Ancient Mage [NaNo 2021] Book 1

Chapter One: Early Life

[font=Century Gothic]Time. Wasn't that everyone's concern? Short lived. Vintage. Stuck in the past. That is who I am. And I am your guide today. Welcome, to my memories. Come, have a seat, get a drink, get a meal. This will be all about me, Marigold Poppy. Of course, my mother thought it'd be funny to name me a female name, even though I clearly was a male. The adventure begins in a wonderful country named Ofuli, in a continent named Narjarhat. But what does time have to do with this? You shall see.

To quote what the memory says, from when I was a little drow.

"Narjarhat is a rather large continent stretches across multiple regions, from Temperate in the North, past the equator, all the way through to Polar in the South. Najarhat is geologically calm; there is little tectonic activity in this region; there are no mountains; only large hills at best. Naiarhat, the continent, has no volcanic activity, and and never experiences earthquakes. The winds in this region are usually inconsistent, with large storms and extreme weather being the norm. The sea to the South of Naiarhat is difficult to traverse, while the seas to the North, West and East are calmer. Naiarhat is plagued by exotic and invasive plants and animals. But as for race, it tends to hold Goblins, Dark Elves (drows), Aarakocra, Svirfneblin (deep gnome), Goliath, Fire Genasi, Water Genasi, Air Genasi, Earth Genasi, Fire Elementals, Water Elementals, Earth Elementals, and Air Elementals, as their primary race, and often, they tend to go on adventures to regain glory for their towns."

Oh, just blast those damn teachers. The school of Arcane really screws with me. Did I really need to know that? Not then, but when I started on the adventure, I had to rely on it. Every morning at my school of Arcane, I would be bullied because I was the only drow there with violet hair. What was the big deal? It's just hair that was... well... I was born this way. If- well- there was no use comparing myself to the jerks from the past. Rumors were proven, when the principal said that they were killed for their idiocy. Well, that was true, but that was only sugarcoating the situation, and I wanted to explore more. Hell, I got eight straight weeks of detention just for snooping around to find out for more. But that was the simpliest punishment they gave me... because, you see, I am the Prince of Narjarhat, and I get the royal treatment everywhere, but they are so scared of the punishments my father, the king, inflicts upon everyone, that when they punish me, they stick to the minimal requirements, just to not irritate the king.

A little overview of my school I attended, since it'll be mentioned several times in this story of me. Arcane Academy of Narjarhut, or AAN for short, was one school that accepted little people out of many. You had to fit their three criterias; high ranks, rich, and start school at thirty five. Well, this school required knowledge of how to speak languages and everything, but this school, AAN, devoted themselves on the best magic-users. They taught all the clerics, illusionists, necromancers, and conjurers that had a high amount of respect whether good or bad, in Narjarhut.

But my father, the king, never employed any of them, believing they all had a horrible history behind them, linking themselves to the founder of the Poppy heritage. The founder was a drow illusionist like I am. But, the main worry they had, was that I would be the primary cause, the primary blame, if the Poppy heritage were to end. It'd be like the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. Thus the reason why my father didn't hire anyone from AAN, and wouldn't talk to me about the family business. Let's get into the first big adventure I had, shall we?[/font]

Word Count: 660

Chapter Two: The Recruitment

[font=Century Gothic]Prince Marigold would find himself wandering into one of the bustling cities in Narjarhat; Cridhg. There were Seven Hundred and Fourteen MILLION, Five Hundred Thirty Four THOUSAND, Eight Hundred Fifty Four people counted for in Cridhg. Indeed, there was bound to be at least one criminal, of the incredibly violent laws that the Prince would have to face. Sad thing was, it was in the Capital City, or Cridhg itself.

Why couldn't all these residents avoid being so reckless, avoid the illegal crimes that will get you punished? Well. here are some of the pretty LEGAL crimes, and even the Prince didn't approve. Treason, breaking curfew, piracy, and bribery.

It was like wanting to hug someone who would result to blackmail if they stole something from you. Or maybe you stay out too late, as a kid, the Prince did that quite often. Of course, he was never in trouble for that. But if he ever committed murder, the King himself would go as far as beheading his own son. Not even sticking it on a pike in front of his castle would suffice.

But Marigold needed to find two people to go with him on his adventures. He would begin asking around, the bustling population looking at him with shock in their eyes and them running around yelling and announcing that the Royal Highness, or the Prince, was here.

This job would prove to be exasperating, as there were a ton of people who committed treacherous acts. Why weren't they killed? Or tortured? Or even fined? Maybe their relatives disappeared mysteriously. That might solve the case... if there was one.

A thud hit his head. He fell unconscious. The Prince awoke to the feeling of being dragged, but with a blindfold over his eyes, he couldn't see anything, but he felt immense moisture on the ground that he was being drug on.

"HEY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? STOP IT RIGHT NOW! KIDNAPPING IS PROHIBITED! ABDUCTION IS PROHIBITED!" In a sudden fear of being revealed as weak, he screamed out his words in Drowish. A language spoken by the Royal family. "Dos waele idiots taking uns'aa tarthe. Xal uoi'nota rosa harl pholor dos!"

Normally, they'd speak in Elvish, but the population of Drow have been low lately. A ridiculous amount of flying bird freaks came in and took over, called Aarakocra. They were half eagle, half whatever else. To the Prince, it all sounded like a whole bunch of squawking.

The ground texture changed. It was... rough, as if they were walking on Sandpaper. They must've been somewhere dry now! Somewhere hot. But yet, not even a bead of sweat broke out. But since the people who took him must've already figured out that he was awake since he spoke, he was left alone with his thoughts for a few minutes before being knocked out again.

