=========================================================================== Welcome to.. _____________________________________________ / \ \ | |\ FIRE IN THE SKY: \ \__/___\ \ \ The Spurian Chronicle \ \ \ \ Vol. 5, Issue 2 \ \ \ \ Editor: Selder Firemix \ \ Assistant Editor: Lycosa Rabida \ \ \ \ DFC Staff: Naghan, Zara'sheen, Wayfarer, \ / \ Vega, Smogg, Zook, Ragarn, and Anak \ | | | \__/____________________________________________/ =========================================================================== Table of Contents 1) _Letter From the Editor_ by Selder Firemix 2) _Who's Who of Spur_ by the FSSC Staff 3) _Elendron Mantricker Through the Eyes of Naghan Tirel_ 4) _What's In a Hole_ as originally told by Ursula 5) _Of Golden Ages and Draconic Dreams_ by Smogg Skyfire 6) _Drag the Elder_ by Naghan Tirel 7) _The Fall of Rhaki_ by Anak Hope-Kton 8) _Journal of Zara'Sheen CrimsonClaw_ by Zara'Sheen CrimsonClaw 9) _Tale of the Wayfarer_ by Wayfarer of Unknown 10) _The Rise of the Classes_ by the FSSC Staff 11) _Hearthstone Songs_ by the Singers of Spur 12) _Familiars and Where to Get Them_ by Lycosa Rabida 13) _Crime Reports_ reported by the FSSC Staff 14) _Rumors_ reported by the FSSC Staff 15) _Puzzle Page_ by Vega Hopakah 16) _Editorials_ by various citizens of worth 17) _Classified Ads_ by the populous of Spur 18) _OOC: Notes_ by some mythical human =========================================================================== Letter From the Editor By Selder Firemix Welcome to the second installment of the fifth volume of the Dragonfire Chronicle (now know as the Spurian Chronicle)! Before we go any further, it is my sad duty to announce that Ragarn, my faithful slave.. er, assistant, was unable to continue on as assistant editor due to a conflict of interests. Though we regret Ragarn's loss, I am happy to announce that our new assistant editor is none other than Lycosa, Arachnian warrior of Odarous! Now, back to the issue. After reading your letters about our last installment, we have made a few changes. Everyone seemed to like _The Rise of the Classes_, so we made sure to keep it in the FSSC. Most liked the _Who's Who of Spur_ section as well, but wanted more details about those featured. As such, we have expanded the size of each entry, enabling you, the reader, to learn more about those featured within. And, though we will still be publishing bardic stories, those featured in _Hearthstone Tales_ will be renamed _Hearthstone Songs_ and be the winners of the weekly Bardic Recital rather than stories we receive from other sources. So, without further adieu, here is our latest installment of the Spurian Chronicle! May you get as much pleasure reading it as we did bringing it to you! Selder Firemix =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Who's Who of Spur? by the FSSC Staff Welcome to the second installment of our ongoing series, "Who's Who of Spur." For this issue, we've gathered descriptions of some of the more infamous movers and shakers of Spur. But while two of these dark characters admit to being servants of evil, the other two claim to be heroes of our fare city! Are they really heroes, or is it simply a cover for some other, darker, agenda? Read on, good citizens, and find out! -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Dolomedes Triton: An Arachnian Hand Cleric of Taath who, in the absence of Nenad Vugrinec and Kane Quicksilver, has proclaimed himself High Priest of Taath. Quite a rise in social standing for one who started life as a fighter. Yes, when Dolomedes first came to Spur, he was simply a warrior of Taath, but Taath saw something in him and decided to make him a true servant of Taath. Dolomedes was slow to get the message, but after repeated callings from Taath, he finally understood that Taath wanted more from him. Putting himself through a long and arduous ritual, Dolomedes' very being was literally destroyed and remade in the Temple of Taath. The newly reborn Dolomedes quickly rose in power, and was soon joining Derk on his killing sprees, or deterring competition for Oblivion Inc. Because of his association with Derk, he became the official cleric for the Thieves Guild, but has since been replaced. Favored Item: Magical lightning pendant that casts lightning storm. Group Affiliations: The Temple of Taath, Oblivion Inc., the Council of the Black Flame, one time cleric of the Thieves Guild. Notable Deeds: Joined Derk and Kane on numerous killing sprees, was one of the kidnappers of Cloud Reaver, was an assassin for hire (retired), has sacrificed over 100 beings to Taath, is a top fighter in the current Governor's Games and Drag-the-Elder. Current Location: Dolomedes now spends most of his time in his temple, although he does venture forth now and then to collect more sacrifices for Taath. He also comes out to partake of one of his favorite pastimes, killing Elendron, and can often be found in Town Square doing just that. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Khalazzar Dyunnl: Upon first meeting Khalazzar, one can almost believe that perhaps San Elves have been given a bad reputation, and that they are perhaps not as chaotic as they are sometimes made out to be. That may indeed be true, but it does not hold for Khalazzar. Upon first meeting him, he seems as civilized as any other member of the Spur, perhaps more so than many others. The truth, however, is that his moods tend to swing capriciously from one extreme to the other. A true being of chaos, he is not one to be taken lightly. When Khalazzar first arrived in the Spur, he had sworn himself to the path of righteousness as a holy warrior of Odarous. Many in the Odarian temple were outraged at some of his more excessive displays of force against those he deemed foes, however. Eventually, Khal became fed up with the restrictive rules of Odarous, and left the temple all together. Naturally, Taath was there to take him into his fold. Khalazzar had finally found a temple perfectly suited to his violent temperament. However, Khalazzar refused to stop using the Eagle shape rune of Odarous to heal himself, even though he had forsaken his former god. In anger of the evil abuse of his rune, Odarous sent a Flaming Eagle to rend the flesh from Khalazzar when next he attempted to heal himself using his Odarian Eagle healing spell. From then on, all of his attempts to use the Odarian Eagle shape rune met with severe pain and injury. Eventually, the eagle rune was said to have been removed. Now, wholly devoted to Taath, Khalazzar has risen through the ranks of the Guild to become the most skilled Sword Cleric in the Spur and has surpassing even Jedico Bloodstar, High Priest of Odarous. With the power of his evil God behind him, one can only guess as to what path he shall set for himself and the other clergy of Taath. Favored Item: A Black Obsidian Blade with "taste my weapon and die" engraved upon it. Group Affiliations: The temple of Taath, the Sword Cleric's Guild, the temple of Odarous (expelled). Notable Deeds: Defended the city from various threats, Smote Rich the Dragon using the smite prayer, is one of the High Priests in the Temple of Taath, honored as the most skilled Sword Cleric in Spur. Current Location: Khalazzar currently resides in the Spur. He can often be found in the Taathian Temple, the Yelican Forest, or battling in the Governor's Games. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Selder Firemix: A legend in his own time, Selder Firemix is quite possibly the most influential Dragon ever to walk the Spur. Though only second stage at the time of this publication, Selder has both saved the city and brought it to the brink of destruction more times than most people can count. Considered one of the foremost masters of sword and rune, this Red Dragon has made it his career to defend the city from such threats as Soros, the Ice Devil, Kralen, the Shadow Lords, and others far too numerous to count. While not defending the Spur, Selder has done such things as help found the original Governor's Games with Baal the Dragon (though the original idea was Nikoli Omakae's), apprentice such notable Spurians as Breaker the Leuian and Smogg the Dragon, found the Spurian Justice Council, and adventure for treasure with the likes of Kelmar the Assassin and Laurana the Cleric. His numerous wins in the Governor's Games (not to mention his being crowned Champion of the original Governor's Games) and his habit of protecting the weak have also added a great deal to his legend. As well, he has been married to Jinil Firemix, a Dragon hero of some note, for the past four Spurian years. Jinil, however, has not been seen in over a year, and it is rumored that Selder has either murdered her or that she is nesting in some hidden cave far away from the dangers of Spur, expecting their first child. Neither one has been confirmed, though the first has been denied by both Selder and Jinil's family. But there is a dark side to this Dragon that many do not know about. Starting shortly after his transformation to Second Stage without a Secian (he is the only Spurian Dragon in recent history ever to do this), Selder's actions became erratic and sometimes questionable. After getting fed up with feral beings such as Boniface and Rosco smiting the innocent and then robbing them, he burned down the temple of Sa in hopes of severing his opponents' connections to their gods. Though the temple was finally rebuilt weeks later, relations between the Dragon Council and the temple of Sa were strained severely. He has been in conflicts with Secians that have resulted in his death, and then killed them in retaliation. He is rumored to have killed others on a whim or for insulting the Dragon name, and in the past has withheld important information from the public about the very threats he defends the city from. In short, though Selder has been instrumental in saving the city and the world, one must wonder if his selflessness is all that it appears to be... Favored Items: A blue diamond bladed gauntlet, a blue leather hat, and a red wood shield inscribed with the symbols of honor and justice. Group Affiliations: The Dragon Council, the Cleric's Guild, the Council of the Black Flame, the Save the Spur Society, the Spurian Justice Council (founding member) (disbanded), the Spurian Thieves Guild, the Order of the Crystal Star (expelled), the Spurian Assassin's Guild (disbanded) the Bard's Guild, the Dragonfire Chronicle (disbanded), and the Spurian Chronicle. Notable Deeds: Defended the city from various threats, helped to defeat Soros, Changed to Second Stage Dragon Form, founded the Spurian Justice Council, burned down the temple of Sa, pillaged the temples of Taath and Set, pillaged Kane's home, helped found the original Governor's Games, declared Champion of the original Governor's Games, is a top fighter in the current Governor's Games and Drag-the-Elder, editor of the FSSC, only Dragon in recent history to transform without a Secian, first to defeat a Big Killer in solo combat, honored as one of Spur's greatest heroes by the Governor, finder of the lost Warpstone, married to Jinil Firemix (formerly Redclaw), claims to be the King of Spur. Current Location: Often found in the Town Square of Spur, though recently he has been venturing deeper and deeper into the Southlands. