for the duration ofthe spell, and must save vs. spells or charge
the food is destroyed or eaten. The material component is a in the direction ofthe closest source offood, consuming as
pinch ofpaprika. much as they can, or fighting for the food if there is not
enough for all. The material component is a fried chicken leg.

10 . Issue #23
Fools Foods (Alteration) Spice (Alteration)

Components: V, M Range: 10 yds. Components:V, S, M

Range: L0 yds.
Casting Time: 1 Duration: 1 turn/level Casting Time: 1
Duration: l turn/level
Saving Throw: None Area ofEffect: One dish or Saving Throw: Neg.
Area ofEffect: Special
creature
This spell creates an appetizing meal for a number of crea-
tures equal to the caster's level. The illusionary foo{ will dis- This spell is usually cast on food to give it a special flavor' How-
.pp"*.ft"" the spell duration expires, but those who ate it ever, iicast on a living creature, the latter must save vs' spells
wiil feel as satisfied as they would after a normal meal'..a or turn deep red (with steaming pouring from his ears), breathe
proven successfor those on a diet! The material component is once as t yoottg dragon in the direction he was facing when the
a picture of the desired meal- spell was cast,ind run to the nearest source of liquid to jump
in. The material component is a pinch of cayenne pepper'
Magic Jam (Alteration)
Transmute Stone to Jelly Beans (Alteration)
Range: 10 yds./Ievel ComPonents:V,M
Casting Time: 1 Range: 30 yds. ComPonents:V, S, M
Duration: L turn/level
Drrtitiorr, i turnAevel Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: 1 square fooVlevel Saving Throw: None
Area of Effect: 1 cubic foot/level Saving Throw: Special
When the chef casts this spell, a large patch of jam resembling
an ochrejelly appearson the designatedspot. Thosewho step on This spell enables the caster to change,the specified volume of
it are hopeleisly-stuck, unless they are able tn take offtheir earth. sand, mud or stone into small jelly beans' The beans
boots (or equivalent) and jump off. The jam may be regrove-dby will instantly revert to their original form if they get wet,-
applying 1d6 points offire or acid damage per square foot but which may cieate severe digestive problemsfor anyone who
stuck in it at the time will suffer an equivalent ft"r tftem. The material component is 1 large candy bag'
uny "ut""
of damage. Ttre material component is 1 spoonfirl ofjam'
a*o.-t"t""'t*"s

Pepper Cloud (Evocation) Level 3

Components: V,S,M Explosive Prunes (Alteration)
Range: 30 yds.
Duration: 1 round,4evel Casting Time: 2
Range:0 Components:V,S,M
Area ofEffect: 20 foot cube Saving Throw: Special
Duration: l" rounMevel Casting Time: 2
Area ofEffect: SPecial Saving Throw: None
This spell is equivalent to the magic user spell stinking cloud,
thut the victims will sneezeand choke for the duration
"*."ot
ofthe spell. A successfulsaving throw vs' spells will negate T?risspell causesone magical prune p.erlevel of the caster to
;.t""ilt" in a pouch. Each prune will explode for 1d4 points
itru etf".t. The spell affects any creatures entering the cloud,
;ft;;;g" if thrown, crushed, or chewed' Unrrsed prunes will
t"g"raf"." of levtl or hit dice- Ttre material component is a bag
dir;;;;;" when the spell duration expires' The material com-
ofpepper.
ponent is a leather Pouch.
Preserve Food & Drink (Alteration)
Food Fight (Enchantment/Charm)
Range: Touch Components: V, S, M
Range:6 ComPonents:V
Duration: l week4evel Casting Time: 5 rounds
Durition: 1 rounMevel Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: 100 lb. of Saving Throw: None
,qt"" Llef".t: 100' diameter Saving Throw: Neg'
food or drink
sphere
This dweomer empowers the chef to preserve up to 100 pounds
This spell is generally used in places where pi9pl" or creatures
Jfooa or drink foi a period of one week per level of the caster' ihe casteisceams "Food frght!"' all crea-.
Th" sp"ll is usually cast on fresh meat or vegetables,but if ;iliil#when
;;;;;;h";tea of effect must immediatelv start fighting-eaclr
used against a living creature taken to zero or fewer hit Plinls'
*ftft whatever food is available, until there is no food left
thui"tZutot" sufferi no further damage, and is "preserved" for "lfr"t the spell duration expires' The caster is not affected'
ifi" alt"tio" of the spell' (Several spells may be necessaryfor "t "ttif
preserving larger cre-atures.) At the end ofthe spell duration,
Food Tlap (Alteration)
ihe creat rre so preserved loses permanently-one point-of con-
;iit"tir" (or t hit die, whichevei applies) and must be brought ComPonenls:V' S' M
Range: 10 yds.
Lu.t to at least ,"to iit points in order to prevent death from CastingTime: 1 round
Durition: Fermanent until
o..""ti"g. Preservation will cause regeneration or any other-
discharged
r".ft ll"ftgi.al processesto ceasefor the duration ofthe spell' One dish or drink Saving Throw: None
The material component is one drop of vinegar' er*
"iEff[.t:
Thls spell will affect any one gartl^9utar$sh.or drink' causing
Produce Flarne (Alteration) that consumesthe affected material to savevs'
.n,
Components: V, S, M fti..up violently for a number of rounds equal to the
*Jffr "teatot"
Range:0 ". r"""i-fro spell casting' intelligible speech,or u99.9f . ..
Duration: 2 rounds/level Casting Time: 4 -
"I.i*t weaponsis possible,Jttd th" rrittittt ispt -2 on all "to hit"
breath
Area of Effect: Special Saving Throw: None puff.
,"ir, *rril" ." affected. The material component is 1 cream
This spell is equivalent to the 2nd level priest spell ofthe .
."-" ttu*", exiceptthat the material component required is
one drop ofoil.

11
POLYIIEDRON
Gourmet Touch (Alteration) Spaghetti Curse (Evocation)

Range: 10 yds. ComPonents:V, S, M Range: 5 feet/level Components: V, S, M

Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 5 Duration: Special Casting Time: 2
Area of Effect: 10 lb. of matter Saving Throw: None Area ofEffect: Special Saving Throw: Neg. or 1/2

This spell transmutes 10 pounds of non-living matter into edi- When this spell is cast, huge strands of pasta appear in the
ble material according to type, as shown below: area designated by the caster, creating an effect exactly like
Minerals: sugar, caramel, candies the magic-user spell web, except as noted above. Two spectral
Metals: fruit or vegetable pulp (at the choice of the caster) bards with stringed instruments appear near the pasta web
Hard uegetables.'cakes, biscuits, chocolate and begin to sing in an unknown tongue. Ifthe victim breaks
Non-edible flesh: edible meat of distinctive color and taste free, the two bards will follow and sing until dispelled or given
Other: ice cream or other sweets suffrcient money (DM's option as to how much is enough). The
The material component is a can of caviar. material component is a strand of dried spaghetti.

Heat Metal (Alteration) Level4

Range: 40 yds. Components:V, S, M Fry (Evocation)
Duration: 7 rounds Casting Time: 5
Area ofEffect: Special Saving Throw: Special Range: 100 yds. + 10 yds./Ievel Components: V, S, M
Duration: Instantaneous Casting Time: 4
This spell is the same as the 2nd level priest spell of the same Area of Effect:20 foot,radius Saving Throw:1/2
name, except that when the metal temperature reaches "hot", sphere
a stream of vapor will issue forth with a whistling sound, simi-
lar to a teakettle. The material component is a teabag. This spell is equivalent to the magic user spell freball, except
that instead ofproducing a blast, it fries everything in a20
Locate Food (Divination) foot radius area for ld6 points of damage per level of the caster
(save vs. spells for half damage). The material component is
Range:60 yds. + 10 yds./level Components:V, S, M an "asian cocktail".
Duration: 1 round/level Casting Time: 1 turn
Area ofEffect: Special Saving Throw: None Mashmorph (Conjuration/Summoning)

This spell will function as the 3rd level priest spelllocate Range: 10 yds. Components:V, S, M
object, except it detects only edible food or drinks ofa specified Duration: 1 round./Ievel Casting Time: 1 round
kind. It may be used by the chef to find precious (future) Area ofEffect: Special Saving Throw: None
ingredients. The material component is an ancient menu card.
This spell summons a powerful spirit from one of the outer
Neutralize Poison (Alteration) planes to form a 5 'tall white creature that moves at 120 yards
per round. At command of the caster, it will jump on a desig-
Range: Touch Components: V, S nated target and attack for 1d10 points ofdamage per success-
Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 7 ful hit. At the end of the spell duration, it returns to the
Area of Effect: 1 creature or Saving Throw: None marshmallow plane whence it came, along with the spell com-
1 cu. ft. ofsubstance/2 levels ponents. The material component is a pouch of marshmallows.

This spell is the same as the 4th level priest spell. Simulacrumb (Illusion /Phantasm)

P.trify Food & Drink (Alteration) Range: Touch Components:V, S, M

Duration: Permanent Casting Time: Special
Range:30 yds. Components:V, S Area ofEffect: One creature Saving Throw: None
Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: 1 cubic foot/level, Saving Throw: None The effect of this spell is equivalent to that of 7th level magic-
in 10 sq. ft. user spell simulacrum, except that the duplicate is created
from bread or a similar material. The material component is 5
This spell is the same as the 1st level priest spell. loavesofbread.

Sudden Craving (Enchantment/Charm) Spiritual Tenderizer (Invocation)

Range: Touch Components:V, S, M Range:30 yds. Components:V, S, M

Duration: Until fulflled Casting Time: 1 Duration: 1 roundlevel Casting Time: 5
Area ofEffect: One creature Saving Throw: Neg. Area ofEffect: One opponent SavingThrow: Special

Similar to a quest spell in many respects, the caster may cause This spell is similar to the 2nd level priest spell spiritual ham-
one creature to seek a specific type of food to the exclusion of mer, except that it also reduces the target's armor class by 1
all other activities unless a saving throw vs. spells is success- point per successfulhit. Ifthe victim reaches AC 10, it is "ten-
ful. The caster must speak to the victim (in a language it can derized" and falls unconscious for 1d6 turns, after which the
understand) and suggest a dish, drink, or ingredient (that arrnor class returns to normal and the victim awakens. The
may still be alive), with a superabundance of appetizing material component is a meat mallet.
descriptions. The victim will feel a sudden craving for the food
described, seek it out and do whatever is necessaryto obtain
and devour it. The material component is a slice of cake.

