Storytime - A Success Story

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 Yaxha Tikal relaxes in the warmth of a tavern down by the docks on a freezing late-Kuthona day, tuning a lap-harp in preparation to add her own story to the collection of tales. A half-dozen obviously-magical creatures, spritely water-nymphs ranging in coloration of complexion and hair from pale aquamarine to dark navy, make their way lightly and gracefully among the patrons, assisting where they can though never quite in the way. The exotic young mermaid from distant shores begins to sing and to play, her voice and the music weaving together a scene of light and sound to give stylized form to the events recounted.

 The scene opens on a foreign land, jungle bordering on marshy rain-forest, a wide clear river running through the inhospitable terrain; the crumbling ancient stonework of some forgotten ruin in the process of being reclaimed by moss and vine provides a clearing amid the chaos, where a group of ragged-looking humans struggles to keep a fire lit. They are an exploration party, the first settlers for a new colony - unwisely most of their supplies had been guns and an excess of ammo; food, clothes, and medical supplies were all running low, but they had shelter and fresh water.

 The tension of the song increases as perspective pulls back, revealing the surrounding area, the presence of dangerous native tribes: Lizardfolk to the left, bugbears and other goblinoids to the right. Running into either in their current state would be catastrophic, as the explorers were in a weakened state, easy prey for the stronger, more well-organized locals. There are a few close calls, but the situation is not good.

 Luck is on the settlers' side, however, as their first contact is not with either of them, but a friendly pod of nomadic merfolk, making their way down the great river. Peaceful contact is made, and the aquatic travelers happily trade with the settlers from the things they make and find, accepting spare guns and ammo and learning their use in turn - mostly as a curiosity. The pod wanted for little, and saw the value in cultivating a good relationship with the new arrivals in the area. An investment in helping them get established now could lead to good things later, after all.

 Within the year, non-hostile contact had been made with the local Lizardfolk and the Goblinoids. With the pod's help, the settlers had reached a point where they did not immediately seem weak enough to be worth attacking, making it possible to begin a beneficial arrangement there as well. Of course, the pod would move and occasionally return, with the changing of the seasons, following the currents as they did, and they could not always be there to guide their new allies; one of their number, a young mergirl, would ask to stay behind with them to help out: to liaison with the other tribes, to act as a local guide and share the ways of her people with them, and in turn to learn about their people and culture. They were a fascinating people, with wild stories of the amazing cities back at the mainland, and she was enthralled by them.

 Several small vignettes play out in the illusion-generated scenes as Yaxha continues to sing, showing the passage of time and the growing relationship between the various groups:
 The first attempts at planting and harvesting failing due to wildlife from the river trampling their crops. A closer relationship with the Bugbears through the colder months to make ends meet. Another group of humans arriving, following after the trail blazed by the explorers to fill out the numbers of the new settlement, and the challenges of getting them accustomed to life on the frontiers. The settlement expanding out from the riverbank claiming more land. The first truly successful harvest, and the great celebratory feast, with allies and friends invited from all three of the neighboring races, lizard, goblin, and fish alike, marking the symbolic beginning of a truly self-sustaining pocket of civilization. The first intermarriage between human and bugbear, and the beautiful wedding ceremony. The recurring conflicts between Bugbear and Lizardfolk tribes drawing the settlers into the fight, and the dramatic escalation and rapid bloody end of them brought about by the addition of guns to the equation. The tragedy of the increased violence from and against the Lizardfolk tribe that would end with the remnant of them being driven off and the more fertile and sheltered lands they had claimed being taken by the humans and their Bugbear allies.

 The nomadic merfolk still visited, of course, but as the settlement grew into a full on colony, there was some concern, but ultimately they decided it was unlikely to be a problem for them - they laid no claim to anything the humans would covet, after all; they would always have the open waters of the great rivers. Besides, the mer-youth who stayed had assured them that despite the dark times, things were going well - now that the Lizards could not cause trouble anymore, everyone was flourishing.

 The scene dims around a figure at the riverbank hunched over and finding something shiny from the waters at the bank…

 Word would get back to the mainland that someone had successfully panned precious metal - gold or platinum or similar - from the river near the western colony. In less than a month, the population of humans doubled from the influx of new travelers. A delegation from the original sponsors  of the founding expedition came with the new arrivals to establish a provincial government more closely tied to the mainland's interests, and in the process, they learned about the relationships with the local tribes, and in particular, the role of the now fully grown mergirl that had grown up among their number, a respected member of their community.

 The tale ends with the colony thriving, and mermaid accepting an offer to come back to 'civilization' with the delegation as thanks for her service; to be offered schooling and a place within the sponsor's house. Wide-eyed and excited to learn more about this magical mainland and these great cities, she couldn't help but accept, now that they no longer needed her; the colony had grown up, just as she had, and it was time to move on to new adventures.

 As the song ends, with a reprise of a hopeful refrain, the music and the illusion-scene fades. The story has been noted by the other storytellers in attendance. The happiness and hopeful tone is genuine, but the more experienced in the audience know better, having seen this sort of thing before, and know what often happens next to such places. They do not tell her.

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