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Color Me Green. Chapter 1: No Hope

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Deep in the swamp of No Hope, High Priestess Croakussia kneels down before a statue of the great green froglok God. Croakussia wonders why the froglok God is ignoring their prayers and how could he let the frogloks suffer so much.

"High Priestess Croakussia!" a froglok guard urgently says.

Croakussia turns around to see two guards dragging a male gnome towards her.

"What crime did this little gnome commit?" asks Croakussia.

"We caught him trying to steal our precious no hope moss." A froglok guard explains, "What shall we do with him?"

Croakussia is confused and wonders why they would bring the gnome to her for judgment.

"Please, I don't know-" the gnome begins to say before he was cut off.

Croakussia glares at the guards, "This matter should be taken up with the elder shamans, not me!"

……………….

The three elder shamans are peacefully relaxing in their chambers when they hear a knock on their door.

"What is it?" screams elder shaman Urd.

Croakussia opens the door and walks into the smoke-filled room. She explains how two guards captured a gnome stealing their resources. The three elder shamans are extremely upset to hear that this gnome doing such a horrible crime.

The frogloks wouldn't have consider this a crime before but the past few years have been horrible for them dealing with crops. You can probably say the frogloks also cause this problem after their discovery of no hope moss. They became addicted and were their main crop for along time, which damage their farmland greatly resulting in famine.

"Urd, take care of this matter!" elder shaman Budd says.

…………..

Urd and Croakussia heads back at the great green god statue the gnome and the two guards waiting for their arrival. Urd wonders over to the gnome and inspects of this tiny trespasser who was completely dress in black armor.

"Who are you? Why are you here? Why were you stealing our no hope moss?" Urd asks.

"Umm … I'm Kabobkins from the city of Ak'Anon. I travel here in search for ingredients to make some new poisons." Kabobkins says, "I honest didn't think this moss you frog folk are so concern about belong to anyone when I was gathering it."

"Rogue, you say!" Urd says this little gnome could be beneficial to us he thought to himself.

"Aye, and one of the best ones your find too." Kabobkins says hopefully.

Croakussia snarls, "Such a horrible crime you did little rogue, if you are that great. Can you tell me why you got caught red handed in your devious act?"

Kabobkins got extremely nervous thinking to himself he is certainly done for now.

Urd is trance in deep thought about the Ancient Green Book that was left behind in the ruins of Disco temple in Sebilis. Urd pulls Croakussia aside from the rest and whispers, "If what this gnome says is true we have a great chance of retrieving valuable information on our god. Do you really want to pass up an opportunity like that?"

Urd turns back to the gnome and ask, "Are you familiar with the city of Sebilis?"

"I heard of such a place but from what I heard there nothing left but ruins." Kabobkins says.

"I can speak with the other shamans about sparing your life in exchange for item that hidden deep inside Sebilis" Urd explains.

Kabobkins nods his head in relief and says, "I will help if I possibly can."

Croakussia whispers in an angry tone to Urd, "How can we trust a rogue to get one of the most sacred items to us? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"The decision isn't final yet so don't lose your head. I honestly think we don't have much choice how much longer can we live on this dying land." Urd says, "And if Trakanon's guards catch him his punishment will be for worse then death."

………………….

Elder Shamn Urd bursts though the door and startles the other two shamans. Croakussia and Kabobkins follow Urd into the shaman's private chamber. The smoke makes Kababkins cough continuously.

Shaman Budd glares at the gnomish rogue and asks, "Why is this outsider in our sacred chamber."

"Urd convinced that this midget can be useful for us." Croakussia snotty remarks, "I honestly believe he will be nothing but trouble."

Budd says in disappointment, "The reason better be grand or the punishment will fall upon you as well for bringing the outsider in this extremely forbidden area."

"This is Kabobkins a highly-skilled rogue from Ak'anon and a grandmaster in poison-making." Urd says in a boastful tone.

"So a rogue!" Budd says, "Doubt there anything he can help us with."

Croakussia states, "Exactly, end of story. Gnome dies."

"Hold on one second!" says Urd, "This rogue has a good chance of retrieving the ancient green book."

"Trust a non-froglok with the book. Yeah right!" Budd exclaims, "Let's start the execution."

"Death by roasting!" Croakussia cheers as she thinks how delicious the gnome would taste.

Kabobkins shivers in fear.

"Death immediately!" Budd cheers after hearing Croakussia.

"Silence you two!" Wise screams, "I know the famine has struck us greatly but we must be reasonable. Our book is deep inside Sebilis where we can't reach it. You remember the many times we have sent our frogloks there every time we failed and furthermore only one that has ever returned and they were traumatized for months."

"A rogue service will be extremely handy at this time." Urd explains, "The book contexts would benefit us significantly."

Budd nods in agreement with the other two shamans.

"I still think it's a ridiculous idea." Croakussia states.

"What do you say, Gnome?" Budd asks.

Kabobkins still frighten about the roasting but responds in a soft voice, "I'm not very familiar with sebilis."

All three frogloks were astonished that this gnome didn't know much about sebilis and its many battles; only one of the most important things that happen in all of norrath. Wise walk towards the tiny gnome and explain that he will tell the tale of sebilis after diner.

To Be Continued.