Kilvan's Cafe One. by Susan Van Camp

The battle was joined. From the archway poured the undead, madspawn and other creatures who were slaves to our prey. A grin crossed my face, now we would find that revolting necromancer and send it to the void!

I followed the warriors into battle, conserving my mystical strength until I saw the true enemy. My friends became bogged down in the masses of opponents and yet I could not see the enemy! Then, through the archway came a truly grotesque giant, and I knew my prey must be just beyond it! Then I saw my chance, signaling my intent I ran up the dragons body and leaped from his head, grabbing a handful of the giants hair I plunged my mystic dagger three times into its head! The creature screamed a death scream and I rode it to the ground. My fur was now covered in blood, gore and Elethay only knows what other putrid liquids, but as I looked I saw my prey.

I howled in satisfaction as I unleashed a torrent of wizardry and shamanism upon my unsuspecting enemy. I grinned as I watched the magic plow into him. Then I saw the awful truth. As he turned all of my magic I saw him smile, a toothy evil grimace I did not like. I saw his reply coming at me and it overpowered my defenses. I felt the sting of warp deep in my soul and I did not like it.

Now there was nothing in my world but he and I. The sounds of battle swirled around me, but I paid it no heed. I launched a second, even greater salvo of magic at my foe, knowing he could not long resist my onslaught. I felt a chill in my bones as he turned away almost all of my assault and retaliated with a salvo of his own. My defenses collapsed, my soul was on fire, my great werewolf body began to quiver as I realized I would soon be human again. I was in trouble. I dove away, out of his sight, looking about at the battle. At least I had kept him from assailing my compatriots. They had the minions well in hand. They said nothing about my cowering as they moved past me to pursue the necromancer.

He now had a pair of angry dragons after him and I could collect my thoughts. I repaired myself, gripped my dagger and slid in behind the dragons. I saw an opening, and, despite my frail human body, I rushed the necromancer, leading with spells I knew he would turn aside, I felt my magic dagger bite into his body twice. He noticed me, and now I thought I could see a flickering of doubt in those evil eyes. Suddenly I saw him no more, he teleported!

For a brief second I was relieved and then I felt his evil working behind us, attacking our trailing warrior. I moved first, charging back into the room of carnage I saw my compatriot swaying in pain some 30 feet from the necromancer. He was doomed if I did not act quickly. Summoning up the last of my magic I poured it all into the rocks at his feet, commanding them to rise up and crush him. For what seemed like hours our eyes locked as he brought his defenses up to stop my spell. Finally I felt him shudder and his defense collapsed. I saw his smirk wiped from his face as the stone crushed his body, forcing his spirit out in a death dance.

I rolled my eyes back and pursued him even onto the spirit plane, for he would be mine! Our spirits locked in battle as I tried to force his spirit into the void, destroying him utterly. But alas, I did not have the reserves to carry through the mission and I was forced back to my bleeding and bruised body. The last sight I have of him is that evil, disgusting smile as he said "I'll be back to see you!". Well pal, I won once, I'll win again and next time I'll save something to send you to the void with.

by Valarian Glyph master Rython (A character played by Mark Harmon) Rython, who his friends call "Pop" is a tough Werewolf, but basically a coward when in his native human body. He currently has 194 card points and the following primary items and cards:

Anchor cards: Remorseful Apprentice, Health, Scouting (He works alone too often), Witchcraft, Shamanism, Valarian Champion, Glyph of Mastery, Channel Link, Kasalorn's Gift, Kijon's Health, Ears of the Wolf.

Items: Book of Knowledge, Lightning Staff (Test Card), Greatbow, Book of Poetry he is writing entitled "Clouds in the Sky", and misc common items.

Rython likes to get mean and into Prime Werewolf as often as possible. He carries two Dual Casts, two Dual Actions and a Dual Strike for quick responses. He relies on Spirit Hammers to do his damage and has Earth Power to finish off stubborn opponents. Right now he needs to bolster his defense as he has few Dispel Magic and Deflections, preferring to deal damage. In the adventure above Rython had been loaned a Channel Dagger, but he had to give it back. Too bad too! That battle was the culmination of an adventure run by Susan Van Camp, and she almost handed Pop his head, again!

Dragon Storm is copywritten to Susan Van Camp, 1995