Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 STORIES  

 


Anja Steinnsdottir


Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Anja Steinnsdottir, Skald of Torvaldsland story



Hello everyone. If you don't already know, I'm Anja Steinnsdottir, Skald of Torvaldsland (aka BilliAnn Bravin).
I'm happy to be back here in Turmus to tell stories.
I'm not sure which side I'm on, with everyone on every side, so I'll try to switch sides every now and then. :)
I don't believe Halloween is celebrated on Gor, except perhaps by barbarians brought here from Earth.
But look, 'tis the season. So I have a spooky story for you.
This was actually one of the first two Gor stories I ever wrote. So I hope you enjoy it. :) I call it...
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The Beast in the Forest: A Tale of Terror
By Anja Steinnsdottir, Skald of Torvaldsland

Fear gripped the village of Snorri Fjord!
Not long ago, in the mountainous regions of Torvaldsland, terror came to the small village in the form of an unknown beast that had taken up residence in the forest. No one knew exactly what it was. Some thought it was a renegade Kur; others a gigantic mountain larl descending from the heights to hunt; still others were certain it was a monstrous forest sleen, ravenous and hungry. But no one knew for sure. None who saw it lived to tell the tale.
The story began one night, several weeks after the harvest. As the villagers returned from their humble fields to their huts or the long hall to rest and drink a horn or two of mead, an eerie howl rang out in the evening darkness from the woods. It was a sound unlike any they had ever heard before, and even the village's bravest warriors stood up at attention at the cry of whatever lurked in the forest. It was only a single howl that night, but it marked the beginning of a time of terror for Snorri's Fjord.
In the days and weeks that followed, though no one had ever seen anything and no tracks or traces had ever been discovered... the animals of the village began disappearing at night. A fly here. A fly there. Then a great bush. And another. There was never a trace of what was causing these creatures' sudden disappearance. No blood. No remains. No cries. It was silent... and deadly. Whatever it was.

As if that weren't enough to unnerve even the sturdy villagers, a child soon disappeared the same way the animals did. A little boy, sleeping in his crib, had simply vanished the next morning. There was no sign of an entry. Nothing to indicate that anything had invaded the hut where he lay sleeping. He had simply... vanished. The next night, another followed. Then another. And another. And then a woman—a bond—vanished, too. And then a free woman. And more in the nights that followed. The village was in turmoil.

The men gathered together and began searching the woods during the day. But they found nothing. No sign that anything was there. Yet, every night from then on, the frightened villagers heard in the darkness the terrible cry of whatever beast was infesting their home. And other animals and people simply disappeared the next morning. Eventually, even some men began to disappear, starting with a lone
lady Selia


The village jarl, one Hanestel the Tumultuous, eventually sent a message throughout Torvaldsland, demanding that great hunters and warriors come to the village to search the forest for the beast and put an end to its rampage. The jarl resented having to ask for outside help when his fiercest warriors returned empty-handed. But being a practical man and a good jarl who cared for the safety of his people, he did it anyway. He offered a sum equal to five times the weight in gold of anyone who captured or killed the beast to the man who would rid Snorri's Fjord of this plague. This also included the best slaves in the village (those who had not yet disappeared) and any single free woman of her choice (if she agreed, of course). The offer did not go unheeded.

In the weeks and months that followed, many flocked to Snorri's Fjord to seek their fortune by finding and killing the beast. Hunters, warriors, even a member of the Black Caste, all came to the village to try to stop the creature that had nearly decimated the village by then. Even a Tarnsman from Thentis joined the hunt. None of them ever returned from the forest, not even from the pond. The villagers were beside themselves. How could they continue to live if no one could stop the monster that was carrying them off, one by one?
And then, salvation seemed within reach! One day, the mighty and legendary warrior and hunter Jorma Sturmraven entered the village! The man was known throughout Torvaldsland in sagas, songs, stories, and legends. He had lived for hundreds of years and faced numerous dangerous adventures in the lands of Gor, always emerging not only alive, but victorious. It was said he had killed a larl when he was only three years old. And a Kur when he was only twelve. It was said that even the Priest-Kings whispered his name, if they ever spoke it. He arrived with two of the fiercest and finest hunting sleen in all of Torvaldsland on leashes. The inhabitants of Snorri's Fjord rejoiced, for surely the beast that had hunted them would be hunted in turn and promptly killed!

The villagers watched from their huts as Sturmraven made his way down the long hall and presented himself to the Jarl, his two snarling sleen—creatures he had named Ravager and Killer—struggling to be released from their leashes. But Sturmraven held them tightly as he greeted the Jarl and the warriors who sat with him on the salt. The Jarl asked the powerful legend if he had come to the village to free them from the siege that had subjected them for many months, and Sturmraven replied that he had. A sigh of relief rose from those present and echoed throughout the village as the news spread. There was only one problem. Sturmraven demanded not five, but ten times his weight in gold. And the weight of each of his hunting sleen, too. The Jarl's face paled at this request, but he felt he had no choice. And he agreed.

