Hyung's Tale

[Stephen McNaire]

Hello everybody. I found Planeshift and was facinated with the world itself more then the game. So of course I had to write something^_^. I\'m trying to write how I think a dwarf would think, we\'ll see how well that goes. Although for the prelude he has been drinking so he\'s a bit more loose then normal.

I of course have not been able to read all of the other stories so I\'m not aware of any real aspect to this world other then what the offical Planeshift page states. If there is something that has become accepted among you guys that I do wrong, please feel free to correct me.



Hyung\'s Tale
Prelude:
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 \' Five days have passed since it happened. I wish it hadn?t, but it did. My father was a dwarf to be proud of. He handled his forge like the metals he worked in, strong and unyielding. It was his gift with a hammer that led to our troubles.
 \' We hail from the noble clan of Hammerwielders. My father was deemed Kolin Ikinn at birth, my mother Jun Shon. I am told they bonded young and surely the amount of siblings with the amount of gray in my father?s beard would say this.
 \' In honor of their love, they formed a new name for their children: Shinn. I am Hyung Shinn; The fifth of seven. I grew up in a boisterous place; it is loneliness for home that brings me to tell you this tale today.
 \' My father was trained to be an architect like his father before him and his buildings stand to this day. But he was never pleased with his work. His love was in his brother?s forge and I can remember when I was young how he would spend late hours there honing his skill.
 \' At the behest of my mother, my father studied the ways of Talad and mastered the art of the glyphs. He became known for his weaving of magic into the metals he worked. No where else was he as happy. I remember it well; he built to feed us, but forged to himself sustain.
 \' I never understood him for years. My love is books, something my father scoffed at. I was sick once when I was young and my mother would tell me stories to entertain me. It is those stories that I blame for my obsession with knowledge.
 \' When the fifteenth year had passed for me, I met a wandering bard of the Ylians. I would sit and listen for hours to his tales. A rare friendship was forged, for you remember how young dwarves are fiercely proud of their race. When he learned of my want to read, he offered to teach me.
 \' My mother helped me to keep the lessons secret from my father, who would never have allowed it. Reading was for other races he would say. Dwarves learned trades that had a use. But I didn?t agree and many times that bard would come through our little village and I would always meet to learn more.
 \' I was happy with my life, but I know now that the black fate to come was unavoidable. As the twentieth year passed...my father learned of the lessons. I have never seen him in such a black rage. Only my mother?s intercession kept him from removing my hide.
 \' I was told to either leave what he termed nonsense and learn a useful trade, or I was on my own. I had been in the tavern with my friends and my temper was never higher. In just as much rage as my father I spat on his name and declared that only fools were that narrow-minded.
 \' I left my village that day with nothing much more then the clothes on my back and a handful of trias given to me by my father before I left. Now I see that those trias show the depth of his love for me, but then I saw them differently. They said to me that I was forever gone from his house.
 \' At the first village I came to, I spent the hated trias in the local tavern. I do not recall what happened, but I woke up in a forest with no knowledge of where I was. A Lemur scholar found me there. He saved my life by taking me in.
 \' When he learned I could read and wished to learn more, he took me under his wing. I think I amused him, a dwarf wishing to be a scholar. I have plied that trade for eight years studying hard, for my master was a hard teacher. We earned our living by helping others with our knowledge and lore of the land.
 \' It was five months ago that I felt the longing to return home and go to my father?s house. Perhaps Talad touched my heart, granting me the chance to restore my honor with my father before the troubles came.
 \' What? Oh no, my troubles were not the troubles that I wished to speak with you. I see that I have meandered off my tale. But see, they extinguish the lamps for the night draws towards dawn.
 \' I feel the need for sleep and will leave you now. If you wish to finish listening to my tale, perhaps we can meet as we break our fast. Sleep strong brother.

