1.16

Sitting before them in the mute golden glow of the Glade sat a powerful creature they had only ever read about and seen pictures of.

The creature, if standing, would have been close to twelve feet in height. Its skin was a dark green and there were countless leaves and twigs growing from its body. Sticking out from its face was a large, hooked twig of a nose. Long and thick green hair flowed from its head, past its bulbous body. A green beard of moss covered is double-chin, and gangly legs jutted out from both sides as it sat on a giant boulder.

“That’s a-”

“A troll,’ Sharampf cut Bodwyn off. “A forest troll, I think. I had a book as a kid with one in it.”

Trolls were powerful creatures, native to the central plane of Merrin. They often taught druids how to hone their magic, as they were beings that kept the balance of nature in check.

“Indeed I am.” The troll’s belly bounced as he laughed. Fireflies flew around his head and small woodland critters chased each other around the Glade.

“Why did you let us into your Glade?” Sharampf asked. As if suddenly aware of what she was talking to, Sharampf bowed her head. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude.”

“You weren’t being rude at all. You were merely asking a question.” The troll chuckled again. I allowed you entry for two reasons.”

“What were they?” Fenrick asked.

“You were so busy talking to each other, you all failed to notice that a titan was about to stumble upon you. Ah, there it is now.” The troll pointed out past his Glade.

The group watched on as a humungous, humanoid creature walked into their camp. Its arms were a little too long to keep proportion and a violent looking horn just from its forehead. Red energy crackled around it like fire. Rusted scale pants and pointed boots rounded out its look. It lowered itself over the camp and sniffed the air.

Within the history of Merrin, titans were new creatures. Giants were among the first things created on Merrin, tasked by the gods to protect the world and all of those upon it.

Giants lived in their cloud cities and generally kept to themselves. However, as the surface dwellers excelled in their magic, they came across the giants.

For centuries, the giants and other beings of Merrin lived in mostly harmony, until a war broke out, with each side blaming the other.

In hopes to overthrow their designated protectors, druids and wizards combined their knowledge and magics and created titans, creatures that were meant to match the giants in strength.

The creation of the titans resulted in a widespread, brutal catastrophe. The giants were eventually able to seal themselves off completely from the surface world, and the titans proved to be uncontrollable, which in turn became a problem for the surface dwellers of Merrin.

“Can it see us or smell us?” asked Bodwyn. “Can it sense this place or break in?”

“Though titans are powerful, one titan is not enough to simply walk into a Glade. An army of them, perhaps.” The troll was stern, but calm.

“I’ve never seen one up close. Have you Fenrick?” Bodwyn’s fearful stutter was obvious.

“Not since the war. Terrible things. They would just as likely kill their allies as they would their opposition.” Fenrick stared coldly at the beast.

Bodwyn gasped as the titan seemingly looked directly at him. The titan sniffed the air again and snapped its jaw a few times. Having apparently given up, the titan turned away and walked back into the forest.

“How long ago was the war with the giants?” Bodwyn asked.

“Close to three hundred. About fifty years before the elves showed up,” said Fenrick.

“I never thought I’d see one up close and live to tell the tale. Drinks on me when we get back to Cobbleson.” An awkward laugh burst from Bodwyn’s lungs.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“What was the second reason you invited us into your Glade?” Fenrick eyed the manmade monstrosity as it disappeared.

“I’m in need of some help. You see, while I am quite powerful, I can’t leave my forest.” The troll looked the party over once more and nodded.

“Okay. So, like a job?” asked Sharampf. Bodwyn’s ears lifted, and he turned to face the troll.

“Yes. You see, there is another forest, far away from here. You would know of it, The Bronze Woods.”

“Yea. We’ve heard of it,” said Bodwyn.

“Good. My sister is the troll of that forest, and I haven’t heard from her for a while and that makes me worried. The last time I heard from her, she said there was some kind of corruption taking over the forest. Some kind of sickness.” Tiny mushrooms fell from the troll’s beard as he scratched. They immediately took root and started to grow.

“What do you need us to do?” Fenrick asked.

“I need you to try and find my sister and perhaps stop the corruption.”

“What do we get out of helping you?” Bodwyn asked. Sharampf shot him a look of disapproval. “What?”

