S'zella's Tale (book) - Revision history

SPICYDIAPSID: Correcting link.

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Correcting link.

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	When S'zella and I entered schooling to follow the		When S'zella and I entered schooling to follow the
	teachings of [[~~Sh'kiel\|~~Sh'Kial]] -- what, surprised to hear that		teachings of [[Sh'Kial]] -- what, surprised to hear that
	the great Bard was once intended for the [[Dragon Priests\|Dragon Mantle]]? I shouldn't blame you, he was never suited		the great Bard was once intended for the [[Dragon Priests\|Dragon Mantle]]? I shouldn't blame you, he was never suited
	to it as I was -- things began to turn sour. Vile		to it as I was -- things began to turn sour. Vile

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S'zella's Tale

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	bigotry cast its seeds and eventually sprouted		bigotry cast its seeds and eventually sprouted
	in the sacred temples, paving the way for the Hag		in the sacred temples, paving the way for the Hag
	[[~~Drzee~~]] -- may [[Hav'roth]] punish her always -- and her		[[Dzree]] -- may [[Hav'roth]] punish her always -- and her
	detested followers.		detested followers.

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	her guards did willingly, and I am told that S'zella		her guards did willingly, and I am told that S'zella
	went to his fate laughing. First Isharra, then		went to his fate laughing. First Isharra, then
	S'zella... may Peri'el hold them both.		S'zella... may Peri'el hold them both.



	==S'zella's Poetry ==		==S'zella's Poetry ==

CARAAMON at 02:18, 25 September 2008

2008-09-25T02:18:13Z

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	Densaar ashaan'ur'Hhshni <br>		Densaar ashaan'ur'Hhshni <br>
	Ur'hhs Shho'i'yvvh		Ur'hhs Shho'i'yvvh
			[[page type is::book\| ]][[guild association is::bard\| ]][[race association is::s'kra mur\| ]]

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2007-11-23T03:55:07Z

Book:BdahST moved to S'zella's Tale (book)

← Older revision	Revision as of 22:55, 22 November 2007
(No difference)

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			[[Category:Book]]
	==S'zella's Tale ==		==S'zella's Tale ==
	'''by [[Densaar]] ashaan'ur'Hhshni '''		'''by [[Densaar]] ashaan'ur'Hhshni '''

Maintenance script at 02:15, 6 November 2007

2007-11-06T02:15:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:15, 5 November 2007
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	==S'zella's Tale ==		==S'zella's Tale ==
	'''by Densaar ashaan'ur'Hhshni '''		'''by [[Densaar]] ashaan'ur'Hhshni '''


	We were as brothers, S'zella and I. I think on his		We were as brothers, [[S'zella]] and I. I think on his
	fame now -- fame, and tragedy -- and believe I would		fame now -- fame, and tragedy -- and believe I would
	weep if I could fully accept it. But I cannot		weep if I could fully accept it. But I cannot
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	I wish that I could say that S'zella was born with		I wish that I could say that S'zella was born with
	portents of the legend he later became, but I cannot.		portents of the legend he later became, but I cannot.
	He was born the third son of Renshala tal'Mhhra and		He was born the third son of [[Renshala]] tal'Mhhra and
	Salzhnor ren'Shaltari of Sraan Rasha. They were a		[[Salzhnor]] ren'Shaltari of [[Sraan Rasha]]. They were a
	peaceful folk, of course, and pious -- well devoted		peaceful folk, of course, and pious -- well devoted
	to the gods.		to the gods.

	When S'zella and I entered schooling to follow the		When S'zella and I entered schooling to follow the
	teachings of Sh'Kial -- what, surprised to hear that		teachings of [[Sh'kiel\|Sh'Kial]] -- what, surprised to hear that
	the great Bard was once intended for the Dragon		the great Bard was once intended for the [[Dragon Priests\|Dragon Mantle]]? I shouldn't blame you, he was never suited
	Mantle? I shouldn't blame you, he was never suited
	to it as I was -- things began to turn sour. Vile		to it as I was -- things began to turn sour. Vile
	bigotry cast its seeds and eventually sprouted		bigotry cast its seeds and eventually sprouted
	in the sacred temples, paving the way for the Hag		in the sacred temples, paving the way for the Hag
	Drzee -- may Hav'roth punish her always -- and her		[[Drzee]] -- may [[Hav'roth]] punish her always -- and her
	detested followers.		detested followers.

