Games PC EYE OF THE BEHOLDER III-ASSAULT ON MYTH DRANNOR User Manual

-N TABLE OF CONTENTS H-

MOONRISE OVER MYTH DRANNOR

INTRODUCTION

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER I I I

World

What Comes with This

Game?

~ Copy Protection Getting Started Quickly Clicking with Your Mouse

CREATING A NEW PARTY

Generating Characters

Modifying and Keeping

Characters Deleting Characters When the Party is Complete

Characters that Join the Party

MORE ABOUT YOUR PARTY

Character Basics Creating Strong Characters Creating a Strong Party

11 O W TO PLAY

Crash Course in Combat Crash Course in Spellcasting

Adventuring

Equipment Character Information Camp

SPELLS

Mage Spells Cleric Spells Strategies for Using Spells

ADVENTURING STRATEGY

Attacking Opponents Hints

BESTIARY

~ ~

Creatures in and around

Myth Drannor

Detailed Descriptions of

New Monsters

TABLES

Experience Levels Ability Scores Weapons Armor

INDEX OF SPELLS

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?

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•~

MOONRISE OVER MYTH DRANNOR

by Ed CQreenwood

. The Day of the Drawn Sword

t was hot enough to fry a knight in armor . Delmair began to despair of ever

reaching the dale, as he trudged along in the sun-dappled roadside shade, and

the day grew old around him through the woods, hoping at each bend to see thinning trees ahead, and some

sign of his goal

Delmair's feet ached, even in the good boots he wore

The deep woods on either side of the road began to seem somehow sinister, as

if they were awaiting the night, when he'd have to sleep among them and take his chances

Hurry? He could barely walk the road

A thudding, a low, broken drumming sound barely audible above his own weary breathing towards him on the unseen road ahead the road, staring all the while at the next bend, as the hooves came nearer

The din grew suddenly louder low branches at the bend suddenly danced and shed leaves he called, his voice high and loud in his ears way to Shadowdale? I seek the sage Elminster!"

In the next moment, the first riders of a proud company of knights in full, gleaming plate armor thundered into view words away into nothingness in the fury and hubbub of a hard gallop, Delmair saw in the huge, grim-faced warrior's ready-gauntleted hands a china teacup and saucer

. The warrior held the one daintily above the other as he charged by,

raising clouds of dust

Delmair turned to stare after him, astonished

and a third

another group of knights came into view . "Excuse me!" he bellowed again as loudly as he could, amid the tumult of snorting mounts and crashing hooves

"Pray pardon, but could you possibly spare me

Then they were past and gone, leaving him amid the rolling dust, the drumming

of hooves dying away amid the trees

. At each bend, the road disappointed him

. He walked more slowly, even as he told himself he must hurry on

. And then he heard it

. He leaned his head to one side

. They, too, held teacups."Excuse me!"

. He walked and walked along the winding road

. His pace fell to a crawl

. Delmair sighed, and came to a halt by the side of

. Yes

. Hoofbeats, many of them, coming

. He stepped up onto a high bank beside

. Delmair threw up a hand, clearing his throat, as

. "Pray excuse me!"

. "Excuse me-can you tell me the

. As the first whipped past, whirling his

. The second rider thundered past,

he shouted desperately as

- ?"

. Delmair sighed, standing in the road and

looking after them

r n

fresh thundering announced the arrival of yet another rider

Delmair had time for one glimpse of a beautiful, frowning, sharp-eyed maid in full armor galloping towards him as though the Realms themselves hung in the balance, long hair flowing free about her shoulders

speak

and she bent in a flashing of curved armor

Then she was gone, and Delmair found himself holding an empty teacup,

delicately balanced on its saucer

here have they gone? Off to save the Realms again, of course

nothing ye're one of them, lad!" The old man fixed Moumgrym with a clear, blue-grey stare, wagged his head in mock despair, and vanished up the chimney in a puff of smoke

. Moumgrym groaned

not

going to be a good day

he sun sank low as Delmair trudged along . A thought came to him

still holding this teacup for? In sudden irritation, he dashed it to the ground

The teacup started earthward, and then bobbed in midair like a cork upon water, and came up by itself to float silently beside and just ahead of him, in

midair

. Delmair stared at it, dumbfounded

Then he looked wildly at the trees all around down the road-and, by the gods, there hung a line of teacups in empty air, floating slowly towards him

He was gasping for breath and stumbling in weariness by the time he noticed a sort of glow from beside him, a pale white light

fell

. The teacup he'd thrown was keeping pace with him, floating serenely along as

he ran

. Panting, Delmair came to a despairing stop and looked back . Sure enough,

the line of teacups was there, all of them glowing faintly as twilight stole up in the trees around him

darkness, towards Shadowdale source their magic came from

ignored the wilder stories about the dale, close by the haunted ruins of Myth Drannor

and scaled, spiked things that were rumored to lurk in Myth Drannor of riches no one dared to take-because the price was one's life

Still, the men of Shadowdale were good warriors, he'd heard, and kept the dale safe

. Late at night in taverns, people had whispered about the skeletal dragons

. They always needed soldiers, he'd heard more than once

and then hastily turned and leaped out of the way as a

. He opened his mouth to

. . .

. Know ye

about the Knights of Myth Drannor? Recall from time to time that

. The disaster was complete

. Nothing unusual

. Delmair turned and ran, cursing

. He spared a glance - and nearly

. Shaking his head, Delmair walked on into the gathering

. The cups would give him light to see by, whatever

. Not for the first time, he wondered why he'd ever

. Tomorrow was definitely

: what am I

. Behind him,

. It was a city

. As night came

upon him, and he walked on with the glowing lights trailing behind him, Delmair suddenly thought for the first time about soldiers, and fear joined him on the long walk through the night

he day dawned bright and clear, gentle breezes rustling the trees around him as Mourngrym, Lord of Shadowdale, walked alone in the woods of

Shadowdale faint lowing of cattle

would have lifted his heart into song, and brought a smile onto his face

But the Lord of Shadowdale walked along with his face dark and closed, and his

thoughts plunged into grey despondency Sword, with all the gaiety, hubbub and crowding that inevitably accompanied its festive event-and he faced it all alone, without his lady to both gladden his eyes and set all the folk, proud and low, at ease together

Shaerl was gone to Suzail, to bury an uncle taken by the gods, and she'd taken with her Aseel Tarnriver, Chatelaine of the Tower and all the folk of the Tower had suffered under the hard hand and sharp-edged tongue of Orlindea, the Underchatelaine, and the Lord Mourngrym had more than once felt moved to draw steel and end common misery

wagging of her biting, shrewish tongue

of Waterdeep and Lords even of small dales don't cut down lone women in their blood, just for being themselves morning, his sword still in his sheath, and anger burning in his heart

Even the Knights of Myth Drannor had left him, riding off in haste yesternoon at a word from Elminster, who had come down the chimney as a grey swift and left again by the same way an instant later, as a plume of grey smoke spoiling Mourngrym's highsun tea of The Day of the Drawn Sword

Once a year the festival came, in highsummer, a day of feasts and spectacles and contests-of-arms, when the Lord of Shadowdale thanked and feted his militia, and took on new men-at-arms to defend the dale, from those who'd shown well in the contests rising deadly in the dark heart of the woods to the east gone, it was the haunt of creatures that should have been dead Whenever a patrol or a curious boy strayed too close, death came for them,

bloodily treasure-seekers from swift and certain death in the ruins the time about the monsters of Myth Drannor deciding someday that Shadowdale was close enough, and full of easily caught folk, to eat, and

. Birds sang in the warm morning, and from afar he could hear the

. It was a morning that, had it befallen on any other day,

. And so Mourngrym walked alone in the early

. They'd all left him alone to face all the tumult

. Tales were told of the dangers of lost and ruined Myth Drannor,

. The Knights of Myth Drannor spent much of their time heading off

why a

dale would constantly need new

. For this day was The Day of the Drawn

. For a tenday now Mourngrym

and the busy

together

. But scions of noble houses

quite

. Now that the elves were

and worse

. Mourngrym worried all

. .

