Thread: Grimoire of Myths

Velvet Lullaby Yes, it is true that the Dark has made many attempts to lay the people low, but is it not testament to our skills that we still stand? But the Dark was not the only thing we had to fear in that age. Often, some of the greatest of threats were not those that came from outside, but from within the people themselves. Add wood to the fire, adn build it bright, and I shall tell you another tale... The people reeled from the horror of the Scarlet Stalker, and turned inwards to find ways to ensure such never happened again. The Song-Sages reviewed their lore, and turned to attempts to craft new songs to help their people. All hoped that the Great Powers might turn their gaze to them, and grant them another inspired sage, that they might make themselves safe. One of their number plumbed the depths of song, seeking knowledge. What she found was not what she expected. New songs came to her, more than she ever imagined, songs to do all she could wish. Songs for freedom, songs of binding, songs of death. It was all that one could ever hope for. But she did not share what she knew with her fellow Song-Sages. She hoarded the dark knowledge, and began to use it for her own purposes. Songs of suggestion made sure she never hungered or had a thirst. Songs of death ensured no rivals might rise to challenge her. And finally, songs of lust ensured that no man would ever refuse her. The people were slow to realize what had grown within their midst. A village remained locked under her sway, none able to challenge her. The people feared to call for a Champion, terrified of that invested form falling under the sway of this Sage. Hope started to fade, until deliverance came to them from the Watchers. A warrior of great skill and piety, with faith in the Great Powers, and quiet faith in the Dusk Spirit. And perhaps more importantly, they had lost their hearing battling the creatures of the Dark some years past. Advancing on the village, the warrior bat aside more than one who had fallen under the sway of the Sage, for she had found a Song of Enslavement, and many would throw aside their lives for the benefit of her safety. Undeterred, he moved into the village, until the fallen Sage stood before him. As he approached, she found her songs falling on deaf ears, and began to panic. Without the power of her songs, she was no match for such a warrior. Dredging her knowledge of song, she at last found one that might help her. As she sang this tune, the wounds that had marred the ears of the warrior began to close. Her Song of Healing was setting him right. The warrior stood before the fallen sage, and she tearfully began a song. His eyes closed, tears in them as he heard her voice. Soft as the finest velvet, he knew what power her song possessed. A Song of Forgiveness. With a nod of his head, he gathered her close, and sank his blade into her heart. Her death came quickly, and those slaved to her will were released. Though they sought to defile her body, to burn it to ash, the warrior refused them, bearing her body to the edge of the town, where the Song-Sages, at his demand, sang her soul home. The Velvet Lullaby had passed from the realm, and though she had done great wrong, the warrior would hear nothing of her evil. She had found great power. And that power had wrought horror to her mind, for it was not for mortals to conduct such unto the world. Her songs were not from the Great Powers, but he called them a curse from the Dark lands. All but the last. That of Forgiveness. And if the Great Powers could grant such to her, then it was not for the people to judge her. And we sing of her death and life to remind us all that great power must be tempered by even greater wisdom. Else we lose all that we might stand for.