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	central to S'zella's story. When we were in the		central to S'zella's story. When we were in the
	temple academy, S'zella met a young priestess of		temple academy, S'zella met a young priestess of
	Peri'el. She was taking some lessons at the great		[[Peri'el]]. She was taking some lessons at the great
	Dragon Temple to further her studies of how the		Dragon Temple to further her studies of how the
	Dulcet Goddess did keep the Dragon pacified. When		Dulcet Goddess did keep the Dragon pacified. When
	she sang, it seemed as though the land itself for		she sang, it seemed as though the land itself for
	miles around quieted to listen. Her name was		miles around quieted to listen. Her name was
	Isharra.		[[Isharra]].

	Naturally, S'zella fell hopelessly in love with her,		Naturally, S'zella fell hopelessly in love with her,
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	As the Dragon would have it, S'zella returned with		As the Dragon would have it, S'zella returned with
	the next rise of Xibar. The blue moon cast its		the next rise of [[Xibar]]. The blue moon cast its
	ethereal light down upon our settlement as my friend		ethereal light down upon our settlement as my friend
	rode back into his home on the fiery black dakohirdu		rode back into his home on the fiery black [[dakohirdu]]
	that he was so incongruously fond of. (I have never		that he was so incongruously fond of. (I have never
	cared for the dakohirdun. They are foul-tempered,		cared for the dakohirdun. They are foul-tempered,
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	his eyes over to the Temple of Peri'el, whereon hung		his eyes over to the Temple of Peri'el, whereon hung
	long white buntings of mourning silk. I too wore the		long white buntings of mourning silk. I too wore the
	white.		white.

	He dismounted slowly, as one in a dream -- or,		He dismounted slowly, as one in a dream -- or,
	perhaps, a nightmare, which they dearly wish to deny.		perhaps, a nightmare, which they dearly wish to deny.
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	friend, forgive me for my weakness -- I doubt that it		friend, forgive me for my weakness -- I doubt that it
	would have changed anything, but I should have been		would have changed anything, but I should have been
	there for you in your ~~hourof~~ need. Peri'el knows		there for you in your hour of need. Peri'el knows
	that I was so later...		that I was so later...

	S'zella, of course, hungered for the blood of the one		S'zella, of course, hungered for the blood of the one
	who had mislead his lady. I foresaw this, and had		who had mislead his lady. I foresaw this, and had
	prepared iron for the q'zhalata. S'zella refused it,		prepared iron for the [[q'zhalata]]. S'zella refused it,
	though, saying that Isharra had been Tuul-sept, and		though, saying that Isharra had been Tuul-sept, and
	as such his enemy would be vanquished with a silver		as such his enemy would be vanquished with a silver
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	The q'zhalata was forged. I asked S'zella if he		The q'zhalata was forged. I asked S'zella if he
	would have one of the Dragon-vowed Lanahh'zhra		would have one of the Dragon-vowed [[Lanahh'zhra]]
	perform the act, but again, he declined. A wild rage		perform the act, but again, he declined. A wild rage
	was upon him, seething below a thin veneer of calm,		was upon him, seething below a thin veneer of calm,

Maintenance script: New page: ==S'zella's Tale == '''by Densaar ashaan'ur'Hhshni ''' We were as brothers, S'zella and I. I think on his fame now -- fame, and tragedy -- and believe I would weep if I could fully ...

2007-07-10T09:13:43Z

New page: ==S'zella's Tale == '''by Densaar ashaan'ur'Hhshni ''' We were as brothers, S'zella and I. I think on his fame now -- fame, and tragedy -- and believe I would weep if I could fully ...

New page

==S'zella's Tale ==
'''by Densaar ashaan'ur'Hhshni '''

We were as brothers, S'zella and I. I think on his
fame now -- fame, and tragedy -- and believe I would
weep if I could fully accept it. But I cannot
conceive that my childhood friend -- the boy who
conspired with me to steal fig pastries from the
local baker -- could possibly be this titan from
legend, this tragic figure from history.

