The Dungeons and Dragons On-Line Cartoon Fan Club Newsletter November/December 1998 Issue #9 ******************************************** "For my book report, I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It was very very good. Have you read it Mr. Garrison?" "No, I can't say that I have." " Oh, good! In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a bunch of uh, hippies, walk around and paint stuff. They eat lunch, and then they find a magical camel, which they have to eat to stay alive. And that's pretty much it, I give it a B minus." "And I give you an F, Eric, now sit down!" -- the one and only "Cartman's Book Report", from South Park *********************************************** Welcome, one and all! Here are the poll results from last's issue's D&D Live- Action Movie Casting Call! And to those of you who wrote in asking me if I had any news about the actual movie, all I can say is: I WISH! If I won the lottery, I would buy the rights to the characters from whomever it is who owns them now, so that we could actually make a movie! But until that happens, no, I haven't heard any news. It seems like a pretty obvious blockbuster idea, but apparently no one has noticed of yet. Anyway, here are the results: (1) Hank should be played by: Well, it's a resounding 'yes' to America's most popular dashing blond hero, Leonardo DiCaprio! Leo won out with half of the votes. Up-and-coming Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek got 38% of the vote. One of the most interesting casting suggestions in the poll was in this category, where a voter gave two thumbs up for Jerry O'Connell (from the series 'Sliders'). Have to say I hadn't thought about that one, but Jerry does have a great heroic-yet-the-weight-of-the-world-is-on-his-shoulders quality in the character he plays that he could carry off the role of Hank pretty darned well. (2) Eric should be played by: Xander fans unite! Nicholas Brendon, wisecracking and sarcastic sidekick of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, won out with 50% of the vote in this category. The witty Joshua Jackson, Pacey from the show Dawson's Creek, received 30% of the vote. Some other suggestions in this category included Ben Savage ("Boy Meets World") and Johnathan Taylor Thomas from "Home Improvement", who also garnered votes in the Presto category as well. (3) Sheila should be played by: This was a landslide victory for Claire Danes, who received a whopping 72% of the vote. Since she and Leo have already proven their on-screen chemistry in "Romeo and Juliet", the dynamic between her Sheila and Leo's Hank would be very, very interesting. :) Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar received 19% of the vote. There was one write-in vote that was actually against one of the nominees, from Patrick Drazen -- "One vote AGAINST Alicia Witt; I love her work, but her voice is pitched about an octave below Sheila's voice in the series. She may also be too old by now to play it. Now, Christina Ricci MIGHT be able to pull it off." (4) Diana should be played by: There was a tie in this category: both Tatyana "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Ali and gymnast Dominique Dawes received 33% of the vote. There were several concerns voiced about whether or not Dominique has the acting ability to play Diana, but Patrick Drazen made another good point when he said, "Here the casting should focus not on the face but on the body; Diana is a gymnast and needs to look it. Dawes, although not exactly a thespian, may have the right look, although I haven't seen here since Atlanta (96)." The other category got one interesting vote for the actress who played the rival slayer in last season's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was athletic AND an actress. Food for thought. (5) Presto should be played by: This was a close one, but Boy Meets World's Rider Strong edged out Johnathan Taylor Thomas for the win in this category, 56% to 44%. (6) Bobby should be played by: I guess he'll have the hero thing pretty much down after working on the next Star Wars movie, so if he ever wanted the role, you all think that Jake Lloyd would be the best Bobby (with 56% of the votes). Justin Cooper ("Liar Liar") received 33% of the vote. There were several other suggestions for Bobby, including "that kid from Home Alone 3" and the kid from Jerry Maguire (don't know either one of their names, though)... It also looked as though I left some pretty important characters out, doh! Here were some of your suggestions for DM and Venger: "Venger -- Frank Langella (if you saw his performance as Skeletor in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: the Movie, you can understand why he is the ONLY choice for the role of Venger!). Dungeonmaster -- Billy Barty (if you saw his performance as the Grand High Elwyn in Willow, you can understand why he would be the epitome of Dungeonmaster.)" -- Sterling Coleman "I think that James Earl Jones would make a great voice for Venger, and Frank Oz would make a GREAT voice for the DM as well...you never know, but maybe the DM might be a puppet just like Yoda from Star Wars." -- Grant Foster "I happen to think that Nigel Bennett (aka LaCroix from Forever Knight) would be an excellent Venger." -- Barbara (dotdot00@aol.com) Thank you one and all for your responses! Let's keep our fingers crossed that maybe someday, we might get to see these great actors and actresses