An Najaf/Spring Festival 2023-02-26
Having completed the afternoon celebration, people assemble again at the monument. This is where the main event will be. Many groups have indicated their desire to perform to the Master of the Ceremony and he has decided who will go first. He ensures an alternation between tragedy and comedy, between small family plays and plays performed by entire villages. However, it is the final play which is considered the favorite. It is a play especially written for the earl by the best playwrights of An Najaf.
Earl Wilbrand
It tells how Wilbrand left Dwilight in search for peace. We he arrives at the eastern continent, he learns Death has followed him from Dwilight. However, by heeding the words of his king, Wilbrand obtains peace and is rewarded with An Najaf.
Act One
Wilbrand becomes an orphan, but is raised by his aunt. When he grows up, Wilbrand decides he want to learn how to obtain peace.
Scene One
A giant attacks the house of young earl Wilbrand and his sister. Their parents sacrifice themselves to save the children.
Enter Otto, Heilwig, young Wilbrand, young Hildwina
Otto: “Heilwig, I thank you. Two children you have given me. They are more valuable than anything in this world. For if a man is immortal, he simply can not die. But if he is a father, he can have eternal life. Yea, his offspring shall live after him and be without end. It shall be without number. It shall be eternal.”
Heilwig: “My dear husband, you know not what you talk about. What does it profit a man to die while others live? Would not any man give anything in exchange for immortality? For if he can not die, he shall be without equal. Truly, his power would exceed that of any other.”
Otto: “It is true that if I would be immortal, I could obtain anything my wanting eyes desired. But what would be the purpose of it, if I had no one to pass it on? My life would be hollow. My life would be vain. I would be living, yet dead.”
Heilwig: “How can a man be living, yet dead?”
Otto: “A bow without a string is like a bow which is broken, for neither can be used. Likewise a man without purpose is like a man who is dead. But if a man serves his people, he shall have purpose, he shall have life.”
Heilwig: “You speak wisely and likewise a man can be dead, yet living, if he has offspring.”
Otto: “Aye.”
Enter two legs of a giant
Otto: “Stay back, I shall protect us.”
Otto charges at the giant and slays its legs. But a fist descends upon him.
Otto: “Alas, my life is forfeit.”
Otto dies
Heilwig: “Hide my children! I shall lure the giant away.”
Exeunt young Wilbrand and young Hildwina
Heilwig: “If I depart silently, I shall live, but my children will die. My head tells me to flee, but my heart tells me to shout. Which of the two gives better judgement? The head can reason, but the heart can feel. The head warns of danger, the heart tells of love. I can not, but listen to my heart. Lo, giant! After me!”
Exeunt
Scene Two
Wilbrand is raised by his loving aunt.
Enter Liutgard
Liutgard: “Soon I shall bear my first child, but what will my husband think? He already has four children: how much will he value a fifth? And as for me, can I love his other children as much as I love my own? Will I be a good mother or shall my love not be sufficient for all of them?”
Enter young Wilbrand
Young Wilbrand: “Mother, my bird has caught his first rabbit!”
Liutgard: “I am happy for you, Wilbrand. Well done!”
Young Wilbrand: “Thank you for giving me this bird!”
Exit young Wilbrand
Liutgard: “Hear this boy. I did not give birth to him, yet he calls me mother. My husband is his uncle, yet he calls him father. Besides the four children of my husband, I have also raised the two of his youngest brother. It appears to me that I do have enough love. I shall be a good mother to all the children in the house of my husband.”
Enter Gerulf
Gerulf: “My dear sister, I bring evil tidings. Your husband has died in battle, together with his brother Waldger. No men are left in his house.”
Liutgard: “Woe me! How can I raise seven children alone? Should I abandon the six, who are not of my blood? Surviving with only one child will already be a challenge. Nay, I will continue the house of my husband and honor his legacy. Not only shall I raise the seven he has left me, also I will take care of the three of his other brother.”
Gerulf: “Sister, I praise the kindness of your heart. These children shall know no fear, because their hearts will be filled with your love. I will support this noble endeavor. I will make sure that you shall not have want of anything.”
Exeunt
Scene Three
After losing a battle, Wilbrand separates from his cousins to learn how to obtain peace.
Enter Wilbrand and Meginhard
Meginhard: “Wilbrand, for months the Lurians have tried to overthrow our government through bandits. Now we will finally face them in the battlefield. Although they outnumber us, we must not falter, for if we allow them to take this city, they will have a base from which they can increase their plunder and murder on our lands. Our king needs us, our people need us, our family needs us. Stand strong!”
Wilbrand: “Meginhard, the Lurians outnumber us. Attacking them is foolish and will surely bring death. We should wait until more of our own arrive.”
Meginhard: “Nay, Wilbrand. Your words are wise, but our general has commanded us to do so. Should we stand by idly while the blood of our people is spilled?”
