Dec 21 Xmas

[Stormbringer]

Let's see some stories, pictures, poetry on the subjects of Xmas, Winter Festival, Hanukkah, A new year starting, or anything you feel appropriate for the holiday season.

After the holidays this forum will be hosted by the AA who will no doubt have more inventive ideas to inspire creativity.

[Tehya]

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time there was a less monetary world where people could amuse themselves and grow in their imaginations without the stimulus of digital and electronic means. Where children grew up creating make-shift toys from their imaginations and survived playing in the cold snow without infra red make- believe fireplaces, that lack the reality of burning wood and the crackle of the fire.

There was a Lonely Inn, I always wondered about that name, why was it lonely, the woman that ran it certainly didn’t make it lonely and the people that gathered were none of that. In fact the owner of that Inn was a magical woman, some would laugh at that description that knew her, but I can vouch it’s the truth.

A group of creative writers grew so strong they avoided all the invisible erasers that could have stolen their flowing words that created stories and worlds of their own. Imagine nine years writing words that created this imaginary world around you, where a few hundred did the same. You would think each one of those few hundred would be tiny little type-set beings taking little notice from the magical woman of that Inn.

One day a door opened and a dragon appeared, was it real, of course that magical woman created it. That very dragon had seen inside a story, that beautiful beast noticed one tiny elf in the world, knew her inside and out, and took her on a journey not even her imagination could ponder.

Magical Woman---- Thank You Ehlanna, and Merry Christmas

Those few hundred people in that world joined together and worked hard building an entire Empire, clever wits, dark needy lusts, and they served one man who always remained more in the background to step forward now and then when the creativity got so high, events were held for his interest. He wasn’t seen often and was named Emperor Stormbringer, but he was more than that...but the elf writing this won’t go on about how high an Emperor can reign, some whisper her to be too imaginative. He had clever words and an even more clever wit, and could crush the world with his thumb if he wanted to. Everywhere he reigned there were displays or art of women’s breasts, but that love of art grew so high it was unleashed on those below him to never stop creating with his help.

Emperor Stormbringer---Thank you SB and Merry Christmas

There were Draks yes beautiful dragon like creatures, but one of them tempted the innocent from the first day she stepped into that not so Lonely Inn. Well those that write do exaggerate sometimes, maybe she wasn’t so innocent, and yet she did thwart off his advances for nine years. There is bravery in this medieval world, swords, rapiers, shields, minions, and magic were tools for them to use but that one insistent drak wouldn’t stop, so brave to taunt the Emperor for something he wanted, only to have lived through it. Finally he understood that seduction of flesh was more intense in words and imagination to capture what he wanted. He took her to places with outrageous stories and dreams.

Sorgram—Thank you for the wonderful stories and Merry Christmas

On the day they call Christmas out of the hundreds that dwell in that magical world where none were forgotten right down to the fire queen, or the mere gardener and dear friend of the writer of this page. All were dear to her, the hunger to write grows every day, and to those she owes her thanks have a safe Merry Christmas.

(Sorry I can’t pick each and every player’s name to solo out in this story; if I did it would be a novel…but thank you to all in TLI)

Merry Christmas to all!
Tehya

[Stormbringer]

[Ehlanna]

A very quick offering:

[L`aquera]

Cold and wintry in the town of Nanthalion. The snow was flying and the wind was whipping. The weather was not fit for man nor beast nor concubine to slave. Yet two such slaves were on their way from town to their Masters home with goodies in bags and a donkey that should have been left behind.

The blond turned to the other, her face nearly hidden by scarf and her fur inlaid boots sporting more snow then the ground she would imagine. Why did Master have to make them wear these damnable outfits? She was pretty sure a blue elf wasn't on the market. Well.. as she glanced down, seeing nipples poking through cloth, perhaps it was more like, blue peaks. Another shift and roll of shoulders had her cloak more tightly brought in closer to kiss flesh and stave off what cold it could. Not very cheery times.

"Salish! Will you stop playing about with your cloak and hurry up! I'm cold! And he's been waiting all day. This is all your fault, clumsy elf. We could have been home hours ago! But oh no, you just had to stop at the chocolate shop and insist they make a mold. Do you really think he cares?"

Another upheaval of a sigh and the elf stopped playing about with her flimsy wear and made her feet that ached move faster. "I'm coming! What kind of idiot puts us in straps of cotton? Its winter! I'm so cold Dawn."

Another whine from the new slave and Dawn rolled those crimson eyes of hers. Really? It wasn't her fault the girl was constantly getting into trouble from Master. How many times had he told her to start thinking? He should have collared a nymph this time. At least they didn't whine like a dwarf whose beard had been yanked off. "Shut up! Oh my Goddess! Why are you stopping NOW!?"

The moriel had finally paused to take a gander at the elf with her, the girl had come to a full on stop and was staring with mouth open and bag dragging on the ground getting wet. Just staring off to the right like a dolt and finally Dawn turned her chin about to have a look. After all, the dark elves could see in the dark far better then some flimsy milkey skinned pointy eared elf. But what she saw gave her pause, her own jaw dropped open and from a rooftop she heard it clear as a bell...

HO HO HO!

"Dawn....... What is that!? Up there, on the roof! Do you see it! Someone, all in red, shinning and bright. Hes making an awful clatter up there!" exclaimed the she elf, one hand pointing and the other sifting to shade her eyes from the winds and the whipping of snow. What was that? Was it a man? On a roof? And was that a.. sleigh?