t2 - Issue #23
 13

Elminster's
Everwinking Eye
andthe Duskwood
Dunbridges
camouflage-blankets),sharp-flavored helms, who dwell in a fortifred keep at
hy Ed Greenwood goats'-milk-and-nut Dunbradar cheese, the western edge ofDunbridges that
and well-stocked fish ponds. They can they take turns standing watch over,
The Border Kingdorns were where I call on no fewer than three resident supposedlywield an array ofstrange and
rnade rny first thousand thousand pieces adventuring companies ofnote to repel powerful magic items. Further, some say
of gotd. I'd go back in a moment-if attempts at brigandage, invasion that their leaders are the remnants
(almost always by the legendarilY (human and otherwise) of the crew of a
those lands didn't hold quite so many
dangerous folh just itching to take it greedy and belligerent folk ofThuntar- ship that sailed through the skY,
awaY from me' who rise every decadeor so in another between the stars! And the same ever-
-Donstable Hroun attempt at building an emPire), and tireless local rumormill holds that the
Master Merchant of Tsurlagol enforced bridge improvements (even by 'Blade Queens'(as the warrior-women of
A Merchanf,s Musings their nominal superiors, the Sunbright the Company of the Bent Blade are
Year of the Harp Lances of High Emmerock). All three affectionately known) are all sorceresses
companieshave defendedDunbridges and Harpers...or at the very least allies
Elminster's still going strong through on occasion-and have done so in full of, and spies for, Those Who HarP.
the various grand duchies' thralldoms, muster together at least twice: during The daring exploits (and domestic
emerging empires, and sheep barns of the Wyrmstrike of 1332 DR, and at the dalliances, as the Blade Queens are
the Border Kingdoms, so herewith we battle of Six Smoking Shields in 1348 endlessly courted by various stalwarts
continue on the grand tour with him: DR (the most recent resounding defeat of both the other companies) of these
of invading Thuntarran armies). three groups provide constant enter-
These three stalwart bands include tainment for the Dunbradar-and leave
Du n b ri d g e s a rollicking, pranksome, tankard-toss- them unimpressed with most visiting
This picturesque, sleepy-looking village ing rabble of dwarves (all of whom are adventurers. Brigands may be able to
seemsa chaotic tangle of hedges, mean- ootla*s from the dwarven Deep Realm) forceDtx:}lradar folk into doing things,
dering paths, and walled gardens, stud- known as the Merciless Manticoreslay- but they'll fail to scare them into doing
ded here and there with thatched, ers, led by Khaladaen of the Double- anything. (Adventurers and others -
ended Axe. In addition to the moneY given to strong language are warned - _
thick-walled cottages. Surrounded by
rolling pastureland, the settlement is they make with their formidable battle lhat only local folk will only tolerate fel-
dominated by millponds and mills to go skills, they make steady coin by distill- low Dunbradar uttering the oath "By
with them, freely-wandering sheep and ing a strong, rough whisky called "Slay- the bottoms of the Blade Queens!" Any
goats, and the many small bridges for ers'Fire," which is steadily growing in outlander daring to use it will be set
which the place is named. The Dun- popularity as merchants take it upon angrily by all Dunbradar within
bridges (named for Aldunn, the long- lhioughout Faer0n. The ComPanYof hearing.)
ago dwarven stonemason who made the Bent Blade is an all-female (half- Dunbridges is governed bY the
them) leap over ponds-and the springs elven and human) group. The original Mouth, a council of local merchants
company was formed some eighty years (nominated by any citizen) who serve
that feed them-in railless arches too
narrow for many an outland merchant's ago by the daughters ofthe Company of for three seasonsand have equal votes
Sun Knights (who founded High Emme- (no councillor can serve two consecutive
wagon.
As a result, Dunbradar folk get a lot rock). These women are distinguished terms). The Mouth has eleven mem-
ofpractice in hauling overturned wagons by the gleaming plate armor they wear bers-at-large and a speaker, the Lord of
out of the normally-placid local waters and the fine, glossy mounts they ride. the Bridges (currently a fat and sharp-
by means ofblocks, pulleys, spars, and The third group is the most diverse of tongued but essentially good-natured
horse-winches...almostas much practice the three. The Deadhelms of Dun- Calishite sorceressnamed Anarassa
as traveling merchants get at heartily bridges are made up of semi-retired Ghoeble. and known to most Dunbradar
cursing the wandering tracks and anti- adventurers and mercenaries from a folk, despite her gender, as "Lord
quated bridges ofthe place. score ofkingdoms and a dozen races- Rassa"). The Lord directly commands
The Dunbradar take such things Many rumors circulate about these the only employeesof the Mouth: the
with patient good humor, secure in the groups. The brawling, boisterous Manti- Fingers, a dozen-strong mounted con-
prosperity won by their wool mills coreslayers are said to be girt in battle stabulary that patrols"the streets, leads
(which produce the distinctive Dun- with strong defensivemagic...and actu- the militia, and keeps close watch on
bradar green-on-green-in swirling pat- ally go dragonslaying on their annual visitors-all under the direction of its
terns that make good 'long vacations.' The ever-wary Dead- leader, the Lord High Protector'

P L Y E R
 14

The office of Lord Protector is one ter of unresolved speculation). Even tentacles endlessly and gently curling
that was often occupiedby corrupt vil- members of the Mouth seem to be (an eerie sight that has made many a
lains in the past (several of whom spreading word of the many strange and visitor hurry past, but ofwhich locals
attempted to take direct rule of Dun- close-cloakedvisitors who slip in the have grown quite proud).
bridges, and paid for the attempts with back gate ofthe Lord High Protectofs Under the protection of its famous
their lives or were forced to flee far, home, Tarntowers, in the moonlit hours Lord High Protector, Dunbridges is
fast, and permanently). At present, of many a night. Lord Rassa donned a becoming a supply center of sorts for
however, it is graced by a onetime High cloak and mask of her own once to inves- folk who dislike overly tight scrutiny
Sword (force leader) ofTethyr, the capa- tigate such nocturnal visitations, and and local laws-or rather, a place for
ble, diligent, and ruggedly handsome made it as far as halfway down the gar- such folk to leave their supplies. The
Tharorgaun Tarntree. den when a lamia noble and a swanmay Six Whistlers Lockhouse in the side of
Protector Tarntree is square-jawed, rose from a garden bench to bar her way Sarglar's Hill just northeast of the set-
tall, keen-eyed, and much sought after and in cold unison tones advised her to tlement is a fortress mated to a network
by local ladies. Though he spends time "take a number-preferably by daylight, ofcaverns that folk can rent to store
in their company, he is always alert and and at the front gate." things they need to keep hidden for a
attentive to his duty to keep the peace The Lord Protector seemsto be on while, in the care of the Whistlers. No
in Dunbridges and guard it against wary but cordial terms with the three one knows just how many human war-
brigand attack. Not only does the man resident adventuring companies, and riors guard the Lockhouse fortress-gate.
never seem to sleep, he has an uncanny the Dunbradar seem either to love him The Bold Bards adventuring band of
knack for anticipating trouble and (most of the women) or at least grudg- Tashluta, who once disputed the fees
warning a patrol to "check just a little ingly respect him (most of the men). charged by the Whistlers, claim that the
more thoroughly than usual there, and Whatever the truth about Tarntree's humans are commanded by dopple-
tarry a bit in the lee of Sarglar's Hill, to visitors, past, and secret activities, he gangers whq shift their appearances so
watch if wolves slip down." Over the guards Dunbridges diligently against as to make clients think there are far
years, the Fingers (and the half-dozen attempts to do violence to its folk or more guards than the place really pos-
different militia members who ride with seize control ofit. He once beheaded an sesses...andthat the Whistlers them-
every Fingers patrol) have learned to illithid who had tried to take over the selves are mongrelmen. Local legend
trust in their Lord Protector's hunches; mind of one of the local mill crew. A has always insisted that great treasures
time and time again, he has directed grateful wizard, who was in thrall to are hidden in some of the Lockhouse
them into the heart of stealthy brigand the disgusting creature at the time, cast caverns-treasures that will "rock all
advances or hungry winter wolfpacks. a preservative spell over the head in Faer0n. and tumble not a few of its
This is not to say Tarntree is all gratitude for his release from mental thrones," should they ever be released.
grand general. He's legendary among bondage. Today the head hangs on the Perhaps only the watchful gods
the women of Dunbridges for leaping point of a pike high above the front gate know what other mysteries lurk behind
literally out of the arms of an amorous of Tarntowers, eyes glowing faintly and the cozy cottages and bustling little
lady to snatch up his sword
and rush out into her barn-
yard, to face a would-be
horse thiefblade to blade,
or, as he did on another
occasion,wrestle a wild
dog to death after it had
bowled over a drunken
Dunbradar merchant in
the wee hours close enough
to his open bedchamber
window for hirn to overhear
its snarling charge.
Some folk whisper that
Tarntree has a colorful
past, and is a polymorphed
wizard. courtier. or even
Tethy'ian princesshere in
hiding from foes who would
slay him in an instant if his
true identity was revealed.
Others believe he's a spy
for the Harpers-or the
Zhentarim-or even the
mysterious island nation of
Nimbral (though just what
ofinternational value a spy
dwelling in Dunbridges
would learn remains a mat-

