Coal For Krugsmas

[Orlanth 3525]

 

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Coal for Krugsmas

[7th of Malin's Welcome, Year 3 of the Second Age]

 

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“Sympathy with all poor men.” - A man of Krugsmas present.

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As of the 11th of Snow’s Maiden we were able to announce our second major victory to the public eye. And so, as appropriate for this merry season we immediately set to work once again to give to those in need. However, not all descendants can be so kind hearted. The leadership of the Mali nation of Elvenesse had recently shut their mine to the exclusive access of those deemed worthy to enter to the choice of their corrupt and hypocritical council, denying it’s plentiful bounties to their own people. Knowing of their greed, The Ferrymen immediately set together a plan to procure coal to be used for the needy in the cold times of Krugsmas and mina which would be used to purchase food for those who have none. Afterall, no descendant ought to freeze or starve on Krugsmas. 

 

Two experienced members of The Ferrymen set out with three members fresh to the group and eager to prove their dedication. A hostage was easily taken outside the gate of the main city, a female Mali’Ame. Bound at her arms, The Ferrymen led her away to an oceanside cliff, with no resistance met along the way. She was bound to a nearby tree with one end of the rope, and positioned on the edge of the cliff, inches away from falling to her death. A letter was quickly delivered to the people of Elvenesse, demanding six hundred lumps of coal and two hundred mina in exchange for her safe return. Included in the message were the pleas of the captive, begging for the cooperation of Elvenesse. Unfortunately, her cries fell upon deaf ears as they made the foolish choice to attempt a rescue.

 

 

With little time, the elves of Elvenesse scrapped together what little armor, weapons and un-bathed soldiers they could and set to respond to the threats of The Ferrymen. They set out blindly, with no plan but to go to the location provided with the ransom note. The Ferrymen, however, were not so foolish to be without a plan. Without the cooperation of her rescuers, the captive was thrown off the cliff, left to dangle from a deadly drop by the rope she was bound in.

 

What happened next? Well, they say The Ferrymen’s pockets grew three sizes that day, as they each had the strength of ten elves, plus two! A member of the royal family was the first to fall, as he foolishly believed he could win against one of the Ferrymen leaders with no more support than that of a weak unarmored elf. From there, the rest of the so-called “soldiers'' were easily defeated in no longer than a few minutes. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

The battle had been concluded, and The Ferrymen stood victorious, not a single injury sustained on one of the five. No coins would be left for those who had chosen their wealth over cooperation and the safety of the captive. Not a valuable belonging was left on their bodies, for the less fortunate deserved them far more. No mercy was shown to Elvenesse that day save for a singular act from a Mali’Ker of The Ferrymen. Upon their departure, he spotted a singular elf across the cliffside and instructed them on the location of the captive that had been left dangling on the cliffside. 

 

And so, The Ferrymen departed through the snow to give the gifts received from the elves to the hungry children of the world, laughing as they went. “Ho ho ho! Merry Krugsmas!”

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Written by Orlanth.

 

[Shmeepicus 3941]

“Good work lads.” Bjorn would state to his brethren as they returned home from their expedition.

[Disklexia 183]

Vakr O'Hara reads the missive. Expresses some amusment, he than gives out a loud "Oh yaaaaa" as he widely grins.

Edited December 17, 2020 by Disklexia

[Cheezzy_Garlik 502]

Sinding Labdacus would walk into his home, pulling down his black stained cyan bandana, dropping the large sack of coal onto the creaky, and old wooden floor and layed onto his cot, shutting his eyes to get some relief from his repetetive and hardy job of working in the mines.

[ronin_champloo 5951]

"Men are oft awakened by violence, the stinging sensation left amidst our hands. We've no fate, but to turn the spinning wheel."

 

A lone elf murmured, his form resting amidst a bench. The dreary weather blanketed his surroundings, once was lush grass was now a bitter cold. A sea of snow washed over life. The campfire crackled gently betwixt his hands.

 

"A man chooses the intent of their weapon, not ruled by steel -- but fortune and compassion instead."

 

He spoke once more, some mirth reveled within his voice. The man shuffled closer to the respite granted to him. A lone statement granted.

 

"It seems warmer recently, the cold forgone."

[Titanium430 517]

Angry Andrew would look over the announcement, then offering a wicked smile to a nearby ferryman "There is not much that a few good friends can not beat don't you think" he utters as he would bring a flask up, taking a sip of the fine brandy within, the elf then tossing a sash of red fabric into a nearby pire, its silver stars burning away within the blaze "History is bound to repeat itself within a bloodline"

[Sham404 464]

While sat within the tavern 'neath the Ashwood tree, with a mug of ale in one hand and a hunk of bread in the other, Edrick overhears a few of the Nyrheimer residents telling the tale of the recent Ferrymen conquest.

 

"Cheers to that, you mad dockworkers." He says to himself, before biting off a chunk of the bread, and washing it down generously.