- Arielle
- Hauntess
- Comet's storyteller
- Ypsy O Yew
- Covenant of Blood
- Kholoth/Gowron
- Zwack
- Gor'bladz
- Pict Hedgehog
- Misc
Tales from Passing Bards and Adventurers
Of a Tree that Spoke
a woodworker's tale
Once upon a time, in a kindom far away, there was a very upset king. The king was kind and jentle by his nature, and did not like to quarrel.
His kindom was peacefull and prosperous. King adored nature and took long strolls in his favorite forest, enjoying fresh air and breez smelling
of pines and delicate flowers. But there was one thing..a tree that grew deep in the forest. The tree was like a no ordinary tree, it was given
a magical gift : a mind and speech that of a human. The tree was very insulting and sarcastic, and everytime the king would pass by it, it never
failed to make a remark about him. The tree was bored and alone, for the squirrels fled it with horror and anger, and birds avoided it all together.
But the king loved his forest and that tree was a thorn in his side. And so, after hearing another series of wise remark, the king decided he had it!
He called out for lumberjacks and offered a generous reward for the nam who would cut down that annoying tree. Woodsmen rejoyced - some gold in a poor
man's pocket and its holiday for a week. And so they gathered one morning, all bearing their axes, poloshing then, spitting and polishing then again..
But as they started chopping it down the blades would slip right off the trunk and the tree got not even a scratch. They stood for an hour, scratching their
heads, cursing and spitting, and the tree went on with its insults and jokes, doing its best to anger the crowd. Finally the woodsmen came to conclusion:
they decided to call upon kindom's oldest lumberjack. He was known for his knoledge of trees, and especially for his rediculous tales after a mug of ale.
And so, lumberjacks found an old man in a tavern, sipping his ale and talking nonesence. The old man, hearing of a good reward gladly accepted the challenge,
and promising his friends to "finish his tale some other time" , hurried off to the king's forest.
When they arrived at the spot, all gathered around the tree, waiting to see what a wise old woodsman would do.But to their supprise,instead of an axe, the old man pulled out
a chair! He sat in front of a tree, pulled out a pipe, and after filling it and lighting it, spoke:
"Dear Tree! Let me tell you a story...." - and he went on..and on...and on..with a story so boring, that everyone around him including the tree started to
fall asleep. As the choir of snoring surrounded the old woodsman, and the tree closed its eyes falling asleep started leaning on its side. And alas! The roots pulled out of
the ground and the mighty tree fell to the old lumberjack's feet. People awoke from the sound, and rejoyced! The king danced and sang, for his torture (including
the old man's horribly boring tale) has ended.
And so, the king as promised rewarded all with a generous sum of money, but for the old lumberjack he did something special. He built a small tavern on the spot where
the tree used to grow, and named it after him. And so, the old man had a place to go to for a few free drinks and few forest animals to listen to his boring tales.
- Woodworker's Tales Vol 1.
A Story for Hauntess
by Ella
From Ella's Journal:
I entered this world with not much on my back or much in my bag. A fishing pole, dagger, 100 pieces of gold,
a candle to light the way. Somewhere I lost the candle but I have many friends who now light the way.
I don't remember where it was exactly I started out but I have been to many places. One of the first
kindly persons I met was Jackx who lives in Moonglow. He gave me a book, which was stolen when I was
murdered outside that very town. I have learned a lot since those early days. My fishing keeps me fed.
I have arrows for the bow I made. I have found that if you don't kill a raven right away they will attack you.
Chickens are eaiser to kill. Giving things to someone is tricky but I manage now. My first and best friends are
Esa Stewart and ian McKey, two young people who have given me a lot of advice. I met them in Trinsic and they
took me to Kinship Village, a wonderful changing small place with good people living there. Fingolfin and his
wife Mischa who have the Kinship Inn. Rook, Arc, Leah, to mame a few. Oh yes, there are monsters out there too.
An alligator thing, and ones that look like rocks walking around. Magic that can kill or cure you depending on
whether the person doing it likes you or not.
Britannia is a strange and wonderful place. A place where you learn or you die. A place where it is better to have
more friends than enemies. Kinship Village, A place that I love.
