THE
FREEDMAN AND THE GIANT 1
Chybisa, recent
“It was very shortly after he had won his fortune
that the Baron of Geda was riding one day near the
manor of Ffinza. There, he came upon a man strug-
gling to plow his field. The man had bought his free-
dom and had been granted land, but not enough, for
the Bailiff of Ffinza was a cruel man and reveled in the
misfortune of his people. The man had a large family
but was only given ten acres. With this he could feed
his family and pay his taxes but would never be able to
put aside for a bad season or the marriage of his
daughters.
He told his tale to the Baron who, without a mo-
ment’s hesitation, took up the plough. He slept that
night in the freeman’s house and the next day, too, he
plowed the field. This he did for ten days for that was,
of course, how long the freeman had to claim his land.
So strong the Baron was that when they had fin-
ished the man had twenty acres under the plough.
Then the Baron sat under a tree with a great keg of ale
taking his ease and so covered in sweat and earth that
none might recognize him.
The Bailiff came to see the land and he was ill-
pleased. He said that the freeman had stolen the land
from him with the help of a giant, but the giant spoke
then and said, “If he has stolen land it was not from
you, but from me, and a strange theft it is if I were to
rob myself! But you would take the food from his
mouth and the hope from his children!”
The Bailiff realized then who it was and, begging
pardon, rode away and that right quickly. And it is to
his credit that he has been kind towards all men since.”
© 2003, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games, Inc. (h=p://www.columbiagames.com/)
© 2020, David Workman.
This work, created by David Workman is a derivative work of copyrighted material published by Columbia Games Inc. and released for free distribution and per-
sonal use by David Workman and without permission or endorsement by N. Robin Crossby or Columbia Games, Inc. No modification of said work may be made
without permission of David Workman. Hârn, HârnWorld, and HârnMaster are Trademarks of Columbia Games Inc. Use of these or other trademarks are not
intended as a challenge to the status of said trademarks. All distributions must keep this copyright and trademark notice intact.
Like many stories about the Baron of Geda, this
one has had some exaggeration grown about it. Nev-
ertheless, it is at its core true.
While he was still a mercenary in the service of
Ulaed Tesael, Kjal was insulted by the Bailiff of Ffinza
and while the slight did not call for an extreme re-
sponse, neither could Kjal let it go.
Shortly after he achieved the Barony, a request
came to him that a man in Ffinza wanted to buy his
freedom and be granted land. Reading the request
carefully, Kjal saw that the man would be granted
“what land he could, in ten days, put under plough”
and that the tax on that land was a fixed amount and
assumed that ten acres would be achievable.
It was no accident, therefor, that he came upon the
man on the morning of the first day and he did indeed
work at the plowing for ten days creating a huge grant
of land.
The Bailiff objected to the amount of land the man
had “taken” but knew by then that the Baron himself
had aided in the plowing. As the Baron would be the
one to hear the case, the Bailiff was wise enough not
to pursue the matter. He has since found the Baron to
be a reasonable and fair minded Lord and they have
laughed together at the Baron’s thoughtful revenge.
HârnWorld
 THE KING OF KIRSTA FOREST 2
Northern Kaldor, traditional
“In the years after the the defeat of the The notable aspect of this story is the specificity of
Foulspawner but before the rise of the Kingdom of the time period and the location. If the story is to be
Serelind, the North was divided into many small king- believed, an area within the current range of the East-
doms. Even a man with only a stout manor would call ern Taelda was claimed by an unknown king between
himself a king, for there was no law. Tribesman 120-142TR. This in itself would not be unbelievable
swarmed like angry bees and the people turned to during the chaos of the time, nor would his possession
whomsoever would protect them. of a dwarven spear, given the proximity to Azadmere
Now, there was one kingdom that lay between the and the relations with the Khuzdul at the time.
Shem and the Nephen rivers, north of the Silver Way The fox in the story may have lent his name to the
and shadowed by the great Sorkin Mountains. It was Kirsta Forest, which is south of the area described.
forested then as it is now, the land of the Taelda which Additionally, the Taelda have a mythology of a
we call Nuthela, but what it was called then no man clever fox they call Carista who regularly outwits other
knows. forest dwellers.
The king was a lover of the Hunt and carried
with him a great spear, the work of Dwarvish hands,
and on a great black steed he rode. But he came to an
ill end when he was led to misfortune and it happened
in this way:
The king had taken many animals in the forest but
never could he catch Kirsta the Fox, a sly animal, full
of cunning and knowing of all the paths and places of
the forest. Vowing that he would at last take Kirsta and
tie his tail to his spear, the king brought all of his
knights together and summoned every villager. The
hounds were brought and on a fine morning the hunt
began. The hounds bayed and the villagers beat the
brush and Kirsta was put to flight.
Deep into the forest he fled and the king came af-
ter, always leading the hunt and so determined in his
pursuit that he took no heed as the cries of his thanes
fell further and further behind. At last he was alone and
only the heaving of his horse’s breath and the scram-
ble of its hooves broke the still of the woods.
Kirsta was clever but none of his tricks had worked
and as he grew desperate his mind turned to a great
treachery. And so he led the king yet further into the
forest where lived an old and fearsome boar. Long had
it lived and long were its tusks and as it fretted the
earth, graves would it dig. Kirsta rushed through its lair
and the king came swiftly after, heedless, coming upon
the fierce beast unaware. His horse was gutted and he
fell, his spear, bright and sharp as stars in winter,
trapped beneath his steed. There he stood, alone and
without a weapon, and so he fell.
Kirsta, returning quietly in the night took his spear
and his crown and hid them in the forest, and all the
animals make him their king.

