For your reading pleasure. Inspired by the classic poem "Casey at the Bat."

TECLIS AND THE RATS

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Elven troops that day
Their center was collapsing like a statue made of clay
Then when the Spearmen broke and ran and Archers did the same
A sickly silence fell upon the soldiers in the rain.

A straggling few continued running past the ordered rest
who clung to the hope that springs eternal in the elven breast
they thought if only Teclis could but cast a spell at that
they'd put up even money now with Teclis 'gainst the rats

But he was with the Phoenix Guard and battling near a lake
and he couldn't cast his spells due to the potion that he drank
so upon the elven multitude grim melancholy sat
for their seemed but little chance of Teclis casting spells at rats

But Phoenix Guard won combat, to the wonderment of all
and Teclis in his combat form caused many rats to fall
and when the dust had lifted and elves saw what had occurred
there were Phoenix Guard victorious as they wheeled to face the herd

Then from all corners of the battleline there rose a lusty yell
It rumbled in the valley, it rattled in the dell
it knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat
for Teclis, mighty Teclis, would be casting spells at rats

There was ease in Teclis' manner as he drank his potion down
There was pride in Teclis' bearing as he looked up with a frown
And when, responding to the cheers, he cast Fury of Khaine
No Skaven on the field could doubt was Teclis through the rain

All warriors' eyes were on him as he killed clanrats with flame
A thousand voices cheered and then they cried out Teclis' name
And as the Skaven Seer rose to counter Teclis' spells
Defiance stirred in Teclis when he saw the Screaming Bell

And now the warp-ed lightning came a hurtling through the air
and Teclis cast a counterspell in haughty grandeur there
close by the sturdy Archmage, the bolts unheeded sped
to miss the elves completely and land in a dry creekbed.

From the endless lines of Skaven there went up a muffled roar
like the beating of the storm waves on a stern and distant shore
"kill-kill; kill the elf-thing!" shouted Skaven near at hand
And it's likely they'd have killed him had he not the golden band

With smile of secret knowledge, great Teclis' visage shone
He raised his Ring of Fury and burned them all to bone
Across the field of battle, the Seer howled with rage
But Teclis had him trapped like common rat within a cage

"Fraud!" cried the gathered ratmen, and echo answered fraud,
but one haughty look from Teclis and the gathered rats were awed
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain
and they knew there lives, short thought they were, would shorten once again.

The sneer is gone from Teclis' lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
he casts with puissant artifice and seals the ratlings fate
once more he utters arcane words and lets the power flow
and once more the air is shattered by the force of Teclis' blow!

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright
The music still plays somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light
and somewhere elves are laughing, as they oft are wont to do
but there is no joy for Teclis, he miscast and rolled a two.

A giant hand emerged from a hellspawned gate
it seized Teclis, and sealed his fate
he was anihilated, as were his commrades
they took a strength 10 hit with no armour saves!

Great poem, had a good laugh at the end! Sorry for continueing, I just had to... too fun.

Awesome! really enjoyed it.

I really do like this here forum and I hope more people take advantage of it.

Ah, I remember this poem! Brought a smile to my lips last time, this time too, but less funny now.

Would like to see more of your art mach. I think there's a lot more behind that grand facade.

Frecus
The glade wanderer
Madwarrior

Ah... I really like this poem.

Don't take it too near, but sometimes there's a switch in writing style... from a direct style (which I guess is the point) to a more descriptive style.


Ex:



Why not:

Across the field of battle, the Seer howled with rage
But Teclis had him trapped like a common rat in cage

It might just be my personal feeling that it sounds better.

But qudos to Machiara! It's really great. Sorry for being picky.

(Reading this poem actually reminds me of one I wrote once... Must try to find it...)