During the Festival, by tradition, some brave soul had to go and spend the night in Myth Drannor

There was always Elminster, of course could only do that once, and Mourngrym didn't want to use up the Old Mage's turn yet

That problem was only part of what weighed down Mourngrym's spirits was beginning to ache already invaded every nook and cranny of the Tower, laughing and shouting and breaking things, eating his larders bare and drinking his cellars dry small, easily-concealed objects always seemed to go missing in their wake, too, and the Lord of the Dale was expected to play the genial host through it all, toasting and greeting old dodderers by name, giving squalling and noisome brats

kisses for good luck, and suffering the supercilious giggles of small girls and the mischievous peltings of small boys armed with ready missiles shelled eggs from the feast-tables, usually -

Mourngrym heartily hated the whole festival have some quiet moments to himself before all the shouting started

But it was not, gods willing, to be way to the small mill-yard, he heard young voices raised sighed and looked about, but the trees stood thick all about, and the path led

nowhere else

"I-I am Florin the Tall! Taste my steel, foul Zhent!" The joyful, high-pitched

bellow was followed by a very real shriek of pain and fright

hastened around the last bend of the path, and nearly charged into the midst of

a small pack of boys They turned startled faces to him, gasped, and in a few moments erupted into

full, crashing flight

"Hold!" Mourngrym's stern command fell upon empty air

stout cudgels bounced and rolled on the turf in their wake, and the Lord was

alone once more

Well, not quite

form in torn leather

apprehension

He took hold of a shoulder gently, and rolled the boy over, evoking another

short scream of fear

. Better to have him still in reserve

. Usually they were never seen again

; his spells would keep him safe

. The common folk for several days' travel around

. Ahead of him, where the trees thinned to give

. He went on, hand going to sword-hilt out of habit

. In the mud on the pond-side of a grassy hillock lay a huddled

. It sobbed quietly, and Mourngrym hastened to it in sudden

. Who would go this time?

. But you

. . .

so,

who?

. His head

. A sizeable number of

nuts and spiced,

with good-natured smiles

. He'd gone out this early purely to

. Already

. Mourngrym

. Curved branches and

. Mourngrym

"No! No!" came a terrified voice, through the mud and what seemed like a lot of hair

. Mourngrym shifted some of it aside with a finger, and discovered that he

was staring into the tear-filled, astonished eyes of a young girl

They stared at each other for a moment, the girl's quick, ragged breathing the

only sound between them rather beautiful, without the tears, errant hair, and all the mud seen eleven summers-certainly no more

"Are you all right?," he asked gravely, offering her his hand slowly, wincing ago, fell from the folds of the too-large leather jerkin she wore plucked it away sliced leather of the cut it had made, probed beneath, and came back to him

with their tips red with blood

him with another, involuntary sob

"I'm-I'm all right, sir

Mourngrym held up his bloody fingers for her to see reached for the lacings of her jerkin rather grimly here? Who swung this sword?"

"I-we were playing at defending the dale, sir stain on the tunic beneath, and felt some relief fingers probed again, gently tail of her tunic into a ball, and guided her hand to press it firmly against the cut

She sniffed

"With a real sword?"

The girl sniffed again the one the Lord Mourngrym broke, fighting off the Zhentilar

Mourngrym's eyes went to it, lying old and worn in the grass beside them he said shortly

The girl stiffened in mid-sob, and shrank away from him . Her eyes were very round

. She gasped

Mourngrym rolled his eyes, sighed, and nodded . "Aye, I'm Mourngrym you called?"

"A-Alyth, Lord

Mourngrym nodded bottom of the Tower

to seek him out

. The hilt and rusty blade of an old sword, broken off short long

; she shivered, and bit her lip

. "That was never mine

. He looked down again at the terrified girl, bleeding in the mud

. Mourngrym's practiced eye saw that she might be

. His fingers found the torn and

. Mourngrym growled, and the girl shrank back from

. "I fear not," he replied, and

. "How did you come to be

." Mourngrym saw only a small

. Only a small cut, then

. Yes

. She'd be fine

. "It's Nern's, sir

. "You

you-Lord Mourngrym?"

. By now, he knew, they'd be looking for him from top to

. Soon enough his soldiers would be sent all over the dale

. He found it, by the bridge

. He took her hand, wadded the

. She might have

. She rolled over

. Mourngrym

. His

. He thinks it's

"No,"

. How are

"Up, then, Alyth," he said firmly, and hauled her to her feet with an arm about her shoulders

"Please, Lord They play the Knights

Mourngrym shook his head, and picked up what was left of the old blade go, Alyth," he said with a sigh

"I lay this command upon thee," he said then, formally, his eyes seeking out hers and holding their wondering gaze steadily

aside to any other task, to the white and green pavilion closest to the Tower walls, in the Meadow, and say that I sent you

Alyth nodded, in silence

try to look at it!"

Alyth nodded, sniffing again way he had come wrong! The glimmerings of an idea made him smile despite all, as he sprinted through the trees back towards the road girl to follow

The old man fixed the young boy with a clear, blue-grey stare

. "Tell me, now : how came this Nern to strike at you?"

Pheena and me, we're always the Zhents

. "You know what this day brings

. "Go, without tarrying or turning

. Understood?"

. Mourngrym patted her shoulder awkwardly

Don't delay, now

. She was coming after him

here have they gone? Off to save the Realms again, of course

nothing

uncomfortably under the level gaze and allowed as how he'd heard time enough about the Knights and all they did for the dale, to keep its folk safe

"But we need them not," he blurted, "my pa says, while Shadowdale still has old Elminster

The beard hid most of the slow smile that answered him is it?" came the familiar and crotchety, yet grand old voice grow feeble with age, and weak of mind and Art?"

"Uhh I've heard," he added carefully

"Good, good," he said approvingly can read in the voice and the looks of folk, and take care not to fill in the gaps with whatyefancy they might be thinking years pass deliverance there will also stand ye in good stead, as the years pass

. ..no, sir," Orthin said uncertainly

. Now help me carry this bundle up to the Tower, for its safe

and keep that hand pressing against where you're cut

. Mourngrym gave her a smile and then ran back the

. Gods, not morningfeast yet and

. He looked back once, to wave at the

. Good

about the Knights of Myth Drannor, lad?"

. "Leastways, he's not said so

. The old sage nodded

. "Stick ye always to what ye've heard, and

. 'Twill stand ye in good stead, as the

. The boys make us

." The girl nodded

already

things were going

. Orthin shifted

. "'Old' Elminster,

. "Thinks thy sire I

. "I must

. "Good

; don't

. Know ye

. . .

now,

that

; s

Orthin sighed and rolled his eyes, behind Elminster's back

time he'd heard such grand and fateful statements from The Old Mage

Elminster turned suddenly on his heel to fix Orthin with a hard stare solemnly rolled his eyes just as Orthin had done

gasp

. So it was true! The old man

quaked, awaiting dire magical punishment

Elminster chuckled softly what ye would not have hurled back at ye This, too, will stand ye in

found himself mimicking the end of the sage's oft-repeated phrase by himself, in sudden silence

Fearfully, he looked up, but the sage's eyes were grinning, even if his mouth was not Sighing, Orthin took it up sword and then decided he'd really rather not know

The Old Mage grinned at him, as if reading his mind

- and had to laugh when he saw that Elminster was doing it too, in unison

rocky height rose on the left-the Old Skull he'd been told about, no doubt and the road came to a bridge over the River Ashaba Shadowdale, and before highfeast, too!

