Many have asked how it came to be that the Tavern we visit is in the hands of
the Wolves..
What happened to the Wyrm's Tail - which served all our needs for so many years
??? and how is it that the Wolves now supply the needs of all the united
factions - and certain others in the known lands....
The truth is - we just do not know!! - and those who are party to the knowledge seem very reticent in bringing the facts to the fore..
However - one evening in the Crimson Moon, Agna the Healer ( Stormwolf and
main cook-and-bottle-washer of the Wolves Kitchen) was in a jovial mood - and
was heard to give the following account...
(your correspondent makes no statements regarding the truth of the
utterences - other than to state it seemed to him to be a heartfelt account of
an emotional experience for the old Healer.. listen to his words and make
up your own mind )
It's
true that no-one here knows the full history of Agnes... It is many years since
I first left the Isle of Myst to travel the worlds of man.. and I did so with a
heavy heart - for who would leave the Isle and the close contact with the Aesir
that we experience when in that holy place. But that was my calling and only one
of the trials that were placed upon this poor healer...
But Agnes is a strong woman - of strong heritage within Norsca - and a fitting companion for the Chosen of Frigga.
But - it must be said, that where there is strength - there is vice - for Agnes was partial to a game of chance!!
This need not be a problem ... many a good Norscan has taken opportunity to wager - but - sad to say - Agnes was oft times found in gambling dens with members of various factions, a regular at Mucous Dogbreath's gaming tables, and ... ( sigh ) it must be said - she would oft times be found in gambling circles with goblins - indeed - Lobotomy Goblins !!
And so it was - just before the winter Solstice - Agna relates that he returned from an evening checking the stock on the kitchen and refurbishing the carry-alls which would be required to place the water barrells into the Long ships, and entered into his living quarters to find that Agnes was entertaining the Lob Gobs... a card game was in full sway - and - it would seem - had been for some substantial time...
Before he could utter a word in condemnation - Agna heard a comment regarding the level of stakes that were on the table!!
Agna chose silence while he studied the situation..
The GAME had escalated to the point where only two parties were still involved... Agnes and a single Lobotomy Goblin whom Agna did not recognise - other than by his race and inclination...
It seemed that the wager would now fall upon the turn of a single card by each player...
Sad to say for Agna - it became clear that the Wolves Kitchen - and all its current stores were the subject of the bet !! Everything that that poor healer had built up upon this world - now cast upon the turn of a card!! and all because -as a Stormwolf he could not own property of his own right - so all items were held in Agnes' name...
The bet was already laid - there was no benefit from comment - so Agna watched the game enfold.....
It was the turn of the Goblin to take a card.... he drew .... the 9 of Moons...!!
Now had it been a 3 or a 2 - Agna would have been confident in the odds, had it been a ten or King - he could have prepared for the worse... but a nine - it gave neither hope nor despair!! So what would his lady do?? With everything that they owned and their livelihood at stake??
But Agnes is not as other people .. Where others might try to reduce their commitment ./.. Agnes looked the Goblin in the eye ... and immediately DOUBLED THE BET!! "You think you have a chance with that card ??" she snorted " I will double the bet... I will include the staffing of the kitchen for all time as well as all we have on the table !!"
Agna could barely believe his ears.. he was being indentured to a goblin - for he was the staff that was mentioned!!
Agna turned away and hid his eyes. Brave in battle he may be - willing to fling himself into the front lines without armour or other defense - but this situation was totally outside his ability to cope..
He waited - ... for a cry of triumph - or a whimper of defeat...
He waited...
When no response was heard - he slowly opened his eyes - to see that Agnes had drawn a card - and in the best Poker style had pressed it to her breast without looking at it.....
Instead - her eyes rested only upon the Goblin in front of her...
She smiled - a smile grounded in Nifelheim - and slowly lifted the card upwards until it interrupted the line of vision between the players ...
You would have to look carefully to see the smile widen by a fraction - a general observer would have seen no change in expression.. as the card was raised and then placed gently upon the table..
revealing - a TEN - a TEN of Cups - but a ten nevertheless...
and so by one point - the Wolves Kitchen , its contents , and its staffing was saved from being gambled away...
And yes - of course - the counter bet was of equal value ...
Poor old Agna did not find out what was the bet until afterwards - when he found it necessary to start thinking about creating a few more lists !!
But yes - the full rights to the Tavern and all its contents and rights
throughout the lands passed to the Wolves that night...
Agnes became owner of the Tavern - and the Crimson Moon ( named by Agnes for
some reason known only to herself) became subject to Wolves law and
jurisdiction,,,
But all factions and creatures will be welcome within the Tavern - which will endeavour to uphold all the hospitality of the past/
Just do not be surprised if your next pint is served by the Lord General of the Wolves.. He takes a great interest in all Wolves territory - including the Tavern,,,
and such is the story I heard from Agna the Healer.. I cannot tell if it is true.. but he appeared sincere in his tale..
