A Closer Look

A Closer Look: The Royal City of Fabulum

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)

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.

A Closer Look

A Closer Look: The Muffet Clan

The Muffet family crest was based on the founding members’ animals. At the top of the symbol were an eagle’s wings spread on the outside while the middle has a bat’s. The lower half was in the jaws of a crocodile with its toothy smile. Located in the middle of the crest was a curved elephant’s trunk next to a bear’s paw.

During the Graecian Expansion, Cyclops from Graecia attempted to invade the land of Fabulum. The five founding members of the Muffet clan rose up to stop them led by Ellie Muffet thus where the name comes from. Battle after battle they fought, making the cyclops more and more fearful of their reputation. Eventually, they surrendered, begging to be spared their lives and from returning to Graecia. The founders graciously allowed them to stay, forming an alliance with their homeland in the process.

Since then, they have served as the protectors of Fabulum. Whether it be fighting trolls, wolves, or giants; they have been a reliable and formidable force. Notable members include Gruff Muffet whose duel tactics ended the Troll conflict. He is deviously clever man who chose a particularly large breed of goats to train. This is an ode to his mother Bo Peep who trained sheep. Gruff’s wife, Silvia was an owl trainer and discovered she was a shaman. Her skills soon outshone her husband’s and gave her much respect among anyone she met.

Both of the couple’s sons were gifted as well. One became the head of the clan while training ravens. His name was John and took the characteristics of his father. On the other hand, his brother with his wife was able to train the dreaded pack. Unfortunately, he was struck down by Mallupo’s handiwork. However, this gave rise to the greatness of their daughter, Red Muffet. With the gone, she now had the responsibility of leading the wolf pack, despite the land rejecting her for being a werewolf. Her renown cousins live in the Muffet Manor. Goldilocks is a celebrated warrior warrior riding atop of her three bears, while her sister Luda (though she prefers Miss Muffet) ensnares her opponents with her trained giant spiders.

The only famous member not directly related to the family is a man by the name of Serlep. He is a talented warrior who is enlisted under a special strike force for Gruff as an orphan. The first to train snakes, he showed amazing skills even before he trained his adoptive deceased brothers’ animals after their deaths at the hands of Red. Though there may just be more than skill involved with his feats.

Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight: Trolls

A head tall over the goblin and much lankier with colorful skin; it is a relative of the goblins, gargoyles, ogres, and gremlins. Long mullets of hair drape down their back and around their pointed ears. Instead of fangs they have tusks that curve around the outside of their mouth. Boils can be found on the surface of their skin especially on their hands. Once part of the realm of Conflictus, they were force out of their home by Delsey when they refused to follow her rule. They fought to be an equal people once they fled to Fabulum, but were defeated due to the somewhat cruel tactics of Gruff Muffet. From then on, they became servants to the royal family. Their skills as stone smiths were put to work as they built bridges on which they collected the tolls that went to the king. Often they dream of returning to their fishing village and be whole gain in the land of Conflictus.

Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight: Goblin

The goblins are a honor bound society, fighting battles with a sense of fairness. Their skills with all forms of weapons can even put a dragon’s back against a wall. They have long been the leaders of their relatives the trolls, gremlins, and gargoyles until the end of the Tech War. During a bloody battle, the blame was placed upon the royal family for the catastrophe. This paved the way for the sorceress Queen Delsey to take control of the realm of Conflictus. Goblins stand at the same height as humans with a thicker skin. They come in arrange of colors such as red, blue, and yellow with decorations of scars and burns earned by combat. Solid metal earrings are a popular fashion trend among the goblins that they pierce on their pointed ears. It can be intimidating walking up to these creatures with their fangs somewhat sticking out. Rest assured most goblins will bring you no harm unless you cross them. Then you can expect a fair fight and a place to sleep after you have been knocked out.