He grinned at the bright morning all around - and noticed with a start that the line of floating teacups had vanished shivered-and then shrugged wearily and went on

Ahead, on the bridge, stood guards in gleaming chainmail arms of Shadowdale shone proudly on the breasts of their surcoats as they lowered their spears in warning

her hand welcome in Shadowdale, and expected at the Tower by the Lord Mourngrym

"I am?" Delmair asked, blinking face and said gently, "Elminster told us you'd be coming the power to astonish all of us still

Beyond her, Delmair saw nods and grins of agreement as the spears rose upright again in smooth unison

. Wordlessly Elminster pointed to the other end of the long, hard bundle

. Orthin wondered briefly what famous magical blade he was carrying

elmair smiled wearily, and rubbed red-rimmed eyes trees rolled back and the sun shone on a fair green valley

. "Well met, Delmair Rallyhorn," she said calmly, bowing

. "Take care also, young Orthin, not to show in thy face

. .

. Under the rolls of cloth, it felt like a scabbarded

did

have eyes in the back of his head! He

. "

His voice trailed away, ever so softly, and Orthin

. He had only the one in his hand left

. One came forward to meet him, an iron rod in

. The guardcaptain grinned at his dumbfounded

. . .

and we live here

. The lad shrank back with a

. Keep it hidden, for thine own safety

. It was not the first

and then

. Orthin rolled his eyes again

. At last! Ahead, the

. A weathered,

. He had reached

. He

. The silver and blue

. "You are

. Worry not-he has

"Ah, my thanks," he managed to say Twisted Tower, visible now behind the last trees on this side of the river, rising

in front of the Old Skull it

; market day?

The guardcaptain smiled

"Good fortune, Delmair

Delmair nodded in a sort of daze, and found himself on the path to the Tower

Then he remembered the teacup and saucer in his hand, wrapped in his

handrag against the road-dust turning back to Elassa and unwrapping his burden group of warriors, riding west as if to war

Elassa looked down at what he held, and smiled when you see him-he'll be happy to get it back Myth Drannor on the road, riding west to speak with your king

"Oh,"

was all Delmair could find to make answer . He shook his head, and turned

towards the Tower

At its doors, he found his way barred by two men figure in an old, patched cloak, its hood thrown forward to cover his face . The other was a tall, broad-shouldered, grimly dangerous warrior in magnificent an

an even more magnificent mustache bristling gray in the bright sun as his cold eyes drilled into Delmair

The cowled figure pointed

Delmair hadn't even time to draw breath before the warrior's hand shot out, and gripped his arm with fingers that felt like immovable stone

"How do you know we can trust him?" Thurbal, Captain-of-Arms for Shadowdale, managed the feat of squinting suspiciously at Delmair and glaring his question at the cowled man at the same time seemed incapable of

The cowled man shrugged thought him

Thurbal sighed

Delmair had swallowed noisily, and now managed to find his voice me.. .

The hood nodded

„How

the

- ?"

. .

. unsuitable

. "All right

teacups?"

. There seemed to be a lot of folk wandering about, near

. "It's the best way to reach it," she said, chuckling

. I am Elassa-Elassa Thintrel

. "That's him

. "My magic, of course

. What, boy?"

. "Aye

. "D-do I go straight there?" He waved at the

. Enjoy your visit

. "Ah, I was handed this on the road," he said,

. "By a lady

. "Give it to Lord Mourngrym

. You met with the Knights of

. One was a stooped, nondescript

. But then, there was little the old veteran

. I'd not have led him here if I

the last of a

nor, with

. "You led

0110

"Boy," Thurbal began,

A wave of the old man's hand brought instant silence

the hood, a bearded mouth smiled at Delmair

an apprentice

Delmair stared at him, round-eyed

but promptly fainted, teacup clattering as he toppled

Thurbal looked down at him, and then again at the Old Mage one's suitable for the Guard?"

parade without you! And until the parade is done, the archery contest cannot begin, nor the quarterstaff bouts or javelin-throws highsun quaff, and we simply

"Mistress Orlindea," Moumgrym began, raising his hand in entreaty

But she had plunged on unabated, in the

dark!

people needed you most! I've never known such irresponsibility in you before, my Lord, nor in any lord I've seen or heard of, for that matter, and

"Orlindea," Mourngrym said, louder

A fine

of the dales think, when they hear of it? nam

- "

"Orlindea,"

placatingly

some business to attend to, and I see you've managed very capably to muster them in the meadow

He moved to the stairs, but the rest of his soothing words were lost in Orlindea's spirited response

someone

and accomplishment! muster the men, I trust! And this day of all days?"

"Orlindea," Mourngrym muttered to the door, as he closed it firmly between them, "you'd never understand

. It's known as Elminster's Travelling Teacups, of course

herever Therever

horns sounded at sunrise!" Orlindea's voice was shrill

have you been

The Day will be

example you set the young men, I must say! What will the other lords

Mourngrym said sternly, "I think we've all heard

. "As you say, the day draws on, and all are waiting for me

must manage in the face of your neglect! It is, after all, the prerogative

"never

ask

- "

. Out of the shadows under

. "A simple spell from my days as

. "You?

,,Lord? The people have been asking since the

Elminster?"

He didn't wait for a reply,

. "Are you

. "The militia

. They, in turn, hold up the

cannot-"

" -

have the tracking and stalking contests

ruined,

and all because you wandered off when your

What will

they say? Shadowdale's proud

enough

. Let me just dress, and I'll

. Her double chins quivered in indignation

of my position

how

did you manage to get

- "

. "The gods know

. You'd hardly expect me

mud

all over you, on

sure

cannot

. "I - "

- "

He smiled,

. I've had

not

this

When, a moment later, she hammered on the door to tell him to hurry, he found that the broken blade he'd taken from Alyth's side was still in his hand Thoughtfully and heartily he hurled it at the closed door

he'd set prevented Orlindea from opening the door in time to make a direct acquaintance with the whirling hilt

armor plates bolted to the inside of the panels, and crashed to the floor

The Lord of Shadowdale heard her outraged gasp outside, and chuckled manservant, old Marthim, kept his face carefully expressionless as he held out a

fresh tunic

blinked to clear his eyes

"When do you expect the Knights back among us?" Thurbal asked, as Delmair choked on the fiery red wine he'd just been given

between the shoulders without sparing him a glance

The cowled man shrugged time for swords is past, and the affair needs my attention now, it seems without another word he vanished

Delmair choked again teleport before? Have you any backbone to you at all, man?"

The grand chamber seemed suddenly very empty

pipesmoke hung around them to mark that Elminster had been there Elminster the Sage, greatest archmage of the Dragonreach! Delmair stared around in wonder, until Thurbal hauled him to his feet, took hold of his chin, and shook that? Good my men are already spoken for

Delmair clutched at Thurbal's arm as they went

Thurbal spun cold gray eyes bored into Delmair's

"M-my lord," Delmair said, gathering his dignity

come from Cormyr to speak with Elminster the Sage on-on an important

private matter ; family business . I am of noble birth, and would speak with the Lord Mourngrym

He stopped Elminster told me

. Mourngrym chuckled again

e was somewhere large and indoors overhead

. A cup was steered into his hands

. Thurbal looked at him disgustedly

. When Delmair's eyes refocused, Thurbal growled at him

. Come

. Armor and arms await you

. "If you live longer, lad, never grab me by my sword-arm ." Those

. He is expecting me

; Thurbal was already nodding and turning away

. Well met, lad

. It crashed heavily and harmlessly against the

; a vaulted ceiling stretched high

. "They're on their way back already," he replied

. I've a task I need done, and all

." They went out together, in haste

. "What d'you want?"