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Cassandra Lightpaw: It is a rare citizen indeed who has not met this Leuian hunting in the Yelican Forest or relaxing in the Town Square, and it is rarer still to find one that has not adventured on her large and monster-infested estate in the Southern section of Spur. Benevolent, friendly, and considered by most races to be extremely beautiful, Cassandra is most often characterized by her flowing blonde hair and occasional blank stare rather than her magical and fighting abilities. This, however, is a mistake, for Cassandra is considered a master Runemage by all and can wield a sword better than most fighters. Her arsenal of magical items and a great deal of combat experience give her an additional edge, which she has used in many Governor's Games to tip the scales to her team's favor. This edge, however, is dulled slightly by her lack of common sense, which has gotten her killed at key moments in past Games and events. In short, today Cassandra is a model citizen, respected by most and envied by others. But the Leuian has not always been like this. Though few remember her distant past, those that can recall a young, rebellious Leuian who cared more for herself than others and acted on impulse and emotions rather than thinking things out. Her marriage to Tenebrous the Leuian did not help her reputation, as the two often went to auctions and bought practically everything of interest not to use, but simply to show off. These actions along with their braggart attitudes angered many, which resulted in strife and conflict with such notable Spurians as Laurana, Selder, and Rich. In short, her youth is best characterized as one of action, scandal, and rebellion; a youth she sometimes appears to be wishing would return when met in today's Spur. Favored Items: Anything expensive. Group Affiliations: The Runemage's Guild, the Temple of Sa. Notable Deeds: Defended the Spur from multiple threats, is a top fighter in the current Governor's Games, married Tenebrous the Leuian, owns her own estate which many use as a hunting ground. Current Location: Cassandra can often be found in the Town Square, the Yelican Forest, or relaxing at her private estate. =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Elendron Mantricker through the eyes of Naghan Tirel By Naghan Tirel I shall open this article by stating that I hold my editor in the highest respect; however, I find that I am continually saddled with assignments that are alien to my literary background. Any copy-editor/intern can pen a halfway decent tributary article to a Spurian personality with ease, for laudatory words spring quickly to any lips, especially those of literary and journalistic hopefuls. That having been said, I shall now, with my characteristic fervor, throw myself into this article as I have thrown myself into no article before (with the necessary inference, of course, that I work harder on each successive article). This particular deals with a Leuian named Elendron Mantricker. While Elendron has not been in the Spur for a great deal of time, it is safe to say that he has left an indelible mark upon the face of our City. It is similarly safe to say that Elendron has succeeded, in spite of his youth, to rub noses with some of the greatest, most powerful Spurians. Because of these facts, I find succor in the fact that Elendron truly merits a short biography (pardon me for my earlier disappointment, but I had assumed our esteemed editor gave me this project just to keep my mouth shut). There are certain stringent tasks a biographer must finish, the greatest being the necessary establishment of a basis from which we can decide which accounts of Elendron's actions are factual and which are fiction; which are objective, and which are entirely dispassionate. The biographer cannot be present at every moment in the subject's life, so it is necessary to use second-hand accounts of dubious truthfulness. Because of this sorry state of affairs, I shall be wholly conservative in my study and use only those facts which I have personally checked out. I shall, on occasion, use fallacious facts to underscore the fact that Elendron's reputation --to be tactful-- precedes him. Just to get it out of the way, I shall now present my account of my first meeting with my subject. I had just finished my sorry article on the Governors' Games (in the preceding issue) and was languishing in the Town Square. I realize that not wearing armor is unfashionable, but I truly detest the stuff (though now, in the interest of self-preservation, I have a beautiful rainbow leather mail courtesy of the Great Smith Mulciber. Yes, a genuine Mulciber!). Anyhow, Elendron was present in the Town Square as well, and he began insulting my Settian religion. That was all fine and well, of course, for I merely pay lip-service to Set; we in Academia have grown beyond polytheism. Then the fellow began complaining about a "30 day newbie period" or some such. I believe he referred to the fact that, during their first thirty days in the Spur, new folk are often found not to lose skills if they are slain. If so, my period was long exhausted (not to mention that those snobbish trainers insist that I am not good enough for level 2 in anything! The nerve!), but I suppose I did look like a new person because of my lack of armor. Anyhow, the fellow decapitated me. He than began apologizing me and tried to give me some armor, but I really didn't want the stuff. These violent swings of mood are characteristic of Elendron and shall be discussed later. In the interest of further study on that amorphous template known as the "Biography", I shall diverge slightly from the accepted format. However, I do not wish to surprise and confuse the reader, so this divergence shall be trumpeted forth and outlined in this paragraph. Allow me to relate to you a story: Once upon a time, there was a world where the inhabitants had such limited minds that they could only absorb several paragraphs of information. When interrogating these folk, they proved reticent unless certain questions were asked. While many of these questions were unique to individuals, the following were universal and guaranteed to generate a replay: "Name?" "Job?" and "Join?". "Name?" Elendron Mantricker. The history of this name is related elsewhere in this publication, so I shall not go into the particulars. Suffice it to say that Elendron Mantricker is our subject's name, and, barring an un- fortunate union between Elendron and a Fang, no one shall be able to hold that name again. Elendron is a Leuian, the most common race in the Spur (I hesitate to call them "commoners", though it would be apt). "Job?" Elendron is one of the most powerful Thieves in the Spur, but his modesty is such that he does not even admit to being one. While one would think he was a Forester from his anti-Thief actions, such is not the case (after all, Foresters are simply unfashionable). While most would boast of high Guild standing, be they Runemages, Clerics, Fighters, Barbarians, Bards, Foresters, or Thieves, Elendron is content to live a life of humility. Elendron is also an Arms Merchant. The concept of an Arms Merchant came to be several years ago when Smash the Thugian and Liung the Dragon began selling "gem" weapons and armor: sapphire and garnet, respectively. Business boomed, and other gems merchants sprouted: Ailana the Dragon sold ruby weapons, for example. The business culminated with Trenal and Jalil the Secians selling diamond items. Junor the Dragon began selling his collection of Peddler weapons, followed by Derk Myrindale. Then came what shall be known as the Age of Oblivion, when Nemesis the Dragon began specifically buying Peddler weapons and armor for resale. Elendron is the latest Arms Merchant. It is worthy to note that Smash's most expensive item was 120 k (heavy sapphire mail). Elendron once sold a Silk Tunic for 250k! Elendron may not admit it, but he is certainly the best Thief in the Spur. "Join?" Elendron has defended the Spur time and time again. Many a Shadow has wafted back to its master, essence dispersing outward due to crackling rents caused by Elendron's lightning weapon. These mighty actions have earned Elendron a place among the better heroes that have defended the Spur in the past. "Avatar?" Elendron, quick to anger, has also fought in several intra-Spurian conflicts, having, for example, slain Smogg, Vega, and Orania. Elendron fears no controversy, for he has been known to use the Decapitation Attack (upon myself and others), and, several nights ago, he slew Cassandra as she fought Zara'Sheen by attacking her while she was in a desperate frenzy. While a good percentage of the Spur would cry out that these tactics are without honor, Elendron claims that they are not and, in so claiming, shows us that he is proof against the scorn of others. Or is he? Elendron's is a chaotic, tortured soul. Upon close examination, however, what one finds is that Elendron simply wishes to be accepted. I take as an example Elendron's relationship with Selder the Dragon. Rumor places Elendron as one of Selder's apprentices early in his career in Spur, yet the relationship between the two has become strained of late. Selder has slain Elendron for many infractions, true or imagined, yet it is apparent to the discerning watcher that Elendron sees Selder as a father figure and, moreover, holds him in the highest esteem. One night, for instance, Elendron awaited Selder in the Town Square for quite some time, claiming that Selder had an announcement to make. When Selder failed to appear, Elendron became forlorn and depressed. This softer side of Elendron appears but intermittently, for Elendron's interaction with others is hampered by the fact that he has an inability to admit weakness. Many folk have slain Elendron, most quite easily: Cassandra, Selder, and Tiberiuss to name a few. There is no dishonor in being slain