But this is not my story. I commit my memories to
paper only so that some may yet remember the S'Kra
alongside the legend, because in truth my dear friend
was always both.

----------------------

I wish that I could say that S'zella was born with
portents of the legend he later became, but I cannot.
He was born the third son of Renshala tal'Mhhra and
Salzhnor ren'Shaltari of Sraan Rasha. They were a
peaceful folk, of course, and pious -- well devoted
to the gods.

When S'zella and I entered schooling to follow the
teachings of Sh'Kial -- what, surprised to hear that
the great Bard was once intended for the Dragon
Mantle? I shouldn't blame you, he was never suited
to it as I was -- things began to turn sour. Vile
bigotry cast its seeds and eventually sprouted
in the sacred temples, paving the way for the Hag
Drzee -- may Hav'roth punish her always -- and her
detested followers.

Wars waged in miniature swept through the clans. One
thing must I pause to explain, though, for it is
central to S'zella's story. When we were in the
temple academy, S'zella met a young priestess of
Peri'el. She was taking some lessons at the great
Dragon Temple to further her studies of how the
Dulcet Goddess did keep the Dragon pacified. When
she sang, it seemed as though the land itself for
miles around quieted to listen. Her name was
Isharra.

Naturally, S'zella fell hopelessly in love with her,
and, in time, the priestess returned the sentiment.
This was great fortune for S'zella, for even then it
was said that Isharra would be High Priestess. His
future looked bright. Of the poetry he wrote at this
time, I have included a small sample at the end of
this parchment. I often teased him that he had the
makings of a Bard. I wish now that I had not been so
prophetic.

Dark times were to shadow the fate of the two lovers.
S'zella, who had had some training in lawkeeping,
went forth with the volunteer brigades led by our
clan Paladins to quiet the lands. I remember their
parting vividly. S'zella's words ring still in my
mind.

''Until next, my love, in this darkness I will feel
''the sun of your affection upon my soul, and I swear
''to you by the honor of the Cobra that I will return,
''Poho Isharra, honored lady of my heart.''

It embarassed me to have witnessed such a moment, but
I pretended that it did not as my friend kissed his
beloved one last time, then turned and left her
understandably starstruck. Perhaps he felt that if
he lent the pain of his passing an imbalance with a
smooth tongue, the shock and discomfort of his
departure would be less, but not the longing --
S'zella was a very wise S'Kra, thus.

I have said that Isharra was fair, but perhaps have
not done my lady justice. She was revered for her
delicate beauty, renowned for her voice -- and thus
was much sought-after. S'zella, even in his absence,
became the focus of much jealousy.

It came that one rambling fiend, one careless idiot,
did think it a fine jest to tell Isharra that her
beloved had been killed.

Poor, lovely Isharra. The day after she heard the
"news," which in her heart she had long been
dreading, I found her in her chambers, lying before
the alter to Peri'el, dead.

The beautiful lady with the golden scales had
swallowed the deadliest of poisons, black mourning
root. Even in death she was heartbreakingly lovely,
and as I held her lifeless body in my arms, I wept
for the cruelty of the stupidly malicious, and for
the pain this would cause S'zella. I dreaded what my
friend would do when he returned, and feared that he
would not survive it.

As the Dragon would have it, S'zella returned with
the next rise of Xibar. The blue moon cast its
ethereal light down upon our settlement as my friend
rode back into his home on the fiery black dakohirdu
that he was so incongruously fond of. (I have never
cared for the dakohirdun. They are foul-tempered,
brutish creatures. Give me a nice, stupid horse any
day.)

The great beast snorted and flitted about, scratching
at the dirt with its massive feet. No doubt it
sensed its rider's discontent, for S'zella knew
immediately by the look on my face that something was
terribly, terribly wrong. Some divine prompting led
his eyes over to the Temple of Peri'el, whereon hung
long white buntings of mourning silk. I too wore the
white.
He dismounted slowly, as one in a dream -- or,
perhaps, a nightmare, which they dearly wish to deny.
"Densaar," he said gravely, too loudly, "why do you
wear the white? What innocent has died?" Then his
voice broke, and in a harsh, denying whisper, he
said, "My friend, where is Isharra?"

