5punk

Glibberig wrote:Treasure! We all love treasure don't we? The majestic, almost alien gleam of platinum; the warm, rich light of gold as it dances across the cheeks of a buxom young lady; silver, clean and stark in your purse; and the rich, earthy tones of copper.

But you know, life is more than just about accumulating countless coins (though try telling that to a dragon. I mean, I did and he reformed his ways, but I mean just an average person like you). I learnt this lesson myself on one of my many adventures, and I will briefly recount the tale here.

I had wandered far and wide, eventually coming upon the small, isolated village of Rife. Never was a name more apt - the place was a plethora of perils, pitfalls and plagues. Historically a hive of the textile industry, the local speciality was their luxurious fine carpets and tapestries that adorned the walls of many a rich nobleman's dwelling.

Alas, one poor artisan had fallen under a curse: whatever scene his creations depicted would take on a life of their own. After the loss of his first wife and the fraying of his second, he turned to depression and despair. One day the mayor, taking pity upon the poor fellow, commissioned him to depict the defeat of the dread arch-necromancer, Al-Zulamuuli - an evil sorcerer who lived on after death and raised an army of the unliving.

Renewed by this task the artisan started work immediately. Due to scale of the project he started the central piece first - a depiction of Al-Zulamuuli himself. As you can no doubt guess, the curse took hold and the necromancer's evil returned, warping the fabric of reality itself (and maybe even wefting it).

Thank the Gods that I was on hand to intervene. After an epic battle that I am far too humble to recount until I am bought some more drinks, the evil woven warlock was defeated. Rejoicing and carrying me on their shoulders, the townsfolk fed and watered me for the next 8 nights.

Soon though it was time for me to depart. Before leaving, the mayor presented me with a small lockbox as a token of their appreciation. I thanked them and was on my way with the wind in my hair and a song in my heart. At the next village I opened the box, expecting the usual collection of gold coins, and was dismayed to find nothing in there but threads of fabric that looked eerily familiar. I was perplexed, and a little disappointed at my so called reward.

But it was here I learnt my lesson. For you see although it wasn't platinum, or gold, or silver, or copper, it was part of Rife's lich tapestry.