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OluapPlayer (talk | contribs) (Undo revision 233026 by 24.208.167.156 (talk) reverting vandalism) |
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[[Category:Humor and stories]] | [[Category:Humor and stories]] | ||
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==[[User:Geoffrey|Geoffrey]]== | ==[[User:Geoffrey|Geoffrey]]== | ||
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Soon Suffar would be the last wizard left in the world. Once he had the power, the dwarves would bend to his will and create for him the ultimate artifact. He wanted to create life, not another monster, but a companion worthy enough to be his partner. Only then would he be at peace. | Soon Suffar would be the last wizard left in the world. Once he had the power, the dwarves would bend to his will and create for him the ultimate artifact. He wanted to create life, not another monster, but a companion worthy enough to be his partner. Only then would he be at peace. | ||
| − | + | ===(27th March 2018)=== | |
| − | ===( | + | <pre>kN|kN|#### +++N++M+</pre> |
| − | <pre> | ||
| − | + | “Yes,” said Destra, “I promise you revenge.” | |
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| − | + | “I will eat him,” said the minotaur. “Then I will eat you.” | |
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| − | + | “It's a deal!” said Destra. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The monster guided the witch out of the cave. With all its strength, the minotaur pushed the boulders aside and he and the witch stepped out into the night air. The witch cast a spell and traced the wizard's path through the ether. They followed the magical trail north. | |
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| − | + | Over stream and under the trees the pair closed in on the wizard's tower. Meanwhile Suffar order his kobold to hunt for dwarven treasure once more. He was on the brink of a breakthrough. All he needed was one more artifact, one more vision into the true nature of magic. | |
| − | It was | + | It had been several days, and the kobold had yet to return. Suffar was becoming concerned. Then there was a knock at the door. The wizard made his way down the long spiral staircase. “I'm coming. I'm coming! Settle down!” grumbled the wizard as he reached to door at last. Opening it, he saw a tall, cloaked figure. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “I have come for you,” said the stranger. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(3rd January 2020)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>kN|++N+M+U+N+k</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Oh Lady of Darkness,” whimpered Suffar. “I meant to summon you earlier, but it was my kobold's birthday and I...” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | was | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Enough excuses!” said the demon mistress. “I knew you were collecting magic powers to bind me, but you are too late. I have arrived.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “But how?” asked Suffar. | |
| − | + | The kobold appeared from behind the demon's robes. That rascal had intoned the rites of summoning without him. Now all was lost. | |
| − | + | The wizard groveled before Mistress of All Evil. Maybe there was still a way out of this nightmare, something in the contract he had signed to make the legal mumbo-jumbo null and void. | |
| − | + | He had to think. Then to answer came to him. | |
| − | |||
| − | It was | + | It was the nature of demons to play the long game. Their machinations took decades to resolve. Suffar didn't have that kind of time. |
| − | + | He knew that sooner than latter the demon would find him of no use and send him spiraling down into the Netherworld. His only chance was to find Destra, if she still lived. | |
| − | + | So when the demon locked the door to the library behind her, Suffar slipped out of castle. | |
| − | + | The ruined dwarf fortress was only around the next bend in the road. Suffar began going over the language that he would use to convince Destra that feeding her to the minotaur was just a big mistake. | |
| − | + | When he arrived at the entrance to the labyrinth he found the the stone had been rolled away. Now he was in serious trouble. Someone behind him cleared their throat. | |
| − | + | “You have a lot of nerve coming back here.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | It was Destra alright, and with her was the hulking minotaur looking hungry as ever. His jaw jabbering, Suffar tried to quickly describe the trouble he was in. Nay, the trouble they were all in. | |
| − | + | “Your kobold summoned the Princess of Darkness?” asked Destra. | |
| − | The | + | The pair of magic users and the reluctant minotaur returned to the castle. The cow man was none to happy to arrive back at the place where he had been created. |
| − | + | The minotaur wiped the tears from his eyes and promised himself he was have his revenge. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Bacabadabis,” said the demon, as she stirred the thick goo inside the magic cauldron, “I think this is the start of a magical friendship.” | |
| − | + | Yapping with alarm, the kobold pointed over the demon's shoulder. Before she could react, the monster lifted her up by the neck and tossed her into the black metal bowl. | |
| − | + | Suffar was relieved that he was now free, until he looked up to see the cow monster standing over him. | |
| − | + | “Your bones will make a good stew,” said the minotaur as he mixed the substance that was Suffar and the demon with a giant ladle. | |
| − | + | Watching with horror, the kobold bolted toward the door. Destra pointed her finger and a bolt of lightning struck the tiny monster. After the dust cleared there was nothing left behind but a long, pink-tailed rat. | |
| + | “Are you going to eat that?” asked the minotaur. | ||
| − | + | THE END | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ==[[User:Gunslinger|Gunslinger]]== | |
| + | ===(7 January 2011)=== | ||
| + | <pre>aa,.a,.W,.%,%%,.T</pre> | ||
| − | + | The wizard walked barefoot along the sandy lake bottom, schools of | |
| + | axolotls swimming around his toes. Through the murky water, the | ||
| + | wizard could see the remains of a wrecked ship. The salamanders | ||
| + | guided him through a hole in the wooden hull. In the darkness the | ||
| + | wizard noticed the faintest light. It was coming from a chest half | ||
| + | buried in the sand. | ||
| − | + | Before the wizard could open the treasure chest a shock wave shot | |
| + | through the water, knocking the wizard flat on his back. The ship | ||
| + | tore in half revealing a huge monster covered in waving aquatic | ||
| + | plants. It was the titan of the lake. The axolotls scattered in all | ||
| + | directions. The wizard scuttled backward. He could not speak, making | ||
| + | his charms useless. It was to be a battle of flesh and steel. | ||
| − | + | ===(24 December 2014)=== | |
| + | <pre>|oW++|#######N#N#N#NN#NN#NN</pre> | ||
| − | + | Many of you remember the tale of the lake. Your dwarf mothers and | |
| + | fathers warned you not to go near, lest the giant axolotl eat you. | ||
| + | Now that the wizard had tempted fate by entering the lake titan's | ||
| + | domain, all were in danger. The wizard was clever, transforming | ||
| + | himself into a fish and gobbling up the magic pearl, then swimming | ||
| + | away before the giant salamander could find him. When he emerged from | ||
| + | the waters, he changed his shape into that of a pelican and flew away. | ||
| + | The titan was furious and took out its frustrations on people who | ||
| + | lived near the shore. | ||
| − | + | “Forgive us, mighty Hetain,” screamed the villagers. | |
| − | + | It was too late and they knew it. The poor people hardly protested as | |
| + | Hetain transformed them into horrible, bloodthirsty monsters and sent | ||
| + | then on their way to find the thieving wizard. They stretched their | ||
| + | new wings and launched into the night's sky. There wasn't much time | ||
| + | before dawn, and the newly reborn night creatures could not travel | ||
| + | during daylight. | ||
| − | + | “Father,” asked one of the night creatures, “do you think that mighty | |
| + | Hetain will allow us to die after we return the pearl?” | ||
| − | + | “Our lives,” said the older night creature, “have always been those of | |
| − | + | service and toil. Before Hetain, we served the dwarven king. All we | |
| + | can do is serve our betters faithfully. Then, perhaps, we shall | ||
| + | receive our just reward.” | ||
| − | The | + | Arriving at his tower, the wizard threw off his bird shape and reached |
| + | into his mouth, withdrawing the magic pearl. The old man had spent | ||
| + | most of his life searching for enchanted artifacts such as this. It | ||
| + | was a goal of his since youth to be the greatest wizard the world had | ||
| + | ever known. For this end, he had to take chances. Stealing the pearl | ||
| + | was no small thing. In belonged to one of the Four Titans who had | ||
| + | existed since the world was young. He knew the pearl was cursed, but | ||
| + | it had to be his all the same. | ||
| − | + | ===(7 May 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>|++%++|####h####</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Die in the name of Hetain!” howled the ape-like creature as it leaped through the window of the wizard's tower. | |
| − | + | Speaking a charm just in time to confuse his attacker, the wizard ran to his sword which he kept leaning against the wall of his laboratory. With a slice and a thrust, the monsters was undone, laying in pieces on the floor. This was certainly a first, attacked by a night creature while relaxing at home. The titan, Hetain, meant business. | |
| − | + | Dressing himself in his magic robe, the wizard stepped out of the tower window. He let himself fall for a few seconds, letting the refreshing breeze blow through his long gray hair. Then he transformed into a red tailed hawk. His idea was to travel to the capital of Assura and hire a hero or two to slay the titan. Just getting to the city would prove a task difficult enough to call on his considerable skills. | |
| − | + | ===(13 June 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>""",.Gm,."",</pre> | ||
| − | + | It was impossible, even for a hawk, to reach the capital before nightfall. It was suicide to stay in the air after sundown. The titan, Hetain, controlled an armada of flying night creatures. Instead, the wizard dove into the trees and landed in the jungle. There he took the shape of a mighty gorilla. The night creatures would be foolish to mess with him now. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Hey, gorilla,” said a voice in the evening wind. “I know what you are carrying.” | |
| − | + | “Show yourself,” growled the wizard. | |
| − | + | A tiny rodent scurried out of the brush and onto a patch of moss next to one of the wizard's impressive forearms. Closer inspection revealed that it was actually a mouse man, servant of one of the other three titans. The wizard told the mouse man to speak his piece quickly, for any minute they would be mobbed by vengeful night creatures. | |
| − | + | “I serve almighty Domon and his chariot in the sky,” said the mouse man. “Lend me the pearl and I will ensure your victory.” | |
| − | + | ===(22 July 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>""."",.G->g.,.,~~~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | So, Domon sought the pearl as well. The wizard should not have been surprised that the word of his conquest had spread so quickly. Now the wizard must be doubly careful. While Hetain controlled the night, Domon ruled everything under the sun and the eternal vault of sky. | |
