From: garyp@gvls2.gvl.unisys.com (Gary Palangian)
Newsgroups: rec.games.moria
Subject: Winner
Date: 25 Jul 92 03:23:15 GMT
Organization: Unisys Defense Systems, Great Valley Labs, Paoli, Pa




Spoilers Follow....




It seemed so long ago: That day the sorceror had gasped "Bahlll.....
Rawg...."  as my sword pierced his chest.  But I'd remembered it well.
His eyes saw nothing, and his last breadth was spent.  "What...", I
thought, "does he mean to say."  Then I saw his fire die.  As I lay
down for my rest, his voice haunted me... "Bahlll..... Rawg....".
That noble sorcerer was too proud, too skilled, and too driven to
waste his last breath.  I felt terror as the words rolled around my
soul.  I was sure, even then, that I would learn the meaning of "Bahl
Rawg" only further down in this pestilent hole which would not set me
free.

The roar brought me back.  This was "Bahl Rawg".  It's black and
immoral mass loomed before me.  I was sure.  The immense demon reached
again as I fell to the floor to extinguish the flames of his first
attack.  Out the corner of my eye I glimpsed the rusty sword standing
as a tombstone at the Troll's remains: "Balrog" burned into the blade.
And I understood.

Though instinct had saved me again, I had to work my mind to find a
death for this foe.  And as I took a moment, it occurred to me that
this hole would not be a prison anymore after this day.

Fortunately I was well prepared.  My bag contained only the most
powerful magic and protection.  I had worked long and hard to amass
the collection for just this very moment.

Balrog swiped again.  My boots pulled me away: "Damn... You'd think
after all this time I'd have learned how to use these things."  I
grabbed my Wand of Drain Life, quaffed my steely skin potion, and let
into the beast.  The first blast surprised the demon.  His thoughts
wandered into my mind, "This spec is more than a bother... Shame he's
too small to eat."  I blasted again and again and again and again.  I
emptied one wand; then my other.  And still Balrog kept coming.  

Then a pause.  He reared back... I was sure he was mine... then he let
forth a breath of fire like I'd never known.  Even the mighty dragon
my avenger and I had felled did not match this blast.  I could feel my
tender skin under the steel sting like a blast from a dragon bat.  But
my steely skin kept me safe.  I reached for another potion of that
magical elixer and found I had none.  I read a scroll I had never used
but had heard many things about: The Rune of Protection appeared under
my feet and I could feel a strong shield about my body.

And I had more magic... I pulled three chromium wands from my bag.
Each cast made the Balrog shudder as his evil melted into nothingness.
I drained all three and stood in awe of the mighty creatures stamina.

I grabbed my cold ball wands.  All of them, and started again.  I
emptied two of them before Balrog's magic pulled me across the room.
My boots and rings allowed me to outmanoever the wounded beast.  I
jumped for my rune as Balrog sucked my magic sense dry.  He looked
larger than ever and I knew I could not let that happen again.  I let
loose with another cold ball wand and finished it.  I cast lighting
balls to keep my magic sense weak between the blue flashes from my
wands.  I emptied my fourth and was prepared to die.  The demon showed
no mercy and continued to swipe at me from about my rune.

My hand went to my sword: My sword that had brought down all manner of
man, beast and demon.  I was surprised at the strength with which
I could wield the Avenger: And I could hear it sing as I brought the
blade to its mark.

The swipe was good.  Not powerful, but fluid.  The slice came across
Balrog's groin.  He staggered; his eyes fixed on mine, and he
dissolved.  The death was not noble.  Then death was sad.  I felt only
remorse at what I had done.  The creature's eyes had said he was not
prepared to die.  He had no idea that an end to life even existed.  He
had never known the death he had caused so many times before.  He had
only known how to exist

Treasure, magically concealed before, now appeared about the den.  I
cared not.  I reached for those scrolls I used to visit town to
prepare me for braver battles in the depths of the dungeon.  This time
I read the words very slowly.  I knew that I would never be reading
them again.  I felt my body tingle.. and just as the magic took
effect... I grabbed an emerald near my feet.  This emerald from the
Balrog's den, the memory of the melancholy battle, and the haunting
words of the sorceror would be my keepsake.




 Name        : Tolmac                  Age          :     16   STR : 18/100
 Race        : Human                   Height       :     72   INT : 18/100
 Sex         : Male                    Weight       :    188   WIS : 18/100
 Class       : Ranger                  Social Class :     38   DEX : 18/100
 Title       : **KING**                                        CON : 18/100
                                                               CHR : 18/100

 + To Hit    :     16        Level      :     77    Max Hit Points :    446
 + To Damage :     17        Experience : 6904970    Cur Hit Points :    446
 + To AC     :     56        Max Exp    : 6904970    Max Mana       :    141
   Total AC  :     82        Exp to Adv :  91751    Cur Mana       :    101
                             Gold       : 820255

(Miscellaneous Abilities)

 Fighting    : Superb       Stealth     : Fair         Perception  : Superb
 Bows/Throw  : Superb       Disarming   : Superb       Searching   : Excellent
 Saving Throw: Superb       Magic Device: Superb       Infra-Vision: 0 feet

Character Background
 You are one of several children of a Yeoman.  You are a
 well liked child.  You have dark brown eyes, straight brown
 hair, and a fair complexion.
 

  [Character's Equipment List]

  a) You are wielding   : an Executioner's Sword (HA) (4d5) (+9,+10) [+2] 
                          (+2 to STR).
  b) Worn on head       : a Golden Crown of the Magi [0,+5] (+2).
  c) Worn around neck   : an Amulet of the Magi [+3] (+25).
  d) Worn on body       : Metal Brigandine Armor (R) (-3) [19,+10].
  e) Worn on shield arm : a Small Metal Shield (R) [3,+9].
  f) Worn on hands      : a Set of Leather Gloves of Slaying (+1,+1) [1,+8].
  g) Right ring finger  : a Ring of Speed (+1).
  h) Left  ring finger  : a Ring of Speed (+1).
  i) Worn on feet       : a Pair of Soft Leather Boots of Speed [2,+8] (+1).
  j) Worn about body    : a Cloak [1,+6].
  k) Light source is    : a Brass Lantern with 2142 turns of light.
  l) Secondary weapon   : an Orcish Pick (1d3) (+3,+8) (+5).


  [General Inventory List]

a) 4 Books of Magic Spells [Beginners-Magik].
b) 4 Books of Magic Spells [Magik I].
c) 3 Books of Magic Spells [Magik II].
d) 4 Books of Magic Spells [The Mages Guide to Power].
e) 22 Rations of Food.
f) 16 Flasks of oil.
g) 9 Scrolls of Word-of-Recall.
h) 3 Scrolls of Genocide.
i) 3 Scrolls of Rune of Protection.
j) a Wand of Cold Balls (0 charges).
k) a Wand of Cold Balls (0 charges).
l) a Wand of Cold Balls (0 charges).
m) a Wand of Cold Balls (0 charges).
n) a Wand of Drain Life (0 charges).
o) a Wand of Drain Life (0 charges).
p) a Staff of Teleportation (9 charges).
q) a Staff of Curing (3 charges).
r) a Staff of Dispel Evil (0 charges).
s) a Staff of Dispel Evil (0 charges).
t) a Staff of Dispel Evil (0 charges).