From: alaric@sti.com (Alaric Tekiahyn)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.cloven-shield
Subject: Re: [Chalamar] Sam's shoulder
Date: 9 Jan 1993 01:25:18 GMT
Organization: Software Transformation, Inc.
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: smurf.sti.com

In article <1993Jan8.132013.6661@ultb.isc.rit.edu>, jempci@ultb.isc.rit.edu (J.E. Mason) writes:
] "So, if the poles are equal distance from everywhere in the plane," Dint
] ponders, "we are where we started from?"  He shakes his head, sending 
] bread crumbs flying (and raining down on Sam).  This was too strange a concept
] for the confused dwarf.

"Well...  not exactly," Alaric replies.  "We've physically travelled a good
 twenty leagues from our starting point, by my best estimate.  However, we
 have not yet made any appreciable progress toward our destination.  We
 will make up most of the distance as we pass through the polar regions."

He spreads his hands apologetically.

"Cadellin Silverbrow could probably explain it a lot more clearly than I
 can.  He has studied this plane in great detail, and understands a great
 deal about why it is the way it is, and why things happen here the way
 they do.
"Myself, I don't really understand it the way he does.  I just do it.  For
 me, it's a natural ability; all my kind are born to it."

] >"If you plan to use any of these rocks as a screen, be sure to give
] > them a wide berth, or you may find yourself unexpectedly meeting a
] > stone-viper.  Stone-viper bites are excruciatingly painful, and usually
] > fatal.  I am fortunate enough to have built up a resistance to the venom;
] > you do not have that advantage, so beware."
] 
] At the mention of stone vipers, Juel squeals with hunger and anticipation.
] Dint laughs, "We will take care of the vipers!  Venomous snakes are one
] of Juel *many* favorite snacks."  He and the young dragon head to the rocks.

"Hmmm....  I hadn't thought of that."  Alaric looks thoughtful, and amused.
"Dragonkind are generally immune to reptile venoms, as a rule.  Why should
 stone-viper venom be any exception?"

] "And don't worry about me," he chuckles over his shoulder, "I haven't met a
] poison yet, I didn't like!"

"Just be careful," Alaric warns.  "They're very quick, you know, and there's
 a first time for everything."

] Dint and Juel reach the boulders, and fall into a routine.  Juel crouched low
] while Dint rolled one of the boulders over, revealing its hidden treasure
] underneath.  If there were snakes, a flurry of activity ensued as Juel spang
] forth and gobbled up the hapless creatures.  Then Dint rolled the boulder
] back, placing it in almost the exact position it was in originally, as if
] it were very important to do so.  They only found two snakes, but that seemed
] to satisfy Juel.

[As well it should; a three-foot snake as thick as a man's thigh makes a
 pretty solid snack for a 25-lb. dragonet, I should think.]

] Dint walked back to the party, Juel on his shoulders.  
] 
] "All clear."

"I should perhaps have suggested you save the heads," Alaric observes,
somewhat ruefully.
"An alchemist who knows how to put them to use will pay a thousand gold or
 more for a fresh set of stone-viper venom sacs.  I'll bet that was the most
 expensive meal Juel ever ate."


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