| − | |||
| − | The | + | The giant gorilla shifted his weight unto his knuckles and howled at the mouse man. It was clear that the wizard had made his decision. He would trust no titan. The mouse man ran for his life. This move would not go unanswered, for Domon was a vengeful titan. |
| − | + | The wizard couldn't stay in the jungle forever, hiding from the angry rays of the sun. He moved to the edge of the final treeline and looked out over the rolling plains of Slusia. Assura was there, just beyond the horizon. Stopping to think for a moment, the giant gorilla scratched its forehead. At last the wizard decided on a shape, transforming himself into a speedy gazelle. | |
| − | + | ===(20 August 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>ccc.,\W,|@</pre> | ||
| − | + | Not one. Not two. But, three cheetahs took off running after the wizard as he bounded across the plain. The titan, Domon, meant business. As Hetain controlled the night, Domon ruled the day. None of it would matter if he reached the dwarf fortress of Assura. Jumping just in time to avoid a pouncing wild cat, the wizard narrowly avoided death. He ducked and rolled and transformed once again into human shape, wielding a longsword. The cheetahs stopped where they were as the wizard had reached the gates of Assura. | |
| − | + | “Open the gates, I say,” boomed the wizard. | |
| − | + | “Who gives a command to free dwarves?” answered the guards-dwarf. | |
| − | + | “It is I,” said the wizard, “Suffar the Mighty.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Even the dwarves of Assura had heard tales of the great Suffar. Not all good, it must be said. Suffar was a rogue and a trickster. The dwarves watched as the cheetahs circled the wizard, waiting for the moment to strike. Maybe they wouldn't have to open the gates after all. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(23 September 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>Wo+++@|</pre> | ||
| − | + | Holding up the magic pearl, Suffar demanded to be let in a third time. The greed of the dwarves was not easy to measure. It seemed they would do anything to acquire the smallest treasure. Suffar stepped through the gates with a final sneer at his pursuers. As the gates shut, the cheetahs disappeared in puffs of smoke. | |
| − | + | “Is that Hetain's magic pearl?” demanded the noble dwarf. | |
| − | + | “One and the same,” said Suffar, dropping the pearl back into his pocket. | |
| − | + | “The titans would offer a king's ransom for that treasure,” said the dwarf. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “And I will offer twice that amount to the hero that slays Hetain,” countered Suffar. | |
| − | + | It was much to consider, coming between titans and wizards. It meant almost certain death to the dwarves involved. This mattered little to the hero class, a group of dwarves raised since birth to laugh at danger. It was at the Temple of Bravery that Suffar met Kogan, the mightiest of the dwarves. | |
| − | + | “Will you kill Hetain for me?” asked Suffar. | |
| − | + | “I have been waiting for a challenge worthy of my blade,” said Kogan. | |
| − | + | ===(24 October 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>###NB######|W+@|##</pre> | ||
| − | + | The two never actually agreed on a price. Kogan instead offered to go with Suffar if he led him to glory and death. The wizard agreed, knowing it was not a quest for a hero who still possessed reason. There would be no coming back from the titan's lake. All Suffar could do was help his new friend along his final journey. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Is it far?” asked Kogan. “These legs weren't made for walking.” | |
| − | + | “Fear not, little one,” said Suffar, “I will summon the appropriate steeds.” | |
| − | + | Standing on the tallest tower of the castle, Suffar spoke to the wind, whilst Kogan watched with interest. After a time, the wizard pointed to the horizon. To specks appeared which grew steadily larger. They were a pair of giant birds. One was an enormous female nuthatch, while the other was a bushtit, the size of a bull. The dwarf stood back, wielding his axe. | |
| − | + | “Fear not,” said Suffar. “These creatures will take us to the hated lake of Hetain.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Fear is not in my vocabulary,” said Kogan. “I will do anything to speed the march of doom and final destiny.” | |
| − | + | ===(30 November 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>,.@*W,. ?D?</pre> | ||
| − | + | It was more than a day's journey back to the titan's lake and the giant birds would be no good against the creatures Hetain had prepared for them. Kogan watched the terrain unfolding beneath him with wonder. The world seemed so much smaller than it had been. The birds flew quickly, knowing that at any moment, Domon might spy them from his chariot in the sky. | |
| − | + | “Dive for those trees, Kogan,” said Suffar. “I fear that Domon has found us.” | |
| − | + | The dwarf kicked the sides of his giant bushtit and the bird dove for the forest canopy. Kogan looked behind him to see a bright green dragon pursuing him. Suffar was nowhere to be found. Jumping off his steed before the jet of flames hit him, Kogan grabbed at tree branches as he fell through the air. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Wake up, brave dwarf,” said the wizard. | |
| − | + | Opening his eyes, Kogan found that he had indeed survived. Suffar had built a fire in a small clearing beneath the stars. Here they waited for Hetain's creatures to attack. | |
| − | + | ===(18 December 2015)=== | |
| + | <pre>,A.,\@*W</pre> | ||
| − | + | The first night creature to attack was an ape-like creature with a single eye in the center of its forehead. Kogan was ready, battleaxe in hand. The creature huffed and puffed. Its issue was not with the dwarf, but with the scheming wizard, but Kogan would not allow the creature to advance. Finally, the creature sat back on its haunches and held its arms in a pose of tranquility. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Shall you let us pass?” asked Suffar. | |
| − | + | “You have my master's property,” said the ape. “You must die for your crimes.” | |
| − | + | “What if we returned the treasure in person?” asked the wizard. “I'm sure my friend here would love to meet the great and mighty Hetain.” | |
| − | + | The ape struck like a snake, but Kogan was faster. The night creature hit the ground, bleeding from a savage and mortal wound. The adventurers watched with wonder as the creature's body transformed into the body of a dead dwarf. | |
| − | + | “What have I done?” asked Kogan. | |
| − | + | ===(22 January 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W@.T"T"~~~~~~~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | “It is because of Hetain that this poor dwarf suffered,” said Suffar. “You have only done him a mercy.” | |
| − | + | “You said nothing of killing my own kind,” protested Kogan. | |
| − | + | “It will get worse before the end,” said the wizard. “You must be strong. Don't let Hetain's evil confuse your heart and mind.” | |
| − | + | That night they buried the dead dwarf and Kogan prayed for his soul. Strangely, no more creatures attacked. It was as if Hetain knew he now had the upper hand and would toy with the adventurers. Suffar wondered if he had made a mistake enlisting the help of a dwarven hero. Maybe a true mercenary was called for. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Hetain will pay for what he has done,” said Kogan. “You can rest assured of that.” | |
| − | + | The lake was just on the other side of a screen of trees. Kogan had the look of grim determination but Suffar wasn't entirely sure he trusted him. Taking on the titan was an act for the insane brave. While Kogan was clearly not stable, Suffar still didn't know which way his blade would cut. | |
| − | + | ===(28 February 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W..@.,.,NNNNN~~~~A~~~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Who are they?” asked Kogan. | |
| − | + | “They are the dwarves of the once powerful fortress of Etwersbrot,” said Suffar. “They worship Hetain now.” | |
| − | + | A horde of misshapen monsters ringed the lake, holding hands. Some them had three arms. Some had two heads. They were all monstrous and terrifying. Kogan knew that they were once dwarves. He wished with all his might that he could forget that knowledge and slay them cleanly. Now every dead monster was simply murder. | |
| − | + | The chanting of the monsters intensified with the rising of the moon. There was a bubbling vortex at the center of the lake. Soon the giant axolotl appeared, rising magically above the water. The monsters prostrated themselves before the titan. It was Kogan's chance. Suffar tapped him on the shoulder and he rose, stepping out into the moonlight. | |
| − | + | “Hetain,” shouted Kogan, “why are you trying to control my people?” | |
| − | + | ===(26 March 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W,.NNNN,.@/(((((A)))))</pre> | ||
| − | + | “The pearl belongs to me,” said the giant salamander. “The villain you work for is no more than a thief. I stand on the side of the righteous.” | |
| − | + | “It is righteous to turn my kin into monsters?” shouted Kogan. “I have shed the blood of my blood because of you. Are you listening, oh dwarves of Etwersbrot? Serve not this coward and let him fight his own battles!” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The monsters stopped their chanting and stepped aside as Kogan approached the water's edge. Hetain looked nervous. His slaves had never rebelled before. The dwarf stood before the titan, holding his battle axe at the ready. Hetain called on the power of the outer darkness, creating a vortex in the water below him. Suffar saw the danger and began chanting to counter the spell. The little dwarf was in more danger than he knew. Hetain was opening a portal to a dimension of ultimate evil. | |
| − | + | ===(27 April 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>W,..,~~~@/~~&&&&&&&</pre> | ||
| − | + | Seeing that now was the time to act, Kogan charged passed the confused looking monsters and into the lake. Suffar spoke a charm and the water became solid as ice where Kogan stepped. He ran across the lake toward the giant salamander. The vortex at the center of the lake was growing larger. A strange howling could be heard from within, like the terrible screams of all of those being tortured in the underworld. | |
| − | + | “You have done my kin ill,” pronounced Kogan as he raised his axe. “Prepare to die.” | |
| − | + | Entrails poured into the dimensional portal as Kogan gutted the monstrous titan with a great stroke of his blade. The guts acted as chum, attracting the most hungry of demons up from the depths. Kogan staggered backward as the monsters blasted up and out into the world of the living. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “What have you done?” muttered Suffar. | |
| − | + | ===(30 May 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>@.,@.,@@,.@.&&&&&&&&&&&&&&.W~~@~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | Hundreds of dwarves, finding that they now wore their own bodies, had to quickly stop celebrating and run for their lives. A black fountain of evil blasted up from the center of the lake where Kogan had been standing seconds before. Dark, winged shapes gathered in the sky above. | |
| − | + | “Mul-o-rom, Sul-o-rom,” chanted Suffar as he dragged Kogan's body away from the water. | |
