“Patience”, Part 11

In its place was a humid, reeking swamp, and the pitch black darkness of a night with no stars or moon. He could hear the thrumming, rolling and receding sounds of the distant surf and the shrill shrieks of birds calling to each other above the tangled canopy. There were crickets and crabs and animals such as he hadn’t ever glimpsed before, and all of them moved like death gray silhouettes through an impenetrably dense fog.

There was an Argonian male crouched by a pool of discolored water, holding a spear in one scaly hand. He was hunting.

Memories came flooding back to him so swiftly that he jolted out of that blissful place between wakefulness and sleep. Only then did he realize that he couldn’t move. His thin wrists were bound, as were his ankles. Something leathery was thrust into his mouth to keep him from crying out. His head was bent back at an awkward angle. Panic filled him, and he thrashed violently on the filthy floor of the swamp. His movements startled the lizard man. The creature turned his head sharply in ‘Rilo’s direction, then rushed over to him in equal panic to try and still him.

“Stop!” he pleaded in a reptilian, hissing voice, catching the back of ‘Rilo’s head before he gashed it open on a jagged rock. “Stop, you must stop, you must stop!”

‘Rilo just uttered as much of a scream as he could through his leather bindings, twisting in terror to get his gray, bared throat out of range of his captor’s intimidating, pronged fangs. He couldn’t help it—he started crying, and that caused the Argonian to leap back and begin pacing, worrying his nails with his teeth.

“I cannot do this, I cannot do this, it won’t stop crying, Honor-That-She-Seeks never told me that they cried, why does it cry, why does it cry, why does it—”

‘Rilo tilted his head at just the right angle to get the leather gag out of his mouth. He gasped loudly, sucked in a breath of air that tasted of the swamp, then screamed out:

“Gold Man, help me!”

The Argonian took a staggered step, quivered, then knelt beside ‘Rilo with a confused expression on his face. ‘Rilo shied away from him, shaking in fright and praying for his life. “Here…” the creature began shakily, reaching out for the bindings on ‘Rilo’s wrists. “Here, now…no more screams, and I take them off, yes?” He looked hopeful. “Yes?”

“Why did you take me!” ‘Rilo shouted back, mindless of the request. He thought back to Shae, floating away from him down the Meros. He flinched. Tears stung his eyes. Stupid Shae… stupid…

“Because I must!” the creature insisted, his dismay evident. Again, he reached for the bindings, and without hesitation, ‘Rilo moved away. “I must take you, I must, Vermillio does not understand—”

“Don’t talk about my father!” the boy shouted back in outrage. His fists clenched. “You don’t know anything about my papa!”

“No, sir, no!” the Argonian persisted, and this time when he reached for ‘Rilo’s wrists, he grasped them firmly, and the boy could not twist away. His expression was pleading. “Silent-Shadow does not speak of Vermillio’s papa—Silent-Shadow speaks of you! You do not understand!”

‘Rilo’s expression was blank and without comprehension. He stared up at the scaled, reptilian face, and felt nothing but terrified wonder, and the vain wish to reach out and strike his captor with something sharp. Then, still crying silent tears, he begged, weeping, “What don’t I understand?”

Silent-Shadow took a steadying breath and removed his short sword from his hip; it was crusted with something, and ‘Rilo grew sick with nausea as he recognized it. The Argonian brought the blade to the bindings on ‘Rilo’s wrists and begin to saw through, speaking shakily as he did so. “You must go to Honor-That-She-Seeks, and he will explain. Silent-Shadow cannot explain. Silent-Shadow does not know, but he understands.”

(to be continued)

* * *

(This fanfic is a work in progress and is based on source material found in the Elder Scrolls games.)

Click here to view Part 1.

“Histories”, Part 5

Toward the end of the Thaecian Empire, the weak Adepts relied markedly on diabolic aid. This process was greatly accelerated by the decline of the Empire, as demonstrated by a new series of setbacks on its frontiers. Invasions from the Omai were becoming more frequent and more debilitating. Rather than ceding the territories outright to these invaders, the Emperors undertook a massive series of administrative reforms. Yet despite these efforts, the withdrawal of the Imperial armies spelt inexorable doom for the Empire.