by someone who it patently more powerful, yet, upon their exit, Elendron claimed that he was holding out on them and failed to slay them merely because he took pity on their weakness. Sources who witnessed these encounters claim that they did not share Elendron's pity for the foes who slew him. Rather, they pitied Elendron for his lack of self-knowledge. One source, for example, related to me the story of Elendron's conflict with Tiberiuss the Psycian. Tiberiuss, loath to slay without lofty reason, kept Elendron confused for several minutes. When Elendron refused to cease his attacking, Tiberiuss was forced to slay him. Immediately upon Tiberiuss' departure Elendron claimed that he was attacking his foe in the Normal attack mode when it was apparent to my source that such was not the case. It is the above instances that make Elendron such an interesting subject for this article. He is a Thief. He is not a Thief. He is honorable. He is dishonorable. He hunts foes weaker than himself. He hunts foes more powerful than himself. He hates folk who killed him when he was new. He kills those who are new (couldn't resist that last one. He DID decapitate me). These extremes render Elendron highly capricious and unstable. He is almost invariably depressed after the adrenaline of his battles wears off, hence his showering my newly revivified body with gifts and a depressing episode proceeding his being slain by Selder, his father- figure, where he actually commiserated with a Settian (who related to me the tale with an uneasy amusement). Thus, we are left with the portrait of a Leuian who is constantly swinging between polar opposites - an honorless thief and a noble warrior, a raving killer and generous benefactor. Which Elendron is the true Leuian, and which one will be dominate when next you meet him? It is my hope that the above article has allowed you to better understand what goes on in the psyche of this most controversial of Leuians. Understanding is the path to knowledge. =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== WHAT'S IN THAT HOLE A short story told to me by Ursula. A couple of Flerians were wandering in the woods one day when they found a deep hole in the ground, maybe an abandoned well or mine shaft. Being Flerians, it naturally peaked their curiosity, so they decided to try and figure out how deep it was. They found a pebble, tossed it in, and listened for the echo. Hearing nothing, they got a bigger rock and tossed it in. They listened carefully, and still heard nothing. Now completely entranced by the depth of the hole, they looked around for something even bigger to drop in. Spying a couple of large logs, they dragged one over and dropped it in. While they were listening for the echo of it's landing, a buffalo came running up and dove into the hole. Well now, that really surprised and delighted them! Since the buffalo seemed to know where it was going, they just had to figure out what was down there! While they were trying to decide how to do that, a man came up and asked if they had seen his buffalo. "Maybe", they replied. "It was the weirdest thing. This buffalo came charging up and dove right into this hole here." The man looked skeptical at the two and replied, "Nah, couldn't have been my buffalo. Mine was tied to a log over there". =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Of Golden Ages and Draconic Dreams By Smogg Skyfire The town of Spur has passed into a Golden Age now that I, Smogg Skyfire, have taken rule over the land and its people. The Rulership was handed down from the Mighty Selder Firemix to myself after a bard contest and I was proclaimed the Protector of Spur. Later I was in the Yelican forest and happened to find two of my little mortal followers. They bowed to my Kingly presence and asked me what it was really like to be King of Spur. At first I chuckled to myself and simply said, "It's good to be King!" But then I thought about it for a while. Being King is quite the job! First I must deal with the non- followers of my reign, which can become a bit tiring.. You know how stubborn those older adventurers can be! Then I must deal with the Elders, who are a curse which I would not put on my worst enemy! I had never in my years met a race of mortal that has actually equaled a dragon's ego until I met the elders. But fear not! Plans are under way to cage these mortals and put them in a small exhibit in the Town Square. After I have dealt with these two matters, it's time to let my little mortals pay their respects to me and my Kingly ways, and after that's all said and done, I tend to get a bit tired. So in answer to the question; "What's it like being King of Spur?" It's still good to be King! But I need a vacation! Hail To The King! -Smogg Skyfire =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Drag the Elder by Naghan Tirel Imagine my chagrin when, proceeding an article on the dreaded Governor's Games that, by virtue of the extreme disinterest of its author, earned the Spurian Quill Society's Article That Put One to Sleep Award (a dubious prestige, at best), I was asked to put pen to ink in an attempt to encompass, within the confines of a single installation, the long and colorful history of the even more dreaded game known as Drag the Elder. Apparently a new genre, called (if I may be allowed to coin a term) the Soporific Series, has been born, and I, as the creator, must perpetuate its sorry existence by increasing the number of articles in the genre from one to two. I shall do my utmost to provide a clear, concise treatise on the aforementioned Drag the Elder Games, but if my article does, in fact, cause the reader to experience symptoms parallel to symptoms one might experience after a long day in the Yelican Forest, please attribute such effects to an unconscious effort on the part of the writer to distance his pacifistic self from the violent, bloody materiel. That having been said, I welcome you, the loyal reader, and ask that you read on if you wish to learn how the unique Drag the Elder game came to be. Many years ago, when the price of a single strength herb would bust the bank of even the most worthy adventurer, a party of worthies was braving the horrifying dangers of the infamous Haunted House. Great warriors are not known for their propensity towards keeping detailed journals as to their exploits --they would much rather have minstrels sing inaccurate ballads of such horrible inflation that they make the original adventure seem boring--, so the members of this cadre are not entirely known to historians, but some accounts recognize Pelethoron, Selder, and Junor as members. The Haunted House teems with what the more pragmatic among us name "inexplicable supernatural phenomena". These phenomena, interestingly enough, are as subject to the omnipotent "Gen" as the small killer rat, and, because the omnipotent "Gen" is as capricious as said killer rat, the party we are following was not subject to any spiritual assault. Even the most intelligent adventurers become bored quickly, and such was the case when our party was unable to flail about with their weapons in the hope of capturing booty. Dragons are known to complain (I hesitate to use the word "whine" [which is a good thing because a Dragon is his editor --Editor]) when they become bored, and these dragons were no exception. According to the great historian Floissant, who may or may not have been there: The Mighty Pelethoron said, "By the Grate Dragonne, my Brothers, no Foul Spectres hath been Smitten by Mye Owne Falchionne in Tenne Clickes of the Dragonnes Tail [a reference to the dragon method of divining the time of day]. Brother Junor, is your Agreement not as complete as the Great Dragonne is longe?" "Ach!" said Puissant Junor, "Thou'rt the Trueste Speakere within a Thousand Leagues. My Axe thirsts for the Bloode of a Greater Spirit, or my scales are not Golde! What think you, Brother Selder?" Serpentius Selder spake thusly: "I Feare no Greater Spirites shall smite us this Nighte. Let us Calle upon the Elderes to Furnish our Auguste Selves with Entertainmente." And so it was that the party called upon the Elders, through the means supplied to all adventurers, and the Elders Arawn and Percivale called a meeting. The immortal contention between these two Elders is legendary, so it did not surprise anyone that they were quite happy to create a "Newe Kinde of Entertainmente, an Entertainmente Cerebralle as Welle as Bloodie" (Floissant, 46). Much discussion ensued. The regular reader of this publication is no doubt familiar with the fact that the argument preceding the typical Governor's Game, during which rules are hashed out, contains more bile and contention than the game itself, will no doubt surmise that the hashing out of the first Drag the Elder was long and laborious. The Game that resulted from these arguments was different, yet surprisingly similar to the game adventurers participate in today. I shall render the rules verbatim, as transcribed by the famed Floissant (65-66), who may or may not have been there: And So the Mighty Elder Arawn drew himself up Before the Crowde, and Did Admonish them to the most Solemn of Silence. Spake he thus: 'These Following Sentences are the Rules of the First Dragge the Eldere Gamme, and the Rules are These: "'Two Teammes shall be Chosen from the Multitude, and these Teames shall be the Physical Embodiements of Myself and my Foe ] Percivale. As a Result, they shall know Hate as we know Hate, and they shall be Moved to do Violence upon the Othere. "Know Ye This, however, that Violence is not the Keye to Winninge this Gamme. "I shall Grace one Teame with my Sponsorship, and my chivalric foe Percivale shall Foul the Other Teame with his carcass." "We two shall be Ensconced within the citie. I shall be within the Anything Goes Clubbe, and Percivale (let Ten Thousande Serpents Spit Venom on his Visage) shall languish within the Mansion of the Governore of the Spurre." "It is the Duty of My Teame to go to Percivale and drag him, through strength of Arme, to the place where I begin the game. Likewise, it is the Sad Duty of the Other Teame to drag Me to that Place where Percivale Lies. "Fighting may occur, but we shall not lift a Hande to Resurrect those who Fall. "Let us beginne. And may My Teame Winne." The multitude was, as Arawn said, "splitte in twaine" (Floissant, 96). The two teams retired to the Mansion and the Club. Little was known about proper tactics, for the game was a new one, so improvisation was King on that day. And so the game began. All was confusion at first, both sides milling about with little