© 2003, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games, Inc. (h=p://www.columbiagames.com/)

© 2020, David Workman.
This work, created by David Workman is a derivative work of copyrighted material published by Columbia Games Inc. and released for free distribution and per-
sonal use by David Workman and without permission or endorsement by N. Robin Crossby or Columbia Games, Inc. No modification of said work may be made
without permission of David Workman. Hârn, HârnWorld, and HârnMaster are Trademarks of Columbia Games Inc. Use of these or other trademarks are not
intended as a challenge to the status of said trademarks. All distributions must keep this copyright and trademark notice intact.
HârnWorld
 THE BEAUTY AND THE BROWNIE 3
Vemionshire, traditional
In Vemionshire, most stories are of a rather moral-
“Now, it were years agone an’, as ye ken, there
izing nature. Many end with the moral being overtly
were a woman of astounding beauty in the village of
and unnecessarily stated.
Minarsas, the daughter of a wool merchant and ye well
Simple laborers are often the heroes of these sto-
ken she ha’ grown up with her nose high for her father
ries, especially shepherds, while the wealthy are often
had earned enough in trade to keep them well. Her
portrayed as having the worst vices.
name was Gelwin.
The people of Vemionshire are considered dour
So, she had suitors more than plenty but kept them
and their bluntness can be taken as rudeness. In fact,
on the leash, never decidin’ among ‘em. An’ there were
they are sensible, hard-working people with little use
a shepherd boy who longed for her although she never
for flowery talk that they suspect is disingenuous. They
gave him as much as a stitch. His name was Gavin.
value hard work and practicality and generally don’t
Well, yer man’s out the fields one day when he
speak without having something to say. Any story that
comes across a raven with a broken wing. Says he,
begins with, “There were a man from Vemionshire that
“Poor raven, I’ll take him home and put him right.” And
went to court…” is certain to be a scathing critique.
so he does.
Now the raven was in sooth a Brownie and as he
lived in the boy’s home he came to ken that the boy
loved the wool merchant’s daughter. And so, when he
was repaired, away he flew to the merchant’s home,
for he had a plan to win her for the boy.
The next day, Gelwin awoke early, for she had
chores to attend and she wanted time to make herself
extra beautiful for the dancing after The Feast of Saint
Branik. Imagine her surprise when she found that the
stables had been cleaned and the cows had been
milked. An’ she recalled that she had said to the boy
she wanted time to make herself gay, an’ so she came
to believe that this was his kindness. Then she asked
him about it an’ he said he dinna’ ken her meaning, but
she thought he was being coy. Many a dance she
danced wi’ him an’ he was full of joy and longing.
Every day after, some kindness were done for her
in this way an’ she said to herself, “This boy has no
wealth an’ I would marry below my station, but for a girl
who wishes an industrious husband an’ to take ease in
her marriage, none could be better!”
By springtime, they were married and the Brownie
arranged everything for Gavin just right. But it was the
last time he lifted a finger on Gelwin’s account and the
harvest time saw her sweeping the stables and grow-
ing with child, an’ she didn’t hold her nose up no more,
yet she was happier.

