Gen Con is Nigh!– In Honor of Gamers Everywhere I present “O Fortuna”

Gen Con draws near and I am ready! Ready for no sleep, spending too much money and generally having a good time. I am very excited since this is my first Gen Con and have been itching to go since 1986. Watch this space for some updates during the convention and more extensive coverage in the following week.

In honor of this exciting even, I present the original medieval poem from “Carmina Burana” entitled “O Fortuna.” I find its sentiments apropos given the amount of dice rolling this weekend.

O Fortune, like the moon of ever changing state, you are always waxing or waning; hateful life now is brutal, now pampers our feelings with its game; poverty, power, it melts them like ice.

Fate, savage and empty, you are a turning wheel, your position is uncertain, your favour is idle and always likely to disappear; covered in shadows and veiled you bear upon me too; now my back is naked through the sport of your wickedness.

The chance of prosperity and of virtue is not now mine; whether willing or not, a man is always liable for Fortune’s service. At this hour without delay touch the strings! Because through luck she lays low the brave, all join with me in lamentation!

You can read all of the poems over at the “Teach Yourself Latin” site.

If you are curious, Carl Orff set this poem to music and it appears in many action films. I promise you will recognize it.

May fate be with us all.

Trask, The Last Tyromancer