That night, Jorma Sturmraven left the village to enter the forest in search of whatever had led to the deaths of the animals and inhabitants of Snorri Fjord. And the villagers prepared to celebrate. For if the legendary warrior couldn't free them from this scourge, who could? But they were confident. As, of course, was Sturmraven. He entered the forest with the certainty that whatever was there would soon die at his feet, a meal for his two ferocious sleen. The task was complicated, of course, by the fact that the creature—whatever it was—had left no trace when it carried its victims away from the village. Sturmraven had had his sleen sniff out the locations of the latest disappearances, to no avail. But he was certain that, once in the woods, his animals would pick up the scent.

He was wrong. The sleen, it seemed, couldn't detect anything beyond the usual in the surrounding forest. This left Sturmraven without end. But he was a practical man, one of the reasons he'd survived so long. He decided that if he couldn't find the beast, he'd let it find him. So he camped that night, making no effort to hide himself and his hunting animals. If he'd thought about it, he could have asked the village to send a slave with him to act as bait for the beast. But he expected to find it immediately and dispatch it easily, so he'd neglected to consider that option. It didn't matter. Sturmraven himself would be the bait. And when the creature approached him, he would kill it. And his sleen would feast!

To detect the cunning creature's approach, Sturmraven placed wires around his camp, hidden among the bushes and along all entrances to the site. He hung pieces of metal from them that, if touched, would rattle against the other pieces of wire, revealing the beast's proximity. Even if he was asleep, the noise would wake him, for Sturmraven had the reflexes of a warrior, and even the slightest noise in the night was enough to wake him and make him ready for battle. It seemed a foolproof plan.

That evening, Sturmraven sat around the fire, eating the roasted meat of a wild tarsk he'd killed for dinner. After his fill, he threw the remains to his hungry sleen. Not enough to put them to sleep or dampen their aggression. But enough to keep them alive until they could feast on the beast hidden somewhere in the woods. Sturmraven sensed it was close. Perhaps it was watching him even now. But it was cunning, so it was biding its time. He began to sing a song as he gazed into the glowing embers of the fire. He'd eaten heartily from a bota he'd brought with him, even though it contained only water. But the beast, if it had had even a modicum of rudimentary intelligence, would never have known. It acted as if completely drunk. Then it staggered into its tent and fell asleep.

But Sturmraven wasn't asleep. He felt in his bones that the beast was close, and so he waited, still in the tent, feigning sleep, occasionally letting out what sounded like drunken snores to lure it inside. Hours passed. Could he have been mistaken? Perhaps there wasn't a beast after all. Perhaps whatever had been tormenting the village had moved on. That would be a shame, because to collect his reward, he would have to find and kill some other disgusting-looking creature. That wasn't something he wanted to do. Honor dictated that he collect his reward simply for killing the beast. Yet, as a practical man, he felt that, if necessary, any beast he killed and gave to the village would do, at least to allay their fears.

But then, as Sturmraven contemplated these unpleasant possibilities, a sound came in the night. A clang of metal betrayed the presence of... something... It approached his camp from the right, setting off the alarms. As if sensing it had been spotted, whatever was causing the noise let out an eerie, unsettling howl: the sound of the beast! Ravager and Killer were now growling and hissing frantically at their leashes, eager to be let loose to hunt! Sturmraven leaped to his feet, grabbed his axe, and charged into the night toward the sound! He had it! The beast would be his! He rushed toward where the alarms had clanked, and... nothing! There was nothing there. Sturmraven looked around frantically, fearing an ambush. But then that howl came again, to his left, farther into the forest. Without even thinking, he turned and rushed towards it!

This went on for several hours. Sturmraven thought he was tracking the creature, only to discover it had disappeared and was howling elsewhere. The sound had obviously infuriated his hunting sleen, who had continued to growl and hiss ever since. Reflecting on this, the warrior realized he should let them follow the beast's trail, since they would surely have picked up its scent by now. He decided to return to camp and do just that. And then, once he had captured and harassed the beast, he would arrive and finish it off with his mighty axe. As he approached the camp, however, he realized he could no longer hear his sleen's growls. This disturbed him, as they had made such a racket that only when he was far away did he manage to stop hearing them.

