| In Verbobonc Velverdyva, | behind its girdle-wall, |
| Do travelers and strangers meet | within the tavern hall. |
| And trade in tales and legendry; | and news from far and near, |
| Whilst supping on rib-roast and pie, | and quaffing ale and beer. | 4 |
| |
| And so it was anight they met, | nine strangers from the road, |
| And settled in the tavern's bar | to hear of vengeance owed. |
| For honor was their foremost aim, | adventure to pursue. |
| Alike they yearned to glory earn: | to each as was his due. | 8 |
| |
| Here Mikki, Stark, and Styrathos: | three men-at-arms to fight, |
| Met Théo Blau, both thief and mage, | an elf with keenest sight; |
| And Kerowyn the acolyte, | by whom may wounds be healed; |
| And noble ranger Talia, | fair mistress of the field. | 12 |
| |
| They Galmir half-elf druid met, | and druid Laena, too; |
| His beast-friend Celebon the wolf, | hers Grape, a jay of blue. |
| And Alduin, the half-elf rogue, | deft both of blade and hand. |
| Alike they turned, and quickly learned | of trouble in the land. | 16 |
| |
| Together they heard tell of woe, | of Hommlet's desp'rate plight, |
| Of banditry, and goblin-men, | and raiders in the night; |
| Of roads no longer passable, | and traders loth to rove, |
| For highway-men would set upon | to kill, and steal their trove. | 20 |
| |
| "How can we as true folk endure, | and brook this evil state? |
| We must anon to Hommlet bear, | without a day to wait!" |
| So pledge they did, that very night, | to set out into Kron. |
| Provisions laid, a mule they bade | bear rations come the dawn. | 24 |
| ❦ | |
| The ranger led the happy band; | by dusk she found a glade |
| Where they would rest, in turn, and watch, | while holding ready blade. |
| In morning dew, set out anew | these friends still new themselves, |
| And strode by day that empty way; | a troop of men and elves. | 28 |
| |
| No folk of any kind they met | upon the lonesome lane, |
| Until an orcish band beset, | an ogre as their thane! |
| "Orcs!" cried Galmir, by their tongue | he knew, but knew not whence. |
| From out the brush, eight orcs did rush, | while fighters made defense. | 32 |
| |
| Upon resplendent Celebon | an orcish spearman smote, |
| And cut a gash with sudden slash, | and red shone silver coat! |
| No common dog, this druid's wolf, | he did not turn and flee; |
| But sunk his teeth in flesh beneath | the orcish brigand's knee. | 36 |
| |
| Undaunted still, the orc did stab | a stroke at wolfen hide, |
| But Celebon, too quick for him, | dodged gracefully aside. |
| Then reddened fang flashed forth anew; | unguarded throat he found. |
| He tore it out, and bloody gout | fell spattering the ground! | 40 |
| |
| In quick descent fell seven orcs | to arrow, sling, and sword. |
| Unshielded by his underlings, | then fled the ogre lord. |
| With hearty whoop, the noble troop | pressed forward their attack, |
| And slew the craven ogre-chief, | with arrows in his back. | 44 |
| |
| Among the shoddy gear and arms, | the meager coin and scrap, |
| They found within the captain's bag | a hasty-scriven map, |
| With woods and camps, perhaps a mine, | but words they could not ken. |
| So Théo kept it with his books, | for use he knew not when. | 48 |
| |
| The wound of Celebon they bound, | and on to Hommlet strode, |
| Until ahead, they saw with dread | dust rising from the road. |
| A mounted host bore down at speed; | elf-eyes were strained to see. |
| And Grape flew out alone to scout | who might this cohort be? | 52 |
| |
| But as the host drew nearer still, | on banner high, behold! |
| The heraldry of Verbobonc | arrayed in green and gold. |
| Returned the jay now to report, | with chirp and nod of head, |
| No danger lay along the way, | but friendly folk instead. | 56 |
| ❦ | |
| Their Captain spake of ambush fell, | an overwhelming horde, |
| Which set upon them as they rode | with arrow, spear, and sword. |
| The goblin-kin had hemmed them in, | before and then behind. |
| Men stood their ground, while all around | their party was confined. | 60 |
| |
| But in their haste to lay to waste | those horsemen hale and fine, |
