作者 主题: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗  (阅读 100000 次)

副标题: The Odyssey of Gilthanas

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吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:12:02 »
【正式版0.7】只包含小说部分的中译电子书:
mobi版百度云http://t.cn/zQ3jrtE;新浪微盘 http://t.cn/zQusCEU
PDF版百度云http://t.cn/zQ3jrtn ;新浪微盘http://t.cn/zQ3jOEN
更正一下tunic是束腰外衣而不是短上衣……懒得改了,1.0版改过来……
==============================================

虽然我更喜欢叫它吉尔赛那斯的放浪之旅或少年Gi的奇幻漂流……
其实这书的第一篇(?)中译到现在已经过了十年,但我后知后觉地这几天才去下载到一个英文版。
对这个被作者遗忘了的悲剧中的战斗机相当有爱,对大地旅者啊风俗谈啊什么的也相当有爱,所以就看得很激动很想翻……

我知道这本书开坑的不止我一个人,网上有些零零散散的译文,但是一方面不全,一方面感觉不好(或是说不合自己的美学)
所以看来看去最后还是打算不替别人补漏填坑,而是自己开一个自己能够接受的新坑。
总之为了让脆弱的自己坚强地把这件事做完,我决定即使在我做完之前别人放出了全本而且有方便的下载和搜索而且是名手翻得比我好我也要把它做完。

第五纪的历史我其实不是很了解,传奇之后的故事十年前虽然看了,也不记得了……所以译名什么的如果有问题请指教>_<
以及应该会翻得很慢,反正已经过了十年也不差这一年了吧 :em032
我确信我对吉尔赛那斯的爱绝不止一年份的量。

这个链接是自留地的原始楼,更新稍微快一点,因为攒到一小节才会发这边来。
http://www.goddessfantasy.net/bbs/index.php?topic=60468.0

由于某种奇怪的完美主义,在翻的过程中还会回头编辑译名错误甚至单纯的理顺文字,所以建议不要转载或复制收藏……或者你帮我同步更新
==========================================

如果要转载请注明译者ID:茶白猫小修

更新一个PDF版和一个mobi版的电子书试阅(到安娜雅之树),求各位帮忙测试(尤其是mobi版),如果没问题的话,在全部翻译完并重新校对后会放出完整的这两种格式(同时会整理译名表的顺序)。
想要txt的果然还是算了,我不大想放出txt……一方面是因为这个格式不方便注释,一方面是太方便复制黏贴转载了……(当然破mobi和PDF也是分分钟的事但和毫无成本还是略有差别OTL)。
扩散试阅版请保留文档标题中的【试阅版】字样以与今后发布的完全版相区别。
请直接扩散原链接或下载的文本,不要拿去其他网站上传赚分。bow。

新浪微盘:
"吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗(试阅版).mobi": http://t.cn/zQThv18
"吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗(试阅版).pdf": http://t.cn/zQTwzDN
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-20, 周二 21:29:49 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #1 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:12:55 »
使用的源是网上搜的这个PDB格式电子书,说明如下
剧透 -   :
The Odyssey of Gilthanas
Reader's Companion
Douglas Niles, Steve Miller, and Stan!
1999 TSR, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
 
OCR'ed by Alligator
[email protected]
=========================================

目录

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗阅读指南
索兰尼亚外海,28SC
索-法伦之丘,11SC
心灵之影:无踪之城,11SC
普斯塔古城, 11SC
一朵石玫瑰的感悟:石玫瑰镇,12SC
冰封旧日之拱,13SC
弹指一瞬:艾莲荒野
巨龙墓场,23SC
无心之助:卡拉曼,23SC
流云之巅,25SC
弹指一瞬:刺客之路
温斯顿之塔,26SC
时来运去:水晶谷,26sc
灰烬:神之乡,27sc
精灵和冒险的那些事儿:治愈之河,27sc
哈苟斯,27sc
无尽一瞬碎散时
安娜雅之树,28sc
劫持:圣白石大草地,28sc
雷切尔深坑,28sc
银之心
附录

=================================
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-16, 周五 15:58:05 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #2 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:13:05 »
吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗阅读指南

“龙枪”系列故事从一开始就同时属于两个不同的世界——文学的,以及冒险游戏的世界。虽然小说和游戏产品总是相互依存,各自讲述这故事的一部分;并且同时二者又常常合力将故事推向任何一方无法独力完成的厚重深度——但游戏与书籍仍然是泾渭分明的。RPG玩家阅读小说,小说读者将游戏产品作为参考资料,但从未有一本书同时服务于两个群体——在这部书出世之前。

《吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗》最初来源于一个名为“神秘之地(Mystic Places)”的游戏资源的构思,但尝试这一全新形式的机会一俟出现,龙枪团队就毫不犹豫地抓住了它。毕竟,对于龙枪系列——第一个由小说和角色扮演游戏共同创造的世界——的十五周年诞辰,还有什么比让二者间的自然链接更进一步更好的庆祝方式呢。

这本书同时面向两种不同的需求。首先,它讲述了自吉尔赛那斯王子于龙枪编年史三部曲末尾最后一次在卡拉曼现身,到Jean Rabe写作的《新时代巨龙》三部曲中他逃出凯蓝卓斯的战俘营之间的这段时间发生在他身上的故事。其次,这本书的附录也提供了许多在龙枪地图上存在多年却从未进入某本书籍或游戏产品的有趣地点的源素材。事实上,这些地点正是吉尔赛那斯在他的漫长漂泊中所造访的。龙枪:第五纪或AD&D游戏的玩家可以直接将本附录提供的信息引入他们的战役。

剧透 -   :
A Guide to Gilthanas's Odyssey
 
From the beginning, the DRAGONLANCE Saga has belonged to two different worlds: the worlds of literature 
and of adventure gaming. While novels and game products have always relied on one another to tell parts of 
the Saga, and while the two have often worked hand-in-hand to delve into tales with a greater depth than either 
medium could do alone, games and books have remained distinct from one another. Role-playing gamers 
read the novels, readers used game products as reference material, but there was never a single book that 
served both communities at the same time—until now.
The Odyssey of Gilthanas was originally going to be a game resource titled "Mystic Places," but when the 
opportunity arose to try this new format, the DRAGONLANCE team jumped at it. After all, what better way to 
celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the DRAGONLANCE Saga, the first world created for both fiction and 
roleplaying, than to take that natural link to the next stage of evolution.
This book addresses two distinct needs. First, it tells the tale of what happened to Prince Gilthanas 
between his final appearance in Kalaman near the end of the Chronicles trilogy and his release from 
Khellendros's prison camp in the Dragons of a New Age trilogy by Jean Rabe. Secondly, this book provides 
source material in the appendix for several intriguing sites that have existed on DRAGONLANCE maps for years 
but have never made their way into a book or game product. As it turns out, these sites are places Gilthanas 
visited during his odyssey. For players of the DRAGONLANCE: FIFTH AGE or the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 
games, the information in this appendix applies directly to their campaigns.
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-04, 周日 16:56:50 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #3 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:13:17 »
索兰尼亚外海,28sc

水珠以固定的节拍从潮湿的木板表面滴滴答答地落下,那节拍几乎与囚徒的心跳声一致。他不知道自从这持续不断的滴答声组成了存在感的框架起,他的心已经跳动了多少次,又已经经历了多少个小时乃至昼夜,但他从中获得了慰藉,因为正是计数着,感受着自己的心跳,他才确认自己真的还活着。

他还活着,所以他应该觉得还有希望……不是吗?

他试着反抗体内回答“或许没有,或许希望已经完全消逝”的那个声音。在许多年的放浪之后,在逃避与无果的追寻之后,在欺骗与背叛之后,他又一次回到了起点。作为一个囚徒,深锁在黑暗之中,被孤独地留在这里等待腐烂。

这一次,他的囚室是一条船——一条黑暗骑士的船,载着他航向未知的终点。他感到船体柔和地摇晃,听见木板随着波涛的起落被绷得嘎吱作响。他曾以为这里是全然黑暗的,但当头骨的抽痛渐渐消退,他才意识到是自己的眼睛肿得压根睁不开。如果不是因为这个,那就是看守的老拳把他给打瞎了,而他正好幸运地在那一刻昏了过去。

然后他渐渐开始察觉到,在这潮湿冰冷的监牢里,他并不孤单。他通过嗅觉和听觉感受着周遭。空气是霉臭的,充满了霉菌代谢物和尿的气味,依稀还有更加恶心的粪便和腐肉的气味。没有任何气流拂过他的肌肤,潮湿感不仅来自有规律地下落的水滴——在这污浊空气的寒意里,不存在任何来自阳光或任何克莱恩上所知火焰的温暖意象,这种潮湿感深入了他的骨髓。

他的双腕被冷酷的枷锁束缚在一堵墙上,令他被迫保持着一个“大鹏展翅”的坐姿。他吊在两侧的手臂和手感到麻木,臀与腿由于长时间在冰冷无情的木板上负担着他的体重而变得僵硬。等到完全明白过来自己的处境,他由于这钢铁镣铐的存在而振奋起来:这枷锁是一件能够证明时间的东西。从他被关到这个监牢里到现在并没有经过数周乃至数月。事实上,他还从未改变姿势吃过饭,甚至也没有喝过水,因此他明白了自己这样顶多不过数天——否则早该不在人世了。

他身处一艘大船的甲板下,他不知这艘船将去向何方。但是得知身处同一空间的还有其他人足以令他得到一些小小的安慰。他听到轻悄的低语——几乎不敢制造一点儿响动的人声。他听到有谁蹒跚地靠近他,光脚近乎无声地在光滑的船板上移动。然后他听到了话语,他的生命力开始回到他身上。

“我的王子……我尊贵的主人——您能原谅我吗?”

那声音发出一声呻吟,紧接着听到了强烈的“嘘——”声;显然其他囚徒要这说话的人尽量小声点,以免招来看守他们的黑暗骑士的惩罚。

“拜托你,”王子轻声说,“小点声……你得知道,我已经原谅你了。你不过是在你的心灵驱使下行动的——如果我没有和你一样听从心灵的指引,我们俩如今就都不会被关在这儿了。”

“对……对不起,”王子想起答话的人名叫莱萨格斯(Lethagas)。莱斯(Leth)是一名年轻的精灵,但他是个忠实又优秀的随从。如今他的内疚与悲伤给这位囚徒带来了不必要也难以承受的负担。

监牢里沉寂了一段时间,静得只能听到船体迟缓的嘎吱声。他试着令自己的思维飘远,唤回一幅银发美人的图景,一段如同天籁的笑声……诸神啊,他是多么思念她!他穿越整个世界去寻找她,追寻了多少年,多少个十年……最终只得到这样的结局。而他仍然不承认自己的失败。

王子眼睛周围的肿胀逐渐消退,他终于得以用模糊的视线环视四周。与他共处一室的是另外六个囚徒,但只有他被如此粗暴地锁在墙上。在他们之中,他认出了莱萨格斯。与他和莱斯一样,其他人也都是男性精灵。对人类而言过于褴褛的衣裳勉强遮盖着他们污秽的肌肤,个个都顶着一头蓬乱的金发。从囚徒们苍白的肌肤可以看出,他们已经在这甲板之下受了很长时间的折磨。

最后,一个驼背的狱卒在两名黑暗骑士警惕的目光监视下沉默地带过来一碗食物和一桶水。这些看守从头到脚都隐藏在黑色的装束中,看起来就像极其危险的雕塑。这名怪异的仆人打开囚室前铁栏杆上的门锁,把门推开一条缝,刚刚够把碗和桶推进监牢。一个肮脏的水瓢浮在褐色的水面上。

在看守离开之后,精灵囚徒们轮番舀出一口恶心的杂烩,喝着腐臭的水。王子高兴地看到精灵们没有爆发任何争执和厮打——如果把人类或矮人放在同样的处境下,他们会这么干的。其他精灵甚至允许莱萨格斯照顾王子先吃,但是他谢绝了,加入了他们的队列。

在驱散饥饿之前,那些食物就耗尽了。然后,囚徒们聚集到了他——这位脸颊上有一道长长伤疤,穿着银绑腿和光亮的皮上衣的精灵周围。很显然他们清楚看守将会再停留一阵子,因为其中一位较为年长的,失去了一只眼睛,笨拙地拖着一条萎缩的跛腿的精灵隔了一段时间才开了口。

“他管你叫王子,高贵的精灵,你叫什么名字?”

