Ballad of the party, version one.

Come all ye now
to hear the tale
of five brave men
who fought through hell

The tamed the land
and saved good men
fought vicious beasts
and demon winds

William the poet
was known as the Just
with a smile and twinkle
filled women with lust

Keleb the faithful
protected his lord
for justice always needs
a lance and a sword.

Silvest the nimble
with the keenest sight
in the darkness of time
he walks with a light

Eddoine the foul
of much we won’t say
save his weakness is roofs
and his foes always pay

And finally Nick Saber
the deadlies of them all
known as the Dragon Unleashed
his coming heralds your fall

Now these five men
together traveled well
learning each others secrets
powers, and spells.

The party was sent
to explore a distant land
with a few stops on the way
to lend a helping hand.

Now Oleg’s outpost was
some distance along
so the party geared up
and left at dawn.

And in their wake
many tears were shed
for vacant tavern seats
and cold, empty beds.

But eyes were set
on the morning sun.
the choice had been made
the decision was done.

So they traveled along
the dry, dusty road
it was to their shame
no one spotted the foe.

From amid the trees
an arrow like a bud
blossomed into violence
a thorn seeking blood

Bandits attacked seeking wealth
chose a poor target this time
Silvast’s arrow struck deep
Keleb’s charge broke the line.

Nick Saber drew
his dragon flame blade
smote the bandits down
to rest they were laid.

William saw the bandits
blood soaking into earth
felt remorse over the waste
surely life had more worth.

But on they went
to Oleg’s at last
only to discover
their troubles were not past.

For bandits had pillaged
and taken Oleg’s goods
led by the Stag King
they were hidden in the woods.

And so the five did venture
to bring the king to ground
but what they expected
was not what they found.

They came upon a clearing
where kobolds bled and died
a fearsome beast ran rampant
as the creatures tried to hide.

When at last the creature
stole its last breath
only two small kobolds
had avoided terrible death.

So William did tend
to the kobolds all night
losing one to sweet death
but saving one small life.

And that one small kobold
guided them to his home
His brothers had naught to eat
but darkness and stone.

A dark demonic sorcerer
was holding them in thrall
his presence was a dark mist
hanging over the hall.

With a wave of his hand
he sent William to one knee
An evil glance both ways
set everyone to flee.

Except for one man
whose heart stayed strong
Nick Saber, the dragon unleashed
drew his blade, sharp and long.

And with a roar of fury
that caused stones to fall
he charged that foul creature
and met the heroes call

His arms bulged with might
and not a word was said
the air screamed as he swung
and took off the sorcerer’s head.

And so the kobold tribe
freed from evil whim
resumed their peaceful ways
allied with men.

One favor they did bestow
on the heroes that saved them all
a secret of the Stag King
the location of his hall.