A Bard’s Overture
By: James Dubeau
The dining area of the Ashlawn Inn was filled with music that morning. In the corner sat a young gentleman who alternated between singing and playing his flute. Dawn light filtered through the windows illuminating his brick red skin and twisted horns. A tail poking out from under his dull red hide armor thumped along in rhythm to the songs.
Over the hills
And through the woods
An adventure shall always find you
Weather on foot
Or sailing seas
An adventure shall always find you
Follow the plea
Against your will
When an adventure comes to find you
For it is not
Every day
That adventure comes and finds you
Smells of eggs and bacon wafted through the Inn as the rest of the adventurers filtered into the dining area. To each the seated man in the corner smiled and did a half bow as he continued to play. As soon as there were four men seated around the table, he finished his last song and proceeded to cross the dining hall. His five foot long tail swished behind him as he walked.
Upon reaching the table the bard spoke and bowed deeply. “My name is Barakas Reverence of Bruskas Crossing. If I am not mistaken, you four must be representatives of the other towns felled with curse.”
The barmaid made her way around the table, placing plates heaping of eggs and bacon in front of each of the men along with pitchers of water, juice, and ale. Working their way around the table, the four men introduced themselves while feasting on the morning meal.
“I am Samel, hailing from the village of Cardinal Glen,” said the tall and stocky purple skinned individual that sat next to Barakas. His priestly robes clinked as he moved, indicating that chainmail armor was worn underneath. “Your music and song would be a great addition to the temple. If only it hadn’t succumbed to that dreadful curse, now the main temple is turning into swampy ruins.”
An extra empty plate sat next to Samel, noticing the questioning look from Barakas he added, “The extra plate is for my god, Hanine. It is only proper to set a place for her, should she ever make her presence known at meal times. A long standing tradition at the temple.
A fair skinned individual sat next to Samel, his dark cloak and hair seemingly framed his pale skin. Pointed ears stuck out from under the mop of hair, still untidy from the nights rest. He fidgeted with the silverware while Barakas sung and played, and now felt the eyes around the table directed towards him. “Quarian…”
“Beorwyn Broadhammer of Stonebridge,” the short, thick, individual interrupted with a belch while shoveling eggs into his mouth. The few bits of egg and ale that didn’t reach is gaping maw were lodged in his matted beard. He was clad in well maintained chainmail armor and had a hammer with an oversized head strapped to his back. Tufts of clothing stuck out from under the armor that looked gray from wear, mud, and sweat. A hint of a foul order reached Barakas’ nostrils, not enough to cause the food to taste bad, but enough to make Beorwyn’s presence unpleasant to say the least.
“My name is Loraz E’pan and this is Johan, we are from the town of Willowbrook,” the other fair skinned individual with pointed ears said while pointing to empty air beside him. He had opened a small pouch and placed berries and leaves upon his plate, eating each one by one, and had placed a small pile of the food beside his plate. “Johan and I have traveled many miles to join this quest to end the curse that besieges our homeland. Johan, why aren’t you eating? Do you not like Bilberries?”
Ignoring Loraz’s comments to his invisible friend Barakas replied between bites of bacon, “Now seems to be our chance to bring about the end of the punishment our forefathers had put upon us. We should get a move on as soon as we are finished eating. I would hate to see the curse last for another twenty-five years just because we let the month flitter by like a butterfly on the wind.”
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Tale Of Barakas Reverence
Nestled into the rolling hills surrounding the small town of Bruskas Crossing along the Allagash River, the Reverence family vineyard was a picturesque estate. Several generations had worked hard to cultivate the land and promote growth of the nearby town and their determination had paid off. The town of Bruskas Crossing became a local trade center and the Reverence vineyard grew and prospered.
That was how things were over a century ago. Under the reign of the curse Bruskas Crossing and the Reverence vineyard had seen a much different fate. Early frosts, harsh winters, and unseasonably cool summers had made growing grapes difficult. The Reverence vineyard suffered as grape production fell, and with it Bruskas Crossing also declined. It seems that the life and death of the vineyard and town were intimately entwined.