“我是吉尔赛那斯·索拉斯特伦,奎灵纳斯提的王子。”他简短地回复道。

“我们听说过您,伟大的王子,”那残疾的精灵说,“我们敬仰您的姓氏。但是,请告诉我,您是怎么成了黑暗骑士的阶下囚,乘上了这死亡船?”

“这是一个连我,连我本人,都不理解的故事,”精灵回答道,发出自嘲的轻笑,“讲这个故事需要花很长,很长的时间。”

“那么,我们真的相当幸运,”老年精灵宣告,“因为在这儿,我们唯一拥有的充裕的东西,就是时间。”

吉尔赛那斯环视这一群精灵,他们全都全神贯注地注视着他。说真的,他并不明白他的道路如何会将他带到了这里,但倘若他试着将整个故事一一道来,也许会对理清思路有所助益吧……

剧透 -   :
Off the Coast of Solamnia, 28sc
 
The water dripped down the surface of dank timbers in a regular cadence, approximately in time to the 
beating of the prisoner's heart. He had no idea how many heartbeats, how many hours or even days had 
passed since that persistent plopping had formed the framework of his existence, but he took comfort in it, for 
the very act of counting, of feeling his heart beat, confirmed that he was indeed alive.
And while he lived, he should feel hope ... shouldn't he?
He tried to resist the part of him that answered: perhaps not, perhaps hope was over. After years of 
wandering, after escapes and fruitless quests, after deceit and betrayal, he was back where he had begun. A 
prisoner, locked in the darkness, left alone to rot.
This time his cell was a ship—a vessel of the Dark Knights bearing him to an unknown destination. He felt 
the gentle rocking of the hull and heard the straining of the timbers as the swells rose and fell. He had thought 
that it was utterly dark, but when the throbbing in his skull subsided slightly, he recognized that his eyes were 
too swollen to open. Either that, or a beating at the hands of the guards had blinded him, and he had been 
mercifully unconscious at the time.
Yet he gradually became aware that, in this damp and chilly hold, he was not alone. He examined his 
surroundings by smell and by sound. The air was musty, stained with the ordure of mold and urine, and 
underlaid by the more vile stenches of feces and rotten flesh. No breeze caressed his skin, and the sense of 
dampness came from more than the steady dripping—it permeated him in the chill of the stagnant air, in the 
lack of any suggestion of warmth from the sun or any source of Krynn-bound fire.
Cruel shackles bound his wrists to a wall, holding him spread-eagled in a sitting position. His arms and 
hands, suspended to the sides, felt numb, and his buttocks and legs were stiff from bearing his weight on cold, 
unforgiving timbers. When he fully understood his position, he took heart from the fact of his iron manacles: the 
shackles served as a confirmation of time. It had not been weeks or monts since he had been placed in this 
hold. In fact, he had not changed posture to eat, nor even to drink, so he knew that he had not been like this for 
very many days—else he would be dead by now.
He was below decks on a large ship that was bound for he knew not where. But he could take some 
minimal comfort from the knowledge that others were in this place with him. He heard hushed 
whispers—people's voices scarcely daring to make a sound. He heard someone shuffle close to him with bare 
feet gliding almost soundlessly across the smooth boards.
And then he heard words, and his life began to return to him.
"My Prince . . . O Royal Master—can you ever forgive me?"
The voice was a groan and was followed by emphatic shushing; obviously other prisoners wanted the 
speaker to keep his voice down to spare them the risk of punishment by the stern Dark Knights who guarded 
them.
"Please," whispered the prince. "Try to be silent... and know that I have forgiven you. You but acted upon 
the impulse of your heart—and if I had not done the same, we neither of us would be here today."
"I... I'm sorry," replied the one the prince remembered as Lethagas. Leth was a young elf, but he had served 
faithfully and well. Now his guilt, and his grief, were burdens that the prisoner neither needed nor deserved.
For a time the hold was silent save for the gradual creaking of the ship. He tried to let his mind drift away, to 
recall an image of silver beauty, a laugh like the music of the cosmos... gods, how he missed her. He had 
crossed a world to find her, sought for years, for decades... only to come to this. And still he would not 
acknowledge defeat.
The swelling around the prince's eyes gradually lessened, and he could at last get a blurred look at his 
surroundings. Six other prisoners shared the hold with him, though only he was so rudely chained to the wall. 
He recognized Lethagas among them. The others, like Leth and himself, were male elves. To a man ragged 
garments barely covered their filthy skin, and they bore unkempt golden hair. Pale skin suggested that the 
prisoners had languished below decks for quite some time.
Eventually, a hunchbacked turnkey silently brought a bowl of food and a pail of water under the watchful 
eyes of a pair of Dark Knights. These guards, cloaked from head to foot in black, observed like very dangerous 
statues as the grotesque servant unlocked the door in the iron bars at the front of the cell. He opened the portal 
only wide enough to push the bowl and bucket into the hold. A single grimy ladle floated in the brownish water.
When the guards left, the elven prisoners took turns scooping out bites of vile chowder and drinking putrid 
water. The prince was pleased to see none of the bickering, even fighting, erupt as it would among humans or 
dwarves entrusted with a similar regimen. The others even allowed Lethagas to offer the prince the first 
serving, though he declined and supped in turn with the rest.
The eating ended before the hunger. Afterward, the prisoners gathered around him—the elf with the long 
scar on his face who wore leggings of silver and a tunic of burnished leather. Apparently they knew that the 
guards would stay for a while because one, an elder who was missing one eye and limped awkwardly on a 
withered leg, at last spoke up.
"He called you prince, noble elf. What is your name?"
"I am Gilthanas Solostaran, prince of Qualinesti," he replied simply.
"We know of you, O Prince," said the crippled elf. "And we hail your family's name. But tell me: How do you 
come to be the prisoner of the Dark Knights, hauled in this ship of death?"
"That is a story that I, myself, don't even understand," replied the elf with a wry chuckle. "And it would take 
a very long time to tell."
"Then we are indeed fortunate," declared the elder. "For there is only one thing in which we are wealthy, 
and that is time."
Gilthanas looked at the group, all of whom regarded him with attentive eyes. Truly, he didn't know how his 
road had brought him here, but prhaps it would help him to understand if he were to put the story into words....
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-03, 周六 21:27:10 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #4 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:13:31 »
*****

“我曾经还拥有许多——不仅是时间,”吉尔赛那斯开了口。他的思绪被拉回现实,在此之前他看起来似乎在追忆着早年的生活——在地牢、追寻与放浪将他塑造成如今的样子之前的生活。事实上,由于那段生涯与眼下的处境没有任何相似之处,他简直像是在思索另一个人的事情似的。

“我曾拥有权力与财富……作为拯救世界的大英雄,我的声望远播四海……但是,我找不到幸福快乐。”

“我记得,”年老的囚徒说,“您当时是北方某个城市的城主……卡拉曼,是叫这个名字吗?”

“正是,朋友。不过,请告诉我你的名字。”

“我叫巴纳萨尔(Banatharl),来自奎灵纳斯提谷。”精灵的声音轻柔而遥远,吉尔赛那斯明白,他也同样在试图重构一段完全消逝的过往。

“我是您的兄长波修士的追随者,在黑暗骑士把我变成他们的玩物之前。”

“啊,波修士……在我的讲述中,他也占有一席之地。尽管我们俩的故事并没有像许多对兄弟那样彼此交织。”

“您到了卡拉曼,后来呢?”一位较年轻的精灵催促道,他自我介绍名叫卡拉尼亚斯(Carranias),也来自奎灵纳斯提,“那不是您在长枪战争后的领地吗?”

“正是。我在敏加战役如火如荼的时期来到那座城市,在那个我们最终击败了安塞隆的巨龙君主——龙骑将艾瑞阿卡斯的春天。”

“您作为解放军的领袖奋战,对吗?”莱萨格斯催促着。

“是作为他们的一分子……我的妹妹罗拉娜那时是‘黄金将军’,她被索兰尼亚的骑士推为领袖,领导他们在那场战役中取得胜利。我乘在西悠瓦拉的背上飞翔……那只全世界最伟大,最睿智,最美丽的银龙。我们一同击败了黑暗之后塔克西丝的龙群。我们杀死了许多强大的蓝龙。当黑暗之后的大军逃离卡拉曼,西悠瓦拉和我在这座城市的大广场上小憩。在我们在奈拉卡取得最终胜利之后不久,卡拉曼的人民派出信使,请求我担任他们的城主。”

“可是您不是奎灵纳斯提的王子吗?”巴纳萨尔问道。

“是的,但那个国度是我大哥波修士的领地。他的统治令人心安,前景一派光明灿烂。你记得吧,就在长枪战争后不久,他迎娶了阿尔瀚娜·星光,而她正是另一个精灵国度——西瓦纳斯提的继承人。”

“她同时也是奎灵纳斯提的王后,”老人颔首道,“因此人们都怀着巨大的期待,期待着国王与王后之间的孩子的诞生——那将是一个一统我们古老种族的精灵。”

“没错。因为我的祖国由如此贤明的统治者执掌,我得以将我的才华用在其他地方,我要去那些需要我的地方。”

“那么,卡拉曼正是这样一个需要你的地方?”

