Poems of Peace from Stonewood: Part 1

By: Tim "James Swift" Suitor

I live in a land oft seen as dark,

With reputation of danger and war.

Our home holds risks others don't have

Every time we walk out a door.

We may say ‘safe,’ in a relative sense,

Or with a sardonic smirk,

But be assured, every goodbye is sweet

When they head out to work.

It takes a strange folk to live in this land

They find a way to survive.

We get by on more than bread and cheese

And will find a way to thrive.

The people, resilient, the communities, strong,

Finding ways to keep their heads high.

They cannot afford to be overcome,

So they look each day in the eye.

But despite the dangers, the rigors, and worse,

There are still ways to find Peace and cheer.

Please allow me to recount some places and ways

To dispel a Stonewood fear.

–

    I was neither born nor raised in the nation of Stonewood, I petitioned the nation over a decade ago, and a common sentiment I observed was a shudder. People asking if that was truly where I wanted to live. Not that the nation was bad, but the lands themselves people justifiably were cautious about.

    The lands ARE dangerous. Full of undead, plenty of monsters, deities and their servants that can have ill tempers ranging from a curse to a laying low those they feel stand against them or in their way. We’ve been a part of wars against terrible threats that still manage to haunt us, and I’ve seen shadows far too deep here. But nonetheless, it is my home.

    I thrive here, I do my best work, and I seek to elevate those around me. The people here deserve peace, and I will continue to fight for it. At the request of my Lord, I am working on a public facing project for Stonewood, and this is the first stage of that. I hope to release a poem each month about the beauty or kindness that can be found in these harsh lands, sharing that important part of the country I call home.

    I follow Solarus, of the Novem, Stonewood’s Pantheon. She is a goddess of Peace and War. There has been a lot of war in these past years, and more still approaching. It is important that we find the peace we can.

 You would have my thanks

 -Magus James Swift

Ballad of Darkvale

Filked by: Amber "Lady Tarnisha" Fox in Dec '24 at Winter Revelry 

Inspiration: *ON THIS DAY EARTH SHALL RING*

Music: "Personet hodie," 1582

Original Words: Personet Hodie from Piae Cantiones, 1582

trans. Jane M. Joseph (1894-1929), 1924(5)

*Note: There are some intentional mis-spellings and extra hyphens to assist with verbal performance.

-----+++++++++------------+++++++-----------+++++----

On this day the Realm rings

with the song this bard sings

of Kovaks; Count not king

With thier skills did save us

Defeat of snakes, they gave us

REFRAIN:

Id-e-o-o-o, id-e-o-o-os,

Id-e-o Vic-to-RI...a con-spec-tu Deos!

Strategize, sift thru lies

Research done, check supplies 

Gather up the Allies 

Nerves be high, Vis-ion mo' 

Ducks were lined, in a Row.

At the dam, Snakes did wait

Planning a watery fate

David Red, Checked then Mate

Militia, He did order

Flanked them from the border

REFRAIN

Serpintine, were the caves

Face the snakes , Very brave

Use those spells , Do not save

Push to City Sorbus

Shields and pikes defend us

Dagger shown, You won't last

Unto Tony it did pass

Champ'ion stabbed in the ass

better fate, undeserv'ed.

God Rexan, unnerv'ed

REFRAIN

God Strike Bomb we did build 

Rexan's belly to be filled

Massive heads we did kill 

Rexan's fate was see-aled

God Flesh make bad mee-al

~~(needs more garlic salt)~~

REFRAIN

Gods did meet, all could see

Garm call forth, Count to be

Bound the soul complet-ly

As the Land, They'll shield us

Kind Kovaks, will lead us 

Barons two, must decide

King decreed, Kovaks sighed

Barons *Three*, at their side

Squad goal were exceeded

Treaty laws were heeded. 

REFRAIN

Trees weave in, Branch twine out

Grow that bridge nice and stout

Gaia's Blessings, Twen did shout

Style and Safety they deliver'd

Now all may cross the river.