[Stephen McNaire]

Hyung\'s Tale
Part one
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 \' The Azure light is cold, but it gives ample warmth. Hyung woke up unpleasantly warm, a ray of light covering his blanket. He quickly tossed it aside and rose. His head pounded, the beer had been good last night and he had partaken a little too freely.
 \' There was a loud crack as a crick in his spine worked itself out. He had slept, as was his custom, on the roof of the inn. Even if windy and colder then renting a room, it did have its advantages. There was less chance of getting your throat slit if someone thought you had a few trias. They?d even take your body away so no one would know you were gone.
 \' For most people this was uncommon or even unheard of, but Hyung was traveling alone and in the garb of a scholar. He knew, even if he?d never admit it, that he was easy prey. True he was of fine Dwarvish stock, however, he had never been a fighter, he lived in his tomes.
 \' Moving to the corner of the roof he splashed his face with water from the rain cistern, sputtering as the water dripped down his red beard. It was unbraided at the moment and he felt very awkward, but he needed a mirror to do it right and refused to do a halfway job.
 \' He stripped his shirt off and replaced it with more normal travel clothes. He had no wish for people to stare at him this morning. Now he looked like any other dwarf that had been at the drink the night before.
 \' From below good smells wafted up. Morning porridge was done, but he couldn?t stand the thought of food yet. Hyung collected his things and carefully wrapping his precious few books and scrolls that actually belonged to him, he dropped them over the edge. A moment later he followed. His knees bent to absorb the damage, but the impact did little to help the ache in his head.
 \' Recovering his books he moved to the front of the building, drawing a few curious glances from people moving about already. There was no door, just a simple doorway to the inn, common in Ojaveda. He let one hand brush against the stone in approval. It was simple cut sandstone, a beauty unblemished. Other races thought it bland, but to a dwarf it was pure and tasteful.
 \' There was already quite a crowd of many races inside to break their fast. Hyung ignored them all as he walked to the table from the night before. An Enkidukai walked up to him.
 \' ?Peace dwarf.? It purred the customary dwarvish greeting of strangers, bowing slightly. ?What is your pleasure on this fine morning??
 \' ?Hot water.? Hyung growled.
 \' The Enkidukai showed its fangs. ?Your humor is good.? It said. ?Shall I bring you a fine beer??
 \' Hyung looked at the Enkidukai, giving it full benefit of his expression. ?I would like hot water.? He repeated.
 \' The Enkidukai hid its mouth with a furry paw. ?Yes of course.? It said. ?I shall bring some. Would you also care for some porridge??
 \' ?No.? Hyung growled.
 \' Stifling a chuckle, the Enkidukai left to get the water. Hyung pulled a small pouch from his bundle and opened it. A strong healthy aroma wafted out from the herbs stored inside. He rummaged through them, picking out a green leaf with yellow strips running up the veins.
 \' A mug was thunked onto the table and Hyung looked up in time to see the Enkidukai leaving, shaking its head at this strange dwarf that would want water when finer stuff was available.
 \' Hyung pulled it closer and set about carefully crumbling the leaf into the steaming liquid. The herb had to be carefully broken along the veins, or the remedy would slowly seep through the vein walls instead of quickly mixing with the water. Hyung was in no mood for a lengthy brewing.
 \' A Yilen woman in a healer?s robe approached him.
 \' ?A dwarf with water?? She said. ?I see you suffer from headache. Would you wish me to brew you a yaali tea?? She gestured with one hand to the small basket of herbs slung on the other arm.
 \' Hyung ignored her and continued his work. She noticed what his fingers were crumbling and a frown creased her brow.
 \' ?I see someone has already given you a yaali leaf. I would warn you, it looks very much like a kron leaf, which poisons if too much is consumed.? When Hyung stopped for a moment, she took this as a sign to continue. ?I have several yaali leaves for sale. I will give you one for two trias.? She offered the leaf.
 \' Hyung finally turned towards her. ?I do not need your aid. I know full well what I am mixing into my drink.? He said. ?Nor would I wish to purchase any of your stock. I see you carry melem hidden among your healing herbs. If you are a healer, which I find in doubt, you must dabble in the occasional creation of disease when times are slow.?
 \' Her hand moved up in an attempt to cover her shock. With a wounded ?humph? she turned on her heel and marched to the other side of the inn.
 \' Hyung resumed his preparations. Taking the mug, he tilted it back and forth to help the herb to mix. After a moment, he took a long swallow. It tasted awful, but its effects were worth it. Within mere minutes he felt the hangover lessening and even started to think about ordering porridge. A good thick meat strip was what he was hungry for, but not the way an Enkidukai would cook it.