This was the world that Barakas Reverence was born into. A world that was so close to paradise, but yet it was so far away. The vineyard had long ago limited production on the traditional family wines and was forced to create new recipes with grapes that reduced in quality every year. New methods of doing business had to be conducted or else the vineyard, and even the town, would fail.
Barakas’s father, Damakos, and his uncle, Leucis, had concocted a plan to try to save the vineyard. Damakos would stay in Bruskas Crossing watching over the vineyard and producing wines while Leucis traveled the Allagash River trying to sell wine to towns along the river. Leucis’s marketing skills and Damakos’s brewing skills were enough to keep the vineyard afloat.
Once Barakas had reached thirteen years of age his father decided that the boy needed to learn the wine trade from the bottom up. No longer could the boy spend his summers idly cutting grapes from the vine. From now on he had to work. Convincing Barakas to join Damakos on his ship was an easy task, the opportunity to see and experience the world was enough of an incentive for a boy who constantly had his head in books reading myths and legends.
The first day on Damakos’s ship was a day that Barakas would never forget. He was expected to help roll the barrels into the cargo hold and get the ship underway. It was hard work for the boy and he tried to avoid it by hiding in his cabin. Once the ship was under way, there was no turning back. Barakas had to learn the shipping and marketing aspect of the wine trade.
Damakos was a strict but benevolent captain. He took his nephew under his wing and taught him much about ships, wine, and selling ones wares as well as how to run a ship. It was not long before Barakas was dancing about the rigging accomplishing what had to be done to keep the sails aloft. The boy also learned songs and tales from Damakos and the crew as well as how to hold a sword and fight. He even learned how to juggle.
Over the years Barakas grew up under the watchful eye of Damakos. The now young man was practically in charge of sales, he was the one doing all of the talking during meetings while Damakos looked on. A quick song before each meeting was all that it took to loosen the purse strings of prospective buyers. His inspiring songs were even instrumental in warding off pirates and thieves the few times they were attacked.
One day when pulling into port at Bruskas Crossing Damakos said to Barakas that it was time. They both knew what he meant and Barakas was left nervous about seeing his family again on this trip. Legend said that the curse on the land could be lifted, but the opportunity only presented itself once every twenty-five years. The last three times expeditions were sent out, and all three times they failed to return home. As the eldest son of the Reverence family, he knew that he would be the one sent on the expedition. The family was the largest influence upon the town with the largest stake in the town’s success or failure. It was only fitting that a member of the family be sent to try to end the curse.
Barakas only had a few days with his family before the mayor declared who would travel on the expedition to end the curse. Their mood was as sour as his; they knew he would be picked for the expedition and that there was no hope of his return. At the end of the week there was a large meeting at the town hall. After a stirring speech about what ending the curse meant to Bruskas Crossing he made his pick. Being a young man of the proper age, and as a member of the Reverence family, Barakas was chosen.
As he donned his hide armor and packed the longsword and shield, Barakas said bittersweet goodbyes. He knew that he would not be returning home and that it was a meaningless gesture that attempted to restore hope to the community. But on the off chance he was able to lift the curse, then he could restore his home to the way it once was.
The young adult made his way from the family villa on foot towards the meeting grounds for the expedition, singing a song to strengthen his heart while traveling to meet the fate lay out before him. That is how he wanted his family to remember him, confident and full of song.
That was how things were over a century ago. Under the reign of the curse Bruskas Crossing and the Reverence vineyard had seen a much different fate. Early frosts, harsh winters, and unseasonably cool summers had made growing grapes difficult. The Reverence vineyard suffered as grape production fell, and with it Bruskas Crossing also declined. It seems that the life and death of the vineyard and town were intimately entwined.
This was the world that Barakas Reverence was born into. A world that was so close to paradise, but yet it was so far away. The vineyard had long ago limited production on the traditional family wines and was forced to create new recipes with grapes that reduced in quality every year. New methods of doing business had to be conducted or else the vineyard, and even the town, would fail.