A sound of goblin grunting was sounded, of course, being trapped in such a pretty and huge castle for a home, was a dream to many, but a nightmare to Prince Marigold. He had a desire for more. So, he explored the dungeons below, and saw goblins trapped behind bars, grunting, in an effort to break them. Perhaps it was a good thing that the Prince had seen that, because he knew what scared the goblins.

Magic. He grabbed out his wand, thought long and hard about what spell to cast, and of course, to keep it out of the language everyone knew, he spoke in Elvish, which he assumed the goblins didn't know. "aia nelluon" (Double Illusion)

A horse would appear, but the sound of laughing was produced, rather than the screaming, Prince was looking for. Why? It failed. But, the goblins were laughing hard enough now to let go. He used that to his advantage, to take off his blindfold, and held the two goblin's hands together in front of him.

He would speak in Common, knowing these horrible goblins had a history of robbing everything, well, not all were thieves, clearly.

"Listen here. This is-" The Prince looked around. They were close to the woods. The woods known as Lastuncerese. "Shit! Why am I here? What the hell is wrong with you? I can't do anything about this. Listen. I'm not actually the Prince, I'm only an Illusionist, I just picked the Prince to look like. I'll show you who I really am!"

He picked a spell, that unfortunately had a price, it could only be used once a day otherwise it drained the Royal past death. "Alura Talas" (Change Self) but now, he had to quickly say what he wanted to change into. "Bunny."

He would be transformed into, or rather, made to look like, a beautiful brown and white rabbit. Sure enough, the goblins fell for it. It was TOO easy! But something would alert the goblins, telling them that something is wrong.

"something's wrong. mei bunnrit isn't telltin sep truqu." (Something's wrong. This bunny isn't telling the truth.) The goblin on the left would say, holding his dagger in his right hand now. "Grum. Get me his wand."

Something eerie would seem to amplify, and the heart rushed in the Prince's chest. They dare take a wand from the bunny? Granted, he was magicked into looking like a bunny, even though he himself was exactly the way he was, just not that way in front of other people.

He raised his wand again, muttered the reversal to this spell. He glared at the short gremlins that abducted the PRINCE, and then tried to take his only source of protection. He looked at them with utmost snobbishness. "You dare try to break multiple laws? I shall have your hearts for this. My father will hear about it! He will make sure you get thrown in the dungeons."

Of course, the prince had to think for a second, realizing that he needed someone to help, two people, but it would be dangerous with two goblins and a drow. He needed someone unique. Rumors were that in the woods, there were people around to help, to assist. But every time the King sent his soldiers into the woods of Lastuncerese, they vanished. Prince Marigold never heard from them after that. Call it tramatizing, call it what you will, but it was something that scared the Prince, and he wanted someone besides a thief and someone that looked more like a... fighter. But this... fighter had honor. Maybe a Cavalier.

"Ok, I'm sorry. I'll- avoid talking to my father- for a price. You join me in an adventure, and we'll have fun. Well, I can't promise that. Rumors were, there were Purple Worm, Mind Flayers, Mimics, and Owlbears. As well as multiple other nasties out there in the woods."

The thieving goblin looked at Prince Marigold with desperation in his eyes, but his face was like a poker's face. He wanted to evade being caught so badly, but he didn't want to admit defeat. He had to gain the Drow's trust. Maybe that could be possible. Speaking in Common, he looked at Prince Marigold. "Prince. I'm sorry about abducting you, but you were the way to get unlimited gold. You see, I'm Grum, and that stupid dagger wielding Cavalier over there, lost his rapier last week in a duel and now he's stuck with daggers, is Clumsy. I'm your thief, and don't expect me to not get away with at least one gold coin of yours."

The three knew each other's names now, and now, they had to at least have gain each other's trusts. Right? Good thing Marigold came prepared. He brought four ideal weapons, in case it was ever needed. A drow-made scimitar, royal dagger with spider handle, and a amulet that could be used for a holy symbol. As well as his own Laurel wand that he had in his hands right now.

"Here, Clumsy, have my scimitar. It's enchanted to work better at night, but it'll provide you with a weapon. I ask that you don't gamble it away this time. That's been in my family for thirty seven generations. It's worth trillions in platinum coins. And now for you, a royal dagger from a line of clerics that's been in my family as well, but not that old for generations. It's only seven generations old, and supposedly, the magic ended three generations ago, and reappearing in me. The King expects me to attune it, but I have never been on a proper adventure to explore powers beyond what I already know. So, that's why I gave you those expensive weapons. I trust you. Do you trust me?"

Prince Marigold was honest about the history of the blades, but he didn't say how long his wand's been in his family. The man who started the royal lineage of Poppy's, he was a Drow Illusionist who had a Laurel wand, and this was only three hundred sixty four generations ago. The wand was passed down through generations as the only tie to who they call Edward the Gremlin.

But the Amulet? It was treasured. It was cared for. It was what the clerics wore those seven generations ago. But since Prince Marigold was the last descendant to the throne, and he was a Drow Illusionist like the founder was, he was concerned. Could it be his ending? Possibly.

The goblins took the time to discuss and yell at each other in their own language, Goblin. Maybe they weren't creative in picking names for everything? After all, they did name their Cavalier, Clumsy.

Finally, they decided. It was unanimous now. They agreed. "Listen Prince, we're real sorry for akolec (abducting) you, not sorry for the other stuff. But we have decided, we put our trust up to you now. But, we need to venture into the woods. We need a cleric. There are rumors out there, telling me of a Wood Elf Druid, or a healer. I believe we need one, especially knowing that illusions aren't going to save us. But, tickle me pink if you two get into a fight. They say that Drow don't get along well with other Elves. We'll test that out when we discover the blasted Druid. But now, it's time to sleep, isn't it, my Prince?" Clumsy spoke instead of Grum this time, adding a smug look to his face.