. "I'm Delmair Rallyhorn

; I've fought beside Rallyhorns

. Unfortunately, the catch

; Delmair took it thankfully and

. Thurbal thumped him

. "Never seen a wizard

. Only a faint odor of

. "Excuse me, lord, but

. "Aye, I know

. His

. "The

." And

. "Over all

- "

. I've

;

. If your business

was so urgent, you had your chance to speak to him-now it can wait until tonight, after the foolery's done

"But

Thurbal cast an iron look back over his shoulder

away

. "The Old Mage also told me it'd do you good to wait for your audiences and do some honest work for a change end ofachamber pot from the other?" He strode on

. "Come," he said, and strode

. Noble birth

; hmmph

. "Or a sword?"

. D'you know one

of Randal Morn's folk of Daggerdale-safe in the hands of King Azoun of Cormyr, and a Purple Dragon patrol from Tilver's Gap them, but Elminster would have to deal with that

be with Moumgrym, guarding him this day among the festival crowds

Florin guided his charger, Firefoam, through a maze of tents towards the paddock at the back of the Tower used by the Knights with surprise that Shaerl's pavilion was up, erected near at hand behind him, the other Knights nodded

. Spells had been laid upon

. The Old Mage would no doubt

. On the way he noticed

. lie pointed

;

lyth eyed the pavilion warily Tower, and

the forest of tents, fly-poles, and pavilions, it was the only white one with green trim

. It was small, but a young man in chainmail stood guard outside it, leaning

on a large, drawn sword that gleamed point-down on the turf before him

The girl approached hesitantly man shifted his grip to hold the sword properly, and Alyth saw that he was sweating

"Yes?" It was a challenge

the Lord Mourngrym sent me," Alyth replied

subsided to a dull, incessant ache, but her feet were less steady, somehow, and the laughter and chatter of the crowd seemed to rise and fall like waves on the shores of the Moonsea

Abruptly, he nodded

Alyth nodded, and stumbled past him, to an entry of interleaved hangings was a light within, and three robed women reached out a hand in polite greeting voice, but Alyth could not seem to reach that hand

She reached, and reached, stretching out shaking fingers into the sudden, roiling mists

seemed impossibly far away

as far as she could tell, in the press of the crowds and amid

. She eyed the guard through fresh tears of pain

. "Pass within, lady

. The world roared and bubbled in her ears, and that hand still

. It stood closest to the frowning grey walls of the

. The eyes of the guard regarded her warily . The

. "Why come you here?"

. The pain in her side had

. You are expected

. They looked to her, and one

. "Well met," she began in a low, pleasant

. ...

. There

Among them, Jhessail stiffened in her saddle hissed, as they entered the paddock in a welter of hooves and flying mud

"Shaerl's?" Florin asked, leaping from his saddle of the way as Jhessail's mount slithered to a less-graceful stop

The sorceress nodded, grimly

"Hoy! I haven't even found a tankard yet!" Rathan protested rolled out of his saddle to splash heavily into the mud, feetfirst

The nearest of the Knights, Torm, had already stepped well back in wise

expectation

Rathan gave him what is sometimes called a coarse look, and said, "Well, I haven't yet -

"Let's be quick, then," Florin replied briskly, over his shoulder, as he strode towards the white and green pavilion

A young man in chainmail stood before the tent, lifting his drawn sword warily at their approach

and war-dog in the dale

The battle-leader of the Knights did not slow What's this? Identify yourself, man, and who is within!"

The sword came up to meet his fast enough

must pass!"

. He rolled his eyes, and said, "You will, you will, I fear not

and it's been a long ride

. He wore no livery, and Florin-who knew every guard, horse,

. "We'd best go see

had never seen him before

. "Magic-in that tent!" she

. Firefoam politely stepped out

. The stout cleric

; his blade flashed out

. "You shall not pass -

. "How now?

none

','Intime, thank Tymoral" Rathan said eagerly, as they thundered over the

bridge at full gallop, the guards hastily leaping out of the way and trying to

salute at the same time

"Thank rather your swift steed," Florin replied dryly into the meadow, blades, or we'll plow right into the back of the parade!"

The Knights of Myth Drannor had ridden hard since the grey foredawn, their mission done

. A Zhentarim wizard lay dead, and his captives

. "And we'd best turn aside

among the last

"By whose order?" Florin inquired coolly, striking the blade from the man's hand with a twist of his wrist was already plunging past him, towards the pavilion descending wrist as the hand it was attached to reached the dagger, and pulled sharply downwards

The man fell helplessly, and Rathan's foot came down on the dagger a scant second before the weight of Rathan's formidable behind came down on the guard's chest

. Desperately the man reached for his dagger, but Torm

. He grasped the guard's

Oj 13 ~o

"Suppose ye tell me some things," the priest began, "while my fellow Knights barge rudely into the Lady Shaerl's pavilion and discover for themselves what's

going on the probity of thy tongue

The guard's muffled reply was lost to the other Knights, as they ducked swiftly through the hangings, keeping low and with weapons out astonished robing-mistresses, the usual wardrobes, stands, and racks

front of them, a frightened girl, half in and half out of one of Shaerl's fine gowns, white to the lips and holding a sword that was too heavy for her, its point wavering menacingly in their direction

"Back, Zhent villains!" she said, in a voice that trembled only a little darted back and forth from one intruder to another, as her forearms trembled

with the weight of Mourngrym's ornate ceremonial sword "Back, I said!" she snarled, "Or I'll Florin stared at her for a moment, and then smiled

sword and spread his gloved hands

the Knights of Myth Drannor

r/`ongues were still a-flutter all over the great Feast Hall in the Tower of Ashaba,

wine, and rolled out fresh kegs of beer, to the accompaniment of general

cheers

smoke-filled hall

place of honor beside the Lord of Shadowdale Shaerl's older, smaller gowns, but looked tired, pale, and a little scared

when spoken to, she sat looking down at her lap, and eating little The Lady of the Feast is a position traditionally filled by the Lady of the Dale

Shaerl's absence, and in the lack of a dowager Lady of the Dale, it should have gone to the Chatelaine of the Tower to the Underchatelaine, who was not popular with the folk of the dale

Yet when the ceremonial Drawn Sword had been carried into the hall, naked and aloft, by the Knights of Myth Drannor, in their finery and bearing torches,

this young, unknown girl had walked at their head, the single candle of a maiden glimmering in her hands

take her to wife? What did this mean? Orlindea glowered at the newcomer from a low table

her red face and dagger-like glances daughter to one of the roving, seasonal workers who came to live at the mill each spring

. Answer carefully, mind

as the third remove of the feast came

. The usual high spirits and boastful stories of feats-of-arms reigned in the

. But again and again eyes darted to the young girl seated in the

. Alyth was her name

: thy continued well-being may depend upon

. Inside were two

and in

. Her eyes

call

out the Knights of Myth Drannor upon you!"

. Very slowly he sheathed his

. "Good lady," he said, bowing low, "we are

. How may we serve thee?"