All of y'all, Clear debris

Mayumi, plans city

Tarnisha, Car-pen-try 

Vic'try o'er, As-pis reel ((real))

Put away, anxious feels

REFRAIN

First we dive, then we cave

Soldiers felled for to save 

Kovaks push, none misplaced 

Call the soul, raise them up 

Many saved, raise your cup 

One year past, Cel-e-brate

Airborne tours 'Round the state 

Solemn church, con-tem-plate 

Dif-fer-ence made isn't small

Darkvale hills, standing Tall

[*Slow*] Darkvale hills, standing Tall

Revelry Filk: 10 days of Yuletide

By: Mandy "Mandolin" Fox

*This song was composed *at* Winter Revelry, after the start of the Filk contest, and sung as the final entry. The first few pieces were so inspirational, that Mandolin (age 9) of the Fox's Den, found herself overflowing with the need to compose a Filk of her own. 

Many thanks are owed to the person she borrowed paper from, the supportive MC- Cornix/Cressida, and all the folks in the audience that received her bardic so well. 

Mandolin's biographer,

Lady Tarnisha of Chimeron.*

Title++ ~~12~~ 10 days of Yuletide

-# To the tune of: 12 days of Christmas

On the first day of Yuletide, 

I did this little thing:

Slayed one Monster

On the second day of Yuletide, 

I did these little things:

Brawled with 2 players

Slayed one Monster

Day 3: Created 3 daggers

Day 4: Learned 4 spells

**Day 5: Used 5 Heal Limbs!**

Day 6: Taught 6 spells

Day 7: Won 7 tournies

Day 8: Sung 8 bardics

Day 9: Attended 9 events

Day 10: Healed 10 newbies

Revelry Filk: I Have A Little Weapon (I made it out of clay)

By Kieran/Kyra "Omri" Barry

Today is the last day of Hanukah, and with it the View brings a filk from Winter Revelry that fits the Realm and the holiday. It was written by Kieran/Kyra "Omri", and performed by Hannah "Ryu".

I have a little weapon

I made it out of clay

And when it’s dry and ready

I'll swing it all day

Oh, weapon, weapon, weapon

I made you out of clay

And when you’re dry and ready

I'll swing you all day

Oh, weapon, weapon, weapon

I made you out of wood

And when you are all ready

I’ll swing you when I could

Oh, weapon, weapon, weapon

I made you out of glass

And when you are all ready

I’ll swing you on the grass

Oh, weapon, weapon, weapon

I made you out of gold

And when you are all ready

I’ll swing you in the cold

Revelry Filk: Baby, There's Kobolds Outside

 By Crystal "Cressida" Welch

Winter Revelry brought a filk competition, and what better way to end the week and kick off a showcase of filks (with their creators' permission and submission to the View) to sprinkle in the upcoming cold weeks than with this one from the one and only Bard Cressida! (Whose player also played Cornix throughout the event).

"I really can’t stay 

(Baby, there’s Kobolds outside)

I’ve got to go away 

(But, baby, there’s Kobolds outside)

This adventure has been

(Been kicking monster skulls in)

So very nice

(I’ll hold the line, just stab twice)

The kingdom will start to worry

(Got kill them in a hurry)

The villagers pacing their floors

(Listen to the creatures roars)

So, really, I’d unleash fury

(You’d be judge and jury)

But maybe just a half a sword more

(Grab a sword I’ll pick up my board)

The village might think

(Baby, it’s bad out there)

And the corpses do stink

(Best get the remains out of there)

I wish I knew how

(There seems to be a portal now)

To break this spell

(I’ll disenchant, I know it well)

I ought to say “Go, go, go, sir”

(The monsters move ever closer)

At least I’m gonna say that I tried

(What’s the sense of hurtin’ your pride?)

I really can’t stay

(Oh, baby, we’ll hold out)

Together: Baby, there’s Kobolds outside!

I simply must go

(But, baby, there’s Kobolds outside!)

Move and stay low

(But, baby, there’s Kobolds outside!)

Your hospitality has been

(How lucky you dropped in)

So nice and kind

(Look outside they’ve formed a line)

My they look so suspicious

(Gosh they look kinda vicious)

My knight will be at the door

(Waves of them hitting the floor)

My we must be ambitious

(Gosh they are super vicious)

But maybe just a lightning bolt toward

(Never such a group before)

I’ve gotta get home

(But, baby, you’d die out there)

Say, lend me your arms

(It’s totally dire out there)

We must take a stand

(I thrill and take your hand)

But don’t you see?

(How can they do this to me?)

There’s bound to be more tomorrow

(Think of the lifelong sorrow)

At least there will be plenty who tried

(If you got stabbed and died)

I really can’t stay

(Get down, Kobolds out)

Together: Baby, it’s Kobolds

Baby, it’s Kobolds outside!"

