The Tower of Grief

By: Tourach Posted on: July 26, 2005

It was a while ago, I was enjoying the priviledge of a tobacco-stuffed pipe and a glass of excellent wine. As always, the Crystal Leaf Inn provided me with an evening full of delight. But it was getting late, and I had to get up early in the morning for reasons I prefer to keep unrevealed. I was just about to take my leave when suddenly I heard a voice cry out, "Hear ye! Hear ye!" When I turned to see who it was I reckognized the bard. He was said to be quite good, so I decided to stay a bit longer and hear him out..."Tonight I will sing for you The Tower of Grief, also know as The Ember Tower And The War of The Imps." He tuned his harp, waited for silence and started to play a slow melody. After a while he started singing and although not very loud, his voice carried to the far end of the commons room. He sung:

Listen people to what I tell
I sing of imps and cats from hell
If some of you are faint of heart
I think that we should better part!

(off course, no one left)

He fell silent for a moment and then started to play a soft tragic melody...

Oh looming Tower, dark and tall
Grief will stay if you should fall
Our King was slain in darkest hour
Tower of Grief, Oh Ember Tower

See the light of dawn reflect
On shining armor, swords and shields
The Pixie soldiers heavy packed
As they are marching through the fields

See our King so proud and tall
On griffon's back he leads them far
Unaware of their impending fall
The Pixie army off to war

Oh looming Tower, dark and tall
Grief will stay if you should fall
For our King was slain in darkest hour
Tower of Grief, Oh Ember Tower

See the peacefull lands now black
Opposing forces have arrived
Evil Imps on hellcatback
From evil magics strength derived

See the skies as they turn dark
Dark red clouds oppress the sun
Imp mechanics disembark
The Tower's rising has begun

Oh looming Tower, dark and tall
Grief will stay if you should fall
For our King was slain in darkest hour
Tower of Grief, Oh Ember Tower

See the Tower now complete
A dark throne carries its liege
Massive firey bricks will greet
The Pixie army that lays siege

See the Imp Lord on his throne
With iron glove he rules his lands
Blackened sword and shield of bone
And evil magics none withstands

Oh looming Tower, dark and tall
Grief will stay if you should fall
For our King was slain in darkest hour
Tower of Grief, Oh Ember Tower

See the Tower gates unharmed
By the efforts of the pixie force
The Imp army then alarmed
Rush to them without remorse

See how the two armies clash
The defences of the Tower hold
Smells of blood and smells of flesh
Pixie bodies still and cold

Oh looming Tower, dark and tall
Grief will stay if you should fall
For our King was slain in darkest hour
Tower of Grief, Oh Ember Tower

See how finally a plan is made
The Pixie Shaman made a brew
That will blow up the Tower gate
And let the Pixie army through

See the defending Imps stand strong
As the Pixie troops rush in
They won't last for all too long
The Pixie army cannot win

Oh looming Tower, dark and tall
Grief will stay if you should fall
For our King was slain in darkest hour
Tower of Grief, Oh Ember Tower

See the Pixie armies slain
The King now stands almost alone
Wounds and cuts, he is in pain
He fights his way up to the throne

See him tired near his death
Before the Imp Lord's throne he stands
There he breathes his final breath
And dies at the Imp Lord's hands

Oh looming Tower, dark and tall
Grief will stay if you should fall
For our King was slain in darkest hour
Tower of Grief, Oh Ember Tower

The final notes of the song echo through the room, and then fall still. The bard said, "And thus this story ends. The Pixie Queen now sits alone, the Tower still remains. The gates are damaged beyond repair and stand wide open inviting adventurers to explore the Tower and maybe avenge the Pixie King. The war of the Imps and Pixies still continues, although on a less massive scale." I decided it had been enough for tonight and went to bed. I had a new destination for the next day...