Was that all the goblins knew how to do? Just appear smug? Well, they were correct, the sun was already setting, and they needed to get to bed NOW before the creepies come out. a fire surrounding the area where they sleep would be all they needed, as well as blankets.

An unknown illusion spell was produced out of Prince Marigold's wand, providing the illusion a true feeling that everything was real, and that they would be sheltered warmly inside a yellow tarped tent, with purple blankets, standing for royalty. The sleeping area was set up, and it wasn't even 10 feet. It had room for two short goblins, rounding up to four feet total, and one drow, rounding up to five feet total. It was about nine feet and a half.

Prince Marigold smiled as he looked at the goblins with delight upon their faces, when were they treated to such entertainment? Well, might as well provide them something to assist them in sleeping well tonight; Faerie fire. "to'ryll Qunnessaa chath." A hushed whisper was all that was needed now. It would produce green harmless flames to keep out those monsters.

Prince Marigold had to sleep now. They had a big day ahead of them, especially since everyone in that group had a lot of testosterone. "Good night boys! Have a good sleep! Trust me, don't worry about the flames, they might be harmless, but they'll keep us safe. And if I have to, I'll cast the darkness spell around this tent, just to make sure we aren't seen quite as easily and you'll be fast asleep." A wink, and the Prince was out like a light. Despite him being knocked out twice in one day anyways. But he was a sound sleeper, and with that, he never woke up to snoring, but it sure sounded like both goblins were snoring, were asleep. [/font]

Word Count: 2045

Chapter Three: Where In The Woods Are We?

[font=Century Gothic]Two unlikely contraband discover each other. The goblins knocked out a very important figure in the country of Narjarhat, the Prince. Of course, they abducted him, but, they formed a very unlikely alliance. The Prince give the goblins some ancestral valued weapons, in hopes to gain their trust. Indeed, it did so. With that formed, that trust gained, the three adventurers hold in their mind that they need to venture into the woods in the morning to find a cleric, or a healer at the very least, to provide some safety during the journey. Who knows what the goblins were going to do? They were known for being mischievous, yet common, but inferior creatures. Could those goblins be the same? What was the true reason for the Prince to try to gain an adventure? Who did they have to discover? You tell me.

Prince Marigold got up, his faerie fire still burning it's green color from the night before. He would look down at the goblins and their newfound treasures worth some pretty pennies if they were to sell it. "WAKE UP SLEEPYHEADS! Sun's going down! We need to get going! I can't waste all my magic and patience on you two. I need to find someone. I- I- can't tell you why just yet. I swear. Maybe later."

Of course, his eyes darted back and forth. Were the goblins paying attention? Doubtful, but it was entirely possible. "Listen. Just listen you Gremlins. Thats all cin are if cin are na slack os-." (thats all you are if you are to slack around.) He started off in Common, then had a little mouthful of Elvish at the end of the statement.

He lifted his right arm, twirled his Ivory wand, smiling. A grin plastered onto his face. It was a unprouncicated spell. It was to take down the green Faerie Fire. A hissing would be made as the fire died down quickly, as if it were going to hit the ground hard, impacting the cool, yet hot, textured land.

Now, he was a little anxious about pissing off the goblins, but since this spell to put up the tents and to provide cover to the short weirdos known as Grum and Clumsy, he stomped on the ground, then later stabbing the ivory wood into the dirt. With that, whooshing sounds were exclaimed as the tent and blankets disappeared from sight. You could say it was invisible, as a matter of fact. Or the fact that it can’t be felt, or seen anymore, would be considered vanishment. It vanished.

Clumsy groaned as he started to rub his while yawning. Starting to sit up, the young goblin looked around the three of them. His fellow goblin hadn't woken up quite yet. Clumsy started to shoo the Prince away from him as he yawned a second time. Scratching his lumpy neck, he pushed himself off the ground and to his feet. "Yeah, okay. I hear you. Just get out of my face with your light. It's too bright for my eyes right now. Do you hear me? Alright, come on you bozo. I don't want to be stuck in this stupid forest forever." Clumsy took one step forward and tripped over a small rock and landed on the other goblin.

Did Clumsy just call the PRINCE a BOZO? How dare he! That's a rightful title, and Bozo wasn't going on his list of names as of what he was to be known for. "Take that back, RIGHT NOW." He demanded, as Clumsy fell upon Grum.

"Or I'll- I'll- kiss you!" He said, non-threateningly.

Maybe it was much too bad that the Prince was a little spoiled, but, it was also good. He wasn't too far gone with the fact of being Spoiled. He at least knew how to share and be nice.

"Come on, we need to go." Prince Marigold repeated calmly.

Grum and Clumsy seemed to be a little... quiet this morning. Asides from them talking in their sleep all night, maybe would be a good time to cast the silencing curse on them, perhaps they'd be unable to talk. Well, too bad the Prince was still a little too young to learn the spells, well, young in education anyways. He was still in his first year of Arcane Academy of Narjarhat (AAN). Only the finest of the fine can go, and there were only seventeen hundred (1700) students in that school, while everyone else was working on the farmland, on weapons, armors, whatever you can think of. They didn't get a satisfactory break, but they got something more entertaining, spells.

They attend for nine years, staying in school an additional year for every grade. For instance, Marigold's second year at AAN, would require him to stay for two years, as a so-called second grader. To maintain entrance to AAN, you must be of highest nobility or ranking amongst the country, have over 100 gold coins in YOUR possession, AND be 35 years old.

The school was strict on that, but yet, they were still flimsy when I got in trouble. Eh, karma seems to scare them. But this "karma" they speak of, didn't seem to scare the horrid goblins known as Clumsy and Grum.

"GET YOUR ASS UP NOW!" Clumsy screamed at Grum.

The prince seemed to find the time in the middle of his unnecessary thinking and prepping to leave the place behind entirely just to find a prefect.