Ella
Realted link: Kinship Village @ UO Stratics
Nicol Bolas
by Hallowed Point (under the influence of Slayer)
High speed arrow at close range
Can damage the mind
Shattering the skull shredding the brain
Severing the spine
The mark of an arrow in your chest
It's quite an impression
Imagine the innards of you soul
The infliction
Instinctive agression
With intent to kill
No regard for human life
Or the blood spilled
Riddled convulsions
Confetti of flesh
Scattered helplessly
Loosing control of all physical
Facilities
The power of a bow
Used with conviction
Dispersed on excursions
Diffused compulsions
Unending repercussions
The power of a bow
Randomly kills it's victims
My sweet revenge
Bitter in depression
The thrilling release
Of a deep hated persuasion
Violent emotions
Screaming revolutions
Death ... and void
To make my hallowed point
--==Nicol Bolas==--
Under influence of Slayer
Demonic Pride
by Erdrick Ironwolf
This a a true tale of an event tat occured many a moon ago. Myself and a few friends were gathering to attack
a group of evil-doers known as SsS. There were only four of them armed with bows and we were many more. One of
us opened the portal to the battlefield... and we entered right in the middle of a magical fire field!
A few fled the battle and a few were picked off by the murderers. I ran off into the forest without being seen.
Once there, I conjured up two of my favorite pets. Daemons. I led them back to the battlefield where the Dread Lords
were gloating over their recent victory. I then unleashed my pets upon the unwary! They were a bit dazed by the attack,
giving me the chance to hide in between the hulking bodies of my creations. I almost killed two of them, had I not
kept switching their targets. They then healed each other and counterattacked, slaying my daemons. Knowing I was
outnumbered, I ran off to te woods again and wisked myself away back to the town.
A few days later, I was commended by another of their guild for the valiant effort. Tis a story I'll ne'er forget.....
From the Diary of Ranthir Venivrai
by Glen the Scholar
An Excerpt from the Journal of Ranthir Venivrai:
Thither I lie, hither I sleep..Mine eyes remain open
and displayed to their green brightness 'tis an equally bright
sky...
Ah. I didst rise for another day - happiness is achieved, methinks.
Mine thoughts dwell 'pon the business of herein day - Mining. Aye..
'twould seem my brother and I - we mine consistently these days.
Alack, herein he comes, his laugh doth reach mine ears but I do nay
reply - nay nay, indeed, I wish to lie and stare at this beautiful
blue oblivion that doth shine above me - an endless sky, what
can reach its level of beauty?
Ah, he doth shake me from my open-eyed slumber..I must rise.
Mine heart tells me to stay on mine bed of flowers and grass, it
spakes, a voice nay heard but felt - it tells me, 'Do nay move,
Ranthir. Nay nay, thine day wilst cause thee harm. Sleep, Ranthir,
sleep.'
"Rise, brother! Awake! We must shovel and smith - our stash of
weapons doth only hold a thousand of each item. We need more, Ranthir!"
Mine heart doth warn me of danger, but mine mind urges me to rise,
verily, mine mind doth control mine body - henceforth I rise...
...The mining proceeds. An endless cycle of gathering ore, and storing
it in our small cottage. - a noise doth reach me!
Adventure? Mine heart perks up. For'n this area, an abandoned
stretch of land on the outskirts of Trinsic - adventure doth nay
rear it's beautiful head to mine eyes, nay...
...mining does; however..
The footsteps neared, alack, cometh herein the grassy plain..A orange
clad woman. Her eyes wickedly twinkle, her bow pointing at my head.
She spakes words - but mine mind doth nay register her meaning. Her words
come from another language, I reason..Mine hands clench around my
pick axe. Vevonus, my brother, holds his halbred in hand now, eying the
woman dangerously.
Without words spoken, without grunts uttered, an arrow strikes mine
shoulder, hurtling me thither in the mountain.
Mine eyes blink - desperately trying to make the previously lone
woman, lone once more.
My brother.
He is a saviour, I suppose. An honor we both exchange daily today,
but nay then - nay then.. Indeed, 'twas mine first real battle.
Vevonus, his speed driven by fury struck the lass, hurtling her head
north, whilst her body fell south with a wet 'thunk.'
I shuddered, both at the body, and a memory of having done the same
in mine childhood - preceding the current one.
I rise. We bury the body of the woman..A 'Dark Pumpkin' her bandana
names her. Alas, have neighbors arrived?
We continue to mine. E'en death loses its touch 'pon the mountain rocks.
__
Approximately written when Ranthir was at the age of 14. 6 years
ago. This story was found in a Yew Tree, amongst other books..
I might add, that Ranthir had not decided on his Druidly fate then..
Sincerely,
Glen, the Scholar
Stupid Make the Evil Rich
by Kudos
Kudos yelled at the horse for being so slow. Zhelavar’s pigeon reached him at the bank, luckily not too far from the bridge where she obviously encountered someone a bit too strong for her. Throwing the bottles in the bank, breaking one and with frustration cursing the gods for having him soak his rune bag. Later he thought, no time to clean this mess now.