Barakas’s father, Damakos, and his uncle, Leucis, had concocted a plan to try to save the vineyard. Damakos would stay in Bruskas Crossing watching over the vineyard and producing wines while Leucis traveled the Allagash River trying to sell wine to towns along the river. Leucis’s marketing skills and Damakos’s brewing skills were enough to keep the vineyard afloat.
Once Barakas had reached thirteen years of age his father decided that the boy needed to learn the wine trade from the bottom up. No longer could the boy spend his summers idly cutting grapes from the vine. From now on he had to work. Convincing Barakas to join Damakos on his ship was an easy task, the opportunity to see and experience the world was enough of an incentive for a boy who constantly had his head in books reading myths and legends.
The first day on Damakos’s ship was a day that Barakas would never forget. He was expected to help roll the barrels into the cargo hold and get the ship underway. It was hard work for the boy and he tried to avoid it by hiding in his cabin. Once the ship was under way, there was no turning back. Barakas had to learn the shipping and marketing aspect of the wine trade.
Damakos was a strict but benevolent captain. He took his nephew under his wing and taught him much about ships, wine, and selling ones wares as well as how to run a ship. It was not long before Barakas was dancing about the rigging accomplishing what had to be done to keep the sails aloft. The boy also learned songs and tales from Damakos and the crew as well as how to hold a sword and fight. He even learned how to juggle.
Over the years Barakas grew up under the watchful eye of Damakos. The now young man was practically in charge of sales, he was the one doing all of the talking during meetings while Damakos looked on. A quick song before each meeting was all that it took to loosen the purse strings of prospective buyers. His inspiring songs were even instrumental in warding off pirates and thieves the few times they were attacked.
One day when pulling into port at Bruskas Crossing Damakos said to Barakas that it was time. They both knew what he meant and Barakas was left nervous about seeing his family again on this trip. Legend said that the curse on the land could be lifted, but the opportunity only presented itself once every twenty-five years. The last three times expeditions were sent out, and all three times they failed to return home. As the eldest son of the Reverence family, he knew that he would be the one sent on the expedition. The family was the largest influence upon the town with the largest stake in the town’s success or failure. It was only fitting that a member of the family be sent to try to end the curse.
Barakas only had a few days with his family before the mayor declared who would travel on the expedition to end the curse. Their mood was as sour as his; they knew he would be picked for the expedition and that there was no hope of his return. At the end of the week there was a large meeting at the town hall. After a stirring speech about what ending the curse meant to Bruskas Crossing he made his pick. Being a young man of the proper age, and as a member of the Reverence family, Barakas was chosen.
As he donned his hide armor and packed the longsword and shield, Barakas said bittersweet goodbyes. He knew that he would not be returning home and that it was a meaningless gesture that attempted to restore hope to the community. But on the off chance he was able to lift the curse, then he could restore his home to the way it once was.
The young adult made his way from the family villa on foot towards the meeting grounds for the expedition, singing a song to strengthen his heart while traveling to meet the fate lay out before him. That is how he wanted his family to remember him, confident and full of song.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Paired Weapon Jingle
If you’re a Ranger on the go
You’ll need to grab your bow
But if your hands are full of swords
It’ll feel like your juggling gourds
To keep from being unprepared
Go out and buy a weapon paired
Now introducing the Paired Weapon by Magi-Co. By simply uttering the command words your Paired Weapon splits into two. Now you can fight with two fisted justice for a low economical price. Now available in Longsword, Short Sword, Scimitar, and Warhammer.
You’ll need to grab your bow
But if your hands are full of swords
It’ll feel like your juggling gourds
To keep from being unprepared
Go out and buy a weapon paired
Now introducing the Paired Weapon by Magi-Co. By simply uttering the command words your Paired Weapon splits into two. Now you can fight with two fisted justice for a low economical price. Now available in Longsword, Short Sword, Scimitar, and Warhammer.
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