P L Y H E D R
 15

shops of Dunbridges-but visitors from The even more rematkable power of that a Vauntagar can link as many as a
larger and more sophisticated places the Duskwood lies in certain of the dozen monsters, but most scholars
are warned that local legend has always pools near its central ridges, from believe that it is rare for there to be no
hinted that great power lies "hidden, whence the Dusking Rivers flow. These more than six to nine.
unsleeping" in and about the mills and pools boast magical powers so strong Sagesclaim that Vauntagar exist in
their placid ponds. that magic items dipped in their faintly- other parts of the Realms-usually in
glowing waters are recharged and revi- places of powerful, ancidnt magic. Many
Lalized.This legendary property has idventurers insist that the depths of
The Duskwood brought adventurers in plenty into the Undermountain (and, dePending on
Deepest and least disturbed ofthe Duskwood. down the centuries-where whom one is conversing with, various
many of them have promPtlY found ruined cities as well) hold at least one of
forests of the Border Kingdoms, the
their deaths. The tales told by the few these multiple-guardian'monsters.' The
Duskwood fills the eastern end of the
who escapedthe Perils of the DeeP adventurer Loryngyl of Baldur's Gate
region, separating one of its most magic-
Duskwood support the view that a rene- reportedly fought one that included (in
strong lands (the Realm of the Smoking
gade Netherese sorcerer or some other order) a gorgon,a disPlacerbeast, a
Star) from the most lawless and chaotic
fell archwizard had a hand in the cre- mobat, a wemic, a chimera, a manscor-
territories anywhere in known Faer0n:
ation ofthe pools...orat least laid a pion, a leopard, an ogre, and a w-orker
the Realm of the ReadYSword, home to grell. One is even rumored to link sev-
brigands, misfrts, and monsters of all most puissant guard over them.
That guard is the Vauntagar' once 6ral undead creatures, although exactly
sorts. Few inhabitants ofeither land
the center of a cult among the primitive how the connection between them func-
dare to venture far into the Duskwood.
folk who dwelt in the Border Kingdoms tions remains a mYstery.
It's a thick, tangled realm of moss-
of old-and still the dark horror of many The Vauntagar in the Duskwood
girt trees, clinging vines, and many-tiny
fireside tales and warriors' legends. lurks near the magical pools, and may
iivulets that tumble down from knife-
The Vauntagar is a deadlY magical even (as some sagesspeculate)bathe in
sharp central ridges to carve deeP,
binding of enormous power. Some schol- them to prolong its magical cyclical-
'breakneck' ravines through the trees.
ars suggest that it maY be equal in links. It may have been created and set
These steep-sided gullies are almost
power to the mythal magic of ancient to guard certain pools, though at least
always hidden under a thick cloak of
times. Whatever its true nature, it one adventurer claims that her company
undergrowth, and make it almost
seemslost to the mages of today...and a fought many monsters that seemed to be
imposiible to bring any mount or pack
good thing, too, becausethe Vauntagar linked in one ofthese cycles,and that
animal through the forest-or for any
is a permanent spell that links mon- they encountered them at several ofthe
ground-based being to pursue any crea-
steri of the caster's choice in a symbi- pools. This has led scholars to wonder
ture that can jump long distances or fly'
otic cycle-so that only one monster *h"th"t or not there may be more than
They also provide ample cover for giant
prowls FaerOn at a time, but can be one Vauntagar in the Duskwood, or if
spiders and truly gigantic snakes-as
ieplaced by the next in the cycle w!en; there is one which is able to move
more than one human intruder has
ev-erthe first is sorely wounded or finds around and alter its cycle ofbeasts.
learned to his fatal cost.
itself in a situation where it is at a dis- Just what other secrets may lie hid-
The Duskwood is also rePuted to be
advantage. The frrst beast vanishes, den in the depths of the Duskwood,
home to one or more beholdgrs, who
and the secondfades into view at the beyond the perils ofthe Vauntagat, are
drift menacingly among the trees-and
same spot. Beasts of widely differing the subject of manY legends-all or
is known to be the abode ofat least one
abilities, natures, and alignments can none of which may be true. One speaks
large'thirst'or flock ofstirges, and sev-
be linked without aPParent harm or of a vein of emerald ore so rich that
eral owlbears. In fact, its monstrous
instability-and the depredations of one human-torso-sized lumps can be hewn
inhabitants are so numerous that some
member monster benefrt the others. away from the rock and carried off, and
sagesbelieve that a veritable colony of
As Elminster exPlained it, the dam- another whispers of an invisible tower
deepspawn must dwell in the depths of
age dealt by any ofthe monsters serves where a wizard dwells. A third speaks
the ravines. Other learned men point
to heal an equal amount of damage, of a sunken dell where a lich wanders
out that plant life in the Duskwood is
evenly distributed, among any of the - among the roofless, overgrown rooms of
flourishing just as frenetically-and
other monsters that are wounded at the his onie-grand mansion, compelling
that the old tales ofits being the seat of
time, so that the'offstage'beasts are adventurers who reach his abode to go
a nature god, or the onetime home of a
able to heal beyond the reach ofeven back out into Faer0n under the goad of
Netherese arch-sorcerer whose now- geas magics, to do tasks at his bid-
untended generative magics have run the most potent sorcerers' attacks. This
repair extends to regeneration ofcom- ding...taiks intended to change who
amok, may be nearer the truth.
pletely destroyed body parts and ele-- wears this crown, or what road that
Whatever the cause, two ProPerties
ments, so long as actual death hasn't realm pursues in the Years ahead'
of the Duskwood make it a popular des-
occurred. One thing is certain: the Duskwood
tination for adventuring types. Its rich
Moreover, the magic seemsto Pre- has claimed the lives of a armY of
vegetation includes a wide variety of
vent aging and inhibit disease and poi- adventurers over the years...and is still
raie temperate shade-dwelling herbs
soning; the beasts in the cycle can only doing so today.
and fungi-growing larger, richer, and r'
in more profusion than anywhere else die violently, in battle with others. The
in the known Realms. These are the death of any of the monsters in the cycle
herbs that priests, mages, alchemists, doesn't end the Vauntagar, but causes
physics, perfumers, and dyers will pay the order in which the remaining beasts
handsomely for. appear to be reshuffled. It is believed

P L Y E R
16
A preview
of...

R\VENLOFT @2*o
Eomor,r
The longawaitedrevisionto one of TSR's
mostpopularalternative
campaignsettings.
by William W. Connors

adventures Webof Illusion andA Light in the

Belfry to the Revrmor, line. Steve joined the
comp€u1yin 1994 and was instrumental in
the desigrrof Van Richten's Guide to Fi.ends,
Circle of Darhnzss, and.The Euil Eye.
I've tried many times to come up with a Other members of the design team
snappy way of starting this article. After all, include David Wise, author of Van Richt-
one ofthe frrst things they teach you in en's Guide to the Vistani and current Direc-
Game Designer Schoolis that you have to tor of Creative Services at TSR, Thomas
catch the reader's attention right away. Try Reid, Creative Director of both the
as I might, however, I can't think of any- Foncorrnx Rpalust and RevsNr,orr prod-
thing more dramatic to say than: uct lines, and newly acquired free agent
Early in 1997, TSR will releasea new edition editor Cindi Rice. Altogether, they form an
of the award winning Rauenlofl@ Fantasy / all-American, five-headed, ten-armed,
H orror role-p laying game. brown-haired, juggernaut of unstoppable
Ifthat doesn't get you heart beating a game design menace.
little bit faster, then you probably don't need
to read the rest ofthis article. If, on the So What'sNew?
other hand, it makes the hair on the back of While we haven't finished deciding what
your neck rise just a bit, then I think you'll will and won't be in the book, we do have a
enjoy the next 1,500 or so words. few ideas. Here's some of what vou can look
forward to:
T h e D e si g nT eam Expanded Character Generation
The original RavnNr,orr adventure module The secondedition of the RevsNLoFTgame
was written by Tracy Hickman, known to will include complete generation rules that
most of you for his outstanding work on the allow players to create heroes native to the
Dna.coNr,aNcn@ game. The more recent Demiplane of Dread. In the past, all of the
incarnation of the RernNr,om setting, how- heroes were assumed to have been hauled
ever, was desigrredby Bruce Nesmith and into Ravenloft from outside. No longer will
Andria Hayday, two of the most talented that be true. Now you can run a wizard
people in the RPG hobby today. from Necropolis, a warior from Barovia, or t
This new edition of the campaign setting whatever your heart desires.
will be written by veteran RAVEtILotr"T The traditional character classesand
designer William W. Connors and his hunch- races will be altered to reflect the influ-
backed assistant Steve Miller. The former encesof the Mists. Current plans call for
has been with TSR nearly eight years and the introduction ofat least four new charac-
has contributed such projects asVan Richt- ter classesfound only in Ravenloft. Beyond
en's Guide to Ghosts,Forbidden Lore, that, a new character race (the half-Vis-
Masque of th.eRed Deafh, and the tani) will be available.

P L Y E R
'Veep not that the world changes - did it keep
A stable changeless stater'twere camse indeed to weep.rl
Mutation (L824)
lVilliam Cullen Bryant

The Bottom Line

While this is a just a small sample of
the ideas that we have in mind, it lays
out our design course pretty clearly.
Ga me Mechanics Steve and Irecognize that it's not our
What will the secondedition mean to task to fix a game that's broken.
those of you who have faithfully RaveNr,onris already a masterpieee, as
acquired large Ravnlu.orr libraries? its popularity shows.
Will it make all your adventures and It's our goal to make one of the most
A True Campaign Setting accessoriesobsolete?Will you curse the
The same philosophy that has led to the exciting and thrilling games on the
names of Connors and Miller for the market even better.
inclusion of RevnNlorr-native character great changes they have wrought in
generation will be carried over to all Or "worse", depending upon Your
your favorite game?We certainly hope point of view.
other aspects of the game. For the frrst not.
time, Rel'nxlorr will be presented as a While every aspect of the cam-
place where entire campaigns can be paign setting is being reviewed, care
played out. This doesn't mean that is being taken to make certain that
we're going to abandon our "twilight there will be no vast changes to the
zone" style ofplay, however, only that game systems or how it is played.
the new RevsNlorr setting will be able This doesn't mean there won't be
to handle both types ofplay. new information or rules, only that
More Domain Information everything we're adding to the game
Sections detailing the domains, their will be structured in such a way as
lords, and their citizens will be to make it fully (and I mean FullY!)
expanded. Details on the culture ofeach compatible with past products.
domain will be included, as well as infor- Here's an example. RawNr,orr
mation about the level of cultural and characters are sometimes called
scientifrc development found in each. upon to make Fear, Horror, or Mad-
Special "mini-kits" will provide players ness Checks as they battle the
and DMs with adjustments that reflect forces of evil. These terms and the
the nature of a character's native realm. way in which they are used will
For example, heroes from Barovia might remain the same. While we might
receive certain proficiencies and be pro- (in fact, certainly will) make
hibited from acquiring others. changes to these aspects ofplay,
they will still serve exactly the same
Secret Societies role. When an adventure says "make
First introduced in the Forbidden Lore a Fear Check," you'll just do it in a
boxed set, the concept ofsecret societies, slightly different fashion.
cabals, and mysterious cults is a nat- This same philosophy will be
ural addition to the Rawur,orr setting. applied to all aspects ofthe revision.
As with the various domains, enough
information will be provided to allow a F o rma t
player to customize a character who This is a subject of some debate.
belongs to a given society. We're looking into many options,
but it seemscertain that the frnal
The Hierarchy of Evil product will take the form of a hard-
Expanded rules will address curses, the
bound book. Our best estimates at
Ravenloft powers checks, and other the time of this writing put it at 320
aspects ofthe darkness that is pages. Beyond that, it's too far in
RavnNr,orr. Exactly how a dark lord is the future to make any promises. If
created, what happens ifhe is slain, and
we have a brilliant idea that man-
how he relates to his underlings, peers,
dates a change in format, we'll act
and superiors will be discussed. on it.

P L Y E R
 18

Forgotten Deities
The e lderele m e n tael v i l s :Dendarand Kezef
by Eric Boyd armored man to the ground with a sin- vived their war with Myrmeen Lhal
gle flick. Beneath her tongue is a foul and her Harper allies have begun to
mire of greasy spittle and half-devoured venerate Dendar since their perma-
bones-the corporeal manifestations of nent loss ofthe artifact connecting
D e n d a rt h e N i g h t Se rP e n t them with their home world.) In the
the remnants of her dream diet.
Dendar the Night Serpent is one of the In Calimport, she is known (incor- Jungles of Chult, Dendar is known as
elder, eternal evils ofthe Outer Planes rectly) as the Mother of the Night the Eater of the World, and stories tell
created in the dawn of Abeir-Toril's pre- Parade. (However, those horrid of how Ubtao will battle the Night Ser-
history. She came into existence shortly denizens of another world who sur- pent when she emerges through a
gigantic iron door located
after the frrst being slePt in
Realmspace and had a night- beneath one ofthe Peaks of
mare. Supposedly, she will be Flame to attempt to eat the
the harbinger ofthe end of sun. According to legend,
the world, the gods, and the Dendar will succeedin break-
entire crystal sphere of ing down the door to readily
Realmspace. devour the sun if Ubtao fails
The Night Serpent's slit- in his duty when the doom of
pupilled eyes are the sicklY ::Ii the world finally arrives.
yellow-blackof rotten eggs. 11"::!: Only the legendary
Her tongue is forked and blade of Alban Onire,
flickers incessantly over her Titanslayer, has ever truly
smooth lips. Her monstrous injured the Night Serpent.
fangs are always coated with When Gwydion the Quick
the viscousessenceoflost dared to challenge the Night
dreams. She speaks with a Serpent during the revolt
iiti:;:i
sibilant, malignant voice that i,:;!ii against Cyric in the CitY of
1!i:,:!
drips with ancient horrors. ;lttj Strife, she battled the servant
Her hide is covered in mid- i:;*; of Torm with a host of night-
night-black scales,the phYsi- mare visions and lost. Dendar
cal embodiment of the most concededdefeat and
terrifying nightmares she has unleashed the night-terrors
swallowed. that belongedto the denizens
Although she can slither defending the Bone Castle,
across the Gray Waste or any allowing the revolutionaries
of the lower planes at will, to storm the fortress.
the Night Serpent is almost Dendar can only be
always found in her lair. Den- truly slain by mortals or pow-
dar lives in a vast cave near ers under conditions similar to
the oozing river that serves those required to slay a
as the moat for the Crystal demipower on its home plane.
Spire (or its predecessor, Otherwise, she always reforms
Cyric's Bone Castle).The hiss in the Gray Waste after one
of the Night Serpent's breath- day has passed.Ail ofthe
ing echoesthrough the City of Realms' inhabitants remem-
Strife as she sleeps, content- ber every nightmare they have
edly gorged on the world's that night in excruciating
unremembered nightmares. detail for the rest of their
Anyone who approachesher lives.
cave frnds her awake and
awaiting them with anticipa- Combat: Although Dendar
tory delight as she savors and can attack with her magically
relives their worst unremem- envenomedbite, she prefers to
bered nightmares. Her cav- unleash unremembered night-
ernous maw is large enough mares on anyone so bold as to
to swallow a hill giant, and attack her. Her fangs cut
her tongue can knock an through arrnor as ifit doesnot