in a D&D movie! :) ****************************************************************** D&D Cartoon News Corner! This is a new area of the newsletter where fans can send in news, updates, or any questions they would like to pose to fans in general. If you have an item to contribute, please send it to me by January 5th. Thanksabunch! D&D Marathon a Success On October 11th, D&D fans from the Wilmington/Philadelphia area gathered for a true test of fandom -- watching all 29 episodes back to back. It took 9 1/2 hours and more than 30 people came for at least parts of the marathon, with about 10 people sticking it out through the whole thing. We had a 60" TV, snacks, quizzes, and a really good time. If any of you out there on the newsgroup came, thank you very much for helping make the event an outstanding success! Jadehunter ******************************************************************* D&D Cartoon Fan Fiction Corner In this issue, you'll find Part 2 of "The Ties that Bind", as well as Part 3 of Mike Bugg's Curse of the Warduke sequel, "The City of Silver Fire". ******************************************************* Disclaimer: Same as Part 1, pretty much. Most of this section is written by Sorka (http://www.cybercomm.net/~rhiannon/sorka.html; rhiannon@cybercomm.net) and I thank her for letting me work with it. D&D is owned by TSR and Marvel, and, sadly, not to me. Oh well. Please send your comments to Jadehunter@msn.com. I live for feedback. Breaking the Ties that Bind by Jadehunter and Sorka Part 2: The Choosing --------------------------------- They bought food and beds for the night. When the young barmaid came back, her tray heavy with bowls of rich stew , the crowd had increased significantly. Most simply ignored them, while others cast appraising glances at them. “Are you here for the Choosing?” She asked, returning with drinks for them. “Choosing?” Hank asked. “Yes. When masters of the different crafts come looking for apprentices. Didn't you know?” “Actually no.” Eric said “ We've never even heard of any Choosing. Are you a candidate?” She smiled brightly. “Yes. All the young people are eligible. Even you ... if you don't already have a master.” “No . We don't have a master.” Sheila said sharply. The girl was taken aback by her harsh manner. Sheila caught the startled looks on her friends’ faces, but she didn’t care. She glared back at them and went back to her food. “When is the Choosing to take place?” Hank asked with an apologetic smile. “Tomorrow. For the first time in years, there are more masters than hopefuls. We all have a chance of getting picked.” She glanced wistfully at a large table with several men and women in deep discussion. Obviously, these were some of the masters. “Maybe I won't end up as waiting tables for the rest of my life.” One of the other patrons signaled to her and she was off again. The next day, the whole town turned out to witness the Choosing ceremony. It began with all the Hopeful standing in a loose line as the local priest blessed each of them. The five companions stood off to one side, watching with varying degrees of interest. The Masters then, one at a time, walked down the line. The ones that chose would stop in front of their chosen and tap them on the shoulder. That child would then leave the line and follow his or her new master down the length of the line to the cheers of his or her family. The others simply walked down the line to the other end. A few of the masters kept looking over at the companions. As the last of the children where chosen, there was a great cheer from the townsfolk. The priest raised his hand for silence and the crowd quieted down. “‘Tis a time of great rejoicing.” he began, his voice quavering with age. “But it is also a time of sadness, for those chosen today will leave on the morrow to begin the training. For some, it is but a short journey to visit family and friends. For others, this will be the last time they see their loved ones.” He paused as his words sank in. “Tonight, let there be a celebration so they may carry with them joyous memories of home ‘til they return.” With that, the musicians that had waited to one side during the ceremony struck up a lively tune, and the crowd cheered again as the festivities began. Some time during the party Sheila slipped away unnoticed. She needed to get away from the crush of people in the town square. Taking a pathway between two buildings, she headed for the stockade fence. When she reached it, she found hand holds in the posts and started to climb. “Not bad....” a voice said, somewhere to her left. Sheila yelped and almost lost her grip as she turned toward the voice. “Good recovery too. For a beginner.” The voice belonged to a man dressed all in black. Standing in the long evening shadows, he was almost impossible to see. The only thing that gave away his presence was a streak of white in his otherwise dark-brown hair. He wore leather armor, yet he managed to move without making a sound. He walked toward her slowly, his steps silent on the packed earth. “Well, don't you have anything to say, girl?” he asked as he helped her down from the wall. “I-I didn't think anyone saw me leave the square.” Her voice faltered. She was none too happy about getting caught. He smiled. “Only because I was watching for a move like that from one of the Chosen. Not all are happy with their new professions.” He gave her an appraising look. “But you aren't one of