Suddenly, the fur on Sturmraven's neck stood on end. He went still and silent, listening in the darkness. But there was no sound. Not even the typical nighttime noises heard in the sparse forests of Torvaldsland. Something was wrong. Finally, moving silently with the skill of even the most talented assassin, Sturmraven returned to the camp. The fire had died down, but in its faint reddish glow, he could see enough to see what had happened...

:As he watched, a shiver ran down Jorma Sturmraven's spine.

The Devastator was gone! the ring.

And the Assassin was... almost gone...
Jorma Sturmraven, a mighty man of song and legend, quickly lit a fire and sat behind it, axe in hand, all his senses alert, until dawn the next morning. Then he broke camp and disappeared into the wilderness, without even returning to Snorri's Fjord. No new verses would be added to his saga of this misadventure, that—and little else—was certain...
As for the village of Snorri Fjord and its unfortunate inhabitants, and the beast that had haunted them... life returned to normal. There were no more disappearances. No more cries from the woods to betray the beast's presence. Word spread that Sturmraven must have killed the beast, but that he himself had fallen into its hands just as he was saving their people from its ravages. Songs were composed. A memorial was erected in the man's honor in the village square. The Jarl locked away his gold. And life went on.
Until the following year, a few weeks after the harvest, when an eerie howl rang out from the forest...
The end????

(BilliAnn Bravin (IC:, Lady Anja Steinnsdottir) started in Gor 10 and a half years ago, at the Isle of Hunjer in Tovaldsland, where she was appointed Skald from the peoems and stories she wrote. She has told her original stories and read her original poems and sagas at many locations throughout SL Gor, including several Thing-Fairs in Torvaldsland and at the En'Kara Festival.) 



Monday, 27 October 2025

VARR-KOR present:





Feast of Fools/Feast of the cities of Dust. A 2 days event to celebrate our dead and to mock death itself.


WHEN: 1st and 2nd November 2025


ALL are invited


MERCHANTS from all Gor are invited and welcomed! We will provide a stall for you to sell your wares. If interested, please contact:

Ashel Auste



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ALL DAY - 1st of November

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1. Masks and carnival attires but in dark tones (black, dark red, dark green dark blue, and white)


2. Decorations in either black and/or white : outside the house, inside the house, at the temple or religious areas.


3. Central fire pit/brazier where citizens/residents or visitors can throw mementos of those passed or symbolic items


4. Merchants market open to all Gor 


5. Fortune teller



GAMES

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Walk the coals - are you brave enough? The best score, at the end of the 2 days of feast, will win a prize in (1s ZCS) coins (and a small token in lindens -500L)


Whack a urt



EVENTS

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#12am slt

Opening ceremony with brief speech from Ubar


#1pm slt 

* Catch the ghosts of Dust *

- 6 people play a ghost-like figure (free women, slaves, and free men all can be ghosts and you can dress up as one but nothing crazy, it is GOR!) and the rest try to catch them (mele weapons only). The person who catches the highest number of ghosts wins a prize in (1s ZCS) coins (and a small token in lindens - 500L) - (open to all, not just Var-Kor members)


#2pm slt

Last person standing in front of the Ubar - all can participate: free men, women and slaves. We fight each other with MEELE weapons only until one person remains standing. This person will win a prize in (1s ZCS) coins (and a small token in lindens -500L). Weapons allowed: the usual, free women with damage restriction and same goes for slaves (open to all, not just Var-Kor members)


#3pm slt

OOC DANCE with Dj Bluesaint



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ALL DAY - 2nd of November - ROLES INVERSION DAY

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(the role inversion is not mandatory but those who choose to do it will suffer no ic repercussions)


1. Masks and carnival attires but in dark tones (black, dark red, dark green dark blue, and white)


2. Decorations in either black and/or white : outside the house, inside the house, at the temple or religious areas.


3. Central fire pit/brazier where citizens/residents or visitors can throw mementos of those passed or symbolic items


4. Merchants market open to all Gor 


5. Fortune teller


6. Roles inversion - during the feast of fools slaves pretend to be masters, high castes pretend to be low ones, low ones pretend to be high, all in a mockery and fun tone (without exaggeration). No repercussions come from this roles inversion, which is allowed and typical of this day of the feast of Fools. Slaves can dress like free men or free women. Free women can dress and pretend to be like slaves, etc. At the end of the day, however, all returns to normal.