His horse ran wildly through the streets of SkaraBrae, frightened by his cursing and whip, that he so frequently used on her. Kudos stopped abruptly once he crossed Skara’s bridge and looked over the area. Immediately he saw a tall man with his crossbow aimed at the empty spot. Kudos grinned, the whole situation seemed too humorous. Here he is, a worthless piece of garbage, sucking up the goods taken off the honest people of his town as Zhelavar often implied. Nonetheless her life depended now on this worthless piece of garbage. Suppressing laughter, Kudos approached the man, trying as hard as he could to look non-menacing. He looked the man in the eyes with fake care and compassion and silently pointed to the empty spot the man was aiming at. The man’s eyes lit up, he was glad the back up came. Kudos could see a couple of wounds in the man’s chest, although they looked not life threatening, the man was obviously exhausted.
"Here, hiding right in front of me" - he said looking up at him with gratitude. Kudos nodded to the man, pressing his hand to his chest. Then chanted "In Vas Mani". The man smiles happily and uttered "Thanks".
But Kudos did not cast the spells, rather he waited until Zhelavar’s skinny figure popped out of the thin air. The man let his arrow fly, as Kudos released the healing spell on Zhelavar.
The man looked at Kudos in astonishment, and Kudos grinned in reply making a sly salute gesture. The man realizing his big mistake had nothing left but to chuckle at his own gullible heart. Zhelavar pummeled the poor fella with her arrows, one after another, and Kudos stood by watching with interest. The man’s chest soon started to resemble a hedgehog, and almost crawling on the ground from exhausting and loss of blood he finally collapsed to the ground at Zhelavar’s feet. Yet he was alive.
Kudos approached to him, and mouthed to Zhelavar : "Finish him." But Zhelavar lowered her bow and spoke:
"Get out of my forest."- the man looked up at her, nor really understanding her words. Zhelavar repeated, visibly growing restless. The wounded ranger finally realized that the hunter was sparing his life and getting up on his feet limping and leaving trail of blood disappeared in the forest. Kudos shook his head at Zhelavar.
She started to say something, suddenly the sound of multiple horses was heard from the bridge. Kudos knew the speed at which Skara Brae people dispatched town guards after the murderers. Zhelavar blinked out and disappeared from plain view. Kudos hid right next to her, and held his breath. He knew that accomplice to the murderer is treated like a murderer by the town’s guards. Plus they knew his face well enough not to like him.
The riders approached, clad in plate and bearing heavy polearms. Kudos signed as they stopped right in front of him. He knew that although they couldn’t see him they knew he and Zhelavar were nearby. It was a matter of time they would trip on him.
Knowing that the bridge was very near, and safety was guaranteed, Kudos appeared before the startled party. They said nothing, just stared silently as he throttled past them with a smug grin. One of the girls with them screamed out :
"He is one of them! Get him!" - and an arrow flew through the air with high-pitch ring. It bounced off his armor, as he steadily kept throttling towards the town. The party of guards started after him, not too surely they silently walked unto the bridge, not sure what to do.
Kudos stopped, allowing to entertain himself with this circus show. He recognized Ezekiel, one of the rangers he disliked greatly. Ezekiel always have carried himself with an air of arrogance and nobility that he obviously never possessed. All that, in Kudos’ eyes, was laughable in the light of the man’s obvious stupidity.
Ezekiel ordered coarsely:
"Stop right there, brigand!" - Kudos stopped, and with innocent look turned around to face about ten warriors. - " you are a criminal!"
Kudos made a face:
" Me?! Believe me, I have not a slightest Idea what you are talking about…"
"fight me, fag!"- Kudos almost started laughing, not expecting from such a ‘nobleman’ such language. He shook his head sadly and said: " I would, but you aren’t my type." With that he tipped his hat smiling gallantly to the girl who shot at him just a few moments ago.
That pissed Ezekiel off:
" Are you gay? Scared?" - Kudos wasn’t sure why Ezekiel was so interested in his sexual preferences. He folded his arms, and looking over the crowd smirked. Their voices were growing: "fight him newbie! Come on pk!" some started pushing him, and Kudos had to step back.
He gazes across the bay past the guards’ figures and saw small figure of Zhelavar, now safely hidden one of the trees and giving him thumbs up. He grinned back, but knew she wouldn’t see his face.
Turning his attention back to the crowd that still screamed "Pk! Fight us! Die pk!" he graced the people with a bright smile of a demi-god and proclaimed:
"If you call me gay, so be it, Im gay. I may be a newbie and a coward, but at least I do not suffer from such chronicle stupidity as yourself. While you stood here and gawked at the worthless newbie, you let the REAL pk get away. Thank you, people of Britannia! Thank you all very much, my job is done, I shall rest now. Farewell and good night."
With that, he demonstratively turned and headed off to the inn. At the inn he allowed himself to look back and see them all, confused and frustrated rushing back across the bridge to get their mark.
Kudos shook his head chuckling. Stupidity, once again, will make him richer tonight.