the Chosen. You arrived yesterday from the wilderness with those others.” It wasn't a question, just a statement of facts. Sheila nodded, her heart sinking. ‘Now I'll never get out of here,’ she thought unhappily. “Now, truth be told, I really don't care why you’re sneaking away. But I will tell you right now that you won't last out past those wall more than a few hours, not without some kind of protection.” His face was a mask but his gray eyes seemed to show real concern. She sighed “I had protection not too long ago, but it came at too high a price. I gave it up.” She hoped that this man didn't push for more answers. To her relief he simply nodded. “Well, to start off, if you think I stopped you out of a kind heart, you’re wrong. I did it for purely selfish reasons.” His demeanor was more serious now and very business-like. “I'm a Master in my profession, like those in the square. But unlike them,” he added with a wry smile, “I can't exactly go to a Choosing. I'd be run out of town if they knew what I did.” He made the exaggerated sigh of the long-suffering, and continued before Sheila could say anything. “However, like all Masters, there comes with time a need to pass on what you know. I have that need, while you look like you need training.” Sheila felt as though she should take offense at that. Yet she was intrigued by what he was saying. “First, are you now under the teaching of a master?” He asked bluntly, and Sheila realized that this was not the time to lie. . “I was under the guidance of one called the Dungeon Master. My friends and I left him less than a week ago.” Her voice held barely-controlled venom behind each word. His mask fell for an instant, his face a mixture of shock and distaste. Then the mask was back. Sheila wondered at what she had seen. “So you have no ties to him?” he asked pointedly. “None.” she replied firmly. He gave her a searching look, but he seemed satisfied with what he saw. “I tell you now that I am a thief. I tell you this, for I may not take a student without giving them the knowledge of what I do. It wouldn’t be…” that wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth again, “…ethical. Now, I see a lot of potential in you. Potential that would otherwise be wasted.” Sheila looked off into the night, thinking it over. For a moment she had been repulsed by the idea of a Master, but she knew that she could not survive on her own. Thief was the name that He had given her, no matter what she had wanted, but He had taught her nothing. Only her cloak had made her thief-like. But this stranger was offering her the chance to learn. He promised to teach her all he knew. She didn't know what she was getting into. But then, she thought darkly, neither did he. Amused at the thought, she smiled a little. Perhaps if she became a thief, became one of the shadows, then maybe she could enjoy the light again. If not, the darkness was wide and secret and big enough to hide in forever. She squared her shoulders, looking the stranger straight in the eyes. “I would willingly learn all the skills you would like to teach me. If you would take me as your student.” He gave a warm, friendly smile, and placed his right hand on her shoulder. “Then I take you….what is your name girl?” “Sheila.” she told him. “Then I take you, Sheila, as my apprentice in all things that I may teach you. Now, as your Master, I, Randale, instruct you to say goodbye to your friends so that we may leave in the morning.” “Can't we just leave now?” she asked him. She really didn't want to face them. “No,” he said firmly. “You must take your leave of them so that they will not search for you. Do you understand?” Sheila slowly nodded, and he smiled again. “Don’t worry. I'll be with you. Now that you’re my apprentice, they can't force you to go anywhere.” To her surprise she wasn't the only one that had been approached by a Master. Presto, who was talking with Eric, had a middle-aged woman hovering protectively behind him. He didn’t look very happy, but seemed otherwise okay. Hank, eyes aglow with anticipation, was talking to a woodsman with a bow at least five feet long, while Diana spoke animatedly with a woman dressed in a combination of chain and leather armor. They all turned as she approached. “I was worried about you,” Hank said as she neared the group. “I was just taking a walk. I see that you've made a new friend,” she said quickly, changing the subject. Hank smiled as he looked over to the woodsman. “This is Donavan. He said he would like to take me as his apprentice.” He frowned, torn. “I wasn't sure if I should or not.” “Why not?” she asked. “It sounds perfect for you.” “I was worried about leaving you right now,” his voice cracking with concern for her. Then he turned to the rest of his friends. “Leaving all of you.” She smiled at him, her own pain fading a little at his words. “Don’t worry, Hank. I've been approached too. I was coming over to tell you, and to say goodbye.” “Goodbye? Just like that?” Hank was taken aback. She took his hand and pulled Hank aside, lowering her voice so that only he could hear her. “I need time, Hank. Time to heal. Away from all of you. Just being together hurts so much I can hardly stand it. Please understand. You’re my friends; I love all of you. But I need this. I think we all do.” He looked as though he was going to protest, but he remained silent. When she was finished he lowered his head, closed his eyes, and nodded. When he