06-09-2001, 09:59 PM | #1 |
Zhentarim Guard
Join Date: May 31, 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 385
|
THE SAGA OF IRONGYRD BLACKSHEILD
High above Fyllern a bitter sun is burning, Far above the ice, a raven slowly turning And in a young man's heart an endless hollow yearning For Irongyrd is gone, to Valhalla's high halls. High above Fyllern a bloody night is falling Far above the ice, a raven’s lonely calling And in a young man's heart an aching anger galling That Irongyrd is gone, to Valhalla's high halls. Winter it was harsh in the lonely Ice Isles But Irongyrd bore with honour the hardship and the trials He walked an icy shore all washed with wind blown foam Where stood an ancient hall, his father's father's home Wrought in wood and stone by the white strand's end, The sea was its shelter, its guardian and friend In service of Tyr he stood to rule the land With Erith by his side, his sons by his hand Winter it was harsh in the lonely Ice Isles But eyes dark with greed and hearts dark with guile Turned with ill intent toward the ancient hold Lusting for the land, and lusting for the gold Halrutha looked with envy on all that Irongyrd held And swore an evil oath that Irongyrd would be felled He stretched out a hand, a crooked wizened claw To swallow all the Isles in the wolf's bloody maw. Halrutha built an army from the shadows and the night From fey and evil creatures that shy from the light Wolves of wicked winter and trolls of blackest ice Blood would be their purpose and blood would be their price. The bastard mage made sacrifice to call on Loki’s might That Irongyrd’s life would end before the morning light His sword flashed in the light, he raised a bloody head And he swore that come the night Irongyrd would be dead. They gathered in the thanes, the freemen and Huscarls To stand beside the Blackshield, and fight for the Jarl. Helgar was sent out to sail into the East Searching for an ally to stand against the beast. The people all took refuge in the shelter of the hall To wait for evil's coming, to wait for night to fall. A horn raised alarm – a high and eerie wail And Irongyrd cried "Stand fast, your courage will not fail." Tanar was the youngest, the light in Erith 's eye He vowed he'd stay and fight, to win the day or die. But Erith saw the children, the weak and the old Her heart was filled with fear for their safety in the hold. She knew they must be taken and hidden from the foe Cradled in the earth, in the caves far below. Tanar led them down in shadow and in stealth And if the foe discovered them, he would fight by himself. Irongyrd raised a cry to his father's father's shades To ask for Tyr's blessing on Troll Biter's blade. Orc Crusher's head flashed like a fiery brand And Water Walker shone in Harkeen's hand. As if in angry answer to the to the blade's bitter light A rain of fire came down from the roof of the night. The bastard mage had called on evil magic power And fire fell from the heavens in a bitter bloody shower. With a cry to mighty Tyr that echoed through the night Irongyrd sallied forth, ready for the fight. Steel rang in anger to fend off bloody claws, And blades flashed with fire to fend off bloody jaws. The white strand was mired to a sea of bitter mud The sand all soiled and sodden with sweat and tears and blood. Beyarrin fought with fury the creatures called from hell But came the eighth hour, and Beyarrin he was felled. Each blow that Harkeen made left a bloody track Aeorith stood with him fighting back to back. They saw their father wounded, and overcome with rage Carve a bloody path to stand before the mage. As power met with power sparks flew through the night The evil gift of Loki met with Tyr's might. Halrutha screamed with anger and raised a gory hand Maimed by Irongyrd 's blade, his blood dripped on the strand. But evil fights with cunning, and not by strength of hand Poison on a blade can fell the strongest man. With anguish in his heart and an aching, broken cry Aeorith he watched his father fall and die. And like a craven coward Halrutha fled the fray. Standing in his ship among the windblown spray He raised his wounded hand and cast a final spell From the darkling heavens he called forth fiery hell From the sky a pillar of black cloud boiling Of flame and ash and lightning; and black smoke roiling Flame smote the living leaving only ash and bone And flame smote the island, to burn the very stone Aeorith he cried, and ran toward the hall For if he did could not free them the flame would burn