In -240, the Empire was divided into two halves, the Northlands and the Imperium, each ruled by a co-emperor. This was a fairly desperate attempt to reorganize. It bought the Northlands at most an extra century or two of life. Of the two halves, the Imperium was clearly more powerful. Troops were steadily removed from the Northlands to the Imperium, where they were needed to quell internal dissension. Those mercenary troops that remained in the Northlands were usually underfunded, ill-equipped, and badly trained. Thus the pressing demand for more and more powerful magicka.

By this point the Adepts were almost totally dependent upon the power of extra-planar creatures, and were increasingly calling upon vile things for assistance. Fell and terrible fiends, eager to extend their influence on the plane of Sularin, and always desirous of corrupting mortals, were only too glad to fight for the Empire. The Dark Host of the Nine in particular heeded the Adepts’ summonings, and were infamous for their ability to twist the wording of pacts to their own infernal benefit.

It soon became unclear who was master of whom. Many Adepts were destroyed by things which were ostensibly their servants. Some Adepts turned to fiend-worship, and became demonolaters in order to gain powerful magicka. Other Adepts bargained with their own souls in dark and unsavory rituals. In at least one instance, an Adept was forced to call up fiends to rectify a botched summoning. The Adept Androntitus of Larium summoned an abyssal prince, but the infernal burst his confinement and wrought havoc. Desperate, Androntitus conjured three powerful devils to combat the menace. Between these unholy forces, Larium was utterly leveled in one horrific night, and Androntitus dragged wailing down to the pits.

Despite such disasters, the use of diabolic aid was undeniably effective, and sustained the Northlands unnaturally for many years after the Empire by rights should have fallen. Foul and terrible fiends shattered wildmen and Omai alike, and struck horror into all who beheld them.

Worship of the goddess of magicka which never took root in the Imperium soon found fertile ground in the Northlands despite the efforts of the Empire to eradicate what was considered a subversive movement. In fact, despite the persecutions, the faithful of Hurishta flourished in the Northlands. A century before the Invoked Devastation, the Northlands had declared official toleration of her worship (and also that of Oneiros, Almaril, Elantra and Tevesh). The Hurishtii, however, were not appeased. They viewed the continued summoning of fiends as but one more sign of the Empire’s irredeemable condition.

(to be continued)

Previous installments can be seen here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

“The Endless Road”, Part 3

Scene Three

Twenty-five years later.  The lights come up. Ozzie has finally untangled the twisting history of his incarnation-death-rebirth cycle. He is mired in middle age, married with children and still unknown. He is prolific having written 12 novels, 20 plays, 46 short stories, countless poems, and as a result struggling author Goodenough is quite poor. Only one of his novels, one play and four short stories have been published. We find him hunched over his word processor late one night.

* * *

MARV
(enter from stage right) “Sorry to bother you so late and all Oz. But I got some news, bad news…”

WILL
(a beat)
“Don’t tell me. At the last minute they decided on ‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’ instead of ‘NECESSARY LIES’- right?”

MARV
“You’re close. They’re going with ‘MACBETH’ followed by a rehash of a hit Broadway musical. Ditto for the screenplay. ROCKY XIX.”

WILL
(crestfallen)
“I put my best stuff into those manuscripts.”

MARV
“I know, I know. Here’s what Harry had to say. ‘It’s overwritten for one. Today’s theatergoer is after entertainment, not insight. Americans don’t wanna shell out money for anything resembling serious literary works. That’s for college lit courses.’ Hell, it’s not just Americans, Oz. Attention spans are shriveling everywhere. Anyway, just write something that’s fit for prime time or can be summed up on a bumper sticker and I’ll sell it.”

WILL
“What about originality, Marv? The Big Dream? Not to mention artistic integrity. Remember? I’ve got my own standards to measure up to. I don’t want to dumb myself down for the marketplace. Commercialism is the worst kind of tyranny. I should’ve been born in Russia fer chrissakes. Claimed dissidenthood. Then these same goddamn people would be clamoring to produce my plays, publish my books and make movies out of my stories.”

MARV
(a beat, then looks away)
“Come on. You’re talkin’ high falutin’ nonsense now. Worse, you sound cynical. You gotta make tradeoffs.”

