Tales of the Cunning Folk

Discussion in 'Fire Lotus Tavern' started by Fox Cunning, Nov 5, 2013.

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  1. Fox Cunning

    Fox Cunning Localization Team

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    Greetings, fellow Avatars.

    What I wish to do is to tell the tales of the cunning-men and cunning-women of our world, before they cross the gate which will bring them to New Britannia.
    As we know, these gates are still closed and we cannot walk that "promised land" just yet, but still we do live our lives in our time and in our world, and our stories may be worth telling.

    At the moment, I am afraid yours truly is the only representative of this kind, but I hope someone will want to follow me, and grow the number of the Cunning Folk in New Britannia.

    Should you have a story to tell, or if you just believe that you may be a cunning-man or a cunning-woman, feel free to send a missive to Mr Fox.
     
  2. Fox Cunning

    Fox Cunning Localization Team

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    Fox and the Brigand, a Tale of Redemption

    A small caravan of merchants was traversing the woods of the south-country, a-bringing their wares to the be sold at the fair.
    Escorting them was a cunning-man known as Master Fox, who bore a garish silver charm, hanging from a shiny chain round his neck.
    [​IMG]
    The Silver Amulet design
    found in the Red Grimoire.

    When the eve came and the caravan was about to set camp, a strapping brigand came to threaten the weary travelers with his sword and knife. Straightway he went to Master Fox, pointing at the glossy pendant.

    If thou likest”, quoth Fox, “I shall give thee my pendant, and thou shalt part thereafter”.
    Say’st thou so!”, sneered the brigand snatching the precious and raising his sword. But once the charm was in his grasp, swiftly he ran into the woods.

    Months passed, when Master Fox was awakened one night by a faint but relentless rapping at his door. When he came to open, he was not surprised to recognize the filthy, tattered-looking man standing there as the brigand who threatened his caravan months before.

    Take thy accursed thing back, witch!”, yelled the man brandishing the pendant. “I cannot, for the life of mine, take a twopence from a child without the guards catching me in the act! And many a time I tried to destroy this foul charm, and to bury it and to throw it in the sea… and every time it finds it way back to me!”.[/JUSTIFY]
    [​IMG]
    A late depiction of Master Fox refusing
    to take the pendant back (ca 1640).

    Quoth Fox, “It is not custom of the Cunning Folk to take back what they had gifted. Besides, mine charm is indeed working well, for it wardeth the innocent off thine evil doings. Keep it my friend, and one day it may protect thee just as well”.
    Grumbling and spitting on the ground, the man parted way.

    More months passed, and Master Fox received a missive. It was written on fine vellum paper and sealed with red wax. The herald also handed him a small pouch of silver coins.
    The crude writing on the parchment, contrasting with the rich frame, expressed the gratitude of the former brigand, who was now a honest merchant and travelled all round the land without fear of thieves, thanks to the silver charm.
     
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