mark@mrstve.UUCP (Mark Smith) (12/30/85)
Q U E S T f o r t h e E L F S W O R D
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M O N D A Y P O S T I N G 12/30/85
(Please |lp This is very long)
Dungeon Gazette Headlines...
All across the Realm, adventurers are becoming organized. Retail
merchants report a 134% increase in profits over the past two weeks.
There have been no more attacks since last week's seige on the capital.
It is believed that the Drow armies have gotten word of the mercenaries
which the King has been hiring. Rumor has it that they are simply lying
in wait to see what happens.
Monsters across the Realm are extremely disappointed. A random poll of
1000 monsters showed that not one had yet to eat an adventurer.
The King has passed a law reinstating capital punishment for felony
offenses. Valar has taken advantage of this, and has executed nearly
150 felons since the law was passes 2 days ago. They even report having
a pair of mercenaries currently awaiting trial who claim to be in the
employ of the King.
Classified:
Wanted: Passage off the Isle of Doom
See man in loincloth waving
on the south beach. REWARD
PLAYER NEWS
I would first like to answer the most asked question since this whole
thing started. The G N E system stands for Good Neutral Evil with no
prefixes. Got it? (:-)) Whew!! I hope so...
Now for the second most popular question. You may roll your characters
any way you want. The purpose of this game is for everyone to have fun
and this means running the character you want. I don't even care if
you pick a class and give him the minimum requirements. Just make sure
you are running the character class you want to run.
Psionics are not allowed in the campaign. The reason for this is that
the Elven King, prior to King Elrond, made a pact with the Mind Flayer
Guild over two centuries ago. Part of the pact restricted all use of
psionics WITHIN the realm. Psionics are allowed outside the Realm.
(But then the campaign doesn't leave the Realm now; does it? (:-))
Many people are forgetting to give me their character's starting level.
At first I placed a ? in the player list, but now all new characters
who come to me with no level will start at level 1.
As of this posting, only 1 character per player will be allowed. Those
of you who are currently running 2 characters may continue. Sorry.
I am continuely receiving multiclass characters. It is difficult for
me to choose which class to make a character so PLEASE do not send in any
more multi or double class characters.
PLEASE make sure that you send me a return address. As you will see in
a special follow-up artical, many people are forgetting.
To those of you who still can't reach me by mail. I don't know what to
say or do. I have people playing now from; Germany, Switzerland, Canada,
and several states in the USA. One thing I have noticed is that mail
coming in arrives much faster than my mail reaches you so if you don't
hear from me right away, wait a few days. If your character(s) seem to
be getting altered in the Monday Posting and you still arn't hearing from
me, THEN we have a problem. Please keep trying...
Those of you who have a ? under level, please send me your level so I
can at least compute your hit points. Thank you.
And now...the moment you've all been waiting for...
T H E H I S T O R Y O F T H E W O R L D
P A R T I
The Elven Realm as it is currently known, has been in existance for over 3000
years. About 1000 years ago, the elves were divided into two factions; the
Good Elves and the Evil Drow Elves. A great battle ensued and the Good Elves
drove their evil brother beneath the surface of the world. The Evil Drow
made several attempts to regain their surface homeland, but the Good Elves
were just too powerful.
The Good Elves knew that someday the Drow would eventually become as powerful
as themselves so they had the ancient smiths craft a fabulous sword, the
ElfSword, which would slay any Drow it came in contact with. They also had
the ancient elven wizards construct a powerful Rune Staff of Power which when
used in conjunction with the sword prevented the drow from even coming to the
surface.
The Drow soon became content with their existance in the underground caverns,
deep beneath the surface, until one day their prophet told of a great and
terrible earthquake which would destroy their cities beneath the surface and
destroy their race should they remain underground.
The Drow, knowing their time was short, tried several times to return to the
surface. Each attempt ended with the Drow vaporizing as soon as they came to
the surface. They realized the powerful relics of the king must be destroyed
so they joined forces with Lolth, Demon Queen of Spiders. They very nearly
succeded in obtaining the ElfSword, but their plans were thwarted by a heroic
band of adventurers.
With only one chance left, they sought the aid of Vlaad Tolinkov, Prince of
the Underworld, Ruler of the Dead, Master of Evil, and general troublemaker.
With his vast armies of undead, and his strategically placed power centers
ruled by mighty generals, they succeded in stealing the ElfSword, kidnapping
the prince, and breaking the spell which had been keeping the Drow beneath
the surface for nearly a milenia.
Now Drow roam the surface seeking revenge on their brothers. They desperately
seek the Rune Staff of Power. Once they have that artifact, there will be no
way which the King can restore the field which imprisoned them for so many
years.