(paces, then turns to face WILL)

“Think of it this way: in order to finance THE BIG DREAM you gotta make ONE BIG COMPROMISE. ‘Sell when you can; you’re not for all markets.’ It’s a valid point. The master said it.”

WILL
“Shit.”

(Fadeout)

(to be continued)

“The Endless Road”, Part 2

Scene Two

The present. The lights come up. WILL is seated on a couch watching television. He is 13. His name is Oswald Goodenough. He has a croaky pubescent voice and is so brainy he is considered to be a prime candidate for class nerd. Unfortunately, he has no recollection of his past life, death or rebirth. He has also forgotten the reason why he wanted to take another turn on the wheel of life. Like all teens he is profoundly disturbed, insecure and self-conscious. One last thing: his hormones are making him believe that females are the most awesome, powerful beings in the universe.

SALLY enters from behind. He sneaks a peek at the girl his friends call “Mega Boobs.” She smiles at him deliciously. It’s an innocent gesture. There is no seduction in it. But he is terrorized. He unglues his eyes from her and glues them back on the TV. Too late his pulse begins to quicken.

* * *

SALLY
“You really gonna go through with it, Ozzie?”

WILL
“Go through with what?”

SALLY
“Act in the play.”

WILL
“Yeah. I don’t care if the guys think it’s uncool. I don’t know, I just have this feeling about it.”

SALLY
“Me too. Romeo and Juliet. It’s like so romantic.” (sighs)

WILL
(a beat, then sneaks a glance at SALLY, carefully watching her bosom swell and then deflate)
“I’d rather do Hamlet. That’s what I’m voting for.”

He finishes speaking, gets up and goes to a desk before SALLY can respond. He plops himself in a chair, turns to his computer and presses a key. The MS Word splash screen pops up.

(Fadeout)

(to be continued)

“The Endless Road”, Part 1

Cast of characters

Will — ambitious, cantankerous and introspective
Siggy — inquiring, incredulous and more than a little concerned
Sally — a young girl of thirteen, with ideals to match
Marv — sleazy, unctuous, eager to succeed at the expense of his client
Joe — confused and just a bit clueless, until the end

* * *

Scene One

Heaven. The entities that inhabit this realm do not have the luxuries or restrictions of bodies. They exist as pure intelligence or spirit. For these reasons you can understand that it is very nearly impossible to describe their existence.

The problem is further compounded by the lack of time as we know it. They live in what can only be called an extremely subtle environment. One devoid of touch, texture, sight, sound, smell, taste and physical events to mark crucial turning points - or anything else for that matter. It gets boring. This is one reason that virtually every entity that passes from Earth to the Beyond chooses to be reincarnated. Now we can turn to eavesdrop on an important conversation that took place there, not long before the action of the play takes place.

SIGGY
“But all the suffering, the confusion, the stupidity, I…I am at a loss to understand why you of all people here would want to return to that God-forsaken world.”

WILL
“I have already explained it to you in unending detail. Again and again I have told you of my reasons, my passion really. They have made a mess out of my work. Three hundred years have gone by and one would think they would have sopped it all up by now. But no! The thick-headed bumbling fools go on as ever pretending, lying, cheating, betraying - even killing. Worse, the directors have messed up the stage directions. They think nothing of misinterpreting my work. As for the actors they have fouled up the characters and ruined the delicate balance between physical gesture and spoken line. And the audiences… What can one say, my good man.”

SIGGY
“Yes, I understand all that, old friend. All you say is true. But wasn’t it one of your characters that said, ‘Sweep on you fat and greasy citizens.’ I beg you not to apply to the council for rebirth. We would miss you. The world of man goes on as ever. Reform is an idle notion, Shakespeare.”

WILL
” Ah yes. Wasn’t it I who wrote: Oft expectation fails, and most oft there- Where most it promises. Or: When we are born, we cry that we are come- To this great stage of fools. And, O! That way madness lies; let me shun it. Enough! The rest is silence or should be. But they have made a literary god, a cult figure out of me. And it is wrong. I am the fountain of the endless cliches that spew from their mouths. Well, I am going to return and put a stop to it, Sigmund …”

(Fadeout)

(to be continued)

“Histories”, Part 4

Increasingly, the Emperors dispatched mercenary sorcerers to the frontier. By the reign of Perius (over 1500 years before the Invoked Devastation) sorcerers were freely welcomed into the emperor’s own palace; from then on no wizard feared plying the trade within Thae.