"Clumsyyyy" Prince Marigold said, slowly and threateningly. "Watch it."

Clumsy would look over to the Prince, then back to Grum, who was picking up everything he had on the ground that he brought with him last night, as long as it didn't vanish like what was conjured last night.

Grum shot a warning glare at Clumsy, gripping the dagger. "Watch it. Like the prince said. As a matter of fact, the prince seems to have no weapons, and I'm not in the mood to lose my life and soul today... so why don't you, the prince, tell US why you want us on the adventure, well, the so-called adventure that contains serious bodily injury or death if we go in there."

Apparently Grum thought that was a intelligent thing to say, and rather cocky, so he gave Prince Marigold a smart-alek look, making him want to chase Grum down and freeze him at the spot, but, to provide trust, continuously, would mean being honest.

"Well, there is two reasons. One is personal, and the other is threatening Narjarhat. The first reason, my long-lost brother disappeared when I was two, apparently. And no one dare told me about it. Until last week, when our family was being blackmailed by the other reason; orcs. They're rounding up people to form their army, and right now, it's growing rapidly. We don't have a single cleric on our side, as the orcs are either killing them or conning them into joining them. The orcs told the king, my father, that he has my brother in his possession. My dad told me to stay as far away as possible from this situation as he sends his soldiers and army over to kill the one who sent the letter, to try to find my brother. Again, no prevail. So, I snuck out of the castle and am now where I am."

A mighty sound, seemingly like cheering, was heard, but no one, besides the prince had their mouths open. Grum looked at the Prince, turned his odd face around to be straight and cold. And as for Clumsy, he dropped the sword in shock.

"YOU HAVE A BROTHER?" Clumsy shouted, covering his mouth as soon as he heard himself. "No one ever heard about that! You were the only heir to the throne!"

Grum looked back and forth between Clumsy and Marigold, then decided to assume the role of the leader, knowing that even though Clumsy was a cavalier, or a fighter in another word, he'd be terrified all throughout the journey, but he needed someone to protect the illusionist, or magic-user, in the group, so that was what Clumsy was for. Prince Marigold was in the middle, his wand at the ready. The dagger was held in a attack formation as for Grum, and for Clumsy, he shook, and so did his sword.

They were only about a hundred feet into the woods when Clumsy would panic, whispering the words out where it'd be audible to those within a 15 feet radius. "Where in the woods are we?"[/font]

Word Count: 1412

Chapter Four: The Abandoned House

[font=century gothic]"Buddy. Young pal. STUPID. SHUT UP. The Lastuncerese woods are extremely dangerous! I'm sincerely hoping NOT to come across any Purple Worm, Mind Flayers, Mimics, or even Owlbears! They would kill us right off the bat! I swear! They are so freaking dangerous!" Grum whispered harshly towards Clumsy. Perhaps Clumsy should've been named something that fits his personality well, or maybe he was rather clumsy growing up. Whatever the story was, it didn't matter.

They were entering uncharted territory, since no one who actually fought the monsters survived. Daddy's military gone to waste. Walking past the skeletons and remains have reminded the Prince of everyone who sacrificed themselves for the evil of their nation. The evil he didn't realize his father was at fault for. This was potentially partially his fault. One of the classes Prince Marigold had to take at AAN (Arcane Academy of Narjarhut) was of learning about malevolent and benign creatures.

Crackling of lightning was sounded. The skies were clear upon entering the woods, that was for sure, but why were there sounds of a thunderstorm, of lightning hitting the ground? What was going on!? A sudden feeling of dread washed over him. He realized what it was. It could only be of two things, especially inside the woods where possibilities were endless. But the Prince had a strong feeling about this beast being something called a Lightning Elemental.

"Guys. Shush. Lets... go this way. I feel that we'd die if we go that way... come on, trust me please. I don't want us to die right now." The prince pleaded, showing that he cared. Maybe he felt some kind of brotherly love towards the two goblins, maybe he grew to care for them, but whatever it was, he was feeling responsibility. And with that, the goblins agreed after listening to the unnatural stroke of lightning hitting the ground, especially since it was in the same place repeatedly.

"Right. L- lets go right." Grum said, a little shocked at how Prince Marigold was able to deter them from danger.

Another sound was made. What the hell was wrong with the woods today? Everything seemed so dangerous and screwed up! But the sound were only yards behind them, so they began to run, run faster and harder, trying to avoid whatever was trailing them. Well, it wasn't by foot, since wingbeats were heard. It was two Terror Birds, a prehistoric creature that had an axelike beak, and loved to bite their victims. But they didn't exactly rely on themselves attacking, so they would bring their family to attack. But, this wasn't a family, it seemed. It seemed to be of a male and a female Terror Birds.

This surprised the group, of which both goblins were looking at Prince Marigold in slight disturbance, angry that he didn't reveal what it was, if he even knew. Which, he didn't, so that wasn't entirely his fault. But this left them at a disadvantage, since they didn't know.

The birds took advantage, one attacking Grum, the other attacking Clumsy. Both missed, narrowly. Their sharp beaks tearing the clothes but not the slightest bit of skin was grazed.

Clumsy, no matter how dumb or dull he was, he loved his clothes very much, and with a passion, so he gripped his scimitar, well, the family's scimitar, and ran at the bird that attacked him, while Grum threw his dagger at the bird who attacked Clumsy, now leaving the Prince open for attacks. The dagger and scimitar hit the bird, causing it to shriek in pain, before it fell to the ground.