With all the racial pressure, prejudices have become strong. Elves will
tolerate humans, halflings, and half-elves, but only if they have to. They
do seem to be fond of Gnomes though. All the other races tend to get along
although they tend to distrust elves since the elves distrust them. Many
cities are racially one-sided. Humans will almost never be found living
in and Elven city and an elf would rather be tared & feathered than take up
residence in a Human or Half-elf city.
ABOUT THE REALM
Silver Wood Forest - This forest is a quiet peaceful place. It contains
two villages which are populated mainly by half-elves. While monsters
can often be found in this forest they are generally of the nicer sort.
Foothills of Cavaran - These foothills mark the southwestern boundry of the
Realm. No one knows what lies beyond them as fierce monsters roam the
hills in abundance.
Dragon's Eye Lake - This sparkling lake is said to have been made from the
tears of a Golden Dragon whose eggs were brutally smashed by evil
adventurers. Several rumors are associated with the lake. Wishes will
be granted if a platinum piece is thrown in on a night of a full moon.
Untold riches lie at the bottom of the lake 400' down. Dragons often
meet here for mating rituals. None of these rumors have been confirmed.
Cloudwall Mountains - This huge range of mountains separates the Elven
Kingdoms from the Western Plains. There are a number of passes which
lead to either side, but they are most treacherous. A couple of small
Dwarven vilages lie within the mountains and several mines are scattered
across the range.
Hellfire Mountain - Perhaps the most evil place in the realm, this still
active volcanoe is the home of Diablo, King of all Red Dragons. Rumored
to be well over 1400 years old, he has terrorized the Realm even before
the Great Elven Conflict. His treasure hoard supposedly has more wealth
than all the royal funds put together. Only one man has ever met this
vile beast and lived to tell of it. His name is Mordarken, the Black
Wizard, the most evil sorceror ever to live in the Realm. He is rumored
to command the Dragon to do his bidding but many think the Dragon is the
one doing the commanding. Diablo's lair is filled with terrible beasts,
traps, and a most impressive maze. No one has ever survived Diablo's
mountain lair, and only the strongest even venture near the volcanoe.
Granerek Mountains - The Granerek Mountains mark the northern boundary of
the Elven Kingdoms. There is only one pass through the mountains,
Peryton Pass, name for the frequent attacks of the Perytons which
inhabit the cliffs to either side. The tallest peak, Eagles Peak, has
several of the largest eagles known to man. Many an adventurer has
been literally swept off his feet only to find himself facedown in a
large nest with hungry hatchlings clicking their beaks together eagerly.
The raging White Elf River also originates from an underground spring
near the Western border of the range.
Foothills of Granerek - Feared as much as Hellfire Mountain, these foot-
hills have been cast in darkness for nearly 20 years now. The chaotic
Storm Giant, Bithor Thunderfists, has moved into the territory to
supervise the invasion of the Drow. Thunderfist is second in command
to Vlaad Tolinkov and rules his own army of undead. Black thunderheads
have been in the skies for nearly a decade, lightning, thunder, and
tremendous rain storms, keeping all but the bravest soul from venturing
into the foothills. The only thing more awesome than Thunderfists'
display of weather control is his magnificent citadel. (Any further
description of the citadel at this point would be detrimental to the
game further on...)
Forbidden Forest - Ranking right up there with Hellfire Mountain and the
stormy Foothills of Granerek, this forest is of a much more viler evil.
Undead swarm the forest which is so thick, night and day have no
distinction. Tolinkov has dispatched several garrisons of his fearsome
Knight Riders to patrol the forest (reason unknown). In addition to all
the undead, there is more than a fair share of other creatures who live
in the forest, including a deranged sorceror.
White Elf Plains - This large expanse of grasslands is one of the more
cheerful places in the Realm. Ashmire, a large Elven City is the heart
of the plains. Compared to other parts of the Realm, the plains are
rather a safe place to be.
Marsh of the Magic Mist - The swamp is plagued with a perpetual magic mist
which causes a variety of side effects. The marsh is also the lair of
the 3 Mystics, old hags who have untold power and knowledge. While
not entirely dangerous, they often like strangers for dinner. (You know
what I mean...)
Isle of Doom - Compile the evil from Hellfire Mountain, the Foothills of
Granerek, the Forbidden Forest, and the Underground Empire of the Drow,
and you have just started describing the evil on the Isle of Doom.
Home of Lord Vlaad Tolinkov (and other titles as mentioned above), this
island while small is the nexus point to Hades, the 666 levels of the
Abyss, and any other vile place you can imagine (yes, even Detroit).
The sinister Obsidian Peaks, is the lair of this Prince of Evil. He
also has constructed the infamous Black Dungeon of Death, a testing
grounds if you will, which all strangers must traverse if they are to
even seek an audience with his unholiness.