P L Y E R o
 19

mares in t\q,,,, ' z'z

exist-the Armor Class of any opponent
is calculated using magical and Dexter- past a4d fail'd' /7/ ifest any-
ity bonuses only. Anyone bitten by the saving throw // f whercin
'/ the Realms
Night Serpent must make a successful vs. spell at
saving throw vs. death magic or fall into -5, they t' and cast any
an eternal sleep, stalked by an endless become ' It ofthe above
stream of nightmares replayed over and insane with a perni- / spells as
over. The only way to end this tortured cious insanity curable
state is with a limited wish or wish spell only by awish
followed by heal to prevent the victim granted directly from a
from being permanently feebleminded. deity. If victims who have be hit by weap-
failed this saving r ons of+5
On an unmodified attack roll of 20, Den-
tTercan
dar eanswallow an opponent
oooonent ofhuge
of huee throw are in the \1\- a enchant-
/) - m en to r
size or smaller whole. When swallowed processof
physi- J greater. She
in this manner, victims can only be
cally regenerates 5
helped by forcing Dendar to disgorge
hit points per
nightmares and leaving her gullet in the ,, . .
While in
flood. \trfhila
f]nnrl her gullet
in her qrllpt /r/Z'/,r. round. She is immune
outgoing
^,'J-^;-- 7O
theytake 1d6 points of acid damage to poison,hold,fear, or
per turn. 2Z charm spells, illu-
)'/////)/,

%
'
Foreverypointof damagean sions,psionics,and
%/Z death magic.
opponent inflicts on the Night
Serpent, one scale explodesand
HabitaVSociety:
stretches into a ftrlly formed
Dendar is a
nightmare, similar in effect to a
unique being
nightmare spell (as the reverse of
7,,. who resides in
the 5th-level wizard sPell
the Gray
dream). Although every night- // Waste,eating
mare is actually experienced 7/ theunremem-
instantaneously, each hideous and
bered night-
unsettling vision seemsto go on
mares of
forever. Ifthe victim fails a saving
FaerOn's
throw vs. spell, each nightmare popu-
inflicts 1d10 points of damage and
lace.
leaves the recipient fatigued and
The
unable to regain spells for a
Night
week. Ifa secondsaving throw
Ser-
vs. spell is failed, the victim is pent
under the effects of a perma-
nent fear spell until renl'oue
riFI has an
.( .', luncount-
fear is successfullycast upon ,J
^-l - able horde
them.
of horrible
Dendar can also disgorge t:tr$4 dreams
up to 10 nightmares per
and foul visions in
round against each attacker,
although she is loath to do so unless i{d'; her gullet that she has been
5 -" t?
confronted by a particularly dangerous devouring"since the dawn of time.
opponent, since each lost nightmare She relishes the taste ofParticu-
delays the end ofthe world and her tri- larly choice nightmares and savors the
umph just a little bit longer.
'-r*\\t
dreams of kings and deities alike.
The Night Serpent can vomit forth attacking the Night Serpent, a gathered
any specific spirit's worst nightmare host ofhorrors envelop them and draw Ecolory: Dendar has consumed the
from its entire life. Such nightmares fly them into the gullet of the Night Ser- unremembered nightmares of Faerrfn
forth to attack their originators, wher- pent. Such a fate results in the perma- for uncounted eons, slowly fattening
ever they may be (even on another nent annihilation of these victims and herselfin preparation for the end ofthe
plane). If victims have already con- not even a greater power can restore the world when she can escaPeto the
fronted particular attacking visions and unfortunate being to life or the afterlife. Realms in order to devour the sun. If
laid them to rest (as adjudicated by the Dendar can cast one of the following she did not feed her insatiable appetite,
DM), they are unaffected, and the Night spells at will (as an ability) onceper every being, mortal or deitY, would
Serpent must concededefeat to such round: demishadow magic, d'ernishadow remember every nightmare she or he
opponents and be henceforth unable ever rnonsters,drearnspeah(as the 1st-level ever dreamed in excruciating and possi-
to harm them through night terrors wizard spell, also known as Detho'sdelir' bly incapacitating detail.
again. If victims have not confronted and fear, or nightmare (or its reverse,
i11777), Prior to Cyric's tenure, the Night
defeated particular attacking night- drearn). The Night Serpent can intangi- Serpent ate only unremembered night-

P L Y E D R
20

mares. Then, in hiS madness, the Kezef was freed by Cyric shortly
Prince of Lies fed her numerous a{ter the Time of Troubles to hunt for
denizens of the City of Strife (petition- the soul of Kelemvor. The Prince of Lies
ers and other spirits). She developeda tricked Mystra into ripping the magic
taste for the Faithful. As a result of weave enveloping Kezefand then shat-
this new diet, Dendar quickly swelled tered Gond's chain with his sword Gods-
up to the point where she could no bane (later revealed to be an avatar of
longer leave her lair and hence could no Mask). Kezef traveled to FaerOn and
longer hunt for the most succulent began to follow Kelemvor's life trail.
nightmares or manifest in the Realms. When he reached Black-
Kelemvor, the new Lord of the Dead, no staffTower in Water-
longer feeds denizens or any other deep, the site ofthe
Faithful to the Night Serpent, and climatic battle between
Dendar has shrunk back to her nor- the avatar of Myrkul
mal gargantuan size, allowing her to and Midnight, Adon,
leave her cave. She has developed a and Kelemvor, Mask
taste for the Faithful, however, and, and Lord Chess of
like Kezef the Chaos Hound, any Zhentrl Keep reim-
of the Faithful the Night Ser- prisoned Kezef in an
pent manages to catch and con- enchanted candle
sume are utterly destroyed. with an ancient
Since Cyric's defeat, Dendar is ritual provided by
careful to only consume the Oghma. Mask
occasional spirit morsel as a later gave the
treat, and her diet once again candle to
consists predominantly of the Gwydion, a
world's unremembered night- clockwork
mares. ls: inquisitor
:__\ turned
against
Cyric by
Ke z e ft h e C h a o sH o u n d Mystra,
Kezef the Chaos Hound is one who then
ofthe elder, eternal evils of freed the Chaos
the Outer Planes created in Hound during a
the dawn of Abeir-Toril's rebellion
prehistory. The ravager = ;;;il;l-by'i"
ofthe heavens appears : in the City of
as a huge mastiffwith Strife. The
unearthly, malevolent, Chaos Hound
red eyes and a ratty tail. -: feasted on Cyric's
His fur teems with mag- \\ -= denizens until
\\ Kelemvor assumed the
gots, the coat shifting
incessantly over barely cov- \ iitle of Lord of the Dead
ered sinews and bones. His flesh oozes bade traffic Uy a"lty or mortal with the and the rest ofthe pantheon threatened
like pus from an old sore and his paws beast. After he was hunted down, the to recapture the Hound within the Wall
leave burning prints in the ground that powers bet Kezefthat he could not ofthe Faithless.
spread into pools ofburning ichor in his break a leash forged by Gond Wonder- Kezef fled and now stalks the planes
wake. His pointed teeth glitter like dag- bringer. Kezef allowed Gond to place a hunting Mask, the Lord of Shadows,
gers ofjet in the light. His blood is a short length of sturdy chain around his against whom he has sworn eternal
dark, liquid ooze that burns on the neck in exchange for Tg placing his revenge, and his normal prey, the
touch, and he radiates a pestilent aura right hand in the Chaos Hound's slaver- Faithful (Outer Planes petitioners).
of decay. The fetid air of his breath ing jaws. Gond anchored the chain Mask is forever on the run, always
extinguishes all nearby fires, and he miles deep in the floor of Pandemoni- hearing Kezef s hellish bayrng behind
reeks with the sweet stench of ancient um's caves, and Mystra wrapped the him.
death that can be detected from many beast in an unbreachable, glowing cur-
miles away. Kezef can speak any lan- tain of magical energy that automati- Combat: Kezef is incredibly quick, and
guage in a low and rumbling growl. cally repaired itself. From these two always strikes first in combat except
Kezef was imprisoned for centuries traps Kezefcould not escape,and no when battling a deity. In addition to the
on the layer of the plane of Pandemo- one could reach him through Mystra's damage inflicted by his terrible bite, the
nium known as Cocytus. His imprison- curtain. When Kezef discovered he was Chaos Hound's spittle burns victims for
ment was mandated by an alliance of truly fettered, he bit offTyr"s hand and an additional 1d10 points of acid dam-
members of the FaerOnian pantheon feasted on its divine essencefor cen- age per round for the three rounds after
when the Circle of Greater Powers for- turies as he strove to free himself. any successfulbite. This additional acid

