Exploring New Lands

Exploring New Lands: Reus

KC J. Hutchins

The kingdom in the clouds is the domain of the giants. There are few ways to reach this place; a beanstalk from Fabulum or an icy staircase sent by Reus’ gate keeper. Once one reaches above the cloud line, they are are greeted by said keeper; a male giant with a beard made of icicles. His clothes are made of wool that clings to his rather large shaking belly. In one hand he holds a ten-foot large pipe that clouds seem to be seeping from and fill the air. His skin has a blue tint to it as his dark blue eyes look at any foreigners.

The land itself is vast and spreads above the lands of Fabulum, Pruina, and part of Conflictus. As one looks over the land once entering through the gate, they can see stone castles that stand in the far distance while in front of them lay a town of great limestone houses and marketplaces with pillars of white marble. To those who have visited Graecia, they would comment that they are similar in architecture. After traveling through the town, they are greeted by rolling hills of green and giants in loincloths looking after their sheep. Finally, they would reach a gigantic castle made of marble. Two rows of columns lead to a draw bridge where from two towers guards keep watch. Inside one finds a fountain whirled into a beautiful icy spiral. Four stone slab benches surround this while the rest of the courtyard is mixed with shrubbery, giants, and a pool. A giant wooden hall stood to the right of the fountain where laughter pours out from its windows and a lavish garden stands to the left. Directly behind the fountain and beyond the pool that seems more like a lake; stands the noble house. This is made of granite blocks that are as tall as a dwarf. A single tower protrudes from the back of the building with a triangular roof. The rest of the structure stands with pillars of marble aligning its dome like model.

Futher into the country side, one would find mountains which have been carved into seats. When there is a meeting, the council members will assemble and take their places at this spot known as Radsmode. On the left is a giantess who wore a long robe of cotton that has many patches and holes strewn upon it. Her long hair drapes over her bosom all the way down to her hips and is entwine with flowers. Similarly, the crook she holds in her hand is decorated the same. Bleating next to her is a sheep of black wool that nuzzles lovingly into the giantess. Authoritatively sitting on the right of the sheep loving giantess on a frost covered mountain is Hallfa, the chief of Reus. The giantess herself is not awful to look at either. She has dirty blonde hair that she keeps in a braid, thick enough to be the mast of a ship. This hangs down to her bosom that can hold milk worth of least ten cows. Her body has flattering curves that are highlighted by her loose fitting jeans and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. Next to her is a rough looking brute, wearing full Graecian armor except for a helmet that would traditionally be strapped to his head. The bronze breast plate glints at the rising sun along with the matching greaves fixed upon his calves. Embedded into the ground is his spear while wrapped around his waist is a sword. His bald head is littered with scars; the most notable one down his left eye that has been removed. The seat he occupies is a volcano with lava that flows around him. The final seat would seem unoccupied until a snore comes from the rubble. If someone wakes the giant up they see the rocks come to life as his crystal-like eyes with pupils of onyx and irises of ruby open. The giant has a sharp nose with a cleft chin as a robe of grass hugs around him. The land of Reus is a fascinating land, but watch out for giants are not used to seeing humans and might just step on you by accident.

Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight: Giants

KC J. Hutchins

Originally, these colossal beings were once the fire-breathing Cyclops that had fled Graecia. After mating with humans due to a special medallion that allows them to shrink, they have now diversified themselves. Four sub species of giants have emerged since their time living the Reus, the land in the clouds. Most common were the frost giants also known as the Iskjem. They were able to manipulate the water around them and freeze their opponents. Along with this power, they were able to form ice constructs to both defend and protect themselves. Another kind would be that of the Fjellpe, or stone giants. Most of the time one would never see these behemoths, since they spend most of their time sleeping. While they do this, they look like mountains. In terms of strength, they were the most physical strong of their kind. The Gjet were a type of giant that manipulates flora. Almost all of them were nudists, despite the complaints from their brethren. These giants enjoyed peaceful meadows where they watch over their sheep. Finally, there were the most radical of the modern day giants, the Gigantas. Although having no ties to the land of Graecia, they followed in the brutal tactics of their ancestors. Constantly, they trained for battle even when there was no war. Lava does not hurt them but rather heals them; thus why they have used it to bathe. These radical thinkers have claimed to always look out for the benefit of Reus, but from seeds of conflict due thorns of war grow.

Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight: Zimkon

KC J. Hutchins

Dragons that harness the fury of the blizzard, they have lived in Pruina where snow always covers the ground. Their powers range from frost breath, ice constructs, the ability to summon snowstorms, changing their body heat, seeing heat  signatures through the cold, and being able to freeze someone in place. They can easily fly through snow storms but not with their wings. The bottom half of their bodies turn into flurries of snow that allows for better maneuverability. In appearance, most have tusks that protrude from their jaws that they can use to break ice. Down their backs, ice spikes grow slicked back with a sharpened edge. Strangely, some even have white fur that are found around their neck and down their spine. They can easily camouflage into the snow due to their patterns of blue and white scales. If you find yourself in a snowstorm, these dragons can be deadly.