Oh, Dawn was looking alright. Her keen sight didn't miss a thing. Giant of a man, white beard whipping in the wind, he had a giant smile on his face and the one thing of note was his red nose and that strange stupid hat. He was glowing and red and she reached out to grasp at the elfs arm to back her up. "I don't know, but lets not get any closer! I mean, I've heard strange tales but this beats them all. Do you really think...?" the moriel trailed off. Couldn't be. Those were fairy tales of course, there was no such thing. It was just a clause in the written tomes. Right?

HO HO HO!

"Dawn! It really is, it is him!" or so the elf thought. They weren't close enough to make it all out, after all, it was on a rooftop for Goddess sake. But the moriel was shaking her head and suddenly wishing she'd been a little kinder to the elf at her side. But she'd been a good slave. Hadn't she? Done all her Master had claimed. But.. something seemed... off.

"He's certainly ... jolly.. Isn't he?" Had the moriel finally figured it out? She watched it all play out, narrowing her own red eyes on the scene as if she could get a better picture. But. If they were right and it really was? "Lets run home Salish! Right now, put Masters present by the hearth and get into bed. We have to fall asleep as fast as possible! GO!" was shouted out and a good shove to go with it. The elf nodded dumbly and moved faster then she ever had and soon the two slaves were out of sight.

They left behind a scene that more then likely, they could have wished they hadn't missed.

"HO HO... AUUUGGGRRRR You lit me on fire you HO!"

A shift of movement among the winds and snows, the constant blowing had kept the intruder alive this long. Clever theif, using the hearths chimney to get into her old residence. Very clever. He was going to be damned blasted sorry by the time she was down. He was already on fire in several places. Her first flame thrower spell had hit him right in the face and caught his stupid hat on fire along with the sled he'd somehow managed to get up here and pile with James stuff. The thief was on one side of the roof and she on the other. It wasn't easy standing up here slinging flame spells around. Damned cat better be happy!

"Stop calling me a HO! Blasted fardon thief! Get OFF the roof..."

All it took was one more blast of fire and the male stumbled, lost his footing completely and went sliding right off the edge to hit the ground, sizzling away. Unconscious with a puff of smoke billowing around him. Serves him right. She could have told that idiot that fur was a great conductor to keep the fire going. With a quick agile motion, the pyromancer was atop the peak of the house and glaring down at the still burning male laying in the snow like a heap of jelly. "And stay off! Call me a whore in whatever foul language you want to use."

Soft sigh came rolling from those plush lips and silver eyes looked all around until she spotted her jhore chewing away on one of the sacks the thief had tossed over the edge of the roof. Great. "Get away from that you idiot! Dear Goddess below. I hate winter. A ho? He called me a ho..."

An hour later, two slaves were tucked soundly in their bed when the Master came home and he was pleasantly pleased to see a package or two for him to open. Chocolate covered cock? Was that.. was that his cock? Had to be the elf. She'd get the size all wrong. Again. Still, he found it hard to yell at the two when they seemed so peaceful all curled up on their lone bed. Honestly it was most puzzling, usually they were up for hours after he got home, one whining the other complaining. What got into them?



...shhhhhh.... they'll never tell. And neither will you.

[Tehya]

Great story L and the artwork is awesome...enjoyed this challenge very much.

[mozenwrathe]

*Not everyone celebrates the Winter Solstice in the same way. Every race seems to have a different name for it. And that is, of course, their prerogative. As long as the gods themselves believe they have received their due, normally they will not go and ruin a possible moment of worship for them. Normally. Of course, sometimes the gods do things simply to show off their powers, or to punish a perceived slight from the mortals. In the end, the Solstice may come and go, but it is rarely the same celebration twice.*

And The Desert Sands Glisten With Frost
by Gennadiya - half-vulpine/half barbarian ranger, member of Nanthalion's militia

and as the rains of autumn transform themselves
into the familiar snows of winter's blossom
do I find myself shivering in my heavy cloak
understanding not why the chill reaches me so
until one of those on patrol with me smiles broadly
brandishing a huge flagon of mulled wine
pouring out goblets for all surrounding the camping fires
starting into song loud and true for woods themselves to hear

is this to be the first day of celebrations
all of us far from families ours and friends treasured
but within this garrison created by random lottery
our legion is thick with camaraderie and concern for each other
love in a way for our fellows in arms
most of us being women and a few men scattered
each of them having once or twice been cast out
and us gathering them to our bosoms willingly

shall we cast off what were olden ways and hampering
trapped once before by notions preconceived
now are we far more unified through fire and fury
having shed blood together against goblin horde
almost losing more than a few of us in dark elven raid
so are we most overdue a few nights to know love and lust
cherishing this life we have and letting our spirits flame
a bright burning light within all our hearts rising as one
to create a bond between us all forged by mutual want

while some this night do rounds to keep the threats away
the rest will together relax and perhaps dance
not mere gestures done in floored gala rooms
but true gyrations and movement to entice and entrance
drinking in both the spiced wine and the emotions around
perhaps pairing off or more besides to find connection
as every day could be our last while we commit ourselves
to protect this region we all have adopted as home

our first night out in the middle of winter's brightest moons
is not something to be feared but welcomed
even though are we away from what we call comfort
shall our own joy and festivities be made here
as the snows continue to fall from overhead
every snowflake like diamonds from the heavens
twinkling as our bonfire rages back with power
the glorious tongues of flame licking at the sky
keeping us warm throughout this cold night indeed
even as one who I thought despised me greatly
wanders up and kisses me deeply on the lips