Wilbrand: “Absolutely not. When they march, so will we. But urge him to wait longer.”
Meginhard: “You judge according to your knowledge, but our general knows things we do not. He has confided to me that people in the city will support us. But they warned him that almost all resistance is broken and if we do not act quickly, we will be too late.”
Wilbrand: “Will that be enough?”
Meginhard: “Absolutely not.”
Wilbrand: “Then why will we fight?”
Meginhard: “We are of noble blood. If we do not stand against evil, who will?”
Wilbrand: “Then I will fight.”
Enter Redbald and Gerulf
Gerulf: “The men are ready.”
Redbald: “Let us fight!”
Meginhard: “We will.”
Stagehands dressed in black carry large arrows back and forth to indicate a battle
Wilbrand: “The citizens have surrendered.”
Meginhard: “Stand!”
Wilbrand: “The general has been hit.”
Meginhard: “Stand!”
Wilbrand: “The king is wounded.”
Meginhard: “Stand!”
Wilbrand: “The men are faltering.”
Meginhard: “We defended our honor. Now, let us retreat.”
Gerulf is struck by an arrow
Meginhard: “Uncle!”
Gerulf: “My boys, I am done for.”
Meginhard: “Uncle, what must become of us?”
Gerulf: “I can advise you no more.”
Redbald: “We must learn the art of war.”
Wilbrand: “Nay we must learn the art of peace.”
Meginhard: “We must find wisdom. Let us separate.”
Redbald: “I shall go to the island in the south and learn how to wage war. Then I will return and will help our people against its enemies.”
Wilbrand: “I shall go to the island in the east and learn how to obtain peace. Then I will return and help our people with its friends.”
Meginhard: “I shall stay here and defend our house against the Netherworld. When you return our house will still be standing.”
Exeunt
Act Two
Wilbrand arrives at the East Continent and learns about art.
Scene One
Wilbrand becomes a knight to Cyria of Fontan, who advises him to travel to the royal court.
Enter Cyria
Cyria: “I am the margravine of Fontan. I am young, but renowned for my wisdom. The city prospers under my care. No one goes hungry or has lack of anything. Artists and scientists flock to my walls. How did this come to be? Let all who seek wisdom pay heed. It is because I hunger after knowledge and value that more than riches.”
Enter Wilbrand
Wilbrand: “I am of noble blood and will pledge my allegiance if you will grant me an estate.”
Cyria: “I see your heraldry is from Dwilight.”
Wilbrand: “Milady is wise. How do you know.”
Cyria: “I have knowledge of many things, because I collected books from all over the world. In fact I even have a book written by Meginhard.”
Wilbrand: “He is my cousin, milady.”
Cyria: “Then I shall accept your pledge and will charge you with protecting the arts.”
Wilbrand: “I am honored, milady, but how can I protect the arts, seeing I come from a wild country. I know how to use the bow, not the lute. I know how to shout commands, not how to sing.”
Cyria: “You are yet unpolished. Therefore travel to Domus and learn the life at court.”
Wilbrand: “I will follow your advice, milady.”
Exeunt
Scene Two
Wilbrand attends the festival in An Najaf.”
Enter Tantor
Tantor: “I am Tantor, knight of Amedes. Today is the festival and I have written a play which will surely win.”
Enter Wilbrand
Tantor: “Welcome! With whom do I have the pleasure?”
Wilbrand: “I am Wilbrand, knight of Fontan.”
Tantor: “What brings you here?”
Wilbrand: “I am on route to Domus to see the court.”
Tantor: “Today is the spring festival. Will you join us?”
Wilbrand: “What kind of festival is it?”
Tantor: “Tonight we shall perform plays, performed by many different artists. In fact, I have written one myself and my servants will perform it. I am sure I will win this year.”
Wilbrand: “What is it about?”
Tantor: “It is a comedy. A farmer meets someone at an inn who wants to sell a cow and offers the farmer money if he will sell it for him. When the farmer returns with the money, the stranger offers to buy a meal, but has disappeared with the money when he needs to pay the check. It is then that the farmer learns the cow he sold was actually his own – stolen by the thief.”
Wilbrand: “I would be honored to attend.”
Exeunt
Act Three
Eloi wants to bring death and challenges the kingdom to a duel.
Scene One
Wilbrand meets Eloi.
Enter Wilbrand
Wilbrand: “I have arrived at Domus. The court is busy, but I seem to be not the only one form Dwilight out here.”
Enter Eloi
Eloi: “Your attire betrays you are from Dwilight. What brings you here?”
Wilbrand: “Your attire says the same. I say we came for the same reason.”
Eloi: “The western continent is a place of death, so I shall bring it here.”
Wilbrand: “But the east is where the sun does rise. This is a place of life.”
Eloi: “Death is permanent, but life does end. Which is the stronger of the two?”
Wilbrand: “It matters not who is stronger. I am of noble blood and will stand against evil.”
