Post by Topaz on Nov 1, 2015 20:58:08 GMT -5
THE RETURN OF FIGMAR
PROLOGUE:
Our tale begins in mountains far and high.
Within those mountains now our heroes fight
with demons. They prevail; the demons die,
but leave a cryptic message brought to light.
The heroes seek its meaning near and far,
a mystery that will not let them rest;
they search for knowledge under moon and star,
till in a cavern deep they end their quest.
What strange encounter, fortunate happenstance,
what eldritch accident of time and space,
will be revealed? What unforeseen mischance
will bring them to some undiscovered place?
Will they survive, and will they all return?
Behold what follows, that you all may learn.
ACT I: A remote and mountainous region of Valorn. Three adventurers are beset by demons.
WARRIOR: Hold, stand behind me! Demons!
CLERIC: At thy side
and not behind, I fight, in Cory's name!
DEMON: Die and be eaten, puny human prey!
WARRIOR: Now, rogue, retreat, and let me shelter thee;
I stand before thee as thy wall and shield.
ROGUE: Fear not for me, brave warrior. I will strike
with poisoned dagger, in my deadly dance.
DEMON: I'll use your swords and bones to pick my teeth!
WARRIOR: Now feast upon my sword! Die, demon, die!
CLERIC: The Light of Cory burn you into dust!
ROGUE: Though I be wounded, you will bleed and die,
your wretched scalp a trophy of my triumph.
(DEMON dies. ROGUE picks up a demon scalp and a parchment.)
ROGUE: What find is this? A parchment, old and dry,
with words in ancient script I cannot read.
CLERIC: This script is known to me, for I have read
old scrolls and legends from the Golden Age.
Fear where I am found in far-off mountains!
I sleep undisturbed in a secret place,
Granted my rest by godly blessing.
Mark well the beacon, the beckoning portal!
Avoid my vale, for Valorn's sake;
Read in the stars the sage's story.
WARRIOR: Mysterious indeed. No demon penned
these cryptic words, in script of Golden Age!
ROGUE: Come, then, and let us follow back the trail
of this dead demon, searching for a clue.
WARRIOR: You have most skill at tracking. Lead the way.
ACT II. Night. An even more remote and mountainous region of Valorn.
WARRIOR: Night spreads its cloak, beneath which we should rest
in some ravine or cavern, with a fire
at cavern's mouth, for warmth and safety's sake.
WARRIOR: Can we not find our bearings by the stars?
Look how they brightly burn, to light our way!
And each depicts a story, I am told.
CLERIC: A story or a picture in the stars
many have seen. Behold the Demon's Eye,
the Warrior and the Sage. Across the sky
these hold their pageantry, adorned in light.
WARRIOR: The Sage I do not know. Pray, tell that tale.
CLERIC: The Sage is seated, with a mage's staff
held in his hand and pointing. It depicts
the great enchanter Figmar the Astute,
whose many exploits surely you have heard.
ROGUE: Look, a star falls! How bright its flaming path!
ROGUE: By Ben the Mighty One, I do declare
that where it fell was not too distant hence.
WARRIOR: Though all is dark, such light will show the way.
ACT III. Night. An unknown valley.
CLERIC: I see a light! Lo, where it brightly shines
from that low place or cavern-mouth ahead.
WARRIOR: Now downward to the cavern let us go
to seek the light, for I can see it well;
'tis blue and swirling, an enchanter's gate.
ROGUE: A portal here?
CLERIC: But surely 'tis a sign
sent from the gods themselves, that we should seek
the answer to this shining mystery!
ROGUE: The gods themselves have sent us wits to use,
so to avoid the jaws of needless peril.
WARRIOR: The gods love courage. I shall lead the way.
CLERIC: The gods are worthy of our trust. Lead on.
ROGUE: Then I shall follow after, but be warned
that if this errand ends in all our deaths,
my dying words will be "I told you so."
Act IV.
(A cavern. The WARRIOR, CLERIC, and ROGUE enter through a portal which flashes bright blue, filling most of the cavern with light. FIGMAR is curled up asleep in a shadowy corner.)
ROGUE: Who lies in shadows there against the wall?
CLERIC: What? Where?
ROGUE: That old man sleeping. Though benign
in visage, I urge caution in this place.
(FIGMAR opens his eyes.)
FIGMAR: What's all this uproar? Who turned on the lights?
WARRIOR: Greetings, good sir. We wish no harm to you.
We saw and followed a descending star
that led us to a portal, and to you.
FIGMAR: Why, then, I offer greetings to you all.
I hope you will forgive my drowsiness,
for I have deeply slept some little while.
My humble name is Figmar. Who are you?
CLERIC: I am a Cleric; this, my Warrior friend,
and Rogue companion. But your name, good sir,
resounds in tale and song illustrious;
are you descended from the famous Sage?
FIGMAR: I am a Sage, in sundry places known.
But may I ask: how came you on this place?
WARRIOR: We followed on its path a falling star.
