Ok, I will admit, I have no fucking idea where this one came from. Usually I can tell you when, where and why a certian idea hits me. For this one, your guess is mine. What I can tell you is that inspiration hit me while I was working the Hogshead booth at GenCon 2001. It is an idea that came full form to my head, and I had to leave the booth just to write it down. This appeared in Alarums and Excursions and has not appeared since. I remember when it did appeared the contributers were just as puzzeled with it as I was.

I have always wanted to do something with this idea, and I think I know what I want to do. I just need to find some time.

Anyway, I give you the strangest thing I have ever written:

The Pack

In the beginning there was nothing. No sound, no music, no life. The world was a wasteland and the survivors struggled living among the ruins. This was a time after the beams of killing light fell from the sky and the Men of One Eye descended from the heavens to usher in the Time of Fire. There were pockets of life hidden deep in the valleys, where the inhabitants migrated and started to rebuild. Then the message arrived, telling them that the gods had not abandoned the people.

The first to arrive was the Father of All. He brought music to the land and taught the people how to be in control. His name was Blue Eyes, and his voice could make your swoon in pleasure or cower in fear. Blue Eyes was the boss, the chairman, the ruler of all. It was Blue Eyes that brought order to the world, and it was his teachings that saved civilization. He sent out the call for his two brothers and as always they answered.

Dino, the god of water and beauty, arrived first. Dino was a tall god whose looks would make your heart stop. His beauty was so great that at times it hurt just to look at him. Dino loved to drink and always had a glass in his hand. The glass was never empty and flowing from it was the life giving water that restored life to the land. His eyes, like a pie, looked down from the sky and love rained down on all. The other who answered the call was Sammy, god of war, the One Eyed One. Sammy was small in stature, but was very powerful. He taught the people the fighting style of Tap. Once mastered, an enemy would be grounded into the earth by students of Tap. Sammy and Dino were as close as brothers to Blue Eyes, and they were loyal to him. No matter how tough the early times were, the three stayed true to their code.

The three were the first and for awhile they were alone. Blue Eyes used the power of Swing to build the Reprise Throne in the Hall of Sand. Here in the land known as The Dunes, Blue Eyes summoned the lesser gods. These were the men and women who had great powers, but in comparison to Blue Eyes, Dino and Sammy, were weak. Together these gods fought the Men of One Eye, vanquished the Dragon, and brought color to the world of Black and White. They had powers beyond the scope of mortal man. Blue Eyes named this group The Pack, and The Pack grooved baby.

The first to arrive was Bishop, god of wisdom, teller of tales, and leader of the Show. Bishop was the joking god, and he was the only one who could truly make Blue Eyes laugh. As the god of wisdom Bishop knew much, and by using the powers of Interview could learn many things about The Pack’s enemies. Bishop was favored by The Pack, and for many, it was his will that kept all the various personalities together.

Next came Ang, goddess of law, who was known as Ice Woman. She and Blue Eyes were once lovers, but now were only friends. The two of them fought side by side many times, and had a mutual admiration for one another. Though smaller than Sammy, Ang was very strong and could kill a person with just a look. Like Sammy she was a deadly warrior, but unlike him she was a tactician in the arts of war.

Next came Law, the tall one, the heart racer, the lady killer, the god of romance, and the outlaw from the Realm of Vineyard. He was the tall god, the smoking god, the one whose voice was able to calm the storms, and drive away the enemies. Law, though weaker then the others in The Pack, did much and helped form the Order of Swing. He brought culture to the world, and inspired many works of art.

Also answering Blue Eyes’ call came Diz, the god of wind. He blew in like the summer wind, and in his wake green things grew. His powers of Swing and Jazz touched the souls and hearts of all and Diz, much like Law, brought a needed peace to The Pack. Diz was like the laughing god and when he blew he could make everyone feel better. Diz was very much like the wind, and like the wind his mood could change at a moments notice. When the enemies of The Pack came, Diz howled his strength. When times were good, Diz blew with gentleness and caressed all with pleasant thoughts.

The last god to answer the call was the timeless one, he was named Clark, the god of Time. Clark was the master of Time and used it as his tool. With it he could freeze Time, travel it like a river backwards and forwards, and with a wave of his hand make a person turn to dust. Along with Dino and Diz, Clark returned life to the land and made it green again. Of all the gods who answered Blue Eyes’ call, Clark was the strongest. Some would even say, well out of ear shot of the Blue Eyes, Clark was stronger.

