====== The Ballad of Thistle's Top ====== by Raven duKassen * __The Ballad of Thistle's Top__ * - * Corlan, Oktar, Lan and Able * Are the heroes of this fable * Once before they trod this path * And how return to vent their wrath * Better skilled with knowledge shared * The demon lord will not be spared. * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * Across the broken bridge they crept * Path and doorway, both unkept * Then striding proudly through the halls * They found the goblin birthing stalls * Then the chambers of man * From a local, wealthy, clan. * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * Then the baying hounds from hell, * With fearful, frightful, echoed yell. * The battle raged both long and hard * As they battled passed this fearsome guard. * Though ants and flame and mighty arm * Kept the heroes safe from harm. * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * Then in the cells a wicked find * A halfling captive, was confined * Broken, beaten, nearly dead * Her clothing ripped, and bare a shred * But tender care, the party gave * And offered help to this ex-slave * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * Then deep inside that cursed isle * Our heroes moved in single file * Another, came up from behind, * Robyn, with a single mind, * Joined the small, rampaging throng * Became a part of heroes song. * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * Chamber flood from broken wall * Birthed a monster, and close call * Crab within a golden helm * Threatened there to overwhelm * Until our heroes sent its soul * To pay its final, lifelong, toll. * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * A pile of coins called sacrifice * So Robyn paid the asking price * The temple, cursed in demons name * Bore an altar all aflame * With scarce a moment to reflect * The demon rose, it’s rage unchecked. * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * Oktar with his powerful spell * And Robyn used his blade to quell. * Lan and Able sought surprise * while Corlan conjured to chastise * The demon fought with claw and tooth, * But it was slain in name of truth. * That’s what The Raven saw. * - * The battle won, the demon gone * Our heroes left with great aplomb * Back to Sandpoint’s Rusty Dragon * There to lift a welcome flagon * Hoping then for restful day * With the chance to sing and play * That’s what the Raven saw. Written as a mini-saga extolling the heroic actions of the party, while clearing out a Goblin nest, just outside the town of Sandpoint