Now, it seemed to be Marigold's turn, and he had to pick the most dramatic spell he knew apparently, since nothing was going to severely harm it regardless. Wait, no, he did have a damaging spell, it wasn't powerful, but it sprayed a color that could be interesting to those who could care less. This was a spell called Color Spray and wasn't something to pronounce to cast. He thought of the color yellow, had his wand pointed towards the remaining bird, and then closed his eyes, hoping that the spray hit the treacherous Terror Bird. And down it fell! That was too easy a combat, wasn't it? Truth be told, no one was harmed, except for the birds that were dead.

"Everyone ok? Alright? Nothing damaged... BESIDES YOUR CLOTHES?" Prince Marigold shouted out, adding in the clothes segment to clarify himself.

"Yes. I'm ok you weirdo of a prince." Grum said, for some reason, in a happier tone. A brighter mood. Did death bring this fortune upon the group? Was it the desire to kill? Again, a world of endless possibilities.

Clumsy decided to say nothing, his muscles tensed up. If clothes being destroyed, especially his, were the cause of his anger, maybe they should destroy it piece by piece before every battle. They needed someone brave, not someone cowardly.

"You alright mate? Let's get going. Continue right, will you Grum?" Prince Marigold said, wishing he was a cleric, or had a cleric with the party.

Wingbeats again. Cawing was new though. There were four Terror Birds in front of them now, and Clumsy had enough of the jerks. He ran at them, stabbing one of them in the eye. Of course, that stupid action had some repercussions, such as being bitten, or attacked. Especially when you don't have anyone to assist you. There had to be a way to stop them from attacking each other. Of course! The Haze. It obscures everyone's visions, except the illusionist. Or rather, the caster themselves. If this was to save Clumsy, he had to hurry.

"Obducto!" The prince said, dirt from the ground rose and swirled around everyone's eyes, blocking their vision. The prince ran into the Terror Birds zone, grabbed Clumsy and dragged Grum with him as they ran left, instead of right. As of where they discovered a house. A black house with slime on the wall outside, a cauldron lay right outside of the door. But without thinking to knock, especially with those beasts out there, angry and ravaged, they needed shelter. So they ran into the house. [/font]

Word Count: 1028

Chapter Five: The Talking Cleric

[font=century gothic]
The Prince and two goblins would barge in. HOW RUDE! Didn't they have the slightest bit of decency? The slightest bit of honor? Well, not to the Prince, but they had to outrun two ugly terror birds. Could you blame them? After all, there seemed to be no one in the house. But they did leave the door open ajar, in case someone were to come home and find them there. This way, they'd be able to get out safely and easily.

"Oh crap, crap, crap. I think we did something bad..." Clumsy said, looking outside the window. From where the prince was, all he saw was the ugly side of the goblin's head.

"Wha-" The Prince began to ask, when the door slammed open.

A Wood Elf stood in front of the Prince, slightly bowing, her face bent between being angry and looking apologetic, with her arms filled with a basket of sopping wet clothes from the river. "My- your highness. I didn't expect you down here. Tismut is looking for you, he wants you dead. Dead for betraying your family. Dead for allowing your kingdom to be killed. Dead for causing the Arcane Academy of Narjarhut to die down in flames. Dead for sacrificing everything. But he knows that he can take you down, now that he has followers talented in the Arcane. Especially Clerics. I assume that's why you're here, to get me?"

"I- my family's dead?"

"Yes."

"But- how? I mean- yes, I came to get you. We need you to end this ugly beast. He's so horrid, he shut down my future. My legacy. He destroyed my throne. I say we- I mean- I- I will give you everything you need. I did bring a holy symbol with me, as well as the scimitar and dagger that the goblins have. And as for myself, I have my wand."

"Your family was magicked to death. thanks to the evil minions from AAN. If they would've kept that school confidential as I told them to when I attended, no one would've found out about the private army of magic-users and clerics. Especially since I left after finding out how they were training new people for a new idea, a new teaching, under Druidism. I couldn't watch how they treated people, so horribly, so I left. To be fair, I suppose there is a bright side to demolishing that Academy. The School of Arcane. But listen, I'll join your crew, but I suspect those two didn't join your group so easily until you bribed them with a sword... somewhere long down the line in your family I believe. And the dagger, I remember my great great great grandmother talking about it. She crafted it. There's a reason why there is a spider silhouette on the handle of the blade. It was the symbol of Lolth, the goddess my great great great grandmother worshiped. As for the scimitar, your many greats grandfather did craft it, but with the assistance of my many greats grandmother's belief. So, the two weapons there? Created by dark magic. I decided to split off from my family's evil ways as I saw how horrible it made them, and decided to follow in the path of Bahumuat, the dragon god. Soo... tea anyone?"

A long history, but it explained how the dagger and scimitar was created. But why hasn't she mentioned the wand and the symbol? "Yes. I'll have some tea." The prince said, calmly, looking non distraught.

The two goblins spoke nearly in sync, but were off by one word. "Yes I'll have some bees! Tea!"

The wood elf cleric looked at the goblin who said bees. "And who might you be? Wait wait, let me guess. Scimitar. Wobbly. Goblin. Stupid-looking. Your name Clumsy?"

Clumsy looked at her as if she insulted him. "I beg your pardon? Did you just call me stupid looking?"

Grum smirked, looked between Clumsy and the cleric. "I'm Grum. I also agree to the fact that he's stupid-looking, especially when he just gawks at everything. And you are? I mean, besides the Wood Elf Cleric. We got that."

The woman cleared her throat. "My name is Thalia Kriskian. I ask that you call me Thaila. Please. I am a Cleric, as you know, and I have my history with the Poppy family. Which is why I know of your weapons. I don't exactly have a good history with Goblins, but for the purpose of returning the illgotten glory to the throne, with a pure of heart man, Marigold Poppy. It shouldn't be the ugly old orcs taking control of our lives. This is why I don't see you two as much of a threat, alright? Besides- Grum put my kettle down- I see a great deal of happiness in the future, if it all goes as planned, our time may be at hand, any day now." Thalia had the ability of fortelling the future, but seeing as she was still a vibrant lady, she seemed to know when to leave and return to the house.

