Hideout of Slye and Moog

SLYE

Slye was born feet first. Throughout childhood and fell into his adult years, he and his friend Moog were constantly companions. They regularly met at their childhood hideout, where the two hoodlums would prepare magical escapades that involved little more than tricks played on their friends. Slye won the approval of Moog, always willing to do the dirty work for her. Moog and Slye both showed magical aptitude, she was the more skilled of the two. Although his magical skills were almost naught, he gave himself the title “Slye the Stupendous,” as the northern wizards were accustomed to appending.

After Moog had earned her diploma from the Frobozz Magic Magic Correspondence School, she stole the Zizbit spellbook of the elderly Althea whom she had been appointed nurse to care for (c. 957-966 GUE). Moog met with Slye at their childhood hideout, where the two hoodlums still spent a significant amount of time at. She ringled Slye into helping her break the magic circle around the ruins of Pheebor.  Then the Zizbit’s treasure would be theirs.

By morning, Moog and Slye neared the crumbling ruins of Pheebor, standing guard over the conflux of the Rivers Phee and Bor. The Temple of Zizbit, standing on the high plateay rising from the ruined city, contained the wealth. The ruins were guarded by a protective spell cast by the wizards as the city fell. Using the Protective Circle Undo spell found in the book, Moog removed the ward, allowing them to ascend the grand stairway to the sacred temple.

Much to their dismay, there was no treasure to be found within the temple. It was bare save a glowing pool which was the oracle of the Zizbits. Moog opened the book in order to read the runes (she had learned the runes from the Frobozz Magic Correspondence School). She told the following prophecy to Slye:

Six eyes and six hands for the Triax,
Inscribing the arc spell in the sand.
The runes foretell the fate of Quendor:
A reign of darkness upon the land.
Two eyes, two hands have mother’s form,
Two hands and eyes were backwards born.
The last pair for one skilled in sorcery,
Who, imprisoned by mage, by that mage is set free.
When these three twos join at Phee and Bor,
The Triax will rule from shore to shore.

In crystal ball, magician trapped
Avoids for now intended death.
His vile soul at random spills,
And taints the air with dire breath.
Seven spills of power, then all is sapped.
Seven bursts count the fatal trend.
For if not yet freed from his prison –
The mage then meets his end.

Moog was the one with her mother’s form and Slye had been born feet first. Unknown to them, the magician who had been imprisoned by another magician was Radnor, who had been recently imprisoned in a crystal ball by Frobwit the Fair. As Moog wondered how to find this magician, an image began to form in the pool—it showed a caravan which had been driven by Gurthark the Stout, guarded by Ryker, and with them were the passengers Frobwit and Acia. The crystal ball rested in the back of the wagon. Moog was determined to get the crystal before the seven spells were used up.

Hoping to force the caravan towards Pheebor, Moog (following the suggestion of Slye) incanted a road sign changing spell into the rippling waters of the pool. Before their eyes, the sign was altered to read “Borphee” instead of “Pheebor.” Although those of the caravan suspected the sign was incorrect, they were deceived into trekking the road towards Pheebor.

Watching the travelers through the oracle, the first peril was released from Radnor’s crystal ball. A flock of giant corbies descended upon the caravan. While Ryker was able to slay them, one dragged the Frobwit away from the caravan. Moog knew that she had to keep the wizard alive so he could release Radnor’s essence. Summoning every iota of her fledgling powers, she cast a handy spell into the oracle.  The image dissolved before Moog saw the results, but Frobwit had been transformed into a porcupine (the corbie dropped him and he fell through the roof of Gumboz’s house).

Slye was sent out on a mission to find Frobwit, leaving Moog to observe the traveler’s process alone. Finally, he had a chance to prove that he could be just as clever as Moog! Slye’s faithful horse, Dobo, was waiting for him. This was the first time Slye had set out on an adventure without her. He felt a strange thrill of excitement.