knowledge of what was to be done. A mortal difficulty came about when it was found that Arawn's team had locked the front door of the Anything Goes Club, thereby barring ingress. Only too late were the Sewers remembered as a way to enter that famous club. Percivale, meanwhile, was hotly contested. The poor knight was dragged about the Spur, to-and-fro, his armor making quite a racket as it skidded and sawed over pavement and cobblestone. While the Elders provided no resurrections, some hot-blooded Spurians were not deterred by such nonsense: Junor reported after the battle that, "Twice was I Slaine, but mine Axe Dranke the Souls of Several Assailants, by Lemmsjid!" (Floissant, 126). (Interestingly enough, I met Junor the other day, and he claimed he didn't die in that Game at all. An exercise in selective memory). An interesting landmark of this game was that the Blue Aura was, for the first time, in wide use. Though knowledge of its components was still held close by the Crystal Star Order, there were enough members on either side to make its ability to confound runemagick a new (and perhaps frustrating) development of Game Combat. It was not, however, as decisive as it might have been, for this was before the Mighty Rune gave Fire Spheres their mighty ability to slay in seconds. The game continued violently, both Elders using the prodigious voices to sling insults at each other from their respective corners of the Spur. The locking of the Club Door was never overcome, however (perhaps no Thieves sided with Percivale. Several were on Team Arawn), and Percivale was soon dragged, armor squealing, to his eternal foe. So ended the first Drag the Elder Game. Since that fateful game, Drag the Elder has evolved greatly. A subsequent game, for instance, was held in Meetpoint, with Dragons and Psycians arrayed against all comers. This was before Psycians came into their power as the Kings of Game Combat, so the dual team lost. Various other experimentations have been tried. Several games were held solely within the confines of the Poor Quarter. These games were fast and furious, quite a change from the extremely stately pace of an All Spur game. Rather quickly, a rule was adopted that, when dead, all contestants would receive a resurrection and a teleportation to a neutral site between the two bases (usually Town Square). The resurrections were unlimited, meaning that one could die as many times as one wanted during the course of the game. This feature removed the single most annoying feature of the Governor's Games, which was the long, boring wait one faced if one had the misfortune to die in the first half of the game. As a result, the Drag the Elder Game became a form of entertainment that could be enjoyed by less powerful folk as well as sphere-bent Runemages and five-swinging warriors. "I Myselfe felte a Most Uncharacteristik Urge to Partake in These Gammes," admits Floissant (136). The game of today has free resurrections, unannounced bases (a hotly contested rule, for the game is much longer now, as folk search out the base of their enemies), and a host of loop-hole closing rules that have been added over the years: no casting spells on the Elder (save translocation), no spider-webbing the Elder, voting the Elder out of peacebond, etc. These rules ease the frustration of the game and allow it to run much more smoothly. Unfortunately, Drag the Elder games are not held as frequently as they once were (at one point a Governor's Game was considered a rare thing). When they are held, they are regarded as the most strategic, well-paced, and exciting thing a Spurian can do with his spare time. It is the hope of the Editors of the FSSC that these games once again become ensconced in the gaming tradition of the Spur. =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== The Fall of Rahki by Anak Hope-Kton It was a dark and stormy night. Okay, it wasn't REALLY dark or stormy... or even night time, come to think of it. It was a nice day, actually. Kastar (I think it was Kastar...) and I were playing with the armsmaster and the squires in Cassandra's garden. Little Rahki, my familiar, was flying way, way up in the sky, watching us. For those who don't know, Rahki was one of the bestest flying squirrels in the whole Spur. He was by my side (or on my shoulder) for nearly two years, since I first came to this place. Next to Sunny (that is my wife) and Flita, he was my bestest friend in the whole wide world. Anyway, we were playing with those mean old armsmasters and squires (who don't play fair at all... they swing tons more and tons harder than I do, and they gang up, too...). So I was trying to even the odds a little bit by throwing sleepy darts at the them. But it seemed like for every sleepy dart I threw, two more baddies would come. I was getting all flustered and scared then, because, like I said, they are much bigger than me and hit much harder. So, in the middle of the battle, I miscast. I was TRYING to sleep one of those pesky squire guys, but I made a mistake. I am not going to bore you all with the details of channeling (I fall asleep during channeling class, too, sometimes.... don't tell the master mages) but I'll just say this: in Magick, some objects "sound" very similar. So a Squire and a Squirrel, for example, can get confused in the channeling. (Brigham knows all about this - he gets mistaken for the broadsword in TS) So I cast, and to my horror, my sleep dart soared up up up into the air, a billion feet high (or maybe it was 1275 feet...) and hit Rahki. It was like slow motion then. I saw Rahki try to shake it off. He tried to resist. But it was no use. He fell down down, down for what seemed like forever, his little shiny eyes pressed closed as he tumbled from the skies. I hope he was having nice squirrely dreams as he fell... I hope he didn't feel the pain when his little body met the hard earth. From there, it is all a blur.... I have a battle cat now, and I call him Mew. He is a very nice cat, even though he can't perch on my shoulder like Rahki did. And he can't go flying with me either, something Rahki loved to do. But I guess it's not so bad, because, since he can't fly, he can't fall, either. =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Journal Entry of Zara'Sheen Crimsonclaw, Priestess of Unknown I found fear today. It came in the form of that which I worship with all my heart...the Unknown. Being raised in a culture that praises courage and honor, this incident has robbed me of both. Even now, hours after the fact, my quill shakes on this paper just remembering him: His cold eyes, his haughty confidence, and his ambient power. He was the incarnate of evil and fear. He was Erebus, the Shadowlord. After weeks of questioning his courage for never showing his face, he made his awful yet magnificent presence known to me today. Weeks ago, when the shadows began to pop up around Spur, I was told of one who ruled them named Erebus. Every night, in my arrogance, I would call for him. Begging for him to show his face that I might fight one worthy of me. When he did not show, I would denounce his name and call him a coward. Today, I was shown the folly of my ways. It all started when Denin and I were alone in Town Square, and he was telling me of a meeting he had with the above mentioned Shadowlord. I, as usual, questioned Denin's loyalties, for he had had many such meetings with Erebus. Before I knew it, my tongue had gotten the better of me, and began telling Denin that if it had been me meeting Erebus, the Lord of Shadows would now be dead. Looking back on the events of my life, I can recall times when I wish I hadn't done something or said something...this tops that list. For little did I know that Erebus had taken an interest in our conversation, and appeared to us. I remember it well, for though he came in the form of a San Elf, I could instantly feel that he was not limited by the forms which we mortals are. He seemed to encompass the whole square, and when he spoke, his voice shook the heavens. "You have something you wish to discuss with me?" It was all I could do to keep from collapsing. Every part of my body screamed for me to run, yet my Leuian heritage told me to strike at him with all my strength. The two apparently canceled each other out, and I spewed some pathetic words of defiance. In my life, I remember times when I have laughed in the face of Taath, or suffered injuries without so much as a flinch that would kill most, yet I feared this being. I feared not his killing me, for death is a natural part of life, but rather I feared the Unknown. I feared what he could do to me that was not as merciful as death. Not wanting to be viewed a coward by a brother, I decided to come up with a reason not to attack the Shadowlord. As I recall, the pathetic excuse I came up with was that I was angry with the enemies of the shadows, the vapor dragons, and for that reason I would let him live. He gave me a look as close to pure amusement as I have ever seen in anyone. He then pet me and said with his thunderous voice," I could use one with your fire." Something in my head snapped, and I prepared to rake my claws across his smug face, but my muscles wouldn't move. "Don't ever touch me again," I replied in a voice as cold as ice. Denin readied his rainbow acid halberd, whether to attack or defend me I still don't know...for his part in the shadow affair is as yet a mystery. Luckily for me, Erebus decided not to destroy me, and after a few tense moments of my puny attempts to show him my fearlessness, and even a few miserable threats, he decided. His point was made, and he left. I cannot describe the feeling of relief at his dismissal, and it was not until that time that I noticed I was shaking uncontrollably. I had never shaken before, but knew it to be a trait of that which others have termed 'fear'. Many have said that I acted with wisdom and self control by not attacking, but even now, I know it was cowardice. Perhaps Unknown wanted me to face this threat to learn humility. I do know, however, that until we meet again, I shall always have that black mark on my honor. For weeks I called him a coward for not showing his face, and when he did, I backed down with my tail between my legs. Perhaps it is better I did not attack him, but I know that win or lose, if I ever see him again, he will forever curse the day he decided to let me live. With these words as my witness, that I swear. =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Tale of the Wayfarer by Wayfarer the Unknown Dusk had just fallen when I walked into Town Square. Flurries of snow whisked their way