Perhaps she knew when to leave?

"Ok everyone, we need to leave RIGHT NOW. Before the Lightning Elemental comes here. It's like Clockwork. We also get the Earth Elemental here too, but he isn't nearly as electrified and shocking as the Lightning Elemental that comes."
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Word Count: 891

Chapter Six: Grum And The Overlord

[font=century gothic]Grum sipped his tea calmly, apparently ignoring the Cleric, Thalia, completely. The Prince leaned over and whispered furiously - "What the hell are you doing? C'mon, let's go!"

Grum said quietly right back - "How do we know who she is? Huh? She could've just rehearsed what she just told us. And there are so many holes in her story! Why didn't she ask about the holy symbol? How do we even know if she is a Cleric at all? Maybe she camouflaged herself! Maybe she isn't even an Elf!" The Prince humphed and crossed his arms. He trusted the Elf completely.

The Cleric overheard them speaking and angrily threw out her arms. A blinding light spread from her hands and fingers, especially her thumbs. She roared with fury - "Who darest say I am not a Cleric? Leyet!" The brightness spiked suddenly and then faded away.

Everyone shielded their eyes, and after the light had vanished, they looked up again. Thalia said brusquely - "I hope that settles your suspicions. That light will have attracted every Mind Flayer and Owlbear for miles. We need to go."

Grum and Clumsy discarded their cups of tea and gathered their rucksacks up, groaning and complaining. But it was just chatter, and both Marigold and Thalia ignored them completely, except when the goblin thief surreptitiously tried to sneak the Wood Elf's kettle unto his rucksack. The cleric gave him a resounding cuff around the head and took her kettle back, without blinking an eye.

Grum retired to the back of the group, muttering sullenly - "Stupid bloody magical kshattur she thinks she's so goddamn clever...." He would have refrained from insulting the elf if he had known that she could hear every word he said.

Suddenly they came up against a towering wall of brambles, and they could see that it stretched for miles both right and left. But Thalia sensed a magically marked doorway only a few paces away, and walked over. The Elf Cleric passed her hand over the area of the door, and a complicated Druidic Glyph appeared, glowing a deep red. It had many runes on it. The Prince tried to copy it down, but it was far too complex.

For a second, too fast for anyone to spot it, Thalia's eyes glowed a malevolent green.
Then she turned and said - "The door is marked with a Boon symbol. It's safe to cross. Just wait a second." She traced the upper three runes on the Glyph, and a small gateway leading underground appeared. The Wood Elf led the way.

When they reached the other side of the woods, the sky was unexpectedly dark and reddish. The Prince turned to Thalia, only to find that she was looking straight ahead, her eyes glowing a deep green, almost black. The whites of her eyes were invisible.

A deep voice startled him - "Good afternoon, travellers. Two Goblins, a Wood Elf and a Dark Elf. Hardly a common combination, it would seem. Ah well. The Elves will provide me with more than enough power to make it worth my while!" Grum and Clumsy grunted together - "Oh Ahvera lord of goblins! A lich!" "Not just any lich, gentlemen. I am Za-Ul'Dehrr, Demi-lich and Overlord of the Lastuncerese Forests!"

The Demilich was seated on a obsidian throne, and suddenly Grum understood why the skies were so overcast. At the sides of his throne, two Mindflayers were seated on a giant platform. Thalia had led them straight into Za-Ul'Dehrr's courtroom. The Boon glyph was actually a Bane! And she'd struck the top three runes to tell the Lich they were coming!

"Yes, Master Goblin," leered the Overlord maliciously, "Your suspicions were correct. I have had control of Thalia Kriskian for quite a while. Or rather, my Flayers have. I led her to that cabin, to my court and finally to me! You see, a Lich is a wizard who has reanimated his body, and then put his consciousness into his body. I require life forces, or Ka, to manufacture a new, more powerful body."

He sighed sadly, "Unfortunately, just killing you would be quite useless indeed. So, you are to find something for me. A people, actually. A race of svirfneblin, around 3000 of them. They live a ways from the western edges of my forest. My Terrors will transport you there. However," his eyes gleamed, "You are not to betray me and tell anyone. If you do so....I will crush your Ka like a mosquito. Well."

Grum collapsed on the ground, breathing out hard. He couldn't believe this was happening. The Cleric betrayed them, and moreover, she went to sleep afterwards! "Hey!" he roared, kicking her leg hard, "You gonna sleep while we die because of your idiocy?!" Thalia awoke, getting a headache like an inferno. She was out of the woods! But into the fire, she saw, as the Flayers glared at her with their green eyes. She groaned and sat up. The Demilich clapped his hands and said, "All right, enough chitchat. I need some time to be ready, so...shoo! I'll get you." He, or rather it, snapped his fingers and called up four Terror Birds to carry them.

The giant birds carried them to the western reaches of Lastuncerese, and them left them, a land where none of them had ever travelled before. Then one of the Terrors mindspoke to them, its anger roiling behind its eyes, "We have arrived. A message shall be sent to you. If you have not found the deep-gnomes by two moons, you shall be....PUNISHED!" Making the last word a shriek, the birds lifted off and vanished.

"Great." said Grum. "Does anyone even know what a gnome looks like?" Clumsy exclaimed,"You should be happy we're alive! I mean, even in legends, I can count on my fingers the number of people who were alive after meeting a lich! Anyway, I bet we can figure out the mystery of the svirfneblin."

