Knights of the Kitchen Table

 In a forest close to the city of Mithrendain a small village of gnomes was concealed. For many years the village strived, foraging the food they needed from the forest. Sometimes, a few of the braver gnomes would wander into the city and try to trade with the Eladrin in the city. Being more cunning than those they bartered with, they quickly gained a small fortune. One such gnome was Nelbin Acromech, who was particularly good at his trade. In only one day he had made 3 gold pieces with just a single apple as his starting ware. Being such a great salesmen Nelbin was asked to join the Gnome’s council. With his reputation he was a very popular bachelor in the village. One of the females who was looking to marry him, was Bixi Felekos. She was one of the more beautiful gnomes in the village. She was only 3’5” but her deep brown skin and bright orange hair were extremely eye-catching. Using her looks, she had become a very successful dancer, being quite well-known even in the city of Mithrendain. This turned many of the gnomes against her, as she could easily reveal the location of their village to the fomorians.

 

One day, when Nelbin set out on one of his trips to the city, Bixi accompanied him. They talked and talked until they reached the city gates. Once before the great gates they entered side by side and made their way to the merchants square. Nelbin looked for familiar faces, whilst Bixi started talking to a rich looking man. In the corner of his eye he could see her snatch the man’s purse from his belt and hiding it in her clothing. A small smile appeared on his face as he saw her walking towards him. ‘Business is good today is it not?’ he asked her with a grin across is angular face. She smiled cheekily and nodded. For the first time in her life, she saw more than just the talented merchant. She saw his deep black eyes, and his angular and surprisingly muscular facial features. His hair spiking at awkward angles from his head, pitch black as his eyes, lined with a few silver hairs, matching perfectly with his slightly grayish skin tone.

 

Nelbin looked deep into Bixie’s stark black eyes and fell instantly in love. This beautiful woman must be the woman he must marry. She was not only beautiful, but a master of deception at the same time. He could not care less about her unpopularity in the village. He took her by the hand and dragged her off out of the city. Slightly confused she let him lead her. They walked out the gates and made for the forest again. Once in the forest, he led her to a place she had never been before. It was dark and the trees grew thinker here. A perfect place for a gnome village she thought. They entered deeper into the forest until they arrived in a clearing. The clearing was filled with flowers of every colour, and the scent was overwhelming. Nelbin pulled her towards the center of the clearing and let her enjoy this little patch of hidden beauty. He pulled her close to him and whispered in het pointy ear ‘You are the perfect woman for me. I want to spend the rest of my life caring for you and making sure that you are not harmed. I am even willing to sacrifice my merchant ways so you need not worry about my health. Will you marry me?” Taken aback by his sudden romantic edge, which she had not expected from him, she gazed deeply in his eyes and said she would love to marry him. She said she was even prepared to sacrifice her ways of the dancer and stay hidden in the village so that she would not attract undue attention that could bring harm to him and their family.

 

And so it happened that Nelbin and Bixie were to be married. Many gnomes in the village frowned upon the marriage. Such a highly respected gnome should not be marrying a gnome with such low status. But Nelbin and Bixie did not care what the village thought of their marriage and made vows of love to each other. With the money they both had saved over the years they built a beautiful warren that they deemed worthy for their family. A couple of years later Bixie pulled Nelbin apart, and told him, with a sparkle in her eye that he had never seen before, that she was pregnant of a child.

 

Bixie’s pregnancy was all but easy for her. She was not used to having a big belly and the way the villagers looked at her had started to trouble her. When she discussed this with Nelbin, he comforted her by saying that she had never been more beautiful and that the rest of the village was just jealous of her. As much as she would have loved to believe him, doubt festered within her.

 

On one gloomy day, she wandered outside. As usual the villagers looked at her as if she stank of swamp farts. She tried to shrug it off, but she could not. Darkened by her depressing feelings she wandered out of the village, wanting to leave it as far behind as possible. She strolled into the forest, deeper and deeper. Moving faster and faster as she got deeper into the forest and the trees grew thicker and bigger. When she was running as fast as she could she ended up in a clearing. She recognized it as the clearing Nelbin had asked her to marry him, yet it was not quite the same. The flowers were not as vibrant and there was an earthy smell that mingled with the fragrant of the flowers. She quickly made the link and started running as fast as her little legs could carry her back to the village, casting several illusions as she was running.

