By Kelkeye Anti'illes
As you might be aware, a fraud racked the Landing several moons ago.
This fraud took advantage of those that trusted us. The Gold Ring Scandal. This fraud took
advantage of many people. The whole plot was to sell phony teleport rings. These phony
rings were bought at the Gemcutter's Shop East Room for 200 silvers. The fraudists would
then sell them off as teleporting rings, for a profit of 4,800 silvers per ring. These
people could also offer "Deals", lowering the price slightly for it to be more
attractive. I will not mention any names, but I do know the main conductor of this
scandal. I was present when this fraudist was Binded 20+ times by an angry Lord. I also
know that I once sold a phony gold ring to someone, and I have never forgiven myself.
We must learn to stop this fraud. Always demand that the seller SHOW you the ring first. If it is legit, you will know it, for it will have an interweaving pattern of gold and brass. Otherwise, it will be plain. Also, request that your gold rings be unused. Wear the ring once you buy it, requesting that the seller stay put. If the ring takes you somewhere, remove it and wear it again, returning you to the place you bought it. Then, demand you money back.
By Orionor Van-Icing
You could almost hear the cries of those entombed here. It chilled me a bit to walk between the rows of funeral slabs, each with its own occupant staring vacantly upward. The hollowed corridor of Castle Anwyn's crypt where then I tread gave every report to my movement. My longsword clutched tightly, I crept along the darkened archways, guiding myself by what little light penetrated the area through the cloudy glass windows on each of the far walls. The air was thick with the smell of death and decay and though I wished otherwise, I had to tread here for the sake of my calling in the Order of Voln.
The incident happened in an instant and took me completely
off-guard. A "thing" burst from the ground under my feet, knocking me
to the stone floor. My longsword clattered from my grasp, skating to a halt a foot or so
away from me. The "thing" was an Arch Wight, a beast I had heard of and been
warned about. This horrid visage standing before me was the first of its kind I had ever
seen. Gazing apon the Wight made my soul feel cold and empty. Its skin was a blotchy-grey
with darker spots revealing bone and tissue. Tattered rags and rotted leather armor hung
from its withered frame. The Wight's eyes were two red sparks set into a leering,
blackened skull which seemed to grin at me as the Wight hissed a sharp phrase of magic.
I slowly became aware of my situation and leapt for my longsword. Having rolled to a crouched position when I hit the floor, I stood as quickly as possible and just in time for the Wight's incantation to be completed. With a flick of its decaying wrist, the ground below me began to seethe and boil and I almost lost my footing again. Leaping forward away from the spell, I brought my Longsword to bear on the Wight's hide. When the blessed blade connected, a hiss of pain and anger could be heard escaping the Wight's tattered lips. The blade tore down its torso and slid cleanly through. The wight growled in defiance and raked its claws across my chest. Though my armor took the brunt of the blow, I felt a cold chill run down my spine as it connected. Stumbling back from the strength of the blow, I again threw myself towards my foe, sending a glancing blow to its skull. It fell to the ground laughing at its pain which it obviously enjoyed. It again hissed a sharp phrase of magic and before I could silence that voice for all eternity, the spell was completed.
A dark cloud began to form above the fallen Wight's body, seeming to fill the room in which I stood. Before I could react, a surge of electricity flew from the cloud and connected with my shield. I blinked in surprise as pain filled my arm. Stunned, I stood there shaking my head. Another bolt, this one more powerful than the last, tore into my weapon arm tightening the muscles so hard I felt they would snap. My mind raced to thoughts of retreat, but my body would not respond. I felt hopelessness set in quickly as my eyes darted to all the exits in this area. A hideously bright bolt slammed into my thigh, dropping me to my knees.
I knew that death would most likely take me soon. I felt my life slipping away. Small surges tore into my body and just when I thought all hope was lost, a breeze filled the crypt. Stray leaves were picked up and blown about and I heard the door to the crypt bang open from the force of the wind outside. The cloud shook as its essence was torn away bit by bit. Shaking the stun from my mind, I pulled myself to my feet using my longsword for support.
The rest of the cloud soon blew apart. Small sparks
of electricity, no worse than static, flowed from its remains until it was no more. I
gazed up into the heavens and whispered a prayer of thanks. Never again would I take these
clouds for granted nor would I be so careless in the future. How easily my life could have
been ended, I thought, as I stumbled back to town. When I limped through the gates, caring
empaths took my wounds and having told the story of what had just happened to all that
would hear me, a kindly cleric whispered comforting thoughts about my life being spared by
Voln for my work. I could only smile and nod to him, knowing in my mind that perhaps he
was right or perhaps it was my dumb luck that spared me. Whatever the reason I lived this
day. However, I know this much: Never forget the lessons you're taught, however painful
they may be. These lessons keep you alive as this lesson I was taught today did for me. I
think of it often now and again. Perhaps, it's just another story to tell the younger
adventurers.