The assassination of Perius initiated a terrible period of turmoil within the Empire. At this time Thae’s borders were overextended, and for several centuries, its frontiers had slowly retreated before barbarian invaders. The economic strain of maintaining the sprawling Empire proved extremely burdensome. High taxes and a series of economic crises led to famines, labor strikes, and general internal unrest. A gnollish revolt broke out in the east which demanded sudden and massive redeployment of Imperial troops.

During this period, the succession of Emperors, never painless, became especially contentious; the Emperor was more-or-less made by the military. The most powerful amongst the Legion vied amongst themselves for their own chosen candidates. These internecine struggles occasionally approached civil war. At one time no less than five different Emperors were declared.

It was out of this period of crisis that the Imperial Adepts were born. The emperor Lineaus, fearing for his life, appointed his personal wizard Octavian as the first Adept. Within a decade twelve other wizards had been so named, and the next, another dozen. The Adepts were charged with upholding the rule of the Emperor. They swore solemn oaths of loyalty to him. They originally attended exclusively to the Emperor; their spells were to shield him from harm or spies. The deranged Emperor Corontitus insisted that no less than three dozen such protective spells were to be constantly in effect on his person; the Adepts wove spells day and night to fulfill this command. None of these spells seemed able to prevent his assassination. History records that Corontitus reigned for a scant eight months before being murdered.

Despite this inexplicable lapse, the Adepts soon came to serve not only the Emperor and his family, but Senators, generals, governors, and other important figures. Their ranks were swiftly expanded. Each new Emperor seemed eager to create positions for new Adepts. Harried Champions amongst the Legion soon considered the Adepts invaluable in their numerous wars. Although the common soldiers generally hated all sorcerers, they at least came to respect (and fear) the offensive capabilities of the Adepts.

When the period of turmoil was finally over, the Adepts were at the height of their influence—more than six hundred years after their inception. The Adepts had played a decisive role in stabilizing the Empire, and shoring up its borders against encroaching barbarian and monster tribes. At their apogee the Adepts were formidable wizards, with considerable sorcerous power and learning at their disposal. It is sometimes said that the Adepts had knowledge of over a thousand different spells.

It was during this time that the Adepts unleashed their most famed achievement, the Nine Colossi of the Limites. These were nine 50-foot tall bronze statues, formed in the image of Marnes, Thaecian protector and god of war. The Adepts were able to animate these monstrosities. It is said they bound a powerful spirit within each metal housing. The Colossi were placed at the limits of the empire, and were able to fight and defend their posts. In Arator (in what is now southern Calabria), the wildmen were terrified of the Colossus that towered over Demerian’s Wall.

The Adepts were originally accomplished abjurers and diviners. They used these and other magicka to protect the Emperor. Despite their triumph with the Colossi and lesser automata, the Adepts were not especially skilled enchanters. Such skill was never deemed really necessary; Thae’s numerous victories had brought a wealth of wondrous items into the Empire, as well as foreign wizards who could always be commanded to produce more such devices. Many Adepts were accomplished transmuters. In late antiquity, a large and esoteric body of writings was exclusively devoted to alteration magic.

The Adepts rapidly developed an abiding interest in the school of conjuration/summoning. Many of these spells entered into Thae by way of ancient Pyrrha. These spells came to dominate the Adepts’ repertoire, while the other schools of magic fell into disuse. Conjuration spells appealed to a distinctly Thaecian quality. The Adepts, like any Thaecian citizen, were accustomed to having the entire world at their beck and call. Using magicka to compel other beings to fight and toil for them seemed a natural and desirable development. The Adepts used their sorcerous might to impose their will on monsters, both terrestrial and extra-planar, and a tangled series of pacts and bindings were soon formed.