| The closing net of orcs exposed | a weakness in their line. |
| That vicious charge fell noble men, | and even steeds did slay, |
| But Verbobonc broke through their ranks, | escaping from the fray. | 64 |
| |
| The Captain sought for news, and heard | of dead orcs in a mound |
| Along the path to Verbobonc, | and of the map they found. |
| The band brought forth the ogre's chart, | so battered, stained, and torn; |
| Yet still the man perceived at once | the Gnarley Forest bourne. | 68 |
| |
| So of the soiled and shoddy map, | fair copy Théo made, |
| And sent it with the cavalry, | to help in their crusade. |
| The Captain bade them "Seek for Burne, | once Hommlet do ye reach. |
| In half-made castle look for him, | his counsel to beseech." | 72 |
| |
| And so the merry troop set forth | with purpose resolute, |
| And strode to Hommlet, and the inn | of Ostler Gundigoot. |
| Orc-silver fed them well that night, | and Galmir told this tale. |
| They lay in beds their weary heads, | and slept off beer and ale. | 76 |
| ❦ | |
| Next day the wizard Burne they sought, | and tower found, from whence |
| The mage emerged, when strangers urged | he grant them audience. |
| He brought them nigh to hear their tale, | and what news they could tell. |
| The map he could discern in part, | and kept to ponder well. | 80 |
| |
| They would of Burne his counsel learn; | how best to use their skills. |
| And so he bade them guard the march | among the southern hills. |
| He wrote an introduction, then, | to gnomes that dwelt within, |
| But bid them care, for also there | roamed many goblin-kin. | 84 |
| |
| Four score and sixteen arrows more, | along with rations piled, |
| Went with the bold and fearless band | to aid them in the wild. |
| Along the road, they met but few | gaunt refugees of war; |
| And empty farms abandoned lay: | bare buildings, nothing more. | 88 |
| |
| They came upon a raided farm, | cold bodies all around, |
| And tracks of giant ogre-kin | still fresh upon the ground. |
| These led into the wilderness, | and off the beaten trail. |
| The ranger showed the band the way, | and led them to a vale. | 92 |
| |
| A great bull-headed minotaur | from hiding charged the band; |
| Four bugbear minions joined the fray, | obeying his command. |
| Quick Laena cast a twining spell | and bound two bugbears low, |
| While Théo Blau another slew | with two shafts from his bow. | 96 |
| |
| Then Styrathos, into their boss, | put two shafts of his own; |
| But could not halt the juggernaut | by archery alone. |
| Then Galmir, heeding Laena's wit, | did minotaur ensnare, |
| While Styrathos, with bastard sword, | cut down the odd bugbear. | 100 |
| |
| Entangled still by grass and shrub, | three foes stood green-entwined. |
| Alduin flanked the minotaur, | and slew him from behind. |
| Then Théo Blau, a thief as well - | adept with blade to kill, |
| Dispatched the bugbear underlings | with swift, efficient skill. | 104 |
| |
| Upon the slain bull-man they found | a belt of silver fair, |
| Two amethysts upon his wrists, | and map to forest lair. |
| The camp lay far into the wild, | three leagues apart the road, |
| Yet on into the trackless wood | the gallant party strode. | 108 |
| |
| The sun crept down into the West. | The ranger searched and found |
| A stable, and half-ruined keep, | with bugbears all around. |
| That night they spent deep in the wood, | wayworn and ill at ease, |
| While druids prayed for twining spells | to bind their enemies. | 112 |
| ❦ | |
| Come dawn the party forward crept, | still covered by the wood, |
| And from the circling forest, shot | the leader as he stood. |
| Two volleys pierced the massive foe, | but still he would not fall. |
| He roused his crew, and so they drew | them forward one and all. | 116 |
| |
| So back into the wild they fell, | and druid spells were cast. |
| The very trees reached out to seize | and hold the bugbears fast. |
| By arrow, dart, and shining sword, | soon all of them were dead, |
| But out the stable rode a man; | down forest path he fled. | 120 |
| |
| What reinforcements he could raise, | none in the party knew. |
