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Difference between revisions of "ASCII art reward/M-S"

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[[Category:Humor and stories]]
 
[[Category:Humor and stories]]
 +
{{unversioned}}
  
 
==[[User:MacGyvers_Mullet|MacGyvers_Mullet]]==
 
==[[User:MacGyvers_Mullet|MacGyvers_Mullet]]==
Line 16: Line 17:
  
 
The sword slid through the goblin's throat and the dying creature fell
 
The sword slid through the goblin's throat and the dying creature fell
to the ground sputtering. Rognar had been born into a world of
+
to the ground sputtering. Rognar had been born into a world of
 
violence, and he would not share it with these stinking beasts.
 
violence, and he would not share it with these stinking beasts.
 
Striding upon their unnumbered broken bodies, the warrior reached the
 
Striding upon their unnumbered broken bodies, the warrior reached the
summit of the corpse mound and surveyed the carnage. The siege had
+
summit of the corpse mound and surveyed the carnage. The siege had
been broken. Here and there, a wimpering slave of darkness put up
+
been broken. Here and there, a wimpering slave of darkness put up
 
resistance or simply clung to life, but soon they would all be
 
resistance or simply clung to life, but soon they would all be
 
vanquished and the sun would bring a glorious dawn to the blood-red
 
vanquished and the sun would bring a glorious dawn to the blood-red
battlefield. Rognar smiled. It was a great day to be a dwarf.
+
battlefield. Rognar smiled. It was a great day to be a dwarf.
  
 
-Tarn
 
-Tarn
Line 31: Line 32:
 
<pre>!!()!!,k,...@,..#######||</pre>
 
<pre>!!()!!,k,...@,..#######||</pre>
  
He would never let the fiend escape again. That was what Neandar the
+
He would never let the fiend escape again. That was what Neandar the
 
dwarf thought before he flung himself into the black air of the chasm
 
dwarf thought before he flung himself into the black air of the chasm
after the skulking kobold thief. For many seconds they fell, time
+
after the skulking kobold thief. For many seconds they fell, time
 
enough for Neandar to recall his short life and short career on the
 
enough for Neandar to recall his short life and short career on the
Fortress Guard. Wet matter slammed into the dwarf's face and gave
+
Fortress Guard. Wet matter slammed into the dwarf's face and gave
way. The dwarf smashed through a dozen giant spider webs and hit the
+
way. The dwarf smashed through a dozen giant spider webs and hit the
 
ground running, hot on the trail of the kobold scum.
 
ground running, hot on the trail of the kobold scum.
  
A huge standing ring of fire dominated the floor of the chasm. The
+
A huge standing ring of fire dominated the floor of the chasm. The
kobold made for the hell portal with all speed. Neandar stopped in
+
kobold made for the hell portal with all speed. Neandar stopped in
his tracks. It was one thing to plunge to certain death in order to
+
his tracks. It was one thing to plunge to certain death in order to
retrieve a granite puzzle box. It was quite another to cast oneself
+
retrieve a granite puzzle box. It was quite another to cast oneself
into a dimension of ultimate evil. Yet these kobold cowards could not
+
into a dimension of ultimate evil. Yet these kobold cowards could not
be allowed to run about as they pleased. Lifting his axe over his
+
be allowed to run about as they pleased. Lifting his axe over his
 
head, the dwarf charged into the portal of doom.
 
head, the dwarf charged into the portal of doom.
  
 
-Zach
 
-Zach
 +
 +
==[[User:MaRKHeclim|MaRKHeclim]]==
 +
===(30 November 2015)===
 +
 +
<pre>####Rc%###@,.,.</pre>
 +
 +
It came from out of the clear blue sky.  The fortress dwarves heard a scream fading up into the nothingness above.  Expedition Leader Orin called for an immediate lockdown.  It was the Roc.  The giant eagle had been terrorizing every fortress in the mountain chain for months.  No dwarf above ground was safe. 
 +
 +
This was an impossible situation.  The underground highway was still years away from completion.  Because the dwarves were dependent on trade to keep up their booze supply, the caravans had to be protected.  Orin had to come up with a strategy.  It was decided to call on the Quest Knights.  The elite dwarves had never been defeated, for they were protected by the gods.
 +
 +
“We shall slay the bird,” said Sir Kogan, “or die trying.”
 +
 +
“You must not try,” said Orin.  “You must win!”
 +
 +
They were off on the hunt later that day, Sir Kogan, Sir Aliz, and Squire Wabit.  The scholars had triangulated the monster's nest by surveying the site of each murder.  The Roc's nest was high on Crocodile Mountain.  The peak was so named for the jagged outline it traced in the horizon.  It was an evil place, but neither the Quest Knights, nor Wabit were concerned.  They were protected by the gods.
 +
 +
The mountain goats which the knights rode were a hearty bunch.  Even so they had a tough time keeping their footing on Crocodile Mountain.  The shadows of the boulders cast by the sun played tricks on the knights and they soon became lost.  Wabit reminded them to keep the faith.  With the power of Nadir they would not only survive, they would triumph.
 +
 +
There it was, the monster's nest.  It was set on a ledge with a drop-off that seemed to extend down to infinity.  The Roc was gone, probably to inflict more damage on some unsuspecting dwarf fortress down below.  Kogan and Aliz climbed up the rock cliff, leaving Wabit back to tend the goats.
 +
 +
The monster's nest was so huge it was lined with fallen trees instead of branches.  Inside was a bright blue egg.  Sir Kogan was thrilled.  As the Roc had murdered his friends, so he would slay the beast's spawn.  He lifted his sword and swung down with all his might.  The egg cracked and fell open, revealing a huge, yellow baby chick.  The baby monster looked at Kogan and let out an ear-piercing chirp.
 +
 +
“Don't do it!” cried Wabit as he climbed into the nest.
 +
 +
It was too late.  Sir Kogan stabbed the giant chick in the side with his sword.  There was a deafening cry and out of the sky came the Roc.  Sir Aliz trying to pull his weapon by couldn't loose it in time, the Roc picked him up and sent him screaming over the side.  Sir Kogan turned to face the monster.  He deflected the giant bird's talons as they grabbed at him, but eventually his energy gave out and he collasped.
 +
 +
With a mournful cry the Roc seized the chick and Sir Kogan and flew off into the sky never to be seen again.  Wabit wept, for as was destined, the Quest Knights had never failed.  But as they had murdered an innocent, they no longer had the protection of the gods.
 +
 +
THE END
 +
 +
 +
Thanks again,<br>
 +
Tarn and Zach
  
 
==[[User:MasturNater|MasturNater]]==
 
==[[User:MasturNater|MasturNater]]==
===(30 November 2015)===
+
===(29 May 2020)===
  
 
<pre>@?@=+++@@@+@@++@+&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&</pre>
 
<pre>@?@=+++@@@+@@++@+&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&</pre>
  
Shouts could be heard further down the mine tunnel. None of the dwarves  
+
Shouts could be heard further down the mine tunnel. None of the dwarves  
figured they had too much longer to live. The rules had been broken and  
+
figured they had too much longer to live. The rules had been broken and  
the miners had begun to harvest adamantine from the forbidden ore vein.
+
the miners had begun to harvest adamantine from the forbidden ore vein.  
At first it appeared that everything would be okay. The magic ore fell  
+
At first it appeared that everything would be okay. The magic ore fell  
away from the tunnel wall leaving a black hole beyond. It didn't seem  
+
away from the tunnel wall leaving a black hole beyond. It didn't seem  
 
like a large enough portal for a demon to get through, but the miners  
 
like a large enough portal for a demon to get through, but the miners  
 
weren't as well versed in demonology as Kogan was.
 
weren't as well versed in demonology as Kogan was.
  
“We have to get out of here,” said Kogan. “Now.”
+
“We have to get out of here,” said Kogan. “Now.”
  
 
The assistant scribe rolled up all the scrolls he could carry as Kogan  
 
The assistant scribe rolled up all the scrolls he could carry as Kogan  
barked orders. The dwarves could smell smoke and the sounds of chaos  
+
barked orders. The dwarves could smell smoke and the sounds of chaos  
were growing closer. Together, Kogan and the scribe made their way out  
+
were growing closer. Together, Kogan and the scribe made their way out  
of the library and through the twisting corridors of the fortress. As  
+
of the library and through the twisting corridors of the fortress. As  
 
they watched the other dwarves rush by they knew there was no telling  
 
they watched the other dwarves rush by they knew there was no telling  
 
who would survive.
 
who would survive.
Line 81: Line 115:
 
The three chosen warriors left the Citadel of Hope, strapped on with
 
The three chosen warriors left the Citadel of Hope, strapped on with
 
all manner of magic weapons that the Council of Elders had presented
 
all manner of magic weapons that the Council of Elders had presented
them. Shizenbubin was the tracker of the group, always hot on the
+
them. Shizenbubin was the tracker of the group, always hot on the
trail of danger. Shizentubin was her sister, skilled in the ways of
+
trail of danger. Shizentubin was her sister, skilled in the ways of
the blade so that no enemy neck was safe. Azoul Buck was the leader.
+
the blade so that no enemy neck was safe. Azoul Buck was the leader.
 
She ran her fingers through her short blond hair, her muscular arm
 
She ran her fingers through her short blond hair, her muscular arm
 
flexing, covered with the crude tattoos of her tribe.
 
flexing, covered with the crude tattoos of her tribe.
  
This would be a short quest indeed. A party of goblins had ambushed
+
This would be a short quest indeed. A party of goblins had ambushed
the prince on his way to the castle. All the heroes need do is return
+
the prince on his way to the castle. All the heroes need do is return
him unspoiled. It would be easy to intercept them then on their way
+
him unspoiled. It would be easy to intercept them then on their way
to the Black Fortress, given Shizenbubin's incredible skill. However,
+
to the Black Fortress, given Shizenbubin's incredible skill. However,
time was not on their side. Goblins grew bored easily and might make
+
time was not on their side. Goblins grew bored easily and might make
sport of the prince's bodily members. Azoul set the pace, a quick
+
sport of the prince's bodily members. Azoul set the pace, a quick
trot through the woods. She smiled at the easily-won glory that
+
trot through the woods. She smiled at the easily-won glory that
 
awaited her squad at the end of the journey.
 
awaited her squad at the end of the journey.
  
Line 134: Line 168:
  
 
"That ought to keep 'em out," Doran said confidently, patting the granite
 
"That ought to keep 'em out," Doran said confidently, patting the granite
block which he had just slid into place. Ever since the Baron had insisted
+
block which he had just slid into place. Ever since the Baron had insisted
 
on mining out the gold vein in the wall, Doran had been dealing with the
 
on mining out the gold vein in the wall, Doran had been dealing with the
rats. It couldn't be helped. Gold was gold after all, but it was just
+
rats. It couldn't be helped. Gold was gold after all, but it was just
 
Doran's luck that the miners had broken through to a large chasm not far
 
Doran's luck that the miners had broken through to a large chasm not far
 
from the craftsdwarf's room.
 
from the craftsdwarf's room.
  
The dwarf laid down on his bed and began to think about the next project. A
+
The dwarf laid down on his bed and began to think about the next project. A
puzzlebox, perhaps, something challenging. Just as Doran was drifting off
+
puzzlebox, perhaps, something challenging. Just as Doran was drifting off
 
into dreams of the design, he heard a scratching on the block.
 
into dreams of the design, he heard a scratching on the block.
  
"Ha! Keep trying you little demons," the dwarf chuckled. The scratching
+
"Ha! Keep trying you little demons," the dwarf chuckled. The scratching
continued. It was irritating, but the dwarf could block it out. Then there
+
continued. It was irritating, but the dwarf could block it out. Then there
was a grating scrape as the block moved an inch. The dwarf sat up and
+
was a grating scrape as the block moved an inch. The dwarf sat up and
stared at the wall in amazement. Impossible, he thought.
+
stared at the wall in amazement. Impossible, he thought.
  
The block slid forward further. Small, clawed fingers worked their way
+
The block slid forward further. Small, clawed fingers worked their way
 
around the stone until a gray, furry hand grasped one corner of the block.
 
around the stone until a gray, furry hand grasped one corner of the block.
 
The stone turned slightly.
 
The stone turned slightly.
  
 
Doran seized his chisel from the nearby table and leapt toward the block,
 
Doran seized his chisel from the nearby table and leapt toward the block,
stabbing downward. The tool grazed the hand, leaving a spatter of blood on
+
stabbing downward. The tool grazed the hand, leaving a spatter of blood on
the stone. There was a shriek, and the bleeding hand disappeared into the
+
the stone. There was a shriek, and the bleeding hand disappeared into the
 
dark crack.
 
dark crack.
  
 
The craftsdwarf pushed the block back into place and backed away, chisel in
 
The craftsdwarf pushed the block back into place and backed away, chisel in
hand. After a moment, the scratching began anew.
+
hand. After a moment, the scratching began anew.
  
 
===(07 Jun 2007)===
 
===(07 Jun 2007)===
 
<pre>##.,.||%r%+@+|</pre>
 
<pre>##.,.||%r%+@+|</pre>
  
"Leave me be, you fiend!" Doran yelled, his chisel held toward the stone
+
"Leave me be, you fiend!" Doran yelled, his chisel held toward the stone
block. The scratching became louder and more persistent.
+
block. The scratching became louder and more persistent.
  
 
Once again, the block moved, but this time no fingers poked through the
 
Once again, the block moved, but this time no fingers poked through the
crack. The beast had learned. The slab of granite was being pushed
+
crack. The beast had learned. The slab of granite was being pushed
directly from behind, and it glided slowly toward Doran. The dwarf backed
+
directly from behind, and it glided slowly toward Doran. The dwarf backed
 
toward his bed.
 
toward his bed.
  
The block stopped sliding. There was now enough space to allow something to
+
The block stopped sliding. There was now enough space to allow something to
 
pass through the hole in the wall, but the block was large and Doran could
 
pass through the hole in the wall, but the block was large and Doran could
not see behind it. For a long moment, nothing stirred. The craftsdwarf
+
not see behind it. For a long moment, nothing stirred. The craftsdwarf
 
knelt and opened the chest by the foot of his bed, muttering.
 
knelt and opened the chest by the foot of his bed, muttering.
  
At once, a creature leapt from behind the block and faced Doran. It was a
+
At once, a creature leapt from behind the block and faced Doran. It was a
 
ratman, ravening, its long yellow incisors surrounded by froth, its
 
ratman, ravening, its long yellow incisors surrounded by froth, its
patchy-furred flesh stretched tight over its starved body. The thing
+
patchy-furred flesh stretched tight over its starved body. The thing
 
hungered and would have Doran for its meal.
 
hungered and would have Doran for its meal.
  
The dwarf stood, a vial in his hand. The ratman lunged forward and Doran
+
The dwarf stood, a vial in his hand. The ratman lunged forward and Doran
hurled the vial at the beast's face. The glass shattered, and the creature
+
hurled the vial at the beast's face. The glass shattered, and the creature
clutched its black protruding eyes as they steamed. Doran rushed forward
+
clutched its black protruding eyes as they steamed. Doran rushed forward
 
and stabbed the ratman repeatedly with the chisel until it stopped moving.
 
and stabbed the ratman repeatedly with the chisel until it stopped moving.
  
"Pity about that. I was going to ask Mul to do some etchings for me."
+
"Pity about that. I was going to ask Mul to do some etchings for me."
  
 
===(15 Jul 2007)===
 
===(15 Jul 2007)===
Line 193: Line 227:
  
 
"Yes, I'm sorry, Mul, it would have been a thrilling project," Doran said,
 
"Yes, I'm sorry, Mul, it would have been a thrilling project," Doran said,
pausing to take another swig of whiskey. "I can't believe how much trouble
+
pausing to take another swig of whiskey. "I can't believe how much trouble
 
we've been having with ratmen lately."
 
we've been having with ratmen lately."
  
 
"Perhaps there's a larger beast down in the chasm riling them up," Mul
 
"Perhaps there's a larger beast down in the chasm riling them up," Mul
replied. "Kogan's child was taken not long ago."
+
replied. "Kogan's child was taken not long ago."
  
 
"Yes, surely something unusual is afoot."
 
"Yes, surely something unusual is afoot."
  
Meanwhile, Kogan stood with his axe by the chasm bridge. Ever since the boy
+
Meanwhile, Kogan stood with his axe by the chasm bridge. Ever since the boy
 
Aliz had been lost, the soldier had tirelessly patrolled the walkways along
 
Aliz had been lost, the soldier had tirelessly patrolled the walkways along
 
the deepest parts of the rift, killing dozens of ratmen and a few large
 
the deepest parts of the rift, killing dozens of ratmen and a few large
spiders. He would not be satisfied until the depths were devoid of life.
+
spiders. He would not be satisfied until the depths were devoid of life.
  
A foul wind blew up from the chasm. Kogan leaned to the side and peered
+
A foul wind blew up from the chasm. Kogan leaned to the side and peered
down over the edge of the bridge. The impact was sudden and the dwarf was
+
down over the edge of the bridge. The impact was sudden and the dwarf was
knocked on his back in the middle of the bridge. Kogan heard the sound of
+
knocked on his back in the middle of the bridge. Kogan heard the sound of
 
stone being scraped without respect, and he.found himself staring into the
 
stone being scraped without respect, and he.found himself staring into the
 
rotten eyes of a giant decaying reptile.
 
rotten eyes of a giant decaying reptile.
  
  
==[[User:Met|Met]]==
+
==[[User:Metorical|Metorical]]==
===(June 2011)===
+
===(November 2009)===
<pre>||~@++%||@++++</pre>
+
<pre>UUUU/UU/U#+!++@@@@</pre>
  
"I am innocent of these crimes!" cried Fuglin as he was dragged away. Sitting in the dungeon cell, he could recall the cheers of the dwarves as the judge pronounced the verdict. It wasn't fair. The adamantine wasn't his.  He was just holding it for somebody.  Now in prison, he was left to rot. A guard stopped by his cell and poured a cup of gruel on the cold stone floor.  Anger and despair were all he felt now.  From now on he dared not hope.
+
Dwarves hurled boulders down on the invaders as they advanced by
 +
ladder. Sharkra smiled, for this meant they had run out of ammunition
 +
for their war machines. She dodged out of the way as a human invader
 +
plunged down past her to a rocky doom. Sharkra grimaced. Machines or
 +
not, these dwarves would fight the death to save their blasted
 +
mountain. At last she reached the battlements.
  
--
+
Battle master Sharkra was an evil genius of combat. It was rumored
 +
she had sacrificed everything she loved for riches and lost it all
 +
gambling the same night. Her very aura smelled of the underworld.
 +
Now she soldiered for anyone who would pay her. Pay her and her elite
 +
troop of mercenaries, the Unholy Band. This time is was rat-lord
 +
Gomra that hired her.
  
It had begun as such a small thing. Fuglin and the goblin had known each other since the construction of the fortress. Fuglin was young then.
+
Sharkra pulled herself onto the fortress wall. Members of the Unholy
 +
Band leapt over the battlements, light on their feet. Together they
 +
advanced on the dwarves. Sharkra wielded a giant mace, while the Band
 +
pulled rapiers from polished sheaths.
  
One day Fuglin visited the goblin, this time locked in the stockade.
+
“We have you,” said Sharkra. “Throw down your weapons and die quickly.”
  
"You know the path through the stone?" said the goblin. "The one we built as children?  You must go there and bring me what you find. It is the key to my release."
+
Something sailed through the air and struck Sharkra in the face, a
 +
glass flask filled with fuming liquid. The glass shattered sending
 +
pain coursing through the evil woman’s body. She put her hand to her
 +
face and it came back covered in slime. She straightened up and
 +
looked around. The Unholy Band was laughing at her. Sadly, this
 +
wasn’t the first time.
  
===(July 2011)===
+
“What are you standing around for?” screeched Sharkra. “Kill them.
<pre>,.,.,.,.,@|#######&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&</pre>
 
  
The space was not built for more than a child, a narrow, twisting tunnel winding its way through the foundations of the fortress. At the bottom, Fuglin saw a light, a silvery glowing rock at the end of the tunnel. This must be it, thought Fuglin, a bribe to set the goblin free. Hastily, Fuglin took up his pick and chiseled off a piece of the silver metal.
+
The vain and evil Sharkra pulled a mirror from her pack which she
 +
carried at all times. Her face was never much to begin with, but now
 +
it was utterly ruined. Gomra, thought Sharkra, it is all his fault.
 +
The warrior woman whistled and the Unholy Band followed her as she
 +
retreated from the fortress.
  
Something lay beyond the tunnel.  A hole the size of a dwarf's fist opened where Fuglin struck.  He could hear a strange howling within, no doubt another subterranean jungle.  The dwarf didn't stay to find out.  He squirmed as fast as he could, finally reaching the exit where he found the goblin, free from his bonds.
+
“It is said,” intoned dwarf captain Duzelm, “that evil shall always
 +
turn upon itself.
  
"You survived," said the goblin. "Keep the adamantine as a token of our friendship."
+
“What is your plan master?” asked Bally, the dwarven squire.
  
"Wait!" cried Fuglin, but the goblin had disappeared.
+
“We shall follow this villain back to Lord Gomra,” said Duzelm “and
 +
catch all the rats in the same trap. Go to the humans in Gelthtown,
 +
they have the quick steeds we require.
  
===(October 2011)===
+
Before the day was through, the men of Gelthtown had assembled the
<pre>@@@@@,.,o@,..##||#&#&#&&&&#&</pre>
+
horses, along with master rider Jorna. She was blond and lean, draped
 +
in the leathers of a Gelthtown tracker. The dwarves climbed onto the
 +
horses and strapped themselves in.
  
What happened next was hard to say.  There was a lot of smoke and fire.  Dwarves ran screaming through the fortress.  Captains shouted orders to soldiers they could not see through the clouds of burning vapor.  Fuglin was scared beyond reason.  He tried to follow the others, ducking when the monsters swooped down.
+
“Are you sure you can keep up with the Unholy Band?” asked Captain Duzelm.
  
It seemed it would never end, then Fuglin came rolling out of the fortress gate just as another fire blast rocketed overhead. As it was, the demons could not, or would not set foot outside the fortress. What few dwarves that were left gathered at the hills below.  Fuglin recognized a blacksmith which with he had apprenticed.  Before he could speak the blacksmith pointed his finger.
+
Jorna laughed. “Just pray I don’t reach Gomra before Sharkra does,” she said.
  
"He is the one!" the dwarf cried.  "Look!  He still has the rock in his paw!"
+
==[[User:Midelne|Midelne]]==
  
Fuglin looked down, having until now forgotten the adamantine in his hand.
+
===Fish Dwarf Begin: (6 August 2007)===
 +
<pre>~~@~~X</pre>
  
===(July 2014)===
+
They called him Fish-Dwarf. He was the only worker in the outpost willing to brave the depths of the cave river in order to service the floodgate mechanisms when they became clogged with the seasonal muds.
<pre>@g+0++0++0++0++0++0++0++<</pre>
 
  
"You have a visitor," said the prison guard.
+
It was that time again. The farming gates weren't operational, and the planting had to begin immediately. Fish-Dwarf had his tools, and the special fins he had manufactured were secured to broad feet. Everything was ready. The frightened faces of the onlooking children would not dissuade him. Fish-Dwarf understood that this was his calling. He was the only one that could save the outpost. The dwarf inhaled, and his chest swelled to nearly double its original size. Clearing his mind, the dwarf dove into the water.
  
It was the goblin, dressed in a dark cloak.  Fuglin had blamed his
+
===(8 November 2007)===
fate on the goblin, but now that he saw him it all seemed so
+
<pre>~~~@%X</pre>
pointless.  In the morning, he would go to the hammerer to be forged
 
anew.  Fuglin began to wonder why the goblin showed up at all if not
 
to gloat at his handiwork.
 
  
"Take this glass pill," said the goblin, holding out his hand, "and
+
Fish-Dwarf swam down the narrow tunnel to the gate mechanism. The water was murky and even with his superior vision he could only just see his hands sweeping ahead of him.
bite down with your teeth.  Death will come swiftly."
 
  
The goblin dropped the pill into Fuglin's open hand. The fluid in the
+
The upper portion of the mechanism appeared suddenly before him. The dwarf inspected the machinery quickly, mindful of his air, yet confident that he had at least a few minutes left. The top assembly was clear, so the mud must have worked itself into the lower gears. Fish-Dwarf pushed his way down.
green glass capsule looked black and foreboding.  Still, it beat a
 
humiliating public execution. The goblin turned and left without
 
saying another word. Fuglin put the pill in his mouth and bit down
 
hard.  A moment's dizziness was all he had time to experience.
 
  
"Where am I?" asked Fuglin.
+
The swollen rotting face of a lizardman greeted him, twisted into the gears. Not again, Fish-Dwarf thought, dejected. It would take at least three trips to dislodge all of the chunks. The dwarf removed the chisel from his tool case and began working it into the sticking jam.
  