GAMES

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Walk the coals - are you brave enough? The best score, at the end of the 2 days of feast, will win a prize in (1s ZCS) coins (and a small token in lindens -500L)


Whack a urt




EVENTS

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#12am slt

* Slaves and free women catwalk *

Theme: fools, ghosts, crazy creatures

Free women can use outrageous attires! All is allowed this day

Prize in (1s ZCS) coins (and a small token in lindens -500L) - (open to all, not just Var-Kor members)

Rules for the catwalk here:


1 - attire as per theme, nothing crazy or impossible for Gor

2 - be at the sim 1 hour before the event for a quick rehearsal

3 - once on the catwalk, walk towards the end and stand there. Give ONE emote about your attire or anything else related to the theme

4 - after the emote, return backstage and wait. Do not change attire

HoC merchant-  DRUSUS AMADEUS TITUS



Monday, 20 October 2025




 The Sa Fora Kef (SFK) dancers promote Gorean kajira dance. The use of artificial  intelligence (AI) in dance has been an issue. I joked about it in a post to the SFK fan cub about AI. See below. AI has been an issue for kajira dancers.


My dancer  friend Mizuki took a picture of an SFK dance practice and sent it to her AI engine. AI deleted all the blondes!  My so-blonde conclusion was-- "OMG AI hates blondes. Blondes aredoomed.

(AI on the right comes in slowly)

AI assistance came up in a kajira dance class I attended.

A kajira dance teacher wrote.."Without strong, evocative emotes, Gorean dance loses its essence. It becomes hollow, merely motion without meaning. This is why mastering emotes is crucial; they bridge the gap between the dancer and the observer, transforming simple gestures into moments of raw emotion and storytelling.."

I feel Gorean dance is an experience where the dancer brings the audience to her with emotes,movement and music.

Class members discussed using AI (Chat GPT in this case) to craft dance emotes.

Raw Chat GTP emote

"Drums of the Hunt

/me feels the pounding rhythm of the drums, their deep, primal beats echoing through the crowd...the throbbing stokes sends a shiver through her body, driving her movements into a emotional dance....her dark hair whips around her face as she twirls, bare feet kicking in wild abandon...the music's  tempo rises, urging her to faster movements  her body surrendering to the untamed music."


Tharna's first girl and I both use AI to brainstorm and get emote ides but don't use the AI verbatim. 


Another dancer felt differently:  She wrote "...if the Gorean dance is our voice, our truth to our sensuality. To what extent to use sentences or suggestions of an artificial intelligence that clearly has a whole framework of information that we have no way of experience. How far is this real?"


What do you think? Sarah, SFK First Girl


/me with a sultry, fluid motion she places her hands on her hips and begins to sway in dance, her body moves like a gentle breeze, her curves accentuated by the flickering fire light. as she dances with her beautiful sisters ...their nubile bodies sway, to the rhythm,


Each dancer, a blooming field.Stories told, in gestures unfold,


Secrets in motion, beautifully bold.

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Sunday, 19 October 2025

 The Sa Fora Kef (SFK) dancers








 formed to dance in En'Kara 2025. Our dancers  serve in  the  Sa di Sani panthers, Tharna, Turmus,  Kurtzal, and Tuchuk Wagon Camp sims. Janos comes from  Tharna and is the group's dancing musician. Steve also DJs for us and is a Gor merchant Captain. Mistress Karen Brady is an SFK leader and protector. 

Our name: "Kajira is perhaps the most common expression for a female slave. Another frequently heard expression is Sa-Fora, a compound word, meaning, rather literally, Chain Daughter, or Daughter of the Chain." And of course ""kef "is a common slave brand.

Nomads of Gor     Book 4     Page 29

Here is a picture of our dance in En'kara 2025 show.


The Sa Fora Kef Mission Statement and examples:

    1. Have fun and Socialize together. We provide a place for kajira ot meet and have fun. Masters and Mistresses can attend.

                                   Picture of  party

     








    2. Entertain & Please the Audience. This is a pictures of an SFK dance practice to hone our presentation.

       3. Promote Gorean dance styles. In our performances we discuss Gorean dance heritage and styles, such as the whip  and Sa'eela dances. We use Gor novel quotes in our dance introductions.

  i'm fond of slave dances. It is hard for a woman to be more beautiful than when she dances her beauty as a slave before masters.'

Explorers of Gor     Book 13     Pages 342 - 343

     Picture of a Tharna performance     

     4 Dance on Gor and Earth. We have informal dances in Sheba, Whispering Moons and other sims.h

        

     5. Be an ambassador for our Gorean Heritage. We promote Gor heritage in on-Gor RP sims like Love Song and Le Madre. Mistress Karen hosted a party with Tharna and a non-Gor sim.

   

     Picture of a show in Love Song to promote Gor dance

We have a Sa Fora Kef fan club to keep up on SFK dances. We discuss issues such as the use of AI in dance--and also have fun, See the NC "AI hates blondes."


Saturday, 18 October 2025

 ⚔️ THUNDER MOUNTAIN DAY OF GAMES ⚔️

The horns sound across the mountains, the Merchants Fair draws to a close, and the Day of Games begins!


