Spoiler Alert: based on The Smoking Ruins scenario

 

Smoking Ruins, subject of infinite rumors

many tales of ancient glory and treachery

In God Times, called Koralstead, founded by demi-god Koral Kandaros,

Guests for the blessed bonding of Sky and Earth rested here

Many years the people worshiped the ruling couple

home to the Summer Tribes of the Vingkotlings

Till its mighty walls fell to the deceiving light of Nysalor

 

Eons later, through mists of time, came a great troll

crafty Vamargic Eye-Necklace, of the Shadowlands,

he craved cruel death and destruction

his necklace God's Blood for rituals of reaving.

His great rival from Dagori Inkarth, Kajak-Ab Brain-eater

her ancestry a pure line to the great Mother of Trolls

Deep in the Ruins they fought, seeking ancient treasures

But they were, both of them, deceived, for another lurked

whether dragonspawn or half brothers, even the very wise cannot say,

even Hastur the Unspoken, whose map of beast scratches gave aid.

 

Goldentongued Andrenik sparred with Sorah Goodseller

distracted by recent delights, she still proved steady

but markets were made, merchandise traded,

along with some knowledge of Duck Point and the Grazelands.

Darvala, servant of the Mother Earth, blessed their mission,

she granted a boon of favor to faithful Freyar.

 

By boat, the Mighty Minnow, our heroes took travel, a three hour tour. 

Orlanth's Day, his blessed breath, the tiny ship was tossed

Quackling the Duck played the role of Orlanth the Thief

By the courage of the fearless crew the heroes made the shore

 

Around the pier paddled many strange boats, of wood and reeds

Driven by Durulz of all descriptions,

but strangest of all was a Crested Dragonewt paddling a log,

he raced us to shore while clucking "Darala yap yap"

Treya his friend, waded through the mire to meet and greet,

speaking in strange sounds and tongues, while the ducks hooted with delight

our heroes argued over what they had heard, till Treya brought news

Four Steps Blue his name, companion to her grandmother Thinala,

he brought her ill tidings, Thinala betrayed to the Netherworld,

the first warning of danger was this.

 

The Town was happy, Andrenik's trade proved profitable

Sorala held holy day with the horse lords

who provided the party with mounts, middling in quality

Lagertha longed for her beloved Red Molly.

Bronwyn met Death Drake, Nelkark Whitefeathers,

who provided a bane to bones, a scourge of skeletons,

she learned of a trophy to Death, Fire and Darkness

Rough Robbie rumbled, brawling like Barntar for beers

others told of a sacred spring, Arachne Solara's timeless shrine

More portents of danger, the heroes' paths were pitched in peril.

 

Next day, through Heler's tears, towards Beast Valley

followed by many centaurs, one magical, at mid-day

Fair greeting was made, generous gifts given,

their priestess, Dappled Light

follower of the World Spider, Mother of Time

she knew of the mapmaker Makes Scratches, and more of the Ruins:

A steep hill near the ruin is Thunderer's Temple,

seek secret entrance at the base behind His Blue Rock

Opposite lies a flat-top hill, very tall; forgotten shrine to The Spider

But beware, A great horror and many old grievances haunt the ruin,

many spirits of fire and air, troll foes of the centaurs 

the evil Eye-Necklace makes jewels from its victims. 

the second warning of danger was this.

 

A white swan swam, sacred to the Flower of Life

as the rains cleared revealing the King's Mother

Her snows garlanded in the setting gold of Yelm

A minotaur did worship, deep in devotions,

for She is also the mother of Velhara, Lady of the Wild

 

Lagertha approached with friendship, his name Clatterhoof

well armed and armored, and ardent with devotion,

perhaps he might travel with her to the Ruins?

that was not for his future, politely declining

the third warning of danger was this.

 

On the morrow, a pass via the He-is valley

four horses approached, bearing three riders

Grazelanders in gold, their leader Oxus, 

Sun Lord of Yu-Kargzant, chief of the Four Gifts clan

his wife Andrette, a cousin to the Feathered Horse Queen, 

member of the Golden Bow spirit society,

his spry mother, Gedua, beloved of of Polaris,

and strangest of all, Oxus' allied spirit, 

the shaman Sabarak, mysterious and unseen.

 

Andrette rode forward, and sang of their Four Gifts

joined by her horse, who glowed gold, pranced and sang

The Golden Horse Anklet, which Oxus' mount wore

The Iron Spear, straight rays from the Sun

Golden Bows, yew grown by dryads, fertilized by Smoking Ash

The Fourth Gift is a Secret for men alone.

Mouths fell agape at this performance of woman and mount,

Treya, whose revered grandma served Feathered Horse Queen,

dismounted and kissed the hem of Andrette's skirt.

 

Oxus then spake, his face grim with gloom

"There is great evil in the Burning Ruin, 

you would do well to turn back, Storm-landers",

the fourth warning of danger was this.

 

That fell night all had disturbing dreams of evil and fire

But Robbie and Lagertha saw glory and golden horses.

 

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