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.