P L Y E R
 21

damageis cumulative for mul- being's life from the emotional

tiple bite attacks. cho"esthat remain in its
In lieu of a bite attack, the lKezef, the Chaos Hound path.
Chaos Hound can breathe a Kezef can only be truly
puff of corrosive mist once per CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Outer Planes & slain by mortals or powers
iound in a 20-foot-diameter Prime Material --
Plane under conditions similar to
area in front of his mouth. FREQIIENCY: Unique tlrose requiredto slay a
This virulent acid can scour ORGAI\IZATION: Solitary demipower' otherwise he
flesh from bones and i;fi;;; Acirvrry cyclE: Any alwaysreforms in Pandemo-
2d12 points of acid a"-ugu- nfntt Th; Faithful (spirits, a week, free to
li"T "I!9:
nunt agarn'
per round of exposureuntil p^etitioners)
neutralized or washed away INTELLIGENCE: -- Genius (18)
by prolongedl*-"r.ioo irr' TRE^q,SUnni Nif
AilC\rylNIi Chaotic evil unique being who roams the
running water. ^
NO. appnnnfNC, 1 Outer Planes hunting the
Kezefs ear-splitting howl
enfflOn CLASS: Faithful and chasing Mask'
causesconfusion unafio, a, :
nnOVslt{ENTi-- 36 He relishes the scent of
the 4th-level wizard ,p"llr;; -
HIT DICE; 26 i€,}Shit points) hatred' and sometimespauses
mortals for as long iii.
and becomessubstantial in
heard. (The f'ear.ur,", A"IIACg;- -7
"ulrie a +6 NO. Of ATTACK-S: - order to savor a particularly
affect deities, who recei-t 1 juicv emotional scent' He is
bonus to their saving tffi;"; iiiil,LCriamacrs, 1d20+10 .
SPECIAT ATTACKS; Alwayg wins. . nauseatedby the scent of
A successfulsaving thr# us. "
initiaiive, acjd cloying, reck-lesshappiness.
spell holds off the howl'"s" In his wake he leaves scream-
effectsfor one .oorrd' spittle' acid breath'
maggot swarm- - ing nightmares particularly
Kezef regenerates5 hit -
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Hoi'T,-bo"ttittgbtood, cherishedby Dendar the
points per round. n rv *oo.d,
+3 or better magical Night Serpent'
he receives appear t" i-i"'"a]-
ately fester and then the weaponsto h-ll'.
regeneratesShit Ecology: Souls and spirits
putrefred flesh rapidly cioses
points/round' . are incredibly hardy' Only the
over the wound. The mass of "' i,,'tno.r" to poison, hand of a deity, an elder' eter-
corruption that is nis .'fi,i
iiQ, fr.y'ir char'm n-alevil such as the Chaos
shifts with each blow, as yield- ound' or a place of inde-
ing as water, u..^oonti'1ifior-- spe1ls,ilJusions,
piiorricr, and death scribablecorruption such as
his high Armor class.
the River Slith can truly
Anyone successfully strik- hlot
RESISTANCE: 70% estroy them' Kezef survives
ing the Hound in melee must UA9IC - - y raiding the planes and
make a successfulsaving SIZE: H ifS'to.tgi
MORALE: Fear^less (I0) preying on.the spirit-sub-
throw vs. breath w"apon-o. be
IAVA1-UE, s+Ooo stanceof the Faithful' He has
splattered ry rri, oorinf bioJJ
*hi"t bo"r,,like cop-
molteir if"'ft:1:J""'#i.i?:*iT;;
per. This hot liquid inflicts
night. when the chaos Hound slows the taste of the unripened spirits of the
1dg points of heat damage per round
dolwn,he becomessubstantial once still-living'
urrlit'wipea of.
again and uses the movement rate when Kezef destroys one of the Faith-
Kezef canonly be hit by magical
riEi"a uu""", although rt" .u" still travel ful, the maggots which make up his pelt
weapons of +3 or better erichanTment.
."v t"*ain as-ifrunning on air. !{ swarm away from his jet-boned skeleton
He is totally immune to poison,hold.,
"""r
fr" he can hide invisi"bly at will, to devour the corpse' The gorged crea-
fear, or charm"peff", iiosions,'psionics, "froor"., a senseof beini *ut"n"a-ty tures then mill slowly over Kezefs body'
and death magic. His magic resistance r"""i"g
""iv
.o-u &""pi.g thing with ai evil laugh making him appear bloated' Anv of the
drops to 407owhenbattling demipow- -
and noxious scent. Faithful who are eaten in this fashion
ers, and 20vo whenbattling'u''5' powers
vwwvr vof
are forever and truly destroyed, beyond
greaterstature. when the chaos Hound hunts a par-
The Chaos Hound canplane shift ticular soul, he can immediately trans- even the recall of the powers'
between planes or teleportwithout effor port himselito the site of the sought
;ht" ; ilane at will. being's birth (through plane shift and
Kezef becomesinsubstantial as a teleport without error). While on the
ghost when he runs, and in this state he hunt, he howls madly and is as infalli-
iu" *o"" aL a nearly limitless speed ble a tracker as Gwaeron Windstrom'
o"", u"V terrain. For example, il took Unlike the Master of Tracking, he
tri- o"" hour to travel Kelemvor's path tracks by lingering traces of emotional
for four years oflife. In this noncorpo- scent that may be years or even cen-
real forrir, all that can be perceived of turies old' Due to Kezefs astounding
il; i; ; ghostly blur thafleaves a lin- senses,no living creqlure can hide once
g".i"g sclentof decay and a vague dread he picks up its trail. The Chaos Hound
6f aait enea corners'and howling in the can fully reconstruct every step of a

P o L Y E D R
22

AWorld of YourOwn
Morethingsthan are dreamtof, part2
by Boger E. Moore can look it up if they want), but the don look, sound, and smell to visitors?
more familiar Eileen is with this period, What was Elizabeth's palace like, or
In the last issue here, one Dungeon the better her campaigrr will flow and Shakespeare'shome? Back to the
Master created an original AD&D@cam- the more confident she will be during library she goes.
paigrr partially based upon a TSR prod- play in fielding questions. Clothing and uniforms of the period
uct, the HR4A Mighty Fortress It helps to know, for instance, that are described in a large number of inex-
campaign sourcebook.Eileen, our DM of the New World of the Americas has pensive, profusely illustrated, and easy-
the month, introduced enough new been known to England for only the last reading books by Osprey Military in its
material to HR4 to place her personal 50 years or so when the campaign starts Men-At-Arms and Elite series. Racks of
stamp clearly over the frnal result: a in a.o. 1550. Little of these lands have these large, white paperback books
magical Elizabethan England. been explored. The Iroquois Confeder- stand in almost every hobbY store in
This installment covers some of the acy will not run into European nations America. The 16th- and J.7th-century
resources that could be used to expand until 1600 or so, so (unless history is offerings cover the conquistadors,
the HR4 setting into the result seen in changed a bit) no Mohawks could be Henry VIII's army, the Armada Cam-
the last issue. We also look at a few brought to England before then' Science paign of 1-588,forces involved in the
other ways the HR4 setting could have has not yet uncovered dinosaurs or Thirty Years War and English Civil
been developedand used. This issue cavemen; most people still believe in the War (infantry and cavalry), soldiers in
becornesmore important in a later Garden of Eden, speaking of "antedilu- the Irish Wars. Polish armies, Land-
installment of this column when we will vian times" (before the Biblical Flood) sknechts, the Ottoman Turks, Mughul
look at creating highly variant versions when they mean prehistoric periods. India, and samurai-more than enough
of "official" campaigns, such as the That the Earth is round is also common for Eileen's campaign needs.
Wonr,l or GnpYllawtf, DRAGoNLANCE , knowledge; any sailor knows this.
or Foncottex RPAIttls@ settings. Gorton Carnrth's What HaPPened AddingNew Lands
First, however, a few thoughts on When glves a thorough overview of early
research. American times. Another resource Some lands that we know to have been
About L4 years ago, PolYnnlnon@ Eileen could use for New World adven- mythical are quite real in Eileen's
Newszine published an article called tures would be volume 1 of Samuel Eliot world, though their presencehas not
"Research is not a dirty word." In it, Morison's Oxford History of the Ameri- greatly affected world history. Most of
Kim Eastland pointed out that research can People. More specific books should these places were discovered after 1400,
goes quicker than you think ifyou know be examined for information on things and they are now taken for granted.
where to frnd good resources. He went like the Roanoke colony of Sir Walter Researching such legendary places and
on to list some outstanding books that Raleigh, life in a Spanish fort on His- rnaking them "real" is an enjoyable task
could add immeasurably to many fan- paniola, or the Portuguese colonies on for Eileen.
tasy RPG campaigns. the Azores. Could Celtic Christians For instance, Antilia, a rectangular
If you take time to look for campaign from Ireland have reached America in island reputed to be the home of Iberian
ideas in a library or bookstore, you tap e.n. 850? When did the Plains Indians Christians expelled by the Moors in the
into an incredible wealth of creative get horses, and how? What was earlY Sth century, is placed just west of the
material. Anyone can create an original Bermuda like? Historical magazines Azores in Eileen's world, rising from the
and excitingAD&D camPaign world like American Heritage and detailed Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Maps of Antilia (or
with just a little time and trouble. The encyclopediasin libraries are especially Antillia) appear in J. B. Post'sAn Atlas
good side for the DM is that doing the worthwhile for starters. of Fantasy, but were originally from
research can be as much fun as running Just as important is Eileen's famil- Samuel Eliot Morison's The European
the game itself. You just have to know iarity with the mundane details of daily Discouery of America. The Isle of Brazil,
when to call it quits. You want to life in England from 1550 to 1600, sup- described in L. Sprague de Camp's Zosl
expand the options of your campaign as plemented with short handouts giving Continents, was rumored to be home to
much as possible without micromanag- historical details for her adventures. a wizard and giant rabbits.
ing it to death from the start. Knowing the "character's-eyeview" Other resources here incllode The
helps loads in getting players in the Dictionary of Imaginary Places,by
mood. One minor but sticky detail, for Alberto Manguel and Gianni
Ad d ing M o r e H i s t ory instance, is that tea was little known in Guadalupi; The Dictionary of Mythical
A reasonable knowledge ofEnglish and England during this time, so PCs can't Places, by Robin Palmer; Curious Myths
world history is necessaryfor Eileen to really have tea with the Queen (as an of the Middle Ages,by S. Baring-Gould
flesh out and operate her campaign. earlier installment of this column (Eileen has to get this one from the
Her players don't need to know all the implied!) until after 1600. What is life recessesof a major library, as it was
details of who was who and what was like in a university town like Oxford or published in 1881), andNo Longer on
what during Elizabethan times (they Cambridge? How did the streets of Lon- the Map: Discouering Places that Neuer