| − | + | The demons had not noticed the wizard yet, choosing instead to fly after the fleeing dwarves. Suffar could not help but think that this was all his fault. The mess he had created was bigger than just a stolen pearl. The entire world was in peril. He had to seek out Domon, in the Palace of the Rising Sun. | |
| − | + | ===(1 July 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>N%,..W@,.</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Where is the sun?” asked Kogan as he awoke. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “There has been a lasting darkness since Hetain died,” said Suffar. | |
| − | + | “Then we have won,” exclaimed Kogan. | |
| − | The | + | A dizzy spell forced Kogan to lie back down. “It's a bit more complicated than that,” said Suffar. The stars twinkled as giant bat-like creatures passed through the sky. Kogan turned to witness a horrible sight just a stone's throw away. Three demons were feasting on the body of a dead dwarf. They were more horrible than the night creatures of Hetain. |
| − | + | “They can't see us,” said Suffar. “Rest, my friend.” | |
| − | + | “There must be a way to stop them,” whispered Kogan. “You said something about Domon, and the sky chariot.” | |
| − | + | “I'm afraid the sun has set forever,” said Suffar. “The four titans cannot help us now.” | |
| − | + | “There must be something we can do?” asked the dwarf hero. | |
| − | + | “Yes,” said Suffar. “As long as we hold the pearl there is hope.” | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(31 July 2016)=== |
| − | <pre> | + | <pre>.,,.NN..,</pre> |
| − | + | “The magic doorway will close,” said Suffar, “if we cast Hetain's magic pearl back through the demon gate.” | |
| − | + | “Then do it,” exclaimed Kogan, suffering from another fainting spell. | |
| − | + | “Who ever should cast in the pearl shall die,” said Suffar. | |
| − | + | “Then give it to me,” said Kogan. “I care not for my own life.” | |
| − | + | “That much in obvious,” said Suffar, “but you cannot be the one. Look at your body.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Straining to sit up, Kogan was horrified to see that his body was a mere skeleton, barely held together by bits of sinew. Suffar used his magic to keep Kogan alive, but it was only a kind of half-life. Once the pearl was cast, Kogan too would die. | |
| − | + | “Then if you will not stand up and save the world,” asked Kogan, “who will?” | |
| − | + | “We must find the fourth titan,” said Suffar. “He lives in a tower deep in the Garum.” | |
| − | + | “Not Darquan the Deadly,” shouted Kogan. “That wicked old man would never make the sacrifice.” | |
| − | + | “We have no other choice,” said Suffar. | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(20 September 2016)=== |
| − | <pre> | + | <pre>""N"N.".,|N+++|</pre> |
| − | + | Deep in the Garum it was unusually cold. The sun hadn't risen for three days and the plants were beginning to die. Kogan could see the light of a candle in the top room of the tower a way's off in the marsh. Suffar explained to the skeletal dwarf that he should do the talking. The master of the tower was Darquan the Deadly, one of four cosmic titans that had existed since the dawn of time. | |
| − | + | The wizard of the tower was twisted and evil. He had exhausted every physical pleasure in a search for the ultimate experience. The truth was, now he was bored and wished for the eternal nothingness that awaited his extinction. But if there was one thing that kept Darquan breathing it was his jealous hatred for all living things. | |
| − | + | “Who dares disturb my meditation?” came a voice from above. | |
| − | + | Looking up the dark wet stones of the tower, Kogan could see a pale bald head trailing long white whiskers. Suffar shouted back, explaining the death of Hetain and the demon gateway. The wizard's head disappeared and there was a click at the solid wood door before them, which swung open by itself. | |
| − | + | ===(1 October 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>|NCN+++?N?|</pre> | ||
| − | + | The snake was fast, but Suffar was faster. As the door opened, a king cobra snake man shot his long neck out toward the wizard's face. He dodged to the right and seized the serpent man's throat. Darquan was a coward to leave his minions in charge of greeting the adventurers. | |
| − | + | “Come forth, dark titan,” said Suffar, “or I will break your pet's neck.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | While Suffar shouted at the open door, the snake man reached with his long articulated arm and pulled a dagger from one of its many belts. Just as it was about to push the blade in, the skeletal dwarf stepped out from behind the wizard and chopped at the snake man's wrist. | |
| − | + | “That'sss cheating!” complained the cobra man. | |
| − | + | “Save your whining for your master,” said Suffar. “That is, if the coward is brave enough to show his face.” | |
| − | + | “You have the pearl?” came a voice from above. “Show it to me!” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(7 November 2016)=== | |
| + | <pre>|No+N+++N<|</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Only you can save the world now,” shouted Suffar as he held the pearl over his head. | |
| − | + | “Hetain's Pearl,” said Darquan. “You are a naughty wizard.” | |
| − | + | The candlelight vanished from the window as Darquan descended the hundreds of steps of the dark tower. It seemed like ages later when he appeared in the doorway. “Let Anthony go,” commanded the evil wizard. Suffar released the cobra man who disappeared back into the tower. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Who is your friend?” asked Darquan, indicating the skeletal dwarf. | |
| − | + | “This is Kogan,” said Suffar, “Slayer of Hetain.” | |
| − | + | “You can do better for a titan slayer than this, surely,” said Darquan. | |
| − | + | The serpent wizard began chanting in the ancient tongue of magic. The wind began to blow and stir up muddy water and dead vegetation. The muck attached itself to Kogan's skeleton and soon he began to resemble a living dwarf. | |
| − | + | “Now, Kogan,” said Darquan, “your body belongs to me. Take the pearl from Suffar and give it to me!” | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(11 November 2016)=== |
| − | <pre> | + | <pre>CNoNN</pre> |
| − | + | Using his bracers to block a series of strikes and thrusts, Suffar desperately resisted as Kogan tried to wrestle the pearl from him. Anthony returned wielding a pair of swords. The dwarf grabbed the wizard around the legs and tackled him to the ground. The snake man held his blades to Suffar's throat. It was over. | |
| − | + | “And now,” said Darquan, “the pearl, if you please?” | |
| − | + | Reaching into his robe, Suffar withdrew the shining pearl. Darquan's eyes lit up with joy. Whoever possessed the pearl held sway over the hand of Fate. Having exhausted the frivolous pleasures of this world, Darquan would use the pearl to enhance his hedonistic lifestyle. With glee, he snatched the pearl out of Suffar's hand. | |
| − | + | “You will know, before the end,” said Suffar, “what you have to do.” | |
| − | + | ===(5 January 2017)=== | |
| + | <pre>NB,B..,N+C</pre> | ||
| − | + | “Slay him,” commanded Darquan. | |
| − | + | Anthony the snake man brought his sword blade down onto the wizard's neck, but recoiled when his weapon clashed against the stone floor of the tower. Suffar's robes lay empty on the ground, but the wizard was nowhere to be found. Darquan hollered with disapproval. Kogan stood up and brushed the dirt off his chest. | |
| − | |||
| − | Suffar | ||
| − | + | “You, dwarf!” shouted Darquan. “Stop standing around like a moron and find the wizard.” | |
| − | + | A pair of giant bats landed at the base of the tower. They were fitted with saddles and Kogan had the impression that his new master, Darquan, wanted him to ride. He climbed up the hairy bat and sat astride its back. | |
| − | + | “That rascal can't get far without the pearl,” said Darquan. “Find him, and snuff out his life!” | |
| − | + | ===(9 February 2017)=== | |
| + | <pre>k####@B##CB##</pre> | ||
| − | + | The pair of giant bats launched out of the tower with Kogan and Anthony the snake man on their backs. The dwarf's vision was excellent at night, due to a long life underground. However, he could see nothing in the marsh but wildlife. He called over to Anthony and the snake man replied. | |
| − | + | “He has changed himself into a bird or beast,” shouted Anthony. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “How will I know him?” asked Kogan. | |
| − | + | “He is the only beast that does not fear the power of Darquan,” said Anthony. | |
| − | + | The snake man held up his staff and the end began to glow an ominous red. All around, beneath them, the animals froze in place, the birds so much as freezing in mid flight and falling into the murky water. There was one that still flew, a kingfisher! | |
| − | + | “That's him!” cried Kogan. | |
| − | + | ===(12 March 2017)=== | |
| + | <pre>~~@%%~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | Cackling with glee, Darquan watched through his crystal ball as the two giant bat riders chased down the tiny bird. They dove and pounced on the bird at once and there was a scuffle as the group splashed into the water. Darquan was giddy with anticipation. When the fight subsided, Kogan stood up holding the body of a dead bird, but Anthony was stricken dead. The snake man had been in Darquan's employ for many years, but the evil old man could not find it in himself to shed a single tear. | |
| − | + | “Bring me the carcass,” commanded Darquan. “We will feast on kingfisher tonight!” | |
| − | + | Throwing a cloth over the crystal ball, Darquan retired to his private chamber to contemplate the pearl. Something was wrong. The pearl had taken on a dim brown color. Gone was its magical luster. The wizard was furious. He charged back into his laboratory and awaited Kogan's return. There had to be some sort of explanation, and without question, someone would pay. | |
| − | + | ===(13 April 2017)=== | |
| + | <pre>++@+=%=N+++</pre> | ||
| − | + | The dwarf met Darquan in the feast hall below the wizard's tower. The old man commanded that the dead bird be plucked and roasted on a spit. As Kogan made himself busy preparing the meal, Darquan returned to fuss over the blackened pearl of Hetain. A short time later, Kogan announced that the meal was ready. | |
| − | + | “Here's to you, Suffar,” said Darquan, raising his stein glass. After chewing on a few strange tasting morsels, the wizard realized he had been tricked. He stood up from the table and threw his arms out to the side, calling on his power to reveal the treachery. There, on the table, was the partially devoured body of Anthony the snake man. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Suffar,” shouted Darquan, “you will pay for this if I must strike at you with my last breath!” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(16 May 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>@N...N(OOO)</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The was a ringing sound coming from the laboratory. Darquan stomped into the room and pulled the cloth from the crystal ball. There was Suffar, standing on the beach near the portal to the dimension of ultimate evil. Beyond words and consumed with hatred, Darquan could only stand and stare as Suffar beckoned to him. The evil wizard called for Kogan and had the giant bats made ready for takeoff once again. | |
| − | + | “It's a trick, boss,” said Kogan. | |