🏹 From Saturday 5 PM SLT to Sunday 5 PM SLT, all are called to test their skill, their aim, and their courage!


Take up the challenge in:

🪓 Axe Throwing

🏹 Archery

🔪 Knife Throwing

🍎 Slave Apple Bopping

⚔️ One-on-One Melee Sparring

1000L$ Raffle Board

…and more contests of strength and daring!


🔥 Main Event: Sunday 3 PM SLT – The Great Tarn Race!

L$ prizes for all winners, glory for the bold and brave!


The question remains… are you fierce enough to claim victory at Thunder Mountain?


http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/THUNDER%20MOUNTAIN/58/79/21

Thursday, 16 October 2025

 MOUNT HAVEN CITY





It's been a long time since I've heard from my friend Lady Kallis the Scribe, who has honored me with her great friendship for so many years. There aren't many friends I've had the pleasure of meeting over the years; only the great Di Gor can be considered my friends. Returning to Lady Kallis, I said, she sent me a message saying she was visiting a new, great city and that she was waiting for me to visit it together. I was about to leave for the Thunder Mountain Fair, but there were still a few Hands of time to go, so I decided to leave on my favorite ship. It wasn't a very long journey, and I arrived at the port in less than a Hand (Gor time). I met Lady Kallis at the dock with other friends of hers, who welcomed me warmly and took me around the city, admiring the beauty of that great, ancient fortress. After a tour of the streets of that marvelous city, full of gardens, despite climbing so many stairs, there were always new things to discover on every terrace. While I was sitting in the tavern enjoying a cup of Black Wine, I was surprised to run into an old friend of mine, Sir Harry. I hadn't seen him in a long time, even though he was rushing around on urgent business. He invited me to stay and spend some time together. I was very happy, but the Yhunder Mountain Fair was starting soon, and I would be there with the Gazette of Moons, so I arranged to meet him at the end of the fair. I said goodbye to everyone and left, promising to return soon, but not before taking some portraits of the most beautiful corners of that town called Mount Haven, which I will post below for all to admire.

darianeditor






















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Tuesday, 14 October 2025

 

THE POETS OF GOR


POETRY READING AT THE THUNDER MOUNTAIN FAIR READ BY LADY ARIA


[12:01] aria (nabila.daffyd) rolls her shoulders back, proud in stance as she begins to speak. Her voice, while loud, was not forceful. Her words, well pronounced, "Tal Goreans! Welcome! Let me take a moment to introduce myself! I am lady Aria McDonnell of the Poets of the Unfettered Quill and the Poet's Caste of Gor!"

[12:01] Drusus Amadeus Titus (abel.belgar) sat on the bench as soon as he arrived to the place where the poetry thing would be happening, crossed his arms against his chest, closed his eyes and got ready to have a nap. The constant blah blah blah would certainly help him falling asleep.

[12:01] Sabayna (tremlays): Tal all who arrived

[12:02] aria (nabila.daffyd) Like all of our shows, there is a tip jar just down in front of the stage. Your tips are welcome and appreciated, as majority goes back to the sim itself as a way to say thank you for supporting the arts in Gor!"

[12:02] aria (nabila.daffyd) "I am honored to have been asked to come perform at the Merchants Fair and even more grateful to you for coming to listen!"

[12:03] Medusa Avora fr>en: menadu

[12:03] aria (nabila.daffyd) Since we are at a Merchants Fair, I figured we could begin this performance with a piece about an enterprising She-Urt!"

[12:03] aria (nabila.daffyd) "So sit back, relax and please enjoy, "Three Coins""

[12:04] aria (nabila.daffyd): A she-urt sat on steps of wet stone,

Leading down to the wooden piers,

Where round ships would dock, and merchants would talk,

Of their profits and losses and fears.

[12:04] aria (nabila.daffyd): Her clothes?  A mess! All torn, and threadbare,

She was covered with lice and grime.

All cleared from her path, she had not had a bath,

In what all were sure had been some time.

[12:04] aria (nabila.daffyd): A Captain clomped down the steps of wet stone,

Grimaced when he saw her foul form.

Fog streaming about, with her right hand held out,

She shivered as she tried to keep warm.

[12:05] aria (nabila.daffyd): "Three coins, sir, three coins, sir!

Three coins and I'll eat today.

"Three coins, sir.  three coins, sir!

Or whatever you can pay."

[12:05] aria (nabila.daffyd): The Captain grumbled and flipped her a tarsk,

It joined the other coins she'd saved.

Down a dingy street, she stumbled to meet,

A pox-scarred man who had what she craved..

[12:06] aria (nabila.daffyd): Her three copper coins, meant for some food?