P L Y H E R
 23

Were,by Raymond H. Ramsay. The nology. Even the strentWorld the PCs! Creatures from Shakespeare
Atlantic will becomeslightly crowded Almanac and Book of Facts fills in ("A Midsummer Night's Dream," "The
with new islands. California, Eileen much of the technolory, real and poten- Tempest," etc.) and Christopher Mar-
learns, was once thought to be an tial, of the time. As noted last month, lowe ("The Tragedy of Doctor Faustus")
island, too. Perhaps in her world it Eileen's world has slightly more are available as well. Perhaps Doctor
really is. Europe itselfcould undergo advanced techlology than our own Faustus was a real person. . . .
slight changes, such as adding the leg- world did at that time. (Perhaps secret
endary Breton city of Ker-Ys; Africa societiesof wizards, technologists, and DrawingFromOdds& Ends
gains the kingdom ofPrester John. erazedeccentrics are responsible.)
Beyond the addition of imaginary In addition, the pure and applied In addition to the above, Eileen can
lands, Eileen wants to keep a focus on physical sciencesleaped ahead: mathe- draw upon movie videos, picture books,
the real world as it existed in 1550. matics, hydraulics, astronomy, architec- TV shows, historical romance novels,
There were nations then which are now ture, surveying, anatomY, oPtics, fantasy and science-fiction novels, and
forgotten, and national boundaries that ballistics, aeronautics (gliders!), cartog- role-playing materials from TSR,and
don't resemble modern ones at all. The raphy, botany, geometry, bacterial the- other companies to flesh out her Eliza-
Anchor Atlas of World History (in two ory, and so forth were growing rapidly. bethan world.
How will these sciencesinteract with . The AD&D Prawn's OPrroN'"
paperback volumes) is extremely useful,
as it shows how borders shifted over wizatdry? Cornbat & Tactics book has an excellent
time through warfare. T}re Atlas of War- rules expansion on gunpowder weapons.
. Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu game
fare (Richard Natkiel and John Pimlott) A d d i n g New Monster s
clarifies much on the battle of the Span- has the Strange Eons (Strange Aeons in
ish Armada, should heroes become & P e o ples Great Britain) supplement which offers
involved in it. Another resottce is The Eileen's monsters are picked from bes- adventures set during the SPanish
Penguin Atlas of North Arnerican His- tiaries common to the time. Some of the Inquisition (1597)and the end ofEliza-
tory,by Colin McEvedy, obviouslyuse- books she finds in the library and local bethan England (1603).
bookstores include The Elizabethan Zoo, . The Lace & Steel game, from the
ful for the New World. Encyclopedia
entries and historical magazines are A Dictionary of Fabulous Beasts, The Australian Games GrouP, reveals
again useful here. Book of Beasls (translated bY T. H. another world, Mittelmarch, in which
White), and C. J. S. Thompson'sThe humans, satyrs, harpies, and centaurs
Mystery and Lore of Monsters. The last live in condition similar to those in 1640
A d d in g M o r e T e ch n o l o g y one reveals the interest during this time in Europe. (The game was described in
Technology and magic are competitors in humans born with odd deformities, the editorial for DnacoNt Magazine
for getting things done in Eileen's such as giants, dwarfs, peoPlewith issue #177.)Eileen may wish to borrow
wor1d, though sometimes the two are three legs, etc. Certain Greek and materials from this game for hers.
Roman monsters are borrowed in lim- . A number offantasy and alternate-
combined for creating rare and espe-
cially powerful devices. Consider the ited numbers from mythology books (no history science-fiction novels cover the
possibilities of magical telescopes,eye- big centaur herds roam the steppes). period from 1500 to l-700 or so, offering
glasses,printing presses,iron smelting Normal animals exist, of course, many ideas for world creation. Melissa
plants, compasses,astrolabes,abacuses, among them a few magical ones that Scott and Lisa Barnett's Armor of Light
adding machines, slide rules, acids, can talk or perform other unexpected is ofspecial interest here as it is set
watches, portable clocks, sundials, actions. For example, there are normal during Elizabeth I's reign. In addition,
paving stones, stagecoaches,g'unpow- lions as well as "lyons" that share the there are Melinda Snodgrass'sQueen's
der, bullets, rifles, pistols, micrometers, bizawe characteristics attributed to Gambit Declined, John Brunner's Times
thermometers, air pumps, cannon, can- lions by the bestiaries. Big monsters are Without Nurnber, Keith Roberts's
nonballs, waterwheels, windmills, stone very rare but dramatic: dragons, sea Pauane, Phyllis Eisenstein's Shadow of
bridges, postal delivery systems, water monsters,ef,c, Earth, Poul Anderson's A Midsummer
pipelines, canals and canal locks, dikes, And then there are the faeries. Tempest,and Orson Scott Card's Seu-
oared galleys, full-rigged galleons, and Eileen draws heavily upon books like enti Son and other Alvin Maker novels.
carracks, not to mention the usual Katharine Briggs' Encyclopedia of Short frction along this line includes
swords,daggers,shields,rings, etc. Fairies, Jorge Luis Borges' Book of A. Attanasio's "Ink from the New
What of all the marvelous things Imaginary Beings, Robert l{trk's The Moon," L. Sprague de CamP's"The
dreamed of by Leonardo da Vinci? Secret Commonwealth of Elues, Fauns Round-Eyed Barbarians," and Robert
Galileo lived during Elizabethan times, and Fairies, and Thomas Keightley's Silverberg's "Looking for the Fountain,"
as did Francis Bacon. Whatif theY Fairy Mythology (recently republished anthologized inWhat Might Haue Been:
knew of magic-and used it? as The World Guide to Gnomes,Fairies, Volume 4, Alternate Americas, edited by
Books on the technological achieve- Elues and Other Little People).Robert Gregory Benford and Martin H. Green-
ments of Elizabethan and earlier or Kirk's book is especially useful as it is berg.
so old; Kirk died in1692, so his faeries . Speculations about the conse-
later times are plentiful. Among the
good, easy-reading ones are L. Sprague are very close in time to the Eliza- quencesofa successfulRoanoke colony
de Camp's The Ancient Engineers, bethan ones.Russion Fairy Tales, col- in the New World aPPearedin
Frances and Joseph Gies' Cathedral, lected by Aleksandr Afanas'ev, has Por,rtrpnnoN Newszine issue #110 in
Forge, and Waterwheel: Technologyand much Russian material dating from the "The Living Galaxy." Eileen could follow
Inuention in the Middle Ages, and Derry Elizabethan period, including Baba a similar path in her own camPaign.
and Williams' A Short History of Tech- Yaga and her magical hut-good luck to ' A campaign using Sir Francis

P o L Y H E D R
24

. lli.

Drake's voyage of discovery couldn't be A last thought: How far should endary" creatures would reclaim the
hurt by using a scale model of his ship, Eileen go in introducing Middle English world, letting most human areas revert
the Golden Hind. Airfix makes a nice into the game?A little bit goesa long to nature but keeping the traditions and
L172nd-scaleversion of this vessel. way, perhaps. It is not difficult for appearance of the Elizabethan Age alive
. Jules Verne's Journey to the Cen- Eileen to select a few dozen words and in their own way.
ter of the Earthbrings up the possibil- phrases common to the time and droP If the Spanish Armada had con-
ity of an alchemist named Arne them into conversations,gradually quered England in 1588, a Europe uni-
Saknussemm hiring some PCs to go increasing the number if the grouP fied under one church is possible.Ifthis
cave-exploring with him in lceland. enjoys speaking with "thees" and "thous" civilization was not friendly to the faerie
Moreover, the Incas were supposedto and crying out peculiar oaths when a world, an interesting campaign covering
have taken all their most valuable sea monster appears.A book on Middle the resulting war between humans and
items and hidden them in vast under- English would certainly be of help here. nonhumans could be developed.
ground caves, says The PeoPle's Japan ofthe 1500s could be devel-
Almanac, by David WallechinskY and oped along the lines of the old Oriental
Oth e rWor lds Beyond Aduentures volume, complete with a few
Irving Wallace (page 691). Anyone for a
rcally big dungeon crawl? Eileen's modifred version of HR4 is but monsters, wu jen, and so forth. Using
Eileen also has the option of playing one direction a historical campaign set Japan in place of England as the cam-
videos of Shakespeare'splays as cam- on Earth could take. Given the period paigrr focus turns the world on its ear.
paign extras for willing players. ("This around 1600, a DM could set up a world What would explorers find if they ven-
is what your characters saw at the in which the Americas do not exist, and tured out into the Pacific?
Globe Theatre.") Copies of artwork from the Atlantic and Pacific join to form an Moving the campaign focus in Eng-
Elizabethan tirnes can be displayed dur- immense sea full of hundreds of islands land ahead a few decadescould lead to
ing games in books or prints, a great (perhaps the larger islands lie where a setting in 1650, with the cloud of the
idea ifthe art shows landscapes, street the Rocky Mountains would have been). English Civil War hanging over all.
scenes,or personalities worked into an The trade route to India and China Roundheads and cavaliers, with a touch
adventure. Music from the period can would be clear, if very, very long! of the fantastic-an interesting possibil-
be playing softly in the background dur- If the light of Tycho's supernova of ity for a creative DM.
ing game sessions.Eileen might (at the 1572had carried a huge wave of cosmic
extreme) also call for a pot luck dinner radiation with it to the Earth, human Next month: We leave Earth behind
to go with a game, selecting foods avail- and animal life might have perished. and build another new world.
able during this period. Perhaps then the elves and other "leg- tJ

P L Y H E D R
 Notes trom HO
Newsand Updates
WrrurunFANTASY"
Convention gamers and clubs. Your RDs are a valu- . Conventions which submit new events
able resource; use them when you can, for premier at their show must get the
This year's Wtlrusn FANrAsvconvention and thank them for being there for you. TRF into HQ six rnonths before the
was a huge successfor the Network, as We'Il post an updated list in an upcom- convention date. Conventions sending
well as for the attending companies and ing issue of the Newszine. requests after the six month deadline
convention coordinators. Our objectives will not be given premiere events. The
were to provide a forum for game mas- fees are still $10 per round. Rare excep-
G enC or uG a m eF a ir tions may be made, but these must be
ters to learn new secrets and tips, to
give con coordinators the opportunity to SlotZeros worked out in advance with HQ.
The task of frnding LrwNc CIrv judges . Conventions requesting events from
make valuable contacts in the industry,
and to ensure everyone had a great for the Game Fair is diffrcult, but this the tournament library must get the
time. This year our attendance year we want to make it easy. We are TRF to HQ four months before the date
increased noticeably. Our World Builder looking for a small number of groups ofthe convention. The fees are $10 per
seminars went very well; people came whose members will register to judge all round. Late requestswill be assesseda
away from them with a better under- three slots of one of the Lrvlltc Crrv penalty fee: $10 per day ofthe conven-
standing of the games and took home events we are offering. Ifyou can coor- tion for each month the request is late.
some free product as well. The Net- dinate such a group, we would like you For example, a three-day con making a
work's new Ln'ING Dper:n" campaign to gather six local LIlrNc CIrv judges request three months before their show
was very popular; look for more of these who are going to the Game Fair and (one month late) will incur an addi-
events at the Gsn CoNt Game Fair this contact HQ with their names. If you tional $30 in late fees. The same show
summer. Ln'rNc CIrv'" players had cannot frnd six judges, contact HQ and requesting events two months before
plenty to do with two new events, The we will see if we can find the remaining the con would be assessed$60 in late
Stroke of Midnight andA Near Death ones for you. fees. We will not consider any requests
Experience, a special benefit session of Each member of the grouP must reg- received later than six weeks before the
Housecleaning on Friday at midnight, ister for the Game Fair by June lst and show. Fees double for cons with a record
the LrvrNc Crry Interactive (hosted by sigrr up to judge all three slots of the of submitting late requests.
Dan Donnelly)and beginning of the war, LntNc CIt'v event in question. Once we
and the appointment of the new Lord have the full number of groups lined up,
Speaker of the Advisory Council (Sir we will schedule a slot zero for the group
Bennie Tallson, played by JeffLevi). coordinators. They will then run the slot
When war broke out, players rushed to zero for the group. You can be a member
the north walls to participate in a huge ofmore than one ofthese groups, but
miniatures battle. For details on these then you must commit to judging all
stirring events, check out this issue's three slots oftwo (or three) events.
Trumpeter. Group members may run slot zeros
There were many winners at the con- of the event for judges of other Game
vention. since we ran over 200 rounds of Fair events once they have played the
tournaments. Congratulations to all of slot zero themselves. These must be
them. We want to announce the follow- arranged in advance and requested in
ing winners of special competitions: writing, as with other slot zeroes.
Top Player: Randall Lemon Contact HQ as soon as possible if you
DM Dare Winner: David W. Baker want to be involved in this program.
DM Champion (overall winner of the
DM Invitational): Daniel S. Donnelly NewTournament Request
P ol i c i e s
Congratulations...
We want to thank all the members who
Expansionof "Flexibl eSi x "
...to our new RegionalDirectors:
Sherrie Miller, North Carolina gave us feedbackon the proposedtourna- No, this is not anything kinky. We have
John Harnes, New Jersey ment fees policy. This ofiicial policy, decidedto expand the "flexible six" policy
Chris McGui gan,Northern California influenced by member input, supersedes on Ln'INc CrrY table sizesto
CiscoLopez-Fresquet,I nternet any previously published policy on tour- Lnrxc JrrNcle'" and Lnrn'rc Dnarn. This
Regional Directors work very hard to nament fees. We hope that it allows more means that tables of all three event
support conventionsby arranging conventionsto offer Network events. types may have up to sbvenplayers if
judges and filing paperwork, all on their The deadlines and fees for submit- necessaqr'.Coordinators should try as
own time and money. They also helP ting Tournament Request Forms (TRF) much as possibleto keep the tables to six
members in their regions to frnd other are as follows: players.