| − | + | “Don't speak,” said Darquan. “You know nothing save what I have taught you.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | They were airborne a short time later. There was still a huge maelstrom over Hetain's lake and the pair had to land their bats far from shore. Darquan landed behind a grassy hill which he scuttled up to spy on the portal from afar. There was Suffar, strutting back and forth before the portal as freely as you please. | |
| − | ===(18 | + | |
| − | <pre>@ | + | “You will never have the pearl,” said Darquan under his breath. |
| + | |||
| + | ===(18 June 2017)=== | ||
| + | <pre>@.N.o.(OOO).oN</pre> | ||
| − | " | + | "He means to trick you," said Kogan. "All he wants is the pearl!" |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | " | + | "I have had enough of your talk!" shouted Darquan. |
| − | + | There was a flash of light and where once stood Kogan the dwarf, there was now a statue made of stone. Darquan instantly regretted his action. Not only had he lost a needed ally, but he had also given away his position. He stood up and saw Suffar down by the lake, beckoning to him. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | "You will never have the pearl!" declared Darquan as he stalked down to where Suffar was standing, near the portal to ultimate evil. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | "You mean this pearl?" asked Suffar, withdrawing the shiny pearl from his pocket. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | With a sudden sinking feeling, Darquan reached into his robe and held out the clouded brown pearl. Driven by anger and outrage, Darquan cast the pearl into the maelstrom. Suffar twirled, flaring out his cloak and disappearing in a puff of smoke. The portal began to disappear. Darquan could feel his heart sputtering and giving its last beat. He had been tricked for the final time. | |
| − | + | ===(29 July 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>..N%..</pre> | |
| − | + | Suffar rested by the lake, meditating on all that had passed. The pearl was gone, but so were the malevolent titans that sought to use it for evil. Now the stars could resume their course through the sky and Domon could chase the moon in his fiery chariot. After a good long time, Suffar stood and noticed the statue of Kogan for what seemed like the first time. The stoney eyes seemed to follow him as he approached. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Darquan used the power of the pearl to keep you alive,” said Suffar. “If I restore you, you will die.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The statue blinked once. | |
| − | + | Calling on all his power, Suffar reversed Darquan's curse. Kogan began to move, struggling to breathe, then collapsed. Suffar held his hand as he died. It was as it should be. Kogan had taken the life of a titan and had to pay the price. He would be with the heroes in Nullset now. | |
| − | + | Darquan would be there too, no doubt struggling to return. Suffar would be there to meet him. It was to this end that Suffar had made his vow. The harmony of Nature must be preserved. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | THE END | |
| − | + | ===New Story (27 August 2017)=== | |
| − | ===( | + | <pre>@&\@H...UH.</pre> |
| − | <pre> | ||
| − | + | Who would throw away such a beautiful baby? The basket had come down the Apagan river. From Etwersbrot. Ever since the outbreak of hostilities, people had looked to the magic city for hope and inspiration. Now they were flinging their offspring into the river. It was a time that would one day be called the Second Nightmare Apocalypse. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “More demons ahead, Omak,” said the old knight. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “I see them!” shouted Omak as the pair charged down the caravan trail. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The most promising rider Sir Twan had ever seen, Omak was a dwarf from the south. He served in the garrison of Akkadin before the Evil One came. In the chaos that followed, Omak stole a pony and ran for the hills. That was where Twan found him. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Don't worry Master,” said Omak. “This one is mine.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The monster wasn't used to the rules that governed this world. Its ungainly limbs smacked against the dirt as it struggled to get away. Omak smacked the flanks of his dark pony and then lifted his blade to strike. The creature looked back just in time to get a face of steel. A fountain of black blood shot up from the ruined head of the monster. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | from | ||
| − | + | “I did it,” cried Omak. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Excellent,” said Twan. “I'll make a Beast Maimer of you yet!” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “What's it got in its arms?” asked Omak | |
| − | ===( | + | |
| − | <pre>@ | + | “A dwarven child!” shouted Twan. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ===(25 September 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>!!@!!</pre> | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | “Do you think the babe is from that village, yonder?” asked Omak. | |
| + | |||
| + | “If so, all her kin are dead,” said Sir Twan. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The beast maimers returned to the city of Otla, to seek a home for the child. There were electrical storms all night. Unforeseen to all knights of the realm, the evil Cenaster had been slain, and with his death the Earth had been cast adrift in the cosmic ether. The child cried and cried. At last, the warlord would see them. | ||
| − | + | “You say you rescued the babe from a demon?” asked Lord Saster. | |
| − | + | “She is marked with magic power,” said Sir Twan, “and destined for greatness!” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Then you and Omak will raise her as a Beast Maimer,” said Saster. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | It was a great honor, and a great responsibility. Omak found a room for the baby in the castle. There was still the need for a name. Sir Twan sought to name her after the great city where she was found. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “She shall be named Otilla,” said the knight. | |
| − | + | ===(28 October 2017)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>.@.@..</pre> | |
| − | + | As great a fighter as master Omak was a rider, Otilla had grown up and found her place among the Beast Maimers. Every morning at dawn the Maimers would sally forth from Otla Castle and search for demons to slay. The creatures may have stopped pouring into this world since the death of Cenaster, but enough had made their through that a special effort was required to wipe them off the face of the Earth. | |
| − | + | “Grandfather Twan?” asked Otilla as she arrived at the meeting place. “Where is Master Omak?” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Omak has gone to speak with the head of our order,” said Twan. “He has yet to return.” | |
| − | + | “He has gone to see mighty Bram?” asked Otilla with excitement. “Is the champion coming here?” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The monster of Otla Hill was the Maimers' greatest shame. They had cleared out the Forbidden Forest and slain enough demons to keep the King's Highway open from Etwersbrot to Akkadin. Still, no knight was brave enough, or skilled enough in the martial arts, to take on the Otla Hill monster. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “He has come to slay the monster,” said Otilla. “I know it!” | |
| − | + | ==[[User:Haedrian|Haedrian]]== | |
| − | + | ===(11 August 2011)=== | |
| + | <pre>++@=@++++</pre> | ||
| − | + | Inside or outside, the dwarf fortress was an ugly place. Black smoke | |
| + | rose from its misshapen stacks, and beneath the menacing gatehouse, | ||
| + | poor hill-dwarves moved under armed guard to bring their offerings to | ||
| + | Count Agak. | ||
| − | + | The Count had long been allergic to light. His case of cave | |
| + | adaptation was more pronounced than any ever known. His skin was pale | ||
| + | and shot through with spidery veins. His eyes were red and bloodshot. | ||
| + | Even in the dark, he looked sickly, and he never touched a morsel on | ||
| + | the feast days. | ||
| − | " | + | "The Count is a vampire," said Roder. |
| − | + | "Silence," said fair Nel. "What if the guards hear you?" | |
| − | |||
| − | + | "Tell me you aren't suspicious," said Roder. "Have you ever seen the | |
| + | Count eat or drink? Or his guards? I don't know if I would even | ||
| + | recognize them underneath their plated armor. No. We need proof. | ||
| + | Then we need deliverance." | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:Haggle|Haggle]]== | |
| − | + | ===(18 January 2011)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>@@@@++U+%++||,.,.MU,.MU,.MU</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | "Toward the light," cried Sot, master of the moth riders. The | |
| + | squadron descended in wild corkscrews, falling toward the dwarf | ||
| + | fortress. But Sot had dived too soon. Flaming arrows shot up from | ||
| + | the castle walls, confusing the giant insects. Sot's mount took three | ||
| + | hits and died in mid air. The moth leader took the reins hard and | ||
| + | tried to pull the moth out of a death spiral. He hit the ground hard | ||
| + | and rolled across the paved stone, jumping up in a combat stance. | ||
| + | When he saw the two dozen dwarves that approached him, he took off his | ||
| + | chitin helmet, pointed at the closest dwarf and spoke. | ||
| − | + | "Let's see what you've got, half-man." | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | ==[[User: | + | ==[[User:Hazmat|Hazmat]]== |
| − | ===( | + | ===(24 April 2010)=== |
| + | <pre> ||U+++WWWbbbbWb </pre> | ||
| − | + | Night, thief of all cheer. When has the sun set on a happy soul in | |
| − | + | Bonverland? Everyone knows the terror that lurks behind every shadow, | |
| + | ever since the evil knight Galrod took up residence in Highthorn | ||
| + | castle. Werewolves and blendecs were at his command. It was said | ||
| + | that only one thing could end his cursed life, the Golden Shank of | ||
| + | Allmine. The people wailed with misery, for the shank was said to be | ||
| + | in the deep dungeon of a dwarf fortress many leagues to the east. It | ||
| + | was a time of mass panic. That was until the hero Mandack arrived. | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:Hellrider|Hellrider]]== | |
| − | + | ===(12 April 2012)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>++g+++@@@</pre> | |
| − | + | Goblin master thief Garu picked his way through the irrigation ditch | |
| + | of the dwarf fortress. The dwarves were fools to leave the floodgate | ||
| + | open during the dry season. There were fewer traps down there. It | ||
| + | wasn't long before he reached the mushroom fields. There were a few | ||
| + | gardeners here and there but nothing that proved much of a challenge. | ||
| − | + | Once inside, Garu shed his black cloak in exchange for the robes of a | |
| + | monk of Alak. He passed silently by the dwarves, a long hood hiding | ||
| + | his face. Slowly, he made his way to the meeting hall. There were a | ||
| + | bunch of dwarf youths posing and trying to look tough. | ||
| − | + | "You are impressive," said Garu. | |
| − | + | "What's it to you, holy dwarf?" said the most obnoxious of the dwarves. | |
| − | + | "It's just that I heard from Zuglar that you were a weakling and a | |
| + | coward," said Garu. "He said he'd wait for you in the lower warehouse | ||
| + | if you were dwarf enough." | ||
| − | + | "You tell that son of an elf I'll be there," shouted the dwarf. | |