"Quiet," said the goblin. "We are in the catacombsThe dwarves
+
===(10 December 2007)===
believe you committed suicide."
+
<pre>+@@+@@@+~~~~~</pre>
 
+
"But I did commit suicide," mumbled Fuglin.
+
"Fish-Dwarf, you have saved us!" the children shouted as the wet dwarf
 
+
pulled his way up on to the bank. He had finished his last cleaning
"You can take that up with your deity later," said the goblin. "For
+
run, and already the floodgate was rising, ushering in the waters that
now we must get you out of these funeral shrouds and escape before we
+
would prepare the way for the summer harvest.
are discovered."
+
   
 
+
"Truly, Fish-Dwarf, your mastery of the murky depths never ceases to
===(October 2015)===
+
amaze us. You are a hero," the Mayor Kogan said, offering Fish-Dwarf
 
+
a mug of the outpost's best.
<pre>g@,.,.@@@></pre>
+
 
+
"I am glad I could help," Fish-Dwarf said, draining the mug in one
Why had he been rescued?  Fuglin was a traitor and had to be forged anew, but to do that, he had to die.  The goblin held his hand as they exited the tomb.  There was a family of dwarves mourning just outside. As they passed, the goblin held Fuglin close, pretending to be lovers lost in griefIt worked this time, but in order to start a new life, they needed Fuglin to exchange his sackcloth for real clothes. The goblin led Fuglin through a maze of corridors to the fortress market.
+
motion. "If only the river waters were whiskey, my life would be
 
+
complete."
“You look like a scribe to me,” said the goblin.
+
 
+
"I fear we would never see you again if that were the case!" the Mayor jested.
“Like those creeps that spend their whole lives in the library?” complained Fuglin.
+
 +
Fish-Dwarf pondered a moment. "Indeed. Yet the search for the
 +
Whiskey River is a quest for the young, I'm afraid."
 +
 +
"We here at Gladanvil are happy to have you," the Mayor replied as the
 +
crowd dispersed. As the others left, the mayor pulled Fish-Dwarf
 +
aside.
 +
   
 +
"-- and yet, I fear you cannot stay long. I've received word from
 +
King Dorazar. He has heard tell of your talents, and our liaison from
 +
the Mountainhome has conveyed his request for your presence at the
 +
capital."
 +
 +
"My presence? Surely the engineers of the Mountainhome can manage the
 +
mighty floodgates and channels of Steelpoint without my help."
 +
 +
"It isn't farming trouble, Fish-Dwarf," the Mayor said, lowering his
 +
voice to a whisper. "Many fisherdwarves have been lost to the waters.
 +
There is something lurking in the Lake of Columns."
  
“Forget your old life,” said the goblin.  “That is what it means to serve in the Order of Nadir.”
+
===(18 January 2008)===
 
+
<pre>~~~@/~~%OB%OO%%%~~</pre>
===(November 2015)===
+
 
+
Innumerable stalactites hung from the ceiling of the expansive gem-lit
<pre>+++@p|</pre>
+
cavern, many dipping down through the still surface of the black
 
+
waters. This was the Lake of Columns, the source of life for
Writing prose under the pen name Robinor, Fuglin began his new life as a scribeLife was different out in the periphery. The monastery where the scribe worked was built into a hillside deep in the Forbidden Forest. Not many people would risk a journey there, but Robinor's works ended up being so skillful and filled with such beauty that he gained the one thing he could no longer afford, fame.
+
Steelpoint, and now a place of dread.
 
+
   
None of the brothers spoke to Robinor as they had all taken vows of silence, but the dwarf could still tell that they were pretty mad about all the visitors they had been attracting latelyRobinor greeted his fans with the humility one would expect from a monk, but it was easy to tell that the dwarf was succumbing to the sin of pride.
+
Fish-Dwarf fit the blades into place on his fins. The citizens of
 +
Steelpoint did not know what the creature was, but no fewer than seven
 +
fisherdwarves had been lost at the shore. No matter, thought
 +
Fish-Dwarf. King Dorazar had charged him to slay the lurking threat,
 +
and that is what he would do. Still, the nature of the creature
 +
eluded him. It had been years since his last combat with an aquatic
 +
beast, and then it was only the cave crocodiles and lizardmen that
 +
occasionally harassed his own community. Steelpoint would not have
 +
sent for him over such a triviality. Hefting his mighty trident,
 +
Fish-Dwarf nodded to the gathered onlookers before leaping into the
 +
lake.
 +
 +
The water was clear, and he could see the broad columns well ahead of
 +
him down to where they joined the submerged floor of the cavern.
 +
Behind any of these formations, the beast could lurk.
 +
   
 +
There! Nestled between three columns was a gigantic bloated form on
 +
the lake bottom. Fish-Dwarf swam closer, almost drifting. What
 +
manner of beast was this? Great tentacles it had, and a toothy maw
 +
which flopped open as it slumbered, surrounded by half-consumed bodies
 +
of the dead.
 +
 +
Fish-Dwarf was almost upon it now, his trident lifted above his head
 +
as he sank slowly toward the sleeping fiend. As he prepared to
 +
strike, the lurid thing's lone eye flashed open.
  
One day, Robinor was praying in the shrine to Nadir when a bird landed on the creepy statue of the god of the depths. It was a parrot, out of place in the cold northern climateRobinor stood on his feet and walked over to the statue.
+
===(15 May 2008)===
 
+
<pre>------------------------
“Pretty bird,” said Robinor“Pretty bird.
+
~~~~~~~~~~~@/~%~~~~~~~~~
 
+
------------------------</pre>
“You are all going to die,” said the parrot.
+
 
+
Tentacles lashed out, looping around Fish-Dwarf's torso and pinning
==[[User:Metorical|Metorical]]==
+
his arms to his chest. A force stronger than any he had ever
===(November 2009)===
+
experienced crushed his ribs and a stream of bubbles shot from his
<pre>UUUU/UU/U#+!++@@@@</pre>
+
mouth as the breath was squeezed from his body. Fish-Dwarf
 +
desperately slashed at the tentacles with his fin blades and as his
 +
vision faded to black he saw that the water was thick with curling
 +
purple ribbons of the foul beast's tainted blood. The monster's grip
 +
loosened and Fish-Dwarf was able to free his arms. His sight had not
 +
returned, but when he stabbed his trident downward, he felt it sink
 +
deep into the creature. The monster's body convulsed and it raced
 +
into the open water, Fish-Dwarf still clinging to the imbedded weapon.
 +
   
 +
I cannot let go so long as I cannot see, or I will surely be devoured,
 +
Fish-Dwarf thought, though the beast continued on into the depths at
 +
such speed that the diver could not maintain his bearings, and
 +
suddenly in the back of his mind arose a strange sensation... it was
 +
the need for air, such as he had not experienced for many years. A
 +
tingling came to his throat and nose, and his head began to feel numb
 +
as he became more desperate for breath, and yet slowly, his vision was
 +
returning.
 +
   
 +
The beast slowed, its energy spent, and it settled on to the lake
 +
bottom, unmoving. Fish-Dwarf jammed the trident into it a few times;
 +
the thing was dead. Now, the surface! Fish-Dwarf pulled his weapon
 +
from the monster and swam upward, but he stopped immediately. As far
 +
as he could see in the now-dark water, a smooth ceiling of limestone
 +
greeted him. The monster had fled into a great crack in the lake
 +
bottom, so far and so deep that the light from the gem lamps was no
 +
longer visible. Just the endless water and rock of the submerged
 +
tomb of Fish-Dwarf, he thought, as he chose a direction and swam.
  
Dwarves hurled boulders down on the invaders as they advanced by
+
===Fish Dwarf End: (1 July 2008)===
ladder.  Sharkra smiled, for this meant they had run out of ammunition
+
<pre>,@!,.~~~~~~~~</pre>
for their war machines.  She dodged out of the way as a human invader
 
plunged down past her to a rocky doom.  Sharkra grimaced.  Machines or
 
not, these dwarves would fight the death to save their blasted
 
mountain.  At last she reached the battlements.
 
  
Battle master Sharkra was an evil genius of combat. It was rumored
+
He had chosen the wrong direction. Either that or the beast had
she had sacrificed everything she loved for riches and lost it all
+
dragged Fish-Dwarf so far into the mountain that the fires of the
gambling the same night.  Her very aura smelled of the underworld.
+
underworld were closer than the light of the lamps. His breath was
Now she soldiered for anyone who would pay her.  Pay her and her elite
+
long since gone -- moving forward was all that could keep him from
troop of mercenaries, the Unholy Band. This time is was rat-lord
+
panicking. After every few kicks, the dwarf would reach up to feel
Gomra that hired her.
+
the limestone. If anything, the rock was closing in. No... what's
 
+
this? His hand curled up around a sharp corner. Fish-Dwarf grabbed
Sharkra pulled herself onto the fortress wall. Members of the Unholy
+
it firmly with both hands and pulled, launching himself upward.
Band leapt over the battlements, light on their feet. Together they
 
advanced on the dwarves. Sharkra wielded a giant mace, while the Band
 
pulled rapiers from polished sheaths.
 
  
“We have you,” said Sharkra. “Throw down your weapons and die quickly.
+
The dwarf fully expected to meet a wall of rock, but instead he glided
 +
freely until at long last he broke the surface of the water, gasping
 +
for air. As the dwarf calmed down, he realized that he could still
 +
see nothing. He felt walls close by in all directions, as if he had
 +
just swum up a shaft, though there was a ledge overhanging the water
 +
on to which he could haul himself and rest his weary body. Fish-Dwarf
 +
passed in and out of consciousness for a time, perhaps an hour, before
 +
he sat up and assessed his situation.  
  
Something sailed through the air and struck Sharkra in the face, a
+
He could dive back into the water with his lungs full of air and try
glass flask filled with fuming liquid. The glass shattered sending
+
to find the lamps, now unmolested by great underwater beasts, but he
pain coursing through the evil woman’s body. She put her hand to her
+
did not relish the idea of leaving the entrance to the shaft behind in
face and it came back covered in slime.  She straightened up and
+
total darkness as he explored the crevice below. The only alternative
looked around.  The Unholy Band was laughing at her. Sadly, this
+
was to feel his way along the walls from this ledge above the grotto.
wasn’t the first time.
+
These limestone mountains were laced with natural caverns and after a
 +
brief exploration of the surrounding stone he found this hollow was no
 +
exception -- there was a mud-slicked passage that ran into the
 +
mountain. Without hesitation, Fish-Dwarf struck out into the cavern.
  
“What are you standing around for?” screeched Sharkra. “Kill them.
+
-- How long since he had started on this dreary journey? Though the mud
 
+
was often thick, Fish-Dwarf had not trudged through so much as a
The vain and evil Sharkra pulled a mirror from her pack which she
+
puddle these many days. He thirsted for spirits, nay, even water, and
carried at all times. Her face was never much to begin with, but now
+
he longed to swim again. The dwarf had long since abandoned his fins
it was utterly ruined. Gomra, thought Sharkra, it is all his fault.
+
and other equipment as they encumbered him too much on the march.
The warrior woman whistled and the Unholy Band followed her as she
+
Every so often, he imagined he saw the gem lamps ahead, though it
retreated from the fortress.
+
could just as easily be the cooking fires of a goblin encampment, or
 +
some darker torture, as the lights of the capital he sought. There
 +
they were, even now... lights! Or light at least, the barest speck
 +
in the distance ahead. Fish-Dwarf moved swiftly, no longer plodding,
 +
still careful of the stalactites but driving forward rapidly all the
 +
same. The speck became an opening, and he could see the mud of the
 +
passage floor illuminated in the distance, with stone walls further
 +
beyond. Only a few more steps...  
  
“It is said,” intoned dwarf captain Duzelm, “that evil shall always
+
The cavern opened out upon a rocky river valley in a canyon sheer to
turn upon itself.
+
the greatest heights yet welcoming the noon-day sun. The entrance
 +
where Fish-Dwarf stood was at the bottom of the cliffs a short walk
 +
down pebble-laden slopes to the stream below. Instantly, Fish-Dwarf
 +
could tell that these were no ordinary waters. They were the color of
 +
honey, yet the current flowed rapidly. And the aroma! The
 +
intoxicating aroma! There was no question in his mind. Whether it
 +
fell from the throne of some inebriated sky god and vanished into the
 +
underworld to besot the armies of hell made no difference, for here,
 +
in this world, in this very mountain range, ran the slightest stretch
 +
of the Whiskey River. His mind unencumbered by thoughts of duty or
 +
home, Fish-Dwarf made his way down to the riverside to drink his fill.
  
“What is your plan master?” asked Bally, the dwarven squire.
+
===Hunger Begin (11 June 2008)===
 +
<pre>,..,.++U+,.+,.+U~U||</pre>
  
“We shall follow this villain back to Lord Gomra,” said Duzelm “and
+
Suffering blighted the land with cruel hunger. Wagons brought foul
catch all the rats in the same trap.  Go to the humans in Gelthtown,
+
fungus from the dwarven mountains. It was barely enough to sustain
they have the quick steeds we require.
+
those base enough to eat such filth. The rest died. Paldadar rested
 +
against the hilt of his great sword. He looked over his shoulder at
 +
the dark stone castle. Turning his back on mud brick huts, the knight
 +
passed by the scraggly bearded guards and entered the keep.
 +
 +
From a high window, bright, mocking sunlight shone across the dark
 +
wooden throne and the troubled king that sat upon it. The old man
 +
reached for his cup, and after taking a sip, spat the vile dwarven
 +
brew unto the stone floor. A herald in a mud-smattered tunic rushed
 +
to wipe up the spill, but seeing the knight, rose to confront him.
 +
   
 +
"You were not summoned, Sir Paldadar," spit the herald. "Go ask the
 +
peasants instead of begging the king for scraps from the royal table."
 +
 +
"Silence, Rodger," said the king.
 +
 +
The herald jumped away like a whipped dog. The king motioned the
 +
knight to come forward.
 +
 +
"The gods have abandoned this place," said the king. "Only through
 +
their glory will the days of bounty return. It is for this reason you
 +
must smite the heathen Farthlings where they dwell across the river.
 +
When their land is in ruin, the gods at last will favor us."
 +
 +
The knight ground his teeth. This was obviously High Priest Igland's
 +
doing. But perhaps there was wisdom in punishing the arrogant
 +
Farthlings for their many insults. Death by the sword was much
 +
preferable to slow certain death by starvation.
  
Before the day was through, the men of Gelthtown had assembled the
+
===(17 June 2008)===
horses, along with master rider Jorna. She was blond and lean, draped
+
<pre>==?T?====,.UH,.U</pre>
in the leathers of a Gelthtown tracker.  The dwarves climbed onto the
 
horses and strapped themselves in.
 
  
“Are you sure you can keep up with the Unholy Band?” asked Captain Duzelm.
+
As Paldadar walked away from the keep, peasants averted their hungry
 
+
faces. He was still a knight, even if he represented the most
Jorna laughed.  “Just pray I don’t reach Gomra before Sharkra does,” she said.
+
wretched of kingdoms. A frail sissy approached from behind, leading
 
+
two horses. Paldadar swung around, drawing his sword. There stood
==[[User:Midelne|Midelne]]==
+
Rodger, wearing the snottiest of faces, his nose in the air.
 
+
===Fish Dwarf Begin: (6 August 2007)===
+
"By the will of the king," he hissed, "I am to be your squire."
<pre>~~@~~X</pre>
 
 
 
They called him Fish-Dwarf. He was the only worker in the outpost willing to brave the depths of the cave river in order to service the floodgate mechanisms when they became clogged with the seasonal muds.
 
 
 
It was that time again. The farming gates weren't operational, and the planting had to begin immediately. Fish-Dwarf had his tools, and the special fins he had manufactured were secured to broad feet.  Everything was ready.  The frightened faces of the onlooking children would not dissuade him.  Fish-Dwarf understood that this was his calling.  He was the only one that could save the outpost.  The dwarf inhaled, and his chest swelled to nearly double its original size.  Clearing his mind, the dwarf dove into the water.
 
 
 
===(8 November 2007)===
 
<pre>~~~@%X</pre>
 
 
 
Fish-Dwarf swam down the narrow tunnel to the gate mechanism.  The water was murky and even with his superior vision he could only just see his hands sweeping ahead of him.
 
 
 
The upper portion of the mechanism appeared suddenly before him.  The dwarf inspected the machinery quickly, mindful of his air, yet confident that he had at least a few minutes left.  The top assembly was clear, so the mud must have worked itself into the lower gears.  Fish-Dwarf pushed his way down.
 
 
 
The swollen rotting face of a lizardman greeted him, twisted into the gears.  Not again, Fish-Dwarf thought, dejected.  It would take at least three trips to dislodge all of the chunks.  The dwarf removed the chisel from his tool case and began working it into the sticking jam.
 
 
 
===(10 December 2007)===
 
<pre>+@@+@@@+~~~~~</pre>
 
 
   
 
   
"Fish-Dwarf, you have saved us!" the children shouted as the wet dwarf
+
Paldadar prayed to the gods for mercy. Would that a Farthling's bolt
pulled his way up on to the bank. He had finished his last cleaning
+
find his heart soon that he be saved from further tortures. Together
run, and already the floodgate was rising, ushering in the waters that
+
the pair made their way to the Temple of Love, where High Priest
would prepare the way for the summer harvest.
+
Igland waited to bless their holy crusade.
 
   
 
   
"Truly, Fish-Dwarf, your mastery of the murky depths never ceases to
+
The temple was built on a tall hill, a ring of marble columns
amaze us. You are a hero," the Mayor Kogan said, offering Fish-Dwarf
+
surrounding an enormous stone stele, pricking the sky with its
a mug of the outpost's best.
+
majesty. All around the temple, peasants scrambled to snatch at the
 +
scraps donated by the monks that poured rotten food down the hill. As
 +
Paldadar entered the temple, he was surrounded by fat priests and
 +
priestesses that danced around him in a grotesque, undulating display.
 +
 
 +
The knight refused a cup of offered wine, which Rodger snatched up
 +
and drank freely.
 
   
 
   
"I am glad I could help," Fish-Dwarf said, draining the mug in one
+
At the center of the temple, High Priest Igland stood, wearing nothing
motion.  "If only the river waters were whiskey, my life would be
+
save a red loincloth.
complete."
 
 
   
 
   
"I fear we would never see you again if that were the case!" the Mayor jested.
+
"When you wake in the morning," said Igland, "consider Love."
 
   
 
   
Fish-Dwarf pondered a moment.  "Indeed.  Yet the search for the
+
"Many happy couplings," said Paldadar as was the prescribed response.
Whiskey River is a quest for the young, I'm afraid."
 
 
   
 
   
"We here at Gladanvil are happy to have you," the Mayor replied as the
+
"You must put an end to the Farthling menace," said the priest,
crowd dispersed. As the others left, the mayor pulled Fish-Dwarf
+
growing angry. "If their God of Suicide spreads his faith to our
aside.
+
kingdom, none of our desperate peasants will survive. You must strike
 +
the heart of their kingdom and burn their temple to the ground."
 
   
 
   
"-- and yet, I fear you cannot stay long.  I've received word from
+
Paldadar made the gesture of obedience and departed, pulling Rodger
King Dorazar.  He has heard tell of your talents, and our liaison from
+
away from the cavorting priests.
the Mountainhome has conveyed his request for your presence at the
 
capital."
 
 
   
 
   
"My presence?  Surely the engineers of the Mountainhome can manage the
+
The kingdom of the Farthlings was separated from the kingdom of Love
mighty floodgates and channels of Steelpoint without my help."
+
by the River of Sorrow, whose wide fast-moving waters could only be
 +
crossed in one place. This was the Bridge of Destiny. As the riders
 +
approached, Rodger twitched with fear and apprehension, for it was
 +
said the bridge was guarded by an evil water troll. At the bridge,
 +
Paldadar held up his gauntleted hand. The horses stopped, and the
 +
knight dismounted. Paldadar drew his sword and walked out onto the
 +
wooden planks.
 +
 
 +
===(3 July 2008)===
 +
<pre>%,..%,.|%.,.UH,%..%%UH,,%.~%,..(%).,.%|,..%</pre>
 
   
 
   
"It isn't farming trouble, Fish-Dwarf," the Mayor said, lowering his
+
Green flames shot up from beneath the bridge. Horrid laughter pealed
voice to a whisper. "Many fisherdwarves have been lost to the waters.
+
across the blighted landscape. The knight turned to see Rodger making
There is something lurking in the Lake of Columns."
+
tracks back to the temple with the speed of a spooked hare. Slowly
 
+
Paldadar looked over his shoulder to see the enormous bloated troll,
===(18 January 2008)===
+
dripping with slime and black pus.
<pre>~~~@/~~%OB%OO%%%~~</pre>
 
 
   
 
   
Innumerable stalactites hung from the ceiling of the expansive gem-lit
+
"You seek to pass into the land of suicide bearing the message of
cavern, many dipping down through the still surface of the black
+
love," said the troll. "What will you tell them, knight? Is slow
waters. This was the Lake of Columns, the source of life for
+
certain death by starvation superior than the final empowering
Steelpoint, and now a place of dread.
+
choice?"
 
   
 
   
Fish-Dwarf fit the blades into place on his fins.  The citizens of
+
"Where there is life, there is hope," said Paldadar. "Love will
Steelpoint did not know what the creature was, but no fewer than seven
+
overcome all obstacles!"
fisherdwarves had been lost at the shore. No matter, thought
 
Fish-Dwarf.  King Dorazar had charged him to slay the lurking threat,
 
and that is what he would do.  Still, the nature of the creature
 
eluded him.  It had been years since his last combat with an aquatic
 
beast, and then it was only the cave crocodiles and lizardmen that
 
occasionally harassed his own community. Steelpoint would not have
 
sent for him over such a triviality.  Hefting his mighty trident,
 
Fish-Dwarf nodded to the gathered onlookers before leaping into the
 
lake.
 
 
   
 
   
The water was clear, and he could see the broad columns well ahead of
+
"Spoken like a true student of Igland," said the troll, assuming a martial pose.
him down to where they joined the submerged floor of the cavern.
 
Behind any of these formations, the beast could lurk.
 
 
   
 
   
There!  Nestled between three columns was a gigantic bloated form on
+
As Paldadar cut the monster down, his mind was wracked with doubt.
the lake bottom.  Fish-Dwarf swam closer, almost drifting. What
+
Was the nation of love superior? He hailed from a place where young
manner of beast was this? Great tentacles it had, and a toothy maw
+
people sold themselves for scraps of bread and yet he sought to bring
which flopped open as it slumbered, surrounded by half-consumed bodies
+
hope to a strange country. He found Rodger hiding in a nearby bush
of the dead.
+
and hauled him, protesting, across the bridge.
 
   
 
   
Fish-Dwarf was almost upon it now, his trident lifted above his head
+
The land of the Farthlings was lush and green compared to the land of
as he sank slowly toward the sleeping fiend. As he prepared to
+
love. Cherry blossoms rained down on the two riders as they wound
strike, the lurid thing's lone eye flashed open.
+
their way through the hills. Even in these pleasant surroundings, the
 
+
demented nature of the Farthlings soon became evident. Bodies dotted
===(15 May 2008)===
+
the road here and there, swords plunged into their own guts. Corpses
<pre>------------------------
+
hung in the trees from hastily-tied nooses, over eager to take their
~~~~~~~~~~~@/~%~~~~~~~~~
+
own lives. As the riders passed, skeletal bodies lifted themselves
------------------------</pre>
+
from the grass to watch them saunter on.
 
   
 
   
Tentacles lashed out, looping around Fish-Dwarf's torso and pinning
+
"Make babies, make babies, make babies," babbled Rodger, madly
his arms to his chest.  A force stronger than any he had ever
+
reciting the Charm of Making.
experienced crushed his ribs and a stream of bubbles shot from his
 
mouth as the breath was squeezed from his body.  Fish-Dwarf
 
desperately slashed at the tentacles with his fin blades and as his
 
vision faded to black he saw that the water was thick with curling
 
purple ribbons of the foul beast's tainted blood.  The monster's grip
 
loosened and Fish-Dwarf was able to free his arms.  His sight had not
 
returned, but when he stabbed his trident downward, he felt it sink
 
deep into the creature.  The monster's body convulsed and it raced
 
into the open water, Fish-Dwarf still clinging to the imbedded weapon.
 
 
   
 
   
I cannot let go so long as I cannot see, or I will surely be devoured,
+
At last they reached the capital of the Farthlings. The wind blew red
Fish-Dwarf thought, though the beast continued on into the depths at
+
rose petals through the cold, dead streets. Even the cheerful sun
such speed that the diver could not maintain his bearings, and
+
seemed dim in the vast tomb of a city. Rodger stared straight ahead
suddenly in the back of his mind arose a strange sensation...  it was
+
as they made their way to the keep, careful not to look into the dark
the need for air, such as he had not experienced for many years.  A
+
doorway, behind which ominous rustlings could be heard.
tingling came to his throat and nose, and his head began to feel numb
 
as he became more desperate for breath, and yet slowly, his vision was
 
returning.
 