Grum grumbled - "Clumsy in name, clumsy in mind and clumsy in body. Idiot." Marigold interrupted and told them respectively to shut it and shove it, at which point the elf tried to speak and was told by three loud and angry voices to SHUT UP!
Thus bickering, they headed to the nearest township.[/font]

Honorary Credit to Writing Chapter Six: @Youssef Baid
Word Count: 1057

Chapter Seven: Death

[font=Century Gothic]
This was odd. If the Cleric could read the runes and determine what was a boon or bane, why would she misread it? Perhaps her connection with her god was faltering? How peculiar! In Drow society, in Narjarhut, when a cleric lost connection with her deity or god, she would suffer a fate worse than death. Torture.

This is why they have the deadliest job in the country.

"Listen. Thalia. I believe that it could be accidental. You could've misread that rune." The prince said, trying to ignore the bickering between the filthy goblins. Who knows when their last bath was? They could've jumped into the river and bathed themselves. This was crap.

But the cleric wouldn't look at the Prince. Maybe she was ashamed? Abashed? Confused? The possibilities were endless. He wanted to assure the Cleric, promise her that Failure was just a part of life. Maybe-

The prince's thoughts were interrupted. They were in Ofuli. Long at last. The Cleric seemed to recognize the city, as it was the place where she stayed as her parents served for the Poppy line. The Goblins shrieked with delight, adding salt to the wound that was his headache. But the Prince, he didn't know this place, no. He didn't. He heard of Ofuli, the town where fighters, cavaliers, and sorcerers came from.

While this was something he read about, learned about, and was taught about in his schooling years before he turned 35, he has never been taught how dangerous the town was, how ugly it looked now, verses when it first opened. A bit screwy in luck, you could say. A bit hopeless, supposedly.

But why would people choose this town as a place to market everything? It looked like absolute rubbish when compared to the royal room, the royal castle, the place of the royals.

Tired of the screams of delight, and the bickering between the Cavalier and the Thief, the Prince bellowed. "Shut the- Just hollen ha cin idiots. Im am reallui tired -o cín nonsensical screaming. Cin reallui don't know how na n- quiet, kind, ben respectful, edregol in i presence -o a cóon. Im assume i kind híril nia hi knows what im'm pent, so im might sui eithel treneri- cin all hi. Hollen i udún or." The Prince caught a smile from the Cleric. A quick one anyways,

The cleric whispered to the prince. "Did you just tell those goblins to shut up? And insult them? AND acknowledge me? God, you really are a fantastic young man. It's too bad you are only fifty years younger than me. Well, would it matter? I don't think anyone would care, after all, we do live to be three hundred and seventy five years old, well, at the minimum, if we aren't killed off early anyways." Now the Prince was starting to feel uneasy. Surely that wasn't how the Prince was supposed to feel, especially with a Cleric.

He noticed her left eye appearing a bit dead, something crawling or moving across the pupil. The cleric was dead. And they trusted her. Them. Whatever it was controlling the Cleric, lead them to a dangerous city. Not that any of the people here would willingly sacrifice themselves for the Prince unless they were compensated.

A dead end was what the Goblins were realizing. They were trapped. A town with no one to help them, all because of their greed for money, like Grum had before he trusted the Prince. Perhaps they should've avoided the trustworthiness of the people and beings surrounding them. After all, they did come across a lich. Well, the Overlord. It was a superior form of the already superior Mindflayers. But for some reason, as this must've been the reason already, was to corner the trio.

They knew how powerful the Wood Elf cleric was, as she already left AAN and got a job there a few short years later, but what they wouldn't have realized, that the real reason why she left, or supposedly left, was because she was murdered by one of the teachers at that school.

It was dangerous. Deadly even. Perhaps even impossible. The Cleric stared at them, her eyes beginning to roll around to show the whites of her eye. Then slowly, piece by piece, she fell apart. Dead.

A sorcerer stood behind her, his hand with green electricity sparkling out of it. Well, he wasn't exactly standing behind her. He was standing behind the charred remains of the Wood Elf Cleric.

"Hello. I am Kramgrom Hahkohr. A Sorcerer who came from someplace magical, known as the Svirfneblin Shallow. It was hardly talked about, or acknowledged, but was known by the elite. Only the sorcerers know where it lie. It lies to the west of Lastuncerese. I assume that's the woods where those Terror Birds escorted you out of? Huh. Well. They usually take people to the Svirfneblin Shallow, where they are fried to death on arrival." The Deep Gnome, or Svirfneblin, said.

"I am the Ancient Mage. I am Seven Hundred Thirty Six years old. I was exiled from the Poppy throne because my mother, a Drow, married my father, a Mark of Scribing Gnome. I was deemed unworthy by your great great great great- I'm not going to continue this. Your many greats Grandmother kicked me off the dang throne. Just because I wasn't worthy of a Drow ONLY heritage. So, I started the little exclusive sorcerer filled town of Svirfneblin Shallow. Fun fact, I was the start of the Deep Gnome, or Svirfneblin, race. I'm truly amazing."

Grum grunted. A show-off. Why didn't he just kiss up to the Ancient Mage, the Deep Gnome, the sorcerer? He knew of ancient magic, he was the origin of a new race, he created a town, he had a father of a dead gnomish race, the Mark of Scribing. Dead. Everything today died. The goblins groaned in disbelief. Everything was dead. Their hope fell as well, their heart falling along. Why did they sign up? Goblins weren't important.

The Prince's lips fell open. "Did you just say- YOU were the Ancient Mage?"

A nod from the Svirfneblin.

"That means... our legacy isn't dead! You can take over the throne now!" He exclaimed, looking the Svirfneblin dead into the eyes, excitedly.

Returning the look, just in a sad, or morbid appearance, he frowned. "Your parents aren't dead. Your family isn't dead. As a matter of fact, that's the whole reason why Ofuli is still running."