 

She came storming into the village where she could see Nelbin running towards her with worry on his face. He had felt that something was amiss; such was his love for her. She ran and sprang into his arms terrified. Sobbing she told him what she had done what she had concluded from her venture into the forest. With the authority that rested with Nelbin he called together the council.

 

The council debated over the matter for several weeks before they reached the conclusion that none shall leave the village further than 200 yards for the coming 100 years, so as to prevent the illusionary wards placed on the village to be broken. Furthermore as food would be limited, each family may only have one child born effective immediately. If the woman is not pregnant of a second child, she may not become so.

 

These laws came as a heavy strike to Bixie, as she had wanted to have several children herself. Cradling her belly she started singing; imbuing her words with the flow of magic that she used to make her dancing more appealing. She felt her words gaining more and more power as she continued with her song and imbuing more magic into her words.

 

A couple of months later, she was finally ready to give birth. Nelbin had arranged one of the cleric females in the village to help Bixie through giving birth to her first child. The labor was a difficult one and it took them 2 days before her child was actually born. The cleric lady took the child and washed it, whilst Bixie cleaned herself up a bit. When the child was cleaned up, the cleric turned to Bixie with the child wrapped in cloth. ‘Congratulations,’ she said, ‘your firstborn is a son.’

 

She unwrapped the child and Bixie saw the small gnome’s face. His skin was caramel brown and it was bold. This was rather uncommon in gnome babies, but not unheard of. She took the baby in her arms and kissed it gently on its head. ‘We shall call you Pocky.’ Soon the town knew of the birth of Pocky Acromech and a feast was given in his honour. 

Many of the ritualists in the town started their pyrotechnics ritual; creating a wonderful display of colours and shapes in the air. The town was engulfed in the colourful display which ended with Pocky’s name written in the sky in a variety of colours.

 

As soon as Pocky’s name vanished from the sky, the town elder took pocky and placed him in an enclosed area in the center of the town. In the area, there were several items placed on the floor. This was a tradition in the village to decide in which area the child would receive its training. There was a majestic hammer with a feint glow around it, a wand from which a strong aura emanated, a golden flute which seemed most alluring and a beautifully carved bow. A child would be placed in the center and allowed to crawl to one corner. The corner the child would crawl towards would be its destined path. Of course this was not set in stone. All children would receive the same standard education. Only in their 10th year would they start their specific training. At this point their teachers would have found out their real talents and they could make a well-balanced choice. Often it was the combination of both which decided what role the child would get in its later life.

 

If the child would choose the hammer, he would receive training in physical prowess as well as in religion. Those who could not bear the physical demands would focus more on the religious aspect. Others not interested in religion would get more focused training on physical capabilities. If the child would choose the staff, he would receive intensive mental training, forcing them to develop their intellect and their ability to craft mighty illusions. This was the most esteemed path in the village. Those who would crawl towards the golden flute would get training in the arts. Depending on the skills developed later in their life they would become painters, dancers or bards. The bow-choosers would get training in wilderness survival as well as increased training in stealthy movement.

 

Pocky was placed in the center, and everybody watched him with anticipation. Surely a child of such famous parents would become a leader in the path he would choose. Of course everybody hoped that he would choose the staff, because they were sure that if Pocky would master the art of illusion crafting none would be able to enter their village without consent ever again, such were their expectations of him.

 

Pocky sat there looking at the people with his big black eyes. ‘He has his mother’s eyes,’ Nelbin thought to himself. He watched his son intently, wondering what he would choose. Pocky looked around at the people watching him. As he lost his balance he rolled slightly over towards the staff. The crowd gasped, hoping he would continue. Pocky regained his balance and rolled back towards the center of the area. Looking around better he noticed all the shiny objects lying around him. He found the staff scary enough that his curiosity could not force him to go there. The shiny hammer looked interesting, but the golden flute looked even better. However, as he started toward the flute, something stopped him. He looked around and saw the bow. He noticed its curves and fine carving. He was so enchanted by its beauty he just had to have it. He started to crawl towards the bow. The crowd was surprised; surely Pocky would choose the staff, or otherwise the hammer or flute, but not the bow. However, pocky made up his mind. He was going to get the bow. As he reached the bow he grabbed it, sealing his fate for now.