Savage Saegan Becomes Blackwood

Written by: James "Tao" Murphy 

Savage Saegan was Surrounded by Small Idarias.

Friendly functions found his name in FIM

Blackwood burst back, Dark decreed, then descended.

Knightly Karrol restored, duked, disheveled, determined.

FIM pleasantly perused, persuaded, promised, but declined

The Stag his home, his hearth, his heart

Terrible Toah, trainer of snakes

Violent Vedo, vengeful warrior

Laughing Laertes, last of his line

Diligent Desmond, darkly delighted

Blackwood invigorated, all invited, all included, Saegan says yes.

Squired succinctly, knighted knowingly, Princed perceptively

Kinged.

The Crown

Written by Sarah “Evie Jainrose” Fournier

Feel emotions rise

Feel the footsteps on the shore

She brings in the tide                    

For you

                         

Feel the fire flow                 

A magical night within the glow 

Putting on a show                       

For you

Oh, as you rise in your power

We’ve been waiting for it

Oh, the fateful hour

As Blackwood passes on the crown

Take your newfound plans

Only a king could understand

In this gorgeous land, for you

Feel the Gods here now

Always watching among the crowd

They will watch you lead, so true

Oh, as you rise in your power

We’ve been waiting for it

Oh, the fateful hour

As Blackwood passes on the crown                                               

Oh, as you rise in your power

We’ve been waiting for it

Oh, the fateful hour

As Blackwood passes on the crown

An Ode to Kings

Written & Performed by: Ben "Pilpus" Lacasse & Emma "Irri" Sherman

Dmaj7 Bm

A soldier lost from home

G F#

With a weight on his heart

Emin Dsus4

All Banner's march south

C Bmaj

But a Shadow looms North

Am. Em

And Blood follows Blood until blood is spilled

C G F#

A soldier now a banner to cruelty and guilt

C

Though Gods and Time may try to write,

G

the end of our tale.

Am

Our Truth is Unrelenting

Bmaj

We stand here still.

C

Xermarx is felled to Mace Aflame

G

In Brother's last will

F

A Kingdom born in sacrifice

F#

To Blackwood

C7/E Em

To King Kerrel!

G, Cadd9, A7

D Dmaj7 Bm/D Bm7

An age of peace is born to one

G D/F# Em A

Soldier, Brother, King

D. Dmaj7 Bm/D Bm7

And in his light a people grow

G D/F# Em A

And prosper underneath

D Dmaj7 Bm/D Bm7

And in his shade a Righteous Stag

G D/F# Em A

On which for him to lean

                           D Dmaj Bm/D

Behind him his Soldier, Brother, Commander,

Bm7

Champion

G A D

Beside them their people to lead.

Em Am

Obstructing their path, an ancient of Rage

Em Am

Akakios, Terror, Bane of Blade

G Bmaj

The King's call to action as friends fall to ash

D F#

The fate of the people on Stag's Antlers rest

C

Though Gods and Time may try to bring 

G

Our tale to an end.

Am

Our Truth is Unrelenting

Bmaj

We shall not bend

C

With conquering strength, In fiery ring

G

The Stag alone stands

F

The Prince of Perserverance

F#

To Blackwood

C7/E Em

To King Saegan

G, Cadd9, A7

Em7/D

And where this hopeful mortal's eye

A5

Is bound to yon horizon

Cadd9

I ask the ears that hear my word

A7

Allow my Muse their mind

G

My Muse, A prayer I sing for thee

D

My People, Land and King

Cadd9

That our Banner be your Beacon Star

Bmaj

As it is for me

Emin

For Whatever Hells yon' sunrise bring

G

We meet them Eagerly

Cadd9

As One, We break the waves of time

F#

Until we Cease to be

C

To Gods and Time, I challenge thee

G

Bring what Wrath you can

F

Our Love is Our Reprisal 

A

For Blackwood

       Bmaj C#

For King Saegan

Click here to access the live performance.