I bent my head, unable to answer. S'zella, my
friend, forgive me for my weakness -- I doubt that it
would have changed anything, but I should have been
there for you in your hourof need. Peri'el knows
that I was so later...

S'zella, of course, hungered for the blood of the one
who had mislead his lady. I foresaw this, and had
prepared iron for the q'zhalata. S'zella refused it,
though, saying that Isharra had been Tuul-sept, and
as such his enemy would be vanquished with a silver
blade. We spoke on this for some time, and in the
end were able to obtain a measure of Isharra's silver
jewelry for this purpose.

The q'zhalata was forged. I asked S'zella if he
would have one of the Dragon-vowed Lanahh'zhra
perform the act, but again, he declined. A wild rage
was upon him, seething below a thin veneer of calm,
and he swore by the tail of the Dragon that he would
do the deed himself. This he did, and returned to
our sleeping quarters with blood on his hands. He
was thereafter gently but firmly cast from the ranks
of the Priests -- such fury as he bore could only do
detriment to the task of keeping the Dragon
lulled. As he perhaps should have done from the
beginning, he joined the Bards. He was always a
quick learner, and lost himself in study, memorizing
histories and verse like one gone mad.

The rest of the story is as you know it. S'zella
became famous for his satire, which, in that cynical,
dark age, was well received. His words were bitingly
sharp, and he spared no one -- clearly the pain he
felt at the loss of Isharra became a shadow that
never left him, even unto the hour of his death.

That hour was a dark one for all S'Kra history.
Equal to S'zella's indiscriminate satire was his
disregard for his own safety. I had long since given
up attempting to shelter him from folly. It happened
that he came before Drzee herself, who already
detested Bards -- but it is my belief that her
encounter with S'zella was what sealed her resolve to
eradicate them completely.

S'zella thoughtlessly strode before her, capering
like a jester at court. He mocked her paranoia,
sprang at courtiers with loud exclamations as though
to scare them into heart failure. His final words to
her were, "Fear my fear, Hag Drzee, fear the fear
that feeds your own, foolish one!" Recall, too,
that S'zella was once a Priest of the Dragon.
Drzee's transgressions never did sit well with him,
and in his disdain of her he perhaps retained a
vestige of sanity. At times I believe that he
foresaw his own death at her hands, and welcomed it.

When at last Drzee lost control of her thin temper,
as happened often, she ordered him struck down. This
her guards did willingly, and I am told that S'zella
went to his fate laughing. First Isharra, then
S'zella... may Peri'el hold them both.

==S'zella's Poetry ==

S'zella once said to me that he began as a mediocre
poet and ended as a famed satirist. Here I tender
some of his earliest works. I will not provide any
of his satire, for you may find much of that in other
tomes, certainly.

'''In Memory Brief'''
S'zella tan'Salzhnor

''When diving larks arrow through the air,
''darts of life on turgid summer days,
''the spirit's fire kindles once again
''to warm through earthen flesh.

''And with the hum of cicadas
''beating their rapid tatoo upon the afternoon,
''memory of strife does drift away
''to reveal a fleeting peace.

'''My Lady Love'''
S'zella tan'Salzhnor

''Warm as the blaze of a welcoming hearth,
''her vibrance calls to me.
''Long adrift through wanders aimless
''at last I find North again.

''Lovely maiden, fire-hearted dryad,
''your beauty dries the tongue
''as your honor humbles the soul.

''Shining beacon, light my way,
''and ever lead me home.

I pen these so that my friend may be remembered in
the way that he, in his heart of hearts, would have
preferred. S'zella was a lover always, his passion
the root of his too-brief existence. S'zella's
symbol to this day is the double-sided mask... the
contorted face of pain worn on one side, mocking
laughter on the other.

Would that he had remained mediocre. Ah, my friend.
How I miss you.

By my Hand, <br>
Densaar ashaan'ur'Hhshni <br>
Ur'hhs Shho'i'yvvh