. Servants brought out decanters of

. She wore one of the Lady

. Save

. In

. But Aseel was with her lady, and that left it

. Who was she? Was Mourngrym planning to

; there was much mirth at

. Some said they knew the girl

; she was a

Others said she must be Moumgrym's daughter, kept secret until now, and brought out in Shaerl's absence, to spite her and her new baby

whispered that she was

among the nobles of Cormyr, and sent here by Shaerl from wherever in the Forest Kingdom she'd had the child hidden away all these years

years old, although solemn and reserved of bearing, and The contests had gone well, with much color and skill to awe the ladies and make

the old men shake their heads in admiration but worth seeing, all the same

winters orso. . ..)The Lord Mourngrym had promoted six warriors to be officers of

various ranks, and recruited over forty new guards from the lads and maids who'd competed in the contests season free from Zhentish attack : much good, roasted game and stock, rivers of beer, and copious fine wines from all across the North

The din in the Hall was terrific trying to impress the bard Storm Silverhand, resplendent in warrior's leathers and gleaming new boots, who sat in a seat at one end of the Hall on the tables and overhead danced reflections from a thousand goblets and decanters, and sparkled on a score of bright-polished gorgets, pectorals, and wristbracelets The folk of the dale and all who could find the time and excuse to stop in Shadowdale for the night had worn their most proud and unrestrained finery Soon the dancing would begin

Florin's trained eyes found a worried-looking woman bending over Orlindea, talking earnestly, and looking up from time to time at the high table shot another glance down the table at Alyth

She was still hurting, despite the healing spells she'd received before the Knights had come upon her guard who'd been set to protect the pavilion, this Delmair

His eyes were on no one but the girl, and he had the tender, yearning look of a youngling in the full thrall of his first love

Florin shook his head slightly, and looked back to Alyth wrong table, and they exchanged looks something was amiss booted feet under him to rise from his place

And the girl rose like a white flame flickering suddenly up from a dry log, curtsied to Mourngrym with a warrior's speed, and was gone, out one of the side doors of the Hall

. Precious stones, furs, and shimmering silks fought for attention

. His eyes encountered those of Thurbal, at the other end of the high

. Florin rose to follow, without delay

. Still others

Shaerl's

. Florin cleared his throat to say something, and drew his

secret daughter, born out of wedlock in an affair

. She was perhaps ten

. . .

who was she, really?

. (Not as good as in

and the best, to be sure, of these last thirty

. Now he was sharing out the bounty of a Shadowdale

. It had been a good Day

; half a dozen lesser minstrels were desperately

; her brow was furrowed

. He looked around, and his eyes fell on the young

. The captain-of-arms, too, had seen that

their

day, mind,

. The candles

. The ranger

. . .

in pain

. Yes, something was

A hand took his elbow from behind while he was still whirling his chair back into place

. Florin saw Orlindea leaving the Hall in haste with the woman she'd been

talking with, as he turned to look back

"Thanks, Lord Florin," the Lord of Shadowdale said softly, "but this is my mess

to attend to, I fear

toasts and suchlike

Florin nodded and clapped Mourngrym on the back all he said motioning the captain back to his seat

the Feast Hall, into the candle-lit quiet of the rest of the Tower

. He took the Lord's seat, shaking his head at Thurbal in silence and

. I'd like to see to it alone

- ?"

. Mourngrym stood behind him

. If you could take my place in the

. "Of course

. The Lord of Shadowdale hurried out of

. Go, then," was

Mourngrym's eyes burned into hers as he sheathed his sword with savage

strength

A red flush rose slowly across the Underchatelaine's face, and her hot gaze wavered and fell to the floor

I'm sorry, my Lord," she muttered

"Yes," Mourngrym agreed simply

There was silence for several breaths and fall of the Underchatelaine's bosom looked up at him proudly, and met his gaze

"Which will

it be?"

. A moment later, she followed it, to her knees

. "I -

I have overstepped myself

. "Look at me, Orlindea

; Mourngrym counted them in the rapid rise

. Then her lashes flickered, and she

. Tears glimmered in her eyes, unshed, but she held her head

"I-

'Hth e

lthe

overreaching little chit?" Orlindea drew breath only briefly get your grubby little hands on one of the Lady Shaerl's gowns?"

"Please, miss, I

"I did not give you leave to answer, wench

bid you speak

Orlindea fairly snorted her indignation then running feet

weeping, and then turned back, hands on hips, to confront the little upstart

again

. Alyth stared at her wild-eyed, tears coursing down her cheeks

"See what you've done to your mother? Oh, it'll be a fair day years hence before she dares to show her face in the dale again! She may well starve somewhere, unable to find work-and with it buy coin to eat

little tramp! Aspiring to bewitch the Lord of the Dale with your smiles and your little ways

to get it! Indeed, my little lady-"

"Hold!"

blazing . "Stand away from the lady, Underchatelaine Orlindea gone from my lands this night, and forevermore!"

Orlindea whirled about to face him, face white lord! If your lady knew

"That I had healed one under my care, who was hurt by one acting in my name? That I will not see her hurt by one whose tongue is so sharp she risks cutting her

own backside with it? I'll hear no more from you, Orlindea, except the words, 'Yes, Lord'-and if I will not hear them of your will, I'll enjoy your silence by means of your enforced removal

you run off without telling your mother! Do you have any idea of

dare

sorrow you've caused her? Do you care, you ungrateful, overdressed,

. "And

where

did you

- "

. Kindly keep yourself in silence until I

. And get that gown off, right now

; behind her, she heard a choked sob, and

. She turned to watch Alyth's mother flee through the door,

- oh, yes, I've no doubt about what you're after, and what you'll do

In the doorway stood the Lord Moumgrym himself, sword in hand, eyes

- "

- and carefully, mind!"

. And all because of you, you

or you'll be

. Her eyes glittered in fury

"My

"We'll speak no more of this, Orlindea, and consider it forgotten," Mourngrym

said very quietly, "so long as you work no ill against me, Alyth, or Alyth's mother

We all choose ill, betimes - work me some good, now, by apologizing to Alyth

Orlindea cast one glance at the sniffing girl, and burst into tears hands out to her, and broke into sobs herself

Mourngrym stood in the center of the room and stared at the ceiling answer me, he thought, why does it all have to be so thought of something he'd seen Elminster do, long ago, and stepped forward to grasp both women by the shoulders and guide them firmly into each other's arms

. They embraced, weeping uncontrollably

Then he went to the open door and looked out who stood uncertainly in the corridor, sword half-drawn, looked back at him

Mourngrym stared at him incredulously for a moment, and then suddenly

grinned

. "The gods have answered," he said She who came out this door weeping a few breaths back? Go and fetch her, as nicely as you can, and bring her back here! And run!"

elmair stumbled along through the trees carefully, a sputtering torch in one hand, and a bundle of Alyth's own clothes, still mud-spattered, held

protectively in the other gown, and her mother, on the arm of the Lord Mourngrym, walked down the path to the mill

"I'm sorry," Mourngrym said gently and the smoke in the Hall either

"Yes, Lord," Alyth and her mother answered, as one way on around a muddy bend in the path

what befalls?" he breathed, hand going to sword rather wearily

. Ahead of him in the night, Alyth, a pale wisp in her

. "1 don't like all the noise and the prying eyes

. .

. It's cooler and quieter here

noisy?

. The frightened eyes of Delmair,

. "Lad-know you Alyth's mother?

. Moumgrym sighed, led the

- and stopped, astonished."Now

. Alyth half-rose,

. Gods

Then he sighed,

CJ 18~O

A pale amber radiance was growing from nothingness before his eyes, clinging to a large flat rock beside the trail, and growing brighter

cautious halt in the darkness, and watched

A wine decanter suddenly appeared out of the empty air above the rock, and settled gently down to rest

a steaming platter of roast fuwflander, several knives and forks bearded, plain-robed figure of Elminster the Sage, smoking pipe in hand

"There you are," Elminster said calmly, waving them towards him the lot of ye tongues-but I thought ye'd grow tired of good food a mite more slowly

"You thought rightly," Mourngrym agreed, with a sudden, delighted laugh

The Old Mage steered a decanter into his hand

Shadowdale laughed helplessly-breaking off only for an instant, as glass goblets began to appear in midair, one after another, and seek his hand insistently

"Well met, Jhaleera," Elminster added gravely

"It has indeed, Old Mage," Alyth's mother agreed calmly her

. Jhaleera only winked

Alyth looked at Elminster what's left of the lost blade of Lord Aumry," he said to her, drawing the old

sword-hilt from some hidden place among his robes

He puffed at his pipe to keep it from going out, and added, "Eat up, lass

ye're done eating, a few spells can give ye armies of attacking Zhents to defeat

if ye'd like to play at being one of the Knights, for a change

Alyth looked at him, face suddenly red

"Why not?," Elminster asked, his eyebrows rising Mourngrym here, or any of the Knights

"So that's how you do it," said Delmair, remembering teacups

"Of course," said the Old Mage innocently

. I heard ye'd had enough of festival crowds and their wagging

. An instant later, it was followed by another, and then

. He smiled, and winked too

. "Of course

. "It's been a fair while, hasn't it?"