Exeunt
Scene Two
Eloi challenges the kingdom and defeats Rujvik.
Enter Eloi
Eloi: “I am Eloi Mattani, I am the enemy. I am a servant of Death and of Trickster too. And they demand that I challenge you. Unto death we must fight to see who is left, not who is right. Death does not care either way as long as he has blood today.”
Silence
Eloi: “Will no man hear my call? Has the kingdom no man at all?”
Enter Rujvik
Rujvik: “I am Rujvik, earl of Oporto. I command the forest and I rule the beasts. I have the strength of ten bears and the courage of a hundred wolves. I fear no man and will honor your call.”
Rujvik and Eloi fight Rujvik gains the upper hand, but then Eloi manages to stab him
Eloi: “You fought brave, but Death will now determine your fate.”
Exit Eloi
Act Four
Wilbrand decides to fight Eloi, but the king convinces him otherwise.
Scene One
Wilbrand decides to fight Eloi.
Enter Wilbrand
Wilbrand: “The greatest hero of the kingdom has been defeated. What hope is left for us? How can we overcome this Eloi if even the gods are on his side? He serves Death, which is truly to be feared. But he serves Trickster too, so no man should underestimate him. For Death takes whoever it wants, but it is Trickster who causes the mighty to fall in the first place. What should I do if only silence meets this man’s mockeries? Should I suffer him to belittle the kingdom? Should I allow him to hide behind his gods? Nay, honor demands that I face him. It is my duty as nobility and I will surely be awarded for it. It shall allow me to establish my name in these strange lands. It will bring glory to my house. How foolish are my thoughts. I have trained with the bow from an early age. I can hit a rabbit in flight, I can hit the eye of a bull. But I have no experience in swordmanship. Once the swords clash, I will surely die. Thus Death has followed me from Dwilight. But is it proper to hang on to my life? If I do not stand against this man, who will? What purpose serves noble blood if it is not shed against evil? I must stand and I must die. My sister will preserve our house, my sister will receive honor. My reward will be to have done my duty.”
Exit
Scene Two
The king interrupts the fight between Wilbrand and Eloi.
Enter Eloi
Eloi: “Is the kingdom of men bereft? Is there no more courage left?”
Enter Wilbrand
Wilbrand: “I hear your call and I will enter.”
Enter Nemean
Nemean: “Young men, do you value life so little that you will throw it away so easily? Like rich men who have so much money that they do not understand the value of it, likewise young men have so much life left that they do not treasure it. Listen to the words of an old soul. What will you find when you meet Death? Honor, wealth, glory, praise? Young men are much more valuable to the living. You dream of dying on the field of battle. Would your realm not be better served if you returned victorious?”
Wilbrand: “My king is wise. I want to find peace, but kept looking for war. His words bring life, while Eloi brings death. Should I hear the call of Eloi, but not of the king? Nay! Eloi, I will not fight you.”
Exeunt
Act Five
Wilbrand tries to convince Eloi to turn against death. The king is pleased with Wilbrand and rewards him with An Najaf.
Scene One
Wilbrand fights Eloi with words.
Enter Eloi
Eloi: “Death demands more. It desires blood and gore. Will these people cower in fear, just because death is near?”
Enter Wilbrand
Eloi: “Have you changed your mind?”
Wilbrand: “Nay, but will you change yours?”
Eloi: “What do you mean?”
Wilbrand: “If blood is desired, why should we not cooperate and attack the enemy?”
Eloi: “Because Death has no friends and enemies. Death comes to all and requires all.”
Wilbrand: “Why does Death require so?”
Eloi: “Otherwise Death shall devour the world.”
Wilbrand: “Death seems evil to me. Why do you serve instead of fight Death?”
Eloi: “Because Death is my lord.”
Wilbrand: “We are of noble blood, we choose our lord. Join our king and fight Death.”
Eloi: “No one can fight Death.”
Wilbrand: “Is there no god who can fight Death?”
Eloi: “Nay.”
Wilbrand: “Then let us go on a quest to find a way to defeat Death.”
Eloi: “There is no way.”
Wilbrand: “Even if there is no way, we are of noble blood, we should stand.”
Eloi: “All are equal to Death.”
Wilbrand: “Then we will find no common ground.”
Eloi: “Nay.”
Enter Nemean
Nemean: “Servant of Death, search for Death elsewhere. My knights will no longer entertain your call.”
Eloi: “Aye.”
Exeunt
Scene Two
Wilbrand is rewarded with An Najaf.
Enter Nemean and Wilbrand
Nemean: “You heeded my words and withstood temptation. You show a hunger for wisdom and an aptitude for reason. I shall reward you with the wisest people in my land. I shall reward you with An Najaf.”
Wilbrand: “I came from the land in the west, where the sun sets and Death rules. I came to the land in the east, where the sun rises and Life rules. Now I have finally found peace.”
Exeunt