© 2003, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games, Inc. (h=p://www.columbiagames.com/)

© 2020, David Workman.
This work, created by David Workman is a derivative work of copyrighted material published by Columbia Games Inc. and released for free distribution and per-
sonal use by David Workman and without permission or endorsement by N. Robin Crossby or Columbia Games, Inc. No modification of said work may be made
without permission of David Workman. Hârn, HârnWorld, and HârnMaster are Trademarks of Columbia Games Inc. Use of these or other trademarks are not
intended as a challenge to the status of said trademarks. All distributions must keep this copyright and trademark notice intact.
HârnWorld
 THE SEA CAVES AND THE ASH WAND 4
Chybisa, traditional “Choose from among us, and love and delight shall
you have until your last day.” But the boy, with great
“In Melderyn, on the coast, there are sea caves that effort, looked away and to the last chamber he ran for
lie entirely beneath the waves, where the tides bring all he could hear again the booming of the waves and
the treasure lost to men. It is said that if you go there knew that outside dawn was coming.
on the tipping day between summer and autumn, you In that chamber, upon a stone carved by the sea,
might walk through them and have your choice of all lay the wizard’s wand, an ancient staff aglow with
things that a man might want. Among all of the trea- power. As he lifted it he heard the rush of the waves
sures the greatest is the Ash Wand, the staff of an an- through the chambers behind him. Holding the Ash
cient Sorcerer and it has power over all things but one. Wand above him he called, “Stop!”
There was a boy, a fisherman’s son from Yael, and Still, the waves came on for the Ash Wand has no
on that night he snuck away from the bonfire to seek power over the sea and there was an end to the fish-
his fortune in that cave. The sounds of the dancing erman’s boy.
faded behind him as he made his way to the cliffs and You may trust in the strength of men, or knowledge,
soon all he could hear was the raging of the waves the value of gold or the love of a woman, but the power
upon the rocks, but when he came to the bottom the of magic is fickle and reckless.”
sea calmed suddenly and all was quiet, and there be-
fore him was a dark tunnel leading deep into the rock.
He did not hesitate but, lighting a small candle, he This is a favorite tale in Chybisa. As a warning
went in. The way was treacherous, the floor slick with about the perils of magic it is told to children. A skillful
sea wrack and mussels, but still he went until he came bard, however, will assess his audience and stress
to a great crab that blocked the way. different parts-If not in mixed company the chamber of
“Turn back now,” it said, but the fisherman’s son maidens is generally the most eloquently described,
said he would not. spending considerable time comparing their breasts,
“Then know this,” the crab said, “Beyond are five their skin, their hair. While such descriptions are (al-
chambers and you may take anything that you desire most) always welcome, in military camps there is an
from one and one only. When the morning comes, the emphasis on the first chamber and the arms of days
sea shall return and she does not love those that have gone by, while bales of wool will appear among the
come to rob her.” And with this the crab moved aside. treasures of the third chamber when wool merchants
The boy continued and soon came upon the first are attending, etc.

chamber and there he beheld an army of men, knights
and mariners, pirates and northmen, with arms and
armor.
“Take us away from here,” they cried,”And a king-
dom we will win for you!” But the boy sped on, seeking
still the Ash Wand.
When he came upon the second chamber, he was
astounded to see every book that had ever been writ-
ten, scrolls from ancient times and clay tablets with
nothing but pictures upon them. An old man came to-
wards him, saying, “I am the Keeper of Knowledge.
Take me with you and nothing shall remain unknown to
you.”
But the boy sped on, seeking still the Ash Wand
which would give him power over all things but one.
In the third chamber he gasped, for there were
chests of silver and gold, coins with strange writings
forgotten by all living men and pearls like bladderwrack
upon the floor. He had only to reach out his hand and
he would never want for anything, but on he went,
quicker now for the morning must surely be coming.
In the fourth chamber his breath caught, for in that
chamber was the beauty of the world, maidens beyond
count, naked and unashamed. Their breasts stood firm
and their hips wide, each face a work of the Goddess
herself. Long he stared and time was passing. One
maiden, more beautiful than the rest, came forward.