Cathedral Forest - This forest, comprised of towering cypress and palm
trees is the most peaceful place in the Realm. Protected by the gods,
most of the known temples are located in this forest.
Foothills of Cragsen - This area marks the northern boundry of the Realm.
Plains of DarkElf - Recently renamed due to the frequency of Drow sightings and Tolinkov's agents, the plains are seldom travelled.
Other names not mentioned have nothing special about them
CITIES
Listed by name with population, races, and major resources.
Westpoint - POP 6429 - Human, Half Elf
Seaport, Merchants, Military Training
Valar - POP 12578 - All
Merchants, Crime, Guilds
Seahaven - POP 7428 - Human, Half Elf
Seaport, Merchants
Peredas - POP 2191 - Halflings, Half Elf, Gnome
Distillery, Temples
Ashmire - POP 11892 - Elf, Gnome
Farming, Wine
Dark Odyssey - POP 4231 - All
Seaport, Magic Items
Illmar - POP 6762 - Elf, Gnome
Seaport, Merchants
Eanor - POP 34128 - Elf, Gnome, Halfling
Capital, Merchants, Military Training
Arkas - POP 325 - Half Orcs
Swamp Gas, Tar
Sunwood - POP 523 - Half Elf, Halfling
Elven Wine
Northshire - POP 621 - Half Elf, Halfling
Elven Wine
10 Tribes - POP varies - Human
self sustaining communities
Stoneridge - POP 359 - Dwarf
Diamond Mine
Moondale - POP 892 - Half Elf, Gnome
Seaport, Merchants
Rockpoint - POP 923 - Dwarf
Gold Mine, Silver Mine
Glendale - POP 683 - Elf
Farming
Fairbourne - POP 213 - Elf
Farming
Stoney Peak - POP 1324 - Dwarf
Platinum Mine, Jewel Mine
Ashwood - POP 856 - Elf, Gnome
Farming
PLAYER LIST as of 12/30/85
Character Lv Race Class Location Status Inst#
=========================================================================
Wind ? Elf Thief 11,26 I 2
Ali Wylen ? Human Cleric 3,21 I 2
E.R. Wylen 1 Human Ranger 3,21 I 1
Eldarion ? Half Elf Ranger 26,4 I 1
Doc ? Elf Fighter 41,16 I 2
Altar 1 Human Paladin 3,5 I 1
Luther 2 Elf Ranger 64,8 J 4
Elwood 2 Elf Ranger 64,8 J,C 4
Bronson 1 Human Thief 3,12 I 1
Flint 2 Human Cleric 21,10 J 3
Slick 2 Human Monk 21,10 J 3
Zinger 1 Halfling Archer 20,20 J 5
Odin 2 Human Paladin 19,13 I 1
Sam 1 Human Samuri 65,19 Marooned 1
Mintour 1 Dwarf Cleric 24,30 I 1
Kobol 2 Dwarf Fighter 24,30 I 1
Kenny (Gambler) 1 Human Cleric 39,10 J 2
Buzzard 2 Human Assassin 3,21 I,C 4
Thundarr 1 Human Barbarian 20,21 C 2
Gorto 2 Human Fighter 15,8 C 4
Despo 2 Dwarf Fighter 31,13 J 3
Skull 2 Dwarf Fighter 31,13 J 3
Shorty 1 Gnome Thief 58,12 I 1
Qualude 2 Human Illusion 52,23 I 1
Flite 2 Human Magic User 52,21 J 2
Milton 2 Human Magic User 26,6 J 4
Baltar 2 Human Thief 3,21 I,C 2
Kerman 1 Dwarf Fighter 54,29 J 3
Bo 1 Dwarf Fighter 54,29 J 3
Micrathen 1 Half Elf Magic User 52,23 I 1
Benito (Beni) 2 Human Druid 19,13 I 1
Nightshade 2 Human Fighter 11,26 I 1
Chime 2 Human Fighter 11,26 I 1
Ganlon Irongrip 2 Dwarf Fighter 3,21 Jailed 2
Kerlinas the Agile 2 Halfling Thief 3,21 Jailed 2
Sayudel 2 Elf Magic User 10,31 I 2
Jugger...Naught 2 Half-Elf Ranger 10,31 I 2
Satar 2 Half-Elf Druid 10,31 I 1
Paragon...Cross 2 Human Paladin 10,31 I 1
Pnardic 2 Human Ranger 52,23 I 1
Skrin 2 Elf Magic User 52,23 I 1
=========================================================================
KEY for Status:
J = Journeying C = Combat D = In a Dungeon
I = In town T = Training O = Out of Commission
Note: Out of Commission refers to anything which prohibits
character activity other than death. This could range
from unconsciousness to being paralyzed or turned to stone.