 
   
 
   
The beast slowed, its energy spent, and it settled on to the lake
+
The flag of Farthlingland flew above the ramparts of the citadel. At
bottom, unmoving.  Fish-Dwarf jammed the trident into it a few times;
+
the base of the wall lay the piles of bones of those who had
the thing was dead. Now, the surface!  Fish-Dwarf pulled his weapon
+
hopelessly thrown themselves over the side. A wide moat circled the
from the monster and swam upward, but he stopped immediately. As far
+
castle. As the two riders approached, a draw bridge was lowered over
as he could see in the now-dark water, a smooth ceiling of limestone
+
the water. Paldadar thought he could see a crowned figure on the wall
greeted him. The monster had fled into a great crack in the lake
+
beckoning them inside. As they crossed the bridge, Rodger made the
bottom, so far and so deep that the light from the gem lamps was no
+
mistake of looking down into the water. The currents were filled with
longer visible.  Just the endless water and rock of the submerged
+
the souls of those who drowned themselves in desperate sorrow. Eyes
tomb of Fish-Dwarf, he thought, as he chose a direction and swam.
+
shut tight, Rodger hugged the neck of his horse, and followed Paldadar
 +
into the gate.
 +
 
 +
==[[User:mr_seeker|mr_seeker]]==
 +
===(29 January 2016)===
 +
<pre>|++U+++|?</pre>
  
===Fish Dwarf End: (1 July 2008)===
+
“They say that the dragon slayer roams the halls of the castle still,” said the old man.
<pre>,@!,.~~~~~~~~</pre>
 
  
He had chosen the wrong direction. Either that or the beast had
+
“You are a liar,” said Prince Mucer. “There are no such things as ghosts, and dragons aren't real.
dragged Fish-Dwarf so far into the mountain that the fires of the
 
underworld were closer than the light of the lamps. His breath was
 
long since gone -- moving forward was all that could keep him from
 
panicking. After every few kicks, the dwarf would reach up to feel
 
the limestone. If anything, the rock was closing in. No... what's
 
this? His hand curled up around a sharp corner. Fish-Dwarf grabbed
 
it firmly with both hands and pulled, launching himself upward.
 
  
The dwarf fully expected to meet a wall of rock, but instead he glided
+
“Maybe today there are none still alive,” said the old man, “but before the Age of Heroes, the skies were filled with them and no one was safe.
freely until at long last he broke the surface of the water, gasping
 
for air. As the dwarf calmed down, he realized that he could still
 
see nothing. He felt walls close by in all directions, as if he had
 
just swum up a shaft, though there was a ledge overhanging the water
 
on to which he could haul himself and rest his weary body. Fish-Dwarf
 
passed in and out of consciousness for a time, perhaps an hour, before
 
he sat up and assessed his situation.  
 
  
He could dive back into the water with his lungs full of air and try
+
“You bore me, ancient one,” said the prince. “Maybe my father should have you executed.
to find the lamps, now unmolested by great underwater beasts, but he
 
did not relish the idea of leaving the entrance to the shaft behind in
 
total darkness as he explored the crevice below. The only alternative
 
was to feel his way along the walls from this ledge above the grotto.
 
These limestone mountains were laced with natural caverns and after a
 
brief exploration of the surrounding stone he found this hollow was no
 
exception -- there was a mud-slicked passage that ran into the
 
mountain. Without hesitation, Fish-Dwarf struck out into the cavern.
 
  
-- How long since he had started on this dreary journey? Though the mud
+
Later that night, while Prince Mucer was pulling the wings off a fly, a knock came at his door. He bellowed at the intruder to leave. The knocking came again, louder this time. Mucer heaved a sigh and walked over to the door. It swung open, but no one was there. The prince had had just about enough of the old man's games. It was time he found a new way to entertain himself. The prince buckled on his sword belt and left the room.
was often thick, Fish-Dwarf had not trudged through so much as a
+
 
puddle these many days. He thirsted for spirits, nay, even water, and
+
===(28 February 2016)===
he longed to swim again. The dwarf had long since abandoned his fins
+
<pre>|++UN+++\U</pre>
and other equipment as they encumbered him too much on the march.
 
Every so often, he imagined he saw the gem lamps ahead, though it
 
could just as easily be the cooking fires of a goblin encampment, or
 
some darker torture, as the lights of the capital he sought. There
 
they were, even now... lights! Or light at least, the barest speck
 
in the distance ahead. Fish-Dwarf moved swiftly, no longer plodding,
 
still careful of the stalactites but driving forward rapidly all the
 
same. The speck became an opening, and he could see the mud of the
 
passage floor illuminated in the distance, with stone walls further
 
beyond. Only a few more steps...
 
  
The cavern opened out upon a rocky river valley in a canyon sheer to
+
The dwarf fortress was as quiet as a tomb that night. Prince Mucer couldn't help but fear, but his anger was greater. How dare that old man frighten me with ghost stories, thought the prince. He would give the old man something to be frightened about. Prince Mucer fingered the hilt of his blade. The old man didn't have too much longer to live anyway. Who would miss him?
the greatest heights yet welcoming the noon-day sun. The entrance
 
where Fish-Dwarf stood was at the bottom of the cliffs a short walk
 
down pebble-laden slopes to the stream below. Instantly, Fish-Dwarf
 
could tell that these were no ordinary waters. They were the color of
 
honey, yet the current flowed rapidly. And the aroma! The
 
intoxicating aroma! There was no question in his mind. Whether it
 
fell from the throne of some inebriated sky god and vanished into the
 
underworld to besot the armies of hell made no difference, for here,
 
in this world, in this very mountain range, ran the slightest stretch
 
of the Whiskey River. His mind unencumbered by thoughts of duty or
 
home, Fish-Dwarf made his way down to the riverside to drink his fill.
 
  
===Hunger Begin (11 June 2008)===
+
“Say goodnight, old man!” shouted Mucer as he kicked in the laboratory door.
<pre>,..,.++U+,.+,.+U~U||</pre>
 
  
Suffering blighted the land with cruel hunger.  Wagons brought foul
+
There was something standing next to the old man, facing away from the door. It was tall and translucent green. The apparition seemed to float in the air, trailing bloody stumps for legs. Mucer cried out with fright and dropped his sword. The creature turned to face him. Its face was almost entirely burned off.
fungus from the dwarven mountains. It was barely enough to sustain
+
 
those base enough to eat such filth. The rest died. Paldadar rested
+
“What's wrong, my prince?” asked the old man, having run to where Mucer had fainted.
against the hilt of his great sword. He looked over his shoulder at
+
 
the dark stone castle. Turning his back on mud brick huts, the knight
+
===(29 March 2016)===
passed by the scraggly bearded guards and entered the keep.
+
<pre>+++U++U|</pre>
+
 
From a high window, bright, mocking sunlight shone across the dark
+
“The dragon slayer is real!” exclaimed Prince Mucer.
wooden throne and the troubled king that sat upon it.  The old man
+
 
reached for his cup, and after taking a sip, spat the vile dwarven
+
“Of course,said the old man. “I told you as much.
brew unto the stone floor.  A herald in a mud-smattered tunic rushed
+
 
to wipe up the spill, but seeing the knight, rose to confront him.
+
“I have seen him,said Mucer. “He was standing right there.
+
 
"You were not summoned, Sir Paldadar," spit the herald.  "Go ask the
+
The old man looked to the empty space where the prince was pointing. This was serious. The king had to be informed immediately. Only then could the decision be made on how to proceed. Every time the dragon slayer had showed himself before there had been a calamity. The old man called for the guards to take Mucer back to his chambers.
peasants instead of begging the king for scraps from the royal table."
 
 
"Silence, Rodger," said the king.
 
 
The herald jumped away like a whipped dog.  The king motioned the
 
knight to come forward.
 
 
"The gods have abandoned this place," said the king. "Only through
 
their glory will the days of bounty return.  It is for this reason you
 
must smite the heathen Farthlings where they dwell across the river.
 
When their land is in ruin, the gods at last will favor us."
 
 
The knight ground his teeth. This was obviously High Priest Igland's
 
doing. But perhaps there was wisdom in punishing the arrogant
 
Farthlings for their many insults.  Death by the sword was much
 
preferable to slow certain death by starvation.
 
  
===(17 June 2008)===
+
“The dragon slayer has revealed himself to young Mucer,” said old man Garva.
<pre>==?T?====,.UH,.U</pre>
 
  
As Paldadar walked away from the keep, peasants averted their hungry
+
“That is unfortunate,” said the king. “He must be escorted out of the kingdom at once. Whether he is my son makes no difference. The soul of the kingdom is at stake.
faces.  He was still a knight, even if he represented the most
+
 
wretched of kingdoms. A frail sissy approached from behind, leading
+
===(29 April 2016)===
two horses.  Paldadar swung around, drawing his sword.  There stood
+
<pre>(.,MU.,M@.,)U++U</pre>
Rodger, wearing the snottiest of faces, his nose in the air.
 
 
"By the will of the king," he hissed, "I am to be your squire."
 
 
Paldadar prayed to the gods for mercy. Would that a Farthling's bolt
 
find his heart soon that he be saved from further tortures.  Together
 
the pair made their way to the Temple of Love, where High Priest
 
Igland waited to bless their holy crusade.
 
 
The temple was built on a tall hill, a ring of marble columns
 
surrounding an enormous stone stele, pricking the sky with its
 
majesty. All around the temple, peasants scrambled to snatch at the
 
scraps donated by the monks that poured rotten food down the hill. As
 
Paldadar entered the temple, he was surrounded by fat priests and
 
priestesses that danced around him in a grotesque, undulating display.
 
  
The knight refused a cup of offered wine, which Rodger snatched up
+
“Come hither my liege,said old man Garva. “Gaze into the crystal ball.
and drank freely.
 
 
At the center of the temple, High Priest Igland stood, wearing nothing
 
save a red loincloth.
 
 
"When you wake in the morning," said Igland, "consider Love."
 
 
"Many happy couplings," said Paldadar as was the prescribed response.
 
 
"You must put an end to the Farthling menace," said the priest,
 
growing angry.  "If their God of Suicide spreads his faith to our
 
kingdom, none of our desperate peasants will survive.  You must strike
 
the heart of their kingdom and burn their temple to the ground."
 
 
Paldadar made the gesture of obedience and departed, pulling Rodger
 
away from the cavorting priests.
 
 
The kingdom of the Farthlings was separated from the kingdom of Love
 
by the River of Sorrow, whose wide fast-moving waters could only be
 
crossed in one place.  This was the Bridge of Destiny.  As the riders
 
approached, Rodger twitched with fear and apprehension, for it was
 
said the bridge was guarded by an evil water troll.  At the bridge,
 
Paldadar held up his gauntleted hand.  The horses stopped, and the
 
knight dismounted. Paldadar drew his sword and walked out onto the
 
wooden planks.
 
  
===(3 July 2008)===
+
“Is the prince safe?” asked the king.
<pre>%,..%,.|%.,.UH,%..%%UH,,%.~%,..(%).,.%|,..%</pre>
+
 
+
“Mucer will never truly be safe again,” said Garva, “so it is written.
Green flames shot up from beneath the bridge. Horrid laughter pealed
+
 
across the blighted landscape. The knight turned to see Rodger making
+
“There is more to life than the pages of a book,” objected the king.
tracks back to the temple with the speed of a spooked hare. Slowly
+
 
Paldadar looked over his shoulder to see the enormous bloated troll,
+
Rather that respond to ignorance, Garva just gestured to the magic globe. It was connected to a mechanism at the top and bottom. Garva put his hand on the crystal and gave it a spin. Lightning arched over the surface of the globe revealing a woodland scene. There was Prince Mucer, riding his black mule. With him was Kogan the woods-dwarf, the only one willing to bear the prince's company in this time of exile.
dripping with slime and black pus.
+
 
+
“How much longer until we reach Assura?” whined Mucer. “My backside is sore from riding.”
"You seek to pass into the land of suicide bearing the message of
+
 
love," said the troll. "What will you tell them, knight?  Is slow
+
“Keep your eyes open, my prince,said Kogan, “and remember, in the world under Apexus's vault of sky, there are consequences for your actions.
certain death by starvation superior than the final empowering
+
 
choice?"
+
===(30 may 2016)===
+
<pre>e,..~-@U~M.,.,</pre>
"Where there is life, there is hope," said Paldadar. "Love will
+
 
overcome all obstacles!"
+
“Help me!” cried a girl's voice.
+
 
"Spoken like a true student of Igland," said the troll, assuming a martial pose.
+
Kogan went off to find her, but Mucer held him back“You are to protect me from all harmForget her,” snapped the prince.
+
 
As Paldadar cut the monster down, his mind was wracked with doubt.
+
Horrible screams echoed throughout the woodsThis didn't help calm Mucer's already well-developed paranoiaKogan walked next to the prince's mule, battleaxe in handAhead, on the trail, stood an elf rangerShe held an arrow against her bowstring, pointed at the groundMucer was sweating and squirming.
Was the nation of love superior? He hailed from a place where young
+
 
people sold themselves for scraps of bread and yet he sought to bring
+
“How dare you block the path of the crown prince!” shouted Mucer.
hope to a strange countryHe found Rodger hiding in a nearby bush
+
 
and hauled him, protesting, across the bridge.
+
An arrow shot out of the trees and pierced Kogan's neck.  The dwarf bodyguard pulled the prince off of his mule and covered him with his bodyBlood poured from Kogan's wound and onto Mucer's faceThe prince was disgusted and horrified now that it seemed that his only friend wouldn't live very much longer.
+
 
The land of the Farthlings was lush and green compared to the land of
+
==MustachioNut==
love.  Cherry blossoms rained down on the two riders as they wound
+
===(21 January 2015)===
their way through the hillsEven in these pleasant surroundings, the
+
<pre>~~~~,.%,.@@@""""""</pre>
demented nature of the Farthlings soon became evidentBodies dotted
 
the road here and there, swords plunged into their own gutsCorpses
 
hung in the trees from hastily-tied nooses, over eager to take their
 
own livesAs the riders passed, skeletal bodies lifted themselves
 
from the grass to watch them saunter on.
 
   
 
"Make babies, make babies, make babies," babbled Rodger, madly
 
reciting the Charm of Making.
 
 
At last they reached the capital of the Farthlings. The wind blew red
 
rose petals through the cold, dead streets.  Even the cheerful sun
 
seemed dim in the vast tomb of a city.  Rodger stared straight ahead
 
as they made their way to the keep, careful not to look into the dark
 
doorway, behind which ominous rustlings could be heard.
 
   
 
The flag of Farthlingland flew above the ramparts of the citadel. At
 
the base of the wall lay the piles of bones of those who had
 
hopelessly thrown themselves over the sideA wide moat circled the
 
castleAs the two riders approached, a draw bridge was lowered over
 
the water. Paldadar thought he could see a crowned figure on the wall
 
beckoning them inside.  As they crossed the bridge, Rodger made the
 
mistake of looking down into the water.  The currents were filled with
 
the souls of those who drowned themselves in desperate sorrow.  Eyes
 
shut tight, Rodger hugged the neck of his horse, and followed Paldadar
 
into the gate.
 
  
==MustachioNut==
+
The flight across the sea had been a wild and dangerous one. The
===(21 January 2015)===
 
<pre>~~~~,.%,.@@@""""""</pre>
 
 
 
The flight across the sea had been a wild and dangerous one. The
 
 
giant nuthatch the dwarves were riding wasn't built for long distance
 
giant nuthatch the dwarves were riding wasn't built for long distance
missions. Just about the time the far coast had been sighted, the
+
missions. Just about the time the far coast had been sighted, the
 
bird suffered a massive heart attack. Uren spoke encouraging words to
 
bird suffered a massive heart attack. Uren spoke encouraging words to
the poor thing and it did its best to crash land on the beach. The
+
the poor thing and it did its best to crash land on the beach. The
dwarves took inventory. All three of them, Uren, Doraj, and Aliza,
+
dwarves took inventory. All three of them, Uren, Doraj, and Aliza,
had survived with only minor injuries. They were now trapped on the
+
had survived with only minor injuries. They were now trapped on the
 
foreign shore, for the bird had breathed its last.
 
foreign shore, for the bird had breathed its last.
  
Line 704: Line 715:
 
wizard like Nadir or Darquan found it. The issue was the prophecy.
 
wizard like Nadir or Darquan found it. The issue was the prophecy.
 
The last piece of the egg from which the world was hatched was
 
The last piece of the egg from which the world was hatched was
destined to be its undoing. Should one of the dark lords find it, it
+
destined to be its undoing. Should one of the dark lords find it, it
would be weaponized and used to end the world. This was all supposed
+
would be weaponized and used to end the world. This was all supposed
to happen on the final day of the Plump Helmet Festival. That was in
+
to happen on the final day of the Plump Helmet Festival. That was in
 
three days time.
 
three days time.
  
"So here we are," said Doraj. "The Wild Lands. Did the seer give us
+
"So here we are," said Doraj. "The Wild Lands. Did the seer give us
 
anywhere to look in this wide country, or is it a mystery as usual?"
 
anywhere to look in this wide country, or is it a mystery as usual?"
  
"You should have more respect for your elders," snapped Aliza. "If we
+
"You should have more respect for your elders," snapped Aliza. "If we
 
don't find the egg fragment soon, it is bound to fall into the wrong
 
don't find the egg fragment soon, it is bound to fall into the wrong
 
hands."
 
hands."
Line 722: Line 733:
 
"Genius!" snorted Aliza sarcastically.
 
"Genius!" snorted Aliza sarcastically.
  
So the adventure began. There were only three dwarves in a land
+
So the adventure began. There were only three dwarves in a land
 
filled with danger, racing toward cosmic mystery aimed at ending the
 
filled with danger, racing toward cosmic mystery aimed at ending the
world. There was no time to bury the body of the giant bird and news
+
world. There was no time to bury the body of the giant bird and news
of their spectacular entrance was bound to spread fast. Beyond the
+
of their spectacular entrance was bound to spread fast. Beyond the
 
beach was a vast jungle, thick and dark, and beyond were mighty snow
 
beach was a vast jungle, thick and dark, and beyond were mighty snow
covered peaks on the horizon. Wherever the fragment had ended up, it
+
covered peaks on the horizon. Wherever the fragment had ended up, it
 
couldn't be somewhere easy to find or the wizards would already have
 
couldn't be somewhere easy to find or the wizards would already have
found it. Doraj suggested they head for the tallest peak and they
+
found it. Doraj suggested they head for the tallest peak and they
 
drew their swords and began hacking through the underbrush.
 
drew their swords and began hacking through the underbrush.
 +
 +
==[[User:NutchapolSal|NutchapolSal]]==
 +
===(9 May 2018)===
 +
<pre>|++@++@Z+|</pre>
 +
 +
The dwarves returned from the mission with half their numbers.  The goblin resistance had proved stronger than anticipated and the dwarven leadership was lacking to say the least.  The entire operation had been concocted by the odious Prince Mucer, widely known to be a lascivious and incompetent ruler.  Upon their return Mucer was nowhere to be found.  He had been drinking the night before and no amount of prodding could roust him.
 +
 +
“My prince!” said lieutenant Orson.  “The scouts have returned.”
 +
 +
“Speak again and I'll have you executed,” murmured Mucer.
 +
 +
“Sire,” said Orson, “we now know the nature of the opposing force.  You must give us direction!”
  
 
==[[User:Onebadterran|Onebadterran]]==
 
==[[User:Onebadterran|Onebadterran]]==
Line 741: Line 764:
 
The Hearthpeople loyal to Lord Ambercan drew their weapons, but when
 
The Hearthpeople loyal to Lord Ambercan drew their weapons, but when
 
they saw the multitude of warriors the stranger had brought with her,
 
they saw the multitude of warriors the stranger had brought with her,
the loyal troops withdrew and fled from the hall. The invaders
+
the loyal troops withdrew and fled from the hall. The invaders
cheered while their victorious leader sat upon the throne. With no
+
cheered while their victorious leader sat upon the throne. With no
 
one to challenge them, the elite strike force, the Tombs of Wailing,
 
one to challenge them, the elite strike force, the Tombs of Wailing,
 
lay claim to the fortress town of Otla.
 
lay claim to the fortress town of Otla.
  
 
Away, slaying dragons, King Urlen heard news of the uprising days
 
Away, slaying dragons, King Urlen heard news of the uprising days
later. One of the defeated Hearthmen approached the king in his war
+
later. One of the defeated Hearthmen approached the king in his war
tent. Upon hearing of the warrior's failure, Urlen drew his sword and
+
tent. Upon hearing of the warrior's failure, Urlen drew his sword and
struck off the coward's head. Urlen wasn't known to be reasonable
+
struck off the coward's head. Urlen wasn't known to be reasonable
 
when confronted with upsetting news.
 
when confronted with upsetting news.
  
"Ready my chariot," commanded Urlen. "We will see how tough the Tombs
+
"Ready my chariot," commanded Urlen. "We will see how tough the Tombs
 
of Wailing really are!"
 
of Wailing really are!"
  
Line 760: Line 783:
  
 
"Don't let the sun set on you in the Dark Wood," said the dwarf
 
"Don't let the sun set on you in the Dark Wood," said the dwarf
crones. "Ole Brick-a-Branch will get you." Nonsense, thought young
+
crones. "Ole Brick-a-Branch will get you." Nonsense, thought young
Davik as he rode his mule along the twisting green deer path. The
+
Davik as he rode his mule along the twisting green deer path. The
darkness came quickly as the sun slipped behind the trees. As he set
+
darkness came quickly as the sun slipped behind the trees. As he set
 
about making a fire, Davik pondered the dark tales of Brick-a-branch
 
about making a fire, Davik pondered the dark tales of Brick-a-branch
 
and his mischief.
 
and his mischief.
  
Not even the elves dared enter the Wood at night. Something older
+
Not even the elves dared enter the Wood at night. Something older
 
than time haunted these cursed trees, but this valley was the quickest
 
than time haunted these cursed trees, but this valley was the quickest
way to Port City, saving at least a month of travel. As the night
+
way to Port City, saving at least a month of travel. As the night
 
grew darker and colder, Davik fumbled in his pack to retrieve the
 
grew darker and colder, Davik fumbled in his pack to retrieve the
 
charms and idols he had nearly refused as the journey began.
 
charms and idols he had nearly refused as the journey began.
  
A great shape emerged from the darkness. It was a gnarled troll, as
+
A great shape emerged from the darkness. It was a gnarled troll, as
old as the hills. It picked up Davik by the ankle.
+
old as the hills. It picked up Davik by the ankle.
  
 
"Not much meat here," it said.
 
"Not much meat here," it said.
Line 788: Line 811:
 
<pre>=@()++@</pre>
 
<pre>=@()++@</pre>
  
Doran stirred the bubbling pot of syrup. It was ready! "Pour, pour, pour!" the dwarf sang. Into the molds the syrup flowed. "Another batch," the dwarf said, satisfied.
+
Doran stirred the bubbling pot of syrup. It was ready! "Pour, pour, pour!" the dwarf sang. Into the molds the syrup flowed. "Another batch," the dwarf said, satisfied.
  
Just then, he noticed somebody standing in the doorway. "Ah, Glornol. What brings you to the kitchens this early? Come to try a sticky treat? I have some Anvil Drops cooling now. Just a moment."
+
Just then, he noticed somebody standing in the doorway. "Ah, Glornol. What brings you to the kitchens this early? Come to try a sticky treat? I have some Anvil Drops cooling now. Just a moment."
  
Doran turned to the tray on the table when he was startled by Glornol's shouting. "What is the meaning of this? Isn't there a war on?"
+
Doran turned to the tray on the table when he was startled by Glornol's shouting. "What is the meaning of this? Isn't there a war on?"
  
"Even soldiers need sticky treats, Glornol!" Doran picked up two chocolate goblins and began to speak in a high-pitched throaty voice.
+
"Even soldiers need sticky treats, Glornol!" Doran picked up two chocolate goblins and began to speak in a high-pitched throaty voice.
  
 
"Ooo, it's Glornol!" the first chocolate goblin said.
 
"Ooo, it's Glornol!" the first chocolate goblin said.
Line 800: Line 823:
 
"Glornol's scared of the mean, mean goblins!" the second chocolate goblin observed.
 
"Glornol's scared of the mean, mean goblins!" the second chocolate goblin observed.
  
"Let's eat the dwarf! Yummies for tummies!" the first chocolate goblin offered.
+
"Let's eat the dwarf! Yummies for tummies!" the first chocolate goblin offered.
  
"The dwarf might eat me instead! Oh no!" the second chocolate goblin replied. Doran held the goblin out to Glornol.
+
"The dwarf might eat me instead! Oh no!" the second chocolate goblin replied. Doran held the goblin out to Glornol.
  
Glornol was not amused, but he snatched the candy from Doran's hand. "Hrmph," he grunted, and biting the goblin's head off, he walked out of the kitchen.
+
Glornol was not amused, but he snatched the candy from Doran's hand. "Hrmph," he grunted, and biting the goblin's head off, he walked out of the kitchen.
  
 
==[[User:Qwip|Qwip]]==
 
==[[User:Qwip|Qwip]]==
Line 813: Line 836:
 
Taking a break from their duty, the two guards sat at a table with a scenic view of the chasm.
 
Taking a break from their duty, the two guards sat at a table with a scenic view of the chasm.
 
They did not notice as they drained their mugs that they were being watched from the shadows  
 
They did not notice as they drained their mugs that they were being watched from the shadows  
by clusters of pale eyes. A table by the chasm?!  
+
by clusters of pale eyes. A table by the chasm?!  
 
--[[User:Qwip|Qwip]] 05 December 2006
 
--[[User:Qwip|Qwip]] 05 December 2006
  
Line 822: Line 845:
 
.......#####
 
.......#####
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
Dolan was chatting with Aliz about the health benefits of dwarven beer when Aliz disappeared.
+
Dolan was chatting with Aliz about the health benefits of dwarven beer when Aliz disappeared.  
 