© 2003, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games, Inc. (h=p://www.columbiagames.com/)

© 2020, David Workman.
This work, created by David Workman is a derivative work of copyrighted material published by Columbia Games Inc. and released for free distribution and per-
sonal use by David Workman and without permission or endorsement by N. Robin Crossby or Columbia Games, Inc. No modification of said work may be made
without permission of David Workman. Hârn, HârnWorld, and HârnMaster are Trademarks of Columbia Games Inc. Use of these or other trademarks are not
intended as a challenge to the status of said trademarks. All distributions must keep this copyright and trademark notice intact.
HârnWorld
 THE BLACK RAM 5
Chybisa, traditional
beast, for by now all of the villagers spoke of the crea-
“In Chybisa long ago were born two brothers
of a Lady who was shortly after widowed. The elder
was named Pradar and the younger Chaldar. As they
grew, they could not have been more different, for the
older was boastful and arrogant while the younger was
humble and helpful. The elder was to receive his fa-
ther’s lands when he came of age and although there
was land enough for both, he would give his brother
not a spadeful.
Having no land, Chaldar turned his mind to the
river and soon knew all there was to know about the
water, for his mind was quick. A good living he made
with his little boat, fishing and sometimes ferrying peo-
ple across the river, or piloting a barge when he could.
He had few coins but many friends and his hands were
always busy so he became strong in the way of one
who daily labors.
Pradar, however, was idle, for the land was
worked on his behalf. If the crop was good he boasted
of his harvest and if it was poor the blame he would
give to his tenants and make their life hard. He was a
cruel master and all the worse because he wanted the
best of everything.
It came about one day that he met a tinker on
the road, an ill-looking man in a gaudy cart and tied
behind it a black ram with fierce eyes and wool as dark
as a moonless night. Pradar thought that he must have
the ram, but the tinker would refuse his every offer.
“What, then, will you have of me?” He cried, and the
tinker smiled his misshapen smile.
“Give me one drop of your noble blood,” said he, lick-
ing his lips, and so covetous was Pradar that he
pricked his finger and paid the price. Then he took up
the rope and led the ram home. Away the tinker rode in
his clattering cart, still smiling, but wither he went no
one knows.
While everyone agreed that the ram was mag-
nificent, none but Pradar could approach it, for it would
attack any who tried. Indeed, no other animal would
come near it, not even the most fearless hounds and
the people were filled with an unease they could not
name. But it soon sickened and became weak, seem-
ingly unfed although it would lie upon the best of the
field and deny the grazing to all other animals. Pradar
fretted over the beast and at last remembering his bar-
gain he pricked his finger again and smeared the blood
across the black ram’s lips. At once it recovered. Every
day, he would feed the animal in this way and the ram
grew strong, but Pradar himself grew weak.
All of this Chaldar saw. He went to his brother
and begged that he rid himself of the animal, if animal
it was and not some incarnation. But Pradar refused.
When the shearing time came, Pradar imag-
ined the price that the ram’s fleece would bring, but the
shearers broke upon the wool which was like iron.
© 2003, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games, Inc. (h=p://www.columbiagames.com/)
© 2020, David Workman.
This work, created by David Workman is a derivative work of copyrighted material published by Columbia Games Inc. and released for free distribution and per-
sonal use by David Workman and without permission or endorsement by N. Robin Crossby or Columbia Games, Inc. No modification of said work may be made
without permission of David Workman. Hârn, HârnWorld, and HârnMaster are Trademarks of Columbia Games Inc. Use of these or other trademarks are not