| − | + | ==[[User:Hellzon|Hellzon]]== | |
| + | ===(17 December 2007)=== | ||
| + | <pre>,.@@~~o~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | A rock plopped into the cave river from the platform above. There | |
| + | Durgal and the dwarf girl sat, above the murky waters. Durgal | ||
| + | explained, in great detail, his plans for the future. When the riches | ||
| + | of the mountain were plundered, he would diagram the plans for a | ||
| + | second fortress himself. How the dwarves would love him! | ||
| − | + | "But in your haste for riches," asked the girl, "would you have time | |
| + | for the ones you love?" | ||
| − | + | Durgal's face became red as a cave turnip. He looked quickly away | |
| + | from her and stared into the dark water. There, eyes gazed up to meet | ||
| + | him. Durgal reached for his axe, telling the girl to warn the others. | ||
| + | A pale, slimy hand reached out of the depths and pulled the creature | ||
| + | upward. It was an olmman! | ||
| − | + | ===(3 September 2008)=== | |
| + | <pre>ff,@,.@,o~~~~~</pre> | ||
| − | + | "Back!" cried Durgal, "back to the hall!" The dwarf girl turned and | |
| + | screamed. Two blind cave fish men blocked the way out. Durgal turned | ||
| + | and swung his axe at the olmman, now completely out of the water. It | ||
| + | deftly dodged his panicked swings. The dwarf girl screamed as the | ||
| + | cave fish men crawled toward her, arms outstretched, feeling their way | ||
| + | along the floor. | ||
| − | + | "By the power of the Lordaxe!" screamed Durgal, holding his axe aloft. | |
| + | The dungeon rumbled. The sound of water crashed through the tunnel. | ||
| + | The fighters were swept away. The olmman grabbed Durgal's axe arm as | ||
| + | they were washed through the watery tunnel. The dwarf pulled a dagger | ||
| + | from his belt and jammed it into the monster's guts. | ||
| − | + | "Gula!" cried Durgal, bursting above the surface of the water. He | |
| + | pulled the axe free of the olmman's grasp and brought the pommel down | ||
| + | on its head, knocking it senseless. "Gula!" he cried again. With | ||
| + | sudden terror, Durgal recalled where this tunnel led -- the chasm. | ||
| + | Only a few seconds until the ultimate terrible plunge. | ||
| − | + | "Durgal!" cried the dwarf girl, Gula. With all his strength, he | |
| + | stretched to reach her in the crashing water. | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:HYBRID BEING|HYBRID BEING]]== | |
| + | ===(3 June 2014)=== | ||
| + | <pre>@.@@.,--.,-,..-.,.,eeeee</pre> | ||
| + | Sword and axe clashed again and again as the combatants fought and | ||
| + | bled. You and I remember Tasan fortress in the days before the elves | ||
| + | emerged from the hated forest. At one time Fortress Tasan was second | ||
| + | only to the mountain homes in wealth and power. Now it was the front | ||
| + | line in a war to end the age. | ||
| − | + | "Aim low, marks-dwarves," said Kraton. "Make every shot count." | |
| − | + | It was the height of the Plump Helmet festival when Kraton first | |
| + | learned of the elven invasion. An arrow struck his sweetheart dead in | ||
| + | the chest. The ambush was over in seconds. The castle guard were | ||
| + | able to chase down the archers before they escaped into the woods. | ||
| − | + | As captain of the guard, Kraton was in charge of interrogation. There | |
| + | was no need in his mind. Elves were not rational. Their reasons for | ||
| + | acting made no sense. He ordered that they be hammered immediately | ||
| + | and prepared the fortress for the assault to come. | ||
| − | + | ==Insanity Prelude== | |
| − | + | ===(1. I forgot, sometime in 2009)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>c@,.ccccccccccc@ccccc@ccc@cccccccccc</pre> | |
| − | + | Kittens roamed through the halls, as dwarf tanner Kramer worked the | |
| − | + | cat skins. It seemed his work would never end. The uncounted vermin | |
| + | in the fortress made the cat bellies full, and they bred out of | ||
| + | control. Baron Zarkin issued a final order: "Suffer no cat to live." | ||
| + | Death squads searched the corridors for felines, and brought the | ||
| + | bodies to Kramer. It was a tough job; Kramer admired cats for their | ||
| + | aloofness. Someone tapped him on the shoulder. It was cat-lord | ||
| + | Tainaria. | ||
| − | + | "Who are you?" asked Kramer. | |
| − | + | "Who I am is not important," said the beast-woman. "Don't you feel | |
| + | that what you are doing is wrong?" | ||
| − | + | "Yes," said the dwarf, "but…" | |
| − | + | ===(2. December 10, 2009)=== | |
| + | <pre>cccc,c,.C@.</pre> | ||
| − | + | "Stomer," said Tainaria, snapping her clawed fingers, "take him." | |
| − | + | An enormous walking cat emerged from the shadows. It was striped and | |
| + | grey with a round golden belly. In its paws it held a large brown | ||
| + | sack. The cat people pounced on Kramer, tackling him to the ground. | ||
| + | They kicked and stomped him until he was knocked senseless. Tainaria | ||
| + | looked on as Stomer poured the dwarf into the sack. | ||
| − | + | Kramer awoke, suffocating in the damp confines of the sack that was | |
| + | his prison. The sack bounced up and down as the cat ran. At last | ||
| + | Kramer was thrown down onto the mud. He peered out of the bag into | ||
| + | the nauseating sunlight. He felt a sharp kick to his ribs. | ||
| − | + | "Come out, killer!" shouted Tainaria. | |
| − | + | The dwarf crawled out onto the mossy ground. He looked around as the | |
| + | tall trees and thick green ferns. | ||
| − | + | "This is the elf forest," said Kramer. | |
| − | + | Stomer drew his lips back across his teeth in a grotesque mockery of a smile. | |
| − | + | "You," said Kramer, "you're not going to leave me out here!?" | |
| − | + | ==[[User:jaccarmac|jaccarmac]]== | |
| + | ===(19 November 2013)=== | ||
| − | + | <pre>,%.%.@.%@/%ggggg</pre> | |
| − | + | Nothing save dragon's fire was hotter than Cendra's fury at the goblin | |
| + | invaders. Limbs and heads bounced along the mining tunnel as the | ||
| + | dwarf warrioress chopped them left and right. Ever since Darkmaster | ||
| + | the Evil mounted his campaign against the dwarf fortress, no one was | ||
| + | safe. It was to dwarves like Cendra that all owed their freedom and | ||
| + | probably their very lives. | ||
| − | + | “To the right!” shouted Kogan. | |
| + | |||
| + | Ducking just in time, Cendra twirled around and planted her axe dead | ||
| + | in the goblin's chest. Kogan had been Cendra's blade brother as long | ||
| + | as she could remember. It made it all the more tragic when he finally | ||
| + | fell to Darkmaster's henchmen. But let us talk of happier times... | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:JakobTheGreat|Jakob Zaborowski]]== | |
| + | ===(22 July 2015)=== | ||
| − | + | <pre>U,.(&),,.,.(&),.U</pre> | |
| + | It had been a century since the last Dulchari wizard had been crowned. Most of the old wizards had retired to remote towers to continue their studies, having abandoned the city of Etwersbrot and the council chamber. There simply was no need for them anymore. All the dimensional rifts had been sealed and reality had been restored to a liveable state. | ||
| − | + | The wizards that lived in the capital were a new breed. The only demons they had ever seen were the ones that the Dulchari summoned themselves. Thamian was one of these. He longed to cross the boundaries between worlds like the old heroes did. Once the world had been filled with monsters. Now it was impossible to prove oneself. | |
| + | "I have an idea," said Thamian. "Meet me behind the tower after class." | ||
| − | + | The sun was sinking behind the mountains when Thamian met his friend Nesco in the dry field. What he had planned was a contest of magic. They would each summon a demon and they would fight to see which one was more fierce. Standing across the field from one another they drew pentagrams in the dirt. Thamian began summoning a creature from the world of Brepotog, the Bowels of the Universe. Nesco called his demon from Urmoro, the Land of the Undead. Somehow neither of them grasped that this was a bad idea. | |
| − | + | ===(3 January 2015)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>&,<U>,,.<U>.N</pre> | |
| − | + | Thamian's monster was the first to appear. About an hour after the ritual began there was a distinct smell on the western breeze. It smelled like Brepotog, the sewer of reality. Nesco flinched, but remained inside his protective pentagram. Off to the right, the shadows darkened. An arm, perhaps more tentacle than solid limb, protruded from the ground. It struck the ground with a splat and pulled the rest of the demon up. | |
| − | + | “I've done it, Nesco,” shouted Thamian. “Admit it! I've won.” | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Wait,” said Nesco. “Look there!” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Out of the trees, a figure stumbled. Once it came into the sunlight, the young wizards could see it for what it was, alive undead. It was the animated body of another young wizard. He had probably died during the trials which had taken place earlier that week. Its neck was clearly broken and its head lolled crazily to the side. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “I command you, oh demon,” shouted Thamian, “attack!” | |
| − | ===( | + | ===(3 December 2015)=== |
| − | |||
| − | + | <pre>N|+UUUUUU+U|</pre> | |
| − | + | Nesco was late to class. The always-nosey Smesma was there at the door to greet him. The first thing she noticed was the overpowering smell of filth. They had been summoning demons again! Nesco had the stink of Brepotog on him. Where was Thamian? The two rascals were usually inseparable. Smesma stood in the doorway and would not let Nesco pass without an explanation. | |
| − | + | “Where is your friend, Thamian?” asked Smesma. | |
| − | + | “Don't worry. He still lives,” muttered Nesco, “after a fashion.” | |
| − | + | The witch let Nesco in, more overcome by his stench than his flimsy excuses. As Nesco took his seat at the desk the other wizards scooted away, annoying the professor with their squeaky chairs. The instructor for this term was Lord Domoran. He was an incompetent teacher, just serving out his time until retirement. Most young wizards never learned from class anymore. The only ones who improved used the forbidden arts like Nesco and Thamian. | |
| − | + | “You summoned a demon from the bowels of the universe,” whispered Smesma. “I smell it!” | |
| + | |||
| + | “Not me,” said Nesco. “It was that fool Thamian. But I got him back!” | ||
| − | + | “If you have something to share,” boomed Lord Domoran, “you can share it with the whole class!” | |
| − | + | “Very well,” said Nesco. “Watch this!” | |
| − | + | The young punk stood up and clapped his hands. Suddenly the room felt very cold and still. Outside the room, the students could hear footsteps. Whoever it was, they didn't sound all that healthy. The mystery person dragged one leg and moaned when he took a step. The closer he got, the more loud and painful the moaning became. At last there was a knock at the door. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “Only students are allowed in the classroom,” shouted Domoran, clearly shaken. | |
| − | + | “But it is one of your students,” said Nesco. “Thamian! Come inside.” | |
| − | + | The doorknob turned ever so slowly, and the door swung open to reveal a horrible sight. It was Thamian, or more accurately, what was left of him. His clothing was bloody and torn, and his body was beset by a dozen mortal wounds. The fact that he was walking was clearly an infernal miracle. | |