 

Having chosen, Pocky was lifted out of the enclosed area by the village elder and he was returned to his parents. His father looked at him, beaming with pride. Pocky had chosen the same item as he once had. He took Bixie and Pocky to the table, where they would enjoy their meal. It was a grand party with plenty of food and drinks, all of which bought by Nelbin and Bixie. It was a joyous occasion, with lots of laughter and great entertainment. It was a party not soon forgotten as such a feast will not come again any time soon.

 

Two years after this feast, Pocky’s education started. Just like all other gnome children they were educated by Haldor. Haldor was a strict teacher, set on traditions. By this time Pocky’s hair had started growing. It was growing in random directions as it does with all gnomes. The only real difference was that his hair was green. Not a mossy or leafy green that was sometimes seen amongst the gnomes, but a bright unnatural green. For this alone, he was mocked by all his class-mates. Even Haldor, who treated each student equally couldn’t stop himself from making some comments about Pocky’s hair.

 

At first Pocky was hurt by his fellow class-mates, but in only a few weeks time he stopped caring and managed to always have a good come-back at everybody. He only made a comment back at Haldor, but he was sorry the moment he insulted his teacher. Haldor greatly offended by Pocky, sent him home and refused to teach him for the next 3 weeks.

 

His parents disappointed by Pocky’s bad behavior took it upon themselves to teach him manners as well proper etiquette for social situations he would face in the future. In those 3 weeks, his mother also taught him the basics of the arts. They started with dancing, since that was his mother’s specialty. However, Pocky didn’t enjoy the standard dances that his mother taught him. Instead he started tapping with his feet in a rhythm that perfectly suited his mother’s dance. Amazed by his natural talent his mother gave him a saucepan and a spoon and told him to tap the beat with that. Pocky curious why he was allowed to make noise with the saucepan started tapping a beat, changing the flow of beats every so often creating a beautiful rhythm. His mother enchanted by this rhythm started dancing like she had never before. Nelbin walked into the room, wondering where the music was coming from. Surprised to see his son making the beat and seeing his wife dancing on the beat, he could do nothing but stand there and watch.

 

As Bixie and Pocky grew tired from their performances, they noticed Nelbin standing there in a trance. As they finished their performance Nelbin spontaneously started applauding them. ‘Pocky my son, I didn’t know you had such talent!’ Nelbin exclaimed. From then on, Pocky and Bixie regularly enjoyed playing and dancing together. At the end of the 3 weeks Pocky had seven different items on which he was making his music. Bixie was getting annoyed that her pots and pans were being used as an improvised drum kit for Pocky instead of for her cooking. Though she enjoyed dancing on his music, Bixie was happy to have her cooking set back.

 

When Pocky returned to school, the first thing he did was apologise deeply to his teacher, and he promised not to let his manners fail him again. Haldor accepted Pocky’s apologies, but he gave him a warning. ‘Next time I will refuse to teach you ever again.’ Though Pocky wasn’t happy with it, he bowed his head and agreed with his teacher.

 

The following weeks nothing troubling happened. Pocky behaved as he should have. Only that every day after he came home from school, he would grab a pan and start making music until his mom would come and take the pan away for her cooking. Wishing to make more music, he asked his parents if he could get a proper musical instrument. Nelbin and Bixie said he would have to wait until is primary education was finished.

 

Bixie and Nelbin discussed it some weeks later when Pocky was asleep. Nelbin thought that it would not be a problem with their current financial back-up. They had saved up enough for possible expenses such as this. However, Bixie remembered that to become a true master of your instrument, the musician would have to craft his own instrument. Crafting an instrument would however be difficult because there was only one master crafter in the village, and he only shared his knowledge with those who follow the path of the bard. Nelbin agreed to go talk with the master crafter and see if he could get an instrument for Pocky.

 

The following day Nelbin brought Pocky to school and continued on to the master crafter. Arriving at the little hut he knocked on the wooden door. The master carver opened the door. Surprised to see Nelbin in font of him, he could do nothing but stare at Nelbin. ‘Can I come in? I have something to ask you’ said Nelbin. ‘Of course,’  the master said. He stepped aside to let Nelbin into his humble home. ‘How may I help you?’ the crafter asked.