| So Galmir set his wolf to hunt, | and down the path he flew. |
| On open field, a horse's speed | no lupine stride could match, |
| But horse, on path so overgrown, | the wolf was sure to catch. | 124 |
| |
| With startled neigh, the wolfen prey, | with rider quickly fell. |
| Then Celebon dispatched the man, | in underworld to dwell. |
| Now quiet glade the band surveyed, | and buildings did explore, |
| And in a stable-barn they found | one draft horse; two for war. | 128 |
| ❦ | |
| Below the tower, stairs were found, | descending into night. |
| The way was blocked with double-doors, | with little room to fight. |
| Still Styrathos and Stark charged in: | two bugbears turned, dismayed. |
| Struck Styrathos one 'stonished foe, | and slew him with his blade. | 132 |
| |
| Struck Stark the other, wounding him, | and Mikki joined the fray. |
| The bugbear swung his morning-star; | Stark parried it away. |
| The wily bugbear dodged the blows | of Stark and Mikki too, |
| And swung his spikéd mace again, | but now his aim was true. | 136 |
| |
| Stark staggered 'neath the crushing blow, | his helm adint and low. |
| Now Mikki and the bugbear fought, | each striking at his foe. |
| Though Mikki took a glancing strike, | his purpose did not bend; |
| He slew the bugbear where he stood, | in vengeance for his friend. | 140 |
| |
| While fighter swooned from ghastly wound, | cast Kerowyn a spell |
| That healed Stark of his injury, | and quickly made him well. |
| The party filled the lower room, | assembled now to fight, |
| And pondered whither they should go, | with doors to left and right. | 144 |
| |
| The rightmost to a passage led, | with door in wall of stone. |
| 'Round corner right lay door bound tight, | confining ought unknown. |
| Keen elf-ears hearkened for a sound; | at unbarred door, they heard |
| Some mannish speech, and groans of pain, | but could not ken a word. | 148 |
| |
| So fighters kicked awide the door, | and found within a jail. |
| Two prison guards sat playing cards, | and these did they assail. |
| Lo, Styrathos, with one great stroke, | cut one of them in two, |
| While Stark, with long-sword through the heart, | the other jailer slew. | 152 |
| |
| Within were shut four prisoners; | three men in but one cage. |
| The other held, both bound and gagged, | a Verboboncish mage. |
| Of captors, and their future plans, | they could not say the least, |
| But did conclude that they were food | for some horrific beast. | 156 |
| |
| The guards would march a man away, | and down the outer hall, |
| Then cries of fear and agony | would, sudden, silent fall. |
| Voracious was the horrid beast, | insatiable they knew, |
| Three days had past since supped it last, | and now its meal was due! | 160 |
| ❦ | |
| Content to let the monster be, | behind its bolted door, |
| Instead the door upon the left | they purposed to explore. |
| No sooner had they listened, than | at once they all could hear |
| Coarse goblin language from within, | and someone drawing near. | 164 |
| |
| The party quickly barred the door, | and set ranks by their kind: |
| Stout fighting men with swords up front, | with archer's bows behind. |
| Once ready, threw they back the bar, | and from yon did emerge |
| A bugbear boss, three feet across; | a plate-mail-armoured scourge! | 168 |
| |
| Three mighty bastard sword-blows fell; | still stood the awful foe. |
| But Théo Blau, from second rank, | dispatched him with his bow. |
| Another goblin fiend did strike | with spikéd morning-star, |
| Which staggered mighty Styrathos, | and left him with a scar. | 172 |
| |
| Yet not long could that brute repel | both Styrathos and Stark, |
| And elf-stroke fell this foe as well, | when Théo found his mark. |
| The last two bugbears met their end | upon a fighter's blade, |
| When gallant Stark and Styrathos | into the breach did wade. | 176 |
| |
| Beyond they found a barracks full | of armor, arms, and loot. |
| With storehouse full of silken bolts, | and brandy casks to boot! |
| Then Kerowyn, did Styrathos, | by healing arts, make well. |
| So back they went to barréd door | of horrid monster's cell. | 180 |
| ❦ | |