| − | + | “Nesco,” said Domoran, “what have you done?” | |
| − | + | “Only what you are too weak and afraid to do,” shouted Nesco. “I used magic!” | |
| − | + | The zombie trudged forward. Nesco laughed. He was truly a Dulchari wizard now. The monster came closer and the young wizards stood and backed away, leaving Domoran to face the ghost of Thamian alone. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Stop it!” shouted Smesma. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “I,” said Nesco, suddenly flustered, “I can't!” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | ===( | + | ===(19 December 2015)=== |
| − | <pre> | + | <pre>!!NU!!!!!!UU++UU</pre> |
| − | + | Thamian's corpse caught hold of Domoran and plunged its fangs into his neck. The young wizards cut and ran, leaving Nesco and Smesma to face the threat alone. Blood poured from Domoran's wound. There wasn't much hope for him now and Nesco knew it. Still, Smesma wouldn't let Nesco flee. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “You did this,” shouted Smesma. “Now undo it!” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “But if Domoran lives,” explained Nesco, “we will be expelled from school.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “What?” asked Smesma, having heard the most ignorant excuse spoken in years. | |
| − | + | The zombie dropped the professor's body on the floor and advanced on the delinquent wizard. Nesco grabbed Smesma by the arm and ran out of class. Outside the classroom, the disaster containment squad had assembled. The wizards in the tac-squad wore robes lined with adamantine and wielded special flame throwing wands. | |
| − | + | “They are in there,” shouted Nesco. “Two of them!” | |
| − | + | “Villain!” cried Smesma. “Domoran may yet live!” | |
| − | + | Nesco pushed Smesma to the side as the wizards stormed the classroom, blasting away indiscriminately with their flame throwers. The evil Nesco chuckled into his cloak. No one was paying attention but Smesma. She knew now that something must be done to stop him. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(20 January 2016)=== | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | <pre>,.U!,.U".</pre> | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Alone in her alcove, Smesma said a prayer to the gods and began her meditation. There was a buzzing sound deep in her throat. She concentrated on the sacred syllables of the forbidden language. The time had come to use her power. She shouted the word and punched a hole through the brick wall of her room. Such was the power of Axolar. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “Where is Nesco?” asked Smesma. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “He has been hanging around Thamian's grave,” said one of the students. “It's horrible that all of this happened.” | |
| − | + | “He has to be stopped before anyone else gets hurt,” said Smesma. | |
| − | + | She meant to kill Nesco before he could raise any more zombies. Domoron had been a hero to Smesma, and she blamed Nesco alone for his death. Outside the city gate, hidden behind a screen of trees, Nesco waited for Smesma in the cemetery. He was alone dressed in the gray robes of mourning. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | “You had better call to Urmoro for help,” shouted Smesma, “for I will have no mercy.” | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Nesco just stood there, knowing that Smesma would probably just kill herself with a magic spell. He had gained some perspective since the trouble started. He could hear the sound welling up from Smesma's throat as she charged up for the killer blow. She ran at Nesco, releasing the spell with a shout. There was an explosion of gore and a terrible gargling sound. No one knew what happened until the undertaker came across the bodies the next day. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ==[[User:Janus|Janus]]== | |
| − | + | ===(12 October 2006)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>BgB | |
| + | B@g | ||
| + | gBB</pre> | ||
| + | Beak dogs and goblins surround the adventurer! What will happen next?! | ||
| − | + | ===(13 February 2007)=== | |
| + | <pre>gg... | ||
| + | .B.B= | ||
| + | ..BB. | ||
| + | .%B@/ | ||
| + | .-...</pre> | ||
| + | One of the five beak dogs pounced. Rogar leapt, planting a foot on the beast's head and propelling himself toward the tattoed goblin. Just as they collided, Rogar planted his dagger through the goblin's left eye. They hit the ground hard, and Rogar rolled forward to his feet, spinning to face the remaining eight opponents. The beak dog he had jumped on was still shaking its head, wincing. Behind them stood a wiry goblin with a wild mane of maroon hair, brandishing a scimitar, and a lardy goblin holding an iron-studded club. | ||
| − | + | The beak dogs charged Rogar in unison. His dagger was stuck back in the twitching goblin's face, but weaponless he stood his ground before them. The first dog to reach him received Rogar's knee under its chin, the long cruel spike at the top of the warrior's half-greave piercing the creature's throat. Two more beak dogs reached him as he twisted his leg in the air, trying to free it from his bleeding adversary. The beasts slammed into him, one getting a hold of his right arm above the elbow, the other gnashing at his face. Before it could tear his nose off, Rogar grabbed it by the neck with his left hand and held it back. The other dog sank its beak deeper into the flesh of Rogar's arm. Could this be the end?! | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(5 May 2007)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>|+@g+++</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Rogar awoke in pain, his wrists in chains, his wounded arm throbbing. He opened his eyes only to be greeted by an all-encompassing darkness. This must be Shalthidon's dungeon, which meant that he was locked inside the Tower of Hate from which no man had ever returned. | |
| − | A | + | A dim light flickered some distance away, and he could see the silhouetted bars of his prison. Beyond them, shadows danced, and he heard a grating sound. The bars slid aside, and the lardy goblin waddled into the chamber holding a torch. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The foul creature stood below Rogar where he hung, an idiot grin perking up the otherwise sagging jowls of its bloated face. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | "The master says you are to be entertained," it croaked as it continued to smile. | |
| − | + | "I do not desire such pleasures as Shalthidon has to offer," Rogar answered. "Be off with you. The larder has grown lonely." | |
| − | The | + | "The master says you are to feel the fire," the thing chortled. The goblin lifted the torch and took a step toward Rogar. |
| − | + | It was enough. Rogar lashed out with his legs, hooking them around the goblin's neck. In a feat of strength that would become legend, Rogar strained against the chains on his arms, lifting the massive goblin and all its corpulence from the floor. There was a sickening crack, and the fixtures in the ceiling gave way. Rogar fell into the goblin's lardy folds, pushing away desperately until he regained his feet, ready to fight, but the goblin was already dead with a broken neck. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Fortunately, the torch had not been smothered. The warrior picked it up and held it high. There was nothing else in the cell. Aside from the chains, the torch was his only possession. Now it's the master who'll be entertained, Rogar thought, as he strode out into the passageway. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | " | + | ===(7 August 2007)=== |
| + | <pre>@+++"E"</pre> | ||
| − | + | Rogar strode toward the great iron doors, leaving a trail of blood that was not his own. In his hand he held a scimitar and from each of his wrists the chains still hung. All of the servants of Shalthidon that lurked within the Tower of Hate were now dead, save whatever was in this room at the pinnacle of the tower. The sword he had seized from the maroon-maned goblin, who had led the goblins in the tower barracks. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The warrior pushed hard on the iron doors and they opened inward with a groan. There, surrounded by brightly colored flowers, was an elf. The sun shone down on the tower top through windows in the elegant curved ceiling. The entire room sparkled. | |
| − | was | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | " | + | "Are you a prisoner here? Where is Shalthidon?" Rogar asked urgently. |
| − | " | + | The elf chuckled pleasantly. "Child, Rogar, I am Shalthidon. My parents named me Lilarilqua, but my attempts to hold the goblins under my sway with that name met with disaster. Are you cold? Let me fetch you something warm." Shalthidon fished around under a dresser and pulled out a plush cloak with lacy frills. "The material was all offered freely from the feather trees, Rogar. You don't have to worry about the animals." |
| − | + | Rogar was still stunned. Shalthidon, the Bringer of Ruin, murderer of his parents, lord of the evil of the creeping wastes that had engulfed half the world, was an elf. Dispelling the cloud over his mind, the warrior focused. That will only make killing him all the more satisfying, he thought. Rogar lifted his blade and advanced. | |
| − | + | ==Japa== | |
| − | + | ===(27th December, 2010)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>llllllllllllllllllll,.@,.@@@@@@@@@@@@</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | There was a beast called the Strangler that lived deep in the forest. | |
| − | + | No one knew what forces woke it, but one night it scaled the walls of | |
| − | + | the dwarf fortress with its four long arms and caught the dwarf king | |
| + | as he was star gazing on the royal balcony. Without a moment's | ||
| + | hesitation, the monster pitched the king over the side to meet a | ||
| + | violent death at the base of the mountain. | ||
| − | + | At dawn's light the dwarves set out in search of the creature. | |
| − | + | Captain Aliz, who had been trusted with the safeguarding of the king's | |
| − | + | life, now sought vengeance. He lead his posse of a dozen dwarves, | |
| − | + | with twenty gray langurs leading the way. As they entered the forest | |
| − | + | Aliz pounded his chest and prayed the Forge Father for victory. | |
| − | the | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(4th February, 2011)=== | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | <pre>lllllTS-@,lllll,.@@@@</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | At the base of an ancient tree, a langur called out. As the dwarves | |
| + | came rushing, swords drawn, more gray langurs scaled the tree. The | ||
| + | strangler stirred from its den. Its four muscular arms flexed as it | ||
| + | crawled from the knot in the tree. It blinked its three black eyes | ||
| + | and gave out a loud hoot through its shark-like teeth. | ||
| − | + | The monkeys pounced one after another and the strangler knocked them | |
| − | + | away. They kept coming and even the four hands of the monster were | |
| − | + | not enough to swat them all. The langurs grabbed onto the monster's | |
| − | + | legs. Others mounted the strangler's head and poked its eyes as the | |
| − | + | dwarves cheered below. | |
| − | + | Branches cracked and snapped as the strangler fell. With a mighty | |
| + | crunch, the monster slammed into the forest floor. As the dwarves | ||
| + | closed in, the strangler coughed up blood, clearly dying. Aliz | ||
| + | prodded his sword under the creature's chin. | ||
