The love of gold is doom enough.
The love of blood is harder still.
But hardest of them all the love
of tales of gods and heroes.
In empty tombs I heard the wings
of senile and forgotten gods.
No-one was there to see or sing
a tale of gods and heroes.
I saw the bright inhuman eyes
and seeing them, I snuffed them out.
In inns and halls I traded lies
and tales of gods of heroes.
I traded lies but sometimes gave
the truth away, to honour those
I stood beside, now in their grave;
Now tales of gods and heroes.
For some had fled the tree and rope
and some the tree and rope would find.
And some like me had chased the hope
of tales of gods and heroes.
I dreamed I lay in blood and snow
and knew I would forever lie.
I saw a black and fattened crow
That spoke of gods and heroes.
"So long have we attended you
and sang your praises just as long.
Hast never heard our carping song,
the tale of gods and heroes?
We sing your deeds from west to east
Dishonour not your only guests.
Again begins the song and feast
and tales of gods and heroes."
ANd the source and inspiration is?
It was writtten for a competition, to come up with a poem to be put in the front of a role-playing game. But the game seems to have been indefinitely delayed.
Wow, I REALLY like this. I can't put my finger on a specific portion of the poem that sticks out to me; I just like the whole damn thing.
What role-playing game was this written for?
Thanks!
Tales of Blades and Heroes, which was going to be based on the wargame A Song of Blades and Heroes. But I'm thinking of using it in my setting (http://thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?78477.last).