“看上去如此……但事实上,事情并不是那么简单。”随着故事余下的部分在他的记忆中徐徐展开,吉尔赛那斯陷入了沉默。他无法讲述他对西悠瓦拉的爱——宛如点燃一堆冰冷的煤炭般,那位美丽的,银发的精灵女子在他的心头燃起了熊熊爱火。她是他完美的伴侣。她本应该做他的新娘,为他生儿育女……

然而后来他得知了真相:尽管她可以随心所欲地让自己看上去像个女子,一个美得教他心碎的女子,但她并不是精灵。她的心智、灵魂、她真实的肉体都是一条银龙。西悠瓦拉甚至比几十岁的精灵王子还要年长。她是只远古的生物,拥有近乎不朽的智慧。他爱上了她,并且他也认为,她同样爱上了他,但他们之间的鸿沟过于宽阔了。双方都认为,他俩的生涯注定要被书写成两本毫无交集的故事。

首先做出那命运抉择的并不是银龙。相反,转身逃避的是精灵……吉尔赛那斯赶走了西悠瓦拉,将自己的生涯投入到帮助那些需要他的人类的事业中。

许多年来,他几乎确信,自己做了正确的决定。

剧透 -   :
*****
 
"Once I had a great deal more than mere time," Gilthanas began. His thoughts drifted back, and it seemed 
as though he might have been looking at an earlier life—an existence before dungeons and quests and 
wanderings had given shape to his days. Indeed, he might have been considering the life of someone else for 
all the similarities he could bring to his present circumstances.
"I had power and wealth... I had a reputation known far and wide, status as a hero in the greatest cause of 
the world ... and yet, I could not find happiness."
"I remember," said the elder prisoner. "You were lord of some city in the north ... Kalaman, was it not?"
"Indeed, good friend. But pray, tell me your name."
"I am called Banatharl, of Qualinesti Vale." The elf's voice was soft, distant, and Gilthanas knew that he, too, 
was trying to reconstruct a well-removed past. "I was a follower of your brother Porthios, until the Dark Knights 
made me their pet."
"Ah, Porthios ... he has a place in my tale, though our stories are not as intertwined as many brothers might 
be."
"To Kalaman, then?" prodded a younger elf, who introduced himself as Carranias, also of Qualinesti. "Was 
that not your fiefdom after the War of the Lance?"
"Indeed. I came to that city at the culmination of the Vingaard Campaign, the spring season of battles 
resulting in the defeat of Highlord Ariakas, the Dragon Emperor of Ansalon."
"You came at the head of the liberating army, did you not?" prodded Lethagas.
"As a part of that army ... my sister Laurana was the Golden General, appointed by the Knights of Solamnia 
to lead them in the triumphant campaign. I flew upon Silvara ... greatest, wisest, most beautiful silver dragon in 
all the world. Together we battled the wyrms of Takhisis, Queen of Darkness. We slew many powerful 
serpents of blue. And when the Dark Queen's armies fled Kalaman, Silvara and I came to rest in the city's great 
plaza. It was soon after our ultimate victory at Neraka that the people of Kalaman sent for me and asked me to 
be their Lord Mayor."
"But were you not a prince of Qualinesti?" asked Banatharl.
"Indeed, but that realm was the fiefdom of my brother Porthios. His rulership seemed secured, and it even 
bore splendid portents for the future. You will remember that shortly after the War of the Lance, he married 
Alhana Starbreeze, who was herself heir to the other elven realm, Silvanesti."
"She was a queen to Qualinesti as well," nodded the elder. "And the people held out great hope that she 
would bear a child to the king and queen—an elf who would bring the promise of the unification of our ancient 
race."
"True. And with my homeland thus in good hands, I had cause to use my talents elsewhere, to go where I 
was needed."
"And you were needed in Kalaman?"
"So it seemed . . . but still, it was not as easy as that." Gilthanas fell silent as the rest of the story unfolded 
in his memory. He could not speak of his love for Silvara, of the beautiful silver-haired elfmaid who had torched 
his heart into fire as if kindling it from chilly coal. She was his perfect lifemate. She should have been his bride 
and borne him children. ...
But then he had learned the truth: Though she could choose to look like a woman, with beauty so deep that 
it tore his heart, she was not an elf. In her heart and soul and true flesh she was a silver dragon. Silvara had 
lived for more years even than the decades-old elven prince. She was a creature of ancient might and nearly 
immortal wisdom. He had loved her, and he thought she had loved him, but their differences were too great. It 
had seemed to both of them that their lives had been ordained to be stories in separate books.
It had not been the silver dragon who had made the initial, fateful decision. Instead, the elf had turned his 
back... Gilthanas had sent Silvara away and turned his life to helping the humans who needed him.
For many years, he almost convinced himself that e had done the right thing.
« 上次编辑: 2013-07-18, 周四 18:09:24 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

离线 茶白猫小修

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #5 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:13:42 »
*****

囚室中的其他精灵们尊重地保持着沉默,显然他们都意识到吉尔赛那斯正在重温一段他不愿分享的回忆。然而王子注意到了还有一群听众在等着他继续已经开了个头的故事,于是他深深地吸了一口气。

“我只想说,在卡拉曼的那些年,时光飞逝……我在那儿卓有成就,甚至我敢说,颇具人望。但他们并不是真正需要我。在为人民谋福利的工作之中,我也无法感觉到自己的所作所为是正确的。我反倒变得越来越不安,当数年,乃至数十年的光阴过去,我明白了,我必须离开那里。”

“您那时候知道您想去哪儿吗?”巴纳萨尔问。

吉尔赛那斯悔恨地笑起来,摇了摇头,“这是把我束缚在那座城市如此之久的唯一原因……长枪战争之后,整整三十年过去。然而我的不安与日俱增,我渴望着……渴望着某个我所失去的人。”

“自然,在克莱恩的其他地方,历史照常流转。我听说我的大哥波修士在西瓦纳斯提,致力于将腐败逐出那片土地,清理战后留下的瓦砾——每一个精灵都知道,那场战争对我们神圣先祖的故地而言是极为残酷的。”

“传言说西瓦纳斯提先王的噩梦成了真。”年轻的精灵卡拉尼亚斯嗫嚅道。

“事实如此。”另一位年长的精灵低语。

“当那个国度的摄政王,孔纳,对腐败束手无策之时,波修士赶到了。他带领西瓦纳斯提在他们自己的国土上获得了胜利。”卡拉尼亚斯显摆着自己的精灵史知识,其余的听众点着头默默同意。

“作为对此的报酬,”巴拉萨尔恨恨地说,“孔纳把他逮捕,扔进牢房,判处死刑。我知道这件事,因为我曾与那些本可以从西瓦纳斯提救出他的人们并肩飞行……但即使在那种境况下,吾王仍然在想方设法避免两大精灵王国间发生战争。”

“是的。但在我决定启程去看望大哥的时候,我对这一切还全然不知情。我只是期待着看到他所复苏的神圣王国,期待着从他口中听到其他的家人过得怎么样。我离开卡拉曼,怀着一种自由感,甚至是兴奋。我走海路去到圣克仙,然后改换陆路,一直抵达西瓦纳斯提的边境。”

“您告诉过您兄长您要来的消息吗?”提出这个问题的是卡拉尼亚斯,他的眼睛睁得大大的,沉浸在对那些高贵行为的想象中。

“没有……我是如此愚蠢,我想给他一个惊喜。当然,如果我和他取得联系,他也许会警告我不要靠近,或者也许我能够帮到他。不过事实上,我还没有在那宁静的林间小道上走上几英里,就被孔纳的手下抓住了。”

“虽然遭到了猛烈的袭击——或者说,正是由于那些袭击——我至今还记得当我步入那精灵王国时那奇妙的感觉:西瓦纳斯提如同一个花园在我身边开展,芬芳的花朵从茂密的枝桠间累累垂落,树木被修剪得如此完美,形成了跨越头顶的拱门,形成了绵延数里的天然顶蓬。我来到一口池塘边——一片宁静的湖泊,如同明镜般倒映着天空的倩影——我在这儿下了马,打算在常绿树郁郁葱葱的浓荫之下享受午后的小睡。

“就在这里,孔纳的手下抓住了我……他们从四面八方跑来,丢出捕网,用棍子打我。在我明白发生了什么事之前,就已经成了他们的阶下囚。”

“他们把您带去了王宫,还是西瓦诺斯特(Silvanost)的某个监狱?”巴纳萨尔诧异道,他所说的是那个国度的首都,世界上最古老的城市之一。

“要是他们这么做就好了……但事实上我被带到了一个地洞里,一个土墙环绕的地牢,我是那里唯一的囚犯。我的看守们都是从孔纳的亲兵中选拔出来的。”“那地方在哪儿?”“直到很久以后我才知道……但我在那里被幽禁了很长时间。似乎足足过了有十二个年头,外面世事变迁。看守们兴高采烈地告诉我我所错过的那些事:波修士在审判他的精灵星(Sinthal-Elish)议会面前遭到羞辱,被逮捕并囚禁在星辰之塔中。”王子的声音绷紧了,“他们嘲笑着这讽刺的事实,夸耀着奎灵纳斯提的两个王子是如何由于让奎灵纳斯提和西瓦纳斯提两个国家再度结为一体的愚蠢盘算,而沦为了西瓦纳斯提的阶下囚。我确信,我所遭受的命运,对外面的世界来说还全然是个秘密……”

“尽管波修士逃了出来。”巴纳萨尔插嘴说。

“是的……半精灵坦尼斯和两只忠诚的狮鹫,把波修士从那座高塔中带出来,送到了安全的地方。我的看守被他的逃脱所激怒——为了泄愤,他们把我打得皮开肉绽——但令那群残酷的家伙幸灾乐祸的是,我的大哥已经离开了,他根本不知道自己把我抛在了这个地方。他们也曾提到阿尔瀚娜,那西瓦纳斯提的法定掌权者,是如何同样被放逐他乡。”

吉尔赛那斯吸了一口气。在那静默的牢笼中,他的精灵听众们全神贯注地倾听着。

“当然,在那之后不久,混沌之战蹂躏了克莱恩——那个炎热的夏天标志着古老诸神的离去,和魔法力量的消失。即使在囚笼里我也遭遇了这个事实,我曾施展一些小小的咒语来让我的监禁生涯变得稍稍可忍受一些——一朵微弱的火光,一小件温暖的斗篷,用于提供干燥的煤——而它们再也无法发挥作用。”

“告诉你们,善良的精灵啊,在那之后的数年间,我觉得自己彻底一无所有。我渴望着故乡,确信自己会死在那个洞里——我再也见不到奎灵纳斯提,再也见不到我那位魂牵梦萦的爱人……”