P L Y E R o
The Network is proud to suPPort the AD&D Feature
Game Fair withlpqctacular events and three-round elimination
"Thieves' Gambit" by A. Karl Larsen and
seminars. This year, we give You a
sneak peek at our events, before ttre Joseph G. Wichman. A mission to guard
pre-reg book comes out. This is informa- some guild representatives turns into a des-
lional only; you must use the forms in perate struggle for survival. Arena Gather-
the pre-reg book to register for events. ing Area H. TH: 01, 04, FR: 06, 08, Semi
Final: 09, 10, Final: 12.
AD&D@ Open
three-round team elimination AD&D Rats, two-round elimination
"SevenMore Parts" by Skip and Penny "Rats Forever" by Kevin Melka. Join the
Williams. The Rod of SeuenParts}ras crew ofRATS for their frnal adventure as
appeared and is causing havoc. So is the they attempt to restore life to one of Grey-
hawk's greatest legends-Tenser the Mage!
Queen ofChaos. You must solve these prob-
lems and more. Arena Gathering Area S' TH: Arena Gathering Area Q. TH: 02, FR: 06,
02, 03,04, FR: 06, 07, 08, SA 10, Semi Final: 07, Final: 1l-, 13.
11. 12. Final: 13
AD&D Masters, two-round elimination
"Ghost Story" by Joyce and Curtis
Rauschenberger.Old Castle Winfield fell nently in the lives of your clansmen.Network
into the sea 500 years ago, but its legacy clubs only. Arena Gathering Area K. TH: 04,
lives on. Members only, Srd leuel and up. FR: 08, Final: 12, 13.
Triple XP. Arena Gathering Area N. TH: 03'
FR: 07,08, SA: 09, Final: 11, 13' AD&D LnrrIllc CrrY Benefrt
"Destrider's Despair" by David Kelly. Are the
AD&D Revswr,orf Game thefts of paladins' warhorses related to the
"Cry Little Sister" by Brandon G' Amancio. ongoing conflict? PC paladins might acquire
The death of a comrade leads to boring guard warhorses during this event. Double XP.
duty in a provincial town where strange Arena Gathering Area B. TH: 03, FR: 07, SU:
occurrencescatch you unawares. A.rena l J.

Gathering Area D. TH: 01, 04, FR: 07' SA:

11, SU: 13. AD&D Lrvnqc CrrY Feature
"The Orcslayer Scroll" by David W. Baker.
AD&D Grand Masters The temple of Tempus wants you to escort
"Slaves ofJusthaven" by Scott Douglas and some dignitaries to Tantras. Shouldn't you
Craig Petillo. Last year, you found your- be fighting the enemy instead? Members
selvesin the sewers on a forced quest. Now, only. Arena Gathering Area B. TH: 01, FR:
you've discovereda secret slave trade. Mem' 08. SA: 12.
bers only, Sth leuel and up. Quadruple XP'
Arena Gathering Area P. FR: 08, SA: 10. AD&D Lrvr rc Crrv Game Fair Exclusive
"A Wish for Temptation" by Glen R. Goodwin.
AD&D Paragon The enemy gears up for a major assault, and
"The Winds of Change" by Brett and Cyndi you are sent to spy out the situation. This
Bakke. Sioux legends speak ofa time when tournament will not play at any other con-
the wind god passedon his nature to his chil- vention. Members only. Atena Gathering
dren. Can you claim the heritage ofthe wind? Area B. TH: 02. FR: 06. SA: 09.
Members only, 7th leuel and ap. Quintuple
XP. Arena Gathering Area P. TH: 02, SA: 09. AD&D Lrvnrc Dnanrn- Enigma
"The Lost Valley" by John Rateliff. An arti-
AD&D Brntrnrcnr* Benefit fact from the past hints at a hidden settle-
"There is a Tide" by Robert Wiese. Family ment where one should not exist. Low-level
trouble and human nature lead to wicked- LrvrNc Dpetn heroes. Members only. Arena
ness in Berhagen. Can you sort out this tan- Gathering Area L. TH: 03, FR: 08, SA: 11,
gle and discover the tnfih? Open to all. SU: 13.
Double XP. Arena Gathering Area D. TH: 02,
03, FR:08, SA:09, 10, 12. AD&D Lnnrc Dnerq Feature
"London's Foggy Streets" by Gary Labrecque.
AD&D Network Clubs Finding yourselfin London, you are asked to
two-round team elimination investigate the matter of a girl's disappear-
"Votan's Fire" by Death Warmed Over. An ance. Why is the White Rose interested in
ancient god and a volcano figure too promi- this girl? Low-level LrvrNc Deatr heroes.

P L Y H E D R
Members only. Arena Gathering Area L. TH: er's riddles which may lead to treasure. Then lams. Hit the mall, extract the package.An
02, FR:07, SA: 10, 12. again, ... Deep Labyrinth Gathering Area. easy run, and the Johnson's creds are flow-
FR: 05, SA: 09. ing freely. Time to install eyes in the back of
AD&D Lrvnc JuNcr-o'" Challenge your head. Arena Gathering Area J. TH: 04,
"Thunder Lizard" by Tom Prusa. Bi-annual Paranoia Feature FR: 06. SA: 09. 11.
contests of skill call you to the plains, where "FIee Market" by Donald J. Bingle. Gull-I-
you confront the legend ofthe thunder lizard. VER-6, your mentor, has sent you to the Flee StarWars Feature
Midlevel LrvrNc Juxclr Heroes. Members Market. Will you survive, or will the Com- "Alliance Training Mission #3" by Lisa
only. Arena Gathering Area F. TH: 03, FR: puter terminate you for treason? Arena Reinke and Rex Polley. Establishing a trans-
07. SA: 09. 12. Gathering Area J. TH: 01, FR: 07, SA: 12. mitter site on an uninhabited world should
be easy. So why do you have a bad feeling
AD&D Lrwrrc JtrNcr,n Feature Rolem.aster Feature about it? Arena Gathering Area A. TH: 03'
"The Curse of Fire Mountain" by John Ire- three-round team elimination SA: 11, SU: 13
land. Big ChiefBagoomba has brought "The Mask of Destiny" by ICE Staff. The evil Und.erground Feature
another curse upon his people, and he needs warlord is gone and you are ready to reclaim "Putting the Casual Back in Casualty" by
the help ofbrave heroes to save his village your heritage. Arena Gathering Area T. TH: Doug Tabb. It 2021, you can get sniped just
(and his own life). Low-level Ln'rxc JuNcr-r 02,03,04, FR: 06, Semi Final: 08, 09, Final: about an)'lvhere, but it takes a real unhappy
heroes.Members only. Atena GatheringArea 11. boy to express his displeasure with this
F. TH: 01, FR: 06, SA: 11, SU: 13. much overkill. Standard XP. Arena Gather-
Shad.ousrun Virtual Seattle Feature ing Area PP. Th: 02, 04, SA: 11.
Dnacoxr,eNcp@: Frrru Acn'" Special "A Late Night's Shopping" by GeoffSkel-
"Dragons ofTerror" by Steve Miller. The gods
surrendered your world to an "age ofmor-
tals," yet dragons still rrle. Now you must
discoverwhy ogres are fleeing Blode. This
event previews TSR's new Saca'game sys-
tem and takes the DRAGoNLANoE setting into
a glorious new chapter. Arena Gathering
Area E. TH: 03, FR: 06. SA: 10, 12, SU: 13.

Ars Magica, Feature

"A Horse is a Horse, of Course"by Sheldon
Menery. A stolen horse leads to interesting
discoveries.Our first-ever Ars Magica event.
Arena GatheringArea PP. FR; 07, SA: 10.

Arnber Feature
"The Trump Gallery" by Erick Wujcik.
Trumps are not working right; they are dri-
ving people insane. You must discover why,
and soon.Arena GatheringArea J. TH: 03,
FR: 08, SA: 10.

Masterbooh: Bloodshad.ows Feature

"Death Before Deception" by Brandon G.
Amancio. The bombshell who just came
through the door wants you to frnd her kid-
napped father. Easy task, or quick trip to the
flesh mill? Arena Gathering Area PP. FR:
08, SA: 12.

Call ofCthulhu Feature

"The Eternal City" by JeffKennedy. Rome,
seat of emperors,popes,and kings,
emanates with an ancient evil. Arena Gath-
ering Area A. TH: 02, FR: 06, SA: 10, 12.

Earthd.awn: Thread's of Legend Feature

"The Map Maker's Riddle" by Drew Cald-
we1l.Build your hero's legend as you play in
successiveconvention events. The map mak-

P L Y E R o /1'/
 Rooster Knight Lorien Darkarrow later EeLqaR.O's srANO FaI-Ls
approached Lord Blacktree in the thick In a clever and vicious assault, the mer-
ofthe fighting and challenged him to a cenary army which Ravens Bluffs mili-
duel. Blacktree did himself no dishonor tary commanders thought was heading
by refusing to fight the young Hotspur, south has turned and taken Belgard's
for surely the young knight would have Stand, also known as "The Stand," the
died on Blacktree's blade. Darkarrow's northern city fortifrcation which
words must have stung the General, defended itself so well in the initial
however, for during a resPite in the attack. Fighting at the fort was short
fighting, he sought out his lady love so and bloody. The mercenaries coordi-
that they be married that daY. Her nated their infantry assaults with
actions precipitated, perhaps, by the attacks launched by several spellcasters.
$CIcteTv N€ws embarrassment he had caused her, she The onslauiht of men and magic was too
flatly refused him. ShockedbY her much for the defenders to resist, and the
It was against a backdrop oftragedy
refusal, Blacktree returned to the frght- fort fell within half an hour. After the
that this year's Winter Festival
ing, promising that theY would talk mercenaries defeated the garrison, they
occurred. The Festival began on a high
note, but vicious unprovoked attacks by later. Thinking quickly, Belanor brought up catapults and systematically
pirates and other cutthroats, and the stepped in and offered himself to Lady destroyed the fort. No one knows the
Katherine. Perhaps out ofsheer spite, fate of the soldiers in the fort. No bodies
deaths of so many of our fair citY's
she agreed to his proposal, and married were found among the wreckage, and
valiant defenders, has made this festi-
him before the startled remnants of the the reinforcement company of cavalry
val one which none of us are likely ever
wedding party. arrived to see only the retreating backs
to forget.
The festival openedwith the It seemsto me that LadY Katherine of the enemy far in the distance.
has too much senseto ally herself with "This is a serious blow to the
appointment of Belanor Fenmarel
(played by Mike CapPs of NC) to the Deputy Mayor Fife under normal cir- defensesofthe city," Lord Blacktree
post of Deputy Mayor. The new Depull cumstances. What strange magic reported to the Council of Lords. "We
induced Lady Katherine to spurn the have lost the means by which we
Mayor was introduced to the city by the
most junior of the Golden Rooster man she loved and marry another? I received advance warning of any attack
knights, Lorien Keltree Darkarrow fear that this marriage will end in ruin. from the north. Whoever is behind these
(played by Dan DonnellY of GA). As if this was not enough, Melissa attacks knows exactly what he is doing.
Eldarin announced that she must honor We have no choice but to send troops to
Belanor expressedhis love for the city,
her vow to seek out an Archdruid in reinforce the northern line and conduct
and swore to uphold its honor.
order to serve her faith, despite her patrols in that area, even though it will
This gala event was followed later in
the festival by the much-awaited wed- desire to remain and serve the city in deplete our strength elsewhere' And we
ding oflord Charles Blacktree fV and its time of great need. must deny our enemy the initiative in
Lady Katherine Marie Moorland. When What is happening to us? Have we these attacks. The only way we can pre-
the moment came (I was in the front angered some immortal power, who now vent him from attacking when and
row, having called in a long-standing exacts his revenge by bringing woe to where he choosesis to take whatever
debt from Melissa) and the happy cou- our city? As I sit in the gaily decorated troops we can and form a reserve that
ple took their places before Melissa hall where the happy couple was to be can be used to thwart attacks against
Eldarin (played by Jim AIan of OH), an married, I hear the sounds of frghting at the city. If we do not do this, we are
unknown guardsman (cameoby JaY the walls nearby and wonder, what is to leaving ourselves open to an attack
Tummelson of IL) broke into the cere- becomeof us? which we cannot defeat."
mony screaming "The citY has been The Council has taken Lord Black-
attacked!! Zhents are mounting a Column written by Wayne S. Melnick of tree's recommendations under advise-
charge, and they're heading for the East FL. If you haue any news about Liuing ment, but they have not yet made a
Wall!" City player characters you think worthy decision. Trumpeter teporters haue
Guests quickly scattered as knights, of needsto be shared, feel free to contact learned that troops were dispatched to
soldiers, and adventurers headed for Wayne either care of TSR or directly by guard the northern approaches,but as
the wall to defend the city. Lord Black- e-mail at " Cateyes0 [email protected]". ofyet, no troops have been recalled to
tree, answering the call to duty, kissed form any reserve.
his bride-to-be and rushed off. Incensed
by the insult to Lady Katherine's honor,