As the Empire neared its twilight, the Adepts became increasingly corrupted and ineffectual. Many neglected their oaths of loyalty to the Empire, and were more interested in promoting their own personal fortunes. And the Adepts’ Art, always derivative, suffered a steady decline; there were fewer and fewer magical innovations, and more dependence on the legacies of the past. Many Adepts devoted their limited abilities to composing pedantic commentaries and pursuing esoteric theories. As the Adepts’ personal abilities waned, they increasingly called on extra-planar powers to buttress their depleted magics. Increasingly, these powers originated from the lower planes, from fell denizens of Andurin such as the abomination Dagon, and from a dark and nameless evil known only to its hidden worshippers as the Faceless Lord.

(to be continued)

“Histories”, Part 3

After the Republic was abolished, the Thaecian Empire increasingly tolerated wizardry. Despite the reservations of the Imperial Legion and the antipathy of common soldiers, mercenary sorcerers were frequently deployed on the frontiers, and proved invaluable in campaigns on Naranduil and Aramin. More and more, Thae accepted and relied upon magicka; this eventually allowed for the creation of a wizardly institution sanctioned by the Empire: the famed Imperial Adepts.

Much of the old Thaecian distrust for magic resurfaced in the earliest years of the Empire. Emperor Coriolanus had something like 2,000 magical scrolls destroyed in just one year alone. Both the Emperors and the Legion feared the power of alien wizards, and not without reason. In the reactionary spirit of the early Empire, all sorcerers were frequently driven from Thae, accused of harming the land or Emperor with their evil spells. The most famous example was probably the expulsion of Nestorides and all his apprentices by Emperor Marius. Nocturnal ceremonies to invoke the infernal deities, the making of wax images and the tying of knots to cause pain, death, or sexual impotence, and of course the manufacture of poisons (employed to speed up the supernatural processes) were offenses punished by crucifixion or being thrown to wild beasts.

The Emperors almost always reserved the right to exclude their own personal sorcerers from expulsion or persecution. Even Coriolanus was known to consult astrologers. As the Empire grew older and even more powerful, its influence extended across half the known world—which included the sorcery-steeped east. A series of inconclusive wars with Xarsh had demonstrated the sorcerous power of the Magi. Slaves from other lands, in particular those brought from the wilderness of Aramin and Vathar had already brought a considerable body of magic learning into the Republic, but the annexation of several eastern kingdoms introduced into Thae numerous mystery cults, the art of astrology, and new and exotic magical traditions.

It was the conquest of Pyrrha, however, which marked the single most significant shift in Thaecian wizardry. Pyrrha the old, with its nighted pyramids and sphinxes, was an ancient land that boasted the earliest recorded use of magicka by Men. Centuries before the rise of Tarquinus, the sorcerers of Pyrrha were indisputably the most powerful wizards on Andurin. But by the time of the conquest, the pharaohs were all dead, and the glories of ancient Pyrrha had faded; it had not produced a truly great mage for centuries.

Nonetheless, Pyrrha proved a seemingly inexhaustible storehouse of magicka; knowledge of sorcery and sorcerers themselves flooded the Empire. The old and cosmopolitan city of Alexandretta was a crossroads of eastern and western magic traditions, and was soon established as the center of sorcery in Thaecia. Pyrrhic books on magicka (both genuine and fraudulent) were quickly translated and made readily available to eager readers. Magicka soon became a fashionable, if nervy, pastime for many citizens.

At the height of its power the Thaecian Empire enjoyed an unprecedented level of prosperity—which had its downside. Despite the incessant warnings from the priestly class, traditional Thaecian values of duty and reverence lapsed in favor of new and exotic ways. As the aristocratic families of Thae decayed, the Imperial court became more and more decadent. The mad emperor Jurianus tolerated a wife who openly practiced sorcery, among other vices. Such was the folly that provoked his assassination.

(to be continued)

“Histories”, Part 2

The Tarquinians of antiquity were renowned for their command of magics. Legend has it that a Tarquinian farmer was plowing his fields one day when a tall man miraculously arose out of the ground from one of the furrows. This man then proceeded to teach the farmer the very first wizard spells. The Tarquinian wizards assembled an early demonology, and were said to be able to call up spirits and bind them to service. Tarquinian wizards were famed for their use of familiars. Tarquinian wizards were also good at divination. They could foretell the future from examining animal entrails (haruspicy) or observing lightning strikes. In fact, divination in general was sometimes described as “the Tarquinian Art.”