剧透 -   :
*****
 
The other elves in the cell maintained a respectful silence, obviously aware that Gilthanas was reliving 
memories he did not wish to share. But the prince was conscious of his audience, of the tale he had started to 
tell, and so he drew a deep breath.
"Let me just say that my years in Kalaman went by in a blur... that I was effective there, I even dare to say 
popular. But I wasn't really needed. Nor did I find in the work the kind of usefulness that let me know I was 
doing the right thing. Instead, I grew more and more restless, and as the years turned to decades, I knew that 
I would have to leave."
"Did you know where you wanted to go?" asked Banatharl.
Gilthanas laughed ruefully, shaking his head. "It was only that fact that kept me in the city for as long as I 
remained ... thirty full years after the War of the Lance. But as time passed I became increasingly restless, 
longing for... for someone I had lost.
"History passed in the rest of Krynn, of course. I learned that my brother Porthios was in Silvanesti, working 
hard to drive corruption from that land, to clean the detritus left in the wake of the war—which war, as every elf 
knows, was particularly cruel to that land of our hallowed ancestors."
"It is said that the late Silvanesti king's nightmares became real," whispered the younger elf, Carranias.
"It is said truthfully," whispered another ancient elf.
"And when the realm's own regent, Konnal, failed to conquer the corruption, Porthios arrived. It was he who 
led the Silvanesti to victory in their own realm." Carranias asserted his knowledge of elven history, while the 
other listeners nodded in mute agreement.
"And as reward for his service," Banatharl said bitterly, "Konnal had him arrested, thrown into a prison cell 
and sentenced to death. I know this, for I flew with those who would have rescued him in Silvanesti... but even 
then, our lord took care to see that war was avoided between the two elven nations."
"Aye. But I knew none of this as I decided to visit my brother. I merely wished to see the hallowed kingdom 
he had restored and to learn from him about the lives of the rest of our family. It was with a sense of freedom, 
even exhilaration, that I departed Kalaman. I traveled by sea to Sanction, and then overland until I had reached 
the border of Silvanesti."
"Did you tell your brother you were coming?" This question came from Carranias, whose eyes had widened 
with his imaginings about these royal doings.
"No . . . fool that I was, I wanted to surprise him. Of course, if I had gotten in touch with him, he might have 
warned me away, or I might have been able to help him. As it was, Konnal's agents seized me before I had 
ridden many miles down the peaceful forest trails.
"Despite that bitter assault—or perhaps because of it—I still remember the wondrous sensations of my 
entrance into the elven kingdom: Silvanesti spread like a garden around me, with fragrant blooms drooping 
heavily from lush branches, trees sculpted into such perfection that they formed arches overhead, and a 
natural canopy that extended for miles. I came to a pond—a still pool that reflected the sky with mirrored 
perfection—and here I dismounted to enjoy an afternoon's rest beneath the shade of a lush evergreen.
"And this is where Konnal's agents took me . . . they rushed from all sides, threw nets, and beat me with 
clubs. Before I knew what was happening, they had made me a prisoner."
"Did they take you to the palace or to some prison in Silvanost?" Banatharl wondered, speaking of the 
capital of the realm and one of the oldest cities in the world.
"Would that they had ... but instead I was taken to a mere hole in the ground, a dirt-walled dungeon where 
I was the only prisoner, and my guards were picked from Konnal's personal agents." "Where was that place?"
"I did not learn until much later ... but I languished there for a long time. It turned out to be a dozen years, 
while so many things passed in the world beyond. My guards geefully related the events I was missing: of 
Porthios shamed before the ruling Sinthal-Elish, of his arrest and imprisonment in the Tower of Stars." The 
prince's voice tightened. "They joked about the irony, boasted of how the two princes of Qualinesti were the 
prisoners of Silvanesti because they foolishly tried to bring the Qualinesti and Silvanesti nations together. My 
own fate, I was assured, remained a secret from the outside world..."
"While Porthios made his escape," Banatharl interjected.
"Aye ... Tanis Half-Elven and two loyal griffins, plucking Porthios from the high tower and bearing him to 
safety. My guards were infuriated by his escape—they beat me bloody in their vexation—but the cruel fellows 
gloated about the fact that my brother had gone away, and he didn't even know that he was leaving me behind. 
They also mentioned how Alhana, the rightful ruler of Silvanesti, had also been exiled."
Gilthanas drew a breath. In the silent prison, his elven listeners remained rapt.
"Of course, it was not long after that the Chaos War wracked Krynn—the summer of heat that marked the 
departure of the old gods, the vanishing of magic. That fact I encountered even in my cell, where the tiny 
incantations I had performed to make my imprisonment more tolerable—a glimmer of flame, a small cloak of 
warmth or coals for drying—all ceased to function.
"I tell you, good elves, that was the beginning of years when I felt utterly bereft. I longed for my homeland 
and convinced myself that I would die in that hole—that I would never see Qualinesti, nor the one I missed 
above all others, again...."
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-11, 周日 10:37:26 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #6 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:13:55 »
索-法伦之丘(The Hill of Sol-Fallon),11sc

钥匙在锁眼里转动的声音比平时更为刺耳,也许是因为这次转动它的人心怀愤怒,也许是怀着某种幸灾乐祸的喜悦。无论那打开牢门的人抱着怎样的情绪吧,吉尔赛那斯知道,这不是平时那位给他送来不新鲜的面包或恶心的炖菜的狱卒。

精灵王子爬起来,站直身子,盯视着远处阴影中的走廊。多年的幽禁苍白了他的肌肤,也无疑削弱了他的肌肉,但丝毫无损于他的精神力。看见打开牢门的那个人的瞬间,他在这精神力的驱使下疯狂地扑了过去——挥舞着拳头野蛮地攻击,发出口齿不清的咒骂。

当然,孔纳并不是孤身赴会。西瓦纳斯提军事总督的两名警卫高举着长棍迎上前来。吉尔赛那斯毫不理会他们,一心想掐孔纳的喉咙。但他只看到他的敌人冷笑的面容。警卫们干脆利落地执行了使命,其中一个一记长棍横扫敲开了他的手,另一个啪地一棍击中这囚徒的天灵盖。这一击把王子打晕了,他踉踉跄跄地倚靠着门扇,然后缓缓滑落到地板上。

“你的兄长从没有表现得如此鲁莽青涩,”这位自封的西瓦纳斯提领导者用温柔而责备的口吻说,“风度优雅如他,即使在接受监禁的时候也保持了全部的尊严。”

“我知道他已经逃脱了!”吉尔赛那斯吼道,为自己的孱弱感到沮丧,试图用咆哮来掩饰脆弱。

“你还相信那个古老的传说?事实上,放他走的是我……他留在这儿对我而言已经毫无价值。或许你也知道,我把他赶回奎灵纳斯提,在那里他被看做一个罪人——一个精灵族的叛徒。在那以后,有传言说他在混沌之战中被杀,我认为这是可信的。”

奎灵纳斯提!仅仅是他故乡的名字,都足以在吉尔赛那斯的心中燃起热望。当他描摹着那浩瀚的林海,祖国首都的水晶塔,那些曾是他的人民的,宁谧优美的精灵们,他需要用全副意志力控制自己不让悲痛通过脸和眼睛流露出来。

“但是如今,”孔纳的口吻既傲慢又幸灾乐祸,“是时候把我们的注意力转向更直接的问题了。跟我来。”

那高傲的西瓦纳斯提精灵转身走出门去。吉尔赛那斯不想跟随他,但哪怕只是离开这逼仄的牢笼几分钟工夫的诱惑,也足以令他克服对那位逮捕者的厌恶。他刻意忽略孔纳,高高地昂起头,通过牢门,走出了土墙环绕的监狱。

一名警卫在前面给他引路,另一个跟在后面。这一支小小的队伍走上楼梯,穿过一扇狭窄的门扉,眼前是一片坡地,头顶着阳光明媚的开阔天空。吉尔赛那斯被这光华照得眼花缭乱,死死地闭上眼睛,这超过感官极限的光亮令他的心智难以承受,头脑几乎停止了运转。与此同时,他又为周围环境的广阔所振奋,鼻孔呼吸着新鲜空气,沉醉在来自树和草,来自新鲜的空气,来自温暖而干爽的微风的芬芳气息之中。

“走啊!”一个警卫粗暴地从背后推了他一把,他把眼睛强撑开一条缝,这样至少能够看见脚边的地面了。他感觉到他们正在爬山,在攀登了差不多一百步之后,眼睛逐渐适应了光亮,他得以睁眼眺望四周。

他和孔纳,和那两名带着长棍的精灵战士一起,登上了一座高高的、圆整的山丘。西瓦纳斯提修葺良好的森林一直延展到遥远的地平线,而这块高地本身却坡度平缓,绿草如茵。他的四周是一些白色的大理石柱,山顶也铺设着同样的雪花石。

“你认得这个地方吗?”孔纳问。

“不认得。”

“我丝毫不惊讶。你们奎灵纳斯提的确是无知的蛮族,对我族引以为豪的宝贵遗产所知甚少。这里是索-法伦之丘。”

“那么这是召开首届精灵星议会的地方了,在这里缔结了精灵族的契约,从而建立了西瓦纳斯提。”吉尔赛那斯展示着自己对精灵史的了解,感到一阵奇妙的快意。

“正是。而你的囚室是向这个山丘下方挖掘的一个小山洞。”

“说不定正合适嘛,由于你的仇恨和偏见,你在这里囚禁了一位来自异国的精灵。你玷污了这个本应神圣的地方,孔纳,这正是你的风格啊。”

西瓦纳斯提的军事总督只是报以笑声:“好好享受你口出狂言的机会吧,‘王子’。这将是你最后一次说这种话的机会——而你也将不会有机会再说什么别的了。”

“你打算杀了我。”吉尔赛那斯指出了事实,他并不感到意外——然而同时也无法接受,一股突如其来的能量涌上心头。他试着思考,描摹着几个逃脱的方案,决心不如此轻易地引颈就戮。

“没错,就在这里,为了纪念我们的祖先西瓦诺斯(Silvanos)与他的同伴们做出的牺牲,是他们给我们留下这样的遗产——”

“这仇恨与盲目的遗产!”奎灵纳斯提的王子猛然打断了他,“是的,我也认为对于你那黑暗的怒火,我的鲜血会是合适的祭品。”

孔纳眯起双眼,一只手伸向腰间的长剑。然后他耸耸肩:“我不能指望一个像你这样的蠢货能理解。”

“为什么选在这个时候杀我?”吉尔赛那斯问,“我已经做了多少年的囚徒……?十年?”

“十二年。许多年前克莱恩经历了一场剧变,虽然你也许不知道这回事。”

事实上,王子的确不知道,除了一件事。就在被俘后不久,他发现自己的魔法能力消失了。那熟悉的施法过程如同一场无米之炊——他的言语和奥术手势没能唤出任何东西。魔法的练习毫无成效,如同婴儿的咿呀学语般可笑。

他不想表现出自己的无知,但他必须做点什么,哪怕只是为了拖延时间:“你所说的剧变是什么?”

“我们的世界迈入了新的时代……一个属于凡人的时代。诸神遗弃了我们,带走了他们的力量,丢下精灵、矮人与人类独自摸索道路。然而另一方面,克莱恩受到了新的威胁……那些混沌生物从内部开始摧毁我们的家园。还有许多传言提到巨龙——那些宏伟的,超出我们此前所有知识的生物——来自克莱恩之外,宣称要占领这个世界。”

“所以你就打算杀了我?”吉尔赛那斯嘲讽地反驳,“我不理解你的逻辑。”

“我留你活口这么多年的唯一原因就是:我认为在未来的某个时刻,你这条命或许会派上用场……换句话说,在奎灵纳斯提强行与我们建立的这段关系中,你是一枚筹码。不过如今——精确地说,是明天起——西瓦纳斯提将不再与奎灵纳斯提有任何关联——是的,西瓦纳斯提将与整个世界隔绝。”

王子好奇得无法自已:“你将如何实现这个目标?”

孔纳笑起来,笑声中蕴含着一丝疯狂。吉尔赛那斯注意到,连那两名警卫都警惕地注视着他们的领袖。

“明天,我们将在我们的土地周围升起一道结界——一道将西瓦纳斯提与世隔绝的魔法屏障。奎灵纳斯提将永远不知道你的下场,因为在结界升起后,他们和其他人一样,永远无法得知我们国度中所发生的一切。”

“你疯了!”吉尔赛那斯反射性地大喊,“切断自身与世间万物的联系?想想你们要付出的代价,想想你们会失去些什么!”

孔纳嗤之以鼻:“我们自给自足。事实上,有许多人觊觎我们的富饶。这道结界将保护我们的财产,从此无人能打扰这片森林中的神圣生活。”

“你的‘森林’不过是一片人工花园!想想吧,你这个蠢货——你们的儿女将在对其他生命的一无所知中成长!”