 \' He was starting to relax when yet another person bothered him. The dwarf looked familiar to Hyung, but he could not place him. He was tall for a dwarf and carried an axe on his belt. His brown beard was neatly tied and tucked into his belt.
 \' ?Hail brother.? The dwarf said, extending an arm.
Still unsure of who this was, Hyung nevertheless rose and clasped forearms with him.
 \' The dwarf looked down at the mug. ?I see last night came in with you.? He observed. ?You bought a brew from Jani??
 \' ?I would not buy from her.? Hyung growled as he sat back down. ?She carries an herb with her that causes similar effects to the plague. Some healers use it to create false diseases for them to heal when short of trias.?
 \' The other dwarf remained standing. ?Perhaps she should be reported to the Vigesimi.? He said. ?What if she were to try to foul the inn?s stores??
 \' ?Do not worry.? Hyung waved a hand. ?She would not do something so foolish. As the only healer here she would be the first to be suspected. The Vigesimi would be familiar with the darker side of herb lore, as he must to survive. Besides, there are a few rare uses for melem. No proof could be given as to what she carried it around for.?
 \' ?You are very sure of yourself in this matter.? The other said as he finally sat.
 \' ?I am a scholar.? Hyung mentioned, then paused to wait for the other to laugh at him. Nothing happened. ?I have studied herb lore.?
 \' The other looked at him for a long moment. ?Hyung, son of Kolin, I do believe you have forgotten me already!?
 \' Hyung stroked his haggard beard to hide his embarrassment. This dwarf knew his name and he never would?ve given it out without receiving in turn. The other dwarf?s eyes followed the movement.
 \' ?Here.? He said, pulling a mirror from his pack.
Hyung accepted the mirror gratefully and setting it against his mug, proceeded to set his beard.
 \' ?You were a little beyond drunk last night.? The other dwarf smiled. ?I?m not surprised you don?t remember telling me your life story.?
 \' Hyung paused, his memory tickled. ?Pol, son of Grwed??
 \' ?Well met.? The other nodded.
 \' ?And I told you my life story??
 \' ?Indeed.? Pol said. ?You were very morose, apparently something had befell your family.?
 \' ?I told you what it was?? Fear gripped Hyung?s heart.
 \' ?No.? The other grunted. ?You told me how you came to be a scholar, but then you declared sleep and left before telling of your current troubles.?
 \' ?Good.? Hyung sighed. ?I cannot tell you I?m afraid.?
 \' ?Wanted?? The other asked.
 \' ?In a way.? Hyung finished with his beard and ties off the two ends. ?Thank you for the loan of your mirror.? He said, handing it back. He started to fold his blanket back around his things.
 \' The other took it silently. ?You are leaving already?? He said at length.
 \' ?Yes, I?m heading towards Hydlaa today and wish to find it before dusk.?
 \' Pol put his hand on Hyung?s arm, a breach of polite protocol. Hyung gave it a glare, which it ignored.
 \' ?Don?t take this the wrong way, but you?ll never make it through the forest without getting mugged? Pol said warned. ?You carry no weapons nor do you carry yourself like a fighter.?
 \' ?I am aware of this.? Hyung said gruffly. ?I planned on using a longer circular route.?
 \' Pol shook is head. ?Even worse. The wilds are called wilds for a reason. I would be remiss if I let you wander into danger.?
 \' ?I have survived by myself quite fine so far.?
 \' ?But you have been noticed here.? Pol said. ?I came to find you last night to warn you. I overheard some thieves. They planned on waiting until you were alone and then stealing your books. The librarian in Hydlaa would pay alot for them.?
 \' ?I know their worth.? Hyung replied. ?That?s why I keep them wrapped. Why would you care to help me??
 \' ?Is it a crime to help someone?? Pol countered.
 \' ?It is uncommon to actively seek someone out.?
 \' ?Understand there is another reason.? Pol stroked his beard absently.
 \' ?I cannot pay you to guide me there.? Hyung said. ?I?m afraid you?ll have to find your work elsewhere.?
 \' ?It is nothing like that.? Pol stated. ?You are a scholar, I have need of your service.?
 \' ?There are plenty of scholars around.?
 \' ?In Hydlaa there?s lives my grandmother.? Pol explained. ?She has been struck with an illness that none of the healers understand. I wish a scholar to look at her, I thought that they might have read of it, but she refuses to see anyone but another dwarf.?
 \' ?And I fit both needs.? Hyung summarized.
 \' ?In exchange for my company on the road to Hydlaa, you would visit my grandmother. She is one of the few relatives I have left. I do not wish to lose her yet.?
 \' Pol offered a hand. After a moment of thought Hyung took it.
 \' ?Very well.? He said.
 \' Pol beamed. ?Thank you. May Talad grant that you help her.? He looked around. ?Since you will be able to take a shorter path and need not rush, may I invite you to break fast with me??
 \' ?You honor me Pol, son of Gwred.? Hyung inclined his head. ?I would be honored to morning meal with you.?

