[Glorantha] First Digestive Symposium: A Barbarian Tale

"A Barbarian Tale, showing the and blithe mythic simplicity, peerless gullibility and irredeemable drunkenness of the savage," as recounted by A True Lunar.

Jaronak Fullspakr was a particularly wise-if absent-minded-sage of Lhankor Mhy, who lived during the period of Sartar's resettlement. He took many jaunts in the wild country, pondering on the Runes and the wisdom of the gods. Sadly, one eve his ramblings took him into an ambush of angry trolls, on a dark holy day when human sages made a useful ritual meal. Panicking as he was thrust towards the pot, Jaronak called on his god's aid, and Lhankor Mhy quickly placed his soul into his beard-which was false, Jaronak having a rather bad case of psoriasis, and finding a real beard uncomfortable.

This facial toupee was quickly torn away by the trolls, and trapped in his new home Jaronak had the misfortune to see the trolls tuck in to his erstwhile limbs. The sleepy trolls soon finished and departed, but left Jaronak's false beard lying on the ground. The sage tried to cry out, but could make no sound, and with false beards not being the most mobile of contraptions, found it impossible to move from his spot. So there he remained, for centuries, one of the lozenge's false beard daimones, alone and bored bloody witless.

It was then that Ranulf Bl?skegg came. Jaronak heard the raider's rich voice from afar, singing merrily while returning from a cattle raid. As the big warrior passed by the old tattered beard, the daimon saw his chance. Theist energy crackled in the air and Ranulf leapt in shock as the word 'Oi!' formed inside his ale-addled mind. He made the rune-signs to ward off evil magic and cautiously eyed his surroundings.

'Here you big oaf!' came the voice again, and Ranulf finally saw the old fake beard lying desolate in the dirt. He picked it up trepidatiously, fearing chaos, and when he seemed ready to throw it down again Jaronak jumped at his only chance for freedom. Summoning all his power, he tore his soul from his present cage and leapt into Ranulf's bristly black beard.

Poor Ranulf cried in bewilderment as the grateful old daimon possessed his chin growth, and rapidly started filling his head with all manner of nonsense. But the shock soon passed, and the disparate characters-one a bold, raucous raider, the other a mild-mannered, thoughtful scholar-became fast, if argumentative, friends.

They have both accommodated to the situation, and Jaronak's wisdom has aided Ranulf immeasurably. While Jaronak cannot speak, instead communicating telepathically with his 'master', Ranulf often forgets this. He frequently mutters into his beard, especially when drunk, occasionally even holding forth loudly on a rather vociferous argument.

Naturally, some think the poor fellow is therefore slightly mad, but Ranulf treats his beard well. When 'alive' Jaronak had a particular liking for strong ales, and Ranulf has become a messy drinker, drenching his beard in ale so that the sage can enjoy his quaff. When people comment on his wastage, Ranulf simply gives a knowing wink, and speaks of 'Jaronak's Portion.'

*Jaronak Fullspakr 17 (Advocate Prudence 1W, Know Bizarre Trivia 14, Wise Council 19). Received on Mon 17 Apr 2006 - 21:11:25 EEST