| − | " | + | "Who sent you?" demanded the dwarf. |
| − | " | + | "You know very well who," said the monster as it died. |
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(23rd May, 2011)=== | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | <pre>++Ao@++</pre> | |
| − | + | It could only be Malfacto, the evil necromancer. Once Malfacto was a | |
| − | + | greedy dwarf with his eyes on the throne. Universally loathed, the | |
| + | wretched dwarf wandered the wilds, finding that not even the animals | ||
| + | would tolerate him. He wasted his days away, scavenging meat like a | ||
| + | jackal and playing with bare bones. | ||
| − | + | It was at the depths of his insanity that a vision came to him. It | |
| − | + | was an angel clothed in darkness, a spirit of some foreign religion. | |
| + | It beckoned to him and he came, through the jungle and to a lost | ||
| + | temple. As he neared the temple's entrance he had to do his best to | ||
| + | avoid stepping on the human bones that littered the ground. | ||
| − | + | The entire time he was in the temple, Malfacto couldn't shake the | |
| − | + | feeling that the ever-present skulls turned to watch him. The shade | |
| + | lead him to the altar at the center of the ossuary. On top was a | ||
| + | table marked with dashes and dots, some alien language. The angel | ||
| + | moved its hand over the markings and they became words in the dwarven | ||
| + | tongue. | ||
| − | + | Such were the beginnings of Malfacto, and Aliz knew he had to stop | |
| − | + | him. No dark wizard would sit on the throne. He ordered the monkeys | |
| − | + | made ready. There would be more than jungle monsters to hunt tonight. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===(24th April, 2012)=== | |
| − | ===( | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | <pre>@/+++ahssGccbGshggg</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The forest was creepy, dark and deep, but Aliz had far to go before he | |
| + | reached Malfacto's temple. The monkeys fanned out, beating the bushes | ||
| + | and trees and howling as Aliz loaded a bolt into his crossbow. How | ||
| + | low could a dwarf sink?, he thought. Malfacto the dark wizard. | ||
| + | Malfacto the cannibal cultist. It would all end tonight. | ||
| − | + | Something rushed through the bushes, excited by the grey langurs. | |
| + | Aliz aimed his weapon. It was a rhesus macaque, the eyes of the | ||
| + | enemy. The animal just barely dodged the bolt shooting past its left | ||
| + | ear. Aliz hooted to his monkeys and they gave chase. | ||
| − | + | When the dwarf monkey master reached the macaque, it wasn't in good | |
| − | + | shape. Aliz came to it and grabbed it by the chin. He raised its | |
| + | head to him and stared into its remaining eye. | ||
| − | " | + | "Malfacto," said Aliz, "I know you are in there. Know you will pay |
| − | I will | + | for the life you took, your rightful king." |
| − | + | - | |
| − | " | + | "Master?" asked the australopithecus. "Did you have the dream again?" |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | The | + | "The hero is near," said Malfacto, rising from his sarcophagus. |
| − | + | "Ready the apes." | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The creature ran from the room panting as the evil wizard brushed the | |
| − | + | dust from his robes. Once the champion was dead, nothing would stand | |
| + | between him and the crown. Slowly, he made his way to the top of the | ||
| + | pyramid. Venomous plants snaked their way all over the stone slabs. | ||
| + | Once at the top, he surveyed his army. Hundreds of simians of all | ||
| + | types and descriptions jumped and howled before the temple. A homo | ||
| + | habilis arrived with Malfacto's staff. Taking it, he spoke. | ||
| − | + | "Soon they will know to fear our power!" shouted Malfacto. | |
| − | + | A siamang began to hoot and soon all the apes were howling and beating | |
| + | their chests. The jungle was alive with hatred. Aliz could hear them | ||
| + | from almost a league away. It was clear now that the wizard must be | ||
| + | stopped. Aliz could very well be the only dwarf standing between the | ||
| + | fortress and oblivion. | ||
| + | ==[[User:Jevon|Jevon]]== | ||
| + | ===(13 June 2011)=== | ||
| − | + | <pre>,.gg,.\@,.ggg</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | <pre> | ||
| − | + | Waves of arrows rained down on Aliz's machine. It was not a machine, in truth, but a suit of armor, powered by its user to great strength. Aliz himself wore the machine now, wading into the goblin ambush to check the kinks in the system. Once he returned the king would reward him handsomely and he could continue his research well-funded. | |
| − | |||
| − | not | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | would | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | The goblins came out from behind the rocks to inspect the curiosity. The thing was the shape of a dwarf, but made of metal. It held an axe but was far from threatening because it moved so slowly. The lead goblin snatched the axe out of the dwarf's hand. As the other goblins laughed, the chief kicked the contraption on its side. Aliz wondered how he might escape alive. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ==[[User:Jibz|Jibz]]== | |
| − | + | ===(25 December 2011)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>###N,.,.o@,.@</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Far below the pond grabbers in the underground seas in the depths long | |
| − | + | forgotten, a beast awoke. Scratching, itching, biting. It was the | |
| + | little ones again. The beast put a claw over its aching head. Didn't | ||
| + | they remember the last time they pulled this? The beast was still | ||
| + | trying to get the taste out of its mouth. With a turn of its tail, | ||
| + | the monster rose from the murky water. | ||
| − | + | "Are you going to the mead hall after work?" asked Aliz. | |
| − | + | "Nah," said Mokez, chipping off another piece of microcline, "I don't | |
| − | + | think those guys understand me anymore." | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Suddenly, a crack formed in the end of the tunnel. Mokez started. It | |
| + | was unlike him to miss cues like this. Call it ‘female trouble,' he | ||
| + | thought. Aliz scuttled up to see. A hole was forming before them. | ||
| + | Quickly the dwarves rushed back up the mineshaft. | ||
| − | + | "You saw it," said Aliz. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | "Re-wall," replied Mokez. "Dwarves have been here before." | |
| − | + | "But it must have been an age ago," started Aliz. "You saw the rock…" | |
| − | + | Crash! A huge claw shot up through the shaft and landed in between | |
| + | the miners. Aliz ran to call the guard, while Mokez stayed behind | ||
| + | throwing rocks. The monster was a giant black newt with external ribs | ||
| + | and massive claws. Mokez stared into the creature's third eye and | ||
| + | dropped his stone. There was a connection. | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:.Jim|Jim]]== | |
| + | ===(29 December 2008)=== | ||
| + | <pre>,.U\U,.....M,.UUH..</pre> | ||
| − | + | So unsteady was the rule of the land that no one walked the halls of | |
| + | Castle Sanazar alone. It had become fashion for the lords to stab | ||
| + | each other in the back, or perhaps poison each other's beer steins. | ||
| + | Not even a squire was safe. Rumors of war spread as did the news of | ||
| + | Sanazar's weakness. The king called an audience of all the knights of | ||
| + | the realm. A quest was called for -- something to prove the kingdom's | ||
| + | legitimacy. | ||
| − | + | The tables of the great hall filled with mighty knights as squires | |
| − | + | rushed back and forth filling cups. The king looked on silently | |
| − | + | through sunken eyes, having recently lost his ability to speak. He | |
| − | + | motioned his consort to stand forth to deliver his proclamation. She | |
| − | + | was a handsome woman, recently bound to the king, from a kingdom far | |
| − | + | to the north. | |
| − | + | "The flower that is Sanazar," she said, "is wilting and sick. While | |
| + | we fight amongst ourselves, hungry jackals vie for their part of the | ||
| + | carcass. What we need is a hero, and what better to prove a hero than | ||
| + | a mighty quest! Far to the east lays Forgotten Quilts, an ancient | ||
| + | dwarf fortress abandoned long ago. It is said that within can be | ||
| + | found Gilded Lunch, the golden artifact boot. Return with the boot, | ||
| + | and return a hero! Who will take the challenge?" | ||
| − | + | "I shall!" boomed a voice from the end of the hall. | |
| − | + | Through the door came Bram, mighty barbarian warrior, a squire | |
| − | + | following behind, eyes downcast. The hall erupted into Chaos. How | |
| − | + | could this outsider be given the quest? The king's consort looked on | |
| + | the barbarian, heart racing. "What makes you think you are up to the | ||
| + | task?" she said. | ||
| − | + | "May I know thy name Madame?" asked the barbarian. | |
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| − | + | "Scandala," said the consort, brushing a blond hair from her face. | |
| − | + | "Lady Scandala," said Bram, "I have slain dragon, cyclops, and ogre. | |
| + | There is nothing under the sky that I fear." | ||
| − | + | That same day, Bram found himself on a horse on the road to Forgotten | |
| − | + | Quilts, his squire Dolphin on a mule trailing behind. The lords of | |
| − | the | + | the realm had not taken it well. Without the Mandate of the King, |
| − | + | returning with the boot would be useless. Bram must die. No knight | |
| + | knew this better than Crusier, cruel black night of Petoun. That very | ||
| + | night he left the castle with his squire, taking the fast roads to | ||
| + | arrive on the trail before the hero. | ||
| − | + | "Help!" cried the boy, "Oh help!" | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | "Don't trust it Bram," said Dolphin. "I recognize that boy, a squire | |
| + | from the hall." | ||
| + | "A countryman in distress is just that," said the hero dismounting his | ||
| + | horse and drawing his sword. | ||
| − | + | As he approached, he found the boy laughing. "Let's see how fast you | |
| − | + | can complete your quest without horses!" yelled the boy. | |
| − | |||
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| − | + | Bram spun around to see Crusier leap upon Dolphin and, a knife to the | |
| − | + | boy's throat, ride away on Bram's horse. The evil squire laughed | |
| − | + | until Bram turned and brought his sword across the boy's face, leaving | |
| − | + | a deep gash in his cheek. "I have marked you," said the barbarian, | |
| − | + | "for you are mine now. Lead me to your master's den. Know that if he | |
| − | + | harms a hair on Dolphin's head, there won't be enough of you left to | |
| − | + | fill your god forsaken tomb!" | |
| − | + | ==[[User:jmullan|jmullan]]== | |
| − | + | ===(2 March 2012)=== | |
| − | + | (I donated in honor of my friend Zach J's birthday, since he is too afraid to play DF) | |
| − | + | <pre>@@||,.,,..,.,U..,uuuuUuu</pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | ===( | ||
| − | <pre> | ||
| + | The dwarf fortress at Mount Hope was once the pride of the empire. | ||
| + | Pilgrims came from every corner of Allsphere to glory in its great | ||
| + | halls and carved pillars. But years pass, and all that shines goes | ||
| + | dim. The empire was overthrown and monsters roamed freely through the | ||
| + | land. Some sought shelter at Mt. Hope and were always turned away. | ||