________
On a side, does anyone know how to indent on this board?   doesn\'t work here because HTML is disabled.

[Stephen McNaire]

Hyung\'s Tale
Part Two
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 \' ?I always wondered what Talad looked like. Now I know he has to be tall.? Hyung grumbled as he labored up the umpteenth hill.
 \' Pol chuckled painfully, for he too was out of breath. They paused at the top of the hills to take the surrounding land in. Off on another knoll a small group of creatures wander around.
 \' ?See those?? Pol asked.
 \' ?Yes.? Hyung rolled his shoulders to ease the ache of carrying his stuff for so many hours. He didn?t usually travel this long or hard.
 \' ?Best to stay clear of them. They are quite aggressive. They?re Tefusang.? Pol warned him.
 \' ?Indeed.? Hyung sat down and drew from his bundle a worn bound book. Knowingly opening it to just the right page, he looked at it and then up at the tefusang.
 \' ?Whoever quilled this book was no artist.? He declared after a moment.
 \' Pol leaned over his shoulder, curious. Underneath some scrawly writing was a picture of something that distantly resembled a tefusang. The claws were the wrong size and the face had been messed with to make it resemble something demonic. There was something hanging from its dripping fangs.
 \' ?Reminds me of the way I viewed stranger when I first left home.? Pol remarked.
 \' Hyung reached into his bundle again and came out with a small box. Opening it revealed a small writing set.
 \' ?What, you can?t expect to scribble here.? Pol asked.
 \' ?The book is wrong. I just need a few minutes to correct the mistake.? Hyung explained.
 \' Pol glanced around nervously. ?I guess as a scholar you would want to. But this is not the safest place to do it. If those tefusang come after us, I cannot deal with them myself.?
 \' The fact that Pol actually admitted to not being strong enough was proof enough that it was dangerous to hover so near the aggressive beasts. But Hyung couldn?t resist the need to have the book be correct.
 \' He opened an oilskin pouch and carefully poured a small amount of ground ink into a depression in the box lid. Taking his water skin he added drops of water one at a time, stirring after each until the ink was just the right constancy. Next he took his quill and a knife and sharpened the edge. With an almost feline grace he dipped the quill into the ink and started to draw.
 \' ?You are not half bad.? Pol said after a minute.
 \' ?My mother could paint. She taught me much.? Hyung explained.
 \' He continued in silence for a few minutes. His deft hand scratched out the basic outline of the tefusang. Setting his quill aside, he lifted the book and blew on the page to aid the drying of the ink.
 \' ?That?s it?? Pol asked.
 \' ?I?ll finish it later.? Hyung told him. ?I just needed to get the overall size of the limbs right. My memory will fill in the details later.?
 \' Packing his stuff away they resumed their journey. The day was bright and cheerful, the sky clear and a breeze merrily blowing along the grass. They were in such good spirits that when Pol starting singing a battle march, Hyung joined in and their voices rumbled over the hills.
 \' The tune was a typical dwarf march, invigorating to the singers, terrifying to the enemy. The few beings they saw always gave them a wide berth. Along the way they passed a giant finger of rock reaching into the sky.
 \' ?Do you know what that is for?? Hyung asked, pointing.
 \' ?No.? Pol told him. ?I do not often come this way. There?s a library in Hydlaa. Perhaps you can find out there.?
 \' Hyung?s eyes lit up. ?A library??
 \' ?Indeed. More books are kept there then I?ve ever seen in my life.?
 \' Hyung managed to keep himself in check, even though the thought of that many books available made him want to run the rest of the way. He hoped there wasn?t some fee or rules that would prevent him from going through them.
 \' Maybe there he could find some answers to the problem facing him. He needed to learn about the law, but he couldn?t ask. In a library he might find a book on law where he could find the way to help his father.
 \' ?Over there is the forest.? Pol was saying, breaking into his thoughts.
 \' Hyung looked where he was pointing and saw a huge expanse of woodland, dark and forbearing.
 \' ?Pleasant.?
 \' ?That?s just what it looks like in the day.? Pol said. ?We must press on. Being caught in the forest in the night is a sure way to not see the next morning.?
 \' With that cheerful thought in their minds they hurried on, for the day was leaving. Even with the extra speed it was nearing dusk when they reached the edge.
 \' Pol peered into the depths. ?Hyung...I know I promised to protect you. But I?m loath to enter this forest this late in the day.?
 \' ?Is it any safer here on the edge?? Hyung asked.
 \' ?In truth, no. So I guess we have no choice. But keep your wits and try not to stray from the path. This forest is like a maze.? Pol warned.
 \' He entered and after a moment Hyung couldn?t make out his form in the shadows. Calling upon his courage, Hyung followed. His form too was swallowed by the shadows.