“No, no, that’s fair. It will be extremely dangerous if it had my sister concerned and I can no longer communicate with her. I will reward you with a little something now should you accept my request, and upon completion, I can assure you that my sister would also reward you.”

“What can you give us?” Bodwyn’s barely hidden excitement bled through.

“Gnome, what is your name?” The troll’s voice suddenly snapped to a tone of authority.

“Fenrick.” Fenrick took a step forward.

“You’re a fighter through and through. But you also want to protect your allies. Give me your shield.” Fenrick unstrapped his shield and put in on the ground in front of the troll.

The troll leaned forward and tapped the shield with his long, gnarled, bark-like finger. The shield glowed a bright, fluorescent green for a few moments before returning to its normal state.

“I’ve given it a basic enchantment. Three times a day, you can call upon your shield to burst forth with flower petals. These petals can be used to protect your allies. Upon a hit, the petals will disappear. Something too powerful will simply pass through your barrier.”

“Thank you.” Fenrick stepped forward and picked his shield back up. It now shed a faint glow of warmth.

“Orc, what is your name?”

“Um, its Sharampf.” Sharampf stepped forward.

“You pursue knowledge in all its forms and want to support however you can on the battlefield.”

“Yes, that’s right.” The troll leaned forward again and tapped Sharampf on her forehead with his finger. The spot he touched flashed green, like Fenrick’s shield.

“Three times a day, you can talk either to animals or plants. Though they can’t always understand or translate the ideas of sentient speech like us, their knowledge can be extremely useful.”

“Thank you,” Sharampf bowed and returned to where the other two stood.

“Leporid, what is your name?”

“Bodwyn.”

“Step forward.” Bodwyn shakily stepped forward.

“Ah, you have magical gifts given to you by another. You can be selfish and cowardly, but you’re eager to please and be approved by others.”

“Hey, I didn’t sign up to be lectured,” snapped Bodwyn.

“You’re also quick to fire up and blast back.” A great gust burst forth from the troll as he spoke. Bodwyn had to brace himself against the force.

“Bodwyn, stop being dumb,” snapped Sharampf.

“He’s the one that insulted me.” The gust stopped and Bodwyn glared at the troll.

“Oi, stop that.” Bodwyn pointed a finger at the troll. “We didn’t have to say yes to helping you. We’re doing you a favour.”

“Step forward,” bellowed the troll. Bodwyn did as he was commanded. The troll also tapped on Bodwyn’s forehead, and it too flashed green.

“But you also stand up for what you believe in and for your friends. You can certainly be a volatile mix if you’re not careful.”

“So what gift did you give me?” Bodwyn asked.

“I can sense the presence of the being you made your pact with. And although I do not know what force it is, its powerful. It may not like what I have given you. It’s driven by a deep greed. A consuming hunger that will devour all. What I have given you is the ability to forego some of the magic it has given you, to perform a little magic I have given you.”

“Hmm, okay.”

“You are able to create berries that have minor healing abilities. They can stamp out minor poisons and staunch minor wounds. They are extremely nutritious to boot.”

“That’s cool. Thanks.” Bodwyn joined the rest of the party.

“Just how dangerous is this task?” Fenrick asked.

“Oh, you’re not strong enough yet. Don’t rush to your death, otherwise this will have all been in vain. Grow stronger, gain knowledge, and seek experience before you complete this for me. Though there is a minor timestamp, I’m sure you’ll quickly grow. I sense greatness in all of you.”

“One more thing,” said Fenrick. “What proof do we have that you have sent us, to be able to enter your sister’s Glade. We don’t exactly know how to communicate with her, none of us are trained in the ways of nature.”

“Thank you for reminding me. Take this.” The troll reached into his beard and pulled out a glowing red seed the size of Fenrick’s fist. “My sister will sense this seed, and knowing it is from me, will allow you entry.”

“What’s your name? And your sister’s?” Bodwyn asked.

“You lack the skills and knowledge needed to be able to say our names.”

“Oh. Well okay then. Bye.”

“Farewell little adventurers. I hope your paths are full of great experiences.” The troll let out a rumbling chuckle and the party found themselves back at their campsite.

“I wanna get out of here quick. Don’t want to be anywhere near that titan if it comes back.” Bodwyn hastily packed away what camping gear they had and made way for Cobbleson.