Slye rode all night and the next afternoon he traveled until he came to the edge of a great forest. He could see a pale figure moving within. Thinking it might be the wizard, Slye went in. The gloomy darkness did not frighten him. In fact, he found it to be the perfect place for an ambush. Suddenly a wooddevil emerged from the shadows. Before the beast could strike Slye, Frobwit’s elfin sword flew out of his hand and sliced deeply into the wooddevil, killing it. He could not believe that the wizard had saved his life.

The relieved, yet still fearful Slye permitted Frobwit to ride on his horse. They emerged forest before they had time to introduce themselves. Hoping to gain favor and pride with the wizard at the start, Slye attempted to impress him by lying that he was a magician of the Southlands. But Frobwit was sharp enough to detect that the man was bluffing; for he knew a magician if he saw one and could tell that Slye was not amongst their number. He was forced to admit that he did not have much magical experience at all, but had always wanted to be one. In exchange for a ride to Accardi, Frobwit was willing to teach Slye was magic. Not even Slye was willing to do that. It had been days since someone had shown kindness to him.

The two got on famously. Frobwit entertained and impressed Slye with tales of his magical escapades. Slye was sorrowful that he was required to bring him back to Moog. The magician made good on his promise to teach Slye some magic, firstly testing his magical aptitude under the guise of teaching him some basic spells. When Frobwit told him to concentrate very hard and think of a person or place he knew well, the ghostly face of Moog appeared before them. Little did Slye know but Moog had been watching him briefly in the Zizbit pool at that moment. Frobwit was impressed and offered him the apprenticeship. Slye eagerly accepted. He knew that Moog would be horrified to learn that they were growing genuinely fond of one another.

Frobwit and Slye crossed the Borphee River Bridge, passed through Borphee and were once again on the coastal road. After another night, they arrived at Accardi-by-the-Sea. It had been some years since Frobwit was last there, but Slye could not wait to get inside. While the old wizard could not help but feel proud to be a magician, this was the first time in his life in which Slye felt important.

While Frobwit was telling the tale of his adventurers of Egreth Castle, he added, “…and then I said ‘Buzmuz Mugwart Fooblart’ and trapped the evil magician forever in a crystal ball. Slye was horrified! He had planned to trick Frobwit into reversing the spell, thus releasing Radnor. But now this was the last thing he wanted. Moog would use the magician and himself to form the evil Triax. Although Slye warned Frobwit of the dangers of carelessly speaking such a powerful spell, the wizard had no concern.

When they arrived at Accardi-by-the-Sea, Slye could not wait to get inside. The Enchanters’ Hall was filled with magicians. For the first time in his life, Slye felt important. Frobwit and Slye mingled with the other enchanters as Frobwit told the others about his ordeals at Egreth Castle. When Frobwit noticed Althea (who had that day been made young because of one of Radnor’s curses), he dismissed himself to seek her out. Slye had understanding (as she was incredibly beautiful), he felt a bit lost without Frobwit at his side.

Suddenly the great hall became quiet. The aged Guildmaster began to speak of a Great Danger which lied in wait. At the time it was powerless, but I fit joined with another great evil, the depth of its dark destruction would be measureless. Slye knew that he spoke about the Triax. He debated on whether to tell them about Moog.

Enraged and boastful, Frobwit cried out, “Just let me get my hands on this Great Danger! Why, I defeated the Evil Magician of Egreth! I just said FOOBLART MUGWART BUZMUZ…” Unknown to any present, but it had been the Mirror Spell of Moog, who had from Pheebor, caused Frobwit to unwillingly incant the essence-releasing spell instead of the essence-entrapping spell. Thus the aged magician foolishly set Radnor free from his imprisonment in the crystal ball.

It was then that Slye decided to tell them everything. He was one of them now, working to defeat evil. He raised his voice, “It’s Moog! She’s trying to…” But before he could say another word, he suddenly vanished. For Moog had summoned him and Radnor to take their places in the formation of the Triax. The prophecy was fulfilled. Combining their powers together, the Triax began its reign of darkness. The rivers and the seas turned to blood, as the charred land gave up its nurturing spirit. Although the records of this dark period are wanting, the grim tyranny would take many seasons and much valor to undo.