[Stephen McNaire]

I think I\'m going to stop with this one. No one seems interested and I\'ve relized just how little I know yet of the PS world. Besides it just wasn\'t coming together. When I really had to work to type more I knew that was a bad sign. Perhapes in a month or two when I know more of the world of which I type.
At least I created a history for my charecter, which was the main point.

[Arka]

I like the way it was developing.  I\'ll keep an eye open for your return!

Arka

[Stephen McNaire]

Woo7! Back. Tonight I just started writing and the words flowed from me. Good, good sign. Did three pages in 15 mins. So happy^^!

BTW, everyone always has bandits attack in the forest. I am too good to stoop to the same old thing. So I came up with something else:p.

Hyung\'s Tale
Part Three
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 \' The forest was peacefully quiet and Hyung almost found himself enjoying the trek through its twisted paths. As for possible bandits, he felt almost no fear of the thought. A part of him was almost looking forward to a possible thrill. Unbeknownst to him, his ease was an old ingrained genetic comfort of being underground, mimicked by the dense foliage.
 \' Pol walked ahead of him swinging his axe and chanting an old marching ballad. Hyung didn?t know the words, but after the first two verses he knew the tune well enough to rumble a bass accompaniment. Automatically his brain was also remembering the words for that time later when he would want to write them down.
 \' For a good fifteen minutes they marched in this way and then the atmosphere changed around them. Almost at once, both of their fighting instincts kicked in.
 \' ?What is it?? Hyung asked, drawing closer.
 \' ?I don?t know.? Pol said. ?Something feels wrong ahead.? He glanced around. ?Let?s move on silently from now on.?
 \' They quietly moved forward, Pol rivaling the elves for their ability to move silently. Hyung felt each of his steps made more noise then a beaker exploding when over-heated. After another minutes he noticed that the birds were silent.
 \' He prodded Pol and opened and closed his hand a few times like a beak before pointing to the branches. Pol nodded grimly and tightened his grip on his axe. Then they saw it. Up ahead a fire glowed in the dark woods, illuminating a small clearing from which several figures could be seen sleeping.
 \' Pol moved to whisper in Hyung?s ear. ?This could be an ambush or nothing.? He told him. ?Whatever it is, it?s well placed. We?re in a ravine, there?s no way to go but forward or back.?
 \' ?What do we do?? Hyung asked.
 \' ?We?ll have to approach quietly and scout them out. They look from here to be a group of travelers who don?t want to risk going any further tonight.?
 \' ?Won?t they have set guards?? Hyung asked.
 \' Pol nodded. ?We?ll have to approach carefully so as to not startle them. If they are bandits this could get involved. Do you have a weapon??
 \' Hyung shook his head. ?Only my knife.?
 \' Pol growled softly and pulled a long knife from his belt. ?Use this.? He said.
 \' Hyung took the blade distastefully. ?Must we press on?? He wanted to know. ?Couldn?t we just stay here or go back??
 \' Pol shook his head. ?Never go back and never stop. You?ll only give them the first attack which might be your last. No, we must have the first action.?
 \' He stepped forward to take the lead again. ?We spread out.? He said. ?Remember if you see anyone don?t speak until they spot you. With luck we can pass the camp without them ever being aware we were there. If you are spotted identify yourself and do not attack unless you must! One wrong move could lead to a huge misunderstanding ending with us dead.?
