Fear Begets Stupidity|Malagard, Khelek
Jun 1, 2010 2:57:21 GMT -5
Post by Kender Bard on Jun 1, 2010 2:57:21 GMT -5
One of the things that Khelek's people were often proud of was their stolidness. They were a grim, dour people but unshakable in the face of a crisis.
This was not always true, however. Though the Ices were not, by and large, a passionate people like some of the other elements and lands, they were still human and subject to human virtues... and vices. Not the least of which was fear.
And stubbornness. Some people braved the city and outside the walls, scoffing at the notion that wolves would be any greater of a problem than they had ever been. But as a few such foolhardy individuals met the fate they had dismissed so casually, people began to cast an eye to the sky with fear. As night drew close, people hurried home for the safety of the hearth. Even the city guards were jittery, making rounds in groups, heavily armed, jumping as sudden howls that seemed to cry for blood went up at night. Howls that chilled the blood like no Khelek winter ever had.
People endured the ever present threat outside their city walls with the same grim sternness that they always had, but one night was different from others. The guards at the gates had been too slow in spotting the wolves, did not close the gates quickly enough, and several slipped into the city. They left a bloody swath until the guards were able to finally corner them and kill them all. The death count was not high, but it was enough to shake the Ices.
The next day brought an unusual sight to Khelek--a mob. The object of their anger and hate was obscured by the ranks. Whoever or whatever it was, it was at the center of the throng.
This was not always true, however. Though the Ices were not, by and large, a passionate people like some of the other elements and lands, they were still human and subject to human virtues... and vices. Not the least of which was fear.
And stubbornness. Some people braved the city and outside the walls, scoffing at the notion that wolves would be any greater of a problem than they had ever been. But as a few such foolhardy individuals met the fate they had dismissed so casually, people began to cast an eye to the sky with fear. As night drew close, people hurried home for the safety of the hearth. Even the city guards were jittery, making rounds in groups, heavily armed, jumping as sudden howls that seemed to cry for blood went up at night. Howls that chilled the blood like no Khelek winter ever had.
People endured the ever present threat outside their city walls with the same grim sternness that they always had, but one night was different from others. The guards at the gates had been too slow in spotting the wolves, did not close the gates quickly enough, and several slipped into the city. They left a bloody swath until the guards were able to finally corner them and kill them all. The death count was not high, but it was enough to shake the Ices.
The next day brought an unusual sight to Khelek--a mob. The object of their anger and hate was obscured by the ranks. Whoever or whatever it was, it was at the center of the throng.