Dolan sprang to his feet and saw that Aliz was being dragged toward the chasm, a thick rope of
 
Dolan sprang to his feet and saw that Aliz was being dragged toward the chasm, a thick rope of
translucent silk wrapped around his left ankle. At the lip of the chasm, a bloated form slowly
+
translucent silk wrapped around his left ankle. At the lip of the chasm, a bloated form slowly
reeled the line in with her spindly legs.
+
reeled the line in with her spindly legs.  
Dolan knew immediately -- it was the Wolf-Mother of Darkness.
+
Dolan knew immediately -- it was the Wolf-Mother of Darkness.  
 
He grabbed his axe and ran toward Aliz, who was now only a few more pulls from the beast.
 
He grabbed his axe and ran toward Aliz, who was now only a few more pulls from the beast.
  
 
As he was hauling ore to the magma smelter, the peasant Kogarak saw the situation, screamed,
 
As he was hauling ore to the magma smelter, the peasant Kogarak saw the situation, screamed,
dropping his load, and ran toward the barracks. As he heard the sound of an axe ring against
+
dropping his load, and ran toward the barracks. As he heard the sound of an axe ring against
 
stone behind him, he wondered if he would make it in time.
 
stone behind him, he wondered if he would make it in time.
 
:&mdash; [[User:Qwip|Qwip]] 08:40, 9 February 2007 (EST)
 
:&mdash; [[User:Qwip|Qwip]] 08:40, 9 February 2007 (EST)
Line 839: Line 862:
 
.......#####
 
.......#####
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
The axe had scored the stone floor where it had severed the silk line. The Wolf-Mother chittered
+
The axe had scored the stone floor where it had severed the silk line. The Wolf-Mother chittered
angrily and pounced at Dolan, moving with surprising quickness. Dolan was knocked to the ground,
+
angrily and pounced at Dolan, moving with surprising quickness. Dolan was knocked to the ground,
the enormous body of the foul creature pressing him into the stone. His axe clanged some distance
+
the enormous body of the foul creature pressing him into the stone. His axe clanged some distance
away. The blunt knobs at the end of the Wolf-Mother's forelegs dug into Dolan's ribs as her
+
away. The blunt knobs at the end of the Wolf-Mother's forelegs dug into Dolan's ribs as her
dripping mandibles drew closer to his face. He grabbed her head with both hands, trying
+
dripping mandibles drew closer to his face. He grabbed her head with both hands, trying
desperately to keep her at bay. A foul-smelling spittle dripped on to his cheek.
+
desperately to keep her at bay. A foul-smelling spittle dripped on to his cheek.
  
Aliz, still dazed from his initial fall, slowly made his way to his feet. Seeing Dolan's desperate
+
Aliz, still dazed from his initial fall, slowly made his way to his feet. Seeing Dolan's desperate
struggle, he drew his sword and hacked at one of the Wolf-Mother's legs. The bumpy skin was
+
struggle, he drew his sword and hacked at one of the Wolf-Mother's legs. The bumpy skin was
incredibly tough, but the steel blade left the appendage hanging by tatters. The Wolf-Mother
+
incredibly tough, but the steel blade left the appendage hanging by tatters. The Wolf-Mother
belched a grating rasp and rolled away from Aliz and faced the dwarves. Dolan crawled toward his
+
belched a grating rasp and rolled away from Aliz and faced the dwarves. Dolan crawled toward his
axe, but the nauseating venom drenching his face and beard had left him almost powerless. The
+
axe, but the nauseating venom drenching his face and beard had left him almost powerless. The
 
Wolf-Mother hesitated, her wound oozing white ichor as Aliz stood his ground.
 
Wolf-Mother hesitated, her wound oozing white ichor as Aliz stood his ground.
  
 
There were several sharp cracking noises, and the Wolf-Mother crumpled, several iron bolts  
 
There were several sharp cracking noises, and the Wolf-Mother crumpled, several iron bolts  
protruding from her many eyes. In the distance stood Bomtek and the other marksdwarves,  
+
protruding from her many eyes. In the distance stood Bomtek and the other marksdwarves,  
accompanied by Kogarak. Aliz rushed to Dolan. The dwarf was breathing heavily.
+
accompanied by Kogarak. Aliz rushed to Dolan. The dwarf was breathing heavily.
  
"My body feels like gravel. I need a drink," Dolan said.
+
"My body feels like gravel. I need a drink," Dolan said.
  
"The Wolf-Mother is dead. Brace up. I'll bring you your mug." Aliz fetched Dolan's mug from
+
"The Wolf-Mother is dead. Brace up. I'll bring you your mug." Aliz fetched Dolan's mug from
the table and brought it to the dwarf where he lay on the stone floor. The mug was almost empty.
+
the table and brought it to the dwarf where he lay on the stone floor. The mug was almost empty.
  
"The brood," Dolan whispered. "The night brood will come."
+
"The brood," Dolan whispered. "The night brood will come."
 
:&mdash; [[User:Qwip|Qwip]] 12:28, 14 May 2007 (EDT)
 
:&mdash; [[User:Qwip|Qwip]] 12:28, 14 May 2007 (EDT)
  
==[[User:Rewolf31|Rewolf31]]==
+
==[[User:Rav|Rav]]==
===(13 April 2007)===
+
===(12 April 2011)===
 +
,.gB,.,.P@.,
 +
 
 +
A hundred thousand eyes looked down onto the contest. The whole of
 +
the world’s armies in one place, at one time, to see who would be
 +
victorious. Two riders, a dwarf and a goblin, would joust to end the
 +
war, an end to an eternity of bloodshed and suffering. The entire
 +
planet was watching.
  
<pre>.B@.~~~
+
Aliz didn’t think much of his opponent. More of a threat than the
</pre>
+
puny rider were the dirty tricks the evil doers had concocted. The
And so Alor, a wrestler of renown, found himself between a great boar and the wide river. For six days they struggled, and as the sun descended behind the hills on the evening of the seventh day, Alor finally collapsed in exhaustion. The boar spoke and said, "I too am tired. The sun has fallen.  Let us rest."  And so Alor and the boar slept, and the sun arose on the morning of the eighth day.
+
goblin’s beak-dog thrashed and gnawed at the sides of the track. Aliz
 +
looked to his own pony. It had served him in many battles. With the
 +
grace of the Lordaxe, this would be the last one. Aliz looked the
 +
goblin dead in the eye and spit.
 +
 
 +
The flags dropped and the knights spurred their steeds into action.
 +
Aliz aimed his lance at the goblin’s shield when he noticed that the
 +
goblin had thrown down his pole and now wielded a metal chain. As the
 +
riders passed the goblin tangled Aliz’s lance and nearly pulled him
 +
off his horse. Fuming, Aliz called for another lance. He wont fool
 +
me twice, thought the champion.
  
===(21 July 2007)===
+
===(21 July 2014)===
<pre>,.,B@~,~,~</pre>
 
  
"Whiskey?" Alor asked the boar, holding up his flask.  The wrestler had not spoken for a week.
+
(The beginning of a new story)
  
"Gladly," the boar said, taking the flask up in its mouth. "You block my path to the river, and now you offer me your flask.  Strange are the ways of your people."
+
  ++g+C+++
  
"Your path? I was seeking to cross the river and found myself menaced," Alor said.
+
"What took you so long?" asked Catra.
  
"The squirrels tell me I am a terror to behold when I am thirsty," the boar said as it drained the flask. "Do I menace you now?" The boar looked mild and plump.  Indeed, the gentle creature reminded Alor of his daughter.  
+
"The gate guard was tougher than he looked," said the goblin snatcher.
 +
"Not all of us can spring over walls like circus performers."
  
"No, I am not menaced. I am reminded of home," Alor said fondly. At that moment his stomach growled, for he had not eaten in some time.
+
The pair of villains had infiltrated the dwarf fortress on a secret
 +
mission straight from the order of Tremoda himself. They were to
 +
kidnap the queen's daughter and take the young woman to the depths of
 +
the Garum to await her fate. Catra was an animal person, half cougar,
 +
half woman. She was a mercenary who only worked for gold. It was her
 +
job to escort the snatcher in case there was trouble.
  
"Hopefully I do not remind you of your dinner table," the boar laughed, "though it remains to be seen who would have the final mastery in our contest." Alor smiled broadly and the boar guided Alor to the ford, where they parted as friends.
+
"Which way to the royal chambers?" asked Catra.
  
===(12 September 2007)===
+
"Just follow the scent of plump helmet roasts," said the snatcher.
<pre>++@a@+
+
"The princess's room is directly above the kitchen."
</pre>
 
"Daddy!  Daddy!" the little girl cried happily as she ran toward the mighty dwarf where he stood under the archway.
 
  
"I missed you, sweet pod!" Alor crouched down and lifted the child up to his shoulder, where she sat, beaming. "Have you been good while I was away?"
+
Rushing between the shadows, the evil intruders made their way to the
 +
royal suites. The princess was not there. Catra just about had a fit
 +
whilst the snatcher went over the calculations in his mind. She was
 +
supposed to be there!
  
"I made a puzzle box.  See!"  The girl held out a soapstone box.  The master craftsdwarf always started the young ones with the material since it required little strength to carve, though it crumbled easily.  Even so, the box was quite exquisite.  
+
"The queen consort grounded the princess for a week," protested the
 +
snatcher. "She should be here!"
  
"That's beautiful.  Now let me see here..." Alor pressed a button and the lid popped open.  There was nothing inside.  "Hey, where's my treasure?" he said in mock indignation.
+
"Think," said Catra. "If you were the princess, where would you sneak off to?"
  
The girl took the box and made a series of complicated motions along the inside of the empty compartment.  A second lid opened, revealing a piece of dwarven sugar candy.  The child giggled and smiled broadly.  
+
"The guard barracks," said the goblin finally. "She goes there to
 +
practice with the sword and axe."
  
Alor scratched his head and laughed.  Coren was only six, but she was already beyond him.
+
"Great," said Catra, "then we must steal her from under the noses of a
 +
dozen castle guards."
  
"Did you win, daddy?" Coren asked.
+
"We will succeed or die," said the goblin. "Praise Tremoda!"
  
"Ah, the tournament?  Yes, sweet pod, there hasn't been a dwarf born yet that can beat your father,"  Alor looked at the puzzle box.  "At least not at wrestling.  And you know what else?"
+
===(31 August 2014)===
  
"What else, daddy?  What else?"
+
?e?"""".,"",.,"""@.C,"""""""
  
"I met a talking boar and we became friends."
+
"I can't carry both of you!" exclaimed Catra.
  
"Again?" Coren complained. "I want to meet your animal friends soon."
+
It was a new moon that night and the fields were bathed in dim
 +
starlight. Catra could hear the dogs barking in the distance. The
 +
goblin snatcher had taken a crossbow bolt in the back coming over the
 +
wall. Catra had to carry the princess on her shoulder, bound with
 +
ropes. They had just cleared the nearby hills when the goblin
 +
collapsed.
  
"I'll invite them over for your party next month.  Until then, you have to work hard. Do you have a lesson today?"  
+
"Take the girl to Tremoda," said the goblin, coughing up blood. "I'm done for."
  
"Yes. Mr. Goldlocket says he'll let me try marble today."
+
The bolt had slipped between the goblin's ribs, a hair from his heart.
 +
It seemed to Catra that the mission had failed. She had never been to
 +
the evil empire of the Worm. She preferred the savage lands as did the
 +
rest of her people. The goblin had paid her in gold coins, promising
 +
double when they reached the border. It was clear that the goblin
 +
wouldn't make it.
  
"Marble, eh?  That's amazing.  You really are your mother's daughter.  I'll walk you to the shop." Together they strolled down the passageway. Alor admired the carvings and architecture, occasionally pointing an engraving out and explaining its history, though his daughter had heard it all before.  It had been two months since he left for tournament, and the wrestler had missed his home very much.
+
"They will pay you the bounty of a true snatcher," wheezed the goblin.
 +
"Kidnapping the princess will make you a legend!"
  
"The three of us should have a feast tonight. What do you say?" Alor asked. Coren did not respond.
+
The two villains looked over at the princess. By now the princess had
 +
stopped struggling. She rested against a tree stump, bound and
 +
gagged. The princess was renowned to be a great fighter. That was
 +
why the goblin had brought the cougar woman in the first place. It
 +
had not been easy to subdue her.
  
The dwarf looked down.  His daughter was not there.  She was not in the passageway. There was no sign of her.  
+
"Tremoda will reward you," said the goblin, his voice trailing off.
 +
"You must go."
  
"Goblins!" A scream echoed through the tunnels. "Goblins in the fortress!"
+
The cougar woman stepped to the princess and threw her over her
 +
shoulder once more. She took one look back at the snatcher, now dead,
 +
having taken his last tortured breath. Seeking to throw off the scent
 +
of the hounds, Catra bounded off toward the Forbidden Forest.
  
 +
The elves had no love for Tremoda, but they liked the dwarves even
 +
less. There had been war between the two kingdoms for seven of the
 +
last ten years. Catra though briefly of leaving the princess with the
 +
elves. No, they would likely just kill her and deprive Catra of her
 +
just reward. Catra removed the cloth from the princess's mouth.
  
===(18 September 2007)===
+
"We are in the forest of the elves," said Catra. "You must be quiet
<pre>,..|mBL@+++++++g+</pre>
+
and follow me. If the elves catch us here, they will kill us both."
  
"I'm sure she's in there," Alor said from his place behind the boulder where he looked down upon the rusted iron doors of Chatteltomb.
+
"You still mean to sell me to Tremoda," said the princess.
  
"We must act now, while there's still time," the boar urged. This was the same boar that Alor had befriended by the riverbank, and it now came to aid Alor in his time of need.  
+
"You will become an asset to the evil one," said Catra. "To the elves
 +
you will only be a quick lunch."
  
"The door is locked.  Even with our combined strength, I doubt we can force entry," the leopard observed.  This was the same leopard that Alor had befriended in the high grasses, and it also came to aid Alor in his time of need.
+
===(6 October 2014)===
  
"Don't worry. The guards were drunk in the ravine below," the marmot announced as it scampered up the slope with the key in its mouth. This was the same marmot that Alor had befriended on the mountainside, and it came to aid Alor after promises of food.
+
e.,-.,-."",.C,.".,@
  
"I've only challenged the depths of this black pit once in my life.  It is a memory I have longed to forget, though it will serve me now," Alor said. "It sickens me that my daughter is kept there.  The way to the dungeons will not be heavily guarded, as fear of this place keeps all but the foolish at bay.  That said, the tower above is garrisoned with unnumbered horrors.  If the alarm is raised, escape will be impossible."
+
“Tremoda knows of your talents,said Catra. “He needs strong leaders
 +
to lead the weak-willed goblins.
  
The group made their way down to the entrance. With some effort, Alor forced the key into place.  The great doors swung open with a grating noise, exposing a palpable darkness that hung heavy in the stale air like a fog of soot.  The thick shadows were penetrated from beyond by sinister red lights which gave vague form to the smooth obsidian corridors.
+
“Have you ever been to the Garum?” asked princess Aliza. “Do you know
 +
what kind of monster you are working for?”
  
Once all had passed into the tower, they closed the door behind them. "We can only hope it is not unusual for the doors to sound. Do you see anything?" Alor whispered to the leopard.
+
The two women spoke softly as they passed under the trees of the
 +
Forbidden Forest. It was true, Catra had never been to the realm of
 +
the Great Worm. The dwarven princess told her all about it. It was
 +
rumored that Tremoda lived in the center of a swamp where the dead
 +
walked and carried on as if they were alive. If so, it seemed that
 +
they weren't much worse off with the elves.
  
"Several doors down, a goblin is standing," the leopard spoke softly. "It has turned to face us.  I don't think it can make us out yet, but its night eyes are almost as strong as my own. It is coming this way."
+
“Look,” said Catra. “This is the way it is. I have been charged to
 +
bring you to the Worm and that's what I'm going to do. Whether you
 +
get there in one piece is up to you.
  
Indeed, Alor could barely make out twin spots of crimson shining in the distance. The dwarf felt the leopard slip from his side. In a moment, the crimson spots disappeared from view. No sound accompanied their departure. Alor and the others padded quietly forward, approaching the stairway and the dungeons below.
+
The cougar woman hissed as the arrow struck her in the shoulder.
 +
Aliza was off and running in the blink of an eye. Catra cursed and
 +
ran after her. Another arrow slammed into the tree where Catra's head
 +
had been a moment before. The dwarf princess's hands were bound by
 +
rope and her legs were short. Catra figured she would reach Aliza
 +
before the elves did.
  
==[[User:Senso|Senso]]==
+
“You are going the wrong way,” said Catra. “This way leads deeper
===(29 April 2007)===
+
into the forest. The surest way out is through the Garum.”
<pre><+@?++&~~</pre>
 
  
The wayward manager Aliz stepped quietly down the last flight of stairs into the lowest depths of the abandoned halls.  The air of the room was stale and warm.  The light of the dwarf's torch illuminated a stone pedestal, on which rested a gray book.
+
“Why should I believe you,” asked Aliza, “a mercenary sworn to sell me out?”
  
"The Tome of Suffering," Aliz whispered.  In its blood-stained pages, the collected wisdom of countless outpost managers waited for his perusal. Never again would his charges starve. Never again would they complain for want of whiskey. Never again would Aliz have to consult the half-baked scribblings of his uncle Toran.
+
Catra caught up with Aliza where she had collapsed in a clearing deep
 +
in the woods. Aliza had just about given up. She had not done much
 +
traveling above ground and the dangerous terrain was bright and
 +
confusing. She knew the elves' arrow could just as well have been
 +
meant for her.
  
The ground shook and Aliz's ears were assailed by a deafening crash.  When the dust cleared, the entire chamber was illuminated by a sinister red glow.  In place of the far wall was a yawning pit filled with bubbling magma and flames.  From the inferno came a betusked fiend, ravening, its slavering maw belching foul vapors through which stared its cruel bulging eyes.  Its clawed hands kneaded the lardy folds of its corpulence as if it sought to make room for this latest morsel.
+
“I will meet your Tremoda,” said Aliza, “and spit in his eye.
  
Aliz was terrified. The dwarf clutched the Tome to his chest. The horrific beast crouched by the magma pool, muttering in a grating whisper:
+
“That's the spirit,” said Catra. “Now let's get moving before the
 +
cowardly elf brings his friends.
  
"It will be eaten.  It will be eaten, the dwarf.  Eaten.  Eaten alive."
+
===(5 November 2014)===
  
 +
@o.,.,C,.g|++++?&?
  
==[[User:Shades|Shades]]==
+
“I can't believe it,” said Aliza. “Is it always like this?”
===Danrik Begin: (29 October 2007)===
 
  
  @@+,@\D/.+@
+
“It gets easier,” said Catra. “You may even long for it in the end.”
  
Fire seared the sky as the dragon circled, driven by madness and the
+
At Aliza's feet was the corpse of an elven scalp hunter. The dwarf
promise of gold held deep within the dwarven tunnels. Standing on the
+
princess had strangled him with the very rope that still bound her
battlements of the stone façade built over the entrance to the
+
hands. The cougar woman approached the dwarf and cut her bonds with a
fortress, Danrik the marksdwarf took aim at the evil target, his heart
+
flick of her knife. Even had she chose to leave now, the dwarf
thumping slow and steady. He waited two more beats and pulled the
+
couldn't navigate the forest by herself, not before another elf found
trigger.  An instant later a dozen marksdwarves let fly and a hail
+
them at any rate.
bolts pierced the smoky air.
 
 
 
Most of the bolts bounced harmlessly away, but Danrik's well-aimed
 
missile found the monsters skull, shattering the brain. The dwarves
 
cheered as the beast fell from the sky.  The smile fell from Danrik's
 
face as the great corpse fell closer -- it was coming right at them!
 
Dwarves climbed over each other, making for the stairs.  Other risked
 
jumping from the wall, breaking their arms and legs as they landed.
 
Danrik stood fast.
 
 
 
As the dead dragon slammed into the fortress's stone wall the dwarves
 
were flung into the air.  As Danrik flew, he damned the dragon with
 
all his might, his foul words ripped away by the wind.  With a sudden
 
crash, all went dark.
 
  
===(24 July 2008)===
+
“Tremoda will accept your kill,” said Catra. “You are already on the
 +
dark path of power.”
  
  @@@++@+@@@@@@@@@@+,.%%%%|
+
“True power is a matter of perception,” said Aliza, “or so my father taught me.
  
"He's awoken," came the cry.  "He has awoken!"
+
“Tremoda is your father now,said Catra.
 
 
Pain came as Danrik opened his eyes.  A crowd of gaudily-dressed
 
dwarves danced and sang in celebration of their hero.  It had been a
 
week since Danrik had fallen.  His comrades slapped him on the
 
shoulders.  One brought him a chalice of wine.  The dragon was dead.
 
Every day since had been a celebration, but with the awakening of
 
Danrik, the party had really begun.
 
 
 
The mighty warrior made his way out of the bedroom, supported by two
 
lusty dwarf women.  The masons were hard at work restoring the wall
 
that the dead dragon had crashed through.  The dwarf led Danrik to the
 
courtyard.
 
 
 
"Speech!" cried the dwarves, "Speech!"
 
 
 
"Oh," said Danrik, "Well…"
 
 
 
A dark shape appeared in the gap between the walls, large and
 
menacing.  The dwarves grew silent as it cast its glowing red eyes on
 
the dwarf hero.
 
 
 
"Yes," said the creature, "tell us how you slew the dragon, mighty
 
dwarf, how you saved the day!"
 
  
===(5 December 2009)===
+
The great forest became a swamp before it opened up onto the vast
 +
marsh hell-scape of the Garum. Catra lead Aliza around the many
 +
goblin camps and outposts, for she didn't trust the evil creatures not
 +
to kill her and claim the prize for themselves. It wasn't long before
 +
Aliza's legs were covered by blood sucking leeches. Catra stopped for
 +
a while to help her pluck them off.
  
  +@/+@@@+@@@@@@@
+
“Is this why they call Tremoda 'the Worm?'” asked Aliza as she picked
 +
at the foul creatures.
  
Dwarf hero Danrik called for his battleaxe.  A dwarven squire ran to
+
“No,” said Catra. “Tremoda is the Worm Within. Once he is inside
him and put the weapon in his hand.  The dwarf held the weapon high,
+
your mind you are never the same.”
but collapsed, steadying himself on the hilt. The demon laughed.  It
 
had congealed into the form of a man wearing a dark cloak, horns upon
 
his head, a nightmare lord of the underworld.
 
 
 
“If this is the best you can you can do, you have clearly lost,” said
 
the demon lord.  “You will bring me one maiden every season.”
 
  
The nightmare lord looked over the cowering dwarves.  He pointed at
+
“Have you seen the evil one?asked Aliza.
the gasping form of Danrik.  “Start with that one’s sister.”
 
 
 
Danrik watched helplessly as Andra, his lovely sister, was brought to
 
the demon’s side.  The creature put its hand on her shoulder and the
 
pair disappeared in a burst of blue flame.  Danrik howled with rage.
 
A squire ran up to him and bowed his head.  “We will find Lady Andra,
 
said the boy. “You can count on it.”
 
  
“What is your name, youngster?asked Danrik.
+
“I made my deal with the goblin snatcher, now dead,” said Catra.
  
“I am called Blackbeard,” said the boy.
+
At last the dark tower appeared on the horizon. It was built from
 
+
black obsidian stones that constantly sank into the marshy ground.
“A strong name for such a small body,” said the hero. “You can begin
+
The whole structure seemed to be leaning slightly to the left and
the quest by fetching a dragon tooth from the ruins of the wall.  From
+
generally unstable. Catra told Aliza to wait behind a large boulder
it we will forge a mighty shank to drive into the heart of the demon
+
and went to see the gate guard.
lord.
 
  
The squire smiled and bounded away into the rubble.  It was the
+
“I made a deal with Sasma,” said Catra to the goblin at the gate,
beginning of a hard recovery.  While the smiths worked in the forge to
+
“forty golden skulls to bring the dwarven princess to the Worm.
create the ultimate knife, Blackbeard trained the hero to walk again.
 
When Danrik was able to put his fist through solid rock walls, they
 
knew they were ready.  Danrik put the dragon dagger Gotter through his
 
belt and stepped before the crowd.
 
  
“I go now to rescue Lady Andra from the pit,said Danrik.  “The road
+
“And where is that shifty back-stabber?asked the goblin.
will be long and hard, to the fiery heart of the mountain and beyond,
 
to the land of the dead. Who is with me?”
 
  
Blackbeard jumped up and down, raising his hand above the shoulders of
+
“The dwarves shot him,” said Catra. “That is no concern of yours. I
those around him. Though it looked grim, a few brave adventurers step
+
have the princess. I demand to see Tremoda.
forward.  It was not a question of whether they would reach the
 
underworld, for they must reach it. They must reach Andra, and slay
 
her captors, for all great tales end this way.
 
  
===(25 December 2010)===
+
===(18 November 2014)===
  
  kkk""",.@P@,P.,""kkk"k
+
C+@++++@|
  
It is said that every great journey begins with a festival of
+
“Come out into the open, girl,” commanded Catra.
drinking, but Danrik wasn’t in the mood.  All he could think of was
 
that evil spirit with his sister and his soul burned with rage.  As
 
the others celebrated their bravery, Danrik strolled up the trail
 
toward Blood Mountain, kicking dirt clods as he went.
 