 \' Hyung nodded his understanding and tried to settle his nerves. Almost before he realized it, Pol was lost among the shadows, heading for the left side of the camp. After a moment?s of thought, Hyung took the right side.
 \' He crept on as silently as possible, halting to listen each time he snapped a twig by accident. There was no response form the camp. Nor did he see any guards on watch. As he neared the edge of the clearing he saw that it indeed looked like a small traveling group.
 \' There was a small tent which contained their gear with a lone person sleeping across the door. The other three shapes were lying around the fire. No one seemed awake.
Hyung paused uncertain. This was not the way he thought a group of travelers would sleep in a dangerous forest. There should be at least one person awake by the fire or by the tent. Something wasn?t right here.
 \' He heard the rustle moments before the shape dropped from the tree. The furry shape slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. His wrist hit a stick, jarring the knife from his grasp. Instinctively he lashed out and landing a blow on his assailant. Hyung would be considered weak by his brother dwarves, but compared to other races his blow would still be great.
 \' The shape hissed as it leapt back. Hyung tried to roll upright and just managed to recover before the shape attacked him again. there was a minute of tussling on the ground, but Hyung was doomed to fail.
 \' A sudden clawed slash at his head ended it. Before he could recover, he was flipped onto his side and soundly bound with rope. Another shape appeared and between them they hoisted Hyung into the air. He was unceremoniously carried to the fire and flung down beside it.
 \' He rolled to the side and ended up with his  head by one of the sleeping shapes. He saw that there was no one in it, just a bundle of cloth. It had been a trap indeed.
 \' He could hear another tussle off to the side and he knew that Pol was being attacked too. If the attack was as swift as his had been he knew that Pol was done for too.
 \' Indeed only two minutes later Pol was dumped beside him looking pretty beaten up. Hyung wished to help him, but didn?t dare move. While he pondered what was going to happen to them rough hands picked them up. Hyung blinked as blood flowed into his eyes from the scratches on his head.
 \' When he could see again with one eye he saw that there was an Enkidukai standing above them, his face a thundercloud.
 \' ?What have we here?? He asked, his lip curling. Without waiting for an answer he turned to the side. ?Where did you pick them up?? He asked someone.
 \' A Xacha stepped up. ?They were sneaking on us from both sides.? He stated.
 \' The Enki growled. ?Hoping to flank us and ambush us were you?? He hissed at the two dwarves.
 \' He turned and fairly roared. ?Brethren our hunt tonight has been blest! Tonight we catch two of these foul bandits as they plotted to surround and slay us in their sleep!?
 \' There were several growls that showed that many Enki were present but Hyung was too terrified to notice.
 \' ?We make a start tonight on destroying the blight that has cursed our woods for so long!? The Enki continued.
 \' It hit Hyung fully then. These weren?t bandits, this was a group of bandit hunters! And they thought that Pol and him had been planning on slaying and robbing them!
_____________

Anyone want to be a part of the bandit hunting party? I\'d like to get some real PS charecters in on it to make it more true to the PS world, but I won\'t do it without permission.

[Arka]

Excellent!

I guess you need someone to rescue you now!

/me looks around for volunteers

[Bebel]

Wow nice stories, i read the three part with pleasure and in one time