“他们需要知道的,这里应有尽有,”孔纳吼回去。他的声音蕴含着纯粹的信念,吉尔赛那斯意识到,这名失去理智的精灵竟然真的以为他能够说服眼前的囚徒自己的所作所为是正确的,“我们的艺术水平独步天下,我们知晓我族的真正历史——那段天经地义地统治着克莱恩的历史。而这道结界将确保我们永葆长青。”
 
吉尔赛那斯一边听孔纳说话,一边环顾四周,思索着逃脱的机会。他或许能迅速蹿离孔纳与两名警卫的面前,但他看到更多穿着红色短上衣制服的精灵守卫聚集在山脚下。他对自己在十二年幽禁生涯之后的体力没有信心。或许可以把总督捉为人质,然后利用他屏退警卫……

吉尔赛那斯刚想到这儿,孔纳退后了几步,他的两名随从横在了他和王子之间。他们举起长棍,时刻准备阻止他袭击孔纳。

就在这时,吉尔赛那斯听到横越头顶的振翅声——那是一群荣耀的生物,懒洋洋地在天空滑翔。他抬起头,看见了一打,或是更多的狮鹫,在山顶上方盘旋。这些飞行能手长年来都被作为精灵战士的空中坐骑,一瞬间他开始向往,他们的高速或许能把他带离这里。

“你看,就连狮鹫都在期待你的死亡,”孔纳大笑着宣布,“他们知道我们的结界计划,而且——你也许会感到惊讶——他们完全支持。”

羽翼的阴影复盖了整个山顶,总督双手高举向天,狂喜地呼唤:“来吧,我身披羽毛的伙伴……来观看我敌人的末日!”他夸示地拔出剑,两名警卫向前一步,一左一右包围了吉尔赛那斯。

第一只狮鹫飞过,前爪轻蔑地轻弹,将孔纳掀翻在地,总督惊愕地咒骂着。吉尔赛那斯看见另外两只狮鹫推开了警卫,第四只牢牢抓住了他的肩膀。他感到自己的脚被提离了地面,尽管狮鹫的爪子嵌进皮肉相当疼,他还是大声嘲笑着他曾经的逮捕者。孔纳大幅挥舞着武器,但狮鹫早已身处二十英尺的高空,从山顶翱翔而去。

另一只狮鹫优雅地滑到他的下方,抓着吉尔赛那斯的那只松开了爪子,将精灵丢到那宽厚的背上。他看着那击风的白翼将他带向西方,眺望着身后逐渐远去的索-法伦之丘与四周修葺得如同花园的西瓦纳斯提森林。

“或许,不是你们全部的族民都想生活在西瓦纳斯提的新围墙之内的吧?”王子注视着飞在身边的狮鹫睿智的黄色眼睛轻声说。

那只生物只是点点他的头,飞过广袤的天空,向着古老精灵国度的边境,向着遥远彼方的整个世界飞去。

剧透 -   :
The Hill of Sol-Fallon, 11sc
 
The key turned in the lock with a harsher sound than usual, perhaps because this time it was twisted with 
anger, or perhaps gloating delight. Whatever the emotion of the person who unlocked the door, Gilthanas 
knew that this was not his usual jailor come with his repast of stale bread or vile stew.
Scrambling to his feet, the elven prince stood erect and glared at the shadowed hallway beyond. Years of 
confinement had paled his skin and, no doubt, weakened his muscles, but they had done nothing to break his 
spirit. And when he saw the one who had opened his door, that spirit compelled him into a furious rush—a wild 
attack of swinging fists and inarticulate curses.
Naturally, Konnal had not come alone. The two guards of Silvanesti's military governor stepped forward 
with upraised staffs. Gilthanas paid no heed, desiring only to get his fingers around Konnal's throat. But while 
he saw only the sneering face of his enemy, the guards did their efficient work, one knocking his hands aside 
with a sweep of the pole, the other cracking the prisoner across the skull with a blow that dazed the prince, 
sent him stumbling against the door and then slowly slumping to the floor.
"Your brother never displayed such rash immaturity," said the self-appointed leader of Silvanesti in a tone 
of gentle rebuke. "He had the grace to accept his imprisonment with dignity intact."
"I know that he escaped!" growled Gilthanas, dismayed by his own weakness and trying with bluster to 
cover up his frailty.
"You believe that old tale? In truth, I set him free ... I had no more use for him here. And perhaps you also 
know that I compelled him to return to Qualinesti, where he was treated as an outlaw—a traitor to elvenkind. 
Since then there have been rumors that he was killed during the Chaos War. I choose to believe them."
Qualinesti! Even the name of his homeland brought longing to the heart of Gilthanas. When he pictured the 
broad swaths of forest, the crystalline towers of his nation's capital, and the serene and beautiful elves who 
were his people, he needed all of his willpower not to allow his grief to show in his face and eyes.
"But now," Konnal's tone was lofty, gloating, "it is time to turn our attention to more immediate concerns. 
You will come with me."
The haughty Silvanesti stepped back from the door. Gilthanas didn't want to go with him, but the prospect
of even a few minutes outside the constricting cell was enough to overcome his loathing for the one who had 
imprisoned him. He ignored Konnal and held his head high as he passed through the door, and past the 
dirt-walled jailroom beyond.
One of the guards preceded him and the other followed as the little procession advanced up the stairs and 
through a narrow doorway that emerged onto a sloping field beneath the open, sunlit sky. Gilthanas was 
blinded by the brilliance, squeezing his eyes shut because of the mind-numbing brightness that overloaded his 
senses and threatened to shut down his brain. At the same time, he exhilarated in the vastness of his 
surroundings, by drawing fresh air through his nostrils and delighting in the odors of trees and grass, of fresh 
air and a warm, dry breeze.
"Move!" One of the guards pushed him roughly from behind, and by opening his eyes to slits he could see 
at least the ground beneath his feet. He sensed that they were moving uphill, and by the time they had gone a 
hundred paces, his eyes had become attuned enough that he could open them and look around.
Together with Konnal and the two staff-wielding elven warriors, he stood atop a high, rounded hill. The 
sculpted forests of Silvanesti spread to the far horizons, though the elevation itself was smooth and grassy. 
Around him were several columns of white marble, and the crest was paved in similar alabaster stones.
"Do you recognize this place?" asked Konnal.
"No."
"I'm not surprised. You Qualinesti are indeed ignorant savages, with little knowledge of our race's proud 
heritage. This is the Hill of Sol-Fallon."
"The place where the first Sinthal-Elish met and formed the pact of elves that created Silvanesti." Gilthanas 
felt a perverse pleasure in demonstrating some awareness of elven history.
"Precisely. Your cell is a small cave that has been excavated into the hillside below."
"Perhaps it is fitting that, in your hate and prejudice, you have imprisoned an elf from a different realm here. 
How like you, Konnal, to debase a place that should be hallowed."
The military governor of Silvanesti just laughed. "Enjoy your chances for bluster, 'Prince.' This will be your 
last opportunity to speak such words, or any others."
"You're going to kill me." Gilthanas stated the fact, unsurprised—but also, with a tingle of energy, 
unaccepting. He tried to think, to imagine some means of escape, resolving that his life would not end easily.
"Yes. Right here, in honor of the sacrifices made by our ancestor Silvanos and his fellows, who left us such 
a legacy—"
"Legacy of hatred and blindness!" snapped the prince of Qualinesti. "Yes, I suppose my blood will be a 
fitting offering to your dark furies."
Konnal's eyes narrowed and his hand went to the longsword at his waist. Then he shrugged. "I can't expect 
a fool such as yourself to understand."
"Why kill me now?" Gilthanas asked. "I have been a prisoner for... how long? Ten years?"
"Twelve. They have been years of dramatic changes across Krynn, though you might not know about that."
In truth, the prince didn't, except for one case. Shortly after his capture, he had noticed the failure of his 
magical abilities. It was as though during the familiar ritual of spellcasting he had been trying to drink from an 
empty vessel— his words, his arcane gestures, had called forth nothing at all. The practice of magic might as 
well have been the gibbering discourse of an infant, for all the effect it had produced.
He didn't want to admit his ignorance, yet he had to do something, if only to stall for time. "What are these 
changes of which you speak?"
"Our world has entered a new age ... an Age of Mortals. The gods have abandoned us and taken their 
powers with them, leaving elves and dwarves and humans to make their way on their own. But Krynn is beset 
by new threats, as well... creatures of chaos that would destroy our lands from within. There are stories, too, of 
great dragons—massive creatures, beyond the ken of previous knowledge—who threaten o claim all the 
world from without."
"And so you decided to kill me?" Gilthanas retorted wryly. "I'm not sure I follow your logic."
"The only reason I have kept you alive this long is that I wondered if, at some point in the future, your life 
might be useful to us... a bargaining chip, so to speak, in such interactions as the Qualinesti forced upon us. 
But now, as of tomorrow, to be precise, there will be no interactions between Silvanesti and Qualinesti—or, 
indeed, between Silvanesti and the rest of the world."
The prince was curious in spite of himself. "How are you going to achieve this?"
Konnal laughed, and there was a hint of madness in the sound. Even the two guards, Gilthanas noticed, 
looked warily at their leader.
"Tomorrow we will raise a barrier around our land—a fence of magic that will sever all ties between 
Silvanesti and the rest of the world. The Qualinesti will never learn of your fate, because after the barrier is 
raised neither they, nor anyone else, will know anything that happens within our realm."
"You're insane!" Gilthanas spat out, reacting by reflex. "You would cut yourself off from everything else in 
the world? Think of the cost, of the loss to yourselves!"
Konnal sneered. "We have everything we need. Indeed, we have much that is coveted by others. The 
barrier will see that our possessions remain intact and that none may interfere with the hallowed lives within 
this forest."
"This 'forest' is a tamed garden! Think of it, you fool—all your children will grow up knowing nothing more of 
life!"
"All they need to know they will find right here," Konnal shot back. The pure conviction rang in his voice, and 
Gilthanas was aware that this deranged elf actually thought he might convince his prisoner of the rightness of 
his actions. "We have the world's highest levels of art, and a true sense of our own history—of our own rightful 
dominance in the story of Krynn. And with the barrier, we will ensure that this status remains unchanged and 
secure throughout the rest of time."
As he listened to Konnal, Gilthanas had been looking around, wondering about his chances for escape. He 
might get away from Konnal and these two guards with a quick dash, but he saw more elves in the red tunics 
of House Protector gathered in knots about the base of the hill. And he had no illusions about his stamina after 
twelve years of languishing in prison. Perhaps he could take the governor hostage, use him to compel the 
guards to stay back....
Even as Gilthanas had the thought, Konnal stepped back and his two attendants moved to block the 
prince's path. Staffs raised, they stood ready to prevent him from attacking Konnal.
It was then that Gilthanas caught the first glimpse of wings overhead—of proud creatures gliding lazily 
through the skies. He looked up to see griffins, a dozen or more of them, circling over the top of the hill. The 
mighty fliers had long served as aerial mounts for elven warriors, and for just a moment he longed for the 
speed that might carry him away.
"You see that even the griffins await your execution," Konnal declared with a laugh. "They know of our 
plans for the barrier, and you might be surprised to learn that they fully support it."
The shadow of wings grew broader across the hilltop, and the governor raised his arms to the sky, crying 
out in glee. "Come, my feathered allies . . . watch the demise of our enemy!" With a flourish he drew his sword, 
while the two guards advanced to flank Gilthanas.
The first griffin flew over, and with a contemptuous flick of his taloned foreclaws, it knocked Konnal to the 
ground, drawing a startled oath. Gilthanas saw that two more had pushed the guards away, while another 
grasped his shoulders firmly. He felt his feet rise from the ground, and though the claws supporting him 
pressed painfully into his skin, he laughed aloud at the fury on his former captor's face. Konnal brandished his 
weapon wildly, but already the griffins were twenty feet overhead, gliding away from the hilltop.
Another of he graceful fliers glided underneath him, and the griffin supporting Gilthanas let go, dropping 
the elf onto the broad back. He looked at the white-feathered wings stroking the air, carrying him westward, 
and watched as the Hill of Sol-Fallon and the gardened forest of Silvanesti surrounding it receded below.
"Perhaps not all of your clan wants to stay within the new fence of Silvanesti?" the prince murmured, 
looking into the wise, yellow eye of griffin flying beside him.
The creature merely nodded his head, and then the flight spread through the skies, angling toward the 
border of the ancient elven realm, and to all the world beyond.
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-11, 周日 10:40:33 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #7 于: 2013-07-15, 周一 21:14:32 »
心灵之影:无踪之城(The Missing City),11sc

