Warning - this is long!
At the dawn of EQ, I was running my baby wood elf bard about the Karanas and died trying something silly - poof! zap! back to Faydwer. Did I mention this was just after release - no ports (let alone rings or spires), most characters were brand new, a few in their teens. As I fired up Selo's and headed to the docks at Butcherblock I ran into a level 1 Dwarven warrior who wanted to join his girlfriend, a level 1 Erudite Cleric. Thus begins the tale...
Travelogue
Alone I stood upon the pier,
At Faydwer’s port of trade;
While from my eye there fell a tear,
I’d danced with Death and paid.
“Hello, elf bard, you look in shock,”
Said Midian the Dwarf;
As he came rumbling up the dock,
And sat upon the wharf.
He asked of me if Qeynos Town,
Was on Stormbreaker’s route;
I told him nay, then said with frown,
"What quest do you seek out?"
Perhaps I was a trifle curt,
But thought it best he know;
That much the world would wish him hurt,
Before he tried to go.
By now a crowd was forming up,
To board the next boat west;
They set upon this young Dwarf pup,
And put him to the test.
“You’re way too young!”, “You should not try”,
“You’ll just get lost or worse…”;
“You silly fool!”, “You’ll only die!”,
“On that, I’ll bet my purse!”
He stood his ground, his axe he twirled,
A grin upon his face;
“I only need to cross the world,
Not win some gambling race.”
His one true love he seemed quite sure,
Was off in Erudin;
She needed him to be with her,
Thus did his quest begin.
The gathered crowd grew harsh in time;
Which caused my heart to break;
For here this newling’s only crime,
Was for his lover’s sake.
I told him I would serve as guide,
If he would follow close;
We’d have to run and sometimes hide,
With luck we’d make Qeynos!
He worried then about the debt,
“Sir Bard, what cost for speed?”;
I grinned and said “Just don’t forget
To help others in need.”
He paused a moment, then replied,
“Feir`dal, the bargain’s struck;
On future days, both far and wide
I’ll aid those down on luck.”
We crossed the sea to Freeport town,
So vast before our sight;
The sun was quickly bedding down,
We’d journey on at night.
His curiosity was piqued,
At everything so new;
He marveled as the path we streaked,
Brought creatures strange to view.
He stopped and stared, then thought his eyes,
Had somehow played a trick;
When first he spied the Giant’s size,
I feared he might be sick.
But more at ease in Rivervale,
With folks about his height;
The Deputies he gave a “Hail!”,
For keeping guard so tight.
I warned him ‘bout the goblin horde,
In Runnyeye ahead;
Into his legs great speed I poured,
And still he was near dead!
We sat, we healed, and then we ran,
The Gorge of ole King Xorbb;
Of minotaurs, he was no fan,
Yet through it all we soared.
Along Karana’s Eastern Plain,
We passed the Broon Cyclops;
Across the bridge made out of chain,
I cautioned: “no more stops.”
The Dwarf was awestruck by the Gate,
Near guarded bridge all white;
But time was running way too late,
He wished to cease this flight.
So on we ran through Northern Kar,
And into Western Plain;
I sought my corpse (twas not too far),
As it began to rain.
He suddenly said, “No offense,
But sir, I must press on”;
I told him this did not make sense,
He’d slow without my song.
While swallowing my fear I tried,
To give directions clear;
“Keep water on your left-hand side,
Until the fishers near.
Turn right along the hills you view,
And keep them to your left;
Until you see a path into,
A straight and narrow cleft.”
My tune swift found my tragic end,
I grabbed my packs and gear;
Then headed out to seek my friend,
Assuming he was near.
I caught him entering the gap,
To Q-Hills safe and sound,
“I followed faithfully your map,
While looking all around!”
Together then we ran to Qey,
Up to the strong North Gate;
I was amazed, I have to say,
Today we’d bested fate.
We celebrated at the pub,
I did not want to part;
For in this warrior’s small chest,
There beat a minstrel’s heart.
So if in Erudin you find,
A Dwarf who is quite young;
Give him my best and please remind:
It’s all about the fun!
As I had been in beta, and had bard speed to aid us - the journey took about an hour. The only close call was encountering some random goblins in Runnyeye, most of which I distracted, but the new warrior was hit once and nearly died. Though I already knew the scenery well, it was sheer joy experiencing it through Midian's eyes. He was curious about everything, and awe struck by the various zones. Since I was in a bard-only performing guild, I composed the Travelogue in honor of the trip. It may not be that polished (simple meter and rhyme was sufficient 20 years ago), but it always brings back a smile and many vivid mental images.
Meaningful travel (and community!) matters.
PS - I ran into Midian and his girlfriend a few weeks later, but that is another story...