They were traded for kanda leaf.

She might have to steal, to get her next meal,

But today her habit found relief.

[12:06] aria (nabila.daffyd): Her red eyes glazed over due to the drug,

And her vision began to blur.

Against grimy stone, she slumped, all alone,

Then her beggar's chant began to slur.

[12:06] aria (nabila.daffyd): Oh, how she tried to hold her arm out!

But her hand dropped into her lap.

Her head lolled about, a whisper slipped out,

'Fore she fell into a stuporous nap.

[12:07] aria (nabila.daffyd): "Three coins, sir, three coinz, shir.

Shree coinz, an' . . . I'll . . .------

[12:07] aria (nabila.daffyd) took a slight bow as she finished

[12:07] Charlotte Spicer (charlottefrees) applauds

[12:07] Night Corvus (nightdr3am) chuckles hearing about kanda leaves knowing they are selling such of the best quality

[12:08] aria (nabila.daffyd) nodded proudly, placing her hand over her heart, "Thank you! Thank you all!"

[12:08] Heart (damara.dufaux): claps for the Lady

[12:08] Sabayna (tremlays) applauds for Aria and her first poem.

[12:08] Storm (tradino): applauds forcefull

[12:09] aria (nabila.daffyd) "The next piece is titled, The Magistrate, the Sword and the Coin"...because sometimes...Magistrates DO get it right!" she chuckled

[12:09] Second Life: Ihre Avatarkomplexität ist 43921.

Jetzt kann jeder Sie sehen.

[12:09] Storm (tradino): chuckles.

[12:09] aria (nabila.daffyd): The Magistrate said, "Guilty!", and sentenced me to Death,

I protested my innocence with all my breath.

They bound my wrists and led me out of the Justice Hall,

To hang on a hook, high up on the city  wall.

[12:09] aria (nabila.daffyd): They'd come for me on New Year's Eve because I had paid,

For some food with a coin that hadn't yet been made,

Available for public use - they were next year's lot.

Someone hit the treasury, and hadn't been caught.

[12:10] aria (nabila.daffyd): I got roughed up a bit, but I'd been through that before,

Then they searched in the back of my wood working store.

They removed my sword from its hilt, and there in a groove,

Was a bit of dried blood that hadn't been removed.

[12:10] aria (nabila.daffyd): They cried, "We got him, who killed the guard!", and hauled me straight,

Over to a courtroom, to face the Magistrate.

He entered in somber robes, the hood upon his head,

And began, "You'd better tell me all." so I said,

[12:11] aria (nabila.daffyd): "I had blood on my sword, and I had the coin, it's true,

But the blood was from a canal urt that I slew.

And the coin, I received it fair for a carving I made,

An inscription in the handle of a knife blade."

[12:11] aria (nabila.daffyd): The evidence was damning, the coin WAS from my purse,

As for my sword, could I have cleaned it any worse?

Of course he didn't believe me; I was in a jam.

I'd had run-ins before, it's just the way I am,

[12:11] aria (nabila.daffyd): With one too many pagas - I'd get into a fight,

And then sleep it off in a jail cell overnight.

Now bound by ropes and my past, o'er the edge I could see,

The sharp end of a hook, pointed up at me.

[12:12] aria (nabila.daffyd): They pushed me over that edge, and let me down real slow,

Then, when just above that point, they let the rope go!

Those guards were real pros, they had execution pride.

Their drop forced the point in, then out my other side!

[12:12] aria (nabila.daffyd): Oh, I let out a scream, the pain too much to bear!

My weight arched my back, sweat ran down into my hair.

My legs dangled to one side, my head the other way,

Below I heard a shout, it seemed so far away.

[12:13] aria (nabila.daffyd): "My Master, please be strong, I promise I will find out,

Just who the real thieves are, and where they are about!"

She then professed her love for me, what a loyal slave,

Then went off on her task, my poor life to save.

[12:13] aria (nabila.daffyd): In and out of consiousness, I sunburned on that hook.

Who but my slave would even have bothered to look?

I hung there; it seemed like years, but really just one day,

Agony has a way of stretching time, they say.

[12:13] aria (nabila.daffyd): Caked with blood and crusty sweat, I hung there through the night,

Until I heard the sound of hooves about first light.

"Open the gate!", I heard him say, in a voice so strong,

"I'm the Captain of the Guard, here to right a wrong!"

[12:14] aria (nabila.daffyd): In a short time I heard feet, it was the Magistrate.

He had been called to see the ruckus at the gate.

The Guard threw down a bag, I heard the distinctive sound,

Of a thousand coins cascading onto the ground.

[12:14] aria (nabila.daffyd): Then came a heavy, rolling thud, he needn't have said,

"I found the coins with this thief, here's his severed head.