  
“You weren’t thinking of leaving without me were you?”  It was Blackbeard.
+
Standing up from behind the obsidian boulder, Princess Aliza boldly
 +
faced her captors. High above the tiny figures, Tremoda watched from
 +
his black tower that pricked the sky. Aliza would fear no cowardly
 +
kidnappers. She was a princess of Slusia.
  
“Of course not,” said Danrik, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
+
Since the dawn of time, the men and dwarves of the Slusian Plains had
“Let those fools drink themselves silly.  We have a fair maiden to
+
battled goblins, elves, and each other. Every war was more
save.”
+
bloodthirsty than the last. Compared to the evils that men do, how bad
 +
could the Great Worm be? The gate guard moved aside and allowed Catra
 +
and the princess to enter.
 +
 
 +
“I'll tell you this much for nothing,” said Catra as they climbed the
 +
hundreds of spiral stairs, “don't be fooled by the demon's beauty. He
 +
is the most dangerous creature under Domon's vault of sky.”
  
Together, the two adventuring dwarves mounted their ponies and trotted
+
“Enter,” said a familiar voice as the pair reached the top room of the tower.
off into the darkness.  After a time the fires of the fortress
 
disappeared behind the rolling wooded hills.  It was not long before
 
they left the land of the dwarves and entered into the depths of
 
Haunted Forest.  No one knew what kinds of wicked spirits dwelt there
 
for few ever returned alive.
 
  
“Why must we enter this dark place?” asked Blackbeard.
+
Pressing against the thick wooden door, Catra prepared herself for
 +
whatever horrors the demon had prepared for them. Aliza stepped right
 +
past her and into the room. There, seated at a table covered with
 +
maps, was the queen of the dwarves, mother to Aliza and long dead.
  
“Blood Mountain lies on the other side of this forest,” said Danrik,
+
“Mama,” stammered Aliza.
“and nothing will stand between me and Andra. We rest here.”
 
  
“Here?” asked Blackbeard. “Surely you could have picked a less creepy place.
+
She felt the cat's claws pinch her side. The image of her mother
 +
faded and was replaced with that of another unlikely shape, her
 +
favorite suitor, Kogan.
  
It was true.  Danrik had picked a dreadful place to camp.  Everywhere
+
“You have done well, cougar woman,” said the mysterious Kogan. “Take
the night birds, eyes of the enemy, were watching them.  The very
+
your reward and go.
trees seemed to reach out to grab them.  Worst of all, they had laid
 
their camp on a kobold burrow. Silently the creatures crawled from
 
their holes, armed with bone knives, ready to cut the heart out of any
 
poor fool.
 
  
“Did you hear that?” said Blackbeard.
+
“Ouch,” said Aliza, pinching her arm until it bled.
  
===(05 February 2012)===
+
The young dwarf before her changed shape again, this time growing and
 +
taking the form of a woman. Aliza already hated the Worm and his
 +
tricks. The woman approached her and Aliza dug in with her
 +
fingernails. The demon shape-shifted again, this time into his true
 +
form.
  
  ~@//////+@/&@+\\\\\\\
+
“Holy Forge Father,” said Aliza. “Now I have seen everything.”
  
Andra cried out as the grubby little goblin whipped her again.  She
+
===(25 December 2014)===
was locked in some sort of dungeon.  She couldn’t tell where for the
 
strange rough-hewn black rock was unknown to her.  She pulled at her
 
chains again.  One of them was loose.  Let me at that horned villain,
 
thought Andra, but this one will die first.
 
  
“Tell us, sister Andra,” said the goblin.  “Does it hurt?”
+
|@@+++++++++-|C
  
The links of the chain exploded as the dwarf woman yanked with all her
+
All the way down the long spiral staircase, Catra counted her prize
might. The broken chain slapped the goblin upside the head, killing
+
money. It was forty golden skulls as promised. Add to that her
it instantly. She undid her other hand and stole the goblin’s keys,
+
reputation as the most daring snatcher in the world and you would
escaping the dungeon, chain still attached.
+
think that Catra would be more proud of herself. She knew what she
 +
did was wrong. The balance of power had shifted in favor of the
 +
Garum. Soon Aliza would be leading Tremoda's armies against the very
 +
dwarf fortress she had been snatched from. All of this angered Catra.
 +
She was a mercenary, sure, but it was her swordsmanship that should
 +
bring her renown, not snatching youngsters from their beds. By the
 +
time she reached the bottom of the stairs, her mind was made up. She
 +
would redeem herself of this great wrong if she had to give her life
 +
to do so.
  
The view outside was terrifying.  Pillars of fire rose up from lakes
+
“Armies are on the move in the marshland,” said Kaduma.
of burning magma.  Andra found herself standing on the narrow ledge of
 
a black pyramid at the center of the world.  It seemed that she could
 
never escape this perfect prison.
 
  
Pulling the chain tight, the solution was obvious. She would find the
+
“None of that matters now,” said King Kogan. “We must get Aliza back,
horned king and force him to take her back.  Then she began to climb.
+
no matter the cost.
The top was further than it looked.  It seemed she had been climbing
 
for days, maybe for weeks.  Then she made the crest.
 
  
The scene was ridiculous, for there was Danrik holding a shank to the
+
“It is she,” said Kaduma, “who leads the demon army.
demon lord’s belly while another dwarf was grappling him by the horns.
 
  
“I swear,” whined the demon. “I don’t know where she is!  She must
+
None of it made sense. Kogan and Aliza were to be married and rule
have escaped!”
+
the dwarven empire together. Now that the Worm had his claws in her,
 +
there was no choice but battle her to the death. Kogan picked up a
 +
carving knife in anger and threw it across the room, imbedding it in
 +
door. On the other side, Catra saw the blade protruding through the
 +
wood and began to have second thoughts. She waited outside while the
 +
dwarven nobles argued. Finally, the king noticed her waiting at the
 +
door and summoned her inside.
  
“Danrik!cried Andra.
+
“Why have you come here, beast woman?asked Kogan.
  
Danrik lost his concentration for a second and the demon slapped
+
“It was I,” said Catra, “that took young Aliza away. All for forty
Gotter out of the dwarf hero’s hand.  Blackbeard nearly flew over the
+
pieces of gold.”
side of the pyramid as the demon bucked him off.  The creature ducked
 
just in time to save its life as Andra whipped the chain over its
 
head.
 
 
 
“The knife!” cried Danrik. “It’s the only way to kill it!
 
  
===(18 February 2014)===
+
“I must ask you,” said Kogan, “why you have returned? You must know I
 +
would have you put to death.”
  
  .\k,//@////+@+@&+\\\\\\\
+
“You must see reason,” said Catra, “when I say that I am the one who
 +
can get her back.
  
As Andra scanned the slope of the pyramid, the demon took advantage of
+
“Lord King,” said Kaduma, “she may be right. It is written in the
her lapse in concentration. It grabbed hold of the chain, still
+
ancient scrolls.
shackled to Andra's arm and pulled her to its chest with one mighty
 
yank.  Danrik cried out, but it was to late.  The demon had Andra in
 
its clutches.
 
  
"The dagger, Gotter," said the demon. "Give it to me and I will
+
“Then I must read them,said Kogan. “Take this thing to the dungeon.
spare your sister's life."
 
  
"I'll give it to you alright," hissed Danrik.
+
===(3 February 2015)===
  
Time seemed to drag on as Danrik faced down his adversary. He had
+
(The beginning of a new story)
full faith that Blackbeard had recovered the dagger and was rushing to
+
 
his aid. He held out his hand, waiting, never taking his eyes off the
+
,".,"".@/@*@@,."."
demon holding his sister hostage. He could never have guessed the
+
 
hassle that Blackbeard was now dealing with.
+
“That was it!” said watch-dwarf Mathire. “They just tapped me on the
 +
shoulder for the special assignment and I was in!”
 +
 
 +
“Do they expect you to scale the walls of Nadir's fortress all by
 +
yourself?” asked Galva.
 +
 
 +
“No! That's the best part,” said Mathire. “I get to assemble my own
 +
squad! I am picking you, Atone and Thadrian.”
 +
 
 +
“Thadrian?” asked Galva. “Are you sure you can trust such a notorious
 +
drunkard?”
 +
 
 +
“It will be alright, Galva,” said Mathire. “Just put your trust in me
 +
and we will come out of this looking like heroes.”
 +
 
 +
That very night the four adventurous dwarves set out from the dwarf
 +
fortress in the direction of the lands of the evil one. Nadir was no
 +
mere wizard to be trifled with. He was the greatest of the Four
 +
Fallen Stars, a being that had existed since before almighty Domon had
 +
divided the waters and set the land in place. After his initial
 +
defeat at the hands of the angels, Nadir had settled in the depths of
 +
the earth, far from civilization. It would take weeks of searching
 +
just to find the entrance to Nadir's vast dungeon.
 +
 
 +
“Fear not fellow heroes,” said Mathire. “I have a dowsing rod, tuned
 +
to smell out the most concentrated forms of evil.”
 +
 
 +
“For Domon's sake,” said Galva. “You can't be serious.”
 +
 
 +
“You have your doubts,” said Mathire. “We have established this.
 +
Just give me seven days, and I will make heroes out of all of you!”
 +
 
 +
So on they went. Mountains gave way to rolling hills, and hills gave
 +
way to endless marshland. Soon they were in the most evil of lands
 +
known as the Garum. It was said to be made from the rotting body of
 +
the titan Gigilous. The smells were all outrageous and bad. Mathire
 +
did his best to keep the dwarves in good spirits, often setting aside
 +
his dowsing rod and taking up the guitar. They weren't the only ones
 +
who appreciated the music. Evil shadows soon began to gather around
 +
the campsite.
 +
 
 +
“Do you smell that?” asked Mathire.
 +
 
 +
===(5 March 2015)===
 +
 
 +
<pre>@@@@""""""""~"""~~~"""""!!D!!%</pre>
 +
 
 +
“Who dares to bring cheer into the heart of the Garum?” croaked a voice in the dark.
 +
 
 +
Ceasing his strumming instantly, Mathire was up in an instant, sword drawn. The other dwarves did likewise. Galva pointed with his finger and shouted “Over there!” The monster was hovering over Thadrian's shoulder. Mathire and Atone turned to face it, whilst Thadrian tried to stay absolutely still. Atone was an expert with a crossbow, but this was a tricky shot. Thadrian's big fat body was almost entirely blocking the marks-dwarf's point of view. Still, Atone did his best, lined up his sights, and pulled the trigger.
 +
 
 +
“That is one ugly mother,” said Thadrian as he stood up from the campfire and looked at what lay behind him.
 +
 
 +
The night creature was obviously a local, covered in the slime of the marsh. Atone's bolt struck it straight through the third eye. They must be getting close if they were rousting monsters like this. Galva and Thadrian lifted up the body and dumped it into a deep pool of slime where it sank and vanished immediately. Once the morning came, Mathire called on his dowsing rod. They only traveled for a few minutes before they found what they were looking for.
 +
 
 +
The black spire appeared on the horizon of the marsh, like a lone mountain on the flatness of the hated Garum. Smoke poured out of the tower giving the fortress the look of something volcanic. The dwarves donned costumes of branches and grass so they wouldn't be spotted by the spying eyes of the tower. None of the dwarves had seen or smelled anything so evil, but they couldn't turn back now.
 +
 
 +
Atone was the first to see the dragon. It was standing like a gargoyle on the wall of the black fortress. The dwarves stopped in their tracks. The dragon lifted its nose into the air and smelled the breeze for signs of the enemy. Lucky for the dwarves, Nadir was busy cooking the dragon's lunch and the odor of the smoking pillar distracted the fire-breathing lizard.
 +
 
 +
“What are we going to do now, genius?” asked Galva.
 +
 
 +
===(5 April 2015)===
 +
 
 +
++@@@+-+N+
 +
 
 +
“Every fortress has a secret entrance,” said Mathire, “so that the nobles can escape in times of siege. My dowsing rod will find it.
  
"You..." said Blackbeard.
+
Far from impressed, Galva began to protest but the other dwarves just walked on by. They were on a quest from almighty Domon to defeat the demon god Nadir. They could already hear the songs the bards would be singing in every fortress feast hall. They would take the crown from Nadir's severed head and use it to play fetch with their dogs. All that stood in their way was a hungry dragon and a black slade wall a hundred spans high.
  
The kobold had followed the dwarves ever since they had fallen into
+
“It's here!” shouted Mathire. “I knew I could find it.
the kobold burrow in the creepy forest. That night, the heroes must
 
have killed a dozen kobolds a piece.  Bacabadabis was away collecting
 
grubs when the dwarves came.  He returned to a scene of absolute
 
horror.  His home had become a charnel house.
 
  
"Any time now..." growled Danrik.
+
It was none too soon. While Mathire had been poking around the base of the wall with his stick, the dragon had returned. Atone could see the dragon scanning the horizon for intruders. It was only a matter of the wind shifting direction and the dragon would smell them. Mathire got the hatch open and the dwarves began shoving Thadrian's fat body through the narrow opening.
  
Blackbeard shook his head, unable to believe his bad luck. The kobold
+
“I can sense your presence,” said the dragon, “you thieving insects!”
 +
 
 +
The hatch slammed shut just as the last of the dwarves jumped through, avoiding a fiery blast. Inside the fortress the sense of disease and desolation was tenfold worse. The walls were lined with skeletal remains. They were in the catacombs. Mathire urged his dwarves to keep it cool. Galva was just about to burst a gasket. The undead were among his least favorite things in this world.
 +
 
 +
“I promise you Galva,” said Mathire. “There are no walking dead here.”
 +
 
 +
“Your precious stick says otherwise,” shouted Galva pointing at Mathire's belt.
 +
 
 +
The dowsing rod was so agitated it was nearly flying out of Mathire's pocket. The dwarves turned to look where it pointed. There stood an empty suit of armor, moving of its own accord. Mathire pulled his sword from its scabbard whilst Galva began praying to Domon. Atone lifted his crossbow and fired a bolt, which punched a hole in the breastplate.
 +
 
 +
“That hurt, little man,” said the ghost. “Are you trying to kill me twice?”
 +
 
 +
===(30 April 2015)===
 +
 
 +
@@N@@
 +
 
 +
“Why have you come to the tombs of my master?” asked the ghost.
 +
 
 +
“I must ask you first,” said Galva. “What gives you the right to speak at all? You had your chance on Earth.”
 +
 
 +
The ghostly suit of armor picked up a spiked club and went to dash out Galva's brains. Thadrian and Atone tackled the ghost and it went down with a crash. Mathire stepped to the suit of armor, sword drawn. He used the tip of his blade to open the ghostly visor. There was nothing inside but shadow. An irritating laugh welled up from the helpless ghost. The dwarves did their best to hold him still while Mathire questioned him.
 +
 
 +
“A dragon, and now ghosts?” asked Mathire. “What horrors await us in Nadir's tower?”
 +
 
 +
“The only sensation the master allows us to feel is pain,” whined the ghost. “Let me go!”
 +
 
 +
“Not until you tell us what we are up against,” commanded Mathire.
 +
 
 +
“This tomb is where the master puts his failures,” said the ghost, “to forget about them. The true guardians of Nadir's presence on Earth are undead warriors and wizards trained in every martial art, present and forgotten.”
 +
 
 +
“Nadir's library,” whispered Atone.
 +
 
 +
“You know of my master's plan,” said the ghost. “Once he has absorbed every last piece of knowledge this world has to offer, he will destroy it with fire and falling rocks.”
 +
 
 +
“That's it,” exclaimed Mathire. “We have found Nadir's weak spot. The ghost will take us to the library and we will set the books on fire!”
 +
 
 +
Not all of the dwarves were entirely on board with his plan. Atone was educated in the capital from a young age and long had he wished to see the forbidden books that he knew Nadir to have. Though he was an uncultured slob himself, Thadrian didn't see the wisdom in destroying the life's work of so many great scholars. Only Galva was ready to join Mathire's quest to set civilization back five hundred years.
 +
 
 +
===(8 May 2015)===
 +
 
 +
@!++++N+++?=?==?
 +
 
 +
“Atone!” cried Mathire. “No!”
 +
 
 +
It was too late and all the denial shouted at the heavens could not save his friend. Atone was the first around the corner, pointing his crossbow. When it fired the crossbow quarrel bounced harmlessly off the goblin's bronze breastplate. The goblin guard was on him in an instant, stabbing and thrusting. By the time Mathire and the others pulled the goblin off him, Atone was leaking blood from half a dozen mortal wounds.
 +
 
 +
“You,” shouted Mathire as the others held the goblin, “where is the library?”
 +
 
 +
“Ha!” said the goblin, through broken teeth. “Second door on the left. Nadir awaits you there!”
 +
 
 +
Not only was Mathire ready to take on the god of the underworld, there was payback to deal out. After granting the goblin a just death, Mathire and the surviving adventurers stepped deeper into Nadir's dungeon. When they reached the second door, Mathire hesitated. How he wanted Nadir to suffer! He would watch all the books in the library burn.
 +
 
 +
“I've been waiting for you,” said a voice from within. “Enter.”
 +
 
 +
The library was as impressive as promised. Scrolls and codices lined the many shelves that extended to the vaulted ceiling. In the center of the great room stood the dark god Nadir. He had a body that looked like a mismatched selection of animal parts. He had the head of a bull and wore a golden ring through his nose. Noticing Mathire was holding forth a torch in a threatening manner, the demon god spoke.
 +
 
 +
“Go ahead,” said Nadir, “burn it. I have already learned the most important truth.”
 +
 
 +
===(11 July 2015)===
 +
 
 +
@/+N+N\@++N
 +
 
 +
“Oh yeah, demon?” said Mathire in a mocking tone. “What is the most important truth?”
 +
 
 +
“Death is not the end,” said a familiar voice from behind.
 +
 
 +
Turning just in time to catch a broadsword through the heart, Mathire was surprised to see his dead friend Atone. Blood poured from Mathire's open mouth as he stared, questioning. Galva swung his blade, slicing off Atone's arm. This just served to anger the walking corpse which reached for its secondary weapon. Swords clashed as Mathire slumped to the ground, dead.
 +
 
 +
“Soon you will all know the power of the primordial chaos,” said Nadir, god of the underworld.
 +
 
 +
“I've had enough of this,” said Thadrian, heading for the door.
 +
 
 +
“I don't think so,” said Nadir, moving his hands in a magic gesture.
 +
 
 +
The door closed and locked themselves. Thadrian smashed his shoulder into the door and bounced back, screaming with terror. He looked back to see Galva fighting the ghost of Atone. The swords-dwarf had given Atone what would have been several mortal wounds, but the ghost fought on. Pulling himself together, Thadrian returned to the fight.
 +
 
 +
“Where are you going?” said the ghost of Mathire, now rising from the floor.
 +
 
 +
===(31 July 2015)===
 +
 
 +
N+-+@/@/N/+&
 +
 
 +
The fight wasn't going well. Galva and Thadrian were closed in, fighting back to back as the ghosts of their friends pressed in closer, stabbing and slashing. It then occurred to Galva that Nadir was no god at all. What god would resort to such petty evil? And there was something else.
 +
 
 +
“Stop,” commanded Galva. “Nadir, if that is who you really are, if you are a god, why did you have to learn of the afterlife from the pages of a book? I deny you!”
 +
 
 +
The bull-headed demon snorted with anger. The ghost of Mathire looked at his new master, questioning. It seemed that he and Atone's ghost were fighting out of a place of ignorance. This thing, that claimed to be Nadir, was no more than an undead necromancer. Mathire's ghost picked up a torch and tossed it amidst the scrolls.
 +
 
 +
“No!” cried the monster, Nadir.
 +
 
 +
This time the dwarves fought as one. Atone fired bolts into the being continuously as Mathire and the others hacked and slashed. The monster was unable to stop the wave of violence and was soon rendered helpless. Mathire lifted up his blade, ready to hack of Nadir's head.
 +
 
 +
“Don't do it, Mathire,” said Galva. “You'll die. He is the only thing keeping your life force in that body.”
 +
 
 +
“It is a hero's duty,” said Mathire, “to sacrifice for his friends.”
 +
 
 +
===(9 September 2015)===
 +
 
 +
@@"ggggggggg""~"~""~"~""?N?
 +
 
 +
The death stroke was quick and merciful. With an expert swing, the ghost of Mathire struck off Nadir's head. The undead dwarf immediately went stiff and still. Atone collapsed to the floor, forever dead. Galva caught Mathire's body as he fell, desperate for a last command. The fire was spreading and there was no time to waste. Galva reluctantly left his master to burn with the dead god and the greatest store of knowledge the world had ever known.
 +
 
 +
Racing through the corridors, Galva and Thadrian hurried to escape the crumbling tower. All of the undead guardians had fallen and only the goblins remained. These evil foes were just as eager to be clear of the falling tower and the dwarves followed the exodus as fast as they could.
 +
 
 +
Outside in the marshland, the goblins gathered to watch the tower sink into the muck. For many of them, Nadir's fortress had been home, all their lives. They didn't hinder Galva and Thadrian as they emerged from the secret exit.
 +
 
 +
“All that knowledge, wasted,” said Thadrian.
 +
 
 +
“It was gained through evil,” said Galva, “and is therefore of no true value.”
 +
 
 +
“Is that what Domon tells you?” asked Thadrain.
 +
 
 +
“Look,” said a goblin, “the dark lord rises.”
 +
 
 +
===(28 September 2015)===
 +
 
 +
gggggggg,@@,.o@"".
 +
 
 +
“A dwarf?” asked Galva. “This is some kind of joke.”
 +
 
 +
Out of the smoking ruin stepped a wizened old dwarf. He waved to the heroes as he stepped around the standing pools of muck. The goblins stood at attention as the old dwarf approached. Thadrian looked at Galva and then back to the hated Nadir. They waited as the old dwarf picked his way toward them through the marsh. When he arrived, he was out of breath.
 +
 
 +
“The Eternal Forge is no joke, friends,” wheezed the old dwarf. “Do you like the shape the dwarf gods chose for me?”
 +
 
 +
“They clearly have a sense of humor,” said Thadrian.
 +
 
 +
“Tell me, demon,” said Galva, “why I shouldn't just slay you a second time.”
 +
 
 +
“Because,” Nadir said with a wink, “I have your prize in my pocket.”
 +
 
 +
The dwarves watched with amazement as Nadir reached into his robes and withdrew a fist-sized glass ball. In it were the tiny bodies of Mathire and Atone, suspended in liquid.
 +
 
 +
“Do they live?” asked Thadrian.
 +
 
 +
“They sleep,” said Nadir, “but they may yet be awoken. You have but to do what I say.”
 +
 
 +
===(30 October 2015)===
 +
 
 +
++++@@u+++@|
 +
 
 +
“There is a book,” said Nadir, “a codex that contains the last bit of knowledge I need to transcend this mortal plane.”
 +
 
 +
“And if we retrieve this tome,” said Galva, “you will let Mathire and Atone live?”
 +
 
 +
“It will be as if none of this ever happened,” said the wizard.
 +
 
 +
“Where is it?” asked Thadrian.
 +
 
 +
“Good, good,” laughed Nadir. “It is in the dwarf fortress of course!”
 +
 
 +
The dwarves walked in silence as they left the Garum. Neither of them could really believe that Nadir had tricked them into doing his bidding. The wizard had given them his crown as proof that they had completed their quest. The evil one knew that the dwarf king couldn't refuse a request made by the heroes, and they would ask for the book.
 +
 
 +
“Where is mighty Mathire?” asked the dwarven king.
 +
 
 +
“He has passed on to the Eternal Forge,” said Galva. “He had only one request as he died. It was that we receive as a reward the Book of the Dead.”
 +
 
 +
“That was a pointless and evil wish,” said the king. “The pages of that book contain an ancient wickedness. Mathire could be restored, but he would not be the same.”
 +
 
 +
“Nonetheless,” said Galva, “we have fulfilled our part of the bargain. We demand to have the book.”
 +
 
 +
===(6 December 2015)===
 +
 
 +
|+N?+@@|
 +
 
 +
After a long silence, the king agreed to the heroes' demands. They would just have to see for themselves. The curse of the book was no joke. The king knew that the dead heroes would return as monsters. He explained as much to Galva, but it made no difference. The heroes would not be dissuaded. The king called on the scribe to retrieve the Book of the Dead from the forbidden library. Galva and Thadrian went with him as Nadir remained in the throne room, hiding amidst the petitioners.
 +
 
 +
“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?” asked the scribe.
 +
 
 +
“Mind thy own business,” snapped Galva.
 +
 
 +
Once they were in the library, the scribe produced a key and opened the secret vault hidden in the wall. Galva was revolted when the book was revealed. It was a codex bound in dwarven skin. The pages were written in blood. Still, Galva mastered his fear and received the book when it was handed to him. Thadrian said nothing but clearly he was having second thoughts.
 +
 
 +
“Have you brought that which you promised me?” asked Nadir as the heroes returned.
 +
 
 +
The old dwarf's eyes lit up as Galva revealed the evil tome. Galva handed it over, but would not release his grip until he demanded once more that Nadir return his friends to life. The evil dwarf made the promise and snatched the book away. Without a moment's hesitation, he cracked the codex open and began to read aloud.
 +
 
 +
===(20 December 2015)===
 +
 
 +
(The beginning of a new story)
 +
 
 +
|W+k|~~ssss
 +
 
 +
The animal people waited in the snow outside the wizard's cottage. It was a cold winter night and the wind was blowing. Still the woodland creatures stood motionless as they waited. It was a consequential day for them. The dwarves had been logging in their forest and they demanded satisfaction. The old man told them he needed time to think. So they waited, staring at the wooden door, waiting for it to open.
 +
 
