| User Title: |
Perfect Dark Agent |
| Posts: |
9,477 |
| Credits: |
|
|
this is not, repeat NOT NOT NOT NOT NOOOOOOOOOOO the entire first chapter, i just feel its been awhile since i posted the "teaser" and i should toss you guys a bone
____________________________________________________________________________________
I
A Most Humble of Beginnings
Like most stories, this one begins in a quiet and out-of-the-way little town. It' name is Bendonil, and is mainly inhabited by humans, although Elves have been known to come from their vast forest to the Southwest and visit. On a clear day those of the sharpest eyes could make out the tops of the Ullard Mountains, the primary home of the Dwarves and the Ralnir, a race of airborne creatures that resemble our Dragons, but there are some rather distinct differences. Such as their fur, and shorter tail, and the ability to speak. Anyway, back to the town of Bendonil. A river ran a mile or two to the Southeast, and a few boathouses were placed along the river at it's widest point. There are many similarities between the peoples of Lavalia and us. One similarity is the most common language of the continent of Lavalia, which is identical to ours (plus a few words of their own), but under a different name, Balvish. Another similarity is the average height. The men and elves are only on average a few inches shorter than us. The Men, in general, live longer than we do (for instance, around 120 for them is around 75-80 for us). The Dwarves lead fairly lengthy lives, but the longevities of Men and Dwarves combined still pales in comparison to that of the Elves. It is rare bu not unheard of for an Elf to die of natural causes, they are usually felled in battle or by some wretched plot of a enemy. There are some Elves still who have been in Lavalia since time out of mind.
Like us, Lavalia is no stranger to wars, though it's been some time since the vast Plains of Tullnat have seen a fight. The last great war was the War of Klarnith, which was just short of 50 years ago. It came about when one of the Urkhan (a race of humanoid beasts that were forced to the Northern Tundras long ago) roused the massive population and launched an attack on the South to regain their freedom. The leader's name was Klarnith, which is how the war got it's name. Due to the massive number of the Urkhan warriors, the Elves, Men, and Dwares had to fight with one another as they had not done since they had driven Trynlaen his mass of Mirdan soldiers across the Western Ocean to the lands that lay beyond. It was a long and terrible war, but with the help of the Ralnir, the free peoples eventually prevailed and peace reigns in Lavalia to this day.
I realize I may have been throwing locations and names all over the place, and it may be a little confusing. Let me part the clouds of confusion. The town of Bendonil is in more or less in the center of Lavalia, though none of the Great Roads pass through it. The river to the southeast is the Surain. It runs across Lavalia, from the Northern Sea to the Bay of Frotkun, and is a water source for many towns and cities. Running from directly to the east of Bendonil to the southern coast are the Ullard Mountains. That mountain range is the primary home of the Dwarves and the Ralnir. The Halls of the Dwarves are things of legend in their size alone. To the west and southwest as far as the eye can see (from Bendonil) is the Forest of Rondain, the Elve's domain. The capital city of the Forest is Eldunon, and there is another city in the southwest and a town to the northwest. Though the Elves keep good care of it, there are still some wild beasts roaming the obscure regions.
There are many cities and towns of men, Elves, and Dwarves around Lavalia, the biggest of which is Doliat. It is the capital of the province of Tullnat, which is the vast region in between Cerbat and the Northern Tundras. People of all races ave homes there. Even the some Ralnir have homes in the Hills of Tullnat just to the east. The Plains of Tullnat are in between Bendonil and the Tundras. There are 2 Watchtowns, an Eastern and a Western. the sea-faring Men and Elves live largely in the cities of Trilan, on the Eastern coast, and Ronlit on the Western coast. Solen Mountain is a seemingly random mountain in the Plains. Solen City is the great city made in and on the northern side of the Mountain. It is inhabited by Men and Dwarves, for Elves have no love of Mountains.