Near sunset I got a tip as to his hideaway,

In an old farmhouse not twenty pasangs away."

[12:14] Medusa Avora fr>en: merelease

[12:15] aria (nabila.daffyd): "I caught the thief red-handed, this evidence is new.

Such an error has been made!  Sir, what will you do?"

The Magistrate ordered them to take me down with care,

My slave first by my side, she stroked my matted hair.

[12:15] aria (nabila.daffyd): The Magistrate said,  "I'm sorry, and today I will,

Purge your full record clean, and pay your doctor's bill."

He asked to buy the next piece of furniture I made,

He remembered I was a woodworker by trade.

[12:15] aria (nabila.daffyd): I was laid up in bed a full quarter of a year,

And the whole time my kajira was always near.

She took care of everything, she'd sit and hold my hand,

And say with misty eyes, "I hope you understand",

[12:16] aria (nabila.daffyd): "The note I wrote was the only thing that I could try,

To save your life, my love, I couldn't let you die!"

Her love for me would help hide my secret for all time.

The man she turned in - was my partner in the crime!-----

[12:16] Second Life: Ihre Avatarkomplexität ist 43921.

Jetzt kann jeder Sie sehen.

[12:16] aria (nabila.daffyd) bowed gently

[12:16] Charlotte Spicer (charlottefrees) chuckles as she claps very fast

[12:16] Bea Lael (lifepath) claps for Aria, "Yayyyy," and also greets Willi with happy wave. "Tal Willi"

[12:17] Sabayna (tremlays) applauds again: "What a wonderful poem, Lady Aria."

[12:17] aria (nabila.daffyd) nodded humbly, "Thank you all! Thank you!"

[12:17] Storm (tradino): chuckles applauding.

[12:17] aria (nabila.daffyd) gestured to the tip jar, "Thank you all! There is a tip jar just in front of the stage here, Please be sure to donate if you're able. A portion of the proceeds goes back to the city itself!"

[12:18] աιʅʅ աσʅϝɱιҽɾ (willilicious.georgette): Tal Bea.

[12:18] Bea Lael (lifepath) smiled, "Tal Willi."

[12:18] aria (nabila.daffyd) continued, "Welcome to those just joining us! Please, make yourselves comfortable!"

[12:19] aria (nabila.daffyd) "Thank you all! Thank you! Very appreciated!"

[12:19] Storm (tradino): half-turns hearing a familiar voice. "Tal Will!"

[12:19] aria (nabila.daffyd) "This next piece is entitled "REPO!" and should serve as a reminder to you all..to Keep your Bills Current!" she chuckles

[12:19] աιʅʅ աσʅϝɱιҽɾ (willilicious.georgette): Tal Storm

[12:20] Sabayna (tremlays) smiles

[12:20] aria (nabila.daffyd) "It is also a bit of a short story, so make yourselves comfortable"

[12:20] aria (nabila.daffyd): Three physicians, a poet, and a scribe entered a cafe.

[12:20] aria (nabila.daffyd): The cafe owner snapped his fingers.  Several slaves rushed to the table, but the guests insisted on talking to the owner directly.  The owner noted the heavy veils over the women of the green caste, and mentioned, "Ladies, we are nearly in the Northern Forest.  Up here there is no requirement for a veil, if you so desire."

[12:21] aria (nabila.daffyd): "Sir, these are not veils, they are surgery masks!"

     "Surgery?  Have you just come from an operation?" the owner asked.

    "No sir, we are going to one."

    "Where?"

    "Here."

[12:21] aria (nabila.daffyd): A look of pure shock burst onto the tavern master's face.  His lips moved without sound coming forth.  Finally, he turned to the poet.

[12:22] aria (nabila.daffyd): "What is your business here?"

     "I will write your death poem.  Any requests?"

     "I do not want to die!"

     "Then perhaps you should have stayed current on your bill to the green caste," mentioned the scribe.  "Did you not receive treatment for a heart attack last year?"

     "Yes, I did, but business has been slow.  I will pay you back when I can -"

[12:22] aria (nabila.daffyd): "A bit late for that now, sir.  These ladies have filed a proper repossession claim, and are here to collect."

     "Collect?  My heart?"

     "That is what is owed upon, sir.  Nothing personal."

     "But, but, but! . . ."

     "No, sir, not your butt, your heart.  Be a dear and hop up on the table," suggested the head physician cheerfully.

     "Wait!  Maybe I have some items of value . . . "

     "I do see several kegs of paga over yonder," suggested the poet.

     "Of course!  Please!  take them and cancel my bill, I beg you!"