 

‘I would like to purchase an instrument for my son. He really enjoys making music and Bixie doesn’t want to sacrifice her pots and pans every time Pocky feels like making music’

 

‘Ah, of course. So young Pocky has taken an interest in the art of music then has he?’

 

‘Aye, indeed he has’ Nelbin laughed.

 

‘I’m afraid that I can’t help you out though. I only have enough materials for another 20 students. I need to be very careful with them, because once I run out, I will not be able to make any more instruments.’

 

Nelbin looked at the crafter. ‘What if I pay you double what you would normally get?’

 

‘Normally I wouldn’t even consider making an instrument for a non-student. I can only make instruments for the children destined to become musicians. I need to follow their growth and their development so I can judge what instrument will be best for the child.’

 

‘I understand.’ Nelbin said and he stood up to leave.

 

‘Wait!’ the crafter said, ‘I might have something that is not made for him, but he might be able to use it if he truly is gifted.’ The crafter hurried upstairs and Nelbin could hear him opening cupboards and chests, looking through his possessions. A few minutes later the crafter reappeared downstairs.

 

‘Here, I found the very first instrument I ever made. This wooden flute was my first working instrument. It’s not as great as the ones I make now, but a musician with dedication can play on this. Give this to Pocky if you wish, but I will ask one favor of you.’

 

‘Name your price,’ Nelbin said.

 

‘If Pocky manages to play this flute within a week, send him over to meet me.’

 

‘As you wish crafter.’

 

Having said this, Nelbin accepted the flute which was wrapped in a soft maroon cloth feeling as though water flowed through your fingers rather than cloth. He took it straight home and told Bixie how he had gotten the flute.

 

That afternoon, Nelbin went to collect Pocky from school.

 

‘Son, I have a great surprise waiting for you at home’ Nelbin said with a cheecky smile. Pocky immediately asked what it was that was waiting for him at home. Nelbin just smiled and didn’t say a word. He knew that all gnomes were curious by nature, but Pocky had already shown to be more curious than most other gnomes. Pocky kept trying to find out what the surprise was, but Nelbin refused to satisfy Pocky’s curiosity.

 

When they arrived at home, Nelbin said that Pocky should go play for a while and come visit him in his study in an hour. Pocky grudgingly agreed and went to grab a pan to make some music in the hour he had to wait. Nelbin smiled and went up to his study. He hid the flute and he put a chair in the middle of the room. It was relatively large comfortable chair, lined with the leather of a large boar captured by a couple of brave warriors. He sat in the chair, patiently waiting for Pocky to come visit him.

 

When the hour had passed, Nelbin heard a knock on his door. ‘Enter’  he said. The door slowly opened and he could see Pocky enter the dark room. Nelbin’s eyes had already adjusted to the dark, but Pocky’s had not. He could see his son walking awkwardly, not being used to walk in the dark. ‘Son, I have a very valuable gift for you. I went to retrieve it today and it took me a lot of time and energy to get this for you. Now I want you to prove that you are worthy of this gift.’ Nelbin chuckled inside, knowing he would give Pocky the flute anyway, but he was not going to let the opportunity pass to tease his son. ‘As part of the test, I will not let your eyes adjust to the dark. I have hidden your gift somewhere in my study. To find it, you must first solve a riddle. Then you must search for it in the dark. Now prove that you are a son of mine and find your gift!’

 

Pocky taken aback by this wasn’t sure whether he should take his father seriously or whether his father was just joking. His tone in his voice made Pocky think that he was serious though. ‘Ok,’ he said. ‘I’m ready. I’ll solve your riddle and then I will find my treasure.’ He said it with such determination that Nelbin was slightly taken aback. ‘Alright son; then solve this riddle: It is easily seen I haven't been taken with care, for my leaves are gone and my roots are bare.’

