Wolves at Curious Pastimes
Tales of the Dire Wolf
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Wolves at Curious Pastimes
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Many years ago, there existed in the southern reaches of Wolf Lands, a three races of creatures.
In the forest, there were a group of Ogres. They were a noble and strong group of fighters, using their strength to keep the peace in the forest they inhabited. The strongest family lead the forest, with the eldest member leading the House. They hunted for food, and became skilled with bow, axe and sword, seldom wearing armour, as it made too much noise while they stalked their prey.
In the open land and wilderness, there lived tribes of Beastmen of many varieties and kin. These were skilled farmers, living in caves and huts, growing plants to eat, wheat to turn to bread, they wanted for little. The understood the balance of life, and respected the land, and the spirits and magic contained within. They cared for their lives, and their protection, and so they wore light armour, as it was suitable for some protection, but also did not get in the way while going about their daily business.
In the Swamps and marshes, lived a colony of Lizardmen. They had ventured far north from the warmer climes, and found a little haven in the chill north. Snow rarely fell, and when it did, the Lizardmen burrowed under the marsh to sleep out the worse of the weather. They were forced to eek out a living, eating fish from the swamps, berries from the shrubs, and little else. They became adept at using the plant life in and around the marsh to make ointments to aid the weak and injured.
The Beastkin, living between two valued allies, the Ogres to the West, and the Lizardmen to the East, took it upon themselves to forge an alliance between the three races. They invited a party from each to meet in the Beastkin lands, with not explaining the purpose of the trip.
The event, designed to be a happy, joyous, prosperous one, did not start well. The lead Ogre was wearing a reptile skin as a bandoleer, although it was not apparent what species it belonged to. The Lizards, understandably, took great offence to this, and stormed out of the meet, vowing never to set foot in a room with the monstrous creatures again.
Shaken, the peaceful Beastmen desperately conducted a series of shuttle diplomacy missions between their neighbours, but to no avail.
The Ogre leader was shaken, too. He had been gifted the piece he wore by what appeared to be one and the same creatures that had stormed out of the meeting, in return for saving the creatures clutch of eggs from a rampaging bear. This had happened several years ago, in the Forest, so it could be the creature had not returned to the Swamp these people were apparently from? The Ogre set his resolve. He would go to these people, alone, and present the hide back to them, and place his life in their claws.
When they returned to the swamp, the Lizardmen were appalled by the memories of the monster wearing the skin of one of their own as an item of clothing! They wouldn’t listen to the Beastmen diplomats, extolling the Ogres virtues, regaling them with tales of the peace between the Ogres and the Beastmen. They would not hear of the creatures spoken of within the huts and pits of the Lizard nation.
After travelling alone for several days, the Ogre arrived at the edge of the Swamp. The ground was treacherous, but his resolve was stead. He set out across the unstable ground, seeking any of the Lizards, so they might take him to their leader.
He stumbled though the boggy ground for hours, recognising nothing, until his heavy foot fell through the earth. He was stuck, and stuck fast. The more he pulled and tried to break free, the harder the deadly ground held him, and began to suck him further into the earth. Desperation took him, and he began to call, cry and scream for help. There was a rustle in the bushes. He was so stuck he couldn’t turn to look. In his minds eye, he saw a Wolf, a Bear, a great, hungry Lizard with dozens of teeth and sharp claws…
A rope fell around his waist, and he was pulled rapidly from the tepid waters. The group of large, powerful Lizardkin led him through the swamps, to a large, low built mud hut. He was ushered inside by the entourage, and through the smoky, dim lit interior, he could make out the Lizard from the meeting.
The Ogre fell to his knees, tears rolling down his face, pouring thanks onto his saviour. The Lizards face was unmoving; untouched, by this outpouring of emotion.
“Answer me one thing, fleshbag, where did you steal such a prize?” Came a stony challenge. The Ogre looked up, and spoke of the Lizard female who had travelled through the forest several years previously, and had gifted him the skin as a sign of gratitude for saving her brood.
The lizard, again, appeared unmoved. He nodded to one of the guards, who drew a long bladed knife. The Ogre looked at the Lizard, and accepted his fate. The knife cut through the bonds with ease, and the guard helped the big Ogre to his feet. The Lizard walked up to him, and offered the sign of friendship, open arms.
From this, we can learn; Allies often have everyone’s interests at heart, you must learn to trust their judgement. Don’t take offence easily, or judge by first appearances, as things are not always as they seem. Finally, the most unlikely partners can make the best allies and friends.
