The Collected Works of Vennis Haler

[lucesi]

The shorter songs, poems and verse created by the bard Vennis Haler and been collected into one volume and published as a set. A copy is held in the library of the Alizarin Academy for reference. The binding is extendable for future additions.

They include the following:

[lucesi]

The Battle of Marsember

There was tension in the air, fear in the city of canals
As the bold warriors of Marsember waited for those Sembian rascals
Uneasiness grew more and more through the day and night
Fear haunted both refugee and home folk alike

Till suddenly the vile Silver Helms did charge upon the gate
Every gods-cursed one of them, a heart consumed with hate
But the stout defenders did not buckle nor did they retreat
And threw the filthy invaders right back into the sea

The brave Cormyrians, they cheered with victory
Yet little did they reckon with Sembian vileness and deceit
A force of 'Sons of Sembia' the ones we all so hate
Through treachery and violence sneaked a force right past the gate

Bloodshed struck the city, many brave militia did fall
As swords did clash and battle waged right within Marsembers walls
Adventurers from throughout Cormyr lent their aid
And leapt upon the Sembians with their hallowed blades

Now the defenders they were a disparate band
As mages, sellswords, priests and bards from all over the land
Came together in adversity, a strange marshal marriage
From Lynn the fearsome dragon lady to the outcast known as Vlaric

And led they all were by Swordmajor Graytower
Who formed a steadfast company beneath her power
Together they drove the enemy from the bloodied streets
And crushed the Silver Helms and Sembians beneath their feet

The fighting was swift and bloody, sullied by foul scheming
And Marsember suffered the sigth of Sembian summoned demons
Yet the heroes of Marsember stood strong and tall
And before their righteous chivalry the foul denizens did fall

Finally the battle did reach its very height
Both sides bloodied and reeling from the fight
When a roar did erupt from the Sembian rapscallions
And emerging from their fetid ranks, came their thrice-damned champion

Galen of the Axe he was a man of great renown
Brave defenders lay before him scattered on the ground
Yet a fightback from a Cormyte hero began to make a start
Answering his bellowed challenge, her name was Ironheart*

Their axes clashed to a mighty sound
Echoing through the distraught town
Blade on shield, eyes of fury
As each laid claim to Tempus' glory

Until the axe of the Ironheart lady
Bit deep beneath the armour of Galen
He, fell crumpled, he did die
His last words fading to a bitter cry

On his death the hopes of the Sembians too did fall
Their scattered remnants crushed and small
The Cormyr flag cheered aloud
Marsember bloodied, but yet unbowed

Thus we owe so much to those so few
The heroes of Marsember, brave and true

*Those actually at the event may well realise that this is not an accurate chronology of the battle and the duel between Mara and Galen. It seems Vennis has taken a little artistic licence to place that particular fight at the climax of the battle.

[lucesi]

The Devil Swine

Of this dark tale I am about to start,
The forest of the King that had evil in it heart,
The foulest scourge of the woodland realm we have seen in our time,
I tell you of this wicked beast - twas called the Devil Swine.

Hunting man and beast it tore them limb from limb,
no one was safe, neither friend or kin,
With soul as dark and black as the colour of its hair,
The Devil Swine had our land its lair.

So the Lords of Kings Forest assembled, spirits serious and stout,
They would assemble a brave party to drive the monster out,
And forth from Espar these bold venturers did part,
Their quest to rid the forest of this demon pig did start.

Through trees, and grass and undergrowth the brave heroes did run,
Alas they found foul creatures, devils not of Farun,
Pit fiends and worse were fought within the mud,
Our brave heroes nearly died where they stood.

Yet fight they did an won the battle true,
Their strength of arms and bravery there for all to view,
Despite its tricks and ambushes they tracked it to its lair,
With plan to trap it quick an end its reign fore'er.

More devils dark and vengeful were despatched along the way,
Mara Ironheart and others were there to save the day,
At last they trapped it in a foul broken ruin,
And an elven Master Mage was able to smite its ruin.

These brave souls who saved the forest we raise our glass to you,
Men and women stout and tall and bravery most true,
Gather round all in this tavern and begin to dance a jig,
In honour of the hardy heroes that stuck the Devil Pig!

[lucesi]

Ode to the grand Melee

Lo from far and wide many did journey,
To partake in Baron Crownsilver's prestigious Tourney,
To fight in honour of noble Aluxar,
Who's bravery and fame travels from afar,

From the high born to the low all were there,
Noble Houses with their sons and daughters fair,
Names of renown: Rothford, Crownsilver, Skatterhawk, Miller,
All claimed a champion to be a winner,

Many fine heroes (and vile villains) we did see,
To the cheer of the crowd with evident glee,
Swords sang and shields clashed,
As wounds were opened and tendons smashed,

Inns were busy and the taverns filled,
With fighters from every faction and guild,
Tall or short, strong or sly,
With wits and blades they did vie,

The axes and hammers of stout Oghrann,
Won much pride and honour for their Clan,
We were shown how to fight the good fight,
From the pious and gallant Triadic Knights,

How the crowd did boo and roar,
When the Black Ender threw Holance to the floor,
Yet with claps and song and much acclaim,
They cheered the end of the man of Bane,

For many twas Fiona they feared the most,
The Ace of Blades at their throats,
Axes were sharp and swords unshorn,
From the sturdy figures of the Ironsworn,

The crowd cheered both the velvet and the steel glove,
Of the two champions of the Goddess of Love,
Sharpness of sword and mind was there to see,
In the warrior-scholars of Alizarin Academy,

Bets were placed and coins lost and found,
To see who Tymora blessed in each round,
Who would court the Lady Luck?,
As debts were collected and paid from Valera's book,

But happened in the final bout,
'Tween elf and dwarf who would win out?
He who rose to the victors box,
Was the swift and cunning sly old Fox,

Plaudits were given and honour was won,
By those taking medals from the Baron's son,
Yet this gleeful scene was not the end of the night,
For all were due a terrible fright,

Behold Vera Gudwerks with seeming good reason,
Accused the High Mage of terrible treason,
But the wise Baron would hear of no trial,
Twould be decided by 'Battle Royale',

With position at risk and much to lose,
A champion each they both would choose,
The new hero Fox chosen by the High Inquisitor,
Ezmerelda summoned a vile, twisted Minotaur!

Metallic skin and covered in rune,
It sprang on Fox to seal his doom,
For its hide a blade could not scratch,
The champion Sunite had met his match,

The Arch mage had played and won!
But still the Baron was not done,
For she was exiled and lost her position,
For bringing such an apparition,

But through magics she did disappear,
Leaving the Mad Bull causing all to quake in fear,
Through the town it ran amok,
Til through the gate it was beaten back,

For Vera too defeat loomed large,
She had failed in her unproven charge,
Struck from the council and as head of Law,
Her work at an end, her prospects poor,

So here ends the ode of the tourney,
A strangely glorious yet tainted journey,
A tale of cheer, sorrow and ill-luck,
As one might find in an old storybook...