A folk tale of Averland
Averland is a place of grand plains and fertile soil, together conspiring to produce the finest horses and the finest wines to be found in this Empire - and perhaps even the world. Trade flows through the Blackfire Pass, the gateway to Tilea and the Dwarven Kingdoms, and makes Averland both rich and worldly.
Yet even among wily traders, there are yet to be found the foolish and the gullible. This story, said not only to be true but to have happened in recent times, shows how easily it can be to profit from the fear and avarice of others. - JWG
In Averheim, the glittering capital of wealthy Averland, there is a certain street that cuts the city in two, from the one side to the other. This street, called the Eisenerzstrasse, is more busy than any other; and so it was that the sudden appearance of many dozens of hand-bills, posted at brief intervals up and down, brought about an immediate and virulent interest among the people of the city.
Crowds gathered around these notices, those who could read them explaining the content to those who could not. Each hand-bill was the same, and each ran thus:
-Seven days hence, the city of Averheim will receive a great and renowned guest: the honourable Doktor Theophrastus Aureolus, a most excellent chirurgion and Master of the Physic Arts. Let it be known that this man has travelled the worlds both known and unknown, from Tilea and Araby to far Cathay and mystic Allazeria, and studied all arts and knowledges, such that he has full and total prowess in the uses and usages of decoctions, elixirs, pills, powders, tinctures, infusions, scarifications, cupping, occulism, astrology, leech-craft, bone-setting, and all such other crafts, devices and medicines.-
-In Averheim, Doktor Theophrastus Aureolus will perform the greatest feat of all, a service he has previously rendered to the Great Khan of the Eastern Steppes, to the Hierarch of Seluuny, to the Witch-Princess of the Iron Isles, and to many other noble and worthy personages[1]. That is, he will enter the Golden Cemetery of the city, and thence contrive to call forth the very dead from their graves, and so as to live again in the fullness of life.-
-This prodigious act, its miraculous nature arising from the firmest conviction of thought, from the most secret application of elemental essences, and by the Almighty Mercy of Shallya, will be performed free of charge, that all in need might be so served, be they rich or poor. Nevertheless, all donations will be received in good and happy grace.-
-BE AWARE: In seven days, the dead come alive!-
All at once, excitement swept every corner of the city, curiosity took up her throne in place of doubt, and everywhere there was rejoicing, for the lost and loved would surely come again to those they had left behind them.
But as the days passed and the event drew near, doubt emerged from hiding and once again took up his crown. What would it mean for the dead to live again? What would become of property inherited, debts left unresolved? What of the murdered and the betrayed?
On the night of the sixth day, there passed though the city gates a carriage richly adorned, flanked by liveried horsemen. People lined the streets to watch as Doktor Theophrastus Aureolus, Master of Chirurgery, travelled to the Copper Boar, and there took up lodging for the night. Almost at once, a queue of people began to form at the doors of the inn, each of them clamouring to see and speak to the Doktor before the performance of his promised miracle.
And each was admitted in his turn. First came two brothers, recently come into their inheritance of a prosperous counting-house.
"Doktor," said the first brother, "we have come to entreat you not to raise up our father, dead not three weeks."
The Doktor frowned, and asked them why they should not wish their father among them again, well and whole.
"Our father was a terrible miser. While he lived, he denied us every comfort in the world so that he would not have to waste a single copper jack. Now he is dead we can at last live as we have always wished to. Say that you will not call him back, and we will pay you whatever you require."
The Doktor duly agreed to accept payment, and noted down the miser's name as one not to be summoned from Morr's realm. The brothers left, and in came a woman of middle years, together with her young husband.
"Doktor," she said, " I beg you not to bring back my old husband. I endured many years of toil and tyranny in his house, and would not suffer so again. My new husband and I will pay you as you wish, if you will only leave him to the worms as is his due!"
Again the Doktor agreed. Next came a father who did not wish to see his dissolute son - dead from drink and crotch-rot - returned to him. Next a thin, sharp-eyed man who feared the resurrection of an old rival. Next a woman who had poisoned her husband's lover. And so it went, all through the night, and the list of those to remain in the earth grew long.
The following day was to be the day of the miracle. Crowd followed the Doktor's carriage in procession to the Golden Cemetery, where waited the priests and bürgermeisters of the city. The Doktor emerged, and busied himself with all manner of equipment and paraphernalia: measuring out powders and liquids, chalking complex sigils onto gravestones, taking readings from the position of the sun and the lay of shadows across the ground. All the while, the crowd grew more noisy and fearful.
Then at last the Doktor addressed the people of Averheim. "My dear friends," he said, "All is made ready to call back the dead to the world of the living. But I have here a mighty list that carries the names of all who lie within this cemetery. Each name belongs to a person I have been asked not to grant new life."
He paused, looking to and fro across the silent crowd.
"It seems that there is to be no miracle today, for I cannot raise those who would not be welcomed back. Is there any name upon this list that has been placed in error? Speak quickly, if so."
He paused again, but not a single voice was raised.
"Very well," said the Doktor, "there can be no miracle here. I shall depart at once. Thank you, good people, for your sufferance nonetheless."
And so the crowd dispersed, some smiling openly and some keeping their relief to themselves. Then one of the bürgermeisters spoke to Doktor Theophrastus Aureolus, asking him if such a thing had ever occurred before.
"My lord, I have offered my service to many cities. In each, things have proceeded as they did here. Restoring the dead may seem a wonderful thing at first, but before long each man's mind turns to the disadvantages of seeing a relative - or an enemy, or even sometimes a friend - brought back into the world. I make my money only from those who do not wish my services, for I have never been called upon to raise the dead at all.[2]"
So saying, the Doktor got into his fine carriage, and left the city in search of other fools.
[1] It scarcely need be mentioned that many of the places, people and things referred to in this hand-bill are pure invention, since it is entirely commonplace for such advertising to play merry with the truth.
[2] Although the Doktor's gamble may seem a dangerous one, remember that such improbable twists are one of the most important of the threads from which folk takes are woven.
copyright JRT 2007, all rights reserved.