A dragon’s treasure is always cursed
Stealthy enchantments must be battled
Usually after your wits have been badly rattled
And then things take a hard turn into the worst

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 24, 2020

Look yonder, the king’s banners advance
So ’tis time our conjured monsters to enhance
So they can gobble him while we still have a chance

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 25, 2020

See all the eager young princes, faces shining with hope and with lust
As they come riding our fair princess to romance
I’ll not tell them all their hopes will fall to dust
For as they’re boys, they haven’t a chance

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 28, 2020

1)
“Wait! Patrol Six? What’re you doing down THERE? You’re supposed to be way west of here, in the lower dungeons!”
“Oh? You haven’t heard?”
“Heard WHAT?” 2)
“Gah! No message-runners sent, AGAIN? THIS is how we lose battles! Oh, there’ll be floggings!”
“Oh. Well, that’s the problem, then. Some of the lads have got to liking them.”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 20, 2020

1)
“There’s a side-passage here, Lord. And it splits into a passage running on, level, and some stairs, ascending and curving to the right, out of sight.”
“To those stairs. QUIETLY, everyone, so whoever’s camped under yon lantern… 2)
…won’t hear us.”
“Avoiding a fight AGAIN?”
“Your blood-thirst is commendable, Sire, but I’m choosing a superior quality brawl.”
“How so?”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2020

3)
“If we can reach this mage Ralandor in the garden, and confuse him for long enough that he hurls spells against his fellow invaders…”
“Yes?”
“…we can get him to do our slaughtering for us, at less risk to our own persons. 4)
“Oh. OH. Brilliant.”
“Of course, Elvar. I know you’re a king, but TRY to keep up.”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2020

)
“Palonder, once more to the fore. We move slowly, quietly, and with care, as if robbing a Treasury vault.”
“A familiar pastime, Wolf? Or an undertaking you think we’re all used to doing? 2)
“Neither, Chant. I was merely crediting all of you with working imaginations.”
“Working mine thus gives me no pleasure, Wolf. It just makes me suspect more strongly that courtiers have been robbing the realm blind for years.”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 16, 2020

3)
“We learn from the best, Sire.”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 16, 2020

1)
“Here, what’d you just do to the swordavar?”
“Gave him the greatest rapture of his life.”
“Really? Why’s he sliding down the wall, then?”
“Overcome. He hasn’t been with many doxies, has he?”
“Doubt it. He’s a tightcoin.” 2)
“That’s it, then. He’s lost in pleasure.”
“Oh. Can, er, I be lost in pleasure, too?”
“Certainly. Here.”
“AIEEEE!”
“See? It’s an epidemic. You last three stalwarts don’t want to be left out, do you?”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 15, 2020

3)
“Er, no, but that sounded painful. And now they look rather dead.”
{sigh} “Inexperienced, aren’t you?”
“Well, uh, it’s not something I’d prefer to discuss.”
“Would you prefer to kiss me, instead?”
“Oh. Yes, pleasAAIEEE!”#epicfantasy 4)
“Gods, it IS an epidemic, isn’t it? I’d best join in! AiiiiEEEE!”
“Me, too! AIEEEE!”
“Smoothly done, Chant.”
“Men are such dolts when it comes to lust. Not that this is news to any woman.”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 15, 2020

Behold the fell catoblepas
We retch at his deadly breath when it rolls over us
And as I expire, in that noxious cloud of roiling gloom
I wonder if I’ll stink out my tomb

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 15, 2020

Kings aren’t happy without treasure galore
And that’s what foolish adventurers (and dragon hoards) were created for

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 16, 2020

With a few mumbled words, and a fragment of old monster bone
The Royal Wizard perfected a spell to transform stone
And that is why haughty Dowager Queen Alathlae
Abruptly tasted the moat-bottom mud today

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 17, 2020

1)
Soon enough, Wolf and his companions come to another lit lantern. It’s hanging in a room occupied by six bored-looking soldiers.
“Halt!” one barks, hastily snatching and brandishing his spear. “Who’re YOU?”# 2)
“Prisoner escort,” Wolf replies wearily.
“Oh. Wait, isn’t that the King of Neverune?”
“It’s his body double. Used in wartime, and so on, while the real king hides.”
“Oh. And the woman?”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 24, 2020

3)
“Body double’s handler. Does his makeup, poses as a highcoin doxy because only kings can afford such, so a convincing touch, hey?”
“Gods, these kings are blasted clever! Er, any chance of borrowing the handler?”
“That depends.” 4)
“On WHAT? Reminding you that you’re outnumbered, and WE have the spears.”
“On what the wizards leave of her, after THEY’RE done. Being as you obviously value subtle reminders.”#epicfantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 24, 2020

Sire, with this treason-seeking spell, from afar I glimpse
Disloyal nobles, swindling clerks, and Palace bedchamber imps

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2020

What means it, when we’re told
This is a task for an adventurer bold?
Is it so bad we need a mad fool?
Or the monster awaiting will make you mad-drool?
Or doth it require the recklessness of a ravenous ghoul?
(Think I’ll stick to this stool.)

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 20, 2020

Adventuring AGAIN?
It wearies my brain
And I can’t say which, come eventide
More tedious I find
Fleeing the monster many-eyed
Or hacking at orcs unrefined

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 22, 2020