about the shelter, and as I sat down to watch the nightly antics of Spur, he walked out of the shadows. His black cloak flowed back gently across his slim shoulders. I saw two hazel eyes look down at me from the depths of his hood. Elendron isn't the stuff that legends are made out of, but he is enigmatic, shrouded in mystery and controversy. Some say he is one of the most honorable Leuians they know, others despise him. Some claim him to be a fighter, cleric, thief, once I even heard a cold little Drag-al call him a Forester. I don't know. But I knew it was him when his blade sparked as it brushed against the bench, a deep blue, crackling, lightning rapier. I was new to this town, and I had heard that this Khat had been known to take the heads of young adventurers because of the mildest slights. But when I saw the Symbol of Unknown engraved upon his mail, I relaxed. We both followed the same path. "So, yer new here." He asked, or stated, as he took a seat and withdrew a coin from a pouch. "Um, yeah . . . Heh. Got in a couple of weeks ago. Some call me Wayfarer; I'm a Champion of Unknown," I replied, watching him as he caused the coin to dance across his knuckles. "Pleased to meet, you. I'm Elendron. Let me give you some advice: as long as you follow the path of Honor you can call on me for help. Stray from that, and I will be one of the many roots that trip you. That bein' said, I run a business here . . ." And so he went off, talking about his arms business, and about how he hasn't named it; I just let him go on until he wore himself out. After talking to him for about half an hour, I grew curious and decided to ask him a question. Being a Priest of Unknown, I have a penchant for the mysterious, and uncovering the truths that lie behind those mysteries. "Um, Elendron, your last name, Mantricker, that doesn't sound like a Leuian surname." And then he cocked an eyebrow at me with a look that made me think that, being a human, I was about to find out. Then his cold dark face broke a flash of white as he smiled. I settled back into my seat, knowing I was in for a long story. "Well, It isn't. I earned this moniker. I don't remember Leuia at all. My earliest memory is that of bein' ecstatic that my father was allowin' me to go on a run with him. He was first mate on a sailing vessel. I was about five years old." His eyes glazed over as he played with a rumbling second weapon, a thunder main-gauche. "I ran 'round on the rigging, perched on the crow's nest, and was a constant pain. We stopped in a couple of ports, and one night went to a rowdy li'l tavern. I'll never forget that. The Broken Mast it was called. My father, I can't even remember his name, but he had this deep silvery-black coat that always smelled like the salt, I loved that smell. Oh, yeah, he was very protective of his crew. The inns were usually filled with men, but Leuian women are just as adept as the males of our kind. They sure don't stay home with the kits, making stew.. Anyway, this man, he had long ragged hair and a beard that covered a twisted yellow mouth, he started making 'advances' on one of our crew. Pop told him to back off a couple o' times, before the girl laid him on the ground. Yellow-mouth grabbed her, but instead of a mouthful o' Leuian lip, he got a facefull of Leuian claw. Snarling, he struck the woman. That's when my father, in a flash, dropped the human so hard he flew back and crashed into one of the tables . . . Heheheh, one of the funniest sights I e'er saw. The man had been defeated. He lost face, the fight was over. My sire didn't want to destroy him and cause even more trouble. But apparently the bastard thought otherwise and scrambled to his feet, planting a hooked knife in my father's back. I snarled and leapt at him - I was always slight, pretty weak actually, but I was agile, I could dodge arrows, still can," he said as he grinned and winked at me, " - anyways, to cut a long story short the next thing I knew I was in a dark run-down underground building. Gettin' nursed back to health by, by, a Setite . . . "The Khat shuddered as he recalled this memory. His armor had cracked, and for a second I peeked into his soul, and it was tumultuous, confused, and tinged with self-revulsion. "I grew up under the hood of Set. It was the only way I could survive. I was told my shipmates had abandoned me, and that they didn't want me anymore. I believed 'em, the temple was the closest thing to 'love' I could find.. I was filled with a violent hatred for humans. The city was riddled with rival thieves' guilds. The Jian'yar used me, and I used them to get at humans every way I could. I never fought toe to toe, I stalked, hunted, tricked -owned the night as it owned me. Set promised me power, vengeance, strength, and I believed the snake. As I grew older, 'bout the age of ten, I realized that I had lost sight of Honor, in fact, I believed it so far gone I could never recover it... I ignored that longing to become Leuian again. I was a Setite. The snake wound tightly around me, his grip was strong, I eventually had no longing to return to the way I had been. Leuia had discarded me, there was no room left for 'er in my life of intrigue, sabotage, guile, and darkness. All I cared for was power. I would rule that city. I climbed the infrastructure slowly but steadily, eliminating the humans that stood in my way. I was fourteen when for the first time I was truly defeated.. A target turned on me and left me for dead. I cried out to Set . . . He didn't answer. As I lay in a dank room, the serpent spewed comforting words from his forked tongue, but as with all forked tongues, it wagged in two directions. Set had promised me strength, yet I was still sickly and weak. So I paid my tithing and lip service to the Nameless One, waiting for my day. I was wandering around the docks when the clan Crimsonclaw came into my life. Kal-threk Crimsonclaw was a High Priest of Unknown, an Enforcer , and Khatyr of his local, oh, um -ye' know, I shouldn't be tellin' you this. Zara doesn't like people to know about her lineage. She has something to prove to her father or some such." Nodding quickly I eased his worry, "Don't worry, between us and the wind" I said with a smile. "but who is this Zara, I've never heard of her before, she a friend of yours?" Blinking, he looked at me quizzically, "You haven't heard of her? You must be new! I'm even more surprised you haven't heard her, usually ye' can hear her arrogance from quite a distance," he said with a wink. "But you better not say a word to her! Anyway, when she stepped out from behind the deep orange robes of her father, her carefully groomed white fur contrasting with her blood-red silk, I was smitten. For the first time in my life there was something more important than revenge in my life. She was about fourteen at the time, I was aroun' sixteen. Strolling up to them with a charming boyish grin, I greeted them with mock friendliness, and an overbearing charm. I chattered away, grinning and winking at Zara'sheen, all but skipping alongside them as they walked to the temple. Unknown had always intrigued me. He too uses the shadows of the night and intrigue, but --oh, yeah, anyway, all of a sudden my face was in the dirt and I could feel and even hear my arm cracking behind me as Kal-threk said in a low growl, 'I'll have my pouch back if you please', sheepishly I handed it back. As I stood up Kal-threk saw the entwined serpent medallion I was wearing and muttered 'Setite . . . " I slunk away into the night, Zara'sheen watching me as I disappeared into the shadows. Well, as luck would have it my next assignment was to find out as much as I could about the Crimsonclaws as possible. They posed a threat to the temple of my 'master', the snake. Kal-Threk and his wife didn't treat me with the revulsion I expected from Leuians, me being Setite 'n all. They must have pitied me, he allowed me into his den, and taught me about Unknown and his mysteries; maybe he hoped to save me before it was to late. Zara was always busy with her training, but in the two years we were together we grew as close as a Setite and Priestess-to-be of Unknown could be. I would even venture to say that she admired me -the experienced older boy, wise in the ways of the world, oh the stories I had to tell." His fingers traced the hilt of his main-gauche as he smirked, "I even began to train in blades just to be in the training hall with her. We had grown out of our kitling love, we had, well, I dunno, ye know what I mean." "Well, I was to turn eighteen, and be baptized in Venom. It was time for me to truly dedicate myself to Set. The night before the ceremony I was with the clan, and Kal-threk's wife, Shilan, who was far more leery of me than the others, hugged me, and gave me one last look before she left the room. They didn't come out and say it, but they knew that this would be the last I would see of them the way we had been for two years. I could have turn'd from the snake then, but I didn't think I had the strength, and I feared that the wrath of the serpent would crash upon the Clan Crimsonclaw. Zara didn't say a word either, making it a point t' maintain a healthy emotional distance from me that night. Kal-threk told me I could turn to them, but I refused. Sighing, he offered me a long bundle of oil rags. Opening them up I found a huge two handed scimitar, ebony black, with the symbol for Unknown engraved upon it. 