looked up again, there were tears in his eyes. He caught her up in a fierce embrace, holding her tight. “Take care of yourself then,” he whispered to her as he let her go. Sheila then made her farewell to the rest of her friends. It was a painful set of goodbyes, telling them each that she knew what she was doing, and not to worry. But that pain was overshadowed by the loss she still felt. This man behind her was the only thing that didn't hurt when she thought about him. She needed something to help ease the pain. She walked with Randale from the square to the inn, following him up to the sleeping room where he motioned for her to take one of the bunks. “We'll be leaving very early, so get some sleep.” Sheila did as she was told. “Where will we be going?” she asked once she was settled. He smiled at her. He had a nice smile. “You will need to learn the tricks of the trade, girl. For that I need to get you some proper clothing and equipment.” She started to protest, but he stopped her. “Your clothes are far too bright, not to mention they’re quite worn out.” She looked down and saw for the first time her threadbare appearance. She flushed deeply. “Not to worry. They'll last long enough.” He took the next bunk, laying down with his face towards the door. It seemed as though he was asleep within moments. Sheila watched him for the few moments that she stayed awake. She wondered at him, that he showed up just when she was about to leave. Perhaps this was just one of those fateful meetings that she had read about in stories. Whatever it was, she hoped that it was the right thing to do. The next morning when the others awoke, Sheila was gone. *************************************** “But, Hank, what about Eric?” Presto asked the next morning, concern filling his hazel eyes. “No one apprenticed him yesterday.” Eric frowned. He didn’t think anyone had noticed that…and was hoping they hadn’t. “Hey,” he said, puffing out his chest. “You don’t need to worry about the old Cavalier. I know exactly what I’m doing from here.” Diana looked up from the bunk that she was making. “And what are you doing, Eric?” Eric leaned against the doorframe. “Oh, I think I’ll just go find Tardos Keep. There’s a merchant caravan leaving straight there today. They owe us a few favors, and I intend to collect. I’ll be relaxing in the Royal Palace and you all will be sweating your time away as apprentices, fetching water and polishing boots. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to host a royal banquet if ever you’re in town.” The whole story was a lie, of course. Tardos Keep was seven hundred miles away, and the last time a merchant caravan went through this flyspeck town for there, Tiamat was still in her egg. But Eric refused to spoil the others’ chances by telling them. He had made up his mind to look for training some other way. This was definitely a change from the self-centered rich kid that he was when he first arrived. If someone had told him three years ago that he would willingly do this, he would have had that person’s head examined. Diana smiled, her first since Bobby had died. “That’s our Eric.” She picked up her small pack of possessions. Presto shook his head, trying to concentrate despite the distracting blue halo that surrounded Diana’s head. “I don’t know. Maybe I should go with you, Eric. I don’t really want to be a healer anyway.” It was true…he didn’t want to be a healer at all. Still, when Madeline asked him to be her apprentice, he figured it was his best shot at fixing whatever was wrong with him without bothering the others with it. He couldn’t exactly expect mighty wizards to show up looking for apprentices in little towns like this one. Eric held out his hand. “No way. You’d just slow me down. That healer woman seems pretty nice, and she lives just outside the town. You can go do something useful. And I heard she was a good cook. What more could you need?” ‘Besides,’ he thought, ‘maybe doing something different will get his mind off all that magic stuff.’ Hank stood up. “I think Eric’s right for once, Presto. If he’s found a merchant’s caravan, he should be safe from here to Tardos. And if you’re in Standwell, we’ll all be able to meet back here to see each other. It will almost be like having a home again. The rest of us don’t know where our new Masters will take us, but Madeline’s house is just outside the walls, and she’s not going anywhere. We’ll be able to come back and visit, or return if we get into trouble. She’ll know some way to reach the rest of us.” He laid a hand on Presto’s shoulder. “Besides, Donavan said we’ll only be going a couple of days journey from here. It will be good to see a friendly face once in a while.” Presto bowed his head. They were right. It was the best thing for now…more than they knew. Still, he didn’t want to say goodbye again. Finally, he shrugged, keeping his eyes on the floor. He noticed with amusement that even that had a greenish tinge, washed out by the white light around Hank’s boots. “I guess you’re right. You send messages to me with what you’re doing. I can get the word out to you about how the others are. Maybe I’ll even find out about where Sheila went.” He looked over at Eric. “If you get in any trouble, Eric, just scream, okay? I’m sure we’ll hear you from here.” He grinned crookedly. Eric smirked. “Believe me, if I see any more two-headed dragons or giant worms, you guys will be the first people I think of.”