The early Thaecians, in contrast, had little aptitude for and almost no tradition of wizardry. They distrusted and hated the Art and all its practitioners. These people were extremely religious by nature, and like other Men of their time, relied on priests, druids and shamans exclusively for any magicka. Their antipathy toward magicka is reflected in an ancient Thaecian term, veneficium, which had two meanings; first, use of the magical arts, especially sorcery employed to harmful ends; and second, the act of poisoning.

* * *

From the beginning of its history, Thae was ruled by the distant Tarquinian kings. While the Tarquinians were not particularly repressive, they naturally had poor reputations because of their fondness for sorcery. When Thae finally gained its independence, many of the Tarquinian magicians were killed or driven off.

After the founding of the Republic [in what is now northeastern Naranduil], Thae underwent a dramatic period of political expansion within the ancient world. As Thaecian power and imperialism grew, many foreign influences were brought into the region—including foreign sorcery. Most free wizards in the Republic maintained low profiles. Magicka and its practices was a punishable offense and still viewed unfavorably by more conservative citizens. Under the laws of the Republic, necromancy was occasionally practiced in secret, but it had no place in the religious life and was subject to severe legal penalties.

Many Thaecian citizens slowly acquired a taste for sorcery, and would pay handsomely for new and exotic trinkets or exciting magic spectacles. It became rather fashionable among the aristocratic classes to have a slave who knew some amusing or helpful magic. During the Republic, most wizards were foreign-born and of low station. Few Thaecian citizens actually performed magicka themselves. Free wizards were presumed to have had some foreign or Tarquinian blood in their veins. Female wizards were rare and especially hated. There were nonetheless some powerful witches in those days, perhaps most notably Veranis of Nura.

(to be continued)

“Histories”, Part 1

Wherein an accounting of the origin of magicka on Andurin is given so that it will not be forgotten…

According to legend, the drakes were the first race in Andurin. They slept in cold caverns, swam in still oceans, and flew in dark skies long before the advent of Men. It is natural, therefore, to conclude that drakes were the first wizards in Andurin; their considerable talent for magic is well known. Drakkari commonspeech is extremely close to the Elder Tongue. It is said that the drakes overheard the gods as they formed and shaped all of creation. This explains in part why drakes and their ilk are so adept at wizardry. The Elder Tongue binds all mortal creatures to speak true—except for the drakes. They alone have the cunning to lie in the True Speech…or so the legends say.

The Seelie Court (who are also known as the Sidhe and the Fae) also have great aptitude for the Elder Tongue. They were probably the second wizards in Andurin. Only the drakes know what the land was like before the coming of the Ffolk. A Fae presence predates human existence in what is now Damrosil (in southwestern Telluria), in Arator and in Silmataurea by several dozen millennia. It is said that in the ancient times, the fairies once lived openly, visible to all.

Fae love magicka and have an uncanny affinity for enchantments. They take great delight in unusual or elegantly-wrought spells and artifacts. The most powerful magical items now in Andurin were undoubtedly wrought by the Fae in ages past—those that survived the Sundering in any event. Their enchanted swords are still prized above all others, save for the Twelve. It is said that the fabulous blade of King Falconedge, for instance, was made by an ancient prince of the Seelie Court, and given to him by a Ffolk maiden.

The Fae are also masters of illusion. Faerie glamour, it is said, is almost impossible for mortals—even magicians—to recognize. There are countless tales of the Fae using their glamour to disguise themselves or trick hapless mortals.

* * *

Long ago, before the birth of the elves, it is said that the Lords of Faerie withdrew from Andurin and the visible world. Why they left and just where they went is unclear. There are many stories of the Fae sailing into the west, or withdrawing deep into the woods and far beneath the ancient hills. The realm of Faerie is now largely inaccessable to mortal men, and the Fae only rarely venture forth. Those mortals who have claimed to visted this place tell fantastic tales of a strange land where time has no meaning and of a realm filled with unending wonders.

A governor from Brynnel named Halius once attempted to invade a Faerie wood. Each time his troops entered the trees, they would march barely a bow-shot before finding themselves back where they started from. Few men since have repeated the governor’s folly.

