Galathan's March to War
A truly remarkable and unusual text, the short book "Galathan's March To War" is one of few primary accounts of Torig Galathan, a Dwarvish General who made a gallant defense of his home. Even more amazing is that the text was written in remarkable prose, by a Goblin author. Written so early in the First Age, the book was final proof that Goblins could aspire to not just be tame and civil like the other residents of T'sara, not twisted by Fey, but could ascend to brilliance, if given the opportunity.
Purpose
Gracks intended the March To War to be a personal memoir: what he recalled of the conversations and day to day activities in the camp of the general who spared his life and whom he so greatly admired. The book explored both the tedium of military camp life before battle, as well as the great challenges of leadership and holding morale through a fight. Lastly, the book serves to document the rousing speech Galathan gave his men before battle; the famed Bloody Charge of the Warlord Qyrgh.
Document Structure
Clauses
One of the legacies of "Goblin eccentrics" in the March To War is that book is not divided in any meaningful way. The prose of the book is pure dialogue, from the first word to the last, and thus one can only tell where things begin and end through paying close attention to that dialogue.
Historical Details
Public Reaction
The March to War was welcomed as an artistic endeavor, pushing the boundaries of what was feasible for a book; containing only dialogue. That dialogue was well written and emotive, capturing all manner of emotions felt by those in war. Galathan's speech in particular, one of the few areas of the text where it is clear who is speaking, is poetic, motivating, and memorable.
Although the book received some high praise at first publication, it wouldn't be until Galathan himself was approached about the book that Galathan's March to War became so surprising and instantly important. None had known or suspected that the author of the book, Gracks Tulx, was a Goblin. Few of his kind at that time had even known how to write anything, let alone written something that was being compared with the great works of the day.
Because of this, the book was being talked about even by people who hadn't read it. The very idea that this was possible was sensational, especially as much of the public of any species was illiterate. Forged copies to meet the demand were exceptionally common, until Galthan himself again spoke out, producing his declaration of what was deemed the authentic copy.
Although the book received some high praise at first publication, it wouldn't be until Galathan himself was approached about the book that Galathan's March to War became so surprising and instantly important. None had known or suspected that the author of the book, Gracks Tulx, was a Goblin. Few of his kind at that time had even known how to write anything, let alone written something that was being compared with the great works of the day.
Because of this, the book was being talked about even by people who hadn't read it. The very idea that this was possible was sensational, especially as much of the public of any species was illiterate. Forged copies to meet the demand were exceptionally common, until Galthan himself again spoke out, producing his declaration of what was deemed the authentic copy.
Legacy
Galathan's March To War has two important legacies, one in print and one without.
Firstly, the story of Gracks Tulx became something of a legend all on it's own. His life, and specifically the story of him learning to read and write and producing such an amazing work that noone thought possible, would serve as a morality tale across the world told to children, both to never give up, and now to never underestimate what others can do. Gracks himself remains an enigmatic hero to Goblins, especially those still trying to make their kind accepted in civil society.
The book itself has taken a life of it's own since the First Age. It's still considered the historical record of Galathan's speech, and the events that transpired in his camp before the Bloody Charge, and is still referenced by historians. Beyond that, the tale of Galathan's March To War has remained a popular work, though in an unconventional way.
An Elvish actor by the name of Alamen adapted the text to the stage, and was received with great acclaim. With no descriptive text of any of the characters, scenery only mentioned through dialogue, the work became an expiremental standard. In theory, any person could play any part, the backdrops could be just about anything. How a company would decide to compose and cast the play would serve as an intellectual exploration, common throughout academies and especially the various Bard's Colleges in the world.
Firstly, the story of Gracks Tulx became something of a legend all on it's own. His life, and specifically the story of him learning to read and write and producing such an amazing work that noone thought possible, would serve as a morality tale across the world told to children, both to never give up, and now to never underestimate what others can do. Gracks himself remains an enigmatic hero to Goblins, especially those still trying to make their kind accepted in civil society.
The book itself has taken a life of it's own since the First Age. It's still considered the historical record of Galathan's speech, and the events that transpired in his camp before the Bloody Charge, and is still referenced by historians. Beyond that, the tale of Galathan's March To War has remained a popular work, though in an unconventional way.
An Elvish actor by the name of Alamen adapted the text to the stage, and was received with great acclaim. With no descriptive text of any of the characters, scenery only mentioned through dialogue, the work became an expiremental standard. In theory, any person could play any part, the backdrops could be just about anything. How a company would decide to compose and cast the play would serve as an intellectual exploration, common throughout academies and especially the various Bard's Colleges in the world.
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