FIGMAR: I had not thought this cavern could be found.
Some time ago I sent some parchments forth
with words of warning, not to seek this place.
I risked my life to end a deadly foe,
a creature made of darkness and of plague,
but at the battle's end, we both were trapped
within this cavern, never to emerge.
I sent the parchments lest some wanderer
might find this place, and so let loose the dark.
Then as reward the bright and merciful
immortal gods saw fit to come to me
and give the blessing of a peaceful sleep.
CLERIC: Then you are Figmar, through the ages known
for wisdom and for knowledge? Truly he?
CLOAKED FIGURE arises from the opposite corner.
FIGMAR: Yes, I am Figmar. But look out! Beware!
ROGUE: What is this creature from the shadows rising?
FIGMAR: It is the thing of evil and of death
I fought before, that was with me imprisoned!
WARRIOR draws sword. CLERIC raises hand with ring. ROGUE crouches, with daggers in hands.
FIGMAR: I bested it with riddles, not with spells
or power; but will gladly test them now.
FIGMAR picks up his staff, which flashes with lightning. CLOAKED FIGURE attacks.
CLERIC: By Cory's blessed light I bid you flee!
WARRIOR: Now, spawn of darkness, face my blade and die!
ROGUE: And while you fight the others, I will strike
with spinning blades to weaken from behind!
FIGMAR: Now, brave adventurers, I join the fray
with staff of lightning. Know that I am old
and may not live to see this battle won,
but I recall a Monument of Life
whence, if I fall, I straightway will return.
Shadow of death, brought forth from darkness, die!
Let lightning burn and wither you away,
as did the riddles' answers when we last
stood face to face! Now, evil one, begone!
CLOAKED FIGURE, under the combined attacks, dissipates, but gives a final strike at FIGMAR who falls to his knees.
CLERIC: Fear not, for I am here, with healing swift.
FIGMAR: I am beyond your help. I go to rest,
perhaps beside the Monument of Life,
perhaps in Cory's Light. My thanks to all
you brave adventurers. My book is yours. (FIGMAR disappears.)
WARRIOR: Figmar, alas! No sooner found than lost!
But is he lost forever? All we know
is that the thing we battled by his side
is gone, at least for now. I grieve for him,
but with our victory, he died content.
ROGUE examines FIGMAR's book.
ROGUE: And in this book perhaps more answers lie,
of Figmar's destination, future, past,
or what he did, or knew, or might have told.
Figmar! Though treasure we may gladly find,
the riches of your knowledge we desire
much more than wealth. Rest well, and swift return!
PROLOGUE:
Our tale begins in mountains far and high.
Within those mountains now our heroes fight
with demons. They prevail; the demons die,
but leave a cryptic message brought to light.
The heroes seek its meaning near and far,
a mystery that will not let them rest;
they search for knowledge under moon and star,
till in a cavern deep they end their quest.
What strange encounter, fortunate happenstance,
what eldritch accident of time and space,
will be revealed? What unforeseen mischance
will bring them to some undiscovered place?
Will they survive, and will they all return?
Behold what follows, that you all may learn.
ACT I: A remote and mountainous region of Valorn. Three adventurers are beset by demons.
WARRIOR: Hold, stand behind me! Demons!
CLERIC: At thy side
and not behind, I fight, in Cory's name!
DEMON: Die and be eaten, puny human prey!
WARRIOR: Now, rogue, retreat, and let me shelter thee;
I stand before thee as thy wall and shield.
ROGUE: Fear not for me, brave warrior. I will strike
with poisoned dagger, in my deadly dance.
DEMON: I'll use your swords and bones to pick my teeth!
WARRIOR: Now feast upon my sword! Die, demon, die!
CLERIC: The Light of Cory burn you into dust!
ROGUE: Though I be wounded, you will bleed and die,
your wretched scalp a trophy of my triumph.
(DEMON dies. ROGUE picks up a demon scalp and a parchment.)
ROGUE: What find is this? A parchment, old and dry,
with words in ancient script I cannot read.
CLERIC: This script is known to me, for I have read
old scrolls and legends from the Golden Age.
Fear where I am found in far-off mountains!
I sleep undisturbed in a secret place,
Granted my rest by godly blessing.
Mark well the beacon, the beckoning portal!
Avoid my vale, for Valorn's sake;
Read in the stars the sage's story.
WARRIOR: Mysterious indeed. No demon penned
these cryptic words, in script of Golden Age!
ROGUE: Come, then, and let us follow back the trail
of this dead demon, searching for a clue.
WARRIOR: You have most skill at tracking. Lead the way.
ACT II. Night. An even more remote and mountainous region of Valorn.
WARRIOR: Night spreads its cloak, beneath which we should rest
in some ravine or cavern, with a fire
at cavern's mouth, for warmth and safety's sake.
WARRIOR: Can we not find our bearings by the stars?
Look how they brightly burn, to light our way!
And each depicts a story, I am told.