| + | It was this discourtesy that would spell the doom of the fortress. | ||
| − | + | "Will you let us in?" shouted the monk. | |
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| − | " | + | "No, sir!" laughed the dwarf from the high wall. "Find somewhere else to die." |
| − | to | ||
| − | " | + | "Why not just take the little ones?" pleaded the monk. "Even if they |
| − | + | were vampires, they couldn't do much harm." | |
| − | |||
| − | + | "Take your lying, no good carcass of my property," said the dwarf, "or | |
| − | + | I will shoot you down." | |
| − | + | The monk was still for a moment. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | "You will find," said the holy man, "that your walls don't protect you | |
| − | the | + | from the evils of this world. They were built to hold a greater evil |
| − | + | inside. In time you beg to be let out." | |
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| − | + | The dwarves pelted the refugees with rocks until they fled. They did | |
| − | + | not give a single thought to the monk's warning, but they would all | |
| + | remember it when the time came. It was only a matter of days before | ||
| + | the killings started. A dwarf would go missing for a week, then a | ||
| + | body would turn up drained of blood, and that was only the beginning. | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:John Tait|John Tait]]== | |
| − | + | ===(4 November 2007)=== | |
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| − | + | <pre>+@++\M+</pre> | |
| − | + | The young adventurer stepped up to the statue, torch in hand. After a quick inspection he grasped the stone minotaur's horn. He gave it a sharp yank and just as Albert foretold, the rock hand opened dropping the Sword of Fire into the adventurer's waiting hands. The stones in the ceiling above began to rumble, as if the temple itself was being rocked from its foundations. Throwing his cloak over his head, the young man made his way to the entrance, dodging the falling stones. | |
| − | + | ===(26 October 2015)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>.,pU/,.></pre> | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The young man emerged from the smoking ruin and lifted up his arm. Out of the sky, a peregrine falcon swooped and landed on his wrist. Although it looked at first to be a bird, only the adventurer knew it was really a baby dragon. He looked once again at the Sword of Fire. At first glance it didn't look like much. The metal was dim and scratched, covered with grime. The peregrine falcon had a comment. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | “That is a fine weapon,” said the bird who was really a monster. “Do you plan on slaying my mother with it?” | |
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| − | + | “Hush,” said the young man. “Good birds don't speak.” | |
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| − | + | Mounting his black stallion, the adventurer rode back to Assura, home of his master. Albert was busy learning from every book his pupils had gathered. He didn't expect the prize that young Joson had acquired for him. The Sword of Fire was forged by dwarves when the the world was young. It was the only weapon fated to end the reign of Trigonometra and her dragons. | |
| + | ==[[User:JoystickHero|Joystick Hero]]== | ||
| + | ===(14 September 2010)=== | ||
| + | <pre>%W%%W% ,.,."","@@@@".,@</pre> | ||
| + | Fires burned on the high mountain. The wind carried the cries of the | ||
| + | dwarves as all they ever cared about was destroyed. But one dwarf had | ||
| + | not given in to despair. It was Malvedar, slayer of dragons and | ||
| + | veteran of a thousand famous battles. He watched the dwarf fortress | ||
| + | burn from his hiding place in the wooded slope. There would come a | ||
| + | time when the enemy was not so lucky, when his schemes failed. That | ||
| + | would be when they remember what they did to the dwarves this day and | ||
| + | would expect no mercy. | ||
| − | + | "Lord Malvedar," said a dwarf soldier, "I think the werewolves have | |
| − | + | caught our scent." | |
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| − | + | The dwarf warlord nodded. Together, the ragged band of dwarven | |
| − | + | survivors made their way down the slope. The road back to the | |
| − | + | mountain homes was long and full of danger, but there was nowhere else | |
| − | + | left to go. While others cried, Malvedar resisted the urge to throw | |
| − | + | himself on the enemy. He would kill many, but not enough before he | |
| + | was brought low. No. It would be a hard time, and a long time, but | ||
| + | he would have his satisfaction. | ||
| − | + | ==[[User:Jupotter|Jupotter]]== | |
| + | ===(3 March 2012)=== | ||
| − | + | <pre>////+++U\N+\\\\</pre> | |
| − | + | At the top of the great stone temple, the high priest vampire held a | |
| + | bone dagger over the victim under the light of the full moon. The | ||
| + | evil spirit rose over the altar, changing the moonlight to a blood red | ||
| + | hue. Another heartbeat and the victim's eyes snapped open. A scream | ||
| + | tore the night as the final blow fell. | ||
| − | + | "If it is spring, Grandfather," said the kid, "why are the days getting colder?" | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Old man Udma patted the boy on the shoulder. This could only mean one | |
| − | + | thing. Gonra had returned. Upon reaching to his hut, Udma found his | |
| − | + | hiding place and retrieved the sword Sangrak, the vampire slayer. But | |
| − | + | he could no longer wield it. If the world was to be saved, a true | |
| − | + | hero must be found. | |
| − | + | ===(14 May 2012)=== | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | " | + | <pre>T"TT"TT"",U,.,\U==,.TTTT"TT"T</pre> |
| − | + | “I’ll have another,” said Atho. | |
| − | |||
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| − | + | “You drink like a dwarf,” said the old man. | |
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| − | + | “What of it?” grunted Atho. | |
| − | + | In the dim light of the tavern, Atho could barely see the stranger. | |
| − | + | He had been wasting his life away in dives like this for the last year | |
| + | or more. It seemed that years of peace meant slim business | ||
| + | opportunities for a mercenary such as he. As he threw back his last | ||
| + | gulp he slammed the goblet back onto the table. The color of the wine | ||
| + | reminded him of blood. | ||
| − | + | “You look ill,” said the stranger. “You should take better care of yourself.” | |
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| − | + | “Who are you?” shouted Atho. | |
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| − | + | “Forgive me,” said the old man. “I am Udma, a master of secrets. It | |
| − | + | is no secret you are in need of work. Your skill is known to many. I | |
| + | would have you for myself before my neighbors seek you out.” | ||
| − | + | Atho had met his share of strange employers, but this was the weirdest | |
| + | by far. He was to meet Udma in the forest at midnight. There, at the | ||
| + | shrine of Domon, he would receive his instructions. The woodland | ||
| + | creatures grew quiet as he approached. Just ahead was the blackened | ||
| + | shrine. Udma was there, holding a weapon in his outstretched hands. | ||
| − | + | “It is the vampire Gonra I would have you kill,” said Udma. | |
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| − | + | “Vampires are the stuff of legend,” said Atho. | |
| − | + | “Then your task should be easy,” laughed Udma, “but I suggest you take | |
| − | dwarf | + | this weapon. It is Sangrak the vampire slayer. Take it, and go to |
| − | + | the old dwarf fortress of Firesign. It is there the fiend can be | |
| + | found.” | ||
| − | + | ==Kaelis Ebonrai== | |
| − | + | ===(22 June 2010)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>###UH/###,.,..UH,g.gg,g.ggggg</pre> | |
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| − | + | The fierce warrior brushed the feathers out of his face as the battle | |
| + | hawk circled for another dive. He slapped the neck of his winged | ||
| + | steed and leaned low, one hand on the reins, the other on his deadly | ||
| + | javelins. Since the time of the first legends, Geldrix and his men | ||
| + | had been bird riders. The ground rushed by as the hawk dove. The | ||
| + | goblins never knew what hit them. Spears fell from the sky like rain. | ||
| + | Talons tore and beaks pecked. Seeing the enemy commander, Geldrix | ||
| + | took the dagger from his teeth and launched from his saddle. | ||
| − | + | The enemy general rode proud in the saddle. His dark metal armor was | |
| − | + | festooned with black roses. Geldrix tackled him off his horse with | |
| + | the force of a meteor. Sitting astride the evil knight, Geldrix | ||
| + | marked the spot for the death stroke. As his knife plunged toward the | ||
| + | knight's neck, a gauntlet seized him by the wrist. Geldrix smiled. | ||
| + | There is still some fight in this one, he thought. He flipped back | ||
| + | the enemy's visor and was shocked by what he saw. | ||
| − | + | Beneath him lay by far the most beautiful woman in the world. Pain | |
| − | + | shocked Geldrix's system as he suffered a blow to the lower body. He | |
| − | + | rolled to the side, his eyes shut tight in pain. He could hear the | |
| − | + | woman knight curse him as she kicked him about the neck and head. | |
| + | Others came, and he was bound. He opened his eyes and found himself | ||
| + | lashed to the back of a horse. There was nowhere they could take him | ||
| + | that the hawkmen could not find him, but would he be whole when he was | ||
| + | found? | ||
| − | + | ===(6 September 2010)=== | |
| − | + | <pre>+u~+U++U+UUUUUU</pre> | |
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| − | + | Geldrix returned to Hawkvir half a man. Something was missing. He | |
| + | moved like a shadow, avoiding the company of his fellow warriors. A | ||
| + | fair lass came to him, offering a cup of wine. He knocked it away, | ||
| + | spilling dark liquid onto the carpet of the royal hall. All went | ||
| + | silent as the king rose from his throne. Geldrix hid his face with | ||
| + | his cloak, staring at the king with a single maddened eye as he | ||
| + | approached. The guards opened a door and the king ushered Geldrix | ||
| + | outside, into a narrow passage. Once they were alone, he spoke. | ||
| − | + | "What happened to you out there?" asked the king. "What was it like | |
| + | to be a prisoner of the goblins?" | ||
| − | + | "I was defeated," said Geldrix, sobbing. "I can never be a hawk rider | |
| − | + | again. I did not escape, as I told the others. I was traded to the | |
| − | + | dwarves for a crate of dimple-dyed cloth." | |
| − | was | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | The king looked down on the broken man that was once captain of the | |
| − | + | riders and shook his head slowly. | |
| − | |||
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| − | + | "Surely there is something you can live for," shouted the king. | |
| − | + | "Revenge, perhaps?" | |
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| − | + | Geldrix found it difficult to take the saddle, having spent so long on | |
| + | the earth. Now in the air, he watched the trails for Zona, warrior | ||
| + | princess of the goblins. It was all her fault, he kept telling | ||
| + | himself. He would strike her down and his manhood would be restored. | ||
| + | His hand trembled at the reins. Memories of his time underground came | ||
| + | flooding back. Then his eye caught something on the road below, two | ||
| + | |||