. "Oh, but I couldn't~she murmured

. They play at being the Knights every day

. "Didn't ye know?"

. They all came to a

and the

. "Come on,

." The Lord of

. Alyth turned to stare at

. "My thanks for finding

. "I'd been looking for that

. "'Tis ease itself -just ask

. When

"Lord Mourngrym?" Delmair asked, holding the teacup carefully out in front of him

. The Lord of Shadowdale nodded

"1 meant to speak to you earlier understand I am expected

Lord Mourngrym smiled

. Sit, if you would, and tell me why you've come

visit the china you hold!"

Delmair sat handed me this return it to you

"My thanks," Mourngrym replied, waving a hand in a signal with a tray of cheese, bread, and chilled wine, the guards began to silently file out

. In a breath or two, they were alone

"Eat," Mourngrym said, taking up a slice of cheese, "and tell me of your

purpose

Delmair set the teacup and saucer down carefully on the nearest empty chair,

and said, "I am heir to the House Rallyhorn

Azoun to administer my lands have now agreed to allow me to avenge my

father's death

"Regents?" the Lord asked

"I-I never knew her long before my father's death I know not why

"You are now of age?" Mourngrym asked

"Yes, Lord," he said wryly . "I have not been allowed to travel before, but Lord Huntsilver that journeying would be good for me of the things about the world that cannot be taught by mere words and lessons

. "Ah, I met the Knights of Myth Drannor on the road

. Elassa-ah, your guardcaptain, at the bridge

. Speak freely, please

." He cleared his throat nervously, as Moumgrym frowned

- chief among my regents -

. "Aye, though I confess I know not the reason for your

. "What of your mother?"

. My mother, the Lady Shalrin, sickened and went away,

. They do not speak of her much in Rallyhom Hall

; I am Delmair Rallyhorn, of Cormyr

and where came you by

. As a servant came in

. I-the regents appointed by King

. Delmair nodded

has evidently come to hold the opinion

. He said it was high time I learned some

. I

. One of them

- suggested I

. Night On The Cold Hillside

he room was quiet and dim, its ceiling lost amid banners high overhead

Rows of benches faced a dais where impassive guards stood, behind highbacked chairs man with a mustache crockery in midair, by the mill

. Rising from one of them to greet him was an elegant, dark-haired

. He looked sterner than when he'd been juggling floating

Moumgrym smiled mers ago

death

Delmair spread his hands where

gave it, the Lord Regents told me, to someone he loved and trusted above all others, ere he died greatest sage of the Realms and who it is that wears this ring

." He handed Delmair a goblet

. I know of no Cormyrean noble who fell here, of any name or lineage

. I know only that I can trust whoever it is that wears my father's ring

. "This all sounds familiar

. "My father fell somewhere near at hand

. . .

. Everyone says that Elminster of Shadowdale is the

. I came in hopes that he knows of my father's fall,

; I was in your boots only a few sum-

. "But you spoke of avenging your father's

; I know not

. He

;

"Everyone, it seems, comes to Shadowdale in hopes that I know something," said a familiar voice, dryly happy if I gave easy and ready answers-and made it all up

Delmair turned sufficient light let him see the Sage of Shadowdale clearly

A thin, snow-bearded, distinguished-looking old man in nondescript robes stood amid the tapestries behind the dais like a watchful shadow gathered Delmair's gaze irresistibly, seeming to stare right into his mind

Delmair shuddered, hand automatically reaching for sword-hilt . The old man's gaze stopped that hand cold with Delmair's trapped gaze

"Well met, Delmair Rallyhorn," Elminster of Shadowdale said wryly House Rallyhorn, of Cormyr own

. We have anticipated thee

long years

The Old Mage nodded at a long bundle of cloth on a chair nearby followed his gaze down only reluctantly, but once he looked at the bulky roll of gray cloth, he could not tear his eyes away

His father's magical blade, whose merest touch could destroy undead Regents had thought it lost forever

"There it is," Elminster said simply

Delmair did not move a long breath, and then swallowed, raising his eyes again to meet Elminster's bright gaze Malithra Undra," he said, quietly but formally father's death, and I ask you, great sage, to tell me where I might find this lich

Elminster nodded

"Tonight?" The boy paled

"Aye

. Why waste time over such things? The blade's touch will destroy undeath

this power is true and undiminished

Delmair hesitated sage had given that word

Elminster shrugged

. For the first time, the lack of a cowl and the presence of

: Dhauzimmer, the Bright Blade

. "They said my father died of fright, when he went to slay the lich

. "I can even take you to where it lairs, tonight

. "'Should'?," he echoed, hearing the slight emphasis the old

. "I've oft wondered, know ye, if they'd all be just as

. Hawk-like eyes

. Then he nodded, sardonically, eyes still locked

. "Head of the

. Son and heir of Roaril Rallyhorn, come to claim thy

. Look

; thy father's sword, kept safe for ye these

. Delmair

. The Lord

. It was real

. "Take it

. He stared at the wrapped, hidden sword for the space of

. The deed should prove simple

. "We shall see," was all he said

. The tale, then, was all real

. "I have sworn to avenge my

;

he Old Mage stepped unsteadily up onto the table unnoticed amongst the tumult in the Feast Hall

following scarcely to be heard through all the chatter and drunken laughter looked all around at the scene, smiled once or twice, and then raised a hand

"Be still," he said mildly, in a quiet voice calm tones to every comer of the room the Hall

"Well met," Elminster said

any replies or comments, and he went on, "But I have one man here with me who is probably unfamiliar to ye all

He turned and beckoned to Delmair, who stood, face flushed, his father's sword

bear it forward to where Elminster stood

the stares on him much heavier than he'd ever felt in the courts of Cormyr

"This is Delmair Rallyhorn, of Cormyr us all

Elminster gestured imperiously, and Delmair obediently stepped on a chair and clambered up onto the table to stand beside the Old Mage

and he followed Elminster's gesturing hand to stare out at the Hall from his new vantage point

All of the folk there at their head

The Old Mage met his eyes and said firmly, "Later

. Someone coughed, once, and all was still

his sword, now

. Slowly

Delmair stared at them, over a sudden lump in his throat

He saw tears glittering in the eyes of some of the old men, and saw nods of respect and silent prayers being mouthed

mean so much to these people?

He turned to Elminster, a question in his eyes, and opened his mouth to ask

Delmair did as he was bid-and the world whirled lights, Delmair saw Alyth come into the hall, her mother behind her eyes were wild across it."Noooo!"

Her despairing scream echoed through Delmair's head as he fell, tumbling endlessly through blue mists

as Moumgrym had ordered him to walk-Delmair strode

were silently raising their hands to him in the warriors' salute

. As the lights whirled up and hid her face, he saw terror flash

. Dancers whirled about the room, the music they were

. Some trick of magic carried those

and an instant later, a hush fell upon

. "I think ye all know me

naked and glittering in his hand, as Thurbal had told him to

. It seemed a very long way, and the weight of

. His is the Drawn Sword this night, to save

even the Tower guards and the bards, Storm Silverhand

. What was going on? Why did this

. . . .