them all. But the mighty walls were crumbling all round the shattered door A roar of dust and stone, Aeorith knew no more. A cold light fell on a dreadful, dire dawning The sun rose high on a bitter, bloody morning Beneath the shattered door had woken But oh the awful sight – his mighty heart was broken Everywhere was ashes, bodies burnt and charred Molten stone and cinder, strewn across the yard. Here lay Irongyrd, bloody, bent and battered His great heart broken, his black shield shattered. As Aeorith knelt to take the weapons in his hand An echo of an echo came drifting down the strand. From the mists of the morning, shadows came a creeping Shades of the dead all woken from their sleeping. Like a child's distant crying calling to be heard Like the lost and lonely wail of a soaring, swooping bird Came the shade of Irongyrd with bared and bloody breast Crying give me vengeance, crying give me rest. Aeorith the warrior with armour and with might But where was the enemy, a foe that he could fight. Aeorith he swore that vengeance would be taken The shade of his father would never be forsaken. Alone he would stand, alone he would fight His kinsmen all gone in the darkness of the night With sudden joy he saw life amongst the dead The sun shone like a crown on Harkeen's fair head And through the haze of smoke, the acrid stench of burning Across the windblown waves, Helgar 's ship returning. As Helgar set his foot upon the lonely strand Harkeen ran to greet him, to take him by the hand. In weary words of sorrow Harkeen told the cost The bodies that were broken, the lives that were lost. When the words were spoken with hushed and hollow grace Harkeen bowed his head in his uncle's strong embrace. But evil fights with cunning, and not by strength of hand A blade in the back can fell the strongest man. With anguish in his heart and an aching, broken cry Aeorith he watched his brother fall and die. The bitter blade of treachery flashed in Helgar 's fist He lowered Harkeen down and with a traitors kiss On Harkeen's bloody head he made his last farewell "May we meet again, at the feet of mighty Hel" With ashes in his mouth, the acrid reek of burning And ashes in his heart, an endless hollow yearning Aeorith all lost in anguish and in strife Shattered at his feet the fragments of his life. Across a troubled sea he saw the last ship leaving Alone among the dead, alone in bitter grieving, A foundling cast adrift, a stranger amongst men Aeorith begins to start his life again. High above Fyllern a bitter sun is burning, Far above the ice, a raven slowly turning And in a young man's heart an endless hollow yearning For Irongyrd is gone, to Valhalla's high halls. High above Fyllern a bloody night is falling Far above the ice, a raven’s lonely calling And in a young man's heart an aching anger galling That Irongyrd is gone, to Valhalla's high halls. With thanks ot Viga for the inspiration |
06-09-2001, 10:07 PM | #2 |
Zhentarim Guard
Join Date: June 4, 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Posts: 340
|
Wow! Very nice! It evokes imagery of the places and events, stirring my imagination, as well as sympathy for those involved.
"Ahhh, you're just an old softie. Admit it" ------------------ DawnChaser aka Thanatos (Dispositioner of Souls) |
06-09-2001, 10:55 PM | #3 |
Symbol of Cyric
Join Date: March 17, 2001
Location: England
Posts: 1,160
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This is......beautiful!
Although you'd have to have the "forgotten realms" as second nature or else Halruaa would mean nothing to you! Everyone must read this. The piece is like the Bayeux Tapestry! ------------------ |
06-09-2001, 11:55 PM | #4 |
20th Level Warrior
Join Date: April 9, 2001
Location: Dallas, Tx, USA
Age: 55
Posts: 2,830
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This really pulls on the emotions... THIS is why I play the games, to get this feeling of heroism... the nobility of honor... ------------------ |
06-10-2001, 12:00 AM | #5 |
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: I live inside of my mind.....
Age: 53
Posts: 3,234
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woah! not bad!
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06-10-2001, 02:56 PM | #6 |
20th Level Warrior
Join Date: April 9, 2001
Location: Dallas, Tx, USA
Age: 55
Posts: 2,830
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too good to let drop :thunbsup:
(that means *bump*) ------------------ |
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