The southwestern tail of Lavalia is the province of Cerbat. The people of Cerbat are very mysterious, and no one ever comes in or goes out. There is a mountain range in the middle of it called the Shalkon Mountains. It is rumoured that Trynlaen and what remained of the Mirdan eventually came back and made the massive border, but not many people believe that. The capital is Viltan, and there are a few other cities about the province, such as Seaport. A race of people called Shortlings live in Cerbat. They are called so because they are about half the height of a normal man. They rarely leave their country, and when they do it's never a good sign. I believe that will suffice for now, I am quite sorry for that rather lengthy description. I do beleive it is time to really begin this most humble of beginnings.
* * * * * * * * * *
Our first person of note is a man named Denunil. He is a warrior-turned-carpenter who resides in Bendonil. He fought in the war of Klarnith when he was in his early twenties, which makes him around 70 now. He is of average height and stocky build, with dark short-cropped hair and a well-kept mustache of the same colour. Currently, he is overseeing the construction of a pavillion for the Harvest-day feast.
"Come on! That's not how you raise a tent!" he yelled "Careg! Learn to swing a sledgehammer!"
Which brings us to our second big character. Careg, a man in his mid-thirties (what they would call a quarterling), is tall, relatively slender, yet very strong. He has a very youthful spirit, and an uncommonly foul mouth. As well as a proficient builder, he can hold is own on the battlefield, and hopes one day to venture to Doliat and and enlist in the army. He and Denunil are very good friends, regardless of the ocassional criticsm.
"Come on, Denunil. We've been workin like fuckin dogs since like half past 8!" He looked into the sky and saw the sun above him.
"It's noon anyway," he continued, "Can't we break for lunch?"
Denunil paused as if considering, checked the sun and conceded. "You have an hour for lunch. Go, I'll finish this tent."
The workers left to go find some food where they may. Denunil walked over to the half row of pegs that needed pounding. He slipped the noose over the peg, tightened it, stepped on the peg to partially push it into the ground, then pounded it home. He finished the line in this fashion and sat on a bench. He took a look around the Pavillion and saw a familiar hat sticking up over the top of a log pile. He got up, and when he arrived at the woodpile, the hat was gone, though he had kept his eyes on the hat all the way there. What the hell? thought Denunil. "Well Hello there!" said a familiar voice right behind him. Denunil jumped and wheeled around. There he saw Gwildom, and old friend and one of the few remaining Wizards of the world. "Holy fuck!" exclaimed Denunil, "Damn near scared the shit outta me!" Gwildom was bent over laughing. Fairly avereage in height and build, Gwildom was one that would stick out in a crowd. He wore a hat much like a Bowler hat, and kept his goatee in a fashion that was quite different from the way other Men wore theirs. He also wore a cloak with strange desings embroidered on overtop of his regular clothing, and clasped and the neck with an ornate brooch. Finally Gwildom rightened himself and properly greeted Denunil. "Hello old friend!" he said, "It certainly been awhile." "That it has, what with you being abroad for several years" he replied "Where have you been anyway"
"Here and there. Places you ill be in time."
"What? I don't plan to leave Bendonil. I've made a very good living here and I do not wish to give that up."
Gwildom chuckled chuckled and said "Anyways, I am here for the festival."
"That didn't stop your adventuring before."
"I got what i needed."
Denunil shook his head. "You are too vague for your own good."
They shared a laugh and walked around the Pavillions talking about the goings-on in Bendonil over the last few years. Denunil talked of everything from the sprouting of a grove of saplings to the discovery of gold in a nearby hill. "It's definitely helped our economy" he said. Gwildom listened intently, laughing where it was accepted and adding an occasional "You don't say!" or "Indeed!". After awhile Denunil noticed the time. "Damnit! its been two hours since I told them they could have lunch! Where the hell are they?!"
