Original Link (now dead) - http://zone.msn.com/asheronscall/ASHEpoems.asp
Our Saga in Verse
Poetry is a staple of the great oral traditions, and for good reason. How else can one capture the high emotion of battle in a just cause, or reflect the beauty of the rising moons? We invite all of Dereth's poets to submit to this archive.
The Fighter's Lament
I stand, a shade of my once-happy self,
Amongst the drudges of these bleak Dire Lands,
Surrounded by the tumeroks, on a shelf
Of rock. Before me, in my hands,
A broken blade. I guess the end is near.
It is not for love of life I sigh,
Nor is it torture at strange hands I fear;
It is not death I hate, but that I die
In this cold, distant place, where lust and greed
Have lured me far from my beloved land.
I should have been content as we agreed,
To find adventures at home, hand-in-hand,
And there, in waking dreams, attain each night
Most wond'rous riches in soft candlelight.
--Verse discovered on a bloody piece of parchment by Boro, Gharu Wanderer
Answer the Call
Darkness descends across Dereth's land.
A Call goes out: come, warriors, mages!
Conquer, with strength and wizardry,
For honor fight, fail not, champions!
Dereth's fate depends upon your deeds!
Valor and guile! Vanquish the foe!
Banderlings bringing death, despair, battle!
Lugians, smashing, laughing in loud anger,
Wasps winging through wilderlands dire,
Liches luring the brave to their lairs,
Shadows stalking in silent halls,
Monougas marching, madness, war,
Against them all, stand, answer then,
Across the ageless void, Asheron's Call!
--Llewyn the Harper
A Wanderer of Dereth
The Price of Allegiance
Not for nothing, and not for gold,
Though some have prices, or so I'm told.
Not for glory and not for fame,
Though for my part, you'll feel no shame.
Not for secrets, magics untold,
Indeed, for nothing bought or sold.
For honor only, allegiance I'll swear,
And so sworn, I'll follow, wherever you dare.
Life's battles won, or life's battles lost,
Honor is victory, despite any cost.
--Ariq al-Binara
Vassal of Alun Magus
The Allegiance of Magemerlin
The Revenant
Eight Brave hearts, into the dungeon.
Eyes are watching.
Battle is joined, the lich is slain.
Seven brave hearts, deep in the dungeon.
Ears are listening.
Swords flash, banderlings fall.
Six brave hearts, in the dark of the dungeon.
Voices are calling.
Spells and screams, another lich gone.
Five brave hearts, lost in the dungeon.
Hands are waiting.
One wrong turn, the mage is lost.
One cowering heart, alone in the dungeon.
Eyes have seen him.
The Revenant waits...death incarnate.
One man flees the heart of the dungeon.
Voices are laughing.
The mage, alone, afraid, escapes.
One Dark Lord, down in the dungeon.
Fire is burning.
The Revenant wins all.
--Ariq al-Binara
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