"But- the Cleric told us-"

"Don't trust clerics. Her family used powerful magic to exile me permantly from the throne. And cursed me to be immortal. But at least over the years, I gained enough treasures and rewards for defeating a bunch of creatures, bosses included. For the Illusionist, who I know can be trusted, no matter how gullible and stupid he is, I give to you my Invisibility Ring. I don't give it to Grum because knowing thieves, they'd use it to rob you blind. Literally. Consider this a gift from your family."

"I-" Grum said, stomping his feet angrily.

Clumsy chuckled, guffawed, and cracked up. "You really are a stupid, yet predictable creature."

"Listen here you little doppleganger. I would watch it if I were you. Or that scimitar would be snapped in half." Grum snapped.

The Ancient Mage looked at the Prince, giving a look that says 'should I tell them that sword can't be broken physically. just by the magic of clerics?'

The prince shook his head, signifying no.

"Right. Well. Before these tweedledee and tweedledum decide to get into an all out fight, I hope you don't mind me magicking them to sleep? Sure, it'd mean you'd have to carry them as well."

"Don't you dare." Grum and Clumsy said in unison. "I will stab you." Both said in unison again.

"Right, well, isn't it time to leave? To get some food, at least? Some sleep?" The prince said, trying to keep the three from murdering each other, not that the Ancient Mage could be killed.

A complaining moan was heard from the trio. Did they really desire to fight? "No. Let's go to..." The prince dawlded until he found a building that appeared to be an inn, and a tavern.

The Moldy Mammoth was it's name. Apparently, The Moldy Mammoth is owned by a widowed woman (Sara) and her male friend (Jimmy), both of whom are members of a race that is common in the area, as such of a goblin. Both of the owners are law-abiding citizens with no hidden secrets or notable personality quirks. Before owning the tavern, one of the owners fought as a gladiator in a famous arena, while the other lived a boring life. The inspiration for the tavern's name was free association. It was the first thing the owner thought of when asked for a name. It is a tavern of comfortable quality, and its main draw is the fact that it's always a comfortable temperature inside no matter what the weather is like outside.

The bartender at The Moldy Mammoth is a young female elf (Hulagir) who is not quite attractive. She is often truly surly in disposition. Her skin is tan, and she has black hair, kept in a long, wavy style.

On a typical night, the clientele at The Moldy Mammoth can be described as friendly. On this occasion, there are over a dozen other people currently in the tavern. Some of the patrons are arguing with the bartender, others are singing a drinking song, and a couple others are speaking in hushed tones. Sitting at a secluded table, there is a jittery looking figure. They were cursed by a hag many years ago to always be approached by random people in taverns and quite frankly they're getting sick of it.

However, as for somewhere to sleep, they were presented with one dingy bedroom, since all the nice ones were taken. The price for sleeping in that moldy, stinky, rotten, putrid, and horrid bedroom, especially with four people, and it being cramped, was one gold piece. But what was odd, was that to sleep in those nice, fine and dandy rooms, which were already filled anyways, was only twenty copper pieces.

Some foods and drinks sold at The Moldy Mammoth include; Lonely Scabbard Riesling, Poisonous Warlock Riesling, House Gewürztraminer, Ruby Crocodile Pinot Noir, Petrified Fish Sauvignon Blanc, Bell and Polyhedral Cabernet Sauvignon, Blushing Artichoke Gewürztraminer, and Skinny Ram Pinot Noir, to name a few beverages. But as for food; Filled Lettuce Bowls, Overloaded Green Peppers, Jerky Strips, Deep-Fried Potato Wedges, Filled Red Peppers, Deep-Fried Chicken Strips, Deep-Fried Slices of Red Beet, Deep-Fried Beef Strips, Turkey Soup, Scallop Stew, Lamb Chowder, Lamb Soup, Lamb Stew, Scallop Soup, Blackened Chicken and Iceberg Salad, Red Lettuce Salad, and Roasted Beef.

"You ready to get something to eat, now that we have somewhere to sleep for the night... even if it isn't the best... especially with a prince." Clumsy said, trying to stay on Marigold's side, trying his hardest not to break the bond, the trust, the love, between the Prince and the Goblins.

Grum and the Ancient Mage looked at each other, looked at the menu, rushed to the counter, and ordered a Poisonous Warlock Riesling from the bottle. Each. They didn't bother to order any food. But as for the Prince and Clumsy, they ordered four bowls of Overloaded Green peppers, Eight bowls of Deep-Fried Chicken Strips, and then two bowls of Lamb Chowder. They were going to take it upstairs to share with each other. Well, to share with each other, but not the other two. They were apparently going to get drunk tonight.

"Thanks. Keep the change." Prince Marigold said, carrying the bowls of chicken and green peppers, and watching Clumsy carry up two bowls of lamb chowder.

"It smells good. But I feel that we might need to dispose of some of them." Clumsy said, his eyes widening. We don't have anywhere to put it.

"You're right. But, a trick I learned, you can drink the stew now, the liquid I mean, then find something to put the chicken strips, green peppers, and then the lamb chunks. It would be a lot more dry and chewier than it is now, but it'd give us something to eat on the journey. What do you think?"

A nod from Clumsy told the Prince that was what they were doing after all. No matter how hungry the goblin was, something told the Prince that Clumsy was someone to trust, to love, to grant access to the throne. He would make a good ruler one day. He has a big heart. Not that he wouldn't be the most annoying anyways.

They drank the sweet, hot, and creamy broth from the Lamb Stew, occasionally eating a few bites of lamb. Honestly, they couldn't be blamed for that. They were good after all.

And, it was paid for by the Prince. But, with this Orc King ravaging the lands, there was no telling when they'd be back, if they'd be back.

"You're a fantastic goblin, you know that right?" Prince Marigold said, the same time the door opened to a slurring Deep Gnome and Goblin.
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Word Count: 2208