Of the Fae, only the lesser faeries have remained behind in the mortal world, and it is said that their time here is waning. The faeries here are wilder and are more neutral than their nobler cousins. In addition, they are extremely reticent, and have rarely had direct contact with people. They use their magic to dazzle and frighten all those with whom they are unfamiliar. The great faery queen Titania and her court kept the ebon drake Noxostratos at bay for centuries, and was later feared by Fhaardi barbarian raiders who ventured into what is now northwestern Damrosil.

* * *

It is not clear who had dwelt in southwestern Telluria before the coming of Men, nor how long they had been there. Some evidence remains of a primitive pre-human society. A dark and furtive race built the prehistoric dolmens, cairns, barrows, and stones which still dot the landscape. Contrary to popular belief, druids did not build these things—though they did venerate these places. It is not known what magics these pre-human races used, if any. Little is known of them as they seem to have been fairly primitive. Some have suggested a great human kingdom existed alongside the Fae, although there is little evidence to support this.

Traditionally, Men had little experience with wizardly magic; they relied exclusively on priests and shamans for all sorcery. The rare wizards that were encountered were greatly feared and of considerable power. In general, though, wizardly magicka was the domain of non-humans, such as the dread hags which prowled the Barren Wastes and the depths of the Shadowed Wood in eastern Silmataurea. The enchantments of the Sidhe were held in awe and often feared by others—although relations between the Fae and mortal races, particularly those of Men were not always hostile. Sometimes, a Sidhe and a human would mate. Those few born with a talent for magicka usually had some faerie blood in their veins.

(to be continued)

“Metamorphosis”, Conclusion

Scene Four

Sometime later. The lights come up. The pile of potatoes in back of PETER has increased significantly, while the pile behind DAVID has decreased significantly. DAVID peels his potatoes now methodically while PETER is now peeling nervously fast.

DAVID
You seem to be a bit behind today. Like you were yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that, and…

PETER
I’ve had things on my mind.

DAVID
Imagine you–with a thought.

PETER
I didn’t have any until you came to help.

DAVID
Then you should be thankful. Thoughts are wonderful things to have.

PETER
Not when they interfere with your peeling. You know, you haven’t … since … Why have you been ignoring me?

DAVID
I’m not ignoring you. I’ve been too busy peeling. You can understand that. Yesterday was my biggest day ever. I think I peeled more than you–once again. Today looks like another winner for me. You better be careful. That could be my picture in that frame downstairs.

PETER
You used to be behind, before I showed you how to peel.

DAVID
Or am I ahead because I showed you…?

PETER
What?

DAVID
Never mind.

PETER
What is that supposed to mean? What are you saying?

DAVID
I don’t think I’m saying a thing. I just hope they don’t find out about you.

PETER
(getting angry) You are. You know something. You’re saying something!

DAVID
No. Maybe. You want me to?

PETER
Something happened! You did something to me. I don’t feel right inside. What did you do?

DAVID
You’re losing it. You better go back to your peeling before you get further behind.

PETER
You know I can’t! I used to know how to peel. I was good at peeling! It’s what I knew. I showed you! I can’t do it anymore! You took it from me! Give it back to me!

DAVID
Give back what? A peeling technique any idiot could have figured out for themselves?

PETER
No, it was mine!

DAVID
–and you taught me and I learned well. I expressed my appreciation. I said I wouldn’t tell anybody about that. What more do you want?

PETER
I want to go back to peeling. It was mine in the first place!–I know, you teach me. I’ll learn it back.

DAVID
That’s ridiculous!

PETER
No, it’s not. You’ll give it back to me. We’ll go back to the way things were.

DAVID
No!

PETER
You have to!

DAVID
(calmly) Says who?

PETER
You have to! Please! It was mine. I want it back! It’s what I knew how to do. I was good at it. Give it back to me!

(He attempts to regain his peeling technique. He picks up a potato, tries, and fails. He throws it down. Picks up another potato, tries and fails. He then starts throwing potatoes around the stage.)

PETER (Cont.)
What did you do to me? You took it from me! I want it back! Give it back!

DAVID
(a beat and then calmly) I like peeling. I’m good at it. Oh, I forgot to tell you. Management liked my idea, next week we start carrots.

(Fadeout)