 +
“What do you think, Brambis?” asked the wizard.
 +
 
 +
“Bacabadabis,” said the wizard's pet kobold.
 +
 
 +
“You are right,” said the wizard, “the dwarves have been generous to us. But they must learn their place.”
 +
 
 +
The door of the cottage opened and the wizard showed himself. His black robe and furs were draped over his body making him look twice his size. He was just a skinny old man, but he knew something the others didn't. He could read and write the ancient language of Axolar.
 +
 
 +
“I will take your demands to the dwarves...” began the wizard.
 +
 
 +
“Three cheers for Old Man Scota,” shouted a squirrel man.
 +
 
 +
“...on one condition,” continued Scota. “You must bring me the Codex of Ultimate Knowledge.”
 +
 
 +
==[[User:Rewolf31|Rewolf31]]==
 +
===(13 April 2007)===
 +
 
 +
<pre>.B@.~~~
 +
</pre>
 +
And so Alor, a wrestler of renown, found himself between a great boar and the wide river. For six days they struggled, and as the sun descended behind the hills on the evening of the seventh day, Alor finally collapsed in exhaustion. The boar spoke and said, "I too am tired. The sun has fallen. Let us rest." And so Alor and the boar slept, and the sun arose on the morning of the eighth day.
 +
 
 +
===(21 July 2007)===
 +
<pre>,.,B@~,~,~</pre>
 +
 
 +
"Whiskey?" Alor asked the boar, holding up his flask. The wrestler had not spoken for a week.
 +
 
 +
"Gladly," the boar said, taking the flask up in its mouth. "You block my path to the river, and now you offer me your flask. Strange are the ways of your people."
 +
 
 +
"Your path? I was seeking to cross the river and found myself menaced," Alor said.
 +
 
 +
"The squirrels tell me I am a terror to behold when I am thirsty," the boar said as it drained the flask. "Do I menace you now?" The boar looked mild and plump. Indeed, the gentle creature reminded Alor of his daughter.
 +
 
 +
"No, I am not menaced. I am reminded of home," Alor said fondly. At that moment his stomach growled, for he had not eaten in some time.
 +
 
 +
"Hopefully I do not remind you of your dinner table," the boar laughed, "though it remains to be seen who would have the final mastery in our contest." Alor smiled broadly and the boar guided Alor to the ford, where they parted as friends.
 +
 
 +
===(12 September 2007)===
 +
<pre>++@a@+
 +
</pre>
 +
"Daddy! Daddy!" the little girl cried happily as she ran toward the mighty dwarf where he stood under the archway.
 +
 
 +
"I missed you, sweet pod!" Alor crouched down and lifted the child up to his shoulder, where she sat, beaming. "Have you been good while I was away?"
 +
 
 +
"I made a puzzle box. See!" The girl held out a soapstone box. The master craftsdwarf always started the young ones with the material since it required little strength to carve, though it crumbled easily. Even so, the box was quite exquisite.
 +
 
 +
"That's beautiful. Now let me see here..." Alor pressed a button and the lid popped open. There was nothing inside. "Hey, where's my treasure?" he said in mock indignation.
 +
 
 +
The girl took the box and made a series of complicated motions along the inside of the empty compartment. A second lid opened, revealing a piece of dwarven sugar candy. The child giggled and smiled broadly.
 +
 
 +
Alor scratched his head and laughed. Coren was only six, but she was already beyond him.
 +
 
 +
"Did you win, daddy?" Coren asked.
 +
 
 +
"Ah, the tournament? Yes, sweet pod, there hasn't been a dwarf born yet that can beat your father," Alor looked at the puzzle box. "At least not at wrestling. And you know what else?"
 +
 
 +
"What else, daddy? What else?"
 +
 
 +
"I met a talking boar and we became friends."
 +
 
 +
"Again?" Coren complained. "I want to meet your animal friends soon."
 +
 
 +
"I'll invite them over for your party next month. Until then, you have to work hard. Do you have a lesson today?"
 +
 
 +
"Yes. Mr. Goldlocket says he'll let me try marble today."
 +
 
 +
"Marble, eh? That's amazing. You really are your mother's daughter. I'll walk you to the shop." Together they strolled down the passageway. Alor admired the carvings and architecture, occasionally pointing an engraving out and explaining its history, though his daughter had heard it all before. It had been two months since he left for tournament, and the wrestler had missed his home very much.
 +
 
 +
"The three of us should have a feast tonight. What do you say?" Alor asked. Coren did not respond.
 +
 
 +
The dwarf looked down. His daughter was not there. She was not in the passageway. There was no sign of her.
 +
 
 +
"Goblins!" A scream echoed through the tunnels. "Goblins in the fortress!"
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===(18 September 2007)===
 +
<pre>,..|mBL@+++++++g+</pre>
 +
 
 +
"I'm sure she's in there," Alor said from his place behind the boulder where he looked down upon the rusted iron doors of Chatteltomb.
 +
 
 +
"We must act now, while there's still time," the boar urged. This was the same boar that Alor had befriended by the riverbank, and it now came to aid Alor in his time of need.
 +
 
 +
"The door is locked. Even with our combined strength, I doubt we can force entry," the leopard observed. This was the same leopard that Alor had befriended in the high grasses, and it also came to aid Alor in his time of need.
 +
 
 +
"Don't worry. The guards were drunk in the ravine below," the marmot announced as it scampered up the slope with the key in its mouth. This was the same marmot that Alor had befriended on the mountainside, and it came to aid Alor after promises of food.
 +
 
 +
"I've only challenged the depths of this black pit once in my life. It is a memory I have longed to forget, though it will serve me now," Alor said. "It sickens me that my daughter is kept there. The way to the dungeons will not be heavily guarded, as fear of this place keeps all but the foolish at bay. That said, the tower above is garrisoned with unnumbered horrors. If the alarm is raised, escape will be impossible."
 +
 
 +
The group made their way down to the entrance. With some effort, Alor forced the key into place. The great doors swung open with a grating noise, exposing a palpable darkness that hung heavy in the stale air like a fog of soot. The thick shadows were penetrated from beyond by sinister red lights which gave vague form to the smooth obsidian corridors.
 +
 
 +
Once all had passed into the tower, they closed the door behind them. "We can only hope it is not unusual for the doors to sound. Do you see anything?" Alor whispered to the leopard.
 +
 
 +
"Several doors down, a goblin is standing," the leopard spoke softly. "It has turned to face us. I don't think it can make us out yet, but its night eyes are almost as strong as my own. It is coming this way."
 +
 
 +
Indeed, Alor could barely make out twin spots of crimson shining in the distance. The dwarf felt the leopard slip from his side. In a moment, the crimson spots disappeared from view. No sound accompanied their departure. Alor and the others padded quietly forward, approaching the stairway and the dungeons below.
 +
 
 +
==[[User:Senso|Senso]]==
 +
===(29 April 2007)===
 +
<pre><+@?++&~~</pre>
 +
 
 +
The wayward manager Aliz stepped quietly down the last flight of stairs into the lowest depths of the abandoned halls. The air of the room was stale and warm. The light of the dwarf's torch illuminated a stone pedestal, on which rested a gray book.
 +
 
 +
"The Tome of Suffering," Aliz whispered. In its blood-stained pages, the collected wisdom of countless outpost managers waited for his perusal. Never again would his charges starve. Never again would they complain for want of whiskey. Never again would Aliz have to consult the half-baked scribblings of his uncle Toran.
 +
 
 +
The ground shook and Aliz's ears were assailed by a deafening crash. When the dust cleared, the entire chamber was illuminated by a sinister red glow. In place of the far wall was a yawning pit filled with bubbling magma and flames. From the inferno came a betusked fiend, ravening, its slavering maw belching foul vapors through which stared its cruel bulging eyes. Its clawed hands kneaded the lardy folds of its corpulence as if it sought to make room for this latest morsel.
 +
 
 +
Aliz was terrified. The dwarf clutched the Tome to his chest. The horrific beast crouched by the magma pool, muttering in a grating whisper:
 +
 
 +
"It will be eaten. It will be eaten, the dwarf. Eaten. Eaten alive."
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==[[User:Shades|Shades]]==
 +
===Danrik Begin: (29 October 2007)===
 +
 
 +
@@+,@\D/.+@
 +
 
 +
Fire seared the sky as the dragon circled, driven by madness and the
 +
promise of gold held deep within the dwarven tunnels. Standing on the
 +
battlements of the stone façade built over the entrance to the
 +
fortress, Danrik the marksdwarf took aim at the evil target, his heart
 +
thumping slow and steady. He waited two more beats and pulled the
 +
trigger. An instant later a dozen marksdwarves let fly and a hail
 +
bolts pierced the smoky air.
 +
 +
Most of the bolts bounced harmlessly away, but Danrik's well-aimed
 +
missile found the monsters skull, shattering the brain. The dwarves
 +
cheered as the beast fell from the sky. The smile fell from Danrik's
 +
face as the great corpse fell closer -- it was coming right at them!
 +
Dwarves climbed over each other, making for the stairs. Other risked
 +
jumping from the wall, breaking their arms and legs as they landed.
 +
Danrik stood fast.
 +
 +
As the dead dragon slammed into the fortress's stone wall the dwarves
 +
were flung into the air. As Danrik flew, he damned the dragon with
 +
all his might, his foul words ripped away by the wind. With a sudden
 +
crash, all went dark.
 +
 
 +
===(24 July 2008)===
 +
 
 +
@@@++@+@@@@@@@@@@+,.%%%%|
 +
 
 +
"He's awoken," came the cry. "He has awoken!"
 +
 +
Pain came as Danrik opened his eyes. A crowd of gaudily-dressed
 +
dwarves danced and sang in celebration of their hero. It had been a
 +
week since Danrik had fallen. His comrades slapped him on the
 +
shoulders. One brought him a chalice of wine. The dragon was dead.
 +
Every day since had been a celebration, but with the awakening of
 +
Danrik, the party had really begun.
 +
 +
The mighty warrior made his way out of the bedroom, supported by two
 +
lusty dwarf women. The masons were hard at work restoring the wall
 +
that the dead dragon had crashed through. The dwarf led Danrik to the
 +
courtyard.
 +
 +
"Speech!" cried the dwarves, "Speech!"
 +
 +
"Oh," said Danrik, "Well…"
 +
 +
A dark shape appeared in the gap between the walls, large and
 +
menacing. The dwarves grew silent as it cast its glowing red eyes on
 +
the dwarf hero.
 +
 +
"Yes," said the creature, "tell us how you slew the dragon, mighty
 +
dwarf, how you saved the day!"
 +
 
 +
===(5 December 2009)===
 +
 
 +
+@/+@@@+@@@@@@@
 +
 
 +
Dwarf hero Danrik called for his battleaxe. A dwarven squire ran to
 +
him and put the weapon in his hand. The dwarf held the weapon high,
 +
but collapsed, steadying himself on the hilt. The demon laughed. It
 +
had congealed into the form of a man wearing a dark cloak, horns upon
 +
his head, a nightmare lord of the underworld.
 +
 +
“If this is the best you can you can do, you have clearly lost,” said
 +
the demon lord. “You will bring me one maiden every season.”
 +
 
 +
The nightmare lord looked over the cowering dwarves. He pointed at
 +
the gasping form of Danrik. “Start with that one’s sister.”
 +
 +
Danrik watched helplessly as Andra, his lovely sister, was brought to
 +
the demon’s side. The creature put its hand on her shoulder and the
 +
pair disappeared in a burst of blue flame. Danrik howled with rage.
 +
A squire ran up to him and bowed his head. “We will find Lady Andra,”
 +
said the boy. “You can count on it.”
 +
 
 +
“What is your name, youngster?” asked Danrik.
 +
 
 +
“I am called Blackbeard,” said the boy.
 +
 +
“A strong name for such a small body,” said the hero. “You can begin
 +
the quest by fetching a dragon tooth from the ruins of the wall. From
 +
it we will forge a mighty shank to drive into the heart of the demon
 +
lord.”
 +
 
 +
The squire smiled and bounded away into the rubble. It was the
 +
beginning of a hard recovery. While the smiths worked in the forge to
 +
create the ultimate knife, Blackbeard trained the hero to walk again.
 +
When Danrik was able to put his fist through solid rock walls, they
 +
knew they were ready. Danrik put the dragon dagger Gotter through his
 +
belt and stepped before the crowd.
 +
 
 +
“I go now to rescue Lady Andra from the pit,” said Danrik. “The road
 +
will be long and hard, to the fiery heart of the mountain and beyond,
 +
to the land of the dead. Who is with me?”
 +
 
 +
Blackbeard jumped up and down, raising his hand above the shoulders of
 +
those around him. Though it looked grim, a few brave adventurers step
 +
forward. It was not a question of whether they would reach the
 +
underworld, for they must reach it. They must reach Andra, and slay
 +
her captors, for all great tales end this way.
 +
 
 +
===(25 December 2010)===
 +
 
 +
kkk""",.@P@,P.,""kkk"k
 +
 
 +
It is said that every great journey begins with a festival of
 +
drinking, but Danrik wasn’t in the mood. All he could think of was
 +
that evil spirit with his sister and his soul burned with rage. As
 +
the others celebrated their bravery, Danrik strolled up the trail
 +
toward Blood Mountain, kicking dirt clods as he went.
 +
 
 +
“You weren’t thinking of leaving without me were you?” It was Blackbeard.
 +
 
 +
“Of course not,” said Danrik, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
 +
“Let those fools drink themselves silly. We have a fair maiden to
 +
save.”
 +
 
 +
Together, the two adventuring dwarves mounted their ponies and trotted
 +
off into the darkness. After a time the fires of the fortress
 +
disappeared behind the rolling wooded hills. It was not long before
 +
they left the land of the dwarves and entered into the depths of
 +
Haunted Forest. No one knew what kinds of wicked spirits dwelt there
 +
for few ever returned alive.
 +
 
 +
“Why must we enter this dark place?” asked Blackbeard.
 +
 
 +
“Blood Mountain lies on the other side of this forest,” said Danrik,
 +
“and nothing will stand between me and Andra. We rest here.”
 +
 
 +
“Here?” asked Blackbeard. “Surely you could have picked a less creepy place.”
 +
 
 +
It was true. Danrik had picked a dreadful place to camp. Everywhere
 +
the night birds, eyes of the enemy, were watching them. The very
 +
trees seemed to reach out to grab them. Worst of all, they had laid
 +
their camp on a kobold burrow. Silently the creatures crawled from
 +
their holes, armed with bone knives, ready to cut the heart out of any
 +
poor fool.
 +
 
 +
“Did you hear that?” said Blackbeard.
 +
 
 +
===(05 February 2012)===
 +
 
 +
~@//////+@/&@+\\\\\\\
 +
 
 +
Andra cried out as the grubby little goblin whipped her again. She
 +
was locked in some sort of dungeon. She couldn’t tell where for the
 +
strange rough-hewn black rock was unknown to her. She pulled at her
 +
chains again. One of them was loose. Let me at that horned villain,
 +
thought Andra, but this one will die first.
 +
 
 +
“Tell us, sister Andra,” said the goblin. “Does it hurt?”
 +
 
 +
The links of the chain exploded as the dwarf woman yanked with all her
 +
might. The broken chain slapped the goblin upside the head, killing
 +
it instantly. She undid her other hand and stole the goblin’s keys,
 +
escaping the dungeon, chain still attached.
 +
 
 +
The view outside was terrifying. Pillars of fire rose up from lakes
 +
of burning magma. Andra found herself standing on the narrow ledge of
 +
a black pyramid at the center of the world. It seemed that she could
 +
never escape this perfect prison.
 +
 
 +
Pulling the chain tight, the solution was obvious. She would find the
 +
horned king and force him to take her back. Then she began to climb.
 +
The top was further than it looked. It seemed she had been climbing
 +
for days, maybe for weeks. Then she made the crest.
 +
 
 +
The scene was ridiculous, for there was Danrik holding a shank to the
 +
demon lord’s belly while another dwarf was grappling him by the horns.
 +
 
 +
“I swear,” whined the demon. “I don’t know where she is! She must
 +
have escaped!”
 +
 
 +
“Danrik!” cried Andra.
 +
 
 +
Danrik lost his concentration for a second and the demon slapped
 +
Gotter out of the dwarf hero’s hand. Blackbeard nearly flew over the
 +
side of the pyramid as the demon bucked him off. The creature ducked
 +
just in time to save its life as Andra whipped the chain over its
 +
head.
 +
 +
“The knife!” cried Danrik. “It’s the only way to kill it!”
 +
 
 +
===(18 February 2014)===
 +
 
 +
.\k,//@////+@+@&+\\\\\\\
 +
 
 +
As Andra scanned the slope of the pyramid, the demon took advantage of
 +
her lapse in concentration. It grabbed hold of the chain, still
 +
shackled to Andra's arm and pulled her to its chest with one mighty
 +
yank. Danrik cried out, but it was to late. The demon had Andra in
 +
its clutches.
 +
 
 +
"The dagger, Gotter," said the demon. "Give it to me and I will
 +
spare your sister's life."
 +
 
 +
"I'll give it to you alright," hissed Danrik.
 +
 
 +
Time seemed to drag on as Danrik faced down his adversary. He had
 +
full faith that Blackbeard had recovered the dagger and was rushing to
 +
his aid. He held out his hand, waiting, never taking his eyes off the
 +
demon holding his sister hostage. He could never have guessed the
 +
hassle that Blackbeard was now dealing with.
 +
 
 +
"You..." said Blackbeard.
 +
 
 +
The kobold had followed the dwarves ever since they had fallen into
 +
the kobold burrow in the creepy forest. That night, the heroes must
 +
have killed a dozen kobolds a piece. Bacabadabis was away collecting
 +
grubs when the dwarves came. He returned to a scene of absolute
 +
horror. His home had become a charnel house.
 +
 
 +
"Any time now..." growled Danrik.
 +
 
 +
Blackbeard shook his head, unable to believe his bad luck. The kobold
 
chieftain stood at the bottom of the pyramid, holding Gotter at his
 
chieftain stood at the bottom of the pyramid, holding Gotter at his
side. The dwarf shouted at the creature, demanding that he dropped
+
side. The dwarf shouted at the creature, demanding that he dropped
the weapon that clearly didn't belong to him. Couldn't he see the
+
the weapon that clearly didn't belong to him. Couldn't he see the
danger up above? If they didn't stab the demon with the magic knife
+
danger up above? If they didn't stab the demon with the magic knife
soon, they were all surely doomed.
+
soon, they were all surely doomed.
 +
 
 +
"Bacabadabis", said the kobold.
 +
 
 +
If history taught any lessons, the clearest was that kobolds could not
 +
be reasoned with.
 +
 
 +
==[[User:Shanty|Shanty]]==
 +
===(30 June 2007)===
 +
<pre>@@+U@</pre>
 +
 
 +
Rogar spun again and again, staring into the darkness. The scraping had begun all at once and it seemed to come from every direction. Nothing could be seen beyond the limit of the flickering torchlight.
 +
 
 +
There! A shadow moved slowly out of the darkness. It had the stature of a dwarf, but Rogar knew the outpost had been abandoned for decades. After a moment, the warrior could see clearly. The shuffling thing had no flesh. The bones of its feet clacked and slid across the stones. The dead were walking in this place.
 +
 
 +
There were more, many more. Rogar was completely surrounded. He held up his sword and turned from threat to threat. The dwarves were unarmed, with tatters of cloth hanging over their skeletal remains. Bits of beard were still visible stuck around their garments and their skulls. The dead stopped short of Rogar's weapon and stood completely motionless. There was no way the warrior could pass without forcing his way through.
 +
 
 +
The skeleton he had seen first raised its bony hand slowly, curling all of its fingers save one into its palm. Its index finger pointed toward Rogar. From somewhere within its skull, it emitted a long, low moan which ended in a hiss and faded into silence.
 +
 
 +
==[[User:Spelguru|Spelguru]]==
 +
===(19 November 2006)===
 +
<pre>
 +
..@.M.~~~~...
 +
</pre>
 +
The adventurer, transformed into a ghoul by strange forces, crawls toward the Everlasting River of Curing, barely clinging to his life, such as it had become. Suddenly, from the ceiling dropped... Adamantine Man! Is there any hope?!
 +
 
 +
===(19 December 2006)===
 +
<pre>
 +
...M.~~~~..".
 +
.....@~~~~...
 +
...."~~~~~...
 +
</pre>
 +
 
 +
Adamantine Man spoke and said, "Unfortunate stranger! You wish to cast off your affliction? Drink then, and be blessed."
 +
 
 +
So the adventurer drank. The soothing warmth of the water spread from the center of his body, out to his deformed fingers and toes. Without pain, they shifted and were set in their proper places, along with the other marks of the affliction. All was well.
 +
 
 +
The adventurer looked at Adamantine Man in awe and asked, "I am grateful, Adamantine Man, for I had been without hope. For years unnumbered, my people have deemed the River unapproachable. 'Adamantine Man is there', they said, and yet, I have found naught here but a generous host and the cure to all that ailed me. Tell me Adamantine Man, why are you so feared? I am humbled by your graciousness, but am I truly free from danger?"
 +
 
 +
Adamantine Man spoke for a second time and said, "Indeed, be not afraid. Your people regard me with terror, for they do not understand me, and verily, who among you can understand Adamantine Man, who does not understand himself?"
 +
 
 +
The adventurer bowed his head and said, "It is true. Even now I am unsettled, for though you have granted me renewed life asking for nothing, still, even now, I wish to leave and never return."
 +
 
 +
Adamantine Man spoke for a third time and said, "So it has always been. Go now in peace."
 +
 
 +
The adventurer left without looking back. Overjoyed, his family accepted him, no longer an outcast, and soon all in the land had heard that he who had once been tainted was made whole by the River.
 +
 
 +
Some years later, a man, broken in body, came to the adventurer's abode. "I seek your aid, for it is said that you who were once tainted were made whole by the River. Tell me, where is the River, that I might be restored?"
 +
 
 +
The adventurer looked at the man, and he said, "Adamantine Man is there. Be content now, as I shall never be again." The man departed, and the adventurer remained.
 +
 
 +
===(25 March 2007)===
 +
 
 +
The adamantine man story ended.
 +
<pre>
 +
@-***=.T
 +
</pre>
 +
The Pulson-9000 seared the sky trailing ion-energized purple lightning. The XZ-Trollmech Mk7 didn't stand a chance. Another contract, another payment. Rogar was the last dwarf of his village, and after many hardships had fallen into the tough life of a mercenary warrior. He had stolen his first fighting bot, but after three years he had enough money to build and repair his own. He spent his offtime tinkering, which soothed his still-dwarven heart.  
  
"Bacabadabis", said the kobold.
+
For now though, he was in enemy territory. True, the contract was complete, but he had fought his way deep into the personal citadel of the vile cyber-modded troll Vanquidor in order to blow his Mk7 body to pieces, and now he had to laze through the bodyguards and sentry droids he hadn't already obliterated. The dwarf had very little ordinance remaining. Rogar put on his shades. Things were about to get hot, but he was cool as a sonic-fan. Time to fire it up! Yeah!
  
If history taught any lessons, the clearest was that kobolds could not
+
==[[User:Stefa168|Stefa168]]==
be reasoned with.
+
===(5 September 2020)===
  
==[[User:Shanty|Shanty]]==
+
<pre>##\@##,.@</pre>
===(30 June 2007)===
 
<pre>@@+U@</pre>
 
  
Rogar spun again and again, staring into the darknessThe scraping had begun all at once and it seemed to come from every directionNothing could be seen beyond the limit of the flickering torchlight.
+
All around the dwarves stood wearing looks of concernMine Administrator Kogan showed them a chart he had chiseled into a stone tabletThe economic indicators could not be mistaken.  The fortress would be broke in only a few weeks time.  A few of the nobles nodded in seeming understanding.  They didn't comprehend the seriousness of the situation.  Everything they owned would be returned to the moneylenders unless Kogan struck the motherlode.
  
There! A shadow moved slowly out of the darknessIt had the stature of a dwarf, but Rogar knew the outpost had been abandoned for decades. After a moment, the warrior could see clearlyThe shuffling thing had no fleshThe bones of its feet clacked and slid across the stones. The dead were walking in this place.
+
Deeper was always the answer. The precious metal was down there somewhere, it was up to Kogan's elite prospectors to sniff it out.  Among them was the greatest gold-hound of all, Urist Gemswallow.  Kogan met with him in the administrator's office. They dispensed with the pleasantries and got down to businessThere were two optionsThey could cut across the root of the mountain in a grid search pattern. The other option was to tunnel straight down to the center of the Earth.
  
There were more, many more.  Rogar was completely surroundedHe held up his sword and turned from threat to threatThe dwarves were unarmed, with tatters of cloth hanging over their skeletal remains. Bits of beard were still visible stuck around their garments and their skulls.  The dead stopped short of Rogar's weapon and stood completely motionlessThere was no way the warrior could pass without forcing his way through.
+
Of course the second option was chosenUrist made a list of the equipment and personnel neededIt was a dangerous mission, so only dead-enders and second sons were chosen for the vanguard.  The digging was to commence the following morning. Kogan broke out a bottle of whiskey and the two dwarves began to drinkIt wasn't long till the bottle was empty.
  