P L Y H E R
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ILLINOIS: I'm a 23 year'oldfan- OKLAHOMA: Haveyou ever FOR SALE OR TRADE: play.For more informationcontact:
tasy RPG GM/playerlookingfor wishedto see your buddingwriting SperLrtne@ cards.I havea huge Dragonslayers Unlimited,c/o Bill
anyoneinterestedin sharing talentsin print?Now is Your selectionto choosefrom.Write or Brierton,12420 Old ColonyDrive,
GMing tips or discussingfantasY chance!"Networks"is a bi-monthly call for my want list.JohnNichols, Upper Marlboro,MD 2O772'5OOO.
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West Martin St, GrayvillelL 62844 info,and morecan be obtained CORRESPONDENTSWANTED: 1-2 times per month.Costs: $5
onlineat : http://users.aol.com/ I'm a guy,I'm 32, and I'm looking startupfee (3 free turns),$1 Per
KENTUCKY:AttentionLouisville JerandKar/PGCO/index.html, or bY for other maturegamerswith which turn after first three. Contact:
areagamers!We're forminga Net- writing:Networks,c/o PGCO PO to correspondand exchangecre- SpacelordsInc,1 1318 Franklin
work gamingclub and want Your Box 75834, Oklahoma City OK ative ideas. I've been a DM/ player Blvd,Elk Grove CA 95758-9718.
support.We want to do RPGs,live 79147-5894 (pleasesend $1 .50 for over 14 yearsin both the 1st
for postageand handling). and 2nd editionsof the AD&D ONTARIO, GANADA: Unlimited
action,war games,and trading
game, and I have only a littleexperi- Adventuresis a brandnew gaming
card games.PleasecontactVIGIL
(Venturesin Gaming'inLouisville), PENNSYLVANIA: I am a 15 Yrold ence with other systems.Other club in SouthernOntario.lf you are
Gardiner male looking to start an RPGA' related interests or topics of dis- an amateurwriter,designer,or gen-
c/o MarshaWhite, 1935
Lane,Apt F88, LouisvilleKY Networksanctionedclub. Club will cussion include TV and movies, eral RPG enthusiastwith an inter-
playAD&D line of games.Begin- comics,sci-fiand fantasylit, art, est in new gamingconcepts,
40205-2836,or call (502)366
ners welcome! lf interested,contact and models/ miniatures. Wrlre incredibleadventures, and fantasy
91 62 and ask for BarbaraChan-
Sam Hopfinger,55 DecaturRd., WilliamSims,3257 GurleyAve., art and literature,we needyour
dler.
HavertownPA 19083; Phone/{ax GadsdenAL 35903. help! For more info,write: Editor,
MARYLAND: I am a 16 Year-old (610) 446 3671; email UnlimitedAdventures,PO Box
malelookingto join a gaming [email protected]. PEN PAL: Hello,my nameis 108, LucanON, NOM2J0,
group.I am interested in AD&D' Corey LeMoine and I am 15 years Canada. Pleaseincludea SASE so
settings,MiddleEarth,and FOR SALE: 1st editionrulebooks old. I am interestedin a pen pal. we can get back to you.
Warhammer,but I'm willingto learn - DMG,(good),PHB (good),FF Anyoneinterestedin fantasyplease
other systems.I'm relativelYnew (good), MM (excellent), MM2 contactme at PO Box 196, Mont' VERMONT: lam a 25 year old
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and want to playmore.Pleasecon- (good),OA DDG
printing-no Cthulhu, excellent), join a.gaminggroup or start a new
tact Ryan Gerhardt, 2934 AsPen
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mastersare lookingfor PlaYersin sell as a wholeset, $1 75 (U.S.)/ Guide, lhe PnveR's Oprtoru"
the OaklandCountyareafor RIFTS $225 (Can).Will pay book rate books, and lhe Dtrf Option:
and AD&D (Dneeouraruce'and Canada Post ground to any High-Level Campaigns
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please leavea message.

Shawn
Delaney,PO Box 463,
MoretownW 05660 0r call (802)
books.I'm also look' 496 5834.
ing for pen pals if you wouldn't
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Gastoniaarea peoplewantedto 8824, FAX (306) 775 1437, email HELP! Three months ago I pur- about Earthdawnand would liketo
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Contact Rick by emailat gloam- 165 ColdwellRd, ReginaSK S4R on it sincethen,but I just cannot RichardTomasso,PO Box 1672,
[email protected] or call (704) 4K7 Canada. get past the third level.Any hints, Merrimack NH 03054-1672.
a24-7969. clues,or mappedareasto get me
FOR SALE/PBM: PuttEscepr- movingfurtheralongwould be TRAVELLER:AttentionTraveller
OKLAHOMA: The Players'Guild accessory4 Player's Primer to the great.Also lookingfor pen pals fansl ls there interestin fanzine
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ested gamersin the Oklahoma accessory City of Splendors.Also havemanyinterestsand hobbies. Traveller?Fourissuesfor $10 a
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Send a SASE to: PGCO c/o John invitingall gamersaroundthe mentsand questionsto: Jump-
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P L Y E R
 i;i:.:

,..: .:
':,;,'
 GEr.rCoru' 1996 GAME FAIR . NETWORK JUDGE REGISTRATION
Thursday

AD&D Feature,three-roundelimination
Thieues'Ganbit by A. Karl Larsenand JosephG. Wichman

:::ii:i:ffi ffiffi1$,$i$l$ffi
$iffi fra{i{!l
$l$ifi
AD&D Masters,two-round elimination, MembersOnly
GhosrStory by Joyce and Curt Rauschenberger

DRncoNl,qNcE@: Flplu Act'^' Special

Dragons of Terror

AD&D Paragon,Member's OnIy

The Wind.sof Chmge by Brett and Cyndi Bakke

AD&D Network Clubs, two-round elimination

Votan's Fire by Death Warmed Over

AD&D LrvrNc CIrv Feature,MembersOnLl

The OrcslttyerScrollby David 'V7.Baker

AD&D Lrvmc Ctrv Interactive, Members

Interactive game with your LC character

AD&D LtvtNc Dperu Enigma, MembersOnLy

The Lost Valley by John D. Rateliff

AD&D LtvtNc JuNcll Challenge, MembersOnLl

Thunler Lizardby Tom lrusa

Ars Maglca Feature

A Horseis a Horse, Courseby Sheldon Menery

CalLof CthuLhuFeature
The ErernalCirl by Jefi KenneJy

ParwtoiaFeature
FLeeMmketby Donald J. Bingle

wr un V ir tnql Seattle Feature

Shado
A Late Night's Shoppingby Geoff Skellams

Underground Feature
Putting the Casual Back in Cas

F = Judge Final M = Optional MastersEvent P : No JudgesNeeded V = Volunteer

J : JuJge S = JudgeSemi-final
TIIE 29TIf ANNUAI
HEARYE, HEARYE!
RPGANetwork Members!
fudges Needed for 1996 GEttCow'Game Fair
The RPGA'Network is proud to support the 1996 GrN CoN Game Fair

t9 96
with all-new tournaments, informative seminars,and special events for
our members.

Judgesmake this all possible'Almost 300 judgesare neededfor the

Game Fair, and the earlierthat you volunteer,the more tableswe can offer.
First time judgesand veterans are equally needed,and equally welcome.
The benefits of iudging include:
. Giving others a great time.

GAME . Payrng only $t I to get into the

more slots and are a Network
Ludges who run three or more
Game Fair if you iudge 3 or .
member. We can onlv consider
events.

FAIR . Getting points in the Network's International Ranking system.

As as special bonus, sign up by April l5 and get early hotel

reservationinfo!
Memberswho judge Network eventspay only $15 admissionto the
enrire Game Fair.Non-member judgespay $30. Join todayl

If you are not running your own events at the Game Fair, this form and a check or money order for the
judge.
appropriate admissionfee will get you registeredfor the convention-provided you are acceptedas a
Yor, *,rst still pay for any evenrs you reglsrer to play; the above fee is your discounted admission to the
Game Fair as a judge for the Network. You can registerfor events using the Pre-Registrationbooklet, which
will be mailed this spring.

If you plan to arrend the Game Fair and would like to help the Network by judging our events'pleasecom-
olete this form, enclosea check or money order made out to GEN CoN Game Fair, and mail it to:

GnN CoN Game Fair 1996

Network JudgeAppeal - Sandy Kinney
201 Sheridan SpringsRoad
Lake Geneva,WI 53147

Get Aourpreferredslotsbg signingup todag.

Network MembershipNumber (& JudgeRank) Date
Name
Address
City State zip
Day Phone Eve Phone E-mail

TherectretanocDaJsto signup to judge:

1 - The "I Prefer" Way 7 -The "Where Needed" Way
Use the grid on back to chooseyour eventsand slots Use the sectionbelow to indicate generalavailability

I am willing to judge any Network event that usesthese rules:

I am available during these slots (minimum of three) that I have marked.

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
_slot 1 (8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.) 5 (No events) -slot 9 (8 a.m. to 11:45a.m.) slot 13 (8 a.m. to
-slot
_slot 2 (Noon to 3:45 p.m.) slot 6 (Noon to 3:45 p.m.) -slot 10 (Noon to 3:45 p.m.) 11:45a.m.)
(4 (4
_slot 3 (4 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.) slot 7 p.^. to 7:45 p.m.) -slot 11 p.m. to 7:45p.m.)
(8 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.) 8 (8 p.m. to 11:45p.m.) 12 (8 p.m. to 11:45p.m.)
_slot 4 -slot -slot
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