她的名字叫玛拉(Mala)——呃,我是说,我管她叫玛拉。她从未纠正我,因此我猜这对她来说不是个困扰。不过我觉得事实上我无论做什么都不会——哪怕轻微地——困扰到她。每天早晨我都跟玛拉一起走到那口井边,看她为她的家人汲水。我们从未交谈。我不大确定她是否知晓我的存在——我总是走在她身后几码远的地方,偶尔跑到前面,看她从我面前走过。只要她在身旁,我就心情舒畅。

我平生从未见过如此美丽的女子。不仅指外在的美貌(虽然也的确未曾有第二个女子的浅笑令我如此心痛);她的心灵也和她的面容一样美。因为放不下她的双亲,玛拉已经拒绝了许多人的追求。

她的姐姐们有时会乘着丈夫的马车来访;仆人们赶着马车从花园区驶来。她们带来奢侈品,比如西瓦纳斯提的水果,在衰老的双亲面前撒娇承欢,但她们从没有在家中做过一点儿实事。在暮色降临之前(通常是之前很长时间),她们就爬上马车驶回自己的豪宅,撇下破旧的屋子,正如她们当年逃离这里去嫁给了富商们一样。她们把所有家务全丢给玛拉,玛拉在寒冷的长夜陪伴被关节痛折磨的母亲,还要帮着父亲做几乎所有的事——脑疾使得这位可怜的老人无法行走也无法照顾自己(尽管在他性急的时候训斥起玛拉还是相当利索)。

生活就这样遗忘了玛拉。她未来的时光不会有任何改变,只是日复一日重复着同样的琐事,直到这些工作压弯她的脊背,忧伤在她脸上刻下皱纹。有朝一日当她在清晨醒来,会发现自己几乎在一夜之间从风华正茂的青春少女变成了值得尊敬的老处女。她的青春将会消逝,她的美貌也一样。

但她还有我。我永远都在她身边。

问题是,她永远不会知道。

每天早晨我跟着她走上去井边的道路的时候我都这么想。我们活在两个不同的世界。我们之间没有未来。我心中充斥着的激情,我对玛拉的爱,将不可能越过那将我们分隔开的鸿沟——它太过广阔。我只能行走在她世界的边缘,享受着注视她,与她默默分享每一个日夜的喜乐。

你或许觉得这样的想法会令我性格灰暗,将我引向绝望。但玛拉正露出闪烁着希望之光的笑颜,如同之前每一次一样,拂去我心底所有的悲伤。她在想什么?她往井边走的时候为什么快乐得哼起歌来?一定发生了什么。在我上一次看见她——也就是我昨天晚上吹灭我的蜡烛前——之后,一定有某些事发生了——她听到了什么消息,或是来了一个亲戚。玛拉充满希望,而我为此神思恍惚。

就在我们转过拐角的时候,玛拉加快了步伐。她步履轻盈地跳向水边,而我骤然刹住了脚步。井栏下面躺着个什么东西。一开始它看起来就像一包破布,但紧接着我注意到了一只手一缕头发。

这是个人!

玛拉走过倒卧的人身旁,正如她从未注意到我一样。当她把吊桶放进井里的时候,我跑向那具躯体。他从哪里来?他是谁?也许是一位来自港口的军团兵(Legionnaires)?或是一名昨晚靠岸的贸易船上的水手?那些船员喝多了朗姆酒,简直会在睡倒之前就迷路拐到冰墙(Icewall)去。这一位只来得及走到这里还算幸运。

然而,当我走近那具身躯,我发现他并不是一名烂醉的船员。他的衣裳过于破旧,皮肤过于白皙(尽管他被严重晒伤)。我给那陌生人翻了个身,他遮盖了面容的头发垂落下来,露出细致的容貌和修长尖细的耳朵。一位精灵!

在这几个星期里,我们见过一些路过的精灵,由于军事总督孔纳声称所有忠诚的西瓦纳斯提精灵都必须回到他们的故土,我们所看见的精灵都是在匆匆返回森林的路上(虽然我听说,即使他们也无法通过精灵国度周围那道不可见的结界)。这位精灵看起来似乎独自在没有携带补给的情况下穿越了沙漠。我只能猜测他或许来自西瓦纳斯提,由于某种原因在那道屏障升起前离开那里逃进沙海。事实上那并不是特别远,但没有合适的衣物与足量的水,这仍然会是一趟死亡之旅。我察看那位精灵,发现他毫无疑问仍在人世,这时玛拉收回了她装满的吊桶,双手紧握着桶把手,把它从井上提下来。她无视精灵的苦楚与我的救援工作,转过拐角,径直走回她的家——这真是个好主意。

我无法就地帮助这位精灵。我必须把他带离烈日的曝晒,找一名治疗师来护理他的伤。我要把他安置在玛拉家里。在我去港口的那段时间,他待在那儿会很安全。法莱乌斯•塔尼克(Falaius Taneek)和他的军团一直想方设法帮助他人。而我真想不出有谁比这个可怜虫更需要帮助的了。


剧透 -   :
Shadow of the Mind: The Missing City, 11sc
 
Her name is Mala—well, that's what I call her, anyway. She's never corrected me, so I guess it doesn't 
bother her. But then nothing I do seems to bother her in the slightest. I walk with Mala to the well every morning 
as she fetches water for her family. We never talk. I'm not even sure she knows I'm there—I usually stay a few 
yards behind her, or I run ahead and just watch her pass by. It's a comfort just to be near her.
I've never seen such a beautiful woman in all my life. Not just physical beauty either (though I've never met 
anyone else whose merest smile caused my heart to ache); her spirit is just as beautiful as her face. Mala has 
rejected a handful of suitors because she can't leave her parents all alone.
Sometimes her sisters come to visit in their husbands' carriages; servants drive them down from the 
Garden District. They bring extravagances like fruit from Silvanesti, and they coddle and fawn over their aging 
parents, but they never do any real work around the house. And before night falls (usually long before), they 
climb into their carriages and ride back to their mansions, leaving behind the squalid home they escaped by 
finding rich merchants to marry. They leave Mala to do all the chores, to sit up with their mother when the cold 
night makes her joints ache, and to help their father do nearly everything—a brain seizure has left the poor old 
man unable to walk or take care of himself (though he's still quite practiced at berating Mala when he doesn't 
get his way quickly enough).
So life just passes Mala by. Her future days will be nothing but the same routine of chores until the work 
bends her back and the worry wrinkles her face. She'll wake up one morning to find herself transformed from a 
fair maiden to a venerable spinster virtually overnight. Her youth will disappear. Her looks will disappear, too. 
But she will still have me. Mala always will have me.
The trouble is, she'll never know.
I think about this as I follow her on the morning trip to the well. We live in two different worlds. There is no 
future for us, no hope that the passion in my heart, my love for Mala, will overcome the boundaries that keep us 
apart—they are too great. I can only walk along in the periphery of her world and take what joy I can from 
watching her and silently sharing her days and nights.
You'd think such thoughts would sour my disposition and lead me to despair. But Mala is smiling that 
hopeful grin she sometimes gets, and that wipes away all the sadness from my heart. What is she thinking? 
What makes her hum happily as she walks to the well? Something has happened. In the time between now 
and when I last saw her, just before I blew out my candle last night, something has occurred—some news has 
been delivered, or a revelation has been reached. Mala has hope, and I am delirious.
As we round the corner, Mala's gait speeds up. She fairly skips to the water, but I come to a dead stop. 
There's something lying at the foot of the well. At first it seems to be a bundle of rags, but then I notice a hand 
and a strand of hair.
It's a person!
Mala walks right by, taking as little notice of the prone form as she does me. While she lowers her bucket 
into the well, I run up to the body. Where did it come from? Who is it? Perhaps one of the Legionnaires from the 
port? Or a seaman frm that trading ship that put in last night? Put enough rum in one of those sailors and he'll 
wander halfway to Icewall before passing out. This one is lucky to have staggered only this far.
As I near the body, though, I realize this is no sailor sleeping off too much drink. His clothes are too 
threadbare, his skin too fair (though he's severely sunburned). Rolling him over, the stranger's hair falls away 
from his face revealing finely chiseled features and slender tapering ears. An elf!
We've seen a few elves passing in the weeks since Military Governor Konnal sent word that all loyal 
Silvanesti elves should return to their homeland, and the ones we have seen were all headed toward the forest 
as quickly as possible (though I hear that even they can't get through the invisible barrier that's gone up around 
the elf lands). This one looks like he's crossed the desert alone and unsupplied. I can only guess that he's 
coming from Silvanesti, that he somehow got out before the shield was raised and fled across the sands. It's 
not terribly far, but without the proper clothing and a sufficient supply of water, the trip still can be deadly.
While I check to see that the elf is indeed still among the living, Mala retrieves her full bucket, grips the 
handle with both hands, and carries it off. Completely oblivious to the elf's plight or my ministrations, she 
rounds the corner, heading for her house—a good idea.
There is nothing I can do for the elf here. I have to get him out of the sun and find a healer to tend to his 
wounds. I'll leave him at Mala's house. He'll be safe there while I go down to the port. Falaius Taneek and his 
Legionnaires are always looking for ways to help folks. I can't think of anyone who needs help more than this 
poor fellow.
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-14, 周三 22:39:04 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

离线 茶白猫小修

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #8 于: 2013-07-16, 周二 00:59:55 »
*****
 
治疗师说得对,在几天的休息和大量清水的滋养后,这名精灵看起来好多了。他仍然没有苏醒——呃,没有完全苏醒。有几次他睁开眼睛,在幻梦中咕哝着各种各样的疯话。他说了很多关于“那场战争”(不过因为精灵的漫长寿命,我不大确定他说的是哪一场)和银龙们的事,甚至有一次他直勾勾地盯着我,管我叫“坦尼斯”。我确信,等他醒了,他一定有许多有趣的故事要讲。

但是等等——他的眼皮动了起来。我想我的客人终于恢复了意识。是的,没错,我知道这次他不是在做白日梦。他揉着眼,直到世界在他眼前再度聚焦。看啊,他环视着这间屋子,不确定自己身在何处,甚至不确信这一切是否只是一个梦。我最好别再呆坐在这阴影里,得去对他说点什么,可是待在这儿我能够最大限度地确认他的意图。这年头,必须得小心再小心。

精灵站起身,缓慢地穿过房间,带着毫不掩饰的惊讶注视着每一件物品。显然他甚至完全不明白自己身在哪个城市。他伸出手去,那只手笔直地穿过了摆在房间中央的椅子。

这太残酷了。我不该这样折磨他。但看着他试图解开谜底还挺有趣的。他是个幽魂吗?为何碰不到那把椅子?他是个富有教养、训练有素的精灵。尽管身处这样一个独特的(用某些人的话来说,不自然的)环境之中,他并不慌张。反之,他开始尝试着解释自己所看到的这一切。再稍微观察一会儿,然后我就——不!玛拉走进了房间,脸上仍然洋溢着充满希望的笑容。

精灵看见了她。“这究竟是个什么样的地方?”他问,伸手抓向她的肩。于是他的手,再是他的手臂,最后是他的全身,径直穿过了她。她继续做着自己的事儿,一丝一毫也没有注意到他的存在。

“她看不见你。”我在角落里说,最后,我还是从阴影中走到了烛光下。

“我……我死了吗?”精灵问。

“没有。”我笑了,“也许这是你的下一个问题,不过,玛拉也没有死。她只是身在别处。别问我这是为什么。这是这个盖-查-卡拉斯(Gal Tra'kalas)的自然现象。试着去习惯吧。”

在玛拉抱着一大叠浴巾忙忙碌碌地走出房间的时候,他一直瞪视着她,完全被自己看到的事实震惊了。

玛拉是如此生机勃勃,如此美丽,但在她穿过我们之间时,他仍然能透过她的身体看见我;她看起来比幻影更真实,却不完全属于这个世界。

“盖-查-卡拉斯?无踪之城!我怎么会在这儿?”

