Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
From: pope@physics.su.OZ.AU (The Nightstalker)
Subject: The Nightstalker:  A creepy, but not gorey tale.
Message-ID: <1992May23.035607.9096@ucc.su.OZ.AU>
Date: Sat, 23 May 1992 03:56:07 GMT

>From down the stairs of the Inn, The Nightstalker walks into the bar.  He 
surveys the throngs of people and glances about coldly.  Once more the
stench of death is about him.

"The night is lonely for those who would stalk it in search of evil to 
destroy.  I have another takle for those who can stomach it.  It is not
too unpleasant."

He makes his way to a chair near the bar and Rowan supplies him with a mug
of ale.

"This city has many rich merchants, with more money than sense.  Some choose
to have their burial on the high seas, in rich funeral barges laden with 
trinkets from their life.  These are often plundered by poor fishermen, or
by the pirates and sea bandits who ply the oceans.  Well, news travels fast
in some corner of the city, and when an unnamed merchant passed from this  
world and was put to sea, there were many who sought to aquire the deceaseds
few possessions for their own.  Unfortunately for them, this was not easy, as
it would seem that there had been precautions taken, for there were reports
of deaths when such plunder was attempted.  The tales told of the dead man
himself rising to protect his fortune.  This to me was enough to investigate.
After my telling of the tale about my past misfortune, I left the Inn and went
down to the docks.  There I took on the form of a sea gull, and flew across 
the waters until I found the barge.  It was easy to find since it was 
surrounded by many small craft, full of slain bodies.  Upon closer inspection
they had all be neatly carved with a large sword, which put to rest my 
thoughts of a vampire.  What manner of creature could this be?  I entered the
barge, and could see why its contents were sought, for it was ladden with
many fine things, of gold and silver, jewels and ornaments.  Surely this man
had grown fat on the misery of others.  The body lay atop a fine bed, and
seemed to be decomposing, but more of that I leave to your imagintaion.  As I
approached, the body rose and stared at me coldly.  Surely this beast was
undead, but why?  It drew its sword and was upon me in an instant.  I drew
my own blade, Dragon's Breath, but did not envoke its flame for fear of 
burning down my surroundings around me.  It fought well, parrying many of my
blows, before I buried my blade in its chest.  It seemed that it was now
destroyed, but when I turned around to leave, I heard it rise again behind me.
I felt fear come over me, but I resisted and met its attack once more.  I
would have to use magic.  I blasted the thing with a bolt of lightening, and
its body shook and smoldered, but still it came on.  I lashed out with a kick
and broke its leg, the creature now staggered towards me.  It was now mine,
and with a final bow I removed its head.  Indeed a strange creature that is
dead, yet rises again and again. I had heard tale of it before, but had no
idea that such things were true.  Such is the power of evil.  Later I was
to find that it was his dying wish that he could protect the riches he had
accumulated in life, he wanted to take it with him.  But of course, you can't,
can you......"

With that, The Nightstalker rose and walked up the stairs.

"Pleasant dreams to you all, and be careful when going home...."


--
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*     The Nightstalker : Between the night and the light he walks.            *
*     "Now I know there is noone who is waiting, at the end of that long and  *
*      winding road."                                                         *
*******************************************************************************