CLERIC: A story or a picture in the stars
many have seen. Behold the Demon's Eye,
the Warrior and the Sage. Across the sky
these hold their pageantry, adorned in light.
WARRIOR: The Sage I do not know. Pray, tell that tale.
CLERIC: The Sage is seated, with a mage's staff
held in his hand and pointing. It depicts
the great enchanter Figmar the Astute,
whose many exploits surely you have heard.
ROGUE: Look, a star falls! How bright its flaming path!
ROGUE: By Ben the Mighty One, I do declare
that where it fell was not too distant hence.
WARRIOR: Though all is dark, such light will show the way.
ACT III. Night. An unknown valley.
CLERIC: I see a light! Lo, where it brightly shines
from that low place or cavern-mouth ahead.
WARRIOR: Now downward to the cavern let us go
to seek the light, for I can see it well;
'tis blue and swirling, an enchanter's gate.
ROGUE: A portal here?
CLERIC: But surely 'tis a sign
sent from the gods themselves, that we should seek
the answer to this shining mystery!
ROGUE: The gods themselves have sent us wits to use,
so to avoid the jaws of needless peril.
WARRIOR: The gods love courage. I shall lead the way.
CLERIC: The gods are worthy of our trust. Lead on.
ROGUE: Then I shall follow after, but be warned
that if this errand ends in all our deaths,
my dying words will be "I told you so."
Act IV.
(A cavern. The WARRIOR, CLERIC, and ROGUE enter through a portal which flashes bright blue, filling most of the cavern with light. FIGMAR is curled up asleep in a shadowy corner.)
ROGUE: Who lies in shadows there against the wall?
CLERIC: What? Where?
ROGUE: That old man sleeping. Though benign
in visage, I urge caution in this place.
(FIGMAR opens his eyes.)
FIGMAR: What's all this uproar? Who turned on the lights?
WARRIOR: Greetings, good sir. We wish no harm to you.
We saw and followed a descending star
that led us to a portal, and to you.
FIGMAR: Why, then, I offer greetings to you all.
I hope you will forgive my drowsiness,
for I have deeply slept some little while.
My humble name is Figmar. Who are you?
CLERIC: I am a Cleric; this, my Warrior friend,
and Rogue companion. But your name, good sir,
resounds in tale and song illustrious;
are you descended from the famous Sage?
FIGMAR: I am a Sage, in sundry places known.
But may I ask: how came you on this place?
WARRIOR: We followed on its path a falling star.
FIGMAR: I had not thought this cavern could be found.
Some time ago I sent some parchments forth
with words of warning, not to seek this place.
I risked my life to end a deadly foe,
a creature made of darkness and of plague,
but at the battle's end, we both were trapped
within this cavern, never to emerge.
I sent the parchments lest some wanderer
might find this place, and so let loose the dark.
Then as reward the bright and merciful
immortal gods saw fit to come to me
and give the blessing of a peaceful sleep.
CLERIC: Then you are Figmar, through the ages known
for wisdom and for knowledge? Truly he?
CLOAKED FIGURE arises from the opposite corner.
FIGMAR: Yes, I am Figmar. But look out! Beware!
ROGUE: What is this creature from the shadows rising?
FIGMAR: It is the thing of evil and of death
I fought before, that was with me imprisoned!
WARRIOR draws sword. CLERIC raises hand with ring. ROGUE crouches, with daggers in hands.
FIGMAR: I bested it with riddles, not with spells
or power; but will gladly test them now.
FIGMAR picks up his staff, which flashes with lightning. CLOAKED FIGURE attacks.
CLERIC: By Cory's blessed light I bid you flee!
WARRIOR: Now, spawn of darkness, face my blade and die!
ROGUE: And while you fight the others, I will strike
with spinning blades to weaken from behind!
FIGMAR: Now, brave adventurers, I join the fray
with staff of lightning. Know that I am old
and may not live to see this battle won,
but I recall a Monument of Life
whence, if I fall, I straightway will return.
Shadow of death, brought forth from darkness, die!
Let lightning burn and wither you away,
as did the riddles' answers when we last
stood face to face! Now, evil one, begone!
CLOAKED FIGURE, under the combined attacks, dissipates, but gives a final strike at FIGMAR who falls to his knees.
CLERIC: Fear not, for I am here, with healing swift.
FIGMAR: I am beyond your help. I go to rest,
perhaps beside the Monument of Life,
perhaps in Cory's Light. My thanks to all
you brave adventurers. My book is yours. (FIGMAR disappears.)
WARRIOR: Figmar, alas! No sooner found than lost!
But is he lost forever? All we know
is that the thing we battled by his side
is gone, at least for now. I grieve for him,
but with our victory, he died content.
ROGUE examines FIGMAR's book.
ROGUE: And in this book perhaps more answers lie,
of Figmar's destination, future, past,
or what he did, or knew, or might have told.
Figmar! Though treasure we may gladly find,
the riches of your knowledge we desire
much more than wealth. Rest well, and swift return!