“如果你不知道,我想任何人都不可能知道了,朋友。”我试着安抚他。置身盖-查-卡拉斯的头几个小时相当令人迷惘,“坐。这床是真实的,我向你保证。过去几天里你在它上面睡得呼呼的。”

“那么,这是你的家?”精灵试着装得漫不经心,但他显然还是对自己的所见感到迷惑,多少有点心烦意乱。

“是的,我的家。不过同时也是她的家。这有点难以解释。”

一阵敲门声打破了这一尴尬的时刻。精灵转向我,似乎在问这敲门声是真是幻。

“是找我的——准确说,是找你的。”我站起身来走向前厅的大门,“你听不到玛拉那个世界传来的声音。”

我打开门,男人的巨大身躯几乎填满了门框。他就是法莱乌斯•塔尼克,史钢军团(Legion of Steel)本地组织的成员。他们维护港口,管理无踪之城(虽然盖-查-卡拉斯发生的幽灵现象与他们无关)。那位治疗师在完成了对精灵的救治之后告诉我,等这名精灵能够起床走动的时候,法莱乌斯打算向他核实一些事情。显然法莱乌斯无愧于他的名声,他总是在正确的时间出现在正确的地点。也可能,是因为那位治疗师对休养疗效的判断有着不寻常的天赋吧。

“日安,阿曼•道恩(Aman Daun)。”法莱乌斯以他一贯简练的礼节低沉地说。身为一个蛮子,他意外地彬彬有礼,自然,他的多礼从未奏效过。他似乎永远在控制自己的声线让它听上去更加礼貌,而最终,这只是进一步增强了他的压迫感(对于一个胳膊比最大的橡树还粗的男人来说实在太难了),“你的客人感觉好点了吗?”

“好多了。”我答道,做了个请的手势,把这名军团兵领进屋。我总感觉必须以自己对“温文儒雅”这个词最好的诠释来回应他那僵硬的礼仪,“事实上,他刚刚才醒过来不久。玛拉把他吓得不轻,我正在试图解释这个状况。”

“你不需要解释。”精灵恢复了他的睿智,走到门口迎接我们。我硬充的温雅在他的一举手一投足面前无所遁形——这名精灵一定习于与王者们结伴同行,“我听过盖-查-卡拉斯的传说。这座城市在第一次大灾变中被摧毁,但不知为何鬼影幢幢。建筑的幻象从废墟中拔地而起,受到生命那不自然的嘲弄的幽魂们在街道上游走如昔。”

啊,我忘了精灵们对不死生物是那么的深恶痛绝。当然,这些文化习俗与生命如此紧密相连的人民,自然会产生这样的情感。无法安眠的精魂会弄污它们染指的一切区域,从最青翠的地方吸取美和生机。

“你所知的传说不够完整,我的朋友。”我说,试图说服精灵放宽心。

“是的,”法莱乌斯用他令人镇静的低沉音调补充道,“盖-查-卡拉斯的人民也许鬼气森森,但他们并不是幽魂。没有任何一位路过这里的学者、秘术师或是贤者能够告诉我他们究竟是什么,但他们很显然不是不死的妖物。”

“胡说!我早就告诉过你无数遍了,他们是什么——以及他们是谁。”随着对话的进行我几乎失却了冷静。大家都不愿意相信事情的真相。

“是的阿曼,你有告诉过我。但是你得原谅我脑子太不灵光了,看不清真相,我只是个单纯的战士。魔法世界的运作机理让我一头雾水。”法莱乌斯试图安抚我。他并没有真正接受真相,只是为了我在假装相信。我想他认为我濒临疯癫的边缘,因此还是迁就我的那些“妄想”为好。

就在这时,玛拉抱着一大叠折得整整齐齐的衬衫,大步流星地(穿过法莱乌斯和精灵的身体)走过房间。她在干什么?也许她打算把旧衣服捐给慈善机构。这确实是她的行事风格。他们家不过勉强能揭得开锅,但她仍然希望帮助那些有需要的人。

“我得说,我对魔法有少许了解,但光是今天看见的这一点点,就已经超出了我的理解范畴。”精灵再度用手穿过一件家具,然后摇摇头苦笑着说。

“是的。”法莱乌斯利用这个词清了清嗓子。他可不打算在闲谈上多费工夫,“请原谅我的无礼,朋友,但既然你已经在阿曼的看护下恢复了健康,我有几个问题要问你,大部分是关于你是什么人,以及你是如何来到这座无踪之城的。”

“理应如此。我的名字是吉尔赛那斯•索拉斯特伦,很乐意为您效劳。”他一面说着,一面深深地鞠了个躬,随之而来的一阵晕眩几乎让他虚脱软瘫在我们脚边。“如果不是太麻烦的话,”他恢复平静之后说,“我们能否到另一个房间里去谈?我感觉我还没有完全从那段严苛的考验中恢复过来。”

我们回到卧室,吉尔赛那斯坐到一张帆布床的角上——在首先确认了朦胧的床单与毛毯下的确有个坚实的东西之后。除了间或袭来的一阵疲乏,他看上去挺好的。法莱乌斯盘腿坐在墙根,他左侧的肩膀和膝盖淹没在一只梳妆台的幻影中,我回到我所习惯的阴暗墙角。

吉尔赛那斯讲着他的故事,那充满了与长枪英雄的身份相称的阴谋和冒险的故事。这段时间里,玛拉继续在房屋里四下穿梭,把她家的各种杂物打包装进布包、麻袋,还有一个小小的箱子。我发现自己的注意力渐渐从吉尔赛那斯的故事上偏移开去,最后彻底消散。她在做什么?

终于,当吉尔赛那斯开始讲述他逃离必死命运的痛苦旅程,玛拉走了进来,掀走他坐的那张床上的被褥(他和法莱乌斯都觉得那些玩意儿挺烦人的)。然而,她没有如从前每周所做的那样换上新的亚麻床单。她只是把被褥卷成一堆,抱到另一个房间去,看到这一幕,我的忍耐到了极限。精灵正讲到他痛苦而仓促的沙漠飞行之旅,但我把他抛在脑后,跟着玛拉冲进大屋。

这个家庭的全部财产都打好了包,堆放在门口。玛拉的母亲给装着她为数不多的几件首饰的手巾包打了个结,然后把它像腰带一样系在腰间。她父亲坐在一只桶上,那张熟悉的阴沉面孔也不像平时那么严厉了。与此同时,玛拉跑上跑下地确认每件行李都封严实了。她的双唇片刻不停,显然是在为这一切高兴得滔滔不绝——不管那是什么事吧。他们很明显是正要去某个地方,但那是什么地方呢?这不像是一趟短途旅行——他们带走了所有能带的东西。

他们一定是在搬家!

也许玛拉的某个姐姐最终决定把她们的双亲接到她丈夫的豪宅去住。更可能的是,丈夫觉得让他的妻子频繁造访这小镇贫民区太过丢脸,为姻亲们支付了搬迁的费用。他们终将得到应得的照顾和关怀。我想,玛拉的辛勤劳动终于有了回报。

但玛拉会和他们一起走吗?显然她的任何一个姐姐都不会想独力照顾她们的双亲。她们会带走玛拉,让她继续做他们的保姆。

我把自己的小屋分毫不差地建在她家的土地上,是为了让我们能更接近彼此,然后,玛拉就要离开我了吗?的确,无论她住在盖-查-卡拉斯的哪个角落,我都能去看望她,但我要花费数月,乃至数年的时间来重建自己的房屋。想想吧,那造价该多么昂贵啊,因为她的新房一定比现在的要宽绰得多。

但如果在无踪之城的那一处,已经有另一个人建立了自己的房屋呢?要知道花园区那边是最受商人与军团官员欢迎的居住地之一。如果那个姐姐的房子已经被那个臭气熏天的库尔族(Khurrish)捕兽人占领了该怎么办?或是更糟,占领她家的是那个头发灰白的军团斥候?那个好色的老痞子会把观看玛拉洗澡当做打发时间的消遣,或是拿她步履蹒跚地在家中行走的母亲做练习瞄准的标靶!我不能容忍这种事发生!

无论现在住在那儿的是谁,都必须给我搬出去。在整个盖-查-卡拉斯有那么多尚未重建的房子呢。我自己来帮他们盖,可是玛拉必须和我在一起!我无法忍受我们的分离。

看啊,她如此欢快地四处穿梭,完全没有意识到这为我带来的痛苦。噢,玛拉,哪怕我能和你交谈呢。哪怕你能告诉我究竟发生了什么。然而等一下!她从她的围裙口袋里掏出了一张纸,把它打开了。读着它,她的面颊上闪耀着喜乐和期待。它上面写了些什么?

我跑过去,从她的肩头上偷看,但她跳着舞,从大屋一直跳到了厨房里。我跟过去,发现厨房太暗了,根本没法辨认那些文字,但玛拉没有丢下那张纸,即使在黑暗中她仍然凝视着它。那些文字是如此令人喜悦,哪怕闭着眼她也能读出来。

那张纸上写了些什么?它看上去像一封信。她姐姐何必写信来告诉她这个消息?也许他们并不是搬去玛拉的姐姐那儿。可是他们还能搬去哪里?玛拉为什么这么开心?