." His steady gaze forestalled

. It creaked, once

. Now, take my hand

. Amid sudden flashing blue

. Her

;

-0j

lue mist swirled and was gone . There was hard rock under his boots

Delmair blinked

Pale moonlight touched the trees around them, where a moment before he'd been looking at the warm torchlit walls within the Tower hefting the splendid sword that was now his own, and tried to see into the deep

gloom of the night-cloaked woods all around

He stood with the Old Mage on a rocky hilltop, somewhere in the wilderlands, far from roads and lights . A dark forest stood all about them seemed thinner, broken by piles of tumbled stone saw turrets, spires, and broken walls

Elminster let go of the boy's arm as Moondown Hill," he said quietly

Delmair gulped and stared wildly all around

Something moved in the night darkness of the trees, flapping heavily towards them . The young warrior gulped, found his mouth suddenly very dry, and raised an unsteady hand to point Elminster did not move

Delmair tasted cold fear, and turned frantically

"the large, dark thing approaching on its leathery wings . His face was calm,

bored

. Delmair tried to speak, but managed only a rough croak

hung in the air above them, close now -

Delmair saw red, hungry eyes and a flash of bared fangs down behind it as it came, cutting the air in lazy swings like a swimming snake, thick and strong, and

Elminster raised an eyebrow

Light pulsed and winked along the front of the black wings was gone, the night air suddenly empty

There was a shrill scream to the east something dark and flapping crash into a leaning stone spire

heavy sound as the monster that had menaced them impaled itself helplessly on

the stone, a choking, groaning noise - and then silence

Black wings hung limp flapped up from behind the spire and glided in to land on the black corpse,

claws out

. Delmair looked away as it began to feed

. Delmair blinked again,

; off to the east, it

a ruin? He peered, and

. . .

. Where were they?

. "Of old, this part of Myth Drannor was known

. "That which ye seek awaits here

. "M-myth Drannor?" He clutched at the blade he held, shivered,

something dark, rising menacingly out of the

. The Old Mage stood watching

. The creature

and then swooped

- and they were going to

. Delmair peered, trembling, and saw

. A moment later, something else dark and leathery

die!

. A long, forked tail hung

and abruptly it

. There was a wet,

even

A night breeze sighed around them, sending chilly fingers along their spines, and rustled away northwards among the trees

glance at Elminster wearing a bored expression as he looked east

He lifted a finger from his nose, suddenly, and silvery light pulsed out and lashed down into the rocks below them

snakelike that Delmair hadn't even seen thrashed and writhed in the radiance As the light faded and died, they sagged weakly, and fell back among the rocks

Elminster sighed his hands wide, and then raised one arm to point over his head

shimmered, and then night slowly returned

Elminster watched the barrier he'd raised fade into invisibility, nodded in satisfaction, and then said briskly, "Ah! Moonrise, lad!"

They stood together as the moon sailed out from behind spidery clouds and lit up the rock-strewn hilltop around them

heavy as Delmair held it naked length as his hands trembled

The Old Mage turned his head ye've seen bold warriors do, preening in taprooms and inns -

She'll come, fear ye not

Delmair looked at him, face white in the moonlight

Delmair heard rather than saw Elminster raise his eyebrows Malithra Undra was a noble lady, in life accordingly deep night abruptly returned

Delmair stood in terrified silence, staring into the darkness

Elminster sighed

the doing

Delmair looked at him, and then cleared his throat, raised his blade, and called, "Malithra Undra! Malithra Undra! Come forth! In my father's name, by the

memory of Roaril Rallyhorn, I call thee! Malithra! Come

Silence answered him

The young warrior looked uncertainly at Elminster, who nodded slowly and

silently, and pointed into the darkness in front of Delmair

Amid the moonlit rocks there, something moved approaching half-hidden in the nightgloom

skeletal face and cold, gleaming lights of eyes

." Moonlight came stealing back again, faintly

. The old wizard was scratching at the end of his nose,

. "Still a forest of fangs, I see

. Silver moonlight flashed and glimmered down its

. "Got thy sword? Good, then

. She'll come

." As he spoke, clouds shrouded the moon again, and the gloom of

. "Just call her name, will ye? 'Tis the waiting that terrifies,

. The breeze died, and the night grew dark and still

. Delmair shivered, and snatched a

. The dark coils of something large and

." He murmured something, spread

. The air

. Dhauzimmer was cold, hard, and very

. Lean on it, like

and call her out

. "She?"

. "Didn't ye know?

." He snorted . "Conduct thyself

. "W-where is her tomb?"

forth!"

. Something tall and thin,

. . .

. Something in grey skirts with a

not

~Oj

Delmair, raising his sword grimly, met those flickering eyes, and trembled in sudden, cold terror

. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out

Whimpering inside, he urged himself into wild flight away from those old, coldly

knowing eyes - but his knees seemed turned to stone

them tremble

He tried to tear his gaze away, and look to Elminster for help

terror sank into utter despair

. A low, soft voice, grating from disuse, came out of

the darkness from the figure advancing on him, and he heard the words it spoke

"Well met, old friend

. It has been too long since last you came, but glad I am to

; he could only make

but his growing

see thee! And who is this that you have brought? Who would summon me in Roaril's name? Do please introduce us

Delmair managed a whimper, then

. He would have fallen if Elminster's steadying

hand had not fallen on his shoulder, holding his sword arm immobile as the undead woman seated herself gracefully on a rock not three paces away, and smiled at them

. Her face was little more than bone, but long, flowing, grey-white hair swirled around her shoulders, and her thin-waisted, full-skirted gown of rotting, faded grey had once been very fine tiara, and on her hand was a ring that seemed somehow familiar

. She wore a gleaming but worn silver

"Delmair," Elminster said formally, "put up thy sword and make thy bow to

Malithra Undra, still a Lady of Cormyr

Somehow the skeletal face looked sad

before I died, and I have heard some of what was said about me

they would welcome me home, even were I alive and

. "Nay, old friend

- whole

. I left all that behind me

. I do not think

." She raised a

hand that was more bone than flesh to brush an errant lock of hair from her face as she spoke

. Most of it fell out at her touch

Delmair gulped speechlessly, but somehow found himself going to one knee, Elminster's firm hand on his shoulder forcing him down his sword, though

; even if the mage had betrayed him, Delmair Rallyhorn wasn't

. He kept a tight grip on

going to die without a fight!

"Not so, lady," Elminster said gently

. "I have spoken with Azoun this month past

. He assured me that though he could not ensure thy safety if ye came to Court, with all the headstrong and heavily-armed young nobles, War Wizards, and the superstitious Elite Guard (known as the Purple Dragons) who are always hanging about, he would make ye most welcome as befits thy family, thy title, and thy good character and loyalty to the Crown, as made known to him by his late father, and by Vangerdahast, his Court Wizard

heir, that ye might know who carries on thy lineage now

. He even bade me to bring ye thy

There was a little silence, and then the undead creature replied huskily, "Gods

thank thee, Elminster Trueheart, as I thank thee!"

From the sobbing tone, Delmair realized she was weeping on his shoulder, steered him to a seat upon a large and cold rock

. Elminster's hand, still

. Delmair gripped Dhauzimmer tightly, and wondered just who in the name of all the gods this creature of undeath was

"Delmair," Elminster asked gently, "does destroying a lich still seem so simple a thing as it did when ye set out from Rallyhorn Hall?"

Delmair stared at the grey, half-seen thing facing them and licked his lips

what

is she? How does she know you?"

"We are old friends," Elminster replied, "and the Lady Malithra is an archlich put it very simply, a good lich

. But where are thy manners, lad? Ye speak of her

"Who

; to

as if she were a hound or a horse, or not here! Speak to her thyself, and civilly! Hast a tongue still, lad, surely?"

Delmair stared at him for a moment, and took a deep breath

. Then he turned back to face the grey-gowned archlich, met those cold lights of eyes as steadily as he could, and asked, "Pray forgive me, lady

. I did not mean to offend

. I this is my first journey alone in the world, and I am unsure of what is properly said and done father's sword

. I will tell thee truth

: I came here to destroy thee, with this

. What can you tell me of his death, to stay me in avenging his

honor...and winning my own?"

