The Far Lands

“On our first expedition into the Far Lands, I found myself returning to the state of mental clarity which I so firmly attach to my youth. All of Jalbroth’s problems seemed to slough off me like so much dead skin as I passed through the Door of the Fall with my porters and several carts of assembled baggage. The strange alien sun washed across me in a way which hardly felt strange or alien at all. I mentioned this to my long-suffering manservant, and he replied that he, too, was feeling as if he had just exhaled a malodorous cloud of smoke and inhaled a draught of frigid starshine.

Three other persons of importance traveled on this foray into the wilds: Altrizad Ghoblum served as the force’s leader, having the most experience in such matters. Acosta Rue served as our chief practitioner of the natural sciences. Orlan, Bard on the Run found some way to attach himself to the group, but his purpose never truly revealed itself. I think that one must wait for his forthcoming song or collection of scribbling to determine what his role in this endeavor was.

Our first tour was scheduled to run from the Verdant Heights, northward until the mountains became too difficult to transport our pack animals through. Then we would locate one of the magnificent beram mounds which had been sighted in the region and allow Dr. Rue to perform her particular experiments. Ghoblum and I would spend that time acquiring a more thorough picture of the Kingspike Mountains and the Ghoblum River which descended from their majestic heights. Gentlemen, as soon as the data gathered has been properly sorted and ruminated upon, you may expect to be informed of the mission’s success. It is just as well that the Undaar as a nation are not interested in the Far Lands, as I would advise that we keep them as far from it as possible.”

Horace Gorman in a rare, post-Martyrdom of Uum address to the Heralds of Matratut