[12:23] aria (nabila.daffyd): The poet looked at the scribe, then the physicians, who were already laying out knives.  "Will two kegs be adequate to cover the bill?"

     "Three might be closer," suggested the scribe.

     The owner wiped some sweat from his face and motioned to the kegs as he yelled, "Take them!  with my gratitude!"

[12:23] aria (nabila.daffyd): On the road outside of town the five stopped briefly and examined the kegs.

     "We should be able to get 5 gold tarns for these," the poet mentioned.

     "Perhaps a bit more," responded the scribe.

     "How much was his bill?"

     "A gold and two silver tarns," noted the scribe.

     "That's a nice profit we will have," mentioned one of the physicians.

[12:24] aria (nabila.daffyd): The poet smiled, then looked down at his list.  "Let's see, a tavern master in Sais owes 6 silver for examination fees and medicines for his last bout of gout.  We should get double that from him.  Sure pays to listen while I drink!"

[12:24] aria (nabila.daffyd): "Aye!" exclaim the physicians and the scribe in unison.  They turned their wagon towards Sais, merry smiles adorning their faces. ------

[12:24] aria (nabila.daffyd) chuckled and took a bow

[12:25] aria (nabila.daffyd) "Thank you all! That was a fun one! Imagine, getting your body parts taken back" chuckles

[12:26] Charlotte Spicer (charlottefrees) shakes her head

[12:26] Sabayna (tremlays) applauds: "Oh, oh, oh, three physicians posing as Norns or creatures of fate to get their money...

[12:26] Storm (tradino): aplauds, chuckling, "I will  in future always remember to pay his bills in time."

[12:26] aria (nabila.daffyd) chuckles

[12:26] աιʅʅ աσʅϝɱιҽɾ (willilicious.georgette) claps.

[12:27] aria (nabila.daffyd) nodded warmly to the audience, "Thank you all again! My last piece is a fun one about my caste...entitled, Don't Mess with the Poets"

[12:28] aria (nabila.daffyd) playfully narrowed her eyes, "Yeah...don't mess with us" she teased with a soft laugh before she began

[12:28] aria (nabila.daffyd): A guard tried to lure a poet

To a place she should not be.

Her castemates would soon know it,

And began to write fervidly.

[12:28] aria (nabila.daffyd): To tempt those who mold with word,

Is to tempt the hand of fate,

For such a story will oft be heard

When the lamps of taverns burn late.

[12:29] aria (nabila.daffyd): Death touches the brave but once, all know.

But fools who trifle with our caste,

Will be made to perish with each show,

For as long as our breath will last.-----

[12:29] aria (nabila.daffyd) chuckled and took her last bow

[12:30] Sabayna (tremlays): Bravooo, Lady Aria!

[12:30] aria (nabila.daffyd) "I think it's best summed up..we will eviscerate you in rhyme!"

[12:30] Storm (tradino): shakes is head in amusement.

[12:30] aria (nabila.daffyd) chuckled

[12:30] aria (nabila.daffyd): Thank you all!

[12:30] Charlotte Spicer (charlottefrees): lovely poem!

[12:30] aria (nabila.daffyd): Thank you very much!

[12:31] Bea Lael (lifepath) claps "Great job"

[12:31] aria (nabila.daffyd): The Caste will be around for the whole of the fair. You will find us doing several pop up performances and one large show on Friday"

[12:31] աιʅʅ աσʅϝɱιҽɾ (willilicious.georgette) claps

[12:31] aria (nabila.daffyd) "Thank you all again!! And please, enjoy the Fair! Thank you for listening!"

[12:32] Charlotte Spicer (charlottefrees) stands and stretches, then heads back to her Market Fair Stall.

[12:33] Night Corvus (nightdr3am) "There must be a complementary mead for each poem!" smirks standing up ... "and especially for poets ... then I could become one ... for tonight!"

[12:33] aria (nabila.daffyd) chuckles!

[12:33] aria (nabila.daffyd): We are all poets..some of us, just don't know it!

[12:33] Storm (tradino): chuckles. "Hear, hear!"

[12:34] Babeesha reaches up to her Master "Wake up, my Master, they have finished"

[12:34] Night Corvus (nightdr3am) "That is why we need mead! ... aye, bondmaid?" turned his head to look at Heart "Where is it?!"

[12:35] Heart (damara.dufaux): "Aye my Jarl. Just a few steps away."

[12:35] aria (nabila.daffyd): "Thank you all very much!"

[12:35] Night Corvus (nightdr3am) "Thank you, Aria!"

[12:35] aria (nabila.daffyd): My absolute pleasure!

  STORIES     Anja Steinnsdottir Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Anja Steinnsdottir, Skald of Torvaldsland story Hello everyone. If you don't ...