The skeleton he had seen first raised its bony hand slowly, curling all of its fingers save one into its palmIts index finger pointed toward RogarFrom somewhere within its skull, it emitted a long, low moan which ended in a hiss and faded into silence.
+
The vision came to Kogan first.  It was a ghost from the future, come back to warn the administrator of his coming follyThe whole idea to mine to the bottom of the world was a big mistakeThere would be many dangers along the way, none of them worth the price that must be paid to find the treasure Kogan supposed would be there.  Kogan awoke from his stupor to see Urist standing over him wielding a large pickaxe.
  
==[[User:Spelguru|Spelguru]]==
+
“You are going to get us all killed,” said Urist, spittle dripping from his beard.
===(19 November 2006)===
 
<pre>
 
..@.M.~~~~...
 
</pre>
 
The adventurer, transformed into a ghoul by strange forces, crawls toward the Everlasting River of Curing, barely clinging to his life, such as it had become.  Suddenly, from the ceiling dropped... Adamantine Man!  Is there any hope?!
 
  
===(19 December 2006)===
+
“Now, wait big fella,said Kogan.
<pre>
 
...M.~~~~..".
 
.....@~~~~...
 
...."~~~~~...
 
</pre>
 
 
 
Adamantine Man spoke and said, "Unfortunate stranger!  You wish to cast off your affliction?  Drink then, and be blessed."
 
 
 
So the adventurer drank.  The soothing warmth of the water spread from the center of his body, out to his deformed fingers and toes.  Without pain, they shifted and were set in their proper places, along with the other marks of the affliction.  All was well.
 
 
 
The adventurer looked at Adamantine Man in awe and asked, "I am grateful, Adamantine Man, for I had been without hope.  For years unnumbered, my people have deemed the River unapproachable.  'Adamantine Man is there', they said, and yet, I have found naught here but a generous host and the cure to all that ailed me.  Tell me Adamantine Man, why are you so feared?  I am humbled by your graciousness, but am I truly free from danger?"
 
 
 
Adamantine Man spoke for a second time and said, "Indeed, be not afraid.  Your people regard me with terror, for they do not understand me, and verily, who among you can understand Adamantine Man, who does not understand himself?"
 
 
 
The adventurer bowed his head and said, "It is true.  Even now I am unsettled, for though you have granted me renewed life asking for nothing, still, even now, I wish to leave and never return."
 
 
 
Adamantine Man spoke for a third time and said, "So it has always been.  Go now in peace."
 
  
The adventurer left without looking backOverjoyed, his family accepted him, no longer an outcast, and soon all in the land had heard that he who had once been tainted was made whole by the River.
+
Urist's body wasn't found until the mining effort was underway the next day. Sheriff Aliz was on the scene in less than and hour since the body was foundHe sought out Kogan, who was the last to see the miner alive.  Administrator Kogan said, yes, they had been drinking, but he knew nothing about how he had ended up in a remote corridor leading the galley.
  
Some years later, a man, broken in body, came to the adventurer's abode"I seek your aid, for it is said that you who were once tainted were made whole by the RiverTell me, where is the River, that I might be restored?"
+
No murderer was safe once Aliz was on the case.  He knew as sure as the forge that Kogan was guilty.  He just needed the evidence.  On a hunch, the Sheriff went to the site of the mine shaft.  The dwarves were all busy.  Kogan had told them that Urist's final wish was that the mining continueThe Sheriff went to the lip of the pitWho would want the famous miner dead?
  
The adventurer looked at the man, and he said, "Adamantine Man is there.  Be content now, as I shall never be again." The man departed, and the adventurer remained.
+
“The ghost possessed him,said a voice from behindIt was Kogan, holding a blood drenched pick.
  
===(25 March 2007)===
+
“He would have stopped the digging!”
  
The adamantine man story ended.
+
Having been in the army, it was relatively easy for the Sheriff to side step and send the charging mine administrator hurling down the mine shaft to his death. Though the case was now closed, Kogan had escaped justice and peace would never be brought to Urist's family.
<pre>
 
@-***=.T
 
</pre>
 
The Pulson-9000 seared the sky trailing ion-energized purple lightning.  The XZ-Trollmech Mk7 didn't stand a chance.  Another contract, another payment.  Rogar was the last dwarf of his village, and after many hardships had fallen into the tough life of a mercenary warrior. He had stolen his first fighting bot, but after three years he had enough money to build and repair his own.  He spent his offtime tinkering, which soothed his still-dwarven heart.  
 
  
For now though, he was in enemy territory.  True, the contract was complete, but he had fought his way deep into the personal citadel of the vile cyber-modded troll Vanquidor in order to blow his Mk7 body to pieces, and now he had to laze through the bodyguards and sentry droids he hadn't already obliterated.  The dwarf had very little ordinance remaining.  Rogar put on his shades.  Things were about to get hot, but he was cool as a sonic-fan.  Time to fire it up!  Yeah!
+
THE END
  
 
==[[User:Stuhacking|Stuhacking]]==
 
==[[User:Stuhacking|Stuhacking]]==
Line 1,247: Line 1,887:
 
<pre>+++@++&||</pre>
 
<pre>+++@++&||</pre>
  
All across the flat plains of Naronia, armies were on the move. The government at Assura had collapsed and the riders of the steppe were anxious to sack the capital and take all its hoarded wealth for themselves. What they didn't know was the nature of Assura's downfall, and the horrors that were taking place there.
+
All across the flat plains of Naronia, armies were on the move. The government at Assura had collapsed and the riders of the steppe were anxious to sack the capital and take all its hoarded wealth for themselves. What they didn't know was the nature of Assura's downfall, and the horrors that were taking place there.
  
 
"Bring me the dwarf," said Lord Cenaster.
 
"Bring me the dwarf," said Lord Cenaster.
  
Dragged before the throne, Aliz was terrified. The creature sitting on the king's seat bore the shape of a man, but was twisted and evil. The knight in red armor released Aliz and the crafts-dwarf collapsed onto the stone floor. He had only been in Assura for two days before the fighting started. Now he was clearly in trouble.
+
Dragged before the throne, Aliz was terrified. The creature sitting on the king's seat bore the shape of a man, but was twisted and evil. The knight in red armor released Aliz and the crafts-dwarf collapsed onto the stone floor. He had only been in Assura for two days before the fighting started. Now he was clearly in trouble.
  
"This city," said Cenaster, "is built on top of the ruins of a great dwarf fortress. You will show me the way in."
+
"This city," said Cenaster, "is built on top of the ruins of a great dwarf fortress. You will show me the way in."
  
 
===(6 May 2014)===
 
===(6 May 2014)===
 
<pre>UUUUU&@></pre>
 
<pre>UUUUU&@></pre>
  
"Listen," said Aliz. "The Naronians will be here any moment. The walls of this palace are breached in six places and cannot hold the enemy at bay."
+
"Listen," said Aliz. "The Naronians will be here any moment. The walls of this palace are breached in six places and cannot hold the enemy at bay."
  
The vice-like grip of the red knight tightened around Aliz's shoulder.   The dwarf looked into the knight's face and couldn't find a trace of sanity. The demon had the soldiers under the control of his mind. He looked back at the evil master. How could he reason with something that was neither dwarf nor human?
+
The vice-like grip of the red knight tightened around Aliz's shoulder. The dwarf looked into the knight's face and couldn't find a trace of sanity. The demon had the soldiers under the control of his mind. He looked back at the evil master. How could he reason with something that was neither dwarf nor human?
  
"It is true," said Cenaster, "when the horsemen of the east come, they will leave none alive. The only way out is down, to the dwarf fortress!"
+
"It is true," said Cenaster, "when the horsemen of the east come, they will leave none alive. The only way out is down, to the dwarf fortress!"
  
It was a fate worse than death, to betray the secrets of his people, but Aliz had little choice. Old fortresses, like the one under Assura, were full of deadly traps. With any luck, Cenaster would step on the wrong stone and be sent screaming back to the Underworld.
+
It was a fate worse than death, to betray the secrets of his people, but Aliz had little choice. Old fortresses, like the one under Assura, were full of deadly traps. With any luck, Cenaster would step on the wrong stone and be sent screaming back to the Underworld.
  
 
"Take him to the entrance," ordered Cenaster.
 
"Take him to the entrance," ordered Cenaster.
  
The hatch leading to the dwarf fortress lay at the lowest part of the dungeon. The red knights cleared away the debris and pushed Aliz forward. The hatch itself was indistinguishable from the bedrock surrounding it. All that was visible was the symbol of the dwarf fortress carved into the stone.
+
The hatch leading to the dwarf fortress lay at the lowest part of the dungeon. The red knights cleared away the debris and pushed Aliz forward. The hatch itself was indistinguishable from the bedrock surrounding it. All that was visible was the symbol of the dwarf fortress carved into the stone.
  
 
"Cenaster," said Aliz, "if you force me to open this door, you may hope the Naronians had found us first."
 
"Cenaster," said Aliz, "if you force me to open this door, you may hope the Naronians had found us first."
Line 1,276: Line 1,916:
 
<pre>+R@%+@+%</pre>
 
<pre>+R@%+@+%</pre>
  
"Hya! Hya!" Kogan screamed as he careened around the corner astride Lomrin. He had acquired the giant rat from the dungeon master for a vial of liquid fire. It had been a barrel of laughs, especially after a mug or three.  
+
"Hya! Hya!" Kogan screamed as he careened around the corner astride Lomrin. He had acquired the giant rat from the dungeon master for a vial of liquid fire. It had been a barrel of laughs, especially after a mug or three.  
  
As they passed the foodpile, Lomrin stopped suddenly to inspect a large plump helmet biscuit. Kogan flew over the rat's ears and landed on his beard, sliding to a stop at a pair of black leather boots. Kogan waited a moment for his head to clear, and then he rolled back on his bottom and stared up at the face of Mul. It had to be Mul.  
+
As they passed the foodpile, Lomrin stopped suddenly to inspect a large plump helmet biscuit. Kogan flew over the rat's ears and landed on his beard, sliding to a stop at a pair of black leather boots. Kogan waited a moment for his head to clear, and then he rolled back on his bottom and stared up at the face of Mul. It had to be Mul.  
  
"On a bender again, are we Kogan?" Mul admonished.
+
"On a bender again, are we Kogan?" Mul admonished.
  
"We? I swear I haven't given Lomrin a drop!" Kogan said indignantly.
+
"We? I swear I haven't given Lomrin a drop!" Kogan said indignantly.
  
"I wouldn't be so sure..." Mul said, indicating the food stockpile with a nod of his head.  
+
"I wouldn't be so sure..." Mul said, indicating the food stockpile with a nod of his head.  
  
Kogan turned his head. Lomrin had pried the lid off of a whisky barrel. Only her rear legs and tail were now visible.
+
Kogan turned his head. Lomrin had pried the lid off of a whisky barrel. Only her rear legs and tail were now visible.
  
"She takes after her uncle Kogan!" Kogan beamed proudly. Mul knocked him down to the ground with a push from his foot.
+
"She takes after her uncle Kogan!" Kogan beamed proudly. Mul knocked him down to the ground with a push from his foot.
  
 
==[[User:Syndlig|Syndlig]]==
 
==[[User:Syndlig|Syndlig]]==
 
===(18 May 2007)===
 
===(18 May 2007)===
 
<pre>oU++@@</pre>
 
<pre>oU++@@</pre>
The man struggled against the chains. The dwarves stared at him, smiling in satisfaction.
+
The man struggled against the chains. The dwarves stared at him, smiling in satisfaction.
  
"That should ward you off our treasures, human. Be glad we don't send for the Hammerer."
+
"That should ward you off our treasures, human. Be glad we don't send for the Hammerer."
  
The human scoffed. "Ha! I may be a thief, but at least I'm not a dwarf. See how I tower above you! I may not have a trade, I may not have any notable achievements whatsoever, but I am still a man."  
+
The human scoffed. "Ha! I may be a thief, but at least I'm not a dwarf. See how I tower above you! I may not have a trade, I may not have any notable achievements whatsoever, but I am still a man."  
  
The blackbearded dwarf turned to his companion. "You know, Mul, I suppose we could call for the Hammerer. The Baron will understand. After all, it was the Baron's goblet we found in his pack."
+
The blackbearded dwarf turned to his companion. "You know, Mul, I suppose we could call for the Hammerer. The Baron will understand. After all, it was the Baron's goblet we found in his pack."
  
The dwarf named Mul considered this. "The Hammerer could certainly give him a new perspective on life. From two or three handspans lower down, at that. Start at the ankles, perhaps?"
+
The dwarf named Mul considered this. "The Hammerer could certainly give him a new perspective on life. From two or three handspans lower down, at that. Start at the ankles, perhaps?"
  
"I always preferred the kneecaps, myself," the blackbearded dwarf said as they turned to leave. "It's really up to Rashok to decide though."  
+
"I always preferred the kneecaps, myself," the blackbearded dwarf said as they turned to leave. "It's really up to Rashok to decide though."  
  
Mul hummed in disappointed affirmation. "Hmm, Rashok gets to have all the fun doesn't he?"
+
Mul hummed in disappointed affirmation. "Hmm, Rashok gets to have all the fun doesn't he?"
  
"Wait! Don't leave, my little friends!" the man screamed as the dwarves disappeared through the iron gate.  
+
"Wait! Don't leave, my little friends!" the man screamed as the dwarves disappeared through the iron gate.  
  
The blackbearded dwarf poked his head back into the dungeon. "We'll spare some whiskey, don't worry!" He disappeared again.
+
The blackbearded dwarf poked his head back into the dungeon. "We'll spare some whiskey, don't worry!" He disappeared again.
  
 
"Watered down, of course..." Mul could be heard saying as their footfalls faded away.
 
"Watered down, of course..." Mul could be heard saying as their footfalls faded away.
Line 1,319: Line 1,959:
 
Fiends pounded the trail, hunting Belmir and his thieving partner.
 
Fiends pounded the trail, hunting Belmir and his thieving partner.
 
The two had stolen into the dark goblin tower in the dead of night and
 
The two had stolen into the dark goblin tower in the dead of night and
taken the vial that held the demon king's essence. By destroying it,
+
taken the vial that held the demon king's essence. By destroying it,
they could stop the war and put an end to the demon forever. Why
+
they could stop the war and put an end to the demon forever. Why
destroy it, thought Belmir, when it obviously held so much value? He
+
destroy it, thought Belmir, when it obviously held so much value? He
and Gal would be rich men. Or, he thought, looking at Gal with
+
and Gal would be rich men. Or, he thought, looking at Gal with
 
murderous intent, perhaps just me.
 
murderous intent, perhaps just me.
  
Line 1,330: Line 1,970:
  
 
The lonely cottage stood underneath a great hill of snow that had been
 
The lonely cottage stood underneath a great hill of snow that had been
born of the great blizzard. Wind and sleet kept the pioneers indoors.
+
born of the great blizzard. Wind and sleet kept the pioneers indoors.
 
That, and the promise of hated predators searching for meat in the
 
That, and the promise of hated predators searching for meat in the
frozen wastes. But as his family grew hungry, Fram knew that he must
+
frozen wastes. But as his family grew hungry, Fram knew that he must
 
join the hunters outside.
 
join the hunters outside.
  
Almost immediately Fram saw the danger. Bloody footprints of a great
+
Almost immediately Fram saw the danger. Bloody footprints of a great
 
creature circled the cottage as if a monster sought a way inside.
 
creature circled the cottage as if a monster sought a way inside.
Grimly, Fram gripped his spear. He must persevere lest his family
+
Grimly, Fram gripped his spear. He must persevere lest his family
starve. He followed the monster's tracks away from his home as he
+
starve. He followed the monster's tracks away from his home as he
 
pulled his furs tight against the freezing winds.
 
pulled his furs tight against the freezing winds.
  
 
Ahead he saw a shape, a black mound against an ocean of white.
 
Ahead he saw a shape, a black mound against an ocean of white.
Cautiously, Fram approached. It was the half eaten body of a black
+
Cautiously, Fram approached. It was the half eaten body of a black
bear. But what could kill such a large beast. As if to answer, a
+
bear. But what could kill such a large beast. As if to answer, a
monster loomed into sight, its body covered with long icicles. A
+
monster loomed into sight, its body covered with long icicles. A
 
blizzard man!
 
blizzard man!
  
Line 1,352: Line 1,992:
  
 
With one mighty swing, Alfonso knocked away the prone elf's sword and
 
With one mighty swing, Alfonso knocked away the prone elf's sword and
placed his boot on his wrist. Many moons had past since the vile
+
placed his boot on his wrist. Many moons had past since the vile
creature had killed poor Jim and ate him. Even now the elf looked up
+
creature had killed poor Jim and ate him. Even now the elf looked up
in defiance. Finally, in these haunted woods far from home, vengeance
+
in defiance. Finally, in these haunted woods far from home, vengeance
would be served. Alfonso held the tip of his sword over the
+
would be served. Alfonso held the tip of his sword over the
 
creature's heart, wondering vaguely if it had one.
 
creature's heart, wondering vaguely if it had one.
  
 
"Back off, human," came a voice from behind, "this is my kill."
 
"Back off, human," came a voice from behind, "this is my kill."
  
The human ranger turned to see a dwarf holding a crossbow. By the
+
The human ranger turned to see a dwarf holding a crossbow. By the
 
state of his boots and armor, Alfonso could tell the dwarf too, had
 
state of his boots and armor, Alfonso could tell the dwarf too, had
been on a long quest. The elf saw its chance and snaked its way out
+
been on a long quest. The elf saw its chance and snaked its way out
 
from between the ranger's legs and was off into the brush in an
 
from between the ranger's legs and was off into the brush in an
instant. Alfonso cursed and charged after him, the dwarf close
+
instant. Alfonso cursed and charged after him, the dwarf close
 
behind.
 
behind.
  
Line 1,373: Line 2,013:
  
 
The dwarven toughs stood around the curve in the corridor, taunting
 
The dwarven toughs stood around the curve in the corridor, taunting
the dwarf lasses as they passed. A particularly vicious young dwarf
+
the dwarf lasses as they passed. A particularly vicious young dwarf
 
fingered his crossbow as he saw a dwarf he knew.
 
fingered his crossbow as he saw a dwarf he knew.
  
"Hey, Moody," said a thug. "There's the dwarf that owes you that coin."
+
"Hey, Moody," said a thug. "There's the dwarf that owes you that coin."
  
 
"Yes," said Moody, stepping up to the dwarf, pointing his weapon.
 
"Yes," said Moody, stepping up to the dwarf, pointing his weapon.
  
"You owe me," said Moody. "Hand over the purse."
+
"You owe me," said Moody. "Hand over the purse."
  
 
"I don't have your money!" said the dwarf.
 
"I don't have your money!" said the dwarf.
Line 1,387: Line 2,027:
  
 
"I'll be back," said the blood-soaked dwarf over his shoulder as he
 
"I'll be back," said the blood-soaked dwarf over his shoulder as he
ran. "I'll be back!"
+
ran. "I'll be back!"
  
 
"You're never coming back coward!" shouted Moody.
 
"You're never coming back coward!" shouted Moody.
Line 1,396: Line 2,036:
  
 
The demon king rode high on his dragon as his vast army assaulted the
 
The demon king rode high on his dragon as his vast army assaulted the
dwarf fortress below. Catapults smashed the battlements with huge
+
dwarf fortress below. Catapults smashed the battlements with huge
balls of fire. Bolts and arrows filled the air in a deadly exchange
+
balls of fire. Bolts and arrows filled the air in a deadly exchange
of fire. Armored trolls ran into the stone gates, smashing into the
+
of fire. Armored trolls ran into the stone gates, smashing into the
rock and sending shards flying. Not one space above ground was safe.
+
rock and sending shards flying. Not one space above ground was safe.
 
   
 
   
 
"How could it come to this?" cried Durkan, hands over his ears.
 
"How could it come to this?" cried Durkan, hands over his ears.
Line 1,406: Line 2,046:
 
   
 
   
 
Pebbles fell from the ceiling as another bombardment rocked the
 
Pebbles fell from the ceiling as another bombardment rocked the
fortress. Glamsfir stood and peered out of an archery portal. The
+
fortress. Glamsfir stood and peered out of an archery portal. The
situation was fatal. He lifted his crossbow and put down a goblin
+
situation was fatal. He lifted his crossbow and put down a goblin
 
archer in an act of defiance, though it mattered little.
 
archer in an act of defiance, though it mattered little.
 
   
 
   
Line 1,420: Line 2,060:
  
 
Magic flying horses galloped through the sky carrying the elf warriors
 
Magic flying horses galloped through the sky carrying the elf warriors
on bolts of enchanted lightning. It was war, oh war, that brought the
+
on bolts of enchanted lightning. It was war, oh war, that brought the
warriors hence. The evil dwarf fighter stood atop the tower of the
+
warriors hence. The evil dwarf fighter stood atop the tower of the
dwarf fortress waiting for them to come. In his arsenal were a dozen
+
dwarf fortress waiting for them to come. In his arsenal were a dozen
flame-throwing catapults ready to spring into action. Giant trolls
+
flame-throwing catapults ready to spring into action. Giant trolls
dragged the ammunition up from the mines. The dwarf raised his hand.
+
dragged the ammunition up from the mines. The dwarf raised his hand.
A hundred marksdwarves aimed their crossbows. Rainbows filled the sky
+
A hundred marksdwarves aimed their crossbows. Rainbows filled the sky
as the elves approached. With a final snort, the dwarf let his hand
+
as the elves approached. With a final snort, the dwarf let his hand
 
drop.
 
drop.
  
Line 1,432: Line 2,072:
 
<pre>~~/~~U~~~~</pre>
 
<pre>~~/~~U~~~~</pre>
  
When it was over, not a good thing lived. With the failure of the
+
When it was over, not a good thing lived. With the failure of the
sacred band all hope was lost. The trees of the forest were swept
+
sacred band all hope was lost. The trees of the forest were swept
 
from the earth, and those luckless beings that lived were enslaved to
 
from the earth, and those luckless beings that lived were enslaved to
the evil dwarf fortress. The dwarves delved deep into the earth and
+
the evil dwarf fortress. The dwarves delved deep into the earth and
released onto it, the horrors of the underworld. Fed up with the
+
released onto it, the horrors of the underworld. Fed up with the
 
world, the gods turned their back on it, leaving only Armok, the blood
 
world, the gods turned their back on it, leaving only Armok, the blood
 
god, to rule alone.
 
god, to rule alone.
  
 
Peasant farmer Alan heard a whistling noise from above and turned his
 
Peasant farmer Alan heard a whistling noise from above and turned his
head to the blood red sky. He leapt to the side as a huge broadsword
+
head to the blood red sky. He leapt to the side as a huge broadsword
landed at his feet. Alan scratched his head. The gods ask too much,
+
landed at his feet. Alan scratched his head. The gods ask too much,
he thought. All of his ancestors had fought and died in elongated
+
he thought. All of his ancestors had fought and died in elongated
wars. What can he give but his weak life?
+
wars. What can he give but his weak life?
  
 
==Robert '[[User:Brightgalrs|Brightgalrs]]' Schultz==
 
==Robert '[[User:Brightgalrs|Brightgalrs]]' Schultz==
Line 1,450: Line 2,090:
 
<pre>,.Wk,.. //####||@++>||###</pre>
 
<pre>,.Wk,.. //####||@++>||###</pre>
  
No lock was safe from the kobold master thief, Macabis. The last year
+
No lock was safe from the kobold master thief, Macabis. The last year
he broke into the thick-walled castle Varnus. And only two weeks ago
+
he broke into the thick-walled castle Varnus. And only two weeks ago
he had robbed the goblin dungeon under the Blood Mountain. But
+
he had robbed the goblin dungeon under the Blood Mountain. But
Macabis shared the failings of all of his kind. For to a kobolds
+
Macabis shared the failings of all of his kind. For to a kobolds
 
there was no difference between a rough diamond and a piece of
 
there was no difference between a rough diamond and a piece of
 
shattered glass.
 
shattered glass.
Line 1,459: Line 2,099:
 
"You, go here," said the wizard, pointing at a map scrawled in the dirt.
 
"You, go here," said the wizard, pointing at a map scrawled in the dirt.
 
   
 
   
"Bring me this." The wizard produced from his robes a metal cup. The
+
"Bring me this." The wizard produced from his robes a metal cup. The
 
kobold blinked, its yellow eyes seemed to search for meaning and
 
kobold blinked, its yellow eyes seemed to search for meaning and
quickly gave up. The wizard reached into his other sleeve and
+
quickly gave up. The wizard reached into his other sleeve and
produced a drinking horn. The kobold screeched and grabbed it with
+
produced a drinking horn. The kobold screeched and grabbed it with
both hands. The humans always had the best drink. Macabis knew what
+
both hands. The humans always had the best drink. Macabis knew what
the scratchings on the cup meant. It was the dwarf fortress of
+
the scratchings on the cup meant. It was the dwarf fortress of
Antguard. He yanked away the horn and slung it over his back. There
+
Antguard. He yanked away the horn and slung it over his back. There
 
would be many more such drinks once the wizard had his cup.
 
would be many more such drinks once the wizard had his cup.
 
   
 
   
 
Aliz still felt a little queasy as the sun broke over the mountains.
 
Aliz still felt a little queasy as the sun broke over the mountains.
 
