[HQ Ignorance] Scene 101: On the Blue Moon plateau - storytelling

[Lev Lafayette]

On Mon, 2009-11-23 at 19:44 +0000, Nic Hughes wrote:

> "As for the sword? I do not want the sword. Its reputation is enough
> to fill me with dread. I came to speak with its keeper and to try to
> win his aid."
> 

The Fourth looks at Aalmon and smiles.

"You have said all the right things courier. Your teacher taught you
well." Aalmon stops playing with the rocks for a moment, which indeed
change colour as before, to look up at the Fourth.

It is at that point that Aalmon notices as glimmer in the Trollkin's
eye's, like the reflection of the moon and the stars themselves,
although they are indoors. There is a sudden realisation to the Far
Rider, the Trollkin is an Illuminate!

"Oh yes. My master taught me many secrets as well. And taught me a sense
of individual responsibility, despite what tradition says."

"Tradition says that Trollkin should not rule over Trolls. But just a
few years past, I helped lead a rebellion and worked with the Empire of
the Sun to recover the Blood of Yelmalio. This time, at last Yelm
recognised the Black Sun. It had taken him long enough."

"And then I met a being from Peloria, who taught me the path to
Illumination. From there I made my home here, at the old Blue Moon."

"The Moons wax and wane. The time of the Blue is long over, but it still
have influence through mysticism. The time of the Red Moon is almost
over. The rise of the White, the Moon of Peace, could be beginning."

"Because you do not want this power, it is most suited to you."

The Fourth talks in the ear of the Dark Troll who leaves the room. In a
few moments he returns, bearing a greatsword, wrapped in oily rags.

"This is Mekdoru. I'll let him tell his story"

Mekdoru, whose head has been looking downwards for most of the
proceedings, now rises for a speech, his voice full of passion and
nobility. He speaks of his lineage, through his mother's side of course,
until it reaches as mistress race troll called Natchkling, companion to
Talor, and bearer of this weapon.

Merkdoru speaks of how he was a a great warrior and was asked by those
of Shadow's Dance to send forces from the Blue Moon Plateau to put down
the Trollkin rebellion. Eventually he tracked down the leader of the
rebellion and accepted a challenge to meet him in single combat.
Merkdoru had no fear, for he carried an artifact, the Darksword, a
weapon unlike any other, which could cut through any armour, destroy any
shield, break any that sought to parry and slay all those it struck.

Merkdoru sought out the leader of the rebellion, a funny, pathetic
little Trollkin who wore his peasant's hat backwards and had a string of
fish around his neck. His only discernable weapon was a short stick. The
Troll approached the little kin and mocked him and told him the powers
of the Greatsword. The Trollkin looked at him calmly and said "In ten
seconds you will be begging for your life"

Merkodu said "And why would I do that? What could you, mutated stunted
little creature, possible do to reduce me to such a status. I should
slay you now and end this rebellion! How can you possibly defeat me in
combat?"

The Trollkin smiled. "I am sitting on dry solid land. You are standing
on quicksand".

And so it was that the Troll Merkodu surrended to the Trollkin and
became his servent. The Trollkin brought his fellows here and now the
Troll serves the Trollkin in all ways.

Merkodu lay the greatsword at Aalmon's feet.

"And now", The Fourth says. "Takes this lesson. Go, Far Rider, and
fulfil your destiny"