intended as a challenge to the status of said trademarks. All distributions must keep this copyright and trademark notice intact.
Again, Chaldar begged his brother to be rid of the
ture in whispers and said that their Lord kept a demon.
A second time Pradar refused.
When autumn came and the harvest time was
nigh, the villagers awoke to find the grain trampled and
the peas uprooted and the black ram razing the fields.
One last time Chaldar called upon his brother, now
urging him to kill the unnatural thing. And at last his
brother relented and donned his father’s mail and took
his father’s great spear and rode against the ram as he
would against a stout foeman. But he was weak and
the iron wool of the horrible ram was proof against the
spear that hung heavily in his hands. His horse fell and
the ram with its sharp hoofs and hard horns brought
his end and then drank deeply of his blood.
At this, the villagers were greatly afeared for
now they knew that the evil ram was some servant of a
dark God. The long winter lay ahead of them and there
would be no food and who should protect them now
their Lord was dead? But Chaldar came forward and
said that he should take his brother’s place and save
the people if he could.
He did not have mail, and sought none, nor
any arms but only his stout fishing net and to the
manor house he went, where now the ram sat in his
brother’s chair like a man, its eyes burning like fire in
the darkness of the hall. Calling upon Larani and Pe-
oni, Chaldar cursed the beast and bid it begone but it
answered in the speech of men, “Nay, Chaldar, I shall
not leave this place for by your brother’s blood which
runs in my veins it has become mine and no force of
man can compel me to go.”
To this Chaldar quietly answered, “Then I must
kill you, although you have bested my brother whose
body lies trampled in the fields and he was a better
spearman than I.”
Again the beast spoke, “This feat also must be
beyond your skill, for only the Lord of Fire might extin-
guish the flame within me.”
‘And yet must I assay this, though it bring me
to my doom,” said Chaldar. He held his ground while
the terrible creature fell to four legs, its hoofs striking
sparks as it rushed him. But Chaldar stepped quickly
to the side, casting his net. The demon was enmeshed
and its fearsome strength availed it not. Chaldar gath-
ered the ends and, dragging the creature into the light,
asked again, “Will you not leave, Fiend?” But the ram
replied that he would not and that the village was his.
“You shall have it,” replied Chaldar, and with
that he lifted the net and swung it above the village
well, dropping the beast into the cold water. Then a
great steam arose, covering the village like a morning
mist as the demon screamed and cursed the new lord.
In the fog, Chaldar directed the villagers to break the
well and carry stone from the field to fill it. The manor
house they emptied, piling food and furniture in wag-
HârnWorld
 THE BLACK RAM 6
ons, and they found some store of coins, and of the
village they took all that they could carry that might see
them through the winter. And all of the animals they
took with them. And then, that no man might come
again to that place, they burned every building and left.
And so Chaldar was a lord for one hour only, but a bet-
ter lord they had never had who would give all that was
his for their sake. But where they have gone no man
can say.”
In western Chybisa, where this tale is popular, it is
never told before the harvest for fear of bringing
calamity and wool is seldom dyed black. A black lamb
is always gelded, which apparently makes them safe,
or sold out of the area.
It is not merely a warning about the evil of Agrik and
those who follow him, but is a horror story in its own
right, and a lesson on the obligations a lord might have
to his people. A skilled storyteller can string this tale
out for a long while, stopping now and again to com-
plain of a parched throat and only able to continue
when ale is offered.
Among the credulous, who see this tale as some-
thing more than a means to scare the children, it is
assumed that the river is the Ulmerian and that the
village is one of the abandoned sites north or west of
Lerenil.

