Very simple. Post here links or actual pieces of stories that happened in-game, to add as material for someone else to reproduce as a poem. This way our bard characters will have stories to tell in-game. Actual poems should be posted
here. You can also post poems about other materials (in-game books, player or not player made.)
Here comes my material:
From Sangwa Greenmoon's (the character) "Guilds of Olden":
Legendary WarriorsDuring one of my last visits to the Steel Temple I found a damaged scripture.
I attempted to transcript most of it to something legible, as the original was quite damaged.
I will mark removed parts with "(...)" and words I completed myself by inserting them between parenthesis.
«A long time ago (a ynnwn who was named Enriege arrived in the) town of Hydlaa. He had aspirations of (grand) glory, and gathered all those who would come to him in the (guild) of the Legendary Warriors. Those who stayed over time (would become) the legendary. However, many who came did not stay, and the roster was filled with (names not) important to anyone.
«(Those who achieved glory went by the name of) Monketh, Grakrim, Seperot, Draklar, Rayna, Arbraz, Tranor, Druke and ("Shadows"). Several guilds have formed from its [The Legendary Warriors'] Ruins. Well, anyway, for a time 'twas good. The Legendary Warriors prospered, 'twas said "The Sun never sets on the Legendary Warriors". They were common, and they were generally respected (...)
«Their leader was more rude than his members, however. He caused disputes between himself and other guilds. One member in particular Draklar, got so annoyed that he left with a good complement of the guild and founded The Defenders Brotherhood. (The Circle of Legends was one of) those who had been annoyed. (...)
«He [Enriege] went ballistic on the leaders of the Circle of Legends, and he would regret it.
«This is what really led to the inevitable end. The decline continued (...)»
This sheet was divided in two, in such a way that one could not calculate the size of the text it missed.
It continued on the other part:
«But the tide was against him, Grakrim, Seperot, and Monketh held an emergency meeting to decide their fate. They decreed it was unsafe to allow (...) the end to the guild. They set out on their own with Tranor and "Shadows". Thus ended the time of the Legendary (Warriors.)»
Such was what I could salvage.
It seemed to have the wording of Monketh, an old friend of mine, founder of the Rangers. It also seemed quite connected with fate of "The Rangers" one of the guilds that derived from this great "Guild of Olden."
The Defender's Brotherhood and The Rangers have influenced many of the guild leaders of these days, with their efforts of valour against the enemies outside and within Yliakum. It's believe that both had a hand in preventing the Cabali from creating even more havoc.
The CabalIt is only after many years have passed since the Cabali have gone silent that I dare to write on them as a departed guild.
The Cabal was a union of black hearted talented individuals who lived on the expense of Hydlaa and its people. Many know this, but very few know of how they came to be. This is my version.
When Hydlaa was closed down there was very little to do besides mining the Laanx Dungeon and gathering in the Temple to ask Laanx for a bright future.
This lack of activity and the heavy suspecting sight of the Hydlaa Guard drove everyone to their patience's limit. No one dared to strike at its foes, for it would be suicide to do so then, as you would be quickly refered to the guard and sent to the farthest depths of the Death Realm in a very quick fashion.
This did not prevent the existence of conflicts though; if only the guard was capable of swinging swords, then all one needed to do to bring its foe down would be to get him or her as close to that pending death as possible.
Espionage and forging public opinion became the deadliest weapons within the closed Gates of Hydlaa. And the Cabal excelled at both.
It was Auran, the Speechful, that formed the Cabal, though I have my suspicions about the involvement of corrupted Vigesimi and other personalities.
In a time where dissuading and persuading meant riches, he was able to gain the "loyalty" of very witty and dangerous characters: Xordan, Nostra, Savion and other such foul names that I'd rather not include in your memory.
These sentients formed "The Cabal" and their activity was felt right away. Masters of deceit and disguise, the Cabali, as the members of the Cabal were called, began by taunting the existent society that became distracted and allowed them to have their way with gems and tria.
However, their flirt with corruption quickly became an intimate relation... They began to find fame and wealth quite distasteful, as the Hydlaa Guard could do nothing to give them a lawful pursuit. But their thirst for chaos could not be quenched.
So they evolved their objectives to adapt to what they really enjoyed; the twisted methodology they made use of. Everyone then became a target. Some tried to counter them at their game, but none succeed and most paid the price for daring, like was the case of the Shadowhand.
They were partly the reason why the Dark Empire had so little expression back then. Not able to count on anyone, the Dark Empire avoided recruiting and would only do so after much deliberance. Such was the epoch when I was recruited. Princess Aelya despised them even above her most obvious enemies, though Auran would meet such hatred with a smile and a number of sweet words.
Draklar, who was the Empire's Warlord at the time, was the entity who fought their influence harder, though there were some who tried to as well, like Monketh of the Rangers and Golmir of the Defenders, but in general, their opposition did very little to slow the Cabal down.
They appeared and disappeared, changed their stance continuosly, their leadership swapping from member to member and finally reaching Xordan.
Their dissumulative nature did not last eternally though. Or at least that is what is believed and expected.
Nearing the opening of the Gates, the Cabal became less focused. Though many disagree, I believe these events were not independent.
No one is certain under what circumstances the Cabal disappeared. And no one wants to guess. But when that happened and the rest of the Cabal lost their faith, Hydlaa's community became more stable and within few years Hydlaa was once again linked with the rest of Yliakum.
I end this "Guild of Olden"'s story with an advise: do not fear Xordan's last heard words as the Cabal's Leader:
"Tremble Mortals for the eternal night is begun. No more will you breathe the air for the corruption will fill your bodies; no more will you see the light for the darkness will obscure all; no more will you know peace for chaos was seeded and has flourished, its tentacles sucking the vestiges of your very souls.
Tremble.
Tremble and cry for fear of the horrors that lurk in the darkness. Know that the Cabal watches and waits for you to die.".
This material isn't too good. But I'm sure some oldbies can get inspired to get something more solid.