Combinations of the codes may be used. If a character were
engaged in combat within city limits (which is against the
law in most cities by the way), his status would look like
(I,C). Full words may also be used such as Marooned, Dead,
or M.I.A.
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6
+--------+----5----0----5----0----5----0----5----0----5----0----5----0----5---+
| KEY |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~___^^^^^^^^^^^Foothills^^^^^^^^^^^^^|
| |~~~~~~~~~~Blue Moon Bay~~~~~~~_____/\/\/\^^^^^^^^^of^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^|
| /\/\/\ |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~______/\/E/\/\^^^^^^Cragsen^^^^^^^^^^^^^|
|Mountain|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o_________/\/\/\^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^|
| ^^^^^^ 5__O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~___________~~#################################|
|Foothill|""""_____~~~~~~~~~____________**~~########Plains of DarkElf#########|
| ###### |"""""""""""""~O_***************~########^^######################o***|
| Plains |""Taphos"""""~_**Cathedral****~#######/\/\/\/\^^^^^^^/\/\^^##*******|
| ****** |"""Swamp""~~~_****Forest***~~~######/\/\/F/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\**O*****|
| Forest10""""""""""~**************~~__##^^^_~~/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\********~~~|
| """""" |""""""""""~~~~*********~~~**##/\/\__~^^^^^^G^^^^^^^/\/\^^*****~~~~~~|
| Swamp |""o""""""""""~~~~~~~~~~~###^/\/\/\___~^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^*O**~~~~~~~~|
| ______ |##""""""""########O####~~~~/\/o/\/\____~***********~*****~~~~~~~~~~~|
| Grass |###########################/\/\/\/\____**~****H****~***~~~Azul~~~~~~|
| ~~~~~~15###########################/\/\/\/\____***~******~~****~~~~~Sea~~~~~|
| Water |######Western Plains#######/\/\/\^^_____o**~****~*******~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| o |###########################/\/\/\/\_______*~~**~******~~~~~~~~~~^^~~|
|Village |###########################/\/\/\/\_________*~~o***"""~~~~~~~~K^/\^~|
| O |##########################/\/\D\/\___________**~""""""~~~~~~~~~^##^~|
| City 20###########################/\/\/\/\____________~""J""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| |##O#####Ten###o#o#o#o######/\/\/\/\_____________~"""""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| 1 char |########Tribes#o#o#o#o####/\/\/\/\_______________~~~"""~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| = 5 mi |##################o#o#####/\/\/\/\_______I_________O~~"~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| |##########################/\/\/\/\____________________~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| 25########**********~~~~~~/\/\/\/\_________________________~~~~~~~~~~~|
| |^^^*******o*****~~~~~~~~~/\/\/\/\__________O____________~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| ^ |^^^************~~~~~C~~~~/\/\/\/\__________________________~~~~~~~~~|
| | N |^^^^************~~~~~~~~/\/\/\/\_____________________________~~~~~~~|
| | |^^^^****A*********~~~~/\/\/\_______________________/\/\o\/\/\/\/\/\~|
| 30^^^^^****************/\o\/\___________________/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\|
| |^^^^^^***o**********___________________/\/\/\/\Southern Peaks/\/\/\/|
| |^^^^^^^^^^******______________/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\|
| |^^^^^B^^^^^^^^^__________/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/|
+--------+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Cities (O) Villages (o)
3,5 Westpoint 3,12 Arkas
3,21 Valar 10,31 Sunwood
15,7 Seahaven 11,26 Northshire
19,13 Peradas Ten Tribes is Barbarian Clan which resides in the
44,26 Ashmire Western Plains. They never bothered to name their
52,23 Dark Odyssey villages and they move about frequently.
58,12 Illmar 24,30 Stoneridge
63,9 Eanor (Capital) 26,4 Moondale 48,18 Fairbourne
31,13 Rockpoint 56,29 Stoney Peak
41,16 Glendale 65,7 Ashwood
Unidentified Terrain Names Rivers
A. Silver Wood Forest 20,12 Rockcastle River
B. Foothills of Cavaran 48,19 White Elf River
C. Dragon's Eye Lake
D. Cloudwall Mountains Passes
E. Hellfire Mountain
F. Granerek Mountains 30,31 Dwarfgate Pass
G. Foothills of Granerek 35,10 Shadow Rock Pass
H. Forbidden Forest 47,8 Peryton Pass
I. White Elf Plains
J. Marsh of the Magic Mist Other smaller name have been omitted, but
K. Isle of Doom they will be provided as needed...
This ends the Monday Update for 12/30/85...
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< H A P P Y N E W Y E A R >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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May the Quest for the ElfSword be
your ultimate goal in life...
Mark Smith
GM "The Software Wizard"
ihnp4!pur-ee!pur-phy!mrstve!mark
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