**********
Careg and the other workers were sitting in Turmran's Bar & Inn eating lunch and talking and laughing merrily. There were some shady-looking people in a far corner, eyeing the group and Careg in particular. After awhile two of them walked up to Careg. The supposed "men" were actually Shortlings of the mysterious land of Cerbat, Midgets to those who keep uncivil tongues. Careg was at the end of a joke. "And the third man says, 'I just made a dollar!'" The men roared with laughter, except for the few who didn't get it. One of the Shortlings tapped Careg on the shoulder. He turned around and snickered. "What's a Midget doing this far North?"
"Wondering if the citizens of Tullnat are always so vulgar" replied the Shortling with distaste. "Actually, I wish to know where I may find the Mayor of this town."
"Why do you ask?" Careg noticed the sword at the Shortling's belt, and the one at his accomplices'.
"None of your business, you sniveling idiot, now tell me where I can find your Mayor."
"Sniveling idiot?! Can you beleive this Midget!" the workers laughed. Careg looked back at the Shortling. "Listen," he said "I'm taller sitting down than you are standing up, and I could take you and your three friends with a hand and a foot bound." He fingered the hilt of the large knife on his belt. "Now," he continued "If you don't want any trouble, I suggest you be well out of Bendonil by the time the sun sets."
The Shortling and his friend laughed. "You have a stout heart! However it shall bring your demise!"
The Shortlings all drew their swords and the two in the corner walked over. Careg stood up laughing. He drew the large knife from his belt with his right hand and beckoned them forward with his left.
"You have no chance against us, there and four of us!" cried the leader of the Shortlings. Careg chuckled, grabbed the Shortling's hand and threw him face first into the wall. he Shortling collapsed and dropped his sword.
"Make that three" said Careg. The others charged him with their swords raised, and Careg delivered a low roundhouse kick to their faces. He looked at the knife in his hand. "I didn't even need this!"
He and the workers laughed and he sheathed the knife.
"Turmran! See that these Midget's are imprisoned! And tell the Mayor I saved his life. I bet these hooligans had a mind to kill him!"
"Aye, I'll see it. These Shortlings'll be the talk of the town, no doubt."
"Come on men, Denunil's probably shit himself wondering where we are."
The workers paid for their meals and returned to the Pavillion.
"There you guys are! Where the hell have you been?!" yelled Denunil
"Woah, woah ,woah, calm down dude," said Careg. "You know the Midgets that live in Cerbat?"
Denunil sighed. "For the last time, they're called Shortlings" he said.
"Whatever! Anyway, four of them tried to kill me over at Turmran's."
"What the fuck?!"
"Well, they asked where the Mayor was, and I saw that they had little limpdick swords, like, my knife is bigger, and one called me a "sniveling idiot"
"They don't take kindly to being called Midgets..."
"I really couldn't care less. Anyway, I saved the mayors life, so.... i think that gets us off the hook for being late. Oh hey Gwildom!"
"Hello, Careg." Gwildom said "When I left you were still being taught your letters."
"Yeah, where the hell did you go? Your tales have been sorely missed and all the gatherings since you left."
Gwildom chuckled "You'll learn all that soon enough, and i may even have some new stories for the kids."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Denunil interrupted. "Enough reunions! If we don't get the last Pavillion up there isn't gonna be a party!"
"Like one missing Pavillion is going to stop anything."
"Stop with the smartassery! Just get to work."
**********
The workers began setting up the tents. Then they filled every Pavillion with tables, benches, chairs and the like. Bar and Tavern owners started showing up and setting up casks and whatnot. After a few hours the place was ready for tomorrow's party. Careg got to his feet and wiped his brow.
"Damn, it's hot today." he said.
"You can say that again" said a worker.
Denunil stood on a bench and raised his voice. "Okay guys! Job well done! I'll see you guys tomorrow, and don't drink more than you're fill! We're charged with taking all this down as well!"
The men let out a simultaneous groan.
"Oh come on! You guys get a day off!"
There were some hesitant cheers, and the workers went there separate ways.
 
|
|
Title still fuckin pending so calm your shit!!! loljk
08-30-2011
Linear Mode