 

Pocky had secretly listened in on his parents at times, as they sat with their friends telling jokes and riddles with each other. He had learned some of the riddles himself, but none were similar to this one. He knew how the gnome riddles worked though. They often had references to their village, the forest or the people answering them. Since his dad mentioned roots and leaves, Pocky figured it would be a tree, specifically a dead tree. Pocky knew his father had a painting of a barren tree in winter on his wall. He walked towards the wall carefully, his hands stretched out in front of him, feeling if there is something in front of him. When he reached the wall, he crouched and started looking for something that would be his treasure.

 

‘Hahaha,’ Nelbin laughed. ‘Indeed a good guess my son, but if you truly wish to have this gift of mine, you will have to be more creative.’ Pocky was even more resolved to find this treasure now. He thought hard and deep of how he would find the treasure. He then remembered that he had learned in school that sometimes pieces of bark would be taken from the forest to make paper for books. He instantly ran towards the bookcase, tripping over his own feet. ‘Well done son, you’re getting close,’ Nelbin grinned as he watched his son stumble around.

 

Pocky remembered that his father had a book that he loved. It was a book about the life cycle of a tree. That’s all Pocky knew about it. If there was a better place to hide it, Pocky couldn’t think of it. So he touched the spines of the leather-bound books, until he felt the rough spine of the book he was looking for. He carefully removed the book from the bookcase, touching the relief image of the barren tree on its cover. He opened the book and felt the wooden flute that Nelbin had hidden in there with magic. ‘Well done my son.’ Nelbin said proudly. ‘You really are as cunning as your father. Now come here and I’ll tell you what some important things about this gift.’ As he said this, the candles in the room instantly started burning again, and the room was lit with the dancing flames of the candles placed in the room. 

TL;DR

 

Ja, TL;DR is mijn bestuurtitel. Zoals hierboven te lezen snappen jullie waarschijnlijk wel waarom. Ik ben erg goed in het langer maken van stukken tekst dan nodig. Hierboven is het begin van het epische verhaal van Pocky, mijn gnome bard uit een D&D4e campaign te lezen. Als commissaris lustrum ga ik mijn pwnage skillz gebruiken om een gaaf lustrum neer te zetten voor de Knights. Verder ben ik altijd wel in voor een bordspelletje, tenzij ik het echt te druk heb, of zo moe ben dat ik eigenlijk thuis had moeten zitten.

 

Verder ben ik vaak in de Citadel (tegenwoordig de Bastion) te vinden en ik probeer bij iedere activiteit van de Knights aanwezig te zijn.

 

Als jullie je afvragen waarom ik af en toe met een Doppio bestuursvest rondloop, komt dit doordat ik dit een erg fijn vest vind en ik geen betere vesten heb. Een van mijn Knights vesten is door slijtage kapot gegaan helaas en ik ben niet kundig genoeg om deze te repareren.

 

Verder rest mij nog een ding te zeggen. Als je dit hele stuk gelezen hebt… I pity you. ;P 

René Warmoeskerken

 

Commissaris Lustrum

 

TL;DR der Knights of the Kitchen Table

Het is niet makkelijk om secretaris te zijn van de Knights of the Kitchen Table, zo krijg je regelmatig te maken met willekeurige leden die bivakkeren in de Citadel, of meer e-mail dan een gezonde browser aankan. Maar als 4^e jaars student technische bedrijfskunde en met een naam zoals Raoul Roulaux, moet je dit allemaal wel aankunnen.

Mijn taken in het 9^e bestuur der ESRG Knights of the Kitchen Table zijn simpel: Communiceer met de leden (wat ik vaak te pas en te onpas doe), notuleer alle vergaderingen, ondersteun de voorzitter en spam de mailbox van de leden vol.

En hoe kom ik nu aan zo’n naam als “N00bc4k3”? Tja, ik ben toch het kortst lid van de Knights van de 4 Voices of _tReason en dan heb je wat minder ervaring. 

Maar dit gebrek aan ervaring maak ik goed met een gezonde dosis enthousiasme, doorzettingsvermogen en inspiratie/transpiratie. Ik zal mij dit jaar inzetten om toch te voorkomen dat ik als een echte “N00bc4k3” overkom. Wellicht zal ik me aan het einde van dit jaar maar de titel 1337c4k3 aanmeten, als gevolg van alle ervaring die ik op zal doen als bestuur van de Knights.

Raoul Roulaux, secretaris