Weeds Meads and Steeds PDF
After an alcoholic wizard accidentally curses a forest, it’s up to a group of misfit adventurers to set things right. There’s Dranden, a saddle maker wanting to boost his business; Belfast, a ruggedly handsome man who is also dangerously clumsy; Toble, a smelly, disgusting goblin who wants to do some good with his miserable, wretched existence; Rendle, a dull-witted academic who’s entirely obsessed with amphibians; and finally Zelendra, a half-elf priestess who ran away from home in search of true love. But their relatively easy quest of chopping down an infected tree quickly turns dangerous as they uncover a deeply sinister plot that’s bigger and far more ancient than any of them could imagine. With the entire kingdom at risk these brave souls must battle an ice elemental, survive their evil twins, traverse the shadow realm, and destroy a rampaging monster; all while tripping over, getting lucky, or taking naps – whatever works! They learn how to set aside their differences and grapple with life’s big questions such as; can you trust your perception of reality, is chasing after love a noble pursuit, what are the metaphysics of luck, and do frogs taste better than chickens?
After an alcoholic wizard accidentally curses a forest, it’s up to a group of misfit adventurers to set things right. There’s Dranden, a saddle maker wanting to boost his business; Belfast, a ruggedly handsome man who is also dangerously clumsy; Toble, a smelly, disgusting goblin who wants to do some good with his miserable, wretched existence; Rendle, a dull-witted academic who’s entirely obsessed with amphibians; and finally Zelendra, a half-elf priestess who ran away from home in search of true love.
But their relatively easy quest of chopping down an infected tree quickly turns dangerous as they uncover a deeply sinister plot that’s bigger and far more ancient than any of them could imagine. With the entire kingdom at risk these brave souls must battle an ice elemental, survive their evil twins, traverse the shadow realm, and destroy a rampaging monster; all while tripping over, getting lucky, or taking naps – whatever works!
They learn how to set aside their differences and grapple with life’s big questions such as; can you trust your perception of reality, is chasing after love a noble pursuit, what are the metaphysics of luck, and do frogs taste better than chickens?
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G AT E OF T HE DEAT HSTA LK ER<br />
probably weren't gobbled-up by some monster, as is often told, they probably just<br />
got lost within the swirling ash <strong>and</strong> died of starvation. A rather bleak <strong>and</strong><br />
unexciting end to their existence. Death was the only thing present in this place,<br />
<strong>and</strong> it waited patiently for Belfast to enter it's dry open jaws.<br />
He wouldn't normally be frightened of such a sight, but this seemed futile<br />
because it involved no heroics whatsoever. There was no one to save, no one in<br />
need of his help, <strong>and</strong> there was definitely nothing heroic about looking inside a<br />
cavern. This was instead a mere stunt, like someone skipping over a lava pit<br />
without being burned, or swimming across a dangerous strait during a storm.<br />
How was a stunt supposed to help cure his stumbling affliction?<br />
It was time for Belfast to take Zelendra's advice <strong>and</strong> forfeit his quest.<br />
He allowed the warmth of her h<strong>and</strong> upon his shoulder to guide him back to<br />
their horses. And as he mounted, the bitter sting of defeat jabbed at him like a<br />
lance piercing his stomach.<br />
Rendle's eyes were puffy, his nose dribbled with snot, <strong>and</strong> he coughed out<br />
the ash in sporadic fits <strong>and</strong> spasms. “If no one's going in, could we please get out<br />
of here!” He yelled at the others with a rough voice.<br />
The group quickly exited the billows of smoke <strong>and</strong> ash ridden wind, which<br />
made Belfast feel better, like he was now free from an oppressive burden;<br />
shackles he had placed on himself. The horses were also grateful they were being<br />
led out, <strong>and</strong> trotted quickly <strong>and</strong> gracefully.<br />
Thinking about it, Belfast was pretty sure that his uncle didn't go up to the<br />
gate, since he never mentioned it <strong>and</strong> because even he, with his highly<br />
adventurous nature, would have turned back upon seeing the field of bones. The<br />
spirits also advised against the quest as Zelendra said, so perhaps there was some<br />
watchful entity turning Belfast away <strong>and</strong> guiding his steps.<br />
“There's no shame in not going.” Pournel said as the group found their way<br />
back to the tall dead tree. “Not even the most powerful wizards dare tread there.<br />
You basically chose life rather than death. Surely you saw that with your own<br />
eyes.”<br />
Shedding a single tear <strong>and</strong> breathing a heavy sigh, Belfast hesitantly smiled<br />
<strong>and</strong> forced himself to accept the wizard's sympathy.<br />
Zelendra had thought all day what she would say to him, but most of her<br />
words were either useless or possibly cruel. She didn't realize how much Belfast<br />
had emotionally invested in this quest, but saw it now in his saddened face, <strong>and</strong><br />
she shared in his sadness.<br />
“About your fumbling,” she said as serious <strong>and</strong> concerned as possible,<br />
without a hint of sarcasm, “you said it goes away when you help someone, right?<br />
Well, why can't you help Pournel, Dr<strong>and</strong>en, <strong>and</strong> Rendle with their quest? Maybe<br />
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