© 2003, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games, Inc. (h=p://www.columbiagames.com/)

© 2020, David Workman.
This work, created by David Workman is a derivative work of copyrighted material published by Columbia Games Inc. and released for free distribution and per-
sonal use by David Workman and without permission or endorsement by N. Robin Crossby or Columbia Games, Inc. No modification of said work may be made
without permission of David Workman. Hârn, HârnWorld, and HârnMaster are Trademarks of Columbia Games Inc. Use of these or other trademarks are not
intended as a challenge to the status of said trademarks. All distributions must keep this copyright and trademark notice intact.
HârnWorld
 WAR AND THE WIDOW 7
Kath, traditional “Come to this tent and save me from shame.
Then I shall marry you.” said she, and with that he
All men know of the beauty of our women, who went away.
are fair of face, whose eyes smolder like embers in the The next day, to the camp of the lowlanders
fire and light a man’s desire. Round are their breasts, who circled the hill, came another envoy and he
and firm their hips and they are made for pleasure as sought the second Duke and called him to parley. He
the falcon is made for flight. So it is no small thing that met with Bydra and things went much the same.
I say when I tell you that there was once among our So, too, it was with the last Duke called. This was on
people a woman so fair of face and form that she was the last day before the battle. The Dukes now grew
beyond compare. She had grown straight and trim as suspicious, each thinking, “Shall they try to take this
the rash on the moss and every man wanted her. She woman from me?” And so in their heart each vowed
would not have any of them for she was blessed by that he would reach that tent first. Long hours in the
Grandmother Earth to see into the spirit world and if night the Dukes thought upon her beauty and upon the
she lay with a man, her eyes would be closed. Her faithlessness of their brothers.
name was Bydra. In the morning they made their armies ready,
She had been born in the Days of Plenty, but but they jostled against each other. Each thought to
when she knew sixteen summers The Cold came. send his men first. They had turned their backs on the
Those years were hard. The orc had grown numerous way of the wolf and many perished, although many ran
as the needles on the pine and ate everything that they as well. Torba their King died that day, but the three
could find. The lowlanders refused to share their food, Dukes were taken.
although their pigs were fat and their wheat plentiful. Then it was that Bydra was married to the first
Many men boldly raided so that the children of Duke, for the Spirits had told her that she must keep
their wives might eat, but the lowlanders brought war her word. Before he could take her in bed, however, he
against them. Their leader was Torba.1 was killed and so the same with the other Dukes. In
He had, among his horse riders, three men who com- one day she was thrice made a widow and so, by our
manded his armies. Fierce warriors they were. None Ways, she could never again marry. She was the most
could stand against them and they made war like the beautiful woman that had ever walked in the world, a
wolf pack that even a great bear would fall to. widow three times, and yet no man ever had her.
Hard indeed were these times. Our people
fought well and some victories they had, but against
the horse-riders they could not stand in the open and This traditional tale explains the Kath victory at
the woods were filled with orc. At last the people found Lareb Hill in 187 TR. Although the forces of King Tor-
themselves upon a great hill, surrounded by our ene- bet were indeed routed that day, there is no evidence
mies. There was nowhere to go and but a little food. It that the military organization had been undermined by
might have been the end of us. a Kath woman’s allure. But they are remarkable.
Bydra came to the war-chiefs and said, “The
Spirits advise me. Let me meet with the lowlanders
and see if I can make peace. Fetch to me one of the
Dukes.” And this was done.
Under the bough of peace he came thinking
that parley he would have with the chiefs-of-war. He
came into a tent and Bydra met him. He could not mis-
take her, nor take his eyes away.
“Where are your warriors, that I might have their sur-
render?” he asked. To this she replied, “They are not
ready to meet you, for they are at odds whether to fight
or no.”
She served him wine that was bitter and hard
cakes, saying, “We have so little food.” But he was in
no hurry then to go. Long she spoke with him until at
last she said, “The men are not agreed, it seems, and
so it shall be war. I shall be killed or taken by a lowborn
man.” But the Duke clasped her hand and said that
she should be safe with him for a great desire had en-
flamed him.

1 Torbet, King of Kephria 162 TR-187 TR

© 2003, N. Robin Crossby & Columbia Games, Inc. (h=p://www.columbiagames.com/)
© 2020, David Workman.
This work, created by David Workman is a derivative work of copyrighted material published by Columbia Games Inc. and released for free distribution and per-
sonal use by David Workman and without permission or endorsement by N. Robin Crossby or Columbia Games, Inc. No modification of said work may be made
without permission of David Workman. Hârn, HârnWorld, and HârnMaster are Trademarks of Columbia Games Inc. Use of these or other trademarks are not
intended as a challenge to the status of said trademarks. All distributions must keep this copyright and trademark notice intact.
HârnWorld