[HQ Ignorance] Scene 85: The Elf Sea and Merchants

[Lev Lafayette]

On Sat, 2009-04-11 at 10:49 +0100, Nic Hughes wrote:
> Although the caravan was heading in the wrong direction Aalmon was glad 
> of the thought of some human company for his mid-day meal - and curious 
> to see what brave merchant would be travelling so far from any safe route.
> 
> Only when the troll offered him the strange wager did he really cheer 
> up, he turned to the dark man with a glint in his eye
> 
> "She is her own walking plant and I'd rather cut off my own arms than 
> claim responsibility for her. The immortal Vampire Kings broke their 
> fangs upon her, I do not think that Fate strong enough to destroy 
> religions and kingdoms intends her to end in your stomach. War and 
> change seem to follow in her footsteps, I'm only staying so close to her 
> because it sometimes seems safest at the eye of the storm. So, my 
> friend, never say you were not warned."
> 

"Hrmmm... Hrmmm..", the troll considers his options. "So the plant has
some nettle, eh? Little joke of mine... Hey, don't worry so much my
pretty Elf, I wouldn't really eat you, not these days anyway. I have
learned to.. curb my appetite. You still look tasty, tho'. Sometimes I
wish I could go back to the old days... of buttered pixies... runner
salad... Oh, I am sorry, there I go forgetting my manners."

> He looked back to the board "But if you would like a game with a less 
> doom-ridden wager I might be interested. Although it would be a pity to 
> disturb a game in progress, who are you playing against at the moment?"
> 

"Ah. I play with my lord and master Jo Mith. Just a friendly game you
understand, he already knows all my secrets and more... Oh, and I must
introduce myself. I am Xigxag, bodyguard to the most noble Issaries
trader, Jo Mith.."


> 
> Nic
> 
> 
> 
> Lev Lafayette wrote:
> > Scene 85: The Elf Sea and Merchants
> >
> > In the wild north of Glorantha, a single-masted sail-and-row boat, makes
> > its journey across the Elf Sea. Normally this journey would be
> > impossible, for the great lake is known for bearing the children of
> > Magasta, mighty eels and serpents like none have seen. But this vessel
> > is commanded by an Elf, Greenwood, who carried the magic and knowledge
> > of her people and is thus able to find the path safely. Her wooden
> > visage is blackened in places, clearly the scars of fire, but she goes
> > about her work with an air of silence and purpose.
> >
> > With her are two travellers. One is Icthya, also an elf but from distant
> > lands. She is skilled in matters of water and sea-creatures, and
> > although recently recovering from illness she is at the height of her
> > strength this fine day. Playing and talking to the fishes which travel
> > beside the boat, Icthya's brow shines with a magical light enamating
> > from a vine and leaf tiara [1]. The third character is Aalmon Far-Rider
> > [2] who is not enjoying the view as playfully as his companion. He is in
> > deep spirits, pondering the meaning of the words expressed to him by the
> > rebellious and pacifist White Moon cult.
> >
> > The journey across the lake take the better part of eight hours.
> > Although most of a day, this is four or five times quicker than any
> > other route, even if one was travelling with Elves through the forests
> > of Balazar. Taking land at the far north shore of the lake, Greenwood
> > bids safe journey to her travellers. There is some forest here,
> > Nandwood, but soon you will be in open North Plains. These are inhabited
> > almost exlcusively by trolls. Beyond that is Malara's River which
> > becomes the Poralistor, upstream. North of this river is the Redlands,
> > small communities allied to the Empire. I don't know what it is that you
> > are looking for travellers, but if you can get beyond the North Plains
> > you are doing better than I. Godspeed."
> >
> > Travelling some distance through the forest until the setting of Yelm, a
> > suitable spot was found to rest overnight with the skills of both a
> > courier and an elf. The peaceful forest gave no incident in the night
> > and early in the following morning the forest thinned into the plains of
> > which Greenwood spoke. Aalmon, well-used to estimating distanced peered
> > and squinted. "Some fifteen leagues north until some more forested
> > lands; I presume that is the river of which Greenwood spoke of. East and
> > West however these plains seem to go on far further than that. Maybe
> > four, five, six times? [3]
> >
> > But that was not all that Aalmon espied; and indeed Icthya could not
> > help but notice it as well. Less than two hours away was a large party
> > of humans, some thirty-five in total with a great number of pack
> > animals, heading in a westward direction. "All the signs of a merchant
> > caravan", said Aalmon. "But out here?"
> >
> > Curiousity taking the better of them Aalmon and Icthya sought to meet
> > with the caravan who hailed them down. The caravan was led, not
> > surprisingly, but an overweight and middle-aged Issaries priest who
> > introduced himself as Joh Mith. When asked where he was headed, with a
> > broad grin he said to the Land of the Giants, to trade; a most
> > remarkable statement in its own right. Standing alongside Joh was an
> > enormous dark troll who bore two shields. He licked his lips at the
> > sight of Icthya.
> >
> > Breaking for lunch Aalmon noticed that Joh's open wagon had a chess set
> > upon it, in mid-game. As Aalmon pondered over the pieces, which showed a
> > fairly equal match, the towering dark troll came over to him. "If you
> > fancy yourself a player, we could always have a game. I would like to
> > claim your walking vegetable a prize if I win; I have not had such a
> > taste for some time. What say you? Are you game?"
> >
> >
> > [1] Somehow I overlooked your journey to the grove to pick up a light
> > spirit. We can use the tiara as a charm. How many HPs do you want to
> > spend on this and which ability are you using etc.
> > [2] Speaking of which, Far-Rider, how do you want to resolve the your
> > horse? It's not really appropriate to take a horse on a vessel this
> > small..
> > [3] Although a flat world allowing one to see far further than normal,
> > there are still limits to perceptual distance.
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >   
> 
>