He had been on tower duty for two months, punishment for staring too
 
He had been on tower duty for two months, punishment for staring too
long at the beautiful queen. Had they only know the true subject of
+
long at the beautiful queen. Had they only know the true subject of
his avarice. It was the artifact cup from which she drank. It had
+
his avarice. It was the artifact cup from which she drank. It had
the power to make any liquid taste like the finest wine. As he
+
the power to make any liquid taste like the finest wine. As he
 
daydreamed, a shadow passed under the castle gate.
 
daydreamed, a shadow passed under the castle gate.
  
Line 1,479: Line 2,119:
 
<pre>,""."".,UU,..,."",."||W+++||</pre>
 
<pre>,""."".,UU,..,."",."||W+++||</pre>
  
Power. That was all that mattered. Evil wizard Marcon commanded a
+
Power. That was all that mattered. Evil wizard Marcon commanded a
legion of vampires and all manner of night creatures. It was the
+
legion of vampires and all manner of night creatures. It was the
daylight that was his greatest weakness. When all his creatures
+
daylight that was his greatest weakness. When all his creatures
 
crawled back into their graves, there he was, nothing but a lonely old
 
crawled back into their graves, there he was, nothing but a lonely old
man in a crumbling tower. The peasants of the village knew to stay
+
man in a crumbling tower. The peasants of the village knew to stay
away from the ugly building. It was rumored you could see a mournful
+
away from the ugly building. It was rumored you could see a mournful
 
eye staring out of the highest window, resenting all that lived.
 
eye staring out of the highest window, resenting all that lived.
  
Line 1,492: Line 2,132:
 
"Where are we going, my love?" asked Mandy.
 
"Where are we going, my love?" asked Mandy.
  
"To Marcon tower," said the boy. "They will never look for us there."
+
"To Marcon tower," said the boy. "They will never look for us there."
  
"No!" cried Mandy. "A thousand times no! That place is haunted."
+
"No!" cried Mandy. "A thousand times no! That place is haunted."
  
"What's a matter Mandy?" mocked Allen. "Are you afraid of the bogeyman?"
+
"What's a matter Mandy?" mocked Allen. "Are you afraid of the bogeyman?"
  
 
===(18 December 2010)===
 
===(18 December 2010)===
Line 1,502: Line 2,142:
  
 
Shafts of light from the failing sun shone through the high windows
 
Shafts of light from the failing sun shone through the high windows
and fell on the lovers as they lay on the grassy floor. As Allen
+
and fell on the lovers as they lay on the grassy floor. As Allen
 
looked up at the inside of the crumbling building, he did so with the
 
looked up at the inside of the crumbling building, he did so with the
eyes of a boy who knew he was now a man. Somewhere in the distance a
+
eyes of a boy who knew he was now a man. Somewhere in the distance a
coyote howled. Night was falling. Not even Allen was stupid enough
+
coyote howled. Night was falling. Not even Allen was stupid enough
to stay in Marcon tower after dark.   He tried to sit up, but Mandy
+
to stay in Marcon tower after dark. He tried to sit up, but Mandy
 
lay across his arm and would not stir.
 
lay across his arm and would not stir.
  
With wondrous motion the tower began to transform. Torches appeared
+
With wondrous motion the tower began to transform. Torches appeared
on the walls. Cold stones replaced the grass on which Allen lay.
+
on the walls. Cold stones replaced the grass on which Allen lay.
 
Planks of wood sprouted from the walls and unfolded into a great
 
Planks of wood sprouted from the walls and unfolded into a great
spiral stairway. Chill gripped Allen's heart as he heard steps
+
spiral stairway. Chill gripped Allen's heart as he heard steps
resounding down the stair. He tried to pull his hand free but Mandy
+
resounding down the stair. He tried to pull his hand free but Mandy
lay still and cold to the touch. With horror, the young man watched
+
lay still and cold to the touch. With horror, the young man watched
 
as the wizard descended, cloaked and menacing.
 
as the wizard descended, cloaked and menacing.
  
"All hope is for naught," said the wizard. "The fruit of your deed is
+
"All hope is for naught," said the wizard. "The fruit of your deed is
 
death eternal."
 
death eternal."
  
Line 1,524: Line 2,164:
  
 
Mandy rose from her place with the jerking movement of a marionette.
 
Mandy rose from her place with the jerking movement of a marionette.
Allen cried out and crawled backward across the floor. Naked, he ran
+
Allen cried out and crawled backward across the floor. Naked, he ran
from the tower, the wizard's evil laughter ringing in his ears. He
+
from the tower, the wizard's evil laughter ringing in his ears. He
 
ran in fear, faster even than the bogeymen the wizard sent to chase
 
ran in fear, faster even than the bogeymen the wizard sent to chase
him. Finally, his body cut up, bleeding, and exhausted, he collapsed
+
him. Finally, his body cut up, bleeding, and exhausted, he collapsed
 
on the steps of the temple.
 
on the steps of the temple.
  
Line 1,533: Line 2,173:
 
bring you to the temple of Domon."
 
bring you to the temple of Domon."
  
The boy cried and told his tale of terror and woe. The priest shook
+
The boy cried and told his tale of terror and woe. The priest shook
his head and told him there was little hope for Mandy now. He handed
+
his head and told him there was little hope for Mandy now. He handed
Allen a small gem -- the Eye of Domon. It was said to pierce all
+
Allen a small gem -- the Eye of Domon. It was said to pierce all
 
darkness.
 
darkness.
  
Line 1,542: Line 2,182:
  
 
That night, Marcon was preparing for the ceremony, giggling like a
 
That night, Marcon was preparing for the ceremony, giggling like a
little girl. Mandy was laid out before him on a stone slab. Just as
+
little girl. Mandy was laid out before him on a stone slab. Just as
 
he raised the dagger for the death stroke, Allen kicked in the door.
 
he raised the dagger for the death stroke, Allen kicked in the door.
 
Marcon made to spit out a curse when the boy raised up the Eye of
 
Marcon made to spit out a curse when the boy raised up the Eye of
Domon. With a shriek, Marcon transformed into a barn owl and escaped
+
Domon. With a shriek, Marcon transformed into a barn owl and escaped
 
through the open ceiling.
 
through the open ceiling.
  
Line 1,554: Line 2,194:
  
 
Allen paced the length of the church, stealing glimpses of Mandy's
 
Allen paced the length of the church, stealing glimpses of Mandy's
body splayed out on the altar. He remembered the wizard's curse. His
+
body splayed out on the altar. He remembered the wizard's curse. His
hand gripped the jewel as he prayed to Domon for mercy. Mandy cried
+
hand gripped the jewel as he prayed to Domon for mercy. Mandy cried
out. The priest put his hands on the girl's body and forced her down.
+
out. The priest put his hands on the girl's body and forced her down.
  
 
Allen's eyes went to the windows where candles flickered and went
 
Allen's eyes went to the windows where candles flickered and went
 
out.
 
out.
  
"This girl is with child," growled the priest. "Where is the father?"
+
"This girl is with child," growled the priest. "Where is the father?"
  
A knock came at the door. Allen looked to the priest, eyes wild with
+
A knock came at the door. Allen looked to the priest, eyes wild with
fear. "Go," said the priest, turning back to the writhing girl. The
+
fear. "Go," said the priest, turning back to the writhing girl. The
 
frightened boy picked up a torch and made his way to the front of the
 
frightened boy picked up a torch and made his way to the front of the
darkened church. Behind him, the girl was screaming between gurgling
+
darkened church. Behind him, the girl was screaming between gurgling
coughs. He dare not look now.
+
coughs. He dare not look now.
  
The door swung open to reveal a terrible phantom. It wore a tattered
+
The door swung open to reveal a terrible phantom. It wore a tattered
black robe and its head was a bare skull. "My master Marcon has sent
+
black robe and its head was a bare skull. "My master Marcon has sent
me to take what is his," it said. Allen was paralyzed with fear. The
+
me to take what is his," it said. Allen was paralyzed with fear. The
girl's screams had stopped. Allen turned to see the priest, covered
+
girl's screams had stopped. Allen turned to see the priest, covered
in blood. In his hands he held a baby, squirming and alive, but
+
in blood. In his hands he held a baby, squirming and alive, but
 
silent as death itself.
 
silent as death itself.
  
Line 1,580: Line 2,220:
  
 
The air was still, and not an insect stirred in the cursed village.
 
The air was still, and not an insect stirred in the cursed village.
It was here that evil was born, and it was here evil would die. Sir
+
It was here that evil was born, and it was here evil would die. Sir
 
Ramet looked to the most pathetic cottage and made his way to the
 
Ramet looked to the most pathetic cottage and made his way to the
door. When no one answered, he knocked the door off its hinges with a
+
door. When no one answered, he knocked the door off its hinges with a
 
blow from his hammer.
 
blow from his hammer.
  
 
He walked through a cloud of dust to see the body of a white haired
 
He walked through a cloud of dust to see the body of a white haired
old man, half starved to death. Ramet put his foot on the man's
+
old man, half starved to death. Ramet put his foot on the man's
shoulder and jostled the body. It was then that he saw that it was
+
shoulder and jostled the body. It was then that he saw that it was
 
not a man, but a boy, his hair as white as snow.
 
not a man, but a boy, his hair as white as snow.
  
"Allen?" said Ramet. "Know that your treason has cause many a soldier
+
"Allen?" said Ramet. "Know that your treason has cause many a soldier
 
to lose his life, and while your son walks the earth, no one is safe."
 
to lose his life, and while your son walks the earth, no one is safe."
  
"Son?" said Allen to the darkness. "I have a son? My poor Mandy."
+
"Son?" said Allen to the darkness. "I have a son? My poor Mandy."
  
 
Ramet lifted his hammer and Allen seemed suddenly to come to life.
 
Ramet lifted his hammer and Allen seemed suddenly to come to life.
  
"Wait!" shouted the wretch. "I hold something which is your only salvation."
+
"Wait!" shouted the wretch. "I hold something which is your only salvation."
  
 
The knight watched as Allen held up a small jewel.
 
The knight watched as Allen held up a small jewel.
Line 1,603: Line 2,243:
 
"The Eye of Domon?" asked Ramet, unbelieving.
 
"The Eye of Domon?" asked Ramet, unbelieving.
  
The two left the cottage and turned toward Marcon's tower. The
+
The two left the cottage and turned toward Marcon's tower. The
 
crumbling building cast a shadow across the village, the sun hiding
 
crumbling building cast a shadow across the village, the sun hiding
behind its upper reaches. It was deserted, but both men knew what
+
behind its upper reaches. It was deserted, but both men knew what
 
would happen after sundown, only a few short hours away.
 
would happen after sundown, only a few short hours away.
  
Line 1,612: Line 2,252:
  
 
Once they reached the ruined tower, Ramet reached under his cloak,
 
Once they reached the ruined tower, Ramet reached under his cloak,
behind his ample belly and drew a short, thick sword. He bid Allen
+
behind his ample belly and drew a short, thick sword. He bid Allen
come closer and took the Eye from him. There was a socket in the hilt
+
come closer and took the Eye from him. There was a socket in the hilt
of the blade and the knight drove the jewel home. A flash of
+
of the blade and the knight drove the jewel home. A flash of
 
light blinded the two men briefly and when he opened his eyes, Allen
 
light blinded the two men briefly and when he opened his eyes, Allen
 
saw Ramet holding the glowing sword before him.
 
saw Ramet holding the glowing sword before him.
  
"Behold," shouted Ramet. "This is a weapon of Domon. Take it! For
+
"Behold," shouted Ramet. "This is a weapon of Domon. Take it! For
 
the seed you have spilled now soils the land, and you must put it
 
the seed you have spilled now soils the land, and you must put it
 
to right."
 
to right."
  
 
Allen touched the sword as the last rays of sunshine faded from behind
 
Allen touched the sword as the last rays of sunshine faded from behind
the hills. Once again, Marcon's tower rebuilt itself. Bats flew
+
the hills. Once again, Marcon's tower rebuilt itself. Bats flew
 
out from the top as all manner of groans and scrapings came from
 
out from the top as all manner of groans and scrapings came from
inside. Allen's courage failed him and he turned to run. Ramet put
+
inside. Allen's courage failed him and he turned to run. Ramet put
 
his hand on the boy's chest and pushed him back.
 
his hand on the boy's chest and pushed him back.
  
"Forget all that," said the knight. "It is time you understood the
+
"Forget all that," said the knight. "It is time you understood the
consequences of your actions. I didn't loose the demon. You did.
+
consequences of your actions. I didn't loose the demon. You did.
 
Take the sword, go in there, and slay the monster."
 
Take the sword, go in there, and slay the monster."
  
 
The sword of Domon trembled in Allen's shaking hand as he opened the
 
The sword of Domon trembled in Allen's shaking hand as he opened the
door to the tower. Calling on all his force of will, he stepped
+
door to the tower. Calling on all his force of will, he stepped
inside. It was dark save for a single candle resting on the floor.
+
inside. It was dark save for a single candle resting on the floor.
Beside it knelt a person in a dark colored robe. Silently, Allen
+
Beside it knelt a person in a dark colored robe. Silently, Allen
 
stepped up behind and pulled back the hood of the robe with the tip of
 
stepped up behind and pulled back the hood of the robe with the tip of
 
his sword.
 
his sword.
Line 1,646: Line 2,286:
 
"I could be Mandy to you," said the girl, rising from the floor.
 
"I could be Mandy to you," said the girl, rising from the floor.
  
Allen's sword fell to his side, a tear rolling down his cheek. The
+
Allen's sword fell to his side, a tear rolling down his cheek. The
dark creature brushed the white hair away from his face. The shadows
+
dark creature brushed the white hair away from his face. The shadows
dancing around began to take physical shape. Allen put his arm around
+
dancing around began to take physical shape. Allen put his arm around
the girl. The world began to spin. In his mind he could see ghostly
+
the girl. The world began to spin. In his mind he could see ghostly
armies marching across the land. His lips touched hers.
+
armies marching across the land. His lips touched hers.
  
"That thing is your daughter!" cried Ramet. "Kill it!"
+
"That thing is your daughter!" cried Ramet. "Kill it!"
  
With a jerk, Allen drove his sword through the girl's ribs. The
+
With a jerk, Allen drove his sword through the girl's ribs. The
creature screamed. Red gas shot from its mouth and eyes. Allen
+
creature screamed. Red gas shot from its mouth and eyes. Allen
backed away, disgusted and horrified. Ramet caught Allen in his arms
+
backed away, disgusted and horrified. Ramet caught Allen in his arms
as the building shook and swayed. Then, all went silent, all but
+
as the building shook and swayed. Then, all went silent, all but
 
Marcon's laughter.
 
Marcon's laughter.
  
 
"This villain has lived long enough," spit Ramet.
 
"This villain has lived long enough," spit Ramet.
  
Up and Up the knight ran, bounding three steps at a time. Marcon
+
Up and Up the knight ran, bounding three steps at a time. Marcon
spotted him and quit his laughter quick. A pair of shadow demons rose
+
spotted him and quit his laughter quick. A pair of shadow demons rose
 
from the floor, but Ramet barreled straight through them and met
 
from the floor, but Ramet barreled straight through them and met
 
Marcon at the roof of the tower.
 
Marcon at the roof of the tower.
Line 1,670: Line 2,310:
  
 
The wizard turned and leapt from the tower, transforming into an owl.
 
The wizard turned and leapt from the tower, transforming into an owl.
The knight threw his war hammer with all his might. It struck the
+
The knight threw his war hammer with all his might. It struck the
bird in an explosion of feathers. Marcon's lifeless body spiraled
+
bird in an explosion of feathers. Marcon's lifeless body spiraled
 
slowly down to the earth.
 
slowly down to the earth.
  
 
When Ramet reached the bottom of the stairs, Allen was on his knees,
 
When Ramet reached the bottom of the stairs, Allen was on his knees,
staring at the floor. The knight lifted him up, leaned close and
+
staring at the floor. The knight lifted him up, leaned close and
 
spoke to him.
 
spoke to him.
  
"Listen," said Ramet. "We have something Marcon and your poor Mandy
+
"Listen," said Ramet. "We have something Marcon and your poor Mandy
don't have. A future."
+
don't have. A future."
  
  
Line 1,687: Line 2,327:
  
 
Down beneath the earth, where they never see the sun, there live a
 
Down beneath the earth, where they never see the sun, there live a
people pale and hairy. The ‘deep dwarves’ they are called, and their
+
people pale and hairy. The ‘deep dwarves’ they are called, and their
 
metropolises stretch for leagues under the root of the mountain.
 
metropolises stretch for leagues under the root of the mountain.
 
Rarely do they come in contact with the surface dwarves and it is not
 
Rarely do they come in contact with the surface dwarves and it is not
Line 1,696: Line 2,336:
  
 
Annoyed, Captain Kogar put down his pipe and stood up, brushing the
 
Annoyed, Captain Kogar put down his pipe and stood up, brushing the
ashes from his broad belly. He followed the dwarf through a series of
+
ashes from his broad belly. He followed the dwarf through a series of
twisting tunnels down, down to the bottom of the mine. What could it
+
twisting tunnels down, down to the bottom of the mine. What could it
possibly be? The castle guard knew better than disturb him over petty
+
possibly be? The castle guard knew better than disturb him over petty
things. Maybe it was another murder. But berserker season had
+
things. Maybe it was another murder. But berserker season had
 
already come and gone.
 
already come and gone.
  
Line 1,712: Line 2,352:
 
Kogar leaned down and put his ear to the pale dwarf’s lips.
 
Kogar leaned down and put his ear to the pale dwarf’s lips.
  
“You must flee to where the sun is bright,” said deep dwarf. “For no
+
“You must flee to where the sun is bright,” said deep dwarf. “For no
 
one under the ground is safe while the monster draws breath.”
 
one under the ground is safe while the monster draws breath.”
  
 
===(28 January 2013)===
 
===(28 January 2013)===
  
<pre>?N?   ++++++@+@||</pre>
+
<pre>?N? ++++++@+@||</pre>
  
With that the strange dwarf died. Captain Kogar called for his
+
With that the strange dwarf died. Captain Kogar called for his
lieutenants. Together they searched the mine from whence the deep
+
lieutenants. Together they searched the mine from whence the deep
dwarf came. Any opening to the underworld, no matter how small, could
+
dwarf came. Any opening to the underworld, no matter how small, could
prove the end for even the mightiest of fortresses. After a week of
+
prove the end for even the mightiest of fortresses. After a week of
 
searching, nothing could be found.
 
searching, nothing could be found.
  
“Maybe the dwarf was crazed,” said a deputy. “Maybe there is no monster.”
+
“Maybe the dwarf was crazed,” said a deputy. “Maybe there is no monster.”
  
 
“No,” said Kogar, “this is going to be a bad one.”
 
“No,” said Kogar, “this is going to be a bad one.”
  
That very night, the first dwarf went missing. The creature left
+
That very night, the first dwarf went missing. The creature left
nothing but a dark stain on the floor. Kogar’s dwarves searched the
+
nothing but a dark stain on the floor. Kogar’s dwarves searched the
mines again and again, but no opening could be found. When the next
+
mines again and again, but no opening could be found. When the next
 
victim disappeared, Kogar knew he had to tell his liege, Merduk the
 
victim disappeared, Kogar knew he had to tell his liege, Merduk the
 
Mad.
 
Mad.
Line 1,737: Line 2,377:
 
“What is this nonsense you speak of?” asked the mad king.
 
“What is this nonsense you speak of?” asked the mad king.
  
“The mine monster kills at will,” said Kogar. “We must think of
+
“The mine monster kills at will,” said Kogar. “We must think of
 
sending the young ones to the surface.”
 
sending the young ones to the surface.”
  
 
“Fool,” shouted the king, slamming his fist onto the arm of his
 
“Fool,” shouted the king, slamming his fist onto the arm of his
throne. “No dwarf with come in or out until the monster is slain.
+
throne. “No dwarf with come in or out until the monster is slain.
 
Their deaths will be yours to decide.”
 
Their deaths will be yours to decide.”
  
Line 1,748: Line 2,388:
 
<pre>@@@@@@@++++|@/++@|</pre>
 
<pre>@@@@@@@++++|@/++@|</pre>
  
That night the fortress was a buzz of activity. After all, it was the
+
That night the fortress was a buzz of activity. After all, it was the
 
time for the Plump Helmet Festival, a time when many a young dwarf
 
time for the Plump Helmet Festival, a time when many a young dwarf
would be married and fun would be had by all. King Merduk himself
+
would be married and fun would be had by all. King Merduk himself
would preside over the ceremony. The streamers were strung. The
+
would preside over the ceremony. The streamers were strung. The
torches were lit. Soon the great hall was filled with a multitude of
+
torches were lit. Soon the great hall was filled with a multitude of
 
drunken dwarves.
 
drunken dwarves.
  
“Tell them to disperse,” said Kogar. “Call an end to this foolishness
+
“Tell them to disperse,” said Kogar. “Call an end to this foolishness
 
or you will regret it.”
 
or you will regret it.”
  
“And you wonder why they call me the mad king?” asked Merduk. “Look
+
“And you wonder why they call me the mad king?” asked Merduk. “Look
 
to yourself or you will be out of a job.”
 
to yourself or you will be out of a job.”
  
 
Wandering through the crowd, Kogar couldn’t even muster enough energy
 
Wandering through the crowd, Kogar couldn’t even muster enough energy
to drink a cup, let alone dance. This was going to be a disaster and
+
to drink a cup, let alone dance. This was going to be a disaster and
a lot of people would die. Mad Merduk had not only gone on with the
+
a lot of people would die. Mad Merduk had not only gone on with the
 
plans for the party, he had locked the gates so no one could leave the
 
plans for the party, he had locked the gates so no one could leave the
fortress. Disgusted, Kogar retired to his quarters.
+
fortress. Disgusted, Kogar retired to his quarters.
  
 
“You know there is only one way to escape,” said a voice in the darkness.
 
“You know there is only one way to escape,” said a voice in the darkness.
  
 
Leaping to his feet, Kogar pulled his knife and scanned the room for
 
Leaping to his feet, Kogar pulled his knife and scanned the room for
the intruder. Though he could not see, he knew the creature was still
+
the intruder. Though he could not see, he knew the creature was still
there. But there was something else, a roar like a distant storm.
+
there. But there was something else, a roar like a distant storm.
Kogar stepped to the door and threw it open. The light shown down on
+
Kogar stepped to the door and threw it open. The light shown down on
 
the pale dwarf hiding in the corner, but more shocking still were the
 
the pale dwarf hiding in the corner, but more shocking still were the
 
screams, now clearly heard coming from the hall.
 
screams, now clearly heard coming from the hall.
  
“Leave them,” said the deep dwarf. “There is only time to save yourself.”
+
“Leave them,” said the deep dwarf. “There is only time to save yourself.”
  
 
===(3 March 2014)===
 
===(3 March 2014)===
Line 1,782: Line 2,422:
 
<pre>.,.,@@++%%~%%~%%~%%~%%</pre>
 
<pre>.,.,@@++%%~%%~%%~%%~%%</pre>
  
Brushing the deep dwarf to the side, Kogar ran in the direction of the screams. When he reached the door to the feast hall, he could see a pool of red flowing from underneath the portal. Beyond he could hear the breaking of bones and the gnashing of teeth. Despite his heroism Kogar could feel the doubts clouding up his mind.
+
Brushing the deep dwarf to the side, Kogar ran in the direction of the screams. When he reached the door to the feast hall, he could see a pool of red flowing from underneath the portal. Beyond he could hear the breaking of bones and the gnashing of teeth. Despite his heroism Kogar could feel the doubts clouding up his mind.
  
"For the fortress!" screamed Kogar. "Forever!"
+
"For the fortress!" screamed Kogar. "Forever!"
  
The door slammed open with a kick from Kogar's boot. Inside the feast hall was the scene of a slaughter house. All of his friends had been torn apart by nightmarish monsters. Kogar did not resist when the deep dwarf took his hand and pulled him back into the passageway.
+
The door slammed open with a kick from Kogar's boot. Inside the feast hall was the scene of a slaughter house. All of his friends had been torn apart by nightmarish monsters. Kogar did not resist when the deep dwarf took his hand and pulled him back into the passageway.
  
"It's too late for them," said the pale dwarf. "My people suffered the same fate not long ago. We must flee under the mountain, into the caves. I know the way."
+
"It's too late for them," said the pale dwarf. "My people suffered the same fate not long ago. We must flee under the mountain, into the caves. I know the way."
  
Confused, Kogar followed the dwarf through a narrow series of cracks in the mining tunnel. There the mine opened into a natural cavern three times the size of the great hall. A group of survivors had gathered there, maybe a dozen or more, along with a couple more of the pale strangers.
+
Confused, Kogar followed the dwarf through a narrow series of cracks in the mining tunnel. There the mine opened into a natural cavern three times the size of the great hall. A group of survivors had gathered there, maybe a dozen or more, along with a couple more of the pale strangers.
  
 
"There might be enough time to warn the mountain homes," said the deep dwarf, "but we must hurry."
 
"There might be enough time to warn the mountain homes," said the deep dwarf, "but we must hurry."
  
The reality of what happened finally settled on Kogar's mind. Merduk and the rest of them were dead. There was nowhere left to go.
+
The reality of what happened finally settled on Kogar's mind. Merduk and the rest of them were dead. There was nowhere left to go.
  
&q