4949
Taborlin the Great
AlphaCentaurus
Once, long ago, there was a great man. He was a very powerful arcanist. In his youth, he traveled the world, helping others and learning of the world. He learned with the Sages, the Druids, and anyone who would teach him. He even founded the great University. :: On his travels, he learned a great deal of the world. One of the greatest things he learned was the name of all things. If you know the true name of something, you can control it. Few knew even one name, and even fewer more than that. But Taborlin spent years and years studying the world, and it gave him its secrets. :: After spending most of his life educating himself he decided to settle down in a small town near Krugmar.. He tended to his home and spent his days in silent contemplation. :: One day, while strolling his fields, he heard the shout of a woman. It was very high pitched, and carried tones of urgency. He immediately set off to the source to investigate. After walking for some time he came upon a house. It was horribly burnt, with the glass broken and dead bodies strewn about the floor. Taborlin was filled with sorrow. He could not bear to see such suffering. Just as he went through the doorway of the house, he heard the guttaral sounds of the orc language. They were saying terrible things, and gloating over the deaths they had caused. :: Taborlin walked over to the sound to conront them. "What have you done?" he said, accusation in his voice. The orcs laughed and continued wiping the blood off of their brutal weaponsns. When Taborlin persisted, the orcs grew angry. They stood up and crowded around him. All the while they grunted and growled. They were surprised when Taborlin stood his ground against them. And so they drew their weapons. Taborlin knew his life was in danger so he muttered a few words and the lights dimmed. The wind picked up, and the orcs looked around them fearfully. They recognized magic, and they feared it. And so instead of killing him, for killing an arcanist is a terrible idea, they merely clubbed him and took him to their fortress. :: And so Taborlin was prisoned deep underground. The orc-king planned to leave Taborlin trapped until hunger and thirst weakened his will. The orc king's name was Scyphus, and he knew if he could get Taborlin to swear to help him, the arcanist would abide by his promise, because Taborlin never broke his word. :: Worst of all, Scyphus had taken Taborlin's staff and sword, and without them his power was weak and guttery. He'd even taken Taborlin's cloak of no particular color. :: Now Taborlin needed to escape, but when he looked around his prison, he saw no door. No windows. All around him was nothing but smooth, hard stone. :: But Taborlin knew the name of all things, so all things were his to command. He said to the stone: "Break!" and the stone broke. The wall tore like a piece of paper, and through the hole Taborlin could see the sky and breathe the sweet spring air. :: Taborlin made his way out of the prisons and into the castle, and finally to the doors of the royal hall itself. The doors were barred against him, so he said, "Burn!" and they burst into flame and were soon nothing more than fine gray ash. :: Taborlin stepped into the hall and saw King Scyphus sitting there with fifty guards. The king said, "Capture him!" But the guards had just seen the doors burn to ash, so they moved closer, but none of them came TOO close. :: King Scyphus said, "Cowards! I will battle this man with wizardry and best him!" He was afraid of Taborlin too, but he hid it well. Besides, Scyphus held his weapon, and Taborlin had none. :: Then Taborlin said, "If you're so brave, give me my staff before we duel!" :: "Certainly," Scyphus said, even though he didn't really mean to give the staff back. "It's right next to you in that chest there." :: Scyphus knew that the chest was locked and had only one key. And that key was right in his pocket. So Taborlin went over to the chest, but it was locked. Then Scyphus laughed and so did a few of the guards. :: That made Taborlin angry. And before any of them could do anything he struck the top of the chest with his hand and shouted, "Edro!" The chest sprung open and he grabbed his cloak of no particular color, wrapping it around him. He then took out his staff and sword. He called forth great barbs of lightning and killed twenty guards. Then he called forth a sheet of fire and killed another twenty. Those that were left threw down their swords and cried for mercy. :: Then Taborlin gathered up the rest of his things from the chest. Looking up, he gazed seriously at Scyphus, who was trembling in his throne. "I should kill you, but I cannot bring myself to slaughter such a weak thing. Instead I shall curse you. You will wander the lands forevermore, but others will not see your face. Your features will be shrouded by shadow and you will be shunned by your own race. This is my curse. Leave this place." :: And so Taborlin defeated the mighty king Scyphus and freed the lands oh his evil.