| Now hale again, brave Styrathos | and Stark stood at the fore, |
| And charged the room to meet their doom, | when opened was the door. |
| Abomination met them there - | a creature made most foul - |
| By darkest arts of equal parts: | both bear, and also owl. | 184 |
| |
| Both fighters brought their swords to bear | upon the bear inside, |
| And Styrathos with flashing sword | cut deep the monster's hide. |
| An owl-bear claw struck back at 'Rath', | but he was not dismayed. |
| Then Stark attacked the monstrous foe, | and stabbed it with his blade. | 188 |
| |
| And Théo Blau pulled back his bow; | two shafts went forth to slay, |
| One striking true, the other flew, | alas, wide and away. |
| Then horrid razor claws did rake | each fighter 'cross his hide, |
| But Stark the fiend's black heart did stab, | and so the creature died. | 192 |
| |
| They found within the chamber-cell | much coin, and jewels grand; |
| And treasures kept from hireling eye | (and also pilf'ring hand!) |
| Two books, two scrolls, two bottles fair, | a cloak of subtle grey. |
| They took it all as spoil of war, | and carried it away. | 196 |
| ❦ | |
| Aharis, Mage of Verbobonc | did join the party's quest, |
| While, lo, his fellow prisoners | to home and hearth egressed. |
| His books he found among the spoil | with scrolls of magic new, |
| Both he and Théo shared the spells | and so their knowledge grew. | 200 |
| |
| Then back to Hommlet, and the inn | they call the Welcome Wench, |
| Returned the crew, to sup on stew, | and ale upon the bench. |
| Divided, then, amongst themselves | the coin and gems they gained, |
| And he who best could use the rest | kept ought of what remained. | 204 |
| |
| Aharis kept a magic ring, | a shield from injury, |
| And wand which throws a scrying path, | to magic auras see. |
| Stark kept longsword, shield, and plate, | all magicked to protect, |
| And potions of both growth and strength, | great boulders to traject! | 208 |
| |
| New-made adept, Kerowyn kept | three scrolls of clerisy, |
| A wand that throws inerrant bolts, | and mace (for heresy!) |
| Took Styrathos the bastard sword | with edge of magic bright, |
| And healing brew, to make him new, | and keep him in the fight. | 212 |
| |
| Kept Théo Blau, both elf and thief, | a cloak of Elvenkind, |
| And magic dagger, dark but keen, | for stabbing from behind. |
| Galmir the magic scimitar, | bright shining did accept, |
| While Alduin its hand-axe mate | to throw and parry kept. | 216 |
| |
| Stout Mikki kept the finest sword | the party yet had seen; |
| A magic blade, superbly made, | whose edge was ever keen. |
| The ranger found naught she could use | sojourning in the field. |
| Nor did the druid Laena find | ought she could fulsome wield. | 220 |
| |
| The battle-tempered party sought | to make good of their feat, |
| And so they set about to train, | each with a master meet. |
| The fighters hale, amid the vale, | with Rufus trained to fight, |
| While mages with the wizard Burne | sought magical insight. | 224 |
| |
| The druids, cleric, ranger, thief; | each sought a local don, |
| And as they trained, in due time gained | the skill they dwelt upon. |
| And so the party did advance, | each in his chosen field. |
| Their prowess grew, and each gained new | abilities to wield. | 228 |
| ❦ | |
| Fell news from ev'ry quarter came; | dismay from ev'ry mouth. |
| Of waylaid merchant caravans, | and goblins in the south. |
| Profuse accounts of captured mounts, | for meat or else for toil; |
| Of goblin, bugbear, orc, and gnoll | run rampant to despoil. | 232 |
| |
| So met the wise of Hommlet, then, | to ponder how to arm |
| And brace their town against this threat, | protecting it from harm. |
| A strong redoubt they set about | to make of Hommlet-town, |
| with towers and a stockade wall | with parapet a-crown. | 236 |
| |
| Burne bid the troop assemble and | to Verbobonc return. |
| To there recruit hale men-at-arms | and from the abbot learn |
| What counsel wise he could devise | to meet this peril fell. |
| Permitted but a fortnight's span, | the party bid farewell. | 240 |
| |
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