A Closer Look

A Closer Look: The Royal City of Fabulum

KC J. Hutchins

The city where the king has sits has long been built since before the time of the Muffet Clan. Although not the most clever of names, it has long been herald as a safe place in the land of Fabulum. As one approaches the gate to the city, they are met by two troll guards that would even frighten the most seasoned of warriors. Past the gate the city stretches into a market place where people hurry about the wooden stalls. Merchants are shouting their advertisements, as others argue with customers about prices. Past this stands a fountain where citizens come to wash their clothes. Children run around the water as some splash each other. Older citizens sit on the stone benches situated around the structure, grumbling about the world they live in. Three other stone slab roads branch from the square in the walled city. Straight leads to the castle itself that was surrounded by a moat. Armed men march on top of the tall walls that block off the castle. The other two roads lead to two different districts of the city. On the right contains sturdy, ornate, stone houses where men and women of fine clothing talk in the street. However, on the opposite side is a community of shaky wooden houses. Most of the people who live there wear tattered clothes that are too small.

Found in the poorer district is the delectable scent that comes from a humble bakery. Once one gets inside the broken door they will see a treasure trove of baked goods. A L-shaped glass counter fills half the space and shows off an array of pastries. Cookies of all sorts, brownies, and other pastries stuffs the displays. On a shelf out of reach is placed a basket of wonderfully decorated gingerbread cookies. There are two doors that stand behind the counter where one will find the proprietor. He wears plaid pants and a black shirt with a white apron tied around his waist. Round spectacles sit on the bridge of his nose which is decorated with a curled gray mustache. His bald head will shine the income sun as his green eyes meet you. To most he is known by the name of the Muffin Man and is a favorite baker of the king with his blueberry muffins.

Behind the castle one would find the royal garden where the hero known as Jack has become a successful farmer. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, and vegetation the likes none have ever seen spring from the land. Among the green, one will usually find a man in his late forties early fifties tending to the plants. He wears blue cotton overalls with many patches sewn into the tapestry. He wears no shoes and his hands are stained with soil. His shirt is a long sleeved red top that has as many holes as a leopard has spots. His tuft of brown and grey hair is covered in filth with a smudge to match on his face. This man is the hero known as Jack who nurtured the peace between Reus and Fabulum. If one walks past the initial garden and over a small wooden bridge that has a babbling brook flowing below it; they would find themselves in front a large mound of dirt. On each side are stones etched with the same strange marking upon them, like that of a leaf. This can grant one access to the land of Reus. First one must ascend a nearby hill and draw a pail of water from the well that is erected on top of it. Next they must splash the water onto the mound while shouting “Reus!” clearly and loudly. Rumbling will shake the area, as a giant bean stalk sprouts and climbs into the sky above the clouds. Only then can one scale it to reach the land of the giants. Caution is advised since one has a limited time to climb the great plant. In this way, either land prevents the other from invading.

A Closer Look

A Closer Look: The Great Tower of Radix (Silvia’s Tower)

KC J. Hutchins

Built to spite her jealous husband, Madame Silvia Muffet created the building using her shaman magic. Twisting vines, roots, branches, and thorns weave together to form this grand tower to the very top room where a single window looks out on the land of Fabulum. To most beings, there is no door to enter this place. It only appears if one passes the test of the tower.

Two vines will spring forth from the tower; one having an allspice flower at the end of it that will wrap its petals around a person’s chest. The second has the jaws of a Venus fly trap, the tips of its teeth teasing the flesh all around one’s head. After a few minutes of suspense, the vines will retreat to the tower and form an archway; revealing a large round door made of Maple tree wood. That is only if one passes. On the other hand, if the person does not pass the fly trap gets brains for dinner. The only way to pass this test is to have enough compassion in your heart to care others more than yourself. Once one does get inside, they see the true wonder of this place.

Flowers light up the walls with a variety of vibrant colors that rival the splendor of a rainbow. Creatures of all shapes and sizes roam the tower, neither prey or predator seeking any hostility toward one another. If one makes their way down the steps and underground they can her the very tower breathe. The roots under the building are curled around a green glowing gem that keeps the structure standing. One must be careful approaching the sight for if they do not, giant moles will come up and smack intruders.

Going back upstairs, one would climb the spiraling staircase of Silvia’ tower. Each step is made of thick oak branches that run along the walls, From the ceiling trickles vines with radiant flowers that light the very tower. Finally, at the very top of the stairs it opens to a large circular room. A corner of the room contains two large tables side by side. One is obviously a work bench with tools scattered about and wood shavings covering the table top. The other seems strange to the most people. On it are several vials, tubes, and bottles that are kept neatly in rows against the back wall. Above them are shelves of powders, glowing liquids, and ingredients that are used for potions. In the center of this table is a small cauldron that is usually boiling. Like most of the tower, flowers of magnificent colors decorate the pointed ceiling. Branches stick out from the roof as most of the time Silvia’s owls perch upon them, except for Vitro, Silvia’s closest owl, who has his own perch next to her work bench. A single window lets the light in with a flat bay bottom and a coned shaped top. Across from this is a huge book case aligned with tomes of magic and guides to plants. A humble wood carved bed stands next to this with faded linens. The wooden plank floor is decorated in the center with a finishing of an owl in flight.