For eons Blues Eyes and The Pack ruled from the Hall of Sand nurturing and healing the wounded world. Life flowed and the powers of Swing, Jazz, Interview and Time was taught to the children. Peace ruled and it was a time known as the Happy Hour. This all changed when Lewis was released from his prison.

Lewis, the two faced god and the trickster, was an enemy to all living things. One face looked the fool while the other had cold malice. Lewis and Dino were brothers, but the two had a falling out. Where Dino wanted to help the people and guide them, Lewis wanted to enslave them. Lewis was never a member of The Pack, and he tried many times to kill his brother. It was Blue Eyes who came to Dino’s aid and saved him. Foolish Lewis thought he was the stronger and challenged Blue Eyes’ authority. Without breaking a sweat, the Chairman chained Lewis to the Swizzle of Death which was located deep in the Pit of Boone. Though beaten, Lewis was not powerless and soon contacted allies who would aid him. The plan they concocted was one that would bring down the Hall of Sand, and put Lewis on the Reprise Throne.

Shir, was a goddess who answered Blue Eyes’ call, but was never a true member of The Pack. She hid behind false promises and orchestrated the kidnapping of Mia. It was Shir who worked the deception in Mia’s heart and twisted her will to run away with Woodie. Woodie, was another lesser god, and his powers were of panic and fear. He lusted after Mia and with Shir’s help kidnapped her. When Mia awoke from the spell Shir had worked she tried to escape but was killed by Shir. Woodie took the body, and hid in his own little kingdom. Here he began to work a ritual that would aid Lewis when he escaped.

Meanwhile Phlep, who was Bishop’s assistant grew tired of life in the Hall of Sand. He wanted more, and no longer wanted to be the sidekick. Unknown to all, Phelp discovered Lewis’ prison, and traveling there swore allegiance to a new master. Under Lewis’ instructions Phelp learned many dark arts and the power of Discordance. It was Phelp, who by using the Power of Interview, learned how to free Lewis from his chains. It was also Phelp who became the mouthpiece of Lewis, and organized what would be known as the Forces of Elethon.

Blue Eyes, discovering Mia was missing, began searching for her. He put Xion in charge of the search, who unknown to Blue Eyes, was in league with Lewis. Xion was a smooth talker and told Blue Eyes only what the Chairman wanted to hear. When the time was right, the plan that Lewis had concocted was unleashed. Shir delivered the body of Mia to the Hall of Sand, Woodie unleashed psychological torments upon The Pack, and Phelp freed Lewis from his prison. Xion who had formed an alliance with the Warriors of Checker and the Men of One Eye, brought this host to the Hall of Sand. Hell was unleashed and The Pack was surprised by the betrayal. Freed from his chains Lewis raced to battle his enemy.

There on the Never Sleep Fields the forces of The Pack and Elethon joined. The battle was bloody and many died in the confrontation. Blue Eyes and Lewis fought and their blood flowed to form the rivers, lakes and oceans. Where the two fell mountains rose, and where their weapons struck, the ground split forming islands. Neither had an advantage and the two fought for many days, neither refusing to yield. Finally the quiet god Clark intervened and ended the conflict.

He used the power of Time and worked the forces of Jazz, Swing, Interview, and a new power called Pop. Using what is now known as the five elements, Clark trapped Lewis and the Forces of Elethon in a bubble, banishing them to a distant realm. With a wave of his hands the Warriors of Checker withered away. With a snap of his fingers, the Men of One Eye devolved into a protoplasmic ooze. With a touch of his Rod of Rate a Record the wounds of The Pack and their followers were healed.

With the danger over Blue Eyes mourned the death of his one true love. The Pack returned to the Hall of Sand where they rested. Before leaving they taught their followers all they knew and helped to set them on their present course. Clark created his own realm known as The Stand, and here he watched over all ensuring that neither the Forces of Good or Evil would gain an advantage.

It has been many years since the Time of Swing, Happy Hour, and the Age of Troubles. Now in the age the scholars have dubbed The Age of Peace, The Pack still influences the world. Little do they know that Lewis and the Forces of Elethon, are about to reenter the world and once again join in battle with their enemies. Unknown to both of these groups is a new force massing in the Sunset Lands. This force is led by the fierce warrior known only as Duke. With him ride the Horse Soldiers of the Yellow Ribbon, and even Clark is at a loss as to what their intentions might be.