'When you go out into the world, and stand on your own two feet, not supported by the scales of the serpent, you will be able to heft this blade. And know, it is Unknown that protects you . . . '" "I hid the scimitar away in a chest and went to the temple to prepare. Set didn't care if I was only paying him silver and lipservice, as long as I served him he was satisfied. My soul belonged to Unknown. Time went by and I ne'er really saw the Crimsonclaws again. About a year later I heard that they had moved away to establish a new temple in a small Leuian colony. I continued my life with Set, servin' him well. I started serving on merchant vessels, my reputation as 'Mantricker' limited my capabilities within that city. At about the age of 25 I was ordered to join the Merc's Guild, and to gather information about it. Well, one of my missions took me far from that town, to a place known as The Spur. Amazed by the diversity here, I soon realized that I had a chance to slip away from the Serpent. I was still very weak and sickly, but I began to establish myself. I took a quick jaunt through the Temple of Taath, but quickly scurried back to Set. Then I spat in his face, I knew it was my last chance to leave him. As I called Unknown to me I felt Set's venom writhe within me, ripping not only what he gave me, but what I was born with, that which I prided myself on: my dexterity. Then, from nowhere stepped an Elder, one of those mythical creatures that seem to prefer this city above all others, Gamester was his name, he drove Set back into the slimy hole he came from, and forced him to return that which was mine." "I was now of Unknown. With the scimitar by my side my strength and health quickly improved. Unknown did not keep them dangling like a carrot before me. But the path was not easy. Two powerful Setites, ironically also Leuians, hunted me for not joining their 'Brotherhood of Set'. But Unknown gave me the power to defy them. Eventually one of them, Derk, was run out of town by a dragon named Maldreadior and myself." "So now you and Zara were reunited, and a sweet ending to troubled story?" I asked, my mouth moving a slight faster than my brain. Glaring at me for a moment, his voice lowered. "Not exactly. Things aren't so, eh, simple as that. Evil creatures such as Shadows, [the text here became smugged and unreadable here for a number of lines, and the author was no where to be found once the error was found-- Editor] Zara' sheen was shocked to see me here when she came to prove her worth to Unknown. She almost refuses to acknowledge that we were any more than friends, but that's ok with me. Her father is apparently happy to hear of my progress, and sent me word that I was t' keep an eye on the little fireball, and to protect her. But not a word you hear?" "Oh, sure thing! I'm certainly not going to tell her!" "Well, anyway, here I am. Loved by some, hated by even more. Some people don't like what they see when they look into their reflection in my eyes," he said shrugging as he stood up, wrapping his cloak around his shoulders as if he was hurrying to leave before he said anything more. "Oh, by the way, if you see a Glowbug by the name of Andrella, everything she says about me is a lie, well. . .it's true, but not. . .Ah, figure it out yerself. Good Hunting!" And with that dear sirs, he slipped into the snowy night, and it seemed to me that he was joined by a huge 3-headed beast. I don't know, must have been the light. Anyway, I thought that you might be interested in this story. Like I said earlier, I enjoy a mystery, but unveiling them is a passion. Yours truly, Wayfarer, Sword Cleric of Unknown =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== The Rise of the Classes by the FSSC Staff Because of popular demand, I am happy to announce the return of our special feature, _The Rise of the Classes_! This issue, we take a look at the ever changing Sword Cleric's Guild and the previously unrevealed Barbarians. Let us now take a closer look and see just how skilled our friends and neighbors really are... Taking the place of the Bard's Guild as the most forgotten group in Spur, the Barbarian's Guild was omitted from our last issue because we here at the FSSC had forgotten it existed. Never the less, this uncivilized and oft forgotten group does have some power in it, as the ranking Barbarian Kirin Blackbolt shows us with a rating of 205. Congratulations, Kirin! Kirin was able to surpass his (or her) relatives Kyrin Starbolt and Kyrin Blackbolt, making him the highest shot Bolt in the land! 1: Kirin Blackbolt the Psycian Rank 205 2: Mordus Cincus the Monitanian Rank 150 3: Trazeric Pitaach the Arachnian Rank 30 4: Lopthiss Ssisstryn the Monitanian Rank 25 5: Graendal Velociraptor the Monitanian Rank 90 6: Taussig Kolyma the Arachnian Rank 70 7: Sanus NightBrother the Arachnian Rank 65 8: Jeshik Kiri the Monitanian Rank 60 9: Sanus WebLord the Arachnian Rank 60 10: Kyrin Starbolt the Psycian Rank 55 11: Kyrin Blackbolt the Psycian Rank 55 12: Schull KrUsheR the Thugian Rank 50 13: Jenks Woodrow the Human Rank 45 14: Spittle Foul the Thugian Rank 45 15: Thurn Backbreaker the Thugian Rank 45 16: Jaklorn Oradon the Thugian Rank 45 17: Groth Balthor the Thugian Rank 40 18: Drakk Silversheath the San Elf Rank 40 19: Grakhar al-Asimadh the Monitanian Rank 40 20: Han Mazmn the Thugian Rank 40 21: JDeath TheJudge the Thugian Rank 35 22: Xeorz YellieEater the Thugian Rank 35 23: Selder Cincus the Monitanian Rank 35 24: Steele Braker the Hithual Rank 35 25: Oaf Grunge the Thugian Rank 35 26: Krellen BreakSkull the Monitanian Rank 30 27: Grakhar al Asimadh the Monitanian Rank 30 28: Klutz CarryAll the Oog-ra Rank 30 29: Dummy CarryAll the Oog-ra Rank 30 30: OzKigger Darkmoor the Oog-ra Rank 25 Special notice should also be taken of 23rd ranked Selder Cincus, who had a promising career in the Barbarian's Guild until his name was noticed by a certain Dragon and his adventuring days were cut short. The battle for the title of Most Skilled Sword Cleric has heated up quite a bit since our last issue, with an Odarian and a Taathian going head to head for the prize! Though Jedico had a large lead before his temporary retirement, Khalazzar has been burning the midnight oil and, at the time of this publishing, has once more earned the title of Most Skilled Sword Cleric. 1: Khalazzar Dyunnyl the San Elf Rank 550 2: Jedico Bloodstar the Hithual Rank 525 3: Geraldd Tarrant the San Elf Rank 510 4: SirAdam Sinclair the Hithual Rank 490 5: Nenad Vugrinec the San Elf Rank 450 6: Snurd Evileye the San Elf Rank 415 7: Tenebrous Schrewe the Leuian Rank 405 8: Zhann DurAusloser the Leuian Rank 305 9: Yasmin DurAusloser the Leuian Rank 240 10: Twinkle Starwing the Secian Rank 225 11: Liam Godwin the Human Rank 215 12: Thistle Byrd the Leuian Rank 195 13: Trenn Curatakil the Leuian Rank 185 14: Denin Doureden the Leuian Rank 185 15: Cheetara Shadizar the Leuian Rank 175 16: Teardrop SorrowsMist the Secian Rank 135 17: Shattered Fists the Leuian Rank 110 18: Thedor Swiftstrike the Leuian Rank 105 19: Brigham Diamondheart the Leuian Rank 100 20: Heresy Overdark the Leuian Rank 100 21: BadAxe Terras the Hithual Rank 70 22: Cadrach BrightWings the Secian Rank 65 23: Namir Llewellyn the Leuian Rank 60 24: Kicker Cloudclimber the Secian Rank 60 25: Loraiel Syndeas the San Elf Rank 55 26: Darion Mindkiller the Psycian Rank 50 27: Cashmere SoSoft the Leuian Rank 50 28: Panthra Shadowrunner the Leuian Rank 130 29: Marik Blackbolt the Psycian Rank 80 30: Esperanca Greiyiour the Leuian Rank 70 Honorable mention goes to.. 3: Geraldd Tarrant the San Elf Rank 510 ..who, even though he was already in the top 30, has made a significant jump from 5th position last issue to 3rd and closing this issue. Watch out, Jedico and Khalazzar! =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Hearthstone Songs Compiled by the FSSC Staff The Spurian Chronicle would like to congratulate the winners of the Bardic Recital, one of Spur's last bastions of culture. The following entries are those few that have the distinction of being called "Winners" within the past 3 months. Bardic Recital 9-29-95 The 25th day of the 9th month in the year 100. Spur of the Moment, topic: Sleep, chosen by Tilgen Sturmgeher by Ragarn Lazlo *** Winner of Spur of the Moment *** Eternal rest, Eternal peace tis what we fear each night we sleep. That on the morrow we shall not awake. tie enough to make the bravest shake. For who shall know their appointed time, to lay down their burden and leave all behind? We all must lie that final rest, conquering that fear is our final test. For who so ever dies afraid, is one who dies bemoaning fate. And one who dies, afraid to leave, the glory of heaven he shall never see. But he who sleeps free of his fear, can leave this life with conscience clear. Bardic Recital 10-5-95 The 9th day of the 10th month in the year 100. General entries "A Dragon's Struggle" By Smogg Skyfire *** General Winner *** Come Brother Dragon's and gather 'round. Listen to the knowledge I have found. The mortals have plagued our race for many years and it seems now that they have no fears. They walk among us without a care And plunder our riches out of our lair. They speak of us and curse our name They blame us for their mortal shame. The Mortals used to fear us all. They would tremble and shake as we stood tall. We took what was ours without a fear. We did not bow our mighty heads We stood tall and proud with heads held high. Looking at our mighty homes in the sky. But now it seems we've lost our place. We are not feared by any race. We lost our land and our hordes of gold. Now we just sit and wait to grow old. Come Brothers and join me now! Help me to crush the mortal's brow! We'll take back what's ours and strike fear again! For their hearts are mortal, they are only men. Spur of the Moment, Topic: Rijom, chosen by Thanatar Rhadamanthos "Rijom" by Enauch Sneed *** Winner Spur of the Moment *** Ciani, a sweet psycian lass went familiar hunting in the plains of grass And there she found a rijom young to beguile with her spell, a fam to become. It gave of its strength, to answer her call And followed watching her feats, applauding them all. But as time wore on, a question it gave As a thinking being, was it not a slave? To be chained by a collar, and have not a say But to just do her whim every hour of the day? Ciani grew troubled, and resolved it be freed And found a way to accomplish the deed. She went to the plains by the river bed After casting a life spell, she killed it dead. Its death broke the collar, free now once more. And the spell again, its life did restore. So this is my tale of a rijom young And of such a deed that this song must be sung. Winners' Recital, 10/13/95 'A Dragon's Struggle' by Smogg Skyfire ** Winner of Winners Recital ** (Editor's Note: This Song was already printed above) Spur of the Moment, topic: Marriage 'Marriage' by Enauch Sneed *** Winner of Spur of the Moment *** A binding of two hearts in love A sharing of the burden With blessings called down from above To guide through times uncertain. With friendship first foundations laid And love to follow after A commitment to each other made For both sorrows and the laughter. Bardic Recital 10/19/95 The 6th day of the 11th month in the year 100. The Spur of the Moment, topic: Claws, suggested by Elendron by Andrella Percell ** Winner of Spur of Moment ** To fight with claw or even tooth, Me thinks is rather rude. Getting blood underneath one's nails, Seems to me too crude. I have a better use for these, If I may be so reckless. I'll pluck those claws and teeth from thee, And make myself a necklace. Bardic Recital 10/26/95 The 20th day of the 11th month in the year 100. No prepared entries. The Spur of the Moment, topic: Things Hidden, chosen by Ferragus. "Things