她回到卧室,我寸步不离地跟着她。吉尔赛那斯的故事正接近尾声。他正在回忆在沙漠中旅行一整个昼夜后看到这城市的情景。

“在西瓦纳斯提的监狱里经历了如此漫长的岁月之后,穿越沙漠的旅程几乎要了我的命。当我看到那口井的时候,我已经渴得神志不清了。井水就在我眼前,我甚至看到有人在喝水,但我发现那全都是一场虚无的幻梦,那一刻我失去了知觉。等我清醒过来……”

吉尔赛那斯的声音戛然而止,因为我匆匆忙忙地从他面前跑过,冲向梳妆台。为了把另一堆毛巾拢到一起,玛拉放下了那张纸。现在我能看到了……


剧透 -   :
*****
 
The healer was right, after a few days of rest and lots of water, the elf is looking much better. He still hasn't 
awakened—well, not fully. He's opened his eyes a few times and mumbled all sorts of crazy things in his sleep. 
He's talked quite a bit about "the war" (though with the long lives that elves lead, I can't really be sure which 
war he's talking about) and silver dragons, and he even looked me square in the eye and called me "Tanis." I'm 
sure that when he wakes up, he'll have some interesting tales to tell.
But wait—his eyelids are fluttering. I think my guest is finally conscious. Yes. Yes, I can see this is no 
waking dream he's having. He rubs his eyes as the world swims into focus. Look at him, gazing around the 
room unsure of where he is, not even certain whether or not this is a dream. I should speak to him instead of 
sitting back in the shadows, but this is the best way to determine his intentions. You can't be too careful these 
days.
The elf stands and walks slowly across the room, staring at everything with undisguised wonder. He clearly 
doesn't even know what city he's in. Reaching out, his hand passes straight through the chair standing in the 
middle of the room.
This is cruel. I shouldn't torture him so. But it is fascinating to watch him try to puzzle it out. Is he a ghost? 
Why can't he touch the chair? He's an educated and well-trained one, this elf. Despite the peculiar (some 
would say unnatural) surroundings, he doesn't panic. Instead, he tries to think of an explanation for the 
phenomenon he sees. I'll just watch another moment before I—no! Mala enters the room, that same hopeful 
smile on her face.
The elf sees her. "What manner of place is this?" he asks and reaches out to grab her shoulders. First his 
hands, then arms, and finally the whole of his body passes straight through her. And she goes about her 
business, taking no notice of him in the least.
"She cannot see you," I say from the corner, finally stepping out of the shadows and into the candlelight.
"Am... am I dead?" the elf asks.
"No." I laugh. "And before you ask, neither is Mala. She's just somewhere else. Don't ask me to explain it. 
That's simply how things are here in Gal Tra'kalas. Get used to it."
He stares atala as she bustles out of the room with an armful of towels, clearly amazed at what he sees. 
She's full of life and beauty, but as Mala passes between us, he still can see me through her body; she's more 
real than a phantom, but not fully of this world.
"Gal Tra'kalas? The Missing City! How did I get here?"
"If you don't know, then I'm not sure anyone does, friend." I try to calm him. The first few hours in Gal 
Tra'kalas can be very disorienting. "Sit down. The bed is quite real, I assure you. You slept soundly on it these 
past few days."
"This is your home, then?" The elf tries to act casual, but he's obviously still disoriented and more than a 
little distracted by what he sees.
"Yes, mine. But hers as well. It's a little difficult to explain."
A knock on the front door breaks the awkward moment. The elf turns to me as if to ask if that's a real knock 
or a phantom one.
"That's for me—or more likely for you." I get up and move to the door in the front room. "You can't hear 
anything that goes on in Mala's world."
When I open the door, the frame is filled with a giant of a man. This is Falaius Taneek, leader of the local 
Legion of Steel cell. They maintain the port and govern the Missing City (though they have no influence on the 
spectral happenings in Gal Tra'kalas). After the healer finished with the elf, he told me Falaius likely would 
check on things when the elf was up and around. Apparently Falaius deserves his reputation for always being 
in the right place at the right time. Either that or the healer has an uncommon gift for judging recuperative 
powers.
"Good day, Aman Daun" Falaius rumbles with his usual terse formality. For a barbarian, he's terribly 
well-mannered, but it never comes off naturally; he always seems to be forcing civility into his voice, and, in the 
end, it makes him seem all the more imposing (quite a trick for a man whose shoulders spread wider than the 
broadest oak tree). "Is your house guest feeling better?"
"Very much so," I answer and invite the Legionnaire into my home with a flourish of my arm. I always feel 
the need to respond to his stiff courtesy with my best interpretation of courtly grace. "In fact, he just awakened. 
Mala put quite a scare into him, and I've been trying to explain the situation."
"No explanation is necessary." The elf has gathered his wits and comes to meet us at the door. My sham of 
courtly behavior is evident by his every move—this elf is used to moving in the company of kings. "I know the 
tale of Gal Tra'kalas. The city was destroyed in the first Cataclysm, yet somehow clung to spectral life. 
Phantom buildings rose from the rubble, and ghosts continued walk its streets in an unnatural mockery of life."
Ah, I forgot how deeply elves detest the undead. Of course, such feelings are only natural for a people 
whose culture is so closely tied to life. Restless spirits foul any area they touch, leaching the beauty and life 
from the most verdant site.
"You do not know the tale well enough, my friend" I say, trying to put the elf at ease.
"True," adds Falaius in his soothingly deep voice. "The people of Gal Tra'kalas may be ghostly, but they are 
not ghosts. None of the scholars, mystics, or sages who've passed this way can tell me what they are, but they 
are clearly not undead monsters."
"Bah! I've told you time and again what they are—who they are." I always lose my patience when we have 
this conversation. No one wants to believe the truth of the matter.
"Yes, Aman, you have. Forgive me for being so thick-headed that I cannot see the truth, but I am just a 
simple warrior. The workings of the magical world confuse me." Falaius tries to placate me. He doesn't really 
accept the truth, but for my sake, he pretends. I believe he thinks I'm on the brink of madness and it's best to 
humor my "delusions."
Just then, Mala strides through the room (and through both Falaius's and the elf's bodies) carrying a bundle 
of neatly folded shirts. What's she doing? Perhaps she's going to donate old clothing to the poo. That would 
be just like her. They barely can afford to put food on the table, yet she still wants to give to the needy.
"I must say, I know some small bit about magic, but even the little I've seen today is beyond my ken." The elf 
again passes his hand through a piece of furniture, then shakes his head wryly.
"Yes." Falaius uses the word to clear his throat. He's not one to waste time in idle conversation. "Forgive my 
lack of manners, friend, but now that Aman has brought you back to health, I have some questions that need 
answering, most of them concerning who you are and how you arrived in the Missing City."
"Of course. My name is Gilthanas Solostaran, and I am at your service." With this, he bows deeply and is 
overcome by a wave of dizziness, nearly collapsing in a heap at our feet. "If it is not too much of an imposition," 
he asks after regaining his composure, "may we continue in the other room? I believe I have not yet recovered 
fully from my ordeal."
We return to the bedroom where Gilthanas sits on the corner of the cot—only after making sure there truly 
was a solid object under the hazy blanket and sheets. Apart from occasional bouts of fatigue, he seems to be 
fine. Falaius sits cross-legged against the wall, his left shoulder and knee swallowed up by a phantom dressing 
table, and I return to my accustomed spot in the dark corner.
As Gilthanas tells his tale, filled with intrigue and adventure befitting a Hero of the Lance, Mala continues to 
flit around the house bundling more and more of her family's worldly goods into towels, sacks, and even a 
small crate. I find that my attention to Gilthanas's story wavers, then disappears entirely. What is she up to?
Finally, while Gilthanas describes a harrowing escape from certain death, Mala enters and strips the bed on 
which he sits (something both he and Falaius find particularly distracting). However, she doesn't lay fresh 
sheets on the bed, as she does every week when changing the linen. When she merely gathers up the 
bedding and carries it into the other room, I can take no more. I leave behind the elf's account of a harrowing, 
headlong flight into the desert and follow Mala into the main room.
Practically everything the family owns is packed and stacked near the doorway. Mala's mother ties a knot in 
a towel containing the few pieces of jewelry she owns, then cinches the towel around her waist like a belt Her 
father sits on a barrel, his familiar scowl much less severe than usual. Meanwhile, Mala runs about making 
sure that all the packages are sealed tight. Her lips never rest all the while; she obviously is bubbling happily 
about the reason for all this activity—whatever that is. Obviously, they are going somewhere, but where? This 
is more than a short excursion— they're taking everything they can carry.
They must be moving!
Perhaps one of Mala's sisters finally has offered to bring their parents to live in her husband's mansion. 
More likely, the husband has decided that it is too embarrassing to have his wife visit this dilapidated section of 
town and so has paid for his in-laws to relocate. They'll finally get the comfort and care that they deserve. I 
knew Mala's hard work would be rewarded.
But will Mala move with them? Surely neither of her sisters would want to have to tend the parents herself. 
They will have to bring Mala with them to continue to act as their care-taker.
After I built my home literally within hers, just so that we can be close to one another, is Mala going to leave 
me? Certainly, I can visit her wherever in Gal Tra'kalas she goes, but it will take me months, possibly even 
years to rebuild. And just think how expensive it will be, since the new home is sure to be much more opulent 
that this one.
But what if someone else already has built a home in that part of the Missing City? The Garden District is 
one of the most popular locales for merchants and Legion officers to live. What if the sister's home already has 
been claimed by that foul-smelling Khurrish trapper? Ororse, that gray-haired Legion scout? That lecherous 
old ruffian will spend his idle time watching Mala bathe, or taking target practice at her mother hobbling around 
the house! I will not stand for such things!
Whoever lives there now simply will have to move. There are plenty of Gal Tra'kalan homes that have not 
yet been reconstructed. I'll do the work for them myself, but Mala and I must stay together! I cannot bear for us 
to be apart.
Look at her. Flitting around so happily, completely unaware of the agony this causes me. Oh, Mala, if only 
I could talk to you. If only you could tell me what's happening. But wait! She takes a piece of paper out of her 
apron pocket and opens it up. As she reads it, her face flushes with joy and anticipation. What does it say?
I rush to look over her shoulder, but she dances out of the room and into the kitchen. Following her, I find 
that it's too dark to read anything in there, but Mala doesn't put the paper away; she gazes at it even in the dark. 
The words are so joyous, she can read them with her eyes closed.
What could be on that paper? It looked like a letter. Why would her sister send a letter with the news? 
Perhaps they aren't moving in with one of Mala's sisters. But why else would they be moving? And why would 
Mala be so happy?
I follow close on her heels as she goes back into the bedroom where Gilthanas's story is reaching its 
conclusion. He recalls seeing the city after a day and night in the desert.
"After so long in a Silvanesti prison, the crossing nearly killed me. I was half-crazed with thirst when I saw 
that well. And when I could see the water, even watch people drink it, but found that it was all ephemeral as a 
dream, I fell unconscious. The next thing I knew ..."
Gilthanas's voice trails off as I rush hurriedly past him over to the dresser. Mala laid the paper down in order 
to gather another bundle of towels. Now I can read ...
« 上次编辑: 2013-08-14, 周三 22:41:39 由 茶白猫小修 »

吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗 The Odyssey of Gilthanas [Appendix]

吟游诗人,历史,命运,文艺,音乐之神维纳sama,新的传说也请多多关照♪~

骰神牧师的布道
1.骰品守恒,神会为祂眷顾者关闭多余的门,让20与1出现在适当的地方。
2.骰子之神属于绝对中立阵营,宿命领域的愿赌服输是骰神教义的一部分。
3.骰子之神与规则之神关系良好,漠视规则和欺骗规则者必遭到骰神惩罚。
4.敬请谨记,若不重视自身加值,出20不算过的情形下,骰神也爱莫能助。

离线 kimi

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Re: 吉尔赛那斯的冒险史诗
« 回帖 #9 于: 2013-07-16, 周二 20:09:00 »
太悲剧了>_<
知识之王,至高无上的主,请告诉我生命与死亡的真相。
如果一切都必将归于神祗足底,那么爱与恨为何而生?
如果一切都是幻象,为何我的心不肯平静?
天宇中闪烁的繁星,会引起我的惊恐。它如此美丽,我却慑于这无边的浩瀚。
这太像死亡与沉眠。千万颗星辰以空虚与寒冷威胁我们,夜间灿烂的光令我迷惘。
在归于星河之前,请让我们走完尘世间的旅程。