There was silence lad

. Pray forgive me, Malithra

. After a very long stillness, Elminster said, "That was well said,

; I did not mean to hurt thee by this visit

"No forgiveness is due either of ye," came a very quiet reply, and her voice told Delmair that the lady archlich had been weeping again late enough as it is father's bane evil of lawless men, that brought about his fall

She stood up darkness

alone

. "Fourteen attacked him, down there

. I heard him cry out, but was too weak to aid him, because of had become stand among these rocks

." Her voice grew stronger

. "Know, Delmair, that I was not thy

. He came here because of me, but it was pure mischance, and the

- Delmair's heart leaped in sudden fear ; outlaws, brigands

. He struggled all the way up to where we sit, here, and made his

. They fled at last when he defied them with two blades

. "This meeting comes

and pointed into the

. He was one,

what I

through his body, fighting on until they screamed that he must be undead or worse, and fled

Moondown, by his hand that day

She sat down again hero or no, he still died, and I could not save him

. At least, six of them fled

. Thy father died a hero, Delmair

. The rest died here, all over

. Her voice, when it came again, was much smaller

. "And yet,

; 25 ~0

$ 26 ~0

He was sorely hurt, Malithra," Elminster said gently

thy magic could never have been enough with the wounds he bore

"I know that," said the archlich fiercely, her hair billowing around her halfskeletal face in a sudden shaft of moonlight, "and yet it makes the memories no

. I know now what it means to have a great shadow upon one's heart,

easier lying over all one's days and deeds

done makes it no easier!" She fell silent in the darkness went again, and the wind sighed amid the rocks

"Delmair," Elminster said suddenly, "what else would ye speak of, besides thy father's fall? Thy regents sent ye to learn of the world, beyond lessons an opportunity few will have, who walk the Realms this night

"Me?" Delmair asked

"Tell me of yourself, Delmair," said the archlich with sudden fierceness

was your youth like, in Cormyr? What is the kingdom like now? What are the

women wearing? What jests do the men trade when they think the women cannot hear? Who feuds with whom? Who is rich, and what do they waste their

coins on? I am so

Delmair stammered and stumbled and then found himself talking, answering endless questions about life in Rallyhorn hall, and the doings and rumors of

. Later, Delmair thought of things to ask, and did . Elminster sat nearby,

Cormyr smoked a noisome pipe that sent green smoke curling up around them, and

said little

The other two talked long, the archlich telling Delmair of kings now dust and deeds of long ago, until at last pale grey dawn lightened the easting sky, and

morning chill awakened the mists

. "What would I want to know, that

Delmair!

lonely,

. To know that there was nothing I could have

Tell me!"

. "The failure was not thine

. Moonlight came and

; here is

. Speak!"

. .

.?"

. "What

Elminster smiled

when ye can, and I'll bring ye here again

The Old Mage ran his fingers through his long beard and added, "Come not alone, though

; Lady Malithra is not the only lich in Myth Drannor

than liches, too-and far worse than the thing that wanted ye for evenfeast

They walked for a while, westwards through the trees, leaving the haunted ruin behind

. From its depths, something shrieked, unearthly and high . Delmair

shivered, but did not look back

"So,"

the Old Mage asked gently," do ye still feel a need to avenge thy

father's death?"

Delmair nodded." grimly

. Cold light flashed far behind them, in the ruins . lie looked back this

time, but saw only shattered spires reaching towards the stars like blackened fingers protruding vainly out of a grave

Elminster shook his head one-for she and thy father were very close

"They were?" Delmair asked, remembering the familiar ring on the archlich's bony finger

Elminster sighed thy mother was? The Lady Malithra Undra Shalrin Rallyhorn, once a sorceress of

pride and power in Cormyr, who fell very ill and went away to die Art to achieve lichdom, but could not save her lord's life

Delmair gasped

Elminster smiled."Ah," and use the spell that would take them back to Shadowdale and Alyth, "there's that

fools' word

. "Ah, then ye have learned something

I must hunt down the bandits who escaped him," he said

. "None still live

. It was the Rallyhorn Ring!

. "Lad," he said despairingly, "Did they not even tell thee who

. "Malithra my

: 'cannot

.' Ye haven't learned all that much about the world yet, after all

mother?

he said simply, reaching out a hand to grasp Delmair's arm,

. Malithra found and slew them, one by

It cannot be!"

. Come back to visit

. It hides worse things

. She used her

nd in the end Delmair sheathed his father's sword, and bid the half-skeletal

L 11ich both him and Elminster good-bye and gods-speed

Delmair's cheek, that faded very slowly

"Come and visit me, when you can," she said the stars to talk to

leaving them alone in the brightening morning

Delmair stared after her for a long time without speaking

beside him in companionable silence, until Delmair stirred and sighed

scares me very much, and yet I like her, and am proud that she calls me friend The world is stranger than I thought

glad parting

. She rose in a silent shifting of grey skirts, bent, and kissed

. tier lips left a chill tingling on

. "It can be lonely here, with only

." She turned silently then, and went away underground,

. Elminster stood

. "She

of27~o

Cq 28 ~O

INTRODUCTION

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER 111

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER III

DRANNOR

computer role-playing adventure based on the popular ADVANCED

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS• 2nd

Edition rules and on an original

story created for this game . The

action takes place in and around Myth Drannor, located in TSR's FORGOTTEN REALMS@ game world

Everything in from your point of view trees pass by as you move through

the forest around Myth Drannor up items and take them with you Open doors with keys, by pressing buttons, or by pulling release levers See monsters draw nearer to you

and close in for battle . Attack with the weapons your characters have in their hands

clerics' or paladins' holy symbols

and your mages' spell books

in the front of the party may attack

with weapons such as swords and

maces, while characters in the rear

ranks may attack with spells, ranged

weapons (such as bows and slings),

and polearms

is an all 3-D, Legend Series

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER III

. Cast spells with your

World

: ASSAULT ON MYTH

. Watch the

. Pick

. Those

What Comes

with This Game?

In addition to this rule book, your

game box should contain the game

disks and a data card book explains how to play, and gives you valuable reference information on characters, monsters, and spells

. This rule

. The disks

contain the game by following the instructions listed on the data card explains how to get right into the game with the pre-built party

. Install the disks

. The data card also

Copy Protection

There is no physical copy protection on your so please make copies and put the originals away for safekeeping

To assure that you have a legitimate

copy of the game there are verification questions during the game a question appears you must find the appropriate word in the rule book, and then give the correct answer

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

III disks,

. When

Getting Started Quickly

A saved game containing a pre-built

party comes with your game

right into the game, load this saved game following the instructions on your data card

You may also transfer your

THE BEHOLDER

See the data card for detailed

instructions

II party to this game

. To get

EYE OF

Clicking with Your Mouse

Throughout this book, the term

"click" means move the cursor to the desired area and then press either the left or right mouse button

"Right-click" means move the cursor to the desired area and press the right mouse button

"Left-click" means move the cursor to the desired area and press the

left mouse button

-m Character Generation Screen r,

CREATING A NEW PARTY

You must generate four characters to

have a complete party

of races and classes is essential to completing the adventure

classes such as fighters, paladins, and rangers are needed to deal with the many horrors that block your

path . Clerics and mages support the quest with their magical abilitiesclerics have powerful healing and

protective spells, while mages attack with mystic force when progress is barred by a locked gate for which the party has no key

This section contains basic

instructions for creating a new

party

. For detailed information

about selecting characters for a

party, see "More About Your Party" on page 31

. A good mix

. Warrior

. Thieves are handy

Generating Characters

To create a character, click on one of the four character boxes you have chosen a box, choose the new character's race and gender, class, alignment, and portrait can click on the Back button to change your last choice

. After

. You

Race

There are six races of characters to

choose from

„

d„Gnome

Human

Half-Elf

„

Elf

„

Dwarf

„A Halfling

Each race has unique advantages and characteristics

. Different races

are eligible for different classes and

each has unique modifiers to ability

+ 35 hidden pages