The Ascension War

Written by: Dan Diamond

"Back (in 996 or was it 997?) there was an Ascension War to decide certain matters among the pantheon of greater gods. I was not there, despite having just championed Faelie’s cause after her peril at the hands of the Misty Glen Monks. However recently there have been…not exactly rumors, but shall we say an apprehension that the pantheon imbalance may yet be, or perhaps must be, corrected. So, to honor the past and herald what may come, I give you a filk based on a tune too famous to mention [Final Countdown]." -Diamond Banecroft

THE ASCENSION WAR 

* Capo 2nd fret

 [Intro]

|Em      |C     |Am    |D     |  

|Em      |C     |Am    |D     |  

|Em      |Em    |Em    |Em    |

 [Verse 1]Em

  We're leaving together,

                     Am

  but still it's farewell

Em

  And maybe we'll come back,

     D/F#           G

  to these Realms, who can tell

C                  D

  I guess there is no-one to blame,

G       G/F#    Em      Em/D    C

  Except Garm (Except Garm)

                   Bm            D

  Will things ever be the same again?

 [Chorus]      Em         C   Am   D

In the Ascension War

          Em        C   Am   D

The Ascension War

 [Verse 2]

Em

  We're heading for battle (Battle)

                     Am

  Gods will stand and some fall

Em

  And we’ll do our part

      D/F#       G

  fighting one and all

C              D

  With so many battles to fight

G     G/F#      Em         Em/D  C

  and avatars to be bound  (to be bound)

                      Bm            D

  Will we find that might makes right?

 [Chorus]    Em         C   Am   D

In the Ascension War

          Em        C   Am   D

The Ascension War

          Em       D/F#  G  C  B7sus   B7

The Ascension War

 [Chorus]       Em         C   Am   D

In the Ascension War

          Em        C   Am   D

The Ascension War

Em 

Listen Here:

Banecroft Blue

Banecroft Blue, filked by Diamond

Original tune “Grey and Blue”

Performed for the Realms Nations Fair, but made incomplete then by lack of something called “bandwidth”. While one performer does not a band make, I tried to distill what was most essential essence of Banecroft for this musical presentation. 

Play MP3 File

Em                   G
There were some men of Banecroft       

D            Em
Through the realms they strode
Em              G
Defending the defenseless
        D               Em
It's to them I sing this ode
         Am          G
This nation of Justice
   D                 Em
would face every foe
C
Safety for our families
     D              Em
It's this to them we owe

         Em
Banecroft blue
         G
Banecroft blue
    C        G
The men and women of Banecroft
D                 Em
Wore the Banecroft blue

Em G
They fought the vilest villains

D Em
questing every year       

Em G D Em
ranging the Realms over from there to here
Am G D Em
But what made them different was the mercy that they brought

C D Em
They shouldn’t be defined by the evils that they fought.

Em
Banecroft blue
         G
Banecroft blue
    C        G
The men and women of Banecroft
D                 Em
Wore the Banecroft blue 

Em G
But beneath their tabards were just some men

D Em
Same as you and me       

Em     G
An honorable path trod together, 

D Em
A shared identity
Am G

But why endure this shared crusade

D Em
Fight-the-fight that just won’t end

C     D
If asked the Baron would tell you

Em
“The means are not the end.

Am       G D Em

”We owe a duty to the common folk of our land

C D   Em

So we can’t allow these dangers to stand.”

Em
Banecroft blue
         G
Banecroft blue
    C        G
The men and women of Banecroft
D                 Em
Wore the Banecroft blue    

C        G
The men and women of Banecroft
D                 E
Wore the Banecroft blue

Farewell to Summer

 by Ethan "JB" Goldman

Days blaze in the sky, without cloud or remorse

Fade into silent Nights, utterly without mirth.

So farewell well to Summer

The Fall’s settling in

Winter will have its hour

Before the Spring will begin

If Fire seems a little dimmer

If Waters waves no longer crest

If the Air is just a bit dimmer

Even if the metals now tarnished

Know that we know you did your best

So farewell well to Summer

The Fall’s settling in

Winter will have its hour

Before the Spring will begin

The more things Change, the more things never do

When one Breaks into pieces, then one becomes two

And so we obey that last order so cruel

That poisonous command, to outlive you.

The time for silence has come, though the faces are sadder

And though your hall is empty, except for a unmarked grave

Know that your efforts matter.

Know that this choice will stay.

So farewell well to Summer

The Fall’s settling in

Winter will have its hour

Before the Spring will begin

I may not be able to save you

But, until we find out if  i could

Farewell Edaonae

Farewell, Blackwood

Little Eddy Raincoat

 by Hannah "Ryu" Boucher