Hidden" by Aloe Vera ** Winner of Spur of the Moment ** There are many things hidden in our lives, Some neutral, some bad, others good, Husbands hide things from their wives, We cover our secrets with a dark hood. In the darkness, our secrets hide, Never to see the glorious light, Only to be washed over by the tide, Of the dark waters of our blight. Furtively, we cover our shame, With our dark thoughts of hidden woe, Never to awaken to our fame, From here, where is one to go? Bardic Recital 11-2-95 No prepared entries Spur of the Moment topic: Silence, chosen by Rich The attendees at the recital chose to best perform the topic by demonstrating it. The loudest voice was that of the node demon who kept dragging off the participants. Bardic Recital 12-7-95 Spur of the Moment topic: Abandon A three way tie between Elendron, Scumbucket and Smogg was the result for this night. "The Fight" by Elendron Mantricker "We walk the lonely streets," "The fog masking sights of former glory." "In the distance sounds lone hoofbeats," "A single guard, face drawn, eyes dead and beard hoary" "asks of himself 'where have they gone, the heroes of yesteryear?'" "Sighing, you look around, the streets crumbling the buildings in disarray," "Spur has been deserted you realize, fighting a lone tear" "Set revels in the abandonment, the snakes rule this day." "with sword in hand and head held high" "I ask myself, "is spur to die?'" "No! we growl, we shall fight tooth and nail, sword breaks and armor bends. . ." "But we shall stay, and fight, to the bitter end. . ." "HUNTIN" by Scumbucket Trashpicker "While huntin da make money ta feed me brood" "I comes across dis blonde khat in a bad mood" "I takes a donation wit's me lil' knife" "And den wit abandon, she ends me poor life" "HUNTIN II" (The Continuing Saga of Khat Huntin'!)" by Smogg Skyfire "There I sat it the middle of Town square." "When something attacked me, now who would dare?!?" "I turned my head and what did I see," "But Elendron standing there, attacking with glee." "His sword would bounce off my mighty chest." "And his spells failed miserably in their dire quest." "I shooed him away but insanity filled his eyes." "So I ate him the night with some nice mutton-pies!" "Abandonment!" Recital of Dec 28 1995. The 26th day of the 3rd month in the year 101. The Spur of the Moment topic: Present, chosen by Enauch "The Present." by Enauch Sneed ** Winner of Spur of the Moment" Tis the holiday time, with exchanging of gifts... Warm thoughts for each other giving us lifts. But the best of the presents we can give to ourself... Is to live to the fullest, not just sit on a shelf. We may plan for things to do on the morrow... But the present is where we must live, not tomorrow. Bardic Rectial 1-4-96 Spur of the Moment topic: Me "From Me to Thee" by Ragarn Lazlo ** Winner of Spur of the Moment ** "To what shall I compare myself," "Perhaps an eagle soaring high?" "The majesty and beauty might be lost to your untrained eye." "For how can I show thee the magnificence which is me," "unlock your mind and open thy sight to all there is to see." "Perhaps I should show you all my good actions, thoughts, and deeds." "Instead I shall make you love me simply by loving thee." =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== FAMILIARS AND WHERE TO GET THEM dictated by Lycosa Rabida translated and written by Quido and Nunzio the Guardians So, you want that special creature following you everywhere you go, providing you with constant companionship? Well these creatures are called familiars, and there are two ways of obtaining them. One way is to arm yourself with a magical gold collar containing the Ensorcel Animal Aura spell), go out into the wilds, and try to capture one. These gold collars can be bought from Mulciber at the following rates. 1 charge - 50,000 silver Single recharge - 50,000 silver These prices are for same day delivery. NOTE: These are the current rates, (which by the way are really good right now), but are subject to change without notice. Mulciber can be found in the Artificier's Guild every Tuesday night from about 8:30 EST until his last customer leaves. Bellock also does recharges on Familiar collars for the following rates, again subject to change without notice. Single recharge - Next week delivery : 40,000 silver Nownow delivery (i.e. same day) : 80,000 silver Double recharge - Next week delivery : 80,000 silver Nownow delivery : 160,000 silver Bellock can be found in the Psycian Center every Monday from about 9:30 EST until his last customer leaves. The other way of obtaining one is to buy it from one of the two familiar brokers in Spur, Woodie the Forester or Enrique da'Gypsie. The following is a list of the familiars available from these two dealers. FAMILIARS BY WOODIE THE FORESTER Squirrel 5000 Raccoon 5000 Small Spider 7500 Wolf 10000 Black Bear 15000 Large Spider 17000 Large rat 7500 Rat 5000 War Dog 25000 Battle Cat 30000 Flying squirrel 10000 Bat 10000 Raven 10000 Black cat 7500 Calico cat 7500 Chihuahua 5000 Poodle 7500 Husky 7500 Golden retriever 7400 Ferret 5000 Eagle 25000 Vulture 25000 Sparrow 15000 Dove 15000 Buffalo 37000 Mare 40000 Stallion 45000 Destrier 50000 Boa constrictor 10000 Frog 2500 Toad 625 Iguana 925 Woodie can be found in a shack in the Eastern Hedgelands. Directions to his place from the South Gate are as follows: s,s,e,e,e,e,e,ne,n,n,e,go door,e,go door. Then transact and type in the name of the creature you want. (Note: If the doors are closed, just open them.) FAMILIARS BY ENRIQUE FAMILIAR: HTH/FTG: SPECIAL: PRICE: PALOMINO Grt/Avg NONE 120K PERCHERON Gd/Avg NONE 120K CROW Avg/Avg FLY/TALK 120K PELICAN Pr/Avg FLY 120K MOUSE Pr/Avg NONE 120K GOLDFISH Gd/Gd FLOATS 150K PANTHER Gd/Avg NONE 160K WHITE STAG Gd/Avg NONE 180K SPIDER MONKEY Avg/Gd TALK 180K RED FOX Exl/Grt NONE 200K PANDA BEAR Grt/Gd NONE 200K BLACK CRICKET ?/Avg PSI RESIST 200K KOALA BEAR Gd/Gd NONE 240K SPURIAN SHEPHERD Exl/Exl NONE 300K GREEN PARROT Pr/Grt FLY/TALK 300K GOLDEN EAGLE Pr/Grt FLY 300K WIND FAIRY Exl/Pr FLY/TALK 300K SCARLET MACAW Avg/Gd FLY/TALK 320K MOUNTAIN GORILLA Exl/Exl TALK 350K MEEP Exl/Gd NONE 500K PRAYING MANTIS Exl/Grt NONE 750K INVISIBLE FRIEND ? /Grt ??? 850K * GRYPHON Pr/Exl FLY/TALK 1MIL TINY DEMON Exl/Gd NONE 1MIL WHITE UNICORN Exl/Avg NONE 1MIL PEGASUS Exl/Avg FLY 1MIL LONG-HAIR SETTER Exl/Avg NONE ???? FIRE DRAKE ? /? ? ???? The abbreviations used above are as follows: Poor - Pr Average - Avg Good - Gd Great - Grt Excellent - Exl NOTE: TRANSFER RATE IS APPROXIMATELY 10% OF MAX FATIGUE. BE AWARE THESE VALUES WILL CHANGE EACH TIME YOU PASS THROUGH A TWIST GATE OR LOG OFF AND ON. TAKE THESE FIGURES AS AN ESTIMATED VALUE. NONE OF THESE FAMILIARS LISTED ARE TO BE USED FOR COMBAT!!! FAILURE TO ADHERE MAY RESULT IN YOUR FAMILIAR BREAKING ITS BOND AND LEAVING. (I.E. LOSS OF FAMILIAR) SPECIAL CASES WILL BE HEARD(I.E. SELF-DEFENSE) AS THIS IS A NEW THING BE PREPARED FOR CHANGES...SOME FAMILIARS WHICH HAVE BEEN LISTED AS TALKING MAY NOT AND SOME WHICH WERE NOT LISTED MAY :) It is this reporter's sad duty to report that due to a most unfortunate accident, Enrique's entire breeding stock has escaped. Enrique is however, currently in the process of hunting down and trying to capture new creatures to rebuild his breeding stock. Until such a time as he is able collect all these creatures, he will be unable to sell any familiars until further notice. I will track Enrique's progress and keep you, the readers, appraised of the situation. Let us just hope that in the future Enrique will build stronger pens and put roofs on the pens in which he keeps the flying creatures. In future issues, I will try and compile a list of the creatures that you will most likely be able to capture in the wild. Just remember, be kind to your familiar, it could save your life one day. =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Crime Reports The Dragons have once again performed one of their, what now seems like annual, raids on a temple. This time it was Taath's, and my source tells me that they had some obscure reason for it, although I personally think it was just another way to boost their inflated egos. Such Dragons as Selder, Smogg, and Torcher took part (Junor is rumored to have guarded the gate, but this is not confirmed), while a lone Lucianar (a follower of Rinanni, no less!) defended the temple. Rumors fly as to why the Frontacian would defend such a place, but the most common one is that, for some odd reason, the Dragons paid him to. Wranmeer the Go-Blin-Al is out and about again stealing weapons. What is surprising is that he has stolen from another gobbie, a most unheard of act. I talked with the poor victim, Zeke, and was able to acquire the following quote. "Dat is de FIRST time I ever saw a gobie steal frum a gobie. Beezer, Scum, Spooge, any of de udders, we never did bad tings ta each udder. I is REELY mad at him, and if I sees him, I pops him on site. And I hope everyone else does too. He broke de gobie rules, and as nummer 2 tief, in de ansence of #1 at de moment, I declares guild war against de lil bugger. He cham webbed and disarmed my axe and picked it up and den mysteriously vanished. So he may be a tief, but he is a chicken tief too." Guard your weapons well with the likes of Wranmeer around. Scumbucket is also still at large, partaking of what he refers to 'alternative hunting'. Him seems to be going solo lately in the absence of his partner Spooge, but guard your purses if he's in town. News Flash! Elendron Mantricker and Selder Firemix battled it out in the Town Square last week. Rumored to be about a stolen tunic, the battle raged for more than three hours and ended in veiled threats shortly after Mantricker's third death. Now how's that for action? Back Again! Elendron and Cassandra, both Leuians, were seen battling it out in the Town Square late last week after Cassandra attacked a third Leuian, Zara, for throwing a stream of insults at Cassandra about her honor! At last count, the death toll for the two was as follows Cassandra: Died once. Elendron: Died twice from Cassandra, once from Razil (who entered the fray after healing prayers were called down upon Elendron by other Leuians). Is the battle still raging? After a mass fire storm spell was accidentally released by Cassandra that injured EVERYTHING in the Square, would you want to go back and check?! =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Rumors and Happenings At last, a little Pride! The Leuian Pride, which has remained quiet for over a year, has finally been seen moving once more in Spur! Rumored to have had a meeting last Saturday, rumors fly as to the nature of this new activity. Some say that Tan'Fang may be stepping down from his position as Khatyr of the Pride, while others insist that Elendron is trying to force the older Leuian out. What really happened at the meeting? No Leuians are talking... Elendron as Khatyr of the Pride?! It is possible that he could be nominated for the position, and even win. Given the fact that Elendron received his training from the Thieves' Guild, however, it is surprising that he would even be allowed to join the Pride, much less become its Khatyr. It seems that once again the poor citizens of our city must face a threat to our very existence. It seems that this time though, the threat comes from within. It has been reported to us that one Arachnian, answering to the name of Kane, has been collaborating with the Shadow Lord Erebus to summon beings of the Shadow Plane. Kane has been seen using his flaming ball of electricity to create shadowy portals through which these beings are able to enter the Spur. Beware all good citizens, if you see Kane creating these portals we advise stopping him, else you may have several minions of Erebus to contend with. Also seen about Spur has been one Fizwig the Dragon. It seems that Fizwig may be here to assist us. He appeared to a group of hardy adventures that included Lucianar the Frontacian, Orania the Flerian, Azul the Dragon, and Smogg the Dragons. It seems that this group had been harried by minions of Erebus, until the timely intervention of Fizwig. Fizwig then gave some rather vague, but tantalizing clues as to how we might defeat Erebus once and for all. [Editor's note: Fitwig was originally met by a group of adventurers in the Thieves Guild that included Selder the Dragon, Orania the Flerian, Smogg the Dragon, Elendron the Leuian, Zara the Leuian, and Dolomedes the Arachnian. The last of his band of "adventurers" to survive the trip to our dimension, Fizwig was rescued from the area and brought to the Town Square. Here he told of the dimension he came from and how to defeat the Shadow Lord, until another attack by the Shadows ended his life shortly there after.] It seems that Fizwig's mistress, who many of you might remember, seeks to enter the Spur to combat Erebus. She is perhaps the only being who could successfully defeat the Shadow Lord. Fizwig reportedly told this brave band that his mistress could only enter once the star was formed, presumably by some hero and his companions. Who this hero was though, and for that matter who his companions were, Fizwig unfortunately could not reveal. He did leave us with one other bit of advice. Advice that I think we would all do well to follow. Before leaving he was reported to say "Never trust a spider". Speaking of Erebus it seems he has also been seen around Spur, in the guise of a San Elf no less. He has been heard making vague threats to various citizens, but aside from attacks by his minions, nothing new has materialized. He was quoted as saying though, "That blasted Female, can't she leave well enough alone". In unrelated news, there has been a recent upsurge in sittings of strange and fantastical beasts about the Spur. It seems that one Enrique da' Gypsie, long known by many for his fine familiars, did lose control over said creatures. One can only guess that perhaps Enrique overindulged one night in one of Spur's many Taverns, and decided to let all of his animals go free. Fortunately they were stopped before they could cause undue damage to the countryside. He's BACK! That insane Khat, Derk the Leuian, was sighted briefly in the Town Square last week before quickly vanishing into the shadows. While some Spurians are concerned, others believe this shadow cat is not the real Derk, but an imposter pretending to be the feared rogue. Whatever the case, the temple of Taath isn't complaining... =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Puzzle Page! It's time to make you think, as the FSSC proudly presents this issue's puzzle, submitted by Vega Hopakah! The first two Spurians to correctly solve this puzzle and send us the answers (OOC: GEnie mail them to F.TORRES2 with a Carbon Copy to R.COLE20), will win a fabulous prize from the FSSC Prize Vaults! Good Luck! (Editor's note: When sending your answers, send them with the Answer # and whether or not it us Across or Down. This puzzle is best viewed using a text editor such as the one in MS-DOS. Formatting may be lost in other versions.) ΪΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΒΔΔΏ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³1 ³##³##³2 ³##³##³##³3 ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³##³##³4 ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³5 ³##³##³##³ ³##³##³ ³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³6 ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³7 ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³8 ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³9 ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³10³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³11³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³12³ ³ ³ ³ ³13³##³14³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³15³ ³16³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³ ³##³##³17³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³##³##³ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΓΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔΕΔΔ΄ ³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³##³ ΐΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΑΔΔΩ ACROSS: 4. Jasmine scented elder 6. King of Spur 7. Go here for training 8. A Girl's Best Friend 9. Equipment 10. They carry 8 Across 12. Makes you gain weight 14. He'll make stuff for you 15. God of Spur 17. Equipment DOWN: 1. Can store stuff here 2. Where most of us started 3. Elder from the dark dimension 5. The Center of Spur 6. God of Spur 11. He'll repair stuff for you 12. Need these to cast spells 13. Gladiators here 16. Equipment =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Editorials By the Citizens of Spur --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HUNTING ETIQUETTE by Lycosa Rabida Back when I first came to Spur, certain rules of etiquette were followed when out hunting. With the coming of the newer generation, this etiquette seems to have vanished. I will set to print a few of these rules so that, hopefully, we can reestablish these rules. Following these rules will make everyone's hunting more enjoyable and profitable. 1). If you enter an area where someone is already hunting and you would like to join them, ask for permission to stay. Do not just settle in like you own the place. 2). If you are passing through a region where someone is hunting, there is a possibility that, if you continue, you will draw that person's quarry away. To avoid this, you can either: a). Wait until they kill the creature, and then move on. b). Wait until they knock it down, so that it cannot follow you. c). Retreat to the rear, hide either naturally or with your god's help, and then move on. 3). If you are hunting in an adjacent area with someone else and your quarry runs in their direction, chances are it is gone, so there is no point in chasing it. I do hope these guidelines are once again taken to heart. Happy Hunting! Lycosa =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== Classified Ads / Advertisements: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rez's R' Us (Lycosa Rabida, proprietor) Tired of having to Depart when you die and risking skill or Constitution loss? Would you like to be resurrected instead? Well, you're in luck. I am now offering a resurrection service. Simply pay me 12,000 silver in advance (9,000 for favors and 3,000 nominal service charge), have someone contact me if you are dead somewhere, and I will come pray to my god to resurrect you. I will guaranty 3 attempts at rezzing you. If after the 3rd attempt my god does listen, it must be in your karma to be dead and a refund will not be given. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----Bladeweaver Inc---- Arms and Armor at Reasonable Prices! Other Gear Also Available! See Elendron For Information =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== OOC Notes: If you are having trouble reading this publication, one of the following steps may help you fix the problem (but then, if you are reading this, how much trouble could you really be having?): The program you are using to view this document may be reformatting the issue in a way we did not expect (puzzles have a nasty habit of being turned to mush in this way). For best viewing results, view the FSSC using the Microsoft Text Editor included in most versions of DOS. Remove the linefeeds from this document and view it using a word processor with wordwrap capabilities. Change your characters size to a smaller one. Depending on your viewing program, you may have to highlight the entire document to do this. Try re-downloading the FSSC. Line noise may have damaged it during the transfer. If you downloaded the paper in a ZIP or other compacted format, try downloading the text version instead. If you would like to make a submission to the FSSC, please send it using GEnie E-Mail using the following classifications: The article should be ASCII TEXT. The article should end with the prefix .TXT Sends Rumors, scenario write-ups, Who's Who' of Spur, tip articles, and reviews to the GEnie address R.COLE20. Please carbon copy (CC:) to F.TORRES2. Send fiction, Hearthstone Tales, Crime Reports, classified ads, and letters to the editor to F.TORRES2. Please send a carbon copy to R.COLE20. A note to all writers: The Chronicle has the right to edited, refuse, and/or publish all submissions it receives. As well, writers lose all rights to their submitted articles UNLESS said works are copyrighted AND that copyright is brought to our attention before the time of publication. We at the Spurian Chronicle will tend not to publish completely copyrighted submissions as the very nature of this paper is public domain (yes, you can freely distribute the FSSC however you see fit, though if money becomes involved you must contact us about said transaction). Please note that AUSI maintains the copyrights on Dragon's Gate, its characters, and its game system. Other copyrights may be applicable as well. =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== =========================================================================== *FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC*FSSC* =========================================================================== The End.